BEIJING, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday addressed a gathering organized by the country's top political advisory body to ring in the year of 2024. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), delivered an important speech at the gathering of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing. Other Party and state leaders including Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi and Han Zheng attended the gathering. They were joined by leading officials of the central committees of non-CPC parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, representatives of personages without party affiliation, leading officials of central Party and government departments, and representatives from various ethnic groups and sectors of society in Beijing. Advancing the great cause of building China into a stronger country and rejuvenating the Chinese nation on all fronts by pursuing Chinese modernization is the central task of the Party and the country on the new journey in the new era, Xi stressed. Xi called for consolidating and developing the broadest patriotic united front, stressing the need to pool strength through unity, forge great achievements through hard work, and jointly write a magnificent chapter on Chinese modernization. On behalf of the CPC Central Committee, the State Council and the CMC, Xi extended New Year greetings to non-CPC parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, personages without party affiliation, Chinese people of all ethnic groups, compatriots in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, overseas Chinese, and the friends from around the world who support the development of China's modernization. The year 2023 marks the first year of the full implementation of the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress, Xi noted. Over the past year, we have remained committed to the underlying principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability, transitioned COVID-19 management to that of a class-B infectious disease, resolutely overcame internal and external difficulties, pushed for economic recovery, and fulfilled the main objectives for economic and social development, said Xi. We have created new opportunities and won the strategic initiative while overcoming crises, fighting difficulties and responding to changes, which has greatly enhanced our confidence and strength, he said. Xi pointed out that 2023 saw the CPPCC conscientiously implement the decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee and make new contributions to advancing the cause of the Party and the country. Over the past year, the CPPCC played its due role as a specialized consultative body and carried out in-depth research, consultation and deliberation, and oversight with a focus on the central task, Xi said. Xi emphasized that the year 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, and is a crucial year in fulfilling the goals and tasks in the 14th Five-Year Plan for economic and social development. He urged efforts to consolidate and enhance the momentum of economic recovery and growth, improve people's well-being, maintain social stability, and make solid and steady progress in advancing the Chinese modernization. Xi noted that 2024 also marks the CPPCC's 75th anniversary. He called on the advisory body to carry forward its fine traditions, be active in offering suggestions and building consensus, and improve itself so as to open up new horizons for CPPCC work in the new era. The gathering was presided over by Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the CPPCC National Committee. Addressing the gathering, Wang stressed that efforts should be made to study and grasp the guiding principles of Xi's speech. He called on members of the CPPCC National Committee to pool their wisdom and strength in deepening reform, advancing development, and facilitating progress in people's well-being. Wang also called on them to remain confident, break new ground and forge ahead, make new contributions to the cause of the Party and the country, and strive for the advancement of Chinese modernization.
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree on celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Azernews reports.

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The Ukraine War has made NATO countries aware that the Cold War-era Russian threat has returned and is not likely to go away. This means NATO countries will have to return to Cold War levels of defense spending, which averaged 3.5 percent a year for all NATO members. In the 1990s that shrank to two percent. Now it's going back to 3.5 percent. In Russia the situation was worse. At the end of the Cold war, in 1991 when the Soviet Union fell apart, the Soviet Union was spending over $70 billion a year on defense.

Russia is not only more aggressive but is putting its economy on a permanent war footing. Russia cannot afford that, mainly because it was hit with extensive economic sanctions. This hurt Russia economically and the government tells the Russian people that the current economic depression in Russia is the result of NATO aggression. Russia tells its people that its troops went into Ukraine to prevent NATO from taking control of Ukraine and using it as part of an attack on Russia. The assertion seems absurd to Westerners, but Russians have had over a century of government paranoia about the West and are more inclined to accept it as reality.

The problem is that NATO nations can afford this expense, without hurting their economies, more than Russia can. In 2021, the year before Russia invaded Ukraine, the Russian defense budget was $66 billion. Russia expected a short and victorious war in Ukraine. That did not happen so Russia military budget for 2022 rose to $75 billion and then to between $84 billion and $100 billion in 2023. As a result of this Russia is expected to spend at least $600 billion on defense between 2022 and 2025. This means less money for non-defense operations. That includes government employees, infrastructure costs and government services in general. Russia has done this before. During World War II the deprivation inflicted on civilians led to hunger and some starvation deaths. American aid to Russia helped alleviate that. These shipments were delivered to the Russian Pacific Ocean port of Vladivostok via American transports that were transferred to Russia, which was not at war with Japan. Much of this aid was food and without it there would have been a lot more starvation in Russia. Without this aid, especially the military component, Russia might have lost the war or seen it go on longer than it originally did.

All this is remembered by many Russians who know about their own history. No one is supplying Russia with military or food aid. During World War II Russia lost control of most of its food producing territories to the German invaders. While Russia can feed itself this time and is in no danger of losing territory, the economic sanctions are doing a lot of damage. Ukraine is the one getting all the foreign aid and Russia does not like this situation at all. NATO countries can afford to send Ukraine lots of aid and keep doing so both with and without (depending on the vagaries of the U.S. Congress) much participation from the Americans. Russia has got itself into a war it cant win but cannot, because of internal politics, afford to withdraw from.

Russia is profiting in some ways from its lost war. It does this by forcing Western firms to leave Russia and seizes the assets of these foreign firms. This has led to Russia obtaining billions of dollars from the departing Western companies. Russia believes that Western firms will not abandon the Russian market forever, despite their huge losses during their 2023 departure and will eventually return. Russia underestimates the widespread use of risk assessment by Western corporations based on Russian outlaw behavior. Russia is now assessed as a high risk and unreliable place to do business. Financial and risk management firms in the West now consider Russia an undesirable place to do business and it can take decades for that to change. Russia never had a particularly good reputation as a place to do business and now Russia is considered a place to avoid. Western risk assessment firms have compiled lots of evidence to back that up and major corporations will consult that data before considering any return to Russia.

For NATO countries, this means recent Russian behavior justified the formation of NATO in the first place, as an organization of Western nations determined to defend themselves from Russian aggression, be it military or financial. The United States missed an opportunity to stop Russia early and was slow to get Ukraine the military aid it needed in the beginning. Now NATO is easing up on aid to Ukraine just as the Ukrainians are pushing the Russians back. This will get messy because the Russians plan to do whatever it takes to absorb Ukraine back into a Russian empire that no one but Russian wants.
Dear Neil: My wife and I are having discussions of whether I should remove a native cedar tree in our landscape. She tests positive for allergies to cedar pollen, and this time of year her miseries begin for a couple of months. She wants me to remove the tree, but we both think its very pretty if it werent for the pollen. Even its blueberries are attractive, and I notice the birds love them. My contention is that there are dozens of other cedars nearby, and that even if I take our one tree out, she will still be hit with the pollen from other trees around us. Do you have any advice?

A: My wife and I could have written the same letter. We have eastern redcedar junipers on the 11 acres that surround our house. They are starting to turn bronze now, an indication that the pollen is about to fly. We were pretty sure of the cause of her troubles when she visited an older allergist in his last year before retirement. I wrote the name Juniperus virginiana on a piece of paper for her, and she told him she thought that was the culprit. After her tests he chuckled and said she was the first person who had ever come in with the scientific name of the offending plant written out on a sheet of paper.

She started her nasal spray prescription a couple of weeks ago, just as she has for 15 or 20 years. It makes a huge difference for her. An allergist can prescribe one for your wife. I vote on your side in this case. Juniper pollen, like oak and pecan, is carried hundreds of miles. It starts as South Texas species come into bloom in December and January. Prevailing south winds carry the pollen north to unwitting victims. Even if you were to remove the one plant, there are thousands of others ready to contribute their pollen waiting in the wings. If youre the one who isnt allergic, thump one of those bronze branches on a still, dry day with a broom handle and youll see the quantities of pollen thats out there. Let the doctor advise her and prescribe the best remedy. You cant chop your way out of this forest.

Dear Neil: We had a terrible problem with nutgrass in our lawn last summer. Will a pre-emergent weedkiller stop it this year? If so, which one, and when should it be applied?

A: The weed you have is not a true grass, but a sedge instead. You can always distinguish the sedges from true grasses by rolling the plants stem between your thumb and index finger. Grasses will have round stems. Sedges will be triangular. And the other fact youll need to remember is that sedges are perennials  they come back from their roots. Pre-emergents only work on annual weeds as their seeds try to germinate. So, if nutsedge is your biggest concern, you would be wasting the pre-emergent. Youll want to use either Image or Sedgehammer after the nutsedge is up and growing actively. Thats generally mid-May through mid-September.

Dear Neil: I have a Texas Everbearing fig tree. When should I feed it, and with what and how much?

A: Easy answer: Texas A&M University fruit specialists recommend that we not do any major pruning of, or feeding to, our figs. Both encourage strong vegetative growth. That would come at the expense of fruit production. It also makes the plants more susceptible to freeze damage. Weve seen enough of that in recent years anyway. Your plant will get enough nutrients from the soil, especially if plants near it are being fed.

Dear Neil: My medium-sized pecans are dropping many of their branches. When I examine the branches, it appears that some type of insect or ant has dug back into the branch and caused it to be weaker. As a result, the trees havent borne many pecans. What can I use to kill the insects, so that I can have pecans in future years?

A: Ants are very unlikely to be the culprits. It sounds like a perfect description of twig girdlers. Theyre large beetles with long antennae that extend back over their backs. Back in the summer the females deposited their eggs in the parts of the branches that are now falling. Then, they moved a bit farther back up the affected branches, where they scored the twigs and small limbs with their sharp mouthparts. The branches died and are falling to the ground (as you described). The larvae have been developing within the decaying tissues. Unfortunately, the adult insects never actually feed on the twigs, so spraying is impractical. The larvae develop within the branches, so theyre also sequestered from any treatment you might apply. Rake up the fallen branches and destroy them. Youll reduce the populations, although they will still return from other trees in the neighborhood.
SOL Capital Management CO reduced its holdings in shares of The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA  Free Report) by 6.7% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 10,070 shares of the aircraft producers stock after selling 720 shares during the period. SOL Capital Management COs holdings in Boeing were worth $1,930,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in BA. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Boeing by 109,667.8% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 16,055,730 shares of the aircraft producers stock worth $3,058,456,000 after acquiring an additional 16,041,103 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Boeing by 8.1% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 35,950,526 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $7,636,970,000 after buying an additional 2,682,272 shares in the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Boeing by 1,071.3% in the 1st quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 2,592,100 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $550,640,000 after buying an additional 2,370,800 shares in the last quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich boosted its holdings in shares of Boeing by 175,431.2% in the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 2,141,481 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $452,195,000 after buying an additional 2,140,261 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Barclays PLC boosted its holdings in shares of Boeing by 599.0% in the 2nd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 1,522,410 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $321,475,000 after buying an additional 1,827,485 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 61.33% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on BA shares. Stifel Nicolaus started coverage on shares of Boeing in a report on Friday, December 1st. They issued a buy rating and a $265.00 target price for the company. Northcoast Research upgraded shares of Boeing from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $217.00 target price for the company in a report on Tuesday, October 31st. Susquehanna restated a positive rating and issued a $270.00 target price on shares of Boeing in a report on Wednesday, September 13th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded shares of Boeing from a hold rating to a buy rating and upped their price target for the company from $204.00 to $270.00 in a research report on Monday, November 20th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reduced their price target on shares of Boeing from $235.00 to $220.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 26th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $258.12.

Boeing Trading Down 0.7 %

Shares of NYSE BA opened at $260.35 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $157.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -55.39 and a beta of 1.53. The Boeing Company has a 52 week low of $176.25 and a 52 week high of $267.54. The companys 50-day moving average price is $221.24 and its 200 day moving average price is $216.07.

Boeing (NYSE:BA  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 25th. The aircraft producer reported ($3.26) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($3.21) by ($0.05). The company had revenue of $18.10 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $18.01 billion. The companys revenue was up 13.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted ($6.18) earnings per share. As a group, research analysts expect that The Boeing Company will post -5.98 earnings per share for the current year.

Boeing Profile

(Free Report)

The Boeing Company, together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, sells, services, and supports commercial jetliners, military aircraft, satellites, missile defense, human space flight and launch systems, and services worldwide. The company operates through four segments: Commercial Airplanes; Defense, Space & Security; Global Services; and Boeing Capital.

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Oak Thistle LLC acquired a new position in Franklin Resources, Inc. (NYSE:BEN  Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor acquired 21,738 shares of the closed-end funds stock, valued at approximately $534,000.

Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of BEN. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its stake in Franklin Resources by 63.4% in the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 74,206 shares of the closed-end funds stock worth $2,072,000 after acquiring an additional 28,795 shares in the last quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC raised its stake in shares of Franklin Resources by 24.8% during the 1st quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 11,477 shares of the closed-end funds stock worth $320,000 after purchasing an additional 2,277 shares in the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Franklin Resources by 23.5% during the 1st quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 76,665 shares of the closed-end funds stock worth $2,140,000 after purchasing an additional 14,580 shares in the last quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of Franklin Resources by 89.2% during the 1st quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 36,852 shares of the closed-end funds stock worth $1,029,000 after purchasing an additional 17,376 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Rhumbline Advisers raised its stake in shares of Franklin Resources by 4.0% during the 1st quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 489,475 shares of the closed-end funds stock worth $13,666,000 after purchasing an additional 18,645 shares in the last quarter. 46.53% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Franklin Resources Stock Performance

BEN opened at $29.79 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $14.73 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.32, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 1.34. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $25.26 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $26.02. The company has a quick ratio of 1.88, a current ratio of 1.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.90. Franklin Resources, Inc. has a 12-month low of $21.88 and a 12-month high of $34.37.

Franklin Resources Increases Dividend

Franklin Resources ( NYSE:BEN Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, October 31st. The closed-end fund reported $0.84 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.60 by $0.24. The firm had revenue of $1.99 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.50 billion. Franklin Resources had a return on equity of 10.64% and a net margin of 11.25%. The companys revenue was up 2.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.78 EPS. On average, equities analysts forecast that Franklin Resources, Inc. will post 2.33 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 12th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, January 3rd will be issued a $0.31 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, January 2nd. This represents a $1.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.16%. This is a positive change from Franklin Resourcess previous quarterly dividend of $0.30. Franklin Resourcess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 72.09%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Franklin Resources in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating for the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut their price target on Franklin Resources from $26.00 to $24.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, October 11th. Jefferies Financial Group cut their price target on Franklin Resources from $28.00 to $27.00 in a research note on Tuesday, October 10th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on Franklin Resources from $26.00 to $24.00 in a research note on Thursday, October 12th. Finally, Bank of America lowered their price objective on Franklin Resources from $24.00 to $21.00 in a report on Wednesday, October 4th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and four have given a hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Reduce and an average price target of $24.75.

Read Our Latest Research Report on Franklin Resources

Insider Buying and Selling at Franklin Resources

In other Franklin Resources news, EVP Alok Sethi sold 22,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $29.27, for a total value of $643,940.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 70,481 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,062,978.87. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other Franklin Resources news, EVP Alok Sethi sold 22,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $29.27, for a total value of $643,940.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 70,481 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,062,978.87. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Mariann H. Byerwalter sold 6,011 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, October 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $24.01, for a total value of $144,324.11. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 10,494 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $251,960.94. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 53,011 shares of company stock valued at $1,422,764 in the last 90 days. 23.40% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Franklin Resources Company Profile

(Free Report)

Franklin Resources, Inc is a publicly owned asset management holding company. Through its subsidiaries, the firm provides its services to individuals, institutions, pension plans, trusts, and partnerships. It launches equity, fixed income, balanced, and multi-asset mutual funds through its subsidiaries.

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MBM Wealth Consultants LLC raised its holdings in AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV  Free Report) by 1.0% in the third quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 11,466 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 108 shares during the quarter. AbbVie makes up 0.7% of MBM Wealth Consultants LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 21st largest position. MBM Wealth Consultants LLCs holdings in AbbVie were worth $1,696,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of ABBV. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. increased its position in shares of AbbVie by 5.0% in the second quarter. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. now owns 372,189 shares of the companys stock valued at $50,154,000 after buying an additional 17,879 shares in the last quarter. DDD Partners LLC increased its position in shares of AbbVie by 9,979.7% in the second quarter. DDD Partners LLC now owns 135,673 shares of the companys stock valued at $18,279,000 after buying an additional 134,327 shares in the last quarter. Polar Capital Holdings Plc increased its position in shares of AbbVie by 11.6% in the second quarter. Polar Capital Holdings Plc now owns 358,872 shares of the companys stock valued at $48,351,000 after buying an additional 37,368 shares in the last quarter. Sand Hill Global Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of AbbVie by 0.4% in the first quarter. Sand Hill Global Advisors LLC now owns 18,755 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,989,000 after buying an additional 68 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can purchased a new position in shares of AbbVie in the second quarter valued at $486,807,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 67.86% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on ABBV shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on AbbVie in a research report on Thursday, November 9th. They issued a hold rating and a $150.00 price target for the company. UBS Group dropped their price objective on AbbVie from $157.00 to $150.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 20th. StockNews.com began coverage on AbbVie in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a strong-buy rating for the company. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded AbbVie from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $173.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Monday, December 11th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on AbbVie from $193.00 to $196.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, October 30th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $167.59.

AbbVie Stock Performance

NYSE ABBV opened at $155.00 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $279 billion, a P/E ratio of 42.47, a P/E/G ratio of 2.76 and a beta of 0.48. AbbVie Inc. has a 1-year low of $130.96 and a 1-year high of $168.11. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.59, a current ratio of 0.96 and a quick ratio of 0.84. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $144.99 and its 200-day simple moving average is $145.12.

AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 27th. The company reported $2.95 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.86 by $0.09. The business had revenue of $13.93 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.72 billion. AbbVie had a return on equity of 152.70% and a net margin of 11.81%. The companys revenue was down 6.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $3.66 EPS. Equities analysts predict that AbbVie Inc. will post 11.24 EPS for the current year.

AbbVie Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, January 16th will be given a dividend of $1.55 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 12th. This is a positive change from AbbVies previous quarterly dividend of $1.48. This represents a $6.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.00%. AbbVies payout ratio is 162.19%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP Nicholas Donoghoe sold 2,912 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $154.72, for a total transaction of $450,544.64. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 55,903 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,649,312.16. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 0.26% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

About AbbVie

(Free Report)

AbbVie Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Humira, a therapy administered as an injection for autoimmune, intestinal Behcet's diseases, and pyoderma gangrenosum; Skyrizi to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, psoriatic disease, and Crohn's disease; Rinvoq, a JAK inhibitor to treat rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, atopic dermatitis, axial spondyloarthropathy, and ulcerative colitis; Imbruvica for the treatment of adult patients with blood cancers; and Venclexta/Venclyxto to treat hematological malignancies.

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Handelsbanken Fonder AB lessened its stake in Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL  Free Report) by 34.3% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 209,393 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 109,542 shares during the quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder ABs holdings in Aflac were worth $16,071,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. lifted its holdings in Aflac by 2.5% during the 2nd quarter. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 9,908 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $692,000 after buying an additional 243 shares during the last quarter. Machina Capital S.A.S. boosted its holdings in Aflac by 366.6% in the second quarter. Machina Capital S.A.S. now owns 9,701 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $677,000 after purchasing an additional 7,622 shares during the period. Capital Advisors Ltd. LLC increased its stake in Aflac by 22.6% during the second quarter. Capital Advisors Ltd. LLC now owns 2,255 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $157,000 after purchasing an additional 416 shares during the last quarter. Great Lakes Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Aflac by 0.6% during the second quarter. Great Lakes Advisors LLC now owns 81,346 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $5,678,000 after purchasing an additional 520 shares during the period. Finally, Spinnaker Trust bought a new position in shares of Aflac in the 2nd quarter worth about $213,000. Institutional investors own 66.75% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity at Aflac

In other Aflac news, VP June P. Howard sold 6,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $81.01, for a total transaction of $486,060.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 123,026 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,966,336.26. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other Aflac news, CFO Steven Kent Beaver sold 3,114 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $82.71, for a total value of $257,558.94. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 20,914 shares in the company, valued at $1,729,796.94. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, VP June P. Howard sold 6,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $81.01, for a total transaction of $486,060.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 123,026 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,966,336.26. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 165,315 shares of company stock worth $13,420,962 over the last quarter. 0.90% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages recently weighed in on AFL. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on shares of Aflac from $74.00 to $80.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, November 2nd. Morgan Stanley increased their price target on Aflac from $75.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 15th. Raymond James boosted their price objective on Aflac from $77.00 to $83.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 26th. StockNews.com started coverage on Aflac in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating for the company. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group raised their target price on Aflac from $70.00 to $74.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, September 14th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $79.63.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Aflac

Aflac Stock Up 0.5 %

Shares of Aflac stock opened at $82.52 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31, a current ratio of 0.08 and a quick ratio of 0.08. Aflac Incorporated has a 1-year low of $60.20 and a 1-year high of $84.64. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $81.13 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $76.45. The company has a market capitalization of $48.22 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.87, a PEG ratio of 2.00 and a beta of 0.88.

Aflac (NYSE:AFL  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 2nd. The financial services provider reported $1.84 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.44 by $0.40. The business had revenue of $4.95 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.31 billion. Aflac had a net margin of 24.17% and a return on equity of 17.86%. The companys revenue was up 5.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.23 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts forecast that Aflac Incorporated will post 6.3 EPS for the current year.

Aflac Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 1st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, November 15th were issued a $0.42 dividend. This represents a $1.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.04%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, November 14th. Aflacs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 22.13%.

Aflac Profile

(Free Report)

Aflac Incorporated, through its subsidiaries, provides supplemental health and life insurance products. It operates in two segments, Aflac Japan and Aflac U.S. The Aflac Japan segment offers cancer, medical, nursing care, work leave, GIFT, and whole and term life insurance products, as well as WAYS and child endowment plans under saving type insurance products in Japan.

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Ballentine Partners LLC boosted its stake in The Williams Companies, Inc. (NYSE:WMB  Free Report) by 20.8% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 22,624 shares of the pipeline companys stock after buying an additional 3,891 shares during the period. Ballentine Partners LLCs holdings in Williams Companies were worth $762,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. OLD Point Trust & Financial Services N A purchased a new stake in Williams Companies in the second quarter worth about $25,000. Missouri Trust & Investment Co raised its holdings in Williams Companies by 300.0% in the 2nd quarter. Missouri Trust & Investment Co now owns 800 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 600 shares during the last quarter. Steward Financial Group LLC purchased a new position in Williams Companies in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $29,000. HWG Holdings LP purchased a new position in Williams Companies in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Finally, Salem Investment Counselors Inc. raised its holdings in Williams Companies by 52.5% in the 2nd quarter. Salem Investment Counselors Inc. now owns 915 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 315 shares during the last quarter. 85.76% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Williams Companies Trading Down 0.3 %

Shares of WMB stock opened at $34.83 on Friday. The Williams Companies, Inc. has a 1 year low of $27.80 and a 1 year high of $37.45. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $35.31 and a 200-day moving average price of $34.24. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.59, a current ratio of 0.77 and a quick ratio of 0.72. The company has a market cap of $42.37 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.62, a PEG ratio of 3.26 and a beta of 1.12.

Williams Companies Dividend Announcement

Williams Companies ( NYSE:WMB Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 1st. The pipeline company reported $0.45 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.40 by $0.05. Williams Companies had a net margin of 24.52% and a return on equity of 16.90%. The firm had revenue of $2.56 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.63 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.48 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 15.3% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts predict that The Williams Companies, Inc. will post 2.15 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 26th. Investors of record on Friday, December 8th were paid a dividend of $0.4475 per share. This represents a $1.79 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.14%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, December 7th. Williams Companiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 80.27%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Mizuho boosted their price objective on shares of Williams Companies from $41.00 to $43.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, December 7th. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Williams Companies from $35.00 to $37.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 18th. The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on shares of Williams Companies in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a neutral rating and a $35.00 target price for the company. Finally, StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Williams Companies in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Williams Companies currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $36.50.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on WMB

Williams Companies 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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Autoliv, Inc. (NYSE:ALV  Get Free Report) has been given a consensus rating of Hold by the eleven analysts that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 1 year target price among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $109.10.

A number of research firms have weighed in on ALV. Barclays increased their price objective on Autoliv from $97.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Monday, October 23rd. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on Autoliv from $99.00 to $100.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Monday, October 23rd. Citigroup reduced their price target on Autoliv from $99.00 to $95.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, October 11th. StockNews.com began coverage on Autoliv in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Finally, Danske cut Autoliv from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, October 6th.

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Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Autoliv

Autoliv Stock Down 0.8 %

Autoliv stock opened at $110.23 on Wednesday. Autoliv has a twelve month low of $76.05 and a twelve month high of $111.30. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $101.28 and a two-hundred day moving average of $96.52. The company has a current ratio of 1.01, a quick ratio of 0.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51. The stock has a market capitalization of $9.28 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.77, a PEG ratio of 0.50 and a beta of 1.73.

Autoliv (NYSE:ALV  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 20th. The auto parts company reported $1.66 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.79 by ($0.13). Autoliv had a return on equity of 20.97% and a net margin of 4.15%. The company had revenue of $2.60 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.61 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.23 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 12.8% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts expect that Autoliv will post 7.18 earnings per share for the current year.

Autoliv Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 13th. Investors of record on Tuesday, November 28th were issued a dividend of $0.68 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 27th. This is a boost from Autolivs previous quarterly dividend of $0.66. This represents a $2.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.47%. Autolivs payout ratio is currently 56.20%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Autoliv

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Park Place Capital Corp purchased a new position in Autoliv during the second quarter worth $25,000. Advisors Asset Management Inc. purchased a new position in Autoliv during the third quarter worth $46,000. New York State Common Retirement Fund purchased a new position in Autoliv during the first quarter worth $49,000. CWM LLC increased its position in Autoliv by 43.5% during the second quarter. CWM LLC now owns 683 shares of the auto parts companys stock worth $58,000 after buying an additional 207 shares in the last quarter. Finally, DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main purchased a new position in Autoliv during the second quarter worth $72,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 56.70% of the companys stock.

About Autoliv

(Get Free Report

Autoliv, Inc, through its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures, and supplies passive safety systems to the automotive industry in Europe, the Americas, China, Japan, and rest of Asia. It offers passive safety systems, including modules and components for frontal-impact airbag protection systems, side-impact airbag protection systems, seatbelts, steering wheels, and inflator technologies.

Further Reading

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Clarius Group LLC lessened its position in Edwards Lifesciences Co. (NYSE:EW  Free Report) by 23.4% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 6,567 shares of the medical research companys stock after selling 2,003 shares during the quarter. Clarius Group LLCs holdings in Edwards Lifesciences were worth $455,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Baystate Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Edwards Lifesciences in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $234,000. Ballentine Partners LLC lifted its stake in shares of Edwards Lifesciences by 3.4% in the 2nd quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC now owns 5,653 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $533,000 after purchasing an additional 184 shares during the period. Crescent Grove Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Edwards Lifesciences in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $205,000. Nvwm LLC purchased a new position in shares of Edwards Lifesciences in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $599,000. Finally, Columbia Trust Co 01012016 lifted its stake in shares of Edwards Lifesciences by 5.4% in the 2nd quarter. Columbia Trust Co 01012016 now owns 16,613 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $1,567,000 after purchasing an additional 845 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.25% of the companys stock.

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Edwards Lifesciences Stock Down 0.6 %

Edwards Lifesciences stock opened at $76.28 on Friday. The business has a fifty day moving average of $69.12 and a two-hundred day moving average of $76.67. The company has a quick ratio of 2.45, a current ratio of 3.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.09. The firm has a market cap of $46.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.60, a P/E/G ratio of 4.63 and a beta of 1.01. Edwards Lifesciences Co. has a twelve month low of $60.57 and a twelve month high of $94.87.

Insiders Place Their Bets

Edwards Lifesciences ( NYSE:EW Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, October 25th. The medical research company reported $0.59 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $0.59. The company had revenue of $1.48 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.48 billion. Edwards Lifesciences had a return on equity of 24.54% and a net margin of 24.59%. Edwards Lifesciencess revenue was up 12.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.61 earnings per share. On average, analysts forecast that Edwards Lifesciences Co. will post 2.51 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

In other Edwards Lifesciences news, CFO Scott B. Ullem sold 14,510 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, December 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $76.55, for a total transaction of $1,110,740.50. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 19,248 shares in the company, valued at $1,473,434.40. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, VP Daveen Chopra sold 8,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, October 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $70.00, for a total transaction of $595,000.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 23,950 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,676,500. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CFO Scott B. Ullem sold 14,510 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, December 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $76.55, for a total value of $1,110,740.50. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 19,248 shares in the company, valued at $1,473,434.40. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 178,793 shares of company stock worth $12,609,215 over the last 90 days. Company insiders own 1.29% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have recently commented on EW shares. Leerink Partnrs restated a market perform rating on shares of Edwards Lifesciences in a research note on Monday, October 16th. Mizuho reduced their target price on Edwards Lifesciences from $90.00 to $85.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Thursday, October 26th. SVB Leerink assumed coverage on Edwards Lifesciences in a report on Monday, October 16th. They issued a market perform rating and a $75.00 target price for the company. Oppenheimer upgraded Edwards Lifesciences from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $90.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, September 26th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus lowered their target price on Edwards Lifesciences from $87.00 to $70.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 26th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have assigned a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $81.94.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Edwards Lifesciences

About Edwards Lifesciences

(Free Report)

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation provides products and technologies for structural heart disease, and critical care and surgical monitoring in the United States, Europe, Japan, and internationally. It offers transcatheter heart valve replacement products for the minimally invasive replacement of heart valves; and transcatheter heart valve repair and replacement products to treat mitral and tricuspid valve diseases.

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Fortune Real Estate Investment Trust (OTCMKTS:FRIVF  Get Free Report) and Macerich (NYSE:MAC  Get Free Report) are both real estate companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, dividends, risk, institutional ownership, valuation, earnings and analyst recommendations.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

27.7% of Fortune Real Estate Investment Trust shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 90.1% of Macerich shares are held by institutional investors. 0.6% of Macerich shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

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Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of current recommendations for Fortune Real Estate Investment Trust and Macerich, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Fortune Real Estate Investment Trust 0 1 0 0 2.00 Macerich 1 1 0 0 1.50

Valuation & Earnings

Macerich has a consensus target price of $12.13, indicating a potential downside of 21.47%. Given Macerichs higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Macerich is more favorable than Fortune Real Estate Investment Trust.

This table compares Fortune Real Estate Investment Trust and Macerichs gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Fortune Real Estate Investment Trust N/A N/A N/A $1.36 0.43 Macerich $859.16 million 3.87 -$66.07 million ($1.55) -9.96

Fortune Real Estate Investment Trust has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Macerich. Macerich is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Fortune Real Estate Investment Trust, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Profitability

This table compares Fortune Real Estate Investment Trust and Macerichs net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Fortune Real Estate Investment Trust N/A N/A N/A Macerich -38.30% -12.04% -4.25%

Summary

Fortune Real Estate Investment Trust beats Macerich on 6 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Fortune Real Estate Investment Trust

(Get Free Report)

Established in 2003, Fortune REIT is a real estate investment trust constituted by a trust deed (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time). It is the first REIT to hold assets in Hong Kong and is currently listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited. Fortune REIT currently holds a portfolio of 17 retail properties, with 16 private housing estate retail properties in Hong Kong and 1 neighborhood mall in Singapore, comprising 3 million sq. ft. of retail space and 2,793 car parking spaces. The retail properties are Fortune City One, +WOO, Ma On Shan Plaza, Metro Town, Fortune Metropolis, Laguna Plaza, Belvedere Square, Waldorf Avenue, Caribbean Square, Jubilee Square, Tsing Yi Square, Smartland, Stars of Kovan Property, Centre de Laguna, Hampton Loft, Lido Avenue and Rhine Avenue. They house tenants from diverse trade sectors such as supermarkets, food and beverage outlets, banks, real estate agencies, and education providers.

About Macerich

(Get Free Report)

Macerich is a fully integrated, self-managed and self-administered real estate investment trust (REIT). As a leading owner, operator and developer of high-quality retail real estate in densely populated and attractive U.S. markets, Macerich's portfolio is concentrated in California, the Pacific Northwest, Phoenix/Scottsdale, and the Metro New York to Washington, D.C. corridor. Developing and managing properties that serve as community cornerstones, Macerich currently owns 47 million square feet of real estate consisting primarily of interests in 44 regional town centers. Macerich is firmly dedicated to advancing environmental goals, social good and sound corporate governance. A recognized leader in sustainability, Macerich has achieved a #1 Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) ranking for the North American retail sector for nine consecutive years (2015-2023).

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Cushman & Wakefield plc (NYSE:CWK  Get Free Report) has received an average rating of Moderate Buy from the six ratings firms that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, one has assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $10.42.

Several analysts have recently issued reports on CWK shares. Raymond James reduced their price objective on Cushman & Wakefield from $12.00 to $11.00 and set a strong-buy rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, October 31st. Citigroup restated a neutral rating and issued a $10.50 price objective on shares of Cushman & Wakefield in a research report on Monday, September 18th. Wolfe Research upgraded Cushman & Wakefield from a peer perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $12.00 price objective on the stock in a research report on Friday, December 8th. Finally, UBS Group reduced their price objective on Cushman & Wakefield from $11.00 to $9.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, November 22nd.

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Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Cushman & Wakefield

Insider Buying and Selling

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Cushman & Wakefield

In related news, insider Nathaniel Robinson sold 20,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $8.82, for a total transaction of $176,400.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 29,459 shares in the company, valued at $259,828.38. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link . In other news, major shareholder Tpg Gp A, Llc sold 10,000,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $7.63, for a total value of $76,300,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 24,832,955 shares in the company, valued at approximately $189,475,446.65. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website . Also, insider Nathaniel Robinson sold 20,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $8.82, for a total value of $176,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 29,459 shares in the company, valued at $259,828.38. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . 1.19% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Duality Advisers LP raised its holdings in shares of Cushman & Wakefield by 1.8% in the 2nd quarter. Duality Advisers LP now owns 162,658 shares of the companys stock worth $1,331,000 after purchasing an additional 2,901 shares during the period. Olympiad Research LP acquired a new stake in shares of Cushman & Wakefield in the second quarter valued at about $145,000. American International Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Cushman & Wakefield by 2.4% in the second quarter. American International Group Inc. now owns 89,083 shares of the companys stock valued at $729,000 after buying an additional 2,060 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Cushman & Wakefield by 14.8% in the second quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 2,152,212 shares of the companys stock valued at $17,605,000 after buying an additional 276,888 shares in the last quarter. Finally, CWM LLC grew its stake in shares of Cushman & Wakefield by 181.0% in the second quarter. CWM LLC now owns 5,182 shares of the companys stock valued at $42,000 after buying an additional 3,338 shares in the last quarter. 90.47% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Cushman & Wakefield Stock Down 1.8 %

Cushman & Wakefield stock opened at $10.80 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.99, a quick ratio of 1.18 and a current ratio of 1.18. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -31.76 and a beta of 1.40. Cushman & Wakefield has a fifty-two week low of $6.24 and a fifty-two week high of $15.63. The stocks fifty day moving average is $8.70 and its two-hundred day moving average is $8.68.

Cushman & Wakefield (NYSE:CWK  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Monday, October 30th. The company reported $0.21 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.20 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $2.29 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.65 billion. Cushman & Wakefield had a positive return on equity of 12.01% and a negative net margin of 0.79%. Cushman & Wakefields revenue was down 9.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.43 earnings per share. Analysts predict that Cushman & Wakefield will post 0.8 EPS for the current fiscal year.

About Cushman & Wakefield

(Get Free Report

Cushman & Wakefield plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides commercial real estate services under the Cushman & Wakefield brand in the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company operates through Americas; Europe, Middle East, and Africa; and Asia Pacific segments.

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in Ukraine, swarms of FPV (First Person View) UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) are revolutionizing how wars are fought. There are few methods to defeat UAV attacks. The primary defensive measure is electronic jamming of the control signal between the UAV operator and the UAV. Jamming is of limited effectiveness because active jammers are easy targets for UAVs programmed to detect, home in on and destroy jammers. Depending on how they are programmed, UAVs will either land if jammed or return to where they were launched.

Despite those defensive measures, and the small explosive payload UAVs carry, about half the armored vehicles damaged or destroyed in Ukraine were done in by armed UAVs. Training of UAV operators is critical as it takes over a hundred hours of operating UAVs to gain a minimal skill level. Female soldiers can excel as UAV operators while mostly avoiding the battlefield risk of death or injury. Unlike pilots of combat aircraft, UAV operators are much less likely to be put out of action by death, injury, or capture. UAV operators are relatively close to the front lines and exposed to some risk, but not nearly as much as pilots. Such reduced casualties shorten the learning curve for UAV operators and make them more dangerous faster compared to infantry whose effective combat lifetime is much shorter.

UAV warfare is increasingly common and dominating some combat zones. Tactics and techniques are also evolving as Ukraine and Russia both experiment with new tactics, techniques, and UAV designs. Both nations are also increasing production of UAVs and the number of trained operators. Both Russia and Ukraine realize that UAVs provide unprecedented surveillance of the battlefield, but not all of it. That requires more UAVs and operators. One solution for this shortcoming is operator software that enables one operator to control several UAVs. The number one operator can handle simultaneously depends on operator experience. That cannot be manufactured but must be developed. Whoever can obtain the most trained operators has an advantage.

All these UAV developments make combat more dangerous for the troops on the ground. UAVs not only keep an eye on enemy troops but are always ready to go in and put them out of action, as in dead or wounded. Troops are still fighting each other on the ground, but now they have to worry about constant surveillance and attacks from the growing number of UAVs hovering over the battlefield. In addition to operators there are the UAV maintainers, who repair damaged or otherwise disabled UAVs and service those needing a battery recharge or simply a fresh battery.

Ukraines military has established a UAV Academy to train UAV operators in basic and advanced skills. There are courses for commanders on how best to manage and use UAVs. This is essential because now Ukrainian infantry battalions have nearly as many UAVs as troops. The American military likes to call this a force multiplier. That is, a battalion with lots of UAVs is more effective, and lethal, than a battalion without so many UAVs. The Ukrainian military is the first to go so far in this direction and appear to be benefitting from the massive use of UAVs. Other nations are closely following this development and preparing to adopt what works for Ukraine. Russia is more conservative in how they deal with this, even though they are also using massive numbers of UAVs. There are already dozens of Ukrainian companies offering training for UAV operators and the Ukrainian military uses the services of these firms. Ukraine seeks to have more than 10,000 trained operators as quickly as possible. UAV operators specialize. Most learn to operate quadcopters while a large minority learn how to operate FPV UAVs, and a smaller number learn how to operate fixed wing UAVs. Ukraine has found that the most difficult operators to recruit and train are those for FPV UAVs. The Ukrainian military considers UAV operators as a separate military specialty like infantryman, artillerymen, or radar operator.

Earlier in 2023 Ukraine revealed that it planned to spend over half a billion dollars on UAVs but did not reveal the extent of their efforts to add more capabilities to commercial UAVs as well as the growing number of UAVs being manufactured by Ukrainian companies. Ukrainian developers and manufacturers are often small groups of civilian hobbyists that proved capable of creating new features for UAVs, both commercial and hobbyist-created models. The Russian invasion spurred a lot of innovation, mainly among Ukrainian developers. Among the items available to commercial customers are a lot of digital video camera items as well as lighter, miniaturized computer components that can be assembled and programmed by users to perform essential tasks, like using AI apps and data from onboard video cameras of enemy forces, even if they are camouflaged or in underground bunkers. Constant combat use of these systems enables developers to address shortcomings and continually improves the hardware and software carried on these hunter killer UAVs. Earlier in the war two UAVs were needed for this but now all that tech and weapons can be carried and used by one UAV. The Ukrainian military also holds competitions to find the most skilled UAV operators and honor them with promotions and more challenging assignments.

Wartime developers are able to improve their tech and hardware more rapidly because there is continuous feedback from users. Ukraine has an edge here because many of these developers are hobbyists who know little about peacetime development, its bureaucracy and counter-productive over-supervision. Ukrainian developers are often creating these new UAV techs for friends or family members who are now in the military and eager for whatever help they can get. The Ukrainian military sees this entrepreneurial spirit as an advantage, not some form of insubordination or recklessness the way the Russian military regards unauthorized innovations. Despite that, some Russian innovators have appeared and been allowed to work. Russian commanders and civilian officials are less willing than their Ukrainian counterparts to encourage individual initiatives. Another problem is that the economic sanctions have made it more difficult for Russians to obtain the commercial tech that Ukrainians still have access to and frequently use.

Such free access to Western and Chinese components means Ukraine can build very capable and lethal UAVs that are designed to carry out one or a small number of missions. That is why Ukraine and Russia are each losing thousands of UAVs a month. Cheap, useful, and expendable is now the rule with most battlefield UAVs.

This innovation explains the greater success of Ukrainian UAVs against Russian targets on the battlefield or deep inside Russia. Despite all the innovation, the majority of these UAVs are basically loitering munitions that can be sent out to areas where there is known or suspected enemy activity and kill it when they find it. In the past a separate surveillance UAV was needed to spot targets, usually enemy troops, and vehicles. These UAVs have video cameras and a link to operators who view the video on a tablet or via goggles containing small video screens while the operators have a form of handheld game controller to maneuver the UAV and select a target for the UAV to collide with and explode. The video comm link was a vulnerability the Russian exploited as they developed new types of electronic jammers that could disable these comm links. The new Ukrainian UAVs that combine finding and killing capabilities on one UAV that can also detect and destroy these Russian jammers, which are usually ground based and expensive.

Loitering munitions are a relatively new development and have one tremendous advantage over earlier forms of firepower. Compared to bullets or artillery shells, a single loitering munition is much more likely to hit a target. In wartime it takes hundreds of artillery shells to cause one casualty. For rifle and machine-gun bullets, the number of bullets fired per casualty caused can be up to 100,000. Loitering munitions are much more effective because the operator scans the terrain below looking for a target. When one is found, the loitering munition attacks and almost always kills or wounds at least one soldier. Loitering munitions can be lost to enemy action. While UAVs are small targets for riflemen or machine-gunners on the ground, they can be hit by ground fire. A more effective, and increasingly common way to defeat loitering munitions is EW, or Electronic Warfare, specifically electronic jamming of the munitions control signal. As is common in combat, a jammer is not always available when you need it.

In some ways, loitering munitions are not as useful as artillery or bullets. Many artillery shells and bullets are not fired at a specific target or with the intent of causing casualties. This is what happens with suppressive fire, artillery or rifle fire is directed at an area to discourage the enemy from entering or moving into position to fire at your troops. You can consider a loitering munition overhead as a form of suppressive fire on the troops below. In this respect loitering munitions do what snipers have been doing for over a century, forcing troops to stay out of sight or the enemy sniper will get you. This was common during World War I, when trench warfare made snipers useful for keeping enemy troops from observing the terrain between the trenches of opposing forces. In the 21st century more troops had access to affordable and very effective scopes for their rifles or even machine-guns. The American marines officially recognized this as a combat specialty and designated most snipers as scout-snipers' because their more useful skills involved observing as well as accurate shooting.

In armies with a lot of well-trained troops, about ten percent are designated and equipped to be snipers or sharpshooters. The latter is a soldier with a talent for accurate shooting but is not trained and equipped as a sniper. Professional soldiers in general are more likely to use individual, well aimed shots versus automatic fire, also known as spray and pray that you hit something.

You can see how this works in Ukraine, where the Ukrainian troops are better trained in the accurate use of rifle fire. It was Ukrainian troops who frequently used commercial quadcopters equipped with grenade or small bomb carry and release mechanisms. The Ukrainian soldiers often bought commercial UAVs for this and spent hours at a time sending out their quadcopter to search for targets. The quadcopter would have to frequently land to recharge. That demonstrates another 21st century development; the proliferation of electronic devices an infantryman can and often will take with him into combat.

NATO nations learned from these Ukrainian experiences and have sent Ukraine what the Ukrainian say they need. For example, a month after the Russians invaded, the United States agreed to send Ukraine a large quantity of weapons, many of them specifically requested. One of these was called Phoenix Ghost, a system that was rapidly developed and built in the United States by Aevex Aerospace for the U.S. Air Force from specifications supplied by Ukraine. The air force revealed that the Phoenix Ghost UAV was a project already in development before the Russians invaded. Ukrainians had already developed and built some innovative new weapons or modifications for existing ones the Americans were working on. The air force does not develop ground-based loitering munitions but does develop ones carried by aircraft. The Ukrainians made some suggestions which were included in the existing air force design and that resulted in the Phoenix Ghost, which went into production and combat in Ukraine quickly.

In other words, Phoenix Ghost is a bespoke custom made to user specifications, developed and manufactured in record time. The primary new feature of this loitering munition was its longer six hour flight endurance. The U.S. sent Ukraine over 1,200 of these loitering munitions in the first year of the war. For a long time, all the public knew about Phoenix Ghost was that it was similar to the American Switchblade loitering munition that was also being sent to Ukraine. The input from Ukrainian engineers was essential because many of the most effective Soviet-era weapons engineers were Ukrainian. That meant Ukraine had a tradition of pragmatic and innovative weapons development that was mobilized after the 2014 Russian seizure of Crimea and part of Donbas. The capabilities of the Ukrainian engineers were not exactly a state secret, just not newsworthy. Foreigners familiar with weapons development knew about the Ukrainian skills and those who visited Ukraine for whatever reason, like American and other NATO military advisors, got a closer look at what those Ukrainian engineers, as well as civilian hobbyists, could do.

Those skills became even more important after the invasion began and suddenly engineers and scientists in other fields began applying their skills to rapidly develop new weapons and equipment to protect Ukraine from the Russians. After the invasion began the capabilities of the Ukrainian engineers became part of the reporting on how the Ukrainians stopped and turned back the Russian attack. That enabled the Ukrainian proposal for Phoenix Ghost to be taken seriously and rapidly implemented. The Ukrainian specified COTS or Commercial Off the Shelf components and kept in touch via the high-speed Internet links provided by Starlink. The rumors of Phoenix Ghost indicate it is an improvement over Switchblade and mainly meant to be a more effective loitering munition. The Russians eventually experienced what the Ghost could do by examining the damage and reports from their troops.

Aevex Aerospace, the firm that developed and built Phoenix Ghost is itself a recent development, founded in 2017 and specializing in projects very similar to the Phoenix Ghost. Another American firm, AeroVironment, developed the Switchblade loitering munition and similar systems. Aevex is similar to AeroVironment, which has been around since 1971 and created many innovative commercial and military UAV designs.

Switchblade is little-known to the general public but extremely popular with American troops fighting in small units, especially in remote areas. Switchblade was first revealed in 2005 and the Ukrainians received over a hundred of the Switchblade 300 plus some of the larger Switchblade 600s, which appears to be closer in weight-class and performance as Phoenix Ghost.

Switchblade 300 is a small UAV fired from its storage container. Switchblade was sent to Afghanistan in 2009 for secret field testing. This was very successful, and the troops demanded more, and more, and more. Switchblade completed development later in 2009 and was initially thought useful only for special operations troops. In 2011, after a year of successful field testing, the army ordered over a hundred Switchblades for troop use and since then has ordered a lot more.

While Switchblade was developed for the army, the marines apparently noted the success that soldiers and Special Operations Command or SOCOM had with this system and ordered them as well. Switchblade was very popular with troops in Afghanistan and with SOCOM in all sorts of places they wont discuss in detail. Switchblade is still used, and thousands have been ordered and many of them used. There have been several upgrades. The original 2009 Switchblade was a lightweight and expendable (used only once) UAV that could also be equipped with explosives. The Switchblade is launched from its shipping and storage tube, at which point wings flip out, a battery-powered propeller starts spinning and a vidcam begins broadcasting images to the controller. The Switchblade is operated using the same controller as the larger two kg Raven UAV. A complete Switchblade system, missile, container, and controller weighs 5.5 kg.

Moving up to a kilometer a minute, the original Switchblade could stay in the air for 20-40 minutes, depending on whether or not it was armed with explosives. Switchblade can operate up to ten kilometers from the operator. The armed version can be flown to a target and detonated, having about the same explosive effect as a hand grenade. Thus, Switchblade enables ground troops to get at an enemy taking cover in a hard to see location.

Technically a guided missile, the use of Switchblade as a reconnaissance tool encouraged developers to refer to it as a UAV. But because of the warhead option, and its slow speed, Switchblade also functions like a rather small cruise missile. The troops were particularly enthusiastic about the armed version because it allowed them to take out snipers more quickly or a few enemy gunmen in a compound full of civilians.

Switchblade has been so successful that the army ordered several upgrades, and the updated original Switchblade was renamed Switchblade 300. The new version appeared in 2016. It is heavier at 2.7 kg with 15 minutes endurance and a 10-kilometer range. The sensor has night vision and is stabilized. The 300 can lock onto a target and track it. The 300 comes with optional accessories, like a six-pack launcher that is used as part of base defense. This was first used for base protection in 2019 and proved effective. One or more of these six packs are placed near the base perimeter with power maintained by a solar panel. The base security commander can order a Switchblade launched from the six-pack and then control it in search for potential targets. Switchblade 300 is also capable of being used from a helicopter or larger UAV and controlled from the helicopter or by the operator of the larger UAV, like the 4.5-ton Reaper.

The fact that there were American troops operating in combat zones justified development and production of new tech like loitering munitions. In 2020 AeroVironment, the company that developed the unlikely, but popular, Switchblade loitering munition, introduced a third version; Switchblade 600. While the original Switchblade weighed one kilogram, the latest Switchblade is twenty times heavier at 23 kg, can stay in the air for 40 minutes and be controlled up to 80 kilometers from the operator. Top speed is 180 kilometers an hour and more economical cruise speed is closer to 150 kilometers an hour. The heavier warhead can destroy most tanks, although some modern tank designs include protection from top attack.

Switchblade 600 was requested by the U.S. Army for longer range surveillance missions and the option to hit specific small targets, like a building or enemy position. Unlike the earlier Switchblades, the 600 uses a tablet controller with more options, including manipulating the more powerful vidcam. Video transmitted back to the operator can be saved and passed on. The operator also has a wave off feature in which a quick tap on the controller screen can cause the 600 to abort an attack and be available for another try. The 600 can also be programmed to carry out a mission without operator control. This means there is no control signal for enemy electronic warning systems to detect or jam. In this case when time is up, 600 self-destructs. The 600 can be carried into a remote area and used quickly. Its most likely use in the Ukraine is against the locomotives of Russian military supply and troop transport trains operating near the border or inside Ukraine.

The U.S. Navy also requested a version of Switchblade, for reconnaissance only, that is launched from ships or submerged at periscope depth submarines. In this case the sub would have a communications mast on the surface to receive data from what is now called the Blackwing. This version is a little heavier, at 1.8 kg. The size of the Blackwing is designed to fit into existing navy countermeasure launchers. Without a warhead, Blackwing has endurance of about an hour and uses encrypted digital communications compatible with current navy systems. When released from a submarine countermeasures launcher, the Blackwing container pops to the surface and the Blackwing is ejected into flight like the other Switchblades. The U.S. Navy has bought at least 150 Blackwings, starting in 2016. Armed versions of Blackwing are available but these have shorter endurance. For subs, reconnaissance is the most important item.

Switchblade is not a unique concept, as these loitering munitions have been around for decades. What Switchblade provided was a design that met the needs of combat troops, especially special operations personnel or small groups of Ukrainians seeking to halt Russian supply trucks. Since Switchblade entered service and its popularity became widely known, similar systems have appeared, trying to provide features that Switchblade lacked but the troops would appreciate.

Ukraine had already developed loitering munitions of its own, but these are not as efficient as Switchblade. The Ukrainians ended up developing and building many different loitering munitions, a process that continues. At the same time Ukrainian neighbor and ally Poland also developed the Warmate loitering munition and sent them off to Ukraine. Warmate is a 5.3 kg conventional UAV that carries 1.4 kg of explosives. Warmate has an endurance of 70 minutes and top speed of 150 kilometers an hour and can be controlled 15 kilometers from the operator. While portable, Warmate requires five minutes to assemble and needs a road or catapult device to be launched.

Ukraine developed its own loitering munitions early on. For example, Silent Thunder showed up in 2019. This is a 9.5 kg UAV with a variety of different 3.5 kg warheads. It takes fifteen minutes to prepare Silent Thunder for use and it has a flight duration of 60 minutes and top speed of 150 kilometers an hour. It can be controlled up to 30 kilometers from the operator. Silent Thunder is reusable if no warhead is carried. Silent Thunder is complex to use and that limits its effectiveness.

Israel is another country that is constantly attacked and always has troops in action. In 2019 an Israeli firm introduced the Firefly, a loitering munition UAV, which is portable enough for infantry to carry and continually reuse. There is also the option to replace one of the two batteries with an explosive warhead and turn Firefly into a guided weapon. Another major advantage of Firefly is that it operates like a helicopter, not a fixed-wing aircraft. Being able to hover is a major advantage for loitering munitions used by infantry. Firefly seems to have addressed all or most of the user criticisms of earlier lightweight loitering munition systems.

Firefly was developed by Rafael, the same firm that developed and built the Spike family of ATGMs (anti-tank guided missiles). Much of the tech in Firefly was based on what is already used in Spike systems. In particular, Firefly has a guidance system that can track and attack a moving target. This can be critical for infantry using such a weapon because these targets are elusive in the first place and, without a UAV, the infantry would not have spotted dangers like snipers or moving troops at all.

Firefly is a dual rotor miniature helicopter and those dual on top of each other rotors make it stable in winds that would make a similar-sized fixed-wing or quad-copter UAV unusable. The 0.4 kg warhead replaces the second battery to halve the normal 30 minutes of flight time. The operator uses a small tablet device that is mostly a touch screen and a Firefly controller. Firefly can be controlled up to 500 meters in a built-up or forested area or up to 1,500 meters in line-of-sight as in between Firefly and operator mode. Firefly returns to the operator and explosives are deactivated if the control signal is lost. The operator can press an icon on the screen to get Firefly to return immediately, abort an attack or carry out a high speed 19 meters a second attack on a target. The target can be moving, as in a sniper changing firing positions out of sight of the operator. This is accomplished using the ability of the Firefly guidance system to remember the shape of a target and follow it. The Firefly warhead would be most often used against troublesome targets like snipers or hidden machine-guns. Even without the warhead Firefly would be able to locate such lethal adversaries and enable the infantry to avoid them. Firefly can also be launched and operated from a moving vehicle.

The big advantage Firefly has over similar loitering munitions like the 40mm Pike and GLAUS, as well as Switchblade, is reusability. Carry one Firefly and just use it as a UAV for a dozen or more times. The relative simplicity of Firefly compared to Switchblade, and to similar designs like GLAUS and Pike based on 40mm grenade shells, makes it a better system that is also cheaper when you consider the reusability.

Russia is also using its new Zala loitering munition in Ukraine. Zala carries a two kg explosive charge. Zala is a delta shaped 1.2 meter wingspan UAV that carries a vidcam and explosives. It can locate targets and immediately attack them. Zala is carried and launched from a catapult on a truck. Endurance is 30 minutes and top speed is 130 kilometers an hour. Zala has been available since 2017 and has apparently been tested in Syria. With the recent history of loitering munitions, the appearance of Phoenix Ghost and many other new similar weapons is not surprising. As the Israelis have discovered, when you are facing constant threat of attack, innovative and rapidly developed weapons are a necessity.
Czech National Bank raised its holdings in Newmont Co. (NYSE:NEM  Free Report) by 47.6% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 138,902 shares of the basic materials companys stock after acquiring an additional 44,824 shares during the quarter. Czech National Banks holdings in Newmont were worth $5,132,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich grew its position in Newmont by 101,647.2% in the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 547,513,832 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $23,356,940,000 after acquiring an additional 546,975,720 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. grew its position in Newmont by 4.6% in the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 99,433,731 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $4,241,843,000 after acquiring an additional 4,409,771 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp lifted its holdings in shares of Newmont by 0.3% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 40,353,343 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $1,721,474,000 after buying an additional 121,393 shares during the period. Deutsche Bank AG lifted its holdings in shares of Newmont by 12.8% in the 1st quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 17,968,912 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $880,836,000 after buying an additional 2,042,778 shares during the period. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Newmont by 5.0% in the 2nd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 16,520,075 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $704,746,000 after buying an additional 792,046 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 79.53% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on NEM shares. BMO Capital Markets reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $58.00 target price (down from $65.00) on shares of Newmont in a report on Tuesday, November 7th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a sector perform rating and issued a $52.00 target price on shares of Newmont in a report on Wednesday, September 6th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Newmont in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Macquarie assumed coverage on Newmont in a research note on Tuesday, November 21st. They set an outperform rating and a $45.00 price objective for the company. Finally, TD Securities decreased their price objective on Newmont from $55.00 to $46.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Monday, October 30th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $55.41.

Insider Activity

In other news, CEO Thomas Ronald Palmer sold 11,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $36.47, for a total value of $401,170.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 245,039 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,936,572.33. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, CEO Thomas Ronald Palmer sold 11,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $36.47, for a total transaction of $401,170.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 245,039 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,936,572.33. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, COO Robert D. Atkinson sold 5,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $37.60, for a total value of $206,800.00. Following the sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 65,251 shares in the company, valued at $2,453,437.60. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 38,866 shares of company stock valued at $1,457,085. Company insiders own 0.07% of the companys stock.

Newmont Stock Down 0.7 %

Shares of NYSE:NEM opened at $41.39 on Friday. The businesss 50-day moving average is $38.74 and its 200 day moving average is $39.94. Newmont Co. has a 1 year low of $33.58 and a 1 year high of $60.08. The company has a quick ratio of 1.72, a current ratio of 2.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31.

Newmont (NYSE:NEM  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 26th. The basic materials company reported $0.36 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.42 by ($0.06). The business had revenue of $2.49 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.20 billion. Newmont had a negative net margin of 7.35% and a positive return on equity of 6.28%. On average, analysts anticipate that Newmont Co. will post 1.72 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Newmont Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 22nd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, November 30th were issued a $0.40 dividend. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.87%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, November 29th. Newmonts dividend payout ratio is presently -155.34%.

Newmont 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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First Personal Financial Services acquired a new stake in shares of Phillips 66 (NYSE:PSX  Free Report) in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 738 shares of the oil and gas companys stock, valued at approximately $89,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Bornite Capital Management LP acquired a new position in Phillips 66 during the 1st quarter worth $8,639,000. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund lifted its position in shares of Phillips 66 by 316.2% during the first quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund now owns 6,597 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $570,000 after purchasing an additional 5,012 shares during the last quarter. Synovus Financial Corp grew its stake in Phillips 66 by 5.1% in the first quarter. Synovus Financial Corp now owns 16,257 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $1,405,000 after purchasing an additional 788 shares in the last quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. increased its holdings in Phillips 66 by 61.9% in the first quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 7,236 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $625,000 after buying an additional 2,766 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Blair William & Co. IL raised its stake in Phillips 66 by 103.8% during the first quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 53,538 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $4,625,000 after buying an additional 27,267 shares in the last quarter. 71.83% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Phillips 66 Trading Up 0.2 %

Shares of NYSE:PSX opened at $133.14 on Friday. 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 price is $121.41 and its 200 day moving average price is $113.53. The company has a market cap of $58.58 billion, a PE ratio of 8.03, a P/E/G ratio of 1.44 and a beta of 1.35. Phillips 66 has a fifty-two week low of $89.74 and a fifty-two week high of $136.69.

Phillips 66 Dividend Announcement

Phillips 66 ( NYSE:PSX Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 27th. The oil and gas company reported $4.63 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate 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 last year, the business posted $6.46 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Phillips 66 will post 15.39 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 1st. Investors of record on Friday, November 17th were given a $1.05 dividend. This represents a $4.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.15%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, November 16th. Phillips 66s dividend payout ratio is currently 25.33%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

PSX has been the subject of several research reports. Raymond James lifted their target price on Phillips 66 from $128.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 19th. Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. upgraded Phillips 66 from a hold rating to a buy rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $115.00 to $130.00 in a research note on Monday, October 30th. Bank of America boosted their target price on shares of Phillips 66 from $141.00 to $143.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, September 18th. Mizuho dropped their target price on shares of Phillips 66 from $131.00 to $116.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Friday, October 6th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on shares of Phillips 66 from $125.00 to $141.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, September 1st. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $135.29.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Phillips 66

Insider Buying and Selling at Phillips 66

In other news, CFO Kevin J. Mitchell sold 31,700 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, December 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $130.21, for a total transaction of $4,127,657.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 103,351 shares of the companys stock, valued at $13,457,333.71. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, CFO Kevin J. Mitchell sold 31,700 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $130.21, for a total value of $4,127,657.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 103,351 shares in the company, valued at $13,457,333.71. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Vanessa Allen Sutherland sold 3,700 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $133.18, for a total value of $492,766.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 47,567 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,334,973.06. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 36,400 shares of company stock valued at $4,753,653 in the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 4.57% of the companys stock.

Phillips 66 Profile

(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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Investment Research & Advisory Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE  Free Report) by 3.4% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 69,001 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after buying an additional 2,245 shares during the quarter. Pfizer accounts for about 1.3% of Investment Research & Advisory Group Inc.s holdings, making the stock its 25th biggest holding. Investment Research & Advisory Group Inc.s holdings in Pfizer were worth $2,289,000 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. Worth Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in Pfizer during the first quarter worth about $29,000. Hibernia Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Pfizer during the third quarter worth about $37,000. Steward Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Pfizer during the second quarter worth about $43,000. VitalStone Financial LLC lifted 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 purchasing an additional 710 shares in the last quarter. Finally, DHJJ Financial Advisors Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of Pfizer during the third quarter worth about $45,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 68.05% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on PFE. Morgan Stanley reduced their price target on shares of Pfizer from $39.00 to $37.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, November 1st. Barclays reduced their target price on shares of Pfizer from $34.00 to $28.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, December 14th. Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of Pfizer from a hold rating to a buy rating and raised their target price for the company from $38.00 to $39.00 in a report on Monday, October 16th. BMO Capital Markets reduced their target price on shares of Pfizer from $44.00 to $33.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 16th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on shares of Pfizer from $36.00 to $34.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 16th. Twelve analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $40.35.

Insider Activity at Pfizer

In other Pfizer news, Director Scott Gottlieb bought 3,000 shares of Pfizer stock in a transaction on Friday, December 15th. The stock was bought at an average price of $26.47 per share, with a total value of $79,410.00. Following the completion of 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 can be accessed through this hyperlink. 0.05% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Pfizer Stock Performance

Shares of PFE opened at $28.79 on Friday. 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 cap of $162.56 billion, a PE ratio of 15.73, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.69 and a beta of 0.61. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $29.43 and its 200-day simple moving average is $33.34. Pfizer Inc. has a 12-month low of $25.76 and a 12-month high of $51.60.

Pfizer (NYSE:PFE  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 31st. The biopharmaceutical company reported ($0.17) earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($0.32) by $0.15. Pfizer had a net margin of 15.30% and a return on equity of 16.72%. The firm had revenue of $13.23 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.77 billion. As a group, equities analysts predict that Pfizer Inc. will post 1.53 EPS for the current year.

Pfizer Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 1st. Investors of record on Friday, January 26th will be given a $0.42 dividend. This represents a $1.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.84%. This is a positive change from Pfizers previous quarterly dividend of $0.41. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 25th. Pfizers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 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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Family Firm Inc. lifted its position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF (BATS:EFG  Free Report) by 13.2% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 2,792 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 325 shares during the quarter. Family Firm Inc.s holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF were worth $241,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Mcmillion Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at about $26,000. Northwest Capital Management Inc acquired a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $27,000. AlphaCore Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Concord Wealth Partners increased its holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF by 108.4% in the 2nd quarter. Concord Wealth Partners now owns 323 shares of the companys stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 168 shares during the last quarter. Finally, MBM Wealth Consultants LLC purchased a new position in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $37,000.

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iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF Stock Up 0.0 %

Shares of EFG stock opened at $96.85 on Friday. iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF has a 52 week low of $67.58 and a 52 week high of $85.81. The stock has a market capitalization of $12.98 billion, a PE ratio of 18.69 and a beta of 0.89. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $90.96 and a two-hundred day moving average of $91.40.

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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Hunter Perkins Capital Management LLC raised its position in National Storage Affiliates Trust (NYSE:NSA  Free Report) by 30.3% during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 11,275 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after purchasing an additional 2,625 shares during the quarter. Hunter Perkins Capital Management LLCs holdings in National Storage Affiliates Trust were worth $358,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in shares of National Storage Affiliates Trust by 5.3% during the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 4,045 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $254,000 after acquiring an additional 205 shares in the last quarter. Cibc World Markets Corp boosted its stake in National Storage Affiliates Trust by 1.0% during the 1st quarter. Cibc World Markets Corp now owns 27,481 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,148,000 after purchasing an additional 277 shares during the period. Mackenzie Financial Corp boosted its stake in National Storage Affiliates Trust by 2.2% during the 1st quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 13,731 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $862,000 after purchasing an additional 300 shares during the period. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company boosted its stake in National Storage Affiliates Trust by 0.5% during the 4th quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 69,882 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $2,524,000 after purchasing an additional 329 shares during the period. Finally, Belpointe Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in National Storage Affiliates Trust by 29.4% during the 1st quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC now owns 1,509 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $63,000 after purchasing an additional 343 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 83.63% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling at National Storage Affiliates Trust

In other news, insider Arlen Dale Nordhagen acquired 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 5th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $35.92 per share, for a total transaction of $359,200.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 4,029,626 shares of the companys stock, valued at $144,744,165.92. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Corporate insiders own 13.00% of the companys stock.

National Storage Affiliates Trust Trading Down 1.5 %

National Storage Affiliates Trust Announces Dividend

NSA stock opened at $41.48 on Friday. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $34.42 and a 200 day moving average price of $33.86. National Storage Affiliates Trust has a fifty-two week low of $27.86 and a fifty-two week high of $44.78. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.06, a P/E/G ratio of 8.56 and a beta of 0.81. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.12, a current ratio of 0.55 and a quick ratio of 0.55.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 29th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 15th were given a $0.56 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, December 14th. This represents a $2.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.40%. National Storage Affiliates Trusts payout ratio is 205.51%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages recently weighed in on NSA. Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on National Storage Affiliates Trust from $42.00 to $32.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, September 21st. Truist Financial upped their price target on National Storage Affiliates Trust from $35.00 to $37.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Thursday. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on National Storage Affiliates Trust from $32.00 to $36.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a report on Tuesday, December 12th. Evercore ISI reissued an underperform rating and issued a $35.00 target price (up from $32.00) on shares of National Storage Affiliates Trust in a report on Monday, December 11th. Finally, StockNews.com raised National Storage Affiliates Trust from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, December 23rd. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and five have issued a hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $35.57.

View Our Latest Research Report on National Storage Affiliates Trust

About National Storage Affiliates Trust

(Free Report)

National Storage Affiliates Trust is a real estate investment trust headquartered in Greenwood Village, Colorado, focused on the ownership, operation and acquisition of self storage properties predominantly located within the top 100 metropolitan statistical areas throughout the United States. As of September 30, 2023, the Company held ownership interests in and operated 1,119 self storage properties located in 42 states and Puerto Rico with approximately 73.0 million rentable square feet.

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Ropes Wealth Advisors LLC lowered its holdings in shares of Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS  Free Report) by 5.3% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 3,187 shares of the companys stock after selling 179 shares during the period. Ropes Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in Novartis were worth $325,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Ballentine Partners LLC raised its position in Novartis by 7.5% during the third quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC now owns 11,253 shares of the companys stock worth $1,146,000 after acquiring an additional 783 shares during the last quarter. Connecticut Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Novartis during the third quarter worth about $242,000. Patriot Financial Group Insurance Agency LLC grew its holdings in shares of Novartis by 32.8% during the third quarter. Patriot Financial Group Insurance Agency LLC now owns 5,223 shares of the companys stock worth $532,000 after buying an additional 1,291 shares in the last quarter. Simplicity Solutions LLC grew its holdings in shares of Novartis by 0.8% during the third quarter. Simplicity Solutions LLC now owns 44,965 shares of the companys stock worth $4,580,000 after buying an additional 342 shares in the last quarter. Finally, HWG Holdings LP grew its holdings in shares of Novartis by 5.6% during the third quarter. HWG Holdings LP now owns 2,418 shares of the companys stock worth $246,000 after buying an additional 128 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 7.00% of the companys stock.

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Novartis Price Performance

Novartis stock opened at $100.97 on Friday. Novartis AG has a 1 year low of $79.98 and a 1 year high of $105.61. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $96.22 and a 200 day moving average price of $99.13. The company has a market cap of $214.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.14, a PEG ratio of 1.74 and a beta of 0.55. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a quick ratio of 0.83 and a current ratio of 0.94.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Novartis ( NYSE:NVS Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, October 23rd. The company reported $1.74 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.70 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $11.78 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $12.05 billion. Novartis had a net margin of 15.35% and a return on equity of 28.27%. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.58 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts predict that Novartis AG will post 6.57 earnings per share for the current year.

A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on NVS shares. HSBC downgraded shares of Novartis from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, December 18th. Morgan Stanley upgraded shares of Novartis from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating in a report on Monday, September 25th. Finally, StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Novartis in a report on Wednesday, December 6th. They set a strong-buy rating for the company. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, one has assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $85.00.

View Our Latest Stock Report on Novartis

About Novartis

(Free Report)

Novartis AG researches, develops, manufactures, and markets healthcare products in Switzerland and internationally. The company offers prescription medicines for patients and physicians. It focuses on therapeutic areas, such as cardiovascular, renal and metabolic, immunology, neuroscience, and oncology, as well as ophthalmology and hematology.

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Oak Thistle LLC purchased a new stake in HF Sinclair Co. (NYSE:DINO  Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor purchased 9,317 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $530,000.

Other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Bornite Capital Management LP acquired a new position in shares of HF Sinclair during the 1st quarter worth about $13,947,000. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. acquired a new position in shares of HF Sinclair during the 1st quarter worth about $241,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. acquired a new position in shares of HF Sinclair during the 1st quarter worth about $13,169,000. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of HF Sinclair during the 1st quarter worth about $1,823,000. Finally, US Bancorp DE acquired a new position in shares of HF Sinclair during the 1st quarter worth about $292,000. 89.15% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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HF Sinclair Stock Down 0.1 %

Shares of NYSE DINO opened at $55.56 on Friday. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $54.61 and a 200-day simple moving average of $53.42. The company has a market capitalization of $9.98 billion, a P/E ratio of 4.81, a P/E/G ratio of 0.68 and a beta of 1.32. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27, a current ratio of 2.13 and a quick ratio of 1.23. HF Sinclair Co. has a 1 year low of $37.12 and a 1 year high of $62.20.

HF Sinclair Announces Dividend

HF Sinclair ( NYSE:DINO Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 2nd. The company reported $4.06 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.65 by $0.41. The business had revenue of $8.91 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.18 billion. HF Sinclair had a net margin of 6.73% and a return on equity of 21.92%. On average, equities research analysts predict that HF Sinclair Co. will post 9.81 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 5th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, November 16th were issued a dividend of $0.45 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, November 15th. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.24%. HF Sinclairs dividend payout ratio is currently 15.57%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP Vaishali S. Bhatia sold 18,465 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $54.24, for a total transaction of $1,001,541.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 51,924 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,816,357.76. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, Director Franklin Myers acquired 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 5th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $54.79 per share, with a total value of $273,950.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 127,613 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,991,916.27. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Vaishali S. Bhatia sold 18,465 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $54.24, for a total transaction of $1,001,541.60. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 51,924 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,816,357.76. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.35% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Piper Sandler reduced their price target on shares of HF Sinclair from $73.00 to $65.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Monday, October 9th. BMO Capital Markets started coverage on shares of HF Sinclair in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They set an outperform rating and a $65.00 price target for the company. UBS Group increased their price objective on shares of HF Sinclair from $62.00 to $64.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Monday, December 4th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on shares of HF Sinclair from $62.00 to $61.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Thursday, October 5th. Finally, Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on shares of HF Sinclair from $70.00 to $65.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, October 17th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $62.09.

Read Our Latest Research Report on DINO

HF Sinclair Company Profile

(Free Report)

HF Sinclair Corporation operates as an independent energy company. It produces and markets gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, renewable diesel, specialty lubricant products, specialty chemicals, specialty and modified asphalt, and others. The company also owns and operates refineries located in Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming; and markets its refined products principally in the Southwest United States and Rocky Mountains, Pacific Northwest, and in other neighboring Plains states.

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Peregrine Capital Management LLC increased its stake in OUTFRONT Media Inc. (NYSE:OUT  Free Report) by 25.5% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 800,019 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 162,554 shares during the quarter. Peregrine Capital Management LLC owned approximately 0.48% of OUTFRONT Media worth $8,080,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its holdings in OUTFRONT Media by 16.4% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 25,900,724 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $393,432,000 after purchasing an additional 3,643,500 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. lifted its holdings in OUTFRONT Media by 3.2% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 19,931,847 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $566,663,000 after purchasing an additional 610,565 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its holdings in OUTFRONT Media by 7.7% in the 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 6,376,432 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $100,238,000 after purchasing an additional 453,574 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp lifted its holdings in OUTFRONT Media by 1.0% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 5,538,125 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $87,059,000 after purchasing an additional 55,754 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Hawk Ridge Capital Management LP lifted its holdings in OUTFRONT Media by 51.0% in the 1st quarter. Hawk Ridge Capital Management LP now owns 4,348,518 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $70,576,000 after purchasing an additional 1,468,759 shares during the last quarter.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

OUT has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. TheStreet downgraded OUTFRONT Media from a c- rating to a d+ rating in a research report on Monday, September 18th. Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on OUTFRONT Media from $15.00 to $12.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, October 9th. StockNews.com upgraded OUTFRONT Media to a sell rating in a research report on Monday, November 6th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on OUTFRONT Media from $14.00 to $12.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $14.50.

OUTFRONT Media Stock Performance

Shares of OUT opened at $13.96 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.58, a current ratio of 0.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.43. OUTFRONT Media Inc. has a 12-month low of $8.18 and a 12-month high of $21.65. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $12.29 and its 200-day simple moving average is $12.44.

OUTFRONT Media Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 29th. Investors of record on Friday, December 1st were issued a $0.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 30th. This represents a $1.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 8.60%. OUTFRONT Medias dividend payout ratio is presently -44.78%.

OUTFRONT Media Profile

(Free Report)

OUTFRONT leverages the power of technology, location and creativity to connect brands with consumers outside of their homes through one of the largest and most diverse sets of billboard, transit, and mobile assets in North America. Through its technology platform, OUTFRONT will fundamentally change the ways advertisers engage audiences on-the-go.

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Private Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV  Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund acquired 1,348 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $201,000.

Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC lifted its position in AbbVie by 89,097.0% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 29,203,106 shares of the companys stock worth $4,719,514,000 after buying an additional 29,170,366 shares in the last quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich increased its stake in shares of AbbVie by 85,216.7% during the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 28,082,858 shares of the companys stock worth $3,783,603,000 after purchasing an additional 28,049,942 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of AbbVie during the 4th quarter worth about $3,033,348,000. Morgan Stanley increased its stake in shares of AbbVie by 17.9% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 31,571,750 shares of the companys stock worth $5,102,311,000 after purchasing an additional 4,785,277 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership increased its stake in shares of AbbVie by 426.5% during the 1st quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 4,652,122 shares of the companys stock worth $754,155,000 after purchasing an additional 3,768,579 shares during the last quarter. 67.86% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on ABBV shares. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of AbbVie from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $173.00 price objective on the stock in a research note on Monday, December 11th. UBS Group lowered their price objective on shares of AbbVie from $157.00 to $150.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, October 20th. Barclays upgraded shares of AbbVie from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from $160.00 to $170.00 in a research note on Monday, October 30th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of AbbVie in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a strong-buy rating on the stock. Finally, Morgan Stanley upped their price target on shares of AbbVie from $193.00 to $196.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, October 30th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $167.59.

AbbVie Stock Performance

Shares of AbbVie stock opened at $155.00 on Friday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $144.99 and a 200-day moving average of $145.12. AbbVie Inc. has a 1-year low of $130.96 and a 1-year high of $168.11. The company has a current ratio of 0.96, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.59. The company has a market cap of $279 billion, a PE ratio of 42.47, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.76 and a beta of 0.48.

AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 27th. The company reported $2.95 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.86 by $0.09. The company had revenue of $13.93 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $13.72 billion. AbbVie had a net margin of 11.81% and a return on equity of 152.70%. The firms quarterly revenue was down 6.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $3.66 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that AbbVie Inc. will post 11.24 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

AbbVie Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, January 16th will be paid a $1.55 dividend. This is an increase from AbbVies previous quarterly dividend of $1.48. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 12th. This represents a $6.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.00%. AbbVies dividend payout ratio is presently 162.19%.

Insider Activity at AbbVie

In related news, EVP Nicholas Donoghoe sold 2,912 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $154.72, for a total value of $450,544.64. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 55,903 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,649,312.16. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 0.26% of the stock is owned by insiders.

AbbVie Profile

(Free Report)

AbbVie Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Humira, a therapy administered as an injection for autoimmune, intestinal Behcet's diseases, and pyoderma gangrenosum; Skyrizi to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, psoriatic disease, and Crohn's disease; Rinvoq, a JAK inhibitor to treat rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, atopic dermatitis, axial spondyloarthropathy, and ulcerative colitis; Imbruvica for the treatment of adult patients with blood cancers; and Venclexta/Venclyxto to treat hematological malignancies.

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Ropes Wealth Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW  Free Report) by 13.8% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 6,725 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 813 shares during the quarter. Ropes Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in Charles Schwab were worth $369,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in SCHW. Key Financial Inc boosted its holdings in shares of Charles Schwab by 144.3% in the 2nd quarter. Key Financial Inc now owns 447 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 264 shares in the last quarter. AlphaMark Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Charles Schwab during the 2nd quarter worth $28,000. Global Trust Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in Charles Schwab by 633.8% during the 2nd quarter. Global Trust Asset Management LLC now owns 521 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 450 shares in the last quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. lifted its holdings in Charles Schwab by 1,236.6% during the 2nd quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. now owns 548 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 507 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Worth Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in Charles Schwab during the 1st quarter worth $32,000. 81.61% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Activity at Charles Schwab

In related news, General Counsel Peter J. Morgan III sold 7,162 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $60.72, for a total value of $434,876.64. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, General Counsel Peter J. Morgan III sold 7,162 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $60.72, for a total transaction of $434,876.64. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Paula A. Sneed sold 6,918 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, October 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $49.98, for a total value of $345,761.64. Following the sale, 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. Insiders sold 33,402 shares of company stock worth $1,945,960 in the last ninety days. 6.60% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have issued reports on the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reduced their price objective on Charles Schwab from $70.00 to $69.00 in a report on Wednesday, October 11th. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Charles Schwab in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a sell rating for the company. Redburn Atlantic began coverage on shares of Charles Schwab in a research report on Friday, December 1st. They set a sell rating and a $52.00 target price for the company. Piper Sandler lowered their price objective on shares of Charles Schwab from $86.00 to $75.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Monday, October 9th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on shares of Charles Schwab from $71.00 to $64.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, October 11th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $69.44.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on SCHW

Charles Schwab Trading Down 1.1 %

Charles Schwab stock opened at $68.80 on Friday. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $59.68 and a 200-day moving average of $58.71. 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 current ratio of 0.66 and a quick ratio of 0.66. The company has a market cap of $121.89 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.93, a P/E/G ratio of 3.53 and a beta of 0.99.

Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, October 16th. The financial services provider reported $0.77 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.75 by $0.02. Charles Schwab had a net margin of 30.14% and a return on equity of 24.58%. The company had revenue of $4.61 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.62 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.10 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was down 16.3% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts expect that The Charles Schwab Co. will post 3.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Charles Schwab Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 24th. Investors of record on Friday, November 10th were paid a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, November 9th. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.45%. Charles Schwabs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 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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Russias most modern air defense system is the S-400. The current version of the S-400 has a battery radar that can detect targets up to 400 kilometers away and launch S-400 missiles at targets up to 75 kilometers distant. Unfortunately, most modern jet combat aircraft carry an array of countermeasures to defeat missiles fired at them from the ground or other aircraft. In addition to missiles fired from the ground, warplanes also have to worry about missiles fired from jet fighters. These are often more effective. At the same time, Russia has found that their S-400 missiles are more effective against ground targets, which can be hit at distances of up to 350 kilometers. Russia developed a S-400 system called the 48/6DM that is effective against air targets but can also accurately hit ground targets up to 230 kilometers away. The warhead weighs 180 kg and contains enough explosives to be effective against ground targets that are usually major Ukrainian cities. These places are often defended by American Patriot, which often succeed in intercepting Russian air defense missiles used against ground targets.

The U.S. Navy has also modified its SM series of air defense missiles to hit surface, as in ships, targets. These missiles could also be used against ground targets not too far from the shoreline. The 1.3 ton SM-6 warhead weighs less than a hundred kg. Thats not a lot of explosives, but that warhead is accompanied by a large portion of the missile body which adds to the destructive effect. What makes that possible is that the missile hits the targets at speeds similar to rifle bullets. When using a high speed missile against a warship, the damage was extensive. The Navy verified this during a SINKEX, or inking exercise where a retired warship is used as the target. In this case the target ship was a recently retired 4,000-ton frigate. The warhead traveling at high speed did enough damage to render the target ship unable to move or fight. This is what would happen to an enemy ship hit with an SM-6 missile in wartime.

This was consistent with results from earlier SINKEX tests where the older SM-2 missile, which entered service in 1980 and was also designed for use against surface targets as well as aircraft. The max range of an SM-6 against a surface ship is 240 kilometers. The longer range and higher speed of the SM-6 make it particularly effective against other ships.

The SM-6 is basically the existing SM-2 anti-aircraft missile with the more capable guidance system of the AMRAAM air-to-air missile, as well as general improvements in the electronics and other components. The SM-6 is a 1.5 ton, 6.55 meter long, 533mm diameter missile. It has a max altitude of 33 kilometers, or 110,000 feet.

The older SM-2 is a 1.35 ton, 8 meter long missile with a max range of 190 kilometers and max altitude of 24.4 kilometers, or 80,200 feet. The main change for the SM-6 is the guidance system which is self-contained and will seek out any target it comes within range of. The SM-2 uses a semi-active guidance system, which requires that a special targeting radar light up the target with a radar beam, which the SM-2 guidance system detects and homes in on. The active guidance system of the SM-6 is harder to jam and can home in on targets beyond the range of targeting radars. The SM-6 can attack anti-ship missiles as well.

The SM-6 took nine years to develop and has been in production since 2011, with plans to obtain up to 1,800 missiles at a cost of $4.3 million each. SM-6 will replace many of the SM-2 missiles carried by American and Australian warships. Navy anti-aircraft missiles, including the SM series, have long been used as anti-ship weapons.

Meanwhile, the navy has been continuing years of improvements in the Aegis radar and fire control system that controls SM-2, SM-6, and the smaller SM-3 anti-missile version. The SM-3 can destroy ballistic missiles and low orbit satellites. Aegis equipped ships began getting version 4.0 of the Aegis anti-missile software in 2013 and the 5.0 upgrade made the anti-missile capabilities a standard feature of Aegis software. New destroyers are having anti-missile Aegis software installed as standard equipment. Much of the anti-missile capability of the original Aegis anti-aircraft system came from upgrades to the Aegis software.

The Aegis anti-missile system has had a success rate of over 80 percent in knocking down incoming ballistic missile warheads during test firings. To achieve this, two similar models of the U.S. Navy Standard anti-aircraft missile are in service, in addition to the Aegis radar system modified to track incoming ballistic missiles version.

The RIM-161A, also known as the SM-3 or Standard Missile 3, has a range of over 500 kilometers and max altitude of over 160 kilometers. Standard 3 is based on the anti-missile version of Standard 2 Block IV. This SM-3 missile has a shorter range than the SM-2, which can destroy a warhead that is more than 200 kilometers up. The SM-3 is optimized for anti-missile work, while the SM-2 Block IV was designed to be used against both ballistic missiles and aircraft. The SM-2 Block IV also costs less than half of what an SM-3 costs. So going after aircraft with SM-3s is discouraged unless absolutely necessary.
Sysco Co. (NYSE:SYY  Get Free Report) has been given a consensus rating of Moderate Buy by the eleven brokerages that are covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and nine have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $83.30.

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on the company. Barclays reduced their price objective on Sysco from $86.00 to $77.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Monday, October 23rd. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Sysco in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a strong-buy rating for the company. Stephens lowered their price target on shares of Sysco from $90.00 to $80.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, November 1st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft began coverage on shares of Sysco in a report on Thursday, October 19th. They issued a buy rating and a $75.00 price target for the company. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased their price target on shares of Sysco from $75.00 to $76.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday, November 1st.

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Sysco Trading Up 0.1 %

NYSE:SYY opened at $73.13 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.04, a current ratio of 1.29 and a quick ratio of 0.74. The firm has a market capitalization of $36.88 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.60, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.47 and a beta of 1.13. Sysco has a one year low of $62.24 and a one year high of $82.38. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $70.44 and a 200-day moving average price of $70.75.

Sysco (NYSE:SYY  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 31st. The company reported $1.07 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.02 by $0.05. The firm had revenue of $19.62 billion during 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%. Syscos revenue was up 2.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.97 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that Sysco will post 4.33 EPS for the current year.

Sysco Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 26th. Investors of record on Friday, January 5th will be given a dividend of $0.50 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 4th. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.73%. Syscos dividend payout ratio is presently 56.34%.

Insider Activity at Sysco

In other Sysco news, Director Sheila Talton sold 2,200 shares of Sysco stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $71.76, for a total value of $157,872.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 12,782 shares of the companys stock, valued at $917,236.32. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. 0.58% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC increased its holdings in Sysco by 74.6% in the third quarter. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC now owns 419 shares of the companys stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 179 shares in the last quarter. MRP Capital Investments LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Sysco during the first quarter worth about $31,000. Sunbelt Securities Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Sysco during the first quarter worth about $32,000. CGC Financial Services LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Sysco during the second quarter worth about $33,000. Finally, Intrepid Capital Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Sysco during the second quarter worth about $35,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.60% of the companys stock.

About Sysco

(Get 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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Virginia National Bank cut its holdings in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (NYSEARCA:IVV  Free Report) by 5.7% in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,251 shares of the companys stock after selling 75 shares during the quarter. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF accounts for about 2.4% of Virginia National Banks investment portfolio, making the stock its 17th largest holding. Virginia National Banks holdings in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF were worth $537,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. TrueWealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 0.6% during the 2nd quarter. TrueWealth Advisors LLC now owns 3,776 shares of the companys stock worth $1,683,000 after acquiring an additional 22 shares during the last quarter. Sara Bay Financial lifted its position in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 1.9% during the 2nd quarter. Sara Bay Financial now owns 1,257 shares of the companys stock worth $560,000 after purchasing an additional 24 shares during the last quarter. White Lighthouse Investment Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 1.4% during the 2nd quarter. White Lighthouse Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,795 shares of the companys stock worth $800,000 after purchasing an additional 24 shares during the last quarter. Focused Wealth Management Inc lifted its position in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 1.1% during the 2nd quarter. Focused Wealth Management Inc now owns 2,186 shares of the companys stock worth $974,000 after purchasing an additional 24 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Eagle Ridge Investment Management lifted its position in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 1.6% during the 2nd quarter. Eagle Ridge Investment Management now owns 1,548 shares of the companys stock worth $690,000 after purchasing an additional 25 shares during the last quarter.

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iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Stock Down 0.3 %

Shares of IVV stock opened at $477.65 on Friday. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF has a 12 month low of $379.60 and a 12 month high of $479.79. The firm has a market cap of $369.53 billion, a PE ratio of 18.43 and a beta of 1.00. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $453.11 and a 200-day moving average of $446.95.

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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Czech National Bank lifted its position in shares of West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE:WST  Free Report) by 46.9% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 12,909 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock after buying an additional 4,121 shares during the period. Czech National Banks holdings in West Pharmaceutical Services were worth $4,844,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. EA Series Trust acquired a new stake in shares of West Pharmaceutical Services during the 2nd quarter worth $218,000. Modera Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in West Pharmaceutical Services in the 2nd quarter valued at $286,000. HighTower Advisors LLC increased its holdings in West Pharmaceutical Services by 9.2% in the 1st quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 11,515 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $3,978,000 after purchasing an additional 972 shares in the last quarter. KLR Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in West Pharmaceutical Services in the 1st quarter valued at $594,000. Finally, DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale increased its holdings in West Pharmaceutical Services by 2.5% in the 2nd quarter. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale now owns 20,371 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $7,666,000 after purchasing an additional 489 shares in the last quarter. 91.23% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Transactions at West Pharmaceutical Services

In other West Pharmaceutical Services news, VP Charles Witherspoon sold 1,190 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, October 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $322.37, for a total value of $383,620.30. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 1,835 shares of the companys stock, valued at $591,548.95. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other West Pharmaceutical Services news, VP Charles Witherspoon sold 1,190 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, October 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $322.37, for a total value of $383,620.30. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 1,835 shares of the companys stock, valued at $591,548.95. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CAO Chad Winters sold 1,013 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $349.00, for a total transaction of $353,537.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 1,270 shares in the company, valued at approximately $443,230. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 1.13% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

WST has been the subject of several recent research reports. StockNews.com upgraded West Pharmaceutical Services from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Thursday, December 7th. Stephens lowered their price target on West Pharmaceutical Services from $420.00 to $390.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Friday, October 27th.

Check Out Our Latest Report on West Pharmaceutical Services

West Pharmaceutical Services Stock Performance

NYSE:WST opened at $352.12 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05, a current ratio of 3.70 and a quick ratio of 2.89. West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. has a 1-year low of $225.66 and a 1-year high of $415.73. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $346.52 and a two-hundred day moving average of $370.01. The stock has a market cap of $26.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 47.52, a PEG ratio of 8.86 and a beta of 1.08.

West Pharmaceutical Services (NYSE:WST  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 26th. The medical instruments supplier reported $2.16 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.86 by $0.30. West Pharmaceutical Services had a net margin of 19.11% and a return on equity of 21.86%. The business had revenue of $747.40 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $750.31 million. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $2.03 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 8.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts expect that West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. will post 8.02 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

West Pharmaceutical Services Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, February 7th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, January 31st will be given a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, January 30th. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.23%. West Pharmaceutical Servicess payout ratio is 10.80%.

West Pharmaceutical Services Company Profile

(Free Report)

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc designs, manufactures, and sells containment and delivery systems for injectable drugs and healthcare products in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates in two segments, Proprietary Products and Contract-Manufactured Products.

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Starting on Jan. 1, it will be a little bit easier for Veterans in Illinois to find four-legged companionship.

In August, Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker approved House Bill 2500, which amends the Animal Welfare Act to require animal shelters and animal control facilities to waive adoption fees for cats and dogs for military Veterans.

Army Veteran Brian Gibson, founder of the nonprofit Project Diehard, served for 26 years. He said that his pets were able to help him, and he thinks this new law will be helpful to others.

Pets can help Veterans. None of my dogs have ever sat there and complained about the mood Im in, he said.

Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood), one of the bills sponsors, said in a news release regarding the amendment, Our veterans put their lives on the line to protect our freedom. Everyone deserves companionship, and we have seen the benefits pets can give Veterans, including improved health and overall happiness.

Gibson said the amendment will be a game-changer for Veterans and their potential pets.

I mean, how many animals out there need adopting, and how many Veterans would love to adopt? he said.

Tara Pollard, with the Humane Society of Southern Illinois, said the law will help shelters like hers, allowing more time to raise funds to cover adoption costs.

Even though we have this fee and its being waived, we still have to pay for the vaccines; we have to pay for the spay or neuter, and honestly, here we have been really getting into training our dogs since our facility houses mostly adult dogs. Unfortunately, adult dogs are the last dogs people want to adopt, Pollard said.

And it gives them more time to look into whos adopting the animals.

Not saying that theyre a bad person, but making sure that if they take this dog home, the dog wont have to come back, because thats the biggest problem we see in shelters is that were on a high return rate, she said.

Several other shelters in southern Illinois said they do not currently have a program that waives fees for Veterans, but theyre working to put one in place.

The humane society announced Friday it has started a program called Companions 4 Warriors in light of the new amendment. It will start accepting donations to sponsor medical fees for rescue dogs going to Veterans on Jan. 1.

Veterans interested in adopting a dog or cat should have proper identification in order to have their fees waived. That identification includes a current and valid Illinois drivers license or Illinois Identification Card with the word veteran printed on its face; an identification card issued under the federal Veterans Identification Card Act of 2015 and a valid Illinois drivers license; or an identification card issued under the federal Veterans Identification Card Act of 2015 and a valid Illinois Identification card.
MINNEAPOLIS  An exploding population of hard-to-eradicate "super pigs" in Canada is threatening to spill south of the border, and northern states like Minnesota, North Dakota and Montana are taking steps to stop the invasion.

In Canada, the wild pigs roaming Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba pose a new threat. They are often crossbreeds that combine the survival skills of wild Eurasian boar with the size and high fertility of domestic swine to create a "super pig" that's spreading out of control.

Ryan Brook, a professor at the University of Saskatchewan and one of Canada's leading authorities on the problem, calls feral swine, "the most invasive animal on the planet" and "an ecological train wreck."

Pigs are not native to North America. While they've roamed parts of the continent for centuries, Canada's problem dates back only to the 1980s when it encouraged farmers to raise wild boar, Brook said. The market collapsed after peaking in 2001 and some frustrated farmers simply cut their fences, setting the animals free.

It turned out that the pigs were very good at surviving Canadian winters. Smart, adaptable and furry, they eat anything, including crops and wildlife. They tear up land when they root for bugs and crops. They can spread devastating diseases to hog farms like African swine fever. And they reproduce quickly. A sow can have six piglets in a litter and raise two litters in a year.

That means 65% or more of a wild pig population could be killed every year and it will still increase, Brook said. Hunting just makes the problem worse, he said. The success rate for hunters is only about 2% to 3% and several states have banned hunting because it makes the pigs more wary and nocturnal  tougher to track down and eradicate.

Wild pigs already cause around $2.5 billion in damage to U.S. crops every year, mostly in southern states like Texas. And they can be aggressive toward humans. A woman in Texas was killed by wild pigs in 2019.

Eradication of wild pigs is no longer possible in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, Brook said. But the situation isn't hopeless everywhere and a few U.S. states have eliminated them. The key, he said, is having a detection system that finds them early and fast, and then responding quickly.

Brook and his colleagues have documented 62,000 wild pig sightings in Canada. Their aerial surveys have spotted them on both sides of the Canada-North Dakota border. They've also recorded a sighting in Manitoba within 18 miles (28 kilometers) of Minnesota.

"Nobody should be surprised when pigs start walking across that border if they haven't already," Brook said. "The question is: What will be done about it?"

Brook said Montana has been the most serious about keeping wild pigs out. It banned raising and transporting wild pigs within the state.

"The only path forward is you have to be really aggressive and you have to use all the tools in the toolbox," Brook said.

That could include big ground traps with names like "BoarBuster" or net guns fired from helicopters. Some states and provinces embrace crowdsourced "Squeal on Pigs" tracking programs. Scientists have also studied poisons such as sodium nitrite, but they risk harming other species.

Minnesota is among states trying to prevent the swine from taking hold. The state's Department of Natural Resources is expected to release a report in February identifying gaps in its management plan and recommend new prevention steps. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is using aircraft and drones to beef up surveillance along the northern border.

Minnesota was declared an eradicated state after USDA Wildlife Services shot and killed a group of pigs in 2016 that wandered off a farm and turned feral in the far northwest corner of the state  but not before they began to reproduce and root up a wildlife preserve. Gary Nohrenberg, the Minnesota director of Wildlife Services, said as far has he knows, no truly wild pigs have made their way to his state  yet.

Feral swine have been reported in at least 35 states, according to the USDA. The agency estimates the the swine population in those states totals around 6 million.

Since launching the National Feral Swine Management Program in 2014, the USDA has provided funding to 33 states, said Mike Marlow, an assistant program director. He said their goal is to eradicate wild pigs where populations are low or emerging, and to limit the damage where they're already established such as Texas and southeastern states.

The program has had success in some states that had small populations like Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Wisconsin and Washington, he said. The animals are spotted occasionally and quickly killed off in North Dakota.

"I think we're making great strides toward success," Marlow said. "But eradication is not in the near future."

The 10 top-rated pet charities and the missions they support The 10 top-rated pet charities and the missions they support #10. Grey Muzzle Organization - Raleigh, North Carolina #9. Puppies Behind Bars - New York City #8. American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation Inc. - Raleigh, North Carolina #7. Associated Humane Societies - Newark, New Jersey #6. South Dakota West River Spay-Neuter Coalition - Deadwood, South Dakota #5. Monadnock Humane Society - Swanzey, New Hampshire #4. New Hampshire SPCA - Stratham, New Hampshire #3. Alaqua Animal Refuge Inc. - Freeport, Florida #2. Pony Power Therapies Inc. - Mahwah, New Jersey #1. All About Animals Rescue - Warren, Michigan
GLOBAL growth is expected to remain weak, with the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region projected to experience 2% GDP growth in 2023. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) suggests that T&Ts economy is on a broad-based recovery path. Explore these and other international, regional and local economic insights from the Chambers Trade & Business Development Unit.
Trinidad and Tobago has lost a man who blazed a trail like few others before him ever had, and like few others ever will again.

These were the words of President Christine Kangaloo as she paid tribute to former prime minister Basdeo Panday at his state funeral, at the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts (SAPA), San Fernando, yesterday.
Bahrain has announced steady progress on several of its key infrastructure development projects in the fifth constituency of Muharraq Governorate.

These are being implemented as part of the third batch projects for developing roads, sanitation, and municipality services, reported BNA citing the Minister of Works.

"Work is in full swing on the sanitary network in Galali on Block 255, which will serve 75 real estate properties, as part of the development project of Shaikh Isa bin Rashid Al Khalifa Street and Road 5441 in Block 254 in Galali, which will serve 205 properties," said Ibrahim Hassan Al Hawaj, after an inspection tour of the project site.

He also reviewed the progress of work on the sanitary network in Wahat Al Muharraq in Block 255, which will serve 356 properties.

Al Hawaj also visited the site of an upcoming sanitary network project in Block 255 in Galali, which will serve 75 properties. It is part of the development project of Shaikh Isa bin Rashid Al Khalifa Street and Road 5441.

The project for leveling work has been completed in road 5470 and surrounding roads in Block 254 in Qalali (Dilmunia). This will help serve 231 properties, reported BNA.

Last week, Al Hawaj had inspected the ongoing projects in the northern governorate including the work related to Janabiya Highway project as well as a new upper bridge at Al Jasra interchange, it added.
It was one of the best tributes (eulogies) I saw or heard, and perhaps the best speech Presi
Did you know?

If you are age 70 or older and have savings in an IRA, you may be able to give directly from your IRA and save even more on your federal and Arizona taxes. If your custodian sends a payment directly from your IRA to the Arizona Daily Star Sportsmens Fund, you may be able to deduct it as a Qualifying Charitable Distribution on your tax return even if you claim the standard deduction. Consult your tax adviser for more information about how this applies to you.

 Mikala Jansen, CPA, and Sportsmens Fund director
In the year since Sukhchain Ken Sandu and his Bright Brain Hospitality partners bought Douglass historic Gadsden Hotel in December 2022, they have lost more than $200,000.

To stem the bleeding, the partners, who also own the Motel 6 in Willcox, closed the Gadsdens popular Cafe 333 restaurant and the Saddle & Spur Tavern on Dec. 23 for maintenance with plans to reopen on Jan. 1.

But those plans changed.

We are going to start demolition in the middle of January. In the meantime, we thought, why dont we step back and restructure ourselves, get our finances together and then we will reopen, Sandu said.

The partners decided to keep the restaurant and bar closed indefinitely, which resulted in laying off about two dozen full- and part-time employees, including several who had been with the hotel for years.

Douglas Mayor Donald Huish, in a written statement, said that it is of great concern to the city any time a business experiences a need to redefine their business model due to economic factors that negatively impact employees. But, the mayor said, he understands that the impacted employees could be rehired once the project is finished.

The layoffs, coming days before the Christmas holiday, spurned a social media backlash, including racially-charged comments that Sandu said mischaracterized him and his partners as being motivated by the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

That hate should be stopped. Its not going to take us anywhere, said Sandu, who was born in India and has lived in the United States for 35 years.

Sandu said his other partners, Balwant Aulck and Rashpal Thind, also are India natives who have lived most of their lives in the U.S.

We have kids who were born here. We are serving the country. I dont know what these people are talking about, he said.

Bright Brain Hospitality, based in Seattle, bought the Gadsden Hotel for $1.6 million from Douglas residents Anel and Florencio Lopez, who purchased the five-story hotel in late 2016. The Lopez family renovated the 21 rooms on the first floor. The upper floors were closed off with plans to eventually renovate them, but that never happened.

Sandu said he and his partners will carry out those plans, creating suites on the top floor and standard hotel rooms on the second and third floors.

They have a demolition permit to begin the work, and their architectural plans are awaiting final approval, but Sandu said the to-do list before they can begin actual renovations is unwieldy. It includes replacing the heating and cooling system and duct work, as well as the fire sprinkler system throughout to meet updated city and county codes.

Were talking about millions of dollars. It could be over $3 million, he said. We are going to dump our mind and soul to finance this building and I want to make it very clear to the people who think we just came in and were going to run away from it. No. Its very unfortunate that we had to let people go, but for one year, we supported their paychecks.

Were not super rich people; we are just regular people, he added. We took loans on our homes to buy this building. Of course, when you are losing money you have to step back and reorganize yourself.

Mayor Huish said the owners have properly followed all permitting requirements for the renovation.

We are anticipating that their project will move forward expeditiously, and they are able to once again expand their services, he said. We remain supportive of their continued interest in investing in Douglas and their vision for the future of the Gadsden. The Gadsden is a cornerstone to the history of Douglas and an economic driver for our downtown.

The Gadsden Hotel  the name is Hotel Gadsden on the building  opened in 1907 and quickly became the central meeting place for cattlemen, ranchers, politicians and the community. With the exception of the 1928 fire that nearly destroyed the hotel and led to its closure while it was rebuilt, the hotel has continued to be the living room of the community, said longtime Douglas Historical Society volunteer Lea Dodge.

Whenever someone has a big event, graduation or reception, they take place in the lobby of the Gadsden, said Dodge. On a daily basis, its a place where people go to have coffee and meet socially there.

There are only a few hotels and motels in the border town of 16,500, and the Gadsden is the grandest. It also is the only one that can boast of being a bonafide tourist destination. Visitors often walk through the front doors and into the opulent lobby with its winding Italian marble staircase and soaring marble columns illuminated by light peaking through the 42-foot Tiffany stained-glass mural.

Our long-term mission and goal is to take the Gadsden Hotel to the next level, said Sandu, who said they have gotten a lot of love and respect from the people of Douglas. We feel proud owning a great piece of history.
PHOENIX  Arizona voters have an absolute right to enact laws requiring disclosure of dark money political donations  even if Republican lawmakers dont like it, a judge ruled Friday.

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Timothy Ryan rejected a bid by House Speaker Ben Toma and Senate President Warren Petersen to block implementation of Proposition 211 ahead of campaign spending for the 2024 election.

The lawmakers attorney had argued that the initiative, approved by Arizona voters a year ago by a nearly 3-1 margin, infringed on the rights of the Republican-controlled Legislature.

But Ryan, in a 12-page ruling, pointed out that the people have the same authority as legislators to enact laws. Just like measures approved by the Legislature, voter-approved laws are presumed valid unless there is something unconstitutional about them, he said.

The judge said there is no reason here to keep what voters approved from taking effect.

The citizens of Arizona voted to receive more information about the sources of money trying to influence Arizona elections, he wrote. The public interest weighs heavily in favor of protecting Arizona voters constitutionally protected legislative authority, and their interests in being fully informed when choosing their representatives and voting on initiatives and referenda, as expressed in Prop. 211.

Moreover, Ryan wrote, Under the Arizona Constitution, the Legislature is not empowered to repeal or detract from voter-approved measures based on its displeasure with those enactments. That refers to the 1998 Voter Protection Act, also approved at the ballot box.

He said what lawmakers attempted here, by filing suit, amounted to an end-run of that act based on claims that Prop. 211 somehow harmed them.

Displeasure with the voters choices is not a palpable harm that allows the Legislature to do in court what it cannot do through legislation, Ryan wrote.

Lawmakers on wobbly ground

While Ryan gave the go-ahead for the law to take effect, he did not toss out the entire challenge. He said Petersen and Toma are entitled to their day in court to try to convince him the initiative somehow interferes with lawmakers powers.

But the judge made it clear he thinks their case is weak, saying they have not established they are likely to succeed on the merits of their claims even after a full trial. The two GOP leaders appear to be on wobbly ground, he said at one point.

Petersen said he had no comment. There was no immediate response from Toma.

The new law is a direct outgrowth of the 2010 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in a case known as Citizens United. In essence, the justices said corporations and other outside groups have an unfettered and unlimited right to spend money to influence elections.

That ruling didnt override Arizona laws which limit the amount any individual can give. They also require disclosure of donations of at least $50.

But the high court ruling did result in formation of political action committees that can make unlimited independent expenditures, separate from campaigns, supporting or opposing candidates or ballot measures.

The only requirement for each of these committees is to disclose its name on campaign materials and commercials. But attorney David Kolker, representing initiative backers, told Ryan that provided little information, as many took up innocuous sounding names like Americans for a Brighter Future while hiding the identities of each groups actual contributors.

Proposition 211 is designed to end that in Arizona.

It says any organization that spends more than $50,000 on a statewide race  or half that for other contests  must publicly disclose anyone who has given at least $5,000.

It specifies that these organizations have to trace the money back to the original source, no matter how many times it has changed hands, and reveal that information in public reports.

Enforcement

Brett Johnson, the attorney hired by the GOP legislative leaders, argued to Ryan that the measure is unconstitutional because it delegates enforcement power to the already existing Citizens Clean Elections Commission.

That panel, created by Arizona voters in 1988, administers a voluntary system of public financing for candidates for statewide and legislative office and polices other existing campaign finance laws.

Johnson said voters have no right to allow the commission to make its own rules to enforce Proposition 211, rules that were not subject to legislative approval.

Ryan, however, said Proposition 211 itself includes language that rules enacted by the commission and enforcement actions it takes are not subject to approval by any other governmental body.

Anyway, the judge said, this is no different than when lawmakers themselves delegate certain rule-making and enforcement actions to state agencies, as the power of the people is equal to the power of the Legislature.

The judge also pointed out that Toma and Petersen waited nine months after the November 2022 election when Proposition 211 was approved to file suit. He said they presented no credible evidence to explain the delay.

This is the second time a court has rebuffed challenges to the voter-approved initiative.

In June, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Scott McCoy rejected arguments by the Arizona Free Enterprise Club and the Center for Arizona Policy that the requirements in Proposition 211 to disclose the true identity of donors to candidate races and ballot measures violates the rights of donors to anonymously affect outcomes.

In fact, Arizonas Constitution required the first Legislature to pass an election disclosure law to publicize all campaign contributions to, and the expenditures of campaign committees for public office,  McCoy wrote. The framers thus established a constitutional commitment to pure elections, to prevent corporate influences, and to publicize sources of campaign funds.

He also rejected their arguments that the initiative violates other rights, ranging from the freedom of individuals to associate for political purposes to a constitutional right of privacy.

Other challenges

A separate challenge is pending in federal court, filed by Americans for Prosperity, a conservative advocacy group founded by the Koch brothers.

Its attorneys contend the First Amendment protects the right of individuals to donate to advocacy organizations without fear their identities would be disclosed. They argue Proposition 211 trammels that right by subjecting countless Americans nationwide to governmental doxxing for doing nothing more than supporting their chosen non-profit organizations and charities.

Fridays ruling is a crucial victory for supporters of the idea of greater disclosure whose efforts have fallen short twice before.

In 2018 a court blocked a nearly identical measure from going to the ballot after a judge disqualified some signatures on petitions. That left the initiative without sufficient names to qualify.

Two years later, seeking to avoid the potential pitfalls of using paid circulators of petitions, backers moved to an all-volunteer effort. But signature gathering faltered during the COVID-19 pandemic which included, for a period of time, a stay-at-home order.

There were no such problems in 2022, resulting in overwhelming approval.
On a warm Friday afternoon, Tiffany Reese and her fiance Ryan Olson sped out of Tucson and straight toward Las Vegas, the Wedding Capital of the World, where they will join thousands of couples from thousands of places as they exchange vows at chapels across the city.

For many, it is the lure of a New Years Eve wedding that brings them to town. Others see it as a way to get hitched before the beginning of the year. For Reese and Olson, however, its the unique date that had them heading to the altar when they chose to.

Reeses birthday is Jan. 23, or 1/23, or 123. This is her favorite number. The date on New Years Eve will read 12/31/23, or 123 123. She has even requested they give their vows at 1:23 p.m. when she gathers with nearly a dozen family members and their children at The Wedding Chapel.

Its going to be extra lucky, she said with excitement. And, although the nuptials were to take place on Dec. 30, the two will be signing their license on the 31st as to follow their theme.

The couple, who have been boyfriend-girlfriend since middle school on Tucsons east side, are apparently not alone in seeking out this date of importance.

New Years Eve is already one of Las Vegas most popular wedding dates, and adding the magic date of 1-2-3 1-2-3 gives couples even more to celebrate on this historic night, said Lynn Marie Goya, clerk of Clark County, Nevada.

According to the Clark County Clerks Office, throughout Las Vegas wedding history, unique numerical patterns  often called magic dates  have continually proven to be the most popular dates for nuptials.

Las Vegas most popular wedding date in history occurred on 7/7/2007. It became known as the Lucky 7s day when 4,492 couples were married. The second most popular wedding date in history occurred on 11/11/2011 when 3,125 couples were married. Last year, 2/22/22 became the sixth most popular wedding date in the citys history with 2,331 weddings.

These upticks seem to end at the Vegas city limits, according to one Tucson-based wedding venue owner and Pima County justice of the peace, Vince Roberts.

I havent had a single request (to marry a couple) on that date, Roberts said of 12/31, although he has been busier than usual marrying folks who want to commit before the new year hits. This week Ive been swamped, and Ive got another one to squeeze in.

Stillwell House owner Candace Carrillo was running around herself on Saturday afternoon, trying to perfect all that needed perfecting for her venues New Years Eve brunch wedding. Carrillo said shes certainly seen an uptick in business when the magic dates approach.

It just depends, Carrillo said. People are funny. I dont really subscribe to any of those things, but I know when we have that (magic) date, it goes quick!
A new housing development going up on a former desert homestead on Tucsons east side has a unique centerpiece.

A longtime family home, built in 1966, will be preserved and soon surrounded by more than 220 houses in the Houghton Reserve community.

Located at Broadway and Houghton Road, 100 acres of land was once owned by Albert and Betty Gegenheimer, who bought it in 1946.

The original one-bedroom adobe home became too small for the growing family and, after Albert Gegenheimer counted 12 cars on Houghton Road in a single afternoon, the couple had a larger home built farther from the road, said their granddaughter, Grace Gegenheimer.

Her father Paul and his brother Peter grew up in the home and all the grandchildren came home from the hospital to that house.

Living in a place surrounded by that much untouched desert was a dream, Grace Gegenheimer said. We could run wild in any direction we chose  and we did.

In 2017, Meritage Homes approached the family about buying the parcel for a new housing community.

After more than 18 months of negotiations, the family decided to sell most of it, but keep five acres surrounding the original home intact.

Meritage is building the community around the property, which is walled off from the other homes and has a private driveway.

It is still surreal for all of us  and probably always will be  to step outside and see the new neighborhood in every direction, Grace Gegenheimer said. It is sad to think that mine and my sisters children will not experience our 100 acres of desert paradise in the same way that we did, but we are hoping that we can provide them with a sense of place between the many photos and stories, along with the preservation of the 1966 home.

Jeff Grobstein, region president for Meritage Homes, said the company was pleased to be able to save the home.

It was a direct result of just spending quality time with the family to explain what our needs would be and understand what their desire was for preservation of the property, he said. The family wanted to maintain it as their family legacy.

Meritage is building the new homes on 77 acres, with the five Gegenheimer acres in the middle. The remaining acreage is commercial property.

We had many conversations and there was much give-and-take, Grobstein said.

Aside from preserving the home, Meritage preserved more than 300 native trees on the property.

The Gegenheimer home is separate from the new development and exempt from the homeowners association.

A special gift

When completed, the Gegenheimer home made the news for its unique architecture.

The two sons, 14 and 16 years old at the time, were both fans of Beatles records, which were played loudly and repeatedly, their mother recalled in a 1966 article in the Arizona Daily Star.

The home featured a surprise from Betty to her husband, Albert, who was a member of the English Literature Department at the University of Arizona and editor of the Arizona Quarterly.

Lets surprise him and present him with a Hopi fireplace tied up with a red ribbon as a special gift from me, she wrote to the architect.

It was a last-minute addition to his study.

The kitchen was built with a fireplace and would double as a family and sewing room.

The home was made with burnt adobe and redwood beams.

Grace Gegenheimer said the home still has its 60s vibe.

To this day, walking through that house is a trip to another place in time, she said. We hope that the new neighbors enjoy their new homes and make wonderful memories with their loved ones  but can also stop to appreciate the history of those who were there before.

Positive outlook

Houghton Reserve, at buildout, will have 226 large homes with three- to five-bedroom floor plans.

The single and two-story home prices are about $500,000 and up.

The community is still under construction, but Meritage has already sold 64 homes since opening for sale late last year. Completion is expected within three years.

Grobstein said the east side of town is very popular.

There is a lot of employment with Raytheon and Davis-Monthan, but very little opportunity for communities like this on the east side, he said.

Houghton Reserve is one of 13 communities that Meritage currently has active. Four others are in the planning stages, Grobstein said.

The top homebuilder in 2022, Meritage is on track to claim that title again in 2023.

The homebuilder pulled 592 new home permits in the past 12 months and sold 609 homes.

Were still optimistic about the market, Grobstein said.
Tucsonan Bob De Armond will ring in the new year the same way he has for the past 50 of them: standing watch on a street filled with flowers in Pasadena, California.

Every year since 1973, De Armond has helped decorate floats for the famous Rose Bowl Parade on Jan. 1.

Its one of the most unusual and intensive part-time jobs imaginable: roughly 95 hours of work crammed into the last five days of the year, culminating with an overnight shift in the parades staging area on Dec. 31.

I have never been to a New Years Eve party, the 76-year-old parade float supervisor said.

De Armond was joined in Pasadena this year by a crew of more than a dozen volunteer decorators he recruited in Tucson.

Rose Parade rules require every inch of every float to be covered with flowers or other plant parts, so he also took along file boxes filled with colorful local material to use on this years entry. One box was filled to the brim with 55 pounds of rusty red seeds that a volunteer collected during the heat of the summer from several Texas mountain laurel plants growing along the drive-thru lane of a fast food restaurant at El Con Center.

Each of those red seeds, no bigger than a marble, had to be glued onto this years float by hand.

De Armond volunteered for his first Rose Bowl Parade in 1973, shortly after he moved to the Los Angeles suburb of Torrance, California.

He said he didnt really know anyone in Torrance, so when he saw a notice in the local paper inviting people to come help decorate the citys parade float he signed up as a way to meet people.

Id been a fan of the parade for a long time, he said.

That first float he worked on was a collaboration between the City of Torrance and the U.S. Forest Service, featuring Smokey Bear, Woodsy Owl and several trees in different colors, representing the four seasons.

De Armond was only supposed to help out for one day, but he impressed his supervisor so much she arranged to have him come back for the rest of the week.

I took to it right away, he said.

Petal power

Within a few years, De Armond was promoted to supervisor and paid to oversee all the decorating for the citys annual Rose Parade float. He also served on the board of directors for the Torrance Rose Float Association, including two terms as president.

He even helped drive the citys float for about six years.

The parade route only covers about 5 miles, De Armond said, but depending on where you are in the lineup, sometimes youre in that thing for about five or six hours.

Most of the time, the driver is sitting or lying down on two pieces of plywood no more than about 6 inches above the pavement, he said.

But every design is different. One year, De Armond controlled the gas pedal from one part of the float, while someone else in another part operated the brakes and the steering wheel.

Another year, he had to lie down and look out through the nose of a giant raccoon so he could serve as a spotter for the floats driver. Thats when sleep deprivation got the better of him.

In front of us was an all-girls band from Japan that played the same song over and over, and their flags were going like this the whole time, he said, motioning with his hands in front of his face.

Thoroughly hypnotized, De Armond dozed off, only to be awakened after an unknown amount of time by the voice of a parade official in his headset, warning him that their float was getting too close to the entry ahead of them.

Luckily, the floats only have a maximum speed of 2 or 3 mph.

I could have caused an international incident, he said with a laugh. I was wide awake the rest of the parade, let me tell you.

He decided to quit driving the floats and stick to decorating them after that.

Since the early 1990s, De Armond has worked as a seasonal supervisor for Fiesta Parade Floats, the most experienced and award-winning float building company associated with the Tournament of Roses. During that time, he has overseen the decoration of parade entries for several different California cities and huge commercial floats costing several hundred thousand dollars for major retailers like Target and Lowes.

Tim Estes, president of Fiesta Parade Floats, described De Armond as a conscientious and passionate supervisor and a great mentor who has always loved the Rose Parade to death.

Fiesta owes its success to dedicated people like Bob, Estes said. Its all for the love of the Rose Parade, because it sure isnt for the money.

Floral frenzy

De Armonds entry in the 135th Rose Parade on Monday features a giant Mardi Gras jester that will dance above several live musicians as they ride along and play on flower-covered stages colored purple, green and gold. Its the second year in a row he has been assigned to a float from the State of Lousianas tourism bureau.

Its kind of interesting because my moms birthday was Jan. 1, and she was from Louisiana, he said. I used to tell her, You get the best flower bouquet from your son for your birthday that anybody ever gave.

As far as De Armond is concerned, decorating floats is just an extension of the kind of artistic work he has always done. My whole life has been creating designs, so its just kind of a natural thing for me, he said.

He spent his 45-year professsional career with HF Coors, a wholesale dishware manufacturer where he created and painted patterns on more than a million dishes.

When the company relocated from California to Tucson almost 20 years ago, he went with it, but he continued his annual, post-Christmas trek to Pasadena to work on parade floats. I told my boss when I moved here, one of the stipulations is I get that week off so I can go back and do that, he said.

He retired from his job as HF Coors art director about six years ago, but he continues to nurture his creative side as staff artist at Santa Theresa Tile Works downtown.

De Armond generally heads for California on the day after Christmas, but the float decoration work starts long before he gets there. In November, workers begin cutting up piles of dry strawflower confetti and cleaning the hundreds of thousands of little plastic vials that the roses go in.

For outsiders, the scale of the operation can be hard to comprehend. De Armond said there is a crew of 200 to 300 people in the float-building area, and all they do for a week leading up to the parade is trim roses to specific heights and stick them in those water-filled vials  a process known as vialing.

They say that the average float has more flowers than a really good florist shop will use in a year, De Armond said. Ive had ones that had 80,000 to 90,000 roses on them.

The frames holding up all those flowers are made from pencil steel mounted to I-beams like youd find in a skyscraper, he said. Weve had some floats that were so heavy that the tires had to be filled with sand so they wouldnt collapse.

Each entry is meticulously planned out in advance. De Armond doesnt design them himself, though he does weigh in along the way.

Then its up to him and his crew to execute  and occasionally elaborate on  the overall vision. With the detail stuff, I have a lot of leeway, he said. In the (instruction) book my boss will say, Fill in as needed, see Bob.

Rose regulars

Throughout the hectic decorating process, De Armond has to direct a shifting crew of 50 to 60 volunteers a day. Many of his workers are Girl Scouts, just there for a day or two, but he also relies on a seasoned team of Rose Bowl regulars.

I have a lot of people that have been decorating with me for many years, De Armond said. I have people that fly in from Canada, and this one couple, they come out every three or four years from Columbus, Ohio and work with me. Its kind of like a family reunion every year with friends.

A few people volunteered with him as teenagers, then showed back up decades later with teenaged children of their own.

My group and I are known for real intricate detail, De Armond said. I keep getting floats with really crazy details, because all of my regulars really like doing stuff like putting beans on one by one and stuff like that.

One year, De Armond and company were tasked with decorating a float for the City of Azusa, California, that included a large brown-and-white street sign for historic Route 66.

Two ladies spent the whole week doing that sign. The white I had them do with grains of rice one by one with tweezers in perfect straight lines, and the brown was little tiny flax seeds put on like that, he said. Nobody would notice, even from the curb, that it was done that way. But youre trying to impress the judges.

And it worked, too. Azusas float took home a technical award that year, beating out several, far more expensive, corporate entries.

De Armond is always on the lookout for interesting new materials to use in the parade. He once visited a friends farm in Nebraska and came home with a suitcase full of cornhusks for a float he was working on. He has also been known to harvest the orange-tufted beans from the inside of giant bird of paradise flowers to use as decorations.

To give something a weathered or antique look, sometimes De Armond will spray it with glue, then use his own breath to blow on a dusty layer of cinnamon or finely chopped dill weed.

He said his favorite float was one he decorated with a Day of the Dead theme, which was kind of weird for conservative Pasadena. The tallest float hes worked on topped out at 55 feet, roughly the height of a five-story building.

De Armond said hes had no major mishaps in 50 years of float-making, though he did have to improvise one year when a behind-the-scenes political fight in a Southern California city caused the funding for the float to suddenly dry up.

It was too late to drop the entry from the parade, so they built as much of it as they could. The display was supposed to feature three fighter jets soaring over a family of antelopes, but they ended up with just two jets and a single animal.

With no money for flowers, large areas set aside for floral arrangements were decorated instead with plants De Armond picked from along some nearby train tracks or whatever he could salvage from the trash bins of other float builders.

We ended up winning the award for best small float and everybody was freaked out that we did, he said. That was the most satisfying.

Ready to float

Traditionally, Dec. 31 is moving day for the float builders of Pasadena. Thats when the finished creations are driven over and parked along Orange Grove Boulevard, where the supervisors will repair any damage sustained during transit.

One year, De Armond spent a good chunk of his night fixing a fairy on his float that got beheaded by a low-hanging obstruction on its way to the staging area.

Float workers also have to stand guard over their entries as they sit there overnight on the public street.

Its New Years Eve, so you have to keep all the inebriated people from pulling flowers off your float, De Armond said. You dont get any sleep.

Since he isnt driving floats anymore, though, he does get to relax a bit on Monday morning and take part in a New Years Day tradition at a friends house near the parade route.

Every year, he said, a group of float supervisors from different companies all get together to eat breakfast, watch the parade and make fun of each others stuff. Then they all pile into a car and drive to the end of the route to meet the floats as they come in and catch up with more of their colleagues.

De Armond said such camaraderie and creativity are what keeps him coming back year after year, despite all the pressure and exhaustion that comes with the Rose Bowl Parade float business.

You either really, really like it, he said, or you dont want to do it at all.
Stars embarrassing bizarre op-eds

Re: the Nov. 1 article Israelis have only one choice to survive: Leave and the Nov. 2 article Why Israel should give talks another chance.

Gil Shapiro wrote an Op-Ed calling for all Jews to leave Israel, denying the historic not to mention religious ties of Jews to Israel. Moreover it flies in the face of Jewish experience within our lifetimes: Jews fleeing Nazi Germany on the MS St. Louis in 1939 were denied entry anywhere, including the U.S. It also ignores the question of where as in todays anti-immigrant world would 7 million Jews be accepted? It also fails to recognize that Muslim refugees are kept in camps without any citizenship rights in Lebanon, Jordan and Syria to name a few. The Thursday piece by Clarence Page suggests the time worn idea of talks. The Israeli peace movement has been destroyed over the last 20 years. Yes Netanyahus government opposes a two-state solution but who is there to talk to on the Palestinian side? Hamas? The Palestinian Authority which pays terrorists or their families for terrorist activity. There are Israeli calls for peace. The Palestinians want only a ceasefire.

Ron Bechky

SaddleBrooke

Civil War

Statues are not history; they are symbols of societal values. If you want to learn about Robert E. Lee, pick up a book. Confederates that betrayed their oath to the United States do not deserve remembrance on public grounds.

Eric Flohr

Midtown

Ciscomani fails to represent constituents

Juan Ciscomani sits on the Appropriations subcommittee for Labor, Health and Human Services, Education. In line with Republicans constant clamor to cut spending, this subcommittees bill will drastically cut education funding. Ciscomanis assistant waffles when asked if Ciscomani supports the bill, claiming schools have billions in unspent COVID funds (some schools have no funds left; because of misuse of private school vouchers, Arizona schools need every dime they can get).

Ciscomani voted to elect Jim Jordan as House Speaker. Jordan voted to overturn Arizonas 2020 election results and tried to delay certification of Bidens presidency. Jordan threatens a government shutdown whenever he doesnt get his way. Ciscomanis vote, therefore, supports extremist trumpian policies.

Call and voice your concern that Ciscomani is voting for an insurrectionist who denies Arizonas election results. Voice your concern that the subcommittees bill cuts the deficit by cheating children out of an education.

And next time, vote for Kirsten Engel.

Lisa Wolfe

North side

Who are the groomers?

Re: the Nov. 2 article Compelling clergy to report crimes.

After reading this article I realized Republicans are going after the wrong sector of society they accuse of being groomers  you know, drag queens reading stories to kids and their parents at small venues around the country.

The real groomers are religious fundamentalists and alleged Christians who want to destroy public education and replace it with religious-based homeschool curriculums, while they ignore the numerous and ongoing sex abuse scandals in most of the major religious organizations in the U.S. (such as the Southern Baptist Convention and the ad nauseam abuse perpetrated on children by the Catholic Church).

Contrary to what the modern Republican Party tries to foist on the American public, we are not a Christian nation and there needs to be a solid wall (remember WALL?) between Church and state as the founders intended.

David Abbott

Northwest side

Tucson fentanyl issues

Re: the Nov. 3 article Homeless people struggling to get services.

Very informative article. The article explains the complexities of the issue, focusing on 1. Treatment, or 2. Arrest. But there is something else in the mix. How about a huge effort to go after those who distribute the drug? We cannot stop the manufacture and import of the drug, but substantially reducing the availability should be a co-solution to treatment or jail.

Alan Kohl

Northwest side

Perceived bias can also be opinion

The Stars publication of letters accusing the Star of a liberal-opinion bias is evidence that the Star has a bias towards transparency and diversity of opinion. In my opinion, the Star also has a defensible preference for diverse local news and opinion. In my view, the Opinion section of the Star is a platform, a Tucson-region public square, for venting, for clearing the air, for self-expression (including vanity exposure), and sometimes for various species of ranting. All healthy and necessary if democracy is to prevail and have a chance to thrive. But all criticisms are not biases, and some biases are more defensible than others. For example, I have a bias against big lies  denial of the Holocaust, or that America put a man on the moon. Similarly, I have a bias against the big lie about Obamas birth, and that the 2020 presidential election was fraudulent. My bias against overt lying is neither liberal nor conservative.

Gerald Farrington, member of the Arizona Daily Stars Editorial Advisory Board

SaddleBrooke

Section 3 of the 14th Amendment

Section 3 of the 14th Amendment is the section of the constitution that charges against Trump are being based on, and what is keeping him off the ballot in Colorado. It prohibits anyone who swore an oath to support the Constitution and then engaged in insurrection against it from holding office. While Trump did encourage people to demonstrate at the Capital on Jan. 6, I saw no evidence that he urged or engaged in the insurrection that ultimately occurred. Granted, he could have come out with a plea to stop the violence, but how could his not having done so be called a crime?

William Johnson

Northwest side

Trump house

The GOP House blockage of funds to assist Ukraine in the defense of their nation is incredible, until you remember the first Trump impeachment. Trumps attempt to extort Zelenskyy into providing false information on Biden proved that Zelenskyy was a moral and honest man and how corrupt Trump is.

I think Zelenskyys refusal to abet Trump is the cause for the GOP blockage of funds to Ukraine. It is also a reminder to Trump of another of his spectacular failures.

Jeff Rayner

SaddleBrooke

Three reasons why Biden wont stop

There are three reasons why Netanyahu and Biden wont stop bombing civilians in Gaza  money, power, and corrupt religion.

Both leaders need campaign contributions to help maintain themselves in power. War frees up large donations from the military-industrial complex. This war also feeds the religious prejudice that lays dormant in the souls of ordinary Jews, Christians, and Muslims. That brings in partisan religious money to their re-election campaigns.

The lust for personal and party power is so deeply ingrained in these two mens personalities, they are willing to indiscriminately bomb women, children, and the elderly all the while protesting that they are carefully targeting only soldiers. Anyone with one eye can see that is not true.

The savagery of the Israeli-American war in Gaza is actually the biggest factor of all in promoting anti-Semitism because it is stoking great humanitarian resentment against Israel in the Arab world, Europe and America.

Kimball Shinkoskey

Downtown

Brainwashing the children

Re: the Dec. 26 paid ad on page A8

Today (Dec. 26) I see in the Star a full page ad for a Trump toy train. The train has all kinds of pro Trump language on it and touts his presidency as being historic. Does anyone else find this just plain sickening? Trump is a convicted sexual predator. He is under 91 felony indictments. He has been making all kinds of racist statements lately and is now quoting Hitler. How does the Star allow this kind of ad? What if the KKK wanted a full page ad? I doubt the Star would run such an ad. This ad for a toy train is just as bad. Shame of the Star for running such a sickening ad. For me, this is the last time I will ever read the Star. This kind of ad will certainly lead to a loss in readers. I personally know of five people who have cancelled their subscriptions after seeing this ad. More will follow.

Terry Etherton
Benghazi, Dec 30 (UNI) Niger uses Russian weapons, but the Russian military is not present on the country's soil, Nigerien Foreign Minister Bakary Yaou Sangare told Sputnik, adding that the Nigerien army is able to defend its territory on its own.

"Nowadays our relations with Russia are military cooperation, as all our weaponry is Russian. That is, we need to maintain relations with Russia to ensure this [weapons provision], but we do not have any [Russian] military on our land. We do not need it... Our army can defend its territory on its own," the minister said.

Niger forced the withdrawal of the French military with no intention of inviting other military personnel to the country, he said, adding that the country was in need of developing relations in intelligence, arms and logistics, but not in the field of armed forces.

A coup took place in Niger on July 26. Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum was ousted and detained by his own guard, led by Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani. The general announced the establishment of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland and signed a decree on the formation of a new transitional government. Following the military takeover, France withdrew troops from the country. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), on its part, suspended all cooperation with Niger and threatened military intervention if the rebels did not reinstate Bazoum. On December 23, French radio RFI reported that Niger and ECOWAS were negotiating a transition period in the country.

UNI/SPUTNIK AKS
Jimmie Tramel Tulsa World Scene Writer Follow Jimmie Tramel 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

Lets say this louder in case you didnt hear it the first time: Oklahoma music artist Wyatt Flores will make his Grand Ole Opry debut Jan. 20.

Flores initially made the announcement on stage at Ryman Auditorium after performing for the first time at the historic Nashville venue.

The crowds reaction to the set was so robust that Flores' words were barely audible when he, with emotion in his voice, said, Thank you guys for having me at the Ryman. Well see yall at the Opry on January 20th.

Said Flores in a follow-up phone interview: I didnt say it very loudly because I was in shock by a standing ovation. So it didnt come out very loud.

Playing the Opry is a bucket list achievement for music artists. Flores will do it at age 22.

Its crazy, he said. I am so excited.

People with Jan. 20 Opry tickets will see a performer who is popping. Sold-out tour stops became the new normal for Flores in 2023. Want to see his home-state show Feb. 16 at Cains Ballroom? If you didnt buy tickets right away, youre out of luck. That one sold out, too.

Flores, whose bio refers to him as a Mexican-American, Oklahoma-born troubadour, grew up around the red dirt music scene in Morrison and Stillwater. He said music started as a hobby for him.

I just wanted to be able to play around, like, small little get-togethers or fires, and thats what I grew up on, and I just wanted to be part of the circle, he said.

Flores said he really just wanted to be a lead guitarist, but Scott Lester of the band The Great Divide told him to start singing.

"They had to listen to me squawk and squeal for like seven years until I was probably about 18, and then it started working out and I could start carrying a tune in a bucket," Flores said. "It just went from kind of playing and then, I guess, people started believing.

Flores turned pro in 2020 with his first paid gig. He moved to Nashville to pursue a music career.

Asked if recent successes changed his outlook on what might be possible, Flores said, Yeah, its eye opening. It really is. How do I put this? Its making me realize the possibilities are endless if you put in the amount of work.

Its all work-related, really. As funny as it sounds, when I was growing up, it was like you only get as much out of it as you put in, and thats truly how it is. The more work you do, the easier it is.

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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

After showing a partial rebound in 2022-23, updated figures published on the Oklahoma State Department of Educations website show that public school enrollment statewide has dropped below 700,000 students.

According to updated student counts, 699,102 students are enrolled in Oklahomas public schools, a decrease of 2,156 pupils compared to the fall of 2022.

Those latest enrollment figures are still south of the states pre-pandemic enrollment high of 703,650 students.

Statewide, enrollment figures among prekindergarten and kindergarten students still continue to lag behind pre-pandemic levels. Between those two grades, 83,782 children were enrolled in an Oklahoma public school as of Oct. 1, compared to 94,610 in fall 2019 and 87,831 in fall 2022.

Despite all three reporting a year-over-year enrollment decline, the states three largest schools  Tulsa, Oklahoma City and Epic Charter Schools  remain unchanged from 2022.

Tulsa Public Schools enrollment as of Oct. 1 was 33,572, a decrease of 299 students or 0.88% from the previous school year.

Oklahoma City Public Schools enrollment as of Oct. 1 was 32,920, a decrease of 0.98% from 2022-23.

Epic Charter Schools had a reported enrollment of 27,054, representing a one-year decline of 1,424 students. By comparison, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in fall 2020, the charter school had almost 61,000 students enrolled.

In order by enrollment size, the rest of the states 10 largest school districts are Edmond, Moore, Broken Arrow, Putnam City, Norman, Union and Lawton.

Among TPS sites, 11 schools posted year-over-year enrollment increases of 20 students or more, with the largest increase reported at Skelly Elementary, which gained 65 students as compared to Oct. 1, 2022.

Other TPS sites reporting enrollment increases of 20 students or more include Council Oak, Hawthorne, John Hope Franklin, Key, Mayo Demonstration, Salk and Sequoyah elementary schools; Rogers and Webster high schools; and the placement-based alternative site TRAICE Academy High School.

Conversely, 16 TPS sites saw their enrollment drop by at least 20 students compared to Oct. 1, 2022, including decreases of 40 students or more at four of the districts 10 middle schools: East Central, Monroe, Memorial and Rogers.

Other TPS campuses with an enrollment decrease of 20 students or more include Carnegie, Cooper, Disney, Emerson, Eugene Field, Greenwood Leadership Academy, McClure and Patrick Henry elementary schools; Central and McLain high schools; and two placement-based alternative sites.

With its July 1 expansion to include the now-shuttered Collegiate Hall, College Bound Academy had the largest year-over-year enrollment increase among Tulsa charter schools and the second largest percentage increase statewide. Now serving 870 students in prekindergarten through eighth grade compared to 445 students last year, the charter schools enrollment increased by 95.51%.

Tulsa Honor Academy, Dove Schools of Tulsa and Sankofa Middle School each reported double-digit enrollment increases, while the enrollment at Tulsa Legacy rose by a single student.

Conversely, KIPP Tulsas enrollment declined by 42 students between its two campuses, while Tulsa School of Arts and Sciences and Deborah Brown Community School each reported single-digit enrollment decreases.

In its first semester of operation, Tulsa Classical Academy reported a student count of 704 pupils.

Among the suburban districts, Bixby Public Schools had the largest enrollment increase, adding 263 students as compared to fall 2022. No other suburban district reported an enrollment shift by more than 100 students in either direction.

A full listing by district and individual sites is available online at sde.ok.gov/documents/state-student-public-enrollment.



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Randy Krehbiel Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Randy Krehbiel Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

For Jonathan Butler, the chance to be involved in a project like Tulsa's Kirkpatrick Heights and Greenwood Master Plan was too great an opportunity to pass up.

"I thought this was generational, transformational work," Butler said. "I really felt called, in a sense, to come and try to rebuild or redevelop portions of what was Black Wall Street and Greenwood."

An Atlanta native, Butler holds a bachelor's degree from Emory University and a law degree from American University. He worked as a real estate attorney for a while before getting into housing, planning and development with the cities of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and San Antonio.

Butler moved to Tulsa in 2022 as senior vice president of development for what is now PartnerTulsa, which combines several municipal economic development offices into one agency.

His job entails more than the 56-acre Kirkpatrick Heights-Greenwood project, but it is the most visible and in some ways most ambitious undertaking in Butler's portfolio.

Fallow for decades, the site is essentially a blank slate. For the past 16 months, Butler and others have been working to develop a master plan based on community input; implementation is scheduled to begin in 2024.

Butler said that will likely begin with the creation of a community development corporation. The exact nature of that corporation, he said, is yet to be worked out  which to some extent may illustrate the difficulty of the Kirkpatrick Heights-Greenwood undertaking.

Because it is community-driven, many interests and perspectives must be weighed. The idea is to create a place that's attractive to newcomers without pushing out current residents who want to stay.

"This is the part that can be a little bit more art than science," Butler said.

The job has been challenging, he said, in no small measure because of generational distrust arising from a history of broken promises and injustice, including Tulsa's 1921 Race Massacre.

"I still feel all of the weight of trauma and history that has not had a reconciliation point," Butler said. "I don't think people, by and large, have done  an atonement and reconciliation pathway, working through historical challenges, wrestling with both and economics in ways that come together in ways to move people forward together  and I think that's important."
Punishing heat that hovered and hung on much longer than usual. Flash floods that washed away large swaths of land and life. And wildfires that burned much of the year, leaving a wake of smoke and charred earth.

The toll of disasters propelled by climate change in 2023 can be tallied with numbers  thousands of people dead, millions of others who lost jobs, homes and hope, and tens of billions of dollars sheared off economies.

But numbers cant reflect the way climate change is experienced  the intensity, the insecurity and the inequality that people on Earth are living. Associated Press photographers around the world captured moments in 2023 that collectively tell that story, one of a changing world.

INTENSITY

In so many skies, there was smoke, seen in the distance and breathed up close. From Canada to Greece to Hawaii, wildfires raged, consuming land while the flames fanned a thick haze that traveled around the globe. So intense were the wildfires in Canada that they released several times more air pollution than the entire country usually does in a year, working against world efforts to reduce greenhouse emissions, which fuel climate change.

There was also intense heat and desperate efforts to find relief  during a year on track to be the warmest in recorded history. In China, two little girls held small fans in front of their faces, while in Romania a father and daughter delighted in the mist of a public fountain. In Switzerland, a man walked toward the Rhone Glacier, which is melting like so many other glaciers worldwide.

And there was rain, that caused destruction. After Storm Daniel unleashed a torrent from the sky, floods in Libya killed more than 11,000 people, with several thousand others missing. In India, a woman wailed after a landslide washed away houses, leaving family members trapped under rubble. In the U.S., two people waded through water in a laundromat after major flooding.

INSECURITY

In so many places, floods, powerful storms and heat waves wiped out supplies of food. That led to hunger, forced people to migrate in search of sustenance and increased pressure on governments to respond.

In India, a woman cooked in her flooded home while her husband prayed, a scene of both devastation and resilience. In neighboring Pakistan, people waited in the rain to receive food distributed by volunteers outside a camp for internally displaced migrants  as Cyclone Biparjoy ominously approached. In Zimbabwe, a woman worked a field of millet, a cereal that is more resistant than other crops to changes in temperature.

In Argentina, men fished amid many floating carcasses of fish killed by drought and multiple heat waves that jacked up river temperatures and dried out landscapes across areas of South America. A hemisphere away, seemingly endless heat imperiled sheep herding, central to the culture of Navajo in the U.S. Farther west, in Alaska, men worked fishing boats with the knowledge that this years catch could be much less than last years, as climate change is upending their livelihood.

INEQUALITY

In every place that climate change made its mark, inequality was made worse.

Desperation could be seen in the eyes of Pakistani children, standing in the mud and looking through a window while it rained at a camp set up for internally displaced people. It gripped people in Kenya who must go deeper and deeper to access groundwater, as periodic drought has plagued East Africa.

On the other side of the African continent, in a coastal community in Senegal, desperation was felt by women who say they have had to turn to prostitution, thanks to depleted fish populations from climate change and fallout from an offshore gas drilling project.

In Malawi, coffins with people killed during heavy rains from Cyclone Freddy lay in the mud while family and friends, standing under a large tent, said goodbye.

In India, where floods frequently forced evacuations, a displaced farmworker, squatting over dirt, washed her face. In Sri Lanka, a man stood in debris from his home, destroyed by erosion. On this day, the seas were calm, but as the planet continues to warm, more storms are ahead.

From wildfires to floods, photos reveal intensity of climate change in 2023
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

After two straight years of logging more deaths than births, the state of Oklahoma has reverted back to pre-pandemic population norms, according to recent U.S. Census Bureau data.

The state recorded 48,073 births in the 12 months ending July 1, compared to 45,506 deaths during the same time period the previous year, according to Census data released Dec. 19.

This marked the first time since the 12 months ending July 1, 2020, that the state recorded more births than deaths, according to Census data.

Meanwhile, migration to the state of Oklahoma, the second component of population change, drove most of the state population increase in the year ending July 1, accounting for nearly 32,000 of the population gain.

Oklahoma has had net-positive migration since 2018, according to the Census Bureau.

On a broader scale, U.S. migration returning to pre-pandemic levels, and a drop in deaths are driving the nations growth, said Kristie Wilder, a demographer in the Population Division at the Census Bureau.

Although births declined, this was tempered by the near 9% decrease in deaths. Ultimately, fewer deaths paired with rebounding immigration resulted in the nation experiencing its largest population gain since 2018.

The trend was similar in Oklahoma, with births declining slightly from 48,107 in 2022 to 48,073 in 2023.

But deaths declined 11%, going from 51,390 in 2022 to 45,506 in 2023.

And while some states recorded population declines during the pandemic, Oklahoma hasnt looked back since its population topped 4 million in 2022, adding more than 34,000 to its total headcount in the year ending July 1, according to Census data.

The federal agency reported that Oklahoma had an estimated 4,053,824 residents as of July 1, a 0.9% increase from the prior year, when 4,019,271 called the Sooner state home.

As in many states during the height of the pandemic, Oklahoma recorded fewer births (95,232) than deaths (100,385) during the two-year period of July 2020 to July 2022.

In the year ending July 1, 2021, Oklahoma recorded 47,125 births and 48,995 deaths.

Prior to this past year, the last time Oklahoma recorded more births than deaths was the year ending July 1, 2020. During that year, Oklahoma recorded 49,033 births and 43,466 deaths.

Migration has been the primary driver in the states increasing population since 2019.

In the past year, migration accounted for 31,967 of the additional total number of residents, leaving Oklahoma ninth among all states in total migration.

Of the total number of migrants, those coming to Oklahoma from other states accounted for 23,587 additional residents since July 1, 2022. Migrants coming to the state from outside the U.S. accounted for 8,380 additional residents.

Oklahoma joined many Southern states in not experiencing an overall decline in population during the pandemic.

Since July 1, 2020, the population in Oklahoma has risen 2.2%, going from 3,965,234 on July 1, 2020, to the 4,053,824 counted nearly six months ago.

All of the population increase since July 1, 2020, can be attributed to migration to the state as opposed to the natural change that occurs when adding births and subtracting deaths.

Oklahoma is one of 24 states since April 2020 that have seen a negative natural population change, meaning there have been more deaths than births.

Migration has accounted for 96,467 of the increase in state population since April 1, 2020, with 80,064 coming from migration from other states.

Southern states are the only region that has seen a positive increase in net migration since April 2020, with about 3,508,262 being added to the population as a result.

The bulk of the Southern states increase in migration can be traced to domestic migration, with about 2.4 million moving there from other states.

Northeast states saw net total migration at around negative 661,666, while Midwest and Western states reported net migration at negative 111,617 and negative 200,829 respectively.

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Vietnam has welcomed 12.6 million international tourist arrivals this year, far exceeding its whole-year target of eight million, up 3.4-fold against the year-ago figure, yet equivalent to 70 percent of the pre-pandemic level in 2019, according to statistics released on Friday by the General Statistics Office (GSO).

Close to 11 million international tourists, or 86.9 percent, visited this Southeast Asian country by air.

Those traveling to the country by road and by sea accounted for 1.5 million and 126,100, up fourfold and 40.2-fold year on year, respectively.

Asians constituted the largest group of foreign tourists to Vietnam, with more than 9.78 million people, rising 3.8-fold versus last years figure.

The country served over 1.4 million visitors from Europe, 903,800 from the Americas, and 428,100 from Oceania, all up more than twofold year over year.

The GSO said that South Korea and China sent the largest numbers of visitors to Vietnam with close to 3.6 million and some 1.75 million arrivals, respectively.

In December alone, the country welcomed around 1.4 million international tourist arrivals, inching up 11 percent month on month and surging nearly 94 percent year over year.

Meanwhile, five million Vietnamese traveled abroad this year, up twofold compared to that of last year.

Of them, more than one million Vietnamese embarked on trips to Thailand. Over 536,800 opted to visit Japan, which was an all-time high and exceeded the 2019 figure, according to the Vietnam Tourism Association.

Vietnam has served an estimated 108 million domestic visitors, 5.8 percent higher than its target set earlier this year.

The fact that Vietnam adopted more relaxed visa policies and played host to many international music events and concerts throughout this year made the country a more appealing destination for international tourists.

Concert-goers who came to Vietnam also embarked on tours to other destinations neighboring the concert venues, thereby helping contribute to the local tourism and economy.

Experts in the industry anticipated that Vietnam could serve up to 15 million international visitor arrivals next year, providing that there are no unexpected events.

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Travel businesses and agencies have proposed that the authorities in Kien Giang Province, southern Vietnam tighten control over unlicensed tours and unfair competition in order to develop tourism in its islands like Phu Quoc, Nam Du, and Hon Son in a more sustainable way.

They put forward the proposal at a conference reviewing the performance of the provincial tourism sector held on Friday.

Truong Cong Tam, chairman of the Professional Tour Guide Association in Phu Quoc City, said the island city witnessed a travel boom in 2022.

The volume of visitors to the island, however, declined at times in 2023, adding that a number of tourism-related problems popped up, such as unfair competition among tour service providers, unregistered foreign tour guides, and the recent arrival of speed boats and ships from other regions to the city to offer sea tours.

The association is responsible for managing some 45 percent of the total number of 200 tour guides in Phu Quoc.

To make the island city a worth-visiting destination in the years to come, the association suggested authorities tighten their control over tourism businesses, tour guides and tackle those that left a negative impact on the local tourism, Tam said.

Nguyen Luu Trung, vice-chairman of the administration of Kien Giang Province, southern Vietnam, asked the provincial Department of Tourism and the relevant agencies to remove obstacles hindering tourism growth in the islands of Phu Quoc, Hon Son, and Nam Du. Photo: Chi Cong / Tuoi Tre

Representatives of local tourism businesses at the conference also expressed their hope that Phu Quoc would launch more novel and interesting tourism products, adding that airlines would revise their business plans, airfares, and resume air services to Phu Quoc.

Tran Nguyen Ba, deputy head of the provincial Department of Culture and Sports, proposed that the provincial administration urge the completion of a tourism project to pave the way for the launch of diving tours to explore coral reefs.

Aside from Phu Quoc, Nam Du and Hon Son Islands off Kien Hai District are among the favorite destinations in this Mekong Delta province thanks to their pristine beauty, but more effective solutions need adopting to address issues arising in theses islands in recent years, according to Nguyen Thi Nghia, director of Thien Viet Tourism Company, located in the provincial capital city of Rach Gia.

Unlicensed and low-cost tours provided by local inhabitants and motorcycle taxi drivers have tarnished the local tourism image, Nghia elaborated.

These unlicensed tours also resulted in unfair competition among the providers and affected professional tour operators in the area, Nghia added and suggested authorities should take measures to timely settle these issues.

Nguyen Luu Trung, vice-chairman of the provincial administration, pledged that the province will ramp up efforts to tackle unlicensed tours and services, seek new tourism markets, and work with airlines to bring more visitors to Phu Quoc.

The official also revealed that some 8.5 million tourists visited Kien Giang this year.

As for Phu Quoc, it daily welcomed 11 international flights transporting around 3,000 visitors to explore the island city.

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Vietnams agricultural, forestry, and fishery export turnover reached US$53 billion in 2023, resulting in a record trade surplus of nearly $12.1 billion, constituting 42.5 percent of the nations overall trade surplus, according to the agricultural ministry.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien on Friday announced, during a press conference on the sectors achievements in 2023 and upcoming tasks for 2024, that despite challenges in the export markets, the industry witnessed a remarkable 3.83-percent increase in overall gross domestic product (GDP), marking the highest growth rate in the past decade.

The sector achieved an estimated total export turnover of $53.01 billion, accompanied by a record trade surplus of $12.07 billion, reflecting a substantial 43.07-percent rise from the previous year and contributing to 42.5 percent of the countrys trade surplus.

While the overall export value fell short of the governments target, the industry has seen remarkable accomplishments in various products, according to Nguyen Van Viet, director of the Planning Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Notable export successes included vegetables, which garnered $5.69 billion, indicating a 69-percent increase from 2022, and rice, reaching $4.78 billion and representing a significant 38-percent increase.

In addition to vegetables and rice, this year, four other export items exceeded $3 billion, namely cashew nuts at $3.63 billion, reflecting an increase of 17.6 percent, coffee at $4.18 billion, up 3.1 percent, shrimp at $3.38 billion, down 21.7 percent, and wood and wood products at $13.37 billion, down 16.5 percent.

Durian hit a record $2.25 billion, ST25 rice was recognized as the worlds best rice for the second time, and the forestry sector successfully sold 10.3 million forest carbon credits, bringing in a total revenue of $51.5 million.

Furthermore, despite market challenges due to conflicts, the reopening of the Chinese market resulted in $12.3 billion in exports to China, leading to a shift in the market structure where China overtook the U.S. as the largest importer with a 22-percent market share, compared to the U.S. 21 percent.

Deputy Minister Tien underscored the importance of adopting breakthrough solutions, focusing on production orientation, expanding export markets, and implementing safe and high-quality production processes.

He also stressed the need to enhance the ability to forecast and respond to real-time situations.

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A 597m-long arch bridge which spans over the Can Tho River and links Ninh Kieu with Cai Rang Districts in Can Tho City, southern Vietnam opened to traffic on Saturday morning.

Work on this Tran Hoang Na Bridge reached completion on the occasion of the 20th founding anniversary of Can Tho as a municipal city.

The three-span arch bridge carried a price tag of VND791 billion (US$32.5 million), with the total length of the bridge and roads leading to it being 820 meters, said Bui Thai Thuong, director of the management authority for ODA (official development assistance) projects, which is the projects developer.

Motorcyclists travel onto the Tran Hoang Na Bridge, which opened to traffic on December 30, 2023. Photo: Le Dan / Tuoi Tre

Once the bridge, situated between the Hung Loi Bridge and Cai Rang Bridge, is put into service, it is expected to attract more waterway tourists, the official said.

Nguyen Thuc Hien, vice-chairman of the municipal administration, highlighted the role of the Tran Hoang Na Bridge, saying that it would contribute to the local socio-economic growth and shorten the time needed to commute between Cai Rang and Ninh Kieu.

The bridge will also help enhance the traffic infrastructure system, promote local tourism, and attract more investors to this Mekong Delta city, he continued.

Apart from the Tran Hoang Na Bridge, the ODA project management authority recently opened a section of Hoang Quoc Viet Street lying between Nguyen Van Cu Street and Road No.923 to traffic, completed work on the Cai Son-Muong Khai canal renovation project and on a road section linking Cach Mang Thang Tam Street with Road No.918.

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Check out the latest news in Vietnam today:

Business

-- Vietnam has welcomed 12.6 million international tourist arrivals this year, far exceeding its whole-year target of eight million arrivals, up 3.4-fold higher than the year-ago figure, yet equivalent to 70 percent of the pre-pandemic level in 2019, according to statistics released on Friday by the General Statistics Office.

-- The state budget revenue of Ho Chi Minh City reached VND446.545 trillion (US$18.4 billion) or 95.07 percent of the projection as of December 29, equal to 94.69 percent against the same period last year, an official of the municipal Department of Finance told a meeting on Friday.

-- A certain number of goods and services subject to a 10-percent value-added tax (VAT) rate will enjoy a two-percent reduction in the VAT between January 1 and June 30, 2024, according to the Vietnamese governments recently-issued decree.

Society

-- Travel businesses and agencies have proposed that the authorities in Kien Giang Province, southern Vietnam tighten control over unlicensed tours and unfair competition in order to develop tourism in its islands like Phu Quoc, Nam Du, and Hon Son in a more sustainable way.

-- Vietnamese university student Le Viet Hoang has been sentenced to an 11-month jail term for stealing more than S$41,000 (US$31,041) worth of items, including laptops and iPads, from Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*Star) and Apple offices earlier in 2023. He was convicted of two charges of theft and another two charges of housebreaking, The Strait Times reported on Friday.

-- Police in Phu Yen Province, central Vietnam announced on Friday that they had pressed charges against two local residents, including one woman and one man, for allegedly producing and trafficking fake engine oil, and seized nearly 16,000 liters of counterfeit engine oil.

-- Multiple major gateways in Hanoi were heavily congested on Friday afternoon as a huge number of people rushed to leave the Vietnamese capital for their hometowns to enjoy the New Year holiday.

World News

-- Crude futures lost over 10 percent in 2023 in a tumultuous year of trading marked by geopolitical turmoil and concerns about the oil output levels of major producers around the world, Reuters reported.

-- The U.S. military's secretive X-37B robot spaceplane blasted off from Florida on Thursday night on its seventh mission, the first launched atop a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket capable of delivering it to a higher orbit than ever before, according to Reuters.

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Islamabad, Dec 30 (UNI) Pakistani security forces killed five terrorists during an operation in the country's northwest tribal district of North Waziristan, said the military on Saturday.



The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistani military, said in a statement that the security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in the Mir Ali area of North Waziristan, a district in the northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Vietnamese agencies collaborated with Myanmar authorities to bring nearly 400 more Vietnamese citizens back home by road from armed conflict zones in northern Myanmar on early Saturday morning, according to Vietnams Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This is the latest repatriation of Vietnamese nations from Myanmar amid the continued fighting between Myanmars army and resistance fighters in some northern states of the country, the ministry said in a report on Saturday.

In addition, Vietnam also supported the evacuation of a Nepali citizen from Myanmar.

With these newly repatriated people, the total number of Vietnamese nationals brought home from Myanmar has reached nearly 1,400 since early December, the ministry said.

All costs of such repatriations have been paid by the Vietnamese government, the ministry said.

The first repatriation was conducted by air on December 5, when 338 people, including pregnant women, teenagers, infants, and even newborns, reached Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi early that day.

During the previous repatriations of Vietnamese from Myanmar, Vietnams agencies also helped move a number of citizens of Egypt, Malaysia and Singapore from Myanmar to safe places.

As the armed conflict in some northern states of Myanmar continues to develop complicatedly, the ministry recommends that Vietnamese citizens not travel to these areas and follow the instructions of local authorities as well as the Vietnamese Embassy in Myanmar.

If Vietnamese nationals are living in areas where a fighting can potentially occur, they should proactively evacuate themselves and their assets to safe places and immediately contact Vietnamese bodies for support when necessary, the ministry advised.

The agency also warned that Vietnamese citizens should be alert to job scams in which swindlers promised them a 'high-paying easy job' in foreign countries, including Myanmar, because of the risk of fraudulent casinos or other illegal establishments.

Before seeking employment abroad, job seekers should thoroughly understand their prospective employers, including all details related to the job, specific duties, the location of work, salary, insurance, and other associated benefits, the ministry advised.

Such understanding is crucial to help Vietnamese citizens avoid falling into the traps of human trafficking networks or becoming illegal residents in foreign countries, the agency added.

In case of emergency, Vietnamese citizens in Myanmar can contact the citizen protection hotlines at +95 9660888998 for the Vietnamese Embassy in Myanmar or at +84 981848484 or +84 965411118 for the Foreign Ministrys Consular Department.

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A Singapore court has sentenced a Vietnamese university student to 11 months in prison for stealing electronic products worth nearly US$31,600 in total from the offices of both the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*Star) and Apple about half a year ago.

Le Viet Hoang, 22, received the jail term on Thursday after he pleaded guilty to a charge of committing housebreaking, two theft charges, and one charge of committing housebreaking to commit an offense at his trial on Thursday, according to South China Morning Post.

Hoang committed the offenses when he served as an assistant researcher intern at the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*Star) in the Innovis Building in the One-north district starting May 22.

The student had access to all three levels of A*Stars offices in the building, including level 9 where he had a desk, and found that he could move around undetected at night since there were no closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras around.

He often worked late into the night, and in the June - July period, he managed to break into some locked A*Star offices on levels 9 and 10 after waiting for all employees to leave the offices.

The intern then took away various laptops, tablets and computer accessories, which were worth about $22,380 in total.

Hoang also wanted to intrude Apples offices in the same building, knowing that Apple products could be sold at higher prices, but he was afraid of the many CCTV cameras in these offices.

On July 14, after being learned of a building-wide power shutdown from 9:00 pm on July 15 to 7:00 am on July 16, the student decided to break into Apples offices since the CCTV would not be operating without power.

At about 1:00 am on July 16, he picked the lock on the door to the Apple office on the fourth level, entered inside and stole a number of items such as iPads, iPhones and other Apple accessories.

All these items were valued nearly $9,200, bringing the total value of the electronic items Hoang stole from both the A*Star and Apple offices to some $31,580.

By the time his internship was nearing to end, Hoang began to feel guilty for having stolen so many things

He therefore decided to break into Apples office again on July 30 to return four iPads and some charging cables.

This time, his entry into the office triggered an alarm, which alerted a security officer, who called police that rushed to the scene and arrested Hoang.

The student told the court that he committed the theft so that he could sell the stolen items for money and use the proceeds for his daily expenses and also for remittance to his family in Vietnam.

Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Vishnu Menon told the court that Hoang had abused the trust placed in him as an employee and roamed the A*Star offices taking what he wanted.

The accused taught himself how to pick locks as well, using tools he purchased for this very purpose, evincing a high level of commitment to his criminal enterprise, Menon stressed.

The DPP, however, acknowledged that Hoang had given back or made compensation for all the items he stole.

In Singapore, a theft offender can be given a jail term of up to seven years along with a fine, while those convicted of housebreaking can be imprisoned for up to 10 years and fined, according to The Strait Times.

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A fair held at Thong Nhat Conference Hall in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City is providing local residents and visitors to the city the opportunity to explore regional specialties and traditional crafting.

The Local Specialties-Traditional Craft Villages program, organized by the Business Studies & Assistance Center and the Business Association of High Quality Vietnamese Products, kicked off on Friday and is running until Sunday.

A visitor tries dried persimmons from Da Lat City in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong at a stall of the Local Specialties-Traditional Craft Villages program held at Thong Nhat Hall in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, December 29, 2023. Photo: N.Tri / Tuoi Tre

The event features over 40 businesses showcasing products like rice paper from southern Tay Ninh Province, cocoa from the Mekong Delta region, cashew nuts from southern Binh Phuoc Province, and dried persimmons from Da Lat City in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong.

A visitor tries beef jerky at a stall of the Local Specialties-Traditional Craft Villages program held at Thong Nhat Hall in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, December 29, 2023. Photo: N.Tri / Tuoi Tre

In addition to shopping, the program offers experiential activities, product trials, games, and especially daily demonstrations on preparing traditional desserts and cakes from different regions from 9:00 am to 10:00 am.

Artisans guide visitors in brocade and silk weaving at a stall of the Local Specialties-Traditional Craft Villages program held at Thong Nhat Hall in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, December 29, 2023. Photo: N.Tri / Tuoi Tre

The vibrant atmosphere on the opening day drew a large crowd, with visitors expressing enthusiasm for trying various dishes, purchasing New Year gifts, and exploring traditional crafts.

Artisans also guide visitors in crafting experiences, including making to he (edible toy statuettes), loofah and grass products, beeswax painting, and brocade and silk weaving.

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Lindsey Holland is the founder of adventure retreats in Portugal and now Bali and Greece (Marnie Rays)

Discovering the transformative power of surfing is what gave brand founder Lindsey Holland, 36, the impetus to start her own retreats, Marnie Rays. I was sitting in my favourite place  China Walls in Hawaii  during a surf trip thinking about how its changed my life and how it made me feel. I wanted to be able to spread that to other people, she recalls.

She first went on a solo trip to try the sport three years ago after having one of those really funny, vulnerable times in life. I felt: I dont know if I have things that make me really happy anymore. After a week of surf, yoga and some soul searching she felt revitalised  and wanted to go surfing every chance she got. I just came back so refreshed and with this massive excitement, Holland recalls.

Lindsey Holland surfing at Marnie Rays in Portugal (Marnie Rays)

Now Marnie Rays Portugal surf trips are in their sophomore year and the company has recently announced two new locations for 2024. One in Ubud, Bali for a unique retreat combining surf, skate and breathwork, and another in North West Greece for mountain biking, hiking and paddle boarding. As well as high-end accommodation (a big step up from the rough around the edges hostels from the retreats Holland has tried), charismatic instructors and renowned chefs including Clare Cole from Towpath were on the must-have list. I wanted to offer the same community and joy, and break down the barriers of it feeling intimidating, but also provide people with a certain level of luxury so that they could feel really nurtured on their solo trip, explains Holland.

Hollands trips may be niche for the pursuits she has chosen, but her concept is part of a new wave of retreats founded by female Londoners. Theyre geared towards solo travellers who want an intimate, inclusive trip (group sizes are around eight and fifteen). Unlike the typical wellness associations of retreats which might come to mind, theres no women-only codes, strict itineraries or detoxes. These are not spiritual holidays in the traditional sense  though feeling recharged and renewed can be a happy side effect. And the locations? Emerging, cool spots loved by travel insiders.

Story continues

I wanted to offer the same community and joy and break down the barriers of it feeling intimidating, but also provide people with a certain level of luxury so that they could feel really nurtured on their solo trip

Lindsey Holland, Marnie Rays

For foodies, theres Matriarch Eats from travel journalist and cook book author Anastasia Miara. She takes guests behind the beaded curtains in Corfu and Athens, and into the whitewashed homes of locals such as her Yiayia (Greek for grandma) as well as to the secret tavernas and rooftops to eat, drink and be merry outside of the typical tourist traps. Miara is a former Bombus and Parr events planner and splits her time between Athens and London, spending summers in Corfu. She says she curates the itineraries in the same way she would for my best friends who had never visited before.

Anatasia Miari and her Yiayia (Matriarch Eats)

Then, more in line with traditional retreats but with a chilled, inclusive spin is Pana. The week-long culture and yoga retreats have so far taken place in The Gambia  and as of last month  Kenya. The trips are an offshoot of founder Dr Rebekah Jades BPOC platform and classes of the same name, which started in south London. "It's elevating the health and happiness of the black community and the allies. And that kind of came off the back of Black Lives Matter, the pandemic and everything that came to light during that time," she says, adding, "I wanted to help my community explore Africa and the Caribbean in a really sustainable way."

It's a holiday where yoga is one of the key activities we do to elevate our wellbeing rather than being specifically for Yogis, to come and do advanced practices every day. Some people are doing their first ever yoga class, explains the yoga teacher and medical doctor, 27.

Life after COVID has seen the appetite for retreats increase. Dr Jade recalls taking a leap of faith after returning from her own life-changing solo trip from The Gambia on the recommendation of a friend whod stayed there during the pandemic. My community was building at that time [in 2022] anyway so I launched my first retreat there, she recalls. It sold out really quickly  I think because no one really goes to The Gambia for retreats. No one even really goes on holiday there! she says.

Dr Rebekah Jade founded Pana to elevate the health and happiness of the black community and allies (Pana)

While Miara remembers doing a test poll on Instagram when travel restrictions were easing in 2021 to see who would attend a retreat with her as the organiser, after she had been bombarded with requests for travel tips for Corfu. Overwhelmingly people said that they would join. I actually had a waiting list. Everyone was just so desperate for a holiday by that point.

Since travel restrictions were lifted and the world opened back up, research shows that people have invested heavily in unique experiences over material goods. And adventure travel is on the rise, with the market expected to grow 15.2% from 2022 to 2030, as people crave going to places they could only dream of while locked down.

There is a trend of wanting to have an efficient holiday: people have a whole itinerary laid out for them. They don't need to stress about making it, it's all done and its done really well.

Lena Evstafieva, Villa Lena

As Lena Evstafieva, a seasoned retreat organiser and the founder of Villa Lena, Tuscany says, So many things were crystallised for so many people during COVID. It became a catalyst that brought desires to the surface, which were buried by so many other things that went before. Its clear more people are now saying 'f*** it' to factors they used to consider an obstacle to travel, such as not having a companion, and these curated solo trips are answering their call.

Evstafieva also feels that the new wave of creative and alternative retreats offers something unique to increasingly time-poor people living in cities. There is a trend of wanting to have an efficient holiday: people have a whole itinerary laid out for them. They don't need to stress about making it, it's all done and its done really well.

Being taken care of in an atmosphere of conviviality among a like-minded community definitely seems to be something people are craving on the founders retreats. Some of the guests might be having a challenging time at home and want to go and push themselves out of their comfort zone, says Holland. Some people have gone through horrendous grief, some people were just burnt out with work, some people had left jobs and been having a bit of a f***ing year. Everybody is so different, and I think we all learnt a lot from one another.

It's all about having a laugh, having a drink, having a dance, eating really good food and meeting welcoming locals. But I guess that is enough to reset. Sometimes its all people need to bring them back to life

Anastasia Miara, Matriarch Eats

Miara has had guests say how cathartic her trips have been for them  in spite of typical wellness activities not being anywhere on the itinerary. Its nourishing on a fun level, she explains. But not doing anything so serious. It's all about having a laugh, having a drink, having a dance, eating really good food and meeting welcoming locals. But I guess that is enough to reset. Sometimes its all people need to bring them back to life on something they've been going through.

Life is only getting faster and more exhausting, with 79% of UK workers having experienced burnout in the last year, according to a study by Ceridian. And with Forbes reporting that despite the rising cost of living people plan to spend more than ever on travel for 2024, its no wonder these fledgling London-founded retreats are already expanding with more dates and locations to meet demand. Holland even has her eye on starting the first luxury surf hotel of its kind in the future.

You might have thought wellness wasnt for you, but it looks different at these 2024 retreats.

Your need-to-know on 2024s alternative retreats

The find-your-joy one

Manoir Mouret Retreats, Andillac in South West France, multiple dates between June and October

(Manoir Mouret Retreats)

If there's one thing that the French know plenty about, it's how to live the good life  and this series of food- and movement-based retreats are all about imparting that wisdom via good wine and homegrown French fair in a bucolic setting in the South of France.

Founded by Margaret and Jack Reckitt, who decamped to the area from London to become winemakers, and bought-up Manoir Mouret (which was originally built in 1850 by the village's head winemaker) in 2020, the retreats are meant to offer a slice of rural French life and reignite your joie de vivre. The 'Nourish' Nutrition retreats focus on the power of good produce and community when it comes to food, and are run by nutrition therapist, lecturer and author, Kirsten Chick, and holistic chef and Qi Gong teacher, Hayley North, while the 'Move for Life' retreats will help you develop a personalised movement practice to support your wellbeing goals well after you've left France. All are five days and take place in the idyllic surroundings of the Manoir, with its five acres of gardens and vegetable patches.

From 1,600 for early bird bookings (available until 1 February); manoirmouretretreats.com

The wholesome one

Ghana Retreat, Pana, 20 - 27 October

(Meet Me There)

Journey to Ghana on Dr Jade's first retreat to the West African country to relax with yoga and experience the stunning Volta region. You'll also have the option to take tours of the local area, go kayaking and visit historic Fort Prinzenstein. Accomodation is a solar-powered eco-lodge, which donates profits to a charity dedicated to improving sanitation, education and health care for local people. Rooms with traditional Ghanian decor are unplugged and overlook the sea, so you awake to the sound of crashing waves. Food is filling, nutritious and local.

Its open to all abilities  even total yoga newcomers  and activities are optional so you can personalise your experience. Dr Jade ensures guests have a pre-meet to discuss their personal goals for the trip, so she can ensure everyone is catered to.

From 950 and payment plans are available. Register your interest at wearepana.com

The Instagrammable one

Marnie Rays Surf & Wellness retreat Portugal, June 6 - 11 and 11 - 16, Bali skate and surf, October 1 - 8

A feast by one of Marnie Rays' chefs, who include Nina Parker and Claire Cole (Marnie Rays)

Unlike the typical surf retreat, Marnies offers private or double rooms in a chic private eco retreat surrounded by farmland in Portugals Aljezur. Daily surf lessons, plus some hikes and yoga will be fuelled by filling, delicious breakfasts and two group meals, cooked by emerging London chef Rosie Kellett (on the week 2 retreat). Holland and her team provide all the little luxuries you might find yourself needing on the trip, from a towel from her brand The Longing to La Roche-Posay SPF and Free People accessories. These thoughtful touches and the teams hands on approach give it a serious edge in the hospitality stakes.

Or if you fancy going further afield, Marnies first skate and surf retreat will take place in Ubud, Bali in autumn. Sound baths will provide some calm after the adventure sports. Total beginners are encouraged  even those who arent confident in water have thrived on the retreats.

Portugal from 2,199. Bali from 1,799. marnierays.com

The retox one

Matriarch Eats, Corfu, September 2024. Athens dates coming soon

Miara in Athens (Marco Arguello)

Eat your way around the rugged island of Corfu with an immersive culinary itinerary and live cooking demos. Youll meet Greek producers, artists, discover hidden beaches and learn to make uniquely Corfiot dishes in locals' homes. Miara says that learning how to make coffee with her charismatic Yiayia (the namesake of her 2023 cook book and entire brand) is most guests' highlight. Accommodation is an 18th century Venetian manor in the islands serene hills. Dancing and poolside aperitivo are also on the menu.

Or if you want a buzzier break, book in to Miaras epicurean tour of city of the moment Athens, to discover the secret beauty behind all of the chaos. Youll stay in a chic mid-century apartment, shop for local produce and drink the best Greek wine and Orzo at the hidden bars. A dip in the Aegean sea and some hiking will help you to shake off the cobwebs.

Corfu from 2,500 for a double room solo, or 1900 per person when sharing. A full itinerary can be found at matriarcheats.com/retreats. Pricing for Athens 2024 tbc.

The OG one

Villa Lena seasonal retreats

17th Century Villa Lena has its own organic farm, bar and restaurant (Villa Lena)

The stunning 17th century Villa Lena is in the heart of Tuscany with its own bar, restaurant, organic farm and a pool with panaromic views. Inside, the rooms have a boutique feel while retaining rustic charm. Think beamed ceilings, luxe marble bathrooms and vintage lamps. All in all, it's a stunning setting for a culture or arts retreat, whether solo or as a duo looking to reconnect. Mothers and daughters are common pairings here. The venue attracts requests from the creme de la creme of global talent to curate its seasonal calendar of environmentally-minded creative retreats, with workshops and feasting at their heart. Next year book in for Porcelain's Natural Perfume retreat in spring, a Souljourn Yoga retreat in summer or the autumn harvest-themed retreat, with foraging, workshops and yoga from Nina Butler.

Various retreats from 1,899 (1,636). villa-lena.it
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Israeli soldier refuses to participate in 'slaughter' of Palestinians, sentenced

According to Times of Israel, Mitnick, is the first to face arrest for refusing to join the Israeli army since Oct 7. Read More

Saturday December 30, 2023 1:52 PM , ummid.com with inputs from Agencies

[Mitnicks arrest and the consequent sentencing has sparked outrage and protest. (Image posted by Mesarvot)]

Tel Aviv: In a major embarrassment for the Zionist regime in the Middle East, an Israeli soldier has refused to participate in its Gaza carnage citing political ground and categorically asserting that violence and slaughter arent solution to conflicts.

In a video message posted by Mesarvot - an organisation advocating against military service, on its X account, the 18-year-old Israeli soldier Tal Mitnick explained why he refused to join the Israeli Occupation Forces in Gaza.

"I believe that slaughter cannot solve slaughter. The criminal attack on Gaza won't solve the atrocious slaughter that Hamas executed. Violence won't solve violence. And that is why I refuse, Mitnick said.

"Revenge Campaign"

In his video message, Mitnick termed the Hamas attack on October 7 unprecedented. . He, however, criticised the Israeli war in Gaza as a "revenge campaign" against not only Hamas but all Palestinians, citing indiscriminate bombings and political persecution.

Mitnick asserted his refusal to believe that more violence would bring security, advocating for diplomacy, political efforts, and policy changes to prevent further destruction and loss of life on both sides.

Mitnicks refusal to join the Israeli Occupation Army enraged the Zionist regime which arrested and sentenced him for 30 days in prison.

Tal Mitnick, an activist in the Mesarvot network showed up today at Tel Hashomer base and was sentenced to 30 days in military prison, the Israeli platform of refusniks said on X.

"Solidarity Protest"

According to Times of Israel, Mitnick, is the first to face arrest for such reasons since October 7.

Mitnicks arrest and the consequent sentencing has sparked outrage and protest.

Israeli occupation forces are incurring heavy losses in Gaza, causing unprecedented mental agony on those on the ground, though the Zionist regime is publicly not acknowledging it.

The psychological toll on the Israeli soldiers fighting is so huge that one of them suffering Gaza nightmare opened fire on his own colleagues .

In a related development, two senior army officers were fired for fleeing from the battlefield in Gaza.

"Gaza Death Toll"

Israel has officially confirmed 168 soldiers are dead since start of the war in Gaza but it is silent on the actual figure of those injured. Unnamed Israeli officials however have claimed the casualty figures are at least ten times of the official claim.

Talking to Hebrew media, the Israeli defense officials have also said at least 5,000 soldiers, over 2,000 of them officially recognized by the Ministry of Defence as disabled, injured in the ongoing war with the Palestinians .

On the other hand, the Health Ministry in Palestine has said 21,507 civilians, over 70 per cent of the women and children, have been killed by the Israeli occupation forces in Gaza.

In one of the deadliest attacks since Oct 7, at least 20 civilians were killed in an Israeli air strike on a residential building in Rafah, southern Gaza, on Thursday.

The United Nations in a report said 187 Palestinians were killed and 312 wounded in attacks by Israeli forces between Thursday and Friday afternoon.

Another 361 Palestinians, including 79 children, have been killed in the Occupied West Bank.

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Israeli genocidal acts causing irreparable harm on Palestinians: South Africa at ICJ

The International Court of Justice (ICJ), which is headquartered in Hague in the Netherlands, is the UN's principal legal body. Read More

Saturday December 30, 2023 12:10 PM , ummid.com with inputs from Agencies

The Hague/Cape Town: South Africa Friday December 29, 2023 filed a lawsuit against the Zionist Regime in Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) asking it to ensure immediate end to the ongoing war in Gaza which is causing irreparable harm to the Palestinians.

The ICJ, which is headquartered in Hague in the Netherlands, is the UN's principal legal body. It settles disputes between the member states and gives advisory opinions on international legal issues.

In its application at the UN Court, South Africa requested that the ICJ declare "on an urgent basis that Israel is in breach of its obligations in terms of the Genocide Convention, should immediately cease all acts and measures in breach of those obligations and take a number of related actions".

South Africa and Israel are both Members of the United Nations and therefore bound by the Statute of the Court, including Article 36 (1), which provides that the Courts jurisdiction comprises all matters specially provided for in treaties and conventions in force, Cape Town said in its 84-page application at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). "South Africa is gravely concerned with the plight of civilians caught in the present Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip due to the indiscriminate use of force and forcible removal of inhabitants," it said. "Furthermore, there are ongoing reports of international crimes, such as crimes against humanity and war crimes, being committed as well as reports that acts meeting the threshold of genocide or related crimes... have been and may still be committed in the context of the ongoing massacres in Gaza."



Giving detailed statistics of the devastation caused by the occupation forces in Israel, South Africa in its lawsuit at ICJ said as of the date of this application (December 28, 2023), an estimated 21,110 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, including at least 7,729 children. 55,243 Palestinians have been injured, including at least 8,663 children, of whom over 1,000 are amputees, disabled for life. Approximately 70 per cent of those killed are said to be women and children.

One Palestinian child in Gaza has been killed approximately every 15 minutes since Israel commenced military action in Gaza on 7 October 2023. Thousands more are missing under the rubble, South Africa said.

About the grave situation in Gaza, South Africa further said that 61 hospitals and health care facilities in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed; many have been placed under siege or have been subjected to forced evacuation, and only 13 hospitals are still partially functional, weighed under by mass overcrowding. 311 health workers have been killed, many while working, meaning that many of the wounded, including seriously injured children, cannot access healthcare.

"An estimated 5,500 women are having to give birth in unsafe conditions every month. Babies are dying from preventable causes: in addition to disease and malnutrition, premature babies have died due to lack of fuel to supply hospital generators; others have been found decomposing in their hospital cots, medical staff having been forced to evacuate", South Africa said.

"Over 60 per cent of homes in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed. Vast swathes of Gaza have been destroyed, including entire villages, refugee camps, towns and cities that have been or are deliberately being rendered uninhabitable", it said.

"Israel has made a humanitarian response impossible with constant bombardment, including of safe routes. 1.9 million people, nearly 85 per cent of the population, are displaced, including elderly, wounded and disabled people, living in makeshift tents, lacking any or adequate sanitation and water, in United Nations schools and with relatives", it added.

"The entire population is facing starvation: 93 per cent of the population in Gaza is facing crisis levels of hunger, with more than one in four facing catastrophic conditions  with death imminent", it said.

Strongly calling for immediate halt to the Israeli aggression and urging the court to protect the Palestinians, South Africa said:

"The 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza, including over a million children, are extremely vulnerable. There is a grave threat to their existence. They are in urgent and severe need of the Courts protection." "With each passing day that Israels military attacks continue, further significant loss of life and property is being caused, and grave human rights violations are being committed. There can be no doubt that the requirements for the indication of provisional measures are satisfied here", it added.

Israel as usual rejected the allegation, calling it "baseless".

"Israel rejects with disgust the blood libel spread by South Africa", the foreign ministry said.

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West Bank children deaths in 12 weeks more than double the whole of 2022: UNICEF

Providing a detailed statistics of the casualties of children, the UNICEF said the year 2023 has been the deadliest for the Palestinians in the occupied West Bank including East Jerusalem. Read More

Saturday December 30, 2023 7:09 PM , ummid.com with inputs from Agencies

Amman: UNICEF, the UN arm that works for childrens rights around the world, said the number of children killed by the Israeli Occupation Army in the Occupied West Bank in the past 12 weeks is at unprecedented level.

Providing a detailed statistics of the casualties of children, the UNICEF said the year 2023 has been the deadliest for the Palestinians in the occupied West Bank including East Jerusalem.

This year has been the deadliest year on record for children in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, with conflict-related violence reaching unprecedented levels, the UNICEF said in a report released Friday. 83 children have been killed in the past twelve weeks  more than double the number of children killed in all of 2022, amid increased military and law enforcement operations, it added.

More than 576 have been injured and others have reportedly been detained, the children's rights body said, adding, The West Bank has been heavily affected by movement and access restrictions.

The UN child rights body further said that children in the occupied West Bank are living in constant fear and are experiencing a worst nightmare.

As the world watches on in horror at the situation in the Gaza Strip, children in the West Bank are experiencing a nightmare of their own. Living with a near-constant feeling of fear and grief is, sadly, all too common for children affected, the UNICEF said. Many children report that fear has become a part of their daily life, with many scared even walking to school or playing outside due to the threat of shootings and other conflict-related violence. UNICEF is extremely concerned about the right of children in the West Bank including East Jerusalem to safety and protection, and their inherent right to life, it added.

Asserting that grave violations against children, in particular killing and maiming, are unacceptable, UNICEF urged the parties involved to abide by their obligations under international human rights law and to protect children from conflict-related violence and protect their most basic right simply to be alive.

Children should never be the target of violence, no matter who or where they are. An end to recurring violence is the best way to ensure children can grow up in peace and safety, the UNICEF said.

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President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed to wreak "wrath" against Russian forces in 2024, hours before Ukraine saw attacks on the first day of the year.

Russia and Ukraine have seen an escalation in strikes in recent days, including an unprecedented assault on the Russian city of Belgorod that killed 24 people on Saturday.

The attack came a day after Moscow launched a barrage of missiles and drones at Ukrainian cities, killing 39 people in one of the biggest aerial attacks since the war began.

January 1 is a day of mourning in Ukraine's capital Kyiv, where 19 people had been killed, city officials said.

Just hours after midnight on New Year's Day, the Russian-installed head of the occupied Donetsk region said four people had been killed and 13 wounded in "massive shelling" from rockets on its main city.

In Ukraine's southern Odesa region, governor Oleg Kiper said one person died in a Russian drone attack, and three others were wounded.

And in western Ukraine's Lviv region, air defence systems shot down Russian drones in Monday's early hours, according to governor Maksym Kozytskyi.

Zelensky's televised New Year's address featured clips of Ukrainian artillery and fighter jets.

"Next year, the enemy will feel the wrath of domestic production," Zelensky said.

Ukraine will have at least "a million" additional drones in its arsenal next year, Zelensky added, as well as F-16 fighter jets delivered by its Western partners.

"Our pilots are already mastering F-16 jets, and we will definitely see them in our skies," he said.

Despite billions of dollars worth of Western weapons, Ukraine struggled to make a major breakthrough in its 2023 counteroffensive against invading Russian forces.

Moscow has meanwhile ramped up pressure along the frontlines, capturing the eastern town of Marinka earlier in December and pushing for control of Kupiansk in the northeast.

Ukraine is urging Western allies to maintain military support.

Britain announced it would send hundreds more air-defence missiles to Kyiv, after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak declared: "We must continue to stand with Ukraine -- for as long as it takes."

Zelensky's counterpart President Vladimir Putin did not mention Ukraine in his traditional New Year's Eve address on Sunday, but praised Russia's soldiers on the front line and called for unity in the face of "difficult tasks".

"To all those who are on duty, on the front line of the fight for truth and justice," Putin said, "you are our heroes. Our hearts are with you. We are proud of you, we admire your courage."

burs-sn/dva
HA NOI  The forestry industry set an export target of US$17.5 billion to contribute 23 million cubic metres of wood from planted forests in 2024.

This aim was revealed by Trieu Van Luc, Deputy Director of the Forestry Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, at the conference about the sectors performance this year and to outline development orientations for 2024 this week.

Luc highlighted that the sector would advance the multipurpose value of forest ecosystems and create a sustainable forestry economy through efficient use and management of forest resources. It would also protect and sustainably develop 100 per cent of existing forest area, while diversifying production under green, sustainable and circular practices. This effort would be supported by developing collaboration and association structures within the forestry supply chain.

The industry would also strengthen the quality management of forestry plant varieties that contribute to the ecosystem to increase the productivity and output of planted forests, developing large timber production forests.

In 2023, the forestry sector marked a significant milestone when the processes were completed to transfer 10.3 million tonnes of carbon emission reduction to the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) through the World Bank (WB) at a unit price of $5 per tonne of CO2, amounting to $51.5 million.

The Viet Nam Forest Protection and Development Fund recently received the first payment of $41.2 million from the WB and already disbursed the payment to the provinces, making urgent plans to pay forest owners in six provinces, including Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Thua Thien-Hue.

Promote trade in forestry products

The department estimated that forest product exports reached $14.39 billion this year, down 15.8 per cent compared to 2022. This decline is caused by market instability, affected by the Russia-Ukraine conflict and tightening spending in the US and EU markets on non-essential products, including wood.

Moreover, Vietnamese businesses also face difficulties when the EU adds many new regulations such as the carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM), including the wood industry and the EU's Anti-Deforestation Regulation.

To boost wood and forest product exports in the upcoming time, the industry aims to develop legal sources of wood from planted forests to meet production standards by developing concentrated planted forests and sustainably grown forests. It also encourages creating conditions for EU suppliers to promote raw materials in Viet Nam while controlling imports from high-risk areas.

In addition, a green economy model is being piloted in the wood industry with net-zero commitments. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is proposing a legal framework with specific regulations and providing support to businesses implementing green production activities to reduce carbon emissions and meet market requirements.  VNS
HA NOI  Viet Nams stock market concluded the last session of 2023 in a quiet atmosphere without a clear direction for 2024.

On the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange, the VN-Index increased by just one point, or 0.1 per cent, to close at 1,130 points. Thus, from the starting point of 1,007 points, the southern bourses index leapt 12.3 per cent.

Liquidity rose slightly with nearly 711 million shares worth VN15.8 trillion (US$658.3 million).

The market breadth was fairly positive with 295 stocks rising, 190 decreasing and 97 closing flat.

The VN30 basket which tracks the top 30 shares by market value and liquidity also recorded a slightly higher number of gainers with 13 codes, compared to 10 losers and seven moving sideways.

According to data on vietstock.vn, banks continued to lead the market with six of the top 10 positively influential stocks on the VN-Index coming from this group, including BIDV (BID), Vietnam Prosperity Bank (VPB), Ho Chi Minh Development Bank (HDB), Techcombank (TCB), Sacombank (STB) and SeaBank (SSB) with growth of between 1 per cent and 5 per cent.

Other stocks that positively impacted the VN-Index also included Vietnam Rubber Group JSC (GVR), brewer Sabeco (SAB), Novaland (NVL) and Khang ien House Trading and Investment JSC (KDH).

On the contrary, the stock that had the most negative impact on the Index was VCB. This bank alone caused the VN-Index to lose 3.1 points.

Meanwhile, HNX-Index on the Ha Noi Stock Exchange decreased slightly by 0.13 per cent to end at 231 points. Ending the year, the northern bourses index increased by 12.6 per cent. Nearly 72 million shares worth VN1.3 trillion changed hands, up 22 per cent in volume and 18 per cent in value compared to Thursday.

Despite recording an impressive increase, for many investors, 2023 continues to be a difficult year, with many investors even suffering heavy losses. However, many securities companies have delivered bright forecasts for the market in 2024.

Tien Phong Securities Company (TPS) proposed three scenarios for the VN-Index in 2024. In the most positive scenario, the VN-Index will range from 1,281-1,400 points while in the neutral scenario, Viet Nams benchmark index will fluctuate between 1,000-1,280 points and from 1,281-1,400 points in the negative scenario.

Meanwhile, according to analysts at Sai Gon-Ha Noi Securities Co, the VN-Index slowed down as it approached the upper resistance line of the accumulation base, but the uptrend can still continue because there is still room for the market to increase without reaching the upper resistance level of the medium-term accumulation of 1,150-1,250.  VNS
HCM CITY  Nachi Nguyen, a Vietnamese manga (Japanese comic) lover and comic artist, has won the silver prize at the Japan International Manga Awards with her work ieu nhay cua vu tru (The Dancing Universe).

Nachis work stood out from 587 other artists from around the world even though it was just a one-shot (a comical work composed of a single standalone chapter).

The story was deeply inspired by Nachis enthusiasm for astronomy, and it revolves around the daily life of celestial bodies such as the Sun, the Earth, the Moon, Venus, Saturn, and Jupiter and their coordinated efforts to protect and make life on Earth sustainable.

I enjoy learning about astronomy, but I am not really good at math, so my dream of working for NASA is nearly impossible. Hence, I think of a way to tell stories about this topic using my perspective and imagination," she said.

Through meticulous illustrations and the humanisation of planets and stars in the universe, Nachi hoped to bring astronomy closer to people in a much simpler way.

There will be three chapters in the series, and the first will be released next year.

I genuinely do not expect much in my work, so I am beyond happy and honoured having received this award, she told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper.

The Japan International Manga Award, started in 2007, is held annually by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan to honour maga artists around the world who contribute to the development of manga culture.

It is among the most prestigious international comic awards since all works are meticulously selected by the MoFA and renowned manga artists such as Machiko Satonaka.

Including Nachis award, Viet Nam has won a total of five prizes, with a bronze for at Rong (Dragon Land) in 2012, a silver for Long Than Tuong (Holy Dragon Imperator) in 2015 and ia Nguc Mon (Gateway to Underworld) in 2016, and a bronze for Bam thay Tuong, co thay Vu en tim! (Rain in a Moon Night) in 2022.  VNS
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP)  West Virginia is issuing the first checks from a fund established by the settlement of opioid lawsuits in the state, which has by far the nations highest drug overdose death rate.

The Kanawha County Commission said Thursday it received a $2.9 million check and plans to discuss how it will be spent at its next meeting on Jan. 11. Last week the Mercer County Commission received $1.9 million.

The distribution is part of a memorandum of understanding that was previously adopted by state Attorney General Patrick Morrisey and counsel for West Virginia cities and counties. According to the agreement, the board in charge of around $1 billion in funds will distribute just under three-fourths of the settlement money, and a fourth will go directly to local communities and 3% will remain in trust.

Morrisey told the Kanawha County Commission that his office and the state auditor's office have formed a partnership to ensure that the settlement funds are used properly. All the money must be used to abate the opioid crisis through efforts such as addiction treatment, recovery and prevention programs, or supporting law enforcement in anti-drug measures.

The state is receiving money from each of its settlement agreements on a staggered schedule, with annual payments coming until at least 2036. The West Virginia First Foundation alone is expected to receive around $367 million over the next five years.

Over the past four years, drug manufacturers, distribution companies, pharmacies and other companies have reached settlements totaling more than $50 billion with governments. While the biggest amounts are national in scope, West Virginia has been aggressive in bringing its own lawsuits and reaching more than a dozen settlements.

A $68 million settlement was announced by the state in May with Kroger, the last remaining defendant in a lawsuit involving Walgreens, Walmart, CVS and Rite Aid. Walgreens settled for $83 million; Walmart for more than $65 million; CVS for $82.5 million; and Rite Aid for up to $30 million.

As part of the state's 2022 settlement with Teva, the University of Charleston School of Pharmacy starting receiving shipments of the overdose-reversal drug naloxone in September.
If this New Years celebration at Times Square follows the pattern set since 1986, just before the ball drops and we turn or calendars forward, someone will sing John Lennons classic song, Imagine. It is a good thing to close out the past and look to the future by imagining the world as it could be.

John Lennon sat down at his piano in Berkshire, England one morning in early 1971 and composed the song that became his most popular single. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation named it the greatest song of the last 100 years. Australians chose Imagine as the greatest song of all time. But for many of us, there is a greater vision of how the world could be.

Every time we quote the Lords Prayer we are invited to imagine the world as it is meant to be. Jesus taught us to pray, Our Father who art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven  What would the world look like if that prayer were answered? How would the world differ from the world we know?

If Gods will were done on earth, there would be no more crime. Theft, violence and murder would end. Prisons would empty. Neighbor would no longer sue neighbor. Court dockets would clear.

Employers would forego extravagant profits in order to pay higher wages to their workers. No child would go to bed hungry or unsheltered. Those who possess the food and resources of the world would share with those who have none.

Corruption, graft and greed would disappear. Wars would cease. Politicians would serve the best interest of others with honesty and integrity. Fairness, kindness, forgiveness and generosity would prevail.

Husbands would love their wives seeking what is best for them and striving to please them. Wives would love and respect their husbands, building them up and encouraging them. Children would honor their parents and obey them, trusting them in the knowledge that they want what is best for them.

Racial, cultural and sexual prejudices would vanish. Discrimination would disappear. Every human being would treat every other human being with respect. The strong would help the weak.

None of us are in the position to effect such a whole scale change for the world in which we live. But we are each able to change our little corner of the world. We can put into practice the answer to the prayer Jesus taught us to pray. His Kingdom can come and His will can be done in us and through us.

In 2024 we can be a part of the answer to the prayer that has been prayed for more than 2,000 years. What if His kingdom were to come and His will was done on earth as it is in Heaven this day? Just imagine!
LONDON (AP)  Sloe gin is a festive old English drink that's especially well-suited to the winter holidays. You can drink it over ice, try it in a cocktail, or forage for sloe berries and make a home batch.

Family recipes have been passed down for generations, but for novices, its easy to experiment at home.

THE BERRIES

Sloe gin's origins go back to the hedgerows of blackthorn bushes that served as fences all across England when common farmland was divvied up in the 17th century. Their plum-like, inky blue-purple sloe berries became synonymous with the English countryside.

After realizing that the raw berries tasted tart and astringent, people tried to make wine from them. But the astringency remained, and then someone had the bright idea of resting it on a spirit, says Joe Horning, the liquid quality and innovations manager at the London-based Sipsmith Gin.

By steeping sloe berries in alcohol, the low-quality gin of the time was transformed into a more palatable tipple. As distilling methods improved, a more refined drink was created. And bartenders further elevated its profile with the invention of the famous Sloe Gin Fizz in the early 20th century and pre-Prohibition cocktails like the Charlie Chaplin.

GREEN AND SEASONAL

Theres been a resurgence recently in the popularity of sloe gin, according to Siobhan Robinson, owner of the East London craft distillery Mothers Ruin.

As we got more interested in the environment and foraging and what were doing to the world, I think theres been a renaissance of people making their own sloe gin, and a real interest in sloe gin, she says.

Sloe gin also has a Christmas association because the berries are at their ripest in the autumn, and its earthy warm flavor suits the time of year, she adds.

She suggests using it in hot cocktails, like a Hot Sloe Gin Punch, a Hot Toddy with whiskey, or even adding a slug to hot chocolate for a punchy festive treat.

Technically, sloe gin isn't a gin at all, Robinson says. With the addition of sugar and sloes, it becomes a liqueur, and has a far lower alcohol content than a standard gin, around the same strength as a strong wine.

While sloe gin is traditionally drunk over ice as a digestif, it is also versatile in modern cocktails.

Horning suggests substituting raspberry flavors like Chambord for a twist on a French Martini or a Kir Royale. He also recommends a Sloe Negroni, reducing the measures to allow for a shot of sloe gin in addition to London Dry Gin, Campari and sweet Vermouth.

FORAGING AND DIY

When you forage for sloes, Horning says, feel the berries for ripeness, but also look for a yeast powder on the berry's core, a telltale sign that the fruits ripe. As for quantity, the more the merrier.

Old traditions dictate that each berry is given a pinprick to let the juices flow into the base spirit, but Horning recommends freezing the berries instead. That causes small ruptures in the skin, allowing the juices to come through, and is far less time-consuming.

The sloes should be rested in a Mason jar of gin, filled just below the liquid level. Resting periods can vary from months to a year. There are no hard-and-fast rules; Horning recommends two to three months, while Robinson thinks the longer the better.

Either a sugar syrup or honey should be added at the end, and less is more.

Sweeten cautiously, because you can always add more sugar if need be, but you cant take away, Horning advises.

Both he and Robinson agree its all about experimentation and play.

If sloe berries aren't readily available, you can substitute damsons, a similar fruit, or experiment with any fruits and a base of gin or even vodka.

Pick your fruit, put it in alcohol, add sugar, leave it for a long time, drink it and see if you like it, Robinson laughs.

Some cocktail recipes:

MOTHER'S RUIN SLOE GIN SOUR

1 oz (30ml) Sloe Gin

1 oz (30ml) Bourbon

1 oz (50ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice

Dash of Angostura Bitters

Drop of foaming bitters (we use Ms Betters Bitters Miraculous Foamer)

Add ice and all the ingredients to a shaker, shake for 30 seconds, and strain into a glass so the ice stays in the shaker.

-

MOTHER'S RUIN SLOE GIN FIZZ

1 oz (50ml) Sloe Gin

 oz (25ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice

 oz 12.5ml sugar syrup (buy or make your own)

Sparkling water

Add ice and all ingredients except the sparkling water to a shaker, shake for 30 seconds, and strain into a glass filled with ice. Top up with sparking water and stir gently.

-

SIPSMITH SLOE NEGRONI

 oz (15ml) London Dry Gin

 oz (15ml) Sloe Gin

 oz (15ml) Campari

 oz (15ml) sweet vermouth

An orange twist or wedge

Combine equal parts Sipsmith London Dry Gin, Sipsmith Sloe Gin, vermouth and Campari in a rocks glass over ice. Garnish with an orange twist or wedge.

-

SIPSMITH HOT MULLED SLOE

1 oz (30ml) Sloe Gin

2 oz (60ml) hot water

2 oz (60ml) cloudy apple juice

Assorted spices (we use cinnamon sticks, star anise, cloves and cardamom pods)

Vanilla pod (cut down the middle)

A cinnamon stick (to garnish)

Half an orange slice (to garnish)

Add the assorted spices and vanilla to a pan. Top with cloudy apple juice. Simmer for 5 to 10 minutes until just before boiling.

Ladle into a mug, teacup, or Irish coffee mug, and add sloe gin. Garnish with a half orange slice and/or a cinnamon stick.

-

For more AP stories on cocktails, go to https://apnews.com/hub/cocktails, and for food stories go to https://apnews.com/hub/food-.
AI is the latest technology creating a buzz in the business world. Some experts predict that between 2023 and 2030, artificial intelligence will see an annual growth rate of 37.3%. Many businesses have already begun dabbling in artificial intelligence, from using AI-powered chatbots like ChatGPT for instant messaging with customers to using generative AI to brainstorm new ideas in creative fields like fashion more quickly.

AI can also power more accurate algorithms through machine learning, automating tedious tasks and freeing up more time for high-level strategy or more skilled work. Although some consumers and business leaders alike may still be wary of AIand with good reasonit is already affecting how companies do business. The AI market is predicted to be worth $407 billion by 2027.

Additional research by Paxtyn Merten. Story editing by Jeffrey Smith. Copy editing by Kristen Wegrzyn. Photo selection by Clarese Moller.

This story originally appeared on Bonsai and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.
WATERLOO  A Waterloo man has been arrested after police found a gun and marijuana in his motel room on Wednesday.

Officers with the Waterloo Police Departments Violent Crime Apprehension Team executed a search warrant at Motel 6, 2141 La Porte Road, and found a backpack with a loaded .22-caliber Smith and Wesson AR-style rifle, according to court records.

Police also found marijuana in the backpack and under a mattress and $1,900 in cash.

Jalyis Uriah Thomas, 19, was arrested for felon in possession of a firearm and possession of marijuana with intent to deliver. Bond was set at $10,000.

The arrest comes months after Thomas was granted a deferred judgment with probation in connection with an April 12 incident where police found marijuana while investigating a shooting that injured two teens outside his home at 500 Reed St.
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%.
WATERLOO -- Saturday's discovery of the wreckage of the USS Juneau, on which Waterloo's five Sullivan brothers served and perished with nearly 700 shipmates during World War II, was an emotional, bittersweet experience for the fallen sailors' descendants.

"There's over 700 Navy families affected by this and my heart goes out to all those people," said Kelly Sullivan, granddaughter of Albert Sullivan and grandniece of George, Francis, Joseph and Madison Sullivan, who all died after the Juneau was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine and sunk on Nov. 13, 1942.

"For me, it's like finding my grandfather's grave," said Knute Swensen of Huntington Beach, Calif., the grandson of the Juneau's commanding officer, Capt. Lyman K. Swenson, also among the Juneau dead.

The crew of the Research Vessel Petrel, on an expedition financed by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, found the Juneau's wreck at the bottom of "Ironbottom Sound" off Guadalcanal in the Solomons on St. Patrick's Day.

In an audio accompanying a video of the wreckage, Robert Kraft, director of subsea operations for the expedition, noted it was appropriate the Juneau's remains were discovered on St. Patrick's Day, given the Sullivan brothers' Irish heritage.

"The luck of the Irish was with them," Kelly Sullivan said, echoing a wish she made for the USS The Sullivans, the current Navy destroyer named for her grandfather and great uncles, when she christened the ship in Bath, Maine, in 1995. She is the official Navy sponsor of that ship.

This wknd Paul Allens team found wreckage of WW2 USS Juneau in Pacific Ocean In 1942 this ship was sunk by Japanese torpedo carrying the 5 Sullivan brothers of Waterloo These Iowa heroes + hundred of others lost their life on that ship protecting our country Shld not b forgotten  ChuckGrassley (@ChuckGrassley) March 20, 2018

The crew of the Petrel sent a message to The Courier, which said: "Our team is comprised of professional subsea operators and engineers with years of experience in the industry who are truly humbled with the opportunity to honor our fallen servicemen and provide some closure to their families."

The crew credited Allen with making the expedition possible.

Ironically, Kelly Sullivan was at the USS The Sullivans on St. Patrick's Day at its home port of Mayport, Fla., attending a retirement celebration for one of its former commanding officers.

"When this discovery happened, I was sitting on the fantail of the Sullivans...It's unbelievable," Sullivan said.

On her return trip home Sunday, she heard word of the discovery from U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Rich Brown, commander of Navy surface forces and a former commanding officer of the USS The Sullivans. Brown was in Waterloo last November for a 75th anniversary commemoration of the Juneau's sinking. On Monday, Knute Swensen contacted her.

"It's bittersweet, this feeling," Sullivan said. "There's closure. It also opens a wound."

She said her father, Albert's son, Jim Sullivan, reacted with surprise and had similar feelings.

"My first thought was my prayers for all the Juneau families, not just the Sullivan brothers," Kelly Sullivan said, and all veterans and their families. She said her great-grandmother, Alleta Sullivan, never really had closure because her sons' bodies were never recovered and held out hope they may have survived.

Swensen said he watched the Petrel's undersea video in amazement as the crew made out the Juneaus name inscribed across the fantail.

"Seeing that video gave me chills," he said.

He also thought of his father, U.S. Navy Cmdr Robert Swensen, who passed away in April 2016 at age 93 and was very close to his father, the Juneau commander. Knute's grandfather's surname was misspelled as "Swenson" by a staff member at the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md., and he never had it corrected. It was at Annapolis, when Robert was a cadet, that the Juneau commander and his son had their last meeting.

In an audio accompanying the video, Kraft of the Petrel expedition notes the ship's bow and stern were found relatively close to each other but the ship's debris was scattered over a mile on the ocean floor -- an indication of the devastating explosion which sunk her.

Most of the sailors were killed during the actual sinking; more than 100 died at sea in the days that followed from wounds, exposure or shark attacks, including George Sullivan, the oldest of the brothers. Ten sailors survived the actual sinking plus a four-person medical crew sent to the USS San Francisco to tend to wounded there prior to the attack.

Swensen hopes the Juneau crew's valor is also remembered. The ship earned multiple battles stars for the engagements in which it fought -- including one the night before its sinking, when it and other outgunned American ships turned back a Japanese task force headed for embattled U.S troops at Guadalcanal.

Sullivan praised Paul Allen's passion for pursuing the expedition -- a lesson she used it as an example for her third-graders at Lincoln Elementary School in Cedar Falls.

"I really admire Mr. Allen and his crew for having the faith to do this," she said, and encouraged her students to pursue their passions as well.

Both were in New York this past November at the 75th anniversary commemoration of the Juneau's sinking at the same Staten Island pier where the ship was commissioned into the Navy in 1997. That ceremony was across New York harbor from the Brooklyn Navy Yard, where the Juneau was commissioned into the Navy and sailed out of the harbor, never to return.

She hopes the USS The Sullivans can sail to the Juneau's final resting place on a future mission, with some of its sailors surviving family members.
A federal judge has halted the implementation of most of Senate File 496 in Iowa, which required the removal of books with sexual content form school libraries.
Gardai have arrested a man after cocaine worth more than 1 million was seized at Dublin Airport.

Revenue officers discovered 16kg of cocaine in the baggage of a passenger who had travelled from Washington on Thursday.

The arrested man has been charged and is due to appear in court.

Cocaine was the most seized drug in Ireland this year, with gardai recovering more 175 million worth of the drug in 2023.

The largest cocaine haul this year was made on the MV Matthew, the cargo shop intercepted off the Co Cork coast.

Gardai and customs also seized almost 35 million worth of cannabis herb and cannabis resin this year, while heroin with a street value of 8.5 million was also recovered.
Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation (23  29 December 2023)

In the period from 23 to 29 December 2023, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation inflicted 50 group strikes and one mass strike with high-precision weapons and unmanned aerial vehicles on the military industrial facilities,military airfield infrastructure, arsenals, storage sites for artillery ammunition, uncrewed surface vehicles, weapons and military hardware, as well as enemy POL bases.

In addition, the locations of the AFU units, nationalist formations, and foreign mercenaries were hit.

All the assigned targets have been engaged.

In Kupyansk direction, units the Zapad Group of Forces have improved the situation along the front line in several sectors and repelled 27 AFU attacks.

Aviation and artillery inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 10th Mountain Assault Brigade, 25th Airborne Brigade, 95th Air Assault Brigade, 30th, 43rd, 60th, and 115th mechanised brigades near Novoselovskoye (Lugansk Peoples Republic), Sinkovka, Ivanovka, Petropavlovka, and Kupyansk (Kharkov region).

The AFU losses over the week amounted to more than 265 Ukrainian troops, one tank, one armoured fighting vehicle, 18 motor vehicles, and five field artillery guns.

In Krasny Liman direction, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces supported by aviation and artillery improved the situation along the front line and repelled 13 AFU attacks.

In addition, units of the AFU 24th, 63rd, 67th mechanised brigades, 100th, 125th territorial defence brigades, 12th Special Operations Brigade, and 5th Ukrainian National Guard Brigade were engaged close to Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk Peoples Republic), Torskoye, Grigorovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic), and Serebryansky forestry.

The AFU losses in this direction amounted to up to 1,205 Ukrainian troops, six tanks, 12 armoured fighting vehicles, 12 motor vehicles, and 13 field artillery guns.

In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces supported by aviation and artillery liberated Maryinka (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

Assault detachments of the Southern MDs 8th Army 150th motorised rifle division and 1st Army Corps 5th Separate Motorised Rifle Brigade made the most significant contribution to liberating the city.

Over the week, in this direction Russian troops repelled 34 enemy attacks and inflicted losses on AFU units close to Kurdyumovka, Kleschcheyevka, Krasnoye, Andreyevka, and Georgievka (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to more than 1,675 Ukrainian troops, seven tanks, 13 armoured fighting vehicles, 29 motor vehicles, one Czech-made RM-70 Vampire MLRS, and 49 field artillery guns.

In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces repelled three enemy attacks.

Aviation and artillery inflicted losses on units of the AFU 79th Air Assault Brigade, and 72nd Mechanised Brigade, and 128th Territorial Defence Brigade close to Novomikhailovka, Vodyanoye, Paraskoveyevka, and Makarovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to more than 675 Ukrainian troops, two tanks, four armoured fighting vehicles, 19 motor vehicles, and 15 field artillery guns.

In Zaporozhye direction, units of the Russian Group of Forces engaged in active defence, during which repelled two AFU attacks near Verbovoye (Zaporozhye region).

Moreover, the Russian Armed Forces inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 128th Mountain Assault Brigade, 33rd, 65th, and 118th mechanised brigades near Orekhov, Malaya Tokmachka, Belogorye, Novodanilovka, and Rabotino (Zaporozhye region).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 475 Ukrainian troops, one tank, six armoured fighting vehicles, 20 motor vehicles, and 12 field artillery guns.

In Kherson direction, the enemys attempts to cross the Dnepr River and to land on the left bank and islands were thwarted by complex fire strikes and preventive actions of the Russian Armed Forces.

In addition, aviation and artillery inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 35th, 36th, 38th marines brigades, 124th, 126th territorial defence brigades near Berislav, Tyaginka, Tokarevka, Nikolskoye, Zmievka, and Chernobayevka (Kherson region).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 390 Ukrainian troops, 25 motor vehicles, 17 motorboats, and 22 field artillery guns.

Over the past week, 43 Ukrainian servicemen surrendered, 22 of the in Kupyansk direction.

Operational-Tactical and Missile Troops of the Russian Groups of Forces eliminated combat vehicles of air defence systems, namely, one Norwegian-made NASAMS, one German-made IRIS-T, one French-made Crotale-NG, one S-300 air defence system radar, and three U.S.-made AN/TPQ-50 counterbattery warfare radar stations.

Aviation and air defence units intercepted 10 enemy aircraft and two helicopters over the week, namely one MiG-29, three Su-27, three Su-24, three Su-25, as well as two Ukrainian Air Force Mi-8 helicopters.   :  -29,  -27,  -24   -25,     -8   .

In addition, 33 HIMARS and Uragan MLRS projectiles, four HARM anti-radiation missiles, one JDAM guided bombs, one Neptune anti-ship missile, and 251 unmanned aerial vehicles were shot down.

In total, 564 airplanes and 263 helicopters, 10,206 unmanned aerial vehicles, 445 air defence missile systems, 14,383 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,190 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 7,564 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 16,833 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.

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On a Wednesday in late November, a group of students from Winona Senior High School came to Minnesota State College Southeast for the entire day to learn skills they'll need as certified nursing assistants.

The students are part of a new program that allows high school students in Red Wing and Winona to train as nursing assistants while earning three college credits through MSC Southeast.

The class is taught online during the day at the high school, with some visits to the college campus for practical experience.

The program is run by MSC Southeast's former director of business relations, Calli Ekblad, who took on the program as a special project.

"We wanted to create a pathway for high school students not only to do nursing assistant training but also to meet prerequisites for our practical nursing program and other health care options that they might pursue at Southeast," said Ekblad.

Funding for the program is provided by a grant from Southeast Service Cooperative, a nonprofit organization that serves over 100 schools in southeastern Minnesota.

Thanks to this support, the program is almost completely free for students  the only thing they have to buy is their nursing scrubs.

Sandy VerBout, an adjunct nursing instructor at MSC Southeast, teaches the class at the college and has been working off and on for MSC Southeast since 1989.

Most days, the students participate in the program at the high school, where they work on online lessons and assignments.

Students also spend a few days during the semester training at MSC Southeast under VerBout's supervision.

It's a college class, so it's challenging to keep up with all your online hours, explained Lesly Reynoso, a Winona High School student. In order to pass you have to take 60 hours online and 20 lab hours in person.

At the college, students are taught how to take care of a patient's basic needs and communicate with them effectively. Practicing on manikins, they learn how to provide personal care and skills like changing sheets without getting the patient out of the bed.

At the end of the program, students will take the Minnesota State Registry Test. If they pass the test, they'll become certified nursing assistants, allowing them to work as nursing assistants and pursue higher degrees in nursing.

Because of the College Opportunity Program, Winona Senior High School students who live in the school district can continue their nursing education at MSC Southeast tuition-free.

The college offers both the two-semester Practical Nursing diploma and the five-semester Associate of Science in Nursing.

I was interested in becoming a CNA so I can become an RN, Reynoso said, saying that a family member has diabetes, which inspired her interest in helping others.

She has another specialized skill that will be helpful. Since I'm bilingual in Spanish, I will be able to help people who don't speak English by being able to translate for them.

Alissa Wieczorek noted that this is the first year that Winona Senior High School is offering the program at MSC Southeast. I've felt very lucky to take this class, since I'm a senior and wouldn't have a chance to do it next year.

She added: Ever since I was little, I've wanted to be in the health field. A lot of my cousins and family members are in nursing and I've always just wanted to do it, so when I saw the opportunity, I decided to take it.

Like Reynoso, Wieczorek plans on starting as a certified nursing assistant and eventually furthering her education to become a registered nurse.

VerBout has been delighted by the curiosity and dedication of the students in the program and is glad to be teaching them. "These are the people that will be helping my family members, and even helping me, someday," she said.
A dream is becoming reality as volunteers at PAVEs new facility decorate apartments that have been constructed in the former factory building to create a safe and welcoming place for those who need an escape from abusive domestic living environments.

A new facility for PAVE  which stands for Protect, Advocate, Validate and Educate  has been a dream of those running the facility for decades. It will be a reality in the new year.

Now that the renovations have been completed on the building at 111 E. Burnett St., volunteers have been hauling furniture up to the second-floor living area, putting furniture items together and cleaning over the last few weeks.

PAVE executive director Emily Shier said there will be an open house from 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 11, with a ribbon cutting at 6:15 p.m.

It will be a few weeks before people are moved into the facility after the open house while security measures are checked at the facility, Shier said.

Shiers family celebrated Christmas Day at the facility and did some of the heavy lifting. Shier said family member came across their country, with one nephew getting home from South Korea and helping at the shelter.

My husband and four sons know my history of asking for a project when it comes to gifting me and they have poured their time and energy into PAVE this past year, Shier said. They didnt hesitate when I asked them to spend Christmas Day helping.

Members of the Boy Scouts and Beaver Dam High Schools National Honor Society have also helped. Shier said others who have volunteered to help include a work group from Specialty Cheese.

There has been a steady stream of people who have been helping us move in, Shier said.

The two-story brick building is a former factory and is replacing the five-bedroom house that has been home to PAVE for more than 35 years and allowed clients of the domestic violence shelter to have safe housing on the second floor with a secure entrance into the building. The new space has the combined advantage of being both more visible to the public and more secure for those who need it.

PAVEs new location also includes administrative offices and crisis counseling meeting rooms.

The new facility has four apartments, two with four bedrooms and two with three bedrooms. There are also two emergency apartments in the community area, for 16 bedrooms in total.

One unique feature will be a calming space that will be technology free and filled with plants. Shier said the shelter is still in need of plants for that space.

There is also still a need for window coverings and dishes and other supplies for the kitchens.

Everyone will have kitchen access, but we still need things like dishes, Shier said.

The current shelter has seen updates, and Shier said the organization is considering selling it. The original plan was to sell it, and we have had some interested parties that are non-profits. It is a very unique facility.

There is such a need for transitional housing and housing in general, Shier said.

Donors from the local community and a state Neighborhood Investment Grant via Dodge County are funding the construction of PAVEs new facility. The Neighborhood Investment Grant funds were provided through the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and are intended, in part, to address the needs of communities through long-term investments, including shelter and housing needs of vulnerable populations.

Shier said the artwork in the facility came from Uniek in Waunakee, and the furniture was purchased by PAVE through a partnership that St. Vincent de Paul has with Ashley Furniture.

There are additional days scheduled for helping to put the facility together, including on Jan. 6, beginning at 9 a.m.

We will work until we run out of steam, Shier said.

Anyone who wants to help set up the new shelter at other times can contact Sylvia at sortiz@pavedc.org.

GALLERY: PAVE on the move to its new location PAVE001.jpg PAVE002.jpg PAVE003.jpg PAVE004.jpg PAVE005.jpg PAVE006.jpg PAVE007.jpg PAVE008.jpg PAVE009.jpg PAVE010.jpg PAVE011.jpg PAVE012.jpg PAVE013.jpg PAVE014.jpg PAVE015.jpg PAVE016.jpg PAVE017.jpg PAVE018.jpg PAVE019.jpg PAVE020.jpg
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Venezuela's new map that includes the Essequibo territory as its own is displayed at the Foreign Ministry in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, Dec. 11, 2023. Leaders of Guyana and Venezuela are preparing to meet this week to address an escalating dispute over the Essequibo region that is rich in oil and minerals.
FILE -Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park, Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023, in Washington. Chris Sale's injury-filled career with the Boston Red Sox ended Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023 when the 34-year-old left-hander was traded the Atlanta Braves for infielder Vaughn Grissom. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)
Ernest Becker was already dying when The Denial of Death was published 50 years ago this past fall. This is a test of everything Ive written about death, he told a visitor to his Vancouver hospital room. Throughout his career as a cultural anthropologist, Becker had charted the undiscovered country that awaits us all. Now only 49 but losing a battle to colon cancer, he was being dispatched there himself. By the time his book was awarded a Pulitzer Prize the following spring, Becker was gone.

These grim details may seem like the makings of a downer, to put it mildly, and another downer is the last thing anyone needs right now. But there is no gloom in Denial, no self-pity, not even the maudlin wisdom todays illness memoirs have primed us to expect. A rare mind is at work, and you get to hang out in the workshop. Writing against the hardest stop of all, Becker managed to produce a kind of cosmic pep talk, as the literary critic Anatole Broyard put it in The New York Times. For a book published in the early 1970s, Denial includes remarkably little discussion of the liberation movements of the 60s. But holding back on context allowed Becker a measure of freedom. He transmits on what Ralph Ellison called the lower frequencies. To tune into those frequencies today is to discover that age has not robbed Beckers ideas of their power. Im surprised at how new it seems to me, Broyard wrote in 1982. Readers continue to revel in the same surprise.

Only by confronting our own mortality, Becker argued, could we live more fully. To hold that terror is to see more clearly what matters and what does not  and how important it is to grasp the difference. Contemplating death is like a cold plunge for the soul, a prick to the amygdala. You emerge renewed, your vision clarified. To talk about hope is to give the right focus to the problem, Becker wrote.
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Instagram Celebrity

The 35-year-old cosmetics mogul comes clean with her relationship status through a video shared on Instagram on Thursday, December 27.

Dec 30, 2023

AceShowbiz - Supa Cent is no longer engaged to Rayzor. After confirming their breakup on social media, the cosmetics mogul seemingly accused her now-ex of abuse.

The 35-year-old came clean with her relationship status via Instagram on Thursday, December 27. "I'm no longer in a relationship," she said in a video. "I have no problem with y'all speaking publicly about it."

Supa went on to declare that she "will not be dating anytime soon. Don't ask me, don't even be expecting - you will not catch me with anybody. You will not catch nobody with me." The businesswoman, however, didn't disclose the reason behind the split.

Fans have since been questioning why things fizzled out between Supa and Rayzor. "Can u tell us what happened bc u know everybody wanna know lol," one person wrote. Another assumed, "It wasn't mutual. Damn it man. She looked like she been crying and toughing up for camera. I love you supa praying for the healing."

Catching wind of Supa's post, Rayzor took to his own page to share his side of the story. "I dodged a bullet and walked away clean" he wrote. "I couldn't ask God for anything more. No dirt on my name, no scandal, no cheating , It's nothing anyone can say bad about me besides it didn't work out. I'm at peace with my decision all smiles #thankful."

Supa took issue with Rayzor's statements though. She subtly fired back, "I wish I would have dodged them licks. Not acting like he ain't just fight and drag me on the interstate. Whew Chile. Don't gaslight me before I spill fareal."

Supa and Rayzor got engaged exactly one year after they started dating. The latter proposed to Supa by giving her an 11-carat diamond ring after she purchased land for him as an anniversary gift.

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ABC Celebrity

The 'Fifty Shades of Grey' actor admits he is uncomfortable having his photo taken despite enjoying a success as a model and constantly posing for camera in Hollywood.

Dec 30, 2023

AceShowbiz - Jamie Dornan loathes getting his photo taken. The "Fifty Shades of Grey" actor, 41, made the admission despite starting his career as a model for brands including Calvin Klein.

"I hate having my photograph taken. I spent 10 years getting paid to have people take photographs of me," he told the latest issue of Radio Times magazine.

He went on about thinking about why fans constantly want selfies with him, "If you allow yourself to get into the 'Why?' of that, you're (messed up). Just accept it. For whatever reason, they want to take your photograph. Go with it, have fun with it, enjoy the ride. Which is what I did, although I hated it in many ways."

When being snapped for Calvin Klein, Dior and Armani before he was paid millions for acting jobs, Jamie was earning up to 10,000 a day. Jamie also said about his winding route into acting, "I did a lot of acting as a kid - plays at school, youth theatre outside of school, but I was also extremely sporty. I chose sport over acting but there's a lot of failed sportsmen who become actors."

He said about being happy with his choice as it suits his energy and interest in playing dark characters, "I've found something that suits my energy and my interest and, to quote Liam Neeson, my 'particular set of skills'].' "

"It's a great way of self- discovery. You find out a lot about yourself being an actor I've gone to a lot of dark places, played a lot of dark characters and spent a lot of time in uncomfortable head spaces and that's probably an OK thing."

"Not all the time, but I think it's good for humans to spend time in those places sometimes, so you can really appreciate kindness and the good things around you when you come out the other side."

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Sony Pictures Movie

The 'Mission: Impossible' actress opens up about how she approached her role as Napoleon's wife opposite Joaquin Phoenix in the Ridley Scott-directed historical drama.

Dec 30, 2023

AceShowbiz - Vanessa Kirby needed to "pull back [her] own personality" while filming "Napoleon". The 35-year-old actress shares screen with Joaquin Phoenix as the titular emperor's wife Josephine and she felt she needed to "repress" herself in order to accurately portray the troubled empress, who was ousted from her marriage after being unable to bear children.

"I felt like I had to bring less of myself and actually pull back my own personality a lot. Josephine was so enigmatic and unusual. She had to repress her feelings in order to survive, so that is how I approached playing her," Vanessa told Britain's HELLO! magazine.

Vanessa particularly enjoyed working with Joaquin. She said, "I love him and it was so magic to play the special kind of intimacy and intensity between these two historical figures. I had a really good time. Even though it was a really dysfunctional relationship in many ways, they had this chemistry that was very potent."

And the blonde beauty was thankful that the "playfulness" shared between the characters was echoed on set, making it easier when filming "an intense and brutal time." Vanessa added, "It was hard but we found we had to laugh sometimes between takes to get through that."

"We had to bring some lightness ot it because of the intensity of this world and the fact that Josephine wasn't able to have a child. They loved one another as outsiders and they had this strange magnetism through all of their lives, even though they were living in the most extreme of times. We could never get hold of what it was about them exactly, but we had so much fun trying to figure it out."

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Cover Images/Janet Mayer Celebrity

The former 'Real Housewives of New York City' star is bombarded with criticisms from social media users, including one who deemed the pictures 'inappropriate and exploitative.'

Dec 30, 2023

AceShowbiz - Bethenny Frankel has had a number of social media users come in defense following her controversial post. The former star of "The Real Housewives of New York City" was defended against critics, who blasted her for sharing "inappropriate" photos of her underage daughter.

The 52-year-old ex-Bravolebrity received many supportive messages from Instagram users on Friday, December 29. In the comments section of her new post, one in particular noted, "She's in swimwear at the beach and her mom took her picture. I don't understand the outrage."

Similarly, another wrote, "Some of these comments - Jesus Christ the pearl clutching. Bryn isn't 8 years old. She's a teenager. Bethenny knows what's best for her child. I can't believe I'm commenting on a strangers IG, but here we are." Another noted, "She's in swimwear at the beach and her mom took her picture. I don't understand the outrage."

The online responses came one day after Bethenny released a series of photos featuring her and her daughter Bryn, whom she shares with her ex-husband Jason Hoppy. In the snaps, the mother and daughter duo could be seen having a blast during their getaway at a beach. Bryn was photographed wearing a blue bra top and a pair of matching undies. Meanwhile, Bethenny donned a colorful bodysuit that had a long matching cover-up skirt.

Along with the pictures, the former reality TV star wrote in the caption of the post, "Two jerks in TURKS. After a hardworking year, mixed with some medical issues, this trip was an impulse decision and I think we made a good choice New Year's resolutions incoming and being crafted as we speak xoxo #mommyandme #turksandcaicos #vacation #daughterlove #beachtime #traveltime #memories."

It did not take long for the post to be flooded with comments, including negative ones, from online critics. One of them stated, "Swimsuit shots of your daughter are so Inappropriate and exploitative." Meanwhile, another reminded the star, "Love you but the internet is an awful place you outta remove Bryn's bikini pic, although I fear it's already too late."

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Instagram Celebrity

The Busted bassist really wants to have a furry animal for a pet and the musician hopes his wife Emma Willis will eventually cave in to his persistent request.

Dec 30, 2023

AceShowbiz - Matt Willis is yearning for a dog. The Busted bassist has been asking wife Emma Willis - with whom he has Isabelle, 14, Ace, 12, and seven-year-old Trixie - about bringing a furry friend into their home for years and is confident that 2024 is the year he will finally persuade her to agree.

"I really want to get a pet dog. I've been talking about it for years! I want a little mate who I can take with me, like a little Italian Greyhound or something," he told BANG Showbiz.

Meanwhile, the "Year 3000" rocker thinks he and bandmates James Bourne and Charlie Simpson have a "better" relationship now because they have learned how to speak openly to one another.

He said, "We're better at everything now that we're older. I mean, back in the day, we never really talked about anything. If someone was annoyed about something, they just kept it in. That's very British."

Matt then said that after James moved to the US, the group became more "American," which he felt made them more open to discuss their opinions and thoughts. He continued, "But now, we're very American because James lives in America, so we're talking about our feelings. We don't shout, we just voice our feelings!"

James then chimed in and emphasised that Busted had become "very spiritual" and as a result, the trio have become closer than ever. He explained, "Everyone is spiritual. I think that we have become a bit more immune to all of the nonsense. We say things how they are and I just think it's better."

"I think the older you get, the less [you're bothered]. We are just really enjoying it. We just really love being in Busted and we have a great time, and then people like that which is great. They seem to love it, and we love it that they love it, so we're just enjoying it every day."

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Cover Images/Faye's Vision Celebrity

The British television mogul has reportedly earned approximately $1 million a week in the past twelve months, thanks to the worldwide success of his TV empire.

Dec 30, 2023

AceShowbiz - Simon Cowell is said to have netted a 50 million-a-year pay day. The 65-year-old music mogul's windfall is reportedly due to the worldwide success of his television empire, with Simon earning nearly 1 million a week, according to accounts filed by Syco Holdings.

It's the firm he uses to manage his hit "Britain's Got Talent" show, and figures first obtained by the Daily Mirror, which were submitted to Companies House, showed a 21.9 million pre-tax profit on a 32.6 million turnover in the business in the year leading up to March. Half the cash was said to have come from the US, while there was 7.1 million from the UK and 8.9 million from elsewhere in the world.

Former "The X Factor" judge Simon reportedly pay himself 50 million from the company. Simon is also said to have done a deal for an investment bank to buy bonds backed by his TV franchises.

His riches come despite Simon making a decision to scale back his work in recent years to spend more time with his partner Lauren Silverman, 46, and their 10-year-old son Eric.

He now sticks to a four-day week as he believes working on a Friday is "pointless." Former workaholic Simon - who has also changed his sleeping and eating patterns - told The Sun about his lifestyle overhaul, "Actually, the first thing (I do) is take off Fridays."

"Don't work on Fridays, because you don't have to. Eat dinner at five o'clock. Don't take calls after 5.30pm. Don't read emails after 5.30pm. Watch a happy movie. And stay outside. I'm not kidding about the Fridays. I don't think anyone should be working five days a week. It's just pointless."

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Sunil Agarwal, Director, Vinod Cookware:

Cooking is an ever-evolving art, constantly improving with new ingredients, recipes, and cookware. In 2023, we've embraced transformation in how we approach the culinary world. As we stride into the future, we're also witnessing a surge in demand for eco-friendly and sustainable kitchen solutions. Recognizing this shift, our commitment to offering products that balance innovation with environmental responsibility remains unwavering. Smart kitchen technology is another arena that's shaping the landscape. We have incorporated smart features into our designs to make cooking not just convenient but also an immersive and enjoyable experience.

This year marked the introduction of our Zest Ceramica Collection, Vinod Connect, and Aluminum Die Cast Range, revolutionizing the modern Indian kitchenware industry. Apart from catering to the needs of our consumers we also ventured into the B2B sector with the launch of our Vinod Horeca Range to cater to the needs of hotels and cloud kitchens. Strategic partnerships with Sonys Masterchef India and KBC showcase our dedication to impactful collaborations. In line with the booming global kitchenware industry, projected to reach $37.23 billion by 2027, we also expanded our reach with the launch of Vinod Cookware's UK website, bringing our quality products to the UK and EU markets. As we navigate this era of change, 2023 underscores the importance of adaptability in todays world be it at your workplaces, homes, and kitchens.

Katsuhisa Asari, Managing Director, Konica Minolta India:

2023 was a testament to the print industry's resilience and adaptability in striking innovation, particularly in the realm of digital printing. Digital printing has become the preferred choice for many businesses due to its cost-effectiveness, versatility, and quicker turnaround times. The digital printing segment is projected to grow at an impressive rate of 6.7% annually, cementing its place as a dominant force in the industry.

As an industry leader, we reached out to an untapped clientele in the hinterland of the country, across tier 2, 3, and 4 cities, with the latest tech in production printing and digital printing tech, empowering Indian businesses to successfully shape the future of the Indian Printing Industry, which is expected to reach a market size of to 279 billion rupees by 2025. By leveraging its strengths in intangible assets, Konica Minolta also seeks to create customer value through co-creation with customers.

Angad Singh Manchanda, Co-founder and CEO, Chimp&zInc:

Marking a dynamic shift in marketing trends, 2023 has witnessed a complete transformation in the digital marketing front. With much anticipated augmented reality and social commerce to purpose-driven content, the industry has undergone a holistic revamp. Authentic storytelling has rightfully claimed the spotlight, placing a strong emphasis on forging genuine emotional connections with consumers. The fusion of personalization and technology emerged as a game-changer, reshaping our online experiences. Adding to our learning journey were new trends like Generative AI, Machine Learning, Customer Data Platforms, and Voice Search. Artificial Intelligence (AI) strategies gained substantial momentum, enhancing the intelligence behind digital experiences.

Privacy rules became a prominent point of discussion showing the industry's dedication to responsible practices. CGI trends, including Augmented and Virtual Reality, alongside the widely embraced generative AI, prominently graced the stage. Each of these trends ignited curiosity among marketing professionals, providing us with powerful tools to weave compelling stories. We've discovered that fostering a curious mindset, coupled with courage and a commitment to authenticity allows us to actively participate in shaping the future of digital marketing. Here's to a year that not only pushed boundaries but also ignited creativity.

Kanchi Patel, Co-founder, Abzo Motors:

The EV industry has experienced substantial growth in the last few years, and 2023 has been no exception. In the first half of this year, EV sales reached 5.1 million units, on track to surpass 10 million units for the full year. Witnessing the surge in electric vehicle adoption has been an enriching experience, reaffirming the industry's shift towards a cleaner and greener future. Several major automakers are investing in the Indian EV market, including Tata Motors, Hyundai, and Mahindra & Mahindra. In turn, the enthusiasm and acceptance from consumers have been overwhelming, highlighting the growing awareness and appetite for eco-friendly mobility options.

This year has proven to be a significant milestone for us as we proudly launched our first e-bike, a testament to our commitment to sustainable and innovative transportation solutions As co-founder of Abzo Motors, navigating through the dynamic landscape of 2023 has been both challenging and rewarding, and we look forward to continuing our contribution to the evolution of the EV industry, paving the way for a more sustainable and electrifying future.

Max Avtukhov, CEO and Co-Founder, Yango Tech:

The e-grocery and retail market in India is undergoing unprecedented growth, fueled by increased internet penetration and evolving consumer behaviour that favours online shopping. This shift, coupled with the convenience factor, has spurred the convergence of technology and consumer demands. Personalized recommendations and enhanced last-mile delivery are key outcomes, fostering a dynamic and flourishing environment. Projections indicate that the India Online Grocery Market is poised to reach USD 130 billion by 2032, exhibiting a remarkable CAGR of 37%. Despite facing challenges in logistics, quality assurance, and competitiveness, the e-grocery and retail sector in India continues to thrive, fundamentally reshaping how Indians procure their daily essentials. The trends observed in 2023 affirm this trajectory. At Yango Tech, our commitment is unwavering. We are dedicated to empowering retailers and e-commerce platforms with cutting-edge technologies, enabling them to navigate the evolving landscape of customer behaviour and seize a significant share of this burgeoning market.

Pushkar Gokhale, Senior Vice President & Business head, Godrej Security Solutions:

Embarking on the dynamic landscape of security solutions in 2023, Godrej Security Solutions has demonstrated exceptional performance, driven by innovation and a commitment to evolving security needs. Projections by a recent market report indicate that India's Electronic Security Market, specially CCTV and VDP will soar to Rs 10,000 crore by 2027.

We have been dedicated to continuously innovate and have been instrumental in launching products like SmartFog, Gold testing machine, solar CCTV cameras and advanced number plate recognition systems in electronic security segment. In the Home locker segment, we have introduced products like our NX Pro Advanced and NX Pro Plus range which has multiple locking mechanism of digital, keylock and biometric. In 2023, we recorded Rs 820 crore in revenue, with a notable contribution from both B2B & B2C segments, wherein B2B contributed 60% and B2C contributed 40%.

Fact of people moving more and more towards sophisticated tech and innovative solutions affirms our adaptability to diverse security challenges, coupled with AI-driven technologies, positioning us as a key player in shaping the future of security solutions. Looking to 2024, Godrej Security Solutions is poised for continued success. Aligned with Godrej & Boyce's growth plan, we aim for a 20% Y-o-Y growth, anticipating 20% growth by the end of fiscal 2023-24. We are further looking to solidify our role as a key contributor to the ever-evolving security solutions landscape.

Hayden Scott, Creative Head - APAC, Virtue Worldwide:

2023 has been a very good year for us. This year in response to the uncertainty surrounding the sale of our parent company we chose to double down on culture and focus on our people  their happiness, fulfilment and growth. We continue to work remotely and allow our people flexibility and freedom. In addition, we have stabilised key accounts, beefed up the creative leadership with some exciting talent and created fame and money for our clients with every single piece we have put out.

Anand Kumar, Head - Strategy & Product, Uno Minda:

In the dynamic landscape of the spare parts aftermarket industry, Uno Minda is gearing up for a groundbreaking 2024. The company is steadfast in its commitment to launch Innovative products through In-house R&D and Engineering facilities. The company is already ready to supply BIS certified Alloy wheels in line with mandatory BIS guidelines to ensure safety. In anticipation of the growing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), Uno Minda has strategically acquired two German companies - Friwo & Buehler - and already established in-house manufacturing of EV components such as On-board & Off-board chargers, BMS, MCU, sensors, controllers etc. The company is fully geared to supply spare parts for electric vehicles, catering to the evolving needs of the EV Aftermarket. As we usher in a new era, Uno Minda, under its Driving the New Technology initiative, has already launched high-end technology products like LEDs, ORVM, ADAS, and personalized telematics, to meet for an uptick in demand for such hi-tech products & BS6 vehicle parts.

Cristina Fonseca, Head of AI, Zendesk:

More and more companies will trust AI to fully automate resolutions in the CX context. With the latest advancements in AI and large language models (LLMs), there will be seamless blending between bots and human agents. Additionally, we expect the number of interactions touched by AI to be at least 10x higher compared to 2023  moving the industry even closer towards this reality of fully digital agents.

Arick Goomanovsky, VP, Tenable Cloud Security:

Consolidation of cloud security products and vendors will accelerate throughout 2024 because of demand from customers, who now understand the power of cloud native security to transcend traditional silos and provide a unified, contextual risk picture. This means not only more secure applications, but better optimization of resources, skills and time, during a period when organizations are stretched to the limit.

Krishna Veer Singh, Co-Founder, Lissun:

This year has brought transformative changes to the mental health sector in India, marked by a notable increase in recognition and understanding of the importance of emotional and psychological well-being. We at LISSUN have been at the forefront of this movement, actively contributing to the evolving narrative on mental health. Backed by our dedicated team, we experienced significant achievements and breakthroughs. The noteworthy $1.3 million secured in seed funding speaks volumes about our brands promising trajectory. In addition, the launch of Sunshine, a phygital center dedicated to child mental health, and our tech platform supporting students amid academic stress underscore our commitment to holistic care.

Besides that, our Emotional Wellness Camps particularly in Kota where the student suicide rate was at an all-time high, showcasing our dedication to community outreach. As we contemplate this exceptional year, our commitment is resoluteto expand our reach, particularly in remote regions, diversify treatment options, and strengthen partnerships for a comprehensive approach to mental health challenges.
As the year draws to a close, actress Jyoti Saxena is currently savoring the final moments of 2023 on a well-deserved vacation in Singapore, and she is gearing up to welcome 2024 with enthusiasm and determination in the Dazzling city of Singapore. The talented actress reflects on the experiences, lessons, and memories that 2023 has brought her way and how she is planning to bring in the Powerpack 2024.



It's been a year of adventure for Jyoti Saxena, 2023 has been nothing short of a whirlwind of experiences. From the bustling streets of exotic destinations of Thailand, Paris, Rome, Dubai, London, and Phuket, the actress has explored various corners of the world. But apart from Travelling this year has also taught many things to the actress.



Jyoti Saxena reveals, "This year has been a journey of self-discovery. Traveling to different places broadened my horizons and allowed me to connect with different cultures and people. It's a reminder of the vastness of the world and the diversity that exists within it. My aim for next year is to travel more and more. This year I have covered over 5 International places, I aim to travel more in 2024."



Beyond the glamour, Jyoti Saxena emphasizes the profound lessons that 2023 has bestowed upon her. She reveals, "This year has taught me to love myself unconditionally, to be selfless in my actions, and to express gratitude for even the smallest things in life. It's about finding joy in the journey and appreciating the present moment. Whether it's the success of a project or the simple joys of everyday life, expressing gratitude has become a cornerstone of my existence this year."



"As the year is ending, I wish everyone lots of happiness, peace, and prosperity in the new year. I hope that 2024 brings out the best year in our lives, where we focus not only on ourselves but on the betterment of everyone around us. I am grateful for the love and support I have received throughout 2023. It fuels my passion and inspires me to give my best in everything I do. Here's wishing you a new year filled with exciting possibilities, and may it bring joy and success to each one of you."
Anthony ORourke and Wadie E. Said in Dissent:

In the 1960s, the FBIs counterintelligence program (COINTELPRO) routinely infiltrated campus antiwar and civil rights groups, investigating thousands of students with the aim of discrediting their activism and destroying their career prospects. After a Senate committee led by Frank Church exposed this practice, the FBI disavowed it and applied a heightened standard for initiating investigations at universities. There is reason to believe, however, that federal law enforcement is facing pressure to relax its self-restraint and investigate pro-Palestinian student activists using a tool not at its disposal in the heyday of COINTELPRO: a nebulous federal statute that imposes prison sentences of up to twenty years for providing material support or resources to a foreign terrorist organization. This statute criminalizes public advocacy that is done under the direction of or in coordination with foreign terrorist groups. There are few legal constraints, however, that would prevent a motivated FBI from using pro-Palestinian speech as grounds for investigating students who have no connection to such a group.

In late October, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and the Brandeis Center published an open letter urging universities to investigate Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), a student activist group with both national and local chapters, under the material support statute. According to this letter, SJP chapters merit investigation under the material support statute for endors[ing] the actions of Hamas and voicing an increasingly radical call for confronting and dismantling Zionism on U.S. college campuses. As the ACLU and others have observed, the ADL offers no evidence that SJP students have done anything more than exercise their constitutionally protected speech rights. Still, the state of Florida has already obliged the ADLs request, invoking the material support statute and its state analog to ban Floridas SJP chapters. (The ACLU of Florida and Palestine Legal have filed a lawsuit against the ban, and fears of personal liability may have led the chancellor of Floridas state university system to walk it back.)

More here.
Srijib Mallik is joining McCann Worldgroup as Executive Vice President and Head of McCann Gurgaon. He has more than two decades of experience in advertising, marketing, and venture capital, both locally and internationally.

Over the years he has worked with JWT, CLA, Wieden & Kennedy, TBWA, and Cheil, on marquee brands like Samsung, Pepsi, Royal Enfield, Indigo, HP, UCB, Nissan, Philips, Pizza Hut and Parle to name a few.

He has an exceptional track record of deploying and enhancing creative products, developing new businesses, managing organizational change, and driving revenue growth and profitability.

Mallik has been championing content and new media in his last. Assignment where he was heading the Samsung mobile business at Cheil. He has been instrumental in crafting brand engagement and enhanced consumer experiences in gaming and across social. He is a Sloan Fellow from the London Business School and his passions include Vedic astrology and cooking.

Prasoon Joshi, Chairman, McCann Asia Pacific and CEO & CCO McCann Worldgroup India, said, Srijib comes with a range of experience, on leading brands as well pursues newer content and media development. His joining the McCann fold will add a new dimension to the organisations valued client relationships across the Gurgaon operation."

Commenting on the appointment, Srijib Mallik added I am excited to join MWG and lead the Gurgaon operation.. McCann under Prasoon's leadership is a creative powerhouse and I look forward to being part of the agency that moves people and in turn the market."
A Sessions Court on Saturday declined to stay former Maharashtra minister and Congress leader Sunil Kedars conviction in a bank scam case and also rejected his plea for suspension of sentence, observing it was a well-planned crime involving the hard-earned money of poor people and farmers.

Nagpur District Judge RS Patil also rejected the bail plea of Kedar, noting that granting any relief to him at this stage would send a wrong message to society, Government Pleader Nitin Telgote told PTI. The sessions court also noted that in view of strong evidence, there is prima facie no need to re-evaluate the lower courts decision, Telgote added.

A magistrates court in Nagpur on December 22 sentenced Kedar and five others to five years rigorous imprisonment for misappropriation of funds at the Nagpur District Central Cooperative Bank (NDCCB) in 2002. Kedar was chairman of the bank at the time of the scam.

The court also fined the six convicts with Rs 10 lakh each.

Keadar had challenged his conviction and sentencing before the sessions court through an application filed by his lawyer Deven Chavhan, which was heard on Saturday.

As per the prosecution, the NDCCB lost Rs 125 crore in government securities in 2002 as rules were flouted while investing funds through Home Trade Private Limited.

The sessions court observed that it was a well-planned crime involving Rs 153 crore which was the hard-earned money of poor people and farmers, Telgote said after the district court rejected Kedars petition. The (sessions) court also observed (on Saturday) that the lower courts decision was based on documentary evidence and a strong message regarding how strict the court is in such cases should go out. If the accused is released on bail or his sentence is suspended, it will give a wrong message to the society, Telgote quoted Judge Patil as saying.

When there is such strong evidence, there is prima facie no need to re-evaluate the lower courts decision today. Hence, it would not be appropriate to grant any relief at this moment, the judge noted. The magistrate court had convicted Kedar under Indian Penal Code Sections 406 (criminal breach of trust), 409 (criminal breach of trust by public servant), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating, 471 (whoever fraudulently or dishonestly uses as genuine any document which he knows or has reason to believe to be a forged document), 120(b) (criminal conspiracy) and 34 (common intention).

Following his conviction, the state legislature secretariat disqualified Kedar as MLA from the date of his conviction on December 22 under provisions of Article 19 (1) (e) of the Constitution of India and Section 8 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
The Enforcement Directorate issued a summons to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren for questioning in connection with an alleged land scam, sources said on Saturday. CM Soren has been asked to depose at the federal agencys office and get his statement recorded on a date convenient to him in the case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, the sources said.

Notably, this is the seventh time CM Soren has been issued a summons by the agency. ED issued a seventh summons to CM Hemant Soren under Section 50 of the PMLA, asking him to record his statement at the place, date, and time mutually convenient to him as well as the agency in ongoing land scam, the sources said.

Earlier on December 12, CM Soren was asked to appear before the agency for questioning but the Chief Minister skipped the proceedings. The BJP earlier criticised the Jharkhand CM for continuously skipping the summons.

Soren was summoned by the ED earlier in mid-August in connection with a land scam case. However, the CM ignored the summons, claiming that he was busy with the states Independence Day celebrations. He was asked again to appear on August 24 and September 9 but he skipped the dates, citing preoccupations.

The agency then issued its fourth summons to the Jharkhand CM, asking him to report to the agency on September 23. The CM had earlier threatened to move for legal proceedings against the Centre if it did not withdraw the summonses issued against him. In his letter to the agency, Soren said he had provided all necessary documents and information to the ED.

He wrote that if the ED needed any information, it could refer to the documents that he had already shared with the agency. However, he alleged that the ED summoned him on August 14 at the behest of its political masters.
Image: Reuters

The Iowa frenzy is typically in full force by now.

With less than three weeks until the Iowa caucuses formally usher in the presidential nomination process, White House hopefuls are usually in a heated competition. They fan out across the state and pack as many events into a single day as is humanly possibleall in a bid to appeal to undecided voters and lock down support that could lift them to victory in Iowa and keep them in the race for months to come.

But as the campaign intensifies ahead of the January 15 caucuses, the normal frenzy is subdued. While the schedule is filling up, former President Donald Trump is such a commanding force in the party that some voters worry the contest that normally transforms Iowa into the centre of the political world may turn out to be something of a snooze.

Its kind of frustrating, said Jenna Maifeld, a 19-year-old student at the University of Iowa who is eager to participate in her first caucus but is disappointed with the campaign cycles lack of competition. I feel like a lot of peoples voices arent being heard. Theres still time for the dynamics of the race to shift. And Trumps rivals are hardly ceding the state to him, working to convince voters that his victory isnt inevitable. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has effectively centred his campaign on Iowa, pumping it with advertising and crafting a robust travel schedule of events and media availabilities. Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley is also campaigning throughout Iowa, stepping up criticism of Trump while laying the groundwork for a potentially stronger showing in New Hampshire, where the January 23 primary includes more independent voters.

The question is whether any of those efforts will notably erode Trumps standing, a prospect some voters find unlikely at this point.

A lot of candidates are hoping that one of these spears in his back will finally take him down, but I doubt it, said Nick Peters, a 31-year-old from Prairie City who is also among the Iowa Republicans frustrated by Trumps dominance.

Trump enters the final stretch before the caucuses, facing a host of challenges. Hes the subject of 91 criminal charges related to everything from his handling of classified information to efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. The Colorado Supreme Court and Maines top election official have recently declared Trump ineligible to appear on their states ballots, decisions the former president is likely to appeal to the US Supreme Court.

And Trump is embroiled in controversy over his harsh rhetoric towards immigrants, repeatedly using language that extremism experts say echoes writings from Adolf Hitler about the purity of Aryan blood, which underpinned Nazi Germanys systematic murder of millions of Jews and other undesirables before and during World War II.

For now, however, Trumps baggage appears to be doing little to deter a majority of Republican voters. In fact, Trump has sought to turn his vulnerabilities into something of an advantage, arguing that hes been indicted on behalf of his supporters. Hes also aimed to turn around concerns that he poses a threat to democracy by accusing President Joe Biden of harnessing the power of government against a political rival. Theres no evidence that Biden or the White House had any influence on the Justice Departments decision to criminally charge Trump.

Its Trumps impenetrable base of support that has left many feeling resigned to seeing his name on the ballot in November.

If democracy is working fairly and if the country wants him, then its going to be him, said Dylan Kooiman, a 21-year-old student at Dordt University in Sioux Centre, Iowa, who said it would be hard for him to support Trump given his legal battles. It doesnt always fall the way everyone wants it. Iowans are historically proud of the role they play at the beginning of the presidential election calendar every four years. Voters are accustomed to intimate exchanges with candidates, who pay visits to living rooms, neighbourhood centres and county fairgrounds in an effort to connect and persuade.

The pride Iowans take in their role in shaping the presidential contest is also matched with a perennial anxiety that their status may not last forever. The final period ahead of the 2020 caucuses, which focused on Democrats, was unusually muted because many candidates, who were also senators, had to be in Washington to participate in Trumps first impeachment trial. A bungled effort to report results contributed to Democrats removing Iowa from their leadoff spot, replacing it instead with South Carolina.

Republicans have kept Iowa in the opening position in the 2024 campaign. But like so many traditions, Trump has abandoned some long-held Iowa political practices, particularly when it comes to retail campaigning. Hes largely traded living rooms for rallies, prompting some criticism that hes taking Iowa for granted.

Trump is stepping up his efforts in the closing weeks to prove that hes willing to work for a win thats so commanding that his rivals will have to give up. He is, for example, taking the rare step of holding four campaign events over two days in early January, appearing in rural western Iowa, in industrial eastern Iowa along the Mississippi River and making stops in between.

If hes successful, he may be on a path to a race that few Americans appear eager to embrace. Nearly 3 in 10 US adults, or 28 per cent, say they would be dissatisfied with both Trump and Biden becoming their parties respective nominees, a recent AP-NORC poll showed.

Independents (43 per cent) are more likely than Democrats (28 per cent) or Republicans (20 per cent) to express their displeasure with both men gaining party nominations.

Rick Hyndman may be one of the thousands of Iowans who want to support Trump again, but he also thinks Trump needs to speak more to the middle.

In line to attend a Trump rally in Coralville, the 70-year-old local retiree was noncommittal, waiting to hear some signals from the former president that he could appeal to independents to ensure his electability in the general election. Hyndman thinks he could, by focusing on the issues and avoiding putting other people down.

Despite that concern, Hyndman thinks neither DeSantis nor Haley can beat him.

I dont see anybody stepping up, he said. Weve been waiting.
On Christmas night, a call came into Pickens County emergency dispatch about a man with shortness of breath.

But the countys only ambulance crew was 40 minutes away, dropping off another patient at a hospital in Tuscaloosa. No other ambulances in neighboring counties could respond to the call, and fog had grounded the medical helicopters, said Vicky Sullivan McCrory, the paramedic manager at Pickens County Ambulance Service.

By the time she and her crew responded to the call more than an hour later, the man, Rodney Hall Sr., had died. His two children he raised as a single father had watched him struggle for breath and finally succumb during the long wait.

For McCrory, who has worked in Pickens County for 30 years, it was a particularly tragic death that highlighted the struggles residents have endured since the county hospital closed in 2020. That closure hurt the ambulance service too, by reducing its revenue and making it more difficult to attract and retain qualified EMTs. These days, the county only has enough staff to operate one or two ambulances at a time, McCrory said.

The one from Christmas night, that should have never happened, McCrory told AL.com. I know with everything in me, had we been local, had we been in the county and gotten to the location in a timely manner, he would have survived. Theres no doubt in my mind about that.

McCrory wrote a Facebook post Dec. 26 about the call. She said she couldnt stop worrying about the two boys left behind by Halls death.

I try to keep emotions out of this, but when you walk in and see the looks on his kids faces and see it go from bad to worse, McCrory said. You cant help but be emotional. And it shouldnt happen. In 2023, you shouldnt have to wait an hour and a half for an ambulance when you cant breathe.

Halls oldest son, DeLacio Spencer, said his father lived in Chattanooga for a while, but had returned to Pickens County with his younger children to save money and bring them up in the country. Hall was heavily involved in youth sports, Spencer said.

He wasnt just a biological father to just one group of kids, Spencer said. He was a community father.

Hall had endured several tragedies in recent years. His wife died, leaving him as a single parent to his two youngest. He got diagnosed with diabetes and suffered complications that led to amputations.

He got COVID a couple of times, Spencer said, and the virus left him weak.

It weighed heavily on him, he said.

To make matters worse, Halls second son recently died, and the family was raising money for a burial. Now they need to find even more money to bury Hall, who died without life or burial insurance.

Spencer has launched a GoFundMe to help the family. He wonders about the circumstances that led to his fathers death.

So, one of my questions is what about the neighboring counties, Spencer said. Are they not available? Are the medevacs not available? And what can we do to change that situation? I know if the hospital had still been open in Pickens County, it would have been a completely different situation.

Unlike other emergency services such as fire and police, local and county governments arent required to support ambulance services. Some do have taxes and fees to support them, but Pickens does not, McCrory said.

The ambulance business relies on payments from patients and insurance companies, McCrory said. The Pickens County Ambulance Service lost about half of that income when the local hospital closed, she said.

It isnt the only rural county with an underfunded and understaffed ambulance service. Last year, the last ambulance company in nearby Greene County almost shut down. EMS companies shut down recently in Livingston and Smiths Station.

While Halls family scrambles to help care for the two boys he left behind, McCrory said she is hoping to raise awareness of the situation so local leaders can find a solution. People are dying in her community and others like it, she said.

This is not the first time its happened here, McCrory said. Its happening too often. In the United States of America where you should have access to emergency care and health care. And its like were nonexistent to everybody.
A suspect is in custody after police say he shot two men in separate incidents Saturday afternoon, including an elderly man who was driving on busy Parkway East.

The ordeal began just after 1:30 p.m. Saturday when Birmingham 911 sent out a lookout bulletin that an SUV was shooting at a sedan at Edwards Lake Road and Gadsden Highway.

A short time later, more calls came in updating the location of the two vehicles, to include the shooter, said Sgt. LaQuitta Wade.

A Birmingham sergeant in the area then heard shooting. Those vehicles were in the 9300 block of Parkway East.

A crash then happened in that location, which is front of Arbys. When first responders arrived on the scene of the wreck, they found an elderly man in a small car had crashed into a large pickup truck and was injured.

An elderly man was critically injured Dec. 30, 2023, when he was caught in crossfire on Parkway East in Birmingham.Carol Robinson

He was rushed to UAB Hospital where doctors determined the man had been shot. He is in critical condition.

The driver of the truck was also hospitalized in serious condition. That man was reportedly on his way home from work when the crash happened.

Those close to him say he sustained a broken back.

Police initially said the shooting victim was caught in crossfire, but later said it appeared he was targeted.

As police were investigating that incident, they were notified of another person shot. That call came in at 3:26 p.m. in the 1300 block of High Point Terrace.

He was taken to the hospital with injuries not believed to be life-threatening.

Shortly after 5 p.m., investigators located the shooting suspect in Tom Bradford Park, also on the citys east side.

Officers descended on the park where the suspect was taken into custody before 6:30 p.m.

Wade said investigators believe the suspect targeted both shooting victims. A motive has not yet been disclosed.

Anyone with additional information is asked to call Birmingham police at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
The body of a man from Mississippi who was reported missing on Christmas Eve was found and identified on Chunchula Landfill Road, according to the Mobile County Sheriffs Office.

Joseph Edwin Ladnier, 60, planned to visit his son in Moss Point, Mississippi, but never showed up, according to Jackson County Sheriffs Department. He was last seen the morning of Christmas Eve in Wilmer, Alabama. The search for Ladnier was transferred to Mobile Countys jurisdiction on Thursday.

Ladniers red 2004 Toyota Tundra was found Thursday afternoon on Chunchula Landfill Road in Chunchula, Alabama, according to releases from authorities in Mobile and Jackson counties. The vehicle was backed into an abandoned driveway and was discovered by Mobile County Road and Bridge Personnel.

A pillow, laptop, $146 in cash and a pistol holder with no pistol were found in the truck, and it was transported by a towing service to Mobile County Sheriffs Offices property division.

MCSO Special Operations Unit personnel and members of a search team conducted a search of the area using multiple K-9s, which tracked the scent of what they believed to be the missing person to 8551 Chunchula Landfill Road, authorities said. There was no evidence that Ladnier had been in the vacant residence.

MCSO said detectives terminated the search after seven hours of searching with K-9s and drones.

On Friday afternoon, his body was found on Chunchula Landfill Road, both agencies said.

The Mobile County Sheriffs Department is in charge of the investigation, Jackson authorities posted on their Facebook page. There is no information on the cause of death at this time. We extend our condolences to the Ladnier family.
How addicted is Jerusalem to Washingtons military aid? Israels planned preemptive strike against Hezbollah on October 11 was narrowly averted after Joe Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to stand down, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal.

While Netanyahu dismissed this claim, members of his own Likud party are increasingly speaking out against what appears to be the outsourcing of Israels security to wider U.S. geopolitical interests. Economy Minister Nir Barkat stated in a recent cabinet meeting: The number of air force bombardments has fallen dramatically. Soldiers are being sent to booby-trapped buildings like [sitting] ducks.

Netanyahus reaction to Barkats accusation is revealing:

There are countries [whose positions] we have to take into account. If we dont do that, eventually therell be a UN decision to impose a blockade on us. The whole world will be against us.

The United States rapidly supplied Israel with over 3,000 tons of weapons and munitions in the days following Hamass invasion on October 7th, when the terrorist organization killed around 1,200 people, and took another 240 hostages into Gaza.

But this assistance has come with serious strings attached. Barkats statement was in response to the fact that since the weeklong ceasefire with Hamas ended on November 30th, there has been a noticeable drop in the amount and scope of Israeli Air Force strikes in southern Gaza.

Instead of destroying the terrorist threat faced by over nine million Israeli citizens, and freeing the hostages, Israels strategy now seems to be fighting a limited war until Washington, Doha, Cairo, and Hamas iron out a final ceasefire agreement that will end the latest round of violence and prevent it from spreading across the region.

This shift in Israeli operational tactics came mere days after Biden had warned that Israel was losing international support because of its indiscriminate bombing of Gaza. Washington continues to regard a two-state solution as the only way to ensure the long-term security of both the Israeli and Palestinian people. Israels sustained military response to Hamas is viewed by the Biden administration as an obstacle to this proposed framework becoming a reality.

But Washingtons push for a two-state solution is in open contradiction to Jerusalems post-war plans. While Netanyahu insists that Israel would permit neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority to rule Gaza, the Biden administration continues to bank on the PA as a viable alternative to Hamas rule. This, even though the Palestinian Authority has little support from either West Bank Palestinians or Gazans. Since the October 7th massacre, Hamass popularity among people ruled by the PA in the West Bank has soared.

The Arabs, whether in the West Bank or Gaza, overwhelmingly support the latest round of Hamas jihad.

This growing rift between Washington and Jerusalem highlights the ramifications of Israels dependence for military aid on the United States.

It was not always so. Once upon a time Israel was forced to fight short, highly effective wars with clear outcomes.

The Israel Defense Forces put a premium on preemptive action, largely because the countrys military between 1948 and 1967 was shaped by the limited resources at its disposal. Leading up the Six-Day War, the United States and FranceIsraels main ally at the timeimposed an arms embargo on the region that mostly affected Israel. Hoping to improve its relations with Arab countries, Paris also refused to deliver fifty fighter jets for which Israel had already paid.

Israel survived and eventually even prospered without French largesse. But the lightning fast, lean, and mean approach that had characterized Israels operational strategy began to change after 1967. Washington, guided by a Cold War policy of containing the Soviet Union, filled the vacuum left by Paris. Starting with the Nixon Administration, Israel would eventually become flush with military funding.

This generosity has come with a steep price tag. In return for $3.8 billion annually towards Israels military and missile defense systems, successive governments in Jerusalem have all but scuttled the doctrine of preemption. To promote U.S. interests in the Middle East, Israel is now expected to absorb the first strike. Only if Israels enemies decide to initiate war is Jerusalem given the green light to launch a counterattack.

This policy of operational passivity led to the Yom Kippur War in 1973. Israels aid dependency has only deepened since then. The countrys political, military, and intelligence leaders either downplayed or simply ignored repeated warnings that Hamas was planning the attack it launched on October 7th.

In sheer volume, the amount of aid provided to Israel by the United States is the most generous foreign aid program ever between any two countries.

For Americans, this massive outlay removes much-needed money from domestic needs. Even a portion of this $3.8 billion in tax revenues could be channeled to address issues like immigration, drug enforcement, social security, and healthcare.

For Israelis, the lavish US military package has made it possible for the country to remain on a perpetual war footing. But being hooked on foreign aid to such an extent has taken away any incentive for the domestic defense industry to become more efficient and productive, with the Israel Defense Forces shrinking to dangerously low levels as a result.

Outgoing deputy head of the Israel Defense Forces, Maj. Gen. Eyal Zamir stated in 2021:

The IDF is on the verge of [not having] the minimum size needed to face more complex threats than those we have experienced in recent years. Along with advanced technological capabilities, Israel also needs a critical mass of people to improve the IDFs overall quality and quantity.

Jerusalems codependent relationship with Washington has reached a low point during the war with Hamas. When Israel began to plan a massive ground assault against the Gaza-based terrorist group, American generals were dispatched to sit in on and weigh in during high level meetings at IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv. The reason for Americas involvement at a granular level in the development and execution of Israels response to Hamass attack was the Biden administrations concern with a lack of achievable military objectives in the IDFs ground operation.

Shifting to a strike first strategy with clear end games and timetables that does not require U.S. approval and financing would free-up Jerusalem to ramp up its domestic defense industrys capability. Unmoored from American aid, Israel would be forced to streamline its defense budget, enabling the government to tackle domestic issues such as the lack of adequate social safety nets, integration of the Arab sector, sky high housing prices, relatively low median wages, and an overdependence on imports for food and other essentials.

Then there is the humanitarian issue. Israels ongoing conflict with the Gazan Arabs has led to a massive loss of life. Shorter, decisive wars would force both sides back to the negotiating tablethis time with the real possibility of reaching a just and comprehensive resolution that finally ends the decades-long conflict.

Regarding each countrys respective foreign policy, an Israel decoupled from Washington would be able to independently develop and deepen its regional ties with Sunni Arab countries, the common goal being the destruction of Islamist groups bent on toppling governments across the Middle East.

Meanwhile, the United States would finally be able to shrink its military footprint in the Middle Easta shift in policy that has been advocated for by both the Biden administration and its recent predecessors. Without the need to be Israels supplier, the U.S. could focus its time, energy, and aid on other areas deemed to be in Americas national interestsay perhaps, the southern border.

After London forced Beijing to legalize opium, to correct a massive trade imbalance, China lost control over its own economy and, ultimately, national sovereignty. To support its peoples opium habit, the once mighty Qing dynasty had to cede the territory of Hong Kong to British control, and open treaty ports to trade with foreigners. Chinas addiction marked the beginning of Western exploitation of the nation.

Israel will only recover its once-vaunted deterrence capability if it rehabs from a decades-long addiction to American military aid. Otherwise, the regional superpower will become a U.S. vassal. Until Jerusalem detoxes from this highly conditional support and embarks on a long-term policy of greater strategic autonomy, the way it keeps its people safe and maintains its sovereignty will be based on the next fix of aid.

Image: Free image, Pixabay license, no attribution required.
The conversation about the future of artificial intelligence (AI) has now passed from the halls of nerdism to the House of Representatives and industry and has landed squarely on America's kitchen table.

Yes, even digitally-challenged folks are now getting worried about the surge of interest (and adoption) of artificial intelligence as they prepare to unwrap their Christmas presents in a few short weeks.

Over the last few decades, we've watched as technology has rapidly outpaced our ability to understand it and much of it is due to digitalization. We've seen facial/fingerprint recognition, holography and RFID (radio frequency identification) become the new 'policemen' of our society, as we sleepwalk towards the future where personal identification/tracking and unchecked surveillance replace our right to be left alone. This march to that brave new world is not limited to North America; it's everywhere, even in small countries like Denmark that embraced a system of "My ID" as a digital key to access nearly everything . It all started many years ago with the issuance of a 'CPR' or personnummer (a citizen identification number not unlike that of our SSN), given at birth right next to your baby hand- and footprints. This accompanied a national ID card. Now, everything in Denmark is tied to that nom de nombre whether it's a library card or a bank account or accessing government services.

The Danes have, since the end of WWII, been relatively early adopters of technology that could help in organizing their lives and improving efficiency. Having few natural resources apart from agriculture, the Danes' desire to be more efficient and fully utilize those resources has been a driving force to modernize and go with the flow of new technology throughout this tiny country. Improved efficiency is a double-edged sword, however. It has replaced the average citizen's right to live off-grid -- alone and undisturbed. Denmark's physical size and its small population of 5.6 million has also enabled it to adopt what I call BST or benign surveillance technology. Because of the promise of economy of scale and the relatively low cost of introducing new technology to such a small homogeneous population the Danes have made their bargain with the devil over the possible abuse of too much surveillance.

While there is little similarity between Danish society and ours (they're small, we're huge; they're early adopters, we're not; they're better-educated on a per capita basis than we are), our needs are the same. We both must use our resources, wisely, in order to compete, globally, and we must be able to finance our economies. This is especially true for institutions like our two tax authorities. Their IRS is called "Skat." Interestingly, in addition to being the word for tax, skat also means 'dear' and 'treasure' in their language though you will not find many Danes willing to call these unelected bureaucrats cum revenue policemen, dear. The other reason BST has been able to gain a foothold in Denmark is that the Danes actually have faith, albeit tempered with a healthy dose of skepticism, in their institutions and that includes a belief that their institutions would not do anything to severely limit their freedoms, hence their move towards a national digital ID.

The world is a dangerous place whether you live in Copenhagen or Cincinnati.

Moving from the cigar box to the cash register took a leap of faith and a promise that sales could be better recorded and money better protected. Pre-cash register, the cigar box could be opened by any employee and a few dollars removed almost without notice. These days, millions of hackers are working around the clock to steal your money, the title to your home and your identity without lifting more than a few fingers on a computer keyboard. While this has led to the formation of many security companies and software empowered to lock down your account, it has not stopped the process of digital theft. It continues on a global scale. No man is a digital island. We are, instead, living on an ice floe, floating in and out of dangerous digital waters, and the next oar in the water is AI.

As if we didn't have enough to worry about (protecting our finances from digital predators) we must now contend with artificial intelligence. AI is coming and coming fast. It is making inroads in journalism/reporting and in the commercial world with made up 'spokesmen' hawking products and services. Its early adopters, like college students, have seen it as a shortcut to better grades, overtaking the old Cliff Notes of their parents' time. Why study and spend time on tedious research when you can call up a chatbot from ChatGPT and have it do your term paper for you? Or, if you are a newspaper publisher, why hire a new editor or journalist when you can get a decent job of writing done by AI?

The world must come to grips with all the dangers that face it whether those dangers take the form of the abuse of power through citizen surveillance techniques or from information prepared for us by a soulless and unaccountable digital entity. As with most new things, there are upsides and downsides, pros and cons, plusses and minuses. Usually, their true worth gets sorted out over time and the negatives get replaced and the products improved. The key words in that sentence are 'over time' and the unasked question is "how much time will it take and how much time do we have before any harm done by that product can be repaired?"

In the case of a headlong move towards a national identity card and the subsequent creation of enhanced surveillance capabilities by governments that we barely trust, we have very little time to decide our future. That goes for AI as well. While the collectivist-leaning, pro-technology-at-all-cost mavens among us can list all sorts of positives, the American public is still a nation of skeptics. One thing may push us over the digital line, however. We have seen how actual flesh-and-blood people can foul up anything entrusted to them whether they be in the media, government, universities or in business, and that could be the very reason we will adopt the new technology: digital creatures are bound to do a better job than carbon-based life forms.

-- The preceding was (still) not written by a chatbot.

Stephan Helgesen is a retired career U.S. diplomat who lived and worked in 30 countries for 25 years during the Reagan, G.H.W. Bush, Clinton, and G.W. Bush Administrations. He lived in Denmark for 12 years. He is the author of fourteen books, six of which are on American politics - the latest is "Passing for Danish" - and has written over 1,300 articles on politics, economics and social trends. He operates a political news story aggregator website: www.projectpushback.com. He can be reached at: stephan@stephanhelgesen.com.

Image: Pixabay / Pixabay License
War is hell, said General Sherman. That is what is going on. In the case of Gaza, it will continue to go on unless some drastic actions are taken.

The Palestinians and the Israelis are diametrically opposed to each other. They are completely different people.

Part of the problem is Islam. Islam is a menace. Part of the problem is culture, which is influenced by Islam. Part of the problem is that the Palestinians really do see the Israelis as invaders. Such a thought may ring hollow to a Zionist Jew, but the Arabs really do see the Jews as invaders.

If I were an Arab leader, I would never sign an agreement with Israel. It is normal; we have taken their country. It is true God promised it to us, but how could that interest them? Our God is not theirs. There has been Anti-Semitism, the Nazis, Hitler, Auschwitz, but was that their fault? They see but one thing: we have come and we have stolen their country. Why would they accept that? David Ben-Gurion (the first Israeli prime minister): Quoted by Nahum Goldmann in Le Paraddoxe Juif (The Jewish Paradox), pg. 121.

Gaza has the potential to become an eternal war.

It turns out that the Israeli government is considering relocating some Gazans to Latin America. Better late than never.

Over ten years ago, I suggested that one solution was moving Arabs to Latin America. My original suggestion was to move Arabs from Judea and Samaria (the West Bank) by making them a substantial offer. The Jewish people want Judea and Samaria as their biblical heartland; the Gaza Strip was an afterthought. It was my thought at that time that the first matter was to Judaize Judea and Samaria, which would demoralize the rest of the resistance elsewhere.

Events have intervened.

The suggestion  at that time  was that $200 billion would be sufficient to persuade 2 million Palestinians to leave. If that seems high, remember that, already, Israels central bank is tendering an estimate of $53 billion for this war. That is probably a low estimate for the struggle. So paying Palestinians to leave might be cost-effective.

Supposedly, Israel recently offered to pay off Egypts national debt if she would take in the Gazans. Well, that may get Egypt to agree, but would the Gazans agree?

According to the pro-Israel website Israpundit:

It has proposed to pay off Egypts staggering debt to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which, according to the IMF website, stands at a colossal $12,387,130,007. The catch? Egypt must agree to relocate the residents of Gaza to the Sinai Peninsula.

Egypts total national debit is a lot higher than $12 billion. That figure would barely make a dent. And it would amount to only $6,000 per Gazan, which is ridiculously low. The trick is to persuade Palestinians to leave.

The problem is that, as in the past, Israel has tried to lowball those numbers. Consider the plan to relocate Palestinians to Paraguay in 1969.

The protocol from 1969 states that Israel would bear the travel costs of the Palestinians moving to Paraguay and give each person $100, plus $33 per person would go to the government of Paraguay. At the time of signing the agreement with Paraguay, Israel would pay $350,000 to cover the costs for 10,000 emigres. The full amount Israel was meant to pay was $33 million.

This was low, even for 1969. Very few considered the offer.

Israel will have to pay a lot more now, if it wants voluntary migration. Ten years ago, my estimates were about $500,000 for a family of five, or roughly $100,000 per person. The idea was to give each family enough money to buy a house, a small business, and a car. I crunched these numbers in 2018, for Chile. The idea was to make the relocation offer attractive, to offer the Palestinians a new life.

It is doable. The trick is not to dump all the Muslims in one place, but rather to spread the Muslim populations thin. In the case of Chile, 100,000 Gazans would constitute less than one half of one percent of the Chilean population, and the relocation would cost $10 billion.

Thats one fifth of the present estimate for the Gazan war.

Nor do all of Gazans have to go  just enough to demoralize those who stay behind.

I know that no Israeli will want to foot the bill after this war. But as I used to say, you can pay them in cash or in blood. It would have been far cheaper to pay to manumit the slaves than fight the Civil War. The other divisive issues were negotiable.

This is ugly on all sides.

South America could take in half a million Palestinians for $50 billion, the cost of this war. In Brazil, the refugees would face an enormous Evangelical Revival, something not seen in the Mideast, and for which the Muslims have no social defense. Muslims are not used to having their religion publicly contested. Conversions will be large.

Brazil is one third Evangelical.

Guatemala is 41% Evangelical

Honduras is 44% Evangelical.

Argentina would confront them with the tango, and a smaller Revival. Even Chile has a minor Revival.

Forcing the Palestinians out will only provoke hatred, and will backfire.

Dont send the Palestinians to America or Europe, which are already flooded with Muslims. Latin America has a remarkably low percentage of Muslims and a history of converting those Muslims who do arrive. Go with a winner.

And of course, any Palestinian family entering a North African country with half a million dollars might be welcomed.

It may hurt to suggest this, but buying them out  and not by lowballing the cost  is the only way it will work.

Mike Konrad run a website, LatinArabia.com, where he discusses this.

Image: Pixabay / Pixabay License
The opening of the Library of the Organization of Turkic States and the presentation of a 100-volume series of books entitled "Pearls of Turkic Literature" took place in Istanbul, Azernews reports, the official website of the OTG.

The event was attended by representatives of the organization's member countries.

Speaking at the ceremony held at the secretariat of the OTG, Secretary General of the organization Kubanychbek Omuraliev and adviser to the President of Uzbekistan, writer Khayriddin Sultanov talked about ongoing projects to popularize and preserve the literary heritage of the Turkic peoples.

A 100-volume series of books consisting of works by classics and modern writers of the Turkic world, as well as Azerbaijani writers and poets, was included in the collection of the OTG library and was also donated to the Presidential Library of Turkiye and university libraries.

The participants of the event expressed gratitude to the chairman of the OTG, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev for publishing this collection of valuable works.
Suzi Feay at The Guardian:

In December 1818, the poet Shelley, with his wife Mary and stepsister-inlaw Claire Clairmont, climbed Vesuvius. Starting from the village of Resina (modern Ercolano), they stopped off at the hermitage of San Salvador where an old hermit offered refreshments. In a letter to Thomas Love Peacock, Shelley described the ascent to the cone, whose difficulty has been much exaggerated. On the summit he surveyed with awe the most horrible chaos that can be imagined  ghastly chasms  fountains of liquid fire. The passionate poet confronting the essence of the sublime seems the acme of Romanticism.

John Brewers entertaining social history paints a rather different picture. By the early 19th century the climb to the summit was more well-organised tourist experience than daring psychic journey. True, Vesuvius drew admirers from all over Europe, and even the Americas, as a crucible for both science and art. Friendships and professional partnerships were forged in its shadow, reputations won and lost, discoveries made and debated. Less impressive than Etna, but much more accessible, it inspired paintings, poems and novels through the Romantic era and beyond.

more here.
Is the migrant crisis plaguing the U.S. just the spontaneous movement of the globe's peoples to the U.S. ... or the work of an evil little banana-republic dictator plotting to take down the U.S.?

Based on a new report from Agence France-Presse, which ran on the Voice of America's website, it actually looks like the latter:

... analysts say that the government of Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega, a longtime nemesis of the United States, has deliberately made it easier for migrants to bypass the Darien by flying straight into his country and then heading north overland. Manuel Orozco, a migration expert at the Washington-based Inter-American Dialogue, told AFP that Ortega's government was facilitating "the business of a network of international air services" so that migrants "can reach the border with Mexico and the United States faster." "We collected data from more than 500 charter flights," said Orozco, adding that between April and June, airport authorities had hired "private companies located in Dubai to train officials in the international handling of paperwork for these types of flights."

That is some incredible news -- the little Marxist creep actually has a masterplan to inflict migrants onto the U.S. in a bid to destroy it. The man once called "the little dictator" by the great Ronald Reagan can now see that he's got an able partner in Joe Biden, who has provided him with just the right policies to make his Ortega Plan happen.

Already, we have been noticing signs of something going on with that Marxist thug.

Back in October, Ortega was caught organizing charter flights from Haiti at inflated prices for himself, in order to bring as many illegals as possible to Nicaragua as the starting off point for their journey to el norte.

Last October 26, I wrote this:

Nicaragua's communist gerontocrat, Daniel Ortega, is literally gathering them up and flying them in from Haiti and Cuba in order to provide them a landing pad in Nicaragua for the next flight, courtesy of Joe Biden, onward into the states. Call it the Ortega Express, for Haitian and Cuban illegals. The charter airlines have flown as many as 31,000 people out of Haiti, which would represent nearly 60% of the Haitians arriving to the U.S. border, Orozcos data shows. Over the same period, some 172 flights have carried 17,000 people from Cuba to Nicaragua. ...and... Things came to a head this weekend, when local media reported that in 48 hours, 27 charter flights from Haiti had landed in Nicaragua. Ortega's not even waiting around for his own nationals to get fed up enough with his one-man rule to want to leave, there aren't enough of them to create some hurt, so he's seeking them out in other countries such as Haiti -- and doing it explicitly as "migrant warfare" as the Associated Press put it, with political aims of his own.

Now it turns out that that was just one leg of his plan, he's been organizing flights in from everywhere, turning his country into Grand Central Station for illegals ahead of their journey northward.

Here's one such Ortega op they found in Paris, according to WION:

Amid the controversy over the Legend Airlines flight bound for Nicaragua, carrying 303 Indians, which was halted in France over alleged human trafficking suspicions, a travel agent from Punjab has revealed alarming details to a local media outlet. He reportedly said that nearly 600 Indians are awaiting similar flights in Dubai and after the modus operandi was exposed, the agents were prompted to advise these individuals to make a return to their homeland. The agent reportedly said, "Now that the modus operandi has been exposed, agents have asked them to return to India. According to my information, 500 to 600 immigrants are in Dubai." The agent, while speaking to the Indian Express newspaper, disclosed that the flight that was grounded was the third such flight to Nicaragua in 2023 alone.

Unbelievable, just the quantity and scope of the migrant transfers.

And yes, it is part of a plot against the U.S. and a cash cow for Ortega's regime, too:

AFP continues:

Orozco said that the Nicaraguan government, which has remained silent on the matter, benefits from the cost of visas or tourist cards, depending on the nationality of the arriving passenger, as well as landing taxes. He said that for Nicaragua, the new air route is an "opportunity to worsen the migration crisis to the United States and, in the process, make money."

An opportunity to worsen the migrant crisis? Ortega's right there on the spot.

The implications of this de facto Marxist human-trafficking operation against us are pretty serious for the U.S.

According to Fox News:

Migrant numbers at the southern border in December have broken the record for monthly encounters, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) sources tell Fox News -- just as U.S. and Mexico officials met this week and discussed the benefits of "regularizing" those in the country illegally. Sources say there have been more than 276,000 migrant encounters in December so far, already making it the highest month on record. The previous record was set in September when officials saw 269,735 encounters. The number includes illegal immigrants encountered between ports of entry and migrants entering at ports of entry via the CBP One app.

Anybody want to think a guy with these nakedly anti-U.S. motives and calculated destruction plans isn't seeding a few Nicaraguan, Cuban, Chinese, or Venezuelan agents to work against the U.S. within the mass Joe Biden is letting in? Not to mention, terrorists from the Middle East? We'll learn all about it when something bad happens, or the FBI makes a ''worst ever" spy bust.

The shocking thing is that the Biden administration doesn't seem to have a plan to stop him. They're out lapdogging with Mexico, giving much and getting little, based on the meetings disclosed this week. Mexico may be profiteering here and there, and certainly is allied with Ortega but Ortega is the mastermind.

As for Nicaragua, the State Department seems to be onto him and has issued sanctions, but it hasn't been enough to get Ortega's attention.

Where are the sanctions that bite? Where is the call to yank free trade with this pariah state? Nicaragua trades half its trade volume with the U.S., maybe shutting that down for a while will get Ortega's attention. Better still, where are the calls to tax or ban Nicaraguan remittances? Just yesterday, Nicaragua reported new record remittances for 2023, some $4.24 billion coming in, with 60% of it coming from the U.S. That's up 47% from the year earlier, according to Reuters. The State Department said that in 2021, Nicaragua received $1.4 billion, or 11% of Nicaragua's GDP, so obviously the remittance gusher is growing by leaps and bounds. It must be about a third, or even half of GDP by now. And for Ortega, that means the good times are rolling. What does Ortega have to run a liveable state for, now that he has all that American money coming in?

Bottom line is: Why isn't the U.S. using leverage there?

And if there isn't that much to sanction left, where is the blockade? This dictator is at least one of the masterminds behind this border surge, and why we are seeing people from unlikely places such as Guinea and Cameroon rolling on in to make phony "asylum" claims. They're bankrupting U.S. cities, driving down worker wages, flooding schools, filling jails, and inundating hospitals. Biden goes right along with it, but he's paying for it with his public approval rating. But his response has been pathetic.

The U.S. needs to be slamming Nicaragua for this slimey little game they're playing. Remittances must be taxed if not banned. Free trade must be yanked. Members of the dictatorship must be sanctioned harder than they already are, with all of their relatives added. Anyone found to be coming in through Nicaragua needs to have his asylum claim rejected on the spot. If there isn't enough to sanction, then start hitting Nicaragua's other trading partners, particularly China. And throw Nicaragua out of all the international organizations it claims to be a member in good standing in.

The U.S. needs to show Ortega what a real blockade looks like and stop him dead in his tracks. Make him wish he had Cuba's "blockade," because the one he's earned needs to be much harder.

And send him pictures of Manuel Noriega.

Image: Ricardo Patino, via Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED
In Oakland, a highly regarded police officer was gunned down by some insect-level criminal as he responded to a burglary at 4:00 a.m. at a pot dispensary.

An Oakland police officer responding to a burglary at a cannabis store was shot and killed Friday morning, the department said. The officer, identified as Tuan Le, was fatally wounded by gunfire in the 400 block of Embarcadero. He and another officer were in an unmarked police vehicle when they were ambushed by a suspect out of the line of sight, according to Oakland Police Officers Assn. President Barry Donelan. They were taken entirely by surprise, Donelan said in an interview with The Times. They never had an opportunity to draw their service weapons. Another officer in the vehicle suffered minor injuries after helping Le out of the car, Donelan said. Le was taken to Highland Hospital, where he died.

In Loving Memory of Officer Tuan Le a dedicated public servant, loving husband, and a cherished member of the Oakland community.



Officer Le was killed in the line of duty today, December 29, 2023, at 8:44 a.m.



more in the link:https://t.co/dFovCIFnjw pic.twitter.com/eGU7g7VDj1  Oakland Police Dept. (@oaklandpoliceca) December 30, 2023

The creep, meanwhile, is still at large.

Yes, there's lots to blame in this for the wokester community, and over on Twitter, the crocodile tears of California state elected officials was thoroughly razzed, based on their soft-on-crime stances and anti-police posturing.

Also, there's lots to be concerned about in this random shooting from a coward in a hidden vantage point. What cop now wants to go to work knowing that this dirtbag or one of his coevals could do the same thing as an officer answered a call at a truly wretched place like a pot shop, all to ensure that there is some kind of law, some kind of order, in that city that so desperately needs it? One hopes this is not the next wave, the next trend, now that the bad guys know that in a wokester world, very little is ever going to be done about them.

But perhaps the saddest thing here is that Officer Le, who died at age 36 after four years on the force, was clearly a really good cop -- attentive, caring, hard working, just the kind of cop Oakland needs. This may explain why there was such a strong outpouring of love and tribute from police departments from all over the Bay Area, up and down California, and in distant states and from as far as Europe.

The name 'Tuan Le' is Vietnamese, and that is no surprise, as Oakland has a very large Southeast Asian community -- Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Laotian. Many of the tributes seen on Twitter came from people with names of those national origins. One news account focused on the loss that the Asian American and Pacific Islander community felt, making it an identity-politics issue.

But it wasn't. The telling thing was in the tributes from Oakland's black people, the biggest victims of rampant violent crime that goes unpunished under the wokester agenda.

One woman wrote of how she knew this officer, and how he went out of his way to keep her safe.

As I have awaited the news on the name of the officer who was murdered this morning, hoping that it wasn't an officer, I knew. Once I received the news, unfortunately, it was an officer who I knew and policed in my neighborhood who personally responded to several of my calls for pic.twitter.com/Q63weZVJy6  IamKeishaKeisha (@IamKeishaKeisha) December 29, 2023

No identity politics here, just a good cop who refused to retire at his desk, refused to make excuses not to go on a call, and who went out of his way to protect a vulnerable citizen.

That's a good cop, and an enormous loss for the city.

One hopes this death will not be forgotten, and the city appropriately honors him. It's time for the rampant woke policies that penalize police at every turn and drive away so many good cops is put to rest. There are still heroes out there in spite of them.
Real reality-based Americans have been watching the increasingly downward spiral of electric vehicles and their associated PR machine with relief and pleasure. The venerable axiom what cannot go on, wont applies. However, one of the fruits by which democrats/Socialists/Communists may be known is also their defining characteristic: they create their own reality and try to force others to live in it. So it is with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who is, by the way, gay. You dont have to ask him; hell tell you. Heres his current reality:

[T]he share of EVs has been dramatically increasing every single year, and thats continuing. Now, our goal is, by the end of this decade, to be about half-and-half. We think that that can and will happen. But what isnt guaranteed is, first of all, is that EV revolution going to continue to be made in America? During the Trump administration, China really built a major advantage on EVs. But as somebody who comes from the industrial Midwest, sees how the auto industry creates so much by way of livelihoods where I come from and really around the country, Im much more excited about the jobs being created on U.S. soil, and that doesnt just happen. Weve got to make sure that the U.S. leads the way as this technology changes. I dont know a lot of people who think that Americans in 2050 are still going to be driving that old technology, that combustion technology that we inherited from the 20th century.

So much delusion. So much waste.

Well, no, youre not going to meet a lot of people who ever go back after theyve got electric, and I think that really tells you something. That shows you that the lower maintenance, the fact that it costs less to maintain, the fact that they break down [with] less frequency, and the cost savings that you get by not having to buy gas or diesel are I think why you almost never meet somebody who has an EV who says, I want to back to the old technology.

Image: Jonathunder, wikimedia commons, GNU Free Documentation License

Reality provides a different perspective. Some 4000 dealers recently begged President Biden to end his EV push. They cant give away the EVs rusting, and sometimes combusting, on their lots. Half of Buick dealers took a buyout rather than sell EVs. About half of Ford dealers refuse to stock EVs. Losing something around $5 billion on EVs in 2023, Ford has backed out of its battery plant deal with China and has halved its future EV production plans. GM, recognizing reality, and like Ford, likely recognizing an impending stockholder revolt, is also substantially cutting back its EV dreams. Electric Bus maker Proterra, a company Joe Biden lauded as the future, went bankrupt in 2022, going the way of Solyndra and many other Obama/Biden green fantasies, taking untold taxpayers billions with them.

China owns EV production, and virtually all of the rare earths and processing necessary to produce EV batteries. New deposits of rare earths have been found in Wyoming, as well as promising projects to process them more cheaply and efficiently, but the Administration is death on any kind of exploitation of Americas natural resources. Expanding anything having to do with EVs directly benefits China and harms the American economy and national security, which is probably largely why the Mummified Meat Puppet Administration is so hot for EVs.

The MMPA allocated $7.5 billion for a plethora of EV chargers across America. As 2023 ends, in a stunning display of federal efficiency and can-do spirit, one has been builtin Ohio. At that rate, we can expect about 27 by 2050.

The public is waking up to EV reality. Repairs costs are double that for Internal Combustion EngineICEvehicles, and battery replacement runs 1/3 the MSRP of EVs. The current EV average price is $67,000 dollars, far outside the realm of possibility for all but the 7% of Americans who buy EVs for greenie street cred. Even better, insurers are also awakening to reality and dramatically raising rates or refusing to ensure EVs altogether. Experience has proved EVs are not cheaper to operate than ICE vehicles

Unlike in Buttigiegs reality, in real reality many EV buyers are unloading their EVs at a loss. Only the wealthy who have all the ICE vehicles they need and buy EVs as toys, are not. Unsurprisingly, there is virtually no used EV market. Theyre too expensive, and reality-based Americans arent going to buy a used EV knowing theyll have to immediately spend more than $10 thousand for a home charger and tens of thousands for battery replacement sooner rather than later.

Perhaps Pete likes living in his fantasy world. Sane Americans prefer reality, where EVs will not, and cannot, dominate the market.

Mike McDaniel is a classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer and high school and college English teacher. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor.
Recruitment for our armed forces is badly failing. We are so short of personnel in every branch, save the Marine Corps, national security is actually, not merely rhetorically, threatened. Our allies know they cant trust our Mummified Meat Puppet President and his handlers, and our enemies are calculating how and when best to take advantage of their incompetence, anti-americanism and cowardice. Our political and military leaders tell us Americans are too fat and sickly to qualify, so they lower standards and still cant find enough recruits. They tell us Americans are too smart, so they lower ASVAB minimums and still cant find enough recruits, but the problem's not because the military has gone Harvard-Faculty-Lounge woke, no sir! Thats absolutely essential, because diversity is our strength, so long as strength is measured by proper pronoun use rather than raw, deterring military force.

The Marine Corps is considering dropping yes sir, apparently because not everybody is a sir, unless they identify that way, of course.

One would think our military, particularly the Army, would do all it reasonably could to attract and retain personnel, sadly, as John Belushi used to say: but noooooooo!

US Army M1 Abrams 105mm round laid out Desert Shield, wikimedia commons.org, public domain

Deployed U.S. Army soldiers will no longer be able to store their belongings free of charge while they are away from home, the Army Sustainment Command announced Wednesday. A spokesman for the command, which is the primary provider of logistics support to Army units, told Military.com that it was discontinuing the use of funds to store soldiers vehicles and other goods while they are away for prolonged periods of time. It was not specified whether the announcement applies to all deployment types or just to soldiers on temporary duty. The storage policy ended in October, but the order was not widely distributed to soldiers or the press, the outlet reported.

Ill bet.

We understand the burden this could potentially place on soldiers, and HQDA G-1 [The Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, Department of the Army] is drafting policy that would enable such storage, service spokesman Sgt. Pablo Saez said. Wait a minute. The Army didnt make any real effort to explain this to troops, but now theyre trying to fix what they didnt have to revoke in the first place. Break it first when you dont have to break it at all, then hastily try to fix it? Why is that? That new policy was only mentioned after Military.com first reached out to the Army about the issue in early December, the outlet noted.

Ah. They got caught doing something counterproductive and stupid.

An internal memo from Col. Heather Carlisle, director for support operations at the Army Sustainment Command, said that the Army is not required to provide storage for its soldiers: HQDA G1, the proponent for [storage] entitlements, recently determined that the Army would no longer support [storage] entitlements because there is no Army policy explicitly authorizing storage in support of soldiers deployed for contingency operations.

Fine; write a policy. Most of the military hauls paper rather than rifles. The tooth to tail ratio has always been low; most soldiers never see direct combat. Our non-combat Army can handle that sort of thing. Officers have traditionally been taught the troops and mission come before their own needs. Doing something so simple for the troops, something that can only encourage recruitment and retention, would seem to be a no-brainer

So is making the military so unmilitary and unwelcoming our traditional southern and midwestern recruiting pools, with their middle-class, military family traditions, have dried up.

One thing our military has is plenty of storage space in plenty of places. Even if there is no specific, service-wide storage policy, base commanders have discretion and are normally expected to use it. How hard is it to work out a little secured storage space for the troops here and there? How hard is it to make military service a little less difficult, hopefully attracting more, and more qualified, recruits?

In our current, woke, military under the Mummified Meat Puppet Administration, apparently too hard.

Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor and retired police officer and high school and college English teacher. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor.
Wednesdays celebration in Jacksonville, Florida, where recently elected Mayor Donna Deegan unilaterally tore down two bronze post-Civil War statues that leftists had deemed racist, was Orwellian politics at its worst.

The statues were collectively named Tribute to the Women of Southern Confederacy and included a robed woman carrying a Confederate flag and a woman reading to two children, which had stood for more than a century in the now renamed Confederate Park. This tribute was to the women of the Southland who courageously took the places of their husbands, brothers, and sons who left to fight in the Civil War and often were killed, for taking on their jobs and the care of their families by themselves.

Women from the South, whatever you may think of their original cause, became engaged in public life and family caretaking as a result of the war. After the war, some founded the organization, United Daughters of the Confederacy, to honor the memory of their relatives in the Confederacy and eventually to support U.S. troops and veterans of all subsequent U.S. wars as national reconciliation took hold.

The Southland womens intention was to "tell of the glorious fight against the greatest odds a nation ever faced, that their hallowed memory should never die.

Nevertheless, Marxist radicals have had it in for them for a while. They burned down the UDC headquarters in Richmond during the George Floyd peaceful protests. Wednesdays statue removal has come now, which effectively dehumanized the Southern women honored, with their memories erased in a single afternoon.

Though the Civil War ended in 1865, and the community had healed enough to erect a commissioned memorial honoring Southland women in 1915, the site was one of several historic monuments that the George Floyd eras Black Lives Matter (BLM) activists had demanded be removed. Donors to the leftist organization 904WARD, and the Jessie Ball duPont Fund (headed up by globalist and Harvard graduate, Mari Kuraishi,) funded the statue to be removed, but not erased, whatever that means.

Eradicating the statue was done to appease the Marxist groups who continue indoctrinating the nation with chants of systemic racism and teach public schools to view the country through the segregating lens of Critical Race Theory.

But, removing a historic piece of architecture that symbolizes a historic era, and the image of a traditional moment of a Southland mother reading a book to her children, is offensive to a lot of people. Some of them may be from unlikely quarters, such as survivors of the murderous Communist Mao Zedong who indoctrinated China's citizens to hate their traditions and history, and erased history significantly there, utilizing his Red Guard, (just as the American Marxist thugs), to destroy anything misaligned with communist ideas, be it books or statues.

To state the obvious, the womens memorial annihilator, Mayor Deegan, is a socialist Democrat, and her revisionist history tactic of thoughtlessly destroying anything that does not appear go along with woke-leftist ideology is reminiscent of Mao's era.

The people at Wednesdays ceremony received Deegans Pravda-like gaslighting, including her statement that she is not trying to erase history-- while she was literally erasing history in front of their eyes -- by removing the statue.

Deegans rhetoric about humanity was also baffling, considering she was removing a womens movement commemoration, and she herself was a winner of womens organization awards, such as Jacksonville Business Journals Women of Influence Award, and the Enterprising Womens Leadership Award. So to desecrate a statue symbolizing the courage of honored wives, mothers, and daughters of the Southland, who were antecedents to the women leaders in her party, illuminates Democrats hypocrisy

Finally, the women who were erased in the statue removal had vested their hearts and souls into what they believed was a good purpose. and they had mourned their "lost cause" for an autonomous South.

Regardless what anyone thinks, the statues removal does erase Southern heritage. Instead of honestly appreciating history whatever it may be, and honoring the eventual social progress that followed, as well as hailing womens strength and courage throughout our countrys history, they tore down all evidence of that in the statues.

Not everyone wants that. An opponent to the monuments removal, state Rep. Dean Black, (R-Jacksonville) who blasted Deegans "stunning abuse of power," pointed out that Deegan, as many Democrats do, executed decisions without consulting city leaders or by holding a vote by the city council. He added that her overreach, "is another in a long line of woke Democrats' obsession with cancel culture and tearing down history."

Rep. Black filed legislation for the 2022 and then the 2023 legislative session to block cities from removing Confederate and other historical memorials in Florida. The (HB 395) would give Gov. Ron DeSantis the means to admonish any state official who would unilaterally take down historic memorials. The bill says that "an accurate and factual history belongs to all Floridians and future generations and the state has an obligation to protect and preserve such history."

Another proactive voice illuminating Deegans subservience to anti-American organizations such as BLM, is Jacksonville Sheriff ,T.K. Waters who supported Republican candidate Daniel Davis in the mayoral race.

It seems Republicans, just as Lincoln who eliminated the historic Democrats Confederate way of life in the first place, would like to keep historical monuments in place as a reminder of how far we have come as a nation, and that we can accept and embrace history, whatever it is, because it is the truth and not a fabrication of some imaginary Utopia as communism or the current woke culture which in time will be another Lost Cause.

Image: Screen shot from News4JAX video, via YouTube
New York State lawmakers are considering a bill that would require certain restaurants to be open seven days a week.

The recently proposed measure seems effectively targeted at some Chick-fil-A outlets and would mandate that restaurants at rest areas and transportation facilities be open for business every day of the week, yet would exclude local vendors and farmers markets.

Bill A08336 reads: Allowing for retail space to go unused one seventh of the week or more is a disservice and unnecessary inconvenience to travelers who rely on these service areas.

This is at odds with Chick-fil-As long-time policy of being closed on the Sabbath. The chicken vendors website states that S. Truett Cathy, company founder and devout Southern Baptist, believed it important to be closed on Sundays so that he and his employees could set aside one day to rest, enjoy time with their families and loved ones, and worship if they choose.

Allowing for retail space to go unused one seventh of the week or more is a disservice and unnecessary inconvenience to travelers who rely on these service areas, the bill claims.

As opposed to, say, government shutting down restaurants entirely during the coronavirus pandemic, nearly a third of which never reopened? And what about the disservice or inconvenience to the restaurant employees? Does that not figure into the equation?

This is simply more government overreach. Neither the Empire State, nor any other, should be able to dictate the operating hours of a private company. Should the bill ultimately be enacted, what will come next? Will some government demand that certain businesses stay open 24-hours a day? Or be open on Christmas and Easter? Not be open on Tuesdays? Will a government mandate certain menu itemsand prices? Will lawmakers somewhere soon ban the sale of pork products in areas with a high population of Muslims? Will they make Chick-fil-A outlets bake cakes for gay weddings?

This alone may be a small issue, but the more government interferes in free markets, the worse the economy tends to beand the less free are its citizens.

Whether Chick-fil-A sells more chicken or not, it should have a beef with that.

We all should.

Image: Logo // fair use
Remember the Chinese spy balloon? The one that flew the length of America while somehow mysteriously hovering over many sensitive military installations? The one that could not be shot down over Alaska, Montana or Wyoming, because it might land on a protected toad or snail? Theres not much else out there in large parts of the West. That Chinese spy balloon, the one as big as two buses, the one that was finally shot down over the Atlantic after it had gathered and transmitted to the Chinese all the data the Chinese Communist Party wanted? The one that insulted and humiliated America? That one? Oh yes, there were earlier balloons the government hid from us.

Now we discover we only know about that particular spy balloon because a few Americans, on commercial airliners, and on the ground, saw it and decided it was something about which Americans ought to know. The Mummified Meat Puppet Administration? Not so much:

Cleaning up after the late shootdown.

Image: S1C Tyler Thompson, USN, wikimedia commons.org, public domain.

At the time we learned that the Biden administration was trying to hide its existence from the American people, but now NBC News is reporting that they were also trying to conceal this important information from Congress, as well. NBC News reports (archive link): Administration officials at first hoped to conceal the balloons existence from the public, and from Congress, according to multiple former and current administration and congressional officials. Before it was spotted publicly, there was the intention to study it and let it pass over and not ever tell anyone about it, said a former senior U.S. official briefed on the balloon incident.

Study an enemy intelligence gathering platform? Wait. It gets worse, much worse.

A senior Biden administration denied that there was an effort to keep the balloon secret. To the extent any of this was kept quiet at all, that was in large part to protect intel equities related to finding and tracking them, the official said, referring to intelligence gathering. There was no intention to keep this from Congress at any point.

Right. Intel equities like the everyday Americans who saw it from the ground and told a Montana newspaper, which went public. Other than intentionally keeping it from Congress, they had no intention of keeping if from Congress, and the border is secure.

U.S. military jets dispatched from Alaska used their targeting pods to determine what was on board the object. They confirmed that it was a Chinese spy balloon that was not carrying offensive weapons but was outfitted with a large payload of surveillance equipment.

Fighters from Alaska checked it out over or near Alaska. They dont have the range for longer flights.

. . . . On Feb. 1, NBC News told White House officials that it was planning to report that a Chinese spy balloon was flying over the U.S. and asked for comment. With NBC preparing its report, and Bidens decision not to shoot it down, officials hastily organized briefings for lawmakers and the media to try to get ahead of the story. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and then-Deputy Secretary Wendy Sherman met with officials from the Chinese Embassy, but the Chinese diplomats denied the balloon even belonged to China. U.S. officials believe they genuinely did not know about it.

The Chinese didnt know? Nah. Blinken was tricked? Yeah. With our wide-open borders, whats a little national security risk among enemies? Its only surprising the MMPA didnt collect the balloon and fly it free back to China. Now we learn the balloon was using our own online infrastructure against us:

The balloon connected to a U.S.-based company, according to the assessment, to send and receive communications from China, primarily related to its navigation. Officials familiar with the assessment said it found that the connection allowed the balloon to send burst transmissions, or high-bandwidth collections of data over short periods of time.

The MMPA got a FISC warrant, supposedly to intercept the balloons take, and took maximum protective measures. They said so themselves:

After the balloon was shot down on Feb. 4, Gen. Glen VanHerck, the commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, told reporters that the U.S. military and intelligence community had taken exhaustive steps to protect against the balloons ability to collect intelligence. We took maximum precaution to prevent any intel collection, VanHerck said at a briefing. So that we could take maximum protective measures while the balloon transited across the United States.

Minimum protective measures would have entailed simply shooting it down as soon as it was detected. It overflew the Pacific to get to Alaska, where shooting it down might have scared a caribou. They might have been able to cover that up.

As for the American people and Congress? What they dont know will hurt them.

Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer and high school and college English teacher. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor.
Spam texts are pretty common these days. It has seen a surge in the recent years. Statista notes, in 2020 data, that an average American received about 14.7 spam texts per day. Its important to understand that this represents a general average, and some individuals likely receive even more unwanted messages. What exacerbates the issue is that these spam messages arent merely annoying; they often serve as gateways to more malicious activities.

Many of these texts lead recipients into phishing scams or various fraudulent schemes. Finally, T-Mobile is taking further steps to put an end to this practice. As we transition into 2024, T-Mobile is set to roll out new regulations targeting spammers and scammersterms often used interchangeably in this context. Hence, violators could face hefty fines, with penalties reaching up to $2,000.

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T-Mobile will fine those who send spam text messages to your phone

Starting January 1, 2024, T-Mobiles Un-carrier program will charge fines to other companies that use their network to send scammy or bad texts. An announcement by Vonage said these fines can be between $500 and $2,000, depending on how bad the text is. If a text tries to trick you into giving away personal info, it gets the highest fine of $2,000. Texts with illegal stuff get a $1,000 fine. For other not-so-bad messages, the fine is $500.

These fines from T-Mobile aim to reduce the number of fake and unwanted texts people get. Even though this might not stop all individual scammers or keep people from signing up for unwanted texts by mistake, it makes companies like Vonage think twice before sending bad texts using T-Mobiles network. These fines might make companies hesitate and decide not to send harmful texts. Notably, other telco majors like Verizon or AT&T have yet to speak on the matter, but we hope they do. Notably, AT&T has a name for itself for blocking over 1 billion spam texts previously.
Recent leaks, sourced from the reputable leaker Ishan Agarwal via 91Mobiles, shed light on the storage, RAM, and color options of the OnePlus 12 and OnePlus 12R. OnePlus will release these two devices in the global market on January 23. The leak claims that the 24GB RAM variant of the OnePlus 12 will remain exclusive to the Chinese market.

The OnePlus 12 comes with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, a 6.82 QHD+ OLED with 4500 nits local peak brightness support, and the 50MP Sony LYT-808 main sensor.

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Agarwal specifies two configurations for the Indian market: one with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, and another with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. Interestingly, this mirrors the options available in the Chinese release, with the exception of the absence of a 24GB variant in India. The move aligns OnePlus more closely with competitors like the Google Pixel 8 Pro, which also features 12GB of RAM, while the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra continues to commence at 8GB.

The 24GB variant of the OnePlus 12 likely exists to meet specific regional preferences or market dynamics

The forthcoming OnePlus 12R on the other hand, is a more budget-friendly alternative. It introduces two variants. The base model offers 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. However, its higher-tier option brings you 16GB RAM paired with 256GB of storage. In addition to that, the OnePlus 12R will boast last years flagship chipset, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.

Anticipation for the global launch on January 23 intensifies with these revelations. OnePlus enthusiasts can expect enhanced performance and storage options, aligning the brand more competitively in the flagship smartphone market. The decision to forgo the 24GB tier in certain markets showcases a nuanced approach. It is possibly due to meet specific regional preferences or market dynamics.

Notably, the OnePlus 12 series, including the OnePlus 12R, is confirmed to reach markets across North America and Europe, promising a wider audience access to these upgraded devices. As the release date approaches, tech enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the official unveiling of the OnePlus 12 series, eager to experience firsthand the advancements and innovations promised by this highly anticipated smartphone lineup.
Xiaomi has added a splash of excitement to its product lineup by introducing two vibrant new colors for its Xiaomi 14 series and Xiaomi Watch S3. The announcement came as a surprise during the recent launch event for Xiaomis first electric vehicle, the Xiaomi SU7 EV.

The popular Xiaomi 14 series, known for its impressive Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and enticing features, originally debuted in four colors: Jade Green, Black, White, and Snow Mountain Pink. Now, Xiaomi enthusiasts can enjoy the addition of Aqua Blue and Verdant Green to the color palette, perfectly matching the sporty aesthetics of the newly unveiled electric vehicle.

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Xiaomi is calling the two new additions to the color palette Aqua Blue and Verdant Green

The Xiaomi 14 series, launched in October, maintains its sleek design, with the back of the phone being the primary canvas for the new color options. The Aqua Blue variant of the Watch S3 takes a bold approach with a bright bezel thats hard to miss, while the Verdant Green version subtly adjusts its band color while retaining the same gunmetal chassis. The coordination between the Xiaomi 14 series, Watch S3, and the Xiaomi SU7 EV is not just a visual treat but also showcases Xiaomis commitment to creating a cohesive ecosystem for its users.

Despite the introduction of new colors, the Xiaomi 14 will maintain its original price tag of CNY 4,999. The Watch S3, on the other hand, will see a slight increase, priced at CNY 1,099, making it CNY 100 more expensive than the eSIM version. Its important to note that these new color variants, along with the Xiaomi SU7 EV, will be available exclusively in China.

Xiaomi continues to push boundaries in design and innovation, providing users with not only cutting-edge technology but also a visually appealing and coordinated ecosystem. The addition of Aqua Blue and Verdant Green to the Xiaomi 14 series and Watch S3 offers consumers more choices to express their personal style while embracing the brands dynamic and sporty vision.
Two-time Oscar-nominated actor Tom Wilkinson has been hailed as British acting royalty following his death at the age of 75.

The British actor, well known for his role in The Full Monty as former steel mill foreman Gerald Cooper, suddenly died at home on Saturday, his family said.

His co-star William Snape, who plays Gazs (Robert Carlyle) son in the film, said Wilkinsons death felt like losing a brother.

A statement released through Wilkinsons agent said: It is with great sadness that the family of Tom Wilkinson announce that he died suddenly at home on December 30. His wife and family were with him.

The family asks for privacy at this time.

Wilkinson married actress Diana Hardcastle in 1988 and they have two children.

Hardcastle has starred alongside her husband in 2011 ensemble comedy The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, History channel TV show The Kennedys, 2014 action movie Good People and most recently in the 2020 period drama series Belgravia.

In an Instagram post, Snape wrote: Im no good at this but feel like I need to say it. Today we lost a brother. What we all went through nearly 30 years ago changed so much about our lives but one thing remained. Us.

Our full Monty family. And today we said good bye to one of them. Tom Wilkinson was hilarious, gentle, kind and generous with his time and talent. Rest in peace Tom. You will be sorely missed my friend.

Among those who paid tribute has been singer Will Young, who recalled Wilkinson coming to his aid when he was going for acting auditions.

Young, who has appeared in Mrs Henderson Presents, Marple and Highland Park, wrote on Instagram: Goodbye friend. Funny, bloody smart, helped me with auditions along with (Diana Hardcastle) and what a terrific actor. British acting royalty I salute you dear Tom xxx.

Wilkinson was nominated for Academy Awards for best actor in a leading role for In The Bedroom in 2001, and best actor in a supporting role for Michael Clayton in 2007.

He most recently reunited with his The Full Monty co-stars, Robert Carlyle and Mark Addy, in a Disney+ series of the same name.

The original 1997 comedy about an unlikely group of male strippers in Sheffield won an Oscar for best original musical or comedy score and was nominated for three others, including best picture and best director.

Tom Wilkinson and his wife Diana Hardcastle (William Conran/PA)

Wilkinsons character played a critical role in the film as he was recruited to help the unemployed men dance ahead of them performing to a Tom Jones version of You Can Leave Your Hat On.

He would also take home best supporting actor during the 1998 Bafta ceremony for his role in the film.

A Disney+ spokesperson said: We are deeply saddened by the news of Tom Wilkinsons passing. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues.

Wilkinson, who became an OBE for services to drama in 2005, was born in Yorkshire in 1948 and grew up in Canada and Cornwall before attending the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (Rada) in the 1970s.

He also won a 2009 Golden Globe and 2008 Emmy for his role as American political figure Benjamin Franklin in HBO series John Adams opposite Paul Giamatti.

Recalling working with Wilkinson in a long post, Slow Horses star Jack Lowden remembered the actor telling him, while they smoked cigarettes, that he last auditioned for roles in the 1970s.

Lowden, who starred opposite Wilkinson in the 2016 biographical and court room film Denial, wrote on Instagram: Another day, he did the 1st take of a near 10 page speech in this film, sat down and waited for his next cig break. Then the assistant director came over and said Great Tom, were gonna do that again.

To which Tom said No were not, because that was perfect.

A gifted, beautiful actor of precision, skill and outrageous but justified belief. A titan. RIP Tom. Ps, he didnt do that speech again. Because he was right. It was perfect first time.

Wilkinson was also known for his roles in a BBC adaptation of Charles Dickens novel Martin Chuzzlewit, the 1995 adaptation of Jane Austens Sense And Sensibility and the 2014 Wes Anderson comedy drama The Grand Budapest Hotel.

Actor Aneurin Barnard, who starred opposite Wilkinson in Dead In A Week (Or Your Money Back), said he was very sad to hear of his death.

Tom Wilkinson and Diana Hardcastle (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

On X, formerly Twitter, Barnard wrote: I had a very great time getting to know him and working with him. One of our wonderful legends that we say goodbye to. Bye for now Tom x.

Scott Derrickson, known for directing horror films such as Sinister and The Black Phone, recalled a time when the actor gave him a surprise kiss on the lips whilst on the set of The Exorcism Of Emily Rose.

On X, formerly Twitter, the American filmmaker wrote: As I went in for a hug, he turned sideways and put one arm around my shoulder.

I said, Well thats a British hug if Ive ever had one

He frowned at me, then grabbed my face and kissed me right on the lips for a good five seconds, then declared loudly, Dont ever insult British affection or sense of romance! We invented the stuff!

He described Wilkinson as an amazing talent and wonderful human being.
James Whale has celebrated being made an MBE in the New Year Honours list for his services to broadcasting and to charity, despite his stage four kidney cancer being a bit bad at the moment.

The broadcaster and talk show host has been a popular voice on radio and TV for five decades, and still hosts a regular Saturday slot on TalkTV and TalkRadio.

Nobody could have been more surprised than me, thank you to all the guys who made it possible over the years, everybody at TalkRadio and TV and everywhere, Whale said on Twitter.

Nobody could have been more surprised than me thank you to all the guys who made it possible over the years everybody at Talk Radio and TV and everywhere. Ive worked since the 70s and the guys that run the Charity kidney cancer UK, thank you all this is for us. https://t.co/QhK84wJmHQ  James Whale (@THEJamesWhale) December 29, 2023

Ive worked since the 70s and the guys that run the charity Kidney Cancer UK, thank you, all this is for us.

Whale began his career with Metro Radio in 1974 where he pioneered the late-night radio phone-in.

The 72-year-old rose to fame in the 1980s with his frank style, dry wit and no-nonsense approach on late-night programme The James Whale Radio Show, gaining a legion of loyal listeners.

James Whale becomes MBE for services to broadcasting and charity (Ian West/PA)

Whale then spent 13 years at TalkSport before hosting the drivetime show on LBC and the breakfast show on BBC Essex.

During his career he also hosted Whale On, Dial Midnight and Central Weekend Live for ITV, and Talk About for BBC One.

Whales autobiography Almost A Celebrity: A Lifetime Of Night-Time was published in 2008 and he later launched a new version of The James Whale Radio Show.

Earlier this year, he was awarded the first ever Tric Recognition Award for his 50 years in broadcasting.

Richard Wallace, head of TalkTV, said about the MBE: There are legends  and then theres James Whale. This award is a fitting acknowledgement of a maverick talent who has entertained TV and radio audiences with inimitable style for more than 50 years.

Radio legend James Whale has been awarded an MBE in the Kings New Year Honours list for his outstanding contribution to broadcasting. 'A Lifetime Of Night-Time: The James Whale Story' will be broadcast on Saturday at 10pm.@THEJamesWhale pic.twitter.com/LSBtVnSSZD  TalkTV (@TalkTV) December 29, 2023

Dennie Morris, director of audio and news broadcasting, said: James is not only a giant of radio and television, but one of the loveliest men Ive ever met.

His contribution to the industry and to charity over the years has been remarkable. I can think of no one more deserving of this honour.

In 2016, Whale appeared on Celebrity Big Brother alongside Christopher Biggins and Frankie Grande  the brother of US pop star Ariana.

Whale was the sixth housemate to be evicted, alongside The Only Way Is Essex star Lewis Bloor, and on his exit admitted the show had been a bigger challenge than he had expected.

I went in thinking it was the easiest money I would ever earn in my entire life, he said.

James Whale is seen entering the Celebrity Big Brother house in 2016 (Ian West/PA)

Whale was diagnosed with cancer in 2000 and had to have one of his kidneys removed.

In 2018, his wife Melinda died after being diagnosed with lung cancer and in August 2020, Whale revealed cancer had returned in his kidney, spine, brain and lungs.

The radio DJs past experience with cancer led him to form the James Whale Kidney Fund in 2006, which merged with Kidney Cancer UK in 2015.

Whale now hosts a weekly podcast with his second wife Nadine Talbot-Brown talking about their journey together with his stage four kidney cancer.

Appearing on TalkTV for A Lifetime Of Night-Time: The James Whale Story, which will air on Saturday at 10pm, Whale said his cancer is a bit bad at the moment but spoke of his desire to continue hosting his Saturday night show.

His wife described the show as his reason for being at the moment.

Whale said: If I have a few more months that would be great, if I have until next Christmas or this coming Christmas would be nice wouldnt it, but if I die tomorrow Ive had an amazing time and I married an amazing lady.

And Ive had a lifetime of not having to have a job, I dont work.
Molly Russells father said the 14-year-old would have been very proud of her legacy of suicide prevention as he was made an MBE in the New Year Honours list.

Ian Russell, 60, has been recognised for services to child safety online after he set up the Molly Rose Foundation suicide prevention charity in her memory and contributed to the establishment of the Online Safety Bill.

Last September, a coroner ruled schoolgirl Molly, from Harrow, north-west London, died from an act of self-harm while suffering from depression and the negative effects of online content in November 2017.

Mr Russell told the PA news agency: Im here for the work that not just me but lots of people have done in setting up the Molly Rose Foundation, the charity that we formed after my youngest daughter ended her life in November of 2017, in the hope of preventing such tragedies in the future.

Molly Russell took her own life in November 2017 after she had been viewing material on social media linked to anxiety, depression, self-harm and suicide

On what Molly would have made of his MBE, he said: Molly was quite content to get on stage and take part in school plays but she was a quiet person, she didnt like the limelight, so I think she would have found this a bit strange.

But because she was such a caring person, I think she would have been tremendously proud of being able to help people who may be struggling with their mental health and may be beginning to have thoughts about suicide.

If she thought she could help those people live long and stay strong, shed be very proud indeed.

Please dont face your problems alone.Talk to someone you can trust.For support: Text MRF to 85258Call Papyrus on 0800 068 41 41Call Childline on 0800 1111Call Samaritans on 116 123 In an emergency dont be afraid to dial 999 pic.twitter.com/wH6jGyOedG  Molly Rose Foundation (@mollyroseorg) December 23, 2023

He said his daughter was very special and emotionally intelligent, adding: She had a cheeky sense of humour and above all she was one of the most caring people Ive ever known even though she died at the age of 14.

Last month, the Molly Rose Foundation released a report in the week that would have marked her 21st birthday, which said social media platforms suffer from significant, fundamental system failings in handling self-harm and suicide content.

It said it found harmful content at scale and prevalent on Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest  in response to which the firms outlined what they are doing to keep youngsters safe online.

Mr Russell said the foundation has also been sending out help cards with contact details for support services to schools and other organisations involved with children.

It also provides suicide prevention training in schools and is trying to set up a network of support centres across the high streets of the UK.

He added: Without those conversations, theres a much greater danger that people will end up ending their own lives, so were trying to find ways to start difficult conversations and were trying to continue working with the regulators in terms of the Online Safety Act which has past through Parliament and is now law.

Theres a period of transition where Ofcom as regulator is working out how its actually going to implement the powers it has, that have been given by the Act, and were trying to work with them, as are many people, to make sure that the Act does as promised makes the UK the safest place in the world to be online.

Its really important that we dont shy away from talking about online safety, we dont shy away from talking about suicide and we dont shy away from talking about mental health, having conversations is the most important thing and we can all do that on an individual level.

Its also really important that governments regulate to make sure that the tech platforms show more corporate/social responsibility than perhaps they have in the past because the tech platforms, at the end of the day, are the places where improved safety features have to be implemented to keep people safe online, for example, they shouldnt be algorithmically recommending harmful content, particularly to young people, that has to change.

And its important for governments around the world to join the list of nations that have introduced regulation to make the online world safer.

Ian Russell, the father of Molly Russell, said that he was in a state of disbelief when he learned he would be receiving an honour (Joshua Bratt/PA)

When he discovered he was receiving an honour, Mr Russell said he experienced almost a state of disbelief, quickly followed by a smile that spread across my face.

He added: Although honours are individual things, this was for a team of people, this was for hundreds of people in fact that have been involved in making the online world safer and helping to prevent young suicide, and that by accepting it and continuing to raise awareness, it would be a good thing to do and hopefully in the future, there would be far fewer cases like Mollys.

Alice Hendy, founder of R;pple suicide prevention charity, has also been appointed MBE for services to online safety.

Ms Hendy, from Fareham, Hampshire, lost her sibling, Josh, 21, to suicide in November 2020 after he had been searching for techniques to take his own life through harmful internet searches.

She subsequently launched R;pple  an online interceptive tool designed to ensure that more help and support is provided to people who are conducting searches relating to self-harm or suicide.

Mr Russell said its fantastic news that all that Alice has achieved has been recognised.

Alice Hendy is one of the most extraordinary people that Ive met in this space, he said.

Her bravery and her courage after losing her brother Josh is extraordinary and what shes achieved with the R;pple suicide prevention tool shes developed is extraordinary, I just cant quite understand why it hasnt been adopted more quickly and more widely by platforms and by people.

Ms Hendy told the PA news agency: Receiving this MBE is a huge honour.

When I first started R;pple, the intention was never to achieve any recognition or gain back slaps in any way, it was a way for me to remember my brother, to continue his legacy and ultimately to stop other people from feeling so low that they believe that taking their own life is their best option.

The creation of R;pple has helped a lot of people and its all in the name of my brother.

So, very humbled, very overwhelmed really to receive the letter through my letterbox in between all of my bills and my mortgage and so on. And, yeah, looking forward to raising a glass to Josh as a result.

For mental health support, call the Samaritans on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org or visit samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.
Russia will have sustained more than half a million personnel killed and wounded in its invasion of Ukraine by 2025 if casualties continue at the current rate, the UK believes.

The average daily number of the countrys troops injured or dead has risen by almost 300 per day over the course of 2023 compared to last year, according to the latest Defence Intelligence update.

The update said the increase almost certainly reflects the degradation of Russias forces and its transition to a lower quality, high quantity mass army since the partial mobilisation of reservists in September 2022.

Grant Shapps branded the war pointless, comparing the scale of injury and death to the Soviet Unions nine-year Soviet-Afghan war (Jonathan Brady/PA)

It will likely take Russia five to 10 years to rebuild a cohort of highly trained and experienced military units, it said.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps compared the scale of death and injury to the nine-year Soviet-Afghan war, when Russia sustained 70,000 casualties.

In (Vladimir) Putins pointless war, if casualties continue at the current rate through next year, by 2025 Russia will have sustained over half a million personnel killed & wounded over 3 years of war, he wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

In Putin's pointless war, if casualties continue at the current rate through next year, by 2025 Russia will have sustained over half-a-million personnel killed & wounded over 3 years of war. This compares to the SovietUnion's 70,000 casualties in the nine-year Soviet-Afghan War. https://t.co/u6RdBwnHKS  Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP (@grantshapps) December 30, 2023

Moscow continued its assault on Ukraine on Friday, launching 122 missiles and dozens of drones across the country in an onslaught described by one air force official as the biggest aerial barrage of the war.

At least 144 people were wounded and an unknown number were buried under rubble in the assault, which damaged a maternity hospital, apartment blocks and schools.

Western officials and analysts recently warned that Russia had limited its cruise missile strikes for months in an apparent effort to build up stockpiles for massive strikes during the winter, hoping to break the Ukrainians spirit.

Fighting along the front line is largely bogged down by winter weather after Ukraines summer counter-offensive failed to make a significant breakthrough along the 620-mile line of contact.

After the latest Russian assault, shelling continued across eastern and southern Ukraine and in Russias border regions.

One man was killed by a missile in a home in Russias Belgorod region late on Friday, regional head Vyacheslav Gladkov wrote on social media.

Another four people were injured, including a 10-year-old child, he added.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak joined Mr Shapps in condemning Russian President Mr Putin following Fridays attack, with Mr Shapps branding the attacks murderous airstrikes.

The UK Government said hundreds of British-made air defence missiles were being shipped to Ukraine in a bid to increase its defence capability.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has spent recent weeks urging western allies to provide the country with more air defences to protect itself against such aerial attacks.

It comes as signs of war fatigue strain efforts to keep support in place.

Mr Zelensky said the Kremlins forces have used a wide variety of weapons, including ballistic and cruise missiles.

Today, Russia used nearly every type of weapon in its arsenal, Mr Zelensky said on X, formerly Twitter, on Friday.

UK military support to Ukraine has seen a total commitment of 4.6 billion, with 2.3 billion set aside up to the end of the financial year.
Protesters have clashed with police in south London after a demonstration related to tensions in the Eritrean community, Scotland Yard said.

Social media footage of the incident in Camberwell appeared to show protesters wielding sticks clashing with Met Police officers, bringing traffic to a standstill.

Eight people were arrested for offences including violent disorder, criminal damage, possession of an offensive weapon and assault on an emergency worker, the Met said.

Four officers were injured, one of whom was taken to hospital and has now been discharged.

There is still a heavy police presence on the scene in Camberwell Road, where a demonstration saw approximately 50 people gathering outside a private venue before violence broke out.

Police at the scene (Yui Mok/PA)

The clashes are said to have taken place near The Lighthouse Theatre.

Additional officers were called in to provide back-up, Scotland Yard said.

A dispersal order has been put in place in the area until 7am tomorrow, giving police the power to exclude a person from the area.
Two relatives of murdered British backpacker Grace Millane have said they are honoured that their work to help abuse victims as a positive legacy in her name has been recognised in the New Year Honours list.

The newly graduated university student was strangled to death in a hotel in Auckland, New Zealand, the day before her 22nd birthday on December 1 2018, by Jesse Shane Kempson who she met on Tinder.

Kempson was found guilty by a unanimous verdict in November the following year.

Graces mother Gillian Millane and cousin Hannah OCallaghan have been honoured (PA)

Graces mother Gillian Millane and cousin Hannah OCallaghan, both from Essex, co-founded an organisation in her name called Love Grace, which aims to empower victims of domestic abuse.

They described their OBEs for services to charitable fundraising and tackling violence against women as an incredible honour and dedicated it to Grace, saying she would have been very proud and keen to get involved with what we are doing.

Ms OCallaghan said: I dont think she would believe how big Love Grace has become and how many women we can help by offering a bit of normality to.

She would have also probably been amused that we have been to Downing Street and are now to meet a member of the Royal Family.

Love Grace collects handbags and fills them with toiletries for domestic abuse victims, as well as raising money for White Ribbon charities in the UK and New Zealand, which educate men and boys about attitudes that can contribute to violence against women and girls.

Grace Millane was murdered (Lucie Blackman Trust/PA)

Ms OCallaghan said: We wanted to create a legacy in Graces memory and directly help women who have been affected by domestic abuse, to turn our negative into a positive.

If we help just one woman, then we have achieved that.

We have been overwhelmed by the support people have shown our Love Grace Handbag Appeal, from donating handbags and toiletries, to running appeals in their own area.

This has allowed more women to receive a little bit of normality and remind them to believe in themselves as they matter.

So thank you to everyone who has donated, and all of our friends & family who have helped us with Love Grace.

We would like to accept this award on their behalf and in Graces name. We will continue to raise awareness of the issues many face, and make sure that no other family has to go through this.

The handbag appeal started as a practical way for the relatives to try to deal with their grief as it was very cathartic and allows us to talk about Grace, Ms OCallaghan said.

She added: We had no idea how our initiative would take off. It helped that Grace loved a handbag.

Detective Inspector Scott Beard (who was part of the murder investigation team) said that each bag was a smile on the face of someone who needs it, so how lovely to think that 16,000 people have smiled because of Grace.

We are so proud of the legacy we have created in her memory.

The next step is to try to get charity status for Love Grace, which started with a 50 bag target and is now at 16,000 bags worldwide.

Ms OCallaghan said: This will allow us to reach more areas and help offer practical empowerment to more women who need it.

Logistics is a key area for development, we rely on volunteers to set up and run appeals and then give back to refuge charities in their local areas. Hopefully we will be able to get our bags further afield.

Since Grace was murdered both women have also been fundraising for the White Ribbon charity to help raise awareness of male violence towards women.

The body of Ms Millane, who had been on her gap year, was found buried in a suitcase in Waitakere Ranges, a forested area outside the city of Auckland.

In February 2020, Kempson was jailed for life with a minimum term of 17 years, with the judge rejecting his argument that the pair had rough sex that went too far.

He was later found guilty of raping another British tourist, who he also met on Tinder, eight months before he killed Ms Millane.

The rape victim reportedly went to the police after recognising Kempson from media coverage of the death of Ms Millane.

The sex offender was also convicted in a separate trial, with a different victim, of threatening to kill, two charges of assault with a weapon, three assaults and two counts of sexual violation.
President Ndayishimiye, a fervent Catholic, had been asked about LGBT rights at a press conference

Burundi's President Evariste Ndayishimiye has said that homosexuals in his country "should be stoned".

Responding to a reporter's question, Mr Ndayishimiye, a fervent Catholic, said powerful nations "should keep" their aid if it comes with an obligation to give rights to homosexuals.

Some African leaders have in the past accused donor countries of trying to impose their values on the continent.

Homosexual sex is illegal in Burundi, punishable by up to two years in jail.

In an interview with the BBC last month, Ghanaian Catholic Cardinal Peter Turkson said homosexuality should not be a criminal offence and people should be helped to understand the issue better.

But his views are at odds with many conservative Christians on the continent. More than 30 African countries outlaw homosexual sex.

Talking to journalists at a press conference, President Ndayishimiye used a Bible reference to say that God was opposed to homosexuality adding that it was no longer an issue in Burundi.

He had been asked about alleged pressure from Western countries for LGBT rights to be respected.

"For me, I think that if we find these people in Burundi they should be taken to stadiums and be stoned, and doing so would not be a crime," he said.

Mr Ndayishimiye suggested that homosexuality was like "choosing between Satan and God".

"If you want to choose Satan now go and live in those countries [in the West] and I think those who strive to go there want to acquire those habits, they should remain there and never bring them to us," the president added.

In a rare court case in August, seven people were sentenced to between one and two years in prison after they were found guilty of engaging in homosexual acts - a charge they denied.

Homosexual sex is also illegal in many other countries in the region, including in Uganda, which in May tightened its law further to include a possible death penalty for what is described as "aggravated homosexuality". This includes having gay sex with someone below the age of 18 or where someone is infected with a life-long illness such as HIV.

The fresh measures led the World Bank to halt new loans to Uganda and the US to pull Uganda out of a preferential trade agreement and impose visa restrictions on key officials.

Ugandan rights groups are currently challenging the law in the courts.

Ghanaian MPs are also considering a bill that would make identifying as LGBT punishable with a three-year prison sentence. People who campaign for LGBT rights could also face up to 10 years in jail.

More on LGBT issues in Africa:
The actress' father has a particularly hilarious response to his daughter asking what "cringe" means

Getty;Eva Mendes/Instagram Eva Mendes quizzes her father on modern-day phrases in a fun new Instagram video.

Eva Mendes is having a little holiday fun with her dad!

The actress, 49, shared an adorable video on Saturday showing her quizzing her Cuban father, Juan Carlos Mendez, on some modern lingo. In the clip, Juan Carlos is seated in an armchair in front of a Christmas tree while his famous daughter kneels in front of him, throwing out questions in Spanish (for which she provided the English translations in text captions over the video).

"What do you think it means if I say 'she ghosted me?' " she asks her dad to kick things off.

Juan Carlos doesn't need a moment to think before answering with certainty, "That she's bothering you."

Eva jokingly makes a sound indicating he's wrong. She then asks him what "thirst trap" means?

"Well, a man that drives a truck," he replies, using his hands to mimic someone holding a steering wheel. His daughter breaks out laughing at his completely off-the-mark answer, before hitting him with her next question: "What if someone says this is cringe? What is cringe?"

Juan Carlos' hilarious answer? "Sounds to me like shrimp."

Related: Eva Mendes Celebrates Her Moms Birthday with Sweet Photos: Mami Lioness and Her Cub

Eva closes out the fun Q&A by asking her dad, "What if I say Christmas was epic?"

"That this was a wonderful Christmas," he answers, prompting Eva to cheer and clap at her dad's correct response before high-fiving him.

"Mi Papi Cubano . This never gets old 'Shrimp' has to be my favorite ! ," she captioned the video.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Eva and her father appear to enjoy a playful relationship. On his 80th birthday last December, she lightheartedly teased him about his parenting in an Instagram tribute.

"Happy birthday Daddy ," she wrote at the time in Spanish, alongside a throwback black-and-white photo of the pair. "Thank you for your support, thank you for your love and also for my moon. And thank you for not f---ing me much ."

Earlier this month, Eva shared another throwback photo  this one capturing her as a young girl standing in front of a Christmas tree while holding a baby doll  as she reflected on her childhood holiday celebrations with her family.

Donato Sardella/Getty Eva Mendes

Related: Eva Mendes Shares Christmas Throwback Photo: 'Little Me in the '80s'

Little me in the 80s at Christmas. We were paycheck to paycheck  at best  but my Mami always went all out for me on Xmas morning, she wrote in her caption, referring to her mother Eva Pere Suarez.

My older siblings were also part of the magic. Since they were way beyond their Santa years then, when I look back now, I realize how they all did their part in making it magical for me. I'm so grateful," she continued.

Eva also took a moment to pay tribute to her late elder brother, Carlos Mendez, who died of cancer at the age of 53 in 2016.

I miss my brother, she wrote. The last Christmas I had with him was a few years ago when he did something only a big brother could do. Ill leave that sweet story for another post. Anyway, I saw this pic this morning and felt like sharing.



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Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) issued a warning to states moving to keep former President Trump off the presidential ballot, saying the House of Representatives has the final say over whether electors from those states are certified on Jan. 6, 2025.

Maine, Colorado, and other states that might try to bureaucratically deny ballot access to any Republican nominee should remember the U.S. House of Representatives is the ultimate arbiter of whether to certify electors from those states, Massie posted Friday on X, formerly Twitter.

Billionaire Elon Musk, owner of X, replied to Massies tweet about certification: Interesting.

Trump was declared ineligible by Colorados Supreme Court last week and by Maines secretary of state on Thursday under the 14th Amendments insurrection clause, pointing to Trumps denial of 2020 election results and actions leading up to a mob of his supporters attacking the Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021, as it met to certify electors from each state.

FILE - Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., listens as the House Rules Committee prepares a bill at the Capitol in Washington, June 12, 2023. On Friday, June 30, Republican infighting erupted in Kentucky over gubernatorial nominee Daniel Cameron's plans to attend a rally sponsored by an ex-rival who is now looking to challenge an incumbent GOP congressman next year. Congressman Massie said it would be a mistake for Cameron to attend the September rally hosted by Eric Deters in northern Kentucky. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

FILE  Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., listens as the House Rules Committee prepares a bill at the Capitol in Washington, June 12, 2023. On Friday, June 30, Republican infighting erupted in Kentucky over gubernatorial nominee Daniel Camerons plans to attend a rally sponsored by an ex-rival who is now looking to challenge an incumbent GOP congressman next year. Congressman Massie said it would be a mistake for Cameron to attend the September rally hosted by Eric Deters in northern Kentucky. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

That normally mundane certification procedure in January 2025, Massie suggested, could be the mechanism by which Congress tosses out electoral votes from Maine, Colorado and any other states where Trump is ultimately denied ballot access.

Massie has endorsed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in the GOP presidential primary, and in 2021 did not vote against certifying the election results from either Arizona or Pennsylvania after the mob attack.

He elaborated in a subsequent tweet that any move to toss electoral votes in 2025 would likely depend on whether Republicans keep control of the House, where they currently have a slim majority.

That effort [in 2021] was doomed because Democrats controlled the House and Senate at that time. Republicans hold a slim majority in the House now. Whether we keep the majority remains to be seen, Massie said.

More stories from The Hill

The threshold for challenging electoral results on Jan. 6, 2025, however, will be higher than it was four years earlier. The Electoral Count Reform Act, passed in 2022, raises the threshold to object to results from any state from just one member from each chamber to a fifth of the members from each chamber.

Whether Trump is ultimately kept off any state ballots remains to be seen.

Trumps campaign has pledged to file a legal challenge to the Maine Secretary of States decision to prevent it from taking effect. And in Colorado, the state Supreme Court stayed its decision to allow for review by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Maines decision in particular has drawn criticism even from Trumps antagonists like Maine Sens. Angus King (I) and Susan Collins (R), both of whom voted to convict Trump in his post-Jan. 6 impeachment trial.

Other states have rejected similar challenges about Trumps eligibility, with the Minnesota Supreme Court rejecting a 14th Amendment argument and a court in Michigan ruling that its secretary of state did not have the authority to determine Trumps eligibility based on the 14th Amendment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The honeymoon period of Nikki Haleys presidential campaign is over.

After enjoying weeks as a rising star, the former South Carolina governor is facing a heightened level of scrutiny not just from her GOP rivals, but from voters.

That new dynamic was on display during a swing through New Hampshire where Haley stumbled over a question on the cause of the Civil War by failing to mention slavery and was accused of being a flip flopper by a nine-year-old child over her unwillingness to criticize former President Donald Trump.

Haley has shown an ability to appeal to independents and moderates by eschewing culture war fights, calling for consensus on issues such as abortion and attempting to avoid controversy. While those qualities have made her an appealing general election candidate, they have led to unforced errors, embarrassing clarifications and tense exchanges with voters ahead of the official start of the primary next month.

It has also undercut one of the central arguments of her campaign, that shes someone who is willing to give voice to things others are afraid to say.

Theres no flip flopping, she told reporters during a gaggle Thursday after she clarified that of course she believed the Civil War was about slavery. Ive never been a flip flopper. What I do is I speak hard truths, whether people like it or not, and I let the chips fall where they may.

During one exchange in Lebanon, New Hampshire, a voter said she was coming up short on moral clarity compared to former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.

This is a chance to redeem yourself after last nights slavery thing, the voter said. Would you be able to say categorically that you wont accept being Trumps vice president? The reason, I got this ballot here and Im trying to figure out if Im going to mark you or Chris Christie.

Haley stopped short of saying she would never accept the vice presidential slot from Trump, but repeated her stance that she doesnt play for second.

The difficult voter questions Haley has faced this week appear to be drawn from either her own history or criticisms from opponents. Shes also facing more questions about whether she would pardon Trump or be his vice president, spurred by comments from Christie, DeSantis and others.

When you try to be everything to everyone, youre nothing to anyone, biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, who has faced his own criticisms for shifting policy stances, wrote in a social media post Thursday. A perfect puppet for the corrupt establishment.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis described Haleys initial remarks on the root causes of the Civil War as an incomprehensible word salad and said it showed his opponent isnt ready for primetime.

The minute that she faces any kind of scrutiny, she tends to cave, he told reporters Thursday.

Democrats have also seized on Haleys comments. President Joe Biden wrote in a succinct social media post that the Civil War was about slavery. Democratic National Committee chair Jaime Harrison, the former chair of the South Carolina Democratic party, said he was disgusted but the comments, adding that this is what Black South Carolinians have come to expect from Nikki Haley, and now the rest of the country is getting to see her for who she is.

The Haley campaign has attributed the extra scrutiny  from Republicans and allies of Joe Biden  as a natural result of rising in the polls.

Everyone from Joe Biden to Donald Trump is attacking Nikki for one reason: shes the only candidate with momentum, Haley campaign spokesperson Olivia Perez-Cubas said in a statement. For months, Nikki has been talking to every voter and taking every question, and shell continue to do that.

A recent CBS/YouGov poll found that 44% of likely New Hampshire primary voters support Trump, followed by 29% who back Haley, 11% who back DeSantis and 10% who would vote for former Christie. Last week, MAGA Inc., the super PAC supporting Trump, rolled out its first ad against Haley, focused on her stance on her states gas tax as governor.

A Wall Street Journal national poll from earlier this month found Haley running ahead of Biden by 17 points, 51% to 34%, while Trump narrowly edged Biden by just 4 points.

Its not clear how Republican primary voters will react, if at all. Teresa Frey, a voter who saw Haley in Plymouth, New Hampshire, Thursday said she thought the Civil War question was random.

I heard that and I thought why was that question even asked, she said. Was it somebody trying to get her off her game? I know she  I feel like she wasnt obviously prepared for that.

Christie, who has faced calls to drop out to consolidate the non-Trump vote, dedicated several minutes of his Epping, New Hampshire, town hall Thursday to Haleys stumbles.

Christie said Haley is unwilling to offend anyone by telling the truth, pointing to her responses to questions of whether Trump is fit to be president.

Christie argued if Haley is unwilling to say slavery caused the Civil War because shes afraid of offending constituents in some other parts of the country and unwilling to say Trump is unfit for office because she harbors in the back of her mind being Vice President or being Secretary of State, then she will not be able to stand up to foreign adversaries, members of the other party or forces in our own party, who want to drag this country deeper and deeper into anger and division and exhaustion.

The Civil War debacle is the latest example of her rivals pouncing on one of her stumbles. DeSantis and others piled on Haley last month after she called for ID verification on social media platforms, which would have eliminated anonymous accounts. Haley soon walked the policy back.

On abortion, Haley has said throughout the campaign that Republicans must reach a consensus policy, and warned that her party must be honest with voters about how difficult it would be to get 60 Senate votes to pass a federal ban. But during an event in Iowa last month she said she would have signed a six-week abortion ban in South Carolina if she were still governor. Christie accused her of saying one thing in Iowa and another to Granite State voters.

The question on the Civil War, to which Haley initially responded by saying the war was about freedoms and what people could and couldnt do highlighted her record defending the Confederate flag and states right to secede from the US while campaigning for governor in 2010. In the past she has called the Civil War a battle between change and tradition.

On race specifically, Haley has tried to find the middle ground between acknowledging racism in her state  and, as her profile grew, the country  and painting America as having moved past its dark history. On the campaign trail she emphasizes that America isnt racist but is blessed.

Haley, who served as South Carolina governor from 2011-2017, is well known for her role in calling for the Confederate flag to be removed from the statehouse grounds in the days after a white supremacist killed nine worshippers at a church in Charleston in 2015. But that decision came after she defended the flag during her 2014 gubernatorial bid.

She referenced that moment as she cleaned up her answer on the cause of the Civil War.

Of course the first thing I should have said was slavery. I completely agree with that. When you grow up in the South, slaverys a given, Haley told Fox News on Saturday.

When you think of the Civil War, you know it was about slavery. Thats never been in question, and, you know, you look at the fact that Im a Southern governor who actually asked and got the Confederate flag to come down in front of the statehouse.

This story has been updated with additional information.

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Saudi Arabia has set an ambitious goal for itself: 150 million tourist visits by 2030. Travel e-visas, a growing number of international air links and a new 96-hour layover program have all made it logistically easier to visit.

However, for many first-time visitors, especially ones who arent familiar with the Middle East or Muslim-majority countries, its critical to do some research before setting off.

The first and most basic thing to know about Saudi Arabia is that its not closed off from the world. Although the country has only been offering tourist visas since 2019, things have moved pretty quickly since then.

Just like major cities in Europe or North America, Jeddah and Riyadh have hipster cafes, cool arts and culture venues, and major sports teams packed with international players.

Road signs, menus, maps and more are usually in both Arabic and English. Western credit cards are widely accepted, too.

How do I get there?

Saudi Arabias primary air hubs are its two biggest cities  capital Riyadh and port city Jeddah. Regular connections are available via Doha, Dubai, London, and other major gateways.

Once youre traveling within the country, there are several options. Internal flights are easiest for popular tourist destinations like the oasis town of AlUla, which is where travelers go to access the archeological site of Hegra.

Saudi Arabia has also invested heavily in infrastructure, which includes high-speed rail. Right now, the system only serves Jeddah and the surrounding areas, namely the Muslim holy cities of Mecca and Medina, but there are plans to expand.

Foreign visitors can rent cars in Saudi Arabia, and both men and women can drive  provided their international drivers licenses and other paperwork are in order.

Uber is available in larger cities, as are Middle East rideshare apps like Careem and Kaiian, both of which have English options. For street hails, there are taxi stands at busy areas like shopping malls and sports stadiums. Your hotel can also organize taxis for you.

A woman in long dress and headscarf takes a photo of a Rub al Khali sand dune in Saudi Arabia - Eric Lafforgue/Art in All of Us/Corbis/Getty Images

What should I pack?

Bulgaria-born Elena Nikolova, who converted to Islam and now resides in Jeddah, makes a perfect bridge between locals and outsiders. On her website Muslim Travel Girl, she helps her followers know what to expect when they visit.

Nikolova also adds that while many women wear abayas, loose garments covering the body, or niqabs, which also cover the face, theyre not required for foreigners. In big cities like Jeddah and Riyadh you dont need to wear a scarf or abaya. Wearing clothes that cover your body is OK.

However, she points out that location is important, as smaller villages in more rural areas might not have the same vibe as major cities. It is better for you to wear a maxi dress for example or an open abaya and scarf [there], she adds. According to Nikolova, these guidelines are not laws  its just about fitting in.

Kareem George, CEO of travel specialist and tour organizer Culture Traveler, also fielded clothing-related questions from his clients ahead of a Saudi Arabia tour.

I was surprised by the variety of dress I observed, he says. Saudi women and men both in traditional dress as well as more contemporary attire. There was an overall modesty to the dress for both sexes, however there was a lot of variety in colors, styles and textures.

That said, its not unusual to see some men wearing shorts (granted, knee-length ones like cargos, not short shorts) and polo shirts, as the rules for male clothing are more relaxed.

There was not an expectation for a foreigner to wear a thobe, George adds, referring to the traditional garment many men wear in the Middle East. My Western dress was accepted and not considered rude in any way.

When it comes to dressing, weather and terrain are important considerations. If youre planning to hike or visit the desert attractions in AlUla, for example, youll want to take tips from the locals: loose-fitting clothing, lightweight fabrics like linen and natural cotton, and hiking boots. Its not unusual to see a Saudi woman sporting sneakers with her abaya.

And while its okay for non-Muslims to visit mosques  a pretty common occurrence, as many are tourist attractions in their own right  proper dress is a must. Women should cover their hair to be respectful.

If you plan to visit mosques, pack some socks  youll be asked to remove your shoes to go inside.

A view of Riyadh at night - JohnnyGreig/E+/Getty Images

Public displays of affection

Tourism is growing in Saudi Arabia and with it more cultural freedoms, but its important to remember that certain public displays of affection should be avoided.

No matter the gender or status of the people in a relationship, locking lips in public could result in some surprised stares.

There is a general expectation of modesty in ones deportment and respect of others personal space in public, George says.

Nikolova adds: You can hold hands, but kissing  especially for a prolonged time  is normally frowned upon, mostly because it makes [locals] uncomfortable. PDA is reserved for couples in private in many Muslim countries.

Some regulations around unmarried couples have loosened in recent years.

In 2019, Saudi authorities announced that unmarried foreign couples would be permitted to share hotel rooms.

The countrys national travel authority website indicates that LGBTQ tourists are welcome in Saudi Arabia. It says: Everyone is welcome to visit Saudi, and we ask that they follow and respect our culture and traditions and laws, as you would when visiting any other country in the world.

That said, it is important to note that gay sex is prohibited by law, with consequences including fines, jail time or even death. The UK Foreign Office, among others, warns its citizens that homosexual or extra-marital sexual relations, including adultery, are illegal and can be subject to severe penalties.

There are other social rules to be mindful of. Generally, unrelated men and women wouldnt be in a private space together. However, this is one of those areas where youll need to look around you and do as the locals are doing.

It might be OK for a foreign woman and a local man to have a business meeting together if theyre somewhere public like a coffee shop or if they just keep the office door open. When it comes to greetings, a polite hello is plenty  not everyone will feel comfortable shaking hands or kissing on the cheek, especially with someone of the opposite gender.

In urban areas like Jeddah, single women often take taxis driven by men  but they are expected to always sit in the back.

It is actually safe for women to travel in Saudi Arabia, Nikolova says. You will find that many women go out alone or with friends without issue, especially in large cities like Jeddah and Riyadh.

Raising a glass

One of the most discussed topics for foreign tourists in Saudi Arabia is alcohol.

While other nearby majority-Muslim countries like Qatar and the United Arab Emirates do sell alcohol under very specific, limited conditions and have it available in hotels, thats not the case in Saudi. Alcohol isnt just unfashionable  its illegal, regardless of whether youre a local or a tourist.

And that ban on alcohol isnt only in practice once youre on the ground in Saudi Arabia.

That law applies to Saudia, the countrys national airline, as well. If youre accustomed to having a glass of wine to help you sleep on a long flight, you might want to consider buying a ticket on a carrier that does serve booze on board.

The Kaaba, in Mecca, is Islam's holiest site - Aviator70/iStockphoto/Getty Images

All in the timing

Mecca, Islams holiest city, is here in Saudi Arabia. Muslims are required to make the hajj, or religious pilgrimage to the citys holiest sites, at least once in their lifetime.

Although it may sound like a bad time to visit Saudi Arabia, Nikolova says that if youre not Muslim and want to see other parts of the country, hajj could actually be the best time to plan a trip.

While restrictions on tourists are put in place at Jeddah, the rest of Saudi Arabia remains open for tourists, says Nikolova. Usually that time is also less crowded, as many locals and expats have two weeks off and leave the country for holidays.

When it comes to visiting mosques, its best not to try to go on a Friday, which is the holiest day of the week, or during prayer times. Many mosques will post visitors hours outside, and the larger, more famous ones often have a website with more details.

However, there are some mosques you wont be able to visit  namely those in Mecca and Medina. Those are restricted to Muslims only.

It might also be wise for non-Muslims to avoid visiting during Ramadan, which is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. (In 2024, its likely to run from March 10 to April 8 - lunar months like Ramadan can vary a day either side)

I would recommend avoiding Muslim countries during Ramadan because there is not much to do during the day, Nikolova says, noting that because participants fast during the day and eat at night, shops and restaurants open later or not at all.

Many locals also advise against visiting in summer, as its normal for temperatures to top 120 degrees Fahrenheit (about 50 Celsius).

Due to the extreme heat, some businesses will close in the afternoon and reopen again later in the day. For example, in Jeddahs historic al-Balad neighborhood, most cafes and stores shut for several hours at midday.

If you want to find a place thats open for lunch, head to a mall  and also bring a sweater, as air-conditioning can sometimes overcompensate for the weather by being very strong.

The Red Seas luxurious waterfront resorts are best experienced in shoulder season, when prices are lower as well.

January is generally the coolest month of the year, with temperatures around 64-68 Fahrenheit (18-20 degrees Celsius). Winter is the ideal season for enjoying Saudi Arabias many outdoor activities, from hiking historic archeological sites to stargazing in the desert.

CNNs Julia Buckley contributed reporting.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
The border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland was established in 1921

Officials discussed the possibility of redrawing the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic in the 1970s, Irish state archives have revealed.

Reducing the size of NI was one option proposed by Dublin civil servants in response to escalating violence during the Troubles.

They were asked to consider the costs and consequences of such a scenario.

The 1975 discussion paper has been made public for the first time as part of the annual release of state papers.

The previously secret document was entitled the "Negotiated Repartition of Northern Ireland" and contained a proposal to transfer swathes of land and hundreds of thousands of residents from north to south.

It was drawn up at the request of the Irish cabinet, following the collapse of the Sunningdale Agreement along with Stormont's nascent power-sharing government in 1974.

The Irish government wanted to prepare itself for all eventualities, including a possible British withdrawal, large-scale violence and even civil war.

'Economic burden'

The discussion paper's authors envisioned a range of possibilities for the path of a new land border but even the most conservative would have seen many towns and villages transferred into the Republic of Ireland, with only County Antrim left intact.

Under the option for maximum change, two thirds of Northern Ireland's territory would have become part of the Republic, with all of County Fermanagh and large parts of counties Tyrone, Down, Armagh and Londonderry changing hands.

According to Irish broadcaster RTE, this option would have involved 486,000 residents (285,000 Catholics and 201,000 non-Catholics) moving from north to south.

The costs of redrawing the border and rehousing affected residents were estimated at up to 873m at the time - a figure exceeding 7bn in today's money.

But officials also suggested there would be a "tremendous economic burden" if the border was forcibly redrawn as a result of large-scale violence.

The discussion paper also examined the consequences of possible Irish military intervention in Northern Ireland to "subdue loyalist resistance".

Irish government advisors concluded that this option would be "beyond our military and administrative capabilities".

The 1975 plan was not needed but it was not the first time that the Irish government had put forward its own proposals to change the borderline.

When the island of Ireland was partitioned in 1921 the Anglo-Irish Treaty stated that a commission would be set up to determine the future boundary of the recently established Northern Ireland.

However, due to the outbreak of the Irish Civil War, the Irish Boundary Commission did not hold its first meeting until 1924.

The commission's proposals were partially leaked to the Morning Post newspaper in November 1925 and the report horrified the Irish government, which had not anticipated it would lose any of its territory to Northern Ireland.

The Irish Free State's then leader, WT Cosgrave, went to London for talks and the two governments agreed to shelve the commission's recommendations and keep the border to its original 1921 path.
Police in the US are searching for a teenage Chinese exchange student they fear has been kidnapped.

Kai Zhuang, 17, was last seen on Wednesday at his home in the town of Riverdale in Utah.

Police said it is possible he is being held against his will and is in danger.

Officers were alerted to concerns about Kai's welfare on Thursday evening by the school he was attending in Riverdale, which had been contacted by his parents at home in China.

Riverdale Police Department Chief Casey Warren said the parents told school officials they had been sent a ransom demand and a picture of their son, indicating he was abducted.

Officers then visited the home of the host family where the missing teenager was living, who said they were unaware he was not in the house at the time.

The family told police they had seen Kai on the evening of 27 December and may have heard him in the early hours of the following morning.

Investigators initially said they believed the boy had been "forcefully taken from his home".

But on Friday, Mr Warren told reporters there was currently no evidence to suggest that.

He said officers are working with the FBI in the US and authorities in China and that "several investigative efforts are underway" to find him.

The force has issued an endangered missing person advisory for Kai. They were unable to use the US alert system for missing persons as no suspect had yet been identified, Mr Warren said.
People tried to scoop fuel from the tanker after it had tipped over into a ditch

The death toll from Tuesday's fuel tanker crash and explosion in Liberia has risen to 52 after 12 more people died from their injuries, Health Minister Dr Wilhelmina Jallah said.

The tanker overturned along a road in Totota town, about 130km (80 miles) from the capital, Monrovia.

It burst into flames soon after people rushed to the site to scoop fuel from the tanker, eyewitnesses said.

Some of the bodies were burnt to ashes, one health official said.

Dr Jallah also told the BBC that about 89 others, who are in being treated in hospital, are in a very critical state.

The cause of the crash is unclear.

Video footage shows that a large number of people, including children, had gathered around the tanker after it overturned.

Some had buckets and jerrycans and others were on top of the tanker when it burst into flames.

Liberia's President George Weah expressed his condolences to the families of the dead, saying he found images of the tragedy "deeply disturbing", his office said.

Mr Weah has given the health authorities his "full backing to beef up manpower and equipment where necessary in their frantic effort to save lives", the statement added.

Meanwhile a group calling itself the Concerned Bong County Citizens has urged the president to declare a national day of mourning."Such a day will give us the opportunity as a nation and people to collectively mourn the death of so many of our compatriots", it said in a statement.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is reportedly building an underground bunker on his expansive Hawaii ranch. Credit - David Paul MorrisGetty Images

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan, co-founder and co-CEO of the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, plan to build a 5,000-square-foot underground shelter on their Hawaii ranch with its own energy and food supplies, according to a Wired investigation published earlier this month.

The plan is that the shelters door will be made of metal and filled in with concretecommon in bunkers and bomb shelters, the news outlet reported in its extensive article citing planning documents and interviews.

The bunker-like construction is just one part of the sprawling 1,400-acre compound, named Koolau Ranch, on the island of Kauai. Planning documents obtained by Wired show the partially-completed compound is set to include more than a dozen buildings with at least 30 bedrooms and 30 bathrooms, including two stand-alone mansions. There are also plans for 11 treehouses, as well as a fitness center, guest houses and operations buildings.

It was not clear from reports of planning documents what the intent of the underground shelter is. In response to questions from TIME about the project and the purpose of the bunker, Brandi Hoffine Barr, a spokesperson for Zuckerberg and Chan, noted that Kauai County encourages homeowners to build shelters. The county started offering residents a tax break for building hurricane-resistant safe rooms two decades ago.

More From TIME

Mark and Priscilla value the time their family spends at Koolau Ranch and in the local community, and are committed to preserving the ranchs natural beauty, Hoffine Barr told TIME via email. They added that 80 luxury homes were slated to be built on the property before the couple bought it, and theyre now developing on less than one percent [of the land], leaving the rest for farming, ranching, conservation, open spaces and wildlife preservation.

Silicon Valleys elite have been buying up property and trying to build bunkers for years, The Guardian has reported. Venture capitalist Peter Thiels much-publicized plans were not approved by a local council in New Zealand in 2022, as authorities cited concerns that the bunker-like home would negatively impact the surrounding landscape. Entrepreneurs are reportedly selling luxury underground apartments in case of a catastrophe, while super-rich doomsday preppers asked Douglas Rushkoff, author of the book Survival of the Richest, how to guard their own food supply, among other end times survival concerns, he has shared.

Whatever the purpose, the cost to build the new Zuckerberg-Chan compound is expensivealong with the land, it is pegged at upwards of $270 million, Wired reported. Construction and other workers on the property were reportedly made to sign strict non-disclosure agreements, according to the news outlet. In an emailed response to TIME, Hoffine Barr did not address a question about NDAs.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Two men teamed up to steal high-value items worth more than $200,000 off the shelves of The Home Depot and Lowes in several states, federal prosecutors said.

During a one-year spree involving two dozen thefts, the men drove to Home Depot and Lowes stores in the Northeast  where they grabbed products and put them in plastic bags before leaving, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of New Hampshire.

They targeted stores in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island in 2022 and 2023, court documents show.

After the thefts, the men returned to New York, where they live, with the stolen items, such as circuit breakers and batteries, according to prosecutors.

One of the men, a 24-year-old New York resident, was sentenced on Dec. 28 to one year and one month in prison on a charge of transporting stolen goods across state lines, the attorneys office announced in a news release.

His court-appointed defense attorney, David M. Rothstein, declined a request for comment from McClatchy News on Dec. 29.

What (he) did  in stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars in high-end merchandise from home improvement retailers all over New England  drives up costs for consumers and businesses everywhere, Jodi Cohen, FBI special agent in charge of the agencys Boston division, said in a statement.

In a sentencing memo submitted on the mans behalf, Rothstein wrote his client has accepted responsibility for his actions and made a terrible series of mistakes.

The man pleaded guilty to transportation of stolen goods on Sept. 15, according to prosecutors.

The retail thefts seemed like an easy way to make money, with no one getting hurt. However, (he) made relatively little money, and he had no idea of the magnitude of the economic harm his conduct wrought on these businesses, Rothstein wrote in the sentencing memo.

The other man was sentenced to two years in prison on Nov. 6 after he pleaded guilty to transportation of stolen goods on July 31, according to the attorneys office.

McClatchy News contacted Eric Wolpin, his federal public defender, for comment on Dec. 29 and didnt receive an immediate response.

According to prosecutors, the men tried to steal over $46,000 worth of additional products from Lowes on 11 separate occasions, but were unsuccessful.

In total, Lowes lost more than $170,000 from the thefts and Home Depot lost over $25,000, according to court documents.

Both men were ordered to pay the stores $204,969.02 in restitution, according to prosecutors and court records.

A Home Depot spokesperson declined comment on Dec. 29, and McClatchy News is awaiting a response from Lowes.

Woman poses as her dead aunt, steals over $1 million in benefits for 25 years, feds say

Woman raises $15K for friend hurt in crash  then keeps it for herself, NJ officials say

Bank employee steals over $105,000 in benefits meant for customer who died, feds say
The Biden administration is leaning on Mexico to help reduce the number of migrants showing up at the southern border in the face of few and unpalatable policy options stateside.

The White Houses push is straining relations with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who played a key role in implementing former President Trumps most stringent border policies under threat of tariffs.

Lopez Obrador, who met in Mexico City this week with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas and homeland security adviser Liz Sherwood-Randall, is negotiating from a position of strength because border security has grown into a major U.S. electoral issue ahead of 2024.

[President Biden] is definitely hoping that Mexico will do something that pushes the numbers down for a few months at least, said Adam Isacson, director of defense oversight at the Washington Office on Latin America.

Border encounters are reaching all-time highs: In December, the Border Patrol is on track to process a record number of migrants who have crossed the border between ports of entry.

FILE - President Joe Biden and Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador chat prior to having the official photo taken during the North America Summit, at the National Palace in Mexico City, Jan. 10, 2023. President Joe Biden and Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador are two strong allies who don't always get along personally. On Friday, they will meet to talk migration, fentanyl trafficking and Cuba relations.(AP Photo/Fernando Llano, File)

FILE  President Joe Biden and Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador chat prior to having the official photo taken during the North America Summit, at the National Palace in Mexico City, Jan. 10, 2023. President Joe Biden and Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador are two strong allies who dont always get along personally. On Friday, they will meet to talk migration, fentanyl trafficking and Cuba relations.(AP Photo/Fernando Llano, File)

In the first 27 days of the month, Border Patrol processed 225,000 migrants  its highest count ever  according to a report by CBS News.

Thats despite the Biden administration ratcheting up measures intended to deter future migrants from coming to the United States. In its annual report issued Friday, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) touted a 19.5 percent jump in arrests of noncitizens, a majority of whom werent accused of criminal actions.

Border crossings stuck to an upward trend even though ICE conducted 170,590 arrests, 96,768 of which were purely administrative, meaning the detainees had no criminal convictions or charges, and conducted 142,580 removals of foreign nationals.

And U.S. border officials are running on fumes, dealing with those record numbers without extra funding the Biden administration requested from Congress, which would have added 1,300 Border Patrol jobs and 1,600 asylum officers.

That funding was included in a supplemental budget request paired with aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan that ultimately petered out in Senate negotiations ahead of Christmas because of disagreement over border policy changes requested by Republicans and opposed by many Democrats.

More stories from The Hill

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), who along with Sens. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) and James Lankford (R-Okla.) is leading the talks, said Friday the group has been meeting virtually and will return to the table in the new year, according to a report by Politico.

But those talks are in danger of becoming embroiled in the larger budget fight, as Congress stares down dual government shutdown deadlines in late January and early February.

That gridlock has left Biden with few levers to pull to quickly reduce the number of migrants presenting themselves at the border, a metric for border enforcement success that the administration adopted to the chagrin of immigrant advocates.

Enter Lopez Obrador.

The Mexican president, a loud advocate of addressing the root causes of migration, has nonetheless been a key enforcer of migration controls for the Trump and Biden administrations.

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.)

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) arrives for a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing to review of the National Security Supplemental Request on Tuesday, October 31, 2023.

Mexicos National Guard, a militarized police force created by Lopez Obrador, has turned its focus away from the countrys organized crime crisis and toward migration controls.

Root causes is a long-term solution, its not going to do anything really between now and, say, 2028 at the very earliest. So in the short term, yeah, hes using deterrence just like everyone else  all these checkpoints, all those National Guard controls, said Isacson.

According to an analysis of Mexican government data by national newspaper El Economista, the National Guards criminal arrest rates dropped 60 percent from 2021 to 2022, while migrant rescues grew 432.5 percent in the same period.

Mexican officials dating to previous administrations use the term rescue for interactions between migrants and law enforcement; those interactions can include literal rescues from smuggling organizations or physically dangerous situations, but they almost always involve a review of migrants documents and can result in deportations.

Through the National Guard and controls at its southern border, Mexico has some influence over the volume of migrants reaching the United States, but Lopez Obradors sharpest tool is his ability to decide whether or not hell take third-country deportees or expellees from the United States, cooperating on policies such as Title 42 and remain in Mexico.

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In a sign of the kind of deterrence Biden can expect from Lopez Obrador, Mexican immigration officials bulldozed a migrant encampment in Matamoros, a city across the Rio Grande from Brownsville, Texas, as Blinken and company met with Lopez Obrador almost 500 miles away in Mexico City.

Mexican officials said the camp, which once housed about 1,500 people, was empty, though the migrants dodging the bulldozer said about 200 people remained, according to an Associated Press report.

Neither the Mexican nor U.S. governments offered details about the negotiations between Lopez Obrador and Blinken, instead issuing an almost-boilerplate joint communique about the visit that itself created some friction between the two sides.

After Mexico published its version of the joint statement, the White House published a nearly identical version, except that it included the phrase democratic decline as a root cause of irregular migration.

By diplomatic protocol, joint communiques are agreed to word-for-word after negotiation on language.

At the table, U.S. officials did not ask to include democratic decline  a phrase Mexicos opposition understood as a reference to Lopez Obradors practices  and uploaded a corrected version of the statement, without the offending phrase, hours later.

A National Security Council spokesperson attributed the gaffe to a version control issue.

The diplomatic faux pas highlighted the areas of disagreement between the two countries  mainly on democracy and relations with Cuba and Venezuela  and how far the Biden administration is willing to bend on those issues to get its desired results at the border.

But if those results come through asylum or transit restrictions, whether theyre produced through Mexican collaboration or policy changes forced by Congress, theyre unlikely to have a lasting impact.

Large U.S. border policy shifts tend to drive down border crossings for a period, as was the case in June, when migrant apprehensions dropped significantly after the end of Title 42, but usually bounce back.

And those asylum and transit restrictions can have permanent effects on the migrants on the receiving end.

Theres nothing here that is better policy. Its going to hurt people. Six to eight months after it happens, itll be a wash anyway, as migrants and smugglers find new ways around it, said Isacson.

All this will do  and youve seen this repeatedly  is push the numbers down for a few months. Buy a little breathing space.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - The border zone between the Gaza Strip and Egypt should be under Israel's control, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday as he predicted the war in the Palestinian enclave and on other regional fronts would last many more months.

Netanyahu held a news conference as Israel entered the 13th week of its war against Gaza's ruling Hamas Islamists, which has stoked violence in the occupied West Bank and touched off attacks by Iran-backed groups in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen.

"The Philadelphi Corridor - or to put it more correctly, the southern stoppage point (of Gaza) - must be in our hands. It must be shut. It is clear that any other arrangement would not ensure the demilitarisation that we seek," he said.

Israel has said it intends to destroy Hamas in Gaza and demilitarise and deradicalise the territory in order to prevent any repeat of the Oct. 7 cross-border killing and kidnapping spree by the Palestinians militant group that sparked the war.

"The war is at its height. We are fighting on all of the fronts. Achieving victory will require time. As the (IDF) chief of staff has said, the war will continue for many more months," Netanyahu said.

He added a rare threat to attack Iran directly over the near-daily exchanges of fire across the Israel-Lebanon border. "If Hezbollah expands the warfare, it will suffer blows that it has not dreamed of - and so too Iran," Netanyahu said without elaborating.

(Writing by Dan Williams; Editing by David Holmes)
Democratic Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez says she was moved to run for Congress in southwest Washington state when she noticed signs that Trump-endorsed Republican Joe Kent was gaining traction in her home district.

I put my life in a blender," Gluesenkamp Perez told NBC News, adding: "I just didnt want to be represented by an extremist with a political ideology, and not a personal commitment to our community, our interests."

Now, to keep her seat, she may have to do it again, as Kent is running a rematch campaign for the typically GOP-leaning district in 2024. And theyre not alone: More than a dozen members of Congress from both parties, many of them in battleground districts, are on a collision course with the same opponents they faced in 2022.

Just as the presidency could come down to a repeat matchup, which party controls the House in 2024 may rest on whether voters in key districts stick with their 2022 picks or move in a different direction when confronted with the same congressional candidates.

Its gonna be a grudge fight again, Gluesenkamp Perez said, referring to the race she won in 2022 by less than 1 percentage point. Kent, she added, has not moderated one iota.

In interviews with NBC News, members of Congress and repeat challengers running in expected rematches say the issues at the top of voters minds are largely the same as in 2022, setting the stage for similar debates two years later.

The issues are cost of living, abortion, health care access and freedoms. Theyre carrying over and are even more important, said Nebraska state Sen. Tony Vargas, the Democrat headed for a rematch against GOP Rep. Don Bacon in an Omaha-based district.

The same candidates  and the same themes

One issue in particular, Vargas says, was top of mind for voters in 2022 and has gotten stronger since then.

Last year, obviously Roe v. Wade activated many voters, and this year, the Legislature in Nebraska passed a [12-week] abortion ban  Women are frustrated, theyre mad, theyre angry, he said.

Ashley Eshasz, who is running again in the Philadelphia suburbs hoping to unseat GOP Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, also emphasized abortion as a repeat issue.

Voters are just even more aware than they were in 22 that [abortion] is an important issue and that it is under attack, she said.

Former Rep. Mayra Flores, a Republican, agreed that voters are keyed in on the same issues they cared about in 2022, but with more intensity.

The issues remain the same, with the exception that things have gotten worse, Flores told NBC News, highlighting inflation and border security as top issues for voters in her old border district in South Texas.

Flores lost her election against Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, a Democrat, by almost 9 points in 2022.

Shed won a special election earlier in the year, but the November general election was held under new congressional maps following redistricting, which made the district more Democratic. Still, shes hoping to take back the seat, if she can first win a competitive GOP primary in the district.

People are waking up and realizing that the person that they voted for betrayed them. I dont blame the voters, they genuinely thought that the person that they were voting in was a person that was going to help them and was going to be able to improve the economy, Flores said, adding: Unfortunately, that didnt happen.

In Pennsylvania, GOP Rep. Scott Perry agrees that voters are considering the same issues  but, he added, theyve already made up their minds on who better represents them.

If it is a rematch, Perry told NBC News, I think that voters did resoundingly [pick him] in a pretty even district here in central Pennsylvania" in 2022. And, he continued, "I dont know that theres anything thats been a dramatic change" since then.

Though the Democratic primary in the district still has to play out, Perry could be headed to a rematch against Harrisburg City Council Member Shamaine Daniels, whom Perry bested by almost 8 points in 2022.

Bacon, the Nebraska Republican incumbent, agreed with the sentiment.

I find that the second time people have already made up their minds the first time, and the challenger tends to do worse, he told NBC News.

Rep. Don Bacon (Drew Angerer / Getty Images file)

There are two major differences in 2024: the presidential race topping the ticket, and a uniquely dysfunctional session in Congress leading up to the election year. For the most part, though, the incumbents and challengers dismissed the idea that a presidential race will significantly impact their campaigns, other than increasing voter turnout.

I dont latch myself to the top of the ticket, said Bacon, whose district backed President Joe Biden over Donald Trump by nearly 7 points in 2020. Where I agree, I agree; where I disagree, I will.

Whatever happens at the presidential level, we believe that this is going to be a very, very close, very competitive [congressional] election, said former Iowa state Rep. Christina Bohannan, a Democrat running for a second time in southeast Iowa, where shes hoping to unseat Republican Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks.

Bohannan said the chaos in the House this year  including a prolonged fight to find a speaker in January and then the prolonged saga over removing and replacing Speaker Kevin McCarthy in September  is resonating in her community, marking a difference from 2022.

The thing that is different in this cycle is that people are really seeing that the U.S. House is dysfunctional, that it is failing to take even the most basic measures to protect working families. And my opponent is a big part of that, Bohannan told NBC News.

Vargas echoed Bohannan, saying, Seeing the dysfunction being led by the Republican leadership  makes people want to vote differently.

Voting records are fodder for new attacks

In many of 2024s expected rematches, challengers are running against first-term members of Congress in competitive seats. In these districts, theyre watching every House vote.

Its harder in a lot of respects to run against an incumbent, New York Democrat Josh Riley told NBC News. Hes running again versus first-term GOP Rep. Marc Molinaro, who beat him in 2022 by less than 2 points.

Whats different here, though, is that now the incumbent Im running against has a really, really bad voting record in Congress, Riley continued.

On the other side of the aisle, former GOP Rep. Yvette Herrell is making the same case against Democratic Rep. Gabe Vasquez, who beat her by less than 1 point in southern New Mexico last year.

I think really the biggest difference is Gabes voting record, Herrell told NBC News, adding: When youre voting, you know, 95% of the time or more with Nancy Pelosi, and Hakeem Jeffries, you know  people are not lost on whats being voted on in Washington, D.C. And so I think thats going to play a huge role in this in this upcoming election.

Riley and Herrell both accused their opponents of voting against what they campaigned on, as did Will Rollins, a Democrat running for a second time against GOP Rep. Ken Calvert in California.

One opportunity we have as second-time candidates is to talk about the promises that they broke in the midterms, Rollins told NBC News.

The incumbents who spoke to NBC News, whether in their first term or their fourth term, echoed the importance of running on their records, especially in swing districts.

Im going to have to run as Don Bacon and run on my own record, Bacon said. Im known as one of the independent Republicans there and thats  I think thats what this district wants, but it will be a tough race.

Gluesenkamp Perez said the same about her race. During the interview, she noted that she decided to run for Congress after being disturbed to see Kent gaining traction in her area.

I know my neighbors. I know who traditionally has what yard signs up. And yeah, I saw people that should have had the incumbents signs up instead had Joe Kents signs up, and so I started watching his YouTube videos and was completely freaked out by what I saw, Gluesenkamp Perez told NBC News.

Though the district leans conservative, it was ultimately willing to elect a Democrat over Kent. Since then, Gluesenkamp Perez said, she has had to demonstrate that I was very serious about being an independent voice for my community. And I have a voting record now that reflects that and, you know, Ive taken the tough stances against my party when I need to.

Candidates claim voter enthusiasm

Many of next years rematches are happening in extremely close districts, ones that were won by just a few percentage points or less in 2022 and are expected to be just as close in 2024.

They are the kind of conditions that spawn hope for repeat challengers, who repeatedly cited enthusiasm on the ground as their incentive for running again.

[Don Bacon] has been losing ground with everyday people  This explains why, from last year to this year, we have just been getting a record number of volunteers, Vargas said.

Rollins, who lost his race by less than 5 points and was in Washington for freshman congressional orientation when his race was called against him, said people who didnt notice his campaign in 2022 are paying attention now.

Even the incumbents cited growing support and enthusiasm.

[Weve] also gotten a lot of outreach from folks who have, you know, said that they didnt vote for me last time, but theyre gonna vote for me this time, Gluesenkamp Perez said.

Across the country, Perry emphasized the same point. Every election is different, but we go out and earn every single vote every time, he said.

In New York, Riley noted, The first question I usually get is, Whats going to be different in 2024?

The short answer is were going to win at this time.
Authorities across the US are working to ensure New Years revelers security this weekend, particularly in New York, where law enforcement officials say the war in Gaza has contributed to the concern of lone-wolf attacks, though they stress there is no specific reporting regarding any threats.

A joint threat assessment based on an analysis from 10 law enforcement agencies  the FBI, the US Department of Homeland Security and the New York Police Department among them  says the Israel-Hamas war has created a heightened threat environment.

The Intelligence Community remains concerned about lone offenders using online platforms to express threats of violence against Jewish, Muslim, and Arab communities, as well as committing simple, unsophisticated attacks that are difficult to detect in advance, the assessment obtained by CNN says.

The concern may be most prevalent in New York, where the FBI and the police department will monitor for potential threats Sunday from a large command center and amid an enhanced security perimeter as Times Square crowds count down to midnight  likely the highest profile New Years celebration of all, with an estimated audience of 1 billion worldwide. Demonstrations that could crop up related to the violence in Gaza also are on officials radar.

New York Mayor Eric Adams and the citys police leaders said Friday there were no specific threats to celebrations in Times Square but added, Were gonna be ready to respond to any potential problem.

The worries, while pronounced ahead of the holiday, are not new: Law enforcement across the United States has been especially vigilant since Hamas attacked on October 7 and as Israels siege of Gaza since then has intensified. The threat assessment obtained by CNN points to a series of false bomb threats early this month against synagogues and the shooting last month of three Palestinian students in Vermont as cases that could have been motivated by the Middle East conflict.

And one need not look far for an example of an attack in Times Square on New Years Eve by a so-called lone wolf, a reference to someone who might be radicalized to carry out violence but is not part of a formal extremist group: Last year, a 19-year-old characterized by FBI official Robert Kissane as a homegrown violent extremist radicalized by online propaganda was shot by police after he allegedly attacked three officers at a security checkpoint; he has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.

This year, large, live televised events remain an attractive target for foreign terrorist organizations, as well as domestic violent extremists, the assessment notes.

Were in a heightened threat environment. Weve been in that heightened threat environment really since October 7, Kissane told CNN in an interview at a command center where officials from numerous partner agencies will monitor and investigate potential threats.

The day Hamas fighters poured across Israels border, killing 1,200 and taking dozens hostage, was something of a flashpoint, and the ongoing conflict is certainly motivating and inspiring people to do bad things, said Kissane, the special agent in charge of the FBIs Counterterrorism Division at its New York Field Office and the Joint Terrorism Task Force. But New York frequently hosts large events, he noted, and the New York Police Department, the FBI and their partners work well together.

I would argue theres no place in the world that is better positioned to put on an event like the New Years Eve ball drop, he said, emphasizing there is no specific and credible threat to this weekends Times Square event.

Protests present added concern, officials say

Authorities have expanded the security perimeter around Times Square  a move made in part due to last years attack, the citys Chief of Patrol John Chell said  to keep cars off nearby major streets so police could move quickly toward an emergency. And theyll rely on a myriad of tools and technology, like: cameras, a specially equipped police helicopter and drones, police countersniper teams in skyscrapers and bomb detection dogs that can catch a whiff of explosives, even in a crowd from 100 feet away.

Officials also have expressed concerns about potential demonstrations related to the war in Gaza, with the assessment noting they could disrupt critical infrastructure or events  or become targets themselves.

Some demonstrations in recent months have led to confrontations with police, as protesters decry the mounting civilian death toll in Gaza: More than 21,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 7, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-controlled enclave. As recently as Christmas Day, six people were arrested in New York during a pro-Palestinian demonstration after protesters clashed with officers, CNN affiliate WABC reported.

Theres an added concern because of some of the protests you have been seeing, Adams said Tuesday, nodding to an effort last month to disrupt the lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. And were sure that theres going to be some type of attempt this year to use that stage for some other concerns that people are having.

Since October 7, the New York Police Department has seen more than 1,000 protests across the city, Chell told CNN. And the department fully expects protesters on New Years Eve, just like at the Rockefeller tree lighting and during the Thanksgiving Day parade.

Its a massive operation that we prepare for all year, Chell said of New Years Eve in Times Square. Youre talking 1.2 million spectators in a close, confined area  The eyes of the world are on us. We have an awesome responsibility to keep everyone safe, to keep New Yorkers in a good place and having fun and protect the whole community.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

CNNs John Miller reported and wrote this story from Los Angeles; Nicki Brown and Dakin Andone reported and wrote in New York. CNNs Mark Morales and Zenebou Sylla contributed to this report.

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A civil rights leader who said he was asked to leave a movie screening because of a specialized chair he tried to use has called the incident a violation of his 14th Amendment rights.

At a Friday news conference, Bishop William Barber, 60, said the situation with theater staff should have never escalated and he believed the incident was a violation of his rights under the 14th Amendment, which protects Americans civil rights.

Speaking to reporters in Greenville, North Carolina, where the incident occurred, Barber also offered new details, saying he was one of the individuals who called 911 because he felt unsafe over how he was being treated by theater staff.

The civil rights leader said theater staff asked him to leave the screening of The Color Purple because of a specialty chair he attempted to use in the disabled section of the theater, CNN previously reported.

Barber, who previously served as president of the NAACP North Carolina chapter, said he suffers from ankylosing spondylitis, a type of arthritis he has dealt with for decades. As a result, he walks using two canes and uses a specialized chair to ease discomfort while he sits, he told CNN. In video of the incident shared by Barber with CNN, the chair appears to have a backrest and no arms.

Addressing whether he believed race played a factor in the confrontation, Barber said the AMC staff were not White, which to him underscored wrong is just wrong, no matter your skin color, he said.

It shouldve never been a police escalation situation, never been threatened to be charged with trespassing, said Barber.

The Greenville Police Department confirmed officers arrived at the AMC Fire Tower 12 after receiving a call for trespassing. Officers said the caller stated a customer was arguing with employees and the employees wanted the customer removed.

After a conversation with Barber, he agreed to leave the theater voluntarily and no charges were filed, according to a Greenville police statement.

Barber said the day after Christmas matinee visit was planned as a special memory with his 90-year-old mother. Barber said he had to leave her behind with an assistant when asked to leave the theater or face arrest.

One of the managers (said) whats the big deal, Barber recalled.

Whats the big deal? Civil rights and disability rights are a big deal, he said.

Barber claims the workers actions went against Title 3 of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which proscribes discrimination on the basis of disability and public accommodations, he said.

AMC representatives said in a statement obtained by CNN affiliate WITN they have apologized to Barber.

AMCs Chairman and CEO Adam Aron has already telephoned him and plans to meet with him in person in Greenville, NC, next week to discuss both this situation and the good works Bishop Barber is engaged in throughout the years, the statement reads. We are also reviewing our policies with our theater teams to help ensure that situations like this do not occur again.

Barber said he will meet with AMC representatives on Tuesday.

In 1993, Barber joined Greenleaf Christian Church in Goldsboro, and over the next three decades he became renowned for his work addressing issues such as poverty, inequality, and racism. He served as president of the North Carolina NAACP chapter from 2005 until 2017.

CNNs Zoe Sottile and Sharif Paget contributed to this report.

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Jerry Mennenga/Zuma Press/Newscom

On Thursday, Maine joined Colorado in concluding that Donald Trump is disqualified from running for president because he "engaged in insurrection" by inciting the January 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. Both of those decisions raise the question of what counts as an "insurrection" under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment and what it means to "engage in" one. The conjunction of Trump's ballot exclusion in Maine, which is based on a decision by the state's top election official, with his disqualification in Colorado, which is based on a ruling by that state's Supreme Court, highlights two more issues: Who decides whether a candidate is covered by Section 3, and what standard of proof should apply?

Section 3, which originally was aimed at preventing former Confederates from returning to public office after the Civil War, says "no person shallhold any office, civil or military, under the United Stateswho, having previously taken an oathas an officer of the United Statesto support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid and comfort to the enemies thereof." In its December 19 decision applying that provision, the Colorado Supreme Court partly upheld and partly overturned a ruling by Denver District Court Judge Sarah B. Wallace.

The case began with a lawsuit by several anti-Trump voters who sought an injunction compelling Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold to exclude him from the presidential primary ballot. Trump and the Colorado Republican State Central Committee joined the case as intervenors. After a five-day trial, Wallace concluded that "clear and convincing evidence" showed Trump had engaged in insurrection but that Section 3 does not apply to the presidency. The Colorado Supreme Court agreed with the first conclusion but disagreed with the second.

In Maine, by contrast, three challenges to Trump's candidacy were filed directly with Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, who held a hearing on December 15. Based on "a preponderance of the evidence" (a weaker standard than the one used in Colorado), Bellows concluded that "Mr. Trump's primary petition is invalid" because "he is not qualified to hold the office of the President under Section Three of the Fourteenth Amendment" and falsely claimed otherwise. The Trump campaign is appealing that decision in state court.

According to one interpretation of the 14th Amendment, neither the Colorado Supreme Court nor Bellows had the authority to decide whether Trump is disqualified based on his allegedly insurrectionary conduct. Under Section 5 of the amendment, "the Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article." Congress arguably did that when it passed the Insurrection Act in 1948. Under that statute, "whoever incites, sets on foot, assists, or engages in any rebellion or insurrection against the authority of the United States or the laws thereof, or gives aid or comfort thereto, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States."

Although Trump has been charged with federal and state crimes based on his efforts to reverse the outcome of the 2020 presidential election, he has not been charged with insurrection, let alone convicted of that offense. According to some critics of the Colorado and Maine decisions, that means he cannot be excluded from the ballot under Section 3. That argument assumes that Section 3 can take effect only through congressional legislation and that a conviction based on proof beyond a reasonable doubt is necessary to disqualify Trump.

One piece of evidence in support of the first premise, dissenting Colorado Supreme Court Justice Carlos Samour Jr. noted, is an opinion that Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase wrote the year after the 14th Amendment was ratified. Chase took the position that Section 3 was not self-executing. University of Chicago law professor William Baude and University of St. Thomas law professor Michael Stokes Paulsen argue that Chase was "simply wrong on this point." While Congress could pass legislation to enforce Section 3, they say, that does not mean the provision has no effect without such legislation.

In a 2023 law review article, Baude and Paulsen make an originalist case for a broad reading of Section 3 that they think clearly covers Trump. They also argue that any state or federal official charged with determining who is qualified to appear on a ballot, which would include state judges and secretaries of state, is not only authorized but obligated to disqualify Trump, along with "potentially many others" who participated in "the attempted overthrow of the 2020 presidential election."

As Baude and Paulsen see it, "Section Three is self-executing, operating as an immediate disqualification from office, without the need for additional action by Congress." It therefore "can and should be enforced by every official, state or federal, who judges qualifications." Those officials, Baude and Paulsen concede, may have different views about what sort of conduct disqualifies a candidate under Section 3. But they say uncertainty about the reach of Section 3 does not absolve officials of the responsibility to enforce it.

"Some applications," such as "declaring unilateral secession from lawful constitutional government" or "the taking up of arms against government," will be "clear and virtually indisputable, falling within the terms' core meaning," Baude and Paulsen write. "At the other end of the continuum, there will be situations that clearly lie in a safe harbor outside the legitimate range of meaning of Section Three's termsordinary expression of political dissent as well as even ordinary law violations."

Between those two extremes, Baude and Paulsen say, "there is a zone of reasonable, fair construction of allowable interpretation and application in which government officials may make judgments that must be conceded to be within the range of what the Constitution permitsand where the decisions and actions of government officials exercising their constitutional powers consequently cannot be considered unlawful and thereby subject to judicial invalidation. Within that fair range of meaning, different interpreters legitimately can reach differing conclusions, all in accordance with the Constitution."

The implication is that Maine's courts have no business second-guessing Bellows' determination that Trump is disqualified from the ballot. Since Baude and Paulsen think Trump is clearly covered by Section 3, Bellows' agreement on that point must qualify as a "reasonable, fair construction" and "allowable" application, meaning it is not subject to "judicial invalidation." Such broad executive-branch discretion in applying an ambiguous constitutional provision seems to open a huge can of worms, especially given Baude and Paulsen's view that not just Trump but "potentially many" other candidates could be affected.

What about due process? Trump argues that neither Wallace's trial nor Bellows' hearing gave him an adequate opportunity to contest the claim that he engaged in insurrection. Many observers, including vigorous Trump critics, agree.

"Our government cannot deprive someone of the right to hold public office without due process of law," Samour wrote in his dissent. "Even if we are convinced that a candidate committed horrible acts in the pastdare I say, engaged in insurrectionthere must be procedural due process before we can declare that individual disqualified from holding public office.If President Trump committed a heinous act worthy of disqualification, he should be disqualified for the sake of protecting our hallowed democratic system, regardless of whether citizens may wish to vote for him in Colorado. But such a determination must follow the appropriate procedural avenues. Absent adequate due process, it is improper for our state to bar him from holding public office."

The Washington Post made the same point in an editorial criticizing the Colorado Supreme Court's ruling. "The case's most consequential conundrum," it said, is "whether Mr. Trump really did engage in insurrection.What's missing from the majority's analysis is due process of law. Not only has Mr. Trump not been convicted of insurrection either by a jury of his peers or from the bench by a judge; he hasn't even been charged with it."

According to Baude and Paulsen, such criticism is misplaced. The Fifth and 14th Amendments say no person may be deprived of "life, liberty, or property" without "due process of law." But "it is far from clear that the right to hold public office is a form of

life, liberty, or property," Baude and Paulsen write. "It is a public privilege, a public trust, to be vested with the power of the people. And though it is a closer case, the same thing may be true even for those who already hold office at the moment that Section Three disqualifies them. Due process protects private vested rights from public deprivation. It does not protect public rights." In any case, they say, Section 3 supersedes due process in this context. They make a similar argument regarding potential conflicts between Section 3 and the First Amendment.

George Mason law professor Ilya Somin agrees that a criminal conviction is not necessary to disqualify Trump under Section 3. Since this is a civil process, he says, it makes sense that a weaker standard than proof beyond a reasonable doubt would apply. He also notes that "none of the ex-Confederates who were adjudged disqualified during Reconstruction had ever been convicted of any crimes related to their roles in the Civil War."

While former Confederates had indisputably participated in an insurrection, however, the same cannot be said of Trump. He vigorously denies it, and even critics who think he is manifestly unsuited for the presidency do not necessarily agree that his conduct is covered by Section 3. Nor is the historical record very helpful in answering that question.

In 2020, Indiana University law professor Gerard Magliocca wrote what he described as "the first scholarly account" of Section 3. In a 2021 Lawfare essay, Magliocca said he had been "unable to find any particularly helpful authority" on the question of what counts as an "insurrection." In the 1860s and 1870s, he noted, "everyone understood that the insurrection in question was the Confederacy, and no thought was given to what other insurrections might look like." He nevertheless thought the Capitol riot was plausibly viewed as an insurrection.

"The mob was seeking to halt or overturn a core constitutional function at the seat of government, which can reasonably be described as an attempt to replace law with force," Magliocca wrote. Furthermore, the criminal charges against some of the rioters indicated that they "intended to inflict bodily harm on members of Congress, which can be reasonably understood as a direct attack on the legislative branch itself and, more generally, the existing government."

More recently, Magliocca has taken a firmer stand. "I think that January 6 constitutes an insurrection within the meaning of Section 3," he told Boston's NPR station last week. "I think that former President Trump engaged in insurrection before and on January 6."

If "no thought was given to what other insurrections might look like" at the time the 14th Amendment was proposed and ratified, it is hard to be confident in that assessment. And if such disputes are to be resolved by state officials across the country, applying varying interpretations of Section 3 and varying standards of proof, the results are apt to be wildly uneven and inconsistent. "I am disturbed about the potential chaos wrought by an imprudent, unconstitutional, and standardless system in which each state gets to adjudicate Section Three disqualification cases on an ad hoc basis," Samour wrote. "Surely, this enlargement of state power is antithetical to the framers' intent."

To forestall that scenario, the U.S. Supreme Court need not reach the question of whether Trump engaged in insurrection. It could rule that Section 3 is not self-executing or that it does not apply to Trump because the presidential oath does not meet Section 3's criteria or because "any office, military or civil, under the United States" was not understood to include the presidency.

University of Richmond law professor Kurt Lash, a 14th Amendment scholar who recently wrote a paper on "the meaning and ambiguity" of Section 3, favors that last rationale. "At best, the text of Section 3 is ambiguous regarding the office of president," he writes in The New York Times. "The Supreme Court should limit the clause to its historically verifiable meaning and scope. Let the people make their own decisions about Donald Trump."

The post Who Decides Whether Trump Can Run, and What Sort of Evidence Suffices? appeared first on Reason.com.
Nicola Stevenson says it feels like no one is addressing the issues facing families in Northern Ireland

A principal in Craigavon, County Armagh, has a question for politicians: how many of you will have to choose between heating your homes or eating over the Christmas holiday?

From a pupil fainting due to hunger to another without a bed at home, Nicola Stevenson has noticed "more need" at Brownlow Integrated College this year.

About 50% receive free school meals.

But after holiday hunger payments were axed in March, these pupils may not receive a hot meal for two weeks.

"Politicians don't see what we see, day in, day out," Mrs Stevenson told BBC News NI.

"I could speak to Jeffrey Donaldson or Michelle O'Neill and tell them some of the stories we have seen, but there's a disconnect there.

"How many politicians will have to choose between turning the heat on and feeding your families over Christmas? I know this will be a dilemma for many of the families in my school.

"Come into the school and see the children who come in hungry, with holes in their shoes, a shirt that God knows when it last saw water, come and see the real life children that need their help."

The school holiday food grant was scrapped by the Department of Education, to save money.

The grant of 27 per child each fortnight was to help the families of nearly 100,000 pupils entitled to free school meals with the cost of feeding them during school holidays.

Northern Ireland is now the only part of the UK where there is no support available during the school holidays.

More than 96,000 children in Northern Ireland are entitled to free school meals

It has been without a functioning executive for almost two years, after the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) pulled out of Stormont in protest against post-Brexit trade rules.

It means senior civil servants are controlling government departments in Northern Ireland, but are restricted in what decisions they can take, in the absence of ministers.

How can anyone sit back?

"These people who are struggling are not just statistics, they're real people," said Mrs Stevenson.

"The families we see every day are really struggling to afford the basics, never mind luxuries.

"When you see a child that is hungry, you see how it affects their behaviour, their ability to focus and their mental and physical health, that is really real.

"How can anyone sit back and do nothing? We are trying to do everything in our power to help but I really, really worry about some families over the holidays.

"Politicians have to play their part but they can't do that when they're not even in government.

"These are problems affecting schools across Northern Ireland and we are being offered little to no support."

Brownlow Integrated College offers a free breakfast club for pupils and toast is available for anyone who is hungry throughout the day, at the school's expense.

Slightly more than half the school population is in receipt of free school meals but Mrs Stevenson says lots more children are coming to school hungry, so they are offered a free lunch too.

"A lot of our children are living in real poverty," said Mrs Stevenson.

"I'm not talking about not being able to afford a bottle of wine and a Chinese takeaway on a Friday night, I mean not being able to afford a tin of baked beans.

"Last week we had a mother in school who couldn't afford food, she had something like 16p in her purse, and luckily we had a couple of hampers that we happened to just have made up sitting so we were able to give her one to take home. Talk about being grateful.

"Most of our parents don't want handouts and they certainly don't want to ask for help and we have to respect that, but we will always try to support them where we can."

Mrs Stevenson said the rise of "the working poor" has been noticeable recently.

"We have working parents who cannot afford to come to school for a meeting because they can't afford the extra petrol in their car to come over," she said.

"They are doing their best but they are living from pay packet to pay packet."

'We need help'

To help struggling families at Christmas, staff brought in gifts and offered them to pupils, to be used as gifts.

"The children were able to come and choose a toy, wrap it themselves and then they know their little brother or sister is going to get something special on Christmas Day," said the principal.

"As educators, we can only do so much, particularly with such limited budgets, but we need help. These children need help."
The heavy rain on Saturday was likely to cause flooding and transport disruption, the Met Office said

A yellow weather warning which brought strong winds and heavy rain to Northern Ireland has ended.

Low pressure moving in from the Atlantic brought widespread and heavy rain on Saturday morning.

Up to 25mm of rain was expected to fall in just a few hours on already very saturated ground.

A Met Office yellow weather warning was in place across Northern Ireland until 11:00 GMT.

Yellow warning of rain affecting Northern Ireland https://t.co/YFrahBnhId pic.twitter.com/K28LQURM7H  Met Office - Northern Ireland (@metofficeNI) December 29, 2023

Very strong winds accompanied the rain, with coastal gusts of up to 60mph (96km/h) in more exposed areas.

Inland areas experienced gusts of up to 50mph (80km/h).

Wind warnings

Disruption and travel delays were also expected across parts of the Republic of Ireland.

Irish weather service Met Eireann issued yellow wind warnings for eight counties along the west and south coasts for Saturday and Sunday.

The organisation is warning of surface flooding, large coastal waves and loose debris.
TEL AVIV  Tragedy envelops Gaza and its people.

Despite the catastrophic war that has killed thousands of his fellow residents, Nawaf Muttar says he would never leave the enclave even if he had the chance.

I cannot go to Sinai, he told NBC News crew on the ground, referring to the arid Egyptian peninsula bordering Gaza to the south. Neither I nor my family nor anyone I know wants to go there.

The war, precipitated by the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attacks that killed some 1,200 people and resulted in the kidnapping of some 240 people in Israel, according to Israeli officials, has also killed more than 21,000 people in Gaza, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. More than 100 of those kidnapped are believed to remain in captivity.

Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes and ground operations have leveled entire neighborhoods, displaced an estimated 90% of the enclave's residents and plunged an estimated 1 million into hunger and starvation, according to the World Health Organization. Residents have been ordered to leave crowded, urban refugee camps as Israel announced it was expanding its ground offensive into what it called a new battle zone.

The mass displacement has pushed thousands of Palestinians like Muttar and his family into Rafah and other areas bordering Egypt. It has also fueled worries that civilians will be forcibly displaced into Egypt, imperiling the Palestinian cause, which for many is the long-cherished vision of an internationally recognized independent Palestinian state, partly in Gaza.

Do we abandon the dreams of our ancestors? Muttar said.

A Palestinian woman and children look out from a damaged building Rafah, southern Gaza, on Dec. 15, 2023. (Mohammed Abed / AFP - Getty Images)

If they are forced to cross the border to flee the bombing, hunger and chaos, many fear the possibility of a new Nakba, the Arabic word for catastrophe used to describe the displacement of some 700,000 Palestinians who were expelled from their land in what became Israel in 1948.

Muttar says his immediate priority is to stay in the place he calls home.

"Where will we go? To Gaza, of course," he said. "I will not leave my place under any circumstances."

Several others expressed similar sentiments, saying they would rather face Israels bombardment than leave the devastated strip of land.

Of course, I will stay in Gaza, Khairiya Al-Arja said.

No matter how intense the war gets, we will remain in Gaza, she said. We will remain steadfast until our last breath.

Gazas population swelled during the sweeping displacement brought on by the 1948 Arab-Israeli war and around 70% of Palestinians in Gaza today call the enclave their home as a result of that forced exodus, said Khaled Elgindy, senior fellow at the Middle East Institute.

And for many, to be uprooted again, would mark a second catastrophe, said Elgindy, who directs the Program on Palestine and Palestinian-Israeli Affairs at the think tank in Washington.

"They heard the stories from their parents and grandparents and now theyre living it, that same experience," he said. "And thats another generational trauma that will be passed on to the next generation, particularly if this gets worse and we actually see them pushed over the border into Egypt."

Men warm up around a fire outside one of the tents housing displaced Palestinians in Rafah, southern Gaza, on Dec. 18, 2023. (Mahmud Hams / AFP - Getty Images)

The leaders of neighboring countries, King Abdullah of Jordan and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, on Wednesday also rejected any Israeli efforts to expel Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, according to state media.

But while some Palestinians say they are determined to stay put, no matter what, others say that after months of bombardment and fighting, they feel defeated.

As for me, I want to leave Gaza, God willing, Ahmed Essam said.

For 70 years, we have been living under siege, and four wars have taken place, and every time we lost martyrs, and our homes are destroyed, he said. But this war is very fierce, this war has devoured everything.

Elgindy said he believed that as the war goes on, more people in Gaza will feel pressed to flee.

"Initially Palestinians were saying 'We're not leaving, we're never gonna leave,' but obviously, I mean, people don't want to starve to death. So, I think it's gone, in my mind, from being possible to probable," he said.

In addition to a mounting death toll, much of the enclave has faced a spiraling health crisis, with access to food, clean drinking water and medical supplies dwindling. Meanwhile, homes, public buildings and landmarks have also been leveled. According to the United Nations, around 60% of the enclaves infrastructure has been destroyed in Israels offensive.

Even before this latest war, sanctions imposed after Hamas' 2006 election victory and violent takeover of the strip effectively crippled its economy.

Tensions and violence have repeatedly flared in the years since this decadeslong conflict began. The enclave fell under Egyptian rule following the 1948 Arab-Israeli war until it was occupied by Israel years later during the 1967 Six-Day War.

Israel unilaterally withdraw from the enclave in 2005, and not long after, Hamas gained control after winning elections in 2006.

'Gaza Nakba 2023'

Calls from a number of far-right Israeli politicians for the mass displacement of Palestinians into Egypts Sinai Desert or to other countries have deepened fears of a new Nakba.

A paper by an Israeli government ministry proposing that Palestinians in Gaza could be transferred to Egypts Sinai Desert sparked an outcry over the possibility of forced displacement. Meanwhile, ministers within Israel's government have made similar suggestions.

Last month, Agriculture Minister Avi Dichter told Israeli Channel 12 that the war would be Gaza's "Nakba," later saying: Gaza Nakba 2023. Thats how itll end.

A week before Dichters comments, Israeli Heritage Minister Amihai Eliyahu drew condemnation after suggesting that dropping a nuclear bomb on the Gaza Strip was one of the possibilities in the conflict.

An injured man bids farewell to the body of his son in a hospital in Rafah in the aftermath of overnight Israeli bombardment on Dec. 19, 2023. (Mohammed Abed / AFP - Getty Images)

After Eliyahu was quickly suspended from Cabinet meetings, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying in a post on X that the ministers words were not based in reality," public comments along those lines appeared to feature less frequently.

Netanyahu has maintained that Israels current offensive in Gaza is not aimed at expelling Palestinians, but at freeing hostages still being held in the enclave following Hamas Oct. 7 terror attack, eliminating the groups presence in the enclave and stamping out extremism.

Egyptian officials have also been clear in their opposition to any plan involving the displacement of Palestinians to Egypt.

In late October, President Joe Biden said that he had spoken with el-Sissi to discuss the war, including the importance of protecting civilian lives, respect for international humanitarian law, and ensuring that Palestinians in Gaza are not displaced to Egypt or any other nation.

A 'catch-22'

Palestinian concerns that they may be pushed out of Gaza are a legitimate fear," Adam Lichtenheld, executive director of the Immigration Policy Lab at Stanford University, told NBC News.

Some of the rhetoric from members of the Israeli government" suggests they see the war as a possible opportunity to try to expel Palestinians from Gaza," he said.

But, Lichtenheld said, I think its very impractical that would happen because it would require the acquiescence of both Egypt, which has made very clear that its not going to open its borders, and the rest of the international community, which I think, has been quite critical of" the Israel Defense Forces' tactics.

If the mass displacement of Gazans out of the enclave were to happen, he said, it would "essentially be enabling ethnic cleansing through the permanent expulsion and relocation of part or most of Gazas population."

Smoke rises during a bombardment in northern Gaza viewed from southern Israel on December 19, 2023. (Maja Hitij / Getty Images)

At the same time, Lichtenheld said, under international law, people who want to leave should be permitted to seek asylum," putting Egypt and the international community "in a catch-22."

If the war were to push Gazans out of the enclave, he said, Palestinians "should be provided with the right to return once the conflict is over."

Even then, Lichtenheld said, Gazans will face another painful question, given the level of devastation the war has brought across the enclave.

"What are they going to have to return back to?" he said.
Location, location, location, pontificate the Realtors.

What could have been better for a World War II veteran than retiring in Barnegat Light - ocean and bay in full view, surrounded by congenial people, room and board provided, plus free drinks at Kubels?

Lucky mixed breed dog

Sinbad in his younger days, being admired by a few of the crew on the S. S. Campbell.

Such was the luck for Sinbad, a crew member of the Coast Guard Cutter Campbell for 11 years. According to Mike Walling, who wrote a new introduction to George F. Foleys 1945 book Sinbad of the Coast Guard, Retired from the Coast Guard on September 21, 1948, Sinbad lived at Barnegat Coast Guard Station in New Jersey until his death on December 30, 1951. He was honored with a full military funeral and was placed to rest at the foot of the flagpole, his grave marked by a bronze plaque.

Ah, did we mention that Sinbad was a four-legged mixed breed mutt destined for stardom?

Sinbad just happened to be in the right place at the right time, running wild, no doubt a puppy someone had ditched.

Superstar Sinbad

Sinbads story began in 1938 when he was found on the streets of New York. The appealing puppy was smuggled aboard the 327 Campbell by two crew members.

Sinbads exploits, travels and escapades soon made him famous.

An old sea dog has favorite bars and plenty of girls in every port, reported Life Magazine. He had an autobiography, was paw-printed, and interviewed by ABC news.

Sinbad in his younger days, being admired by a few of the crew on the S. S. Campbell.

Sinbad soon became a popular crew member, attaining status as more than a mascot, with his own service number, medical history, bunk, uniforms, and battle station wrote Walling.

When the Campbell was torpedoed by the German submarine U-606, most personnel were transferred to a destroyer. However, Sinbad was ordered to stay aboard. Whether by luck or cunning, Sinbad led the ship (under tow) to safety.

Creating his own international incidents was not unusual for Sinbad.

More: Favorite stories of 2023: Baby comes home, Amazon Fresh and sports champions

Blithely wandering places like Casablanca and Greenland, this feisty four-legged Coast Guard member was occasionally in trouble. According to the U.S. Coast Guard History:

Sinbad is a salty sailor, but hes not a good sailor. On a few occasions, he has embarrassed the U.S. Government  hes as bad as the worst and as good as the rest of us.

He wore his extensive collection of service ribbons and awards on his collar. Sinbad earned each of the five ribbons he wore  American Service, European Theatre, and Pacific Theatre.

For three years Sinbad wandered the small village of Barnegat Light, stopping regularly at Kubels for a cold one, two front paws resting on the old wooden bar. Rumor has it that Sinbad favored a shot of whiskey with a beer chaser. He didnt need an escort; he just scratched at the front door until someone let him inside. Cold winter evenings were spent lying in front of Kubels fireplace.

Bob Melchiori was stationed at the Barnegat Lifeboat Station from 1954 to 1958, and is familiar with Sinbad stories, his popularity and notoriety.

He had his own little sea bag with his uniform, collar, and money pouch where he carried his money, contributed by crew members, so he could buy his drinks in various bars he visited.

Upon visiting the station about nine years ago, Bob asked about the sea bag.

The commanding officer told me that he had a copy of the inventory of several boxes of historical value, but Sinbads sea bag was not listed.

More: New Jersey girl's family receives handicap accessible van

Occasionally the outlandish pup kept watch from the Coast Guard tower, an official hat on his head, and those same front paws draped over the metal railing.

Matt Walter, who was stationed at Barnegat Light, wrote that most of his duty was apparently performed at Kubels.

Sinbad died on Dec. 30, 1951.

Buried under the base of the flagpole, his headstone read Sinbad Chief Dog U.S. C.G.C. Campbell w 32, 1937-1951.

Mike Walling wrote, He was honored with a full military funeral. Im looking forward to drinking with Sinbad when I pass.

Matt Walter added:

My second tour of duty in the U.S. Coast Guard was at Station Barnegat Light. Every 30th of December, we would gather at the flagpole at the old station (now the Boro offices, East 7th Street) and Salute Sinbad with a few toasts, Semper Paratus Sinbad!

Old timers remember a lot of Sinbad look-alikes in the Barnegat Light area during the 1950s, which goes to show that retirement for a four-legged Coastie after World War II sure had its perks.

It has been written that Sinbad was a real scoundrel, as bad as some of the rowdiest participants during World War II, so many felt a strong bond with him.

Animals aboard ships

An exhibit at the New Jersey Maritime Museum draws visitors of all ages.

Actually, it is not a unique story, as many ships smuggled a pet or two onboard for fun; most of them were excellent for morale.

Cats were aboard ships as far back as 425 BC, probably for getting rid of mice and rats. Cats were domesticated back in Egyptian times. They were the most popular animals aboard ships both during commercial voyages and during wars.

Romans took chickens aboard to predict outcomes of battles. Not to eat? Supposedly, if the hens ate, victory was assured. If not, they were thrown overboard as bad luck.

The New Jersey Maritime Museum, 528 Dock Road, Beach Haven, has an exhibit on Sinbad. Visitors of all ages are captivated by Sinbad tales during World War II and his Barnegat Light years, where he was regularly seen at his favorite watering hole, Kubels, and on duty with a fellow Coast Guard member. DVDs are complimentary for anyone who wants to watch some of Sinbads travels.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Sinbad the dog, a Coast Guard mascot, retired in Barnegat Light
British artist Brian Clarke has said he is feeling very surprised and grateful at being given a knighthood in the New Year Honours.

Painter and architectural artist Clarke, 70, who has been described as the most celebrated stained glass artist in the world today, is honoured for his services to art in a career that has spanned 50 years.

His work has appeared in landmarks worldwide including the Al Faisaliyah Center in Riyadh, the Royal Mosque of King Khalid International Airport in Saudi Arabia, and the 14-metre-high, stained glass pavilion, The Stamford Cone in Connecticut.

Sir Brian, who is believed to be the first stained glass artist to receive a knighthood for the artform, said in a statement: I am working class by birth and by inclination.

My art is for the working class and my public art in stained glass is intended to beautify the corners of the world it occupies.

I feel so grateful that my lifes work has been noticed, being honoured for it is more than I could have imagined.

Over the years, he has also created stained glass for commemorative works including the Holocaust Memorial Synagogue (Neue Synagogue) in Darmstadt, Germany, and also designed an artwork in 2010 for the Papal Chapel of the Apostolic Nunciature in London, for Pope Benedict XVIs state visit to the United Kingdom.

He told the PA news agency of being given a knighthood: Im feeling very surprised and grateful really. Its wonderful to get noticed for ones work, but to get honoured for it too is really very encouraging.

Sir Brian Clarke at an exhibition of his Vespers collection at the Phillips auction house in London (Jonathan Brady/PA)

Sir Brian was born in Oldham, Lancashire, into a working class family, with his father, Edward, a miner, while his mother, Lilian, worked at the local cotton mill, according to his official website.

He received his first commission at the age of 17, for a Grade II listed property and, by the early 80s, had become a major figure in contemporary international art as both a painter and stained glass artist.

He added of the honour: To get ones art noticed in this kind of way, in any way, is a privilege, but to be honoured too is fantastic.

The medium that Im best known for, I used to be best known as a painter, but I think theres been more attention paid to my stained glass in later years.

And its a medium that this country has had a thousand years of tremendous history (with), this medium has impacted on our culture in a substantial way.

Its a wonderful, wonderful medium. It lifts the spirits and helps articulate the nature of architecture. Its a thrilling medium, and I want it to last as long as it possibly can.

And so, anything like this, of course, will contribute to supporting the continuation of what is a unique and special part of our visual arts culture.

Over the years, he has been commissioned by leading designers including British architect Lord Norman Foster; Japanese architect Arata Isozaki and the late British architect Dame Zaha Hadid, to design stained glass for buildings across the world.

Last year, he designed and fabricated a series of large-scale stained glass windows for the Brian Clarke Church of England Academy, a co-educational secondary school in Oldham, which is named after him.

His current exhibition, A Great Light, has been on show at Damien Hirsts Newport Street Gallery in London, and celebrates Clarkes 70th year with a collection of works from 2002 to the present day, the gallery said.

The year 2024 will see him working on a commission for Bahrain Airport.
"Even if they don't remember me in ten years, I know I've helped them."

Source Hannah Crawley

A high school student in Tennessee said the literacy issue in her state is what compelled her to donate 700 books to her communitys elementary school.

Hannah Crawley, a senior at Jefferson County High School, was tasked with identifying and researching a need in her community to craft a master plan for her service learning class project.

I knew I wanted to do something based upon literacy because it seemed like such an issue in Tennessee, Crawley told Southern Living.

Only 36.4 percent of Tennessee students are reading at the proficient level, according to Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program scores.

Crawley noticed students in the kindergarten class where she volunteers seem to be more interested in technology than books.

I grew up reading books, she said, But I could tell that kids now just dont [read] it as much.

Source Hannah Crawley

Crawleys idea was to collect and give away 568 books - one to each student at Dandridge Elementary School.

She made flyers and reached out to community organizations asking for donations and she even got her idea written up in the local newspaper. She quickly surpassed her goal - collecting more than 700 books.

It was a project that anyone could help with, Crawley said.

When it came time to give out the books - Crawley hand delivered them to each classroom along with a message.

Im giving you a gift because reading is a gift.

Taking five minutes to go to each classroom to hand out the books was important to her, she said, because she could see the excitement on the kids faces.

Crawley, who plans to attend Sewanee University in the fall, said completing her service project and serving in the kindergarten class has made her consider a future in childrens advocacy.

But regardless of what career she ends up pursuing, she feels fortunate to be playing a special part in the students lives.

When you're with kindergartners, you're really shaping some of their first memories, she said, even if they don't remember me in ten years, I've helped them.

They brighten my day every day and I know that I get to help brighten their day a little bit too.

For more Southern Living news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Southern Living.
At least 24 people, including three children, were killed and 108 others wounded in a Ukrainian attack on the Russian border city of Belgorod on Saturday, Russian authorities said, vowing to retaliate.

The latest toll was given by Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov, who blamed massive shelling by Ukraines armed forces.

This crime will not go unpunished, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.

The Kiev regime  is trying to divert attention from the defeats on the front lines and to provoke us into taking similar actions.

Ukrainian attacks on Russian regions near the border have continued almost daily for over a year, sometimes resulting in civilian casualties, but this would be one of the single deadliest incidents yet reported. CNN cannot independently confirm the death toll.

The attack also comes soon after Russia launched its largest aerial assault on Ukraine of the conflict, which simmered for years before Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022.

Russian President Vladimir Putin was briefed about the attack in Belgorod, the Kremlin said, ordering a health ministry team and emergencies ministry rescuers to be sent to the city to help those affected.

A fresh wave of Russian strikes targeting locations across Ukraine overnight on Saturday left three people dead and 28 injured in the Kharkiv region.

The head of the regional military administration said in a post on Telegram that rescuers had retrieved the bodies of two men and a woman from a house damaged by Russian attacks on the village of Borova.

A view shows a damaged car following what was said to be Ukrainian forces' shelling in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict, in Belgorod, Russia. - Governor of Russia's Belgorod Region Vyacheslav Gladkov via Reuters

After calling for a last minute emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council over the attack on Belgorod, Russia faced backlash from several council members.

Russias ambassador Vasily Nebenzya described the attack as a deliberate act of terrorism planned against civilians and claimed that a sports complex where children were present and an ice ring with kids were hit.

Ukraine was quick to respond as its representative, Serhii Dvornyk, told the Council that the only way to stop human suffering is to stop the war itself  calling on Russia to cease its aggression and withdraw its troops.

His comments were echoed by Ukraines western allies who put the blame squarely on Russia and its leader.

Putin should be honest with his own people about the true and mounting cost of this war, John Kelley, who represented the United States at the Council, said and added we are here again today because the Kremlin refuses to halt its illegal invasion.

The Security Council meeting took place hours after a Russian missile attack in Kharkiv in which at least 26 people were injured, according to Ukrainian officials.

Russian authorities said Belgorod was also shelled Friday night with one civilian killed, the regions governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said. Four others, including a child, were injured, he added.

On Saturday, a child also died as a result of Ukrainian shelling in Russias Bryansk region, the regions Governor Aleksandr Bogomaz said.

Ukraine has not publicly commented on the incidents and rarely claims responsibility for attacks on its neighbor.

Rescuers comb through Kyiv rubble

The toll from the Russian strikes overnight Thursday into Friday on Ukraine  which saw an unprecedented number of drones and missiles fired at targets across the country  meanwhile continued to mount.

At least 45 people are now confirmed dead. Kyiv authorities said they recovered two more bodies killed by Russias missile strikes, bringing the citys death toll from the attack to 19.

Schools, a maternity hospital, shopping arcades and blocks of flats were among the buildings hit in Fridays barrage, prompting widespread international condemnation and renewing calls for more military aid.

The attack on the capital city on December 29 was the largest in terms of civilian casualties since the start of the full-scale invasion, Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko said.

During the wave of strikes, Polands military authorities claimed that an unidentified airbourne object briefly entered its airspace.

Russia said it would not give any any explanation until concrete evidence is presented.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg wrote on X that NATO remained vigilant over the incident.

CNNs Victoria Butenko, Svitlana Vlasova and Christian Edwards contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
By Simon Lewis

(Reuters) -Russia drew sharp criticism at the UN Security Council on Friday for launching massive missile and drone attacks against Ukraine, after Kyiv and its supporters called for an urgent meeting of the 15-member body to address the strikes.

Russian strikes across Ukraine on Friday killed 31 civilians and wounded more than 160 others in the biggest aerial attacks since the start of the war in February 2022, according to officials, and Poland said a Russian missile appeared to have flown into its airspace before returning to Ukraine.

"Tragically, 2023 is ending as it began  with devastating violence against the people of Ukraine," UN Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari said after briefing the council on the attacks.

"Once again, Ukrainians are forced to spend the holidays seeking shelter, clearing the rubble, and burying the dead, amidst freezing temperatures," he added.

Most council members, including the United States, France and Britain, condemned the attacks on Ukraine.

"Rather than peace, (Russian President Vladimir) Putin chose to mark this holiday season and usher in the New Year with an unprecedented number of drone and missile strikes against another UN member state," said U.S. Minister-Counselor John Kelley.

China's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Geng Shuang, did not condemn the attacks and called for a "political solution" to the war in Ukraine.

Russia's UN ambassador Vasily Nebenzya said in a lengthy response that Russia had launched attacks only on military infrastructure in Ukraine and that Ukraine's air defense systems were responsible for civilian casualties.

Britain's ambassador to the UN Barbara Woodward responded that Russia's actions were the sole cause of the tragedy in Ukraine.

"The rest is a torrent of lies and disinformation," Woodward said of Nebenzya's remarks.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the attacks by Russia on Ukraine, spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.

"Attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure violate international humanitarian law, are unacceptable and must end immediately," Dujarric said.

(Reporting by Simon Lewis and Ronald Popeski; Editing by Leslie Adler and Daniel Wallis)
Almost two years since Russia invaded, government figures show about 195,000 Ukrainians have fled to the UK under visa schemes.

With one survey suggesting fewer than a third will return, the BBC has spoken to refugees who plan to stay in the UK long-term.

'I want to support my family'

Anastasiia Timoshenko, 22, fled Kyiv soon after war broke out in February 2022.

She spent days in a bomb shelter before getting a train to her home city of Dnipro in eastern Ukraine.

"I was taking some really strong medicine to calm down, as I was really anxious and I decided to leave Ukraine," she said.

She escaped to Hungary before being helped apply to the UK's Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme, finding a "really nice" host family in Solihull in the West Midlands.

"We became a family," she said. "They were really kind to me. I can't believe people can be that nice."

Anastasiia worked as an interpreter, before joining a school that helps Ukrainian children.

Colleagues then put her in touch with a recruiter who helped her return to her profession in marketing.

Despite being financially independent before the war, she accepted a contract to work as an intern. "I needed to just start from the beginning and prove myself as a Ukrainian," she said.

After a year with her hosts she moved into a shared house with other young Ukrainians and said she lives a "simple" life.

"I don't have enough [money] so I need to just work, be at home... I'm sure after a few years it will be better - I just need to wait," she says.

She plans to stay so she can send money home to her grandparents in Dnipro.

"I think I can find more opportunities for myself to grow and to help my grandparents [here]... That's my goal, to be able to financially support my family," she said.

'I am staying for work'

Oleksandr Lapin, from Kyiv, was studying in London when Russia invaded. He watched live streams in shock, as graphic footage showed the conflict unfold.

"Probably the most scary moments [were] when I saw rocket missiles in the sky and how they destroyed cities or houses... and I recognised it because I'd been there," the 21 year old said.

After graduating in July, he moved to student accommodation in Selly Oak, Birmingham.

"The plan before the war was that I would finish my degree here then go back to Ukraine to find a job," he said.

"Even if it's [over] next year I will be staying here as [Ukraine] will be ruined, from an economic perspective, and it will be very hard to find a job that's paying even the minimum wage."

Oleksandr's younger brother was also sent to the UK to escape the conflict and is now studying for his A-levels in Malvern.

"Instead of games, talking to his friends, he had all knowledge about war techniques... the tactics, the guns, the weapons they were using," he said.

If Oleksandr returned home he would be drafted to fight, but he has heard too many stories of acquaintances and relatives being killed.

"If someone goes to war, there are very low chances that he will be able to come back," he said.

Currently awaiting his Ukraine scheme visa to allow him to work in the UK full-time, he hopes to soon accept a job offer with a business start-up.

"As my mother said, 'You have place to live, there is no critical situation. You are fine'," he added.

'Finding work'

About 195,000 Ukrainians arrived into the UK under visa schemes launched after Russia invaded in February 2022, the government said.

The most recent UK Humanitarian Response Insight Follow-up Survey found fewer than a third of those surveyed intend to return. even when it is safe to do so.

Iejaz Uddin, from Birmingham-based career advisor dayjob.com, says he has helped dozens of Ukrainian refugees like Anastasiia and Oleksandr through a free CV writing and review service.

"There [were] very few [organisations] helping people to find work, specifically through CVs or on a practical level," he said. "I thought why don't I try, in my own little way?"

Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: newsonline.westmidlands@bbc.co.uk
Former President Donald Trump

At the start of 2023, a lot of people expected politics to be a bit stale, but it ended up being anything but boring.

Let's start with one major story  the Trump indictments.

In April, Donald Trump became the first former president to face a felony indictment.

"Earlier this afternoon, Donald Trump was arraigned on a New York Supreme Court indictment returned by a Manhattan grand jury on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records," Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg said after Trump's arraignment.

Those 34 felony charges are linked to alleged hush money payments, but that case was just the beginning.

The second indictment came in Florida where he faces 40 counts related to classified documents found at his Mar-a-Lago residence.

On Aug. 1 Trump was indicted in Washington D.C. on four counts related to the January 6, 2021, insurrection. And two weeks later he and 18 others were indicted in Fulton County, Georgia, for attempting to overturn the 2020 election results.

For Congress, 2023 was the least productive year in decades. But there were plenty of other headlines. The House held two speaker elections and both were unprecedented. In January, it took four days and 15 ballots to select Rep. Kevin McCarthy. Then, after the first-ever motion to vacate, all other House business was on hold for three weeks until Republicans settled on Rep. Mike Johnson as the new speaker.

SEE MORE: Trump asks appeals court to toss election case on immunity grounds

Add to that the censure of Reps. Adam Schiff, Rashida Tlaib and Jamaal Bowman and the expulsion of Rep. George Santos, Congress spent more time focusing on itself than making laws.

Major headline number three brings us to wars overseas.

All year long, the United States has been supporting Ukraine in its war against Russia. That led to an unprecedented visit from President Joe Biden, who spent nearly 10 hours on a train to secretly travel to Kyiv.

Then in October, Hamas launched a brutal attack against Israel. President Biden and other leaders quickly condemned the attack. And despite strong bipartisan support in Congress, lawmakers did not approve emergency aid for Israel before going home for the holidays.

The judicial branch also made its mark on 2023. In June, the justices handed down two major decisions. One overturned affirmative action and ended the consideration of race in college admissions. The other blocked President Biden's student loan forgiveness plan, dealing a blow to millions of borrowers across the country.

With the Trump court cases proceeding, more major Supreme Court decisions expected and the upcoming election, 2024 is on track to be another headline-making year in politics.
The chief executive of the Womens Aid Federation Northern Ireland has said her New Year Honour is a recognition of the work carried out by the organisation throughout the region.

Sarah Mason is to be made an MBE for her work for services to women and girls.

Ms Mason has worked for the Womens Aid movement in Northern Ireland for 30 years, helping support women, children and young people affected by domestic abuse and gender-based violence.

She said: I am sincerely thankful for this amazing honour.

Sarah Mason said she sees the impact of violence on the lives of women and girls through her work (Liam McBurney/PA)

However, I am very clear that this honour is not just for me personally, but is a recognition of the valuable work of Womens Aid in Northern Ireland and the amazing eight local Womens Aid groups who provide specialist support to women, children and young people experiencing domestic abuse.

I have been privileged to be a part of this vital work for over 30 years and proud of the role Womens Aid have played in tackling domestic abuse and shaping policies and legislation in an aim to make this a safer place for women and girls.

Ms Mason said through her work she sees how violence affects the lives of women and girls.

She added: In this incoming new year, my resolution is to see the Executive Offices ending violence against women and girls strategy become fully implemented and adequately resourced to help ensure we create a society where women and girls can feel, and be, safe from abuse.

Womens Aid said in the financial year 2022/23, the PSNI recorded 32,875 domestic abuse incidents, which equates to them receiving a domestic abuse related call every 16 minutes.

In the same year, Womens Aid NI supported 518 women and 342 through our emergency refuge accommodation.

Womens Aid also provided specialist support to 7,543 women in their local community.
The purple finch is a seasonal migrant only found in the Smokies through the winter season. It is often seen feeding on seeds high in treetops.

Whoever it was that first penned the classic holiday carol The Twelve Days of Christmas was clearly in love with a birder. Of the songs 12 verses that describe gifts presented to a true love between Christmas Day and the day before Epiphany, or Jan. 5, more than half are devoted to birds of one feather or another.

The song describes gifts made of partridges, turtle doves, geese, swans, hens, and calling or colly birds  and even the verse dedicated to five gold rings likely referred to ringed pheasants or goldfinches. Although the first published lyrics for the carol place its origin in late 18th century England, at least one of its messages continues to resonate today: Winter is still a great time for appreciating birds.

In the Great Smoky Mountains, roughly 60 or so different species of birds remain through every season. As winter arrives, several of these simply move to slightly lower elevations to avoid the frigid cold. While many warblers, vireos, orioles, tanagers, and flycatchers may decamp entirely for warmer climes farther south, others soon arrive from the north to replace them. These winter migrants include the purple finch, hermit thrush, evening grosbeak, and swamp and white-throated sparrows.

The first Christmas Bird Count in Great Smoky Mountains National Park was held in 1935. This season, several counts will include areas of Western North Carolina and East Tennessee, and two will take place within the national park on Jan. 1 and 5, 2024.

Keith Watson is one local birding guide and former National Park Service biologist who continues to find plenty to see in the Smokies through the winter months. For the last several years, hes helped coordinate an annual Christmas Bird Count in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which is part of an international campaign organized by the Audubon Society between Dec. 14 and Jan. 5. Watson first began participating in the annual count and meeting up with other birders in the process when he was a graduate student at the University of Tennessee in the 1970s.

People will get pre-assigned areas before they go out and spend as much time as they can or want to  either before daylight or maybe after dusk calling for owls, says Watson. Some people can only spend half a day doing it, but others will spend all day long doing it and wish they had more time.

This year, two counts will be held within the national park  one in Cades Cove on Jan. 1 and another around Sugarlands Visitor Center on Jan. 5. For the Sugarlands count near Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Watson expects his group to record around 60 or more different bird species thanks to a diversity of habitat found in the area.

Pine siskins were among the species observed by volunteers at the most recent Christmas Bird Count conducted near Gatlinburg, Tennessee. They are most abundant and visible at lower elevations in winter.

There will be creeks and rivers and mountains but also more urban and developed areas, says Watson. We actually tend to pick up a few more species in our circle than they do in Cades Cove because of the different kinds of habitats.

Last year, the count Watson organized in the park produced a few notable sightings of peregrine falcon, brown-headed nuthatch, gray catbird, rusty blackbird, and pine siskin, while the Cades Cove count found American woodcock, red crossbill, and common merganser. This year, Watson hopes to record birds in new areas within the standardized 15-mile circle dictated by the Audubon Society.

Its a huge area with lots of places to cover, and theyre short winter days, he says. The more volunteers, the better.

Smokies locals have long referred to dark-eyed juncos as snowbirds, since their arrival in the fall serves as a reliable sign that winter is near. Although they are year-round residents of the Smokies, they move to lower elevations for the colder months.

More: Word from the Smokies: Time to try birding beyond the backyard

More: Word from the Smokies: Park birds may have benefited from Clean Air Act

According to Birds of the Smokies by Fred Alsop III, a field guide available at park visitor centers, most birds will be found at low-to-middle elevations in the wintertime, and yellow-rumped warblers, white-throated sparrows, and dark-eyed juncos become common. In fact, dark-eyed juncos were often called snowbirds by locals, since their appearance at lower elevations signaled that winter was coming.

Higher up, a few species manage to hang on despite the cold.

The few hardy species that stay in the snow-laden spruce-fir forests include the common raven, dark-eyed junco, red-breasted nuthatch, black-capped chickadee, and erratically fluctuating numbers of wintering pine siskins, evening grosbeaks, and red crossbills, says Alsop. In the more open areas at lower elevations like Cades Cove, Oconaluftee, or Cataloochee, he advises winter birders to keep an eye out for Wilsons snipe and savannah sparrow.A collective bird count following the guidelines set by the Audubon Society has been conducted in Great Smoky Mountains National Park since 1935. Beyond encouraging birders to come together for a common cause, the annual campaign has produced decades of invaluable data that has helped reveal long-term trends for bird populations. According to the Audubon Society, Christmas Bird Count data has been used in hundreds of peer-reviewed publications and government reports that are vital to wildlife conservation addressing the risks posed by development and climate change to overall biodiversity.

The black-capped chickadee is a relatively common permanent resident of the Great Smoky Mountains. It is larger than the Carolina chickadee and typically found above 4,000 feet, though some individuals move downward into the middle elevations in winter.

More: Give it up for the birds  Theres no time like the present to watch and learn

More: Word from the Smokies: Reducing artificial light at night can save thousands of park birds

Both of the current Christmas Bird Count areas within the Smokies are on the Tennessee side of the park, but birders on the North Carolina side can still contribute to community science without traveling too far. Great Smoky Mountains National Park was recently added to the statewide North Carolina Breeding Bird Atlas, which invites volunteers to document the birds they see via the app eBird. Another collective winter campaign  the Great Backyard Bird Count organized by the Audubon Society, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and Birds Canada  takes place over Presidents Day weekend every February. More information can be found at birdcount.org.

Those who would like to take part in this years Christmas Bird Count can find more information about registration and how to participate at audubon.org. To register for the Cades Cove event on Jan. 1, contact Susan Hoyle at hoyleshrike@gmail.com. Those interested in the Sugarlands count on Jan. 5 should contact Keith Watson at piedbird@comcast.net.

Aaron Searcy

Aaron Searcy is lead editor for the 29,000-member Great Smoky Mountains Association. Reach him at aaron@gsmassoc.org.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Word from the Smokies: Our winsome birds of winter; join the count
This is the seventh summons that has been served to Mr Soren for his appearance before the agency, the sources said here on Saturday

New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued a letter-cum-summons to Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren, seeking his availability for questioning in a money laundering case linked to an alleged land scam. The Central agency has sought a response from the chief minister by December 31, failing which it will initiate further legal action under the provisions of the anti-money laundering law.

This is the seventh summons that has been served to Mr Soren for his appearance before the agency, the sources said here on Saturday.

In the latest summons, he has been asked by the Central agency to inform the investigating officer of the case about the date, venue and time of his choice so that his statement can be recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

So far, Mr Soren has never deposed before the ED. The first summon was issued on August 14 after that he filed a petition before the Supreme Court and the Jharkhand high court seeking protection from the ED action and terming the summons "unwarranted." Both courts had dismissed his petition.

The Jharkhand chief minister had claimed in the high court that the summons was issued out of malice and that false allegations had been levelled against him with the sole motive of creating political uncertainty and unrest in the state.

The probe pertains to a huge racket of illegal changes of ownership of land by the mafia in Jharkhand, according to the ED.

The agency has arrested 14 people in the case, including 2011-batch IAS officer Chhavi Ranjan, who had earlier served as the director of the state social welfare department and deputy commissioner of Ranchi.

The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader was questioned by the ED in November last year in another money laundering case linked to alleged illegal mining in the state.

On December 12, he was asked to appear before the agency office in Ranchi for the sixth time, but instead of coming to the ED office, he attended the government programme Aapki Yojna, Aapki Sarkar, Aapke Dwar in Dumka.
According to police, the incident took place at about 3.30 pm on Saturday

The militant used IED and explosives to ambush the security forces, security sources said, adding that more enforcement was rushed to the area. (Representational Image/PTI)

GUWAHATI: A police personnel was injured in an ambush by armed militants in Moreh in Tengnoupal district near International border with Myanmar on Saturday.

According to police, the incident took place at about 3.30 pm on Saturday. Informing that state police forces retaliated and were engaged in an encounter, security sources said that more details are awaited. The militant used IED and explosives to ambush the security forces, security sources said, adding that more enforcement was rushed to the area.The injured police personnel was shifted to Assam Rifle hospital. Security sources said that the encounter was still going on. The armed militants are suspected to have entered Moreh from Myanmar. However their identity was yet to be established.

Meanwhile, a village guard was shot dead by unidentified gunman on Saturday at Kadangband in Manipurs Imphal West district.

The deceased has been identified as Jamesbond Ningombam. He was guarding the village when he was gunned down by suspected militants from a nearby hill.

Police said that the incident took place at around 3.30 am.
Modi inaugurates airport, redeveloped railway station

New Delhi/Ayodhya: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that the whole world is eagerly waiting for the historic Ram temple consecration ceremony in Ayodhya on January 22 and appealed to people to light special Shri Ram Jyoti in their homes to celebrate the day as 'Deepawali' on that day.

During his visit to Ayodhya, the Prime Minister inaugurated, dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth more than Rs 15,700 crore. These include projects worth about Rs 11,100 crore for development of Ayodhya and its surrounding areas and projects worth about Rs 4600 crore related to other projects across Uttar Pradesh.

Prime Minister Mr Modi also inaugurated the redeveloped Ayodhya railway station and flagged off new Amrit Bharat trains and Vande Bharat trains. Mr Modi also inaugurated the newly built Ayodhya Airport. The airport has been named Maharishi Valmiki International Airport.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said, The world is eagerly waiting for January 22. I am a devotee of every particle and person of India, I too am eager for the day of Pran Pratishtha (consecration ceremony) at the upcoming Ram Temple.

The Prime Minister asked all the 140 crore Indians to light Shri Ram Jyoti. This historical moment has very fortunately come into the lives of all of us. We have to take a new resolution for the country and fill it with new energy. For this, all of you should light Shri Ram Jyoti in your homes on January 22 and celebrate Deepawali, he said.

Keeping in mind the desire of everyone to be present for Pran Pratishtha, the Prime Minister also requested everyone to plan their visit to Ayodhya only after the programme of January 22 as it is important from the point of view of security and arrangements.

Asking everyone to plan their visit after January 23, he said, We waited for 550 years, wait for some more time.

Preparing the people of Ayodhya for innumerable visitors in future, the Prime Minister asked them to make Ayodhya the cleanest city of the country. For the grand Ram temple, a huge campaign of cleanliness should be launched at the pilgrimage sites across the country from 14th January, the day of Makar Sankranti, the Prime Minister called upon the citizens of India.

Reiterating his commitment to serve the people with all his might, Prime Minister Mr Modi said, Nowadays some people ask me why Modi's guarantee has so much strength. Modi's guarantee has so much power because Modi does what he says. Today the country has faith in Modi's guarantee because Modi puts in all his efforts to fulfill the guarantees he gives. This city of Ayodhya is also a witness to this. And today I will once again assure the people of Ayodhya that we will leave no stone unturned in the development of this holy place.

The Prime Minister stressed that taking care of heritage is an integral part of scaling new heights of development. Todays India is moving while incorporating both ancient and modern, he said.

Mr Modi said that there was a time Lord Ram was living under a tent, but now he will get a concrete house like the four crore poor who got pucca houses.

Elaborating the point heritage is an integral part development he mentioned renovation of places of faith with strides in Digital India, Kashi Vishwanath Dham with more than 30,000 panchayat bhawans; revamping of Kedar Dham with more than 315 medical colleges, Mahakaal Mahalok with Har Ghar Jal, achievements in space and ocean with bringing back heritage artifacts from abroad.

Talking about naming Ayodhya Airport after Maharishi Valmiki, he said that Maharishi Valmikis Ramayana is the path of knowledge which connects us to Shri Ram.

Maharishi Valmiki International Airport in modern India will connect us to Ayodhya Dham and the divine-grand-new Ram temple. In the first phase the airport can handle 10 lakh passengers annually and after the second phase, Maharishi Valmiki International Airport will cater to 60 lakh commuters annually, Mr Modi said.

The Prime Minister noted the significance of December 30 as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose unfurled tricolour on this day in Andaman in 1943. On such an auspicious day associated with the freedom movement, today we are carrying forward the resolve of the Amrit Kaal, he said.

He further noted that the campaign of Viksit Bharat is getting new energy from Ayodhya and congratulated the people of Ayodhya for the development projects. He emphasized that these projects will re-establish Ayodhya on the national map.

Talking about the upcoming Pran Pratishtha, the Prime Minister said, Today here is celebration of progress, after some days there will be a festival of tradition, today we see the grandeur of development, after some days we feel the divinity of the heritage. This collective strength of development and heritage will take India forward in the 21st century.

Referring to the ancient glory of Ayodhya as described by Maharishi Valmiki himself, Mr Modi reiterated the desire to bring that grandeur back by linking it with modernity.

Not only Awadh region, but Ayodya will give new direction to the development of the entire Uttar Pradesh, he said. He pointed out the projected increase of pilgrims and tourists coming to the holy city in the wake of the grand temple and said that infrastructure is being revamped to meet the demand.
Today's news: South Africa has filed a complaint for genocide against Israel with the Hague Court; Argentina officially confirms it will not join the Brics on 1 January 2024; Singapore raises taxes on electronic cigarettes; In Kazakhstan 50 requests for help per day against violence against women.

CHINA

The People's Republic of China has announced the appointment of former Navy chief Dong Jun, 62, as the new Defense Minister, replacing Li Shangfu, who has not appeared in public since August 26 and has long been identified as one of the victims of the purges underway in Beijing. Before becoming Navy chief in 2021, Dong served as deputy commander of the East Sea Fleet, the main force responsible for military maneuvers around Taiwan. Also yesterday, the Central Committee of the National People's Congress removed 9 generals of the People's Liberation Army from the political body, a step that brings with it the end of their judicial immunity.

ISRAEL-PALESTINE

South Africa has filed a complaint against Israel at the International Court of Justice in The Hague for the crime of genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza, after almost three months of incessant Israeli bombing. In the text - which will have to be discussed - South Africa describes Israel's actions in Gaza as "of a genocidal character because they aim at the destruction of a substantial part of the Palestinian national, racial and ethnic group". Israel rejected South Africa's move as "unfounded" and "defamatory".

ARGENTINA-BRICS

In a letter addressed to the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, the new president Javier Milei officially confirmed that on January 1 Argentina will not join the Brics group, the counterpart of the G7 strongly supported politically by Beijing. Milei explained that the decisions taken by the previous government have been reviewed. Argentina was among the six countries expected to join the group by 2024 along with Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

INDONESIA

Indonesia will impose a new tax on e-cigarettes starting January 1, raising existing excise duties by 10%. It has been proven that long-term consumption of e-cigarettes harms people's health, the ministry said, adding that the tax on e-cigarettes is also necessary to bring them into line with traditional cigarettes. Indonesia, which has one of the highest smoking rates in the world, had already imposed a 57% excise tax on essences used for e-cigarettes in 2018.

RUSSIA

In a surprise move, the mayor of Novosibirsk, the main city in Siberia, Anatoly Lokot, a 65-year-old KPRF communist, elected for the first time in 2014 and re-elected in 2019, considered one of the best administrators in Russia, resigned. He fought corruption at all levels and achieved effective urban recovery, but did not accept the annulment of the next elections.

KYRGYZSTAN-QATAR

The Bishkek parliament has ratified the cooperation agreement with Qatar in the military sector, signed last summer during the visit of Sheikh Tamim ben Hamad al-Tani, which inaugurates Doha's activity in Central Asia not only with projects economic, but also with joint exercises, technological exchanges and agreed plans of the armies.

KAZAKHSTAN

A serious scandal in Kazakhstan is linked to the murder of a woman, Saltanat Nukenova, of which the ex-minister Kuandyk Bisimbaev is accused, which makes the spread of feminicide in the country even more evident, with over 50 requests for help a day from part of women subjected to violence of various kinds, and we see no reactions in this regard from the authorities.
Annual report from the Pontifical Mission Societies' Fides news agency inlcudes the two liturgical pastoral workers killed in the massacre at the Marawi University. A total of 20 missionaries were killed around the world in the year that is drawing to a close.

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - Junrey Barbante, 24 years old, a recent graduate, originally from the island of Bohol, and Janine Arenas, 18 years old, a student originally from Balabagan, in the province of Lanao del Norte. Two young lay people engaged in liturgical animation in the chaplaincy of the Marawi State University of Marawi and for this reason killed together with two other peers in the attack that bloodied the Mass on the first Sunday of Advent in the Philippines.

Together with Samar Kamal Anton and her mother Nahida Khalil Anton - the two Christian women killed in front of the Church of the Holy Family in Gaza on 18 December - they are the face of Asia in the report on missionaries killed around the world in 2023 which - like every end of the year - was released today by Fides, the news agency of the Pontifical Mission Societies.

Not simply Christians killed, but missionaries as pastoral workers engaged in serving their local Church. In fact, Junrey and Janine assiduously attended the university chaplaincy and at the Mass hit by the Islamist attack they were there as every week to take care of the liturgical animation.

But Samar and Nahid, hit in Gaza by the Israeli army's offensive like thousands of other civilian victims, were also part of the Sant'Anna Group, a confraternity that brings together Catholic and Orthodox Christian women in Gaza involved in a journey of faith with meetings weekly prayer and catechetical sessions and apostolic activities, especially for the poor and the disabled.

According to data collected by Fides, in 2023, 20 missionaries were killed in the world: 1 bishop (Msgr. David O'Connell), 8 priests, 2 non-priestly religious men, 1 seminarian, 1 novice and 7 lay men and women. Africa once again becomes the continent that has seen the greatest number of these killings, while among the individual countries, Nigeria and Mexico are still the most tragically affected with 4 missionaries killed each.
Mumbai Cardinal Owald Gracias: "Blessing for all is part of our spirituality. The Vatican document affirms an attitude that should be obvious, it does not change the doctrine on marriage as those who misunderstand it claim'. Singapore Cardinal William Goh: "We show mercy but we do not approve of same-sex unions because without truth, love is compromised".

Mumbai (AsiaNews) - The discussion underway in many Catholic communities around the world in the aftermath of the declaration Fiducia Supplicans, published with the authorisation of Pope Francis last December 18 by the dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, also touches Asia. The text addresses the issue of the blessings for couples in "irregular" situations from the point of view of canon law, including homosexual couples.

Card. Owald Gracias, Archbishop of Mumbai, who represents the continent in the Council of Cardinals, on the issue, calling for a distinction to be made between welcome to all - which the Vatican document recalls - and the doctrine on marriage.

"I believe that for a country like India, with its pluralism and religious richness, what is expressed by Fiducia Supplicans is a natural fact," Card. Gracias told AsiaNews - Blessings are part of our spirituality, everyone in India asks for blessings. In these days I met Prime Minister Modi and he asked me to pray. I assured him of our prayers and blessings. Our Indian mentality is inclusive, it includes people of other faiths: everyone is searching for God, everyone is searching for truth, everyone is searching for spirituality'.

"Fiducia Supplicans has become the subject of controversy because it is misunderstood," continued the Archbishop of Mumbai. "There is no change in Church doctrine on marriage between a man and a woman. The tradition of the Church, the Magisterium is very clear and there is no contradiction'.

"It is like when a person is about to go on a journey, comes on pilgrimage, wants a blessing to ask God to be with her. Everyone is entitled to God's love and compassion. Therefore, there is no discrimination. And this does not depend on what the pope or the dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith says'.

Already in October 2018, Mumbai-born fashion designer Wendell Rodricks had approached the Archdiocese of Mumbai requesting an audience with Card. Oswald Gracias. He had an unusual request: to bless his project to start a helpline for the LGBTQ community, their families and friends and bring them closer to the Church.

"I was moved to tears," Rodricks had later written on social media, "when Card. Gracias not only gave his total approval and support, but also agreed to advise his clergy to be more compassionate towards the LGBTQ community. I felt blessed, grateful and immensely joyful. In the smog-filled Mumbai, my heart felt a rainbow in the sky.

'I have said it before and I want to say it again,' explained the Archbishop of Mumbai in response to a question about that incident, 'they are part of our family, they need our pastoral care. I met them when they came to me, sometimes privately, in my office. Jesus did not refuse any blessing. That is the idea and it is absolutely not a step towards sacramental marriage. I categorically assure you: it was my thought before and it is after this document. Indeed, I wonder if there was really any need for such a document: it is an obvious fact. A controversy is being raised unnecessarily, I am sorry that this document has been misunderstood'.

"In one of the sessions in which I dialogue with the faithful on the YouTube channel of the Archdiocese of Mumbai," Card. Gracias to AsiaNews - this will certainly be one of the topics I will address. I will answer questions and explain in detail that Fiducia Supplicans has been instrumentalised, misunderstood and misinterpreted, giving it a broader meaning than it should have".

The distinction highlighted by Cardinal Gracias is significant at a time when the legal status of same-sex unions is being debated in many Asian countries: in recent days, for example, the Bangkok parliament has given the go-ahead by an overwhelming majority to a bill that opens up the possibility of a law on same-sex marriage. Should the legislative process be completed, Thailand would join Taiwan and Nepal, which already have laws to this effect.

Similar tones to those of the archbishop of Mumbai had already been expressed in an official statement by the Philippine Bishops' Conference, in the hours immediately following the dissemination of the text by the dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith: "The document speaks for itself and therefore does not require much explanation", wrote the president Msgr. Pablo Virgilio David, quoting the salient passages - In fact, in paragraph 41, we read: 'What is said in this Declaration regarding the blessings of same-sex couples is sufficient to guide the prudent and paternal discernment of ordained ministers in this regard. Therefore, beyond the indications given above, no further answers are to be expected on possible ways to regulate the details or practices regarding blessings of this kind'".

For his part, in a similar document addressed to his archdiocese, with a different emphasis, Singaporean Cardinal William Goh expressly states that "we are not blessing the unions of same-sex couples. We bless couples in irregular situations, such as the divorced and remarried, individuals struggling to be faithful to God's commandments, and those who have aborted their children, just as we bless the sick, the elderly, and those who ask for spiritual and temporal blessings. We do not bless the sins of the individual, but rather the individual who is always loved by God, even when he is a sinner".

"This statement," he says, "rather than approving the blessing of irregular marriages and same-sex unions, sets the rules and limits for priests on how to bless these couples without these blessings being mistaken by others as the Church's approval of such unions. Instead, this statement is the Church's way of showing mercy, love and compassion for those who are struggling with difficult situations and who are facing the demands of the Gospel. It is a prayer for these people: that they will come to know that truth is love, without which love is compromised, and that there will only be peace in their lives when love and truth meet".

"We are grateful to the Holy Father for authorising this declaration," Card. Goh - so that the ministers of the Church do not act in such a way as to give others the wrong impression that the Church approves of homosexual unions. At the same time, it shows the Church's mercy and love for all sinners, and that we are all sinners seeking to grow in authenticity and perfection'.

(co-authored by Nirmala Carvalho)
Never Have I Ever: Had a Hometown Holiday Hookup

Ever Dreamed of a Hookup While Home for the Holidays? Here's What It's Like

Have you ever played Never Have I Ever before? Here are the rules: Everyone puts up ten fingers, and you go around in a circle and one by one share something sexy or scandalous that youve never done before. When someone else shares something you have done, you have to put one finger down  and of course, drink. The first person to put all 10 fingers down loses (or wins, depending on how you look at it).

Well, AskMen is still playing Never Have I Ever, and the rules are simple: In each edition of this column, we speak to someone about doing something new in bed, whether its a long-time fantasy, something that just happened, or even something they regret. They tell us everything so you get an inside look at what some sexual experiences are actually like.



Going home for the holidays conjures many memories that plenty of us have experienced recently. There's the eggnog-fueled political debates, tapping into our inner child to gleefully unwrap presents and hooking up with people we went to high school with.

Maybe even that mean girl from middle school who suddenly finds you cool thanks to your film-making, as in the case of Z, who recently went home to Virginia.

For Z, the holiday season wasn't about religion but revenge... served with a side of foot fetish. And yes, it took place in his childhood home, but thankfully, the walls were thick, even if he found himself enjoying the almost cruel pleasure of enjoying sex with an old nemesis who wasn't his usual body type.

Keep reading to learn about his conquest and how, despite his best efforts, it didn't help with the post-breakup depression he was experiencing.

AskMen: Will you tell me about your experience and what happened?

Z: I was going through a breakup with my long-term partner and didn't have much to do during the holidays, so an old friend from high school was in town. We started talking and were thinking about doing something, and then we messed around on Facetime once, and another night, she came through, and we hooked up in my childhood bedroom.

It was trippy but sick cause she was such a jerk to me in middle school, but now that I make art for a living, she was into me.

Were your parents home for when you hooked up?

They were, but we've got thick walls.

RELATED: How to Have Quiet Sex When Someone's in the Next Room

Did you feel a sense of like awesome revenge? Would your high school self be proud? Do you wish you knew in high school that you'd come full circle like this?

Honestly, I did it out of spite. Of course, I did feel a sense of awesome revenge; she even said, "This feels like a conquest" on the way back home.

What was the sex like? Can you give me any dirty details?

I was going through a major depressive episode at the time, so not excellent, but not the worst. I liked her feet and always did, so I finally got to kiss her toes, which was nice. Also, eating her out from behind and seeing that in the mirror, like seeing myself eating out this person who messed with my mind so badly back in the day, was surreal.

RELATED: How Mirrors Can Improve Your Sex Life

I just cried after cause I felt like an asshole cause it all happened immediately after my ex of four and half years and I broke up.

Why did that make you feel like an asshole? Did it help with the breakup pain at all?

Not really. My ex was convinced I had problems, and I definitely did at the time.

How did the experience of hooking up with her compare to the high-school fantasy?

About what I expected. Hot, definitely hot, but she was super skinny. It does only so much for me, no offense intended. Also, she had short hair at the time, so it wasn't exactly as I remembered her, you know? We'd both changed a lot since high school. Her feet were definitely better than expected, though.

How was it good for the ego?

I felt like I achieved a dumb goal I set for myself as a teenager without really realizing what that goal meant. I unlocked something inside myself, you know? Like, I knew I had one shot at this, and if I didn't take it, it wasn't going to show up again.

RELATED: What You Should Learn From a Post-Breakup Rebound

But honestly, it wasn't an amazing feeling I walked away with; it was more on some Viking shit. Have ever seen El Topo? The movie starts with the main character telling his son to bury his toy and a picture of his mother cause he's an adult now; the same basic principle was going through my head.

What advice would you give to someone else considering a holiday hook-up like this?

Do it. Go big or stay home.

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EV

FWD

AWD

PHEV

Currently, the company sells the legendary MX-5 Miata (in Roadster and RF body styles) from $28k, the Mazda3 Sedan and Hatchback from a little over $24k, and four CUV nameplates: the CX-30 from $25k, the CX-5 and CX-50 compact CUV siblings from $29,300 and $30,300, respectively, plus the $39,595 CX-90.One interesting model is, of course, the CX-90 PHEV , the only electrified option on sale by Mazda in America, from $50k for now. It is as if they didn't get the memo that therevolution is upon us. Or maybe they just waited long enough to see if the zero emissions sales are slowing down  and there are signs of that happening all around Tesla's untouchable best-selling domain.Anyway, it is pretty clear that Mazda could use another nameplate or two in its lineup to pose a more significant threat to its Asian foes like Honda or Nissan. Well, as it turns out, the imaginative realm of digital car content creators has just finished dreaming of the perfect return: the good folks over at the PoloTo and Q Cars channels on YouTube have some CGI visions about the potential comeback of the (once) popular Mazda6 mid-size sedan.The resident pixel master from PoloTo has decided to portray the unofficial revival of the moniker in North America in a minimalist way that's akin to the company's OEM philosophy. As such, the front has very few design lines and puts an emphasis on the sleek LED headlights and the prominent grille with symmetrical bumper vents, while the profile is simple, and the rear has a fastback-like treatment with broad LED taillights that almost touch the emblem in the middle of the trunk.On the other hand, the CGI expert from Q Cars makes the Mazda6 almost feasible as a full-size sedan rather than a mid-size four-door and gives a slightly more futuristic appearance to the front with larger LEDs and a smaller grille. Unfortunately, the rear is not too original as its LED taillights clearly reflect Audi's treatment of the e-tron GT all-electric sedan. Speaking of an electrifying appearance, both channels have also found the perfect target for their Mazda6 projects.That would be Toyota's newly introduced 2025 Camry, which was announced in November during the 2023 Los Angeles Auto Show with exclusive hybrid power under the hood (228 hp inand 232 hp inform). Naturally, that makes us think that a Mazda6 Hybrid could easily borrow the CX-90's 323-hp 2.5-liter e-Skyactiv plug-in hybrid powertrain and teach it a comprehensive lesson about performance, right?
Photo: Screenshot Youtube | Q Cars

If you call daydreaming real, then it has, yet to the rest of us, these are mere renderings of a hypothetical successor to the current Malibu . You see, there aren't any official details about a possible tenth generation. However, the unofficial data suggests that it is coming in 2025.Word on the street is that the upcoming Malibu will be built on the VSS-F architecture, which the Trailblazer, Trax, Buick Envista, and Encore GX also use. This means the old E2XX platform will finally be put to rest. As for the place where it will come to life, chances are it will be the same factory in Kansas that puts the current one together.Mind you, it will obviously look nothing like these digital illustrations that made their way to YouTube a few hours ago on Q Cars' channel. The AI-generated CGIs portray the next-generation Chevy Malibu with futuristic styling, and we certainly wouldn't complain if GM's design team decided to use some of its traits for inspiration.The car has a roofline that is arched towards the rear. It also has muscular shoulders, new lines on the profile, hidden door handles for a cleaner stance, tiny side mirrors, a rather pointy nose defined by a big central air intake in the new bumper, a small grille decorated by the bowtie brand's logo in black, a pair of side vents, and new LED headlights.Other highlights of the mid-size model include the fresh lines that stretch on the hood from the grille all the way to the A-pillars. The design out back is just as dramatic, as it includes a pair of slim LED taillights, an angular bumper, a rather minimalistic diffuser with new tailpipe trim, and a very steep rear windscreen. The OEM logo sits between the new taillights and, just like the one up front, it has a black look. The wheels are on the realistic side of things and complete the digital makeover.Between us, we're excited about the next-gen Malibu , as the car world needs more such rides, especially since the segment is shrinking with models such as the Kia Stinger and Nissan Maxima biting the dust recently. The current Malibu is not a great seller anymore, yet it is probably partially due to its age. This will be solved by the upcoming one, which will offer improved everything, from the power and design to the safety and technology features. Could it convince you to buy it if it looks like this?
Premier Otarola: La proteccion de la integridad de las personas y la lucha contra la delincuencia organizada y el sicariato, estan en la agenda central de la presidenta Boluarte y su Gobierno. pic.twitter.com/m6foMUPls4
Right as we are heading into 2024, the American pony and muscle car realm seems like Stranger Things' in real life. That's because some models are now ghosts while others are transforming into something else entirely.

EV

SUV

For example, the Blue Oval company is not getting a lot of competition for the S650 Ford Mustang EcoBoost and 5.0-liter Coyote V8-powered GT and Dark Horse from the Mopar side of things because the Dodge Challenger just ceased production , and the 2024 Charger is morphing back into a two-door liftback coupe with Hurricane mills andpower under the hood  but only sometime beyond the second half of next year.Meanwhile, General Motors has also finished manufacturing the final sixth-generation Chevy Camaro Convertible and coupe at the end of November and middle of December  but they are not giving us any follow-up at the moment. The company only promised the nameplate is not dead yet  just that it doesn't have a successor at the moment.No worries, the imaginative realm of digital car content creators is always eager to prepare something in advance. For example, Vince Burlapp (aka vburlapp on social media) is a prolific virtual artist who loves to dream of all the latest models across the wide-ranging automotive realm. So, in between stuff like electric Alfa Romeos and the potentially upcoming 2025 Volvo ES90 all-electric flagship sedan, the pixel master also found a little time to deal with Chevrolet's anxieties about not having a worthy Camaro in the lineup.Catering to the rumor mill's previous reports about how General Motors decided Chevrolet might part ways with Camaro and Corvette as model lines and instead turn them into their rightful sub-brands, the CGI expert dreamt of a seventh-generation Camaro. Not only that, but it's also all-electric, just like the Bolt EV plus EUV, Equinox EV, Blazer EV, and Silverado EV.Well, that would undoubtedly make it a potential flagship, right? However, there are a few issues with that line of thought. First, it would have to be larger or about the same dimensions as the mid-size Blazer EV but also more potent than its Blazer SS version, which is supposed to come out to play with 557 electric ponies when GM finally sorts out the Ultium mess it has made so far.Also, there's another predicament. The virtual artist also envisioned the potential looks of the rumored Corvette EV SUV  and that one would also clash with the Camaro EV SUV and its likely rightful place in the zero emissions lineup. Oh, well, you can always choose a digital favorite because we got them together in a quick CGI mashup. Also, time will tell if General Motors will ever bring a Camaro SUV to life as an EV or if they will use the Corvette nameplate for that instead.
The world of private helicopters is one that often leaves the average Joe out of the loop. Well, one British team, Hill Helicopters, is looking to destroy this notion. Lo and behold, the HX50, the industry's "first truly private helicopter."

Photo: Hill Helicopters

Photo: Hill Helicopters

Photo: Hill Helicopters

Calling the HX50 the first truly private chopper is a rather bold statement in an industry already dominated by helicopter manufacturers from Russia to the US. But that doesn't even matter; the HX50 comes across as the sort of machine that folks like you and me can afford, especially if you split the bill five-way (the number of passengers that can be accommodated during a flight). Time to see what's in store for the price of some motorhomes.To fully grasp the idea behind the HX50, we first need to understand what it is that Hill is trying to achieve here. According to the Founder and Chief Engineer of this brand, Jason Hill, the HX50 came about from a need for a helicopter that would maintain its value , perform with flying colors, expand the idea of what the industry is capable of, and, above all, won't burn a massive hole in your pocket to do so.As a result, Hill Helicopters aimed to create a personal and recreational helicopter that's light, can travel at speeds upwards of 140 knots (161 mph), and can achieve a max range of up to 700 nautical miles. All that is supposed to also start at around $759K or 595K, which comes across as a very decent rate for your very own chopper, wouldn't you think?But there's something else that makes the HX50 so dang special: every inch of this machine is designed by Hill alone, including their GT50 turboshaft engine. Even putting the mono-fuselage together is done in-house.The world first got news of this machine back in 2020, and since then, development has been marked with a lineup of vlogs and blogs showing the world precisely what's happening with this helicopter. If you ever make it to the manufacturer's website, be sure to browse all the little milestones that Hill has put together for us.In them, we're able to trace the steps, starting with the dream all the way up to where the crew is now. Currently, Hill completed Airframe 7, the final version in which all their R&D and newly developed components come together in harmony.But what's been developed? Well, I already mentioned that this is a recreational chopper, but one that's chock-full of technology and luxury. Oh, and it's all aimed at a seamless and immersive experience for the passengers and pilots alike.Starting with this vehicle's body, it's been designed to not only offer incredible visibility to those on board but its shape and abilities have been streamlined not only for capability but customizability too, an aspect that's essential to anyone looking to dish out some cash on such a prized possession This customization extends even as far as you being able to choose the sort of landing gear configuration you need, be it wheeled or built around skids. Be careful what you choose, as you'll also be affecting top speed in the process. Looking to switch up the interior to better suit your color tone needs? Go for it.Speaking of the interior, let's hop inside and see what Hill has planned for its future customers. At this stage, whether or not you have a pilot's license will dictate if you're sitting in the front row or in the back. Suppose you're lucky enough to be sitting in the cockpit. In that case, you'll be embraced by state-of-the-art navigation systems, Nappa leather, Alcantara trim, and brushed semiprecious metals; the back seats aren't that bad, either.Personally, I've always loved and been amazed at how the interiors of helicopters and other flying machines are crafted, and upon seeing the cabin of the HX50, I fell in love. If Hill manages to stay true to the renderings they depict, these puppies should be flying off the billionaire shelves As for some of this beauty's abilities, Hill has integrated a rear pass-through storage bay for things like skis, snowboards, or other toys you may want to bring along on your yacht, and once you finally get there, fold the blades and store the HX50 in a space smaller than needed by the other guys.Now, I understand that it can be rather difficult to understand exactly what Hill is aiming for here, so to help you along, place yourself in the center of all that you witnessed in the image gallery and check in with the manufacturer's website to dive even deeper into what could very well be one of the hottest personal helicopters around.Or, you could just give Hill a call and go see the finished prototype . Everything has been moving along according to plan, and if the next stages unfold as they should, we'll be seeing these babies flying around ritzy neighborhoods in early 2024. Wondering what to do with three-quarters of a million dollars? Buy a dang helicopter!
Masterminded by Jim Ratcliffe and penned by Toby Ecuyer, the Grenadier is best described as the Land Rover Defender for those who cannot imagine the Defender without body-on-frame construction and solid axles. Production started in October 2022, and pricing for the US market was released in May 2023.

Photo: INEOS

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

The first US-market specimens rolled off the assembly line in France in September 2023, and pretty much everything produced for the US market until October 10 has been hit with a recall. The document attached below reads 727 units in total, namely Grenadier Station Wagon vehicles optioned with the high load auxiliary switch panel. In November 2023, the British automaker identified a potential issue with the auxiliary switch package relay at the Hambach assembly plant.During installation, the relay control wire may become trapped under the relay power cable connection nut, thus compromising the insulation. This condition, in turn, increases the risk of a short circuit. INEOS Automotive couldn't rule out the risk of a thermal event or a fire. Smoke will emanate from the trunk area in the event of an electrical short. INEOS Automotive immediately started an investigation to understand whether that was an isolated case or a broader concern. Turns out it was just an isolated case, but nevertheless, the British automaker corrected the wire routing and made running changes to the assembly inspection process.INEOS Automotive further looked into warranty claims related to this issue, but couldn't find anything at all. Dealers have already been instructed to inspect the relay terminals and correct the condition in two ways. In case of pinching, the control wire will be either replaced or repaired and properly secured in place. If there's no pinching, service technicians will secure the wiring with insulated tape. At press time, INEOS has 20 dealers/partners in the United States.Owners will be informed via first-class mail between January 4 and January 5. Those who don't know when their Grenadier Station Wagon was produced can determine whether their off-road vehicles are recalled or not by running the 17-digit VIN on the's website. Remember, only Grenadiers equipped with the winch relay are affected. As mentioned earlier, the build dates range between September 7 and October 10.The Grenadier comes in three flavors: Grenadier, Trialmaster Edition, and Fieldmaster Edition. The base grade starts at a rather spicy $71,500 sans destination fee, whereas the Trialmaster and Fieldmaster are both listed on the configurator at $79,190. As standard, the most off-road-oriented specification is the Trialmaster due to its 17-inch steel wheels, raised air intake, access ladder, BFGoodrich All-Terrain KO2 rubber shoes, and locking differentials fore and aft.Available with a 3.0-liter turbo diesel in Europe, the Grenadier Station Wagon for North America comes with a 3.0-liter turbo gasser of German origin. The engine in question is a straight-six from BMW, which is joined by a ZF 8HP torque-converter automatic.Codenamed B58, the direct-injected lump develops 282 horsepower at 4,750 revolutions per minute and 332 pound-feet (500 Nm) from 1,750 through 4,000 revolutions per minute. Limited to 99 miles per hour (160 kilometers per hour), the INEOS Grenadier accelerates to 62 mph (100 kph) in 8.8 seconds. To 60, that would be around 8.6 clicks.
Bogdan keeps an eye on how technology is taking over the car world. His long-term goals are buying an 18-wheeler because he needs more space for his kids toys, and convincing Google and Apple that Android Auto and CarPlay deserve at least as much attention as their phones.

Full profile
Back in December 2021, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an engineering analysis to investigate engine fires in Kia and Hyundai vehicles produced for the 2011 to 2016 model years with 2.4-liter Theta II MPI engines. At the time, the NHTSA was aware of 78 vehicle owner questionnaires alleging engine failures, and a total of 161 fires potentially caused by engine failures.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Photo: Kia

NHTSA

The federal watchdog issued an information request letter to Kia North America in April 2022. Somewhat petty of the South Korean automaker's part, Kia told thethat there's no safety defect warranting a recall. On the one hand, every automaker out there doesn't want to disappoint shareholders with costly recalls . But still, the folks at Kia North America blatantly ignored the 161 engine fires documented by the federal agency, therefore putting many customers at risk.On December 5, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation recommended a recall of the 2011 model year Sorento. The automaker finally relented, agreeing to recall in the ballpark of 80,000 vehicles. The vehicles in question comprise 2011 Kia Sorento crossovers equipped with the 2.4-liter Theta II MPI. Depending on the state of the naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, the remedy comes in two forms.First and foremost, dealers will conduct an inspection. If anything seems off, the 2.4-liter Theta II MPI will be replaced at no charge. If the original engine seems alright, service techs will install software intended to detect impending engine failures. The so-called Knock Sensor Detection System also alerts the driver and limits engine power to lessen the likelihood of a failure.Upon installation, Kia North America will provide 15 years or 150,000 miles (240,000 kilometers) of extended warranty coverage for the long block. If you're curious, the answer is no; Kia still hasn't identified the root cause of these potentially dangerous engine failures.The recalled 2011 Kia Sorento vehicles were manufactured between October 24, 2009 and June 24, 2011. Dealers will be informed about recall 23V-877 on February 7, 2024. As for the owners, notification letters will be mailed no later than February 9, 2024. In the meantime, owners can check whether their crossovers are included in this campaign by running the 17-character VIN on the's website.The 2011 model year Sorento was the first of the second-generation Sorento in North America. The third launched for model year 2016, whereas the fourth arrived for model year 2021. A mid-size crossover that is front-wheel drive by default, Kia's long-running Sorento is available in three flavors: combustion-only, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid.The combustion-engined Sorento is listed on Kia's online configurator with a 2.5-liter engine and a starting price of $30,090 (sans destination charge). Said engine is the Smartstream G2.5, a free-breathing powerplant shared with the Hyundai Santa Fe. Level up to the Sorento Hybrid or Sorento Plug-In Hybrid, and Kia replaces the Smartstream G2.5 with the Smartstream G1.6T turbocharged inline-four.The Sorento Hybrid starts at $36,690, whereas the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid retails at $49,990 at the moment of reporting. The combined fuel economy of the Sorento Hybrid is a respectable 37 miles per gallon (6.4 liters per 100 kilometers) with front-wheel drive. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid promises the very same 34 (6.9) as the Sorento Hybrid with all-wheel drive. As for electric range, make that 32 miles or 51 kilometers if you prefer the metric system.
The GTO sales declined in 1967 after a successful 1966 model year when the 2-door coupe and the 389 4-barrel ruled the series.

The new engines fueled the excitement for the GTO, but the yearly sales dropped from nearly 97,000 units to approximately 81,000 cars. The 2-door coupe was still the king of the GTO castle in 1967 with over 65,000 units, while the convertible was the runner-up with 9,500 cars.The top engine this year was the standard 400 4-barrel, being fitted on over 64,000 GTOs. Nearly 14,000 buyers were interested in upgraded performance and ordered the HO package. The Ram Air package was the rarest thing in 1967, landing on just 751 Pontiac GTOs.The engine installed in the 1967 GTO you can see here is almost irrelevant, as the block has already been removed for a rebuild but ended up abandoned. The owner says the engine was removed, and the cylinders got cleaned, but this is where the work on the V8 stopped.The GTO never received a complete restoration because the owner and their mechanic "lost interest in the project" shortly after beginning an overhaul. The vehicle was eventually abandoned in the condition you can see in the pics.I won't comment too much on its condition because you can see everything in the attached photos, but the owner acknowledges the car is rough, with the body sporting a poor shape, lots of holes, and plenty of rust. It's a massive project, but someone interested in a 1967 GTO could see it as an opportunity to get their hands on a cheap unit for a complete restoration or for parts.The GTO's biggest problem was a mice invasion that produced major damage in the cabin. The invaders have chewed the seats, but seller matthegasso0 says they managed to remove the mice and clean the car  though they admit the GTO "needs everything."You don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure out they're right. This GTO can eventually return to the road with the right restoration project, but I believe most people interested in the car are mainly getting it for parts, especially because most of it is still there. Unfortunately, it means this GTO's days are already numbered, so the world should get ready to say goodbye to another great classic whose chances to return to the road were crushed by mice and rust.The bidding for the GTO is already underway, with the top offer today reaching $4,600. The digital fight will end in approximately five days, and if you want to see the car in person, you can find it in Rougemont, North Carolina. It's where you'll have to drive your trailer should you win the no-reserve battle.
Arizonans can now choose to add their driver license or state ID to Samsung Wallet, then present it easily and securely at select TSA checkpoints, including Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Visit https://t.co/UI16CUCv3O to learn more. pic.twitter.com/wrnygSPwRf  Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) December 20, 2023

Apple pioneered the technology with integration into the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone, and Samsung followed in its footsteps with a similar announcement earlier this year.The South Korean company promised to ship the Samsung Wallet integration for driver's licenses and state IDs before the end of the year, and now it looks like it managed to respect its promise with a better-late-than-never type of announcement.Drivers in Arizona can add their driver's license in the Samsung Wallet app on a compatible Samsung smartphone and then easily have their documents scanned when requested, including at select TSA checkpoints.The biggest challenge is to convince state authorities to use the technology, so Samsung's digital ID is currently supported at limited TSA checkpoints, with the company promising to add more states and locations shortly.Iowa could be the next state to add support for Samsung's digital ID integration, with such news expected in early 2024.Worth knowing is that Arizona authorities see the mobile driver's license as "optional," adding that the digital version does not replace the physical ID. It's just a companion to the physical document, so you shouldn't leave your driver's license at home just yet.The digital driver's license integration is secure, with all data, including personal information, encrypted on the mobile device. Users must unlock the app with their fingerprint or PIN before accessing the digital driver's license, and they can quickly scan the document on a TSA digital identity reader.Setting up the feature is very straightforward, as Samsung designed the process based on a wizard guiding users throughout the entire configuration. You must first open the Samsung Wallet app on a compatible Samsung Galaxy smartphone and tap the plus sign to add a new Digital ID. If you live in Arizona, you should see an option for driver's licenses and state IDs.Using the phone's camera, you can scan the front and back of the document and scan your face to verify the owner. The verification process typically completes in a few seconds, after which the document is stored securely on the mobile device. Only you can access it by having your fingerprint scanned when opening the entry.While Samsung's new feature is good news for drivers in Arizona, many could find it redundant. Google already supports similar capabilities in this region with the Google Wallet app, so if local drivers want to use a digital driver's license, they can do so with Google's application. Including on Samsung phones, that is.Google, Samsung, and Apple promised to expand the integration to more regions in the coming years, but it's unclear when the feature could roll out beyond the US markets.
We're literally only a few hours away from the start of New Year celebrations around the world, and as I was driving home earlier today, I couldn't help but look at Android Auto and struggle to remember the updates the application received in 2023.

The Coolwalk rollout

Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution

What's Coolwalk?

Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution

Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution

The "other" updates

Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution

Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution

While the biggest update is the most obvious one (and I'll talk about it in detail in a few seconds), it's clear that 2023 didn't bring too many changes to the Android Auto world.We do know that big things are coming to Android Auto users , including phone wallpaper syncing, mobile device OEM icon support, and a disconnect button for wireless connections, but the production channel barely received any changes this year.Aside from the biggest transformation of Android Auto, that is. Its name is Coolwalk, and its rollout was received with much enthusiasm by users worldwide.While it technically started rolling out in December 2022, Google officially announced it in January this year after missing the original release target by approximately six months.The search giant wanted to launch Coolwalk in the summer of 2022 , but it needed more time to polish the interface and prepare it for prime time.Coolwalk started showing up for users in the production channel in late 2022, with the rollout gaining pace beginning in January. Google used a server-side switch to enable the new feature for Android Auto users, and waiting for the update was often a frustrating, painful, and annoying experience that many hated.Google never acknowledged the broad availability of Coolwalk, but everybody running Android Auto received the new interface by the summer. Internally, Google considered the Coolwalk rollout complete in June.Google has never referred to the new interface as "Coolwalk," but the internal codename eventually became the name everybody used to describe the update.Compared to the previous Android Auto interface, Coolwalk introduces a new screen whose role is to divide the UI into multiple cards. If you used the CarPlay Dashboard , you probably found Coolwalk very familiar.Each card on the screen is assigned to a certain app category, namely navigation, music players, and phone calls. It's a clever way to have more than one app on the screen, regardless of the display's dimensions, resolution, and aspect ratio.Infotainment units sporting a portrait orientation also received a weather card to display the current temperature and conditions. Google promised to look into ways to bring the same card to landscape screens, but the update never landed.Coolwalk completely transformed the way we use Android Auto, as it's now more convenient to keep multiple apps on the same screen at all times.I typically run Waze side by side with Spotify, so I can see my route and the playing song by just glancing at the screen. Coolwalk eliminates the need for toggling between apps, so overall, it reduces the driver's distraction. Users who want to switch to full-screen mode can just tap the app and let it switch from the Coolwalk view to using the entire screen.All big apps have been updated to support Coolwalk, including Google Maps, Waze , Spotify, YouTube Music, and Sygic's GPS Navigation.It doesn't mean the work on Coolwalk should be considered complete. Coolwalk occasionally feels like a work in progress, including when it comes to weather information. The status bar at the top of the screen has been removed, with all information but weather data moved to the bottom. The lack of weather details is more frustrating than it seems at first glance, and despite Google promising to take care of the problem, we're still here nearly a year later without a way to see the current temperature on the Android Auto screen (unless we run dedicated weather apps).While Coolwalk was nearly the only notable update received by Android Auto in 2023, Google also shipped several related refinements to improve the experience behind the wheel.Two of the most notable are related to Google Maps.First, Android Auto users also received the controversial color palette update that makes everything on Google Maps a mess. Google Maps now uses new colors when exploring the maps, and the same configuration landed on Android Auto and CarPlay, sometimes making it hard to see essential information , such as the suggested and the alternate routes.The Google Maps interface update is already live for all users, so you can't go back if you don't like it. It's probably a matter of time until everybody gets used to it, but there's no doubt the process is hard and frustrating. I still have a hard time observing the highlighted route when using Google Maps, so I hope the search giant will find a way to make the route more readable.Second, Google Maps also received a quiet update to save the parking location when running on Android Auto . If you navigate to a location and can't find a parking place in front of the address, Google Maps can save the parking spot when you shut down the engine. If you can't figure out why this is such a big deal, it all comes down to a consistent experience with Google Maps.If you must walk from the car to the address you configured in Google Maps for navigation, the application can offer step-by-step walking directions to the entrance. When you get back to the car, Google Maps can assist you as you walk towards the vehicle.Bigger things are coming to Android Auto users in 2024, including the features mentioned above and possibly other goodies the search giant is quietly working on. The company likely used 2023 for an interface update, with 2024 to witness the debut of a feature overhaul. Fingers crossed for the Android Auto transformation to continue, especially because carmakers have started investing in software , as they want to turn the infotainment into a money-making machine.In this new world, Android Auto and CarPlay might no longer have a place unless they become must-have equipment, in which case customers would give carmakers no option but to continue offering them in their future models.
30 December 2023 11:19 (UTC+04:00)

Nigar Hasanova Read more

Under the chairmanship of President Ilham Aliyev, a meeting of the Ministry of Economy was held in videoconference format regarding the issues arising from the deliberations held on December 15 this year regarding the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29).

Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov, President of SOCAR Rovshan Najaf, and the heads of structural departments of the ministry took part in the event, Azernews reports.

The ministry said that SOCAR presented a presentation on exemplary international experience related to the COP at the event and provided information on the priority given by the COP to the host countries regarding climate goals, the focus areas of COP28, and decarbonisation expectations.

It was noted that COP29, which will be held in our country in 2024, is an important international platform where the world's most urgent human problems are discussed. Holding this event in Azerbaijan is an indicator of great trust and confirms the position of our country as a responsible and reliable partner in solving global problems.

Being a party to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Azerbaijan contributes to the fight against global climate change. SOCAR's voluntary commitment to reduce methane emissions to zero at COP28 is a manifestation of our country's sensitivity to climate problems.

It should be noted that, in addition to the Convention, the Azerbaijan Republic ratified the Paris Agreement in 2016 and set a goal of a 35% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to the base year (1990) as its contribution to initiatives to mitigate the effects of global climate change. Increasing the share of renewable energy sources in electricity production to 24% by 2026 and to 30% by 2030 is envisaged in the "Socio-economic Development Strategy of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2022-2026".

Besides, Azerbaijan was represented for the first time with its own pavilion at the said event. In the pavilion built on an area of 254 m2, the country held side events and seminars with various local, regional, and international organisations, in addition to the display of virtual exhibits that reflected the work done by Azerbaijan in the field of combating climate change, mitigation, and adaptation measures.

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30 December 2023 10:37 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

Azerbaijani and Kazakh musicians have captivated the audience with their performance.

Organized by the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, the concert took place at Azerbaijan State Academic Philharmonic Hall to mark the Solidarity Day of World Azerbaijanis and the New Year, Azernews reports.

At the event, Aktoty Raimkulova, President of the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, spoke about the foundation's activities aimed at protecting, researching, and promoting the culture and heritage of Turkic-speaking peoples. She emphasized that the Turkic world has a common culture, history, and literature.

The President of the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation noted that the year 2023 marks the 100th anniversary of the National Leader of Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev, and the Republic of Turkiye. She also congratulated Azerbaijan and the entire Turkic world.

"I want to once again congratulate Azerbaijan and the entire Turkic world on the victory of Azerbaijan. This victory is a triumph for the entire Turkic world. Garabagh is Azerbaijan!" said Aktoty Raimkulova.

The concert program featured performances by the Zafar Mugham Ensemble (Azerbaijan) and TURAN Ethno-Folk Ensemble.

One of the interesting moments of the evening was when Aktoty Raimkulova performed the composition "Bridge of Time" on the piano, accompanied by the TURAN Ensemble.

The concert ended with a joint performance by the ensembles. The audience greeted the musicians with a standing ovation.

Photo credit: Kamran Bagirov.

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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @lmntypewriterrr

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YEREVAN, DECEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijan sees no serious obstacles for concluding a peace treaty with Armenia, a senior Azerbaijani official has said.

Hikmet Hajiyev, the assistant to the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, told TRT that the contacts between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Aliyev during the CIS summit in Saint Petersburg have been productive and constructive.

The Azerbaijani side finds it to be a productive and constructive partnership for advancing the peace agenda between the two countries, Hajiyev said.

The official added that Baku wants to advance the peace process and doesnt see any serious obstacles for doing so. We dont see further serious obstacles for signing a peace treaty between the two countries, he said, without specifying possible timeframes due to ongoing talks.
The Medina Gallery in Icherisheher has hosted an event dedicated to the kalagayi, an Azerbaijani women's quadrangular headdress made from silk threads.

The event was organised by the NGO Arts Council of Azerbaijan, which is a member of the World Crafts Council Europe. During the evening, it was brought to the attention that the Azerbaijani kalagayi is included in the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, Azernews reports.

Deputy head of the NGO Arts Council Azerbaijan and representative of the World Crafts Council Europe in Azerbaijan, Sona Guliyeva, said that the main purpose of the event is to popularise and promote the art of kalagayi.

"We want our youth to show even greater interest in kelagai and develop and promote this ancient craft. Also, our task is to promote our traditions, national crafts, decorative and applied arts so that more people learn about them in Europe," said Sona Guliyeva.

According to her, today many women have kalagayi in their wardrobes and skillfully combine an ancient silk scarf with modern clothes.

Designer and writer Sabina Zulalova informed those present about the social project "YASADAQ. Umid qanadlar" (For the birth of life). Wings of Hope), of which she is a co-founder. The goal of the project is to show the connection between the birth of girls and the transmission of cultural heritage.

Sabina Zulalova stressed that the national scarf has accompanied a woman's life path from time immemorial.

Felt and silk dyeing specialist Mahbuba Mammadova said that foreign guests visiting Azerbaijan show great interest in silk scarves.

"In my work, I decided to bring innovation to the method of dyeing silk scarves. I use a relatively new technique that has existed for 20 years, and it is called "eco-printing. I dye our locally produced silks using this technique," she said.

The event dedicated to kalagayi aroused great public interest.

Media partners of the event are Azernews.Az, Trend.Az, Day.Az, Milli.Az.

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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @lmntypewriterrr

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
30 December 2023 13:30 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

The Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center in Uzbekistan has hosted event dedicated to the Day of Solidarity of Azerbaijanis.

The event was attended by representatives of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Uzbekistan, Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center in Uzbekistan, the Uzbekistan-Azerbaijan Friendship Society, representatives of the public, science and culture, creative intelligentsia and youth, Azernews reports.

At the opening, the Azerbaijani Ambassador to Uzbekistan Huseyn Guliyev emphasized that the celebration of the Solidarity Day of Azerbaijanis is associated with the name of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev.

"The idea of solidarity of our compatriots and their unification around this idea is one of the greatest historical services of national leader Heydar Aliyev to the people. Solidarity Day is a holiday for millions of our compatriots living in different parts of the world," he said.

It was brought to attention that 2023 is a successful year for Azerbaijani-Uzbek relations, which are at the highest level, and that last year the heads of both states made mutual visits.

A group of artists and journalists who contributed to strengthening Azerbaijani-Uzbek relations were awarded honorary diplomas and special statuettes. Guests were presented with a festive concert with the participation of Azerbaijani and Uzbek performers - Rano Azizova, Davron Kadyrov, Ilham Abdullayev, and the Azerbaijan Dance Ensemble.

A New Year's party for children with Shahta Baba, fairy-tale characters, was held in the large concert hall of center. Around 200 Azerbaijani and Uzbek children took part in the event.

Azerbaijani national music and interesting skits were presented with the participation of the Azerbaijan ensemble and vocalist Olima Mahmudova. Children also showed their talents at the feast. They read poems, danced and competed in games, and received gifts.

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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @lmntypewriterrr

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
30 December 2023 10:19 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmet Hajiyev gave an interview to TRT World TV channel, Azernews reports.

Answering the question about Paris transferring a batch of military equipment to Yerevan against the background of confidence-building measures within the framework of Azerbaijani-Armenian normalisation, the Azerbaijani presidential aide said.

"The programme of militarisation of Armenia and encouragement of revanchist sentiments in this country, which we see in France's actions, is counterproductive."

According to the presidential aide, the French government's ultimate goals in the South Caucasus region are difficult to comprehend.

"We said that other countries should not export their geopolitical intrigues and domestic political agendas to the South Caucasus region," H.Hajiyev emphasised.

The assistant to the president of Azerbaijan also added that Azerbaijan sees no serious obstacles to the conclusion of a peace treaty with Armenia.

According to Hikmet Hajiyev, the informal conversation between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on the margins of the CIS Heads of State meeting in St Petersburg was assessed by the Azerbaijani side as a fruitful and constructive interaction to promote the peace agenda between the two countries.

"We see no further serious obstacles to finalise the peace treaty between the two countries. It is a bit difficult to talk about specific deadlines, as further negotiations are still needed between Armenia and Azerbaijan to finalise the process," H. Hajiyev stressed.

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30 December 2023 12:59 (UTC+04:00)

Asim Aliyev Read more

Moscow and Baku are considering all issues related to the deployment of Russian peacekeepers in the Garabagh region of Azerbaijan after the situation changed as a result of anti-terrorist measures in September, Azernews reports.

According to Russian Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, a Russian peacekeeping contingent was stationed in the Garabagh region of Azerbaijan in accordance with the trilateral statement signed by the leaders of Azerbaijan, Russia, and Armenia in November 2020.

Galuzin emphasised that despite the changing situation in the region after Azerbaijan's anti-terrorist measures in September, the trilateral statement remains in force:

"No one has cancelled this document. It is planned that our peacekeepers will stay in the region for 5 years, i.e. until November 2025, with the possibility of further extension of this period."

Recall that, after the 2nd Garabagh War, ongoing diplomatic negotiations and negotiations to resolve the remaining problems in the region have not yielded positive results. As a result of the 2nd Garabagh War, Azerbaijan liberated 10,000 square kilometers of the 13,000 square kilometers of territory that had been under occupation for 30 years, and the remaining 3,000 square kilometers are occupied by Russian peacekeeping troops until 2025.

Azerbaijan stated that it does not enter this area where Armenian civilians live in order not to harm civilians and to show humanity, and President Ilham Aliyev stated that from now on this issue will be resolved peacefully. According to the trilateral declaration signed on November 10, 2020, Russian peacekeeping troops stationed in the region were supposed to ensure the security of civilians and the region, and with the arrival of Russian peacekeeping troops, Armenian armed formations stationed here were supposed to leave the region.

However, despite the fact that 3 years had already passed since the adoption of the trilateral statement, the Armenian armed forces continued to remain in the region. In fact, the Armenian side sought to use these armed forces as a tool in diplomatic negotiations by keeping them here.

Armenian armed formations threatened construction works in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan, penetrated into the liberated areas, and planted mines, which resulted in the loss of life. According to the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, there were about 10,000 members of illegal Armenian armed formations in the region, with more than 100 tanks, armoured vehicles, and missile systems in their arsenal.

For a long time, despite Azerbaijan's reasonable demands, these forces were not withdrawn from the region. On September 18, Armenian separatists infiltrated the liberated territories and planted a mine on an asphalt road. As a result of the mine explosion, seven Azerbaijani policemen and a civilian working at a construction site were killed. The Azerbaijani Ministry of Intelligence characterised the incident as terrorism. Meanwhile, at the time, 61 Azerbaijanis were killed and 253 Azerbaijanis were injured as a result of mines laid over the past 3 years. The last incident led Azerbaijan to launch an anti-terrorist operation.

It should be noted that Azerbaijan started local anti-terror measures on September 19, 2023 in order to prevent all Armenian provocations in Garabagh. As a result of the armed actions, the terrorists were completely disarmed and cleared from the area without harming any civilians. Since that date, separatism and Armenian terrorism have been completely prevented in Azerbaijan.

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30 December 2023 18:50 (UTC+04:00)

In 2023, the number of migrants who landed in Italy increased by 50 percent compared to the previous year, the interior ministry said Saturday, Azernews reports, citing ANSA.

Some 155,754 migrants landed in the last year, including more than 17,000 unaccompanied foreign minors, while in the same period in 2022 there were 103,846.

The peak of landings was reached in August, when 25,673 migrants arrived during the entire month, said the Viminale.

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30 December 2023 21:20 (UTC+04:00)

Two South Koreans have been released after being abducted nearly three weeks ago by an unidentified armed group in Nigeria, the foreign ministry in Seoul said Saturday, Azernews reports, citing Al Arabiya.

Kidnapping for ransom is common in Nigeria and foreign workers have been targeted in the past by criminal gangs, especially those working in remote mining or construction projects.

The two Koreans, who were abducted in southern Nigeria on December 12, are employees of Daewoo Engineering & Construction Co., a major South Korean builder, according to Seouls Yonhap news agency.

South Korean authorities secured their custody on Friday, Seouls foreign ministry said, further stating that they are in good health.

The men have been moved to a safe area after a medical examination, and have spoken to their families via phone, the ministry said in a statement sent to AFP.

The foreign ministry said their release was secured thanks to close cooperation between the government in Seoul and the company, and through collaboration with Nigerian military, police and intelligence authorities.

It did not state if any ransom was paid.

During the abduction incident, members of the armed group killed four bodyguards, who are Nigerian soldiers, as well as two local drivers, Seoul said in the statement.

The South Korean government vowed to continue to review the measures for the protection of its nationals in Nigeria.

Seoul will actively engage with relevant government agencies, businesses, and overseas Koreans to prevent kidnapping incidents, it added.

Several Asian companies including from China and South Korea operate in Nigeria and are often involved with the countrys road and railway construction projects.

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30 December 2023 20:45 (UTC+04:00)

The Law of the Republic of Belarus No. 328- "On the National Budget for 2024" of 27 December 2023 was included in the National Register on 29 December. This indicates that the document was signed by the head of state, Azernews reports, citing BelTA.



Earlier, the document was reviewed in the House of Representatives and the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly. On 13 December, it passed the final reading in the upper house and was sent to the president for signature.



At the sitting of the 11th session of the Council of the Republic of the seventh convocation, the document was presented by Finance Minister Yuri Seliverstov. The budget has been built based on the parameters of economic development for next year, which were approved by the presidents decree No. 307 of 2 October 2023, and also on the tax policy measures.



Revenues of the consolidated budget for 2024 are estimated at Br67.5 billion, or 106.3% as against the current year. The 2024 budget bill envisages revenues in the amount of Br39.9 billion, or 102.8% of the estimated revenues for 2023.



The main sources of tax revenues of the national budget are value added tax, excises, tax revenues from foreign economic activity, the minister said when speaking in the Council of the Republic on 13 December.



In 2024 consolidated budget expenditures are determined in the amount of Br72.7 billion, or 112.1% over 2023, those of the national budget - Br44.7 billion, or 113.9%.



In 2024, the main tasks for the public finance sector are to finance the social sector, improve the well-being of citizens by increasing salaries and to support the national economy in the current conditions. According to Yuri Seliverstov, salaries of public sector employees will be raised through an increase in the base amount for all categories by an average of 9%.



The budget envisages the family capital program expenses in the amount of Br383 million and also expenditure to finance the construction of subsidized housing in the amount of Br1.7 million

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko signed Decree No.307 on 2 October to approve the most important parameters of Belarus' social and economic development forecast for the year 2024. The economic policy will be primarily focused to ensure the sustainability of the economy and increase the welfare of the population.

The Law of the Republic of Belarus No. 327- "On Amendments to Laws on Taxation" of 27 December 2023 was also included in the National Register on 29 December. Accordingly, this document has also been signed by the president and will be published officially soon.

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30 December 2023 20:15 (UTC+04:00)

Seoul residents battled through the heaviest snowfall recorded for December since 1981, as a winter storm dumped more than 10 centimeters Saturday, with more snow expected in many parts of the country ahead of the new year, Azernews reports, citing Yonhap.

A heavy snow advisory was in effect for the entire capital, except for southwestern Seoul, parts of Gyeonggi Province and most parts of the eastern province of Gangwon earlier in the day, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration.

As of 4 p.m., the advisory remained in effect for most parts of Gangwon, with up to 1 to 4 centimeters of snowfall per hour pounding the inland and mountainous areas of the province.

The advisory is given when the snowfall is expected to reach 5 centimeters or more within 24 hours.

Seoul saw its heaviest December snowfall of 12.2 cm since 1981, in terms of the maximum depth of newly fallen snow. On Dec. 19, 1981, Seoul recorded an all-time December high of 18.3 cm.

The city government said it has deployed 4,689 personnel and 1,218 pieces of equipment for snow removal efforts across the capital.

The snowfall caused minor traffic collisions across the city, with traffic being partially restricted on a five-lane road in central Seoul among others.

The weather agency said light rainfall of less than 0.1 mm or snowfall of less than 0.1 cm is expected in the eastern parts of Gyeonggi Province and South Chungcheong Province.

It had said there may be more heavy snow warnings in the broader capital area and in-land parts of the eastern province of Gangwon due to incoming snow clouds from the Yellow Sea.

For Sunday, it forecast cloudy weather across the country, with rain or snow in the morning, and the possibility of heavy snowfall in the coastal areas of Gangwon in the afternoon.

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YEREVAN, DECEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS. Over the past three years, the level of cooperation between India and Armenia has increased at a rapid pace, bolstered by the establishment of a growing defense and security partnership. Given its expanding contribution to Armenias efforts to increase its defense capabilities and its potential to partner on Armenias strategic and economic development, India has become Armenias most important new foreign policy partner.

So far much of the growth in the Armenia-India relationship has been driven by the initiative of India. Armenia should not sit idly by, waiting for India to approach Armenia for the next stage of cooperation. Amid reports that Indias enthusiasm for Armenia has waned slightly after the fall of Nagorno-Karabakh, it is important for Armenia to maintain and strengthen this relationship. Armenia should now be proactive in establishing a strategic partnership with India which would realize the full potential of the bilateral relations.

As a rising geopolitical power that has managed to maintain friendly relations with all major superpowers, India has a great deal of lessons to share on how to navigate the Russia-West confrontation and the North-South divide. It has managed to maintain a balance between the US and Russia, without burning bridges with either one. It has kept diplomatic channels open and productive with China, its neighboring rival. It has also built important know-how in border management and border security as a result of repeated flare ups along its northern frontiers. All of this is important for Armenia to learn and understand as it undertakes its own foreign policy diversification .

Importantly, India has expressed an explicit desire to partner with Yerevan in the South Caucasus given their aligned strategic interests in the region. India can serve as a geopolitical counterweight to the Three Brothers alliance between Pakistan, Turkey, and Azerbaijan. By engaging with India in bilateral and multilateral formats, such as Armenia-India-Iran and Armenia-India-France-Greece, Armenia gains a strategic ally in a region that otherwise faces Turkish hegemony. At the same time this partnership does not antagonize either the West or Russia.

India has attracted the interest and attention of many countries. It has a particularly strong influence on mid-sized and emerging countries that consider themselves part of the Global South  countries that lie outside of Europe and North America and their incumbent power structures. At the most recent Abu Dhabi Strategic Debate held by the Emirates Policy Center, my colleagues at APRI Armenia attended a dynamic session on Indias rising role on the global stage. In his panel intervention, explaining how India views itself in todays world, President Samir Saran of the Delhi-based Observer Research Foundation think tank, said that India is South-West in its sensibilities. Its combination of emerging country know-how, represented in the Global South, and strong democratic institutions, well-known to the Western world, allow it to play a global "bridging role. India is exercising that bridging role by becoming a credible global advocate for smaller countries, like Armenia. India has diplomatic and economic leverage, which it has used on Armenia's behalf at the UN Security Council to condemn the September 2022 attacks by Azerbaijan on the Armenian territory.

While existing relationships with other countries run their course, Armenias bilateral ties with India in every sphere have the potential to flourish, to the benefit of both partners. As Armenia seeks to diversify its foreign policy and acclimate to the chaos of the current world, it should maximize this opportunity to further boost its national development and come up with initiatives that will benefit both countries.

Over the past year, APRI Armenia has included at the core of its research agenda the opportunities that exist for comprehensive engagement between Armenia and India, identifying security, infrastructure, trade, technology, business collaborations, and tourism as key areas to explore.

Though the trends in Armenian-Indian defense cooperation and new arms deals are promising, Armenia should establish a more strategic and comprehensive partnership with India, starting with holistic defense collaboration. As one of a handful of countries with experience integrating Russian and Soviet-grade weapons with Western equipment , India could provide the proper equipment and training necessary to modernize Armenias defense capabilities while using its existing stockpiles. Moreover, defense cooperation with India should also include partnership on peacekeeping, joint exercises, military training by the Indian army, and advice on logistical and technical reforms by Indian military officials. As a country friendly with both Armenias traditional and newer security partners, it holds the most potential for revamping Armenias defense capacities without provoking any of its partners.

In its vision for greater connectivity and transit routes, Armenia should further boost its partnership with India in building up its infrastructure. India has significant experience investing in infrastructure in geographically-significant countries to improve trade routes, such as with its investment in Irans Chabahar Port project. From land routes like the North-South highway connecting the Persian Gulf and Iran with Georgia and the Black Sea through Armenia, to its envisaged dry port in Gyumri, Armenia would benefit from Indian experience and investment to build out these projects.

Despite an almost doubling in trade since 2020, Armenia and Indias bilateral trade volume is still objectively low - only around $358 million USD in 2022. In contrast, Indias trade volume with Azerbaijan was almost five times that of Armenias at $1.9 billion USD in 2022. Establishing greater trade volumes and dependencies between Armenia and India is not just economically beneficial for Armenia, but important geopolitically as well. Greater economic ties contribute to increased transit and people-to-people connections, while also enhancing Armenias economic value to India in the region.

Specifically within the fields of pharmaceuticals, information technology, and renewable energy technology - where India is a leading exporter - Armenia could benefit from imported Indian products. Furthermore, Armenia could replace goods it currently imports from adversarial countries with those from India. Research should be conducted to assess which products (Turkish textiles, Pakistani rice, etc.) can be imported from India most effectively.

There are already collaborative projects happening between Indian and Armenian businesses. Indian businesses and technology companies alike have expressed to APRI Armenia that they are interested in partnering on joint ventures with businesses in Armenia as well as in the Armenian diaspora. This route should be actively pursued, through joint ventures that are based in Armenia and India, rather than in third countries.

Because the absence of a direct flight between Armenia and India hinders larger trade volumes, establishing a direct flight should be the first step towards facilitating bilateral trade. Alongside, Armenia should take actionable steps to boost tourism with India, incentivize the Indian film industry to produce more movies in Armenia and better promote Armenia in India through more active marketing. These important individual initiatives, and many more, should be part of an integrated road map for enhanced bilateral relations that will complement already ongoing cooperation in the military field and infrastructure development.

All of this reinforces our original point: that the most important foreign policy relationship for Armenia, now and into the future, is India. Developing these relations should be an all-of-society project, with focused initiatives from government, academia, civil society and even student groups, starting at the primary level. The opportunity for Armenia to survive and thrive in what has been called The Asian Century will depend on the projects launched today, which can foster mutual understanding and innovative new directions of interstate collaboration.

Next year, the APRI Armenia team will continue to explore and outline what a strategic and comprehensive vision for the Armenia-India relationship should look like, identifying opportunities in defense, trade, infrastructure, and tourism. With its interests aligned in keeping the Three Brothers alliance in check and pushing forward a Middle Path that does not antagonize the West or Russia, the Armenia-India comprehensive partnership should come to fruition.

In the coming year, India must earn Armenias resolute focus and a dedicated effort to envision our shared, prosperous future.

Davit Antonyan, APRI Armenia Associate Fellow
Cost-of-living crisis and soaring utility bills play their part in creating a tough climate for the restaurant trade to operate in

The Barking Dog closed in May

April: No1 Tacos on Stranmillis Road, Belfast, announces closure due to cost-of-living pressures.

May: Belfasts Barking Dog shuts down amid soaring costs and a lack of staff.

June: Lottie on the citys Upper Newtownards Road shuts after three years. A month later it is announced the unit will be replaced by steak venue Stix & Stones.

Belfast-based Mexican dining chain Boojum is sold to UK casual dining business Azzurri Group.

Conor and Ellie McCabrey, owners of Chapter V in Moy, Co Tyrone, announce its closure.

Tedfords Kitchen in Belfast announces closure, ending more than 20 years in the business for owners Alan and Sharon Foster.

The Alchemy in Moira closed in July

July: The Alchemy in Moira, formerly known as the Tannery, shuts, with the owners citing the strain of the economy.

UK-wide chain Tortilla opens in Belfast.

August: The Boathouse Restaurant in Antrim closes, only for the council to announce its reopening under different owners the following month.

Deane & Decano on Lisburn Road, Belfast, announces its closure due to rising costs.

September: Fast-food venue Vero on Bedford Street, Belfast, shuts after just five months. Pizzeria Orto takes over the site later in the year.

Ferine in Belfast city centre closes after less than four months in business.

October: The Grand Central Bar on the Strand Road in Derry closes after around a century.

Clements Coffee branches at Royal Avenue, Botanic Avenue and Rosemary Street shut.

Monad in east Belfast is rebranded as Marcel.

Eipic closed in November

November: Michael Deane announces decision to shut Eipic.

The Plough in Hillsborough is sold by the Pattersons to the McGlone family.

Pret a Manger

December: Pret a Manger opens in Northern Ireland for the first time at Donegall Square West, Belfast.
Love & Death in Belfast city centre will be closing its doors.

Love and Death cocktail bar announced on Saturday it will shut its doors for the last time this weekend.

The popular establishment has been based at Ann Street for 15 years.

Its owners, in a social media post, said it was time for a new chapter in the venues history.

They urged revellers to pay one last visit and help us give the place a great send off.

Many took to social media to express sadness at the news.

Love and Death posted on its Facebook page: NYE 2023 is almost upon us, and it's time for a new year with new beginnings for everyone.

We're very sad to announce that this will be the very last weekend our beloved L&D will be open for business.

Our wee venue has been host to all sorts of fun and shenanigans for the past 15 years and it's seen a lot of people come and go, but it's time for a new chapter in its history.

If you want to spend one last night in the best wee club in town, come see us tonight or tomorrow, have a dance, and help us give the place a great send off.

"Thank you all for being part of our history and making L&D what it is today.

On social media, revellers spoke of their sadness.

One posted: No way  some great nights out in here.

Another said: Very sorry to hear this I had many a great night and cocktails in the bar over the years. Good luck for the future.
With the new year comes resolutions, resets and renewed aspirations of better, cleaner living. One popular challenge is Dry January.

The charity Alcohol Change UK started the campaign in 2013, encouraging people to go alcohol-free for the entire first month of the year.

In 2022, over 130,000 people officially signed up to take part.

However, in recent years there has been an even bigger increase in people opting to give up the booze longer-term, or even for good.

Since 2005, the overall amount of alcohol consumed in the UK, the proportion of people reporting drinking, and the amount drinkers report consuming have all fallen. This trend is especially pronounced among younger drinkers, according to Alcohol Change.

Paul ODonoghue (32) from Belfast

Belfast native Paul ODonoghue is almost two years alcohol-free. He said his only regret is not doing it sooner.

Paul noted that once he did start drinking, thats when he went towards other party favours, particularly cocaine.

To sum it all up I was a grey area drinker, which means I could have taken it or left it but once I took it, it was all or nothing, the 32-year-old said.

Towards the end of my drinking and drug career it was cannabis that I used daily and couldnt imagine a life without it.

Throughout these years of neglect and abuse I ran my mental and physical health into the ground, I destroyed myself financially which Im still recovering from, and theres a part of me that wouldnt change it because of the compassion and value its added to my life on the other side.

December 30, 2021, was the last time I had a drink of alcohol. Prior to that I stopped using cocaine and shortly after I stopped using cannabis.

For those attempting to also go cold turkey when it comes to drink (or drugs), Paul recommended that one day at a time is a really good mantra.

Very few people get it in one, so be kind to yourself if it all doesnt work out first time, youve set a foundation, and you should celebrate what you have accomplished and now have a goal to surpass when youre ready to try again.

If all you do your first year is not drink or use then thats an absolute success, you dont need to do everything right away, remember to enjoy yourself.

He also urged people to gather a good support network and Paul himself has since joined Belfast Front Runners, an LGBTQ+ running group that also provides plenty of sober support.

That can be friends, family, AA, Inspire, Extern; theres a plethora of services out there that can help support you. When you have a reason to be accountable and continue to turn up for yourself the only choice is to succeed. Make a list of your whys  why do you want to stop? This will play a massive role in your success when fading affect bias kicks in.

Fading affect bias is a psychological phenomenon in which memories associated with negative emotions tend to be forgotten more quickly than those associated with positive emotions, essentially meaning that bad experiences linked to alcohol consumption can often be swept under the rug, meaning people return to drinking more quickly than they intended to.

Ciaran McAliskey (32) stopped drinking alcohol after Christmas Eve 2022

For Ciaran McAliskey from Co Tyrone, this hasnt been an issue at all. He has just surpassed his one-year mark of being alcohol-free, last having a drink on Christmas Eve, 2022.

The Banbridge resident describes himself as a very stereotypical, average binge drinker.

Aged 36, he said it wasnt that his drinking was problematic or excessive, but he had reached the stage where he just couldnt be bothered anymore.

I dont miss drinking in the slightest, he explained.

I feel good about being off it. I didnt drink that often, but when I did I didnt like the experience and I was just fed up with it.

Ciaran noted that the financial and mental benefits of not taking alcohol have been clear to see, and he has since gone on a fitness kick too, losing a stone since last Christmas.

One night out during last years festive period particularly put him off liquor, but he has since gone out with friends sober, and really enjoys being hangover-free and being able to remember everything that happened.

He continued: I drove to my cousins wedding recently and the craic was so good that whenever I got out to the car, I had to stop myself and think, am I drunk? I was completely sober, but I felt so part of the craic and sometimes the buzz of the music and fun corresponds with the feeling of being drunk.

Ciaran never set out to do a full year without alcohol, but after a few months and two holidays of going drink-free, he thought he would continue the trend.

Im getting married in May and in terms of what the future holds, I may have a few drinks, I havent decided yet. I have a stag do coming up too, but at the moment I have no plans to drink just yet because Im very happy where I am.

Giving some tips for those looking to do the same, he stressed that alcohol-free substitutes, such as Guinness 0.0, are game changers.

After five glasses of Fanta, you feel like you cant have any more soft drinks, but non-alcoholic beer really makes you feel like youre a part of the night out.

If you or someone you know needs help, you can call Addiction NI on 02890 664 434 or visit www.addictionni.com, or www.extern.org/pages/category/alcohol-and-drugs
Television presenter Pamela Ballantine, who has been made an MBE (Liam McBurney/PA)

Northern Ireland broadcaster Pamela Ballantine has reflected on a life-affirming year after being made an MBE on the first anniversary of her breast cancer diagnosis.

The UTV star, who is recovering from cancer after surgery and treatment, said the timing of the New Year Honours List announcement made it that bit more poignant.

The well-known 65-year-old TV personality has been honoured with an MBE for her many years of charity fundraising with multiple different organisations.

Ive been involved in getting awards for other people, Ive been asked to help promote and nominate other people for awards, so I know this process takes a number of years, she told the PA news agency.

So its rather lovely that it has come at the end of the year when it was this time last year  December 29 2022  I was told I had breast cancer.

And then, in July, I was told that I dont, which is fantastic.But I know this award hasnt come along because I had breast cancer. Its been a long time in the making, so its just so lovely that the two have married in together.

While 2023 is a year for a lot of things that Im very grateful for, its not exactly how I wanted my year to pan out.

But I can look back on this year as being sort of very much life changing and life affirming and to receive this award at the end of the year is just icing on the cake.

Ms Ballantine said the letter informing her of her inclusion on the honours list was a huge shock.

I was absolutely thrilled and very surprised as well, she said.

The Belfast-born presenter is involved in charitable work through several roles.

She is on the boards of both the Belfast Activity Centre and Youth Action; is vice chair of multicultural organisation ArtsEkat; is regional chair of Action Medical Research in Northern Ireland; and is a patron of Bowel Cancer UK.

The horse lover is also chair of the Down Royal Corporation of Horse Breeders.

Its lovely to be invited in to be asked to do these things, she said.

And I think being able to be approached and asked to be involved in charities is a really nice thing to do.

The presenter is not the first member of her family to be honoured by a monarch.

On the mantelpiece of her home in east Belfast, there is a picture of herself aged 18, along with her sister Susan and her late parents Bob and Edna Rolston at Buckingham Palace in 1976.

They were there attending a ceremony where her father was made CBE for his contribution to business.

Ms Ballantine said she knew what her parents would have said if they had been alive to hear their daughter had been made an MBE.

Mum and dad are no longer with us, and I just know that they will now both be going, Well done, dear, she said.
Two housing organisations tell of assisting the rising number of rough sleepers

Paul McCartney and Sean Gallagher of First Housing Aid and Support Services. Picture: Martin McKeown

A rise in overdoses among people sleeping rough on the streets of Derry has contributed to the busiest year on record for a charity combating homelessness.

First Housing Aid and Support Services works in conjunction with the PSNI, CCTV operators and other stakeholders to help secure safe accommodation for people sleeping rough.

The organisation started in 2009, with its main aim to find solutions for people with housing difficulties.

That aim morphed into supporting street drinkers and those with drug addictions.

Paul McCartney, deputy manager of First Housings Night Support Service, said the service supports around 60 people, 35-40 of whom are regularly on the street during the day.

We reckon 2023 is probably the busiest year weve had since the service started operating, Mr McCartney explained.

What we meet is very fluid, and this year has been quite different. At the start of the year we dealt with anti-social behaviour  two of my team members were assaulted in the town centre.

As we got into the summer we had a lot of street overdoses, which is quite new to Derry, though it would happen a lot in Belfast.

And since the end of the summer it is people coming to us to say they have nowhere to go.

Paul McCartney, of First Housing Night Support Service in Derry talks with one of the service users in Foyle Haven in John street. Picture: Martin McKeown.

Mr McCartney said the issue of drug use is massive in Derry now.

Since the Covid lockdown period, he said, drugs have just gone through the roof.

He added: Theyre sourcing them online very cheap  Xanax, pregabalin, fentanyl or combinations of them.

In mid-August we had 10 overdoses in a three-day period among those on the streets.

Staff had to use the anti-overdose pen, Naloxone, to circuit-break the overdose.

At one point a man clinically died on the street.

It was one of the most stressful three days staff have had in the history of working there. Street overdosing in Derry used to be a very rare thing. Now its commonplace, and it doesnt matter what time of day it is.

Street overdoses were also reported between September and December.

There has also been a dramatic influx of people presenting as completely street homeless in recent months, with up to eight rough sleeping in Derry city centre, Mr McCartney said.

People of all ages can end up on the streets for myriad reasons: young people estranged from families, marital breakdowns or those in the criminal justice system, he explained.

The goal for First Housing Aid and Support Services is to get people into accommodation with the help of the NI Housing Executive. The team then offers additional support to these individuals.

Some turn their life around; for others who make it off the streets, they can end up in homeless accommodation.

Andy Bonner, manager of House in The Wells in Derry. Picture: Martin McKeown

Andy Bonner started working as a warden at the House in the Wells hostel in December 1987, a place he views as a Derry institution.

Mr Bonner, who became manager in 2005, said that, in the past, his residents would have drunk on the streets in full view of local residents and schoolchildren.

A couple of residents died under what is known locally as the flyover during a particularly cold spell, Such deaths wouldnt have been unusual during winter months, he added.

In 2013 the House in the Wells transitioned into a harm-reduction hostel, or what some would know as a wet hostel, as there was a lot of concern about street drinking.

Mr Bonner explained: What that did was bring the residents into the hostel; they are warm, they are dry, their alcohol is not consumed in large amounts in a small space of time.

Theyre much more likely to get their medication, to eat and to take care of hygiene issues.

The House in the Wells has taken the pressure off emergency services, saving them time and money.

It keeps someone suffering with an addiction away from an emergency department and the courts, with Andy saying that District Judge Barney McElholm has always been very fair and understanding.

An alcohol plan does work, Andy said.

We would have had a lot of the police bringing people here and that would have led to problems with vehicles being attacked.

I met paramedics who spoke of how it reduced the amount of work for them. They came to me and said they cant believe how much it has helped.

It gives schoolchildren the chance to go to and from school without seeing men who are basically in a crisis.

Pointing to the sad reality, he added: It has worked. Nothing is perfect. At the end of the day people are still drinking themselves to death.

Everybody who walks in that door is frightened. A lot of people have never been in hostels before and they come and meet residents who have been through the same experience  they build friendships.

Douglas Duff in the courtyard of The House in the Wells in Derry. Picture: Martin McKeown

Douglas Dougie Duff explained that he has been at the House in the Wells for four years.

Originally from Glasgow, he was in the armed forces for 10 years before moving to Letterkenny in Co Donegal to help his sister to look after their mother, who had cancer.

It was to give my sister a bit of respite once I left the armed forces. My mammy then died and I couldnt stay in the south  I had to move up to the north as I could not get any benefits or my pension there, he said.

So Ive been over here for about 18 or 19 years. I was on the streets in Belfast and also here, for around about a year and a half.

Tough is not the word for it: rough is a better word for it. I experienced violence many times.

But in Derry Ive never experienced any violence, because theyre all good people in Derry.

Commenting on his time at the House in the Wells, he added: I tell you what, its absolutely class, I love it.

I stay in here because I know Im in a safe environment. This isnt like a hostel, its like a hotel.

Ive made many friends during my time in Derry. Every man in here I know very, very well.

Both Mr McCartney and Mr Bonner were in agreement that additional funding is required to ensure that services can be maintained.
A man has been arrested on an extradition warrant in Co Tyrone.

The 44-year-old is wanted in Romania to serve a prison sentence relating to motoring offences committed in 2017.

He was located by PSNI officers from Dungannon Local Policing Team on Saturday morning.

"The officers identified he was sought by authorities in Romania and arrested him on the extradition warrant, a PSNI spokesperson said.

He will be brought before an extradition court in Belfast on Sunday, December 31.

PSNI Sergeant Davey from the International Policing Unit said this arrest is a good example of how our Local Policing Teams are able to identify and arrest those wanted internationally.

"We will continue to work with our international partners to locate and arrest those sought for extradition.
A wildlife rescuer has warned of the devastating impact littering can have on wildlife after discovering a platypus with a rubber band wrapped around its neck.

Shelly Burrowes of Hamilton Wildlife Shelter shared the heartbreaking update that there was no choice but to euthanise the platypus who had been struggling to free himself for quite some time.

Now, shes urging fellow Australians to be aware of their surroundings. It just pays to be more aware if you see litter around to pick it up because it could become hazardous, she told Yahoo News Australia.

Shelly Burrowes of Hamilton Wildlife Shelter has warned about discarding 'round' household items after the platypus was killed by a rubber band. Source: Facebook

Shelly got the call on December 22 from local vet Dr Amy Button who saw the platypus struggling in the water at Lake Hamilton. She had seen this platypus struggling to swim in the water so she fished it out and then she rang me and I went down and grabbed it.

It wasnt until Shelly got the platypus back home that she discovered what had caused its injury. I noticed that he had a rubber band around his neck and his right leg, and I could see how deeply it had cut into him, she said.

After consulting with the Marine Response Unit and Healesville Sanctuary it was sadly determined that the native animal would need to be put down due to the severity of his injuries.

Platypus struggling for some time

Shelly believes that the platypus may have got the rubber band caught some time ago.

Platypus dabble in the mud and I'd say he has just put his bill through the rubber band maybe when he was younger, she explained. In his attempts to get it off, he's probably put his leg through it and that's how it ended up around his neck and his leg. If that happened when he was young, he's just continued to grow. Then it just continued to get tighter and tighter on him.

Story continues

Classic example of how litter affects wildlife

In an impassioned post, Shelly shared the ordeal on social media, explaining its a classic example of how litter can impact precious wildlife.

Shelly explained that its common to see animals tangled up in round litter like rubber bands, hair ties and domed takeaway lids. So if it's round, it poses a hazard animals put their heads through it and they get stuck, she told Yahoo.

Other dangerous items include drink bottles and cans. Animals put their head through a little opening and get stuck, she added. If you're throwing out something round, it pays to cut it in half.

Aussies react with disgust

The way they feed makes them so susceptible to this kind of pollution. If youre going to throw out hair bands and rubber bands, cut them first, commented one Aussie.

Surely weve all been made aware of how our rubbish affects our treasured wildlife and the cruel death many of them have to suffer because of that rubbish, said another. People are disgusting, added a third.

Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new weekly newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories.
Revellers on the dancefloor in Love and Death

Love & Death in Belfast city centre will be closing its doors

Lee Murphy, the owner of Love and Death

Revellers have expressed sadness after a popular cocktail bar and nightclub in the heart of Belfast announced it is set to close its doors for good.

Love and Death Inc, which has established itself as a crown jewel in the citys nightlife scene, will host its last hurrah on New Years Eve after 15 years in business.

Its understood owner Lee Murphy has decided to focus on bottling cocktails after launching the home delivery service during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The landlord hinted that another venture is also in the pipeline.

"It's time for a new year with new beginnings for everyone, the business posted on Facebook.

We're very sad to announce that this will be the very last weekend our beloved L&D will be open for business

Our wee venue has been host to all sorts of fun and shenanigans for the past 15 years and it's seen a lot of people come and go, but it's time for a new chapter in it's history.

Love and Death Cocktails

If you want to spend one last night in the best wee club in town...have a dance, and help us give the place a great send off!

Mr Murphy previously revealed plans to quadruple the size of the bar as part of a 3.5m investment and diversification project.

In January 2022 he revealed he was in the process of buying two nearby buildings in Crown Entry which are linked to the first meeting of the United Irishmen who pledged themselves to a cordial union of all people back in October 1791.

Its unclear if plans to launch Corny Brennans have also been shelved.

The proprietor has also previously talked about the business focus on food after warning that nightclubs are kind of dead after the pandemic.

The venue was one of the first places to start delivering daiquiris to peoples doors amid "phenomenal" demand in 2020.

Love and Death has thanked regular punters for their loyal support over the years.

Many of them have taken to social media to express shock and disappointment.

"Such a shame, one person wrote.

Revellers on the dancefloor in Love and Death

"Havnt been in a while but such a vibey cool place that added independent character to the town.

"The people with the hands on levers of power have a lot to answer for!!

Another Facebook user wrote: "Very sorry to hear this I had many a great night and cocktails in the bar over the years.

"Good luck for the future!

Many others recalled precious memories of fun-filled nights out.

"One of my favourite places in Belfast, one post read.

"I dont get in often, but love the quirkiness and amazing cocktails.

Had a great few nights boogying in here too.

All the best for the future.

Another added: "So sad to hear  one of the best wee spots many a fun night had, wishing you a fab last weekend and every success in your next ventures.
Daniel Blinco, the last soldier killed in Crossmaglen in 1993

The 30th anniversary of a soldier who was killed by the Provisional IRA  the last to be murdered in Crossmaglen  will be marked today.

On this day in 1993, Guardsman Daniel Blinco, 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards, was killed in the Co Armagh village.

The 22-year-old had been on a foot patrol in Crossmaglen, County Armagh, when he was shot by a sniper.

His death was the first in Northern Ireland after the Downing Street Declaration, a charter for peace and reconciliation issued two weeks earlier by Prime Minister John Major and the Republic of Ireland Taoiseach Albert Reynolds.

It was a joint peace initiative, pledging to seek mutually agreeable political structures in Northern Ireland and between the two islands.

He was also the last soldier killed by snipers in south Armagh before the first IRA ceasefire in 1994.

In 2013 the Grenadier Guards marched through Mr Blincos hometown of Melbourne in Derbyshire to mark his death the day before Remembrance Sunday.

A bench at Melbourne Hall was also rededicated to him as part of the ceremony.

Joanna Swain, Guardsman Blincos sister, told the BBC: It is absolutely wonderful that Daniel has not been forgotten  it is beyond belief, to be honest.

His mother Nina Blinco added: We are overwhelmed  it is a wonderful thing that the people of Melbourne have turned out.

Daniel would have loved every minute of it.

Daniel Blinco is remembered on SEFFs memorial quilt.

Kenny Donaldson, Director of South East Fermanagh Foundation (SEFF), who comes from Crossmaglen, stated: Saturday, December 30 marks a milestone anniversary in the area  the 30th anniversary since the Provisional IRA murdered the last soldier in Crossmaglen  Daniel Blinco, Grenadier Guardsman.

I was present in the village that day with my father and we were in close proximity to where Danny was murdered  at the corner of Murtaghs pub. I was aged 13.

He was murdered just two weeks after John Major and Albert Reynolds signed the Downing Street Declaration, a political pathway was in motion but the bloodthirsty Provisionals saw fit to extinguish Dannys life and so many more over the next two decades.

It is important that young men like Danny are remembered, their contribution should never be forgotten.

Daniel Blinco is remembered on SEFFs memorial quilt  Terrorism knows No Borders.
Michelle O'Neill says it is decision time for the DUP

Michelle ONeill has warned the DUP it is decision time as she accused the party of rolling back on a deal to restore power-sharing before Christmas.

In a new year message, the Sinn Fein vice-president outlined her commitment to lead a new Executive as "First Minister for all".

It came as Sir Jeffrey Donaldson defended the DUPs justified two-year Stormont boycott.

He said that while fully functioning devolved government was in Northern Irelands best interests, he would not seek a quick and rushed fix.

With the festive break almost over, the focus will next week shift back to attempts to restore power-sharing.

The DUP walked out of the Executive in February 2022 in protest at post-Brexit trade arrangements which they say weakened Northern Irelands place in the Union.

However, there is growing pressure for the party to return amid a financial crisis hitting public services and a mass strike looming on January 18.

Talks between Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris and the main Stormont parties over a 3.3 billion financial package to accompany the return of devolution broke up before Christmas without any agreement to restore the institutions.

Mr Heaton-Harris said talks with the DUP over its concerns have concluded, however, Sir Jeffrey claimed the engagement will continue.

On Saturday, Ms ONeill said: As we enter 2024, I remain absolutely determined to lead a new Executive as First Minister for all.

Regardless of who you are, or where you come from, I see it as my duty as First Minister-elect to fully represent you, your family and community.

And despite the recent political setback at the Hillsborough talks when the DUP rolled back from joining the rest of us to form an Executive, we must focus once again on overcoming this in the New Year.

Negotiations between the DUP and British Government on the Windsor Framework are concluded.

It is time for the DUP to make a decision.

Ms ONeill said there was an urgent need for an Executive and Assembly to deal with a host of problems facing Northern Ireland.

Separately, in his message to DUP members, Sir Jeffrey said any return to power-sharing meant safeguarding Northern Irelands place in the internal market both now and for the future, whilst retaining access to the EU single market.

"These objectives are not mutually exclusive, nor do they lead to the creation of an all-island economy, he added.

Referring to the 2022 decision to withdraw Paul Givan as First Minister, Sir Jeffrey said the partys repeated warning had not resulted in real or decisive action by the Government to deal with the Protocol, prompting their decision.

He added in his message, reported by the News Letter: In our long and justified campaign we have made progress and whilst the process has taken longer than anyone wished, nevertheless, we have not lost our focus or desire to secure long-term solutions, measured against the tests in our manifesto which work for Northern Ireland and our place within the United Kingdom.

As I have said repeatedly, we will be led by securing the necessary conditions for long-term stability rather than a quick and rushed fix that would quickly fall apart.

Securing that stable outcome will see local accountable decisions again be taken at Stormont on the basis of cross-community consensus.

It is in the best interests of Northern Irelands place within the United Kingdom to have fully functioning devolved government, with locally elected representatives taking those decisions.

On Friday, the Secretary of State warned the Government would not stand by and allow public services to deteriorate in Northern Ireland while Stormont remains suspended.

Mr Heaton-Harris said he was preparing a budget to support civil servants in stabilising public finances if the political impasse is not resolved, but warned there must be a limit to how far the Government could go.

Under current rules Mr Heaton-Harris is obliged to call a fresh Assembly election on January 18 if the Assembly has not returned.

But writing in the Belfast Telegraph, he said he would not be treating that date as a deadline.

Mr Heaton-Harris said: People in Northern Ireland expect and deserve devolved government back as soon as possible, to make use of the financial package we have put on the table.

He added: "In its absence, however, the UK Government cannot and will not just stand by and allow public services and finances to decline further.

"Which is why, just like last year, we are preparing a pragmatic and reasonable approach to support the Northern Ireland Civil Service in stabilising public finances and services via a sustainable budget, should the Executive not be back in place to do so itself.

"But we are clear that there must be a limit to how far the UK Government can go without an Executive in place.
Half of fuel sold in NI from 1992-2000 was smuggled across the border, files reveal

300m in tax lost as Stormont told Republics exchequer  and drivers and hauliers here  benefited from the illicit trade

The difference in fuel duty between the jurisdictions encouraged cross-border smuggling (Photo: Danny Lawson/PA)

Sam McBride Sat 30 Dec 2023 at 08:40

About half of all fuel sold in Northern Ireland was being smuggled from the Republic, according to declassified papers  with some petrol stations making the equivalent of 10,737 profit for every illicit load.
Highly unorthodox approach was rejected, with the man with distant Irish ancestry being told it would be inappropriate for a minister to do what he requested

An American man attempted to get a government minister to write to Ulster University in an attempt to increase his chance of getting an honorary degree, according to declassified files.

The unorthodox letter was sent from Yaqub H McAteer in March 1997 in an attempt to get direct rule minister Malcolm Moss to assist him.

His letter is among thousands of pages of documents released this week at the Public Record Office in Belfast under the 20-year rule.

The letter began: I am an American with Ulster ancestry and am writing to ask for your support on a particular matter.

Recently, I received a letter from Sir Trevor Smith, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ulster, stating that my name may be considered for the award of an honorary doctorate.

However, the final decision rests with the universitys honorary degrees committee.

Basically, as the honorary degree would mean a great deal, I was writing to ask if you could write a letter in support of my nomination.

The letter which Yaqub H McAteer sent to a Northern Ireland minister

Mr McAteer went on to outline how he had worked in the field of mental health for 10 years, serving patients with various psychiatric disorders, including chemical dependence, chronic mental illness, and even AIDS.

Mr McAteer said that he had earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, where he lived.

He told the minister that as you lead the Department of Health and Social Sciences [sic], your support could make a difference.

He went on: All of my great-grandparents were from Ulster. Subsequently, I would be honoured to receive such an award from the University of Ulster.

He said that the university had already received letters of recommendation from professors at Johns Hopkins University  although he didnt specify how he knew this or whether he had lobbied them to do so.

He even set out the address he wanted the letter sent to and the name of the person on the honorary degrees committee to whom it should be addressed.

Mr McAteer ended his letter: I will hope to hear from you soon.

He didnt hear from the minister at all. Instead, a junior civil servant dispatched a curt response in which he said that the minister had read your letter with interest but that as a government minister it would not be appropriate for him to support your nomination.

An article four years later in the Baltimore Jewish Times refers to an individual of the same name, who is also from Baltimore, who described themselves has having Irish and Moroccan ancestry and who was educated at Johns Hopkins University.

It said that the Rev Dr Yaqub H McAteer was by then 40 years old and was head of the Baltimore chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the African American group founded by the legendary Martin Luther King Jr.

The reporter who wrote the article said: Re. McAteer does not project charisma, but low-key confidence is evident.

In January, the PhD in counselling and holder of a bachelors and masters from Johns Hopkins University was ordained by the Federation of Independent Unity Churches.

The article also said that he worked at the states drug court programme as a therapist and at a domestic violence programme.
Violent incident left one gunman dead, and another seriously injured

The scene in Blanchardstown after Tristan Sherry (inset) was confronted, shot with his own gun and stabbed repeatedly

A man has been charged with murder after an incident in a Dublin restaurant on Christmas Eve.

Michael Andrecut, 22, with an address in Sheephill Avenue, Corduff, appeared before Judge Stephanie Coggins at a special sitting of the Criminal Courts of Justice on Saturday morning.

Tristan Sherry died after being assaulted and a man in his 40s suffered gunshot wounds during an incident at Brownes Steakhouse in Blanchardstown at around 8pm on December 24.

Detective Garda Mark Murphy told the court that the accused was arrested at 11.42pm on Friday and charged at 11.47pm at Blanchardstown Garda Station.

Mr Murphy said Andrecut made no reply to the charge.

Defence solicitor Brian Tunney made an application for free legal aid.

Andrecut, who appeared in court in a black hoodie, is due to appear by videolink at Cloverhill District Court at 9am on Tuesday January 2.

Read more Dublin steakhouse gunman fatally stabbed in botched hit tried to flee through back door but found it locked

A significant garda operation will be put in place for the funeral of Tristan Sherry (26), a father-of-one who was associated with a crime group in Finglas led by a drug dealer known as Mr Flashy.

Funeral details for Sherry are yet to be announced, but it is expected to be held in the coming days. A significant security operation, involving armed gardai, is expected to be in place over fears of reprisal attacks.

Tristan Sherry was killed in Blanchardstown last weekend

The shooting has been condemned by senior political figures, including Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Justice Minister Helen McEntee.

Local gardai are also being assisted by detectives attached to the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, while increased uniformed and armed patrols have been deployed to the area.

An Garda Siochana is aware of videos of the incident and immediate aftermath which are in circulation on social media and messaging apps, a spokesperson said. We are appealing to the public for these videos not to be further distributed.

We are also appealing to the public to be aware of a significant level of speculation, misinformation and disinformation which is in circulation.
Police responded to a disturbance near to the Lighthouse Theatre in Camberwell Road (Yui Mok/PA)

Protesters have clashed with police in south London after a demonstration related to tensions in the Eritrean community, Scotland Yard said.

Social media footage of the incident in Camberwell appeared to show protesters wielding sticks clashing with Met Police officers, bringing traffic to a standstill.

Eight people were arrested for offences including violent disorder, criminal damage, possession of an offensive weapon and assault on an emergency worker, the Met said.

Four officers were injured, one of whom was taken to hospital and has now been discharged.

There is still a heavy police presence on the scene in Camberwell Road, where a demonstration saw approximately 50 people gathering outside a private venue before violence broke out.

Police at the scene (Yui Mok/PA)

The clashes are said to have taken place near The Lighthouse Theatre.

Additional officers were called in to provide back-up, Scotland Yard said.

A dispersal order has been put in place in the area until 7am tomorrow, giving police the power to exclude a person from the area.
Climate activists have blocked part of a major ring road around Amsterdam city centre, near the former headquarters of ING bank to protest against its financing of fossil fuels.

Amsterdam Municipality said traffic authorities had closed part of the road and diverted traffic to prevent a life-threatening situation.

Dozens of Extinction Rebellion protesters were detained by police late in the afternoon after ignoring orders to end their blockade. Police said the operation to clear the road was peaceful.

Activist Sebastiaan Vannisselroy said the protesters were demonstrating for the safety for us all. The Netherlands is a low-lying country. Were threatened by ocean rise. So we want to  safeguard the future for all of us.

Climate activists gather to block the main route around Amsterdam (Patrick Post/AP)

Amsterdam Municipality said in a message on X, formerly Twitter, that traffic authorities closed part of the road and diverted traffic to prevent a life-threatening situation.

Hundreds of activists walked on to the road in the latest road blockade organised by the Dutch branch of Extinction Rebellion.

Earlier this year, the organisation repeatedly blocked a major road leading into The Hague.

Some of Saturdays protesters walked along the closed A10 carrying a banner with the words Change or die as two police vans drove slowly behind them.

Another person carried a handwritten banner that said: ING get out of oil and gas now!

Police criticised the protesters for blocking the road close to the VU medical centre, one of Amsterdams main hospitals.

The blockade is very undesirable given its impact on the traffic in the city and, for example, employees at the nearby VU medical centre and people visiting patients, a statement said.

Police face climate activists blocking the road (Patrick Post/AP)

The protest came despite ING announcing earlier this month that it was accelerating its moves to phase out loans for fossil fuel exploration.

ING made its announcement a week after nearly 200 countries at the Cop28 climate meeting in Dubai agreed to move away from planet-warming fossil fuels in a document that critics said contained significant loopholes.

Extinction Rebellion spokeswoman Let de Jong said the phase-out plan was not fast enough.

We demand that ING immediately stops all fossil fuel financing, she said in a statement ahead of the protest. Every day, people are dying around the world because of the climate and ecological crisis. That has to stop.

At past protests in The Hague, police used a water cannon to force activists off the road and arrested hundreds of people.
Thirty-two Ukrainian drones have been show down over Russia, Moscow officials said, a day after an 18-hour aerial barrage across Ukraine killed at least 39 civilians.

Drones were seen in the skies over Russias Moscow, Bryansk, Oryol, and Kursk regions, the defence ministry said. It added that all the drones had been destroyed by air defences.

Cross-border shelling also killed two people in Russia. A man died and four people were injured when a missile struck a home in the Belgorod region late on Friday evening, regional head Vyacheslav Gladkov wrote on social media, and a nine-year-old was killed in the Bryansk region, said local governor Aleksandr Bogomaz.

Cities across western Russia have come under regular attack from drones since May, with Russian officials blaming Kyiv.

Firefighters work in the ruins of a shopping centre in Dnipro (Ukrainian Emergency Service/AP)

Ukrainian officials never acknowledge responsibility for attacks on Russian territory or the Crimean peninsula, but larger aerial strikes against Russia have previously followed heavy assaults on Ukrainian cities.

Russian drone strikes against Ukraine continued on Saturday, with the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reporting that 10 Shahed drones had been shot down across the Kherson, Khmelnytskyi and Mykolaiv regions.

On Friday, Moscows forces launched 122 missiles and dozens of drones across Ukraine in an onslaught described by one air force official as the biggest aerial barrage of the war.

As well as the 39 deaths, at least 160 people were wounded and an unknown number were buried under rubble in the assault, which damaged a maternity hospital, apartment blocks and schools.

Western officials and analysts recently warned that Russia had limited its cruise missile strikes for months in an apparent effort to build up stockpiles for massive strikes during the winter, hoping to break the Ukrainians spirit.

Fighting along the front line is largely bogged down by winter weather after Ukraines summer counter-offensive failed to make a significant breakthrough along the 620-mile line of contact.

Russias aerial attacks have also sparked concern for Ukraines neighbours.

Polands defence forces said on Friday that an unknown object had entered the countrys air space before vanishing from radars, adding that all indications pointed to it being a Russian missile.

Speaking to Russian state media outlet RIA Novosti Saturday, Russian diplomat Andrei Ordash said: We will not give any explanations until we are presented with concrete evidence because these accusations are unsubstantiated.
Former reporter brings first work of fiction to book after 10 years

A former reporter has switched from news stories to histories  and come up with fiction based on fact.

Ex-Belfast Telegraph journalist Anne Madden took 10 years to complete her first novel  and the launch event at the Out to Lunch Festival in Belfast is already sold out.

The Wilderness Way blends the histories of Donegal after the Famine and the Civil War years in the United States yet is a work of historical fiction.

Anne, who has also worked for The Irish News as well as local charity organisations, used her journalistic skills in researching the foundation for her book.

I always wanted to write a novel, she explained. But when it was actually published it was a real pinch-me moment.

Of the two main protagonists in the book, one  the landlord John Adair  is real and the other  tenant Declan Conaghan  is pulled from the imagination.

I was struck by the misery the landlords inflicted on their own tenants, Anne said.

Adair was the landlord at Glenveagh in Donegal from 1858 and his land steward, James Murray, was brutally murdered in November 1860  a crime that remained unresolved.

This led to the Derryveagh evictions in April 1861 when as many as 244 tenants including 159 children were evicted over the course of three snowy days.

There was a family called Conaghan among those evicted but I had little information about them.

What made this fascinating to me was the timing  1861  and the fact Adair married an American Civil War widow. The evictions took place in the very month the American Civil War erupted.

Before becoming a journalist Anne was a graduate in modern history from Oxford where her special subject was Slavery, Emancipation and the American Civil War.

There are a lot of big themes in the story  Irish emigration, the American Civil War, the famine and religion  but at its heart is a family who want to stay together but are shaken by the forces at the time that drag them apart, she said.

It was a pleasure to write a story with the stunning background of Glenveagh where I have been many times on holiday. I only hope I have done it justice in my descriptions.

For the Out to Lunch event on January 27 at the Black Box in Belfast, Anne has teamed up with the popular Irish folk group Lumiere but tickets are already sold out.

The Wilderness Way published by One More Chapter, HarperCollins, costs 9.99 and is on sale now
UAE-based Azizi Developments has announced that work is moving at a steady pace on its ambitious development, Riviera, in Dubai with the Phase IV job nearly 40% done and on track for completion by Q3 next year.

Riviera is Azizis French Mediterranean-inspired waterfront community strategically located in the Mohammed Bin Rashid City which houses some of the important business, leisure, and retail hubs.

Giving a project update, Azizi said it is advancing swiftly in the construction of the fourth phase of Riviera, comprising six buildings. Of these buildings, Azizi Azure, is now 44% complete, with its structure at 100%, blockwork and internal plaster at 95% and 70%, and HVAC, MEP, and overall finishes at 14%, 25%, and 18%, respectively.

Work on the other five buildings is also progressing rapidly, with construction completion varying between 34%, 39%, 41%, and 43%, and the total workforce having been increased to 3,100, it stated.

On the rapid construction, CEO Farhad Azizi said: "We are thrilled about the swift progress happening in the fourth phase of our mega-project Riviera."

"We are eager to welcome our highly esteemed investors and end-users by 2024, as Riviera caters to the accelerating demand for strategically located and meticulously designed communities, providing an unparalleled lifestyle to its residents," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
A diner has vented his annoyance over a restaurants 10 per cent peak season surcharge after heading out to eat with friends in the days following Christmas.

The frustrated patron was surprised to see the questionable surcharge  which runs from December 27 to January 26  stated at the bottom of the Pavillion Geelongs menu in Victoria.

A photo posted to Reddit shows the policy listed above the standard 20 per cent surcharge for public holidays. [In my opinion] no need for a peak season surcharge, the diner said. Set your prices year round and absorb this bullshit. At least when it came up for a tip, the default option was Yeah. Nah.

A patron took to Reddit to vent about a 10 per cent 'peak season surcharge' stated at the bottom of the Pavillion Geelong's menu. Source: Reddit

The irked visitor explained their mates had chosen the restaurant, which they accused of gouging, and they will not be returning.

Outrage over 'peak season surcharge'

The online complaint on Friday has sparked a contentious debate, with most Redditors agreeing that the peak season surcharge was ridiculous.

I would have walked out before I ordered, one person said. Why would peak season cost them more though? someone else wondered. Surely peak season means its busier and the business is making more money. Unless all ingredients or electricity or rent is suddenly priced higher during that month, why would they need a surcharge?

The diner also posted a photo of their receipt showing the 'peak season surcharge'. Source: Reddit

Aussies defend restaurant's policy

Despite the obvious outrage, numerous others defended the restaurants additional surcharge. In our case we use it as a sweetener for employees to work during the busy time instead of being with their families, a hospitality worker chimed in. We dont see the increase from the surcharge, we are just glad to be staffed during the holidays.

We live in a market system and supply and demand change prices, another person argued. The fact that these guys are up front about a surcharge means this is okay. If it was hidden then I wouldnt like it.

Story continues

'Sneaky' surcharge is legal

Griffith University marketing expert Dr Sara Thaichon previously told Yahoo News Australia adding a surcharge is legal as long as customers know about it before making a transaction. But it can be problematic from the customer perspective as it is often considered a sneaky tactic of restaurants, especially when customers are not expecting it in Australia, she said.

According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), surcharges on different days are allowed but must be prominently displayed on the menu.

Restaurants, cafes and bistros that charge a surcharge on certain days do not need to provide you a separate menu or price list or have a separate price column with the surcharge included. However, the menu must include the words a surcharge of [percentage] applies on [the specified day or days] and these words must be displayed at least as prominently as the most prominent price on the menu.

Yahoo News Australia has contacted the Pavilion Geelong for comment.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
The year 2023 has been one of disorder in Southeast Asia.

War is still raging in Myanmar, where perhaps thousands of civilians were killed this year, on top of hundreds more soldiers and anti-junta fighters. ASEAN, the regional bloc, has failed yet again to either bring the warring parties to the negotiation table or, as a result, take a sterner position on the military government that took power through a coup in early 2021.

A consequence of the escalation of political violence in Myanmar has been the proliferation of crime. According to the Southeast Asia Opium Survey 2023, published by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the country reclaimed the spot as the worlds biggest opium producer, with the area of land used to grow the illicit crop increasing by 18 percent to 47,100 hectares in 2023, compared to the previous year.

Poppy fields stretch across pastures in mountainous Shan State, Myanmar in 2019. Myanmar reclaimed the spot as the worlds biggest opium producer according to the UNODC Opium Survey for 2023. [Ye Aung Thu/AFP]

The report noted that although the area under cultivation has not returned to historic peaks of nearly 58,000 ha (143,300 acres) cultivated in 2013, after three consecutive years of increases, poppy cultivation in Myanmar is expanding and becoming more productive.

At the same time, production of methamphetamine has also increased. One result has been to flood the rest of Southeast Asia with cheap drugs. On Dec. 13, the Thai police seized 50 million methamphetamine tablets near the Myanmar border, the countrys largest-ever drug bust and the second largest in Asia.

Alastair McCready, reporting for Al Jazeera in November, noted that yaba pills  a combination of methamphetamine and caffeine  are selling for US$0.24 cents each in Laos.

The flood of drugs has led to an explosion of other criminal activity. Radio Free Asia has reported on the growing anger of ordinary Laotians about the authorities inability to investigate even petty crimes, which has been compounded by the ongoing economic crisis in the communist state, another indication of the disorder now infecting the region.

Enter scam states

Singapore, after staying capital punishment for years, felt it necessary to begin state-enforced executions again, killing the first woman defendant in two decades this year for drug-related offenses.

If Myanmar has the distinction of becoming Southeast Asias narco-state once again, some of its mainland neighbors now have the reputation of being what could be called scam-states.

The blockbuster Chinese hit of the year No More Bets  a film about unwitting Chinese youths being lured into working for scammers somewhere in Southeast Asia, whereupon tragedy unfolds  was banned by several Southeast Asian governments, including Cambodias, which presumably thought its ironclad friend was spreading malicious propaganda.

Bags containing about 2 million methamphetamine tablets seized in a northern Thai border town near Myanmar are displayed during a news conference in Chiang Rai province, Thailand, Dec. 17, 2023. [Office Of the Narcotics Control Board via AP]

Indeed, if in China No More Bets was a Tarantino-esque public health warning, in Southeast Asia, it was an alarming indictment of all thats wrong in their nations, a held-aloft mirror they couldnt ignore, hard as they tried.

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights reported in August that at least 120,000 people in Myanmar and 100,000 in Cambodia may be held in situations where they are forced to carry out online scams.

According to a UNODC report, there could be at least 100,000 victims of trafficking for forced criminality in Cambodia alone. If accurate, the report added, these estimates of trafficking for forced criminality in Southeast Asia would suggest that this is one of the largest coordinated trafficking in persons operations in history.

Note that those numbers are only of people forced to work in Southeast Asias scam compounds, which stretch from mainland Southeast Asia to Malaysia and the Philippines. The number of workers who choose, however you understand that word, to work in this industry is no doubt many times higher.

Half of national GDP

The UNODC was more hesitant in its language than it could have been.

It offered a conservative estimate that the scam industry of one Mekong nation, which it did not name, may be generating between $7.5 and $12.5 billion in revenue annually, around half that countrys official GDP in 2021.

Some think it was a reference to Cambodia, whose GDP was US$27 billion that year. My guess is that the UNODC was being vague because it knows this estimate could also apply to Laos and Myanmar.

Five telecom and internet fraud suspects who were handed over to the Chinese police pose for a photo at Yangon International Airport in Yangon, Aug. 2023. [Chinese Embassy in Myanmar/Xinhua via AP]

Moreover, its possible that online scamming, with its associated human trafficking and money laundering, might now be the most profitable industry in all three states, and this increasingly un-shadowy sector may be worth as much as the entire GDP of all three states.

To quote the UNODC report: the scam industry is earning criminal groups the equivalent of billions of U.S. dollars, with profits rivaling the GDP of some countries in the region.

There have been some busts in Cambodia and the Philippines. One of the sparks for the Operation 1027 offensive that unfolded in October across northern Myanmar, touted as the biggest rout of the juntas forces since the February 2021 coup, was the apparent inability of the military junta to tackle Chinese-run scam compounds in Shan State.

Because of the juntas inactivity, a number of armed ethnic groups stepped in to tackle the scam compounds, which was well received in Beijing.

However, the task of tackling these groups is beyond the capabilities of the police and militaries of Southeast Asian states. In authoritarian mainland Southeast Asia, law enforcement is a patronized, pay-for-promotion extension of ruling parties, which makes them not only ineffective but also systematically corrupt.

Political protection

Naturally, there is a good deal of political protection for these vast scam syndicates. Quite obviously, one doesnt build an industry worth as much as half a countrys GDP without the active participation of a section of the ruling aristocracy. Li Kuong, the alleged owner of a scam compound in Cambodia, was made a neak oknha, one of the countrys highest honorific titles, in June.

In Laos, does the long-ruling Lao Peoples Revolutionary Party control Bokeo province, or is it now the fiefdom of the Chinese criminal tycoon Zhao Wei, who runs the province from its de-facto capital city, the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone?

Its a question that brings us to corruption.

This year, the Vietnamese Communist Partys anti-graft investigators arrested dozens of senior officials and businesspeople related to the case of a prominent real estate developer who allegedly embezzled nearly US$12.4 billion, the equivalent of more than 3 percent of the countrys GDP.

For some moments in 2021 and 2022, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, a notion gained traction that authoritarian states are more able than their democratic cousins at ensuring stability, order and prosperity. Events in 2023 in Southeast Asia showed the opposite.

Communist Vietnam has just uncovered perhaps the biggest corruption scandal in the regions historyand there may be worse to come. Crime rates are spiraling out of control in communist Laos, whose economic crisis is unlikely to end next year, suggesting that authoritarians are not trustworthy guardians of economic growth.

Casinos and hotels are seen in Sihanoukville, Cambodia in 2018. [Paula Bronstein/Getty Images]

Myanmar, the region's narco-state, is engulfed in a war created by a military junta that traces its lineage to previous military regimes that called themselves the State Law and Order Restoration Council or State Peace and Development Council.

Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar could possess illegal scam industries worth as much as half their national GDPs, effectively making them scam-states, where the government, judiciary and military appear to have been effectively infiltrated by scam syndicates.

Does all this sound like the sort of stability and orderliness that authoritarians say justifies their monopoly of power?
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

Cloudy. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low 32F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Aussies have been left rolling their eyes after a tourist issued a desperate plea for help following a dumb act that left them in serious strife.

The group in a 4WD, are thought to have attempted to drive to a shipwreck resting on tidal lands. They became bogged in the mud and as the tide came back in, the situation quickly escalated until the car was completely submerged.

While the SS City of Adelaide shipwreck on Magnetic Island in Far North Queensland is accessible at low tide by foot, vehicles are prohibited on the tidal lands and those caught ignoring the rules face tough penalties and on-the-spot fines.

The 4WD became bogged as the tide started to come in. Source: Facebook

Is there anybody around that can help or know someone that can retrieve a vehicle from the beach in Cockle Bay, the person asked on a local Facebook group. We completely bogged it and yes we are absolute idiots for trying to drive up the sand but we urgently need to get the vehicle out.

Aussies left scratching heads over driver's move

There's a very good reason why nobody does this, one social media user pointed out. Firstly due to it being off limits & secondly the deep mud. Needless to say, it ended how you expected.

Its not even a beach, why would someone believe they could drive on that? asked one Aussie. Do dumb things win dumb prizes, added another.

Popular tourist destination

The SS City of Adelaide is a popular tourist destination on the island. The ship met its demise in 1916 and now rests in the shallows of Cockle Bay.

At low tide, its possible to walk all the way out to explore the magnificent structure as the water rushes out and leaves the wreck sitting completely out of the water.

However, watch the soft, sinking mud, warns the islands tourism department.

Crackdown on Queensland beaches

Earlier this year Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) cracked down on 'irresponsible' drivers on Queensland beaches by ramping up fines for a host of offences. It comes after five fatal crashes on beaches controlled by QPWS since 2013, one of which was on Bribie Island.

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While most drivers and riders do the right thing while visiting these places, sadly we have seen the tragic consequences of irresponsible motorists including fatalities and significant injuries," Manager of QPWS Compliance Optimisation Michael Devery said.

Driving without due care and attention imposes a $575 fine and a loss of three demerit points.

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ADAMS  The emergency medical technicians and board members at Adams Ambulance Service refuse to quit, but the towns of Adams and Cheshire have already moved on.

Come Monday, Jan. 1, all 911 calls in the two towns will be directed to Northern Berkshire EMS as the primary first responder, Adams Town Administrator Jay Green said Thursday. If Adams Ambulance continues on, they could respond to mutual aid calls, but they will no longer be the first call in Adams and Cheshire.

If you call 911 on January 1st, that dispatch for EMS will go to Northern Berkshire EMS, Green said. If Northern Berkshire cant answer that call, itll go down a mutual aid list, and as long as Adams Ambulance is still licensed at that time, they could respond to the call that way.

As for Savoy, Adams Ambulance has pledged to continue covering the town until it has decided whether to continue with Adams Ambulance or contract with Northern Berkshire EMS.

Northern Berkshire EMS President John Meaney said that the organization has a signed mutual aid agreement with Adams Ambulance thats effective Jan. 1, so they would be able to back us up if were inundated with calls or need additional assistance.

Adams Ambulance co-manager Joshua Koch, who recently ascended to the position after former general manager Sean Sanderson resigned in early December, says that a committed team of EMTs, and new and remaining members of the board of directors, have sought and found a buyer for the ambulance bay building. Completing that sale could fund payroll for more than a year, and allow the company to continue operating for the near future, he said.

Getting the building sold does two things, Koch said. It pays off the debt weve accumulated and gets us back to zero. It would also give us enough leftover cash to cover operating expenses and payroll for another year or so.

Adams Ambulance notified the Massachusetts Office of Emergency Medical Services in November that it would be ceasing coverage because their company was no longer financially viable.

When they found out, The employees basically said, were not having none of that, we like our service, Koch said.

Management then sent a follow-up letter retracting the notification. Since, they have been in touch with OEMS about strategies to stay open, including selling the building. But they cant put anything into motion until they hear back from the state.

We have a buyer for our building, Koch said. We have all these action plans put together that will bring in enough money to cover our payroll and then some, so were actually on the upswing. That isnt going to matter if we dont stay open.

Koch said Friday that OEMS has informed Adams Ambulance that it can continue operating past Dec. 31.

"They are still investigating whether to renew our license or not, but as far as they are concerned, AAS is able to operate normally until we hear otherwise," he said.

As long as it stays open, Adams Ambulance plans to carry on as the town of Hawleys primary responder. But the question of who will cover Savoy long-term looms.

Koch said Adams Ambulance will continue serving Savoy "for as long as they still want us as their primary provider."

We did have a meeting scheduled with the town of Savoy that was cancelled this week, Meaney said. Im assuming theyre staying with Adams Ambulance as their primary provider at this point.

Koch said Friday that Savoy has not yet made a decision to go with NBEMS and will be having a meeting on the subject Jan. 9. Savoy Select Board members did not respond to requests for comment Friday.

Meaney said NBEMS will have an ambulance in the Adams Forest Warden building off North Summer Street come Jan. 1. If call volume demands it, and staffing works out, the agency will set up a backup location at the Cheshire fire station.

The Eagle reported in early November that Adams Ambulance had a dangerously low amount of money and staff  the company was hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt  and was seeking financial help from the towns it covered.

Their situation was so dynamic and unstable, there was no way to use them as the primary EMS provider with the call volumes Cheshire and Adams have, Green said Thursday. As far as their plans for the future, their destiny is in their own hands, and OEMS. The towns of Adams and Cheshire have extricated ourselves from that scenario.
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A woman has issued a serious warning about kissing pet birds after she nearly died looking after a weeks-old cockatoo.

Shaharazaad Gafoor offered to look after her nephews pet bird Frank, but didnt expect for her life to be hanging in the balance just days later. Now, shes telling others not to get too close with their pets.

The mum, aged 49, said she has always loved birds and shared a strong connection with her own parrot, Jack, six. But when Frank, an eight-week-old cockatoo, entered her life, she quickly realised that something was terribly wrong as the bird began displaying signs of lethargy and feather loss.

Shaharazaad is warning others not to hug or kiss pet birds. Source: Jam Press

She put it down to him being in a new environment at first. However, soon Shaharazaads own health started to decline and within days she was admitted to hospital with a life-threatening illness, psittacosis, a bacterial infection.

Its also known as parrot fever and its not something to joke about, as I wasnt sure if I would survive the night  I felt like death, Shaharazaad, a former disability support worker, told NeedToKnow.co.uk.

The whole ordeal turned my whole life upside down in an instant and I struggled to breathe, constantly felt like I was overheating, and couldnt shake the excruciating muscle pain. I couldnt believe that the animals I had loved so much had almost caused my life to be over.

Shaharazaad's own bird contracted the illness

Then, while she was battling for her own survival, her bird Jack also fell victim and was rushed to the vet, where he was believed to only have a short time left. Luckily, he pulled through and the mum, who recovered after nine days of intense treatment, is back at home.

But she is now warning others to watch out for the signs.

My lungs are permanently scarred and I live in fear each day that the bacteria will resurface again, she said. I know birds can get sick after being purchased, but I think more checks need to be done at the pet shop before selling these animals.

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Im worried about how many other owners will have to go through this. I didnt know the bird had this bacteria lurking, no one would know, until its too late."

A 'wake-up call' to pet owners

The mum has said that the ordeal has served as a wake-up call. I hope this serves as a wake-up call to everyone to practice good hygiene and wash your hands immediately after handing any birds  dont kiss them or hug them. It could be fatal.

Sadly, Jack recently passed away and while shed love to get another feathery companion, the whole ordeal has put her off getting any other birds in the future.

My life will never be the same and I can no longer look at birds in the way I did before, Shaharazaad, from South Africa, added. Its put me off them for good. The financial toll of having time off work and the lingering health effects serve as a reminder of what a seemingly harmless infection can do.

The allure of a cute and cuddly companion shouldnt overshadow the risks they may carry. Look at me and ask yourself  is it worth kissing your animal?

Jam Press

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Inaugurates new injectables facility that will start supplying to the markets

Emcure Pharmaceuticals has inaugurated its recently commissioned facility at Mehsana in Gujarat. The inauguration was done by Rushikeshbhai Patel, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Gujarat. The new plant manufactures injectables for sale in India as well as for export to global markets.

Emcure's manufacturing operations have been established for decades, and are spread across 13 sites in India. The company currently has an oral formulations manufacturing line at Mehsana and the new unit commissioned in August, 2023 is now ready for commercial supplies to domestic and international markets.

With dedicated manufacturing facilities for different platforms and packaging formats, Emcures manufacturing facilities across the country are capable of producing pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical products across a wide range of dosage forms, including oral solids, oral liquids, injectables, including liposomal and lyophilised injectables, biotherapeutics and complex APIs.

With approvals and accreditations from various regulatory authorities such as EDQM, Health Canada, USFDA, ANVISA Brazil, and more, the company ensures that it remains in compliance with the relevant regulations and is able to supply products in regulated and other markets.

Emcures new manufacturing plant will aim at creating additional job opportunities in the local market.
Jem's Birding & Ringing Exploits in the Eastern Province and elsewhere in Saudi Arabia
During the 6th Biennial ASLM2023 conference in Cape Town, South Africa, the African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM) and Illumina, specialising in sequencing technology, formally established a Memorandum of Understanding.

Source: Supplied. Nqobile Ndlovu, chief executive officer of ASLM and Tom Berkovits, senior director of Illumina Africa Middle East and Asia-Pacific during the MoU signing between The African Society for Laboratory Medicine and Illumina at the 6th Biennial ASLM2023 conference in Cape Town.

This initiative is designed to expand the use of genomics in Africa to prepare for future pandemics and safeguard the health of Africans.

To fortify Africa's resilience against future pandemics, this collaborative initiative aims to harness the power of genomics to enhance disease surveillance, outbreak response, and public-health interventions across the continent.

Additionally, the initiative is expected to boost local training in genomics and increase access to sequencing technology through a specialised genomics curriculum provided by means of ASLMs training platform, the ASLM Academy.

Furthermore, ASLM will become part of the Illumina Global Health Access Initiative, extending access to pathogen genomic sequencing for public health in low- and middle-income countries.

Creating opportunities for genomics training within Africa is vital for building local capacities. Genomic sequencing is crucial for identifying and managing pathogens, and through this collaboration with Illumina, we aim to empower a skilled workforce that can conduct genomic sequencing domestically, said Nqobile Ndlovu, chief executive officer of ASLM.

Illuminas recently launched Global Health Access Program will play a pivotal role in this initiative by offering reduced pricing for eligible sequencing products.

 This morning's Early Breakfast Show was a highlight with Mr @MrNqobileNdlovu, CEO of ASLM who spoke to Africa Melane on Cape Talk & 702, featuring insights from #ASLM2023. A truly enlightening discussion! Click on the link below for more! https://t.co/Lnk2OeexcZ  ASLM (@ASLM_News) December 13, 2023

This programme, developed with guidance from customers, funders, and market facilitators including the non-profit Find, will provide reduced pricing structures for eligible sequencing products from Illumina to qualified global health funding entities and address key international logistics and supply chain challenges.

Tom Berkovits, senior director Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa (AMEA) Illumina, highlighted, Genomic sequencing significantly contributes to detecting and responding to infectious disease outbreaks.

The Global Health Access Program, with ASLMs valuable participation, addresses challenges such as delayed response times and increased costs associated with shipping samples offshore.
Dubai is leading the world luxury-property price-growth this year as the market continues to rally in the post-pandemic climate with people flocking here, says Samuel Seeff, chairman of the Seeff Property Group.

Source: Supplied.

While many luxury markets are slowing, Dubai is soaring. The growth is confirmed by the 2023 Knight Frank Wealth Report which notes that property prices have skyrocketed by 225% from the pandemic lows in late 2020. YoY price growth for 2023 compared to 2022 stands at almost 50% (48.8%).

The positivity in Dubai, both in the economy and property market, is palpable and contagious, says Seeff who recently attended the formal launch of Seeff Dubai. The glittering event was attended by a representative of the Dubai Royal Family, South African Consular General, and other dignitaries while the SA Ambassador also popped in.

Seeff says Dubai appears to be entering a golden phase. There has been a huge influx of about half a million people into the city, and buyers and investors are flocking to the Dubai property market. Global uncertainties and economic woes have driven wealthy buyers to shift funds into Dubai which they see not only as stable, but growing.

Dubai has become the place to be and to invest in right now, he says. It is a Middle Eastern hub with a constant influx of business- and tourist visitors and a particularly buoyant rental market, offering world-leading yields on rental investments. "The interest in Dubai property is enormous. Azizi Developers for example recently sold out a whole tower block on the launch day," he said.

The rally on the Dubai property market has meant that most of the excess property stock has been taken up, adds Nombasa Mawela, licensee for Seeff Dubai. "We are now seeing new developments coming into the market to fill the enormous gap in terms of rental housing. These are often offering exceptional payment terms and rental yields, especially for South African investors."

She says further that investing in Dubai gives you a foothold in the international market. The introduction of the Dubai Golden Visa has proved hugely popular for those who want to move here. It enables the visa holder and their family to live in the country for up to 10-years. You can also stay outside the UAE for more than the usual period of six months in order to keep the residence visa valid.

Optimal financial options for SA investors

Being able to open an offshore personal- and business bank account in Dubai is another huge benefit. Property buyers can now also secure mortgage finance of up to 75% of the purchase price. Many developers are, however, offering very attractive alternative payment plans and low-risk financing options which are ideal for South Africans, she says further. These require a low upfront investment with periodic payments and come with a guaranteed return on investment if you put the property into the rental market.

"You do not have to take the residency option right now, and can simply invest in the lucrative property market. The process is relatively straight-forward. Pricing starts at around R3.5m for a studio unit in the new Mag330 development for example. It is a towering apartment block with a choice from studio to three bedrooms, and comes with an exceptional investment plan."

It is ideal for the rental market, says Mawela, as it comes with five-star amenities (sky lounge, swimming pool, health club, kids play area and so on) and is ideally located in the new mixed-use luxury urban metropolis, City of Arabia.

There is a signing discount of up to 4% on the purchase price (depending on the price) for a limited signing period with a 24% down-payment and interest-free payment tranches thereafter. At a rental yield of 7% to 8%, it is estimated that the investor would ultimately only pay about 66% of the value of the purchase price, the rest being financed by the rental income.

Mawela says further that it can be a challenge for South Africans investing offshore in terms of who they are dealing with, so it is important to work with a credible realtor who vets the developments to ensure they are suitable to local buyers and investors, she concludes.

Dubai is one of the most dynamic property markets with opportunities multiplying daily, says Seeff. "Aside from the business growth, about half a million people have flocked into the city post-Covid boosting demand for rentals. It is one of the hottest rental investment prospects."
Standard Bank has orchestrated a groundbreaking syndication facility for the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Source: Standard Bank.

The $255m syndicated facility is the first of its kind to be successfully accessed by a South African state-owned entity in the UAE and broader Middle East/North Africa (Mena) markets, representing a milestone for both DBSA and South African fundraising initiatives in the UAE.

Standard Bank and UAE-based Mashreq were joint lead mandated arrangers in a deal which was oversubscribed, demonstrating significant market interest from UAE investors and the Mena broader region.

The DBSA mandated Standard Bank to act as the mandated lead arranger to anchor and raise USD liquidity to diversify its global investor base.

This syndication demonstrates Standard Banks unparalleled ability to leverage on its balance-sheet capabilities, network, and significant footprint in raising liquidity from a new market for the benefit of clients, said Zen Dlamini, executive head of sovereign and public sector at Standard Bank Corporate Investment Banking.

Standard Bank takes pride in contributing to diversifying DBSA's funding sources, aligning with its shared mandate of infrastructure financing within South Africa and across the continent, as well as advancing the South African governments broader developmental agenda.

This initiative enhances DBSAs and, by extension, the South African governments capability and collective aspirations to drive socio-economic development.

"This aligns with Standard Bank's commitment to supporting infrastructure development and related economic growth across the continent, underpinned by Standard Banks unparalleled footprint across the continent and the globe, Dlamini added.

DBSA's vision for economic growth

DBSA authorised Standard Bank to act as the mandated lead arranger (MLA) to anchor and raise USD liquidity to diversify its global investor base and to enable it to deliver its important developmental mandate of supporting economic growth through socio-economic infrastructure to stimulate economic growth and job creation in South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa.

This is also in line with the South African governments developmental agenda in SA and the SADC Region.

DBSAs key mandate includes supporting climate finance and the Just Energy Transition in the Africa Continental Free Trade Area, reducing the significant economic infrastructure investment gap, social infrastructure, as well as the digital economy.

The infrastructure development gap in the African continent across all the DBSA sectors of focus points to opportunities for both new build and maintenance of infrastructure. The DBSA is well positioned to play a role in resolving the infrastructure gap, said Zodwa Mbele, group chief financial officer at DBSA.

The unprecedented syndication facility agreement was reached six months following the 2023 South Africa and Kenya State-Owned Corporation (SOC) Investment Summit, hosted by Standard Bank in Dubai.

The summit was attended by senior executives from South African and Kenyan state-owned companies as well as leading players from across the UAEs investment landscape.

In its second year, the SOC Investment Summit discussed the growing investment opportunities across Africas vital sectors such as energy and infrastructure, telecommunications, logistics and transportation, and food and water security.

The forum facilitated initial discussion and the link between DBSA and Mashreq Bank.

DBSA leveraged the opportunity as part of its fundraising efforts in the UAE by collaborating with Mashreq Bank, which is one of the largest banks in the UAE and enabled the organisation of the US dollar syndication.
Derek Lewitton, owner of Black Rock Rhino Conservation, has been arrested by the Hawks following a tip-off that led to the discovery of 26 rhino carcasses on his private reserve, located near Gravelotte, west of Phalaborwa, Limpopo.

Image source: Lee Ann Nicholls from Pexels

The arrest took place last Friday night, 22 December, at Lewitton's Harmony farm, following a 16-hour investigation that uncovered 10 undocumented rhino horns, as well as illegal firearms.

The charges laid against the 53-year-old American national include breaking the Firearms Act and the National Biodiversity Act of 2004 and the Nemba Act involving restricted activities with specimens of rhino horns.

The law requires that a rhino's death must be reported to the South African Police and Department of Nature Conservation, who will then remove the horn.

Limpopo Police Spokesman Brigadier Hulani Mashaba told the press that "some 26 unreported rhino carcasses were found on the property along with 10 rhino horns in the farmhouse safe.

"Seven unlawfully acquired firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition were also confiscated in a raid with the Hawks and armed officers and tactical response officers."

"From the helicopter the place looked like a slaughterhouse and everywhere you looked rhinos were lying there dead," commented Major-General Jan Scheepers.

"We found 26 carcasses but I can tell you there is bound to be many more. Some had been shot dead and some died of natural causes and we are still investigating how they died."

Lewitton has cut a controversial figure in the conservation world as an advocate for the legal trade of rhino horns. He believes that poaching would be diminished if horns could be trimmed from live rhino and legally sold.

Lewitton was formally charged at the Namakgale Magistrates Court on Wednesday, 27 December. He will remain in custody until 3 January 2024, at which time he can make a formal bail application.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) is encouraging the public to report illegal mining activities following the arrest of five undocumented foreign nationals in Limpopo.

The police arrested the five suspects, aged between 19 and 34 years, on Sunday, 24 December at Selwane Village (under the Lulekani policing area) for illegal mining.

Members of the Mopani Illegal Mining Task Team arrived at the old mining shaft in Selwane and found a group of people in the act of illegal mining.

As the police were approaching the suspects, one of them opened fire on the police as he returned underground. Police managed to arrest the four suspects and started searching for the one who went underground. He was eventually arrested but the firearm could not be found, said SAPS in a statement.

The suspects were found in possession of picks, spades, an iron digging bar, shovels and torches. One bag containing suspected precious minerals was also confiscated.

In addition, members of the Mopani Illegal Mining Task Team have recovered and seized various abandoned mining equipment, groceries, and cooking utensils in the area, which indicated there are other illegal miners in the area.

The Limpopo Commissioner of Police, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has welcomed the arrest and hailed the team's endless efforts.

On Sunday, police said the arrested suspects are expected to appear before the Lulekani Magistrate's Court in due course, facing charges of illegal mining, attempted murder and contravention of the Immigration Act.
FutureBank, an open banking and embedded finance platform, has partnered with Paymentology, a leading global issuer-processor. This collaboration facilitates seamless integration for banks and fintechs, allowing instant issuance of virtual cards through advanced card issuing and processing technology.

Source: Supplied. Sergio Barbaso, chief executive officer of FutureBank.

Paymentology provides banks, fintechs and telcos with the technology to issue and process any type of physical or virtual card through its multi-cloud platform, offering both shared and dedicated processing instances. The company operates in over 50 countries bringing a deep, local market knowledge across 14 time zones.

FutureBank, is an open banking platform and fintech marketplace that helps banks, brands and fintechs integrate new banking and financial service products into their core systems and deploy them at scale with minimal cost and effort.

FutureBank has now joined forces with Paymentology to solve a critical business need in the financial services world. The collaboration of the two companies enables instant issuance of virtual cards even for financial institutions constrained by their core legacy banking systems, offering traditional banks a digital edge and speed without the need for a major replacement.

One of the payment challenges facing banks and fintechs globally is the capability to issue card payment instantly to their customers, individuals and businesses alike. Yet today, legacy core banking systems work in batch environments, while modern fintech use cases and user journeys require near real-time responses.

FutureBank and Paymentology tackle this issue at its source by enabling instant insurance through deep integration of both platforms, allowing for both virtual and physical cards to be available for use immediately upon request. Instant issuance allows financial institutions to print their customers' payment cards at the time of onboarding and order, or display them instantly as virtual cards onto a mobile phone.

We partnered with Direct Transact to accelerate the adoption of embedded finance solutions in sub-Saharan Africa. Together, we're paving the way for the next era of financial services. Read more here:https://t.co/Hb79Ff3o6X#EmbeddedFinance #Tech #Fintech  FutureBank (@GetFutureBank) December 7, 2023

The partnership solved an acute pain point. Paymentologys platform enables instant issuance of tokenised cards, with easily configurable controls; and FutureBanks integration capabilities into a range of existing core systems, enables issuers to accelerate product development velocity in co-existence with their legacy systems.

This combination enables even the most legacy of core banking infrastructures to participate in the modern payment ecosystem," says Sergio Barbosa, chief executive officer of FutureBank.

Keeping cards top of wallet

Allowing institutions to instantly produce and activate cards meets the growing expectation of younger and digital-savvy customers who are used to services on-demand. If customers can open an account on a digital platform in a matter of minutes, why would you make them wait days or sometimes weeks to receive their payment card?

Instant issuance is a valuable addition to the customer journey that banks, retailers and MNOs are striving towards. The goal, after all, is to get your customer securely transacting as fast as possible, Barbosa shares.

Banks and fintechs globally reach out to Paymentology with a consistent problem statement: They are under pressure to keep up with more agile competitors, who are developing products faster, and who are capturing market share.

Examples include payment via mobile phone, wearable payment devices, targeted loyalty programmes, and digital onboarding.

The partnership with FutureBank will facilitate digital-first product rollouts on top of existing core architecture, reducing cost, complexity, and risk on the path to modernisation, says David Oppenheim, global head of ecosystem partnerships at Paymentology.

The two companies have already tested their partnership on several customers in the EMEA region, and have included the launch of a neobank and the modernisation of an existing legacy bank in the mix.
Happy New Year! Way back in May, I wrote about the upcoming merger of the Lock 52 Historical Society and the Montezuma Historical Society. Well, I am pleased to say that the formal merging will be taking place soon, when the New York State Education Department gives us its approval. The Education Department has the oversight for giving charters to the local and regional historical groups, and by way of the charter, it lays out the rules and regulations that we must follow. These rules afford all of our members and supporters a certain level of protection, knowing that we have written standards that must be followed when it comes to our finances and collections. Now that all these steps have been taken, you will begin to see less of the Lock 52 and Montezuma historical societies, and more of the Old Mentz Heritage Center.

So, what are the changes? The headquarters of Old Mentz will remain at 73 Pine St. in Port Byron. Over the past year, the two boards have been meeting to work out our priorities and decide who will be doing what. The Friends of the Montezuma Heritage Park will continue as a committee within the organization framework, as will the cemetery, collections, programs and other committees. We will be expanding our collection to accept items that pertain to Montezuma and even Throop history, as they were all once a part of Mentz.

Aside from the name change, it is likely that you wont even notice much else. We all share a common history by way of the Montezuma Turnpike, the canal, the school district, newspaper, commercial activities and family groups. Our research has never been limited by the political borders; however, there was always a deference to stay out of the other's historical sandbox. So now you will see articles and news that cover both towns. And there will be a new website at old-mentz.org.

So, what to look forward to? The big push over the next two years will be the bicentennial of the Erie Canal in 2025. Together with our friends in Weedsport, Jordan, Camillus and Syracuse, along with the Canal Society of New York State, we will be planning and hosting a series of events to help commemorate the 200th birthday of the completion of the canal. We will continue to help the town of Montezuma maintain the beautiful Montezuma Heritage Park. We will continue our work with headstone cleaning and repair events. And of course, we will continue to aid all of you who are looking into your family history. It is funny when researchers apologize for taking up our time. We always say, This is what we are here for!

We thank all of you who have become members, made donations, written comments on our social media posts, attended our programs, visited the art display and made use of the society collection.

Finally, we would be nothing without our volunteers who greet and talk with visitors, help organize the collection, help with the cleaning events and work in the park. It is an active group, and there is always room for more. If you are curious about what we do, this is your invitation to stop by, sit and visit for a bit. I have heard that our group loves to be distracted hearing your memories.

Back in 1979, a small groups of folks set about to organizing the Lock 52 Historical Society, and we honor those folks for their dedication, time, efforts and financial support over the last 44 years. I dont think any of them could have foreseen the changes that have since taken place as they held their first meetings at the village offices. I look forward to what happens next.

The future of Cayuga County history: Apathy, digital age among challenges Ruth Bradley was organizing some photos at the Cayuga County Historian's Office when she saw a name that stumped her: "Nora."
A 27-year-old man has been remanded in custody after he was charged with the assault of a man whose body was found in a rented house on the Tipperary-Limerick border early on Wednesday morning.

Tomasz Rozpeda was charged at special sitting of Nenagh District Court today with assault causing harm to Maciej Nowak (32) at Ballycrana, Kilcross, Co Tipperary between December 26th and December 27th, contrary to Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act

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Judge Elizabeth MacGrath noted that Mr Rozpeda was reserving his position in relation to bail, and she granted the Garda application, remanding him in custody to appear in person again at Nenagh District Court next Wednesday while she also granted him free legal aid after he submitted a statement of means.

A native of Poland, Mr Rozpeda, who was dressed in a grey tracksuit top and bottoms and sneakers, was assisted by a Polish interpreter throughout. He did not speak during the hearing which lasted less than five minutes before Judge MacGrath.

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The charge follows an investigation by gardai into the circumstances of the death of fellow Polish national, construction worker Maciej Novak.

He was found unresponsive at his rented home at Ballycrana near Kilcross at about 4am on Wednesday by gardai when they called to the property.

Mr Nowak, who celebrated his 32nd birthday on St Stephens Day, was pronounced dead at the scene by a local doctor and his body was later removed to University Hospital Waterford for a postmortem examination which gardai say has informed their investigation.
Sinn Feins Michelle ONeill has used her New Year message to warn the DUP it is decision time.

The party vice president, who stands to become Stormont First Minister if powersharing is restored in Northern Ireland, accused the regions main unionist party of rolling back on a deal to revive devolution prior to Christmas.

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The Stormont institutions have been suspended for almost two years due to a DUP boycott in protest at post-Brexit trading arrangements.

The DUP has insisted it will not end its blockade until it secures legislative assurances from the Government on Northern Irelands trading position within the UK.

The Stormont institutions have been suspended for almost two years. Photo: PA.

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Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris has insisted that talks with the DUP over its concerns have now concluded.

However, DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has claimed the engagement will continue, making clear he is not yet in a position to back the legislative proposals the British government has offered the party.

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Talks between Mr Heaton-Harris and the main Stormont parties over a 3.3 billion financial package to accompany the return of devolution broke up at Hillsborough Castle earlier this month without any agreement to restore the Assembly and Executive.

The package would include money to make an outstanding pay award to public sector workers.

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With their pay demands still unmet, unions are planning a major strike across Northern Ireland on January 18th.

Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris has insisted that talks with the DUP over its concerns have now concluded. Photo: David Young/PA.

In her New Year message, Ms ONeill said she remained determined to lead a new Executive as First Minister for All.

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And despite the recent political setback at the Hillsborough Talks when the DUP rolled back from joining the rest of us to form an Executive, we must focus once again on overcoming this in the new year, she said.

Negotiations between the DUP and British government on the Windsor Framework are concluded.

It is time for the DUP to make a decision.

Its time to move forward in lock-step, ensuring people have the Assembly and government they deserve.

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In an apparent reference to the dual market access offered by Northern Irelands post-Brexit arrangements, Ms ONeill said local parties needed to seize the enormous economic opportunities ahead to attract investment, create new jobs, and to better all our peoples lives, no matter your background.

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We urgently need a new Assembly that works at pace to deliver a fair pay rise for our healthcare staff, teachers, and public sector workers, she added.

That tackles crippling health waiting lists that have left people without hope, and in pain.

And that ensures people with special educational needs and their families have access to properly funded, first-class support services.

We need an Executive back in place that listens to the voices of young people, families and workers.

We owe it to our young people to make that progress happen.

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA.

On Friday, Mr Heaton-Harris made clear the British government would not stand by and allow public services to deteriorate in Northern Ireland while Stormont remains suspended.

The Northern Ireland Secretary said he was preparing a budget to support civil servants in stabilising public finances if the powersharing impasse is not resolved, but warned there must be a limit to how far the British government could go.

Under current rules Mr Heaton-Harris is obliged to call new Assembly elections on January 18 if the powersharing Assembly has not returned  the same day the strike is planned.

But writing in the Belfast Telegraph, the Northern Ireland Secretary said he would not be treating that date as a deadline.

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He said: I am considering all options carefully, however, I want Stormont to return as soon as possible so I am not treating this date as a target and will be relentlessly working with all parties to find a way forward.

January 18th is also the date when thousands of public sector workers will go on strike over pay. A returned Executive could stop these strikes and the disruption it brings to people.

By getting back to work they will unlock the 584 million made available by the UK government to address public sector pay.

People in Northern Ireland expect and deserve devolved government back as soon as possible, to make use of the financial package we have put on the table.

He added: In its absence, however, the UK Government cannot and will not just stand by and allow public services and finances to decline further.

Which is why, just like last year, we are preparing a pragmatic and reasonable approach to support the Northern Ireland Civil Service in stabilising public finances and services via a sustainable budget, should the Executive not be back in place to do so itself.

But we are clear that there must be a limit to how far the UK Government can go without an Executive in place.

That is because the financial package we have offered requires decisions on how to improve and modernise the public services and these must be taken by locally-elected politicians with the mandate to do so.

It should not just be for local politicians to dispense funding from the UK government.

They should take active and sometimes difficult decisions about where priorities lie, because they know the place and the needs of their constituents better than anyone else.
Two people have been rescued from a yacht after it was blown away from the north Dublin coast.

Howth RNLI responded to a report received after midday on Friday that a yacht had been blown offshore and was unable to make its way to its destination or to a harbour.

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The yacht was south of Lambay Island, the largest island off Irelands east coast.

The Coast Guard described visibility as good but sea conditions as challenging, with winds blowing force 5 to 6, and gusting force 7.

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All-weather lifeboat the Roy Barker III was launched within 10 minutes and was on the scene in 15 minutes, the Coast Guard said.

A lifeboat crew member assessed the two people on board the yacht and established they were wet and cold but otherwise unharmed.

The coxswain decided to tow the yacht to Howth harbour, and the lifeboat returned to its station at 1.40pm.

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Howth RNLI Second Coxswain Ian Sheridan said: As the weather conditions were deteriorating, the crew of the yacht did the right thing in calling for help before it was too late.

Our volunteer crew responded to the pager quickly and we were able to launch and locate the yacht within 25 minutes of their call for help.

We train regularly in all weather conditions to ensure that when the pager goes off we can get out to sea to save lives and get back safely.

This type of callout for the RNLI provides a good opportunity to remind boat owners to always check the weather forecast and sea conditions before you set off and have a means of calling for help at all times.

If you get into difficulty or see anyone in distress on or close to the water, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.
Israeli planes have struck two urban refugee camps in central Gaza, as the Biden administration approved a new emergency weapons sale to Israel despite persistent international calls for a ceasefire amid mounting civilian deaths, hunger and mass displacement.

Residents in the camps of Nuseirat and Bureij reported Israeli strikes overnight and into Saturday.

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Nuseirat resident Mustafa Abu Wawee said a strike hit the home of one of his relatives, killing two people.





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The (Israeli) occupation is doing everything to force people to leave, he said. They want to break our spirit and will but they will fail. We are here to stay.

A second strike late on Friday in Nuseirat targeted the home of a journalist for Al-Quds TV, a channel linked to the Islamic Jihad group whose militants participated in the Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7.

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The channel said the journalist, Jaber Abu Hadros and six members of his family were killed.

With Israeli forces pushing deeper into Khan Younis and the camps of central Gaza, tens of thousands of Palestinians have streamed into the already crowded city of Rafah at the southernmost end of Gaza in recent days.

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Drone footage showed a vast camp of thousands of tents and makeshift shacks on what had been empty land on Rafahs western outskirts next to UN warehouses.

People arrived in Rafah in trucks, in carts and on foot. Those who did not find space in the already overwhelmed shelters put up tents on roadsides slick with mud from winter rains.



Thousands of tents used by displaced people in Rafah (AP)

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The US State Department said on Friday that secretary of state Antony Blinken told Congress he had approved a 147.5 million dollar (115.8 million) sale for equipment needed for 155mm shells Israel bought previously.

It was the second time this month that the Biden administration bypassed Congress to approve an emergency weapons sale to Israel.

The department cited the urgency of Israels defensive needs as a reason for the approval, and said: It is vital to US national interests to ensure Israel is able to defend itself against the threats it faces.

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Israel says it is determined to pursue its unprecedented air and ground offensive until it has dismantled Hamas, a goal viewed by some as unattainable because of the militant groups deep roots in Palestinian society. The US has shielded Israel diplomatically and has continued to supply weapons.

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Israel argues that ending the war now would mean victory for Hamas, a stance shared by the Biden administration which at the same time urged Israel to do more to avoid harm to Palestinian civilians.

The war has displaced 85% of the Gaza Strips 2.3 million residents, sending people fleeing to Israeli-designated safe areas that the military has nevertheless also bombed.



US President Joe Biden (Evan Vucci/AP)

More than a week after a UN Security Council resolution called for the unhindered delivery of aid at scale across besieged Gaza, conditions have only worsened, UN agencies warned.

Officials said the aid entering Gaza remains woefully inadequate. Distribution is hampered by long delays at two border crossings, ongoing fighting, Israeli air strikes, repeated cuts in internet and phone services and a breakdown of law and order that makes it difficult to secure aid convoys, they said.

Nearly the entire population is fully dependent on outside humanitarian aid, said Philippe Lazzarini, head of UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees.

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A quarter of the population is starving because too few trucks enter with food, medicine, fuel and other supplies  sometimes fewer than 100 trucks a day, according to UN daily reports.

UN monitors said operations at the Israeli-run Kerem Shalom crossing halted for four days this week because of security incidents, such as a drone strike and the seizing of aid by desperate Gaza residents.

They said the crossing reopened on Friday, and 81 aid trucks entered Gaza through Kerem Shalom and the Rafah crossing on the Egyptian border  a fraction of the typical pre-war volume of 500 trucks a day.



Humanitarian aid trucks enter through the Kerem Shalom crossing (Hatem Ali/AP)

Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation warned that the spread of disease is accelerating, particularly in southern Gaza. The agency reported more cases of upper respiratory infections, diarrhoea, lice, scabies, chickenpox, skin rashes and meningitis.

The Health Ministry in Gaza said on Saturday that the Palestinian death toll since the start of the war has risen to 21,672, with another 56,165 wounded. Over the past 24 hours, 165 people were killed, said ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qidra.

Israel holds Hamas responsible for civilian deaths and injuries, saying the militants embed themselves within civilian infrastructure.

Israeli officials have vowed to bring back more than 100 hostages still held by the militants after the October 7 attack that triggered the war. The assault killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians.

The military says 170 of its soldiers have been killed since the ground offensive began.
Officials in Moscow have accused Ukrainian forces of shelling the Russian border city of Belgorod, a day after an 18-hour aerial Russian barrage across Ukraine killed at least 39 civilians.

Two children were killed in Belgorod, regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said in a statement. He added that an unspecified number of people were injured.

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While previous attacks on the region have generally taken place at night, images on social media showed flames in broad daylight in what appeared to be the heart of the city, with cars on fire and plumes of black smoke rising among damaged buildings.

Air raid sirens sounded across the city, state media reported.

Firefighters work to extinguish a fire after a Russian attack in Kharkiv. Photo: Yevhen Titov/AP.

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Earlier on Saturday, Moscow officials had reported shooting down 32 Ukrainian drones over the countrys Moscow, Bryansk, Oryol and Kursk regions.

They also reported that cross-border shelling had killed two people in Russia. A man died and four other people were injured when a missile struck a home in the Belgorod region late on Friday evening, and a nine-year-old was killed in the Bryansk region.

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Cities across western Russia have come under regular attack from drones since May, with Russian officials blaming Kyiv.

Ukrainian officials never acknowledge responsibility for attacks on Russian territory or the Crimean peninsula, but larger aerial strikes against Russia have previously followed heavy assaults on Ukrainian cities.

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Russian drone strikes against Ukraine continued on Saturday, with the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reporting that 10 Shahed drones had been shot down across the Kherson, Khmelnytskyi and Mykolaiv regions.

Firefighters work in the ruins of a shopping centre in Dnipro. Photo: Ukrainian Emergency Service/AP.

On Friday, Moscows forces launched 122 missiles and dozens of drones across Ukraine, an onslaught described by one air force official as the biggest aerial barrage of the war.

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As well as the 39 deaths, at least 160 people were wounded and an unknown number were buried under rubble in the assault, which damaged a maternity hospital, apartment blocks and schools.

Western officials and analysts recently warned that Russia had limited its cruise missile strikes for months in an apparent effort to build up stockpiles for massive strikes during the winter, hoping to break the Ukrainians spirit.

Fighting along the front line is largely bogged down by winter weather after Ukraines summer counter-offensive failed to make a significant breakthrough along the 620-mile line of contact.

Russias aerial attacks have also sparked concern for Ukraines neighbours.

Polands defence forces said on Friday that an unknown object had entered the countrys airspace before vanishing from radars, and that all indications pointed to it being a Russian missile.

Speaking to Russian state media outlet RIA Novosti on Saturday, Russian diplomat Andrei Ordash said: We will not give any explanations until we are presented with concrete evidence because these accusations are unsubstantiated.
A British warship has arrived in Guyana amid rising tensions between the former British colony and Venezuela.

The HMS Trents arrival on Friday led Venezuela to begin military exercises a day earlier, near its border with Guyana.

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Brazils Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the two South American countries to return to dialogue. It said other nations should avoid military activities that support either side.

The dispute is over Essequibo, a sparsely populated region that is the size of Florida and rich in oil and minerals. Venezuela has long claimed the sparsely-populated Essequibo region which is rich in oil and minerals, saying it was cheated out of the territory when Europeans and the US set the border.



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Brazils statement on Friday called on Guyana and Venezuela to stay true to the Argyle Declaration, an agreement signed earlier this month in which their leaders said they would solve the border dispute through non-violent means.

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The Ministry of Defence said the ship is visiting Guyana as part of a series of engagements in the region and that the vessel will conduct training exercises with Guyanas military.

On its account on X, formerly Twitter, the ship posted photos of sailors welcoming Britains ambassador to Guyana and the chief of staff of Guyanas Defense Force, Brig Gen Omar Khan.

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The ship is generally used to intercept pirates and drug smugglers and recently conducted joint exercises with the navies of several West African nations.

In a statement on Thursday, Guyanese President Irfaan Ali said Venezuela had nothing to fear from the ships activities in Guyanese waters.

Guyana has long been engaged in partnerships with regional and international states aimed at enhancing internal security, he said. These partnerships pose a threat to no one and are in no way intended to be aggressive.



Venezuelas President Nicolas Maduro (AP)

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But on Thursday Venezuela began military exercises involving 5,000 troops in the eastern Caribbean, citing the visit by the British patrol ship.

In a nationally televised speech, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro accused Guyana of betraying the spirit of the Argyle Declaration.

We will not let anyone push us around, Mr Maduro said, surrounded by military commanders. He described Britains decision to send a warship as a threat from a decaying former empire.

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Guyana has controlled Essequibo for decades, but Venezuela revived its historical claim to the region through a referendum in which voters were asked whether the territory should be turned into a Venezuelan state.

Venezuela says it was the victim of a land theft conspiracy in 1899 when arbitrators from Britain, Russia and the US decided the boundary.

Officials also argue that an agreement among Venezuela, Britain and the then colony of British Guiana signed in 1966 to resolve the dispute effectively nullified the original arbitration.

Guyana maintains the initial accord is legal and binding and asked the United Nations top court in 2018 to rule it as such, but a decision is years away.
Protesters have clashed with police in south London after a demonstration related to tensions in the Eritrean community, Scotland Yard said.

Social media footage of the incident in Camberwell appeared to show protesters wielding sticks clashing with Met Police officers, bringing traffic to a standstill.

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There is still a heavy police presence on the scene in Camberwell Road, where a demonstration saw approximately 50 people gathering outside a private venue before violence broke out.

Police at the scene (Yui Mok/PA)

The clashes are said to have taken place near The Lighthouse Theatre.

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Additional officers were called in to provide back-up, Scotland Yard said.

A dispersal order has been put in place in the area until 7am tomorrow, giving police the power to exclude a person from the area.

A police spokesperson confirmed that arrests have been made, but was not able to say how many.
32 Ukrainian drones have been shot down over Russia, Moscow officials said, a day after an 18-hour aerial barrage across Ukraine killed at least 39 civilians.

Drones were seen in the skies over Russias Moscow, Bryansk, Oryol, and Kursk regions, the defence ministry said. It added that all the drones had been destroyed by air defences.

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Cross-border shelling also killed two people in Russia. A man died and four people were injured when a missile struck a home in the Belgorod region late on Friday evening, regional head Vyacheslav Gladkov wrote on social media, and a nine-year-old was killed in the Bryansk region, said local governor Aleksandr Bogomaz.

Cities across western Russia have come under regular attack from drones since May, with Russian officials blaming Kyiv.

Firefighters work in the ruins of a shopping centre in Dnipro. Photo: Ukrainian Emergency Service/AP.

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Ukrainian officials never acknowledge responsibility for attacks on Russian territory or the Crimean peninsula, but larger aerial strikes against Russia have previously followed heavy assaults on Ukrainian cities.

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Russian drone strikes against Ukraine continued on Saturday, with the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reporting that 10 Shahed drones had been shot down across the Kherson, Khmelnytskyi and Mykolaiv regions.

On Friday, Moscows forces launched 122 missiles and dozens of drones across Ukraine in an onslaught described by one air force official as the biggest aerial barrage of the war.

As well as the 39 deaths, at least 160 people were wounded and an unknown number were buried under rubble in the assault, which damaged a maternity hospital, apartment blocks and schools.

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Western officials and analysts recently warned that Russia had limited its cruise missile strikes for months in an apparent effort to build up stockpiles for massive strikes during the winter, hoping to break the Ukrainians spirit.

Fighting along the front line is largely bogged down by winter weather after Ukraines summer counter-offensive failed to make a significant breakthrough along the 620-mile line of contact.

Russias aerial attacks have also sparked concern for Ukraines neighbours.

Polands defence forces said on Friday that an unknown object had entered the countrys air space before vanishing from radars, adding that all indications pointed to it being a Russian missile.

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Speaking to Russian state media outlet RIA Novosti Saturday, Russian diplomat Andrei Ordash said: We will not give any explanations until we are presented with concrete evidence because these accusations are unsubstantiated.
Shelling in the centre of the Russian border city of Belgorod has killed 14 people, including two children, and injured 108 more, emergency services said.

Russian officials accused Kyiv of carrying out the attack the day after an 18-hour aerial Russian barrage across Ukraine killed at least 39 civilians.

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Images of Belgorod on social media showed cars on fire and plumes of black smoke rising among damaged buildings as air raid sirens sounded.



Rescuers carry a wounded person after shelling in Belgorod (Russia Emergency Situations Ministry/AP)

One strike hit close to a public ice rink in the heart of the city.

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Earlier on Saturday, Moscow officials had reported shooting down 32 Ukrainian drones over the countrys Moscow, Bryansk, Oryol and Kursk regions.

They also reported that cross-border shelling had killed two people in Russia. A man died and four other people were injured when a missile struck a home in the Belgorod region late on Friday evening, and a nine-year-old was killed in the Bryansk region.

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Cities across western Russia have come under regular attack from drones since May, with Russian officials blaming Kyiv.



Firefighters work to extinguish a fire after a Russian attack in Kharkiv (Yevhen Titov/AP)

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Ukrainian officials never acknowledge responsibility for attacks on Russian territory or the Crimean peninsula, but larger aerial strikes against Russia have previously followed heavy assaults on Ukrainian cities.

Russian drone strikes against Ukraine continued on Saturday, with the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reporting that 10 Shahed drones had been shot down across the Kherson, Khmelnytskyi and Mykolaiv regions.

On Friday, Moscows forces launched 122 missiles and dozens of drones across Ukraine, an onslaught described by one air force official as the biggest aerial barrage of the war.

Advertisement

As well as the 39 deaths, at least 160 people were wounded and an unknown number were buried under rubble in the assault, which damaged a maternity hospital, apartment blocks and schools.



Firefighters work in the ruins of a shopping centre in Dnipro (Ukrainian Emergency Service/AP)

Western officials and analysts recently warned that Russia had limited its cruise missile strikes for months in an apparent effort to build up stockpiles for massive strikes during the winter, hoping to break the Ukrainians spirit.

Advertisement

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Fighting along the front line is largely bogged down by winter weather after Ukraines summer counter-offensive failed to make a significant breakthrough along the 620-mile line of contact.

Russias aerial attacks have also sparked concern for Ukraines neighbours.

Polands defence forces said on Friday that an unknown object had entered the countrys air space before vanishing from radars, and that all indications pointed to it being a Russian missile.

Speaking to Russian state media outlet RIA Novosti Saturday, Russian diplomat Andrei Ordash said: We will not give any explanations until we are presented with concrete evidence because these accusations are unsubstantiated.
Thousands of people have rallied in Serbias capital, chanting Thieves! and accusing the populist authorities of President Aleksandar Vucic of orchestrating a fraud during a recent general election.

The rally in central Belgrade capped nearly two weeks of street protests against reported widespread irregularities during the December 1th7 parliamentary and local elections which were also noted by international election observers.

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The ruling Serbian Progressive Party was declared the election winner but the main opposition alliance, Serbia Against Violence, claims the election was stolen, particularly in the vote for the Belgrade city authorities.

Protesters carry a picture of former Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic. Photo: Darko Vojinovic/AP.

Serbia Against Violence has led daily protests since December 17th demanding that the vote be annulled and rerun. Tensions have soared after violent incidents and arrests of opposition supporters at a protest last weekend.

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The crowd at the rally on Saturday roared in approval at the appearance of Marinika Tepic, a leading opposition politician who has been on a hunger strike since the ballot.

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Ms Tepics health has reportedly been jeopardised and she was expected to be admitted to hospital after appearing at the rally.

These elections must be rerun, a frail-looking Ms Tepic told the crowd, waving feebly from the stage and saying she did not have the strength to make a longer speech.

Another opposition politician, Radomir Lazovic, urged the international community not to stay silent, and to put pressure on Mr Vucic to hold a new election in free and fair conditions.

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After the speeches, participants marched by the headquarters of the state electoral commission towards Serbias Constitutional Court which will ultimately rule on electoral complaints.

Marinika Tepic. Photo: Darko Vojinovic/AP.

Protester Rajko Dimitrijevic said he came to the rally because he felt humiliation and the doctoring of the peoples will.

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Ivana Grobic said she had always joined protests because I want a better life, I want the institutions of this country to do their job.

Ruling party leader Milos Vucevic said the small number of demonstrators at the rally on Saturday showed that people dont want them.

It was not immediately clear if opposition protests would resume. The rally on Saturday was organised by an independent civic initiative, ProGlas (pro-vote) which had campaigned for high turnout ahead of the ballot.

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The opposition has urged an international investigation into the vote after representatives of several international rights watchdogs observing the elections reported multiple irregularities, including vote-buying and ballot box stuffing.

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Local election monitors also alleged that voters from across Serbia and neighbouring countries were registered and bussed in to cast ballots in Belgrade.

Mr Vucic and his party have rejected the reports as fabricated.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. Photo: Darko Vojinovic/AP.

Saturdays gathering symbolically was organised at a central area in Belgrade that in the early 1990s was the scene of demonstrations against strongman leader Slobodan Milosevics war mongering and undemocratic policies.

Critics say Mr Vucic, who was an ultranationalist ally of Milosevic in the 1990s, has reinstated that autocracy in Serbia since coming to power in 2012, by taking full control over the media and state institutions.

He says the elections were fair and his party won. He accuses the opposition of inciting violence at protests with the aim of overthrowing the government under instructions from abroad, which opposition leaders have denied.

Last weekend, protesters tried to enter Belgrade city hall, breaking windows, before riot police pushed them back using tear gas, pepper spray and batons. Police detained at least 38 people.

Serbia is formally seeking membership in the European Union, but the Balkan nation has maintained close ties with Moscow and has refused to join western sanctions imposed on Russia over the invasion of Ukraine.

Russian officials have extended full support to Mr Vucic in the crackdown against the protesters and backed his claims that the vote was free and fair.
Lawyers for former President Donald Trump say he may give evidence at a mid-January civil trial set to decide how much he owes a columnist for defaming her after she said he sexually abused her three decades ago in a Manhattan luxury department store.

The lawyers filed papers in Manhattan federal court late on Thursday to request that Mr Trumps October 2022 deposition transcript in the case not be shown to the jury because Mr Trump has been named as a witness to testify at this trial.

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The lawyers  Alina Habba and Michael Madaio  did not respond to an email on Friday seeking comment.

The columnist, E Jean Carroll, 80, is planning to testify at the trial, expected to start on January 16, about how her life has been affected and threats she has faced since Mr Trump claimed that he never knew her and that she was making false accusations against him.

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Former US president Donald Trump. Lawyers for Mr Trump say he may give evidence at a trial set to decide how much he owes columnist E Jean Carroll for defaming her (Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/AP)

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The former Elle magazine columnist is seeking 10 million dollars (7.8 million) in compensatory damages and substantially more in punitive damages after a jury at a Manhattan trial last May found she had been sexually abused by Mr Trump in spring 1996 in the dressing room of a Bergdorf Goodman store across the street from Trump Tower, where Mr Trump resided.

Ms Carroll testified at that trial that her flirtatious encounter with Mr Trump seemed lighthearted and fun as she accompanied him on a search for a gift for his friend in the stores desolate lingerie area.

But she said it turned violent inside the dressing room after they dared each other to try on a piece of lingerie.

She said Mr Trump shoved her against a wall and raped her. The jury rejected the rape claim, but agreed that he sexually abused her. It awarded five million dollars (3.9 million) for sexual abuse and defamation that occurred with comments Mr Trump made in 2022.

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The defamation claim at stake in the January trial arose after Mr Trump, while he was still president, angrily denounced the assertions Ms Carroll first publicly made in a memoir published in 2019.

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That lawsuit has been delayed for years by appeals. Added to the lawsuit are claims that Mr Trump defamed her again with remarks he made publicly after the first verdict.

Judge Lewis A Kaplan ruled earlier this year that the first trials defamation verdict means that only damages must be decided in January at a trial expected to last about a week.

A new jury will be chosen for it. Mr Kaplan has ordered the jurors be kept anonymous, in part due to Trumps repeated public statements about Ms Carroll and various courts.

During the last trial before Mr Kaplan, Mr Trump suggested in public remarks that he might attend the trial, but he never showed up.

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In recent months, though, he has testified at a civil trial in New York state court over claims that the company he created to watch over his diverse properties fraudulently manipulated the value of assets to obtain loans.

And he has appeared in court to plead not guilty to criminal charges in four indictments, two of which accuse him of seeking to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, as well as a classified documents case and charges that he helped arrange a payoff to adult film actress Stormy Daniels to silence her before the 2016 presidential election.

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A request to postpone the January trial while issues remain pending before an appeals court, including whether Mr Trump is protected by absolute immunity for remarks made while he was president, was rejected Thursday by the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan.
Victorias 25 per cent jump in road deaths contributed to a 6.8 per cent increase nationwide over the first 11 months of 2023, pushing the national toll to 1150 at the end of November, according to federal transport department data. Deaths jumped 29 per cent in NSW and 67 per cent in South Australia over that period, but there were declines in Western Australia (-9 per cent), Tasmania (-42 per cent), the Northern Territory (-41 per cent) and the ACT (-83 per cent). Michael Fitzharris, associate professor at the Monash University Accident Research Centre, said the outcome was quite stark compared with Victorias commitment to cut road deaths by half between 2020 and 2030. Its heading in the wrong direction, he said.

Fitzharris said it appeared quieter roads and reduced police enforcement during the COVID-19 pandemic had contributed to increased aggressive and high-risk driving, as well as less serious but still dangerous micro-transgressions, such as motorists failing to indicate or give way. Loading At the same time, more people were driving now as Victorias population surged, including in the regions, where they encountered narrow, high-speed, tree-lined roads. Fitzharris said Victoria needed highly visible police enforcement to correct dangerous behaviour in the short term, and bipartisan political support to lower speed limits on dangerous country roads from 100km/h to 80km/h, to give motorists a chance to survive head-on collisions. If you dont have physical separation between oncoming traffic, and trees, the road should not be 100km/h  its as simple as that, he said.

The government has a strong commitment to rolling out barriers and improving infrastructure. But in the absence of being able to spend a massive, impossible amount of money, its more cost-effective for us to match the speed limit to the environment. Loading More than half (159) of the deaths this year were in rural Victoria. Those killed statewide include 44 pedestrians, 55 motorcyclists, nine cyclists, and nine children aged 15 or younger. Another 18,811 people were injured in crashes last financial year, according to state government data  up from 18,539 the previous year, but down from 19,746 in 2019-20. Victoria Police also told a state inquiry into road safety earlier this year it believes reduced road enforcement during the COVID-19 pandemic had contributed to an increase in dangerous driving.

The police force conducted 2.47 million drink-driving tests in the 2023 financial year and 1.6 million in 2022, compared to 3.45 million in 2019, as COVID-19 infection control limited its ability to conduct tests and officers were redeployed to quarantine facilities and other pandemic roles. Loading Road Safety Minister Melissa Horne said on Friday the government would pull every single lever it could to meet its commitment of halving road deaths between 2020 and 2030. Whether its things like driver education, improving our infrastructure, making sure that there are the appropriate speed limits  we are looking at every opportunity to drop our road toll, she said. Horne said the vast majority of Victorias road network was controlled by local councils though, and the state had to work with them to set speed limits and infrastructure.

The Mornington Peninsula Shire reduced speeds on 33 local roads from the Victorian default of 100km/h to 80km/h in December 2019. It recorded a 20 per cent reduction in crashes and no deaths on those roads, compared with six deaths in 2019. Loading We have seen a significant reduction in the road toll down there, but these are things that we need to work [on] in partnership with the local government sector, Horne said. The Department of Transport and Planning and TAC are spending $200 million over the next four years to help local governments review their roads and implement safety improvements, including infrastructure upgrades and revised speed limits. However, local councils told this years parliamentary road-safety inquiry that getting state government approval to lower speed limits was a long and very onerous process.

Horne said driver distraction cameras  which started operating in April and caught almost 1160 motorists using their mobile phones behind the wheel in the first month  were acting as a real, effective deterrence against bad behaviour. It comes as mobile speed camera operators walk off the job for two full days over New Years Eve and New Years Day as part of industrial action against private operator Serco. The TACs Cockfield said there was no evidence that poor road maintenance and potholes were contributing to road deaths. About 20 to 25 per cent of vehicle occupants killed in crashes this year werent wearing seatbelts, she said. Mark Stevenson, professor of urban transport and public health at the University of Melbourne, said Victoria had been a world leader in tackling road trauma by introducing mandatory seatbelt laws in 1970 and random breath testing in 1976.

But strategies focusing on driver behaviour had diminishing returns, he said, and would not alone deliver the reductions in deaths the state was targeting, as Victorians are driving more and population growth is concentrated around Melbournes car-dependent outer suburbs. Loading The focus needs to be on transport planning, one that delivers an integrated transport system and doesnt rely on a single private vehicle we use to get everywhere, Stevenson said. With that, we will be able to deliver safer and more sustainable transport, and that needs to be the key for safety. Victoria Polices assistant commissioner for road policing, Glenn Weir, said the polices focus in 2024 would be targeted operations, set to run everywhere from the states biggest freeways to the back roads where you think you wont get caught. Far too many lives were cut short this year due to simple and highly avoidable mistakes, such as texting and driving, getting behind the wheel after too many drinks, or disobeying basic road rules, he said.
Beijing puts some of the blame on US government policies. Chinese Commerce Ministry spokesperson Shu Jueting said recently: The US side has repeatedly politicised economic, trade and technology issues and overstretched the concept of security, abused export control measures, and restricted trade and investment in China by its own enterprises, which is forcing enterprises to give up opportunities in the Chinese market and opportunities for win-win cooperation. Loading A survey released in September by the US-China Business Council, which represents American companies in China, suggested that the uncertainty has taken a toll: 43 per cent of its members said Chinas business environment had deteriorated in the past year, and 83 per cent said they were less optimistic about China than they had been three years ago. Twenty-one per cent said they were investing fewer resources in China, versus just 10 per cent who were investing more. Surveys of European and Japanese companies have shown similar results.

While Chinas market is gigantic, its ailing. Unemployment among young Chinese rose to over 20 per cent by June  the last time the government released that data. Housing prices are falling and the stock market is down nearly 15 per cent since mid-year. Thats left many Chinese feeling nervous about spending. Still, bullishness for China as other industries try to de-risk and detangle from Beijing may be a profit-increasing strategy for the fast food industry. We believe there is no better time to simplify our structure, given the tremendous opportunity to capture increased demand and further benefit from our fastest-growing markets long-term potential, McDonalds CEO Chris Kempczinski said as the Chicago-based company announced in November it was increasing its minority 20 per cent ownership of its McDonalds licensed stores in China, Macau and Hong Kong to 48 per cent. Burgers and lattes dont raise the sorts of friction that more high-tech industries have in the complicated US-China relationship. Those strains have persisted under the presidency of Joe Biden, who took office vowing to do more to counter Chinas expanding military clout and its menacing of neighbours, to improve the countrys treatment of Uyghur and other ethnic minorities, and to crack down on intellectual property theft.

Relations hit a low point in February when Biden ordered a Chinese spy balloon that traversed the continental US to be shot down. Beijing, which claims self-governed Taiwan as its own territory, also protested a stopover in the US by the islands president, Tsai Ing-wen, earlier this year. China answered fresh US controls on exports of advanced computer chips and the technology to make them with limits of its own on exports of vital commodities like graphite, gallium and germanium, all metals used in making semiconductors, solar panels, missiles and radar. McDonalds French fries in Shanghai, China. Credit: Bloomberg The relationship appears to be stabilising somewhat as 2023 winds down, highlighted by last months Biden and Xi meeting outside San Francisco. But since then, Bidens top advisers have said there are no plans to shift the strategy of tightening regulations and blocking US-based high-tech investments in China, citing the need to safeguard national security. Both former president Donald Trump, the 2024 Republican presidential front-runner, and Biden have worried about depending on China, a potential adversary, for supplies of critical materials used in many high-tech products. Both have sought to reduce Americas reliance on Chinese factories and have encouraged companies to shift away from China to other countries  so-called friend-shoring.

Still, Biden administration officials have said they dont want to see a total decoupling of the worlds two biggest economies. Loading De-risking, yes. Decoupling, no, Nicholas Burns, the US ambassador to China, said at a recent event in Washington. We want to continue a major trade and investment relationship with China, just not ... in the realm that might help them leapfrog over us sometime in the next 10 years in military technology. Rosemary Coates, executive director of the non-profit Reshoring Institute, noted that decisions to expand or retrench are relatively easy for a company like McDonalds or its fast food rivals. [Franchises] can be opened or closed, Coates said. Its not like youre investing in an auto plant or some kind of machine shop.

Chinas vast market is vital for many foreign companies. At their annual investors day gathering this month, McDonalds executives noted that 70 million of the 150 million customers active in its customer loyalty program are in China. McDonalds restaurant at Shenzhen street in Chinese traditional building style. Credit: IStock KFC China says growth in its new outlets has averaged more than 22 per cent over the last five years, and it plans to open 1200 additional stores in the next three years. The chain Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen relaunched its brand in China in August with a flagship restaurant in Shanghai and plans to open 1700 stores over the next 10 years. While insisting that China is keen to have foreign investment, Beijing has given no indication it might change trade, market access and other policies that irk Washington and its other trading partners.

Where do you draw the line? asked Levy, a former White House economic adviser in George W Bushs administration. An employee prepares hamburgers at the KFC Chinas 10,000th store on the opening day on December 15, 2023 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province of China. Credit: Getty Someone might say: For sourcing sensitive computer chips, this has to be done in a place I really trust  The other extreme is: Were OK selling them lattes and burgers. But where do you draw the line for the stuff in between  say, automotive parts? What about ball bearings? AP
An Italian right-wing daily newspaper provoked an outcry on Friday after naming the countrys first female prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, its Man of the Year.

Libero ran a lengthy tribute on its front page and featured a large portrait of Meloni wearing a double-breasted white blazer and a look of determination.

Italys Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni peers out from a door before introducing Britains Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Credit: AP

Under the headline Man of the Year, the article said Meloni had won the war of the sexes in Italy and had not only broken the glass ceiling, she dissolved it.

The article was quickly received as a snub by political opponents and womens rights activists who have accused Meloni of not doing enough to protect women from violence and promulgating regressive views around their role in society.
Gaza: Fierce Israeli tank fire and aerial bombing struck Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip on Friday night, residents said, after nearly 200 people were reported killed in 24 hours in Israels campaign against Hamas militants.

The sound of shooting indicated fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas fighters in Khan Younis, some residents said. Planes also carried out a series of air strikes on the Nuseirat camp in the central Gaza Strip, according to medics and Palestinian journalists.

Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike in the Gaza Strip. Credit: AP

Israeli forces have been pounding Khan Younis in preparation for an anticipated further advance into the main southern city, swathes of which they captured in early December.

Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said troops were reaching Hamas command centres and arms depots. The Israeli military also said it had destroyed a tunnel complex in the basement of one of the houses of the Hamas leader for Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, in Gaza City.
Two women were killed and 55 others injured when a private bus carrying employees of a Pune-based firm overturned in a ghat in Maharashtra's Raigad district on Saturday, police said.

The accident occurred at Tahmani Ghat at Mangaon around 7.30 am, an official said.

The bus was carrying employees of a private firm who were heading to Harihareshwar, about 170 km from Pune, for New Year's Eve celebrations, he said.

The bus was coming down from the ghat section when it overturned, killing two women passengers on the spot, the official said.

Locals gathered at the scene and informed the police. The injured were initially rushed to the district hospital in Mangaon, he said.

Nine out of the 55 injured persons have been referred to Navi Mumbai's MGM Hospital and Sasoon Hospital in Pune, as they suffered head injuries, the official said.

The traffic on the route was affected for some time due to the accident, he said, adding that the police were in the process of registering a case against the bus driver.
The SIT will be headed by Superintendent of Police (SP) Investigation Ferozepur Randhir Kumar. (Representative image)

The Punjab Police constituted a four-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate offences of human trafficking involved in the Nicaragua Human Trafficking case, a press release from the Punjab Information and Public Relations Department said.

The constitution of the four-member SIT came on the directions of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav. The Director of the Bureau of Investigation (BOI) in Punjab, LK Yadav constituted the SIT.

The SIT will be headed by Superintendent of Police (SP) Investigation Ferozepur Randhir Kumar, while the other three members include Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Civil Lines Ludhiana Jasroop Kaur Baath, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Investigation Ferozepur Balkar Singh Sandhu and DSP Headquarters Patiala Dalbir Singh Sidhu, the release mentioned.

The SIT has been asked to submit the final report to the competent court at the earliest. The SIT can also co-opt any other officer or official for assistance in the investigation of the case.

Meanwhile, a Nicaraguan human trafficking case has been reported in various newspapers where 303 passengers from India, mostly belonging to Punjab and Gujrat, have been detained by French authorities, the release said.
For the second time this month the Biden administration is bypassing Congress to approve an emergency weapons sale to Israel as Israel continues to prosecute its war against Hamas in Gaza under increasing international criticism.

The State Department said Friday that Secretary of State Antony Blinken had told Congress that he had made a second emergency determination covering a USD 147.5 million sale for equipment, including fuses, chargers and primers, that is needed to make the 155 mm shells that Israel has already purchased function.

Given the urgency of Israel's defensive needs, the secretary notified Congress that he had exercised his delegated authority to determine an emergency existed necessitating the immediate approval of the transfer, the department said.

The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to US national interests to ensure Israel is able to defend itself against the threats it faces, it said.

The emergency determination means the purchase will bypass the congressional review requirement for foreign military sales. Such determinations are rare, but not unprecedented, when administrations see an urgent need for weapons to be delivered without waiting for lawmakers' approval.

Blinken made a similar decision on December 9, to approve the sale to Israel of nearly 14,000 rounds of tank ammunition worth more than USD 106 million.

Both moves have come as President Joe Biden's request for a nearly USD 106 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and other national security needs remains stalled in Congress, caught up in a debate over US immigration policy and border security. Some Democratic lawmakers have spoken of making the proposed USD 14.3 billion in American assistance to its Mideast ally contingent on concrete steps by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to reduce civilian casualties in Gaza during the war with Hamas.

The State Department sought to counter potential criticism of the sale on human rights grounds by saying it was in constant touch with Israel to emphasize the importance of minimising civilian casualties, which have soared since Israel began its response to the Hamas attacks in Israel on Oct. 7.

We continue to strongly emphasize to the government of Israel that they must not only comply with international humanitarian law, but also take every feasible step to prevent harm to civilians, it said.

"Hamas hides behind civilians and has embedded itself among the civilian population, but that does not lessen Israel's responsibility and strategic imperative to distinguish between civilians and Hamas terrorists as it conducts its military operations," the department said. "This type of campaign can only be won by protecting civilians."



Bypassing Congress with emergency determinations for arms sales is an unusual step that has in the past met resistance from lawmakers, who normally have a period of time to weigh in on proposed weapons transfers and, in some cases, block them.

In May 2019, then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made an emergency determination for an USD 8.1 billion sale of weapons to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan after it became clear that the Trump administration would have trouble overcoming lawmakers' concerns about the Saudi and UAE-led war in Yemen.

Pompeo came under heavy criticism for the move, which some believed may have violated the law because many of the weapons involved had yet to be built and could not be delivered urgently. But he was cleared of any wrongdoing after an internal investigation.

At least four administrations have used the authority since 1979. President George H.W. Bush's administration used it during the Gulf War to get arms quickly to Saudi Arabia.
Correction: An earlier version of this article listed Masao Maruyamas MAPPA as the producer of Pluto which was incorrect. The show was produced by M2.

M2s new series Pluto was one of the most exciting anime debuts of 2023 and was adored by audiences when it was released by Netflix in October. The series has a 94% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and a Universal Acclaim rating of 88 on Metacritic.

This month, Netflix has released several interviews with artists and technicians who worked on the series, as well as M2 and MAPPA founder and Pluto executive producer Masao Maruyama, who explained why the show means so much to him:

I felt like I didnt want to let anyone else do it. Knowing that this was based on Mr. Urasawas and Mr. Tezukas work definitely influenced my decision The content was difficult to animate, and the sheer volume of the series made it impossible for Japanese studios to take it on [at that time]. After a while, we thought maybe we could create an animated pilot. When I was making the pilot, Mr. Urasawa told me the quality was unsatisfactory, and he didnt approve. That set a fire in me to prove him wrong. Once the pilot was made, it was surprisingly a huge success.

Based on Naoki Urasawas award-winning manga of the same name, itself a reinterpretation of Osamu Tezukas seminal Astro Boy story The Greatest Robot on Earth, the series unspools in a neo-futuristic world where humans and robots live in harmony and are often superficially indistinguishable.

Pluto has all the aesthetic qualities audiences would expect from a high-profile anime release in 2023 but maintains some of the classic aesthetic charm of the Astro Boy franchise, which dates back to the 1950s. It also does a fantastic job of blending narrative elements that will feel fresh to modern viewers, while staying true to the timeless themes that made Tezukas books so special.

Maruyama, who is 82 years old but still very involved at M2, says that the desire to finish Pluto vitalized him and gave him the energy to keep working:

I thought I would die before the series was complete, but Im still here. Maybe this is because I felt I couldnt kick the bucket until I created this. Thats probably whats fueling my energy and drive that I have now. So, I feel like I owe a lot to the series Pluto.

In an interview of his own, Pluto creator Urasawa joked that Maruyama used his mortality as a bargaining chip to get the show made:

We had no idea when or where it would be aired. Maruyama-san just insisted on making it anyhow. His enthusiasm was remarkable, really. He said, I cant die until I create Pluto. I dont have that much time left, so I have to hurry. Hes been fit as a fiddle, so I used to call it a scam.

According to Maruyama, one of the most appealing aspects of the Pluto manga and series is that its universal themes can easily be adapted to the modern age. Existential questions about AI are asked in the new series, while the franchises anti-war sentiment remains. In his opinion:

We dont have to stick to the original materials. A new team can succeed the old one. If this tradition carries on, it will be thrilling, charming, and just great all around. The profession of anime will become more rewarding and fulfilling.

Urasawa echoed that sentiment, adding that if theyve done their job right, Pluto could help introduce future generations to the iconic work done by Tezuka 70 years ago:
Thirty-three films were submitted in this years contest for the best animated feature Academy Award. Thats a record-braking figure, but equally notable is the strong showing by 2d animated films in this years field.

Titles featuring exclusively or largely 2d hand-drawn animation include Suzume, They Shot the Piano Player, Titina, Unicorn Wars, Perlimps, My Love Affair with Marriage, The Peasants, The Boy and the Heron, Art College 1994, Ernest & Celestine: A Trip to Gibberitia, Robot Dreams, and The First Slam Dunk. It should also be noted that Hungary submitted the 2d animated feature Four Souls of Coyote to the international feature category.

Of the 33 films qualified for this years animated feature Oscar, nearly half heavily feature 2d animation or cg meant to look like 2d animation  think Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse or Teenage Mutant Nina Turtles: Mutant Mayhem. While cg may be the method of choice for many studios where profits set the bottom line, its clear that plenty of artists still prefer a traditional 2d aesthetic for telling their stories.

We spoke to the directors of three of this years (mostly) 2d Oscar hopefuls, Titina, Four Souls of Coyote, and Unicorn Wars, about choosing to make a hand-drawn feature in a cg-dominated industry and the challenges and joys of working in 2d animation.

Titina

Norwegian director Kajsa Nss debut feature finds warmth in visual simplicity. Titina tells the tale of the real-life Italian airship engineer Umberto Nobile and his expedition to the North Pole alongside frenemy Roald Amundsen and an intrepid canine companion, Titina. Through its perilous plot, which sails through both bustling 1920s cityscapes and the empty blue and white landscapes of the North Pole, Titina maintains its calming familiarity due to the classic nature of its art style.

A lot of the inspiration came from classical 2d cel animation, Nss told Cartoon Brew. I find the traditional hand-painted look really beautiful. Thats why we wanted to go for a flat look with thin lines to reference cel animation. We also wanted to avoid too many shadows and fancy camera moves; that was a rule from the beginning of the film.

Enforcing such restraints allowed Titina to develop its own sense of humor. The film is shot straight on all the time to give it this deadpan feeling. The humor is not in cartoony animation. The humor and our support for the characters comes from recognizing yourself in the character, explained Nss. Its classical human humor. We were also inspired by Wes Anderson, which relies on staging, framing, and timing rather than exaggerated movements.

Titina style of comedy put significant pressure on the animators to express human emotion more subtly than what would be necessary for a more physical type of humor. Ness stressed the importance of getting the animators to understand the tone and the feeling of how you want to tell the story. By pulling back on the need for every movement to feel intensely expressive, the animators can find a version of the characters that feels more truthful. They should walk like people, they should look like people, they should act like people, said Nss. We wanted quiet humor, which is hard to understand in the beginning; its quite Nordic.

Nss finds 2d animation a valuable tool for helping the audience focus on the story. You have restraints; you cannot move the camera all the time; you cannot change your location too many times; you cant have 10,000 characters in the background. This makes the story feel close, she explained. I think it clearly affects storytelling. Theres a difference in storytelling between 2d and 3d, and I prefer the 2d storytelling.

Unicorn Wars

Unicorn Wars, a Spanish anti-war allegory told through the lens of a conflict between teddy bears and unicorns, is a dynamically shot, ever-evolving epic. The film is drenched in horror, carrying forth a tone from its directors previous work. Alberto Vasquezs Birdboy: The Forgotten Children and Unicorn Wars delve into similar genres but on different budgets.

There are quite a few differences between the two films, as the former was a very low-budget production and the latter a mid-budget production, Vasquez told Cartoon Brew. There are a lot of lessons I learned from the first film that I applied to the second, like not doing all the storyboarding myself or generally having more artists help me in all phases. Also, to have the animatic finished before production starts. Its true that you make new mistakes all the time, so filmmaking is always a learning process.

Unicorn Wars opens with a nightmare sequence that sees a unicorns mother devolve into a sludge monster from which the child must escape. The scene showcases a complexity of camera movement often unseen in hand-drawn animation. In traditional animation, there is always a way to do what you want more easily. You can look for tricks or ways to imitate real camera movements from a drawing perspective much more intuitively, Vasquez explained. I frequently say that there is always a simpler way to represent something, that drawing is a language and a way of thinking, and that technical problems are solved by looking for solutions through drawing.

Other scenes in the film required extended technological parameters. As they creep through an enchanted forest, teddy bear soldiers trip out on centipede juices, causing the entire visual palette of the film to shift. Vasquez explained, This is the only scene in the film that was colored in Photoshop in a very traditional way, frame by frame, to add textures and brushes that we didnt have in Blender. Blender proved helpful for more densely populated scenes. According to Vazquez, It is not easy to animate 12 horses running towards the camera, so we used Blender Grease Pencil and created the unicorns in 3d, which interacted with traditional 2d animated bears in the same shot. The way the film blends 2d and 3d aspects in a mid-budget production, in this case roughly 3 million euros ($3.6 million), is one of Unicorn Wars most impressive achievements.

For Vazquez, traditional animation techniques are his favorite because they endure the test of time. Traditional animation ages well and will always be relevant, he explained. For example, if you watch a film like Bambi from 1942, you can see how the art and the storytelling still holds up over time. On the other hand, if you watch a 3d film from 15 or 20 years ago, you can see that it has not aged as well because the technological changes have been brutal.

Four Souls of Coyote

Retelling a creation story through the lens of Native American mythology is Four Souls of Coyote. Directed by Hungarian artist Aron Gauder, the film demonstrates how well 2d animation can fit the recounting of legends. We see a creator paint the land around him, making creatures and a world of peace, which Coyote, a representation of evil, slowly corrupts. The ancient nature of the story informed how Gauder designed his human and animal characters.

I wanted them to look a little bit like totem poles, like wood carvings, because they are demi-gods or the first versions of the animals, Gauder explained. I wanted them to be big and strong and look like cave paintings and definitely not cute like in Disney movies.

The sketchy contours are important for me, and in 3d, you dont have that unless you have some special rendering that simulates it, he went on, emphasizing the need for this story to be told through hand-drawn animation. In Hungary, the studios are more familiar with 2d. In 3d, so many techy people are involved during the process, from the modeling to the rigging to the animation, that I cant control it. If we draw, its much easier. Its a shorter path from my imagination to the paper.

Another tool that helped Gauder get his ideas onto the screen was an animatic of the entire film produced to help find financing. The animatic was so detailed that you could watch it almost as a movie. That was the best thing because all the animators watched the animatic, Gauder said, expressing the lack of efficiency in other forms of director-to-animator communication. If you ask them to read this letter or send them these character plans, and theres too much information, people dont read it, or it gets lost somewhere. If you watch the animatic, you know what to do. That was the backbone of the communication.
On St. Elmo Avenue, police spoke with a complainant via phone who said he was in his kitchen at his residence when he observed suspicious activity across the street. He said he checked his Ring camera and saw a silver four door sedan stopping in front of the house. He observed a man grab a package off the porch and return to the silver sedan which sped off towards W. 55th Street once the man was back inside the vehicle. He said he was unsure exactly which residence it was that the package was taken from. Police attempted to make contact with and identify a victim but no victim was identified at this time. The owner of the residence called in at a later time and said they left a package on their porch for someone to pick up. No crime occurred.



* * *

Officers responded to a call on Laura Street. Upon arrival, they inspected the doors of the residence and found an unlocked door that appeared to be fully closed but had signs of being pried. The officers conducted a thorough check and cleared the house.



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Officers responded to Hillcrest Road on a report of vandalism. Police spoke with a man who said someone vandalized his 2017 BMW sometime through the night. The vehicle was parked on the street in front of the residence. Police observed the rear driver side window shattered. There was no suspect information.



* * *



On Brainerd Road, an officer responded to a report of trespassing. Police received a call from an anonymous complainant stating that a black male (red cap, coat, black pants) had busted out the passenger side window of a Buick. Police made contact with the suspect and detained him. He said that the vehicle belonged to him. Police ran the vehicle but it came back to someone else, in which he said it was his girlfriend. Police tried multiple avenues to contact the owner but to no avail. Police then spoke with a CVS employee. She said that she would have the vehicle towed. Police criminally trespassed the man from CVS property. If the owner of the vehicle comes forward and wishes to prosecute, that will be handled accordingly.



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Officers responded to a report of found property on East 8th Street. A pocket book was found in the parking lot and transported to the Chattanooga Property Division.



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On Airways Boulevard, police spoke with three people whose vehicles had been broken into in the parking lot. One man said a Remington 1911 pistol was stolen from his truck and the back window on the passenger side was broken out. A second man said a backpack with his laptop was taken and the back passenger side window was broken out. He also had damage to the front passenger window from where the suspects tried to make entry. A third man said nothing was stolen from his truck, just that back passenger side window had been broken out.

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An officer responded to a report of vandalism at Signal Mountain Self Storage at 3507 W. Road. Upon arrival, the property manager said someone cut holes through two sections of their metal fence to make entry onto the property. The suspect then damaged the latch and padlock on the storage unit.

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On Roanoke Avenue, officers responded to a report of found property. Police responded to the above address where a man handed over the Memorial Hospital ID that was left by an unknown black male who was sleeping on the front of this property. Police observed the ID and took it to Memorial Security.



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On East 11th Street, officers responded to a report of stolen property. Upon arrival, a woman said that her cell phone was stolen from the day room of the Community Kitchen.



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On West Fairfax Drive an officer responded to a report of found property. While on scene at a disorder, a man requested to turn in ammunition to be destroyed. The officer transported the ammo box with assorted ammo to CPD Property.



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An officer responded to a hit and run accident on Tunnel Boulevard. Police spoke with the victim who reported his van was struck by a black BMW displaying a partial temporary tag. He provided a partial photo of the suspect. Police determined the vehicle had been purchased recently from Capital Toyota. The possible vehicle was recently purchased by a certain suspect who is similar in appearance and build to the suspect from this incident. The identification of the suspect is still pending due to the victim not being able to identify the suspect.

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Police spoke to a man who said he was driving eastbound on I-24, just before the I-75 split, when a vehicle began entering his lane. In order to avoid a collision, he swerved right into the shoulder and his mirror struck an electronic sign, damaging his mirror. The vehicle had valid insurance and was driven from the scene.

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On West 14th Street Court, a complainant said he wished to make a report via phone call. He said that his neighbor who lives below him continues to knock on her ceiling and it is causing him stress. She is a black female in her 60's. He said that she will yell and curse at him from inside of her apartment but her voice is inaudible so he cannot hear what she is actually saying. Police referred him to contact the Chattanooga Housing Authority and make an official complaint to management. Police asked him to call back at any time about the matter.




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This man claims that he and most of his friends are normal looking guys, and they have normal jobs. However, he met one friend named Ryan in college, and he feels that Ryan is on a different level of attractiveness.

Apparently, they first met after he tutored Ryan in physics, and he realized from the start that his friend was both attractive and fairly rich.

Ryan literally looks like he could be in the next Thor movie. I thought guys like Ryan only existed in romance novels, he said.

And while he volunteers at a suicide hotline, Ryan volunteers with the homeless and at animal shelters. So, aside from their different appearances, he claimed that girls also tend to care more about the causes that Ryan helps out.

Ryan is also so rich that he can literally do whatever he wants to. Ryan went to Antarctica just because he could, he added.

So, he and his friends used to invite Ryan out with them all the time. However, they quickly noticed how girls always seemed to flock to Ryan instead of them.

He claimed that this cramped their style, which is why they stopped inviting Ryan out when they tried to get girls.

He clarified that he and his friends never exclude Ryan on any other occasions. Its only when theyre specifically trying to find women and score dates.

Because girls dont pay attention to any of us otherwise, he admitted.

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At least 140 Nigerian Christians were killed over the Christmas holiday.

Attacks on 26 villages in Plateau State began December 23, led by suspected extremists among Fulani Muslim herdsman against Christian farming communities. Some media reports cite nearly 200 dead, with many missing as local residents fled from gunmen into the bush.

Grace Godwin was preparing Christmas Eve dinner when her husband burst in with news from the neighboring village, ordering her and the children into the fields. Rebecca Maska similarly took cover but was shot and bled for three hours until help arrived, while her son had his hand chopped off with a machete before escaping. Magit Macham dragged his wounded brother to safety and hid overnight until the attackers moved on.

These attacks have been recurring, Macham told Reuters, having returned home from the regional capital of Jos to celebrate Christmas. They want to drive us out of our ancestral land.

For years, violence has plagued the West African nations Middle Belt, where a predominantly Muslim north intersects with a predominantly Christian south. Land rights issues are also contested, as seminomadic cattle herders press against settled agrarian hamlets in Africas most populous nation.

The Christmas massacres were the worst attacks since 2018. A local publication tallied an additional 201 deaths in Plateau State in the first half of 2023. Across the Middle Belt, at least 2,600 people were killed in 2021, according to the most recent data by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project.

The Northern Governors Forum called the attacks reprehensible and heinous. It was further condemned by the national Muslim organization Jamaatu Nasril Islam, which called the attacks barbaric but within the context of a cycle of violence.

The chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, however, blamed the whole problem on an alleged incident of cattle rustling in which three Fulani cow breeders were killed. But the report was downplayed by the head of a multi-security task force in Plateau State, who linked it to an initial incident of cows grazing in a potato field.

Chased away by farmers, the parties agreed to negotiate a settlement, he said.

I know we have been having a series of problems with the herders in the area, stated Mahanan Matawal, a local official. [But] even if cattle were rustled somewhere different from our communities, we should not be blamed for the atrocities.

Some analysis has linked tensions to climate change, and Maria Lozano, a representative for Aid to the Church in Need, a Catholic relief group, stated there were many factors in the ongoing strife. But the timing of this specific attack had religious undertones.

Polycarp Lubo, chairman for the Plateau chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), said the assailants sent letters to the villages warning them they will not celebrate Christmas, but run away with their rice. He expressed surprise that security was not able to act on such advanced warning.

Gideon Para-Mallam, chairman of the Para-Mallam Peace Foundation, expressed exasperation with secular explanations.

A terrible genocide is taking place in Plateau State, but it is being window-dressed to look like a clash between farmers and herders, he stated. Sadly, false and misleading narratives are created while rivers of blood continue to flow.

Calling the attack a deliberate land grab meant to eliminate the Christian population, the former Lausanne Movement regional director said that 5,000 people were displaced and eight churches burned down. Two clerics were killed, including Baptist pastor Solomon Gushe and nine members of his family.

Open Doors ranks Nigeria No. 6 on its annual World Watch List of countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian. In 2022, it tallied 5,014 Nigerian believers killed because of their faith. And since 2009, Intersociety, a Nigerian nongovernmental organization, stated that at least 52,000 Christians and 34,000 moderate Muslims have been killed by jihadist forces. Additionally, 18,000 churches and 2,200 Christian schools have been burned down.

Last year, dozens were killed in church on Pentecost Sunday.

Para-Mallam hopes the Plateau State atrocity will be a turning point, and stated the military response prevented the death toll from reaching the thousands. Even so, security policy must shift from damage control to proactive prevention of conflict.

Catholic bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah appealed to Nigerian president Bola Tinubu, who was sworn in last May.

You have what you prayed for, what you dreamt of, what you longed for, Kukah stated. Now is harvest time.  Under your watch, we must end the ugly instrumentalization of religious, ethnic, or regional identities.

Tinubu immediately ordered provision of humanitarian aid to the area and vowed that these envoys of death, pain, and sorrow will not escape justice.

Amnesty Internationals branch in Nigeria, however, called for an independent investigation, stating that Tinubus promises to combat insecurity have so far proved empty. Such brazen failures, it accused, are gradually becoming the norm.

And according to some analysis, the security response has further enflamed violence. In unrelated action in Nigerias northwest region, soldiers are accused of burning down the houses and villages of terrorist fighters. But as soon as the army leaves the area, emboldened fighters take revenge on innocent residents.

An additional 16 people were killed on Christmas in the northern Sokoto State.

The northwest Kaduna State, however, witnessed a holiday event that illustrates both the difficulty of military deterrence and a challenged religious harmony. Earlier in December, over 100 Muslims were killed, when the army mistakenly targeted their village in a bombing campaign against terrorists.

On Christmas, they celebrated with Christians in the neighborhood church.

CAN president Daniel Okoh lamented more than the loss of life.

We mourn with the families, friends, and communities who tragically lost their loved ones, he stated. [This] is not only a criminal act, but also a direct assault on our shared values of peace, unity, and mutual respect.

No group claimed responsibility for the attacks.

This indeed has been a gory Christmas for us, said Plateau State governor Caleb Mutfwang. Until we cut off the supply in terms of sponsorship, we may never be able to see the end of this.

[ This article is also available in espanol. ]
Home World Death toll continues to rise after Christmas attacks on communities in Nigerias Plateau State

The coordinated attacks by militias of Fulani ethnicity on communities in Plateau State, Nigeria, between Dec. 23 and Dec. 26 have led to a rising death toll, with fatalities ranging from 148 to 195. About 300 people were injured, and thousands displaced in these assaults.

At least 25 communities across three Local Government Areas were targeted. Survivors recounted militia men attacking in large numbers, indiscriminately killing and destroying homes, vehicles, farmlands and other properties.

About 37 individuals, primarily women, children and the disabled, were burned to death in their homes. Eight churches and parsonages were also destroyed, according to the U.K.-based rights group Christian Solidarity Worldwide.

The U.S.-based persecution watchdog International Christian Concern said Plateau State Commissioner of Information and Communication, Hon. Musa Ashoms, reported 195 people killed, and many others remain missing.

Amnesty International Nigeria reported 194 deaths, while the Nigerian Red Cross reported 161 deaths and 32,604 people affected.

The violence began around 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve with an assault on the Nisham community in Mangu LGA, continuing into Christmas Day in the Dares community in Bokkos LGA. Plateau State Gov. Caleb Mutfwang labeled the attacks as pure terrorism. CSW Nigeria confirmed the deaths of 115 individuals in 16 affected communities and the displacement of some 10,000 people.

The Middle Belt Forum identified the Mahanga Forest on the border between Bokkos and Nasarawa State as the militias hideout. Hon. Peter Ibrahim Gyendeng of the Plateau State House of Representatives, in an interview with Arise TV, stated that the militia are armed with sophisticated weapons.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, called for a prompt, independent investigation into the attacks, consistent with international human rights law. The Muslim umbrella group Jamaatu Nasril Islam (JNI) also called for justice for the victims, warning of potential political and religious turmoil in Nigeria.

An anonymous message warned of an impending attack on the Pushit community in Mangu LGA.

The violence was timed to disrupt the festive season in predominantly Christian areas, said Mervyn Thomas, founder and president of CSW, emphasizing the need for Nigerian authorities to prioritize the arrest and prosecution of these terrorists.

Witnesses described minimal security presence during the attacks, which lasted over seven hours, according to ICC. Timothy, a local from Mbar village in Bokkos County, and Naomi, a resident of Mayong, recounted the devastation and loss they experienced. Many houses were burned including my church. I cant say how many people were killed but we found more dead bodies today and we are looking for missing ones, he was quoted as saying.

Ezekiel Peter Bini Condole, president of the Irigwe Youth Development Association, called on Nigeria President Bola Tinubu and U.S. President Joe Biden to intervene.

Nigeria has been listed in the ICCs annual Persecutors of the Year report for the last three years due to the ongoing violence against Christians.

The assailants, often referred to as bandits, are a mix of criminal elements, including ethnic Fulani herders and mercenaries from Chad or Niger. They are well-armed and have been active in northern Nigeria for over a decade. Christian leaders believe these attacks are motivated by a desire to take over Christian lands and impose Islam.

Nigeria led the world in Christians killed for their faith in 2022, according to Open Doors 2023 World Watch List report, which also noted the involvement of Fulani, Boko Haram, and Islamic State West Africa Province, or ISWAP, in these raids.

The United Kingdoms All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom or Belief in a 2020 report noted that while many Fulani do not hold extremist views, some adhere to radical Islamist ideology, targeting Christians and symbols of Christian identity.
Home U.S. Judge dimisses lawsuit against Dave Ramsey as class-action complaint moves forward

A lawsuit alleging that popular Christian financial advisor Dave Ramsey and his company engaged in religious discrimination and wrongful termination has been dismissed, while a class-action lawsuit alleging that the company defrauded thousands of his followers continues to move forward.

The Ramsey Solutions CEO and Christian radio host has been named as defendants in lawsuits in recent years. Ramsey Solutions, which falls under the umbrella of the Lampo Group, describes itself as a provider of "biblically based, commonsense education and empowerment that [gives] HOPE to everyone in every walk of life."

A lawsuit alleging that the Lampo Group wrongly terminated video editor Brad Amos for seeking to abide by COVID-19 preventative measures as the company and Ramsey allegedly urged employees to "pray away the disease" was dismissed by U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee Judge Eli Richardson in a Dec. 13 order.

The complaint accused Lampo of "retaliatory discharge" over Amos' questioning of the company's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, contended that his dismissal constituted a violation of his religious beliefs and maintained that the company misrepresented itself when he first sought to obtain employment there.

Among other things, Amos accused the company of not instituting policies recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention during the COVID-19 pandemic and ridiculing those who wore masks and wanted social distancing enforced.

In an accompanying memorandum opinion, Judge Richardson stated that Amos and his lawyers didn't adequately show that he had been misled about his employment and that any guarantees of a drama-free work environment are matters of opinion.

Aclass-action lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington earlier this year will continue to move forward per a judge's order.

The class action lawsuit, bought on behalf of more than 10,000 individuals, contends that the Lampo Group and Happy Hour Media were paid tens of millions of dollars over more than five years by Reed Hein & Associates to advertise the services of the Time Share Exit Team on Ramsey's programming.

The lawsuit contends that the aim of the promotion was to "convince Ramsey's loyal followers to buy into this scheme through the use of deceptive, incomplete, and false information that Defendants knew or should have known was false and deceptive in violation of Washington State's Consumer Protection Act and the common law tort of negligent misrepresentation."

The lawsuit claims, "Defendants have been unjustly enriched by their participation in this scheme and are subject to disgorgement of their profits" and is asking a federal court to grant them more than $150 million in damages as well as attorneys' fees and costs.

The complaint alleged that Reed Hein & Associates "devised a scheme to convince thousands of unsuspecting working-class and middle-class consumers to pay more than two-hundred million dollars in exchange for a hollow promise to terminate those consumers' timeshare contracts."

Anorder issued on Dec. 5 by U.S. District Judge James Robart granted the plaintiffs' motion to amend their complaint. However, Robart also upheld an earlier decision handed down by the court granting The Lampo Group's motion to dismiss their unjust enrichment claim.

Robart noted that Washington court precedent has determined that unjust enrichment claims only apply in cases where plaintiffs "confer a benefit on the defendant." Since plaintiffs did not "confer a benefit" on Ramsey or The Lampo Group, the unjust enrichment claim did not hold up.

While the plaintiffs' motion to reconsider suggested that they could "plausibly allege a direct transfer of ownership" of their funds to the Lampo defendants, Robart did not agree. On Oct. 26, the same day they submitted their motion to reconsider, the plaintiffs also sought to amend their original complaint to "(1) add new claims for conversion and constructive trust; (2) include additional factual allegations related to their claims; and (3) correct typographical and formatting errors."

The claims for conversion, defined as "the unjustified, willful interference with a chattel which deprives a person entitled to the property of possession," were directed at all defendants. The defendants responded to the allegations of conversion by asserting that "plaintiffs' own allegations show 'that Reed Hein mixed customer funds with other money, and treated these comingled funds as general revenue, before ever paying money to the Lampo Defendants.'"

Therefore, the defendants concluded, "it is impossible to identify 'specific' and 'identical' money belonging to Plaintiffs, and subsequently received by the Lampo Defendants." Robart denied the plaintiffs' request to "add a stand-alone claim for constructive trust" while granting their request to amend their complaint to include additional allegations and correct typographical and formatting errors. He gave the plaintiffs until Dec. 15 to file an amended complaint that complies with his order.

Theamended complaint, filed on Dec. 15, accuses Ramsey of violating the Washington Consumer Protection Act and insists that he "knew that Reed Hein cheated the Ramsey followers he referred to Reed Hein." Additional charges directed at all defendants include negligent misrepresentation, conspiracy and conversion. The lawsuit also includes a count of unjust enrichment directed at Ramsey and the Lampo Group.
Home Church & Ministries 10 notable Christian ministry leaders, influencers who died in 2023

News that dominated the headlines this year included the horrifying Oct. 7 massacre carried out by the terrorist group Hamas in Israel and the mass shooting at a Christian school in Tennessee, as well as the splintering of a denomination and the debate over women pastors, which you can read more about in CPs top 10 news stories of 2023 here,hereandhere.

2023 also saw the deaths of prominent Christian clergy and influential laity.

The people who died this year sometimes made history, sometimes made headlines, sometimes garnered controversy, and sometimes influenced many within the Church and society at large.

This list does not include every important figure within Christendom who passed away over the last 12 months.

Here are 10 notable Christian deaths that occurred in 2023. They include a bestselling devotional writer, an influential New York City pastor, the author of the hit Christian song Majesty, and a polarizing televangelist.

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Home World Cardinal Raymond Burke says he's 'still alive' after first meeting with Pope Francis in 7 years Francis reportedly evicted Burke from his Vatican apartment, stripped him of salary

Conservative American Cardinal Raymond Burke had a private audience with Pope Francis on Friday for the first time in seven years, just weeks after the pontiff reportedly stripped him of his salary and effectively evicted him from his Vatican apartment.

"Well, I'm still alive," a black-clad Burke, 75, briefly recounted to reporters about how the meeting went, according to Reuters. The outlet noted that he offered no further comment about the private papal meeting, which was reportedly his first since Nov. 10, 2016.

Burke's secretary echoed him, telling Catholic News Service: "His Eminence wishes to give no comment at this time."

The Vatican confirmed the meeting in a Friday press release, but offered no further details.

The meeting comes a month after two sources told The Associated Press that Pope Francis said during a Nov. 20 meeting of the heads of Vatican offices that he was taking away Burke's subsidized Vatican apartment and his retired cardinal's salary because he was using his cardinal privileges against the Catholic Church.

Another source claimed Francis accused Burke of sowing "disunity" in the denomination, and an anonymous source at the meeting told the conservative Italian newspaper La Nuova Bussola Quotidiana that Francis said, "Cardinal Burke is my enemy, so I take away his apartment and his salary."

Papal biographer Austen Ivereigh subsequently confirmed that pope told him that he took away Burke's apartment and salary, but noted that he denied ever calling Burke his "enemy."

"[Francis] told me that while the decision wasn't a secret, he didn't intend a public announcement, but earlier that day it had been leaked," Ivereigh wrote.

Reports indicate that Francis expects Burke to move out of his Vatican apartment by the end of February, according to the National Catholic Reporter.

A source with knowledge of the pope's thinking told Catholic News Service that he "didn't see why he should continue to subsidize Burke attacking him and the church," and noted that Burke "seemed to have plenty of money from America."

Burke, who was made a cardinal in 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI, has been one of Francis' most outspoken critics in Catholic hierarchy and has been repeatedly demoted during his papacy. In 2014, Burke said the pope's leadership has given some Catholics "a strong sense that the Church is like a ship without a rudder."

That same year, the pope removed Burke from his position as head of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, which is the Vatican's highest court to which Benedict XVI appointed him in 2008.

Burke also lost his position in the Congregation for Divine Worship and his patronage of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.

In 2021, Burke issued a 19-point statement describing the Vatican's restrictions on the Traditional Latin Mass as "severe and revolutionary," and questioned whether the pontiff had the authority "to change doctrine or to eradicate a liturgical discipline which has been alive in the Church since the time of Pope Gregory the Great and even earlier."

In 2016, Burke joined other conservative cardinals in formally requesting Pope Francis to clarify his teachings on the family, especially regarding outreach to divorced and remarried Catholics, though Francis never responded.

Burke and four other cardinals made a similar formal request  also known as "dubia"  in July, asking for clarity regarding the interpretation of Divine Revelation, same-sex unions, synodality, ordination of women, and repentance as a necessary condition for sacramental absolution.

Francisresponded to the request before the Synod on Synodality that began on Oct. 9, which Burke criticized in a press conference days before.

"It is unfortunately very clear that the invocation of the Holy Spirit by some has for its purpose the advancement of an agenda that is more political and human than ecclesial and divine," Burke said at the time.
Home U.S. State of Israel says Jesus 'was Jewish and born in Judea' in Christmas Day tweet Video aims to debunk 'Palestinian Jesus' trend

The State of Israel's official X account shared a video on Christmas Day that refuted a popular trend on TikTok, which purports Jesus of Nazareth to be Palestinian.

TheX post published just after 9 a.m. on Dec. 25 included a video with a caption that read, PSA: just because someone says something on TikTok, doesnt make it true. #Christmas2023.

In the 30-second animated video, a brown-haired, red sash-wearing Jesus reacts to a narrator who states, Jesus was a Palestinian!

PSA: just because someone says something on Tik Tok, doesnt make it true. #Christmas2023pic.twitter.com/AuhbKIJrMa  Israel ????? ???????? (@Israel) December 25, 2023

Jesus replies, Uh, whats a Palestinian? I was Jewish and born in Judea.

The narrator then adds, But people on TikTok say that you were Muslim, in an apparent reference to videos on the short-form social media platform.

In response, Jesus says, That doesnt even make sense. Islam didnt exist until about 600 years after my time.

The narrator then asks, But how can people on TikTok be wrong? prompting Jesus to give the traditional Yiddish response of Oy, vey!

Its not clear what specifically prompted the video, which was shared on Israels official government X account managed by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs digital team.

The trend of labeling Jesus as a Palestinian goes back decades and has permeated even into various Christian denominations.

Just this week, a Catholic priest calledJesus a Palestinian Jew during a segment on CNN.

When asked to address the pain and suffering this Christmas season, Father Edward Beck, a Catholic priest in New York, said, What I'm so struck by is that the story of Christmas is about a Palestinian Jew. How often do you find those words put together? A Palestinian Jew born into a time when his country was occupied, right?

They can't find a place for [Jesus mother, Mary] to even give birth. They're homeless. They eventually have to flee as refugees into Egypt, no less. I mean, you can't make up the parallels to our current world situation right now."

Earlier this week, CP op-ed contributor Michael Brown said the historical argument for a Palestinian Jesus is deliberately misleading.

How threatening it is to say that Yeshua was a Judean Jew, born in Bethlehem, the ancient city of David, called rabbi (not reverend or imam) by His followers, wroteBrown.

This does not mean that Jesus would agree with every policy of Israel today or of every tenet of Judaism. He certainly would not.  But the references to Him as a Palestinian refugee born in occupied territory, not to mention Him being compared to an Islamic jihadist martyr, are meant to mislead in the most insidious way.

Others have argued that because the name Palestine wasnt applied to the land of Israel until at least 135 AD  over a century after Jesus death and resurrection  using that descriptor for the Messiah simply isnt accurate.

Thats because the word Palestinian today speaks of non-Israelites, of non-Jews, wrote Brown in a 2019 op-ed piece. It speaks of a people who claim that the land of Israel belongs to them, not to the Jewish people. And it speaks primarily of Muslims.

Thats what comes to mind when someone says, Jesus was a Palestinian. And thats why Palestinian activists have tried to recast Jesus in their own image.

Earlier this week, evangelist Franklin Graham, son of the late Billy Graham, criticized Christianity Today after the magazine his father founded published an article claiming that Jesus Christ was Asian.

In a Dec. 18 article by art curator Victoria Emily Jones titled "How Asian Artists Picture Jesus Birth From 1240 to Today," CT showcased how Jesus has been depicted by various Asian cultures, though Jones' assertion that Jesus was Asian because he was technically born on the continent prompted pushback from Graham and others on social media.

"Jesus was born in Asia. He was Asian," Jones wrote in a quote that CT used to promote the article on X on Christmas Eve. "Yet the preponderance of Christian art that shows him at home in Europe has meant that he is embedded deeply in the popular imagination as Western."

Jones wrote that the nine artists showcased in the article "bring [Jesus] back to Asia  but not to ancient Israel," and "make the birth a local event, translating the story into their own cultural contexts."

In his social media post Graham responded: "We dont have to wonder or speculate about this  the Bible gives us very specific details about Jesus earthly lineage and where He was born and grew up. We know that Jesus was Jewish. However, if you dont believe the Bible or accept it as the Word of God, then everything is in question."
1. As Israeli forces continue to intensify their cataclysmic assault on the occupied Gaza Strip, Amnesty International has documented unlawful Israeli attacks including indiscriminate attacks, which caused mass civilian casualties and must be investigated as war crimes...

Source Link: amnestydotorg

2. Widespread condemnation against Israel's collective punishment of civilians (particularly women and babies) in Gaza:

(a) Turkeys President Tayyip Erdogan's criticism:

(i) He has accused Israel of "terrorism" against the Palestinians, saying it was "in their nature."

"They are murderers, to the point that they kill children who are five or six years old. They only are satisfied by sucking their blood," he said.

He strongly condemned Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, and said its leaders must be tried in international courts.

(ii) He calls Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "Butcher Of Gaza".

(iii) He equates Netanyahu with Adolf Hitler.

(b) Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's criticism:

(i) He views the situation in Gaza as a crisis of indiscriminate massacre in the name of "combatting terrorism" by the "Zionist regime of Israel.

(ii) He says the situation will become more brutal because of "Israels arrogance that is backed by the United States and Europe".

(iii) It is a level of insanity to allow people to be butchered, babies to be killed, hospitals to be bombed and schools to be destroyed  this is the height of barbarism in this world, he told a rally at the Axiata Arena in October.

(iv) He bans all Israeli-flagged cargo ships from docking at Malaysian ports.

(c) UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres's famous, historic speech:

Addressing a meeting of the UN Security Council in New York on Tuesday (24 October), Mr Guterres urged all parties in the war to respect and protect civilians.

"I have condemned unequivocally the horrifying and unprecedented 7 October acts of terror by Hamas in Israel. Nothing can justify the deliberate killing, injuring and kidnapping of civilians - or the launching of rockets against civilian targets."

He then told the council that it was "important to also recognise the attacks by Hamas did not happen in a vacuum", adding: "The Palestinian people have been subjected to 56 years of suffocating occupation."

He described how Palestinians had "seen their land steadily devoured by settlements and plagued by violence; their economy stifled; their people displaced and their homes demolished".

"But the grievances of the Palestinian people cannot justify the appalling attacks by Hamas. And those appalling attacks cannot justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people."

(d) On 12 December, UN General Assembly voted by large majority for immediate humanitarian ceasefire during an emergency session.

Member States adopted a resolution, demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and well as ensuring humanitarian access.

It passed with a large majority of 153 in favour and 10 against, with 23 abstentions.

The resolution also reiterated the General Assemblys demand that all parties comply with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, notably with regard to the protection of civilians.

(e) Tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters have marched in London and across the UK to urge an end to Israel's attacks in Gaza.

Demonstrators gathered on the streets of the capital holding flags and banners as they demanded an end to the bombing....

Demonstrations have been taking place around the world to call for fighting to stop and for aid to be allowed into Gaza.

Protesters demanding a truce flooded Grand Central Terminal in New York, forcing the station to close temporarily.

Source Link: bbcdotcodotuk

3. Poster's Comment:

Christians believe that the Son of God had to die the death we deserved in order for us to live.

Hence it is an honour for the Israeli leader and his Hamas counterpart to die the death they deserve (by hanging for their crimes against humanity) in order for all the remaining people (Palestinians, hostages and foreigners) in Gaza to live, mercy to prevail over judgment, peace to prevail over war and righteousness to prevail over iniquity and wickedness.




Christian church-goer senselessly killed after helping victim of Muslim wedding feud

In a tragic incident in Sheffield on Wednesday, 'Good Samaritan' Chris Marriott lost his life while attempting to aid an unconscious woman involved in a violent clash between two Muslim families. The dispute arose during the wedding celebration ceremony of groom Hasan Khan and his 19-year-old bride, as her family expressed dissatisfaction with the union.

Witnesses reported impassioned cries of "your son is not good enough for our daughter," escalating a tense situation into chaos. Amid the turmoil, Chris Marriott, a 46-year-old who was on a post-Christmas walk with his family, rushed to help an injured woman lying in the road.

Tragically, Marriott and a group of other people, including an off-duty midwife, were struck by a speeding car allegedly driven by one of the bride's relatives. Mr Marriott lost his life in the impact. The midwife is in intensive care.

The family of Marriott released a poignant statement through South Yorkshire police, emphasising his caring nature: "The circumstances of his death, although tragic and unfathomable to us, show the sort of man he was - to go to help rather than to turn away.

"Chris was also a man of faith who wanted others to experience the joy he had found trusting in Jesus."

City Church Sheffield, where Mr Marriott worshipped, expressed their deep sorrow, calling him a "valued and much-loved" member of the community. The church group ChristCentral also praised him for always "helping others" and extended condolences to his family, urging for prayers of comfort.

A spokesperson for these combined churches said: "He had stopped to help an unconscious woman lying in the street, and as he was providing first aid, a car collided with Chris, the woman, and others.

"Our thoughts and prayers are obviously with his wife and their two young sons. This is an unbelievably awful situation, and we are heartbroken for the family.

"Please pray for them, for Chris' wider family and friends, and for City Church Sheffield as they try to process this loss."

Connected to the national Christian charity Jubilee+, Marriott had served as an administrator for the annual conference. The charity expressed profound shock over his tragic death. He also provided support with Community Money Advice, playing a role in establishing and running the Jubilee food bank in Sheffield.

South Yorkshire police revealed that the woman Marriott aided was involved in a family altercation, and that several others had been injured by the speeding vehicle. The groom's father, Riasat Khan, also suffered head injuries.

Two men were arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, with a 23-year-old remaining in custody and a 55-year-old released on police bail.

As the community grapples with the aftermath of this devastating loss, authorities have urged anyone with information to come forward.

Members of the Sheffield Christian community, together with the Muslim community, are united in grief and prayer.
Over 70 children under 5 referred to shuttered Tavistock gender clinic: report

(CP) Among the 382 children ages 6 and under referred to the Tavistock gender clinic in London over the past decade, more than 70 were as young as 3 and 4, according to a recent report on the now-shuttered facility that pursued "gender-affirming" interventions for minors.

The Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS), run by the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, began operating in North London in 1989. The clinic recommended puberty blockers to gender dysphoric children, and a 2022 report by Dr. Hilary Cass, a retired pediatrician, found the clinic performed services that were "not safe or viable."

Figures from the trust, first reported this week by The Daily Mail, show that the number of young people seen by the clinic went from 136 in 2010-11 to 3,585 in 2021-22. In addition to 12 3-year-olds, 61 4-year-olds, 140 5-year-olds and 169 6-year-olds were referred to the clinic.

The NHS Trust that operates GIDS stated that in cases involving 3-year-old children, the children didn't receive "treatment," and staff consulted with parents to provide support and advice. But former Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Mental Health, Inequalities and Suicide Prevention Jackie Doyle-Price argued that the clinic should never have seen children that young in the first place.

"There needs to be a clear message that goes out to let kids be kids. Let them play and use their imaginations," Doyle-Price told The Daily Mail. "We shouldn't be medicalizing something which is just growing up."

The Tavistock clinic is set to be replaced by two regional hubs in April, according to the outlet.

"From now on, only NHS general pediatric services or young people's mental health services will be able to make referrals to the national waiting list after a backlog of 8,000 built up under GIDS," the outlet reported.

The clinic faced scrutiny, particularly after NHS England commissioned Dr. Cass to investigate the services at the clinic. The findings of the report appeared to validate whistleblowers' claims that the clinic did not follow prescribed safeguards and clinical standards.

Psychiatrist David Bell previously released a report in 2018 about the clinic's experimental procedures on children, claiming that it fast-tracked young adults into medically transitioning without exploring other issues that may have caused the desire to transition.

In June, NHS announced new interim guidelines for treating children with gender dysphoria, outlining the alternative approach in a 25-page document. The NHS announced that under the new guidelines, it would only commission puberty-suppressing hormones as part of clinical research.

The institution also warned that many children who profess that they identify as the opposite sex may be going through a "transient phase," or they have other mental health issues that need to be addressed.

"A significant proportion of children and young people who are concerned about, or distressed by, issues of gender incongruence experience coexisting mental health, neuro-developmental and/or personal, family or social complexities in their lives," the NHS document stated.

The NHS explained that the main objective should be to "alleviate" the distress a child feels if they are experiencing discomfort with their sex. In addition, the new provision addressed the impact of allowing a child to socially transition, stressing that not all young people with gender dysphoria benefit from it.

"The Service will aim to maintain a therapeutic relationship with young people and their families throughout any subsequent social changes or physical interventions," the protocols explained.

"This ensures that decisions about gender expression and the treatment of gender incongruence are thoughtfully and recurrently considered," they continued. "The same reasoning applies if a young person has already socially changed gender role prior to being seen by The Service."

Regarding children who had already begun taking puberty blockers or cross-sex hormones, the NHS advised that their medical providers assess them on a case-by-case basis. The protocols also strongly recommend against sourcing puberty blockers or cross-sex hormones from online providers.

In October 2022, England's NHS warned doctors against being too quick to encourage young people to socially transition during what may be a "transient phase."

 The Christian Post
The future for evangelicals in the Church of England

This year the Church of England's General Synod backed prayers of blessing for same-sex couples and they were permitted for use in services for the first time on December 17.

Christian Today speaks to Rev John Dunnett, National Director of the Church of England Evangelical Council (CEEC), about the Church of England's new same-sex prayers and what they might mean for the future of evangelicals in the Church.

Thinking back to the start of the year, before these proposals were backed at the February Synod, did you suspect things would go this way or has it still come as a bit of a shock that the Church of England has now formally committed to this route?

The CofE has been debating for a number of years whether to change its understanding and practice around same-sex marriage. Given how things went with the Living in Love and Faith process in the last couple of years, the proposals that came forward in February didn't come as a great surprise.

Do you regard December 17th as something of a dark day for the CofE?

December 17th represents a line being crossed because for the first time, it is now possible to do something that hasn't been possible in the whole history of the Church of England. The historic Church of the last 2,000 years has until now said: this isn't possible because it's asking us to bless something the Bible says you can't bless. We all feared it was going to happen but I think a number of people will still feel profoundly dismayed now that it has.

The Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham has written to clergy in his diocese requesting that they desist from using these prayers until they are canonically authorised. Do you agree with that call?

The CEEC is very grateful for the letter that the Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham has distributed within his diocese. He is rightly saying that there are still serious question marks about the process and that what we are being invited to do is not supported by Scripture and so we therefore have no choice but to say that we can't commend this. We are very grateful for the position Bishop Paul has taken.

In his letter, the bishop mentioned the depth of divisions in the CofE on this issue. Is it also your sense that the divisions on this run very deep?

He's absolutely right with regard to this division. The House of Bishops is very divided on this and the General Synod is literally split down the middle. Since the November Synod, I have spoken to clergy and parishes up and down the country where the split is already starting to tear them apart. One associate clergy person said they are leaving their church because their vicar is going to use these prayers. Lay people in churches have told me that when their vicar does use them, they will be leaving, and family workers and youth workers have said the same. I know of some vicars who are too nervous to have the conversation at PCC (parochial church council) because it's split down the middle. Now that the issue is being forced, vicars know that the moment they get a knock at the door from a couple asking for these prayers, regardless of whether they say yes or no, the parish is going to split. This House of Bishops is throwing a 'hand grenade' into local parishes, it is so sad.

The leadership of the CofE keeps insisting that doctrine hasn't changed. What do you make of that claim because it seems like it has?

If two people of the same sex turn up to a Sunday service wearing white, who got married in the registrar's office the day before, and just happen to have a few friends throwing confetti as they walk out the church, then how is the man in the street not going to see that as a change in Church of England's doctrine? Any person with common sense would have to say: you're kidding yourself, the emperor has no clothes!

What kind of provision do you want for evangelicals?

The draft guidance being prepared by the House of Bishops included at an early stage the possibility that clergy can marry a same-sex partner and suggests it would be inappropriate to ask personal questions about the lifestyle of people offering for ordination. If these are included in the final guidance, then this would indeed be a departure from the doctrine of the Church of England. If that becomes the case, the CEEC would have to say that we cannot be part of a diocese that accepts two contradictory positions. We need to be able to teach and preach what has always been understood as the Christian position on marriage, and call out other views as errant. The ordination and licensing of orthodox clergy should be overseen by an orthodox bishop and orthodox churches must be free to partner with other orthodox churches. They must not be forced to work with churches that have a view that has always been seen to be contrary to Scripture. There must also be a secure orthodox pipeline so that ordinations and training take place within an orthodox context, and senior appointment processes must be adapted to ensure orthodoxy into the future.
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) said it has awarded an AED10.9 million ($2.96 million) contract to lay a 562-metre glass-reinforced epoxy (GRE) water pipeline in Hatta.

Besides the 1,500-mm-diameter GRE pipeline, the project includes construction of a jet valve chamber that will extend the lower outlet valve of Hatta Dam to the Wadi area, said Dewa in a statement.

The first station of its kind in the GCC region, the project is part of the pumped-storage hydroelectric power plant being developed by Dewa in Hatta, it stated.

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of Dewa, pointed out that the project supported the comprehensive plan to develop Hatta and address its social, economic, developmental and environmental requirements.

Dewa is developing a world-class infrastructure for electricity and water to keep pace with the growing demand in Dubai and provide its services according to the highest standards of availability, reliability, efficiency, and quality, said Al Tayer.

It applies the best global practices in all its projects and leverages the latest technologies in the generation, transmission, distribution and management of electricity and water networks, to raise production and operational efficiency, he added.-TradeArabia News Service
 [ cool ]  2024-01-02 16:40:32 .

New York welcomed us with a sunny blue sky the first day (Dec 22) we landed. As if the sun were brought with us from California, it disappeared the next days we were there. But the heat stayed on) New York turned out to be much warmer than we thought. Our four days trip there was fully packed. We walked on an average of more than 20,000 steps, getting in and out of the old subways over a dozen times. We strolled along busily thronged streets, looking up at skyscrapers that look like clusters of shining jungles made by steel and glass. We visited museums and parks in the daytime, and watched glistering light shows at night. The famous Central Park impresses us with its sprawling open land. It must be a gem for Manhattaners, who work and live in high-rise buildings, dine in a tiny squeezed restaurant. This must be a place they could always retreat to breathe in fresh air and get away from the citys hustle and bustle for a while. To travelers like us, while the leafless trees under the sunny or gloomy skies are a true winter sight, the light show on Saks 5th Ave felt like a fantasy. Its the best light show weve ever seen, a lavish feast for eyes set to lively music. A birds view from the tram overlooking the city gives us a glimpse of the city intersected by the Hudson River, while the night at Times Square thrilled us with its overwhelmingly flaring billboards and its clamorous crowds. Jostling through them, we smelled the sweet food as well as the stirring wisps of marijuana. On the train, we met a blue-collar worker sitting with a cart by his side, who in his broken English told us that he is from Mexico and has lived in New York for twenty years. We came across a white guy at Little Island, who stopped to talk to us in Chinese, telling us that he has been to China more than twenty times. His first visit was made in 1973, and he knew of Premier Zhou and Chairman Mao. At Manhattan, we invited a girl to dinner, listening to her stories at Columbia. On the day of our departure, we had lunch with old friends, who came from Northern CA to see their daughter in New York. Our trip to New York is enriched by these encounters. From the boisterous crowds who cheerfully wriggle to the music beat, to an Indian playing sad flute music at the Central, to the homeless people who sleep on the cold dirty subway ground, New York may have many untold stories. New York is a metropolis that appeals to young people around the globe. People with dreams come here in an attempt to find their places. New York welcomes and accomodates them, rich or poor. It's a vibrant city that beams with a beconing light. New York is worth a visit!
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A Billings man pleaded not guilty Friday to selling drugs from his home on Broadwater Avenue.

Hazen Christian Foos has been charged in Yellowstone County District Court with two counts of felony drug distribution, with county prosecutors alleging he was dealing meth and fentanyl earlier this year. Foos, 41, had previously been sentenced for drug distribution in 2020, and was arrested Wednesday on a $25,000 warrant.

In mid-May 2023, officers with the Billings Police Department were tipped off that someone was distributing drugs from a home on the 800 block of Broadwater Avenue. Police stopped a vehicle leaving the area, the driver admitted to buying drugs from Foos, court documents said.

Law enforcement then spoke with Foos, who at the time was still on probation after being sentenced in Yellowstone County District Court for drug distribution. Foos probation officer asked police to search the residence. Foos allegedly admitted to selling meth and fentanyl.

Following a sweep of the home, police recovered about 23 grams of suspected meth and 16.7 grams of pills suspected to contain fentanyl, according to charging documents, along with several hundred dollars in cash that Foos said he made by dealing drugs. Criminal charges were filed against Foos in June 2023, followed soon by a warrant for his arrest.

The amount of fentanyl pills seized by BPDs Street Crimes Unit this year is on track to top the amount taken throughout 2022. Last year, SCU officers tracked roughly 5,000 pills seized during their investigations. By late June of this year, the unit had seized 18,000 suspected fentanyl pills.

Following Foos arraignment in court Friday, District Judge Ashley Harada maintained his bond at $25,000. Should he be released, she also required that he be monitored for sobriety. In Montana, a conviction for criminal drug distributions comes with the possibility of up to 25 years in prison.
Michael Cohen, Donald Trump's onetime personal lawyer and fixer, says he unwittingly passed along to his attorney bogus artificial intelligence-generated legal case citations he got online before they were submitted to a judge.

Cohen made the admission in a court filing unsealed Friday in Manhattan federal court after a judge earlier this month asked a lawyer to explain how court rulings that do not exist were cited in a motion submitted on Cohen's behalf. Judge Jesse Furman had also asked what role, if any, Cohen played in drafting the motion.

The AI-generated cases were cited as part of written arguments attorney David M. Schwartz made to try to bring an early end to Cohen's court supervision after he served more than a year behind bars. Cohen had pleaded guilty in 2018 to tax evasion, campaign finance charges and lying to Congress, saying Trump directed him to arrange the payment of hush money to a porn actor and to a former Playboy model to fend off damage to his 2016 presidential bid.

Cohen, who was disbarred five years ago, said in a declaration submitted to the judge on Thursday that he found the citations by doing research through Google Bard and was unaware that the service could generate nonexistent cases. He said he uses the internet for research because he no longer has access to formal legal-research sources.

"As a non-lawyer, I have not kept up with emerging trends (and related risks) in legal technology and did not realize that Google Bard was a generative text service that, like Chat-GPT, could show citations and descriptions that looked real but actually were not," Cohen said. "Instead, I understood it to be a super-charged search engine and had repeatedly used it in other contexts to (successfully) find accurate information online."

Google rolled out Bard earlier this year as an answer to ChatGPT, which Microsoft has been integrating into its Bing search engine. The tools can quickly generate text based off prompts from a user, but have a tendency to make things up, also known as "hallucinations."

Cohen blamed Schwartz, his lawyer and longtime friend, for failing to check the validity of his citations before submitting them to the judge, though he asked that the judge dispense mercy toward Schwartz, calling his failure to check the citations an "honest mistake" and "a product of inadvertence, not any intent to deceive."

In a declaration filed with the court, Schwartz said he thought drafts of the papers to be submitted to the judge to dissolve Cohen's probation early were reviewed by E. Danya Perry, a former federal prosecutor now in private practice who also represents Cohen. He said he never reviewed what he thought was another attorney's research.

Perry, who discovered that the cited cases were bogus after seeing the court filing, said Schwartz's claim that he came to "believe" that the citations came from Perry were "incorrect and I believe, far-fetched, as I had no involvement in any back-and-forth  not directly with Mr. Schwartz or his paralegal and not even indirectly through Mr. Cohen."

When she learned of them, Perry reported the false case citations to the judge and federal prosecutors.

In her submission to the judge, Perry wrote, "Mr. Cohen engaged in no misconduct and should not suffer any collateral damage from Mr. Schwartz's misstep."

In discussing possible sanctions earlier this month, the judge noted that it was the second time this year that a judge in Manhattan federal court has confronted lawyers over fake citations generated by artificial intelligence. Two lawyers in an unrelated case were fined $5,000 for citing bogus cases that were invented by ChatGPT, the AI-powered chatbot.

In entering the 2018 guilty plea, Cohen did not name the two women who received hush money or even Trump, recounting instead that he worked with an "unnamed candidate" to influence the 2016 election. But the amounts and the dates lined up with $130,000 paid to porn actor Stormy Daniels and $150,000 that went to Playboy Playmate Karen McDougal to buy their silence in the weeks and months leading up to the presidential election, which Trump, a Republican, won over Hillary Clinton, a Democrat. Daniels and McDougal claimed to have had affairs with Trump, which he denied.

Earlier this year, Trump pleaded not guilty in New York state court in Manhattan to 34 felony charges alleging that he falsified internal business records at his private company to coverup his involvement in the payouts.

After his arrest, Trump said in a speech, "This fake case was brought only to interfere with the upcoming 2024 election and it should be dropped immediately."

He has since pleaded not guilty to charges in three other criminal cases.
An Israeli soldier operates in the Gaza Strip amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in this handout picture released on Dec. 29, 2023.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday that Israel's war on Hamas in Gaza will continue for "many more months," pushing back against persistent international cease-fire calls after mounting civilian deaths, hunger and mass displacement in the besieged enclave.

Netanyahu thanked the Biden administration for its continued backing, including approval for a new emergency weapons sale, the second this month, and prevention of a U.N. Security Council resolution seeking an immediate cease-fire. Israel argues that ending the war now would mean victory for Hamas, a stance shared by the Biden administration, which at the same time urged Israel to do more to avoid harm to Palestinian civilians.

In new fighting, Israeli warplanes struck the urban refugee camps of Nuseirat and Bureij in the center of the territory Saturday as ground forces pushed deeper into the southern city of Khan Younis.

The Health Ministry in Gaza said Saturday that more than 21,600 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's unprecedented air and ground offensive since the deadly Oct. 7 Hamas attack on southern Israel. The ministry, which does not distinguish between the deaths of civilians and combatants, said 165 Palestinians were killed over the past 24 hours. It has said about 70% of those killed have been women and children.

The number of Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza combat rose to 170, after the military announced two more deaths Saturday.

The war has displaced some 85% of Gaza's 2.3 million residents, sending swells of people seeking shelter in Israeli-designated safe areas that the military has nevertheless bombed. Palestinians are left with a sense that nowhere is safe in the tiny enclave.

With Israeli forces expanding their ground offensive this week, tens of thousands more Palestinians streamed into the already crowded city of Rafah at the southernmost end of Gaza.

Thousands of tents and makeshift shacks have sprung up on Rafah's outskirts next to U.N. warehouses. Displaced people arrived in Rafah on foot or trucks and carts piled high with mattresses. Those who did not find space in overwhelmed shelters pitched tents on roadsides.

"We don't have water. We don't have enough food," Nour Daher, a displaced woman, said Saturday from the sprawling tent camp. "The kids wake up in the morning wanting to eat, wanting to drink. It took us one hour to find water for them. We couldn't bring them flour. Even when we wanted to take them to toilets, it took us one hour to walk."

In the Nuseirat camp, resident Mustafa Abu Wawee said a strike hit the home of one of his relatives, killing two people.

"The (Israeli) occupation is doing everything to force people to leave," he said over the phone while helping to search for four people missing under the rubble. "They want to break our spirit and will, but they will fail. We are here to stay."
A 26-year-old man was charged on Friday with felony assault with a weapon for the second time in four years after an incident was reported on Dec. 23.

Edmund Taylor Madarassy was charged with felony assault with a weapon, felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs and criminal possession of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor.

Officers were dispatched to the area of Neill and Fuller avenues on Dec. 23 for a report of an assault, according to court documents.

The documents said the victim stated Madarassy pointed a gun at him with his finger on the trigger and threatened to shoot him. The victim said Madarassy then drove off.

Officers observed the vehicle several times, but it was unoccupied, documents said.

On Friday, an officer made contact with Madarassy in the parking lot of a business and reviewed the previous officer's report.

Madarassy admitted to having an altercation with a pedestrian in the downtown Helena area earlier that week, according to court documents.

Officers found that Madarassy was on probation out of Dillon, while Bozeman probation requested the officers search the vehicle.

Officers found a loaded 1911-style handgun with a holster with his full initials. The documents said officers continued the search and found four empty syringes and two "loaded" syringes.

The contents in one of the syringes tested presumptive positive for methamphetamine, which resulted in Bozeman probation placing a 72-hour hold on Madarassy.

Court officials said he has a post office box in Ennis with a street address in Townsend.

Madarassy was charged in Madison County in 2019 for felony assault with a weapon after firing a gun when a man appeared to be getting out of a vehicle after Madarassy told the couple to leave, according to the Bozeman Daily Chronicle.
U.S. President Joe Biden joins Israel's Prime Minister for the start of the Israeli war cabinet meeting, in Tel Aviv on October 18, 2023, amid the ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas.

Muslim leaders announced on Saturday that they are going national with an effort to dissuade voters from reelecting President Joe Biden in 2024 due to his failure to call for a cease-fire in Gaza.

The #AbandonBiden campaign officially began earlier in December, led by Muslim leaders in swing states like Michigan, Minnesota and Arizona, who disapproved of Biden's support for Israel's counterattacks against Hamas. More than 22,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the war began, according to the Hamas-run health ministry there.

Now, the coalition intends to expand the pressure campaign to all 50 states.

"We will save America from itself, by punishing Biden at the ballot box," said lead organizer Jaylani Hussein in a statement.

The Biden campaign did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The coalition plans to endorse an independent presidential candidate, Hussein told CNBC. He added that the campaign does not support former President Donald Trump, the current Republican frontrunner, though it is aware of the risks of depleting Biden's voter base.

"There is a likelihood that our votes may weaken the Democrats that the Republicans may win," Hussein said. "We're not fools about that."

The #AbandonBiden campaign is willing to take that risk, he said: "We will risk an unknown four years of Trump."

Trump's track record on protecting Muslim freedoms does not garner optimism though and the former president has been vocal about his plans to pick up where he left off. Should Trump win a second term, he said he wants to reintroduce and expand his Muslim ban, which prohibited U.S. entry of people from seven Muslim-majority countries.

Still, Biden's handling of the Israel-Hamas war has been a blight to his reelection campaign so far, especially among key voter demographics that helped put him in office four years ago.

Young voters sunk Biden's approval rating to an all-time low in a November NBC poll, due centrally to his foreign policy actions in the war. And Muslim-Americans in battleground states, who helped win Biden his thin margin of victory in 2020, have said they would rather vote for a third-party candidate or not vote at all this time around.

That is not exclusive to Muslim-Americans. An October Gallup poll found that a majority of voters are so dissatisfied with the Republican and Democratic parties that they think an independent party candidate is needed.
Dumpling Daughter CEO Nadia Liu Spellman didn't grow up in your average family-owned restaurant. Her parents ran Sally Ling's, a popular fine-dining Chinese restaurant in Boston. For decades, she watched her mother and father serve and host celebrities like Julia Child and Yo-Yo Ma. That upbringing taught Liu Spellman the value of sharing authentic Chinese cuisine and inspired her to open her first Dumpling Daughter storefront in 2014. Based on her family's recipes, she now sells dumplings, which are made in a factory and frozen fresh, in her restaurants and grocery stores. Those frozen morsels, plus additional products sold on Amazon, brought in over $4.5 million from November 2022 through October 2023, according to documents reviewed by CNBC Make It. Liu Spellman says her three restaurants, all in the Boston area, are responsible for most of that income and sell up to 4,000 dumplings per day. Dumpling Daughter is intentionally less glamorous than Sally Ling's. Liu Spellman modeled it after her father's advice. He told her if she entered the food industry, she shouldn't "open a high-end restaurant. [Instead] make a business model where you can sell a lot, but you don't always have to be there," Liu Spellman, 41, tells CNBC Make It. Here's how Liu Spellman used her parents' advice to launch a restaurant chain and why she branched out to build a more profitable brand:

Learning the ropes

Despite their success, Liu Spellman's parents didn't want her in the dining industry. The restaurant burned out their relationship, and her father urged her to find a career that allowed her to be a "self-sufficient woman," she says. She moved to New York City, and worked in finance for five years. Despite her demanding job, she realized she preferred cooking and being in restaurants over the office. "As you get older, you think about [the] highlight moments of your childhood, and in a way, I really wanted to relive those moments," Liu Spellman says. "I also wanted to pay respect to my parents' [legacy]."

Liu Spellman with her parents Edward Nan Liuand and Sally Ling. Courtesy of Nadia Liu Spellman

So in 2008, she quit her job with $97 in her bank account and moved in with her mother, who was running a Sally Ling's location in Fort Lee, New Jersey. She worked as the restaurant's general manager for two years, and used her observations to develop a "quick service" restaurant business plan. Liu Spellman married her childhood sweetheart, Kyle Spellman, and moved back to Boston at the end of 2010, the year after her father died. Soon after, the plan to launch Dumpling Daughter was set in motion.

Recipes for success

Liu Spellman spent roughly $120,000  the majority of which came from two loans from family members  to launch the first Dumpling Daughter restaurant in her hometown Weston, Massachusetts. Press "naturally" followed: "People were excited to experience the next generation of what my parents built," she says. Then came the crowds. Three months after opening, Dumpling Daughter had lines "out the door and around the building" and frequently sold out, Liu Spellman says. "There were moments that I would just stand in the walk-in freezer and cry for 30 seconds  and go back out because there were 40 people  waiting for food."

Dumpling Daughter's factory freezes dumplings raw, just like her grandmother used to, to ensure freshness. CNBC Make It

Inventory wasn't the only challenge: In 2015, two former Dumpling Daughter employees "opened an exact copy-cat" restaurant called Dumpling Girl less than 40 miles away. Liu Spellman filed a federal lawsuit, and the competitors quickly asked to settle. The legal drama didn't slow down Dumpling Daughter's momentum: In 2018, it opened a second location. "I was very happy with one restaurant, but it was the customers and the response that we got that forced me to grow the brand," Liu Spellman says. "No matter what happens in your career  don't let all the noise disrupt your goals."

Folding in e-commerce

Dumpling Daughter grew consistently through 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic forced restaurants to adapt for survival. Liu Spellman's team launched a direct-to-consumer website, where customers could order boxes of the same frozen dumplings directly to their homes.

"I really feel a personal obligation to my parents and to Chinese cuisine to introduce this style of dumplings to the world," Liu Spellman tells CNBC Make It. CNBC Make It
A view of the area where unidentified object was seen on the sky in Sosnowa-Debowa village of Lublin, Poland on December 29, 2023.

Poland's defense forces said an unknown object entered the country's airspace Friday morning from the direction of Ukraine and then vanished off radars, and that all indications pointed to it being a Russian missile.

"Everything indicates that a Russian missile intruded in Poland's airspace. It was monitored by us on radars and left the airspace. We have confirmation of this on radars and from allies" in NATO, said Poland's armed forces chief, Gen. Wiesaw Kukua.

Poland's defense forces said the object penetrated about 40 kilometers (24 miles) into its airspace and left it after less than three minutes. The defense forces said both its radar and NATO radar confirmed that the object left Polish airspace.

Kukula said steps were being taken to verify those findings and eliminate the possibility of a technical error.

There was no comment from Russian officials.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on X, formerly Twitter, that he had spoken with Poland's president about the "missile incident" and said NATO was vigilant and monitoring the situation "as the facts are established."

U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan spoke with the head of Poland's National Security Bureau, Jacek Siewiera, to express the "United States' solidarity with Poland, our close NATO ally, as it deals with reports of a missile temporarily entering Polish airspace," the White House said.

Sullivan pledged technical assistance to Poland and assured that President Joe Biden was following the issue closely.

It was not immediately clear where the object disappeared from radar or in which direction it had been going. Troops were mobilized to identify and find it. There were no immediate reports of any explosion or casualties.

The governor of Lublin province in eastern Poland, Krzysztof Komorski, told the Onet news portal that the object appeared on radars near the town of Hrubieszow, where a border crossing with Ukraine is located. Komorski said he had no information to indicate it landed in Lublin province.

Poland's border with Ukraine is also the European Union and NATO border with Ukraine.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk convened a meeting with the defense minister, military commanders and heads of national security bodies, followed by a meeting of the National Security Bureau with President Andrzej Duda, the supreme commander of Poland's armed forces.

Duda said through an aide that there was "no threat at the moment" and nothing to suggest that "anything bad" should be expected.

"The most important is that no one was hurt," said the aide, Grazyna Ignaczak-Bandych.

On Friday, Ukrainian officials said Russia launched more than 100 missiles and dozens of drones against Ukrainian targets overnight in what an air force official called the biggest aerial barrage since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

It was not clear whether the object that Poland reported was related to the barrage.

"As a result of such massive attacks, this can happen. The enemy is attacking our border territories, including in the west. This is another signal for our partners to strengthen the Ukrainian air defense," Yurii Ihnat, spokesperson for Ukraine's Air Force, said on national television about the incident.

Poland has been supporting Ukraine with military, humanitarian and political assistance.

This is not the first time an unauthorized object has entered Poland's airspace from the direction of Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion. In November 2022, two men were killed when a missile struck the village of Przewodow, a few kilometers from the border. Western officials said they believed a Ukrainian air defense missile went astray.




Tokyo, Japan. Matteo Colombo | DigitalVision | Getty Images

1. Asia takes the crown again

Hong Kong Kanchisa Thitisukthanapong | Moment | Getty Images

Americans flocked to the Asia-Pacific region in 2023  and that love affair is poised to continue in the new year. Tokyo and Seoul, South Korea, respectively rank as the No. 1 and 2 trending international hot spots next year among U.S.-based travelers, according to travel app Hopper. Kayak data shows a similar trend. Its top five hot spots are in Asia: Hong Kong; Shanghai; Taipei City, the capital of Taiwan; Tokyo; and Osaka, Japan, respectively. For example, searches for Hong Kong and Shanghai are up 355% and 216%, respectively, year-over-year, according to Kayak. (The travel site analyzed search traffic among Americans from March 16 to Sept. 15 this year, for travel planned in 2024, and compared it to the same period last year.)

Kyoto, Japan Sw Photography | Stone | Getty Images

Japan also ranks highly among non-U.S. travelers: Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo are among the top 24 worldwide destinations next year, according to Airbnb data. Asian nations were among the slowest to ease border closures related to the Covid-19 pandemic. Now that they're open again, tourists are unleashing a pent-up wanderlust, experts said. "People couldn't travel there, and now they are making it up," said Sofia Markovich, a travel advisor and founder of Sofia's Travel. China reopened its borders in January 2023, "one of the last places" to do so, Hafner said.

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Japan reopened to tourists starting in June 2022. There are other factors driving increased interest to that nation, like a historically strong U.S. dollar relative to the Japanese yen (and other currencies), which gives Americans additional buying power, and more flights from budget airlines, Hafner said. Search traffic for Japan has more than tripled for trips during the first nine months of 2024 relative to the same period in 2023  a larger increase than any other nation, Airbnb said.

Americans are looking to go abroad. They've done the domestic stuff the last couple years. Steve Hafner

Historically, Tokyo has "hands down" been the most popular city for Americans to visit in Asia, said Hayley Berg, lead economist at Hopper. Now, demand is "even greater" than usual, she said. Tourists may also pay a hefty premium to fly to Asia next year: "Good deal" prices for airfare to the continent is $1,204 for 2024, on average  45% more than 2019, a much larger increase relative to other continents, according to Hopper.

2. Going off the beaten path in Europe

Stockholm, Sweden. Leonardo Patrizi | E+ | Getty Images

Overcrowding in the traditional European hubs is driving an influx of tourists to generally less-frequented areas, experts said. For example, Stockholm, Sweden; Budapest, Hungary; Helsinki, Finland; and Prague, Czech Republic, respectively rank seventh to 10th on Kayak's list of trending destinations abroad. Copenhagen, Denmark, is No. 4 on Hopper's 2024 hot spot ranking. Prague and Edinburgh, Scotland, are No. 7 and No. 8, respectively. "People are really discovering the off-the-beaten path places," Markovich said. "Because your Paris and your Rome and London and Barcelona are just too crowded. And experienced travelers want to get away from that." She recommends "a lot" of Scandinavian travel since it's "so unspoiled by overtourism."

The Salisbury Crags in Holyrood Park, Edinburgh, Scotland. Andrew Merry | Moment | Getty Images

Additionally, Finland became a member of the NATO military alliance in 2023, driving more awareness of the nation among Americans, Kayak's Hafner said. Cities like Budapest and Prague have always been popular but not to the extent of some European tourist magnets, Markovich said. One of those typical magnets  Paris  is poised for an additional burst this year: The City of Light is hosting the 2024 Summer Olympics.

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Demand for flights to Paris  and for nearby cities  during the Olympics has more than doubled versus this time last year, according to Hopper data. Lower relative prices for some lesser-known spots in Europe are also likely attracting people, Berg said, especially since average flights to Europe overall are 5% more expensive in 2024 versus 2023, at $717, Hopper data shows.

3. The Atlantic tropics over the Caribbean

Tenerife, the largest of Spain's Canary Islands. Faba-photograhpy | Moment | Getty Images

Although places like Cancun, Mexico, remain popular as warm-weather beach destinations, Americans are increasingly turning to Atlantic tropical vacations over the Caribbean, said Hopper's Berg. "This is something new this year that we started seeing emerge" and the trend "will definitely continue" in 2024, she said. For example, Tenerife, the largest of Spain's Canary Islands, and Funchal, the capital of Portugal's Madeira archipelago, ranked No. 9 and 10, respectively, on Hopper's international trend list. Both are located off the West African coast.

People are really discovering the off-the-beaten path places. Sofia Markovich travel advisor

Though not on the Atlantic, Malaga, a Mediterranean port city on the Costa del Sol in southern Spain, ranked sixth on Kayak's list. The Andalusian city gets about 300 days of sunshine a year, on average, and, according to one recent report, is the No. 1 city in the world for expats. Search interest there is up 60% year-over-year, Kayak data shows. And that's following a year in which Malaga was already "overrun," Hafner said. "I think that word has gotten out," he said.

4. Canada's ski mountains are having a 'renaissance'

A ski slope at Grouse Mountain in Vancouver, Canada. Daisuke Kishi | Moment Open | Getty Images
Aligning with India's Semiconductor Mission, Gujarat became the first state to introduce its semiconductor policy in 2022, with several companies from Japan, South Korea, and those based out of New Delhi and Bengaluru expressing interest in investing in the sector during events organised ahead of the upcoming Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024, officials said.

As per a government release, the state's semiconductor policy aims to play a significant role in the global realignment of supply chains in the strategic sector and raise India's economic position.

Chip maker Micron Technology's decision to set up a $2.75-billion plant at Sanand near Ahmedabad indicates that Gujarat's dedicated semiconductor policy is bearing fruit and attracting global players, it said. In July last year, Gujarat announced a dedicated policy to draw new investments in the semiconductor sector by offering incentives and subsidies to start operations in the state.

The government has used roadshows and delegation visits organised ahead of the 10th edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit to express its commitment towards the growth of the sector, the release said.

Also Read: Foxconn applies for semiconductor fab in India after exiting Vedanta JV

Several companies from Japan, South Korea, and the ones based in New Delhi and Bengaluru have expressed interest in the sector in the state, it stated "These companies have shown their enthusiasm towards the research and development in semiconductor industries, assembly testing, packaging, and the manufacturing of critical components which are valuable for the semiconductor industry along with developing engineering/technology centres," it said.

Follow-up discussions with international and domestic companies are underway to set up additional large-scale projects in Gujarat, it said.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has credited the Vibrant Gujarat Summit for the state's commitment to the semiconductor industry. In his speech at the groundbreaking ceremony for Micron Technology's plant at Sanand near Ahmedabad in September, Patel said there was a lot of interest in semiconductor technology.

"It's the historic day of the Micron plant's inauguration in Sanand. This historic day will be remembered for taking Sanand and Gujarat to new heights," he had said.

During a curtain-raiser event for the Vibrant Gujarat summit organised in New Delhi, the chief minister had said that state had emerged as the "most preferred destination" for producing semiconductors and display fabs.

The semiconductor policy, which will remain in force till 2027, aims to generate over 200,000 employment opportunities in the next five years. The policy has been designed in line with the Centre's 'India Semiconductor Mission' to attract and facilitate new projects in the sector and meticulously crafted to facilitate and promote manufacturing activities in Gujarat, the release stated.

Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Rajeev Chandrashekhar has also acknowledged the state's commitment to the semiconductor sector.

"Narendra Modiji passed a policy in January 2023, so we have big units and plants like Micron coming up in Gujarat. There are over 30 design startups that have come up. We are going to set up a new Indian semiconductor research centre to focus on research," the Union minister had said.

Sanjay Mehrotra, CEO of Micron Technology, had earlier said the company is proud to represent its commitment to build a semiconductor assembly and test facility for memory in Gujarat, and this is the first major semiconductor company investment in the nation.

"Our team here in Gujarat will transform DRAM and NAND products into finished component packages, memory modules and solid-state storage drives ready to ship to end customers in India and across the world," Mehrotra had said at the SemiconIndia 2023 organised in July this year in Gandhinagar.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 30)  Actress-turned-realtor Michelle Madrigal revealed that she was sexually abused when she was a child.

Madrigal, who is now based in the United States, said she was unaware that she was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and only sought help when she turned 20.

To be completely transparent, I endured sexual abuse at a tender age for a number of years, a time when my innocence was cruelly taken, leading to a tumultuous adolescence, she said in an Instagram post on Friday.

Shame and self-blame consumed me for years, Madrigal added. I was angry, indifferent, seeking solace in drugs and alcohol to escape the overwhelming emotions, unworthiness, and fear. I often questioned why it happened to me.

But by seeking divine guidance, Madrigal said she found her purpose.

My purpose in life is clear: to support survivors, she declared. I've always yearned to use my voice for a greater cause, and my mission is to help one survivor at a time feel acknowledged and secure, reassuring them that their story is significant.

Now 35 and a mom to a six-year-old daughter, Anika, Madrigal is encouraging other parents to be a safe space for their children to open up on such struggles.

Past generations often lacked the knowledge or tools to address such issues, often sweeping them under the rug in different cultures," she said. "Many children don't feel safe enough to confide in anyone, let alone their parents, about their experiences."

I'm determined to change that narrative, to extend a helping hand, and foster an environment where openness and support prevail," she added.

Madrigal also asked the public to donate to the US-based organization Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network, and to support the National Sexual Assault Hotline and other awareness efforts.

The Star Circle Quest finalist left the Philippines in 2016 to pursue a culinary course and later delved into real estate.

The Philippines earlier ranked second worldwide when it comes to online sexual abuse and exploitation of children, according to the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center.

For those who need help, the Philippine Commission on Women has a list of hotlines per region to report violence against women and children.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 30)  A sheer number of people rushed to transport hubs to beat the expected influx of passengers a day before the country celebrates New Years eve on Sunday.

As of 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 30, the Paranaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) recorded 101,684 travelers.

But, the PITX projected a passenger volume of up to 180,000 a day before the year-end festivities.

On Friday, the public transport terminal saw over 170,000 passengers come through.

However, despite a large number of travelers, some said that it was easier to commute this year.

Paul Chavez, an overseas Filipino worker traveling to Batangas, told CNN Philippines: Gusto nga ng mga anak ko sunduin ako. Ko-commute na lang ako. Hindi na katulad dati na daming mga papel mo, ngayon online lahat kaya madali.

[Translation: My children wanted to pick me up but Ill just commute. Its not like last year when one needed so many documents, this year, everything is online.]

In total, PITX is expecting to accommodate 2.6 million passengers throughout the holiday rush from Dec. 15 to Jan. 3.

Meanwhile, 142,718 Filipinos flocked to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Friday, Dec. 29, as part of the holiday travel bug.

The Manila International Airport Authority said NAIA had accommodated 3.87 million passengers by Dec. 29, a 14.11% increase compared to the 3.39 million travelers recorded in the same period last year.

The Philippine Ports Authority projected a passenger volume of around 5.1 million over the holiday season from Dec. 16 to Jan. 15 next year.
FILE -Former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, in Durham, N.H. New Mexicos major political parties are scheduled to certify presidential contenders to appear on the states June 4 primary ballot, amid uncertainty about whether Donald Trump can be barred from contention by any state under anti-insurrection provisions of the Constitution.
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Cooperative names chief financial officer

Basin Electric Power Cooperative has named Chris Johnson as senior vice president and chief financial officer effective Jan. 22, 2024.

Johnson, originally from Georgia, is a graduate of Georgia State University (Bachelor of Business Administration, accounting) and the University of Georgia (MBA). Prior to accepting this position, he spent 10 years at Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, in Westminster, Colorado, serving as its vice president of finance.

Bismarck State College hires

Bismarck State College has hired Alex Glatt and Mikayla Atchison to leadership positions.

Glatt joins BSC as the assistant dean of current and emerging technologies  nursing pathways and nursing program director/clinical coordinator for nursing programs, and Atchison as assistant dean of current and emerging technologies  allied health pathways.

Prior to BSC, Glatt worked at Sanford Health in Bismarck as a registered nurse in the emergency department and as an RN clinical educator and nurse residency program coordinator. Glatt earned his bachelor of science in nursing from North Dakota State University and a master of science in nursing education from Western Governors University.

Atchison's background includes roles as a clinical informatics analyst and patient experience strategist. She holds a bachelor of arts in communication studies from Minnesota State University Moorhead, with minors in leadership and sociology.

BSC names assistant deans

Bismarck State College has appointed Kim Weismann, Kevin Moberg and Holly McBee to newly established positions of assistant dean of humanities, arts and sciences.

Weismann leads language, literature, communication, fine arts and humanities disciplines. She served 13 years at Williston State College including as professor of communication; arts and human sciences department chair; faculty senate president; diversity, equity and inclusion committee chair; and diversity club adviser. Weismann holds an associate of arts and a bachelor of arts in communication from Dickinson State University, a master of arts in speech communication from NDSU, and an Ed.D. in curriculum and instruction from the University of South Dakota.

Moberg leads geography, engineering, mathematics, the physical and biological sciences and education disciplines. He served as department chair and faculty member at DSU, an adjunct instructor at Northland Community and Technical College and the University of Minnesota Crookston, and as the assistant director of the University of North Dakota Composition Program. He also taught at the secondary level in private and public high schools. Moberg holds a bachelor of arts and master of arts in English and a Ph.D. in teaching and leadership, all from the UND.

McBee leads social science and business disciplines. She held roles at DSU as the department chair of language and literature programs and as the director of the Theodore Roosevelt Honors Leadership Program. McBee earned a bachelor of arts in English from the University of Iowa, a master of arts in English literature from New Mexico State University, and a Ph.D. in English literature from Purdue University.

BSC promotes Uhde

Alicia Uhde has been promoted to dean of automation, energy and advanced technologies.

With a career at BSC of 19 years, Uhde previously served as the BSC Polytechnic Program outreach director and as the program manager and department chair for energy programs.

Uhde holds associate of science and associate of arts degrees from BSC, a bachelor of science in sociology and human resources from South Dakota State University and an MBA in management from the University of Mary.

Ronald McDonald House

Kathy Keiser is retiring after serving more than 34 years as executive director of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Bismarck. Keiser had been at the helm since the inception of the house in 1989 and its grand opening in 1992, providing leadership to the Ronald McDonald House and the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile.

The RMHC Executive Board has approved the hiring of Brent Kleinjan as the new executive director.

Kleinjan has spent his career in the nonprofit sector. He served in leadership roles with the YMCA for 17 years, in Bismarck and as CEO of the YMCA of Natrona County in Casper, Wyoming, from 2010-19. In 2019, he and his family returned to Bismarck, where he currently serves as college relations director at United Tribes Technical College.

The executive director transition will begin Jan. 2 and is expected to last several months.
While Saturday Night Live has rotated through hundreds of cast members, each group has certain comic archetypes represented. There are the Glue types, the Wild Things, the Arrested Adolescents and the Smart Asses. And in every iteration of the show, theres the Impressionist. No wonder u/MixedMushroomSoup hopped on the r/LiveFromNewYork subreddit this week to ask, Whos been the most talented impressionist on the show? Of all time, starting from the beginning. Here are the top answers, ranked by number of upvotes. (And a note: Despite the starting from the beginning caveat, there were few votes to be found for early SNL impressionists Dan Aykroyd, Joe Piscopo and even Phil Hartman. Those fellas likely deserve a spot somewhere on the list.)

Click right here to get the best of Cracked sent to your inbox.

7 Dana Carvey Advertisement Carveys nomination generated a surprising amount of debate. On the one hand, he basically invented the Arnold impression, said u/KhalidaOfTheSands, and EVERYONE was doing it after. No way, disagreed u/dkinmn. The secret of Carvey's impressions is that they aren't particularly great and everyone can do them. He's a great sketch impressionist, but not a great impressionist as its own skill.

6 Chloe Fineman Advertisement Advertisement Chloe should be in the conversation, offered u/TheShipEliza. Need proof? u/bioalley reminds us that Chloe convinced Benedryl Cucumberpatch that the multiverse was real. Advertisement

5 James Austin Johnson Advertisement Advertisement JAJ is on his way there, says u/ScubaDawg97. His Trump voice is spot on. u/KnowYourSecret co-signs: Hes seemingly the only one not winking to the camera that hes doing an impersonation.

4 Cecily Strong Advertisement Heres a surprise, if only because most of the others on this list are mainly known for their mimic abilities. Thats not the case with Strong, but she definitely has her fans. She gets the voice, the linguistics and the mannerisms 100% right, raves u/elanaesther. Like here  she sounds EXACTLY like a Colombian lady who lived on my street when I was younger. Or her now-famous Serial sketch where she channels Sarah Koenig. Or this one which was criminally cut for time where natives in the comments praise her accent. (And shes doing a British person trying to play an American I mean, come on.) Advertisement

3 Jay Pharoah Advertisement I thought Pharaoh was a spectacular impressionist, says u/_Pill-Cosby_. Maybe even my pick for the best. But some users had their reservations. Jay Pharoah was the best of you wanted someone exactly like the celebrity, explains u/BigMax. But he missed that its supposed to also be funny, not a pure impression but a caricature of the person. So Pharaoh was better but not for SNL. Advertisement

2 Darrell Hammond Advertisement Theres a big leap in upvotes by the time we get to all-time impressionist Hammond. In fact, one might make the argument that Hammond actually tops this list, as he turns up in 19 separate comments. Darrell Hammond rarely missed, opined u/DooOboes. Advertisement And despite the show leaning on Alec Baldwin in the 2010s, dont sleep on Darrell Hammonds Trump from the late 90s & early to mid 2000s, cautions u/infinestyle.
A Bismarck man arrested after an incident at the North Dakota Governor's Residence in late August pleaded guilty to two drug counts after the most serious charge against him was dismissed.

Eduardo Diaz, 32, was taken into custody after being observed sitting on the lawn outside the Governor's Residence on the Capitol grounds by members of law enforcement who had been alerted to Diaz's recent attempts to buy guns, according to an affidavit. The document states those attempted purchases were unsuccessful.

Officers observed Diaz park a pickup outside the Governor's Residence, exit the vehicle, and sit on the lawn. Because of the reports about attempted gun purchases and other intelligence, officers determined Diaz to be a potential threat and took him into custody, according to the affidavit. The vehicle was impounded and later searched. Authorities said they found a semi-automatic handgun and a rifle, along with a small amount of marijuana, drug paraphernalia and a large knife.

Diaz was originally charged with being a convicted felon in possession of firearms. That charge, carrying a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment, was later dropped.

Diaz was fined $200 after pleading guilty to the drug infractions on Friday. He remained in custody on a $15,000 cash bond at the Burleigh Morton Detention Center, charged with terrorizing and criminal mischief in two separate cases stemming from BB gun-related incidents in July. Those cases are set for trials in January.
A special election will be held in New York's 3rd Congressional District on Feb. 13 to replace George Santos, world-class conman, whom Republicans recently expelled on ethics charges.

Republicans have picked a uniquely exciting candidate to run for this now-open seat in Mazi Melesa Pilip.

Pilip is a Black Orthodox Jew and a mother of seven children who arrived to Israel at age 12 from Ethiopia, grew up there, served as a paratrooper in the Israel Defense Forces and continued on to earn a degree in occupational therapy at Haifa University, where she met her husband, and then earned a master's in diplomacy and security at Tel Aviv University.

Her husband immigrated to Israel from Ukraine, and subsequently they moved to the U.S. where he continued his medical studies and now works as a cardiologist.

With five children and pregnant with twins, she ran two years ago for a seat in the Nassau County Legislature, won the seat -- defeating a Democrat incumbent -- and then was reelected, winning 60% of the vote.

Pilip effervesces her belief in the "American dream" and the importance to keep government limited, keep taxes low and fight crime. As an immigrant, she is particularly passionate about this issue and the importance to control our border.

She will run against Democrat Tom Suozzi, who held the seat for three terms before leaving in 2022 to enter the race for New York governor.

In an interview with Israeli newspaper Israel Today, Pilip explained that she became motivated to enter American politics when flare-ups with Hamas produced antisemitism endangering her children to walk freely and openly as Jews in their neighborhood in New York.

"My story is the story of America and Israel together. Israel is a diverse state, there is not just one color, and in the U.S., any dream can become reality. ... This is my second immigration. I had to learn culture and a new language twice. It wasn't easy for me."

Pilip is a poster child who speaks forcefully, disabusing distortions and ignorance about Israel being spread, particularly on university campuses.

Recently, for instance, a program was held at UCLA labeled as an "Emergency Teach-In on the Crisis in Palestine." One of the UCLA professors depicted Israel as a "colonial power driven by an exclusionary racial ideology."

Just looking at this impressive Black Ethiopian Jewish woman, who grew up in Israel, who speaks warmly about her love for and the beauty of the country where she grew up, says everything about the absurdity of such outrageous allegations.

I recall on my own first trip to Israel noting the full spectrum of color in the population -- white, brown, black.

Israel literally was founded as an ingathering of Jews dispersed in the four corners of the globe.

The parents and grandparents of today's Israelis came from Eastern and Western Europe, the Middle East, North America, Latin America, North Africa and Asia.

Pilip arrived to Israel as part of Operation Solomon in 1991 in which, over the course of 36 hours, Israel airlifted over 14,000 Ethiopian Jews to Israel out of concern for their safety as result of political instability in Ethiopia.

There is now an estimated more than 160,000 Ethiopian Jews in Israel.

Around the same time, 1990-91, after considerable pressure, the Soviet Union released over 300,000 Jews to leave for Israel.

How Jews who returned to their historic homeland from all over the globe, after so many years of oppression, persecution and murder, could be accused of either racism or colonialism should give everyone great pause regarding what is happening on our college campuses.

Meanwhile, Mazi Melesa Pilip is a presence Republicans and all Americans need in the U.S. Congress.

Let's hope and pray that in February she will be adding her important voice to those on Capitol Hill.
2023 - A Significant Year For Cyber Incidents

2023 - A Significant Year For Cyber Incidents

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The year 2023 has been one of serious and damaging cyber threats and attacks. Criminals continue to be relentless in their attacks as they become faster and more electronically sophisticated. One of the main goals for cyber criminals is to acquire information, name, passwords and financial records that is then sold on the Dark Web.

According to the authoritative industry source, Cybersecurity Ventures, the global annual cost of cybercrime is predicted to hit $8 trillion by the end of 2023 and will grow to around $10.5 trillion by 2025.

The estimated cost is based on historical cybercrime figures which demonstrate a dramatic increase in hacking activities, both by hostile state sponsored and organised criminals. The attack surface available for these malicious actors is only going to grow.

Cybercrime costs include damage and destruction of data, stolen money, lost productivity, theft of intellectual property, theft of personal and financial data. It also includes embezzlement, fraud, post-attack disruption to the normal course of business, forensic investigation, restoration and deletion of hacked data and systems, and reputational harm.

These are some Recent 2023 Major Cyber Attacks:

August 2023: Russian hacktivists group NoName057 launched DDoS attacks against Czech banks and the Czech stock exchange.

The hackers cut online banking access to the banks clients and demanded that the institutions stop supporting Ukraine. Bank representatives claim the hacks did not threaten their clients finances. "Russian hacking groups regularly attack the countries and organisations around the world that they suppose are somehow supporting Ukraine. This is a massive campaign to spread fear and disinformation.

A few days ago, for example, the group organised attacks in Poland, where it managed to bring down the websites of the Warsaw Stock Exchange and several banks," Miloslav Lujka of Check Point said.

NoName057(16) communicates primarily through Telegram, where it has its main Russian-language channel with more than 20,000 members as well as an English-language channel, and in addition offers volunteers participation in DDosia Projects, in which they can join planned attacks.

August 2023: Unnamed hackers took X, formerly known as Twitter, offline in several countries and demanded that owner Elon Musk open Starlink in Sudan. Attackers flooded the server with traffic to disable access for over 20,000 individuals in the US, UK, and other countries.

It was a hacking group known as Anonymous Sudan that temporarily took down X, in more than a dozen countries and X experienced an outage lasting over two hours due to a Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack, affecting thousands of users. A DDoS attack involves overwhelming a server with excessive requests, rendering it inaccessible.

X did not publicly acknowledged the disruption, and Elon Musk has not responded to requests to introduce his satellite Internet service in Sudan. Anonymous Sudan has been accused by many in the cyber-security world of being a Russian cyber-military unit in disguise and causing cyber-chaos for the Kremlin under the cover of a foreign hacktivist outfit.

The theory stems from its online support for Russian President Vladimir Putin and an apparent alignment of motives with other hacking gangs in the country. But the criminal group has repeatedly denied it is Russian, and for the first time shared evidence that it is located in Sudan.

August 2023: Cyber criminals are allegedly selling a stolen dataset from Chinas Ministry of State Security.

The full data set purportedly includes personal identification information for roughly half a billion Chinese citizens and classified document[s], according to the criminals post about the sale.

August 2023: Russian hacktivists NoName057(16) launched several DDoS attacks that knocked the Polish governments website offline, as well as the Warsaw Stock exchange and several Polish national banks.

The group also posted to its more than 50K Telegram followers that it had attacked the Polish governments verification service using its signature DDoS or distributed denial-of-service attack.

August 2023: Chinese hackers targeted a US military procurement system for reconnaissance, along with several Taiwan-based organisations. Attackers targeted high-bandwidth routers to exfiltrate data and establish covert proxy networks within target systems.

Initially observed at the beginning of the year, HiatusRAT has been targeting high-bandwidth routers typically used by medium-sized businesses, allowing attackers to run commands, exfiltrate data, and establish a covert proxy network. Active since at least June 2022, the threat had been targeting organisations in Europe and Latin America, with at least 100 victims identified by March 2023.

August 2023: Suspected North Korean hackers attempted to compromise a joint US-South Korean military exercise on countering nuclear threats from North Korea. Hackers launched several spear phishing email attacks at the exercises war simulation centre.

The hackers were believed to be linked to a North Korean group that researchers call Kimsuky, and they carried out their hack via emails to South Korean contractors working at the South Korea-US combined exercise war simulation centre, the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency said in a statement.

August 2023: Bangladesh shut down access to their central bank and election commission websites amid warnings of a planned cyberattack by an Indian hacking group.

The shutdown was intended to prevent a cyber attack similar to a 2016 incident in Bangladesh where hackers stole nearly $1 billion, according to the central banks statement. And recently Bangladesh's central bank suspended several internal online services in a bid to prevent a possible cyberattack. Some web-based services of Bangladesh Bank (BB) were closed for a span of 36 hours as a cautionary measure to avoid incident similar to a 2016 cyber attack in which hackers stole nearly $1 billion, the central bank said in a circular.

Its Executive Director Md. Mezbaul Haque told Anadolu that the bank had strengthened its vigilance and surveillance to guard against any possible cyber attack. "We have only shut some internal online services systems and those won't disrupt any public services," he added. The move follows an alert by the country's electronic incident response team on Aug. 4 that a hacker group planned on attacking critical information infrastructure, banks, financial institutions, and government and private agencies.

Earlier in 2016, hackers stole nearly $1 billion from the account of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York that belonged to the Bangladeshi central bank. The hackers made away with less than one-tenth the amount in the biggest cyber heist in history.

Here are some of the other Cyber Incidents of 2023

August 2023: Belarusian hackers targeted foreign embassies in the country for nearly a decade, according to new reporting. Hackers disguised malware as Windows updates to get diplomats to download it onto their devices.

August 2023: Chinese hackers obtained personal and political emails of a US Congressman from Nebraska. The hackers exploited the same Microsoft vulnerability that gave them access to emails from the State Department and Department of Commerce.

August 2023: Iranian cyber spies are targeting dissidents in Germany, according to Germanys domestic intelligence unit. The spies are using false digital personas tailored to victims to build a rapport with their targets before sending a malicious link to a credential harvesting page.



August 2023: Ukraines State Security Service (SBU) claims that Russias GRU is attempting to deploy custom malware against Starlink satellites to collect data on Ukrainian troop movements. SBU members discovered malware on Ukrainian tablets that were captured by the Russians before being recovered by Ukrainian forces.

August 2023: Russian hackers launched a ransomware attack against a Canadian government service provider, compromising the data of 1.4 million people in Alberta. The organisation paid the ransom and claimed that very little data was lost.

August 2023: A Canadian politician was targeted by a Chinese disinformation campaign on WeChat. The attack included false accusations about the politicians race and political views. The Canadian government believes the attacks are retaliation against the politician's criticism of China's human rights policies.

August 2023: The Canadian government accused a highly sophisticated Chinese state-sponsored actor of hacking a prominent Canadian federal scientific research agency.

August 2023: Russias military intelligence service attempted to hack Ukrainian Armed Forces combat information systems. Hackers targeted Android tablets that Ukrainian forces use for planning and orchestrating combat missions.

August 2023: The United Kingdoms Electoral Commission revealed that Russian hackers breached the commissions network beginning in August 2021. They obtained information on tens of thousands of British citizens by accessing the commissions email and file-sharing system.

August 2023: According to a new report, North Korean hackers breached computer systems at a Russian missile developer for five months in 2022. Analysts could not determine what information may have been taken or viewed.

July 2023: China claims that an earthquake monitoring system in Wuhan was hacked by U.S. cybercriminals. Chinese state media asserts that a backdoor program with the capacity to steal seismic data was inserted into the program.

July 2023: Kenyas eCitizen service was disrupted by pro-Russian cybercriminals for several days. Kenyas Ministry of Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy claimed that no data was accessed or lost.

July 2023: Russian-linked cyber hackers have targeted Ukrainian state services such as the app Diia using malware and phishing attacks. The primary targets are Ukrainian defence and security services.

July 2023: The Ministry of Justice in Trinidad and Tobago was hit with a DDoS attack that disrupted court operations across the country. The ministry reported outages beginning in late June, which are believed to be linked to this same attack.

July 2023: New Zealands parliament was hit by a cyberattack from a Russian hacking group. The group said their attack was retaliation against New Zealands support for Ukraine, such as its assistance with training Ukrainian troops and sanctions against Russia.

Hackers temporarily shut down the New Zealand Parliament, Parliamentary Counsel Office (PCO) and Legislation websites in a DDoS attack.

July 2023: Russian hackers targeted twelve government ministries in Norway to gain access to sensitive information. The hackers exploited a vulnerability in a software platform used by the ministries.

July 2023: A South Korean government-affiliated institution fell victim to a phishing scandal that resulted in a loss of 175 million wons, reportedly the first phishing incident against a South Korean government public organisation.

July 2023: Chinese-linked hackers infected a Pakistani government app with malware. A state bank and telecoms provider were also targeted in the attack.

July 2023: Chinese hackers breached the emails of several prominent U.S. government employees in the State Department and Department of Commerce through a vulnerability in Microsofts email systems.

July 2023: Russian hackers targeted numerous attendees of the latest NATO Summit in Vilnius. The assailants used a malicious replica of the Ukraine World Congress website to target attendees.

July 2023: A Polish diplomats advertisement to purchase a used BMW was corrupted by Russian hackers and used to target Ukrainian diplomats. The hackers copied the flyer, imbedded it with malicious software and distributed it to foreign diplomats in Kyiv.

June 2023: A group allegedly tied to the private military corporation Wagner hacked a Russian satellite telecommunications provider that services the Federal Security Service (FSB) and Russian military units. This attack came after Wagners attempted rebellion against President Vladimir Putin over the war in Ukraine.

June 2023: A Pakistani-based hacker group infiltrated the Indian army and education sector in the groups latest wave of attacks against Indian government institutions.The hack is the latest in a series of targeted attacks from this group that have intensified over the past year.

June 2023: Pro-Russian hacktivists attacked several European banking institutions, including the European Investment Bank, in retaliation against Europes continued support of Ukraine. The hacktivists used a DDoS attack to disrupt EIB.

June 2023: Several US federal government agencies, including Department of Energy entities, were breached in a global cyberattack by Russian-linked hackers. Cyber criminals targeted a vulnerability in software that is widely used by the agencies, according to a US cyber security agent.

June 2023: An Illinois hospital became the first health care facility to publicly list a ransomware attack as a primary reason for closing. The attack, which occurred in 2021,permanently crippled the facilitys finances.

June 2023: Pro-Russian hackers targeted several Swiss government websites, including those for Parliament, the federal administration, and Geneva International airport. The DDoS attacks coincide in conjunction with preparations for Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenskys virtual address before the Swiss parliament.

June 2023: According to new reporting,North Korean hackers have been impersonating tech workers or employers to steal more than $3 billion since 2018. The money has reportedly been used to fund the countrys ballistic missiles program, according to US officials.

June 2023: Ukrainian hackers claimed responsibility for an attack on a Russian telecom firm that provides critical infrastructure to the Russian banking system. The attack occurred in conjunction with Ukraines counter offensive.

June 2023: Russias Federal Security Services (FSB) alleged that Apple worked closely with US intelligence agencies to hack thousands of iPhones belonging to Russian users and foreign diplomats. Apple denied the claims, and the NSA declined to comment.

May 2023: Belgiums cyber security agency has linked China-sponsored hackers to a spear-fishing attack on a prominent politician. The attack comes as European governments are increasingly willing to challenge China over cyber offences.

May 2023: Chinese hackers breached communications networks at a US outpost in Guam. The hackers used legitimate credentials, making it harder to detect them.

May 2023: Chinese hackers targeted Kenyan government ministries and state institutions, including the presidential office. The hacks appeared to be aimed at gaining information on debt owed to Beijing.

May 2023: A likely Russia state group has targeted government organisations in Central Asia. The group is using previously unknown malware, and the attacks focused on document exfiltration.

May 2023: An unidentified group hacked targets in both Russia and Ukraine. The motive for the attacks was surveillance and data gathering,

May 2023: Russian-linked hackivist conducted an unsuccessful cyberattack against Ukraines system for managing border crossings by commercial trucks through a phishing campaign.

April 2023: Sudan-linked hackers conducted a DDoS attack on Israels Independence Day, taking the Israeli Supreme Courts website offline for several hours. Israeli cyber authorities reported no lasting damage to network infrastructure.

Hackers claimed to have also attacked several other Israeli government and media sites, but those attacks could not be confirmed. The group has been active since at least January 2023, attacking critical infrastructure in Northern Europe and is considered religiously motivated.

April 2023: NSA cyber authorities reported evidence of Russian ransomware and supply chain attacks against Ukraine and other European countries who have provided Ukraine with humanitarian aid during the war in Ukraine. There were no indications of these attacks against US networks.

April 2023: Iranian state-linked hackers targeted critical infrastructure in the US and other countries in a series of attacks using a previously unseen customised dropper malware. The hacking group has been active since at least 2014, conducting social engineering and espionage operations that support the Iranian governments interests.

April 2023: Recorded Future released a report revealing data exfiltration attacks against South Korean research and academic institutions in January 2023. The report identified Chinese-language hackers. Researchers believe that this is a hacktivist group motivated by patriotism for China.

April 2023: Researchers at Mandiant attributed a software supply chain attack on 3CX Desktop App software to North Korea-linked hackers. During its investigation, Mandiant found that this attack used a vulnerability previously injected into 3CX software.

This was Mandiants first discovery of a software supply chain attack leveraging vulnerabilities from a previous software supply chain attack.

April 2023: Chinese hackers targeted telecommunication services providers in Africa in an espionage campaign since at least November 2022. Researchers believe the group has targeted pro-domestic human rights and pro-democracy advocates, including nation-states, since at least 2014.

Using the access from the telecom providers, the group gathers information including keystrokes, browser data, records audio, and captures data from individual targets on the network.

April 2023: A Russia-linked threat group launched a DDoS attack against Canadian prime Minister Justin Trudeau, blocking access to his website for several hours. The operations timing coincided with the Canadian governments meeting with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, suggesting that the operation was retaliation.

April 2023: North Korea-linked hackers are operating an ongoing espionage campaign targeting defence industry firms in Eastern Europe and Africa. Researchers at Kaspersky believe the hacking group shifted its focus in 2020 from financially motivated coin-mining attacks to espionage.

April 2023: Researchers discovered Israeli spyware on the iPhones of over 5 journalists, political opposition figures, and an NGO worker. Hackers initially compromised targets using malicious calendar invitations. The hackers origin and motivations are unclear.

April 2023: Ukraine-linked hacktivists targeted the email of Russian GRU Unit26165s leader, Lieutenant Colonel Sergey Alexandrovich, leaking his correspondence to a volunteer intelligence analysis group. The exfiltrated data contained Alexandrovichs personal information, unit personnel files, and information on Russian cyber attack tools.

April 2023: North Korean-linked hackers targeted people with expertise on North Korea policy issues in a phishing campaign. Hackers posed as journalists requesting interviews from targets, inviting them to use embedded links for scheduling and stealing their login credentials. The amount of information stolen and number of targets are unclear.

March 2023: Russian hackers brought down the French National Assemblys website for several hours using a DDoS attack. In a Telegram post, hackers cited the French governments support for Ukraine as the reason for the attack.

March 2023: CISA and FBI reported that a US federal agency was targeted by multiple attackers, including a Vietnamese espionage group, in a cyber espionage campaign between November 2022 and January 2023. Hackers used a vulnerability in the agencys Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) server to install malware.

March 2023: A Chinese cyber espionage group targeted an East Asian data protection company who serves military and government entities that lasted approximately a year.

March 2023: A South Asian hacking group targeted firms in Chinas nuclear energy industry in an espionage campaign. Researchers believe the group commonly targets the energy and government sectors of Pakistan, China, Bangladesh, and Saudi Arabia.

March 2023: Estonian officials claim that hackers unsuccessfully targeted the countrys Internet voting system during its recent parliamentary elections. Officials did not release details about the attacks or provide attribution.

March 2023: North Korean hackers targeted US-based cyber security research firms in a phishing campaign. The campaign was meant to deliver malware for cyber espionage.

March 2023: A Chinese cyber espionage group targeted government entities in Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia, using newly developed malware optimised to evade detection.

March 2023: Russian hackers launched social engineering campaigns targeting US and European politicians, businesspeople, and celebrities who have publicly denounced Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine. Hackers persuaded victims to participate in phone or video calls, giving misleading prompts to obtain pro-Putin or pro-Russian soundbites. They published these to discredit victims previous anti-Putin statements.

March 2023: Slovakian cyber security researchers discovered a new exploit from a Chinese espionage group targeting political organisations in Taiwan and Ukraine.

March 2023: Poland blamed Russia hackers for a DDoS attack on its official tax service website. Hackers blocked users access to the site for approximately an hour, but no data was leaked in the attack. A pro-Russian hacking group had earlier published a statement on Telegram about its intention to attack the Polish tax service.

February 2023: Russian hackers deployed malware to steal information from Ukrainian organisations in a phishing campaign. The malware is capable of extracting account information and files, as well as taking screenshots. Researchers believe the group is a key player in Russias cyber campaigns against Ukraine.

February 2023: A pro-Russian hacking group claimed responsibility for DDoS attacks against NATO networks used to transmit sensitive data. The attack disrupted communications between NATO and airplanes providing earthquake aid to a Turkish airbase. The attack also took NATOs sites offline temporarily.

February 2023: Polish officials reported a disinformation campaign targeting the Polish public. Targets received anti-Ukrainian refugee disinformation via email. Officials claimed these activities may be related to Russia-linked hackers.

February 2023: A North Korean hacking group conducted an espionage campaign between August and November 2022. Hackers targeted medical research, healthcare, defence, energy, chemical engineering and a research university, exfiltrating over 100MB of data from each victim while remaining undetected. The group is linked to the North Korean government.

February 2023: Latvian officials claimed that Russian hackers launched a phishing campaign against its Ministry of Defense. The Latvian Ministry of Defence stated this operation was unsuccessful.

February 2023: Iranian hacktivists disrupted the state-run television broadcast of a speech by Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi during Revolution Day ceremonies. Hackers aired the slogan Death to Khamenei and encouraged citizens to join anti-government protests.

February 2023: An Iranian hacking group launched an espionage campaign against organisations in the Middle East. Hackers used a backdoor malware to compromise target email accounts. Researchers claim the hacking group is linked to Iranian intelligence services.

February 2023: Iranian hacktivists claimed responsibility for taking down websites for the Bahrain international airport and state news agency.

February 2023: Hackers launched a ransomware attack against Technion University, Israels top technology education program. Hackers demanded 80 bitcoin ($1.7 million USD) to decrypt the universitys files. Israeli cyber security officials blamed Iranian state-sponsored hackers for the attack.



February 2023: Hackers disabled Italys Revenue Agency (Agenzia delle Entrane) website. While the website was disabled, users received phishing emails directing them to a false login page that mirrored the official agency site.

February 2023: Chinese cyber espionage hackers performed a spear-phishing campaign against government and public sector organisations in Asia and Europe. The emails used a draft EU Commission letter as its initial attack vector. These campaigns have occurred since at least 2019.

January 2023: Latvian officials claimed that Russia-linked hackers launched a cyber espionage phishing campaign against its Ministry of Defense. The Latvian Ministry of Defence stated this operation was unsuccessful.

January 2023: CISA, the NSA, and the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center released a joint advisory warning of an increase in hacks on the federal civilian executive branch using remote access software. This follows an October 2022 report on a financially motivated phishing campaign against multiple US federal civilian executive branch agencies.

January 2023: Russia-linked hackers deployed a ransomware attack against the UK postal service, the Royal Mail. The attack disrupted the systems used to track international mail.

January 2023: Iran-linked hackers executed ransomware attacks and exfiltrated data from US public infrastructure and private Australian organisations. Australian authorities claim that the data exfiltrated was for use in extortion campaigns.

January 2023: Hackers used ransomware to encrypt 12 servers at Costa Ricas Ministry of Public Works, knocking all its servers offline.

January 2023: Albanian officials reported that its government servers were still near-daily targets of cyber-attacks following a major attack by Iran-linked hackers in 2022.

January 2023: Hackers launched a series of cyber-attacks against Malaysian national defence networks. Malaysian officials stated that the hacking activities were detected early enough to prevent any network compromise.

January 2023: Hackers targeted government, military, and civilian networks across the Asia Pacific leveraging malware to obtain confidential information. The malware targeted both the data on victim machines as well as audio captured by infected machines microphones.

January 2023: Hackers sent over a thousand emails containing malicious links to Moldovan government accounts.

Conclusions

In cyber security, attackers have a structural advantage: they need to find only one exploitable weakness across an organisation. This means attackers have less ground to cover than a defender and the attacker can often adapt faster than organisations can defend or recover.

The threat landscape has become increasingly volatile. Professionalised cyber criminal groups have continued to grow and create a higher volume of new attack types.

Currently 82% of breaches involved data stored in the cloud and organisations must look for solutions that provide visibility across hybrid environments and protect data as it moves across clouds, databases, apps and services. Build security into every stage of software and hardware development.

The FBI has pointed out that a range of ransomware tools are being used in different combinations - with potentially devastating consequences for targeted companies. "This use of dual ransomware variants resulted in a combination of data encryption, exfiltration, and financial losses from ransom payments. Second ransomware attacks against an already compromised system could significantly harm victim entities."

In most cases, the second attack has come within 48 hours of the first, but the period between attacks has been as long as 10 days.

To mitigate the risks from dual ransomware attacks, the FBI recommends companies review their security posture, maintain offline back-ups of critical data and ensure those back-ups are encrypted.

Organisations can respond to a disruptive cyber event by implementing plans made after an incident and focusing on recovery of business operations after a failure or incident. These requires detailed preparation, which should be done alongside taking an anticipatory preventative approach, one that assumes incidents will occur, includes cybersecurity awareness training for people at all levels and embeds resilience capabilities to withstand disruption.

Image: Dilok Klaisataporn

References:

Crowdstrike: Expats CZ:

CSIS: TechTarget: Tech Webies:

Esentire: Cyber Security Ventures:

Hindustan Times: BBC

Cyber News: Security Week:

Reuters: AA: World Economic Forum:

IBM: World Economic Forum: PWC

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Lawyer Ivan Todorov had direct access to the HIGH UP THERE. Who is the HIGH UP THERE? HIGH UP THERE is Delyan (controversial lawmaker and media mogul Delyan Peevski  editors note). Sounds like a last instance in the State! Lawyer Todorov got this privilege by winning the case of Bulgarian telecom BTC, which belonged to a company owned by Delyan, against the Agency for Privatization and Post Privatization Control (APPC) in the arbitration court in Paris. Lawyer Yavor Kamburov, who defended APPC, lost the case for 30million (euro) deliberately, which, at the end, seriously harmed the State budget. Ultimately lawyer Todorov became a favorite of Delyan and pays visits to the high up there non-stop. This is what lawyer Mondeshki tells the other participants in the conversation. Vladimira Yaneva confirms: Ive spoken with Delyan; I know that they know each other.

These shocking allegations emerge from a new piece of a conversation between former judges Vladimira Yaneva, Rumyana Chenalova and Momchil Mondeshki. In the same conversation, they discuss how bankruptcy trustees have been dismissed for which then-Justice Minister, Hristo Ivanov, should be beaten with a stick.

The conversation was recorded in the studio of Bivol, after we labored seriously and were able to gather again in front of our microphones Vladi, Rumi, Momchil and Benny the dog. The magistrates, the lawyer and the dog were pretty spooked by the discovery of Prime Minister Boyko Borisov in the TV political talk show Hello Bulgaria that #Yaneva Gate:

This is a movie series that they are shooting. They gather in a studio and make up one or another event. They film it. They release it. A week later, they release a new episode, said Borisov.

In the same televised statement, Borisov spent lots of time on what is happening with BTC and stated that he was clean as a tear and had no bearing on either Delian nor the privatization of BTC. But is that so? When the lawyer of the State, according to Mondeshki, deliberately lost the case for 30 million euro in favor of Delyan, Borisov was first term Prime Minister and as such had direct responsibility for the deeds of the Agency for Privatization and Post Privatization Control (APPC)

Lawyer Todorov: I have nothing to do with Peevski, examine the facts

Bivol approached the individuals mentioned in the scandalous recording for their opinion and comments. We sent questions to lawyers Ivan Todorov and Yavor Kambourov. Only lawyer Todorov called us on the phone. He also sent a written statement.

Lawyer Todorov firmly rejected allegations that he was close to and worked with Peevski and urged for an analysis of the facts. All Peevski media launched a total and massive smear campaign against me. In this situation, how do you imagine that I can have a relationship with him? In addition, I have had legal cases against Peevski. Any allegations of such connections with him are absurd, he said. Prof. Ivan Todorov explained that his law office has acted as defense counsel for BTC since 2003, before the privatization and the telecom remained their client under six different owners. He said he had no information of any BTC owner being linked with Delyan Peevski. Lawyer Ivan Todorov also asked for an examination of the Paris arbitration case and explained that any agreements with Kambourov were impossible. Kamburov is a prominent lawyer and he put lots of effort in defending the interests of the State, but the claim was addressed simply in the wrong way, said Todorov.

It is a fact that media owned or controlled by Peevski brutally attacked the President of the Supreme Court of Cassations (SCC), Lozan Panov, a year ago, and tangled in it the name of Ivan Todorov as well. They alleged that Todorov had sent a text message to Lozan Panov SMS for Christmas.

4estito Rojdestvo, Lozane! Otdavna ne si idval v ofisa Ivan Todorov. (Merry Christmas, Lozan; it has been a long time since you last visited our office Ivan Todorov.)

At that time, Todorov officially denied having sent such message; said it was simply made up and showed printouts from his cell phone to prove it. Our investigation established that all text messages sent by lawyer Todorov are only written in Cyrillic and in the Bulgarian language. Why the attack against the Head of the SCC involved the prominent lawyer remains a mystery. It cannot be precluded that the prestigious law firm of Ivan Todorov likely became an obstacle to some sleazy privatization interests, which is why he became the target of intrigues and slander, along with the inconvenient for the establishment in theSupreme Judicial Council (SJC) Head of the SCC, Lozan Panov.

BTC was actually owned by Peevski?

The participants in the recorded conversation allege that the company that privatized BTC was owned by MP Delyan Peevski. The arbitration case involved two companies: Viva Ventures Holding and NEF Telecom Bulgaria. It is not clear which of the two was owned by Delyan, as Mondeshki alleges. According to lawyer Todorov, he represented NEF Telecom Bulgaria.

It is a fact is that in 2009, the APPC initiated arbitration proceedings against Viva Ventures and NEF Telecom Bulgaria because the investor had not complied with its commitment under the privatization contract not to reduce the staff in the telecom and laid off 114,000 people according to Mondeshki. The figure is highly inflated, as actually there were about 5,000 layoffs.

At the end of August this year, BTC was sold by the Russian KGB bank  VTB  to a Luxembourg company, controlled by Spas Rusev and brothers Velchev for a symbolic amount, when compared to its real value and against a 150 million-euro bridge loan. The connection between former Finance Minister Milen Velchev and businessman Spas Rusev was exposed some years ago through the infamous yacht picture showing ministers playing cards with criminal bosses in Monaco, on Rusevs yacht. Interestingly enough, precisely this connection and this picture were revealed by the then-Chief Secretary of the Interior Ministry  Boyko Borisov, who threatened to resign and promised more revelations, but subsequently stopped talking and remained at his post.

Therefore, in reality, brothers Velchev stand on both sides of the deal as a seller and a buyer. The State, represented by the Bulgarian government, did not intervene to prevent the misappropriation of the Telecom by the Russian bank in distress, by obscure interests and resources without a clear origin. According to international dealers, the loss for the State budget from this dubious transaction is estimated at over 700 million euro. Unlike Bulgarian media, in Russia a media wave of publications erupted that directly revealed that Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov received a commission in the amount of 50 million euro for turning a blind eye to the actions of VTB and letting the deal materialize without any State reaction. Bivol was the only one to publish a story on the reports in Russian media. The scandal grew beyond the countrys borders and became subject of interest among the international community, despite the full censorship on the Russian publications in Bulgaria.

Financial experts told Bivol that Borisov was personally informed in advance that the sale of BTC by VTB will inflict severe damage to our national interests, but he failed to react. Perhaps this explains his great nervousness in the studio of Nova TV while commenting on the recordings and the BTC deal.

The only public knowledge is that the main factual owner of BTC was the company of the banker in exile Tsvetan Vasilev  TC IME JSC. Apparently, however, Delyan considered the assets of the majority shareholder in the collapsed Corporate Commercial Bank (CCB) ro be his own, without having any financial contribution. In any case, the recorded revelations in the conversation require serious analysis and relevant conclusions.

***

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FILE  New York Gov. Kathy Hochul addresses the media during a news conference, March. 13, 2023, in New York. On Saturday, Dec. 23, Hochul vetoed a bill that would have made it easier for people who have pleaded guilty to crimes to challenge their convictions, a measure that was favored by criminal justice reformers but fiercely opposed by prosecutors.
Why does Lord Slippery of Tripoli like conflict so much? There are many tasks for our Foreign Secretary, whose chief job is surely to keep us safe in this dangerous world. But the former David Cameron seems to be oddly interested in making the world more tense.

Has he learned nothing from his disastrous intervention in Libya while he was Prime Minister? His idol and model, Sir Anthony Blair, is widely despised for his Iraq folly. But somehow, Lord Slippery gets away with what he did in Libya.

I can't see why. Ever since he decided to overthrow that country's despot, Muammar Gaddafi, two things have happened. One is that the Mediterranean has become a vast, open highway by which migrants make their way to Western Europe in uncountable numbers, causing a social and political crisis from Naples to Hamburg, which nobody can solve.

For Gaddafi, whatever his other many faults, had prevented this from happening. This was well-known. He boasted of it. Anyone could have guessed that toppling him would cause this problem. Anyone except a certain British politician.

The other is that Libya itself is trapped in what looks like endless civil war. For ordinary Libyans, life is worse than it was before. The old rule that even tyranny is better than anarchy is once again proved to be true.

David Cameron receives his honour from Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah in Jeddah in 2012

Yet the person responsible (who, it has to be said, lacks any great record of achievement in any area of life, apart from the feathering of his own nest) is now Foreign Secretary. And what does he do? Is he chastened by his past blunders? No, he has got out his sabre and is rattling it. While the rest of the country settled down to turkey and plum duff, he gave an interview in which he growled that Iran must be sent 'an incredibly clear message' that its current behaviour 'will not be tolerated'. He proclaimed that Britain would work with allies to 'develop a really strong set of deterrent measures' against Tehran.

Well, look, I am no apologist for the Iranian Mullahs. They threw a friend of mine, Jason Rezaian, into jail on wholly false charges of spying, in what was basically a kidnap. Thank God, he is now home, but the experience was horrible, and we can only imagine what things must be like for those the regime does not release.

But Britain has no real business preaching to Iran. Plenty of Iranians are in fact pro-Western and opposed to their own regime. But Britain's major part in overthrowing their last truly legitimate government, in a shameful putsch in 1953, is remembered there as if it was yesterday.

Iranians wonder if Britain's militancy towards them has something to do with our creepy, subservient relationship with another grim Middle Eastern despotism, that of Saudi Arabia. And before he was elevated to the House of Mones, sorry, House of Lords, David Cameron's one major honour was his membership of the Order of Abdulaziz al Saud, awarded in 2012 for 'meritorious service to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia'.

That Kingdom (already famous for its crowded jails, public executions and total lack of political freedom) has since distinguished itself by conducting a vicious war outside its borders in Yemen, and by strangling and dismembering a leading dissident, Jamal Khashoggi, after luring him into its Istanbul consulate.

Is Saudi Arabia aggressive? Many in Yemen would say so. I also find it hard to believe it was not involved in the recent disastrous destabilisation of Syria, in which so many formerly happy and prosperous people were turned into corpses or refugees, over several terrible years.

David Cameron seems to be oddly interested in making the world more tense

Actually, I understand that this country has to hold its nose in dealing with many foreign regimes. It has always been so, and always will be. But holding your nose is one thing. Active public grovelling and toadying is another.

I'd add that, as our armed forces are terribly weakened by decades of bipartisan neglect, we really are in no position to posture as a major power. It is all a bit like a weekly freesheet in Wiltshire publishing blistering editorials condemning Vladimir Putin.

Couldn't someone explain to the man formerly known as David Cameron that he is not a modern Lord Palmerston or Winston Churchill and that the vast high-ceilinged room in which he sits is a relic of a lost age?

Sometimes I think the Foreign Office building should be turned into a museum of British power, and its Ministers and officials relocated to a trading estate in Slough.

The real smoking gun...

The BBC made a reasonable stab over Christmas at televising Arthur Conan Doyle's thrilling story Lot No 249  one of his marvellous Tales Of Twilight And The Unseen which enthralled me as a boy.

Set in Victorian Oxford, it concerns a wicked student who brings an Egyptian Mummy back to life and uses it for evil aims. This may strike you as unlikely. But not as unlikely as the way in which the hero forces the villain to destroy his grisly relic. He goes to Clifford's the gunmakers in Oxford High Street, and there buys 'a heavy revolver' plus ammunition.

You see, before 1920, Britain's gun laws were so relaxed they made Texas look effeminate. You could buy a pistol and bullets at the ironmonger's. But this country, in that period, was not a hellhole of mass shootings and armed bank raids.

Is it possible that the USA's problems with gun crime, or indeed the hideous massacre which took place in Prague the other day, are not caused by the ready availability of guns, but by the ready availability of something else?

Hero: Kit Harington as Abercrombie Smith in the BBC's Lot No249

This weighty issue needs a fresh vote

Since the shameful 2001 prosecution of the Sunderland greengrocer Steve Thoburn for selling bananas by the pound, thousands of equally honest traders have been afraid of selling in traditional English measures.

Steve (I attended his ridiculous trial) died nearly 20 years ago. He should long since have been pardoned. He committed no crime. A proper conservative Government would have agreed with George Orwell who warned in 1947 that this country's familiar pounds, ounces, feet and yards should never be banned.

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) held a 'consultation' on this issue in June 2022. This closed in August of that year. If I had known about it, I should have publicised it, and urged my readers to take part.

I would have expected to hear about it from my friends at the British Weights and Measures Association (BWMA), a fine body which campaigns vigorously on this cause, and whose existence is certainly known to the DBT. But the BWMA told me yesterday that they had not been informed of the consultation. If I and they had known of it, I suspect that it would have had rather more than the 100,000-odd responses it received. North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un would probably have been embarrassed by its absurdly one-sided outcome which showed 98.7 per cent of respondents were in favour of using metric units. 98.7 per cent! How did they do that?

I suggest to Rishi Sunak he orders the DBT to rerun this private referendum  but in public. Then we might keep our pounds and yards.
A couple who sold their apartment and most of their belongings to embark on a three-year cruise around the world now fear they will be left homeless - after the voyage was canceled last minute.

Kara and Joe Youssef, from Ohio, were ecstatic when they heard about Miray Cruises' Life at Sea trip - which was scheduled to leave on November 1 and spend 1,095 days at sea, stopping at 382 ports across the globe.

They decided to give up both of their homes and spent almost all of their 'life savings' on a ticket - only to be told it wasn't happening just days before it was set to depart.

Now, the couple is still waiting on their $80,000 refund - and are stuck residing in a hotel in Istanbul, Turkey.

When Kara and Joe Youssef, from Ohio, heard about Miray Cruises' Life at Sea trip - which was supposed to leave on November 1 and spend 1,095 days at sea, they were ecstatic

'They kept leading us on, making us hold out hope until the very last minute, just days before we were supposed to depart,' Kara told The New York Times recently.

'We sold everything we have to make this dream happen. We feel completely defeated.'

According to the Times, the idea to create a cruise that sailed around the world came from an entrepreneur named Mikael Petterson in June 2022.

He connected with Miray owner Vedat Ugurlu, who suggested a vessel called the MC Gemini, which had 400 cabins and could hold about 1,000 passengers.

The company announced the cruise in March 2023, and despite the steep prices - cabins ranged from $90,000 for the smallest to a whopping $975,000 for a suite - it was an instant success and hundreds started booking their reservations.

'It just blew up, and we could barely keep up,' Mikael recalled to the Times.

But problems started to arise a month later, when concerns over the amount of fuel it would take to reach certain destinations were raised.

'Even if you spend another $10 million on that ship, I don't think it is enough to do what we want to do,' itinerary planner Robert Dixon said in an audio note sent to the rest of the team, according to the publication.

Cruise passengers who signed up for a three-year world cruise were left devastated after the company pulled the plug on the trip with less than two weeks to go

Kara and Joe decided to give up both of their homes and spent almost all of their 'life savings' on a ticket - only to be told it wasn't happening any more just days before it was set to depart

Now, the couple is still waiting on their $80,000 refund - and are stuck residing in a hotel in Istanbul, Turkey

Around the same time, the company started having trouble 'processing credit card transactions' and 'lacked an escrow account to secure deposits.'

In May, amid the ongoing tension, Mikael cut ties with the cruise and Miray, which left the Youssefs worried about the thousands of dollars they had already put down as a deposit.

'We felt very nervous,' Kara admitted, but added that after participating in a series of 'webinars' with other passengers and vice president for business development strategy at Miray, Kendra Holmes, they felt better.

'Kendra was very convincing and dedicated. She was very realistic, whereas Mikael had promised us the sun and the moon.'

On May 31, Kendra hosted a webinar and told everyone the company had decided not to use an escrow account - adding that instead it would use a bond filed with the Federal Maritime Commission to help protect passengers.

However, the bond was never filed, according to the Times.

One month later, Life at Sea claimed it was experiencing 'unprecedented demand' and was acquiring a 627-cabin ship to fit everyone.

However, the truth was that the company was attempting to buy the larger ship with the help of investors.

Another passenger Mary Rader, 68, decided to ask a travel agency to research Miray Cruises to learn if it was reputable before placing her deposit.

'They kept leading us on, making us hold out hope until the very last minute, just days before we were supposed to depart,' Kara told The New York Times recently

'We felt very nervous,' Kara admitted, but added that after participating in a series of 'webinars' with other passengers and vice president for business development strategy at Miray, Kendra Holmes, they felt better

After getting the stamp of approval from the travel agency, the retired New York-based social worker withdrew $80,000 from her retirement savings and made the payment in two parts.

However, she never received a receipt.

She told the Times: 'This is when I started to see all the red flags, but I was trapped because I had already made the payments.'

Meanwhile, Kara and Joe had sold their apartment in order to afford payments for their upcoming cruise.

Other passengers began applying for visas, sending their belongings to Istanbul and even making arrangements for their dogs.

However, only 111 of the 627 slots were filled - but passengers were still told it would sail.

On September 26, Life at Sea was set to purchase the larger ship, but after the lead investor dropped out, Vedat told Kendra that he would search for other candidates.

At this time, Kendra revealed passengers would only receive 10 per cent of their deposit back if they canceled.

On October 27, just days before the cruise was to sail, the company revealed the trip was delayed to November 11 and would now leave from Amsterdam - despite 30 passengers already waiting in Istanbul.

Just days later, it was once again postponed to November 30.

Other passengers began applying for visas, sending their belongings to Istanbul and even making arrangements for their dogs

By November 20, Vedat revealed that investors had abandoned ship due to issues in the Middle East. The next day, the cruise was canceled and they are still waiting on their refund

By November 16, Kara discovered that the ship she was supposed to be on was bought by a different company.

And then later learned that Kendra had resigned from Miray.

Three days later, Vedat revealed that investors had abandoned ship due to issues in the Middle East.

The next day, the cruise was canceled.

Passengers were then asked to sign a document stating that Miray would give them their money back over the next three months.

However, when the first deadline on December 22 passed and only a handful of passengers got their money back, the cruise company stated that the delays were due to an issue with the bank.

On December 28, Kara and Joe revealed that they had yet to be paid and for the past month, they had been residing in a hotel in Istanbul - which has been paid for by the cruise company.

Kara noted that she was fearful they would soon be homeless.

Miray, Kendra, and Mikael are reportedly already working on another three-year cruise - expected to launch next year.

Meanwhile, Mary revealed that she was not expecting her money back.

She told the Times: 'I have received nothing yet, but I did not expect to. My guess is that the company will be shut down or restructured, and anything I put in cash will never get paid out.'

Earlier this month, Miray's owner Vedat said the cancellation was because of a shortage of funds and interest.

'We tried everything to find a solution, but at the end of the day we couldn't get the investors and we couldn't sell enough cabins,' he said, according to the publication.
Now 'wouldn't be the right time' for Meghan Markle to release a tell-all memoir about her royal life, a public relations expert has warned the Duchess of Sussex.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have shared insight into their lives on numerous occasions since moving overseas in early 2020, most recently with Prince Harry's memoir Spare.

The book, released in January 2023, made a number of bombshell claims about the Royal Family, with the Daily Mail's royal editor Rebecca English pointing out it made a clear 'villain' of Prince William.

It has been widely speculated that Meghan, 42, could be considering a tell-all of her own, after the couple reportedly signed a four book deal with Penguin Random House.

So far, Meghan has published children's book The Bench, Harry has penned Spare, and it has been rumoured the third book may be a wellness guide written together.

Now 'wouldn't be the right time' for Meghan Markle to release a tell-all memoir about her royal life, a public relations expert has warned the Duchess of Sussex

This leaves a fourth, and speculation is rife that Meghan could be planning a memoir of her own.

But Lynn Carratt, from Press Box PR, has warned that early 2024 would not be the right time for its publication, as the public has been 'overloaded with stories' about the Duke and Duchess.

Asked about the rumoured publication plan, Ms Carratt told The Mirror: 'I am sure that is still the plan and it will form part of their deal with Penguin, but timing is everything and 2024 wouldn't be the right time for its release.

'There are many things Meghan will want to say and put her side across about.

'She'll want [to] talk [about] her marriage to Harry, her relationship with King Charles and Camilla, Kate and William. I'm sure fans would like her to talk about her relationship with her father Thomas, but she isn't that forthcoming about that side of her life.'

The expert said if Meghan is 'sensible' she will be 'looking for a quieter time in 2024' to allow a rift created by Spare and Obie Scobie's Endgame to 'heal quietly'.

It comes as the Daily Mail's royal editor said the Duke of Sussex, 39, surprised audiences by depicting the Prince of Wales, 41, as a villainous figure in his memoir Spare.

'We thought it might be the King and the Queen who were the villains of the piece, but it actually turned out to be his older brother,' Rebecca said.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have shared insight into their lives on numerous occasions since moving overseas in early 2020, most recently with Prince Harry's memoir Spare

It has been widely speculated that Meghan, 42, could be considering a tell-all of her own, after the couple reportedly signed a four book deal with Penguin Random House

In conversation with the Daily Mail's Diary Editor Richard Eden and show host Jo Elvin, Rebecca made a link between William's villainous depiction and Harry's detailing of an explosive brotherly argument detailed in the book.

Harry claimed he was left with visible 'scrapes and bruises' after allegedly being attacked by his brother. He claimed: '[William] grabbed me by the collar, ripping my necklace, and he knocked me to the floor.'

The father-of-three's highly anticipated memoir reached bookshelves across the globe in January this year, and it became the biggest selling memoir ever for its first week of publication, according to publishers Transworld, the UK division of Penguin Random House.

Rebecca English (pictured) discussed Prince Harry's memoir Spare on this week's episode of PALACE CONFIDENTIAL

From colourful disclosure about Harry's frost-bitten penis to more serious subjects of a brotherly rift and intricate details of a private argument between Kate Middleton, 41, and Meghan, the book raised eyebrows across the globe.

For Rebecca, it was information about a specific argument between William and Harry that painted the Prince of Wales as a 'villain'.

'They did everything together, so to see that explode once and for all so nastily was actually really sad to see,' Rebecca said.

She added that the explosive details in Spare have resulted in William's radio silence towards Harry  a reality unlikely to change any time soon, according to the royal editor.
Samantha Bulloch went from enjoying her 20s to having as little as three years left to live after doctors found life-threatening tumours spread through her colon, liver and right lung following a routine blood test.

On February 28, the healthy and fit library assistant had her world turned upside down after being diagnosed with stage four colorectal cancer that had spread to her organs.

In January, Samantha, from Sydney, visited her GP for a blood test to check her iron which led to the detection of the cancer.

'I don't drink, I don't smoke, I'm not overweight, I don't eat processed meat, I barely eat red meat, and have no family history of bowel cancer - it just didn't make sense,' Samantha, now 29, told FEMAIL.

Her symptoms included 'random' fatigue, the odd bout of bloating and some blood spotting during 2020 which she put down to stress. Before her test she also had some severe pain in her shoulder.

At this stage she'll remain on fortnightly treatment indefinitely. If the cancer remained undetected she believes doctors would've had few options for her moving forward.

Samantha Bulloch went from enjoying her late 20s to having as little as three years left to live after doctors found life-threatening tumours spread through her colon, liver and right lung after a routine blood test

'I don't drink, I don't smoke, I'm not overweight, I don't eat processed meat, I barely eat red meat, and have no family history of bowel cancer - it just didn't make sense,' Samantha, now 29, told FEMAIL

'I thought I was fit and healthy! I've always had iron problems but never thought too much of it. One day at work I was way more tired than normal and I had to sit down because I was so exhausted,' she said.

'I thought "that's weird" but assumed it was because I had started a new job, had low iron and was learning the ropes of something completely different. It was close to Christmas too and everyone is always tired by the end of the year.'

So she made the responsible decision to go see her doctor in January 2023.

The blood test results confirmed she's anaemic but also highlighted something unexpected - her liver enzymes were 'three times outside the normal rate'.

The GP made an appointment to do an ultrasound on Samantha's liver which revealed 'non-specific lesions' and a mass. The report also listed a variety of illnesses that it could be - one of them being cancer.

'When I saw that I already thought it was a death sentence,' she said.

A week later the results from a CT scan confirmed Samantha's worst fears - she had a tumour growing in her sigmoid colon which had spread to her liver and right lung.

A blood test confirmed she's anaemic but the results also highlighted something unexpected - her liver enzymes were 'three times outside the normal rate'

'I thought how have I been living with tumours growing in my body and didn't know about it? It was wild to me,' she said.

'I remember sitting in that appointment with my GP and my dad thinking "it's over, they're going to tell me there's nothing they can do".

'I knew how bad it was and that absolutely terrified me.'

The tumour in her colon was 6cm, the two in her liver were 8cm and the one in her right lung was 1.5cm. She also has a 'bunch of little tumours' scattered in her liver that can't be measured.

The life-changing news shook Samantha to her core and at first she initially thought, 'I can't do this, I don't want to do this, I'm not strong enough to do this'.

'I didn't even want to attempt it but somehow I put on my big girl pants and took myself to the next appointment. The first few months were so up and down emotionally - I couldn't stop crying on the first day of treatment.'

The tumour in her colon was 6cm, the two tumours in her liver were 8cm and the one in her right lung was 1.5cm. She also has a 'bunch of little tumours' scattered in her liver that can't be measured

Samantha said in 2020 she had a small amount of bleeding during bowel movements - but didn't think it was anything of concern. At the time it was the start of the pandemic, so seeing a doctor was difficult.

'It was on and off for a couple months, and when it finally resolved itself I forgot about it,' she said.

By the end of 2022 she did say she experienced some pain, bloating and irregular bowel movements. These symptoms are commonly brushed off as stress.

'At the start of this year I also had the worst pain in my right shoulder - it was excruciating, I was in tears. I went to the doctor who told me to take some Panadol because I may have just pulled a muscle,' she said.

The pain went away after a week or so, but strangely enough, it turns out the pain was due to the tumours in her liver.

'After I had my first liver biopsy, the pain in my right shoulder returned and the doctor told me that can happen because there's a nerve that sits right where your liver is,' she explained.

'So if that nerve gets pushed on by something it aggravates the nerve and you feel the pain in your right shoulder, which made it so much sense.'

Luckily after starting chemotherapy treatment in March, all the tumours have shrunk in size (pictured with friends)

Two days after the diagnosis she met with an oncologist and 'barely remembers the conversation' because of the hefty life-changing news and bawled her eyes out.

But the oncologist had a plan of attack.

Instead of having surgery first, doctors opted to go with chemotherapy in attempt to shrink the tumours.

Samantha started treatment on March 31 and she's been having fortnightly visits ever since. By her sixth chemotherapy session the tumours had shrunk significantly.

Her last scan at the beginning of October found the colon tumour had 'collapsed' - meaning it's flattened against the wall of the colon.

The tumour in the lung can no longer be measured because it's now too small and one in the liver is under 2cm while the other is 3cm.

'So far I've had a very positive response to treatment - better than my doctor thought I would have,' she said. 'It's really been a miracle and I'm so glad it's been working so well.'

Up until a few weeks ago, Samantha thought she was already nine months into those two to three years, but the doctor reassured her it 'doesn't quite work like that'.

She explained after every check-up from the scans the clock restarts. The time doesn't start from the diagnosis, it restarts from the latest scan.

This news was a sigh of relief for Samantha who feels like she's been given extra time.

However, there is still the looming possibility that this could change at any moment. Luckily Samantha is on her first line of treatment options.

When she was diagnosed the doctor said if treatment doesn't work she'll likely only have 12 months to live. But if it does work, she will have likely two to three years to live. This time resets with every checkup if the treatment continues to work

At this stage, she'll require treatment for the rest of her life because at this stage if doctors stopped treatment the tumours would grow back.

'My doctor said to me if treatment doesn't work, you're looking at less than 12 months. If it does work, I hope to buy you two to three years', which is obviously not what anyone wants to hear,' she said.

'My mum died of breast cancer when I was 10. It started at stage one or two then elevated to stage four. It was very aggressive and moved into her liver, then she really went downhill quick.

'So I associate cancer in the liver with really bad news because I saw it first hand.'

In terms of what caused the cancer, unfortunately it was random and a case of bad luck. There's nothing Samantha could've done different to prevent the tumours from growing.

'I have surprised myself with the fact that I had [the ability to do this] and push through. I've been able to come to terms and accept that I have cancer,' she continued.

'If you had told me last year that I'll be diagnosed with cancer and that I'm actually going to be fine emotionally, I wouldn't have believed you. You'll be surprised what you can do.'

Luckily throughout treatment she's experienced minimal side effects besides fatigue.

But the immunotherapy treatment left her with an acne-like rash covering her whole body, including her scalp and tongue.

'The doctor said my rash was the worst one they've seen, but it's a sign that the treatment is working. So I found comfort in that,' she said.

In terms of what caused the cancer, unfortunately it was random and was a case of bad luck. There's nothing Samantha could've done different to prevent the tumours from growing

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF COLORECTAL CANCER? Colorectal cancer is a type of cancer that affects the colon (large intestine) or rectum. It is one of the most common types of cancer worldwide. Colorectal cancer often has no symptoms in the early stages. Regular screenings are important to catch the disease early and begin treatment. Common symptoms include: changes in bowel habits such as diarrhoea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool

blood in the stool (rectal bleeding), either bright red or dark and tar-like 

abdominal cramps, pain or bloating that wont go away

unexplained weight loss that is sudden and losing weight without trying

feeling constantly tired and lacking energy, even with enough rest

iron deficiency anaemia due to chronic bleeding, causing fatigue, weakness and paleness Source: WHO Advertisement

Despite the awful diagnosis and prognosis Samantha's received, she feels 'fitter, stronger and better' than ever before.

'One of the girls at work brought it to my attention. She told me, "You have so much more life and vibrancy in you, you seem so much stronger compared to when I first met you when all this started happening",' Samantha recalled.

She also feels confident because she has her youth on her side to combat against the deadly cancer and bounce back from treatment quickly.

To keep herself fit and healthy, she goes for 5km walks every day and eats fresh, clean food.

'I don't look like a cancer patient either - you wouldn't know I'm sick by looking at me,' she said, adding: 'I've tried to keep life as normal as possible too.

'I heard the phrase, "Everyone's terminal, I just have it in writing" and it really changed my mindset. This is it, this is the life you've got and it can change for anyone at any time like it did for me.

'Right now, besides the cancer, I'm healthy enough to be able to do things and I maximise on this like you have no idea.

'I spend as much time as possible with the people that I love doing the things the I love because I know that's what matters most.

'I don't want to get to a point when I'm so ill that I'm bedridden and then start to think "why didn't I do things I enjoy earlier?" I want to make sure I live as fully as possible.'

Samantha also urges everyone to advocate for their health and to be in touch with your body to be able to notice any changes.

'If something feels off or if you're not sure, visit a doctor,' she said.

READ MORE: Young nurse's warning to Aussies about why everyone must have a bedframe to prevent dangerous mould

Young woman, 30, diagnosed with terminal cancer after feeling 'bloated and tired' reveals how she will spend her final days
There are many problems in the world today. Poverty, war, domestic violence, various abuses and fears, to name just a few.



Given that the world has so many problems, and that these problems are so severe, surely we have a responsibility to do something about them. The responsibility is not just optional, but also necessary, because these problems that make others suffer today will soon or later come to inflict others who are better off today and thought they are immune from the problems.



But to do what? There are countless problems that we could be addressing, and many different ways of addressing each of those problems. Moreover, our resources are scarce, so as individuals and even as a whole globe we cant solve all these problems at once. So we must make decisions about how to allocate the resources we have. But on what basis should we make such decisions?



There has been a so-called effective altruism movement that focus on providing resources to those who suffer the problems, resources being chiefly funds, part of which can be used to purchase foods, clothings or shelters for those who are hungry, cold and without a place to live.

However, to give people fish is not as good as providing the tools for them to fish. Charity can never solve the problems. People who are suffering from the problems may well be part of the problems, or ignorant of the sources and solutions of the problems.



Thus, what is needed is actually enlightenment, which helps people identify the sources of the problems and address them accordingly. How to provide such help in the most effective way is called effective enlightenment.



People who join the Effective Enlightenment movement try to figure out, of all the different uses of the available resources, which uses will do the most enlightenment, impartially as much as possibly considered. There are now thousands of thousands of people around the world who are doing enlightenment work but they can do it more effectively by joining Effective Enlightenment movement, the organizations to get supports and ideas.

This movement is gathering steam, as people become more conscious about how to chose their careers, at least in part, on the basis of effective enlightenment purpose; individuals can go into scientific research institutions, think tanks, party politics, entrepreneurship, finance (in order to do effective enlightenment through donating), and non-profit work.

Every year, every month and even every day, people can communicate with each other on ways to do the enlightenment better and more effectively, or meet in conferences to learn from and support each other. People can pledge to give part of their income for the rest of their lives to the enlightenment organizations they believe to be most cost-effective, just as they do charity but with the understanding that they are not just providing charity, they are also providing the enlightenment mindset and tools for those who receive help to escape poverty, violence and fear.



Money is necessary but never the only thing, this is a difference between (effective) enlightenment and charity as in effective altruism. Another difference is that it is not always for other people or people far away, but for people themselves and people nearby. As each person needs to be enlightened and an enlightened person can affect people around him or her. Every journey starts at the first step and the first step can be you yourself: be enlightened and not ignorant, be considerate and not abusive, be supportive and not sabotaging, to the right people of course, and be courageous rather than fearful when needed, be rational rather than illogical, be spiritual rather than superstitious, and so on, from there one can go the next step to enlighten their friends, neighbors, relatives and always be ready to be enlightened by others.



Enlightenment can be subjective and has to go through multiple stages to refine. Ideas we think quite enlightening at this moment at this place may turn out to be ignorant and stupid later and in a different place. But the most important thing is for people to know the difference. In general as a member of Effective Enlightenment we believe there is a difference between right and wrong, true and false, kind and cruel, beautiful and ugly, at least in each scenario. An enlightened person tries to do the right thing for each scenario.



Effective Enlightenment also believes that human although being limited but can evolve to a better being, the human society in general can also get improved to a better one. Technologically speaking, compared with our ancestors of thousands years ago we can now better sustain illness, hunger and other natural disasters because we are more enlightened in many different ways, and we can continue to better ourselves as a whole with enlightenment ideas by eliminating or alleviating poverty, hunger and more importantly in reducing violence, abuses and fear and general ignorance.



As a result of effective enlightenment, we aim to use our resources and time most effectively and contribute to more significant achievements in the shortest time and widest scope around the globe. In a sense, ignorance can kill human beings and human societies, or to a lessor extent reduce their happiness and worthiness while in this world. In a sense effective enlightenment is a competition with ignorance in time to reduce suffering and inadequacy in personal lives as a persons life time is limited and one day living in ignorance is one day less in enlightenment. Same can be said about a country or the whole human society in the world. Without enlightenment, human society may continue to suffer or get worse. Without effective enlightenment, people may not know how to start, how to do it effectively and thus it may be too late before the worst case scenario happens to humankind. Enlightenment is thus also a risk managemet effort, to help people not get extinct in the guided or none-guided evolution process.



The Effective Enlightenment community will provide significant impetus and support in the development of ideas, methodologies and technologies for members to employ in their work. However, we need to provide more details on what were talking about, mainly the definition of Effective Enlightenment.



Before we begin, its important to note that, in defining effective enlightenment, we are not attempting to describe a fundamental aspect of philosophy. History has provided such elements through European Enlightenment for the French, British, German, Russian and in fact all people in the modern world, there are some more distinct and specific ones such as the Scottish Enlightenment, the American Independence experiment. Various philosophical books from these countries and historical periods have been written and researched. Those are the theoretical aspects that we will take advantage of. But as in empirical research fields, we can distinguish between science and engineering. Science is the attempt to discover general truths about the world we live in. Engineering is the use of our scientific understanding to design and build structures or systems that benefit society.



We can make the same distinction here. Typically, enlightenment philosophy is concerned with discovering general truths about the nature of enlightenment  the equivalent of normative science.



But there is a need and scope for the equivalent of engineering within enlightenment effort, for example by creating new enlightenment concepts and procedures whose use, if taken up broadly by society, would improve the world in a more effective way.



Defining effective enlightenment is a matter of engineering rather than of describing some fundamental aspect of enlightenment. In this vein, two principal desiderations are provided for the definition. The first is to match the actual practice of those who are currently described as engaging in effective enlightenment, and the understanding of enlightenment that the leaders of the community have. The second is to ensure that the concept has as much public value as possible. This means, for example, we want the concept to be broad enough to be endorsable by or useful to many different enlightenment views, but still determinate enough to enable users of the concept to do more to improve the world than they otherwise would have done.



The Effective Enlightenments definition we take is based on the following consideration: Effective Enlightenment is about using evidence and reason to figure out how to enlighten ourselves and others as much as possible, and taking action on that basis. For that reason, Effective Enlightenment is defined as:



(i) the use of evidence and careful reasoning to work out how to maximize the enlightenment among people with a given unit of resources, tentatively understanding the enlightenment in number of people, depth and effect terms, and

(ii) the use of the findings from (i) to try to improve the enlightenment of the world.

Here (i) refers to effective enlightenment as an intellectual project (or research field); (ii) refers to effective enlightenment as a practical project (or social movement). The two are intertwined because the measures for the first have to come from the second, but the definition shows to be:



 Non-normative. Effective Enlightenment consists of two projects, rather than a set of normative claims.

 Maximising. The point of these projects is to do as much enlightenment as possible with the resources that are dedicated towards it.

 Science-aligned. The best means to figuring out how to do the most enlightenment is the scientific method, broadly construed to include reliance on careful rigorous argument and theoretical models as well as data.

 Spiritually-supportive. Although scientific methods are used to measure effectiveness as much as possible, the measures cannot be always possible and can be misleading. Relying on scientific methods too much or blindly with do more harm than good. Enlightenment is always about a persons enlightenment, which can be difficult to know and measure by others.

One can try to increase the amount and effect of enlightenment one does in two ways: by increasing the amount of resources that one dedicates to doing enlightenment; and by trying to increase the effectiveness of the resources that one has dedicated to doing enlightenment. Effective enlightenment is directly about maximising in the second sense but can be possible in the first sense too.

Most of this manifesto is word by word from William MacAskills The definition of effective altruism. I have copied that article directly unabashedly because we are almost doing something similar at least on the surface, except that I dont believe altruism is what is needed to improve human society as providing charity itself is not effective at all. Providing enlightenment, even without the adjective effective is already more effective than effective altruism. Providing "effective" enlightenment is thus much more effective than effective altruism. Therefore, effective enlightenment (EE) deserves a movement much larger than the one for effective altruism (EA). EE can also avoid the problems associated with EE in the most recent years. For example, some of the donors of EE (Sam Bankman-Fried being the most publicized one) have committed crimes. Crime is not part of enlightenment and thus would be discouraged if not prohibition is not possible from the very beginning in Effective Enlightenment.
Rated images of five lips of different sizes on a woman who was in her 20s

Scientists in Germany found men and women really did prefer more natural lips

Big boobs, a big butt and big lips. Exaggerated features have been 'in' for the best part of a decade.

But several studies covered by DailyMail.com in recent years have shown that bigger is not always better when it comes to breasts and buttocks.

And now research has shown that lips can be added to the list of features that are better in moderation - in a blow to Kylie Jenner and the millions of women who use high doses of lip filler.

Researchers asked men and women to rate five pairs of lips, of varying sizes, that were superimposed on the same woman's face. They found moderation was key  not too large and not too thin.

ADDING RANKS: The lips were ranked from first place to last place based on their overall score, with 1 being the most desirable and 5 the least desirable. The percentage number at the bottom of the images indicates the lip size relative to the stock image - with 100 percent indicating no change

ADDING RANKS: The above shows the lips that came fourth (left) and the lips that were ranked the least attractive (right). Researchers said people preferred more natural appearing lips

Dr Sebastian Cotofana, an anatomist formerly at the Mayo Clinic who was involved in the study, said: 'Everything is about proportion.

'If you take large lips and put them on a slimmer face... it might not look beautiful.'

For the study, researchers in Germany recruited 59 men and women  mostly with no medical backgrounds and from white backgrounds who were in their 30s.

Participants were shown five digitally-altered images of a woman 'in her 20s'  each with different sized lips.

They rated the images from one to five based on how attractive they were, where one was the least attractive and five was the most attractiveness.

Kylie Jenner is pictured above in 2010, left, and in 2023, right. She is famous for using a large amount of lip filler

Their answers were then averaged to reveal which lips were the most appealing.

The winner was the woman's natural lips, which received an average score of 4.56 out of five.

Second place were the lips that were 15 percent larger than her natural size, with a score of 4.48.

And third place were the lips that were 15 percent smaller than her natural size, with a score of 2.52.

In last place were the largest lips  a third bigger than normal  with a score of 1.56.

The study also tracked participants eyes to try to determine which they found most appealing.

This revealed people stared for longer at larger lips  but Dr Cotofana said this could actually suggest they found them less appealing.

He suggested people have an 'inward ideal' of beauty and when something doesn't match this they need to collect more 'visual information'  stare at it for longer  in order to understand the 'mismatch'.

A number of celebrities are famous for packing their lips with filler to give them a much plumper and fuller look such as Kylie Jenner and Ariana Grande.

And their star power is prompting others to get the injections  with nearly 1.4million American women getting the injections in their lips last year alone according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons annual report.

There is no age breakdown of patients available  but the fillers are not just a hit with youngsters.

Ariana Grande, pictured left in 2010 and right in 2018, has previously tearfully admitted to having tons of lip filler

Jessica Simpson pictured above in th early 2000s and again this year with a much fuller set of lips

Andrea Ivanova from Sofia, Bulgaria, and a former philosophy student began her transformation in 2018, and says she is not afraid of her lips ever bursting

Doctors say older women are increasingly coming forward to get the fillers in order to make their face appear younger.

The latest study has many limitations.

For one, all the lips shown in the study had a ratio of 1:1.6  meaning the bottom lip is about 60 percent larger than the top lip  which is considered to be the 'golden', or most attractive, ratio among Caucasian women.

The fact the example woman already had a perfect ration may have skewed the findings, the researchers admit.

Dr Cotofana told DailyMail.com the scientists used the stock image of a woman who appeared to be in her 20s for the study.

'We just set it as our standard that the lips that belong to the face are 100 percent,' he said, 'we went from 100 percent and decreased down to 70 percent or up'.

'But we didn't change any of the facial proportions. We just changed the lip volume.'

In the paper, led by scientists at Ludwig-Maximilian University in Germany, they wrote: 'Our results could potentially indicate that the metrics of attention might not be associated with the "beauty" or "aesthetic appeal" of the content presented.

'Rather, it could be reflective of the cognitive processing of the observers [time needed to adjust].

'Less attractive content captures the observer's attention more quickly yet needs more time to be processed.

'On the same note, receiving substantial attention in real life after an aesthetic intervention might not be reflective of a "beautiful" outcome.'

The study was published in the journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
READ MORE: States where doctors are most likely to give the WRONG diagnosis

Maine had the highest number of emergency room visits, according to 2021 data

Maine has been ranked the most injury-prone state, according to a new report.

Data looked at the number of ER visits based on the populations of all 50 states in 2021. The results showed that the Pine Tree state had nearly 600 cases per 1,000 residents that year. This is almost 800,000 visits.

Southern states followed closely behind, with Louisiana coming in second and Kentucky taking third place.

Nevada, meanwhile, was deemed the least accident-prone state, with just 227 cases per 1,000 residents.

A surge in Covid cases at the time from the Delta variant could have led to inflated figures across the country.

Maine had the most ER visits in 2021, with 595 per 1,000 residents, according to data from the American Health Association

Common reasons for an emergency room trip include chest pain, back pain, fever, traumatic accidents, abdominal pain, difficulty breathing, confusion, alcohol poisoning, falls, and allergic reactions

Dr Amr Hosny, a spokesperson for New York Pain Care, who conducted the research, said: 'This data provides a fascinating insight into which states are most injury-prone, whether that be self-inflicted or caused by a third party.'

Researchers looked at 2021 data, the most recent available, from the American Health Association to determine how many emergency room visits occurred per 1,000 residents in each state.

They also analyzed workplace injury data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the number of emergency service responses from ambulance records.

Maine had the highest number of annual ER visits, with 596 per 1,000 residents. This adds up to 813,000 visits in 2021, about three percent of all trips across the US. It's also about 34 percent higher than the national average, 393.

Maine also had the highest number of workplace injury accidents, with 41 per 1,000 full-time workers.

Common workplace injuries include falling, straining your back, and being struck by moving objects.

Louisiana had the second-most ER visits, with 535 per 1,000 residents. However, it had the lowest number of workplace injuries, totaling just 16 for every 1,000 workers.

Kentucky took third place, having 525 visits per 1,000 people, and ranked ninth in terms of workplace injuries. The Bluegrass state reported 26 workplace injuries per 1,000 workers.

West Virginia just barely edged behind Kentucky, reporting 524 ER visits per 1,000 residents and 24 workplace injuries per 1,000 workers.

Nevada, meanwhile, had the fewest ER visits for its population, with 227 per 1,000 residents.

Hawaii and Maryland also rounded out the bottom of the list, with 274 and 272 visits per 1,000 residents, respectively.

The findings were based on 2021 data, which suggests that the spread of Covid could have led to more inflated results.

The Delta variant, which was first identified in India in late 2020, had gained traction in the US by 2021.

At the time, experts warned that Louisiana - the second-place state for ER visits - could suffer 'a surprising amount of deaths' from Delta. At the time, Louisiana had reported more than 487,000 Covid cases and 10,000 deaths.

However, Nevada was also named in that prediction, even though it had the least amount of ER visits.

Common reasons for an emergency room trip include chest pain, back pain, fever, traumatic accidents, abdominal pain, difficulty breathing, confusion, alcohol poisoning, falls, and allergic reactions.
At her lowest weight doctors didn't know how her heart was still beating

The 30-year-old says a fitness app helped her gain 2st and gain strength

A woman warned by doctors her heart could 'stop at any minute' due to an eating disorder claims a fitness app helped save her life.

Julie Levens, from Huyton near Liverpool, battled with anorexia and over-exercising during Covid.

The 30-year-old's condition spiralled 'out of control' during lockdowns.

At her lowest weight of just under 6st, charity worker Ms Levens was admitted to hospital with protruding collarbones, tube-fed and told by medics she was 'lucky to be alive'.

But she claimed shifting her 'mindset towards food and fitness' helped to kickstart her road to recovery and gain 2st.

Julie Levens, from Huyton in Liverpool, was warned by doctors her heart could 'stop at any minute' due to how anorexia was damaging her health. Here she is pictured in hospital weighing just 6st

Now 8st, the 30-year-old says she shifted her mind towards healthy eating and fitness and away from disordered habits and can enjoy eating breakfast again thanks, in part, to a fitness app

'When I went into the hospital they didn't know how my heart was still beating,' said Ms Levens.

'When I ended up in hospital being fed through tubes, one of the consultants told me that my heart could stop beating at any minute.'

During her hospital stay, she was so severely underweight and malnourished that medics did not allow her to walk to the toilet alone.

Approximately 1.3million people in the UK and 28.8million in the US have an eating disorder, such as anorexia or bulimia.

Many sufferers control what they eat, skip meals, exercise excessively and struggle to admit that their weight loss is serious, according to the NHS.

The charity worker said her eating disorder was sparked by disordered habits which spiralled 'out of control' during lockdowns

At her lowest weight of under 6st, she was admitted to hospital where she was was tube-fed and told by medics she was 'lucky to be alive'. But now she has gained 2st and is continuing her journey to recovery

EXCLUSIVE READ MORE: I'm a psychologist - the subtle red flags someone you love has an eating disorder Advertisement

Ms Levens sought help from the NHS when she realised she needed a drastic change to improve her health.

But she felt the NHS services didn't offer enough support and left her feeling 'like a naughty child' for being 'a slightly low weight'.

'What I needed was more personalised and supportive care,' said Ms Levens.

She came across the fitness app POW8R during a walk after leaving hospital and now credits it for her recovery.

Ms Levens said POW8R's live high-intensity interval training (HIIT) sessions became a lifeline, providing her crucial structure and motivation to get healthier.

After two years of using the app for fitness and health advice she gained 2st and now feels stronger than ever.

'When I first started the workouts I was using 4kg kettlebells and my upper body was so weak I couldn't even lift them properly,' said Ms Levens.

After two years of using the app for fitness and health advice Ms Levens gained 2st and now feels stronger than ever

Ms Levens sought help from the NHS when she realised she needed a drastic change to improve her health

'Now I am using 16kg kettlebells and doing the live workouts up to four times a week.'

She added that changing her approach to food was key to her recovery from anorexia, and that POW8R's cofounder Holly Braithwaite, 36, had helped her avoid calorie counting and obsessive behaviours.

While not a professional experts in eating disorders, Ms Levens said Ms Braithwaite reached out to offer emotional support and guidance.

'She took away the focus on weight and made it about becoming strong and healthy to fuel my workouts getting the right amount of vitamins and protein in,' she said.

'Before, breakfast was the hardest meal of the day for me to eat.

'Now I enjoy all of my meals and particularly take pleasure in preparing my post-workout breakfast of Greek yoghurt, protein powder and berries to replenish my muscles and get stronger.'
It's been a good year for medical advances, from new drugs for Alzheimer's to new uses for artificial intelligence such as reading cancer scans.

Looking forward into 2024 I'm expecting to report on lots more fascinating research  so here, Mystic Mike pulls out his crystal ball and makes predictions about stories that will be making the headlines this coming year

WEIGHT-LOSS DRUGS TO TREAT DRINK PROBLEMS

Probably the biggest story this year was when a new generation of anti-obesity drugs, led by semaglutide (brand names Ozempic or Wegovy), went mainstream. Lots of celebrities, even Boris Johnson, said they had taken, or were taking, the drug to help them shift excess pounds.

In his column for the Mail, Boris said he injected himself in the hope that it would end his habit of 'raiding the fridge at 11.30pm for the cheddar and chorizo washed down with wine'. Then he suffered side-effects and stopped the jabs.

Mystic Mike pulls out his crystal ball and makes predictions about stories that will be making the headlines this coming year

Semaglutide works by mimicking the actions of a hormone called glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) which, among other things, reduces appetite.

These drugs are undoubtedly here to stay and will get cheaper and easier to administer (we will soon be swallowing pills rather than injecting ourselves, for instance). But in the coming year I think we will hear more about their use to treat other addictive behaviour, such as smoking and excess drinking. That's because some people using semaglutide have reported it curbed their desire for cigarettes.

A small study, published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry in November, was the first to show that semaglutide reduces alcohol dependency. But there are other studies under way  including one at the University of North Carolina, involving 48 heavy drinkers who are being given the drug or a placebo for eight weeks. This study is due to finish in April 2024.

'GENE EDITING' COULD HELP CANCER PATIENTS

The idea of being able to treat someone with an inherited genetic disease by replacing defective genes with ones that work properly is a promise that's been held out to us for years  and then last November, the UK became the first country to approve gene editing as a potential cure for two inherited blood disorders: sickle cell disease and thalassaemia.

In both cases, gene defects result in abnormal red blood cells, which in turn can lead to severe anaemia, organ damage and an early death. Researchers at Imperial College London managed to collect stem cells from the bone marrow of patients with these diseases, snip out the bad genes, replace them with good ones, and then transfuse those cells back into the patients  hoping the rebooted stem cells would then produce normal, healthy red blood cells.

Last November, the UK became the first country to approve gene editing as a potential cure for two inherited blood disorders: sickle cell disease and thalassaemia

In recent clinical trials the researchers showed that in the majority of patients, that is exactly what happened.

In the future we can expect to see more patients with these conditions treated with gene editing  and I expect this technique to become widely used for cancer, too (where doctors would insert genes into the white cells of the immune system, encouraging them to attack and kill the cancer). There is, for example, a clinical trial looking at using this approach to treat adults with breast, colon or lung cancers, with results expected next year.

Further in the future, gene editing might be used to treat more of the other 6,000 diseases caused by a single genetic 'misspelling'.

MEN START TAKING CONTRACEPTIVE PILL

Another medical advance that has been a long time coming, but which may finally take off soon, is the male contraceptive pill. A Nottingham-based drug development company, Quotient Sciences, has announced that a group of British men will be the first in the world to try a new hormone-free male contraceptive pill, with results expected in 2024.

Quotient Sciences has announced that a group of British men will be the first in the world to try a new hormone-free male contraceptive pill

The pill, which goes by the unsexy name YCT-529, prevents sperm-producing cells from accessing vitamin A.

We've known since the 1930s that depriving animals of vitamin A causes infertility, but it's taken almost 90 years and rigorous science to get a drug that the manufacturer says is 99 per cent effective in blocking sperm production and 100 per cent reversible, with no side-effects. Previous attempts with a male contraceptive pill have failed because they targeted the male hormone testosterone, leading to problems such as weight gain, acne and lower sex drive.

POO PILLS FOR A LONGER LIFE

One quest that has recently moved from science fiction to fact, is how to reverse the ageing process. And thanks to a flood of money going into research, we'll see some big discoveries in 2024.

But one low-tech way to slow down ageing is by boosting your microbiome (gut microbes). A 2018 study by the University of East Anglia showed that if you transplant faecal microbiota (i.e. poo) from young mice into old mice via a naso-gastric tube, it can reverse signs of ageing in the gut, eyes and brain.

One low-tech way to slow down ageing is by boosting your microbiome (gut microbes)

And now a number of firms have seen success with 'crapsules', pills that contain different strains of specially cultured bacteria taken from human poo, doing away with the whole mucky business of poo transplants. Trials to treat everything from obesity to liver disease are under way  watch this space in 2024.

But until then, let me wish you all a happy and healthy 2024!

As the Mail reported recently, every New Year's Eve people suffer eye injuries from corks flying out of champagne, sometimes at a speed of 50mph. This gives you less than 0.05 seconds to react and it can cause blindness.

To avoid this, the American Academy of Ophthalmology advises you chill sparkling wine and champagne well before opening  this ensures that more of the carbon dioxide gas that creates the bubbles is trapped in the wine, and reduces the explosive force when you remove the cork.

Obviously, point the bottle away from yourself and others. Twist the bottle while gripping the cork, rather than vice versa. And keep hold of it as it comes out.
They are sisters, born four years apart, both with the same cruel muscle-wasting disease that claims many sufferers in childhood. Yet their lives, and that of thousands of others like them, are being transformed by drugs that can halt the condition.

Elder sister Maisie battled ill health almost from birth until, at two months, she was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Alongside ever worsening mobility problems, spinal muscular atrophy leaves babies vulnerable to infections. Even a common cold could prove fatal, her devastated mother, Sinead Connolly, was told. 'The doctors said there was really no hope,' says Sinead. 'It was awful.'

Today, however, the future looks far brighter. After her diagnosis, Maisie was given her first injection of Spinraza (the brand name for nusinersen), a 75,000-a-dose drug, and in 2022 she received one-off gene therapy Zolgensma (brand name for the drug onasemnogene abeparvovec), which costs 1.8 million.

Sisters Amelia, left, and Maisie, right, from Essex both have the rare genetic condition spinal muscular atrophy. However, because Amelia received earlier treatment than her sister, her symptoms are far less severe

Thanks to both treatments, Maisie, now five, is getting stronger and the risk from common infections has diminished. But as the damage caused by spinal muscular atrophy usually occurs in the first months of life, she may never walk unaided.

However, her baby sister Amelia, who was known to have the condition before being born  after Sinead was given genetic blood tests early on in her pregnancy  received her first dose of Spinraza at just 11 days old and, three weeks later, Zolgensma.

Now, a year later, she is already walking and meeting all her milestones.

'She's eating normally and her speech is coming along great,' says Sinead, 32, from Essex. 'She's a normal child in every single way. Thanks to the treatments, Maisie has a lot more strength in her limbs then we ever thought she would, but she can't stand up on her own because of tightness in her hips. And she has to sleep with a ventilator to help her breathing.

'These drugs have stopped her getting any worse, which we're so thankful for, but the damage to her muscles occurred in the earliest weeks of her life, and there's no way to reverse that.

'When people meet the girls together, there's no way for them to realise that they have the same condition  there could not be a bigger difference.'

Experts say the early intervention by doctors means that Amelia will live a relatively normal life  and she is not alone.

Portia Thorman of the Spinal Muscular Atrophy charity SMA, said these new treatments were not available when her son Ezra, pictured left, was born. Currently there is no routine screening for SMA on the NHS

This month, the UK medicines regulator gave the green light to another spinal muscular atrophy drug called Evrysdi (the brand name for risdiplam) that can be given within days of birth.

Newborns given the treatment are almost indistinguishable from healthy babies. Such is the success of these medicines that some experts believe they are virtually a cure  an unbelievable step forwards in the fight against a condition which has an average life expectancy of just two years.

Though Amelia's risk of having spinal muscular atrophy was known  due to her sister's diagnosis  the condition is often not caught so quickly. And there is no routine NHS screening system to pick up newborns with the condition, which affects about 65 children every year. Because most babies do not show clear symptoms for several weeks or months, experts fear that many will continue to slip through the cracks  receiving a diagnosis when it is too late to benefit the most from these revolutionary treatments.

Campaigners are urging Ministers to back plans to test babies at birth. Charity SMA UK argues that a simple blood test could identify dozens of affected children every year, allowing them to live healthy, long lives by making sure they are given the breakthrough drugs early. The charity also claims that screening for spinal muscular atrophy would save the NHS millions of pounds every year because of the high costs of caring for severely disabled children.

'We finally have drugs which could just about cure patients of this condition but there's no system to get the medicines to them in time,' says Portia Thorman, from SMA UK. 'By the time symptoms arise, it's too late.

'The Government needs to implement a newborn screening programme now.'

Campaigners want the NHS to routinely screen children for SMA so treatment can begin at an early stage

Spinal muscular atrophy varies in severity. The worst and most common form, called type 1, usually leads to death within the first two to four years of life. Less severe types can cause lifelong suffering, with few able to walk unaided.

In a healthy person, a gene called SMN1  short for survival motor neuron  produces a protein which forms a protective outer layer around the nerves in the spine to control the muscles. But spinal muscular atrophy sufferers are born with a defective SMN1 gene, so do not produce the protein to create this protective layer. This causes the spinal nerves to die, leading to debilitating and often fatal muscle weakness. Many children die when they lose the ability to breathe for themselves.

However, the approval of Spinraza, Zolgensma and Evrysdi has seen a revolution in spinal muscular atrophy treatment.

Each drug works in a slightly different way.

Spinraza, the first of the drugs to be approved in 2018, is a synthetic form of genetic material known as anti-sense oligonucleotide, which helps the defective gene to produce healthy amounts of the protective protein. The spinal injection has to be taken every three months indefinitely.

Zolgensma, which made headlines in 2021 when it became the most expensive approved drug in the world, is a genetic therapy. This means, with one injection, it permanently replaces the faulty SMN1 gene with a functional one which begins to produce the protective protein.

Zolgensma, which made headlines in 2021 when it became the most expensive approved drug in the world, is a genetic therapy. This means, with one injection, it permanently replaces the faulty SMN1 gene with a functional one which begins to produce the protective protein

Meanwhile Evrysdi, which was first approved in 2021 but only this month was given the green light for newborns, is a syrup taken daily. Created by Roche, it's the first non-injectable treatment for spinal muscular atrophy which can be taken at home.

The estimated 300,000-a-year treatment targets the 'back up' survival motor neuron, called SNM2. People with spinal muscular atrophy have this gene, however it doesn't produce a protein strong enough to create an effective outer layer around the nerves in the spine. Evrysdi  which has to be taken indefinitely  is able to amend the SNM2 gene to produce stronger protective proteins.

None of these drugs are 100 per cent effective and doctors often have to give them in combination to create the strongest effect. But experts say they have completely changed the outlook for patients.

'These drugs have dramatically altered the way we treat this condition,' says Dr Elizabeth Wraige, consultant neurologist at Evelina London Children's Hospital.

'This is a leap forwards in medical history, in the same way that antibiotics and the first cancer treatments were.'

'Each one of these drugs is a gamechanger,' says Ms Thorman, whose seven-year-old son Ezra was born with spinal muscular atrophy, leaving him severely disabled and requiring full-time care. 'When Ezra was born, there weren't any treatments available. Now we have options.'

However, experts say that with all the breakthrough spinal muscular atrophy treatments, timing is key.

'These SMN proteins are needed most at birth when the muscles are still forming,' says Professor Laurent Servais, a spinal muscular atrophy expert at the MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre.

'Without this protective outer layer, the nerve cells die extremely rapidly  within weeks. Once these are gone, they cannot be replaced, which is why it is crucial to treat patients as quickly as possible.

'In some cases, when doctors know an unborn child has spinal muscular atrophy, the mother is advised to have a premature birth because those several extra weeks can make all the difference.'

For this reason, the majority of European countries now screen for spinal muscular atrophy. Last year, Ukraine also began screening babies despite the ongoing war with Russia. Experts say these programmes have been a resounding success.

'Belgium began screening immediately after birth in 2018 and it's had a really significant effect,' says Prof Servais, who also teaches at Liege University in Belgium.

'Children are being treated at the earliest opportunity and are no longer ending up in wheelchairs. They're able to run around and play with other children, and you wouldn't notice anything different about them.'

Experts say it would be easy to implement a screening programme in the UK. This is because the NHS already screens newborns for many rare conditions. This is known as the blood spot test  or heel prick test  five days after birth. Babies are screened for nine conditions, including sickle cell disease and cystic fibrosis.

'You could use the same blood sample to look for spinal muscular atrophy,' says Prof Servais. 'And the cost of doing this would be minimal.'

In 2018, the UK's National Screening Committee rejected plans to screen for the condition.

At the time, it argued there was no evidence to show how effective screening for it would be. It also argued that the long-term effects of Spinraza were unknown and the genetic test for SMA lacked evidence of reliability.

However, in June, the group said it would reconsider after it has completed a cost-effectiveness modelling study as well as an evaluation of NHS capability to carry out the project. Campaigners say that this means it could be several years before there are any tangible steps toward spinal muscular atrophy screening.

'There is such a big difference in the health of the children who are diagnosed at birth and those who are not,' says SMA UK's Portia Thorman. 'Some kids have to rely on ventilators and wheelchairs, while others  who are the very same age and have the exact same condition  are living healthy, normal lives.

'Currently which children are diagnosed early is completely down to luck, and often because doctors were already aware that the parents carried the gene.

'It is good news that the National Screening Committee is willing to consider looking into a screening programme, but it doesn't make any sense why they won't just start now when there are children being born who urgently need these treatments.

'If Ukraine can begin screening during a war, why can't we start now?'
One in six Britons  almost nine million people  are planning to participate in Dry January from tomorrow, cutting out all alcohol for the month.

Most will see it as part of a New Year health kick, a way to lose a few pounds  or even just a way to save money.

But experts speaking to The Mail on Sunday have warned that many of those attracted to attempting Dry January may actually have a drinking problem and not realise it.

Lucy Rocca, a former heavy drinker who runs the alcohol addiction support group Soberistas, which has 75,000 members, says: 'Dry January attracts those with a dysfunctional relationship with alcohol. If you weren't drinking too much, you wouldn't need to set yourself a challenge to stop for a month.'

Lucy Rocca, a former heavy drinker who runs the alcohol addiction support group Soberistas, which has 75,000 members, says: 'Dry January attracts those with a dysfunctional relationship with alcohol. If you weren't drinking too much, you wouldn't need to set yourself a challenge to stop for a month'

Ms Rocca, 48, who gave up drinking in 2012, the year before Dry January was launched by charity Alcohol Change, adds: 'I used to do similar things  I'd tell myself if I could go six weeks or a month then I'm OK, I don't have a problem'

Ms Rocca, 48, who gave up drinking in 2012, the year before Dry January was launched by charity Alcohol Change, adds: 'I used to do similar things  I'd tell myself if I could go six weeks or a month then I'm OK, I don't have a problem.

'Dry January is a formal version of that  it's a test people use to prove to themselves they are OK, when really they're not.

'I could drink more than a bottle of wine on a night out, and sometimes three. I was using alcohol to numb emotions, to cope with stress and deal with life. And I think that's the case with many people who take part in Dry January. It's a story I hear over and over again from our members.'

Consultant clinical psychologist and addiction specialist Dr Richard Sherry agrees, saying addicts often unconsciously make compromises or token changes in behaviour that allow them to continue 'using'  a phenomenon known as 'bargaining'.

He says: 'We see it with gambling addicts who say everything is OK as long as they don't bet on races and only use scratch cards. With drinking, it might be, 'It's not a problem if I drink only at the weekend,' or '...if I can go a whole month without alcohol.'

'These don't address the core issues that cause a person to drink too much. That's why, for some, it ends up being a month-long hiatus then back to business as usual.'

The majority of Soberistas' members are middle-aged, middle-class and university-educated women, with families and busy lives. Yet they once drank far more than the recommended maximum of 14 units a week (the equivalent to six pints of beer or lager, or a bottle and a half of wine)

The emergence of Wet February  a social media trend encouraging people to binge-drink when Dry January is over  is a case in point, adds Ms Rocca

The emergence of Wet February  a social media trend encouraging people to binge-drink when Dry January is over  is a case in point, adds Ms Rocca.

She claims a major issue is that many people don't see themselves as 'the type of person' who has an alcohol problem.

The majority of Soberistas' members are middle-aged, middle-class and university-educated women, with families and busy lives. Yet they once drank far more than the recommended maximum of 14 units a week (the equivalent to six pints of beer or lager, or a bottle and a half of wine).

Ms Rocca labels them 'grey-area alcoholics'  outwardly functioning yet dependent on booze. And many often drink to excess.

'But they don't fit the stereotype of an alcoholic, so they don't see there is a problem,' she says. 'Alcohol problems exist on a spectrum, and anyone drinking regularly will have some level of dependence.'

One Soberistas member, businesswoman Kim Hughes, 57, who regularly drank a bottle or more of wine in a night, says: 'I did Dry January numerous times and also gave up alcohol for Lent. I told myself if I could go without drinking for a month then I didn't have a problem. But I'd be counting down to the end and couldn't wait to drink again.'

Charity Alcohol Change claim Dry January offers the chance to 'reset' people's relationship with alcohol.

Surveys carried out by the University of Sussex found that Dry January participants claim to feel a sense of achievement at the end, have thought more deeply about their relationship with drink, had slept better and even had better skin. And when questioned again six months on, many said they were still drinking less.

But charity Drink Aware, which compares alcohol sales data with self-reported surveys, found people consistently underestimate their consumption by at least 30 per cent. Other research has shown drinkers underestimate how much they drink by up to 76 per cent. And one in five people still regularly drink more than the recommended limits.

Statistics show one in four adults regularly binge-drink, and in 2020 there were 8,974 alcohol-specific deaths in the UK  an 8.6 per cent increase from 2019. Research has found that many regular drinkers increased their consumption during the pandemic.

Ms Rocca says Soberistas members cite a range of issues that lead them to drink often, adding 'Some talk about anxiety and sleep problems linked to the menopause, and others about being caught between caring for elderly parents and teenage children, or suffering empty nest syndrome when their kids leave for university.

'Others are in unhappy relationships, or are lonely or struggle to balance work and life. These are the things that need to be tackled.

'I focus my time on exercise, meditation and trying to live in the present rather than worrying about things I can't control and beating myself up. Ultimately you have to change how you handle the pressures of life.'

Dr Sherry adds: 'Most people will participate in Dry January because they know their drinking isn't healthy. But it's important to use it as a moment to ask yourself, 'Am I using alcohol in an unhealthy way? Am I using it because I'm not coping with stress, health or work?'

'When we stop drinking, we sleep better and feel better. Dry January should prompt personal reflection and deeper conversations, possibly with a healthcare professional.

'See this as the start of a lasting change, rather than a month to get through or a temporary pause.'

Despite her concerns, Lucy Rocca does believe that Dry January can be used to test your alcohol dependence: 'If you're climbing the walls at the end, then you know you have an issue.'
Ive just seen that McDonalds has launched a spinoff. How depressing.

I think its exciting and so does everyone else.

Who does?

The people in the two-hour traffic tailbacks (for the US opening, earlier this month) thought it was worth it. As did the Brits who flew over.

British people flew to McDonalds?

They did. The second I found out... I had to get a flight here, said one Londoner. This is like the new Starbucks.

What is McDonalds trying to achieve here?

It wants to help customers beat the 3pm slump.

What a McFuss! the opening of the chains latest spinoff caused two-hour tailbacks.

How thoughtful.

With CosMcs, a new small-format, beverage-led concept.

A coffee shop.

No, an offering rooted in beverage exploration.

Or rooted in the coffee-shop market being worth $100 billion... with superior margins.

Who said that?

Company CEO Chris Kempczinski.

Well, I think profit margins are dull.

CosMc's takes its name from the brands 80s mascot

Which is why you arent the CEO of McDonalds.

But I do like retro aliens.

Sorry?

CosMcs (pronounced Cosmics) was the chains 1980s alien mascot.

So McDonalds thinks that people will be drawn to buy coffee from a six-armed orange alien with a face modelled on Jar Jar Binks?

Actually, CosMcs came before Jar Jar Binks.

I bow to your superior knowledge of rubbish aliens.

Hes not rubbish  and hes not just selling coffee.

What else?

Sweet drinks that you can customise. The TikTok reviews (the brand already has 186.2 million views on the platform) are positive.

Give me a flavour.

Sour Cherry Energy Burst.

Of the reviews!

In a clip posted by NBC Chicago, a satisfied customer describes the 120-minute queue for his slush as definitely worth the wait.

Any dissenting voices?

The BBC summed up CosMcs drinks menu as various permutations of caffeine, sugar and colours.

Delicious.

It also suggested that the main point of the drinks was to pop on Instagram.

Surely people dont want to advertise their McDonalds habit on social media.

You say that but a recent study (which analysed more than 26 million posts) found it to be the most popular Insta-location in the world with a score of 8.8 million.

Like I said, depressing.

Dont worry, youve got a friend in Telegraph reader Jonathan Bryant, who responded to reports of the CosMcs opening with: The only thing that wont be full of sugar will be the napkins.

I notice an X user has calculated there are 108 grams of sugar in a large berry drink. Equivalent to 25 teaspoons. Presumably, the UK will be awash with this stuff by summer.

No. Current plans are for modest expansion into Texas next year. Were talking about ten stores, said Kempczinski. Lets not get too excited.

Ill do my best.

That said, McDonalds already feeds around one per cent of the worlds population daily.

It looks like the orange alien will be landing in a grim retail park near you soon.

I wouldnt let the people of Bolingbrook hear you say that.

The people of where?

Its the village in Illinois (near McDonalds Chicago HQ) where the first CosMcs has landed.

Ah, the worlds culinary hotspots: Paris, Florence Bolingbrook.

Good point about Paris.

About it being a culinary hotspot?

No, about it being a great place for a CosMcs.

Are you mad? The French are fierce defenders of their cuisine. Theyd hate it!

Really? Theyve got more McDonalds than any other European country and earlier this month the first French branch of Krispy Kreme doughnuts opened.

Is nowhere safe from the march of McDonalds?

You would probably be OK if you travelled to CosMcs home.

Bolingbrook?

No, outer space.
James Hawes, director of a new film about Nicky Winton, salutes the man who who saved the lives of thousands of children.

Nicky Winton was a 29-year-old London stockbroker in 1938. He was the child of Jewish refugees, from a family that had left Germany for England in the 1870s.

As war once again loomed over Europe, a friend alerted him to the refugee crisis in Prague, triggered by Britains signing of the Munich Agreement (that permitted German annexation of the Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia and Nazi Germanys subsequent occupation of it).

Winton volunteered to spend a week or two helping refugees, but when he saw first-hand how desperate and dangerous their situation was, he decided he had to try to change things.

The kindertransport trains were bringing Jewish children out of Germany and Austria, but no refugees were being accepted from Czechoslovakia, mainly because the British government did not judge people there to be in any danger.

The kindertransport programme saved the lives of nearly 10,000 young

Winton in 1939, with a child rescued from Czechoslovakia.

Winton found thousands of refugees, many of them children, living in open fields and ruined buildings around Prague, facing a brutal winter and the threat of Nazi invasion.

Most were Jewish. Some were children of those who had opposed Hitler and were now in hiding. Winton was adamant that he wanted to save children of all faiths and none, that every life was equal. He set about raising funds and negotiating with the Home Office to allow the children into temporary refuge in Britain. And to those who told him it was impossible, he answered simply that he was determined to try.

This film project first landed in my inbox with a script and a link to a YouTube clip from the BBCs Thats Life! programme in 1988, when Winton was interviewed by Esther Rantzen.

In it, she asks the assembled audience if anyone who owes their life to him is present. One by one, every adult in the room stands. Its a piece of TV history that goes viral several times a year.

The raw, understated emotion of the moment where Winton realises the impact of all that he achieved decades before, at the outbreak of war, is deeply moving. Ive watched it a hundred times and it still gives me goosebumps  if you havent seen it, you need to. I dare you not to cry.

Winton in 1998, at Pragues main railway station

That YouTube clip is both a gift and a challenge for a director. How do you re-create such an iconic screen moment? How do you add to it  if you even can? Well, casting Sir Anthony Hopkins is a good place to start. As he and I discussed how we would approach the film, he talked of the extraordinary humility that Winton emanates, the emotions all so controlled. No dramas. You do the thing because it is decent and right.

My crew set out to make it as authentic as possible, from the costumes to the detail of every passport stamp and, where we could, shooting scenes in the locations where the real events took place.

Early in our preparations, we were on reconnaissance in Prague, at the central station where most of the children boarded their trains towards England. At the end of the platform stands a bronze statue of Winton with two of the children he saved. We stopped to take photos when suddenly there were shouts, radios squawking, children crying. Police were escorting a crowd across the platforms. And then we realised these were refugees; dozens of women and children, newly arrived from Ukraine, dragging a few precious belongings with them. We all stood very quietly to take it in.

Winton saw first hand just how desperate and dangerous the child refugees situation was

Here we were, preparing to tell a story of another war and other refugees from more than 80 years ago, and history was repeating itself in front of us. It was a chilling moment. What would Winton have thought?

For the scenes where the children say a last goodbye as they boarded the trains, the original archive tended to show lots of happy faces, excited by the newsreel camera, smiling awkwardly. I decided to reference more contemporary sources, so looked at photojournalism from Ukraine and re-created images of parents waving goodbye to their children in 2022: an adult hand over a childs hand through the window, faces pressed to the glass. Its only a detail but it makes the film speak subtly more to now.

A new film featuring Winton's heroic efforts and starring Sir Anthony Hopkins will be released in cinemas on New Years Day

Today, with world news so full of conflict, it is all too easy to feel overwhelmed, to have every excuse to think its more than any one individual can hope to influence, that nothing you could do would make a dent in the crisis. But Winton, who died in 2015 at the age of 106, thought differently. His story is all about possibility and hope.

Johnny Flynn as the young Winton in One Life

Does the film work? You, the audience, will be the judge of that. But the now Dame Esther Rantzen has seen it and given us her approval  and that matters personally. You see, this directors second ever job in the industry was as a trainee researcher on Thats Life!, so Esther was my boss. Now, decades later, I got to direct her.

Perhaps more significantly, the film has been seen by both Wintons family and some of the surviving children who first arrived at Liverpool Street Station over 84 years ago. One, Lord Dubs, wrote that he watched the film with tears streaming, because this was his life story we were telling, dramatising the moment he left his parents at Prague station. He added that when he saw Anthony Hopkins on the screen as Winton, he had to pinch himself to remember that it wasnt the real hero he was watching.

Humbly, well take that.

One Life will be in cinemas from 1 January
Tony Hetherington is Financial Mail on Sunday's ace investigator, fighting readers corners, revealing the truth that lies behind closed doors and winning victories for those who have been left out-of-pocket. Find out how to contact him below.

Ms F.M. writes: I read your article about the dodgy art seller Marks Art and felt like saying: 'Hallelujah, finally someone understands!'

My father, aged 88, has been dealing with them since 2018.

Dad was caught in the awful position of trying to recover his initial investment by throwing good money after bad.

Tony Hetherington replies: Your father parted with tens of thousands of pounds for artwork, following high pressure telephone calls from salesmen who convinced him that he would make a profit.

But when he tried to turn the art back into cash, he was told he needed to spend more money first, to make his collection more attractive to a buyer.

The real thing: Banksy's The Flower Thrower in the West Bank

A number of purchases were made with credit cards, and I am in touch now with two of the card issuers to press a refund claim, either under Section 75, the consumer law that makes them jointly responsible alongside the retailer, or under chargeback rules.

However, two works that your father bought for a total of over 15,000 stood out like a sore thumb. They were said to be by a woman calling herself 'Mrs Banksy Dot'.

Her work is in the same style as the Banksy street art that has been appearing on buildings for years, and the prospects for investors were underlined by reports published on the websites of BBC Wales and The Telegraph.

Those reports were given to your father to convince him to buy. But they are forgeries. And very badly written forgeries at that.

The 'BBC report' describes the discovery of what it claims to be a Mrs Banksy Dot work: 'It appeared on the side of a private home in an area of Southampton, England, known for its lively nightlife and drinking culture.'

The writer adds that he is using his contacts in the art world to buy one of her works 'whilst she remains under the radar', explaining that, 'Her next collection is certain to become a collector's item in only the most discerning collections.'

What a load of hogwash! Why would the BBC need to tell anyone that Southampton is in England? In fact, those words were written over a decade ago by a foreign commentator describing an actual Banksy.

'The Telegraph' story is just as bad, and the writing is even worse: 'Mrs Banksy Dot burst onto the art scene with a splurge of street art and was hailed the name Mrs Banksy Dot at a very young age of twenty-five.' The report goes on to quote from the 'BBC story'  one forgery quoting from another.

A BBC spokesperson told me: 'I can confirm that this story did not originate from BBC Wales News.'

And The Telegraph made clear the report appearing under its name is similarly a fake.

I asked Mark Smith to comment on his company's use of forged news articles to convince your father to invest.

He replied: 'The articles you've mentioned was send to us by the artist they're related too [sic].' But this is like saying that if a car is advertised as doing 80 miles to the gallon instead of 30, then that is fine as long as an anonymous person somewhere in the world said it was 80, not 30.

I told Mark Smith your father had bought the art as a result of the forged stories. The sales were fraudulent, even if Smith did not know the stories were fake.

He has now told me: 'I understand the view you have and support it wholeheartedly.' Your father has been refunded 15,520.

WE'RE WATCHING YOU

Payback: Paul Seakens

A crook who was exposed by The Mail on Sunday as the central figure in a multi-million pound fraud has been forced to repay more than 1 million to over 200 victims of his investment scam.

Paul Seakens, 62, was at the centre of a spider's web of more than 70 scam investment firms that marketed carbon credits.

Investors received certificates which were said to be in demand by industries as they allowed them to release a set amount of carbon into the atmosphere.

But the carbon credits investors were given were of a different type, used voluntarily by people wanting to pay for schemes such as tree planting to offset their own car and flight emissions.

There was no way to turn those credits back into cash.

I warned ten years ago carbon credits were being marketed with seriously false claims, including that the then Chancellor George Osborne had said that investors would show a profit within months.

And I named Seakens as the key character in the scams, even though he was authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which also gave the green light to his company Carbon Neutral Investments.

Later in 2013, a police investigation began, and in 2016 the Government's Insolvency Service won a High Court order to close down Seakens' company and 18 others linked to it. Six of the company directors identified by the Insolvency Service were approved by the FCA to work in the financial sector.

In 2021, Seakens was convicted of fraud. The MoS's 2013 report was part of the prosecution evidence at his trial.

Victims lost an estimated 36 million, with Seakens himself said to have sent more than 3 million offshore. Almost a year after his trial  and nine years after the 2013 alarm was sounded  the FCA banned Seakens from the finance world, ruling he 'lacks the necessary honesty'.

Seakens is now serving 13 years in jail. Following his trial, the Crown Prosecution Service took him back to court, where he was told that if he did not pay back 1,037,948 that investigators had traced, he would serve an extra seven years.

CPS officials have now revealed that he has coughed up the cash, which has been distributed to 222 of his victims.

Prosecutor Portia Ragnauth said: 'He will continue to be monitored in case any new assets can be identified that would allow us to apply to the court to increase the value of his confiscation order.'

If you believe you are the victim of financial wrongdoing, write to Tony Hetherington at Financial Mail, 9 Derry Street, London W8 5HY or email tony.hetherington@mailonsunday.co.uk. Because of the high volume of enquiries, personal replies cannot be given. Please send only copies of original documents, which we regret cannot be returned.
Magic: Clockwise from top, Margot Robbie as Barbie, Timothee Chalamet as a Willy Wonka and Harrison Ford and Phoebe Waller-Bridge in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

Film and TV companies are understood to be in the final stages of hammering out a deal with the Government over a tax on new studios that many fear could wreck the booming industry.

The UK has increasingly become a competitor to Hollywood in recent years and the 6.3 billion sector is championed by Ministers as a major success story.

Blockbusters including Barbie, Wonka and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny have all been filmed in Britain.

One of the reasons production companies have flocked here is because of generous tax breaks.

But new studios  defined as those that were not up and running by last spring  are facing astronomical rises in business rates that companies were not expecting. TV and film groups including Pinewood Studios, Sky and Warner Bros Discovery have all lashed out at the hike.

Business rates are taxes that are based on the amount a property could be rented out for if it was on the open market.

Sky, which is owned by US company Comcast, is among the groups affected as it has spent years planning new state-of-the-art studios with sound stages which were not open before the cut-off.

In a submission to a public consultation on the film industry opened by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Sky said setting up new sites or expanding existing ones could become 'financially unviable' unless rates are re-evaluated.

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA), responsible for business rates, says the explosion in streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon has heaped demand on studios, making them more valuable.

Studios that were operating before the deadline will see a maximum rate rise of 30 per cent. But rates for those opening since last spring will jump by an average of 300 per cent under the new valuations, according to reports. One studio will reportedly see rates rocket by 650 per cent.

Film and TV groups had not budgeted for the increases and many have said they may think twice about investing in the UK in future  raising concerns that the development of new sites could collapse.

The industry, represented by the British Film Commission, has been locked in talks with the VOA and was asked to provide more information earlier this year.

They are hoping to pin down a decision in the New Year, a source told The Mail on Sunday.

A Sky spokesman said: 'The UK has done lots of the right things to help creative industries thrive, but if it wants to win in a global game, it's time for Jeremy Hunt to call 'Action!' on studio business rates.'

Independent studios are likely to struggle much more than those owned by multinational companies.

Superna Sethi, of Twickenham Film Studios, where Bohemian Rhapsody was filmed, has previously described the valuations as throwing 'a grenade' at the film industry. She said it could mean the 'death knell for a number of the UK's most historic independent film studios'.

A spokesman for the VOA said: 'We are working closely with representatives of the industry to assess whether there are grounds for any change to rateable values.

'Every effort is being made by all parties to resolve the situation as soon as possible.'
A Florida woman came home from work to find she had been robbed  but it wasn't your usual burglary. Rather than jewels or mail or holiday gifts, someone had stolen her driveway.

"I come home and my driveway is gone," said Amanda Brochu, a single mom who had put her home up for sale but was still living in it. According to WFTV, the "thieves" were contractors who had been "hired" by a man claiming to be the landlord. Smells like some kind of scam, although what the scam is isn't clear. From WFTV:

[H]er son told her people had come by the house to measure the driveway, counting five different contractors in the span of a few days.  She confronted one of them, who said a man by the name of "Andre" reached out to him to ask about a driveway replacement quote. The contractor said Andre claimed to be the landlord and gave Brochu Andre's phone number. Text messages supplied by the contractor show Andre received a quote for $7,200 to replace the driveway and agreed to the price. However, Andre said he couldn't meet the contractor to drop off the deposit. When the now-wary contractor demanded full payment and proof of ownership before starting the job, Andre cut off communication.  Sanchez posted about the incident to a national Facebook group for realtors. Others began commenting that they've seen similar situations for unwanted exterior work, including paint and driveways.

When officials called Andre about the missing driveway, he claimed he knew nothing about the theft.

"I had multiple people come forward saying that they've seen things like this happen, whether it be driveways, roofs, or painting," [Real Estate Agent] Rocki Sanchez said. "So, it happens more often than we actually see it."

Watch video of news story here.
Bosses at Britain's biggest companies will earn more by Thursday morning than the average worker is paid in a year, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

Our 'Fat Cat Files' show that a typical chief executive of a FTSE 100 company is now paid 4 million  well over 100 times a full-time UK employee's average salary of just under 35,000.

But some earn much more and can have even bigger pay gaps with workers. The news comes despite salaries rising at their fastest rate on record amid a cost of living squeeze fuelled by soaring food and energy prices, which are only now abating.

And it follows calls from business groups that executives should be paid even more if the UK is to compete as a global financial centre.

The calculations are based on the median pay figures for bosses and ordinary workers.

Fat cats: A typical chief executive of a FTSE 100 company is now paid 4 million  well over 100 times a full-time UK employee's average salary of just under 35,000

Among the biggest Footsie earners last year was Albert Manifold, the chief executive of construction group and Tarmac-owner CRH, which made headlines earlier this year by shifting its stock market listing from London to New York.

In 2022, Manifold was paid 10.4 million  259 times more than the average CRH worker.

That meant that CRH had the largest pay gulf of any blue-chip company.

But this could get even bigger as US-based executives earn far more than their counterparts in Britain.

The analysis of Footsie company accounts  which excludes three investment trusts where boardroom pay is much lower  chimes with a recent report from the High Pay Centre think-tank.

It found that the pay gap between chief executives in the broader FTSE 350 index and their workers widened to 57 times, up from 56 times in the previous year.

In the first year of the pandemic, the disparity fell as bosses gave up rewards to show solidarity, according to Luke Hildyard, director of the High Pay Centre.

But pay gaps have returned to pre-Covid levels in the last two years, he said. Companies listed in London with more than 250 staff must disclose the pay ratio between the CEO and employees.

The High Pay Centre found those with the lowest paid workers were retailers JD Sports, WH Smith and pub chain Mitchells & Butlers.

Julia Hoggett, head of the London Stock Exchange, has called for a 'constructive discussion' about pay amid fears that talented bosses could be tempted to ditch UK companies for the US, where potential rewards are higher still.

Simmering shareholder anger at the largesse shown to some executives occasionally boils over.

One of the biggest revolts came last month at Unilever when the owners of Ben & Jerry's ice cream were forced to freeze chief executive Hein Schumacher's salary for the next two years after investors voted against the company's pay report.

Also in the doghouse is education publisher Pearson, where nearly half of its investors refused to back its pay policy. Cevian, its largest shareholder, recently called on Pearson to move its main listing to New York to improve shareholder value.

Pearson and Unilever are among a swathe of quoted companies on a Government list of shame over excessive pay. Firms where more than a fifth of shareholders protest are placed on the register, which is compiled by the Investment Association.

The list was introduced in 2017 due to concerns that corporate greed was damaging confidence in capital markets.
High flyer: Rolls-Royce boss Tufan Erginbilgic

This time last year, Tufan Erginbilgic was on the brink of taking the reins at Britain's flagship engineer, Rolls-Royce.

While most of us might spend the day before starting a new job doing some last-minute swotting up, Erginbilgic had already spent four months doing his homework to figure out why the group was in such dire straits.

Despite the long months of preparation, he cancelled his Christmas holiday to finalise a 'game plan' for reviving the FTSE 100 engine maker.

In his first-ever UK newspaper interview, Erginbilgic reveals that throughout his research, one theme had become apparent.

He says: 'A banker told me he would summarise what my investors think with one word.' That word was 'frustration'.

Erginbilgic was quick to pass on this message to staff and the City  without mincing his words. Within weeks of his January 1 start date, he had described the 117-year-old company as a 'burning platform' and claimed it was underperforming 'every key competitor out there'.

He added: 'Every investment we make, we destroy value.'

Erginbilgic says his bleak assessment was justified by the vast reams of statistics which he asked an external organisation to compile.

'I used that data rather than being just a new person who showed up and made lots of assertions,' he says.

This is not his first rodeo, as he developed a fierce reputation for turning around two underperforming businesses at his former employer BP.

His nickname in the City is Tufan 'Turbofan' because of the impressive speed at which he works.

He knows the ins and outs of a restructuring very well by now. 'I have seen this movie three times,' he says. 'It is almost identical after a while.'

His early harsh words for those at Rolls were part of the first step of his own four-pronged approach to overhauling a business.

Described as 'holding up a mirror' to a company, this first stage involves collecting masses of data and then presenting it back to staff.

The other parts include establishing a clear, granular strategy and doing it all with pace and intensity.

In practical terms, he has reshuffled the leadership team and helicoptered in some of his most trusted former BP colleagues.

Erginbilgic, a Turkish-British citizen, insists that delivering the stark feedback at the start of his tenure was necessary to galvanise his 42,000-strong workforce and bring in a 'mindset change'.

He says: 'It's important because then people understand where they are, but they also understand there is a possibility of a bright future.

'And that injects momentum and energy into the organisation. It gives it purpose.'

But it is the City that has most obviously responded well to his no-nonsense management style.

In the space of just one year, Rolls has tripled in value to 25 billion, making it the biggest riser on the Footsie in 2023. Erginbilgic has laid out a mind-boggling blueprint that includes quadrupling profits by 2027 and increasing its currently tiny margins to be more in line with the company's peers in the US.

Erginbilgic, 64, was a left-field choice to lead Rolls, which has long been seen as a prestigious but ailing company struggling to keep profits up and debts down while trapped in a loop of constant restructurings.

Despite working in the defence and energy industries, Rolls was crippled by pandemic travel restrictions as the biggest chunk of its earnings come from making and servicing airliner engines, meaning much of its revenue is dependent on the number of flying hours.

Many had thought a new boss would be plucked directly from the aerospace and defence sector.

Erginbilgic had spent two decades at BP, where his last job involved leading the downstream division that includes petrol forecourts. He built up a solid reputation for being able to revive any ailing business. He believes this allowed him to clinch the job at Rolls despite his perceived lack of experience in the firm's core industry.

He left BP in 2020 when he was passed over for the energy giant's top job, which went to Bernard Looney, who stepped down in September after failing to tell the board about the extent of his relationships with colleagues.

It was said to have been a two-horse race that Erginbilgic was bitterly disappointed to lose.

After BP he went to a lucrative partner role at private equity group Global Infrastructure Partners. It would have been easy for him to stay there. As he tactfully puts it, pay is 'different' in private equity and he was doing well at the firm.

When Erginbilgic's friends heard he was going to accept the Rolls job, some joked he needed to take an IQ test because he was already a great success in private equity.

His base salary at Rolls is 1.25 million and he is being given two payments of 3.75 million to compensate him for the vast earnings he has lost by moving to a publicly listed firm.

The stonking rise in Rolls' share price shows investors endorse the details of his master plan, which includes cutting 2,500 jobs and offloading superfluous parts of the business such as an electric flying taxi project, which is now for sale.

Is there a chance that the City has been buoyed by Erginbilgic's confidence and strong words alone? Could this stellar reception actually just be a honeymoon period? He says: 'We delivered the best-on-record profit and cash while flying hours are only 86 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.

'So I think it's not just words that investors are reacting to. Frankly, it's delivery.'

Erginbilgic says he has managed to turn Rolls into 'one engineering company'  rather than an umbrella leadership overseeing several siloed businesses.

Many of the firm's top employees were disproportionately going to the cash cow engines business. 'You will struggle to resource some programmes if you are losing talent in the civil aerospace division,' he says. 'Now you have one engineering organisation, you can actually deploy them.'

Rolls specialises in making engines for larger planes after ditching the much bigger market for narrowbody aircraft. However, Erginbilgic has said he would consider working with a partner to re-enter this part of the industry.

The other parts of Rolls' business will be some of the most critical to its future growth. Its work leading a consortium to design mini nuclear power stations has received the most attention. These plants  called small modular reactors (SMRs)  could help to solve Britain's energy crisis as they are much easier to construct than the hugely expensive plants such as Hinkley Point C.

They could also form an important export industry as a number of countries are already lining up to buy them.

Rolls has put 50 million into the venture, which is now a business which it majority owns, while the Government has contributed 210 million.

Earlier this year, Ministers made a puzzling move by opening a public bidding process for the SMR contract, potentially allowing the deal to go to another company.

Rolls is the frontrunner and Erginbilgic believes it can win, saying it will be an 'enormously surprising outcome' if it loses.

'They should pick whoever they want on merit,' he says. 'This process needs to be fair. But what does that mean when I am ahead of everybody else? That needs to be recognised rather than supporting everyone else to catch up.

'We are in phase two [of developing SMRs]. Show me one other company like that. You can hardly show any company in phase one. If they slow down the process further for others to catch up, is that fairness or unfairness?'

After all the hard work this year, Erginbilgic finally managed to take some time off this Christmas. 'This is not to say we don't have a lot to do next year,' he says. 'But I think the business is in a much better shape.' Time will tell.
Pasta master: Alessandro Savelli was rejected by TV's Dragons' Den

Posh pasta maker Pasta Evangelists is planning to open a slew of new sites in the UK and abroad in 2024.

The group sells fresh pasta recipe kits and takeaways. It also runs a pasta 'academy' in London where it offers cooking classes.

The company is planning to open more than a dozen new shops in 2024, including at least one in Paris  its first move overseas.

The firm was founded in 2016 by former investment banker Alessandro Savelli, who was rejected by TV's Dragons' Den.

Savelli sold a majority stake in the company to the world's largest pasta producer, Barilla, in 2021.

Pasta Evangelists is the biggest pasta company in the UK with an annual turnover of about 35 million. It has 350 staff.
Oilfield services group Petrofac is the most shorted company on the London Stock Exchange despite bagging a crucial 1.1 billion contract.

Hedge funds  which will make money if the company's share price falls  have shorted almost 10 per cent of Petrofac's stock.

The company was trading at record lows earlier this month after warning that it was in financial trouble and was exploring options  including selling off assets  to bolster its books.

Heading for a fall?: Hedge funds have shorted almost 10 per cent of Petrofac's stock

It managed to secure a guarantee that will unlock an advance payment for a major contract with a Dutch customer, which sent its share price soaring.

The group has said it expects to post a smaller loss in the current financial year.

However, hedge funds appear to be sceptical about its longer-term prospects and have continued to make bets against the company.
In the summer of 1961, ten-year-old Sally Snowman stepped off her father's boat onto Little Brewster Island and gazed up at Boston Light, the first lighthouse in America.

Awestruck by the towering white structure which had guided ships safely into Boston Harbor for nearly 200 years, she told her father: 'Daddy, when I grow up, I want to get married here.'

She was so captivated by the lighthouse during the whistle-stop picnic trip that it inspired another childhood dream  an unusual one for a little girl  to one day become Boston Light's keeper.

Snowman, now 72, didn't return to the island until October 8, 1994. That day, she fulfilled the first wish and married her husband, Jay Thompson, at an intimate ceremony on the lawns under the gaze of Boston Light.

Nine years later, on August 10, 2003, Snowman's second childhood dream came true: she was named keeper of Boston Light  the first female in its history to hold the position.

Today, Snowman is the last lighthouse keeper in America, a position she will depart on December 30, marking the end of a 307-year nautical era superseded by smartphones, satellite navigation and radar.

Sally Snowman, the keeper of Boston Light, is the last lighthouse keeper in America. When she steps down on December 30, there'll be no more manned lighthouses in the country, marking the end of a 307-year nautical era superseded by smartphones, satellite navigation and radar

Boston Light is America's first lighthouse and dates back to 1716. Sally Snowman became the first female keeper in its history when she was appointed in 2003

On a bracing November morning in Hull, the Massachusetts peninsula town a mile from Boston Light, Snowman told DailyMail.com the enchanting story of how she came to be keeper - a job which involved months living near-isolation on the one-and-a-half acre Little Brewster Island.

She also gave her emotional reflections on what's next for her and for Boston Light, which will be transferred from the US Coast Guard to a new owner and lose its status as America's last manned (or womanned, as Snowman says) lighthouse.

DEADLY WATERS

Boston Light's history dates back to the early 18th century and is rich with gripping tales of war, tragedy, bravery and romance.

We met Snowman at Hull Lifesaving Museum, a former Coast Guard station built in 1889 which overlooks the ocean and lighthouse a mile away. Snowman is instantly recognizable by her keeper's uniform - a handmade dress, cloak and bonnet, all styled on womenswear from 1783, the year the current lighthouse structure was built. She explains that when she took the job, Coast Guard chiefs told her to 'stand out from the crowd'.

Inside the museum's gift shop, visitors can buy a map that pinpoints dozens of shipwreck sites around Boston Harbor  a visual representation of why a lighthouse was desperately needed here.

Construction on the first lighthouse structure on the island was completed in 1716 after a campaign by colonial merchants and sailors to end the all-too-frequent loss of ships and lives in the rock-strewn waters around the harbor.

A sketch depicts the original Boston Light tower in around 1733-1734. The original tower was destroyed during the Revolutionary War and the current tower was constructed in 1783

A photograph taken in 1895 shows the Boston Light's duplex keeper's house. This building was intentionally burned down in 1960 due to disrepair. An inspection noted the kitchen ceiling was 'falling down,' and there were rat holes

Boston Light's boathouse (right) and the keeper's house with the lighthouse in the background

The Boston Light Bill of 1715, which mandated a lighthouse on the island, lamented the 'great discouragement to navigation by the loss of the lives and estates of several of his majesty's subjects'. A cannon was placed on the island soon after to serve as a fog signal.

The original tower stood for a little over six decades, until June 13 1776, when it was destroyed by British troops during the Revolutionary War as they left Boston Harbor following a series of battles.

The current tower was built in 1783  and Snowman diligently points out that while this means Boston Light is America's first lighthouse, it is the second oldest structure in service, after Sandy Hook Lighthouse in New Jersey, which was built in 1764.

She recounted firsthand experience of the tempests which spurred demands for a lighthouse here  and how quickly they can transform the pleasant waters around Boston Harbor into a graveyard.

In 2013, she was trapped on the island with a Coast Guard volunteer during a violent storm. As 60mph winds whipped around them, the foundations of the keeper's house shook relentlessly and 20ft waves smashed against the island.

'We should have come off the island [before the storm hit], but we didn't,' Snowman said.

'One of the questions I've always been asked is, were you afraid? And I say no because the waves are bashing the back of the house. And if the house was, you know, wiped off the foundation, and you know, thrown into the sea, and I died, what a way to go. There was no fear with that.'

INSTANT CONNECTION

Snowman's near-excitement about the prospect of such a demise exemplifies the 'spiritual' attachment she has to Boston Light and Little Brewster Island.

A former college professor with a Ph.D. in neurolinguistics, she is also the lighthouse's official historian and maintains an academic air as she reels off the names of earlier keepers or the exact dates of key events.

Snowman visited Boston Light for the first time in 1961, aged ten, and told her father it was her dream to get married on Little Brewster Island. She didn't return until October 1994, when she married Jay Thompson (pictured on their wedding day)

On their wedding day, they sailed from the mainland on a friend's boat  named 'True Love'  and held a ceremony at the foot of the lighthouse in front of about 16 relatives and friends

Snowman pictured inside the Hull Lifesaving Museum, a former Coast Guard station one mile from Boston Light

But reminiscing about her personal connection to the lighthouse, she becomes animated, asking out loud at one point: 'How do I say this without sounding like a crazy lady?'

'In my spiritualness, I connect with the energy that cannot be seen,' Snowman says while recounting her first childhood visit to Little Brewster Island.

'I grew up on the water,' adds Snowman, whose father was a marine engineer. 'The Snowmans are all seafaring people.

'We had a family boat and we used to come out and see Boston Light, not visit it but just to go by it. And then I had an opportunity when I was 10 years old to actually anchor the boat, get in the dinghy, land on the beach with my dad.

'I stepped out on the beach and looked up at the tower and said 'daddy, when I grew up, I want to get married on here'.

'There was a connection, instant connection. I had no idea as a ten-year-old what that connection was, it just went right to my to my heart. And to this day, it's there. It's still there.'

A DREAM COME TRUE

Snowman came to fully understand that connection three decades later, at her wedding on the island.

Snowman met her husband, Jay Thompson, at a winter conference in Rhode Island in 1993, while both were serving in the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, the volunteer component of the coastguard, of which they remain members today. Snowman was giving efficiency course to Coast Guard instructors.

Thompson, who was based in nearby Plymouth, asked Snowman if he could travel to Weymouth for more courses. Snowman laughs as she explains how, at first, 'I didn't realize he had the hots for me.'

'He was coming up like all the time. And I didn't get it that he was interested in me, not only in the courses,' she said.

The entrance to Boston Light's tower, which was built in 1783 and stands at 89ft high

Sally Snowman stands beside Boston Light's Fresnel lens, a marvelous 4,000-pound brass and glass lens which gives the lighthouse's 1000-watt bulb a 27-mile range

Thompson eventually plucked up the courage to ask her out and the couple started dating in around May 1993. As part of their Coast Guard work, they'd also carry out patrols at together.

'When we were getting together and dating and going out on the boat and what have you, I said to Jay as we were putzing by Boston light, 'I've always wanted to get married at Boston Light' and his response back was, 'tell me when you want to'.

'A year later we were out there and I said to Jay, 'is the offer still open?' and the answer was yes.'

Back then, the island was a round-the-clock Coast Guard station which wasn't open to visitors. The couple had to seek special permission and take a $750 insurance policy to cover the journey out and time there for the wedding.

On their wedding day, they sailed from the mainland on a friend's boat  aptly named 'True Love'  and held an intimate ceremony at the foot of the lighthouse in front of about 16 relatives and friends.

'I just couldn't stop looking up at the tower and the light. It really spoke to me  we were definitely in the right place at the right time,' she said.

'There was no reservation whatsoever that we shouldn't have been doing this or what have you. This was the right thing to do.

'I had not been back to the island since I was ten so that was like experiencing it all over again. Just the excitement, like the little kid with the butterflies in my stomach. And not only is it my wedding, but I'm on the island. This is what I have been dreaming of since I was ten years old. It was a dream that has come true.'

Snowman is the first female keeper in Boston Light's 307-year history. She's also the last lighthouse keeper in America, but will retire on December 30

Snowman told DailyMail.com: 'I can't even think about what January 1st is going to be like, but the other part of it is that I don't get a sense that it's really over'

BECOMING KEEPER

Snowman's appointment as the 70th and final keeper of Boston Light came nine years later.

Around the turn of the millennium, the Coast Guard - a branch of the US armed forces - was preparing to withdraw active duty personnel from the island because of changes to how it allocated resources. The search was on for a civilian keeper to take over the position.

Snowman's deep passion for the lighthouse, her knowledge of its history, and her role as a Coast Guard Auxiliarist made her the perfect candidate. She was appointed in August 2003 and officially took the post after a ceremony on Little Brewster Island on September 17, 2003.

Snowman and her husband, Jay, even have a vehicle plate which honors Boston Light

Snowman's earliest predecessor, America's first lighthouse keeper George Worthylake, was appointed to Boston Light in September 1716 on a modest salary of 50 per year (about $11,000 in November 2023). He moved onto Little Brewster Island with his wife, Ann, and two of their five children, along with two slaves and a servant.

His tenure ended in tragedy just two years later.

Worthylake, 45, had traveled to the mainland with Ann and their 15-year-old daughter, Ruth, in November 1718 to collect his pay. They returned several days later by boat and anchored close to Little Brewster Island, where they were collected on a canoe by one of the slaves, named Shadwell.

From the island, another of Worthylake's daughters watched on in horror as the overfilled canoe turned then suddenly capsized and all six on board drowned. Benjamin Franklin, then a 12-year-old Bostonian, later memorialized the disaster in a poem titled The Lighthouse Tragedy.

Ominously, Worthylake's successor, keeper Robert Saunders, suffered the same fate just days after taking up the position. He drowned after his boat capsized during his return to the island following a visit to the mainland.

A third keeper, John Hayes, was appointed and defied any speculation the position was cursed after he spent around 15 years in the role before his retirement in 1733.

'DROP OFF FOOD AND I'M HAPPY'

The role of keeper has evolved greatly since the days of its initial holders, as automation, electricity and other advances have eased some responsibilities and eradicated others entirely.

One aspect through Boston Light's 307-year history, though, has remained very much the same: the isolation keeper's must endure.

But for Snowman, a confessed introvert, spending months on end living on a one-and-a-half acre island was always part of the appeal.

Between 2003 and 2018, Snowman spent five-and-a-half months of each year living on Little Brewster Island during the on-season, from June to October. Safety rules means she was always accompanied by one other volunteer, but they would rotate every few days.

Snowman's husband lived at their home on the mainland during her time away.

An aerial view of Little Brewster Island and Boston Light in 1950. The island has undergone major renovation in recent years, including destruction of the keeper's duplex (directly behind the lighthouse in this picture)

An aerial photograph from 1989 shows the island during renovation work

Boston Light in September 2021, during an impressive Harvest Moon as it rises

'I'm so much happier on the island than I am in the mainland,' Snowman said. 'I miss my husband, but as far as missing what was happening on the mainland? No.

'I'm not a television watcher, my music is my chanting and humming and I really, truly believe that my personality fits with that  being out on a one and a half acre island. I jokingly say, 'drop off food and I'm happy'.'

Snowman's husband would join her on the island most weekends, often from Friday until Sunday, and she would occasionally take other visitors.

But Snowman admits it was sometimes a relief when she was left alone again.

'Especially in the middle of the summertime, when we had busy weekends, I really liked to have those extra people on the island, but I was really happy when they also left.

'When you're used to being in a house with just two people, and then you have six, and then all the visitors coming and going for three days, I really enjoyed Monday being on the island and not going home. That was like my chill pill.'

Visitors would stay in the three-bedroom keeper's home, a two-story property built in 1884 which is, by some measures, one of Boston's most desirable pieces of real estate.

Every room has its own breathtaking view. The master bedroom, where Snowman stayed, faces southwards towards Hull peninsula and the lifesaving museum.

A second bedroom on the east side faces the lighthouse itself. 'I used to love lying on the bed in the wee hours of the morning watching the 12 lights come out of the lens,' Snowman recalls.

The third bedroom has views of Boston, to the north west, including the stunning sunsets over the city skyline.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A KEEPER

Snowman was appointed keeper after a law was passed in 1989 - by which time most other lighthouses were fully automated - that required Boston Light to stay manned because of its historic status.

'My job was just significantly different than what it had been even, you know, 60 years ago,' she said.

Between 2003 and 2018, the period she spent half the year residing on the island, a typical day would start at around 7am. Snowman would awake in the keeper's house, in the master bedroom with its views of the mainland to the south.

Her first duties were typically routine maintenance of the buildings and island, checking for damage or hazardous waste which might have washed up on the shore. She was also tasked with cleaning the lighthouse's priceless Fresnel lens.

Snowman was appointed keeper after a law was passed in 1989 - by which time most other lighthouses were fully automated - that required Boston Light to stay manned because of its historic status.. Pictured: Boston Light in 2010

The lighthouse itself will be given a new steward through the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act, which compels the new owner to maintain it 'education, park, recreation, cultural, or historic preservation purposes for the general public'

The lens, added in 1859, is a magnificent, 4,000-pound brass and glass device which gives the lighthouse's 1000-watt bulb a 27-mile range. The design was a breakthrough at the time and remains an engineering feat to this day.

The light was electrified in 1945, replacing the whale and herring oil-fueled lamps of the past, and the mechanism which rotates the lens was automated in 1998, removing the need for it to be manually wound every four hours.

'Back in bygone days, it was a lot of work to maintain the light, the fog signal and the apparatus that was in the past,' Snowman said. 'And at one time, the reason why we needed three keepers out of the light was because they needed to be on 24 hour watch.'

She humbly describes her responsibilities as from the 'easy world'.

As Boston Light's official historian, Snowman also led tours of the island until 2018, when inspectors deemed the island unsafe following a violent storm. Since then, Snowman has spent far less time on Little Brewster Island than during the first 15 years of her tenure.

Since 2018, Snowman has still visited the island regularly but without residing there for half of the year. Today, as her retirement approaches, these trips have become fewer and further between as winter weather makes it harder to reach. She now treats each trip as though it could be her last as keeper.

'A NEW BEGINNING'

Snowman acknowledges she'll be in unchartered territory when retirement comes after 20 years as keeper and a life dedicated to Boston Light.

'Jay and I got married out there - we were both in our 40s - neither of us had interest in having children and so what happened in 2003 is we got Boston Light,' she said.

Snowman, who is also Boston Light's official historian, hopes to continue her work preserving the history of the lighthouse after she retires as keeper on December 30, 2023

'It's going to have a whole new life, and I'm going to be stepping into something new as well. And it's time. And I know it's the right time,' Snowman said

'And where we thought that it was going to be short term, it has turned into 20 years. And so letting go, how do you let go of all that? It is analogous to having a child grow up, going off to college, and letting them begin a new chapter, so this is a new chapter for Boston Light.'

'I can't even think about what January 1st is going to be like,' she adds. 'But the other part of it is that I don't get a sense that it's really over.'

She hopes to volunteer as a tour guide on Little Brewster Island and continue as the light house historian - and few people are better qualified for those positions. Snowman and her husband have written two comprehensive books about Boston Light.

The lighthouse itself will be given a new steward through the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act, which compels the new owner to maintain it 'education, park, recreation, cultural, or historic preservation purposes for the general public'.

The new owners will most likely be a public agency or charity that will preserve the history of the landmark. The Coast Guard will also continue to maintain the light and the fog signal after the structure itself changes hands.

Little Brewster Island, meanwhile, will stay under the stewardship of the National Parks Service, to ensure it remains open for tours and visits.

'It's going to have a whole new life, and I'm going to be stepping into something new as well. And it's time. And I know it's the right time,' Snowman said.
Congress was engulfed in chaos throughout the year and little lawmaking was actually done amid the brawls and never-ending drama.

The incidents ranged from a Senate sex tape in a hearing room, to the censure of a Democrat for pulling a fire alarm to a successful coup against former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

And the chronic disarray overtook legislative priorities as just 27 House bills were signed into law out of a total of 724 votes, a record low even for a divided Congress.

Here's a look at some of the most insane and scandalous moments from the hallowed halls of the Capitol:

December: Sex tapes

This month, a clip went viral of a Senate staffer filming himself having sex in a historic Senate hearing room. Aidan Maese-Czeropski, 24, a staffer for ongoing Senator Ben Cardin, D-Md., was fired over the emergence of the tape.

The video depicts a graphic sex act between two men, and was reportedly leaked to the Daily Caller after being 'shared in a private group for gay men in politics.'

Eighty-year-old Cardin, whose nearly 60-year career in public service will forever be connected to the scandal, said he was 'terribly angered' and 'disappointed' by the clips.

Days later, Semafor reported there had been other sex tapes made on the House side that prompted an investigation into staff in Rep. Dan Newhouse's office. No staffer from the Washington Republican's office was conclusively linked to the tapes.

December: George Santos expelled from Congress

Santos, the first openly gay Republican in Congress, was removed in a historic vote after his long history of lying was exposed and he was hit with multiple criminal charges.

The Long Island congressman, who stole donor funds to spend on OnlyFans and Botox, fled Capitol Hill as he became just the sixth House member in history to be kicked out.

Over 100 Republicans joined Democrats in booting out the fabulist liar in a vote totaling 311 to 114, with two members voting 'present.'

November: Kevin McCarthy 'shoves' Tim Burchett

While Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., was talking to a reporter in a hallway on Capitol Hill, he says the former speaker whom he voted to oust gave him a forceful shove. Burchett then chased after him and called him 'pathetic' and told him 'you got no guts.'

'It was a clean shot to the kidney,' Burchett claimed, telling reporters he could still feel it in his back the next day.

McCarthy denied shoving Burchett, noting it was a narrow hallway and their shoulders may have brushed.

'If I hit somebody, they would know it. If I kidney punched someone, they would be on the ground,' he told reporters.

November: Markwayne Mullin and teamster boss almost come to blows in hearing

Mullin, an Oklahoma senator and former MMA fighter, challenged Sean O'Brien, the president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, when O'Brien was testifying before the Health, Education, Labor and Penstions (HELP) Committee.

The confrontation was sparked by O'Brien challenging Mullin to a fight in June on Twitter, when he called him a 'clown' and a fraud.'

'You know where to find me. Anyplace, Anytime cowboy,' O'Brien warned. Mullin used his questioning to confront O'Brien and read some of the tweets.

'Sir, this is a time, this is a place. You want to run your mouth? We can be two consenting adults  we can finish it here,' Mullin said.

'OK, that's fine. Perfect,' O'Brien responded.

'You want to do it right now,' Mullin hit back.

'I'd love to do it right now,' O'Brien said.

'Well stand your butt up then,' Mullin retorted, moving to take off his wedding ring and get out of his seat.

Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin stood up and challenged a teamster boss to a fight in chaotic scenes in Congress on Tuesday

November: Oversight's James Comer to Democrat: 'You look like a smurf'

Chaos broke out during a House hearing after Republican James Comer got into a heated tiff with Democrat Jared Moskowitz - calling him a 'Smurf' and a 'liar.'

Insults flew across the hearing room after Moskowitz accused Oversight Chairman Comer, R-Ky., of hypocrisy amid his ongoing investigation into the Biden family's finances for scrutinizing a $200,000 'loan repayment' check James Biden gave to his brother Joe.

Moskowitz pointed to a recent report from the Daily Beast that showed Comer may have loaned his own brother $200,000 - accusing the chairman of 'manipulating' the American people to believe Joe did something wrong when he did the exact same.

'That's completely false,' Comer fired back during the hearing. 'It's completely false - I've never loaned my brother one penny,' explaining that he bought family land from his brother.

'Only dumb financially illiterate people picked it up,' he said referring to the Daily Beast report.

'That story you tweeted too also said I had a shell company - that's bull***' continued Comer.

I didn't get wires from Romania, China...my family doesn't get wires,' he said.

'You look like a smurf here, just going around...continuing to spew disinformation,' continued Comer.

Moskowitz embraced the nickname and said Comer 'needs a mental health day.'

Democratic Rep. Moskowitz accused the chairman of 'manipulating' the American people to believe Joe did something wrong when he did the exact same

Congressman Smurf & Smurfette would like to wish you a Happy Hanukkah from the @WhiteHouse! pic.twitter.com/n0wLtEbCAn  Congressman Jared Moskowitz (@RepMoskowitz) December 12, 2023

October: McCarthy ousted from the speakership

For the first time in history, a speaker was ousted from the top job in the House after eight Republicans voted with all Democrats to remove Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.

The vote led to three frenzied weeks in paralysis as Republicans could not decide on who would lead them next.

In the end they went with their little-known fifth in command - former conference vice chair Mike Johnson.

At the end of December, McCarthy will officially abandon the House after 17 years in Congress after he announced he would not run for re-election.

October: Cannon ceasefire protest

Angry progressives have taken to Capitol Hill many times over the past few months demanding a ceasefire, but their biggest showing was in October when 300 of them were arrested after they took over the Cannon House Office Building rotunda.

The protestors, dressed in black shirts that read 'JEWS SAY CEASEFIRE NOW' and 'NOT IN OUR NAME' demanded lawmakers turn up pressure on Israel to cease its bombing campaign in Gaza.

People demonstrate as they take part in civil disobedience and a protest calling for a ceasefire in Gaza

September: Senator Bob Menendez and his gold bars

The New Jersey Democrat rocked the Senate when he was accused of being bribed with $100,000 worth of gold bars and piles of cash to hand U.S. secrets to Egypt and do favors for New Jersey businessmen.

Menendez was forced to step down as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee after the indictment, but has pleaded not guilty and remained defiant to suggestions that he abused his pwoer to line his own pockets.

Authorities say they found nearly $500,000 in cash, much of it hidden in clothing and closets, at his home, in addition to $100,000 worth of gold bars.

The criminal indictment claimed the New Jersey senator Googled 'How much is one kilo of gold worth?' after arriving home from a trip to Egypt in October 2021.

September: Democrat Rep. Bowman pulls the fire alarm

During a contentious House vote to keep the government open beyond the September 30 funding deadline, Rep. Jamaal Bowman was caught on tape pulling a fire alarm that he claimed he thought would open a door.

The New York Democrat and former middle school principal was eventually censured over his action and charged with a misdemeanor in October that he pleaded guilty to one day later.

Under an agreement with prosecutors Bowman has to write an apology to Capitol Police and pay a $1,000 fine.

And months later in December, the House voted to censure him for pulling the fire alarm.

The vote was 214 to 191, with five members voting 'present.'

It came as House Speaker Kevin McCarthy abruptly put a stopgap spending bill on the House floor hours ahead of a deadline that would have triggered a shutdown

The House voted to censure Rep. Jamaal Bowman for pulling the fire alarm during a vote to avert a government shutdown

July: MTG calls Boebert a 'little b***'

Over the summer Marjorie Taylor Greene got into an ugly spat with Rep. Lauren Boeber, R-Colo., over their competing resolution to impeach Joe Biden.

She called her fellow caucus member a 'little b***' when the chamber met for votes.

'I've donated to you, I've defended you. But you've been nothing but a little bitch to me,' Greene reportedly told Boebert, according to a source who witnessed the exchange. 'And you copied my articles of impeachment after I asked you to cosponsor them.'

'I have defended her when she's been attacked. She and I have virtually the same voting record. We're both members of the House Freedom Caucus,' Greene said afterwards when asked whether she had used the b-word.

'We should be natural allies. It shouldn't be easy, but for some reason, she has a great skill and talent for making most people here not like her. And so it's her issue. She needs to work on it.'

Greene was voted out of the House Freedom Caucus after the incident.

Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene (left) and Lauren Boebert (right) had a heated public exchange on the House floor Wednesday

July: Nude Hunter images displayed during hearing

Democrats were left aghast when in the middle of an Oversight hearing Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., displayed naked images of Hunter Biden from his laptop.

The congresswoman warned parents watching at home before her time questioning IRS whistleblowers that 'discretion is advised.'

'Should we be displaying this?' Democratic Ranking Member Jaime Raskin questioned at one point during crosstalk with other members of the panel.

The images from Hunter's laptop hard drive were printed on poster board that Rep. Greene held up at the hearing that showcased President Joe Biden's son engaged in sex acts with prostitutes.

The reason for showing the images, other than to shock viewers, was for Greene to ask about Hunter Biden writing off taxes for costs related to escorts, prostitutes and sex clubs.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene held up posters at an Oversight hearing on Wednesday showing explicit images of hunter Biden from his laptop allegedly with prostitutes

January: Matt Gaetz and Mike Rogers almost come to blows during speaker's race

During the chaotic moments of the 15-ballot speaker's race that got Kevin McCarthy the gavel, Alabama GOP Rep. Mike Rogers, now chair of the Armed Services Committee, lunged toward anti-McCarthy Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., and had to be held back by Rep. Mike Hudson, R-N.C., chair of Republicans' campaign arm.

McCarthy and Gaetz could be seen speaking intensely on the House floor after the fourteenth-round tally. The chamber was silent. Lawmakers on the Democratic side stood and craned their necks for a better look at the GOP crisis talks.

After McCarthy turned to walk away from Gaetz, Rogers barreled toward him before being restrained. A shout of 'Be civil!' came from the Democratic side of the chamber. Rogers stormed into the Republican cloak room.
With 16 days to go until Republicans in Iowa become the first in the nation to pick the candidate they want for the 2024 election, an exclusive DailyMail.com poll suggests Nikki Haley is the runner best placed to beat President Joe Biden.

Our survey of 984 likely voters shows she would beat Biden by five points if the election were held tomorrow.

In contrast, former President Donald Trump would win by three points while Ron DeSantis would lose by two points, cementing the sense that his campaign for president is on life support.

Haley, the former governor of South Carolina, has seen her stock rise in recent weeks, fuelled by a string of strong debate performances and key endorsements.

And the results of our poll with J.L. Partners underlines her argument that she is better placed than other candidates to win the 2024 election.

JL Partners polled 984 likely voters across the nation from December 15 to 20. The results carry a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points but show that former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley does best out of Republican contenders against Joe Biden

Haley would beat President Joe Biden by five points if the 2024 election were tomorrow

It gives her 40 percent support to Biden's 35 percent in a head-to-head contest.

Trump would take 46 percent against Biden's 43 percent, while DeSantis takes 41 percent against Biden's 43 percent, all with a margin of error of 3.1 percent.

EXCLUSIVE READ MORE: Voters describe Trump and Biden's plans for a second term as REVENGE or NOTHING Advertisement

Haley's advantage lies with her ability to win over Democrats. Our poll shows she picks up one in ten Democrats, almost twice as many as her rivals.

But she struggles with the Republican base. She takes 69 percent of Republican voters, while DeSantis (80 percent) and Trump (87 percent) can count on considerably more.

'This is a good poll for Nikki Haley,' said James Johnson, co-founder of J.L. Partners.

'She performs exceptionally with independents and, looking more closely, arguably has more room to grow, as you would expect a significant portion of Republicans currently erring to eventually back her against Biden.

'Nevertheless, this is an artificial picture as it stands. Haley is winning over a significant chunk of Biden voters in the polls purely because she is not Trump.

'We would expect that to change once voters on the left become more aware of her positions.

'DeSantis, meanwhile, struggles with voters as a whole. The huge irony in all of this is that DeSantis, on paper, is the best candidate to beat Trump in the primaries, due to the more conservative nature of the GOP electorate.'

The fieldwork was conducted before Haley flubbed an answer to a question about the causes of the Civil War. She attracted days of negative headlines after failing to mention slavery.

However, Haley does not attract as much of the Republican base as her rivals. Some 69 percent of Republican supporters say they would vote for Haley in the general election if she were the candidate. But Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis do better

Trump, seen her accepting Haley's resignation as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations in October 2018, remains the clear frontrunner for the Republican nomination

State polls suggest Trump will have an advantage in Iowa, when Republicans caucus to pick their nominee on January 15.

Its voters tend more conservative than those in New Hampshire, who hold a primary eight days later.

Even so, a super PAC has upped its efforts in Iowa as part of a plan to capitalize on Haley's momentum and establish her as the top alternative to Trump, before looking for even better results in New Hampshire and her home state of South Carolina.

A New Hampshire poll put her just three points behind Trump if other candidates dropped out.

Pundits have started to say that a nominating race that looked like nothing more than a Trump coronation could yet turn out to be an actual contest.

And our numbers show why that is: Haley is building a very different coalition of voters from the one that elected Trump in 2020.

So although she loses a chunk of Trump supporters, according to our flow charts, she picks up 2020 Biden supporters. At the same time, Biden's support drops by eight points when the choice is not Trump or DeSantis, who both appear to drive up Democratic turn out.

Haley's coalition is very different to Trump. She loses a chunk of Trump's 2020 support but gains with independents and voters who went for Biden in 2020

An aerial view shows homes on in Jesup, Iowa. Republican presidential candidates are currently criss-crossing Iowa as the states Jan. 15 Republican caucus draws near

Democratic strategists believe that voters will come back to Biden as the race firms up and the choice becomes clear.

But our poll also showed that voters are not excited about an 81-year-old running for reelection.

Six in ten voters, including nearly one third of Democrats, say Joe Biden should not run for president in 2024.

And almost half of Democrats say it is not too late for him to be replaced as their party's nominee.
A mugging victim had his iPhone stolen after a work Christmas party before waking up to the sound of the thief taunting him through his Ring camera.

Michael, a technology executive from East London, was left feeling 'violated' when he heard the criminal saying 'Michael, Michael' as he lay bleary-eyed in bed.

The 33-year-old later discovered the thief had hacked his phone and used his credit card to blow 600 on JD Sports, Asda and Uber credits.

The bungling crook even changed his Gmail password before providing a recovery email in which he apparently gave his own name.

Michael told MailOnline: 'I thought it was some kind of prank alarm clock initially, but it took me three or five seconds to realise who it was.

Michael, a technology executive from East London , was left feeling 'violated' when he heard the criminal saying 'Michael, Michael' as he lay bleary eyed in bed. File photo

'The realisation that he was able to speak to me and see me in my bed - my most personal space - was so violating. I'd never experienced anything like it.

'He started saying ''wake up'' and making crude comments. It went on for about two minutes before I was able to unplug the cameras.'

Michael, who works for a leading media company and asked for his full name not to be used, had enjoyed a Christmas night out with colleagues in central London on Tuesday, December 19.

READ MORE - Moment brazen female pickpockets are seen unzipping a tourist's bag as she strolls through Piccadilly Circus to enjoy the Christmas lights Advertisement

At 2.45am he was in Leicester Square trying to get an Uber home using his iPhone 15 Pro - that costs up to 1,200 new.

Describing what happened next, he said: 'I was trying to get a taxi so had my iPhone in one hand before someone suddenly grabbed it off me.

'My immediate reaction was confusion. I didn't realise what was happening until the person who took it had sped off around the corner nowhere to be seen.'

The executive was forced to get a lift from another member of his team to get to his home in Bethnal Green.

'I went to sleep before waking up at around 10am to the sound of someone saying ''Michael, Michael'',' he said.

'He was trying to sound scary. Then he started saying ''wake up''. It seemed like a relatively standard London accent. It was hard to gauge his nationality.

'I screamed ''give me my phone back'' - I was trying anything I could and was confused, particularly because I had the hangover from hell.

'My flat is small with two rooms, so I went from my bedroom into the living room but he kept speaking to me and asking what I was doing.

'He must have guessed my password and logged into my Ring camera, which I use to keep an eye on my dog when I'm out. His voice only stopped when I unplugged the cameras.'

The executive uses Ring cameras similar to the one pictured to keep an eye on his dog

At 2.45am, Michael was in Leicester Square trying to get an Uber home when a thief grabbed his phone

Michael began ringing his bank and credit card providers and found the thief had spent 400 on Uber credits, 100 in Asda and another 100 in JD Sports.

'By that point he had changed every password I had, so I couldn't get into my Apple ID or emails,' he said.

'I had to go to the nearest EE store and sit through a few hours of getting my old phone turned off and a new one set up.

READ MORE - The new neighbour rows being waged over Ring doorbells: Smart devices behind troubling rise in feuds after highly sensitive cameras pick up snippets of chats Advertisement

'It was only Christmas Day when I eventually got access back to everything. You keep your whole life on your phone.'

Michael reported the incident to police using an online form but was told there was no CCTV of the thief.

He even managed to find the crook's email in which he had apparently provided his own name - Ali Hassan - but was told the case would be closed.

'When the robber changed my Gmail password he put his own email as the recovery address and that included his name,' Michael said.

'I told the police this but they said geolocating an email address was not possible.

'They said there was no CCTV on the street - which was surprising - and that it would be like finding a needle in a haystack.

'I thought considering I got a call back from the police within 24 hours it was a decent response.

'Had I been of sound mind on the night I would have tried to find police there. At the time I just got a taxi home.

'I was always aware it would be very hard to follow up on unless they had a face shot of the criminals.'

Michael described the incident as 'awful' and remained concerned the thief could still have access to some of his private information.

The phone that was stolen was a iPhone 15 Pro, which costs up to 1,200 new

'It wasn't enough to have 600 or more taken from me, they wanted to rub salt on the wound and violate them while they were at home,' he said.

'The whole experience was awful. I was filled with a mix of anger and regret.'

A Met spokesman said: 'On Wednesday, December 20, police received a report about the theft of a mobile phone in Leicester Square at around 2.45am on Sunday, December 17.

'After assessing whether there were any viable investigative leads, including potential CCTV, a decision was made to close the investigation. The victim was informed of this.

'Any further information that comes to light will be assessed and investigated accordingly.'
A new Chinese-made sedan is soaring in popularity despite scoring zero in a crash test - making it an unsafe car by modern standards.

The MG5 only went on sale in Australia in August but 1,888 have already been sold, with Al Perkins from Married At First Sight and Love Island featuring in Instagram endorsements.

More MG5 sedans were sold in three months than Honda Civics over 11 months with 1,164 of those better-known Japanese hatchbacks leaving the showroom from January to November, Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries data showed.

A new Chinese-made sedan is soaring in popularity despite scoring zero in a crash test - making it an unsafe car

The MG5 only went on sale in Australia in August but 1,888 have already been sold, with Al Perkins from Married At First Sight and Love Island featuring in Instagram endorsements.

The small car from China was a sales hit last month before ANCAP - or the Australasian New Car Assessment Program - revealed the MG5 scored zero stars out of a possible five.

The MG5 is a recent model that debuted at the Beijing Motor Show in 2021.

Production for the Australian market versions only started in March 2023, taking away the excuse it is an old model that recently hit the market.

In the safety assist category, the MG5 scored a dismal 2.48 out of 18, or 13 per cent, for failing to include features that are common in modern cars like driver fatigue monitoring.

ANCAP chief executive Carla Hoorweg said MG had 'misjudged the safety expectations of todays consumers' by designing it with previous generation safety features.

'This is a stark reminder that not all cars offer the same level of safety  even when theyre brand new models,' she said.

The MG5 scored poorly for driver injury risks for the chest and legs in a full-frontal collision at 50km/h.

Rear-seat passengers were also deemed likely to suffer chest and leg injuries in a crash.

The MG5 comes standard with dual frontal, side chest-protecting and side head-protecting airbags.

But it doesn't have a centre airbag to prevent the drive and front passenger from colliding in a crash.

The MG5 was also marked down for lacking seat belt pre-tensioners in the base Vibe model, and a driver monitoring system that detects fatigue.

ANCAP assesses new cars on adult occupant protection, child passenger protection, vulnerable road user protection and safety assist.

The MG5 scored 15 out of 40, or 37 per cent for adult occupant protection.

It scored 42 per cent for protecting vulnerable pedestrians and 58 per cent for child occupant protection.

An MG spokeswoman said the MG5 complied with Australian Design Rules, adding safety improvements would be added in 2024.

'MG has worked closely with the Australian Government to ensure that the MG5 has met the relevant Australian Design Rules (ADRs) for vehicle design when they are first supplied to the Australian market,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

'The MG5 was certified and approved for sale in Australia and has met the (ADR) rules to be sold.

'In 2024, the MG5 will receive a safety pack upgrade which will increase the overall safety of this model inline with ANCAP's rating system.'

The small car from China was a sales hit last month before ANCAP - or the Australasian New Car Assessment Program - revealed the MG5 score zero stars out of a possible five

The MG5 is also a recent model, with production only starting in March 2023, taking away the excuse it is an old model that recently hit the market

In November, the MG5 was Australia's fourth most popular small car with 758 monthly sales, after the Toyota Corolla (1,976 sales), Hyundai i30 (1,566 sales) and Kia Cerato (782 sales).

With a driveaway price of $24,990 for the entry-level Vibe model, it significantly undercuts the most affordable i30 hatch at $26,290, the entry-level Cerato at $26,590 and the cheapest Corolla at $29,270.

The Civic is now a premium model priced from $47,200, having once been a budget hatch.

MG was Australia's seventh most popular brand with a 4.9 per cent market share from January to November, behind Mitsubishi on 5.2 per cent but ahead of Tesla on 3.9 per cent.

The Chinese brand is capable of producing a safe car with ANCAP in August giving a five-star safety rating to the MG4 Electric car.
Humza Yousaf is a turn-off for voters compared with Nicola Sturgeon, Scotlands top pollster claims.

Sir John Curtice insists the First Minister has proved to be nothing like as popular as his controversial predecessor since replacing her in March.

And Mr Yousafs leadership has triggered a flight of some Nationalist supporters to the Labour Party.

The Strathclyde University professor  an expert observer of political trends  is forecasting potentially significant losses for the SNP at the next general election, which is likely to take place in 2024. Sir John told BBC Radio Scotland yesterday: The SNP are no longer dominating the support of those who are in favour of independence.

Some of them are now saying theyre going to vote Labour.

The SNP now finds itself with a leader, Humza Yousaf, who is nothing like as popular as his predecessor.

Sir John Curtice insists the First Minister has proved to be nothing like as popular as his controversial predecessor since replacing her in March

People dont think he is doing the job as well as people thought Nicola Sturgeon was doing it, even towards the latter days of her role as First Minister.

Sir John said the public are now much more likely to think the SNP are divided, adding: It finds itself challenged for the position of Scotlands most popular party in a way they have not really been since they first entered power at Holyrood in 2007, or indeed since it became Scotlands dominant party at Westminster at the 2015 general election.

Meanwhile, the resurgence of Sir Keir Starmers party in England could be mirrored here, according to Sir John, who predicted: North of the Border, we could see Labour making significant progress. Recent polls put Labour and the SNP neck-and-neck in Scotland.

Some suggest the Nationalists may not win the most Westminster seats in Scotland for the first time since 2010.

That would prove a massive turnaround on the past three general elections in 2015, 2017 and 2019  all under Ms Sturgeon  in which Labour won a combined total of nine seats, compared with the SNPs 139. But last night Mr Yousaf insisted that the SNP is now on an election footing and still leading every other political party despite the fact it has been a tricky number of months.

The First Minister added: We believe we can come out on top because we think our values chime most closely with those of the Scottish people, and we will stand up for Scotland.

I am confident going into the general election. People tend to see us as trusted with running the government, trusted with public services.

However, Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie believes 2024 will prove to be the year her party has long waited for. She said: Labour will be ready to replace a scandal-ridden Conservative Government whenever an election is called.

We are working hard, preparing to do the same in Scotland when the time comes.
South District Council Member Christopher P. Scanlon appears to have the votes to be the next president of Buffalos Common Council.

Multiple political observers told The Buffalo News in recent days that Scanlon had persuaded a majority of his colleagues that he should succeed outgoing Council President Darius G. Pridgen when Pridgens term ends Jan. 1. The news was first reported by WKBW-TV.

In addition, The News obtained an invitation for a swearing-in ceremony being held Tuesday in City Hall honoring Scanlons elevation to the post. Scanlon did not respond to a request for comment, but he told The News this summer that he was interested in the post.

Scanlon, who now serves as president pro tempore of the Council, appears to have edged out Fillmore District Council Member Mitch Nowakowski, who has announced plans to run for State Senate, and Niagara Council Member David Rivera.

Scanlon, whose father was an aide to former Mayor James D. Griffin, is generally supportive of Brown and delivered vote-rich South Buffalo for the mayor in his defeat of India Walton in the 2021 mayors race.

Along with Council Members Joe Golombek of North and Ulysees Wingo of Masten, Scanlon over the last few years often voted in favor of administration policies.

Scanlon has also demonstrated some independence at times, especially when it involved police officers, firefighters and city employees, many who live in South Buffalo. He often draws the ire of left-leaning activists for his strident support of the police.

In July, Scanlon, 41, said he wouldnt say no if his fellow Council members nominated him as their leader.

If come January, the majority of my colleagues had enough faith in me to be Council president, I would be honored, he said.

The Council presidency is mostly ceremonial  the president sits on the dais and runs Council meetings  but interest in the post was high this year because of the potential to impact who would become the next mayor of Buffalo if Brown left office early.

Article 4 of Buffalos charter states that when a mayor resigns, such powers and duties shall devolve upon the president of the Common Council who shall fill the vacancy in the office of the mayor until the first day of January following the next general election at which a mayor may, pursuant to law, be elected for the balance of the term.

That means that if Brown left office to run for Congress  he is weighing whether to seek the Democratic Party nomination to replace Rep. Brian Higgins, D-Buffalo  Scanlon would become acting mayor.

The acting mayor would also be on a political fast-track to the mayors office, especially in a city that has historically favored incumbents.

Scanlon, a graduate of Bishop Timon-St. Jude High School and Erie Community College, has served on the Council since 2012 and has pushed for streetscape improvements along Abbott Road.

Scanlon, a Catholic, was also vocal in 2018 and 2019 in calling for then-Bishop Richard J. Malones resignation following WKBW-TV reports that showed Malone engaged in a cover-up of sexual abuse allegations regarding two diocesan priests.
Labour is recruiting an army of Remainer candidates to 'drag us back into the EU', it was claimed last night.

Analysis of Labour candidate selections suggests that more than a quarter are formally endorsed by the Labour Movement for Europe, which is pushing for the party to negotiate access to the EU's single market.

About 50 candidates have already signed up to 'uphold and promote the values and vision of the group'.

They include Ben Hartley, Labour candidate for Altrincham and Sale West, who said Brexit was 'utter folly'.

Mr Hartley said last year he was 'embarrassed' to use the blue British passports issued in the wake of Brexit and said he would be happy 'to accept freedom of movement for all EU citizens provided migrants are employed, self-employed, studying or otherwise self-sufficient'.

Lee Anderson, deputy chairman of the Conservative Party, told the Mail: 'Sir Keir Starmer's handpicked candidates are actively campaigning to reverse Brexit'

Steve Race (right), who is standing for Labour in Exeter, is among those looking to rejoin the EU at the first opportunity

Fellow candidate Steve Race, who is standing for the party in Exeter, is among those looking to rejoin the EU at the first opportunity.

He said last year: 'I campaigned to remain, I would like to see us rejoin in my lifetime. I will make the case within the Labour Party and continue to do so in the country.'

Kirith Entwistle, who is standing for Labour in Bolton North East, suggested that Leave voters needed to be 'educated' about the EU.

A number of former Red Wall MPs who lost their seats after Brexit have now been given the Labour Movement for Europe's backing to return, including Anna Turley in Redcar, Gareth Snell in Stoke-on-Trent Central, James Frith in Bury North and John Grogan in Keighley. All except Mr Snell backed a second Brexit referendum in 2019.

Lee Anderson, deputy chairman of the Conservative Party, told the Mail: 'Sir Keir Starmer's handpicked candidates are actively campaigning to reverse Brexit.

'We already know Labour won't diverge from Brussels, so it's no surprise they're plotting to stuff Parliament with Remoaners and drag us back into the EU.'

Stella Creasy, who chairs the Labour Movement for Europe, dismissed claims that the group will push to rejoin the EU.

She said: 'It is not about rejoining, it is about rebuilding relationships with our neighbours for mutual gain.'
More than 300,000 patients waited more than four hours to be seen in A&E over the past three summers  exceeding the previous 13 combined.

The SNP has been accused of leaving the NHS in a shameful and unacceptable condition after the figures were revealed.

Summer months are traditionally quieter in emergency departments, but they are now under pressure all year round because hospitals are at capacity.

It follows revelations that the NHS is running out of blankets and sheets in A&E wards.

The Scottish Conservatives, who collated the figures from official Public Health Scotland statistics, rounded on Humza Yousaf, who was either health secretary or First Minister when the delays spiralled out of control in 2021-23.

The figures reveal that 305,801 patients had to wait for more than four hours in A&E during the last three June-to-August windows. The total for the same period from 2008 to 2020 was 254,964.

Health Secretary Michael Matheson says We continue to work closely with [health] boards to support delivery of sustained improvements and to help reduce the number of long delays

With the NHS now in the grip of what is expected to be its worst-ever winter crisis, Scottish Conservative health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane condemned the summer figures.

He said: These statistics expose Humza Yousaf, once again, as the worst health secretary since devolution.

These shameful figures illustrate that even in summer, waiting times are dangerously high.

Thats unacceptable because we know excess waits in emergency wards lead, tragically and inevitably, to needless deaths.

He called on Health Secretary Michael Matheson to rip up the First Ministers flimsy recovery plan and come forward with concrete solutions to end these catastrophic wait times.

Over the past three summers, almost 77,000 patients had to wait more than eight hours  five times more than in 2008-20  while more than 26,000 had to wait over 12 hours, which is ten times more than in 2008-20.

Earlier this week Dr Lailah Peel, a member of the British Medical Associations Scottish junior doctors committee, said having no sheets or blankets in A&E was a common issue over long weekends.

Health Secretary Michael Matheson said: We continue to work closely with [health] boards to support delivery of sustained improvements and to help reduce the number of long delays.

As a result of our significant investment of over 15million, an additional 1,000 nurses, midwives and allied health professionals have joined NHS Scotland in the last two years to bolster our existing workforce.
An Australian academic claims he was sacked from his high-paying job over a tweet response to eco-activist Greta Thunberg and controversial influencer Andrew Tate.

Professor Andrew Timming alleges he was let go by RMIT University just before Christmas this year following 12 months of 'bullying' since his original tweet in December 2022.

Prof. Timming, who specialised in Human Resource Management, has lodged an appeal with the Fair Work Commission and has accused the university of stifling free speech and having an inherent left-wing bias.

The tweet Professor Timming made was in response to a short, viral interaction on the social media platform between Tate and Thunberg.

Tate shared a picture of himself in front of his Bugatti, told Thunberg he had 33 cars, and asked for her email address so he could send her a detailed list of their 'enormous emissions'.

Thunberg gave the sarcastic reply: 'Yes, please do enlighten me. Email me at smalld**kenergy@getalife.com'.

Professor Timming then chimed in, pointing out what he believed was a sexist double standard.

'Demeaning sexual jokes when directed from a woman to a man,' he wrote followed by the smiley face and wink face emojis.

'Demeaning sexual jokes when directed from a man to a woman,' he then wrote, followed by the bomb and skull-and-crossbones emojis.

Professor Andrew Timming is fighting his dismissal from RMIT University with the Fair Work Commission

He claims this single tweet was the cause of backlash with senior university staff

Professor Timming claims his tweet angered RMIT management and he was reprimanded and threatened with disciplinary action.

The backlash prompted him to lodge a complaint in May 2023 that the university's academic freedom policy was not being upheld.

He claims that triggered 'vicious bullying'.

Prof. Timming eventually brought the dispute to the Fair Work Commission after which the university placed him on extended leave on health grounds.

He then consulted an independent doctor appointed by the university who gave him clearance to return to work.

Professor Timming's tweet was in response to a post from climate activist Greta Thunberg

Thunberg had replied to this tweet from Andrew Tate telling him to email her at smalld***energy@getalife.com

However, upon his return, Professor Timming claims RMIT loaded him up with additional work and teaching duties and the bullying continued.

He then disputed the extra duties under RMIT's enterprise bargaining agreement with the Fair Work Commission.

This prompted the university to call him into a meeting three days before Christmas to tell him he was dismissed for 'misconduct' over his refusal to do the work.

Prof Timming, who describes himself as an 'out-of-the-closet conservative', has now launched a petition calling on RMIT's vice chancellor, Professor Alec Cameron, to reinstate him.

The academic has a PhD from Cambridge University in the UK where he also worked.

He has also held academic positions at the University of Manchester, University of St Andrews, and University of Western Australia.

The original December 2022 tweet exchange between Tate and Thunberg was made a week before Tate was arrested in Romania over alleged rape and human trafficking offences.

That court case is pending with an appeal by Tate to leave Romania for three days to visit his family in Britain knocked back earlier this week.

Controversial influencer Andrew Tate has been charged with criminal offences in Romania

In a statement via the 'Free Speech Union Australia'. Professor Timming claimed that universities are not upholding freedom of speech and workplace rights, such as that of being able to make a complaint.

'No professor or student should suffer adverse action over protected speech,' he said.

'When academics and students are afraid to speak up for fear of retaliation, there's really no point in a university.

'The purpose of higher education should be to encourage debate and disagreement.'

'We cannot sacrifice speech on the altar of politeness. Academics have a right to be shocking and offensive.'

Daily Mail Australia has contacted RMIT for comment.
New photos have emerged of the six members of a Georgia family killed on Tuesday in Texas while visiting their relative for Christmas.

The family's minivan was hit head-on by a Chevrolet pickup truck being driven by a 17-year-old, going the wrong way on the highway.

The 17-year-old driver, and his passenger, also 17, were critically injured.

But six of the seven people in the Honda Odyssey minivan were killed.

Lokesh Potabathula, 43, was the only survivor of the crash, and lost his wife, son, daughter, mother-in-law, father-in-law, and cousin Rushil Barri, 28, who was driving.

Lokesh Potabathula, 43, (at the back, yellow t-shirt) lost his wife Naveena Potabathula, 36 (second right); her parents Nageswararao Ponnada, 64 (second left); and Sitamahalakshmi Ponnada, 60 (front); and his children, Krithik Potabathula, 10 (far right), and Nishidha Potabathula, 9 (far left), in addition to his cousin

Rushil Barri, 28, was driving the Honda Odyssey home from a day out at Fossil Rim Wildlife Center on December 26

Barri had taken his relatives to Fossil Rim Wildlife Center and was driving home to Irving, Texas when the crash happened, south of Fort Worth on the U.S. 67 in Johnson County.

Barri moved to the U.S. from India in August 2020 and settled in Texas: the other family members lived in Alpharetta, Georgia.

Potabathula remains in critical condition in hospital. He has lost his sight in the accident, 11Alive reported, and may never walk again.

He is in 'critical condition undergoing multiple surgeries as he had a deep intestinal injury, several fractures all over his body including spine, ribs, and limbs,' according to a GoFundMe page set up to support him, which has raised more than $250,000.

He lost his wife Naveena Potabathula, 36; her parents Nageswararao Ponnada, 64; and Sitamahalakshmi Ponnada, 60; and his children, Krithik Potabathula, 10, and Nishidha Potabathula, 9, in addition to his cousin.

Barri, 28, had moved to Texas from India in August 2020. He was killed on Tuesday in a head-on car crash, when a pickup truck traveling the wrong way smashed into his car

The two severely damaged vehicles - a Honda Odyssey and a Chevrolet pickup truck - are seen following Tuesday's crash on the U.S. 67 in Johnson County

The accident happened at 4pm on Tuesday, as the family was returning from a day at Fossil Rim Wildlife Center

Ambulances and fire trucks are pictured on the scene of Tuesday's crash

Ayyappala Bandaru (left), Barri's roommate, said they were 'like brothers' and praised his friend's ambition

Barri's roommate Ayyappala Bandaru told NBC News that at 4:01pm on Tuesday a message was sent from his friend's iPhone, saying the phone registered a crash.

'We were in shock like what just happened,' said Bandaru.

'We tried reaching everyone in the car and no one is picking up.'

He said Barri was ambitious and driven.

'We were like brothers,' Bandaru said. 'He's actually like my brother over here.

'He had very big dreams. He always used to think about tomorrow. He used to be like 'Man, we need to rule this world.'

'We came here with a lot of struggles.'

Sergeant William Lockridge of Texas department of public safety said it was unclear why the 17-year-old was driving the wrong way.

'For an unknown reason at this time, the Chevrolet pickup truck traveled into the northbound lane and struck the Honda Odyssey head-on,' he said.
FBI says he tweeted that 'Jihad' was 'coming soon to a US location near you'

The US citizen is accused of attempting to join al Shabaab terror training camp

Karrem Nasr, 23, was extradited to the US on terrorism charges on Thursday

A US citizen from New Jersey is accused of attempting to join the al Shabaab terrorist group and tweeting threats to bomb America in support of Hamas after its October 7 attack on Israel.

Karrem Nasr, 23, was arrested December 14 after flying to Nairobi, Kenya, where prosecutors say he was planning to meet with al Shabaab members before traveling to train in Somalia, where the terror group is based.

Prosecutors say Nasr, using the X moniker 'Egyptian Muslim', last month posted that 'Jihad on your home turf' was 'coming soon to a US location near you,' posting airplane, bomb, and fire emojis.

According to an unsealed complaint, Nasr had lived in Lawrenceville, New Jersey until moving to Egypt in June, and began to express a desire to join al Shabaab and wage jihad against the West in November, in response the the Israel-Hamas war.

'As alleged, Karrem Nasr, motivated by the heinous terrorist attack perpetrated by Hamas on October 7, devoted himself to waging violent jihad against America and its allies,' said US Attorney Damian Williams in a statement.

Karrem Nasr, 23, was arrested December 14 after flying to Nairobi, Kenya, where prosecutors say he was planning to meet with al Shabaab members

According to an unsealed complaint, Nasr began to express a desire to join al Shabaab and wage jihad in November. Pictured: al Shabaab fighters train in Somalia

Nasr was arrested after flying from Egypt to Kenya, where prosecutors say he planned to meet with al Shabaab members in order to travel on to Somalia to train with the terror group.

He is charged with attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization. He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

'Nasr was prepared to kill and be killed to support the jihadist cause, and in his own words, he described America as 'evil' and the 'head of the snake,'' said Williams.

The accused terrorist was returned to the US on Thursday and was scheduled to appear Friday before a federal magistrate in Manhattan.

Court records did not list a lawyer who could speak on Nasr's behalf.

Nasr, who also went by the alias Ghareeb Al-Muhajir, expressed his desire to join al Shabaab in both online postings and communications with a paid FBI informant who was posing as a facilitator for terrorist organizations, according to a criminal complaint unsealed Friday.

Nasr told the informant 'the No. 1 enemy is America,' which he described as the 'head of the snake,' the complaint said.

He posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that jihad was 'coming soon to a US location near you,' the complaint said.

The post, under the name 'Egyptian Muslim,' included airplane, bomb, and fire emojis.

Nasr posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that jihad was 'coming soon to a US location near you,' the complaint said

Nasr, who moved to Egypt in July, started communicating with the FBI informant in November via an encrypted messaging app, according to the criminal complaint.

He told the informant that he had been thinking of waging jihad 'for a long time' but that he was 'not capable of doing it' before Hamas attacked Israel, the complaint said.

'After the October 7th events, I felt that something has changed,' Nasr told the informant, according to the complaint. 'To the better, I mean. I felt that pride and dignity came back to the Muslims.'

A Facebook page identified by DailyMail.com as belonging to Nasr also expressed veiled references to Hamas.

On October 7, Nasr sarcastically posted calling Ukrainians 'terrorists' for defending their country against Russia's invasion, seeming to draw parallels between that war and the Hamas attack.

'In my hood, bullies get bullied,' he wrote on October 10, adding 'Cornered dogs bite' two days later.

The Facebook page identifies Nasr as a professional copywriter, marketing consultant, and 'Insurgent Against Modernity'.

The Justice Department has said it was monitoring rising threats against Jews and Muslims in the United States due to soaring levels of antisemitism and Islamophobia linked to the war in the Middle East.

In early December, FBI Director Christopher Wray said the threat level was so elevated that he saw 'blinking lights everywhere.'

A Facebook page identified by DailyMail.com as belonging to Nasr identifies him as a professional copywriter, and contains veiled expressions of support for Hamas

On October 7, Nasr seemed to compare the deadly Hamas attack on Israel to Ukraine's war of self-defense against Russia's invasion

Nasr described himself as a professional copywriter, marketing consultant, and 'Insurgent Against Modernity'

The US designated al Shabaab a foreign terrorist organization in 2008.

The group evolved from a coalition of Islamic insurgents that fought Somalia's fledgling central government and seized control of large swaths of territory in the early 2000s.

It has been blamed for myriad violence, including suicide bombings, a beheading and the targeted assassinations of civilians and journalists.

Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has pledged to wipe out al Shabaab within a year.

The group has been losing territory since the government, backed by local militias, African Union troops and Western powers, launched an extensive offensive against it in May.
150,000 Palestinians have been forced south as Israel steps up its assault in Gaza amid UN demands for more humanitarian deliveries to the besieged territory.

Israel's air and ground offensive against Hamas has displaced as much as 85 per cent of the Gaza Strip's 2.3 million residents.

Those seeking shelter from the bombardment have fled to Israeli-designated safe areas, which have also been bombed by the military.

Nearly the entire population is now fully dependent on outside humanitarian aid, Philippe Lazzarini, head of the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees said.

Residents and civil defense teams carry out a search and rescue operation around the rubble of the buildings following an Israeli attack on a building in Beit Lahia, Gaza

Israel's air and ground offensive against Hamas has displaced as much as 85 per cent of the Gaza Strip's 2.3 million residents

A view of heavily damaged settlements as Israeli attacks continue in Beit Lahia, Gaza

A quarter of the population is starving because too few trucks enter with food, medicine, fuel and other supplies - which is sometimes fewer than 100 trucks a day, according to U.N. daily reports.

Drone footage taken on Friday showed a vast camp of thousands of tents and makeshift shacks set up on what had been empty land on Rafah's western outskirts next to U.N. warehouses.

Israel's widening Gaza campaign, which has already flattened much of the north, is now focused on the urban refugee camps of Bureij, Nuseirat and Maghazi in central Gaza, where Israeli warplanes and artillery have leveled buildings.

Witnesses say that Israeli tanks have now reached the eastern edge of the Bureij camp, the BBC reports.

People arrived in Rafah in trucks, in carts and on foot. Those who did not find space in the already overwhelmed shelters put up tents on roadsides slick with mud from winter rains.

With the new arrivals, the town and its surrounding area are now packed with some 850,000 people - more than triple the normal population, according to U.N. figures.

'Some are sleeping in their cars and others are sleeping in the open,' said Juliette Touma, UNRWA's director of communications.

It came as South Africa launched a case at the United Nations' top court accusing Israel of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza and asking the court to order Israel to halt its attacks.

But the Israeli government has 'rejected with disgust' the accusations, calling it a 'blood libel' and accused South Africa of collaborating with Hamas.

The African nation alleges that 'acts and omissions by Israel... are genocidal in character' as they are committed with the intent 'to destroy Palestinians in Gaza as a part of the broader Palestinian national, racial and ethnical group'.

Those seeking shelter from the bombardment have fled to Israeli-designated safe areas, which have also been bombed by the military. Pictured: Beit Lahia, Gaza

A quarter of the population is starving because too few trucks enter with food, medicine, fuel and other supplies. Pictured: Beit Lahia, Gaza

South Africa's foreign ministry said in a statement that the country is 'gravely concerned with the plight of civilians caught in the present Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip due to the indiscriminate use of force and forcible removal of inhabitants'.

The ministry added that there are 'ongoing reports of international crimes, such as crimes against humanity and war crimes, being committed as well as reports that acts meeting the threshold of genocide or related crimes as defined in the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide, have been and may still be committed in the context of the ongoing massacres in Gaza'.

Egypt has also confirmed it has created a three-stage proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza, which a Hamas delegation is set to respond to.

But fighting has not abated in the north - and in the southern city of Khan Younis, where Israel believes Hamas' leaders are hiding, is also a smouldering battleground. Militants have continued to fire rockets, mostly at Israel's south.

The war has already killed over 21,500 Palestinians, most of them women and children, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-ruled territory. Its count does not distinguish between civilians and combatants.

Israel has also vowed to bring back more than 100 hostages still held by the militants after their October 7 attack on southern Israel that triggered the war. The assault killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians.

The military says 168 of its soldiers have been killed since the ground offensive began.
A hero surfer has told how he grabbed a stranger's board and desperately tried to rescue a boy, 15, who was mauled by a great white shark.

Khai Cowley, 15, was fatally attacked by a white pointer while surfing off remote Ethel Beach on the Yorke Peninsula, west of Adelaide, about 1.30pm on Thursday.

The young surf champ was visiting the break with his dad when he was bitten on the leg - prompting witness Tim Philip to charge into the surf to try and rescue him.

Mr Philip told Seven News he started moving down toward the beach when he saw Khai's dad crying out to him from the rocks.

Khai was swimming in toward his father. Mr Philip grabbed a board and paddled out toward him.

Khai Cowley (above) - recently awarded grommet of the year award at a surf comp - was mauled by a 'four metre' great white shark at Ethel Beach, west of Adelaide

Khai (above) was pulled from the water but by the time he reached the beach, he was unconscious

But by the time he reached the boy, Khai was unconscious.

'I'd say (the shark was) four metres,' Mr Philip said - and it was circling him.

'I was in waist deep water and just made the decision to run back... grab him, and managed to drag him back to shore, back to the people on the beach.

'I didn't want to see his body (go) out to sea, so I did what I could.'

Devastated residents who live nearby are struggling to come to terms with the shocking incident - the first in the area in known history.

Ryan Valente, a local skipper with Reef Encounters who knows the Marion Bay region well, said it was unusual to see great whites in the area and could not recall any similar incidents.

READ MORE: Talented teen surfer is mauled to death Advertisement

'It's stuff nightmares are made of,' Mr Valente told ABC Radio on Friday.

'Yesterday itself conditions-wise was a very grim day - lightning, strong winds and it was quite a dark day.

'The town's in a bit of shock, I guess. Our hearts go out to the family that are involved in the tragic incident.'

Sean Hanna, who has been coming to the beach for four decades visited the beach on Friday morning after he heard about the boy's death.

'I came down here to pay my respects to a young surfer,' he told the The Advertiser.

Mr Hanna praised Khai for doing what he loved even though he said conditions in the water weren't ideal at the time the teen was killed.

'It wasn't the best, there was a lot of whitewater but he wanted to be a part of it and that's something any surfer could understand.'

Luke Winter, who lives in Port Noarlunga about a four hour drive north of Ethel beach, said he knew Khai for most of his life.

'They're very well known in the surf community, which just makes this news so much more tragic,' he told the newspaper.

The 38-year-old man who has two boys of his own said there were other children on the beach on Thursday afternoon who saw the terrifying incident unfold.

Tim Philip (above) ran into the water to rescue Khai, saying: 'I didn't want to see his body (go) out to sea, so I did what I could'

Khai was surfing at Ethel Beach (pictured) a popular spot near the Yorke Peninsula, west of Adelaide on Thursday afternoon when he was killed by the shark

Earlier, another local told the newspaper that the shark had grabbed the boy's leg before another man paddled out into the water to rescue him but he couldn't be saved by the time he was brought back to shore.

They said the shark was circling the pair and there was a lot of blood in the water.

Surfing SA paid tribute to the talented surfer 'grom' from Maslin Beach in Adelaide's south.

'Khai was very involved in our surfing community with his passion for surfing stemming from a family with deep surfing roots in SA,' the group said.

'He was a happy, kind and respectful kid, very much loved by his surfing peers and he will be greatly missed out in our community and on the water.'

Andrew Fox, a researcher at the Rodney Fox Shark Museum, said great whites are ambush predators and murky conditions on Thursday may have increased their activity.

'They're more motivated - bigger swell, dirty water,' he told ABC Radio.

'Anything that increases the chances of an ambush predator.'

Emergency crews couldn't save the 15-year-old (pictured) after first responders pulled him from the water following the shark attack

Khai's death rounds out a horror year for SA beachgoers, with three people killed by sharks and another two injured in the state's waters in 2023.

Teacher Simon Baccanello, 46, died in a suspected shark attack while surfing at Walkers Rock Beach, about 365km west of Adelaide, in May before 55-year-old Tod Gendle was killed surfing at Granites Beach on the state's west coast in October.

Their bodies have not been recovered.

Professor Charlie Huveneers, a shark expert at Flinders University, said the number of bites had risen globally over the past four decades but they still occurred infrequently.

Human population growth, habitat destruction, declining water quality, climate change and the changing distribution of sharks and their prey were all likely contributors.

Dr Huveneers said there were three main ways to mitigate shark attacks and serious injuries, including reducing the overlap of sharks and humans by establishing swimming enclosures or aerial surveillance, the use of personal electrical deterrents and the use of bite-resistant wetsuits.

Premier Peter Malinauskas said his thoughts were with Khai's family.

'I can't think of anything more horrific, particularly at this time of year,' he told Channel Nine.

Mr Malinauskas said the government was looking at a range of deterrents but the remoteness of South Australian beaches made it a difficult task.

'We've got a coastline in South Australia that's basically the equivalent of NSW and Victoria combined,' he said.

'It's impossible to net the entire area.

'But we've seen 11 fatal shark attacks in South Australia since the year 2000, so the fact we've seen three across this summer is startling and it is of concern.'

A GoFundMe set up by Khai's family to help pay for his funeral costs had raised more than $40,000 by Friday afternoon - more than five times its target.
A Kentucky nurse who went for a regular kidney stone surgery ended up losing both of her legs and arms after the operation took a dark turn.

Lucinda Mullins, 41, a mother of two boys, went to get a kidney stone removed from her body.

But according to LEX 18, the kidney stone ended up getting infected and Mullins became septic.

She was first taken to Fort Logan Hospital in Stanford and from there to a University of Kentucky hospital in Lexington on an ambulance.

To save her life, doctors were forced to amputate both of her legs and informed the former nurse that she would lose both of her arms below her elbows, too.

Lucinda Mullins, 41, a mother of two boys, went for a regular kidney stone surgery ended up losing both of her legs and arms after the operation took a dark turn

With a brave face, Mullins said: 'I've lost my legs from the knees down bilaterally and I'm going to lose my arms probably below the elbow bilaterally'

Mullins is pictured with her husband, DJ who she has been with since the age of 17

With a brave face, Mullins told LEX 18: 'I've lost my legs from the knees down bilaterally and I'm going to lose my arms probably below the elbow bilaterally.

'The doctor I used to work with, he kind of was like, "This is what they had to do to save your life. This is what's happened".'

When asked how she was staying upbeat, Mullins said: 'I just said these are the cards I've been dealt and these are the hands I'm going to play.

'I'm just so happy to be alive. I get to see my kids. I get to see my family. I get to have my time with my husband. Those are minor things at this point.'

Apart from her family and friends, the mother also found support within her community.

'At one time I think they told 40 people were in the waiting room here. The calls and the texts, the prayers and the things people have sent. The little words of encouragement

'I just can't fathom that people are doing things like that for me,' Mullins said while in hospital.

Apart from her family and friends, the mother also found support within her community

'I'm just so happy to be alive. I get to see my kids. I get to see my family. I get to have my time with my husband. Those are minor things at this point,' she said

As the former nurse prepares for rehab, physical therapy and prosthetics, a GoFundMe page has been set up for her to deal with medical bills

As the former nurse prepares for rehab, physical therapy and prosthetics, a GoFundMe page has been set up for her to deal with medical bills.

Her friend, Heather Beshears set up the crowdfunding page and wrote: 'Cindy, as most of her friends call her, is a lovely, caring, brave and beautiful young lady who has recently experienced a life-changing tragedy that will leave her as a quadruple amputee.

'Cindy and her family will have to make a few adjustments to their home to accommodate Cindy's needs as well as her prosthetics and adaptive equipment.

The costs of all of this can be overwhelming. We started this fundraiser because we want to support our hero Cindy, as well as her husband DJ who has been by her side every step of the way.'

The fundraiser has raised $63,906 out of its $250,000 goal.

Common complications involved in kidney stone surgery are infection, blood loss during the procedure, stones not breaking down and injury to other organs.
The United Nations' 'two-faced' refugee agency has sent scores more asylum seekers to Rwanda  despite opposing Britain's scheme.

Officials in Rwanda announced that they had welcomed 153 people who had been evacuated from Libya under a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) programme.

Last night, the agency was accused of 'hypocrisy of the highest level' for its role in thwarting Britain's Rwanda deal while operating its own scheme with the east African nation.

One government insider said: 'The UNHCR are a bunch of double-dealing, two-faced s****. They've got more brass neck than C-3PO.'

The UN agency hired a legal team to set out its 'grave concerns' about Britain's scheme during a Supreme Court hearing just three months ago.

Evacuation: A group of 153 asylum seekers arriving in Rwanda by plane on Thursday night

Rwanda takes in 153 asylum seekers evacuated from Libya on Thursday

Evidence from the UNHCR was repeatedly cited in the court's ruling last month, including evidence of more than 100 cases of 'refoulement'  the legal term for sending asylum seekers to a country where they may face ill-treatment.

The latest batch of refugees brought the total number of people relocated to Rwanda by the UNHCR to more than 2,000.

A Rwanda government spokesman tweeted: 'Tonight, Rwanda welcomed 153 asylum seekers evacuated from Libya. They are from five nationalities: 82 Sudanese, 56 Eritrean, five Somali, nine Ethiopian, and one South Sudanese.'

They will be accommodated at the Gashora Transit Centre, where other evacuees are being hosted.

The spokesman added that, of the 2,059 refugees brought to Rwanda, 68 per cent have been resettled to countries including America, Canada, Sweden, Norway and France.

'Rwanda remains committed to offering refuge and assistance to people in need,' the spokesman said.

Home Secretary James Cleverly responded: 'Another clear example of Rwanda's hospitality, capability and commitment to hosting refugees.' Tory party deputy chairman Lee Anderson said: 'It is hypocrisy of the highest level by the UNHCR. Either Rwanda is safe or it is not.'

A Rwanda government spokesman tweeted: 'Tonight, Rwanda welcomed 153 asylum seekers evacuated from Libya. They are from five nationalities: 82 Sudanese, 56 Eritrean, five Somali, nine Ethiopian, and one South Sudanese'

The latest batch of refugees brought the total number of people relocated to Rwanda by the UNHCR to more than 2,000

Mr Anderson, who is also a member of the Commons' home affairs committee, said the UN 'should be concentrating on sorting out all the problems around the world rather than sticking their noses into our business'.

Rishi Sunak has vowed to start flights to Rwanda by spring. A new treaty with Rwanda and a new package of emergency legislation  both designed to cancel out the Supreme Court's objections  are currently before Parliament.

British Government documents backing up the new measures said last month they were 'sufficient to address the concerns raised by UNHCR... and address the risk of refoulement'.
The flagship company of a Sydney-based pub baron behind some of Australia's best known hospitality venues has collapsed owing creditors $5.5million.

Fraser Short, 48, this month placed The Sydney Collective into the hands of administrators Farnsworth Carson, according to a notice by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) published on Thursday.

Mr Short, who lives in a $9million Vaucluse mansion with his wife Allyson and their three children, earlier this year already offloaded most of his pub holdings - many sold to the Laundy Hotel Group in a $300million deal.

The Sydney Collective owes the Australian Taxation Office $1.08million and various trades and suppliers another $297,909, according to ASIC documents.

The remaining $4.41million is owed to the Warwick and Yates Trust which is linked to the Short family. Fraser is the son of the late well-known pub tycoon Warwick Short.

Pub baron Fraser Short (pictured with wife Allyson) has placed his flagship company The Sydney Collective into administration owing $5.5million

The Sydney Collective was accused by the United Workers Union in 2020 of underpaying staff at its Watson's Bay Hotel, with one chef claiming he would work up to 20 hours of unpaid overtime a week during his four years at the venue.

An agreement was reportedly later reached with three employees to pay outstanding wages, superannuation and annual leave, with Mr Short insisting it was not a wider systemic problem.

Growing up in a pub-owning family Mr Short initially studied interior design but then ventured into opening his own pubs at age 25 with Cargo Bar at King St Wharf in the CBD just before the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

It was a co-venture with parents Warwick and Ros and quickly became one of the most popular venues in the city.

He followed that up with the nearby Bungalow 8 and The Loft in what was developed into the Barangaroo precinct, with both achieving similar success.

He teamed up with the another Sydney pub-owning family, The Laundys, and by 2012 bought the Watson's Bay Hotel in the city's east .

The Sydney Collective at one point owned the Watson Bay Hotel (pictured) with the Laundy family

Mr Short owned Bungalow 8 at Barangaroo (left) and opened his first pub Cargo Bar (right) aged just 25

The partnership went on to snap up The Mona Vale Hotel on the Northern Beaches and Northies at Cronulla.

By 2020, they had ventured to the north of the state buying Byron Bay venue The Farm and the nearby Lennox and Illawong Hotels.

Short's The Sydney Collective then partnered up with other investors to purchase the Balcony Bar in Byron Bay, Sir George Hotel in Jugiong near Canberra and the Fitzroy Hotel in Windsor.

In Sydney, he renovated The Imperial Hotel, turned the former dive bar The Brooklyn Hotel into the upmarket Morrison Bar and Oyster Room and bought into Whalebridge restaurant in Circular Quay.

He turned dive bar The Brooklyn Hotel in the Sydney CBD into the classy Morrison Bar and Oyster Room (pictured)

Mr Short lives in Vaucluse with Allyson and their three children (pictured in 2006)

Then, in early 2023, Short offloaded several of his pubs, with six going to the Laundy's.

The scale and speed of the sell-off reportedly sparked whispers in pub industry circles.

Mr Short has not revealed his motivation to let go of the assets other than to say: 'Arthur (Laundy) made me a really good offer which allowed me to take some money off the table and focus on being a better dad' .

'Running this business is a seven days a week job. I'm almost 50. My late dad, Warwick, a successful publican, was only 60 when he died,' Mr Short said.
The UAE insurance sector continues to exhibit robust growth, as evidenced by a 9.6% increase in total assets during the first nine months of 2023, reaching AED131.6 billion by the end of the third quarter, reported Wam.

This translates to an impressive AED 11.5 billion increase in assets compared to the year-end 2022 figure of AED 120.1 billion, stated the report citing data from the Central Bank of the UAE.

The data shows that quarter-on-quarter performance remains equally positive, with assets rising 3.05% (AED 3.9 billion) to AED 127.7 billion between Q2 and Q3 of 2023. This sustained growth signifies a thriving and dynamic insurance market in the UAE.

The UAE's leadership position within the Arab insurance landscape is further solidified by its consistent ranking among the top global performers, stated the report.

In 2021, the UAE remained the leading Arab insurance market in terms of total subscribed premiums. Additionally, the country climbed one position in the global ranking, reaching 37th place, according to data from Swiss Re Insurance Institute's Sigma releases.

These statistics underscore the resilience and dynamism of the UAE insurance sector, poised for continued expansion and solidifying its position as a regional powerhouse and a key player on the global stage, it added.
Six people were arrested, and officers executing three search warrants seized several illegally possessed handguns, fentanyl, crack cocaine and powder cocaine, plus $9,500 cash on Thursday, Buffalo police said.

Police said they arrested Christian Palamara, 23, and Terrance Hennegan, 24, both of Buffalo, while conducting a search in the first block of Fredro Street.

The two were charged with burglary and robbery, both felonies, in connection with a violent home invasion in the first block of Manitoba Street on Dec. 23, police said.

Both possessed a weapon when they were arrested, police said, resulting in additional felonies of possession of a firearm against them and possession of a weapon against Hennegan.

Police said they are investigating whether Hennegan was involved in a triple shooting on Cornwall on Dec. 24.

Willraw Morrison, 22, and Lamarrio Clark, 27, both of Buffalo, were arrested during a search in the first block of Person Street, police said.

Both were charged with multiple counts of possession of a controlled substance, possession of a weapon and using drug paraphernalia, police said.

David Vaughn, 25, and Donta Williams, 29, both of Buffalo, were arrested during a search in the 100 block of Peck Street, police said.

Each was charged with possession of a weapon, possession of a controlled substance, criminally using drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance in its non-original container.
Royal pal Harry Legge-Bourke has been left bewildered after discovering that the Royal National Lifeboat Institution rejected a donation because it was due to come from hunt supporters.

Harry, whose sister Tiggy was Princes William and Harry's beloved nanny, reveals: 'Just seen a letter from RNLI refusing to take donations from a rural hunt close to the sea who raised funds for RNLI because it wouldn't take donations from an organisation that is not 'consistent' with RNLI values. I am bewildered. Welcome to 2024!'

The former Welsh Guards Captain is referring to a fundraising event due to be held tomorrow by Dungarvan Foxhounds Supporters' Club in Ireland, where fox hunting remains legal.

An RNLI spokesman suggests it would also reject donations from hunt supporters in Great Britain, where fox hunting was banned in 2004.

Instead, hounds now follow an artificial scent.

'While fox hunting continues in some areas where the RNLI operates, the charity has made the decision to decline donations associated with the activity and therefore remove the ask on volunteers who may not wish to support a fundraising request of this nature,' the spokesman tells me.

Royal pal Harry Legge-Bourke has been left bewildered after discovering that the Royal National Lifeboat Institution rejected a donation because it was due to come from hunt supporters

An RNLI spokesman suggests it would also reject donations from hunt supporters in Great Britain, where fox hunting was banned in 2004 (File Image)

Gary McCartney, director of Countryside Alliance Ireland, says: 'It is disappointing that a charity which provides such an important service would turn down donations raised by the rural community taking part in an entirely lawful activity.

'We sincerely hope the RNLI reconsiders their position, and work with rural people going forward, rather than alienating them.'
Their average age is 71, they include the heirs to some of Britain's most ancient and aristocratic titles and they spend their days politely debating in what has been called London's most exclusive private club.

But now members of the House of Lords can finally confidently enter the 21st century after being issued with their first official guide to navigating the hazardous world of social media.

The etiquette advice to peers, quietly published by the House of Lords Commission earlier this month, is far from a technical guide on how they can become influencers on the likes of Instagram, TikTok or Twitter, however.

It contains rather more basic information on how their lordships can avoid becoming victims of fraud, attacked by trolls or even committing libel.

The first of its 12 principles warns them: 'You are legally responsible for what you say online. If you realise that you've got something wrong, correct yourself quickly and openly.'

Their average age is 71, they include the heirs to some of Britain's most ancient and aristocratic titles and they spend their days politely debating in what has been called London's most exclusive private club

Next they are put on alert that their social media posts could affect the reputation of the entire upper chamber of Parliament.

'So when posting, speak in the first person and be clear that what you say represents your views and opinions, not those of the House.'

Peers are advised that anything they put online will remain 'permanently available' and can be seen or shared by anyone even if they delete it.

They are encouraged to consider if their comments could be 'misconstrued' - and check they have not made any errors.

'Think before you post: check the accuracy of your facts, and review the tone, before hitting send. Give credit where it's due, citing sources where appropriate.'

Another edict is simply: 'Do not post inappropriate material.'

Now members of the House of Lords can finally confidently enter the 21st century after being issued with their first official guide to navigating the hazardous world of social media.

Peers are next told they should not descend to the level of vitriol often seen on social media platforms.

'Treat others with respect and courtesy, setting an example for standards of public debate.

'Report any abuse you receive via the relevant social media platform's reporting tool.'

The guide goes on: 'Learn to distinguish between those offering genuine criticism or comment, and trolls, who are usually anonymous, and who intentionally seek to cause upset, harm or offence by provoking people online.'

And finally it tells peers to protect their personal information.

'Don't give out details like your date of birth, home address or phone number. Do not divulge your password.'

An introduction to the guide explains: 'The views and opinions you express on social media are your own. But social media platforms are public, and it is important to recognise that your status as a member of the House will increase your profile and potential impact.

'You will be seen as representing the UK Parliament even when you use social media in a personal capacity. You should not expect posts, conversations or other content to be private.'

Peers are assured that the guide is 'not a set of rules, nor is it part of the Code of Conduct'.

However it adds that they should avoid 'behaviour that might amount to bullying or harassment' and that 'the same standards of behaviour and conduct apply online as offline'.
The new owner of a 'haunted' portrait has revealed that his tourist attraction was flooded twice in a month amid a string of spooky events since buying the artwork for 1,700.

The infamous 'cursed' painting of a little girl went viral after it was pictured for sale in the window of a charity shop in Hastings, East Sussex, with a warning, reading: 'She's back!!! Sold twice and returned twice! Are you brave enough?'

The painting was first purchased by its mysterious first owner in August but they returned it after one night. It was then bought by Zoe Elliott-Brown who claimed she was chased by a 'black figure' after purchasing it for 25.

She was so spooked that she ended up selling it to James Kislingbury, managing director of The London Bridge Experience, on eBay for 1,680.

Mr Kislingbury claimed that his car broke down on the way to collect the portrait and he also injured his collar bone. He also said that the cameras and Wi-Fi at his tourist attraction have randomly switched off - and their TV's have mysteriously shut down.

Flickering lights and a figure in a black skirt have also been spotted by one worker, while when Mr Kislingbury took the portrait home for an interview, his father-in-law fell ill and his toaster blew up.

James Kislingbury is pictured with the cursed painting in the entrance to the London Bridge Experience. He purchased it on eBay but their building has flooded twice since the portrait arrived

The painting went viral after it was pictured in an East Sussex charity shop. The 'curse' has continued with each owner

Mr Kislingbury put the painting up in the reception of the tourist attraction - which takes guests on a walkthrough tour of the capital's history - as part of their Halloween display.

But the 44-year-old says he and his staff have been plagued by bad luck ever since.

The history of the 'haunted' portrait August - The painting is bought by its mysterious first owner who returns it after one night. It is then bought by Zoe Elliott-Brown, from East Sussex. August 23 - The portrait is returned to the HARC shop a second time but then taken home again by Zoe who has a change of heart. August 29 - Zoe appears on This Morning and claims the painting has 'transfixed' her mother. September 6 - The portrait is listed on eBay. September 13 - The portrait is sold to the London Bridge Experience and spooky occurrences begin. December - New owners say that London Bridge Experience building has flooded twice since purchasing portrait Advertisement

Mr Kislingbury said: 'We've had a couple of floods on the site between November and December. We came in one morning and the basement was flooded.

'We've had small leaks in the past, but nothing on this scale.

'We're lucky that the building is quite robust, so the damage wasn't too bad, but it was a little bit unexpected.

'I know a cynic would say it's just a coincidence, but given the volume of things which keep happening, I do find myself questioning whether there's more to the painting than meets the eye.'

On the day James brought the portrait to the London Bridge Experience, their WiFi went down and one of their TVs suffered an electrical fault.

He added: 'After I brought the painting onto the site, we kept it wrapped up in the back of our office for a while.

'Nobody knew it was here for a couple of weeks, but staff started reporting sightings of shadow figures following them.

'One member of staff even said they kept hearing footsteps behind them, but when they turned around nothing was there.

'And the day it came onto the site, a TV blew up and we had WiFi faults.'

The father-of-two took the painting back to his family home in Reading, Berkshire, one evening in late October to do a radio interview.

He claims two of his appliances 'blew up' and his father-in-law was taken ill the same day.

Zoe Elliott-Brown, from East Sussex, bought the portrait from Hastings Advice Representation Centre (HARC) shop in St Leonards-on-Sea in East Sussex but sold it on eBay

The store's manager Steve remarked that the 'creepy' little girl had 'eyes that follow you around the room'

The 44-year-old said: 'I had a radio interview in the early hours, so I took the painting home with me.

'That same day my father-in-law ended up in hospital and our toaster and dishwasher blew up. We've never had problems with either before.'

Two weeks after purchasing the portrait James went on holiday with his wife and two children, aged four and nine - a trip he says was 'blighted' by the curse of the painting.

He added: 'I ended up hurting my shoulder badly and we had problems on the ferry and with the hotel.

'It was a bit of a blighted holiday to be honest.'

While Mr Kislingbury was away on holiday, staff put the painting up on display in the entrance to the London Bridge Experience.

Since then, he says visitors have heard whispers and seen shadow people, as well as claiming their own appliances have blown up when they've returned home.

The managing director and his team decided to hire a medium to do a reading of the painting in November.

She told them the portrait has links to a hotel in Eastbourne, East Sussex and that the subject was likely dead when it was painted.

Mr Kislingbury said: 'We heard all sorts of funny noises during the reading. Even the medium was quite puzzled.

'But she picked up on a variety of things. She believes the female subject was more than likely painted after she died, and that it was painted by a spiritualist.

'She also pointed towards a building linked to the painting in Eastbourne, which is now a hotel.'

However, Mr Kislingbury said the reading left one of his staff members more than a bit spooked.

In October, MailOnline's John James met the 'haunted' portrait in its new home under London Bridge

He added: 'Our social media chap said he was watching TV when he got home that day and it suddenly fell off the wall and smashed in front of him.

'He had a lovely big, expensive LED TV which was firmly bolted to the wall, and had been for quite some time, and it literally flew off the wall.

'It's bizarre. All sorts of odd things have happened.'

But despite the odd occurrences, Mr Kislingbury has no plans to part with the 'cursed' painting anytime soon.

In fact, he has left it up in the reception area, despite taking down the other Halloween decorations.

The father-of-two said: 'It does creep me out a bit, but I've gotten used to it now and I tend to brush it off.

'We're no stranger to unusual things happening in this building - we have our very own plague pits in the basement.

'We're planning to keep it and we hope it can find a happy home here.'
A British serial killer has served his 50th Christmas behind bars after spending more time in solitary confinement than any other criminal in the world.

Notorious killer Robert Mawdsley, 70, has now spent 50 years in a prison cell, with 45 of these in solitude, which is thought to be a world record, according to The Mirror.

The criminal, nicknamed 'Hannibal the Cannibal' following false reports he ate one of his victim's brains, was just 21 when he was locked up for the murder of 30-year-old John Farrell in 1974.

Just four years later he was put into solitary confinement after killing three people inside a prison.

He now lives out his days in a 18 foot by 15 foot cell, which was built especially for him in 1983 and is protected by bullet proof glass.

Robert Mawdsley, 70, has now spent a record of 50 years behind bars, with 45 of these spent in solitude

The 'hannibal' murderer has been locked up in HMP Wakefield, where he killed three of his victims whilst behind bars

Mawdsley was ruled unfit for trial after murdering Farrell, who was reportedly a child sex offender.

He was sent to Broadmoor Hospital in Berkshire in 1977, where he took a fellow inmate hostage before stabbing him to death with a plastic spoon.

Rumours spread that Mawdsley had eaten some of his brain after the victim was found with the spoon in his ear.

Mawdsley was then sent to Wakefield prison in West Yorkshire where he murdered another two inmates, which landed him in solitary confinement in 1978.

In a Channel 5 documentary HMP Wakefield: Evil Behind Bars, Maudsley's nephew Gavin from Liverpool revealed how his softly spoken, 'well-read' uncle is content to be locked away from the rest of the world.

He added: '[If you] put him with rapists and paedophiles, I know because he told us, he is going to kill as many paedophiles as he can. I'm not condoning what he did, but...the people he killed were really bad people.'

Mawdsley previously said he is 'happy and content in solitary' but also once described spending the majority of his day in his small space as 'like being buried alive in a coffin'.

He has been repeatedly turned down for requests to spend time with other people, spending his days in a specially built cell.

Mawdsley (pictured) was ruled unfit for trial after murdering Farrell, who was reportedly a child sex offender

He has been categorised as the UK's most dangerous murderer and spends his days at HMP Wakefield (pictured)

In 2021, he lost an appeal to spend Christmas with other people and was told that he will be incarcerated in his 'glass box' until he dies. He also has a table and chair made of compressed cardboard.

The killer wrote to newspapers campaigning for better treatment in the early days of his confinement.

In 2000, Maudsley launched a legal bid to the courts requesting to be allowed to die.

He wrote a letter asking: 'What purpose is served by keeping me locked up 23 hours a day? Why even bother to feed me and to give me one hour's exercise a day? Who actually am I a risk to?'

He went on to question why he couldn't have a pet budgie, promising to love it and 'not eat it.'

Mawdsley is believed to be Britain's longest serving prisoner after Moors murderer Ian Brady, who served 51 years. He died in 2017.

US prisoner Albert Woodfox, who died last year, held the world record for solitary confinement at 43 years, before his release in 2016.

A spokesman for The Ministry of Justice told The Mirror there was 'no such thing as solitary confinement in our prison system'.

They added: 'Some offenders will be segregated if they pose a risk to others. They are allowed time in the open air every day, visits, phone calls, and access to legal advice and medical care like everyone else.'
Sam Bankman-Fried, who was convicted last month of stealing from customers of his now-bankrupt FTX cryptocurrency exchange, will not face a second trial on separate charges in the case, including campaign finance violations.

In a letter filed on Friday night in federal court in Manhattan, prosecutors said the 'strong public interest' in a prompt resolution of their case against the 31-year-old former billionaire outweighed the benefits of a second trial.

Prosecutors said that interest 'weighs particularly heavily here,' given that Bankman-Fried's scheduled March 28 sentencing will likely include orders of forfeiture and restitution for victims of his crimes.

In their letter to US District Judge Lewis Kaplan, prosecutors noted that they introduced evidence about all of the dropped charges during Bankman-Fried's monthlong first trial, which the judge can weigh at sentencing.

Last month, jurors convicted Bankman-Fried on all seven fraud and conspiracy counts he faced. Prosecutors had accused him of looting $8 billion from FTX customers out of sheer greed.

Sam Bankman-Fried, who was convicted last month of stealing from customers of his now-bankrupt FTX cryptocurrency exchange, will not face a second trial

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said the 'strong public interest' in a prompt resolution of the case against the 31-year-old former billionaire outweighed the benefits of a second trial

Bankman-Fried had faced six additional charges that had been severed from his first trial, including conspiracy to make unlawful campaign contributions, conspiracy to bribe foreign officials and two other conspiracy counts.

The bribery charge related to allegations that Bankman-Fried made a $40 million cryptocurrency payoff to Chinese officials so they would unfreeze his hedge fund's accounts.

Evidence at the first trial indicated that Bankman-Fried directed 'straw donor' donations to US political candidates using customer funds, as he sought to influence regulations.

Bankman-Fried was known as a major donor to Democrats, including Joe Biden's 2020 presidential campaign, but prosecutors say he also contributed to Republican campaigns as part of the alleged illicit donation scheme.

According to a superseding indictment, Bankman-Fried 'misappropriated and embezzled FTX customer deposits,' including more than $100 million spent 'in campaign contributions to Democrats and Republicans to seek to influence cryptocurrency regulation.'

The indictment also alleged that Bankman-Fried concealed the source of campaign donations by making them in the names of various FTX executives, including former engineering director Nishad Singh.

At trial, Singh testified that Bankman-Fried directed that money from his Alameda Research hedge fund be used to make political donations even after he learned the fund owed $13 billion to customers in September 2022.

Singh said he continued to receive transfers from Alameda, allowing Bankman-Fried associates to use the money to donate to US Democratic candidates and causes in what he called a 'straw donor' scheme.

'There was an enormous hole,' said Singh on the witness stand. 'Alameda sending me money to spend ... necessarily deepened that hole.'

FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried is questioned by prosecutor Danielle Sassoon (not seen) during his fraud trial over the collapse of the bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange

Nishad Singh (left) previously testified that Bankman-Fried directed that money from his Alameda Research hedge fund be used to make political donations through 'straw donors'

Bankman-Fried had been extradited in December 2022 from the Bahamas, where FTX was based, to face the seven earlier charges.

The Bahamas has yet to grant its consent for a trial on the remaining charges, however, leaving the timetable uncertain, prosecutors said.

Bankman-Fried's verdict came nearly one year after FTX filed for bankruptcy, erasing his once-$26 billion personal fortune in one of the fastest collapses of a major participant in U.S. financial markets.

Bankman-Fried could face decades in prison when he is sentenced in March by Judge Kaplan in Manhattan.

Prosecutors said much of the evidence that could be offered at a second trial was already presented at the first trial.

They also said a second trial would not affect how much time Bankman-Fried could face in prison under recommended federal guidelines, because Kaplan could consider all of Bankman-Fried's conduct when sentencing him for the counts on which he was convicted.

Bankman-Fried is expected to appeal his conviction.

He testified at trial that he made mistakes running FTX, including by not creating a team to oversee risk management, but did not steal customer funds.

Bankman-Fried also said he thought the borrowing of money from FTX by his crypto-focused hedge fund Alameda Research was permissible, and that he did not realize how precarious their finances had become until shortly before both collapsed.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduate has been jailed since August, when Kaplan revoked his bail after concluding that Bankman-Fried had likely tampered with prospective trial witnesses.
Ranchers say they will 'shoot on sight' if endangered wolves from Colorado cross state lines into Wyoming.

Last week Colorado Parks and Wildlife released five gray wolves onto public land in Grand County as a part of the state's voter-mandated reintroduction plan.

The predators consisted of two juvenile females, two males and one adult male and are classed as endangered - but the animals lose their 'protected' status as soon as they end up in the state of Wyoming where they are classed as predators.

There is every likelihood the wolves may end up in Wyoming given that the canines can travel up to 140 miles from where they were freed, according to the Colorado Wolf Restoration and Management Plan.

It would be mean Colorado's effort would be thwarted by the ranchers of Wyoming.

'If any of those wolves cross over into Wyoming, they're no longer protected. They're classified as predators and they can be removed,' Jim Magagna, a sheep rancher and executive vice president of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association, told Cowboy State Daily

Last week, Colorado Parks and Wildlife have released five endangered gray wolves onto public land in Grand County as a part of the state's reintroduction plan

'If any of those wolves cross over into Wyoming, they're no longer protected. They're classified as predators and they can be removed,' Jim Magagna, a sheep rancher and executive vice president of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association, told Cowboy State Daily.

'I'm not convinced that there is any wolf or any pack of wolves that isn't capable of becoming acclimated to killing livestock,' he said.

The CPW released the first wolf pack a minimum of 60 miles away from the state border of Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico and the sovereign tribal lands in southwestern Colorado.

The 60-miles is a supposed to be buffer zone that aims to prevent wolves crossing over into Wyoming, but the species is known to roam.

Magagna believes that if any livestock are killed, the ranchers will be wondering: 'Is that a Wyoming wolf or a Colorado wolf that killed my livestock?'

Magagna believes that if any livestock are killed, the ranchers will be wondering: 'Is that a Wyoming wolf or a Colorado wolf that killed my livestock?'

Wyoming ranchers say they will 'shoot wolves on sight', classifying them as predators following Colorado's recent release of the animals into the wild

The ranchers of Wyoming say they empathize with their Colorado counterparts but unlike those in Colorado they will not be compensated for any livestock that is eaten as a result of the release.

'It's kind of a bad deal how it got crammed down everyone's throat in Colorado. I think if they had to do it over again, they wouldn't vote to have wolves,' Wyoming Livestock Roundup publisher Dennis Sun said.

'There's really not a lot that Wyoming ranchers can do, except show support for the Colorado ranchers,' Sun told CSD.

'Despite the availability of food sources, they're going to travel. When wolves kick yearlings out of the group, they travel,' Sun Said.

Colorado's wolf reintroduction program was started following voters opting for Proposition 114 in a recent election but it only passed by the slimmest of margins: 50.91 percent to 49.09 percent.

The state faced challenges in obtaining wolves and they had to be captured in Oregon from Five Points Pack, Noregaard Pack and Wenaha Pack.

Ranchers including Magagna are concerned about the wolves potentially harming livestock

The lawsuit claimed the USFWS did not adequately review the states plan to release up to 50 wolves over the next few years

CPW Director Jeff Davis called the release 'historic' and said: We'll continue releasing animals based on our plan to have wolves not just survive but thrive in Colorado as they did a century ago.'

CPW Wolf Conservation Program Manager Eric Odell called it an 'honor' to participate in the effort.

'We were thrilled to have great conditions for capture and early success in Oregon. Weather conditions and information on pack locations provided by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife staff combined to help us capture five gray wolves on day one of the capture operations in northeast Oregon and release them earlier today on Colorado's Western Slope,' he said.

The release marked the start of the most ambitious wolf reintroduction effort in the US in almost three decades, despite protests from ranchers over the fear that the predators would ravage their livestock.

Earlier this month, a federal judge also denied a request from two Colorado livestock operators to delay the release of the wolves

The release marked the start of the most ambitious wolf reintroduction effort in the US in almost three decades, despite protests from ranchers over the fear that the predators would ravage their livestock

Earlier this month, a federal judge denied a request from two Colorado livestock operators to delay the release of the wolves.

The Gunnison County Stockgrowers' Association and Colorado Cattlemen's Association filed a lawsuit against US Fish and Wildlife (USFWS) and its director, CPW's Davis and Odell, and the CPW Commission in Colorado District Court.

The lawsuit claimed the USFWS did not adequately review the state's plan to release up to 50 wolves over the next few years.

However, government attorneys argued that further environmental reviews were unnecessary and urged the judge to reject the association's request.

The judge sided with federal agencies and released an order denying their request.

The order read: 'Having considered the arguments set forth by the parties, the Court finds that, while the Petitioners who have lived and worked on the land for many years are understandably concerned about possible impacts of this reintroduction, neither these possible impacts nor their assertions under the Administrative Procedures Act are sufficient for this Court to grant the extraordinary relief they seek.

'For the reasons set forth below, the Petitioners' Motion for TRO is DENIED.'

The ranchers have been assured that they will be compensated for the loss of livestock that is killed by the wolves under the plan.

Gray wolves are known to look like large German shepherds and can vary in size depending on where they live, with north-living wolves being larger than southern ones.

Their coat color is typically a mix of gray and brown with buffy facial markings and undersides, but the color can vary from solid white to brown or black.

They are spread over Alaska, northern Michigan, northern Wisconsin, western Montana, northern Idaho, northeast Oregon, and the Yellowstone area of Wyoming.

The predators prefer to eat large hoofed mammals such as deer, elk, bison and moose but will also hunt smaller mammals such as beavers, rodents and hares when needed.

Another 10 wolves are expected to be released in the coming months.
Authorities have identified two suspects who attacked a Chipotle employee in South Carolina after being told that extra chicken would raise the price of their meal.

Jamel Bernard Williams, 36, and Kayla Nicole Pyle, 34, both of Charlotte, have been accused of attacking a 20-year-old female Chipotle employee on December 10.

Williams has been charged with assault and first-degree battery and Pyle with assault and second-degree battery.

According to the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office, Pyle came into the fast food restaurant to place an order and reportedly asked for extra chicken.

Jamel Bernard Williams, 36, has been charged with assault and first-degree battery

Kayla Nicole Pyle, 34, has been charged with assault and second-degree battery

Deputies reported that the victim declined treatment at the scene and sought treatment on her own

The unidentified employee told the customer that the extra chicken would cost more.

A dispute arose about the order and 'words were exchanged' between Pyle and the victim, according to authorities.

Afterwards, the young adult decided to end her shift and began to leave from one side of the dining room, but at that moment, Williams, who is 6 feet, 3 inches tall, walked in from the other side and approached her.

Officials said the accused man pushed the employee to the floor and began hitting her, pulling her hair, and jerking her around.

They further said Pyle joined in and started hitting the employee.

Officials said the accused man pushed the employee to the floor and began hitting her, pulling her hair, and jerking her around

Footage shows other customers quickly intervening and pulling Williams away from the victim

Footage shows other customers quickly intervening and pulling Williams away from the victim.

Both suspects had run away in a gray 2021 Dodge Charger by the time police arrived at the scene.

Deputies reported that the victim declined treatment at the scene and sought treatment on her own.

Lancaster County Sheriff Barry Faile said in a statement: 'I dont know what was said between Pyle and the victim, but the victim was leaving for home and was chased down from behind by Williams and attacked in the dining room of the restaurant.

'The assault was completely unjustified. I hope the victim has recovered from her injuries. I appreciate the help we got from Charlotte Mecklenburg PD to identify Williams and Pyle, and I encourage them to turn themselves in and let the judicial system run its course in this case.'

The Sheriff's Office also identified a male juvenile with Pyle and Williams, but he has not been identified and will not be charged.
A Maine Republican has filed notice of his intent to impeach their secretary of state, accusing her of overstepping her authority by removing Donald Trump from the state ballot and arguing that, by her rationale, Joe Biden should also be removed.

John Andrews, was elected in 2018 to the Maine House of Representatives, said on Friday he filed a request with the Maine Revisor's Office, saying he wanted 'to file a Joint Order, or whichever is the proper parliamentary mechanism under Mason's Rules, to impeach Secretary of State Shenna Bellows.'

Bellows on Thursday announced that Trump was disqualified from their state primaries for violating Section Three of the 14th Amendment of the Constitution, which prohibits anyone who has engaged in insurrection from holding office.

Her ruling made Maine the second state to strike Trump from the ballot, after Colorado's Supreme Court on December 19 came to the same conclusion. Colorado's ruling was temporarily reversed on Thursday when the Republican party filed an appeal, and the decision in both Maine and Colorado is expected to go to the U.S. Supreme Court - something which Bellows said she welcomes.

Andrews said he wants to impeach Bellows 'on the grounds that she is barring an American citizen and 45th President of the United States, who is convicted of no crime or impeachment, their right to appear on a Maine Republican Party ballot in March.'

John Andrews, a Republican serving in Maine's House of Representatives, on Friday filed a request to impeach the secretary of state, Shenna Bellows

Bellows on Thursday announced that Donald Trump was not eligible to appear on their state's ballot

Bellows argued that, under Maine law, Trump did not have to be convicted to be disqualified - merely to have engaged in insurrection. She has been receiving death threats as a consequence of her decision.

Trump's campaign has denounced the decision and called Bellows a 'virulent leftist and a hyper-partisan Biden-supporting Democrat.'

Steven Cheung, Trump's spokesman, said: 'We are witnessing, in real-time, the attempted theft of an election and the disenfranchisement of the American voter.

'Make no mistake, these partisan election interference efforts are a hostile assault on American democracy.'

Andrews on Friday morning told Fox News that he felt, under her rationale, Joe Biden could also be removed from the vote.

'Under Shenna Bellows' new standard you could argue that President Biden be barred due to section three - the giving of aid or comfort to the enemies thereof,' he said.

'I would argue that releasing billions to Iran and selling our strategic oil reserves to Chinese interests could qualify as that, if no convictions are required under Shenna Bellows' new rules.

'And that is why this is such a dangerous game that she has created.'

Andrews said that Bellows, a Democrat who tweeted in 2021 that she believed Trump had engaged in insurrection, was a partisan who was not qualified to make the decision.

'In Maine, the people do not elect the Secretary of State, Attorney General or Treasurer,' he said.

'They are chosen by elected Democrat Party insiders after deals are made in the back room of State House.

'Shenna Bellows knows that the process that put her there is extremely partisan.

'She should know better and be going out of her way to be as neutral as possible to serve every citizen in Maine and not just registered Democrats.'

Trump's campaign accused Bellows of attempting the 'theft of an election'

He said her move disenfranchised 300,060 people - the number of registered Republicans in Maine.

'That's why she swore an oath to the Constitution and not the Democrat Party,' he added. 'We are still a republic, but moves like this fracture that foundation, which ultimately is the point of all this.'

Andrews praised Jared Golden, a Democrat representing Maine in Washington DC, for speaking out against Bellows' move - despite his dislike of Trump. Golden voted to impeach Trump.

'I do not believe he should be re-elected as President of the United States,' said Golden on Thursday night.

'However, we are a nation of laws, therefore until he is actually found guilty of the crime of insurrection, he should be allowed on the ballot.'

Bellows on Friday told CNN she stood by her decision.

'I reviewed Section Three of the 14th Amendment very carefully and determined that Section Three of the 14th Amendment does not say 'conviction,' it says 'engage,'' she said.

'And, let's go back and keep in mind that the events of January 6, 2021, were unprecedented and tragic.

'This was an attack, not only on the Capitol and the government officials, the former vice president, members of Congress, but an attack on the rule of law.

'And the weight of evidence that I reviewed indicated that it was, in fact, an insurrection.

'And Mr Trump engaged in that insurrection under Section Three of the 14th Amendment.'

Bellows thanked the security team protecting her in the wake of the death threats.

'I was prepared for the possibility of threats, and I really appreciate law enforcement and the people around me who have been incredibly supportive of my safety and security,' she said.

'My safety and security is important, so is the safety and security of everyone who works with me and we have received threatening communications.'
One of the two drivers killed in a horror five-car pile-up west of the Blue Mountains has been identified as a father who was soon to marry.

Jason McMahon, 42, died in the collision that injured 15 people outside of Lithgow, in New South Wales' Central West, on Friday.

A GoFundMe crowdfunding page for his fiance and children was created late Friday night.

'Unfortunately the McMahon family have lost a big role model in their life,' it reads.

'His family have lost a son, a dad, a fiance and more.

'The whole purpose of this GoFundMe is to help his fiance and the rest of his family, to raise money to follow through with any funeral costs.'

Jason McMahon (above) has been identified as the first victim of the five-car pile-up near Lithgow on Friday

Mr McMahon had reportedly been dirt biking at nearby Sunny Corner with family friend Declan Jones, who was also injured in the crash. They were heading home to western Sydney.

Police said Friday's holiday pile-up on the Great Western Highway at Wallerawang, about 15km north of Lithgow, appeared to have unfolded when a car crossed onto the wrong side of the road.

Investigators on Saturday morning said Mr McMahon's eastbound Isuzu D-Max, towing a motorcycle trailer, collided with a westbound Toyota Hilux.

That Toyota then struck a Hyundai Tuscan - hurling it from the highway and trapping the occupants.

In the chaos, the Isuzu then struck a Kia Carnival head-on. A Nissan Patrol, towing a caravan, then collided with the Isuzu's trailer.

Mr McMahon and the 49-year-old male Kia driver, who is yet to be named, were both trapped and died at the scene.

The Kia's six passengers - including five children and a woman, 41 - were all injured.

The horror crash saw at least 15 people injured and killed two drivers, Mr McMahon and the 49-year-old male Kia driver (pictured, emergency services at the scene)

A nine-year-old girl is in a critical but stable condition in hospital, while the other four are stable, and the adult has been released from hospital.

Many of those caught up in the fatal crash were heading off or returning from holidays for the Christmas/New Year's period.

Images from the scene showed more than a dozen ambulance vehicles, with paramedics and SES officers helping the injured.

Several vehicles were crumpled wrecks with debris strewn across the 110km/h stretch of highway, including suitcases, pillows and dirtbikes.

The Great Western Highway has since reopened.

NSW Police Superintendent Paul Glinn said: 'It would appear that a vehicle has crossed to the incorrect side of the road.'

Mr McMahon had reportedly been dirt biking at nearby Sunny Corner with family friend Declan Jones (above)

Fire crews arrived at 'a confronting scene of carnage'.

'Crews with the assistance of ambulance and volunteer rescue association had to make critical decisions triaging patients,' Fire and Rescue NSW Duty Commander Phil Vaiciurgis said.

'We had to do two complicated rescues from severe entrapment injuries and provide fire protection and assist police and ambulance rendering the scene safe.'

Friday's tragedy takes the NSW road death toll to 352 in 2023 - 82 more than last year.

The tragedy has rocked the region west of the Blue Mountains.

Fire and Rescue NSW Duty Commander Phil Vaiciurgis described the crash as 'a confronting scene of carnage' (pictured, paramedics with one of the injured)

'It is shocking news and everyone is sending their condolences to those families and loved ones that have been involved in that serious accident,' Bathurst MP Paul Toole, told ABC News.

'It has a far-rippling effect in our local communities.

'I know the police have not identified those that have been involved in the incident, but we know it is going to cause a lot of heartache and loss.'

Investigators urge anyone with information or dash cam footage to contact police.
Detailed notes Brittany Higgins' former boss kept in the days following her alleged rape at Parliament House have been revealed in a court filing.

Fiona Brown was the chief of staff for then-Minister for Defence Industry Linda Reynolds when Ms Higgins was found by parliamentary security staff naked and passed out on a couch in her ministerial office in the early hours of March 23, 2019.

CCTV had captured Ms Higgins and former colleague Bruce Lehrmann, the man she alleges sexually assaulted her, going through a security checkpoint together before they entered the office where there was no surveillance.

Mr Lerhmann has consistently denied Ms Higgins' rape allegation and is suing Network 10 and Lisa Wilkinson, who broke the story on The Project, for defamation in the Federal Court.

Above is a photo of Brittany Higgins, former foreign minister Julie Bishop and David Panton that was tendered at the court case

Fiona Brown is pictured outside court after finishing her evidence on December 19

Ms Brown's notes about what happened in the aftermath of that night were quietly published by the court as an exhibit in the case three days before Christmas.

Her notes said she was first informed the pair had attended the office after-hours by a Department of Finance employee, Lauren Barons.

'At approx. 11.45am I received a call from Lauren Barons who told me she had something sensitive to raise,' Ms Brown's notes for the day of March 26, 2019, state.

'Lauren told me that two staffers had entered through a security checkpoint during the early hours of Saturday morning intoxicated, she told me their names were Bruce Lehrmann and Brittany Higgins.'

'Lauren said Bruce left the office about 230am, a security guard went to check the office some time later to ensure it was secured and found Brittany naked and passed out.'

'She was offered an ambulance and medical assistance which she declined. She said Brittany left the building at approx. 10am on Saturday.'

'Lauren took me though the protocols and procedures which I needed to follow and advised that DPS were preparing a report.'

The same day she was told of the incident, Ms Brown said she called Mr Lehrmann in for 12pm meeting and asked him what he was doing in the office that night.

'He said he didn't agree with that he was intoxicated.

'I asked him who he came with he said Brittany. I asked why he attended the office at that time, he said to drink his whisky.'

According to her notes, Mr Lerhmann said he drank two glasses of the whisky and Ms Brown repeatedly informed him he had broken ministerial code of conduct and security protocols by entering the office after-hours.

When asked what he and Ms Higgins had done in the office he replied they 'chatted' and when pressed further said he 'didn't want to get into that'.

Ms Brown then told him to leave the office 'immediately' after which he asked for 15 minutes to collect his 'books and things'.

When she went to check on him after about seven minutes he had gone, ignoring her request to personally hand over his security pass, she claimed.

He texted her shortly after to say he had left it with security staff.

Bruce Lehrmann is pictured arriving at the Federal Court during his defamation trial earlier this month

Ms Brown then called a meeting with Ms Higgins about 1.30pm during which she also told her the ministerial code of conduct and security protocols had been breached.

'I asked what time she arrived at the office, she said she didn't remember accessing the office, she said she'd been out and was inebriated, she remembered coming through the security checkpoint in the min wing basement.

'She remembered being woken up but didn't know which time and that she was semi-naked, she remembered waking up at about 8am on Saturday morning on the couch.'

'I asked if she was all right, she said yes. I asked her was there anything else she recalled she shook her head to say no.

'She said I am responsible for what I drink and my actions.'

Ms Higgins then requested a few days off to see her family on the Gold Coast.

'She went back to her desk. I went back out about 45 mins later and noticed she was gone ... I called her and she sounded upset, I asked where she was, she said sitting in the car, she had been crying, I offered to come down and see her, she declined.'

'At approx. 5.O5pm I called Brittany it went to (voicemail), I texted her to say I was checking on her welfare and was happy for her to decide if she wanted to take time off or work from home, to let me know.

'She replied saying she would prefer to come to work, she liked being busy, I said that was fine.'

The following day Ms Brown called Ms Higgins to a meeting, the court-tendered document states.

Ms Brown recalled: 'I said whilst I was unaware of exactly what occurred at the office, that if something had happened that she wasn't happy with or felt wasn't right or had upset her, she had every right to lodge a complaint or report through the appropriate channels.'

'She said no she didn't what to do that, I said she had our support if she wanted to, she said she didn't want to be any trouble, I said no trouble would be caused, she should know she was supported and within her rights to lodge any report or complaint.'

The day after the pair had another meeting.

Ms Brown told her: 'If you're unhappy with something you had our continued support, I said as far as I was concerned I wouldn't raise it with her again, as I didn't want her to feel every time we spoke I would raise the incident.

'She said she was taking up the counselling to which I replied good, I was pleased to see she was accessing it.'

'Then she said, "I recall him being on top of me". I was shocked. I didn't know what to say at first.'

Ms Brown said over the following days she continued to check in with Ms Higgins, and told her she would be supported if she wanted to make a police report.

Ms Brown's notes show on March 29 she and Minister Reynolds argued over whether a police report should be made anyway.

'Linda called - directed me to go to AFP and report the incident on her behalf, I refused. We discussed, she insisted, I refused. I said you can't, it is morally and ethically wrong. It is up to the person/victim, disempowering etc. Heated.'

Ms Brown then called Ms Higgins and asked her if she would like a report lodged for her, to which she declined saying she wanted to first speak to her father who was visiting Canberra that weekend.

Defendant in the defmation action Lisa Wilkinson is pictured, left, outside the Federal Court with her barrister Sue Chrysanthou SC

For the day of April 1, Ms Brown wrote: 'Minister and I met with Brittany to discuss the events from last week.

'Minister prefaced the meeting with we were here to check on Brittany's welfare; don't know exactly what happened, but something doesn't seem right, what "you choose to do we will support".

Ms Reynolds then suggested Ms Higgins undertake counselling, which she said she was doing and that she talk to the AFP, the court document said.

'Minister referred to times in life when she repressed things that had happened to her and they had popped up back again the future; she said the AFP could quietly look into things and provide Brittany with options.'

'She said her concern was the impact this event could have on her career prospects, the Minister immediately said Brittany's welfare was our primary concern, said (Brittany) had her unconditional support, (it was) important to take control today, talk to the AFP and know what her options were. Minister said there was no impact on Brittany's career.'

Over the next few days Ms Brown's notes said AFP officers confirmed to the Minister Reynolds that Ms Higgins had made a sexual assault allegation and that Ms Brown had recommended Mr Lehrmann's employment be terminated.

Ms Higgins would later go to Belconnen Police Station and file a report but then choose to not continue with that complaint.

It was not until February the following year that Ms Higgins chose to go public with her allegations and followed through with a police report.

Mr Lehrmann has always denied the allegations Ms Higgins made. The alleged rape case went to criminal trial but was discontinued due to juror misconduct,

Justice Lee heard closing arguments in the civil defamation case just before Christmas after a 21-day hearing.

He has reserved his decision. It is expected to be handed down in early 2024.

Ms Higgins and her fiance David Sharaz moved to Lunas, France after she gave her testimony at the defamation hearing.
A federal jury Friday convicted a Niagara Falls father and son of all counts in the shooting death of Kevin O. Turner, 21, an up-and-coming Buffalo rapper, in a narcotics conspiracy case.

Jurors convicted Lavon Parks, 32, and his father, James C. Parks, 58, of discharging a firearm causing death, which carries at least a 10-year prison term and possibly life, among other narcotics and firearm charges.

Judge sees 'long-standing problem' in way federal prosecutors turn evidence over to the defense "The government seems to approach its discovery obligations by finding ways not to disclose evidence and excuses for not disclosing it sooner or at all," U.S. District Judge Lawrence Vilardo said in a recently unsealed decision.

They, essentially, hunted Kevin, Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Antoine told jurors.

Prosecutors said Lavon Parks fired six shots, killing Turner on the afternoon of Jan. 21, 2018, as Turner exited a residence on the 1800 block of Niagara Street in Niagara Falls.

Prosecutors believe Lavon Parks was concerned about his drug territory and targeted Turner, a rival drug dealer.

FBI spent years unlocking accused killer's iPhone, but judge blocks 'cornucopia' of evidence Lavon Parks, 32, and his father, James C. Parks, 58, face narcotics and firearms charges. The most serious one  discharge of a firearm causing death  would imprison them for at least 10 years and possibly life, if convicted.

Prosecutors showed jurors video they say showed Lavon and James Parks driving around the Niagara Falls neighborhood shortly before Turner was killed. Two crack users, who sold heroin for Lavon Parks, texted Lavon Parks when Turner was at their apartment building, according to prosecutors. Prosecutors called it a setup, letting Lavon Parks know when and where to find Turner.

Antoine said Parks had suffered drug losses and owed money to another drug dealer, described by prosecutors as a very, very dangerous person.

Hes into debt up to his eyeballs, Antoine said of Lavon Parks. Hes under tremendous stress. And now, his own heroin dealers are using his money to go buy crack cocaine from another dealer. Well, that wasnt going to be tolerated.

The 2019 indictment accused the father, son and five other defendants of engaging in a conspiracy to sell cocaine in the Niagara Falls and Buffalo areas between May 2017 and March 2019.

Attorney Cheryl Meyers Buth discounted the prosecutors assertion that Lavon Parks was a major drug dealer, saying he wasnt even on the radar of Niagara Falls police.

And Turner was no threat to any other drug dealer in the Falls, making his little $20 drug sales, Buth said.

Over the years, Lavon sold some weed, she told jurors. Lavon sold some coke. Were not hiding from that. But hes no killer.

The prosecution witnesses  the foundation of what Buth called the governments totally circumstantial case  included an assortment of drug addicts, hustlers, career criminals, people who know how the street and the legal system work, sometimes even better than the police, she told jurors.

They have to point the finger at someone else because the governments pointing it at them, she said of the other witnesses.

Buth, along with defense attorney Barry J. Donohue, who represented James Parks, sought to poke holes in the testimony of the government witnesses.

I have more questions than I have answers about this case, Buth said in her closing argument Thursday.

There were no eyewitnesses to the shooting, and no DNA on the gun authorities say was used to kill Turner, the defense attorneys said.

Between the evidence the jurors did not see and the lies from government witnesses, the governments case had more holes than a road in Western New York in March, Donohue said.

The narcotics conspiracy, according to prosecutors, involved cocaine from postal parcels shipped from Puerto Rico to locations in Western New York and other states.

The trial started Nov. 22, with jurors hearing from 43 government witnesses over 15 days, and then two defense witnesses on Tuesday. Neither Lavon nor James Parks testified.

The defense lawyers questioned the credibility of several of the prosecution witnesses who have had run-ins with the legal system.

During the trial, jurors learned about the desperation of witnesses who use drugs, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel L. Violanti, who prosecuted the case with Antoine and Assistant U.S. Attorney Caitlin M. Higgins.

Im not telling you who to believe or not to believe, Violanti told jurors Thursday. Im telling you to listen to them.

Kevin Turner didnt deserve to die, Violanti said. But he did  all because Lavon Parks, the drug dealer, was involved in a conspiracy stretching from Pennsylvania, Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Lackawanna, Georgia and Puerto Rico.

The case generated considerable tension between the prosecutors and defense attorneys over the disclosure of evidence.

U.S. District Judge Lawrence Vilardo, who presided at the trial, questioned the federal governments discovery practices.

The judge disallowed some of the governments evidence, including 71,000 pages of downloaded information from Lavon Parks iPhone.

The trial was supposed to have started in 2022, but Vilardo postponed it over his concerns that the government did not promptly turn over evidence to the defense. The judge described it as a Brady violation, referring to a 1963 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that requires prosecutors to provide defendants with evidence that could aid their defense. The trial was postponed again in July when prosecutors planned to appeal his suppression order to the U.S. 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals. The government did not follow through with the appeal.

Lavon and James Parks were taken into custody after the guilty verdicts. They are scheduled to be sentenced in June.
She is now seeking at least $3 million in compensation in total for three civil claims for gender discrimination, retaliation and punitive damages along with legal costs

The lawsuit alleges Casias became an 'unwanted and unwelcomed outcast who was refused substantive work for three years and then terminated'

A transgender Atlanta woman has filed a lawsuit against AT&T alleging that she was discriminated against and fired after she revealed her new identity.

Robyn Casias, who was formerly known as Robert Lott, had worked with the American telecommunications company for 16 years. In 2017, revealed her transgender status to colleagues during a weeklong meeting in Texas.

According to the lawsuit, Casias was a 'highly regarded star employee' at the company and worked as a senior project architect.

She began to work for the company in 2001 as a senior member of its technical staff and was promoted in 2006 and 2012.

During this time, Casias presented herself as a 'married man with three children' and used male pronouns.

Robyn Casias, who was formerly known as Robert Lott, had worked with the American telecommunications company for 16 years and in 2017, she revealed her transgender status to colleagues during a weeklong meeting in Texas

According to the lawsuit, Casias was a 'highly regarded star employee' at the company and worked as a senior project architect

But by March 2017, she had completely transitioned into a woman and revealed her new identity to friends and family but was afraid to do so at work for fear of retaliation, the lawsuit states.

Casias had also received a service excellence award in May 2017.

According to the lawsuit, she said her award gave her confidence about her value to the company, which made her decide to reveal her transgender status to colleagues.

During a three-day work conference in June 2017 in Texas, Casias decided to present herself as Robert for the first two days, but on the third day, she 'courageously decided to unveil her true self.'

'That morning, (Casias) put on her dress, makeup, and nail polish, and left her hotel room experiencing a whirlwind of emotions  fear, irreversible decisions, the possibility of turning back, relief, regret, joy, newfound freedom, apprehension about discrimination, and a myriad of other intense feelings,' the lawsuit states.

During a three-day work conference in June 2017 in Texas, Casias decided to present herself as Robert for the first two days, but on the third day, she 'courageously decided to unveil her true self.'

But instead of acceptance, the lawsuit noted that her colleagues responded angrily and one male coworker allegedly 'turned beet red' before aggressively demanding to know what she was doing.

After returning from the event, Casias 'made her formal reintroduction to the workplace as Robyn' and announced her transition to coworkers via email.

'The long and successful career she had enjoyed at AT&T while presenting as male came to a screeching, unlawful halt thereafter.

'Though Robert Lott was a star who led the most important projects, Robyn Casias was an unwanted and unwelcomed outcast who was refused substantive work for three years and then terminated.

'After her workplace transition, (Casias) was taken off many of the previous projects she had been assigned prior to her transition,' the lawsuit claims.

Casias is now seeking at least $3 million in compensation in total for three civil claims for gender discrimination, retaliation and punitive damages along with legal costs

AT&T has denied all claims and said: 'We do not discriminate, nor do we tolerate discrimination of any kind, including based on (an) individuals gender, gender identity or sexual orientation'

Casias claims in the lawsuit she was excluded from critical meetings and presentations and was only assigned to administrative jobs.

By August 2018, Casias had first reported the alleged discrimination to AT&Ts human resources staff, and the complaint states that her case was closed soon after.

The law states that by February 2020, Casias had expressed her concern to a company executive after repeatedly complaining to human resources staff.

Despite assurances, in July 2020, she was fired by AT&T for being 'on the surplus'

Casias is now seeking at least $3 million in compensation in total for three civil claims for gender discrimination, retaliation and punitive damages along with legal costs.

Megan Goddard, Casias attorney, said in a statement to Atlanta News First: 'In twenty years of practice, I have rarely heard allegations of such blatant discrimination.

'My client was an integral, highly regarded member of the AT&T team for 16 years, but that changed drastically the day that she came to work in a dress and announced that she was transgender. Apparently, despite 16 years of stellar performance, AT&T considered her unworthy of performing substantive work once she transitioned.'

AT&T has denied all claims and said: 'We do not discriminate, nor do we tolerate discrimination of any kind, including based on (an) individuals gender, gender identity or sexual orientation.'


Dramatic footage shared on social media showed migrants walking through the Mexican state of Chihuahua, bound for the border.

Others were seen clinging to the top of 'La Bestia' - the freight train known as The Beast, which runs from Mexico City up to Ciudad Juarez, the border town with El Paso.

The migrants have been heading towards the international boundary for the last few days.

The migrants are part of a group of about 1,300 making its way through the northern Mexican state of Chihuahua since Christmas Day.

They are days away from El Paso, Texas.

A second huge wave could arrive at the border in several weeks, when a massive caravan, 6,000-8,000 people strong arrives.

That group is currently in southern Mexico.

After they trickle into Ciudad Juarez almost all will try and cross into the U.S.

Migrants are seen on Friday walking towards the U.S.-Mexico border, south of Ciudad Juarez

Migrants in El Paso are seen on Friday boarding buses north, away from Texas

Migrants are seen through the border fence lining up to enter

Some could stay in Juarez, trying to make an appointment with U.S. immigration officials via the CBP One app. The app is the legal way for asylum seekers to begin the asylum process in the U.S.

Many migrants opted to try the app - but then decided to cross illegally, and turn themselves over to U.S. Border officials after failing to secure an appointment.

The CBP One app has been riddled with problems, and although some issues have been addressed, U.S. officials have admitted there just aren't enough appointments for the amount of people requesting them.

On Friday in El Paso, hundreds of migrants showed up at the border wall at an opening in gate number 36.

They queued for most of the day until Border Patrol buses started to arrive to take them to a processing center in the early evening.

The migrant bus is seen on Friday leaving the border processing center

Lines of migrants wait to board the buses out of the processing center near El Paso on Friday

Migrants are seen on Friday boarding the bus to leave the Texas site

El Paso, which spent most of last year as the epicenter of the border crisis, has three larger processing centers that were built in the last 12 months specifically to handle migrant surges at the border.

Although the city is seeing about 1,000 migrant encounters a day - far less than in the current hot spots of Lukeville, Arizona or Eagle Pass, Texas, where ten times that number are crossing - officials here have the ability to quickly ramp up their response if that number peaks.

On Friday, the officials were readying for the imminent arrival of the rest of the migrant caravan.

The group will likely splinter before it reaches the border, with people attempting to cross at different points along the border.

Border Patrol agents from quieter parts of the border have already been dispatched to El Paso, federal sources told DailyMail.com.

City officials have also opened a migrants shelter that can hold hundreds, if necessary.

As night fell in the West Texas desert, on the other side of the border migrants waiting for their chance to surrender to Border Patrol officials started fires for warmth.

The blazes could be seen glowing from the U.S. side of the border wall.

Migrants traveling in a caravan to reach the U.S. border through Mexico bathe in a river, in Mapastepec, Mexico, on Friday

The migrants are seen resting on Friday in Mapastepec, Mexico

Large numbers of families with young children are in the caravan currently moving up north through Mexico

The migrants' tent encampment is pictured in Mapastepec, Mexico, on Friday

The migrant caravan, seen on Friday, is currently believed to be 6,000 strong but will splinter as it moves north

Migrants rest in the public square in Mapastepec, Mexico on Friday

Earlier this week, a U.S. delegation led by Antony Blinken, the Secretary of State, met with Mexico's president seeking more action to curb a surge of migrants reaching the U.S. border .

The United States has given clear signs, including temporarily closing key border rail crossings into Texas, that it wants Mexico to do more to stop migrants hopping freight cars, buses and trucks to the border.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said he got a worried phone call on December 20 from President Joe Biden.

'He asked, Joe Biden asked to speak with me, he was worried about the situation on the border because of the unprecedented number of migrants arriving at the border,' Lopez Obrador said Thursday.

'He called me, saying we had to look for a solution together.'

Mexico, desperate to get the border crossings reopened to its manufactured goods, started to give indications it would crack down a bit.

A Border Patrol agent is seen walking past migrants in El Paso on Friday waiting to be processed

Migrants wrapped in blankets are pictured at the El Paso crossing on Friday

The group are seen waiting to cross into Texas on Friday

Razor wire is seen along the border, with the fence in the background

Lopez Obrador said Thursday that Mexico detained more migrants in the week leading up to Christmas than the United States did, with Mexican detentions rising from about 8,000 per day on December 16 to about 9,500 on Christmas Day.

Mexico already has over 32,000 soldiers and National Guard troopers - about 11 percent of its total forces - assigned to enforcing immigration laws.

But shortcomings were on display this week when National Guard members made no attempt to stop about 6,000 migrants, many from Central America and Venezuela, from walking through Mexico's main inland immigration inspection point in southern Chiapas state near the Guatemala border.

In the past, Mexico has let such migrant caravans go through, trusting they would tire themselves out walking along the highway.
A family of Christian missionaries from Indiana who moved to the Caribbean island of Dominica to escape COVID vaccine mandates is finding the dream destination to be less than ideal.

Jason and Jennifer Grogg moved with their four kids to Dominica in 2021, but were arrested alongside two of their teen daughters this spring after police found a handgun and ammunition, which they say was accidentally packed in a shipping container with their other belongings from the US.

The father, 44, pleaded guilty in the case, in a deal that saw charges dropped against his wife and daughters, but now faces new charges, with his family out of funds to return to the US, the Indianapolis Star reported on Friday.

'We left the United States for a very particular reason when it came to the COVID nonsense,' Jason told the outlet. 'But we also saw very clearly this is the path that God was wanting us to take for purposes unknown.'

The family also left America because of their displeasure with the expansion of LGBTQ rights, according to self-published newsletters of their travels reviewed by the Star.

Jason and Jennifer Grogg moved with their four kids to Dominica in 2021, but were arrested alongside two of their teen daughters this spring after police found a handgun and ammo

The father, 44, pleaded guilty in the case, in a deal that saw charges dropped against his wife and daughters, but now faces new charges

Speaking out in the new interview and in statements on social media, the Grogg family say they have been unfairly targeted and harassed by the Dominica government.

Dominica, not to be confused with the Dominican Republic, is a small island nation in the Caribbean with a population of about 74,000 and a nominal per capita GDP of $9,356, according to IMF data.

The Groggs say they felt called by God to leave the US and move to Dominica, where they hoped to perform missionary services to local residents while enjoying fewer pandemic restrictions.

Their troubles began in April, when after a police encounter, cops searched their belongings, including the shipping container from the US, which was being stored behind their church.

Police said they found a 9mm Glock 19 pistol, multiple magazines, and assorted ammunition.

Jason told the Star that he had packed the gun accidentally, and intended to secure a permit to legally possess it.

He said the handgun was initially found in a tote in an unsecured room inside of the church building, where he was sorting out items from the shipping container with permission from the group.

Jason and his wife were both arrested, along with daughters Hannah, 18, and Gracia, 16.

The Groggs say the handgun was accidentally packed in a 40-foot shipping container with their other belongings from the US

Police said they found found a Glock 9 mm pistol, 9 mm and 20 mm ammunition, four M16 magazines with 30 rounds of ammunition, and 17 20-gage shells

In a recent Christmas message posted to YouTube, Jason said: 'What looks like an out of control mess is well within God's order.'

The Grogg family is seen in a Christmas message they posted on YouTube

'My wife and my two daughters were essentially in a cell that was 4 feet by less than 10 feet for seven days. It was just it was incredibly inhumane,' Jason told the Star.

In a deal to free his wife and daughters, Jason pleaded guilty to possessing the firearm charge, and paid a fine of $25,000 East Caribbean dollars, or about $9,250 US dollars.

Soon after he was freed, Jason was arrested again at the airport, as he tried to visit the US consulate in Barbados.

He was jailed for about another week on new customs charges, alleging the family evaded paying import duties on items they brought to the country.

He is due in court on the customs charge in Feburary.

'They're just kicking it months and months down the road and it makes it exponentially more expensive for me,' he said.

The US State Department said it was aware of the arrests of US citizens in Dominica, but declined to comment further, citing privacy concerns.

In a recent Christmas message posted to YouTube, Jason said: 'With all that's transpired this year this year, and it's been a lot, it's good to remind ourselves that because of Christ's birth, the trajectory of human history has changed, changed dramatically.'

He added: 'What looks like an out of control mess is well within God's order.'
Noel Pearson - one of the architects of the Indigenous Voice to Parliament - has broken his silence about the referendum's failure almost three months after Australians voted No.

Mr Pearson appeared in conversation with former ABC presenter Stan Grant at the Woodford Folk Festival in Queensland's Moreton Bay region on Saturday, where he reportedly slammed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and lamented the state of Indigenous affairs in Australia.

It's the first time Mr Pearson has spoken publicly since the referendum defeat in October.

Veteran news photographer David Kapernick tweeted that Pearson was 'not impressed with Albanese  says he's running away and will do nothing.'

Another attendee told The Australian that Mr Pearson lamented Indigenous affairs are in a worse state than before the October 14 vote.

Noel Pearson (pictured) has reportedly accused Prime Minister Anthony 'running away' from Indigenous affairs in an address at the Woodford Folk Festival in Queensland on Saturday

Australian National University associate professor Dr Danielle Ireland-Piper, who was also in the audience, said there was 'concern Indigenous policy will fall to [the] backburner for major parties in heartbreak of referendum and delay progress.'

The comments from Mr Pearson, who worked on two of the most important Native Title Claims comes after Mr Albanese said he was not affected by the defeat of the Voice Referendum on October 14.

Mr Pearson's comments at the festival comes three months after the referendum was held and he said in an interview with the ABC earlier this year that he would 'fall silent' if Australia voted No.

He told the national broadcaster that 'it'll be up to a new generation' to strive for reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians if the Voice was voted down.'

Pearson kept to his word and has not weighed in publicly since the vote. Some 60.06 per cent of Australians voted No and 39.94 per cent voted Yes to the proposal to enshrine a 'Voice' for Indigenous peoples in the nation's constitution.

Mr Pearson (left) is understood to have lamented the state of Indigenous affairs in Australia saying it's worse off than before the Voice to Parliament referendum

The photographer tweeted that Noel Pearson was 'not impressed' with Anthony Albanese (pictured) and claimed that the PM 'isrunning away and will do nothing.'

During an interview with Sydney radio station 2GB on Christmas Day, the Prime Minister said he didn't lose anything as a result of the Voice referendum being defeated.

'Oh, no, no, no, no, very important to call that out. I am not Indigenous so it wasn't a loss to me,' he said.

Mr Albanese also said Indigenous people are used to hardship even though he said the result was disappointing for Aboriginal people.

It's been the case for 200 years, and they are resilient and we will continue to do what we can to provide for closing the gap.'

The prime minister also didn't mention the referendum defeat during his Christmas message but address the issues and challenges facing Australia and his government's achievements this year.

A majority of Australian's across the country rejected the Voice to Parliament with some 60 per cent of Australians voting No (pictured left prominent No vote campaigners Jacinta Nampajinpa Price and pictured right Warren Mundine)

Following the defeat of the Voice the Prime Minister fought back tears as he conceded the No vote had won.

'Tonight's result is not one that I had hoped for, I absolutely respect the decision of the Australian people and the democratic process that has delivered it,' he said.

'We argued for this change (constitutional recognition) not out of convenience but from conviction, because that's what people deserve from their government.'

The Voice to Parliament which was first proposed by the Uluru Statement from the Heart in 2017 aimed to give Indigenous people a greater say over issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Daily Mail Australia contacted Mr Albanese for comment.
Penny Mordaunt wanted to send a strong and powerful messages to girls when she carried the sword at King Charles' Coronation, after being inspired by 'megastar' Betty Boothroyd.

The Tory MP, as Lord President of the Council, was responsible for presenting the sword of the state of the monarch during his coronation. It was the first time a woman had carried out the duty.

During the Coronation people went wild for Ms Mordaunt's custom-made teal outfit with a matching cape and headband with gold feather embroidery.

Social media was awash with images of her leading the King's procession, with even her Labour rivals commenting that she looked 'damn fine' and 'stole the show'.

'I think sometimes the power of an image, seeing a woman doing a particular role and being strong has a huge impact on the aspirations of young women,' the MP for Portsmouth North told the BBC's Kirsty Wark on Lives Well Lived.

Penny Mordaunt carried the Sword of State in the procession through Westminster Abbey ahead of the coronation ceremony (Victoria Jones/PA)

During the Coronation people went wild on social media for Ms Mordaunt's custom-made teal outfit with a matching cape and headband with gold feather embroidery. Pictured: The MP arriving at the King's Coronation on May 6

She said that she had received hundreds of pictures of herself from the historical event, held at Westminster Abbey on May 6, with many joking that the MP stole the show during the historic event

Ms Mordaunt, who is also Leader of the House of Commons, also spoke about the impact that 'confident and grounded' Lady Boothroyd, the first woman speaker of the House of Commons, had on young women.

'She taught us to make every day count and it didn't matter if you were Conservative, Liberal Democrat, SNP or Labour.

'She was a megastar  we'd come away either laughing or she'd given us a fantastic piece of advice.'

Born in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, Lady Boothroyd was elected to be the first female speaker by her fellow MPs in 1992 and served in the post for eight years.

The Tory MP, as Lord President of the Council, was responsible for presenting the sword of the state of the monarch during his coronation

Baroness Betty Boothroyd was the first woman speaker of the House of Commons

The BBC Two documentary airing on Saturday evening looks back at Lady Boothroyd's life, while also exploring the lives of Tina Turner, Sir Bobby Charlton, Glenda Jackson and Sir Michael Parkinson, who all died this year.

Lady Boothroyd died in February at the age of 93 and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak described her as a 'remarkable woman'.

The programme will also show Calendar Girls actress Celia Imrie reveal private photographs of her and late actress and former MP Ms Jackson when they were on a world tour of Hedda Gabler in the 1970s.

Ms Imrie, who was the tea girl, said: 'Her face was an amazing picture of strength. She was fierce  like a lioness on our behalf.'

Lives Well Lived airs on BBC Two at 7pm on Saturday.
Court documents have revealed that the Colorado mother who allegedly killed two of her children and is currently on the run was involved in a lengthy custody battle with her ex-husband, and was just days away from losing the kids.

Kimberlee Singler, 35, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, is wanted for alleged murder, attempted murder and child abuse.

Police, responding to a 911 report of a burglary at an apartment complex on the 5300 block of Palomino Ranch Point, in the northeast of the city, at around 12.30am on December 19, found Singler and her still-living daughter, 11, lying next to the bodies of her other daughter, nine, and son, seven.

Singler and her 11-year-old daughter, both injured, were treated at the scene by emergency responders before being taken to local hospitals for further treatment.

But police said that upon investigating, they found that the 911 call was fake.

Court documents have now revealed that Singler was involved in a nearly four-year legal battle for custody of her children with ex-husband, Kevin Wentz.

Kimberlee Singler, 35, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, (pictured) is wanted for alleged murder, attempted murder and child abuse

In September 2018, authorities were called when Wentz allegedly pulled a knife on the accused killer and called her insulting names when he came to pick up his children

The couple had filed for divorce in 2018, which was approved in 2020.

A Larimer County Judge had approved a custody plan for Wentz to visit his children at specific dates and times and granted full custody to Singler.

But in September 2018, authorities were called when Wentz allegedly pulled a knife on the accused killer and called her insulting names when he came to pick up his children.

Colorado Springs Police arrived at the scene and spoke with Wentz, who denied all allegations.

Court documents say CSPD found no probable cause to arrest Wentz and left.

Things worsened when Singler failed to drop the kids at CSPD Stetson Hills Substation and never showed up on December 16, 2023.

The next day, Wentz's attorney asked a Larimer County Judge to grant him possession of his children since the mother violated their child custody agreement, which was granted.

When the Colorado Springs Police called Singler to had over the kids, she informed him that she was 'nowhere near the police station'.

She later sent an email saying she was in Colorado with all three of the children.

Wentz was then granted full-time custody of the children until a new agreement could be re-visited at their next hearing on January 18, 2024.

But by December 19, two of the three children were dead.

Colorado Springs Police arrived at the scene and spoke with Wentz, who denied all allegations

A spokesperson for the Colorado Springs Police Department said at the time the 11-year-old was recovering from her injuries and being cared for. It is unknown where she is being cared for or by whom

The Singler family said today: 'Following the statement made by the Wentz family attorney we decided to release a similar statement.

'We are cooperating fully with the police in their efforts to locate Kimberlee and we ask for the publics help in finding her. We are grieving deeply over this horrific tragedy and we ask for privacy and prayers as we navigate this storm.

'Our focus is on God and His glory and our surviving niece. We hope everyone remembers the innocence involved in this and our sole goal is protecting her. Please pray for all involved for healing and peace as we seek answers, and grant us our privacy. Thank you.'

A spokesperson for the Colorado Springs Police Department said at the time the 11-year-old was recovering from her injuries and being cared for. It is unknown where she is being cared for or by whom.

Singler is currently wanted on four counts of first-degree murder, two counts of attempted first-degree murder, three counts of child abuse and one count of assault

Singler is currently wanted on four counts of first-degree murder, two counts of attempted first-degree murder, three counts of child abuse and one count of assault.

A Colorado court has set a $10 million bond.

Authorities told the New York Times they had 'reason to believe' Singler, last seen on Christmas Eve, was no longer in the state.

They have cordoned off the apartment she lived in, and are still investigating her disappearance, despite the FBI joining the manhunt.

It is still not known whether she went on the run on her own or with another person, nor is it known whether there was another parents who helped raise Singler's children.
Two men killed in a horror five-car crash on a busy highway which left 15 others in hospital have been identified as loving fathers from Sydney.

David Drozd, 49 and Jason McMahon, 42, lost their lives in the multi-car pile-up on the Great Western Highway west of the Blue Mountains on Friday.

The fatal crash at Wallerawang near Lithgow which happened at 12.50pm left five others critically injured.

Mr Drozd has been remembered as a well-respected traffic engineer who seven years ago wrote a report for Blue Mountains Council about hazards on the same road where he lost his life.

The father-of-nine was a devout Christian and lay preacher who was due to become a grandfather for the first time in the new year.

Mr Drozd was on his way to a wedding in Dubbo with his wife Nicole, 41, and five of their children aged 5-15 when Mr McMahon's Isuzu D-Max collided with their Kia Carnival.

Mr Drozd's wife and children were among the 15 injured and hospitalised. Two of his daughters remain in serious and critical conditions.

HIs son-in-law Jacob Gray, who is married to Mr Drozd's daughter Miriam, posted on Facebook that the family were now all at Westmead Hospital together, asking: 'please continue to pray for our siblings who are still in critical conditions'.

David Drozd (pictured) was on his way to Dubbo with his wife and four children when tragedy struck

Jason McMahon (pictured) was heading home to Sydney when his life was cut short in the horror crash

Mr Drozd previously worked for Penrith Council before starting his own traffic consulting company in 2012, and was described by one mourner as 'an absolute gentleman and passionate road safety campaigner'.

He was also remembered for his sermons at the Central Mountains Baptist Church at Hazelbrook in the lower Blue Mountains.

It was revealed that the other victim, Mr McMahon, 42, was also a loving dad who was about to marry the love of his life

His son Connor, 19 paid a heartbreaking tribute on Saturday night.

'I've lost the man I've always wanted to become, he was the sort of person to just drop everything to go help someone,' he said in a statement.

'I'm going to miss my dad every minute.

'He didn't get to see me start a family of my own.'

Mr McMahon had spent the morning riding dirt bikes at Sunny Corner, a well-known trail biking area 30km west of where the crash occurred.

He was returning home to Sydney with family friend Declan Jones when his eastbound ute towing a motorcycle trailer, collided with a westbound Toyota Hilux.

That Toyota then struck a Hyundai Tuscan - hurling it from the highway and trapping the occupants.

Mr McMahon's Isuzu then hit the Kia Carnival driven by Mr Drozd head-on, trapping the father-of-nine who died at the scene.

A Nissan Patrol towing a caravan then collided with the Isuzu's trailer.

The horror crash saw at least 15 people injured and killed two drivers, Mr McMahon and the 49-year-old male Kia driver (pictured, emergency services at the scene)

How the deadly crash unfolded 1. Jason McMahon and a family friend heading eastbound at the Great Western Highway at Wallerawang near Lithgow when his Isuzu D-Max collided with a westbound Toyota Hilux with four occupants. 2. The impact resulted in the Toyota Hilux hitting a Hyundai Tuscan - hurling it from the highway and trapping the three occupants, including a man, 55, later airlifted to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle 3. Mr McMahon's Isuzu D-Max then crashed head-on into a Kia Carnival driven by David Drozd whose wife and five children were injured and taken to hospital. Both Mr McMahon and Mr Drozd were trapped by the impact and died at the scene. 4. A Nissan Patrol, towing a caravan that was travelling behind Mr McMahon then collided with the Isuzu trailer. Four occupants in the Nissan Patrol were assessed at the scene How the horror crash on the Great Western Highway claimed two lives and injured 15 Advertisement

A GoFundMe crowdfunding page for Mr McMahon's fiance and children was created late Friday night.

'Unfortunately the McMahon family have lost a big role model in their life,' it reads.

'His family have lost a son, a dad, a fiance and more.

'The whole purpose of this GoFundMe is to help his fiance and the rest of his family, to raise money to follow through with any funeral costs.'

Mr McMahon's passenger suffered serious leg injuries but is also understood to be in a stable condition.

A nine-year-old girl is in a critical but stable condition in hospital, while the other four are stable while a woman has been released from hospital.

Many of those caught up in the fatal crash were heading off or returning from holidays for the Christmas/New Year's period.

Images from the scene showed more than a dozen ambulance vehicles, with paramedics and SES officers helping the injured.

Several vehicles were crumpled wrecks with debris strewn across the 110km/h stretch of highway, including suitcases, pillows and dirtbikes.

The Great Western Highway has since reopened.

NSW Police Superintendent Paul Glinn said: 'It would appear that a vehicle has crossed to the incorrect side of the road.'

Mr McMahon had reportedly been dirt biking at nearby Sunny Corner with family friend Declan Jones, 19 (above)

Fire and Rescue NSW Duty Commander Phil Vaiciurgis described the crash as 'a confronting scene of carnage' (pictured, paramedics with one of the injured)

Fire crews arrived at 'a confronting scene of carnage'.

'Crews with the assistance of ambulance and volunteer rescue association had to make critical decisions triaging patients,' Fire and Rescue NSW Duty Commander Phil Vaiciurgis said.

'We had to do two complicated rescues from severe entrapment injuries and provide fire protection and assist police and ambulance rendering the scene safe.'

Friday's tragedy takes the NSW road death toll to 352 in 2023 - 82 more than last year.

The tragedy has rocked the region west of the Blue Mountains.

'It is shocking news and everyone is sending their condolences to those families and loved ones that have been involved in that serious accident,' Bathurst MP Paul Toole, told ABC News.

'It has a far-rippling effect in our local communities.

'I know the police have not identified those that have been involved in the incident, but we know it is going to cause a lot of heartache and loss.'

Investigators urge anyone with information or dash cam footage to contact police.
Two people have been killed as a deadly blaze swept through a Croydon home, firefighters have confirmed.

The London Fire Brigade and other emergency services rushed to the scene on Sanderstead Road just after 11pm after receiving reports of a fire.

Two men died due to the intense smoke and flames despite best efforts from emergency services to save them, while two other men remain in hospital in a life-threatening condition.

The property, believed to be occupied by Polish nationals who are said to be squatters, was engulfed in flames, requiring six fire engines and an aerial ladder.

The blaze was spotted by concerned neighbours who alerted the authorities after noticing a fire erupting from a boarded-up building.

A devastating house fire in Croydon has reportedly led to several fatalities last night

The London Fire Brigade and other emergency services rushed to the scene on Sanderstead Road just after 11pm last night

Crime scene tents were erected around the property and the area remains cordoned off

The house on Sanderstead Road is seen the next morning after the fire

Police attend the scene this morning after the fire erupted last night

Emergency services performed CPR and chest compressions in a desperate attempt to save the lives of those caught up in the fire.

The Metropolitan Police has launched an investigation into the cause of the blaze, with the reason behind the fire currently a mystery.

Two people died at the scene and a third was taken to hospital with severe breathing difficulties. Two others took themselves to Croydon hospital.

Crime scene tents were erected around the property and the area remains cordoned off while investigations by police and the London Fire Brigade are ongoing.

Ambulances were in attendance and two people were killed

The blaze was spotted by concerned neighbours who alerted the authorities

The Metropolitan Police has launched an investigation into the cause of the fire

A spokesperson for the Met Police said: 'Police were called by the London Fire Brigade (LFB) at 22:48hrs on Friday, 29 December to a house fire in Sanderstead Road, South Croydon.

'Officers attended along with LFB and the London Ambulance Service.

'Two men  no further details - were sadly pronounced dead at the scene. Officers are working to inform their next of kin.

'A third man was taken to hospital where he remains in a life-threatening condition.

'A fourth and fifth man later self-presented at hospital. One of the men is in a life-threatening condition and the other has since been discharged.

'The cause of the fire is under investigation by LFB and police.'
Increase comes after Ofgem increased its price cap in response to rising wholesale prices

Households have been warned to submit their meter readings this weekend before energy bills rise as Ofgem hikes its price cap.

The 94 increase to the average household energy bill comes into effect on January 1 after Ofgem raised its price cap in response to rising wholesale prices.

The regulator's price cap is rising by 5 per cent from the current 1,834 for a typical dual fuel household to 1,928 from Monday, driven almost entirely by rising costs in the international wholesale energy market because of market instability and global events, particularly the conflict in Ukraine.

Households are urged to submit meter readings to their supplier before January 1 to ensure they are charged correctly.

Ofgem chief executive Jonathan Brearley has acknowledged that many people are currently having a 'difficult time' and that 'any increase in bills will be worrying'.

Households are urged to submit meter readings to their supplier before January 1 to ensure they are charged correctly (Stock Image)

But he said the rise was a result of the wholesale cost of gas and electricity rising 'which needs to be reflected in the price that we all pay'.

Ofgem has made it clear to suppliers that it expects them to identify and offer help to those who are struggling with bills.

The increase takes effect after the regulator unveiled plans to lift the price cap from April in order to help suppliers recover nearly 3 billion in debts from customers who cannot pay.

The watchdog is proposing a one-off price cap adjustment of 16, equivalent to around 1.33 a month, to be paid between April 2024 and March 2025, and wants energy companies to use the extra funding to support struggling customers and write off bad debts.

The energy price cap sets a limit on the maximum amount suppliers can charge households in England, Wales and Scotland for each unit of gas and electricity.

Energy in Northern Ireland is regulated separately.

The headline price cap figure is an average across households rather than an absolute cap on bills, so those that use more will pay more.

Ofgem chief executive Jonathan Brearley has acknowledged that many people are currently having a 'difficult time' and that 'any increase in bills will be worrying' (Stock Image)

The announcement puts hopes for relief from the cost-of-living crisis on hold, and follows Chancellor Jeremy Hunt making no mention of any further help from the Government to offset household energy bills.

It comes as Citizens Advice said it was helping record numbers of households with energy debt and seeing more people than ever who cannot afford to top up their prepayment meter.

Simon Francis, co-ordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, said: 'Struggling households are facing an assault from all sides.

'Energy bills are going up just as winter bites hard, Christmas debts have to be paid off and the ongoing wider cost-of-living crisis continues into another year.

'Ofgem needs to abolish this January price hike. The cruel impact of a change in bills at this time of year can't be underestimated.

'Unaffordable energy prices are here to stay and even in winter 2024/25, energy bills are expected to be 60 per cent higher than winter 2020/21. This means the UK Government needs to take much more action to help people stay warm this winter and every winter through increased support for home insulation and cheaper renewable energy.'

Warm This Winter spokeswoman Fiona Waters said: 'Without additional support, it will be anything but a happy new year for people trapped in Britain's broken energy system.

'We need to see the UK Government introduce an emergency energy tariff for vulnerable households and a help to repay scheme for those in energy debt.

'Failure to avert this cold homes crisis will lead to pressure on the NHS, a mental health catastrophe and additional winter deaths caused by living in cold damp homes.'

However, in a glimmer of hope for households, latest forecasts suggest the energy bills for the typical household will fall to 1,660 from the start of April, reflecting international gas prices dropping in recent weeks, and then to 1,590 from July before rising slightly to 1,640 from October next year.

Ofgem has made it clear to suppliers that it expects them to identify and offer help to those who are struggling with bills (Stock Image)

Dr Craig Lowrey, principal consultant at Cornwall Insight, said: 'Current forecasts of price cap dips later in the year may offer a small light at the end of the tunnel.

'The recent stabilisation of international energy markets has trickled down to April's price cap predictions, raising hopes that this downward path will continue throughout the remainder of 2024.

'However, history has shown that the wholesale energy market is highly volatile, and unexpected global events can lead to spikes in energy prices, ultimately feeding through to household bills - as we saw this time last year.

'Whether concerns in the Red Sea become heightened, or another potential disruption to supply occurs, there are no guarantees the price cap will not rise again.'

Dr Lowrey added: 'Ultimately, waiting and hoping that we will avoid another global incident that sends energy prices climbing is not a sustainable strategy for Government.

'To achieve substantial reductions below pre-crisis levels, we must focus on long-term strategies which increase domestic renewable energy sources and reduce our reliance on volatile imports.'

Emily Seymour, Which? Energy Editor, told MailOnline: 'January will see energy bills rise by about five per cent and with prices still significantly higher than they were before the energy crisis began, some households will still struggle to afford their bill.

'If you are concerned about paying higher bills, there is help available. Speak to your energy provider about a payment plan you can afford and check to see if you qualify for any government schemes.

'Wed recommend that everyone without a smart meter takes a meter reading on or close to 31st December to make sure they pay the lower rates for all units used before the price rise. Submitting meter readings on a regular basis is a good idea, and ensures you are billed correctly.

'Prices are predicted to drop in April. If you're on a variable tariff, then any reductions to the price cap will be automatically applied in April. If you are on a fixed deal, then it's worth checking the exit fees to see if you can leave early if prices do fall in spring and you want to switch back to a variable tariff or onto a cheaper fix.'
Radio 2 broadcasting veteran Tony Blackburn has said being made an OBE in the New Year Honours is the 'icing on a very lovely cake' after bouncing back from a life-threatening battle with sepsis and pneumonia.

The 80-year-old, who has spent almost six decades on the BBC and commercial radio stations, became a household name as the first DJ on Radio 1 when it launched in 1967.

Blackburn, who has been handed the honour for his services to broadcasting and charity work, said it was 'truly unexpected and very humbling'.

The presenter added: 'When I first replied to a New Musical Express advert looking for DJs, back in 1964, I never imagined that nearly 60 years later, I would still be doing something I love so much.

'To still be in a radio studio a few times a week, being welcomed in to so many listeners' homes, sharing mine and their memories, and playing the music I love is simply wonderful.

Veteran Radio Two broadcaster Tony Blackburn (pictured outside Broadcasting House in January 2020) has been made an OBE in the New Years Honours for his services to broadcasting and charity work

Blackburn (pictured presenting Daily Disc Delivery) became a household name as the first DJ on Radio 1 when it launched in 1967

The honour comes after Blackburn (pictured in May 2022) underwent a two-month stay in hospital while battling with pneumonia and sepsis

'To be recognised for my work in broadcasting in this way is testament to all those I've had the pleasure of working with over the years, on both the BBC and in commercial radio.

'It really is the best job and to receive this award is the icing on a very lovely cake.'

Earlier this month Blackburn announced he would stepping down from his popular BBC Radio London show after more than 40 years in the role.

He said it was 'time to move on' from the local radio stint but clarified he would still continue with his BBC Radio 2 show and his other shows at the corporation, such as Tony Blackburn's Golden Hour.

Taking to X he said: 'Hi everyone, just thought I'd let you know that after many happy years on BBC Radio London I have decided to leave the station and this Sunday will be my last Soul On Sunday.

'Over the years we have had a lot of fun with some fantastic live shows for Children in Need and have played some great music.

'I will still be continuing BBC Berkshire BBC Oxford and BBC Radio Solent on Sunday afternoon and off course on the great BBC Radio 2.

'This is totally my decision and thanks to the many happy years there, but time to move on. Thanks for listening.'

Earlier this month Blackburn (pictured with a Golden Retriever) announced he would stepping down from his popular BBC Radio London show after more than 40 years in the role

Blackburn (pictured on BBC Radio London in March 2004) will still continue to present on Radio 2

The radio DJ took to Twitter earlier in December to share the news that he will be leaving his BBC Radio London show as he said it is 'time to move on'

The decision came months after Blackburn revealed his two-month hospital stay was caused by sepsis and pneumonia.

The DJ was forced to pull out of his popular Sound of the 60s Tour and Radio 2 show earlier this year telling fans he had a chest infection.

In August, however, he revealed how serious the hospital stay truly was, explaining he had only just recovered after being discharged from Wellington Hospital in London in May. He had to continue with daily injections following his discharge.

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition caused when the body releases chemicals to fight an infection, while pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs.

The former I'm A Celebrity star said he didn't realise how unwell he was until his entire family were gathered around his hospital bedside.

He said he had been touring before and after the Covid-19 pandemic with his music and chat show Sound of the 60s Live, admitting he overdid it and then became ill.

'I was doing three a week at one time forgetting that I'm now a little bit older, so I ended up in hospital for two months with sepsis and pneumonia and blood poisoning,' he said on BBC Radio Scotland.

'And I didn't realise how unwell I was until one day in the hospital my whole family were gathered around the bed. And I thought "this isn't good".

'A couple of weeks ago I went to see my specialist and he said 'you are cured', so that was a nice thing to hear.'

Following a three-month break, Blackburn returned to his tour but decided to only do one show a week, rather than the three previously planned.

Born in Guildford, Blackburn rose to fame as a DJ on pirate broadcaster Radio Caroline South in 1964, before joining Radio London where he introduced the first soul programme in the UK.

Blackburn later became the first voice on BBC Radio 1 when it began broadcasting on September 30, 1967 with his breakfast show. In the same year, he began his run as a regular presenter on popular TV programme Top Of The Pops.

Blackburn (pictured in on tour in September) revealed how serious his recent hospital stay was earlier this year confirming he had life-threatening conditions sepsis and pneumonia

Blackburn (pictured in November 2023) said the OBE was 'truly unexpected and very humbling'

Blackburn was discharged from the Wellington Hospital in London in May (above), then continued to have daily injections

The star broadcaster, who hosted his breakfast show until 1974 when he took over the morning show, remained with BBC Radio 1 until 1984 and in his time changed the face of British music.

The DJ spent time at BBC London, where it is said he commercialised soul music, leaving in 1988 to join Capital Radio to launch its Gold Station, where he presented his soul shows until December 2002.

In the same year, he appeared on the first series of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! and was crowned king of the jungle by hosts Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly.

His other TV appearances include hosting his own show Time For Blackburn in 1968.

After stints at different radio networks, Blackburn returned to BBC Radio 2 in 2010 to take over its long-serving Pick Of The Pops programme, and he currently hosts Sounds Of The 60s and Golden Hour.

Blackburn also recorded his own music, hitting the UK singles chart with So Much Love, which was his highest placing track peaking at number 31 in 1968, It's Only Love a year later, and featuring on The Wurzels' I Am A Cider Drinker in 2007.

Helen Thomas, head of BBC Radio 2, said: 'Everyone at BBC Radio 2 is thrilled that Tony is receiving this wonderful recognition for his remarkable contribution to broadcasting, which goes back to the earliest days of pirate radio right through the decades to the present.'
On June 23, 2022, an article appeared by Rod Watson where he discusses the work of Henry Taylor, founding director of the UB Center for Urban Studies. In that article Taylor describes the notion of splashy, silverbullet projects that can make people feel good immediately, but have little catalytic effect. Politicians and others promote such projects that Taylor says create, an illusion that something is happening, when nothing is happening. Citing three examples of such projects, the $1 billion schools reconstruction, $7 million for Martin Luther King Jr. Park splash pad and casino and the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus expansion, Taylor states there is not a single example where these symbolic projects have stimulated anything.

Fast forward to November 16, 2023, where Watson urges the community to proceed with the Kensington plans as proposed. Does he believe that this project does not fit the above definition of a splashy, silver bullet project? Does he believe that the Kensington project will defy the odds and actually stimulate anything?

Has anyone thought about the fact that up to 17 states, including New York, has passed legislation requiring by 2035 that all vehicles sold must be plug-in hybrids, EV or hydrogen fuel cell powered? Why are we looking to invest in an expensive ventilation system when the need for such a system becomes unnecessary?

This project was supposed to unite a divided community. From what I have observed it has failed miserably in that effort.

Lawrence Kieffer

Grand Island
Dozens of councils will ditch their traditional Australia Day citizenship ceremonies next month, despite Anthony Albanese vowed there would be 'no changes' to our national public holiday.

More than 80 councils have removed the popular event from their January 26 festivities, sparking claims from the federal opposition that the Prime Minister is trying to abolish the tradition.

It's been a year since the Labor government scrapped a rule that forced councils to hold Australia Day citizenship ceremonies.

Mr Albanese assured Aussies at the time that 'there are no changes here'.

Only four councils, including the City of Sydney opted to boycott the event this year in the wake of the recent rule change.

Council are scrapping formal Australian Day events in favour of more inclusive celebrations. Pictured is an Aussie celebrating our national holiday

Poll Should local councils ditch Australia Day citizenship ceremonies? Yes No Undecided Only if the community agrees Should local councils ditch Australia Day citizenship ceremonies? Yes 70 votes

No 1257 votes

Undecided 20 votes

Only if the community agrees 51 votes Now share your opinion





'In choosing Australia as their home, these newest citizens are embracing the values and qualities Australians hold dear,' the prime minister declared at the time.

Fast forward 11 months, 70 councils recently informed the federal government they won't host citizenship ceremonies next month.

Another 11 councils have since decided to ditch the event.

Of the councils not hosting the event, 22 are from Victoria, NSW has 19, 11, in Western Australia, 10 in Queensland, seven each in South Australia and Tasmania and two in the Northern territory.

Opposition immigration spokesman Dan Tehan accused the Albanese government of undermining Australia Day.

The Coalition plans to re-introduce the rule to force council to hold January 26 citizenship ceremonies if they're elected to power in 2025.

'If we aren't prepared to hold citizenship ceremonies on our national day, what are we prepared to do on our national day,' Mr Tehan told Nine News.

More than 81 councils won't hold Australia Day citizenship cremonies next month. Pictured is the Prime Minister at a ceremony in Canberra in January

Anthony Albanese (pictured with partner Jodie Haydon) has been accused of undermining Australia Day

'If the Prime Minister wants to change Australia Day, he should be upfront with the Australian people instead of working in the shadows to change the date.'

The furore has sparked councils to stand by their decisions.

City of Sydney Mayor Clover Moore ditched the event earlier this year due to low turnouts at previous Australia day ceremonies.

She described January 26 as a 'painful' day for many and believes the national celebration should not be on 'Invasion Day'

'The City of Sydney strongly supports changing the date of Australia's national day to one that can be fully embraced and celebrated by all Australians,' Cr Moore told The Sunday Telegraph.

'Advocating for a change of date won't resolve the devastating and far-reaching impacts of colonisation but it does provide a platform for an ongoing and honest conversation.'

Yarra City councillor Bridget O'Brien added: 'It's very much about respect and it's also working towards reconciliation in whatever small ways we can.'
Police have launched a manslaughter hunt for two cross-country skiers who may have started an avalanche which killed a mother and her son.

Those investigating the deaths of the 54-year-old woman and 22-year-old man fear they were taken completely by surprise when hit by a torrent of ice and snow while off-piste in Saint-Gervais-les-Bains.

A wall of snow 400 metres long swept through the party and it took investigators five hours to recover the bodies of those killed.

Three other members of their family, including the woman's husband, survived the Thursday afternoon disaster, along with their professional ski instructor, and two others.

All were experienced skiers, and were out on a day when the avalanche risk was just 'moderate'.

Today it was revealed that 'two cross-country skiers were upslope' and 'could have caused the avalanche', said Karline Bouisset, the prosecutor in Bonneville, near Grenoble.

The local prosecutor has opened an investigation into the incident with a possible manslaughter charge being filed on the two cross-country skiers.

Police have launched a manslaughter hunt for cross-country skiers who may have started an avalanche which killed a mother and her son

Police investigating the deaths of the 54-year-old woman and 22-year-old man fear they were taken completely by surprise when hit by a torrent of ice and snow

A search operation went underway for the victims of the avalanche

Two British victims of the avalanche were found deceased during a search

The ordeal happened in an off-piste section of the French resort

Capitaine Guy Le Neve is the deputy commander of the mountain search team in Chamonix

Ms Bouisset has opened a criminal enquiry into 'manslaughter' while judicial police collect evidence.

She said the British party knew the ski area well, and that the risk at the time was just 'moderate'  level 2 out of 5 on the European Avalanche Danger Scale.

Guy Le Neve, deputy commander of the mountain search team in Chamonix, said: 'This is an area reserved for very good skiers.

'This is a group who had known the instructor very well for many years and who regularly came to ski in the area.'

He told MailOnline: 'We believe the avalanche was caused by two cross country skiers above the group.

'An avalanche expert has visited the scene and will provide a report for the prosecutor but it will take a few weeks.

'We are looking for witnesses and will try and identify the cross country skiers but it will be up to the prosecutor to bring any charges.

'Initially it was reported that the instructor had a locator beacon but that is incorrect, neither he nor the family involved were wearing one.

'Two other people were also caught up in the avalanche further up and it was one of them who was wearing the locator.

'That's how we found them first and the whole search and rescue operation lasted until 8pm at night.'

None of those involved have yet been named, but it was confirmed that the instructor was highly qualified and worked for the ESI International Ski School.

He was quickly removed from impacted snow after the alarm was raised.

A source in nearby Megeve where the instructor, named only as Arnaud, is based said: 'The family are regulars and always use Arnaud. He's been guiding and instructing for years and is one of the best.

'He is independent and works only for himself and I see him a lot on the mountain but I don't know him personally other than to say hello.

'He's obviously very shaken up by what happened and I don't think he will be skiing for a while.'

But 30 rescuers, supported by two helicopters, two dogs and a medical support team, took up to five hours to find the mother and son.

'By the time they were found, both victims were deceased,' said Ms Bouisset.

The instructor, who was the only skier wearing an avalanche victim detector, was found unharmed despite being completely buried with the two deceased Brits. Pictured: The rescuers

The tragedy happened near the Mont-Joly chairlift located in the Saint-Gervais-les-Bains area

The woman and her son have been killed in an avalanche while off-piste at a French resort

On Saturday, it was revealed that 'two cross-country skiers were upslope' and 'could have caused the avalanche'. Pictured: A helicopter involved in the operation

The two victims - a 54-year-old British mother and her son, 22 - were found buried

Dozens of mountain rescuers (pictured) set out to search for skiers who were trapped, finding a man and woman dead and a third person injured. Five others were rescued

Another investigating source said the five survivors who were not buried by snow 'looked on as the others were swept away.'

'This included the husband, who would have watched what was happening helplessly,' said the source.

While avalanche victim detectors are not compulsory for those choosing to ski off piste, they are recommended by Alexandre Merlin, director of the ski area.

Mr Merlin said: 'At the moment, it is very difficult to read the stability of the snow cover, the temperature fluctuations, and the freezing. It is difficult to be 100% confident about safety.'

The accident happened at around 3.30pm on Thursday, at 2300m above sea level, with the avalanche measuring around 400m.

Eight people were caught up in the avalanche in all, with the five rescued all uninjured.

Saint-Gervais Mayor Jean-Marc Peillex said: 'It's terrible what happened. A family is decimated, and we are very sad in Saint-Gervais.'

An autopsy is due to be carried out on the victims at Grenoble hospital next week.

There was another Alpine fatality on the same day when a 31-year-old man fell 500 metres from a rocky ridge in Chanteperier, in the Ecrins Massif.
Russia's casualty toll in the Ukraine war will top half a million dead or wounded by 2025 if casualties continue at the current rate, the UK has said.

On Friday, an 18-hour aerial barrage across Ukraine killed at least 39 civilians days after Ukraine's deadly strike on a Russian warship in the occupied Crimean port of Feodosia, as the war continues into its 23rd month.

The average daily number of Russia's troops injured or dead has risen by almost 300 per day over the course of 2023 compared to last year, according to the latest Defence Intelligence update.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps compared the scale of death and injury to the nine-year Soviet-Afghan war, when Russia sustained 70,000 casualties.

'In (Vladimir) Putin's pointless war, if casualties continue at the current rate through next year, by 2025 Russia will have sustained over half a million personnel killed & wounded over 3 years of war,' he wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

Firefighters put out a fire in a damaged enterprise after Russian missile attack in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on December 29, 2023

Firefighters put out a fire in a damaged enterprise after Russian missile attack in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on December 29, 2023

The Defence Intelligence update said the increase 'almost certainly' reflects the degradation of Russia's forces and its transition to 'a lower quality, high quantity mass army since the "partial mobilisation" of reservists in September 2022'.

It will likely take Russia five to 10 years to rebuild a cohort of highly trained and experienced military units, it said.

Moscow continued its assault on Ukraine on Friday, launching 122 missiles and dozens of drones across the country in an onslaught described by one air force official as the biggest aerial barrage of the war.

At least 144 people were wounded and an unknown number were buried under rubble in the assault, which damaged a maternity hospital, apartment blocks and schools.

Western officials and analysts recently warned that Russia had limited its cruise missile strikes for months in an apparent effort to build up stockpiles for massive strikes during the winter, hoping to break the Ukrainians' spirit.

Russian soldiers carry wreathes and a picture of 20-year-old Russian serviceman Nikita Avrov, during his funeral in Luga, some 150kms south of Saint Petersburg on April 11, 2022. The soldier was born after Russian President Vladimir Putin took power in 2000

Soldiers carry a coffin of 20-year-old Russian serviceman Nikita Avrov, during his funeral at a church in Luga some 150kms south of Saint Petersburg, on April 11, 2022

Red Army soldiers are welcomed with flowers in Termez, Uzbekistan, after crossing the Amu Darya river at the Soviet-Afghan border during the Soviet Army withdrawal from Afghanistan, on February 15, 1989

Fighting along the front line is largely bogged down by winter weather after Ukraine's summer counter-offensive failed to make a significant breakthrough along the 620-mile line of contact.

After the latest Russian assault, shelling continued across eastern and southern Ukraine and in Russia's border regions.

Russia said 24 people including three children had been killed and 108 wounded in 'indiscriminate' Ukrainian strikes allegedly including cluster bombs on the nearby Russian provincial capital of Belgorod on Saturday, and vowed to retaliate.

The Kommersant newspaper cited a source close to the Russian Investigative Committee as saying missiles fired from a multiple rocket launcher in Ukraine's Kharkov region had hit a skating rink on the central Cathedral Square, a shopping centre, residential buildings and a car.

Russia on Saturday requested a meeting of the United Nations Security Council to discuss the strike.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak joined Shapps in condemning Russian President Vladimir Putin following Friday's attack, with Shapps branding the attacks 'murderous airstrikes'.

The UK Government said hundreds of British-made air defence missiles were being shipped to Ukraine in a bid to increase its defence capability.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has spent recent weeks urging western allies to provide the country with more air defences to protect itself against such aerial attacks.

In this photo taken from video released by Russia Emergency Situations Ministry telegram channel firefighters extinguish burning cars after shelling in Belgorod, Russia, on December 30, 2023

A handout photo made available by the Russian rescuers carrying an injured woman after shelling in Belgorod, Russia, on December 30, 2023

Smoke rises in the sky over the city after a Russian missile and drone strike in Kyiv, on December 29, 2023

A firefighter works at the site of a Russian missile strike in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on December 29, 2023

A firefighter works at a site of a warehouse heavily damaged during a Russian missile strike in Kyiv, on December 29, 2023

Emergency services work at the site of an overnight rocket attack on a shopping mall in Dnipro, Dnipropetrovsk region, southeastern Ukraine, on December 29, 2023

It comes as signs of war fatigue strain efforts to keep support in place.

Zelensky said the Kremlin's forces have used a wide variety of weapons, including ballistic and cruise missiles.

'Today, Russia used nearly every type of weapon in its arsenal,' Zelensky said on X, formerly Twitter, on Friday.

UK military support to Ukraine has seen a total commitment of 4.6 billion, with 2.3 billion set aside up to the end of the financial year.
Italy's first female prime minister Giorgia Meloni has been named 'Man of the Year' by a far-right newspaper, prompting an outcry from political opponents.

Ms Meloni, 46, was awarded the honour by the Libero Quotidiano daily because she had won 'the war of the sexes' in Italy, the paper adding that she had 'not only broken the glass ceiling, she dissolved it.'

Alongside a photo of the prime minister  a growing ally of UK PM Rishi Sunak  in a double-breasted white blazer with her arms folded behind her back, it said she had 'passed the test of 2023'.

The article, described by one female opponent as a 'surrender' to the idea politics is only for men, was written by Mario Sechi, Libero's Rome bureau chief and a former head of Ms Meloni's public relations team until September this year.

He wrote: 'In our society of weak thinking, we have recognised strong ideas. In excessive diversity, we have reversed gender. In times of war, we have chosen someone who has shown she knows how to fight.'

Giorgia Meloni, the prime minister of Italy, has been named 'Man of the Year' by a right-wing newspaper in the country

Libero Quotidiano said she had 'passed the test of 2023', praising her for winning 'the war of the sexes'

Ms Meloni has become a key international ally of UK prime minister Rishi Sunak as he has taken the party further to the right (pictured: Mr Sunak meeting Ms Meloni earlier this month)

Sechi's editorial praised Ms Meloni for winning 'the war of the sexes...thinking differently, being divergent, overcoming the arrogance of males and the defeatism of females.'

But political opponents, particularly women, have called on her to distance herself from the award.

In remarks reported by the Telegraph, Elly Schlein, secretary of the centre-left Democratic Party, said: 'Today a right-wing newspaper is explaining to us that politics and power are for men.

Elly Schlein, secretary of the centre-left Democratic Party, said: 'Today a right-wing newspaper is explaining to us that politics and power are for men.

'I don't think my aspiration as a politician is to become man of the year. On the contrary, I think this is a surrender.'

Elisabetta Piccolotti, an MP from the Alleanza Verdi e Sinistra (Greens and Left Alliance), said the cover was 'an affirmation of male superiority'.

She called on Ms Meloni to reject it, adding on Facebook: 'At this point, prime minister, please clarify: are you a woman, are you a man or are you non-binary?'

Others took to social media to post memes that appeared to poke fun at the a female prime minister being named 'man of the year'.

But Italian culture minister, Gennaro Sangiuliano, a former deputy director of Libero, told journalists that the title was well-deserved.

Ms Meloni, who became prime minister in October 2022, leads the right-wing populist Fratelli d'Italia (Brothers of Italy) party, which promotes traditional family values and a crackdown on immigration while opposing euthanasia, abortion and same-sex marriage.

She has become a key international ally of Rishi Sunak as he has taken the Conservatives further to the right under his leadership with a desire for tougher action on migrants in Europe.

The pair met in Rome earlier this month where they were seen to share a warm embrace and a kiss on the cheek, before Mr Sunak spoke at a gathering of Italian conservatives and right-wingers on immigration.

He told the meeting that criminal gangs were wielding migration as a 'weapon...to try to destabilise our society', amidst an ongoing battle to push through his Rwanda bill that would see asylum seekers arriving in the UK sent to the African country.

Ms Meloni has not commented on the Libero Quotidiano article.
The grieving family of a talented young surfer mauled to death by a shark have spoken publicly for the first time to pay tribute to the teen.

Khai Cowley died after his leg was bitten off at Ethel Beach in the Innes National Park, on the Yorke Peninsula of South Australia on Thursday.

His heartbroken grandfather Peter Barley said that the family have been overwhelmed by the support from the close-knit community in the wake of the tragedy.

The flag at the local surf shop remains at half-mast in memory of Khai.

'So hurting...I've never seen people so hurt, honestly... it's something to behold,' Mr Barley told Nine News.

'I keep thinking at any minute hes just going to keep walking through the front door.

'We are a very close strong family and we'll get through it.'

Khai Cowley (pictured left with his grandfather Peter and uncle Adam) was killed by a shark on Thursday while he was out surfing

Khai's uncle Adam Barley spent countless hours on the water with his nephew.

'The connection between Adam and Khai- witnessing it used to make me cry sometimes,' his grandfather added.

'When we were out in the water, it was like magic.'

'Us three together- it was magical.'

'Because of the love coming his way, it negates the tragedy.'

Adam said that his nephew never took a backward step and was known as someone who always had fun and made others smile.

'He really did make the most of life, he didn't waste a second,' Adam told The Advertiser.

'He was very courageous, he would surf bigger waves than his dad Tim.'

Khai was out with his father on the water on Thursday afternoon he was attacked by a suspected great white shark.

The family of a young surfer Khai Cowley who was killed in a shark attack say they are reeling from the boy's death. Pictured is his grandfather Peter Barley (left) and uncle Adam (right)

He tried to swim back to shore when a local, Tim Philip charged into the surf to try and rescue him after he saw the young surfer struggling in the water.

Khai was already unconscious by the time Mr Philip got to him and dragged him back to shore.

'I'd say (the shark was) four metres,' Mr Philip said - and it was circling him,' he told Seven News.

'I was in waist deep water and just made the decision to run back... grab him, and managed to drag him back to shore, back to the people on the beach.'

Devastated residents are struggling to come to terms with the shocking incident - the first in the area in known history.

Ryan Valente, a local skipper with Reef Encounters who knows the Marion Bay region well, said it was unusual to see great whites in the area and could not recall any similar incidents.

'It's stuff nightmares are made of,' Mr Valente told ABC Radio on Friday.

'Yesterday itself conditions-wise was a very grim day - lightning, strong winds and it was quite a dark day.

Khai's uncle Adam said the teen (pictured) was courageous and never wasted a moment of his life

The talented surfer (pictured) was remembered as someone who always had fun and made others smile

Sean Hanna, who has been coming to the beach for four decades visited the beach on Friday morning after he heard about the boy's death.

He told the newspaper he came down to the beach to pay his respects to the boy and praised him for doing what he loved even though he said conditions in the water weren't ideal at the time the teen was killed.

Locals left tributes to Khai with flowers and signed placards placed on the beach in remembrance of the teenager.

The surfing community in the area are planning to organise a paddle out dedicated to Khai and to celebrate his love for the water.

Just two weeks ago before his death, Khai - ranked 146th under 18 surfer in Australia - had been named the 'most outstanding grom performer' by his local Seaview Road Board Riders surf club.

His grandfather said Khai wouldn't have stopped surfing if he had survived the attack and said he still feels like his grandson could walk through the front door.

An online fundraiser set up by Khai's aunty has already raised more than $75,000 towards the funeral and other expenses during the difficult months ahead.
A man charged with the murder of a 'Good Samaritan' father who was killed after being rammed by a car has been remanded in custody today.

Hassan Jhangur, 23, appeared at Sheffield Magistrates' Court after he was charged with the murder of Chris Marriott, who died after being hit by a car while trying to help a stranger.

Jhangur - who stood in the dock today wearing a grey t-shirt, grey track-suit trousers and with a cast on his right lower arm - was arrested after the incident and has since been charged with murder and five counts of attempted murder.

Father-of-two Christian Marriott, 46, was killed after being rammed by a car as he was trying to revive an unconscious woman lying in the road.

He is said to have left his family and stopped to give her first aid as she was lying in a cul-de-sac  before the car was driven at the group around him.

South Yorkshire Police said seven other people suffered injuries during the incident just after 2pm on Wednesday in the city's suburb of Burngreave.

Father-of-two Christian Marriott, 46, was killed after being rammed by a car in Sheffield

South Yorkshire Police said seven other people suffered injuries during the incident

One woman remains in hospital in a serious condition, the force confirmed

Hassan Jhangur, 23, appeared at Sheffield Magistrates' Court after he was charged

Jhangur was remanded in custody during the three-minute long appearance and will appear again at Sheffield Crown Court on Tuesday.

Those named in the attempted murder charges against Jhangur are Hasan Khan, Alison Norris, Ambreen Jhangur, Nafeesa Jhangur and Riasat Khan.

One woman remains in hospital in a serious condition, the force confirmed.

Newly wed Hasan Khan, 19, suffered stab wounds and his father Riasat Khan, 42, received head injuries, his mother said yesterday.

The pair have both been released from hospital and allowed home after police lifted a cordon surrounding the premises.

Off-duty midwife Alison Norris, 58, a married mother of two, was elected as a city councillor last year in Woodhouse and local politicians spoke of her 'kindness' yesterday.

A 55-year-old arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder was released on bail.

Mr Marriot's family described him as 'a wonderful husband, dad, brother, uncle - and friend to many' in an emotional statement.

They said he devoted much of his life to helping others including at Sheffield College, Jubilee Foodbank and Debt Advice, Voluntary Action Sheffield, Community Money Advice (CMA) and as a trustee of MASKK (Manor and Castle After School and Kids Klubs).

They continued: 'The circumstances of his death, although tragic and unfathomable to us his family, show the sort of man he was - to go to help rather than to turn away.

'Chris was also a man of faith who wanted others to also experience the joy he had found trusting in Jesus. We take comfort in these most difficult of times in our belief that he is with his Lord and Saviour, while we mourn his loss.'

His family also urged anyone with any information to share it 'so that we can understand better the circumstances in which he died'.

The scene on College Close in Burngreave as the police cordon was in place

Mr Marriott was on a post-Christmas walk with his family including his wife Bryony

Christian Marriott and wife Bryony Marriott. They had two children, aged six and eight

It comes as tributes continued to mount for Mr Marriott, who has been described as a 'Good Samaritan' by police and was a much-loved member of his church, City Church in Sheffield.

The church group ChristCentral, which includes City Church, said in a statement that everyone was 'deeply shocked' by Mr Marriott's death.

It said: 'Chris died doing what so many will remember him for, helping others.

'He had stopped to help an unconscious woman lying in the street and as he was providing first aid, a car collided with Chris, the woman and others.

'Our thoughts and prayers are obviously with his wife, and their two young sons. This is an unbelievably awful situation and we are heartbroken for the family.

'Please pray for them, for Chris' wider family and friends, and for City Church Sheffield as they try to process this loss.'

Mr Marriott worked as IT manager for the charity Community Money Advice (CMA).

Heather Keates, the founder and chief executive of CMA, said: 'He wanted to give people hope and, therefore, he was prepared to go the extra mile for people.

'His generosity, his care for people, his compassion for people, this was the root of who he was. He was a caring and compassionate man.

'He wanted to make a difference in his community and he made a big difference.'

She added: 'He leaves a wife and two young children. That's our biggest concern now, for the family and how they move forward.'

Ms Keates said Mr Marriott had died in 'truly tragic circumstances', adding that he was 'completely irreplaceable' to the charity, which runs 180 face-to-face advice centres.

Alison Norris, 58, a married mother of two, stopped to help an unconscious woman injured during a fracas following a wedding party in Burngreave, Sheffield

He worked as its IT manager since 2021 but had previously run one of the charity's advice centres in Sheffield.

Ms Keates said: 'He understood it from the IT side and he understood it from the clients side too.'

And she added: 'His skill set was so complete and specialised.'

Mr Marriott's brother-in-law Luke Tonge said on Facebook: 'Our Chris was a kind man who loved his family and truly lived to help others - and our hearts are broken.

'Please pray for my sister and their boys, and the family & friends who are grieving such an incalculable loss.'

Police confirmed that Mr Marriott was out for a post-Christmas walk with his family when he went to the aid of the injured woman.

Fellow Sheffield representatives rallied to pay tribute to midwife Ms Norris, who was injured stopping to help an unconscious woman during the fracas.

Labour MP Clive Betts, whose Sheffield South East constituency includes Woodhouse, said: 'I think Alison is a wonderfully kind and considerate person and she behaved in a selfless way thinking of others.'

Ibrar Hussain, a former Labour councillor in Burngreave, said: 'Alison put her life on the line to help others  she should be given a medal.'

Another Labour source said: 'Alison's amazing  she always is. She just saw somebody lying in the road and went to help.'

Ms Norris was yesterday back home and recovering but declined to comment to reporters.
The Government has deleted an official report that found housing asylum seekers on the Bibby Stockholm barge and at a former airbase was discriminatory, claiming it was published two days ago by mistake.

An now-deleted assessment found that housing 500 single men aboard the barge, which currently moored off the Portland Coast in Dorset, discriminated on the grounds of age and sex, as it is only suitable for men aged 18 to 65.

Ministers had previously declined to publish an equality impact assessment into the barge, which has been heavily criticised by refugee workers and campaigners.

The report was eventually published on Wednesday but was removed yesterday from the Home Office's website, with a note explaining it had been 'published in error'.

A document that contained similar findings for the former RAF Wethersfield in James Cleverley's constituency of Braintree, Essex - which is now Britain's largest mass accommodation site - has also disappeared.

The Government has deleted an official report that found housing asylum seekers on the Bibby Stockholm barge (pictured) was discriminatory has been deleted

A document that contained similar findings for the former RAF Wethersfield - Britain's largest mass accommodation site - (pictured) has also been removed from the Government website after being 'published in error'

The report was published on Wednesday but was deleted on Friday from the Home Office 's website, with a note explaining it had been 'published in error' (pictured)

It comes less than two weeks after a asylum seeker died onboard the Bibby Stockholm in a suspected suicide, prompting fears that more could take their own lives.

EXCLUSIVE READ HERE: Fears grow of sectarian violence between Sunni and Shia Muslim migrants of Bibby Stockholm as authorities are told prayer sessions should be segregated Advertisement

In September, former immigration minister Robert Jenrick, said an impact report would not be made avaliable to the public.

In a written parliamentary question, told Labour MP Zarah Sultana such assessments were 'for internal use' and 'not routinely published' yet it did appear online on Wednesday.

While the now-deleted document said the policy was discriminatory it was also noted that the Equality Act allows for such discrimination if it is 'justified as a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim'.

The assessment argued that the greater need to house male asylum seekers within that age range in accommodation other than hotels justified discriminating on the grounds of age and sex.

Officials were also advised in the report to consider providing separate prayer rooms for Sunni and Shia Muslims living on the Bibby Stockholm to avoid sectarian clashes.

Divisions between the two main sects of Islam is a major cause of conflict in the middle east and can lead to unrest at sites where migrants are housed, the deleted report found.

Ministers had previously declined to publish an equality impact assessment into the barge. Pictured: People thought to be asylum seekers boarding the Bibby Stockholm in October

Police officers make their way up the vessel's steps following the tragic suicide on board the Bibby Stockholm on December 12

The document said it cause 'adverse behaviours' and 'consideration should be given to separate worship areas'. It added that interactions between the two groups 'should be monitored'.

A separate report on RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire warns of 'tensions' resulting from the Sunni/Shia divide and says 'segregated onsite faith and worship rooms' are being made available.

Footage has emerged of fights breaking out between asylum seekers in the canteen at RAF Wethersfield with one asylum seeker claiming there had been 'nightly fighting at the base'.

Another 19-year-old from Iran said the 'dangerous' conditions had left him feeling 'scared'.

Housing asylum seekers on the Bibby Stockholm and at Wethersfield has drawn opposition from campaigners, who have criticised conditions at both locations as 'prison-like'.

Charlotte Khan, head of advocacy and public affairs at refugee charity Care4Calais, said: 'The public have a right to know how our Government are treating the survivors of war, torture and modern slavery.

'Deleting the equality impact assessments from the Home Office website may remove an official watermark from the Government's mistreatment of asylum seekers but, everyday, behind the barbed wire fences, people's health and wellbeing is suffering from being held in these prison-like barges and camps.'

A Home Office spokesperson said the equality impact assessment for Portland would be published in due course.

They added: 'We continue to provide accommodation for asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute to meet our legal obligation and move away from accommodating individuals in hotels, which is expensive and unsustainable.

'Due to the greater need to accommodate male asylum seekers and those aged between 18-65, it is appropriate and proportionate to use large accommodation sites for male asylum seekers only.'
While Clive Myrie is widely considered to be the front-runner if the BBC decide to replace Huw Edwards as the main presenter, he might be facing competition.

Reeta Chakrabarti, Sophie Raworth and Jane Hill could also be in the running for the promotion, according to analysis of who has filled in the most for the suspended anchor.

Mr Edwards, 62, was suspended by the corporation earlier this year after it was claimed that he had paid thousands of pounds to a young man who sent him sexual images.

Detectives assessed the allegations and two police forces decided to take no further action, but the BBC resumed its internal investigation in July.

However, BBC bosses are cautious about not officially beginning a replacement process, according to The Times.

Data complied by the newspaper shows that Reeta Chakrabarti has stepped in for Mr Edwards the most since his suspension, closely followed by Clive Myrie.

Huw Edwards is the highest paid journalist at the BBC and led the nation through Queen Elizabeth's death

While Clive Myrie (pictured) is widely considered to be the front-runner if the BBC decide to replace Huw Edwards as the main presenter, he might be facing competition

Data complied by the newspaper shows that Reeta Chakrabarti (pictured) has stepped in for Mr Edwards the most since his suspension

Next up is Sophie Raworth, 55, (pictured) with a total of 64. Others on the list include Jane Hill, Fiona Bruce and Ben Brown

The Times analysed more than 200 programmes of News at Six and News at Ten to find out who could be in the running to replace Mr Edwards.

Between July 26 and December 5, data shows Chakrabarti has presented slightly more of the bulletins than Myrie, fronting 72 compared to his 69.

READ MORE - The Met Police refuses to say whether its officers are still investigating BBC broadcaster Huw Edwards Advertisement

Next up is Sophie Raworth, 55, with a total of 64. Others on the list include Jane Hill, Fiona Bruce and Ben Brown.

Chakrabarti - who is 59, the same age as Myrie - has appeared more on both the 6pm and 10pm bulletins.

Both are well-known and are considered to have the experience to potentially replace Mr Edwards.

Myrie - who began his career as a trainee local radio reporter in 1987 and worked his way up to be one of he BBC's chief news presenters - was paid up to 289,000 last year.

Chakrabarti - who earned up to 219,000 - started as a producer for BBC Radio 4 and now regularly presents BBC News and occasionally BBC World News.

Meanwhile, Mr Edwards was paid up to 439,000 last year for the lead presenter role.

One presenter told The Times: 'Discussions about who might eventually replace Huw have been going on for years.

'It always was sort-of Clive's, but Reeta is also hugely respected. So maybe they might look to share things out.'

His wife Vicky Flind (right) named her husband as the man at the centre of the allegations

Huw Edwards is said to be set to leave the BBC after an insider said there was 'no path back'

When the Met Police was asked earlier this month if detectives were still assessing any allegations relating to Mr Edwards, the force declined to answer.

Back in July the Metropolitan Police issued a statement saying: 'Detectives from the Met's Specialist Crime Command have now concluded their assessment and have determined there is no information to indicate that a criminal offence has been committed.

READ MORE - BBC presenter Clive Myrie is set to replace suspended Huw Edwards on News at Ten, insiders claim Advertisement

'In reaching this decision, they have spoken to a number of parties including the BBC and the alleged complainant and the alleged complainant's family, both via another police force.

'There is no further police action. As such, the Met has advised the BBC it can continue with its internal investigation.'

The mother and stepfather of the alleged victim, who they said was 17 when contact with the presenter was first made, and is now 20, went to police in South Wales this April to report Mr Edwards, but were told there was no crime.

In May this year, the mother of the alleged victim made a complaint about Edwards' behaviour, with details referred to the Corporate Investigations Team.

Two months later, The Sun informed the BBC's press office about allegations made against Edwards, prompting the broadcaster to launch an 'incident management group' of top execs and approach Edwards, before going to the police on July 7.

By July 9, Edwards was suspended from his role.

Only a day later, the alleged victim rubbished the allegations through a lawyer.

Mr Edwards was previously identified by his wife as the BBC presenter at the centre of allegations, after media outlets initially took the decision not to name him due to privacy concerns.

Vicky Flind issued a statement on her husband's behalf after days of speculation, saying he was being treated in hospital for 'serious mental health issues'. Mr Edwards has denied the allegations against him.

A spokesperson for the BBC said: 'As we have previously said, we will not be discussing matters pertaining to Huw Edwards further, and we would urge people not to indulge in speculation.'
Astonishing vision has emerged of two motorists embroiled in an ugly road rage incident which almost turned horribly wrong.

The shocking incident involving a small hatchback and 4WD ute unfolded in front of shocked onlookers at the Liberty petrol station in Calista in Perth's south on Friday night.

The video, filmed by a bystander and shared by Aussie-based Instagram account Brown Cardigan showed the hatchback appearing to prevent the ute from driving off.

The smaller vehicle briefly parked in front of the ute and then performed a burnout as smoke filled the air.

Onlookers were treated to a demolition derby-style road rage incident in Perth's south

The hatchback quickly circled around and smashed into the side of the 4WD.

The impact pushed the ute onto its side, which almost ended in a rollover.

The screeching of brakes were heard before the hatchback sped off with its bonnet completely smashed up.

The ute driver started following him but then pulled over to speak to a bystander who had been filming.

The man explained to the shirtless ute driver that he got details of the licence plate.

'That's my ......' driver replied before the video cut off.

It's understood the ute and hatchback drivers are known to each other, according to police.

The extensively damaged hatchback (pictured) came off second best in the incident

Investigations into the road rage incident continue.

The footage, which has since gone viral, sparked a divisive response from viewers.

Many saw the funny side.

'I wanna see a rematch,' one wrote.

Another added: 'City of Kwinana Liberty Thunderdome.'

A third commented: 'This is why I moved to Australia 10 years ago!'

Others requested more context about the incident.

'Need the back story,' one viewer commented

Even Channel 10 television host Osher Gunsberg weighed into the debate.

'Yeah well when the fuel is 2c cheaper at the United down the road, you get bloody moving don't you?' he quipped.

Do you know more? Email tips@dailymail.com.
Residents were unsettled with the mash-up of words including references to current events and conspiracy theories

Pennsylvania residents have been left petrified after finding terrifying notes inside sealed food packages that reference JFK, terror-riots, SS and Lord of the Rings.

The cryptic notes have been discovered in ordinary grocery items, including Lucky Charms, Lindt Chocolate and Chai tea, bought from multiple stores in Northeastern Pennsylvania and across the state.

Joe Miller, from Sugarloaf Township, couldn't believe his eyes when he found a folded piece of paper containing secret society messages in a box of Lucky Charm's S'mores cereal that he purchased last week.

'It just bothers me. The note really - it's the note that really bothers me. These notes are found inside food like kids' food,' Miller told WBRE.

He promptly reported the discovery to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and local news outlets.

Pennsylvania residents were left terrorized by mysterious notes referencing JFK, terror-riots, SS, and Lord of the Rings discovered inside sealed food packages. Joe Miller from Sugarloaf Township showed what he found in his Lucky Charm's S'mores cereal

The notes contain a mash-up of words with references to current events and conspiracy theories

'I opened up the box  I poured it out in my bowl and out came this paper that was all folded up just like this,' said Miller, adding he bought the cereal from a Luzerne County grocery store

More than a dozen people in the area have expressed concerns about the notes, with two area congressmen promising to investigate.

The notes contain a mash-up of words with references to current events and conspiracy theories.

In an interview with WBRE on Tuesday, Miller, who bought the cereal from a Luzerne County grocery story, said: 'I opened up the box  I poured it out in my bowl and out came this paper that was all folded up just like this,'

'Oh, I was devastated. I mean I didn't even want to eat the cereal, although, I still have the box here.

'Probably not going to eat it. I don't know what's inside the cereal or if this note laced with anything.'

Another resident from Montoursville, Pennsylvania, revealed she found a similar cryptic note in a sealed box of Chai tea.

'It's kind of disturbing that this could happen in sealed-up bags. Things like this it's a little unnerving to me,' Chris said.

Other residents also shared their experiences on social media.

One told WBRE on Facebook: 'I found one several months ago and just last month in Lindt dark chocolate. They were purchased from different retailers. Tried to research but came up with nothing.'

In an interview with WBRE on Tuesday, Miller explained how he purchased the cereal and stumbled upon the disturbing notes on an ordinary night, just like any other

The notes contain words like terror-riots, JFK warned of SS and Lord of Rings. But the news station has opted not to disclose the specific contents of the note.

Pictures showing similar messages have been circulated on social media for months, as multiple users shared the notes that they found in food packages

The news station opted not to disclose the name of the store where the cereal was bought or the specific contents of the note.

But pictures showing similar messages have been circulated on social media for months, with multiple users sharing what they found in food packages.

One note reads: 'SECRET societies' (SS) ties to terro'm'/mass shoot'gsgo unreport'd. JFK/Lincoln/Wilson warn'd of SS. A secret sign/symb. Sys unites SS. Their symbs tie to Saturn, Lord o/t Rings/Time.'

The Reddit user who shared the picture said: 'Opened my girlfriend's cereal and found this super weird Secret Society message? It's like half nonsense sounding but still pretty strange.'

The post has elicited overwhelming reactions, including one person who decided to collect posts that show the cryptic messages in food boxes.

'Ooh, there's another note!' the person wrote in comments. 'There's a mystery dude going around placing these in random places. I think ima start collecting posts that show this type of stuff.'

The social media user who found the note later confirmed that, like Miller and Chris, they also reside in Pennsylvania.

Congressman Dan Meuser (pictured) said he will look for answers: ''So, we are going to stay in touch with our contacts at the FBI and the FDA. Everything that we can find out that we can legally share, we will'

Congressman Dan Meuser said: 'Were definitely going to stay on top of this. If its concerning to our constituents which it clearly is, its concerning to us.

'So, we are going to stay in touch with our contacts at the FBI and the FDA. Everything that we can find out that we can legally share, we will.'

Congressman Matt Cartwright called the note 'a weird joke'.

He added that there has been no indication of people falling ill after eating products where notes have been found, but does not want to take chances.

'We want to find out who is doing this. It's obviously somebody's idea of a weird joke. But you don't want it to get any further than that. '

The Food and Drug Administration said it is aware of the incidents in a statement.

A spokesperson said: 'The FDA is aware of the situation. The agency evaluates product defects and other complaints that it receives.

'Consumers who have recently purchased items that they suspect have been tampered with should not use the product and should return it to the retail outlet.'
News / Local

by Staff reporter

South Africa has filed a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing it of crimes of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza after nearly three months of relentless Israeli bombardment has killed more than 21,500 people and caused widespread destruction in the besieged enclave.In an application to the court on Friday, South Africa described Israel's actions in Gaza as "genocidal in character because they are intended to bring about the destruction of a substantial part of the Palestinian national, racial and ethnical group"."The acts in question include killing Palestinians in Gaza, causing them serious bodily and mental harm, and inflicting on them conditions of life calculated to bring about their physical destruction," the application said.The ICJ, also called the World Court, is a UN civil court that adjudicates disputes between countries. It is distinct from the International Criminal Court (ICC), which prosecutes individuals for war crimes.As members of the UN, both South Africa and Israel are bound by the court.South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has compared Israel's policies in Gaza and the occupied West Bank with his country's past apartheid regime of racial segregation imposed by the white-minority rule that ended in 1994.Several human rights organisations have said that Israeli policies towards Palestinians amount to apartheid.Global condemnationSouth Africa said Israel's conduct, particularly since the war began on October 7, violates the UN's Genocide Convention, and called for an expedited hearing. The application also requests the court to indicate provisional measures to "protect against further, severe and irreparable harm to the rights of the Palestinian people" under the Convention."South Africa is gravely concerned with the plight of civilians caught in the present Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip due to the indiscriminate use of force and forcible removal of inhabitants," a statement from South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) said, adding that the country has "repeatedly stated that it condemns all violence and attacks against all civilians, including Israelis.""South Africa has continuously called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and the resumption of talks that will end the violence arising from the continued belligerent occupation of Palestine," the statement added.Israel has rejected global calls for a ceasefire saying the war would not stop until the Hamas group, whose October 7 attack triggered the current phase of the conflict, was destroyed. Some 1,200 people were killed in the Hamas attack in Israel. The Palestinian group has said its attack was against Israel's 16-year-old blockade of Gaza and expansion of settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. Settlement expansions pose the biggest hurdle in the realisation of a future Palestinian state comprising Gaza, occupied West Banka and East Jerusalem.In the latest development in Israel's war on Gaza, tens of thousands of newly displaced Palestinians in the centre of the Palestinian enclave on Friday were forced to flee further south as Israel expanded its ground and air offensive in the centre of the enclave.Israel has faced global condemnation for the mounting toll and destruction and is accused of meting out collective punishment on the Palestinian people.A very important step'The court application is the latest move by South Africa, a vociferous critic of Israel's war, to ratchet up pressure after its lawmakers last month voted in favour of closing down the Israeli embassy in Pretoria and suspending all diplomatic relations until a ceasefire was agreed.Al Jazeera's Gabriel Elizondo, reporting from the United Nations headquarters in New York, said the move was "clearly a very important step to try to hold some accountability to Israel.""Now that South Africa is pushing this to the ICJ, it will be on [the UN's] agenda to try to make a ruling on this very important question," he added.On November 16, a group of 36 UN experts called on the international community to "prevent genocide against the Palestinian people", calling Israel's actions since October 7 a "genocide in the making"."We are deeply disturbed by the failure of governments to heed our call and to achieve an immediate ceasefire. We are also profoundly concerned about the support of certain governments for Israel's strategy of warfare against the besieged population of Gaza, and the failure of the international system to mobilise to prevent genocide," the experts said in a statement.Israel rejects South Africa's accusationsIsrael has rejected South Africa's move as "baseless", calling it "blood libel.""South Africa's claim lacks both a factual and a legal basis, and constitutes despicable and contemptuous exploitation of the Court," Israel's minister of foreign affairs, Lior Haiat, said in a statement posted on X."Israel has made it clear that the residents of the Gaza Strip are not the enemy, and is making every effort to limit harm to the non-involved and to allow humanitarian aid to enter the Gaza Strip," the statement added."It does rally public opinion to the reality of what's going on in Palestine, not just in Gaza but also in the West Bank," said Al Jazeera's senior political analyst Marwan Bishara.According to Article 2 of the Genocide Convention, genocide involves acts committed with the "intent to destroy, either in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group.""Where the disagreement lies is whether there is intent or no intent," Bishara said."The three leading Israeli officials have declared the intent, starting with Israeli President Herzog when he said there are no innocents' in Gaza, the defence minister who said Israel will impose collective punishment on the people of Gaza because they are human animals'," Bishara said, adding that prime minister Netanyahu also used a biblical analogy in a statement widely interpreted as a genocidal call.The Palestinian ministry of foreign affairs welcomed South Africa's move, and called on the ICJ to take immediate action to "prevent further harm to the Palestinian people"."Israel's stated policy, acts and omissions are genocidal in character are committed with the requisite specific intent to the destruction of the Palestinian people under its colonial occupation and apartheid regime in violation of its obligations under the Genocide Convention," a statement by the ministry said."The State of Palestine appeals to the international community and the Contracting Parties to the Convention to uphold their obligations and support the Court in the proceedings."
Both states have moved to exclude Trump over his role in the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol, citing the 'insurrection' clause of the constitution

Donald Trump has expressed concern that the Supreme Court could back attempts by Colorado and Maine to block him from the Republican primary ballot, according to reports.

Both states have moved to exclude Trump over his role in the January 6, 2021, attack by his supporters on the Capitol.

The states have accepted legal challenges to Trump's nomination that cite Section 3 of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, which says office holders cannot 'have engaged in insurrection or rebellion'.

Trump has privately expressed concerns that the Supreme Court, to which he appointed three conservative justices while president, may side with Colorado and Maine so as not to appear 'political', The New York Times reported.

Despite the conservative supermajority on the bench the former president is worried the court will rule against him, a source told the Times.

Trump appointed three conservative justices to the Supreme Court bench during his presidency

The former president has expressed concern the Supreme Court may side with Colorado and Maine's decision to exclude him from the primary ballot

Trump has also been privately critical of the court, which has not supported him in his 2020 election-related cases, according to the publication.

The decision by Colorado's highest court to overrule a lower court and declare Trump ineligible to run in the primary reportedly caught the Trump camp by surprise.

He remains on the ballot for the State while he asks the Supreme Court to rule on the validity of the decision.

However, Trump's team was more prepared for Maine's decision, issuing a statement days before the announcement and preparing their appeal filing in advance.

Trump supporters and those critical of the Maine and Colorado decisions argue that although he has been indicted on charges related to the eventual attack on the Capitol he has not been criminally charged with 'insurrection'.

Others have expressed worries that the Maine decision was not made by a court but unilaterally by secretary of state Shenna Bellows.

The Maine decision was made unilaterally by secretary of state Shenna Bellows (pictured)

Trump's allies have highlighted Bellows' affiliation with the Democratic Party and that she is not an elected official, but an appointed one.

Challenges to Trump's eligibility for the primary nomination have now been filed in more than two dozen states.

Although many have been dismissed, including in Wisconsin earlier this week, there are still fourteen states with active suits pending.

The decisions have created uncertainty in the Republican contest with primary elections in early states beginning as soon as January 15 with the Iowa caucuses.
Thick plumes of smoke could be seen drifting over the top of buildings on Saturday in the Gaza Strip's southern city of Khan Yunis, the focus of recent fighting in a war that is now in its 13th week.

Fighting raged on Saturday across Gaza, where displaced Palestinians are 'exhausted', with no end in sight to the war between the besieged territory's Hamas rulers and Israel.

The enclave's Hamas-run health ministry said that 165 Gazans were killed over the past 24 hours, while a total of 56,165 others have been wounded in the fighting.

It added that at least 21,672 people have been killed in the Palestinian territory since the war with Israel erupted on October 7.

Further south, the border city of Rafah near Egypt was teeming with Gazans seeking safety from Israel's relentless bombardment in its fight against Hamas terrorists.

Smoke billowing over Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip during the Israeli bombardment, on December 30, 2023

Smoke billowing over Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip during the Israeli bombardment, on December 30, 2023

'Enough with this war! We are totally exhausted,' said Umm Louay Abu Khater, a 49-year-old woman who had fled her home in Khan Yunis, taking refuge in Rafah.

'We are constantly displaced from one place to another in cold weather,' she said. 'The bombs keep falling on us day and night.'

The Israeli army kept up its campaign in the face of a mounting international pushback, reporting 'fierce battles' and air strikes across the narrow Palestinian territory.

The fighting began with Hamas's bloody October 7 attacks, which left about 1,140 people dead in Israel, mostly civilians.

Terrorists also took about 250 people hostage, and Israel says 129 of them remain in Gaza.

Israel's army says 168 soldiers have been killed in combat inside the territory.

There was continuous artillery shelling overnight in Rafah and Khan Yunis, and the Gaza health ministry said 'multiple' people had died in a strike on a house in Nuseirat refugee camp, in the territory's centre.

UN chief Antonio Guterres on Friday reiterated his call for 'an immediate humanitarian ceasefire' as conditions in the Strip keep deteriorating.

A view of volunteers and the Palestinian residents build makeshift tents after leaving their homes in due to Israeli attacks that continue in Rafah, Gaza, on December 30, 2023

Children are seen as the volunteers and Palestinian residents build makeshift tents after leaving their homes in due to Israeli attacks that continue in Rafah, Gaza, on December 30, 2023

A view of volunteers and the Palestinian residents build makeshift tents after leaving their homes in due to Israeli attacks that continue in Rafah, Gaza, on December 30, 2023

A view of volunteers and the Palestinian residents build makeshift tents after leaving their homes in due to Israeli attacks that continue in Rafah, Gaza, on December 30, 2023

A view of volunteers and the Palestinian residents build makeshift tents after leaving their homes in due to Israeli attacks that continue in Rafah, Gaza, on December 30, 2023

Medics in Nasser hospital in Khan Yunis said they were facing severe shortages.

'The hospital is receiving a lot more (patients) than its capacity, in fact we are functioning at 300 per cent of our... capacity,' doctor Ahmad Abu Mustafa said in footage shared by the World Health Organization (WHO).

'The beds are full... and we are basically short on all sorts of medicine supplies.'

In central Gaza's Zawayda, Palestinians were inspecting damage and pulling the body of a child from under the rubble after an Israeli strike.

Slain reporter Jabr Abu Hadrous was laid to rest in Deir al-Balah.

'Palestinian journalists are killed, arrested and prosecuted,' said fellow journalist Basel Khalaf, calling on the international community to 'stand by Palestinian journalists, not only in words but also in actions'.

An army statement on Saturday said 'two Hamas military compounds were dismantled by the troops' in Beit Lahia, and dozens of terrorists had been killed in Gaza City, both in the territory's north.

Ahmed al-Baz, a 33-year-old Palestinian displaced from Gaza City, said this year had been 'the worst in my life'.

'It was a year of destruction and devastation,' he said in Rafah, surrounded by tents in a makeshift camp.

Displaced Palestinians, who fled their homes due to Israeli strikes, shelter in a tent camp, in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, on December 29, 2023

Displaced Palestinian children, who fled their homes due to Israeli strikes, shelter in a tent camp, in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, on December 29, 2023

Citizens queue for food that is cooked in large pots and distributed for free during the war, in Rafah, Gaza, on December 28, 2023

Displaced Palestinians including children, moved to Gaza's Rafah seeking refuge from Israeli attacks are seen amid the destruction, on December 28, 2023

Citizens queue for food that is cooked in large pots and distributed for free during war, in Rafah, Gaza, on December 28, 2023

Citizens queue for food that is cooked in large pots and distributed for free during the war, in Rafah, Gaza, on December 28, 2023

Family of 35 people, the Mushtihi family, is seen living under difficult conditions as Palestinian families, seeking refuge from Israeli attacks on Gaza, establish makeshift tents in vacant areas to ensure their safety in Rafah, Gaza, on December 28, 2023

A girl is seen in the Mushtihi family of 35 people trying to survive in difficult conditions as Palestinian families, seeking refuge from Israeli attacks on Gaza, establish makeshift tents in vacant areas to ensure their safety in Rafah, Gaza, on December 28, 2023

'We just want the war to end, and start the new year at home, with a ceasefire declared.'

International mediators - who last month brokered a one-week truce that saw more than 100 hostages released and some aid enter Gaza - continue in their efforts to secure a new pause in the fighting.

US news outlet Axios and Israeli website Ynet, both citing unnamed Israeli officials, reported that Qatari mediators had told Israel that Hamas was prepared to resume talks on new hostage releases in exchange for a ceasefire.

READ MORE: 150,000 Palestinians are forced south as Israel steps up its assault in Gaza amid UN demands for more humanitarian deliveries to the besieged territory Advertisement

A Hamas delegation was in Cairo on Friday to discuss an Egyptian plan proposing renewable ceasefires, a staggered release of hostages for Palestinian prisoners, and ultimately an end to the war, sources close to Hamas say.

Islamic Jihad, another armed group fighting alongside Hamas, said on Saturday that Palestinian factions were 'in the process' of evaluating the Egyptian proposal.

A response will come 'within days, and the brothers in Egypt will be informed', according to Muhammad al-Hindi, Islamic Jihad's deputy secretary-general.

Israel has yet to formally comment on the Cairo plan, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told families of hostages on Thursday that 'we are in contact' with the Egyptian mediators, also vowing to return the captives still in Gaza.

Mia Shem, an Israeli-French hostage abducted from the site of the Nova music festival and released under November's truce agreement, told Israeli media she was locked up 'in a dark room' and 'forbidden' from talking.

'There was a fear of rape, fear of dying,' Shem, 21, said in an interview with Israel's Channel 13, which aired on Friday.

An Israeli siege imposed after October 7, following years of crippling blockades, has led to dire shortages of food, safe water, fuel and medicine in Gaza, with aid convoys offering only sporadic relief.

On Friday, a total of 72 aid trucks, most of them carrying food, entered Gaza, according to the territory's border crossings authority.

Palestinians inspect the damage following Israeli strikes on the Zawayda area of the central Gaza Strip, on December 30, 2023

A Palestinian man carries the body of a child after it was unearthed from the rubble of a building following an Israeli strike on the Zawayda area of the central Gaza Strip, on December 30, 2023

Gaza also received four fuel trucks and 29 commercial food trucks, it said.

The UN says more than 85 per cent of Gaza's 2.4 million people have fled their homes.

South Africa on Friday filed an application at the International Court of Justice to start proceedings for what it said were 'genocidal acts' in Gaza, which Israel dismissed as 'blood libel'.

Key Israeli ally the United States, meanwhile, announced the approval of a $147.5 million (115.8 million) sale of 155mm high-explosive artillery munitions and related equipment to Israel from US Army stocks.

The Gaza war has intensified tensions across the region.

Israel has traded regular cross-border fire with Lebanon's powerful Iran-backed Hezbollah movement, and early on Saturday the army said it had struck in Syria following rocket launches.
His overwhelming popularity has been attributed to his down-to-earth nature and rejection of partisanship in Vermont politics

Vermont Governor Phil Scott consistently polls as the most popular governor in the United States, despite being a Republican in the deep-blue state

A Republican in deep-blue Vermont has become America's most popular governor, with his down-to-earth nature winning over voters.

Governor Phil Scott, 65, scored a staggering 84 percent approval rating in a recent poll, and has consistently polled in the mid 70s.

And with each election Scott, a Republican in the bluest state in the country, continues to see his popularity grow.

He won 53 percent of the vote when he became governor in 2016 only to increase this to 71 percent last year, winning a majority in every city and town.

His overwhelming popularity has been largely attributed to his earnest nature and lack of ego - exemplified by the fact that he regularly mows the grass around a public statue in his hometown city of Barre.

He has also won praise for working across the political divide as well as steering the state through the Covid and flooding crises.

Governor Phil Scott consistently polls as the the most popular governor in the United States

Last year Scott won his fourth two-year term with 71 percent, winning a majority in every city and town

Scott is the only Republican elected statewide, garnering a bigger percentage of the vote than any Democrat or independent US Senator Bernie Sanders.

Scott amassed great respect for his sensible handling of the Covid pandemic in which he appeared in daily, low-key televised briefings to reassure Vermonters and encourage them to take social distancing and mask wearing seriously.

He was similarly seen as a steady hand during last summer's historic flooding that hit the state.

The popular governor has also garnered a reputation for refusing to insult his political rivals and has gained their respect.

And residents think highly of his willingness to get his hands dirty after he took it upon himself to mow the grassy area around a statue honoring Italian stonecutters who made Barre the 'Granite Capital of the World'.

'We got an excavator in here, planted grass,' Scott told the Boston Globe.

'I saw the grass starting to grow, and thought, "I better mow it." Now I feel responsible for it.'

Scott grew up in Barre, raised by his widowed mother, and opened a motorcycle shop and then a successful construction business before going into politics

The popular governor has also garnered a reputation for refusing to insult his political rivals and has gained their respect

Phil Baruth, the Democratic leader of the Vermont state Senate, praised Scott for his courage in working with the Democrat-dominated Legislature to pass the states first significant gun control measures in 2018.

Recalling the moment Scott signed the bill on the State House steps Baruth told the Globe 'it was a chaotic scene, with outraged gun owners screaming at him.

'There were people with earpieces, worried about someone taking a shot at him.'

He added: 'It was one of the most politically courageous acts Ive seen in my lifetime.'

Scott grew up in Barre, raised by his widowed mother, and opened a motorcycle shop and then a successful construction business before going into politics.

In 2011, after Tropical Storm Irene devastated large swaths of Vermont, Scott organized the removal of damaged mobile homes at no cost to homeowners or taxpayers by asking people he knew in the construction industry to pitch in out of civic duty.

Despite his successes Scott has provoked the ire of some within the Republican party for his social liberalism, support of the LGBTQ community and by publicly rejecting Donald Trump and voting for Joe Biden.

'Hes a supporter of the LGBTQ community, which is unique given where the national GOP is,' Christine Hallquist, a trans Vermont Democrat said.

'Its important to our Vermont brand, to be nice people. And hes a nice, ethical person.'
The Met Police has moved in to arrest protestors after chaos broke out on London's streets, with Eritrean protesters attacking riot vans with sticks outside a theatre.

The busy road Camberwell Road in south London has since reopened, but police have confirmed a number of arrests have been made and as many as 60 protestors remain behind a police cordon.

Shocking scenes around The Lighthouse theatre appeared to show protesters wielding sticks clashing with Met Police officers, bringing traffic to a standstill.

The protest is related to 'tensions in the Eritrean community', the Met Police confirmed.

One person on X said he heard the Eritrean embassy was in the middle of a meeting when the protesters showed up at the scene.

Shocking scenes appear to also show protesters with blue flags aiming sticks at officers, with one launching a traffic barrier into the line of police

The busy road Camberwell Road in south London has since reopened, but police have confirmed a number of arrests have been made and as many as 60 protestors remain behind a police cordon

The protest is related to 'tensions in the Eritrean community', the Met Police confirmed

Police following a disturbance near to the Lighthouse Theatre in Camberwell Road

'People I've talked to say that the Eritrean embassy was holding a meeting and the protesters turned up and there was a confrontation between the two groups,' he said.

'Now they are kettling protesters while the Eritrean government staff are still inside the building I think.'

Southwark Police put a statement out on X which read: 'Officers are on scene in Camberwell Road, SE5 where there is a protest with approximately 50 people gathered outside a private venue.

'Additional officers are on their way to the location to assist with the demonstration.'

The force later added: 'Camberwell Road has now reopened after a demonstration outside a private venue.

'A group of approximately 60 protesters remain behind a police cordon. A number of arrests have been made.'

Police said a section 35 dispersal order has been put in place in Camberwell Road until 7am tomorrow - enabling officers to exclude individuals or groups of people from the area for 48 hours.

The Lighthouse theatre hosts large and small events, holding weddings, themed parties and conferences.

Police in riot gear appear to form a 'ring of steel' after a violent protest in Camberwell

Officers with shields and carrying helmets appear to guard the doors of The Lighthouse theatre - one of which has the glass broken

A protest involving approximately 50 individuals has broken out outside The Lighthouse Theatre on Camberwell Road

The Met Police has sent in extra officers as Eritrean protesters attacked riot vans with sticks outside a theatre in South London

A large police presence attended the scene during the protest

Footage posted on social media shows people hitting cop cars with sticks as they swarm the area.

Huge crowds can be seen blocking the road as cars are forced to a halt and a large police presence surrounds the area.

Shocking scenes appear to also show protesters with blue flags aiming sticks at officers, with one launching a traffic barrier into the line of police.

The protest is thought to have been sparked by representatives of the Eritrean government attending a meeting in London.

The controversial African nation remains under the 'one-man dictatorship' of President Isaias Afewerki, international advocacy agany Human Rights Watch reports, with 'no legislature, no independent civil society organizations or media outlets and no independent judiciary'.

Tens of thousands of people have fled Eritrea for Europe, many alleging they were mistreated by Afwerki' repressive government.

The conflicts surrounding gatherings highlight the deep divide among members of the Eritrean diaspora, those who remain close to the government and those who have fled to live in exile and strongly oppose Afwerki.

In September an Eritrean culture festival in Stuttgart descended into violent chaos as opposing mobs attacked each other and police with stones, bottles, and wooden planks.

The clashes broke out between Eritrean government supporters and opponents as some 200 protesters gathered outside the festival in the southwestern German city.

As violence flared, dozens of people were injured, including at least 26 officers. One resident described the scene as 'like a war'.

A fight between Eritrean government supporters and opponents in Tel Aviv in early September led to one of the most violent street confrontations among African asylum seekers and migrants in the city's recent memory.
A London nightclub, beloved of one of Hollywood's biggest names, has been forced to re-home its resident fish following complaints from animal rights activists.

Infernos nightclub, in Clapham, with its glittery lights and retro decor, has been forced to re-home its fish which were kept in a tank next to the dancefloor.

It comes after a video went viral on TikTok with the caption: 'No matter how bad your life is, just remember you're not a fish living at Infernos'.

The club received backlash from animal rights activists, accusing it of 'animal cruelty' for keeping the fish in a loud and bright environment.

Now, the venue has confirmed the fish have been re-homed and are 'extremely happy' in their 'new environment', The Telegraph reports.

The resident fish at Infernos were kept in a tank next to the dancefloor

Party-goers enjoying the music at Infernos nightclub in South London

Margot Robbie has previously spoken about her love for the club - it was a venue she used to frequent when living in Clapham

It is not known whether the fish remain together or have been separated.

Actress Margot Robbie previously shared her love for the nightclub, having lived in London in her 20s with a group of pals and now-husband Tom Ackerley.

Robbie spent time living in South London in a shared four-bedroom home before moving to a more lavish pad in the US.

Speaking in an interview with Capital FM's Sian Welby, she admitted she once inquired about renting out Infernos for a sit down dinner with friends on a birthday, but at the time they said no.

Infernos has been welcoming party-goers since the 1980s after it was converted from a recording studio to a nightclub.

It was also the setting for the famous club scene in The Inbetweeners Movie, where Will, Simon, Jay and Neil try to impress a group of girls with their dancing.

The RSPCA backed animal activists views and said 'bright lights, loud music and large number of people' make venues such as nightclubs a poor environment for an animal.
A couple who spent their live savings renovating a hotel returned from a holiday to find it had been destroyed after a burst pipe flooded the entire building.

Des Thomson, 50 and Sinead Finnegan, 40, were left distraught after finding their beloved Osprey Hotel in ruins.

After returning to the Scottish town of Kingussie from Sri Lanka on December 19, they found that a pipe had burst in the loft and water had been flowing out for several weeks.

To make matters worse, the couple's business insurance have refused to pay out because they were away from the premises and out of the country in excess of thirty days.

Mr Thomson told The Daily Record: 'We are waking up every morning and dealing with a nightmare.'

Des Thomson, 50 and Sinead Finnegan, 40, were left distraught after finding their beloved Osprey Hotel had been destroyed

To make matters worse, the couple's business insurance have refused to pay out because they were away from the premises and out of the country in excess of 30 days. Pictured: Damage caused in the dining room by the flood

The couple found that a pipe had burst in the loft and water had been flowing out for several weeks. Ceilings, floors, and walls will need to be ripped out

He said that he knew something was wrong immediately when they saw condensation on the hotel's windows when they got back.

The distraught hotel owner added: 'We have done everything ourselves and needed a well-earned rest, ready to carry on. But we have come back to nothing, every single thing is affected. It's destroyed our lives and we are distraught. We've lost everything.'

Mr Thomson, who is originally from Glasgow, purchased the hotel in 2019 after moving back to Scotland having spent 20 years in Dublin.

Despite Covid hitting within months of their acquisition, they continued to sink their life savings into transforming the hotel which was in need of a major refurbishment.

After four years of hard work, the couple finally opened up for business in April. The Osprey had been doing a roaring trade for six months when the couple decided to book a holiday in October.

Mr Thomson revealed that a friend was supposed to be staying at the hotel so he assumed everything would be fine - but it was not.

The couple will need to rip out every wall, ceiling and floor while all soft furnishings such as mattresses, carpets, TVs and electronics have been ruined.

The commercial kitchen equipment and dining room have also been destroyed, leaving the couple with a near-impossible task to refurbish the hotel for a second time.

Mr Thomson, who is originally from Glasgow, purchased the hotel in 2019 after moving back to Scotland having spent 20 years in Dublin. Pictured: The Osprey Hotel

A bedroom is pictured at the hotel before it was completely destroyed by the flooding while the owners were away

A bar area is seen at the hotel. The owners are raising money to try and refurbish the hotel again

The entrance to the Osprey hotel which is in the Scottish town of Kingussie

The couple claim that they have been informed the plumbing fault which led to the flood goes back to some botched work carried out by previous proprietors.

Despite a mammoth 125,000 quote to repair the hotel, the owners have refused to give up and have vowed to rebuild their hotel. They hope it can open its doors again by May.

They have set up a GoFundMe, where they wrote: 'The Osprey is our life, business and home. We will need to strip the hotel back to its joists and we will. We intend to rebuild it bigger and better.'

At the time of writing, the couple have raised almost 8,000.
It's that time of year again when Aussies all over the country are getting ready to celebrate the year that was and prepare for the year ahead.

But with the all festivities ahead, what shops will be open, and when, across the New Year's period?

We have compiled a list of store closures and opening and closing times for big-name outlets across the country.

Coles outlets will largely remain open over the new year, with only a handful of stores closing or changing opening hours

Coles

Coles outlets will largely remain open over the new year, with only a handful of stores closing or changing opening hours.

It's recommended you check opening times for your local store online.

New Year's Eve

NSW and ACT: All stores are open

VIC: All stores are open

QLD: All stores are open except Coles outlets at Goondiwindi, Mt Isa and Ayr

WA: All stores are open

SA: All stores are open

TAS: All stores are open

NT: All stores are open

New Year's Day

NSW and ACT: All stores are open

VIC: All stores are open

QLD: All stores are open

WA: All stores open except Tom Price

SA: All stores in metropolitan Adelaide are closed except Rundle Place, which is open from 11am to 5pm. All regional stores will be open from 8am to 8pm

TAS: All stores are open

NT: All stores are open

Most Woolworths stores will be open into the new year, with exceptions for stores in Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory

Woolworths

Most Woolworths stores will be open into the new year, with exceptions for stores in Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory.

It's recommended you check opening times for your local store online.

New Year's Day

NSW and ACT: All stores open

VIC: All stores are open

QLD: All stores are open

WA: All stores are open except outlets in Esperance, Katanning and Northam

SA: All metropolitan stores are closed, all regional stores open except Millicent

TAS: All stores are open

NT: All stores open from 8am to 8pm, with Woolworths in Gove open from 9am to 5pm

January 2

NSW and ACT: All stores are open

VIC: All stores are open

QLD: All stores are open

WA: All stores are open, but check the Woolworths website for local store opening hours

SA: All stores are open except Millicent

TAS: All stores are open

NT: All stores open from 8am to 8pm, with Woolworths in Gove open from 9am to 5pm

Aldi stores on the whole will operate as normal, with customers urged to check online for their local store opening hours (stock image)

IGA and Aldi

New Year's Eve and New Year's Day

Aldi stores on the whole will operate as normal, with customers urged to check online for their local store opening hours.

Some Aldi outlets will be shut on New Year's Day.

All IGA stores are independently owned and all opening hours will vary between outlets.

It's recommended customers plan ahead and check the opening hours for their local store, with some outlets trading as usual and others changing opening hours.

Liquorland

New Year's Eve

NSW and ACT: All stores are open

VIC: All stores are open

QLD: All stores are open

WA: All stores are open

SA: All stores are open

TAS: All stores are open

NT: All stores will be closed

New Year's Day

NSW and ACT: All stores are open with the exception of stores in Charlestown and Lismore

VIC: All stores are open

QLD: All stores are open with the exception of 195 Adelaide St, BHs Liquor Shop, Buderim, Caboolture, Caneland, Carindale, Condon Bottle Shop, Daisy Hill Liquor King, Enoggera, George St, Ironside, Kuraby, Milton Village, Paddington, Red Hill, Sherwood, Toowong, West End and Windaroo

WA: All stores are open except for stores in Altone Park, Belmont, Bunbury, Byford, Erskine, Geraldton Bluff Point, Gosnells, Raine Square and Trinity

SA: All stores are open except for stores in Elizabeth, Modbury Heights, Munno Para, St Clair and Payneham Drive Thru

TAS: All stores are open

NT: Only stores in Pinelands, Palmerston and Coolalinga are open

All stores are open across Australia, with some changes to opening hours at certain stores

Dan Murphy's

New Year's Eve

All stores are open across Australia

New Year's Day

All stores are open across Australia, with some changes to opening hours at certain stores

January 2

All stores are open across the country, with some changes to opening hours at certain stores

BWS

New Year's Eve

All stores are open across Australia

New Year's Day

All stores are open with limited trading hours across Australia

January 2

All stores are open with limited trading hours across Australia

Stores will be open across the country, with only a handful of exceptions, including locations in Queensland at Charters Towers, Ayr, and Ingham. Most stores will shut their doors between 6pm and 8pm

Kmart

New Year's Eve

Stores will be open across the country, with only a handful of exceptions, including locations in Queensland at Charters Towers, Ayr, and Ingham. Most stores will shut their doors between 6pm and 8pm.

New Year's Day

NSW and ACT: All stores are open, with 24-hour stores opening at 8am

VIC: All stores are open, with 24-hour stores opening at 8am

QLD: All stores are open from about 9am to 10am and closing between 4pm and 6pm

WA: All stores are open except for the outlet in Esperance

SA: All stores are open from 9am to 5pm or 6pm, except for Rundle Mall, which is open from 11am to 5pm.

The following stores will be closed: Churchill, Firle, Ingle Farm, Kurralta Park, Marion, Munno Para, Port Adelaide, Port Noarlunga, Tea Tree and West Lakes.

TAS: All stores are open, with 24-hour stores opening at 9am

NT: All stores are open from 8am to 6pm

All stores are open in South Australia, with the exception of Big W Victor Harbour, Mount Gambier, Murray Bridge, Renmark and Port Augusta

Big W

New Year's Day

NSW and ACT: All stores are open

VIC: All stores are open

QLD: All stores are open

WA: All stores are open

SA: All stores are open, with the exception of Big W Victor Harbour, Mount Gambier, Murray Bridge, Renmark and Port Augusta

TAS: All stores are open

NT: All stores are open

Target

New Year's Day

NSW and ACT: All stores are open, with the exception of the outlet in Wollongong

VIC: All stores are open

QLD: All stores are open

WA: All stores are open from 11am to 5pm

SA: All stores will be closed, with the exception of Centrepoint, which is open from 11am to 5pm

TAS: All stores are open from 10am to 6pm

NT: All stores are open form 10am to 5pm

All stores are open across Australia on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day

Bunnings

New Year's Eve

All stores are open across Australia

New Year's Day

All stores are open across Australia

January 2

All stores are open across Australia

Costco

All stores will be closed on New Year's Day and trading hours have been brought forward for New Year's Eve.

It's recommended you check opening times for your local store online.

New Year's Eve

NSW and ACT: All stores are open, with trading hours changed to 8.30am to 5pm

VIC: All stores are open, with trading hours changed to 8.30am to 5pm

QLD: All stores are open, with trading hours changed to 8.30am to 5pm

WA: The Casuarina store is open, with trading hours changed to 8.30am to 5pm

SA: The Adelaide store is open, with trading hours changed to 8.30am to 5pm

New Year's Day

NSW and ACT: All stores will be closed

VIC: Stores will be closed

QLD: Stores will be closed

WA: Stores will be closed

SA: Stores will be closed

It's recommended you check opening times for your local store online.

Westfield shopping centres will be open - albeit with altered trading hours - for all states and territories other than NSW, ACT and South Australia

Westfield

Westfield shopping centres will be open - albeit with altered trading hours - for all states and territories other than NSW, ACT and South Australia.

New Year's Day

NSW and ACT: All stores will be closed

VIC: All stores are open from 10am to 5pm

QLD: All stores are open from 10am to 4pm

WA: All stores are open from 11am to 5pm

SA: All stores will be closed
Three people have been killed after a deadly blaze swept through a Croydon home, police have confirmed.

The London Fire Brigade and other emergency services rushed to the scene on Sanderstead Road just after 11pm last night after receiving reports of a fire.

Two men died at the scene due to the intense smoke and flames, despite best efforts from emergency services to save them.

A third man, believed to be in his 30s, was rushed to hospital but sadly died on Saturday afternoon.

Officers are now working to identify the three men and inform their family.

Two other men took themselves to hospital following the incident. The fourth man is in a life-threatening condition and the fifth man has been discharged.

The property, believed to be occupied by Polish nationals who are said to be squatters, was engulfed in flames, requiring six fire engines and an aerial ladder.

A devastating house fire in Croydon has reportedly led to several fatalities last night

The London Fire Brigade and other emergency services rushed to the scene on Sanderstead Road just after 11pm last night

The blaze was spotted by concerned neighbours who alerted the authorities after noticing a fire erupting from a boarded-up building.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by LFB and police. The Met's enquiries are led by detectives from the Met's South Area CID.

Crime scene tents were erected around the property and the area remains cordoned off

The house on Sanderstead Road is seen the next morning after the fire

Police attend the scene this morning after the fire erupted last night

Emergency services performed CPR and chest compressions in a desperate attempt to save the lives of those caught up in the fire.

The Metropolitan Police has launched an investigation into the cause of the blaze, with the reason behind the fire currently a mystery.

Two people died at the scene and a third later died in hospital. Two others took themselves to Croydon hospital where one is fighting for his life.

Chief Inspector Imran Asghar of the South Area BCU said: 'This is an extremely sad incident, which has led to the deaths of three men, while a fourth man remains in hospital in a critical condition.

'My colleagues have made significant progress towards confirming the identities of the men and providing support to their families. This process is ongoing. At this stage, I understand that the three men who have died were Polish nationals, as are the other two men who attended hospital.

'Enquiries by specialist police and fire investigators are under way to establish the cause of the fire. Anyone with information that may assist is asked to call police on 101, ref 7129/29DEC23.'

Crime scene tents were erected around the property and the area remains cordoned off while investigations by police and the London Fire Brigade are ongoing.

Ambulances were in attendance and two people were killed

The blaze was spotted by concerned neighbours who alerted the authorities

The Metropolitan Police has launched an investigation into the cause of the fire

A spokesperson for the Met Police previously said: 'Police were called by the London Fire Brigade (LFB) at 22:48hrs on Friday, 29 December to a house fire in Sanderstead Road, South Croydon.

'Officers attended along with LFB and the London Ambulance Service.

'Two men  no further details - were sadly pronounced dead at the scene. Officers are working to inform their next of kin.

'A third man was taken to hospital where he remains in a life-threatening condition.

'A fourth and fifth man later self-presented at hospital. One of the men is in a life-threatening condition and the other has since been discharged.

'The cause of the fire is under investigation by LFB and police.'
Eight people have been arrested and four officers were injured after a demonstration turned ugly in London, with Eritrean protesters attacking riot vans with sticks outside a theatre.

Officers arrested demonstrators for a range of offences, includng violent disorder, criminal damage, possession of offensive weapon and assault on an emergency worker.

The crowd outside Camberwell Road in south London has since been dispersed as the force say they are going through footage of the chaos to identify anyone else who may have committed criminal offences.

Shocking scenes around The Lighthouse theatre appeared to show protesters wielding sticks clashing with Met Police officers, bringing traffic to a standstill.

The protest is related to 'tensions in the Eritrean community', the Met Police confirmed.

Southwark Police said: 'Eight people were arrested in Camberwell this afternoon for offences including violent disorder, criminal damage, possession of offensive weapon and assault on an emergency worker.

Shocking scenes appear to also show protesters with blue flags aiming sticks at officers, with one launching a traffic barrier into the line of police

'Four officers were injured, one of whom was taken to hospital and has now been discharged.

'All involved in the demonstration have been dispersed. A significant number of officers remain in the area, and a Section 35 remains in place which gives officers the power to disperse any further gathering which they believe could lead to anti-social behaviour.

'Officers have been working with a group of people who organised an event at a private venue in Camberwell Road.

'Those arrested were part of a group of demonstrators who gathered outside the venue.'

The busy road has since been reopened, with the Met holding as many as 60 protestors behind a police cordon before the crowd dispersed.

One person on X said he heard the Eritrean embassy was in the middle of a meeting when the protesters showed up at the scene.

'People I've talked to say that the Eritrean embassy was holding a meeting and the protesters turned up and there was a confrontation between the two groups,' he said.

'Now they are kettling protesters while the Eritrean government staff are still inside the building I think.'

The busy road Camberwell Road in south London has since reopened, but police have confirmed a number of arrests have been made and as many as 60 protestors remain behind a police cordon

The protest is related to 'tensions in the Eritrean community', the Met Police confirmed

Police following a disturbance near to the Lighthouse Theatre in Camberwell Road

The Met later confirmed that those who were arrested were part of the group outside the venue.

Earlier this afternoon Southwark Police put a statement out on X, saying: 'Officers are on scene in Camberwell Road, SE5 where there is a protest with approximately 50 people gathered outside a private venue.

'Additional officers are on their way to the location to assist with the demonstration.'

The force later added: 'Camberwell Road has now reopened after a demonstration outside a private venue.

'A group of approximately 60 protesters remain behind a police cordon. A number of arrests have been made.'

Police said a section 35 dispersal order has been put in place in Camberwell Road until 7am tomorrow - enabling officers to exclude individuals or groups of people from the area for 48 hours.

The Lighthouse theatre hosts large and small events, holding weddings, themed parties and conferences.

Footage posted on social media shows demonstrators hitting cop cars with sticks as they swarm the area.

Police in riot gear appear to form a 'ring of steel' after a violent protest in Camberwell

Officers with shields and carrying helmets appear to guard the doors of The Lighthouse theatre - one of which has the glass broken

A protest involving approximately 50 individuals has broken out outside The Lighthouse Theatre on Camberwell Road

The Met Police has sent in extra officers as Eritrean protesters attacked riot vans with sticks outside a theatre in South London

A large police presence attended the scene during the protest

Huge crowds can be seen blocking the road as cars are forced to a halt and a large police presence surrounds the area.

Shocking scenes appear to also show protesters with blue flags aiming sticks at officers, with one launching a traffic barrier into the line of police.

The protest is thought to have been sparked by representatives of the Eritrean government attending a meeting in London.

The controversial African nation remains under the 'one-man dictatorship' of President Isaias Afewerki, international advocacy agany Human Rights Watch reports, with 'no legislature, no independent civil society organizations or media outlets and no independent judiciary'.

Tens of thousands of people have fled Eritrea for Europe, many alleging they were mistreated by Afwerki' repressive government.

The conflicts surrounding gatherings highlight the deep divide among members of the Eritrean diaspora, those who remain close to the government and those who have fled to live in exile and strongly oppose Afwerki.

In September an Eritrean culture festival in Stuttgart descended into violent chaos as opposing mobs attacked each other and police with stones, bottles, and wooden planks.

The clashes broke out between Eritrean government supporters and opponents as some 200 protesters gathered outside the festival in the southwestern German city.

As violence flared, dozens of people were injured, including at least 26 officers. One resident described the scene as 'like a war'.

A fight between Eritrean government supporters and opponents in Tel Aviv in early September led to one of the most violent street confrontations among African asylum seekers and migrants in the city's recent memory.
As expected, many recipients of the King's New Year Honours were the men and women who made Charles's Coronation such a success.

From the ceremony's orchestra conductor to the clerk who arranged the Westminster Abbey seating plan, along with police officers, civil servants and the Archbishop of Canterbury, they are a varied bunch.

So it was hardly surprising that Edward Fitzalan-Howard, the 18th Duke of Norfolk, who masterminded not only the Coronation but also Queen Elizabeth's funeral, was tipped by some society insiders as a shoo-in for a gong.

And a big one, at that. In his role as Earl Marshal, he spent 20 years meticulously planning both events to ensure they ran like clockwork.

The 67-year-old Duke's conspicuous omission from the list of 1,200 men and women recognised for their 'exceptional achievements' might seem a snub  just as it did when he was overlooked in Charles's birthday honours in June.

'SNUBBED': Charles (left) and Camilla (centre) with the Duke of Norfolk (right) in 2015

The Duke of Norfolk, Edward Fitzalan-Howard at Queen Elizabeth's funeral last year

At the time it was reported that the two men 'didn't see eye to eye', with claims that the Duke, the most senior peer in the land, 'shoehorned' in unwelcome reforms to modernise the Coronation.

Others suggested he was 'sidelined' owing to an embarrassing six-month ban from driving in September last year when he was caught using his mobile phone behind the wheel and running a red light.

The Duke tried to avoid the ban after claiming he needed his licence to arrange the King's Coronation, a move that led some to view him as a 'liability'.

However, the word from Royal insiders is all hope is not lost. It just may be that he simply has to wait a few months.

The Order of the Garter, which his grandfather, the 16th Duke of Norfolk, received for organising George VI's Coronation, is traditionally bestowed on St George's Day, April 23.

But the 16th Duke was also recognised for masterminding the late Queen's Coronation in 1953, receiving a Royal Victorian Chain.

Couldn't Charles have given the Duke one of these? Alas, our convoluted honours system doesn't work that way.

Experts say he would need to be made a Knight of the Garter before qualifying for a Chain.

It was suggested the Duke of Norfolk (pictured at at Lavender Hill Magistrates' Court in September last year) was 'sidelined' owing to an embarrassing six-month ban from driving in September last year when he was caught using his mobile phone behind the wheel and running a red light

Hugo Vickers, a Royal historian and constitutional expert, said: 'This is no snub to the Duke. In fact, he should take heart from receiving no honour as it opens the chance of the Garter on St George's Day, when they are normally given. This is something most, if not all, the Dukes of Norfolk have received sooner or later. This would be given as a personal gift of the Sovereign.'

To confuse matters further, the Duke  who is said to be worth 100 million and lives at Arundel Castle in West Sussex  believes he is already replete with medals. 'I have a GCVO [Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order] which came from the Queen in 2022,' he told the MoS last night.

'I don't think they can go any higher. There is nothing more the King could give me. There is absolutely no truth in the suggestion I've been snubbed.'

In any case, the King wrote him a 'wonderful letter' thanking him for organising the Coronation.

Last year, the Duke, who was close to the late Queen, confirmed the end of his 34-year marriage to Georgina, the mother of his five children. As the most senior lay member of the Roman Catholic Church in Britain, divorce would normally be frowned upon.

But three months later he married Francesca Herbert, the ex-wife of Harry Herbert, son of the 7th Earl of Carnarvon. Buckingham Palace declined to comment.
News / Local

by Staff reporter

A 13-year-old girl lost her life to a stabbing incident carried out by Munyaradzi Musariri of Glen Norah. The tragic event unfolded after the suspect was discovered sexually assaulting the victim in her parents' bedroom.According to a statement from Paul Nyathi, the spokesperson for the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), the suspect asserted that they had entered into a pact resulting in both of their deaths. The fatal stabbing occurred in the chest of the young girl.In an ongoing investigation, the Zimbabwe Republic Police is scrutinizing the circumstances surrounding the death of Keisha Makovana (13). Munyaradzi Musariri (27) is identified as the assailant, and the incident transpired at Glen Norah B Flats on December 26, 2023, when the two were found in an intimate situation in the girl's parents' bedroom."The suspect claims that he had mutually agreed with the minor to fatally stab each other after being discovered wrapped in her parents' blankets between 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM," stated Nyathi.Following the tragic event, the suspect allegedly attempted suicide and is presently receiving medical treatment at a local hospital while under police supervision."The suspect is currently hospitalized under police security. Further details will be provided as the investigation unfolds," Nyathi affirmed.
Hundreds of civil servants are on full-time 'home-working contracts' and do not go into Whitehall at all, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

The number who can permanently work five days a week from home has more than doubled this year, Freedom of Information requests have revealed.

In addition, staff at Government-funded public bodies have spent nearly 10,000 days working 'from the beach' since 2020 after an increase in approvals to log in from abroad. The move to contractual working from home surged in 2023, with some Government departments now letting hundreds of workers avoid the office all week  on top of those who increasingly work part-time from home already.

The Department for Business and Trade has started handing out specific

'home-working contracts' for the first time in the past year, and now has 207 staff WFH full-time. During the previous three years it had none.

A HIVE OF INACTIVITY: Jacob Rees-Mogg's photo of an empty Government office in April 2022

Last year, Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, then the Minister in charge of Civil Service reform, left notes in his Cabinet Office department saying: 'Sorry you were out when I visited. I look forward to seeing you in the office very soon'

In total, the number of contractual home- workers across eight Whitehall departments has leapt from 334 last year to 815  making a mockery of Ministers' attempts to get officials back at their desks.

Former Levelling-Up Minister Andrew Percy said last night: 'This is another privilege given to public-sector workers which is not given to plumbers, power-station workers, and steel workers who have no choice but to go to work. I am not convinced it is a good use of taxpayers' money.'

Sir Iain Duncan Smith, ex-leader of the Conservative Party, said: 'This obsession with working from home  it's fine once in a while, but it's not fine if it's every day because the quality of the work cannot be the same. It will hit productivity.

'It looks like the Civil Service now seems to be costing a lot of money  but are they giving good value?'

This month, Cabinet Office Minister John Glen urged officials to return to the office, insisting: 'People need to collaborate.'

However, Whitehall penpushers have spent 590,000 of taxpayers' money on management consultants to ask staff how they feel about the office and working from home.

The Department for Work and Pensions has 304 officials on specific 'home-working contracts' allowing them to WFH five days a week  up from just 20 in 2020. The Department of Health and Social Care has 95 such contractual home workers, up from nine in 2020 and fewer than five in 2022.

A Cabinet Office spokesman said: 'These contracts are incredibly rare, only agreed in exceptional circumstances and remain below one per cent of the workforce.

'We have set out new guidance stating that civil servants across all departments and regions are expected to be in the office a minimum of 60 per cent of the time.'

Last year, Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, then the Minister in charge of Civil Service reform, left notes in his Cabinet Office department saying: 'Sorry you were out when I visited. I look forward to seeing you in the office very soon.' He also shared a picture of an empty government office at 11am on a working day.

Meanwhile, separate research on quangos  taxpayer-funded public bodies  shows more than 1,000 staff requests to work remotely from overseas over the past three years were granted. Only 395 were for genuine business purposes.

'This obsession with working from home  it's fine once in a while, but it's not fine if it's every day because the quality of the work cannot be the same. It will hit productivity,' said ex-leader of the Conservative Party, Sir Iain Duncan Smith (pictured)

The Office for National Statistics granted the highest number of requests to work from abroad  361  for 'business-related travel', while the UK Atomic Energy Authority, granted 226 requests to work from abroad, all related to 'personal reasons'. The Food Standards Agency granted 58 and Visit Scotland 43, all for personal reasons. At least 9,834 days were spent working abroad by staff given permission to do so.

Quango staff have been allowed to log in from abroad for weeks at a time from the Maldives, Australia, Brazil, India, Indonesia, Greece, Portugal, New Zealand, the Turks and Caicos Islands, Turkey, South Africa, Thailand, Cyprus, Egypt, Anguilla, Tenerife, Malta and Gran Canaria. In September the Mail revealed how local council bosses granted more than 1,350 requests from staff to work from overseas over the past three years.

The TaxPayers' Alliance campaign group asked 238 quangos about staff working from abroad, of which 37 said they had given 1,076 approvals. Research by the accountants RSM UK found 33 per cent of firms let staff work abroad  a phenomenon branded 'working from the beach'.

Tory MP David Jones, a member of the Commons Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, said: 'It's ludicrous. The pandemic has long gone. Working in another country is preposterous. You can't do the job properly if you're sitting in Barcelona.'

Elliot Keck, of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: 'Taxpayers are sick of the laid back, easy-going attitude that has taken over the public sector. Basic services are inaccessible, yet quangocrats are happy to go the extra mile to top up their tan, but not to deliver for households.'

A Government spokesman said: 'Civil servants are allowed to work from abroad only if there are exceptional circumstances. Public bodies who employ non-Civil Service staff [such as quangos], which make up many of those identified in the report, have their own policies. We have always been clear on the benefits of face-to-face work.'
Dominic Cummings has revealed how Rishi Sunak held secret talks with him to discuss a return to Downing Street.

Mr Cummings sensationally claimed that the pair met twice to discuss election plans, but he decided that the Prime Minister was not 'taking government seriously'.

The maverick former No 10 chief said his price for returning was that Mr Sunak would need to make radical reforms and that when the PM objected, Mr Cummings said he would 'rather the Tories lose', The Sunday Times reports.

Mr Cummings was the campaign director of Vote Leave during the EU referendum and is regarded as the architect of Boris Johnson's 2019 election victory.

Mr Johnson appointed Mr Cummings as his chief adviser in July 2019 but he became embroiled in a scandal when it emerged he had driven to Barnard Castle, County Durham, during the height of the pandemic.

Dominic Cummings (pictured) has revealed that he met with Rishi Sunak in secret to discuss a possible return to Downing Street

Mr Cummings has sensationally claimed that the pair met twice to discuss election plans, but he decided that the Prime Minister (pictured) was not 'taking government seriously'

He left No 10 in November 2020 after falling out with Mr Johnson, whom - like Mr Sunak - he had been critical of since.

The pair were said to have spoken in London last December with the PM's chief of staff Liam Booth-Smith and again over dinner in North Yorkshire in July, in meetings kept secret from some of Mr Sunak's closest allies.

Downing Street confirmed the meetings took place but said no offer was made. A No 10 source said: 'It was a broad discussion about politics and campaigning, no job was offered.'

Mr Cummings told The Sunday Times: 'He wanted a secret deal in which I delivered the election and he promised to take government seriously after the election.

'But I'd rather the Tories lose than continue in office without prioritising what's important and the voters.

'The post-2016 Tories are summed up by the fact that Sunak, like Johnson, would rather lose than take government seriously. Both thought their MPs agreed with them, and both were right.'

Mr Cummings said that he was only willing to help the Tory party 'smash' Labour if Mr Sunak committed to prioritising the 'broken core government institutions' that he claims were abandoned by Mr Johnson.

Mr Cummings said that 'the post-2016 Tories are summed up by the fact that Sunak, like Johnson, would rather lose than take government seriously'. Pictured: Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak in 2021

He wanted the Prime Minister to priorities issues such as the 'scandal of nuclear weapons infrastructure, natural and engineered pandemic, and AI and other technological capabilities' among others.'

Mr Cummings is said to have urged the Prime Minister to abandon his cautious economic approach, settle the NHS strikes and double the threshold at which people pay the 40p rate of income tax from 50,271 to 100,000.

It's also reported that he had told the PM to settle the NHS strikes, launch a national effort to rebuild the health service and leave the European Convention of Human rights.

Mr Sunak reportedly found the idea of bringing Mr Cummings back too risky and called off the plan.

Following the Sunday Times report, Mr Cummings posted on X: 'Don't know why someone at No10 blabbed about this but ... Brief statement on Times story about the PM asking me to smash Labour and win the election, what I asked for in return (e.g sorting out the horror show of our nuclear weapons infrastructure, pandemic defences), & why we couldn't do a deal.'

Labour said the revelation showed Mr Sunak is 'out of ideas' and relying on 'the ghosts of Tories past'.

'Out-of-touch Rishi Sunak is asking the wrong question if he thinks the lockdown rule-breaking architect of Boris Johnson's failed premiership is the answer,' shadow paymaster general Jonathan Ashworth said.

'After promising to restore integrity to Downing Street, he's secretly begging Mr Barnard Castle to run Downing Street again.

'From Cameron to Cummings, the Prime Minister is admitting he's out of ideas and too weak to come up with his own.'

This is not the first time that Mr Sunak and Mr Cummings' differences have been exposed.

Last month, it emerged that Mr Cummings had claimed that Mr Sunak though the government should 'just let people die' rather than see Britain go into another lockdown - something Mr Sunak denied saying.

The diary entry shown to the inquiry recorded how Mr Cummings, Mr Johnson's most senior adviser during the pandemic, had relayed to Mr Vallance what he said he had heard at the meeting.

Mr Vallance quoted Mr Cummings in his diary as saying: 'Rishi thinks just let people die and that's okay. This all feels like a complete lack of leadership.'

Mr Sunak had previously appeared to describe Mr Cummings' time in Downing Street as a 'nightmare' in leaked WhatsApp messages.

In the exchange published by The Telegraph earlier this year, former Health Secretary Matt Hancock wrote: 'Of all the bonkersness about Dom's circus, the one I enjoy most is that he's doing this to secure his place at the heart of the future Sunak administration.'

Rishi Sunak and Matt Hancock appeared to blast Dominic Cummings in leaked WhatsApp messages earlier this year

These messages show Mr Hancock's aide, Jamie Njoku-Goodwin, lashing out at Mr Cummings, on the same day he described the Department of Health and Social Care as a 'smoking ruin'

Mr Sunak replied: 'Ha! Ironic given I haven't spoken to him since he left!'

'It's just awful & a stark reminder of how hard governing was,' Mr Hancock says back.

Mr Sunak agreed: 'It was such a difficult time for all of us. A nightmare I hope we never ever have to repeat.'

'His insight is no better than his eyesight,' Mr Hancock replied - following Mr Cummings' claim that he broke lockdown rules to test his vision.

The messages also show Mr Hancock's aide, Jamie Njoku-Goodwin, lashing out at Mr Cummings, on the same day he described the Department of Health and Social Care as a 'smoking ruin'.

This took place four months prior to Mr Cummings exit from Downing Street at a parliamentary meeting in 2021.

Mr Hancock messaged: 'How would you deal with this Cummings c***?'

His adviser responded: 'I was about to message. What a f***ing piece of s***. You went out and backed him over Barnard castle, and he responds by briefing against you relentlessly, in private and now in public. He's a psychotherapist.'

He quickly corrected himself: 'Psychopath.'

The exchanges were among more than 100,000 messages passed to the Telegraph by the journalist Isabel Oakeshott.

She was originally given the material by Mr Hancock while they were collaborating on his memoir of his time in government during the pandemic.
Sir Keir Starmer would pile 2,200 a year on working families, a Cabinet Minister has claimed  as he challenged the Labour leader to come clean about his spending plans.

Tory Chairman Richard Holden said that Labour's promise to invest 28 billion in green jobs would be 'impossible' without a massive income-tax rise for all workers.

In a fiery interview with The Mail on Sunday, Mr Holden said the pledge, combined with Labour's vow not to increase borrowing, would lead to the basic rate of income tax rising from 20 per cent to 25 per cent  the equivalent of an annual 2,200 hike for the average two-income household, but Labour strongly denied the claim.

As Chairman, Mr Holden is busy preparing his party for an Election year. Despite growing speculation of a spring poll, he told the MoS: 'The chance of a May Election is about a third. It is more likely to be at the back end of the year. My job is to be ready whenever it happens.'

Mr Holden also gave a strong hint of personal tax cuts in the March Budget. Asked about reports of inheritance tax being on the table, he said: 'What you want is tax cuts which affect as many people as possible.'

Sir Keir Starmer (pictured) would pile 2,200 a year on working families, a Cabinet Minister has claimed

Tory Chairman Richard Holden (pictured) said that Labour's promise to invest 28 billion in green jobs would be 'impossible' without a massive income-tax rise for all workers

He is optimistic that the cost-of-living crisis will start to ease. And as to whether there will be 'green shoots' of recovery before an Election, he is hopeful that people will be seeing 'branches rather than shoots'.

The 38-year-old North West Durham MP recalled a recent conversation with one of his constituency staff: 'Petrol's down. The big Lurpak is cheaper than a few months ago. She's noticed things are improving.'

He pointed as well to the National Insurance cut that will come into force within days: 'This isn't just about pledges of tax cuts. These are tax cuts which would have already impacted people's pockets.'

Labour announced in 2021 that it will spend 28 billion a year on boosting green-led growth. In recent months it has had to deny reports that it is considering watering down the flagship policy.

However, Mr Holden said the 28 billion pledge 'means it is impossible for [Sir Keir] to do anything on personal taxation except raising it significantly'.

Describing Labour's commitment as a 'growth bung which in the end has to be paid for', Mr Holden added: 'The only way it will be paid for is on the backs of the British people. And it is the equivalent to raising the basic rate of income tax from 20 to 25 per cent. And that would be a colossal impact.'

Labour said these claims are 'total garbage and a desperately absurd claim from a Tory Party which has increased taxes on working people. All of our policies are built on the rock of responsibility and are subject to our iron-clad fiscal rules.'

Mr Holden's hints at more tax cuts were confirmed in an upbeat New Year's message from the Prime Minister

Mr Holden, elected in 2019 as part of Boris Johnson's landslide, said one of his best ever New Year's Eves came a few weeks later: 'There was a huge feeling of optimism in the country, and a huge feeling that real transformation was possible.'

And his hope for 2024? A fifth Tory term. 'Because the threat of Starmer  a man who we do not know what he stands for  is just so great.'

He calls Sir Keir a 'shapeshifter': 'You've got a man who wouldn't stand up to Jeremy Corbyn, but took the knee for every Left-wing cause going.'

Meanwhile, Mr Holden's hints at more tax cuts were confirmed last night in an upbeat New Year's message from the Prime Minister.

Having flagged up the National Insurance decrease ('in six days' time, we'll deliver a tax cut for 27 million people, worth on average 450'), Rishi Sunak said that 'we're not stopping there. We're going further to grow our economy by reducing debt, cutting taxes and rewarding hard work.'
An ISIS fanatic who MI5 warns poses a terror threat to Britain has been granted the right to live in the UK after sneaking into the country illegally, the MoS can reveal.

Judges have ruled that the Sudanese man can remain here on human rights grounds, despite evidence from the Security Services that he may be a danger and might encourage other extremists to launch attacks in the UK.

The judges' ruling was based on the risk that if he was sent back to Sudan, he might be detained and tortured.

The decision was made despite the court hearing that the man  who, by law, we are only allowed to know as 'S3'  first entered Britain illegally 18 years ago and was granted asylum, before travelling regularly between this country and Sudan without any issues.

MI5 warned judges that the man is an ISIS propagandist who spread vile material calling for jihad against the West.

EXECUTIONER: Mohammed Emwazi, known as 'Jihadi John'

The court heard British officials stripped him of his UK passport in 2018 over fears of the threat he posed, but that he had managed to sneak back into Britain illegally for a second time. This month, immigration judges ruled he can remain living here and granted him lifelong anonymity.

Last night, MPs and terrorism experts said the case was a farcical example of how people can 'game the system' even when Security Services warn that illegal immigrants threaten national security.

Court documents obtained by the MoS reveal MI5 warned that the man 'had demonstrated a commitment to the extremist ideology of ISIS'.

The documents state: 'There was a realistic possibility that [he] would seek to radicalise other individuals and encourage them to engage in Islamist extremist activities.'

Last night, former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith said: 'This is ridiculous. Judges ought to understand when the Security Services make it clear that someone poses a danger to the British public, he has forfeited his human rights with regards to staying in the UK.'

And Professor Anthony Glees, a terrorism expert at Buckingham University, called the decision 'unacceptable'.

Three judges at a court called the Special Immigration Appeals Commission made the ruling against the Home Office, which has been trying to deport S3 since 2018.

The suspected jihadi can now live freely in the country without neighbours, work colleagues and the public knowing that he is potentially a dangerous terrorist who wants to launch deadly attacks in Britain.

Alp Mehmet, chairman of think tank Migration Watch, said: 'Either our immigration judges are totally gullible or they derive a perverse pleasure from siding with chancers, crooks and terrorists, and putting their interests before those of the British people. If terrorists are to roam freely among us, we have a right to know who they are and what harm they could potentially do.'

The court documents reveal how S3 entered the country illegally in July 2005, days after the 7/7 attacks on the London Underground network. He claimed asylum immediately, stating he would be tortured if was sent back to Sudan.

Despite Home Office attempts to deport him, S3 was given indefinite leave to remain in Britain. He was granted British citizenship in 2015.

Last night, former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith said: 'This is ridiculous. Judges ought to understand when the Security Services make it clear that someone poses a danger to the British public, he has forfeited his human rights with regards to staying in the UK'

During a four-month stay in Sudan from December 2016, MI5 received intelligence that S3 had become an ISIS propagandist and was disseminating the group's messages on social media.

At the time, as a Western-led coalition was attacking ISIS in Syria, the group was sending out messages and videos urging extremists to launch terrorist attacks. Membership of ISIS  made infamous by British executioner Mohammed Emwazi, known as 'Jihadi John'  was banned and punishable with up to 14 years in jail.

It is not known who S3 associated with in Khartoum, Sudan, during his stay  but at the time, the city's University of Medical Sciences and Technology had become a major ISIS recruiting ground. More than 20 British medical students studying there went to Syria to join ISIS.

His lawyers argued that the Home Office decision to deprive him of UK citizenship was illegal as it breached Article 2 and 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which are the right to life and the right not to be subjected to torture.

Last night, the Home Office declined to comment, saying: 'It is long-standing Government policy that we do not routinely comment on individual cases.'
It may seem barking, but it's in the interests of a fur trial... and the avoidance of ruff justice.

Senior judges have held talks on letting criminal defendants, witnesses and jurors bring their pets into court for 'emotional support'.

The Criminal Procedure Rule Committee (CPRC), which sets guidance for courts, discussed whether cats and dogs could bring comfort to those in the dock.

Guide dogs have been allowed in court for years but minutes from the CPRC meeting this month have revealed the talks on extending this to pet cats and dogs.

The judges' minutes, however, add: 'Bovine, porcine, equine or avian companions are not presently in contemplation.'

Senior judges have held talks on letting criminal defendants, witnesses and jurors bring their pets into court for 'emotional support'

In a further humorous aside, the judges note that legal rules forbid anyone 'discussing the evidence with the witness, advising the witness on how to answer a question, or giving legal advice; though perfunctory research on YouTube indicates that at least some dogs and cats might do at least as well in each of these respects as some human beings'.

A briefing document prepared for the CPRC meeting also revealed that a former president of the Family Division was 'well known for taking a dog into the court- room; though whether for the potential benefit of witnesses, or of the dog, or of the judge, was never explained'.

Allowing pets in courts was raised by CPRC member Judge Heather Norton, who said that 'therapy dogs' could be used to calm an emotional witness  such as a child giving evidence in a sex offence case. But last night, a source close to the committee said it remained 'highly unlikely' that pets would be routinely allowed into courts.

Guide dogs have been allowed in court for years but minutes from the CPRC meeting this month have revealed the talks on extending this to pet cats and dogs

The source added: 'At present, the general approach in practice appears to be that no dog should be allowed in a criminal courtroom for the support of a witness unless there are very compelling reasons to do so, in the individual judge's view.'

Chelmsford County Court in Essex has in the recent past allowed therapy dogs and cats to come to court to reduce stress for witnesses and defendants. In 2015, a 72-year-old woman charged with two counts of stalking was allowed to take a black cat into the courtroom.

Pets were also supplied to the court by local animal charities. But the scheme stopped in 2019 after a new judge ruled against it.

Courthouse 'facility dogs' have been allowed in trials in America, Canada and Chile, where they help to comfort children, crime victims and witnesses, plus those appearing in mental health cases.

At least 16 US states allow dogs to accompany vulnerable victims and witnesses in court. Emotional support animals are allowed by some airlines, with owners often required to register them with organisations such as Assistance Dogs UK.
Eurostar train services linking London with Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam will be back up and running tomorrow - but there may still be delays.

The company said in a statement late on Saturday that the flooding in the tunnels had been brought back under control but speed restructions will be in place for trains running in the morning.

It came after the Eurostar cancelled all of its services due to floods hitting a major tunnel connecting Britain to mainland Europe leaving around 30,000 furious Eurostar passengers stranded in London.

In a statement, Eurostar said: 'Flooding in the Thames tunnels has been brought under control by Network Rail High Speed meaning at least one tunnel can now be used and a full service can operate.

'There will be some speed restrictions in place in the morning which may lead to delays and stations are expected to be very busy.

Passengers at Eurostar terminal at St Pancras International after all trains were cancelled

An electric board informs passengers of Eurostar train cancellations at St Pancras International Station in London today

Southeastern Railway shared this image of one of the tunnels at Ebbsfleet yesterday

'Unfortunately, this unprecedented event has caused major disruption to customers today. Eurostar has been working to ensure everyone affected has been supported in all of our stations. Customers have had the option to re-book onto alternative services or opt for a refund.

'Customers are encouraged to visit the Eurostar website for more information on their journey and compensation entitlement.'

On Saturday the tunnel flooding brought international rail traffic between London and the European mainland to a halt, disrupting New Year travel for thousands of passengers - the second major headache for customers this holiday season.

It came just a week after a surprise industrial strike by French workers thwarted Christmas travel plans for thousands on December 21.

It was not immediately clear what had caused the flooding in the railway tunnels under the River Thames near Ebbsfleet, east of London.

Television footage showed water gushing into one of the tunnels and covering the track, while at St Pancras station in London hundreds of stranded passengers with suitcases sat waiting on the concourse.

'Eurostar has been working to ensure everyone affected has been supported in all of our stations,' the company said in its latest update on the situation.

'Customers have had the option to re-book onto alternative services or opt for a refund,' it added.

Many hoping to ring in 2024 with a romantic night in Paris, watch fireworks from the ski slope or enjoy a family holiday to Disneyland have been left devastated, with some left in tears this afternoon at St Pancras International.

Some passengers raced online to try book flights and salvage their end-of-year plans but were faced with soaring fares that were reportedly rising by the minute. Other upset passengers are racing to find a last-minute stay in London for the night.

Passengers sit on the flood of the concourse at St Pancras International station as they wait for news on their trains

Passengers check their phones for updates on their travel from St Pancras. Network Rail says no services are expected to travel south of the Thames from the station today

But plane tickets between London and Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam have skyrocketed in response to the travel chaos, with Air France flights tomorrow afternoon being advertised at 675.

One British Airways flight at 8.50pm tomorrow to Charles de Gaulle Airport from London Heathrow will set flyers back 403.

And despite being a budget airline, easyJet flights from Gatwick are being advertised as 371 at time of writing.

Cheaper air fares from the airline, at around 150, will involve a more than four-hour trip as travellers will have to transfer at Glasgow International before arriving in Paris.

Meanwhile a man, presumed to be a taxi driver, was spotted wandering around the station clutching an iPad which said 'taxi to Paris' in bid to attract desperate holiday-goers.

Amongst the heartbroken families was Dublin-based Luana Andrade, 36, who had been travelling to Disneyland Paris with her husband, three-year-old son and six relatives visiting from Brazil for their 'dream trip'.

She said: 'Our problem is to get a night to sleep because London is really expensive and we don't have an Airbnb to stay at tonight.

A Eurostar notice at St Pancras informs passengers that the cancellations are due to 'an infrastructure problem on the high-speed line'

Some passengers took to X, formerly Twitter, to accuse Eurostar of 'ruining' their festive travel plans. Others criticised the operator's lack of communication

'We going to have to rearrange everything. I don't think we are going to be able to spend New Year's Eve in Paris because even if we get a flight for tomorrow we're going to get there at like 10pm/11pm.'

They are amongst hundreds trying to find a last-minute stay in the capital so they are not left 'homeless with children in the cold London night'.

Mike Hardie, 40, and his partner Niecey had surprised 11-year-old twins Samira and Naima with a trip to Brussels, packing their suitcases and waking them up with the news they were going on holiday this morning.

But following the cancellations, the wealth manager from south-east London has decided to give up on their New Years plans all together and go home, adding that the cancellations have set them back at least 900.

He told MailOnline: 'We're financially in an awful situation. There are no trains available for tomorrow either.

'We're now down for the full cost of the hotel at 900, breakfast that would have been supplied on the Eurostar for 70, and the money to travel into Leicester Square to keep the kids entertained.

'We've also got Legoland tickets that are non-refundable. There are no direct flights available, and the ferry is booked up  we have no other choice (but to go home).'
When ITV decided to make a drama out of the Post Office scandal, it described it as one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in British legal history.

Yet in telling the story of the hundreds of subpostmasters wrongly prosecuted for theft by the Post Office, ITV seems to have left out a key character  Adam Crozier, the head of Royal Mail Group who just happened to later become the broadcaster's chief executive.

Mr Crozier was CEO of Royal Mail Group between 2003 and 2010, when the Post Office was part of it and subpostmasters were being pursued through the courts despite their insistence that it was the organisation's computer system, Horizon, that was at fault.

Adam Crozier was CEO of Royal Mail Group between 2003 and 2010

Toby Jones pictured as campaigner Alan Bates in Mr Bates vs The Post Office

In Mr Bates vs The Post Office, Toby Jones takes the lead role of campaigner Alan Bates and Lia Williams plays Paula Vennells, chief executive of Post Office Ltd between 2012 and 2019. But there is no part listed for Mr Crozier.

He left the Royal Mail in 2010 to become chief executive of ITV and a director of ITV Studios, the production company behind Mr Bates vs The Post Office.

During his seven years at ITV, its share price quadrupled, with Mr Crozier reducing the broadcaster's reliance on advertising revenue by building up its production arm.

Earlier this month it was stated in the Commons that the public inquiry into the Horizon scandal and various court cases had heard that, as of August this year, at least 60 subpostmasters had died without seeing justice or receiving compensation, and at least four had taken their own lives.

ITV said: 'Mr Bates vs The Post Office tells the story of the Post Office scandal from the perspective of a select group of former subpostmasters who formed the Justice for Subpostmasters Alliance, led by Alan Bates'

Mr Crozier was called for by name to attend the inquiry last year by former employees whose lives had been destroyed by the unfounded accusations.

Chris Trousdale, who was diagnosed with PTSD after dealing with Post Office investigators, told a hearing: 'When I was prosecuted, Adam Crozier was the chief executive. I think he should be here answering questions, as well as all the other heads of the Post Office. I don't think there is anyone who should be allowed to get away with this.'

He added: 'Bosses were paid bonuses based on performance. Victims' money [paid to balance shortfalls] in my opinion was going into the pockets of those that had persecuted them.'

ITV said: 'Mr Bates vs The Post Office tells the story of the Post Office scandal from the perspective of a select group of former subpostmasters who formed the Justice for Subpostmasters Alliance, led by Alan Bates.

Alan's campaign for justice only began to make headway when Paula Vennells was promoted to chief executive, so that's the relationship we dramatise.'
A man who had 'gone crazy' has been detained on a flight between a popular holiday destination and one of Australia's busiest airports.

The man had to be restrained by the cabin crew after allegedly attacking a staff member on Qantas flight QF46 between Bali and Melbourne.

The airline confirmed an incident occurred during the flight in the early hours of Sunday morning.

One witness said the man had 'gone crazy' on the flight QF46, which left Denpasar on Saturday night and landed in Melbourne just before 7am on Sunday.

After the plane touched down, Australian Federal Police officers boarded it and questioned the Victorian man, 28, before he was taken for a medical assessment.

The man had to be restrained by the cabin crew after allegedly attacking a staff member on Qantas flight QF46 between Bali and Melbourne

'The AFP will continue to investigate the incident,' a spokesperson said. No charges have been laid at this stage.'

A witness posted footage to social showing the man being held down on the floor and surrounded by flight attendants, one of whom was kneeling on his back.

'He's still been restrained after 4 hours. Everyone is safe. What a bloody flight!' the witness said on Instragram.

A man has been detained on a flight between a popular holiday destination and one of Australia's busiest airports

He said the staff had been 'amazing' in their efforts to keep the passenger under control.

Other passengers said the man was allegedly agitated, screaming and shouting, before the incident occurred.

Qantas said the safety of its customers and crew is the number one priority, with the company having zero tolerance for disruptive or threatening behaviour.
President Joe Biden closed out the year with a trip to church on Saturday in a rare public appearance during his free Caribbean vacation, where he's staying at a beachfront villa owned by a billionaire Democratic donor.

Biden waved as he left the Holy Cross Catholic Church in downtown Christiansted, the largest town on St. Croix, one of the U.S. Virgin Islands. A devout Catholic, he rarely misses weekend mass.

He's on the island with his wife Jill Biden and granddaughter Natalie, neither of whom accompanied him to church. It was the president's first public appearance since he arrived on Wednesday.

The Biden trio are staying on St. Croix through New Year's Eve with no word yet on how they plan to celebrate the turn to 2024. The president has a busy year ahead of him as he seeks a second term in the White House, works with Congress to pass a federal budget and deals with wars in the Ukraine and the Middle East.

President Joe Biden waves as he leaves Holy Cross Catholic Church in Christiansted

The Biden family are staying rent-free at a beachfront villa owned by friends Bill and Connie Neville, who made their fortune in the tech industry and attended the White House state dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron.

The property is in an area where homes can sell for up to $3million and has three bedrooms, a pool and access to a private beach.

The Bidens also spent last year at the Neville home and rang in 2023 on its private beach. St. Croix is the eastern most point of the United States and thus gets the first sunrise of the new year for the United States.

In the past, the Bidens joined locals in greeting the first sunrise of the new year at Point Udall, the eastern-most point under the American flag. But, as president, he requires more security, thus the private early morning tradition.

Biden arrived on the island on Wednesday after spending Christmas at Camp David.

Until Saturday, he has stayed behind the closed-gates of his villa.

On Friday, he pushed Congress to 'step up' and send more aid to Ukraine after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a massive aerial strike against the embattled nation.

But he made his appeal in a lengthy statement that was issued by the White House. In it, he blasted the attacks and used the ocassion to re-up his appeal to Congress to pass his $61 billion aid package.

'Strikes reportedly hit a maternity hospital, a shopping mall, and residential areaskilling innocent people and injuring dozens more. It is a stark reminder to the world that, after nearly two years of this devastating war, Putin's objective remains unchanged. He seeks to obliterate Ukraine and subjugate its people. He must be stopped,' Biden said.

'Unless Congress takes urgent action in the new year, we will not be able to continue sending the weapons and vital air defense systems Ukraine needs to protect its people. Congress must step up and act without any further delay,' the president added.

Biden has asked Congress for $61 billion in aid to Ukraine, but Republicans are refusing to approve the assistance without an agreement with Democrats to tighten security along the U.S.-Mexico border.

With US aid in doubt, Russia tried to overwhelm Ukraine's air defences on Friday with attacks across most major cities. The Ukrainian air force intercepted 87 of the missiles and 27 of the Shahed-type drones overnight, Ukraine's military chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi said.

President Biden made his first public appearance since arriving in St. Croix

Biden attended mass at the Holy Cross Catholic Church in downtown Christiansted

The villa sits on Solitude Bay, which has access to a private beach and is owned by Democratic donors Bill and Connie Neville

The villa the Bidens are staying in has a tiled infinity pool

Biden is being briefed regularly by aides while he's on vacation.

Presidents can work anywhere and a secure work station is set up where ever they are staying.

While Biden has been enjoying sunny skies and 80-degree weather, awaiting him back on the mainland will be a series of political storms, including the upcoming battle to fund the government, with the deadline looming on January 19.

And the 2024 election will kick into high gear next month as Republicans begin the primary process to pick their presidential nominee.

There will also be more immediate, pressing political issues, including rising tensions in the Middle East and the surge in migrant crossings at the southern border.

Immigration has entrenched itself into Biden's foreign policy - his push for more funds for the Ukraine and Israel was stymied by Republicans desire for more border funding.

And it's a political hot potato for the president as he seeks a second term in office. Republicans - and even some Democrats - have criticized him for not doing enough to secure the U.S.-Mexico border.

Meanwhile, fears are growing of a widening Middle East war that could draw in American troops. U.S. troops in Syrian and Iraq have already faced attacks by Iranian proxy groups.

But the president still has a few days in paradise.

The Bidens have a long family tradition of spending time on St. Croix, visiting there nearly every year since 2008.

Both the president and first lady are known to enjoy beach time. The Bidens own a beach home in Rehoboth, Delaware.

President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden and their granddaughter Natalie arrived in St. Croix on Wednesday for a vacation

The home the Bidens are staying in features colorful decor and has a private beach

Biden's brother James owns property on Water Island and, in the past, the Bidens would often spend a week there in January, when the cold weather settles in on the East Coast.

During his time as vice president, Biden vacationed on St Croix in 2014, 2015 and 2016.

Last year he was the first president to visit the island since former President Bill Clinton in the 1990s. Barack Obama visited it in 2007 when he was a presidential candidate.

Before Biden, the last sitting president to visit St Croix was Harry Truman in February 1948.
Three of the biggest budget airlines have raked in almost 8 billion for add-on charges including luggage, speedy boarding and printing boarding passes at airports during the past year.

EasyJet, Ryanair and Wizz Air have all cashed in as families rushed to book holidays in 2023, after the pandemic made it difficult to travel overseas. And as ticket fares have risen, so too have the money-spinning add-ons.

The three carriers took a total of 7.6 billion between October 2022 and September 2023, or more than 20 million a day, according to analysis by City firm Peel Hunt  much more than the 5.3 billion the airlines made in the same period between 2018-19.

The figures were revealed after an intervention by Rishi Sunak in June, when the PM ordered a review of 'drip pricing'  the practice where firms hide the true cost of products and services by charging consumers extra fees.

While the review may not reduce the price of travelling, it could force companies to be more up front with customers about costs, and allow them to make a more informed choice.

EasyJet's Johan Lundgren (pictured in 2020) put the charges down to 'increasing demand'

Ryanair chief Michael O'Leary has traditionally been bullish about charging customers extra. He once even joked about billing passengers to use the toilet on his flights in a 'pay-per-pee' scheme.

The carrier sparked controversy last year when it was reported to have charged an elderly couple 110 after they downloaded the wrong boarding cards.

Meanwhile, younger Hungarian firm Wizz Air made 1.8 billion in extras in the year to September. But the airlines have come under increasing scrutiny as the price of the average ticket also spirals.

A typical fare for an easyJet seat increased by 9 to 72 over the year to September, while Ryanair and Wizz Air have also upped their prices.

Concerns about costs were flagged by the Competition and Markets Authority last year, and the Government may give the watchdog powers to tackle drip pricing, such as issuing fines to firms.

Consumer group Which? slammed the charges. Its deputy travel editor Naomi Leach said: 'Our research found ticket prices have hit record highs and this is only being further compounded by the dripped fees.'

Ryanair chief Michael O'Leary (pictured) has traditionally been bullish about charging customers extra

EasyJet, Ryanair and Wizz Air (pictured) have all cashed in as families rushed to book holidays in 2023, after the pandemic made it difficult to travel overseas

EasyJet's Johan Lundgren put the charges down to 'increasing demand' but consumer rights campaigner Jasper Griegson said: 'The elderly and the vulnerable in particular find it impossible to assert their rights and hit back at big companies.'

An easyJet spokesman said: 'EasyJet offers great value for money and this year we have carried more customers with many more choosing to buy extras. Coupled with our low fares, customers only pay for the extras they want.'

Wizz Air and Ryanair declined to comment.
News / Local

by Staff reporter

More than 100 families have been relocated to temporary shelters due to flash floods displacing residents in the Budiriro and Kuwadzana suburbs of Harare.Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume has urged the implementation of emergency measures and a comprehensive strategy to tackle the city's housing crisis.Speaking to the media in Harare on Friday, Mafume disclosed that approximately 100 families sought refuge at Budiriro 3 Primary School, while six to seven families found shelter at Kuwadzana 2 Primary School."They are going to Budiriro 3 Primary School. We are collaborating with the Civil Protection Unit. The directors there have provided dry food. We now have about 100 families in Budiriro 3," stated Mafume."We plan to relocate them to a vocational center once we address the sanitation issues because schools are set to open very soon. At Kuwadzana 2 Primary School, we have about six to seven families," he added.Mafume encouraged families in affected areas to utilize the provided temporary shelters. He mentioned plans to work with the Civil Protection Unit to identify suitable places for relocation if flooding occurs in other areas."Some of the flooded areas were recently allocated council residential stands. For those allocated legally, we promise to compensate them and allocate new, safer land," assured Mafume.He acknowledged the challenge posed by illegal land invasions and emphasized the need for a robust plan to address regularization processes. Mafume proposed the establishment of a housing ministry to tackle the national housing crisis.Calling for a multi-stakeholder approach, the Mayor emphasized the necessity of reducing the cost of building houses. He advocated for research into more affordable construction materials, aiming to lower the cost of building a house to $5,000 for low-income housing on a large scale."Our building standards currently resemble those of an earthquake zone. I believe we can create decent accommodation with less stringent standards so that people can live in quality homes," concluded Mafume.
Family friend Kenyatta Jones-Ariette said her 'heart is super heavy' after learning of the news

Watson was a sergeant with the Bronxville Police Department and was expected to retire in March

Police found Watson Morgan, 49, his wife Ornela Morgan, 43, and their two sons aged 10 and 12 dead in their home on Saturday

A friend of the family found dead in their New York home after an apparent murder-suicide by their police officer father has spoken out - as it is revealed the cop was nearing retirement.

On Saturday, officers from the Clarkstown Police Department found Bronxville Police Department Sergeant Watson Morgan, 49, his wife Ornela Morgan, 43, and their two sons aged 10 and 12 dead in their home.

Officers preformed a welfare check at 10 Clydesdale Court in New City after Watson failed to show up for work. News 12 Westchester reported he was a youth officer and expected to retire in March.

All four family members were found dead with gunshot wounds. 'At this phase of the investigation it is believed that Watson killed his wife and two children, prior to killing himself with a self-inflicted gunshot wound,' police said.

Kenyatta Jones-Ariette, friends of the Morgan family, said on Facebook: 'Our hearts are super heavy today. Praying for peace. RIP Ornela, Watson, Gabe and Liam.'

Clarkstown Police Department found Watson Morgan, 49, his wife Ornela Morgan, 43, and their two sons aged 10 and 12 dead in their home on Saturday in an apparent murder-suicide

Watson Morgan has been identified as a sergeant with the Bronxville Police Department and is believed to have shot dead his wife and sons before shooting himself

Friend of the Morgan family Kenyatta Jones-Arietta (pictured) shared a Facebook tribute saying 'Our hearts are super heavy today'

'Sometimes things happen that are hard to make sense of. You wonder if there was anything you could have done to change the outcome. Is there something you could have said to change the trajectory?'

'We all have our individual journeys though we occupy this space we call earth together. You never really know what's going on inside someone's head,' said Jones-Arietta.

A handgun was recovered at the scene and police said the public is not in any danger.

The Bronxville Police said Watson did not show up for his evening shift on Friday so they contacted the Clarkstown Police to do the welfare check.

'Sergeant Morgan failed to appear for the evening shift last night and our Police Department contacted the Clarkstown Police Department in his hometown who made the discovery,' Bronxville Police said in a statement to CBS News.

'Sergeant Morgan joined the New York City Police Department in 2000 and the Bronxville Police Department in 2007. He was assigned to the detective division in 2014 and promoted to Sergeant in 2016.'

The Morgan's purchased the home in New City in 2016 for $577,000.

According to Educators of NYC on X, formerly Twitter, Ornela was a teacher for the New York City public school system.

The boys attended school in the Clarkstown Central School District. The 10-year-old went to Laurel Plains Elementary School and the 12-year-old went to Felix Festa Middle School.

Watson Morgan joined the New York City Police Department in 2000 and the Bronxville Police Department in 2007. He was a youth officer and expected to retire in March

The boys attended school in the Clarkstown Central School District. The 10-year-old went to Laurel Plains Elementary School and the 12-year-old went to Felix Festa Middle School

Officers responded to a call at 10 Clydesdale Court in New City to preform a welfare check, where they found all four family members dead with gunshot wounds

Police recovered a handgun from the scene and believe Watson killed his wife and children then himself

Laurel Plains Element PTA said on Facebook: 'Our hearts are broken, and there are no words to express the pain we feel. Please know that you are not alone, and we are here to support one another.'

Felix Festa Middle School PTA said, 'We are heartbroken, and shaken by the tragic loss of one of our CCSD families. The Felix Festa Middle School PTA sends our prayers, and deepest sympathy to the victims families, friends, and to the entire school community mourning today.'

The school district said, 'The new year will undoubtedly start with great sadness and heavy hearts in our close-knit school district.'

'The coming days and weeks will be a difficult time for our school community as we struggle to understand the loss of precious lives.'

Rockland County Executive Ed Day said, 'As we try to make sense of this unimaginable tragedy our hearts break for the family involved in this devastating murder-suicide in Clarkstown.'
A 14-year-old boy has been rushed to hospital with stab wounds after he was allegedly involved in a street brawl.

Emergency services rushed to Kalanda Street at Runcorn in Brisbane's south just after 11.20pm on Saturday where a large group of people were found in the street.

The teenager was found with a stab wound to his abdomen and was given first aid before he was rushed to hospital.

Additional police crews, the dog squad and a helicopter also rushed to the scene to gain control of the crowd.

A 14-year-old boy has been rushed to hospital with stab wounds after he was allegedly involved in a street brawl (stock image)

Police have set up two crime scenes, one in the front yard of a house and another in the street where the 14-year-old was found injured.

Five people have been arrested and are assisting police with inquiries.

Anyone who has any CCTV or dashcam footage is being asked to contact police as soon as possible.
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A good hair day can make a massive difference in how we feel and what we achieve. And right now QVC are making it easier for that to happen every single day.

The price of the Sharper Image Revel 6 in 1 hair styling tool, which shoppers say works better than the more expensive Dyson Airwrap, has been slashed by 36 percent on QVC, making it just $188.98.

Sharper Image Revel 6-in-1 Multi-Styler Whether you're after fullness, body and shape, or soft curls and waves, this multifunctional styler allows you to create them effortlessly from the comfort of your own home. The smoothing ionic system releases frizz-controlling ions for a high-shine finish, whichever attachment you choose. The attachments include an airflow styler, right curler barrel, left curler barrel, detangler, volumizing brush, styling brush, and smoothing brush. Shop

For half the price of the Dyson Airwrap, the multi-tasking Sharper Image styling tool can do the job of adding bounce, volume and shine to your hair.

Even better - its super simple to use. If youve only ever liked how a salon blows out your hair, youll be amazed by how easy it is to create salon-fresh styles from the comfort of your own home.

The Sharper Image Revel 6-in-1 Styling Tool comes with multiple attachments, just like the Dyson Airwrap, but is less than half the cost of the Dyson alternative

If you can brush your hair you can use this tool. Creating bounce is as simple as running the airflower styler over damp hair, with no need to juggle a brush and hair dryer at the same time.

Recreating salon-soft waves that frame the face is effortless thanks to a right curler barrel and left curler barrel that you can simply swap depending on what side of the head you're doing.

It's little wonder this 6-in-1 styling tool has earned glowing reviews from shoppers, who even go so far as to call it 'life-changing.'

With the Sharper Image Revel 6-in-1 styling tool you can go from damp hair to glossy waves in minutes, from the comfort of your home

'Omg this is the absolute best, it's changed my life,' praised one delighted shopper. 'Have the Dyson Airwrap and this is no comparison. So much better and gives you volume and long lasting curl. The curling rods are so much longer and have more air flow which is what curls better. This is hands down the best!!! Wish I knew about this before I purchased the Dyson.'

Another added: 'Try as I might, I could never get my hair to look as good as my stylist does. Until now. This amazing hair styler makes it so easy to add volume and curl, and my hair looks shiny, smooth and fantastic. All the time!'

As with all QVC deals, they don't last forever. If you want to feel good about your hair every single day with the help of the Sharper Image Revel 6-in-1 styling tool, head to the QVC website now.
'It felt like staying in something from a Disney movie.'

So said travel influencer Emma Cooke of her stay at Chateau de Contay, an 18th-century country house in the small village of Contay, France.

Emma documented her visit with a short TikTok video, which at the time of writing had clocked up 575,000 views.

She explained to MailOnline Travel that the 'stunning' chateau - a two-hour drive from Calais - is run by a family who are renovating the building.

The 33-year-old said: 'I'd recommend staying at the chateau for something a bit different from your standard hotel room. It's very personal.

TikToker Emma Cooke told her followers to visit the 'stunning' Chateau de Contay

'It felt like we were staying with the family. The dad brought us breakfast in the morning, fresh pastries and a baguette, plus firewood for the fire.'

She described the en-suite rooms as 'big, beautiful and historic' - and revealed that there's a resident peacock that wanders the grounds.

And beyond the chateau, there's plenty to do.

Emma said the service at the chateau was 'very personal' and recommended a visit 'for something a bit different than your standard hotel room'

Emma described the rooms as 'big, beautiful and historic'. Each has an en-suite bathroom

Pictured is the chateau's resident peacock, which wanders its expansive grounds

Located just a 20-minute drive away is the Gothic city of Amiens, home to Amiens Notre Dame cathedral, the largest in France.

And an hour away is the 'charming' city of Arras.

To get to the chateau, London-based Emma recommended driving, which she claimed offers more room for adventure.

Chateau de Contay is located in the small village of Contay, a 20-minute drive from Amiens and an hour from Arras

Emma (pictured above in Liverpool) told MailOnline Travel after her stay at Chateau de Contay: 'It felt like we were staying with the family'

She added: 'The country roads are so pretty here and I was shocked at how easy the ferry is compared to flying.

'Plus, it means you can come back with a car boot full of cheese and wine.'

Chateau de Contay can host up to 16 guests and provides a mix of eight en-suite bedrooms and bathrooms, according to its website.

The rooms are currently priced between 90 (77.91/$98) and 190 (164.48/$208) per night, making a room for two 38.50 ($48.95) per person. Email info@chateaudecontay.fr for more information.

For more from Emma, visit her TikTok account - www.tiktok.com/@petite.blondine.
Jack Black's late mother Judith Love Cohen was a space engineer who had done work essential to saving the Apollo 13 astronauts in April of 1970.

The Golden Globe-nominated actor, 54, was born in Santa Monica, California on August 28, 1969 to father Thomas William Black and mother Love Cohen, both engineers.

The detail was confirmed by USA Today in June of 2021 in response to a post that had gone viral on Facebook at the time stating the connection between the School of Rock star and the seminal event in American history.

The post read: 'Judith Love Cohen helped create the Abort-Guidance System which rescued the Apollo 13 astronauts and went to work on the day she was in labor.

'She took a printout of a problem she was working on to the hospital. She called her boss and said she finished the problem and then gave birth to Jack Black.'

Jack Black's late mother Judith Love Cohen was a space engineer who had done work essential to saving the Apollo 13 astronauts in April of 1970. The actor, 54, was pictured in LA Sunday

Love Cohen had been an aerospace engineer and employee of the TRW company

Love Cohen died at the age of 82 on July 25, 2016, and her son (and Black's older brother) USC engineering professor Neil Siegel, 69, penned a memorial championing her professional exploits and confirming the details of the Facebook post.

'She actually went to her office on the day that Jack was born,' Siegel said. 'When it was time to go to the hospital, she took with her a computer printout of the problem she was working on.

'Later that day, she called her boss and told him that she had solved the problem. And . . . oh, yes, the baby was born, too.'

Siegel said his 'mother usually considered her work on the Apollo program to be the highlight of her career.

'When disaster struck the Apollo 13 mission, it was the Abort-Guidance System that brought the astronauts home safely. Judy was there when the Apollo 13 astronauts paid a thank you to the TRW facility in Redondo Beach.'

The Nacho Libre actor posted a memorial to his late mother in May of 2019, posting a shot of her working as an engineer.

He wrote: 'Judith Love Cohen ... Aerospace engineer ... Author of childrens books ... Loving mother of four ... Miss you mom.'

This past May, he said on the social media site: 'Its truemy mom was a bad-ass aerospace engineerand also a loving motherI miss you mama!'

The Nacho Libre actor posted a memorial to his late mother in May of 2019, posting a shot of her working as an engineer

The Shallow Hal actor and his mother were pictured on the red carpet at the 2013 Golden Globes

The connection between the School of Rock star and the seminal event in American history has gone viral in recent years

Black embraced his father Thomas William Black during entrances at the 2019 premiere of Jumanji: The Next Level in Hollywood, California

Black's parents had divorced when he was 10 in 1979, and she later went on to wed David A. Katz.

'There's something about a divorce in that even if your parents still love you, the fact that they can't live with each other makes you feel there's something wrong with you,' Black told The Guardian in 2011.

In addition to her work with the space program, Love Cohen had also been a dancer with New York Metropolitan Opera Ballet Company and authored children's books.

An obituary published in the Los Angeles Times July 29, 2016 indicated that Love Cohen had been an employee of the TRW company.
Kanye West's apology, written in Hebrew, to the Jewish community was a result of a 'smackdown' by his wife Bianca Censori, who is allegedly 'tired' of having to 'babysit' her husband - and fears he is putting them in danger.

The controversial rapper, 46, apologized on Tuesday for his string of unhinged and offensive outbursts of late, which saw him rapping anti-Semitic lyrics in Dubai and praising Hitler in Las Vegas earlier this month.

Acknowledging his behavior on Instagram, he said: 'I deeply regret any pain I may have caused.'

Now, insiders have exclusively told DailyMail.com that the apology came after Bianca, 28, 'laid the smackdown on him.'

Kanye West, 46, apologized to the Jewish community on Tuesday after his wife Bianca Censori, 28 (pictured with him in Dubai) 'laid the smackdown' on him for his 'unacceptable' behavior

On December 15, Kanye unleashed a shocking anti-Semitic rant which saw him scream 'Jesus Christ, Hitler, Ye! Sponsor that!' during an event in Las Vegas (pictured)

Kanye shared an apology in Hebrew on his Instagram on Tuesday, which stated: 'I sincerely apologize to the Jewish community for any unintended outburst'

'Bianca was tired of having to babysit Kanye,' they said. 'She told him that his recent behavior was unacceptable and that he needs to apologize because he was putting them in danger and setting a horrible example for his children.

'Bianca is really sick of his attention seeking and she knows that this is not who he truly is, but it is making her look like she is anti-Semitic which is so far from the truth.

'She has many Jewish friends who she loves dearly and he knows this.'

Kanye's latest hate-filled outburst occurred at a listening party in Sin City on December 15. Bianca was noticeably absent.

During his rant, he stated that 'all the rich f****s' in the room' have their kids in 'Zionist schools.'

'It is very upsetting to Bianca and he does it anyway. He just waits until she is gone. By the time that she finds out what hes done and said, it is too late,' the source said.

'And now it's at the point where she is starting to fear for her safety - not because of Kanye hurting her or anything like that. It is more like she fears that a Jewish extremist could potentially do something to hurt both of them.'

In the Yeezy rapper's apology, he wrote: 'I sincerely apologize to the Jewish community for any "unintended outburst" caused by my words or actions. It was not my intention to offend offend or demean.

'Bianca was tired of having to babysit Kanye,' a friend of the Australian beauty (seen with Ye in Miami recently) told DailyMail.com. 'She is sick of his attention seeking'

Kanye wore a Klu Klux Klan type of hoodie to a Vultures listening party (seen here) in Miami earlier this month. His new album Vultures drops on January 12 after being delayed

Kanye's daughter North West, 10 (also seen in Miami) was mentioned in his Las Vegas speech when he said that she 'had destroyed couches in her house so she could join him on tour'

In November, Kanye performed his latest song Vultures in Dubai, which contains the lyrics, 'How can I be anti-Semitic when I just f****d a Jewish b***' (pictured during the performance)

'Respected, and I deeply regret any pain I may have caused. I am committed to starting with myself and learning from this experience to ensure greater sensitivity and understanding in the future.

'Your forgiveness is important to me and I am committed to making amends and promoting unity.'

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), responded to his apology, stating it is the 'first stop on a long journey towards making amends.'

'After causing untold damage by using his vast influence and platform to poison countless minds with vicious antisemitism and hate, an apology in Hebrew may be the first stop on a long journey towards making amends to the Jewish community and all those he has hurt,' a statement read.

'Ultimately, actions will speak louder than words but this initial act of contrition is welcome.'

Kanye's latest rant occurred just one month after he was slammed for anti-Semitic lyrics in his new track Vultures, which he performed at club Blu Dubai in Dubai alongside rappers Ty Dolla $ign and Lil' Durk.

In front of a large crowd, Kanye rapped, 'How am I anti-Semitic? I just f***ed a Jewish b****' - a reference to the anti-Semitic scandal last year which saw him booted from his lucrative partnerships with Adidas and Balenciaga.

According to the source, Kanye and Bianca - who celebrated their one-year anniversary on December 20 - had to 'hire additional security' after his appearance.

Kanye's anti-Semitic rhetoric started in October 2022 when he vowed to go 'death con 3 on JEWISH PEOPLE' (pictured here in 2019)

Among his accusations, the rapper (pictured on Christmas Day) previously said that the 'Holocaust is not what happened' and also claimed 'Black people are the real Jews'

'They have hired more security now, especially when they are with the kids,' they said. 'But Bianca almost doesn't want to address it with him because he knows how she feels and doing so would just create another fight.

'Of course her friends are, once again, concerned for her, even though she tells everyone that she has it all under control.'

DailyMail.com has reached out to reps for Kanye and Bianca.

During his Las Vegas meltdown n December 15, Kanye went off the rails in front of a large crowd.

In a video obtained by TMZ, he is seen shouting: 'It's 60 million of us in America, 60 million Jews in the world.

'50 per cent of our deaths is abortion, 25 per cent of us go to prison... raise your hand if you ever got an abortion.

'If we were in a Jewish... every mother would raise their hands.

'Whos going to make the hospitals, though? Hes a Zionist, [Donald] Trump. This is what Ive been trying to tell you. Jesus Christ, Hitler, Ye, third party, sponsor that!'

He added: 'They cant f*****g touch me because God cover me.'

Kanye was previously married to Kim Kardashian with whom he has four children, including 10-year-old North

Kanye also slammed the school his children attend and said: 'North ripped up the motherf*****g couches in the house' to be able to travel with her father on his trip.

Shouting at the crowd to 'shut the f*** up,' he said: 'I don't give a f*** about life or death, I get visitation with my kids.' He then added: 'F*** Balenciaga.'

It comes after Kanye was branded a 'disgusting human being' by fans after he wore a black Ku Klux Klan type hood in his latest attempt to shock at an Art Basel event in Miami on December 12.

The artist put on a fabric head covering featuring a point at the top at an overnight listening event with collaborator Ty Dolla $ign as they performed their controversial track Vultures, which includes the lyrics about Kanye doing the dirty with a Jewish woman.

Kanye has a documented history of antisemitism and last year lost out on a number of partnership deals after going on an explosive anti-Semitic rant.

It all started in October 2022 when he vowed to go 'death con 3 on JEWISH PEOPLE' in a string of sick posts online.

Shortly after the tweet, the Praise God rapper told Piers Morgan he only meant to take aim at certain specific Jews, who he felt exploited him.

When the talk show host contended the comments were 'as racist as anything you've been through,' Kanye said: 'That's why I said it. I fought fire with fire.'

In an interview with right-wing talk show host Alex Jones in December 2022, Kanye praised Hitler for his 'redeeming qualities.'

He also maintained that the 'Holocaust is not what happened' and promoted the conspiracy theory that Black people are the real Jews.

His rants saw him lose out on lucrative contracts with The Gap, Adidas and Balenciaga and more.

He was also dropped by his management team at Creative Artists Agency.

His latest actions have not only further damaged his reputation, but are also believed to be impacting his marriage to Bianca.

Haim Gozali - a citizen of Israel - posted this picture on X recently. On the missile was written, 'Kanye West flying to Gaza'

They had a blowout fight the night before his performance in Dubai, with a source at the time claiming Bianca gave Kanye an 'ultimatum' - stop controlling her or lose her.

'Their argument exploded on the night she went out with him when she was dressed normal and was drinking and flirting,' a friend of Bianca's told DailyMail.com exclusively after the fight.

'Kanye didn't like this because he knew he was no longer in control. She allegedly told him she was done being his silent mute and that she is not his muse like Kim [Kardashian, ex-wife] was and he cannot treat her as such.

'Kanye was forced to loosen the leash or face losing her. This was a huge turning point in their relationship and ever since then she has shown glimpses of her true self. This made her friends so happy to see her smiling and laughing and interacting in Miami.'
CORONATION STREET

She's BAAAAAACK! Yes, it's the return of Bethany, who wastes no time getting her feet under Daniel's duvet again. But what will Daisy find when she visits Daniel to try to patch things up with a New Year's kiss? Please, not the revival of Sinead's dressing gown.

It's clear Daniel has moved on, and Daisy is humiliated at realising he's turned to his old flame. Well, less a flame than a fireball. Still, better that than Daisy the emotional arsonist.

Next stop, Sarah's flat, where Sarah is thrilled to see her daughter. Er, hang on. Bethany got down and dirty with Daniel before calling on her mum? Some things never change.

Then it's on to No 8, where a delighted Gail suggests they celebrate with a family lunch at Speed Daal. Their smiles don't last long as Jenny stuns Gail, David and Sarah by telling them that Daniel slept with Bethany.

L-R: Coronation Street's Daniel Osbourne (Rob Mallard), Daisy Midgley (Charlotte Jordan) and Bethany Platt (Lucy Fallon)

Bethany might not be Daisy's only problem, when Jenny vetoes her special-offer ideas to boost custom at the pub. When Bethany sneeringly comments about how empty the place is, Daisy defiantly makes a sign offering a free drink with every hotpot purchased.

Come on, how many hotpots did you see served the whole of last year? Half a dozen, tops? Ordered, yes, but served, no. Sounds like a huge con to me.

There's another familiar face this New Year when Damon turns up again, keeping a beady eye on Sarah and Adam from afar. Next thing you know, Adam's being followed and finds himself tied up in the back of a van. Oh, not again. The show really has been overdosing on Emmerdale.

And why bring Damon back? Strolling into the Bistro, he asks Leanne and Nick for the money he gave Harvey to invest in the place. This isn't just deja vu; it's 2023 all over again.

His return is at least good news for Ed, who is offered a job renovating a bar. Maybe, in doing the work, he'll discover Aggie's remains, because either she's dead or she's on the longest shift in NHS history.

EASTENDERS

Moving as the Whitney/Zack/Peach storyline was, it would be hard to take months more of Whitney being pregnant. Yet that's on the cards when she tells Zack she's expecting again.

Given that Shona McGarty is leaving, rest assured we'll be spared the full term. Surely the poor woman won't have to endure the loss of another child? Maybe she'll disappear in the proverbial black cab, wistfully looking out of the back window, deciding that Walford really is no place to bring up a child (she's right there). Or is something more dramatic planned, like popping her clogs?

Whitney Dean, played by Shona McGarty, tells Zack that she's expecting another baby

How on Earth did she manage to get pregnant again anyway, when she was so keen not to have another baby? Walford's family planning clinic has a lot to answer for.

Maybe if Whitney had spent less time on her nails and more on reading the clinic's pamphlets, she wouldn't have ended up in this situation.

Cindy continues to inveigle herself into George's life, much to the consternation of Elaine, and on top of that, George's parents, Gloria and Eddie, arrive. Where will they sleep? Isn't it high time the Vic built an extension for the many newcomers who keep turning up?

It's a happy new year at the Vic!

This year's been a big success for EastEnders' executive producer Chris Clenshaw, who's seen the show rack up awards again. And it wasn't just Corpsegate, which ran from February to Christmas Day, that held us spellbound.

'I'm also incredibly proud of Lola's story,' says Chris. 'Plus there was Whitney and Zack saying goodbye to Peach, the arrival of the Knights, and Cindy and Ian's epic return.'

EMMERDALE

How long will Belle and Tom's joy last?

The young women of Emmerdale really don't have much luck with men. Gabby discovered fiance Nicky was gay, and I'm not holding out much hope for Belle and Tom, either.

There's just something about Tom that doesn't add up; he seems too good to be true (by Emmerdale standards, anyway; but then anyone who can string a sentence together is good by Emmerdale standards).

Belle (left) is surprised to find out that fiance Tom has already announced their engagement online

When Mandy congratulates Belle on her engagement, Belle is surprised to hear that Tom has already announced it online. That's not just stealing the bride's thunder but the whole damned storm.

What's his big secret? He's bound to have one, because heaven forbid that Belle should be allowed to smile for longer than five minutes at a time.

Emmerdale is still top-heavy with stories involving the youngsters, which puts in the shade what has always been the mainstay of the show  older actors and their vast experience that puts meat on the bones of storylines.

Now there's another one when teens Cathy, Angelica and Heath go for a joyride in Wendy's car. There aren't enough revs in the motoring world to make this lot interesting.
She has properties all over Australia, but for Real Housewives of Sydney star Krissy Marsh, her luxury waterfront home in Noosa is the one that has it all.

Perched on the water's edge on one of the Sunshine Coast's most expensive streets, the $10million trophy home is the family of five's go-to holiday destination.

'Some people are hellbent going overseas, I'm not that person,' Krissy tells Daily Mail Australia over a glass of bubbly.

'I'd prefer to be here with all of my family and friends where everyone comes together.'

'I always wanted a beach house to be chaotic, filled with people, food and champagne!'

The six-bedroom, four-bathroom home boasts a 3,000 bottle wine cellar and comes with its own private jetty and swimming pool.

The Marsh family dogs - Elvis, Frank, Bondi and Bronte - join the family on their Noosa holiday

The housewives veteran (pictured) said the Noosa home is her family's favourite holiday spot

'We entertain a lot, most dinners we usually have around 20 people.'

'The house is virtually indestructible and it is a forever home for us.' she adds.

The home exudes coastal sophistication with soft furnishings, fine art photography, polished concrete and high ceilings.

Other trappings of Krissy's lavish holiday home include rustic shells and coral from local store Coastal Vintage and photography prints from Slim Aarons and nude artist Dina Broadhurst.

'I had a bunk room modelled off Kris Jenner's Palm Springs house' she says.

The bunk room was inspired by Kris Jenner's Palm Springs home and features queen size mattresses in a signature coastal palette with navy and white curtains

Inside Krissy's coastal-chic wardrobe - the reality star says her style is more relaxed up north

The home exudes coastal sophistication with soft furnishings, fine art photography, polished concrete and high ceilings

The room features four bunks beds featuring queen size mattresses with their own charging station in a signature coastal palette with navy and white curtains.

'My favourite room in the house is our bedroom it overlooks the river and is so tranquil in the mornings.'

Much like her coastal interiors the recent cookbook author says her fashion style is more relaxed up north.

'My Noosa style is fuzzy hair, I get around with no makeup and live in a Melissa Odabash bikini.'

Even the family dogs Elvis, Frank, Bondi and Bronte have adopted a more relaxed style.

'The jewelled collars they wore on Housewives come off and they're in beach-mode' laughs Krissy.

'My favourite room in the house is our bedroom it overlooks the river and is so tranquil in the mornings,' Krissy said

Krissy says: 'I always wanted a beach house to be chaotic, filled with people, food and champagne!'

Trappings from Krissy's lavish holiday home include a a print by nude artist Dina Broadhurst

Krissy is a veteran Sydney housewife

'Holidays for us mean bringing the dogs, so they come up here and go on the boat and go swimming in the ocean.'

'We love water activities; crabbing, fishing, surfing, paddle boarding, we also love going for beach barbeques,' she adds.

The former real estate agent turned property developer is billed as the resident 'Property Princess' on the Foxtel reality show.

It's not hard to see why - the mum-of-three and husband Johnny's Noosa portfolio includes a neighbouring five bedroom home in the exclusive street as well as a nearby warehouse to house their boats, jetskies and water toys.

Despite the drama that played out on the Real Housewives of Sydney, which has largely involved herself and co-stars Kate Adams and Victoria Montano.

Krissy says she would welcome all the ladies to her luxury abode if they return for another season.

'I'd love to see Terry [Biviano] set a crab pot while standing on a paddleboard,' she laughs.

'Caroline would be lopsided with her boobs spilling out - can you imagine!?'

The Sunshine Coast's luxury property market includes fellow celebrity homeowners Karl and Jasmine Stefanovic, celebrity accountant Anthony Bell and Australia's richest person Gina Rinehart.
Susanna Reid has shared her thoughts on Holly Willoughby deciding to step down from This Morning.

The Good Morning Britain host, 53, spoke about Holly's 'challenging' time when she quit This Morning after learning of an alleged plot to kidnap and murder her.

Susanna said she believed Holly would still return to television in comments made before it was officially confirmed Holly will be returning to present Dancing On Ice.

Speaking to woman&home for its February issue, Susanna said: 'Holly [Willoughby] has made her decision, and who can blame her? It was a very challenging thing to have to handle and deal with.

'I used to see her very occasionally, as even though they're in the studio next door, they're on at a different time. Over the past year, the times I've seen her she's been her typical, normal, smiling, bright, happy, strong self.

Susanna Reid has shared her thoughts on Holly Willoughby deciding to step down from This Morning

Susanna's candid comments came as she spoke to woman&home for its upcoming February issue

Susanna said she believed Holly would still return to television in comments made before it was confirmed that Holly will be returning to present Dancing On Ice

'She's an exceptional, clever, funny, brilliant presenter and I don't get the impression that she's not coming back to telly. She's a big presence and she'll be back.'

MailOnline has since exclusively revealed that Holly will be returning to screens to host Dancing On Ice alongside Stephen Mulhern.

The series kicks off on January 14, almost three months after she learned of the alleged plot to kidnap and murder her.

Gavin Plumb, 36, has pleaded not guilty to charges of soliciting murder and incitement to commit kidnap Holly. The security guard will remain behind bars after being denied bail.

During a short hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court, Gavin Plumb, from Harlow, Essex, who was not present, was refused a bail application. He has a trial date fixed for June 24 next year.

Susanna also spoke about the rotation of presenters who have been fronting This Morning after Holly's exit and Phillip Schofield being fired by ITV after he admitted to lying about a romantic relationship he had with a former younger colleague.

Of the show, Susanna said: 'Whoever takes over at This Morning will have a brilliant time. It's a total legend of a programme and I sit alongside Richard Madeley, who launched the show in 1988 with Judy Finnigan.

'It's such a successful programme and it's important who presents [it], but the main ingredient is the viewers.'

Presenters including Alison Hammond, Dermot O'Leary, Josie Gibson, Craig Doyle, Cat Deeley, Rochelle Humes and Rylan Clark have been hosting This Morning in recent weeks.

The Good Morning Britain host, 53, praised Holly as 'exceptional' after the star quit her This Morning job (pictured on the show) after learning of an alleged plot to kidnap and murder her

Susanna also spoke about the rotation of presenters who have been fronting This Morning and said they will have a 'brilliant time' on the show (pictured: Craig Doyle and Cat Deeley)

Susanna also spoke about how she has embraced ageing gracefully on television and said she feels like she has become more 'confident' in her 50s

She gushed: 'I have literally no fear of getting older. I think every day is fabulous and now I'm in my 50s, I feel I've built up a thick skin while also being a very  hopefully  loving, sensitive person'

As well as chatting to the magazine, Susanna posed up a storm for a series of stylish photographs

Susanna also spoke about how she has embraced ageing gracefully on television and said she feels like she has become more 'confident' in her 50s.

The presenter said: 'Women, especially in television, are completely embracing ageing gracefully, which means we're not fighting it. We're accepting it, welcoming it and enjoying it.

'All the women on Good Morning Britain are looking better and better than we did. We've got a brilliant styling team, but it is also an attitude thing. It's like no one's afraid of ageing, so you inhabit it, rather than resist it.

'I have literally no fear of getting older. I think every day is fabulous and now I'm in my 50s, I feel I've built up a thick skin while also being a very  hopefully  loving, sensitive person.

'People often talk about impostor syndrome, but when you've got to your 50s, you know what you're doing, and that gives you more confidence.'

The February issue of woman&home is on sale Thursday January 4 2024.
Joe Giudice has been reunited with his daughters over the holiday break.

The former reality star, 51, who came to fame alongside former his former wife, Real Housewives of New Jersey star Teresa Giudice, 51, welcomed his ex to The Bahamas for the long awaited family reunion.

There he met up with daughters Gia, 22, Gabriella, 19, Milania, 17, and Audriana, 14.

The Giudice sisters were dressed in their holiday finery in front of a Christmas tree with their dad, who was styled in a Burberry plaid shirt and black pants.

Teresa joined the group, wearing a black and white evening gown for another snap so the girls could enjoy a photo with both their parents.

Joe Giudice, 51, enjoyed a holiday reunion in The Bahamaa with his four daughters (l-r) Gabriella, Gia, Milania and Audriana. Joe now calls the island nation home since his deportation from the US in 2019

Both were posted on Joe's Instagram account Thursday.

Joe, was was deported from the US in 2019 after serving three years in prison for fraud, is prohibited from re-entering the country.

He and Teresa finalized their divorce in 2020.

Joe now calls The Bahamas home.

In an appearance on Teresa's Namaste B$tches podcast, Joe explained he chose the island nation because its proximity to the US would make it much easier for his daughters to visit him.

He is also working in construction. 'This is what I grew up doing, like construction, rentals, this is what I did in the States,' he said, 'Its an easy job. Im not complaining. I get a salary, and were partners for other things that I bring in, like stucco.'

One photo shared in Joe's Instagram Stories includes a shot of Teresa and her ex surrounded by their daughters.

Another shows a larger family gathering that includes Teresa's husband Luis 'Louie' Ruelas at the center.

Teresa Giudice, 51, joined her ex for a family photo wearing a black and white evening gown

Another picture shows a larger family gathering that includes Teresa's husband Luis 'Louie' Reulas, 48, at the center

Both men have formed a bond since Louie and Teresa tied the knot in a lavish ceremony in August 2022.

According to an appearance by the RHONJ star on the Whine Down podcast, it was Louie who made the first move.

Joe and Louie have established a good relationship. A video labeled 'Family' and shared by Milania in her Instagram Stories shows the group included Louie's sons Nicholas and Louie, Jr, enjoying a large and loud family dinner

'He's like, "Babe, don't you understand? I want to be good with Joe cause it'll make the girls feel comfortable,"' she said.

A video labeled 'Family' and shared by Milania in her Instagram Stories shows the group included Louie's sons Nicholas and Louie, Jr, enjoying a large and loud family dinner.

Louie has received high marks from the 17-year-old who was a guest on her mom's podcast earlier this year.

'Louie is such a great stepdad. He really is,' she said. 'Like, He's an amazing guy.'
News / National

by Staff reporter

Zimbabwe has donated US$35 000 to the Embassy of the State of Palestine in Zimbabwe to support its operations in the country.The donation complements a donation sent to the State of Palestine through the United Nations to help Palestinians in the ongoing Israeli genocide in the Gaza Strip.In over 80 days, Israel's war against Palestinians has claimed nearly 30 000 people as of yesterday, with the bulk of those killed being civilians, including over 11 000 children, nearly 6 00 women, about 500 health personnel and 101 journalists.Over 56 000 Palestinians have been injured with hundreds of them in a critical condition, said Euro-Med Monitor. Yesterday, about 20 Palestinians were killed in an Israeli air attack on a residential building in Rafah, as Israel continues to defy the voices of the progressive world to immediately and unconditionally stop the genocide in Gaza.Speaking at the handover ceremony at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport yesterday, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Ambassador Frederick Shava said the Government saw it fit to extend a cash donation to the Embassy of the State of Palestine to assist with its day-to-day operations."The donation is not much, but it is a gesture of the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe to see the Embassy of the State of Palestine functioning as usual," he said."Zimbabwe and Palestine share a long and rich history of friendship and solidarity dating back to the days of Zimbabwe's liberation struggle, when cadres from Zimbabwe's liberation movements and those from Palestine supported each other at various international platforms."It is this kind of camaraderie that has continued to subsist to this day. Zimbabwe has benefitted from technical assistance from the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Palestine International Cooperation Agency through provision of agricultural expertise, the training programmes, water security and health services, among others."Ambassador Shava said it was his fervent hope that the relations between the two countries will continue to grow stronger for mutual benefit.The strong relations between the Zimbabwe and Palestine will continue to grow despite the machinations of detractors who wish the two countries to fail, added Ambassador Shava.Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Zimbabwe Dr Tamer Almassri thanked President Mnangagwa for the donation.He said it will go a long way in enhancing the Embassy's operations."We consider ourselves as comrades as we consider Zimbabwe as our second home," he said."We highly appreciate the help we have received from Zimbabwe and we always say that the relationship between Zimbabwe and Palestine is more than political."We connect the struggle of the Israeli occupation with the struggle of Zimbabwe against the illegal sanctions. Israel does not respect international law and this is similar to what Zimbabwe is facing against the illegal sanctions."Ambassador Almassri said they highly appreciate the support they were getting from Zimbabwe.
Kim Zolciak showed her estranged husband Kroy Biermann what he was missing when she fired up her Insta Stories on Friday.

The 45-year-old Real Housewife Of Atlanta posted a sizzling bathroom mirror selfie that saw her decked out in a flesh-flashing ensemble.

She put her impressively taut midriff on display in a clinging black crop top that also emphasized her ample endowments.

In a concession to the dropping wintertime temperatures, she wrapped herself in a cozy-looking fleece coat before flashing a peace sign for the camera.

Letting her sumptuous blonde locks tumble freely over her face in soft wave, Zolciak proudly wrote over the image: 'Real Hair Don't Care.'

Kim Zolciak showed her estranged husband Kroy Biermann what he was missing when she fired up her Insta Stories on Friday

Her tantalizing post comes days after Zolciak and Biermann put their differences aside in order to celebrate Christmas with their brood.

While the children were treated to a heap of presents, Biermann, 38, says that the showering of gifts had nothing to do with him.

Speaking to UsWeekly, Biermann's lawyer, Marlys A. Bergstrom, said, 'Kroy did not buy gifts, a.k.a, "stuff" for the children.'

Bergstrom added: 'He didnt sell purses, shoes, or wigs to get cash to turn into material goods; no argument, that was all Kim.'

In contrast to 45-year-old Zolciak, the statement went on to say, 'What Kroy did give to his children for Christmas was his TIME and undivided attention.'

It was reported that, 'He took his children to church and then he cooked a big dinner for the family. Kroy gave his children the gift of time and Christmas memories, not just more stuff.'

'Once the children opened the presents, Kim spent the rest of the day in her living space in the basement,' it was added by Biermann's attorney.

It comes after sources told TMZ that the couple pooled together money they've made selling their luxury personal items online to ensure that their kids did not go without gifts this year.

Kroy Biermann says he gifted his and wife Kim's kids 'time and attention' for Christmas while she splurged on gifts

While the children were treated to a heap of presents, Biermann, 38, says that the showering of gifts had nothing to do with him

The insider added that their children will always be the top priority, even if there are tons of issues between the former couple.

Kim and Kroy celebrated the holiday as a family at their Georgia mansion.

The estranged couple share 12-year-old son Kroy, 11-year-old son Kash, and ten-year-old twins Kaia and Kane.

Zolciak has daughters Brielle, 26, and Ariana, 22, from a previous relationship and Kroy adopted them in 2013.

The reality television star has been selling their personal items, including luxury shoes, amid financial woes.

Speaking to UsWeekly, Biermann's lawyer, Marlys A. Bergstrom, said, 'Kroy did not buy gifts, a.k.a, "stuff" for the children,' while Zolciak used profits from selling their clothes to purchase presents

Kim and Kroy filed for divorce in May after tying the knot in 2011. They share sons Kroy Jr., 12, and Kash, 11, as well as twins twins Kaia Rose and Kane Ren, 10 and Biermann adopted Zolciak's daughters Brielle, 26, and Ariana, 22

Meanwhile, Kim and Kroy's daughter Ariana shared snuggled-up Christmas snaps with her boyfriend Hudson McLeroy on Thursday

She captioned the photos 'merry christmas from me and mine' with a red heart emoji

Right before Monday's holiday, Kroy shared a Christmas family snap without Kim.

The former professional athlete took to Instagram to post a snap with four of their youngest children.

Bearded Kroy grinned in the photo and wrote in the caption, 'Merry Christmas from the Biermanns!! (-2) I didnt get a picture of the family enjoying @arianabiermanns church service and I had this taken after @briellebiermann and Billy had departed in the direction of their car as we were almost outside from our service.

'I couldnt be a more proud father of you 2 and the littles! Got to do better at remembering to capture more pictures.'
Bindi Irwin has revealed how 2023 'changed the entire trajectory of her life' after she underwent a massive surgery for endometriosis in America.

The Wildlife Warrior, 25, shared a recap video of the past year to Instagram and said she is preparing for a 'new beginning' in 2024.

'2023 changed the trajectory of my entire life. I will forever live in awe and gratitude for this year of validation,' she wrote.

'With all my heart, thank you, to the people I love so dearly who gave me the opportunity to embark on a new beginning. You mean everything to me.'

Bindi's husband Chandler Powell commented on the post, saying he was excited for 'more endometriosis-free adventures'.

Emotional Bindi Irwin shared how one major surgery 'changed the entire trajectory of her life' as she prepares for a 'new beginning' in 2024

'What a monumental year. I'm so excited for even more endometriosis-free adventures to come,' he wrote.

'It's amazing to watch you blossom more and more. Grace and I love you so much.'

Her mother Terri also praised her achievements over the past year, adding: 'So much changed in 2023.'

'You conquered endometriosis, tackled many conservation projects, and best of all Grace is growing up to be such a brilliant and beautiful little girl. I love you all dearly and I'm incredibly excited for the adventures to come in 2024!'

The Wildlife Warrior, 25, shared a recap video of the past year to Instagram including moments with her daughter Grace and said she is preparing for a 'new beginning' in 2024

In March, Bindi underwent major surgery for endometriosis in the United States.

The daughter of the late Steve 'the Crocodile Hunter' Irwin spoke about her decade-long struggle with the disease in a lengthy Instagram post.

The conservationist also posted a confronting photo of herself in a hospital bed after the surgery.

The Crikey! It's the Irwins star said she had spent ten years 'torn apart [by] the pain' and knew she had to have surgery because she 'couldn't live like I was'.

She explained how the surgeon from the Seckin Endometriosis Center in New York City had removed a total of thirty-seven lesions and a 'chocolate cyst' - a term for a cyst filled with menstrual blood.

Bindi's husband Chandler Powell commented on the post, saying that he was excited for more 'endometriosis-free adventures'

The practitioners at the Seckin Endometriosis Center typically perform surgeries at Lenox Hill Hospital, on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.

Endometriosis is an often painful condition in which the tissue that lines the uterus also grows outside the uterus.

There are a wide variety of symptoms: pain can affect areas ranging from the abdomen and lower back to the pelvis and vagina.

Other symptoms include painful sexual intercourse, abnormal menstruation, nausea, bloating, and pain with bowel movements.
Simon Cowell has reportedly netted a massive 50million-a-year pay day thanks to the global success of his TV empire.

The music mogul, 64, has earned almost 1million a week, according to accounts filed by Syco Holdings - the firm he uses to manage Britain's Got Talent.

Figures submitted to Companies House showed a 21.9million pre-tax profit on a 32.6million turnover in the year leading up to March, according to The Mirror.

Half was said to have come from the US, while there was 7.1million from the UK and 8.9million from the rest of the world.

Simon, who has been the controlling interest in the firm since 2022, could reportedly pay himself 50million.

Simon Cowell has reportedly netted a massive 50million-a-year pay day thanks to the global success of his TV empire

The music mogul, 64, has earned almost 1million a week, according to accounts filed by Syco Holdings - the firm he uses to manage Britain's Got Talent

The former X Factor judge was also said to have done a deal for an investment bank to buy bonds backed by his TV franchises.

They are said to be shown in the newly-filed accounts as 93million in bank loans 'secured by fixed charges over the intangible Got Talent TV format'.

MailOnline has contacted Simon's representatives for comment.

Simon has overhauled his hectic lifestyle after working on shows such as The X Factor and Britain's Got Talent, which have demanding schedules, for years.

The entrepreneur recently revealed the rules he now sticks to for a perfect work-life balance.

He has cut back on his working hours to spend more time with his partner Lauren Silverman and their son Eric, 10.

He also now maintains a four-day week as he believes working on a Friday is 'just pointless'.

He told The Sun: 'Actually, the first thing (I do) is take off Fridays. Don't work on Fridays, because you don't have to.

Simon has overhauled his hectic lifestyle after working on shows such as The X Factor and Britain's Got Talent, which have demanding schedules, for years

Simon recently spoke about how he has cut back on his working hours to spend more time with his partner Lauren Silverman and their son Eric, 10 (all pictured in September)

'Eat dinner at five o 'clock. Don't take calls after 5.30. Don't read emails after 5.30. Watch a happy movie. And stay outside. I'm not kidding about the Fridays.

'I don't think anyone should be working five days a week. It's just pointless.'

Simon welcomed his son Eric in 2014 with his fiancee Lauren, 46, who he is set to marry after he left behind his bachelor lifestyle to walk down the aisle.

Simon proposed to Lauren on Christmas Eve in Barbados with their son present, and it was previously claimed the couple are keen to have Eric 'front and centre' at the ceremony.

American socialite Lauren also has son Adam, 16, from her previous relationship with businessman Andrew Silverman.
Gary Oldman thinks his performance in the Harry Potter movies was 'mediocre'.

The 65-year-old actor joined the wizard franchise for the third film playing Harry's godfather Sirius Black in 2004's Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and reprised the role in three more movies, but he has now admitted he's not proud of his portrayal of the character.

During an appearance on Josh Horowitz's Happy Sad Confused podcast, Gary explained: 'I think my work is mediocre in it.'

Screen star Gary said he wished he'd taken the time to read J. K. Rowling's books on which the films were based like his late co-star Alan Rickman, who played Professor Severus Snape.

He added: 'Maybe if I had read the books like Alan, if I had got ahead of the curve, if I had known what's coming, I honestly think I would have played it differently.'

Gary Oldman thinks his performance in the Harry Potter movies was 'mediocre' - because he never read the books before filming (Gary pictured in September 2019)

The 65-year-old actor joined the wizard franchise for the third film playing Harry's godfather Sirius Black in 2004's Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (seen in the film)

Gary went on to joke his character was killed off too early, adding: 'We [the cast] were all taking bets [on which character would die], you know, its Hagrid, and I was there going, no, no, no, maybe its Ron.

'And then you kind of open the script and you go, its me. Im out of here.'

During the podcast, the actor admitted he's often overly-critical of his own work but insisted that's a good thing.

He explained: 'Ill tell you what it is. Its like anything, I think if I sat and watched myself in something and said, "My God, Im amazing", that would be a very sad day, because you want to make the next thing better...

'Its so subjective. Its such a personal thing that youre looking at that other people are not seeing

'Its not to disrespect someone who says to me, "Oh, I really love you in that movie", and Im thinking, "Im terrible in that movie. What are they talking about?" Its not that. Its [that] theyre seeing something else.'

Gary has told how his roles in blockbuster movies Harry Potter and The Dark Knight trilogy helped 'save him' following a messy divorce and custody battle.

He said playing wizard Sirius Black and detective Jim Gordon left him doing the 'least amount of work for most amount of money' while solely caring for sons Gulliver, now 26, and Charlie, 24.

Gary has told how his roles in blockbuster movies Harry Potter and The Dark Knight trilogy helped 'save him' following a messy divorce and custody battle (Gary seen in 2004's Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban)

Speaking on the The Drew Barrymore Show he said: 'At 42 years old, I woke up divorced and I had custody of [my] boys,' (Gary, left, pictured alongside co-star Christian Bale as Batman)

Gary played the role of Harry Potter's mentor in three of the fantasy movies as well as starring in all of the Dark Knight Trilogy.

He split from ex-wife and mother of his boys Donya Fiorentino in 2001 after four-years of marriage, amid accusations of alcohol addiction and physical abuse.

Speaking on the The Drew Barrymore Show he said: 'At 42 years old, I woke up divorced and I had custody of [my] boys,'

'That, in itself, was that was hard because there was a shift in the industry where a lot of productions were being [filmed in] Hungary, Budapest, Prague, Australia, you know, all of these places. So, I turned down a lot of work.'

'Thank God for Harry Potter, I tell you, the two [Batman and Harry Potter] really, they saved me, because it meant that I could do the least amount of work for the most amount of money and then be home with the kids'.

Gary, who is now married Gisele Schmidt, also shares son Alfie, 35, with ex-wife and The Crown star Lesley Manville, 67.

He has been wed five times, to Lesley from 1987-1990, Uma Thurman, 1990-1992, Donya Fiorentino 1997-2001, Alexandra Edenborough 2008-2015, and Giseele Schmidt in 2017.

Gary since called the 2001 claims made against him by his former wife Donya 'lies, innuendoes and half-truths'.

Gary split from ex-wife and mother of his boys Donya Fiorentino in 2001 after four-years of marriage, amid accusations of alcohol addiction and physical abuse (pictured in 2005)

Speaking on the Drew Barrymore show he said: 'Thank God for Harry Potter, I tell you, the two [Batman and Harry Potter] really, they saved me (pictured with his sons Gulliver, left, and Charlie, right, and fifth wife Gisele Schmidt in 2018)

Following his 2018 Best Actor Oscar win for the Darkest Hour, he was shamed by his ex-wife, who labelled their four-year marriage 'a nightmare' and also claimed he 'beat her face with a telephone in front of their children'.

As a result former couple's son Gulliver penned an open letter defending his father - referencing the allegations against him as 'troubling and painful', while also labelling him as 'his hero' and 'the man he aspires to be'.

Writing: 'It has been troubling and painful to see that these false allegations against my father being written about again, especially after this was all settled years ago...

'Custody of children is not given to a wife beater, and under most circumstances, hardly ever a man. My having lived, full time with my father should be in itself, proof enough.'

In comparison, Gulliver sang the praises of his dad, admitting: 'My Father is my one and true guiding light. My only hero. He is the man I aspire one day to become. If I could only become even half as great and half as pure.

'I was granted the good graces of his fatherhood as a child to be raised by him and only him. For that I am eternally grateful every hour of every day. I owe him the world and I owe him my life...

Following Gary's 2018 Best Actor Oscar win for the Darkest Hour, he was shamed by his former wife Donya, who labelled their four-year marriage 'a nightmare' (pictured together in 2000)

'I want only to protect my father's character, as a person and as an actor. I know he is a wonderfully kind man, gifted beyond belief, a man who wouldn't trade anything for the love and happiness of his family.'

In his final words, Gulliver continued: 'This torment should have ended 16 years ago. In such a momentous year for his career, my father should finally be able to enjoy himself. I hope that we can please make that a possibility.'

Gulliver's open letter came after his mother Donya revealed: He stole my children and ruined my life.

The truth needs to be told. I would like Gary to stand up and take responsibility for his actions. Will he? Who knows? He has always denied everything.

Emboldened by the #MeToo movement, she said: He is a great actor. Was he a great husband? No.'

Our marriage was a giant car crash in which demented things happened. I lost my self-esteem, I was broken,' she added.

Ive been empowered by hearing other women speak up. When a woman gets her voice back, she gets her power back.

I want our sons and the world to know the truth. I would rather get eaten by a great white shark than go through that marriage again,' she said.

I have $20 in my purse. Ive got nothing else he can take from me. Im not speaking out to hurt Gary.

'In fact, I wish him well. Hes a brilliant actor and he fully deserves his Oscar. But when you are nominated for an Academy Award you have to be held to a higher standard.
Sir Anthony Hopkins sent his fans and followers a sweet New Year's message on Instagram in a video shared on Friday - while also celebrating 48 years of sobriety.

The Silence Of The Lambs actor, 85 - who recently appeared in Netflix's latest sci-fi fantasy titled Rebel Moon - could be seen standing inside a spacious room as he addressed the camera.

'Hello there, Happy New Year to you all!' he enthusiastically kicked off the clip. 'All of you revelers, and drinkers all having fun. Wonderful!'

'Happy New Year, have a great time,' the Oscar winner continued, and added with a laugh, 'If you get a hangover, remember me.'

The star expressed, 'I don't get them anymore because 48 years ago today, I stopped. I got help for it and my life changed.'

Sir Anthony Hopkins, 85, sent his fans and followers on Instagram a sweet New Year's message in a video shared on Friday - while also celebrating 48 years of sobriety

'Hello there, Happy New Year to you all!' he enthusiastically kicked off the clip. 'All of you revelers, and drinkers all having fun. Wonderful!'

'I don't envy you having fun out there,' Hopkins stated, and then encouraged individuals who are struggling with addiction to seek help.

'But if you need help, there's a time. Life is in session. Go for it,' the Hannibal actor positively concluded.

The video - which was uploaded just days before he celebrates his 86th birthday on December 31 - was captioned as, 'Wishing everyone a healthy and prosperous 2024. One day at a time, today I am 48 years sober. Life is in session.'

Social media users jumped to the comment section, including fellow actor Josh Brolin, who penned, 'You are THE MAN!!! Love ya. and Happy 48th!'

Actress Melanie Griffith added an assortment of white heart emojis, while one fan wrote, 'To 48 years of courage, resilience, and transformation. Your journey is a testament to the power of recovery. Congratulations! .'

The composer has previously opened up about his journey to sobriety, and also shared a clip late last year, per The Hollywood Reporter.

He had stated, 'I am a recovering alcoholic, and to you out there, I know there are people struggling in this day and age of cancel and hatred and non-compromise, children being bullied.'

'I say to this: Be kind to yourself. Be kind. Stay out of the circle of toxicity with people if they offend you. Live your life. Be proud of your life.'

The star expressed, 'I don't get them anymore because 48 years ago today, I stopped. I got help for it and my life changed'

The video - which was uploaded just days before he celebrates his 86th birthday on December 31 - was captioned as, 'Wishing everyone a healthy and prosperous 2024. One day at a time, today I am 48 years sober. Life is in session'

Hopkins recalled that shortly before he stepped away from alcohol, he had been in a 'desperate situation, in despair...'

'But I didn't realize that it was a kind of condition, mental, physical, emotional condition called alcoholism or addiction,' the Emmy winner expressed.

'I'm not an expert on drugs. I'm not an expert on anything. I know nothing, except I have found a life where no one bullies me.' Anthony then gave a simple message to those being bullied: 'Don't listen to them.'

He also encouraged individuals battling addiction to try the 12-step program, and explained, 'Every city, every small city, every community, 12-step programs that can help you identify what you are.'

'It doesn't cost a thing, but it will give you a whole new life.'

The British-born star concluded with, 'So wherever you are, get help. Don't be ashamed. Be proud of yourself - whatever you do, don't let anyone put you down. Celebrate yourself as I do myself, although I know nothing.'

While talking to the New York Times in 2020, he recalled the moment that led to his decision to become sober in 1975.

Anthony explained that he had woken up in a hotel room in Arizona, but could not remember how he had gotten there.

'I thought, "Well, I've got to stop this because I'm either going to kill somebody or myself." My life, from that moment on, took on new meaning.'

And in 2021, he admitted to the Sunday Times Magazine that Alcoholics Anonymous had saved him.

After experiencing an incident where he 'drank himself to death,' Hopkins attended an AA meeting. 'I haven't [drunk since] and nor have I felt the urge to.'

'When I asked for help help and I realized I wasn't alone, that there were thousands of people like me, all my fears began to dissolve,' the Red Dragon actor stated. 'The boozing is over and done with but I'm not a goody-goody.'

The composer has previously opened up about his journey to sobriety, and also shared a clip late last year, per The Hollywood Reporter

While talking to the New York Times in 2020, he recalled the moment that led to his decision to become sober in 1975

'In the old days I would be hanging out at bars, getting smashed and blacking out. Now I'm happy being on my own.'

While celebrating his sobriety milestone and preparing to ring in his 86th birthday, Anthony has also been keeping busy by recently appearing in Netflix's Rebel Moon.

In the movie - which was directed by Zack Snyder - Hopkins voiced the character of Jimmy, the last member of mechanical knights.

The premise follows, 'When a peaceful settlement on the edge of a distant moon finds itself threatened by the armies of a tyrannical ruling force, a mysterious stranger living among its villagers becomes their best hope for survival,' per IMDB.

Alongside The Father actor, other stars that were cast in the project include Sofia Boutella, Charlie Hunnam, Djimon Hounsou and also Ed Skrein.

The first part of the film dropped earlier this month on December 21, and the second part, titled Rebel Moon: Part 2 - The Scargiver, is slated to release in April 2024.
Alex has been enjoying the holidays with her swanky surgeon beau, who flew Down Under to spend Christmas with Alex's family, including her three boys.

And the celebrity injector was taking advantage of the summer weather on Saturday.

The 46-year-old headed to a Sydney beach for a swim alongside her plastic surgeon boyfriend Dr Sachin Shridharani.

Alex showed off her incredible physique in a black bikini that put her fit figure on display.

She added a white cap to her to casual look and tied a pale blue sarong around her waist as she strolled along the sand.

Alex has been enjoying the holidays with her swanky surgeon beau. Both pictured

The 46-year-old headed to a Sydney beach for a swim alongside her plastic surgeon boyfriend Dr Sachin Shridharani (left)

He recently flew Down Under to spend Christmas with Alex's family, including her three boys

The cosmetics nurse looked delighted as she hit the ocean for a dip alongside Sachin.

The doctor wore a pair of loose black board shorts and added a white cap to stay sun safe.

Both Alex and Sachin wore some accessories, with Alex in a fine pearl choker and her beau wearing a long chain.

Alex appeared to have minimal makeup for her dip and wore her brunette hair down and flowing from under her cap.

The celebrity injector was taking advantage of the summer weather on Saturday

Alex showed off her incredible physique in a black bikini

The swimwear put her fit figure on display

She added a white cap to her to casual look

Alex had earlier tied a pale blue sarong around her waist

The cosmetics nurse looked delighted as she hit the ocean for a dip alongside Sachin

Both Alex and Sachin wore some accessories, with Alex in a fine pearl choker

After a swim, the couple dressed and left the beach hand in hand.

They had earlier arrived also holding hands, with Sachin wearing a white shirt and Alex carrying straw tote.

Alex had shared her festive celebrations to Instagram earlier this week, calling it 'an unforgettable Christmas'.

'The perfect blend of cherished traditions and special moments,' she added.

The couple chatted as they bobbed among the placid waves

Alex removed her cap and caught some rays

The pair appeared to be having a ball in the water

Alex appeared to have minimal makeup for her dip

The couple cuddled up on a towel as they sat on the sand

They exchanged a tender moment at one stage

Alex and Sachin started dating earlier this year and the couple made their relationship public in September.

At that time, the swanky surgeon flew to Noosa to meet the mother-of-three's family for the first time.

The Harvard-educated doctor is one of the top names in his field and was trained in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the prestigious Johns Hopkins Hospital.

He went on to establish his own clinic LUXURGERY in 2014, which offers many of his own signature procedures, including the Tubeless Tuck.

Alex wore her brunette hair down and flowing from under her cap

The stunner looked happy and loved-up during the beach visit

The pair looked very loved up as they shared an embrace

Alex giggled as she hugged her hunky man

After a swim, the couple strolled along the shore together

The duo stopped to take some selfies at one point

Alex had shared her festive celebrations to Instagram earlier this week, calling it 'an unforgettable Christmas'

The popular clinic is located on New York's famed Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.

It comes after Alex's high-profile romance with AFL legend Nathan Buckley came to an end in 2022.

Alex explained how she focused on her 'health, fitness and family' in 2022 and it had been a 'wonderful year'.

'I've travelled a lot and it's been really wonderful. I'm really lucky I've got a great network in America,' she added.

Since the split, Buckley, 51, has been dating business manager Brodie Ryan, 35.

Alex and Sachin started dating earlier this year and the couple made their relationship public in September

At that time, the swanky surgeon flew to Noosa to meet the mother-of-three's family for the first time
Mila Kunis enjoyed a mommy-daughter date with her nine-year-old daughter Wyatt in Los Angeles on Saturday.

The 40-year-old That 70s Show alum  who is married to former co-star Ashton Kutcher  was dressed in a cropped gray sweater with abbreviated bell sleeves.

Her mini-me tagged along in a pink sweatshirt and light blue jeans as they headed to a hair salon.

A makeup-free Mila was spotted with a pair of dark sunglasses shielding her eyes as she carried a small brown paper bag as well as an olive green fanny pack.

She rounded out her casual look with charcoal-colored skinny jeans that cropped above her ankles.

Mila Kunis enjoyed a mommy-daughter date with her nine-year-old daughter Wyatt in Los Angeles on Saturday

The 40-year-old That 70s Show alum  who is married to former co-star Ashton Kutcher  was dressed in a cropped gray sweater with abbreviated bell sleeves

The mother-of-two  who, in addition to Wyatt, shares seven-year-old son Dimitri with her husband  rounded out the look with white New Balance sneakers.

While the ladies enjoyed one-on-one time together, Kutcher and Dimitri bonded on their own.

Ashton, 45, sported a black hooded sweatshirt with the word 'mother' printed across it in capital white letters.

He added coordinating black sweatpants and rocked a tapered haircut.

His casual and cozy outfit was rounded out with a pair of black New Balance sneakers with white soles.

The attentive and doting dad held his son's hand as they headed to lunch in LA's Studio City neighborhood.

The tyke looked cool in an olive green sweatshirt with a tiger graphic print as he held a beverage.

It comes after the family returned to Southern California on Thursday, after spending the holidays in Iowa.

While Mila and Wyatt enjoyed one-on-one time together, Kutcher and the couple's son Dimitri, seven, bonded on their own

Ashton, 45, sported a black hooded sweatshirt with the word 'mother' printed across it in capital white letters

In October Kunis and Kutcher came under fire after sharing letters of support for their friend Danny Masterson and 'begging the judge for leniency' after the trial, in which Masterson was convicted of raping two women and sentenced to 30 years in prison.

Following the backlash, insiders claimed Mila and Ashton were worried that the 'damage of it all' could be detrimental to their careers. They subsequently shared an apology video, and Kutcher opted to step down as chair of his anti-child sex abuse organization.

The couple reportedly chose to stay out of the spotlight in the following months, hoping people would 'forget' about the ordeal.

The situation also saw their own relationship called into question, with many highlighting that Mila was only 14-years-old when she was cast in That 70's Show, alongside a then-19-year-old Ashton.
Amelia Gray Hamlin showed off her incredibly toned frame while wearing an eye-catching swimsuit in a new photo shared to her Instagram stories on Friday.

The media personality, 22 - who recently took a snap while enjoying a relaxing bath - struck a pose as she paused for a selfie in the reflection of a mirror in the doorway of a bathroom.

The model donned a red, bikini top as well as matching, red bottoms that contained gold-chained details on the each side from the Turkish-British designer, Dilara Findikoglu.

Thin, red fabric was wrapped around her waist and was easily tied into a bow for a finishing touch.

Her long locks were parted to the side, and effortlessly flowed down naturally past her shoulders.

Amelia Gray Hamlin, 22, showed off her incredibly toned frame while wearing an eye-catching swimsuit in a new photo shared to her Instagram stories on Friday

In text added towards the bottom of the photo, Amelia typed out, 'Packin dance...' and also added an emoji of a sun high up in the snap.

The beauty - who currently boasts 1.5 million followers on social media - is the daughter of Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills star Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin.

The model has been filtering through a busy schedule as 2023 comes to an end, and recently attended the British Fashion Awards earlier this month.

She put on a jaw-dropping display in a daring, red dress that fell down past her ankles and was only held together with thin, red bows on each side.

The star slipped into a pair of sleek, red heels and confidently flaunted the revealing look while posing for pictures on the glitzy red carpet.

Her dark hair was parted in the middle, and styled into a low up do, allowing a few loose strands to border the sides of her face.

Amelia's mother, Lisa, was also in attendance and put on a fashionable display of her own in an all-black ensemble.

During an interview with People last month in November, the media influencer opened up about working in the modeling industry and proudly discussed her mother's own runway career.

The model has been filtering through a busy schedule as 2023 comes to an end, and recently attended the British Fashion Awards earlier this month

During an interview with People last month in November, the media influencer opened up about working in the modeling industry and proudly discussed her mother's own runway career.; Amelia (right) and Lisa (left) seen in Paris in September

'I think it's been so beautiful for the two of us to be able to go on this fashion journey together,' she expressed to the outlet. 'Never in a million years did I think that my dreams would also overlap with my mom's, but we're loving this for her.'

Earlier this year, Rinna notably strutted on the runway for Rotate during Copenhagen Fashion Week in February.

She donned a black, one-piece swimsuit held up with thin straps while a leopard-print coat was draped down her arms.

Amelia is also no stranger to the runway, and has walked for luxurious brands such as Chanel, Tommy Hilfiger and Ann Demeulemeester.

'Being able to travel all over the world together at the same time has been this really nice opportunity for our relationship to grow,' she continued.

'We'll go to dinner and I'll ask her for advice and she'll ask me for advice. Nobody understands this industry except for the people in it, so it's been really nice for both of us to navigate this together.'

The beauty - who made her own runway debut at the age of 16 during New York Fashion Week - reflected on the recent opportunities she has been given.

'It's been the most amazing two years I could have ever dreamt of. I'm having a blast and I'm so grateful and I'm really happy. I just feel super lucky.'

Earlier this year, Rinna notably strutted on the runway for Rotate during Copenhagen Fashion Week in February wearing a black, one-piece swimsuit and a leopard-print coat

'Being able to travel all over the world together at the same time has been this really nice opportunity for our relationship to grow,' she continued

The beauty - who made her own runway debut at the age of 16 during New York Fashion Week - reflected on the recent opportunities she has been given; seen walking for Chanel in October in Paris

Earlier this year in September, Amelia also had the chance to have a discussion with Vogue France about her budding modeling career.

When asked about her future plans and dreams, the beauty expressed, 'I have so many dreams. A lot of that involves of course covers of magazines and campaigns. But, at the end of the day, I want to be known as an artist that inspires people.'

'I want to represent unapologetic and unique beauty from the inside. I want to embrace my flaws and insecurities to inspire others to love themselves for who they are.'

She continued, 'Everyone deserves to feel beauty and confidence. I hope I can play a role in that.'
Victoria Silvstedt turned heads as she arrived at Gala One Saint Barth, held at the Eden Rock Hotel on Friday.

The Swedish model, 49, put on a busty display in an eye-catching red crop top, teamed with a matching maxi skirt, which featured a daring thigh-high split.

She boosted her height in a pair of gold strappy heels and matching jewellery, while her long blonde locks were styled in curls.

Scott Disick, Jake Paul and Mike Tyson also attended the lavish party in Saint Barthelemy.

Russian model Valery Kaufman flashed her legs in a thigh-split black gown with a plunging neckline.

Victoria Silvstedt turned heads as she arrived at Gala One Saint Barth, held at the Eden Rock Hotel on Friday

The Swedish model, 49, put on a busty display in an eye-catching red crop top, teamed with a matching maxi skirt, which featured a daring thigh-high split

It comes after Victoria showcased her svelte model figure as she enjoyed a day at the beach during the lavish getaway.

The star appeared to be in great spirits as she was spotted larking around in the sea on Christmas Day.

The blonde beauty wore a gorgeous lace white cover-up, flaunting her toned long legs in the hip-high split detailing.

She couldn't wipe the smile off her face down at the beach as she was pictured giggling with friends and family.

Victoria, who has been in a relationship with businessman Maurice Dabbah since 2011, looked incredible in her beachwear attire.

The model also took to Instagram to share some sexy snaps during her festive trip as she posed in a racy red bikini.

The beauty and Maurice, who is dubbed one of the richest businessman in Sweden , are in a long-term relationship.

Scott Disick donned a white striped top, chinos and brown slip-on shoes

Russian model Valery Kaufman flashed her legs in a thigh-split black gown with a plunging neckline

Grace Adele looked incredible in a lilac corset gown and strappy heels

Anna Andres put on a leggy display in a shimmering mini dress

Jake Paul flashed his inked skin in a white short sleeved top shirt

Mike Tyson was all smiles while having his picture taken

Maurice has 25 years of experience in international real estate investments and as a large real estate portfolios across New York and Europe.

He's a founding partner of Empire Resorts, which developed the Monticello Casino & Raceway.

Victoria, who spent a long break in the South of France this summer, enjoyed a lengthy stint in the spotlight after being chosen to represent her country in the Miss World pageant in 1993.

After her pageant days, the Scandinavian stunner was spotted by Hugh Hefner and went on to become a Playboy Playmate.

Since her career rocketed, Victoria has modelled for some of the world's most prestigious fashion houses, including Chanel, Dior and Valentino.

Despite the glamorous veneer to her lifestyle as a young model, she revealed there was a dark side in a recent interview with Female First.

The model also took to Instagram to share some sexy snaps during her festive trip as she posed in a racy red bikini

The beauty and Maurice Dabbah, who is dubbed one of the richest businessman in Sweden, are in a long-term relationship (pictured in 2011)

Victoria said: 'I started very young to model in Paris when I was 18, I remember like starving myself to fit into the clothes.

'It was an amazing experience but you know I did shows for Valentino, Chanel, so it was really prestigious.

'But it never felt like it was my thing, I'm not like a runway skinny model, I'm more curvy. It was torture, I put myself through starvation, you know torturing myself.

'To be a young girl as well, you cannot take criticism, everything that you hear is like "no no no" and then I went to Playboy and I could be bigger!'
Helen Flanagan flaunted her incredible figure during her exotic getaway on Friday, while showing fans her 'vile' hair.

The former Coronation Street star, 33, slipped into an eye-catching pink bikini and filmed in her hotel room mirror.

Helen went makeup-free and tied her hair up for the candid clip, while admitting her blonde locks were in desperate need of a wash.

She explained: 'Wow hadn't washed my hair since the 23rd of December [laughter emoji] vile.'

It comes after Helen suffered a holiday nightmare within first few minutes of touching down in Bali on Thursday.

Helen Flanagan flaunted her incredible figure during her exotic getaway on Friday, while showing fans her 'vile' hai

The former Coronation Street star, 33, slipped into an eye-catching pink bikini and filmed in her hotel room mirror

The actress had reunited with her three children Matilda, seven, Delilah, five, and Charlie, two, after they spent Christmas with her ex-fiance Scott Sinclair, 34.

Helen and her three children are jetted off to enjoy a delayed Christmas as a family with her best friend.

Sharing an update to her Instagram Story upon arrival, the actress revealed she had made it Bali but without her luggage after mistakenly collecting the wrong one.

Smiling for a selfie, she explained: 'Not the best start to the holiday I took the wrong suitcase back to the hotel.'

Helen continued: 'But the suitcase I took had a mobile so I gave it back to the guy, who was super nice about it. Felt so bad and managed to get mine back at the airport.'

After previously revealing she wasn't in the festive spirit, Helen looked in full spirits on Tuesday as she posed with her children at the airport.

Taking to Instagram the soap star had shown how she spent the week without them, admitting she 'wasn't really feeling it.'

Helen suffered a holiday nightmare within first few minutes of touching down in Bali on Thursday

Sharing an update to her Instagram Story upon arrival, the actress revealed she had made it Bali but without her luggage after mistakenly collecting the wrong one

Smiling for a selfie, she explained: 'Not the best start to the holiday I took the wrong suitcase back to the hotel'

Addressing her one million followers, she confessed: 'Wasn't really feeling Christmas this year, felt weird without the kids but next year I'll be festive My week around Christmas on my camera roll '.

She then proceeded to explain the circumstances around each snap, with the first image showing the mother-of-three wowing in a plunging scarlet dress with a racy thigh split.

Helen said of the occasion: 'Dolling myself up for a night out but probs drank too much (never helps when you feel rubbish)'.

In her next snap, Helen was seen flashing a peace sign in the back of a cab as she revealed she was addressing her premenstrual dysphoric disorder and thanked Vicky Pattison - who has been vocal about her issues with the severe premenstrual syndrome - the symptoms women can experience in the weeks before their period.

Helen explained: 'Finally doing something about my PMDD Thankyou @vickypattison for being a support x I get SO emotional just before I bleed x other women that have this condition please comment '.

The next snap saw her posing makeup-free with her rarely-seen brother Tom, writing: 'Christmas shopping with my brother for his wife x love him so much and always funny x'.

Another makeup-free image cradling a McDonalds delivery was up next as she explained: 'Me as a skatty mess at my friends apartment. Loosing my keys ect. I do have ADHD and I'm managing it really badly at the moment [sic].'

The actress had reunited with her three children Matilda, seven, Delilah, five, and Charlie, two, after they spent Christmas with her ex-fiance Scott Sinclair, 34

She was glammed up for the next image but admitted: 'Having to keep my coat on at dinner because my dress ripped in two.'

Helen then moved onto a candid selfie in the tub as she mused: 'Spotty and hungover in the bath, WHY am I still spotty at 33, hope my hormone meds help .'

Later on her Stories, Helen revealed she was set for a reunion with her children as she snapped a picture of herself packing for their family trip to Bali.

Earlier this month, it was alleged that Helen was set to spend Christmas in Bali with David Haye and his girlfriend Sian Osborne.

However close friends of the star dismissed the claims and insisted she is 'very single'.

Friends of Helen's told MailOnline: 'She's happily single and happily dating and it's completely false that she's in a throuple. She's not going away with David'.

It was previously alleged that Helen and David, 43, were planning to meet up on the Indonesian island for Christmas where his girlfriend Sian would also be present.

The former soap star split from her fiance Scott last year and spent her first Christmas without their children as he had custody of them for the day

Earlier this month, it was alleged that Helen was set to spend Christmas in Bali with David Haye and his girlfriend Sian Osborne yet the star's friends denied the claims

Yet Helen revealed she would not be spending the day with her children for the first time and she would be staying in Bolton with her parents.

She told C loser: 'My children really miss their daddy and they're very close to their nanna, so they're going to spend Christmas with them.

'I won't have them for about four days. It will actually be the first Christmas that I don't have my children.'

Helen added that she will have the kids back after December 25, and will be whisking them away to Bali with her friends - not David - to ring in the New Year.
News / National

by Staff reporter

AS the year 2023 curtains come down, many people may be tempted to celebrate with fireworks on New Year's Eve. However, the Zimbabwe Republic Police has warned the public that the sale and use of fireworks is illegal and dangerous and can have negative consequences for both humans and animals.According to national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, fireworks pose a serious fire hazard and can cause physical and psychological harm to people and pets. He said that the police will arrest anyone who is found selling, buying or lighting fireworks and urged the public to refrain from this practice."Firecrackers cause confusion, anxiety and fear in animals, causing many to run away from their homes into the streets, which is dangerous to members of the public as they can get injured due to bites and accidents," said Assistant Commissioner Nyathi.He added that fireworks can also harm, injure or even kill humans, especially children who may play with them oblivious of the risks involved. He cited past incidents where people have lost limbs due to firecrackers."Firecrackers can injure or even kill a person. In the past, there have been reports of people who have faced health and other dangers caused by firecrackers," said Assistant Commissioner Nyathi.He said that police will be on patrol to ensure security throughout the festive season. Ass Comm Nyathi also called on the public to cooperate with the police and other security agencies by reporting any suspicious activities or criminal acts."We are collaborating with other security agencies and stakeholders to ensure adequate crime preventive measures during the festive season," he said.Ass Comm Nyathi reminded motorists to observe traffic rules and regulations, avoid speeding or reckless driving that may endanger their lives and those of other road users.The Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) has also supported the ban on fireworks.The society said that fireworks cause trauma and harm to animals and urged the public to be responsible.
James Whale has spoken out on receiving an MBE as he battles stage four kidney cancer.

The presenter, 72, who has had a 50-year in radio, made the New Year Honours list for his services to broadcasting and charity.

James revealed in September this Christmas could be his last after stopping treatment, with the cancer having spread to his spine, brain and lungs.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, to comment on his MBE milestone, James said: 'Nobody could have been more surprised than me thank you to all the guys who made it possible over the years everybody at Talk Radio and TV and everywhere.

'I've worked since the 70s and the guys that run the Charity kidney cancer UK, thank you all this is for us.'

James Whale has spoken out on receiving an MBE as he battles stage four kidney cancer

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, to comment on his MBE milestone, James said: 'Nobody could have been more surprised than me thank you to all the guys who made it possible'

Kidney Cancer UK said: 'We are very proud that our founder and Lifetime President @TheJamesWhale was awarded an MBE in the New Years Honours List. Congratulations James.'

James began his career with Metro Radio in 1974 where he pioneered the late-night radio phone-in.

He rose to fame in the 1980s with his frank style, dry wit and no-nonsense approach on late-night programme The James Whale Radio Show, gaining a legion of loyal listeners.

The host then spent 13 years at TalkSport before hosting the drivetime show on LBC and the breakfast show on BBC Essex.

During his career he also hosted Whale On, Dial Midnight and Central Weekend Live for ITV, and Talk About for BBC One.

Whale's autobiography Almost A Celebrity: A Lifetime Of Night-Time was published in 2008 and he later launched a new version of The James Whale Radio Show.

Earlier this year, he was awarded the first ever Tric Recognition Award for his 50 years in broadcasting.

Kidney Cancer UK said: 'We are very proud that our founder and Lifetime President @TheJamesWhale was awarded an MBE'

Earlier this year, James was awarded the first ever Tric Recognition Award for his 50 years in broadcasting

The broadcaster, 72, is living with stage four kidney cancer, which spread to his spine, brain and lungs, after being diagnosed in 2020 for a second time

Richard Wallace, head of TalkTV, said about the MBE: 'There are legends  and then there's James Whale. This award is a fitting acknowledgement of a maverick talent who has entertained TV and radio audiences with inimitable style for more than 50 years.'

Dennie Morris, director of audio and news broadcasting, said: 'James is not only a giant of radio and television, but one of the loveliest men I've ever met.

'His contribution to the industry and to charity over the years has been remarkable. I can think of no one more deserving of this honour.'

James was diagnosed with stage four kidney cancer in 2020. He was previously given just three months to live when he contracted kidney cancer in 2000.

In September, James explained he has chosen 'quality of life' over quantity after ending his treatment and focuses on 'making memories.'

He told The Sun: 'This could be my last Christmas.

'Basically, I have to choose between the quality and quantity of life and Ive chosen quality so that I can have a good time and make great memories with my lovely wife, Nadine.

'Ive had a good life, I cant complain. But Im just gonna make the next months as entertaining and interesting as I can, which is all any of us can do.'

The presenter, 72, who has had a 50-year in radio, made the New Year Honours list for his services to broadcasting and charity (pictured in 1998)

In September, James explained he has chosen 'quality of life' over quantity after ending his treatment (James and wife Nadine pictured in June)

Elsewhere in the interview, James heartbreakingly spoke about the struggles of his terminal cancer, admitting he doesn't want to 'go on forever' feeling as unwell as he does now.

The TV personality also reflected on his marriage with wife Nadine, saying he told her they should 'cool off' their romance when he was first diagnosed with cancer when they first started dating.

He said: 'It was so unfair on her, so I said, "I think we should cool it and not see each other', and she replied, "Oh that's nice, so if I'd just been diagnosed with a terminal illness, you wouldn't come and see me any more", so we carried on.'

They then got married at Tenterden Town Hall in Kent surrounded by their loved ones in October 2021, with Nadine saying they didn't have the 'luxury' of time.

James lost his first wife Melinda to lung cancer in May 2018.

James and Melinda were married for 48 years and had two sons James and Peter. They also have two teenage grandchildren, Oscar and Ella.
MARCH 2020

Kate revealed she and Prince Charles had got 'relatively close' at the Prince's Trust Awards on March 11 - Charles was diagnosed with coronavirus in mid-March.

She said: 'Around the 29/30 March, I came home came in and said [to Derek] 'god you look ill.'

'He said he had a headache, numbness in his right hand, and was struggling to breathe,

'I rang Dr Hilary (Jones) and tried to get through, he talked to Derek. He said put me back on, I think you need to call an ambulance'

Derek, 52, was taken into hospital on March 30 and remained in an unresponsive condition.

APRIL

Kate and her children isolated at home after she displayed 'mild symptoms'.

Kate said: 'Derek remains in intensive care and is still very ill. I'm afraid it remains an excruciatingly worrying time.

'I'm afraid he is still in a deeply critical condition, but he is still here, which means there is hope.'

MAY

Kate said: 'The journey for me and my family seems to be far from over as every day my heart sinks as I learn new and devastating ways this virus has more battles for Derek to fight.

'But he is still HERE & so there is still hope.'

That month, Kate and her family took part in the final clap for carers

She said: 'I'll never give up on that because Derek's the love of my life but at the same time I have absolute uncertainty'

JUNE

On June 5, Kate revealed Derek is now free from coronavirus but continues to fight against the damage inflicted on his body

JULY

On July 5, Kate revealed Derek has woken from his coma but he remains in a serious yet critical condition.

On July 8, she announced she would be returning to GMB, after being urged by doctors to 'get on with life' during Derek's recovery.

She added that Derek had 'opened his eyes' after waking from his coma, but has been told his recovery could take years.

On July 13, Kate returned to GMB for the first time since Derek was hospitalised.

On July 28, Kate revealed she'd paid an 'extra emotional' first visit to Derek, and admitted she's 'frustrated' by his slow progress.

AUGUST

On August 14, Kate reassured GMB viewers that Derek was 'still with us,' but it was 'a waiting game.'

On August 19, Kate revealed she celebrated Derek's birthday with their two children, and described the day as 'challenging' for her family.

SEPTEMBER

At the end of September, Derek reportedly becomes the longest surviving patient with coronavirus after spending 184 days in and out of intensive care.

Kate reveals Derek has lost eight stone during his battle.

The presenter announces she is returning to her Smooth Radio show so Derek can hear her voice.

OCTOBER

On October 30 Kate reveals that Derek has spoken for the first time in seven months, saying the word 'pain' to his wife, who watched on 'in tears' over FaceTime.

Kate says a day later that her husband no longer needs a ventilator to breathe.

NOVEMBER

Kate reveals her family car has been stolen in latest 'body blow' to her family life, as kind-hearted fans offer their cars to help.

She says she feels 'physically sick' at the prospect of facing her first Christmas without Derek.

DECEMBER

The GMB star tells viewers it is her dream to visit Derek on Christmas Day.

She also reveals she missed two weeks on GMB after her children were exposed to the virus, but thankfully she and the kids tested negative.

On December 17, Kate has an emotional conversation live on GMB with two nurses who treated Derek when he was first admitted to Whittington Hospital in North London.

On New Year's Eve she reflects on a 'calamitous' Christmas without Derek, as her house was flooded and she struggled to get a food delivery slot until her pal Emma Willis stepped in to help.

JANUARY 2021

Kate reveals she and her children got to visit Derek in hospital over the Christmas period, and it was the first time her family had seen him since he was hospitalised.

She also says she's banned from seeing him due to new restrictions introduced during the government's third lockdown.

FEBRUARY

Kate reveals she is unsure how much Derek will 'ever be able to recover' following warning from doctors that he may never wake from his coma

MARCH

Kate revealed that was in the process of adapting her home to suit Derek's needs when he is finally released from hospital, in the ITV documentary Finding Derek.

The programmed was praised by viewers for offering a heartbreaking look at the long-term effects of coronavirus.

Kate also revealed that Derek has 'no muscle left' since battling Covid

APRIL

Kate revealed that Derek was finally allowed to leave hospital, but would require round-the-clock care once he was returned home.

MAY

Kate revealed that despite now being home with his family, his communication abilities were 'minimal' and he 'couldn't really move'

DECEMBER

During an appearance on Piers Morgan's Life Stories, Kate revealed that Derek had said 'I love you' for the first time.

After celebrating Christmas, Derek was also pictured in a wheelchair during a trip to the pantomime with his family

JANUARY 2022

Kate revealed that Derek was 'very fatigued' and 'very weak' following the family outing, adding: 'I don't know what this year is going to bring.'

FEBRUARY

Kate offered a glimpse into the daily struggles of looking after her husband amid his battle with long Covid in the documentary Caring For Derek

She also revealed that Derek would die within three days if he was left alone to care for himself.

JULY

On July 6, Kate revealed that Derek had been re-admitted to hospital after suffering a 'downturn,' and in a later interview said she takes things 'day by day.'

On July 20, it was reported that Kate had pulled out of hosting Good Morning Britain to be at Derek's bedside after he took a 'very serious' turn for the worse.

Recalling the day, the presenter told The Sun: 'At one point Derek said to me, "This is it, this time. I am gone." It was just terrifying.

'His sepsis was gut-wrenching for all of us because it had gone undiagnosed until the point where it was about to take his life away again.'

JANUARY 2023

Kate became overwhelmed as she confronted former health secretary Matt Hancock over his handling of the pandemic and his decision to go on I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here.

She then became tearful and looked up as she spoke about Derek, who has been unwell for approaching three years.

Describing public anger towards him, Kate added of his decision: 'This gives the impression you still don't get why they are cross. You still don't get why people are upset. They want to hold you to more account.'

APRIL

Kate revealed that Derek was once again receiving care in hospital, as she shared the emotional moment Sir Elton John dedicated a song to the 'inspiring' couple.

She shared the emotional moment Sir Elton John dedicated a song to the 'inspiring' couple, writing on Instagram: 'Yes Derek has been back in hospital this week & yes there's such a long road ahead but #eltonjohn & @davidfurnish you gave the kids & Derek a moment that we will never forget and has lifted their spirits again to feel anything is possible.'

It was also reported that Kate was planning a trip across the world for pioneering treatment in a 'final hope' to help her husband.

MAY

Kate reportedly faced a huge 716,000 tax bill after she was forced to close her husband's business two years after he became stricken with Covid-19.

The final total will be settled within the coming weeks, with friends insisting she will pay whatever is owed.

A friend told The Sun: 'The figures are terrifying and Kate is of course worried about all the financial pressures, but she has to trust the process.

'When it comes to an end, she is determined to pay back anything that's owed.

'It's no secret that Kate has been battling to keep her husband alive and working through some heartbreaking situations in her personal life in recent years.

'Sadly as well as the emotional stress of Derek's terrible illnesses the financial burden has also been crippling.'

DECEMBER

Derek was left fighting for his life after suffering a heart attack.

Kate held a 24/7 vigil by his bedside and cancelled all work commitments while the family 'prayed for a miracle'.

A source said: 'It was sudden and a shock as he had been doing so well and was in great spirits, looking forward to Christmas at home with the family.

'This setback has been a huge blow for his family and all the people caring for him. Kate is by his side 24 hours a day and is willing him on to win this latest battle for his life.

'Derek has fought so many times, and always, against all odds, come out the other side.'

JANUARY 2024

Kate announced on January 5 that Derek had passed away.

She said: 'Derek was surrounded by his family in his final days and I was by his side holding his hand throughout the last long hours and when he passed.

'I have so much more to say, and of course I will do so in due course, but for now I just want to thank all the medical teams who fought so hard to save him and to make his final moments as comfortable and dignified as possible'.

MailOnline understands he passed away on January 3 in a North London hospital.

He is survived by wife Kate and their children Darcey, 17, and son William, 14.
Kate Ferdinand showed off her incredible figure in a slew of holiday snaps on Instagram on Saturday, just five months after giving birth to her daughter Shae.

The former TOWIE star, 32, looked tanned and toned as she slipped into a number of bikinis during her idyllic family break.

Kate, who returned home on Friday, took to Instagram to share a series of photos from the Maldives holiday with husband Rio and their children.

In one snap, the reality star put on a busty display in a halterneck black bikini as she posed with snorkeling goggles on.

In another, Kate modelled a brown two-piece for a mirror bathroom selfie in the process of washing Shae's baby bottles in the sink.

Kate Ferdinand showed off her incredible figure in a slew of holiday snaps on Instagram on Saturday, just five months after giving birth to her daughter Shae

The former TOWIE star, 32, looked tanned and toned as she slipped into a number of bikinis during her idyllic family break

Kate also rocked a crochet fedora hat and sheer white maxi skirt and matching shrug for a walk on down to the beach.

Other family photos showed the reality star cuddling her daughter Shae, cosying up to husband Rio in a white cut out dress and holding hands with Rio's daughter Tia, 12.

Lorenz, 17 and Tate, 14, were also pictured in the post bonding with younger brother Cree, two.

Rio is father to Lorenz, Tate and Tia with his late wife Rebecca Ellison, who died after battling breast cancer in May 2015.

Kate captioned the post: 'Oh we had a special time'.

The television personality previously spoke about her love for all things fitness last year.

She told Vicky Pattison on The Secret To podcast: 'I've always been into my workouts, I love working out.

'I do like to look good, I'm not going to lie, but also mentally my life is so manic that that hour in the morning just calms me.'

Kate, who returned home on Friday, took to Instagram to share a series of photos from the holiday with husband Rio and their children

Kate also rocked a crochet fedora hat and sheer white maxi skirt and matching shrug for a walk on down to the beach

Other family photos showed the reality star cuddling her daughter Shae

Kate also held hands with hands with Rio's daughter Tia, 12

Kate looked incredible in a blue patterned two piece for one holiday look

Little Shae looked adorable in a pink floral swimsuit as she admired the idyllic views

Lorenz, 17 and Tate, 14, were also pictured in the post bonding with younger brother Cree, two

The blended family looked like they were having the time of their lives as they stayed at the luxury resort

'I'm on a whole new thing though. I have started looking after my body from the inside.

'I feel like everyone always wants to go gym, and get their hair done and look good but I have started trying to take care internally - and I feel like that might be helping,' she explained.

The star went on to detail she shares the workouts with fans as they often reach out to share it 'inspires them'.
Broadway star Maurice Hines has died at the age of 80.

The actor was best known for his work as a tap dancer, appearing on musical such as Sophisticated Ladies, Bring Back Birdie and Uptown... It's Hot!, for which he received a Tony nomination for best actor in a musical in 1986.

He conceived, directed and choreographed the show, along with 2006's Hot Feet.

Maurice passed away Friday of natural causes at the Actors Fund Home in Englewood, New Jersey, his cousin and rep, Richard Nurse, told The Hollywood Reporter.

According to his cousin, the actor had lived at the facility for a couple of years.

Broadway star Maurice Hines has died, just weeks after his 80th birthday (Pictured in New York in May 2016)

Born December 19, 1943, Maurice Hines began working in showbusiness when he was only five or six with his younger brother, Gregory as the Hines Kids.

They made their Broadway debut in 1953's The Girl In Pink Tights, which was choreographed by Agnes DeMille.

As they grew, the duo became known as The Hines Brothers, and their father, Maurice, Sr, joined them on stage in 1963, re-naming their act Hines and Dad.

They became regular performers at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, as well as popular guests on The Tonight Show and The Pearl Bailey Show.

Maurice and Gregory got their big movie break appearing in 1984's The Cotton Club.

'In the movie, all our scenes were never scripted. Everything Gregory and I did was improvised, he said in an interview on Profiles.

He relayed that director Francis Ford Coppola told them, '"I cant give you dialogue on how to be brothers, just do that," and we did.' revealing they completed their part in just two takes.

That was the last film the brothers made together.

The actor was best known for his work as a tap dancer. He received a Tony nomination for best actor in a musical for Uptown... It's Hot in 1986. He conceived, directed and choreographed the show, along with 2006's Hot Feet (Pictured in New York in May 2016)

Maurice started working in show business at the age of five or six with his younger brother, Gregory as the Hines Kids, later the Hines Brothers

The brothers appeared in The Cotton Club, directed by Francis Ford Coppola in 1984. It was their last movie together as they became estranged through some sort of rift but did not talk about it publicly. They reconciled before Gregory's death in 2003

Debbie Allen mourned her friend and Guys and Dolls co-star on social media. 'Maurice Hines, I was your first leading lady in a show, Guys and Dolls and I will always treasure our journey together... I will ALWAYS SPEAK YOUR NAME. See you on the other side.'

The two became estranged through some sort of rift and didn't speak to each other for a decade, but reconciled prior to Gregory's death from cancer in 2003 at the age of 57.

Debbie Allen paid tribute to her late friend on social media.

'Maurice Hines, I was your first leading lady in a show, Guys and Dolls and I will always treasure our journey together,' the actress, dancer and director wrote next to video and photos of her late friend.

'My tears are for my inability to speak with you or to hold you. I will ALWAYS SPEAK YOUR NAME. See you on the other side.'
For many women, getting the perfect pout means shelling out hundreds of pounds on cosmetic surgery or fillers.

Now scientists claim to have discovered what makes lips look most attractive  and warned that injectables could be doing more harm than good.

In fact, making lips too big or too small for your face could actually make you look more unattractive.

The study also suggested that Taylor Swift, Angelina Jolie, Keira Knightley and Scarlett Johansson all have the perfect shaped lips.

The researchers asked 101 people  52 women and 49 men  to rate different facial images.

Scientists claim to have discovered what makes lips look most attractive  and warned that injectables could be doing more harm than good. Pictured: Scarlett Johansson at Cannes in May this year

The study also suggested that Taylor Swift, Angelina Jolie (pixtured), Keira Knightley and Scarlett Johansson all have the perfect shaped lips

Eye-tracking technology was then used to discover which part of the face the participants were most drawn to. Pictured: Keira Knightley

Dermatologist Sebastian Cotofana, of Rotterdam's Erasmus Medical Center, who led the study, said: 'Women considered to have the idea dimensions include Angelina Jolie, Keira Knightley, Scarlett Johansson and Taylor Swift' (pictured)

Eye-tracking technology was then used to discover which part of the face the participants were most drawn to.

The scientists found that the most attractive position of the lips was when the distance between the bottom of the lips and the chin was twice the distance between the top of the lips and the nose.

The panel also rated the images highly when the thickness of the lower lip was a quarter of the distance between the bottom of the lip and the chin, and when the depth of the upper lip was equal to half the distance between the lip and the nose.

For men, the space between the nose and lip should be three times the depth of the lips. Dermatologist Sebastian Cotofana, of Rotterdam's Erasmus Medical Center, who led the study, said: 'The proportion of the lips in relation to other facial features is crucial when trying to enhance individual beauty with injectable fillers.

'Women considered to have the idea dimensions include Angelina Jolie, Keira Knightley, Scarlett Johansson and Taylor Swift.'
Australian actress Ruby Rose has paid tribute to Tom Wilkinson following the British actor's death aged 75.

The Oscar-nominated actor, best known for playing Gerald Arthur Cooper in the 1997 comedy The Full Monty, died 'suddenly' at home on Saturday surrounded by his wife and family.

Rose, 37, who co-starred with Wilkinson in the 2021 action thriller SAS: Red Notice, took to Instagram hours after his passing to share her condolences.

Sharing a screenshot of the pair in a scene together, she wrote: 'Very sad to hear the news. Rest in peace lovely Tom.'

Wilkinson is survived by his actress wife Diana Hardcastle, 74, and their two daughters, Alice and Mollie.

Australian actress Ruby Rose, 37, (pictured) has paid tribute to Tom Wilkinson following the British actor's death aged 75 on Saturday

Wilkinson was awarded a Bafta for best supporting actor in The Full Monty which followed a group of redundant steelworkers from Sheffield who decide to set up an all-male striptease act to earn a living.

Across a glittering career spanning nearly 50 years, Wilkinson also starred in the 1998 romcom Shakespeare in Love, Christopher Nolan's 2005 blockbuster Batman Begins and 2011 action thriller Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol.

His tragic death was confirmed in a statement shared by his agent on behalf of his family.

Rose, who co-starred with Wilkinson in the 2021 action thriller SAS: Red Notice, took to Instagram hours after his passing to share her condolences

The statement read: 'It is with great sadness that the family of Tom Wilkinson announce that he died suddenly at home on December 30. His wife and family were with him. The family asks for privacy at this time.'

Wilkinson and his wife tied the knot in 1988 and would go on to play husband and wife in The Kennedys in 2011 and the 2014 film Good People. They had most recently starred alongside one another in the 2020 period drama series Belgravia.

Wilkinson was nominated for six Baftas in total as well as two Oscars for the 2001 drama In The Bedroom, where he played a bereaved father, and Michael Clayton, a 2007 legal thriller starring George Clooney.

Across a glittering career spanning nearly 50 years, Wilkinson also starred in Christopher Nolan's 2005 blockbuster Batman Begins (pictured)

Wilkinson is pictured with his actress wife Diana Hardcastle at The Park Theatre in London on July 17, 2017

The actor, who had more than 130 film and TV credits, also won a 2009 Golden Globe and 2008 Emmy for his role as American political figure Benjamin Franklin in HBO series John Adams opposite Paul Giamatti.

He later featured in a star-studded cast alongside his wife, Dame Judi Dench, Dame Penelope Walton and Bill Nighy in the 2011 film, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

And he most recently reunited with his The Full Monty co-stars, Robert Carlyle and Mark Addy, in a Disney+ series of the same name.

In The Full Monty, Wilkinson's character played a critical role in the film as he was recruited to help the unemployed Sheffield men dance ahead of them performing to a Tom Jones version of You Can Leave Your Hat On

In the original film, Wilkinson played a former steel mill foreman who was recruited to help the unemployed Sheffield men dance ahead of them performing to a Tom Jones version of You Can Leave Your Hat On.

The film won an Oscar for best original musical or comedy score and was nominated for three others, including best picture and best director.

He was also known for his roles in a BBC adaptation of Charles Dickens novel Martin Chuzzlewit, the 1995 adaptation of Jane Austen's Sense And Sensibility and the 2014 Wes Anderson comedy drama The Grand Budapest Hotel.
Sam Thompson was thrilled to be reunited with his new pal Tony Bellew during a night out in Liverpool on Friday.

The I'm A Celebrity winner, 31, was seen hugging the boxer, 41, from behind, which was a common sight in the Australian jungle.

Arriving at the party with his best pal Pete Wicks, Sam was all smiles as he snuck up on Tony, who was working the room.

Tony turned round to find Sam behind him, and then he wrapped his arm around him, saying: 'Some things never f****** change do they?'

Sam shouted, 'Tony Bellew! Tony Bellew!' while Tony licked his finger and stuck it in Sam's ear.

Sam Thompson was thrilled to be reunited with his new pal Tony Bellew during a night out in Liverpool on Friday

The I'm A Celebrity winner, 31, was seen hugging the boxer, 41, from behind, which was a common sight in the Australian jungle

Sam was crowned King of the Jungle, beating heavyweight boxer Tony Bellew to the title.

The ITV final was watched by a peak audience of 7.6million and the series has reached over 25million viewers including across streaming platform ITVX.

Sam was congratulated by his co-stars including This Morning host Josie Gibson who presented him with the floral jungle crown.

Sam won the 2023 King of the Jungle title on Sunday by a landslide, voting figures revealed.

He came out on top with over 50 per cent of the votes, beating boxer Tony Bellew, 41, who finished in second place and Nigel, who came in third.

Sam was supported in Australia by best friend Pete Wicks, who had flown out to greet him in the jungle while Zara 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.

Sam was crowned King of the Jungle, beating heavyweight boxer Tony Bellew to the title

Zara was reunited with Sam as he returned to the United Kingdom with best friend Pete Wicks after being crowned the winner of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!

'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.'

It comes after Sam's girlfriend Zara had concerned her Instagram followers after sharing a snap from her hospital bed, but did not reveal what the procedure entailed as she posed with a cannula in her arm.

Alongside the selfie, she wrote: 'Had a little procedure done yesterday! Now ready for a super chilled Xmas.'

The TV personality also celebrated her 27th birthday on December 14, after being reunited with Sam as he returned to the UK.
Those nearing retirement may want to hold more liquid assets too

Stocks are more volatile in presidential election years since markets don't like uncertainty - meaning Americans can expect it to impact their 401(K) next year.

Stocks and shares make up a large portion of many workers' 401(K)s - so overall market performance will determine the amount in them at the end of next year.

American households are also actively investing in the stock market more than ever before. The US household equity share of total financial assets was 36.3 percent in the third quarter, well above any previous business cycle, MarketWatch reported.

Between 1952 and 2022, the average annual return of the S&P 500 - which tracks the performance of shares in the 500 largest companies in the US - was 12.17 percent, according to historical market data.

But during election years over that same span it was just 10.62 percent.

Shown is the average performance of the S&P 500 in years where the incumbent party won and lost. Performance of the markets in three months ahead of an election (in grey) has been telling of the election outcome

One outlier was 2020, when the S&P 500 gained more than 18 percent as incumbent president Donald Trump campaigned against Biden for the White House. Markets rallied as Congress passed Covid-19 stimulus packages.

Three months to the election

However, the final three months before an election are when volatility usually strikes.

And in the past the performance of the markets in those months has also been telling of the election outcome, according to an analysis by Strategas Research Partners of more than 20 past elections.

If the S&P 500 is up in the three months prior to the election, the incumbent party usually wins.

However, if markets are down during that period, the opposing party generally wins.

That's because when markets and the economy are performing well, sentiment is likely to be in favor the sitting president. Smoother markets may therefore correlate with the Democrats retaining control of the White House.

A trader is seen working on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange on November 16

Consider exercising caution close to retirement

Nonetheless, those looking to plan for their retirement should not be especially concerned, especially if they are younger than around 50 and can 'absorb short term volatility,' Christine Benz, director of personal finance and retirement planning for Morningstar, told DailyMail.com.

However, Benz did suggest that elder Americans approaching retirement may want to consider risks associated with having a bulk of assets tied up in volatile stocks.

'Buffer assets can tide them through extended volatility in stocks,' said Benz. Those might be held in either short and medium-term bonds or cash, she said.

'Investors should really structure their portfolio so that they can absorb short term volatility a year, two years, or even over a longer stretch of down performance.'

That sentiment was echoed by Mark Sorensen, CEO and founder of 401(K) Maneuver.

'It's a matter of safety versus risk and asset allocation,' said Sorensen. 'I think, in the short term, whatever volatility persists will be pretty short-lived.'

Playing it safe

Historical data supports the idea that investors become more conservative in election years and have moved assets away from stocks that could rapidly incur losses into more liquid assets.

Data from Morningstar indicates that on election years between 1992 and 2020 a net $76 billion is poured into stocks, on average. Over that same span, in the years after elections that increased to an average of $168 billion.

Your browser does not support iframes.

But moving assets into cash can be costly too because investors can miss out on a rebound, according to an analysis by Blackrock.

Nonetheless, Benz also noted that workers that think they know exactly when they are going to retire should instead be cautious, as anything can happen.

'There are lots of things that can force people out of the workforce earlier than they anticipated,' she said. 'It's important to to be pre-emptive in terms of putting safe assets into the portfolio.'
Hollywood star Jeremy Renner has hinted at starting shoot of "Mayor of Kingstown" season three, a year after being critically injured in a snowplow accident.

Renner had suffered an accident in January after a snowplow ran him over as he was trying to save his nephew from getting run over himself. The incident caused Renner to break over 30 bones, which required major rehabilitation.

The actor appeared to signal his return to the show's sets after he shared an Instagram Story from his "Mayor of Kingstown" co-star Emma Laird.

In her post, Laird had shared a photo with Renner and wrote, "It's happening. Back with my favourite guy next week @jeremyrenner."

"Mayor of Kingstown" follows the McLusky family, power brokers in Kingstown, Michigan, where the business of incarceration is the only thriving industry.

Renner plays the role of Mike McLusky, who acts as a liaison between criminals, prison guards, and police.

The show's second season had debuted on American streamer Paramount+ on January 15, two weeks after Renner's accident.
With no proper drainage system, potholed roads for commuters, and little notice of streetlights until last year, Ayodhya now boasts a mapped sewerage system, world-class street lamps, and more than five flyovers to facilitate the citizens, as well as the lakhs of floating population, to get a glimpse of Ram Lalla at the Ram Temple with ease, comfort, and palpable convenience. To convey a sense of good administration, the uniformed personnel have been trained to be polite to visitors, as the birthplace of Lord Ram will host millions and millions of people from across the world in the coming days.

In its extra effort to beautify the holy city, the facades of all homes, shops, government and private building infrastructures have been done in the same pattern, particularly those lying adjacent to the roads and streets. While the entire electrical system has gone underground, the colour of the buildings facades is Pitambari (a yellow texture similar to the color of sandalwood). The expenses on remodeling and coloring of private properties have been undertaken by the government.

Another feature added for the convenience of visitors and the citizens of Ayodhya is that very soon the city will have its own City Bus Service for commuting, as it is all set to witness unprecedented growth in all spheres, especially in the hospitality and tourism sector. Small-time cab service operators have started augmenting their fleet.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit the city on Saturday to commission several projects ahead of the January 22 consecration of the Ram Temple.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday reviewed projects, including the ground where PM Modi will be holding a rally on Saturday. He took a selfie after inspecting the ground where Modi will be holding a rally.

The CM offered prayers at the Ram Lalla temple and at the Hanumangarhi temple in the city, which has undergone immense beautification to host the visitors next month.

As planned, the voting to select the idol of Lord Ram Lalla from the three carved idols was conducted on Friday, and the ballots have been reserved to share the final decision at an appropriate time. The idol that wins the vote will be placed in the grand Ram Temple set to be unveiled for the people next month.

The voting took place at the meeting of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, where members voted to select one among three idols made by separate sculptors.

Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra is the trust entrusted with the construction and management of the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

All three designs, created by separate sculptors, were placed on the table. The idol that could garner the maximum votes will be installed at the consecration of the shrine on January 22, said a committee source.

Earlier this week, Trust secretary Champat Rai said that a 51-inch-tall idol of Lord Ram, reflecting a five-year-old Ram Lalla, would be selected from among three designs. The one that exudes the best divineness and has a childlike look about it will be chosen, he said.

Ram Mandir Construction Committee Chairman Nripendra Misra took stock of the ongoing construction work on the Ram Janmabhoomi Path and the complex on Thursday, along with the top official of the district, where Prime Minister Modi will be visiting on Saturday, December 30.
Will the new year bring a positive change or the same-old promises in EU-Turkey relations?

A few months before the elections in Turkey in May, the incumbent President Recep Tayyip Erdogan showed some signs of changing his aggressive tone towards the EU.

He stated that Turkey intended to become a full member of the EU and asked the Union to speed up the process.

However, such statements are not new to the president of Turkey, whose words and actions do not align. For the relationship to develop, a tangible change in the Turkish foreign and domestic policies is very much needed.

Such changes are very urgent, as Turkeys accession process has been frozen since June 2018.

The positive agenda, launched in October 2020, did not yield serious results, as Turkey was threatening other EU member states with its drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The threats from Brussels for sanctions helped to stop the Turkish drilling activities, but since then the discussions only focused on urgent challenges, such as the management of migration flows, the modernisation of the Customs Union (CU) and the visa liberalisation for Turkish citizens.

Is Turkey's piecemeal approach hindering progress?

A few months ago, in June, to revitalise the positive agenda, the European Council asked the High Representative and the European Commission to prepare a report regarding the current state of the EU-Turkey relations and potential instruments and options to proceed strategically and in a "forward-looking manner".

The report took into account the pillars of the positive agenda, yet the piecemeal approach of Turkey so far hinders the improvement of the bilateral relations.

European Council President Charles Michel arrives for a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the European Council building in Brussels, March 2020 - AP Photo/Virginia Mayo

More specifically, the fact that Turkey has not managed to meet all the criteria of the roadmap that was prepared alongside the March 2016 EU-Turkey Statement does not help policymakers in the EU to suggest the liberalisation of visas.

Actually, in recent years there has been an increasing rejection of visa applications of Turkish citizens.

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It seems that the EU institutions have acknowledged the slow reform process in the candidate country, as the joint communication advises the member states to facilitate access only to specific groups, such as students, entrepreneurs and Turkish citizens with family members in the EU.

Problems in trade rules remain unaddressed

The modernisation of the CU is another important topic in the bilateral relations. Following the European Commissions request from the World Bank regarding the impact of the modernisation of the Customs Union and the agreement for the migration flows in 2016, the two sides decided to resume discussions about the CU.

The discussions were quickly interrupted due to the Turkish provocations in the East Mediterranean and the barriers that the Turkish government posed to bilateral trade.

An offshore drilling rig is seen in the waters off Cyprus' coastal city of Limassol, July 2020 - AP Photo/Petros Karadjias

The current government promised to address the problems in its trade rules, but the most recent joint communication has linked the modernisation of the CU to the resumption of the Cyprus settlement talks according to the UN auspices.

Given that Turkey advocates a two-state solution, it is very interesting to see if the current government will manage to make a U-turn and how it will communicate a change in its foreign policy (according to the UN mandates) to its domestic audience.

Migration key to Ankara's credibility

Another important problem is related to the disinterest of Turkey to receive irregular migrants from European countries.

The lame excuse of the potential spread of COVID-19 made the EU-Turkey migration deal dysfunctional and as a result, the Aegean and Balkan routes are now complemented by increasing numbers of migrants passing towards Cyprus.

Turkey ought to respect its commitment to the agreement to increase its credibility as an international negotiator.

Greece's PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan leave after their statements at Maximos Mansion in Athens, December 2023 - AP Photo/Michael Varaklas

At the same time, and as long as Turkey does not act aggressively towards other EU member states, Brussels must also pay more attention to issues which are very critical to the candidate country, such as economic growth, energy and transport.

The invitation to the Turkish ministers to the informal meetings of EU foreign ministers (Gymnich meetings) is a good start to exchange views about common problems in a more structured way.

These discussions will shine a light on whether or not the Turkish side is ready to realign with the CFSP.

Lack of trust and low expectations

2024 is set to demonstrate whether or not the Turkish positive rhetoric is meaningful or if it is another move of the Ankara administration to achieve temporary gains.

The recent visit of Erdogan to Athens indicated that there is a wind of change, but not many people in Brussels trust the Turkish leader.

The recent joint communication clearly shows that policymakers in the EU do not have high expectations, as Turkey must cover a long reform process.

In the European corridors of power, people are very well aware that if the necessary reforms are not implemented, the new year will open another cycle of blame and threats that will poison EU-Turkey relations once again.

Christos Kourtelis is Assistant Professor in European Public Policy at Panteion University, and Caglar Ozturk is independent researcher in EU-Turkey relations.

At Euronews, we believe all views matter. Contact us at view@euronews.com to send pitches or submissions and be part of the conversation.
The number of deaths due to Covid-19 is on the rise, with seven fatalities reported in the last 24 hours. Meanwhile, new infections, totaling 743, were slightly lower compared to yesterdays 797, marking the highest count since May 19 when the figure was 865. Five deaths were reported on Friday, predominantly in cases with co-morbidities.

According to ministry data, three deaths were reported in Kerala, two in Karnataka, and one each in Tamil Nadu and Chhattisgarh. Cases of the JN.1 sub-variant are also increasing, with 178 cases reported from nine states as of Friday. Goa reported the highest count at 47, followed by 41 in Kerala.

Other states where JN.1 cases have been detected include 36 in Gujarat, 34 in Karnataka, nine in Maharashtra, and four each in Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu. Additionally, two cases were reported from Telangana, and one from Delhi.

As the new year celebrations approach and the winter season heightens concerns of a potential surge in Covid cases, State Governments are cautiously anticipating the situation. The Karnataka health department has mandated home isolation for Covid-positive patients. Presently, the State has 34 cases of the JN.1 variant. Maharashtra Health Minister Tanaji Sawant has urged people and institutions in the state to stay vigilant for the next 10 to 15 days in light of the resurgence of Covid-19 in the country.

People should strictly adhere to the rules to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. While people are excited to welcome the new year, large gatherings increase the risk of its transmission, he emphasised.

The recent surge in COVID-19 cases across India necessitates immediate and proactive measures to combat any potential escalation in the state. In continuation of the earlier communication, you are requested to implement the action points provided therein and to remain alert to address any exigency, stated Public Health Director Niranjan Mishra in a letter to all medical colleges and CDMOs in the Odisha Government.

According to government data, the active Covid-19 tally also witnessed a decrease, with 3,997 cases reported so far, down from 4,091 the previous day. The updated data at 8 am indicated that the total number of cases stood at 4.50 crore (4,50,12,484).

The death toll has risen to 5,33,358, with seven fatalities reported, resulting in a case fatality rate of 1.18 percent, as stated by the health ministry.

In the last 24 hours, 830 individuals recovered from Covid-19, bringing the total number of recovered cases to 4.44 crore (4,44,75,076). The national recovery rate stands at 98.81 percent, according to the ministry.

On Thursday, the country recorded 702 fresh cases of the infection and six fatalities, according to the ministry.

The resurgence of cases is being closely monitored, particularly due to concerns about the coronavirus JN.1 variant, classified as a variant of interest by the World Health Organisation (WHO). JN.1 is a sub-lineage of the Omicron variant and has been identified as the most prevalent strain in the US, accounting for over 44 percent of cases there.

Experts caution that while JN.1 is highly transmissible, it primarily causes mild symptoms similar to a common cold, affecting the upper respiratory tract, and that the overall risk is low. They emphasise not to panic and stress that viral respiratory illnesses typically see a spike during the winter months.

As the New Year approaches, experts advise people with comorbidities and the elderly to avoid crowded places and wear face masks, while asserting that there is no need to implement public health measures at this time.
Taken aback by the massive public protest by the Hindus in Kerala over the move to disrupt the Thrissur Pooram festival scheduled for April 2024, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan retracted the governments decision to hike the rental of the venue from `40 lakh `Rs 2.2 crore for holding the Pooram, the festival of festivals.

Thrissur Pooram is an iconic event, and it should not be disturbed. There will not be any hasty decision to increase the rent of the venue, the CM, who prefers to be addressed as Keralas Karana Bhoothan, told the office bearers of the Thiruvampadi and Paramekkavu Devaswams, the temple administrators entrusted with the holding of Pooram.

The CM had a late evening online meeting with the office bearers of the Devaswams on Friday. The decision to hike the rentals had caused widespread resentment across the State, and Hindu organisations accused the CPM-led government was selectively targeting their festivals.

The Kerala government is already in the dock for the poor mismanagement of crowd control at the Sabarimala shrine during the November-December festival, as pilgrims had to wait 20 hours in the queue for their turn to worship at the temple. It is reported that eight persons died while waiting in the queue, and the medical arrangements were of poor quality.

The blessing of Sakthan Thampuran was saved by the blessings of Gods Gift, said Nandakishor, an ace humorist, in a post on his social media page. Thrissur Pooram owes its existence to Sakthan Thampuran (1751-1805), who ruled the princely State of Kochi. It has been chronicled that Sakthan Thampuran ordered holding the Pooram in Thrissur when the team of temple artists from his state were denied participation in Aarattupuzha Pooram. Later on, Thrissur Pooram stole a march over the Aarattupuzha Pooram. Nandakishors reference to Gods Gift is seen as an innuendo to Kerala Minister for Cooperation V N Vasavan, who, in an act of sycophancy, described Pinarayi Vijayan as Gods Gift to Kerala.

The Pioneer had carried a report on the growing concern among the Hindus of the State over the CPI-M government to wrest control of Pooram. Though the Pooram festival is for just one day, the preparation for the festival is a round the year process as hundreds of units across Central Kerala are engaged in manufacturing dazzling parasols, colorful umbrellas, aalavattam and venchamarams which are to be displayed from atop the elephants numbering around 100.

All is well that ends well. But we are keeping our fingers crossed because it is almost certain that there are forces at work to disrupt the Pooram, said Raju Raphel, documentary film maker and writer.
PM unveils new look Ayodhya ahead of Ram Lalla consecration

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Saturday, urged Ram Bhakts to light a diya in every home, much like the Diwali festivities across the country on January 22, when the consecration of Ram Lalla will take place at the newly built Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya. Emphasising the strength of vikas (development) and virasat (heritage) that will propel the country forward, the PM appealed to people to light special diyas  Shri Ram Jyoti  in their homes to celebrate the day as Deepawali. Modi mentioned that the entire world is eagerly anticipating the historic Ram temple consecration ceremony.

However, he appealed to people not to come to the city for the event, as the occasion will be marked by a mega event, and the holy city may not be able to accommodate their needs.

Everyone harbours the dream of witnessing Ram Lalla. However, I earnestly request, with folded hands, that you refrain from coming on the Pran Pratistha day. Devotees are encouraged to plan their visit to Ayodhya from the following day, as the Ram Temple is now a permanent and magnificent structure. God will transition from his 550 years of tent accommodation to a lasting, grand building, Modi conveyed to a massive crowd in Ayodhya, where he launched several projects, including new airport, railway station, trains, and improvements to road and civic infrastructure.

There was a time when Lord Ram was living under a tent, but now he will have a concrete house, much like the four crore poor individuals who have received pucca houses, he stated.

Emphasising that the influx of people from across the country and the world to Ayodhya has begun and will continue indefinitely, the Prime Minister also appealed for a collective commitment to make the town the cleanest in the country.

Designating January 22 as a special day, the Prime Minister urged people to initiate cleanliness drives at pilgrimage sites and temples across the country from Makar Sankranti on January 14 until the day of the temple consecration.

The year-end visit by the Prime Minister precedes the pran pratishtha or consecration ceremony of the Ram temple by a few weeks. The temple is currently under construction, and the ceremony is scheduled for January 22, with the Prime Minister in attendance.

During the day, the Prime Minister inaugurated the Maharshi Valmiki airport and the redeveloped Ayodhya railway station. He also flagged off two Amrit Bharat and six Vande Bharat trains, some virtually.

Modi further inaugurated and dedicated to the nation, as well as laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth more than Rs 15,700 crore. These include projects worth approximately Rs 11,100 crore for the development of the city and its surrounding areas, as well as those valued at about Rs 4,600 crore for other initiatives in Uttar Pradesh.

Upon arriving in the temple town earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi conducted a roadshow from the airport to the railway station, warmly greeted by a large number of people gathered along its route. Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath received the Prime Minister at the airport.

Modi exchanged greetings with people from his car and, at one point, opened the vehicles door to wave back at them. People showered flower petals, waved BJP flags, and chanted slogans in his praise. The Prime Minister also enjoyed performances by cultural troupes along the route. Modi also visited Lata Mangeshkar Chowk, where a giant-sized Veena has been installed. A devotional song sung by Lata Mangeshkar played during his visit.

Despite the biting cold, vibrant performances ranging from the Dedhiya dance of Uttar Pradesh to a colourful presentation of Choliya from Uttarakhand adorned the streets of Ayodhya, showcasing the folk colors of India to welcome the Prime Minister.

The stretch of Ram Path, which was part of Modis carcade route, was adorned with flowers, particularly at the Lata Mangeshkar Chowk roundabout. Recently installed sun-themed ornamental columns, known as Surya Stambhs, on Dharm Path, added to the festive atmosphere.

Huge posters featuring images of Modi and Ayodhyas Ram temple, whose consecration ceremony is scheduled for January 22, were displayed at regular intervals along the carcade route.

The Prime Minister also made a stop at the home of Ujjwala beneficiary Meera Majhi. He visited the family in their humble home and was seen enjoying a cup of tea.

The inauguration of the airport and railway station was scheduled after the roadshow. Accompanying him were Adityanath, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, and others. Vaishnaw briefed Modi about the station, whose facade is inspired by traditional temple architecture.

Phase-I of the redeveloped station, named Ayodhya Dham Junction Railway Station, has been completed at a cost of over Rs 240 crore, according to officials. The three-storey railway station building is equipped with features such as lifts, escalators, food plazas, shops for puja needs, cloakrooms, and waiting halls.

The Prime Minister flagged off two new Amrit Bharat trainsthe Darbhanga-Ayodhya-Anand Vihar Terminal Amrit Bharat Express and the Malda Town-Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminus (Bengaluru) Amrit Bharat Express.

He also inaugurated six new Vande Bharat Trains, including the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra-New Delhi Vande Bharat Express, Amritsar-Delhi Vande Bharat Express, Coimbatore-Bangalore Cantt Vande Bharat Express, Mangalore-Madgaon Vande Bharat Express, Jalna-Mumbai Vande Bharat Express, and Ayodhya-Anand Vihar Terminal Vande Bharat.

During the airport inauguration, Union Minister for Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Gen (Retired) VK Singh, Chief Minister Adityanath, and other leaders accompanied Modi.

The terminal buildings facade depicts the architecture of the upcoming Ram temple, while its interiors are adorned with paintings and murals illustrating the life of Lord Ram. Phase-1 of the airport has been developed at a cost exceeding Rs 1,450 crore, according to officials. The airports terminal building will cover an area of 6,500 sqm, serving approximately 10 lakh passengers annually.

The airport is expected to improve connectivity in the region, fostering increased tourism, business activities, and employment opportunities.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was elected as the president of Janata Dal (United) on Friday during the partys national executive meeting. The meeting applauded his role in uniting Opposition parties and leading the demand for a caste census. The partys chief spokesperson, KC Tyagi, said Kumar has accepted the responsibility, taking over from Lalan Singh.

Sources reveal that Lalan Singh was removed due to perceived proximity to the JD(U)s alliance partner in Bihar, Lalu Yadavs RJD, where Tejaswi Yadav serves as the Deputy CM. Speculation of a rift emerged when Union Minister Giriraj Singh claimed that Lalu Prasad once told him, JD(U) will merge with RJD soon.

Nitish Kumar is a man who harbours suspicions about everyone. He was under the impression that his party would split into two factions, with one aligning with the BJP and the other with the RJD, ultimately making the RJD the largest party in Bihar. Nitish had severed ties with the BJP when he suspected that another confidante, RCP Singh, who was then a Union Minister in the Modi cabinet, was collaborating with the BJP to break the JD(U), similar to what happened in Maharashtra with the Shiv Senas division, revealed a senior JDU Member of Parliament to The Pioneer.

Nitish Kumars appointment as the JDU boss also grants him greater control over the partys stance on seat-sharing across India for the Lok Sabha elections, a topic he has frequently emphasised. He aspires to be the Prime Ministerial candidate of the coalition. In the 2019 elections, the JDU secured 16 of the States 40 seats, while the BJP won 17.

At the closed-door meeting, Singh stepped down and proposed Kumars name, emphasising that Kumars leadership is crucial in the lead-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, especially as Singh will be occupied with his own election campaign. Singh currently represents the Munger constituency in the Lok Sabha.

Sources indicate that a majority of key leaders within the party believed that Kumar, as its most prominent figure, should assume leadership at this crucial juncture. The party is part of the Opposition INDIA bloc.

Criticism of Singhs leadership style by several party leaders in recent interactions with Kumar has been cited as a factor. Amid reports of a rift within the party, the Chief Minister has actively worked to project an image of unity, keeping Singh by his side. Party sources have dismissed claims that Singhs perceived proximity to the RJD was the reason for his ouster, highlighting his decades-long close alliance with Kumar.

During the executive meeting, Kumar expressed that he personally was not eager to assume the role of the partys president but would respect the decision of the national executive members who wholeheartedly endorsed the development, according to sources.

At the venue, many enthusiastic party members raised slogans, projecting their leader as a prime ministerial candidate. Among the various proposals discussed in the meeting was Kumars leadership in advocating for a caste census and conducting a caste survey in Bihar. This effort led to the State Government increasing the reservation from the existing 60 per cent to 75 per cent, with support from every party.

Amid the JD(U)s perceived dissatisfaction with leading members of the INDIA bloc for not assigning a formal role to its most prominent leader in the alliance, one proposal highlighted Kumars role in reaching out to different Opposition parties to unite them after he severed ties with the BJP in August 2022.

The general secretary, Dhananjay Singh, noted that it was Kumar who emphasised that there cannot be an opposition alliance without the Congress, countering the idea of a front of different non-BJP parties minus the Congress proposed by some regional leaders, including BRS leader K Chandrashekar Rao.

The executive also condemned the suspension of 146 opposition MPs from Parliament during the recent Winter Session.

During the meeting, Kumar stated that he would ensure senior members of the party are given various roles.

On Thursday, Singh rejected reports about his likely departure as JD(U) president and any rift within the party, stating, You are trying to set the narrative... JD(U) is one and will remain united. He made these remarks in response to media queries on his resignation and differences within the party. Kumar echoed this view before boarding the flight from Patna to Delhi.

After the meeting, Singh refuted any notion of a rift in the party, saying, Anger? What anger? Why should I be angry? This is the first time I am hearing this word.

However, Tejaswi Yadav dismissed any rift and accused the BJP of planting stories to destabilise the JDU-RJD alliance in the state. Yadavs reaction came after the BJPs Sushil Modi, who was the Deputy Chief Minister until Nitish Kumar quit that alliance, claimed that the JDU was spreading rumors about re-allying with the BJP to keep the RJD and Congress in check.
There are serious allegations by workers unions that Odisha and Delhi Governments are not paying the various dues of construction workers in time and are also abnormally delaying the process of registration and renewal of construction workers in the Welfare Board.

Even the compensation payment for the death and disability of construction workers are not paid for years together. The Welfare Board money is not coming from the State Government budget. It is a collection of 1% from the construction project. Ministers, Chief Minister, MLAs are utilising the fund for vested interest.

Why should the welfare fund be used by the Minister and MLAs for other purposes, when not single pie is coming from the State Government budget, said former MP, national vice president and State president of INTUC, INBCWWF Dr RC Khuntia while addressing 42 construction workers unions at Delhi on December 22. The meeting was held under the banner of the National Mazdoor Adhikar Manch.

Around 1,000 delegates of 42 unions were present in the meeting, which was presided over by Md Amzad Hason. If all pending dues are not cleared, the construction workers would go for dharana before the Labour Commissioner Office and Welfare Board Office, it was decided.
The impact of the unique 'Whistle Blow, Increase Attendance' campaign started with the aim of increasing the attendance of children in the government schools of Simdega district is visible. With this campaign, not only is the attendance of children in schools increasing, but leadership abilities of children are also being developed. While going to school at 8 in the morning, under the leadership of a monitor in every village, the school children go to school wearing school uniform and blowing whistles, so that the parents come to know that the school is open and they have to send their children to school also.

Whistle works as an alarm in rural areas, due to which parents as well as children start preparing for school. Students whistle and pass in front of the houses where children live and study in school. These children go to school taking their classmates with them, which has seen positive results in terms of school attendance. After the start of this campaign, children are not able to make excuses to their parents like school closure.



With this unique campaign, not only is the attendance of children in schools increasing, but leadership abilities are also developing within them. Under this campaign, every child in every village is given a whistle and he is given the responsibility of bringing 20 to 25 children to school. The child who gets this responsibility also develops tremendous management and leadership skills. The parents of the village come to know that if they need any information related to the school, they can get the information from the concerned student. Not only this, the children who have the responsibility of blowing the whistle also play the role of representatives of the students in the villages. Children of each school are divided into four houses, the captain of each house is given a whistle. Besides, the monitor of every class is also given a whistle.



Seeing the success of this unique campaign in Simdega, now the State Education Project Council is preparing to implement this campaign in rural areas of other districts of the state also. The attendance of children in government schools of Simdega is the highest in the state. Maximum 76% children are coming to school in Simdega. Schools in rural areas of the district have an important contribution to this. State officer of the campaign, Badal Raj says that this is a low-cost model, which is giving effective and positive results. The campaign is so successful in rural areas that preparations are being made to implement the 'Whistle Whistle, Call School' campaign in every district. In this state-based campaign, efforts will be made not only to increase the attendance of children in schools, but also to bring out-of-school and drop-out children to schools. Education Secretary K Ravi Kumar is himself monitoring this program.
The plaster of the ceiling of Government MS School located in Shahjahanabad, Bhopal fell down, in which 2 children and 1 teacher were injured.

At the same time, other children studying in the class also suffered minor injuries. The incident occurred at 2.15 pm on Friday.

Class teacher Taseem Alvi said that during teaching the plaster of the ceiling started falling. A girl and a child have suffered leg injuries and she was also injured. It has been 23 years since she started teaching in this school. Water keeps leaking from the roof every time it rains. It is being said that the school building is about 40 years old.

The roof of this classroom of Government MS School located in Shahjahanabad was uprooted.

Principal Kiran Purohit said that more than 100 children study in the school. There are 8 teachers. The incident happened at 2.15 pm. There were about 17 children in the class at that time. The plaster may have become weak due to dampness of rain. Due to this the plaster has fallen.

Councilor Mahesh Makwana had got the repair work done in the classroom where the incident took place. We are continuously getting the school repaired.

Bhopal District Education Officer Anjani Kumar Tripathi said that the ceiling of a class of the Government MS School located in Shahjahanabad has collapsed. A teacher and students were injured in the accident. Both have been sent to the nearest hospital for treatment.

Shahjahanabad police station in-charge UPS Chauhan said that information was received about the plaster falling off the school ceiling. I reached the spot and talked to the children and the teacher.

He said that this incident happened suddenly. In which a girl suffered leg injuries. He has been sent to the hospital. Teachers have sent the remaining children home.
Police on Friday arrested two persons for allegedly attacking a House Surgeon, Biswaranjan Sahu, of the Bhima Bhoi Medical College Hospital in Balangir district on Thursday evening.

The victim sustained critical injuries and was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the medical college hospital.

The arrested were identified as Samir Badamali and Raju Sahu. The two accused are relatives of a patient, who was being treated by the doctor at the hospital.

Balangir SDPO Tofan Bagh said the accused were nabbed by police from Gochaapada in Phulbani and they were being brought to Balangir.

Healthcare service was partially affected at the hospital on the day as House Surgeons of the healthcare facility staged a cease-work protest demanding immediate arrest of the accused under the National Security Act (NSA).

Reports said Dr Sahu on Thursday morning examined a woman patient in the presence of a woman doctor and the patients guardian after she complained of some gynaecological problem.

However, feeling embarrassed over the treatment, the woman informed his family members.

Later while the doctor was returning to his residence in the evening after duty, he was assaulted by miscreants at Laltikara and he sustained injuries in his head and other parts of the body. He was rushed to the hospital and was admitted to ICU.

Following the incident, irate medicos blocked the main gate demanding immediate arrest of the culprits.

Both the Balangir Collector and SP visited the hospital and inquired about the health condition of the doctor and assured the agitating doctors of nabbing the culprit soon.
The Indian Engineering Congress 2023, organized under the aegis of Institution of Engineers India Local Center Jabalpur, concluded today. More than 500 scientists, experts and engineers from India and abroad including famous scientist Sudhir Kumar Mishra participated in this three-day 38th Indian Engineering Congress.

While in the various technical sessions and open sessions, there was intense brainstorming to deal with the present and future challenges of engineering, on the last day the experts concluded the 38th Indian Engineering Congress with the determination to materialize the concept of a developed India.

Today, 16 technical papers from various disciplines were presented at the Indian Engineering Congress in which Shreya Gautam explained in detail about the need of the undersea use of fiber optical cables, while Engineer V Ramanathan explained about the use of various engineering techniques ,emphasis was laid on making the future easier for the common people.

In the technical session, G Kodala Rao expressed concern about the safety and conservation of dams more than 50 years old in India and said that efforts are being made to save the Indian people living on the banks of the dams. He said that in the last years 40 dams in India have been destroyed due to natural or other reasons. There are still 5334 dams in India, out of which almost half of the dams are old and have become weak with time.

Similarly, conservation of 1000 small dams is also necessary.

In the technical session, Deepti Y Patil, Rajendra Gode, Mukta Bhatale presented their useful papers on AI technology, Prashant Chaudhary, Akhilesh AI, Virendra Tiwari presented their useful papers on burning topics like Wireless Sensor Network.

The Annual General Meeting of the corporate members of the Institution of Engineers India was also held in the Congress. In which Engineer Rakesh Rathore from Jabalpur was elected as the counseling member of the State Center from Madhya Pradesh.

Similarly, G Ranganath of Chennai was elected as the National President of the Institution of Engineers for 2023-24.

Patan MLA Ajay Bishnoi expressed hope while congratulating the President of Institution of Engineers Local Center Jabalpur Brigadier CK Trivedi, Chairman of the Organizing Committee Engineer Rakesh Rathore, Secretary Dr. Mukta Bhatele, Secretary of the Local Center Dr. Rajeev Jain for organizing such a historic and important event in Jabalpur. That scientists and engineers will continue to make their invaluable contribution in achieving the vision of a developed India.
Delhi Education Minister Atishi on Friday interacted with 30 MBA students from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. The focus of the interaction centered on the unique governance model employed by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi, under the leadership of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

The Wharton School students met Education Minister Atishi under the Global Immersion Program, designed to provide them with an understanding of the economic, cultural, and geopolitical dynamics shaping the global economy. Atishi provided a captivating insight into the evolution of AAP and elaborated on the transformative journey of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, capturing the attention of the Wharton students.

During the interaction, Education Minister Atishi shared the profound impact of AAP's unyielding political will to enhance the lives of the common man. She cited AAP as a compelling example that reaffirms the idea that even 'a common man' can alter the course of the world with an unwavering commitment to public welfare.

She said, Despite various struggles and hindrances in governance, the welfare of people who voted for the government has always been the priority of Kejriwal Government. Over the past 9 years, the Delhi Government has ensured that children in the national capital get the best of the best education, people get hassle-free access to high-quality healthcare, free water and power supply round the clock. These are basic rights of people to lead a dignified life.

The Education Minister added, These successful transformations were made possible due to the unshakable political will of the government, which aimed to bring about change in Delhi. As a result, Delhi's government schools have become a source of inspiration for numerous global reforms in the education system. The Mohalla Clinics are trusted as a highly impactful healthcare system, ensuring the accessibility of quality healthcare to people for free.

Minister Atishi further emphasized that major global transformation is possible when a surge of educated individuals enters politics with a resolute dedication to serving the people. This, she asserted, is the key to unlocking a new era of political leadership on a global scale.

During the interaction, Atishi also shared her journey from a party volunteer to the only woman minister in the Delhi Cabinet with the students.
Palestinians flee to the southern Gaza Strip, on the outskirts of Gaza City, during the ongoing Israeli bombardment on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano)

The Israeli military warned Friday that it was stepping up operations in the southern Gaza Strip, where hundreds of thousands of people had fled to safety, while hospital officials said Israel bombed an area in the south where it had ordered civilians to seek shelter.

At least 18 people were killed and dozens of others injured near Kuwait Specialty Hospital on Thursday, according to hospital staff members, who said the strike had hit a house in Rafah, near the border with Egypt.

On Friday, the Israeli military said it had executed a strike against a former battalion commander of the militant group Palestinian Islamic Jihad who was in a structure near the Kuwaiti hospital.

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An Israeli defense official also said that, as an essential stage in the war to eliminate Hamas, the military carried out a series of attacks over the past day in Khan Younis, the biggest city in south Gaza, using airstrikes, sniper fire and tank rounds.

Yoav Gallant, Israels defense minister, called the strikes an important part of the mission to destroy the militant group and its weapons caches.

Our operations are essential to achieving the goals of the war, he said. We see the results and the destruction of enemy forces.

Palestinian health officials said that scores of civilians had died in the raids, while a United Nations official said that Israeli forces shot at a U.N. convoy of armored vehicles Thursday evening as it was returning from an aid mission in the northern part of the territory.

No one in the convoy was injured, the official said, but the episode highlighted the severe challenges facing humanitarian efforts to help Palestinians struggling to survive amid Israels nearly 12-week bombardment of the enclave.

Israeli soldiers fired at an aid convoy as it returned from northern Gaza along a route designated by the Israeli Army, Thomas White, the Gaza director for UNRWA, the U.N. relief agency for Palestinian refugees, wrote on social media. He said that one vehicle in the convoy had been damaged, adding, Aid workers should never be a target.

Story continues

Amid widespread calls for a cease-fire and outrage over the more than 20,000 people Gazas officials said have been killed in the war, the International Court of Justice said Friday that South Africa had filed an application to begin proceedings against Israel for what it said were acts in Gaza that were genocidal in character.

A news release by the court said the complaint accused Israel of trying to destroy Palestinians in Gaza as a part of the broader Palestinian national, racial and ethnical group.

Israels Foreign Ministry said Friday that it rejects with disgust the blood libel spread by South Africa and said Hamas was responsible for the suffering of the Palestinians by using them as human shields.

Israel has made it clear that the residents of the Gaza Strip are not the enemy, and is making every effort to limit harm to the non-involved and to allow humanitarian aid to enter the Gaza Strip, the statement said.

The Israeli military in recent days has issued rare admissions of fault over its conduct of the war.

On Thursday, it said it had caused unintended harm to uninvolved civilians in two strikes this week on a densely packed neighborhood in the Gaza Strip.

And in findings released Thursday, the military said the mistaken killing of three Israeli hostages this month could have been prevented but added that the militarys operations in the area had been carried out under complex circumstances, and in intense combat conditions under a prolonged threat.

Israeli forces are moving into the community of Khirbat Ikhzaa in southern Gaza, the military said Friday, just over the border from Nir Oz, a kibbutz that was one of many southern Israeli communities that Hamas targeted during the deadly Oct. 7 attacks that Israeli officials said killed 1,200 people.

Israeli troops are working to gain operational control of the Khirbat Ikhzaa area, the military said, releasing footage of troops running past the rubble of destroyed homes and taking positions among backyard citrus trees in what were residential neighborhoods before the war.

Saying that dozens of terrorists had been killed in central and southern Gaza, the military posted videos of airstrikes and images of a soldier piloting a drone into a tunnel shaft. Other photos showed munitions and military uniforms that Israeli forces say they had found in abandoned homes, articles that were juxtaposed with household appliances.

At the same time, news photographers in Gaza captured the devastating human toll of the conflict: a wounded child on an operating table, arms limp and covered with dust, as he was jostled by medical staff wearing bloodstained latex gloves; an injured woman buried in rubble, her face half covered in fresh blood as men frantically tried to extract her; a man and woman outside a hospital, disheveled and with their faces contorted in grief.

About 85% of Gazas 2.3 million people have been displaced, and those sheltering in the south have hardly anywhere to go. The Kuwait hospital is less than 1 mile from Gazas border with Egypt, which Egypt is determined to keep closed.

The citys border crossing with Egypt is also the main entry point for aid into the territory, but Israel has continued to conduct military operations in the area, hampering aid efforts for residents growing increasingly desperate for food and other vital supplies.

After Thursdays strike, many who arrived at the Kuwait hospital had serious injuries, including head wounds and severed limbs, the hospitals director, Dr. Suhaib Al Hams, said in a video on social media.

News photos from the scene of the strike showed people pulling young children from the rubble. In one image, from the scene at the hospital, medics frantically treated a bloodied young boy on a stretcher. At his feet lay the body of another young child in colorful pajamas.

An Al Jazeera correspondent who saw the strike and visited the hospital in the immediate aftermath, Tareq Abu Azzoum, reported that it had destroyed a residential building.

Nesreen Joudeh, who has been sheltering with 29 members of her extended family in a two-bedroom apartment in Rafah, told The New York Times in text messages that strikes Thursday night were very intense, loud and close, she said. We are all terrified.

Airstrikes hit near the apartment, and the blasts smashed the windows, she said. The apartment was already cold for Joudeh, 38, and her family, who have been sleeping on the floor with no winter clothes or blankets.

If Israeli ground forces move into Rafah, she said, they would not know where to go.

It is supposed to be safe, but no place is safe in Gaza, she said.

c.2023 The New York Times Company
The holy city of Ayodhya is adorned to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday. The prime minister will present projects worth thousands of crores to the city, including the Ayodhya Dham railway junction and the airport, to be re-christened as Valmiki airport.

To welcome the prime minister, the sacred city has undergone a transformative change, creating an ambiance of divine grandeur. Elaborate floral decorations, primarily comprising orange and yellow marigolds, are being meticulously arranged around ornamental lamp posts all along the newly-constructed Ram Path.

The Ram Nagari is being decorated with a combination of local and foreign flowers, along with artistic archways, to extend an extraordinary welcome to the prime minister.

Approximately 700-800 skilled artisans from Ayodhya and surrounding districts, as well as contributors from West Bengal, Mathura and Sitapur, are actively engaged in this endeavour. The flowers are being procured from places like Kolkata, Kanpur, Delhi, Bengaluru etc.

To extend a magnificent welcome to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Cultural department is actively preparing various cultural events on the directions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

From the airport through Dharma Path and Ram Path to the railway station, over 1,400 local artistes will present cultural performances on around 40 stages, unfolding Uttar Pradeshs culture.

The Culture department has roped in Vaibhav Mishra from Ayodhya to blow the conch while Kashis Mohit Chaurasia will play the damru. Khajan Singh and Mahipal from Mathura will give a performance on Bam Rasiya.

Additionally, Mathuras popular Mayur dance will grace several stages. Other artistes like Deepak Sharma, Govind Tiwari and Madhav Acharya, along with many others, will also present their performances with their teams on various stages.

In the sequence of cultural programmes, Ram Nagari will be adorned with the colours of various cultures, including Avadhi, Vantangiya and Faruwahi. Ragini Srivastava from Lucknow and Brajesh Pandey from Sultanpur will enchant the audience with Avadhi folk dance, while Sugam Singh Shekhawat from Gorakhpur will introduce the art of Vantangia dance. Brj Bihari Dubey from Gorakhpur, Vindhyachal Azaad, Mukesh Kumar Faruwahi from Ayodhya and JK Sharma from Jhansi, along with their teams, will present an unparalleled Rai folk dance performance.

With the various popular folk dances of Uttar Pradesh, residents of Ayodhya will also be able to witness the cultural presentations of other states, including Been-bansuri dance by Ramveer from Palwal and Palinaath from Faridabad, Chakri dance by Mamta from Rajasthan, and Baredi dance by Manish Yadav from Madhya Pradesh.






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In a sensational case in Aligarh, a hotel owner, his kin and two others gang-raped a class 10th girl in the hotel in Sarsaul area of Bannadevi police station.

On the complaint of the victims father, the police registered a case and arrested the hotel owner and his brother-in-law and sent them to jail. The hotel has been sealed by the police.

According to the police, the 15-year-old girl, a resident of Khereshwar Square, Khair Road, was going to school on a scooty on Wednesday morning.

It was alleged that Vedprakash Sharma, the operator of Sharmaji Hotel, located in Sarsaul near Sutmil intersection, and his brother-in-law Neeraj Sharma lured the girl and took her inside the hotel. The accused were later also joined by two more individuals in room number 109 of the hotel and gang-raped her, police said.

Reports said that the girl managed to send a message on her fathers phone. When the victims father arrived at the hotel, the accused denied her presence and pushed him out of the hotel. The victims father returned to the hotel with his family members and found his daughter lying in an unconscious state in the hotel room, they said.

Superitendent of Police, City Mrigank Shekhar Pathak said, On the complaint of victims father, the police registered a case against four individuals, including hotel operator Vedprakash Sharma, Neeraj Sharma and two unidentified individuals under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act-5 and 6 for gang rape.

As per information, a youth known to the girl used to take her in the hotel room with the help of the hotel staff. On the basis of which two staff personnel have been arrested.

If hotel staff help people enter any hotel by changing or hiding their age in order to have relations with a minor, then it is a criminal act so we have sealed the hotel and taking further legal action in the matter," claimed Kalanidhi Naithani, the Senior Superintendent of Police, Aligarh.
The ongoing political dispute over Punjabs non-inclusion from the 2024 Republic Day parade took a more intense turn as Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday issued a challenge to the state's BJP president Sunil Jakhar. Mann, in a bold statement, declared to quit politics if concrete evidence emerged supporting the BJP leaders claim that the Punjab Government had suggested featuring his and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal's photos on the parade tableau.

The challenge, coupled with accusations and counter-accusations, has heightened tensions in the state's political landscape.

Manns challenge stems from allegations that the Punjab Government had suggested featuring his and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo Arvind Kejriwals pictures on the parade tableau  a claim vehemently denied by Punjab Chief Minister.

Chief Minister Mann, addressing a press conference in Ludhiana, declared his willingness to quit politics if concrete evidence supporting these allegations emerged. He also challenged Jakhar, stating that if proven a liar, Jakhar must exit Punjab politics.

Where are the images of myself or Kejriwal in Punjabs proposed design?...Jakhar is new to BJP and he lacks the expertise to fabricate properly. Can I place my photo next to Bhagat Singh? Do I have such stature?...Prove it, and Ill exit politics. Thats the biggest statement I can make, said Mann.

He went on to add, If Jakhar is proven a liar, he must also exit Punjab politics.

The tableau controversy erupted when Mann accused the BJP-led Central Government of deliberately omitting Punjabs design for political reasons, alleging an erasure of Punjabs historical significance. In response, Jakhar claimed that Punjabs proposal included photos of Mann and Kejriwal, a breach of protocol leading to the rejection.

Undeterred by the accusations, Mann announced plans to showcase the same rejected tableau in Delhi on January 20. The tableau will be displayed outside Punjab Bhawan, accompanied by a procession to exhibit Punjabs rich history and culture.

On January 20, well exhibit the same tableau outside Punjab Bhawan in Delhi and stage a procession, showcasing Punjabs culture and history to the people. Is Modi greater than Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev, Lala Lajpat Rai? Should he decide whether Punjabs culture is represented? questioned Mann.

Challenging Jakhar to prove his allegations, Mann also emphasized that the BJP leader has recently joined the saffron party so he is yet to master the art of speaking lie flawlessly as other seasoned BJP leaders.

BJP leaders always get ready-made scripts from their high command to hide the real facts, he quipped.

Adding, Mann announced that the State Government will include these tableaus in all the functions to be held across Punjab on January 26 and perpetuate the rich legacy of the State amongst the masses.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has expressed deep grief over the demise of braveheart martyr Rajesh Yadav, a native of Quaila of Banda tehsil in Sagar district.

Martyr Rajesh Yadav was undergoing treatment in the Army hospital after he was seriously injured in an encounter with terrorists in Ladakh a few days ago. Rajesh Yadav laid down his life for the country while on duty. Paying tribute to the braveheart, Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that Late Rajesh has attained immortality through his selfless sacrifice for the country. The people of Madhya Pradesh are proud of his love for the country.

Chief Minister Yadav has prayed for the peace of the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family to bear this immense loss.

Late martyr Rajesh Yadav was cremated with state honours in Sagar district. Minister Prahlad Patel was present on behalf of the state government and paid homage.
A District Reserve Guard (DRG) trooper was injured on Friday after an improvised explosive device planted by Maoists went off in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh.

The incident occurred between Hiroli and Kavadgaon villages when personnel belonging to DRG and Bastar Fighters, which are units of the state police, and the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), an elite unit of CRPF, were on patrol, Bijapur Superintendent of Police Anjaneya Vaishnav said.

While advancing through a dirt track, DRG Head Constable Arvind Ekka inadvertently stepped over the IED, triggering the blast that injured his leg.

He was shifted to the Pusnar unit hospital from where he was referred to the Bijapur district hospital. He is being taken to Raipur by helicopter for further treatment.

With this, nine security personnel have sustained injuries while three have died in Naxalites incidents in December in the Bastar division, which comprises seven districts including Bijapur.
Chhattisgarh Police on Friday arrested a 42-year-old dismissed policeman in Bilaspur city for cheating 21 persons of Rs 1.13 crore after promising them government jobs.

Bilaspur Senior Superintendent of Police Santosh Singh identified him as Pankaj Shukla of Bilaspur.

He was absconding since August after a cheating was lodged against him.

He was a constable in the office of the Inspector General of Police. A court sent him to prison.
A seminar on businessfinance was organized by the Office of Development Commissioner, Indore Special Economic Zone at EPCES in Export Building, Development Commissioner's Office, Indore Special Economic Zone, Pithampur.

The seminar was attended by Suvidh Shah, Development Commissioner, Indore Special Economic Zone, Pratul Sinha, Executive Director, MPIDC Regional Office Indore, Santosh Kumar, Deputy Commissioner (Customs), Ravi Chhagani, Assistant Development Commissioner, Indore Special Economic Zone, Tanu Aggarwal, Deputy Director General, EPCES, Aman Tandon, Business Manager, 360TF Fintech India Pvt. Ltd., R.K. Sharma, Regional Director, EPCES. And representatives of units established in the Indore Special Economic Zone participated.

To save on manufacturing, trade financing and bank fees and especially letters of credit and factoring. How tradefinance can increase your exports and profits. Expanding your business into new areas. Accelerating digitalization in trade finance. Risk Mitigation in Trade Finance. Precautions on compliance related to EDPMS (Export Data Processing and Monitoring System) were among points discussed in the seminar.

Suvidh Shah said that according to the latest data, the total exports from India in the financial year 2022-23 are Rs 36.21 lakh crore. Madhya Pradesh contributed 1.82 percent to the total exports from India. Madhya Pradesh's rank is 13 and it has been stable for the last 2 years. Exports from Madhya Pradesh increased by 12.80 percent (Rs 65,878 crore) in FY 2022-23 as compared to FY 2021-22 (Rs 58,407 crore).

Santosh Kumar talked about the recent steps taken by the Customs Department to ease the export process. Ravi Chhangani said that according to the latest data, the total export of the multi-product sector was 7350.82 (Rs crore) in the financial year 2021-22, which increased by 7892.03 (Rs. crore) in the financial year 2022-23. Multi product sector exports from Madhya Pradesh increased by 7.36 percent in FY 2022-23 as compared to FY 2021-22.

Aman Tandon explains how expanding your business into new areas with trade finance can increase your exports and profits.
Even as government doctors in Haryana went on a strike on Friday to press their demands for the formation of a specialist cadre and a reduction in the bond amount for postgraduate courses, Health Minister Anil Vij maintained that all patients visiting government health institutions or hospitals in the state will receive adequate healthcare services, despite the ongoing strike called by government doctors

The strike had an impact on the outpatient department (OPD) services in some hospitals. This is the second time this week that government doctors in the state have gone on strike. They first went on a strike on Wednesday. They resumed emergency duties after they were assured that a meeting will be arranged between the health minister and representatives of the Haryana Civil Medical Services Association (HCMS), a body representing government doctors in Haryana which is leading the protest.

The HCMS had on Wednesday said that doctors would go on an indefinite strike from Friday with a complete shutdown of all services if the government did not accept their demands. Among the doctors' demands are the formation of a specialist cadre for doctors, a reduction in the bond amount for postgraduate courses and a dynamic assured career progression scheme at par with central government doctors.



Dr Anil Yadav, general secretary, HCMS said OPD services remained suspended in government health institutions on Friday while emergency services functioned as usual. "Given the assurance of a meeting with the government about our demands and keeping in view the larger public interest, we did not proceed with a complete shutdown of services and emergency services are being attended to.

"However, OPDs and elective surgeries remain suspended. The next course of action will depend on the outcome of the talks with the government," he said.



Health Minister Assures Adequate Healthcare Services Amidst Doctors' Strike



Meanwhile, Haryana Health Minister, Anil Vij has reassured the public that all patients visiting government health institutions or hospitals in the state will receive adequate healthcare services, despite the ongoing strike called by government doctors. In response to the strike, the Health Department has revoked all types of leaves for doctors, mobilizing around 3,000 doctors to ensure continuous services. Vij said that to ensure continuous service for the public, the health department has mobilized approximately 3,000 doctors including consultants, senior consultants, NHM doctors, DNB doctors, medical officers from medical colleges, and community health officers.



On Thursday, the Director General of the Haryana Health Services Department, Dr. Randeep Singh Poonia, along with Dr. J.S. Punia (DGHS) and Dr. Manish Bansal (DHS), convened a meeting with representatives of the HCMS Association. The attendees included State President Dr. Rajesh Kumar, Media Coordinator Dr. Amarjeet, and District President Dr. Mandeep, State General Secretary Dr. Anil Yadav also participated via WhatsApp call. The meeting addressed various demands of the association, such as the establishment of a specialist cadre, amendments to the PG policy, pay revisions, and halting direct recruitment of SMOs.



During the meeting, association office bearers were informed that the specialist cadre has been approved. Currently, direct recruitment of SMOs is not underway, and plans are in place to promote 100 medical officers to SMO positions. This process is underway. Additionally, the state government is considering pay revisions and PG policy amendments. The demands of the association are receiving top priority for resolution.



"Given these developments, the strike called by the Association appears unwarranted," the statement said. It urged the Association to retract the strike notice and resume health services immediately in the public's interest. Dr. G Anupama, Additional Chief Secretary of the Health Department, has been briefed on these concerns and has pledged to address them compassionately, scheduling a subsequent meeting with the Health Minister.
It seems burglars are having a field day in the capital city. In the latest incident, miscreants decamped with gold ornaments worth Rs 20 lakh from a house at Chakeisihani under the Mancheswar police station.

The burglary was reported when the house owner Debadutta Samal and his family members were not present in the house. The family had gone on a vacation when the burglars committed the crime after breaking at least four locks.

Samal said he stays in Jaipur in Rajasthan and was on his way to Bhubaneswar. His family had gone on vacation and the keys were handed over to their tenants. As per a discussion, he was supposed to take the keys from the tenants and enter the house. However, he got a call from his wife that some miscreants had looted valuables from the house.

Samal further said it is tough to suspect anybody as they had handed over the keys to tenants.

He said he was staying in the area for the last 30 years and no such incident had occurred in the past.
Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has approved amendment in the Delhi Victims Compensation Scheme 2018, enabling the payment of ex gratia to the victims of mob violence and lynching. The definition of victim has been amended to include guardian or legal heir of a person who has suffered loss or injury or death as a result of the offence including the offence of mob violence and mob lynching.

According to Raj Niwas official, in case of mob violence mob lynching, the interim relief to the victim, including the interim compensation shall be provided within 30 days from the date of offence and the limit of Rs. 50,000/- for interim compensation shall not be applicable to the cases of such victims but the upper limits of compensation provided under the schedule to the scheme shall continue to apply.

The Supreme Court had in 2018 directed state governments to prepare such a scheme within a month but the Delhi government took five years to submit a proposal, they added.

According to the changes in the scheme, the definition of 'victim' has been amended to include the guardian or legal heir of a person who has suffered loss or injury or death as a result of mob violence and mob lynching.

Interim relief has been proposed to be paid to the victim(s) or the next of the kin of the deceased within 30 days of the incident, the official said.

The Delhi Victims Compensation Scheme, 2018 was notified with the approval of the then LG vide notification dated 27.06.2019, but the issue of compensation for lynching and mob violence was not covered in it.

The apex court had directed on July 17, 2018 that state governments will prepare within one month of the judgement a lynching/mob violence compensation scheme under the provisions of Section 357A of the CrPC.

The court had given the guidelines that in the scheme for computation of compensation, the state governments shall give due regard to the nature of bodily injury, psychological injury and loss of earnings.

In terms of loss of earnings, it shall also take into account loss of opportunities of employment and education and expenses incurred on account of legal, medical and other sufferings due to mob lynching/ mob violence, the official said.
The year 2023 will go down in history as the year the COVID-19 federal health emergency was lifted.

The Chippewa Herald will count down its top 10 local stories of the year through Jan. 2.

After more than a decade of planning and fundraising, the Northern Wisconsin State Fair opened its new Chippewa Falls agriculture campus in June. The new $7 million ag campus hosted the 125th fair July 12-16.

The project has been almost 15 years in the making.

Construction of the agriculture campus came out of a barn replacement project. The barns on site were more than a century old, said Northern Wisconsin State Fair Association executive director Rusty Volk.

After 130 years, a portion of the roof collapsed on the show barn/coliseum, otherwise known as the Red Barn, rendering the building unsafe for use.

The remaining 100-year-old swine/sheep barn and two cattle barns were beyond repair, and officials decided it was time to replace the animal barns and show arena facilities.

The new fairground facilities include five barns, a coliseum expo building, showers, restrooms and a FEMA designed safe room for tornadoes. The new ag space can accommodate thousands of animals, including cows, pigs, goats and sheep, and tens of thousands of people.

Police officers Emily Breidenbach and Hunter Scheel were killed in the line of duty during a shootout in a traffic stop April 8 in Cameron. Breidenbach and Scheel stopped a vehicle around 3:38 p.m. that day in the village of Cameron when there was an exchange of gunfire, the Wisconsin Department of Justice reported.

Both officers were pronounced dead at the scene. The suspect, 50-year-old Glenn Perry, later died at an area hospital.

Breidenbach was engaged to be married and was daughter of former Chetek Police Chief Robert Breidenbach. Both officers were young. Scheel had only been on the job for about a year.

Thousands of people turned up for the funerals held April 15 at Cameron High School.

A few dozen Leinenkugel employees went on strike July 9, carrying signs that said stop the war on workers and end corporate greed.

Workers said they were on strike to seek increased wages. The strike continued until the end of August. After multiple rounds of negotiations that did not lead to a deal, the employees finally negotiated an agreement with the brewing company, which was announced Aug. 29.

During the strike, handful of Chippewa County bars stopped serving Leinenkugels beer in a show of solidarity with the union members.

Secretary-Treasurer of Union Local 662 Tom Strickland said the group was on strike with Leinenkugels for a substandard contract but ultimately prevailed.

These folks are going back to work with more than they went out with, Strickland said. The strike is over. We'll go back to work and we're going to go back with more than we struck for.
The major players in the renewable energy industry, including Adani-Total Energies, GMR Energy, Reliance and Siemens, are in the race to secure the Uttar Pradesh governments ambitious project to equip all the highways and expressways in the state with e-charging infrastructure.

As part of promoting green mobility, the Yogi Adityanath government plans to develop e-charging infrastructure on four expressways - Bundelkhand, Purvanchal, Agra-Lucknow and Gorakhpur Link Expressway.

UP Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA), the nodal agency designated by the state government, has invited bids from private companies to set up a network of 26 e-charging stations in these projects.

According to a government official, nearly a dozen companies, including Reliance, GMR Energy, Adani-Total Energies, Belectric, Lightzip Technologies, EV Plexus and Siemens, participated in the bidding.

After the allotment of land, the company will have to start operations within six months. The state government will get 5 per cent of the revenues after five years, an official source said.

As the state targets to achieve full e-mobility by 2030, the government is taking steps to boost renewable energy generation from solar and encourage people to use green energy products, especially electric vehicles (EVs). It also plans to set up a robust network of e-charging stations at other public places and residential enclaves.

UP has the highest number of registered EVs on its roads, with nearly 25 per cent of the total EVs in the country. The UP EV Manufacturing & Mobility Policy 2022 plans to attract investment, promote sustainable transport and foster an ecosystem for EVs.

With the policy, the state plans to attract an investment of Rs 30,000 crore. It aims at generating 22,000 megawatt of solar energy to meet its green energy commitments and cater to the growing energy demand in UP, which has already touched 30,000 MW.

The state is also in the process of inviting solar energy bids of 7,000 MW. While it will float bids of 4,000 MW in the first phase, another round of 3,000 MW will happen later.
Two brothers committed suicide by hanging themselves in Sambhal while the third brother was rescued in time and is now battling for his life in a private hospital.

Police officers, who reached the spot and carried out investigations, said that the family claimed that the incident took place over a family dispute. However, the police suspect foul play as both the bodies were cremated before informing the police about the suicide.

According to reports, Paan Singh (19), the younger son of Vijay Singh of Aurangabad village under Dhanari police station of Sambhal, had some dispute at home over a petty issue after which he went to the field and committed suicide by hanging himself from a tree on Thursday afternoon.

On getting information about the incident, the family members reached the spot and brought the body home. After three hours, Paan Singhs brother Brijesh Yadav (20), with whom Paan had some dispute, went to the room of the house and hanged himself. Luckily, the family members saw him hanging and brought him down and rushed him to a private hospital where he was still lying in an unconscious state in the intensive care unit.

In the meantime, the information was passed on to the eldest brother, Munish (22), working in Punjab. He immediately left for home. He was very upset after coming to know the fact and on the way back home, he got down from the train at Dhanari station and hanged himself near the bridge.

According to a relative, Munish called him and informed him that he would also not live and was going to end his life.

When my brothers are no more then what will I do living alone. I am going to commit suicide by hanging myself. Come here and take my dead body, Munish wrote in his suicide note, praying for peace of the departed souls of his brothers. He later hanged himself and when the family reached the place mentioned by Munish, they saw his body hanging from a tree.

Police got the information after the family had cremated the bodies of both brothers. Now the family members are being interrogated. Police are waiting for Brijesh Yadav to regain consciousness to record his statement. The police suspect that property dispute could be behind the incident and the victims had not ended their lives but were murdered.
Odisha has seen a drastic change in the way electricity is distributed and consumed in recent years. The Central Electricity Authority (CEA), in its annual report titled 'All India Energy Statistics 2023', has ranked Odisha as the first in the eastern region and third in the list of all States in terms of per capita-electricity consumption at 2,264 kWh in 2021-22, behind only Goa and Punjab.

This rank, as compared to 2022, has gone up by 4 spots. In the last three financial years, the per capita consumption of electricity inOdisha has gone up from 1,559 to 2,264 kWh, which is an almost 31.13% rise.

The Odisha Government's decision to privatise the electricity distribution sector through a public-private partnership with Tata Power has seen encouraging results.

Now, a prospective consumer can get a new connection in just four simple steps, registration, document submission, payment and verification and meter installation. Since 2020, the discoms have given over 10 lakh new connections in urban and rural Odisha combined.

Backed by the recent tariff order by Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC), which makes Odisha amongst the States with least industrial tariffs and the State Government's push for 'Invest in Odisha,' Odisha has emerged as a juggernaut for industrial development.

The Odisha discoms have cumulatively invested around Rs 3,000 crore in network augmentation and technological integration since privatisation. It has also pledged to invest Rs 3,000 crore more in the next few years.
An Ola cab driver was allegedly kidnapped by unidentified miscreants at Krishna Vihar in the Patrapada area of the capital city on Thursday night.

The abductors have demanded a ransom of Rs 10 lakh from his wife.

As per a complaint lodged by the woman with the Khandagiri police, the miscreants kidnapped her husband Shankarshan Das at around 8 pm while he was present in front of his house.

The kidnappers thrashed Shankarshan and later made a video call to the woman showing her the injured victim. They demanded Rs 10 lakh from the woman to release her husband. She has sent Rs 2 lakh to the miscreants through internet banking.

Police started an investigation into the incident while efforts were on by cops to rescue the victim and nab the kidnappers.
Delhi Police has sought the help of its Lucknow counterparts to trace a "cyclist cobbler" who created cavities in the shoes of Parliament security breach case accused Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan D to fit smoke canisters in them, sources said.

Police want to make the cobbler a witness in the case, they said.

Sagar first tried to modify the shoes himself but approached the cobbler, who visited Alambagh in Lucknow on a bicycle, after he was unsuccessful, the Delhi Police sources said.

A Delhi Police team visited Lucknow to search for the cobbler earlier this month.

In a major security breach on the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament terror attack on December 13, Sagar and Manoranjan jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the public gallery during Zero Hour, released yellow smoke from canisters and shouted slogans before they were overpowered by some of the MPs.

They gained entry into the Parliament using visitors' passes facilitated by two-term Lok Sabha member from Mysuru Pratap Simha.

During interrogation, Sagar revealed that he tried to design shoes with a cavity after he found out that they were not checked during entry into the Parliament, the sources said.

"When he did not succeed in his attempts, he went to a cobbler in Alambagh. He has told the interrogators that he bought two pairs of shoes for Rs 595 each from a shop near his house and approached the cobbler, who visited Alambagh on a bicycle," a source said.

"The cavity was found created by cutting the inside sole of the left shoe. The thickness of the sole of shoes is also found increased by affixing additional rubber sole at the bottom to support the cavity. The inside sole of the right foot shoe was also found partly cut," according to the FIR.

A team of the Delhi Police Special Cell visited Lucknow earlier this month to search for the cobbler but was unable to trace him. The team also questioned several cobblers in Alambagh based on disclosures made by Sagar during his interrogation, the sources said.

Delhi Police wants to make the cobbler a witness in the case and is now taking the help of its Lucknow counterparts to find him, they said.

During its visit, the team recovered a pair of shoes, shoe soles and a ruler for measuring shoe size from Sagar's house in Ramnagar in Lucknow's Alambagh, according to the sources.

A diary and some books on freedom fighter Bhagat Singh were also recovered from his house.

Sagar's family has told the investigators that he admires Bhagat Singh. His social media profile also showed that he used to share content related to Bhagat Singh and Cuban Marxist revolutionary leader Che Guevara.

Earlier, police said the accused persons in the Parliament security breach case wanted to replicate Bhagat Singh's act of throwing bombs inside the Central Assembly during British rule in India.
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance will be defeated in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections by the PDA (Picchde, Dalit Alpsankhyak).

Yadav said the bicycle people would win the 2024 Lok Sabha polls in Uttar Pradesh and that the PDA would defeat the BJP-led NDA.

Bicycle is the election symbol of SP.

The BJP will be defeated in all 80 Lok Sabha constituencies in Uttar Pradesh if the bigger national parties back us, Yadav said in Azamgarh, his former Lok Sabha constituency, on Friday.

Yadav asserted that he has always maintained that seat distribution should be decided considering which alliance partner is the strongest in a particular state.

He reiterated his demand for caste census, saying, Several other parties are now supporting the demand for a caste census. Caste census is necessary for social justice to give due representation to various castes in reservation.

Asked about his view on efforts being made to include the Bahujan Samaj Party in the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), the SP chief said that his only slogan was Assi harao, BJP hatao.

UP has 80 Lok Sabha seats. The SP had won only five in 2019 and lost two of them  Rampur and Azamgarh  to the BJP in the by-elections.

Talking about his partys alliance with Congress and BSP in the 2017 UP assembly and the 2019 Lok Sabha elections respectively, Yadav asserted that the SP has always been an honest and accommodating alliance partner.

Wherever the SP has been in alliance, you wouldnt hear us fighting over seats," he said.

Yadav also hit out at the BJP government in UP and alleged that it had failed to bring development while the law and order situation had deteriorated.
Ayodhya witnessed a whirlwind one-day visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who inaugurated projects worth an impressive Rs 15,700 crore.

While unveiling a slew of initiatives, the prime minister made a significant appeal to the public, urging them not to converge on the city for the historic Ram temple consecration ceremony on January 22. Instead, he called for a collective celebration, encouraging citizens across the nation to light diyas at their homes on that day.

Addressing a public meeting after inaugurating the renovated railway junction and airport in Ayodhya, Prime Minister Modi underscored the crucial role of vikas (development) and virasat (heritage) in propelling the nation forward.

He specifically urged those who received invitations to attend the ceremony, cautioning others to refrain from visiting the temple town to ensure safety and adherence to COVID-19 protocols.

In a notable call to action, Prime Minister Modi extended his appeal nationwide, encouraging citizens to illuminate their homes with diyas on January 22. The aim is to foster a sense of unity and celebration throughout the country.

I am a devotee of every particle and person of India; I too am eagerly awaiting the day of Pran Pratishtha at the upcoming Ram Temple, he said.

Acknowledging the fervent desire of many to witness Pran Pratishtha of Tam Lalla idol, Modi requested citizens to plan their visits after the January 22 programme for security and logistical reasons.

We waited for 550 years, wait for some more time, he emphasised.

Modis assurance resonated strongly, highlighting his track record of translating promises into action.

Today, the country has faith in Modis guarantee because Modi puts in all his efforts to fulfill the guarantees he gives. This city of Ayodhya is also a witness to this, he remarked.

During his visit, the prime minister not only inaugurated but also laid the foundation stones for 46 projects worth Rs 15,700 crore. This significant list includes the Ayodhya Dham railway junction, the Maharishi Valmiki International Airport and the launch of six Vande Bharat and two Amrit Bharat trains.

Further, addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Modi called for a nationwide cleanliness drive at pilgrimage sites and temples from January 14 to January 22, emphasising the importance of maintaining hygiene at such locations. In preparation for an expected influx of visitors, the prime minister called for a cleanliness drive in Ayodhya, urging residents to make it the cleanest city of the country.

Reflecting on the transformation of Lord Rams birthplace, the prime minister drew parallels with his governments commitment to providing concrete houses. He emphasised that just as four crore impoverished individuals received pucca houses, Lord Ram too would have a permanent abode.

Prime Minister Modi underscored the impact of the Ujjwala Yojana, noting its positive influence on the lives of millions of mothers and sisters.

Highlighting the achievements of the Ujjwala scheme, the prime minister pointed out that his government had surpassed the number of cooking gas connections provided in the previous five decades, distributing 18 crore connections, including 10 crore free of cost, within a decade.

As the nation eagerly awaits the historic ceremony, Prime Minister Modis appeal for restraint and caution during these unprecedented times resonates, underlining the delicate balance between celebrating cultural milestones and prioritising public health and safety.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Saturday that the warm welcome given to Prime Minister Narendra Modi by the people of Ayodhya was a preview of the new Ayodhya in New India.

Addressing a public meeting in Ayodhya, the chief minister said, Avadhpuri prabhu aavat jani, Bhai sakal shobha ke khani In January 2024, the grand temple is set to host the divine presence of the Lord, a momentous occasion facilitated by the auspicious hands of Prime Minister Modi Ji. The 500-year-long anticipation is on the verge of fulfillment. Preceding the Lord's arrival, the prime minister harboured a visionary dream  to transform Ayodhya into the most beautiful city globally.

The chief minister warmly welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on behalf of the people of Uttar Pradesh. He expressed heartfelt gratitude for the substantial projects, amounting to thousands of crores, dedicated to the development of both Uttar Pradesh and Ayodhya. The chief minister presented the prime minister with the statue of Bal Ram Lalla during the event.

The chief minister said that Ayodhya was connected to excellent four-lane, six-lane and eight-lane roads to be inaugurated by the prime minister. He highlighted the commendable railway infrastructure, including the introduction of a new railway junction, the launch of the Vande Bharat train, and the introduction of two new Amrit Bharat trains.

The prime minister also initiated a programme to link Lord Rams birthplace in Ayodhya to Mata Sitas birthplace in Sitamarhi. While Lord Ram is believed to have arrived in Ayodhya by Pushpak Viman during the Treta Yug, today, the prime minister gave the gift of an international airport to the people of Ayodhya, the chief minister said.

Highlighting a significant transformation, the chief minister remarked that Ayodhya, once a place people hesitated even to mention, has emerged with a new identity, thanks to Prime Minister Modi Ji.

Underscoring this transformation, the chief minister emphasised that the prime minister has set a remarkable record by frequently visiting Ayodhya, a city once met with hesitation.

Modi jis vision has paved the way for a new identity for Uttar Pradesh and heritage cities like Ayodhya. The prime minister is actively bestowing Ayodhya with top-notch development, infrastructure and connectivity enhancements in preparation for the auspicious date of January 22, he added.

Expressing gratitude, the chief minister said that the prime minister had named this international airport in Ayodhya after the Trikaldarshi Rishi Maharishi Valmiki ji, who united this world with Lord Ram.

Maharishi Valmiki is the first sage to convey Ramayana to all of us in a cosmic form. The decision to name the international airport after him is a moment that instills pride in Indias traditions and heritage, he said.

The chief minister said, After January 22, Ayodhya, the country and the world must have a new experience of Atithi Devo Bhava.

On this occasion, Governor Anandiben Patel, Union ministers Ashwini Vaishnav, Jyotiraditya Scindia, VK Singh, UP Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, Bharatiya Janata Party state president Chaudhary Bhupendra Singh, UP ministers Surya Pratap Shahi, Jitin Prasada, Dayashankar Singh, Jaiveer Singh, MP Lallu Singh, MLC Hariom Pandey, MLA Ved Prakash Gupta, Dr Amit Singh Chauhan, district panchayat chairperson Roli Singh and others were present.
In a compassionate move under the umbrella of community policing, Superintendent of Police, Rural, East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur, Rishab Garg, orchestrated a programme aimed at aiding the vulnerable Sabar tribe community. The initiative took place in the jurisdiction of Kotwali police station, where blankets were distributed to those in need.

As part of the ongoing community policing efforts, the police organised a thoughtful programme to address the pressing needs of the Sabar tribe, an indigenous community residing in the region. Recognising the challenges posed by the winter season, especially for those without adequate resources, the distribution of blankets aimed to provide warmth and comfort to the underprivileged.

The event, marked by a spirit of solidarity and shared responsibility, witnessed the active participation of local law enforcement personnel and community members. Garg, leading by example, personally handed over blankets to members of the Sabar tribe, emphasising the commitment of the police force to serve and protect not only through law enforcement but also through community welfare initiatives.

He expressed his sentiments, saying, "Community policing goes beyond traditional law enforcement. It is about forging connections, understanding the needs of our diverse communities, and actively participating in initiatives that enhance the quality of life for everyone."

A representative from the Sabar tribe expressed gratitude, stating, "We appreciate the thoughtful gesture from the police department. This act of kindness has brought warmth to our hearts during the cold winter days."

This event marks the beginning of a series of community-centric initiatives planned by the East Singhbhum police department. Superintendent Garg affirmed the commitment to fostering positive relationships with all communities within the jurisdiction, ensuring a safer and more inclusive environment for everyone.

The police department encourages collaboration and partnership with community members to identify and address local issues, strengthening the bond between law enforcement and the public.

Superintendent Rishab Garg's proactive approach to community policing reflects a commitment to creating a safer and more compassionate society. The distribution of blankets to the Sabar tribe exemplifies the department's dedication to addressing the immediate needs of vulnerable communities, fostering goodwill, and building trust between law enforcement and the residents they serve.
In a move to address the concerns of the states Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday launched a new website  nri.punjab.gov.in  under the NRI Affairs Department to provide a seamless platform for the NRIs, ensuring their well-being and fostering a connection with their roots.

The website, created by the state Governance Reforms Department with the assistance of NIC, offers detailed information on the NRI Police wing, Punjab State Commission for NRIs, and NRI Sabha. It also provides a range of facilities, allowing NRIs to get their documents attested and access various State Government schemes with a single click. The website also includes helpline numbers, email addresses, and a WhatsApp complaint number for visitors.

In addition to the website launch, Mann announced a series of initiatives aimed at enhancing services for NRIs. He informed that the State Government plans to hold five NRI milnis (meets), in February, facilitating on-the-spot redressal of problems faced by the NRIs. The inaugural meet, scheduled for February 3 in Pathankot, will include a visit to the scenic Ranjit Sagar Dam site.

One of the initiatives is the establishment of a 24x7 Facilitation Center at the arrival hall of the International Terminal at Indira Gandhi International Airport at New Delhi. The center will assist the NRIs and other passengers arriving at the terminal, offering support regarding arrival flights, connecting flights, taxi services, lost luggage facilities, and more.

Punjab Government officials will be present to resolve any travel-related grievances, both within and outside the airport, ensuring a seamless travel experience for Punjab travelers, he said.

Notably, emergency lodging at Punjab Bhawan will be available if needed, making Punjab the pioneer state to provide such amenities at IGI Airport.

Further emphasizing the welfare of NRIs, Mann announced that the NRIs Affairs Department will be strengthened. The Department will now have the authority to take action against illegal and fraudulent travel agents, he said. Additionally, the Department will facilitate the repatriation of deceased NRIs mortal remains from other countries  a responsibility previously handled by the Home Affairs Department.
Columbus Community Hospitals Occupational Health Services is offering a new lifestyle medicine program to the public.

According to the Lifestyle Medicine Institute, Pivio is built on the scientifically proven principles of lifestyle medicine and the Complete Health Improvement Program (CHIP). Pivio works with program participants to identify lifestyle conditions that could allow disease to take root. It then steers them toward a lifestyle that creates positive, long-term change.

Pivio is an excellent program that highlights the everyday challenges that get in the way of people living their best life, said Dr. Luke Lemke, program facilitator and doctor at Columbus Medical Center. It focuses on overcoming lifes challenges, and incorporates habits to help maintain a healthier lifestyle.

The program consists of 18 one-hour sessions for 13 weeks, starting Monday, Jan. 22, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Columbus Wellness Center. The cost of the class is $220, which includes two blood work-ups and biometric measurements, class materials and a free Columbus Family YMCA membership for the duration of the class.

As a Pivio participant and former CHIP graduate, I found Pivio to be a priceless education experience toward my wellness goal, said Ileana Jarecki, health and wellness manager at Occupational Health Services. The lessons are a hands-on approach to a healthier lifestyle, which makes it very easy to succeed in the program. Plus, the videos and written materials are extremely useful and user-friendly.

To learn more about Pivio or to enroll in the program, call 402-562-4490 or email imjarecki@columbushosp.org by Wednesday, Jan. 10.
Before the Western Disturbance becomes active, Madhya Pradesh is firmly gripped by dense fog. Especially in Gwalior, it is becoming difficult to see even 50 meters away. There was dense fog here on Friday.

At the same time, on Thursday, amidst fog, the maximum temperature of the day reached 15.7 degrees.

On Friday, the Meteorological Department issued an alert of very dense fog in 7 districts including Gwalior, Chhatarpur-Niwari.

Western disturbance is expected to become active on Friday night, which will start showing its effect from December 30. The weather will remain changed in the state till January 4, that is, the new year will begin with changed weather. Before this, cold and fog are increasing the problems of the people.

There may be hailstorm and rain in Gwalior, Chambal, Ujjain, Bhopal, Sagar and Rewa divisions. There may be drizzle in Indore, Narmadapuram, Jabalpur, Shahdol.

Dense with moderate fog at isolated places in Morena, Gwalior, Niwari, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, Panna, Mauganj and Rewa.

There was fog, there was light fog in Guna, Ashok Nagar, Sheopur Kalan, Vidisha, Damoh, Katni, Sidhi.

At that time, 200 meters were recorded in Gwalior, 300 meters in Khajuraho, 200-500 meters in Damoh and Reha.

There was no significant change in the minimum temperature in the districts of all the divisions. They are common in the districts of Ujjain and Jabalpur divisions.

The night temperature in (degree celsius) Bhopal 12.6, Indore 15.4, Gwalior 10.8, Jabalpur 11.5, Ujjain 13, Rajgarh 8.6, Sagar 8.7, Khajuraho 9, Nowgong 9, Tikamgarh 9, Guna 9, Khargone 9.4, Pachmarhi 9.4, Damoh 9.8 & Datia 9.8.

The Met has issued a warning of moderate to dense fog in the districts of Gwalior, Chambal divisions, Rekha, Chirpur, Tikamgarh, Niwari districts.
Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj has recommended immediate suspension of Delhi's health secretary SB Deepak Kumar by the Lieutenant Governor and Central Government on the issue of irregularity in purchase of medicines supplied in Delhi government hospitals to ensure fair inquiry in the case. The minister has also demanded strict action against the then Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Dr Nutan Mundeja in the matter.

The Delhi government's Directorate of Vigilance on Thursday wrote to the home ministry, requesting it to assign the probe into the supply of "sub-standard" drugs to state-run hospitals to the CBI. Saxena last week recommended a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the alleged supply of drugs that "failed quality standard tests" and had the "potential of endangering lives" to hospitals run by the city government.

Addressing a press conference at the Delhi Secretariat, Bharadwaj, expressed displeasure over the continuous circulation of news through newspapers and news channels that certain samples of medicines and other products used in Delhi government hospitals have not met the prescribed standards.  Despite such incidents, Delhi's Lieutenant Governor (LG) has not taken any firm action against the officials concerned, said Bharadwaj, demanding immediate suspension and strict actions by the LG and Central Govt against Delhi's Health Secretary, S.B Deepak Kumar and then DGHS Dr Nutan Mundeja on this issue.

Bharadwaj said that upon assuming ministership in March 2023, he ordered an audit of medicines, equipment, and consumables on 21.03.2023 to the Health Secretary then DGHS. Despite his repeated reminders to the Health Secretary regarding the audit, no action was taken.

In October, a complaint was lodged with the L.G. against the Health Secretary and then DGHS due to their obstructionist approach, but no action was taken. The Health Minister stated that after the disappointment from the LG's office, we knocked on the doors of the Supreme Court to initiate action on this sensitive issue. He informed the LG that these officers are deliberately trying to obstruct the essential policies of the Delhi Government, especially schemes like the Farishtey Scheme and other initiatives of the Health Department. These officers have withheld funds for other such schemes.

Bharadwaj stated that he has issued orders several times to the Health Secretary to conduct an audit regarding the procurement of medicines. However, Health Secretary S.B. Deepak Kumar has not conducted any audit, nor has any report been submitted to the Health Minister's office. If there are irregularities in the procurement of medicines, he wants them to be exposed, and action to be taken against the guilty officials. However, it appears that Health Secretary S.B. Deepak Kumar was unwilling to conduct an audit of medicines procurement, and if there were any irregularities in the procurement, he did not want them to come to light, he said.

The Delhi Health Minister raised questions about Delhi's LG and the BJP-led Central Government. Bharadwaj said he has repeatedly issued orders to the Health Secretary for an audit. Still, the Health Secretary has not conducted any audit.  The LG and the BJP-led government should take strict action against these guilty officials. Shouldn't these officials be suspended? Despite continuous reminders, Health Secretary S.B. Deepak Kumar has not conducted an audit, should the LG and the BJP-led government not take strict action against these guilty officials. I want to know if an investigation is conducted now, will it be impartial, given that the officer responsible for the audit is himself implicated in the matter? Will the health secretary not influence the investigation?, he added.

Taking a dig at LG and Central Government, Bharadwaj said It is quite clear that the BJP-led Central Government is actively working to protect the officials involved in the wrongdoing.

Health Secretary S.B. Deepak Kumar, responsible for the Health Department, should regularly inspect departmental activities, conduct audits of medicine procurement, and fulfil his duties appropriately. However, the Health Secretary has failed to do so. Before my recommendation, the LG should have suspended them.
In a significant move towards industrial growth, the Tinplate Company of India Limited (TCIL), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Jharkhand. The collaboration marks a commitment to economic development and job creation in the state.

Investment and Facility Details: TCIL is set to invest Rs 1,787 crore in establishing a cutting-edge manufacturing facility with a capacity of 300,000 Tons per Annum (TPA) in Jamshedpur. The project, scheduled for commissioning in 2026, is expected to generate over 600 direct and indirect employment opportunities. This initiative aligns with the Jharkhand Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy 2021, emphasizing job creation and economic advancement.

MoU Signing Ceremony: The MoU was formally executed at an event in Ranchi, where R N Murthy, Managing Director of TCIL, and Shri Jitendra Kumar Singh, IAS, Secretary-Industries, Government of Jharkhand, exchanged commitments. The ceremony marked a pivotal moment in fostering a partnership that aims to contribute significantly to the state's industrial growth.

TCIL's Commitment: Expressing pride in the expansion, R N Murthy, Managing Director of TCIL, highlighted the company's dedication to the economic and social development of Jamshedpur and Jharkhand. Murthy stated, "We are committed to partnering with the Jharkhand Government and local communities to promote economic and social development, including job creation, increased revenue, and skill development opportunities for the local workforce. We are thankful to the Jharkhand Government for providing full support to us.

Product Offerings and Market Presence: TCIL, known for its Tinplate and Tin Free Steel, serves various industries with versatile packaging substrates. The key products cater to segments such as Edible Oils, Paints & Pesticides, Processed Foods, Battery & Aerosols, and bottle crowns manufacturers. With over 45% share in India's domestic tinplate market, TCIL also contributes approximately 25% of its sales to global markets in South-East Asia, the Middle East, and select regions of Europe.

Legacy and Sustainability: Established in 1920, TCIL continues to evolve, aligning its growth strategy with Tata Steel's vision for sustainable development and environmental stewardship. The collaboration with the Government of Jharkhand signifies a collective effort towards building a robust industrial landscape and fostering economic prosperity in the region.
Chhattisgarh Police on Friday arrested two men in Dhamtari town and seized 6.57 grams of heroin valued at Rs 60,400.

Dhamtari Superintendent of Police Prashant Thakur identified them as Tauheed Ali and Sheikh Moin, both from Dhamtari town.

The police caught them near a godown in Adhari Navagaon when they were looking for customers to sell the drugs.
Uttar Pradesh, once considered a BIMARU state, is now registering several improvements in healthcare services due to the efforts of the Yogi government. The state has received several awards for its better performance in healthcare services in 2023.

The Yogi Adityanath-led government has taken significant steps to make the state a hub for medicine production. Today, the state is witnessing the establishment of Medical Device Park, Bulk Drug Park, and MedTech Park. Additionally, the Yogi government, which is working on treatment at zero-pocket expense, has done a lot of commendable work.

This year, the Ministry of Medical Health and Family Welfare has given National Quality Assurance Certificate to 81 medical units of 46 districts for providing quality health services to the district hospitals of the state. This includes 43 district-level, 16 community health centres, and 22 primary health centres. Additionally, other medical units in the state have also been awarded NQA certificates.

The Yogi government is promoting Skilled Birth Attendant (SBA) training to reduce the maternal-infant mortality rate in the state. This initiative aims to enhance the capabilities of ANMs, LHV (Lady Health Visitors), staff nurses, and AYUSH women doctors deployed at delivery centers in the state to provide 100 per cent safe delivery facilities to pregnant women.

The primary goal is to decrease the maternal mortality rate from the current 167 per lakh deliveries (as per National Family Health Survey-5) to 70 by the year 2030. Similarly, the target for reducing the neonatal mortality rate (per thousand live births) from the current 28 to 12 by 2030 has been set.

The training included information on the active management of the third stage of labour to prevent infections effectively. Approximately five thousand ANMs, LHVs, staff nurses and AYUSH women doctors in the state have undergone SBA training.

In 2023, the Yogi government took major steps towards the construction of a Medical Device Park on about 350 acres of land in Yamuna Authority, a Bulk Drug Park on about 2,000 acres in Lalitpur and a Jewar Medtech Park. In addition to this, the state government increased the number of seats for MBBS in government colleges by more than 1,838 and in the private sector by more than 2,150.

Furthermore, the number of seats for nursing has been increased to over 7,000 and paramedical seats to over 5,000. The construction of 22 new medical colleges is underway in the state, with some nearing completion and others in the final stages.

It is noteworthy that the Kidney transplant, which was stopped due to some technical reasons in KGMU, has been started again. A total of five patients have undergone transplants at KGMU this year. Additionally, a PET scan machine, which plays a crucial role in the detection of cancer, has been installed within the premises.

Besides, OPD for IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) was initiated at Queen Marys Hospital, freeing infertility patients from going to private institutions. Notably, the cost of this treatment at the medical college is around Rs 35-40 thousand, making it more affordable compared to private institutions that often charge several lakhs of rupees.

A total of 15 emergency beds were increased in SGPGI. The current year has been favourable for Lohia Institute as well, with the complete integration of the hospital into the institute. A new emergency unit has been established, incorporating pathology and radiology services. Thalassemia patients have received a dedicated ward.

Furthermore, a 300-bed hostel was also inaugurated in the Maternal and Child Hospital premises of the institute. Modular Pediatric ICU and maternal ICU are also ready. For the first time this year, OPD for IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation) was started in the campus.
In the wake of escalating climate change, a looming crisis unfolds as millions face displacement, transforming them into climate refugees. From the perilous US-Mexico border crossings to the sinking Small Island Developing States, the impact reverberates globally, write Chitrangada and Yasudhara

Climate change is real, and humanity is facing a potential threat. It has the power to reshape the planet Earth in the days to come, and we, as humans, are solely responsible for these unnatural changes. In April 2021, when the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) released data, it highlighted that the number of people displaced by climate change-related disasters since 2010 has increased to 21.5 million. Furthermore, the Ecosystem Threat Register (ETR) released in September 2018 by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), an Australian think tank, stated that by 2050, around 1.2 billion people will be displaced by these climate-related threats.

In 2018, when the UN adopted the Global Compact on Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration, it clearly stated that one of the factors causing large-scale migration of people is the adverse impacts of climate change and environmental degradation. Again, in March 2018, the UN Human Rights Council adopted an outcome document that strongly focused on cross-border movement of people brought about by climate crises from the angle of human rights protection.

The term climate refugees refers to climate-related migration. However, it is not adequately defined by global governance agencies like the UN or migration-related forums in the true sense of the term. The term was first coined to describe the growing large-scale migration and cross-border mass movement of people affected by natural disasters. Climate refugees are now the worlds forgotten victims, so to speak. They are not receiving what they urgently deserve.

One of the real dangers emerging from environmental chaos is the problem of climate refugees in many parts of the globe. It is affecting people from Mongolia to Mexico and from Iceland to South Africa. No one is left untouched. It has become a pandemic by now.

The impact of climate change on migration is evolving each year. One such region experiencing significant changes is the US-Mexico border, where thousands of migrants arrive after traversing the Darien Gap, risking their lives in the journey from Central America to the US. This route is considered one of the worlds most perilous migration paths, where many migrants, including the weak, elderly, children, and women, lose their lives due to treacherous pathways and various natural hazards. Consequently, many of these migrants find it challenging to realise their coveted American Dream in reality.

Media reports and migration experts have been issuing warnings about the substantial increase in migrants to the US from poor, impoverished, and rapidly climate-changing Central American nations. The trend since 2010 is particularly alarming. In 2022, almost 2,50,000 people made the crossing, driven by economic and humanitarian disasters nearly double the figures from the previous year and 20 times the annual average from 2010 to 2020. Early data for 2023 indicates a six fold increase, with 87,390 people making the trek from January to March compared to 13,791 the previous year (Walsh et al., 2023). This underscores the serious consideration of the Darien Gap by migrants seeking a brighter future in their homeland.

Another group of nations especially vulnerable to climate change is Small Island Developing States (SIDS) such as Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Fiji, etc. These countries face a daunting task in adjusting to the dynamics of climate change, particularly during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The economic slowdown in SIDS is compelling more people to migrate or abandon their native places, exacerbated by changing environmental conditions. Therefore, the 38 member states and 22 associate states designated as SIDS by the UN constitute a unique crisis, termed a sink or swim paradox, unlike other poor developing nations.

Environmental scientists and climate experts note that these states collectively contribute to less than one per cent of global carbon emissions. Despite their minimal contribution, the catastrophic effects of abnormal environmental changes render them virtually uninhabitable.

Therefore, SIDS are seeking avenues to raise awareness of their plight and gain global support, particularly financial assistance to urgently combat the climate crisis. Indeed, the recent call for a loss and damage fund established at the COP-27 summit in 2022 could be one way to address climate disasters in developing nations, including SIDS. The issue of loss and damage is crucial for many developing nations, as they bear the brunt of environmental damages caused by advanced or developed nations. Loss refers to irretrievable losses such as human lives or the loss of species, while damages indicate things that are harmed but can be repaired or restored, such as roads and sea walls. This fund is expected to have a significant impact on climate refugees and their rehabilitation in the future.

What kind of policies could alleviate this issue? The realistic solution is to ensure that we no longer pollute and produce goods and services. However, this is not entirely feasible. What we can collectively do is reduce the level of consumption and, ultimately, our greed in all aspects of life.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has been working with a long-term vision to address the issue of refugees, especially climate-displaced people. Currently, the UNHCR is engaged in 130 country operations, with regional wings spread across the world and its headquarters in Geneva. It is also focusing on 22 countries of high concern until 2026.

To tackle the climate refugee issue, the UNHCR is working towards a vision for the year 2030. This vision is firmly rooted in the UNHCRs Strategic Directions of 2022-26 and aligned with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The vision states: By 2030, an increasing number of forcibly displaced and stateless people, fleeing from climate-fueled crises and/or living in climate-vulnerable countries, find solutions, are protected and resilient to the impacts of climate change, and have the means to live self-sufficient lives. This vision is based on the Strategic Action for Climate Action launched in 2020 by the UNHCR itself. However, the new Strategic Plan for Action 2024-30 provides a clear roadmap to address the issue of climate refugees. These objectives are:

A. People who are compelled to flee across borders due to persecution, violence, and human rights violations arising from the adverse effects of climate change disasters are protected and safe. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) aligns with governments, civil society organisations, academia, regional bodies, etc, to safeguard individuals who are victims of climate change.

B. Forcibly displaced and stateless people, along with their hosts, should have access to services promoting the sustainable use of natural resources and a clean, healthy environment. The primary objective here is to encourage governments and other entities to invest in environmentally sustainable public services for these displaced individuals.

C. People forced to flee, stateless individuals, and their hosts should be able to prepare for, withstand, recover from, and be protected against the impacts of climate change. This underscores that the UNHCR collaborates with host nations to ensure the protection and well-being of climate refugees, enabling them to lead safe lives.

D. The UNHCR aims to minimise its own negative impacts on the environment. To reduce carbon footprints, the UNHCR utilises solar panels at its offices and endeavours to make its fleet entirely green. Its use of renewable energy resources aligns with the UNs broader commitment to Greening the Blue.

Thus, the UNHCR is taking numerous steps to mitigate the impact of climate change on environmentally displaced people worldwide. However, joint action is crucial, as the UNHCR alone cannot achieve this.

Migration is a global phenomenon, with climate-related displacement being the most tragic. People leave their native lands and indigenous resources to go to either completely unknown distant lands or, again, to some inhabitable lands. It is certain their future is not secure. They are more vulnerable than before. It is time to shift our focus from reaction to action. Climate change is making our lives vulnerable.

(The writers are Research Assistants at GRF)
The Congress' National Alliance Committee, set up to facilitate seat-sharing talks with INDIA bloc allies, held a slew of meetings over Friday and Saturday with state units to get their feedback on tie-ups and would apprise the leadership of the ground situation after a couple of days.

The committee has held meetings with almost all state units, including Uttar Pradesh and Delhi, with only deliberations with the Punjab unit and a few others left, an alliance committee member said.

"Our job was to get ground-level feedback from the workers and party leaders and make assessments as to what needs to be done going forward," he said.

The member also stated that the committee has sought time from the party's leadership and would have a meeting with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi where it would place before them, the details of the feedback and the panel's assessment.

The meeting would be held after a couple of days as Kharge and Gandhi may be travelling, the leader said.

After a meeting with the alliance committee, Congress general secretary and Uttar Pradesh in-charge Avinash Pande said ways to strengthen the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc successfully were discussed at the meeting.

"The report of the committee will be placed before party president Kharge, Sonia ji and Rahul ji and on (January) 4th, a meeting would be held on all these meetings and whatever decision the high command takes, we will move forward in that direction," he told reporters.

The negotiations with the allies will formally start next week after the panel gives its feedback to the party leadership, sources said.

The five-member National Alliance Committee formed last week is headed by senior Congress leader Mukul Wasnik and has Ashok Gehlot, Bhupesh Baghel, Salman Khurshid and Mohan Prakash as its members.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Saturday that the consecration of Lord Ram's idol on January 22 and the beginning of India's Amrit Kaal' are not a mere coincidence but a sign that the country will rise to prominence on the world stage in the next 25 years.

Amrit Kaal, which roughly translates to golden era', refers to the 25-year period from 75 years to 100 years of India's independence.

About the grand event in Ayodhya next month, Shah said for several years, the country was unable to reconstruct the holy place where Lord Ram was born and was destroyed 550 years ago.

Over the years, Shah said, many saints performed various kinds of penances and offered prayers for this country to awaken itself and return to its age-old, eternal culture, but it was not happening.

(Court) cases were made complicated and delayed. Then a government was formed under the leadership of Narendrabhai, and with the blessings and inspirations of saints, all the paths became smooth, and on January 22, Ram Lalla will sit in his house again, he said while addressing the Shri Purani Swami Smruti Mahotsav organised by Swaminarayan Gurukul Vishwavidya Pratishthanam (SGVP) here.

And it cannot be a coincidence that the restoration of Ram Lalla in his home and the beginning of India's Amrit Kaal are happening together. It is not a coincidence, it is nature's sign that India is going to be on top (on the world stage) in the 25 years of its Amrit Kaal, he said.

The idol of Lord Ram will be installed in the Ayodhya temple at an auspicious time in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 22.

Shah said Ram Lalla will enter his house at a time when India's yoga and Ayurveda are receiving acceptance all over the world, and the entire world is looking at them with surprise.

The whole world is eager to understand the scientific viewpoints of our Vedas, Upanishads and philosophy, and at that very moment, Ram Lalla will enter his house. Modiji will go to Ayodhya on 22nd (January) and will perform the consecration of Ram Lalla there in the presence of saints, he said.

He said this is an auspicious signal for the entire country, because not just Ayodhya, the Modi government has renovated the corridor of Kashi Vishwanath temple which was razed by Aurangzeb, rebuilt Mahakal Lok corridor in Ujjain, temples in Badridham, Kedardham, and Somnath, and established Shaktipeeth at Pavagadh in Gujarat, he said.

Modi's leadership has worked to awaken the soul of the country, said the Union minister.

The world today is keen to know about India's heritage. From spirituality to Ayurveda, from social science to solar, from mathematics to metaverse, and from zero to space, today we are seeing India's dominance everywhere in the world, he said.

After India gained independence, people with faith in India had a feeling that the country had lost direction in its efforts to become Bharat' and was rather heading somewhere else, Shah said. Then Modi became the prime minister and the whole world is praising India, he said.

This tension was in everyone's mind for years. Within politics, all of us BJP workers have been trying since 1950 to change this direction. Then a day came when the former chief minister of Gujarat became the prime minister of the country. Today the whole world is praising India," he said.

Narendrabhai has said that the period from 75 years to 100 years of India's independence will be Amrit Kaal. When the country will be celebrating its centenary of independence in 2047, there will not be any area where India will not be first in the world, he said. Today the people of the country have resolved to create such an India, Shah said.

Speaking at the event, Shah said Modi named the point where Chandrayaan landed on the Moon as the Shiv Shakti' spot. Modi helped the nation successfully fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, despite experts the world over being concerned about the country with such a huge population and weak public healthcare.

Between 2004-14, women did not feel safe, and youths and Army jawans were buried deep in the sea of hopelessness. During 2014-24, the same country is moving ahead with a stronger commitment to become the number one in the world, he said.

Shah lauded the works of the Swaminarayan sect and said that it made a deep impact on the lives of many people by helping them stay connected to Sanatan Dharma' through devotion, deaddiction, and activities to keep families together during the hard times of British rule.

I have no hesitation in saying that if the gurukuls' of different institutions of Swaminarayan had not been working in Gujarat, the state's campaign of universal education would have remained incomplete, he said.

Gurukuls were established in remote tribal areas to prevent religious conversion, he said.

Through Gurukuls, we connected our tribal children with Sanatan Dharma, also imparted the values to them, and gave them the courage to reach greater heights in their lives," he said.

SGVP Gurukul is a combination of patriotism, spirituality and modern education, he added.
Nearly a month after the Rajasthan election results were declared, several BJP MLAs will be inducted into the cabinet on Saturday.

Governor Kalraj Mishra will administer the oath of office to the BJP MLAs at a ceremony at Raj Bhavan here.

Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma met Mishra at Raj Bhavan and sought his permission for the swearing-in ceremony, according to an official statement.

The governor gave his consent for the ceremony, which will be held at Raj Bhawan at 3:15 pm, the statement said.

Ahead of the ceremony, Ramganj Mandi MLA Madan Dilawar reached the BJP office here and met senior party leaders.

Garhi MLA Kailash Meena arrived in Jaipur from Udaipur. Udaipur MLA Tarachand Jain also left for Jaipur.

Preparations for the swearing-in ceremony are underway at Raj Bhavan.

Ahead of the cabinet expansion, Sharma met the BJP high command in Delhi on Friday.

The results for the Rajasthan assembly elections were announced on December 3 with the BJP winning 115 of the 199 seats on which polling was held.

The party declared Sharma, a first-time MLA, as the chief minister and Diya Kumari and Prem Chand Bairwa as his deputies on December 12.
Taiwan's presidential candidates expressed desire for peaceful relations with Beijing, which has described January 13 elections on the self-ruled island as a choice between war and peace and stepped up harassment of the territory it claims as own.

William Lai, the frontrunner and currently Taiwan's vice president from the ruling Democratic People's Party, said in a televised debate Saturday that he was open to communicating with the government in Beijing, which has refused to talk to him or President Tsai Ing-wen.

Beijing favours the candidate from the more China-friendly Nationalist, or Kuomintang, Party, and has criticized Lai and Tsai as separatists and accused them of trying to provoke a Chinese attack on Taiwan.

Taiwan split from China amid civil war in 1949, but Beijing continues to regard the island of 23 million with its high-tech economy as Chinese territory and has been steadily increasing its threat to achieve that goal by military force if necessary.

Tensions with China have featured strongly in the presidential campaign.

China has also stepped up military pressure on the island by sending military jets and ships near it almost daily. Taiwan's Defense Ministry this month also reported Chinese balloons, which could be used for spying, flying in its vicinity.

Differences over Taiwan are a major flashpoint in US-China relations. The United States is bound by law to provide Taiwan with the weapons it needs to defend itself.

Lai - who tops most opinion polls - promised to help strengthen Taiwan's defense and economy if elected.

As long as there is equality and dignity on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, Taiwan's door will always be open, he said during the debate. I am willing to conduct exchanges and cooperation with China to enhance the well-being of the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

The international community has realized the threat China poses to Taiwan and the international community, Lai said. In fact, everyone is already preparing to respond. We should  unite and cooperate to ensure peace.

Hou Yu-ih, the Kuomintang candidate, also said he sought peaceful relations with Beijing.

The Kuomintang previously endorsed unification with China but has shifted its stance in recent years as Taiwan's electorate is increasingly identifying as Taiwanese - as opposed to Chinese - and wants to maintain the status quo in relations with Beijing.

Hou said he opposed Taiwan's independence but also a potential unification under China's one country, two systems framework, which Beijing has used to govern Hong Kong, a former British colony that returned to China in 1997. Hou said he sought democracy and freedom for Taiwan.

The third candidate, Ko Wen-je, from the smaller Taiwan People's Party, referenced a quote by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken regarding US-China relations, saying that Taiwan and China will cooperate if they can cooperate, compete if there's a need to compete, and confront each other if they must confront each other.

The people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are of the same race and have the same history, language, religion and culture, but at this stage, we have a different political system and way of life, Ko said, adding that "Taiwan needs self-reliance, and both sides of the Taiwan Strait need peace.

We have to make it clear to the Chinese government that my bottom line is that Taiwan must maintain its current democratic and free political system and way of life, Ko said.
For years, the Columbus Home and Builders Show has been held as a way to connect vendors to people looking to build, renovate or add on to a home. Steve Long, organizer of the event, said it draws a wide variety of businesses to come show their products to potential customers and vice versa.

From Feb. 23-25, the show is going to be held at the Ag Park arena, a new location, but Long said they're excited to bring the show back to a large space.

"Our vendors are going to be contractors, suppliers, plumbers, electricians ... The show is for people to come through and get ideas about projects and things to do like remodels, painting, flooring, carpeting," Long said.

In a time where builders are extremely busy and may have limited capacity for jobs, this serves as a way for customers to reach them ahead of time and ask questions about projects they might have down the road.

"They can come in and talk to all these people about projects they might have and get in touch with the builder," Long said. "It's hard to get builders anymore because they're so busy."

Larry Wilcox, assistant manager of Mead Lumber, one of the regular vendors at the event, said that shows like this are important to their business because it's an easy way to get their name out to the public.

"It's really good exposure for the company. We can showcase some of the new products that are out there and some of the things we do that people maybe aren't aware of," Wilcox said.

The event serves a second purpose, Long said, as the money raised from vendor table space and the $5 admission goes toward the Columbus Home Builders Association's efforts for the year.

"It's a fundraiser for our group and what we do with the money is donate it to a charitable organization; we pick one each year, and it funds our organization as far as lobbyists and such," Long said. "We meet with state senators, people in Washington, D.C., to try to keep housing affordable. We try to keep affordable housing alive and that becomes tougher all the time."

This year, Long said they have some interesting displays on the roster, from a massive patio display to a model train setup and even some demonstrations.

"We have a guy from UNL (University of Nebraska-Lincoln) doing a seminar on pollinating flowers and beekeeping Sunday (Feb. 25)," Long said. "That's become a big thing, people realizing that without bees, nothing else grows. A lot of people are getting into it, then they can make their own honey and stuff."

On Saturday, Feb. 24, the Wildlife Encounters crew will bring some animals for guests to meet as well. The event, while focused around home building, is a family event, Long said.

"We've got a lot of neat stuff we haven't had in the past, getting some new stuff," Long said. "The whole thing is to get people looking to possibly do something with people who do that thing and make that connection, whether that's a bathroom remodel, roofing or building a house."

Vendors have until Dec. 31 to contact Long at 402-910-4142 or register at columbushomebuilders.org/Home-Show for table space.
Bangladesh on Friday deployed a total of 1,151 platoons of paramilitary border guards across the country to ensure that the January 7 general election can be held in a free, fair and peaceful manner amid a boycott by the main Opposition BNP and its allies.

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel will work in tandem with the police, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and armed forces for 13 days surrounding the January 7 polls, starting on Friday. Typically, each platoon consists of around 30 BGB troopers. From December 29 to January 10, the BGB will operate as a mobile and striking force to ensure security in constituencies across the country, including Dhaka, the paramilitary force said. Army personnel will be deployed across the country from January 3 to January 10 to help maintain law and order before, during, and after the upcoming national polls.

Ailing former premier Khaleda Zias Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is carrying out an anti-election street campaign, calling for intermittent strikes and transport blockades, saying no election under the incumbent government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina would be fair or neutral. The BNP has also called for civil disobedience against the Awami Party-led dispensation, urging people not to pay taxes and utility bills to press its demand for a non-party interim government for election oversight by amending the countrys Constitution.

The BNP is boycotting the election after its demand for an interim non-party neutral government to organise the voting was rejected by the government. The party had boycotted the 2014 election but took part in 2018 polls, which party leaders later said was a mistake alleging that the voting was marred with widespread rigging and intimidation.

Since October 29, the BNP has been holding intermittent nationwide strikes and transport blockades. According to a media tally, 11 people died, 386 vehicles were torched, and four trains were derailed from tracks in the past two months in political violence. Police arrested thousands of opposition activists and figures, including de-facto BNP leader and party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, over charges of violence. Hasina, 76, also the President of the Awami Party, alleged that BNP is hatching conspiracies from abroad, in an apparent reference to the partys acting chairman and Zias son Tarique Rahman who has taken refuge in the UK to evade jail terms.

Several Bangladeshi courts declared Rahman a fugitive as he took refuge in the UK to evade jail terms for several criminal charges, including a grenade attack on a rally of the then-opposition Awami League in 2004 in which 24 people were killed. Hasina narrowly escaped the attack, which also wounded some 500 of her party leaders, activists and supporters.
B&M European Value Retail S.A. (LON:BME  Get Free Report) has received an average rating of Hold from the ten brokerages that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month target price among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is GBX 541 ($6.87).

BME has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Citigroup upgraded B&M European Value Retail to a buy rating and upped their price objective for the stock from GBX 540 ($6.86) to GBX 640 ($8.13) in a report on Tuesday, November 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on B&M European Value Retail from GBX 513 ($6.52) to GBX 550 ($6.99) and gave the stock an underweight rating in a report on Thursday, November 16th. Berenberg Bank dropped their price objective on B&M European Value Retail from GBX 645 ($8.20) to GBX 630 ($8.01) and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, November 14th. The Goldman Sachs Group cut shares of B&M European Value Retail to an underweight rating and set a GBX 513 ($6.52) price target for the company. in a research report on Tuesday, September 5th. Finally, Shore Capital raised shares of B&M European Value Retail to a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 6th.

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Insider Activity at B&M European Value Retail

B&M European Value Retail Trading Down 0.3 %

In other news, insider Mike Schmidt sold 17,055 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 547 ($6.95), for a total value of 93,290.85 ($118,539.83). Corporate insiders own 4.23% of the companys stock.

Shares of BME opened at GBX 560.20 ($7.12) on Wednesday. The stock has a fifty day moving average of GBX 556.55 and a two-hundred day moving average of GBX 559.58. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 280.00, a quick ratio of 0.38 and a current ratio of 1.37. The company has a market capitalization of 5.60 billion, a PE ratio of 1,600.57 and a beta of 1.11. B&M European Value Retail has a fifty-two week low of GBX 408.60 ($5.19) and a fifty-two week high of GBX 618.20 ($7.86).

B&M European Value Retail Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, November 16th were given a dividend of GBX 5.10 ($0.06) per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 16th. This represents a dividend yield of 0.95%. B&M European Value Retails dividend payout ratio is presently 4,285.71%.

About B&M European Value Retail

(Get Free Report

B&M European Value Retail SA operates general merchandise and grocery stores. The company operates a chain of stores under the B&M, Heron Foods, and B&M Express in the United Kingdom; and stores under the B&M brand in France. It also provides property management services. The company was founded in 1978 and is based in Munsbach, Luxembourg.

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StockNews.com cut shares of New York Community Bancorp (NYSE:NYCB  Free Report) from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report published on Wednesday.

A number of other research analysts have also weighed in on NYCB. Wedbush lowered shares of New York Community Bancorp from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and reduced their price objective for the company from $12.00 to $8.00 in a research note on Tuesday, November 14th. Bank of America cut their price target on shares of New York Community Bancorp from $15.00 to $13.00 in a report on Tuesday, October 10th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods downgraded shares of New York Community Bancorp from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and cut their price target for the company from $14.00 to $12.00 in a report on Monday, December 18th. Jefferies Financial Group cut their price target on shares of New York Community Bancorp from $15.00 to $12.00 in a report on Tuesday, October 10th. Finally, Morgan Stanley cut their price target on shares of New York Community Bancorp from $12.00 to $10.50 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Monday, December 4th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, New York Community Bancorp presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $12.35.

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New York Community Bancorp Stock Down 1.9 %

New York Community Bancorp stock opened at $10.22 on Wednesday. New York Community Bancorp has a 1-year low of $5.81 and a 1-year high of $14.22. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 2.56, a P/E/G ratio of 0.75 and a beta of 1.10. The company has a current ratio of 1.12, a quick ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.39. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $9.76 and a 200 day simple moving average of $11.00.

New York Community Bancorp (NYSE:NYCB  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 26th. The financial services provider reported $0.36 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.35 by $0.01. New York Community Bancorp had a net margin of 37.39% and a return on equity of 9.49%. The business had revenue of $1.67 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $931.90 million. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.31 EPS. On average, analysts predict that New York Community Bancorp will post 1.37 earnings per share for the current year.

New York Community Bancorp Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 16th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 6th were issued a dividend of $0.17 per share. This represents a $0.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.65%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 3rd. New York Community Bancorps dividend payout ratio is currently 17.04%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other New York Community Bancorp news, EVP Reginald E. Davis sold 11,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $9.84, for a total value of $108,240.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 70,416 shares of the companys stock, valued at $692,893.44. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. 1.62% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of New York Community Bancorp

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Orion Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in New York Community Bancorp in the third quarter worth $28,000. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P purchased a new position in shares of New York Community Bancorp in the third quarter valued at about $29,000. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd purchased a new position in shares of New York Community Bancorp in the second quarter valued at about $27,000. Point72 Asset Management L.P. purchased a new position in shares of New York Community Bancorp in the second quarter valued at about $35,000. Finally, Authentikos Wealth Advisory LLC purchased a new position in shares of New York Community Bancorp in the third quarter valued at about $35,000. 67.52% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About New York Community Bancorp

(Get Free Report)

New York Community Bancorp, Inc operates as the bank holding company for Flagstar Bank, N.A. that provides banking products and services in the United States. The company's deposit products include interest-bearing checking and money market, savings, non-interest-bearing, and retirement accounts, as well as certificates of deposit.

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StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Textainer Group (NYSE:TGH  Free Report) in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday morning. The brokerage issued a hold rating on the transportation companys stock.

Separately, B. Riley lowered shares of Textainer Group from a buy rating to a neutral rating and lowered their price objective for the stock from $55.00 to $50.00 in a research note on Monday, October 23rd.

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Textainer Group Stock Down 0.1 %

Shares of TGH opened at $49.20 on Wednesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.09 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.10 and a beta of 1.12. Textainer Group has a 12-month low of $30.22 and a 12-month high of $49.60. The company has a current ratio of 1.14, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.78. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $49.22 and a 200-day moving average price of $42.74.

Textainer Group (NYSE:TGH  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, November 2nd. The transportation company reported $1.08 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.13 by ($0.05). The company had revenue of $192.50 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $190.75 million. Textainer Group had a net margin of 29.57% and a return on equity of 13.70%. Equities research analysts expect that Textainer Group will post 4.46 earnings per share for the current year.

Textainer Group Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 1st were issued a $0.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, November 30th. This represents a $1.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.44%. Textainer Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 24.64%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Textainer Group

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Donald Smith & CO. Inc. raised its holdings in Textainer Group by 2.7% in the first quarter. Donald Smith & CO. Inc. now owns 2,829,216 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $90,846,000 after purchasing an additional 73,790 shares in the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its holdings in shares of Textainer Group by 4.0% during the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 3,661,020 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $117,555,000 after acquiring an additional 139,904 shares in the last quarter. Rhumbline Advisers increased its holdings in shares of Textainer Group by 10.7% during the second quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 77,180 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $3,039,000 after acquiring an additional 7,431 shares in the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Textainer Group by 340.1% during the second quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 29,691 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $1,169,000 after acquiring an additional 22,944 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Truist Financial Corp acquired a new position in shares of Textainer Group during the second quarter valued at about $481,000. 44.28% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Textainer Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Textainer Group Holdings Limited, through its subsidiaries, engages in the purchase, ownership, management, leasing, and disposal of a fleet of intermodal containers worldwide. It operates through three segments: Container Ownership, Container Management, and Container Resale. The company's containers include standard and specialized dry freight, and refrigerated containers, as well as other special-purpose containers, which include tank, 45', pallet-wide, and other types of containers.

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TFI International (NYSE:TFII  Free Report) had its target price upped by Royal Bank of Canada from $133.00 to $160.00 in a research report report published on Wednesday morning, BayStreet.CA reports. They currently have an outperform rating on the stock.

A number of other brokerages have also recently commented on TFII. Bank of America increased their price target on shares of TFI International from $127.00 to $140.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday. Desjardins dropped their target price on shares of TFI International from $192.00 to $182.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 25th. BMO Capital Markets dropped their target price on shares of TFI International from $127.00 to $122.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 25th. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on shares of TFI International from $160.00 to $164.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, October 25th. Finally, National Bankshares dropped their target price on shares of TFI International from $191.00 to $178.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 25th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $154.65.

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TFI International Trading Up 0.1 %

NYSE TFII opened at $135.98 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $11.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.59, a PEG ratio of 2.70 and a beta of 1.50. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $117.30 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $121.39. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60, a quick ratio of 1.20 and a current ratio of 1.23. TFI International has a 52 week low of $98.61 and a 52 week high of $138.16.

TFI International (NYSE:TFII  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Monday, October 23rd. The company reported $1.57 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.73 by ($0.16). The firm had revenue of $1.91 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.88 billion. TFI International had a net margin of 7.02% and a return on equity of 21.38%. The companys revenue was down 14.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $2.01 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that TFI International will post 6.24 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

TFI International Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, January 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 29th will be given a dividend of $0.40 per share. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.18%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 28th. This is a positive change from TFI Internationals previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. TFI Internationals dividend payout ratio is presently 26.58%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in TFII. US Bancorp DE grew its position in shares of TFI International by 1,700.8% during the 1st quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 4,376 shares of the companys stock worth $466,000 after purchasing an additional 4,133 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its position in shares of TFI International by 0.9% during the 3rd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 132,859 shares of the companys stock worth $12,022,000 after acquiring an additional 1,208 shares in the last quarter. Ensign Peak Advisors Inc boosted its position in shares of TFI International by 94.1% during the 3rd quarter. Ensign Peak Advisors Inc now owns 3,300 shares of the companys stock worth $315,000 after acquiring an additional 1,600 shares in the last quarter. Neuberger Berman Group LLC boosted its position in shares of TFI International by 17.9% during the 3rd quarter. Neuberger Berman Group LLC now owns 33,450 shares of the companys stock worth $3,106,000 after acquiring an additional 5,068 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Marshall Wace LLP acquired a new stake in shares of TFI International during the 4th quarter worth approximately $5,941,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 60.32% of the companys stock.

About TFI International

(Get Free Report)

TFI International Inc provides transportation and logistics services in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The company operates through Package and Courier, Less-Than-Truckload (LTL), Truckload (TL), and Logistics segments. The Package and Courier segment engages in the pickup, transport, and delivery of items.

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US Foods (NYSE:USFD  Get Free Report) was upgraded by investment analysts at StockNews.com from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note issued to investors on Thursday.

A number of other analysts also recently weighed in on USFD. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of US Foods from $44.00 to $46.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, November 17th. Truist Financial increased their price target on shares of US Foods from $50.00 to $52.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, November 10th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft initiated coverage on shares of US Foods in a research report on Thursday, October 19th. They issued a buy rating and a $50.00 price target on the stock. Morgan Stanley increased their price target on shares of US Foods from $54.00 to $56.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, November 10th. Finally, Barclays cut their price target on shares of US Foods from $51.00 to $44.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, October 23rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $49.70.

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Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on USFD

US Foods Stock Performance

US Foods stock opened at $45.41 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 1.29, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.97. US Foods has a 1 year low of $33.68 and a 1 year high of $45.84. The company has a market cap of $11.16 billion, a PE ratio of 25.23, a PEG ratio of 0.86 and a beta of 1.50. The companys 50-day moving average is $42.61 and its two-hundred day moving average is $41.55.

US Foods (NYSE:USFD  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, November 9th. The company reported $0.65 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.65. US Foods had a net margin of 1.28% and a return on equity of 13.55%. The company had revenue of $9.11 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.12 billion. Equities analysts anticipate that US Foods will post 2.49 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Transactions at US Foods

In other news, Director Scott D. Ferguson sold 3,000,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $43.87, for a total transaction of $131,610,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 15,932,877 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $698,975,313.99. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 1.00% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On US Foods

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in US Foods by 0.3% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 22,477,103 shares of the companys stock worth $892,341,000 after purchasing an additional 61,179 shares during the period. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky boosted its position in US Foods by 102.3% during the third quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky now owns 73,883 shares of the companys stock worth $2,933,000 after purchasing an additional 37,370 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its position in US Foods by 7.5% during the third quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 2,870,370 shares of the companys stock worth $113,954,000 after purchasing an additional 199,269 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its position in US Foods by 10.1% during the third quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 353,383 shares of the companys stock worth $14,029,000 after purchasing an additional 32,547 shares during the period. Finally, SkyView Investment Advisors LLC boosted its position in US Foods by 3.3% during the third quarter. SkyView Investment Advisors LLC now owns 16,306 shares of the companys stock worth $648,000 after purchasing an additional 525 shares during the period. 98.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

US Foods Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

US Foods Holding Corp., through its subsidiary, engages in marketing, sale, and distribution of fresh, frozen, and dry food and non-food products to foodservice customers in the United States. The company's customers include independently owned single and multi-unit restaurants, regional concepts, national restaurant chains, hospitals, nursing homes, hotels and motels, country clubs, government and military organizations, colleges and universities, and retail locations.

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Amplius Wealth Advisors LLC decreased its stake in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) by 18.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 14,201 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 3,173 shares during the period. Amplius Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in JPMorgan Chase & Co. were worth $2,059,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of JPM. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. boosted its position in JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 1.6% in the third quarter. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 89,805 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $13,291,000 after purchasing an additional 1,444 shares during the last quarter. Perennial Advisors LLC boosted its position in JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 0.3% in the third quarter. Perennial Advisors LLC now owns 59,314 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $8,602,000 after purchasing an additional 198 shares during the last quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. boosted its position in JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 12.3% in the third quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. now owns 2,491 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $361,000 after purchasing an additional 273 shares during the last quarter. Equitec Proprietary Markets LLC purchased a new position in JPMorgan Chase & Co. in the third quarter worth $1,407,000. Finally, Leonard Rickey Investment Advisors P.L.L.C. boosted its position in JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 2.3% in the third quarter. Leonard Rickey Investment Advisors P.L.L.C. now owns 4,626 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $671,000 after purchasing an additional 105 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 68.94% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CEO Marianne Lake sold 32,243 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated 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 completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 131,962 shares in the company, valued at $21,113,920. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. 0.79% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. Price Performance

JPMorgan Chase & Co. stock opened at $170.15 on Friday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. has a 52 week low of $123.11 and a 52 week high of $170.69. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $153.80 and a 200 day simple moving average of $149.92. 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 stock has a market cap of $491.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.16, a PEG ratio of 2.05 and a beta of 1.13.

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, topping the consensus estimate 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 business had revenue of $40.69 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $39.63 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $3.12 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 24.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts forecast that JPMorgan Chase & Co. will post 16.55 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 31st. Investors of record on Thursday, January 4th will be given a dividend of $1.05 per share. This represents a $4.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.47%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 4th. JPMorgan Chase & Co.s payout ratio is 25.07%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

JPM has been the topic of several research analyst reports. HSBC initiated coverage on JPMorgan Chase & Co. in a research report on Thursday, September 7th. They issued a hold rating and a $159.00 price objective on the stock. Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $187.00 to $191.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, October 16th. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a $158.00 target price on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in a research note on Friday, September 8th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on JPMorgan Chase & Co. in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Finally, Evercore ISI boosted their target price on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $158.00 to $167.00 in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, JPMorgan Chase & Co. has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $168.80.

Check Out Our Latest Research 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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Town & Country Bank & Trust CO dba First Bankers Trust CO cut its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 11.3% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 12,232 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,559 shares during the period. Eli Lilly and Company comprises approximately 3.3% of Town & Country Bank & Trust CO dba First Bankers Trust COs investment portfolio, making the stock its 4th biggest holding. Town & Country Bank & Trust CO dba First Bankers Trust COs holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $6,570,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Retirement Group LLC raised its position 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 acquired a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the second quarter worth about $33,000. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 156.4% in the first quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. now owns 100 shares of the companys stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 61 shares during the period. Activest Wealth Management acquired a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the second quarter worth about $40,000. Finally, RVW Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the third quarter worth about $46,000. 81.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Eli Lilly and Company Stock Performance

Eli Lilly and Company stock opened at $583.65 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $585.14 and a 200-day simple moving average of $540.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.59, a current ratio of 1.05 and a quick ratio of 0.82. Eli Lilly and Company has a 1-year low of $309.20 and a 1-year high of $629.97. The stock has a market cap of $554.06 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 105.73, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.54 and a beta of 0.33.

Eli Lilly and Company Increases Dividend

Eli Lilly and Company ( NYSE:LLY Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 2nd. The company reported $0.10 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.08) by $0.18. Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 15.55% and a return on equity of 48.12%. The firm had revenue of $9.50 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.88 billion. On average, analysts expect that Eli Lilly and Company will post 6.6 EPS for the current year.

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 issued a dividend of $1.30 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 14th. This is a positive change from Eli Lilly and Companys previous quarterly dividend of $1.13. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.89%. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio is 81.88%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have weighed in on LLY shares. Truist Financial reiterated a buy rating and issued a $650.00 price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Wednesday, November 29th. UBS Group reiterated a buy rating and issued a $710.00 price objective (up previously from $612.00) on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Friday, October 20th. TheStreet cut shares of Eli Lilly and Company from a b rating to a c+ rating in a research note on Monday, December 4th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft began coverage on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research note on Thursday, November 9th. They set a hold rating and a $535.00 target price for the company. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued an overweight rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research note on Wednesday, November 8th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and seventeen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $583.24.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on LLY

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Eli Lilly and Company news, CAO Donald A. Zakrowski sold 670 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $571.10, for a total transaction of $382,637.00. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 4,708 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,688,738.80. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. In other 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 directly owns 99,768,810 shares in the company, valued at approximately $60,404,028,326.40. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CAO Donald A. Zakrowski sold 670 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $571.10, for a total transaction of $382,637.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 4,708 shares in the company, valued at $2,688,738.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.13% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Eli Lilly and Company Company Profile

(Free Report)

Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. It offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; and Jardiance, Trajenta, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes.

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Oak Thistle LLC acquired a new stake in shares of The Bank of New York Mellon Co. (NYSE:BK  Free Report) in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor acquired 12,484 shares of the banks stock, valued at approximately $532,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. BlackRock Inc. boosted its stake in Bank of New York Mellon by 2.2% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 65,986,790 shares of the banks stock valued at $2,998,440,000 after purchasing an additional 1,425,117 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp boosted its stake in Bank of New York Mellon by 1.7% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 31,433,413 shares of the banks stock valued at $1,399,416,000 after purchasing an additional 526,561 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in Bank of New York Mellon by 1.5% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 15,532,722 shares of the banks stock valued at $689,646,000 after purchasing an additional 230,185 shares during the last quarter. Longview Partners Guernsey LTD boosted its stake in Bank of New York Mellon by 2.5% during the 2nd quarter. Longview Partners Guernsey LTD now owns 12,774,641 shares of the banks stock valued at $568,727,000 after purchasing an additional 315,031 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Bank of New York Mellon during the 4th quarter valued at $503,489,000. Institutional investors own 81.29% of the companys stock.

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Bank of New York Mellon Price Performance

NYSE BK opened at $52.03 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $40.01 billion, a PE ratio of 12.21, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.20 and a beta of 1.11. 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 businesss fifty day moving average is $47.41 and its 200 day moving average is $45.23. The Bank of New York Mellon Co. has a fifty-two week low of $39.65 and a fifty-two week high of $52.31.

Bank of New York Mellon Announces Dividend

Bank of New York Mellon ( NYSE:BK Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, October 17th. The bank reported $1.27 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.15 by $0.12. The company had revenue of $4.37 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.32 billion. Bank of New York Mellon had a return on equity of 11.84% and a net margin of 11.81%. Bank of New York Mellons quarterly revenue was up 2.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.21 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts predict that The Bank of New York Mellon Co. will post 4.87 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 9th. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 27th were issued a dividend of $0.42 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, October 26th. This represents a $1.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.23%. Bank of New York Mellons dividend payout ratio is presently 39.44%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have commented on the company. Bank of America cut their target price on Bank of New York Mellon from $55.00 to $53.00 in a research note on Tuesday, October 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded 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, December 18th. Evercore ISI dropped their price target on Bank of New York Mellon from $47.00 to $45.00 in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Bank of New York Mellon in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their price target on 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. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $52.77.

Check Out Our Latest Report on Bank of New York Mellon

Bank of New York Mellon Company 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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KRS Capital Management LLC decreased its holdings in shares of Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE  Free Report) by 17.1% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 6,671 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 1,380 shares during the quarter. KRS Capital Management LLCs holdings in Pfizer were worth $221,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in PFE. Red Door Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Pfizer by 6.8% in the third quarter. Red Door Wealth Management LLC now owns 138,016 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $4,578,000 after buying an additional 8,743 shares in the last quarter. Connecticut Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Pfizer by 18.9% in the third quarter. Connecticut Wealth Management LLC now owns 16,542 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $549,000 after buying an additional 2,632 shares in the last quarter. Asset Planning Services Inc. LA ADV grew its stake in shares of Pfizer by 2.8% in the third quarter. Asset Planning Services Inc. LA ADV now owns 125,453 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $4,161,000 after buying an additional 3,375 shares in the last quarter. Patriot Financial Group Insurance Agency LLC grew its stake in shares of Pfizer by 16.3% in the third quarter. Patriot Financial Group Insurance Agency LLC now owns 26,335 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $874,000 after buying an additional 3,686 shares in the last quarter. Finally, McGlone Suttner Wealth Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Pfizer by 4.7% in the third quarter. McGlone Suttner Wealth Management Inc. now owns 13,388 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $444,000 after buying an additional 596 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.05% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. BMO Capital Markets dropped 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. Jefferies Financial Group raised Pfizer from a hold rating to a buy rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $38.00 to $39.00 in a research note on Monday, October 16th. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on Pfizer from $39.00 to $37.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, November 1st. Citigroup decreased their price target on Pfizer from $42.00 to $35.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Monday, October 16th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed an overweight rating on shares of Pfizer in a report on Monday, December 18th. Twelve investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Pfizer presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $40.35.

Insider Transactions at Pfizer

In other Pfizer news, Director Scott Gottlieb bought 3,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 15th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $26.47 per share, with a total value of $79,410.00. Following the purchase, the director now owns 9,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $238,230. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.05% of the companys stock.

Pfizer Stock Performance

Shares of PFE stock opened at $28.79 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $162.56 billion, a PE ratio of 15.73, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.69 and a beta of 0.61. Pfizer Inc. has a 52-week low of $25.76 and a 52-week high of $51.60. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $29.43 and its 200 day moving average price is $33.34. The company has a quick ratio of 2.05, a current ratio of 2.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63.

Pfizer (NYSE:PFE  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 31st. The biopharmaceutical company reported ($0.17) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.32) by $0.15. The firm 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%. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Pfizer Inc. will post 1.53 EPS for the current year.

Pfizer Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced 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 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.84%. This is an increase from Pfizers previous quarterly dividend of $0.41. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 25th. Pfizers dividend payout ratio is 89.62%.

About Pfizer

(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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In 2023, I had the privilege of meeting so many interesting individuals and seeing so many interesting things in the Platte County area and, as I went to write this, I was reminded of our motto in the news studio at the University of Nebraska at Omaha: "The people are the story."

In light of that, below I have compiled my five top stories of the year, in no order whatsoever, which feature the people and things that made stories in Columbus in 2023.

Rocket Mobility rocks to the top: Rocket Mobility motorized wheelchair officially coolest invention in Nebraska

I did two stories on this topic, once when they made the list and one when they were officially the top. This device, the Rocket Mobility motorized wheelchair, is a cool machine. Rather than the conventional wheels on a wheelchair, it's equipped with tracks so that users can go off-road and do the things they enjoy that aren't on a sidewalk or indoors. Speaking to the people who make them, 3-D Designs Vice President Andy Havlovic and the crew at Rocket Mobility, you can tell they love what they do.

In addition to fighting their way up the ladder against fire trucks, Costco rotisserie chickens and other awesome Nebraska inventions, Rocket Mobility helps disabled veterans with their devices through a group called the Freedom Alliance in Virginia. The group's president, Tom Kilgannon, even sent out a letter of support to his colleagues urging them to vote for Rocket Mobility.

It was inspiring hearing 3-D's Vice President of Customer Relations Luke Heaton describe the reactions they get when they deliver the devices. It showed me exactly the kind of impact something as simple as a motorized wheelchair company in Columbus can have.

Always part of the community: Ball family gives support, gets support back from Columbus following Lahaina fire

The Lahaina fires were one of the biggest events in 2023 nationwide, and finding out we had a local connection caught my attention. What really cemented this story as one of the best and one of my favorites for the year was that this community was willing to help someone who lived over 3,000 miles away because he and his family lived here for some time. People here still cared about them.

Kim Ball and his son, Blake, gave their accounts of what happened and thankfully, their families were spared any physical injuries. Their stories about seeing what was their home reduced to rubble and seeing their communities (Nebraska and Hawaii) come together to rebuild things was really cool.

Finding the lost: Excavation begins on possible site of four graves near Genoa Industrial Indian School

I like history, and in this case, even that of the industrial Indian schools. This story took quite a lot of waiting at the excavation site for other news teams to clear out and for people to have a spare moment to talk, but I actually enjoyed watching the archeologists work. Ultimately, nothing was found at the site, but it attracted a lot of attention around the state for a while.

I found out about the story from a report that Zahn McClarnon was on-site, but the story expanded into a great breakdown of the industrial Indian schools by the Executive Director of the Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs, Judi gaiashkibos, whose mother had been at that same school as a child.

While her mother and students like her did learn skills there, gaiashkibos told me they were also stripped of their identity and she gave me a quote in the story that has stuck with me.

"To kill the Indian, you had to kill the language, kill the spiritual culture. Anything associated with your traditions, you couldn't do, 'you have to wear this Victorian dress, stay out of the sun, your hair has to be cut.' To us hair is sacred, they had to cut it off," gaiashkibos said.

Obviously, times have changed since then and the school's use as a museum now is a testament to the fact that they have, but I learned quite a bit about the schools from this story and it was a big deal across the state.

Building up Columbus: Platte County Historical Society packs house with presentation on Emiel Christensen

Emiel Christensen was an architect in the 20th century who designed and built a lot of structures in the Columbus and Schuyler areas. He was a veteran, outdoorsman and a community planner on top of his architectural skills and local Physical Therapist Randy Perault's research on him was fascinating. It packed the Platte County Historical Society Museum to the gills for his presentation on Oct. 1.

Perault essentially stumbled into his research when looking for some abandoned caves at the PaWiTo preserve and, after all was said and done, this story ended up with Phil Christensen, Emiel's grandson, connecting with Brad Balak, who used to know their family.

Emiel's life story was personally interesting to hear, both from his grandson and from Perault. In addition to the Oak Ballroom in Schuyler, his preserve, the Izaak Walton Lodge in Columbus and several other projects around the state, Emiel designed several homes in the Columbus area and several recreational areas, so that people didn't have to drive long distances to have fun.

Big things for little imaginations: Children's Museum's early childhood area to feature play-based learning, art by Columbus native

The Columbus Area Children's Museum has a lot of fun exhibits and opportunities for kids to play and learn planned and, while that in itself is cool to see, the fun part of this story was interviewing Columbus native and artist Greg Paprocki, who drew one of the murals that will be inside.

Paprocki told me a lot of people had probably seen his work but wouldn't know it. As it turns out, he illustrated a lot of packages and books over the years, including one of my childhood favorites: "Curious George."

Paprocki told me about his journey into illustration, from his parents investing in a correspondence-base instructional program that taught him to draw through the mail to a lifelong career in illustration, working with nationally-known names like Mattel and Taco Bell. That career coming from Columbus, coming from his parents who worked industrial jobs, was an inspiring story.

Paprocki showed me one of his preliminary ideas for the mural and I'm excited to see the final work displayed on the museum wall once it's open.

This year had a lot of exciting developments  big projects that got completed like the Columbus Community Building, the soon-to-be-open Columbus Community Hospital Fieldhouse and Broken Mug opening a location way too close to my office  but these stories were my top stories to report on in terms of the people involved.
Sterling Investment Counsel LLC decreased its holdings in shares of Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE  Free Report) by 43.5% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 6,892 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 5,304 shares during the period. Sterling Investment Counsel LLCs holdings in Pfizer were worth $229,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the business. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich raised its stake in shares of Pfizer by 98,197.9% during the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 1,948,438,709 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $71,468,732,000 after buying an additional 1,946,456,532 shares in the last quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Pfizer by 89,592.7% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 161,143,638 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $8,257,000,000 after buying an additional 160,963,976 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Pfizer during the 4th quarter worth approximately $3,150,472,000. Renaissance Technologies LLC raised its stake in shares of Pfizer by 1,034.0% during the 1st quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 12,149,955 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $495,718,000 after buying an additional 11,078,514 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised its stake in shares of Pfizer by 10.3% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 79,499,361 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $4,073,547,000 after buying an additional 7,419,929 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.05% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on PFE shares. StockNews.com started coverage on Pfizer in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating for the company. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on Pfizer from $39.00 to $35.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Monday, October 16th. UBS Group dropped their price objective on Pfizer from $34.00 to $27.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, December 14th. Jefferies Financial Group raised Pfizer from a hold rating to a buy rating and raised their price objective for the company from $38.00 to $39.00 in a research note on Monday, October 16th. Finally, Truist Financial dropped their price target on Pfizer from $42.00 to $36.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, December 14th. Twelve research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $40.35.

Insider Activity at Pfizer

In related news, Director Scott Gottlieb acquired 3,000 shares of Pfizer stock in a transaction on Friday, December 15th. The shares were bought at an average price of $26.47 per share, for a total transaction of $79,410.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now directly owns 9,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $238,230. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. 0.05% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Pfizer Price Performance

Shares of Pfizer stock opened at $28.79 on Friday. Pfizer Inc. has a twelve month low of $25.76 and a twelve month high of $51.60. The stock has a market capitalization of $162.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.73, a PEG ratio of 2.69 and a beta of 0.61. 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 businesss fifty day moving average price is $29.43 and its 200 day moving average price is $33.34.

Pfizer (NYSE:PFE  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, October 31st. The biopharmaceutical company reported ($0.17) earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($0.32) by $0.15. Pfizer had a return on equity of 16.72% and a net margin of 15.30%. The firm had revenue of $13.23 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $13.77 billion. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Pfizer Inc. will post 1.53 earnings per share for the current year.

Pfizer Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 1st. Investors of record on Friday, January 26th will be issued a $0.42 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 25th. This represents a $1.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.84%. This is a boost from Pfizers previous quarterly dividend of $0.41. Pfizers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 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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Clarius Group LLC lowered its stake in shares of Phillips 66 (NYSE:PSX  Free Report) by 30.2% in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 4,273 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after selling 1,847 shares during the quarter. Clarius Group LLCs holdings in Phillips 66 were worth $513,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in PSX. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC boosted its position in Phillips 66 by 100,843.8% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 9,979,304 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $1,038,646,000 after purchasing an additional 9,969,418 shares during the period. Barclays PLC boosted its position in Phillips 66 by 416.9% during the 2nd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 7,451,470 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $710,721,000 after purchasing an additional 6,009,826 shares during the period. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Phillips 66 during the 4th quarter worth $364,237,000. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its position in Phillips 66 by 62.1% during the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 7,188,087 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $620,979,000 after acquiring an additional 2,753,700 shares during the period. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can acquired a new position in Phillips 66 during the 2nd quarter worth $109,888,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 71.83% of the companys stock.

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Phillips 66 Stock Up 0.2 %

NYSE:PSX opened at $133.14 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $58.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.03, a PEG ratio of 1.44 and a beta of 1.35. Phillips 66 has a 1-year low of $89.74 and a 1-year high of $136.69. The company has a current ratio of 1.29, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $121.41 and its 200 day moving average price is $113.53.

Phillips 66 Dividend Announcement

Phillips 66 ( NYSE:PSX Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 27th. The oil and gas company reported $4.63 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate 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 period last year, the business earned $6.46 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Phillips 66 will post 15.39 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 1st. Investors of record on Friday, November 17th were given a dividend of $1.05 per share. This represents a $4.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.15%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 16th. Phillips 66s payout ratio is 25.33%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Phillips 66 news, CFO Kevin J. Mitchell sold 31,700 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $130.21, for a total value of $4,127,657.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 103,351 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $13,457,333.71. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other Phillips 66 news, CFO Kevin J. Mitchell sold 31,700 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $130.21, for a total value of $4,127,657.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 103,351 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $13,457,333.71. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, EVP Vanessa Allen Sutherland sold 3,700 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $133.18, for a total value of $492,766.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 47,567 shares in the company, valued at $6,334,973.06. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 36,400 shares of company stock valued at $4,753,653 in the last three months. Insiders own 4.57% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have issued reports on PSX shares. Raymond James boosted their price target on Phillips 66 from $128.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 19th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price target on Phillips 66 from $125.00 to $141.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, September 1st. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on Phillips 66 from $130.00 to $144.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, September 8th. Piper Sandler cut their price objective on Phillips 66 from $138.00 to $134.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Thursday, October 5th. Finally, Wolfe Research upgraded Phillips 66 from a peer perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $146.00 price objective for the company in a report on Tuesday, October 31st. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Phillips 66 currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $135.29.

Get Our Latest Analysis on Phillips 66

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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S.E.E.D. Planning Group LLC raised its stake in shares of Exxon Mobil Co. (NYSE:XOM  Free Report) by 90.0% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 4,271 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after purchasing an additional 2,023 shares during the period. S.E.E.D. Planning Group LLCs holdings in Exxon Mobil were worth $502,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in XOM. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich boosted its stake in shares of Exxon Mobil by 100,169.8% in the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 1,032,339,935 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $110,718,458,000 after buying an additional 1,031,310,373 shares during the last quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Exxon Mobil by 140,855.3% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 123,341,568 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $13,604,575,000 after buying an additional 123,254,064 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Exxon Mobil in the 4th quarter worth approximately $5,226,390,000. Imprint Wealth LLC boosted its stake in shares of Exxon Mobil by 9,115.2% in the 2nd quarter. Imprint Wealth LLC now owns 11,304,343 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $1,130,434,000 after buying an additional 11,181,673 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD boosted its stake in shares of Exxon Mobil by 16.0% in the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 47,592,122 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $5,218,954,000 after buying an additional 6,580,247 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 58.53% of the companys stock.

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Exxon Mobil Stock Down 0.2 %

Shares of NYSE:XOM opened at $99.98 on Friday. Exxon Mobil Co. has a 52-week low of $97.48 and a 52-week high of $120.70. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $103.32 and a 200 day moving average of $107.13. The firm has a market capitalization of $396.21 billion, a PE ratio of 9.93, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.69 and a beta of 1.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a current ratio of 1.42.

Exxon Mobil Increases Dividend

Exxon Mobil ( NYSE:XOM Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Friday, October 27th. The oil and gas company reported $2.27 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.36 by ($0.09). Exxon Mobil had a return on equity of 20.72% and a net margin of 11.56%. The company had revenue of $90.76 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $93.41 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $4.45 earnings per share. The firms revenue was down 19.0% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Exxon Mobil Co. will post 9.18 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 11th. Investors of record on Wednesday, November 15th were given a $0.95 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, November 14th. This is a positive change from Exxon Mobils previous quarterly dividend of $0.91. This represents a $3.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.80%. Exxon Mobils payout ratio is 37.74%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Exxon Mobil news, VP Leonard M. Fox sold 12,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $102.65, for a total transaction of $1,231,800.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 220,678 shares in the company, valued at $22,652,596.70. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other Exxon Mobil news, VP Leonard M. Fox sold 12,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $102.65, for a total transaction of $1,231,800.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 220,678 shares in the company, valued at $22,652,596.70. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Jeffrey W. Ubben purchased 250,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, November 6th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $105.97 per share, with a total value of $26,492,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 2,077,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at $220,099,690. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. 0.06% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

XOM has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Truist Financial upgraded Exxon Mobil from a hold rating to a buy rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $110.00 to $131.00 in a research note on Thursday, October 12th. Sanford C. Bernstein started coverage on Exxon Mobil in a research note on Tuesday, October 17th. They issued an outperform rating and a $140.00 price objective on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a sector perform rating and issued a $120.00 price objective on shares of Exxon Mobil in a research note on Thursday, December 7th. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price objective on Exxon Mobil from $140.00 to $145.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, October 12th. Finally, Erste Group Bank reiterated a hold rating on shares of Exxon Mobil in a research note on Friday, December 22nd. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $128.70.

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Exxon Mobil Company Profile

(Free Report)

Exxon Mobil Corporation engages in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas in the United States and internationally. It operates through Upstream, Energy Products, Chemical Products, and Specialty Products segments. The Upstream segment explores for and produces crude oil and natural gas.

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WestEnd Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH  Free Report) by 9.6% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 72,726 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock after acquiring an additional 6,360 shares during the quarter. UnitedHealth Group makes up approximately 1.1% of WestEnd Advisors LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 18th largest holding. WestEnd Advisors LLCs holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $36,668,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Axiom Financial Strategies LLC acquired a new stake in UnitedHealth Group in the 1st quarter worth approximately $210,000. McGowan Group Asset Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 8.9% during the 1st quarter. McGowan Group Asset Management Inc. now owns 744 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock worth $379,000 after buying an additional 61 shares during the period. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. raised its holdings in UnitedHealth Group by 31.8% in the 1st quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 250,196 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock worth $127,592,000 after acquiring an additional 60,300 shares during the period. MAS Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in UnitedHealth Group by 10.8% during the first quarter. MAS Advisors LLC now owns 463 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock valued at $241,000 after acquiring an additional 45 shares during the period. Finally, First Western Trust Bank bought a new position in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the first quarter worth about $875,000. 85.69% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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UnitedHealth Group Price Performance

Shares of UnitedHealth Group stock opened at $526.78 on Friday. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a 1-year low of $445.68 and a 1-year high of $554.70. The firms 50-day moving average price is $535.63 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $508.73. 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 stock has a market capitalization of $487.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.86, a P/E/G ratio of 1.59 and a beta of 0.61.

UnitedHealth Group Dividend Announcement

UnitedHealth Group ( NYSE:UNH Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 13th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $6.56 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $6.33 by $0.23. UnitedHealth Group had a return on equity of 26.58% and a net margin of 6.02%. The company had revenue of $92.36 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $91.41 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $5.79 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 14.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts predict that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 24.95 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 12th. Investors of record on Monday, December 4th were issued a $1.88 dividend. This represents a $7.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.43%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 1st. UnitedHealth Groups dividend payout ratio is currently 32.64%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have issued reports on UNH shares. Stephens reaffirmed an overweight rating and issued a $585.00 target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a report on Wednesday, December 13th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and set a $596.00 target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research note on Thursday, November 30th. Morgan Stanley dropped their price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $587.00 to $579.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 23rd. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their target price on UnitedHealth Group from $565.00 to $503.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, November 20th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $591.00 price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research report on Tuesday, November 21st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating, fourteen have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, UnitedHealth Group presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $574.89.

Read Our Latest Analysis on UnitedHealth Group

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, EVP Erin Mcsweeney sold 4,498 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on 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 owns 9,218 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,017,173.04. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other UnitedHealth Group news, EVP Erin Mcsweeney sold 4,498 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $544.28, for a total value of $2,448,171.44. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 9,218 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,017,173.04. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Stephen J. Hemsley sold 121,515 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, October 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $540.58, for a total value of $65,688,578.70. Following the transaction, the director now owns 521,818 shares of the companys stock, valued at $282,084,374.44. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 192,094 shares of company stock valued at $104,507,072. 0.35% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

UnitedHealth Group Company Profile

(Free Report)

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated operates as a diversified health care company in the United States. It operates through four segments: UnitedHealthcare, Optum Health, Optum Insight, and Optum Rx. The UnitedHealthcare segment offers consumer-oriented health benefit plans and services for national employers, public sector employers, mid-sized employers, small businesses, and individuals; health care coverage, and health and well-being services to individuals age 50 and older addressing their needs; Medicaid plans, children's health insurance and health care programs; and health and dental benefits, and hospital and clinical services, as well as health care benefits products and services to state programs caring for the economically disadvantaged, medically underserved, and those without the benefit of employer-funded health care coverage.

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SAN ANTONIO  A Texas police chief says investigators hope surveillance video will lead to answers in the killings of an 18-year-old pregnant woman who disappeared before Christmas and her boyfriend, both of whom were found shot in the head in a car and may have been dead for days.

Police on Friday had not named a possible motive or suspects as family members and friends mourned the deaths of Savanah Nicole Soto, 18, and Matthew Guerra, 22. Soto's family said she was overdue to deliver her baby and was scheduled to have an induced labor when she went missing last week.

The Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office ruled both deaths homicides caused by gunshot wounds to the head.

The couple were found Tuesday in Guerra's car outside a San Antonio apartment complex, a crime scene that San Antonio Police Chief William McManus originally described as "very, very perplexing."

On Thursday, police asked the public for help identifying two people seen in surveillance video that included the car and was recorded before the bodies were found.

McManus would not say whether investigators believe the couple was dead when the video was taken.

"Detectives are hopeful that surveillance video will lead to the events leading up to their death," McManus said.

The video shows Guerra's car briefly pulling up next to a pickup truck at a spot close to where the couple was found, McManus said. A person gets out of the truck and approaches the driver's side of the car. Another person is seen briefly stepping out of Guerra's car, but McManus said they do not believe that person was one of the victims.

He has described the case as a capital murder investigation and called it "a heinous act."

Soto was scheduled to have an induced labor at a hospital last Saturday night, her family told KENS-TV. But her mother said she got no answer earlier that day when she knocked on the door of Soto's apartment in the suburb of Leon Valley.

The family spent Christmas night searching the area. On Monday, Leon Valley police issued a missing-person alert for Soto and later said Guerra also could not be found.

At a vigil Thursday in San Antonio, Savanah's grandmother Rachel Soto described Savanah as a "funny girl" and said she loved everybody and loved to live life. She said her granddaughter was looking forward to becoming a mom for the first time, the San Antonio Express-News reported.

"I just pray to God that she took her baby with her and that she is at peace," Rachel Soto said.
What the Daily Squib predicted in 2012 is slowly coming into fruition, and at the Davos 2023 meeting of the World Economic Forum, a presentation by an Iranian woman from Duke University, USA who gleefully presented a new technology that exists today talked candidly about the brain monitoring mental slavery technology that will be introduced to the global workforce soon.

Beyond 1984

The complete control of the human brain has been a goal for a long time by the controllers, and in the near future AI assisted software and hardware will be utilised on the entire human workforce. Mental slavery is what some people call it, but business owners are touting this as a productivity tool.

As an employer, I want the full attention of my employees. To be employed within my organisation, it is imperative that your brain waves and thought patterns be monitored at all times to check if you are completing the tasks given to you. Our company pays you to do a job, therefore we expect you as an employee to divest your entire brain capacity at all times within the work environment to do that particular task or job. The beauty about this system is that anyone who has nefarious thoughts, or is thinking of something else while supposedly working, will be rooted out and fired. Those people who think about their work will be rewarded with bonuses. As we integrate AI into the business world, humans will be forced to integrate as well to be useful to businesses. Without complete control over the employee, we cannot have full transparency and a future for the worker, a company owner revealed at the Davos meeting.

At the moment, the mental slavery mind-reading headsets are external, but in the close future it will be mandatory for employees to have neural brain implants to monitor their thoughts 24 hours a day.

Digital Feudalism

The uses for monitoring your thoughts are extensive; schools will be able to monitor pupils, employers will monitor employees, organised religions will monitor faith, criminal organisations will be able to root out informers or undercover agents, intelligence agencies will be able to monitor the entire population, advertising agencies will monitor your purchasing power, insurance companies will be able to monitor fraud etc.

It is not just the WEF who are pushing this sort of mental slavery over humans, but so are the likes of billionaires like Elon Musk with his call for a Hive Mind much like insects where human individuality is completely assimilated into the collective. Zuckerbergs Metaverse is another strand of the same concept, but utilises clunky VR goggles at the moment, which are currently not being taken up by the majority of the population en masse. The key factor, much like the mass proliferation of smartphones, is to get the masses addicted to the tech so they cannot do without it. The next stage is to introduce internal brain chipping which will eventually be practically mandatory before anyone is in education, employment or a subject of forced behaviour modification.
Of the two men charged in a bloody stabbing earlier this month at the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail, one is an accused murderer while the other was being held on robbery and shooting charges. The pair is accused of perpetrating a Dec. 8 attack on a third inmate that left their alleged victim with what an investigating officer predicted would be "permanent disfigurement."

The man accused of doing the stabbing is 25-year-old Tajuan Rahmeen Allen of Esmont, charged with malicious wounding. He's accused of repeatedly stabbing fellow inmate 36-year-old Brian Thomas Draper 12 times in the head and upper torso while the two men were in a cellblock common area.

"As the two stood near each other Allen can be seen immediately and unprovoked attacking Draper repeatedly with what appears to be a sharp weapon in his hand," the investigating detective, identified as M.W. Baggett, wrote in a criminal complaint.

A member of the Albemarle County Police Department, Baggett reportedly viewed video of the incident.

"Allen uses an overhead stabbing motion," Baggett wrote. "At no point during the attack is Draper seen retaliating."

According to Baggett's report, Draper was stabbed in the head, ears, neck, chest, back and shoulders.

"Draper can be seen," wrote Baggett, "with uncontrolled bleeding."

The detective asserted the video also shows fellow inmate 18-year-old Zayon Jamir Payne from Charlottesville, jumping into the fray himself after Allen hands him a weapon.

"Payne hides the weapon under his bunk mattress then walks away," wrote Baggett. "A few moments later Payne can be seen making movements which appear to [me] to be retrieving the weapon from where he hid it under his mattress, walking into the bathroom area out of view where the toilets are and then reappearing from the bathroom area with empty hands."

Baggett alleges that Payne later confessed to flushing the weapon.

While Allen has been charged with malicious wounding, Payne has been charged with being an after-the-fact accessory to the assault, a Class I misdemeanor carrying a potential sentence up to 12 months.

It's not the first time Payne has been accused of violence.

He was previously accused of being the lead gunman in a May 16 Charlottesville shootout that shut down Preston Avenue, delayed dismissal of Charlottesville schools and left at least one car marked with bullet holes.

Those shooting charges against Payne were dismissed on Dec. 21 after the witness who allegedly identified him, 21-year-old Kyhiem Brancardius Kier, also charged in the incident, signaled he was unwilling to participate in court proceedings, according to Commonwealth's Attorney Joe Platania.

Unfortunately, as the date of Mr. Paynes preliminary hearing approached, it became apparent that Mr. Kier was refusing to testify," Platania said. "With no other eyewitness testimony available to the Commonwealth, a decision was made to drop the charges."

Platania noted that Payne's legal troubles have not ended, as the young man is slated to plead guilty in Charlottesville Circuit Court to an unrelated robbery where he is facing up to 10 years in prison.

"This case," Platania said, "illustrates the necessity and importance of eyewitness cooperation in order to ensure that individuals causing harm in our community are held accountable.

As for Allen, the primary jailhouse assailant, his troubles run deeper.

Already convicted for pistol-whipping, choking and firing a gun at a female friend in her Turtle Creek apartment in 2016, Allen faces the possibility that the 12-plus years that were suspended from his sentence on malicious wounding and strangulation charges back then could be reimposed.

Moreover, Allen remains the suspect in the three-years-ago slaying of Dre'Shawn Rayvon McDonald, a 27-year-old Charlottesville man. McDonald was shot to death in the 900 block of South First Street on Nov. 5, 2020. Allen's second-degree murder case, slowed by his extradition from his arrest site in Pennsylvania and by his own recent request for a delay, is now heading to an arraignment slated for Jan. 9.

Draper, whose most recent address was in Gulf Shores, Alabama, was in jail awaiting sentencing on an Oct. 24 firearm possession conviction. Witnesses said Draper was waving a gun at the EconoLodge on Holiday Drive on July 19.

"Mr. Draper told us that someone was pointing a rifle at him from across the street and that people were trying to kill him," wrote the investigating Charlottesville police officer.

Draper's sentencing, set for Jan. 9, is slated to include testimony from the jail's psychiatrist.
Derrys 2023 started on the worrying note that cancer waiting times in the North were the worst on record.

The charity Cancer Research UK said the figures for the previous six months, released by the Department of Health showed targets were continuing to be missed.

Margaret Carr, Cancer Research UKs public affairs manager in the North said: We should be deeply concerned that the last six months are the worst on record for cancer waiting times targets in Northern Ireland.

Waiting times for first treatment following an urgent GP referral for suspected cancer, with a 62 day target, showed only 39.5% started treatment within 62 days for the quarter ending September 2022, compared with 46.1% in the quarter ending September 2021.

Relatives of the Bloody Sunday victims at the annual Remembrance Service.

Delays with diagnosis and starting treatment may make it more difficult to treat cancer successfully and can cause significant anxiety for patients."

As if that was not enough, Derry ratepayers learned they were facing the biggest rates rise in decades.

Ratepayers in the Derry City and Strabane District Council area were looking at the prospect of a 12% increase in the incoming financial year.

A special meeting to discuss the situation took place on January 13. It was attended by council staff, councillors, MPs Gregory Campbell and Colum Eastwood, and MLAs Gary Middleton, Ciara Ferguson, Padraig Delargy, Mark H Durkan and Sinead McLaughlin.

Council was also considering a wide range of cuts to its services in an effort to reduce its annual expenditure.

A number of these cuts had already been agreed, others required a decision and the remainder had not yet been agreed.

The proposed more controversial cuts which had yet to be agreed include banning weekend cemetery burials; introducing a charge for Councils bulky waste service; increasing cemetery charges; and reducing bin collections to six out of the 13 currently designated Bank Holiday collections.

There was no light at the end of the tunnel with concerns also being raised regarding the stark, systemic underfunding of education in the North of Ireland, by the chief executives of the main education bodies here.

In an open letter to the British Secretary of State, Chris Heaton-Harris, and the head of the civil service, Jayne Brady, the seven chief executives cited evidence provided by the Institute of Fiscal Studies.

Their letter said: The Institute for Fiscal Studies analysis evidenced that since 2009-10, spending per pupil has been consistently highest in Scotland and generally lowest in NI.

The annual remembrance service to commemorate those who were killed on Bloody Sunday was held at the Rossville Street monument, at the end of January.

Following the event there was an unveiling of a plaque dedicated to the Derry Corps of the Order of Malta.

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood MP also announced he would nominate the families of Bloody Sunday victims for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Mr Eastwood, who was among those attending Sunday's 51st anniversary commemoration events, said he could think of no better tribute to the families given their commitment to peace and reconciliation during their long fight for truth and justice.

Earlier in January, Dissident Republican groups were challenged to stop their futile campaigns and internecine hatred by former Sinn Fein national chairperson, Mitchel McLaughlin.

Speaking at a commemorative event to mark the 50th anniversary of IRA Volunteer James (Junior) McDaid, Mr McLaughlin addressed the Dissident Republican groups directly.

What I would say to them from this platform, speaking at the Junior McDaid commemoration, is that there is another way. Join the conversation about what type of agreed Ireland we are all going to live in.

Stop the futile campaigns that you are engaging in. Stop the internecine hatred. An example of what I am talking about happened this morning.

There was a tree planted in Juniors memory at the spot where he died and it has been dug up already and left at the Sinn Fein door.

Is that anything that a Republican should be involved in? It is a disgrace. It is disgusting and it should stop, said Mitchel McLaughlin.

The former Assembly member and Derry City Councillor added: So, I would say to any of us who have any contacts, family, friends, or otherwise, to explain where we are at now, to explain that a united Ireland is within reach albeit may take five or 10 years.

Altnagelvin's Emergency Department - alongside emergency departments across the North experienced immense pressure as patients face unprecedented waiting times, in January.

The public were advised on several occasions of long waits at Emergency Departments due to capacity issues.

The Western Trust said: We would ask the public to please consider whether our ED is the best place for them to attend for their particular condition before making the journey to ED.

"If you are suffering from an emergency or life-threatening condition, including a mental health emergency, then please call 999 or attend your nearest Emergency Department without delay.

Post-covid, the owner of a small business in the city has asked customers to pay by cash where possible in the future.

David Dunne, owner of the iconic fish and chip shop Brendans on Spencer Road said the charges he was facing from card machine and app operators had become an unaffordable expense for a small business with a small team of staff.

Section of the large audience at the 'Save Radio Foyle' public meeting in Derry's Guildhall in January 2023.

David, who runs the chippy and adjoining cafe with his wife, Cathryn, daughter of the eponymous Brendan, said they had always tried to keep their prices as low as they possibly could for their customers.

As January closed, local politicians were accused of seeming quite happy to accept some crumbs from the table of the Norths Belfast-centric economic policy.

The stinging criticism came from Creggan community worker, Conal McFeely. It followed the revelation, no Derry projects received second round British Government Levelling-Up funding, even though a number submitted applications.

Speaking to Derry News, Mr McFeely said the Belfast-centric status quo needed to be challenged.

It is not being challenged in the North West and that is a criticism of our local politicians who for the most part seem quite happy to accept some crumbs from the table.
The shortest month of 2023, February, began with the announcement the detrimental effects of defective concrete and defective concrete products manufactured in the Republic of Ireland and sold into the Northern Ireland market were to be monitored by Derry City and Strabane District Council.

In response to a notice of motion by elected members, Council has begun quantifying the number of residents in its area whose properties contain mica.

Council has also written to the Department for Communities with regards to compensation and engagement with the Irish Government in relation to this issue.

However, Donegal environmentalist, Enda Craig, warned the people of Derry not to be suckered into accepting what he described as into accepting the Irish Governments flawed remediation scheme.

Mr Craig described Irish Standard (IS) 465, the protocol underpinning the Irish Governments redress scheme, as completely fraudulent.

Meanwhile, a young wheelchair user in the city contacted Derry Now about the lack of wheelchair accessible taxis in Derry in the evenings, which was seriously hampering her independence.

Patricia Clifford from the Inch View area of Derry added she knew of several other wheelchair users who were also finding it difficult to socialise or attend night-time events because of the taxi shortage.

Patricia said she wanted to highlight the issue having spent one full day last week unsuccessfully attempting to book a wheelchair accessible taxi for a special event.

My sister, Carol, got me tickets for the Dominic Kirwan concert in the Millennium Forum on Thursday and I have been looking forward to it ever since. I have been a Dominic Kirwan fan for years. The concert starts at 8pm and is over at midnight, said Patricia.

I have cerebral palsy and use a wheelchair all the time. On Tuesday past, I spent the whole day trying to book a taxi for Thursday night. I phoned every taxi firm I knew in Derry but no-one had a wheelchair accessible taxi available at night. I could not make a booking.

There was some good news with the announcement the Strathfoyle Greenway project on the outskirts of the city had received 104,944 from the British Governments Levelling Up fund.

Strathfoyle Greenway project is a 2.7km long greenway, which will link up the area with the rest of the citys greenway network. When completed, it will include street lighting controlled by a smart system to minimise energy consumption and impacts on wildlife.

Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan welcomed the Strathfoyle Greenway project funding, describing it as brilliant.

Speaking to Derry Now he said: It will bring huge benefits in terms of health and well-being, the environment and even financially for people who are able to leave the car at home and safely walk or cycle into town and all the amenities here.

At the end of February, environmental group Zero Waste North West (ZWNW) announced it had withdrawn its endorsement of Derry City and Strabane District Councils Zero Waste City-region status.

This meant the environmental organisation would no longer be working in partnership with Council as the local affiliate of Zero Waste Europe, the legitimising body.

The shock move came in a recent ZWNW presentation to Councils chief executive, John Kelpie.

ZWNW said it was withdrawing its endorsement of the authenticity of Councils commitment to Zero Waste.

However, the environmental group has not closed the door to the possibility of a real partnership between Council and itself in the future. To that end, it is working with councillors from all political parties.

The Derry branch of the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) has held a vigil at Free Derry Wall, during the Bloody Sunday commemoration weekend.

IPSC branch representative, Catherine Hutton: We are here to mark the massacre on January 26 of nine Palestinians in Jenin Refugee Camp during an early morning raid by the Israeli army.

It is very poignant because the Bloody Sunday events are being held this weekend and it is so reminiscent of what happened here in Derry 51 years ago.

What is happening in Palestine and the oppression has got to the point where every day there are one or two Palestinians killed.

Since the start of January, there have been more than 30 Palestinians killed.

So, the world is watching and not doing anything, so we have to do what we can. We have to raise our voices in any way we can.

Today is really just to show respect for the dead and also to show support for Palestine and show them they are not alone, said Catherine Hutton.

There was widespread rejoicing in Derry in February at the news that the controversial one-way traffic system around the Diamond area of the city was to be scrapped.

Councillors took the decision at Februarys meeting of Derry City and Strabane District Councils Environment and Regeneration committee.

The introduction of temporary one-way traffic arrangements along Ferryquay Street and Upper Carlisle Road were designed with the objective of creating extended pedestrian space on Ferryquay Street and an associated reduction of vehicular traffic flow along this narrow street.

However, the arrangement was heavily criticised at the time.

Shortly after its introduction, Declan Moore, the owner of Claudes Cafe on Shipquay street told Derry News: The one-way system on Ferryquay Street has been a disaster.

It encourages traffic to come up Artillery Street and have a blind corner.

If there has not already been, I think there will be accidents.

Traffic is essentially coming up steep, narrow side streets. There is too much congestion on roads that were not meant to take that much traffic. Apart from anything else, you literally cannot see traffic to your right when you come up Artillery Street, unless you are nearly entirely out of the actual side street.

A public consultation survey on the city centre one-way traffic system was launched by Council on November 4, 2022. It closed on December 6, 2022. Face-to-face interviews were also conducted within the vicinity of Ferryquay Street to obtain views at first hand.

The total number of respondents was 508.

According to documentation seen by Derry Now, the majority of both online and physical surveys opted for the scheme to be removed and returned to two-way traffic.
March saw the newly-refurbished cinematic arts studio at Ulster Universitys Derry campus named after former British Secretary of State and Labour politician, the late Mo Mowlam.

The studio was officially opened ahead of the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, which Ms Mowlam oversaw as then Secretary of State.

Those in attendance at the official opening included Ms Mowlams stepdaughter, director and producer Henrietta Norton; current leader of the British Labour Party, Sir Keir Starmer; current British Shadow Secretary of State, Peter Kyle; and former British Shadow Secretary of State, Louise Haigh.

The dedicated space in the Walled Citys much-loved Foyle Arts Centre has been transformed into a fit-for-purpose studio which will enable Ulster Universitys Cinematic Arts students to harness their creative talents and develop their skills in a controlled environment, replicating a professional film studio.

Local man Patsy Duffy, one of 270 images of State Violence and State Collusion Victims, projected on to Free Derry Wall, in protest against the Legacy Bill.

A long-standing Seagate employee and campaigner for trade union rights revealed in March, Unite the Union was on the verge of recognition at the companys Springtown plant.

The activist described the prospect as a historic event, not just in Seagate but in the city.

They recalled how the long journey to union recognition had started with four or five people, who between them had more than 100 years service in Seagate.

We were drawn from the original 37-strong group of union members which had historically existed at Springtown. We then organised a diverse, cross-shift group of 16 people who started the campaign to increase union membership on-site, they said.

This began with prospective union members signing a petition calling for union recognition here. Our petition was hugely successful.

We gathered almost 500 signatures saying we would like Unite the Union to represent us in negotiations with the company, in regards to pay and terms and conditions.

Meanwhile, Derry City and Strabane District Councils register of properties affected by defective concrete products and blocks should not be restricted to the minerals, mica, pyrite and pyrrhotite, according to a member of Donegal County Council.

Cllr Frank McBrearty, himself an affected homeowner, said it was vital Derry City and Strabane District Councils definition be widened to include all deleterious materials and all reactive sulphide minerals.

He said: As a result of two years of investigation, undertaken by Derrys Dr Ambrose McCloskey, chartered engineer and IS465 registered engineer; and Kieran Coyle, chartered structural engineer; and international experts, Professor Paul Dunlop and Dr Andreas Leemann; other experts from Canada, US and Norway; and myself, I believe, Derry City and Strabane District Council must now look at an investigation into all deleterious materials and reactive iron sulphide minerals, which could possibly be present in properties in the North of Ireland, constructed with concrete products bought from Donegal.

I really do believe there are a considerable number of homes across Derry, Tyrone and Fermanagh affected by defective concrete blocks and people wont know until it is too late.

This was the prediction of West Tyrone MLA, Daniel McCrossan, speaking to Derry News at the SDLPs annual conference in Derrys St Columbs Hall in March.

Mr McCrossan said he was supporting Derry City and Strabane District Councils ongoing initiative to establish how many properties in its area were affected by defective concrete products and blocks.

He added: However, the problem is that when people find out this is in their property, there is nowhere to go next.

So, while Derry City and Strabane District Councils scheme is welcome, it is hampered by the fact there is no proper communication between council officials, who have a serious concern about the obvious signs there are defective concrete blocks in homes in our area, in Strabane, Derry and Castlederg, in border constituencies generally, and decision-makers at Assembly or Government level.

It is entirely to be expected homes here are going to display the signs they contain defective concrete blocks, given how Donegal and Tyrone and Derry operate together.

The Strabane-based MLA said the defective concrete block issue was a major concern for the SDLP.

It also emerged in March, the Department of Health was still spending hundreds of thousands of pounds on the Covid Passport app, which has not been required for more than a year.

The Covid Vaccination Passport was made mandatory by the then Executive for only 45 days between December 2020 and January 2021. Speaking to Derry News, Derry City and Strabane District councillor, Emmet Doyle (Aontu) said the App cost more than 20m and is still costing taxpayers a significant amount of money.

Cllr Doyle said it was outrageous the Department of Health was still spending hundreds of thousands of pounds on a Covid Passport app when it had not been required for over a year.

He added: This scheme cost 20.5m up to December 2022 and in each month of the financial year 2022/23, the Department has spent a further 440k on it. This spending is wasteful whilst our frontline health services are under intense and sustained pressure.

In December of last year, I was contacted by a number of constituents who had received a notification from their dormant Covid-19 app informing them a renewed certificate has been downloaded for them. Many expressed surprise this scheme was still running, given the Executive scrapped it as a requirement over a year ago.

I contacted the Department of Health to seek an explanation. I was shocked to learn that the Covid Passport (officially named the Covid Certification Scheme) was not only still running, but was costing taxpayers hundreds of thousands of pounds to administer.

At a time when GP surgeries are handing back their contracts and when Emergency Departments are under constant pressure, the Department has no reason to be spending money on a provision that lasted only 45 days and is not required when travelling in most parts of the world today  and not in the EU at all, said Cllr Doyle.

Sadly, it emerged in March, Derrys award-winning, monthly Walled City Market was being axed.

Harry Canning, a stallholder in the Market for the past 10 years who sells handmade crafts, said there was consternation among the traders about the Markets closure, how the decision was communicated, and the negative impact it will have on Derry City Centre going forward.

None of the traders have heard a word from the Council since we received the email from its Markets Development Officer last week telling us about the closure. All the traders are disgusted we were not consulted.
Irelands politicians are being urged to boycott the traditional White House St Patricks Day celebrations.

St Patricks Day normally sees an exodus of Irelands leading politicians to the US capital.

This year, however, campaigners opposed to the United States arming of Israels Defence Forces and its ongoing genocide in Gaza have called on MLAs, MPs and TDs to Boycott St Patricks Day Celebrations at the White House 2024.

Catherine Hutton, chairperson of the Derry Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign who has established the online boycott petition said there should be no Cead Mile Failte or drowning the Shamrock with Joe Biden until he stops arming and funding Genocide in Gaza.

Ms Hutton said the signatories to the petition are saying: I am calling on you [MLAs, MPs and TDs] to boycott St. Patrick's Day Celebrations at The White House this year.

This would be a powerful sign of solidarity with Palestine that would reflect the feelings of Irish people & have a massive impact around the world.

You are either against genocide in Gaza or you are not.

I will not vote for any politician who travels to Washington and shakes the blood-soaked hands of Joe Biden, said Ms Hutton.
Northern Ireland broadcaster Pamela Ballantine has reflected on a life-affirming year after being made an MBE on the first anniversary of her breast cancer diagnosis.

The UTV star, who is recovering from cancer after surgery and treatment, said the timing of the New Year Honours List announcement made it that bit more poignant.

The well-known 65-year-old TV personality has been honoured with an MBE for her many years of charity fundraising with multiple different organisations.

Ive been involved in getting awards for other people, Ive been asked to help promote and nominate other people for awards, so I know this process takes a number of years, she told the PA news agency.

So its rather lovely that it has come at the end of the year when it was this time last year  December 29 2022  I was told I had breast cancer.

And then, in July, I was told that I dont, which is fantastic.But I know this award hasnt come along because I had breast cancer. Its been a long time in the making, so its just so lovely that the two have married in together.

While 2023 is a year for a lot of things that Im very grateful for, its not exactly how I wanted my year to pan out.

But I can look back on this year as being sort of very much life changing and life affirming and to receive this award at the end of the year is just icing on the cake.

Ms Ballantine said the letter informing her of her inclusion on the honours list was a huge shock.

I was absolutely thrilled and very surprised as well, she said.

The Belfast-born presenter is involved in charitable work through several roles.

She is on the boards of both the Belfast Activity Centre and Youth Action; is vice chair of multicultural organisation ArtsEkat; is regional chair of Action Medical Research in Northern Ireland; and is a patron of Bowel Cancer UK.

The horse lover is also chair of the Down Royal Corporation of Horse Breeders.

Its lovely to be invited in to be asked to do these things, she said.

And I think being able to be approached and asked to be involved in charities is a really nice thing to do.

The presenter is not the first member of her family to be honoured by a monarch.

On the mantelpiece of her home in east Belfast, there is a picture of herself aged 18, along with her sister Susan and her late parents Bob and Edna Rolston at Buckingham Palace in 1976.

They were there attending a ceremony where her father was made CBE for his contribution to business.

Ms Ballantine said she knew what her parents would have said if they had been alive to hear their daughter had been made an MBE.

Mum and dad are no longer with us, and I just know that they will now both be going, Well done, dear, she said.
That Friday started with crises, as do so many days for the mental health workers who keep some of Virginias most vulnerable people in their homes, instead of in overcrowded state mental hospitals.

One of the 77 people the Richmond Behavioral Health Authoritys Assertive Community Treatment team supports had been kicked out of her assisted living facility.

The home had sent her to a hospital emergency room on what the team considered to be a spurious complaint that she had tried to hurt herself, since she smokes her cigarettes to the nub and regularly burns her fingers. Now, the home was saying it would not take her back.

They cant do that, its against the law, Amber Spivey, the ACT team leader, told the team. She asked one of the social workers on the team to call in Adult Protective Services and officials at the Department of Social Services who license adult homes.

I dont want her on the street, Spivey said. But lets try to find her another place; if they dont want her, what kind of care is she going to get?

Waiting lists

The 14-strong ACT team of nurses, licensed clinical social workers and a psychiatrist is among the hundreds of people in Virginias overwhelmed public behavioral health system who are trying to cope with a continuing challenge: a network of state mental hospitals that has been operating at or above capacity for years.

The state hospitals problem is something no other hospital faces.

Virginia state mental health hospitals cannot control their front or back doors, said Nelson Smith, a former Green Beret team leader who now serves as Virginia commissioner of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services.

Virginias nine state mental hospitals admit roughly 5,000 people a year, but the hospitals do not have a say in who they admit.

And for hundreds of people a year, getting out is not as simple as getting a treatment teams decision that they are clinically ready to go home.

Think of it like, if you had a stroke and now youre ready to leave the hospital, but you need a little bit of help to move around. You cant do it on your own, Smith said.

The departments stepped-up effort to help state hospital patients find a place in their communities has cut the so-called extraordinary barriers list of people who are ready to go but are still stuck in a hospital.

The list had peaked at 245 people in 2019, but now ranges around 160. The amount of time that people stay on the list is down, too: The median length of stay now is 77 days, compared with 161 days a decade ago.

And what I have said is: I want to get that down to single digits, Smith said.

Getting out

His last stay in a state mental hospital lasted two years, and for several months he was on the extraordinary barriers list, said Ian. A Northern Virginian in his 30s, he now lives in one of the specialized group homes that have played a central role in cutting the barriers list. (He, like many people trying to manage with mental illness, fears what would happen to him if others know his full name; the others the Richmond Times-Dispatch spoke to for this story said the same.)

Its bad, its really bad having to wait that long when you are ready, he said.

But he did not let it discourage him.

I kept working; I kept listening to my doctor, he said. I wanted to get better.

He had been on the street for about a year before a special justice sent him to Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute after finding that Ians mental illness put him or others at risk of serious harm. Before life on the street, he had run away from the group home he had been staying in after an earlier, three-year stay at the Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute.

I cant really say what got me in there, he said. Ian has schizoaffective disorder, which when not treated includes such symptoms as hallucinations, delusions and depression.

Now, in one of the 16 bedrooms at the Gateway Homes group in Chesterfield County, he has a safe place to live and a range of supports. They include time with a therapist, visits with a psychiatrist and psychosocial programs  his favorites are anger management classes and a class modeled on a 12-step program for people dealing with mental illness and recovery from addiction.

He has friends now among other residents. I can say: Ive been there, I can help. I can ask: Im feeling this, do you know what to do? 

Ians hoping to move to a nearby apartment, where he will still have access to Gateways programs. Beyond that, hes not sure.

But Im ready.

Hospital changes

In addition to group homes like the one Ian lives in, one big change that has brought down the numbers on the extraordinary barriers list is to start looking at the nine hospitals as a system, said Smith, the commissioner.

It sounds like a new bureaucracy, but Smith said it means setting measurable, systemwide standards for patient treatment and hospital operations.

You can look and see if youre out of line with others, he said. We can start asking what the problem is  is email not being answered or paperwork sitting on someones desk?

Setting a trigger for a follow-up call when a request for a community service has been hanging, for instance, has speeded the process of moving people from hospital to community, he said.

Smith has been working with the Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services, which oversees guardianship and conservator programs for adults who cannot always look after themselves, to see if better coordination and faster-track court hearings can overcome another important hurdle.

But perhaps the most important change is not something that can be counted.

We do ask questions differently, said Suzanne Mayo, the departments senior director of patient continuation services.

It used to be: Whats in the system for you?; now it is: What do you want and need?

Hospitalization

Being in a hospital does things for you  and not always good things.

You can see it in the tense, nervous stance of one East End Richmond man who Spivey sees every day to make sure he takes his medications.

He gulps his bottled water in that quick, urgent way people in institutions get, from fear their food or water will be snatched if they do not move quickly enough.

It took Richmonds ACT team awhile to settle him: He does not like to be around people. His paranoia was not helped by living for years in Central State Hospital with other ill people, people who sometimes acted out in ways that would scare anyone.

The team tried adult homes and proposed an apartment with a roommate.

He left after an hour, Spivey said. And was back to the hospital.

Transformation

Theyve made transitioning just transformational, said James, a resident who moved from Central State to the same Chesterfield group home where Ian lives, and from there to a nearby apartment a few months ago.

He still participates in the homes programs  hes especially keen on the fitness class  and sees a Gateway Homes therapist twice a week, and the nonprofit supportive living agencys psychiatrist every three months.

Making sure I keep the issues away, he said.

James plunged into a deep depression when his father and then his mother died. As the fear and blackness grew ever more overwhelming, he lashed out at one point, breaking a window near his home in Chesterfield.

That brought jail. In jail, even more frightened, even more depressed, he no longer saw much point in living. He says the scars on his right wrist are from his suicide attempt there.

That brought medication, and a court order directing Central State to restore him to competency. It is the kind of court order that has flooded state hospitals with new patients in recent years and one of the big reasons Smith says the facilities cannot control their front doors.

He bounced back and forth from jail to the hospital for about four months during this process; at the end of it, a judge found him not guilty by reason of insanity of trespassing and breaking a window  charges that usually draw no more than 30 days in jail  and ordered him to Central State.

He stayed at Central State for an additional four to five months.

I was scared all the time, he said.

During that time, he says another patient attacked him, choking him so severely that James said his voice box was damaged  his voice these days is low and hoarse.

I used to sing, but I cant sing anymore, he said.

But with medication and counseling at the hospital  and a strong will to get healthy again  he bounced back quickly.

His treatment team felt he could skip several of the usual progressive steps of greater and greater freedom. Typically, patients progress from easier movement through the hospital, to escorted day trips to the community, to overnight or 48-hour stays away from the hospital.

But he still had to wait to get out.

It was gut-wrenching, he said. I just prayed every day that the waiting would end; I pray every day. He even prays for the patient who attacked him.

I just didnt feel safe at Central State, he said. Here, I do. I feel confident I can live in the community. I dont feel afraid.

At the hospital door

Magistrates are empowered to issue Temporary Detention Orders to hold people, against their will, for up to 72 hours for evaluation and treatment for mental illness. It is up to mental health workers at the local or regional Community Services Board to find a bed.

If theres no other alternative, a state hospital has to take them.

For the Richmond ACT team, part of that Fridays challenge was that a general hospital in Spotsylvania County  the nearest bed it could find earlier in the week for one Richmond man under a TDO  was about to release him, even though the group home that agreed to take him said his place would not be ready until that Monday.

Didnt they even check? Spivey asked. She added making a call to the hospital, or maybe even several, to the list of work to cut through bureaucracy that she and the team would fit in between their prime mission of keeping severely ill people stable, and helping them get better  if possible.

Also on the Friday list: What do to about the discharge from a Northern Neck hospital of another Richmonder under a TDO. In addition, there was the worry about medicine ordered but not yet delivered for another man due to be discharged later that day from a general hospital in the city.

Then there was the mystery of another Richmonder on the teams list.

He had been in a general hospital in the city for medical treatment, but acting up  the way he tended to when he got ahold of alcohol or drugs  none of which he had had access to. The hospital wanted him out, out, out.

What do they mean, hes on medical respite? Spivey asked his caseworker. Hes usually the politest, nicest man, when its out of his system. ... We need to figure out whats going on with him if hes acting out like this and theyre going to put him out.

The front door

As of last month, the Department of Behavioral Health has opened all 360 state hospital beds it had to close in 2021 because it did not have enough staff to safely care for that many more patients.

Even so, several state mental hospitals are still overcrowded. Three of the largest have been running at more than 100% of capacity for three years. One, Central State, is still at 100% of capacity, while Western State Hospital in Staunton is at 99%, and Eastern State Hospital in James City County is at 98%. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence says hospitals should not operate at more than 85% of capacity in order to be able to handle emergency needs for care.

Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute, where Ian was hospitalized, and Southern Virginia Mental Health Institute in Danville are at 100%, even with additional beds.

More than half of the patients in all of the state hospitals are there because of some kind of criminal charge, and most of these are people ordered to the hospital when a judge determines that they are not competent to stand trial  that is, that they are unable to assist in their own defense.

These orders have tripled in the past 15 years. These patients average length of stay, as short-staffed hospitals try to cope with the flood, has climbed from 54 days to 76 days, ending when the judge decides the defendant is ready to be tried. Sometimes, these cases involve such minor misdemeanors as trespassing or disorderly conduct, when a typical jail sentence is around 30 days.

One of Spiveys clients, who she met that Friday at his favorite spot for panhandling, spent months bouncing back and forth from jail to Central State to have his competency restored, as district court judges hearing two different charges of trespassing issued successive competency restoration orders.

It was bad, man. It was bad, he said. I got no money.

He lost his disability benefits while in the hospital  unaware he had to keep up with the paperwork. He said thats why he panhandles.

Another front-door problem: Over fiscal year 2022 and 2023, law enforcement officers dropped off 1,432 people at state hospitals before the hospital staff could accept them for admission. Officers dropped off some 450 even after a January ruling from the Office of the Attorney General that the practice was illegal.

In one case, a hospital staffer told the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, the state legislatures watchdog agency, that one person who was dropped off that way was close to death. The hospital had to turn around within 15 minutes to send that person to a general hospital for the urgent medical care required.

Sometimes, magistrates send people to state hospitals for behavior that looks like mental illness but is really a matter of a disorder like dementia or a developmental disability, like autism. Neither can be addressed by any treatment a mental hospital offers.

People like Ian, who land in the mental hospital against their will and without a criminal charge, arrive there when a special justice finds that their mental illness means they are a risk of seriously hurting themselves or others or cannot provide for their basic human needs. The special justices initial order is for 30 days, often followed by another commitment for up to 180 days  far longer than private hospitals like to care for patients.

For people, like James, who land in a mental hospital after a criminal charge, getting out requires a judges agreement with the persons treatment team that he or she no longer needs the intensive service a hospital provides.

Back door

Getting out of the hospital means trying to be sure the patient will be safe and have the help he or she needs to prevent the kind of crisis that results in hospitalizations.

The biggest need is housing, Smith said.

But that can be hard to find; not every landlord is willing.

There are bureaucratic hoops to jump through to line up the money for rent, since many on the extraordinary barriers list are indigent. Support services need to be arranged  perhaps the kind of daily check-ins that Spivey and her colleagues do, or help finding a job, or access to counseling, a psychiatrist and medication.

For mental health workers like Spivey, its not always crisis, paperwork chases and sad daily stories.

Spivey got some good news shortly after pulling up outside the Richmond apartment where one of her clients had finally settled a year after the woman left Central State.

The good news resolved Spiveys worries about where to find medication the ACT team had ordered, but that had not yet arrived, for a man who was about to be discharged from Richmond Community Hospital. The hospital, which had the medication in hand, had agreed he could stay over the weekend.

With a sigh of relief, then, Spivey joined the teams psychiatrist, Dr. Shane Carillo, at her other clients door. There, the news was not as good.

Carillo was worried because when he had visited the week before, the woman had scattered her medications all over the kitchen counter.

You really need to take this as directed, he said.

The dizziness the woman complained of could be because she was not taking her blood pressure medicine the way she should, he added  even as he asked himself if what she was describing was simply another delusion.

He wondered, too, when she talked about some scratches she got in a fight  but her description of the other person with whom she supposedly fought kept changing.

Was it just her clothes? Carillo asked about the scratches.

No, the woman said. Sometimes, the woman she said she fought with was taller, sometimes shorter. Her description of the other womans face kept changing.

When was the last time you had a drink? Carillo gently asked.

Then: And cocaine?

She hung her head.

When you do that, the voices will get louder, he said. You know that ... have you thought about group (a group therapy program)?

Sometimes, he told the woman: We need to be able to talk to someone, to have a network.
Provider of home care services, Home Instead, says it is proud to announce its pioneering campaign, "Not Just a Carer," aimed at dispelling myths surrounding the care sector and spotlighting the incredible stories of real people receiving care so that they can remain living in their own home.

For far too long, it says, caring has been undervalued, with dedicated family carers and skilled professional carers often described as "just a carer." According to recent findings from Family Carers Ireland, family carers alone are saving the state 20 billion annually, contributing an extraordinary 19 million unpaid hours per week underscoring, Home Instead says, the urgent need for increased recognition and support for the vital role played by those who care in our communities.

The Global Coalition on Agings Workforce Report (2021) of which Home Instead was a sponsor uncovered this Image Problem stating that Too often the long-term care sector is perceived as low-skilled when in fact, the technical and soft skills needed to perform caregiving work require a high level of emotional intelligence, interpersonal and communication skills, flexibility to quickly act in emergencies, grit and determination, and physical and emotional fortitude.

In support of altering this narrative Home Instead says it is leading the way to professionalise caregiving and have those that work in the sector as care professionals.

Home Instead says it maintains its leadership in this area through ongoing initiatives to improve its CAREGiver experience with a commitment to values and excellence.

These high standards, it says, drive best-in-class training and operations, setting a benchmark for the sector. Amidst this dynamic environment, Home Instead prioritises career growth, as evidenced by numerous managers who began as Home Instead CAREGivers, highlighting the organisation's dedication to providing a supportive and rewarding career path for its employees.

Home Instead's "Not Just a Carer" campaign seeks to further change this perception by showcasing the remarkable skills, knowledge, and commitment that CAREGivers bring to their roles every single day.

The campaign will span various media channels, including TV, print, broadcast, and social media. It will feature the inspiring stories of Professional CAREGivers from across Ireland, highlighting their ingenuity, compassion, and creativity in improving the lives of the people they care for.

One of the campaign's central narratives revolves around Nora, a lady living with dementia, whose anxiety stems from the perceived displacement of rooms in her home.

Nora's Home Instead CAREGiver, Joan, in a touching and innovative approach, captures images of each room and sticks them to the outside of each door. This simple yet effective solution helps Nora navigate her surroundings with confidence, easing her anxiety and fostering a sense of home.

The "Not Just a Carer" campaign celebrates Home Instead CAREGivers and their commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of those they care for. It is an invitation to individuals with a passion for caregiving to join the Home Instead team on its mission to enhance the lives of ageing adults and their families.

"We are immensely proud of our Professional CAREGivers and their commitment to changing lives. 'Not Just a Carer' is not just a campaign; it's a testament to the extraordinary work happening daily across the country," said Allison Doggett, General Manager at Home Instead Louth.

Deirdre Donaghy, Head of Marketing at Home Instead, said: Delivering quality home care starts with finding the right people to care for our clients. Thats why we wanted to use real care scenarios to show exactly the kind of professional CAREGivers were looking for.

"They are people who value relationships and use their skills, attitude, and personality to find a way to solve a problem, ultimately helping our clients continue being who they are, living fulfilled lives in the place they are most familiar.

We launched the campaign over Christmas during a time when we know families are coming together and may be faced with the realisation that parents and grandparents need some extra support. Wed urge anyone is this situation to reach out to us and our care teams will be happy to help.

As we start the New Year, Home Instead invites individuals with a heart for caregiving to join our team, where their skills, compassion, and creativity can truly make a difference. For more information about the "Not Just a Carer" campaign or to explore career opportunities with Home Instead, please visit HomeInstead.ie/notjustacarer or contact 041 213 2322.
A Tipperary farmer has been jailed for eight years, with another two years suspended, after 730,000 worth of cannabis was found in his articulated lorry.

Martin Murray (58), Crimlin Little, Moneygall, on the Tipperary/Offaly border had denied importing the drugs into Ireland and having them for sale or supply to others but was convicted when a jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict at the end of a trial at Tullamore Circuit Court.

The sentencing hearing today (Tuesday, December 19) was told Mr Murray was charged after gardai had stopped him when he was driving a truck at Dunkerrin on June 30, 2017.

Replying to prosecution counsel Kevin White, Detective Garda Val Russell told Judge Keenan Johnson that gardai mounted a surveillance operation on all major routes in Ireland after receiving information that Mr Murray had come into Northern Ireland from Cairnryan and intended driving home to Moneygall.

His vehicle was seen at the M7 plaza at Portlaoise and it then left the motorway at exit 21 and was followed by a garda vehicle.

Detective Garda Russell said the lorry engaged in counter surveillance manoeuvres, giving the example of where it had exited from the motorway, gone across a bridge, and then drove again on the motorway in the original direction.

When it exited at Barack Obama Plaza it was followed by another garda detective and he pulled Mr Murray's vehicle over near his home.

Mr Murray co-operated with a search of the lorry, saying: No problem, there's nothing on it.

When nothing was visible the vehicle was seized and brought to Nenagh Garda Station where nothing was found in another search.

Gardai did find two Samsung mobile phones, one of which was encrypted, 1,570 worth of cash and paper receipts for fuel.

A warrant was obtained for a search of Mr Murray's property and land but nothing of evidential value was found and the truck was then brought to Dublin Port for another search.

Sniffer dogs and a scan uncovered nothing but a number of large steel tubes were found under other items.

Gardai searched the tubes by drilling holes and inserting a camera and found the drugs vacuum packed, along with 6,000, also vacuum packed in a tube.

Gardai also found Garmin sat nav devices and a tachograph and Detective Garda Russell said Claire Greaney from Forensic Science Ireland, a key witness in the trial, analysed the tachograph and found the truck had travelled from Moneygall to Rosslare, on to Fishguard, across the UK and eventually to Breda in the Netherlands where it appeared to remain from June 24 to June 28.

The court heard that Detective Garda Conor O'Sullivan extracted data from the sat nav and established that the truck had travelled to Hull, England from the Netherlands and gone up to Scotland to Cairnryan Port.

That detective also found that even though the sat nav was not activated between June 24 and June 28, it was still collecting data and recorded five movements of between 21 and 90 miles during those days in the Netherlands.

When Mr Murray was arrested on July 5, 2017 he said It has nothing to do with me and he wasn't prepared to give an account of his travels and that it was on the CMR (travel document).

Detective Garda Russell said no admissions were made by the accused and a file was sent to the DPP and he was charged on October 25, 2018.

The court was also told that his passport was found in the lorry two days into the trial, which took place in May this year.

Detective Garda Russell said Mr Murray had a previous conviction for the sale and supply of drugs dating from 1999 when he received a seven-and-a-half-year sentence at Naas Circuit Court for a an offence committed in October 1996.

He had also received a five-year suspended sentence for larceny in 1996 and his most recent offences were for road traffic matters in 2010 and 2009.

Asked about the accused's background, Detective Garda Russell said he knew he had a farm and a daughter of his had accompanied him to court at some stage.

Michael Gillespie, solicitor for Mr Murray, said the accused's sole defence had been knowledge and the State's case relied on the statutory presumption of knowledge on the part of his client.

Mr Gillespie said there was no evidence that Mr Murray was present when the substance was put into the steel tubes which were sealed and he had been instructed to tell the court that there would be an appeal.

The solicitor said Mr Murray had left school at 14 having completed one year of secondary because his father was ill and he had been principally a farmer since then.

He also got involved in haulage and he would go to the continent and on this occasion he picked up a load in Holland to bring to Ireland.

Mr Gillespie said the trial had heard evidence from James Quinn, a former president of the Irish Road Haulage Association, that a haulier would only be entitled to carry out a visual inspection of his load.

Mr Gillespie presented testimonials on Mr Murray's behalf from a number of people, including a haulier, a mechanic, farmers and a vet.

They variously attested to the accused being a hard worker and very good with animals.

The court also received a letter from the GP of the accused's brother which related the worry and stress caused to him by Martin Murray's prosecution.

The defendant's brother, Seamus Murray, wrote a letter to the court saying that they had grown up with their sisters and when their parents were elderly Martin remained on the farm and they worked side by side on farms.

He referred to the accused as a good friend and brother who helped everyone locally and since Martin's conviction Seamus Murray had to run two farms.

A letter from Cloverhill Prison said Martin Murray was a very good worker in the laundry there who was courteous and polite to staff.

Before Judge Johnson announced his sentence, Mr Gillespie said the accused wished to address the court but was advised that it would not be of any assistance to do so.

Judge Johnson said the minimum sentence for an offence of this kind involving drugs valued at 13,000 or more was 10 years but he could depart from that in certain circumstances.

He noted the accused had pleaded not guilty and had a previous conviction for a similar offence.

He said the amount and kind of drug was an aggravating factor, saying that cannabis was anything but a soft drug and along with being a gateway to other drugs, 5% of cannabis users went on to develop schizophrenia.

Mitigating factors included the man's cooperation with the gardai, his recent unblemished record, and the impact on his brother which was a significant penalty in itself.

The offence carried a sentence of up to life but the headline sentence he imposed was 10 years, with the final two years suspended upon entry of a 500 peace bond for five years post-release.

The sentence was backdated to May 4 last when Mr Murray first went into custody.
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NEW YORK  If youre thinking of sending back a disappointing gift you just received over the holidays, the return may bring even more disappointment.

Americans have grown accustomed to free returns, but a growing number of retailers are charging fees as returns squeeze retailers bottom lines.

Macys, Abercrombie, J. Crew, H&M and other companies have all added shipping fees for mail-in returns.

And its not just the big mall brands, either. Eighty-one percent of merchants are now charging a fee for at least some methods of returns, according to Happy Returns, a logistics company that specializes in returns.

Amazon has started charging customers a $1 fee if they return items to a UPS store when there is a Whole Foods, Amazon Fresh grocery store or Kohls closer to their delivery address. (Amazon owns Whole Foods and Fresh, and has a partnership deal with Kohls.)

Amazon also recently started flagging frequently returned products on its website. Amazon is adding the badge to product listings on items with significantly higher return rates for their product category, a spokesperson said.

Return rates have spiked in recent years as shoppers buy more online. Shoppers are likelier to return purchases they havent seen or tried on in person, experts say.

Customers sent back nearly 17% of the total merchandise they purchased in 2022, totaling $816 billion, according to data from the National Retail Federation. That was up from 8% in 2019.

Companies have to cover costly shipping fees in order for customers to send their products back. Those items sometimes wind up back in retailers warehouses or on shelves. Stores then have to mark down returned goods to sell them, further squeezing their profit. All of that hurts companies profit.

More often, returned products can end up in liquidation warehouses or even landfills, which are an environmental threat.

In some cases, stores are letting customers keep their returns instead of sending them back  low-priced bulky items like furniture, kitchen appliances, home decor, baby chairs, walkers, strollers and other items where its costly for the retailer to cover the shipping cost for the return.

Americans increased their spending this holiday season, but at a slower pace than last year. Retail sales increased 3.1% from Nov. 1 to Dec. 24 compared with the same period a year earlier, according to data released Tuesday from Mastercard SpendingPulse, which measures in-store and online retail sales across all forms of payment.

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Cities Where Brick-and-Mortar Retail Is Declining the Fastest Cities Where Brick-and-Mortar Retail Is Declining the Fastest Changes in the U.S. Retail Landscape Regional Declines in Brick-and-Mortar Retail Large Metros With the Largest Decline in Brick-And-Mortar Retail Midsize Metros With the Largest Decline in Brick-And-Mortar Retail Small Metros With the Largest Decline in Brick-And-Mortar Retail States With the Largest Decline in Brick-And-Mortar Retail Methodology
Number of fentanyl overdose deaths in King County, 2013-2023. The number of people dying in King County from fentanyl has grown exponentially in the past few years, surpassing 1,000 deaths in 2023 alone. Data: Public Health  Seattle and King County. Graphic: Fiona Martin / The Seattle Times

By Sara Jean Green and Lauren Girgis

29 December 2023

(The Seattle Times)  King County has seen over 1,000 fatal fentanyl overdoses in 2023, surpassing a record set last year by an astounding 47%.

Over 1,050 of the countys nearly 1,300 fatal overdoses this year involved fentanyl, sounding yet another alarm about the potency of the deadly synthetic opioid thats increasingly arriving in King County in powder and rock form, smuggled over the U.S. border from clandestine drug labs in Mexico.

Meanwhile, half of the countys overdose deaths this year have involved a combination of fentanyl and methamphetamine, underscoring the extreme danger of using both an opioid and a synthetic stimulant to the bodys central nervous system.

And those are just the deaths that have been confirmed: Another 82 suspected overdose deaths await pending toxicology reports.

Drugs have gotten much more lethal, theyve gotten to be much more available, and we know that theyre much less expensive  and theyre also much more synthetic than ever, said Brad Finegood, a strategic adviser on behavioral health for Public Health  Seattle & King County.

Fatal fentanyl overdoses have skyrocketed in King County over the past four years, with the number of deaths linked to the potent opioid growing by more than 500%.

In 2015, there were just three fentanyl overdose deaths in the entire county. But five years later, the number had jumped to 168  four fewer than the number of people who died from heroin overdoses. Last year, roughly 715 people died of fentanyl overdoses countywide, a record, before the death toll continued to rise to over 1,050 this year.

People gather at the steps the steps of Seattle City Hall on 21 December 2023 for the annual winter solstice vigil to honor every homeless person who died in the year. The King County Medical Examiners Office classified about a quarter of those who died from all types of overdoses this year as living in a location not meant for human habitation or emergency shelter, like encampments, cars, and outdoors. Photo: Kevin Clark / The Seattle Times

That astronomic rise in 2020 served as something of a harbinger for the rapid shift in the local drug supply, from plant-based drugs like heroin and cocaine to highly potent synthetic ones: namely fentanyl and methamphetamine.

Fentanyls effects on the community are deep and wide-ranging, disproportionally affecting vulnerable populations such as homeless people, who make up around 1% of King Countys population but are vastly overrepresented in the deadly statistics.

The King County Medical Examiners Office classified about a quarter of those who died from all types of overdoses this year as living in a location not meant for human habitation or emergency shelter, like encampments, cars and outdoors. About half of the people who died lived in a privately owned or rented home.

While fentanyl deaths continued to skyrocket, fatal overdoses involving methamphetamine also rose this year, with the stimulant involved in 695 deaths as of Thursday, compared with540 for all of 2022. However, the share of deaths caused by a stimulant alone decreased, from 16% to 11% of all overdose deaths.

Using fentanyl and meth together  the first to alleviate physical or emotional pain, the second to stay awake and vigilant all night  depresses then stimulates the bodys central nervous system to the extreme, constantly throwing organ function, heart rate and respiration out of balance until the body eventually gives out.

With far less heroin available on the streets, when you replace your opioid of choice with a much, much, much more powerful opioid, your body cant take it any more, said Finegood.

Thats especially true for people age 45 to 65, who might [have] chronic comorbidities or other health conditions going on, he said. With age, its not as easy to use drugs and stay alive. [more]

King Countys 2023 fentanyl deaths top 1,050, surpassing record
The support of Midleton locals to those hit by devastating flooding earlier this year has been phenomenal, according to a local business owner.

Despite the efforts made by people in the Co Cork town to support their neighbours, there is concern about what will happen if another flood event occurs.

Minister for Transport and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan has said flooding is likely to feature again in 2024 in what he said could be a difficult year.

Sinead Morrissey, owner of Bertelli Menswear, said the people of the Co Cork town had rallied around struggling businesses since the main street was dramatically flooded during Storm Babet.

Extreme weather events this autumn and winter left shops and homes in Midleton, Carlingford and Newry flooded after intense rainfall.

A whirlwind hit the village of Leitrim earlier this month, ripping off roof slates and damaging cars.

On the day that flooding hit Midleton, Ms Morrissey put flood barriers up but the water rose above them and they were forced to abandon the store by 3pm.

More than two months on, she says there is a push to make the most of the Christmas period and that the support of locals in Midleton and the surrounding area has been amazing.

Were doing fine, its been phenomenal, so many people have said to me Im doing all my shopping in Midleton this year, she told the PA news agency.

I lost a lot of furniture, it is difficult, but Midleton has really has supported its own. She said the shop local mantra had been around in previous years but had really taken hold in the wake of the flood damage.

They have really supported our town. One person welled up they were so upset at what happened to Midleton, it really affected older people. A Jingle & Mingle event held in the town on the second weekend in December was a great success.

I did numbers at that that I wouldnt normally do that early in Christmas, Ms Morrissey said.

One man said he lives and works outside of the town but he drove up to do his Christmas shopping in Midleton.

It just shows, its where you live that matters  people really did get behind us.

She said that Christmas in the town is different this year as people are aware that some businesses have not yet reopened.

Christmas is a little bit more subdued this year, because it really didnt start until December when it normally starts in November.

Theres a respectful attitude, its not all about wonderful things because when you meet someone you dont know what someone has been going through. Once the Christmas period ends, the focus will return to discussions on a prevention plan with the county council.

Come January well be on that fight again. We cant just sit back and be sitting ducks, she said.

We had a meeting in November and we said we need short-term solutions, because if it were to happen again, I dont think that 40% of businesses would reopen.

They gave us nothing in November, they gave us 2029 solutions, which is not acceptable for us. The backing of locals to struggling businesses has offered people hope at the festive season, with Ms Morrissey adding: Theres been more vouchers bought in Midleton this year than any other year.

Managing water system

Speaking during an end-of-year interview, Minister Eamon Ryan has said flooding is likely to be a feature again in the new year, but managing Irelands water system is not impossible.

Whats happened to the world this year was not expected in terms of the average temperature increase going above 1.5 degrees.

Its likely unfortunately that 2024 will be when the El Nino effect really kicks in. We dont know where, we dont know exactly what form the weather disruption will be, but its likely going into a difficult year.

We do have to focus on adaptation and protecting ourselves against climate impact, not just trying to reduce emissions.

I do think there has been a game change in understanding this that it isnt just about converting rivers and concrete and embankments and so on, that it is about how you treat the river upstream and how you manage the source of the water and how you hold it back through grassland management, forestry management, peatland restoration, using natural floodplain areas.

I think the OPW (Office of Public Works) are starting to understand that and I think the work were doing on the land use review will help because that has to optimise for so many different things, but included in that is managing our water system.

Its not impossible.
THE South-West region, which includes Cork, has the highest number of binge drinkers in Ireland outside of Dublin.

A binge drinker is someone who consumes six or more units of alcohol in a single sitting, and drinking peaks at Christmas, when families and friends reunite at home and in bars.

In January, 2012, British charity Alcohol Concern coined the phrase dry January when it launched its flagship campaign to encourage people to abstain from drinking for a month. It has become a tradition in many countries.

The immediate benefits of not drinking include saving money and improved health.

The HSE lists lower blood sugar and blood pressure, less fatty build-up around the liver, better sleep, more energy, loss of weight, and less likelihood of headaches, heartburn, indigestion, and stomach upsets as among the health benefits.

Though over-indulging in alcohol during the festive season is not exclusive to problem drinkers, January is also one of the most common months for people to try to quit drinking permanently.

Tabor Group

Mick Devine, the clinical director of Tabor Group, who have two treatment facilities in Cork, said: You would expect the phones to be busy here in January.

We put it down to Christmas being a very demanding occasion for a lot of families, emotions can run high or deep in families around Christmas, and it can be a very challenging time emotionally for people.

There can be a lot of tensions or conflict at this time of year, and people might use alcohol to cope with these challenges; it might get out of hand and they realise they might need help with their drinking, Mr Devine said.

Another reason for increased calls for help in January is people making new years resolutions and then, when they break it, they realise that they need help.

Trying to reduce drinking, and not being able to, really forces people to admit they have a real problem; its often something that theyve been trying to put off. Christmas is additionally stressful, because it reminds people of their childhood, and if they have children themselves there is huge pressure to make everything perfect.

How do you approach Tabor?

Mr Devine said: All they have to do is say, I need some help with a drink or drug or gambling problem. The person on the other end of the phone really takes charge.

The initial steps are quite a gentle process, Mr Devine said, and the person who suspects they have a problem with drinking will be asked for more details to compile a picture of their situation, and then be invited to an assessment.

AA meetings

People who want to give up alcohol, but who do not want to go to a treatment centre, can attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Cork has 170 AA groups, which meet across the city and county every week. There are meetings every day, spread across the morning, afternoon, and evening, and their locations and schedules can be found on alcoholicsanonymous.ie/find-meeting/.

During the pandemic, because in-person meetings could not be held, AA members turned to Zoom, and thousands of online meetings across the world are still running, and these can be joined from a phone at any time of day.

Going to a closed meeting for the first time can be daunting, but several groups hold open AA meetings on occasion, which anyone may attend, including non-alcoholics who wish to observe.

The Bandon group of Alcoholics Anonymous is holding an open public meeting on Friday, January 19 at 8.30pm in The Munster Arms Hotel, with all visitors, newcomers, professionals, members, and those seeking information welcome.

There will be speakers from Alcoholics Anonymous and from Al-Anon, which is a fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics who are worried about their loved one. A GP will also be present and the meeting will end with a Q+A session.

An open meeting is also held on the first Tuesday of every month at 8.30pm at The Lough Community Centre in Greenmount.

'I havent had drank since last January, and that is all down to AA'

An AA member from Cork, who wished to remain anonymous, told The Echo: I knew I had a problem with alcohol for years before I asked for help.

At the beginning, drinking was fun and it was sociable, but slowly it became the complete opposite: I shut myself up in my bedroom drinking every night and pushed everyone away, because I knew I was going to disappoint them.

The hangovers were horrible and the consequences were worse, but the worst thing was what it did to my head: I became so afraid all the time that I was going to lose my job or my house, or that somebody who loved me was going to find out how I had been living.

I kept thinking that a new job or moving to a new city would change the pattern and help me to break the habit of drinking every night, but everywhere I went, my problems followed me.

I tried therapy, I tried medication, I tried to quit by myself, but I just kept ending up drunk and wondering how I had let it happen again.

I went to my first AA meeting mostly to get other people off my back. I never wanted to join, because I thought it was all about religion, but the amount of understanding I got from people there kept me coming back, and now I have an entirely different life, and I know that I never have to have a drink again.

I havent had drank since last January, and that is all down to AA, because I tried to do it myself beforehand and couldnt.

He advised newcomers: You dont have to speak at your first meeting, or even your 10th. If you go into a room, people will shake your hand and introduce themselves, and you can listen to their stories and hear how they recovered from their own addiction to alcohol.

The first speaker will share for 10-15 minutes about what it was like, what happened, and what its like now, then others in the room will share how they related or just how their day is going.

If someone asks you to share, you can say whatever is on your mind, or simply tell them Id just like to listen tonight, and nobody will force you to say anything more, but just hearing other people talk can be so helpful, it made me realise that I wasnt alone.
CONCERNS have been raised about the pressures on the emergency department (ED) at Cork University Hospital (CUH) this winter, due to a shortage of bed capacity.

The clinical director of Emergency and Acute Care at CUH, Prof Conor Deasy, told The Echo that the hospital continues to struggle with a shortage of bed capacity.

This, he said, results in patients who need in-patient beds being stuck on a trolley at the hospitals ED.

This costs lives, he said.

Evidence published this year in JAMA - a top medical journal - from a multi-centre study performed in France, shows that for every 21 patients over 75 years who need to spend a night in the emergency department, there is an avoidable death.

CUH needs investment to resolve this issue.

Professor Conor Deasy, who is also a professor in Emergency Medicine at both CUH and University College Cork (UCC) and President of the Irish Association for Emergency Medicine, said that demand on CUH has never been higher and that attendances are up 10%, compared to last year.

Attendances of older adults aged over 75 were up 34% in October, 2023, compared to October, 2022.

He said that the number of trolleys in the ED at CUH has not increased, and that single rooms are needed so patients can get the best care.

It is hard to envisage where we would find space to put them [the trolleys], now the wards are having to nurse patients on trolleys on the ward corridors, he said.

Single rooms are needed at CUH so patients can get the best care.

Prof Deasy said that efforts have been made to make better use of beds at St Finbarrs and Mallow hospitals, which has led to a greater sharing of the challenge.

Without this - given the increase in attendances and admissions of, in particular, older adults - things would be a lot worse, he said.

Some of the issues with capacity and patient flow highlighted by Prof Deasy were also highlighted following a risk-based announced inspection of CUH, conducted by Health Information and Quality (Hiqa) in July 2023, the report of which was published recently.

Overall, the report of the inspection against the National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare into CUH found the hospital to be compliant or substantially compliant with three national standards, partially compliant with six national standards, and non-compliant with two national standards.

Inspectors found that - while the hospital had defined management arrangements in place to manage and oversee the delivery of unscheduled and emergency care - ineffective patient flow in the unscheduled care pathway and a potential impact on the quality of care delivered, patient experience, potential poor patient outcomes, and non-compliance with patient experience times (Pet) - due to lengthy wait times - was evident.

Inspectors also found the physical environment in CUH did not fully support the delivery of high-quality, safe care - as there was a shortage of isolation facilities in CUH - and transmission-based precautions were not being applied in line with current best practice infection prevention and control guidance and standards.

Prof Deasy said there is undoubtedly an increased risk of the spread of infection in the ED, and said that a lack of single rooms means this is a constant challenge.

Plans have been provided to HSE and Government outlining the investment needed to rectify the situation. These need to be pushed by our Government representatives, he said.

The investment in health facilities and services in Dublin outstrips Cork dramatically, and this inequity cannot be tolerated by the people of Cork or Munster who rely on the mothership that is CUH.

Speaking about the HSE recruitment freeze, he said the decision was having a toxic impact on the delivery of improved services.

The ban on recruiting administrative and management staff was extended across the health service until the end of the year and a freeze on the recruitment of junior doctors, healthcare assistants, home helps, and other grades in the health service was put in place in October.

The HSE told The Echo that the Government funded the HSE to recruit over 6,000 new posts in 2023, to support the development of services, and that the target had been reached before the end of the year  hence the temporary pause.

The embargo is having a toxic impact on the delivery of improved services at CUH. It is having a direct impact on patient care, Prof Deasy said.

Because we dont have our complement of staff due to the embargo, we are struggling to get doctors in to work on the front-line.

Prof Deasy said despite the many challenges faced this year, good things have happened during 2023.

He added: We opened a Childrens ED, we commenced our journey towards becoming a major trauma centre - which has seen the hiring of key personnel earlier this year, before the embargo hit - and an uplift in the service provided to multi-trauma patients.

We have also reduced the time it takes ambulances to offload patients at the ED, and we have improved our delivery of cancer services.

Every day, patients and their families benefit from the professionalism, commitment, and ability of what is truly a world-class healthcare workforce at CUH.

It would be money well spent to equip this workforce with the tools and infrastructure we need, Prof Deasy added,
IRELANDS oldest and largest youth orchestra has presented the proceeds of a fundraising concert to one of Corks oldest charities.

Cork Youth Orchestra (CYO), which this year celebrates its 65th birthday and has itself just achieved charity status, presented the proceeds of its June 30 Reflections of Ireland concert in City Hall to Cork Penny Dinners.

The concert raised a stunning 7,934 for Penny Dinners, a charity which traces its roots in the city back to Victorian times, and which supplies free hot meals and other services to those in need.

Cork Penny Dinners has reported a sharp increase in the demand for its services in the midst of the cost of living crisis.

Founded in 1958, the CYO is a 143-strong orchestra of talented musicians aged from 14 to 19 hailing from Cork city and county.

Membership is selected by audition, ensuring a high standard of proficiency, and the orchestra has its own music library and collection of instruments.

Tomas McCarthy, director of the CYO, told The Echo that the youth orchestra was founded 65 years ago by members of the Cork Soroptomists Club.

In 1958, they invited the British National Youth Orchestra to Cork, and they played at the Imperial Hotel, and there was a meeting held there and Cork Soroptomists Club said they would like their own youth orchestra here, Mr McCarthy said.

It is only in the last couple of weeks that weve become a registered charity, so weve come a long way. The CYO presented the proceeds of its City Hall concert to Penny Dinners as a way of saying thank you to the city, Mr McCarthy said.

The CYO represented Cork and Ireland at the Florence International Festival of Youth Orchestras (Festival Orchestre Giovanili) in Italy in July, playing to 5,000 people.

Its our way of giving back for being able to go to such a large festival, Mr McCarthy said.

Caitriona Twomey, volunteer co-ordinator of Cork Penny Dinners, said she and her fellow volunteers had been very moved by the CYOs donation.

Its just such a generous donation, from such a fabulous orchestra, and it will go a long way towards making sure that we are able to help and feed as many people as possible in the coming weeks and into the New Year, Ms Twomey said.

Cork Penny Dinners served over 1,500 meals on Christmas Day, and over the week between Christmas and New Years Day, its volunteers expect to serve an estimated 10,000 meals.

The charity receives no State funding and relies entirely upon donations from members of the public.
CALLS have been made for CCTV draft codes of practice to be published to allow local authorities in Cork and across Ireland to tackle issues such as dog fouling and illegal dumping.

The Government is yet to sign off on the final codes of practice that would allow local authorities to use CCTV and other technologies to detect and tackle illegal dumping, more than a year after an Act on the topic was brought into law.

The Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022 provides for the GDPR-compliant use of a range of technologies, such as CCTV, for waste enforcement purposes to support efforts to tackle illegal dumping and littering, while protecting the privacy rights of citizens.

The act was signed into law by President Michael D Higgins last year, however, local authorities across Ireland are still waiting for the green light to use CCTV to tackle illegal dumping and littering. This is because the Government is yet to receive codes of practice from the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) on the topic.

Until these codes of practice are examined and signed off on by the Government, CCTV cannot be used by local authorities to tackle these issues.

Six months ago, in a statement, the LGMA claimed that the codes of practice were well advanced and were being legally reviewed.

CODES OF PRACTICE

However, this month, Minister Eamon Ryans department revealed to the Labour Party that he is still yet to see the finalised codes of practice.

The LGMA is continuing to work on the finalisation of these draft Codes of Practice and DPIAs (Data Protection Impact Assessments), which are fundamental to the future operation of CCTV schemes aimed at assisting waste enforcement and anti-litter efforts, including the monitoring of illegal dumping and dog fouling, he said.

He added the LGMA circulated draft Codes of Practice and DPIAs to ministers as part of the required consultation process and that all bodies have now responded to the LGMA with their views, and the LGMA process is at an advanced stage.

Addressing the length of time it is taking to finalise the draft codes of practice, Labour Party candidate for Cork City South East, Peter Horgan, said: This endless cycle of bureaucratic dawdling is impacting communities blighted by dumping and anti-social behaviour.

How can we expect local authorities and gardai to tackle these issues if they cannot even use the tools made available to them through legislation?

My colleague, Senator Mark Wall, secured the inclusion of the CCTV in legislation so that we can tackle dumping of all kinds and anti-social behaviour and not be hamstrung by the data protection niceties.

We need this sorted now.

Speaking about the proposed use of CCTV to tackle dog fouling, Kevin Kelly, national strategic partnership manager for Vision Ireland, highlighted the impact of dog fouling on the visually impaired.

Vision Ireland would welcome any proposal or regulation which would result in less dog fouling on public paths, he said. Dog fouling is a huge issue for people who are blind or vision impaired who use our footpaths daily.

A recent Vision Ireland survey showed that it was the third most frequent unexpected obstacle encountered by respondents.

Not only can dog fouling cause a slip hazard, but it can also be distressing for white cane users whose canes are often dirtied by faeces.
A CORK TD has warned that trolley numbers in emergency departments (EDs) that had decreased over the festive period will spike again in the first week of January.

Sinn Fein TD Thomas Gould said there has been a huge spike in cases of flu, Covid-19 and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) in Cork in the past week and that more people will present to hospital following the Christmas break.

According to the Health Protection Surveillance Centres (HPSC) Respiratory Virus Notification Data Hub, there were 59 cases of RSV, 127 cases of influenza, and 66 cases of Covid-19 recorded in Cork last week.

During Christmas, schools are closed, workplaces are closed, sporting grounds are closed and so all places where people may have accidents or get sick are closed so the risk goes down so to make that comparison that trolley figures have decreased in this time isnt a fair comparison, he said.

Watch the figures in the first week of January spike when people are back at school and college, sport is back, and people are back out and about. A spike straight away will balance out the quiet week of Christmas with the whole month.

The other side of it then is that there are some people who should have presented to hospital over the Christmas but because its Christmas they dont want to do that. People dont want to be in hospital for Christmas and unfortunately, some people will have delayed going when they should have been going.

His comments come as 40 patients were recorded on trolleys in Cork on Friday. There were six patients on trolleys at Bantry General Hospital (BGH), 24 patients on trolleys at Cork University Hospital (CUH), and 10 patients on trolleys at the Mercy University Hospital (MUH).

Deputy Gould said that beds and staff are the only way to tackle this crisis and that serious investment is needed in Corks EDs to meet the required capacity.
Gun-related mass murders and fatalities in the U.S., 2019-2023. The pace of mass murder shootings continued to accelerate in the U.S. in 2023, hitting new records for both the number of attacks and the number of people killed. The year ended with a grim toll of 40 mass murder shootings, which left 207 people dead. Data: gunviolencearchive.org. Graphic: The Messenger

By Safia Samee Ali

25 December 2023

(The Messenger)  The pace of mass murder shootings continued to accelerate in the U.S. in 2023, hitting a new record for both the number of attacks and the number of people killed.

The year ended with a grim toll of 40 mass murder shootings  which left 207 people dead, according to data collected by the nonpartisan Gun Violence Archive.

The organization defines a mass murder as any incident where four or more victims are killed, not including the shooter.

The Gun Violence Archive defines mass shootings as four or more victims being shot  either killed or wounded.

At least a quarter of the mass murders committed with guns this year happened in public places. But the public is becoming desensitized to the news of attacks on the places where Americans work, relax, shop and go to school, said Mark Bryant, executive director of the Gun Violence Archive.

People are just getting numb to it.

A drumbeat that just keeps going and going

Unless its a large-scale shooting like Uvalde  where 19 elementary students and two teachers were murdered in 2022  most of the media moves on very quickly, he said.

Its like a drumbeat that just keeps going and going, said Kelly Drane, research director for the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence.

We see these shootings and we see the same cycle played out where you have these tragedies and theres no legislation passed so the story kind of feels the same to people.

We are just hovering around these highs and we havent really seen dramatic decreases in these numbers because every single one of these shootings, every one of these deaths, thats a family member, a brother, a mother, a sister, a friend or colleague, these are all people, she said.

Gun violence and crime incidents in the U.S. in 2023. Data current as of 30 December 2023. Graphic: Gun Violence Archive

January saw the highest number of mass murder shooting deaths, with 43 people killed. Among them were the 11 victims of the Monterey Park shooting in California, where the gunman targeted a Lunar New Year festival dance.

In March, a former student of The Covenant School, a Christian elementary school in Nashville, opened fire while classes were in session killing three nineyearolds and three adults.

A May mass shooting at the Allen Premium Outlet mall outside Dallas took the lives of eight people, the youngest of whom was three-years-old, while seven others were injured.

The Oct. 25 mass shooting at a bowling alley and bar in Lewiston, Maine, was the deadliest of the year, with 18 people killed. A massive manhunt for the gunman ended days later with him being found dead from apparent suicide.

Part of what may be contributing to that numbness is the lack of movement on gun control laws  which are supported by a majority of the population  or other measures to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people, Bryant said.

When you see intransigence in one half of our government whether youre talking at the federal state or local level, youre seeing this intransigence that just does not abate that is incredibly frustrating, he said.

More guns and more deaths

While the figures are stark, many experts say a spike in gun ownership and the relaxation of gun laws in many states are contributing to the rise in mass murders.

The National Rifle Association and other gun-rights advocates blame less appetite to prosecute criminals, and more lax bail policies that put more offenders back on the street while they await trial.

Gun ownership skyrocketed during and post pandemic and when people have access to firearms, it makes it easier to use those weapons in times of stress and crisis in ways that  without access to a firearm  they might respond very differently, Drane said.

Gun manufacturing reached record high numbers in 2021 with the United States putting out 13 million guns, according to federal data from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. In 2018, gunmakers produced a little over 9 million guns, data showed.

Theres more access to guns and people are experiencing these stressors and maybe a person experiencing those stressors that didnt have a gun might express their anger in a very different way than going into their workplace and shooting their colleagues or to go into a dance hall and shoot people, Drane said.

Additionally, AR-style semi-automatic rifles  which are among the most popular firearms in America  make mass shootings deadlier, because they shoot high-velocity rifle rounds that do tremendous damage to victims, and most carry magazines of 30 rounds or more.

These assault rifles tear people apart rather than just shoot them, Bryant said. [more]

Mass shooting deaths hit record in 2023: More than 200 people killed in 40 mass murders
A major investor in the proposed Hard Rock Casino Rockford in the Illinois city of Rockford is being sued after he sought to expand his chain of gambling cafes.

Dan Fischer, who owns the Dottys chain of gambling cafes, is a chief investor in a proposed casino complex in Rockford.

Mr. Fischer is being accused of taking part in a sham transactionto grow his chain of slot parlors in a $46.5 million deal. A civil lawsuit against the businessman was filed in a Cook County court not long ago.

Mr. Fischers company Illinois Cafe and Service Company LLC, which owns Dottys, is being countersued by Gold Rush Amusements Inc., owned by Hoffman Estates.

According to court papers, after the acquisition of 63 Stellas and Shelbys gaming cafesin the Chicago area, Mr. Fischers company sought to replace the gaming machines supplied by Gold Rush at 44 of the facilities with terminals supplied by Midwest SRO.

The Dottys owner has long maintained a business relationship with Midwest and the latter company has supplied gambling machines to the chain of gambling outlets.

Mr. Fischers company filed a lawsuit against Gold Rushs owner, Rick Heidner, after the gaming machine provider tried to prevent his companys terminals from being replacedat the above-mentioned 44 locations.

Gold Rush filed a countersuit, saying that Illinois Cafe and Service Company conspired with Midwest to cheat the provider out of business. According to court documents, Gold Rush accuses Mr. Fischers gambling empire of buying the Chicago-area gambling establishments in a deal that was primarily financed by Midwest.

Violation of Illinois Law

In its lawsuit, Gold Rush said that the deal for the acquisition of the gaming cafes violated Illinois law which prohibits gaming machine providers from offering inducements to gaming establishments.

Illinois Cafe and Service Company maintains that the deal was legitimate and that it informed the Illinois Gaming Board about its plans to purchase the Stellas and Shelbys locations, but the public relations companies that publicized Gold Rushs claims, said that the state gambling regulator never signed off on the complex acquisition deal.

However, Illinois Cafe and Service Company President, Charity Johns, argued that the owner of Gold Rush himself had landed in regulatory trouble. According to Ms. Johns, the Illinois Gaming Board is looking to revoke Mr. Heidners license for offering to arrange a deal in which Mr. Fischer would have been paid $5 millionmore than what he had paid to purchase the Chicago area locations.

It is unclear how and whether the accusations leveled against Mr. Fischer and his company would impact the review of the Hard Rock Casino Rockford plan. Florida-based gaming and hospitality Hard Rock International submitted its proposal with the Illinois Gaming Board last fall after it secured endorsement by the Rockford City Council.

It is understood that the state gambling regulator has recently begun vetting the casino application.

Bobbie Holzwarth, the Rockford attorney who helped the city through the process for the selection of a preferred casino operator, commented that the litigation is very contentiousand that the court would hopefully sort it all out.

Hard Rock plans to build a $311 million complexat the site of the former Clock Tower Resort on Rockfords East State Street near the I-90 entrance.

The property will feature a 65,000-square-foot gaming floorwith slot machines and table games, a 1,600-seat Hard Rock Live event venue, and food and beverage facilities.

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Definition of Hypophora

Hypophora is cash free spins pragmatic gamblinga figure of speech in which a writer raises a question, and then immediately provides an answer to that question. Commonly, a question is asked in the first paragraph, and then the paragraph is used to answer the question. It is also known as antipophora, or anthypophora. At first look, examples of hypophora may seem similar to rhetorical question examples, but there is a slight difference as explained below.

Difference Between Hypophora and Rhetorical Question

The basic difference between hypophora and a rhetorical question is that, in a rhetorical question, the answer is not provided by the writer, since it does not require an answer. Such as,  for if we lose the ability to perceive our faults, what is the good of living on? (Marcus Aurelius). However, in hypophora, the writer first poses a question, and then answers that question immediately; such as in this example:

What should young people do with their lives today? Many things, obviously. But the most daring thing is to create stable communities in which the terrible disease of loneliness can be cured.

(Palm Sunday: An Autobiographical Collage, by Kurt Vonnegut)

Examples of Hypophora in Literature

Example #1: A Christmas Memory(By Truman Capote)

Thirty-one cakes, dampened with whiskey, bask on window sills and shelves.

Who are they for?

Friends. Not necessarily neighbor friends: indeed, the larger share is intended for persons weve met maybe once, perhaps not at all. People whove struck our fancy. Like President Roosevelt.

In this example, the speaker raises a question in the beginning, and then answers it in the course of the passage. The question is shown in bold, that is Who are they for? The author wants to heighten the effect of important topics by asking a question.

Example #2: Henderson the Rain King(By Saul Bellow)

What made me take this trip to Africa? There is no quick explanation. Things got worse and worse and worse and pretty soon they were too complicated.

In this passage, the writer asks the question and immediately explains. This creates a rhetorical effect, which lies in providing the answer that readers might expect to be given by a writer.

Example #3: Cherry Orchard(By Anton Chekov)

TROFIMOV:

Who knows? And what does it meanyoull die? Perhaps a man has a hundred senses, and when he dies only the five known to us are destroyed and the remaining ninety-five are left alive  LUBOV:

You want giants, do you?  Theyre only good in stories, and even there they frighten one  TROFIMOV:

Isnt it all the same whether the estate is sold to-day or isnt? Its been all up with it for a long time; theres no turning back, the paths grown over. Be calm, dear 

There are three hypophora examples in this excerpt, shown in bold. Initially, the characters pose questions, and then answers in order to draw the attention of readers.

Example #4: Waiting for Godot(By Samuel Beckett)

ESTRAGON:

(gesture toward the universe). This one is enough for you? (Silence.) Its not nice of you, Didi. Who am I to tell my private nightmares to if I cant tell them to you  ESTRAGON:

That would be too bad, really too bad. (Pause.) Wouldnt it, Didi, be really too bad? (Pause.) When you think of the beauty of the way. (Pause.) And the goodness of the wayfarers. (Pause. Wheedling.) Wouldnt it, Didi?

Waiting for Godot is filled with this rhetorical device. Such as here, Estragon asks questions and then provides explanations to answer his own questions. The questions create curiosity, and also bring a new topic of discussion.

Function of Hypophora

The major purpose of using hypophora is to create curiosity among the readers, while a well-timed silence produces heightened effect, and creates interest. It helps to capture the attention of the audience. However, hypophora can also be employed to introduce new discussions or topics of importance about which the readers might not have information. Also, it can be used as a directional device to change the topic. It can raise the types of question readers might already have on their minds and would like to get answers to. In addition, it is frequently used in political speeches as well as literary works.
Jeremy Fleming. Photo: AFP

When British gentlemen desperately badmouthed China's use of technology,losing their dignity and revealing their true hooligan nature, it's perhaps the most entertaining episode on today's international stage.Jeremy Fleming, head of Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), UK's electronic spy agency, on Tuesday accused China of trying to "rewrite the rules of international security," claiming China is using its economic and technological clout to clamp down at home and exert control abroad, AP reported. According to Fleming, the way China deploys emerging technology, from satellite systems such as BeiDou to digital currencies, could represent a "huge threat to us all." Fleming's planned speech comes after the head of the FBI and his British counterpart groundlessly accused China of using "every tool" to steal Western technology in July.This, of course, is utter nonsense. Concocting "China technological threat" theory has become one of the priorities of British and US intelligence agencies. It seems only by constantly fabricating and exaggerating the "security threat from China" can they demonstrate the value of their existence and obtain more funding and private interests.Fleming, Britain's top cyber spy, talked rubbish. He singled out BeiDou, claiming the system could be used to block adversaries' access to space or bolster surveillance. We have to ask: Then what are the EU's Galileo system and US' GPS satellite system used for? Why can't China have its own navigation satellite system which will not only meet the demand of the country's national security, economic as well as social development but also better serve global users by providing more stable and reliable services?"Countries, particularly the US and the UK, want to maintain their monopoly in the high-tech sector, so that they could be able to control the lifeline of future economic development and monopolize the tech advantages in emerging industries," Gao Jian, director of the Center for British Studies at Shanghai International Studies University, told the Global Times.As a matter of fact, the UK and US intelligence agencies' weaponization of technologies is truly the greatest security threat to the world. British commentator Tom Fowdy told the Global Times that "Fleming's claim is hypocritical projection from the UK. There are no other countries on earth who utilize technology for surveillance and coercive purposes than Britain and the United States as a part of the five eyes alliance." He further said China's goal is to utilize technology for its own development and progress, and not for far-reaching geopolitical or hegemonic ambitions.The US, the UK and some other Western countries have long been engaged in weaponizing technologies in spying and monitoring military enterprises, scientific research institutes, and government agencies of not only their deemed rivals but also allies. A cybersecurity report in June showed the US military and government cyber agencies had remotely stolen over 97 billion pieces of global internet data and 124 billion phone records over the past 30 days, which became a significant source of intelligence for the US, the UK and other "Five Eyes" countries. Earlier this month, the US National Security Agency was exposed after it launched a cyberattack and engaged in data theft against the Northwestern Polytechnical University in China.The intelligence network created by the US and the UK is the source of evil in the world and the biggest threat to global security. "American and British intelligence agencies are going on a rampage in global cyberspace, conducting various attacks on other countries' cyber infrastructure and intercepting intelligence. They are robbers. Now these robbers accuse China, a victim of their attacks, of conspiring to control the world, on what grounds?" asked Shen Yi, a professor at the School of International Relations and Public Affairs of Fudan University.The US and the UK intelligence agencies have a bad record. Based on past facts, the US and the UK must have projected their own foul deeds and crimes onto China. "The Royal United Services Institute, as an old leading think tank in the UK, has allowed the insane rhetoric of the intelligence agency chief to come to the fore. Where is its basic ability to judge the quality of a speech?" asked Shen.
play free slot machines for real moneyshows grade level based on the word's complexity. abidance [ uh-bahyd-ns ]/ bad ns / New Word List Save This Word!This shows grade level based on the word's complexity. Thisshows grade level based on the word's complexity.[ uh-bahyd-ns ]/ bad ns /Save This Word!This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.

nounthe act or state of abiding. conformity; compliance (usually followed by by): strict abidance by the rules.

Words nearby abidance

How to use in a sentence Dixon was legally bound to not report the assaults at the victims' requests, in abidance with physician-patient privilege. From Hero to Homeless: Tara Dixons Story|Paula Broadwell|July 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST

QUIZWILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!Question abidanceFirst recorded in 164050; abide + -anceabhorrence, abhorrent, Abia, Abiathar, Abib, abidance, abide, abide by, abiding, Abidjan, AbieDictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary,  Random House, Inc. 2022
Nearby Bedford considered a resolution last week that would have punished officials who tried to enforce the restrictions, including withholding funding from the sheriff and ordering the arrest of state agents.

Stories about QAnons conspiracy theory on Bedfords law are still circulating on social media.

Born in Berlin, Sybille von Schoenebeck  Bedfords birth name  spent her childhood as the little Baronin Billi, the unwanted daughter of two rich, glamorous and utterly incompatible parents.

Here Bedford entered the orbit of Aldous Huxley, who encouraged the young woman in her ambition to write.

Those same changes serve as passport stamps for its global trek through the worlds population, laying out the itinerary of the viruss journey for geneticists like Bedford. Inside the Global Quest to Trace the Origins of COVID-19and Predict Where It Will Go Next|Alice Park|July 23, 2020|Time

"Now we have two families that's missing someone from the holidays," a Bedford-Stuyvesant resident told a local news station. Anger at The Cop Killer - And The Police|M.L. Nestel|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Harris was sentenced to 15 years in prison in Bedford, N.Y., but was granted clemency in 1993 by Gov. Mario Cuomo. Headmasters Behaving Badly|Emily Shire|November 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Dave Bredensteiner of Bedford, who served under the lieutenant colonel in Iraq, praised her effusively as an excellent leader. Joni Ernst's Big Pivot: From Pig Castrator to Iowa Nice|Ben Jacobs|August 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST

So sayeth Mike Tyson, the menacing and troubled warrior from the mean streets of Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. The Art of Strategy: Or How to Fight and Lead Better|James A. Warren|December 30, 2013|DAILY BEAST

I met him briefly at an event he attended with Kelly and Mayor Michael Bloomberg in Bedford-Stuyvesant back in April. Bill Bratton Vs. Ray Kelly|Christopher Dickey|December 12, 2013|DAILY BEAST

At Elstow, a mile from Bedford, we saw his cottage, a mean-looking little hut with only two rooms. British Highways And Byways From A Motor Car|Thomas D. Murphy

The train drew up at a platform, and as Max started back into his seat, the carriage-door opened, and Ella Bedford fainted. By Birth a Lady|George Manville Fenn

And all this while, burning with fever, Ella Bedford lay delirious, and with a nurse at her bedside night and day. By Birth a Lady|George Manville Fenn

This new war afforded Bedford an opportunity for moving in parliament for the recall of the British troops from Germany. The Political History of England - Vol. X.|William Hunt
A special presentation event titled Henan Province Tourism and Aviation Information Session to promote tourism in the central Chinese province of Henan was held Wednesday in Osaka,free money sportsbook no deposit attracting more than 100 participants.

The event, held in a major hotel in the city center, was organized by Henan Provincial Tourism Administration. The Osaka event aimed at introducing a number of the provinces rich cultural and historical heritages as the Chinas ideal tourist destination from Japanese cities with a few of flying hours.

Participants, including many from travel agencies and tour operators based in Osaka and its surrounding Kansai area, were introduced the latest information about the world-class tourist spots in the province as well as about air and land transportation systems to/from the province.

Zhang Dawei, Vice Governor of Henan Province, said in his speech that the number of Japanese tourists visiting the province last year recorded about 110,000, the second largest group of foreign tourists, stressing that the figure would further increase from this July when a Chinese airline company will launch direct flight service between Osaka and Zhengzhou, the capital city of Henan Province.

Opening the direct air route in the year of the 40th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan will play a key role in promoting exchanges between the two peoples, Zhang said.

Chinese Deputy Consulate General in Osaka Yu Shuyuan said she hopes more and more Japanese tourists would visit Henan Province which has four major ancient capitals.

In the event, a team of young monks wearing the traditional costume from Shaolin Temple, showed spectacular performances of the well-known martial arts on the stage, further impressing all the guests with the provinces traditional culture.

Xinhua

Henan Province promotes tourism in Osakaadded by chinatimesonline on

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What is 20 free casino bonusa Liquidating Dividend

A liquidating dividend is a type of payment that a corporation makes to its shareholders during a partial or full liquidation. For the most part, this form of distribution is made from the company's capital base. As a return of capital, this distribution is typically not taxable for shareholders. A liquidating dividend is distinguished from regular dividends that are issued from the company's operating profits or retained earnings.

A liquidating dividend is also called liquidating distribution.

BREAKING DOWN Liquidating Dividend

A liquidating dividend may be made in one or more installments. In the United States, a corporation paying out liquidating dividends will issue a Form 1099-DIV to all of its shareholders that details the amount of the distribution.

Despite certain tax advantages, investors who receive liquidation dividends often find that these still do not cover their initial investment as the companys fundamental quality has deteriorated.

Liquidating Dividend and Traditional Dividends

In general, with regular dividends, on and after the ex-dividend date, a seller is still entitled to the payout even if she/he has already sold it to a buyer. Essentially, a person who owns the security on the ex-dividend date will receive the distribution, regardless of who currently holds the stock. The ex-dividend date is typically set for two business days prior to the record date. This is due to the T+3 system of settlement financial markets presently use in North America.

For a regular dividend, the declaration date or announcement date is when a company's board of directors announces a distribution. The payment date is when the company officially mails the dividend checks or credits them to investor accounts.

Liquidating Dividend and Liquidation Preference

In addition to a liquidating dividend, companies have a set order in which they must re-pay their owners in the event of a liquidation. Liquidation can occur when a company is insolvent and cannot pay its obligations when they come due, among other reasons. As company operations end, remaining assets go to existing creditors and shareholders. Each of these parties has a priority in the order of claims to company assets. The most senior claims belong to secured creditors, followed by unsecured creditors, including bondholders, the government (if the company owes taxes) and employees (if the company owes them unpaid wages or other obligations). Preferred and common shareholders receive any remaining assets, respectively.
One engineer reached out to me when funds arrived for road development stating a budget of 8 lakh. I promptly measured a route in Musheerabad from Gulshan Nagar to Praga Tools, sending the dimensions on Bholakpur Welfare Associations letterhead. Frequent visits to the municipal corporation and water works led to building friendships with engineers and officers (aise karte karte, ja jake dost ban gaye). This coincided with the installation of Mohammad Nagars first community toilet, at the same site where a garbage-strewn stepwell was used for open defecation. Following this, seven to eight public taps were sanctioned for Bholakpur, initially using iron pipes. Then we got sewage lines for the first time in the 1980s. One officer told me that to submit this proposal, people will have to give drawings of their homes in the application. He asked for my help to explain the procedure to themthats how they worked in six blocks  From 1991 to 2004, there was no corporator from Musheerabad and no local funding. Decades later in 2009, a colitis outbreak due to sewage contamination prompted an outcry, leading to a 12 crore allocation for works in Bholakpur. Thats when all the iron pipes were replaced by PVC pipes. Then before the assembly election in 2018, a special sanction of 20 crores was ordered by the chief minister for pipe overhauling because sewage-water complaints were still persistent.

Sheikh Chand Sajid, 2019: Founder of Bholakpur Development Association
Reuters | Russia unleashed one of its biggest missile attacks on Ukraine, killing dozens of civilians, wounding more than 120 and hitting residential buildings in Kyiv, the south and west of the country, officials said.
Facebook and other social media account holders have another thing to worry about. Their Facebook groups and their account can be stolen, and then it can turn up for sale on the black market. And the owners of accounts on Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and other social media platforms can lose their groups, too.

It's totally illegal, but these groups are selling for hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars, depending upon how many group members there are. Then the new owners can monetize these groups by marketing, advertising, and promoting products and services to the newly acquired members. Or worse  they can seek to gain emails and personal information from the members, so they can scam them for money or access their computers.

That's what well-known author Gini Graham Scott discovered after her own Facebook group was stolen. As a result, after writing several previous books about scams, including The Big Con, I Was Scammed, Scam Story, and The Great Big Facebook Hack, published by American Leadership Books, she wrote a series of articles about this marketplace for buying and selling Facebook groups.

Here's a link to the first of these articles: The Latest Scam: Sealing and Reselling Facebook Groups. https://ginigrahamscott.medium.com/the-latest-scam-stealing-and-reselling-facebook-groups-58bcae60170c. Her next article in the series will be on what to do to protect yourself from this scam.

* * * * * * *

Gini Graham Scott, Ph.D. is the author of over 50 books with major publishers and has published 200 books through her company Changemakers Publishing and Writing (http://www.changemakerspublishingandwriting.com). She writes books, proposals, and film scripts for clients, and has written and produced 18 feature films and documentaries, including Conned: The True Story and Con Artists Unveiled distributed by Gravitas Ventures. (http://www.changemakersproductionsfilms.com). Her latest books include Ghost Story and How to Find and Work with a Good Ghostwriter published by Waterside Productions; The Big Con, I Was Scammed, and Love and Sex in Prison, published by American Leadership Press; and Ask the AI Wizard, published by J. Michael Publishing.

Changemakers Publishing and Writing

San Ramon, CA 94583

(925) 804-6333

Changemakerspub@att.net

www.changemakerspublishingandwriting.com
The United States on Friday announced the approval of a $147.5 million sale of 155mm high-explosive artillery munitions and related equipment to Israel under an emergency provision that waives the usual congressional review.

The same provision was used earlier this month to approve the sale of nearly 14,000 rounds of 120mm tank ammunition to Israel, which is battling Hamas in Gaza in a highly destructive conflict that began with a shock attack by the Palestinian militants in October.

Israel requested that 155mm fuses, primers and charges be added to previous foreign military sale cases, increasing their estimated total cost from $96.51 million to $147.5 million and requiring a new notification, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement.

The secretary of state has determined that "an emergency exists that requires the immediate sale to the government of Israel" of the weaponry, thereby waiving the normal requirement for review by Congress, according to the statement, which said the munitions will come from US Army stocks.

"Israel will use the enhanced capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen its homeland defense," the statement said, adding: "It is incumbent on all countries to employ munitions consistent with international humanitarian law."

The latest round of the Israel-Hamas conflict began when the Palestinian militant group carried out a shock cross-border attack from Gaza on October 7 that killed about 1,140 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli figures.

Following the attack, the United States rushed military aid to Israel, which has carried out a relentless campaign in Gaza that has killed at least 21,507 people, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-ruled territory.

The civilian deaths and the destruction in Gaza from the Israeli campaign has caused a growing international outcry, and the United States' international image has taken a beating over its continued backing for Israel.

wd/mdl

 Agence France-Presse
A balloon from China flies above Billings, Montana. U.S. officials said they suspected it was spying; China said it was a research balloon blown off course. (Photo by Chase Doak, used with permission.)

U.S. Sen. Steve Daines again called for a Congressional briefing on the Chinese spy balloon following a news report that confirmed the Biden administration intended to keep it a secret from Congress and the public.

Daines, a Montana Republican, said this weekend the effort to cover up this incident is unacceptable, citing an NBC News story.

It is imperative that Congress get to the bottom of what happened, so it doesnt happen again, and the administration needs to fulfill my request for a report on U.S. technology used aboard the spy balloon and present the findings to Congress and the American people, Daines said.

In February 2023, Department of Defense officials confirmed a balloon from China was flying over the United States after a couple of photojournalists in Montana captured an image of a suspicious object in the sky over Billings.

The NBC story last week said the U.S. Air Force general in charge of defending the countrys airspace from invasion warned that Chinas balloon program remains active, and the U.S. has failed to develop systems to quickly detect the devices and share information about them.

It exposed significant gaps, long-range gaps, for us to be able to see potential threats to the homeland, Gen. Glen VanHerck, also head of the North American Aerospace Defense Command, told NBC News. I think that opened the eyes of a lot of people.

The Biden administration shot down the balloon over the South Carolina coast so the debris wouldnt harm people. Before being destroyed, it floated over the continental U.S. for about seven days, including over nuclear warhead sites in Montana.

The incident damaged the relationship between the U.S. and China, and Biden administration officials told NBC the political fallout was worse than the threat posed by the balloon.

U.S. officials initially declined to discuss whether the balloon could collect sensitive data, but the Wall Street Journal later reported a mashup of gear it contained could gather information. However, U.S. officials said data didnt appear to have been transmitted back to China.

Daines and U.S. Sen Jon Tester, a Montana Democrat, both have demanded more information from the Biden administration about the balloon, the reasons it was carrying American technology, and the Department of Defenses response.

In February, Tester, chairperson of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee, led a hearing where senators grilled Defense officials about the reason they had let the balloon fly over the U.S. for so long and its purpose and capabilities.

Daines gave a nod to one of the Billings photojournalists in his most recent criticisms of the Biden administrations approach to national security and the balloon.

Im not sure which is worse: letting a spy balloon fly across the country or thinking the American people may not notice, Daines said. Thanks to our own Montana media, especially Larry Mayer who took the initial photographs, the American people became aware China was spying on us in plain sight.

In November, in advance of President Joe Bidens meeting with President Xi Jinping of China, Daines sent the FBI a letter with demands. In it, he called on the agency to brief Congress on its investigation into how China obtained and illegally deployed U.S. technology, evading both the law and spirit of U.S. military end-use export restrictions.

Tuesday, the FBI confirmed it received the letter but did not answer questions from the Daily Montanan, including the status of any public briefing.

Ahead of that same meeting, Tester also expressed concern about aggression from China and urged the president to be firm with the Chinese leader.

The United States must be clear that our nation will not tolerate surveillance efforts like the Chinese spy balloon incident, online misinformation campaigns through TikTok, or any other conduct that is designed to undermine our democracy, Tester said in his November letter to Biden. There is no doubt that China is seeking to replace the United States as the leading world power and will use any tactic to achieve this end goal.

An expert on China and senior fellow with the Mansfield Center at the University of Montana earlier told the Daily Montanan the U.S. and China are likely each others No. 1 espionage targets.

Last week, Reuters projected the political strife between China and the U.S. will spill into 2024, including with presidential elections in both Taiwan and the U.S.

In his reaction this weekend to the NBC story, Daines reiterated his request for answers to questions he sent to the FBI last month.

The spy balloon incident was a national embarrassment, and the United States must repair its image around the world  starting with projecting strength, not weakness, Daines wrote.

The post Daines on Chinese spy balloon: The effort to cover up this incident is unacceptable appeared first on Daily Montanan.
A sticker on a pole in downtown Helena denouncing hatred and violence (Photo by Darrell Ehrlick of the Daily Montanan).

I dont know about you, but I am sick and tired of the constant barrage of fear driven politics. Candidates sending out mailings wearing camouflage uniforms, using words such as; emboldened extremists, D.C. cartels, bureaucrats conducting armed raids on Americans, Washington is a swamp is all ludicrous and a seriously misled connotation implying there is a war against law-abiding citizens by our own government.

I suggest to many presently representing us in elected office in Montana and in Washington D.C., to take a look in their own mirror. Where has the oath of honor and respect gone when an elected individual is sworn in to serve we the people? Instead ask why they are going to war against our own people? Is the drumbeat of a grave threat to our nation at our borders?

What do you think, or is the grave threat within the ranks of our elected representatives? Critical thinking is vital. Yes, we have a border crisis and yes, we can figure this out, if elected officials listen to their constituents and speak to one another. This is democracy at work. Using the phrase the D.C. Cartel conjures up corruption to the worst degree is destructive and hateful and offers no promise nor hope for our country.

Banning books, displaying intolerance for our fellow citizens based on what their life choices are is not the American way. Each and every one of is an American. We each have our personal freedom to vote, freedom to make our own choices, freedom to speak, and freedom to choose, thanks to the Constitution written by our founders.

Does anyone out there still understand that democracy is built on the premise of electing representatives to our government who are elected to share our differences in thought and respective ideas? Are they trying to find solutions for all of us, and not just one side? I call these honorable people public servants. They offer their time and duty to the country when they opt to serve in public office.

Our government of democracy provides a sensible structure for a country composed of people from all backgrounds, all walks of life, myriads of different beliefs and religions and ideas. Christianity is one of many religions in this country. White is not the only color. Women are not second-class citizens. Ones sexuality is biological and not a choice. Human beings are all equal, and it is not governments business to interfere in this privacy for every American. To suggest one party is evil is absurd in a democracy. If we did not believe in science, we would still believe the earth is flat.

The constant drumbeat of fear is infectious and is downgrading our freedom at an alarming rate. Vermin, Democrats, Republicans and other common words are now used derogatorily and are freely spewed out of the mouths of many elected officials daily. We must get a grip. Otherwise, we will find ourselves in a country that is no longer a democracy and ruled entirely by individuals who will dictate the rule of law on a whim and will no longer care what we think. We take our freedom for granted. If we dont stand up against this heinous and destructive war amongst us, our freedoms will be lost.

Consider this: If we continue to turn our heads and stop paying attention as we are doing now, a home town American city near you could soon become a place where trains will transport those of us who are condemned by authority to place not so unlike Auschwitz or Buchenwald.

Norma Buchanan

The post The war within is happening appeared first on Daily Montanan.
Jeremy Renner will be "forever" grateful to the medic who helped him to recover from his near-fatal accident.

Jeremy Renner has returned to the hospital in Nevada

The 52-year-old actor was hospitalised on January 1, 2023, after he suffered a near-fatal snowplow accident, and Jeremy recently returned to the hospital in Reno, Nevada, where his injuries were treated.

Alongside a photograph of himself riding in a RennerVation Foundation firetruck, Jeremy wrote on Instagram: "Rollin through Reno, NV with joy, blessings, and [pizza emojis] !!!! Stopped by to see kids/superheroes , first responders , and doctors, nurses and staff at Renown hospital Paying my respects and celebrating love, life and the blessings it brings to us all. Thank you and this community for keeping me here.. Im forever in your debt with gratitude #loveandtitanium (sic)"

Jeremy was injured when he tried to remove a stranded family member's car from the snow near his home.

The 'Hurt Locker' star was struck by a snowplough and left "completely crushed" by the vehicle, according to a 911 call made after the incident.

A doctor - who lived nearby - fixed a tourniquet to his leg until the actor was airlifted to hospital, where he was kept in an intensive care unit in a critical condition, before undergoing surgery on his injuries.

Meanwhile, in November, Jeremy took to social media to discuss his recovery.

The Hollywood star - who is perhaps best known for playing Hawkeye in the Marvel Cinematic Universe - said on Instagram: "I have been exploring EVERY type of therapy since Jan 14th  everyday.

"Countless hours of physical therapy, peptide injections, iv drips and pushes, stem cell and exosomes, red light / IR therapy, hyperbaric chamber 2.0 atmospheres, cold plunge, and the list goes on and on. (sic)"
Keith Richards has been celebrating his 80th birthday and Christmas on safari in South Africa.

Keith Richards has been celebrating his 80th birthday and Christmas on safari in South Africa

The Rolling Stones former hellraising guitarist took the trip with his wife Patti Hansen, who he married in 1983, to mark becoming an octogenarian on 18 December.

He posted alongside an image of himself grinning while wearing a jacket in the colours of the South African flag: Thank you for your birthday wishes! Merry Christmas from South Africa.

Keiths trip came weeks after it was reported he was planning on jetting off to see wildlife on a safari trip to mark turning 80.

A source told The Sun: Keith isnt afraid of wild beasts and loves seeing them roaming in the wild.

Its been a dream to do a big holiday with all his family at a luxury resort in Africa and have that once-in-a-lifetime kind of experience all together.

He turns the big 8-0 in December and hes hoping to get out before then and live it up in the sunshine and then spend Christmas with his family.

Its believed dad-of-five Keith also took some of his extended family along for the ride.

Keith is also celebrating The Rolling Stones having a hit on their hands with their latest album Hackney Diamonds.

The bands record shifted 72,200 copies in its first week on sale in the UK alone, making it the third fastest-selling release of the year behind records from Lewis Capaldi and Ed Sheeran.
Simon Cowell has netted a 50 million-a-year pay day.

Simon Cowell has netted a 50 million-a-year pay day

The 65-year-old music moguls windfall is said to be due to the worldwide success of his television empire, with Simon earning nearly 1 million a week, according to accounts filed by Syco Holdings.

Its the firm he uses to manage his hit Britains Got Talent show, and figures first obtained by the Daily Mirror, which were submitted to Companies House, showed a 21.9 million pre-tax profit on a 32.6 million turnover in the business in the year leading up to March.

Half the cash was said to have come from the US, while there was 7.1 million from the UK and 8.9 million from elsewhere in the world.

Former X Factor judge Simon reportedly pay himself 50 million from the company.

Simon is also said to have done a deal for an investment bank to buy bonds backed by his TV franchises.

His riches come despite Simon making a decision to scale back his work in recent years to spend more time with his partner Lauren Silverman, 46, and their 10-year-old son Eric.

He now sticks to a four-day week as he believes working on a Friday is pointless.

Former workaholic Simon  who has also changed his sleeping and eating patterns  told The Sun about his lifestyle overhaul: Actually, the first thing (I do) is take off Fridays.

Dont work on Fridays, because you dont have to.

Eat dinner at five oclock. Dont take calls after 5.30pm. Dont read emails after 5.30pm. Watch a happy movie.

And stay outside. Im not kidding about the Fridays.

I dont think anyone should be working five days a week. Its just pointless.
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Hrithik Roshan, renowned for his acting and exceptional dance skills, recently lauded Tiger Shroff's impressive dance performance.





Tiger Shroff showcased his dynamic dance moves in a spirited rendition of the song Sher Khul Gaye from the movie Fighter, catching the attention of Hrithik Roshan, who expressed his admiration on social media.

Tiger, known for his remarkable dancing talent, shared a vibrant dance video on Instagram, grooving energetically to Sher Khul Gaye. Hrithik, visibly impressed, praised Shroff's finesse in a heartfelt Instagram story, stating, "Love it & Love you man! Everyone in the frame is simply Fab."





Earlier, Tiger had shared a snippet of his dance performance on the upbeat track while on a shoot, noting the song's release from the movie Fighter. He captioned the lively moment, saying, "In the middle of a shoot waiting for our shotcame across this new banger from #fighter and the boys decide to teach me this jam all the best to my favs @s1danand @hrithikroshan @boscomartis."

Fighter, helmed by Siddharth Anand, boasts an ensemble cast including Hrithik Roshan, Deepika Padukone, Anil Kapoor, and Karan Singh Grover.

The aerial action film is scheduled for release on January 25, 2024.
Tanuj Virwani and Tanya Jacob are the newly-wed pair in B-town and well, we have loved their mesmerizing snaps on social media indeed. The duo have known each other for long before finally tying the knot in the presence of close family and friends and well, the duo have received good wishes and happiness from everyone around. The duo got married on the auspicious day of Christmas and well, what truly a better day than that to tie the knot. So, post marriage, the curiosity is intense regarding Tanuj and Tanya and their honeymoon plans? So, where exactly are they jetting off to enjoy their romantic and blissful honeymoon? Regarding the same, the actor shares and we quote,

"Well, first of all, thanks to one and all for all the love, kindness and support that you all have sent me. My comments section and DMs are filled with good wishes and I am so grateful to everyone. Well, yes, our honeymoon is indeed happening soon and we are traveling to places like Paris, Prague, Vienna & Budapest and henceforth, we will be traveling from 3rd January to 18th January. Post that, there's a crazy and hectic work schedule that's awaiting both of us. Also, the reason why we picked the dates from 3rd onwards was because we wanted to celebrate New year's Eve together with our families here in Lonavala as a form of extended celebration since the wedding vibe is still on. So yes, looking forward to a romantic and blissful honeymoon with the love of my life. Thankful to all for your kind words and support. We cherish every bit of it together as a couple."

Well, here's wishing Tanuj and Tanya a lifetime of togetherness going forward and may they have a rocking 2024 going forward. Stay tuned for more updates.
Bigg Boss Tamil 7 eviction week 13: Kamal Haasan's reality show has managed to capture the attention of the viewers, leaving everyone engaged. The show has emerged as a fan-favourite, courtesy of the drama-packed episode and the non-stop action and fights in the show.

BIGG BOSS TAMIL 7 FIRST FINALIST

Just when we thought that the drama in BB Tamil 7 house was over, the makers surprised us with their new twist. The Ticket to Finale task turned out to be an engaging affair as the housemates left no stone unturned. Vishnu beat Maya, Nixen, Poornima, Vijay and other Bigg Boss Tamil season 7 contestants to win the TTF task.

After clinching victory, he became the first finalist of Bigg Boss Tamil 7. With the win, Vishnu secured a spot in the grand finale week. It remains to be seen who will join him as the second finalist of Kamal Haasan's show.

KAMAL HAASAN QUESTIONS CONTESTANTS

The official Instagram handle of Vijay Television released a new promo where Kamal Haasan can be seen reprimanding the contestants for their actions. He questions a few housemates for their antics during the TTF task, expressing their displeasure over the same.

The promo went viral on the internet, grabbing eyeballs from all corners.

BIGG BOSS TAMIL 7 ELIMINATION: WHO WILL GET EVICTED IN WEEK 13?

Cool Suresh, Ananya Rao, Jovika, Akshaya, Bravo, Bala, Aishu, Anna Bharathi, Pradeep, Vinusha, Yugendran and Bava have been eliminated from the reality show till date. Who will be evicted from Bigg Boss Tamil 7? This is the question on everyone's mind.

Dinesh, Raveena Daha, Nixen, Vishnu, Manichandra, Maya Krishnan and Vijay Varma have been nominated for eviction in week 13. Vishnu, Manichandra and Vijay are safe from elimination while the bottom three are Nixen, Vijay and Raveena.

According to Bigg Boss Booster, Raveena Daha has been eliminated from Bigg Boss Tamil 7 on weekend episode. She became the latest contestant to bid adieu to the show. Last week, Vickram was eliminated as he received the least number of votes from the audience.

There's a twist in tale as double eviction is on the cards in the last week of the year. Nixen has also been evicted from the show. So far, Nixen, Raveena, Suresh, Vickram, Ananya, Jovika, Akshaya, Bravo, Bala, Aishu, Anna Bharathi, Pradeep, Vinusha, Bava and Yugendran are out of the game so far.

BIGG BOSS TAMIL 7 ELIMINATION: LATEST UPDATE- MAYA ELIMINATED

According to the latest buzz, Maya has been evicted from the show on the weekend episode. There's no official confirmation about the same and the final results will be declared tomorrow.
Pracchand Ashok Trailer: TV star Adnan Khan, who became a household name after essaying the lead role in ZEE TV's Ishq Subhan Allah, won several hearts for his performance as Viaan in Sony TV's Katha Ankahee co-starring Aditi Sharma. As the hugely acclaimed show ended earlier this month after a run of one year, the actor is set to return to the small screen with his new show titled Pracchand Ashok.

Produced by Ekta Kapoor's Balaji Telefilms, Pracchand Ashok is slated to premiere on Colors TV very soon and RadhaKrishn fame Mallika Singh is likely to play the female lead in it opposite Adnan Khan. While an official announcement regarding the same is still awaited, the makers have finally released the show's first glimpse.

ADNAN KHAN PRACCHAND ASHOK FIRST LOOK

Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 11 Elimination Voting Results: Who Will Be In Bottom 2? JDJ 11 Eviction TWIST

Colors TV unveiled the first look of Adnan Khan from his new show, Pracchand Ashok, on Friday evening. According to reports, it is a romantic saga scheduled to premiere in 2024. Colors TV shared a brief 20-second clip on Instagram revealing Adnan Khan's look from the historic saga.

The video begins with a battlefield scene, featuring the actor leaping forward to confront and defeat his enemy with a sword. He is adorned in warrior attire, presenting a fierce appearance with kohl-rimmed eyes and long hair, adding intensity to the character.

In the caption, the makers also announced the release time of the show's trailer. Yes, you read that right!

PRACCHAND ASHOK TRAILER RELEASE TIME REVEALED

Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai | Rajan Shahi Confirms Creative Differences With Harshad Chopda: Possible Nahi...

Well, the trailer of Pracchand Ashok will premiere tonight (December 30) on Colors TV at 9:30 pm. The post's caption read, #Colors and @balajitelefilmslimited are joining forces yet again to bring to you a never-seen historical love saga - #PracchandAshok. Tune in to COLORS TV tomorrow at 9.30 pm for the first glimpse of the trailer. Kal dekhenge aap jhalak uss prem kahaani ki jisne badla bharatvarsh ka itihaas."

Watch it below:

Are you excited to watch Adnan Khan alongside Mallika Singh in Pracchand Ashok? Share your views in the comment section below and stay tuned for more updates!
LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESSWIRE / December 29, 2023 / CLS Holdings USA, Inc. (OTCQB:CLSH)(CSE:CLSH), the 'Company' or 'CLS', a diversified cannabis company operating as Cannabis Life Sciences, today announced that following receipt of the requisite approval of debentureholders and the Canadian Securities Exchange, it has amended the terms of its outstanding US$5,252,873 principal amount unsecured convertible debentures (the "December Debentures") issued December 12, 2018 by, among other things, (i) decreasing the conversion price of the remaining December Debentures (following the mandatory conversion) to $0.07 per unit; (ii) changing the maturity date of the December Debentures so that the December Debentures mature on January 31, 2028; (iii) providing for interest accruing between July 1, 2022 and December 31, 2023 to be added to the principal balance of the December Debentures; (iv) granting debentureholders a put right exercisable to December 29, 2023, granting each debentureholder the right to require the Company to redeem all or any part of such debentureholder's outstanding December Debenture in cash at a redemption price equal to US$600 per US$1000 principal amount of December Debentures elected to be redeemed; any accrued but unpaid interest through to and including the date of the debentureholder's election shall not be paid and shall be cancelled; (v) granting debentureholders a put right in the event the Company's cash available for debt service for any fiscal quarter exceeds US$750,000, subject to pro ration, to require the Company to redeem all or any part of such debetureholder's outstanding December Debentures in cash at a redemption price equal to the aggregate principal amount of the December Debentures being so redeemed, (vi) including a provision providing that the Company shall redeem on the last day of each calendar month beginning March 31, 2025 an aggregate amount of outstanding December Debentures equal to US$108,799.73 less the amount of interest paid on such date; and (vii) subject to the receipt of regulatory approvals, granting a security interest in certain of the Company's assets (such as licenses, inventory (including work in process), equipment (excluding equipment subject to purchase money financing) and contract rights (excluding investments in entities other than wholly owned subsidiaries)) to the holders of the December Debentures and to other holders of the Company's debt, now or in the future, as the Company may elect.

About CLS Holdings USA, Inc.

CLS Holdings USA, Inc. (CLSH) is a diversified cannabis company that acts as an integrated cannabis producer and retailer through its Oasis Cannabis subsidiaries in Nevada and plans to expand to other states. CLS stands for "Cannabis Life Sciences," in recognition of the Company's proprietary method of extracting various cannabinoids from the cannabis plant and converting them into products with a higher level of quality and consistency. The Company's business model includes licensing operations, processing operations, processing facilities, sale of products, brand creation and consulting services.

Oasis Cannabis has operated a cannabis dispensary in the Las Vegas market since dispensaries first opened in Nevada in 2015 and has been recognized as one of the top cannabis retailers in the state. Its location within walking distance to the Las Vegas Strip and Downtown Las Vegas in combination with its delivery service to residents allows it to efficiently serve both locals and tourists in the Las Vegas area. In February 2019, it was named "Best Dispensary for Pot Pros" by Desert Companion Magazine.

oasiscannabis.com

@oasisdispensary

Founded in 2017, City Trees is a Nevada-based cannabis cultivation, production and distribution company. Offering a wide variety of products with consistent results, including cannabis concentrates and cannabis-infused products. City Trees products are available in numerous dispensaries throughout the state of Nevada.

citytrees.com

@citytreesnv

Instagram @clsholdingsusa

Facebook: @CLSHoldingsUSA

Twitter: @CLSHoldingsUSA

LinkedIn: @CLS Holdings USA Inc

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain 'forward-looking information' within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and 'forward-looking statements' as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively, the 'forward-looking statements'). These statements relate to, among other things, the impact of the COVID-19 virus on our business, the results of our initiatives to retain our employees and strengthen our relationships with our customers and community during the pandemic, the effect of our initiatives to expand market share and achieve growth, the expected development of our business and joint ventures, results of operations and financial performance, future liquidity, working capital and capital requirements, the impact of the reverse stock split on our stock price, the effects of the additional dilution in our common stock that may occur as a result of the amendments to our convertible debentures, and anticipated future events. The continued spread of COVID-19 could have, and in some cases already has had, an adverse impact on our business, operations and financial results, including through disruptions in our cultivation and processing activities, supply chains and sales channels, and retail dispensary operations as well as a deterioration of general economic conditions including a possible national or global recession. In some cases, you can identify forward looking statements by terminology such as 'may,' 'might,' 'will,' 'should,' 'intends,' 'expects,' 'plans,' 'goals,' 'projects,' 'anticipates,' 'believes,' 'estimates,' 'predicts,' 'potential,' or 'continue' or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements are only predictions, are uncertain and involve substantial known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, levels of activity or performance to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity or performance expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. We cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity or performance. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date that they were made. These cautionary statements should be considered together with any written or oral forward-looking statements that we may issue in the future. Except as required by applicable law, we do not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform these statements to reflect actual results, later events or circumstances or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. See CLS Holdings USA filings with the SEC and on its SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com for additional details.

Contact Information:

Corporate:

Chairman and CEO

Andrew Glashow

888-438-9132

Investor Relations:

investors@clsholdingsinc.com

SOURCE: CLS Holdings USA, Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Planting Hope has granted stock options to certain directors, advisors, and employees

Company ends previously announced private placement offering

CHICAGO, IL and VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / December 29, 2023 / The Planting Hope Company Inc. (TSXV:MYLK)(OTCQB:MYLKF)(FRA:J94) ("Planting Hope" or the "Company"), a dynamic Foodtech innovation company dedicated to creating breakthrough delicious, sustainable food and beverage solutions through cutting-edge ingredient, formulation, and packaging technology, today announced an award of stock options to various employees, advisors and directors, as well as the end of the previously announced US SEC Regulation D 506c private placement offering.

Stock Option Awards

The Company's Board of Directors has authorized, pursuant to its Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan ("Plan"), the grant of incentive stock options ("Options") to directors, employees and advisors to purchase an aggregate of up to 3,870,121 subordinate voting shares ("SV Shares") in the capital of the Company at an exercise price of $0.09 per SV Share.

Of the Options granted:

An aggregate of 900,000 Options were granted to certain directors of the Company for a 5-year term and vest quarterly over 3 years;

An aggregate of 1,337,000 options were granted to advisors and contractors of the Company for a 5-year term. Of these Options, 45,000 options vest immediately; 1,012,000 vest quarterly over 3-years; 100,000 vest 50% immediately, 25% on February 1, 2024 and 25% on March 1, 2024; 150,000 vest 20% immediately and the balance vest annually over 4-years; and 30,000 vest 1/3 on each of May 1, 2024 and annually thereafter for 2 years.

1,633,121 Options were granted to employees of the Company for a 5-year term. The vesting schedule for employee Options are tied to both temporal vesting and business milestone achievements in 2024 and 2025.

End of US SEC Regulation D 506c private placement offering:

Planting Hope has ended the US SEC Regulation D 506c private placement offering initially announced on October 7, 2023.

About The Planting Hope Company Inc.

Planting Hope is reimagining and reinventing food today so that our planet can feed 10 billion people tomorrow. A Foodtech-driven company at the forefront of sustainable consumer food and beverage evolution, Planting Hope transforms nutrient-dense, widely cultivated crops into innovative, nutrient-rich products that reimagine pantry staples in the largest, fastest growing global food categories.

Our award-winning breakthrough brands, including Hope and Sesame Sesamemilk, RightRice High-Protein Veggie Rice, and Mozaics Real Veggie Chips, are not only disrupting global markets but also significantly reducing environmental footprints. Available across the US and Canada in grocery retailers (Whole Foods Market, Sprouts Farmers Markets), through foodservice operators (CAVA Mediterranean restaurants - NYSE:CAVA), and e-commerce and alternative retail channels (Amazon, QVC), our products blend culinary innovation with advanced technology, offering breakthrough products with wide moats. Our products are poised to disrupt global food and beverage categories, make a positive impact on the world, and provide investors with valuable opportunities in the growing sustainable food market.

This is the food that Gen Z is demanding and that Gen Alpha will grow up with: this is the future of food.

Explore more at plantinghopecompany.com, sign up for Planting Hope news emails HERE and follow us on LinkedIn.

For Planting Hope product sales and distribution opportunities, please contact James Curley, EVP of Sales, at james@plantinghopecompany.com.

Contacts

Company Contact:

Julia Stamberger

CEO and Co-Founder

(773) 492-2243

julia@plantinghopecompany.com

Investor Relations + Media Contact:

Elyssia Patterson

VP of Investor Relations

(312) 675-4996

Elyssia@plantinghopecompany.com

Media Contact:

Corinn Williams

(773) 492-2243

Corinn@plantinghopecompany.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 news release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" (collectively referred to hereafter as "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements that address activities, events, or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will, or may, occur in the future, including, but not limited to, statements about the Company's ability to execute on its goals, the timing pertaining to these goals the potential demand for the Company's products, the timing and success of anticipated product launches and distribution of the Company's products, the Company's business prospects, future trends, plans, scalability and strategies, that the Company will achieve profitability in the next few years, the timing of the Company's implementation of NetSuite, and the Company's key growth priorities for 2023 . In some cases, forward looking statements are preceded by, followed by, or include words such as "may", "will," "would", "could", "should", "believes", "estimates", "projects", "potential", "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "continues", or the negative of those words or other similar or comparable words. In preparing the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including, but not limited to, the assumption that demand for the Company's product will be sustained or increase in accordance with management's projections, that the Company's internal research and analysis is indicative of broader market trends and the Company's anticipated future demand for its products, that changes in consumer preferences in the plant-based food industry will continue in accordance with the Company's expectations, that the Company's current business objectives can be achieved and that its other corporate activities will proceed as expected, and that general business and economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner. Although the management of the Company believes that the assumptions made and the expectations represented by such forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that any forward-looking statement herein will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which 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 such forward-looking statements. Although management of 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. Risks and uncertainties applicable to the Company, as well as trends identified by the Company affecting its industry can be found in the Company's annual information form dated January 6, 2022 and the Company's continuous disclosure record available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Such cautionary statements qualify all forward-looking statements made in this news release. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

SOURCE: The Planting Hope Company Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Saguenay, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - December 29, 2023) - First Phosphate Corp. (CSE: PHOS) (OTC: FRSPF) (FSE: KD0) ("First Phosphate" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed on a second tranche (the "Second Tranche") of its non-brokered private placement financing originally announced for gross proceeds of a minimum of $2,000,000 (the "Offering"), as further described in the Company's news release dated December 14 and 22, 2023.

The Initial Tranche and Second Tranche of the financing were largely oversubscribed inclusively by a factor of 375%. As part of the Second Tranche, the Company issued 3,090,438 Hard-Dollar Units and 12,560,000 Flow-Through Shares for aggregate gross proceeds of $7,516,175 between the two tranches of financing.

A potential subsequent final tranche of the financing reflecting hard cash subscriptions and 2024 flow through subscriptions is scheduled for closing on or about January 10, 2024.

In connection with the Second Tranche, the Company paid $137,600 in finder's fees, issued 895,000 Compensation Shares, and issued 646,000 Compensation Warrants, exercisable at a price of $0.50 per common share of the Company, until December 31, 2025, subject to an Accelerated Expiry Date.

Insider Participation

In connection with the closing of the Second Tranche, Gilles Laverdiere, the Chief Geologist of the Company, has purchased a total of 50,000 Flow-Through Shares, and Jerome Cliche, Vice-President, Business Development has purchased 62,500 Hard-Dollar Units.

Insider Line of Credit

The Company has also completed a credit agreement ("Credit Agreement") to enable the Company to access its working capital needs. The agreement with members of its management team and board of directors (the "Lender") enables the Company to establish a secured revolving credit facility of $2,100,000 (the "Credit Facility") to be advanced in installments.

The Credit Facility is due January 1, 2026, bears interest at a rate of the greater of 8% or 2%+ prime, as established by the Bank of Canada per annum, and is secured by first ranking security over the Company's receivables by the Government of Canada and the Province of Quebec in respect of goods and services tax and other receivables.

In consideration for providing the Credit Facility, the Company will grant 5,250,000 warrants ("LOC Warrants") to the Lenders, comprised of the CEO, CFO/CAO, and the Chairman of the Company. Each LOC Warrant will be exercisable into one Common Share (a "LOC Share") at an exercise price $0.40 (the "Exercise Price") for a period of five years from the date of issuance and will be non-transferable. 2,625,000 LOC Warrants will be granted to each Lender to vest immediately upon issuance. The remaining issued but unvested LOC Warrants will vest by dividing the amount of any advance under the Credit Facility by the exercise price of the LOC Warrants. All of the LOC Warrants and LOC Shares will be subject to a hold period of four months plus one day. The issuance and exercise of the LOC Warrants are subject to the rules of CSE Policy.

The Company's Board of Directors considered and unanimously approved the Credit Agreement, with the directors who have an interest in the transaction abstaining from such approval.

RSU and Option Grants

The Company also announces today that it has approved the grant of 2,204,000 restricted stock units of the Company (the "RSUs") in lieu of any and full cash salary and 3,110,000 options to purchase Common Shares (the "Options") at the exercise price of $0.40 to certain eligible persons of the Company.

1,881,100 RSUs will vest on in 4 tranches (25% on each of May 31, 2024; August 31, 2024; November 31, 2024; and February 28, 2025); 73,000 RSUs will vest in 3 tranches (33.3% after each of 3, 6 and 9 months of December 1, 2023); and 250,000 RSUs will vest as follows: 75,000 RSUs will vest on February 28, 2024, 87,500 will vest on May 31, 2024, and 87,500 will vest on August 31, 2024.

2,800,000 Options have an expiry date of December 29, 2028, 25% of the Options will vest every 6 months for 2 years; 150,000 Options have a 3 year term, with such Options to vest as follows, 37,500 at the end of 7.5 months, (August 31, 2024) and 37,500 every 6 months thereafter; and 160,000 Options have an expiry date December 29, 2026, and 25% of the Options will vest every 6 months for 2 years.

The terms of the RSUs and Options granted are in accordance with the Company's Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan as approved by disinterested shareholders at the Company's annual and special meeting of shareholders held on August 25, 2023. All securities issued are subject to a statutory hold period of four months plus one day from the date of issuance, in accordance with applicable securities legislation.

Debt Settlement

The Company settled $511,918.29 of amounts owing to various arm's length creditors for 1,279,796 Common Shares at the deemed price of $0.40 per share, which are subject to a statutory four month and one day hold period.

Related Party Transactions

As related parties of the Company received Hard-Dollar Units, Flow-Through Shares, Common Shares, Warrants, LOC Warrants, LOC Shares, RSUs, and Options in connection in connection with the Offering, RSU and Option Grants, and Line of Credit, the transactions are considered related party transactions for the purposes of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The participation of the related parties of the Company are exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements provided under MI 61-101 in accordance with sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101. The Company is relying on an exemption from the formal valuation requirements of MI 61-101 available because the fair market value of the issued Hard-Dollar Units, Flow-Through Shares, Common Shares, Warrants, LOC Warrants, LOC Shares, RSUs, and Options to the related parties pertaining to the transactions does not exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization, as determined in accordance with MI 61-101. The Company did not file a material change report related to the transactions more than 21 days before the expected closing of the transactions as required by MI 61-101 but believes that this shorter period is reasonable and necessary in the circumstances as the Company wishes to improve its financial position by reducing its accrued liabilities as soon as possible, to incentivize the retaining of key personnel, and to close the overall transaction in short order for sound business reasons.

All securities issued under the Offering will be subject to a four-month and one day statutory hold period in accordance with applicable securities laws. The securities issued pursuant to the Offering 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 U.S. state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an available exemption from the registration requirement of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. 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, such securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

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 jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the 1933 Act and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act, and applicable state securities laws.

About First Phosphate Corp.

First Phosphate is a mineral development company fully dedicated to extracting and purifying phosphate for the production of cathode active material for the Lithium Iron Phosphate ("LFP") battery industry. First Phosphate is committed to producing at high purity level, in responsible manner and with low anticipated carbon footprint. First Phosphate plans to vertically integrate from mine source directly into the supply chains of major North American LFP battery producers that require battery grade LFP cathode active material emanating from a consistent and secure supply source. First Phosphate holds over 1,500 sq. km of royalty-free district-scale land claims in the Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean Region of Quebec, Canada that it is actively developing. First Phosphate properties consist of rare anorthosite igneous phosphate rock that generally yields high purity phosphate material devoid of high concentrations of harmful elements.

For additional information, please contact:

Jerome Cliche, VP, Business Development

jerome@firstphosphate.com

Tel: +1 (514) 815-8799

Investor Relations: investor@firstphosphate.com

Media Relations: media@firstphosphate.com

Website: www.FirstPhosphate.com

Follow First Phosphate:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FirstPhosphate

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-phosphate

-30-

Forward-Looking Information and Cautionary Statements

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 statements relating to: the Company's plans to integrate directly into the functions of certain major North American LFP Battery producers; the Company's proposed development of its land claims in the region of Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean, Quebec; the Offering and any subsequent tranches; the use of proceeds from the Offering; the terms of the Offering, including, the issuance of any securities, the closing date, the obtaining of all necessary approvals from the CSE; and statements about the Credit Facility, debt settlements, and RSU and Option issuances.

Forward-looking information in this press release are based on certain assumptions and expected future events, namely: the Company's ability to integrate directly into the functions of certain major North American LFP Battery producers; the Company's ability to develop its land claims in the region of Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean, Quebec; the Company's ability to carry out the Offering and any subsequent tranches; the Company's ability to allocate the use of proceeds from the Offering as stated; the Company's ability to carry out the terms of the Offering as state; and the Company's ability to carry out the Credit Facility, debt settlements, and RSU and Option issuances as stated.

These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including but not limited to: the Company's inability to integrate directly into the functions of certain major North American LFP Battery producers; the Company's inability to carry out the Offering and any subsequent tranches; the Company's inability to allocate the use of proceeds from the Offering as stated; and the Company's inability to carry out the Credit Facility, debt settlements, and RSU and Option issuances as stated.

Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive. Readers are further 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 press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement and reflect the Company's expectations as of the date hereof and are subject to change thereafter. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward- looking information, except as required by applicable law.

THIS NEWS RELEASE IS INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION IN CANADA ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/192789

SOURCE: First Phosphate Corp.
Mountain Top Properties files Regulation A to raise ten million dollars for Hamptons real estate venture.

LIVERPOOL, NY / ACCESSWIRE / December 29, 2023 / Mountain Top Properties Inc (OTC PINK:MTPP) is pleased to announce it has filed Regulation A offering to add up to $10 million for the company's real estate development plans. The company's initial projects are planned in the storied Hamptons, beachfront community of Long Island, along with technology driven property management roles in the larger Northeastern US. This initial strategy includes exciting new real estate projects professionally managed by one of the most accomplished custom home builders in the Hamptons, On Site Builder Construction Co. Inc ("On Site"). The management of On Site has been in the construction space and has built over 60 custom homes valued well over $500 million dollars in this exclusive market.

Pictured above is a home that was designed by architect, Blaze Makoid from BMA Architects and built by Joseph Kelley of On Site. More photos of this project at https://www.bmaarchitects.com/featured_projects/ferry-road/.

MTPP has partnered with On Site to facilitate the transition from offering a managed service to offering a turn-key finished home ready to market. The focus for this venture is waterfront or water view projects that offer significant cash on cash returns. The partnership between MTPP and On Site allows investors or limited partners to come together and get into a market that is rarely available to retail investors.

It is expected that revenues from the property management activities will begin early in the first quarter of 2024 followed closely by the start of the Hamptons NY projects slated for Spring. Over the coming weeks MTPP will be expanding its traditional and social media presence to showcase some of the houses On Site has built and will also use these platforms to showcase the ongoing development.

To review the Reg A documents please click here: https://www.otcmarkets.com/filing/html?id=17132417&guid=RoJ-kKyjFy5HJth . For more information about MTPP please visit www.mountain-top-properties.com

Forward Looking Statements:

Some of the statements contained in this press release and the documents incorporated herein are by reference are considered "Forward Looking Statements." In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terms such as "may," "will," "should," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential," or "continue," or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. The forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference in this document involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, expressed or implied by these statements. The Company believes that the forward-looking statements contained in this release are reasonable based on the information available to us on the date of this release. The Company assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Media Contact

Organization: Mountain Top Properties, Inc

Contact Person: Cole Ferry

Website: https://www.mountain-top-properties.com/

Email: info@mountain-top-properties.com

Contact Number: 310-299-1717

City: Liverpool

State: New York

Country: United States

SOURCE: Mountain Top Properties, Inc

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Canada-based gangster Lakhbir Singh Landa has been designated an individual terrorist by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The 33-year-old, a leader of Khalistani group Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), has become the 55th individual to be identified as a terrorist under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

Lakhbir Singh Sandhu alias Landa has been accused of several crimes in India. According to the MHA, he planned the rocket attack on the Punjab Police Intelligence Headquarters in Mohali in 2022 and has also played a role in other terrorist activities.

Who is the dreaded gangster Lakhbir Singh Landa? Why has MHA designated him a terrorist? Lets take a closer look.

Who is Lakhbir Singh Landa?

Born in Punjabs Tarn Taran district in 1989, Landa has more than 30 cases registered against him in various districts of the state, according to ThePrint.

He fled to Canada years back and is currently based in currently based in Edmonton, Alberta.

Landa is believed to have close ties to Harwinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda, a gangster based in Pakistan, reported Hindustan Times (HT). The names of both the gangsters featured in the National Investigation Agency (NIA) list of five pro-Khalistan BKI operatives in September, with the federal agency announcing cash rewards for information leading to their arrest.

Landa has been on the NIA radar for some time now.

National Investigation Agency (NIA) today declared a cash reward of Rs 15 lakh against absconding terror accused Lakhbir Singh Sandhu alias Landa. A resident of Harike village in Punjabs Tarn Taran district, Landa is currently residing in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. pic.twitter.com/hBQraympFO  ANI (@ANI) February 15, 2023

Speaking to ThePrint at the time, Lakhbir Singhs aged parents said their son got involved in heroin smuggling when he was 16 and after that everything changed. They said he escaped to Canada in 2016 and has not stayed in touch with them since then.

However, they claim he was a pure soul who was led down the path of crime by bad company and powerful local leaders. They made an innocent boy a gangster, his mother told ThePrint.

The first case against Landa was filed in July 2011 under the Arms Act at Harike Pattan for an alleged murder attempt. Dozens of cases have since been registered against him. Before he fled to Canada, the Punjab Police booked him for an alleged kidnapping in Moga in May 2016, reported HT.

Landas name still evokes fear in his hometown of Harike, located in the border district of Tarn Taran city. Residents of the town told ThePrint that they still get extortion calls in the gangsters name. According to the digital outlets police sources, Landas gang remains active in Harike, with the gangster running it from Canada.

A lot of people receive threatening phone calls, and allege that the call came from Lakhbir Singh. However, local criminal elements sometimes tend to extort money in the name of dreaded gangsters, a senior officer was quoted as saying by ThePrint.

As per The Quint, Landa is believed to have been inactive between 2016 and 2020 as he was trying to run a legal business in Canada for some time.

He was back in the limelight after the 2021 Patti double murder case in Punjab. Aman Fauji and Prabhjit Singh, considered close to Gurmukh Singh Ghulla  an aide of ex-Patti MLA Adesh Partap Singh Kairon, were killed in May of that year. One of the arrested people in the case reportedly confessed the murders were carried out on the order of Landa, according to The Quint.

ALSO READ: What is the stringent law UAPA?

MHAs charges against Lakhbir Singh Landa

A notification issued by the MHA on Friday (29 December) said Landa was involved in the terror attack through Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) on the Punjab Police intelligence headquarters in Mohali on 9 May last year.

Landa has been involved in supply of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), arms, sophisticated weapons, explosives from across the border to various modules for carrying out terrorist activities in Punjab, the notification read.

It mentioned a Look Out Circular was issued against the gangster in June 2021.  the Central government believes that Landa is involved in terrorism and he is to be added as a terrorist, the MHA stated.

Canada-based Babbar Khalsas Lakhbir Singh Landa declared a terrorist by Ministry of Home Affairs. pic.twitter.com/iz2eNhpxyt  ANI (@ANI) December 30, 2023

He is accused of planting an IED below the car of a police sub-inspector in Amritsar, reported Indian Express.

The gangster has been involved in various criminal cases related to raising of terror modules, extortion, killings, planting IEDs, smuggling of weapons and narcotics and using funds or proceeds thereof for terrorist acts in Punjab and other parts of the country, as per the notification.

Landa is believed to have a role in targeted killings and other anti-national activities in several parts of India.

The gangster and his associates have been conspiring to disrupt the peace, law and order in Punjab by carrying out targeted killings, extortions and other anti-national activities in different parts of India, the notification added.

With inputs from agencies
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to attend the inauguration of a grand Hindu temple next year. If the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya comes to mind, you are not wrong. But we are talking about the inauguration of the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi, where the PM is slated to participate in February.

Weeks after the grand opening of the Ram temple in January, Modi will travel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) capital for the unveiling of another Hindu shrine. He recently accepted the invitation extended by the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha for the event on 14 February.

What to know about the BAPS Hindu Mandir? Why PM Modis trip to Abu Dhabi for the inauguration is significant? Lets try to understand.

BAPS Hindu Mandir in UAE

The BAPS Hindu Mandir is the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi. As per a report by The National, it is the Gulf nations first traditional hand-carved Hindu temple, situated in the capitals Abu Mureikha area.

The temple has seven shikhars or mounted peaks, representing the Emirates. Each section of these shikhars depicts the tales and teachings of deities worshiped by Hindus.

The spires (shikhars) symbolically represent the seven emirates of the UAE as our way to say thank you to the leadership, Pranav Desai, the temple project director told The National.

There will also be 14 value tales from the Arabic region, Chinese, Aztec and from Mesopotamia that show how love is universal across all cultures, he added.

The temple, which can accommodate 8,000 to 10,000 people, will be open to all faiths.

#WATCH | UAE: Drone visuals of the construction work of BAPS Hindu temple that is underway in Abu Dhabi PM Narendra Modi accepted the invitation to inaugurate the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi on February 14, 2024, said BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi yesterday pic.twitter.com/xDEF1abdwu  ANI (@ANI) December 29, 2023

The shrine is an architectural marvel, with the stories of each deity exhibited in carvings, as per The National report.

It took 2,000 artisans in Rajasthan and Gujarat to carve 402 white marble pillars over the last three years for the temple structure. All pillars are different, replete with stories from Indian scriptures. Sculptures of animals, birds, musicians and even the Moon adorn the temple.

Over 20,000 tonnes of stone and marble were shipped to Abu Dhabi in the last three years for the construction of the landmark temple, the report added.

Besides the temple complex, there will be several buildings, such as prayer halls, a community centre, a library, a childrens park and an amphitheatre on the premises.

Why it is important

The first Hindu temple in the Emirati capital promotes the strategic vision of India and the UAE. The Gulf nation has the largest Indian diaspora population, estimated to be nearly 3.5 million, followed by the United States (2.7 million) and Saudi Arabia (2.5 million).

The UAE had decided to allocate land for the building of the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi in 2015 during PM Modis two-day trip to the country. The visit was diplomatically important as he was the first Indian prime minister after Indira Gandhi to visit the Gulf nation in 34 years.

The Indian premier had thanked the UAE government at the time, calling the decision a great step.

In 2018, Modi launched the project for the temple, revealing a marble and stone monument with seven spires to depict the Emirates. It will be a holy place where humanity and harmony will unite, he said at the time about the shrine.

The temple is being constructed on over 5.4 hectares of land gifted in 2015 by the then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed to the Indian community.

The temple connects two cultures, two countries that are already so close to bring them even closer together, the temple project director Desai told The National.

He said 14 February 2024 was chosen for the consecration ceremony as it falls on the auspicious Basant Panchami. On 14 February morning, there will be the murti pratishtha or invocation of the murtis (idols) and in the evening, we will have a public dedication ceremony in the presence of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Desai was quoted as saying by the Abu Dhabi-headquartered newspaper.

Essence of spiritual harmony

Representatives of the BAPS organisation, led by Swami Ishwarcharandas and Swami Brahmaviharidas, met PM Modi at his official residence in New Delhi earlier this week.

In a meeting that lasted almost an hour, the BAPS delegation deliberated on the importance of the temple in Abu Dhabi for global harmony and Modis vision for Indias spiritual leadership on the global stage, the organisation said in a statement.

The BAPS delegation prayed for the Prime Ministers health and acknowledged his exceptional global achievements, notably strengthening relationships with the UAE and other Middle Eastern countries, the statement read, as per ANI.

PM Modi reportedly told the delegation that the temple will reflect the ideal of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam  an ideal spiritual space, not merely rooted in beliefs and traditions, but a confluence of diverse cultures and civilisations. The essence of spiritual harmony, symbolising the path forward.

Opposition questions PM

The PM accepting the invite for the inauguration has irked the Opposition.

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor wrote on X that he expects elections to be called soon after the BAPS event. General elections in India are set to take place next year.

So Prime Minister @NarendraModi will inaugurate the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on January 22nd and the BAPS Hindu Temple in Abu Dhabi on February 14th. I expect elections to be called very soon thereafter. The message is clear. In 2009, Mr Modi was sold to the Indian electorate as  Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) December 29, 2023

The message is clearIn 2019, with that narrative collapsing in the wake of the disastrous demonetisation, the Pulwama terrorist attack gave Modi the opportunity to convert the general election into a national security election. In 2024, it is clear the BJP will now revert to its core message and offer Narendra Modi to the nation as a Hindu Hriday Samrat.

With inputs from agencies
The consecration of the Ram temple in Uttar Pradeshs Ayodhya is set to take place in less than a month. Ahead of the grand event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the holy city on Saturday (30 December) to inaugurate the newly built Ayodhya airport.

After unveiling the redeveloped Ayodhya railway station and flagging off the new Amrit Bharat and Vande Bharat trains, the Indian premier attended the inauguration of the new airport, which is located nearly 15 km from the main temple town.

Here is everything you need to know about the new Ayodhya airport.

Features of the Ayodhya Airport

The airport is renamed Maharishi Valmiki International Airport Ayodhyadham after the great poet Valmiki, who is celebrated as the author of the epic Ramayana. The structure was previously called the Shri Ram International Airport.

The phase one of this state-of-the-art airport costs over Rs 1,450 crore, according to a statement by the Prime Ministers Office (PMO).

The airport has an extended runway suitable for A-321/B-737 type aircraft operations.

#WATCH | PM Narendra Modi inaugurates Maharishi Valmiki International Airport Ayodhya Dham, in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh Phase 1 of the airport has been developed at a cost of more than Rs 1450 crore. The airports terminal building will have an area of 6500 sqm, equipped to serve pic.twitter.com/zB4t0vfmjj  ANI (@ANI) December 30, 2023

The terminal building of Ayodhya airport, whose facade bears a traditional look, spans 6,500 square metres. According to the PMO statement, the facade depicts the temple architecture of the upcoming Shri Ram Mandir of Ayodhya.

The airport is designed in the Nagara architectural style, which is a temple style popular in Indias northern and western regions, as per an India Today report.

The terminal building boasts of several sustainability features such as insulated roofing system, LED lighting, rain water harvesting, landscaping with fountains, water treatment plant, sewage treatment plant, and solar power plant to meet GRIHA  5 star ratings, PTI reported citing the PMOs statement.

The runway is 2,200 metres long, and the airport can handle 2-3 flights per hour, as per NDTV.

The building can accommodate 600 passengers at peak time, while its annual handling capacity is 10 lakh passengers.

The second phase of the airport will involve the development of a new terminal building spread across 50,000 square metres. This will have an increased capacity of 3,000 passengers during peak hours and 60 lakh passengers annually, reported India Today.

Inspiration from Ramayana

Themes from the epic Ramayana and Lord Rams life are at the centre of the new airport in Ayodhya. Local art, paintings and murals exhibiting the life of the Hindu deity adorn the interiors of the terminal building.

The airport has seven mounted peaks or shikharas at the front and back sides. The sculptures and decorations on these shikharas reflect the seven books (Kandas) of Ramayana, reported India Today.

Sources told the TV channel that the idea behind the airport is to reflect the spirit of the under-construction Ram temple. Invoking the return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana, they said the aim is to promote a sense of place to all passengers arriving and departing from the airport.

Several murals showcasing various stages from the epic adorn the airport, with one of the biggest dedicated to Lord Hanuman, as per reports.

A huge Madhubani painting depicting the court of Lord Ram and his marriage to Goddess Sita also enhances the airports aesthetics, as per the TV channel.

Union civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said earlier that efforts were made to reflect the cultural ethos of Ayodhya.

Flights from the Ayodhya airport

IndiGo will run the inaugural flight from New Delhi to Ayodhya today. The commercial services will start from 6 January, following which it will operate tri-weekly flights between Ahmedabad and the holy city from 11 January, as per PTI.

Air India Express will also operate its maiden flight to the newly-opened airport from the National Capital on Saturday.

The airport will also see flights from Mumbai.

ALSO READ: Ram temple event: Who has been invited? Whos giving it a miss?

Boost in tourism

The Centre has said the new international airport will increase tourism in the temple town, improve connectivity in the region, enhance business activities as well as create employment opportunities.

Scindia said earlier that the Ayodhya airport will take the development of pilgrimage and tourism in the region to new heights.

The Centre and the Uttar Pradesh government are trying to develop Ayodhya as a major destination for spiritual tourism globally.

The state government sources previously told The New Indian Express that the number of visitors to the city is expected to jump to about 10 crore annually after the opening of the Ram Mandir next year.

The pran pratishtha or consecration of the grand temple will take place on 22 January 2024, which will witness several bigwigs including PM Modi in attendance.

With inputs from agencies
2024 is knocking on our doors. But before letting the new year in, people around the globe are geared up to celebrate the last day of 2023. While some might be ringing in the New Year with their loved ones by their side, others would be partying on 31 December.

There are also people who have decided to tie the knot on New Years Eve. Several couples in the United States will be getting hitched on Sunday, with some waiting for the final countdown to midnight to say I do.

But why do couples want to take the big leap on this New Years Eve? Lets find out.

Getting married on New Years Eve

While it is common for people to get married on special days, New Years Eve of 2023 holds more significance because of the date  12/31/2023, alternately 1-2-3-1-2-3.

Such dates are known as specialty dates in the huge Las Vegas wedding industry, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

People are flocking to Las Vegas in US Nevada to tie the knot on 31 December.

While New Years Eve is one of the popular holidays for nuptials, it could be known this year for setting the record for the busiest wedding day ever for the Sin City, reported Associated Press (AP).

Charm of magic dates

According to the news release by the clerk of Clark County, Nevada, magic dates have long been preferred by people to get married. Lucky 7s day  7/7/2007  was the most famous wedding date in Las Vegas on record, with 4,492 couples tying the knot, CNN reported citing the release.

The second-most popular specialty date for Las Vegas was 11 November 2011, when 3,125 couples got hitched.

Another magic date  2/22/22  saw 2,331 weddings in the city.

Specialty dates such as 3 April 2021 (4/3/21) and 13 December 2014  12/13/14  were also popular among the couples, as per an AP report.

People always want to be able to remember their anniversary date, Brian Mills, board president of the Vegas Wedding Chamber, told CNN.

Its kind of a kitschy thing to have a cool number date.

This years specialty date falls on a holiday famous for celebration.

Its a double whammy. Anytime you get these specialty dates, theyre always hugely popular. But tie that in with New Years Eve and its a showstopper, Melody Willis-Williams, president of Vegas Weddings, which operates multiple venues, told AP.

ALSO READ: New Years Eve without champagne? Climate change may soon make it a reality

Wedding capital of the world

Realising the craze among couples for uniting in wedlock this New Years Eve, Clark County opened a temporary marriage license bureau at Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport. Those seeking marriage licenses or vow renewal certificates could visit the pop-up marriage bureau, which remained open till 5 pm local time, at the airport between 26 December to 31 December.

A pop-up Marriage License Bureau will open at Harry Reid International Airport from Dec. 26 to Dec. 31 to capture travelers looking to get married on New Years Eve for its double whammy of a holiday and the dates rare numerical sequence of 1-2-3-1-2-3. pic.twitter.com/ULwznlIYmE  City of Las Vegas (@CityOfLasVegas) December 26, 2023

Since 2018, Las Vegas has usually seen between 450 and 550 weddings on New Years Eve, AP reported citing the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

However, this year it is expected to be much bigger, with wedding industry experts believing the holiday could be a record-setter.

Willis-Williams of Vegas Weddings told AP her company alone might wed over 120 couples on New Years Eve.

Some venues are even offering special packages to commemorate the date, with Vegas Weddings providing a walk down the aisle just before midnight for $2,024 (Rs 1.7 lakh approximately), reported CNN.

Mills, board president of the Vegas Wedding Chamber, told CNN that everyone is very excited to see how all the people come into town and tie the knot and celebrate Vegas and love being (in) the wedding capital of the world.

12-31-23

Many wedding venues in Las Vegas reported to have received more inquiries this year for New Years Eve.

Its definitely a big date for the wedding industry, a wedding planner named Carolyn McGee told The Chicago Sun-Times newspaper.

You have some couples that wanted it for the date, and then you had some that wanted it just because it was New Years Eve, but I think its pretty cool to have the date line up like that, McGee added.

Couples believe it would be fun to tie the knot on New Years Eve and with the specialty date this year, the interest has increased.

People are drawn to the numbers. They think thats a lot of fun. People usually seek out New Years Eve. But the fact that the numbers [line up this year] just kind of add to [the fun], a wedding planner in Chicago was quoted as saying by the newspaper.

But not everyone in the US is travelling to Las Vegas to take their wedding vows on New Years Eve. Couples are equally excited to hold their wedding ceremonies in Chicago city of Illinois.

Michelle Vu, who plans to get hitched in Chicago where she met her partner in 2015, told The Chicago Sun-Times, I had always dreamt of having this glamorous big black-tie, New Years Eve wedding. I feel like theres so much pressure to have plans on New Years Eve, but people are off and want to have a good time. I think its a perfect excuse to throw a big party.

She said the pair realised the number pattern after settling on the date. Now, a lot of people have brought it up to us, and its such a cool anniversary, Vu added.

With inputs from agencies
Three Naga groups came together to engage in negotiations with the Centre for a resolution to the longstanding Naga Political Issue.

The three groups have come together to have a joint political venture in 2024, said Akato, while addressing journalists after the meeting here in the presence of leaders of the other two groups.

Asked if they have already approached the Centre with their decision to hold a dialogue, he said, We have made separate approaches in the past but now we will make a joint effort on the Naga issue.

Regarded as the longest-running insurgency in the country, the Centre has been in separate negotiations with NSCN-IM since 1997 and the WC NNPGs since 2017.

The decision was taken during a meeting attended by leaders of the three groups  National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) led by Akato Chophy, NSCN led by Khango and Naga National Council (NNC) led by Z Royim. All three are splinter groups.

Akato also affirmed that they would be holding a dialogue separate from the negotiations being held by the Working Committee of Naga National Political Groups (WC-NNPGs) with the Centre.

The NNPG is composed of only seven groups while other Naga groups have been left out, he said, announcing that the three groups welcome like-minded organisations to join them for the cause of Nagas. Stating that there is no nomenclature for the three groups who have come together, Akato said they will approach the Centre for political talks.

Eight years have passed since the signing of the acclaimed Framework Agreement on August 3, 2015 with NSCN-IM and another six years have gone by following the inking of the Agreed Position on November 17, 2017 with WC NNPGs.

The NSCN-IM has remained adamant on its demand for a separate flag and constitution for the Nagas as well as integration of Naga-inhabited areas spread over four states of India  Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur and Nagaland, and also Myanmar.

On the other hand, the WC of NNPGs has expressed its willingness to accept whatever is granted for now and continue with the talks. Nonetheless, as of now, there is no significant development in the political negotiations between the Centre and the Naga groups.

With inputs from agencies.
The situation could not be more confusing. On one side, virtual trench warfare is being fought in Ukraine. Israel, on the other side, is bombing Gaza in an effort to eliminate a terror group that is wraith-like in its presence, with the idea of a free Palestine spreading across the world. Thats already been seen in Delhi, with a blast near the Israeli embassy. Off our coast is another series of attacks allegedly by the Houthis targeting ships in the Arabian Sea.

In Kashmir, terrorism is again rising. Further, a glowering super-power waits for its chance, not just against India but also against Taiwan. And heres the curious part: No mediators or peacemakers are around. Not one. Yet the world is at war  not just a remote cyber, espionage, or information war  and this has people dying.

That Definition of War

Everyone knows that famous Clauzewitzian definition of war, as an extension of policy by other means. Warfare is how you fight that war. War remains a decision by policy makers, except this not about a high level group declaring war, but a series of deniable policy decisions. Along with that warfare has diffused too.

For instance, anyone with a smattering of interest in the news, would know that it is the United States which is at war with Russia, with the Ukrainians taking the body count. In Israel, as a former proxy of the Israeli state, Hamas seemingly launched a surprise attack on a state that has a 247 security system, with a famed intel capability.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is as far right as it is possible to get, seems to be seeking, not a capitulation by Hamas, but its extermination together with Palestine itself. As for the Houthis, (who were till a year ago at war with the Saudis) on October 31st, they announced their intention to target Israel for its war, and then followed that up on December 9, with a declaration to target all ships heading to Israel, and later all commercial shipping in an effort to influence the international community on the Palestine war.

Decision making among the Houthis is unclear, but that it has outside support is evident from their steadily increasing range of their missiles. Iran denies the US allegations of supporting the Houthis. But its role is rather more than evident in the Ukraine conflict, where its fleet of drones are assisting the Russian war effort. It has also sent trainers to Crimea to manage the fleet. That means a deeper meshing of Iran in the war, and methods of warfare becoming difficult to spot.

The Quiet Actor

To make all this even more complex is the quiet presence of yet another actor in all these policy decisions. As the Houthis use their missiles and UAVs the Iranian signature is more than apparent, particularly in the 2000 km plus range. Though that originated from North Korea, China has long assisted Iran in its nuclear and missile capabilities. That clearly continues.

In June this year, the US Treasury accused Irans defense attache in Beijing, Davoud Damghani, of coordinating military-related procurements from China for Iranian end-users, including subsidiaries of Irans Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL). Sanctions have been slapped on both sides.

That trail of assistance is there in Ukraine as well, though less apparent, since Beijings assistance to Russia has been on diverse fronts including diplomacy, and also includes some $100mn worth of drones and mainly dual use items. Ukraine also buys some Chinese weapons, though that seems to have come down drastically according to customs data.

But Chinese involvement is crucial to Russias weapons manufacturing capability, and its overall economy, enough for what Politico calls a China sized hole in sanctions. In sum, the trail of decisions is extremely stretched, from proxy to state, to another proxy, with intentions unclear. That means, the end points are also unclear.

The War at Sea

Meanwhile, theres trouble at sea. According to US sources, the Houthis have launched 15 attacks on commercial shipping since October 15. That included the MV Sai Baba, which the US said was Indian flagged. The Navy clarified that it was not, though it did have Indians on board. Then came the attack against MV Chem Pluto, a chemical tanker headed from Saudi Arabia to India. According to reports it is a a Liberia-flagged, Japanese-owned, and Netherlands-operated chemical tanker, but with a link to Israel, that is unclear as of now. That a drone could fly over 500 nautical miles (from Iran) or 860 nautical miles ( from Yemen) to hit a moving ship seems incredible. The US claims it was a direct hit from Iran. There have also been attacks against ships which have nothing to do with Israel including the dramatic hijacking of vessels, using helicopters  again on an India bound ship  and the first ever successful attack using an anti-ship ballistic missile (December 15). Whether New Delhi likes it or not it is now part of the whole mess.

That was apparent in the unusually combative statement from Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, as he warned whoever carried out this attack, we will find them even from the seabed. Those behind it will be brought to justice. He also declared that the government will work with friendly nations and ensure the safety of maritime trade. But friendly nations are having troubles of their own.

The US had earlier announced the setting up of Operation Prosperity Guardian under its command, only to face the embarrassment of France, Italy and Spain refusing to take part in this. West Asia countries like Egypt (which loses millions in the Suez) have not criticised the Houthis, and the Saudis have refused to join the new command, despite the offer of an alluring arms package.

Riyadh has begun a fledgling peace initiative with Iran, under Chinese auspices, and it has costs in terms of how it wants to be seen in the Arab world, in terms of a defence of Israel.

Meanwhile India has sent three warships to an unknown area and it is unclear if it will operate with the US. The 39 nation CMF (Combined Maritime Forces) operates here in the area, and in which India takes part. Its component (Combined Task Force 153) already covers the Red Sea, and is to command the new operations. Meanwhile, the US is mulling the costs of using missiles that cost more than a million dollars each, against drones that cost less than a few thousand.

Other costs include 6 million displaced in Ukraine, 1.7 million in Palestine, a reported 50,000 Russian military dead, Ukraine crossed 10,000 civilians dead in November, while Palestine figures are at about 18,000. Thats a lot of people dead and displaced. Meanwhile, costs also include 5000 protests across 100 countries related to the Palestine conflict.

India has seen protests as well, but the blast near the Israel embassy adds yet another dimension. And then there is the fact that Red Sea traffic has already dropped by 35 per cent, as major shipping companies re-route. About 30 per cent of global container traffic and more than 1 million barrels of crude oil per day typically head through the Suez Canal, which means that global trade is going to pay heavy costs.

Considering the picture as a whole, it seems that there is an ongoing quasi-World War that is being played out in different theatres, by multiple actors but with the underlying common thread of a challenge to the US hegemony, and by extension, Israeli dominance.

That is not just about forming new alliances, but also eroding existing ones, as apparent in Europe and the Middle East, where countries are shifting policies rapidly in their own national interest.

It only needs a war in Taiwan to square the circle completely, and drive the global economy into a sharp downward spiral, with unforeseen consequences.

New Delhi has a minefield ahead in terms of the choices it makes, not leaning too much one way or the other. This is non-alignment with a vengeance, which demands not a principled staying away from big power politics, but an energetic navigating of choppy waters as something of a big power in itself.

The defence of India now requires some very fancy footwork indeed, as India gets drawn inch by inch into choosing sides in an evolving global power play. Expect wars closer home, as other countries consider the global turmoil in terms of possible advantages to themselves. There is only one way to go forward. Go out there and mediate. If this doesnt end soon, that plan for a $5 trillion economy is going to get hit, and hard.

The writer is a Distinguished Fellow at the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies, New Delhi. She tweets @kartha_tara. 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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In the coming Bangladesh elections, India does not have the luxury of NOTA (none of the above), even if it secretly wishes it did. In statecraft, decisions dwell beyond love or loathing.

That Sheikh Hasina remains Indias best bet in Bangladesh shows, at one level, the failure of diplomatic imagination or intent on its part.

Along her current 15-year stint, she has become increasingly unpopular in her nation for random imprisonment and forced disappearances of her opponents and critics, allegedly hijacking elections, nepotism, corruption of those close to her and police and cadre violence which did not even spare children.

The January general elections in Bangladesh will be fought without the main opponent, BNP, which has boycotted it calling the process rigged and farcical. In hundreds of seats, the ruling Awami League will be fighting its boat symbol against its own party aspirants fighting under the independent symbol, eagle.

Many in Bangladesh blame India, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in particular, for propping up her regime with the help of R&AW. Hasinas unpopularity rubs off on India.

Jamaat-e-Islami, crippled on several fronts by Sheikh Hasina, has been capitalising on this disenchantment against Bharat, fomenting the anger with social media posts by its IT cell, Basher Kella (Fortress of Bamboos), which mainly operates out of the UK.

Bangladesh is strategically too important for Bharat to be indifferent to this groundswell of negativity.

Besides, Hasinas regime has been hobnobbing with China. Intel reports say Sheikh Rehanas (Hasinas sister) part of the family have been the main interface with the dragon. China has been giving massive kickbacks to the regimes politicians and officials to push projects and loans.

And while the Teesta river treaty with India remains elusive because of Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjees reluctance, China has been moving fast on a mega dredging project on the same river.

But the most painful letdown by Sheikh Hasina has been her failure to protect Hindus. Just in 2022, 154 Hindus were killed, 66 women raped, and 333 forced to eat beef, according to a 2022 report released by the organisation Bangladesh Jatiya Hindu Mahajot. Among the atrocities were 519 houses of Hindus torched by Islamists and 891 families attacked that year.

Bangladeshi human rights group Ain O Salish Kendra reported in 2021 that at least 3,679 attacks had taken place on the Hindu community since January 2013. Hasina has been in office in her latest stint since 2009.

Some of the worst perpetrators have been men from Hasinas own Awami League, or its student wing Chhatra League. The Bangladesh PM has also been unusually generous with Hefazat-e-Islam, which is as influential and virulently Islamist as Jamaat and controls thousands of Qwami madrasas across the country.

As you read this, a group of Islamists could be celebrating New Years Eve with a beef barbecue party at Chandranath temple in the hills of Chittagong. The place happens to be one of the 51 Shakti Peeths strewn across the subcontinent, where Sati Matas right arm is believed to have fallen.

Deep Halder and Avishek Biswas in their new book, Being Hindu In Bangladesh, capture the uninterrupted river of blood from the pre-Partition Noakhali and other riots to perhaps the worlds worst genocide of 1971 to the systematic wiping out of a people from their ancestral land till today. They write:

Through the years, there has been a constant political pressure to regularise Urdu in Bangladesh, a country formed after rejecting Urdu!

It started with a constitutional amendment in 1975 that replaced the phrase Bengali nationalism with Bangladeshi nationalism. It continues through the spurt in the number of Qwami madrasas that adopt their own syllabus with predominantly religious content that greatly emphasises Arabic, Persian and Urdu language studies.

No language should be abolished from the land. The romance of a foreign tongue can never be overemphasised. What should not perhaps be underemphasised is the reason why East Pakistan became Bangladesh  rejecting Urdu for Bangla, embracing the syncretic Bengali identity over a religious identity. As demand for Urdu goes up, as attacks on Hindus continue to make headlines in modern-day secular Bangladesh, one wonders if 1971 has seeped through the intervening decades and come to haunt our present.

Why then does Bharat still stand by Sheikh Hasina so resolutely?

Why does India negotiate hard with the United States  which is alarmed by Chinas growing influence in Bangladesh and wants free and fair polls  to leave the Awami League government alone?

Because the alternative can be far worse.

Hasinas main rival, the BNP, has always had a deep link with Jamaat. It has been traditionally allied to Pakistan and its agency, the ISI. India fears that if the BNP comes to power, Islamism could become a far bigger spectre.

Also, several of Jamaats leaders have married their children to the leaders of Rohingya terror groups. If a BNP in power shows any softness towards Jamaat, it would open up a direct, deleterious corridor from Myanmars Rakhine to the India-Bangladesh border. Hasina has kept a check on that.

India has to prepare for a post-Hasina scenario, look closely at succession. An interim government, drawing relatively clean and effective politicians from the main parties, as well as from civil society, could be an option. Such a coalition may look good on paper and the nation may welcome it for now, but it may lack the ideological cohesion needed for the long game.

But it would still be a start. Even if the experiment stumbles after a couple of years, it could prepare ground for a new, honest and inclusive leadership to emerge.

The author is contributing editor, Firstpost. 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 year 2023 saw events that shook the world and some that just gently rattled it. While it began with the war in Ukraine dragging into another year, at the end of it was another one raging in West Asia. The Coup Belt in the continent of Africa became active again with military takeovers in two countries. The year 2023 is when India was literally over the moon. And weve witnessed record-shattering impacts of climate change. Heres a list of the most significant events of the year 2023:

1. Israel-Hamas War

The year kicked off with a seismic event as Israel found itself under an unprecedented attack on 7 October, 2023. Hamas, based in the Gaza Strip, launched a multifaceted assault involving land, sea and air forces. The consequences were devastating, with around 1,200 Israelis losing their lives and hundreds held hostage, including soldiers, civilians and foreign nationals.

What ensued was a brutal retaliation from Israel, vowing to eliminate Hamas. The conflict escalated, resulting in over 18,000 Palestinian casualties and mass displacement. Israel claimed to have targeted Hamas command centres, terror tunnels and eliminated key leaders. The war, which drew international attention and divided opinions globally, showcased the complexities of the Israel-Palestine conflict.

2. US support for Ukraine: Running out of funds?

Simultaneously, halfway across the globe, the conflict in Ukraine continued to unfold. Over 600 days into the war, US found itself grappling with a funding crisis for supporting Ukraine. The White House urged Congress to pass a bill providing additional aid, emphasising the urgency of the situation. However, political complexities and scepticism from some quarters hindered swift action.

Despite the challenges, Ukraine demonstrated resilience, countering Russian advances with strong resistance. By October, significant shifts occurred on the battlefield with Ukraine claiming strategic gains. The wars dynamics remained fluid leaving the world on edge about the future of the conflict.

3. Africas crisis of coups

In another corner of the globe, the African continent witnessed a concerning trend  a resurgence of military takeovers. Dubbed the Coup Belt, West and Central Africa experienced two coups in 2023. Niger saw its military overthrow a pro-Western regime, defying international calls for a return to democracy. Shortly after, oil-rich Gabon faced a similar fate as the Republican Guard seized power amid contested elections.

These coups raised alarms about the stability of African nations with growing discontent toward civilian-led governments. The continent, grappling with issues like poverty, inequality and corruption faced an uncertain future as military takeovers became more frequent.

4. Indias historic moon landing

Shifting focus to the realm of space exploration, India made history with its Chandrayaan-3 mission. The lunar mission successfully landed on the uncharted surface of the moons south pole, marking India as the first country to achieve such a feat. The mission, involving the lander Vikram and rover Pragyaan, collected crucial data during its 10-day stay on the lunar surface.

Indias space agency, ISRO, celebrated the success as a stepping stone toward its ambitious goal of a manned moon mission by 2040. The Chandrayaan-3 mission captured the imagination of millions globally and underscored Indias prowess in space exploration.

5. Heat records shattered: A climate crisis unfolds

Amid these geopolitical and space-centric events, the spectre of climate change cast a long shadow over 2023. The world experienced record-breaking temperatures, extreme weather events, and rising sea levels. The World Meteorological Organisation declared 2023 the warmest year on record, continuing a troubling trend from the past nine years.

At the COP28 Summit in Dubai, governments grappled with the urgent need to transition away from fossil fuels. Despite fierce opposition from OPEC members, a deal was reached to guide the world toward a more sustainable energy future. However, experts warned that the El Nino phenomenon, which emerged in 2023, could intensify the heat in the coming year.

The year 2023 unfolded as a tapestry of global events each weaving its narrative into the complex fabric of our world. From conflicts that tested the resilience of nations to historic achievements in space and the pressing challenge of climate change, these events will undoubtedly shape the trajectory of the years to come. As we step into 2024, the echoes of 2023 linger, urging humanity to confront its challenges and embrace a shared responsibility for a better future.

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For the second time this month the Biden administration is bypassing Congress to approve an emergency weapons sale to Israel as Israel continues its war against Hamas in Gaza under increasing international criticism.

The State Department said on Friday that Secretary of State Antony Blinken had told Congress that he had made a second emergency determination covering a $147.5 million sale for equipment, including fuses, charges and primers, that is needed to make the 155 mm shells that Israel has already purchased function.

Given the urgency of Israels defensive needs, the secretary notified Congress that he had exercised his delegated authority to determine an emergency existed necessitating the immediate approval of the transfer, the department said.

The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to US national interests to ensure Israel is able to defend itself against the threats it faces, it said.

The emergency determination means the purchase will bypass the congressional review requirement for foreign military sales. Such determinations are rare, but not unprecedented, when administrations see an urgent need for weapons to be delivered without waiting for lawmakers approval.

Blinken made a similar decision on December 9, to approve the sale to Israel of nearly 14,000 rounds of tank ammunition worth more than $106 million.

Both moves have come as President Joe Bidens request for a nearly $106 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and other national security needs remains stalled in Congress, caught up in a debate over U.S. immigration policy and border security. Some Democratic lawmakers have spoken of making the proposed $14.3 billion in American assistance to its Mideast ally contingent on concrete steps by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government to reduce civilian casualties in Gaza during the war with Hamas.

The State Department sought to counter potential criticism of the sale on human rights grounds by saying it was in constant touch with Israel to emphasize the importance of minimizing civilian casualties, which have soared since Israel began its response to the Hamas attacks in Israel on October 7.

We continue to strongly emphasize to the government of Israel that they must not only comply with international humanitarian law, but also take every feasible step to prevent harm to civilians, it said.

Hamas hides behind civilians and has embedded itself among the civilian population, but that does not lessen Israels responsibility and strategic imperative to distinguish between civilians and Hamas terrorists as it conducts its military operations, the department said. This type of campaign can only be won by protecting civilians.

Bypassing Congress with emergency determinations for arms sales is an unusual step that has in the past met resistance from lawmakers, who normally have a period of time to weigh in on proposed weapons transfers and, in some cases, block them.

In May 2019, then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made an emergency determination for an $8.1 billion sale of weapons to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan after it became clear that the Trump administration would have trouble overcoming lawmakers concerns about the Saudi and UAE-led war in Yemen.

Pompeo came under heavy criticism for the move, which some believed may have violated the law because many of the weapons involved had yet to be built and could not be delivered urgently. But he was cleared of any wrongdoing after an internal investigation.

At least four administrations have used the authority since 1979. President George H.W. Bushs administration used it during the Gulf War to get arms quickly to Saudi Arabia.
China will simplify visa applications for tourists from the United States from January 1, cutting the documents required, according to a notice on Friday on the website of the Chinese embassy in Washington.

The move is the latest by China to revive tourism and boost the worlds second-largest economy following a slump during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tourist visa applicants in the US will no longer need to submit air ticket bookings, hotel reservations or an invitation letter, the embassys notice said.

Beijing earlier cleared the way for passport holders from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia to visit the country without visas from December 1.

Visa-free treatment will run for 12 months, during which tourists from those six countries can visit China for up to 15 days.

China also expanded its visa-free transit policy to 54 countries in November.

The number of inbound tourists to the country plummeted during the pandemic due to the countrys strict COVID-19 control policies.

International flights to China have picked up since Beijing dropped COVID-19 restrictions a year ago but are still only at 60% of 2019 levels.
China has undertaken a significant reshuffle in its military parliament, expelling nine officials including four generals from the armys strategic missile unit, following the appointment of a new defence minister.

The changes include the removal of five individuals from the secretive Rocket Force, with former commander Li Yuchao implicated in a corruption investigation.

This restructuring is part of a series of high-level moves in the military since the abrupt dismissal of Defence Minister Li Shangfu in October. The Peoples Liberation Army has not disclosed specific reasons for the removals, marking the first time branches like the Air Force and Navy have been implicated in recent personnel changes.

Appointed in March, Li disappeared from public view in August before being formally dismissed in October. On Friday Beijing appointed Dong Jun as the new defence minister, ending a months-long vacancy in the strategic post.

Recent months have also seen an overhaul in the leadership of Chinas secretive Rocket Force, the army unit that oversees Beijings nuclear arsenal, following media reports of a corruption probe involving its former chief.

The nine officials fired on Friday from the National Peoples Congress sat in parliament as non-elected representatives. Their dismissal suggests that those officers are being probed and confirms some of the rumours circulating on the topic says US-based SinoInsider, a firm specialising in Chinese politics.

With inputs from AFP.
Israeli warplanes targeted two urban refugee camps in central Gaza on Saturday after the Biden administration approved a new emergency weapons sale to the country, despite ongoing international calls for a cease-fire due to increasing civilian casualties, hunger and mass displacement in the enclave.

Israel is committed to continuing its air and ground offensive until it dismantles Hamas, a goal seen by some as challenging due to the groups deep roots in Palestinian society.

The United States has provided diplomatic support to Israel and continues to supply weapons. Although urging Israel to minimize harm to Palestinian civilians, the Biden administration shares the view that ending the war now would signify victory for Hamas.

The war, triggered by the deadly Oct. 7 Hamas attack on southern Israel, has displaced some 85% of the Gaza Strips 2.3 million residents, sending swells of people seeking shelter in Israeli-designated safe areas that the military has nevertheless also bombed. That has left Palestinians with a harrowing sense that nowhere is safe in the tiny enclave.

Residents in the urban refugee camps of Nuseirat and Bureij, two recent hot spots of combat, reported Israeli airstrikes overnight and into Saturday.

Nuseirat resident Mustafa Abu Wawee said a strike hit the home of one of his relatives, killing two people.

The (Israeli) occupation is doing everything to force people to leave, he said over the phone while searching along with others for four people missing under the rubble. They want to break our spirit and will but they will fail. We are here to stay.

A second strike late Friday in Nuseirat targeted the home of a journalist for Al-Quds TV, a channel linked to the group Islamic Jihad whose militants also participated in the Oct. 7 attack. The channel said the journalist, Jaber Abu Hadros and six members of his family were killed.

Bureij resident Rami Abu Mosab said sounds of gunfire echoed across the camp overnight, followed by heavy airstrikes Saturday.

With Israeli forces pushing deeper into Khan Younis and the camps of central Gaza, tens of thousands of Palestinians streamed into the already crowded city of Rafah at the southernmost end of Gaza in recent days.

Drone footage showed a vast camp of thousands of tents and makeshift shacks set up on what had been empty land on Rafahs western outskirts next to U.N. warehouses.

People arrived in Rafah in trucks, in carts and on foot. Those who did not find space in the already overwhelmed shelters put up tents on roadsides slick with mud from winter rains.

MORE US WEAPONS FOR ISRAEL

The State Department said Friday that Secretary of State Antony Blinken told Congress he approved a $147.5 million sale for equipment, including fuses, charges and primers, that is needed for 155 mm shells Israel bought previously.

It marked the second time this month that the Biden administration is bypassing Congress to approve an emergency weapons sale to Israel.

The department cited the urgency of Israels defensive needs as a reason for the approval and argued that it is vital to U.S. national interests to ensure Israel can defend itself against the threats it faces.

The emergency determination means the purchase will bypass the congressional review requirement for foreign military sales. Such determinations are rare, but not unprecedented when administrations see an urgent need for weapons to be delivered without waiting for lawmakers approval.

Blinken made a similar decision on Dec. 9 to approve the sale to Israel of nearly 14,000 rounds of tank ammunition worth more than USD 106 million.

Both moves have come as President Joe Bidens request for a nearly USD 106 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and other national security needs remains stalled in Congress, caught up in a debate over U.S. immigration policy and border security.

Some Democratic lawmakers have spoken of making the proposed USD 14.3 billion in American assistance to its Mideast ally contingent on concrete steps by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government to reduce civilian casualties in Gaza during the war with Hamas.

DISEASE AND HUNGER ARE SPREADING

More than a week after a U.N. Security Council resolution called for the unhindered delivery of aid at scale across besieged Gaza, conditions have only worsened, U.N. agencies warned.

Aid officials said the aid entering Gaza remains woefully inadequate. Distributing goods is hampered by long delays at two border crossings, ongoing fighting, Israeli airstrikes, repeated cuts in internet and phone services and a breakdown of law and order that makes it difficult to secure aid convoys, they said.

Nearly the entire population is fully dependent on outside humanitarian aid, said Philippe Lazzarini, head of UNRWA, the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees. A quarter of the population is starving because too few trucks enter with food, medicine, fuel and other supplies sometimes fewer than 100 trucks a day, according to U.N. daily reports.

U.N. monitors said operations at the Israeli-run Kerem Shalom crossing halted for four days this week because of security incidents, such as a drone strike and the seizing of aid by desperate Gaza residents.

They said the crossing reopened Friday, and that a total of 81 aid trucks entered Gaza through Kerem Shalom and the Rafah crossing on the Egyptian border a fraction of the typical prewar volume of 500 trucks a day.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization warned that the spread of disease is accelerating, particularly in southern Gaza, where hundreds of thousands have crammed into an ever-shrinking area to flee airstrikes and advancing Israeli ground forces. The agency reported more cases of upper respiratory infections, diarrhea, lice, scabies, chickenpox, skin rashes and meningitis.

RISING DEATH TOLL

The war has already killed over 21,500 Palestinians, most of them women and children, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-ruled territory. Its count does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. Israel holds Hamas responsible for civilian deaths and injuries, saying the militants embed themselves within civilian infrastructure.

Israeli officials, meanwhile, have vowed to bring back more than 100 hostages still held by the militants after their Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel that triggered the war. The assault killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians.

The military says 168 of its soldiers have been killed since the ground offensive began.

With inputs from AP.
Russia drew sharp criticism at the UN Security Council on Friday for launching massive missile and drone attacks against Ukraine, after Kyiv and its supporters called for an urgent meeting of the 15-member body to address the strikes.

Russian strikes across Ukraine on Friday killed 31 civilians and wounded more than 160 others in the biggest aerial attacks since the start of the war in February 2022, according to officials, and Poland said a Russian missile appeared to have flown into its airspace before returning to Ukraine.

Tragically, 2023 is ending as it began  with devastating violence against the people of Ukraine, UN Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari said after briefing the council on the attacks.

Once again, Ukrainians are forced to spend the holidays seeking shelter, clearing the rubble, and burying the dead, amidst freezing temperatures, he added.

Most council members, including the United States, France and Britain, condemned the attacks on Ukraine.

Rather than peace, (Russian President Vladimir) Putin chose to mark this holiday season and usher in the New Year with an unprecedented number of drone and missile strikes against another UN member state, said US Minister-Counsellor John Kelley.

Chinas Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Geng Shuang, did not condemn the attacks and called for a political solution to the war in Ukraine.

Russias UN ambassador Vasily Nebenzya said in a lengthy response that Russia had launched attacks only on military infrastructure in Ukraine and that Ukraines air defence systems were responsible for civilian casualties.

Britains ambassador to the UN Barbara Woodward responded that Russias actions were the sole cause of the tragedy in Ukraine.

The rest is a torrent of lies and disinformation, Woodward said of Nebenzyas remarks.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the attacks by Russia on Ukraine, spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.

Attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure violate international humanitarian law, are unacceptable and must end immediately, Dujarric said.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has directed the Coast Guard to enhance its operations to assert sovereignty over the East China islets, currently under Tokyos control but also claimed by Beijing, as reported by Japans Kyodo news agency on Saturday.

In response to Xis November order, the Coast Guard has formulated a plan to conduct daily patrols near the islets, known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, throughout 2024.

Additionally, the coast guard vessels will be tasked with on-site inspections of Japanese fishing vessels if deemed necessary, according to unnamed sources cited by Kyodo.

No one was immediately available for comment at Japans Foreign Ministry.

Japans ties with China have long been plagued by the territorial dispute over the group of tiny, uninhabited islets.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida reiterated Japans serious concerns over the matter when he held talks with Xi in the United States in November, the Japanese government said at the time.
Best Smartphones 2023 | iPhone 15 Pro Max, Galaxy S23 Ultra, Pixel 8, iQOO 12, OnePlus Open, More Features oi -Carlsen Martin

As the curtain closes on 2023, the smartphone industry has seen many ups and downs. This year has been a rollercoaster ride whether it was Apple, OnePlus, Samsung, Motorola, and Google all upping the ante.

But now that this ride has almost come to an end, we've decided to take a walk down memory lane and see which smartphones stood out in their respective segments in 2023. So stay tuned for Gizbot's Smartphone Awards 2023.

Best Overall Smartphone 2023 - Google Pixel 8

Our pick for the best overall smartphone of 2023 is none other than the Google Pixel 8. If you aren't a 'Pro' user or a mobile gaming enthusiast, the Pixel 8 is undoubtedly the best flagship smartphone for you. Before we tell you why the Pixel 8, there are a few caveats here, like the not-so impressive battery life or the lackluster heat management.

However, that's not something your average flagship user needs to worry about. The vanilla Pixel 8 has the same chip as the Pixel 8 Pro, not something that can be said about Apple's iPhone 15 series. It also has the same main camera as the 'Pro' model, which isn't something that can be said about the Galaxy S23 series.

Furthermore, it has the best display of any smartphone in the segment. And let's not forget the best software support. Google has also tailored the chip and software to significantly improve AI performance on the Pixel 8, making it the smartest phone in 2023. Lastly, offers for the Pixel 8 seem unending, even now you can snap it up with a massive discount in India.

Runners Up: Xiaomi 13 Pro, Apple iPhone 15, Samsung Galaxy S23

Best Foldable Smartphone 2023 - OnePlus Open

Not too long ago, Samsung would have been the obvious choice here thanks to its ingenuity, experience, and availability. However, in 2023, several brands have started catching up to the South Korean tech giant. But if we had to pick one foldable smartphone this year, it would have to be the OnePlus Open.

In terms of camera performance, battery life, charging support, design, and display quality, the OnePlus Open comes out on top over the Galaxy Z Fold 5. Sure, there are areas where Samsung emerges triumphant, like software and water resistance, but OnePlus is catching up in the software department and gets some splash resistance.

However, OnePlus goes the added mile, including a fat charging brick in the box as well as a protective case with the OnePlus Open. Not to mention, the OnePlus Open is cheaper than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, while offering double the storage on the base model. As far as the foldable experience is concerned, the OnePlus Open gets it spot on and in our view, one ups the Galaxy Z Fold 5.

Runners Up: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, Tecno Phantom V Fold

Best Compact Smartphone 2023 - Oppo Find N3 Flip

The Asus Zenfone 10 does seem like the obvious winner for best compact smartphone of 2023, although it is plagued by availability issues, so we're going with a more accessible smartphone, the Oppo Find N3 Flip. The Find N3 Flip is the only flip smartphone with the flagship-grade triple-camera setup on the back.

The Oppo Find N3 Flip brings Hasselblad expertise to the forefront, while offering a premium-grade display. Moreover, it has one of the largest batteries on a flip smartphone and a powerful chipset. Lastly, the Oppo Find N3 Flip has an excellent cover screen with a ton of utility and makes the transition between primary and secondary screens seamless. And its pocket-size form factor certainly doesn't hurt.

Runners Up: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5, Asus Zenfone 10, Motorola Razr 40 Ultra

Best Premium Mid-Range Smartphone 2023 - Nothing Phone (2)

The Nothing Phone (2) is our pick for the best mid-range smartphone in 2023. Despite tough competition from the Google Pixel 7a and Samsung Galaxy A54 5G, the Nothing Phone (2) still felt like the clear winner here. The Phone (2) features a flagship-worthy glass and aluminum construction.

Moreover, the Phone (2) also features an excellent LTPO OLED screen, a powerful Snapdragon 8 series chipset, a sizeable battery with both wired and wireless fast charging support, and two high-res 50 MP rear cameras.

Apart from the near-flagship hardware, the Nothing Phone (2) also features a clean, bloat-free software experience with great support. Finally, the Nothing Phone (2) is designed to impress with its Glyph Interface, complete with LED lights that sync with notifications and ringtones.

Runners Up: Google Pixel 7a, Oppo Reno 10 Pro, OnePlus 11R

Best Mid-Range Smartphone 2023 - Motorola Edge 40

In the past couple of years, Motorola has seen a resurgence, emerging as a key player in the budget and mid-range segments. However, this year, the Motorola Edge 40 took things up a notch by offering a formidable specs sheet at a very reasonable price.

The Moto Edge 40 is a perfect mid-range smartphone, delivering an excellent balance of hardware and utility. So what's on offer with this sub-30K smartphone: a MediaTek Dimensity 8020 SoC, a 144Hz OLED display, a dual-rear camera setup (50 MP + 13 MP), an IP68 rating, and a 4400 mAh battery with both wired and wireless fast charging.

Motorola's near-stock Android software prioritizes convenience, while offering a seamless user experience with no bloatware. Motorola doesn't skimp on design as well, featuring an aluminum frame as well as a vegan leather back panel giving the phone an elegant look.

Runners Up: Oppo Reno 10 5G, Vivo V29, OnePlus Nord 3 5G

Given the intense competition from Redmi, Realme, Samsung, Lava, Infinix, and others, this winner deserves a little extra praise. And our pick is none other than the Vivo T2 5G. The Vivo T2 5G offers an excellent balance of features for its price.

These include an OLED display, a sizeable battery with 44W fast charging support, a Snapdragon 695 SoC, and a 64 MP dual-camera setup on the back with OIS support. The Vivo T2 5G also features an ultra-slim and lightweight body, giving it a sleek look.

Runners Up: iQOO Z7s 5G, Moto G54 5G, Redmi 12 5G

Best Entry-Level Smartphone 2023 - Lava Blaze 2 5G

The Lava Blaze 2 5G includes a MediaTek chipset, a 90Hz display, a large battery with fast charging, a dual-camera setup, and a glass back panel, all for just under Rs 10,000.

Runners UP: Redmi 13C 5G, Infinix Hot 30

Best Gaming Smartphone 2023 - Asus ROG Phone 7

When it comes to smartphone gaming, there are few handsets that can hold a candle to the Asus ROG Phone 7 in terms of specifications and even fewer so in terms of availability. The Asus ROG Phone 7 is a beast of a smartphone that can handle any game you throw at it without skipping a beat.

In terms of performance, the ROG Phone 7 uses a powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, although if you want the latest Qualcomm flagship chipset, the ROG Phone 8 is only a few weeks aways. Complimenting the chip is a ton of RAM and storage as well as an updated cooling system.

Add to that, the ROG Phone 7 has a super-smooth display, a massive 6,000 mAh battery with fast charging support, and an extensive ecosystem of gaming accessories. Moreover, the ROG Phone 7 also features gaming aesthetics and bloat-free software.

Runners Up: iQOO 11 5G, iQOO 12 5G, Nubia Red Magic 9 Pro

Best Cameras - iPhone 15 Pro Max

The smartphone camera landscape has gotten a whole lot more competitive this year. With several improvements on both the hardware and software fronts. The Pixel 8 Pro is undoubtedly the best point-and-shot smartphone, while the Galaxy S23 Ultra takes the best zoom shots and let's not get started about the impressive portrait camera performance of the Vivo X100 Pro.

However, the iPhone 15 Pro Max does an excellent job across the board. It is arguably one of the best smartphones for camera photography in 2023 and 'the best' smartphone for videography. The iPhone 15 Pro Max has a 2nd Gen 48 MP primary sensor with sensor-shift OIS, a 12 MP ultrawide lens, and a new 12 MP periscope-telephoto shooter with 5x optical zoom and sensor-shift OIS.

Apple has also introduced several features like log recording, the ability to record directly to an external SSD, the ability to shoot 24 MP by default, and let's not forget, the new 5x telephoto camera, which vastly improves zoom performance. If you are looking for the best cameras on a smartphone in 2023, the iPhone 15 Pro Max should be your default pick.

Runners Up: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, Google Pixel 8 Pro, Xiaomi 13 Ultra

Best Design - Xiaomi 14 Pro

Design is subjective and the Nothing Phone (1) certainly stood out last year with the most unique-look of any smartphone. However, we haven't seen any major design overhauls with the Phone (2) or the iPhone 15 series for that matter. So our pick this year is the Xiaomi 14 Pro.

Xiaomi doesn't quite provide any options with the 14 Pro, offering a gorgeous ceramic black or white back panel. Apart from the back panel, the Xiaomi 14 Pro also uses Gorilla Glass Victus on the front and an aluminum frame. The curved screen also offers a perfect balance of elegance and comfort. The Xiaomi 14 Pro seamlessly combines style, functionality, and endurance to make it the best designed phone of 2023.

Runners Up: iPhone 15 Pro, Vivo V29e, Motorola Edge 40 Neo

Best Battery Life - iPhone 15 Plus

iPhones are renowned for their battery life and the iPhone 15 series was no exception. Replacing the 'mini' iPhone models with larger 'Plus' variants has done wonders for battery life. Unlike the iPhone 15 Pro Max, the iPhone 15 Plus opts for a less-demanding chip, leading to better battery efficiency.

So despite the similarly size batteries, the iPhone 15 Plus is able to squeeze out even more battery life than its Pro Max counterpart. While there are competitors in the form of the ROG Phone 7 and the Galaxy S23 Ultra, they are far more demanding with the higher resolution and refresh rates. Additionally, the iPhone 15 Plus also benefits from a standard 60Hz refresh rate.

Best Redemption Arc - OnePlus 11 5G

OnePlus made a surprising decision this year to end its 'Pro' line of smartphones, making the OnePlus 11 5G the only flagship from the brand in 2023. The OnePlus 11 5G arrived as one of the best value smartphones of 2023, delivering a solid specs sheet at a very reasonable price. Apart from a premium build, the OnePlus 11 5G also features a flagship-worthy design.

Other specifications of the OnePlus 11 5G are in-line with most flagships from 2023 including the Galaxy S23, iPhone 15, iQOO 11 5G, and Pixel 8. Apart from cameras and software, the OnePlus 11 5G bests most competitors in its price range. The company is also unveiling the OnePlus 12 5G in late January.

Runners Up: Lava Agni 2 5G, Motorola Razr 40 Ultra

Best Flagship Killer 2023 - iQOO 12 5G

The iQOO 11 5G was one of the most affordable Android flagships in 2023. However, iQOO stepped up its game earlier this month with the unveiling of the iQOO 12 5G, the first smartphone to use the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip in India.

But despite the new chips and significant hardware improvements, the iQOO 12 5G debuted at a lower price in India than its predecessor. So what does this flagship offer for that impressive price?

Apart from the chip, the iQOO 12 offers a flagship-worthy camera setup (50 MP + 50 MP + 64MP), a 144Hz LTPO OLED display with an impressive brightness, 5,000 mAh battery with 120Hz fast charging support, and the latest Android 14 software. Moreover, the phone features a glass and aluminum construction as well as a dedicated display chip and several gaming-oriented features.

Runners Up: Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, Tecno Phantom X2 Pro

Best Flagship Smartphone 2023 - Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

Saving the best for last, we have the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, which is our pick for the best of the best in 2023. It is true that the iPhone 15 Pro Max and the Google Pixel 8 Pro feature more formidable cameras than the S23 Ultra. However, Samsung offer the better overall package.

The Galaxy S23 Ultra comes with the added benefit of stylus support. But beyond stylus support, it also brings the versatility of four rear cameras, offering the best zoom performance of any smartphone. Additionally, it also boasts a vibrant display and a large battery. Then there's the phone's tough metal and glass build.

Samsung also offers some of the most customizable software with excellent support that ties into the hardware to deliver a seamless experience. The customized Qualcomm chip also enables better gaming performance than past iterations. In terms of ultra-premium, non-foldable smartphones, it doesn't get any better than this!

Runners Up: iPhone 15 Pro/15 Pro Max, Google Pixel 8 Pro, Xiaomi 13 Ultra

Best Mobiles in India
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.
FILE - A selection of scented car air fresheners manufactured by the Car Freshener Company at it's headquarters and main plant located in Watertown, N.Y., are shown in this Feb. 23, 1996. Starting Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, police there no longer will be allowed to pull over motorists solely because they have something hanging from the rearview mirror on their windshield. That means air fresheners, parking placards and, yes, even those dice are fair game to hang according to a revised Illinois windshield rule.
Wed Wednesday

37 /23

Partly cloudy. Highs in the upper 30s and lows in the low 20s.
OZARK-A total of 43 years of service to the only independent bank in Dale County was recognized Thursday as Ann Dora Garner was lauded by friends, family and co-workers at a retirement lunch in her honor.

Garner, who served most recently as vice president of operations, went to work at Commercial Bank in Ozark right after she graduated from Ariton High School. I had a friend who worked here and she told me about a job opening, said Garner as she reflected on a career that spanned more than four decades.

She started at the family-owned bank as a bookkeeper, moved to a teller position and then the loan department until 1974 when her husband Thomass job required a transfer.

When Garner returned to the area in 1986, she came back to Commercial Bank as a vice president and worked at the South Dale Branch in Midland City, the former Martindale Plaza branch in Ozark and in 2000 moved to the downtown corporate office on Merrick Avenue in Ozark.

Advances in technology are the biggest changes Garner has seen in the banking business over the years. Customers are our banks most important assets, Garner said, adding that she will miss them. We have the personal touch, she said. We still have a lot of loyal customers who come in to visit.

Ann Dora is a wonderful person and a great co-worker, said Commercial Bank Chairman of the Board Charles F. Charlie Harper. She is the chief operating officer of the bank and does a magnificent job running the show.

She is also just a very good human being, Harper added. She will be sorely missed.

The Commercial Bank of Ozark was chartered in 1959 by Douglas Brown, who organized the bank because the financial needs for new construction were going unmet by the communitys primary bank. Members of the initial board of directors included Douglas Brown, William C. Brown, E.E. Dorrah, E.E. Flowers, Harry Hall, E. Martin Price and Henry Steagall.

The main office at 208 S. Merrick Ave. in Ozark is the original building and was constructed by Douglas Brown.

The Commercial Bank is Dale Countys only independent community bank. It operates one branch across from Wallace College in the southern part of Dale County.
New Changes Coming To City In 2024

City Council members (l to r) Butch Heitman Jr. Lisa Koski and Brian Austin, were all sworn in for another term on the City Council effective Jan. 1, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2027, at the regular City Council meeting on Dec. 18

The Glasgow City Council concluded their regular council meeting of 2023 on Dec. 18 in the Civic Center Council Chambers. The agenda included Mayor Karst performing oath of offices for three council members, recommendation to move forward on pull in diagonal parking on 2nd Ave. S and 3rd Street South, as well as approval to apply for the HB355 funding.

Mayor Karst started the meeting by performing the oath of office for council members Lisa Koski, Brian Austin and Butch Heitman, who will serve another four-year term on the City Council effective Jan. 1, 2024. Koski represents Ward 1, Heitman represents Ward 2 and Austin represents Ward 3. All three members terms will expire on Dec. 31, 2027.

After many meetings since the request was first brought up to the City Council in July, the Council voted to change from parallel parking to diagonal parking on 2nd Ave. S. and 3rd Street S., which will be effective Spring of 2024.

Drivers, business owners and pedestrians will see the biggest change on 2nd Ave. S., in downtown Glasgow where the south side, from Western Drug to the Glasgow Elks Club, will be pull-in diagonal parking while the north side will remain parallel parking. Diagonal parking will also be implemented on 3rd Street South from the Fire Hall down to the current bathhouse of the pool.

When the idea first came into fruition, it was discussed that back-in diagonal parking would be the safest option for residents, however when weighing the demographics of the area as well as the current landscape of downtown, the Council decided that pull-in parking would be the better option. "It was more ease, people are used to that. We have an elderly population and when you back in, people are going to back in - back tires will hit the curb, no matter what, its going to take out everything that is on the sidewalks," expressed Councilwoman Lisa Koski on the rationale behind moving forward with the pull-in diagonal parking.

Councilman Stan Ozark expressed concerns he had been hearing regarding the semis' ability to still drive through with this change in parking since 2nd Ave. S., is a designated truck route. According to Director of Public Works Paul Skubinna, with the current width of the paved surface available right now, the change to diagonal parking would still maintain the minimum truck route lane width. By transitioning from parallel parking to diagonal parking on the south side of 2nd Ave. S., it will also make room for additional parking spots on that side of the street.

With a motion made by Councilwoman Koski and Councilman Heitman, the Council unanimously approved the changes to the parking and the transition on both 2nd Ave S. and 3rd Street S. will start Spring 2024, weather permitting.

After discussing and prioritizing city projects at the Work Session on Dec. 11, the City Council unanimously approved to apply the HB355 funding in the amount of $241,283 and have it be put towards the Hall Terrace/Hurly Drive Project.

The State-Local Infrastructure Partnership Program is a state-funded program to help cities and towns fund the maintenance/repair of local government facilities on a partnership basis, with local governments supplying a cash match. This program was authorized during the 2023 legislative session via House Bill 355 (HB 355).

For the biennium beginning July 1, 2023, $20 million is appropriated from the general fund to the Montana Department of Commerce ("Commerce") to distribute funds as allocated to grant recipients awarded in compliance with HB 355 for eligible projects as recommended by each legislative body of a city or town.

The meeting was also comprised of regular business including approving consent agenda, reappointing Council member Heitman to the Planning Board for another four year term effective Jan. 1, 2024 and committee reports.

As a result of the January federal holidays falling on a Monday, the regular Council Meetings in January will be held Tuesday, Jan. 2 and Tuesday, Jan. 16. Agendas will be posted on The Glasgow Courier's Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/glasgowcourier when they become available.
Montana Law Enforcement Increasing Patrols During The Holiday Season

As the holiday season kicks off, Valley County Sheriffs Office, Glasgow Police Department, DUI Task Force and the Montana Highway Patrol (MHP) are encouraging Montanans to plan for a sober ride home before celebrating. Historically, the period between Dec. 15 and Jan. 1 has a high concentration of impaired driving crashes and crash fatalities. Under the Vision Zero goal, Valley County Sheriffs Office, Glasgow Police Department, Valley County DUI Task Force, MHP and the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) are committed to reducing fatalities and serious injuries on Montanas roadways during the busy holiday season. Law enforcement partners across the state will be increasing patrols through the winter holidays and making Driving Under the Influence (DUI) arrests as part of the effort to help Montanans get home safely.

Montana law states that if drivers have a BAC (blood alcohol content) of .08 or higher, they could be arrested and face a DUI charge and other serious consequences, including having their drivers license revoked, being required to take mandatory classes, and receiving possible jail time and up to $10,000 in fines and legal fees.

If youre drinking during the holiday season, make a plan for a safe ride home, said Undersheriff Chris Richter. Winter driving conditions are dangerous enough, and adding alcohol to the mix puts everyone in danger. For yourself, your family and your community, make a plan for a sober ride before you start celebrating. Whether its designating a sober driver or arranging to stay at a friend or family members home if youre drinking, having that plan ensures our community stays safe.

Why is Montana law enforcement on high alert during the holiday season? These are Montanas sobering statistics:

Montana has one of the highest fatality rates in the nation for the number of deaths caused by alcohol-impaired drivers per vehicle mile traveled.

In the last three years, over 60 percent of Montanas crash fatalities have involved an impaired driver.

Please celebrate responsibly this holiday season. Have fun, but dont drive impaired, said Montana Highway Patrol Colonel Steve Lavin. Well be increasing patrols throughout the holidays to make sure Montanans get home safely so they can spend time with their friends and family. Do your part and plan ahead or call for a sober ride home if youve been drinking. Together we can keep our community safe.

Montana Department of Transportation  Vision Zero

This is a Vision Zero message from the Montana Department of Transportation. This and other enforcement and educational campaigns are strategies to reach Vision Zero  zero deaths and zero serious injuries on Montana roadways.

For more information about Vision Zero, contact Tammy Ross, Montana Department of Transportation, 406-444-9192 or [email protected].
New Report Details How Philip Morris International And British American Tobacco Reach Young People On Social Media

Philip Morris International and British American Tobacco, two of the worlds largest publicly traded tobacco companies, are advertising tobacco and nicotine products to kids on social media, according to a new report released Dec. 8 by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

The report, #SponsoredbyBigTobacco, details how the two tobacco giants have targeted more than 60 countries with expansive marketing campaigns for Velo, a nicotine pouch from British American Tobacco, Vuse, an e-cigarette from British American Tobacco, and IQOS, a heated tobacco product from Philip Morris International. Forty percent of the audience engaging with BAT and Philip Morris marketing content on social media are young people under the age of 25, according to the report.

Content promoting Velo, Vuse and IQOS has been viewed more than 3.4 billion times across Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok, with content primarily appearing on Instagram. Social media marketing for these three brands has been viewed by more than 385 million people, including 150 million young people and 16 million teens under the age of 18, according to the report.

The report reveals a variety of tactics used by the two global tobacco companies to reach young people online. These tactics include direct product marketing from popular Instagram accounts run by tobacco companies, paid advertising, contests and sport and music sponsorships.

According to the report, tobacco companies also leverage a vast network of influencers and content creators to market their brands online, in direct violation of Facebook and Instagram policies. To maximize reach, impressions and a perception of authenticity, tobacco companies use a mix of influencers  from micro influencers with around 1,000 followers to well-known celebrities with millions of followers. Tobacco companies also seek out influencers with a variety of interests to post about trending topics and reach an expansive audience of young people who would otherwise not see tobacco or nicotine content on social media.

Additional findings include:

Most influencers (37 percent) promoting content for tobacco companies are creatives like musicians, DJs, actors or artists, followed by fashion creators (30 percent). Tobacco and nicotine products are also promoted by lifestyle creators (25 percent) and sports creators (eight percent).

In direct violation of Facebook and Instagrams advertising policies, tobacco companies use paid advertisements to reach young people on these platforms.

Tobacco companies leverage sponsorships with major brands on social media to create an immersive surround sound marketing effect. The report documents relationships with McLaren, Formula 1, Tomorrowland  one of the most popular music festivals in the world  and Spotify.

The findings of this report make it crystal clear: Big Tobacco is going all-in to target youth on social media and it has to stop, said Yolonda C. Richardson, president and CEO of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. Tobacco companies are among the most sophisticated advertisers in the world  marketing that reaches millions of kids does not happen by accident. Governments need to urgently address tobacco marketing online and ensure that social media companies are held legally accountable for the tobacco and nicotine marketing appearing on these platforms.

Instagram and Facebook, now Meta, announced in 2019 that they would ban influencers from promoting e-cigarettes and other tobacco products. The ban has been largely ignored by tobacco companies and is not enforced by Meta, according to the report.

In February, 183 Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control will meet in Panama, where governments will consider adopting specific guidelines on cross-border digital advertising, including on social media. If adopted, these guidelines will help countries to more effectively ban cross-border advertisements for tobacco and nicotine products, including on social media.
Iran executes four Mossad-related saboteurs

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Dec 29, 2023

Urmia, IRNA -- Four members of a Mossad-related team, which carried out acts of sabotage in different parts of Iran, have been executed.

The execution of the four convicts occurred early on Friday, according to the public relations department of the Iranian Judiciary.

The four were sentenced to death on charges of "corruption on earth" and "enmity against God".

Last year, the Judiciary Chief of West Azarbaijan province announced that 10 people were arrested for connections with Mossad.

Nassar Atabati said that these people identified Iranian intelligence forces active in the area of the fight against the Zionist regime and kidnapped and beat them to dump their information.

They received money from Mossad agents for the accomplishment of their missions in Iran.

Four members of them were sentenced to death, a penalty that was enforced early on Friday.

9341**9417

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Four Mossad-linked saboteurs executed: Iran judiciary

Iran Press TV

Friday, 29 December 2023 9:06 AM

Four convicts who were found guilty of working with the Israeli Mossad spy agency and participating in armed kidnapping, intimidation and assault of security forces in the northwestern province of West Azarbaijan were executed on Friday.

According to Mizan Online, the Judiciary's news agency, the four were part of a ten-member sabotage group linked to Mossad, whose main objective was to identify Iranian intelligence agents who were foiling Israeli plots against Iran.

The main four convicts of the team, including three men and a woman, were hanged on Friday morning on charges of "corruption on Earth" and "waging war against God" (moharebeh) through intelligence cooperation with Israel with intent to undermine Iran's security.

They were all tracked down and arrested after complex intelligence operations and close surveillance. The report of their arrest was published in October 2022.

Head of the provincial Justice Department Nasser Atabati said then that the group members, under the direct supervision of Mossad officers, were instructed to locate individuals affiliated with Iran's security apparatus and obtain information from them through abduction, death threats, and brutal battery.

He added that the convicts had received money from Israeli agents and Mossad officers on several occasions for the tasks they had completed.

The official also noted that the detainees had communicated with Mossad officers via video calls, and had performed acts of sabotage in Iran's northwestern West Azarbaijan Province, the capital Tehran and southern Hormozgan Province.

The members of the team also set fire to the homes and cars of the people linked with the Iranian security organizations, Atabati said, noting they were even involved in several abortive assassination attempts against Iranian security forces.

They had even unsuccessfully tried to assassinate Iranian security and intelligence forces.

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China ramps up warnings against Philippines on South China Sea

Chinese spokesperson condemned Manila's actions in disputed waters and warned the U.S. against intervening.

By RFA Staff 2023.12.28 -- China has said it "will not turn a blind eye" towards what it calls the Philippines' "repeated provocations and harassment" in the South China Sea.

Earlier this month, Beijing and Manila traded accusations over a Philippine resupply mission to the troops stationed at the Second Thomas Shoal, with each side claiming its ships were harassed and rammed by the other.

Chinese defense ministry's spokesperson Wu Qian at a press briefing on Thursday repeated the claim that the Philippines, "in disregard of repeated warnings from the Chinese side, insisted on sending vessel to intrude into the adjacent waters of China's Ren'ai Jiao, and provocatively rammed a China Coast Guard vessel and caused scratches."

Wu referred to the contested reef by its Chinese name.

The Philippines insisted that its routine resupply and rotation mission to the BRP Sierra Madre on the Second Thomas Shoal was dangerously "harassed (and) blocked" by the Chinese coast guard and maritime militia vessels.

"We noted that the Philippine side had claimed to conduct humanitarian supplies," said the Chinese spokesman.

"In my view, this is not humanitarian supply at all, it is to deliberately create an incident, play victim and make a show in the name of humanitarian supply.

"The China Coast Guard took necessary enforcement measures in accordance with law, which were totally justified and legitimate."

A Philippine military spokesperson said earlier this week that his country "is not provoking conflict" in the South China Sea, as cited by Reuters on Tuesday.

"We follow international law and we are only implementing our domestic law, meaning the limits of our territorial waters and exclusive economic zone, where we have sovereign rights," said Col. Medel Aguilar.

The United States, as Manila's treaty ally, has repeatedly condemned China's "dangerous and unlawful actions" and vowed to respond to "armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft - including those of its Coast Guard - anywhere in the South China Sea."

At the latest defense ministry's press briefing, Senior Col. Wu Qian said that the U.S. "instigates the Philippines to infringe and provoke violations, and also attempts to use the Mutual Defense Treaty between the United States and the Philippines to threaten and coerce China."

"We demand that the U.S. immediately stop meddling in the South China Sea issue," he said.

Chinese officials and state-run media outlets have also been ramping up the rhetoric against Manila in recent weeks.

During a phone call with his Philippine counterpart Enrique Manalo on Dec. 20, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the relations between the two countries are at a crossroads and warned Manila to act with caution, according to the meeting readout.

Chinese media outlets such as the People's Daily, China's Daily and Global Times all ran articles blaming the Philippines for the escalation of tension.

Edited by Taejun Kang and Elaine Chan.

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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The Philippines' provocation over Ren'ai Jiao infringes China's sovereignty: Chinese FM

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Dec 29, 2023 06:27 PM Updated: Dec 29, 2023 06:31 PM

The Philippines' blatant claim of building a permanent structure on the Ren'ai Jiao (Ren'ai Reef) in the South China Sea is a major move that once again serves as an attempt at breaking a promise, a change in policy, and the destruction of the uninhabited status of Ren'ai Jiao, the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated on Friday.

The move seriously infringes on China's sovereignty and violates international law and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a routine press conference, adding that China will resolutely respond to any infringement and provocation and firmly safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.

China's response came after Spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Colonel Medel Aguilar said on Tuesday that the Philippine government is considering building a shelter for fisherfolk - a permanent structure - on the Ren'ai Jiao.

The Philippines' former Supreme Court senior associate justice Antonio Carpio said earlier that the Philippines should build the structure. He said that they "will put up a civilian structure" there, such as a lighthouse or marine scientific research center. He also claimed that the Ren'ai Jiao is part of the Philippines' exclusive economic zone and the Philippines is "exclusively the only ones who can put up a structure there."

"Instead of sending military supplies, we will be sending civilian supplies later. We will convert the activity from military to civilian," Carpio said.

Mao refuted these claims, saying that the Ren'ai Jiao is part of China's Nansha Islands and China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands, including the Ren'ai Jiao, and its adjacent waters.

This has been in compliance with the international law, including the United Nations Charter. Based on the so-called award of the illegal and invalid arbitration, the Philippines claims that the Ren'ai Jiao belongs to the Philippines' "exclusive economic zone" and continental shelf and denies China's territorial sovereignty over it, which violates the principles of international law and is legally untenable.

The Ren'ai Jiao has no personnel or facility on it. According to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea signed by China and ASEAN members, all parties should maintain the status of the Ren'ai Jiao without people or facilities, said Mao, adding that the Philippines' provocations have complicated the situation.

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Press Briefing by IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari December 29th, 20:45

IDF Press Release

Press Briefing

29.12.23

IDF

Shabbat Shalom,

In recent days, we have been exposed to more and more heartbreaking testimonies of hostages who returned home. Our hearts go out to them, and we want to embrace them and hug the hostages still held in Gaza. On this Shabbat evening, I want to address you, the hostages in Gaza - we think of you all the time, and we constantly remember our moral obligation to bring you all home.

Recently, we have witnessed an increase in fake rumors and misinformation on social media regarding the situation of the hostages. Every hostage has families, friends, and loved ones who are deeply concerned for them. The spread of rumors and unconfirmed facts harms them and us. Please do not pass on unreliable information and avoid adding to the infinite pain of the families of the hostages.

Inside the Gaza Strip, we continue to exert all military pressure on Hamas. In the southern Gaza Strip- in Khan Yunis, in central Gaza Strip- in central camps, in the northern Gaza Strip- in Daraj Tuffach. We also operate in areas close to the borders and to the communities near the Gaza Strip. We are currently operating in Khirbat Ikhza'a, from which the attacks on Nir Oz Kibbutz were launched. We will operate and continue to operate determinedly in this area.

On the northern border, in the past two days, we completed a series of extensive operations using fighter jets, tanks, and artillery on Hezbollah targets - these targets were attacked throughout Lebanon, including launching sites, military compounds, and terrorist infrastructure. In addition, we attacked terrorist cells and eliminated terrorists, both in the field, in the command centers, and in the area of Ayta ash Shab and Ramiya in the south, from where fire was directed towards northern communities. We continue to attack and harm Hezbollah's deployment near the northern border. It no longer looks as it did on October 6th, and it will not return to what it was. Southern Lebanon will not be what it was.

We operate firmly against every threat and will not allow a return to reality before October 7th. We will ensure security and a sense of security before allowing citizens to return to the northern and southern borders.

In Judea and Samaria, a terrorist carried out a car-ramming attack today near a military post at the Adorayim junction. IDF soldiers neutralized the terrorist. One soldier was severely injured, and four other soldiers were lightly to moderately injured. They were evacuated for medical treatment at the hospital, and their families were informed.

Also, this Sabbath, tens of thousands of IDF soldiers from all its branches, including reserve duty, will eat Shabbat dinner together - this is the military of the people. They will eat it together along all the borders and within the Gaza Strip. I want to embrace their families at home and express great appreciation to all of you for your standing in the face of all the difficulties, and there are many of them in the homefront.

Shabbat Shalom to everyone.

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NATO intercepted Russian military aircraft over 300 times in 2023

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

29 Dec. 2023

In 2023, NATO air forces across Europe scrambled well over 300 times to intercept Russian military aircraft approaching Alliance airspace, with most intercepts occurring over the Baltic Sea. NATO has standing air-policing missions that calls for Allied jets to scramble when there are signs of Russian military planes approaching Allied airspace in unpredictable ways.

Along NATO's eastern flank, Russian military aircraft have a history of not transmitting a transponder code indicating their position and altitude, not filing a flight plan, or did communicating with air traffic controllers. The vast majority of aerial encounters between NATO and Russian jets were safe and professional. Breaches of NATO airspace by Russian military aircraft remained rare and generally of short duration.

"Russia's war against Ukraine has created the most dangerous security situation in Europe in decades," said acting NATO Spokesperson Dylan White. "NATO fighter jets are on duty around the clock, ready to scramble in case of suspicious or unannounced flights near the airspace of our Allies. Air policing is an important way in which NATO provides security for our Allies."

In the wake of Russia's war in Ukraine, NATO has substantially reinforced its air defences on its eastern flank, including with more fighter jets, surveillance flights and ground-based air defences. After repeated Russian strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure very close to NATO territory, Allies deployed extra fighter jets to Romania. In October, after subsea pipelines ruptured in the Baltic Sea, NATO sent additional capabilities to the region. This year, NATO also held its biggest ever air exercise, with over 250 aircraft training for the collective defence of the Alliance during "Air Defender 23".

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A recent letter to the editor decried the situation in Gaza and called for a ceasefire. The writer would seem to paint a moral equivalence between the two sides of the war. Lets be clear, there is no moral equivalence between a people fighting for their survival and civilization and a terror group supported by evil powers and bent on genocide.

The writer should look up the phrase, Never again! While the roots of this phrase are deeper than the Holocaust, it gained universal power at that time. The Israelis are serious and have proven to the world time and time again they will not tolerate genocidal behavior anywhere toward its people. That is exactly what Hamas is about with their slogan, From the river to the sea! -- genocide of the Jewish people. Israel is the victim here, not the Gaza strip and West Bank residents who have supported Hamas for years.

Before someone starts calling for a ceasefire they should understand this is a war Israel didnt start but is determined to finish because their survival as a people and a nation depends on it. They may not be able to totally exterminate the terrorists who invaded and did despicable things on October 7th, but they intend to hurt them so badly they will be years rebuilding. In that time, God willing, Israel will again have gained some breathing room and some peace. If the people of Gaza and the West Bank are sick of the carnage they should take action to stop the terror. Then and only then will both sides be able to sit down and negotiate a lasting peace. Its just that simple.

Larry Brown

Dale County
Iran's FM denounces U.S. arms supply to Israel for use against Palestinians

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 14:04, December 29, 2023

TEHRAN, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on Thursday condemned the United States for its nonstop arms delivery to Israel for use against the Palestinians, reported the semi-official Fars news agency.

Amir-Abdollahian made the remarks at a gathering in the north-central Iranian city of Qom while commenting on the developments in the Gaza Strip amid the ongoing Israeli attacks, the report said.

"Today, American arms are being delivered to Tel Aviv from all bases across the region without an hour of pause. In addition to these weapons, certain (military) equipment are directly sent from the United States to Cyprus and thence to Tel Aviv," he said.

The Iranian top diplomat slammed the U.S. hypocrisy by claiming that it did not seek to widen the conflict's scope while continuing to send arms and military gear to Israel around the clock.

Israel has been waging a large-scale military campaign in the Palestinian enclave of the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7 in retaliation for a Hamas surprise attack that killed about 1,200 people in Israel. The relentless Israeli bombings and ground offensive in Gaza have so far killed over 21,000 Palestinians and displaced most of the Gaza population.

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WHO voices concern about worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 13:40, December 29, 2023

GENEVA, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- The World Health Organization (WHO) expressed concern on Wednesday about tens of thousands of displaced people fleeing from Israel's strikes across the center and south of the Gaza Strip.

"The WHO is extremely concerned this fresh displacement of people will further strain health facilities in the south, which are already struggling to meet the population's immense needs," Richard Peeperkorn, WHO representative in the occupied Palestinian territory, said.

Food shortage continues to be acute across Gaza, with hungry people stopping the WHO convoys in the hope of finding food, the health agency said.

"This forced mass movement of people will also lead to more overcrowding, increased risk of infectious diseases, and make it even harder to deliver humanitarian aid," Peeperkorn added.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, reiterated his appeal to the international community to take urgent steps to alleviate the "grave peril" facing Palestinians.

According to the latest WHO assessments, Gaza has 13 partially functioning hospitals, two minimally functioning ones, and 21 that are not functioning at all.

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UN frustrated as Israel hinders life-saving aid to Gaza

Iran Press TV

Friday, 29 December 2023 6:44 PM

The United Nations has expressed frustration at how life-saving aid is being hampered from entering the Gaza Strip as the dire humanitarian crisis worsens with no end in sight to Israel's weeks of constant siege and bombardment of the populated coastal territory.

UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths called out the "impossible situation" facing people in Gaza and those trying to help them, saying that aid convoys are constantly coming under fire in the territory.

"You think getting aid into Gaza is easy? Think again," Griffiths said on Friday in a post on X. "This is an impossible situation ... The fighting must stop."

He made the remarks after Israeli forces fired on an aid convoy as it returned from northern Gaza along a route designated "Safe" by the military.

Thomas White, director of UNRWA affairs in Gaza said, "Our international convoy leader and his team were not injured but one vehicle sustained damage - aid workers should never be a target."

The persistent difficulty in getting humanitarian relief into the besieged Palestinian territory comes as a UN-backed report said last week that the entire 2.3 million population of Gaza is facing crisis levels of hunger, with 576,600 people at catastrophic - or starvation - levels.

Israel imposed a "total siege" on the coastal enclave since it launched its relentless air and ground offensive on Palestinians on Oct.7. The blockade has deprived the population of Gaza of food and water.

The United Nations Security Council passed a resolution last week to boost humanitarian assistance to Gaza with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.

The UN chief said then that a humanitarian ceasefire "is the only way to begin to meet the desperate needs of people in Gaza and end their ongoing nightmare."

He also said Israel is creating "massive obstacles" for entry of aid into Gaza. "The real problem is that the way Israel is conducting this offensive is creating massive obstacles to the distribution of humanitarian aid inside Gaza."

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South Africa files ICJ lawsuit against Israel over 'genocidal acts'

Iran Press TV

Friday, 29 December 2023 6:36 PM

South Africa has instituted proceedings against Israel at the International Court of Justice over the regime's "genocidal" onslaught on Gaza, which has so far killed over 21,000 Palestinians.

The lawsuit says Israel's actions are "genocidal in character because they are intended to bring about the destruction of a substantial part of the Palestinian national, racial and ethnical group".

"The acts in question include killing Palestinians in Gaza, causing them serious bodily and mental harm, and inflicting on them conditions of life calculated to bring about their physical destruction," the lawsuit said.

The application said Israeli attacks breach the UN's Genocide Convention, and urged the court to "order Israel to cease killing and causing serious mental and bodily harm to Palestinian people in Gaza".

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Hezbollah launches eight more anti-Israel attacks in support of Gaza

Iran Press TV

Friday, 29 December 2023 5:16 PM

Lebanon's Hezbollah resistance movement launched eight more attacks against Israeli military positions on Friday, hitting bases as well as troops, in continuation of its support for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Hezbollah said it launched an attack on Israeli artillery bunkers in Khirbet Ma'ar, another on the Al-Marj site, and one more on the Ruweisat Al-Qarn site. It also attacked the Hadab Yaroun site two times.

The movement also hit gatherings of occupation soldiers at Ramya site and another location between Zar'it barracks and Birket Risha site.

Resistance fighters also hit a crane carrying surveillance equipment and spy gear in Doviv farms.

According to the movement, the operations were carried out "in support of the steadfast Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and solidarity with their courageous and honorable resistance."

Earlier, Israeli media reported 27 launches from Lebanese territories toward the Galilee region on Friday, in addition to four warnings about drone intrusion, which led to no interceptions.

The Israeli military said it had struck "Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon" after reporting rocket fire from there.

The regime says it uses aircraft, tanks, and artillery to strike Hezbollah sites in Lebanon.

'Hezbollah ready for more whenever necessary'

The fresh round of exchange of fire comes as Israeli officials have stepped up threats against Hezbollah.

Benny Gantz, a member of the regime's war cabinet, said on Wednesday that Israel will restrain Hezbollah if the international community and the Lebanese government don't do that.

On Thursday, Hezbollah's Deputy Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem warned the regime they're ready to escalate militarily if Israel does.

"We are making the sacrifices that the battle requires, and they are great, but we are also repelling a great danger," Qassem said.

He added, "We are ready for more whenever necessary. We are not intimidated by threats or warnings. We in the field are clear that we are part of this battle."

"If Israel goes too far, we will retaliate twice. We will not fear either Israeli or American threats or intimidation, because the future of the region now depends on this hope and this sacrifice."

Also, Hezbollah's Deputy Chief of the Executive Council Sheikh Ali Daamoush said on Friday the resistance will continue operations regardless of the pressures, threats, or sacrifices, as long as the enemy does not retreat from its aggression against Gaza.

Since October 8, the day after the Israel onslaught against Gaza started, the frontier between Lebanon and the Israeli-occupied territories has seen deadly exchanges of fire, mainly between the Israeli army and the Hezbollah movement.

Reports say Israel has repeatedly used US-supplied internationally-banned white phosphorus munitions in its attacks on Lebanon.

The fighting has forced the evacuation of tens of thousands from the northern part of the Israeli-occupied territories, which have been pummeled by rocket fire and shelling carried out by Hezbollah and allied Palestinian groups.

Hezbollah has urged residents in southern Lebanon to take their CCTV camera systems offline to prevent Israel from hacking into those devices installed outside homes and shops in southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah has already fought off two Israeli wars against Lebanon in 2000 and 2006, forcing the regime's forces to retreat in both cases.

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Israel intensifies Gaza strikes as Hamas in Cairo for ceasefire talks

Iran Press TV

Friday, 29 December 2023 4:31 PM

Israeli forces have killed at least 187 people in the south and central Gaza Strip in the past 24 hours as a team of senior Hamas leaders reached Cairo for negotiations to end Israel's 12-week-long air and ground assault on the blockaded coastal territory.

The regime's warplanes pounded crowded areas in the southernmost end of Gaza on Friday, bringing the total death toll in the populated enclave to at least 21,507 people, including nearly 9,000 children and 6,500 women, the Gaza Health Ministry said Friday.

The number of people wounded in Gaza has also neared 56,000, according to the ministry figures.

The regime's military said on Friday that its forces "are extending operation in Khan Yunis" in the Gaza Strip's south.

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) said on Thursday that Israel's shelling near the southern town has killed 41 people over the past two days.

The casualties in repeated Israeli strikes near the facility include "displaced persons seeking shelter," it said.

At least 35 people have also been killed in Israeli bombings in Nuseirat and Maghazi refugee camps in central Gaza. An airstrike hit a residential building near the Kuwaiti hospital in southern Gaza, killing at least 20 people on Friday.

The regime's forces have fired at an aid convoy as it returned from northern Gaza along a route designated "safe" by Tel Aviv, according to Thomas White, director of UNRWA affairs in Gaza.

In recent days, tens of thousands of people have fled Israel's bombardment of the center of the strip to take shelter in Israeli-designated "safe areas" in the southernmost end of the besieged strip, where the military has nevertheless also kept bombing.

The regime's brutal onslaught on the Palestinian territory has so far displaced some 85% of the Gaza Strip's 2.3 million residents and sparked a humanitarian crisis that has left a quarter of Gaza's population starving.

"People are using any empty space to build shacks," said Juliette Touma, director of communications at UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. "Some are sleeping in their cars, and others are sleeping in the open."

The UN agency said 308 people seeking shelter in UN facilities have so far been killed while a total of 1,095 have been wounded while taking refuge at UN sites.

Hamas delegation in Egypt for ceasefire talks

On Friday a Hamas delegation arrived in Egypt to discuss Cairo's proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Egypt has reportedly put forward a three-stage plan that would entail an initial cessation of hostilities for at least a week and the release of all remaining Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

Hamas has previously rejected the Egyptian plan, but an official with the group said the resistance movement would seek "guarantees for a complete Israeli military withdrawal" from Gaza.

Israel launched its brutal onslaught on Gaza after it was caught off by Hamas Operation Al-Aqsa Storm on October 7. Despite international calls for a ceasefire, the regime's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tel Aviv will continue the war on Gaza until it achieves "all the objectives we've set ourselves."

Hamas, however, said on Thursday that its operation against the regime has put Israel "on the path of extinction."

Ramming in West Bank

Israeli forces shot dead a Palestinian in the occupied West Bank on Friday, medics said after military officials alleged he carried out a car ramming.

The military alleged that the driver rammed the car into people near a military post south of the city of Hebron.

The Magen David Adom paramedic service said that it treated one person in moderate condition and three others who were lightly wounded.

Violence has surged in the territory since October 7, with Israeli forces and settlers killing at least 314 Palestinians.

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Yemen warns foreign military forces against supporting Israel in Red Sea, Arabian Sea

Iran Press TV

Friday, 29 December 2023 11:31 AM

Yemen's defense minister has warned tarns-regional military forces against offering support to the Israeli regime and securing passage of Israel-owned ships or vessels bound to Israeli ports in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea waters.

Speaking at a graduation ceremony of Yemeni cadets in the country's western coastal city of Hudaydah on Thursday, Major General Mohammed al-Atifi, warned the forces "against various movements in support of the Zionist entity in the maritime theatre that spans between the Arabian Sea and the Red Sea."

He noted that Yemeni Armed Forces "are closely and rigorously monitoring the movement of American, British and French military forces in both bodies of water."

He underscored that the Ansarullah resistance movement, the Sana'a-based National Salvation Government, the Yemeni nation, and security forces will stand unwaveringly by the side of Palestinians until they liberate all their occupied lands, and establish a sovereign independent state with holy al-Quds as its capital.

Yemen's Armed Forces in a statement on Tuesday announced targeting a ship as it was heading towards the occupied territories as well as regions deep inside those areas in support of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, who are subject to an unrelenting genocidal Israeli war.

The Yemeni Navy conducted a missile strike against the vessel, which it identified as "commercial ship MSC United," the statement read.

"The targeting of the ship came after the crew, for the third time, ignored calls from the naval forces, as well as repeated fiery warning messages," it added.

The Armed Forces also reported striking the port of Eilat in the southernmost part of the occupied territories as well as "other areas in occupied Palestine."

The attacks, the statement said, were carried out "in solidarity with the oppressed Palestinian people who continue to face killing, destruction, siege, and starvation."

Yemenis have declared their open support for Palestine's struggle against the Israeli occupation since the regime launched a devastating war on Gaza on October 7 after the territory's Palestinian resistance movements carried out a surprise retaliatory attack, dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, against the occupying entity.

The relentless Israeli military campaign against Gaza has killed at least 21,320 people, most of them women and children. Another 55,660 individuals have been wounded.

Reports revealed that Israeli shipping companies have already decided to reroute their vessels in fear of attacks by Yemeni forces.

Yemeni forces have also launched missile and drone attacks on targets in the Israeli-occupied territories after the regime's aggression on Gaza.

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Hezbollah launches fresh strikes on Israeli targets

Iran Press TV

Friday, 29 December 2023 10:46 AM

Lebanon's Hezbollah resistance movement has launched fresh strikes on Israeli targets across the occupied territories in support of Palestinians who are subjected to Israeli atrocities.

Israeli media reports said Hezbollah fired anti-tank missiles at the Dolev settlement on Friday, as the Israeli regime keeps bombarding the besieged Gaza Strip.

Hezbollah also said its fighters targeted Hadab Yaron with appropriate weapons, hitting it directly.

Israel launched the war on Gaza on October 7 after the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas waged the surprise Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the occupying entity in response to the Israeli regime's decades-long campaign of bloodletting and devastation against Palestinians.

Since the start of the offensive, the Tel Aviv regime has killed at least 21,320 Palestinians and injured more than 55,603 others.

Thousands more are also missing and presumed dead under the rubble in Gaza, which is under "complete siege" by Israel.

A day after the regime started its genocidal war on Gaza, Hezbollah and the Israeli regime have been exchanging sporadic fire.

More than 150 people have been killed on the Lebanese side of the border between Lebanon and the occupied territories since then, mostly Hezbollah fighters and more than 20 civilians, according to an AFP tally.

Israel says at least nine of its soldiers and four settlers have been killed in the exchange of fire.

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Dec. 28: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation

Iran Press TV

Friday, 29 December 2023 9:54 AM

By Press TV Website Staff

Resistance groups in Palestine and across the region continue their operations against Israel and its Western backers amid the regime's genocidal war on the Gaza Strip, which has claimed the lives of more than 21,000 Palestinians, mostly children and women.

The operations carried out by the Palestinian and regional resistance groups on Thursday, December 28, are as follows:

Qassam Brigades' operations on Dec. 28:

 Targeted a bulldozer with an Al-Yassin 105 shell in the Bureij camp in the central Gaza Strip.

 Targeted 7 vehicles with Al-Yassin 105 shells and "Shuath" explosives in the Al-Tuffah and Al-Daraj areas in Gaza City.

 Destroyed a military vehicle with an Al-Yassin 105 shell east of the Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip.

 Targeted a tank with a "Shuath" explosive east of Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip.

 Targeted a Merkava tank with an "Al-Yassin 105" shell southeast of the Bureij refugee camp.

 Targeted a tank with an "Al-Yassin 105" shell, causing several explosions inside it, and launched mortar shells east of Al-Maghazi camp in the central Gaza Strip.

 Targeted 5 Merkava tanks with "Al-Yassin 105" shells east of Khan Yunis.

 Targeted concentrations of soldiers and vehicles in the areas of Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip, with mortar shells.

 Detonated a "Ra'adiya" anti-personnel device among an infantry force penetrating the Khuza'a area east of Khan Yunis, causing deaths and injuries.

 Targeted forces gathered in the Tallat al-Rayyis area, northeast of the central region, with heavy-caliber mortar shells.

 Destroyed a troop carrier with an "Al-Yassin 105" shell east of Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip.

 Targeted a Merkava tank with an "Al-Yassin 105" shell in Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip, setting it ablaze.

 Shot down a Skylark-2 drone that was on an intelligence mission north of Tal al-Zaatar in the northern Gaza Strip.

Hezbollah's operations on Dec. 28:

Eastern sector:

1- At 15:30, the Al-Sammaqa site in Shebaa was targeted with appropriate weapons.

2- At 15:35, an Israeli military vehicle was targeted inside the Ramot Naftali barracks with appropriate weapons.

3- At 16:00, a gathering of Israeli soldiers was targeted at the Honen Barracks with appropriate weapons.

4- At 16:00, the Honin barracks was targeted with appropriate weapons.

Western sector:

1- At 16:00, enemy artillery positions in Khirbet Maar were targeted with appropriate weapons.

2- At 16:00, a deployment of Israeli soldiers in the vicinity of the Mitat Barracks was targeted with appropriate weapons.

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Venezuela's Maduro orders military exercise over British warship 'threat'

Iran Press TV

Friday, 29 December 2023 6:24 AM

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro has ordered a "defensive" military exercise off the coast of the disputed region of Essequibo over Britain's "provocative" deployment of a warship to neighboring Guyana.

On Thursday, Maduro said he was launching "a joint action of a defensive nature in response to the provocation and threat of the United Kingdom against peace and the sovereignty of our country."

His announcement came as Royal Navy patrol vessel HMS Trent is scheduled to arrive in Guyana, a British ally and former colony, on Friday, amid the South American country's simmering territorial dispute with neighboring Venezuela over the Essequibo region, a Guyana foreign ministry source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Maduro said the deployment of the British warship breaches the "spirit" of an agreement reached between the South American neighbors earlier this month, during a meeting between Maduro and Guyana President Irfaan Ali, to avoid the use of force and avoid increasing tensions in the dispute.

"We believe in diplomacy, in dialogue, in peace," Maduro said.

"But no one should threaten Venezuela, no one should mess with Venezuela. We are a people of peace, but we are warriors and this threat is unacceptable for any sovereign country," he added.

"The threat of the decadent, rotten, ex-empire of the United Kingdom is unacceptable."

The television broadcast accompanying Maduro's statement showed fighter jets, ships, and ocean patrol vessels participating in the Venezuelan military drill.

According to Venezuelan military leaders, 5,600 uniformed personnel were ready for the operation.

According to the Guyana foreign ministry source, the ship would be in its territory for "less than a week" for open sea military exercises.

Venezuela's Foreign Ministry said in a statement the country "reserves all actions, within the framework of the Constitution and International Law, to defend its maritime and territorial integrity."

Earlier this month, Venezuela held a referendum in which voters overwhelmingly supported their country's claim to the Essequibo region, an oil-rich area of 160,000 square kilometers.

Maduro has since begun legal maneuvers to create a Venezuelan province in Essequibo and ordered the state oil company to issue licenses for extracting crude in the region.

Caracas claims the Essequibo River to the region's east forms a natural border recognized as far back as 1777.

Essequibo is home to 125,000 of Guyana's 800,000 citizens.

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Nearly 400 Vietnamese citizens stranded in northern Myanmar due to the armed conflict there were repatriated on Saturday morning.

The repatriation effort was a collaborative undertaking between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), competent agencies at home and Vietnamese representative offices in the region.

This was the second repatriation following the first from Dec. 4-6, raising the total number of Vietnamese citizens brought home to nearly 1,400, with the entire cost of repatriation covered by the government.

Vietnam has also helped a Nepali citizen to evacuate from Myanmar.

As the conflict is still developing complicatedly in Myanmar, the ministry has advised citizens to avoid these areas and follow the instructions of the Vietnamese Embassy in Myanmar and local competent agencies.

It warned again that Vietnamese citizens should be cautious about job scams in which swindlers promise them a "well-paid but easy job" in foreign countries, mostly without any qualifications or degree required.

In case of emergency, Vietnamese citizens in Myanmar can phone the Vietnamese Embassy in Myanmar via its citizen protection hotline +959660888998; or the MoFAs Consular Department via the citizen protection switchboard +84 981 84 84 84, +84 965 41 11 18, or email baohocongdan@gmail.com.
Hamas: Al-Aqsa Storm put Israel on path of extinction

Iran Press TV

Friday, 29 December 2023 2:15 AM

Hamas has said the Gaza Strip-based Palestinian resistance movements' Operation al-Aqsa Storm against Israel put the occupying regime "on the path of extinction."

Abu Ubaida, spokesman for al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas' military wing, made the remarks on Thursday concerning the October 7 operation, during which the resistance groups took hundreds captive.

"On October 7, we dealt the blow of the century to the Zionists," he said.

"What October 7 planted in the conscience of our people will remain [as] an image of the defeat of this criminal enemy and our people will emerge proud and proud in their victory."

The spokesman went on to recount the losses that had been afflicted by the resistance groups on the regime, during a war that the latter has been waging against the coastal sliver since the implementation of the operation.

Since the beginning of the invasion of Gaza, the resistance has targeted more than 825 Israeli military vehicles, Abu Ubaida noted.

He also said the fighters had targeted three enemy helicopters over the past 24 hours.

"Our priority is to stop the violence against the people [of Gaza] and to end the genocide against them."

The regime has killed at least 21,320 people throughout the military campaign.

The spokesman also reiterated the resistance's stance that there would be no more prisoner exchanges with the regime until Tel Aviv "completely" stops the aggression against the Palestinian territory.

During a Qatari- and Egyptian-mediated temporary ceasefire that took effect earlier during the war, Israel released 240 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for 105 people, who were released by Hamas.

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Israel's indiscriminate strikes kill dozens more Palestinian civilians in Gaza

Iran Press TV

Friday, 29 December 2023 1:48 AM

Israel's indiscriminate strikes have killed dozens more civilians across Gaza, with refugee camps being the main targets of the regime's genocidal war.

More than 20 people were killed on Thursday after an air attack hit a residential building in the city of Rafah in the Gaza Strip.

People and paramedics pulled out a toddler alive from the rubble.

Israeli air attacks also hit other residential areas across the Palestinian territory.

At least ten people were killed in the bombing of a house in Khan Yunis. Eight others lost their lives in an attack on the Maghazi refugee camp.

Health officials in Gaza said Israeli strikes have killed 210 Palestinians on Thursday.

At least 21,320 people, mostly women and children, have been killed during the war, which the Israeli regime launched on October 7 following an operation staged by Gaza's resistance groups.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees, UNRWA, has warned that 40 percent of Gaza's population is at risk of famine amid Israel's curbs on entry of much-needed aid trucks to the territory.

In addition, the UN Human Rights office expressed alarm at the rising rate of violence by Israeli settlers towards Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

The head of the UN office in the occupied Palestinian territories said comments by Israeli officials emboldened settlers and the regime's forces to intensify violence against the Palestinians.

Ajith Sunghay added that the lack of accountability and impunity has also led to a spike in violence there.

He made the comments after the UN released a report calling on Israel to end unlawful killings and settler violence in the occupied West Bank.

In a report released earlier on Thursday, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights detailed the quickly worsening human rights situation in the West Bank, including East al-Quds, since October 7, when the regime's military began bombing Gaza.

The office strongly urged Tel Aviv to end its unlawful killings and settler violence against the Palestinian population in the occupied territory.

The report confirmed the deaths of 300 Palestinians from October 7 to December 27, including 79 children, in the occupied West Bank, including East al-Quds, adding that of these, at least 291 Palestinians were killed by Israeli security forces, eight were killed by Israeli settlers, and one Palestinian was killed either by Israeli security forces or settlers.

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NATO, U.S. Consult With Warsaw After Apparent Intrusion Of Russian Missile Into Polish Airspace

By RFE/RL December 29, 2023

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said he spoke with Poland's president about indications that a Russian missile entered Polish airspace on December 29 during a barrage of Russian missiles and drones fired at Ukraine.

Stoltenberg said he consulted with President Andrzej Duda about the "missile incident" and said on X, formerly Twitter, that NATO "is monitoring the situation & we will remain in contact as the facts are established."

Poland's defense forces said earlier that an unknown object had entered Polish airspace from the direction of Ukraine and then vanished off radar.

"Everything indicates that a Russian missile intruded in Poland's airspace. It was monitored by us on radars and left the airspace. We have confirmation of this on radars and from allies" in NATO, Poland's armed forces chief, General Wiesaw Kukua, said.

Poland's defense forces said the object penetrated about 40 kilometers into its airspace and left after less than three minutes. The defense forces said both its radar and NATO radar confirmed that the object left Polish airspace.

Kukula said steps were being taken to verify those findings and eliminate the possibility of a technical error.

Poland summoned the Russian charge d'affaires and demanded an explanation. Russia's RIA Novosti news agency quoted the Russian charge d'affaires as saying that Poland provided no proof of a border violation.

U.S. national-security adviser Jake Sullivan spoke by phone with the head of Poland's National Security Bureau, Jacek Siewiera, to express the "United States' solidarity with Poland...as it deals with reports of a missile temporarily entering Polish airspace," the White House said.

Sullivan expressed U.S. solidarity with Poland and pledged technical assistance as needed and assured Siewiera that President Joe Biden is following the incident closely.

It was not immediately clear where the object disappeared from radar or in which direction it had been going. Troops were mobilized to find it.

Ukrainian officials have said the aerial barrage was the biggest since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

With reporting by Reuters, AP, and AFP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/nato-russia-missile-poland- airspace/32752828.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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Many more will die from attacks, disease and famine if we do not stop the humanitarian catastrophe: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on Gaza.

29 December 2023

Thank you, President, and let me join others in thanking Assistant Secretary-General Khairi, Mr Muasher and Mr Epshtain for their briefings today.

President, let me start with the humanitarian crisis. The 21 December IPC report records that more people are in 'phase five' famine in Gaza than in the rest of the world combined. Yesterday, I spoke to the Save the Children Country Director for the OPTs, he told me that 4 in 10 of those killed in Gaza so far are children. That is close to 8,500 children dead. For those injured and surviving, nearly two thirds of homes and schools are damaged or destroyed. Many more will die from attacks, from disease, from famine if we do not act to stop this humanitarian catastrophe.

And so, with the adoption of resolution 2720, this Council sent an important signal of our commitment to support the UN to deliver desperately needed aid. And we very much welcome the appointment of Sigrid Kaag as UN Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza. Our own appointment of a UK Representative for Humanitarian Affairs in the OPTs underscores our commitment to address the humanitarian crisis.

Second, on security, President, we remain resolute in our commitment to Israel's security and the need to address the threat from Hamas. But too many civilians have been killed. Israel must comply with International Humanitarian Law and differentiate clearly between terrorists and civilians.

The situation in the Occupied West Bank underlines the urgent need to make progress towards peace. The UK is clear that Israel must stop settler violence immediately and hold the perpetrators accountable. We also continue to call on Israel to adhere to their commitments and cease all settlement activities in the OPTs. Approving further settlement serves only to raise tensions in the West Bank.

Both Israel and the Palestinian Authority should demonstrate, through their policies, a genuine commitment to the two-state solution. It is vital we all work together to deliver peace, dignity and security for Israelis and Palestinians alike. And in this respect I very much welcome Dr Muasher's thoughtful briefing earlier.

Third, President, on the wider risk in the region, we are acutely aware of the conflict's potential to spill over to the wider region. We are engaging at the most senior levels to caution against further escalation along the Blue Line. A full-blown conflict between Israel and Hizballah would be catastrophic for Lebanon and the region.

We also condemn illegal and unjustified attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea by Houthi militants. These attacks are harming the global economy, threatening regional security and risking innocent lives.

In conclusion, President, in resolution 2720 we underscored the need for conditions that would allow for a sustainable cessation of hostilities. These include the immediate and unconditional release of hostages held by Hamas and an end to the threat posed to Israel by rocket attacks and other forms of terrorism. Sustainable peace and security for both the Israeli and Palestinian people requires that we then redouble our efforts to deliver a new political horizon towards the delivery of two states: a secure and stable Israel, with a viable and independent Palestine - living side by side in peace and security.

And I thank you.

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The Taliban has a responsibility to meet its international commitments: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Explanation of vote by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on Afghanistan.



29 December 2023

Colleagues, I would first like to thank the penholders, the UAE and Japan, not only for their tireless efforts on this important text but also for their creativity and tenacity, which led to the Council mandating the independent assessment on Afghanistan, which was very ably executed by Ambassador Feridun Sinirlioglu.

As we've said multiple times in this chamber, we should seize the momentum of the independent assessment with the hope of changing Afghanistan's current negative trajectory.

At the same time, the Taliban has a responsibility to meet its international commitments, including via the immediate reversal of policies restricting women's rights and fundamental freedoms.

So, we encourage all parties, including Afghan and international stakeholders, to take forward the independent assessment's recommendations, working towards an Afghanistan that is at peace with its people, its neighbours, and the international community.

Thank you, President.



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Security Council discusses crisis in the Middle East; UN chief warns of conflict's 'further spillover'

29 December 2023 - The UN Secretary-General on Friday voiced grave concerns over "further spillover" of the conflict in Gaza, as the Security Council discussed the situation in the Middle East against the backdrop of escalating violence between Israeli settlers and Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and the relentless bombardment in the war-ravaged enclave.

1:37 PM

Meeting adjourned

With all speakers having delivered their statements, the President of the Security Council adjourned the meeting.

1:31 PM

Violence, deaths and detentions have grown: Ecuador

Jose Javier De La Gasca, Ambassador and Permanent Representative Ecuador and Security Council President for December, spoke in his national capacity and said his country unequivocally condemns the terrorist attacks perpetrated by Hamas on 7 October.

Demanding the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, he said the magnitude of the violence in Gaza has meant that events in other localities have slipped away from the spotlight.

Nevertheless, the negative trends since the beginning of October in the West Bank have also increased, he continued, noting that the level of violence has grown, as have deaths and detentions.

Those responsible for violent attacks must be brought to justice, he stressed, condemning all terrorist attacks and adding that security forces must always use restraint.

The Ecuadorian Ambassador also voiced his strong opposition to all unilateral measures that make peace more difficult, including construction and expansion of settlements, and the confiscation of Palestinians' land, demolition of their homes and their displacement.

1:12 PM

Too many civilians have been killed: UK

Barbara Woodward, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom (UK) to the UN underscored her country's commitment to Israel's security and the need to address the threat posed by Hamas.

"But, too many civilians have been killed," she said, stating that Israel must comply with international humanitarian law and clearly differentiate between terrorists and civilians.

Further, as the situation in the occupied West Bank underlines the urgent need to progress towards peace, Israel must stop settler violence immediately and hold the perpetrators accountable, Ambassador Woodward added.

She further called on Israel to adhere to its commitments and cease all settlement activity in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and stressed that approving further settlements serves only to raise tensions in the West Bank.

Both Israel and the Palestinian Authority should demonstrate - through their policies - a genuine commitment to a two-State solution, the Ambassador urged.

She also warned of the spillover potential of the conflict and underscored that a full-blown conflict between Israel and Hizbullah would be "catastrophic" for Lebanon and the wider region.

1:03 PM

No safe place in Gaza: China

GENG Shuang, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of China to the UN said that the protracted nature of the war would only cause more casualties on both sides.

"There is no safe place in Gaza," he said, warning that the situation on the ground is not allowing humanitarians to carry out their work and reach people in need with aid.

Israel's settlement activities in the West Bank and its continued escalation of raids have eroded the basis of a two-State solution, he added, stressing that Israel must cease all settlement activities and hold perpetrators accountable.

He further highlighted the importance of implementing the two-State solution and as well as guarantee the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people.

"We support Palestine's full membership in the UN, and the early resumption of direct negotiations between Palestine and Israel," Ambassador Geng added.

12:42 PM

International law must be implemented by all: France

Nicolas de Riviere, French Ambassador and Permanent Representative, expressed his country's "deep concern" over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

"The priority must go the immediate implementation of a lasting ceasefire, with the help of all regional and international partners," he said, adding that humanitarian aid must urgently be delivered to civilians in the enclave along with guarantees of access "without restrictions".

He also stressed the need for implementing the two Security Council resolutions adopted recently.

"In this regard, France recalls that International humanitarian law must be implemented in all circumstances and by all," the Ambassador said, noting that his country will remain fully involved with humanitarian efforts for the civilian population in the Gaza Strip.

He also said that the Security Council cannot be solely limited to addressing the "symptoms" of the crisis, calling for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. He also urged the 15-member body to condemn the terrorist attacks committed by Hamas and other groups on 7 October, including sexual violence.

"It is incomprehensible that this Council has still not been able to do this," he said, while also highlighting the importance of the two-State solution.

12:29 PM

2023, the bloodiest year for West Bank: Russia

Vassily Nebenzia, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Russia to the UN, said that his country is following the "very tense" situation in the West Bank, against the background of crisis in Gaza.

"We are seeing continued operations by Israeli security forces and violent settlers, which not only threaten a large-scale humanitarian disaster but also to spread the crisis to the rest of the region," he said.

He noted increasing tensions in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen, while Egypt and Jordan are facing unprecedented risks of a massive exodus of Palestinians from Gaza and the West Bank.

Ambassador Nebenzia also said that 302 Palestinians, including 79 children, were killed by Israeli military and settlers in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, since 7 October.

"Overall their numbers reached 504 people. 2023 was the bloodiest year for the inhabitants of the West Bank," he said, adding that the "multiple security operations by Israel on this part of the occupied territory began long before the terrorist attack of 7 October."

Categorically condemning the terrorist attacks of 7 October, Mr. Nebenzia said that the raids began "without any linkage" to the terrorist threat that the Israelis have used as a justification to conduct the unprecedented operation to clean up Gaza, claiming the lives of over 21,000 people, including 144 UN staff members.

12:28 PM

UN Secretary-General 'gravely concerned' over further spillover

The Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General has, meanwhile, issued a statement on the Middle East.

"As the hostilities between Israel and Hamas and other groups in Gaza intensify, the Secretary-General remains gravely concerned about the further spillover of this conflict, which could have devastating consequences for the entire region," the statement, issued by Stephane Dujarric, said.



There is a continued risk of wider regional conflagration, the longer the conflict in Gaza continues, given the risk of escalation and miscalculation by multiple actors, it added.



The statement also noted that the escalating violence in the occupied West Bank, including intensified Israeli security forces operations, high numbers of fatalities, settler violence and attacks on Israelis by Palestinians, is "extremely alarming".

Regional stability impacted

"The daily exchanges of fire across the Blue Line risk triggering a broader escalation between Israel and Lebanon and affecting regional stability," it said, noting also the UN chief's increasing worry about the spillover effects of continuing attacks by armed groups in Iraq and Syria, and attacks by the Houthi group in Yemen against vessels in the Red Sea, which have escalated in recent days.



"The Secretary-General urges all parties to exercise maximum restraint and take urgent steps to de-escalate tensions in the region," the statement added, highlighting his appeal "to all members of the international community to do everything in their power to use their influence on the relevant parties to prevent an escalation of the situation in the region."



"The Secretary-General reiterates his call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages," the statement concluded.

12:20 PM

Death of any civilian is a tragedy: US

John Kelley, Minister Counsellor and Political Coordinator at the Permanent Mission of the United States (US) to the UN, said that his country shared the concern regarding the "sharp increase" in violence by extremist settlers in the West Bank and the "unprecedented" number of Palestinian fatalities there as well as in Gaza.

"We know 2023 has been the deadliest year for Palestinians in the West Bank," he said, stressing "the death of any civilian, whether they were one of the individuals killed by Hamas terrorists on 7 October, or one of the Palestinians killed in the West Bank or in Gaza is a tragedy."

"The United States continues to stress to the Israeli Government the importance of preventing extremist settler violence as well as investigating and holding accountable those who commit acts of violence," he added.

Mr. Kelley also noted that the US will continue to implement visa restrictions, announced on 5 December, targeting individuals believed to have been "involved in or meaningfully contributed" to undermining peace, security and stability in the West Bank.

"These restrictions reinforce the US' long held belief advancing settlements in the West Bank undermines the prospects of a future Palestinian Sate and a two-State solution, as do any actions that undermine stability in the West Bank, including attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians and Palestinian attacks against Israelis," he said.

"Let us be clear, a two-State solution where Israelis and Palestinians live side by side in peace, is the path to peace," he added.

12:14 PM

The 'very viability' of two-State solution at risk: UAE

Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to the UN said that today's briefings "underscore" the urgency of the meeting on the "very viability" of the two-State solution and stability in the Middle East region.

"In this latest war of this decades long conflict, it is clear that we are at a crossroads," she said, noting that Security Council members, including the UAE, "have to make bold and perhaps uncomfortable decisions."

The alternative, she warned, is the "hellscape" of Gaza expanded into the West Bank, Israel, Lebanon, and the other parts of the Middle East.

"Gaza in 2023 demonstrated the immense capacity of humans to inflict untold horror on other humans," she added, noting that the war is a "war of extremists".

She went on to note the desperate situation of civilians in the enclave amid continuing bombardment by Israeli forces, which not only risk the lives of Palestinians but also those of Israeli hostages remaining in the Strip.

"In the face of this carnage, we have all rediscovered the urgency of achieving the two-State solution as a way forward out of this," she said, urging "decisive action" to keep it on track.

11:52 PM

Northern Israel reaching the 'point of no return'

Gilad Menashe Erdan, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Israel to UN, questioned why an "urgent briefing" of the Security Council is not called when Israeli civilians and civilian sites are attacked.

"Do these attacks sound like a mere spillover, is this violence occurring magically on its own. Is it not clear genocidal terrorists are seeking to murder Israeli citizens every single day," he said.

"This Council is quick to show solidarity with civilians across the Middle East so long as they are not Israelis," he added, asking why the Security Council is silent when innocent Israeli civilians are targeted.

"Why have you not condemned the rocket fire from Lebanon, Syria and Yemen," he said, warning that the situation in northern Israel is "reaching the point of no return."

"Every day, innocent Israelis are under attack. If these attacks persist, Israel will ensure that these acts of terror stop," Ambassador Erdan said, reiterating that if the attacks continue, "the situation will escalate and may lead to a full scale war."

11:35 AM

Killing of Palestinian civilians 'not a collateral effect'

Majed Bamya, Deputy Permanent Observer of the Observer State of Palestine addressed the Security Council, stating that the killing of Palestinian civilians is "not a collateral effect" of war.

"This Israeli assault relies, by design, on mass and indiscriminate killing of civilians. The humanitarian catastrophe is not the consequence of the war, it is a tool employed by Israel to pressure people and force them out," he said.

He went on to note that the Council has called for the protection of civilians and for immediate, safe, unhindered and expanded humanitarian access to deliver assistance throughout the Gaza Strip, for respect for the laws of laws, and that it has rejected forced displacement.

"All of which require an immediate ceasefire that this Council has been prevented to call for, repeatedly," he said, noting that Israel has reacted with "disregard and disdain."

"Why are they getting away with murder at this unprecedented scale," he said, adding "because they were never held accountable."

"That is why they confess to their crimes, that is why steal our lives, our land, our resources, our money, our past, our present and our future in broad daylight," he said.

11:28 AM

All parties showing 'reckless disregard': Norwegian Refugee Council

Itay Epshtain, Senior Advisor at the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), informed Council members of the legal observations that underpin the NRC's response to the humanitarian crisis.

"Some capture serious violations that have been perpetrated and continue to occur, others relate to premeditated atrocities that should be prevented by this august Council," he said, noting that all parties - Palestinians armed groups and Israel - have shown reckless disregard for the norms of international law, including the basic rules of international humanitarian law, "the very rules they must comply with in all circumstances, breached."

He emphasized that the NRC has condemned the atrocious violence launched by Hamas against Israeli civilians and continues to call for the immediate release of all hostages. It also calls for humane treatment of Palestinians detainees, in keeping with international law.

"The same legal certainty must also mean a halt to the Israeli offensive from which ordinary Gazans have no refuge before it claims the lives of even more civilians, many of them women and children," he said.

11:15 AM

'The choice is ours': Marwan Muasher

Marwan Muasher, Vice President for studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and former Deputy Prime Minister of Jordan, said he wanted to focus on the first day after the war and the prospects for a political settlement.

Before that, however, he pointed out that the immediate priority must be ending the war on Gaza.

"The Palestinians have suffered enough," he said, adding that there is no international or humanitarian law that condones the carpet-bombing of civilians the world is witnessing today.

He noted that the question that is being asked repeatedly by the international community is "who is going to rule Gaza after Hamas," adding that it is the wrong question to pose, if the implication is that this is the endgame as any policy based on this will lead to disastrous results.

"The repeated killings of civilians on both Israeli and Palestinian sides, the destruction of Gaza once again, the creation of another potential 1.5 million Palestinian refugees, and the looming danger of mass transfer should teach us that we cannot solve the problems by sticking to old paradigms that did not work," he warned.

Mr. Muasher urged Council members to engage "at least hypnotically" in imagining the elements of a process forward, in which settlement activity would be completely frozen and fresh elections held in both Israel, and Gaza and the West Bank.

"If the international community decides that this is too unrealistic, let us look at what the alternatives might look like," he said, noting that the international community is partly to blame for the situation today.

He argued that either a bold decision is taken to end the conflict now and effect a viable two-State solution or the world "will have to deal not only with the occupation but the more difficult question of Apartheid".

"The choice is ours," he said.

11:08 AM

Risk of spillover 'remains high': UN official

Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East at UN DPPA, informed Council members that the situation in the Middle East is alarming and continues to deteriorate, including "several interconnected theatres conflict".

He noted "intense" Israeli ground operations and fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas and other groups in most areas of Gaza, as Hamas and other Palestinian factions continue to fire rockets from Gaza into Israel.

"Civilians from both sides [...] continue to bear the brunt of this conflict," he said.

Reiterating the Secretary-General's call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, Mr. Khiari warned that the risk of regional spillover of this conflict with potential devastating consequences for the entire region "remains high" given also a multitude of actors involved.

He informed Council members of "continued daily exchanges" of fire across the Blue Line between Lebanon and Israel, posing a "grave risk" to regional stability.

"Increasingly, there have been strikes on civilian areas, with civilian casualties, on both sides of the Blue Line, in addition to a rising number of fatalities among combatants," he added.

Mr. Khiari also noted attacks on US bases in Iraq and Syria, with the US conducting some airstrikes against groups suspected of these actions in Iraq and Syria. He also cited reports of Israeli air strikes inside Syria, as well as tensions in the Red Sea.

11:05 AM

Meeting called to order

Jose Javier De La Gasca, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Ecuador, which holds the Presidency of the Security Council for December, called the meeting to order.

Israel has been invited to the meeting, as has the been the Observer State of Palestine.

Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs; Marwan Muasher, Vice President for studies at Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and former Deputy Prime Minister of Jordan; and Itay Epshtain, Norwegian Refugee Council Special Advisor and Senior Humanitarian Law and Policy Consultant will brief the meeting.

10:35 AM

The United Arab Emirates (UAE), a non-permanent member called for the urgent meeting, and a senior UN official from the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) is expected to brief ambassadors.

The meeting follows a resolution adopted last week by the Security Council calling for a scale-up in aid deliveries to civilians in the Gaza Strip. The resolution passed with 13 votes in favour, and the US and Russia abstaining.

Tensions in occupied West Bank

Earlier this month, Tor Wennesland, the UN Special Envoy for the Middle East Peace Process, voiced "deep concerns" over escalating tensions in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

Briefing the Security Council on 19 December, he noted "intensified armed exchanges" between Palestinians and Israeli security forces, predominantly in the context of Israeli operations, which led to exceedingly high levels of fatalities and arrests.

Mr. Wennesland also expressed alarm at lethal attacks carried out by Israeli settlers against Palestinians and by Palestinians against Israelis in the occupied West Bank and Israel.

"All perpetrators of violence must be held accountable and swiftly brought to justice," he stressed.

Humanitarian situation in Gaza

Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in the enclave remains dire.

Earlier today, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) cited reports from Gazan health authorities that half of all the pregnant women seeking safety in shelters suffer from thirst, malnutrition and a lack of healthcare. There is a lack of vaccinations for newborns and one in every two displaced children faces dehydration, malnutrition and disease.

Some 1.9 million Gazans, or 85 per cent of the enclave's population, have been internally displaced since the start of Israel's retaliation following Hamas' deadly terror attacks in southern Israel on 7 October.

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Gaza: UN calls for urgent aid scale-up amid new mass exodus to Rafah

29 December 2023 - In Gaza, at least 100,000 displaced people have poured into Rafah in recent days, UN humanitarians said on Friday, worsening already dire conditions in the southernmost part of the enclave.

"A traumatized and exhausted population" is being "crammed into a smaller and smaller sliver of land," UN emergency relief chief Martin Griffiths warned on social platform X on Friday.

But serious obstacles persist to bringing more aid to those in need amid relentless Israeli bombardment and intense fighting on the ground.

UN humanitarian affairs coordination office OCHA cited reports from Gaza's health authorities that half of all the pregnant women seeking safety in shelters in the Strip suffer from thirst, malnutrition and a lack of health care, there is a lack of vaccinations for newborns and one in every two displaced children faces dehydration, malnutrition and disease.

Some 1.9 million Gazans, or 85 per cent of the enclave's population, have been internally displaced since the start of Israel's retaliation following Hamas' deadly terror attacks in southern Israel on 7 October.

Dire overcrowding

According to OCHA, the latest wave of displacement was prompted by an intensification of hostilities in the southern town of Khan Younis and central Gaza's Deir al Balah, as well as evacuation orders issued by the Israeli military.

Some 10 days ago Rafah was already estimated to be the most densely populated area in Gaza, exceeding 12,000 people per square kilometre, OCHA said, which is more than in New York City.

Aid access compromised

Despite a UN Security Council resolution adopted last week calling for a scale-up in aid deliveries to the enclave, access to people in need has remained overwhelmingly insufficient.

Only 76 trucks entered Gaza from Egypt through the Rafah crossing on Thursday, "well below the daily average of 500 truckloads (including fuel and private sector goods) that entered every working day prior to 7 October", OCHA noted.

"You think getting aid into Gaza is easy? Think again," the UN's Mr. Griffiths wrote on X on Friday. He listed the impediments faced by humanitarians working to help people in the Strip, including "three layers of inspections before trucks can even enter", insufficient entry points, "constant bombardment" and damaged roads.

"This is an impossible situation for the people of Gaza and for those trying to help them. The fighting must stop," he insisted.

Last week UN chief Antonio Guterres said that "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 concluded.

'Race against time' to bring food

Despite the challenges, humanitarians have continued doing their utmost to assist desperate Gazans. On Thursday the UN World Food Programme (WFP) distributed food parcels for 10,000 displaced families in makeshift camps in Rafah.

OCHA reported that some 200 community leaders were identified to collect assistance on behalf of surrounding families in their communities, with each parcel covering a family's food needs for 10 days.

"Incredible to see the collab[oration] between the team and communities as we race against time to deliver life-saving food in Gaza," WFP representative in Palestine Samer AbdelJaber wrote on social platform X.

The distribution was set to continue on Friday after time and safety constraints meant that only 45 per cent of people targeted with assistance were reached on the first day.

Last week, humanitarians warned that more than one in four households in Gaza were enduring "catastrophic" hunger. The risk of famine occurring in the Strip within the next six months was confirmed by the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report, which showed that the entire population of Gaza, some 2.2 million people, is living with "crisis or worse" levels of acute food insecurity.

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Hamas Goes to Cairo to Consider Egyptian Peace Proposal

By VOA News December 29, 2023

A delegation of high-level Hamas officials is expected in Cairo on Friday, where they will consider an Egyptian peace proposal designed to bring an end to the war between Hamas and Israel.

The Egyptian three-phase peace plan calls for the release of Hamas hostages taken on October 7, when Hamas launched its attack on Israel, and the release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel; observation of a cease-fire that would end the war; and establishment of a Palestinian government of technocrats responsible for administering a postwar Gaza.

Hamas and the Islamic Jihad have had access to the proposal since last week, reports say. Islamic Jihad is also fighting Israel.

Israel's military continued airstrikes and ground operations aimed at Hamas in northern, central and southern Gaza on Friday. Residents say residences were hit overnight in the Nuseirat and Maghazi refugee camps in central Gaza. Heavy fighting was also reported in the Bureij refugee camp.

Some of the heaviest fighting has been reported in the southern city of Khan Younis. An Israeli bomb hit a house there as night fell on Thursday, killing eight Palestinians, the Gaza Health Ministry said. Further north, in the Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza, three Palestinians were killed and six injured in a missile strike on a house, the Palestinian Red Crescent said.

Israeli tanks were seen nearby in Bureij. Hamas released a video that it said showed its forces targeting Israeli tanks and troops east of Bureij. Reuters said it could not verify the video.

The United Nations humanitarian office has warned that intensified fighting in the Gaza Strip, frequent communications disruptions, blocked roads, and a lack of fuel are posing "significant challenges to humanitarian operations."

The Israeli military Thursday said it "regrets the harm caused to uninvolved civilians" in the Sunday airstrike that hit the Maghazi refugee camp. The Health Ministry in the Hamas-run territory said at least 70 people were killed.

A military statement said Israeli warplanes hit two targets "adjacent to which Hamas operatives were located," and an initial investigation showed that other buildings nearby were also hit, causing "unintended harm to additional uninvolved civilians."

Macron urges sustainable cease-fire

As Israel remains focused on its campaign to eliminate the militant group, which is designated a terrorist organization by the United States and others, French President Emmanuel Macron called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging him to work toward a sustainable cease-fire with the help of regional and international partners.

On October 7, Hamas militants poured over the border with Israel and attacked southern Israel communities, killing about 1,200 people, according to Israel. Hamas also seized around 240 hostages, of whom 129 remain in Gaza.

In response, Israel vowed to crush Hamas and launched an air, land and sea attack on Gaza. The Israeli offensive has left vast parts of Gaza in ruins and killed more than 21,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry.

The Israeli military says 167 of its troops have been killed.

Israeli forces confiscate millions

In the West Bank, Israel's military said its forces carried out a raid Thursday, targeting people alleged to have helped finance Hamas. An Israel Defense Forces statement said it arrested 21 people and confiscated tens of millions in Israeli currency in the West Bank operation.

Israeli forces also carried out an airstrike in Jenin, and ground troops fired on Palestinians in response to what the military said were people firing at Israeli troops.

The West Bank raid was the latest in a long series of operations that Israel has carried out there, saying its forces are conducting counterterrorism activities.

The U.N. human rights office issued a report Thursday saying the human rights situation in the West Bank has "deteriorated rapidly" since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel.

The Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights said it verified 300 Palestinian deaths in the West Bank since October 7, with 291 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces, eight by Israeli settlers and one by either Israeli forces or settlers.

The report said most of the deaths took place during confrontations and clashes between Palestinians and Israeli troops, including at protests and as Israeli troops conducted operations in Palestinian towns.

"The use of military tactics means and weapons in law enforcement contexts, the use of unnecessary or disproportionate force, and the enforcement of broad, arbitrary and discriminatory movement restrictions that affect Palestinians are extremely troubling," said Volker Turk, the U.N. high commissioner for human rights.

Turk called on Israel to take action to stop settler violence and investigate all incidents of violence by settlers and Israeli forces.

Destroyer downs drone, missile

In the Red Sea on Thursday, the USS Mason shot down one drone and one anti-ship ballistic missile that the Pentagon said were fired from Houthi rebels in Yemen. There were 18 ships in the area at the time, but no damage or injuries were reported, U.S. Central Command said on X, formerly Twitter.

Some material for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.

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Readout of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Call with Polish Secretary of State, Head of the National Security Bureau Jacek Siewiera

December 29, 2023

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan spoke today with Polish Secretary of State, Head of the National Security Bureau, Jacek Siewiera. Mr. Sullivan expressed the United States' solidarity with Poland, our close NATO Ally, as it deals with reports of a missile temporarily entering Polish airspace. Mr. Sullivan pledged technical assistance as needed and assured his Polish counterpart that President Biden is following this issue closely. Dr. Siewiera expressed appreciation for U.S. support, and they stated their governments will remain in close contact.

###

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India Asks Pakistan to Extradite Suspected Terror Mastermind

By Ayaz Gul December 29, 2023

Pakistan confirmed Friday that India officially demanded the extradition of Hafiz Saeed, a hardline Pakistani cleric suspected of involvement in terrorist attacks on Indian soil.

Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch effectively rejected India's demand, stating that the two countries have no bilateral treaty to address such matters.

Baloch made the statement just hours after the Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson told a routine news conference that India has asked Islamabad to extradite Saeed for trial in India.

Baloch said New Delhi sought Saeed's extradition in a "money laundering case."

Arindam Bagchi, spokesperson for India's Foreign Ministry, would not discuss details of the request on Friday, saying only that the request was submitted "some weeks ago."

"The person in question is wanted in numerous cases in India. He is also a U.N.-proscribed terrorist," Bagchi said. "In this regard, we have conveyed a request along with relevant supporting documents to the government of Pakistan to extradite him to India to face trial in a particular case."

Bagchi was responding to Indian media reports claiming that Saeed's custody was sought in connection with the 2008 attacks on Mumbai that killed 166 people, including six Americans.

"Pakistan has received a request from the Indian authorities, seeking extradition of Hafiz Saeed in a so-called money laundering case," Baloch said in a written statement she sent to VOA. "It is pertinent to note that no bilateral extradition treaty exists between Pakistan and India."

Saeed is serving a prison term in Pakistan on terrorism-financing charges. Last year, an anti-terrorism court found him guilty on multiple counts and sentenced him to 31 years.

Indian officials accuse the Pakistani cleric of masterminding the four-day Mumbai bloodshed and supporting militants battling security forces in the India-administered part of the disputed Kashmir region. Saeed denies the allegations.

The United States has also offered a reward of up to $10 million for information on Saeed in connection with the Mumbai violence.

Saeed is known as the founder and leader of Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, or LeT, a U.S.-designated global terror group that India blames for plotting the Mumbai attacks and other violence from its alleged bases in Pakistan, charges Islamabad rejects.

A group of 10 LeT gunmen reportedly carried out the carnage in Mumbai after slipping into the city by boat from Pakistan. India hanged the lone gunman who survived the attack, identified as Pakistani national Mohammad Ajmal Kasab, in 2012.

New Delhi has long accused Islamabad of financing and training separatist groups in majority-Muslim Kashmir. Pakistan denies the charges, saying it provides only political and diplomatic support to Kashmiri "freedom fighters."

Pakistan accuses India of human rights violations in Kashmir and of suppressing the democratic rights of Kashmiris.

India controls two-thirds of the Himalayan region and Pakistan the rest, with both claiming Kashmir in full. The dispute has sparked two of the three wars between the nuclear-armed South Asian rival nations and remains the primary source of bilateral tensions.

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It was a robust year for external affairs activities in Vietnam as the country received 21 high-ranking foreign leaders in 2023, according to the foreign ministry.

In an article issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday, foreign minister Bui Thanh Son said Vietnams external affairs activities over 2023, both bilateral and multilateral ones, have continued to deepen and expand, and several relations with important partners  including China, Japan, and the U.S.  were elevated to new heights.

2023 has been a year of multiple milestones for foreign affairs, Son said, adding that activities have spanned across multiple continents, forums and multilateral mechanisms like ASEAN, the U.N., the Mekong Subregion, APEC, AIPA, COP28 and BRI.

Vietnam has organized 15 foreign visits for key leaders, along with 21 visits by high-ranking foreign leaders to Vietnam, affirming the country's standing on the global stage.

Vietnam's role in international organizations, like the U.N. Human Rights Council and UNESCO, were well-utilized this year, according to the article.

Vietnam has also positively contributed to common global issues, such as fighting climate change, peacekeeping in Africa, and sending search and rescue forces to Turkey.

Economic diplomacy activities have also contributed to economic growth, helping exports and imports this year reach around $700 billion in value, helping the amount of attracted FDI to increase by 14.8%, and helping the country gain access to new quality sources of capital, among others.

Vietnam has also resolutely promoted exchanges and negotiations to resolve border and territorial issues, dealing appropriately and in a timely manner with activities that violate its independence, sovereignty, and legitimate rights and interests.

Son said Vietnam's potential, standing and international reputation, as well as its external affairs achievements in 2023, have been a foundation for Vietnam's "bamboo diplomacy" style.
Year End Review of Department of Space

India PIB

Department of Space

Indian Space Research Organisation achieved the historic milestone of landing the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft near the south pole of Moon. India has become first country in the globe to accomplish this

Government approves the Space Policy 2023

Indian government signed the Artemis Accord

Space Economy Leaders Meeting (SELM) under G20 Presidency organised by Department of Space

The second developmental flight of Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) successfully launched. The technology is offered for Indian industry to scale it up

Next Generation Launch Vehicle LVM3 placed 72 one web satellites successfully in a record time.

A series of tests for Gaganyaan have been planned and out of which some of the tests incl. first test vehicle to re-entry and recover the crew module safely is completed.

ISRO successfully launched Aditya L1 space craft to study the Sun and its effect in heliosphere

ISRO demonstrated the Reusable Launch Vehicle Autonomous Landing Mission (RLV LEX) for future human space programms

Posted On: 29 DEC 2023 5:56PM by PIB Delhi

Chandrayaan-3 Mission

LVM3 M4 vehicle successfully launched Chandrayaan-3 into its precise orbit on 14th July, 2023.

Chandrayaan-3 Landing

On 23rd Aug, 2023, Chandrayaan-3 lander, Vikram, successfully soft-landed on the Moon. Subsequently, the rover, Pragyan, ramped down on the lunar surface. Over the next few days, several experiments, such as measurement of near-surface plasma content, presence of mineral elements, temperature profile of the lunar topsoil, etc. were conducted by the onboard payloads.

Prime Minister interacts with ISRO Scientists

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi visited ISTRAC, Bengaluru on 26th August 2023 to meet ISRO Scientist and applauded the efforts put by them to achieve the marvellous feat. He declared that 23rd August ie the landing date of Chandrayaan-3 will be celebrated as National Space Day. He also announced the names of the site on the moon as Shiv Shakti point (Chandrayaan-3) and Tiranga point (Chandrayaan-2)

Second Developmental Flight of SSLV-D2/EOS-07 Mission

The second developmental flight of Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), SSLV-D2 was successfully launched on February 10, 2023 at 09:18 hours IST from the first launch pad at SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota. SSLV-D2 injected EOS-07, Janus-1 and AzaadiSAT-2 satellites into 450 km circular orbit, in its 15 minutes' flight. SSLV can cater to the launch of up to 500 kg satellites to Low Earth Orbits on "launch-on-demand" basis. It provides low-cost access to Space, offers low turn-around time and flexibility in accommodating multiple satellites, and demands minimal launch infrastructure.

Indian Space Policy - 2023

The Indian Space Policy-2023 was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security and released in public domain. The Policy underwent extensive deliberations with industry groups and inter-ministerial consultations.

Space Economy Leaders Meeting (SELM)- under G20 Presidency

Under India's G20 Presidency, the 4th edition of the Space Economy Leaders Meeting (SELM) was successfully organized by Department of Space. Ambassadors / Heads of Space Agencies / Representatives attended from 18 G20 nations and 8 friendly countries to deliberate current issues and opportunities in global Space. The meeting was organised in two phases i.e. precursor event at Shillong and Main event at Bengaluru. In addition to diplomats, 34 space industries from abroad and 53 Indian space industries actively participated and showcased their competencies in the exhibition

LVM3 M3/OneWeb Mission

Second commercial mission of LVM3 M3/OneWeb India-2 Mission was successfully accomplished on 26th March, 2023, placing 36 OneWeb satellites into their intended orbit. With this, NSIL successfully executed its contract to launch 72 satellites of OneWeb to Low Earth Orbit.

RLV LEX Mission

ISRO demonstrated the Reusable Launch Vehicle Autonomous Landing Mission (RLV LEX) on 2nd April, 2023 at the Aeronautical Test Range (ATR), Chitradurga, Karnataka. The autonomous landing was carried out under the exact conditions of a Space Re-entry vehicle's landing "high speed, unmanned, precise landing from the same return path" as if the vehicle arrives from space. Landing parameters such as Ground relative velocity, the sink rate of Landing Gears, and precise body rates, as might be experienced by an orbital re-entry space vehicle in its return path, were achieved. The RLV LEX demanded several state-of-the-art technologies including accurate Navigation hardware and software, Pseudolite system, Ka-band Radar Altimeter, NavIC receiver, indigenous Landing Gear, Aerofoil honey-comb fins and brake parachute system

PSLV-C55/TeLEOS-2 mission

PSLV-C55/TeLEOS-2 mission was successfully accomplished on 22nd April, 2023. This was a dedicated commercial mission through NSIL with TeLEOS-2 as primary satellite and Lumelite-4 as a co-passenger satellite. The satellites weigh about 741 kg and 16 kg, respectively. Both belong to Singapore. They were launched into an Eastward low inclination orbit

GSLV-F12/NVS-01 Mission

The mission was successfully accomplished on 29th May, 2023. GSLV deployed the NVS-01 navigation satellite. NVS-01 is the first of the second-generation satellites envisaged for the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) services. NVS series of satellites will sustain and augment the NavIC with enhanced features. This series incorporates L1 band signals additionally to widen the services. For the first time, an indigenous atomic clock will be flown in NVS-01.

Gaganyaan Service Module Hot tests

ISRO successfully tested the Gaganyaan Service Module Propulsion System (SMPS) on July 19, 2023 at ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC) , Mahendragiri. This test involved five liquid apogee motor (LAM) engines with a thrust of 440 N and sixteen reaction control system (RCS) Thrusters with a thrust of 100 N. The Service Module of Gaganyaan is a regulated bi-propellant based propulsion system that caters to the requirements of the Orbital Module, performing orbit injection, circularization, on-orbit control, de-boost manoeuvring and SM based abort (if any) during the ascent phase. The 440 N Thrust LAM engines provide the main propulsive force during the mission ascending phase, while the RCS thrusters ensure precise attitude correction. ISRO successfully carried out two more hot tests on the Gaganyaan Service Module Propulsion System (SMPS) at ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC), Mahendragiri on July 26, 2023.

Crew Module Recovery trials

On February 7, 2023, ISRO, along with Indian Navy carried out initial recovery trials of Crew Module in the Water Survival Test Facility (WSTF) of the Indian Navy, at Kochi. The trials were part of the preparation for crew module recovery operations for the Gaganyaan mission that will be carried out in Indian. As the safe recovery of the crew is the final step to be accomplished for any successful human spaceflight, it is of paramount importance and it has to be carried out with the minimum lapse of time. Hence the recovery procedures for various scenarios need to be extensively practiced by carrying out a large number of trials.

PSLV-C56/DS-SAR Mission

The mission was successfully accomplished on 30th July, 2023. The DS-SAR satellite is developed under a partnership between DSTA (representing the Government of Singapore) and ST Engineering. Once deployed and operational, it will be used to support the satellite imagery requirements of various agencies within the Government of Singapore.

Aditya-L1 Mission

On September 02, 2023, Aditya-L1 spacecraft - India's first solar observatory as launched on board PSLV C57. Aditya L1 is the first space based Indian mission to study the Sun. The spacecraft will be placed in a halo orbit around the Lagrange point 1 (L1) of the Sun-Earth system, which is about 1.5 million km from the Earth. A satellite placed in the halo orbit around the L1 point has the major advantage of continuously viewing the Sun without any occultation/eclipses. This will provide a greater advantage of observing the solar activities and its effect on space weather in real time. The spacecraft carries seven payloads to observe the photosphere, chromosphere and the outermost layers of the Sun (the corona) using electromagnetic and particle and magnetic field detectors. Using the special vantage point L1, four payloads will directly view the Sun and the remaining three payloads carry out in-situ studies of particles and fields at the Lagrange point L1, thus providing important scientific studies of the propagatory effect of solar dynamics in the interplanetary medium The spacecraft underwent a series of manoeuvers and is currently on its way to the Sun-Earth Lagrange Point 1(L1), having escaped the Earth's Sphere of Influence.

Gaganyaan Test Vehicle-D1 launch

The first developmental flight of Test Vehicle (TV-D1) was successfully accomplished with the in-flight abort demonstration of the Crew Escape System (CES) on October 21, 2023 from FLP, SDSC, Sriharikota. In-flight Abort Demonstration of Crew Escape System (CES) at Mach number 1.2 with the newly developed Test Vehicle followed by Crew Module separation & safe recovery was successfully demonstrated. TV-D1 Crew Module was safely recovered from sea with the help of Indian Navy and transported back to ISITE, Bengaluru.

India signed the Artemis Accord

During a ceremony at the Willard InterContinental Hotel in Washington on June 21, 2023 India became the 27th country to sign the Artemis Accords. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson participated in the signing ceremony for the agency and Shri Taranjit Singh Sandhu, India's Ambassador to the United States, signed on behalf of India. The Artemis Accords establish a practical set of principles to guide space exploration cooperation among nations, including those participating in NASA's Artemis program.

YUVIKA-2023

Young Scientists Programme YUVIKA-2023 was inaugurated by Chairman ISRO / Secretary DoS Shri S Somanath on May 15, 2023. A total of 352 high school students from all across country are selected to participate in this two-weeks' residential programme at 7 ISRO Centres viz. VSSC Trivandrum, SAC Ahmedabad, URSC Bengaluru, SDSC Sriharikota, NRSC Hyderabad, IIRS Dehradun and NE-SAC Shillong. ISRO's YUVIKA for high school students concurs with the objectives of National Education Policy - 2020 for "catching the young" and orienting towards STEM with a special focus on Space Science and Technology.

Participation in Aero India 2023

ISRO participated in Aero India 2023 and established Indian Space Pavilion during 13th to 17th February, 2023. Key space technologies and equipment leveraging the defence space were showcased. Exhibits include SSLV, HRLV, Gaganyaan test vehicle, communication systems, and power systems. The Prime Minister was briefed by the Secretary, DOS /Chairman of ISRO on recent developments in space and critical technologies relevant to the defence space industry. DSA, ISpA, 25 start-ups, MSMEs, and corporates participated in the Defence Space Gallery.

Workshop on Space Situational awareness

A national level workshop on Space Situational Awareness & Space Traffic Management (SSA & STM) meant for Indian students, researchers, and faculty members was organised during October 12-14, 2023 at the ISRO Headquarters in Bengaluru. The workshop was attended by more than 200 students & academicians.

EOI for Technology transfer of SSLV

IN-SPACe released the Expression of Interest (EOI) for transferring the technology for producing Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) by industry.

Chintan Shivir

ISRO organised a two-day "Chintan Shivir" towards preparation of Space 2047: Vision & Technology Roadmap. More than 250 scientists deliberated on emerging technologies and future road maps

Programme on Geospatial technologies

ISRO / Department of Space has launched a Capacity Building Programme on "Geospatial Technologies and Applications" in tandem with objectives of National Geospatial Policy - 2022 on 21st November 2023. First phase of the capacity building programme on "Geo-spatial Technologies and Applications" was inaugurated by the Minister of State, Department of Space, Government of India, Dr. Jitendra Singh in the presence of Secretary, Department of Space Sri S. Somanath, Chairman, Capacity Building Commission Shri Adil Zainulbhai and other senior dignitaries. 58 Participants from 29 Ministries and Departments of Government of India and various State Governments underwent this one-week programme at RRSC - North, NRSC at New Delhi & NE-SAC, Shillong.

New Space India Limited

NSIL signed contract with Indian Army for realization of GSAT-7B satellite and its ground segment

NSIL received supply order from DRDO for building 4 satellite flight model;1 satellite qualification model; launch on-board PSLV and tracking support

Under PMMSY (Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana), NSIL has been engaged by Dept. of Fisheries for National Rollout plan for installation of 1,00,000 MSS terminal on fishing vessels to establish vessel communication system for Monitoring, control and surveillance

NSIL commenced commercial services on GSAT-24 satellite for M/s TATA PLAY from 7th Aug 2023 onwards

NSIL undertook 2nd demand driven mission for realizing GSAT-N2 Ka-Ka band HTS satellite of ~ 48Gbps capacity, highest throughput capacity ever built by ISRO, to meet broadband requirements in the country including cellular backhaul and Inflight connectivity applications

Signed agreement with User for utilization of bulk of GSAT-N2 capacity

Signed Agreement with foreign launch service provide for launch during Q2-2024

Successfully accomplished three (3) dedicated Customer satellite mission Viz. LVM3-M3 / OneWeb India-2 Mission, PSLV-C55/TeLEOS-2 Mission and PSLV-C56/DS-SAR Mission

During 2023, NSIL successfully accomplished launch of 46 International Customer satellites onboard PSLV, LVM3 and SSLV

During 2023, NSIL has provided Three Launch Vehicle Tracking Supports and Two Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP) support to International Customers as part of Mission support services

During 2023, NSIL has signed 15 Technology Transfer Agreements for transferring ISRO developed Technologies to Industry

Financials

Revenue:

FY 2019-20: INR 314.86 Cr

FY 2020-21: INR 525.71 Cr

FY2021-22: INR 1731.84 Cr

FY2022-23: INR 2940.42 Cr

Profit Before Tax (PBT):

FY 2019-20: INR 60.55 Cr

FY 2020-21: INR 212.84 Cr

FY2021-22: INR 459.14 Cr

FY2022-23: INR 625.76 Cr

*****

SNC/PK

(Release ID: 1991574)

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'Futile to evade legal responsibility,' Chinese FM said as secessionist flees to UK for asylum

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Dec 29, 2023 06:49 PM

It's futile to evade legal responsibility and secessionists will be held accountable in accordance of law, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Friday, after a former leader of a Hong Kong secessionists group said Thursday that he had fled Hong Kong to seek asylum in the UK.

Tony Chung, 22, was founder of the student group Studentlocalism. He was sentenced to jail in 2021, after pleading guilty to secession and money laundry in Hong Kong, and finished his sentence in June this year. In a lengthy Facebook post released on Thursday, Chung said he traveled to the UK via Japan after obtaining permission from Hong Kong police to go on a Christmas trip to Okinawa.

According to Chung, as he was sentenced before turning 21, he was obligated to adhere to the Correctional Services Department's Supervision Services for one-year post-release. He said his post-jail life was subject to "stringent surveillance" by national security police.

Hong Kong is a society governed by the rule of law, where law enforcement is stringent and violations of the law will be punished, Mao Ning, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said at a press briefing on Friday.

It is futile to rely on external forces and attempt to evade legal responsibility, and secessionists will be held accountable in accordance with the law, she added.

Chung is the latest known seccionist figure to leave Hong Kong. Earlier this month, Agnes Chow, another student secessionist who played a major role during the 2019 violent protests, revealed she had fled to Canada and would not return to Hong Kong.

Chow was sentenced to 10 months in prison, however, she was allowed to pursue her master's degree in Canada, on the condition that she returned to Hong Kong to report to police during school breaks.

Citing sources, the South China Morning Post reported on Thursday that the Hong Kong police have questioned Chow's parents after she failed to report to the police as part of her bail conditions.

Hong Kong officials confirmed that the deadline was set for Thursday and strongly condemned Chow's "shameful acts of absconding to avoid legal responsibilities," according to media reports.

Chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region John Lee had previously vowed that fugitives would be "pursued for life." A government statement described her as "devoid of integrity."

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Former navy commander appointed as China's new defense minister

Adm. Dong Jun replaces Li Shangfu, who was removed in October and has been missing from public view since Aug. 29.

By RFA Staff 2023.12.29 -- Chinese lawmakers on Friday approved the appointment of Adm. Dong Jun, the former commander of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) to the position of defense minister, state Xinhua news agency said.

The decision was passed at the closing meeting of the 7th session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress, China's top legislature.

The defense minister's post had been vacant since October, when Chinese leader Xi Jinping signed a presidential decree removing Li Shangfu as Minister of National Defense. Li was also ousted from the State Council, or the central government of China.

No reasons were given for the removal of Li, who became defense minister and state councillor just seven months prior and had been missing from public view since Aug. 29.

Reuters, citing several people in direct contact with the Chinese military, reported in September that Li was under investigation by Chinese authorities in connection with the procurement of military equipment.

Military career

Dong was born in 1961 in Shandong province. He joined the PLAN in 1978 and was promoted to the rank of admiral in 2021.

Dong left his post as PLAN commander earlier this week. His successor is Adm. Hu Zhongming, who until December 2023 held the position of the navy's chief of staff.

Hu's appointment was seen by analysts as an indication of China's increasing focus on maritime affairs, especially in the disputed South China Sea.

Dong has not yet been appointed to the state council or to the Central Military Commission but those appointments could be made in the coming months. China's defense ministers normally serve on all three fronts - the military, the Communist Party's military commission and the cabinet.

"As the former commander of the Navy, Dong engaged in various military diplomatic activities," said a report in the China Daily.

The Chinese Communist Party's mouthpiece listed several exchanges that Dong took part in, including a video call with the commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Navy and the leading role in joint military exercises between Chinese and foreign forces.

Dong's experience on the military diplomatic front could be seen as positive for renewing the military-to-military ties between China and the United States that have been disrupted for some time.

Only last week, Gen. C.Q. Brown, the chair of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, spoke with his Chinese counterpart, Gen. Liu Zhenli, via video links after an almost 18-month-long freeze in direct talks.

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.

Jun also has first-hand experience in dealing with issues related to Taiwan and the South China Sea.

Between 2013-2014, he was deputy commander of the East Sea Fleet, now the Eastern Theatre Command Navy, responsible for the East China Sea and the Taiwan Strait.

Dong also served as deputy commander of the Southern Theater Command from 2017 to 2021 before becoming deputy commander and commander of the PLA Navy.

The Southern Theater Command is one of the PLA's five major theater commands. Its primary area of responsibility is the South China Sea.

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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Hong Kong puts runaway activist Tony Chung on wanted list

Police also hauled in the parents of democracy activist Agnes Chow, who skipped bail and fled to Canada.

By Amelia Loi for RFA Mandarin and Cheryl Tung for RFA Cantonese 2023.12.29 -- Authorities in Hong Kong on Friday issued a "recall" order for prominent independence activist Tony Chung, who recently arrived in the United Kingdom to seek political asylum, as police questioned the parents of activist Agnes Chow, who skipped bail and fled to Canada.

Chung, now 22 and one of the youngest democracy activists to be jailed under a draconian national security law, announced on Facebook and Instagram that he had applied for political asylum in the United Kingdom, where he arrived earlier this week.

Hong Kong's Correctional Service Department issued a recall order for Chung and said they would work with other law enforcement agencies to put him on a growing list of wanted prominent activists in exile, amid growing international concerns about China's "long-arm" law enforcement activities.

Chung, who was jailed in 2021 on charges of "secession" when he was just 19, said he remained under close police surveillance following his release at the end of his prison sentence in June, as part of a one-year supervision order.

Chung said he was ordered by Hong Kong authorities to give up his job and banned from talking to the media or publishing online posts, before being repeatedly pressured by police to inform on other pro-democracy activists for money, according to his statement on Facebook.

"The national security police officers kept on coercing and inducing me to join them," Chung wrote. "My speculation is that they learned about my financial struggles through my bank account information, so they proposed providing informant fees, urging me to supply information about others as proof of my reformation and willingness to cooperate."

Chung, who pleaded guilty to the charges against him, eventually managed to leave Hong Kong by gaining approval from Correctional Services to travel to Japan as a tourist.

Once there, he "hurriedly purchased a flight ticket to the UK before the deadline for returning to Hong Kong, and arrived in the UK on the evening of Dec. 27 (UK time)," he said, adding that he is unlikely to be able to return for the foreseeable future.

Financial struggles

In an interview with Radio Free Asia, Chung said national security police would seek him out for a meeting every two to four weeks, picking him up in an SUV with drawn curtains and driving him to an unknown location for interrogation about his recent activities.

"They wanted me to confess, and prove to them that I had nothing to hide, and that I wasn't engaging in any further secessionist activities," Chung said.

Each time, the police also tried to hire him as an informant, and pay him fees ranging from HK$500 to $3,000 (about US$65 to $385) for information on other activists.

"The national security police claimed that they knew that my financial situation was fairly dire, and that I needed money, so they offered to give me financial assistance with informant fees, hoping that I would provide some intelligence and information they needed," Chung said.

His escape came more than three years after an abortive bid for political asylum at the U.S. Consulate in Hong Kong, Chung said.

"Back then, someone claiming to be from a U.K. group said they could get me into the U.S. Consulate to seek asylum," he said. "The Chinese name of the group was Tuesdayroad, and the guy claimed his name was Tony Choi."

"But when I took a taxi to the opposite side of the road from the U.S. Consulate that day, I saw two men who seemed to be national security police watching me, from the moment I got out of the taxi," Chung said.

The officers approached Chung, read out his full name, and ordered him to stop. Chung tried to duck into a nearby coffee shop, but they caught up with him there, he said.

Chung, who was receiving treatment for mental health problems at the time, knew his asylum bid was a long shot, but felt he had to try.

"It was the least I could do for Hong Kong, and it was the only thing I could do at that time," he said.

Failed bid

Fellow wanted Hong Kong activist and host of the Tuesdayroad YouTube channel Johnny Fok confirmed the incident when contacted by RFA Cantonese.

"A host from our channel assisted Tony Chung in a bid to enter the U.S. Consulate in 2020, but it was unsuccessful," Fok said in a written response.

"He was arrested and taken away by unidentified people. The last person to communicate with him at that time was Tony [Choi], a host at this channel."

The U.S. Consulate General in Hong Kong and Macau did not respond to a request for comment.

Fok and Choi were both placed on a wanted list earlier this month for "incitement to secession" and "incitement to subvert state power" under the National Security Law, based on videos they made between July 2020 and August 2023.

Chung's account of being pressured to inform on other activists is similar to that of fellow democracy activist Agnes Chow, who recently skipped bail and fled to Canada after taking a "study tour" to mainland China in order to get her passport back from police.

Police on Thursday hit out at Chow for failing to report to a police station as part of her bail conditions, vowing to pursue her for the rest of her life. It's a threat they have made to many other overseas activists on the wanted list.

Police also hauled Chow's parents in for questioning on Friday.

The Hong Kong Standard cited sources as saying that Chow's parents were "invited to Tai Po Police Station to aid in the investigation," on Friday.

"It is understood that Chow's mother was the guarantor when applying to release her daughter on bail," reported the paper, which is owned by the pro-China Sing Tao News Corp.

Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Updated to include comments from the Tuesdayroad YouTube channel.

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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Media Freedom Coalition Statement on the Second Anniversary of the Closure of Stand News and Media Freedom in Hong Kong

US Department of State

Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

December 29, 2023

The text of the following statement was signed by the Governments of Australia, Austria, Canada, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Norway, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Begin text:

The undersigned members of the Media Freedom Coalition (MFC) remain deeply concerned at the Hong Kong and mainland Chinese authorities' continued attacks on freedom of the press and their suppression of independent local media in Hong Kong.

Local media have intensified self-censorship since the imposition of the National Security Law in June 2020. Prosecutions of media workers in connection with sedition legislation have increased. Use of these laws to suppress journalism undermines Hong Kong's autonomy and the rights and freedoms of the people in Hong Kong as promised in the Sino-British Joint Declaration and guaranteed in the Basic Law.

The Hong Kong authorities' prolonged prosecutions of journalists like the Stand News team and publishers such as Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai creates a chilling effect on others in the press and media. They come against the backdrop of loss of editorial independence, the barring of journalists seeking to cover government press briefings and the removal of material from public broadcasting archives.

Freedom of the press has been central to Hong Kong's success for many years. Curtailing the space for free expression of alternative views weakens vital checks and balances on executive power. The free flow and exchange of opinions and information is vital to Hong Kong's people, business and international reputation.

We urge the Hong Kong and Chinese authorities to abide by their international human rights commitments and legal obligations and to preserve Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy and respect for universal rights and freedoms.

The member countries of the MFC will always defend media freedom and freedom of expression. The member countries of the MFC will continue to stand up for those who are targeted simply for exercising their human rights.

End text.

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China Launches New Wave of Purges Against Key Defense Industry Leaders

By William Yang December 29, 2023

Three leaders at key Chinese aerospace and defense firms have been removed from the Communist Party's top political advisory organ amid Beijing's effort to purge key figures related to the Chinese military, the official Xinhua News Agency said Thursday.

The military purge is part of Chinese leader Xi Jinping's hallmark anti-corruption campaign that has seen several top-level commanders being removed from their positions and facing corruption-related investigations. The anti-corruption campaign has been viewed by some experts as a way for Xi to remove political opponents or individuals viewed as posing threats to his leadership.

Xinhua said the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference decided Wednesday to dismiss Wu Yansheng, chairman of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, Liu Shiquan, chairman of Norinco Group, and Wang Changqing, a deputy manager at the state-owned China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation.

Wu's company oversees the development of China's spacecraft and missile programs, while Liu's Norinco Group is one of China's leading manufacturers of military equipment. State media reports did not provide details about their removal, but a report by Hong Kong's Sing Tao Daily claimed that the three were involved in an investigation related to the Chinese military's rocket force, citing unnamed sources.

Some analysts say the latest wave of the purge reflects the large scale of corruption in China's defense industry and that it could affect the Chinese military's combat capabilities.

"I think there may be a great deal of corruption in the Chinese defense industry and inevitably, it will have an impact on the People's Liberation Army's combat effectiveness," Lin Ying-yu, a China military expert at Tamkang University in Taiwan, told VOA by phone.

He added that the purge in the military also shows Xi's desire to reinforce his control over the arms trade in China.

"In the past, a large part of China's arms trade was controlled by the princelings, who are descendants of senior Communist Party leaders," he told VOA. "The purge probably means Xi wants to reassert his control over arms trade."

Apart from affecting the Chinese military's capabilities and strengthening Xi's control over arms trade, other experts say the abrupt removal of top military commanders could also damage morale in the Chinese military and create unexpected challenges to Xi's control over the military.

"The series of corruption scandals may create internal skepticism toward the credibility of the top leadership and form a vicious cycle that eventually affects Xi's control," Su Tzu-yun, a military expert at the Taipei-based Institute for National Defense and Security Research, told VOA by phone.

Since the Chinese military lacks real combat experience and has limited joint warfare capability, Su said he thinks the growing internal turbulence may pose greater risks to the operation of the Chinese military.

"The PLA may face a situation where it has a huge military force but their capability may be shaky," he said.

Mounting challenges amid personnel reshuffling

The latest wave of purge follows a series of removals of top military leaders in recent months. In October, China removed then-Defense Minister Li Shangfu, who had been missing from public view since August and is reportedly facing an investigation for corruption, according to Reuters and The Financial Times.

Some observers say the personnel shakeups in China's military is connected to an investigation into the PLA Rocket Force's equipment procurement process, which the Chinese authorities said is controlled by a small circle of people, according to a notification released by the Central Military Commission's equipment procurement department on its official WeChat account. Li, the former defense minister, was the head of the department from 2017-22.

His removal also came after two top leaders of the Rocket Force, which oversees the PLA nuclear arsenal, were replaced by military commanders from other units.

By installing non-rocket specialists as leaders of the specialized unit, Lin said Xi is prioritizing the loyalty of these commanders over their expertise.

"The new commanders of the Rocket Force have no expertise in this field and this decision shows that Xi is looking for someone he can trust," he told VOA.

Su, from the Institute for National Defense and Security Research, added that Xi's efforts to overhaul the Chinese military based on loyalty may reduce the flexibility of the Chinese military.

"Since he came to power in 2012, around 58 generals have been purged by Xi, and his extreme emphasis on loyalty could compromise the agility and flexibility of the Chinese military in real combat situations," he told VOA.

Su added that when the military's allegiance is concentrated on one person, it may become less responsive to the rapidly changing situation in a war as the power to command is held solely by that individual.

Lin said Xi's campaign to strengthen his control over the Chinese military through purges will be "difficult to stop."

"Xi knows that he needs to get the military under his control before he can control everything," he said, adding that what matters to Xi is the "absolute loyalty" of the military rather than its actual combat capabilities.

"He would like to achieve a reign of terror, just like what Stalin did before the Second World War," Lin said.

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China Appoints Former Navy Commander as New Defense Minister

By William Yang December 29, 2023

China appointed Dong Jun, a former commander of the Chinese Navy, as its new defense minister, the state-run Xinhua News Agency reported Friday.

Dong's appointment was announced by the Standing Committee of China's rubber-stamp parliament and comes two months after the removal of former Chinese defense minister Li Shangfu from his role without explanation.

Because Dong is not a member of the Chinese Communist Party's Central Military Commission, some analysts think his appointment suggests he may not play a significant role in the Chinese military.

"Dong is not a member of the Central Military Commission's leadership, so it indicates that he may not be as important as Li Shangfu, who was a member of the commission," Alfred Wu, an expert on Chinese politics at the National University of Singapore, told VOA in a phone call.

While he may not have much authority over the operation of the Chinese military, Dong's experience as the top commander of the Chinese Navy and the deputy commander of the People's Liberation Army's Southern Theater Command, which oversees PLA Navy's activities in the South China Sea, reflect the growing level of importance that Beijing attaches to the territorially disputed waters.

"The new defense minister's appointment and the elevation of a new crop of top military officers with navy and South China Sea experience is a sign that China sees South China Sea as a new priority area of geopolitical contestation between China and the U.S.," Wen-Ti Sung, a political scientist at the Australian National University, told VOA in a written response.

Since the defense minister is largely a ceremonial role that focuses on international engagement, other analysts say Dong's experience in dealing with Russia and other countries in the South China Sea makes him an ideal candidate to be the new Chinese defense minister.

"Since he took part in the joint naval exercise with Russia and also his interactions with other countries' navies in the South China Sea, he may know how to respond to press inquiries related to U.S.-China competition in the South China Sea," Lin Ying-yu, a China military expert at Tamkang University in Taiwan, told VOA by phone.

Dong's appointment ends months-long speculation about who would succeed Li Shangfu, who disappeared from the public's view in August and is reportedly facing a corruption-related investigation, according to Reuters and the Financial Times.

It also comes after two top leaders of the PLA Rocket Force, which oversees the Chinese military's nuclear arsenal, were replaced by military commanders from other units.

Some experts say the series of purges in the Chinese military, which includes the removal of three leaders at key Chinese aerospace and defense firms from the Communist Party's top political advisory organ on Wednesday, shows that the corruption-related investigation targeting the Rocket Force is ongoing.

"China has a tradition of appointing generals from non-army backgrounds to the role of defense minister," Sung from Australian National University said, adding that commanders from technical agencies such as the PLA Rocket Forces are usually favored for the role.

"The fact that China forgoes the Rocket Force and the General Armament Department and appoints someone from the navy as the new defense minister may be a sign that there are ongoing investigations at the two pools," he told VOA.

Following the removal of the top leaders of the PLA Rocket Force in July, the Chinese government appointed Wang Houbin, former deputy commander of the navy, and Xu Xisheng, former political commissar of the air force's Southern Theater Command, as the new commander and political commissar of the Rocket Force.

Wu in Singapore says these appointments show that Chinese President Xi Jinping prioritizes loyalty over expertise, which defies the previous protocol of personnel appointments based on meritocracy. "The new reality is that personnel appointment in Xi's third term is always based on loyalty," he told VOA, adding that the emphasis he puts on loyalty would make the Chinese system more opaque and fragile.

As the U.S. tries to restart bilateral military dialogue with China, some experts say Dong's appointment would be a welcome signal to Washington. "[His appointment] is going to inject a level of stability and familiarity into the relationship," Lyle Morris, a senior fellow at Asia Society Policy Institute's Center for China Analysis, told VOA by phone.

"The U.S. is very keen to get to know who this new leader is, what their background is, what their leadership style is and develop a relationship with him," he added.

While Dong's appointment could inject a sense of stability into China's military following a series of abrupt removals of top commanders in recent months, Wu in Singapore thinks the growing opaqueness in the Chinese system may continue in the near future.

"The lack of transparency in China is one of the reasons why the outside world has so much doubt in China," he told VOA. "There's going to be an increased skepticism in China from the outside."

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China's Residential Property Sector Filled With Livid Buyers of Unfinished Units

By Joyce Huang December 29, 2023

A growing number of home buyers in China have seen their dream of moving into new homes dashed in the past year after a slew of bankrupt developers left behind millions of unfinished pre-sold properties.

Many of the buyers could do nothing but vent their anger and frustration on Chinese social media platforms such as Douyin, known internationally as TikTok, over what they called "rotting apartments" that represented their lifetime savings. Police are cracking down on protests.

The crisis of confidence in a sector that was once a reliable route to building wealth may threaten China's growth and stability in 2024, experts say.

"Since the real-estate market has historically been a key driver of China's economy, losing this momentum is expected to result in a long-term average economic growth rate below 5% starting in 2024," Darson Chiu, a research fellow at the Taiwan Institute of Economic Research in Taipei, told VOA Mandarin in a written reply on December 14.

Among countless victims, a Douyin user from the Henan province in north-central China with the name, "The happy life in my rotting apartment," posted a short video clip on December 1 showing a local project where construction was halted.

"It's been a year, but my apartment remains unfinished. ... I hope the construction of the building can be restarted soon so that I can move into my future home," he said in the video.

A victim in the Hunan province city of Changsha, identified only as Ms. Chen in a local TV news report, said in late 2022 that her family could barely make ends meet after paying the monthly mortgage of $700 (5,000 yuan).

"If my unfinished property keeps rotting, I personally won't have the courage to go on living," said Chen.

VOA Mandarin has approached a dozen owners of unfinished homes on Chinese social media platforms Douyin, Xiaohongshu, known as RED outside of China, and Weibo, China's microblogging site similar to X. None agreed to talk.

Two lawyers in Shanghai and Beijing who specialize in property disputes also refused to be interviewed.

The Beijing lawyer said the city's Bureau of Justice has banned lawyers from talking to foreign press, citing "the class action's sensitivity." None of his clients wanted to talk to foreign press.

The China Dissent Monitor, a project of U.S. rights group Freedom House, has been tracking postings across Chinese social media and tallied 1,841 demonstrations linked to the property sector between June 2022 and September 2023. Final 2023 figures won't be available until January, said Kevin Slaten, Taipei-based research lead with the China Dissident Monitor project.

Two-thirds of the strikes were staged by homebuyers over issues like project delays, contract violations and alleged fraud, while the others have been triggered by construction workers demanding unpaid wages, according to Slaten.

One-fourth of the housing protests saw police repression, which Slaten said is an underestimate, as piecemeal evidence can only be captured from those video clips.

But the trend toward silencing protesters shows the gravity of threat to China's leader, Xi Jinping.

"As the dictator of such a centralized system and a person who's tried to centralize power, he [Xi] definitely sees this as a threat to his vision, which is keeping economic development high, making sure that he can deliver this to people as a way to co-opt them and garner enough support among the public for the authoritarian system," Slaten told VOA Mandarin by phone.

Ting Lu, chief China economist at Nomura, estimated in mid-November that $448 billion is needed to complete the homes pre-sold between 2015 and 2020 that remain unfinished projects, assuming an average construction progress of 50%, according to his research provided to VOA Mandarin. That represents roughly 20 million homes.

In one of his research papers dated November 27, Lu urged Beijing to "play the role of lender of last resort to save the property sector" or the crisis could endanger social stability at some point next year.

But Nan Li, a Shanghai-based finance scholar, disagreed, saying that the proceeds from the liquidation of builders' assets after they file for bankruptcy should be prioritized to ensure the delivery of unfinished homes.

Li added that any government bailout will only indulge the developers' appetite for over-leveraging.

The biggest firms with the worst debt woes "have made a mistake in exercising excessive leverage. There's no reason for the government to bail them out," Li told VOA Mandarin.

Li noted that China's property sector should learn from the experience of Guangdong province, where its problem of massive unfinished homes around 1997 was eventually solved in years after builders' nonperforming assets were all restructured in a lawful manner and in line with the market mechanism.

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Russian FM on Korean peninsula: 'knots of conflict' in 2024

An apparent warning comes amid escalating tensions between Moscow and Seoul.

By Lee Jeong-Ho for RFA 2023.12.28 -- Russia's foreign minister issued an apparent warning to South Korea, following Seoul's imposition of additional trade restrictions on Moscow intended to curb its expansionist ambitions in Ukraine.

In an interview with Russia's state-run TASS news agency Thursday, Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov called the Korean peninsula, along with Africa and Afghanistan "knots of conflict" next year.

"It can be said that at a time when the West is holding onto elusive dominance, no one is safe from its geopolitical intrigues," Lavrov said, adding that crises may take place unless the West accepts the "realities of a multipolar world."

Lavrov's comments come amid rapidly deteriorating ties between Seoul and Moscow, as South Korea decided to join the U.S.-led trade restrictions on Russia in response to its aggression against Ukraine.

Most recently, South Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy on Tuesday announced an administrative revision, including the addition of 682 items to its list of products requiring special export permits, as part of a coordinated international effort to control exports to Russia.

With these additions, the total number of items subject to special export permits to Russia will increase to 1,159. The items added, which are deemed to have significant potential for military use, included construction heavy equipment, secondary batteries, machine tools, and aircraft components.

In response to Seoul's new measures, Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Wednesday called Seoul's action an "unfriendly move in compliance with the United States' demands."

The spokesperson then warned about potential retaliatory measures, emphasizing that Russia has every right to respond.

Russia's responses "may not be symmetrical, and we hope South Korea will not find themselves surprised by them later," she said.

Following Russia's warning of possible asymmetrical measures, a South Korean foreign ministry official told reporters during a back briefing in Seoul that Russia needed to play its part for the management of South Korea-Russia relations.

"Prior to announcing the export control measures against Russia, we had already explained the situation to the Russian side," the official added.

The escalating diplomatic tensions between the two nations are already spilling over into the military realm.

On Dec. 14, four Russian military aircraft, along with two Chinese, entered South Korea's Air Defense Identification Zone, or ADIZ, off its eastern coast without prior notification.

ADIZ is an arbitrary line established to enable the early identification and response to military aircraft approaching national airspace.

Typically, it is an international practice for military aircraft to submit their flight plans in advance and notify the respective country of their entry points when entering another nation's ADIZ. However, Russia and China did not notify South Korea prior to their entry into the zone, according to the South's defense ministry.

Edited by Taejun Kang and Elaine Chan.

Copyright 1998-2016, 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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Iran reiterates peaceful nature of its nuclear program

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Dec 29, 2023

Tehran, IRNA -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani has once again stressed that Iran's nuclear program is peaceful and will continue to remain so.

Kanaani made the remarks on Friday in reaction to a joint statement of the US and three European countries on Iran's nuclear program.

It is very ridiculous that the countries responsible for the current condition of Iran's nuclear program are distorting the reality to change the place of the guilty and the victim, the Iranian spokesman said.

He called on these countries to review their unconstructive policies in negotiations for lifting the sanctions on Tehran over the past two years.

Kanaani noted that the 60% enrichment in Iran is done to meet the country's peaceful needs and is carried out under full inspection of the UN nuclear agency.

Iran is fully aware of its international rights and obligations and will continue its cooperation with the agency within this framework, he said.

He also stressed that stepping away from the negotiating table and raising unrelated issues, the result of which is the current state of the negotiations, do not put the US and the three European countries in a position to question Iran's nuclear program.

Kanaani made it clear that diplomacy and negotiation is the best way to remove the fabricated concerns over Iran's peaceful nuclear program.

9341**9417

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The owner of a cat meat restaurant notorious for slaughtering up to 300 cats monthly in the northern province of Thai Nguyen has apologized and permanently closed his business.

A cat behind a fence. Illustration photo by Freepik

Pham Quoc Doanh, the 37-year-old eaterys owner, expressed deep remorse for his actions, acknowledging that many of the cats were stolen beloved pets, as he told Metro.

"But I needed the money," he admitted, adding that he had served other dishes in his eatery before, but those had not made as much profit as cat meat.

The method of slaughtering involved drowning each cat individually and holding them down with a stick, a practice that Doanh now deeply regrets.

His feeling of guilt motivated him to reach out to the Human Society International (HSI), which offers financial incentives to restaurants that cease the sale of cat and dog meat. With their help, he completely shut down his business this December.

Doanh now plans to open a grocery store, a decision supported and facilitated by HSI. He said he feels more peaceful and happy about not killing any more animals in the future, according to Business Insider.

HSIs initiative has also led to the closure of two dog meat restaurants in Thai Nguyen, signaling a broader movement against cat and dog meat consumption in Vietnam.

Organizations like Four Paws and Change For Animals Foundation point out the harsh reality that over 1 million stray and pet cats are killed annually in Vietnam for meat. Some restaurants even buy animals from cat thieves, as noted by Dr. Katherine Polak, veterinarian and Head of Stray Animal Care at Four Paws in Southeast Asia.
Israel assassinated IRGC advisor after failing in Gaza battleground: Quds Force cmdr.

Iran Press TV

Friday, 29 December 2023 10:15 PM

The commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps puts the Israeli regime's recent assassination of a senior IRGC advisor in Syria down to the regime's failure in its ongoing war against the Gaza Strip.

"You assassinate Martyr [Brigadier General] Seyyed Razi Mousavi because you could not achieve anything in the Gaza battleground," Brigadier General Ismail Qa'ani said on Friday, addressing the Israeli regime.

Mousavi, a senior IRGC commander, was martyred in a missile attack by the regime against the Sayyeda Zeinab neighborhood of the Syrian capital Damascus on Monday. He was martyred while serving as part of Iran's military advisory mission in the Arab country.

The atrocity came amid a war that the occupying regime has been waging against Gaza since October 7 following an operation staged by the Palestinian territory's resistance movements, dubbed Operation al-Aqsa Storm. Qa'ani considered al-Aqsa Storm to be a response to "the extensive atrocities that the Zionist regime had committed against the Muslim people of Palestine."

At least 21,320 people, mostly women and children, have been killed during the Israeli military campaign across the coastal sliver.

Tel Aviv, however, has stopped short of realizing any of its stated goals, including obliteration of the Gaza-based resistance movement of Hamas, enabling release of the people who were taken captive during al-Aqsa Storm, and prompting forced displacement of Gaza's population to neighboring countries.

Qa'ani likewise noted that the Israeli regime and the United States -- Tel Aviv's most dedicated ally, which has thrown all-out military and political support behind the war -- had achieved nothing throughout the aggression other than killing innocent women and children.

He noted the US had been investing all of its power in supporting the Zionists, but said Washington would eventually be held accountable over its crimes.

As opposed to the Zionist regime, which has been receiving maximal Western support, the people of Gaza have solely been defended by the regional resistance front, Qa'ani, meanwhile, reminded.

'Israel hides true number of its casualties'

The Iranian commander said the Zionist regime had, so far during the war on Gaza, incurred a sizeable number of casualties, including thousands of fatalities and as many as 500 cases of blindness.

"They, however, are not man enough to announce the number of their casualties," Qa'ani said.

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Iran says E3, US had better stop pressure on its nuclear program

Iran Press TV

Friday, 29 December 2023 3:45 PM

Iran says France, Germany, Britain and the United States must quit issuing statements and exerting fruitless pressure on Tehran and take the necessary political steps instead.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kan'ani made the statement on Friday in reaction to a joint statement issued by the three European parties to the 2015 nuclear agreement - Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) - and the United States on Thursday.

The Western statement has condemned what is claimed to be an increase by Iran in the production rate of highly enriched uranium of up to 60% purity.

As always, the Iranian official underscored the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program. He said Tehran still believes diplomacy is the best approach toward the removal of unreal concerns about the peaceful Iranian nuclear activities.

"Now the ball is in the court of the US and the three European countries. They should take the necessary political decisions by abandoning the policy of issuing statements and fruitless pressure," Kan'ani stated.

The US and the European troika - also known as the E3 - have left the negotiating table, the Iranian diplomat reminded. They are, therefore, in no position to make any comment about Iran's nuclear program, he added.

"Enrichment at 60% level in Iran's enrichment centers has always been and will continue to be in accordance with the peaceful needs of the country and fully under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)."

Instead of pursuing a blame-game policy and taking politically-motivated positions, the US and the E3 had better review their performance regarding the sanctions removal talks in the past two years and observe the outcome of their unconstructive policies, Kan'ani said.

The spokesman reiterated Iran's position in continuing cooperation with the IAEA.

Unilateral demands and unwillingness to correct the wrong measures taken by Western countries will not help settle the nuclear issue, the Iranian official said.

In May 2019, a year after the US unilaterally withdrew from the JCPOA, Iran started to take "remedial measures" by reducing its commitments under the deal after the European troika failed to fulfill theirs.

Tehran began to gradually remove a cap set in the JCPOA on its nuclear activities at bi-monthly intervals. At the time, Iran also maintained that if the Iranian economy was shielded from sanctions, it would reverse its nuclear decision.

In September, President Ebrahim Raeisi said Iran's uranium enrichment to the purity level of 60% was in response to the lack of commitment by the three European parties to the JCPOA.

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Iraqi gov't moving to end U.S.-led coalition presence: PM

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 13:44, December 29, 2023

BAGHDAD, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani said Thursday that his government is moving toward ending the presence of the U.S.-led international coalition in the country.

Al-Sudani made his remarks during a joint press conference with his visiting Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez, who paid an official visit to the country to discuss bilateral relations and some regional issues.

Al-Sudani told reporters that during his meeting with Sanchez, they discussed in detail the status of the international coalition, which Spain is part of.

"We appreciate the role of the coalition in supporting Iraq's efforts to confront the Islamic State militants," said Al-Sudani.

"The Iraqi government is in the process of rearranging the relationship with the international coalition in light of the presence of capable Iraqi forces," said the Iraqi prime minister, stressing that "the Iraqi government is moving toward ending the presence of the international coalition forces, which include security advisers who support the security forces in the areas of training, advice, and intelligence cooperation."

During their meeting, the two leaders agreed to begin joint efforts to conclude a strategic partnership agreement between the two countries, al-Sudani said, adding that they also discussed cooperation in the fields of security, culture, environment, and sustainable development.

Al-Sudani pointed out that the Spanish prime minister's visit came amid difficult circumstances taking place in the Middle East, with major attacks in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories. He appreciated Spain's role and "courageous stance in condemning these attacks."

For his part, Sanchez expressed his country's desire to develop relations with Iraq, especially in the fields of transportation, defense, education, and confronting climate change.

The Spanish prime minister also held a meeting with Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid, during which the two sides discussed ways to enhance bilateral relations and cooperation, as well as the need to stop the attacks and bombing on the Gaza Strip and other Palestinian cities, according to a statement issued by the Presidency office.

Spain is part of the U.S.-led international coalition tasked with training and advising the Iraqi security forces in their fight against the IS group.

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Japanese gov't OKs U.S. base transfer work despite Okinawa's objection

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 13:43, December 29, 2023

TOKYO, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Japanese government on Thursday gave the green light to a revised plan for a key U.S. base relocation within Okinawa prefecture, taking the unprecedented step of overriding the prefectural government's objection, local media reported.

The Defense Ministry will start to work to reinforce soft ground at the relocation site for the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma air base as early as Jan. 12, Kyodo News reported, citing a government source.

The approval of the design change marked the central government's first-ever proxy execution of a local government administrative task under the local autonomy law, the report said.

The proxy execution came after Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki, who has been pushing to move the Futenma base out of the southernmost prefecture, refused to follow a recent court order for him to approve the design change.

The central government plans to relocate the Futenma base from a crowded residential district in Ginowan to the less populated Henoko coastal area in Nago, which is also in Okinawa.

"It is not just an issue for Okinawa prefecture," Tamaki told reporters following the central government's approval, noting that the execution by proxy is unacceptable as it robs the prefectural government's administrative authority and means they are trying to construct a new base by infringing on "our autonomy and independence".

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, according to the 2019 Okinawa prefecture voting results.

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Junta raid kills 10 Rohingyas, injures 17 in Myanmar's Rakhine state

Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine face movement restrictions, forced to stay in their villages amidst danger.

By RFA Burmese 2023.12.29 -- Ten Rohingyas were killed and another 17 injured in the Buthidaung and Mrauk-U townships in Myanmar's Rakhine state as a result of airstrikes by the junta on Thursday, local residents told RFA Burmese on Friday.

At around 9 p.m. on Thursday night, heavy artillery fired from a junta camp struck Zay Di Taung village in Buthidaung township. The attack resulted in the loss of six family members, including three Rohingya children who were at home asleep, and left another member of the family critically injured, according to the residents.

The casualties included Zafaul, a 60-year-old man; Ansaula, a 19-year-old man; Sotyod Ahmed, a 5-year-old boy; Norol Ahmed, a 3-year-old boy; Halayar, an 11-year-old boy; and Tausmi Nara, a 20-year-old woman.

"Three heavy weapons fell into the village on Thursday night. One [of three] fell directly on the houses. All six members of the family who were sleeping in the house died and it was also burned down," a Rohingya resident of Zay Di Taung village, who wished to remain anonymous for his security reasons, told RFA Burmese Friday.

"So the bodies were also burnt. The other one was injured while trying to evacuate," said the resident, adding that the heavy artillery was fired by the junta camp at Thone Se Ta Bon Zay Di hill in Buthidaung township.

Locals said that there are more than 60 households with more than 300 population in the Rohingya-dominant Zay Di Taung village.

Despite the pervasive fear among villagers caused by the casualties from the conflict, Rohingya Muslims remain restricted from moving freely, even within Rakhine state. Consequently, they are compelled to stay in their village, lacking any refuge to flee to in times of danger.

Zay Di Taung village is not alone. Four Rohingya were killed and 16 others were injured in junta's Thursday airstrikes on Rohingya villages, including Kaing Taw, Bu Ta Lone and Baung Dut villages in Mrauk-U township, according to the locals.

The junta raid came after anti-junta force Arakan Army (AA) attacked the Myaung Bway, also known as Myaung Bway Chay, Police Station in Mrauk-U township on Thursday, a resident, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals, told RFA Burmese on Friday.

"The AA attacked the Myaung Bway Police Station on Thursday. Then the junta army attacked with heavy artillery and airstrikes, causing casualties when the nearby villages were also shot. The homes were also burned down. The junta opened fire from the side of Mrauk-U and Minbya, and shot them with jets," the resident said.

The AA claimed on Thursday that the junta attacks were "deliberately" carried out.

The junta said in a Friday statement that no air strike had been carried out on Mrauk-U's Myaung Bway village and surrounding area on Thursady.

It also claimed that when the AA used the drone to attack the Myaung Bway police station from a distance, the junta security forces used anti-drone weapons, or jammers, which made drone bombs fall near the surrounding villages.

The statement made no mention of the death of Rohingyas in Buthidaung township's Zay Di Taung village.

Based on records gathered by RFA, 40 civilians lost their lives and over a hundred were wounded during the clashes between the AA and the military junta, which reignited for over a month from Nov. 13 to Dec. 29.

Following the military clearance operations and assaults in 2017, over 700,000 Rohingyas from Northern Rakhine sought refuge in Bangladesh. Presently, over a million Rohingyas are residing in refugee camps along the Bangladesh border, as reported by the United Nations and various international organizations.

It is said that about 1.4 million Rohingyas still remain in Myanmar's Rakhine state, and these Rohingyas are enduring food scarcity and severe limitations in Myanmar, while also grappling with criminal activities and gang violence in refugee camps in Bangladesh. Consequently, they are taking perilous sea journeys to reach Indonesia or Malaysia.

Since last November, over 1,500 Rohingyas have reached Indonesia's Aceh province by boat.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo has pledged temporary aid for these Rohingya refugees, yet there is resistance from the local population. This situation has raised alarms among human rights groups.

Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Taejun Kang and Elaine Chan.

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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Syria's air defense units repel Israeli aggression near Damascus

Iran Press TV

Friday, 29 December 2023 6:13 AM

Syrian air defenses have intercepted most Israeli missiles near the country's capital city of Damascus, amid an upsurge in the regime's acts of aggression against the Arab nation following the bloody onslaught against Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip.

"At around 11:55 p.m. local time (2055 GMT) on Thursday, the Israeli enemy carried out an aerial attack from the direction of the occupied Golan Heights, and targeted a number of sites in the southern flank of Damascus," the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) quoted an unnamed military source as saying.

The source added that Syrian air defenses shot down most of the missiles.

The report noted that there were no injuries in the strike, but there were material losses.

The strike comes a day after Damascus International Airport reopened following repeated Israeli strikes.

Israel waged the bloody war on Gaza on October 7 after the Palestinian Hamas resistance movement launched Operation al-Aqsa Storm in the occupied territories in retaliation for the Tel Aviv regime's incessant crimes against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

Since the start of the aggression, the Tel Aviv regime has killed 21,320 Palestinians, most of them women and children, and injured more than 55,600 others.

It has also imposed a "complete siege" on the coastal sliver, cutting off fuel, electricity, food and water to the more than two million Palestinians living there.

Israel frequently targets military positions inside Syria, especially those of the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah which has played a key role in helping the Syrian army in its fight against foreign-backed terrorists.

The Tel Aviv regime rarely comments on its attacks on Syrian territories, which many see as a knee-jerk reaction to the Syrian government's success in confronting and decimating terrorism.

Israel has been one of the main supporters of terrorist groups that oppose the democratically-elected government of President Bashar al-Assad since the foreign-backed militancy erupted in Syria.

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Boosting defense shows resolve to protect Taiwan, isn't provocation: Tsai

ROC Central News Agency

12/29/2023 11:01 PM

Taipei, Dec. 29 (CNA) Developing the domestic defense industry is not to provoke Beijing but to demonstrate Taiwan's resolve to defend itself, President Tsai Ing-wen () told a rally in Taipei on Friday evening as she called for support for the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) presidential ticket.

Tsai made the comment at the rally attended by mostly young supporters. She compared stepping up efforts to boost the country's defense capability with installing a door lock to prevent one's house from being broken into.

Maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait has been a consensus among the international community, the president said, adding that the "world will come to Taiwan's aid" if "Taiwan shows its determination to defend itself."

Noting that the promotion of Taiwan's defense industry is among the many policies she has pushed for over the past eight years, Tsai urged supporters to vote for DPP presidential nominee Lai Ching-te () and his running mate Hsiao Bi-khim (), saying that they "will do better [and] do more."

According to Tsai, Lai, having shared her burden of responsibility since taking up the role of vice president in 2020, has become a leader with much more experience and prudence.

Hsiao, she went on, had facilitated 15 U.S. arms sales to Taiwan under the government of President Joe Biden and the signing of a trade agreement with the U.S. under a bilateral trade initiative during her three years of services as the country's envoy to Washington.

"I will [leave office] with ease" if the DPP ticket wins the presidential election slated for Jan. 13, 2024 and take up the duties, added Tsai, who is set to end her second term in May 2024 and is restricted from running again due to term limits.

In his remarks, Lai reiterated his commitment to proceed with Tsai's policy with "a steady approach" and "defend Taiwan with strong resolve."

"The current Lai Ching-te is confident in picking up the baton from President Tsai and continue safeguarding Taiwan," Lai told more than 10,000 attendees who had registered for the event.

He pledged to lead Taiwan and strive for peace at a time when the country "faces a unique political situation," without specifying.

According to the DPP, the rally, featuring social media influencers such as Ili Cheng () and Huang Yi-hsuan (), who is known as the founder of "Mindi World News," was held to mobilize young supporters.

Also attending the event were DDP legislative candidates Wu Szu-yao (), Hsieh Pei-fen (), Jean Kuo (), as well as the Social Democratic Party's Miao Po-ya (), who has received the DPP's backing to run for legislator.

(By Teng Pei-ju)

Enditem/cs

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Keelung ward chief returned to custody over China trip case

ROC Central News Agency

12/29/2023 10:30 PM

Taipei, Dec. 29 (CNA) A ward chief in Keelung was returned to custody on Friday after prosecutors appealed to have his bail overturned over his alleged involvement in organizing a recent "disproportionately subsidized" trip to China.

The detention was necessary because the ward chief, identified by his last name Wu (), could potentially flee the country, considering the multiple trips he has gone on since June, according to the Keelung District Prosecutors Office.

Furthermore, there is a risk that Wu could collude to destroy evidence, as he deliberately deleted the phone records of his WeChat conversations with Chinese officials, prosecutors said.

The ward chief is believed to have organized and led a tour group to Shandong Province from Nov. 21-26 with the help of another individual surnamed Kuo ().

The visit, which came at the request of the Yantai People's Government Taiwan Affairs Office, comprised 33 people that included Wu, several Keelung ward chiefs and their relatives.

The trip cost NT$5,500 (US$179) per person, while all other expenses in China, including transportation, food and accommodation were covered by their hosts, prosecutors said, indicating that each individual was also reimbursed 1,000 Chinese yuan at the end of the trip.

During their time in Shandong, prosecutors said the visitors also met with the head and deputy chief of the Yantai office, who suggested they should vote for a "certain political party" in Taiwan's upcoming Jan. 13 presidential and legislative elections.

Raids were carried out at five different locations in Keelung on Dec, 13, during which 29 people, including Wu and Kuo, were questioned over their involvement in the case.

After questioning, a request to have Wu detained was later granted by the Keelung District Court the following day, while Kuo was released on NT$100,000 bail.

However, Wu challenged his detention at the Taiwan High Court, which returned the case back to the district court for reconsideration. On Dec. 23, the district amended its decision allowing Wu to be released on NT$500,000 bail.

On Wednesday, prosecutors filed an appeal with the high court regarding Wu's bail release, which was approved with the case returned to the district court. On Friday, the Keelung district court ordered that the released suspect be returned to custody as prosecutors continue to investigate the case.

Elsewhere, separate incidences involving multiple ward chiefs in Taichung as well as local officials from Hsinchu County who allegedly also accepted free trips to China are currently also under investigation by prosecutors. According to authorities, the cases are all related to Taiwan's upcoming elections and alleged election interference by China.

However, such claims have been disputed by the main opposition Kuomintang who have called the cases a blatant attempt by the government to use the justice system to interfere in the ongoing presidential election.

In both places, suspects numbering in the dozens have been called in for questioning by prosecutors. Several of them, which included a Hsinchu county councilor from the KMT, were required to post bail in order to be released.

(By Wang Chao-yu, Su Mu-chuen, Kuo Hsuan-wen and Ko Lin)

Enditem/AW

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Where did Taiwan's fake presidential election poll come from?

Asia Fact Check Lab delves into the murky background of a poll published by pro-China content providers.

By Zhuang Jing and Dong Zhe for Asia Fact Check Lab 2023.12.29 -- On the evening of Dec. 22, Taiwanese prosecutors confirmed the arrest of Lin Hsien-yuan, a journalist of the online news site Fingermedia. They said they suspected him of concocting a "fabricated" presidential poll and taking direction from the Chinese Communist Party in Fujian province, across the Taiwan Strait.

The fake poll "misled voters about the electoral situation, infiltrated and interfered in Taiwan's presidential election, and endangered Taiwan's sovereignty and democratic constitutional order," the Taichung Public Prosecutor's Office said.

Taiwan's Jan. 13 presidential election is seen as one of the most consequential in years for the democratic island - and perhaps the most important election in Asia in 2024.

Depending on who wins, it could chart a course closer to China, continue to keep its distance or even lead toward eventual conflict with its far larger neighbor, which claims the island as its own territory.

In that context, Fingermedia had some surprising news in early December: For the first time, Hou Yu-ih, the opposition Kuomintang candidate, had reversed previous opinion polls and was now ahead of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party candidate Lai Ching-te, also known as William Lai.

"Hou pulls ahead of Lai for the first time, leads by 1.22 percentage points" read the headline from Taiwan's EBC News, citing the Dec. 3 report by Fingermedia.

The three candidates were polling as follows, the report said:

Hou Yu-ih and Jaw Shaw-kong for the Kuomintang: 33.22%

Lai Ching-te and Hsiao Bi-khim for the Democratic Progressive Party: 32.00%

Ko Wen-je and Wu Hsin-ying for the Taiwan People's Party: 20.33%

In Taiwanese politics, the center-right Kuomintang, or KMT, favors greater engagement with the People's Republic of China, while the center-left DPP, which has been in power for eight years, embraces a more independent stance.

Lai, the current vice president, has blasted the KMT as being "pro-communist," saying only he can preserve Taiwan's autonomy. The KMT has denied being pro-Beijing, and instead accused the DPP of being too reckless in its interactions with China. Beijing, meanwhile, views Lai as a separatist, and has cast the election as a choice between war and peace.

The poll results went viral in Taiwan, and also circulated in China - odd for the previously unheard-of Taichung-based Fingermedia. Reports of the poll spread rapidly in Taiwan under the hashtag "Hou Yu-ih overtakes," and also found their way into news outlets in China, including Taiwan.cn, which is affiliated with China's Taiwan Affairs Office, Sina Hong Kong and iFeng.

Amid suspicious signs, AFCL launched an investigation into a company's connections to mainland China and the conduct of a poll. AFCL journalists consulted several individuals, including Lin Hsien-yuan and Taichung-based Providence University's retired professor Su Yuan-hwa.

Before Lin's arrest, AFCL uncovered numerous issues with the poll, highlighting Lin's strong mainland ties, which cast doubt on the poll's credibility. Prosecutors allege that the supposed pollsters fabricated results without conducting actual opinion polls.

Here is what AFCL found.

The poll

Su, a self-described polling expert, was commissioned by Zhi Dong New Media Co. Ltd. to conduct the poll. It claimed to have been conducted between Nov. 27 and Dec. 1, based on "randomly" selected participants at train stations in three parts of the country - northern, central and southern Taiwan, reports said.

Some 300 interviews with eligible voters over the age of 20 were conducted in each location for a total of 900 interviews. The sampling error was given as A 4%.

Su said he did the poll for no charge, as a favor to Lin: "He is my student. I did the poll for him, for free."

When contacted by AFCL, Su declined to provide full details of his research, but confirmed that he had used four simple questions: the respondent's age, which candidates they supported, whether they were likely to change their minds before the election and who the respondents' family and friends supported.

Problematic methods

Su's methods drew sharp criticism from polling experts.

Opinion polls should rely on as broad a sample as possible, but the Fingermedia poll did the opposite, said Hsiao Yi-ching, a researcher at the Center for Electoral Studies at Taiwan's Chengchi University.

"Those stations are in metropolitan areas, so are you ignoring the opinions of the people in non-metropolitan areas?" Hsiao said. "Who are the interviewers looking for, and what are their criteria? You can challenge all of that."

He also said Su's poll failed to define "north," "central" and "south" for the purposes of the poll and questioned the numbers interviewed at each location.

The survey only mentioned "interviews" as a methodology, without specifying whether they were in person, online, by cell phone or landline, and the sampling error should be A 3.26%, not A 4.00%, Hsiao said.

Taiwan pollster Dai Li-an questioned whether the interviews were truly conducted at random, and said they could be subject to bias among those gathering opinions.

Mainland ties

Furthermore, AFCL found that Fingermedia, along with a number of its partner websites, had been mentioned in connection with two cases of Chinese Communist Party media influence campaigns in 2019, and that executives from these websites had taken part in a higher-than-average number of cross-strait exchanges in China.

Experts agreed that this alone would have made the poll unusable to any Taiwanese media organization.

Dai Li-an said the island's media shouldn't be using Fingermedia's polls at all. "They shouldn't be cited at all," he said. "Frankly, It's a bit irresponsible of them."

An online search for Fingermedia pulled up a number of results linking it to "red media" organizations backed by the Chinese Communist Party.

In July 2019, Taiwan's Liberty Times and other media reported that 23 Taiwanese online media simultaneously reposted articles from China's state media criticizing Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen. The incident was designated part of a "red information war" by Taiwan's presidential palace, the National Security Council and other agencies.

Of the 23 websites named, 15 were run by Fingermedia's parent company, Zhi Dong Technology Co., Ltd.

Fingermedia made another appearance in news reports in November 2019, after China launched its 26-point blueprint for relations with Taiwan.

'A close-run thing'

Fu Wen-cheng, head of journalism at Taiwan's National Defense University's Fu Hsing Kang military academy, said Fingermedia appears to have switched tactics.

"They fought the usual infowar but didn't win, so they started playing around with sensationalist polls as clickbait, trying to get onto all of the front pages," Fu told AFCL.

Now that the Taiwanese public is increasingly resistant to disinformation, pro-China operations like Fingermedia need to take a multi-platform approach to maximize their impact, hoping to leapfrog across multiple platforms and onto the pages of the mainstream media, he said.

Before his arrest, Lin told AFCL that he had gotten into opinion polls because "this year's election is more of a close-run thing."

"This year's presidential election is particularly important in deciding the fate of the Republic of China and affects the future direction of cross-strait relations," he said, adding that he had asked for help from Su, his former professor at Providence University. Su confirmed this account.

The poll that got Lin into trouble with prosecutors in Taichung wasn't the first, either.

Between Oct. 13 and Dec. 11, Fingermedia published no less than seven polls on public support for presidential election candidates, some of which were picked up by the media. But none of them set off quite such a heated debate as the one claiming KMT's Hou had overtaken DPP's Lai.

Lin, who has been identified by his government as a known participant in the Chinese Communist Party's United Front event, the Cross-Straits Forum, openly admits to being on friendly terms with Chinese officials, including those from the Taiwan Affairs Office.

"There's no [special] relationship, just a sense of brotherhood," he said.

He rejected the "pro-China" label, however.

"It's normal for individuals to have a point of view. I can be in the Blue camp, I can be in the Green. But where in the media do I say that I am a full-on supporter of mainland China?" he said. "Have I ever written such a thing?"

Nonetheless, Lin still references Beijing's claim that the people of Taiwan are "brothers" or "relatives," of those in China, which it uses to underpin its territorial claim on the island, which has never been ruled by the Chinese Communist Party, nor formed part of the People's Republic.

He said he simply believes that Taiwan should be on good terms with its neighbor. To that end, Lin founded Yuan Fong Media to target the Chinese market and promote cross-strait exchanges.

'Too lazy'

Tai Yu-hui, an associate professor in the Department of Communication and Technology at Taiwan's National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, said the shift to public opinion surveys is new.

The lack of regulation around the use of content from China-linked content farms means that editors would have little guidance, according to Tai. But they still should have checked the provenance of the information before using it, she said.

"The problem is that they are too lazy nowadays," Tai said. "Maybe they figured they would pick it up for the time being, then take it down if there was an issue with it."

AFCL repeatedly contacted the Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau, but only received a curt refusal of comment, because the case "involves matters of national security."

By taking advantage of weaknesses in the national media's editorial decision-making processes, Lin's unorthodox and eye-catching poll managed to get mainstream media attention - a victory for the guerilla infowars waged by Taiwanese media organizations known for their close ties to China.

And according to the Taichung Public Prosecutor's Officers, that "guerrilla warfare on public opinion" was directed by the Chinese Communist Party.

Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster and Taejun Kang.

Asia Fact Check Lab (AFCL) was established to counter disinformation in today's complex media environment. We publish fact-checks, media-watches and in-depth reports that aim to sharpen and deepen our readers' understanding of current affairs and public issues. If you like our content, you can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X.

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MFA statement

Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Republic of Poland

29.12.2023

This evening, Deputy Foreign Minister WAadysAaw Teofil Bartoszewski summoned chargA d'affaires of the Russian Federation Andrei Ordash and presented him a note in which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs requests an explanation of the incident of violating Poland's airspace by a cruise missile and urges Russia to immediately cease this kind of activity.

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RENO  The room was packed with Native American leaders from across the United States, all invited to Washington to hear from federal officials about President Joe Bidens accomplishments and new policy directives aimed at improving relationships and protecting sacred sites.

Arlan Melendez was not among them.

The longtime chairman of the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony convened his own meeting 2,500 miles away. He wanted to show his community would find another way to fight the U.S. governments approval of a massive lithium mine at the site where more than two dozen of their Paiute and Shoshone ancestors were massacred in 1865.

Opposed by government lawyers at every legal turn, Melendez said another arduous appeal would not save sacred sites from being desecrated.

Were not giving up the fight, but we are changing our strategy, Melendez said.

That shift for the Nevada tribe comes as Biden and other top federal officials double down on their vows to do a better job of working with Native American leaders on everything from making federal funding more accessible to incorporating tribal voices into land preservation efforts and resource management planning.

The administration also has touted more spending on infrastructure and health care across Indian Country.

Many tribes have benefited, including those who led campaigns to establish new national monuments in Utah and Arizona. In New Mexico, pueblos have succeeded in getting the Interior Department to ban new oil and natural gas development on hundreds of square miles of federal land for 20 years to protect culturally significant areas.

But the colony in Reno and others like the Tohono Oodham Nation in Arizona say promises of more cooperation ring hollow when it comes to high-stakes battles over multibillion-dollar green energy projects. Some tribal leaders have said consultation resulted in little more than listening sessions, with federal officials not incorporating tribal comments into the decision making.

Rather than pursue its claims in court that the federal government failed to engage in meaningful consultation regarding the lithium mine at Thacker Pass, the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony will focus on organizing a broad coalition to build public support for sacred places.

Tribal members are concerned other culturally significant areas will end up in the path of a modern day Gold Rush that has companies scouting for lithium and other materials needed to meet Bidens clean energy agenda.

Melendez was among those thrilled when Biden appointed Deb Haaland to lead the Interior Department. A member of Laguna Pueblo, Haaland is the first Native American to serve as a cabinet secretary.

Melendez, a former member of the U.S. Human Rights Commission who has led his colony for 32 years, said he understands the difficulty of navigating the electoral landscape in a western swing state where the mining industrys political clout is second only to the power wielded by casinos.

Still, he was disappointed Haaland declined an invitation to visit the massacre site.

The largest lithium project in the United States and they dont even have the time to come out here and meet with the tribal nations in the state of Nevada, he said.

The tribes lawyer, Will Falk, urged other tribes to resist tricking ourselves into believing that just because the first Native American secretary of Interior is in office that she actually cares about protecting sacred sites.

Interior Department spokeswoman Melissa Schwartz didnt respond directly to that criticism but said in an email to The Associated Press that there has been significant communications and partnership with tribes in Nevada.

The federal government in early December published new guidance for dealing with sacred sites. While Falk and others are skeptical, they acknowledged the document speaks to concerns tribes have raised for decades.

Among other things, the guidance says federal agencies should involve tribes as early as possible when planning projects to identify potential impacts to sacred sites and to determine whether mitigation measures can allay concerns. Agencies also should consult with tribes that attach significance to the project area, regardless of where they are located.

It also suggests Indigenous knowledge should be on equal footing with other sciences and incorporated into the federal decision-making process. That knowledge can consist of practices, cultural beliefs and oral and written histories that tribes have developed over many generations.

Justin C. Ahasteen, executive director of the Navajo Nation Washington (D.C.) Office, said the new guidance appears to have incorporated some of the recommendations made by tribal leaders but that it could have gone further.

If this guidebook increases transparency in the consultation process, we will take it as a win, Ahasteen said. But ultimately the thing we all seek is for the federal government to acknowledge the necessity of tribal consent before changing rules that affect tribes.

The problem, Falk said, is none of it is legally binding.

These kinds of documents function more as pacifying propaganda, he said.

Western Shoshone Defense Project Director Fermina Stevens said the changes were more lip service for the government to deal with the Indian problem in this new day and age of mineral extraction.

Morgan Rodman, executive director of the White House Council on Native American Affairs, disagrees. He said the guidance is intended to serve as a springboard to improve engagement with tribes and that the administration will be aggressive with training to make sure employees have an understanding of what sacred sites are.

While change certainly doesnt happen overnight, its part of a continuum of important policy statements  part of the momentum weve been building the last three years, he said in an interview.

Rodman made clear he wasnt referencing Thacker Pass, but some directives he highlighted have been key points of contention in that case.

U.S. Judge Miranda Du in Reno twice ruled the tribe failed to prove the massacre occurred on the specific grounds of the mining project, or that far-flung tribes had a legal stake in the fight. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld her earlier ruling in July.

The tribe says the government has ignored evidence that the land they consider sacred isnt limited to a specific site where the U.S. Calvary first attacked men, women and children as they slept.

They cited newspaper accounts, diaries and a government surveyors report documenting human skulls discovered along a miles-long escape route crossing the mine site where troops killed and scalped those who tried to flee.

Tribal historic preservation officer Michon Eben said the whole stretch is an unmarked burial ground.

Melendez said hes pleased Biden has promised to enhance consultation.

But if federal agencies dont follow through, he said, Well, its just words that really dont mean anything to us.
Russia launches fresh missile strikes against Ukraine

Iran Press TV

Friday, 29 December 2023 11:20 AM

The Russian army has launched fresh missile strikes, targeting the Ukrainian military facilities in the south, west, and east of the country, with reported damage at multiple sites, according to officials.

"The Russian air force carried out 50 multiple attacks and one massive strike with precision weapons and drones on military facilities in Ukraine, all of them were hit," the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation said in a statement, as Russia unveiled one of its biggest drone and missile barrages against Ukraine in months.

A nationwide air alert went off as drones, hypersonic cruise, and ballistic missiles struck Kyiv, Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, and Lviv in the early hours of Friday morning, killing at least 16 and injuring about 100 others.

"We have never seen so many targets on our monitors simultaneously," Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ignat told the media, adding "We can say that this was a massive attack."

The Kremlin "apparently launched everything they have," Ignat claimed on national television.

According to a Ukrainian official, the Kremlin used 18 Tu-95 strategic bombers to fire air-launched missiles overnight, but the alleged attack is yet to be confirmed by the Russian military.

Previously, the Kremlin has said that Kiev has a tendency to overstate the quantity of Kinzhal missiles deployed by Russia in the conflict, with the intention of asserting that it successfully intercepted these projectiles.

The Friday attack comes days after Kiev celebrated a successful bombardment of a Russian warship in the Crimean port city of Feodosia by air-launched cruise missiles.

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Ukraine Says At Least 30 Dead After Massive Russia Air Assault On Kyiv, Other Major Cities

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service December 29, 2023

KYIV -- Ukrainian officials say at least 30 people died in a massive Russian air attack overnight on December 28-29 that combined hypersonic and other missiles along with drones to hit military and civilian targets all over the country, including the capital, Kyiv, in what appeared to be the biggest bombardment of the 22-month-invasion.

Air defenses mobilized but casualties were reported in Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa, and other major cities. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said on Telegram that 30 people had been killed and more than 160 wounded.

Search-and-rescue efforts were ongoing late on December 29, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in his nightly video message.

More than 100 private houses were destroyed or damaged, 45 high-rise buildings, schools, two churches, hospitals, a maternity hospital, and many commercial and warehouse premises where hit, Zelenskiy said. Nine people were killed and 30 wounded when a warehouse and other buildings were hit in Kyiv.

"It is important that the world reacts to this next manifestation of terror," he said, referring to Russian forces as "these scum."

He praised Ukrainian air-defense soldiers, saying they "did a lot today."

The Ukrainian armed forces said military sites had also been targeted.

U.S. President Joe Biden said it was the "largest aerial assault on Ukraine since this war began" and said Russia used drones and missiles, including missiles with hypersonic capability, to strike cities and civilian infrastructure all across Ukraine.

He added that unless Congress takes urgent action in the new year, "we will not be able to continue sending the weapons and vital air-defense systems Ukraine needs to protect its people."

He again urged lawmakers to break a deadlock over his $61 billion proposed aid package for Ukraine and "act without any further delay."

The UN Security Council is set to discuss the situation in Ukraine after Kyiv and its supporters requested an urgent meeting to address the missile and drone strikes by Russia.

Zelenskiy said on December 29 that he had visited the town of Avdiyivka in eastern Ukraine, which is under regular attack by Russian forces.

"This is one of the most difficult areas of the front line," he wrote on Telegram, adding that Ukraine had "survived" in 2023 thanks to soldiers serving on the front.

Also on December 29, Russia accused Ukraine of firing three U.S.-made, air-to-surface missiles into its southern region of Belgorod.

The Russian Defense Ministry said the "three Ukrainian HARM missiles manufactured by the United States were destroyed over the territory of the Belgorod region by air-defense systems."

Western allies including the United States have been publicly cautious over the supply of some kinds of weapons that could reach deep inside Russia, and Moscow has repeatedly sought to establish "red lines" in Western support for Kyiv.

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called the overnight Russian attacks "one of the largest attacks since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine against cities and the population."

"It was yet another cowardly and indiscriminate targeting of schools, a metro station, and a hospital, resulting in the death of at least 16 people and several wounded," Borrell added separately. "The EU stands with Ukraine, as long as it takes."

After news of the overnight air barrages on Ukraine, France accused Russia of a "strategy of terror."

"Russia is continuing its strategy of terror aimed at destroying Ukrainian civilian infrastructure in order to undermine resilience of the Ukrainian population," the French Foreign Ministry said. "France will continue to support Ukraine and provide it with the necessary assistance to enable it to exercise its self-defense, in close coordination with its partners."

Kyiv and many Western leaders have accused Russia of consistently targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure, and Biden has called Russian President Vladimir Putin a "war criminal" for his actions over Ukraine.

Russia denies targeting civilians, despite ample evidence to the contrary documented by the media.

With reporting by Reuters and AFP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia- air-strikes/32751953.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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Hungary Refuses To Extradite Russian Suspected Of High-Profile Killing In Kyiv

By RFE/RL's Caucasus.Realities December 29, 2023

Hungary has refused to extradite to Ukraine a Russian man suspected in the 2017 killing Amina Okuyeva, a member of the volunteer Dzhokhar Dudayev battalion consisting of natives of the North Caucasus region of Chechnya, according to police.

Former Ukrainian lawmaker Ihor Mosiychuk, for whom Okuyeva once worked as an adviser, told RFE/RL that Igor Redkin, a native of Russia's North Caucasus region of Daghestan, had violated house arrest conditions and fled Ukraine during the initial days of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, launched in February 2022. Mosiychuk confirmed that Redkin is currently in Hungary.

Ukrainian law enforcement officers arrested Redkin and three other unidentified individuals in 2020 on suspicion of involvement in the killing of Okuyeva.

The men were suspected in opening fire with assault rifles at Okuyeva and her husband, Adam Osmayev, while the couple was traveling in a car on Kyiv's outskirts in October 2017, killing Okuyeva and injuring Osmayev.

Osmayev accused Russian officials at the time of organizing the attack.

Osmayev, who has survived several assassination attempts, is the commander of the volunteer Dzhokhar Dudayev battalion fighting Russian armed forces invading Ukraine.

Osmayev first made headlines in Ukraine in February 2012 when he was detained by Ukrainian authorities and charged with possession of illegal explosives, damaging private property, and forgery.

At the request of Russian authorities, he was charged with plotting to kill Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Moscow sought his extradition.

Kyiv ultimately refused to extradite him, and he was subsequently released from Ukrainian custody in November 2014 after more than 2 1/2 years in jail.

Three months after his release, Osmayev assumed command of the Dzhokhar Dudayev battalion, which then was fighting against Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine.

His late wife, Amina Okuyeva, gained renown working as a medic during the street protests in Kyiv known as Euromaidan that culminated in violent clashes with police in February 2014 and the ouster of then-President Viktor Yanukovych.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/hungary-okuyeva-extradition- russia-ukraine/32752716.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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The UK bolsters Ukraine's air defence after Putin's latest air strikes

Defence Secretary announces that hundreds of British-made air defence missiles are being shipped to Ukraine to protect civilians and infrastructure from drones and bombing.

29 December 2023

Delivery of a new package of sophisticated air defence missiles for Ukraine has commenced, rounding off a landmark year for the UK's support for Ukraine - having been the first country to provide modern Western tanks, as well as long-range precision strike capability. The delivery comes as Russia continues its assault on Ukraine, with hundreds of drones and missiles believed to have been launched overnight on cities including Kyiv, Lviv and Odesa.

The package of around 200 air defence missiles will re-supply UK-developed air defence systems provided to Ukraine in late 2022, topping up Ukraine's crucial air defence capability to protect their citizens, front line, and critical national infrastructure from Russian bombing and one-way attack drones.

The new package of support comes amid the most significant year for the UK's military aid to Ukraine so far. Following announcements by the Prime Minister at the start of the year, the UK has now supplied a squadron of battle-ready Challenger 2 tanks, three batteries of self-propelled AS90 guns, hundreds of armoured and protected vehicles, as well as long-range precision strike capability in the form of Storm Shadow cruise missiles and long-range attack drones.

Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps said:

Putin's latest wave of murderous airstrikes are a desperate and futile attempt to regain momentum after the catastrophic loss of hundreds of thousands of conscripts and ahead of the humiliation of his three-day war entering a third calendar year. We continue to stand by Ukraine's defence, which is why today we are sending hundreds of air defence missiles to restock British gifted air defence systems capable of striking down Russian drones and missiles with incredible accuracy. Putin is testing Ukraine's defences and the West's resolve, hoping that he can clutch victory from the jaws of defeat. But he is wrong. Ukraine's degradation of the Russian Black Sea fleet has proven it is still in this fight to win. And today's air defence package sends an undeniable message, in the face of Russian barbarity that the UK remains absolutely committed to supporting Ukraine. Now is the time for the free world to come together and redouble our efforts to get Ukraine what they need to win.

These air defence missiles (Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missiles - ASRAAM) are manufactured in the UK by defence contractor MBDA and are designed to be launched from aircraft including the UK's Typhoon and F-35 fighter jets. In summer 2022, a joint MoD-MBDA team developed air defence systems to fire ASRAAM from the ground for the first time. Within four months of initiating the surface launched ASRAAM project, these air defence systems were developed, manufactured, trialled and Ukrainian crews trained on their usage, on UK soil, before being transferred into Ukrainian hands.

The surface launched ASRAAM project has demonstrated the best of British engineering ingenuity and the agility of MOD and British industry to rapidly deliver very effective yet low-cost solutions to the frontline to meet urgent requirements. The systems have proven highly effective - with a successful hit rate reported as high as 90% against some Russian air targets. Ukrainian operators have become adapt at their usage and have asked for more missiles to protect their country.

Further to the thousands of rounds of ammunition and anti-tank missiles provided to Ukraine by the UK, November marked 30,000 recruits having passed through Operation Interflex - the programme of training delivered to Ukrainian recruits on UK soil.

Including specialised training delivered by the UK to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, such as training of Ukrainian marines, explosive ordnance disposal experts, and combat air pilots, the UK has now trained more than 53,000 Ukrainians since Putin first ordered the invasion of Crimea in 2014. The Defence Secretary previously announced an ambition to train an additional 10,000 recruits in the first half of 2024.

UK military support to Ukraine has seen a total commitment of A4.6bn, with the A2.3bn set aside for FY23/24 covering up until the end of the financial year. The Prime Minister has expressed his intent to continue support for Ukraine in 2024.

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The Russian Federation continues the pattern of disregard for its obligations under International Humanitarian Law - Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine Denise Brown condemns wave of attacks on Ukrainian populated cities

UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

I condemn, in the strongest terms, Russia's heinous wave of attacks on populated areas of Ukraine over the past few hours, which has left a path of destruction, death and human suffering. The strikes damaged homes, schools, hospitals, a shopping mall, a metro station and energy infrastructure, killing and injuring civilians in almost every region of the country.

Right now, families and emergency services are trying to pull people out of the debris left by the destruction. For the Ukrainian people, this is another unacceptable example of the horrifying reality they are faced with, and which made 2023 another year of enormous suffering.

The Russian Federation continues the pattern of disregard for its obligations under international humanitarian law. Either indiscriminate attacks or attacks intentionally directed against civilians or civilian objects are strictly prohibited.

29 December 2023

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Russia's Aerial Barrage on Ukraine Kills Scores

By VOA News December 29, 2023

Russia unleashed its "most massive aerial attack" across Ukraine since the beginning of the war in February 2022, launching 122 missiles and dozens of drones, officials said Friday. The missile attacks killed at least 27 civilians and injured at least 144 people, not counting those buried under the rubble.

Authorities say the death toll will likely rise.

Hypersonic, cruise and ballistic missiles, including X-22 type, which are extremely hard to intercept, were used, said Ukraine's Air Force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat in televised comments.

Blasts were reported in Kyiv, the northern city of Kharkiv, western Lviv, eastern Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia and the port city of Odesa.

The scale of the attack surpassed the previous largest assault, when Russia launched 96 missiles in November 2022, and this year's previous largest attack of 81 missiles on March 9, according to Ukrainian Air Force commander Mykola Oleshchuk.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted on X: "Today, Russia used nearly every type of weapon in its arsenal: 'Kindzhals,' S-300s, cruise missiles, and drones ... with the majority of them being shot down."

Zelenskyy said a maternity hospital was among the targets of Russia's strike. Other targets included "educational facilities, a shopping mall, multi-story residential buildings and private homes, a commercial storage and a parking lot."

Biden, Sunak call for continued Ukraine aid

In a statement Friday, U.S. President Joe Biden called the attack "a stark reminder to the world that, after nearly two years of this devastating war, [Russian President Vladimir] Putin's objective remains unchanged," seeking to obliterate Ukraine and subjugate its people.

Biden said that Putin "must be stopped."

The U.S. president said that although the United States has aided Ukraine's war effort so far, Congress must step up its efforts and approve more aid "without any further delay" or "we will not be able to continue sending the weapons and vital air defense systems Ukraine needs to protect its people."

Biden said, "The stakes of this fight extend far beyond Ukraine. They affect the entirety of the NATO alliance, the security of Europe and the future of the transatlantic relationship," adding that the United States has rallied a coalition of more than 50 countries to support the defense of Ukraine.

"We cannot let our allies and partners down. We cannot let Ukraine down," he said.

Along the frontlines, winter weather is slowing down Ukrainian forces after their summer counteroffensive failed to make a significant breakthrough along the roughly 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) line of contact.

Ukrainian officials have appealed for greater air defense aid from Western allies, whose war fatigue is chipping away at efforts to keep up robust support for the country.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said Friday's attack should spur the world to further action in support of Ukraine.

"These widespread attacks on Ukraine's cities show Putin will stop at nothing to achieve his aim of eradicating freedom and democracy," Sunak said on social media platform X, formerly Twitter. "We must continue to stand with Ukraine a for as long as it takes."

Missile may have entered Polish airspace

In Poland, defense forces said an unknown object entered about 40 kilometers (24 miles) into their airspace Friday morning from the direction of Ukraine and then disappeared from radar after less than three minutes.

"Everything indicates that a Russian missile intruded in Poland's airspace. It was monitored by us on radars and left the airspace. We have confirmation of this on radars and from allies" in NATO, said Poland's defense chief, General WiesAaw KukuAa.

The defense forces said both its radar and NATO radar confirmed that the object left Polish airspace. Kukula said steps were being taken to verify those findings and eliminate the possibility of a technical error.

There was no comment from Russian officials.

Poland's border with Ukraine is also the European Union and NATO's border with Ukraine.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on X that he had spoken with Poland's president about the "missile incident" and added NATO was vigilant and monitoring the situation "as the facts are established."

U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan spoke Friday with the head of Poland's National Security Bureau, Jacek Siewiera. Sullivan expressed U.S. solidarity with Poland, "our close NATO ally."

Sullivan also pledged technical assistance as needed and assured his Polish counterpart that Biden is following the issue closely. Siewiera expressed appreciation for U.S. support and stated their governments will remain in close contact, according to a White House statement.

There were no immediate reports of an explosion or casualties.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk convened a meeting with the defense minister, military commanders and heads of national security bodies, followed by a meeting of the National Security Bureau with President Andrzej Duda, the supreme commander of Poland's armed forces.

Duda said through an aide that there was "no threat at the moment" and nothing to suggest that "anything bad" should be expected.

It was not clear whether the object that Poland reported on its radar was related to the Russian aerial barrage on Ukraine earlier.

Some material for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.

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Russia's Invasion of Ukraine: Fighting Intensifies in 2023 War of Attrition

By Henry Ridgwell December 29, 2023

Ukraine attempted to break through the lines of invading Russian forces in 2023 in the east of the country, as the West stepped up the supply of heavier weapons and advanced missile systems. However, neither side appears able to make a significant breakthrough and there is little sign that Kyiv and Moscow are prepared to negotiate a peace deal.

At an end of year news conference December 19, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia had failed to achieve any victory in 2023. "Our yellow and blue flag is in Ukraine, and this is our main victory. And the main thing is that we will preserve it a not only in our hearts, but we will actually preserve it all for our future generations," Zelenskyy said.

The conflict has intensified into a war of attrition, at huge cost to both sides. A declassified U.S. intelligence report published earlier this month estimated that some 315,000 Russian troops had been killed or injured a nearly 90% of the personnel it had when the conflict began, according to Reuters. Ukraine does not release figures relating to its losses, but an August report in The New York Times citing U.S. officials put the Ukrainian death toll then at close to 70,000.

This year began with a strategic loss for Ukraine as Russian forces seized the salt-mining town of Soledar in January, after months of brutal fighting. Meanwhile, Russian missiles continued to rain down on Ukrainian cities, exerting a heavy toll on the civilian population.

With Ukrainian forces struggling to make battlefield gains, Western allies announced they would send heavy weapons to Kyiv, including tanks and longer-range missile systems.

Ahead of the first anniversary of the war in February, U.S. President Joe Biden made an unannounced visit to Kyiv. He said Russian President Vladimir Putin had been wrong about Western commitment to Ukraine. "He thought he could outlast us. I don't think he's thinking that right now," Biden told the crowd in Kyiv.

Evidence suggests Russia destroyed the Kakhovka dam in May, flooding vast areas of southeast Ukraine to stall any Ukrainian counteroffensive and creating an environmental disaster. Russia, in return, blamed Ukraine for the structure's collapse.

By June, Ukraine was able to recapture some territory but failed to break through the Russian lines. The Western weapon supplies were too little, too late, says analyst Ian Bond.

"The delays in supplying this equipment meant that the Russians had a long time to build up their minefields and their fixed fortifications, so they're actually in a much stronger position than they were. And we've been asking the Ukrainians to launch their counteroffensive when they have very little air capability," Bond told VOA, adding that Ukraine had made remarkable progress in countering Russia's navy.

"They have effectively removed the Russian Black Sea fleet from most of the western Black Sea. The Ukrainians have been able to start exporting grain from their ports on the Black Sea more freely than they could before. And that's a remarkable achievement for a country that has no functioning navy," he told VOA.

Mercenaries from Russia's private Wagner army staged a mutiny in June, demanding the dismissal of Moscow's defense minister over claims that Wagner fighters had been deprived of support and ammunition by the Russian army. Putin negotiated an end to the rebellion with the aid of his Belarusian counterpart, Aleksander Lukashenko. Wagner's chief, Yevgeny Prigozhin, was killed in a plane crash a few weeks later.

By November, Ukraine's military chief General Valery Zaluzhny said the war had reached a stalemate, though Ukraine's president disagreed with his assessment.

Zelenskyy did achieve a diplomatic breakthrough as the European Union in December agreed to start formal accession talks. "The negotiation process will not be easy, but the main thing is that historically we have made a determination: Ukraine will always be part of our common European home," Zelenskyy said in video published on social media after the EU decision.

But that European future remains in the balance, says analyst Olga Tokariuk of Britain's Chatham House. "If Ukraine is defeated, if Ukraine fails militarily, all the EU membership negotiations process is worthless. But it will not just be a defeat of Ukraine. It will be a defeat of the European Union and the wider West, that committed to supporting Ukraine as long as it takes."

Ukrainian forces face a long bitter winter on the front lines. The military in December asked Zelenskyy for an additional 450,000 to 500,000 people to be mobilized into the army.

There is hope that the coming year will see Western deliveries of F-16 fighter jets to Kyiv. But with vital military aid packages held up in the both the United States and the European Union, analysts say Ukraine's greatest concern for the coming year is Western fatigue.

Zelenskyy insisted he was confident the military aid would be forthcoming. "I am sure that the United States of America will not betray us and that what we have achieved with the United States will be fulfilled," Zelenskyy said at his end of the year news conference.

The U.S. presidential election looms at the end of 2024, and there is nervousness in Ukraine and Europe, said Fabrice Pothier, a former head of policy planning at NATO and now CEO of the consultancy group Rasmussen Global.

"Losing the U.S. in the sense of having a U.S. president who might be actually counter to Ukraine's interests and to Europe's interests would be a major blow," he told VOA.

Russia is also due to hold presidential elections next year. With the vote neither free nor fair, according to analyst Ian Bond, Putin is all but certain to win - but the election could affect his war strategy. "He will be looking for something that he can portray as [a] military success in the run-up to the election," Bond said.

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Statement from President Joe Biden on Russia's Aerial Assault on Ukraine

December 29, 2023

Overnight, Russia launched its largest aerial assault on Ukraine since this war began. This massive bombardment used drones and missiles, including missiles with hypersonic capability, to strike cities and civilian infrastructure all across Ukraine. Strikes reportedly hit a maternity hospital, a shopping mall, and residential areasakilling innocent people and injuring dozens more. It is a stark reminder to the world that, after nearly two years of this devastating war, Putin's objective remains unchanged. He seeks to obliterate Ukraine and subjugate its people. He must be stopped.

In the face of this brutal attack, Ukraine deployed the air defense systems that the United States and our Allies and partners have delivered to Ukraine over the past year to successfully intercept and destroy many of the missiles and drones. The American people can be proud of the lives we have helped to save and the support we have given Ukraine as it defends its people, its freedom, and its independence. But unless Congress takes urgent action in the new year, we will not be able to continue sending the weapons and vital air defense systems Ukraine needs to protect its people. Congress must step up and act without any further delay.

The stakes of this fight extend far beyond Ukraine. They affect the entirety of the NATO Alliance, the security of Europe, and the future of the Transatlantic relationship. Putin has not just attempted to destroy Ukraine; he has threatened some of our NATO Allies as well. When dictators and autocrats are allowed to run roughshod in Europe, the risk rises that the United States gets pulled in directly. And the consequences reverberate around the world. That's why the United States has rallied a coalition of more than 50 countries to support the defense of Ukraine. We cannot let our allies and partners down. We cannot let Ukraine down. History will judge harshly those who fail to answer freedom's call.



###



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VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 29, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Three Sixty Solar Ltd. (NEO: VSOL) (OTC: VSOLF) (Three Sixty, Three Sixty Solar, or the Company), an innovative alternative energy design, manufacture, and sales organization focused on solar equipment supply to the global marketplace, is pleased with the important progress achieved in 2023 and looks forward to an exciting year ahead.



Key Points:

2023 saw Three Sixtys sales process deliver its first solar tower purchase order in November. All sales orders to-date have commenced with the issuance of a letter of intent (LOI), with two additional LOI commitments outstanding.

Positive initial reviews have been received regarding the Companys vertical solar tower technology patents encompassing the United States, Canada, Europe, and Africa.

Extensive research has identified cost reduction and added value opportunities offering increased overall economic performance delivering improved project viability metrics for customers.



In 2023 Three Sixty Solar solidified and formalized its sales pathway with the securing of multiple Letters of Intent (LOI) for solar tower projects with Cattail Crossing near Edmonton, Alberta, with Greenlit Energy Systems in India, and with Rocky Mountain Log and Timber in Montana. In late November, Rocky Mountain officially converted their commitment to a purchase order with the stated intent to move the project forward in 2024.

Additional momentum throughout the year was predicated on the development of processes and procedures designed to focus on broader commercial success. These efforts included extensive dialogue with vendors to optimize the cost models for solar tower configurations which to-date have generated a more than 30% reduction in the total capital outlay presented to potential customers. The economics of the various models ultimately offer flexible project management variability ensuring maximum efficiencies targeting economic viability across a wide range of project scenarios.

In related news, the Company received positive news from the respective patent offices of the United States, Canada, Europe, and Africa. In short, Three Sixty Solar was advised that certain key aspects of the vertical solar tower technology are protectable across these regions. The Company anticipates that the year ahead will yield granted patent status strengthening its technological standing across these massive solar industry target markets.

Three Sixty Solars CEO, Brian Roth states, 2023 has been an exciting year with a lot of critical first steps packed with important progression and momentum. I am very pleased to look back on receiving our first orders from customers who aim to advance their projects and Im especially thrilled that Rocky Mountain Log and Timber recently stepped up to submit a purchase order for their project in Montana. We continue to build a pipeline of interest with potential customers and can feel new and exciting energy building every day. As we engage with more and more people across the energy sector about what we are doing we have had the pleasure of speaking with sceptics which has provided some of the most satisfyingly transformative outcomes as we walk them through the opportunities the solar tower concept can deliver. Of course, we are pragmatically delighted by the positive impact potential from our patent IP status and the payoff our cost improvement research brings to our sales team and overall business proposition. I look forward with renewed vigor to continue building our business and shareholder value as we charge into 2024 with full batteries onboard and the sun shining down from above.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors,

--Brian Roth

Brian Roth,

Chief Executive Officer & Director

Three Sixty Solar Ltd.

www.threesixtysolar.com

About Three Sixty Solar Ltd. (NEO: VSOL)

Three Sixty Solar Ltd. is an all-Canadian enterprise which focuses on solar equipment supply to the global market. The companys premier product line is the patent pending SVS series commercial solar tower. According to Statistics MRC, the solar farm sector is set to grow to around $296 billion by 2028. Three Sixty Solars unique tower concept is a high density, clean energy solution that uses up to 90% less land space than conventional solar farms and can co-locate adjacent to homes, retail, agriculture, and industry, thus minimizing line loss and maximizing energy delivery in places where renewables have been difficult to install until now. In multi-tower applications, developers can utilize the spaces between towers to better leverage land assets through additional revenue generating activities. Designed to withstand major instances of extreme weather, Three Sixty Solar offers a clean energy solution with minimal environmental and habitat impact. To find our more, visit: www.threesixtysolar.com and please watch our video. To stay informed, please sign up to receive news alerts and follow us on Instagram (@threesixtysolar.vsol), Twitter (@ThreeSixtySolar), and Facebook (@threesixtysolar.vsol).

Forward Looking Information Disclaimer

This letter contains statements and information that, to the extent that they are not historical fact, may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking information may include financial and other projections, as well as statements regarding future plans, objectives, or economic performance, or the assumption underlying any of the foregoing. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terms such as may, would, could, will, likely, except, anticipate, believe, intend, plan, forecast, project, estimate, outlook, or the negative thereof or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Examples of such statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the Companys expectation that patents will be granted, and additional commercial opportunities will advance to project delivery.

Forward-looking information is based on the assumptions, estimates, analysis, and opinions of management made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date that such statements are made, but which may prove to be incorrect. The material factors and assumptions used to develop the forward-looking information contained in this news release include, but are not limited to, key personnel and qualified employees continuing their involvement with the Company; the Companys ability to secure additional financing on reasonable terms; the competitive conditions of the sector in which the Company operates; and laws and any amendments thereto applicable to the Company.

Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that 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 forward-looking information, including, without limitation, risks relating to the future business plans of the Company; risks that the Company will not be able to retain its key personnel; risks that the Company will not be able to secure financing on reasonable terms or at all, as well as all of the other risks as described under the heading Risks Factors in the Companys annual information form dated December 29, 2022 filed under the Companys profile at www.sedar.com. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking information. Further, any forward-looking information speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Companys management to predict all such factors and to assess in advance the impact of each such factor on the Companys business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking information to reflect information or events after the date on which it is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law, including securities laws.

Neither the Neo Exchange Inc. nor any securities regulatory authority has approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Three Sixty Solar Ltd.

Investor Relations

Email: investors@threesixtysolar.com

Telephone: +1 (778) 383-6743

Sales & Inquiries

Email: info@threesixtysolar.com

Telephone: +1 (877) 684-1972
NEW YORK, Dec. 29, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of the securities of Paycom Software, Inc. (NYSE: PAYC) between May 3, 2023 and November 1, 2023, both dates inclusive (the Class Period), of the important January 9, 2024 lead plaintiff deadline in the securities class action commenced by the Firm.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Paycom securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Paycom class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=20233 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than January 9, 2024. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs Bar. Many of the firms attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Paycoms Beti product led to cannibalization of the Companys services and revenues; (2) Paycom knew but failed to disclose that Beti was leading to cannibalization of Paycoms services and revenues, and failed to warn of cannibalization as a general risk; (3) as a result of cannibalization of revenue, Paycom missed its expected third quarter 2023 revenue and would have to revise its expected 2023 revenues; (4) the cannibalization issue resulted in projected 2024 year-over-year revenue growth to between 10% and 12%, well below expectations; and (5) as a result, defendants statements about its business, operations, and prospects, were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Paycom class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=20233 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investors ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm or on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm.

Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firms attorneys are ranked and recognized by numerous independent and respected sources. Rosen Law Firm has secured hundreds of millions of dollars for investors.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.

Phillip Kim, Esq.

The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 686-1060

Toll Free: (866) 767-3653

Fax: (212) 202-3827

lrosen@rosenlegal.com

pkim@rosenlegal.com

cases@rosenlegal.com

www.rosenlegal.com
Ukrainian defenders shoot down five of ten enemy drones over last night  Air Force

The Russian occupation forces attacked Ukraine by ten Shahed kamikaze drones from the Chauda Cape (Crimea) on the night of December 30.

"Five drones were downed by the air defense forces in Mykolaiv, Kherson, and Khmelnytsky regions. The main blow fell on the Kherson frontline area," the Ukrainian Air Force said on the Telegram channel on Saturday morning.
Houston, Dec. 30, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Houston, Texas -

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a powerful tool that doctors and healthcare businesses need to use in the correct way to become more visible online, according to Doctor Marketing, MD. When medical practices optimize their websites for search engines like Google, they can attract more patients looking for the healthcare services and medical procedures they offer. The SEO for medical practices process is vital because it helps doctor offices and clinics stand out in the crowded healthcare market and reach potential patients easily over their competition.



Image Credit: Natalimis / 123RF.

Knowing why medical SEO matters gives healthcare professionals an edge. It's not just about showing up in Google search results. It's about connecting with new patients who need healthcare the most. By improving their online presence through strategic keyword choices, and quality medical content creation, practitioners can earn trust and get more patients to their practice, said Marty Stewart, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of Doctor Marketing, MD.

Doctor Marketing, MD helps Medical Professionals and Healthcare Providers to get more patients by increasing patient acquisition through strategically leveraged content that ranks high in Google.

Looking at different agencies such as Doctor Marketing, MD that specialize in SEO for medical professionals requires understanding what makes one agency stand out from another: expertise, track record of success, and tailored services are important factors to consider. SEO has broad implications such as improved patient trust, widening reach within the community, and ultimately growing the practices success rate. Excellence in digital presence isn't just nice-to-have, it's a necessity.

Medical practices can benefit from SEO by increasing their online visibility, attracting higher organic traffic, and ultimately achieving increased profits and success. With the right SEO strategies in place, medical practices can improve their website ranking on search engine results pages (SERPs) and build trust with potential patients.

Boosting a practice's online visibility is a game-changer. It puts the doctor, and medical practice, in front of potential patients precisely when they're searching for the services and procedures a doctor offers, whether its cosmetic procedures or reconstructive surgeries. This strategic move not only increases web traffic but also establishes credibility and trust among users who are likely to choose a healthcare provider that appears at the top of search engine results pages (SERPs).

By optimizing key elements like keywords related to plastic surgery, Google will recognize the surgeon's website as relevant and authoritative, leading to higher rankings. Effective SEO taps into the competitive edge every medical professional needs. With more people looking online first for healthcare information, appearing on that first page dramatically improves the chances of connecting with new patients.

Improving online visibility through SEO efforts can lead to higher organic traffic for medical practice websites. By optimizing content with relevant keywords and enhancing website speed and functionality, doctors and medical practices can attract more potential patients who are actively searching for healthcare services.

Implementing local SEO strategies further boosts the chances of appearing in local search results, increasing the likelihood of attracting nearby patients seeking medical care. As the competition in the healthcare industry continues to grow, maximizing online visibility through effective SEO practices is crucial for driving a steady stream of organic traffic to medical practice websites.

This results in improved patient trust and credibility, making it essential for healthcare businesses to maximize their reach on search engine result pages (SERPs). Healthcare SEO not only enhances the website's visibility but also plays a critical role in attracting and retaining patients, ultimately contributing to the overall success of medical practices. Increasing online visibility through effective healthcare SEO strategies is vital due to the competitiveness of the industry. It enables medical practices to stand out and be found by potential patients searching for specific services or treatments.

The next crucial step in optimizing a medical practice website is using the right keywords. Conduct thorough keyword research to discover what prospective patients are searching for online. Incorporate relevant keywords into the website content, meta tags, and headings to improve its visibility on search engine results pages (SERPs). By targeting specific healthcare-related terms such as "plastic surgeon near me" or "cosmetic surgery specialist," can attract more qualified traffic to any website.

Utilizing long-tail keywords that reflect patient needs and interests will enhance the chances of ranking higher in search results. This strategic approach allows doctor's to tailor content to match potential patients' search queries while establishing credibility and relevance within the healthcare industry.

As a doctor continues to enhance their website following SEO best practices, from hospital web design tweaks to content marketing efforts, expect a steady growth in patients ready to book their next appointment.

###

For more information about Doctor Marketing, MD, contact the company here:



Doctor Marketing, MD

Anna Goldstein

877-463-9777 ext. 3

anna.goldstein@doctormarketingmd.com
BOSTON, Dec. 30, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Novotech, the leading Asia Pacific centred biotech CRO with global execution capabilities, today released the latest 2023 global clinical trial landscape report on Metastatic Breast Cancer.



The Novotech research analyst team provides these expert reports on a monthly basis, completely free of charge. These reports offer current insights into global clinical trial activity, revealing which regions experience the highest trial volumes and the factors behind these trends. They tackle the hurdles faced by biotech firms in specific therapeutic areas and discuss future paths in therapy and investment trends.

The Metastatic Breast Cancer - Global Clinical Trial Landscape 2023 report found that there were over 1,000 clinical trials worldwide since 2018. In addition, the report noted that Out of 2.3 million global breast cancer cases, 0.67 million were identified as metastatic breast cancer, with Asia accounting for 45%, Western regions 35%, and the remaining regions 20%.

Download the report here

The report found that Significant mortality disparities based on race and region exist, with higher rates among African-Americans, Asians, and Pacific Islanders, while Caucasians exhibit comparatively lower rates.

Metastatic Breast Cancer, also known as Stage IV breast cancer, occurs when cancer cells from the breast spread to other parts of the body. Despite advancements in screening and treatment, 20%-30% of those initially diagnosed with breast cancer progress to metastatic breast cancer, posing challenges with a 30% 5-year survival rate.

The report analysed global trial data and found:

The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region taking the lead by contributing over 35% of these trials prominently led by Mainland China, South Korea, and Australia.

The United States and Europe collectively conducted more than half of the metastatic breast cancer trials, with Spain and France emerging as key contributors in these regions.

The rest of the world (ROW) accounted for approximately 10% of the global metastatic breast cancer trials.

Notably, APAC demonstrated considerable efficiency in trial recruitment, showcasing shorter durations and faster recruitment rates compared to both Europe and the United States.

The report examined present and upcoming treatment choices, noting that physicians commonly utilize systemic medications like chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, targeted therapies, and immunotherapy to address metastatic breast cancer.

It also highlighted that the approval of Enhertu in 2022 for HER2-low breast cancer signifies a milestone, providing optimism for a subset of patients and reinforcing the personalized medicine strategy for more precise and effective therapies for metastatic breast cancer.

Novotech has more than 3,000 employees operating across 25 geographies, with 34 office locations, including the US, Greater China, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe.

The CRO offers biotechs a unique and unparalleled suite of early to late-phase services across the US and Europe, with a foundation in Asia Pacific where the company has built a reputation for delivering high-quality expedited clinical trials. Its commitment to collaboration is evident in the 50 Leading Site Partnership agreements it has signed over the past three years.

About Novotech Novotech-CRO.com

Founded in 1997, Novotech is a global full-service clinical Contract Research Organization (CRO) focused on partnering with biotech companies to accelerate the development of advanced and novel therapeutics at every phase.

Recognized for its industry-leading contributions, Novotech has received numerous prestigious awards, including the CRO Leadership Award 2023, the Asia Pacific Cell & Gene Therapy Clinical Trials Excellence 2023, the Asia-Pacific Contract Research Organization Company of the Year Award since 2006.

The Company offers a comprehensive suite of services including laboratories, Phase I facilities, drug development consulting, regulatory expertise, and has experience with over 5,000 clinical projects, including Phase I to Phase IV clinical trials and bioequivalence studies. With a presence in 34 office locations and a dedicated team of 3,000+ professionals worldwide, Novotech is a trusted end-to-end strategic partner of choice.

For more information or to speak to an expert team member visit www.Novotech-CRO.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0f517434-9cee-438f-803b-7cb4db080bb3
Vancouver, December 29, 2023 - Barksdale Resources Corp. (TSXV: BRO) (OTCQX: BRKCF) ("Barksdale" or the "Company") announces that further to the Company's news release dated December 13, 2023 wherein it announced that it was seeking TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") acceptance to further extend the maturity date of the secured convertible debenture ("Debentures") held by Delbrook Capital Advisors Inc. ("Delbrook") for an additional year until December 31, 2024 (the "Extension"), Delbrook has agreed to temporarily waive the payment obligations on the Debentures until January 15, 2024 in order to give the parties time to obtain the requisite approval of the TSXV for the Extension, the issuance of the Extension Warrants and the Interest Debt Settlement and to enter into definitive documentation with respect to such Extension. The Debentures have a remaining principal amount of $1,500,000 and all other terms of the Debentures including the conversion price will remain unchanged.

Additionally, Delbrook and the Company have agreed to a securities for debt settlement (the "Interest Debt Settlement") whereby the interest accrued under the Debentures in the aggregate amount of $187,083.00 will be exchanged for 467,708 units of the Company (each, a "Unit"). Each Unit will consist of one common share of Barksdale (each a "Common Share") and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant shall entitle the holder to acquire one Common Share at a price of $0.60 for a period of 3 years from the date of issuance. Any subsequent interest accrued under the Debentures after December 27, 2023 shall be payable in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Debentures.

In exchange for the Extension, the Company will also issue to Delbrook 2,777,777 common share purchase warrants (the "Extension Warrants") as an extension fee. Each Extension Warrant shall entitle the holder to acquire one Common Share at a price of $0.60 until December 31, 2024.

Barksdale Resources Corp., a 2023 OTCQX BEST 50 Company, is a base metal exploration company headquartered in Vancouver, B.C., that is focused on the acquisition, exploration and advancement of highly prospective base metal projects in North America. Barksdale is currently advancing the Sunnyside copper-zinc-lead-silver and San Antonio copper projects, both of which are in the Patagonia mining district of southern Arizona, as well as the San Javier copper-gold project in central Sonora, Mexico.

ON BEHALF OF Barksdale Resources Corp.

Rick Trotman

President, CEO and Director

Rick@barksdaleresources.com

Terri Anne Welyki

Vice President of Communications

778-238-2333

TerriAnne@barksdaleresources.com

For more information please phone 778-558-7145, email info@barksdaleresources.com or visit www.BarksdaleResources.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 news release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/192783
Vancouver, December 29, 2023 - Newpath Resources Inc. (CSE: PATH) (FSE: 0MZ) (OTC PINK: RDYFF) ("Newpath" or the "Company") announces, further to its news release on December 20, 2023, it has closed its non-brokered flow-through private placement (the "Offering"). The Company issued 1,045,000 flow-through shares (each a "FT Share" and collectively, the "FT Shares") at a price of $0.115 per FT Share for total gross proceeds of $120,175.

All FT Shares issued pursuant to the Offering are subject to a four-month hold expiring April 30, 2024, under applicable securities laws in Canada.

The proceeds raised from the Offering will be used for exploration activities on the Company's Alpha/ Bravo and Northshore projects.

The Company's CEO and director, Alexander McAulay, subscribed for a total of 175,000 FT Shares under the Offering. Mr. McAulay's participation in the Offering is a "related-party transaction", as defined in Multi-Lateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company is relying on the exemptions from the formal valuation requirements contained in section 5.5(b) of MI 61-101 and the minority shareholder approval requirements contained in section 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, as the Company is not listed on specified markets and the fair market value of Mr. McAulay's participation in the Offering does not exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization, as determined in accordance with MI 61-101. The Company did not file a material change report in respect of the related party transaction at least 21 days before the closing of the Offering as the closing date of the Offering was not immediately known and the Company wished to close on an expedited basis.

About Newpath Resources Inc.

Newpath is a Canadian exploration company listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol PATH. Newpath's early-stage Orefield critical metal exploration project, which is composed of three claim groups (Alpha/Bravo, Charlie and Delta), totals 3,180 claim units covering approximately 67,448 hectares (approximately 674 square kilometres) west and southwest of Lake Nipigon in Northern Ontario. The company also wholly owns the Northshore gold project located in the Schreiber-Hemlo greenstone belt.

On Behalf of the Company,

Newpath Resources Inc.

"Alexander McAulay"

Chief Executive Officer

Email: amcaulay@newpathresource.com

CEO Direct Line: +1 (604) 365-0425

www.newpathresource.com

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release may contain certain "forward-looking information". Forward-looking information may include financial and other projections, as well as statements regarding future plans, objectives, or economic performance, or the assumption underlying any of the foregoing. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terms such as "aim", "aims to", "may", "would", "could", "will", "will be" "likely", "expected", "anticipated", "proposed", "believe", "intend", "intent", "looking", "plan", "forecast", "project", "estimate", "outlook", "hope". Forward-looking information included in this news release includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the use of proceeds from the Offering. Forward-looking information is based upon the assumptions and estimates considered reasonable by management of the Company as of the date such statements are made. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, 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 information. Risks that may cause the forward-looking information contained herein to be materially different from the future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information contained herein include, but are not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory and shareholder approvals if required, key personnel and qualified employees continuing their involvement with the Company, the competitive conditions of the industries in which the Company operates, the availability of material projects, capital expenditures and other costs, repayment of debt, financing and additional capital requirements. As a result, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Any statement containing forward-looking information speaks only as of the date of this news release and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/192785
Current Russian production rates likely to not allow Russian forces conduct regular large-scale missile strikes, but likely do allow for more consistent drone strikes  ISW

Current Russian missile and drone reserves and production rates likely do not allow Russian forces to conduct regular large-scale missile strikes, but likely do allow for more consistent drone strikes, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said in its daily report as of December 29.

Ukrainian Main Military Intelligence Directorate Deputy Chief Major General Vadym Skibitskyi stated on November 6 that Russian forces produced 115 long-range high-precision missiles in October 2023, including 30 Iskander-M cruise missiles, 12 Iskander-K cruise missiles, 20 Kalibr cruise missiles, 40 Kh-101 cruise missiles, nine Kh-32 cruise missiles, and four Kinzhal ballistic missiles. Skibitskyi also stated that Russian forces had a total of 870 high-precision operational-strategic and strategic missiles in reserve in November and that this number increased by 285 missiles between August and November, the ISW said.

Although Ukrainian officials have recently stated that Russian forces have partially restored their cruise missile stockpiles, Skibitskyi's statements about recent Russian missile reserve totals and monthly production rates indicate that Russian forces are unable to sustain repeated large-scale missile strikes comparable to the December 29 strike series.

According to ISW experts, the December 29 strikes, which included five Kinzhal missiles, for example, used roughly one month's worth of Russia's reported production of that system. Russia is able to domestically produce Shahed-136/131 drones at a much higher rate, however, largely due to the creation and expansion of the drone production facility in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone in the Republic of Tatarstan. The Institute for Science and International Security reported on November 13 that even after a one-month delay in production the Alabuga facility planned to produce 1,400 Shahed-136 drones between February and October 2023 and plans to produce a total of 6,000 drones by September 2025.

Thus, Russian forces will therefore likely be able to conduct more consistent Shahed strikes than missile strikes, as Ukrainian officials have previously indicated, the ISW said.
Chinese company donates multiple launch rocket systems, rockets and vehicles to Ghana Armed Forces

GraphicOnline Dec - 30 - 2023 , 21:25

A Chinese company has donated a Ground Artillery Equipment (GAE) to the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) Battle Training Camp in Bundase.

The donation, which is part of efforts to boost Ghana's defence capabilities was done by the Division Director of MESSRS Poly Technologies Incorporated, China on December 7, 2023.

Mr. Gu Jia, along with representatives from B&G African Trading, handed over the suite of newly acquired equipment to the GAF.

The ground artillery equipment includes 122 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS), one Reconnaissance Vehicle, one Command Vehicle, along with 7200x122mm rockets, spare parts, and essential accessories.

The Deputy Chief of Staff (DCOS) in-charge of Administration at the General Headquarters, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Michael Appiah-Agyekum, who served as the Guest of Honour, expressed sincere gratitude to the companies for their invaluable support in fortifying Ghana's defence system. He highlighted the equipment's role in enhancing and safeguarding the nation's sovereignty.

"The acquisition of strategic equipment, platforms, and personnel training in diverse fields are ongoing efforts to effectively resource GAF operationally and provide essential welfare packages for troops during their service," remarked AVM Michael Appiah-Agyekum.

He underscored the critical timing of the equipment acquisition, coinciding with a period of heightened terrorism and trans-organized crime within the sub-region. AVM Appiah-Agyekum emphasized that the equipment would significantly enhance the operational capabilities of the GAF, positioning it effectively to handle any aggressive force.

Brigadier General Barima Brako Owusu, the Chief Staff Officer at Army Headquarters, urged troops to maintain a high level of professionalism in the discharge of their duties and emphasized the importance of proper maintenance for the newly acquired GAE.
Vote massively for Mahama, NDC MPs in 2024 - Haruna Iddrisu

Political Desk Report Politics Dec - 30 - 2023 , 06:44

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu, has called on Ghanaians to vote massively for the flag bearer of the NDC in the 2024 presidential election and the partys parliamentary candidates to help restore good governance and development to the people.

He said not only would former President John Mahama, who is the NDCs 2024 flag bearer need their votes but also their prayers to re-emerge as President of Ghana.

I have said that former President Mahama is coming back to the throne with two important insights and one important hindsight. He has been President and he is being outside as non-President and he will combine the two to change the destiny of this country, he stated, adding that I am highly optimistic that he would change the country for good.

Sugru-Lana

Mr Iddrisu, who is the immediate past Minority Leader, stated this when the paramount chief of Nakpanduri, Naba David Kansuk Na Golbila II and his sub-chiefs conferred on him a chieftaincy title, Sugru-Lana, Chief of Patience on December 28, 2023 at the chiefs palace.

He said if there was a time or hour that the country needed a change in government, it is now.

He said the NDC was aware of the hardships the people were going through, especially farmers who could get and buy farm inputs and even buy fertilizer while it was extremely difficult for women to buy salt.

He said the bad road network was also evident that the people had been abandoned and called on the chiefs and people of the area to vote for the NDC MPs in the area to enable them to support former President Mahama deliver on his mandate

Mr Iddrisu gave the assurance that the bad road network would receive the needed support when former President Mahama is elected as President.

Honour

The MP for Tamale South described the honour as a signature gesture that made him part of the larger Nankpaduri family.

He pledged to continue in his attempt to contribute to the public interest and the overall development of the country.

I pledge to continue to exercise utmost restraint and patience in my attempt to contribute to the public interest and overall development of Ghana, he stated.

Nankpaduri chief

On his part, the chief of Nakpanduri, Naba Golbila said the leadership style of Mr Iddrisu exhibited over the years in the country and in Parliament demanded massive acknowledgement not only from him and his subjects but the country as a whole.

You have shown respect, humility and being down to earth especially during your period as Minority Leader and support to the current Minority leadership to execute their duties diligently mean a lot to Ghanaians hence my decision to confer a chieftaincy title on you as Sugru-Lana, he said.

He was hopeful that the chieftaincy title opens future doors for higher positions of office for Mr Iddrisu

The water is muddy but you have patience and wait for the muddy water to settle and you will certainly drink the clean water, he said.

Naba Golbila expressed the hope that other politicians would emulate Mr Iddrisus good example so that they could benefit from being humble.

He urged Mr Iddrisu to continue with the good path he had chartered and that would bring him greater glory.

He said since he was enskinned in 1994, no political figure had ever passed the night in the night except Mr Iddrisu.

You have done so much to me and my subjects. I owe you a lot of gratitude. Again, it is significant to indicate that it is you, Haruna, who has brought a lot of development to the constituency by supporting the MP, Abegnego Bandimas.

You have been someone we owe a lot of gratitude  You have taken my MP as a younger brother and made him popular in Parliament, he said
Bank of Guam received six MarCom Awards, an internationally recognized competition celebrating excellence in marketing and communications.

With over 6.500 entries from across the globe, Bank of Guam has stood out, securing awards in several categories, according to a press release from the bank.

This years competition saw entries from various organizations, ranging from large multinational corporations to individual creative professionals and is judged by a panel of industry veterans.

Bank of Guam has been honored for the following campaigns:

Rebuild Stronger Every Day

This campaign includes all forms of communication from press releases, advertisements, and other deliverables developed in response to and during the aftermath of Typhoon Mawar.

Platinum in Integrated Marketing

Platinum in Crisis Communications/Response

Platinum in Crisis Communications/Public Relations Program

A Vision from the Past. A Plan for the Future. (2022 Year in Review)

The Banks annual report highlighting 2022s performance and events from the BankGuam Holding Company, to include Bank of Guam, BankGuam Insurance, ASC Trust, and BG Investment Services.

The theme of this award-winning report was based on the memoir, Jesus in Little America, written by Bank of Guam founder, Jesus S. Leon Guerrero.

Gold in Annual Report

Hagatna City Run & Block Party

This communications campaign worked to promote the Hagata City Run & Block Party, an event that helped raise funds for local non-profit organization, Guam Cancer Care.

This campaign included advertising materials, public relations engagements, and other communications.

Gold in Communications Public Relations

Proud to Be Locally Owned

This multi-channel advertising campaign, launched during Super Bowl LVII, was an initiative to put a spotlight on local, game-changing small business owners.

The campaign was a mosaic of inspiring stories, each told through a series of visual vignettes, capturing what it means to be a small business owner. These entrepreneurs, in their own authentic words, shared reflections on the challenges and triumphs theyve experienced.

Honorable Mention in Integrated Marketing

The Bank has been a longtime champion of local talent and artists and we have been fortunate enough to work alongside so many within our community. Much of what we are being recognized for is a direct result of that collaboration and shared passion for our People and the commitment we have to sharing their stories, said Lesley-Anne Leon Guerrero, Bank of Guam senior vice president and chief experience officer.

Bank of Guam President & CEO Joaquin P.L.G. Cook said these wins are a huge testament to our teams passion to developing campaigns and communications that genuinely connect with our people.

These accolades inspire us to continue our pursuit of excellence in brand, marketing, and communications, while always striving to engage with our audience in meaningful ways, Cook said.

The MarCom Awards, sponsored and judged by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals, is one of the worlds oldest, largest, and most-respected creative competitions.

Winning a MarCom Award is a prestigious honor, reflecting peer recognition from the creative industry.

Bank of Guams success in this competitive arena underscores its dedication to not only providing exceptional financial services but also to crafting meaningful and effective communications that resonate with its community and beyond.
A man was arrested and charged after allegedly stealing a truck in July and trying to hit a police patrol car with it in December.

Mesemwan Repwak, 30, was charged with theft of a motor vehicle as a second-degree felony.

Repwak took off with another persons gray, four-door 2020 Nissan Frontier at around 11 a.m. on July 7, 2023, while it was parked at Hanna Mart in Tamuning, according to a magistrates complaint.

The victim told the Guam Police Department that he parked his truck at about 10:58 a.m. to buy items from the store and use the restroom, only to find out the truck was missing when he exited the store.

Police reviewed surveillance footage and saw the vehicle leaving at 11:02 a.m. that day.

Five months later or at about 1 a.m. on Dec. 28, while conducting a roving driving with influence enforcement, police officers noticed a black Nissan Frontier with a temporary license plate to be swerving from the inner to the middle south-bound lanes, court documents said.

When officers tried to conduct a traffic stop, the vehicle abruptly turned left, crossed the median lane, and motored directly toward a police officers patrol vehicle.

The officer made an abrupt left turn to avoid colliding with the vehicle.

The vehicle came to a stop in a parking lot of an abandoned building and a man, identified as Repwak, stepped out of the vehicle, court documents said.

As Repwak stepped out of the vehicle, officers observed him trying to conceal an object in his right hand and throw a black handgun into the passenger side of the vehicle.

Officers instructed Repwak and two passengers to lay on the ground but they refused to comply.

Officers called for backup. One of them drew his weapon and instructed the three to lay on the ground and the three again didnt comply.

Another officer arrived at the scene to assist and was told about the firearms within the vehicle.

At that point, officers discovered the license plate belonging to the one stolen in July was inside the vehicle and verified the VIN affixed to it, which reviewed to be stolen.
The bodies of 15 people were removed from under the rubble of the storage facility in Kyiv's Shevchenkivsky district, which was attacked by Russia on December 29, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko has said.

"We have already 15 people killed as a result of the attack on the capital on December 29. The bodies of two more deceased people have been removed from under the rubble of the storage facility in Shevchenkivsky district. Rescuers continue to remove the debris," he said on the Telegram channel on Saturday.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP)  New oil and natural gas leasing will be prohibited on state land surrounding Chaco Culture National Historical Park, an area sacred to Native Americans, for the next 20 years under an executive order by New Mexico Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard.

Wednesdays order extends a temporary moratorium that she put in place when she took office in 2019. It covers more than 113 square miles (293 square kilometers) of state trust land in what is a sprawling checkerboard of private, state, federal and tribal holdings in northwestern New Mexico.

The U.S. government last year adopted its own 20-year moratorium on new oil, gas and mineral leasing around Chaco, following a push by pueblos and other Southwestern tribal nations that have cultural ties to the high desert region.

Garcia Richard said during a virtual meeting Thursday with Native American leaders and advocates that the goal is to stop the encroachment of development on Chaco and the tens of thousands of acres beyond the parks boundaries that have yet to be surveyed.

The greater Chaco landscape is one of the most special places in the world, and it would be foolish not to do everything in our power to protect it, she said in a statement following the meeting.

Cordelia Hooee, the lieutenant governor of Zuni Pueblo, called it a historic day. She said tribal leaders throughout the region continue to pray for more permanent protections through congressional action.

Chaco Canyon and the greater Chaco region play an important role in the history, religion and culture of the Zuni people and other pueblo people as well, she said. Our shared cultural landscapes must be protected into perpetuity, for our survival as Indigenous people is tied to them.

The tribal significance of Chaco is evident in songs, prayers and oral histories, and pueblo leaders said some people still make pilgrimages to the area, which includes desert plains, rolling hills dotted with pinon and juniper and sandstone canyons carved by eons of wind and water erosion.

A World Heritage site, Chaco Culture National Historical Park is thought to be the center of what was once a hub of Indigenous civilization. Within park boundaries are the towering remains of stone structures built centuries ago by the regions first inhabitants, and ancient roads and related sites are scattered further out.

The executive order follows a tribal summit in Washington last week at which federal officials vowed to continue consultation efforts to ensure Native American leaders have more of a seat at the table when land management decisions affect culturally significant areas. New guidance for federal agencies also was recently published to help with the effort.

The New Mexico State Land Office is not required to have formal consultations with tribes, but agency officials said they have been working with tribal leaders over the last five years and hope to craft a formal policy that can be used by future administrations.

The pueblos recently completed an ethnographic study of the region for the U.S. Interior Department that they hope can be used for decision-making at the federal level.

__

By SUSAN MONTOYA BRYAN Associated Press




Haiti - FLASH : Warrants to bring against Jude Celestin, former DG of the National Equipment Center and the current DG





Jude Celestin, former Director General of the National Equipment Center (CNE) and former candidate for the Presidency (2010 - 2016) and Kineton Louis, the current director of the CNE, are under an arrest warrant to bring issued by the investigating judge near the civil court of Port-au-Prince, Al Duniel Sunday, for not having shown up to the previous invitations.



Jude Celestion according to the warrant issued by Judge Dimanche is accused of complicity in embezzlement of public property while the current Director General of CEN, he is accused of complicity in corruption and usurpation of office.



"It is requested and ordered to all bailiffs and agents of the Public Force, upon this request, to put this mandate into execution before the Government Commissioners at the Courts of First Instance, and to hold their hands there. Likewise, all commanders and officers of the Public Force are required to lend a hand when legally required," specifies the mandates.



Let's remember that these mandates follow investigation reports from the Anti-Corruption Unit (ULCC) transmitted to the courts, following a set of information relayed within the company, concerning abusive use for purposes privately owned heavy machinery belonging to the State.



Reacting to this mandate, Jude Celestin claims to have never received an invitation from judge Dimanche, emphasizing that he has a fixed and known address and says he is ready to answer the magistrate's questions.



SL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - NOTICE Diaspora : Soup & Champagne for the 220th of Independence





As part of the 220th anniversary of Haiti's independence, (January 1st, 2024) in order to honor this historic event, preserve Haitian history and perpetuate the tradition, two Florida entrepreneurs present the 5th annual edition of "Soup and Champagne: All White Affair" at Miamis Cultural Hub. Tickets start at $100.



The festivities, hosted by Jones Pierre and "Haitian Pooh Bear" with other partners, will include performances by Joe Dwet File, Charlin Bato, Fridayy, T-Vice, Tony Mix.



Staying true to the theme, party-goers will be served complimentary joumou soup and champagne.



In past years, the event was held at the Ancien Spanish Montessori. "Our hope is with this change of scenery, the brands visibility will be elevated," declared Jones Pierre.



Tickets available online at : Soupandchampagne.com



HL/ HaitiLibre


















By William Schwartz | Published on 2023/12/29

The SBS Acting Awards were held in Seoul on the evening of December 29th in South Korea. "Payback" withdrew from consideration for the awards following the death of its lead actor Lee Sun-kyun. However, the surprise of this event still loomed over the evening, as was seen when Lee Je-hoon was given the Grand Acting Award alongside Kim Tae-ri. Lee Je-hoon was being honored for his work in "Taxi Driver 2" earlier this year.

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Lee Je-hoon claimed that he was so happy to be able to do "Taxi Driver 2" in the first place that he had difficulty even moving at the prospect of receiving an award for his efforts. Lee Je-hoon described the subject matter of "Taxi Driver 2" as heavy, dealing with revenge for various crime victims. However, Lee Je-hoon felt as if the work helped to lighten the load of the real-life victims on whom the various stories are based, and that this helped him to do his very best acting.

Lee Je-hoon also thanked the director, the screenwriter, his co-stars, and the staff of the drama for making the series possible, stating that he could not have come this far without them. Lee Je-hoon called out director Lee Dan for all the trouble she had during the production, thanking her from the bottom of his heart. Lee Je-hoon also stated that screenwriter Oh Sang-ho was the biggest reason the series could happen at all, and thanked him for that.

Lee Je-hoon also called Rainbow Taxi, the taxi company featured in "Taxi Driver 2" so prominently, his family and stated that he was happy being able to work alongside them. Lee Je-hoon also described the staff as memorable in their own roles. Finally Lee Je-hoon described the pain of recent days. Though he did not call Lee Sun-kyun out by name, he stated that watching that person walk his road was the role model behavior that allowed him to furnish a dream of becoming an actor.

Lee Je-hoon said that he wanted to give his award to that person, and stated that it would be good if he could be peaceful and happy in heaven. Lee Sun-kyun died on December 27th but will next appear in the feature films "Project Silence" and "The Land of Happiness" which completed filming back in 2021. Lee Je-hoon will next appear in "Chief Detective 1958" on MBC.

Written by William Schwartz




We're a family of seven living in Georgia where Andrew's working as a professor at GSU. You can read more about us here
The dire situation in Gaza has reached a critical point, with the United Nations Security Council demanding unimpeded access for humanitarian aid as of December 22, 2023.

In a poignant blog post, presidential candidate Pekka Haavisto addresses the escalating crisis in the Middle East, highlighting the urgent need for a ceasefire as the first step towards a two-state solution. Haavisto, drawing on his extensive experience in peace mediation, outlines a comprehensive seven-step plan aimed at resolving the long-standing conflict in the region.

Haavisto emphasizes that silencing weapons is imperative to facilitate this aid. His depiction of the current state in Gaza is grim, painting a picture of devastation and despair, particularly in the wake of Hamas' brutal attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in 1,200 deaths and 240 hostages.

The toll on Gaza's population has been catastrophic. Over 20,000 Gazans, predominantly women and children, have lost their lives in Israeli military operations. The displacement crisis is staggering, with 85% of Gaza's two million inhabitants forced to abandon their homes, many repeatedly due to ongoing conflicts. Despite the desperate need, humanitarian aid is not reaching those in need effectively, leaving a quarter of the Gazan population on the brink of starvation.

Haavisto's blog post goes beyond the immediate ceasefire and release of hostages. He insists on the cessation of violence in the West Bank as a crucial component of the Middle East solution. He warns of the potential for regional escalation, citing the activities of Iran-backed groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthi rebels in North Yemen, who have targeted maritime traffic in the Red Sea area.

The proposed solution calls for international cooperation, with countries like Egypt and Qatar already offering diplomatic assistance to broker a ceasefire and resolve the hostage crisis. Haavisto's seven elements for advancing towards a two-state model emphasize the need for committed and credible negotiating parties, confidence-building measures, a structured peace process, peacekeeping forces in Gaza, widespread recognition of a Palestinian state, and a thorough investigation into war crimes committed by all involved parties.

In his concluding remarks, Haavisto reaffirms that peace is a matter of will, not just in the Middle East but globally. He urges the international community, including Finland, to pave the way for a sustainable peace solution in the region.

HT
Russia may need five to ten years to rebuild cohort of highly trained, experienced military units  UK intelligence

During the course of 2023, the average daily number of Russian casualties (killed and wounded) in Ukraine has risen by almost 300 per day compared to 2022, the UK Ministry of Defense has said in its defense intelligence update on X Social Network on Saturday.

"The increase in daily averages, as reported by the Ukrainian authorities, almost certainly reflects the degradation of Russias forces and its transition to a lower quality, high quantity mass army since the 'partial mobilisation' of reservists in September 2022," it said.

According to the UK Defense Intelligence, it will likely take Russia five to ten years to rebuild a cohort of highly trained and experienced military units.

"If casualties continue at the current rate through the next year, by 2025 Russia will have sustained over half a million personnel killed and wounded over three years of war. This is compared to the Soviet Unions 70,000 casualties in the nine-year Soviet-Afghan War," it said.
The owner of one of the major alcohol holdings in Ukraine, Yevhen Cherniak, who is suspected of financing Russia's armed aggression, denies the accusations.

"Briefly to the point. Sanctions have been in force against Global Spirits in Russia since 2014. The company could not have any assets there. The license was revoked on February 24, no one looked at the losses, no one will work with the murderers of Ukrainians. This is the base. All Ukrainian companies terminated their licenses using the same procedure," he said on Facebook on Saturday.

According to the businessman, the company won a court case in Cyprus and prohibited by a court decision of the European Court to use its trademarks in any form, in addition, it legally securing the revocation of the license.

"The documents in the case are not about paying taxes in the Russian Federation, but about certain enterprises in Central Asia, Sakartvelo, and Azerbaijan. I was not and am not now the owner or official of these enterprises, I have never rented them, no one from the company's management is an official or beneficiary of the companies and factories specified in the case and, accordingly, could not buy or sell anything. Blaming them for this is complete absurdity," Cherniak said.

"It is also unclear how the enterprises mentioned in the case could pay taxes in the Russian Federation if they are located not in the Russian Federation, but in the indicated countries; they could not pay taxes to the budget of another country," he said.

The businessman said that the company is the largest taxpayer in the industry, and also provided significant assistance to the front.

Cherniak also said neither he nor the company in which he is the founder "violated anything, but like many Ukrainian businesses, we have a situation that, I really hope, is a mistake, and not an attempt to put pressure on the business for the purpose of raiding attacks on the market leader."

"I am open, ready to answer any questions about the case, I am not hiding anywhere, just as none of the company's people are hiding, everyone is ready for explanations in order to dispel this legal insanity that they are trying to accuse them of," he said.

Earlier, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said that law enforcement officers reported suspicion to Cherniak and six top managers of his companies. They are suspected of financing the armed aggression of the Russian Federation.
Airplane manufacturer Boeing has issued advisory for airlines to inspect their B737 Max fleet following the discovery of bolt with missing nut during routine maintenance by an international operator. A Boeing 737 MAX(REUTERS)

In a statement released on Friday, Boeing assured that the identified issue on the specific airplane has been promptly addressed.

Wrap up the year gone by & gear up for 2024 with HT! Click here

Also read: Air India's first wide-body Airbus A350 has arrived: Check out cabin interiors pics

Three Indian airlinesAkasa Air, SpiceJet, and Air India Expressoperate B737 Max planes in their fleets.

"We have been made aware of this issue by Boeing. Like all operators around the world, and in accordance with our highest standards of safety, Akasa will be following the same checks and procedures that the manufacturer or regulator recommends," an Akasa Air spokesperson said in a statement on Saturday.

The airline further added, "Our operating fleet and deliveries are not impacted so far."

Also read: Tata-Boeing Aerospace delivers 250th made-in-India AH-64 Apache fuselage

On Thursday, the US aviation regulator, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), released a statement saying it is closely monitoring targeted inspections to look for a possible loose bolt in the rudder control system.

The FAA said that Boeing has issued a Multi-Operator Message, advising operators of newer single-aisle aeroplanes to inspect specific tie rods responsible for rudder movement, looking for potential issues with loose hardware.

The agency is asking the airlines to work through their approved Safety Management Systems to identify whether any loose hardware has been detected previously and to provide the agency with details on how quickly these two-hour inspections can be completed, FAAs statement added.

The nut was found during regular maintenance on a part of the rudder control. Boeing also found another new plane with a nut not properly tightened, according to the FAA.

(Inputs from PTI)
Gujarat minister Rushikesh Patel on Thursday said his government was "very hopeful" that Elon Musk-led Tesla will choose the state to set up a plant and informed communication was on with the firm in this regard. A Tesla logo is seen outside a showroom of the carmaker in Beijing, China.(REUTERS)

Patel was responding to queries based on news reports suggesting that the US-based electric vehicle maker was planning to set up a manufacturing plant in Gujarat.

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"The state government is very hopeful of Tesla coming to Gujarat. Even Elon Musk is looking at Gujarat as his first choice. Gujarat is in his mind ever since he began a survey in India to find a suitable location to set up the plant," said Patel, who is health minister and spokesperson of the state government.

Also read: Teslas first EV factory in Gujarat? Announcement likely during this event

"Perhaps, very soon, an official announcement will be made in this regard (Tesla's entry. Let us hope Tesla comes to Gujarat. We will definitely welcome it and provide all necessary support, just like we gave Tata, Ford and Suzuki in the past," Patel told reporters in Gandhinagar.

Patel said communication (with Tesla) was on and this may be the reason such news (of firm planning factory in the state) was published.

Notably, Elon Musk, chief of the world's largest electric car producer Tesla Inc, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June in New York. Musk, after meeting the Prime Minister, had said he plans to visit India in 2024.

Also read- Blood trail on floor: Was Tesla factory engineer attacked by robot in 2021?

In September, Gujarat's Additional Chief Secretary (Industries and Mines Department) S J Haider said the Centre is in touch with Tesla to consider setting up a manufacturing facility in India.

He had said Gujarat will approach the company at an appropriate time to ensure the state has a significant role in the future plans.

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal had recently said Tesla is looking to source components worth around USD 1.9 billion from India this year against USD 1 billion last year.
Almost 120 cities and villages were affected by Russia's massive missile attack on Friday, December 29, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said.

"A total of 159 people were injured in the terrorist attack. Regrettably, as of the moment, this number includes 39 killed people. My condolences to their families and friends. All those who sustained injuries and traumas received necessary aid," he said on the Telegram channel.

The head of state thanked the State Emergency Service, employees of municipal enterprises, police and everyone who rendered help on the spots.

"I am particularly grateful to all world leaders, politicians and public activists who condemned this attack. I am grateful to journalists in many countries who support our people and tell the truth about the Russian evil and our defense. Weapons in the hands of Ukrainians always mean the protection of life, and every manifestation of Russian terror again and again proves that assistance to fighters against the terror should not be delayed. We all must defeat this terror," the president said.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved the release of the second tranche worth USD 337 million to Sri Lanka earlier this month. HT Image

Weerasinghe was responding to queries if the island nation was open to renegotiating the terms of the four-year programme on the back of claims by opposition parties that they would renegotiate conditions for the IMF's USD 2.9 billion bailout package.

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There is no alternative. The fact that we attempted alternatives was why we are here (bankruptcy) now, Weerasinghe told reporters on Friday.

We have to go in the same path, say, if the period of debt restructuring allowed is 10 years  if they (opposition) want to change it, the creditors can say, we dont support this anymore. If we were to leave the programme, we will have to pay USD 6 billion a year in repayments, Weerasinghe said.

Weerasinghe was repeating what President Wickremesinghe said on December 17. There was no alternative to the IMF programme for the cash-strapped island nation to get out of its economic bankruptcy, Wickremesinghe, who is also the Finance Minister, said as he responded to the strong criticism from the opposition to the reforms.

The main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has vowed to renegotiate the IMF bailout claiming that the conditions attached to it that were agreed by the president had heaped economic hardships on people.

As the finance minister, Wickremesinghe was the lead in the IMF negotiations and introduced tough economic reforms such as increasing personal taxes and high utility tariffs.

Further, a higher Value Added Tax net is coming into effect from January 2024 even covering items, such as fuel, which had been VAT-free.

Wickremesinghe insists that his method which brought in the IMF bailout was the only method to bring long-term relief although it will cause short-term hardships.

Weerasinghe, the central bank chief, said renegotiating does happen under each review of the IMF. There was renegotiation after the first review and it will be reviewed at the time of the second review too, he said.

It was important to maintain the IMF programme to receive international support to solve the crisis, Weerasinghe said regarding the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) support the islands economy had received since inking the IMF deal.

After it was hit by its worst economic crisis in history in 2022 when its foreign exchange reserves fell to a critical low, Sri Lanka went in for what the World Bank described as foundational reforms to restore macroeconomic stability and mitigate the impacts on the poor and vulnerable aided by private sector-led recovery.
In good news for flyers, Air India Express has announced direct flights between Ayodhya, Bengaluru as well as Kolkata from January 17. Mass and public transport between the holy city and various others in India is being established across mediums rapidly ahead of the much anticipated Lord Shri Ram temple's consecration ceremony on January 22. The airline had recently also announced the launch of direct flights between Ayodhya and Delhi. (Representative Image)

The airline had recently also announced the launch of direct flights between Ayodhya and Delhi.

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ALSO READ | Bengaluru: 250 passengers fume after 14 hr delay in Mumbai-bound flight - Report

Flights on the Bengaluru-Ayodhya and Kolkata-Ayodhya routes will be launched on January 17. The carrier will operate its inaugural flights between Ayodhya and Delhi on Saturday, alongside the inauguration of the Maharishi Valmiki International Airport Ayodhya Dham, A press release from the airline said.

Air India Express Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), Ankur Garg, spoke to news agency PTI about the launch of the additional flights, and said, As pivotal hubs in our network, Bengaluru and Kolkata will serve as gateways to Ayodhya, providing pilgrims from South India and Eastern India with convenient one-stop itineraries.

ALSO READ | Akasa Air to launch daily flights between Bengaluru and Port Blair via Chennai from December 15

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the temple town on Saturday morning to inaugurate the Maharishi Valmiki International Airport there, aprat from which he also launched the redeveloped Ayodhya railway station, flagged off two Amrit Bharat and six Vande Bharat trains, and inaugurated developmental projects worth 15,700 crore.

(With inputs from PTI)
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday directed officials concerned to formulate a 1,000 crore action plan for the development of minority colonies. Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah (PTI)

The Chief Minister issued the direction while reviewing the progress of Minority Welfare and Housing Departments today.

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He instructed that the areas with sizeable minority population be identified, and allocation of grants be made, during the preparation of the action plan.

ALSO READ | Karnataka CM seeks proposal on funds to complete 52000 houses under Rajiv Gandhi Housing Scheme

Siddaramaiah said in the wake of the suspension of the scholarship given by the central government to the minority students, the state government has decided to bear the cost and disburse scholarship to 6.4 lakh students.

Pointing out that 60 crore has been allocated in the budget, he said instruction has been given to officials to arrange additional 40 crores by redistributing the funds available in the Minority Welfare department.

A huge number of applications have been received online for various schemes meant for minorities and it has been decided to provide more grants for the same next year, he added.

ALSO READ | Mega job fair in last week of January; Group of ministers to be formed: CM Siddaramaiah

Noting that construction of 1.31 lakh houses out of 3 lakh houses has been completed so far in the current year under various schemes, the Chief Minister, who also reviewed the Housing department, directed officials to complete work on 1.6 lakh houses by March.

Housing, Minority Welfare and Haj Minister B. Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan and other officials were present at the meeting.
In a bizarre and shocking incident, a 42-year-old woman, who was headmistress of a government school in Chikkaballapura district of Karnataka, was seen in a romantic photoshoot with a student while on an excursion, which evoked sharp reactions and led to her suspension from the position. The pictures of the photoshoot, in which the student is seen kissing the headmistress on the cheeks, pulling her saree and even lifting her in his arms, have gone viral on the internet recently. (Reuters/Representative Image)

ALSO READ | Karnataka woman paraded naked, tied to electric pole after son elopes with girl

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The woman was the headmistress of the Government High School in Murugamalla village of Chintamani taluk in Chikkaballapura district, reported news agency ANI. She has been suspended by authorities pending an inquiry for allegedly behaving inappropriately with a student during the recent school trip, officials told the agency.

The pictures of the photoshoot, in which the student is seen kissing the headmistress on the cheeks, pulling her saree and even lifting her in his arms, have gone viral on the internet recently. The headmistress is also seen posing romantically with the student while holding a flower.

ALSO READ | Let MLA Yatnal submit documents of Covid scam during BJP govt before enquiry commission: Siddaramaiah

Students were taken on an educational tour to Horanadu, Dharmasthala, Yana and some other places between December 22 and 25. This is when the incident reportedly took place. After initial probe by education authorities, it was revealed that only the headmistress, the student and one other student, who allegedly took the controversial photos, knew of the matter.

After the photos sparked controversy, the district education officer from Chintamani, Umadevi, paid a visit to the government high school and interrogated all those who had gone on the excursion, including teachers, students and kitchen staff, about the matter.

ALSO READ | 10-year-old girl drowns in pool at Bengaluru apartment complex; electrocution suspected

"The photos that went viral were taken by another student. Barring the two students and the headmistress, no other staffer or student was aware of the incident," she told media.

The Block Education Officer (BEO) then recommended the headmistress' suspension from service.

(With inputs from ANI)
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday said he has returned to the city after completing his 10-day Vipassana meditation session in Punjab's Hoshiarpur district and will now start serving people again. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal (HT File)

The AAP leader faces a summons issued by the Enforcement Directorate to appear for questioning on January 3 in an excise policy-linked money laundering case.

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Kejriwal arrived at the Dhamma Dhaja Vipassana Centre (DDVC) located at Anandgarh, around 11 kilometres from Hoshiarpur, on December 20.

"Returned today after 10 days of Vipassana meditation. This sadhana gives immense peace. From today onwards, we will again start serving the public with new energy. Good luck to all," he said in a post in Hindi on 'X'.

Before he departed from the meditation centre, Kejriwal was honoured by Gautam Lal, trustee of the DDVC, who also presented him with a set of books. It was for the first time that the AAP national convener practised Vipassana in Punjab. In the past, he visited Jaipur, Nagpur, Dharamkot and Bengaluru for this.

Vipassana is an ancient Indian meditation method for self-transformation through self-observation, focusing on the profound interconnection between the mind and body.

During the meditation retreat, Kejriwal had to adhere to the centre's regulations, which include abstaining from the use of mobile phones, internet, television and newspapers. The stringent daily routine began at 4 am and concluded at 9:30 pm. The meals consist of simple food, with no meal permitted after midday, a spokesperson of the DDVC said.
Bengaluru Police on Saturday said they have gathered CCTV footage and recorded statements of the witnesses in connection with the death of a nine-year-old girl and are waiting for post-mortem and technical reports to ascertain the exact cause of her demise amid speculation of electrocution. Police probing death of girl at apartment await reports to ascertain cause

Two days ago, Manya Damerla was found dead under mysterious circumstances in the swimming pool of Prestige Lakeside Habitat apartment complex off Varthur-Gunjur Road in Bengaluru's tech corridor where she lived with her parents.

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Also Read - 10-year-old girl drowns in pool at Bengaluru apartment complex; electrocution suspected

Residents of the apartment alleged that the girl accidentally fell into the swimming pool after coming into contact with a live wire dangling from a pole near the pool.

"The post-mortem was conducted and we are awaiting the report. Once we receive reports from the Forensic department and the electrical engineer, we would be able to ascertain the exact cause of death-whether it was drowning or electrocution. There were no visible injuries marks on the body, but since there are allegations of an electric shock, it's important that we verify these claims from all angles," a senior police officer said.

"We are also awaiting the histopathology report which will help us ascertain if there was electrocution. Because in case, there is electrocution, there would be some histopathological changes which could be used as supporting evidence in giving the cause of death in such cases," he said.

The police have also scanned through CCTV footage and recorded statements of parents and witnesses as well as other residents of the apartment as part of the investigation.

Meanwhile, following the incident, the Prestige group issued a statement assuring they were actively cooperating with the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation to prevent such incidents in future.

"We deeply regret the tragic incident at Prestige Lakeside Habitat. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family affected by this devastating loss. Safety is our utmost priority, and we are actively cooperating with the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation to prevent such incidents in the future. We are committed to implementing any necessary measures to prevent such incidents in the future," it said.

In his complaint, the victim's father Rajesh Kumar Damerla, an entrepreneur-cum-founding chief executive officer of a digital content-creation platform, said he suspected that his daughter drowned after she accidentally fell into the swimming pool around 7.30 pm on Thursday, police said.

The girl was rushed to a nearby hospital where she was declared brought dead, he said.

After the post-mortem, the body was handed over to the victim's parents, who travelled to their native place in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, to conduct the final rites.

Manya, who has been remembered by the residents as a very lively and enthusiastic girl, was the only child of her parents. The incident also led to outrage among residents who staged a protest along with the victim's parents and demanded strict action against those responsible.

Charulatha, who has been staying as a tenant at the apartment for the last over two years, said her 10-year-old daughter was also playing with Manya when the incident happened.

"My daughter, Manya along with some other children were playing cops and robbers near the swimming pool area. Manya happened to run into the shallow part of the pool and fell inside the pool. Initially, these children thought she was acting but then they saw her body was shaking...They screamed for help but fearing electric shock, no one entered the water until the MCB was switched off," she told PTI.

"Some people tried to rescue her using wooden sticks but the entire rescue process took a lot of time though there was a prompt response from the building association. However, some children had complained about electric shock to their parents just a day before the incident but the matter was not taken up seriously," she claimed.

Another resident, Preeti Kumari took to micro-blogging site 'X' and claimed several residents complained about electric shocks in the apartment premises since May but nothing was done to fix it. She claimed that even her 15-month-old daughter had received a shock while she was playing in the children's area.

Since the mishap, children have been kept indoors fearing any such untoward incident and the area near the swimming pool has been sealed as part of the probe.

MLA of Mahadevapura Assembly constituency, Manjula Aravind Limbavali, who visited the spot on Friday instructed BESCOM officials to take appropriate action against the culprits and ensure proper steps to prevent such incidents in future following allegations of death due to electrocution.

Taking to 'X', the MLA tweeted, "Visited Prestige Lake Side Habitat Apartment in Varthur Ward, Gunjur Village of Mahadevapura Assembly constituency, where a girl died Thursday night in the swimming pool of the apartment and obtained information from the local residents about the incident."

"Locals said that the accident happened due to an electric shock, so discussed with BESCOM officials and instructed them to take appropriate action against the culprits and ensure proper action to prevent such accidents in the future. At the same time, instructed the police officials to conduct a detailed investigation of the incident and provide justice to the girl's family," she further said.
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday said he has returned to the city after completing his 10-day vipassana meditation session in Hoshiarpur district. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal (PTI)

Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann was in the city to receive Kejriwal and a chopper was kept ready at the Police Recruits Training Centre, Jahan Khelan, situated near the meditation centre, to carry both the CMs to Adampur airport from where Kejriwal was to fly back to Delhi. But the dense fog disrupted their schedule and both the CMs left via road around noon.

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The AAP supremo faces a summons issued by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to appear for questioning on January 3 in an excise policy-linked money laundering case.

Kejriwal arrived at the Dhamma Dhaja Vipassana Centre (DDVC) located at Anandgarh, around 11 kilometres from Hoshiarpur, on December 20.

Returned today after 10 days of Vipassana meditation. This sadhana gives immense peace. From today onwards, we will again start serving the public with new energy. Good luck to all, he said in a post in Hindi on X.

Before he departed from the meditation centre, Kejriwal was honoured by Gautam Lal, trustee of the DDVC, who also presented him with a set of books. It was for the first time that the AAP national convener practised vipassana in Punjab. In the past, he visited Jaipur, Nagpur, Dharamkot and Bengaluru for this.

Vipassana is an ancient Indian meditation method. During the meditation retreat, Kejriwal had to adhere to the centres regulations, which include abstaining from the use of mobile phones, internet, television and newspapers. The stringent daily routine began at 4 am and concluded at 9:30 pm. The meals consist of simple food, with no meal permitted after midday, a spokesperson of the DDVC said.
An e-rickshaw driver died in west Delhi's Mayapuri area on Saturday after his vehicle was hit by a car driven by a Delhi Police officer, officials said. After the accident, local people protested outside the Mayapuri police station and blocked the road, demanding action against the officer, they said. E-rickshaw driver dies after Delhi police officer's car hits vehicle(REPRESENTATIVE PIC)

According to a police official, Amit Jha of Sagarpur was critically injured in the crash and admitted to the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, where he died during treatment.

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Also read: FIR lodged in Israel embassy blast incident in Delhi

A case was registered under IPC sections 279 (rash driving), 337 (causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) and 304A (causing death by negligence) against the police officer.

He has undergone a medical examination and further action is being taken, police said.
Mumbai, Dec 30 (PTI) As part of their preparations for the Lok Sabha elections, the ruling Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra will hold joint meetings of workers on January 14, state BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule said on Saturday. HT Image

The Mahayuti alliance comprises the Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction).

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Bawankule was addressing the state BJP executive meeting here.

He said joint meetings of the workers of the three parties will be held in each district on January 14 as part of their preparations for next years Lok Sabha polls.

Maharashtra has 48 Lok Sabha seats, the second-highest number after 80 in Uttar Pradesh.

The BJP and Shiv Sena (undivided) had contested 41 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra in the 2019 elections, and won 23 and 18, respectively. While NCP under Sharad Pawar bagged four seats, the Congress and AIMIM won one each, with the remaining seat going to an independent candidate.

The political equations, however, changed after the elections. First, the Shiv Sena under Uddhav Thackeray snapped its alliance with the BJP and joined hands with the Congress and NCP to form the Maha Vikas Aghadi government.

The Shiv Sena split and the MVA government fell after Shinde rebelled against Thackeray and aligned with the BJP to become the chief minister last year. In July this year, an NCP faction under Ajit Pawar joined the government.
PATNA: A 17-year-old boy was allegedly abducted at gunpoint and forced to marry a 14-year-old girl at Dhurgaon village falling under Bharrahi police station limits in Bihars Madhepura district, his father alleged in a police complaint. The incident took place on December 26. The boy was abducted along with his cousin when they were on the way to attend a fair located at Dhurgaon Tola. Police say that pakadua vivah or forced marriage is a regular occurrence in the region and such cases were reported mainly from Munger, Nawada, Khagaria and Begusarai districts. (Representative Image)

In the police complaint, the boys father Sanjay Yadav, a farmer from Bakhri, alleged that his son was waylaid by eight persons including Mahesh Yadav, Mithu Kumar and Amar Kumar. They abducted his son and nephew at gunpoint and took them to Maheshs house, he alleged.

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It comes barely a month after the Patna high court set aside a 10-year-old forced marriage  called pakadwa vivah in local parlance  on account of the ritual of saat phere or seven vows around sacred fire not being completed, as required under the provisions of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955.

The matter came to light when my nephew returned home on December 28 after being released from the clutches of the abductor. He informed that his cousin tied the nuptial knot with a girl and also showed pictures about the forced marriage, said Sanjay, adding that the named accused tied the boy with ropes, snatched his cell phone and knotted with a 14-year-old girl.

Later Sanjay approached the nearby police station. The station house officer (SHO) of Bharrahi police out-post Manoj Kumar Bachchan said that police have received an application from a farmer Sanjay Yadav. Police are investigating the matter and action will be taken against the culprits according to law, he added.

Police say that pakadua vivah or forced marriage is a regular occurrence in the region. Earlier on November 29, 22-year-old Gautam Kumar, a teacher at an upgraded middle school at Repura in Vaishali district, was allegedly kidnapped at gunpoint from school when on duty and forced to marry a girl at a nearby village.

Such cases were reported mainly from Munger, Nawada, Khagaria and Begusarai districts where prospective bridegrooms are kidnapped for marriage. According to the State Crime Records Bureau, 7,194 forced marriage cases were reported in the state from January to November 2020, 10,925 in 2019, 10,310 in 2018 and 8,972 in 2017.
Interfax-Ukraine has become the official representative of Dun & Bradstreet in the Ukrainian market

Interfax-Ukraine news agency has announced that it has signed a license agreement with Dun & Bradstreet (D&B), becoming its official representative in the Ukrainian market. This step symbolizes a new stage in the development of the Ukrainian business environment, as it opens up access to global resources for verifying and analyzing business information.

The main product of D&B available through Interfax-Ukraine is D&B Hoovers, an online database that allows users to search and verify information about companies around the world. This tool will become an indispensable assistant for those seeking to expand their business horizons.

Also in the arsenal of products are Business Information Reports, which offer an extended investigation of the activities of any company in the world.

Users of D&B and Interfax-Ukraine services will be able to check foreign partners and counterparties, build corporate relationships, minimize risks in terms of payments and contract performance, and search for potential clients and partners around the world. D&B also conducts investigations, aggregates data on counterparty payments, analyzes business statistics and calculates various indices, including fraud, bankruptcy, payment discipline, and financial stability.

D&B's business assessment ratings are considered a global benchmark for making decisions on cooperation. Due to the volume of orders and the well-established business procedure, D&B's services are affordable, and access to information has a user-friendly interface that simplifies data processing.

Oleksandr Martynenko, CEO of Interfax-Ukraine, said that cooperation with Dun & Bradstreet is an important step in the agency's development.

"We are proud to open the gateway to the global information services market for our clients. Our goal is to provide Ukrainian companies with up-to-date and accurate information that will help them grow and prosper in a globally competitive environment. The cooperation between Interfax-Ukraine and Dun & Bradstreet opens up new opportunities for Ukrainian companies seeking to expand their business internationally," he emphasized.

In his turn, Maksym Urakin, Deputy CEO of Interfax-Ukraine and Head of the Business Unit D&B-Interfax-Ukraine, emphasized the strategic importance of the partnership between Interfax-Ukraine and Dun & Bradstreet for Ukrainian business.

"Now, having access to D&B's global network of information, Ukrainian entrepreneurs will be able to significantly improve their competitiveness and reduce risks when searching for and screening partners around the world using the most advanced tools for business intelligence and strategic planning," said Urakin.

This cooperation, in his opinion, is also evidence of the growing interest of global corporations in the Ukrainian market, emphasizing the potential and opportunities that, despite the war, are opening up for investors in the context of business globalization and the prospects for rebuilding Ukraine.

Interfax-Ukraine, as the official representative of D&B in Ukraine, is ready to provide a full range of D&B services and products, including detailed business intelligence and analytics that will be useful to anyone seeking to make informed and balanced business decisions.

The company invites interested parties to discuss cooperation opportunities and demonstrate the system at their convenience, emphasizing its openness to new partnerships and readiness to support the development of the Ukrainian business environment in accordance with international standards.

"Interfax-Ukraine is an independent Ukrainian news agency that has been operating in the Ukrainian political and economic information market since 1992 and has gained a reputation as the most authoritative and competent provider of timely and objective information. The editorial office (headquarters) is located in Kyiv. "Interfax-Ukraine is not a part of any foreign media holdings. The owner of Interfax-Ukraine is Oleksandr Martynenko.
A bus carrying 57 passengers overturned in Maharashtras Tamhini Ghat near Pune, leaving two dead and 55 others injured, on early Saturday morning, police said. Police said the driver lost control of the bus near the ghar (HT Photo)

Police have identified both the deceased as women. A Pune-based firm organised the bus tour and was en route to Konkan from Pune.

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The sub-divisional police officer (SDPO Mangaon range), Nitinkumar Vijaysinh Pondkule, said when the bus reached the Tamhini Ghat between Mangaon and Pune early on Saturday morning, the driver lost control and the bus overturned in which two women passengers were killed.

The police are in the process of identifying the dead and other passengers, Raigad additional superintendent of police (ASP) Atul Zende said, adding that timely police response and assistance from local villagers helped them to rush the injured to the nearest hospital during golden hour.

The injured passengers have been admitted to the Upazila Hospital in Mangaon. The condition of others is stable, and we are continuously monitoring the situation, Zende added.

Meanwhile, traffic was disrupted for about two hours following the accident. The bus was later taken off the road using a crane.
Indian Navy will close the registration process for INCET 2023 on December 31, 2023. Candidates who want to apply for the posts can do it through the official website of Join Indian Navy at joinindiannavy.gov.in. The registration process was started on December 18, 2023. INCET 2023: Registration for 910 posts ends tomorrow

Through this recruitment drive a total of 910 posts will be filled which includes Chargeman, Senior Draughtsman and Tradesman Mate.

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Direct link to apply for INCET 2023

INCET 2023: How to apply

To apply online, candidates can follow the steps given below.

Visit the official website of Join Indian Navy at joinindiannavy.gov.in.

Click on Join Navy and a new drop down bo will appear where candidates will have to click on Ways to Join.

Move your cursor to Civilians and then on INCET 01/2023 link.

A new page will open where candidates can register themselves.

Once the registration is done candidates can fill the application form.

Make the payment of application fees and click on submit.

Download the page and keep a hard copy of the same for further need.

Candidates are required to pay a fee of 295/- through online mode by using the net banking or by using Visa/ Master/ RuPay Credit/ Debit Card/ UPI. SC/ ST/ PwBDs/ E-servicemen and women candidates are exempted from payment of fee. For more related details candidates can check the official website of Indian Navy.
West Bengal Police Recruitment Board, WBPRB has released WB Police Lady Constable 2023 written exam dates. The official notice for the same is available to candidates on the official website of WB Police at wbpolice.gov.in. WB Police Lady Constable 2023 written exam dates released at wbpolice.gov.in

As per the official notice, the date of Final Written Examination for recruitment to the post of Lady Constable in West Bengal Police  2023 has been scheduled on January 21, 2024.

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The admit card for the same will be available on the website of West Bengal Police Recruitment Board (https://prb.wb.gov.in) and West Bengal Police (https://wbpolice.gov.in) from January 10, 2023. The candidates shall have to produce the printout of their e-Admit cards at the allotted venues for appearing in the said examination with a proper and original proof of identity.

WB Police Lady Constable 2023 admit card: How to download

To download the admit card, candidates can follow the steps given below.

Visit the official website of WB Police at wbpolice.gov.in.

Click on WB Police Lady Constable 2023 admit card available on the home page.

A new page will open where candidates will have to enter the login details.

Click on submit and your admit card will be displayed on the screen.

Check the admit card and download the page.

Keep a hard copy of the same for further need.

This recruitment drive will fill up 1355 Lady Constable posts in the organisation. Those candidates who have qualified the preliminary exam followed by Physical Measurement Test and Physical Efficiency Test (PMT and PET) are eligible to appear for the written final test. For more related details candidates can check the official website of WB Police.

Official Notice Here
Are you an anime enthusiast ready to dive into a world of growth, friendship, and self-discovery? Well, get ready because "Bottom Tier Character Tomozaki" is back with its highly awaited Season 2! Here's all you need to know, starting with the release date and time. The release date for 'Bottom Tier Character Tomozaki' Season 2 Episode 1 is set for January 4, 2024, at 4 am JST.(X)

Bottom Tier Character Tomozaki Season 2 Episode 1 release date and time:

Bottom tier character Tomozaki 2nd stage episode 1 is all set to hit screens on Thursday, January 4, 2024, at 4 am JST. For fans outside Japan, here's the release time:

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PT: Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at 11 am

ET: Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at 2 pm

CET: Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at 8 pm

IST: Thursday, January 4, 2024, at 12:30 am

Where to watch Bottom Tier Character Tomozaki Season 2:

If you're in Japan, platforms like AT-X, Tokyo MX, and BS11 have got you covered. For international fans, Crunchyroll is your go-to platform.

Recap of the Bottom Tier Character Tomozaki Season 1:

In the first season, we followed Fumiya Tomozaki, a gaming genius with social struggles, forming a unique connection with Aoi Hinami, a gamer girl. The upcoming episode is likely to recap and reintroduce the characters after two years, with hints of Fumiya's new adventures in socializing.

Also Read | Winter 2024 anime season - All anime releases of January and where to watch them

What to expect from Bottom Tier Character Tomozaki Season 2:

Season 2 promises to delve deeper into Fumiya's journey, possibly focusing on his new part-time job and the challenges it brings. Brace yourself for more heartwarming moments and character development.

Plot of Bottom Tier Character Tomozaki:

"Bottom Tier Character Tomozaki" revolves around Fumiya Tomozaki, a gamer excelling in virtual life but lacking social skills in reality. With the help of Aoi Hinami, they navigate the complexities of social interactions, embarking on a journey of self-discovery and friendship.
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], December 30 (ANI): Soha Ali Khan, along with her husband Kunal Kemmu and their daughter Inaaya, is currently enjoying her holiday in Australia. Soha Ali Khan with Inaaya.

On Saturday, Soha shared a picture with her daughter while soaking up the sun. She wrote in the caption, "Girls just wanna have sun."

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https://www.instagram.com/p/C1dsAKYic7A/?hl=en

Soha wore a purple crop top with denim shorts and a white jacket.

While little Inaaya wore a purple furry jacket with black pants.

The mother-daughter duo can seen smiling while posing for the camera on the beach.

As soon as the actor uploaded the picture, fans and followers chimed in the comment section.

Soha's sister Saba Pataudi wrote, "Beach bums beautiful."

One of the users wrote, "Cuteness overloaded.

Another user commented, "Cutie pie."

Soha Ali Khan and Kunal Kemmu got married in 2015 and welcomed their daughter Inaaya in 2017.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Kunal will be soon making his directorial debut with the upcoming film 'Madgaon Express'.The film is headlined by Pratik Gandhi, Avinash Tiwari, Nora Fatehi and Divyendu. The film is said to be a comedy-drama. The official release date of the film is still awaited.

Soha was last seen in the web series 'Hush Hush' alongside Juhi Chawla, Kritika Kamra and Karishma Tanna. (ANI)
Actor Richa Chadha criticised online travel company MakeMyTrip and airline Air India over their services. Taking to X (formerly known as Twitter) on Saturday, Richa said she hopes that the companies 'endure more losses than they have in all of their collective histories'. She also called them 'saste (cheap) cheats' and asked her fans as well as followers to avoid the 'scamsters'. (Also Read | When Richa Chadha recalled her reaction on being asked to text an actor for a date: But he is married) Actor Richa Chadha was recently seen in the film Fukrey 3.

Richa Chadha slams MakeMyTrip, Air India

Richa tweeted, "SCAM ALERT! @makemytrip @airindia Perhaps the best way for substandard airlines to make a quick buck is to cancel flights without intimation, or change timings so you miss your connections! With the collusion of so-called convenient flight booking portals like @makemytrip."

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She also tweeted, Thakela (worthless) customer service at MakeMyTrip will ensure theres no option for you to claim a refund, try it! If they owe you money, your booking id will 'not exist'! Rude customer care chicks at Air India will ensure your business class fare is pocketed, wont even apologise for changing timings last minute or being arrogant!

The actor also wrote, "Do yourself a favour, avoid these 2 SCAMSTERS in 2024! I hope your companies endure more losses than you have in all of your collective histories, saste (cheap) cheats! (Pinched fingers emoji) #BlacklistAirIndia #BanMakemytrip."

MakeMyTrip responds

Responding to Richa, MakeMyTrip tweeted, Hi, regret for any inconvenience caused. We request you to kindly share your booking ID via DM so that we can resolve your concern at earliest----Diksha https://twitter.com/messages/compose?recipient_id=67537455 - - Diksha.

Richa reacts

The actor said, "You regret nothing, I have deleted your sasta (cheap) app from my phone. Requesting all my followers to create employment in India. Go back to your trusted travel agents, these guys are crooks. Go bankrupt yourself somewhere (pinched fingers emoji)."

When an X user asked Richa to use another travel company, she said, "More thakela (worthless) is loss making mammoth @airindia! They dont even have a human team handling their Twitter account. Just bots."

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Siddhant Chaturvedi's Netflix film Kho Gaye Hum Kahan was released recently. The actor, who has been busy with the film's promotions, said in an interview with India Today that after Gehraiyaan, some people misunderstood him and thought he was unfaithful in real life. As Zain in Shakun Batra's Gehraiyaan, Siddhant was seen as a philandering entrepreneur, who was two-timing Alisha (Deepika Padukone), whom he gets drawn to, while being engaged to her cousin Tia (Ananya Panday). Also read: Gehraiyaan isn't what anyone expected Siddhant Chaturvedi with Deepika Padukone in a still from Gehraiyaan.

'People thought I was a cheater'

When asked if there were days he found it difficult to let go of a character, Siddhant Chaturvedi said, "That whole month of shoot, I feel, or at least my people around me tell me, that I became a different person. The way I walked, the way I sat, everything became different, which even I did not know, because it was a subconscious process. But I make sure, as soon as the film ends, the character has to come out. There are many good things to take away from your character..."

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He added, "All I do is develop empathy towards the people I play. I am more empathetic and more open towards them. But I will never try to take it up seriously, ever. A lot of people thought I was a rapper after Gully Boy, and a lot of people thought I was a cheater and a toxic person after Gehraiyaan (laughs). So, no, I dont take away anything from my characters. I just want to be myself."

Siddhant Chaturvedi's new film

Siddhant Chaturvedi was recently seen in Kho Gaye Hum Kahan. Co-starring Ananya Panday and Adarsh Gourav, the Netflix film delves into the complex world of social media and its perils.

Directed by debutant Arjun Varain Singh from a script he wrote with Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti, the film tells the story of 20-somethings Imaad Ali (Siddhant Chaturvedi), Ahana Singh (Ananya Panday) and Neil Pereira (Adarsh Gourav) as they navigate love, heartbreak and friendship in the digital age.

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Sunny Deol made a grand return to the movies with Gadar 2, which turned out to be one of the biggest blockbusters of the year. The actor, who maintains a low profile in the industry and does not attend many events and parties, recently opened up to NDTV about how he was perceived as "snobbish" for not attending any parties. (Also read: Bigg Boss 17: Dharmendra joins Salman Khan, dances to Bobby Deol's Jamal Kudu song from Animal. Watch) Sunny Deol talked about avoiding parties in Bollywood. (ANI Photo) (PIB India-X)

What Sunny said

Speaking to NDTV, Sunny said, I am a people person and I go out where I am interacting with my fans and people, then it's lovely. I am an early riser. So, I am not the guy who goes to parties. Initially, I hardly went anywhere. People used to think I am very snooty, very snobbish, and this, and that. But then they eventually understood ki yeh sharmata hai (that he is shy). Aana nahi chahta hai yeh (He does not wish to come). He doesn't drink. He doesn't know what to do. So, nahi ata (So, he does not come). They understood me afterwards. So, there is no invitation after that. Because pata hai, yeh nahi aane wala (Because they know that I would not come).

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The actor also shared that he does not like the promotional rounds that occur nowadays before the release of any film. "No, I don't enjoy it. We have seen that era, and we were comfortable in that era. Then suddenly everything started moving so fast. For me, it was an excuse. I don't like it. It is difficult to cope up," he said.

About Gadar 2

Sunny Deol's Gadar 2 turned out to be one of the highest-grossing Hindi films of the year. In the first film, Gadar: Ek Prem Katha (2001), Sunny played the role of Tara Singh, a truck driver, while Ameesha Patel played Sakeena. It was set during the partition of India in 1947. Gadar 2 follows Tara Singh as he ventures across the border in a daring attempt to rescue his son Charanjeet Singh, portrayed by Utkarsh Sharma, who has been captured in Pakistan.

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Trust Katrina Kaif to confront anyone if she is uncomfortable with their response, even if that person is Shah Rukh Khan. An old video of the two actors is now going viral on social media. It is from when Katrina and Shah Rukh were promoting their film Jab Tak Hai Jaan. When Katrina was asked to talk about her experience working with Shah Rukh, the actor's reply even made Shah Rukh fumble. (Also read: Vicky Kaushal kisses Katrina Kaif in adorable Christmas postcard; dances with Angad Bedi, Sunny Kaushal at house party) Katrina Kaif and Shah Rukh Khan promoting Jab Tak Hai Jaan.

What Katrina said

The media interaction took place in 2012 when Shah Rukh Khan was promoting Jab Tak Hai Jaan with Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma. During the chat, when a reporter asked Katrina to describe her experience about working with Shah Rukh, the actor replied: Lets be fair, Shah Rukh used one word to describe me  gentle, which had absolutely no relation to acting, talent, looks or my career. He used 25 (words) to describe Anushka, sohow was the experience? It wasummgood!

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When Shah Rukh egged her on to say something more, Katrina added, "But you seriously disappointed me... gentle? I mean that's like one step below hardworking. Hardworking is generic it does not speak about exactly what you do and gentle... is what?"

Shah Rukh looked visibly surprised at this reaction and tried to save the situation by providing a better answer. Katrina did not let go and interrupted him while he tried to come up with another reply. Shah Rukh concluded, however, and said working with her was one of the most wonderful experiences of his two-decade-long career.

Fan reactions

Many fans reacted to the video and praised Katrina's straightforward response. One said, "She made the King of Bollywood fumble hard. I need that kind of self confidence and self respect reminds me how she stood up for Priyanka Chopra when Salman was trolling her for rejecting Bharat!" Another added, "One thing I absolutely admire about Katrina is she has backbone and will not take s**t from anyone no matter who they are." A second comment read, "I wish all women become like her calling out people on everything that we don't like or feel uncomfortable with."

Jab Tak Hai Jaan released on Diwali 2012, and was the last film directed by Yash Chopra.

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Ever wondered what it's like to spend a night in Martha Stewart's farmhouse or wake up in Gwyneth Paltrow's Montecito haven? Celebrities are embracing the trend, renting out their lavish abodes for nominal fees or even for free. Here's why stars are turning their homes into vacation spots and how you can snag a stay in the lap of luxury. Martha Stewart attends the CFDA Fashion Awards in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., November 6, 2023.(REUTERS)

A-lister abodes on a budget:

Martha Stewart, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Mariah Carey are among the celebrities offering their homes on Airbnb and Booking.com. From farmhouses to penthouses, experience the lifestyle of the rich and famous without breaking the bank.

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Promoting brands and creating buzz:

Rental companies use celebrity homes to attract new audiences and divert attention from rising fees. Luminaries, in turn, promote their personal brands, creating a win-win situation for both parties.

Martha's Thanksgiving-themed getaway:

Martha Stewart's farmhouse offered a Thanksgiving-themed stay for $11.23. Guests enjoyed a guided farm tour, wreath-making class, and brunch with Stewart herself. Celebrities curate unique experiences, making each stay highly orchestrated and memorable.

Nondisclosure agreements and secrecy:

Celebrities can request guests to sign nondisclosure agreements, ensuring privacy. Booking.com emphasized that the veil of secrecy allows celebrities to maintain the mystique of their homes.

Compensation for celebrities:

Celebrities are compensated for these homestays, though the exact amounts are undisclosed. Leslie Cafferty, Booking.coms chief communications officer, confirmed that stars are rewarded for hosting.

The voyeuristic fascination continues:

People have always been intrigued by the lifestyles of the rich and famous. Celebrity home tours and stays provide a rare opportunity to peek into the private spaces of idols, creating a buzz around these unique experiences.

Notable stays beyond celebrity homes:

Airbnb and similar platforms offer diverse stays, including historic homes and even dorm rooms once occupied by American royalty like John F. Kennedy. The allure of sleeping in spaces with historical significance remains strong.

In response to challenges like rising cleaning fees and host demands, short-term rental companies leverage celebrity homestays as a marketing strategy. These exclusive stays attract new hosts and guests, revitalizing the short-term rental scene.

Fans can join the likes of DJ Khaled, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Ashton Kutcher in their hospitality ventures. Parker's Hamptons home, complete with beach access and a free pair of heels from her shoe line, was available for $19.98a nod to the year "Sex and the City" premiered.
Baku Airport successfully completes 2023 with important achievements in the field of innovation, infrastructure improvement and expansion of the route network. According to information as of December 30, 2023, the number of passengers served by the airport reached a record high of more than 5.7 million people.

Awards: Heydar Aliyev International Airport won the Skytrax World Airport Awards 2023 in the categories Best Regional Airport in Central Asia/CIS and for the second time in a row Best Airport Staff in Central Asia and CIS.

Expansion of the route network: Passengers were offered new and unique destinations, including renewed partnerships with airlines such as China Southern, AirBaltic, Flyadeal, Air Cairo and Iraqi Airways, as well as increased frequencies with WizzAir, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi and LOT. WizzAir Malta, IndiGo, Georgian Wings and Aegean Airlines have been added to the list of airlines flying to Baku Airport. Thus, from the airport you can travel to 68 cities around the world via 38 airlines.

Improving the passenger experience: In 2023, a number of innovations were presented to passengers in order to improve the quality and efficiency of service and create a modern, comfortable infrastructure at Baku Airport. Thus, visitors can now benefit from an innovative service that allows vehicles to enter and exit quickly and has multiple payment options for parking. To ensure a comfortable and flexible process of disembarking/meeting passengers, special drop off/pick up lanes are provided. In addition, public transport Airport Express on the route Heydar Aliyev International Airport runs at intervals of 30 minutes until 01:00.

Among other things, the Travel Document Authorization System (TDAS) has been introduced, which simplifies and speeds up the pre-flight clearance process, reduces queues at the airport and enhances security.

It should be noted that Baku Airport continues to strengthen its reputation as the leading aviation hub in the region, offering passengers a high level of service and comfort.
Vicky Kaushal was on a roll this year with back to back releases that showed his versatility as an actor. It all began with the slice-of-life rom-com Zara Hatke Zara Bachke, followed by the family comedy The Great Indian Family. He then delved into a biographical war drama titled Sam Bahadur and concluded the year with a highly anticipated project, Rajkumar Hiranis Dunki. As Kaushal reflects on the year gone by, he shares a profound takeaway - a sense of increased hunger and ambition. "I genuinely feel hungrier than ever before," he says. Vicky Kaushal had back to back releases in 2023.

"This year, I kept saying that Sam was the toughest role that I took up and the toughest film that I did. But now I really want to push that envelope further. I want to plunge myself into even tougher situations as an actor. That's the phase I am in. I feel really charged up for the journey ahead. That's what 2023 did to me," he tells us.

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Looking back, Kaushal further recalls how the years holistically was a very remarkable one for him. "It's a very gratifying feeling to be closing the year on such a note. During the first quarter, I was shooting for Sam Bahadur, which was a very enriching experience for me as an actor. While I was waiting for the films to release, I was prepping for another film. The first one that came out was Zara Hatke Zara Bachke in June and it worked wonderfully, that too at a time when people were saying that 'it's not going to do well in theatres...it should have been released on OTT'. Contrary to their opinions, people really appreciated the film and it was very humbling for me. Sam got resonated with the audience again and then of course Dunki was the last one, and it did well as well. It's been surreal," he says, adding, "That's what you seek as an artiste. It's a great feeling when your film comes out, and the hard work that you have put in resonate with the audience."

Over the years, Kaushal has established himself as one of those actors who look for meaningful and powerful roles. However, with projects such as Govinda Naam Mera and Zara Hatke Zara Bachke, he surprised the audience. Many even called these films a risky proposition. But Kaushal was always very confident about the projects. "As an artiste, I am on the quest to always take up as varied characters as I can because that's how I will grow as an actor. When I get a film, all I focus on is if the film is resonating with me- be it the story, the character or the director's vision. All these films, whether it was Zara Hatke.., The Great Indian Family or Govinda Naam Mera, got me excited about them...about the chat they were trying to have with the audience. So there was no skepticism involved," he tells us.

Having said that, Masaan actor points out that the time when he chooses to do a film and when the film is actually released is different, and that might something change the whole game. "Sometimes it will be in the favour of your film and sometimes it will be not. But at the end, you just have to believe that if it's something that hits the right emotions, then no matter what phase it is released in, it will connect with the audience. This year has many such examples and Zara Hatke... was one of them."

Kaushal agrees that he gets driven by films such as Sam Bahadur, Sardar Udham and Uri: The Surgical Strike. "It comes with a certain kind of responsibility towards the character that you are playing. These kind of characters also bring out the best in me. But you will always be hungry as an actor to explore different genres," he ends.
Actor Yami Gautam, who had 3 successful projects in 2023 with immense appreciation, including OMG 2, Lost, and Chor Nikal Ke Bhaaga, expresses her satisfaction with the positive reception of her projects in 2023. After 2022 with A Thursday, I was hoping to be consistent, not just with my choices, but also with the audiences response to my film and work. I am happy that all these films worked theatrically and in their OTT releases, she says, adding, I wanted to have a balance between both mediums, regardless of anything. When I sign a film, I sign it regardless of where it is going to be released. Obviously, your expectation as an actor is always that it should have the widest reach and Ill always keep that in mind before committing to a film. I try and keep my expectations very minimal, but you just hope for the best. Yami Gautam in 2023

Any set goals she has in mind for the upcoming year? I am a very go with the flow kind of a person. I dont set any rules or goals with every passing of the year. I have two releases lined up, a political thriller and a comedy, and I am very excited about them and hopeful that they find their respective ways to the right audience. I am doing my best and going with the flow, the 34-year-old tells us.

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This years projects Lost and Chor Nikal Ke Bhaaga both revolved around the actors character as the protagonist and the same goes for her 2022 film Lost. Ask her if she handpicks scripts keeping that (revolving around her) mind or would be comfortable with an ensemble cast as well, Gautam says, I dont have such a thing in mind when I sign a film. I signed them because the story was really engaging and compelling. Theres no rule book; I just like to go with my instinct. I read the script for what it is, I would not do a part which revolves around me and has a weak script. If a film works, everything else falls into place. I am looking forward to doing diverse characters which have substance and are pivotal to the story.

There are times when you are working at home as well. I am very lucky to have an extremely understanding partner who believes in empowering his partner. Thats the most important feeling you need to have for each other. We like to keep things very simple and we are really private as a couple, we like our personal things guarded, she further adds.

Reflecting on the highlights of the year, Gautam expresses, My major highlights of the year were 3 different projects that were appreciated by everyone. I am not someone who holds on to this elated feeling for more than a couple of moments. It is a happy feeling because so many people congratulate you, but it is just for a moment, then I just move on, further adding, But as a ritual, I say my prayers, make something sweet for Prasad in puja, thats my traditional way of celebrating and thanking God.

Apart from professional highs, Gautams personal highlights of 2023 were beautiful and included the addition of baby calves to her farm and the joy of her nephew and sister visiting. The main highlight was the baby calf that we had, we have two more now. There is a natural interest in natural farming. Staying close to nature gives me a lot of joy and happiness, that goes for both me and Aditya. Adding to that would be my nephew and sister coming over for the first time in Mumbai. He is almost 2 and it is such a joy watching him grow. My highlight would always be family, getting together, and spending time, she wraps up.
The case of some 25 Indians who opted to remain in France after a UAE-Nicaragua flight was grounded near Paris on suspicions of human trafficking is being handled according to French procedures, external affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said on Friday. Crew members board the plane grounded by police at the Vatry airport (AFP Photo)

The chartered flight operated by Romanias Legend Airlines was flying from Dubai to Nicaragua with 303 Indians, including several unaccompanied minors, when it was grounded during a technical halt at Vatry airport near Paris on December 21 after French authorities received an anonymous tip-off about suspected human trafficking.

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A total of 276 Indians returned from France earlier this week, while about 25 others opted to remain there to seek asylum, people familiar with the matter said on Friday.

Asked about the matter during a regular media briefing, Bagchi said most of the Indians on the flight had returned to Mumbai following the intervention of the Indian embassy in France and the provision of consular assistance.

A few Indians  I dont have the exact numbers, could be about 25  stayed back there and I would have to refer you to the French authorities...because the cases are being dealt with by French authorities as per their local laws, he said.

I think for reasons of privacy, as well as our lack of knowledge of French procedures, I would rather leave it at that. But my focus would be on [the fact] that most of the passengers are now back in India, he added.

If the Indians who had remained in France require any help, India would extend consular assistance to them, Bagchi said.

According to reports, the Indians who opted to remain in France have been given eight days by French authorities to decide on a future course of action. French authorities are also questioning two people who were on the flight on suspicions of involvement in human trafficking.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday stopped by Meera Manjhi's house in Ayodhya for she is the 10th crore beneficiary of the Ujjawala scheme of the government that provides financial support for LPG connection to BPL households. PM Modi's visit to Meera's residence came just a day after the family got the gas connection. As PM Modi had a cup of tea there, he said, "The tea is really good. And I know since I was a chaiwala." PM Modi interacting with the family members of Meera Manjhi, a Ujjwala scheme beneficiary, in Ayodhya on Saturday

PM Modi was in Ayodhya on Saturday to inaugurate several development projects ahead of the inauguration of the Ram Temple on January 22. PM Modi inaugurated Ayodhya's new Maharshi Valmiki airport, a revamped train station and projects of 15,700 crore.

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On his way from the rail station, PM Modi stopped at Meera Manjhi's house. In a video shared by news agency ANI, PM Modi could be seen interacting with Meera's family members, husband, in-laws and the children. As they touched PM Modi's feet, he stopped them and sat for a chit-chat. "Do you know why I am here, Meera? We have given 10 crore gas connection in the country. I decided to meet the 10th crore beneficiary and you are the one. We found that it was in Ayodhya only," PM Modi said.

"What do you cook in the gas?" PM Modi said. "Today I am made rice, lentils, and vegetables and also prepared tea for you," Meera replied. "Pilao na phir (Then serve me some tea)," PM Modi said. Meera went to the kitchen and brought tea for PM Modi. As it was milk tea, PM Modi asked where they get milk from. "You people are used to having very sweet tea," PM Modi said.

Meera Manjhi said within a day she learnt how to operate a gas. "You have got a house, electricity, water and now gas. Do you also get food grains from the government scheme?" PM Modi said. Meera said she gets 10kg of grains from the government.

As Meera's family members said PM Modi is like a god to them, PM Modi said, "No no, Lord Ram is God."

During the interaction, PM Modi also asked Meera how much money she got in the housing scheme and whether she had to bribe anyone for that. On being told that Meera sells flowers in the market, PM Modi said there must be a huge demand for flowers now  ahead of the inauguration of the Ram Temple on January 22.
Ayodhya's temple town is gearing up for enhanced air connectivity with the inauguration of its new airport. Speaking about the newly built Maharishi Valmiki International Aiport in Ayodhya, the chairman of the Airport Authority of India (AAI), Sanjeev Kumar, confirmed that the construction was successfully completed within a remarkable timeframe of 20 months. The Maharshi Valmiki International Airport in Ayodhya. (HT Photo/Deepak Gupta)

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) took on the development of Ayodhya Airport based on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the government of Uttar Pradesh last April. The Uttar Pradesh government allocated 821 acres of land for the airport's development, as outlined in an official government release.

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"AAI has completed the construction of the Ayodhya airport in a record time of 20 months," Sanjeev Kumar told ANI.

READ | Ayodhya airport is now Maharishi Valmiki International Airport

"Air connectivity is important for Ayodhya. With more passenger flow, the connectivity will also improve in Ayodhya. We at Airport Authority are extremely excited about this expansion" he added.

Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the newly built airport in the city on Saturday.

The completion of Ayodhya Airport brings significant advantages for pilgrims visiting the revered Shri Ram Mandir and other nearby pilgrimage sites such as Ram ki Paidi, Hanuman Garhi, Nageshwar Nath Temple, and the Birla Temple.

The airport features a runway with a length of 2200 meters, designed to accommodate the operation of A-321 type aircraft. Additionally, two link taxiways and an apron capable of parking eight A321 type aircraft, along with a designated Ground Support Equipment (GSE) area, have been constructed.

READ | PM Modi gifts Maharishi Valmiki airport to Ayodhya; international flights in Phase 2

Looking ahead to Phase 2 of development, plans include the construction of a new terminal building spanning 50,000 square meters. This expanded facility is expected to cater to 4,000 passengers during peak hours and serve a total of 60 lakh passengers annually. The expansion also encompasses the addition of a parallel taxi track and an apron with 18 additional aircraft parking stands.

The airport, developed at a cost of 350 crore, includes the construction of various essential facilities such as the Terminal Building, ATC Tower, Fire Station, car parking, and allied city-side infrastructure. The terminal building, spanning 6500 sqm., is designed to accommodate 600 passengers during peak hours and serve 10 lakh passengers annually. Passenger amenities include nine check-in counters, three conveyor belts, and five X-BIS machines.

Inspired by the upcoming Shri Ram Mandir of Ayodhya, the terminal building's architecture reflects the historical and cultural significance of the region.

The building also incorporates various sustainability features, including an Insulated Roofing System, Canopies for energy savings, LED Lighting, Low Heat Gain Double Glazing Unit, Rainwater Harvesting, landscaping with fountains, HVAC, Water treatment plant, Sewage treatment plant, and the use of recycled water for landscaping.

(With ANI inputs)
Indian aviation may face another headwind in 2024 with Boeing asking airlines to conduct checks on its 737 Max aircraft, a development that comes after IndiGo, the countrys biggest carrier, announced that it will ground more aircraft - over the existing 40 Airbus A320 Neo planes grounded and run on Pratt & Whitney engines in the first three months of next year. Boeing asks airlines to inspect its 737 Max jets for a potential loose bolt in the rudder control system, the airplane maker and Federal Aviation Administration confirmed this week. (AP)

Read here: Tata-Boeing Aerospace delivers 250th made-in-India AH-64 Apache fuselage

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There are now 43 737 Max planes in the fleet of various airlines in India, including 22 with Akasa Air, 13 with SpiceJet and eight with Air India Express, according to Planespotter, a fleet tracking website.

The issue with the Boeing aircraft came to light after an international operator discovered a bolt with a missing nut while performing routine maintenance. The issue identified on that particular airplane was remedied, Boeing said on Friday. Out of an abundance of caution, we are recommending operators inspect their 737 MAX airplanes and inform us of any findings, the planemaker said in a statement. We have informed the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and will continue to keep them aware of our progress.

FAA, the US aviation regulator, had on Thursday said it was monitoring the targeted inspections of the planes.

It is not yet clear whether the inspections would hamper flight operations in India. We have been made aware of this issue by Boeing. Like all operators around the world, and in accordance with our highest standards of safety, Akasa will be following the same checks and procedures that the manufacturer or regulator recommends, a spokesperson of Akasa said. Our operating fleet and deliveries are not impacted so far.

"As per Boeing's global recommendation for all airline operators, Air India Express will check its Boeing 737-8 aircraft within the timelines. Our unwavering commitment to safety remains paramount," a spokesperson for Air India Express said.

SpiceJet did not respond to queries on the matter.

The latest problem in the narrow body B737 Max comes at a time when there is already a possibility that around 200 aircraft of Indias commercial airlines fleet are expected to be grounded by March due to various supply chain issues.

The Pratt & Whitney issue is here for good and is expected to cause flight disruptions in the entire year, said Mark Martin, chief executive officer of Martin Consulting, an aviation firm. To add to this, the latest recommendation by Boeing will only lead to stress in the domestic market, thus troubling passengers.

Another experts said it might not impact flight operations. The issue pointed but by Boeing is not as severe as the Pratt & Whitney engine issues. It is not a time- consuming inspection and will not take more than a couple of hours to inspect an aircraft, said Mohan Ranganathan. Therefore, it should not impact passengers.

Read here: Boeing urges airlines to inspect 737 MAX planes for possible loose bolt

Theres not enough clarity on the likely impact of the latest issue with B737 Max planes, said an airline official. As of now, we do not know what kind of impact the recommended inspections will have on the domestic sector as three of the Indian airlines, especially Akasa, operate the said fleet, he said, declining to be named. However, the nature of the inspection does not appear to be time- consuming.
As the year draws to an end, people recollect their good and bad memories. Sometimes they also remember moments where they found themselves in a spot due to incidents that were out of their control. In a recent post on X, British high commissioner to India, Alex Ellis shared one such memory during UK PM Sunak's arrival in the country for the G20 summit in September. British high commissioner to India Alex Ellis along with UK PM Sunak, first lady on their visit to India in September.(X/Alex Ellis)

Ellis described how he had discovered a "huge rip" in his trousers while he was getting ready to welcome Sunak and his wife on their arrival in the country.

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Ellis wrote in a series of posts, One of the biggest moments for an ambassador/high commissioner is when your head of government visits the country to which you're accredited Especially for the British high commissioner to India when your head of government is of Indian origin and his wife is Indian..."

The red carpet unfurls And I am ready, in my favourite suit - light, comfortable and my go to for many events. But as I get up to go to the aircraft, disaster strikes. Yes, I have a huge rip in my trousers. But the red carpet is unfurled, the Indian protocol is waiting, the plane door is about to open, Ellis wrote narrating the incident.

The British high commissioner further amusingly shared how he navigated the awkward situation by firmly keeping his arms by his side and strategically positioning himself to steer clear of the probing lenses of photographers.

Note the firmly pressed arms tight by my side and careful positioning to be downwind of the photographers all passes without incident, & the convoy is off, he wrote.

The thread has accumulated numerous comments, with many users praising Ellis for maintaining a high level of professionalism throughout the entire situation. Loved the narrative @AlexWEllis! You pulled it off beautifully, wrote one user while another commented, You held up well Sir!
Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva on Saturday took a dig at Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal for skipping the summons by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in an excise policy-linked money laundering case two times, saying he cannot avoid it for long. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal (HT File)

Initially, he used the excuse of elections and then Vipassana, and now let's see what explanation he gives on January 3. He can't evade this for long, he has to appear before the agency, the BJP leader told news agency PTI.

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Sachdeva further added, Hospitals were giving fake medicines, people were troubled by pollutionduring this time the CM of Delhi was in search of infinite peace. He found the peace, but what about the people of Delhi?

Kejriwal has been asked to appear before the central agency for the third time on January 3. He was issued the second summons by ED on December 18, asking him to depose at the federal agency's office on December 21, which the CM skipped. Before this, he was called for questioning on November 2, but he did not depose alleging the notice was vague, motivated and unsustainable in law.

What is the Delhi excise policy case?

The Delhi government had come up with an excise policy in 2021-22 aiming to revitalise the city's flagging liquor business by replacing the sales-volume-based regime with a license fee for traders, and promised swankier stores, free of the infamous metal grilles, ultimately giving customers a better buying experience. However, the policy was scrapped after Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena sought a CBI probe into the policy alleging irregularities.

According to the ED, AAP received kickbacks to the tune of 100 crore to finalise the excise policy. It alleged that a large chunk of this money was used by the party in its Goa election campaign. The central agency in its charge sheet said that there was an involvement of certain South Group in the alleged irregularities.

So far, the central agency has arrested top AAP leaders - former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh in the case.

Kejriwal returns from Vipassana

Meanwhile, earlier in the day, Kerjwal returned to the national capital after completing his 10-day Vipassana meditation session in Punjab's Hoshiarpur district. Returned today after 10 days of Vipassana meditation. This sadhana gives immense peace. From today onwards, we will again start serving the public with new energy. Good luck to all, he said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

(With inputs from PTI)
Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw credited Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision for the development of Ayodhya and added that the government was also committed to preserving the heritage of the holy city. Union Minister for Railways and Communications Ashwini Vaishnaw (ANI)

During his visit to Ayodhya, the Prime Minister inaugurated the redeveloped Ayodhya Railway Station and flagged off new Amrit Bharat and Vande Bharat trains. He also dedicated several other railway projects to the nation.

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Read here: Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw inspects Amrit Bharat Train in New Delhi

The city [Ayodhya] is witnessing development due to the vision of the Prime Minister. Today, the Ayodhya Dham station was inaugurated by the prime minister, showcasing a commitment to preserving Ayodhyas heritage and introducing new facilities. Six Vande Bharat and two Amrit Bharat trains have been dedicated to India today. These trains connect various parts of the country, including Ayodhya, Vaishnaw said at a public rally.

The Union railways minister said that the railway sector received renewed impetus during the tenure of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government.

Read here: Rail link plan to Paonta Sahib, Kala Amb shelved due to poor traffic projection: Vaishnaw

Railways in UP are being developed with a budget of 17,100 crore. The PM has dedicated railway projects worth 20,300 crore to the country. Every station in Uttar Pradesh has undergone transformation, including the completion of electrification works, he added.
Around 80 flights have been delayed so far at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi due to adverse weather conditions, reported PTI citing sources. The delays, attributed to poor visibility and foggy weather, affected the schedules of several passengers, leading to frustration and inconvenience. A train crossing in fog at the Patna Junction railway station on a cold winter morning, Bihar,India, Friday,29, 2023. (Photo by Santosh Kumar / Hindustan Times)

One such passenger, who was set to embark on a journey to Gangtok, Sikkim, expressed his discontent with the situation.

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"We are going to Gangtok, Sikkim, to celebrate New Year, but our flight is delayed by 2 hours. If it gets delayed further, we will complain," he told ANI, highlighting the growing impatience among those stranded at the airport.

Train services hit by fog and low visibility

Not only air travel but ground transportation also experienced setbacks as some trains in Delhi faced delays due to fog and low visibility. Passengers heading to their destinations expressed their grievances as their travel plans were disrupted.

"I am going to Mata Vaishno Devi, and our train is late by more than two hours. Our train was supposed to arrive at 5.30, but it hasn't arrived yet," lamented a passenger.

Weather warning adds to travel woes

The meteorological department has issued a weather warning for the northern regions of India. Dense to very dense fog is expected at most places over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi, with many places in Uttar Pradesh and a few places in Uttarakhand experiencing similar conditions. Isolated places over the northern parts of Rajasthan and Jammu and Kashmir, as well as the lower division of Himachal Pradesh, are also expected to witness dense fog.

The weather may significantly affect some airports, highways, and railway routes in areas with dense fog and low visibility, according to IMD.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 30. Azerbaijan exported non-oil products worth $3 billion from January through November 2023, a growth of 10.5 percent year-on-year, Trend reports via the Azerbaijani Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communications.

The total value of exports of non-oil products from Azerbaijan by 20 large state-owned and private companies in the reporting period amounted to $1.77 billion.

The largest exporter of non-oil products from Azerbaijan among state-owned companies was AzerEnergy OJSC ($378.4 million), and among private exporters was individual entrepreneur Elvin Shirinov ($117.8 million).

The largest state-owned non-oil exporters also included the Marketing and Economic Operations Department (MEO) of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan: SOCAR ($337.8 million), SOCAR Polymer ($277.9 million), Azeraluminum LLC ($117.6 million), AzerGold CJSC ($110 million), Azercotton Agro-Industrial Complex LLC ($20.6 million), Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC ($18.4 million), Azeripek LLC ($1.8 million), Azerbaijan Railways CJSC ($1.2 million), and the State Energy Service of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic ($870,000).

The largest private exporters of non-oil products also included MKT Istehsalat Kommersiya LLC - $81.1 million, Baku Steel Company LLC - $60.5 million, Azerbaijan International Mining Company (a subsidiary of Anglo Asian Mining Plc) - $53.4 million, Best Logistik LLC - $41.5 million, My Fruit LLC - $35.3 million, STP Global Cable LLC - $33 million, P-Aqro LLC - $32.3 million, individual entrepreneur Sahiba Muradova - $26.4 million, and Mors Trading LLC - $25.2 million.

Last year, Azerbaijan increased its non-oil exports by 12.3 percent to equal $3.04 billion.
New Delhi: The thick blanket of fog that has cloaked cities in north India has grounded or delayed scores of flights in the past three days. More than 100 flights were delayed on Wednesday and at least 58 others were diverted between December 25 and 6am on Thursday, causing much duress to flyers. Passenger aircraft wait at the taxiway to takeoff in a thick layer of fog at Terminal 3 of IGI Airport, in New Delhi. (Vipin Kumar/ HT)

While flight disruptions are not uncommon during the fog season, the intensity of messed-up airline schedules has put the spotlight on whether the problem could have been mitigated. That is because at least six Indian airports, including Delhi where disruptions were acute, are equipped with plane landing systems that enable the so-called CAT IIIB landings. These are mostly automatic landings that use a combination of powerful radio signals and sophisticated runway lighting, allowing planes to land even when visibility is as low as 50 metres during rains, snow and of course, dense fog.

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There is also no shortage of trained pilots. India currently has 4,804 pilots2,979 captains and 1,825 co-pilotstrained to land in fog.

Yet, disruptions of hundreds of flights have continued unabated.

Why?

Some airlines were accused by Delhi airport officials of not rostering CAT III complaint pilots to land in Delhi. Did the airlines underestimate the intensity of the fog this year?

Flogs affect several airports across the world, but typically last only a few days. India is plagued by longer bouts. The two months from December 10 and February 10 are usually considered as a fog period in India.

That said, airlines operate under the assumption that fog settles in between 9 pm and 10 am. The so-called red-eye flights that depart late at night are few in India. Which means that airlines usually roster their pilots for the morning flights and for airports in the north.

This year, two factors put paid to those plans. One, the fog that settled in the morning hours failed to lift, upsetting not only early departures but also evening and night departures. Two, poor visibility due to fog, customarily a North Indian phenomenon, was also observed in the south, in the Hyderabad and Bengaluru airports.

IndiGo, Vistara and Air India did not comment for this article.

Privately, airline officials blamed the increased flight disturbances this year on theonlyone CAT III compliant runway that was operational at the Delhi airport. Three other runways at the Indira Gandhi International Airport that are CAT III compliant are under repair.

If only one runway is available for landing at the countrys biggest airport, it will lead to consequential flights delays and even diversions, a airline official said, asking not to be named.

A Delhi airport official said that the other runways would be made operational from early next week.

Airlines are often blamed for dodging the fog problem because of the costs involved.

Airlines are accused of shying away from equipping planes with CAT IIIB instruments or training pilots because of costs.

Airline officials disagree. An airline spends not more than 3 lakh to make a pilot CAT III compliant, said a former pilot, requesting anonymity. That is not very expensive.

That apart, aviation regulator DGCA has been pressing airlines and airports take actions to prepare for fog. DGCA asks airlines to eliminate non-CAT II/CAT III compliant aircraft from flight schedules and ensure rostering CAT III qualified cockpit crew.

Thanks to these measures, the number of flight disruptions during winter have dropped in recent years. In 2021-22, only 124 flights were cancelled out of 136374 total aircraft movements. That amounted to a 0.09% rate of cancellations. That figure declined to 86 cancellations for 166927 total aircraft movements in 2022-23, or a 0.05% rate of cancellations.

Similarly, in 2021-22, 58 flight diversions took place, which declined to 14 in 2022-23. This is despite a 22% increase in the number of aircraft movements in the past two years.

Airlines pay a price when flights are stalled or cancelled. They have to offer passengers free food and drinks on a stalled flight, accommodate them in another, or refund tickets for cancelled flights.

Also Read: Flight delayed? Know your rights as a passenger

An airline bears massive costs when it has to divert a flight,  said an official of another airline, seeking anonymity.
Providing a rare glimpse into his approach to governance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he takes initiatives with a clear endpoint in mind but avoids revealing the final destination or blueprint at the start. In an interview with India Today magazine, Prime Minister Modi shed light on his distinctive approach to leadership and governance, especially when faced with challenging sectors like cleanliness and sanitation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi.(ANI)

Makkhan par lakir to sab karte hain. Karni hai to patthar par lakeer karo. Kathin hai to kya hua, shuruat to karein (It is easy to draw a line in butter. If you have to, draw a line in stone. It is hard, but let's make a beginning), the magazine quoted the PM as saying.

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When asked about his satisfaction with his government's performance in 2023, PM Modi cautioned against assessing his journey through a single year.

"When I start something, I know the endpoint. But I never announce the final destination or blueprint in the beginning. So, what you see today is not what I've worked on. A far bigger picture will unfold finally. I work on a big canvas. Like an artist, I start from one point, but at the time the final picture can't be seen," he added.

The prime minister illustrated this approach with the example of the Statue of Unity in Gujarat, a project initially perceived as a political manoeuvre.

When I announced that we would build an 182-foot statue, many thought it had to do with 182 seats in the Gujarat Assembly. Some sections thought this was done to please a community ahead of the elections. But see how it has developed into an entire tourism ecosystem, with something for people of all age groups and interests.

The prime minister said that his approach to policymaking combines expert advice, a deep understanding of grassroots issues, and the real-life experiences of the citizens of India.

Main kuchh bhi achha lage isliye nahin karta, lekin achha ho isliye karta hoon (I dont do things because it looks good, I do it because it will do good), he added.
The Centre, the Assam government and a key faction of Assams oldest insurgent group signed a tripartite peace agreement on Friday, with Union home minister Amit Shah describing the pact as a watershed that will end decades of violence in the restive northeastern state and usher in a new era of prosperity. Union home minister Amit Shah with Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and ULFA leaders in New Delhi on Friday. (AP)

The pro-talks faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), led by Arabinda Rajkhowa, signed the accord, agreeing to shun violence, disband the organisation, and join the democratic process. Shah, who was present along with Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, said it was a very big day for the people of Assam.

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Its a new era of peace for Assam and the entire northeast. With this agreement, ULFA cadres will give up arms, vacate their camps and join the mainstream to be part of the democratic process, Shah said.

The hardline Paresh Baruah faction of the ULFA was not part of the agreement. The pro-talks faction has 726 members as opposed to some 200 members of the extremist faction, according to police officials familiar with the matter.

The home minister said the pact was possible due to Prime Minister Narendra Modis broader policy of bringing Delhi and the North-East together and develop the region.

In Assam alone, there are 87% less incidents of violence, 90% less deaths while 7,500 cadres have surrendered. Today, 700 more cadres (of ULFA) will give up arms, taking total surrenders in Assam up to 8,200, Shah said.

Sarma said an Indian Institute of Management (IIM), new railway lines, and more national highways worth around 1.5 lakh crore were part of the deal, and that outsiders cannot procure land within a 5km radius of iconic structures in the state.

Except one person (Paresh Baruah) who is leading the anti-talks faction of ULFA, all the founding members of the outfit were here in Delhi today... They have assured us that ULFA will be disbanded, they will leave the designated camps where they were staying (after coming forward for talks in 2011), they will deposit their arms and 726 cadres will join the mainstream, he added.

ULFA-sponsored attacks first rocked Assam in April 1979, ostensibly spurred on by an anti-foreigner agitation against the influx of undocumented immigrants from Bangladesh.

In 1985, the Centre signed a landmark accord with leaders of the All Assam Students Union and All Assam Gana Sangram Parishad that brought a sweeping and violent agitation to an end, but ULFA continued to operate in and around Assam. The group established camps in reserved forests of Assam, and collaborated with other rebel groups in Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura, and even Bhutan and Myanmar. It was banned in 1990 even as attacks hobbled the economy in Assam and a cloud of fear hung over the state.

In February 2011, ULFA split into two groups. The one led by Rajkhowa decided to give up arms and sit down for talks with the Union government without preconditions. Baruah decided against any negotiations, and rebranded his faction as ULFA-Independent, which still runs training camps, including in Myanmar, and has maintained that for any conversation with the state to happen, sovereignty of Assam must be on the agenda. He is wanted by Indian agencies and is said to be hiding around the China-Myanmar border.

In the past, the Rajkhowa faction submitted a 12-point charter of demands that included the rights of native inhabitants to land and natural resources, specific relationships with foreign countries for mutual trade and commerce, and the rehabilitation of ULFA cadre.

Though there were initial talks in 2011, these conversations remained on the back-burner for several years, until April 2023 when the home ministry sent ULFA a draft agreement, and then held one round of talks in August. The details of the draft have thus far not been released.

Representatives of the Centre, Intelligence Bureau, Union home secretary Ajay Kumar Bhallas office, and the Assam government were in regular talks with the Rajkhowa faction for years before the historic signing on Friday, officials familiar with the development said.

The pro-talks faction had sought constitutional and political reforms for the protection of the identity and resources of Assams indigenous people including their right to land.

As part of the memorandum of settlement with ULFA, a big package will be given for the development of Assam, Shah announced.

A huge amount of package has been approved, besides development of areas in Assam. I assure that all these conditions will be fulfilled in a timebound manner, Shah said.

He assured the pro-talks faction that a committee will be formed to look into the terms of agreement.

The home minister highlighted that violence in the northeast had drastically decreased in the last nine years and nine peace agreements with different groups were signed, leading to the surrender of 9,000 armed cadres.

The Centre signed peace deals with rebel Bodo, Dimasa, Karbi, and Adivasi outfits in Assam since 2020. Last month, a similar peace deal was signed with Manipur based insurgent group - United National Liberation Front (UNLF).

After Fridays agreement, ULFA-Independent is the only major insurgent outfit in the state.

According to the ministrys 2022 annual report, the security situation in the northeast improved substantially since 2014, when the BJP swept to power. Compared to 2014, there has been 76% reduction in insurgency incidents in 2022. Similarly, in this period, Security Forces casualties have come down by 90% and civilian deaths by 97%, the report said.

Without details of the deal, there was scepticism about how relevant the deal is for the state.

This is an incomplete deal as ULFA-I is still active and wants creation of an independent Assam. The details of the deal are not available. So, we wont be able to speculate on what its outcome will be. It would have been good if all factions of the outfit had signed the agreement, said Congress MLA and leader of opposition in Assam assembly, Debabrata Saikia.

The accord signed on Friday is certainly another step towards peace and development in Assam. It would have been a complete agreement with the participation of the anti-talks faction led by Paresh Baruah. The fact that the faction has not joined the peace process means that the campaign for Assams sovereignty will continue, said Rajeev Bhattacharyya, journalist and the author of two comprehensive books on the outfit.

As 12 years have already passed since the ULFA faction came for talks, it has lost a lot of public importance and attention in Assam. The agreement can be seen as a political strategy for the government at the Centre and the state (both ruled by Bharatiya Janata Party) ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, said Akhil Ranjan Dutta, columnist and professor of political science in Gauhati University.
Russian President Vladimir Putin conveyed his New Year greetings to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday. Putin, in his message, emphasised that despite the challenging global circumstances, the relationship between India and Russia has been progressing dynamically. Additionally, Putin acknowledged the significant advancements and bilateral cooperation between both countries in the past year. Russian President Vladimir Putin(AP)

"The messages addressed to President of the Republic of India Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister of the Republic of India Narendra Modi note that, despite the difficult international situation, the special and privileged strategic partnership between Russia and India continues to develop dynamically: in the outgoing year, trade has been growing at an exceptionally high rate and joint projects in various areas have been successfully implemented," Putin's message read.

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READ | Vladimir Putin invites PM Modi to visit Russia next year

Furthermore, he noted that collaboration between the two nations was important to foster diverse bilateral connections and align efforts to enhance security and stability both regionally and globally.

"Vladimir Putin praised the results of India's chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the G20 and stressed his conviction that Moscow and New Delhi will continue to develop multifaceted bilateral ties and effectively coordinate efforts to strengthen security and stability at the regional and global levels," a statement issued by the Russian president's office read.

On December 28, Putin held discussions with the external affairs minister S Jaishankar, who was on an official visit to Moscow from December 25 to 29 as part of the continuous high-level exchanges between the two nations.

In the course of the meeting, Putin highlighted Prime Minister Modi's constructive stance on intricate global events, including the situation in Ukraine. "We know the stance of Prime Minister Modi and we mentioned that repeatedly on many occasions. Well, his attitude towards some complex developments, including the flashpoints like...in Ukraine," Putin reinstated.

READ | India, Russia talk small modular reactors, pushes for Kudankulam completion

The Russian President conveyed that he has consistently provided advice to Modi regarding the unfolding events in Ukraine on multiple occasions and signaled that additional discussions on the subject would be forthcoming.

"Many times, I advised him of how things have been going there and I know that he (PM Modi) is willing to do his utmost so that the issue is resolved by peaceful means. So, we probably will delve into that deeper now, and we will give additional information to you on that time," Putin said. The Russian President also conveyed appreciation for the advancing relationship between Russia and India in the midst of global upheavals. "We are gratified to note that despite all the turmoil happening worldwide, the relationship with our true friend in Asia, India has been progressing incrementally," Putin said.

(With inputs from agencies)
India and Russia have decided to expand their civilian nuclear cooperation, with Moscow willing to share technology for a small modular reactor used in power generation, even as both sides are pushing towards the completion of Phase 1 the of 6,000MW Kudankulam nuclear power project in Tamil Nadu, according to people familiar the matter. The small modular reactors  these are advanced nuclear reactors -- have a power generation capacity of 75MW to 300MW. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar meets Russian President Vladimir Putin on December 27.

Indias external affairs minister S Jaishankar completed his five days visit to Russia today, and the people cited above said that the two sides are pushing to commission Reactors 3 and 4 while speeding up the work on Reactors 5 and 6 at the Kudankulam nuclear project at a time when the US Westinghouse-supported 6,600MW Kovvada nuclear project and the French Areva-supported 9,900 MW Jaitapur nuclear project are stalled over price negotiations. Only Reactors 1 and 2 of Kudankulam are operational at the moment, providing 2,000MW of electricity to the country.

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While Jaishankar met Russian deputy prime minister Denis Manturov and foreign minister Sergey Lavrov, he had a rare and unexpected interaction with Russian President Vladimir Putin on December 27. It is understood that Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his regret to Putin for not making it to Moscow for the annual summit this year due to his commitments towards the G20 summit, with an assurance that the 2024 summit would go ahead.

Jaishankars visit to Russia comes at a time when the latter takes over the presidency of the BRICS platform, and the two countries are looking at future joint ventures in the military systems on the lines of the Brahmos missile and AK-203 rifle projects under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) rubric. One of the areas of a possible joint venture is the manufacture of Kamov 226 T multi-purpose helicopters, the people cited above said.

While President Putin has appreciated Indias strategic autonomy under Modi, New Delhi has managed to maintain close ties with Moscow without China coming into the bilateral equation. Russia supplies nearly 65% of Indian military hardware, and it is understood that the two sides need to firm up spare parts supplies that have been hit by delays due to Russias war with Ukraine. While three out of five S-400 surface-to-air missile systems have been delivered by Russia to India, New Delhi is looking at receiving an Akula-class nuclear-powered attack submarine on a long-term lease from Moscow in 2025, the people said.

In the backdrop of Iran-backed Houthis attacking commercial shipping in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea, India is also holding talks with Russia to explore the northern sea route in the worst-case scenario. One fallout of global warming caused by the climate crisis is that the northern sea route for commercial shipping for may be usable for a larger part of the year without fear of encountering ice and inclement weather. While India has investments in the oil and gas sector in northern Russia, it was President Putin who supplied crude to India at discounted rates to ensure that oil prices did not catch fire due to Ukraine war.
The consecration ceremony of the idol of Ram Lalla (child deity) on January 22 and the commencement of Indias Amrit Kaal are not a mere coincidence, but an indication of Indias imminent rise to global prominence over the next 25 years, Union home minister Amit Shah said on Saturday. Union home minister Amit Shah addresses during the National Cooperative Dairy Federation of India Limited e-market awards, in Gandhinagar (PTI)

Read here: Amit Shah's 2024 goal for Telangana: '35 percent votes and...'

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Amrit Kaal, which roughly translates to golden era, refers to the period leading up to the centenary of Indias Independence.

Addressing the Shri Purani Swami Smruti Mahotsav, organised by Swaminarayan Gurukul Vishwavidya Pratishthanam (SGVP) in Ahmedabad, the Union Minister hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government for successfully taking on the task of reconstructing the holy place where Lord Ram was born and was destroyed 550 years ago.

Court cases were filed, made complicated, and things were delayed. Then a government was formed under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, and with the blessings and inspirations of seers, all the paths became smooth, and on January 22, Ram Lalla will sit in his house againso it cannot be a coincidence that the restoration of Ram Lalla in his home and the beginning of Indias Amrit Kaal are happening together. It is not a coincidence, it is natures sign that India is going to be at the top (of the world) in the 25 years of its Amrit Kaal, he said.

The Union ministers statement comes on the day PM Modi inaugurated a new airport and a redeveloped railway station in Ayodhya, and said that the race to build a developed India is getting new energy from the temple town. The idol of Lord Ram will be installed in the Ayodhya temple in the presence of Modi on January 22.

Shah later said: The whole world is eager to understand the scientific viewpoints of our Vedas, Upanishads and philosophy, and at that very moment, Ram Lalla will enter his house. Modiji will go to Ayodhya on 22nd (January) and will perform the consecration of Ram Lalla there in the presence of saints.

Modis leadership has worked to awaken the soul of the country, he added.

Read here: By Dec 2024, Chandigarh will be ready to implement new criminal laws: Amit Shah

After India gained independence, people with faith in India had a feeling that the country had lost direction in its efforts to become Bharat, Shah said. All of us BJP workers have been trying since 1950 to change this direction. Then a day came when the former chief minister of Gujarat became the prime minister of the country. Today, the whole world is praising India... the people of the country have also resolved to create such an India, he added.
Shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Maharishi Valmiki International Airport in the temple town of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh, the first IndiGo flight bound for the new airport took off from Delhi on Saturday afternoon. In a video shared by news agency ANI, IndiGo pilot Ashutosh Shekhar welcomed all the passengers onboard the flight. Watch: IndiGo pilot welcomes passengers as 1st flight to new Ayodhya airport takes off

I am fortunate that IndiGo gave me the opportunity to command a flight of this significanceWe hope your journey will be good and happy. We will give you more updates. Jai Shri Ram, the pilot said. This was followed by Jai Shri Ram chants by the passengers.

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PM Modi arrived in Ayodhya on Saturday morning to inaugurate a slew of projects across the holy city, just days before the Ram temple's consecration ceremony on January 22. Apart from the new airport, Modi also launched the redeveloped Ayodhya railway station, flagged off two Amrit Bharat and six Vande Bharat trains, and inaugurated developmental projects worth 15,700 crore.

All about the Maharishi Valmiki International Airport in Ayodhya

The phase one of the state-of-the-art new Ayodhya Airport is developed at a cost of over 1,450 crore. The airports terminal building will have an area of 6500 sqm, equipped to serve about 10 lakh passengers annually, while the facade of the building depicts the temple architecture of the upcoming Ram temple.

According to an official release, the interiors of the terminal building are decorated with local art, paintings, and murals depicting the life of Lord Ram. The terminal building of the Ayodhya airport is also equipped with several sustainability features, such as an insulated roofing system, LED lighting, rainwater harvesting, landscaping with fountains, a water treatment plant, a sewage treatment plant, a solar power plant, and many other such features have been provided to meet GRIHA - 5-star ratings.

The airport has a 2,200-metre-long and 45-metre-wide runway which can handle landing and take-off of Airbus A320, ATR-72, and Bombardier private jets in the first phase. Meanwhile, in the second phase, the airport will be opened for international flights with the expansion of the runway to 3,200 meters.

The airport is set to improve connectivity in the region, leading to a boost in tourism, business activities, and employment opportunities, the official release said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday is launching eight new trains in India, running on different routes. One of the trains that PM Modi is launching today is the Vande Bharat Express train running from Jalna to Mumbai. The regular operation of Jalna-Mumbai Vande Bharat Express will commence from January 1.(File)

PM Modi will be launching the Jalna-Mumbai (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus) Vande Bharat Express train remotely during his visit to Ayodhya, while inaugurating different projects in the Uttar Pradesh city.

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Launched as a superior alternative to the Shatabdi Express, the Vande Bharat Express trains are fully air conditioned chair cars that have a potential speed of up to 160 kmph. These trains have self propelled engines, which allow a faster travel time.

Jalna-Mumbai Vande Bharat Express: Train number and travel time

The new train 20705 Jalna-CSMT Vande Bharat Express train will have a total travel time of less than seven hours, leaving from Mumbai's CSMT at 5:05 am and reaching the Jalna station at 11:55 am. The total travel time is 6 hours 50 minutes.

From Mumbai to Jalna, the stoppages will be on Aurangabad, Manmad Junction, Nasik Road, Kalyan Junction, Thane and Dadar stations. The train will run only on Wednesdays, covering a distance of 434 km.

In the reverse direction, train number 20706 CSMT-Jalna Vande Bharat Express will leave from Mumbais CSMT station at 1:10 pm and reach Jalna at 8:30 pm, taking a total travel time of 7 hours 20 minutes.

Jalna-Mumbai Vande Bharat Express: Ticket prices

The chair car seat ticket for train number 20705 Jalna-CSMT Mumbai Vande Bharat Express is 1120. The ticket prices for the Executive Chair Car seat is 2125. The Mumbai-Jalna train will start regular service from January 1, 2024, while the Jalna-Mumbai Vande Bharat will start service from January 2, 2024.

Not just the Jalna-Mumbai train, but PM Modi will be flagging off seven more trains on different routes across the country. Out of the total eight trains to be launched today, six are Vande Bharat Express while two are Amrit Bharat Express trains.
Hiroshi Suzuki, Japan's Ambassador to India, is known for embracing various facets of Indian culture, notably its culinary delights and vibrant dances. His fondness for Indian street food is a familiar tale, often shared whenever he relishes these authentic experiences. Hiroshi Suzuki, Japan's Ambassador to India

Suzuki once again took to X (formerly Twitter) to delightfully recount his latest gastronomic adventure in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi. In a video shared on Saturday, he indulged in the flavourful street food of Varanasi, sampling the renowned kachori and jalebi, eagerly detailing his culinary escapade.

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Captured in two engaging videos, Suzuki stood amidst the vibrant streets of Varanasi, presenting the kachori and jalebi to the camera, vividly describing their flavours and gesturing enthusiastically to convey their delectable taste.

I'm enjoying kachori in Varanasi, he paused to savour the dish and then exclaimed, very good!

In another charming video, he eagerly anticipated the jalebi, stating, And then I will enjoy jalebi too pausing again to relish it and joyfully sharing, very good.

Earlier in the day, Suzuki shared a picture on X alongside his wife, Eiko Suzuki, saying, We are in Varanasi.

In November, Hiroshi Suzuki, graced Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow with his presence. Beyond diplomatic talks, Suzuki immersed himself in the city's rich heritage, visiting landmarks like Bara Imambara and The Residency. Amid these activities, he made time to relish the flavors of Indian cuisine, proclaiming Lucknow's biryani as the most exquisite he had ever tasted.

Lucknowi biryani for two days in a row! Simply the best biryani Ive ever had! wrote Hiroshi Suzuki on X. Alongside, he shared a video of a restaurant staff presenting the dish to him and a picture of himself relishing it.

During his visit to Delhi, Suzuki, accompanied by his wife, Eiko Suzuki, and renowned Japanese YouTuber Mayo Japan, explored the vibrant Sarojini Nagar market. They indulged in diverse street foods and soaked in the local market ambiance.

Additionally, Suzuki joined the same YouTuber in a dance performance to actor Rajinikanth's song "kavala" from the movie "Jailer" in August.
In a series of pointed questions directed at senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, Rajya Sabha member and senior advocate Mahesh Jethmalani has raised concerns over the altered route of Rahul Gandhi's upcoming "Bharat Nyaya Yatra," specifically its omission of Arunachal Pradesh. Jethmalani expressed his reservations and sought answers from Ramesh on various issues, including Congress's decision to enter a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Chinese Communist Party in 2008. Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Jairam Ramesh during a press briefing at the party headquarters in New Delhi.(ANI / File)

Over the years Jairam Ramesh's views on Arunachal Pradesh make for ominous reading, Jethamalani said in a social media post, alleging that as an environment minister in the UPA government, the Congress leader wanted a review of all existing hydel projects in the state and halt any new ones.

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He then asserted that India would not be able to construct dams on its own and should enlist Chinese expertise in its hydel projects in the state, the lawmaker wrote.

Jethmalani then pointed to Rahul Gandhi's upcoming East-to-West Bharat Nyay Yatra, questioning why Arunachal Pradesh didn't feature in the outreach program.

After Gandhis Bharat Jodo Yatra, Ramesh in February said that the party was considering a similar march from Pasighat in Aruchanal Pradesh to Porbandar in Gujarat.

The nation had been very recently informed by Jairam that Rahul will now embark upon a Bharat Nyaya Yatra but its route will be from Manipur to Mumbai. The Yatra will not traverse Arunachal Pradesh, the Rajya Sabha member said, posing 10 questions to fellow lawmaker and the Congress general secretary in charge of communications.

Here are the 10 questions Jethmalani posed to Jairam Ramesh:

Route change rationale: Why did you change the original route of the Yatra announced by you?

Arunachal Pradesh exclusion: Did you wilfully exclude Arunachal Pradesh from the Yatras route in view of China's renaming of 11 places in the state as a mark of its claim to the state?

Solidarity with Arunachal Pradesh: Since you were so agitated by China's nominal aggression, wasnt it all the more incumbent on the INC to commence the Yatra in - or at least include AP - on the Yatra route as a sign of solidarity with the people of that state?

China's Role in insurgency: Do you agree that China fuels insurgency in the North East and funds/arms insurgency in Manipur?

Chinese involvement in Manipur violence: Has it struck you - at least as a possibility - that the Manipur violence earlier this year could have a Chinese hand in it?

Role in 2008 MOU: Did you personally have any role in the decision of the INC to enter into an MOU with the CCCP in 2008?

Awareness of MOU contents: Are you in any event aware of its contents?

Recognition of Chinese sovereignty: Does the MOU contain a clause that the INC recognize Chinese sovereignty over Arunachal Pradesh?

Legality of 2008 MOU: Do you believe that it was legal for an Indian political party that was in power at the Centre in 2008 to enter into an MOU with the CCCP which is synonymous with the Chinese State that illegally occupies since 1962 a huge swathe of Indian territory?

Call for transparency: In any event should this MOU not be made public on the principle of transparency which you and your party wax eloquent about?
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 30. Azerbaijan does not see any serious obstacles to concluding a peace treaty with Armenia, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration, Hikmet Hajiyev said in an interview with TRT World, Trend reports.

According to Hajiyev, currently, talks on the diplomatic level are ongoing between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

We do not see any serious obstacles to concluding a peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia. It is a little difficult to talk about specific dates, since further negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia are still necessary to complete the process, he said.
Flanked by several party leaders of the district, Raina also visited a hospital in Surankote and an Army hospital in Potha and met the injured. HT Image

Three civilians were found dead and five were injured after they were allegedly picked up by the Army for questioning in connection with a terrorist ambush earlier this month that left four soldiers killed in Poonch district.

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Raina said, "The harm that has been done cannot be undone.... The whole episode is heart-wrenching and we fully stand with the people."

He said the whole nation stands with the residents of Topi Peer and the defence minister has himself visited the area and conveyed that those who have committed any wrong would not be spared.

"We have full trust in the law of land...no guilty will be spared," he said.

The Jammu and Kashmir administration has announced compensation and job for the families of the deceased civilians.

The Army has ordered a comprehensive internal investigation, pledging full support and cooperation in the inquiry.
He made the remarks on Friday during his visit here to attend the ongoing Kashi Tamil Sangamam that aims at rediscovering the age-old links between two of the country's ancient seats of learning. HT Image

"Kashi Tamil Sangamam furthers the spirit of 'Ek Bharat'. Exploring and rediscovering the links between Kashi and Tamil Nadu can lead to the creation of important bodies of knowledge, both in the intellectual and practical realms," he said.

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The minister asserted that this exchange is a celebration of "our diverse identities and a commitment to preserving them".

The second edition of the sangamam, organised by the Union education ministry, began on December 17 and will conclude on Saturday. It is being attended by 1,400 delegates from Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry.

The delegates have been divided into groups named after seven sacred rivers of the country and each comprises 200 members -- students' group (Ganga), teachers' group (Yamuna), professionals' group (Godavari), spiritual group (Saraswati), group of farmers and artisans (Narmada), writers' group (Sindhu) and group of traders and businessmen (Kaveri).

More than 42,000 people had registered till December 8 to attend the sangamam, of which 1,400 were selected by a committee, according to officials.

Stalls at the Namo ghat showcasing handloom, handicrafts and cuisine gave delegates an insight into the rich aspects of Tamil Nadu's and Kashi's art and culture. Cultural programmes, combining the cultures of the two places, organised during the evenings, were a major attraction for the visiting delegates.

Seminars, discussions and lectures were organised to deliberate on literature, ancient texts, philosophy, spirituality, music, dance, drama, yoga, ayurveda, handloom and handicrafts as well as modern innovations, business exchanges, EdTech and other next-generation technologies.

Experts and scholars, local practitioners of various disciplines and professions from Tamil Nadu and Kashi are participating in these exchanges.

The sangamam aims at rediscovering, reaffirming and celebrating the age-old links between Tamil Nadu and Kashi. The first edition was a month-long event organised last year and more than 2,500 people from Tamil Nadu participated in it.
While the Indian Navy has now deployed four destroyers and one frigate to protect merchant shipping from missile and drone attacks in the Arabian Sea, the larger challenge faced by navies across countries is the lack of anti-drone equipment on these warships, according to people familiar with the matter. Officials at the Indian Navys newly-commissioned Stealth Guided Missile Destroyer Imphal at Naval Dockyard in Mumbai. (PTI)

This makes merchant ships or oil tankers with no protective measure sitting ducks for the Houthi missiles and Iranian loitering ammunition in the Red Sea, apart from rampaging Somali pirates across the region, the people added.

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A frontline frigate of the INS Talwar class is now headed towards the central Arabian Sea to join destroyers INS Kolkata, INS Kochi, INS Chennai and INS Mormugao, which are deployed south of the Arabian Sea to deter missile attacks in the light of recent developments, the people said. INS Visakhapatnam is on standby at the Mumbai harbour as Kamikaze drone-hit tanker MV Chem Pluto is currently undergoing repairs at the Mumbai dockyard.

Read here: Mission from promoting drone use in state

While one US carrier strike group, French, UK, Spanish, Japanese, Italian and Danish warships are deployed in the Arabian Sea, none of these platforms, like the Indian vessels, have specific anti-drone systems such as high-energy laser or microwave weapons. Though US, UK and French warships have been able to shoot down drones and missiles with long-range guns and surface-to-air missiles, none of these platforms use jamming or spoofing techniques as they interfere with communication. Even Indian warships have long-range guns and SAMs to shoot down drones.

HT has learnt that friendly navies have formed a sort of corridor from the southern Red Sea to the western coast of India to protect the sea lanes, with dhows or suspicious vessels not allowed to enter this zone in the Arabian Sea. Indian warships are also approaching suspicious vessels, and navy sailors are boarding and checking them for weapons and loitering ammunition.

Apart from ships, the US, French and Indian navies are also using long-range drones for maritime domain awareness, apart from surveillance aircraft and helicopters to ensure that merchant shipping and oil tankers can transverse the red zone.
There was a fresh outbreak of violence in strife-torn Manipur on Saturday as gunbattle erupted between Meitei and Kuki groups in the Kangpokpi district, where a Meitei man was killed, and, separately, between Manipur police commandos and militants in the border town of Moreh, where one commando sustained bullet injuries. The two incidents came 26 days after 13 people were killed in a gunfight on December 4 in Tengnoupal district. Imphal: Security personnel fire tear gas shells as students protest against the "killing" of two missing students by unknown miscreants and demand peace in Manipur.(PTI)

Read here: Manipur police commando injured during gunfire between armed men, security forces

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Manipur has been in the throes of ethnic violence since early May as clashes erupted between the Meiteis, the most populous community in the state, and the tribal Kukis. While a bulk of the violence took place in the days after May 3, attacks between communities have continued intermittently ever since. The violence has seen 197 lives lost, according to government numbers, and over 50,000 from both communities displaced from their homes, with Meiteis from the Kuki dominated hills fleeing for their lives, and Kukis from the Meitei dominated Imphal valley chased out of their homes. The tension has also seen the creation of community based armed village defence volunteers that are often armed.

On Saturday morning at around 3.30am, senior police officials said, there was the exchange of fire between village defence volunteers of the Kuki and Meitei communities. This took place between the hill ranges of Nakhujang and Singda Kuki villages under Kangchup police station. The exchange of fire lasted till around 4.20am, the police officer said.

Police officials confirmed that in the firing, a Meitei man identified as Ningombam James, 32, a resident of Imphal West, sustained bullet injuries and was taken to Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) in Imphal, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

The Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU), a Kuki organisation active in Kangpokpi, claimed the gunfight started over protection of forestland after Meitei youths allegedly cut firewood in a forest located close to a Kuki village.

When Kuki village volunteers went for patrolling in the area this morning, they were fired upon by armed youths from Imphal Valley who had trespassed the buffer zones (between Meitei-dominated and Kuki-dominated areas). The exchange of fire took place for nearly an hour, said a COTU office bearer.

K Lhouvam, chairman of the Leimakhong Area Protection Committee, who is also a resident of the area near Nakhujang said, The Nakhujang village had around 30 houses. On June 2, it was attacked by Meiteis and after that Meitei groups had set up bunkers in the village and the Nakhujang forest area. The Kuki residents had fled to other villages.

Lhouvam said that on Saturday morning, a group of 15 Kuki village volunteers had come to the Nakhujang village to enquire if Meiteis were chopping trees in the area and building homes. The Kuki villages had come to check the area when they came under heavy fire from the Meitei volunteers who were already there in the village. In the gunfight between the two groups, one of the Meitei volunteers died. None of the Kuki volunteers sustained injuries. We have been told that there is heavy security in Nakhujang after the incident.

The incident where the latest violence was reported is in the buffer zone between Imphal West and Kangpokpi. Meities are the dominant community in Imphal West while Kukis outnumber Meiteis in Kangpokpi.

The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), an Imphal-based umbrella group of Meitei organisations, did not respond to requests for comment.

Villagers in Imphal West protested later in the day and alleged that security personnel posted in the hill areas were not acting against those carrying weapons.

In a separate incident in the afternoon, at around 3.40pm, a convoy of Manipur police commandos was attacked by militants on the Imphal-Moreh highway, near the border with Myanmar, injuring one commando. The unidentified militants also threw explosives at the convoy, the commandos told police. There were no fatalities.

The firing between militants and Manipur police commandos continued from 3.45pm to 5.30pm. One commando sustained injuries and was rushed to the hospital. We have been told that bombs and explosives were thrown at the convoy from the jungle side on the hills. There is heavy security in Moreh, a police officer, who asked not to be named, said.

Manipur police later confirmed both incidents on X.

On 30.12.2023 one Rifleman namely Rfn. No. 15007660 G. Ponkhamlung of 5th IRB presently attached to Spl. CDO was injured in his right thigh by a splinter during an ambush by unknown armed miscreants at Moreh, Tengnoupal District, it said.

On 30.12.2023, one civilian was injured in a firing incident by unknown armed miscreants at Kadangband and later succumbed to his injuries, it added, referring to the incident in Kangpokpi district.

The officer quoted above said the commandos were attacked by militants on the highway stretch between M Chahnou village and Moreh Power house. M Channou and surrounding villages are inhabited by Kuki-Zo community.

It looks like unidentified gunmen attacked the Manipur police commandos. We condemn the attack. But we reiterate that Kuki people here are opposed to Manipur polices commandos being posted here. The commandos of the state police are biased. We have given several representations to the government not to post commandos in Moreh as the residents here are Kukis, said Kaikholal Haokip, spokesperson of the Kuki Inpi Tengnoupal, an umbrella group for Kuki residents of Tengnouplal. Moreh comes under administrative jurisdiction of Tengnoupal district.

Following the ambush, residents of Kuki villages, including M Channou fled their homes. In the evening, officials of Assam Rifles on loud speakers urged villagers to return to their homes, saying there was no violence in the area and security had been increased. All people from the Kuki villages had fled their house. Security forces are making announcements on the speaker and urging them to return. Bombs were used in the gunfight during the day so people are afraid, Kaikholal Haokip added.

Kuki-Zo bodies in Tengnoupal district including Kuki Inpi and Hill Tribal Council alleged that houses belonging to community members in Moreh were set on fire by state police.

In a joint press statement, the groups stated that state police torched houses in Lhangnom Veng Moreh after a gunfight erupted between the police commandos and unidentified gunmen.

In the aftermath of the gun fight, the panic-stricken public took shelter leaving their homes, taking advantage of the deserted homes, the police commandos burnt down three houses in Lhangnom Veng, Moreh ward No.9, claimed the statement. Residents shared photos that showed houses in the village that were allegedly burnt down.

The joint CSOs (civil society organisations) vehemently condemns the arson and indiscriminate firing towards Kuki-Zo localities and urges the concern authority to immediately withdraw the state forces, it added.

Read here: Manipur: One killed in fresh Kuki-Meitei gunfight in Kangpokpi

Segin, a volunteer of the Hill Tribal Council, Moreh, said, Three Kuki houses were set on fire. We suspect it was done by the commandos. People from those villages have also fled and are refusing to go back.

The Manipur police said they are yet to receive any information about houses being burnt. The Director General of Police Rajiv Singh did not respond to repeated requests for comment.
A Manipur Police commando was injured in a heavy gunfire exchange between unidentified gunmen and security forces in Moreh, Tengnoupal district, around 3:50 pm on Saturday, officials said. A police patrol party in a violence-hit area of Manipur. (AFP)

Eyewitnesses said the commando was injured when the gunmen targeted police vehicles as they were heading towards the Key Location Point (KLP) from the border town of Moreh.

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An officer confirmed, "One commando sustained shrapnel injuries when they came under attack while crossing the M Chahnou village section of Imphal-Moreh road."

The injured commando has been identified as Ponkhalung of 5 IRB, officials said, adding, he is currently receiving treatment at the 5 Assam Rifles camp.

Police said, "Unidentified gunmen fired shots and threw bombs at the commando team of Moreh at Chikim Veng, Moreh Ward No. 9 in Tengnoupal district. The incident occurred while Manipur police commandos were conducting routine reconnaissance in the area."

Police said, "Initially, two bombs exploded, followed by 350 to 400 rounds of fire."

Sources said firing was continuing near the New Moreh entrance gate and M Chahnou village.

Two houses in Moreh were also set on fire, sources added.
Kochi: Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party unit in Kerala is carrying out a sneha yatra  an outreach towards the Christian community  at the grassroots level with leaders and workers going door-to-door at Christian homes and establishments. But unlike Easter, when the yatra was first conducted for a day, this time, BJP workers are facing probing questions, especially over the ethnic violence in Manipur that erupted on May 3 and claimed at least 180 lives. Keral BJP chief K Surendran kicked off sneha yatra in Kochi on December 21 by meeting Cardinal George Alencherry, former head of the Syro-Malabar Church, and Archbishop Joseph Kalathiparambil of the Latin Archdiocese of Verapoly. (ANI)

The BJP remains a marginal player in Keralas politics with an 11.3% vote share in the last assembly elections and having no MLAs or MPs directly elected from the state. However, it has for some time understood that its electoral success hinges on drawing support from the Christian community, which comprises nearly 19% of the states population, apart from retaining its core Hindu vote.

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Publicly, BJP leaders have said that its sneha yatra is only to convey the Christmas-New Year wishes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Christian leadership and the larger community and that it doesnt have political objectives. But privately, leaders have said the reception towards it from the Christian community has been cold due to misunderstandings about the party and anger against it to an extent on account of its handling of the riots in Manipur.

BJP state chief K Surendran kicked off the yatra in Kochi on December 21 by meeting Cardinal George Alencherry, former head of the Syro-Malabar Church, and Archbishop Dr Joseph Kalathiparambil of the Latin Archdiocese of Verapoly.

Later, he told reporters, I conveyed the Prime Ministers Christmas-New Year wishes to the Cardinal. We will go to everyones homes with the message of the Prime Minister. There is no politics in it. We are sending out the big message of ensuring solidarity and brotherhood. On Easter, we could only do it for one day. This time, its a larger campaign over 10 days.

When asked whether the party was facing heat from the community over the Manipur violence, the BJP chief pointed to the Mizoram assembly election results.

In the Mizoram election, the Congress made the violence in neighbouring Manipur one of its main campaign planks. The Congress ended up losing many seats and their vote-share shrunk significantly. It is evident that the Christian community will not take long to see through these false campaigns against the BJP. In a state with over 90% Christian population, the BJP was able to double the seats and vote-share it had previously, he said.

At the same time, he claimed there have been some misunderstandings within the community in Kerala. The Congress and the CPM have created a narrative (against us). It has led to misunderstandings. We hope that initiatives like the sneha yatra will clear such doubts.

However, in a signal that the Syro-Malabar church perhaps doesnt want to attach too much importance to these visits, photographers were not allowed inside the church headquarters in Kakkanad during Surendrans visit. The church also didnt issue a press release or photos of the visit of the BJP leader.

A top leader of the state BJP, who did not want to be named, said, There certainly is a gap between the party and the Christian community which widened following the violence in Manipur. There is a feeling among them that the situation there could have been handled better. So, now we have to do a lot of damage control.

Another leader in Pathanamthitta district, who has been part of the yatra at the local level, said, The LDF and UDF parties here were able to use the issue very well to create fissures between us and the Christian community. Particularly, the Congress sensed that the community was drifting away from it. They exploited it very well.

During our house-to-house visits, we try not to talk about it (Manipur). It would have been easier if it hadnt happened. We would have got a much wider acceptance, he said.

In the months following the outbreak of ethnic clashes in Manipur, the BJP and the central government faced harsh criticism from top leaders of various Church denominations in Kerala.

Cardinal Mar Baselios Cleemis, archbishop of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church and president of the Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC), on July 8 said, Manipur is a state whose people also live by Indias Constitution. Why is the administration taking so much time to quell the violence in the state? It has been 65 days now. Why is there silence? PM Modi should stop his silence and speak now.

There are different assumptions in the name of riots in Manipur. There is a simple question. Are those fighting and killing each other there Indians or foreigners? If they are Indians, shouldnt the Indian government have the moral responsibility to protect their lives?...let religions and beliefs be kept aside. In the name of riots there, if anyone thinks they can wipe out Christianity from India, its a daydream. Indias soul tells us that there is great danger in making people from different religions fight each other, he added.

Similarly, Mar Joseph Pamplany, Thalassery Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church, who had once said that the votes of the community can be transferred to the BJP if the central government hikes the MSP of rubber to 300, called the violence in Manipur a genocide. There seems to be a concerted move to create riots and people naturally would have apprehensions whether the governments are protecting those behind it, he had said in June.

J Prabhash, former professor of political science at the University of Kerala, said whatever little closeness the church leadership may have had with the BJP in the state has been lost due to the handling of the situation in Manipur.

Historically, the community has not been close to the BJP. Lately, some people in higher posts of the church may have given pro-BJP statements, but the ordinary Christians on the ground have voted for either the Left or the Congress. Thats because they know the BJP doesnt have any prospects here. There is no rootedness in their leadership, he said.

As long as the BJP doesnt emerge as an alternative force within the state, there is no cause for friendship with it for the Church. The BJP also has to emerge as a unifying force. The language that it speaks in the north is not attractive here in the south. They have to clarify their stand about minorities, Prabhash said.
 Indias basmati growers and shippers are reaping robust profits and are looking at good tidings ahead in the new year due to brisk overseas orders and a busy wedding season at home, which have pushed up prices to a record high, analysts said. In the new season, over 600,000 tonne have been contracted for exports, while the value of overseas shipments totalled over $3 billion till November, bulk buyers said (HT)

Read here: Red Sea strikes alarm basmati exporters, govt advises caution

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The top agricultural export item, prized for its aroma and long grain, is witnessing a demand surge from traditional global buyers in the Middle East, the US and European Union, fuelling a global rice price spiral.

Millers also point to a wedding season and changing consumption patterns among rice consumers as a new source of domestic demand for basmati. Wholesalers say theres been a 15% surge in procurement demand from dealers and distributors nationwide this winter.

In the new season, over 600,000 tonne have been contracted for exports, while the value of overseas shipments totalled over $3 billion till November, bulk buyers said.

Heavy demand has knocked up prices from around 46,000 a tonne in the previous season to about 50,000-52,000 tonne last week for some top grades of the grain, up 30%, a bulk buyer said, requesting not to be named.

An ongoing wedding season at home has set a new tempo for the industry, said Atul Garg, managing director of GRM Overseas, an exporter to 38 markets worldwide. Families crafting memorable culinary experiences for guests now consider basmati an essential element of celebration.

A pick-up in exports has been helped by Indias lowering of the minimum export price from $1,200 a tonne to $950 a tonne last month. The move has made Indian basmati rice shipments competitive again in global markets, said Kuldeep Nagar of Bharati Impex, a distributor to overseas sellers.

Non-availability of most other long grain white rice varieties due to a ban on cereal export by the worlds largest exporter of the grain has also stoked demand for basmati.

Distributors are offering up to 50,000 a tonne for my grade and this is one of the best seasons I have seen in five years, said Karamveer Singh, a grower from Punjabs Pathankot.

Read here: Haryana might fall short of 60 lakh MT procurement target of non-basmati paddy

Better volumes of basmati export could help narrow Indias agricultural trade gap this year because the country has banned shipments of white rice, wheat and onion to cool domestic prices.

KRBL Ltd, a top seller, has seen strong growth in the domestic market for its India Gate brand, according to a company representative. The demand for premium grades of basmati rice shows a remarkable 25% year-on-year increase, GRMs Garg said.
Narendra Modi Ayodhya Visit: Ayodhya is all geared up for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit on Saturday, December 30, with the temple town being decked up with flowers, murals and thematic ornamental columns amid heavy security deployment in the temple town. Divisional commissioner of Ayodhya Gaurav Dayal said preparations were in full swing for the visit and despite dense fog in the city in the past two days, all arrangements were on course. Ayodhya is decked up with flowers and posters ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit on Saturday. (Deepak Gupta/HT)

Modi will be welcomed by various groups of artistes from across India as he arrives in Ayodhya to inaugurate the redeveloped Ayodhya railway station  the Ayodhya Dham railway station  and a new airport  Maharishi Valmiki international airport  before the consecration ceremony at the Ram temple on January 22.

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Gaurav Dayal said about 1.5 lakh people are expected to assemble for the rally that will last nearly an hour, after which Modi will depart from Ayodhya.

The administration has put up temporary wooden barricades on both sides of the recently redeveloped Ram Path, and other roads that will fall on his route on the way to the railway station from the airport.

Modi is expected to hold a roadshow on a stretch between the airport and the railway station and acknowledge the greetings of the people of Ayodhya.

Large posters bearing Modi's image and carrying a message of welcome to the "holy city of Ayodhya" have been put up at various prominent locations in the temple town, news agency PTI reported.

There is a huge poster placed on Ram Path near the new ceremonial gateway that leads to the Ramjanmabhoomi temple site with the message, "Prabhu Ram ki nagri mey aapka swagat hai" (Welcome to the city of Lord Ram). The poster also carries the names of Uttar Pradesh's urban development department and the Ayodhya Municipal Corporation.

"We are all set for the PM's visit. The city is being decorated with flowers. Beds have been reserved in various hospitals and at Rajarshi Dashrath Medical College, and security personnel are on their toes," the Ayodhya divisional commissioner said.

Vaibhav Mishra from Ayodhya will welcome the PM on the land of Ramla Lalla by blowing conches while Mohit Mishra from Kashi will beat a Damru.

Many artistes will present art forms of Awadhi and Vantangiya. While Ragini Mitra of Noida and Brajesh Pandey of Sultanpur will present Awadhi folk dance, Sahaj Singh Shekhawat of Gorakhpur will perform Vantangiya dance.

Depiction of Lord Ram's life on walls

Along this road  Dharm Path  near Lata Mangeshkar Chowk, interpretation walls are being set up at regular intervals on both sides, depicting the life of Lord Ram.

Huge posters bearing images of the Ram temple, new airport and hailing Ayodhya as city of "Maryada, Dharm and Sanskriti" have been put up in various parts of the city.

Sri Ram hospital in Ayodhya

At the Sri Ram hospital in Ayodhya, a nursing staff on duty said 20 beds in a ward in the old hospital building and five ICU beds in the new building have been reserved.

A 'Reserved Ward' sign was put up in the ward that lay empty on Friday morning. Patients have been shifted to other wards, a nurse on duty said.

PM Modi to flag off trains, developmental projects

During his Ayodhya visit, Modi will inaugurate the Ayodhya railway station around 11.15am and the newly constructed Ayodhya airport around 12.15pm.

After this, the prime minister will participate in a public event where several development projects worth more than 15,700 crore will be inaugurated.

Modi will also flag off two new Amrit Bharat and six new Vande Bharat trains. Modi will launch projects worth more than 11,100 crore to revamp civic facilities and develop world-class infrastructure in Ayodhya and projects worth over 4,600 crore for other parts of Uttar Pradesh.

To enhance accessibility to the upcoming Ram temple, he will also inaugurate four newly redeveloped, widened and beautified roads in Ayodhya - Ram Path, Bhakti Path, Dharm Path, and Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Path, the Prime Minister's Office said.

(With inputs from agencies)
With a mix of new and experienced faces, the expansion of the cabinet in BJP-ruled Rajasthan is likely to occur today. Chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma travelled to Delhi earlier to meet the BJP high command ahead of the cabinet expansion. Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma during the program of 'Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra', in Jaipur on Saturday. (ANI Photo)

With the three MPs-turned-MLAs  Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Kirodi Lal Meena and Baba Balak Nath  several candidates are seen as probable contenders for a post in the cabinet. Five-time MLA Anita Bhadel and Mahant Pratap Puri from the Pokaran assembly constituency are among the frontrunners.

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Around 18 to 20 MLAs will take oaths as ministers at Raj Bhavan in Jaipur, news agency ANI reported, citing sources.

Balancing caste equations

While the CM is a Brahmin, caste and regional equations will likely be given attention. Given the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the focus will likely be on ensuring all regions get representation. At the same time, social engineering will ensure that all major castes get full representation in the cabinet.

In the current cabinet, the state has a Brahmin CM along with Diya Kumari from the Rajput community and Prem Chand Bairwa from the Scheduled Caste as deputy CMs, respectively.

The expanded cabinet will likely comprise faces from the Other Backward Classes (OBCs), which constitute 35-40% of the state's population. MLAs from the Meena and Gurjar communities will also likely be placed in the cabinet.

Opposition raised questions

The opposition parties, including the Congress, criticised the BJP-led government over the delay in the cabinet formation.

Former CM Ashok Gehlot said earlier that the governance of the state came to a standstill due to the delay in the cabinet formation.

"Disappointment has now started spreading among the public because the people of Rajasthan gave a clear mandate to BJP on 3rd December, but even after 22 days, the cabinet has not been formed yet, due to which governance has come to a standstill. Every department is also in a state of confusion. The public is watching which ministers they should approach to solve their problems. The cabinet should be formed as soon as possible so that the functioning of the government can run smoothly," he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Kochi:BJP leader and former Rajya Sabha MP Suresh Gopi moved the Kerala high court on Friday seeking anticipatory bail in a case lodged against him for allegedly behaving inappropriately with a woman journalist at a press interaction in Kozhikode. BJP leader and former Rajya Sabha MP Suresh Gopi was booked on the basis of a complaint filed by a woman journalist who alleged that he touched her inappropriately during a press briefing in Kozhikode. (HT Archives)

Justice C Pratheep Kumar sought instructions in the matter and moved the hearing on the bail plea to the first week of January.

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Gopi, who has also starred in over 250 Malayalam films in a leading role, was booked by the Nadakkavu police in Kozhikode on October 28 under section 354 (A)(1)(i) of the IPC for physical contact and advances involving unwelcome and explicit sexual overtures. The case was later altered to section 354 of the IPC for assault or criminal force to outrage the modesty of a woman.

The actor-politician was booked on the basis of a complaint filed by a woman journalist who alleged that he touched her inappropriately during a press briefing. The BJP leader later claimed that he placed his hand on the womans shoulder in an act of affection and that if she felt mentally troubled over it, he would apologise for it.

Subsequently, on November 15, the actor was questioned for around two hours at the Nadakkavu police station over the incident. Dozens of party workers accompanied him to the station in an act of solidarity with him.

In his bail plea, the BJP leader said that he was not served with any notice by the police with regard to the alteration of charge in the FIR and that it was not produced before the concerned trial court as well. He said the allegations against him were made to tarnish his public image.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 30. Al Jazeera TV channel presented a report on the revival of Azerbaijani folk music in Karabakh, Trend reports.

The footage showcased the intricate process of crafting the Azerbaijani stringed musical instrument known as the tar.

In a conversation with the TV channel, music teacher Mazahir Verdiyev, who had to leave Jabrayil during the first Karabakh war, expressed that after three decades, every displaced individual harbors a desire to return to their homeland.

He added, "I aspire to play the tar and pass on the knowledge to children, aiding them in mastering this exquisite art".

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, former IDPs have returned to Fuzuli and Lachin cities, the villages of Aghali (Zangilan district), Talish (Tartar district), and Zabukh (Lachin district).
Poonch (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], December 30 (ANI): Days after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's visit to Jammu and Kashmir, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah expressed condolences on the deaths of four Army personnel and three civilians, saying that "terrorism is against humanity." HT Image

Earlier on December 21, four Army personnel were killed and three others were injured after heavily armed terrorists ambushed two Army vehicles near Thanamandi in the Rajouri sector.

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"Terrorism, for any reason, is against humanity. The terrorism that has happened or is happening is not acceptable in any community. Not only are jawans but officers like Colonel and two captains have lost their lives. We regret that the civilians also lost their lives," Abdullah said.

He further expressed condolences on the demise of former senior Jammu and Kashmir Police officer Mohd Shafi, who was shot dead by terrorists while offering prayers at a mosque in Baramulla.

"This (terrorism) should be stopped. I urge my neighbouring country to stop this, as, like this, we are not heading towards friendship. Former Indian PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee also said that if we maintain the friendship, then only we can progress. I would suggest finding a solution through dialogue between India and Pakistan," he added.

Earlier on December 27, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met the families of three civilians who were killed near the site of an anti-terrorist operation in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir.

Rajnath Singh was accompanied by Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Singh.

The Defence Minister also reviewed security and said that every soldier is very important to us and every soldier is like a member of the family and we cannot tolerate anyone looking down on our soldiers and countrymen.

"I wish for the speedy recovery of our soldiers who have been injured. I want to assure you that, considering the seriousness of all the soldiers who have been injured, every effort is being made to take all necessary steps and no stone is being left unturned to take all necessary steps for their well-being. Every soldier is very important to us. I believe that each of our soldiers is like a member of the family; this feeling resides within all of us. This feeling resides within every countryman; we cannot tolerate anyone looking down on our soldiers and countrymen," said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at Rajouri.

"Both security and intelligence agencies play an important role and this effort is being made continuously by them as well. This role will be more important in the future. Whatever cooperation is required from the government and whatever cooperation will be required from the government in the future, our treasury is fully open," added the Defence Minister.

Rajnath Singh said, "I believe that such incidents should not be taken for granted. We need to be more alert. I know you all remain alert."

Singh also encouraged security personnel and said that their duties and efforts cannot be compared with compensation.

"You all have a sense of sacrifice for the nation. Because of the bravery and valour that you show, we all also feel a sense of pride. Whatever your sacrifice is in the service of the motherland, your duties and efforts cannot be compared with anything under any circumstances. Even if some compensation is given, it will not compensate for the sacrifice of soldiers," said Singh.

"I want to assure you that, as far as the government is concerned, the government stands by you and we give equal priority to your welfare and your convenience. We try to take steps based on whatever information is given to us," said the minister.

Amid the recent increase in attacks on its troops, the Indian Army is planning to increase the number of troops in the Poonch-Rajouri sector to curb the activities of the Pakistani terrorists there, sources said. (ANI)
Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Sanjay Raut on Saturday took a swipe at the Bharatiya Janata Party over the politicization of Ram Temple in Ayodhya, saying the only thing left for the BJP is to announce Lord Ram as their candidate for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Raut's remarks came ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the riverside town of Uttar Pradesh, where he is scheduled to launch several mega projects. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut. (HT PHOTO)

Now, the only thing left is that the BJP will announce that Lord Ram will be their candidate for the elections. So much politics is being done in the name of Lord Ram, Raut, known for his no-holds-barred comments, told reporters.

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Raut earlier said the inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22 was a "BJP event" and not a national one.

Responding to a query on whether Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray would take part in the idol consecration ceremony, he said, Thackeray will definitely go but only after the BJP's event gets over. Why should one go to a BJP event? It is not a national event. The BJP is holding rallies and campaigning a lot for this function but where is the purity in it.

Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate projects totalling 11,000 crore in Ayodhya, including a new airport and revamped railway station ahead of the consecration ceremony of the long-anticipated temple in January. The airport, whose facade will mirror temple architecture, has been developed in anticipation of an increase in tourism to the city, according to a government statement.

Ayodhya has undergone a facelift over the past few years as authorities widened roads and built bridges and highways ahead of an anticipated influx of Hindu pilgrims.

Our government is committed to developing international-standard infrastructure, improving connectivity and revamping civic facilities while confirming the rich history and heritage of Lord Shri Rams Ayodhya, Modi said in a post on X.
Amid political tussle over former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray not being invited to the inauguration of Ayodhya's Ram Temple to be held on January 22, Uddhav on Saturday said he does not need an invitation. "Ram Lalla is mine too. I can go anytime I wish. I can go now, I can go tomorrow. When I became the chief minister, I went to Ayodhya. I visited Ayodhya before that also. Yes, I have not received any invitation and I don't need one. I just have one request that this event should not be made a political one," Uddhhav said. While Uddhav has not been invited, Raj Thackeray, the chief of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, has been invited to the event. Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday commented on not being invited to Ram Temple inauguration event on January 22. (PTI)

"Those who pulled the Babri Masjid down are not there today. Maybe a handful of them are. Some people may have gone on a school picnic because they were of that age at that time," Uddhav said in a swipe at Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis as Fadnavis mentioned several times that he participated in kar seva and got imprisoned.

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The invitation to the grand event has triggered political bickering as the temple management intended to keep the invitee list small. State chief ministers and governors have not been invited, but all chiefs of all national political parties have been reportedly invited. Whether to keep the invitation or not has spelt a bigger dilemma for opposition parties. Congress has not yet taken any official stand on whether party president Mallikarjun Kharge, former president Sonia Gandhi and Lok Sabha leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury will attend the event.

CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury said he would not keep the invitation as the party believes that religion is a personal choice and should not be converted into "an instrument for political gain".

Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) criticised the management's move to not invite Uddhav Thackeray as Balasaheb Thackeray had a major contribution to Ram Temple. Uddhav faction leader Sanjay Raut said Ram Lalla has been kidnapped by the BJP and the inauguration event would be a political one.

When the Babri Masjid was pulled down in 1992, the BJP then blamed Bal Thackeray and he took the responsibility for it, Raut said.
Speaking to reporters in Warangal, Kavitha said the security arrangements of a Chief Minister and other VIPs are dealt with by the police and other security agencies and politicians do not have any role in those issues. HT Image

"Ultimately, the protocol of any CM is decided by the security wing, Intelligence and the police. There is no role of politicians in that. It (the purchase of vehicles) was decided like that and it was unfortunate that the current CM (Revanth Reddy) thinks so, but it is not the case," she told reporters when asked for her reaction on the issue.

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Addressing a press conference, Revanth Reddy recently said officials have informed him that the previous BRS government bought 22 Land Cruiser vehicles and kept them in Vijayawada hoping to use them after KCR came back to power again after the Assembly polls.

She further said during the last 10 years, the leaders never insisted on what kind of security cover that the police should provide to them.

"It is not fair for the Chief Minister to make an issue out of it and belittle it," she opined.

The BRS leader demanded the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to accord national festival status to Sammakka Saaramma Jatra, a tribal festival, describing it as a South Indian Kumbh Mela.

She said there were several representations to PM Modi on the issue.
The Gujarat Police has questioned at least 20 passengers from Gujarat who were on the Nicaragua-bound flight which was sent back mid-route from France to unearth a suspected illegal immigration network operating from the state, news agency PTI reported. Passengers from Nicaragua-bound Airbus A340 flight that was grounded in France on suspicion of human trafficking, leave the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport after their arrival in Mumbai on December 26. (REUTERS)

The Nicaragua-bound aircraft, an Airbus A340 carrying 276 passengers, was grounded in France for four days over suspected human trafficking. It landed in Mumbai in the wee hours of December 26.

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A senior state Crime Investigation Department (CID) official told PTI that those passengers included at least 60 from Gujarat, who have already reached their respective native places in the state. They were questioned by the department to find out whether they had any plans to cross into the United States of America illegally after reaching Latin America.

They were sent back from France. There was a rumour they had planned to enter the US illegally after landing in Nicaragua. In their statements, they told us they were going there as tourists. We are going into the details to find out who were the agents behind their trip, the report quoted SP Rajkumar, additional director General of Police, CID - Crime and Railways, as saying.

The police said of the 60 who returned to Gujarat, some 20 have been grilled already by the agency.

"We are verifying their documents to ascertain whether they used genuine or forged documents to proceed to Central America. We will also check their financial transactions because, ideally, they should not have paid more if they were going there as normal tourists and not with any other intention," said the senior IPS officer.

"Though we have started questioning, no one is divulging facts. They claim they went there as tourists. We are investigating the case from all angles," the officer said.

On Tuesday, superintendent of police CID (Crime) Sanjay Kharat had said the CID had formed four teams to investigate the issue.

"The CID (crime) wants to take action against agents who had promised help to the victims to enter the US and other countries (illegally). We have formed four teams which will get information from the victims regarding promises made to them by these agents," he had told reporters.

Airbus A340 with Indians grounded in France

The Airbus A340 was detained last week at Vatry airport, east of Paris, where it had stopped for refuelling. It had arrived from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and was halted after an anonymous tip-off that it was carrying potential victims of human trafficking, with most of the 303 people aboard flown back to India on Monday.

Passengers had paid four million to 12.5 million rupees ($48,000-150,000) to agents to help them reach the southern border of the United States from South America, Gujarat Police superintendent Sanjay Kharat told news agency AFP.

"We want to know how these people came in contact with the agents, or whether the agents contacted them, and what their plan was after reaching Nicaragua," he said.

Of the 276 passengers returned to India, Kharat said 66 were from his state, and police were in the process of interrogating them.

"We have identified people who could give us some information into the illegal racket and they are being questioned," he said.

Most of the flight's other passengers were from Punjab, where police said they were also conducting a probe.

"We are duty bound to investigate if any illegalities are brought to our notice and we are examining the issue," senior Punjab police official LK Yadav told AFP.

The flight was operated by Romanian charter company Legend Airlines, and passengers were put up at Vatry airport during the investigation. Among those staying behind in France were two people questioned by police there over suspected human trafficking.

A French judicial source said they were released after it was established the passengers had boarded the plane of their own free will.

Another 25 passengers, including five minors, sought asylum in France.

Close to 100,000 illegal Indian migrants have attempted to enter the US this year, according to US Customs and Border Protection data.

(With inputs from PTI, AFP)
Fashion trends are constantly evolving, from Barbiecore, sheer clothing, baggy jeans, and vintage trends to minimalism, 2023 was all about experimentation and expression. Fashion weeks, in particular, play a major role in defining the coming season in terms of style and trends. And this time, as the street style set descended on New York Fashion Week, several trends emerged. But of them all, the one that really caught the attention of fashionistas was the latte dressing trend. If you're an Insta-reel addict, you've probably heard of latte makeup - a combination of smouldering brown eyeshadows paired with chocolate bronzers and cinnamon lip liners. Similarly, the sartorial references combine mocha staples to create a tall cup of fashion perfection. (Also read: Is genderfluid fashion the next big trend in 2024? Experts share insights ) What is the 'latte dressing' trend? A street-style sensation from fashion weeks(Instagram )

Decoding the 'Latte Dressing' Trend

If you haven't gotten your hands on this viral trend yet, the New Year is the perfect opportunity. HT Lifestyle has reached out to some fashion industry experts to delve into details about this reigning fashion trend.

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Manishi Joshi, Creative Head Of Premya by Manishii shared, Latte Dressing essentially comes from the shades and hues of brown, a subtle mix of cinnamon and chocolate and bronzers following after the quiet luxury fashion trend we saw this year. It started a TikTok trend and made its way to fashion weeks. In Indian fashion since its fall as well, a lot of consumers are requesting various shades of tan, brown or mocha in sarees and lehengas in rich heirloom fabrics. Quite luxury with earthy colours.

"The latte dressing trend emphasizes neutral tones, especially shades of brown and tan, creating a subdued and sophisticated look. This departure from the traditional black-centric street style suggests a shift towards earthy and warmer colours. The trend seems to embody a sense of quiet luxury, embracing subtlety and versatility in fashion choices. If you're interested in incorporating latte dressing into your style, consider exploring different shades within the brown spectrum for a chic and contemporary aesthetic," says Avani K Chandan founder of House of Ara.

Chiara Baschetti wears a brown oversized blazer jacket, matching pants, a leather bag, outside Tods, during the Milan Fashion Week.(Photo by Edward Berthelot/Getty Images)

Shivani Parikh, founder of Shivanii, suggests, As seen recently on the streets during the fashion month, Embrace the 'latte dressing' trend to infuse your capsule wardrobe with a sense of comfort and radiate warmth through the soothing hues inspired by coffee blends. The tonal spectrum of this trend offers flexibility and versatility of outfit choices to compliment all complexions and fits well for every event may it be daytime or night. To be a part of this latest trend you can style yourself with shades ranging from cream, beige, champagne, nude, caramel, taupe, and mocha to chocolate brown. Latte Dressings subtly chic visuals promote minimalist style with maximalist impact.

Tiffany Hsu wears beige pants, cut put coat, yellow bag outside Prada during the Milan Fashion Week.(hoto by Christian Vierig/Getty Images)

Deepa Goel founder of Siddh Couture elaborates, The latte dressing trend is all inspired by a morning cup of coffee. The term comes from Italian caffe latte Which means coffee and milk. Its all about embracing shades of brown, beige, taupe and cream from coffee to caramel and chocolate to latte. It makes you stand out confidently while embracing the warm and rich shades of brown. The beauty of this trend lies in its subtleness. It is the latest luxury trend making waves on social media and the streets of Fashion Week. We are captivated by this trend which beautifully compliments the winter chill, Much like the warmth of a hot cup of coffee.

"In India, the "latte dressing" trend has seamlessly woven its way into the fashion scene, drawing inspiration from the 90s' all-brown ensembles. Embracing a rich palette of mochas, caramels, and earthy tones, fashion enthusiasts are revisiting the elegance of monochromatic brown outfits. This trend not only pays homage to the timeless appeal of neutral hues but also signifies a departure from more vibrant colour choices in Indian fashion. As seen in street styles and social media influencers, the latte dressing trend in India reflects a sophisticated and versatile approach to fashion, blending nostalgia with a contemporary twist that resonates with a diverse range of style enthusiasts," says Pruthvi founder of Trazenie.
Covid JN.1 variant has entered India, and the country has reported over 150 cases of the new strain so far, which has raised alarm bells across different cities. Health authorities have urged to bring back social distancing measures and other preventive measures amid New Year celebrations that can further lead to increase in cases. Cold temperatures and festive gatherings may allow the virus to spread more easily. Covid JN.1 is a sub-variant of Omicron lineage and is more transmissible compared to the previous strains. Experts say it spreads faster than the other Omicron variants but does not cause more severe disease. Fever, cough, cold, headache, gastrointestinal disorders, breathing issues are some of the common symptoms of Covid JN.1. Experts warn that those with co-morbidities or who have suffered lung damage in previous waves must be careful as the new variant can affect them more. Covid JN.1 variant: Being genetically different, this variant has the ability to spread more rapidly.(Pixabay)

What is JN.1 and how is it different from other Omicron variants?

"JN.1 is a sub-variant of Omicron, which means it has evolved through some genetic changes from Omicron variant to form the current strain which has found a lot of success in its ability to infect and transmit between people. JN.1 has a much higher transmissibility rate as compared to Omicron which means the number of people it can reach is much higher than it was for Omicron. Possibly even a small amount of exposure can cause an infection. If there is even a mild symptom, one must adhere to social distancing norms to protect themselves. With holiday season the risk of transmission goes up because this is the time we all meet and gather and spend time with our friends and families in closed spaces. Moreover, this is the winter time when humidity in the air is much lower which allows the moist droplets to hang in the air, increasing the amount of time that it can expose a person to the infection," says Dr Pavithra Venkatagopalan, a microbiologist, coronavirus expert, and Covid Awareness Specialist, Rotary Club of Madras Next Gen in a telecon with HT Digital.

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Dr Tanu Singhal, Consultant, Paediatrics and Infectious Disease, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital Mumbai says Covid JN.1 can spreads faster than the other Omicron lineages but does not necessarily cause more severe disease.

"JN.1 a descendent of BA 2.86 has emerged as the dominant variant and is currently estimated to cause more than 25% of all SARS-COV infections worldwide. It is causing more than 50% of all infections in the USA and 70% in Singapore. It has been labelled as a Variant of interest by the WHO. This rapid emergence is due to a new mutation in the spike protein which makes it evasive to immunity achieved by previous vaccination/natural infection. Studies show that the Omicron-specific vaccine booster may give some cross protection against JN.1. Fortunately, disease due to JN.1 has been mild and there is no increase in hospitalization as compared to the Omicron lineages," adds Dr Singhal.

Dr. Nikhil Modi, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals says the newer variant of Covid -19 is genetically different and hence spreading more rapidly but agrees that common symptoms remain mild and similar to the previous strains.

"As we have seen in the past, Covid has come up with new or updated variants over time. The severity of different variants has varied, and for the time being, most cases associated with the JN.1 involved symptoms such as headaches and others.

However, this new variant differs in the sense that it can spread faster compared to other variants. As the number of cases increases, we might start to observe more severe cases as well. The common symptoms we are currently seeing include cough, runny nose, sore throat, body aches, and fever, which can be high-grade. Headaches are also reported in some cases.

Being genetically different, this variant has the ability to spread more rapidly. The severity of cases so far has been mild. Only as we see more and more cases will we be able to understand more about its impact," says Dr Nikhil Modi, Senior Consultant, Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals.

Dr. Avi Kumar, Senior Consultant, Pulmonology, Fortis Escorts, Okhla Road, New Delhi warns there are notable symptoms of JN.1 that individuals should know, as they may not be as mild as those associated with other Omicron variants.

"The JN.1 variant distinguishes itself from Pirola or BA. 2.86 through a singular mutation in its spike protein. Although it shares traits with prior Omicron strains, such as high transmissibility and mild symptoms, there are notable symptoms that individuals should be alert to, as they might not be as mild as those associated with other Omicron variants. Critical symptoms of the JN.1 Covid variant that warrant attention include fever, runny nose, sore throat, headache, and, in certain instances, moderate gastrointestinal issues. Some patients may also experience breathing difficulties. It's crucial to emphasize that, at present, there is no evidence indicating that this variant is more severe or has higher fatality rates in comparison to other variants," says Dr Kumar.

"While it has high rates of transmissibility, it does not seem to be much more virulent in terms of severity of symptoms. But the severity may also depend on underlying conditions and the overall health of the person who's infection. This could be their health conditions like diabetes, cholesterol, stress and autoimmune diseases, cancer etc. If you had Covid and you had a severe infection due to which your lungs are scarred, this can allow the new variant to further damage the lungs which makes it difficult for the body to recover and help the body to breathe easily," says Dr Pavithra.

JN.1 variant symptoms

"JN.1 variant has usual symptoms like fever, fatigue, body ache. It also has mild gastrointestinal symptoms like mild stomach cramps or loose stools. Not the major food poisoning. As a lay person, you cannot find which variant you have. Vaccines available in India, there is no evidence to suggest that they are not effective. If you have vaccinated and boosted, you have done the most in order to protect yourself," says Dr Pavithra.

Preventive tips

"While there is no need for immediate panic, initial findings suggest that JN.1 may not exhibit increased severity compared to earlier Covid variations. Nevertheless, comprehensive research is imperative to fully comprehend its behaviour. Vigilance in monitoring its transmissibility and impact on immunity is essential, and both India and the global community are closely scrutinizing these aspects. To curb the spread of infection, it is vital to adhere to all necessary precautions, including regular handwashing and wearing masks," concludes Dr Kumar.

"With the given rise in Covid-19 cases, especially the concern about the JN.1 variant, which possibly could have a slightly higher transmissibility than the other current variants, I think people need to be more aware and should be a bit more cautious about the whole situation and not panic. I believe a significant amount of vigilance is required, but there is no need for panic. It is important to set clear precautions that people should take. I think individuals with a high risk of comorbidities, such as those undergoing cancer chemotherapy, the elderly, people with diabetes, and those with uncontrolled hypertension, should definitely wear a mask in crowded places and closed or confined spaces, especially when traveling in a plane, air-conditioned compartment in a train or in a bus. This is the time when they should prioritize wearing a mask to protect themselves. Similarly, people should become a little bit more self -cognizant of the fact that if they are unwell, they should make sure that they do not travel out in open and enclosed spaces with people and if they are stepping out of the house in open space, they wear a mask so that they will be reverse isolating and protecting the other people as well. So I think these few things if we follow the holiday season should be enjoyed by everyone, and it will be safe for everyone," says Prof. Dr. Rahul Pandit, Chair, Critical Care, Sir H N Reliance Foundation Hospital.
Italy's first woman Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has been named the 'man of the year' by Libero Quotidiano, a far-right daily published in Milan triggering a battle of sex that the newspaper said Giorgia won in 2023. The epithet did not go down well with women's rights activists and several women politicians who saw the term as an affirmation of male superiority. An MP from the the Alleanza Verdi e Sinistra (Greens and Left Alliance) Elisabetta Piccolotti wrote on Facebook that Meloni should reject the title as it was only an affirmation of male superiority. At this point, prime minister, please clarify: are you a woman, are you a man or are you non-binary? Piccolotti wrote on Facebook, The Telegraph reported. Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni being named as the 'man of the year' by a newspaper has triggered a gender debate.(AP)

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Why Giorgia Meloni has been called 'Man of the year'

The article written by Mario Sechi, the paper's Rome bureau chief, said Meloni won "the war of the sexes" in Italy and not only "broke the glass ceiling but dissolved it". In excessive diversity, we have reversed gender. In times of war, we have chosen someone who has shown she knows how to fight," the article said. Mario Sechi led Meloni's public relations team between March and September of 2023 before joining the daily. The prime minister confronted two wars, multiple geopolitical shocks, a changing Europe and a world order being reinvented, it said.

Giorgia Meloni for Libero is man of the year because above everything she has cancelled the war of the sexes by winning it, by thinking differently, being divergent, overcoming the arrogance of men and the defeatism of women. She has not only broken the glass ceiling, she has dissolved it," it said.

Elly Schlein, secretary of the centre-left Democratic Party, said, "I dont think my aspiration as a politician is to become man of the year. On the contrary, I think this is a surrender."
Fierce Israeli tank fire and aerial bombing struck Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip on Friday night, residents said, after nearly 200 people were reported killed in 24 hours in Israel's campaign against Hamas militants. A picture taken from a position in southern Israel, along the border with the Gaza Strip, shows smoke billowing over the Palestinian territory during Israeli bombardment on December 29, 2023, amid continuing battles between Israel and the militant group Hamas.(AFP)

Planes also carried out a series of air strikes on the Nuseirat camp in central Gaza, according to medics and Palestinian journalists.

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Israeli forces have been pounding Khan Younis in preparation for an anticipated further advance into the main southern city, swathes of which they captured in early December.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said troops were reaching Hamas command centres and arms depots. The Israeli military said it had destroyed a tunnel complex in the basement of one of the houses of the Hamas leader for Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, in Gaza City.

Also read: McDonald's Malaysia seeks damages from pro-Palestinian group over boycott calls

Twelve weeks after Hamas militants stormed Israeli towns, killing 1,200 people and seizing 240 hostages, Israeli forces have laid much of the Gaza Strip to waste as it pursues its war aimed at eradicating the Islamist group.

Nearly all of Gaza's 2.3 million people have fled their homes at least once and many are on the move again, often reduced to taking shelter in makeshift tents or huddled under tarpaulins and plastic sheets on open ground.

The narrow coastal strip is just 40 km (25 miles) long, making it one of the most densely populated areas in the world.

Gaza health authorities said 187 Palestinians were confirmed killed in Israeli strikes in the 24-hour period, raising the overall toll to 21,507 - about 1% of Gaza's population. Thousands more bodies are feared to be buried in the ruins of neighbourhoods.

Palestinian journalist killed

A Palestinian journalist working for Al-Quds TV was killed along with some of his family members in an air strike on their house in the Nuseirat camp in central Gaza Strip, health officials and fellow journalists said.

Gaza's government media office says 106 Palestinian journalists have been killed in the Israeli offensive.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said last week that the first 10 weeks of the Israel-Gaza war were the deadliest recorded for journalists, with the most journalists killed in a single year in one location.

Most of the journalists and media workers killed in the war were Palestinian. The report by the U.S.-based CPJ said it was "particularly concerned about an apparent pattern of targeting of journalists and their families by the Israeli military."

Earlier this month, a Reuters investigation found an Israeli tank crew killed a Reuters journalist, Issam Abdallah, and wounded six reporters in Lebanon on Oct. 13 by firing two shells in quick succession while the journalists were filming cross-border shelling.

Israel has previously said it has never and will never deliberately target journalists and that it is doing what it can to avoid civilian casualties, but the high death toll has caused concern even amongst its staunchest allies.

The U.S. has called for Israel to scale down the war in coming weeks and move to targeted operations against Hamas leaders, although so far it shows no sign of doing so.

South Africa asked the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Friday for an urgent order declaring that Israel was in breach of its obligations under the 1948 Genocide Convention in its crackdown against Hamas in Gaza.

It called on the court to issue short-term measures ordering Israel to stop its military campaign "to protect against further, severe and irreparable harm to the rights of the Palestinian people."

No date has been set for a hearing.

In a response, Israel's foreign ministry blamed Hamas for the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza by using them as human shields and stealing humanitarian aid from them. Hamas denies such accusations.

Also read- Freed Israeli hostage Mia Schem describes horror she faced in Gaza: I went through a holocaust

Israel helps deliver vaccines to Gaza

Israel on Friday said it facilitated the entry of enough vaccines to inoculate almost 1.4 million people against illnesses including polio, tuberculosis, hepatitis, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and meningitis.

The vaccine transfer was coordinated with UNICEF, said a statement from COGAT - the defence ministry agency that coordinates with the Palestinians - in order to prevent the spread of disease in the enclave.

Gaza is almost entirely reliant on food, fuel and medical supplies from the outside, and Israel has limited access to the southern end of the strip. International agencies say supplies getting in through Israeli inspections are a small fraction of Gaza's needs.

Last week Israel bowed to international pressure to open a second crossing it said would double the number of supply trucks daily to 200, but just 76 were able to enter on Thursday, according to the United Nations, compared to 500 in peacetime.

An Israeli government spokesman said on Friday it does not limit humanitarian aid and the problem was with its distribution inside Gaza.
The border zone between the Gaza Strip and Egypt should be under Israel's control, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday as he predicted the war in the Palestinian enclave and on other regional fronts would last many more months. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (AFP)

Netanyahu held a news conference as Israel entered the 13th week of its war against Gaza's ruling Hamas Islamists, which has stoked violence in the occupied West Bank and touched off attacks by Iran-backed groups in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen.

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"The Philadelphi Corridor - or to put it more correctly, the southern stoppage point (of Gaza) - must be in our hands. It must be shut. It is clear that any other arrangement would not ensure the demilitarisation that we seek," he said.

Israel has said it intends to destroy Hamas in Gaza and demilitarise and deradicalise the territory in order to prevent any repeat of the Oct. 7 cross-border killing and kidnapping spree by the Palestinians militant group that sparked the war.

"The war is at its height. We are fighting on all of the fronts. Achieving victory will require time. As the (IDF) chief of staff has said, the war will continue for many more months," Netanyahu said.

He added a rare threat to attack Iran directly over the near-daily exchanges of fire across the Israel-Lebanon border. "If Hezbollah expands the warfare, it will suffer blows that it has not dreamed of - and so too Iran," Netanyahu said without elaborating.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 30. The Azerbaijani Central Election Commission has registered candidacy of Ilham Aliyev for the post of President of Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

The relevant decision has been made at today's meeting of the CEC.

On December 15, the New Azerbaijan Party (YAP) nominated Ilham Aliyev for the early presidential election.

On December 16, YAP submitted documents about nomination of Ilham Aliyev's candidacy for the post of President of Azerbaijan to the CEC, and on December 19, the CEC approved nomination of this candidacy.

On December 26, YAP submitted signature sheets with signatures of 50,000 voters in support of the party's nomination of Ilham Aliyev for the election of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, scheduled for February 7, 2024, to the CEC along with other documents in accordance with Article 58.1 of the Electoral Code.
Pakistan's election body has rejected former Prime Minister Imran Khan's nomination to contest the 2024 national elections in two constituencies, officials and his party's media team said on Saturday. Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan.(Reuters)

The 71-year-old former cricket star has been embroiled in a tangle of political and legal battles since he was ousted as prime minister in April 2022. He has not been seen in public since he was jailed for three years in August for unlawfully selling state gifts while in office from 2018 to 2022.

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Khan has been disqualified from contesting the national elections scheduled for Feb. 8 because of the corruption conviction, but he nevertheless filed nomination papers for the elections on Friday, his media team said.

In a list of rejected candidates from Lahore, the Election Commission of Pakistan said Khan's nomination was rejected because he was not a registered voter of the constituency and because he is "convicted by the court of law and has been disqualified".

His media team said the commission had also rejected his nomination to contest the elections from his hometown, Mianwali.

Khan, who is widely seen as the country's most popular leader, says he is being targeted by the powerful military, which wants to keep him out of the polls. The military denies this.

Last week, a high court refused to suspend Khan's disqualification from contesting the elections.

In addition to Khan, the election commission has also rejected nomination papers submitted by other senior party members, including Shah Mehmood Qureshi, vice chairman of Khan's party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI).

Meanwhile, the election commission accepted former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's nomination from two constituencies for the 2024 elections, weeks after a court overturned two graft convictions.

But Sharif still needs a life ban on holding any public office to be removed to qualify to stand, so it was not immediately clear how his nomination was accepted. A hearing on that ban will be held in January.

Sharif was banned from running in elections in 2017 by the Supreme Court, which declared him dishonest for not disclosing income from a company owned by his son.

Sharif, who arrived back home in October from four years of self-imposed exile in Britain, is bidding for a fourth premiership in the February elections. His biggest challenge will be to wrest back his support base from Khan.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been reportedly told that they need King Charles more than he needs them after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex turned down an invitation to Sandringham by the royal family. The couple stepped down as working royals in 2020 but have continued to drift further from the royal family as they made several claims about them, including in a Netflix documentary. In his memoir too, Prince Harry made claims against the royal family after this royal author Omid Scobie released his second bombshell book Endgame which made more allegations against the monarchy. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are seen. (AP)

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have remained silent on any possible involvement in Omid Scobie's book. King Charles also did not mention his son and Meghan Markle in his Christmas message but instead chose to pay tribute to the selfless army of volunteers serving communities across the country describing them as the essential backbone of our society.

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King Charles said that Christmas should be a chance for family and friends to come together across generations. Royal author Ingrid Seward said that she believes the rift "will sadly continue" into next year as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have a lot of projects in the pipeline.

Harry's been very clear that he doesn't want to come to the UK unless he has the kind of protection he expects. Most of his court cases are ongoing, but in particular with the Home Office, he's really put his foot down on this, Ingrid Seward said.

The royal author also claimed, "Obviously King Charles wants to see his son and his grandchildren, and last summer he apparently invited them to Balmoral, which they turned down. Meghan and Harry need the King and his blessing far more than the King needs them, sadly, so I feel we will be seeing them. We'll certainly be seeing Harry, because he's got to reappear for some court cases."
In a new investigation by the New York Times, fresh evidence has come to light about the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, which left many killed and triggered a fresh escalation in the area. Israeli soldiers operate at the Shajaiya district of Gaza city amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in the Gaza Strip December 8, 2023. (REUTERS)

The report exposes a massive security lapse by Israel as its troops were caught off guard when Hamas struck. When Israeli military headquarters in Tel Aviv, known as The Pit, received reports of Hamas rocket fire, it took more than an hour for them to issue deployment instructions. Troops were slow to respond, not fully comprehending that an invasion was already underway.

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The New York Times report further states the military was undermanned, soldiers were out of position, and communication was chaotic. They resorted to impromptu WhatsApp groups, and even social media posts were used to target information. Commandos rushed into battle without adequate preparation.

Shockingly, there was no specific plan to counter a large-scale Hamas attack. Soldiers on the ground had to improvise, contradicting the long-standing Israeli military doctrine of being on the offensive and anticipating enemy moves.

Israeli security agencies underestimated the threat, dismissing repeated assessments that Hamas was planning a massive invasion. Even when presented with Hamas battle plans, the authorities clung to an optimistic view, leading to a lack of strategic preparation.

Civilian guard and reservist issues:

The civilian guard, Kitat Konnenut, was intended as the first line of defence, but standards varied, and some units were poorly trained. Reservists were not prepared for a quick response, with some heading south on their own initiative, according to the New York Times.

Hamas strategically blocked key highway intersections, hindering the military's mobility. The assault on the Reim military base, a key coordination centre, left soldiers there fighting for their lives instead of managing the response.

Commando units were ill-prepared, misjudging the threat. Troops went into battle with pistols and assault rifles, expecting a limited encounter, while Hamas had heavy firepower and the intent to fight for an extended period.

Communication disruption inside the Reim base, coupled with a lack of understanding of the situation, further hampered the military response. It took most of the day to regain control of the base.

Hamas strategically targeted key junctions, setting up ambushes along the central highway. This tactic delayed Israeli soldiers and left civilians in besieged towns waiting for help.

Soldiers, despite the chaos, showed bravery. However, the need for heroes indicates a breakdown in the military's preparedness and response strategies.
As COVID-19 cases surge in various U.S. regions, a map sourced from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) sheds light on the worst-affected areas. With hospital authorities recommending mask mandates, here's what you need to know: COVID-19 cases surge in US regions, CDC map reveals worst-affected areas.

Hotspots on the map:

The Midwest and Northeast are witnessing a notable rise in COVID-19 infections, prompting concerns. The CDC's map highlights areas with alarming case numbers, urging vigilance.

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COVID-19 cases surge in US regions, CDC map reveals worst-affected areas.

Return of mask mandates:

Hospitals in California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, and Washington D.C. are re-implementing mask mandates as the flu season heightens respiratory illness risks. The move aims to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Trouble in 'Region Seven':

'Region Seven,' comprising Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, and Nebraska, tops the list with 18.3% positive COVID-19 tests in the week leading up to December 23. This region saw a slight uptick of 0.1% in positivity.

Concerns in 'Region Five':

Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin form 'Region Five,' where positivity rates slightly decreased by 0.1%, but a significant 14.8% of tests returned positive results.

Hospital mandates in action:

Healthcare systems like Mass General Brigham in Massachusetts are enforcing mask mandates for staff in direct patient contact until COVID-19 rates subside. Similar measures are in place at MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital in Washington D.C. and NYC Health + Hospitals.

State-level advisories:

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has advised healthcare facilities to intensify mitigation efforts. Yolo County, California, recommends mask use in crowded indoor spaces due to elevated COVID-19 and respiratory virus levels.

CDC's hospital admissions map:

Another CDC map displays high rates of hospital admissions from Idaho to New England, reaching as far south as Texas. Approximately 7.36% of the U.S. exhibits high levels of hospital admissions per 100,000 people.

Some challenges arise in assessing hospitalizations due to low populations in certain areas. For instance, Lemhi County, Idaho, has a small population, but the CDC considers it to have a high rate of COVID-19 hospital admissions per 100,000 people.
A group of U.S. Capitol Police officers who sued former President Donald Trump over his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol won a legal victory on Friday. FILE - Former President Donald Trump speaks during a commit to caucus rally, in Coralville, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)(AP)

A federal appeals court ruled that their lawsuit can proceed, rejecting Trumps claim that he has absolute immunity from civil lawsuits. The suit accuses Trump of inciting the violent mob that attacked the Capitol and injured the officers.

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The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit based its decision on a similar case that was decided earlier this month.

In that case, two Capitol Police officers and a group of House Democrats also sued Trump for his alleged conduct on Jan. 6. The D.C. Circuit upheld the lower courts ruling that Trump is not shielded from civil liability because his alleged actions were not part of his official presidential duties.

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The three-judge panel in the latest case said the two cases are indistinguishable and that Trumps immunity argument fails.

Whether [President Trumps] actions involved speech on matters of public concern bears no inherent connection to the essential distinction between official and unofficial acts, the judges wrote in their opinion, quoting from the previous case. The judges were Chief Judge Sri Srinivasan and Judges Bradley Garcia and Judith Rogers.

Mehta's reasoning on Trump's alleged role in Riot

The lawsuit was filed in August 2021 by seven Capitol Police officers who were on duty on Jan. 6 and faced physical and verbal assaults from the rioters, who they said were acting on Trumps unlawful actions.

The officers are seeking civil damages for the injuries and trauma they suffered as a result of the attack.

The officers also sued more than a dozen other defendants, including members of the far-right extremist groups the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers, and Roger Stone, a longtime Trump ally. The defendants are accused of conspiring with Trump to disrupt the certification of the 2020 presidential election results.

The former president tried to get the case dismissed, arguing he is absolutely immune from being sued for the alleged acts. But in January, U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta denied his motion and allowed the case to go forward.

Mehta used the same reasoning as in the other case involving the Democratic lawmakers and the two police officers. He ruled in February 2022 that Trump is not entitled to broad immunity from civil lawsuits that seek to hold him responsible for the Jan. 6 riot.

Mehta cited Trumps speech outside the White House before the Capitol was stormed, in which he urged his supporters to fight like hell and stop the steal. Mehta said the speech was not part of the presidents official duties. Rather, the speech was an implicit call for imminent violence or lawlessness that is not protected by presidential immunity or the First Amendment.

ALSO READ| Los Angeles activist pushes for Donald Trumps star removal from Hollywood Walk of Fame

The D.C. Circuit agreed with Mehtas ruling and rejected Trumps argument that he was performing an official function of the presidency when he spoke outside the White House on Jan. 6.

When a first-term president opts to seek a second term, his campaign to win re-election is not an official presidential act, Srinivasan, who presided over both cases, wrote for the three-judge panel.

The Office of the Presidency as an institution is agnostic about who will occupy it next. And campaigning to gain that office is not an official act of the office.

Trump can seek a review of the unfavourable rulings in both cases from the full D.C. Circuit or the U.S. Supreme Court.
A new law that aims to address the growing problem of sexual harassment and assault in the US military has come into effect on 28 December. (FILES) US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin addressed that military justice reform targets sexual assault with independent prosecution (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP)(AFP)

The law will give independent lawyers the authority to decide whether to prosecute cases of murder, rape and domestic violence among service members, instead of commanders who have been accused of ignoring or covering up such crimes.

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The US defence secretary, Lloyd Austin, praised the law as a historic reform.

Its the most important reform to our military justice system since the creation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice in 1950, he said in a statement.

The law will create special counsels within each branch of the military, who will be responsible for handling serious offences. These counsels will be legal professionals who are not part of the military chain of command. They will be located across the country, with more of them near bases or areas with high rates of reported crimes.

ALSO READ| 'Our hearts are in Bethlehem': Pope Francis over Israel-Hamas war

According to the Associated Press, the Army will have 65 trial counsels, the Air Force 40, the Marines 33 and the Navy 24. Each council will deal with about 50 investigations and eight to 12 trials per year.

The law was passed by Congress in 2022, with bipartisan support from lawmakers who wanted to improve the support and protection for victims of sexual assault and harassment in the military.

I fought for nearly a decade to reform the military: Gillibrand

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Democrat of New York, was the main sponsor of the law, which was also backed by Republicans such as Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa.

Gillibrand and other supporters of the law argued that commanders had failed to provide justice for victims, and that an independent system was needed to ensure fairness and accountability. They were joined by military activists and advocacy groups, who had been campaigning for years for a change in the military justice system.

The law was passed in response to the alarming increase in sexual assault and harassment cases in the military, as shown by the Pentagons annual report on sexual assault in the military.

The report revealed that in 2022, the Navy saw a 13% rise in reports, the Air Force a 9% rise and the Marines a 3.6% rise. The army saw a 9% decrease, but still had the highest number of reports, with 8,942. The total number of reports across the military was 8,942, which was almost seven times higher than in 2006.

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The report also showed that in a confidential survey conducted in 2022, 36,000 service members said they had experienced unwanted sexual contact, up from 20,000 in 2018.

Gillibrand expressed her satisfaction on X, formerly Twitter.

I fought for nearly a decade to reform the military justice system, she said.

It took a long time to pass my reforms, but finally, victims of sexual assault and other serious crimes have the independent, impartial justice system they deserve.
In response to what he calls "unprecedented" aggressive behavior by the United States and its allies, North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un has issued an order for his country's military and industrial sectors to be ready for war.

During a 2024 planning conference of his governing Workers' Party on Wednesday, December 27, Kim reportedly said that the grave political and military situation on the Korean peninsula had come to its breaking point, according to state-run news agency Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

Military-industrial, nuclear weapons, and civil defense sectors were allegedly pushed to complete war preparations even faster.

Preparation for war?

In a report by USA Today, Kim's threats have been consistent over the last several months, and his recent remarks are no exception. This follows the White House's recent reiteration of its steadfast intention to maintain prolonged deterrence against Pyongyang and its rejection of any military options, including nuclear, less than two weeks ago.

"Any nuclear attack by North Korea against the United States or its allies is unacceptable and will result in the end of the Kim regime," the White House statement said. Any nuclear strike on South Korea will be faced with an immediate, massive, and unwavering retaliation, it added.

North Korea finally succeeded last month after two unsuccessful efforts to launch a military surveillance satellite into space. The US and its allies see the satellite as a violation of resolutions passed by the United Nations Security Council. As the world's political climate is constantly shifting, Kim promised on Wednesday to deepen ties of cooperation with "independent, anti-imperialist countries."

Harry Kazianis, a senior director of Washington's National Security Affairs at the Center for the National Interest, expressed his worries to USA Today about the potential escalation of tensions with North Korea.

The testing of Pyongyang's tactical nuclear weapons, which have been in development for some time, might trigger a crisis with Washington and Seoul, according to Kazianis. He warned that North Korea might fire an intercontinental ballistic missile hundreds of kilometers into the Pacific Ocean to prove it can reach the US.

Also Read: North Korea Warns of Further Escalation Amid Rising Tensions with the US

Expected Aggression

On Thursday, December 28, South Korea's National Intelligence Service warned that Kim will likely stage military provocations in the months leading up to the 2024 US and South Korean presidential elections.

North Korea has a history of provoking South Korean elections, according to the agency. As reported by Yonhap News Agency of South Korea, Kim has also rehabilitated prominent officials who were engaged in high-profile provocations against Seoul.

On Wednesday, the South Korean military, police, and emergency personnel took part in defense drills designed to mimic an attack on Seoul by North Korea. To allay fears that Pyongyang's arms and covert assault plan are within striking distance of the city, these exercises were conducted.

Also Read: Korean Conflict: Seoul Conducts Drills in Preparation for Possible Surprise Attack by Pyongyang

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Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro prepared more than 5,600 military personnel after the UK deployed a warship to waters off the coast of Guyana in a show of support for the former British colony.

Maduro declared his plan of defensive action in response to the provocation and threat of the UK against peace and the sovereignty of their country.

Maduro Prepares Military Effort

On Sunday, the Ministry of Defense announced that the UK would send a patrol vessel HMS Trent to Guyana amid escalating territorial disputes that started when Maduro reaffirmed Venezuela's claim to the oil-rich Essequibo area.

The 62,000 sq mile Essequibo region is generally considered part of Guyana. Following significant oil and gas discoveries in recent years, Venezuela has reaffirmed its claim to the region and its offshore areas.

Tensions erupted this month due to a referendum in Venezuela when voters backed a move to make the Essequibo area a new Venezuelan state. The voters also rejected the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice, which is hearing the case on the border dispute.

The MoD did not mention Venezuela or the border dispute when it announced that the Royal Navy patrol vessel HMS Trent is visiting Guyana, a former colony and ally of the United Kingdom, as part of a series of engagements in the region.

Maduro said on Thursday that it was breaking the spirit of dialogue, diplomacy, and peace of the agreements. He claimed the deployment was practically a military threat from London.

Furthermore, he has ordered the activation of a joint defensive action of the Bolivarian national armed forces off the coast of Essequibo.

He noted that they believe in diplomacy, in dialogue, and in peace. "But no one should threaten Venezuela, no one should mess with Venezuela. We are men of peace, we are a people of peace, but we are warriors and this threat is unacceptable for any sovereign country," he added.

Maduro explained that the threat of the decadent, rotten, ex-empire of the United Kingdom was unacceptable. Venezuela's foreign ministry said the country reserves all actions within the constitution's and international law's framework to defend its maritime and territorial integrity.

A UK foreign minister, David Rutley, visited Guyana earlier this month and reaffirmed the importance of respecting the country's territorial integrity.

Rutley said that the border issue has been settled for more than 120 years, and they welcome the recent agreement by Venezuela to refrain from using force and any further escalation.

Read Also: Moldova's President Calls Out Putin's Actions, Denounces Russia's Invasion of Ukraine

Dispute Between Venezuela, Guyana

A border dispute between Venezuela and Guyana currently exists over the Essequibo, an area the size of Florida that is sparsely populated and has significant oil resources off its coast.

The leaders of both countries met on the Caribbean island of St Vincent. They agreed that they would solve their dispute through nonviolent means amid the escalating tensions over the region.

However, Guyana's President Irfan Ali said his nation reserved the right to work with its partners to ensure the defense of his country.

Related Article: Guyana Refuses to Bow to Venezuela Over Oil, Mineral Territorial Dispute





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(Photo : Jung Yeon-je / AFP) (JUNG YEON-JE/AFP via Getty Images)

The South Korean Supreme Court ruled that a 3rd Japanese company must compensate its workers for forced labor.

South Korea's Supreme Court upheld a wartime labor ruling and ordered a 3rd Japanese company to compensate its workers for forced labor.

The Thursday decision is the second ruling in the past week and quickly drew rebukes from Japan. However, observers have argued that it is unlikely that the South Korean Supreme Court's ruling will cause any major negative impacts on bilateral relations.

South Korean Court Upholds Wartime Labor Ruling

This is because both countries' governments are serious about improving their cooperation in the face of shared challenges, such as North Korea's nuclear program and China's assertiveness.

The South Korean Supreme Court ruled that Japanese shipbuilder Hitachi Zosen Corp. and heavy equipment manufacturer Mitsubishi Heavy Industries must give between $39,000 and $116,000 in compensation. This would be given to each of the 17 Korean plaintiffs, one of whom is a surviving ex-worker, and the rest are bereaved relatives.

Mitsubishi and another company, Nippon Steel, were previously given a similar compensation order by the South Korean Supreme Court. However, as per ABC News, the latest ruling is the first for Hitachi.

Among the plaintiffs in the case are the surviving victim who suffered a serious burn and the bereaved family of a worker who lost his life during an earthquake in Japan in 1944. The death occurred at a time when they worked for Mitsubishi's aircraft-making factory in Nagoya.

Other plaintiffs include the relatives of late Mitsubishi workers who were injured during the U.S. atomic bombing of Hiroshima and another wartime event. The ruling that benefits the Korean plaintiffs was widely expected.

This was because of two separate rulings in 2018 where the South Korean Supreme Court ordered Mitsubishi and Nippon Steel to compensate some of their former Korean employees. The court said that they were forced to provide their labor to the companies when the Korean Peninsula was colonized by Japan from 1910 to 19145.

The country's top court again ordered Mitsubishi and Nippon Steel on Dec. 21 to provide compensation to other Koreans for similar colonial-era forced labor. In response to the ruling, Japan's Foreign Ministry summoned a senior South Korean diplomat to Japan to lodge a formal protest, according to the Associated Press.

Read Also: Zambia Foreign Minster Resigns Amid Bribery Claims

Compensating Victims of Forced Labor

During the meeting between officials, the director-general for the Japanese Foreign Ministry's Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, Hiroyuki Namazu called the latest South Korean ruling "extremely regrettable and absolutely unacceptable."

He maintained his country's long-held position that all compensation issues between the two countries were settled when they normalized ties in 1965. The 2018 and this month's South Korean Supreme Court rulings argued that the treaty cannot prevent individuals from seeking compensation for forced labor.

In March, Seoul said that the plaintiffs who have won lawsuits over forced labor during colonial rule would receive compensation from a South Korean government-backed foundation rather than the sued firms.

The South Korean government also said that the plaintiffs in ongoing cases would also qualify for compensation if they win damages. Many surviving victims and the bereaved families who won against Nippon Steel and Mitsubishi agreed to accept money from the foundation. However, there are others who refused to do so, said Nikkei Asia.

Related Article: India, Russia Talk About Potentially Working Together To Produce Military Weapons

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Australia's acting Foreign Minister Mark Dreyfus announced on Thursday that Ibrahim Bazzi and his brother Ali Bazzi, two Australians from Canberra, including a suspected Hezbollah fighter, were killed by an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon.

Hezbollah is an ally of the Palestinian Islamist faction Hamas, which is at war with Israel.

Israeli Airstrike Killed 2 Australians, Suspected Hezbollah Fighter

Recently, Ibrahim Bazzi had arrived in Lebanon from Sydney to accompany his Lebanese wife, Shorouq Hammoud, to Australia. According to ABC News, Hammoud, who had recently received an Australian visa, was also killed in the attack.

Their three coffins were covered in the flag of Hezbollah. According to Dreyfus, Australia is currently looking into Hezbollah's allegation that Ali Bazzi is one of its fighters.

"Hezbollah is a listed terrorist organization under Australian law. It's an offense for any Australian to cooperate with, to support, let alone to fight with a listed terrorist organization like Hezbollah," Dreyfus said.

Dreyfus claimed that his government had already talked with Israel about the airstrike but declined to disclose the details of their discussion. He said that in the context of the current conflict, Australia has consistently called for civilian lives to be protected. They have also consistently raised their concerns about the risk of the conflict spreading.

The AP News reported that he reiterated an Australian government warning not to visit Lebanon. Australians who have already arrived in the country must depart when commercial flights are accessible. Dreyfus noted that the Australian embassy in Beirut was ready to provide consular assistance to the Bazzi family if required.

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Hezbollah's Role in Israel-Hamas War

Hezbollah is an Islamist movement supported by Iran that possesses one of the strongest paramilitary groups in the Middle East. With its primary base on the border between Israel and Lebanon, the group has the potential to play a major role in the Israel-Hamas war and ignite a larger regional conflict.

After Israeli soldiers seized nearly half of Lebanon in 1982 during their invasion, Hezbollah rose to prominence. The attack included Beirut, where Israeli forces encircled the western portion of the capital to drive out Palestinian militants, accompanied by Christian Lebanese militants with ties to the right-wing Israel.

Hamas' deadly strikes on Israel claimed 1,400 lives. The conflict has already had a significant impact on the Middle East and sparked protests and diplomatic rifts across the globe.

According to Palestinian health authorities, the Israeli strikes on the October 7 attack have killed more than 5,000 people.

The consequences were evident along the border between Israel and Lebanon, where Hezbollah and Israel have been fighting back and forth in low-rumbling tit-for-tat skirmishes since the war began, leaving the entire region on edge.

Related Article: Israeli Forces Mistake Hostages for Ambush, Killing 3





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BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 30. Procedure for registration of food chain objects and food chain entities, as well as objects engaged in the production and processing of materials and products in contact with food, approval of food chain objects, recognition of the equivalence of the approval system of foreign countries and maintaining a food safety register was approved in Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed the relevant decree.

Besides, "List of food chain facilities approved with assessment of compliance with the requirements of technical regulatory legal acts in the field of food safety" was also approved following the decree.
Bulgaria and Romania have struck a deal with Austria to let them partially join the Schengen area of free movement by air and by sea after the latter vetoed the two countries' entry.

The agreement would allow the two nations' entry into the European Schengen area of free movement in March 2024. On Wednesday, Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu wrote on Facebook that after more than a decade, it is finally able to join Schengen, touting the new political agreement.

Bulgaria And Romania Partially Join Schengen

In a statement, the Romanian interior ministry said that a "political agreement" had been reached between the three nations on extending the zone "to the air and sea borders" of Romania and Bulgaria "from March 2024."

The question of the opening of land borders has been delayed until discussions that will be held next year. Austria, which had previously vetoed the two country's entry into the Schengen a year ago, put forward the idea of what it called "Air Schengen" at the beginning of this month, as per Le Monde.

The nation said that it was prepared to ease the rules governing air traffic for Bulgaria and Romania if Brussels strengthened the EU's external borders. Bulgaria and Romania have both been members of the US since 2007 and were rejected at the end of 2022 from the area of free movement.

Schengen is an area where more than 400 million people are allowed to travel freely without internal border controls. Austria vetoed the two countries' applications after complaining for years that it has to put up with a disproportionate amount of illegal immigration as a result of poorly protected external Schengen borders.

The area of free movement in question was initially created in 1985 and includes 23 of the 27 EU member states. It also includes their associated neighbors, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.

The situation comes as Bulgaria and Romania are on major routes for illegal arms trade and drug and human trafficking. However, the European Commission argued that a thorough investigation showed that the two nations met all Schengen requirements, according to Reuters.

Read Also: Polish Government Refuses To Accept Defeat, Takes Public News Channel Off the Air

Austria Strikes Agreement With Bulgaria and Romania

Romania has previously argued that Austria's objections were unjustified, citing EU border agency Frontex data that showed illegal migrants were mainly entering the EU from the Western Balkans, not through its own territory.

For years, Austria's ruling conservative People's Party prioritized fighting illegal immigration as a key campaign issue. The far-right Freedom Party leads in opinion polls ahead of a parliamentary election scheduled for next year.

On Thursday, Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov confirmed that they have reached an agreement after "complicated negotiations." He added that after 12 years without much progress on Schengen, they achieved indisputable success.

Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner previously requested for increased presence of Frontex officers along the Bulgarian-Turkish and Romanian-Serbian borders. He also urged for more EU funds to protect these borders from irregular migrant surges.

Denkov also confirmed on Thursday that as part of the upcoming negotiations on joining Schengen by land, the European Commission would provide support to protect the EU's external borders with Turkey and Serbia, said EuroNews.



Related Article: Eiffel Tower Closed to Public on Founder's 100th Death Anniversary Due to Workers' Strike

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In February, the US shot down a Chinese spy balloon that flew across the United States. At first, the US Department of Defense said that the surveillance aircraft didn't collect intelligence.

Now, some US intelligence officials have shared new information about this alleged spy balloon from China. Two current authorities and one former official claimed that the Chinese spy balloon used an American internet service provider. Based on the assessment they are familiar with, the Chinese spy balloon allegedly connected to a US-based firm-was able to receive and send communications to Beijing.

Chinese Spy Balloon Allegedly Used US Internet Provider

The US intelligence officials familiar with the latest Chinese spy balloon assessment said that the Chinese spy balloon could send burst transmissions or high-bandwidth data collections over short periods because of the American internet service provider it used.

According to NBC News' latest report, the U.S.-based ISP can't be named as of writing since the company's identity needs to be protected.

But, the latest assessment revealed that the American internet firm claimed that the Chinese spy balloon couldn't use its network. The ISP argued that this is based on their investigation and discussions with the US authorities.

However, further investigation is needed since experts said Chinese intelligence officials are known for using commercially available internet service providers in the US and other countries.

Numerous former US officials stated that China relies on these foreign internet firms for backup communication networks. They added that Beijing seeks out encrypted networks or internet services with strong security protocols to communicate securely.

Read Also: Taiwan Announces How It'll Handle Chinese Spy Balloons-What Handling Based on Threat Level Means?

Pentagon Claims Chinese Spy Balloon Didn't Collect Data

In June, the Pentagon claimed that the Chinese spy balloon the US government shot down in February wasn't able to collect sensitive data.

"It's been our assessment now that it did not collect intelligence while it was transiting the United States or overflying the United States," said Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder via The Guardian.

He added that the US Department of Defense took drastic measures to mitigate the intelligence collection activities that the Chinese spy balloon was possibly doing when it was still active.

But, before Pat Ryder released this statement, multiple senior US intelligence officials warned that the surveillance aircraft of China was able to collect sensitive information about military sites.

As of press time, it is hard to believe that the Chinese spy balloon wasn't or could gather critical data about the US since new details are being released about it.

As an American citizen, the best thing you can do is wait for further US government announcements.

Related Article: Chinese Spy Balloon Appears in Taiwan Strait, Defense Ministry Claims-Is China Trying To Disturb Presidential Election?

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Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) has announced her withdrawal from the competition for Colorado's 3rd District congressional seat.

Instead, she intends to enter the crowded Republican primary for the more conservative 4th District. Boebert, 37, revealed her decision via a Facebook post and video on Wednesday, expressing her commitment to serve the 3rd District until the current term concludes, as per New York Post.

Lauren Boebert's Strategic Move

cited her determination to gain the trust of grassroots conservative voters in the 4th District, emphasizing her dedication to represent them starting in 2025. Her departure from the 3rd District is seen as a strategic move, given the challenges she faced, including a potential loss in the upcoming election, fueled by discontent within her party over her controversial approach.

The decision to switch districts was accompanied by Boebert's assertion that she won't permit external influences, particularly what she referred to as "dark money," to compromise the integrity of the seat she aims to vacate. She accused donors from Aspen, George Soros, and Hollywood actors of attempting to manipulate the election dynamics.

The move, characterized as a "fresh start" by Boebert, acknowledges the tumultuous year she experienced, marked by a divorce and a highly publicized incident during a performance of the musical "Beetlejuice" in Denver. Despite facing criticism for her behavior, she apologized to her constituents, framing her departure as a positive step forward.

Boebert's decision alters the political landscape, as she abandons the competitive 3rd District seat, setting the stage for a potential rematch between Boebert and Democrat Adam Frisch. Previously, Frisch came close to unseating Boebert in 2022, garnering significant support.

In the 4th District, Boebert aims to succeed retiring Rep. Ken Buck, entering a race that features multiple Republican candidates. The shift signals a change in Boebert's residence from the western Rocky Mountain peaks to the eastern prairie grasslands. While representatives are only required to reside in the state, Boebert affirmed her intention to move, according to Associated Press

Read Also: China's iPhone Crackdown Worsens as Western Smartphone Ban in State Firms, Government Departments Expand

Boebert's District Change Alters Election Dynamics

Boebert's decision to step down from the 3rd District has brought about a shift in the dynamics of the upcoming election. This change is expected to have an impact on potential contenders, including Jeff Hurd, a candidate representing a more traditional Republican stance. Hurd has garnered backing from prominent Republicans within the district.

Boebert's political journey has been marked by controversy, including her surprising primary victory in 2020 and subsequent clashes with prominent Democrats. Despite her vocal promotion of false claims regarding the 2020 election, her decision to step into the 4th District introduces a new chapter in her political trajectory.

The decision not only paves the way for a strong Republican primary in the 4th District but also brings about a transformation in the electoral dynamics of both the 3rd and 4th Districts. As Boebert embarks on her political journey, the unfolding dynamics of her experience will be closely monitored. She will face the challenges of navigating a different political terrain, and observers will be keenly watching her every move, The New York Times reported.

Related Article: Nikki Haley Fails to Mention Slavery as the Cause Behind Civil War

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Boeing discovered an alarming 737 Max airplane loose bolt flaw. Because of this, the American aircraft manufacturer is urging airlines to conduct inspections.

The airplane design announced this alarming information after an airline, which was unnamed, told Boeing that it found a missing nut in a rudder-control linkage mechanism. The anonymous airline said that it identified the issue while conducting routine maintenance. Aside from the missing nut, a loose bolt in a yet-to-be-delivered airplane was also discovered.

Boeing Discovers 737 Max Airplane Loose Bolt Flaw

Boeing confirmed that the airplane with a missing nut and loose bolt was already fixed. However, the American plane manufacturer wants to ensure that all new 737 Max airplanes are safe from this issue.

According to NBC News' latest report, the international aerospace company is urging airlines to conduct serious inspections into all 1,370 units of 737 Max airplanes that travel companies use.

"The issue identified on the particular airplane has been remedied," said Boeing's spokesperson via CNN Business.

"Out of an abundance of caution, we recommend operators inspect their 737 Max airplanes and inform us of any findings," the official added.

Boeing also informed the Federal Aviation Administration regarding the loose bolt and missing nut they identified. FAA officials said inspecting this latest aircraft flaw could take around two hours.

The transportation agency said that once airlines complete their investigations, they must report the progress to regulators. FAA also announced that it would consider additional measures based on further discovery of missing or loose hardware in 737 Max airplanes.

Read Also: Boeing Data Breach: Lockbit Ransomware Group Leaks Aerospace Firm's Internal Data

Airlines Confirm To Start 737 Max Inspections

One of the airlines that confirmed it'll start the recommended 737 Max inspection is Alaska Airlines. The American travel company's spokeswoman said they expect their inspections to be completed in the first half of January 2024.

The Alaska Airlines official clarified that although they'll conduct inspections, they don't expect any operational impact. This is also the statement of United Airlines' spokesperson, claiming that the results of their 737 Max inspections are expected not to affect their flight operations.

Aside from Alaska Airlines and United Airlines, American Airlines confirmed that it will investigate the latest 737 Max loose bolt and missing nut flaws.

The 737 Max airplanes halted operations after two deadly crashes involving over 340 deaths. In December 2020, this aircraft model became active again.

But, ever since 737 Maxes returned to service, the Boeing-designed aircraft faced numerous inspections. However, the aerospace firm clarified that airplanes only face more notice because the airline industry is increasing its focus on passenger safety.

Related Article: New Fake Airplane Spare Part Scandal Shakes Airline Industry; New Lawsuit Filed Against Obscure UK-Based Supplier

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The 'General Hospital' star Steve Burton finalized his divorce from his pregnant ex-wife Sheree Gustin, as the judge finally signed their settlement on Wednesday.

Burton filed for divorce in July 2022, ending their 23 years of marriage.

Burton Finalizes Divorce From Gustin

According to TMZ, Burton revealed that they had broken up in May 2022 when he claimed Gustin was expecting a kid and found out that he was not the father.

He wrote on his Instagram about his split with Gustin. He said, "She recently announced that she's expecting her 4th child. The child is not mine."

Gustin gave birth to her daughter, Izabella, in February. She revealed her pregnancy in October last year, with the father's identity remaining a secret.

She posted on Instagram that she was unexpectedly expecting her fifth baby. She wrote, "If you would have told me I was going to have 5 kids with 2 of them being born in my 40s I would have laughed and said you were crazy but God has a plan, and here I am and I couldn't be happier or more grateful for my life and the people in it."

Burton noted that they were still co-parenting their three beautiful kids and would appreciate privacy now. The two agreed to joint legal and physical custody of their two minor children, Jack and Brooklyn.

He has been providing Gustin with $12,500 a month for child support. He was also paying $10,000 for Brooklyn, and $2,500 for Jack.

When Jack reaches 18 at the end of March, Burton will no longer be obligated to pay for child support. However, he ensured that he would keep paying Brooklyn $10K until she turned 18.

The ex-couple has consented to give up any and all claims to spousal support. However, he said he would give her $50,000 in installments of $2,500 each month.

Read Also: Israeli Airstrike Killed 2 Australians, Suspected Hezbollah Fighter in Lebanon

Burton Leaves 'General Hospital'

Burton portrayed Jason Morgan on 'General Hospital' from 1991 until his character was killed in 2012, then returned in 2017.

However, he was fired from the ABC soap opera in November 2021 after refusing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

He explained in a video that he knows there have been many rumors and speculations about him and his show, 'General Hospital.' Unfortunately, he has confirmed that the show has let him go because of the vaccine mandate.

Burton continued to defend himself and said that the production rejected his requests for exemptions from the rule on the grounds of religion and health. He thanked the audience and mentioned that he almost grew up on the program.

He added that one day, if these mandates are lifted, he can return and finish his career as Jason Morgan, which would be an honor to him.

Related Article: Maren Morris Opens Up About Pospartum Depression, Divorce From Ryan Hurd





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French police have apprehended a 33-year-old man on suspicion of murdering his 35-year-old wife and their four children in their Meaux home, a quiet suburb near Paris.

The grim discovery was made on Christmas Day after concerned friends and family alerted authorities about the family's unresponsiveness, as per Reuters.

Paris Family Massacre

Local prosecutor Jean-Baptiste Bladier has disclosed distressing details surrounding the tragic incident. The victims, consisting of two boys and two girls aged nine months, four, seven, and 10 years old, were discovered in their family apartment situated at Square Adam-de-la-Halle. Shockingly, they were found with multiple stab wounds, adding a harrowing dimension to this heart-wrenching case.

The suspect, who had previously come under the radar of authorities due to past incidents of 'domestic violence,' was apprehended in Sevran during a police search conducted on Tuesday morning.

Geolocation data from the suspect's phone indicated that he left the family flat on Christmas Day around 8:07 p.m. Subsequently, he visited his father in Sevran and his grandmother in Garges-les-Gonesse.

The bodies, bearing signs of violent attacks, were discovered at around 9 p.m. The two younger children, aged four and nine months, showed no apparent wounds, leading investigators to consider drowning or suffocation as possible causes of death.

The arrested man has a troubling history, having been investigated for domestic violence in 2019, including an incident where he attacked his wife with a knife. However, criminal proceedings were closed, citing his 'mental deficiency.' The suspect, who had spent time in a psychiatric hospital in 2017 and was on regular medication for mental problems, was already on the radar of authorities, according to Mail Daily

Read Also: Readout of President Biden's Call with Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani of Qatar

Blood-Stained Door Handle in Happy Home

A concerned neighbor, who had engaged in conversation with the mother at approximately 7 p.m. on Sunday, made an alarming discovery on Christmas Day. The neighbor, taken aback by the sight of blood on the front door handle of the family flat, promptly raised the alarm. In a shocking turn of events, a neighbor expressed their disbelief and horror at the incident, describing the mother involved as a person who exuded a remarkable sense of joy and kindness.

In the Paris region, an awful crime happened, further contributing to a series of infanticides. This distressing incident provides light on a concerning trend that has been observed. An investigation into the intentional killing of minors and a partner has been launched by the Paris prosecutor's office. If convicted, the charges could result in life imprisonment.

In a statement, the public prosecutor, Bladier, characterized the crime scene as a site marked by "very great violence," underscoring the imperative for a comprehensive inquiry. The suspect's mental health and history of violence are expected to play crucial roles in uncovering the motive behind this heinous act.

As the investigation unfolds, authorities are expected to release further details, shedding light on the circumstances that led to this heart-wrenching tragedy. The incident also raises concerns about the prevalence of domestic violence and the need for effective intervention to prevent such devastating outcomes, The Guardian reported.

Related Article: Israel-Hamas Conflict: Dozens of Dead Palestinians Burried in Rafah Mass Grave in Southern Gaza

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House Republicans are intensifying their scrutiny into President Joe Biden's potential foreknowledge of his son Hunter Biden's decision to defy a congressional subpoena.

Representatives James Comer (R-KY) and Jim Jordan (R-OH) have formally requested information from White House counsel Ed Siskel, seeking any communications between the President, his son, or Hunter's defense attorneys related to the subpoena, as per Washington Examiner.

GOP Probes Joe Biden's Knowledge of Hunter's Subpoena

The inquiry, led by House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer and Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan, is fueled by a White House statement claiming President Biden was aware in advance of Hunter's intent to defy two congressional subpoenas. The Republicans aim to determine whether the President played a role in his son's refusal to comply with the congressional order.

The formal letter to White House counsel Ed Siskel requests all documents and communications concerning Hunter Biden's deposition, as well as records related to President Biden's statement about his family's business associates on December 6, 2023. Notably, the lawmakers admit their lack of awareness regarding the existence of such communications, prompting the need for further investigation.

The GOP chairmen assert that the President's advanced knowledge of Hunter's non-compliance raises troubling questions about whether he sought to obstruct Congress. In their letter, Comer and Jordan state, "Such conduct could constitute an impeachable offense," emphasizing the gravity of the situation.

Despite the House Republicans' inquiry, the White House has chosen not to comment on the matter. Additionally, attorneys for Hunter Biden, Abbe Lowell and Kevin Morris, have not provided immediate responses to requests for comments, according to NBC News.

Read Also: NASA Launches Mission To Intercept 'God of Chaos' Apophis Asteroid as it Approaches Earth

Hunter Biden's Legal Challenges

The investigation hinges on a specific statement made during a White House press briefing on December 13. At that time, Hunter Biden chose to address reporters outside the Capitol instead of participating in a closed-door deposition, as requested by Republicans.

The Republicans point to White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre's response to a question about President Biden's awareness of his son's statement. Jean-Pierre noted that Hunter Biden is a private citizen and suggested reporters consult his representatives, adding that the President was familiar with his son's intended remarks.

In response to Hunter Biden's defiance of the closed-door deposition, Comer and Jordan had previously announced their intention to initiate contempt of Congress proceedings. However, with the House not expected to reconvene until the second week of January, the timeline for any such proceedings remains uncertain.

It's worth noting that House Republicans recently disclosed records indicating 54 email exchanges between President Biden and his son's business associate during his tenure as vice president.

Hunter Biden faces multiple legal challenges, including recent federal charges related to tax offenses. Despite allegations of "shady business practices" made by Rep. James Comer, concrete evidence linking the President to illegal activities has yet to be provided.

As the House Oversight and Judiciary Committees demand further communication records between Hunter Biden and White House employees, the specter of a formal impeachment inquiry looms large. The White House has been given a two-week deadline to produce the requested documents, intensifying the ongoing political drama surrounding the Biden family, The Daily Beast reported.

Related Article: Prosecutors Oppose Sen. Bob Menendez's Plea To Delay Bribery Trial

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Gypsy Rose Blanchard, the woman who was fooled by her mother that she had leukemia, is finally free after seven years in prison. If you already watched the popular 2019 crime drama series "The Act," then you will know what Gypsy had to go through.

She was a child abuse victim by her mother. Court documents revealed that her mother, Claudine "Dee Dee" Blanchard forced her to use a wheelchair, as well as take unnecessary medical procedures as she fooled the innocent woman that she was sick.

Because of this, experts concluded that Gypsy was a victim of the Munchausen syndrome by proxy; a condition in which a caretaker, parent, or guardian falsifies illness in an infant or older child.

Gypsy Rose Blanchard's Murder Case Timeline

Newsnation reported that it all started when Dee Dee and her daughter moved to Missouri after Hurricane Katrina devastated areas of New Orleans in 2005.

After moving to a new home in Aurora, her mother claimed that all her medical records were destroyed in flooding and that Gypsy was diagnosed with multiple conditions, such as leukemia and muscular dystrophy.

2008 : The Blanchards had a pink house in Missouri, thanks to the help of the non-profit organization Habitat for Humanity. In their pink house, they had a wheelchair ramp, an oxygen tank, and a feeding tube.

: The Blanchards had a pink house in Missouri, thanks to the help of the non-profit organization Habitat for Humanity. In their pink house, they had a wheelchair ramp, an oxygen tank, and a feeding tube. 2007-2009: Dr. Bernardo Flasterstein, Gypsy's former neurologist, revealed that there's no evidence of her condition. Another doctor called the authorities to inform them that he couldn't find any symptoms to prove the claims of Dee Dee.

2011 : The abuse victim said that she met a man at a convention, who helped her try to run away from her abusive mother. She shared what Dee Dee did to her, such as destroying her gadgets and chaining her to a bed.

: The abuse victim said that she met a man at a convention, who helped her try to run away from her abusive mother. She shared what Dee Dee did to her, such as destroying her gadgets and chaining her to a bed. 2012 : Gypsy and Godejohn, the man she via a Christian singles website, were contacting each other via a Christian app.

: Gypsy and Godejohn, the man she via a Christian singles website, were contacting each other via a Christian app. 2014 : Gypsy confessed to one of her friends that she was in love with Godejohn.

: Gypsy confessed to one of her friends that she was in love with Godejohn. 2015 (March): Gypsy finally met Godejohn in person at a Springfield movie theater; the man dressed as Prince Charming and the woman dressed as Cinderella.

(March): Gypsy finally met Godejohn in person at a Springfield movie theater; the man dressed as Prince Charming and the woman dressed as Cinderella. 2015 (June): Gypsy was taken by Dee Dee to a hospital appointment while Godejohn checked into a motel. After that, the man went to the mother's house. Gypsy gave him duct tape, a knife, and some gloves. When Dee Dee and Gypsy went home, Godejohn went into the mother's bedroom and stabbed her 17 times.

(June): Gypsy was taken by Dee Dee to a hospital appointment while Godejohn checked into a motel. After that, the man went to the mother's house. Gypsy gave him duct tape, a knife, and some gloves. When Dee Dee and Gypsy went home, Godejohn went into the mother's bedroom and stabbed her 17 times. 2015 (June): Godejohn surrenders to the authorities and the police found Gypsy unharmed and could mysteriously walk. She was also arrested.

Read Also: Colorado Dentist Gets 2-10 Years Sentence After Damaging Nevada Power Plant Initially Described as Terror Attack

2016 (April): Godejohn admitted that he killed Dee Dee and that the murder was planned by him and Gypsy.

(April): Godejohn admitted that he killed Dee Dee and that the murder was planned by him and Gypsy. 2018 : Gypsy and Godejohn both went on a murder trial. The abused daughter said that she learned that she wasn't sick when she was 19. But, she only knew the full extent of her health when she was arrested.

: Gypsy and Godejohn both went on a murder trial. The abused daughter said that she learned that she wasn't sick when she was 19. But, she only knew the full extent of her health when she was arrested. 2018 : Godejohn, who argued that she only killed Dee Dee to free Gypsy, was sent to prison after he was found guilty of first-degree murder.

: Godejohn, who argued that she only killed Dee Dee to free Gypsy, was sent to prison after he was found guilty of first-degree murder. 2022 : Unfortunately, Godejohn wasn't the man Gypsy married. Instead, she tied the knot with Ryan Scott Anderson despite being in prison.

: Unfortunately, Godejohn wasn't the man Gypsy married. Instead, she tied the knot with Ryan Scott Anderson despite being in prison. 2023 (September): The release of Gypsy was confirmed by the Missouri Department of Corrections.

Although she was already happy after her mother died, Gypsy Rose Blanchard finally achieved true justice after getting released on Thursday, Dec. 28, as reported by The Guardian.

Related Article: Texas Killer Kaitlin Armstrong Could Receive Light Sentence if Jury Knew She Was Pregnant During Arrest

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A strong wave flooded the area and carried people and cars up the street in Ventura, California, while many people observed the high surf at the end of an avenue.

A representative from the Ventura County Fire Department said on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that eight individuals were sent to the hospital on Thursday, December 28, as a result of the incident.

Pacific Storm Creates Wild Waves

Coastal cities in California have issued a warning to their citizens, stating that a Pacific storm this week has created turbulent waters that might easily become extremely dangerous waves. "Stay away from rocks, jetties, piers, and other waterside infrastructure. Never turn your back to the ocean," warned the National Weather Service (NWS) in the Bay Area via a post on X.

The Bay Area was under a high surf warning until 3:00 AM local time on Friday, December 29, according to NWS authorities. The waves, they said, may be very dangerous and up to 40 feet high in some areas.

On Thursday, the surf was predicted to reach its peak, but the hazardous conditions would persist until Saturday, December 30. With waves of 15 to 20 feet and local sets of 25 feet, a high surf warning was in effect for Southern California all the way into Saturday night.

According to ABC News, the rain is predicted to begin in the northwest on Friday morning and make its way to the Bay Area by afternoon. Evening traffic in and around San Francisco may be affected. Friday may see gusts of up to 50 mph in the coastal areas, where the storm is most likely to make landfall.

See Also: Strongest Storm: Hurricane Otis Wreaks Havoc on Mexico's Acapulco

Reports From Coastal Cities

In Ventura County, public beaches were blocked after a wave hospitalized eight people. Oxnard said that its beaches will be closed until Sunday, December 31.

County fire officials worked Thursday night constructing a barrier around the beaches using bulldozers and heavy equipment to protect them from strong waves. Officials have said that the completed berm, which begins at San Pedro St. and extends about one mile to Greenock Lane, is seven feet high and one mile long.

Meanwhile, the Santa Cruz Fire Department also sent a critical warning, stating, "The big surf we have been talking about is here! Please help us keep you and our teams safe!"

Not only did the city of Southern California shut Main Beach and Cowell Beach, but Santa Cruz Wharf as well. Officials said that low-lying regions along West Cliff had experienced flooding, with large waves slamming into the coast and debris strewn around.

A 25 to 30-foot wave was predicted to crash on Santa Cruz, according to the NWS. There are storm surges, rip currents, and "sneaker" waves in the region, as per the agency.

The Santa Cruz Fire Department published an Instagram post on Thursday urging everyone to stay inside and away from the beach for their safety.

See Also: Philippine City of Tacloban Remembers 10th Anniversary of Wrath of Supertyphoon 'Haiyan'

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The U.S. achieves a nuclear fusion breakthrough. This time, a team of scientists from California produced repeated nuclear fusion ignition for the first time.

For the past few years, scientists and other experts across the world have been making efforts to achieve nuclear fusion. Unlike the sun, Earth doesn't have the immense gravitational force needed to confine hydrogen nuclei to achieve nuclear fusion.

However, thanks to the efforts of scientists, nuclear fusion reactions can now be achieved. Although humanity is still far from harnessing it, these achievements are still a big leap.

Now, a U.S. lab was able to repeatedly produce nuclear fusion ignition for the first time in history.

US Achieves Nuclear Fusion Breakthrough

According to Independent UK's latest report, a group of scientists at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) achieved fusion ignition in December 2022.

Thanks to this, they were able to produce a net energy gain from a fusion reaction for the first time. This achievement was hailed by physicists as a "moment of history."

Now, LLNL researchers claimed that they repeated nuclear fusion ignition three times this 2023. To make this possible, the U.S.-based laboratory relied on NIF (National Ignition Facility) to fire over 190 laser beams at a frozen pellet of isotopes.

This isotope pellet was held within a diamond capsule, which was suspended in a gold cylinder. Thanks to this, the reaction they acquired was very similar to the processes found within the Sun.

Aside from this, the nuclear fusion ignition also resulted in a record energy increase of almost 90%. Although the energy was just enough to boil a kettle, experts said that scaling up this proof-of-concept could lead to a new era of energy.

"I'm feeling pretty good. I think we should all be proud of the achievement," said LLNL's inertial-confinement fusion science program leader Richard Town.

Read Also: South Korea Says Nuclear-Capable Submarines are Needed Against NoKor, ChinaHere's What ROK Admiral Argues

Why Nuclear Fusion is Big Deal in Achieving Clean Energy

CNN World explained that nuclear fusion is quite different from nuclear fission. The latter is the process used in the world's nuclear plants.

Nuclear fission is generated by the division of atoms, which leads to unstable nuclei. Because of this, most nuclear fission power plants are radioactive (and will remain to be for millions of years).

On the other hand, nuclear fusion doesn't generate long-lived radioactive waste, making it safer for the environment. This is why numerous countries are making drastic efforts to harness the energy that nuclear fusion can provide as the climate crisis worsens.

Related Article: China Makes Breakthrough Ahead of Other Nations in Crucial Fusion Reactor Technology That Promises Endless Source of Power

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The Baku Higher Oil School of SOCAR (BHOS) has held a festive event to celebrate the Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis and the New Year.

Speaking at the event, BHOS Rector Elmar Gasimov congratulated the employees and students of the university on the upcoming holidays and wished them success in the new year.

This year, marking the 100th anniversary of the birth of the savior of the Azerbaijani people, National Leader Heydar Aliyev, will go down in history as the year when President Ilham Aliyev raised the Azerbaijani tricolor over the city of Khankendi and thereby restored the territorial integrity of our country. It was this year that we experienced the great joy of victory. Our youth should not forget the history of their country. Therefore, I recommend young people to study the history of Azerbaijan in depth."

Elmar Gasimov emphasized that the outgoing year was successful for Baku Higher Oil School and expressed confidence that the university will continue to achieve new successes next year.

After the speeches, a lottery was drawn among the university employees.

The event continued with an artistic part.
Court documents were unsealed on Wednesday after a coalition of news outlets, including The Associated Press, moved to publicly release records in the case of Pennsylvania man, Samuel Lazar.

Records show Lazar cooperated with authorities investigating the Jan. 6, 2021 attack and provided information in another unrelated case. The documents reveal details in the unusual secrecy surrounding Lazar, who was released from federal custody in September after having completed his sentence.

Even after his release, the case stayed confidential, leaving no record of any conviction or punishment.

The Associated Press reported the unsealed records show that Lazar, of Ephrata, Pennsylvania, confessed to spraying a chemical irritant at police officers who were trying to defend the Capitol and to using a bullhorn to rile up other rioters to take officers' weapons as he yelled, "Let's get their guns!" Over 1200 individuals have faced charges related to events from Jan. 6, and among them, hundreds of already pleaded guilty.

NBC News confirmed Sam Lazar had assisted prosectors with cases against other rioters, as well as a federal criminal defendant charged in a murder case. The documents also indicate that prosecutors urged the judge last year to show leniency for Lazar with a prison term below the federal guidelines range, citing Lazar's "fulsome" cooperation with the government and the "valuable information" he provided to authorities investigating the Jan. 6 attack.

He ultimately pleaded guilty to assaulting officers using a dangerous weapon and was sentenced to 30 months in prison during a sealed hearing last March.

As stated by the Associated Press, the attorney told the judge that her client's behavior on Jan. 6 "was completely out of character for him as he is an extremely respectful, law-abiding citizen who has deep respect and appreciation for law enforcement."

Lawyer Hope Lefeber wrote in a court filing, "He blindly followed President Trump's cry to 'fight like hell to take back the country,'"

An attorney for Lazar declined to comment on Thursday.

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The United States military's super secret X-37B space plane launched from Kennedy Space Center on Thursday on a mission that is expected to last for several years. The reusable plane looks like a miniature space shuttle in appearance and has carried out experiments on prior missions that are still considered to be classified.

According to the Associated Press, this will be the seventh flight for the X-37B which has been in orbit for 10 years total since its 2010 debut. The space plane was launched into orbit by the Falcon Heavy rocket created by SpaceX. The last flight was in orbit for more than two years.

Space Force would not say how long this orbital vehicle would remain in orbit and would only elaborate so far as to say that the NASA experiment it will undertake is gauging the effects of radiation on materials.

The X-37B is built by Boeing and is one-quarter the size of the now antiquated space shuttles and no astronauts are needed as the space plane has an autonomous landing system.

Designed to reach orbits as high as 500 miles above the Earth's surface, there are currently two working X37Bs known to the public, both of which are housed at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Schematic details for the X-37B, gleaned from the Boeing Aerospace website, are as follows.

Avionics designed to automate all de-orbit and landing functions.

Flight controls and brakes using all electro-mechanical actuation; no hydraulics on board.

Composed for a lighter-than-aluminum composite structure.*New high-temperature wing leading-edge tiles and toughened uni-piece fibrous refractory oxidation-resistant ceramic (TUFROC) tiles (relative to the space shuttle).

Advanced conformal reusable insulation (CRI) blankets.

Earlier this month HNGN reported that the space plane's current mission, which was initially supposed to launch two weeks ago, was scratched after SpaceX revealed that it would be postponing the launch due to "a ground-side" issue that could affect the rocket's launchpad or fueling systems. However, no further details were provided.

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As the complex negotiations persist, the ongoing tough talks between China and the United States underscore the diplomatic challenges shaping the global landscape.

The US and China are no exception to this, as of the 28th of December this year, according to Reuters, China's military officials have taken verbal swipes at the US despite progressive talks "Criticizing it's continued meddling in the Aisa-Pacific". Spokesperson Wu Qian stated the following "The United States continues to strengthen it's Aisa-Pacific deployments, this is full of a cold-war mindset. Its goal is for it's own selfish gains and to maintain its hegemony. Its nature is to stoke confrontation.

On a more uplifting note, it was revealed by Aljazeera that top military representatives from both countries, Charels Q Brown of the United States and General Liu Zhenil of China, respectively, met last week via virtual meetings. Both officers had positive things to say with Brown "Reiterating the importance of the People's Liberation Army engaging in substantive dialogue to reduce the likelihood of misunderstanding." General Liu Zhenli stated, "The key for the US and China to develop a healthy, stable, and sustainable military-to-military relationship was for the US to have a correct understanding of China."

In addition to engaging in dialogue with the US, CNN reported earlier today, December 29, 2023, that China has named former naval commander Dong Jun as its new defense minister while the former minister Li Shangfu has taken a step back from public view for reasons unknown.

As one can see while both superpowers will share verbal swipes from time to time neither one wants to engage in conflict with the other which is ultimately for the best, not just for the two superpowers but also for various parties around the globe. As we've seen multiple conflicts break out across the globe in this year alone one can hope that tough words are all that are exchanged between the US and China.

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A Russian "almost naked" party, which was hosted by popular blogger Anastasia Ivleeva, was criticized by pro-Kremlin lawmakers, Orthodox Church leaders, as well as pro-war activists.

Well, this is not surprising since Russia is a very conservative country. Aside from this, Russia already outlawed the LGBTQ movement as an extremist in November.

A scandal at Moscow's Mutabor nightclub, where a provocative "Almost Naked #Party" took place, draws outrage in #Russia, especially among pro-Kremlin supporters, resulting in arrests, fines, and legal actions against the organizer Nastya Ivleeva and celebrity attendees. pic.twitter.com/4sIPYVZgj3  Fabulous Beings (@fabulousbeings) December 28, 2023

This is why Ivleeva's controversial party, which invited celebrities and LBGTQ members, is a big deal for Russian conservatives. Since the social event was heavily criticized by Kremlin officials, some guests were even sent to prison just for attending the party.

Russian 'Almost Naked' Party Criticized by Lawmakers

According to CNN World, the controversial "almost naked" party happened on Dec. 20 and ended on Dec. 21. Ivleeva hosted her social event at the Mutabor Club in Moscow.

What's questionable about this controversial party is that it was conducted while Russia is at war with Ukraine and the Russian government is further cracking down on the LGBTQ movement.

To give you an idea about the party, reports stated that top Russian influencers, celebrities, as well as socialities attended the gathering barely wearing clothes.

Some wore super revealing attires or underwear. Meanwhile, others decided to take their outfits to the next level by only using socks to cover their private parts or wearing shoes (and nothing at all).

One of the guests was even arrested. This is specifically rapper Vacio (real name Nikolay Vasilyev), who was only wearing a sock to cover his genitals. He was arrested by law enforcement authorities and was sent to prison for 15 days.

Aside from this, the rapper was also fined 200,000 rubles or around $2,200. He faced this fine because a Moscow court ruled the event was aimed at "propagating non-traditional sexual relationships."

"Nikolay Vasilyev (better known as rapper Vacio) participated in a party at the 'Mutabor' nightclub, disrupted public order, used vulgar language, and disseminated publications in Telegram channels," stated the court ruling.

The Moscow court added that all these illegal activities were done to encourage non-traditional sexual relationships in mass media on the internet.

Read Also: Carlsberg Cuts Ties with Russia After Kremlin's Attempt to Take Over Business

What Pro-War Russians Say About 'Almost Naked' Party

Russia used its anti-LGBTQ+ laws to convict a rapper who showed up to a celebs almost-naked party in just a sock https://t.co/xpdE1XVb2j pic.twitter.com/Wiwko6D1ZP  Gay Travel & Tourism (@gaytourism) December 28, 2023

Some critics said that celebrities who posted videos and photographs of the controversial party could be seeking support from other Russian residents.

Unfortunately, they did this in a country with a patriotic community and with rising supporters of war against Ukraine. Many military bloggers and propagandists shared their opinions about the almost naked party.

They said that those who participated in the event, as well as organizers, are spreading moral corruption while Russian soldiers are dying on the front lines.

"There is a war going on in the country, but these creatures, scum, are organizing all this," said Vladimir Solovyov, a top Russian propagandist, via NBC News.

"How morally deaf do you have to be?" he sarcastically asked.

Related Article: Russia Allegedly Putting Ukrainian Children in Military Training; Thousands of Kids Possibly Relocated in Belarus

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The United States has started to see a sharp decline in the number of homicides this year compared to the sudden rise in cases during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The AH Datalytics revealed preliminary figures from data analysis that showed homicide is down nearly 13% from this point last year. In a statement, Analyst Jeff Asher said that the overall trend was "extraordinarily positive" and it should be recognized as such.

Sharp Decline in Homicides

The United States is expected to end the year with roughly 18,450 homicides, which is down from last year's 21,156. A separate ABC News analysis of data from the ten largest cities across the nation showed that seven have seen double-digit year-over-year declines in homicides this year.

This number includes New York, which saw a drop in homicide cases of 11%, Los Angeles 16%, and Chicago 13%. However, the data has not yet translated into a change in public perception regarding homicides in the United States, as per The Hill.

A Gallup poll released earlier this month found that 77% of surveyed Americans believe that crime has increased in the past year. Additionally, more than half of the participants said that crime has risen where they live.

Asher summarized the disparity between data and perception by urging people to tell their family and friends about the misconception. On the other hand, Gallup dove deeper into personal attitudes toward crime in the country.

Analysts for Gallup said that Americans' deteriorating perceptions of the crime problem correspond with a recent rise in the percentage of reporting that crime has affected their household.

Asher added that murder cases in the United States plummeted this year, noting that it saw one of the fastest rates of decline ever recorded. Earlier this month, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) also released data showing that other forms of violent crime are set to decline, too, according to Axios.

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Differences in Public Perception

On the other hand, motor vehicle thefts are set to rise, which could result from defects within specific car models. This includes some Kia and Hyundai vehicles that are easier to steal than others.

While it is difficult to pinpoint the exact reason for declining crime in the U.S., Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said that federal assistance to local law enforcement agencies is partially responsible.

During an interview, she said that authorities are using tools such as crime-gun intelligence, which is the ability to trace the gun and the spent shell casing from a crime scene to identify who the shooter was and how many violent crimes they have been involved with.

The drop in cases comes as in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic took hold and protests surged across the nation following the death of George Floyd, which resulted in the largest increase in murders that has ever been recorded in the United States.

The perception of rising crime in the country most likely comes from social media videos of flash mob-style shoplifting incidents. Criminologists also attribute the recent drop in homicide cases to the pandemic's sliding into the rearview mirror, according to the New York Times.

Related Article: Pennsylvania Man Sentenced in Secret for His Role in U.S. Capitol Riot

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The United States military's clandestine X-37B spaceplane embarked on its seventh mission from Florida, marking a historic moment as it rode atop a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket for the first time.

This launch, more than two weeks delayed due to technical issues, catapulted the autonomous and reusable mini space shuttle to a higher orbit than ever before.

X-37B's Secret Mission Sparks Speculation

Similar to its preceding missions, the X-37B carried out classified experiments, continuing its legacy as a platform for undisclosed scientific endeavors. With no human presence on board, the spaceplane's launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center further solidified its unique capabilities in autonomous space operations.

The X-37B, developed by Boeing, bears a resemblance to NASA's retired space shuttles but is a quarter of their size at 29 feet long. Unlike its larger counterparts, the X-37B does not require astronauts for its missions, thanks to its autonomous landing system. The space plane takes off vertically like a rocket and lands horizontally like an airplane, designed to orbit at altitudes ranging from 150 to 500 miles.

Despite the veil of secrecy surrounding the nature and duration of the mission, Space Force officials confirmed the inclusion of a NASA experiment to study radiation's effects on materials. The lack of transparency regarding the X-37B's activities has fueled speculation and fascination within the space community.

This mission took a distinctive turn by hitching a ride on SpaceX's Falcon Heavy, a rocket known for its immense thrust capabilities. Previously, the X-37B relied on the SpaceX Falcon 9 and the Atlas V rocket. The Falcon Heavy's increased thrust suggests the potential for the X-37B to explore more distant orbits, possibly reaching the moon or even Mars, according to industry experts.

The launch generated intrigue about the space plane's destination and purpose, adding to the mystique surrounding its operations. The autonomous nature of the X-37B, coupled with its ability to make multiple maneuvers in space, poses challenges for enthusiasts attempting to track its location, according to NBC News.

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Advancing Space Operations and Scientific Research

While SpaceX successfully executed the launch, the spaceplane's mission objectives and its final orbit remain undisclosed. As the X-37B continues to push the boundaries of autonomous spaceflight, it serves as a critical asset for conducting experiments that contribute to enhancing space operations.

The X-37B's role in advancing scientific research was highlighted by Gen. B. Chance Saltzman, Chief of Space Operations, emphasizing its contribution to understanding and improving space operations. One of the experiments on this mission, named Seeds-2, conducted by NASA, aims to explore sustainable methods for future deep-space missions, focusing on the effects of radiation on plant seeds.

As the X-37B enters this new phase of its mission, questions linger about the duration it will spend in orbit. Historical trends suggest each flight has been longer than its predecessor. The spacecraft's return will, as in past missions, involve landing on a runway, distinguishing it from conventional spacecraft that splash down in the ocean.

The delays in the X-37B launch coincided with China's deployment of its own secretive spacecraft, adding a layer of intrigue to the modern space race. China's spacecraft, operating under a shroud of secrecy, was launched aboard a Long March 2F rocket, with its objectives including testing reusable space technology and conducting unspecified science experiments for peaceful space use.

Both the X-37B and China's mysterious spacecraft underscore the evolving landscape of space exploration, where technological advancements and secretive missions continue to capture global attention, CNN News reported.

Related Article: India Investigates Suspected Human Trafficking After Suspension of Nicaragua-Bound Flight

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The United Kingdom is struggling with a surge in flu cases as medical professionals are joining strikes, exacerbating the current dilemma.

Authorities said that the number of people in hospitals with flu rose by 500% in the past month as winter viruses tighten their grip on the region. There were roughly 942 patients who had flu in the seven days to Christmas Eve, which is a massive rise from the 160 that was recorded four weeks ago.

Flu Surge in the UK

There were another 452 people who were laid up with diarrhea and vomiting that was caused by noroviruses, which is 62% higher than what was recorded this time last year. Authorities also observed 3,620 COVID-19 patients on wards, which is an increase from the 2,275 from the prior month.

The National Health Service's (NHS) Prof. Sir Stephen Powis said that the "storm of pressure" will be exacerbated by the six-day junior doctors strike scheduled for next week. He added that there have been large increases in fly patients and many more norovirus cases than what was observed last winter, as per The Sun.

A three-day strike last week led to more than 86,329 operations and appointments being rescheduled to a later date. Sir Stephen said that it was unfortunate that the impact of the strike next week is likely to be much more severe.

Sir Julian Hartley of NHS Providers noted that the numbers give a preview of the scale of the challenges faced by trusts and front-line staff. He said that they are calling on the government and unions to start from scratch and find a way to resolve the damaging and demoralizing industrial dispute.

Healthcare leaders have expressed concern that patients' safety could be at risk during the next round of strikes. These are being held during what is typically considered the most pressured week for the NHS.

Sir Stephen also warned that the strike next week comes at a time when hospitals "usually experience the most pressure with high demand and higher levels of virus admissions." But Hartley described a drop in handover delays as "encouraging" amidst other issues, according to The Independent.

Read Also: North Carolina: Probe Links Sushi Restaurant to 240+ Probable Norovirus Cases

Medical Professionals' Strikes

Opposition parties have accused the government of not prioritizing the NHS and the Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Daisy Cooper said that hospitals are underfunded. She added that this has been the issue for years under the Conservative government.

She claimed that this has left both patients and hardworking NHS staff struggling to get by. The official said that the NHS and the number of beds that are available for people in need should be a key priority for the government.

The shadow health secretary, Wes Streeting said that the "misery" caused by the delayed discharges over Christmas was "entirely avoidable" He also promised to give more "care in the community."

Streeting attributed the issue to 13 years of Conservative cuts to social care as well as district nurses leaving 10,000 patients in hospitals for Christmas Day. He noted that the next Labour government will introduce a fair pay agreement for care workers to address staff shortages, said The Guardian.



Related Article: WHO Classifies New COVID-19 JN.1 as Standalone Variant of Interest as Subvariant Rapidly Spread in US

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United States President Joe Biden's administration is facing widespread criticism after it once again bypassed Congressional review to approve the transfer of nearly $150 million worth of military equipment to Israel.

On Friday, a State Department spokesperson revealed the Secretary of State Antony Blinken notified Congress of the emergency determination. It was to immediately approve the transfer of "155mm ancillary items including fuzes, charges, and primers that make 155mm shells functional."

Sale of Weapons to Israel

The spokesperson added that due to the urgency of Israel's defensive needs amid its war against the Hamas militant group, the secretary exercised his delegated authority. Blinken determined an emergency existed that necessitated the immediate approval of the weapons transfer.

The official also noted that additional items were included in previous sales, which "increased the total value of the sale to $147.5 million." The Biden administration rushed forward a sale of thousands of munitions to Israel earlier this month.

The administration bypassed the standard 20-day period that Congressional committees are typically given to review such a sale. It was found that the State Department sent an emergency declaration to the oversight committees. It noted that more than 13,000 tank shells would be delivered to Israel without any "further information, details, or assurances," as per CNN.

At the time, a State Department spokesperson said that they continued to be clear with the government of Israel's need to comply with "international humanitarian law. He added that the Middle Eastern nation must take every possible step to avoid harming civilians amid its fight with Hamas.

The department noted that the United States is committed to the security of Israel as it is considered vital to U.S. national interests. Blinken's previous decision of a similar transaction was worth roughly $106 million.

The two incidents come as Joe Biden is requesting a nearly $106 billion aid package for the Middle Eastern country as well as for Ukraine. The money would also be used for other national security needs but the proposal has remained stalled in Congress.

Read Also: Suffering in Gaza, West Bank Signified By White Shrouds

Bypassing Congressional Review

It has been caught up in a debate over U.S. immigration policy and border security. Some Democratic lawmakers have also spoken of making the proposed $14.3 billion in American assistance to Israel contingent on concrete steps by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to reduce civilian casualties in Gaza, according to PBS News Hour.

The State Department has said that it has been in constant communication with Israel to emphasize the importance of minimizing civilian casualties. The efforts were made to counter potential criticism of the sale on human rights grounds.

The State Department has argued that Hamas hides behind civilians and that the militant group has embedded itself among the civilian population. Officials said that this does not lessen Israel's responsibility and strategic imperative to distinguish between civilians and militants amid its military operations in Gaza.

Emergency determination has been used in the past, including then Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for an $8.1 billion sale of weapons to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Jordan, said The Guardian.



Related Article: Israel Accused of Genocide by South Africa in UN Filing

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Miami-Dade Police have released the names of those involved in the tragic helicopter crash just outside Miami Executive Airport, where 71-year-old Clement Zanzuri lost his life.

His daughter, 27-year-old Jordan Ann Zanzuri, miraculously survived the crash, swimming to safety after the single-engine Hughes 369 helicopter plummeted into a canal.

Clement Zanzuri Incident Investigated

In a recent incident, which happened on Wednesday, just before 2 p.m., a helicopter was being operated by Clement Zanzuri, departing from Fort Myers. The crash is currently under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board. Although the cause of the incident is still unknown, witnesses have come forward, stating that they observed the helicopter in a state of distress prior to its descent and subsequent collision with the canal.

Emergency responders quickly moved both a father and his daughter to the Jackson Memorial South Trauma Center following a collision that occurred in the vicinity of 187th Avenue and SW 122nd Street. In a tragic turn of events, Clement Zanzuri has been said dead upon reaching the destination, while his counterpart, Jordan Ann Zanzuri, is reported to be in a stable condition.

Miami-Dade Police have not disclosed the helicopter's origin, and details about its final destination are still under investigation. The authorities were alerted to the crash when witnesses reported a distressed helicopter descending into the canal. Responding officers initially had difficulty locating the crash site until Jordan Zanzuri emerged from the water, alerting them to her father still trapped in the wreckage.

Clement Zanzuri, despite the valiant rescue efforts of police divers, tragically succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. The ongoing investigation into the cause of the crash is expected to yield a comprehensive report in the coming weeks, according to CBS News.

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Wreckage Retrieval in Progress After Helicopter Crash

Following the incident, recovery crews diligently retrieved the wreckage from the canal, undertaking the crucial task of unraveling the factors that led to the tragic crash. According to witnesses, the descent of the helicopter was described as notably distressing, as onlookers observed its spinning motion before impact.

In Miami, a stone works art company was owned by Clement Zanzuri, a 71-year-old businessman, who also had ownership of various other enterprises. In addition to his business endeavors, he took on the role of landlord for the Miami Dance Project, making a major impact to the local community. Barbara Delgado, the president and founder of the dance organization, conveyed her condolences, acknowledging Zanzuri's dedication to promoting the arts and his enduring influence on the community.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are currently conducting a thorough investigation into the crash. Their primary objective is to shed insight into the series of happenings that unfolded, ultimately resulting in this devastating incident.

The investigation surrounding the tragic helicopter crash near Miami Executive Airport, recently released 911 calls have provided a glimpse into the panic and concern experienced by witnesses at the scene. These calls have added an additional layer of information to the ongoing inquiry, NBC reported.

Related Article: Colorado Dentist Gets 2-10 Years Sentence After Damaging Nevada Power Plant Initially Described as Terror Attack

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Christmas Day when a Michigan father of three allegedly shot his ex-girlfriend's new boyfriend after delivering gifts for his children.

Deandre Patrick Lawrence, 23, now faces serious charges after the violent encounter in Macomb County, as per New York Post.

Father Shoots Ex's Boyfriend in Christmas Tragedy

According to authorities, Lawrence had arrived at his ex-girlfriend's residence to drop off presents for their three children. However, tension quickly escalated into a physical altercation between Lawrence and the woman's live-in boyfriend. The situation took an even darker turn when the boyfriend attempted to escape and tripped, falling to the ground.

In a shocking turn of events, Lawrence pursued the man as he lay on the ground and proceeded to shoot him twice in the back. The victim miraculously survived but sustained severe injuries. Law enforcement promptly apprehended Lawrence, who now faces charges of assault with intent to murder and a felony firearm violation.

The Macomb County Prosecutor's Office expressed its concerns over the violent episode and emphasized that such actions have no place in resolving disputes. Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido stated, "Our thoughts are with the victim and his family. We will work to ensure accountability for this terrible Christmas Day shooting."

During the arraignment, details of the incident emerged, shedding light on the events leading up to the fateful encounter. Lawrence had initially arrived at his ex-girlfriend's home in a cheerful mood, intending to spread holiday cheer to his children. However, a confrontation ensued between Lawrence and the new boyfriend living in the house.

The altercation escalated quickly, resulting in the boyfriend fleeing from the scene. Tragically, he stumbled and fell to the ground, providing Lawrence with an opportunity to catch up and mercilessly shoot him in the back. The victim's survival in the face of such aggression is commendable, but the severity of his injuries cannot be ignored, according to ABC Detroit.

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Deandre Lawrence's $1 Million Bond in Court Arraignment

Deandre Patrick Lawrence was arraigned on Wednesday at the 37th District Court in Warren. The court set his bond at an astonishing $1 million, reflecting the gravity of the charges against him. If released, Lawrence is prohibited from having any contact with the victim or witnesses involved in the case.

Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido reiterated the need for accountability, stating, "Violent actions have no place in resolving disputes. Our thoughts are with the victim and his family. We will work to ensure accountability for this terrible Christmas Day shooting."

Lawrence's next court appearance is scheduled for January 4, 2024, for a probable cause conference. A preliminary examination will follow on January 11. The incident serves as a chilling reminder of the devastating consequences that can arise from unresolved conflicts.

The victim and his family deserve justice, while the community at large grapples with the aftermath of such a violent act committed on a day that should have been filled with joy and celebration.

Authorities will continue their investigation, shedding light on the motive behind this tragic act of violence. In the meantime, the focus remains on supporting the victim's recovery and ensuring that those responsible are held accountable to the fullest extent of the law, Click on Detroit reported.

Related Article: Texas Man Admits To Hiding Mom's Dead Body in Trash Can for Several Years After Being Arrested on Separate Warrant

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 30. The leadership of the Defense Ministry visited the Main Clinical Hospital on the eve of the Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis and the New Year Holiday, Trend reports.

First, the leadership of the Ministry laid flowers at the monument to the National Leader Heydar Aliyev in the territory of the hospital, and paid tribute to his bright memory.

Colonel General Z. Hasanov met with the medical staff and the military personnel being treated at the Main Clinical Hospital. Defense Minister conveyed the congratulations of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Mr. Ilham Aliyev to the personnel.

Defense Ministry's leadership enquired about treatment process of the wounded and wished speed recovery and continue their service in the Army.

The professionalism of the hospital's medical staff and the provided services were highly appreciated.

Defense Ministrys leadership presented festive gifts to the personnel.
Head of the Sustainable Development and Social Policy Department of the Ministry of Economy, Secretary of the National Coordinating Council for Sustainable Development of the Republic of Azerbaijan Huseyn Huseynov conducted training on "Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)" at the Baku Higher Oil School of SOCAR (BHOS).

At the opening of the training, BHOS Rector Elmar Gasimov spoke about the benefits of this training, noting that Baku Higher Oil School attaches great importance to sustainable development, which has already become a life goal.

BHOS is the first university among Azerbaijani higher education institutions to prepare a report on sustainable development. Various events and trainings have been held at Baku Higher Oil School to raise awareness about the SDG, and this training is the next step in this direction.

Speaking at the event, Secretary of the National Coordinating Council for Sustainable Development Huseyn Huseynov noted that the training participants would be provided with extensive information about the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the UN. He talked about the work done in our country to achieve these goals, including the development of State Programs.

Azerbaijan is the first country in the region to submit a Voluntary National Report on the implementation of SDGs to the UN High-Level Political Forum 3 times. The 4th report is already being prepared in Azerbaijan.

Touching upon the importance of raising awareness on SDGs, Huseyn Huseynov emphasized that relevant work should be carried out in higher education institutions in this regard. The secretary noted that he had viewed and highly appreciated Baku Higher Oil Schools report on sustainable development, which can serve as an example for other institutions.


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Newly Launched News Channel in Iraq Tries to Preserve the Assyrian Language

Presenters chat with each other on the Al-Syriania broadcast set at the station's headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq, Aug. 27, 2023. In a small church in Baghdad, Iraq, a couple dozen people have gathered for prayers on a sunny Sunday morning.

They stand in pews facing a crimson-colored curtain and a podium with a gold Syriac cross on it. The distinctive cross has a total of 12 circles at its points to represent the 12 disciples of Jesus.

The congregants are reciting their prayers in an ancient language called Syriac. Today, it's spoken mostly by Christians in Iraq and neighboring Syria.

The language traces its roots to Aramaic, which was the script of the original Christian Bible, and spoken by Jesus Christ. And it's part of the family of Semitic languages in the Middle East region.

The Syriac language is disappearing, with fewer and fewer people speaking it. The official languages of Iraq are Arabic and Kurdish.

But now, after campaigning by some groups, a newly launched television channel, Al-Syriania, with funding from the Iraqi government, is hoping to change that. The community says it's a good move toward preserving Syriac and in helping people stay connected with their language and culture.

The channel has about 40 staff members and can be viewed in Iraq and around the world through satellite networks, such as NileSat and ArabSat.

It's a sister station of Al-Iraqiya, an Arabic television network that was set up in the country after the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003, which also broadcasts in Kurdish and Turkmen.

The news bulletins for the new channel are read in classical Syriac, but many of the other programs -- which include cinema, art, history, cultural events and music -- are presented in a dialect of the language.

"We have daily segments, like news and morning shows, and also, documentary programs about the history of the church and historical sites," said Jack Anwia, the station director.

"We also play classical Syriac songs and music, the top-100 movies, and we have correspondents reporting from the field."

A 2,000-year-old language

The earliest written records of the use of Syriac date back to the first or second century B.C. The use of the language reached its peak between the fifth and seventh centuries. With the rise of Muslim conquests, more people in the region began to speak Arabic, leading to the eventual decline of the use of Syriac.

It did, however, remain prevalent in religious texts until modern times.

At the time when President George W. Bush announced the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, the country was home to about 1.5 million Christians. Since then, that number has dropped to about 400,000.

The war caused many of them to flee to other safer countries. But much of the decline also followed the onslaught of ISIS in 2014, which targeted Christians and other minorities.

Many of the families settled down in other countries around the world, and younger generations have tried to adopt the languages of their host countries to assimilate better, losing touch with Syriac unless it's spoken at home.

"They stay [in their new countries] because their sons and daughters are born there," said Father Qasha Shamoun, a priest at the Ancient Church of the East in Baghdad.

"They learn the culture of [those] countries, so it's too difficult for them to come back to Iraq."

Shamoun said the security situation has improved in Iraq over the past several years, but the Christian community is so small that it's hard to bring people together for programs.

"I have one family, if [they want] to get to the church, they have to drive for a couple of hours," he said.

He added that Al-Syriania has been good for providing Syriac programming and that people in his community have told him they like watching it.

Surviving texts

Hundreds of Syriac books and manuscripts have still survived decades of war and migration.

In fact, right before ISIS fighters captured large parts of northern Iraq in 2014, the Chaldean Catholic archbishop of Mosul, Najeeb Michaeel, rescued a collection of centuries-old Syriac manuscripts as he fled.

Now, many of them are preserved at the Digital Center for Eastern Manuscripts in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdish region, which is supported by UNESCO, USAID and the Catholic Dominican Order.

Back at the news station, Anwia said that it's important not to lose Syriac.

"It is one of the oldest languages of Iraq," he said. "And it needs to be protected from extinction."

Enas Razak Ibrahim provided translations for this report.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 30. The global payment system Mastercard is actively working activating money transfers via mobile number in Azerbaijan, Mastercard General Director for Azerbaijan and Turkiye Avsar Gurdal said, Trend reports.

Mastercard is currently collaborating with the International Bank of Azerbaijan on this issue.

"Masterpass is a service that allows customers to transfer money to a mobile phone number by reinventing the traditional technique. For example, you can transfer payments by immediately inputting a recipient's cell phone number from your smartphone rather than typing the person's 16-digit bank card code. The money will be deposited into the recipients' bank accounts using simply their phone number. This substantially facilitates the mutual comfort process. We've made it feasible to transfer money using already-existing information - a mobile phone number. Bank card information is encrypted in the background, and transactions are processed via 'Masterpass'. Here, safety comes first," he said.

"In reality, we launched 'Masterpass' to make e-commerce easier in Azerbaijan. However, this approach will not only be suitable for e-commerce but also for money transfers. 'Masterpass' will be utilized not only for money transfers between Azerbaijani banks but also for sending money to bank accounts in Turkey and other countries via cellphone number. What advantages may you anticipate? Domestic and international remittances will be processed in the same way, making life easier for consumers. We are currently working on this issue."Gurdal added.

Mastercard is a global technology leader with over 2.3 billion account holders in 210 countries. Kantar 2023 ranks the company among the top ten most valuable global brands in the world, with a market worth of more than $390 billion.
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The 21 Indian passengers of the Nicaragua-bound flight of Legend Airlines which was grounded for suspected human trafficking in France, have failed to explain why they boarded the chartered plane.

The passengers were asked to record their statements by Indias Central Investigative Department (CID) on Friday, according to local media reports.

Many of the passengers have maintained that they were travelling to Nicaragua as tourists, CID officers told The Indian Express newspaper.

However, an unnamed officer told the newspaper that the passengers were unable to explain why they boarded the dubious flight which had mostly single persons and unaccompanied minors.

They had valid documents to procure visas on arrival and some even had tourist visas, the official said.

They also cant explain why they paid their agents huge sums of money to board the flight

An officer said they were also questioned by the department if they had any plans to cross into the United States of America illegally after reaching Latin America.

There was a rumour they had planned to enter the US illegally after landing in Nicaragua, S P Rajkumar, additional director general of police, CID - Crime and Railways, told The Hindustan Times.

We are going into the details to find out who were the agents behind their trip.

The flight, an Airbus A340 carrying 276 passengers, including 65 from Gujarat, was grounded for four days in France last week over suspected human trafficking, sparking speculations over illegal immigration.

The flight landed in Mumbai on 26 December and it has been a mystery ever since. What adds to the complexity of the situation is the significant sums of money passengers allegedly paid to local agents facilitating their journey.

While at least two agents have been named by the passengers, the CID said that no legal action can be taken against them without concrete evidence of forged documents or a formal complaint from a passenger.

The CID (crime) wants to take action against agents who had promised help to the victims to enter the US and other countries (illegally), Sanjay Kharat, superintendent of police, CID (Crime), said last week.
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Andy Cohen has spoken out about a time when he got scammed, which resulted in him losing a lot of money.

The 55-year-old TV host spoke candidly about the experience during an episode of his podcast, Andy Cohens Daddy Diaries, which aired on 22 December.

Speaking with his podcast co-host, John Hill, Cohen revealed that he recently got scammed. While noting that he didnt want to go too deeply into what happened, he started by explaining that he got a call from someone saying they were fraud alert from [his] bank, which led to the scam.

He then noted that before the call, he had put in a request for a new bank card. I did lose a card, and I put in for it, and I got an email saying, There might be fraud on your account, and I was like, Oh, this is attached to the card I lost, he said.

According to the radio host, he then logged into his bank account, which is when he was asked for [his] Apple ID and password. Although he realised this was a bad sign and bailed from the web page, he later felt like that led to him being scammed.

I had already logged into my bank app, he said. I think somehow my logging through whatever this site was gave them access to my bank app.

Cohen continued to note that when he got that call, it came up on [his] phone as the name of the bank. He then detailed how he answered the phone call, which ended up leading to the scam.

Theyre like its fraud alert, whatever, and I go: Yes, we need to talk, he said. And then they were naming credits that I had made, charges, because they clearly had access to my account.

The Real Housewives host shared that as the person on the phone was naming charges, hed say: Yes, these are real charges. However, he said he had regrets for how he handled the situation, before revealing how long he ended up staying on the phone with the woman.

What I should have done is say, Can I call you back? or Can I go to the bank and handle this? he explained to his co-host. Instead, John, I stayed on the line with this woman for an hour and 10 minutes.

After explaining that he was mainly going through charges, he said there was one point where the woman on the phone made a different request.

She was like, I need you to enter into your phone these numbers, he recalled. I went to the keypad, and I entered a bunch of numbers that she told me to enter. And what came onto my screen was this screen that basically saidI had set up call forwarding and message forwarding on my phone.

He said that when he learned that the call forwarding feature was set up, he took a screenshot of it and told the woman on the phone. However, according to Cohen, the woman told him: Oh, ignore that.

From there, he said that the woman continued to tell him about all these charges on his card, which he said he didnt make. Shes like, Someone is trying to place a charge on your card at a Walmart in Minneapolis. Do you know this person? I said no. She said, Do you want us to prosecute? he added.

He then explained that when he talked to his bank about the experience, they told him they never ask cardholders if they want to prosecute scammers, they just do.

Cohen segwayed back to recalling the conversation with the woman, noting that she not only said shed send a new card, but that she really sounded like [she] was helping him. He noted that he then told him she had a few more things to do and would call him back in 30 minutes. However, according to Cohen, he never received a call from her.

From there, he contacted a fraud alert about the situation, during which he was asked for his debit card number. However, Cohen said he didnt have that number because his card was gone. The saga continued with the TV host then realising how he was being scammed.

[Fraud alert] said, We will put you in a queue and call you back. What I didnt realise was that all of my calls were being forwarded to that other scammer, he said, before noting how he went to his bank after receiving messages about his account.

He then revealed how he learned he lost money from the scam, adding: I go to the bank the next day, and these people wired out of two accounts that I have a lot of money.

According to Cohen, while the bank had called him to ask if the wires were done by the fraudsters, he didnt actually get those calls. Since I had set up call forwarding, the calls went to the scam artists, he concluded. And they confirmed the wires.

He added that after he reset his passwords for everything and began the process of getting his money back, he went to call forwarding and saw the number that all his calls were being forwarded to.

The Radio Andy host then gave his advice to listeners who are in a similar situation and are worried that they are being scammed.

Part of my advice for people is that if something is happening, just go to your bank branch, he said. And when you get emails, look very closely at the email address. It might say your banks name, but click on the name, and then the email address will appear, and youll see that its some other random address.
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Giving up alcohol for January can have both a positive and negative effect on your body, an expert has shared.

While there are obvious benefits associated with avoiding alcohol, such as a reduced risk of developing cancer and liver disease later in life, Dry January can also have a surprising detrimental impact on your body.

Dr Preethi Daniel from the London Doctors Clinic has explained what happens to your body during Dry January after the indulgence of the Christmas period.

For the first few days of the month, you may experience an inability to sleep soundly and some slight dehydration.

This could be a sign that your body is going through withdrawal from alcohol dependency.

Additional extreme symptoms of this may include restlessness, tremors, nausea, sweating and anxiety.

However, theres no doubt that reducing your alcohol intake or avoiding alcohol altogether can do a whole lot of good for your overall wellbeing.

Having enjoyed many a glass of bubbly over Christmas and New Years, your liver could be in need of a few weeks rest.

Your liver generally needs around four to six weeks of recovery following a heavy bout of drinking, so giving Dry January a go could be an ideal way of keeping your health in check.

Youll also notice your sleeping pattern improve in the long run.

After a few days of restless sleep at the beginning of Dry January, by day seven youll likely have found yourself sleeping far more peacefully.

This means that youll also start waking up with far more energy the next morning, ready to take on the day.

Another aspect of your body thats affected by your alcohol consumption is your appearance.

As the days go by, your skin will appear more radiant and your eyes will look brighter.

This is because the majority of the calories entering your body will come from food as opposed to alcohol, thus increasing your vitamin intake.

Last but not least, giving up alcohol will give your immune system the boost it needs to stave off the pesky common cold thats going around.

Of course, completing Dry January is far easier said than done.

With that in mind, Dr Daniel has also provided some tips for participating in the alcohol-free month as healthily as possible.

Make sure that youre drinking lots of fluids to keep your body hydrated, drinking a glass of water before bed to ensure that you feel refreshed in the morning.

Eating regular, nutritious meals will help keep your cravings at bay, as will drinking alternative drinks such as lemon-infused beverages.

This article was originally published in 2018.
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Francia Raisa has opened up about her current relationship with Selena Gomez, revealing that they went six years without speaking to each other.

In an interview with USA Today published on Thursday 28 December, the Secret Life of the American Teenager alum discussed what it was like to reconnect with Gomez after going so long without speaking and famously donating a kidney to her back in 2018.

Its still crazy to me that people were invested in our friendship, Raisa told the outlet. I dont know why the timing happened the way it did, but I remember being in St Tropez in June and I kept talking about her. We hadnt spoken much in six years. Especially the last year, we didnt speak at all.

She explained that the reconciliation happened after Gomez sent her a birthday message back in July when Raisa turned 35. Gomez sweetly wrote on social media at the time: Happiest of birthdays to this special human being. No matter where life takes us, I love you.

I dont know why the universe decided this timing then she reached out and said, Lets talk. During their dinner, the two agreed that theres no beef, just salsa - referencing the actors salsa brand. Weve never really had beef with each other, she told USA Today.

Nothing happened, and if you ask either of us, we dont know what happened but we needed that time apart. Then when you come back together, youre better people. She and I are still getting to know each other again, Raisa added. And obviously, you know, I gave the girl a kidney so everyone felt a certain way and I was asked for years and years and years, Do you regret it? and I was like, No, the relationship has always been there. There was just a tiff.

Despite the two of them reconciling, Raisia has previously admitted that she shares a rocky friendship with the Rare Beauty mogul. In an interview with Extra, the How I Met Your Father actor gave fans a rare insight into her friendship with the Disney Channel alum and stated that whatever drama exists between them has nothing to do with their kidney transplant.

We trauma-bonded, which is beautiful, but also it can get rocky and tricky, she explained, reflecting on the ups and downs of their friendship. People grow, relationships change. Obviously, I treat her like my little sister, she treats me like her older sister.

Raisa added that the duo have been through a lot together, with her having donated her kidney to Gomez amid her battle with lupus. I dont know any relationship thats perfect, she said. When our situation came up No, I never pictured that, but obviously I never regretted it. I am happy that we are here today, celebrating and supporting each other.

Now that they have reconnected, the actor is overjoyed to get to know Gomez and grow together now that theyre both in their 30s and a little bit wiser.

I am a different person today than I was last year or even when I turned 30. Im 35 now, Raisa said. Even when Selena turned 30, Im like, Its different, isnt it? and she was like, Yeah. I said, Welcome to your 30s. Now we can get to know each other again.
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Kathy Griffin has filed for divorce from her husband Randy Bick right before their fourth wedding anniversary.

The 63-year-old Fashion Police alum filed for divorce from her husband Randy Bick, 44, on 28 December in Los Angeles Superior Court, with the date of separation listed as 22 December 2023. The filing cited irreconcilable differences as the cause of the split.

Griffin and the marketing executive reportedly signed a prenuptial agreement on 23 December 2019 - nine days before they tied the knot on New Years Day - according to the filing. She asked the court to enforce the prenuptial agreement, which would eliminate the opportunity for either party to receive financial support from one another post-divorce.

In response to the filing making headlines, Griffin posted on X - formerly known as Twitter - on 29 December: Wells***. This sucks. TMZ was the first to report the news of Griffins filing.

The couple first began dating in 2011 but after seven years together, they announced in November 2018 that they had broken up. However, the split didnt last long. By April 2019, Griffin confirmed that they were back together.

Shortly before the pair tied the knot on New Years Eve that same year, Griffin announced she was engaged. At the time, the actor explained that they wanted to wed right after midnight so they could have a great start to 2020. Griffin dubbed the ceremony atypical and in footage of their wedding, it was revealed that actor Lily Tomlin officiated the ceremony.

Less than a year into their marriage, Griffin was diagnosed with lung cancer despite claiming to never smoke. The actor had surgery to remove a large portion of her lung and by December 2021, she announced that shed been cleared of cancer.

Im cancer-free, Griffin revealed on Jimmy Kimmel Live!. I dont know why, I had a tumor, right? And Ive never smoked, and it was in there for 10 years. So get this, they took it out and found it in another scan.

The Suddenly Susan actor explained the procedure to remove part of her lung, jokingly adding that her doctor told her that it would make her lung look like a used condom.

It will heal, but Im sort of enjoying it, Griffin said of her lungs. Im a good two octaves higher, I think  its higher than Mariah Carey.

The actor is still in remission, but in June 2023, Griffin underwent vocal cord surgery as part of the recovery process. This is just part of my recovery post-lung cancer surgery, she shared with her TikTok followers. Im cancer-free, so anyway a little scratchy today, but Ill be in good shape.
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The founder of a charity which gives donated second-hand shoes to children in need said it has seen a huge surge in demand amid the cost-of-living crisis, as she was made an OBE in the New Year Honours list.

Camilla CJ Bowry, 43, founder and chief executive at Sals Shoes, which redistributes footwear to children all over the world whose parents cannot afford it, has been honoured for services to young people, education and the environment.

Over the past decade, the charity says it has found new feet for over five million pairs of Sals Shoes in 61 countries around the world, including increasingly here in the UK.

Ms Bowry, of Oxted, Surrey, told the PA news agency: Children tend to outgrow their shoes before they outwear them and childrens shoes are expensive but also actually quite difficult to recycle because of all the different components theyre made up of and just over 10 years ago, having accumulated a bag full of my son Sals outgrown shoes, and unable to find a charity that could tell me where exactly they would end up if I donated them, I founded Sals Shoes.

I think there are an estimated 300 million children around the world for whom walking with shoes is a rarity.

Feet in shoes are protected feet, feet protected from injury and infection.

We have always worked in the UK on a much smaller scale to begin with, for a variety of reasons, but over the last few years we have seen a huge surge in demand, so we have distributed over 180,000 pairs of childrens shoes nationwide just this year.

Its a cost-of-living crisis, people are worried about feeding their families and heating their homes and winter coats and school shoes.

Sals Shoes is able to track every pair of shoes it supplies and let the previous owner know where they end up.

On being made an OBE, she said: I think as someone working in the charity sector any acknowledgment is quite uncomfortable when really all were able to achieve is down to the less fortunate position of others. That said, I think it validates our work and is one for the whole team.

Ms Bowry said her family will only learn she has been honoured when the list is published.

Ive risen to the challenge and seen it as a personal challenge and Ive been the best secret keeper ever, in fact I forgot I knew the secret, she said.

I dont think theyll believe it, I think it will be lovely for my mum and dad, Im quite excited for them to know about it.
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A man who spent 17 years in prison after being wrongfully convicted of rape says he is now living in a tent and on benefits as he awaits compensation for his imprisonment.

Andrew Malkinson, 57, said the UK doesnt feel like home any longer, and that he feels betrayed very badly after he was jailed despite there being no forensic evidence linking him to the crime.

During an appearance on BBC Radio 4s Today, he said that he had since been living in Spain with little money since his release, and had been warned it could take two years for him to receive his compensation.

I have no job, Im on benefits, Im living in a tent, Im basically homeless, he said.

The government has since announced plans for a major inquiry to investigate why he remained in jail when DNA linking another man to the crime was uncovered by forensic scientists three years into his sentence.

Malkinson guest edited BBC Radio 4 and spoke about his experience behind bars (BBC)

He had been arrested in 2003 by Greater Manchester Police for an attack on a woman in Salford and was not released until 2020 under a strict life licence. His conviction was eventually overturned by the Court of Appeal in July.

Ive got a bit of anger to deal with, he said during the conversation with John McCarthy, who was imprisoned by Islamic Jihadi militants in Lebanon between 1986 and 1991.

You cant go through something like that and not be furious. I was angry all the time in prison, but I had to park it and process it slowly somehow in my own way. Its a real emotional rollercoaster.

He also added that he faced difficulties in prison while studying at the Open University, which he credited with keeping his mind busy while incarcerated.

Malkinson had his conviction for the 2003 attack in Greater Manchester quashed in July (PA)

He said: People wont want to hear this but the [prison] staff didnt really like us doing higher education.

There was resistance and made all kinds of problems over small matters that werent really important. I felt they were putting obstacles in the way so there was a lot of frustration, but I was determined to get through it.

Speaking of the upcoming inquiry, Alex Chalk, the justice secretary, said that Mr Malkinson deserved thorough and honest answers about why it took so long to uncover the atrocious miscarriage of justice.
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Eight people were arrested during a protest near a theatre in south London that turned violent with police officers coming under attack.

Four Met Police officers were injured in chaotic scenes while responding to a demonstration involving around 50 people in Camberwell Road in Southwark on Saturday afternoon.

A spokesperson said the protest, close to The Lighthouse Theatre, was related to tensions amongst the Eritrean community.

Footage shared online showed members of the public wavings sticks and throwing barriers at riot police, while traffic was brought to a standstil. The Met confirmed eight people had been arrested for offences including violent disorder, criminal damage, possession of an offensive weapon and assault on an emergency worker.

Four officers were injured, one of whom was taken to hospital and has now been discharged.

A statement shared by the Mets Southwark police team on X at the time of the protest said: Officers are on scene in Camberwell Road, SE5 where there is a protest with approximately 50 people gathered outside a private venue.

Additional officers are on their way to the location to assist with the demonstration.

Additional police officers were called to deal with the disturbance close to The Lighthouse Theatre (PA)

A dispersal order was put in place to move people away from the area (PA)

A dispersal order was brought in for an area around the protest by the local police team just before 2.30pm, and lasts until 7am on Sunday. Under the order, officers have the power to remove people from the area.

However, footage from around 4pm showed an apparent stand off with officers.

Videos shared online also showed police line the road with several riot vans in the area. A man could be heard using a mega phone to speak to a gathered crowd in another video.

Its been suggested on social media that the protest centred on a meeting being held by the Eritrean embassy, and there was an initial confrontation between two groups.

The spokesperson for the Met Police told The Independent: The protest is related to tensions amongst the Eritrean community.

Eritrea is one of the poorest countries in Africa, located on the Red Sea coast between Ethiopia and Sudan. The one-party state won its independence from Ethioipa after a 30-year war in 1993, but has since been impacted by prolonged periods of conflict.

Thousands have fled the country in recent years, with some arriving in the UK.

In September last year, a demonstration was held outside the Eritrean Embassy in Islington against the countrys occupation of the Tigray region. The Met Police made 15 arrests for offences including public order.

And in August of this year, anti-Eritrean government protesters held a protest during a cultural festival in Sweden.
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Three men have died and another is fighting for his life after a house fire in Croydon.

The blaze broke out at an end-of-terrace property in Sanderstead Road on Friday evening. Two men were pronounced dead at the scene.

On Saturday, a third man, believed to be in his 30s, died in hospital, the Metropolitan Police said.

Two other men self-presented at hospital following the fire. One remains in a life-threatening condition, while the other been discharged.

The London Fire Brigade were called to the scene at 10.39pm to tackle the blaze, with the majority of the ground floor damaged.

The cause of the blaze is under investigation by police and London Fire Brigade.

Firefighters clear up equipment outside a property on Sanderstead Road (Yui Mok/PA Wire)

A spokesperson for the London Fire Brigade said: The Brigade was called at 10.39pm and the fire was brought under control by 00.16am. Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters from Croydon, Purley, Woodside, Norbury and Wallington fire stations attended the scene.

Police are currently trying to trace their family.
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Tributes have been paid to three men who died when their 4x4 vehicle was swept away by the River Esk as they attempted to cross the water.

Scott Thomas Daddy, Leslie Forbes and Kenneth Patrick Hibbins were found dead inside the vehicle after it became submerged in the river near Glaisdale on Thursday.

On Friday, after the car was removed from the water flowers were laid on the bank in memory of the three men.

And later in the evening, North Yorkshire Police named the three victims and issued tributes from family and friends.

Mr Daddys family described him as a loving son, brother, uncle and boyfriend.

They said the 28-year-old from Hull was always helping others and enjoyed 44, green laning, scouting and outdoor activities as well as being a passionate Hull FC supporter with a big circle of friends.

The three men were believed to be part of an off-road club (PA)

They added: He was taken suddenly doing something he enjoyed, but too early. He had a big future ahead of him. He will always be missed by his loving family.

Mr Forbes, 70, from east Yorkshire was said to be a loving husband, father and grandfather, who will be sadly missed by his family and friends.

Mr Hibbins, 59, from York, will be sadly missed by all his close friends and work colleagues, a tribute from his loved ones said.

Its believed the three men were part of an off-road club, and had been attempting to cross a ford at the river.

Chris Ford, a firewood salesman, tried to rescue the vehicle after receiving a call for assistance shortly after it entered the water.

The vehicle being recovered from the River Esk (PA)

He said: I went down with my tractor. There was a couple of vehicles  one parked up. You couldnt see the (other) vehicle. It was 3ft beneath the water.

Another man who attempted to help those in the 44 was pulled to safety from the river and has received medical treatment.

Two other locals, Rosie and Andrew Dale, said they were with Mr Ford when he got the call to help and had seen several 4x4 vehicles pass their home towards the ford shortly before the incident.

The tragedy occurred as Storm Gerrit caused flooding and travel chaos across the country throughout Wednesday and Thursday. Thousands of homes have lost power across Wales and Scotland, while a number of flood alerts have been issues for Yorkshire.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said: We ask that you respect the families privacy at this extremely difficult time, and allow them time to grieve.
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Female graduate trainee prison officers have described a toxic and sexist culture where they were encouraged to be more violent as new figures show one in three on the scheme drop out, The Independent has learned.

Established in 2016 as a response to high rates of reoffending, Unlocked has hired around 750 young officers, 70 per cent of whom have been female and 30 per cent male.

But a recent freedom of information request, submitted by the Prison Officers Association, shows that nearly a third of participants withdraw from the programme every year.

Former participants who served at two of the UKs most violent prisons have told The Independent the main issue is not the difficulties of dealing with inmates but problems with other staff.

Have you worked on the scheme? Email tom.watling@independent.co.uk

They spoke of facing a misogynist and toxic culture where female trainees are asked questions about their sex lives and trainees are applauded for being more violent with prisoners.

Ms B, who did not wish to be named, spent a year at the notorious Belmarsh prison while in her early twenties as part of the Unlocked scheme. She says she often found herself the butt of sexist comments and jokes by colleagues.

I was being asked straight up if I was a lesbian within 48 hours of knowing some of the staff, she said. It would be just me and six other male officers. They would ask me which male officers I would f***. It definitely felt like they thought they could get away with it because I was a young woman and I was more vulnerable.

In a similar way that I learnt how to deal with the way prisoners talked to me, I also learnt how to deal with the way prison officers spoke to me.

A graduate who worked at Feltham Young Offenders Institution criticised the scheme (Rex)

Ms B said her year at Belmarsh was the roughest part of her life.

I felt very isolated, she said. I recognised very quickly that nobody else in that prison had the same mentality as me. The only people who were interested in talking to me were people who were trying to date me.

Ruth Cadbury, shadow prisons minister, called for these allegations to be investigated by ministers, saying women had a right to feel safe in their occupation.

She told The Independent: Female prison staff have a right to feel safe at work, so they can focus on the vital job of rehabilitating prisoners to protect the public.

These allegations of unacceptable behaviour must be urgently investigated by ministers.

The Unlocked scheme encourages university graduates to join the programme to play a part in reforming the [prison] system and supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

Alex Chalk, the justice minister, endorsed the programme this summer after speaking to the 2023-24 cohort who were undergoing training at the time. He said it was encouraging to see so much talent joining the prison service.

Shadow prisons minister Ruth Cadbury urged ministers to investigate the claims included in this piece (UK Parliament)

Another trainee, Ms T, who also asked to remain anonymous, dropped out halfway through her course, in part due to the toxic culture. She worked at the Young Offenders Institution (YOI) Feltham, west London, part of the second cohort of Unlocked graduates, when she was 22.

Ms T described senior officers suggesting her privileged background prevented her from carrying out her job properly and that she ought to be more violent.

After her first few months, Ms T was called into a meeting by senior officers who oversee the use of force against prisoners in Feltham, where it was suggested she lacked the physical experience and build to handle the young offenders. She said she was asked if she had ever been in a fight before, to which she replied no.

According to Ms T, the officer responded: Dont take this the wrong way but youre quite petite, so you can probably get away with things that we couldnt, see?

So you could hit the boys harder than me because youre a small petite young woman and Im a mean aggressive man, get it?

She was subsequently put into a refresher course on how to use force against prisoners. She says she was applauded for hitting one of the officers on the head with a baton while he was pretending to be a teenage prisoner wielding a knife.

Feltham is a youth offending institue that houses teenagers between the ages of 15 and 21 (PA)

Ms B said she had been told of multiple instances in Belmarsh where prison officers had used excessive violence against prisoners for no reason other than they did not like a certain inmate.

But she said it was difficult to report such instances because complaints were often leaked to fellow members of staff.

She said: I was so scared to report anything in case they found out it was me who had spoken up. So I didnt say anything.

That kind of messed with me at work since I didnt want to be in a position where Im doing something that I find completely morally wrong just because I am scared I wont be safe.

While she said she did not believe she would be directly threatened by other prison officers, she said she feared not being properly supported when it came to physical confrontations with prisoners.

A spokesperson for Unlocked said it was aware that negative workplace cultures exist within the prison system but claimed it addresses these issues explicitly in its training.

They said: We are concerned to hear of these reports. We take all feedback extremely seriously and tackle it as necessary. We know that the prison environment can be very challenging and that negative cultures exist and need to be rooted out. We address these issues explicitly in our training and support.

We will continue to develop our work, support our graduates, and  in partnership with the leaders of the Prisons Service  directly confront unacceptable behaviours.

But when asked whether Unlocked had discussed this negative culture during its training periods, both Ms B and Ms T said they believed the programme had failed to explain the extent to which these behaviours existed.

Labour MP Kim Johnson said the drop out rate was scandalous (UK Parliament)

During our training, we did role play for different, difficult situations, Ms B said. We did it both in terms of prisoners and officers. But it never covered those extremes. It was a much softer language.

Ms T said she and her fellow graduates were warned that prison officers would be problematic but said they were not taught about the nuances of how that might manifest itself.

Labour MP for Liverpool Kim Johnson, an outspoken advocate for prison reform, told The Independent that Unlockeds dropout rate was part of a bigger problem.

While the treatment of young women in the workforce in prisons is leading to scandalously high dropout rates, the reality is that this is symptomatic of a broader crisis in recruitment and retention in our prison staff, she said.

Prison staff are under huge pressure working in dangerously overcrowded conditions. Underpaid and underprotected, they face widespread physical violence with dwindling resources and support.

Rethinking our prison system and providing it the proper funding and resources is the only way to alleviate the significant pressures on the prison workforce and end the widespread crisis in recruitment and retention, especially of young women prison officers recruited through the Unlocked programme.

The Ministry of Justice has been contacted for comment.
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A crackdown on American XL bully dogs is coming into force following a series of attacks across the UK.

From 31 December, all bully XLs must be kept on a lead and muzzled in public. It will also be illegal to breed, sell, advertise, gift, exchange, and abandon these dogs or let them stray.

It comes ahead of a ban in February when it will be criminal offence to own an XL bully dog in England and Wales without a certificate.

Here is a deeper look into what the move might mean for dog owners.

What will happen if you own an American XL bully dog?

Owners of the dog will face new restrictions  including a requirement to have the dogs neutered and muzzled and on a lead when in public

The Chief Veterinary Officer said that there would be an amnesty approach, echoing the way the ban on pit bull terriers under the Dangerous Dogs Act was introduced in the 1990s.

Professor Christine Middlemiss also confirmed that owners will need to register their American XL bully. They will also need to be insured.

She stressed that anyone complying with new restrictions will be able to keep their dog.

What are American XL bully dogs?

American kennel clubs have different definitions of what an American XL bully is but it is not recognised as a specific breed by the UKs The Kennel Club, dog expert witness Colin Tennant told the PA news agency.

The American Bully Kennel Club defines the American XL bully as a crossbreed of the American pit bull terrier, olde English bulldogge, English bulldog and the American bulldog, while the American Dog Breeders Association defines it as a crossbreed of the American Staffordshire terrier and the American pit bull terrier.

American XL Bullies have been linked to 40% of more than 800 attacks tracked by campaign group Bully Watch (Getty Images/iStockPhoto)

Why are they not defined as a breed in the UK?

The dog is not recognised as a specific breed by The Kennel Club.

It could be hard to define and some fear a ban could inadvertently outlaw a range of other dogs.

How does identifying a dog as a banned breed work?

Police or dog experts can judge the type of dog.

Mr Tennant said this is done with lists of characteristics, so it can be classed as a banned breed if it ticks the boxes, even if the dog is crossbred with a breed which is not banned.

Will this make it difficult to enforce a ban?

Ministers were quick to acknowledge that the details of the ban, and the exact definition of the breed, would need to be worked out.

But officials appear confident that a consensus can be reached that will target a ban specifically on the American XL bully.

The chief veterinary officer said officials would work with vets, dog experts, the police and NGOs to find an appropriate breed definition.

XL Bullies will join the list of banned breeds by the end of the year, Rishi Sunak says (Getty Images)

Which dogs are already banned in the UK?

In the UK, it is against the law to own certain types of dog.

According to the government website, these are the pit bull terrier, Japanese Tosa, dogo Argentino and fila Brasileiro.

It is also against the law to sell a banned dog, abandon a banned dog, give away a banned dog, and breed from a banned dog.

What happens if you own a banned dog?

The police or local council dog warden can take it away, even if it is not acting dangerously and there has not been a complaint made.

A police or council dog expert will judge what type of dog it is and whether it is (or could be) a danger to the public. The dog will then either be released or kept in kennels while the police (or council) apply to a court.

It is the owners responsibility to prove the dog is not a banned type. If it is proved, the court will order the dog to be returned. If the owner cannot prove it (or they plead guilty), they will be convicted of a crime.

The owner can get an unlimited fine or be sent to prison for up to six months (or both) for having a banned dog against the law. The dog will also be destroyed.

If the dog is banned but the court thinks it is not a danger to the public, it may put it on the Index of Exempted Dogs and let the owner keep it.

When the ban comes into force, owners will need to prove their dog is not a banned type (Getty Images)

The owner will be given a certificate of exemption, which is valid for the life of the dog, and comes with a number of conditions.

The dog must be neutered, microchipped, kept on a lead and muzzled at all times when in public, and kept in a secure place so it cannot escape.

The owner must take out insurance against the dog injuring other people, be aged over 16, show the certificate of exemption when asked by a police officer or council dog warden, either at the time or within five days, and let the Index of Exempted Dogs know if the owner changes address, or the dog dies.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, December 30. The fleet of Kazakhstan Railways JSC (KTZ, national company) has transported about 46.2 million tons of coal within Kazakhstan from May 1 through December 21, 2023, Trend reports.

This is 400,000 tons more than the same period last year.

Thus, the majority - 40.1 million tons of coal - were delivered to the republic's thermal power plants. This figure increased by 910,000 tons compared to the same period of the last heating season.

At the moment, at 28 out of 29 thermal power plants, fuel reserves are above normal. The total reserves amounted to 5.4 million tons, which is 31 percent higher than last year.

At the same time, 6.1 million tons of coal were transported for the population. Municipal coal reserves in Kazakhstan amount to more than 450,000 tons.

In addition, the coal transportation plan for December of this year amounted to 848,400 tons of coal, 235,000 tons were loaded in 11 days. The decrease in transportation is due to the lack of applications from regional coal operators to coal mines due to the availability of stocks in warehouses.

This process involves more than 20,000 open wagons, which transport coal for the population and thermal power plants.
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Former prime minister Liz Truss has doled out peerages to the men who played key roles in masterminding Britains exit from the European Union.

Ms Truss  who lasted just 49 days in No 10, a period in which she decimated the UK economy  nominated Matthew Elliott, the former chief executive of Vote Leave, and pro-Brexit Tory donor Jon Moynihan to sit in the House of Lords.

Mr Elliott helped found the TaxPayers Alliance, a small-state think tank committed to low taxes, while Mr Moynihan donated 20,000 to Ms Trusss leadership campaign in 2021 and is the former chair of Vote Leave.

Ruth Porter, her former deputy chief of staff at No 10, is also on the list for a peerage, but there is no such honour for Mark Littlewood, the former boss of the Institute for Economic Affairs (IEA), who backed Ms Trusss disastrous mini-Budget.

Ms Truss and her chancellor Kwasi Kwartengs economic plans, which included 45bn of unfunded tax cuts, triggered chaos in the financial markets and steep declines in the pound.

Mr Kwarteng was promptly sacked by Ms Truss just 38 days into the job. She survived just 49 days before being replaced by Rishi Sunak in Downing Street.

Labour branded the honours recommended by Ms Truss tarnished gongs that rewarded failed economic policies. The Liberal Democrats described her list as shameless.

Campaigners called for urgent reform to the rotten and out of control peerage system, and criticised the list, which proposes a new peer in effect for every day-and-a-half Ms Truss was in office.

Former chief executive of the Vote Leave Brexit campaign Matthew Elliott (PA)

As well as the three peerages, Ms Truss nominated eight people to receive honours including MBEs, OBEs and knighthoods.

The list attracted considerable controversy before it was even published due to the short-lived nature of Ms Trusss premiership, and was pushed out by No 10 at the same time as a slew of separate honours late on Friday afternoon.

Also on the list is the MP for Thurrock, Jacqueline Doyle-Price, who is recommended for a damehood following her service as minister of state for industry  a position she held from September 2022 to October 2022.

Another of Ms Trusss colleagues, Alec Shelbrooke, the MP for Elmet and Rothwell, is recommended for a knighthood for his political service as minister of state for defence procurement.

Other honours in the list include Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for former special advisers Sophie Ina Jarvis and Shabbir Riyaz Merali, OBEs for Robert Butler, the MP for Aylesbury, and Suzanne Webb, the MP for Stourbridge, and a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for the South West Norfolk Conservative Association chair David Hills.

Novelist Shirley Ida Conran, who is also on the list, donated 5,000 to Ms Truss to support activity in her constituency, according to the public register of interest. Ms Conran will become a dame for her services to mathematics education as founder of the Maths Anxiety Trust.

Tory donor Jon Moynihan (PA)

Since leaving No 10, Ms Truss has continued to defend her free-market economic ideas, despite her disastrous tenure as prime minister having led to chaos in the money markets.

Following the publication of her resignation honours list, she said: I am delighted these champions for the conservative causes of freedom, limited government and a proud and sovereign Britain have been suitably honoured.

Deputy Liberal Democrat leader Daisy Cooper MP said: This shameless move to reward Liz Trusss car-crash cronies is matched only by Sunaks weakness in failing to block it.

Truss handing out gongs after blowing a hole in the public finances and leaving families reeling from spiralling mortgage costs calls this whole honours system into disrepute.

The honours system should celebrate hard-working people who have achieved great things; sullying this celebration shows just how out of touch this Conservative government really is.

Jonathan Ashworth MP, Labours shadow Cabinet Office minister, said: This list is proof positive of Rishi Sunaks weakness, and a slap in the face to working people who are paying the price of the Tories crashing the economy.

Former prime minister Liz Truss and ex-chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng (Reuters)

Honours should be for those committed to public service, not rewards for Tory failure. Rather than apologise for crashing the economy and driving up mortgage rates, costing families thousands, Rishi Sunak has nodded through these tarnished gongs because he is too weak to lead a Tory party completely out of touch with working people.

Naomi Smith, chief executive of Best for Britain, said: The arrogance and incompetence of Liz Trusss brief stint as prime minister caused unnecessary financial hardship for millions and was a national embarrassment.

Allowing her to bestow jobs for life to others who have caused serious harm to Britain can only increase mistrust and apathy in politics.

Willie Sullivan, senior director for campaigns at the Electoral Reform Society, said: It will feel like an insult to many to see Liz Truss handing out peerages to friends and supporters after her disastrously short stint as prime minister. It looks like the political class dishing out rewards for failure at a time when many people are still suffering the effects from her turbulent premiership.

Liz Trusss resignation honours list also adds yet more peers to the House of Lords  which already has around 800 members, making it the second-largest legislative chamber in the world after Chinas National Peoples Congress.

This all highlights just how rotten and out of control the current peerage system is, and why it needs urgent reform to prevent it causing any more damage to the publics trust in politics. It is clear this is not a fit nor proper way to choose who sits in our parliament.

This is why we need to replace the bloated and unelected Lords with a smaller elected chamber, where the people of this country, not former prime ministers, choose who sits in parliament making the laws we all live under.
There is nothing new in politics. Twenty years ago, Tony Blair was demanding radical measures to deter asylum seekers, and considering options such as detention camps on Scottish islands or the Falklands, processing centres abroad (including in Africa), and repudiating the European Convention on Human Rights.

Of course, there are two big differences today. One is that Blair didnt go ahead with any of these, whereas the current government got as far as putting people on a plane intended for Rwanda before the courts intervened. The other is that the Rwanda plan is not to allow for the offshore processing of claims for asylum in the UK, but for the processing by Rwanda of claims for asylum in Rwanda.

Other controversies still echo today. The Marbles could be a powerful bargaining chip in IOC vote-building for a 2012 Olympic bid, Sarah Hunter, a special adviser, wrote to Blair in April 2003. She explained an ingenious compromise by which the British Museum would lend the Parthenon Sculptures, also known as the Elgin Marbles, to Greece. Twenty years later, the loan scheme is still being discussed, but in the meantime, London won the Olympics, presumably with the help of Greeces vote.
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Senior Conservative Sajid Javid has been knighted in the new year honours list as he prepares to stand down at the general election.

The former chancellor has been given the top gong despite The Independents revelation that he used a tax loophole to benefit from non-dom perks while working at the Treasury.

He joins several politicians receiving honours, including Labours Dame Margaret Beckett, who is awarded the Dame Grand Cross.

And leading Brexiteer Tim Martin  the Wetherspoon boss who remains outspoken on politics and the UKs relationship with the EU  has been knighted.

Mr Javid is the biggest political name to be recognised in the annual new years list, with Liz Trusss controversial resignation honours to follow.

The senior Tory, who is to stand down as the MP for Bromsgrove at the next general election, served in six cabinet roles and became the first British Asian to hold one of the great offices of state.

Taking on the roles of home secretary, chancellor and health secretary during his extensive government career after entering parliament in 2010, he also put himself forward for the Tory leadership twice.

Sajid Javid resigned from the Boris Johnson government on the same day as Rishi Sunak (PA)

It was his sensational resignation from Boris Johnsons cabinet in July 2022, on the same morning as Rishi Sunak, that spelled the beginning of the end for the former PMs premiership.

Mr Javid had previously left his chancellor role abruptly in 2020 after being told by Mr Johnson that he must sack all his advisers if he wished to keep his job.

He recently revealed the full details of his extraordinary row with the former prime minister and former No 10 adviser Dominic Cummings. The then chancellor told Mr Johnson at a showdown meeting: Its either me or Cummings.

Mr Javid revealed in April that he had claimed non-domicile tax status for six years, when he was working as a banker, until 2009.

But The Independent revealed last July  when Mr Javid was running for the Tory leadership  that he had preserved some non-dom tax benefits through an offshore trust until 2012, a year after he joined the Treasury as a ministerial aide.

Among other politicians awarded honours this year are Mark Garnier, the Conservative MP for Wyre Forest and a former trade minister, who has been made an OBE, and the Tory MP for Erewash, Maggie Throup, who served as vaccines minister between 2021 and 2022 and also becomes an OBE.

Labours Ms Beckett, who was the first woman to serve as foreign secretary, will become a Dame Grand Cross after already being made a Dame Commander in 2013.

First elected in Lincoln in 1974, the now 80-year-old served as acting leader of the Labour Party in 1994 after the sudden death of John Smith. That year she ran for election to lead the party full-time, but lost to Tony Blair.

Former acting Labour leader Margaret Beckett has been made Dame Grand Cross (PA)

Labours Siobhain McDonagh, a party stalwart who has been an MP since 1997, will be made Dame Commander. Fellow Labour MP Yvonne Fovargue, the member for Makerfield, becomes a CBE. And their Labour colleague, mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees, is to be made an OBE.

Mr Martin, the outspoken founder of Wetherspoon pubs, has been knighted in the new years list  an award that was reportedly pushed for by a fellow Brexiteer in government, Kemi Badenoch.

According to reports in the Daily Mail, the business secretary argued behind the scenes that Brexit-supporting entrepreneurs should not be overlooked.

The businessman, a vocal Brexit supporter during the 2016 referendum, has been recognised for his services to hospitality and culture. He is reported to have donated 200,000 to the Vote Leave campaign.

Everyone had a vote, everyone had a view, and I suppose I did more campaigning than most, Mr Martin said. Id like to think that [the knighthood] is not for my rarely disclosed political views  I hope it is for what it says on the tin.

The founder and chair of Wetherspoon, Tim Martin, has been an avid supporter of Brexit (PA)

Elsewhere, a British-born key witness at Donald Trumps first impeachment hearing is also among those recognised in the new year honours.

Fiona Hill  a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington DC, who attracted attention as a witness at the former US presidents first impeachment trial  is appointed Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George.

Professor John Edmunds, an epidemiologist who helped to advise the Boris Johnson government on handling the outbreak of Covid, has been honoured with a knighthood.

The expert at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine said he was amazed but a little bit embarrassed by news of the honour. He said: Im just a normal bloke, its not the sort of thing that happens to someone like me.

Erin Pizzey, a controversial feminist turned mens rights activist, said she was flabbergasted to be included in the new year honours list as a CBE.

Having set up the first refuge for women fleeing domestic violence in 1971, she argued that women were more likely to commit domestic violence than men, which prompted a backlash from the feminist community.

Travis Frain, a survivor of the Westminster Bridge attack who has been made an OBE for his work to combat radicalism, said more support is needed to help victims of terror incidents.

Mr Frain, who was hit by a car driven by Khalid Masood during the attack in March 2017, said: My only hope is that, with this honour, I am able to continue to drive home that message to get changes that are needed.

Rishi Sunak congratulated all those who had made the list, saying they had shown the highest commitment to selflessness and compassion and were an inspiration to us all.
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Former Conservative chancellor Norman Lamont has urged Rishi Sunak to ignore calls from his own MPs to ditch inheritance tax.

The Tory grandee said he does not buy the argument that the tax on inherited wealth is widely hated  telling the PM to focus on cutting income tax instead.

Mr Sunak and Jeremy Hunt are under pressure to deliver tax cuts by 6 March, with the PM and his chancellor said to be considering moves to scrap or cut inheritance tax.

Sir Iain Duncan Smith, Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg and other senior Tories have urged him to get rid of inheritance tax in a bid to boost the partys polling fortunes ahead of the general election.

But Lord Lamont, chancellor under John Major between 1990 and 1993, said cutting it only benefits a small number of people, adding: I dont really buy the argument that its much hated by everyone.

The largest number of people should benefit from whatever is possible, the Tory peer told The Telegraph. My priority would be [raising] income tax thresholds. They affect the most people.

Lord Lamont added: I think you want to give some relief to people who have paid the price and have had to pay for some of the measures that were introduced during the [Covid] pandemic. I think the average person would like to see a little light at the end of the tunnel.

Norman Lamont was Tory chancellor under John Major (Getty)

Despite calls from the Tory right to scrap the hated inheritance tax, fewer than 4 per cent of estates in the UK pay the levy on inherited property, money and shares.

The respected Institute for Fiscal Studies says the wealthiest 1 per cent of people in Britain would receive 47 per cent of the benefit of scrapping it. Inheritance tax is forecast to provide almost 10bn a year for the public coffers by 2028-29.

A plan to abolish inheritance tax is being pondered as part of a gear change on tax, according to The Telegraph. But No 10 and Treasury sources have played down reports as speculation.

Some red-wall Tory MPs have also urged Mr Sunak to bring in tax cuts for people on lower incomes  rather than cut inheritance tax for the wealthiest  in March.

We should concentrate on incomes and thresholds rather than inheritance tax. That produces more benefit for a greater number of people, John Stevenson MP, head of the Northern Research Group, told the Daily Mail.

Former minister Neil OBrien, Tory MP for Harborough, said Mr Hunt should offer tax cuts for those at the bottom end to help with the cost of living, and tax cuts that boost productivity.

However, many senior Tories are still pushing for the PM and chancellor to act on inheritance tax. Sir Jacob said inheritance tax was a pernicious and bad tax, which ought to be scrapped.

Former leader Sir Iain said: I would scrap it altogether. The political impact would be enormous.

Meanwhile, Ranil Jayawardena, chair of Liz Truss Conservative Growth Group, said: Time is running out and the government needs to be bold: its time to scrap inheritance tax.
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Top legal adviser David Pannick is said to have warned Rishi Sunaks government that its Rwanda bill may not get deportation flights started as planned.

The leading constitutional lawyer was asked by the government to help shape the legislation aimed at sending illegal migrants on one-way flights to the African country.

Lord Pannick reportedly said that the bills allowance for individual appeal claims would limit the chances of success in deporting failed asylum seekers.

A source familiar with the discussions told The Daily Telegraph: Lord Pannick acknowledged that without addressing individual claims the scheme would be severely impeded.

Government lawyers are also believed to have warned that there was only a 50 per cent at best chance of getting the first Rwanda flights off before the general election.

Right-wing Tory MPs are frustrated that Clause IV in the bill allows asylum seekers to lodge legal challenges against deportations based on individual circumstances.

Dozens of hardline MPs also want Mr Sunak to go further by using notwithstanding clauses to opt out of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) in asylum cases.

The Tory leaders bill allows ministers to disapply parts of the Human Rights Act, but does not go as far as overriding the ECHR.

Senior Tory Mark Francois has warned rebel MPs could still kill the bill (PA)

MPs in the five families of the Tory right  including Brexiteers the European Research Group (ERG)  have threatened to kill the bill if the government does not agree to amendments in the new year.

Attorney General Victoria Prentis is said to have argued against notwithstanding clauses to push any further in disapplying human rights law.

Former immigration minister Robert Jenrick, who quit in fury over the weak bill, told colleagues the Home Office should take back control after he was excluded from a No 10 meeting with Ms Prentis, according to the Telegraph.

Mr Sunak also faces a challenge by Tory moderates in the One Nation group who are still considering how to amend the bill in a bid to soften its impact.

Moderate Sir Robert Buckland confirmed that he was also considering how it might be tweaked to make it comply with human rights law.

However, Damian Green, the One Nation wings chair, said he hoped the third reading would go through reasonably easily so long as Mr Sunak sticks to the current, narrow landing strip.

Despite winning a first reading vote before Christmas, Mr Sunak only needs a rebellion of 28 Tory MPs to see his majority destroyed at the crucial third reading stage, as Labour and other parties will vote against it.

The legislation allows migrants to appeal their deportation if they have compelling evidence that being sent to Rwanda puts them at imminent risk of serious and irreversible harm.

Home Office modelling suggests 99.5 per cent of individual legal challenges submitted by asylum seekers will fail to block their deportation.

But Tory critics of the plan dismissed the assessment, based on a model from March, as outdated. And they remain unimpressed by Mr Sunaks claim that legal challenges will be vanishingly rare.

Lord Pannick declined to comment. The Home Office has been approached for comment.
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The Conservative Party is facing claims of cronyism after at least seven of its political donors were handed top gongs in the New Years Honours list.

There were knighthoods for Wetherspoons boss Tim Martin, taxi firm supremo John Griffin, financier William Salomon and racing mogul Ron Dennis  who gave a combined total of more than 5m to the party.

The Liberal Democrats said it was shocking how many Tory backers were being rewarded  arguing that it made a mockery of the honours system.

It comes as Liz Truss was accused of a shameless attempt to reward cronies after she doled out peerages to political allies and financial backers.

Mr Griffin  the founder of Addison Lee taxi company who was knighted for services to industry and charity  has given around 4m to the Conservatives.

Mr Dennis, former chief at the McClaren Formula One team, was also knighted for his services to industry and charity. He has donated around 330,000 to the Conservatives, Electoral Commission records show.

Mr Salomon was given an OBE for his educational charity work. The investment banker has donated more than 850,000 to the Tories  including a 10,000 donation to Rishi Sunaks leadership campaign.

Wetherspoon boss Tim Martin said he hoped his knighthood was not for his political views (PA Archive)

The knighthood given to Mr Martin, the outspoken founder of the pub chain, was reportedly pushed for by a fellow Brexiteer in government, Kemi Badenoch.

According to reports in the Daily Mail, the business secretary argued behind the scenes that Brexit-supporting entrepreneurs should not be overlooked.

Mr Martin donated more than 200,000 to the Vote Leave campaign. But he also gave 50,000 to the Tories in 2019 election, as well as 25,000 to the Reform Party.

The Wetherspoon boss said: Id like to think that [the knighthood] is not for my rarely disclosed political views  I hope it is for what it says on the tin.

Mr Martins spokesman said claims of cronyism were at odds with reality  pointing out that he had donated to Labour Leave, a pro-Brexit organisation, during the referendum campaign.

The donors are among seven Tory backers given awards, according to analysis in The Guardian. Mr Griffin told the newspaper that politics was not really my bag and he had not looked for an honour through his financial support for the Tory party.

The Addison Lee founder said he was pleased to be a Conservative but would not be donating in the run-up to the general election in 2024. I feel now that Ive done what Ive done. I may make the odd contribution but nothing really exceptional. Theyve got to fight it out between them.

Former Mclaren chief and Tory donor Ron Dennis was knighted (PA)

Tom Brake, director of the Unlock Democracy campaign group, said the showed that large political donations significantly boosts a donors chance of a knighthood or OBE.

He added: The honours system is long overdue for radical surgery. Time to take the power of patronage away from politicians and give it to the people.

And Wendy Chamberlain, the Lib Dems chief whip, said it was shocking, given the years of chaos, just how many Tory donors are being rewarded.

She added: It makes a mockery of the honours system that aims to celebrate peoples achievements and shows just how out of touch the government is as families across the country continue to struggle to pay their bills.

A Conservative spokesperson said supporting a political party was part of our civic democracy and insisted that it was wrong to criticise individuals being honoured just because they have also chosen to support or donate to a political party.

They added: Donations should be transparent, but that is not an excuse to knock people for broader philanthropy, enterprise and public service.

Former PM Liz Truss handed peerages and gongs to close allies (PA Wire)

It come as Ms Truss came in for criticism over her resignation honours list  sneaked out on the same day as the New Years list.

The former PM, who spent just 49 days at No 10, put forward Matthew Elliott, the former chief executive of Vote Leave, and pro-Brexit Tory donor Jon Moynihan for peerages.

Mr Moynihan donated 20,000 to Ms Trusss leadership campaign in 2021. As well as the three peerages, Ms Truss nominated eight people to receive honours including MBEs, OBEs and knighthoods. Her list proposes an award for every day-and-a-half she was in office.

Labour branded the honours recommended by Ms Truss tarnished gongs that rewarded failed economic policies. The Liberal Democrats described her list as shameless.

And campaigners called for urgent reform to the rotten and out of control peerage system.

Willie Sullivan, senior director for campaigns at the Electoral Reform Society, said: It looks like the political class dishing out rewards for failure at a time when many people are still suffering the effects from her turbulent premiership.
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A Colorado mother accused of possibly having killed two of her children and wounding a third has likely fled the area around Colorado Springs, local police have said.

Kimberlee Singler, 35, is no longer thought to be in the city where the crimes occurred, CBS News reported.

The Colorado Springs Police Department states that shes wanted on allegations of murder, attempted murder, and child abuse.

Ms Singler was last spotted on Sunday, with a warrant for her arrest being issued on Tuesday.

Police responded to a 911 call about a burglary at about 12.30am on 19 December. When they arrived at the apartment complex, law enforcement discovered the bodies of two children, a girl aged nine, and a seven-year-old boy.

Ms Singler was found wounded with her 11-year-old daughter. They were both taken to hospital for treatment. Ms Singler was released the same day, KKTV reported. The daughter has also left hospital.

As the investigation into this case unfolded, it was determined the initial report of a burglary was unfounded, police said in a statement.

The FBI has joined the search for Ms Singler.

An attorney for Kevin Wentz, the man who has been reported as being the childrens father, said in a statement that the family is currently in a tremendous amount of grief and shock.

The family is respectfully requesting that you honor their request for privacy at this time so they may grieve and gather more information as it becomes available, the attorney said.

Mr Wentz and his family will comment on the investigation at a later date, the lawyer added, according to KKTV.

Police have said that Ms Singler was initially treated as a victim and that she gave witness statements before a warrant was issued for her arrest.

Court records state that there is an open case over neglect and child placement, and a divorce case active between Ms Singler and Mr Wentz. Ms Singler was granted a temporary protection order from Wentz this autumn, court records show, according to KKTV.

A permanent protection order hearing is set for next month.

The most recent legal filing in the cases involving the children was filed the day after the children were found dead.
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Michael Flores had been living in a homeless encampment near a Van Nuys bus station for at least three years when he was offered a place in a high-profile Los Angeles initiative to get people off the streets.

The pitch from Inside Safe, LA mayor Karen Basss signature programme, sounded humane enough: if Flores agreed to leave the encampment, he wouldnt face any punishment, and a hotel room and social supports were ready and waiting. Mayor Bass proclaims this approach, leading with immediate social services over police sweeps, had shaken up the entire system.

In September, Flores moved into the Palm Tree Inn, a rundown motel on a stretch of Van Nuys filled with auto body shops and storage facilities. By late November, he was dead of a drug overdose.

The death of "Mike Flo," as he was known to friends, exposed the pitfalls of the mayors much-touted effort to end homelessness in Los Angeles. At the Palm Tree Inn, Inside Safe residents werent allowed to spend time with each other or have guests, friends of Flores said. They believe if they had been able to check in on him, he might still be alive.

Thousands have found temporary accommodation as part of Inside Safe and the mayors larger homelessness agenda, but this achievement has come at great cost, subjecting people to segregation, police harassment and property destruction for little apparent long-term benefit. Floress story is one of many.

Carla Orendorff, who lives in an RV and has spent years researching and advocating on behalf of the areas unhoused, knew Flores well. She told The Independent that his death is indicative of the wider problems with the Inside Safe approach, which often isolates unhoused people from their neighbours, friends, and social service providers.

The Palm Tree Inn in Van Nuys, Los Angeles, one of the sites of mayor Karen Basss signature Inside Safe homelessness initiative (Josh Marcus / The Independent)

This confirmed some of the worst fears people had, she said. You had a policy where were not allowed to check on each other. People are going to overdose. People are going to die alone.

Theres such a deep disconnect, she added. Its a rule that shouldnt exist.

The other residents of the Palm Tree Inn have opinions ranging from appreciation to deep anger about accepting the mayors offer of help. Some are grateful for a respite from the streets. Some bristle at the strict rules that they said sometimes come with the temporary rooms. Some fear the city has done little more than shunt them out of sight with little hope of finding permanent housing.

Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass has made tackling homelessness her signature issue (Getty Images)

Since taking office just over a year ago, the mayor has staked her reputation on what she describes as her bold new vision to address homelessness. The city had more than 46,000 unhoused people as of the last count in January 2023 and is home to nearly a quarter of the states unsheltered population . The mayor vowed to house at least 17,000 people in her first year in office, and by some measures, has surpassed that goal. But homeless people and activists say the city needs a radical overhaul of policing, housing, and affordability for the mayors vision to move beyond political posturing and make lasting change for the citys unhoused.

The Palm Tree Inn

On the ground, at the Palm Tree Inn, there are frustrations over what that vision looks like in practice.

A memorial program for Michael Flores, who died in November after entering Inside Safe (Josh Marcus / The Independent)

La Donna Harrell, 38, said moving from the streets to the motel has been a f***ing nightmare. Her room was filled with bed bugs which harmed her dog and left her with a $200 vet bill. She also said she took issue with the facilitys strict rules, which reminded her of the group homes she cycled through as a youth.

To have a room you have to have to give up freedom, its not fair or right, she said. Im not a criminal.

For the first two weeks I was here, I was still sleeping out on the streets because I was afraid to sleep in my room, she said.

As she spoke with me in the motels parking lot, other residents stood nearby talking and drinking beer. Staff members, who had been hovering nearby, rushed in and told the group not to congregate, drink, or speak to reporters on the property. The residents demanded to see the facilitys rules in writing, and the staff members said a supervisor was on her way with the information.

Michael Flores died on 28 November, a little over a month after entering the Inside Safe programme.

Inside Safe facilities, which pair residents with case managers, dont always offer services like drug treatment or mental health counselling. The mayor has said adding quality, direct social services throughout the programme is a top, top issue for 2024.

La Donna Harrell said shes faced unsanitary conditions since entering the Inside Safe programme (Josh Marcus / The Independent)

Not everyone was critical of the experience. Another Inside Safe participant, Thomas, who only gave his first name, said, Everything is well done here.

In recent years, Thomas has seen his economic fate decline, from owning a home, to sharing an apartment, to living on the street when housing with a roommate fell through and he lost his job at a local nonprofit.

Becoming unhoused was devastating to his mental health. The chance to stay somewhere secure and get back on his feet was a huge relief, he said.

The number one thing, my mental state is in a balanced place, he said. If I had been in this programme from the beginning, I would no longer need the countys help.

Hes now working on a business plan to launch a catering business selling African cuisine.

The Independent has contacted the mayors office for comment. The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority declined to comment.

The Independent contacted Hope the Mission, a nonprofit which administers the Palm Tree Inn Inside Safe site, for comment.

A mayor laser-focused on housing

Data shows the mayor is making some progress.

As of mid-December, her administration had moved 21,694 people out of encampments and into temporary housing in its first year, a 28 per cent increase over the previous administration, according to data from the mayors office. Within that population, as of the end of November, nearly 2,000 people had been moved from 33 of the citys most prominent homeless encampments.

Los Angeles had a population of more than 46,000 unhoused people as of the latest citywide count (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

However, despite these top-line statistics, only about 13 per cent of Inside Safe participants have made it into permanent housing so far. In the wider population of those housed this year, more than a third of people ended up back on the street.

The mayor has won praise for other steps to speed up housing beyond Inside Safe, including fast-tracking the development of thousands of affordable housing units .

Drawing on her past experience as a member of Congress, Ms Bass urged federal officials to exempt local housing providers in LA from a rule requiring documented proof of homelessness before people could move into subsidised apartments. In August, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development agreed to the request.

That same month, the LA city council approved Ms Basss plan to buy the 294-room Mayfair Hotel for $83m and convert it into an Inside Safe location with extensive on-site services.

John Maceri, CEO of the People Concern, a large LA-based social service provider which partners with Inside Safe, said the Bass administration has made housing a priority like no other recent administration.

From day one, shes said this would be front and centre in her administration. The day she took office, she declared a state of emergency and shes been laser-focused on this issue, he said.

Mr Maceri added that while Inside Safe was not a perfect initiative  he hopes officials add more services and drastically cut down the time it takes to get from hotels into permanent housing, which currently can run over a year  the programme addressed both the acute need to house those on the street and political pressure to clear encampments.

We could build half a million housing units, but if there are still encampments on the street, Angelenos are not going to feel the impact, he said.

Offensive police sweeps continue, despite emphasis on services-first approach

When Ms Bass launched Inside Safe a year ago, she took pains to emphasise that the initiative was separate from policing and that outreach workers would lead the way, not officers.

This is not about cleaning up and clearing out. Of course, that will happen in the context of it, but this is about outreach to people and getting them housed, the mayor said .

Its going to take a while, she added. You might need to talk to a person more than once. But we are focused on getting them housed and services, not on law enforcement.

But unhoused people said despite the new rhetoric, Inside Safe operations blurred with incessant police and sanitation sweeps that often left already vulnerable people with destroyed property, mental trauma, and violent arrests, all of which further hindered their attempts to seek stability. A recent countywide survey found that overall, police were more likely to be an unhoused persons first contact than an outreach worker and that unhoused people were just as likely to be cited as to be housed.

The LAPD declined to comment on its enforcement operations related to homelessness.

Advocates said Inside Safe operations often arrive at encampments with little notice, forcing unhoused people to make a split-second decision of great consequence for their lives.

Unhoused people say police continue to harass them, despite the mayors emphasis on services over law enforcement (AP)

Those who dont happen to be present at the time can miss out, and those who do accept can be taken to motels across the city from anyone they know, according to Eleanor Batista-Mala, a volunteer with Ktown for All, a grassroots group that works with unhoused people in LAs Koreatown. Unhoused people typically can bring two garbage bags worth of belongings into an Inside Safe site, and must surrender their tents .

People arent really given a chance to prepare and arent given a chance to think about what the decision means, Ms Batista-Mala said. Theyre just sort of given, to varying degrees of coercion, you either move to this hotel and we take your stuff, or you move somewhere else and we take your stuff. Its not really a very clear choice.

During a 12 September Inside Safe operation to move residents of the Aetna Street homeless encampment to the Palm Tree Inn, a group of at least 25 police officers flanked outreach and mayors office workers. Residents were required to relinquish property on camera to get an offer of a room.

The site of the former Aetna Street homeless encampment is now fenced off (Josh Marcus / The Independet)

The outreach workers also ignored past requests from the encampment residents that they be told in writing where they would be moved to, and that the temporary hotel room offers medical services. Residents of Aetna Street asked the mayor for such conditions during a meeting earlier this year and were denied, they said.

It is offensive that unhoused people were required to state, often on camera, what they were giving up (their tent, their belongings, etc.) in order to enroll in Inside Safe, reads an open letter from community members and University of California Los Angeles researchers who witnessed the sweep. And what is it that they received in return for this sacrifice? It seems that it is temporary placement in a bed bug infested motel, the Palm Tree Inn, one that is notorious for its lack of safety and hygiene.

Two days later, police returned during a separate sweep and destroyed the belongings of numerous residents, as a mayoral aide looked on, according to the letter and photos of the sweep. Some residents were arrested for trying to retrieve their belongings from a newly taped-off bus station parking lot that bordered Aetna Street.

Giselle Jelly Harrell, who lives between Aetna Street and a short-term hotel room she recently acquired through a separate local programme, said shes had art supplies, money, and her personal ID all destroyed or confiscated as part of encampment sweeps.

Theyre not doing anything but making it worse, she said. Being forced to start all over is traumaticTheyre waging war on us for no reason.

Though city sanitation officials are supposed to store confiscated property in municipal facilities, it often disappears or gets thrown directly in the trash, according to unhoused people. A January sanitation sweep at a different encampment under the 405 freeway involved city officials destroying hundreds of dollars worth of residents cold weather gear , which residents said led to cases of life-threatening illness.

Nobody ever gets their stuff back, Ms Harrell said. She still doesnt have an ID.

Alarm on Aetna Street

As of the morning of 14 December, the original site of the Aetna Street encampment remained fenced off with no trespassing signs. The encampment, a tight-knit community that once hosted local gatherings, movie nights, and distributed life-saving medical supplies, is now more disbursed. Only a smattering of tents and makeshift structures remained on the other side of Van Nuys Boulevard, further from public view.

The arrival of a dump truck and several pickups from the city department of sanitation around 9am set the residents into hurried motion. It was time for a so-called comprehensive sanitation sweep, a city worker said.

Homeless people can be arrested for camping within numerous protected 41.18 zones across Los Angeles (Josh Marcus / The Independent)

Every Thursday for months, crews have come to the site to conduct sweeps, ironically strengthened by extra enforcement authorities because the area is within one of the citys thousands of protected 41.18 zones where all forms of camping are illegal, in this case, because the tents are too near a (largely defunct) homeless shelter.

Often, once a so-called comprehensive sanitation sweep begins, residents have about 15 minutes to clear out their property or risk it getting confiscated or destroyed. They can be punished by police for noncompliance.

As the trucks sat parked on a side street bordering auto shops and warehouses, unhoused people swiftly packed up their belongings into shopping carts or hauled them into distant alleyways outside of the public right of way. A man named Ron dismantled his entire dwelling, moving all of his possessions from the sidewalk into a nearby patch of dirt, then moved the V-shaped wood scaffolding he uses to hold up his tarp roof.

Paisley Mares, the partner of Ms Orendorff, the local activist, walked around in work gloves chatting with residents, handing out water, and helping load belongings.

A sanitation department garbage truck idles near the Aetna Street homeless encampment on 14 December, 2023 (Josh Marcus / The Independent)

Its a really backward and cruel approach and it doesnt have to be this way, he said. Its just very punitive, which makes it very miserable and destabilising.

Over the next few hours, the sanitation crew never appeared to exit their vehicles or do any cleanings, then left.

You cant relax, Mr Mares said. People, they cant do anything on these days. You cant go to work or to go to an appointment or do anything you need to do because technically any time this day, they could come. And if youre not here, its all gone. Theyre going to take all your stuff.

The Independent has contacted the Department of Sanitation for comment.

A need to focus on the bigger picture

No matter what one thinks of the mayors tenure so far, theres considerable agreement that Los Angeles, California, and the US at large need to build more affordable housing and offer more wraparound services to those trying to get off the street. Until that takes place, the crisis will continue, experts said.

In Skid Row, one of the historic centres of homelessness in Los Angeles, San Julian Street was still filled with unhoused people, in states ranging from sleeping on the bare ground to living in elaborate tent structures.

From the balcony of The Midnight Mission, a long-time care provider in the area offering housing, drug counselling, free meals, classes, haircuts, fitness facilities, and other essentials to the areas unhoused population, the contrast was striking.

The skyscrapers of downtown Los Angeles towered in the distance, while down below, a few blocks away, the streets were still filled by people with nowhere else to go.

If you take somebody who is homeless and tuck them into a room, it doesnt solve any problems, Midnight Missions Georgia Berkovich told me as we toured the facility, a multi-story complex thrumming with activity.

Instead, she said, the region as a whole needs to build a more comprehensive network of care to treat the many causes and varieties of homelessness, ranging from people facing economic insecurity to substance abuse to mental health issues.

What were doing is working, but what we need is more, she said. We need more emergency shelters. We need more transitional housing. We need more recovery places.

Even for those who do transition from the streets to more stable housing, the change can be jarring, even surreal.

On a quiet block near Koreatown, I met a man in the courtyard of his new highly subsidised permanent supportive housing apartment. The individual, who had a sharp sense of humour and a tall knot of dreadlocks, asked to keep his name anonymous for privacy.

Advocates say policing, housing, social services and wages all need drastic overhauls for Los Angeles to truly care for its unhoused (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Hed been on the street since 2009, sometimes using so many stimulants that time seemed to blend together into one continuous day. He was eventually approached by Inside Safe earlier this year and, after living in a series of hotels, got housing through the People Concern this October.

When I got this spot and I was by myself for the first time, I started freaking out, man, he said. Completely foreign. It feels like the weirdest sh** everIm not used to it.

He was keenly aware of how few of his friends from the street were still alive, let alone able to find supportive housing. For years, he thought being housed might be a pipe dream.

Since that dream became real, hes gotten assistance on tasks large and small, like getting ID, pots and pans, and groceries, as well as receiving guidance from a dedicated case worker. Hes starting the process of changing his life, with a goal of eventually getting closer to his children.

Led by people that do not see unhoused as human beings

Still, some critics argue Mayor Bass, and many of those in charge of housing in California, often speak the language of care without fundamentally changing how homeless people are treated and policed on the street. The man in Koreatown was one of what can seem like only a small handful of success stories.

They cannot grasp the multi-layered nature of homelessness, said Theo Henderson, an activist and formerly unhoused Los Angeles resident who rose to prominence via his podcast We the Unhoused. The exploding rents and the housing costs.

We have to finally come to grips that weve been directed by a group of people that do not see the unhoused as human beings, he added.

Across California, cities are fighting to reinstate policies allowing law enforcement to punish people for camping on the street, even when adequate shelter might not be immediately available.

Even the mayors of powerful cities like LA can only do so much, according to Dr Margot Kushel, director of the UC San Francisco Center for Vulnerable Populations and the schools Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative.

We need to recognise that there is no magic bullet here, she told The Independent. The answer has to be housing. Thats the only way to have people exit homelessnessThis isnt a problem that anyone can optimize their way out of if there simply isnt enough housing and theres not enough subsidies for that housing.

We just have this asymmetry, she added. What poor people make and can possibly make and what housing costs is just so completely disconnected. Theres really no place in this country where desperately poor people can easily afford their housing.

California is already among the most expensive places in the country to live and with Covid-era protections around rent and evictions gone or phasing out in Los Angeles, soon thousands more could be without a home. In LA, hundreds of thousands of people were reportedly behind on their rent earlier this year , according to census data.

Back at the Palm Tree Inn, Aetna Street residents and Inside Safe participants were in the middle of handing out laminated remembrance cards and planning a memorial gathering for Mike Flo at the motel. His family had already signalled their support.

The service would likely violate the motels Inside Safe rules, but those living there and those who knew Mike dont care. Theyre going to take care of each other regardless, like theyve always done.
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Parents at a Long Island Catholic school have rallied behind an LGBT+ teacher who says he was fired from his job for not living a "Catholic lifestyle".

Michael Califano, who teaches third grade at Maria Regina Catholic School in Seaford, New York, told local media that he was dismissed on Wednesday after someone sent pictures of him with his boyfriend to the church authorities.

But on Friday more than 100 parents, students, and faculty members rallied outside St Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre calling for Mr Califano to be reinstated, while more than 5,000 people signed a petition to that effect.

The petition's author Karen Greenwood described him as "an immensely beloved, committed and diligent educator" who had been "unjustly dismissed" due to his sexuality.

She further claimed that the school administrators had known Mr Califano was gay when they hired him, and that the decision to sack him was made against their wishes by the local Catholic diocese.

"Michael is the epitome of someone who should be praised as a role model of the Catholic faith," wrote Ms Greenwood. "Despite all of the adversity and tragedy he has faced in his life, his dedication to the church, his faith, and the school has never wavered, and he still attends mass every week."

In response to questions from The Independent, a spokesperson for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre said: "For privacy reasons, we do not comment publicly on personnel matters, but we can say that the school did not end Mr Califanos employment over his sexuality."

The school's principal Matthew Scannapieco also declined to comment, referring all questions to the diocese. As of Friday, the school's website still listed Mr Califano as a teacher.

Mr Califano himself did not immediately respond to requests for comment but told News 12 Long Island that he did not believe he had broken any of the school's guidelines.

Mr Califano is well known in his area as the son of Michael J Califano, a Nassau County police officer who was killed on duty when a flatbed truck ploughed into his car at high speed during a traffic stop in 2011.

Having attended Maria Regina himself as a child, Mr Califano now helps organise an annual memorial breakfast and raffle that funds scholarships for poor students, according to his Facebook profile.

Mr Califano told News 12 that his trouble began when photos of him and his boyfriend taken from social media were sent to the diocese, and things "escalated" from there.

Ms Greenwood said that the photos were "not inappropriate by any means" and had been taken from his boyfriend's social media account since Mr Califano's had been set to private at the request of the diocese.

By Friday the Nassau County Police Benefit Association had joined in the calls to reinstate Mr Califano, along with about 1,000 people who joined a Facebook group in support of him.

"Long before my son even was born or attended this school, I attended the annual pancake breakfast for their fallen father," said one local parent on TikTok, who said he worked as a police officer.

"I developed a relationship with the family, and [that] was one of the main reasons that I decided to send my son to this school. Unfortunately, I will have to remove him from the school if this situation is not rectified with the bishop."

He added that the school was not to blame and had "tried to save [Mr Califano's] job".

The Catholic Church has softened its stance on homosexuality in recent years. It still officially brands sex between two men or two women as a sin, and strongly opposes gay marriage.

But its current leader Pope Francis has supported visitation and inheritance rights for gay civil partners, criticised laws that criminalise gay sex, and approved Catholic blessings for same-sex couples as long as they do not resemble marriage rites.
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A Missouri school board will allow Black history and literature classes after mounting backlash sparked by its initial plan to eliminate the courses.

Francis Howell School Board will permit high school students across the predominantly white district to enrol in these classes in the next school year if the board approves of a curriculum that is rigorous and largely politically neutral, said a statement from the school board president and superintendent sent to the St Louis Post-Dispatch.

Just last week, the board voted to remove the courses, which had been offered at the districts three high schools since 2020, because they were reportedly developed to the Southern Poverty Law Centers standards. At the meeting, the boards vice president, Randy Cook, voiced opposition to teaching the courses through a social justice framework, the outlet reported.

The decision prompted immediate backlash, including a student-organised petition, signed by more than 3,400 people, calling for the reinstatement of the courses.

The students wrote, The removal of the Black History and Black Literature courses not only deprives students of understanding significant parts of American history, but also undermines the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion that are foundational in education and in the workforce.

The Associated Press reported that parents and students also protested last week outside of the board meeting, yelling, Let them learn!

Despite the board reversing course, some are less than satisfied, expressing doubt at what the politically neutral proposal would mean.

I am not confident in this boards ability to act in good faith, Heather Fleming, founder of the Missouri Equity Education Partnership, wrote on Facebook in response to the boards announcement. Black History and Black Literature cannot be taught from a politically-neutral perspective because our entire experience in America has been impacted by socio-political movements.

This is not the first racial dispute that the all-white school board has encountered.

Following George Floyds killing in 2020, protesters in the St Louis suburb urged the district to do more to address racial discrimination.

In response, the board passed an anti-racism resolution, which stated, We will promote racial healing, especially for our Black and brown students and families. We will no longer be silent.

This past July, the Francis Howell School Board revoked the resolution and demanded that copies of it be removed from all schools in the district. Less than eight per cent of Francis Howells students are Black, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.
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A Tesla Cybertruck appeared to emerge unscathed from a head-on crash that left the oncoming vehicle in a crumpled heap, according to law enforcement and photos from the scene.

The first reported collision involving the newly released stainless steel-framed electric pickup was reported on Skyline Boulevard, in Palo Alto, California, just after 2pm on Thursday, according to a California Highway Patrol (CHP) collision report provided to The Independent.

A Toyota Corolla was travelling southbound when it left the road and hit a dirt embankment before it veered back onto the road, crossed double yellow lines and collided with an oncoming Cybertruck just south of Page Mill Road, the CHP said.

Images posted to Reddit show the Toyota sustained severe damage with its front end caved in and hood popped open.

The 17-year-old driver reportedly walked away unharmed.

The only reported injury was to the Cybertruck driver, who suffered minor injuries and declined medical assistance, the CHP said.

The vehicle, which was carrying three people in their 30s, did not appear to be operating in self-driving mode at the time, according to a preliminary crash report

Dashcam footage posted to YouTube by a passing motorist showed the damaged Toyota sedan facing frontwards towards the road, with the Cybertruck a few metres away on the opposite side.

The first Cybertrucks were delivered to customers late last month, almost two years after their initial release date, marking Teslas first entry into the pickup market.

The stainless steel body is apparently bulletproof and its windows are smash-proof, which Tesla CEO Elon Musk illustrated in a series of stunts during its launch event in Austin on 30 November.

Safety experts have warned that the trucks angular design and steel exterior could be dangerous to other vehicles and pedestrians.

The big problem there is if they really make the skin of the vehicle very stiff by using thick stainless steel, then when people hit their heads on it, it's going to cause more damage to them, Adrian Lund, the former president of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, told Reuters.

Mr Musk dismissed safety concerns in a post on X this month.

We are highly confident that Cybertruck will be much safer per mile than other trucks, both for occupants and pedestrians.

Tesla did not respond to a request for comment.
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Tim Burke, a journalist in Tampa, Florida, is asking an appeals court to intervene in his ongoing challenge to the FBIs search and seizure of his digital newsroom, which he believes was a violation of his First Amendment right.

In May, Mr Burke found himself thrown into the centre of an investigation into the leak of unreleased footage from Tucker Carlsons interview with Ye, formerly Kanye West, which was picked up by Vice and MediaMatters.

Though Mr Burke claims he obtained raw footage from the interview through a publicly accessible URL, the FBI seized more than two dozen electronic devices from Mr Burkes digital newsroom using a search warrant obtained through a sealed affidavit.

The seized materials have still not been returned to Mr Burke despite no criminal charges being brought against him.

Now, Mr Burke is asking the 11th Circuit for the Court of Appeals to unseal the affidavit and hold an evidentiary hearing as well as return the seized materials to him.

Though it is unclear what the governments affidavit claimed, the government alleged Mr Burke downloaded confidential information without authorisation and intercepted electronic communications without authorisation when he obtained the raw footage from the Fox News interview.

In the appeal, Mr Burkes lawyers claim he was able to download the raw footage because a confidential source told Mr Burke that an individual with authorized access to the interviews live feed made their login credentials public.

Using the credentials, Mr Burke logged in and the website automatically downloaded a list of the URLs of other active live streams on the site.

When entering the URLs into a browser, Mr Burke allegedly could see and download the videos.

Mr Burkes lawyers argue that he did not hack the website, steal credentials or violate terms of service in doing so. He merely found something newsworthy on a publicly accessible site.

Mr Burke initially asked a lower court to unseal the affidavit but the judge declined to do so.

Several organisations that advocate for the First Amendment penned a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland asking for the affidavit to be unsealed and expressed concern that the government could chill lawful reporting through their actions.

The US Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Florida has not yet responded to Mr Burkes appeal.
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Donald Trump is reportedly concerned that some conservative justices on the Supreme Court  half of which he appointed  may rule against him after he was removed from the ballots in several states under the 14th Amendments ban on insurrectionists holding public office.

Advisers to Mr Trump are prepping to file challenges as soon as Tuesday to the decisions in Colorado and Maine, according to The New York Times.

Mr Trump was removed from their GOP primary ballots because of the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot when his supporters attempted to stop the certification of President Joe Bidens 2020 election victory in their false and baseless belief that the election had been stolen.

While Mr Trump has been charged with wrongdoing in relation to the Capitol riot, his allies often make the point that he hasnt been criminally charged with insurrection.

The Trump team is set to file a challenge in a Maine state court to the secretary of states decision to block Mr Trump from appearing on the ballot, while the ruling by the Colorado Supreme Court to remove Mr Trump will be challenged in the US Supreme Court.

The former president appointed three of the six conservative justices on the court. The three liberals were appointed by Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden. The remaining three conservatives were appointed by George HW Bush and George W Bush.

Section 3 of the 14th Amendment states that any officer who has taken an oath to uphold the Constitution cannot have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof.

Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows told a local CBS station on Friday that every state is different.

I swore an oath to uphold the Constitution. I fulfilled my duty, she added.

In private, Mr Trump has said that he thinks the Supreme Court will rule against both Colorado and Maine, The Times reported. Even so, Mr Trump has also shared his concern that the conservative justices may be worried about being seen as political and rule against him.

The Colorado ruling surprised many in Trumpworld, while the Maine decision was more expected, with the ex-presidents advisors preparing a statement in advance and writing most of their appeal following Ms Bellowss hearing on 15 December.

Other challenges to Mr Trumps appearance on ballots have been unsuccessful. In Wisconsin, a complaint attempting to have Mr Trump removed from the states ballot was dismissed this week and the California secretary of state has said that the former president would stay on the ballot.

Fourteen states have ongoing lawsuits attempting to remove Mr Trump, according to Lawfare.

The Trump team have been trying to argue that all the criminal indictments against him and his removal from ballots are part of a massive Democratic witch hunt as they claim that the former president is the victim of election interference  an attempt to level the same accusations Mr Trump faced after he attempted to overturn the 2020 election citing baseless claims of fraud.

Democrats in blue states are recklessly and un-Constitutionally suspending the civil rights of the American voters by attempting to summarily remove President Trumps name from ballots, Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung told The Times.

Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie told CNN that Mr Trumps ballot removal makes him a martyr.

Hes very good at playing Poor me, poor me. Hes always complaining, he added.

In Colorado, Mr Trump will stay on the ballot during the Supreme Courts decision process.
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A federal judge has rejected embattled Sen Bob Menendezs attempt to delay his criminal trial in a filing.

Mr Menendez and his wife Nadine, along with three of his accused associates, had sought a two-month delay of Mr Menendezs criminal trial from 6 May 2024 to early July.

But Sidney Stein, a judge for the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, denied the request on Thursday. Judge Stein wrote that both parties in the case had agreed to the date back in October.

There has been no material change since then in the parties' circumstances, Judge Stein wrote. The fact that discovery has been voluminous is consistent with the parties' stated expectations on October 2 and does not justify a two-month adjournment of the schedule.

To the contrary, Judge Stein wrote that the volume of discovery has been less than Mr Menendez and his associates worried it would be when they filed for the delay. An inadvertent error by a discovery vendor had mistakenly made the defendants believe that they had received 735 terabytes of data rather than three terabytes.

While three terabytes is concededly a substantial amount of data, it is but a tiny fraction of what defendants believed they had on their plates to digest and is consistent with the expectations voiced at the initial pretrial conference that discovery would be voluminous, the judge wrote.

In September, a federal grand jury indictment charged Mr Menendez, a longtime New Jersey Democratic senator and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, with bribery and corruption charges, along with his wife and New Jersey real estate developer Fred Daibes as well as associates Wael Hana and Jose Uribe.

The prosecutors alleged that Mr Menendez and his wife engaged in a corrupt relationship with the three businessmen wherein they accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes between 2018 up until 2022 for a number of schemes, including providing sensitive information to the Egyptian government and influencing criminal investigations.

They also seized $100,000 worth of gold bars and more than $480,000 in cash that had been stuffed in envelopes, hidden in clothing or hidden in a home bank, the indictment read.

Mr Menendez vehemently denied any wrongdoing but at the same time temporarily stepped down from his position as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee.

In turn, a number of Democratic senators called for Mr Menendezs resignation, including his fellow New Jersey Sen Cory Booker.

-Alex Woodward contributed to this report.
 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 renowned Michelin-starred chef has resigned from his position at a prestigious southwest France hotel, following reports of an alleged hazing incident that has prompted a public prosecutor investigation into sexual assault and violence.

Aurelien Largeau, who joined Hotel du Palais in Biarritz, resigned from his position on 21 December after a report revealed that he was witness to an alleged hazing incident with a new kitchen staff member.

The young chef was reportedly tied naked to a chair, with an apple in his mouth, and a carrot inserted in a demeaning manner, according to a report by the local newspaper Sud-Ouest, which first broke the news.

The footage of the event circulated on social media and it has since been removed, with police actively seeking to retrieve it.

The report claimed that Mr Largeau, the head chef, was among those present during the incident.

Mr Largeau has denied any wrongdoing, labelling the reports as false and defamatory.

I would like to formally deny the allegations made against me, he told France Bleu radio. The facts reported in no way reflect reality.

He condemned any form of mistreatment, hazing, or humiliation, asserting that he would never associate himself with such behaviour.

Although no formal complaint has been filed by the alleged victim, a prosecutor, Jerome Bourrier, told AFP news agency that he has initiated a preliminary investigation into the matter.

Described as a gastronomic prodigy, Mr Largeau had been at the helm of the Hotel du Palais kitchen since 2020, earning a coveted Michelin star in 2022.

The Hotel du Palais, owned by the Hyatt group, confirmed Largeaus departure, emphasising that the incident did not align with their values.

The incident did not reflect the strong values we all stand for, and the appropriate decisions have now been taken, Hyatt Group, which owns the hotel, said in a statement to CNN.

The security, health, and well being of our colleagues, our customers, and our partners are our absolute priority.
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The Icelandic Met Office has issued new warnings of another possible eruption as fresh cracks were spotted near the town of Grindavik.

After weeks of anticipation, an eruption began on 18 December on the Reykjanes peninsula in southwest Iceland, throwing 100m of ash and lava into the air.

Although the original eruption at Sundhnukagigar crater row has ended, the Met Office has revealed the likelihood of another eruption is increasing with each passing day.

Experts said that the ground had continued to rise following the eruption and has now reached the same height it was before the previous eruption last Monday.

As magma accumulation continues under Svartsengi, the likelihood of another magma intrusion and an eruption increases with each passing day, they said.

At the GPS station Svartsengi (SENG), the land has now reached a similar height as measured just before the eruption on 18 December. The rate of uplift since 18 December has remained constant, which is different from the situation before the last eruption, where uplift slowed in the days before the eruption.

Large cracks formed in Grindavik after a flurry of seismic activity (Getty Images)

They added that the next eruption will likely occur in the Sundhnukur crater once again, between Stora-Skogfell and Hagafell.

It comes as new cracks appeared nearer Grindavik in recent days. Local media reported that fresh and wider fissures have formed near the town which was evacuated several weeks ago.

The town was saved from the brunt of the last eruption as lava began to flow in another direction, but the town still remains at risk according to the Met Offices latest hazard map.

When asked whether another eruption is likely, Pall Einarsson, professor emeritus at the University of Icelands Earth Sciences department, told local media: Its quite obvious, considering whats going on.

Its not necessarily certain that there will be an eruption, but its quite clear that the magma chamber is collecting magma. Thats not a matter of dispute.

The famous Blue Lagoon Spa was forced to close just one day after it re-opened last week when the eruption began and have extended their temporary closure until the new year following the new warnings.

Keflavik International Airport, near Reykjavik, remains open.
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Ukraine has carried out a major air offensive on Russias border regions, a day after Moscow launched its biggest wave of airstrikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian regions since the war began.

The Ukrainian armed forces posted a video on Telegram depicting the sky above Belgorod, showing at least one building on fire.

Belgorods governor said at least one person was killed and 10 homes were damaged, while the water supply to the city of Belgorod was disrupted. Russias defence ministry said 13 Ukrainian rockets were intercepted.

In the neighbouring Bryansk region, the governor said six Ukrainian drones were downed, and that there were no casualties.

Ukraines military did not immediately comment on the impact of the attacks.

A shopping centre was heavily damaged in Ukraine after Russias attack (via REUTERS)

The attacks follow the deaths of 31 people in Ukraine, marking what Kyiv described as the biggest day of airstrikes since the war began.

The 18-hour onslaught left more than 144 people injured, with an unknown number buried under rubble, officials reported. Among the damaged buildings were a maternity hospital, apartment blocks, and schools.

Ukraines president Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia used every sort of weapon it had to launch the biggest aerial bombardment of the war, including 158 drones and hypersonic, ballistic and cruise missiles.

At least 31 killed after Russia launched wave of strikes across Ukraine (EPA)

The intensified attacks from Russia have once again been strongly condemned by the international community.

UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres condemned Russias attack in the strongest terms, saying attacks on civilians must end immediately.

Within hours, the UK announced the dispatch of hundreds of defence missiles to Kyiv, with ministers condemning Russian president Vladimir Putins barbarity.

US president Joe Biden said the 18-hour bombardment underscored that the Russian president must be stopped.

Meanwhile, a Polish general reported that a Russian missile appeared to have entered the airspace of the Nato member after an unidentified aerial object was spotted during the Russian attacks on Ukraine.
 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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The United Nations Security Council called an urgent meeting to discuss the escalating situation in Ukraine after Russia launched its biggest air attack of the war so far.

The meeting was called at 9pm UK time on Friday after Ukraine requested an urgent session to address missile and drone strikes by Russia.

Once again, Ukrainians are forced to spend the holidays seeking shelter, clearing the rubble, and burying the dead, amidst freezing temperatures, said Khaled Khiari, assistant secretary-general at the UN department of political and peacebuilding affairs, while briefing members.

The United States, France and Britain were among the countries that condemned the attacks on Ukraine.

The attacks were a desperate and futile attempt by Russia to regain momentum in its war with Ukraine, Britains ambassador to the UN, Barbara Woodward told the council. They will not succeed.

Ukraines foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, said earlier on X/Twitter that Ukraine and three dozen other UN member states had requested the security council meeting after the attacks, which resulted in multiple civilian casualties and heavy destruction of civilian infrastructure.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, secretary-general Antonio Guterres said the attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine violate international humanitarian law, are unacceptable and must end immediately.

At least 31 Ukrainians have been confirmed dead and more than 160 others are wounded, according to officials, as rescuers pulled bodies out from debris and firefighters struggled to control blazes in targeted buildings.

In an 18-hour onslaught, Russia launched 158 missiles and drones targeting locations across Ukraine, including in Kyiv, Lviv, Kharkiv, Sumy, Odesa and Zaporizhzhia regions among others.

Ukraines president Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia used every sort of weapon it had to launch the biggest aerial bombardment of the war.

A shopping centre was heavily damaged in Russian attacks (via REUTERS)

Meanwhile, Poland, a Nato member, said a Russian missile appeared to have flown into its airspace before returning to Ukraine.

Everything indicates that a Russian missile intruded into Polands airspace. It was monitored by us on radars and left the airspace. We have confirmation of this on radars and from allies in Nato, said Polands armed forces chief, General Wieslaw Kukula.

Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg said on X, formerly Twitter, that he had spoken to Polands president about the missile incident and stated that Nato was vigilant and monitoring the situation as the facts are established.

Additional reporting with agencies
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Ukraine has carried out a series of retaliatory attacks on Russian territory over the last 24 hours, using missiles, drones and shelling.

Russian officials said that 20 people, including two children, had been killed in the border city of Belgorod, and claimed 111 more were injured. It came in the wake of an 18-hour aerial bombardment across Ukraine by Moscow that killed at least 39 people and injured around 160.

No official comment was immediately available from Kyiv, but the Ukrainian news outlet RBC-Ukraine quoted sources as saying Ukrainian forces had struck military targets in Belgorod in response to the massive Russian bombardment on Friday.

Other Ukrainian media  citing intelligence sources  said more than 70 drones were used in a series of attacks on Russia and only military targets were attacked. They added that a group of drones successfully hit an electronic factory in the Bryansk region used to make Russian military equipment such as long-range missiles and anti-aircraft systems.

The Ukrainian source told the BBC that it was strictly military infrastructure being targeted, and blamed the incompetent work of Russian air defence for civilian casualties.

Images of Belgorod on social media showed burning cars and plumes of black smoke rising among damaged buildings as air-raid sirens sounded. One strike hit close to a public ice rink in the very heart of the city.

This crime will not go unpunished, Russia's Defence Ministry said in a statement on social media. Explosions were later reported in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, which is also close to the border with Russia.

The Kremlin said Russian president Vladimir Putin had been briefed on the situation, and that the countrys health minister, Mikhail Murashko, was ordered to join a delegation of medical personnel and rescue workers travelling to Belgorod from Moscow. Russia requested a meeting of the UN Security Council on Saturday night over the deaths in Belgorod.

Earlier on Saturday, Moscow officials had reported shooting down 32 Ukrainian drones over the countrys Moscow, Bryansk, Oryol, and Kursk regions. There were also reports that cross-border shelling had killed two other people in Russia. A man died and four other people were injured when a missile struck a home in the Belgorod region late on Friday evening. A nine-year-old was killed in a separate incident in the Bryansk region.

Russian drone strikes against Ukraine continued on Saturday, with the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reporting that 10 Iranian-made Shahed drones had been shot down across the Kherson, Khmelnytskyi, and Mykolaiv regions. Shelling also killed a 43-year-old man in Stepnohirsk, a town in Ukraine's southern Zaporizhzhia region, the area's governor said on social media.

On Friday, Moscows forces had launched 122 missiles and dozens of drones across Ukraine, in an onslaught described by one Ukrainian air force official as the biggest aerial barrage of the war.

In the capital Kyiv, at least 16 people were killed  the largest civilian death toll in the city during nearly 22 months of the war, mayor Vitali Klitschko said. The city announced a day of mourning for the victims on Monday.

Works to clear up the consequences of yesterdays Russian attack are still underway. Almost 120 cities and villages, [and] hundreds of civilian objects have suffered, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said early on Saturday.

Western officials and analysts recently warned that Russia had limited its cruise missile strikes for months in an apparent effort to build up stockpiles for massive strikes during the winter, hoping to break the Ukrainians spirit.

Russias aerial attacks have also sparked concern for Ukraines neighbours. Polands defence forces said on Friday that an unknown object had entered the countrys airspace before vanishing off radars, and that all indications pointed to it being a Russian missile. On Saturday, Polands army ended a ground search after failing to find any parts of the suspected Russian rocket.

Fighting along the front line is largely bogged down by winter weather after a counteroffensive by Ukraine which has so far failed to make a significant breakthrough along the roughly 600-mile line of contact.

But losses are mounting. Russia will have sustained more than half a million personnel killed and wounded in its invasion of Ukraine by 2025 if casualties continue at the current rate, the UK believes.

The average daily number of the countrys troops injured or killed has risen by almost 300 per day over the course of 2023 compared to last year, according to the latest Ministry of Defence intelligence update.

The update said the increase almost certainly reflects the degradation of Russias forces and its transition to a lower quality, high-quantity mass army since the partial mobilisation of reservists in September 2022.

It is likely to take Russia five to 10 years to rebuild a cohort of highly trained and experienced military units, it said.

Britains defence secretary, Grant Shapps, compared the scale of death and injury on the front line to the nine-year Soviet-Afghan war, when Russia sustained 70,000 casualties.

In [Vladimir] Putin's pointless war, if casualties continue at the current rate through next year, by 2025 Russia will have sustained over half a million personnel killed & wounded over 3 years of war, he wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

Reuters and Associated Press contributed to this report
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Israels bombardment of Gaza has caused a record-breaking number of child casualties and a pace of killing unseen in a generation, human rights groups have warned, as Israeli tanks push deeper into the besieged strip.

Israel unleashed a total siege and its heaviest targeting yet of Gaza in retaliation for the 7 October attack by Hamas who killed 1,200 people and took 240 hostages.

Since then, Israeli strikes have killed at least 21,000 people, three-quarters of them women and children, while thousands more are feared trapped under rubble, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run strip.

Israel has questioned the death toll but provided no alternative. Its army has expressed regret for civilian deaths, accusing Hamas of operating in densely populated areas and using civilians as human shields  a charge the group denies.

The speed and intensity of the killings is record-breaking, said James Denslow from Save the Children, adding that the charity had estimated more than 30,000 children have been killed or maimed over the past 12 weeks.

They based their calculations on a combination of Gaza ministry of health numbers and UN figures, plus other reports of casualties and those missing on the ground.

This is the highest number of children killed and maimed in one conflict since 2006 when United Nations records began, Mr Denslow told The Independent.

This is also 21 times higher than the number of children killed and maimed in Ukraine last year, he added.

The UN has verified that 131,311 children have been killed or maimed across conflict situations since 2006. These numbers  which go up to 2022  are woefully low estimates, particularly in countries such as Syria, where rights groups say accessing the death toll is near impossible.

But even if we go by the caveated numbers in Gaza, in just over two months they are already a quarter of a way through that total number of children killed and maimed in 17 years, said Mr Denslow. For the intensity, it is something I have never seen before.

Palestinian children wait to receive food cooked by a charity kitchen in Rafah (Reuters)

Jan Egeland, head of the Norwegian Refugee Council, said that aside from the besieged areas of Syria during the worst days of 2015, the scale of the killing of civilians has not been seen in a generation.

He said such a child death toll had not likely been recorded since the genocide in Rwanda 30 years ago.

In an ocean of human misery and in a world that seems to be falling apart, Gaza stands out, he added.

An Israeli military spokesperson said: The IDF [Israel Defense Forces] is committed to mitigating civilian harm during operational activity. In that spirit, the IDF makes great efforts to estimate and consider potential civilian collateral damage in its strikes... IDF military lawyers are on hand at all levels of command to ensure that strikes comply with international legal obligations, including proportionality.

More than 2.3 million people  half of them children  live in Gaza, a tiny 42km strip that even before the war was subject to a crippling 15-year siege by both Israel and Egypt.

The UN has repeatedly begged for a ceasefire saying there are no safe areas within the strip and no way to get out for civilians who have been displaced multiple times since October and are running out of food, water and medical supplies.

Despite international pleas to wind down the attack, including from its ally the US, Israel has only escalated its ground offensive in Gaza in the closing days of the year.

Young children arrive at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis after being injured in Israeli airstrikes (Getty Images)

This week, Israeli tanks thrust deep into central Gaza after days of relentless bombardment that forced tens of thousands of already displaced Palestinian families to flee to the overwhelmed city of Deir al-Balah along the Mediterranean coast.

Over 150,000 people  young children, women carrying babies, people with disabilities and the elderly  have nowhere to go, the main UN organisation operating in Gaza, UNRWA, said in a social media post.

Gazas health ministry said on Thursday the humanitarian and health conditions of the now 1.9 million displaced people have reached catastrophic levels beyond description.

Half of the displaced are children who are now struggling with dehydration, malnutrition, respiratory and skin diseases and extreme cold, the statement added. Some 50,000 pregnant women, meanwhile, are suffering from thirst and malnutrition.

Amid growing alarm, the UN Security Council last week adopted a resolution to boost humanitarian aid but stopped short of calling for a ceasefire after a week of vote delays and intense negotiations to avoid a United States veto.

The US 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.

Palestinian children sit by the fire next to the rubble of a house in Khan Younis (Reuters)

Rights groups say without a proper ceasefire it is impossible to tend to the needs of the civilians under such conditions.

There are around 300,000 destroyed or damaged housing units. It is impossible to provide emergency shelters and do repairs for more than 1.2 million people, Mr Egeland said.

Israel has defended its actions, saying it has identified a humanitarian zone for civilians in an area called Mawasi  which is smaller than Londons Heathrow airport.

Mawasi is a moonscape, Mr Egeland continued. You can't put 1.5 million people on the moon without water, without shelter, without toilets.

Mr Denslow said this deadly combination of the geography of Gaza, the density of demographics, the percentage of children, the use of explosive weapons with a wide area affected, and the ferocity of the hostilities had led to the record-breaking casualty toll.

Children are unable to get away from the front line. There are no safe places. And the death toll is just the top of the pyramid of harm, he said.

Below that are serious life-changing injuries, [and] then the fact that people are homeless.

Below is the mental health impact this will have. Four out of five children in Gaza were already showing signs of depression before the war, which is the fifth conflict any 15-year-old in Gaza would have experienced.

Their resilience levels have been shot to pieces by recent history that has no endgame in sight.
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Tens of thousands of people were left stranded on Saturday after Eurostar cancelled all its services due to flooding in a tunnel.

All 41 trains scheduled on the day were cancelled, throwing travel plans into chaos with passengers scrambling to rearrange transport to and from London St Pancras.

Among them were newlyweds Nicole and Christopher Carrera, who said their plans to spend New Years Eve in Disneyland Paris had been ruined.

One mother said her family was trying not to be homeless with children in a cold London night after the travel chaos upended their stay in the French capital.

Passengers stare at a board of cancellations at the Gare du Nord (AP)

Luana Andrade, 36, her husband Rondi Oroujo, 32, and their three-year-old son have been stranded in London with six relatives from Brazil, and are facing the prospect of booking an expensive hotel and flights.

Ms Andrade said: Its not a trip, its a dream trip. So this is really expensive, its a big deal for our family because we are from Brazil, so its expensive. We planned for months, almost a year, and now probably we dont get it.

But some passengers travel plans may now be back on track after Eurostar said that trains will run on Sunday after flooding in the tunnels was brought under control. The operator warned that customers will face more chaos, however, with speed restrictions potentially leading to delays.

In a statement, Eurostar said: Flooding in the Thames tunnels has been brought under control by Network Rail High Speed meaning at least one tunnel can now be used and a full service can operate.

There will be some speed restrictions in place in the morning which may lead to delays and stations are expected to be very busy.

Flooding in the tunnel at Ebbsfleet, which runs beneath the Thames, had caused cancellations all day after engineers said at 4am that no trains would be able to run on the High Speed 1 line.

While Eurostar, which runs services from London to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam, had hoped services would resume later in the day, the situation failed to improve.

Newlywed Nicole Carreras Disneyland plans were ruined by Eurostar cancellations (PA)

Emotional travellers were spotted at the Eurostar terminal, with one man seen carrying an iPad which read Taxi to Paris.

Among those stranded on the other side of the Channel was The Independents Holly Bancroft, who was informed that her 7.11pm train to London had been cancelled and that the next available train was Tuesday evening. As a result, she and thousands of others have been forced to book flights to travel to their destinations.

Also left devastated by the cancellations were Christina David, 25, and Georgina Benyamin, 26, from Sydney, who had been travelling in Europe for about three weeks with their planned final stop being Paris, where they hope to spend New Years Eve.

Eurostar urged passengers to check their website for refunds or exchanges (PA)

They were supposed to catch the 7.30am train from London St Pancras International to Paris and freaked out when they were told it was cancelled.

Ms Benyamin said: Now we have to book a hotel to stay for the night here, as Ms David added: Weve got nowhere to stay.

HS1, which operates the track, said engineers had worked through the night to remove water but its volume was unprecedented.

Pumps and tankers were spotted at the scene, with a video taken inside the flooded tunnel showing water gushing onto the tracks.

Flooding has caused travel chaos for Eurostar passengers (The Independent)

Initially reports suggested the flooding was caused by a fire control system.

In a statement, Thames Water said: We have been informed of an incident involving a pipe flooding the Eurostar tunnel. We believe the incident is in regard to a fire control system and not a Thames Water pipe/asset, however we have a technician on the way to offer support to control the flow of water.

But a spokesperson for HS1 said: The source of the flooding will be the subject of an investigation, but at this stage we have no evidence to suggest that the fire control system was related to the issue in any way.

Britains only high-speed railway line, from London to Kent, was also out of use to Southeastern trains due to flooding in the Thames tunnels.

Domestic passengers were urged to use slower trains to and from London Charing Cross and Cannon Street. The Southeastern line to London Victoria is closed until the New Year because of engineering work.

Also at London St Pancras, passengers using the Thameslink line connecting Bedford and Luton with Gatwick and Brighton are being warned of major disruption through to the morning of New Years Day because of staff shortages.

For New Years Eve, passengers have been warned: Expect major disruption during the afternoon and evening with no service overnight.

Besides New Year revellers hoping to catch trains home after celebrating in central London, many airline passengers and staff rely on the overnight trains to reach Gatwick and Luton airports. National Rail warned: We expect further cancellations across the weekend.

It comes as strong winds and rain in the wake of Storm Gerrit threatens more travel disruption for those travelling for New Years Eve.

Flooding around Tewkesbury Abbey after heavy rain from Storm Gerrit (PA)

A yellow weather warning is in place in Scotland from 8am until midnight on Saturday, with up to 25mm of rain forecast at lower levels. A period of sleet and snow, turning to rain, may lead to some flooding and travel disruption.

In a forecast video, Met Office forecaster Alex Burkill said a touch of frost is likely overnight into Saturday and there is a deep area of low pressure waiting out in the Atlantic that is going to sweep its way across the UK this weekend.

Some frost is possible in the south, particularly towards the east, while a more widespread harsh frost is expected in some parts of Scotland.

Temperatures could tumble as low as -8C or -9C, perhaps a little bit colder than that, he added.
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Although Royals Caribbeans nine-month world cruise only set sail a few weeks ago, the experience has already gone viral on social media, with passengers opening up about their time on the boat.

On 10 December, the Ultimate World Cruise officially started its tour, with the ship  the Serenade of the Seas  departing from Miami, Florida. As noted by Royal Caribbeans itinerary, the trip consists of 274 nights, with visits to 11 world wonders and over 60 countries. Some of the destinations include Aruba, Barbados, Japan, Italy, Greece, Spain, Denmark, Germany, and France. The cruise concludes in the United States, as it docks back in Miami on 10 September 2024, after a day in the Bahamas on 9 September 2024.

Passengers will also have the opportunity to bond with like-minded explorers over global discoveries across all seven continents, according to Royal Caribbeans website. In addition, travellers will have the chance to connect with countless distinct cultures, soak up the most spectacular landscapes on Earth, and marvel at World Wonders that showcase mankinds boundless imagination.

Since the cruise began, passengers have documented their experiences on board, from the size of their rooms, to the meals being served, to some additional perks if theyre part of the Royal Caribbeans Pinnacle Club, which travellers get to join after accumulating over 700 cruise points from the previous cruises theyve taken. When posting videos on TikTok, passengers often use the #UltimateWorldCruise hashtag, which has more than 119.2m views as of 27 December.

From how to do your laundry to the cost of a room on board, heres everything we know about the Royal Caribbeans Ultimate World Cruise from TikTok.

What are the rooms on the ship like and how much do they cost?

As noted by Royal Caribbeans website, the most inexpensive room option for the 247 nights is $59,999 per person for an interior stateroom. Prices for other rooms are in a higher range, with the junior suite starting at $117,599 per person. However, regardless of the type of room passengers get, they are all offered amenities like a VOOM internet package, wash and fold laundry service, and a deluxe beverage package.

On TikTok, many passengers have shared in-depth tours of their rooms, with many showing off the relatively tiny spaces. For example, Ale Kenney recently shared a video of a room, which started with footage of the living room area, where there was a blue couch with a blanket on it. She and her husband, Andrew, decorated the walls with a banner, pictures, and sketches. There was also a desk and closet, which Kenney opted not to open because it was really tiny and she didnt want everything in it to fall out.

She then made her way to their small bathroom, where there was a tall shower right across from the sink. The bathroom also included a white toilet, underneath a magnetic shelf that the couple brought for extra storage. She noted that in addition to cramming [her] makeup and medicine in the storage section underneath the sink, she had a very tiny mirrored cabinet that opened. Kenney then made her way back through the living room and concluded her video with a shot of the king-sized bed in her room.

What kind of food is offered on the cruise?

While aboard the Ultimate World Cruise, guests are offered a variety of food options, from snacks to speciality dining. Royal Caribbean notes that one frequent spot for meals is the Windjammer, which is a buffet thats open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. On TikTok, passengers have shared some of the meals theyve eaten daily.

For example, a TikTok user who goes by the name Amike shared a video last week of what she ate in a day on the cruise, starting with breakfast at the Windjammer. Some of her food included fruit, yoghurt, a muffin, oatmeal, and a smoothie. For lunch, she returned to the Windjammer, where she had a salad, a burger patty with cheese, a plate of vegetables, and a coffee. For dinner at the buffet, she had some fish, noodles, corn, and slices of watermelon.

Amike also acknowledged that while shes received multiple questions about the food, her meals on the ship have been so good.

How do passengers do their laundry throughout the next nine months?

Each passenger on the cruise receives a laundry package, as noted by Royal Caribbean. The package includes a complimentary wash and fold service where passengers can send out up to three bags of laundry per week.

In a video shared to TikTok, passenger Brandee Lake went on to document her 10th day on sea, which included her plans to do laundry that day. She noted that while she didnt necessarily want someone else doing her laundry, she opted to go to the self-service laundry that was offered on board, which is free for passengers to use.

Is there a certain age range among travellers on the cruise?

Throughout the first few weeks of the cruise, many TikTok users have questioned who the passengers are on the trip, given its hefty price and lengthy time period. With that in mind, social media users have noticed that a lot of people who share content appear to be a part of Generation Z, meaning they were born between 1997 and 2012. However, according to Kenney, thats not necessarily the case.

I would say the majority, like the overwhelming majority of passengers, are retirees (or seniors), she said during an interview with Today, as she noted that 90 per cent of passengers were retired.

That doesnt change the fact that cruises are a popular travelling experience for adults. According to Gavin Smith, vice president and managing director of Royal Caribbean AUNZ, theres still a growing interest in cruises among young people.

Our Caribbean and European cruises are attracting younger Australian guests, with short Caribbean sailings proving immensely popular, including our new Oasis Class ship Utopia of the Seas which launches in July, he told News.com.au.

Regardless of the ages of passengers on the Ultimate World Cruise, people on social media have joked about what drama could occur on the nine-month trip. One woman named Kates, who goes by the name @whimsysoul on TikTok, went on to share The Ultimate Bingo Card for the next year for anyone else who is buckling in for this nine months TikTok reality show.

Some of the spaces on her Bingo Card included someone goes home early, staff dates passenger, lobster style sunburn, brands sponsor passengers, and minor mystery to solve.

The Independent has contacted Royal Caribbean for comment.
 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.
Two New York City police officers helped save a man who had fallen onto the subway tracks on 26 December, two months after they saved a woman trapped under a pier.

The NYPD officers were inspecting Carroll Street F/G subway station the day after Christmas when they saw a man lose his footing and fall onto the subway tracks, body camera footage of the incident shows.

They ran to the 55-year-old man, who was standing but unable to climb back onto the platform while complaining of pain.

One officer jumped onto the tracks while the second officer pulled the man back onto the platform.
Gardai at Russborough House in Co Wicklow, where the art heist took place in May 1986. Photo: Independent Newspapers Ireland/NLI Collection

Irish authorities were effusive in their praise of their Belgian counterparts after a sting operation resulted in the recovery of a number of paintings stolen from Russborough House in Wicklow in 1986.

The theft of 17 old masters paintings was the largest art robbery in the history of the State, with the paintings conservatively valued at over IR30m.

Secret documents released as part of the State Archives revealed Irish officials were eager to have the paintings returned to Ireland from Belgium as quickly as possible.

On December 13, 1993, Belgian prosecutor Michel Jordens wrote to the Departments of Justice and Foreign Affairs in Ireland over the recovery of a number of suspected stolen paintings.

He indicated that four men had been detained by the Belgian authorities: Desmond Geraghty with an address in London, Cornelius Niall Mulvihill from Dublin, Damien OBrien from Dublin, Milan Marcovic from Yugoslavia and Jean Marie Leemans, who was living in Belgium but was originally from Zaire.

Mr Jordens wrote that on July 23. 1993, Cornelius Mulvihill displayed a suspected Vermeer painting, The Letter Writer, from the boot of his car.

Further meetings were set up and other paintings were displayed with a view to selling them.

Belgian police then intervened at an address near Antwerp Airport and a total of eight works of art were seized.

Mr Jordens wrote that these included Dona by Goya, Princess by Vestier, the Vermeer and Letter Writer by Metsu.

The Belgian official said that after consulting over the works seized, it was believed that they were among the artworks stolen from the Alfred Beit Foundation at Russborough House on May 20/21 1986.

All the artworks involved belonged to the National Gallery in Dublin after they had been gifted to the State by the Beit Foundation.

Mr Jordens said the Belgian authorities now wanted proof in the form of an affidavit that the works mentioned were stolen; if any of those detained in Belgian were among the suspects in Ireland; to obtain the garda records of all those in custody in Belgium; and to ask the director of chief restorer of the National Gallery to travel to Belgium to examine the recovered works and verify their authenticity. A further memo from the Irish Embassy in Brussels confirmed that the Belgian authorities indicated all the paintings involved would be returned to Ireland once it was legally permitted to do so in light of the ongoing prosecutions.

A letter dated September 16, 1993 confirmed that senior conservator of the National Gallery, Andrew OConnor, had visited Antwerp and had inspected the paintings.

Mr OConnor later had dinner at the Irish Embassy to brief diplomats on the condition of the artworks.

He expressed relief that the pictures were in relatively good shape, it noted.

He said that the police authorities in Antwerp had been quite cooperative.

Irish diplomats noted that for the paintings to be returned, a formal request from senior Government officials would have to be made through diplomatic channels to the Belgian authorities.

Once the criminal proceedings were concluded in Belgium, the return of the paintings would be automatic.

A number of the Beit paintings were also recovered from London.

Two were found by Scotland Yard detectives: one hidden behind furniture in a house in Hertfordshire and the second in a left luggage room at Euston Station.

One of those paintings was a Rubens valued at IR4m. Another painting was recovered by police in Turkey.

The robbery at Russborough House was masterminded by Dublin criminal Martin The General Cahill, who had thought the artworks could be readily sold on the black market for cash.
Late Late Show host Patrick Kielty has teased a proper party for the New Years Eve special show tomorrow night and opened up about his dream guests for 2024.

Looking back on 2023, Kielty said highlights included taking sons Milo (7) and James (5) to Croke Park and Old Trafford for the first time, and the release of his film Ballywalter.

It had such a lovely, successful run of being in cinemas for six weeks in the UK and Ireland, which for a little independent film like ours was just massive because you open for a week and if people dont watch, then they take it off the cinemas, he said.

Kielty said his hope for next year was to just hang out more with the family and to realise that you know the good times that you are having, to take time to enjoy what is happening around you.

Just trying to enjoy the moment... you can never plan. Anything that you think you can plan very rarely happens in life.

So 2023 had a few surprises that came my way and they all worked out really nicely. I am looking forward to seeing what surprises 2024 brings.

Aside from hosting his first Toy Show, the Co Down native said his favourite TV moment had been walking out for his very first Late Late episode, a night he described as very special.

His dream guests for the show next year range from Scottish comedy legend Billy Connolly to PSG star Kylian Mbappe, assuming the Frenchman makes an unlikely move to the Premier League.

I have got one comedy hero and that is Billy Connolly, but I dont think Billy is doing much these days, said Kielty.

If Kylian Mbappe wants to sign for Man United, I would quite like to do his first interview  that again is a dream guest that will never happen. Lets just wait and see.

Kielty promised a strong line-up for tomorrow nights show, with a party atmosphere to ring in the new year.

We will have some international acts we have and we're very lucky to have some American rockers and as well as a 1980s legend on the show, we have a good mix of Irish bands. It feels like a proper party. We are delighted with who we got, he said.

The first Sunday broadcast of the Late Late Show will hand over to presenter Anna Geary at Dublin Castle for the official countdown from 11.45pm.

The Late Late NYE Show airs from 10.15pm on RTE One and the RTE Player.
Prime minister said Ulsters status was obstacle to Home Rule in 1919 letter to William OBrien

British prime minister David Lloyd George admitted in a private letter to an Irish politician in 1919, before the War of Independence had escalated to include attacks on British troops, that he was pessimistic of any peaceful negotiated settlement to the Irish question because of intransigence over the status of Ulster.

The Liberal leaders letter  dated July 14, 1919 also warned that British politicians still felt Sinn Fein had tried to stab Britain in the back when seeking German support for the 1916 Easter Rising at the height of World War I.

The letter, which was originally marked private and confidential to William OBrien, was released as part of the State Archives. It was written just months into the War of Independence and before the conflict had extended from the IRA targeting Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) personnel to British army troops and the major escalation sparked by the deployment by London of the Black and Tans and Auxiliaries to support the overwhelmed RIC.

The British prime minister wrote to William OBrien from his Whitehall address at a time many thought that negotiations over dominion Home Rule might yet succeed in Ireland.

There is nothing I would like better than to carry through any measure which would terminate the long, dreary and baffling feud between Britain and Ireland, Lloyd George wrote.

The Welsh politician composed the letter at a time when he was at the peak of his power, having led Britain to victory in World War I.

Frankly, I am not in a very hopeful mood, he admitted in respect of the deteriorating situation in Ireland.

I have made two or three attempts and when they seemed to be on the point of success, accomplishment eluded me.

That seems to me to have been the experience of almost every man who has striven to settle the Irish question.

The prime minister stressed that British politicians faced one key issue.

All parties in Britain  Liberal, Unionist, Labour  are equally pledged through their leaders not to coerce Ulster into the acceptance of any measures of autonomy which would have to be forced on the population of that province, he wrote.

Ulster Unionist Party leader Edward Carson had warned on July 12, just two days before the prime minister wrote his letter, that he would call out the paramilitary Ulster Volunteers if there was any attempt by London to separate Ulster from the UK as part of any Irish peace settlement.

Lloyd George admitted he faced an impossible situation.

On the other hand, Irish Nationalists are equally pledged not to accept any settlement which would not put Ulster into the same position as Munster or Connaught. How are you to reconcile these inconsistent positions? he wrote.

Home Rule is within the reach of Nationalist Ireland the moment it controls its land but if Nationalist Ireland says she will not have Home Rule unless she can have Ulster, which are withheld her, well, I am afraid a settlement is remote.

The Sinn Fein attitude during the war has not made matters easier. No British statesman could coerce Ulster in order to place it forcefully under the control of de Valera and the men who were undoubtedly intriguing with the Germans to stab Britain in the back at the very moment when Germany was making a special effort to overwhelm her armies in France.

I very much regret having to say this, for I have always been a consistent supporter of every Home Rule bill introduced into the House of Commons during the past 30 years. But it is no use giving facts  I know you to be a man of supreme courage and therefore prepared to face unpalatable truths.

OBrien was a veteran Nationalist MP who was known for his conciliatory approach to establishing Home Rule.

Having earned respect in Ireland for his work to achieve land reform and as a journalist in favour of Home Rule, he had strongly endorsed dominion status for Ireland comparable with that enjoyed by Canada.

In the wake of Britains refusal to introduce Home Rule before World War I, his position began to change and he was one of the first to predict that the Easter Rising had irrevocably changed Irish politics and that Sinn Fein, after its electoral successes, had earned the right to represent Irish people.

An MP for almost 35 years, he stood aside in 1918 and put his seat at the disposal of Sinn Fein.

In the 1920s, he staunchly opposed any Free State agreement which introduced partition of Ireland, warning it was too high a price to pay for independence.
A council worker barged through gardai and violently struggled with them when his blood was up during a street row.

Father-of-two Dylan Behan (28) lost his cool and ran at the officers who came to deal with the earlier incident on a street near his home.
Two new domestic violence refuges in Dublin and Cork are set to open in 2026 at a cost of almost 20m.

The Department of Housing has granted approval in principle for the two facilities, which will be have with therapeutic rooms, play areas, counselling rooms and childrens spaces.

The refuge in north Dublin will have 13 residential units and ancillary services including therapeutic rooms, offices and play spaces at a cost of more than 7.2m. Construction will be finished in early 2026.

In Cork, the centre will include more than 20 residential units and ancillary services and cost more than 11m. Construction on this refuge will also be finished in 2026.

The Government has long faced criticism about insufficient domestic violence refuge spaces in the country for women and their children.

However, the State will now pay not only for new refuges and their accommodation spaces, but also to build additional services in facilities such as child play areas and therapy offices.

The Governments Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) will provide this funding. It usually pays 100pc of accommodation costs, but less commonly for non-housing facilities.

The Government has now allocated the CAS funds to pay 100pc of accommodation and additional facilities needed in refuges in a bid to take the pressure off domestic violence groups to come up with the funding themselves.

The Department of Housing sent an update to all city and county councils in November that listed the supports available for the design and construction of domestic violence refuges.

A special architectural adviser with responsibility for refuges has been put in place as well as a single point of contact within the department for all refuge projects.

Officials have also come up with a design approach for accommodation.

This takes in experience from refuge projects on which work has already begun as well as from international best practice.

The approach will shortly be shared with domestic violence organisations and local authorities.

Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) building refuges can also seek advice from the Housing Agency.

The agencys Projects and Procurement Team can provide guidance including early-stage actions such as identifying and assessing the suitability of potential sites and public procurement.

Tusla has also been tasked with giving help and support to domestic violence organisations.

A special programme manager for refuge accommodation development will soon transfer to the new domestic violence agency once it is set up.

The manager will have a valuable role in liaising with domestic violence organisations, local authorities and the Department.

Under the Istanbul Convention on preventing violence against women and domestic violence, a country is obligated to provide one refuge space from domestic abuse per 10,000 people.

According to the convention, Ireland should have 512 spaces but currently has only 181.

The Government has promised to add 280 new refuge spaces under the Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.
Broadcaster Eamon Dunphy in his former studio at Today FM. Photo: Cyril Byrne

The attorney general was told in 1993 that a district court judge had indicated a preference not to defend a judicial review case being brought against him by journalist and TV pundit Eamon Dunphy.

Confidential papers released as part of the State Archives revealed that in June 1993 the judge did not want to contest the matter if it was proceeding to full judicial review.

Judge Timothy Crowley phoned the attorney generals office on June 21 to state that he did not want to defend the proceedings if the case could be sent back to Dublin District Court to be dealt with.

Dunphy had taken a High Court challenge against the judges decision to issue a bench warrant for his arrest after he failed to show up in court on May 31, 1993 in respect of continuing Road Traffic Act matters.

The former Manchester United and Millwall player, who lived at the time in Castletownshend, Co Cork, was accused of a number of road traffic offences.

These included driving without road tax and insurance when he was stopped by gardai while on Watling Street, Dublin, on May 31, 1992.

Dunphys solicitor, Patrick McGonagle, who did attend court on the day, had sought a short adjournment of the case on the basis that his client was down the country on business.

Files show the arresting officer, Garda Gerard Moloney, told the Chief State Solicitors Office that he had no objection to Dunphy being remanded on bail, but that the judge had decided to issue a bench warrant.

Judge Crowley had previously stated to the attorney generals office that he was entitled to issue a warrant when a defendant who had been summoned failed to appear in court.

The judge pointed out that both himself and the court registrar had checked that Dunphy had been properly served with a summons.

An affidavit by the broadcaster showed he sought the adjournment in order to locate relevant documentation.

Dunphy said he had also made several unsuccessful attempts to contact Gda Moloney to have the matter adjourned.

He claimed the judge had erred in law and acted in excess of his jurisdiction in ordering his arrest, and asked the High Court to quash the order issuing the warrant for his arrest.

Despite Judge Crowley not wishing to defend the proceedings, the case went ahead and was ultimately decided by the Supreme Court.

It rejected Dunphys appeal and upheld a High Court ruling that Judge Crowley had been entitled to issue the warrant, notwithstanding that his solicitor had been in court.
The Bord na Mona plant at Edenderry, Co Offaly, will fully switch to biomass this week

The last watt of peat-fired electricity will be generated this weekend as the Edenderry power plant finally stops stripping bogs for fuel.

The Co Offaly plant is the last of the countrys peat-burning power stations to close or switch to alternative fuel sources. Its move away from peat ends a 74-year industry that decimated vast tracts of the countrys bogs.

Bord na Mona chief executive Tom Donnellan said the milestone honoured a promise the company made in 2018 to completely change its focus and functions.

Five years ago, Bord na Mona set out on our ambitious brown to green strategy to transform the business into a climate solutions and renewable energy leader in Ireland, he said.

Today, as we use peat to fuel our Edenderry power station for the final time, we have completed our unprecedented transition to using renewable energy sources and are now one of the largest producers of renewable electricity in the State.

The move follows the closure of the peat briquette factory at Derrinlough, Co Offaly, last June, which means industrially extracted peat is no longer available for household burning either.

Peatlands are environmentally precious habitats that are hugely effective at storing carbon. Burning them releases more atmosphere-warming carbon dioxide than any other fossil fuel, but using them for heat and power became national policy during World War II.

The first peat-fired electricity generation station opened in Portarlington in 1950 and nine more followed.

Edenderry, which opened in 2000, was one of the last three to be built, despite objections from environmental campaigners who argued that stripping the peatlands could no longer be justified.

At its peak, Edenderry burned 1.2m tonnes of peat a year. Lough Ree and West Offaly stations, which also opened in the early 2000s, burned another two million tonnes annually.

Edenderry, which is undergoing a 100m upgrade, is continuing in operation as a power station, burning biomass that it has been gradually adding to the peat over the past few years.

That switch has not been without controversy, however, since some of the biomass is imported from as far away as Brazil.

Biomass can be crops specifically grown for fuel, such as willow, or waste organic material such as plant stalks, dried solid waste from sewage treatment and farms, or  as in the case of the Brazilian imports  wood chippings

Bord na Mona said it sourced the vast majority of its biomass from Irish suppliers.

When the remaining biomass required cannot be acquired locally due to volume and suitability constraints, it is supplemented with material sourced internationally as a result, it said.

The company said its import sources were subject to audits by the Preferred by Nature environmental standards NGO and certified by the Forest Stewardship Council and Sustainable Bimass Programme.
Irish officials were so embarrassed by the condition of the Irish embassy in London they were reluctant to bring foreign diplomats or dignitaries to the premises.

The revelation came in confidential files released as part of the State Archives.

A Department of Foreign Affairs file revealed a series of complaints from Irish embassy staff in London  and repeated requests for the premises to be refurbished.

One memo, dated July 2, 1986, warned that the embassy was not quite dilapidated.

It is now at least eight years since there was a general redecoration of this part of the premises and, as pointed out previously, structural work undertaken in the interim (including replacement of lifts, security alterations to the existing entrance etc) add to the need for a general redecoration at present, it said.

The main corridor and most of the offices on the ground floor are in a poor condition and badly in need of repainting as the walls in many cases are stained and marked.

There is also need for redecoration of corridors and staircases leading to, and in, the annex, where offices of the trade and agriculture sections and the Labour Attache complain that they are reluctant to bring visitors from other embassies because of the poor condition of the premises.

A Department of Foreign Affairs note dated from later that month said: As far as this office is concerned, however, there is no immediate prospect of works going ahead this year or next year as our financial allocation for both years is fully taken up.

The memo noted that over IR900,000 had been spent on the London embassy since 1979.

It added that the department was already committed to a major expansion of its embassy network worldwide. Ireland opened new embassies in the 1980s in Khartoum and Buenos Aires, and planned development works in embassies and consulates in Moscow, Washington, Ottawa, Riyadh, Chicago and Rome.
Man (22) charged with murder after fatal stabbing of Tristan Sherry in Christmas Eve Blanchardstown shooting incident

A 22-year-old man has been charged with the murder of Tristan Sherry at Brownes Steakhouse in Blanchardstown on Christmas Eve.

Michael Andrecut, with an address at Sheephill Avenue, Dublin 15, appeared before Dublin District Court on Saturday.

He faces a single charge that he murdered Tristan Sherry on the evening of December 24.

Garda Sergeant Mark Murphy of Blanchardstown Garda Station gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution.

He told Judge Stephanie Coggins that he arrested Andrecut for the purposes of charge at Blanchardstown Garda station at 11.42pm on Friday night.

The accused was formally charged with the offence of murder at 11.47pm.

Michael Andrecut is charged with murder

Andrecut made no reply when cautioned. Sgt Murphy applied for an adjournment of the case to Cloverhill District Court.

Appearing on behalf of Andrecut, solicitor Brian Tunney asked that the case be put back until January 2 and asked that the matter be dealt with by video link on that date.

He also applied for legal aid, handing in a statement of means on behalf of his client. No other applications were made.

Andrecut, who appeared in court in a black Puma hoodie, did not speak during the proceedings.

Adjourning the matter to January 2, Judge Coggins assigned legal aid to the defendant.

Father-of-one Tristan Sherry (26) was killed after opening fire inside Brownes Steakhouse on Christmas Eve.

Tristan Sherry

A 47-year-old man was struck several times after Sherry opened fire with a sub-machine gun.

Funeral details for Sherry have not been announced but it is expected to be held in the coming days.

After the shooting, a page was set up for Sherry on the fundraising website GoFundMe, with his family trying to raise money for funeral costs.

We made this to raise money for his funeral cost in this difficult time, a family member wrote on the fundraising page. We are absolutely heartbroken that this has happened. He was an amazing Son, Brother, Father and Friend.

The page was removed after several hundred euro was donated.
A man is in a serious condition in hospital and a woman is also receiving treatment following a serious motorbike collision in Arklow, Co Wicklow, on Saturday morning.

Gardai are appealing for witnesses to the single vehicle collision that occurred on the Dublin Road, the R772, around 12:30am this morning.

The motorcycle on which the man and woman were travelling struck the pavement kerb and the driver and pillion passenger fell from the motorcycle.

The driver and passenger made their way home where the male driver, aged in his 50s, collapsed and was removed to St. Vincent's Hospital and remains in a serious condition.

The female passenger, aged in her 40s, of the motorcycle was also removed to St. Vincent's Hospital where she is being treated for non-life threatening injuries.

The road is currently closed for technical examination by Forensic Collision Investigators. Local diversions are in place.

Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to contact them.

Any road users or pedestrians who were in the vicinity of the R772, at exit 20 from the M11 southbound travelling towards Arklow town this morning, Saturday 30th December, 2023 between 00.15 hours and 00.45 hours and who may have camera footage (including dash cam) is asked to make this available to investigating Gardai.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Arklow Street Garda Station on 0402 32304, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
The Government was worried in the 1990s that senior politicians attending such events at the Armistice Day commemoration could undermine Irelands own dedicated National Day of Commemoration.

Confidential documents released as part of the State Archives revealed that, in 1993, Taoiseach Albert Reynolds was so concerned about the matter, he informed President Mary Robinson that her attendance at the so-called Poppy Day commemoration organised by the Royal British Legion had the potential to cause a problem for the administration.

Secretary General at the Department of the Taoiseach, Frank Murray, noted Mr Reynolds had opted not to directly contact President Robinson about the issue for specific but undisclosed reasons.

However, it was noted that her planned attendance at the November event was causing difficulties for the coalition.

Mrs Robinson wrote that while she had planned to attend the event in 1993 it was for a specific, once-off reason  namely that the event was marking its 75th anniversary and she had received a formal invitation to attend.

The former Trinity College Dublin (TCD) academic added that it was not her intention to attend the Armistice Day ceremony the following year.

The Royal British Legion had written to President Robinson as early as 1991 to ask if she would attend the ceremony to commemorate the end of World War I.

President Robinson wrote to the Department of the Taoiseach that she was aware of the sensitivities and demands of the ongoing Northern Ireland peace process and was also very grateful for the detailed briefings she had received on the progress being made with the talks.

Government officials and civil servants were acutely conscious of not undermining the status of Irelands own National Day of Commemoration.

The event, which is staged every July, aims to honour all Irish men and women who died in historical wars or who gave their lives in the course of peacekeeping duties with the United Nations.

It was organised in 1986 in response to ongoing controversy over the Remembrance Day ceremonies.

The declassified file indicated the Government and civil servants were determined not to have the Irish event undermined in any way by attendances by State personages at similar events.

Any State officials wishing to attend other events would do so in a personal rather than an official capacity.

Other events listed as falling into this category included various War of Independence and Civil War anniversaries and the Armistice Day ceremonies.

One memo recommended that the only official participation by the President and senior Government officials each year should be at the National Day of Commemoration.

One further event that was listed as an option for official attendance was the Arbour Hill ceremony to mark the execution of the Republican leaders after the 1916 Easter Rising.

The file also revealed that a number of Government officials who had indicated a desire to attend Remembrance Day ceremonies had later indicated they would do so in a personal capacity.

These included then Employment Minister Ruairi Quinn and Law Reform Minister Mervyn Taylor. Both had sought advice on the issue of attendance.
An African embassy contacted the Department of Foreign Affairs in the 1970s to raise concerns over racially- motivated attacks on its citizens in Dublin and to ask why gardai were called to the home of one Nigerian man for allegedly bringing Irish girls back there.

Papers released as part of the State Archives indicated the Nigerian embassy was so concerned at attacks and harassment of its citizens that its diplomats formally wrote to the Department of Foreign Affairs to voice their worries.

In one case, a Nigerian official warned that one of their citizens had been subjected to so many attacks he might require police protection.

The embassy called on the department to investigate the matter in order to get redress for the man.

One Nigerian official expressed surprise that the garda who responded to the incident did not consider an admission of assault by the neighbour as being sufficient for any police action.

State papers show a Nigerian national, A O Lawal, was attacked by one of his neighbours on Pearse Square in Dublin on March 8, 1971 after he had called to the mans house to complain about offensive and derogatory names he had been called by the mans son.

Mr Lawal claimed that hardly a day had gone by since he moved into the area without some children calling him offensive names in the presence of their parents.

The embassy official also pointed out that such racist behaviour had been a source of strain on many Nigerians who were living in Ireland at the time.

The Department of Foreign Affairs was informed that Mr Lawals neighbour became so enraged that he pushed his victim back out on to the street where he hit him in the face and body with a barrage of blows.

Neighbours who witnessed the assault refused to call gardai when Mr Lawal pleaded for help.

Gardai told the Department of Foreign Affairs they were satisfied there was no personal animosity towards Mr Lawal or Nigerians in general in the area.

Separately, the Nigerian embassy contacted Irish officials about a different incident involving another Nigerian national living on Pearse Square earlier in 1971.

They complained that the mans landlady had been harassing him and calling gardai when he would allegedly bring white girls to his flat. The man vehemently denied ever doing so.

A note recorded that the landlady had explained she would not mind if her tenant brought girls of his own colour to the flat. Gardai informed the landlady that colour prejudice was not in line with their official duties and the officers involved left the scene.
Pints of beer are served at the Guinness Brewery in St James's Gate

The government was hopeful of an amicable agreement with the German authorities over new beer purity laws that Irish officials feared would hit Guinness exports.

Confidential papers released as part of the State Archives revealed the Irish authorities were liaising closely with Guinness over available options, including a formal complaint over the new German rules  and potentially even legal action via the European Commission.

Documents from April 1989 revealed Irish concerns that the new German rules would hit Guinness exports  particularly on the basis of fears that the purity regulations cited nitrogen, an integral element of the Guinness delivery system.

The current situation is that the Commission, having been given sight of the proposed German legislation to liberalise trade in beer, had raised certain objections, a memo noted.

These objections were reinforced at a subsequent meeting with German officials and reiterated in writing by the Commission to the German authorities who are currently reflecting on the Commission objections.

The memo noted that for the German authorities to introduce a new standard, they were obliged to notify other member states.

Other EU member states could then object if they found the new standard to be a barrier to trade.

In light of that, the EU Commission was seeking submissions from beer manufacturers across various member states.

Accordingly, it is, I would suggest, a matter for consideration and co-ordination in Dublin whether Guinness should make a specific complaint and whether Ireland should monitor notifications.

A further memo highlighted concern over the potential affect on Guinness sales in Germany.

The background is that our exports of draft Guinness to Germany are seriously impaired at present by a provision in their beer purity law which prohibits the use of nitrogen in the dispensing of beer, including Guinness, it said.

The use of nitrogen is an essential part of dispensing Guinness.

A further memo noted that the Irish ambassador to Germany had met with officials in Bonn and they had indicated a positive decision by the Commission on new draft regulations on the matter.

The memo also noted that the Irish authorities wanted an agreement rather than be forced to take legal action over the issue.

We agreed, of course, that an amicable settlement in Bonn, reached diplomatically, would be the best solution, it said.

Irish authorities had been told that, in reviewing the new regulations, the German authorities were willing to permit the use of nitrogen for beer dispensing.
A senior unionist leader warned the government that Northern Ireland faced the threat of a civil war with the potential for loyalist attacks to be mounted in Dublin.

The stark warning came as negotiations intensified between the Irish and British governments as well as unionists, nationalists and republicans in advance of the Good Friday Agreement.

Deputy leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) John Taylor  whom some in the Northern Ireland Office suspected harboured leadership ambitions  was stark in his assessment of the challenges and threats facing all parties in 1997/98.

Mr Taylor delivered a briefing to an Irish embassy official on the threats he perceived if the proposed peace agreement stalled or failed to deliver on its promises to the various parties.

The meeting  with Irish diplomat Philip McDonagh in February 1998  outlined what the UUP official saw as the danger if the talks process did not deliver tangible results.

Mr Taylor said that unionist leaders, as part of their consultation process, had met with men with tattooed shoulders in Northern Ireland prisons.

Loyalist paramilitary leaders were adamant about what might happen if the talks process did not overcome logjams.

[There could be] a huge intensification of violence and even something like civil war, said Mr Taylor. [There was a risk such violence would] leave no nationalist alive in Northern Ireland....[with the potential for] attacks mounted in Dublin.

Mr Taylor bluntly warned Mr McDonagh that everyone would be a loser in such a scenario.

The UUP warning came as pressure mounted for clear concessions on IRA weaponry in any long-term peace agreement.

A consistent element in any loyalist threat was the targeting of cities and towns in the Republic.

However, Irish officials were also briefed that, even if such an agreement was hammered out, there was still the potential for an upsurge in loyalist violence from paramilitary leaders unhappy with any deal and who may perceive such an agreement as weakening their position within the UK.

British officials were briefed that, even if there was a peace deal, there was the potential for some of the worst loyalist violence for decades.

UK diplomats consulted with British Army and security officials who determined that while IRA violence could be assessed and quantified, the problem was that the potential for loyalist attacks was largely unknown.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, December 30. Uzbekistan and Turkiye have signed a Memorandum of Understanding in the field of competition and antimonopoly policy, Trend reports.

The document was signed by the Uzbek Competition Committee and the Turkish Antimonopoly Authority during the 7th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation between Uzbekistan and Turkiye.

During the meeting, the parties discussed furthering cooperation in the field of competition and antimonopoly policy, the application of scientific research in the analysis of commodity and financial markets, and issues of joint analysis in the field of assessing the cross-border impact of economic concentration agreements on competition.

Uzbekistan and Turkey stated earlier this month their intention to raise trade turnover to $5 billion. As of now, nearly 1,800 Turkish-invested companies are operating successfully in Uzbekistan.

The latest data shows that, during the first four months of 2023, the bilateral trade between the two countries reached little over $1 billion.

In 2022, Turkiye's trade turnover with Uzbekistan amounted to $3.2 billion, which is a decrease of 5.4 percent compared to the figure for 2021 ($3.4 billion).
Footage of a blaze at a Galway hotel due to house asylum seekers as gardai investigate criminal damage incident

A suspected arson attack on the disused Ross Lake House Hotel in Rosscahill in Galway earlier this month is now the subject of a major Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI).

Gardai said this evening that the investigation team from the Galway Divisional Crime Unit are now being supported by the GNBCI as they issued a fresh appeal for witnesses.

Gardai in Galway continue to investigate the criminal damage by fire incident which occurred at a premises in Rosscahill, Co Galway on Saturday, December 16, the force said.

The incident occurred at around 11.35pm. No persons were in the building at the time of the incident but there was substantial damage caused to the property.

An incident room has been established in relation to this investigation and a large number of investigative tasks have been completed.

Gardai added: The investigation team from Galway Divisional Crime Unit are now being supported by the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI).

The investigation team also thanked the local community for their support while appealing for anyone who may have information to contact them.

In particular, members of the community in the Rosscahill, Oughterard and surrounding areas who may be able to assist gardai is asked to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Clifden Garda Station 095 22500, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

The hotel was severely damaged over the weekend of Saturday, December 16, prompting a political reaction after it emerged that the Department of Integration had said it planned to use house 70 international protection applicants there.

Close-up video of the blaze had been shared on social media by accounts supportive of anti-immigrant politics.

It later emerged that Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration, and Youth Roderic OGorman who called the news deeply disturbing, said a briefing proposal was emailed to the gardai on the Friday afternoon on the plan to use the disused hotel in Rosscahill to house the international protection applicants.

The proposal triggered a protest and blockade by locals the following day and later that night the property was badly damaged in a suspected arson attack.

It is understood the privately owned hotel has been disused for some time.

"Politicians across the board should condemn this disgraceful act and the fear mongering that led to it, Minister OGorman wrote on social media.

However, before Christmas Commissioner Drew Harris told a meeting of the Policing Authority in Dublin that gardai had not received official notification about the accommodation plan and had to rely on local sources to find out what was proposed.

Mr OGorman has insisted established protocols for informing the gardai were followed.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said while gardai were notified, it appeared the information had not been passed on to the right people on the ground. Mr Varadkar suggested more of a belt and braces approach to communicating such plans may be required.

Some Fianna Fail councillors in Galway also received criticism for comments made after the fire in Ross Lake House hotel.

Councillor Noel Thomas said Ireland can no longer accommodate international protection applicants as the inn is full. Cllr Thomas and Cllr Seamus Walsh are believed to have been spoken to by Fianna Fail in the wake of their comments following the suspected arson attack.
Patrick Hillery and Mary Robinson were eager to have John Paul II return

Pope John Paul II opens his arms to the crowd waiting to greet him at Shannon Airport in 1979. Photo: Tim Graham

President Patrick Hillery and President Mary Robinson both raised the prospect of a return visit to Ireland by Pope John Paul II in the 1980s and 90s.

Confidential documents released as part of the State Archives revealed that while Irish officials were eager to invite the Polish-born pontiff to make a second visit to Ireland, the Vatican demurred, given the heavy overseas schedule he was already facing.

On March 28, 1991, then President Mary Robinsons officials wrote to the government about the possibility of a second papal visit.

She has arranged to have your suggestion about inviting Pope John Paul II to Ireland brought to the attention of the government for consideration, Peter Ryan, secretary to the president, wrote.

Two years earlier, Department of Foreign Affairs files noted repeated speculation in the Irish media about a second papal visit after then President Patrick Hillery paid a state visit to the Vatican in April 1989.

President Hillery, speaking to Irish journalists after meeting Pope John Paul II and shortly before he travelled to the Irish embassy at Villa Spada, confirmed a papal visit had been brought up.

Yes, I brought it up  as you know, there is a big interest at home  so that I said to the Holy Father we would like him to come to Ireland again and we had a long discussion, the president said.

He has a big programme of visits and he said until that programme is over he would not be deciding on new visits. He spoke very warmly about how he was received on the last visit. He remembered details down to small details of the visit to the Aras.

The file noted that the Catholic Press and Information Office flatly ruled out any question of a papal visit in 1989. It also noted that various newspapers that specialise in the coverage of religious affairs said the Pope was already committed to a heavy two-year programme of overseas visits that did not include Ireland.

That would seem to indicate that a second papal visit in the immediate future is not envisaged.

The confidential file noted that one element that might be a factor in such considerations was the substantial financial burden imposed by such a visit.

It also stressed that consideration of any second papal visit would want to ensure it was at least as successful as the 1979 visit and that a key programme consideration would be whether Pope John Paul II included Northern Ireland in his official itinerary.

As it transpired, the Pope never made a second visit to Ireland.

Irelands second papal visit came in 2018 when Pope Francis toured the country and, in a historic speech, begged forgiveness for the multitude of abuses suffered by Irish victims at the hands of Church officials.

Pope Francis insisted on personally meeting abuse victims in Dublin and described the abuse of children in church-run homes, children abused by priests and those exploited in religious schools as a state of shame.
Met Eireann has issued yellow wind and rain warnings for today, with sub-zero temperatures creating a chilly backdrop to New Years Eve celebrations.

Today will be windy and rainy and the lowest temperatures will drop between 3C and 6C.

A yellow wind and rain warning applies until 11pm tonight for Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Waterford, Galway, Mayo and Wexford.

Another yellow wind warning is in place from 11pm tonight until 5pm tomorrow for Clare, Cork, Kerry and Limerick.

Met Eireann meteorologist Mark Bowe said: Early today, we have heavy rain and thunder and strong southerly winds. Therell be yellow-level wind and rain warnings in place and some very strong winds in western counties.

Itll be rainy across Sunday night, with cross-country winds, continuing into Sunday afternoon. Its going to be a very unsettled weekend and the main bulk of the highs are today, at around 5C to 9C and into Sunday, when it will be 5C to 8C.

As revellers prepare to ring the new year in at midnight tomorrow, it might be a good idea to wrap up.

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On Sunday night the temperatures will be cooler, down to zero and minus zero on New Years Eve, Mr Bowe said.

But if youre in Leinster or the east, you may be a bit luckier, with temperatures of 3C to 4C.

On New Years Eve, there will be wind and showers at night, but the best of the dry weather is in Leinster, the east and south, he said.

On New Years Day, itll start off fine and dry, especially in the east, but there will be wind and rain by night time and the unsettled weather will continue into the next couple of days into the new year.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) advised motorists to beware of potential impacts from the wind, including loose debris, objects displaced and difficult travelling conditions.

Dublin Airport said it was expecting a busy New Years weekend. From now until Tuesday, 454,000 passengers will pass through the airport  242,000 will fly from Dublin and 212,000 will arrive into the airport.

Graeme McQueen, media relations manager at DAA, the operator of Dublin Airport, said: The happiness and excitement we saw in the arrivals halls in the days leading up to Christmas Day, as thousands returned to Ireland to be with their loved ones for Christmas, has been replaced by scenes of a more sombre kind at departures this week, with people starting to head home again.

Flights to the Canaries and the Middle East are really busy, with families heading away to catch some winter sun and were seeing lots of skis and snowboards being checked in as people head for the snowy mountains in the likes of France, Austria and Italy.

Dublin Bus will operate a 24-hour Nitelink service on various routes for New Years Eve.

On New Years Day, a Sunday service will operate.

Bus Eireann will operate to normal weekend schedules for New Years Eve and New Years Day.
An appeal has been lodged to An Bord Pleanala after Galway City Council refused planning permission for the development of 227 apartments.

In January 2023, Glenveagh Living Limited lodged planning permission for the development of a number of apartment blocks in the Gort na Bro area of Rahoon, next to Gateway Retail Park.

The project included the development of 227 apartments in seven blocks  ranging from three to five storeys in height  with 1,009.5 m of commercial space on the ground floor, shared communal and private open spaces, and childcare facilities.

The plan also included the development of 49 car parking spaces, the change of use of the existing underground void to a 181 bay underground car park, and the provision of 114 short stay bicycle parking spaces and 436 long stay bicycle parking spaces.

The project received several submission from local residents, mainly concerned over traffic issues, and in November Galway City Council rejected the application.

Among the reasons, the council highlighted concerns about its to its proximity to the proposed N6 Galway City Ring Road route.

Glenveagh Living Limited have now appealed the decision to An Bord Pleanala, who is set to give a final decision by April 10 2024.
Freda Purcell Killorglin who celebrates her 60th Birthday on New Years Day. She was the the first born in Ireland on New Year's day 1964. Pictured here with her Mother Bridie. Photo by Michael G Kenny

Birthdays are a very special occasion but for one Killorglin woman her birthday is even more important given it is on New Years Day.

And even more significantly Freda Purcell born at 12.03am on New Years day 1964  the first baby born in Ireland that very year and, of course, the first baby in Kerry.

Freda was born at the Killarney District Hospital to parents John and Bridie Purcell weighing in at 8 pounds three ounces. Her mother Bridie who celebrated her 80th birthday in September of this year can still remember all the fuss of the birth of her baby.

At the time she recalls been given 25 - a significant sum at the time and a pram and of course the baby made headlines in newspapers.

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"It was a big thing back then, people were coming up to see the baby, said Freda speaking on behalf of her Mom.

"At the time she was shocked about it.

It has been a difficult birth for Bridie and was lucky that she did not die but thanks to the wonderful staff including Dr Billy OSullivan in Killarney at the time all went well in the end and baby Freda and Bridie basked in the publicity of the moment.

In fact they were to make headlines again that year as she was named the Tayto baby of the year in Kerry for 1964!

Since then Fredas birthday has been extra special and her 21st too garnered headlines as readers met the 1964 New Years Eve baby 21 years on.

This year is now set to be an even bigger celebration for her 60th birthday and marks 60 years since she became the first baby born in Ireland.

Freda comes from a family of eight and is her mother's second child  in total she had five girls and three boys. Sadly, her husband John is now deceased as are three of her children which makes the family occasion even more important.

Growing up Freda said her birthday was just like all the others really and in fact because her birthday was so close to Christmas she would only get the one present to mark the occasion!

This year there may be more presents as Freda marks a milestone birthday.

"I am going out with my family to mark the occasion on New Years Eve, said Freda.

Freda lives with her Mom Bridie at Laune View in Killorglin and works at St Mary's of the Angels in Beaufort and she will celebrate another milestone this year as she will celebrate 44 years of service on January 28.

It is a job that Freda loves and she says couldnt be happier working with young adults in a community house and she is sure to mark her birthday with them too.
Having recently been named as a School of Sanctuary, a place which welcomes and includes all students, Loreto Wexford has underlined its commitment to creating a safe space for all by taking part in Think Languages Day. A nationwide initiative involving transition year students from 180 schools, Think Languages Day is an annual celebration of languages and culture funded by the Department of Education to support a strong, growing economy while also promoting a multicultural and inclusive society.

The Loretos Think Languages team, with the help of their transition year coordinator Ursula Zimmermann, had spent many weeks planning activities to bring the languages and cultures of the Loreto to life for the event. The day began with a continental breakfast and Languages Connect goodie bags, before the students watched a video made by Niamh Layne Joint in which 30 students introduced themselves in their native language, showcasing the linguistic diversity at the school.

This was followed by a Kahoot language quiz prepared by Isha Praveen Kumar before students watched the official opening ceremony of Think Languages Day.

Later on, the transition years took part in a number of workshops and activities, including authentic Italian pizza making with student Sofia Barron and her Nonna Tella Guiney, how to make gazpacho with exchange student Julia Diaz-Gerez, Syrian and Arabic lessons with student Yosra El Hussein and guest Imad El Moussati, tango dancing with Lucia Seva from Argentina and Gerard Roche, jiujitsu with Silverback Jiujitsu Wexford, Ikebana (Japanese flower arranging) with Loreto teaching assistant Kazuhiro Kuramochi, calligraphy with Kazuhiro and Chio from Gorey Community school, Ukrainian lessons with students Sofy Unichenko and Valeria Bondarenko, Irish Sign Language with Sinead OSullivan, and Sinhalese lessons with student Charline Siriwardane.

Loreto Secondary School has also entered the #ThinkLanguages Competition where, if successful, they will be named #ThinkLanguages Champion Team of the year and win an exclusive trip the multicultural capital of Europe, Brussels. They will have the opportunity of experiencing the many exciting attractions the EU capital has to offer, thanks to competition partners, the Department of Foreign Affairs and its strategy, A Career for EU

Speaking about this years #ThinkLanguages, Ursula Zimmermann, TY coordinator said, It is a delight to see the considerable growth of #ThinkLanguages. Skills in a foreign language can significantly improve career prospects for students and give a distinct advantage in the evolving local and global economy. This event encourages students to think about languages beyond the classroom and consider keeping on, or picking up, a modern foreign language in senior cycle and into third level.
Natalie Moloney had breasts checked after topic cropped up in conversation with her partner

A family from Bray has made an appeal to support a single mother-of-five, who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and is facing a long road of chemotherapy as she admits that 2024 isnt going to be the easiest of years.

Lee Moloney began a an online fundraising page for his sister Natalie Moloney, a very hard-working mum, who has been employed at Tesco Express in Bray for many years.

With all the hardships she faces raising her family, a diagnosis of breast cancer is the last thing this lady needs, Lee wrote in the appeal, adding that the call for public support is to try and remove a small bit of the burden financial pressure can cause with a prolonged sick leave.

Natalies children are Nikki (23), Katelyn (21), Dylan (18), Ella (13) and Harper (6). While the eldest is in Australia, Dylan is still in school and Katelyn is at home with a child of her own. Lee said that Natalies two youngest children are living with her parents while she is undergoing treatment, given the toll it is taking on her.

Lee explained that Natalie (43) was motivated to get herself screened when she was having a seemingly random but clearly prescient conversation with her partner Liam about male breast cancer a few months ago. The conversation prompted her to check herself that evening and she was alarmed to discover a lump and made an appointment immediately to see her GP, who then referred her.

In her own words on a Facebook post, shortly after Christmas, Natalie described the last three months as definitely the hardest.

On October 16, I was diagnosed with IDC [Invasive Ductal Carcinoma] Er positive breast cancer in my right breast (shocked). I found the lump myself, why I checked Ill never know, I never did before . . . maybe because Liam was talking about male breast cancer that I just felt the need to check (thank God I did), she wrote.

Following the biopsies to my left breast, it was discovered I had IDC grade 2-3 Triple Negative breast cancer. Wow double whammy (bilateral breast cancer). After weeks of poking and prodding, on the 15th of December I started my chemotherapy. Ill have five-and-a-half months treatment of chemotherapy and then all going well I have a double mastectomy in the summer, she said.

Natalie described the treatment as hard.

It takes its toll on your body physically and mentally (Ill lose my hair) Im tired at the drop of a hat. One minute Im up and then bang floored. Its a lot to take in and mentally, when I was first diagnosed I was planning my funeral, thinking the worst, because thats what we do when we hear the word cancer. 2024 isnt going to be the easiest of years, but it will be the year where Ill kick cancers butt.

I have amazing support in my family, my partner and friends thatll make my cancer journey easier to bear, she said.

Lee said that as difficult as things are, she has come to terms with the potential need for a mastectomy and its not all doom and gloom. The treatment options that are being offered also offer plenty of hope, but the impending financial cost is the unforeseen burden that rears its head as the journey begins.

The need for a fundraising drive came from a conversation with his parents, and he put it to them that were going to have to do something for Natalie, and before we do anything were going to have to say it to her as I dont want her to be embarrassed about it, he said.

Were a very proud family, and we dont like to look for outside help, he added, unless were really struggling, and this is the sort of thing where, its many hands make light work.

Lee said the initial, ballpark figure was 5,000 and that was reached through a huge wave of support, which the family were blown away by.

It was a tentative figure to start with, not fully knowing what Natalie will have to endure physically, financially and emotionally through the course of her treatment, he said.

So it was decided to increase that amount to a more realistic 10,000, after Lee did more research into the costs that a cancer patient would need to bear, having consulted with a financial advisor who had experience in such matters.

Its not just hospital treatment, its hospital appointments, after care, medication and so on, he explained.

If they reach the target  which seemed inevitable on New Years Day when the total surpassed 9,000 - and the need to raise more money arises, theyll do it through separate fundraising events themselves.

Natalie had a bad reaction to her second treatment, and her third was fraught over concerns she had contracted an infection, and Lee admits she hasnt had it easy so far.

In terms of a timeline, at least six months of chemotherapy have been mapped out, meaning a hospital visit every second Friday. But the family are not only buoyed by the support they have received but also by Natalies positivity.

Anyone will tell you, anyone she has worked with, the customers that came into Tesco, shes always positive, always bubbly, so shes trying to stay in that mental state, Lee said.

This positivity shone through in a separate post Natalie made, in November, when she wrote: Recognise the value of the present and the opportunity we have to forge memories and experiences that can outlast us. Give those memories to those you love. Start now, start today.

You can support the campaign by going to: gofundme.com/f/qmqnqe-help-natalie-fight-breast-cancer
Sofia Coppola has said that more and more companies are relying on their algorithms instead of opting to make a greater amount of unique films.

The Oscar-winning writer and director, 52, is releasing her latest critically acclaimed flick Priscilla, which focuses on the life of Elvis Presleys former wife, in UK cinemas on Monday.

Coppola told GQ magazine that getting a movie project off the ground is always a challenge and she was helped by her producer Lorenzo Mieli in securing financing for her latest film.

More and more companies are relying on their algorithms, so if they havent seen it before, theyre not as open to it, because they want to see something thats already proven.

And women still make up such a small percentage of filmmakers too. Its gotten better, but not by much.

Coppola also said that the biographical movie had to cut a scene where Priscilla Presley (Cailee Spaeny) is using a motorcycle while in her last pregnancy trimester.

Cailee Spaeny who plays Priscilla Presley. (Ian West/PA)

She said: I thought it was so touching that shes trying so hard to keep up with Elvis (Jacob Elordi), even in that condition.

But I feel like 99% of the people giving money in film are straight men, so they dont always relate to what Im talking about, and theyre not that interested in it.

The daughter of director Francis Ford Coppola and documentarian Eleanor Coppola won the best original screenplay Academy Award for the 2003 romantic comedy Lost In Translation.

About a fading movie star, played by Bill Murray, who meets Scarlett Johanssons recent college graduate at a Tokyo hotel, the film also earned Coppola directing and best picture Oscar nods.

She is also known for historical drama Marie Antoinette, psychological drama The Virgin Suicides and period drama The Beguiled.

Priscilla is in cinemas on Monday January 1.
RTEs Eileen Dunne: I was cross about things in general and in the newsroom. It was personal. It was to do with Dee Forbes

As she prepares to compete in Dancing with the Stars with a gammy foot, the former newsreader talks about Dee Forbes and the RTE crisis, the rare moments she lost her composure on set and her long-standing friendship with Anne Doyle

News Wrap 2023 - RTE

Donal Lynch Sat 30 Dec 2023 at 03:30

After decades of watching Eileen Dunne reading the news, as inscrutable and immovable as a sphinx, its hard to imagine her gliding across a shiny floor in sequins. But unlikely contestants have always been part of the thrill of celebrity dancing shows, and Dunne, who recently retired from the RTE newsroom, was always a fan of Strictly Come Dancing. She had also watched her friends, Mary Kennedy and Aengus Mac Grianna, acquit themselves well on our own version, Dancing with the Stars. And so, when the offer came in to take part, she thought, Why not?
The weather map which got people hot under the collar this week. Photo: Met Eireann.

Met Eireann meteorologist and RTE forecaster Joanna Donnelly has defended the national forecaster against criticism that it excluded the six counties of Northern Ireland in a Christmas storm update.

Her response follows criticism of a full colour map which was published by Met Eireann over Christmas to indicate a status orange storm warning across the Republic of Ireland.

However the same map left the six counties in Northern Ireland white, with no information.

In a post viewed by almost 300,000 people online and liked by over 1,000 people, including RTEs Rachael English, one poster called the map ridiculous.

The commentator said: Hi Met Eireann, its kind of ridiculous you dont include the six counties that make up the North/NI when you are doing maps. Letting us know isnt going to unpartition the place and Ive got a feeling this constitutes a grievous infringement of the Good Friday Agreement.

Another commentator asked: Is it snowing up there? Why is the map white?

While another commentator complained of visiting relatives to Northern Ireland and said it would have been easier to give up its nonsense and show the weather for the whole island.

In response, this weekend Ms Donnelly rubbished the criticism and slammed the idea that Met Eireann is cutting out the six counties from its weather updates.

She told the Sunday Independent that Met Eireann issue weather forecasts for the whole of the island of Ireland but responsibility for warnings for the jurisdiction in question is with the UK Met Office.

She said Met Eireann do display the warnings that the UK Met Office issue for Northern Ireland  the fact that that region is showing up in white on the map means that there were no warnings in effect in these counties at this time.

Ms Donnelly added that she "fully understands the sensitivities" around the partition between The North and the Republic of Ireland but points to "the nature of posting on the platform X" which whipped up the controversy.

She stressed that Met Eireann operates in a collaborative manner with the UK Met Office and they enjoy an excellent professional working relationship.

Its absolutely nothing to do with partition other than that the UK Met Office have responsibility for the issuing of weather warnings for Northern Ireland. Met Eireann issue warnings for the rest of the island. Met Eireann issue weather forecasts for the whole of the island, this map is specifically for warnings in operation at that specific time.

In the past, the BBC in London has been accused of treating the Republic of Ireland as some kind of North Korea for refusing to name key cities on its weather map.

Critics suggested it follow the example of ITV, which regularly shows cities across Ireland on its weather maps.
It is quite common among the British to send greeting cards to members of the royal family. Every letter is sure to be answered. But recently, an ardent supporter of the royal family received a rather informal thank you. Charles III wrote on his own behalf and attached an interesting photo.

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On November 14, King Charles III celebrated his 75th birthday. One ardent fan sent congratulations and received a custom thank-you note in response. He shared the photo on his blog. The envelope looked standard - white with an embossed coat of arms and a postmark.

Inside was a photo of the king and a printed thank you note: "I am eternally grateful to you for thinking of me on my 75th birthday and sending me such a touching message. I send you my warmest good wishes." The photograph depicted Charles III, not in a traditional portrait format, but with a joyful king suddenly photographed.

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"Interestingly, King Charles did not choose the coronation photo for his birthday card. The photo is taken from the Scottish National Thanksgiving Service during the dedication at St. Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh, Scotland. The photo was taken on July 5, 2023 by Chris Jackson," the fan explained.

This is not the only difference from the standardized style of thank you cards. The King wrote in his own name, i.e. in the first person. All earlier replies were always in the third person (Prince of Wales). Otherwise, the letter was standard.

In particular, there was no longer any informality on the Christmas card. The photo shows King Charles III and Queen Camilla in ceremonial regalia and robes.

ADVERTISIMENT

Earlier, OBOZ.UA wrote about the Christmas card of the "biggest losers of the royal family " Prince Harry and Meghan. It is made in green colors.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
A teenage boy killed in a shark attack while surfing in South Australia has been described as a standout talent and a beautiful soul who lit up any room he was in.
Authorities on alert as France warns of very high terror threat for New Years Eve

German police also braced for trouble after increase in violence over recent years

Police conduct security checks on visitors arriving at Cologne cathedral on Christmas Eve. Photo: Getty

Henry Samuel Sat 30 Dec 2023 at 03:30







The French government warned of a very high terror threat on New Years Eve due to the war in Gaza as Germany also braced itself for violence.
Russian missile strikes kill at least 31 civilians in Ukraine

Nato vows to stay vigilant after projectile fired by Moscow enters Polish airspace

Locals carry belongings near a damaged apartment building opposite a maternity hospital that was destroyed by a missile strike in Dnipro. Photo: Reuters

Ivan Lyubsyh-Kirdey Sat 30 Dec 2023 at 03:30







Russia fired one of its biggest missile barrages of the war at Ukraine yesterday, killing 31 civilians, wounding over 120 and hitting residential buildings in Kyiv, the south and west of the country and a maternity ward in the east, officials said.
Photo courtesy: X/@HyundaiIndia

Mumbai/IBNS: Hyundai Motor India has roped in Bollywood superstar Deepika Padukone as its global brand ambassador, the South Korean automotive manufacturer company said on Friday.

Hyundai India welcomed Deepika in an X post.

The company posted on X, "We welcome the global icon @deepikapadukone to the Hyundai family. Fasten your seatbelts for an ultimate drive!"

Hyundai Motor India Ltd. COO Tarun Garg said in a statement quoted by various media, " We are thrilled to onboard the incredibly talented, global Indian icon Deepika Padukone as our brand ambassador. Her magnetic charm and illustrious career perfectly aligns with Hyundai Motor Indias young and dynamic brand.

"Deepikas influence extends beyond the silver screen, resonating with a diverse audience, especially the vibrant youth."

The actress, who made her Bollywood debut way back in 2007, said in a statement, "I am absolutely delighted to join forces with Hyundai, an iconic name synonymous with innovation and excellence in the automotive industry."

"It is an honour to be associated with a brand that has a rich legacy of crafting vehicles that have not only stood the test of time, but have also set benchmarks for performance and style," she added.

On the work front, Deepika, a Bollywood A-lister, delivered a blockbuster early in 2023 with 'Pathaan' and went on to play an extended cameo in 'Jawan'.

The 37-year-old actress, who has also worked in Hollywood, is presently gearing up for her next release, 'Fighter'.
Photo Courtesy: Hyundai India Instagram page

Auto major Hyundai India has named actress Deepika Padukone as the new global brand ambassador.

The company announced the development on Instagram and wrote: "We welcome the global icon deepikapadukone to the Hyundai family. Fasten your seatbelts for an ultimate drive!"

In the image shared on the social media platform, the actress could be seen wearing a black dress as she smiled and stood in front of a car.

Deepika was part of two highest-grossing movies of 2023- Pathaan and Jawan.

Both the movies featured Shah Rukh Khan in the lead roles and marked his return to the silver screen with a bang after a gap of four years.

Deepika will soon be seen in Fighter.

Directed by Siddharth Anand and produced by Viacom18 Studios and Marflix Pictures, the movie will also feature Hrithik Roshan in the lead role.

It is scheduled to release theatrically on 25 January 2024, coinciding with the Republic Day weekend.
Photo Courtesy: Unsplash

Tech major Samsung Electronics recently announced a new Medications tracking feature that will be added to the Samsung Health app to help users manage their health more comprehensively.

The new feature will help users easily keep track of both their prescription and over-the-counter medications and provide important, relevant information and tips about these medications.

In particular, it can assist those who take medications regularly and those taking supplements for general well-being.



Samsung Health aims to help people better understand and manage their health through a holistic platform by connecting devices, services and people, said Hon Pak, Vice President and Head of Digital Health Team, MX Business at Samsung Electronics. With the addition of the new Medications tracking feature, we believe users will be able to more conveniently manage their medications, improve adherence and ultimately maintain better health overall.



Upon entering the name of a select medication into Samsung Health, the Medications feature will provide users with detailed information that includes general descriptions as well as possible side effects.

Adverse reactions that could occur from drug-to-drug interactions or if taken alongside certain food and substances such as caffeine and alcohol, are also provided.

One example of this is, if a user is taking the prescription drug Simvastatin, Samsung Health will warn the user that the drug has been linked to serious side effects when combined with grapefruit juice.

Users can even log the shape and colour of their medications, allowing them to easily differentiate between the pills they are taking. Dosage, time of consumption and other details can also be added to avoid any potential confusion.



Users can set up alerts that remind them both when to take their medications and when they should consider refilling them.

These alerts are fine-tuned to the individual user so the Medications feature is able to prioritize medications depending on their importance, with Samsung Health sending reminders ranging from gentle to strong depending on how important or urgent a given prescription is.

For crucial medications, users can set a strong reminder that will display a full screen alert on their smartphone accompanied by a long tone.

For supplements like vitamins, a simple pop-up reminder will appear that will not disturb the user. Galaxy Watch users will also receive reminders right on their wrist so they can stay on top of their medication schedules, even when away from their phones.

The Samsung Health app provides a range of advanced health offerings spanning sleep management, mindfulness programs and irregular heart rhythm detection capabilities.

With the addition of the Medications tracking feature, Samsung Health delivers a truly holistic wellness experience that helps users maintain healthier lifestyles while keeping on top of their medication regimens.

The Medications tracking feature will first be available on Samsung Health app in the U.S. via the app updates rolling out later this week.
Image Credit: IBNS File

Pudukottai/UNI: In a gruesome tragedy, five devotees including a woman were killed on the spot and nineteen others including a child were injured, four of them grievously when as cement-laden truck moving at a high speed rammed into a roadside tea shop and dashed against two stationary vans, a sports utility vehicle (SUV) and two-wheelers at Namanasamudram village on the Tiruchirappalli-Rameswaram highway here during the wee hours of Saturday.

Police said the deceased were identified as Jagannathan (60), S.Shanthi (49), J.Suresh (39), R.Gokulakrishnan and S.Sathish (25), hailing from Chennai and Tiruvallur districts.

The driver of truck, Manikandan (39) ferrying cement bags from Ariyalur to Sivaganga, moving at very high speed, lost control in which the vehicle rammed into the tea shop and then two vans, a SUV and two wheelers parked near the shop.

The dead were having tea at the tea shop, while the injured were sitting inside the two vans and SUV.

The devotees were proceeding to Sabarimala and Rameswaram on a pilgrimage, when the accident occurred.

The injured were admitted to Pudukottai Government Medical College Hospital, where the condition of four persons was stated to be critical.

Further investigations were on.
Photo Courtesy: Pixabay

Six Iranian citizens, including four men and two women, were arrested by the police while they were attempting to enter Nepal on forged documents on the Sunauli border in Maharajganj district in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday, police sources said.

Police sources said that Sirous Rahimizadeh, Ghadam Kheyr Eghbalzadeh, Asal Malayeri Nayeb Moghol, and two minors were intercepted by the security agencies on the basis of suspicion.

"Preliminary investigation revealed that the visas of the Iranian citizens expired in May, and since then they have been living illegally in India," they said.

Police sources said that it was found that the arrested persons were trying to cross the border on the basis of forged stamps on their visas.

"When checked during immigration, the stamp on their visas was found to be fake," they said.

Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Atish Singh said that a case under the Foreigners Act and other sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been lodged against the arrested persons, and they have been sent to jail.

(With UNI inputs)
Image: Wallpaper Cave

Imphal: A police officer sustained injuries during an ambush in Manipur carried out by suspected armed militants in Tengnoupal districts Moreh town, media reports said.

The incident occurred at 3:30 pm on Saturday, as the militants employed improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and other explosives to target the security forces.

In response to the attack, state security forces retaliated, and as of the writing of this report, a gunfight was underway.

The injured police officer is currently receiving medical treatment at the 5 Assam Rifles camp, a report in the media said.

On 30.12.2023 one Rifleman namely Rfn. No. 15007660 G. Ponkhamlung of 5th IRB presently attached to Spl. CDO was injured in his right thigh by a splinter during an ambush by unknown armed miscreants at Moreh, Tengnoupal District.  Manipur Police (@manipur_police) December 30, 2023

Last month, an India Reserve Battalion (IRB) soldier and a civilian lost their lives in an attack perpetrated by unidentified armed individuals in Manipur's Kangpokpi district.

The ambush occurred between Haraothel and Kobsha villages, where gunfire targeted a vehicle carrying IRB personnel and its driver, resulting in fatal casualties.

It is noteworthy that Manipur, in the northeastern region, has been grappling with ethnic violence since May 3, 2023, triggered by a 'Tribal Solidarity March' in the hill districts.

The march protested the demand by the Meitei community for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

The unrest stemmed from tensions surrounding the eviction of Kuki villagers from reserve forest land, sparking a series of smaller protests.

Meiteis constitute around 53 percent of Manipur's population, predominantly residing in the Imphal Valley, while Nagas and Kukis, the tribal communities, make up about 40 percent, residing in the hill districts.

The ethnic clashes resulted in over 180 casualties, necessitating the deployment of approximately 10,000 army and paramilitary personnel to restore normalcy in the northeastern state.
The wife of the British King Charles III, Camilla, has a sister, Annabel Eliot, who is 2 years younger than her, who is her support and "rock." They have always been able to stand up for each other.

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The British public has long appreciated and admired Princess Annabelle as a tireless, faithful harbinger of common sense within the royal family, writes the Daily Mail. Since childhood, the sisters have always supported each other and even described their childhood as "perfect".

If Queen Camilla has a best friend and ally, it is undoubtedly her sister, with whom she has experienced all the happiest and saddest times of her life, from childhood quarrels to the joy of her coronation in Westminster Abbey.

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In a documentary Annabel made for her sister Camilla's 75th birthday, Elliot said that she still hasn't forgiven her for hiding her favorite stuffed animal, Teddy, in her bed. But they were always together when they attended the same school, competed in Pony Club events, and then went to the same parties.

The two sisters have been each other's "rocks" since the deaths of their mother in 1994, their father in 2006, and their younger brother Mark, the Daily Mail reports. It is therefore not surprising that Camilla invited Annabel to accompany her to her coronation.

"I think I was always nervous going to the abbey. She's a little bit smaller than I. I was worried if she was going to be okay," Camilla said of her sister during her coronation.

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Earlier, OBOZ.UA wrote that King Charles III made a veiled reference to the war in Ukraine in his speech. He used the words of Jesus: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Photo courtesy: Facebook/Tridha Choudhury

Indian actress Tridha Choudhury, who is popular for her role in Bobby Deol starrer web show Aashram, returned to Bengali projects via Addatimes' series Sin-Whispers of Guilt, which premiered recently. In an interaction with IBNS correspondent Souvik Ghosh, Tridha speaks about her new web show, Aashram baggage and more. Read...

Q. How was your experience of working on a Bengali project after a long gap?

A. Honestly, I was waiting for a good Bengali project. I believe I grow as an actor working on a good script and collaborating with a fine director. It was nice to work on a very meaningful project on my return to Bengal.

Image by Avishek Mitra/IBNS

Q. What kind of homework did you have to do to play a journalist?

A. One trait which I had to develop was the aggression of journalists. Apart from this, I had to incorporate the basic nuances of a journalist. My attempt was to showcase my role, named Rumi, differently. It was challenging to show the two sides of Rumi, who is equally expressive and reserved.

Q. What prompted you to agree to this project?

A. I think the script. It is such that the audience will be able to relate to not just Rumi but all characters.

Tridha in Sin trailer | Photo courtesy: Screenshot grab

Q. You have been working on OTT for a long time. How do you see the evolution of the space post Covid?

A. It's fantastic as well as scary because now everyone opts for all media in India. Earlier, actors were dedicated to either films or television. It was very black and white. OTT falling into a grey area benefitted a lot of actors, who are getting opportunities but also leading to mindless consumption. Too much accessibility is lowering the importance of meaningful contents. I have been careful and conscious of it. So I had to be very patient to not opt for whatever came my way.

Photo courtesy: Facebook/Tridha Choudhury

Q. You have worked with some of the big directors, Prakash Jha, Srijit Mukherji, Kamaleswar Mukherjee. How much does the body of work of a director matter to you?

A. Actually nowadays the subject and the script matter more than who is directing it. I believe the audience is no longer interested to just book a ticket (to watch a film) for the sake of their favourite director or actor's work. Painting a rosy picture is no longer working. People have become bored of it. The audience now looks for a variety of works. So it is not important to collaborate with only big names because the younger ones are exceptional at their job!

Q. How challenging is it to overcome the tag of Aashram?

A. Yes, that's the whole point of me not agreeing to do a lot of projects that came my way right after Aashram. The audience takes some time to forget a character which they love and relate to a lot. Right now, I am doing some Hindi projects, which are very different from my previous works.

Photo courtesy: Facebook/Tridha Choudhury

Q. You have announced your marriage but also kept most of it private. How do you manage privacy in the age of social media?

A. I don't feel the need to exhibit my genuine happiness because I hold them close to my heart. If I am an influencer, I would like to influence my audience with my most authentic side. Not just my onscreen character but I do post about my wellness belief, my lifestyle and how I am giving time to my family. I want my audience to relate to me. But my exact private life is very private to me.

(Images: Tridha Choudhury Facebook/Avishek Mitra/IBNS/Screenshot grab from Sin trailer)
Photo ourtesy: Pixabay

Turkish security forces detained 189 suspected members of the Islamic State in an operation codenamed "Heroes-38" across 37 provinces in the country, a cabinet minister said on Saturday.

The operation was carried out "simultaneously" in all the provinces, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Most of the suspects were detained in the capital, Ankara. At the same time, 22 people were caught in the country's most populated city, Istanbul.

"Thanks to the prayers of our nation and the superior efforts of our security forces, we will continue our struggle without interruption," Yerlikaya said.

The Turkish government designated the Islamic State a terrorist organisation in 2013, blaming it for a spate of deadly attacks in the country since 2015.

(With UNI Inputs)
Photo Courtesy: Unsplash

The privatisation plan of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has faced setbacks for the upcoming year as the privatisation commission couldnt resolve issues related to loan repayments and legal matters, ARY News reported on Thursday.

It reported citing sources that the interim federal minister for privatisation, Fawad Hussain Fawad failed to implement to transfer of PIA to the private sector by January 2024.

PIA has borrowed more than Pakistan rupee (PKR) 270 billion from the commercial banks on government guarantee.

The Ministry of Finance will decide to meet the financial requirements of the PIA for the next three months.

Sources suggest that PIA cannot afford to pay more than PKR 8 billion in interest on the PKR 260 billion loan. The commercial banks involved in lending to PIA include the National Bank and Bank of Punjab, along with eight other commercial banks.

The decision to reschedule government loans until the privatization of PIA could not be finalized. The Ministry of Finance will establish a committee to decide on the financial requirements of PIA.

Sources told ARY News that the PIAs financial affairs will be handed over to the Privatisation Commission as the latter would take measures to reduce its losses.

Sources further claimed that the commission will link the national carriers financial affairs with the latest system. By improving PIAs financial affairs, the commission will improve its balance sheet  which will help in the carriers privatisation.

Earlier, The Express Tribune reported that the employees of airlines Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) have been affected due to the ongoing financial upheaval faced by the airlines which has left its 7,000 employees without salaries in November.

The airlines CBA union president, Hidayatullah Khan, addressed the issue and alleged intentional salary delays by the PIA management.

Earlier in October, the financially-crippled airline was forced to cancel numerous domestic and international flights due to limited fuel supply from Pakistan State Oil (PSO), inconveniencing thousands of passengers, reported The Express Tribune.

The national flag carrier PIA has been criticised for inefficiency and has faced dwindling funds amidst the governments battle with a balance of payments crisis arising from immense debt repayments.

According to recent reports, the PIAs liabilities are Pakistani Rupee (PKR) 743 billion (approximately USD 2.5 billion), surpassing its total assets by five times.

Moreover, on October 14, PIA sought an additional loan of over PKR 7 billion from banks due to concerns about potential disruptions, partially or completely, as reported by The Express Tribune.

Later, PIA in a letter to the Aviation Division, requested an immediate loan of over Rs 7 billion from banks, with the Pakistan government guaranteeing an option for the airline to secure a loan of Rs 7.5 billion, The Express Tribune reported

Text courtesy: Khalsavox.com/aANI
Photo Courtesy: Pixabay

The priest of Saint Johns Church in Islamabad city has claimed that a gang armed with sophisticated weapons stormed the place of worship on Thursday.

Priest Imran Masih informed the Industrial Area police about it in his written complaint the same night, reported The News International.

In the complaint, the complainant said three among the six attackers had been identified as Sohail, Asif Chattha and Mithu.

The complainant said they were equipped with SMGs and pistols.

He said the attackers took away the sound system of the church.

Police have started an investigation into the incident.
Photo Courtesy: Pixabay

At least five terrorists were killed during an intelligence-based operation by security forces in the Mir Ali area of Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Saturday.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the forces conducted an operation in the Mir Ali area on the reported presence of terrorists, reported Dawn News.

An intense exchange of fire took place during the operation and five terrorists, including their commander, Rahzaib Khuray, were sent to hell, the statement was quoted as saying by the newspaper.

It said the slain terrorists remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities against security forces as well as extortion and targeted killings of civilians.

According to reports, weapons were recovered during the operation.

Pakistan is witnessing a spike in terror activities in recent times.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan experienced a major uptick in terror activities ever since banned terror group Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan ended its ceasefire with the government last year.\
Photo Courtesy: Pixabay

Shots were recently fired at the residence of a prominent Hindu businessman in the British Columbia province of Canada, media reports said.

According to reports, the residence belonged to the elder son of Satish Kumar.

Kumar is the president of Lakshmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey.

Police said no one was injured in the incident.

Police have started investigating the incident.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police said in a statement: "On December 27, 2023 at approximately 8:03 am, Surrey RCMP responded a to a report of shots fired at a residence in the 14900 block of 80 Avenue."

"No one was injured during the incident, but the residence involved sustained damage consistent with bullet holes," the statement said.

Police remained in the area, examining the scene, speaking with witnesses and canvassing the neighbourhood for CCTV footage.

"The Surrey RCMP General Investigation Unit has conducted the investigation. Officers are still working to determine the motive of this incident," police said.

Police did not specify whether the attack was linked to the recent threats received by the Lakshmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey.

In November, India-origin Canadian member of Parliament Chandra Arya shared a purported video of Pro-Khalistani group supporters in Surrey who claimed they wanted to create trouble at the Hindu Lakshmi Narayan Mandir.

"Last week Khalistan supporters verbally abused a Sikh family outside a Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey BC according to some reports. Now it appears the same Khalistan group want to create trouble at the Hindu Laxmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey," the politician wrote on X.

Last week Khalistan supporters verbally abused a Sikh family outside a Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey BC according to some reports.

Now it appears the same Khalistan group want to create trouble at the Hindu Laxmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey.

All these are being done in the name of https://t.co/szTznICBo0  Chandra Arya (@AryaCanada) November 20, 2023

"Hindu temples have been attacked many times during the last couple of years. Hate crimes are being committed against Hindu-Canadians. Allowing these things to continue to be done openly and publicly is not acceptable," he said.
Photo Courtesy: Rakesh Kamal X

An Indian-origin couple and their teen daughter were found dead in their $5 million Massachusetts mansion in the US in an apparent domestic violence incident, media reports said on Saturday.

The bodies of Rakesh Kamal, 57, his wife, Teena, 54, and their 18-year-old daughter, Ariana, were found in their Dover home  estimated to be worth $5.45 million  at about 7:30 p.m. Thursday (December 28, 2024), Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey told the New York Post.

The district attorney, who described the terrible tragedy as a domestic violence situation, said a gun was found near the husbands body.

He, however, did not mention whether the family members were shot dead.

Morrissey said he was waiting for the medical examiners ruling, which was expected later Friday, before deciding whether to refer to the incident as a murder-suicide.

According to reports, the family was facing financial problems in recent times.

The familys sprawling mansion went into foreclosure a year ago and was sold to the Massachusetts-based Wilsondale Associates LLC for $3 million, according to property records obtained by The New York Post.

The slain family members were the only ones living in the mansion at the time, the DA said, adding that the area, one of the richest in the state, was a nice neighborhood, a safe community.

Teena and her husband previously ran a Massachusetts-based education systems company called EduNova.

According to reports, the company, which started its journey in 2016, was dissolved in 2021.

Teena filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy in September 2022  listing between $1 million and $10 million in liabilities, filings show. The case, however, was dismissed two months later due to insufficient documentation, the newspaper reported.

Teena was a Harvard alumnus.

She was reportedly listed as one of the board of directors for the American Red Cross of Massachusetts.

Meanwhile, the couples daughter was a student at Middlebury College, a $64,800-a-year private liberal arts school in Vermont, where she was studying neuroscience, according to her LinkedIn, the newspaper reported.

The district attorney said the discovery of their bodies was made after a relative had stopped by to check on the family members after not hearing from them in one or two days.

Morrissey told New York Post that there had been no prior police reports or domestic incidents tied to the home.

Theres been no police reports, theres been no problems, no domestic issues, no nothing at that house or in the entire neighborhood that Im aware of, Morrissey said.
Way before the Spanish series Money Heist was even conceptualized, 90s kids were introduced to the coolest chor-police film Dhoom, which set a lot of trends across the country and dripped swag, way before swag was a term anyone used.



The villains looks classy, there were cool bikes, John Abrahan's hairstyle became a new cool trend and everyone was dancing to "Dhoom Machale Dhoom Machale Dhoom!"

Twitter

Two years later in 2006, the next installment introduced Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as villains and in 2013, Aamir Khan played the ruthless villain.

Shah Rukh Khan and Ram Charan In Dhoom 4?

Now, over a decade later, talks about Dhoom 4 are on. Who will star in this one? If the grapevine is to be believed, Shah Rukh Khan and Ram Charan will be seen in this Yash Raj Films production. Soon, several reports claimed that the two stars are in talks for the two pivotal roles in the movie. Fans started guessing who will play the hero and villain.

It's not confirmed yet!

twitter

And then, an insider told the Indian Express that these reports are unsubstantial and no one has been locked in for the role. Does that mean the talks are on? "The news of Shah Rukh Khan starring in Dhoom 4 is unfounded. Nothing is locked yet," the insider said.

Twitter

Similarly, Salman Khan's name was also doing the rounds some time ago. It was said that he would play the villain in the movie. However, later, he reportedly walked out of the project because he was not comfortable playing a baddie on-screen.

In fact, Akshay Kumar's name was also linked with the project. That is when Khiladi Kumar rubbished the rumours and said, "As for the Dhoom 4 speculation, I have two words for you, FAKE NEWS."

Furthermore, this isn't the first time that Shah Rukh Khan's name has been linked with Dhoom 4. In 2017, the actor was quoted as saying, "I am tied up till December to sign anymore films. I have not signed any film with YRF so I am not a part of Dhoom 4. I am just concentrating on my movie with Ananad L Rai. I didn't eat too much on my birthday but Anand L Rai is extremely sweet. He keeps feeding me with Pani Puri and Tikkis."

Fans believe there's no smoke without fire!

For more news and updates from the world of celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.


The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has designated Canada-based gangster Lakhbir Singh Landa as a terrorist.

34-year-old Landa has been designated a terrorist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act Mt. 1967 (37 of 1967), "Clause (a) of sub-section (1) and sub-section (2) of section 35 of the said Act empowers the central government to add the name of an individual in the Fourth Schedule to the said Act if it believes that he is involved in terrorism", the MHA said in a statement on Friday.

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Who is Lakhbir Singh Landa?

Landa, the son of Niranjan Singh and Parminder Kaur, is a permanent resident at VP0 Harike in the Tarn Taran district of Punjab, bordering Pakistan, but currently lives in Edmonton, the capital of Alberta in Canada.

Landa, who fled to Canada in 2017, is a member of the notorious Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), a pro-Khalistani terror outfit banned in India and designated as an international terrorist organisation by the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Japan, and Malaysia.

Babbar Khalsa International is listed as a terrorist organisation as per "number I of the First Schedule to the said Act."

Cases against Lakhbir Singh Landa

Landa has been wanted in India for various criminal cases and terror-related activities.

BCCL

According to the MHA, Landa is "involved in the supply of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), arms, sophisticated weapons, and explosives from across the border to various modules for carrying out terrorist activities in the State of Punjab, India".

Landa was also involved in various criminal cases related to the raising of terror modules, extortion, and killings. planting IEDs, smuggling weapons and narcotics and using funds or proceeds thereof for terrorist acts in Punjab and other parts of the country, it added.

Landa and his associates have also been conspiring to disrupt peace and law and order in Punjab by carrying out targeted killings, extortions and other anti-national activities in different parts of the country, the MHA added.

BCCL

Declared Proclaimed Offender in July

"An open-ended warrant has been issued against Lakhbir Singh Landa, and he is a subject of Look Out Circular No. 2144306 dated 09.06.2021," the statement added.

He was declared a Proclaimed Offender on July 27, 2023, and in August, the Special Court of the NIA ordered the confiscation of the property of the absconding pro-Khalistan terrorist under Section 33 (5) of the UA (P) Act, 1967 at his native village of Kirian in the Tarn Taran district.

For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
The Gujarat Police have interrogated at least 20 out of the 60 people who returned to the state after their donkey flight to Nicaragua was grounded in France and sent back to India.

Out of the 276 passengers who were flown back to India on Tuesday, nearly one-third, 96, are said to be from one state - Gujarat.

REUTERS

Among the 96 people from Gujarat, around 60 have already reached their respective native places in the state.

Passengers say they were tourists

The Gujarat Police CID, which formed four teams to investigate the case, has so far interrogated around 20 returnees.

The department is questioning them to find out whether they had any plans to cross into the United States of America illegally after reaching Latin America.

However, according to the police, the returnees have not been cooperating with the probe and maintained that they went to Nicaragua as tourists.

BCCL

What Police said

"There was a rumour they had planned to enter the US illegally after landing in Nicaragua. In their statements, they told us they were going there as tourists. We are going into the details to find out who were the agents behind their trip," said S P Rajkumar, Additional Director General of Police, CID - Crime and Railways.

"We are verifying their documents to ascertain whether they used genuine or forged documents to proceed to Central America. We will also check their financial transactions because, ideally, they should not have paid more if they were going there as normal tourists and not with any other intention," he added.

Illegal immigration through Nicaragua

Nicaragua has become a popular destination for those seeking asylum in the US. As many as 96,917 Indians attempted to enter the US illegally in the financial year 2023.

BCCL

At least 41,770 of those Indians attempted to enter the US via the Mexican land border.

What is donkey flight?

Flights to Nicaragua or third countries where obtaining travel documents is easy have come to be known as 'dunki' flights or donkey flights.

It is typical for those taking donkey flights to create a fake travel trail by visiting multiple countries to blur the origin of their travel.

Even in the current case, the 303 people who were originally on the Legend Airlines flight had first travelled to Dubai in the past couple of months on work and tourist visas before boarding the plane to Nicaragua.

AP

The chartered flight landed at Vatry near Paris on December 21 for a technical stopover en route from Dubai when the French police intervened and grounded it on suspicion of human trafficking.

For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
Soviet and Russian actor Alexander Feklistov, best known for his role as Alexander Berkovich (San Sanych) in the TV series "The In-Laws," got in touch for the first time in a long time after emigrating from Russia. He was one of the first to support Ukrainians and call for a ceasefire from Russia.

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His anti-Kremlin stance forced him to leave his homeland and move to Europe. There he continues his creative work. The Russian spoke about his experiences after February 24, 2022, in an interview with Yevhen Kiselyov on YouTube.

Feklistov admitted that he did not feel threatened by the state because of his support for Ukrainians, but he was punished by canceling all his performances. Left without a job, the artist did not change his mind and recorded words of support for his colleagues from Ukraine.

After refusing to participate in propaganda events and travel to the occupied Ukrainian cities, his career in Russia was finally over.

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Feklistov said he had no choice but to emigrate. He now lives in Europe. Russian media claim that "The In-Laws" star has found refuge in Barcelona, where he "plays in plays, all the money raised from which goes to help Ukrainians."

Recalling his past in the "Matchmakers" project, the actor denied that his acquaintance with Zelensky had anything to do with his desire to flee Russia.

According to the artist, he knew one of the creators of the show "The In-Laws" for only a day. They met at a celebration of the series' anniversary, but never became close.

As OBOZ.UA wrote, the star of the series Anna Koshmal told how Ukrainians were supported by her colleagues from the Russian Federation. There were only two of them. Read who they are and how they condemned the war here.

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Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Don't fall for fakes!
More details have emerged about the eight former Indian Navy personnel who were arrested in August 2022 in Qatar for alleged spying.

While an appeal court has commuted the death sentences awarded to them, they will still have to serve prison terms for varying durations.

Pexels

Death sentence commuted to jail term

According to reports, the prison terms handed to the former Indian Navy personnel range from three years to 25 years.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), which announced the commutation of the death sentences on Thursday, has not shared further details on their jail term.

"For the moment, I do not have any additional information to share till we see the judgment," MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said.

"The sentences have been reduced. But till we have the details, I do not want to comment. We will, of course, be discussing the next possible steps with the legal team and the family members," he said.

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Can they serve jail time in India?

Bagchi further said that India will explore the next possible steps in the case after studying the verdict and holding discussions with their legal team and family members.

In 2015, India had signed a pact with Qatar on the transfer of sentenced persons.

The pact allows the citizens of India and Qatar who have been convicted and sentenced for criminal offences to serve their sentences in their home countries. But Qatar is reportedly yet to ratify the pact.

"Yes, there is such an agreement. However, I am not sure whether such an agreement requires ratification by both sides, and I would have to check whether the Qatari side has ratified it or not," the MEA spokesperson said.

FREEPIK

Why were they arrested?

It should be noted that the charges against the eight men, who, according to Indian authorities, have "unblemished stints" of up to 20 years in the Indian Navy and held important positions, including that of instructors in the force, have not been made public.

They were working with Doha-based Al Dahra Global Technologies, a private firm that provided training and other services to Qatar's armed forces and security agencies. The eight men were taken into custody in August 2022 and sentenced to death for unspecified charges in October.

For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
Greetings from the fascinating world of Nigeria's "Hub of Twins," a city named for incredible phenomena.

Located in the centre of Nigeria, this energetic city has an amazing cultural fabric intricately linked with the fascinating twin legacy.

Beyond coincidental events, the city's rich traditions and folklore honour life's dualities and provide an intriguing window into the practices that have earned this unique moniker.

As we explore the mysteries and revelations that make this Nigerian city a refuge for twins and reveal the mystery underlying its well-earned reputation, get ready to be enthralled.

What Defines This Nigerian City?



Credit: AP

Cities are typically famous for their landmarks, landscapes, food, or other unique qualities, but one Nigerian city is notable for a very different reason.



According to reports, this Nigerian city is known as the "City of Twins" due to its remarkably high twin birth rate.

Twins are regarded as a natural wonder, and it can be strange to come across two people who look exactly alike.

The Nigerian city has become well-known for having an unusually high number of twins compared to the average.

Credit: Reuters

Every household in the city is claimed to have a pair of twins or possibly multiple births, according to local chief Jimoh Titiloye.

Twins are particularly prevalent among the Yoruba ethnic group, which is popular in Nigeria, according to Reuters research.

One of the highest twin birth rates ever reported was found in the southwest region of Nigeria in 1970, when a British gynaecologist conducted research that found 50 sets of twins for every 1000 births.

What Is The Name Of This City?

Credit: AP

The Nigerian city is Igbo Ora. Given the frequency of twin births in Yoruba culture, certain names are given to them according to customs.

They go by Taiwo or Kehinde, depending on their birth order.

For the past twelve years, the people of Igbo Ora have celebrated their twins with an annual event.



Credit: Reuters

According to the festival's organisers, 1,000 pairs of twins attended the year before, with attendees travelling as far as France.



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The government remains one of the Greek diasporas steadfast supporters, honoring its invaluable contribution to the national path towards progress, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis
The trial "is set up in bad taste and they want me tried without me knowing the reason", noted Beleri in a statement.
Nicholas Ukachukwu, a well-known businessman, has stirred controversy by asking for tight military and police protection throughout the festive period.

This is coming in response to a shooting incident that happened at Uga Junction, the hometown of Anambra politician, Chief Chris Uba. Two police officers died in the attack.

In separate letters to the states security agency chiefs, Ukachukwuwho just wed Miss Universe Nigeria, Mitchel Ihezuestated that he would require the security personnel due to the insecurity in the area.

Ukachukwu wrote to the Commander of the 302 Artillery Regiment in Onitsha in one of the letters, saying:

I humbly write to request for 16 Army security personnel to provide security for me during my program/activities in Anambra State and beyond, scheduled to commence on January 6th to 10th of January 2024, respectively, taken cognizance of security challenges in my home town of Osumenyi in Nnewi South LGA of Anambra State.

READ MORE: Netizens React As BamBam Undergoes Body Enhancement Surgery

The activities are as follows: On the 6th is my arrival and inspection of my personal road project at Osumenyi; on the 7th, the dedication of our village Church which my family rehabilitated and funded; on the 8th of January I will be performing the traditional mandatory rites for my marriage with my wife in her home town at Akaokwa.

9th will be the dedication of another Church we built. On the 10th, other activities I have in the East.

I graciously hope my request will be given a favourable consideration and approval.
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), on Friday, disclosed in its latest capital importation report for the third quarter (Q3) of 2023 that foreign investors snubbed 27 States of the Federation.

According to the NBS, the value of capital importation into Nigeria fell by 34 percent to $2.82 billion in the first nine months of 2023, from $4.27 billion in the same period last year.

Capital importation is referred to as capital brought from abroad to fuel investment, trade, and manufacturing within a country.

Nigerias capital imports for the first nine months of 2023, comprising Q1  Q3 totalled $2.82 billion, with $1.13 billion imported in Q1, $1.03 billion in Q2 and $654.65m in Q3 2023.

The number of states that did not record investments dropped from 28 states in the first half of 2023 to 27 in the first nine months after Abia attracted a remarkable $150.09 million in Q3  the only state to witness such a dramatic turnaround within three months.

The 27 states that failed to attract foreign investment in the first nine months of 2023 include: Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi and Kwara.

Others include Nasarawa, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara.

READ ALSO: Dangote Truck Crushes Woman To Death On Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway

In the review period, Lagos took the lead, outshining others  including the federal capital territory (FCT)  to top the list of states that attracted the most investments.

The countrys major commercial city attracted $1.79 billion, representing 64 percent of the total capital inflow into Nigeria.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, had assured investors in April that the state is the right place for investments and the crown subnational jewel of the African economy.

He said Lagos was ripe for investments in financial technology, education technology, health technology, business process outsourcing, talent training and placement, or physical infrastructure like data centres, among others

According to the NBS report, FCT emerged as the second top investment destination with $799.21 million  representing 28 percent of the total capital inflow in the country in the first nine months of the year.

Other states that attracted foreign investments in the nine months are Abia ($150.09 million), Akwa Ibom ($39.13 million), Ogun (27.09), and Adamawa ($4.5 million).

Anambra attracted $4 million, Niger $1.50 million, $200,000 and Ekiti $38,250.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), on Friday, detailed that the attack on some villages in Plateau State on Christmas Eve was carried out before troops timely arrived the location.

Director of Defence Media Operations, Edward Buba, however said the intervention of the troops in Bokkos and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas (LGA) forced some of the militants to withdraw after wreaking havoc on the defenceless villagers.

Recall that attacks on Christmas Eve by gunmen in Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi LGAs led to the death of over 110 persons.

However, Buba said the militants unleashed mayhem on the villagers before the troops intervention.

READ ALSO: Police Explain Reason For Delayed Report On Mohbads Death Probe

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Buba said, Sadly, events turned gloomy with the attack on Bokkos LGA and some part of Barkin Ladi LGA on Dec. 23.

It should be noted that Bokkos and Barkin Ladi LGAs span about 2,315 Square kilometres with over 350 villages, mostly dispersed.

The distance between some of these villages and troops locations is over 90 kilometres and sometimes difficult to access because of the rugged terrain which is mostly inaccessible to vehicles.

Thus, affecting the reaction time to incidents, except when there is credible intelligence before the attack.

The militants unleashed mayhem on the villagers before the arrival of troops to the location.
The Temple University Hospital health system is transferring six Temple primary care clinics to a new independent health nonprofit, Fair Hill Community Physicians. Read more

Temple University Health System this week named the six physicians offices that will become part of a new independent health-care organization called Fair Hill Community Physicians.

When the move was first announced in November, the health system did not specify which practices would join the initiative to expand health-care services in North Philadelphia.

The Temple practices will transfer to Fair Hill starting Jan. 1 without interruption to services. Patients who already attend the practices will not have to change medical providers. The practices transferring are:

Temple Physicians at Liberty Square (adult medicine) Temple Physicians at Hunting Park (adult medicine) Temple Physicians at Hunting Park (pediatrics) Temple Physicians at Nicetown (family medicine) Temple Comprehensive Health Center (internal medicine) Temple Comprehensive Health Center (pediatrics)

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Temple expects the new Fair Hill practices to eventually become federally qualified health centers (FQHCs). These clinics qualify for better payment rates from the government-funded Medicaid and Medicare health insurance programs to work with communities lacking access to health care. Such centers receive federal funding to charge patients on a sliding scale and ensure that people who cant pay for care still receive it.

Fair Hill will first seek to qualify as an FQHC look-alike, which provides similar services but does not receive the federal funding earmarked for FQHCs, said David DeMilio, Fair Hill Community Physicians CEO.

The organization aims to provide a number of different services in a single place for patients who cant afford visits to multiple practices, or who have a hard time finding transportation to doctors offices.

Its the idea of trying to meet patients where they are, DeMilio said.

The six Temple practices transferring to Fair Hill currently only provide primary care, said Steven Carson, Temples senior vice president of population health. As FQHC look-alikes, they will be able to provide behavioral health care, dental care, gynecological care, and other services.
Kim Williams, 59, of North Philadelphia, said Mayor-elect Cherelle Parker has a chance to clean up the city in ways her predecessors have failed. Read more

Kim Williams has high hopes for Philadelphia Mayor-elect Cherelle Parker, who will be the first woman to hold the office.

I think shes going to be the one to clean this city up, Williams, 59, said Saturday during a break from shopping at the Fashion District. You can tell shes a strong leader.

Top priorities for Williams, a lifelong North Philadelphia resident, are curtailing gun violence, creating more recreational opportunities for youth, and improving schools.

Weve had a lot of other mayors that tried to clean it up, but wasnt successful. But I think she going to be the one, Williams said.

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Parker succeeds Mayor Jim Kenney and will be publicly sworn in Tuesday during City Councils first session of the year. She will be the citys 100th mayor and start with an abundance of goodwill from most of the half-dozen Philadelphians asked Saturday about their hopes for the citys new leader.

Wayne Moyer, 39, however, did not share Williams optimism.

Its just the same. Its a one-party town. It seems like theres no change in that thought process in how to deal with certain things in the city, Moyer said during a walk across Washington Square, citing crime and homelessness as major problems for the city.

Crime is a big worry

Crime is the top issue for Eleanor Nalle, who lives near Rittenhouse Square. The 76-year-old expects Parker to have a very different presence than Kenney, whom she described as a nonentity.

Im expecting her to be dynamic. I think she gives that appearance that shes really going to try to make some changes with public safety, which is something Im worried about, Nalle said.

The number of homicides in the city in 2023 is down about 20% compared with 2022, but at more than 400 the level remains near the highest in recent city history, The Inquirer has reported.

Steve Greene, another resident of the Rittenhouse Square neighborhood, said Parker was not his pick during the spring Democratic primary, but he supports her now and feels positive about her potential, calling her experience on City Council a good background.

I hope that the new major is going to bring the city more together, said Greene, 64, who listed violence prevention and education as his top concerns.

First woman to be mayor

Im just glad its a woman! Thats my biggest thing. That was Amy Liedmans quick response when asked about Parker as mayor.

She wasnt my first pick, but Im happy its not some innocuous white guy  no offense, said Liedman, 39, who lives on Washington Square and has lived in Philadelphia her whole life.

Josh Bullock, 35, moved to Philadelphia from Los Angeles about a year ago and said hes not well versed in city politics yet. Hes less interested in the next mayor being a woman than in the results she gets.

The race and gender of Phillys next mayor is not the worry right now, Bullock said. The worry right now is whos going to get the job done.

The proposed Sixers arena

The $1.55 billion arena proposed by the Philadelphia 76ers on the edge of Chinatown is one of the most controversial issues Parker is expected to face as mayor. Parker has declined to say whether she supports the arena, but after her election victory in November she noted that she will not be swayed solely by opposition in Chinatown.

Greene said he hopes Parker eventually opposes the project for the sake of Chinatown. It was unfortunate that the Sixers made a decision to impose themselves upon that neighborhood, particularly in Chinatown. Thats just not fair, he said.

The Sixers say the 18,500-seat arena would only help its surroundings by attracting shoppers and diners, encouraging business development, and increasing foot traffic.

Moyer said the arena belongs in South Philadelphia, noting how quiet it was Saturday in Washington Square, about three blocks south and three east of the proposed arena. Imagine if theres a game and all the traffic and noise pollution. Thats not going to fly in this neighborhood, he said.
South Jersey craft beer stalwart Flying Fish Brewing Co. has filed for bankruptcy protection just months after a deal fell through that would have seen the brand sold to Cape May Brewing Co.

The Somerdale-based Flying Fish listed $1.3 million in assets and $9.3 million in liabilities in its Chapter 11 petition, which was filed Thursday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New Jersey. The company is owned by Elk Lake Capital, a capital investment firm in Scranton that acquired Flying Fish in 2016.

Elk Lake Capital is also listed in the bankruptcy filing as Flying Fishs biggest creditor, with unsecured claims of about $4.2 million. Celtic Capital Corp., a financial services firm in Calabasas, Calif., has nearly $4.1 million in unsecured claims with Flying Fish, according to the filing.

Overall, the company listed $1.3 million in assets, about $500,000 coming from brewing machinery and equipment. It claimed more than $9.2 million in liabilities.

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The companys bankruptcy petition comes amid falling gross revenue, according to the filing. In 2023, Flying Fishs gross revenue totaled about $3.1 million, a 23% decrease from its 2022 total of nearly $4 million. Revenue was slightly higher in 2021 at about $4.1 million.

The petition for bankruptcy protection also comes several months after a deal with Cape May Brewing Co. failed to come to fruition. Cape May Brewing announced in April that it would acquire Flying Fish, with co-owner Ryan Krill telling The Inquirer that the brand and legacy of Flying Fish will continue. Krill declined to comment on how much Cape May Brewing was set to pay for Flying Fishs assets, including its Somerdale production facility.

By June, the deal was off the table. That month, Cape May Brewing president Frank Stempin told the Press of Atlantic City that the company backed away from the deal after extensive analysis during the diligence phase.

Bankruptcy court filings did not indicate how the move would impact the brewerys production or presence. The company did not immediately respond to request for comment.

Founded as a virtual brewery by Gene Muller in 1995, Flying Fish is considered among the oldest operating craft breweries in New Jersey. It opened a brewery and taproom in Cherry Hill in 1996, and moved operations to Somerdale in 2012. In 2022, it reportedly produced about 16,000 barrels of beer.
The legal drama keeps you in suspense, flirts with expectations, and takes the plot to places that were hard to imagine. It's perfect for your viewing if you don't like horror movies, but as a child you imagined yourself as a detective, judge, lawyer, or even a lawbreaker.

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OBOZ.UA has collected five legal films released in recent years that can be watched legally in Ukraine. It was not so easy. But our selection even includes a movie that won the main award at the Cannes Film Festival.

"Anatomy of a Fall"

dir. Justine Triet (2023)

Where to watch: in cinemas from December 14

Sandra (Sandra Guller - "Area of Interest") is a successful writer who has moved to her husband's hometown in the French Alps with their visually impaired son and guide dog. While people come to interview her and order new books, her husband mysteriously falls out of a window.

The French judicial system treats the German wife as the main suspect in the murder. The men in the courtroom analyze her professional life, her sex life, and her relationship with her late husband under a moral microscope. And they even dive into Sandra's seemingly fictional literature.

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This year, the film won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, becoming the third film by a female director in the history of the festival to win the best film award. Snoopy the Dog also received an award at Cannes, and the film was awarded the Audience Award at Locarno.

Watch the trailer:

"The Last Duel"

dir. Ridley Scott (2021)

Where to watch: Megogo

Before Napoleon, Ridley Scott made two films in one year. Both were centered on justice. But The Last Duel is a much more interesting representation of history and its heroes and heroine than the sensational House of Gucci, both of which star Adam Driver (Paterson).

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The events unfold during the second stage of the Hundred Years' War, during the so-called Caroline War of 1369-1389. While the knight Jean de Carrouge (Matt Damon - "The Martian") was on a campaign, his wife cheated on him with a former friend. At least that's what the rumors are. He needs to decide who is really right before the duel he has challenged his opponent to.

The movie is divided into three chapters. Each of them tells the same story from different perspectives: the man, his traitorous friend, and finally the woman (Jodie Comer in Killing Eve). And only the viewer can decide which side to take in the final duel.

Watch the trailer:

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"Judas and the Black Messiah"

dir. Shaka King (2021)

where to watch: Youtube

Who hasn't heard of the Black Panthers case? Probably everyone has read or seen it at least once somewhere. This film tells the story of a left-wing radical African-American socialist organization that existed from the second half of the 60s to the early 70s of the 20th century.

Fred Hampton (Daniel Kaluuya - "Know") is the head of the party, which advocates for the rights of African Americans in America. Thanks to his oratorical skills, he manages to unite people, form alliances with rival gangs, conduct neighborhood patrols, and implement the Free Breakfast for Kids program. At the suggestion of the FBI, 17-year-old O'Neill (Lakeith Stanfield - Knives to the Head) begins to get closer to Fred. He will bring Judas to the dock and put all the cards on the table.

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Watch the trailer:

"And tomorrow the whole world"

dir. Julia von Heinz (2020)

Where to watch: Netflix

The German-French film tells the story of law student Louise (Mala Emde - Romantique 303). After an almost luxurious life with her family, she joins the Antifa movement, which opposes fascism. The script was partly written from the director's personal experience, who was also a member of the association in her younger years and opposed right-wing movements in Germany.

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The film contains a lot of violence and a way to counteract violence with violence. Because the further Louise goes in her political activities, the more dangerous everything around her becomes. The film had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival and was nominated for an Oscar from Germany.

Watch the trailer:

"Fragments of a Woman"

dir. Cornel Mundruzzo (2020)

Where to watch: Netflix

A young woman loses her first child during a home birth. Who is to blame? Now she has to go through several circles of this purgatory: the hospital offers her to give the stillborn body for medical research, but the whole family is categorically against it. Everyone experiences the tragedy differently. But Martha (Vanessa Kirby - Napoleon) decides not to give up and go to court.

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For this role, three years before her role as Josephine in Napoleon, Vanessa Kirby won the Volpi Cup for Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival and was nominated for an Academy Award. Although directed by a man, the film is very sensitive to the theme of motherhood, loss and the strength of women in the face of extremely difficult situations.

Watch the trailer:
The POW/MIA flag now flies at the Bensalem Branch Library, one of Alan J. Micklin's achievements in his campaign to see the flag flown throughout the country. Read more

In 2019, President Donald Trump signed the POW/MIA Flag Act requiring the flag, which commemorates Prisoners of War (POW) and those Missing in Action (MIA), to be displayed beneath the American flag at prominent federal properties.

The bipartisan legislation was backed by a long list of supporters, including the National League of POW/MIA Families and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

But its most ardent supporter is probably Alan J. Micklin.

A one-man battle

Micklin, 83, is a Bucks County Vietnam veteran who, since November 2022, has been waging a one-man battle to ensure the flag law is actually implemented.

The POW/MIA [flag] is us remembering the forgotten. It is a part of history, Micklin said, dismayed at the seeming lack of interest in veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice. Since WWII, about 82,000 soldiers are categorized as Prisoners of War (POW), Missing in Action (MIA), or otherwise unaccounted for.

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A year after the federal law was enacted, the state also passed legislation allowing for the POW/MIA flag to be displayed on Commonwealth grounds or buildings.

Yet, Micklin is concerned that neither law is being followed  dishonoring, he says, the service of those who have never returned home.

I see it in two ways. I see the flag issue as pushed aside as not important as a priority. And I guess you could say it is disrespectful, especially since we still have so many MIAs existing. Look at the families that just got done with Christmas that have loved ones that are still MIAs and never came back. Its horrible, Micklin said.

How his campaign started

Micklin said he didnt set out to become a national advocate for displaying the POW/MIA flag.

In 1990, Congress designated the POW/MIA flag as our countrys symbol of concern for POWs and MIAs in Southeast Asia. For about the past 20 years, Micklin has displayed the POW/MIA flag along with the American flag on the flagpole at his home.

I live in Bensalem and I went to the township building. I had some business to do there and I saw the American flag and the state flag and Im saying to myself, Where is the POW/MIA flag?

Raised in South Philadelphia, Micklin entered the Army after graduating from Bartram High School. Its still too painful for him to talk about his wartime experiences in Vietnam or the scorn that greeted returning Vietnam veterans.

I dont talk about it. Its too hurtful. I lost close friends, Micklin said.

When he left the service, he attended photography school in California and ultimately became a photojournalist in Philadelphia. He also has volunteered over the years in various veteran-related activities, including feeding veterans and renovating their homes.

But hes given all that up to bring attention to the POW/MIA flag.

Im strictly focused on this now, he said.

The ups and downs

Micklin is dogged in his efforts and ultimately wants the flag flown wherever the American flag is flown.

Over the past year he said there have been accomplishments  the Boy Scouts of America in Doylestown support the idea as well as the township office and library system in Bensalem. Individual firehouses throughout Bucks County have also agreed to display the flag.

I called City Hall [in Philadelphia] and someone in administration told me that they absolutely fly the POW/MIA flag under the American flag at City Hall but I havent seen it yet.

He wants to see the flag at all of the citys federal buildings, including the Robert N.C. Nix Federal Building, the William J. Green Jr. Federal Building, and the United States Mint.

The POW-MIA (flag) is us remembering the forgotten. It is a part of history. Alan J. Micklin

The 2023 U.S. General Services Administrations flag policy states the POW/MIA flag must be displayed along with the American flag at federal buildings that have an office of the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the director of the Selective Service System, or a post office.

In addition, the POW/MIA flag must fly at the White House and U.S. Capitol; the Korean War, Vietnam Veterans, and World War II memorials; national cemeteries, military installations, post offices, and VA medical centers.

Displaying the flag, despite bipartisan support, is not without its detractors.

The flag law Trump signed mandated that it be placed in a manner designed to ensure visibility to the public, but a year later the flag was removed without explanation from atop the White House and placed in a less visible location. President Joe Biden, at the urging of a bipartisan group of senators, returned it to its perch in 2021.

Im getting resistance and I have no idea why. None whatsoever, said Micklin, who thinks its more about organizations being too overwhelmed with daily responsibilities to make flying the flag a priority.

Flag creation

The National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia was looking for a flag design to promote their organization in 1971. The following year, the POW/MIA flag was created by New Jersey graphic artist Newton F. Heisley for Annin Flagmakers  at the time the worlds largest flag manufacturer.

The black-and-white flag with a silhouette of a man with his head bowed, a guard tower, and a strand of barbed wire and the words You Are Not Forgotten grew in popularity, but over the decades it has become less visible.

This has been a learning experience, Micklin said. The reason I say that is I was floored when I would ask people and they dont even know what the POW/MIA flag is. They have no clue.
(Left to Right) Anieka Miller, Michael Miller Sr, and Nicole Miller, the parents and sister of Michael Miller Jr., who was killed in Queen Village in October, talk with an Inquirer reporter at their home in Philadelphia, Friday, December 22, 2023. Read more

Philadelphia will soon have a new mayor, a new police commissioner, and dozens of new employees in key parts of city government.

All will inherit a gun violence crisis that is at an unusual crossroads: Shootings are plummeting, but theyre also still at levels well above recent historical norms.

The number of homicides in the city in 2023, for example, is down about 20% compared with last year, police statistics show  mirroring a decline in violence nationally and rivaling the largest single-year declines in Philadelphia over the last 60 years.

Still, with more than 400 people killed in 2023, the number of slayings remains near the highest level in recent city history. Prior to the pandemic  when the homicide rate hit record heights  the city had recorded more than 400 annual homicides just once in two decades.

Nonfatal shootings are on a similar trajectory. The number of people who were shot and survived this year decreased by nearly 30%, according to city statistics.

But with more than 1,200 wounded victims, including a rising number of children, the annual tally is higher than any pre-pandemic year since at least 2015.

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The crisis has continued to overwhelmingly victimize people of color  nearly 80% of those who were shot in the city this year were Black, data show. And despite reductions in some neighborhoods that have traditionally seen high levels of violence, gunfire continues to be largely concentrated in neighborhoods long deprived of resources and with residents who are mostly Black or Hispanic.

Nicole Miller was among those forced to deal with the fallout from gun violence this year. The last time she saw her son Michael, 23, was in October, when he left her house in Olney to go meet a friend. She was at work, but watched him leave through her Ring camera on her front door.

Now, the only way she can see Michael is to watch his old TikTok videos or look at photos of him on her phone. He was fatally shot in Queen Village in a case that remains unsolved. The killing has devastated her relatives and left reminders of her son everywhere; his dog sometimes runs to greet a visitor at the door, Miller said, but will quickly retreat back upstairs after realizing that it isnt Michael.

No one should have to worry about their sons when they walk out the door and if theyre ever going to come back, she said.

Still, violence is falling in more than just Philadelphia. Jeff Asher, an independent criminologist who studies national crime data, wrote in early December that murder had declined across the country by nearly 13% this year, and had dropped in nearly three-quarters of the more than 175 cities with publicly available data. Homicides remained above pre-2019 levels, he wrote, but were falling likely at one of the fastest rates of decline ever recorded.

Overall violent crime  a category that also includes rapes, assaults, and robberies  has also fallen by 7% in Philadelphia this year, police statistics show, although some other crimes have skyrocketed. Auto thefts, for example, have exploded, reaching their highest level since at least 2006.

City officials are quick to acknowledge that the decline in gunfire this year does not mean that the efforts to address it are over. Interim Police Commissioner John Stanford said he believes the department will continue pursuing effective patrol and investigative strategies under incoming commissioner Kevin Bethel, a department veteran and most recently the head of safety for the school district.

Stanford also credited a departmental effort that began in January 2023 to shift more patrol officers and new recruits into four key districts covering large swaths of Kensington and North Philadelphia, among other neighborhoods. Shootings in those four districts  traditional drivers of the citys violence  combined to decline by about 33%, police statistics show.

District Attorney Larry Krasner, meanwhile, said he believes the sustained reopening of society after the pandemic has allowed schools, jobs, and organized activities for young people to once again serve as basic prevention tools. He also said law enforcement has sought to improve some of its capabilities amid the pandemic and the gun violence crisis, including police establishing a unit to exclusively investigate non-fatal shootings, and authorities securing some additional funding for enhanced forensics analysis.

So its not just that stuff is back to normal, Krasner said. Stuff is back to normal in better ways, more thoughtful, data-informed, evidence-based ways when it comes to modern enforcement.

Philadelphia officials have also touted the tens of millions of dollars in spending they have allocated for a broad array of initiatives they have cast as anti-violence work, including programs designed to provide services or intervention to those at risk of being shot or shooting someone, and providing grants to community-based organizations.

And although questions were raised this year about the latter programs effectiveness  John Solomon, a community advocate, said he believes such efforts can take time to bear fruit but have the ability to impact lives. He was shot as a teen, and then spent time in prison for shooting someone. Now, he says, many Black-led groups like the one he runs, called Endangered Kind, are doing their part to mentor and support young people even in the face of ongoing violence.

It takes time for a decline to happen, Solomon said, adding: I think thats what the people need to see  some kind of progress, some kind of hope. ... Theres still a ton of work to do before we get to that point of feeling safe.

Criminologists and other experts have long cautioned against viewing any single initiative or branch of violence prevention as the sole method for addressing the issue. Still, if comprehensive answers are difficult to pinpoint, interviews with city and police officials, community members, and data analysis offer some insights into how gun violence continued to impact the city this year.

Where have shootings been declining?

Almost a year ago, Mayor Jim Kenney and then-Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw announced that the department was reassigning 100 officers  most in administrative roles  to street patrols in four districts where violence is highest.

Stanford said in a recent interview that the plan began coming together last fall, after Outlaw shook up her top command staff and they began re-examining where officers were typically deployed.

Within a few months, Stanford said, nearly three dozen other commanders would be moved into new posts across the city, and the department focused on adding resources to what he called core four districts  the 22nd, 24th, 25th, and 39th  where he said more than 40% of the citys violence had occurred. The sprawling districts span much of North Philadelphia and beyond, covering territory from the Delaware River to the Schuylkill and across areas such as Kensington, Temple University, Hunting Park, and the communities bisected by Roosevelt Boulevard.

This year, police statistics show, shootings in each of those four districts are down by at least 20% through mid-December, the most recently available data. And in the 39th  which covers an area west of Broad Street and north of Lehigh Avenue  that drop was about 40%.

Still, the plunge was not limited to those districts. Shootings declined in the majority of the citys 21 police districts as of the last week of December, police statistics show.

And there were nine districts in which at least 100 people were shot in 2022. All of them were poised to report decreases this year.

Young people are getting shot

One troubling trend has persisted even as the city sees an overall reduction in gun violence: Bullets continue to strike young people.

More than 900 people aged 17 or younger have been shot in Philadelphia since 2019. And although the number dropped considerably this year, it remained significantly higher than before the pandemic.

In addition, as of mid-December, there had been more shooting victims aged 13 or younger this year than since at least 2015, data show.

Among the victims was a 4-year-old boy from South Philadelphia, one of five people shot after gunmen sprayed dozens of bullets down his block during an evening cookout in June. The boy was drawing on the sidewalk in front of his grandmothers home when a stray bullet struck him in the abdomen.

I looked out my window, and I just saw the little boy, tucked between the cars, said Monica Green, a resident of the block. She said a man scooped the child, and screamed for help.

The little boy didnt make a noise, his eyes were just wide open, Green said. He was just strong.

The child is now paralyzed from the waist down, and navigates his block in a small wheelchair.

After police saw a period this summer in which multiple young children were shot, district police captains prioritized enforcing truancy and curfews, said Deputy Police Commissioner Frank Vanore. He said officials are also monitoring social media more closely to know when large gatherings and parties are being planned so officers can mitigate any issues there.

Still, 22 children were killed in homicides this year, including L.J. Williams, struck by stray bullets on his 12th birthday, and Randy Mills, a 15-year-old shot while riding home on a SEPTA bus.

The pain for victims goes on

The vast majority of victims, though, are Black men in their 20s.

Such as Jordan Hayward, 21, an aspiring firefighter; Rahmeer Jackson, 20, a talented chess player; and Isiah Brown, 22, who enjoyed a game of Scrabble.

For all of their loved ones, the pain of gun violence remains long after the shooting. Such is the case for Nicole Miller and her family.

After she lost her son Michael to the October shooting in Queen Village, Miller, 44, said, I kind of feel like my life stopped. ... I feel like Im just floating trying to get through a day, trying to get through a moment. Her husband, Michael Miller Sr.  Michaels father  said every family member has had a different ritual with him taken away, whether going for a daily walk or out to lunch.

And Michael Millers sister, Anieka, 27, said she didnt realize how hard it would be to suddenly lose simple things, such as FaceTime calls, or walks to the corner store, or being let into the house by her brother if she left her keys behind.

Its just little stuff that you miss that happened every day thats not happening anymore, she said.

Siobhan Mayrant, Michaels aunt, said shes been writing letters to anyone who might be able to have an impact on the case  police, prosecutors, even possible witnesses  in an attempt to bring a measure of justice to her family and keep his memory alive.

And because the pace of the violence is so constant across the city, she said, she knows her family is not alone in their grief.

Every single day you wake up, theres somebody else being killed, Mayrant said. Another family is going through the same thing that were going through. Theyve got to bury their son or theyve got to bury their nephew. And why?
Kelly Moran, 31, of South Philadelphia, Nurse Practitioner at CVS, takes the temperature of Jermaine Dabney, 20, of West Oak Lane Philadelphia, for his check up for his Flu shot at CVSs Minute Clinic on Friday, Jan. 17, 2020. Read more

Julie Parsonnets then-mother-in-law had been feeling ill, but her body temperature did not suggest a fever. It hovered at 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, long regarded as the standard for normal, and never rose above it. Yet, I remember her saying Thats high for me, Parsonnet said of the incident 20 years ago.

After blood tests revealed a life-threatening bacterial heart infection, she was treated, and recovered. But had the doctor not drawn the cultures, she might have died, said Parsonnet, professor of medicine, epidemiology, and population health at Stanford University.

Medical experts have complained that the traditional metric for normal body temperature, first introduced in the 19th century, should be revised downward, noting that the normal temperature for many people is often at least one degree lower than 98.6 degrees. Others propose doing away with the standard.

"Since the 1990s, experts have been saying they should lower the norm," said Adele Diamond, professor of developmental cognitive neuroscience at the University of British Columbia, whose research challenges the assumption that 98.6 degrees is normal. "What I am saying is, they should personalize it."

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She suggests physicians establish a normal baseline temperature for individual patients, much as they do for blood pressure and other vital signs. "There is no reason why doctors can't do this routinely," she said. "There is a need to individualize it."

Why a change in body temperature is important

Body temperature is a valuable tool  although not the only one  for detecting illness.

A fever  a rise in body temperature  is one of the ways our immune system responds to an invading microbe, and often suggests an infection. Experts regard a reading higher than 100 degrees as a reliable indicator of fever.

An abnormally low temperature also can signal a serious condition.

Fluctuations in body temperatures

Body temperatures, like other physical, mental, and behavioral changes, follow their own 24-hour circadian rhythms, which is why they fluctuate during the day, experts say.

"Temperature continues to rise during the day," said Ivayla Geneva, a physician at Crouse Hospital and State University of New York-Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, whose research has focused on body temperature circadian rhythms. "It peaks about two hours before an individual goes to sleep and is lowest about two hours before waking up."

Parsonnet and her colleagues conducted a study published in the fall that analyzed 618,306 oral temperature readings from adult outpatients at Stanford Health Care between 2008 and 2017 and found that their normal temperatures ranged from 97.3 to 98.2 degrees, with an average of 97.9 degrees.

They tracked the time of day the temperatures were taken, in addition to each patients age, gender, weight, height, body mass index, medications, and health conditions. To avoid skewing the results, the scientists excluded participants taking drugs that affect body temperature and those who were ill.

They also found that men tend to have lower temperatures than women and that normal readings decrease with age, and confirmed that temperatures were lowest in the early mornings and highest in late afternoon.

"Every day I have patients with a temperature of 98.6 tell me that this is high for them," Parsonnet said. "When patients come in and say: 'I don't feel well and this temperature is not normal for me,' you should listen to them." Your symptoms should be taken seriously even if your reading isn't above 98.6 degrees, she said.

The 98.6 degrees measurement was the norm instilled in public consciousness in 1868 after German physician Carl Reinhold August Wunderlich published a book containing data from thousands of patients and more than 1 million temperature readings, describing 98.6 degrees as the mean average of a range of normal temperatures.

"Wunderlich never called 98.6 the normal temperature, but a normal temperature," said Philip Mackowiak, professor of medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and a medical historian who has written about Wunderlich and the debate over what is normal. "It was what he believed to be the mean temperature of his massive data set."

Moreover, research suggests that normal body temperature has decreased from 98.6 degrees by about 0.05 degrees every decade since the 19th century to about 97.9 degrees, probably the result of better living conditions and health care that reduce inflammation, which causes temperature to rise.

In the 1860s, life expectancy was in the 40s, Parsonnet said. People were walking around with tuberculosis, terrible dental disease, rheumatic heart diseases, skin infections, and lots of other things, she said. Good health lowers your temperature because youre not working so hard to stay well. The less you have to work, the lower your body temperature.

Many factors can influence body temperature

Many factors  apart from circadian rhythms  can influence body temperature. These include food, alcohol, weather, exercise, soaking in a hot tub or swimming in cold water, and taking certain medications such as beta blockers and antipsychotics.

Conversely, some conditions  such as hypothyroidism, which is an underactive thyroid  can lower it. Temperature can also drop to dangerously low levels with sepsis, a life-threatening infection, experts say.

Some of the most severe illness  particularly sepsis  can drop the temperature, meaning the thermoregulatory system is about to collapse, Mackowiak said. A temperature in the low 90s, for example, would be alarming.

You can figure out what is normal for you

Take your temperature once in the morning and once in the evening for several days to get a sense of your normal range. (Experts say a rectal measurement usually is the most accurate, but add that an oral thermometer is fine and more reliable than an axillary  under the armpit  device. But dont eat or drink anything hot or cold before taking your temperature orally.)

There also is an online tool available at a Stanford University link that can calculate what is normal for you.

Everybody has their own signature temperature profile, Mackowiak said. If you know what your own maximum daily normal temperature is, and you get a reading above that, it may be an indication that you are on the way to an infection or illness, and you can catch it at an early stage.
Newcomer of the Year

When selecting last years product of the year, The Menu made an honourable mention of Terra Ignis in dispatches, suggesting Linda OFlynn and Ivo Duartes then-nascent food fermenting business might be a contender for the main award at some time in the future.

Their range of fermented Irish food products is made using wild, foraged and cultivated organic, local, seasonal produce, resulting in a whole smorgasbord of vibrant, new, life-filled probiotic flavours to pep up your own dishes, whether at cooking stage or prior to serving a cooked dish, and their oak bark fermented ketchup garnered many initial plaudits.

Linda OFlynn and Ivo Duarte of Terra Ignis

But the more The Menu came to know the Cork-based couples ever-expanding range, the harder and harder he found it to pin down his deep admiration for their wares to a single product.

And he is not alone for the Terra Ignis duo were one of the standout acts at The Menus Grub Circus food stage at All Together Now, last August, debuting their wild yeast drinks, and were afterwards sought out by audience members in their droves, the better to learn more about the brilliantly innovative couples methods and ethos.

In fact, each time The Menu meets up with Linda and Ivo, they have some wonderful new creation to tickle his palate, from black garlic garum to fermented hummus to all manner of funky powders and salts, each and everyone adding magical new flavour dimensions to each and every dish, making Terra Ignis The Menus Food Newcomer of the Year.

Food Organisation of the Year

Referencing Grub Circus once more, where another of The Menus special guests, septuagenarian Darina Allenin attendance each year since it began in 2018was yet again gallivanting around the music festival like a young thing, The Menu marvelled as he always does more at the vim, vigour and passion she brings to each and every enterprise that engages her attention.

It was even more appropriate that she did so on stage in the company of Rory OConnell, her brother, co-founder, foil and teacher extraordinaire in a special demonstration to celebrate 40 years of their world-renowned Ballymaloe Cookery School which saw the Grub Circus marquee absolutely jam-packed with adoring fans.

Darina Allen and Rory O'Connell, co-founders, Ballymaloe Cookery School. Picture: Denis Minihane.

Whatever about the superb and wide-ranging culinary grounding received by the culinary students who over the decades have come from all over Ireland and 64 other countries around the world, what caps it all is that intrinsically embedded in every single aspect of their ed is a passionate and unwavering commitment to the primacy of local, seasonal, organic produce and true sustainability, no greenwashing, in pursuit of the ultimate goal of a completely circular food system, and those same students have subsequently gone back out into the world, as zealous young evangelists spreading the Ballymaloe gospel of good food as originally conceived by Darinas later mother-in-law and Rorys especial mentor, Myrtle Allen.

Ballymaloe Cookery School is The Menus Food Organisation of the Year.

Food Hero of the Year

Another significant anniversary, as Denis Cotters Paradiso restaurant, in Cork City, celebrated the 30th anniversary of its founding in 1993.

It was also the year in which his latest cookbook, Paradiso: Recipes and Reflections (Nine Bean Rows Books)  also The Menus Irish cookbook of the year 2023  won Best Irish Cookbook at the 2023 Irish Food Writing Awards.

The book is a fine production, a great cookbook, but it is equally a vital manifesto, sharing an ethos most timely in the face of the existential threat of climate change.

A committed vegetarian when first opening Paradiso, Cotter nevertheless spurned almost entirely the traditional tropes of vegetarian cooking the worthy larder of wholemeal, pulses, brown rice etc  instead creating a fine dining restaurant that just so happened to eschew meat.

Denis Cotter, owner and executive chef of Paradiso in Cork. Picture: David Creedon

It was a groundbreaking decision on a global scale but Cotter wasnt finished.

His collaboration with Ultan Walsh and Lucy Stewart of Gort na Nain farm, began a partnership at the turn of the century which saw the Co Cork farm gradually over years become the primary grower for the Paradiso kitchen, implementing a planting plan decided in advance of each growing season by Cotter and Walsh, yielding superb produce, including exotic items often being grown commercially for the first time on Irish soil.

In 2019, they received the Collaboration of the Year award at the inaugural World Restaurant Awards, in Paris.

And of Cotters legacy? As he said to the Irish Examiner last month: Its not wrong to say Paradiso has been an inspiration and influence on Irish food, more so in terms of how people source ingredients than anything to do with vegetarianism  and that is something Im really proud of, to be honest.
Is it possible we undervalue TV? In the last two decades, cinema has seen its status as the primary venue for cutting-edge drama wane, and its primacy in the field of documentary  and, most strikingly, comedy  wholly vaulted by its televisual competitors.

Despite this, the Oscars remain a cultural tentpole with little equal in the cultural calendar. Neither you nor I can name a single winner from the Emmy Awards.

So, this being years end, Ive taken it upon myself to conceive a brave new series of gongs to restore small screen achievements to their rightful place in the cultural firmament.

I give you: the new Gold Standard in TV appreciation, The First Annual Seamie Awards.

Outstanding Achievement in Me Forgetting Everything That Happened in the Last Series

An easy win here for S3 of Netflixs The Witcher, whose last two seasons may as well have been pumped into my brain via chloroform.

I genuinely could not get through a single scene without googling who everyone was, or what was going on, despite having seen every previous episode.

Bonus mention for Amazons mammothly expensive LOTR prequel, The Ring of Power, which I fully expect to take next years crown.

I watched every single episode and just had to look up what it was called and Im still not sure.

Best Extremely Silly, Bordering On Stupid Show of the Year

Special mention in this category must go to Apple+s Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, which manages to depict the Godzilla Universes catalogue of Kaiju as a serious and sober threat to world peace.

Theres also Netflixs compulsively watchable Bodies, a twisty sc-fi murder drama, split across four timelines, each featuring the same time-travelling corpse.

But neither came close to the thick brilliance embodied by this years winner; Apples Hijack, a winningly stupid action-thriller thats basically 24, But On A Plane.

Starring Idris Elba as a passenger on a one-man mission to untangle the mysteries of a commandeered aircraft, this is television designed to make you wonder why youre watching it for the entirety of the seven hours you will find yourself glued to its preposterous twists and turns.

Best Show To Watch While On Your Phone The Entire Time

A well-deserved nod here for Disney+s delightful podcast-based buddy comedy Only Murders In The Building, which despite featuring Paul Rudd and Meryl Streep in meaty roles this year, demanded no more attention from my synapses than a friend telling me about a dream theyd had.

Best Reassuringly Expensive Sci-Fi

The explosion in TV budgets over the last few years has seen ambitious speculative fiction firmly back on centre stage.

The sixth series of Black Mirror (Netflix) provided chills and laughs with star-studded streaming satire Joan Is Awful and paranoid astronaut fable Beyond The Sea.

Meanwhile, a second season of Apples excellent space opera Foundation proved itself the gold standard for expansive, world-building narrative.

But away from the scale and warp of the live-action boys, HBOs animated space drama Scavengers Reign marked itself out as the most compelling and mind-bending bit of science fiction telly of 2023.

Set on a hostile alien world, it follows the deserted crew of a freighter ship struggling to stay alive in their new environment.

Crucially, the real stars here are the plants and animals which inhabit the planet, continuously devising ingenious, and occasionally harrowing, methods of getting in our human protagonists way.

This is squelchy, feverish storytelling at its most terrifyingly inventive.

Best Howd They Get There And How Will They Leave Show

The second season of Showtimes plane crash survival drama Yellowjackets implied a show with a lot more goodies to come, while Apples baffling bunker brain-teaser Silo overcame a stodgy middle to land a majestic close to its inaugural series.

But its MGM+s creepy village mindbender FROM that takes the top spot here. As regular readers will recall, no show had me as maddeningly obsessed this calendar year.

Theres simply no substitute for a show that packs fourteen twists into every hour. Pulpy, elliptical showcraft at its most beguilingly bonkers.

Special Award For Making Me Laugh So Much I Could Not Breathe

The entire first season of Nathan Fielders HBO docu-comedy, The Rehearsal could be up for this award, but I will content myself with mentioning its bravura first episode, in which our stalwart presenter must help a quiz-addicted New Yorker disclose a long-held secret to a friend.

That he endeavours to do this by building full-scale replicas of both his house, and his local pub is one thing.

But the manner in which he contrives to give his subject the answers to the quiz, over the course of a walk through Manhattan, is by some distance the funniest thing Ive seen all year.

Best How Is This Real Documentary

Few documentaries were as boggling or impressive as HBOs Telemarketers, which followed the rise of predatory practices within its titular industry.

One of them was undoubtedly How To With John Wilson, which ended three completely perfect seasons on an absurd high.

But the standout for me was BBCs Once Upon A Time In Northern Ireland which told the story of The Troubles with a focus not on politicians or journalists, but everyday people, and the full nuance of their experiences.

Telling these stories with their mess and disappointment and mundane missteps intact, made this one of the most powerful documents ever created of that time. A stunning achievement.

Best Ah Shite, Theyve Cancelled It Already

Two solid entries here for Netflix, who killed off magick-romance-thriller Half Bad and teen-scented ghost-hunting yarn Lockwood & Co  with bonus sadism points for cancelling both mere weeks after they debuted.

However, the heaviest blow was HBOs The Other Two, the most reliably hilarious and cliche-free comedy on TV, and now the most missed.

Following two lesser-known siblings of a global popstar, it was a savage showbiz satire that spent three seasons weaving a complex web around the absurdity and fickleness of 21st-century media culture. A fickleness that its unjust cancellation reveals as wholly, and sadly, real.
As we continue to decolonise the female body, taking back ownership of ourselves via body positivity, reclaiming menstruation and menopause, and binning uncomfortable underwear, so too has the uncovered pregnancy bump emerged to symbolise out and proud womanhood, and to take centre stage.

No more hiding under smocks. No more voluminous shapelessness  pregnancy has never been prouder. Or rounder  thanks to women like Rihanna and Beyonce, the full lushness of the third trimester is being celebrated in public spaces in the presence of flashbulbs.

Our biological superpower  the ability to grow another person  is at last being seen for what it really is: awesome.

What used to be a talking point  Demi Moore, naked and seven months pregnant on the cover of Vanity Fair in 1991  is now a red carpet staple.

Think Sienna Miller, 41, at London Fashion Week in September, her pregnant belly upstaging her Schiaparelli two-piece (an outfit which admittedly looked like shed nicked a hotel duvet) as she appeared at the Vogue World Show.

Already the parent of an 11-year-old daughter with actor Tom Sturridge, 37, Miller went the egg-freezing route at 40, and is now having her second child with actor Oli Green, 26.

Schiaparelli creative director Daniel Roseberry applauded her out-and-proud belly, dismissing old thinking around how pregnant women should present  that is, conceal themselves  in public.

Another antiquated rule to consider, question, and in this case, disregard entirely.

Her choice is our honour, he told Vogue.

Preceding Miller in the naked-bump-on-the-red-carpet look is Brazilian model Adriana Lima, who wore a black Balmain gown with the belly cut out at Cannes in 2020, although Miller is arguably more high profile.

What would infamous fattist Karl Lagerfeld say?

The queen of red carpet pregnancy remains, however, Rihanna.

The mother of two baby boys with her partner, rapper A$AP Rocky, she has embodied pregnancy pride from the Met Gala to the front row, via award ceremonies and Vogue shoots, lush and curvy and belly-out in a series of fabulous costumes.

Her pregnancies  couture and glamorous backdrops notwithstanding  reflect the actual bodily reality of pregnancy. Extra flesh, curvature, expansion.

She wore hipster trousers and a metallic head-dress at Guccis A/W show, a naked black lace dress at Dior, a pink leather mini dress at Off White, and sweeping Alaia leather gown at the Oscars, with a transparent panel over her bump.

A Vogue shoot in her third trimester, photographed by Annie Liebowitz, made her the belly-beautiful poster gal of pregnancy.

Only Beyonces Vogue shots in 2017, where she was veiled and pregnant with her twins, and looking like a Botticelli goddess, come close.

In a 2020 paper , Pregnancy Bump  The New Social Visibility, academic Angela Biscaldi from the University of Milan, notes how pregnancy pride is flipping the stigma of the pregnant women who, by imbuing the belly with new meaning, exhibits that which for centuries was hidden, hushed up, and feared. [It is] almost a provocation: a visible symbol of womens liberation from the fate of forced motherhood.

Much of this visibility is happening online. On Instagram, out and proud pregnancy is displayed by hundreds  thousands  of women, known and unknown, the more famous including Jessie J, Cardi B, Katy Perry, Kate Hudson, Serena Williams, Gigi Hadid, Stacey Solomon, various Kardashians, and Rihanna.

Rhianna has also launched a maternity range, SavageX Fenty via her own Fenty fashion label, which includes nursing bras illustrated by a shot of her feeding her older baby son, RZA (her second son, Riot Rose, arrived in August).

Not ur mamas maternity brasdesigned by @badgalriri, approved by baby RZA #SavageXMaternity, reads the caption. Sizing is typically inclusive, from XXS to 4XL.

Pregnancy, as anyone who has ever experienced it knows, is a whole-body experience. From hair and nails to nipples, connective tissue to emotional response, its a lot more than just a bump.

And thats before you consider how the world reacts to you, from hands-on bump touching to unsolicited baby care advice; you cease to be a private individual, attracting opinion like a magnet attracts iron filings.

Thanks to medical misogyny, it was regarded almost as an illness. Something to be got through, discreetly, before bouncing back, slim and bright-eyed.

Until very recently, women in the public eye were applauded for the quick loss of pregnancy weight; only a generation ago, it was the norm for celebrities like Liz Hurley and Victoria Beckham to remove themselves from the public eye, work privately to shed their baby fat then re-emerge to be praised by so-called womens magazines for their rapid weight loss.

Today, the cultural tide  thanks to superstars like Rihanna and Beyonce  has been resolutely turning. Pregnancy has never been more public or performative. And real.

We remain in debt not just to the uncovered bump-bearers of today, with their smartphones and social media followers, but to the first woman whose bump went public seventy-one years ago.

In 1952, Lucille Ball was already breaking new ground with the establishment of the classic three-camera sit-com format in her show I Love Lucy, plus casting a Cuban lead as her romantic partner (her real-life husband, the band leader Desi Arnaz).

Expecting their second baby, Ball pioneered public pregnancy in an era where depictions of on-air pregnancy were banned by the US Code of Practices for Television Broadcasters, because it meant that sex had happened.

(Sex, according to poet Philip Larkin, was not invented until 1963 Between the end of the Chatterley ban / And the Beatles first LP.)

Lucille Ball challenged this, negotiating with producers so that on the day she gave birth to her real-life son, her TV character would do the same.

Although the word pregnant was never uttered on air, Lucille Ball  via her onscreen persona Lucy Ricardo  broke viewing records, made headlines, and was inundated with gifts from well-wishers.

Ball, who died in 1989, paved the way for this centurys attitude to joyful public pregnancy.

Weve come a long way, baby.
At least 38 babies died in the space of nine years after serious incidents in the countrys maternity units, it has emerged.

The total is based on research of both media reports of inquests and settled claims.

Before Christmas, a review by the Irish Examiner revealed 21 hospital baby deaths followed one or more serious incidents, between 2013 and 2021.

However, further study in the same nine-year period shows the toll to be higher. The worst year was 2018, when not only did at least 10 babies die, but three of them died at the same Dublin hospital over a five-month period.

In at least 18 of the 38 deaths, issues around foetal heartbeat monitoring (CTG) were raised either at inquest or in the High Court.

At least 18 of the inquests resulted in a verdict of medical misadventure.

As well as issues around heart monitoring, the Irish Examiner review shows that in at least seven of the 38 cases, maternity staff missed signs that a woman was in labour, leading to repeated recommendations around training.

Some 12 deaths followed a delayed delivery, while the alleged lack of availability of a consultant also featured in at least seven cases.

In at least seven cases, mothers concerns were ignored.

Major reforms

Investigations into four deaths at the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise between 2006 and 2012 led to major maternity care reforms, including the National Maternity Strategy.

The Irish Examiner survey of 38 serious-incident hospital baby deaths points to at least four different sets of baby deaths at four different hospitals between 2013 and 2021.

In two of those sets of deaths, there were five deaths over a period of between seven and eight years at two different Dublin hospitals.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly was asked on December 21 whether or not he would conduct a look-back review over the 21 deaths initially identified by the Irish Examiner.

He told RTE: The advice I have over the 21 baby deaths where there was a coroners inquest is that there has been no trend identified in terms of baby heart monitoring.

His department later said the the minister had asked HSE officials to meet with Safer Births Ireland to discuss their issues, including those in relation to CTG monitoring.

Mel and Lisa Duffy from Mountrath, Co Laois, whose baby son Luke died at Portlaoise Hospital on October 29, 2018. Picture: Neil Michael

Safer Births Ireland has called on the minister to clarify exactly how he knows no trend in baby heart monitoring in baby deaths since 2013 has been identified.

Co-founder Lisa Duffy, whose baby son Luke was stillborn at Portlaoise Hospital on October 29, 2018, said: If issues around CTG monitoring feature in around half the 38 maternity-unit baby deaths identified by the Irish Examiner, how is that not a trend?

Issues around CTG monitoring also appear to be a trend in medical negligence cases where babies were left injured."

When the new figure was put to the HSE it said there has been a downward trend in total perinatal deaths since 2008 and that every "adverse event" "undergoes a review appropriate to the nature of the case, in line with the HSEs Incident Management Framework".
Travel bloggers from Sweden, Dan Goz and Oskar Kappland, visited the Maldives, a dream vacation destination for many people. However, in their blog, they shared not-so-positive feedback about the trip.

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The tourists decided to try a budget trip to the popular resort, spending 12 thousand dollars in 9 days, Metro reports. Dan and Oskar documented the vacation in a video on their TikTok page, where they warned travelers not to be fooled by the picturesque photos.

After spending so much money to soak up the sun on a white sand beach, the Swedes spent most of their trip indoors because of the pouring rain. Their trip was timed to celebrate their ninth wedding anniversary.

A couple visited two resorts and planned a lot of outdoor activities, but even though they went in December (the good season), the rain changed all their plans.

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They spent the first four days of their vacation at a hotel in Dhigurah, a resort famous for diving and whale sharks. However, the tourists were deprived of an incredible opportunity due to bad weather. The second hotel offered visitors to take part in activities "under the roof". Dan and Oskar paid about $1,500 for a night there.

The bloggers admitted that they were outraged by the discrepancy between expectation and reality in the Maldives, adding that the weather there reminded them of their native Sweden for a week. "This is what we were trying to escape from!" Oskar explained.

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Travelers urged followers not to believe photos on social media as they do not always reflect real life. "We've been using social media for years, people always see the best version on the internet, and it gives a false perspective of what the world is like," Dan shared.

Earlier, OBOZ.UA told you about the "European Maldives": follow the link to see what a little-known village in Albania with incredible beaches and cheap vacations looks like.

Only verified information is available on OBOZ.UA Telegram and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
The granddaughter of one of the German sailors who was saved during Irelands most famous maritime rescue has said I would not be here today only for the crewmen of the MV Kerlogue.

Friday, December 29, marks the 80th anniversary of the incredible rescue from the Bay of Biscay when 10 Wexford-based seafarers pulled 168 German sailors from the sea.

The terrifying ordeal happened in 1943, when the crew were returning from Lisbon carrying a cargo of oranges.

The coasters captain Tom Donohue saw flares in the sky and led his men to a scene of carnage which saw 700 German sailors left to drown after being bombed by the RAF.

Despite Irelands neutrality at the time, for 10 hours, the crew of the Kerlogue saved as many as they could from drowning; however, as their boat was only 142ft, hundreds had to be left behind to die in the ocean.

HISTORY HUB If you are interested in this article then no doubt you will enjoy exploring the various history collections and content in our history hub. Check it out HERE and happy reading

Wiebke Hochhaus 43, from Bochum in Germany, travelled to Ireland to pay tribute to the bravery of the Irish sailors at a ceremony in Wexford.

Her grandfather Richard Langer from Kiel was one of the survivors of the dramatic event.

The mother of two told the Irish Examiner she was honoured to meet the families of the rescuers.

Wiebke Hochhaus at the Kerlogue memorial in Wexford town to mark the 80th anniversary of the maritime rescue. Picture: Patrick Browne

It was very emotional, she said. Had my grandfather not been rescued I would not be here. He could have been one of the hundreds that died.

At a time when the German people brought the most atrocious horrors over the world, those rescued Germans were on the receiving end of a tremendous and selfless act of human kindness.

My grandfather, Richard Langer, was lucky enough to be one of those rescued. He was 28 at the time, married but not yet a father.

So, his two children, three grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren, all of us owe our existence to Captain Donohue and his crew.

In spite of grave danger for themselves they worked hard for hours and hours to save as many lives as possible. This enormous deed will not be forgotten in our family.

Marking the anniversary, Ms Hochhaus was joined by around 30 people at the memorial stone in the harbour which is dedicated to the 10 crewmen.

The crew on that day included Captain Tom Donohue, Denis Valencie, Patrick Whelan, Eric Giggins, Joseph Donahue, Gary Roche, John Chum Roche, Tom Grannell, Dick Roche, and Tom ONeill.

Richard Langer, who survived the sinking. Picture: Patrick Browne

Former government minister Dick Roche is the son of Gary Roche who was the third engineer during the rescue.

He also attended the service with his family and said his father never got over the incident.

He had nightmares all his life, he told the Irish Examiner. He never got over having to leave so many men behind, but they had no choice.

They were on a tiny coaster, they didnt have the room, so they took those they could, but had to leave others behind. He was never right after it.

He was in his twenties when it happened. He told us about it, but he didnt talk about it a lot, it was too painful.

I was always interested, and we dragged it out of him; in later life, he did talk about it.

He remembered the night; he remembered the men in the water, and he remembered the men they left behind.

I live in Bray and on one occasion I brought him to the German cemetery in Glencree and theres two of them [Germans] buried there and that was an unhappy time for him.

It was horrific for all the men, nowadays, we would have post-traumatic therapy, they were young men and they suffered for the rest of their lives.

It was something they never, ever forgot. My father was in his early 70s when he died. He had this recurring dream about the men in the water. He would shout comrade, comrade!. All the men suffered.

Tom Grannell was the last crewman on the Kerlogue to die and his son Denis said his father was confronted once in an aggressive manner over the incident one day.

All the weapons were not thrown over the ship when they were brought on board, said Mr Grannell. The Germans could have taken over the ship, but they did not. They just allowed themselves to be rescued and maybe that changed the course of their lives.

One man came up to him and wanted to fight over it, but another man put a stop to it, that was the only time one person had an issue, everyone else was very proud and thankful.

The Kerlogue memorial in Wexford town. Picture: Patrick Browne

Mayor of Wexford John Hegarty said: There is a lot of warmth and good feeling that still exists around here for the men who were involved.

There are grandchildren here and its wonderful to see. It was a disastrous situation and the pressure those men were under and then put their lives at risk, they could have kept going and ignored the bombing. Ireland was neutral at the time.

The mindset was, the time is always right to do the right thing and I think that is a great message to the world today, especially with all that is going on in the world. They put others first.
A man is due in court today charged in relation to the fatal assault of a man in Tipperary on Wednesday.

A Polish man in his 30s was found dead following a house party in a rented residence close to the village of Kilross near Tipperary town in the early hours of Wednesday.
Despite the weather conditions, hundreds of people turned out for a march in support of Palestine in Cork City centre on Saturday afternoon, the 12th such march in as many weeks.

Organised by the Cork Palestine Solidarity Campaign (CPSC), this week's march was themed "Unmute Gaza", with the group calling for the Government to place sanctions on Israel and pass the Occupied Territories Bill.
For three months of the year, they walk among us. Silent as spies, they scour our streets, peer into our parks, and dodge hanging baskets, undetected and unknown, the most unsocial of influencers.

"Watch, therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Supervalu Tidy Town Judges cometh, entrants are warned. Yea, though they may walk through the Valley of Dreariness, no filthy frappuccino cup shall they fear.

Occupying the exalted space between a school principal and the second coming, the Tidy Towns adjudicators roam our cherished heartlands every June, July, and August, sizing up our community spirit, our get up and go, our dedication as responsible citizens to bettering the world around us.

It is given unto few to know the mysteries of the judges powerful ruminations. Their final reports are anticipated with the dread of a murder trial verdict.

Over 1,000 local committees and their 30,000-strong army of volunteers spend sleepless nights tossing and turning, tormented by thoughts of rusty bikes and unpainted gates.

Rural and Community Development Minister Heather Humphreys presents the Irelands Tidiest Town for 2023 award to Abbeyleix Tidy Towns committee. Picture: Naoise Culhane

Having reached the promised land after decades of digging and planting, the winners bask in the limelight at an annual awards ceremony graced by Rural and Community Development Minister Heather Humphreys.

Everyone has their favourite jobs. This is mine, she revealed at this years event in October, which saw Abbeyleix in Co Laois crowned overall winners of the 2023 competition.

While the triumphant revel in their glory, the judges melt back into the shadows for another year, their identities guarded with witness protection programme levels of secrecy.

As all nature (and flowerbeds) abhor a vacuum, we are left to imagine stern officials sneering over clipboards, tut tutting unkempt entrances, broken signs and ripping pollinator plans apart with gusto.

Not so, says the countrys first Tidy Towns judge to break cover.

That is the great thing about the competition. All the judges want the places to succeed. They arent writing critical notes because theyve seen something horrible. They mention something that needs to be attended to, but theyre not looking for criticism  theyre looking to encourage, insists Christopher Fitz-Simon.

He has agreed to speak to the Irish Examiner and we meet, but of course, in the calm confines of the National Gallery of Ireland, where he has his eye on some Laverys.

Almost 90, Fitz-Simon spent 27 years as a judge for the competition, beginning in 1991. He knows every county in Ireland and there is not a town or village he hasnt visited. He started what he calls his sub-career in his late 50s and only gave it up five years ago, he loved it that much.

He would allot six weeks every summer to judging a county, sometimes even two or three counties. He would research the places entered first, read all the submissions from the different towns, then do the judging round which he could do very quickly, before finally writing up and sending in his report.

Comparisons between towns were odious but very necessary, says Fitz-Simon, to help judges gauge standards, see what worked here and what didnt work there. There were certain places where he could clearly see they could be successful if they do this, that and that.

Ive encouraged them very much in what I think needed to be done in my reports and to my great pleasure, some of them have come out a few years later as the top town in Ireland, he says.

Its not bad, as summer jobs go. The judges are paid a fee and have their travel and accommodation expenses paid for.

Judging process

New adjudicators attend a rigorous training course, followed annually by a two-day refresher course where they are addressed by experts on birdlife, street lighting, tree planting, historic graveyard restoration, and other key aspects of the judging process.

In his first year of judging, Mr Fitz-Simon was sent to Malin, Co Donegal, and was very impressed. He shared his impressions at the judges meeting, telling them he had seen the most wonderful village.

His instincts were proved right  Malin won the best village in Ireland that year. It would happen to him several times again that he would have judged a town that eventually turned out to be a winner. From then on, Fitz-Simon was absolutely hooked.

Did any county stand out?

Cork's community spirit

Co Monaghan is a huge favourite of mine but the best county for winning, in general, is Cork, he reveals. It has the most entries and gets higher marks on average than all other counties. Fitz-Simon puts this down to the generosity of community spirit in the rebel county.

Long before Leo stood on the steps in Washington DC in 2020 to urge us all to play our part, 62 years before in fact, entrants to the national Tidy Towns competition were already doing it with the Irish spirit of Meitheal and Cork was one of the earliest entrants.

'Ballincollig is extraordinary with their community spirit and the number of people involved.'

It is thanks to Fitz-Simon that Cork has three separate divisions for the Tidy Towns Competition, North Cork, South Cork and West Cork, due to the number of entrants every year.

There was great community spirit in Cork, in the towns that have a committee. Places that have natural beauty, like Kinsale, you might think have an advantage. When you walk into Kinsale and you say oh my God isnt this amazing', but what youre judging is what they have done to enhance it and make it pleasant for the residents and for visitors, he explains.

Fitz-Simon is careful to differentiate between his personal opinions and his professional views when judging towns. While he freely admits Ballincollig is not a place I would want to live, he has previously awarded it as best Irish town.

Its not a personal thing, he stresses. He remembers the first time he saw Ballincollig  which scooped the award for Irelands Tidiest Large Urban Centre this year  it was a one-sided village with a big high wall along the other side .

He wondered what was behind the wall  a huge decaying British Army barracks. The local authority and the local people took it upon themselves some years ago to demolish the wall and revealed an ancient view of the woods down to the river Lee and its stunning bridge.

Today, there are 18th- and 19th-century squares and military buildings all restored and turned into smart apartments, a library and some very handsome shops.

It is wonderful. You have the old and the new and the natural and the creatives all happening in the same place with great enthusiasm.

I really bow before the people of Ballincollig who have made what I would have described as a dreary village 30 years ago into the top town in Ireland.

"Ballincollig is extraordinary with their community spirit and the number of people involved. They are always adding new things and including the schools so that they all love being part of the Tidy Towns effort, he says.

'Cobh is where I would really love to live.' Picture: Dan Linehan

His favourite location in Ireland is different from the towns he awarded the best prizes to, however. If he didnt have to live in Dublin, Fitz-Simon knows exactly where he would choose.

Love of Cobh

Cobh is where I would really love to live, he smiles. The seaside town won his heart because of the way it looks out on the world, to the sea, through the houses building up to the wonderful cathedral, the beautifully curved streets, I mean, its one of the top places and I would say will very soon win the major award, he says.

On the other side of the coin, Fitz-Simon instantly knows if a town or village doesnt enter the Tidy Towns competition, and doesnt hold back.

You know it when you see it, he says, lamenting his childhood town of Newbliss (which turns out to be something of a misnomer).

In my native county of Monaghan, where I've judged quite a lot, the place I know best, the village of Newbliss, clearly does not enter. It's very dreary, he tells this newspaper.

Newbliss, as it happens, is just 3.7km away from Aghabog, the hometown of Heather Humphreys, whose department has oversight of the Tidy Towns.

Belfast, the city of his birth, falls short of his expectations also.

Having been born in Belfast and having revisited Belfast a lot, I worked a lot for the BBC and I thought no two cities in any country could be more different in spirit than Belfast and Cork.

Cork is laid back and welcoming and sunny and Belfast has its lips pursed.

The key to a towns success or not seems to be acting on the judges recommendations, that and the willpower of the locals.

Hanging baskets

The days of hanging baskets and window boxes are long gone, declared secretary of Abbeyleix TidyTowns Mary White after their recent win. Fitz-Simon agrees and is quick to dismiss commonly held notions that the competition is about hanging baskets and picking up litter.

Well, at the very beginning 50 years ago it was but now it's much more environmental, he says.

The media are not let off scot-free here either: Unfortunately, the media and particularly television, when they're dealing with the Tidy Towns in the summer, it's very easy for them to take a snap of a pot of geraniums and forget the wonderful cathedral behind.

"So, the public think it's about that, but it's actually about that, he says, pointing to an imaginary cathedral behind us.

SuperValu and the Government have invested millions in the competition over the years.

SuperValu and the Government have invested millions in the competition over the years. On average, there are over 300 prizes given out each year, with about 230,000 of the total prize fund of 300,000 awarded under the main competitions.

What makes a good judge?

You have to be terribly interested in the relationship between the natural and the manmade environment, he replies enthusiastically. As a child growing up in Monaghan, Fitz-Simon loved maps and whenever he came to a new town, he would always look to see what the church looked like and what sort of houses were there.

Would he recommend it as a job?

Yes. Provided you have an enthusiasm and provided you take note of what is said in the training days before each summer. You must have a visual sense. To have a love for the townscape is the thing. And wanting it to be good, he says firmly.

Rumbled

Was he ever rumbled?

I was discovered once when I stopped my car outside a local parish hall or something at a park and got out my notes, he says, smiling at the memory.

Out of a bush stepped a man. And he said, Are you the Tidy Towns adjudicator? And I said, I'm so taken aback, I have to tell you that I am'.

And then he politely told him to go away.

Judging for Tidy Towns was natural progression for Fitz-Simon, who enjoyed an illustrious media career beforehand  that eye for the aesthetics led him first to the stage and then on to television where he found himself directing the first ever broadcast of RTE on December 31, 1961.

I think I must be the only person still living who worked on the opening night of television, he says.

That night, he directed the late great stage actor and original Irish anchorman Charles Mitchell on the first broadcast of RTE news. Both men had acted together on stage at the Gate Theatre in the 50s, with the young student Fitz-Simon merely walking on in plays and saying four lines, while Mitchell was the leading actor.

Imagine his horror then, when RTE invited the then trainee TV director Fitz-Simon to interview a candidate for the primetime newsreader for television (they seemed to think only one was needed).

I was told a man called Mitchell is coming. And in walked Charles. And I thought, goodness, what can he think of this young person [who was walking on stage] asking him questions about his career? Very embarrassing. Anyway, when he'd gone, I said, Charles Mitchell will do the job and will speak well, he says.

Fitz-Simon went on to direct The Riordans TV serial, a precursor to Glenroe, several adaptations of stage plays and a six-part documentary series in the 70s called We Live Here, which allowed him to indulge his interest in the relationship between the natural and the man-made environment. It was filmed in the open air, visiting places around the country  a training of sorts for his later career with the Tidy Towns.

He also wrote more than 90 drama scripts for the BBC, including the hugely popular satirical Ballylenon radio comedy based in a fictional town in Donegal in the 1950s.

It was very good because I could call the fictional hotel The Muckish Arms, you know, that kind of thing, he says. And hes still creating  he has two works currently waiting for publishers.

It's time to go and the Irish Examiner leaves Fitz-Simon sitting serenely in the gallery. One last glance back and he is suddenly gone. Vanished into the crowds. The only surprise is that he was ever rumbled at all.
Welcome to Irelands oldest energy efficient home  a 16th century former friars cottage once associated with a Carmelite abbey and which has been lovingly restored and upgraded over the last two decades to achieve a remarkable A1 energy rating.

Historic Abbey House in Kinsale, Co Cork, owned by architects Marc O Riain and Deborah Ni Riain, is one of the estimated 46,000 homes where retrofitting works were completed last year, ahead of the governments target of 36,000.

But this one is steeped in history and heritage, and has smashed the previous oldest AI BER rating by at least 230 years.

Whilst some of the character of the house seems to have been acquired at the various stages of remodelling through the centuries, the imperfections of the building, whilst frustrating at times, certainly give it a lot of charm, Mr O Riain said.

While Kinsale became a chartered town in 1333, it had been a settlement long before with St Multose church built in 1190 and the Carmelite Friary, St Marys Abbey, established outside the town walls by the mid-1300s.

Carmelite history records that the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII led to the suppression of the abbey in 1541, at a time when it consisted of a church, belfry, hall, some friar houses and a cemetery.

Anything of worth, including some of the friars houses, was disbursed and the abbey was put to many uses in the years afterwards.

(Left to right) Deborah Ni Riain and Dr Marc O Riain, of Rua Architects, whose historic 16th century heritage house in Cork has become the oldest in Ireland to achieve an A1 energy rating. Photo: Paul Sherwood

Records show that by 1567, Abbey House, which was then known as the house of the Friars of Our Lady of Kinsale was leased to merchant Robert Meade for 21 years and subsequently leased on to other merchants.

While the abbey buildings were destroyed by gun fire during the Siege of Kinsale in 1601, today, you can trace the remains of three ruined cottages inside the abbeys graveyard walls, with two remaining cottages still standing outside the wall  Abbey House is beside the graveyard wall, close to the original friars gate to the town.

Despite its remarkable history, it is not a listed property.

Marc and Deborah bought it in 2003 and run their practice, RUA Architects, from it.

The house was mostly occupied by spiders when we got it, Mr O Riain said.

It had single glazed windows, a 1980s extension to the rear with some 1930s wiring, and there wasn't a 90-degree angle in the house.

Although the house is much changed over the intervening years, the thick stone walls of the original house are still evident standing in the living room.

The office in Abbey House from where Deborah and Marc run Rua Architects. Photo: Paul Sherwood

The couple spent several years researching with care and thought their proposed renovations and upgrades.

In the mid noughties, they took up the floor, insulated it and put down a reclaimed timber parquet floor from an abbey in Scotland.

We insulated the ground floor walls but avoided insulating the limited stone wall element as this, we felt, would ruin the character of the original building, Mr O Riain said.

It was at this point that we put new energy performance double glazing to the rear and side of the 1980s extension."

We insulated the ground floor walls but avoided insulating the limited stone wall element as this, we felt, would ruin the character of the original building, Mr O Riain said. Photo: Paul Sherwood

They replaced the open fire with a "game changer" stove in 2010 and the house became instantly warmer and more cost-effective to heat.

Mr O Riain said: In 2014 we renovated the first floor with a little bit more knowledge of passive house design, and we got a lot of insulation and detailing right.

We insulated the pitched roof and the attic space at this time.

In 2020 we got Brendan Hunter in Tipperary to make new heritage casement windows with energy-efficient glazing for the front of the house.

The existing half door was great to keep the dogs in, but terrible at keeping the draught and rain out.

Most recently, we fitted a new energy efficient heritage door, made by Carlson in Dublin to match the window style.

We also fitted solar panels and a heat pump when the insulation measures had reduced our overall heat loss to a point where a heat pump would make sense.

Our oil boiler was on its last legs and we were fairly determined to have an energy efficient and environmentally sustainable heating solution.

Our house now is 86% powered by renewable energy and is a lot more comfortable as a space to live in.

Retrofitting of one of the back rooms in 2015. Photo: Paul Sherwood

There is still stuff to do even though we achieved an A1 BER rating."

They plan to hack off the sand and cement render which was probably applied in the last 90 years on the front of the house and replace it with an insulated lime, because the uninsulated stone wall is still losing some heat and some of the exterior timbers are rotting either through exposure or being unable to breathe or dry out properly.

The retrofitting work on their own home is one of five delivered A1 retrofits carried out by RUA Architects last year on buildings that range from a 1911 terrace property, to a 1972 bungalow bliss-style property and a more modern 2002 bungalow.

Mr O Riain, who has a PhD in zero energy retrofit, is now writing a guidebook for energy efficient retrofits setting out the various solutions for different types of buildings, and offering tips on how to avoid or plan for some of the hidden costs associated with the work.

He also has useful videos on his retrofits on RUAArchitects.ie and on Vimeo.
"Dear Gay, Can I let off a bit of steam? Im here all alone. I have no friends that I can talk to. It was wonderful to switch on the radio this morning and hear your signature tune. I forgot about my depression for two hours. Thank you for that.

And so it began, much like the previous morning, and the one before that: The opening lines of a letter from a concerned mother to The Gay Byrne Show back in the 1980s.

In her own words, as read out by Gay in his calming voice, she explains how her young daughter had returned home from Dublin, where she worked, and sat herself and her father down to explain to them that she was gay.

Despite what would most likely have been the reaction from many parents back then  revulsion, and most often rejection  this mother goes on to explain how her daughters revelation brought the family even closer together. A rare event, as is shown in Dear Gay: Letters to The Gay Byrne Show  A Handwritten History of Ireland.

Her letter to Gay ends with the words: Thank you, Gay, for a wonderful programme. Thank you, God, for a wonderful daughter, who just happens to be a lesbian.

Some will say that within that last paragraph lies the summation of priorities of our tiny cosmos all those years ago, our system of thought, namely God, Gay Byrne, and our nations prohibitive feud with sex and sexuality, and its reluctance to tease out why the mere mention of the word caused an instant revolt, as is presented in many of these letters.

If any word could best describe the views of our peers 40 years ago, and before, it was puritanism: A widespread belief that it was important to work hard and to control yourself, and that pleasure was wrong or unnecessary.

Some might also say its not the sort of book they might enjoy reading over the Christmas holidays. I beg to differ: I couldnt put it down, and read it from cover to cover over two days. Its contents  letters from the RTE Document Archives division, hundreds of them, chronicled by Suzy Byrne, Gays daughter  are poignant, shocking, heartbreaking, damning.

Some of the letters are downright depressing, while many of them are beautifully uplifting despite the socially restrictive times they were written in.

Every letter is a springboard for another feeling. As I thumbed through its pages, I couldnt help wondering what it must feel like to read these letters if you hadnt lived through this period.

Likely, its impossible to even imagine the reasons for such emotional fury; but as these letters show, shocking secrets were buried, while others surfaced and caused heartbreak on an unthinkable scale.

This compendium is a rollercoaster of the dark, sad, and blinkered world that Ireland was during the years featured from 1973 onwards when Gay commanded a daily audience of upwards of 750,000 because he was the only one brave enough to wade into such ominous territory.

What made the experience of reading it this week even more surreal was that I had come across some of the letters firsthand while I was a producer on The Gay Byrne Show back in the 90s.

I learned more about the craft of communication during that time than I did over the entire 40 years I have worked in radio, and those learnings came directly from Gay.

I can recall vividly my first morning sitting in the producers chair in Studio 5 in the RTE radio centre as Ticos Tune by Manuel and the Music of the Mountains, Gays signature opener, started to play. It instantly reminded me of those mornings when I was off sick from school as a young teenager and this jaunty upbeat music filled our house, followed by that unmistakable voice.

Pivotal figure

This compilation is not just a testimony to how popular he was; its far more. Its proof of how important he was, how needed he became over a short period of time, how crucial he remained to preserving the sanity of many of the people who wrote to him.

Its my belief, both from working closely with him as one of his team, and from reading back over these letters, many of them pleas for help, that Gay Byrne saved lives. The woman who wrote the letter above explains how simply hearing Gays opening tune brought her so much comfort.

One of the books abiding themes is the countrys preoccupation back then with refusing to discuss all matters relating to sex. To all intents and

purposes, despite our expanding mostly indigenous population at that time, we could have been mistaken for a celibate nation, considering how sexuality was tabooed.

A topic regularly discussed on The Gay Byrne Show was homosexuality, one of the most divisive themes ever to rear its head in those days. The first case of Aids was diagnosed in Ireland in 1982, giving rise to mass hysteria as little was known about the condition; but fear was widespread.

One letter to the show suggested that Gay must be considering a sex change judging by how much time he gave to discussing gay issues.

Reading through the letters  a tiny fraction that are preserved in the RTE archives  one might be forgiven for accusing some of the writers ofignorance; but such a label is unfair in many of these stories when we consider the stranglehold the Catholic Church had on its flock during those years.

When Gay presented his first radio show in 1973, people all over Ireland were being denied their identity. Stay-at-home housewives, unmarried and deserted mothers, victims of domestic violence, gay men and women were all rejected and made to suffer in silence.

Its astonishing to still hear so many people say they disliked Gay, but yet they saw nothing wrong with the ideology of the Church.

Gay provided the only platform for those who had been rejected by society to speak out through their letters. The words of this young gay man in his letter to Gay in 1987 sum up the sadness people experienced: It is the private moments alone that I sometimes despair, knowing that I can never be married or have children. It is when I see everyone else of my own age group either married or going steady that I really fear for the

future.

I am forever grateful for the time I spent working with Gay Byrne, to have become good friends with him at a period in my life when his experience and insight taught me more than I could have ever imagined.

And I am also grateful to Suzy Byrne for reminding us in this powerful compilation of listeners letters just how important a conduit her father was at a time when our country was being emotionally suffocated.

As Gay said many times: It may not be your problem today, but who knows tomorrow?
Hold onto your hat. The year that is about to begin could be momentous. At the end of it, we may know whether the liberal democracy that has been a hallmark of the West over the last 80 years is on the way out.

Locally, we should also find out whether the electoral trends seen throughout Europe and further afield could in any substantial way at all be replicated here. And with such weighty issues to tax and stress, relief can be sourced through the froth of life known as sport. In that vein, the big question presenting is will the great Dublin

football team and Limericks hurlers finally succumb to the march of time.

First, the serious stuff. In early June, elections to the European Parliament and local authorities will take place. One of the main issues here, and in many elections in the year ahead, will be immigration. The indications are that, in Europe, there will be a drift towards the far right. This has already happened in national and regional

elections in the EU.

If it does come to pass, the move will in all likelihood mean that policy towards immigration in the union will change, and possibly radically. It will also have implications for how Europe deals with the war in Ukraine and the mass slaughter that is Israels assault on Gaza.

Such a shift might also be a precursor to a broader change in the collective decisions of the member states. Right now, Victor Orban of Hungary looks relatively isolated as a leader who subscribes to the far-right tenets of authoritarianism and polarisation, but parties of a like mind are in the ascendant right in the EU.

If the centre does not hold in Germany and France in particular, the whole union is heading off on a strange and possibly dangerous journey.

The only note of encouragement in that respect is in Poland, where Donald Tusk is now attempting to row back on the authoritarian structures, such as control of the media, which his predecessor put in place.

The European elections will coincide with local elections here. This will be the first real test as to the electoral support for those who are espousing major changes in immigration policy.

A Sunday Independent/Ireland Thinks poll earlier this month revealed that 28% of those polled would consider supporting a party or candidate holding strong anti-immigrant views.

An exit poll after the 2020 general election found that immigration was an issue for 1% of voters. Quite obviously, the war in Ukraine and a spike in the numbers seeking international protection, allied to the housing crisis, has made immigration a major issue.

Unlike in a lot of European countries, immigration as an issue here is so far seen as exclusively concerning asylum seekers and war refugees. All of the problems and negative feelings that have arisen  among a minority of people  concern the location of groups of refugees or asylum seekers in communities.

And short of withdrawing from international obligations, including those applying to EU member states, there is little choice but to accept people fleeing war. Those who rant about open borders or suggest we should just stop accepting asylum seekers either have not a clue about the big picture or simply dont care.

Electorally, the major difference between this country and most of Europe is that there is no vehicle, or individual, around which those disposed to far-right ideology can congregate.

All of the parties in the Dail would baulk at the kind of changes that are being pushed in mainland Europe and in the UK. So expect in the local elections to see plenty of Independents chasing votes on this issue. Expect also to see some candidates abandon their party to run as Independents if they can sense an advantage in doing so. And, unfortunately, it seems almost inevitable that there will be a coarsening of any debate on this topic. The extent to which the immigrant card will be played in the local elections may well have a bearing on how some tackle it going into the next general election, most likely later in the year.

The early summer will also probably bring an election in the UK. At least here there is expected to be some pushback against the immigration-obsessed Tories. A Labour Party win, or even a coalition between Labour and the Liberal Democrats, should see the country tip-toeing back to normality.

In the North as well, the coming year could be momentous. Either the DUP goes back into powersharing under a Sinn Fein first minister or direct rule kicks in again, setting governance in the statelet back decades.

The most consequential election of the year will be that for US president. At the moment it has all the appearance of being a contest between Joe Biden and Donald Trump. Bidens candidacy is blighted by his age and latterly his approach to Israels bombardment of Gaza.

Trump may, by the time the election comes around, have the status of a convicted criminal. As of now, that prospect looks like it would have little bearing on an election.

Should Trump win, there is consensus that he will usher in major attempts to dismantle democratic institutions and make common cause with far-right strong-men in Europe.

Every American knows this and also, on the basis of his first term, knows that Trump has little substance and revels in polarisation and spreading misinformation. The fact that he is a slight favourite to win is one of the most depressing omens for the future of liberal democracy.

Back home, the smart money says we will have a general election in the late autumn. Issues over adherence to the tenets of liberal democracy arise here also but on a much smaller scale. Some do not accept that Sinn Fein has signed up fully and completely to democratic norms since its armed wing abandoned killing for a united Ireland. That concern will have little impact on the outcome of the next election.

What it will all boil down to is whether or not a large chunk of the electorate believes that Sinn Fein can do a better job of the basics, such as housing and health, than the current Government.

As of now, it appears as if Sinn Fein will be the biggest party in the next Dail, but that of itself will not guarantee power. The election will be full of promises, but ultimately the prize may go to the entity that excels at negotiation and compromise.

As for Limerick and Dublin? Limerick to do it one more time again. The Dubs will give way to Kerry once more, kicking off an era of dominance from the Kingdom. Hey, we all have our dreams. Happy New Year.
For the second time this month the Biden administration is bypassing Congress to approve an emergency weapons sale to Israel as the country continues to prosecute its war against Hamas in Gaza under increasing international criticism.

The US State Department said on Friday that Secretary of State Antony Blinken had told Congress that he had made a second emergency determination covering a 147.5 million-dollar (115 million) sale of equipment, including fuses, charges and primers, that is needed to make the 155mm shells that Israel has already purchased function.

Given the urgency of Israels defensive needs, the secretary notified Congress that he had exercised his delegated authority to determine an emergency existed necessitating the immediate approval of the transfer, the department said.

The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to US national interests to ensure Israel is able to defend itself against the threats it faces, it said.

We continue to strongly emphasise to the government of Israel that they must not only comply with international humanitarian law, but also take every feasible step to prevent harm to civilians

The emergency determination means the purchase will bypass the congressional review requirement for foreign military sales. Such determinations are rare, but not unprecedented, when administrations see an urgent need for weapons to be delivered without waiting for members approval.

Mr Blinken made a similar decision on December 9, to approve the sale to Israel of nearly 14,000 rounds of tank ammunition worth more than 106 million dollars (83 million).

Both moves have come as US President Joe Bidens request for a nearly 106 billion-dollar (83 billion) aid package for Ukraine, Israel and other national security needs remains stalled in Congress, caught up in a debate over US immigration policy and border security.

Some Democratic politicians have spoken of making the proposed 14.3 billion dollars (11.2 billion) in American assistance to its Middle East ally contingent on concrete steps by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government to reduce civilian casualties in Gaza during the war with Hamas.

The State Department sought to counter potential criticism of the sale on human rights grounds by saying it was in constant touch with Israel to emphasise the importance of minimising civilian casualties, which have soared since Israel began its response to the Hamas attacks in Israel on October 7.

We continue to strongly emphasise to the government of Israel that they must not only comply with international humanitarian law, but also take every feasible step to prevent harm to civilians, it said.

Hamas hides behind civilians and has embedded itself among the civilian population, but that does not lessen Israels responsibility and strategic imperative to distinguish between civilians and Hamas terrorists as it conducts its military operations, the department said. This type of campaign can only be won by protecting civilians.

US President Joe Biden (Evan Vucci/AP)

Bypassing Congress with emergency determinations for arms sales is an unusual step that has in the past met resistance from US politicians, who normally have a period of time to weigh in on proposed weapons transfers and, in some cases, block them.

In May 2019, then-secretary of state Mike Pompeo made an emergency determination for an 8.1 billion-dollar (6.4 billion) sale of weapons to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan after it became clear that the Trump administration would have trouble overcoming concerns about the Saudi and UAE-led war in Yemen.

Mr Pompeo came under heavy criticism for the move, which some believed may have violated the law because many of the weapons involved had yet to be built and could not be delivered urgently. But he was cleared of any wrongdoing after an internal investigation.

At least four administrations have used the authority since 1979. President George H W Bushs administration used it during the Gulf War to get arms quickly to Saudi Arabia.
A British warship has arrived in Guyana amid rising tensions between the former British colony and Venezuela.

The HMS Trents arrival on Friday led Venezuela to begin military exercises a day earlier, near its border with Guyana.

Brazils Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the two South American countries to return to dialogue. It said other nations should avoid military activities that support either side.

The dispute is over Essequibo, a sparsely populated region that is the size of Florida and rich in oil and minerals. Venezuela has long claimed the sparsely-populated Essequibo region which is rich in oil and minerals, saying it was cheated out of the territory when Europeans and the US set the border.

These partnerships pose a threat to no one and are in no way intended to be aggressive

Brazils statement on Friday called on Guyana and Venezuela to stay true to the Argyle Declaration, an agreement signed earlier this month in which their leaders said they would solve the border dispute through non-violent means.

The Ministry of Defence said the ship is visiting Guyana as part of a series of engagements in the region and that the vessel will conduct training exercises with Guyanas military.

On its account on X, formerly Twitter, the ship posted photos of sailors welcoming Britains ambassador to Guyana and the chief of staff of Guyanas Defense Force, Brig Gen Omar Khan.

The ship is generally used to intercept pirates and drug smugglers and recently conducted joint exercises with the navies of several West African nations.

In a statement on Thursday, Guyanese President Irfaan Ali said Venezuela had nothing to fear from the ships activities in Guyanese waters.

Guyana has long been engaged in partnerships with regional and international states aimed at enhancing internal security, he said. These partnerships pose a threat to no one and are in no way intended to be aggressive.

Venezuelas President Nicolas Maduro (AP)

But on Thursday Venezuela began military exercises involving 5,000 troops in the eastern Caribbean, citing the visit by the British patrol ship.

In a nationally televised speech, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro accused Guyana of betraying the spirit of the Argyle Declaration.

We will not let anyone push us around, Mr Maduro said, surrounded by military commanders. He described Britains decision to send a warship as a threat from a decaying former empire.

Guyana has controlled Essequibo for decades, but Venezuela revived its historical claim to the region through a referendum in which voters were asked whether the territory should be turned into a Venezuelan state.

Venezuela says it was the victim of a land theft conspiracy in 1899 when arbitrators from Britain, Russia and the US decided the boundary.

Officials also argue that an agreement among Venezuela, Britain and the then colony of British Guiana signed in 1966 to resolve the dispute effectively nullified the original arbitration.

Guyana maintains the initial accord is legal and binding and asked the United Nations top court in 2018 to rule it as such, but a decision is years away.
The famous French actress Eva Green, who played the lead role in the film Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, reminded the world of Russia's crimes in an original way. In the last photo, the star posed in a scarf from the joint collection of UNITED24 and OLIZ "Stolen Art", which she tied around her neck.

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This is not just an accessory but a tribute to the Ukrainian artist Polina Rayko, who painted for only 6 years during her lifetime but went down in the history of contemporary Ukrainian art. The photo appeared on the actress's page.

At the age of 69, a resident of the now-occupied village of Oleshky in the Kherson region picked up a paintbrush and turned her house into a work of art, with no experience whatsoever.

Until the age of 75, she gave Ukraine drawings that were admired and admired, and after the artist died in 2004, her house was turned into a museum. All the walls and ceiling inside were painted with fantastic images of animals and plants.

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The artist's work was also admired far abroad, but the ruthless Russians destroyed the house by blowing up the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station.

"Here, her dreams came to life on the walls, with amazing animals and fabulous plants of incredible beauty. After the artist's death, a museum was opened in her house. On June 6, 2023, the Russians blew up the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station, and the house was flooded with water. Most of the paintings were lost forever. Eva, thank you for helping us tell the world the truth and reminding people of Russia's crimes," UNITED24 said in a statement.

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Some of the Ukrainian artist's drawings were transferred to fabric to immortalize them. You can buy a similar scarf for 4,500 hryvnias, or 6,500 hryvnias for those who want to scale the artist's work on a meter-by-meter canvas.

As you know, Eva Green has been working with UNITED24 and supporting Ukrainians since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion.

Earlier, OBOZ.UA wrote that the Russian rock band DDT released a new anti-war song. The song "Novosti" (News) mocks the propaganda nonsense that people in the terrorist country are fed to support the Kremlin and its leader.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Thirty-two Ukrainian drones have been detected over Russia, Moscow officials said, a day after an 18-hour aerial barrage across Ukraine killed at least 30 civilians.

Drones were seen in the skies over Russias Moscow, Bryansk, Oryol, and Kursk regions, the countrys defence ministry said in a statement.

It did not report any casualties and said all of drones were destroyed by air defences.

Cities across western Russia have come under regular attack from drones since May, with Russian officials blaming Kyiv.

Firefighters work in the ruins of a shopping centre in Dnipro (Ukrainian Emergency Service/AP)

Ukrainian officials never acknowledge responsibility for attacks on Russian territory or the Crimean peninsula, but larger aerial strikes against Russia have previously followed heavy assaults on Ukrainian cities.

Moscows forces launched 122 missiles and dozens of drones across Ukraine on Friday, an onslaught described by one air force official as the biggest aerial barrage of the war.

At least 144 people were wounded and an unknown number were buried under rubble in the assault, which damaged a maternity hospital, apartment blocks and schools.

Western officials and analysts recently warned that Russia had limited its cruise missile strikes for months in an apparent effort to build up stockpiles for massive strikes during the winter, hoping to break the Ukrainians spirit.

Fighting along the front line is largely bogged down by winter weather after Ukraines summer counter-offensive failed to make a significant breakthrough along the 620-mile line of contact.

After the latest Russian assault, shelling continued across eastern and southern Ukraine and in Russias border regions. One man was killed by a missile in a home in Russias Belgorod region late on Friday, regional head Vyacheslav Gladkov wrote on social media.

Another four people were injured, including a 10-year-old child, he added.
Officials in Moscow have accused Ukrainian forces of shelling the Russian border city of Belgorod, a day after an 18-hour aerial Russian barrage across Ukraine killed at least 39 civilians.

Two children were killed in Belgorod, regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said in a statement. He added that an unspecified number of people were injured.

While previous attacks on the region have generally taken place at night, images on social media showed flames in broad daylight in what appeared to be the heart of the city, with cars on fire and plumes of black smoke rising among damaged buildings.

Air raid sirens sounded across the city, state media reported.

Firefighters work to extinguish a fire after a Russian attack in Kharkiv (Yevhen Titov/AP)

Earlier on Saturday, Moscow officials had reported shooting down 32 Ukrainian drones over the countrys Moscow, Bryansk, Oryol and Kursk regions.

They also reported that cross-border shelling had killed two people in Russia. A man died and four other people were injured when a missile struck a home in the Belgorod region late on Friday evening, and a nine-year-old was killed in the Bryansk region.

Cities across western Russia have come under regular attack from drones since May, with Russian officials blaming Kyiv.

Ukrainian officials never acknowledge responsibility for attacks on Russian territory or the Crimean peninsula, but larger aerial strikes against Russia have previously followed heavy assaults on Ukrainian cities.

Russian drone strikes against Ukraine continued on Saturday, with the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reporting that 10 Shahed drones had been shot down across the Kherson, Khmelnytskyi and Mykolaiv regions.

Firefighters work in the ruins of a shopping centre in Dnipro (Ukrainian Emergency Service/AP)

On Friday, Moscows forces launched 122 missiles and dozens of drones across Ukraine, an onslaught described by one air force official as the biggest aerial barrage of the war.

As well as the 39 deaths, at least 160 people were wounded and an unknown number were buried under rubble in the assault, which damaged a maternity hospital, apartment blocks and schools.

Western officials and analysts recently warned that Russia had limited its cruise missile strikes for months in an apparent effort to build up stockpiles for massive strikes during the winter, hoping to break the Ukrainians spirit.

Fighting along the front line is largely bogged down by winter weather after Ukraines summer counter-offensive failed to make a significant breakthrough along the 620-mile line of contact.

Russias aerial attacks have also sparked concern for Ukraines neighbours.

Polands defence forces said on Friday that an unknown object had entered the countrys air space before vanishing from radars, and that all indications pointed to it being a Russian missile.

Speaking to Russian state media outlet RIA Novosti Saturday, Russian diplomat Andrei Ordash said: We will not give any explanations until we are presented with concrete evidence because these accusations are unsubstantiated.
Organisers have said they are prepared to welcome the crowds and ensure their safety as thousands prepare to descend on New Yorks Times Square for the traditional New Year celebrations.

At a security briefing on Friday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said there were no specific threats to the annual New Years Eve bash, which is expected to draw tens of thousands of people to the heart of midtown Manhattan on Sunday.

The celebrity-filled event will include live performances from Flo Rida, Megan Thee Stallion, LL Cool J as well as televised appearances from Cardi B and others.

Organisers said in-person attendance is expected to return to pre-Covid levels, even as foot traffic around Times Square remains down slightly since the pandemic.

Confetti is released during a test ahead of New Years Eve in Times Square in New York (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Amid near-daily protests in New York sparked by fighting between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza, police said they would expand the security perimeter around the party, creating a buffer zone that will allow them to head off potential demonstrations.

Pro-Palestinian marches have disrupted recent events in New York, including the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade and the ceremonial lighting of the Rockefeller Christmas Tree.

We will be out here with our canines, on horseback, our helicopters, our boats, Mr Adams said.

Officials will also monitor protests with drones, he said. But as we saw last year, after having no specific threats we get a threat.

During last years New Years Eve party, a machete-wielding man attacked three police officers a few blocks from Times Square.

Tom Harris, the president of the Times Square Alliance, said there would always be security concerns, but praised the police departments measures to ensure participant safety.

Backpacks, duffel bags and alcohol are banned inside the security perimeter, and all attendees must pass through police checkpoints.

His advice for those planning to attend the countdown: Come early.
Venezuela said on Saturday it will continue to deploy nearly 6,000 troops until a British military vessel sent to neighbouring Guyana leaves the waters off the coast of the two South American nations.

In a video posted to X, the Venezuelan defence minister, Vladimir Padrino, appeared surrounded by military officers in front of a marked up map of Venezuela and Guyana, a former British colony.

Mr Padrino said the forces are safeguarding our national sovereignty.

Armed forces have been deployed not just in the east of the country, but across the entire territory, he said.

They will be there until this British imperialist boat leaves the disputed waters between Venezuela and Guyana

They will be there until this British imperialist boat leaves the disputed waters between Venezuela and Guyana.

The defense ministry confirmed to the Associated Press that the video was made at a military base in Venezuelas capital, Caracas.

The video comes after weeks of tensions between the two countries over Venezuelas renewed claim to a region in Guyana known as Essequibo, a sparsely populated stretch of land roughly the size of Florida that is rich in oil and minerals.

Operations generate about 1.0 billion US dollars (780 million) a year for the impoverished country of nearly 800,000 people that saw its economy expand by nearly 60% in the first half of this year.

Venezuela has long argued it was cheated out of the territory when Europeans and the US set the border.

Guyana, which has controlled the zone for decades, says the original agreement was legally binding and the dispute should be decided by the International Court of Justice in the Netherlands.

The century-old dispute was recently reignited with the discovery of oil in Guyana, and has escalated since Venezuela reported that its citizens voted in a December 3 referendum to claim Essequibo, which makes up two-thirds of its smaller neighbour.

Critics of Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro say the socialist leader is using the tensions to distract from internal turmoil and stoke nationalism in the lead-up to presidential elections next year.

In recent weeks, the leaders of Guyana and Venezuela promised in a tense meeting that neither side would use threats or force against the other, but failed to reach agreement on how to address the bitter dispute.

Tensions came to another head with Fridays arrival in Guyana of the Royal Navy patrol ship, HMS Trent, most recently used to intercept pirates and drug smugglers off Africa.

It is equipped with cannons and a landing pad for helicopters and drones and can carry about 50 Royal Marines.

Mr Maduro said the ships deployment violates the shaky agreement between Venezuela and Guyana, calling its presence a threat to his country.

In response, Maduro ordered Venezuelas military  including air and naval forces  to conduct exercises near the disputed area.
Israel must take full control of the Gaza Strip border corridor with Egypt to ensure a "demilitarisation" of the area, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday, as Israel's military pushed deeper into central and southern Gaza.

Speaking at a press conference, Netanyahu said: "The Philadelphi Corridor - or to put it more correctly, the southern closing point (of Gaza) - must be in our hands. It must be shut. It is clear that any other arrangement would not ensure the demilitarisation that we seek."

He did not elaborate. If accomplished, such a move would mark a de facto reversal of Israel's 2005 withdrawal from Gaza, placing the enclave under exclusive Israeli control after years being run by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Netanyahu's comments about the buffer zone came as Israeli military forces pressed ahead with an offensive that the prime minister reiterated will last "for many more months."

Israeli soldiers embrace after arriving from combat in the Gaza Strip at an army staging area in southern Israel, Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023. The army is battling Palestinian militants across Gaza in the war ignited by Hamas' Oct. 7 attack into Israel. (AP Photo/Tsafrir Abayov)

Fighting was focused in al-Bureij, Nuseirat, Maghazi and Khan Younis, according to residents, and was backed by intensive air strikes that filled hospitals with wounded Palestinians.

The bombardment has killed 165 people and wounded 250 others in Gaza over the past 24 hours, Palestinian health authorities said.

At Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, the biggest medical facility in the south of the crowded territory, a Red Crescent video showed paramedics rushing a tiny, dust-covered baby into a ward as one shouted "there is breathing, there is breathing".

Almost all Gaza's 2.3 million residents have been forced from their homes by Israel's 12-week assault, triggered after Hamas and allied groups killed 1,200 people and captured 240 hostages in a rampage in southern Israel on October 7.

The offensive has killed at least 21,672 Palestinians, according to health authorities in Gaza, with more than 56,000 injured and thousands more feared dead under the rubble.

Israel says 172 of its military personnel have been killed in the Gaza fighting.

Smoke rises from the battlefield in the Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel, Saturday Dec. 30, 2023. The army is battling Palestinian militants across Gaza in the war ignited by Hamas' Oct. 7 attack into Israel.(AP Photo/Tsafrir Abayov)

On Saturday, the armed wing of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine said an Israeli soldier being held captive in Gaza by the group had been killed in an Israeli air strike that also wounded some of his captors.

A spokesperson for the group told Al Araby television the air strike followed a failed attempt by Israeli commandos to free the soldier.

The spokesperson gave no details of location or when the soldier had been taken captive.

The Israeli military declined comment.

FLEEING BOMBARDMENT

The conflict risks spreading across the region, drawing in Iran-aligned groups in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and Yemen, that have exchanged fire with Israel and its US. ally, or targeted merchant shipping.

Bombardment has smashed houses, apartment blocks, businesses and hospitals. On Saturday the Palestinian Culture Ministry said Israeli strikes had struck a medieval bathhouse. Gaza's Great Mosque was hit earlier in the war.

Palestinian kids look at the destruction after an Israeli strike in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, Friday, Dec. 29, 2023. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)

Ziad, a medic in Maghazi in central Gaza, was fleeing with his three children to Rafah, on the border with Egypt.

"We want a ceasefire now," he said. "Enough, more than enough, already."

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said on Friday troops were reaching Hamas command centres and arms depots. Pictures released by the military showed soldiers moving across churned-up earth among ruins of destroyed buildings.

The Israeli military said it had destroyed a tunnel complex in the basement of one of the houses of the Hamas leader for Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, in Gaza City. Troops also raided the Hamas military intelligence headquarters and an Islamic Jihad command centre in Khan Younis, and destroyed targets including a weapons foundry, a military statement said.

Hamas and Islamic Jihad - both sworn to Israel's destruction - said in separate statements their fighters destroyed and damaged several Israeli tanks and troop carriers in attacks across Gaza on Saturday. They also said they fired mortars against Israeli forces in Khan Younis and Al-Bureij as well as in northern Gaza.

Israel's stated aim is to destroy Hamas and while the US has called for it to scale down the war and move to targeted operations against the group's leaders, so far it shows no sign of doing so.

VACCINES FOR GAZA

Israel said on Friday it had facilitated the entry of vaccines into Gaza in coordination with UNICEF, the UN children's agency, to help prevent the spread of disease.

Palestinians salvage belongings from the rubble of a building of the Hamad family destroyed in an Israeli strike in Deir al Balah, Gaza Strip, Friday, Dec. 29, 2023. (AP Photo/Adel Hana)

The little aid reaching the enclave since the start of the war, when Israel imposed a near-total blockade on all food, medicine and fuel, has come across the border with Egypt.

Israel has only allowed access to the south of the enclave, where it started ordering all Gaza civilians to move from October, and aid agencies have said Israeli inspections have stopped all but a small fraction of needed supplies getting in.

The Israeli government said it does not limit humanitarian aid and the problem was with distribution inside Gaza.

Al-Bureij, Nuseirat and Khan Younis are three of eight camps set up in Gaza for some of the Palestinians who fled or were driven from their homes during Israel's creation in 1948. The camps have gradually become crowded urban areas after decades of building. Other Palestinian refugees live in camps in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and the West Bank.

The Gaza war has also stoked violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. On Saturday, Israeli troops shot a Palestinian motorist who tried to ram them near the West Bank city of Hebron, the army said. He was killed in the incident, the Palestinian health ministry said.

A Palestinian journalist working for Al-Quds TV was killed along with some of his family members in an airstrike on their house in the Nuseirat camp in central Gaza Strip on Friday, health officials and fellow journalists said.
Russia said 20 people including two children had been killed and 111 injured in "indiscriminate" Ukrainian strikes allegedly including cluster bombs on the Russian provincial capital of Belgorod on Saturday, and vowed to retaliate.

The Belgorod region, which adjoins northern Ukraine, has like other Russian border zones suffered shelling and drone attacks all year that authorities have blamed on Ukraine, although none have previously been on such a scale.

Newspaper Kommersant cited a source close to the Russian Investigative Committee as saying missiles fired from a multiple rocket launcher in Ukraine's Kharkiv region had hit a skating rink on the central Cathedral Square, a shopping centre and residential buildings.

No official comment was immediately available from Kyiv, but the Ukrainian news outlet RBC-Ukraine quoted unnamed sources as saying Ukrainian forces had directed fire at military targets in Belgorod in response to the massive Russian bombardment of Ukrainian cities the previous day.

News website Ukrainska Pravda quoted an unnamed security service source as blaming the destruction of civilian infrastructure on "unprofessional actions by Russian air defence, as well as deliberate and planned provocations".

Russia's mission to the United Nations in New York said it had requested a meeting of the Security Council, which began at 9pm Irish time.

Firefighters work to extinguish a fire after a Russian attack in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Friday, Dec. 29, 2023. (AP Photo/Yevhen Titov)

Within hours of the attack on Belgorod, Ukrainian authorities said two Russian S-300 missiles hit the centre of Kharkiv, Ukraine's second city, injuring 21 people including two boys aged 16 and 14.

One missile hit the Kharkiv Palace Hotel and another an apartment building. Officials said a medical institution and other civilian infrastructure were also damaged.

Air raid sirens had earlier sounded all over Belgorod as regional Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov urged all residents to move to shelters.

"Today, the Kyiv regime attempted an indiscriminate combined strike on the city of Belgorod with two 'Olkha' missiles in a banned cluster configuration, as well as Czech-made Vampire rockets," the Defence Ministry said in a Telegram posting. "This crime will not go unpunished."

'APARTMENTS AND SHOPS HIT'

It said most of the rockets, including both the "Olkha" missiles, had been shot down, averting far greater casualties, although fragments had fallen on the city.

Governor Gladkov said 22 apartment buildings had been damaged along with a large number of commercial properties, shopping centres and shops, and that more than 100 cars had been damaged, most of them burned out.

Panorama view of border Belgorod city, Russia, with traffic on the highway and residential areas.

Images posted by the Emergencies Ministry showed at least three burned out cars, and a commercial building with some broken windows. Other images posted online showed black smoke rising from the city.

Two residents told Reuters they had seen air defence missiles rising into the sky followed by explosions in the air and then louder blasts.

Russian state-run news agency RIA quoted the Kremlin as saying President Vladimir Putin had sent a team of health and emergency workers to Belgorod.

Russia, which invaded Ukraine in February 2022 in what it calls a "special military operation", unleashed its biggest air attack of the war on Friday.

Ukrainian officials said 39 civilians had been killed and 159 wounded as Russia launched 158 missiles and drones at more than 120 cities and towns across Ukraine. On Saturday, the toll climbed to 41, after one person found dead in Kyiv and another succumbed to injuries in Odesa.

Russia said its anti-aircraft units had destroyed 13 Ukrainian rockets over the Belgorod region on Friday, as well as 32 drones overnight over the nearby Bryansk, Oryol and Kursk regions and the Moscow region.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told RIA that Britain and the US had incited Ukraine to carry out "terrorist acts", and said European Union countries must also bear blame for supplying it with weapons.
Saturday, Dec 30th, 2023 (7:22 am) - Score 2,640

The UK Government has published the New Year Honours List for 2024, which sees the CEO of UK ISP TalkTalk, Tristia Harrison, being named a Dame for services to telecommunications. The Founder and Chair of the Tove Valley Broadband project, Eric Malcomson, also picked up an MBE for services to his community.

The Kings New Year Honours list is said to recognise the achievements and public service of people across the UK, from all walks of life. Anyone can nominate someone for an honour, and nominees are then checked by various government departments to make sure theyre suitable for an honour (this may include checks by HMRC) and an honours committee will also review the nominations.

This year saw more than 1,200 recipients being awarded for their achievements, including two people from the countrys telecommunications and broadband fields.

Order of the British Empire Dames Commander of the Order of the British Empire Tristina Adele HARRISON (Tristia Harrison) Chief Executive Officer, TalkTalk Group. For services to Telecommunications (London, Greater London) Members of the Order of the British Empire Eric MALCOMSON Founder and Chair, Tove Valley Broadband. For services to thecommunity in the Tove Valley, Northamptonshire (Towcester, Northamptonshire)

The boss of TalkTalk needs no introduction, although people may be less familiar with the Tove Valley community broadband project (Abthorpe Broadband Association) in Northamptonshire (England). This began life as a wireless network some years ago, but in more recent years theyve adopted government vouchers to upgrade most of the area to a full fibre (FTTP) network (here).

Tove Valley Broadband Statement Our erstwhile chairman and one of the founder members of the Abthorpe Broadband Association (in 2003), Eric, has been awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the new year 2024 Kings honours for service to the community. Eric says that whereas other awards he received in the past are directly associated with and on behalf of the teams of volunteers, this award is more personal. He is humbled by the recognition of the communities and of course, the King, of the part he has played in delivering superfast and gigabit fibre broadband services to the Tove Valley businesses and residents. We are coming to the end of our fibre-to-the-premises projects for the core area having completed more than 450 connections, with about 50 to go. These connections cover the villages of Abthorpe, Astwell, Bradden, Lois Weedon, Weston, Wappenham, Slapton and Woodend which form our communities core area. We deliver service to over 80% of the properties therein. We are also upgrading the wireless access points in Helmdon with a direct fibre connection so that their capacity is greatly increased. In all, there are more than 710 properties connected to the Tove Valley Broadband service. 2024 will see the hamlet of Plumpton connected to fibre and our redundant loop connections through Woodend completed. Abthorpe Broadband Association volunteers manage this work and uses local contractors where at all possible.

Meanwhile, Dame Tristia of TalkTalk said: I am humbled to have been nominated for this honour. I have spent over 20 years in Telecoms and as a team at TalkTalk we have been proud to champion affordable connectivity, invest in Greater Manchester and encourage more women into telecoms and technology  I would like to thank everyone at TalkTalk, in UK telecoms and across the various charities Ive worked with for this prestigious recognition.
In 2023, the Security Service of Ukraine demonstrated a high level of effectiveness in countering Russian aggression both on the front line and in the rear. That is why, according to sociological surveys, Ukrainians' trust in this structure has grown to a record 71%, the highest figure since the existence of independent Ukraine and the highest among all law enforcement agencies.

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Oleksandr Chernenko, a member of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine of the 8th convocation, former head of the Committee of Voters of Ukraine, and public figure, is convinced of this. He believes that the Security Service of Ukraine's credibility has been enhanced by the use of maritime drones to hit enemy targets at sea, the exposure of collaborators among representatives of the Ukrainian Ortodox Church, and the impressive numbers of enemy equipment destroyed on the front line.

Chernenko emphasized the successes demonstrated by the Special Forces in the Black Sea.

"American professor Timothy Snyder considers the victory at sea to be the main victory for Ukraine in 2023. It was achieved thanks to the Security Service of Ukraine marine drones. Western experts emphasize that this development of the Service has changed the balance of power in the Black Sea. Russia, which considered itself the master in the region, is now out of control and has actually been forced to withdraw a significant part of its fleet, and the ships of the Russian Black Sea Fleet are constantly taking off," the expert emphasized.

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Chernenko also mentioned the successes of special forces at the front line. The effective minimization of enemy equipment and manpower could not but affect the attitude of Ukrainians towards the Security Service of Ukraine.

"The cost of Russian equipment destroyed by Security Service of Ukraine units (in particular, the fighters of the Special Operations Center "A") since the beginning of the war is more than $ 2 billion. In 2023, the Service destroyed more than 500 tanks alone. Among the destroyed tanks are the latest T-90 and T-90M, which cost almost $5 million each," he said.

The Security Service of Ukraine also started searching for collaborators in the rear. In particular, enemy agents, propagandists and adjusters were found in the ranks of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, as well as among officials and ordinary citizens.

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"233 gunners are now awaiting trial. 82 traitors are already serving long sentences. The Security Service of Ukraine has taken up the topic that the state has been avoiding for 30 years and cleaned up the network of "agents in cassocks." The Ukrainian Orthodox Church is an extensive network of agents that Russia has been building for many years. For the first time since independence, the Security Service of Ukraine has begun to systematically expose this network. The Security Service of Ukraine is investigating more than 70 criminal proceedings against the clergy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church," Chernenko emphasized.

We will remind, recently it became known that during 2023, the Security Service of Ukraine destroyed more than 500 Russian tanks in a year: among them - T-90 and T-90M worth almost $ 5 million.

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It was also reported that the Security Service of Ukraine for the first time showed a new marine drone, Mamai, which is annoying the occupiers in the Black Sea . It has already proven itself in the fight against the aggressor.
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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.
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Russian terrorists claimed that on the night of December 30, they allegedly repelled an attack by unmanned aerial vehicles in a number of regions. The invaders claimed that they had managed to destroy 32 drones with the help of Air Defense Forces.

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Residents of the terrorist country of the Russian Federation did not believe in the fairy tale stories of the Ministry of Defense about the "success" of air defense and exposed the occupiers in a lie. This is reported by the Kremlin's propaganda media.

According to the legend of the Russian Defense Ministry, on the night of December 30, Putin's terrorists allegedly shot down 32 Ukrainian aircraft-type UAVs. War criminal Sergei Shoigu also claimed that air defense was allegedly operating in Moscow, Bryansk, Kursk, and Orel regions

"Air defense systems on duty intercepted and destroyed 32 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles over the territories of Bryansk, Orel, Kursk and Moscow regions," Russian terrorist said.

It is worth noting that the day before, Russians heard strong explosions in different regions of the aggressor country. Many people filmed fires and detonation sounds. Therefore, Russian citizens did not believe in the lie of their Ministry of Defense about the "success" of air defense.

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The Russian Ministry of Defense was reproached for not specifying the number of UAVs launched, so Russians doubted the success of their air defense. The network also mentioned Belgorod, where a detonation occurred within minutes and a massive fire broke out.

At the same time, most Russians once again showed their terrorist nature and continued to rejoice that the day before the Russian army attacked multi-story residential buildings, shopping centers and a maternity hospital in Ukraine.

On the evening of December 29, loud explosions were heard in Belgorod, where about 20 hits were reported. It is noteworthy that the "fireworks" were visible even from Kharkiv.

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Earlier, it was reported that on the night of December 30, explosions were heard in the Russian city of Bryansk. According to preliminary information, the city's Kremny EL plant, which produces parts for Russian weapons, was attacked again.

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Ukraine has not changed the rules for crossing the border. However, border guards continue to scrutinize documents. Since the beginning of the year alone, almost 50,000 Ukrainian citizens who did not qualify for a pass have been denied entry at the border, and 3,000 forged documents have been found.

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Andrii Demchenko, a spokesman for the State Border Guard Service, told OBOZ.UA. The agency responded in this way to disputes on the border with Poland, in particular in Shehyny. There, men who were asked for their documents were dissatisfied with the actions of the security forces. Rumors began to spread on social media that men with the third disability group were no longer allowed to leave Ukraine. However, the information about the rule change is fake. The checkpoint was closed for several hours.

"The passage of persons across the border is still carried out in accordance with the current legislation, including the Rules of Border Crossing for Citizens of Ukraine, approved by Government Resolution 57. The rules, among other things, define the conditions for crossing the border during martial law, especially for male citizens of Ukraine, who are generally restricted from leaving Ukraine. The rules clearly define the categories and conditions under which citizens can cross the border," explained Demchenko.

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Border guards are carefully examining documents that would give grounds for leaving. According to the spokesperson, people try to speculate on the conditions of crossing the border, traveling for other purposes or using forged or fictitious documents. There are no changes in the border crossing rules, but the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine will always check the conditions of departure and strictly comply with the law .

As OBOZ.UA previously reported:

- Three former deputies of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine left the country after the start of the full-scale Russian invasion and never returned. Serhiy Katsuba, Oleksandr Tretyakov and Oleksandr Zats fled abroad using the "Shlyakh" system under the guise of volunteers, the media reported.

- Earlier, four fugitives were caught near the village of Untylivka, Rozdilnyanskyi district, Odesa region. A drone with a thermal imager helped border guards detect the offenders, who wanted to illegally enter Moldova.

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Ann Arbor (Informed Comment)  South African society has had extensive experience with racial Apartheid (segregation and humiliation) and with genocide, which is defined in international law this way: Genocide is the intentional a physical destruction of a social group in its entirety, or the intentional annihilation of such a significant part of the group that it is no longer able to reproduce itself biologically or culturally, So writes Mohamed Adhikari in his book, The Anatomy of a South African Genocide : The Extermination of the Cape San Peoples, Ohio University Press, 2011.

Adhikari explains that the =Khomani San are a tiny remnant of the foraging communities that once inhabited most of the land that currently constitutes South Africa. They have now been pushed into the Kalahari desert in the North Cape province. Outsiders sometimes refer to the San as Bushmen. The Dutch Trekboers who went into areas beyond the Cape, especially in the late 1700s, conducted what can only be called a genocide against the San, whom they did not consider entirely human.

The Germans in Southwest Africa (now Namibia) committed genocide against the Herero people in 190407. Their tactics presaged the slaughter of WW I in that they used machine guns on crowds and lightly armed anticolonial men.

Some African thinkers consider the system of Apartheid practiced by white South Africans in 1948-1994 as a form of genocide, but the two crimes differ in their technical definition in international law.

In international law, genocide is not the same as annihilation. As defined in contemporary treaties such as the Rome Statute, it can involve killing relatively few individuals, but doing it in such a way as to deliberately cripple their ability to survive as a people. The key elements are intentionally targeting a people because of its ethnic identity and attempting to wipe out its peoplehood. Israels destruction of all Gaza universities and many other schools, and its killing of so many professors and journalists in what looks like a campaign of targeted assassinations, looks genocidal, since schools and universities and the press carry a peoples identity.

South Africas president, Cyril Ramaphosa, was known for preaching, singing and dancing for the church when he was in high school. He was trained as an attorney under the Apartheid regime, and was jailed by the white Afrikaner government twice for protesting, including spending 6 months in prison after the Soweto uprising. (He was born in Soweto.) In 1982 he helped found and became general secretary of the National Union of Mineworkers, which grew to 300,000 members under his leadership and staged the largest strike in South Africas history in 1987.



President Cyril Ramaphosa, courtesy South African Government

In the Apartheid period, Israel was a staunch supporter of the Apartheid regime and even sought nuclear cooperation with it against Black African countries. The United States government also frequently ran interference for Apartheid-era Pretoria.

In 1994 Ramaphosa led the drafting of South Africas first democratic constitution. He served in parliament for some years. He later was involved in promoting the countrys private sector. He was elected president in 2017.

Ramaphosa roundly condemned the Hamas attack of October 7. But the BBC reports that a week into Israels aerial bombardment of the Strip, the president led 60 party leaders as they waved Palestinian flags, while wearing the traditional chequered black and white Palestinian scarf, the keffiyeh. He said regarding the Palestinians, They are people who have been under occupation for almost 75 years . . . They have been waiting and waging a war against a government that has been dubbed an apartheid state. He added, We have always pledged our solidarity, and have always insisted that the only solution, especially with the issues of Palestine, is a two-state solution.

On Friday, South Africa preferred a case against Israel with the International Court of Justice for genocide in Gaza. The ICJ adjudicates cases between UN members, and both South Africa and Israel are members. Both are also signatories to the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide.

Pretorias Department of International Relations said Friday, South Africa is gravely concerned with the plight of civilians caught in the present Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip due to the indiscriminate use of force and forcible removal of inhabitants. The phrases indiscriminate use of force and forcible removal of inhabitants are both technical terms that refer to war crimes in the Geneva Conventions and other instruments of International Humanitarian Law. The government underlines that it condemns all violence and attacks against all civilians, including Israelis. This latter is a reference to the Hamas atrocities of October 7, which left over a thousand Israelis dead, the bulk of them innocent civilians.

Pretoria explained, As a State Party to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, South Africa is under a treaty obligation to prevent genocide from occurring. Therefore, at a special meeting held on 8 December 2023, Cabinet directed that the International Court of Justice in The Hague be approached to obtain an order directing Israel, which is also a State Party, to refrain from any acts that may constitute genocide or related crimes under the Convention.

Please watch this video for its important discussion of the ways in which international tribunals of justice have consistently discriminated against peoples in the global South and in favor of those in the wealthy North.

SABC: SA drags Israel before the International Court of Justice: Sophie Mokoena weighs in

South Africa has a nominal GDP of some $400 bn annually and its military is ranked 33rd in the world. It is a member of the BRICs bloc of countries outside the North Atlantic centers of power and wealth.

The ICJ reported (see the letter below) that South Africa said of the government of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu that acts and omissions by Israel  are genocidal in character, as they are commnitted with the requisite specific intent  to destroy Palestinians in Gaza as a part of the broader Palestinian national, racial and ethnical group.

The reason the South African government of Cyril Ramaphosa said that Israels actions were committed with specific intent is that intentionality is important to the definition of genocide. If a country took an action that inadvertently led to the destruction of a people, that would not be genocide, however tragic it was.

South Africa charged that the conduct of Israel  through its State organs, State agents, and other persons and entities acting on its instructions or under its direction, control or influence  in relation to Palestinians in Gaza, is in violation of its obligations under the Genocide Convention.

Pretoria asked the Court to take provisional measures immediately to halt the ongoing genocide.

This is the letter that the ICJ issued in recognition of the South African claim:
Ukrainian Defense Forces have advanced northeast of Bakhmut in the Donetsk region. Positional fighting continues in this area and near Avdiivka.

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This was reported by analysts of the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW). It is noted that in the Bakhmut direction, Ukrainian forces advanced south of Spirne on December 27.

As early as December 29, Russian sources published footage claiming that units of the 6th Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 2nd Army Corps of the "LPR" were operating near this settlement.

The analysts also noted that both Ukrainian and Russian sources claimed that positional fighting continued west of Bakhmut in the area of Bohdanivka, Khromove and Ivanivske, as well as southwest of Bakhmut in the area of Klishchiivka, Andriivka and Kurdiumivka.

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The ISW noted that in the Avdiivka sector, Russian troops advanced northeast of Vodiane. On December 29, positional fighting continued around Avdiivka, in particular near Ocheretyne, Novobakhmutivka and Stepove.

"Russian sources claimed that Russian forces had also advanced northwest of Avdiivka in the area of Krasnohorivka and towards the Avdiivka coke plant, although ISW did not observe visual evidence of such an advance," the analysts added.

Ukrainian military observer Kostiantyn Mashovets said that Russian troops are attacking in small strike groups without the support of armored vehicles and in some cases without artillery, relying on small arms fire instead. They are trying to advance northwest and southwest of Avdiivka.

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As reported by OBOZ.UA:

- Ukrainian Defense Forces have shown how they regained control of a position previously seized by the Russian army. The operation was conducted in one of the sectors, where the fiercest fighting with the enemy is currently taking place, namely near Avdiivka.

- President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the positions of the Ukrainian military in Avdiivka, Donetsk region, which the occupiers are trying to surround. The Head of State thanked the military and presented them with awards.

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By Golnaz Esfandiari and Mohammad Zarghami | 

( RFE/ RL )  Record temperatures, prolonged droughts, and the drying up of rivers and lakes are displacing tens of thousands of Iranians each year, experts say.

Many of the climate migrants are farmers, laborers, and fishermen who are moving with their families from the countryside to major urban areas in Iran in search of alternative livelihoods.

Iranian officials have blamed worsening water scarcity and rising desertification on climate change. But experts say the crisis has been exacerbated by government mismanagement and rapid population growth.

While the exact number of climate migrants is unknown, Iranian media estimated that around 42,000 people in 2022 were forced to migrate due to the effects of climate change, including drought, sand and dust storms, floods, and natural disasters. The estimated figure for 2021 was 41,000. Observers say the real figures are likely much higher.

Experts say a growing number of Iranians are likely to leave rural areas as more areas of Iran  where most of the land is arid or semiarid  become uninhabitable every year.

It is visible because Iran is very dry, there is little rainfall, and a significant part of the country is desert, Tehran-based ecologist Mohammadreza Fatemi told RFE/RL. As a result, the slightest change in the climate affects the population.

Fatemi cited the drying up of the wetlands and lakes in Irans southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchistan as an example. The Hamun wetlands were a key source of food and livelihood for thousands of people. But as the wetlands have diminished, many locals have migrated to the cities.

Many people lived there, [but] they all moved to [the provincial capital] Zahedan and [the city of] Zabol, said Fatemi. Now, he adds, many are moving from these cities to other provinces.

Environmentalist Mehdi Zarghami from Tabriz University recently estimated that some 10,000 families have left Zabol for other parts of Iran during the past year due to drought and sandstorms.

Fatemi estimates that around 70 percent of migration inside Iran is driven by the effects of climate change. Weve entered the phase of crisis. The next level could be a disaster, he said.

Water Bankruptcy

Some Iranian officials have warned that many parts of the Islamic republic could eventually become uninhabitable, leading to a mass exodus from the Middle Eastern country.

In July, officials warned that more than 1 million hectares of the countrys territory  roughly equivalent to the size of Qom Province or Lebanon  is essentially becoming unlivable every year.

Aljazeera English: Iran drought: Residents flee villages as water shortages set in

In 2018, then-Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli said that drought and water scarcity could fuel massive migration and eventually lead to a disaster.

Iran is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change in the Middle East, which is warming at twice the global average.

Ahad Vazifeh of Irans Meteorological Center said in October that average temperatures in Iran had increased by 2 degrees in the past 50 years.

But experts say that climate change only partly explains the environmental crisis that Iran is grappling with.

Tehrans failed efforts to remedy water scarcity, including dam building and water-intensive irrigation projects, have contributed to the drying up of rivers and underground water reservoirs.

Kaveh Madani, the director of the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment, and Health, told RFE/RLs Radio Farda that Irans water bankruptcy had been fueled by government mismanagement and the building of dozens of dams.

Irans consumption is more than its natural sources of water, he said. Therefore, [the authorities are] using underground sources of water. [In response,] the wetlands have dried up, rivers have dried up, and now climate change has added to this equation.

Temperatures are rising, theres more dust, soil erosion will increase, and desertification will increase, predicted Madani, a former deputy head of Irans Environment Department.

The governments mismanagement of Irans scant water resources has triggered angry protests in recent years, especially in drought-stricken areas.

Water scarcity has also led to conflict. Iran and Afghanistan engaged in deadly cross-border clashes in May after Tehran demanded that its neighbor release more upstream water to feed Irans endangered southeastern wetlands.

Social Problems

Some experts say rapid population growth in Iran has also contributed to the environmental crisis, although growth has slowed in recent years.

Irans population has more than doubled since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, rising from about 35 million to almost 88 million, with about 70 percent of the population residing in cities.

Climate migration has put a growing strain on infrastructure and created socioeconomic problems in Iranian cities, including rising poverty, homelessness, and overcrowding, experts say.

Researcher Mohammad Reza Mahbubfar told the Rokna news site in February 2021 that Tehran was a major destination for many of the countrys climate migrants. Contrary to what officials say  that Tehran has a population of 15 million  the [real] figure has reached 30 million, he said.

Mahbubfar added that unbalanced development had resulted in Tehran being drowned in social [problems].

The influx has led some wealthier Tehran residents to move to the countrys northern provinces, a largely fertile region that buttresses the Caspian Sea.

My mother, who has a heart problem, now spends most of her time in our villa in Nowshahr, a Tehran resident told Radio Farda, referring to the provincial capital of Mazandaran Province.

My husband and I are hoping to move there once we retire to escape Tehrans bad weather and pollution, the resident said.

Reza Aflatouni, the head of Irans Land Affairs Organization, said in August that about 800,000 people had migrated to Mazandaran in the past two years.

Local officials have warned that Mazandaran is struggling to absorb the large influx of people.

Elahe Ravanshad of RFE/RLs Radio Farda contributed to this report

Via RFE/ RL
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 29, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AZINCOURT ENERGY CORP. (Azincourt or the Company) (TSX.V: AAZ), is pleased to announce it has closed a second tranche of its non-brokered private placement. In connection with closing of the second tranche, the Company has issued 500,000 non-flow-through units (each, an NFT Unit) and 5,714,286 flow-through units (each, an FT Unit). Each NFT Unit was offered at a price of $0.03 and each FT Unit was offered at a price of $0.035. Each NFT Unit and FT Unit consists of one common share and one share purchase warrant entitling the holder to acquire an additional common share of the Company at a price of $0.05 until December 29, 2026.

When combined with the earlier tranche of the placement, the Company has raised gross proceeds of $1,255,117.26 through the issuance of 1,170,000 NFT Units and 34,857,635 FT Units.

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 of the second tranche, the Company paid finders fees totaling $15,050 and issued a total of 435,000 finders warrants. Each finders warrant is exercisable into one common share of the Company at a price of $0.05 until December 29, 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 29, 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.

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.
On the night of December 30, the Defense Forces responded to Russia's massive attack on the morning of December 29. More than 70 Ukrainian UAVs attacked military facilities in the Belgorod region, and the shelling of the occupiers' targets continued during the day.

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The Russian air defense system, which is trying to repel the attack, gave the Russians in Belgorod a living hell. In the morning, Russian propagandists claimed that Russian air defense "shot down everything," but now they are starting to clean up their posts.

On the night of December 30, the Ukrainian Defense Forces launched about 70 drones into the Belgorod region: this is how Ukrainian soldiers responded to the Russian terrorist attack on December 29, which killed almost four dozen Ukrainians. During the day, the strikes on legitimate military targets continued: they are now being hit on the outskirts of Belgorod. However, unlike the invaders, Ukrainian soldiers did not attack civilians, but exclusively enemy military targets, from which, in particular, Russia regularly attacks Ukraine, primarily Kharkiv, with S-300 missiles.

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In particular, the blogger "Mykolaiv Vanek" writes about this. He also adds that Belgorod residents should thank their air defense system for the arrivals and destruction in Belgorod that made the Russians howl and whose footage is flooding the web. The very same air defense system that they massively professed their love for in videos at the beginning of Russia's full-scale aggression.

"You understand that everything in the Belgorod People's Republic was flying and hitting military facilities (we send our greetings to all the S-300s that were covering Kharkiv yesterday). But the inept work of the local air defense system has resulted in civilian casualties and destruction even in the capital of the republic. It happens. And it can be worse," he said.

Russian propagandists have been talking about "terrorists" from Ukraine who are allegedly targeting Russian civilians for hours. Until recently, they were convinced that all the weapons sent by Ukrainian soldiers to the Belgorod region without exception were shot down by Russian air defense.

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When footage of burning cars, smashed buildings, and dead Russians began to appear online, propagandists quickly began to "clean up" previous posts. In this way, they hope to shift the responsibility for the destruction and casualties from Russian air defense to "Ukrainian Nazis."
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The practice of medicine has been significantly enhanced by advancing technology. However, even with four years of medical school and an MD degree, this only provides the foundation for what is needed to be a good doctor. A critically important skill is the ability to make sound medical decisions.

This is why there is a hierarchy in training that begins after medical school, progressing through internship, residency, fellowship, and eventually leading to becoming a staff physician. At each level, individuals learn, implement, and then teach the necessary decision-making processes to improve their proficiency in effective medical decision-making.

Today, one of the most significant challenges that doctors face is the intervention of those who seek to take control of medical decision-making away from experienced and evidence-based physicians. These intervening parties include insurance companies, hospital administrators, medical groups (including HMOs), and pharmaceutical companies. These entities often prioritize profit over patient care, even contradicting the Hippocratic oath that physicians have taken.

Many of us have likely experienced denials or limited insurance coverage when dealing with situations like car accidents or home fires. In the realm of medicine, I have personally witnessed stacks of prior authorization requests being improperly discarded by profit-driven HMO personnel, jeopardizing the health care of their patients.

In the present day, obtaining approval for special radiology tests such as CT scans, MRIs, or PET scans may be denied by your insurance company. Getting a referral to a specialist can be challenging, and even a necessary surgical procedure for evaluating cancer could end up being denied.

Typically, insurance company physicians or their other health care providers are making these decisions, even when they lack the necessary background in the specific area requiring expertise. Doctors frequently complain about peer-to-peer prior authorization discussions with insurance gatekeepers who have no understanding of the medical knowledge needed to make appropriate evaluations. They often rely on algorithms to justify blocking the medical necessity of your doctors request. Most of the time, the credentials and background of these individuals are unknown, and we may not even know if they have taken the Hippocratic Oath.

Often, time is of the essence for a physician to make a diagnosis, but the additional paperwork often creates obstacles in your doctors efforts.

Unfortunately, this is the health care system that American citizens now face, as it is clearly profit-driven. I believe that there are many countries around the world that provide quality health care to their citizens. Available U.S. data now reveals that life expectancy and maternity health care reflect a failing health care system.

One of the crucial factors in this situation is medical decision-making, which must be returned to the hands of well-educated and experienced health care physicians to ensure quality care. If not, our system will continue to deteriorate, ending up in the health care trash bin.

Gene Uzawa Dorio is an internal medicine physician who blogs at SCV Physician Report.
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khaskhabar.com : , 30  2023 12:55 PM
Russia's massive air attack on Ukraine on December 29 was the culmination of several months of Russian experiments with various combinations of drones and missiles, as well as attempts to test Ukraine's air defense. The Russians learned some lessons as our defenders were unable to intercept any of the X-22/X-32, ballistic (S-300 and Iskander-M), and hypersonic Kinzhal missiles.

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Their tactic of diverting air defense attention to the drones, the launch of which preceded the missile attack, also worked. This conclusion was reached by analysts of the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

It is noted that over the past few months, Russian troops have been experimenting a lot: they have launched a series of missile and drone strikes of various scales, using various combinations of UAVs and cruise and ballistic missiles. For the most part, they used either exclusively Shahed-136/131 drones or a part of them accompanied by fewer missiles. The package launched against Ukraine on December 29, on the other hand, contained 36 Shahed drones and 120 missiles of various types.

Representatives of the Ukrainian military command, including Air Force spokesman Colonel Yurii Ihnat, have long noted that the occupiers often use UAVs to study Ukrainian air defense and identify ways to bypass them.

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Analysts have concluded that Russia may have deliberately accumulated different types of missiles during the fall and early winter of 2023 to create a more diverse package of strikes. The occupiers were also able to apply the lessons learned from various recent reconnaissance and research operations, including the use of drones to bypass Ukrainian air defense while simultaneously using missiles to inflict maximum damage on their intended targets.

As a reminder, on December 29, the Kremlin's war criminals launched at least 158 air attack weapons against Ukraine: missiles of various types and attack UAVs. The air defense forces destroyed 27 Shahed-136/131 attack UAVs and 87 X-101/X-555/X-55 cruise missiles, a total of 114 objects.

As reported by OBOZ.UA:

- On December 29, in the midst of Russia's massive air attack on Ukraine, an "unknown" object flew into Polish airspace. Later, the Polish General Staff stated that it was a Russian missile.

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- Poland appealed to Russia to explain the incident of a missile from a terrorist state flying into Polish airspace. Moscow was demanded to "stop such activities".

Only verified information on our Telegram OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
As a result of Russia's large-scale attack on Ukraine on December 29, nearly 120 settlements in our country were affected, killing 39 civilians and injuring 159. The debris removal and response efforts have been ongoing for over a day.

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President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked everyone who is working tirelessly to help Ukrainians and restore normal life. He also called on foreign leaders to unite to defeat terror.

According to the President, almost 120 Ukrainian cities and villages were affected by the Russian attack on December 29. Civilian infrastructure came under attack: hundreds of facilities were damaged.

In the afternoon of December 30, the work to eliminate the consequences of the terrorist attack continues.

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"I thank all our rescuers of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, employees of utility companies, police officers, everyone who is now on the ground helping, supporting people, clearing the rubble and restoring normal life," Zelenskyy emphasized.

He added that as of 2:30 p.m., 159 civilians were known to have been injured. 39 people were killed. The President expressed his condolences to the families and friends of the victims and assured that all the wounded and injured had received proper assistance.

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Zelenskyy also addressed world leaders.

"I would like to thank all the world leaders, politicians and public figures who condemned this attack. I thank journalists from many countries who support our people and tell the truth about Russian evil and our defense. Weapons in the hands of Ukrainians are always a defense of life, and every manifestation of Russian terror proves again and again that we cannot delay in helping those who stand up to terror. We all have to defeat terror together," he emphasized.

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As a reminder, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine , Russian troops attacked Ukraine with 10 Shaheds on the night of December 30. Air defense forces shot down five of them.

The day before, on December 29, Russia launched its largest air attack. Ukraine's air defense forces destroyed 114 of 158 enemy targets: 27 Shahed-136/131 attack UAVs and 87 X-101/X-555/X-55 cruise missiles.

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There are reports of arrivals in Sumy and Cherkasy regions, Kharkiv, Lviv, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, Kyiv, and other cities and villages.

More than 100 private houses were completely destroyed or damaged, 45 high-rise buildings, schools, two churches, hospitals, a maternity hospital, and many commercial and warehouse premises were damaged.

As of the evening of the previous day, 29 Ukrainians were reported dead and more than 150 people were injured.
A post by PaulL, irregular contributor.

I listened to a great podcast by Russ Roberts interviewing Haviv Rettig Gur on the history of the formation of Israel, and why those who cast this as a decolonisation battle are wrong. In particular, he explains why the attacks by Hamas (and the general approach of terrorism to defeat an occupying power) won't work with Israel.

The podcast is excellent(link here) , and well worth listening to (despite being an hour forty long). I think Gur makes some insightful points that put interesting colour on the current situation.

I'll summarise some of it, as I know not everyone will listen, but I do recommend listening if you can, it's very detailed and brings forward things I simply didn't know from history.

The first part deals with the history of the formation of Israel. Gur and Roberts chronicle the increasing anti-semitism through the 1880s to the early part of the 20th century, including the eastern European pogroms, and the way that many European powers closed their borders to Jews.

There is an interesting discussion of the death of Alexander II, his son's reversal of the reforms, and then the impact of that on the Jews in Russia. It's interesting his view that the pogroms in Russia were very bottom up, and in fact discouraged by the government, which in some sense to me is worse than if it were imposed from the top down.

The parallels of this current attack by Hamas with the pogrom in Kishinev (Wikipedia link) in 1903 are really interesting. Gur's contention is that this is embedded in Jewish culture, particularly European Jewish culture, and is seen as a period of disgrace in some sense  women raped in front of their husbands with the menfolk unable to protect the women and children. A contemporaneous quote from the Yiddish Daily News:

The mob was led by priests, and the general cry, Kill the Jews, was taken-up all over the city. The Jews were taken wholly unaware and were slaughtered like sheep. The dead number 120 and the injured about 500. The scenes of horror attending this massacre are beyond description. Babes were literally torn to pieces by the frenzied and bloodthirsty mob. The local police made no attempt to check the reign of terror. At sunset the streets were piled with corpses and wounded. Those who could make their escape fled in terror, and the city is now practically deserted of Jews.

There's an interesting fact about the emigration to the USA of European Jews from 1908-1925. Of all the immigrants to the USA, a lot of them returned back to europe  the USA didn't suit them. 57% of Italians, 40% of Poles, 64% of Hungarians, 67% of Romanians, and 55% of Russians returned home. Among the Jews, the figure was just 5%. His thesis is that they simply had no choice  what they were leaving was so bad that they stuck it out in the USA. I had no idea that the emigration to the USA was so fluid in that time, and that so many people returned home.

But, in this same time period, the USA started limiting Jewish immigration  in 1921 120,000 Jews emigrated to the USA, by 1934 it's down to 2,700. This provides an explanation as to why so many Jews didn't leave Germany and central Europe prior to WWII  they simply had nowhere to go as so many places closed their borders.

He also has an interesting take on the holocaust, and how the original concentration camps were seen as meaning what they said  concentrating the Jews in one place. The Jews saw it as a new form of persecution, but it was just persecution. They went mostly quietly to their deaths, as they (mostly) didn't know they were death camps. Again, the horrors of the holocaust led to a Jewish culture of never again.

He talks a lot about the different experiences of Jews in the various European countries during WWII. His point is that the Nazi holocaust only succeeded where the local people supported it. Without people giving up their neighbours, there was no holocaust. The Danish Jews fared relatively well, because the population didn't give them up. And in Hungary, only the rural Yiddish Jews (the Jews who could easily be seen as the other) were given up. The middle class Jews in Budapest  your neighbours and your colleagues  were largely protected. The point being that the holocaust wasn't something Hitler did (although it was also that). It was the culmination of four decades of persecution, and it was supported by many people in each of those countries.

He then moves on to the aftermath of WWII, and makes an interesting point. Many of the Jews who were liberated in 1945 had nowhere to go. In 1947, two years after liberation, there were still a quarter of a million Jews in Bergen-Bensen  still in the concentration camp, being fed by the allies, with nowhere to go. The US wouldn't take them. England wouldn't take them.

Those who were originally Polish went back to Poland, and there were pogroms after the war. I never knew that. The Jews were still being attacked in Poland.

There's a bunch of good information elsewhere on the formation of Israel, but this history is all the backdrop to the point where Israel was formed. There's some good treatment of the fact that the English (who had conquered/taken the Palestinian mandate from the Ottomans after wwi) were a bit stuck. They'd promised the Palestinians autonomy in return for support during the war. They'd also promised the Jews (who are indigenous to Israel) some sort of homeland. And nobody wanted to take many of these Jews, they needed somewhere to go because they're still stuck in the camps. After Israel is formed, many of these Jews from the concentration camps are the ones who initially go to Israel, and many of these Jews are those who are the earliest members of the IDF.

Then he covers Jewish expulsion from much of the Arab world through the late 40s and the 50s. Baghdad was 25% Jewish in 1930, by 1950 it was 0% Jewish. The attacks, the pogroms, the othering were very similar to what had happened in the early part of the 20th century in Europe. The difference is that this time there was somewhere for the Jews to go. The Jews across the middle east, across north Africa, basically get expelled, and mostly go to Israel. They don't get massacred, they leave.

Then they move into a discussion of decolonisation. Gur's point is that the model the Palestinians are using is Algeria. The Algerian independence movement was the template for decolonisation. The model is that you have this colonising power, and they get lots of benefits from their colonisation. So you have to impose perceived costs on them that are greater than the benefit of staying.

And so, anti-colonial struggles, by their basic logic, tend to horrific cruelty, tend to terrorism. Not because colonized peoples are more cruel than anybody else, but because that is the basic founding logic of anti-colonial struggles; and it worked everywhere. It worked everywhere it was tried in the 20th century.

That's why it's called terrorism, the horrific brutality isn't a side effect  it's the intent. The more massacres you do, the higher the cost of staying. It worked in Algeria with the Algerian National Liberation front  the French packed up and left, they went back to France.

The Palestinian Liberation Organisation was modelled on the NLF, and had very close ties to Algeria:

In 1974, Arafat gives a speech of the U.N. General Assembly. Who introduces him to the podium? The President of the Assembly, who was also the President of Algeria, who was also a leader in the FLN. In 1988, the Palestinians issueArafat issuesa Palestinian Declaration of Independence. By the way, on November 15th, 1988, Yasser Arafat declares independence of the State of Palestine. Where does he do it? In Algiers. Palestinian school children learn the Algerian experience. And that drives decades of terrorism: of raids across the border, of mass murders, of shooting up school buses of Israeli children, of the Second Intifada, 140 bombings of the airplane hijackings, and also ultimatelythe 1972 Munich massacre, the Olympic Massacre. And October 7th, 2023

They then talk in detail about why this won't work with Israel. Because the Jews aren't colonisers. They don't come from a single country, they have nowhere to go back to. They don't have some other citizenship, there isn't a government that can give up like the French did.

Where do we come from? Fifty percent of us come from the Arab world50% of the Jews. Most Israelismost Israeli citizensare Arabs. If 50% of the Israeli Jews are Arabs and all the Israeli Arabs are Arabs, that's 70% of, 65% of Israelis? I'm not good at math. That's why I went into the humanities. But, we belong in the Middle East more than in anywhere else. What does that mean? That means that if you want to kick us out like the French back to France, you have to have a very serious conversation with the Baghdadis. Because about a third of the real estate of Baghdad belongs to Jews who were forced to flee.

And this is the big point. The whole decolonisation narrative that is being propounded by Palestinians, and in the universities of the west, simply won't work.

now there's a second narrative, second set of narratives that don't work. That is: the Hamas and violent part of the Palestinian movement that says, Oh, I know how we get this land back. We just make it really uncomfortable for these people to live here.' Not recognizing that that cost-benefit analysis doesn't quite work for us because we don't have anywhere else to go, most of us. Haviv Rettig Gur: I'll say more than that. It's not just that we have nowhere else to go. Now go back to everything we talked about at the beginning. Our foundational lesson, the idea at the heart of our identity, what it means to be Israeli more than any other thing that it could possibly mean is that nothing is safe. Nothing is anything but precarious, except being on our own terms, self-reliant in our own land. The founding of Israel is the day we stopped dying, literally. And so, if that is the meaning of Israeliness, and it's a meaning, so foundational.. And, it is why the anti-colonial paradigm has done horrific damage to the Palestinians. For two reasons. One, I can't give them what they want. They're exacting a cost from me. And, the idea of this kind of pressureof all pressure, terrorism, sanctions, social shaming. All pressure, the idea is if you change your behavior, the pressure ends. But, they're asking for me to change a behavior that is literally who and what I am. It's my one historical lesson from a century of genocide. And so, the anti-colonial paradigm doesn't work on me. I'm immune to terrorism..

There's so much more in the podcast, but I think that Gur has got at a fundamental misunderstanding. The people who talk about decolonisation simply don't understand Israel. The Zionist project is not a colonial project. The Jews in Israel can't simply go back to where they came from, a large proportion of them were refugees. They have literally nowhere else to go. When people say from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free, they are assuming the Jews go away. But to where?

Nobody likes what's going on in Gaza at the moment. The deaths (all deaths) are horrific. But the Israelis are not going to just accept massacres like those of October 7 without response. They've been there. It didn't end well for them. Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

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radio NZ reports:

Former Governor-general Sir Michael Hardie Boys has died aged 92. Sir Michael was the Governor-General from 1996 to 2001. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon paid tribute to him on social media in announcing the death. His distinguished life of service to New Zealand was one of dedication and reliability, Luxon wrote.

Michael was a family friend. He was in the same class as my father for five years at Wellington College, so they have been friends for over 75 years. It was a quite exceptional class of a dozen pupils, as around half of them became university professors, and the rest reached the top of various professions.

He became a lawyer, and like his father became a High court Judge, and then a Court of Appeal Judge (our highest domestic court at the time). He was appointed Governor-General in 1996, and laid down principles for determining how he would determine who could become Prime Minister under MMP. These principles have been used by all subsequent Governor-Generals.

An extremely dedicated servant of New Zealand. Farewell and rest well.

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Shenandoah, IA (51601)

Today

Cloudy skies with a few snow showers this afternoon. High 24F. Winds NE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 30%..

Tonight

Watching a potential winter storm. Periods of snow along with gusty winds at times, especially this evening. Low 11F. Winds NNE at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of snow 100%. 5 to 8 inches of snow expected.
A 6-year-old traveling on Spirit Airlines was supposed to fly from Philadelphia to Fort Myers, Florida, but ended up on the wrong flight.
Japan lodged a stern protest with the Korean embassy in Tokyo and Korea's foreign ministry over a military drill reportedly practising the defence of disputed islands, the Japanese government said Friday.

The two nations have long been at loggerheads over the sovereignty of the group of islets called Dokdo in Korean, which lie about halfway between the East Asian neighbours in the East Sea.

South Korea's defence ministry said in a statement that the country's military has been conducting a routine military drill for the defence of the islands every year.

The islands are controlled by Seoul but also claimed by Tokyo.

This month's drill by Korea marks the fourth under the administration of President Yoon Suk Yeol, Yonhap news agency reported.

Seoul and Tokyo have sought to improve relations, amid shared concerns about China's growing might, dogged by historical disputes stemming from Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule. Yoon has made it a priority to mend ties with Tokyo since taking office in 2022.

Last week, Korea and Japan held high-level economic talks for the first time in eight years. (Reuters)
A police officer makes a report near an SUV inside the Flee Club, following an overnight smash-and-grab burglary in the 2200 block of West Taylor Street on Oct. 25, 2023. According to the police report, a group of burglars crashed an SUV into the shoe and clothing store and fled the scene with the merchandise in several vehicles that were waiting. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Inside SVRN, a luxury retail store in the West Loop, smooth black stone materials adorn the floors and ceilings, creating an immersive and serene shopping experience that feels far away from the bustle of the busy neighborhood outside.

Owner David Kim opened the store with his brother, Robert, in 2019 to help bolster the retail experience in Chicago and draw people from across the world to visit the city for its unique stores.

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I would always come back to Chicago after traveling and think that Chicago doesnt really have something that I would want to show off, Kim said. So I had the opportunity to do that, and this store is my best foot forward.

But the thoughtfully designed brick-and-mortar store is taking physical and financial hits after a burglary on Dec. 12 that was the fourth time this year thieves drove a car into the storefront to steal merchandise.

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Kim is one of several small business owners in the city who have been hit by multiple smash-and-grab burglaries involving cars in a short time span, despite increased physical security such as shutters and riot glass for windows. The tactic involves a crew of thieves driving a vehicle through storefronts and stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of merchandise before fleeing in cars.

Also called crash-and-grabs, after they occur store owners quickly pick up the pieces, reinstall security and reopen  usually within a week  to serve customers. While owners say they are committed to their bricks-and-mortar stores, the lack of arrests and the relentless burglaries have them wondering how they can keep their businesses afloat.

David Kim, right, owner of the clothing store SVRN in Chicago's West Loop, talks as a security guard stands at the store entrance on Dec. 22, 2023, about his store being hit several times by "crash-and-grab" crews. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

We want to keep growing and be more of a staple in the community, but if this keeps happening over and over again, what are we supposed to do? Kim said on a recent afternoon in SVRN.

Sabrian Sledge, co-owner of Flee Club, a high-end sneaker store in the Little Italy neighborhood, said his business has been a victim of smash-and-grab burglaries for years because of the exclusive pieces the store collects and resells.

In late October, Flee Club was struck again.

The abandoned car used to break in was driven with so much force that it was nearly touching the back wall of the store when Sledge came in that morning to survey the damage. He said city officials had to check the structure of the building to ensure it wasnt at risk of collapsing.

The store sustained roughly $100,000 in property damage alone, and surveillance footage shows thieves taking bundles of designer shoes and clothes, Sledge said.

The holidays were coming right around the corner at the time, so it was very draining and it was a defeated kind of feeling, Sledge said.

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[ West Town community group, alderman, ask mayor and police leaders to give specifics on plan to confront rash of street robberies ]

Police accounts of smash-and-grab burglaries involving cars are nearly identical. Heres how they happen: A group of around four to eight people arrive on the scene in several vehicles in the early morning hours. One car, usually stolen, is driven forcefully into the storefront multiple times to gain access. Several thieves then run in and out, grabbing all they can before packing into other cars with drivers waiting to flee. The car is left crashed in the storefront as evidence of the brazen theft.

Rarely are the perpetrators arrested on scene  or at all.

An SUV is still inside the Flee Club, following an overnight crash-and-grab burglary in the 2200 block of West Taylor Street on Oct. 25, 2023. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Rob Karr, president and CEO of the Illinois Merchants Retail Association, said the radius of smash-and-grabs has been expanding beyond downtown. Thieves are also becoming more savvy and organized with crime, leading even businesses with strong security to face burglaries.

Its getting spread out, and weve seen a heightened awareness, Karr said. We also know that thieves are taking down barriers now.

The financial toll

Sledge knows what its like to ditch a store because of property crime. He was forced to move Flee Club, which he opened with his best friend Darris Kelly, out of its home near the United Center after it was looted in the wake of the George Floyd verdict in 2020.

The business owners settled on relocating to Taylor Street in Little Italy at the suggestion of a friend who owned a barber shop nearby. Even after moving, Flee Club has operated under a constant threat of burglaries.

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Sledge said their corporate insurance provider dropped the business last year after they racked up large insurance claims due to a series of smash-and-grabs that demolished their storefront time and again.

Through that process, it was really hard to see the light. It was hard to see something good out of it, Sledge said.

When news of their insurance loss spread around the neighborhood, help poured in. A local pastor and their landlord led them in the right direction to find a new insurance company. They are still covered by that policy today.

Even with insurance, small businesses can face large out-of-pocket costs. Massive losses in inventory also affect other people since the city loses the sales tax the items would provide to fund crucial public services, Karr said.

It is a myth that there is insurance on retail theft. There is not, Karr said, adding that business owners must weigh reporting damage against the risk of their insurance costs rising or their policy being dropped altogether.

At SVRN, Kim said he has stopped filing insurance claims for property damage, worried he is at risk of losing his coverage. Instead, he pays for the losses out of pocket. His highest costs include recommissioning the custom-made sleek benches and fixtures, a signature look for the store.

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After the Dec. 12 burglary at SVRN, employees worked together to reopen the store two days later in the middle of the busy holiday shopping season. Drake Sweeney, creative director of SVRN, told the Tribune shortly after the burglary that the thieves stole everything you could imagine. Employees had just finished refurbishing the store after a November burglary when they were hit again.

[ As logistics centers creep closer to residential areas, neighbors worried about noise and pollution are pushing back ]

The temporary storefront at SVRN is a collection of rough wooden boards with a makeshift door that can only be opened from the inside. The unsteadiness of the structure mirrored Kims uncertain mood about the future of the store.

I do love this city. I was born and raised here, and I want to do everything I can to be here. But at the same time, if were not getting the support or help from anybody, its only a matter of time because we only take so much, Kim said.

Its frustrating and I just feel numb.

Tracking smash-and-grab burglaries

A tow truck driver prepares to remove an SUV inside the Flee Club, following an overnight crash-and-grab burglary in the 2200 block of West Taylor Street on Oct. 25, 2023. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Karr said tracking smash-and-grab burglaries is an issue across Illinois and nationally because each jurisdiction records the crimes differently. He called on law enforcement to find solutions for the repeated thefts.

They really need the full engagement of law enforcement to take this seriously, Karr said. Theres no end in sight for this theft but its leaving the retailer completely exposed simply because prosecution doesnt occur.

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CPD data does not track burglaries involving a car separately from general burglaries.

[ Public safety agencies address 2024 goals  including transparency  even as the public process for police discipline is threatened ]

In a statement to the Tribune, a spokesperson for the Cook County states attorneys office did not respond to specific questions about prosecuting smash-and-grabs but said the office recognizes community concerns around crime, and the impact it can have on ones sense of safety as well as the economic stability of a business.

We will continue to hold those accountable for driving the violence in our communities when police make an arrest and charges are approved, the statement said.

Karr added that individual businesses employing armed security guards does not always help either, because guards run the risk of getting hurt or sued.

While Sledge said he would like to see something be done to protect his store, he understands the value of safety over physical items.

Its kind of hard to put your life on the line for something that is material, he said.

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Smash-and-grab burglaries garnered widespread attention during the 2021 holiday shopping season when high-end chain stores beefed up security along Michigan Avenue downtown. Karr said even though robberies have not altogether stopped happening along the Magnificent Mile, he believes an increased police presence has contributed to less attempts.

Earlier this month, a group of would-be thieves left a car in the Neiman Marcus storefront along the Magnificent Mile after failing to crash into the store.

[ Group fails attempt to crash-and-grab at high-end Magnificent Mile store, ditches car: police ]

Overcoming adversity

Flee Club co-owners Sabrian Sledge, left, and Darris Kelly, seen on Dec. 28, 2023, said that the sneaker boutique in the Tri-Taylor neighborhood was run out of its former location by looters in 2020 and got hit in October for the first time since a spree in 2021. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

On a recent December afternoon, employees and customers at Flee Club talked loudly, discussing products on the shelves and having friendly conversations over the hip-hop music playing. The security guards, posted at the store 24/7, have become part of the family at the store, assisting customers and rearranging inventory if need be.

Sledge said the store sees a lot of repeat customers who stop in looking for exclusive items that they trust will be authentic and dont have to track down online themselves. Flee Club employees travel as far as New York and Los Angeles to buy rare items.

They always have the little pieces that we want available in store and that is just convenient for us, said Tenille, a Flee Club shopper from the West Side who declined to give her last name for safety reasons.

She walked out of the store Wednesday afternoon excited she was able to buy a Hellstar brand T-shirt. When she heard about the recent crash-and-grab at the store, she said she was upset because she shops at the locally owned space often.

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When I found out they were back open and running, I ran right here. Its better than going downtown and having to go through that hassle, Tenille said. Its for the community, in the community.

While Flee Club has a social media presence, their business is consistently carried by bricks-and-mortar sales, Sledge said. The store caters to everyone from middle-class working people and sneaker heads to rappers and athletes. Their customer base is like a gumbo, he said.

Even with the challenges of running a storefront business, Sledge said he trusts the business model he has built and finds joy in making his customers days better when they shop.

When they find something that they wanted and it was hard for them to get but we executed and made that happen for him, thats a great feeling, he said.

One of his goals of running Flee Club is to inspire people to not give up. Sledge is taking his own advice to heart these days.

Part of what were trying to do is set an example and inspire people to keep going through adversity, Sledge said. We just got to hope that our city can do better.

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aguffey@chicagotribune.com
On Saturday, December 30, a powerful explosion occurred in the temporarily occupied Sevastopol in Crimea. It was so strong that the windows in the city center shook.

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This was reported by the Telegram channel Krym.Realii. It is noted that it was loud in the city at about 9:44 local time. The "governor" Mikhail Razvozhayev explained the "loud sounds" by repelling a surface drone attack.

"According to information from the military, a UAV was destroyed by helicopters three kilometers from Sevastopol Bay in the open sea," he wrote.

We would like to remind you that several explosions were also heard in Sevastopol the day before. Some people thought they were the sounds of artillery volleys. The sounds came from the area of Kozacha Bay. The media assumed that the Russian artillery could have started training at the training ground.

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Satellite images, showing the aftermath of a Ukrainian strike on the port in the temporarily occupied Feodosiia on the night of December 26, were also published online. They show the Russian large landing ship Novocherkassk destroyed by the strike. Other damaged objects in the port are also visible.

As reported by OBOZ.UA:

- The attack on the large landing ship Novocherkassk in Crimea was carried out by two cruise missiles of British-French production Storm Shadow/SCALP. Moreover, the port of Feodosiia, where the ship was docked, is protected by several S-400 Triumph divisions, which have recently been found to have problems with target identification.

- On December 26, a series of explosions occurred in occupied Feodosiia in Crimea. Witnesses complained of loud sounds in the port area, after which a fire broke out and detonations were heard. Later, it became known that the Ukrainian Armed Forces had hit a large landing ship Novocherkassk.

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Ukraine, along with 30 other countries, has requested an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. The reason for this was the massive shelling of our country by the terrorist country Russia on December 29.

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This statement was made by Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. He announced this on X, formerly known as Twitter.

"Ukraine, together with three dozen UN member states, has requested the Ecuadorian presidency to convene an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council regarding the Russian missile and drone attack, which led to a large number of civilian casualties and destruction of civilian infrastructure," Kuleba said.

It is worth noting that the aggressor country Russia launched missile attacks on Ukraine on the morning of December 29, which resulted in at least 30 casualties and 160 injured. Hits were reported in Sumy, Kharkiv, Lviv, and Odesa, while damage was caused by falling debris in Dnipro and Kyiv.

As reported by OBOZ.UA:

- On December 29, one of the shopping centers in Dnipro caught fire as a result of a Russian attack. There were civilian casualties: at least six people were killed and about 28 were injured.

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- On December 29, Russians launched a massive attack on Odesa. At least three people were reported dead. Twenty-two people were injured, including children aged 6 and 8 and a pregnant woman.

Only verified information on our Telegram OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
An urgent meeting of the UN Security Council convened in New York by representatives of Ukraine and 30 other partner countries in response to the massive Russian attack on the morning of December 29. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the shelling, while Russian Permanent Representative Vasily Nebenzya threatened Kyiv and the West with "the worst news in the near future" and said that air defense was allegedly to blame for the deaths of Ukrainians.

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At the same time, US representatives assured that they "will not abandon the brave Ukrainians." The meeting began at 16:00 (23:00 Kyiv time) and was broadcast on the UN YouTube channel.

As UN Secretary-General's spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Friday, Guterres condemned Russia's large-scale shelling of cities and towns across Ukraine, including civilian objects and critical infrastructure, in the "strongest terms."

For its part, the United States accused Russia of deliberately distracting the UN Security Council with the Euromaidan and other topics in Ukraine a decade ago while Moscow was preparing its largest air strike on Ukraine.

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"Two days ago, the Russian Federation organized a meeting of the Security Council to recall the events of ten years ago. Russia said that discussing the Revolution of Dignity would allow Council members to better understand how these events affected the current situation in Ukraine," said John Kelly, Minister-Counselor at the US Mission to the UN.
New Delhi [India], December 30 (ANI): Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman chaired a meeting on Saturday to review the performance of Public Sector Banks (PSBs) on various parameters, informed a press release.

The progress on the acquisition of accounts by the National Asset Reconstruction Company Ltd (NARCL) was also deliberated.

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Sitharaman directed that the acquisition of stressed accounts by NARCL needs to improve further, and necessary efforts must be made in this direction. It was advised that NARCL and banks should hold regular meetings to expedite the onboarding of stressed accounts.

In addition to the above measures, the Finance Minister emphasized the importance of mobilizing deposits, urging public sector banks to innovate and offer attractive deposit schemes to enhance their deposit base, which will also enable them to extend more credit.

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During deliberations on fraud-related matters, Sitharaman expressed satisfaction at the improved performance of the public sector banks. She also said that bank frauds pose a critical threat to the security of both individual customers and the financial institutions themselves, which can lead to financial losses and reduced public trust in the banking system, according to the release.

The meeting was also attended by Union Minister of State for Finance Bhagwat Kishanrao Karad; Vivek Joshi, Secretary, Department of Financial Services; Heads of Public Sector Banks besides senior officials of the Department of Financial Services.

Sitharaman asked banks to concentrate fraud prevention activities on both large corporate frauds and wilful defaults as well as on actions that defraud individual customers. She also instructed to adopt advanced fraud prevention and detection mechanisms and ensure that the customers are further educated about safe banking practices.

According to the release, the banks were directed by the Union Finance Minister to undertake consumer education measures for protection from malicious fraud calls. Banks were also directed to make efforts for timely identification of accounts as fraud and their subsequent investigation.

Banks were also advised to put more effort into recovery from accounts declared as fraud and willful default. She asked banks to monitor the early warning signals to check potential frauds.

Recognizing that the effectiveness of legal action against defaulters before courts and tribunals largely depends on effective representation by lawyers and attorneys assisted by bank officials, the Finance Minister called for a performance review of counsel representing public sector banks to ensure better legal outcomes.

Union Finance Minister stated that the willful defaults not only strain the banks' financial health but also hamper the flow of credit in the economy. The Minister urged the public sector banks (PSBs) to adopt responsible lending practices across the board.

She further instructed the PSBs to enhance due diligence before loan disbursement, ensure regular monitoring of large loan accounts, and undertake swift and thorough legal action in cases of such default. Union Finance Minister also exhorted the banks to take strict administrative action against the conniving officials of the banks who enable fraud and wilful defaults, the release stated.

The issues related to cyber security were also deliberated in the meeting. The preparedness of all the PSBs in addressing cyber security risks was reviewed by the Union Finance Minister. Banks were directed to ensure complete privacy of customer data.

She stated that issues of cyber security should be seen from a system perspective as a small vulnerability can be used by nefarious elements to create system-wide risks.

The Finance Minister noted the need to adopt proactive cybersecurity measures and implement stringent security protocols to protect sensitive financial information and systems from cyber-attacks. She exhorted the banks to adapt to the evolving digital landscape, ensuring that the integrity of domestic financial systems remains uncompromised.

Sitharaman also emphasized the importance of collaboration and mutual learning among the PSBs and coordination between banks, security agencies, regulatory bodies and technology experts to create a more resilient financial ecosystem against potential cyber-security threats, the release stated. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
VMPL

Da Lat [Vietnam], December 30: Today marked a momentous occasion as a pioneering cultural exchange and tourism cooperation initiative between Lam Dong Province, Vietnam, and Leh Ladakh, India, was officially inaugurated in Da Lat, Vietnam. This event signifies a crucial milestone in fortifying the bonds between these two distinguished regions.

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Dignitaries present at the launch included Pham S, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Lam Dong Province, Nguyen Trung Kien, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports, Vietnam's Tourisms, Advocate Tashi Gyalson, Chief Executive Councillor and Chairman of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh Union Territory of Ladakh (India), along with representatives from pertinent departments and agencies of Lam Dong and Leh Ladakh.

In his keynote address at Samten Hills Dalat, Lam Dong Province, Dr Madan Mohan Sethi, Consul General of the Indian Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, emphasized the profound importance of this event in fostering tourism ties between Lam Dong-Vietnam and Ladakh-India. He underscored the mutual commitment to promoting each other's unique destinations as premier tourist hubs.

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Dr Sethi further lauded Samten Hills Dalat, a majestic Buddhist heritage construction nestled amidst the picturesque hills, as a beacon not only for spiritual seekers but also for those yearning for serene tranquility and rejuvenation. He expressed confidence that this stunning landmark would attract visitors from across the globe, further strengthening the cultural and tourism bridges between Vietnam and India.

Lam Dong Province, renowned for its temperate climate, breathtaking natural landscapes, and rich cultural heritage, holds immense tourism potential. And Samten Hills Dalat, a highlight of Vietnam tourism in 2023, stands as a testament to Lam Dong's cultural richness, a space established by Drubwang Sonam Jorfel Rinpoche, a venerable monk from Ladakh. This space, the Spiritual & Cultural space of Vajrayana Buddhism certified by Vietnam Federation of UNESCO Associations, includes the world's largest prayer wheel recognized by the Guinness World Record. Samten Hills Dalat, A Place to Return' https://samtenhills.vn/en the place of symbolizing friendship, peace, and cultural diplomacy among Vietnam, India, and other nations.

Pham S, in his address at the opening ceremony, emphasized the event's significance in fostering amicable relations between Lam Dong Province and the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council. He expressed confidence in further strengthening cultural and tourism ties, paving the way for collaborative opportunities across various sectors.

Advocate Tashi Gyalson acknowledged the leadership of Prime Minister Modi and the Vietnamese government in enhancing bilateral cooperation across diverse domains. He expressed gratitude for the collaboration with Samten Hills Dalat, emphasizing the uniqueness of Ladakh's wonders showcased at the event. This cultural exchange and tourism cooperation program signify a significant stride toward fostering robust ties between Lam Dong and Ladakh, laying the foundation for future cooperation and mutual prosperity.

(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)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
PNN

New Delhi [India], December 30: Ineffective weight management and bariatric surgery is a solution for those seeking profound transformation. At the forefront of this transformative journey is Dr Amit Sood, recognized as one of the top three leading bariatric surgeons in India. Operating from CKOSMIC Health City, the largest hospital in Punjab, equipped with the latest laser and robotic facilities, Dr Amit Sood, the best bariatric surgeon in Punjab, and his multidisciplinary team pave the way for individuals to reclaim their health and well-being.

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Understanding Bariatric Surgery: Navigating the Path to Wellness

Bariatric surgery (or weight loss surgery) encompasses a spectrum of procedures designed to facilitate significant weight loss and address obesity-related health concerns. Let's delve into the various techniques offered by Dr Amit Sood, the best weight-loss surgeon in Punjab, at CKOSMIC Health City:

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A. Gastric Bypass Surgery

It is a cornerstone in obesity treatment and strategically reroutes the digestive system, resulting in reduced food intake and altered calorie and nutrient absorption. Ideal for those with severe obesity or weight-related health issues, gastric bypass surgery achieves long-term weight management and contributes to solving obesity-related comorbidities. CKOSMIC Health City offers OPD's consultation for gastric bypass surgery in Punjab under Dr Amit Sood, one of the best bariatric surgeons in India and his team in major cities like Moga, Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Bathinda, Ferozepur, Faridkot, Patiala, Panchkula, Mohali, and more.

B. Mini Gastric Bypass Surgery (MGB)/One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass (OAGB)

This minimally invasive approach mirrors the effectiveness of traditional gastric bypass surgery, ensuring optimal outcomes. A Proven long-term weight management solution, with this procedure, Dr Amit Sood, one of the best bariatric surgeons in India, leverages the latest techniques for patient benefit. It is an effective weight-loss solution, and for people interested in finding out the various aspects, including the cost of mini gastric bypass surgery, they can contact CKOSMIC Health City, the best weight-loss surgery centre in Punjab.

C. Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG)

LSG represents another transformative option offered by Dr Amit Sood. This procedure involves the removal of a portion of the stomach, effectively restricting food intake and fostering sustainable weight loss. Beyond the physical aspects, LSG enhances the patient's quality of life and overall well-being, aligning with the holistic approach at CKOSMIC Health City. For patients looking for reliable weight loss surgery in Punjab, CKOSMIC Health City employs, under the expert leadership of Dr Amit Sood, some of the top bariatric surgeons in Punjab.

D. Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB)

For those seeking precision in weight loss, RYGB is a procedure that intricately alters the digestive process. By creating a small stomach pouch and rerouting the digestive tract, this surgery achieves long-term weight management and minimizes the risk of complications. To understand various aspects of the surgery, including eligibility criteria, cost, and compilations of weight loss surgery, patients can contact CKOSMIC Health City and get expert guidance from Dr Amit Sood, one of the best bariatric surgeons in Punjab.

E. Laparoscopic Duodenal Switch Gastric Bypass

It is a nuanced approach, combining aspects of sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass surgery. This comprehensive technique addresses severe obesity and metabolic concerns. It begins with a sleeve gastrectomy, limiting food intake and influencing hunger-regulating hormones. Then, a fundamental feature of the LDSGB is the rearrangement of the small intestine. This dual mechanism-- restriction and malabsorption--sets the LDSGB apart as a comprehensive solution for sustained weight loss. Dr Amit Sood, one of the best bariatric surgeons in India, adapts the best solutions for his patients from all over the country and abroad, from his vast experience as one of the best bariatric surgeons in Punjab.

F. Laparoscopic Single Anastomosis Duodenal Switch

It is a modification of traditional duodenal switch surgery. By combining malabsorption and restriction, this procedure provides a comprehensive solution for patients seeking transformative weight loss. To learn more about the procedure complications or the benefits of weight loss surgery, you can trust the expert guidance of Dr Amit Sood, one of the best bariatric surgeons in India.

G. Laparoscopic Single Port Bariatric Surgery

It is an advanced, minimally invasive approach executed through a single incision. This revolutionary method leaves no scarring, exemplifying CKOSMIC Health City's commitment to patient-friendly and advanced surgical techniques. Dr Amit Sood is the only surgeon in Punjab offering single-port bariatric surgery specially designed for unmarried patients. For such innovative weight-loss solutions, you can count on CKOSMIC Health City, the best weight-loss hospital in Punjab.

H. Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding Surgery (LAGB)

By placing an adjustable band around the stomach to regulate food intake, this procedure caters to patients seeking a less invasive yet effective option. Dr Amit Sood determines the suitability of this approach for individual cases through personalized consultations. If you're looking for a less invasive weight loss solution, a consultation with a top bariatric surgeon in Punjab can be the fitting first step.

I. Gastric Balloon

Gastric Ballon offers patients a non-surgical option. It involves the insertion of an inflatable balloon in the stomach. The procedure induces a feeling of fullness, aiding in weight loss, especially for those seeking temporary interventions. If you want to know if a gastric balloon is the right solution, you can contact CKOSMIC Health City to learn more.

This wide array of bariatric procedures underscores Dr. Amit Sood's commitment to providing state-of-the-art and personalized solutions for weight management. Operating from CKOSMIC Health City, the largest hospital in Punjab, equipped with laser and robotic facilities, Dr. Amit Sood and his dedicated team are leaders in bariatric excellence.

CKOSMIC Health City experts conduct a comprehensive evaluation encompassing factors such as BMI, obesity-related health issues, and previous weight loss attempts to determine if a patient is eligible for these procedures. This commitment to individualized care exemplifies Dr. Amit Sood's patient-centric philosophy.

Dr Amit Sood's persistent exploration into advanced techniques, such as Single Port Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery, reflects the continuous pursuit of excellence and innovation at CKOSMIC Health City.

Benefits of Bariatric Surgery: Beyond Weight Loss

Bariatric surgery is a transformative journey offering benefits that extend beyond shedding pounds:

* Improved Health: Resolution or improvement of obesity-related conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and sleep apnea.

* Enhanced Quality of Life: It increases mobility, improving self-esteem and mental well-being.

* Sustainable Weight Loss: Bariatric surgery offers long-term weight management.

Dr Amit Sood and CKOSMIC Health City:

Leaders in Bariatric Excellence

As one of the top three leading Indian bariatric surgeons, Dr Amit Sood's expertise is unparalleled. CKOSMIC Health City is one of the best weight loss surgery centers, the biggest hospital in Punjab, and the only center equipped with a robotic facility for bariatric surgery. It is a testament to excellence, offering state- of-the-art facilities, including laser and robotic technologies.

Exploring Advanced Techniques

Beyond the conventional procedures, Dr Amit Sood, the best weight-loss surgeon in Punjab, explores advanced techniques such as Single Port Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery, ensuring patients receive advanced and minimally invasive treatment options.

Are You Eligible?

Determining eligibility for bariatric surgery involves a comprehensive evaluation. Factors considered include BMI, obesity-related health issues, and previous weight loss attempts.

Why Choose Dr Amit Sood and CKOSMIC Health City?

* Top-tier Facilities: State-of-the-art infrastructure for comprehensive patient care.

* Experienced Team: A multidisciplinary team collaborating under Dr Amit Sood's guidance.

* Cost-Effective Solutions: Transparent discussions about the cost of bariatric surgeries.

Embark on Your Transformation Journey

Bariatric surgery is a life-changing decision. The benefits outweigh potential complications, making it a viable option for those committed to their well-being. Take the first step toward transformative health. Consult with Dr Amit Sood, the best weight-loss surgeon in Punjab, at CKOSMIC Health City today.

(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)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Shimla, December 30: A 23-year-old model from Jalandhar was allegedly raped by a youth from Ludhiana in Shimla.

According to the police, the victim informed in her complaint that she was raped by the accused on the pretext of shooting a video. Telangana Shocker: 28-Year-Old Man Dies by Suicide, Hands Himself While on Video Call With Wife in Uppal.

In the complaint registered by the police, the victim said that she had come to Shimla on December 22 and stayed in a hotel in Shimla at night when the accused tried to molest her.

The 23-year-old victim lodged a complaint at the New Shimla Mahila Police Station on Wednesday. Karnataka Shocker: Minor Girl Trapped and Raped For Over One Year in Kolar; Five Arrested.

Shimla ASP Sunil Negi informed that a case against the accused has been registered under IPC 376 (Punishment for rape).

Further details are awaited.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Jammu, Dec 30 (PTI) A total of 76 terrorists, including 55 foreigners, were neutralised, 291 terrorist associates arrested and 201 overground workers booked under the Public Safety Act in Jammu and Kashmir this year, Director General of Police R R Swain said on Saturday.

Swain further said that only 31 local terrorists  an all time low - are left in the Union Territory.

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He said 14 civilians were also killed by terrorists in 2023, and there was a decline of 63 per cent in terror-related incidents as compared to the last year, while recruitment of terrorists has also gone down with strike calls and stone-pelting on continuous decline.

Four police personnel, including a DSP and an inspector, lost their lives in terror attacks, Swain told reporters.

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The police chief said 89 terrorist modules were busted and 18 terrorist hideouts were unearthed in Jammu and Kashmir while 99 properties worth more than Rs 170 crore, including buildings, land, orchards and commercial establishments, were attached and 68 bank accounts freezed.

More than 8,000 fake social media accounts glorifying separatism and terrorism were identified and action taken against them, he added.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Itanagar, Dec 30 (PTI) The Arunachal Pradesh government on Saturday signed an agreement with the Tehri Hydropower Development Corporation India Ltd (THDCIL) for developing the 1,200-mw Kalai-II hydroelectric project in the Lohit river basin at a cost of Rs 13,000 crore.

State Hydropower Commissioner Ankur Garg and THDCIL's director (technical) Bhupender Gupta signed the agreement on behalf of the two sides. Chief Secretary Dharmendra presided over programme.

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In August, the state government signed agreements with three central PSUs -- NHPC, SJVN and NEEPCO -- for developing 12 hydropower projects, having a combined capacity of 11,517 mw, in Subansiri, Dibang and Siang basins. With the allotment of Kalai-II project to THDCIL, the government concluded agreements for 13 projects with a total capacity of 12,717 mw in this calendar year.

The Kalai-II project was initially allotted to an independent power developer in 2009 but it did not take off due to various reasons. This is the first project to be taken up by THDCIL, a CPSU, in the state.

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Garg said the project would bring in an investment of over Rs 13,000 crore in the state during its construction phase. Once commissioned, it will generate a revenue of over Rs 300 crore annually in free power for the state.

Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein said the project will create historic development and employment opportunities in the Lohit basin area.

"The state government will have 26 per cent equity in the project. The dividend from this equity participation will further augment the state's earnings," Mein, who also holds the power and hydropower portfolios, said.

Chief Minister Pema Khandu thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Power Minister RK Singh for their support towards restarting the project.

He said the state was committed to ensuring the full realisation of its hydropower potential for meeting the energy needs of the country.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Guwahati (Assam) [India], December 30 (ANI): Ahead of New Year's Eve and celebrations, the Assam government will launch a special drive to check on drunk and rash driving and ensure peaceful celebrations in the state.

Assam Transport Minister Parimal Suklabaidya told ANI that the state government will try its best to ensure zero accidents on New Year's Eve.

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"Last year, the Assam Chief Minister had been patrolling streets on New Year's Eve. This time also, our department has been planning to do good for people's safety so that everyone can enjoy the New Year," said the Transport Minister.

"The state transport department, along with the police and excise departments, will work for 24 hours on December 31 in every district of the state. There are about 70,000 km of PWD roads and national highways in the state and it is not possible to check and vigil every corner. But we will vigil the points where there is excessive traffic congestion. We will try our best to ensure zero accidents on December 31," Parimal Suklabaidya said.

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On the other hand, the Assam Transport Minister chaired the State Road Safety Council meeting at the Janata Bhawan in Guwahati on Saturday and discussed the implementation measures to lower the accidental figures in Assam.

The Assam Transport Minister said that the Path Suraksha App will be launched in January 2024.

The Minister also took stock of the measures taken by NHAI, NHIDCL, PWRD, and PWD (NH) for repairing the black spots, the installation of road signages and the maintenance and repair of vulnerable accident-prone roads across Assam.

He also reviewed the steps taken by the excise department to counter the illegal sale of liquor and drink-and-drive cases.

He appealed to the officials of the Education Department to organise various competitions, regular counselling, etc. to increase road safety awareness among the students.

He also directed the Transport Department officials to continue with the enforcement drives stringently to check on the speeding, no helmet, and drink and drive cases and ensure strict lawful action against the violators.

To mitigate the severity of road accidents, the Assam government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, procured 10 traffic interceptor vehicles, 150 breath analysers and 500 new UPI-enabled E-Challan machines.

Also, an amount of Rs 20.58 crore has been allocated to all District Road Safety Committees from the District Road Safety Fund to pour in more effort towards engineering, enforcement, education and emergency care.

According to the Assam Transport Department, from April to November this year, speeding cases have increased in the state by 158.72 per cent, 125.60 per cent increase in drunken driving cases compared to the previous year.

A total of 247742 offence cases, including other offences, were registered in 2022 (from April to November) in the state and this year the cases have jumped to 449122.

The state transport department has collected Rs 55 crore as a fine and penalty from offenders across the state this year. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Cachar (Assam) [India], December 30 (ANI): Assam Rifles and state police, in a joint operation on Saturday, seized 22.68 grams of brown sugar worth Rs 9.7 lakh from Assam's Cachar District and apprehended four drug peddlers.

"Based on credible information, a joint operation was launched by the Assam Rifles Battalion and Baskandi police station. The team seized 22.68 grams of brown sugar worth Rs 9.7 lakh and apprehended four drug peddlers along with a car," as per a press release from the Assam Rifles.

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"The drug peddlers, along with the seized contents and the vehicle, were handed over to Baskandi police station, Cachar District, Assam, on December 30 for further investigation and legal proceedings," the release stated.

In a similar incident on December 26, the Assam Rifles Battalion, in a joint operation with Patharkandi police station personnel, apprehended two drug peddlers along with brown sugar worth Rs 9.40 lakh from the Patharkandi Police Station area, Assam.

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"A joint operation was launched by Assam Rifles with police representatives from Baraigram Watch Post under Patharkandi Police Station in which two drug peddlers were apprehended along with 23.7 gm of brown sugar worth approximately Rs 9,70,000 from the general area of Nagaria Village under Baraigram Watch Post, Patharkandi Police Station, Assam," the Assam Rifles said in an official statement.

The apprehended individuals and seized contents were handed over to Patharkandi Police Station PS for further investigation and legal proceedings. Assam Rifles has demonstrated its commitment to a drug-free society.

In a similar incident on December 17, the Assam Rifles, in a joint operation with the Central Police Reserve Force (CRPF) and the Ambassa police, seized marijuana worth Rs 70 lakh from the Ambassa area in Tripura's Dhalai district, according to an official statement from the Assam Rifles. The seized marijuana weighed 160 kilogrammes, it added. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Three overnight airstrikes on eastern Syria Saturday near a strategic border crossing with Iraq killed six militants, two members of Iraqi militia groups told The Associated Press.

The strikes on the border region of Boukamal came hours after an umbrella group of Iraqi militants  known as the Islamic Resistance  claimed an attack on a U.S. military base in the city of Irbil in northern Iraq. The group has conducted over a hundred attacks on U.S. positions in Iraq and eastern Syria since the Israeli war on Gaza began on October7.

Four of the killed were from Lebanon's powerful Hezbollah group while the other two militants were Syrian, the militants said. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not cleared to talk to the press. Another two were injured, they added.

Meanwhile, an activist collective that covers news in the area, Deir Ezzor 24, said the airstrikes hit two militant posts and a weapons warehouse that it says was recently stocked with rocket launchers and munitions.

No party has claimed responsibility for these airstrikes.

Elsewhere, Britain-backed opposition war monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said in addition to the weapons warehouse, the strikes targeted a militants' convoy that had arrived from Iraq to Syria as well as a location where a militia affiliated with Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard was training.

It added that the strikes killed nine people, three Syrians and six people from other nationalities.

Washington did not immediately comment on the strike, though it has announced some were planned on militia positions following the surge of attacks over the past two months.

President Joe Biden last week ordered the U.S. military to carry out strikes on Iraqi groups following a rocket attack that wounded three U.S. troops.

The spike in tension has put Baghdad in a delicate situation. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has tried to ease the strain between the militant groups that helped him reach power and the U.S. where Iraq's foreign reserves are housed.

The Boukamal region in Deir el-Zour, Syria, along the Iraqi border, has been a strategic area for Iran-backed militants after it was taken back from the extremist Islamic State group in 2019. U.S. coalition forces have conducted strikes targeting convoys there prior to recent tensions.

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Itanagar, Dec 30 (PTI) Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt Gen (Retd) KT Parnaik asked security forces to remain vigilant in order to prevent any untoward incidents.

During a visit to the border post at Pangsau Pass in Changlang district along the Indo-Myanmar border on Saturday, the governor emphasized the importance of connecting with the local people and building strong relationships with the villagers.

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He received a briefing on the terrain and current situation in the area from Colonel Jetendra Mehta, the commanding officer of the 10 Assam Rifles, and Sunny K Singh, the deputy commissioner of Changlang.

Interacting with government officials, gaon buras, panchayat leaders, and the public at the Pangsau Pass Border Hut, the governor urged them to assist in registering all eligible beneficiaries of welfare programmes, projects, and schemes in their respective areas before Republic Day.

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Additionally, Parnaik administered the Viksit Bharat Sankalp pledge and encouraged people to actively participate in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for a developed and prosperous India.

Expressing concern about drug addiction, the governor appealed to the community, particularly women-led self-help groups, to work together in a mission to eradicate this issue from society.

Parnaik mentioned that the state government has recommended the resumption of border trade activities at Pangsau Pass and that the alternate Nampong-Gandhigram-Vijoynagar road will also be addressed from a security perspective with the relevant ministry.

Nampong MLA Laisam Simai and DC Sunny K Singh provided the governor with updates on the achievements and progress of development schemes and projects.

(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 30 (PTI) BJP chief JP Nadda released a postal stamp here on Saturday commemorating 200 years of Indian origin Tamils in Sri Lanka.

The stamp was received by the Governor of Eastern Province Government of Sri Lanka Senthil Thodaman at an event organised for its release at the BJP headquarters here, the BJP's Tamil Nadu unit president K Annamalai said in a statement.

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"Our national president shared his experience of working for the Indian-origin Tamils in Sri Lanka as the Health Minister and acknowledged the hardships faced by them in the past," Annamalai said.

Speaking on the occasion, Nadda also elaborated on the need to recognise the "agony" of the community and India's commitment to extending support to the "brothers and sisters of Indian origin Tamils living in Sri Lanka during the last nine years and the years to follow", the BJP leader said.

Also Read | Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Crucial RSS-BJP Meeting on December 31 To Finalise West Bengal Strategy for General Polls.

"His Excellency Governor of Eastern Province Government of Sri Lanka, Thiru Senthil Thodaman, acknowledged and thanked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Government of India for recognising the hardships of the Indian Origin Tamils in Sri Lanka and the steadfast projects implemented by the Government of India in the estate regions of Sri Lanka for the welfare of the Tamil community," the BJP leader added.

Union Minister L Murugan, BJP foreign affairs department in-charge Vijay Chauthaiwale, party leaders from Tamil Nadu and other dignitaries attended the event.

Officials from the postal department were also present on the occasion, Annamalai said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Panaji, December 30: The Congress and Aam Aadmi Party have demanded action against the organisers of the Sunburn EDM festival here claiming that they insulted Lord Shiva. While Congress leader Vijay Bhike filed a police complaint at Mapusa on Friday night against the organisers of Sunburn, AAP Goa chief Amit Palekar said the state government should take action against them for hurting Sanatan Dharma.

Sunburn EDM, a popular electronic dance music festival, started on December 28 at Vagator in North Goa and will wind up on Saturday, December 30. We saw that Lord Shankar's image was used during the festival. It was flashed on the LED screen when people were drunk and dancing, Palekar told reporters on Friday. No Sunburn Festival in Goa: CM Pramod Sawant Says No Music Festival on December 31 if People Dont Want It

The AAP leader said they have demanded from the government that action be taken as the sanctity of our Sanatan Dharma was compromised. The use of our God for the purpose of the EDM festival where alcohol is served is not right. We have called up the director general of police demanding registration of an offence against Sunburn festival organisers, he added. No Sunburn Festival in Hyderabad? No Permission for Sunburn Music Fest on New Years Eve, Cyberabad Police Clarify

In his complaint to the Mapusa police station, Congress leader Bhike said the organisers have intentionally insulted the religious feelings of Hindus by portraying that Lord Shiva supports drinking alcohol, consumption of prohibited substances and all other illicit activities that take place during the event. A senior police official said that they have received a complaint from the Congress and are looking into it.

(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 30 (ANI): Delhi State BJP President Virendra Sachdeva reached Anand Vihar Railway Station to welcome the Ayodhya-New Delhi Vande Bharat Express which was flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier in the day.

While talking to the reporters at the station, Sachdeva called the day "very auspicious" and said the people of Delhi and Ayodhya would benefit as the travel time would be reduced to seven hours.

Also Read | Israel-Hamas War: IDF Raids Hamas Intel Headquarters in Khan Younis.

"Today is a very auspicious day; we are here at Anand Vihar to receive the Vande Bharat Express flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Ayodhya. Travel time between Delhi and Ayodhya has been reduced to just 7 hours. An airport is being named after Maharshi Valmiki and several Vande Bharat train have also been launched"

"The road to development has become more transparent than ever and in 2047 a developed nation which is being dreamt by PM Modi, whole of the nation is determined to full fill it," he added.

Also Read | Billionaire Realtor Niranjan Hiranandani Hops Onto Mumbai AC Local Train To Beat Road Traffic (Watch Video).

Ahead of this BJP leader Harsh Vardhan also hailed Prime Minister Modi for starting the Vande Bharat trains and redeveloping railway stations across the country.

Welcoming the passengers of the Vande Bharat Bharat Express train coming from Amritsar to Delhi at Old Delhi Railway Station, the BJP leader told ANI that with the flagging off of 6 trains today, the total number of trains operating in the country has reached 41.

"At the New Delhi Railway station, l am feeling very happy that our Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji had started the series of Vande Bharat trains in the country," he said. He said that 35 trains were already running in the country. "Today, six more have been added."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off two new Amrit Bharat trains and six new Vande Bharat trains from Ayodhya Dham Station on Saturday. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Itanagar, Dec 30 (PTI) Days after the Yung Aung faction of the banned militant outfit NSCN-K claimed responsibility for the murder of former Arunachal Pradesh legislator Yumsen Matey earlier this month, the state government announced a cash reward for information on the whereabouts of the mastermind behind the killing.

The former Congress lawmaker was shot dead by gunmen at Raho village in Tirap district along the India-Myanmar border on December 16.

Also Read | PM Narendra Modi Ayodhya Visit: Nearly 5,000 Cops Along With NSG To Ensure Security During Prime Minister's Visit to City.

Tirap SP Rahul Gupta announced on Friday a cash reward of Rs 2.5 lakh for information on the whereabouts of Tonglu Akham Hasik, the self-styled brigadier of Naga Army No 130076 of the outfit, who was allegedly involved in the gruesome murder of Matey.

In a statement on Thursday, the outfit claimed that Matey was killed due to his "active involvement in anti-NSCN activities".

Also Read | Ayodhya Ram Temple Inauguration: Final Decision on Ram Lalla Idol at Ayodhya Awaits Announcement.

The statement further elaborated, "He was masterminding anti-NSCN propaganda in Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh. He conspired against the NSCN/GPRN."

The outfit clarified that "this case is not in any way related to the upcoming Arunachal Pradesh state assembly election, as some suspected, because the NSCN/GPRN will never meddle in state politics."

Matey, along with three of his supporters, had gone to the village for some personal work when someone lured the former MLA towards a jungle and shot him.

Matey was elected as an MLA from Khonsa West assembly constituency on a Congress ticket in 2009.

He joined the BJP in 2015 and earlier this year, declared his willingness to contest the assembly polls in 2024. Before entering politics, he had served as an adult education officer in Changlang district.

On December 21, the state government decided to transfer the case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Subsequently, the state home department forwarded the case to the ministry of home affairs for appropriate direction to the NIA in this matter.

According to official data, of the 239 insurgency-related fatalities in the state since March 2000, 183 have been reported in the Tirap-Changlang-Longding (TCL) region.

(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 29 (PTI) The Aam Aadmi Party's one year at the helm of MCD was riddled with challenges such as delayed mayoral elections, a truncated tenure, and frequent pandemonium in the house, but the government managed to move several key proposals, including one related to meat shops.

Deputy Mayor Aaley Muhammad Iqbal told PTI that the Municipal Corporation of Delhi in 2023 passed several proposals that benefited the city residents.

Also Read | PM Narendra Modi Ayodhya Visit: Nearly 5,000 Cops Along With NSG To Ensure Security During Prime Minister's Visit to City.

It is now focussed on fulfilling the 10 guarantees promised by the Arvind Kejriwal government in the upcoming year, he said.

Repeated House adjournments, a fist fight during the MCD mayoral election, and ruckus over the formation of the standing committee were among the highlights for the civic body in 2023.

Also Read | Ayodhya Ram Temple Inauguration: Final Decision on Ram Lalla Idol at Ayodhya Awaits Announcement.

"In our nine months' journey in the MCD in 2023, the AAP-led government was able to introduce agendas and pass proposals that were never brought up by the previous governments in 15 years.

"We worked on ensuring cleanliness in the city, eliminate garbage at vulnerable points, and create more jobs," Iqbal said.

The MCD House was a scene of chaos in April, when the AAP and BJP councillors locked horns over Shelly Oberoi's election as mayor of the unified municipality.

The MCD House saw 14 adjournments in a span of over 14 hours and became a battleground for councillors who exchanged blows and punches and threw ballot boxes at each other.

"Despite the obstruction caused by the opposition, the corporation put 100 per cent efforts to work on the promises by the AAP government and a majority of Delhiites were happy with our work," Iqbal said.

"Parties should not do politics when it comes to public welfare," he added.

In 2023, the unified body of the three erstwhile corporations got its new mayor, but after a delay of three months.

The MCD held this year's elections in April, just three months since the previous polls were held in December 2022.

The corporation elections, which are held annually on April 1, were delayed owing to the merger of the three erstwhile corporations.

Shelly Oberoi became the ninth mayor in the civic body's history to have served for more than a year.

However, soon after Oberoi took over as mayor, the House descended into complete chaos with the selection of the six-member standing committee panel forming its contentious core.

The House witnessed women councillors getting rough and several members needing hospital care after a brawl.

Delhi cabinet minister Atishi alleged that male BJP councillors attacked Oberoi, who was forced to adjourn and leave the House.

Till date, the fate of the standing committee, MCD's apex decision-making, continues to remain in doldrum as the matter is stuck in the high court.

The civic body cleared several proposals this year in absence of the standing committee including a meat shop licencing policy which bans opening of a meat shop within 150 metre radius of a religious place.

The policy standardised the fee for issuing or renewing licences, fixing it at Rs 18,000 for shops and Rs 1.5 lakh for processing units across all MCD zones.

At present, 13 projects, which include a multilevel parking lot, a 200-bed hospital ward, and a provision to serve hot meals to school children, are waiting for the standing committee's approval and work on 10 others is stuck due to delay in its formation.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Ayodhya, Dec 30 (PTI) From the vibrant 'Dedhiya' dance of Uttar Pradesh to a colourful performance of 'Choliya' of Uttarakhand, folk colours of India were laid on the streets of Ayodhya to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the temple town on Saturday.

Modi who arrived at the Ayodhya airport around 11 am, held a roadshow from there en route to the redeveloped Ayodhya Dham Railway Station, which he inaugurated later.

Also Read | Pakistan General Elections 2024: PTI Suffers Blow As Imran Khan's Nominations From Lahore, Mianwali Rejected.

Modi inaugurated the Maharshi Valmiki airport and the redeveloped Ayodhya railway station from where he flagged off two Amrit Bharat and six Vande Bharat trains  some virtually  on Saturday.

From the airport, his carcade passed through Ayodhya Bypass and then entered the main city through the prominent Dharm Path, which connects the bypass to the Lata Mangeshkar Chowk.

Also Read | NewsClick Row: Delhi Police Question Activist Gautam Navlakha in Mumbai (Watch Video).

Large number of people had gathered on both sides of the barricaded streets, including along the Ram Path that leads to the railway station road.

The prime minister waved to the crowd, who tried to capture the moment on their phones.

As Modi's carcade moved towards the railway station, different groups of artistes from various parts of the country welcomed him.

While one group of women from Rajasthan performed 'Chakri' dance to lilting tunes, another troupe from Prayagraj performed the ancient folk dance form 'Dedhiya'.

Preeti Singh, lead dancer of the 'Dedhiya' group said, the dance form has "connection with the life of Lord Ram", and is performed to "ward off evil eyes".

"It is believed that women of Prayagraj had performed 'Dedhiya' when Ram ji and others had returned from Lanka after Lanka Dahan. Now that Ram Lalla is getting a new temple, the divine feeling has returned, and so this performance," she told PTI.

Wearing colourful costumes and carrying a pot bearing a flickering lamp, women dancers twirled their 'lehengas' and whirled around to folk songs.

"We are about 16-17 artistes. 'Dedhiya' is done by sisters during Raksha Bandhan ward to keep the evil eye' at bay for brothers," said Pragya Tripathi, a dancer from Prayagraj.

The stretch of Ram Path which was a part of the route of Modi's carcade was decorated with flowers, especially the Lata Mangeshkar Chowk roundabout.

Special sun-themed ornamental columns  Surya Stambhs  installed recently on Dharm Path added to the festive atmosphere.

Huge posters bearing images of Modi and Ayodhya's Ram temple, whose consecration ceremony will be held on January 22, were displayed at regular intervals along the carcade's route.

'Dhobiya' dance by performers from Ghaziabad was also held on the PM's route. "Hathwa mey kalamia, gadi gadi hai ('the pen pinches the hand)," the vocalist sang as dancers wearing 'ghungroo' around waist performed to rustic tunes.

Women artistes from Ayodhya and Lucknow performed 'Badhawa', while a group of dancers from Uttarakhand grooved to 'Choliya' dance.

Shivani Pandey, a member of the troupe from Ayodhya carried a basket wrapped in a crimson cloth that bore repeated prints of 'Jai Shri Ram'.

Despite inclement weather, her 'mantika' shone bright as she performed the move.

"In Lord Ram's context, 'Badhawa' is a way of asking and giving gifts on happy occasions. 'Badhawa' is performed to celebrate births, 'mundan' ceremonies of children and weddings," lead dancer of Ayodhya troupe Rama Prajapati told PTI.

She came to the venue in biting cold, carrying her child along, who played with percussion instruments.

A troupe from Sultanpur in Uttar Pradesh performed on a folk song on the beauty of Ayodhya, while artistes from Mathura-Vrindavan, presented the 'Mayur Nritya'.

Neer Thakur, who came dressed as Lord Krishna with a flute in his hand, grabbed eyeballs along the Dharm Path.

"We will show the peacock image of Lord Vishnu, and how Lord Krishna used to do 'Mayur Nritya' and his 'leela'," he said before Modi's roadshow began.

In a statement, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's office on Friday had said that more than 1,400 performers will be part of the folk art and cultural programmes to be held on 40 stages set up along the route from the airport to the railway station.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Panaji, Dec 30 (PTI) The Goa police on Saturday arrested seven members of a gang, all hailing from Mumbai, for allegedly stealing high-end mobile phones worth Rs 25 lakh during the Sunburn EDM festival.

The police have seized 29 mobile phones of different brands, which the accused stole from concertgoers during the three-day festival, deputy superintendent of police (Mapusa) Jivba Dalvi said.

Also Read | Jalna-Mumbai Vande Bharat Express Flagged Off by PM Narendra Modi Amid Cheers and Claps (Watch Video).

The police had received complaints about mobile phone thefts since the music festival began on December 28, he said.

The Anjuna police were already prepared for such incidents and policemen in plain clothes were deployed at the venue to keep a watch on such elements, the official said.

Also Read | Online Scam in Gujarat: Offering Part-Time Jobs, Two College Dropouts Dupe People of Rs 60 Crore in Three Months; Arrested.

Sunburn EDM, a popular electronic dance music festival, started on December 28 at Vagator in North Goa and will wind up on Saturday, December 30.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Tinsukia (Assam) [India], December 30 (ANI): In continuation of its ongoing civic outreach efforts through Operation Sadbhavana, the Red Shield Division of the Indian Army has set up a computer lab at the Girls M.E School in Dirak village, Tinsukia district, Assam.

Previously lacking essential resources for computer education, the school will now benefit from this initiative, providing a foundational infrastructure for the benefit of students.

Also Read | Israel-Hamas War: IDF Raids Hamas Intel Headquarters in Khan Younis.

The project involves the transformation of a designated classroom into a modern computer lab, equipped with computers and associated IT infrastructure.

This endeavour reflects the Indian Army's unwavering commitment to national service and contributing to the welfare of its citizens.

Also Read | Billionaire Realtor Niranjan Hiranandani Hops Onto Mumbai AC Local Train To Beat Road Traffic (Watch Video).

Meanwhile, ahead of New Year's Eve and celebrations, the Assam government will launch a special drive to check on drunk and rash driving and ensure peaceful celebrations in the state.

Assam Transport Minister Parimal Suklabaidya told ANI that the state government will try its best to ensure zero accidents on New Year's Eve.

"Last year, the Assam Chief Minister had been patrolling streets on New Year's Eve. This time also, our department has been planning to do good for people's safety so that everyone can enjoy the New Year," said the Transport Minister.

"The state transport department, along with the police and excise departments, will work for 24 hours on December 31 in every district of the state. There are about 70,000 km of PWD roads and national highways in the state and it is not possible to check and vigil every corner. But we will vigil the points where there is excessive traffic congestion. We will try our best to ensure zero accidents on December 31," Parimal Suklabaidya said. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Shahdol, Dec 30 (PTI) A one-and-half-month-old boy died after he was allegedly branded with a hot iron rod as part of a ritual to cure him of a respiratory ailment in Madhya Pradesh's Shahdol district, an official said on Saturday.

The infant died while undergoing treatment at the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of the district hospital on Friday, civil surgeon G S Parihar said.

Also Read | Brothel Customer Can Be Booked Under Immoral Traffic Prevention Act for 'Procuring Person for Prostitution', Says Kerala High Court.

The baby boy had sustained severe injuries after he was branded with a hot iron rod as a cure for his respiratory problems at Bandhwa village, he said.

He was brought to the district hospital on December 21 when his condition deteriorated, the official said, adding that the baby succumbed to pneumonia.

Also Read | Rajasthan Cabinet Expansion: Rajyavardhan Rathore, Kirodi Lal Meena Among 22 New Ministers Inducted in Government (Watch Video).

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
On the 85th day of the Israeli war, refugee camps in central Gaza face relentless Israeli airstrikes and artillery attacks, especially in the east as the occupation forces increase by 30,000 soldiers to expand operations towards Rafah, fierce battles persists in the center, while the US approves new sale of munitions to Israel.





19:00 The armed wing of the Palestinian Liberation Front (PFLP) Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades announced that an Israeli soldier that was held captive by the group in Gaza was killed in an Israeli airstrike following a failed attempt to free him..

The group is still holding the body of the slain soldier, the Brigades' spokesperson said, disclosing no details of when the soldier was captured, or where he was being held at the time of the strike.

The Israeli military spokesperson's office declined to comment.

The PFLP is the second biggest faction of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah party.

Unlike Fatah, the PFLP does not recognize Israel and supports a one-state solution for both Palestinians and Jews.

17:45 Israeli forces shot dead a Palestinian man, Mohammed Masalmeh, in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian health ministry said.

The Israeli military said soldiers "neutralized" a driver who rammed a car into a military post near Fawwar refugee camp, south of Hebron.

The incident comes a day after Israeli troops shot dead another Palestinian who the military said rammed a car into people near Hebron, wounding four according to medics.

More than 520 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank this year by Israeli security forces and settlers, according to a health ministry toll, at least 317 of them since Israel's war on Gaza erupted on 7 October.

As we count down to a new year, there is a different kind of countdown in #Gaza. We are racing against time - @WFP  https://t.co/mTDDPphruF  UN News (@UN_News_Centre) December 30, 2023

17:30 A total of 50 aid trucks, including four fuel trucks, entered the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing, Egyptian news outlet Al-Qahera News reported.

In addition, 18 Palestinians wounded in ongoing Israeli attacks crossed from the strip to receive treatment in Egyptian hospitals.

According to the channel, 250 foreigners stranded in Gaza were also evacuated through the Rafah crossing.

Since 7 October, Israel has put over 2.4 million Palestinians in Gaza under a complete blockade, cutting off all water, food, fuel, and medicines supplies.

It also has created hurdles delaying the delivery of aid for the Rafah crossing, the only point between the strip and Egypt.

Since the start of the war, Egypt has called on the international community to pressure Israel to keep the Rafah border crossing permanently open to allow for the delivery of aid.

Egypt has received dozens of wounded Palestinians for treatment in its hospitals as the Israel was has knocked most medical facilities in Gaza out of service.

17:00 Medical personnel at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis said they were facing severe shortages.

"The hospital is receiving a lot more [patients] than its capacity, in fact we are functioning at 300 percent of our... capacity," doctor Ahmad Abu Mustafa said in footage shared by the World Health Organization (WHO).

"The beds are full... and we are basically short on all sorts of medicine supplies."

The severe shortages come as Israel has refused to allow adequate aid to be delivered to the 2.4 million Palestinians in Gaza despite a recent United Nations Security Council resolution mandating such delivery.

Accordingly, the health ministry appealed to the international community for more support, including greater assistance in evacuating more patients.

The ministry added that Israeli bombardment has put 23 hospitals and 53 health centres out of service, while 104 ambulances have been destroyed.

16:15 Hamas condemned the US approval of a $147.5 million sale of high-explosive artillery munitions and related equipment to Israel.

The United States announced the sale of the 155mm artillery munitions on Friday under an emergency provision that waives the normal requirement for a congressional review.

Hamas said the sale was "clear evidence of the American administration's full sponsorship of this criminal war".

President Joe Biden's administration "conspicuously aligns itself with and actively supports all atrocities perpetrated" by Israel, the resistance group said in a statement.

Those wartime atrocities, it added, have led to the "ruthless killing of children and civilians, forced displacement of residents, and the systematic destruction of civilian life" in Gaza.

Earlier this month, the United States used the same emergency provision to approve the sale of nearly 14,000 rounds of 120mm tank ammunition to Israel.

Israel requested that 155mm fuses, primers and charges be added to previous foreign military sale cases, increasing their estimated total cost from $96.51 million to $147.5 million and requiring a new notification, according to a statement from the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency.

The secretary of state has determined that "an emergency exists that requires the immediate sale to the government of Israel", the statement said.

15:55 The Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) uncovered evidence of the destruction of at least 10 cemeteries in the Gaza Strip by Israeli forces attacks. NHK has analyzed satellite imagery from across Gaza and assessed the harm to local cemeteries.

The photos show 28 burial places across the enclave. The 10 disfigured sites are spread from north to south.

An aerial view shows that a gravesite near the southern city of Khan Younis had no damage as of 6 December.

But two weeks later, graves had been cleared from a 2,500 square meter area and several vehicles parked on the site.

Human rights group says Israel systematically violates the sanctity of the dead and international humanitarian law.

15:14 Hamas issued a statement applauding the decision of Palestinian Christians who have chosen to curtail this year's festivities, by focusing on religious rituals amidst the ongoing Israeli aggression.

"This conscious choice reaffirms their unwavering kinship with our people in the Gaza Strip who are being subjected to the brutal Zionist aggression, echoing a collective commitment of our people, all Muslims and Christians, to stand firm in defense of our land and the preservation of its identity," the statement said.

The statement highlighted the unprecedented and inhumane atrocities carried out the Zionist forces, stressing the disturbing "international silence and complicity," particularly emphasizing the American administration, "a partner in these crimes and gross violations."



14:51 The death toll of the Palestinians killed by Israel, since the war stared in 7 October, rises to 21,672. Another 56,165 have been wounded, the health ministry said.

14:00 At least 165 Palestinians have been killed and over 200 were wounded in Israeli strikes in central Gaza during the past 24 hours, the health ministry said.

13:22 The director of the UN aid agency UNRWA, Juliette Touma, said that "the humanitarian needs on the ground have continued to massively grow".

"We continue to have restrictions to access areas in the Gaza Strip where we should access regularly, like the north of the Gaza Strip," BBC reported.

"There's very, very little commercial supplies coming into Gaza and there's no market, so more and more people are depending by the day, by the hour, on organisations like UNRWA."

"Its safe to say that every single person in Gaza, a population of 2.2 million people is impacted one way or another."

Israel says its not limiting aid, and that the problem lies with its distribution.

10:58 At least 45 Palestinians have been killed in an Israeli airstrike targeting several homes in the Al-Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza.

10:40 The Al-Qassam Brigades published footages showing mortar shelling targeting the Israeli occupation forces within the Gaza Strip.

The Brigades also reported the destruction of an Israeli Merkava tank using an explosive device north of the Al-Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza.

Meanwhile, the Al-Quds Brigades said they are engaged in intense battles against enemy soldiers north and east of Khan Younis city.

In parallel, Israeli occupation warships heavily shelled the shores of Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis.

According to an Al Jazeera correspondent, Israeli forces have conducted airstrikes on the center of Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza.

Israeli forces have been attempting to seize control of Jabalia, but are encountering robust resistance from Palestinian fighters.

10:30 Here are some of the most recent photos coming from Gaza.



A Palestinian man evacuates a wounded girl from the site of an Israeli strikes on the Zawayda area of the central Gaza Strip. AFP



A Palestinian man carries the body of a child after it was unearthed from the rubble of a building following an Israeli strike on the Zawayda area. AFP



Israeli army vehicles are seen near the Gaza Strip border. AP



A picture taken from Rafah shows smoke billowing over Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip during Israeli bombardment. AFP

10:20 The UNICEF said that it delivered at least 600,000 doses of vaccines to Gaza on Friday to protect children in the besieged Palestinian territory from diseases.

The move comes as illnesses spiral across the territory, which lacks clean water and basic medical supplies.

Few details about the delivery process were made public by UNICEF, which announced the news on platform X.

The group said that more than 16,800 infants have missed one or more routine vaccines and that it will work with the WHO and UNRWA to deliver the arriving vaccines.

Israeli officials confirmed the arrival of tens of thousands of vaccines for such diseases as polio, tuberculosis, measles, and hepatitis, in coordination with UNICEF.

10:05 The Municipality of Gaza has taken to social media questioning UNICEF about the pledged fuel for operating water pumps in the strip.

Sorry for any inconvenience, but can we know where is the fuel to operate the water pumps? You promised to deliver it during the last truce; we havent received it yet, it said.

You may know children are dying in Gaza, and you cant give them a sip of water!

9:10 Tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians are once again fleeing towards the south. Intense Israeli tank fire and aerial bombing hit the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis on Friday night killind at least 180 Palestinians over the past 24 hours.

Previously sheltering those displaced from the north, this region has now become a focal point for Israels ground assault.

The United Nations humanitarian office saya that approximately 100,000 more displaced individuals have sought refuge in the already overcrowded southern border city of Rafah.

Theres a growing fear among the more than one million Palestinians displaced in Rafah, as well as the 300,000 residents, that the operation will likely expand to include parts of Rafah.



From the eastern side and from the southern part of Khan Younis into the main entrance of Rafah city, people have no other options to seek refuge.

The UN says more than 85 percent of Gaza's 2.4 million people have fled their homes, with many now going hungry and braving the winter rains in makeshift tents.

Meet Shifa Al Sanomeh, an internally displaced mother sheltering in Rafah in #Gaza after fleeing bombardments with her children. Her kids are grappling with sickness amid harsh conditions:



 No food



 Limited drinking water



 No firewood



 No blankets



We are pic.twitter.com/FYLSHo9wiX  WHO in occupied Palestinian territory (@WHOoPt) December 29, 2023

9:05 For the second time this month, the Biden administration is bypassing Congress to approve an emergency weapons sale to Israel as Israel continues to prosecute its war against Gaza under increasing international criticism.

The United States on Friday announced the approval of a $147.5 million sale of 155mm high-explosive artillery munitions and related equipment to Israel under an emergency provision that waives the usual congressional review.

The same provision was used earlier this month to approve the sale of nearly 14,000 rounds of 120mm tank ammunition to Israel.

Israel requested that 155mm fuses, primers and charges be added to previous foreign military sale cases, increasing their estimated total cost from $96.51 million to $147.5 million and requiring a new notification, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement.

The secretary of state said that "an emergency exists that requires the immediate sale to the government of Israel" of the weaponry, thereby waiving the normal requirement for review by Congress, according to the statement, which said the munitions will come from US Army stocks.

9:00 A correspondent for Al-Quds Today TV, Jaber Abu Hadrus and several members of his family have been killed in an Israeli airstrike on the Al-Nusairat refugee camp in the heart of the Gaza Strip early Saturday. Others were injured in the attack.

With his death, the toll of journalist killed by Israel in Gaza, rises to 106 journalists since the start of the war.

Gaza government's media office previously accused Israel of deliberately targeting journalists in an attempt to "obscure the truth and suppress the Palestinian narrative."

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New Delhi [India], December 30 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party president JP Nadda on Saturday released a postage stamp commemorating 200 years of Indian origin Tamils in Sri Lanka and said it is an occasion to look positive but also remember history.

The BJP chief said that it is a matter of happiness for him that "we are remembering the year 1823 and commemorating it with the stamp of Indian-origin Tamils, who had gone to Sri Lanka 200 years ago".

Also Read | Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu Asks Departments Not To Buy Diesel and Petrol Vehicles From January 1.

"Britishers encouraged the migration of our Tamil people to Sri Lanka. It served their purpose of augmenting economic activities by making the migrated people work in fields there. The migrated Indian-origin Tamils struggled for years. They faced hardships of human dignity, health, and livelihood amongst others. But things don't remain static. Eventually, a sense of revolution took over our Tamil people, and they started asking for basic human rights," he said at the event held at party office.

Nadda said that in 2017, Narendra Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Jaffna.

Also Read | Jalna-Mumbai Vande Bharat Express Flagged Off by PM Narendra Modi Amid Cheers and Claps (Watch Video).

"In 2014, when PM Shri Narendra Modi became our leader, we began a new optimistic journey. In 2017, he became the first Indian PM to visit Jaffna and promised them Pucca Houses. That's when our people got the opportunity to live a life with dignity in Sri Lanka," he said. (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, December 30: A 10-year-old girl was allegedly found dead in a swimming pool of an apartment in Bengaluru, said a senior police official. The deceased girl has been identified as Manya who, as per the received information, fell into the swimming pool while she was playing near it. Bengaluru Shocker: Man Gropes, Sexually Harasses School Teacher Deboarding Metro Train at Majestic Station, Accused Arrested

"A 10-year-old girl named Manya died after she fell into the swimming pool of the apartment. She fell into the water while playing, and she was taken to a hospital," said White Field DCP Shivakumar. The White Field DCP further said that a complaint has been filed by the father of the girl and a case has been registered. Karnataka Shocker: Another Incident of Students Forced To Clean School Toilets in Shivamogga District (Watch Video)

As per the police officials, the parents of the girl expressed suspicion about her death and requested for investigation. Further investigation in the matter is underway, said police.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Gwalior, December 30: A 19-year-old youth was arrested allegedly for raping a girl living in his neighbourhood by threatening her in Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior district, a police official said on Saturday. The incident occurred under the jurisdiction of Dabra police station limits in the district on Thursday late at night, around 11 pm, said the official, adding that the incident happened when the family members of the victim were not at home.

After the incident, the girl reached the police station and lodged a complaint against the accused, identified as Hemant. Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Niranjan Sharma said, "The victim lodged a complaint to the police that when there was no body in her house, the accused living in her neighbourhood, Hemant, entered her house and raped her by threatening to kill her." Madhya Pradesh Shocker: Minor Girl Consumes Poison After Being Raped by Youth in Damoh.

Acting on the complaint, the police registered a case against the accused under relevant sections, including rape and arrested the accused, the officer said. Further investigation into the matter is underway, he added.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Ayodhya, December 30: With less than a month left for the Ayodhya Ram Temple inauguration on January 22, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who arrived in the temple town today, requested people to refrain from visiting the city in large numbers in view of security and logistical reasons. Acknowledging the fact that Ram devotees are eager to be part of the historic day, the inauguration day of Ram Mandir, PM Modi said that only a few have been invited to the inauguration ceremony on January 22.

"I have a request to all. Everyone has a wish to come to Ayodhya to be a part of the event on January 22. But you know it is not possible for everyone to come. Therefore, I request all Ram devotees that once the formal program is done on 22nd January, they should come to Ayodhya at their convenience, do not make up their minds to come to Ayodhya on 22nd January," PM Modi said while addressing a mega public gathering in Ayodhya. PM Narendra Modi on Ram Temple Consecration: Whole World Waiting for Ceremony, Light Ram Jyoti at Homes on January 22 but Avoid Coming to Ayodhya.

PM Narendra Modi Urges People To Avoid Coming on January 22

#WATCH | Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh: PM Narendra Modi says, "I have a request to all. Everyone has a wish to come to Ayodhya to be a part of the event on 22 January. But you know it is not possible for everyone to come. Therefore, I request all Ram devotees that once the formal pic.twitter.com/pbL81WrsbZ  ANI (@ANI) December 30, 2023

Emphasizing that Ayodhya has now emerged as one of the major tourist attractions, he appealed to people to make the city cleanest among other cities in the country. "After the inauguration of the Ram temple, people will come to the city in lakhs. It does not matter whether they come on January 22 or some other day, maybe they will visit the city after ten years. But, one thing is for sure that people in lakh will come, so, it is my humble request to the people of Ayodhya to make the city clean," he said.

PM Modi also urged people to launch a cleanliness drive at pilgrimage sites across the country from January 14, the day of Makar Sankranti. Further, the PM urged people to light a 'Ram Jyoti' in their houses on January 22, when the idol consecration at the Ram Temple will take place in Ayodhya and celebrate Diwali. PM Narendra Modi Inaugurates Airport and Railway Station in Ayodhya, Lays Foundation Stone of Development Projects (Watch Videos).

"This historical moment has very fortunately come into the lives of all of us. We have to take a new resolution for the country and fill ourselves with new energy. For this, all the 140 crore countrymen should light Ram Jyoti in their homes on 22 January and celebrate Diwali," the PM said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the temple town today, inaugurating the newly built Maharishi Valmiki International Airport. He further said that the country is beautifying its pilgrimage sites and is also immersed in the world of digital technology at present.

"Today, the foundation stone of development works worth more than Rs 15 thousand crore has been laid and inaugurated here. These infrastructure-related works will once again establish modern Ayodhya with pride on the map of the country. Today's India is beautifying its pilgrimage sites and is also immersed in the world of digital technology..." the PM said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Jaipur, Dec 30 (PTI) Surendra Pal Singh, the BJP's nominee for the January 5 poll to the Karanpur assembly seat, was inducted as a minister in the Rajasthan government Saturday, drawing flak from the Congress which accused the ruling party of violating the model code of conduct.

Apart from Singh, 21 BJP MLAs were sworn in as ministers by Governor Kalraj Mishra at a ceremony in the Raj Bhawan here. While 12 leaders have been sworn in as cabinet ministers, five have been made ministers of state (independent charge) and five ministers of state.

Also Read | PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti Stopped From Meeting Families of Three Civilians Killed in Poonch, Stages Protest (Watch Video).

Singh took oath as Minister of State (independent charge).

Hitting out at the BJP for inducting Singh into the council of ministers, the Congress' Rajasthan unit chief Govind Singh Dotasra said his party will bring this matter to the Election Commission's notice and demand action.

Also Read | New Year 2024: CrPC Section 144 Imposed in Noida, Greater Noida for December 31 and January 1.

Polling to the Karanpur Assembly seat of Rajasthan was adjourned following the death of a Congress candidate. The election will now be held on January 5 and results will be declared three days later.

"The BJP's ego is at its peak. It has defied the Election Commission and violated the Model Code of Conduct by administering the oath of office to its candidate from Karanpur Surendra Pal Singh," he said in a post in Hindi on X.

Dotasra said this was probably the first case in the country where the BJP has made its candidate a minister before the elections.

"The Congress will bring this matter to the notice of the Election Commission and demand action. The BJP may tempt the voters but the Congress party will win the Karanpur seat by a huge margin," he added.

The Congress has fielded Rupinder Singh Kooner as its nominee for the poll in the Karanpur seat which was postponed following the death of party candidate and his father Gurmeet Singh Koonar.

There are 249 polling stations in Karanpur assembly constituency and 2,40,826 voters till December 6.

Of the 200 assembly seats in Rajasthan, voting for 199 took place on November 25 and the results were declared on December 3. The BJP won 115 seats while the Congress bagged 69.

Bhajan Lal Sharma took oath as Rajasthan's chief minister on December 15. Along with him, newly elected MLAs Diya Kumari and Prem Chand Bairwa were made deputy chief ministers.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Hyderabad, Dec 30 (PTI) Tata Technologies has come forward to provide job-oriented industrial skill development training for students in Telangana at a proposed cost between Rs 1,500 crore and Rs 2,000 crore, the state government said on Saturday.

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, who held a meeting with representatives of Tata Technologies here, discussed how to provide modern technology and train the youth to get more employment opportunities, a release from CMO said.

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The chief minister felt the need for introduction of modern courses in all government ITI (industrial training institute) colleges.

Tata Technologies will provide required machinery, equipment and software for the establishment of 4.0 Skilling Centers (Industry 4.0 technology centres) along with maintenance in the state, it said.

Also Read | Myanmar Crisis: 151 Myanmarese Soldiers Flee to Mizoram.

Revanth Reddy agreed with Tata Technologies' readiness to provide training in 4.0 industry based training courses like industrial automation, Robotics manufacturing, advanced CNC machine technicians, EV mechanic, basic designer, virtual verifier etc for the youth in ITIs.

Tata Technologies will provide two master trainers in each ITI along with required machines and software to offer 4.0 industry oriented courses, it said.

The chief minister suggested to the representatives of Tata Technologies to introduce new courses which would help get employment opportunities and also promote entrepreneurship among the youth by setting up their own industries.

The outdated courses should be replaced with modern job oriented courses, the chief minister said adding that the government will extend all kinds of cooperation to Tata Technologies.

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy welcomed the Tata Technologies decision to provide job oriented industrial skill development training at a cost between Rs 1,500 crore and Rs 2,000 crore, the release said.

The CM appreciated Tata Technologies for coming forward to provide compatible training to nearly one lakh students and announced that the state government would work with the company. He directed Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari to constitute a committee with top officials to enter an MoU with the firm.

The company will extend training and support to the government-owned ITIs for five years, it said.

As part of this, Tata Technologies will offer 22 new short-term and five long-term courses to polytechnic and engineering students aiming to provide employment in the highly demanding manufacturing sector with modern technical workshops, the release said.

The State Labour and Employment department is already holding consultations with Tata Technologies to finalise the modalities to enter an MoU and the officials informed that 50 government ITIs have already been identified, the release added.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kota (Rajasthan), Dec 30 (PTI) A 20-year-old youth was allegedly stabbed to death outside his house by father-son duo of his neighbourhood and four others on Friday night, police said.

Three others, including the deceased's mother and brother, and a neighbour sustained injuries in the attack. One of them is still under treatment while two others were discharged after primary treatment, they said.

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The police on Saturday handed over the body of the youth identified as Ajay Valmiki, a resident of Veer Savarkar Nagar under the Mahaveer Nagar police station, who worked as a sweeper at a multi-story building.

The ?father-son duo, identified as Pappu Valmiki (40) and his son Vishnu Valmiki (20) of the same area were arrested while four others are yet to be nabbed, police said.

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The accused allegedly barged into Ajay's house at around 9.30 pm on Friday and took him out in the street, where they stabbed him into his chest and stomach, said a police officer of the area.

Meanwhile, Ajay's mother Geeta, brother Shakti (24) and neighbour Vaibhav Gautam intervened to save Ajay but the accused also attacked them leaving them injured, he said.

They were rushed to the New Medical College Hospital (NMCH), where Ajay soon succumbed to his injuries while Geeta and Shakti were discharged after primary medical treatment. Vaibhav Gautam is still under treatment, the police officer said.

Police has lodged a case of murder under various sections of the IPC against Pappu Valmiki, Vishnu Valmiki, Vishal Dagoria, Bharat, Chandu, Sonu and handed over the body to the family members after postmortem on Saturday morning, Circle Officer of the area DSP Harshraj Singh Khareda said.

It was learnt that a brawl between two other groups in the neighbour had taken place, wherein Ajay was reportedly a witness, however, the police report in the matter nowhere mentioned his name, the DSP said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Islamabad [Pakistan], December 30 (ANI): In a bid to amplify the chorus of protests against the alleged enforced disappearances and human rights violations in Balochistan, Salia Marri, the niece of Baloch national leader Baba Khair Bakhsh Marri, announced that a five-day sit-in in London from January 3 to 7.

Marri, the wife of Baloch nationalist Mir Taj Muhammad Sarparah who is alleged to be among those to have disappeared, said she will lead the sit-in protest for the safe release of her husband and other missing persons.

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She urged all political parties and social and human rights activists to join the protest.

"For the safe release of my husband, all missing persons, I am organising a 5-day sit-in protest in front of 10 Downing Street in London. This protest will take place from January 3 to January 7, 2024, 24 hours daily. I urge all political parties, social and human rights activists, media, Baloch nation, and all other communities to join our sit-in protest," Marri posted from her official handle on X.

Also Read | Mexico Shooting: Six Killed, 26 Injured As Gunmen Attack Party in Northern Mexico.

https://x.com/Saliamarri_/status/1740629835251363999?s=20

The announcement of a sit-in comes amid ongoing protests against Baloch genocide and enforced disappearances at the National Press Club of Islamabad.

The Baloch Yakjahti Committee-Kech, in a post on X, stated that if the state fails to hold negotiations as per their demand, the issue will be taken to the court of the Baloch people.

"If the state fails to engage in serious negotiations on the demands, demonstrate seriousness, and continues its attitude towards protesters as observed over the past week, then after one week, the movement will express clear disappointment with all state institutions for their policies of state-sponsored killings and colonial treatment towards Balochistan. Then, the decision will be taken to the Baloch people's court," the committee warned in a statement.

Serving them an ultimatum, the committee stressed that during this week, the state needs to clarify to the Baloch people how serious they are about addressing the issue of the Baloch genocide.

"It must be practically proven that all forms of human rights violations, including forced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and illegal actions, immediately cease in Balochistan," the committee stated further.

https://x.com/BYCKech/status/1740867570604097688?s=20

The committee added if the state was unwilling to transform its colonial mindset, a decision would be made in the courts of the Baloch people. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Tel Aviv [Israel], December 30 (ANI/TPS): Israeli air strikes in Lebanon are exacting a heavy price from Hezbollah for its rocket fire, forcing the terror group into a war of attrition being fought on Israel's terms.

Hezbollah has been firing rockets at northern Israel on a daily basis since October 7, when Hamas massacred 1,200 Israelis in communities near the Gaza border. Concerned about larger barrages and border infiltrations, around 250,000 Israelis have been evacuated from communities near Lebanon and Gaza.

Also Read | 26/11 Mumbai Terror Attack: India Sends Formal Communication to Pakistan To Extradite Lashkar-E-Taiba Chief Hafiz Saeed.

Israel's strikes have destroyed a significant amount of Hezbollah infrastructure in open areas, forcing the terror group to operate in uncomfortable proximity to civilian villages.

"Hezbollah's front line of outposts was hit very hard by the IDF and, among other things, the forces hit terrorist infrastructure, command and control facilities, lookouts and warehouses where weapons were stored," a source in the Israel Defence Forces told the Tazpit Press Service.

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The fact that Israel is striking Hezbollah targets in towns and villages hasn't escaped the attention of the Lebanese evacuees. A Shi'ite source in Lebanon told TPS that Israel has targeted Hezbollah facilities located in or very close to 91 different villages across Southern Lebanon.

Moreover, 23 civilians have been killed in those strikes, and residents blame Hezbollah for putting them in harm's way.

"Recently, Nasrallah has also been hearing criticism from the Shiite communities who ask him whether you have pledged to be the defender of Lebanon or have you become the defender of Hamas and ISIS," the IDF source told TPS.

Hezbollah--to Hamas's anger--has not opened a new front and cannot even follow through on an oft-threatened "eye for an eye" deterrence.

"The ratio of casualties between the IDF forces and Hezbollah is 1-13," an Israeli political source told TPS.

This source added that the assessment is that Hezbollah will continue its war of attrition despite its inability to match Israel, blow for blow.

However, Hezbollah still poses a considerable threat to Israel. Hezbollah recently moved additional forces into southern Lebanon from Syria, including 1,500 members of its elite Radwan Unit. This unit's main mission is to rapidly infiltrate northern Israel, seize control of communities and take hostages, similar to Hamas's attacks on October 7.

The Radwan Unit gained considerable experience fighting in the Syrian Civil War and is considered more advanced and disciplined than Hamas.

However, monitoring and analysis of Hezbollah's internal discourse indicates that the October 7 attack took away Radwan Unit's element of surprise.

As a result, Hezbollah's backers tout the achievement of forcing tens of thousands of Israelis to evacuate their northern communities. (ANI/TPS)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Tel Aviv [Israel], December 30 (ANI): The IDF (Israel Defence Forces) confirmed that, in addition to the four civilians harmed in a "drive-by attack" terrorist car-ramming attack Friday afternoon, one soldier was seriously injured and taken to the hospital. No other information was provided about the soldier.

Magen David Adom reported that four civilian pedestrians were wounded in the attack, one of whom was a 25-year-old man who was said to have been moderately wounded.

Also Read | 26/11 Mumbai Terror Attack: India Sends Formal Communication to Pakistan To Extradite Lashkar-E-Taiba Chief Hafiz Saeed.

The attack came at a military post near the Edorim intersection in the Mt. Hebron area south of Jerusalem.

IDF forces operating in the area neutralised the terrorist. (ANI)

Also Read | Russia Fires 122 Missiles and 36 Drones in What Ukraine Calls Biggest Aerial Barrage of War; 13 Killed (Watch Video).

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Gilgit Baltistan [PoK], December 30 (ANI): On the call of the Coordination Committee of the All-Party Alliance, the ongoing protest against the drastic increase in the price of wheat and the abolition of subsidies has entered its fourth day in Pak-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan, Pak vernacular media reported.

It was reported that people continued to protest against the increase in the price of wheat at Yadgar Chowk and a large rally was also held at Jamia Masjid Skardu on Friday, bracing severe cold conditions in Skardu.

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Apart from Skardu, people also protested on the streets in Ganche Shigar and Kharmung.

Anjuman Tajran Roundu also signalled a protest against the increase in the price of wheat and announced the closure of Shahrah Baltistan against the non-acceptance of the demands.

Also Read | Pakistan: Five Terrorists Killed in Intelligence-Based Operation in North Waziristan, Says Pak Army.

Ghulam Hussain Athar, head of the All-Party Alliance, revealed while addressing the meeting that a message has been sent to us saying that to withdraw from the wheat movement, the federation will give a package of PKR 15 billion to Baltistan.

"Four and a half billion rupees should be given. Talks of fifteen billion rupees are just a conspiracy to make us stupid, said Athar.

"We are being given different kinds of offers; we are being told to leave the wheat movement; we will be given attractive incentives; we have never sold before and we will never sell again. The problem is common to all of us," added Athar.

Under the auspices of the Awami Action Committee Yasin Valley, a protest was held outside AC Office Yasin at Yasin Khas Sub-Divisional Headquarters of Yasin against the increase in the price of subsidised wheat, reported Pak vernacular media.

The protesters rejected the Rs 3,600 price of wheat set by the provincial government as a cruel move against the poor.

The protestors said that the members of the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly and the Chief Minister are not qualified to represent the people. They also alleged that the Prime Minister and the ministers are on the pay rolls of Islamabad.

"The Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly is not a public spokesperson but a group of the privileged class," accused the protestors.

The protestors said that until the government withdraws its notification regarding wheat, the protest will continue. (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, December 30: Bengaluru Special Courts for Peoples Representatives has issued an order convicting Karnataka Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa in connection with a cheque bounce case from 2011 and imposing a Rs 6.96 crore fine. The court has said that in case of non-payment of the fine, Minister Madhu Bangarappa will have to undergo six months of simple imprisonment. The order was given on Friday. Following the development, the BJP has demanded his resignation.

BJP State President B.Y. Vijayendra said that the Minister of the Congress government has been declared the offender in the cheque bounce case. Its a black mark on the dignity of the government and the sanctity of education. Bangarappa should tender his resignation, taking moral responsibility. Otherwise, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah should seek his resignation, he said. COVID-19 Variant JN.1: Karnataka High Court Quashes Plea Seeking Prohibition on New Year Celebrations in Bengaluru, Says 'Restrictions Would Drive People Outside City'

He said that if the Congress government is arrogant and hesitates in this matter, the education sector of the state will suffer a major dent at the international level. BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal said that who is supposed to bring comprehensive change to the education sector, indulges in cheating and has been declared an offender. Where will he take the education department? According to sources, he is not able to read or write Kannada, he said.

Minister Madhu Bangarappa was supposed to pay the pending amount of Rs 6.96 crore to Rajesh Exports and had issued a cheque which had bounced. Bangarappa had submitted an undertaking that he would make the payment of Rs 50 lakh by the end of January 2024. However, the court did not oblige as the previous undertaking was dishonoured. The cout had ordered that in the fine amount, Rs 6.96 lakh should be given as compensation to the complainant and Rs 10,000 as a fine amount to the government. Jatin Dalal Sued? Wipro Files Case Against Former CFO in Bengaluru Civil Court After He Moves to Cognizant

Bangarappa, as the director of Akash Audio-Video Pvt Limited, was the second accused in the cheque bounce case. Judge Preeth J of the Special court had passed the order. The court had also criticised the attitude of the minister for dragging the case. Bangarappa had approached the High Court to quash the case, but his petition was dismissed.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 30, 2023 10:56 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Bengaluru, December 30: An incident of an engineer working with a private company dying after falling from 33rd floor balcony in an inebriated state has been reported from Bengaluru on Saturday. The deceased is identified as Deepanshu Dharma. The incident took place on Friday morning in the limits of K.R. Puram police station. Bengaluru Shocker: 10-Year-Old Girl Found Dead in Apartments Swimming Pool, Case Registered

According to police, Deepanshu attended a party on Thursday night and got high on liquor with friends. He came back to his apartment and entered the balcony. After losing his balance, he fell off from the balcony and died on the spot. Karnataka Shocker: Skeletons of Five People Found in House in Chitradurga District, Probe Underway (Watch Video)

K.R. Puram police had rushed to the spot and have taken up investigation. More details are yet to emerge regarding the case.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 30, 2023 04:01 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
At least 151 more Myanmarese soldiers fled to Mizoram after their camps were overrun by armed pro-democracy ethnic groups, officials said on Saturday.
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar took to X to express his honour in presenting the first copy of his book "Why Bharat Matters" to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Sharing pictures on X (formerly Twitter), Dr Jaishankar wrote, "Honoured to present the first copy of my book 'Why Bharat Matters to PM Narendra Modi this evening." The English edition of the book was announced to be released in early 2024 on December 22. EAM S Jaishankar Says Relationship Between India and Russia Much Deeper (Watch Video).

EAM S Jaishankar Presents 'Why Bharat Matters' to PM Narendra Modi

Honoured to present the first copy of my book Why Bharat Matters to PM @narendramodi this evening. pic.twitter.com/elHl64r1nt  Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) December 30, 2023

(SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)
Aizawl, December 30: According to officials, the Myanmar army personnel, also known as the 'Tatmadaw', fled to Mizorams Lawngtlai district with their arms and ammunition; and approached the Assam Rifles on Friday evening after their camps near the India-Myanmar border were overrun by the Arakan Army fighters.

Some of the Myanmarese soldiers were critically injured in the gun fight and basic medical treatments were provided to them by the Assam Rifles. The soldiers are now in the safe custody of Assam Rifles at Parva in Lawngtlai district near the Myanmar border. India Issues Travel Advisory for Myanmar, Asks Its Nationals in Country to Register with Embassy in Yangon.

Intense gun battles between the Myanmar army and the armed fighters resumed during the past few days in areas close to the Indian border leading to the fresh influx of soldiers. Like previous occasions, the Indian authorities would repatriate the Myanmar soldiers to their country through the Moreh border in Manipur after completing the necessary formalities.

In November, a total of 104 Myanmar soldiers including officers in different phases fled to Mizoram after their camps near the border were overrun by pro-democracy armed groups. Since November 13, Myanmar soldiers fled to the Indian territory in different phases after their camps in Chin state were captured by the Chin National Defence Force (CNDF), the armed wing of the Chin National Organisation (CNO). They were airlifted by the Indian Air Force to Moreh in Manipur, from where they had repatriated to Tamu, the nearest border town in Myanmar. Deeply Concerned: MEA on Fighting Between Myanmars Military and Anti-Junta Groups Near Border With India (Watch Video).

Besides soldiers, over several thousand Myanmarese, including women and children, took shelter in Mizoram's Champhai and other districts since last month following the gunfight between Myanmar's Tatmadaw (military) and CNDF cadres. The district administration has provided food and relief materials to the refugees. Necessary medical aid has also been provided to them.

The first influx from Myanmar happened in February 2021 after the Military junta seized power there. Since then, over 32,000 people, including women and children, have taken shelter in the northeastern state from Myanmar. Mizoram's six districts -- Champhai, Siaha, Lawngtlai, Serchhip, Hnahthial and Saitual -- share 510 km unfenced border with Myanmar's Chin state.

On December 16, Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh said that due to prevailing unrest around 6,000 people from Myanmar have taken shelter in his state in the recent past.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 30, 2023 09:51 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Times Staff Writers

A frail, elderly woman said in a jailhouse interview Monday that she gunned down a 26-year-old man outside her Lake Forest home Saturday, explaining that she feared he was harming her great-grandson.

Jeane E. Allen, 81, said that although she regretted killing Alex L. Reyes, her granddaughters estranged husband, she did not feel she had done anything wrong.

In Gods eyes, I dont feel guilty, because it was the only thing I could do to save his life, she said during an interview with the Los Angeles Times, referring to her 19-month-old great-grandson, Anthony Reyes.

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Allens hands shook and her eyes welled up as she talked on a telephone through a glass partition at Orange Countys Central Womens Jail, where she is being held on suspicion of murder, personal use of a firearm and a special circumstance of lying in wait.

She was arrested Saturday and is being held on $1-million bail. She is scheduled to be arraigned in Newport Beach today. If convicted, she could get life in prison.

Reyes came Saturday morning to the home Allen shares with her granddaughter and great-grandson to pick up his son for a court-supervised visit. Allen told The Times that he helped adjust a strap on a stroller she had just bought for the toddler. She said things were fine until he brought up the accusations shed made against him, which were contained in divorce proceedings, and asked her for a letter of apology.

Im sorry, but at that point, that makes me look like a liar, and I just had it, Allen said. She said she went to a drawer, grabbed the gun and shot him. She said she then called 911.

Allen said she told the 911 dispatcher, I just shot a pedophile. Her granddaughter and great-grandson were home at the time, and the victims parents were also present, having just dropped him off. Sheriffs deputies said Reyes was shot in the head and thigh.

The accusation had surfaced after her granddaughter, Leslie Bieg, 24, filed papers in October 2004 to divorce Reyes and claim custody of the boy, said Larry Fancher, a La Habra attorney who represented Reyes. Both Allen and Bieg alleged that Reyes had been molesting the boy.

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Reyes never was charged with such a crime and, during divorce proceedings, characterized the allegation as baseless. He said Allen opposed his marriage to Bieg because, in her eyes, he was Mexican and not good enough for her.

Fancher said that in an effort to get custody, Reyes let himself to be examined by mental health experts, including a doctor who specialized in sex crimes. Ill take any test anybody wants to give me on this subject -- I want to see my son, Fancher recalled his client saying.

He said the experts gave Reyes a series of tests, including a polygraph, to determine his fitness as a parent. He said the results of the first series were inconclusive, but a second series was favorable to his client.

Fancher said he planned to call the experts on Reyes behalf when the custody case was to go to trial in March.

Reyes and Bieg agreed that he could have supervised visits of the boy, for the time being, but he hoped to be allowed unsupervised visits. Fancher said the shooting simply convinces me the grandmother would go to whatever extent necessary to make sure Mr. Reyes did not have any meaningful relationship with his son.

Reyes friends and family defended him Monday.

Alex was determined to clear his name, said Jessie Standifer, 45, a family friend. He wanted his son to know that it was not true. Standifer, who had met Allen, called her a very angry, mean, rather hateful person who had made the molestation claim to protect her granddaughters custody of the child.

When Reyes learned that Allen kept a gun in the house, Standifer said, he reported it to court officials but was told the gun was legally registered in Allens name. He was worried for his sons safety, Standifer said.

Reyes father, Gilbert, said his son had recently graduated from the Fullerton College police academy, but his plans to be a police officer were sidetracked by the pending divorce.

He was a good father, Gilbert Reyes said. He was a good brother. He was a good son.

Reyes and Bieg had been married just six months when she filed for divorce. After the marriage fell apart, Reyes went to live with his parents in Brea.

On Monday, his family showed a reporter his upstairs bedroom. On a shelf above his mattress, his police academy hat sat atop a stack of books. A filing box, filled with what his father believes are divorce papers, was stored deep inside his closet.

In the corner of the bedroom, Reyes kept a white cradle decorated with baby blankets. To the left of the cradle, Reyes kept his own bed -- a mattress on the floor, covered in blankets.

Reyes 25-year-old brother, Jamie, said Reyes life centered on his son. Thats who he loved, the brother said. Thats what his life was.

Alex Reyes worked at Bassett Furniture in Irvine. Mona Hornick, a store manager, said he started there about two years ago, working both in customer service and the warehouse. She said he showed off pictures of his son on his cellphone and spoke of wanting to spend more time with him. She said she refused to believe the allegations of abuse.

He was always up, always positive -- just a fun-loving individual, Hornick said. I dont think anybody can say a bad thing about him.

Allen, the jails oldest inmate, is 5 feet tall and stooped, with dyed-blond hair, thick glasses and long, tapering, carefully maintained blue acrylic nails.

She is too frail to make it up the stairs to join the general population, officials say, so she is held in a cell near the medical wing.

Well accommodate her and make her comfortable because its unusual that we arrest someone in their 80s, said Jim Amormino, spokesman for the Orange County Sheriffs Department.

Amormino said authorities had never before been called to her Lake Forest home.

Its not the first time this situation happened, said James A. Fox, a professor of criminal justice at Northeastern University in Boston. Parents, grandparents, and in this case great-grandparents, often feel passionate about protecting their children. If a child is in imminent danger, you have a right to protect them, but thats not the situation here.

Neighbors variously described Allen as a nice lady or a cranky, cursing woman. Neighbor Rex Rexroad, a former Marine, said Allen had brought him her .38-caliber Smith & Wesson on Friday afternoon and asked him to make sure it was working.

He said that, having no idea of trouble ahead, he cleaned it and gave her target-shooting bullets since she had the wrong type.

It sounded to me like this guy really had her afraid, Rexroad said.

Allen said she played bingo that night and had no intention of killing Reyes the next day.

She acknowledged that she had asked a neighbor to clean the gun but said it was because Reyes had been making threats.

I never thought, at 81, all my life, not ever committing a crime, that Id be in here, Allen said.

Times staff writers Jonathan Abrams and Lynn Doan contributed to this report.
In the vibrant tapestry of the Dominican Republic's culinary culture, desserts play a central role, adding a sweet note to celebrations, gatherings, and everyday family meals.

Rooted in tradition and reflecting the country's diverse ingredients, Dominican Republic desserts are a delightful universe unto themselves, Amigo Foods noted.

Whether featuring the comforting embrace of milk or the vibrant flavors of tropical fruits, these treats go beyond the ingredient list; they embody love, history, and a sense of community that makes them truly special.

Dominican Republic desserts unfold a narrative through ingredients like coconut, sweet potatoes, guava, rice, and condensed milk.

Each element contributes not just to the flavor but to the cultural tapestry, echoing the rich biodiversity and culinary heritage of the Dominican Republic.

READ NEXT: Dominican Republic Foods You Must Try

Bizcocho Dominicano

The Bizcocho Dominicano, known as Dominican Cake, stands as one of the most iconic Dominican Republic desserts, praised for its rich flavor, moist texture, and airy frosting.

This delectable treat has become a mainstay at various celebrations, be it birthdays, weddings, or any joyous occasion.

With its origins rooted in the European-style sponge cakes introduced to the Caribbean by Spanish colonizers, the Bizcocho Dominicano has undergone a unique transformation.

Dominicans have infused their culinary creativity into the recipe over the years, resulting in the delightful version cherished today.

Often dubbed the 'cake of celebrations,' this culinary masterpiece has become a customary presence at diverse gatherings and festivities, captivating palates with its inherent sweetness and cultural significance.

Dominican Bunuelo

Bunuelos, a delightful Dominican dish, are easily crafted with basic ingredients, including flour, milk, sugar, cinnamon, and eggs.

The simple process involves combining these elements and frying small portions of the mixture to create these delectable balls.

For a delightful experience, savor them with a cup of coffee or warm milk.

In the Dominican Republic, Bunuelos often come adorned with syrup or honey, enhancing their already tempting flavor with an extra layer of sweetness.

Rooted in Dominican tradition, this culinary delight holds a special place on holiday tables, especially during festive occasions such as Christmas and Holy Week.

Dulce de Coco

Dulce de Coco, a genuine Dominican delicacy, is a sweetened coconut dessert that harmoniously blends the tropical richness of coconut with a delightful sweetness.

This traditional Dominican dessert captures the essence of the Dominican Republic, showcasing the island's abundant and cherished ingredient: coconut.

With coconut being a longstanding staple in Caribbean cuisine, featuring prominently in both savory dishes and desserts, Dulce de Coco stands out as a classic representation of how the Dominican culinary tradition has embraced this versatile fruit.

The dessert is a testament to the simplicity and indulgent sweetness that characterize Dominican cuisine, offering a delightful experience that reflects the rich culinary heritage of the region.

Dominican Corn Pudding

This beloved Dominican Republic dessert, known as majarete, is crafted by blending whole corn kernels, sugar, coconut, and evaporated milk.

The ingredients are meticulously blended until reaching the desired consistency, followed by straining and subsequent cooking until the mixture achieves a thickened texture.

To complete this delightful treat, a sprinkle of cinnamon is added on top, imparting an extra layer of flavor, Chef's Pencil noted.

Majarete stands out not only for its ease and speed of preparation but also for its health-conscious attributes.

With deep roots in Caribbean and Latin American culinary traditions, Majarete has evolved uniquely in each region.

The Dominican Republic's rendition of Majarete is a testament to the country's rich agricultural heritage and its innovative use of corn within its cuisine.

This dessert encapsulates the intersection of tradition and ingenuity in Dominican Republic gastronomy.

READ MORE: 4 Cultural Dominican Republic Facts

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: The Best Dominican Desserts You Can't Miss - From AmigoFoods


Georgia case co-defendant Kenneth Chesebro helped Donald Trump set up his fake electors scheme and it looks like he is now singing for prosecutors in Michigan as new recordings of his testimonies emerged, detailing efforts by Trump to overturn his loss to Joe Biden during the 2020 elections.

CNN has obtained some of these recordings, and it showed that the Trump campaign's plan to use fake electors to block President-elect Joe Biden from taking office hit a massive roadblock when the fake elector certificates from two critical battleground states were stuck in the mail.

Chesebro revealed that Trump campaign operatives tried to fly copies of their fake certificates from Michigan and Wisconsin to DC by using a chain of couriers with the help of two Republican lawmakers. They would then get these fake documents to then-Vice President Mike Pence while he presided over the Electoral College certification.

This information largely came from pro-Trump attorney and Donald Trump co-defendant Kenneth Chesebro, who gave some receipts to investigators, including emails and recordings about the 11th-hour discussions about delivering the fake elector certificates to Pence.

Chesebro was the architect of the plot but has since cooperated in not just the Michigan probe but also in several state probes, including Georgia. He has also met with prosecutors in Nevada and Wisconsin who are investigating his involvement with the fraudulent Trump scheme.

Donald Trump Co-Defendant Kenneth Chesebro's Recordings Could Bolster Jack Smith's Case

While Kenneth Chesebro is cooperating with several investigations on the state level, the evidence he gave prosecutors could eventually have a big effect on the federal level, especially Special Counsel Jack Smith's investigation into Trump's actions to interfere with the elections across the country, which eventually lead to January 6.

READ MORE: Donald Trump Disqualified Again as Maine Blocks Ex-POTUS From Ballot Over 14th Amendment

As Newsweek noted, Trump has been indicted by Smith on several counts, including 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. Chesebro's testimony and recordings could ultimately make Smith's case vs. the former president even stronger.

"My guess is that Chesebro's information, which is new-he asserted the Fifth Amendment privilege when we interviewed him, the Select Committee interviewed him-will factor into the special counsel's investigation," former prosecutor Timothy Heaphy told CNN. "The fake elector plot is part of the evidence that will be presented by the special counsel that bears directly upon the president's-former president's-intent to disrupt the joint session."

What Did the Kenneth Chesebro Recordings Say About Donald Trump's Election Interference Efforts?

In the recordings, Kenneth Chesebro revealed that one of the lawmakers who helped in the fake electors scheme was Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, as was a Pennsylvania congressman, according to Salon.

"This is a high-level decision to get the Michigan and Wisconsin votes there," Chesebro told Michigan prosecutors. "And they had to enlist, you know, a US senator to try to expedite it, to get it to Pence in time."

Chesebro also admitted that top Trump campaign lawyers "freaked out" about the missing fake elector ballots and that they even considered chartering a jet to fly these fake ballots to DC in time for January 6.

The former Trump attorney also admitted that this was a meticulous national operation and Trump lawyers were "day-by-day coordinating the efforts of more than a dozen people with the GOP and with the Trump campaign."

READ MORE: Donald Trump Tried To Spread Fake News About New York Judge Overseeing Fraud Trial But Gets Exposed

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Trump Co-Defendant THROWS Trump Completely UNDER THE BUS - MeidasTouch
The neighbors bordering Guyana and Venezuela are now expressing concern as the two South American countries's dispute over the oil-rich Essequibo region continues, with Brazil being the one ringing the alarm bells as Venezuela begins naval exercises.

The Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement on Friday, expressing concern over the intensifying territorial dispute between its two neighbors over Essequibo, which is internationally recognized to be part of Guyana but is claimed by Venezuela.

Brazil is now urging both nations to return to dialogue and added that third countries should avoid "military activities" that support either side. This came after the United Kingdom sent a warship to Guyana to support its former colony.

Brazil also urged both countries to commit to last week's Argyle Declaration, an agreement signed by both countries' respective presidents. In that declaration, both countries agreed that they would solve the Essequibo dispute via nonviolent means.

The two South American countries are claiming Essequibo, which makes up 2/3 of Guyana's land mass. It is sparsely populated, according to the Associated Press, and is about the size of Florida. However, it is rich in oil and minerals.

Venezuela Accuses Guyana of Violating the Argyle Declaration

Despite signing the declaration when Venezuelan and Guyanese leaders met in St. Vincent last week, Guyana's President Irfan Ali stated that his country will continue to reserve its right to work with its partners to ensure the defense of its territory. This includes having the UK send the warship HMS Trent to the country's shores, according to NPR.

READ NEXT: Venezuela and US Conduct Prisoner Swap, Including Known Nicolas Maduro Ally

However, Maduro was not happy with this and accused Guyana of betraying the spirit of the Argyle Declaration. The Venezuelan president slammed Guyana and said, "We will not let anyone push us around," before calling the UK's decision to send the HMS Trent as a threat from a "decaying former empire."

However, the British Ministry of Defense stated that the warship was just visiting Guyana as part of a series of engagements in the region and would only be conducting training exercises with Guyana's military, which is expected to be far outmatched by Venezuela's.

Guyana Unlikely To Budge Over Essequibo

Guyana has control over Essequibo, with the region's mostly indigenous residents identifying more with the much-diverse Guyanese rather than their Spanish-speaking neighbors. However, tensions escalated when Maduro launched his referendum and passed it even though not many showed up to vote.

With the referendum win, Venezuela escalated the dispute by ordering the state's oil companies to issue extraction licenses in oil-rich Essequibo. This led to tensions rising and their neighbors panicking. They urged the two sides to talk in St. Vincent, which they did, and agreed not to go to war.

According to Time Magazine, despite the agreement, Guyana is not likely to budge on the border issue, with President Ali saying on national TV, "We have made it consistently clear that the issue of our border is before the ICJ and that is where it will be settled."

READ MORE: Guyana Culture: Essequibo Identifies More as Guyanase and Not With Venezuela

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Venezuela launches defensive exercise on border with Guyana | Essequibo crisis | WION
A California teen has been taken into custody after allegedly committing a heinous act, resulting in the death of his parents and a critical injury to his younger sister, as revealed by the Fresno County Sheriff's Office on Friday.

The 14-year-old boy, whose identity remains protected due to legal constraints, now faces two charges of murder and one count of attempted murder for the violent incident that occurred on December 27 at the family's Miramonte residence, according to ABC News.

The Fresno County Sheriff, John Zanoni, conveyed that the juvenile suspect was promptly booked into Juvenile Hall following his arrest.

The shocking turn of events unfolded when the teenager dialed 911 on Wednesday evening, reporting a home intrusion that culminated in the assault of his parents and a subsequent escape by the assailant in a pickup truck.

Upon arriving at the residence, deputies made a grim discovery  the lifeless bodies of the boy's parents, identified as Lue Yang and Se Vang, both 37, and their 11-year-old daughter in critical condition.

The injured girl, suffering from severe injuries, faced uncertain survival during her ambulance transport. Poor weather conditions prevented a medevac option.

However, as of Friday, officials report that she remains hospitalized and is expected to survive.

READ NEXT: Rapper Canserbero's 'Suicide' Turns Out To Be Murder

California Teen's Fabricated Story and Arrest

The young suspect's initial account of an intruder breaking into their Miramonte home triggered a response from law enforcement.

In a press conference on Friday, Sheriff Zanoni detailed how detectives, after detecting inconsistencies, unraveled the disturbing truth, per CNN.

"Evidence ultimately showed that he had fabricated the story of a break-in and was responsible for using multiple weapons to attack his mom, his dad, and his sister," Zanoni revealed.

Fortunately, the 7-year-old brother of the suspect emerged unharmed during the tragic event and is now under the care of extended family members.

The detained teenager, facing two murder charges and one attempted murder charge, will have his case reviewed by the Fresno County District Attorney's Office.

Law enforcement indicated that, if convicted, the boy would likely be confined to a youth authority and juvenile hall until reaching a certain age, SCRIPPS News reports.

California Murder Remains Under Investigation

Authorities, in their ongoing investigation, are examining the weapons used by the California teen during the assault, The Messenger said.

"Two children have lost their mother and father due to the actions of their other sibling," Sheriff Zanoni said, emphasizing the devastating consequences of the incident.

While it is unclear how the California teen gained access to the weapons, Sheriff Zanoni noted that rural families in the state often keep weapons at home for self-protection.

The authorities did not provide details regarding the exact cause of the victims' deaths or information on the suspect's mental health.

In a noteworthy update, the Sheriff's Office concluded that there are no longer any outstanding suspects in the case, Sierra Sun Times noted.

Consequently, the community is deemed safe, marking an end to the search for a reported silver pickup that fled the scene. However, the investigation into this tragic incident remains active.

READ MORE: New York Man Stabs 2 Teens Visiting From South America

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: 14-year-old arrested for allegedly murdering parents at Fresno County home, sheriff says - From ABC30 Action News


I average 47 MPG driving my 2019 five-passenger Ford hybrid.

In 2021, the average American driver got 25 MPG, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

U.S. oil companies are cranking out a record 13.2-million barrels a day, more than Russia and Saudi Arabia, according to the New York Times.

CNBC reports oil companies had record profits in 2022. Reuters reports Exxon CEOs salary rose 52% in 2022.

Heres the simple math we all can understand. Since Im getting 47 MPG, rather than 25 MPG, oil companies are getting half as rich from my purchases.

Hybrid vehicles save every hybrid driver money on gasoline purchases. Republican candidate Donald Trump says, Drill more oil, which only makes him and his rich friends richer.

So whos the smarter businessman?

Me or Trump?

Second issue: Enlisting in the Army Reserve, I took an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic.

On Dec. 7, 1941, Americas democracy was attacked by a foreign enemy; then, again on Sept. 11, 2001.

On Jan. 6, 2021, Americas democracy was attacked by domestic enemy Trump who, according to his White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham, gleefully watched the Insurrection on television for over 3 hours.

In 1933, Adolf Hitler was a cult leader who became a dictator when millions of good Germans turned into good Nazis.

In 2023, Republican candidate Trump is a cult leader.

Only good American voters defeat con artists named Trump.

Reggie Regrut

Phillipsburg
Just recently, Bethlehem received $9.9 million in federal funding to upgrade one of our citys busiest streets, West Broad Street.

As I said the day of the announcement, this is going to be transformative for the Bethlehem community. West Broad Street will have improved crosswalks, bike lanes, and curbs that will make it friendlier  and most importantly even safer  for pedestrians and cyclists.

Many people worked together to make this project a reality, including U.S. Rep. Susan Wild, D-Lehigh Valley, but we would not have been able to break ground without U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa.

Casey was decisive in working on and successfully passing the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that created the Safer Streets Program, which funded this improvement.

Not only did Casey fight to pass this law, he advocated at the federal level to bring this money back to Bethlehem. Projects like these demonstrate how critical it is to have an effective lawmaker, like Casey, representing us on Capitol Hill.

While Washington D.C. can feel far for us, Bethlehem and Pennsylvania never feel far away for Casey. He has delivered millions of dollars for big projects in communities across our Commonwealth because hes always thinking about how he can deliver for Pennsylvanians.

J. William Reynolds is Bethlehems mayor. He is a Democrat.
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On the first day of the new year, Californias Proposition 12 animal welfare statute will go into effect.

The groundbreaking new law, also known as the Farm Animal Confinement Initiative, sets new standards for how certain farm animals are treated. It ensures animals have more space and bans the sale of non-compliant products.

In particular, the law will effectively ban Californias pig gestation crates, which are basically cramped areas that confine pregnant sows for months at a time. The law also prohibits businesses from selling eggs, pork, and veal from animals housed in conditions that dont meet the newest standards.

The National Pork Producers Council and the American Farm Bureau Federation challenged the law in the U.S. Supreme Court but lost 5-4.

However, Congressional Republicans hope to pass the EATS Act, which would likely end Proposition 12 and other animal welfare laws nationwide, not that there are many. The law ensures that businesses can participate in interstate commerce without being hindered by other state laws.

The conditions and ways in which pigs are treated are often described by animal rights campaigners as cruel and exploitative. Most dont live long, and the ones that do spend most of their lives in horrible conditions, especially sows.

Multiple undercover investigations have shown the horrific conditions inside multiple types of pig farms, where even the minimal laws and regulations are flouted.

Female pigs, or sows, are artificially inseminated and give birth to large litters while confined in small gestation crates that completely restrict their movement for months at a time, according to a report by The Humane League, a Maryland-based animal rights group. The sows will spend most of their fertile lives in the creates, which are just big enough for their bodies. Once they are no longer needed, they are euthanized.

The sows exhibited natural maternal instincts, noted the report, yet experienced distress when separated from their piglets at just three weeks, much earlier than the 10-to-17-week period seen among other types of pigs outside of farms.

Male piglets undergo painful castrations, often without anesthetic, to alter the smell and taste of their meat. Similarly, pigs tails are clipped also without pain relief to prevent tail-biting in cramped conditions. Ear notching is another painful practice used for identification in overcrowded farms.

The pigs are bred to grow rapidly, reaching market weight in six months. This fast growth leads to health issues like arthritis, and they often endure long, harsh transport conditions to slaughterhouses without food or water, leading to illness or death.

At slaughterhouses, pigs face inhumane killing methods, sometimes remaining conscious during the process. A typical slaughterhouse will kill more than 1,000 baby pigs every hour, according to the Humane League report. Because of the speed at which the pigs are killed, activists say its not guaranteed they are entirely dead when lowered into boiling water to remove hair.

While the vast majority of Americans eat bacon, approximately 268 million in 2020, many are unhappy about how the pigs are treated. Among pork-buying Americans, 66% found the use of gestation crates objectionable, according to a 2021 study. Over 50% were also not happy about the tails of piglets being clipped. Nearly 80% said theyd instead buy pork from a company that committed to ending the confinement of pregnant pigs.

Despite the well-known and awful conditions pigs are forced to live in and the subsequent public disapproval, very few states have pig welfare statutes in place.

By 2026, ten states will have a gestation crate ban. That will cover less than 8% of the U.S. hog breeding inventory.

But if EATS passes, those bans may be repealed.
A meat factory worker found driving on a Brazilian licence was convicted of having no licence or insurance.

Luciano Goncalves, 46, of 12 Carmody Way, Fairgreen, Portlaoise was stopped driving an Audi A4 at Moneyballytyrrell, Portlaoise on June 22 last.

Garda Dan Mannix said the defendant had been driving on a Brazilian Licence thats not recognised in Ireland on the date in question. He said the man had no previous convictions.

Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald said his client had worked in a meat factory in Rathdowney for the past five years. He was returning home from work when he was stopped by Garda Mannix, he explained.

Mr Fitzgerald said he now has an Irish licence and he told the court that the man was the main breadwinner in his family. He said the mans insurance and Irish driving licence were both in place in September of this year.

Judge Andrew Cody wanted to know how the man got to work in Rathdowney between June and September.

Ryanair dont fly from Portlaoise to Rathdowney, said Judge Cody.

Mr Fitzgerald asked for time to speak with his client. When the case was called again he explained what had happened.

He was getting a lift to work with a work colleague between the time he was arrested and got cover on the car, he said.

He has everything in order now Judge, he added.

Judge Cody fined the man 400 for not having insurance and 200 for not having a licence.
Aghaboe has a new look for 2024 thanks to new entrance signs to the historic community which was previously deemed not to be a village by Laois County Council.

The erection of the new signs just before Christmas was welcomed by the Aghaboe Abbey Preservation Committee and Cllr Conor Bergin, Fine Gael, who worked with them to have the signs installed by the local authority.

Cllr Bergin was taken aback early in 2023 when he was told by an engineer at a council meeting that welcome signs were generally reserved for villages and towns and Aghaboe was "not officially designated as a village". However, given the attraction of Aghaboe Abbey, the door was not shut on signs. Cllr Bergin was also told that consideration will be given to "appropriate signage".

These signs ultimately materialised before the year was out.

"After many months of raising this issue with the Council, I am delighted that the new signs have finally been installed and many thanks to Will Danagher and his crew in the Western Area and Tony Saunders from the Aghaboe Abbey Preservation Committee for all their work in getting this project over the line," said Cllr Bergin.

He outlined the significance of the community.



Aghaboe Abbey was founded by St Canice in the 6th century and was major centre of learning, commerce and agriculture as well as being the primary Christian abbey in the diocese of Ossory. Among the monks from the abbey was St. Feargal, who was abbot before he left Ireland and built the cathedral at Salzburg in Austria in the 8th century. The local connection with Salzburg in Austria is still very much alive, thanks to the continued efforts of the local committee and visitors from Austria regularly visit the Abbey, along with many tourists every year. Today a Church of Ireland, which is also excellently maintained by the local community and which dates from the 1700s, stands where that priory once stood," he said.

He looked forward to a special New Year's Eve event.



The Aghaboe Abbey Preservation Committee is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and I want to commend them on all of their hard work and voluntary efforts in keeping this hugely important historical landmark in Laois preserved for many future generations to come. The committee is also going to be lighting up the Abbey in green for New Years Eve this year as part of the celebrations," he said.

Cllr Bergin represents the Borris-in-Ossory Mountmellick Municipal District.
At the end of each year, I always like to share with you the financial books Ive read and enjoyed over the past 12 months. And maybe one of them might be worth a read over the Xmas period, or one could be a good gift if youre stuck for an idea for someone.

The descriptions of each book arent mine, theyre from the books publishers, although Ive added in some of my own comments throughout.

And this is my last post for 2023.

It's a privilege writing for you every week and I hope youve found the articles Ive written over the past 12 months helpful and I look forward to picking up from where I left off again in January 2024.

Wishing you all a safe and healthy Christmas and my best wishes for the New Year.

Just Keep Buying  Nick Maggiulli

Nick Maggiulli is a hugely popular finance blogger and in this book he crunches the numbers to answer the biggest questions in personal finance and investing, while providing readers with proven ways to build their wealth.

He tells us why we need to save less than we think; why saving up cash to buy market dips isnt a good idea; how to survive (and thrive) during a market crash; and much more.

A Wealth of Common Sense  Ben Carlson

The strap line for this book is, why simplicity trumps complexity in any investment plan.

This books aims to shed light on investing and aims to help the reader make better investment decisions based on a simplicity based framework. Carlson says, and rightly so that just because the financial market is a complex system, doesnt mean your investment plan requires a complex strategy. He believes this false premise is the reason why many people make poor investment decisions.

He says information is important, but understanding and perspective are the keys to better decision making.

Carlson says you dont have to outsmart the market if you can simply outperform it. Cut through the confusion and noise and focus on what actually matters and thats what this books aims to do.

The Secret of Shelter Island  Alexander Green

This book addresses what really matters when it comes to money and how to make smarter decisions with what you have.

Green explores the complicated relationship we all have with money and reveals the road map to a rich life. He draws on some to todays best minds and many of historys greatest thinkers to give the reader the inspiration and resource to look at the role of money and the values it can create in the pursuit of the good life.

Money Mountaineering  Peter Neuwirth

The aim of this book is to help people understand and deal with the complexity of the financial system, the uncertainty of the future, and the built up irrationality we have when it comes to our finances.

Covid-19 rocked the economy and impacted the financial lives of millions of people and they and everyone else for that matters need a framework that will help them make good financial decisions about their future.

The book gives readers the guidance they require for surviving a complex financial future and empowers readers to plan for the predictable and to be prepared for the unpredictable.

Cryptocurrency  How Digital Money Could Transform Finance - Gian Volpicelli

The past decade has seen the relentless rise of cryptocurrency as an alternative form of digital currency. But what preciously is it and what potential does it have to change the world of money?

In this book Volpicelli explains everything you need to know about it. He outlines its development and describes in an easy to follow way, how it operates. He demystifies the jargon from what blockchain is bitcoin, mining, smart contracts, and forking.

Retire Before Mom and Dad  Rob Berger

Rob Berger is the Forbes Deputy Editor and a Personal Finance Expert.

In this book, he sets out to teach readers:

- The five money myths that are keeping you from a life of financial freedom

- The step-by-step plan you need to save money without giving up your favorite hobbies

- How to achieve financial freedom with AutoPilot investing

- The seven Levels of Financial Freedom and what it takes to reach each level

What I Learned Losing a Million Dollars  Jim Paul & Brendan Moynihan

This is a story about Jim Paul's meteoric rise, that took him from a small town in Northern Kentucky to governor of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.

However, he lost it all, his fortune, his reputation, and his job in one fatal attack of excessive arrogance. The books revisits the events that led to Paul's disastrous decision and examine the psychological factors behind bad financial practices in several economic sectors.

This books cautionary tale includes strategies for avoiding loss tied to a simple framework for understanding, accepting, and dodging the dangers of investing, trading, and speculating.

The Psychology of Money  Morgan Housel

This is a great read, and one Ive read many times and its not long and youll get through in a few days.

Housel shares 19 short stories exploring the strange ways people think about money and teaches the reader how to make better sense of one of life's most important topics.

And he uncovers that doing well with money isn't necessarily about what you know. It's about how you behave. And behaviour is hard to teach, even to really smart people.

The Burnt-Out Rat  Amit Maheshwari

The burnt-out rat is a parable: it shows you what financial freedom looks like. Much more, it lets you feel what it is like to be liberated from monetary worries, sets you on the path, holds your hand and guides you through all the challenges you will face on the way to your destination.

Arjun Thakral, a highflying executive, realizes that he is a burnt-out rat stuck in a rut from which he has no escape. He discovers that his close friends, an entrepreneur, and a doctor, are also living similar lives of financial worry.

This is the story of how the three friends break away from their conventional ideas about the concepts of profession, identity, money, assets, financial freedom, and life goals.

The Latte Factor  David Bach

In this book, Bach reveals his three secrets to financial freedom, and does so in an engaging story that will show you that you are richer than you think.

The book tells the story of Zoey, a twenty-something woman living and working in New York City.

And like many young professionals, Zoey is struggling to make ends meet under a growing burden of credit card and student loan debt, working crazy hours at her dream job but still not earning enough to provide a comfortable financial cushion.

At her bosss suggestion, she makes friends with Henry, the elderly barista at her favourite Brooklyn coffee shop.

Henry soon reveals his Three Secrets to Financial Freedom ideas, which Zoey dismisses at first but slowly comes to appreciate their validity and power. Over the course of a single week, Zoey discovers that she already earns enough to secure her financial future and realize her truest dreamsall she has to do is make a few easy shifts in her everyday routine.

The Latte Factor demystifies the secrets to achieving financial freedom. And by following a simple, proven path, anyone can make small changes today that will have big impact for a lifetime.

Liam Croke is MD of Harmonics Financial Ltd, based in Plassey. He can be contacted at liam@harmonics.ie or www.harmonics.ie
On November 23, 2017, Berlin was shot to death. It happened in what was supposed to be the end of Money Heist.

When it was confirmed that Netflix wanted more seasons, the first thing those in charge thought about was how to continue writing stories for Berlin  the psychopathic villain that viewers had liked so much. They decided that the best option was to bring him back through flashbacks that would show his past. It was clear to the shows creators that if there was going to be a series derived from the original Money Heist, this characters story would be their first choice.

They didnt know it at the time, but the end of the world-famous Money Heist would mark the birth of the Berlin series on Netflix. First, because of the charisma of the character and because  surprisingly  the public loved him, explains Alex Pina, co-creator of Berlin and Money Heist.

The new Netflix show  which premiered on December 29  focuses on the character played by Pedro Alonso, that twisted psychopath who played a leading role in the hostage-taking in Spains Royal Mint in Money Heist. It moves through the characters past, into the 1990s, showing the audience a different side to the criminal.

We had him do comedy we didnt know how it was going to turn out. We had to measure the tone. When we balanced him out, we saw that it was wonderful to make him the loser in a love triangle, to make him angry, says Alex Pina.

This time, while preparing a white-collar robbery at an auction house, Berlin falls deeply in love. Of course, hell conduct his romantic pursuit in his own way: with surveillance and lies involved. Hes a psychopath, but he also functions as a great dandy, a Spanish Great Gatsby, an old-fashioned hedonist, Pina continues.

Tristan Ulloa and Pedro Alonso, in the first episode of 'Berlin.' TAMARA ARRANZ/NETFLIX

Leaving Berlin for dead was never an option for the creators of Money Heist. Hes someone who generates a lot of things when he enters a room, even if he doesnt have lines. Those characters are difficult to replicate, says Esther Martinez Lobato, co-creator of the two series. She remembers that, to resurrect him, they considered various options, such as saying that he hadnt actually died, or creating a futuristic series in which Berlin was a robot. They couldnt lose a character like that.

Charismatic villains are very morbid. You know that this guy is going to entertain you because he has fewer red lines and is going to go further [than anyone else]. Its much more fun to write someone like that than a proper person.

In the times we live in, Pina notes, as creators, we take a risk by doing this but whats politically correct is, as a general rule, boring. Im sorry for the incorrectness were going to make, but we have a duty to entertain the public. We are commited to political incorrectness.

When asked if she regrets having killed off Berlin in the first stage of Money Heist, Martinez Lobato shakes her head. No, I wouldnt get rid of it [his death], it was epic. And thanks to that, weve had to learn how to resurrect a dead person.

From the left: Joel Sanchez, Julio Pena, Michelle Jenner and Tristan Ulloa. The Eiffel Tower can be seen in the background of this image from the Netflix series 'Berlin.' TAMARA ARRANZ/NETFLIX (TAMARA ARRANZ/NETFLIX)

The shock wave that Money Heist generated around them is so strong that the creators of Berlin confess that theyre afraid of how the fans of the mother series will receive their new spinoff. Im very curious, says Esther Martinez Lobato. The challenge was for the viewer to have the feeling that its a story set in the present, rather than just a flashback. [We want them to feel] that Berlin is alive and these are the things that happen to him in another stage of his life thats more luminous.

Im very curious to see how the show is received by people who hope to see dark Berlin and repeat the sensations they enjoyed in Money Heist. I wonder if theyll think that its a scam or a fraud, or if theyll be able to enter and enjoy the series, respect it and understand that its another universe, the screenwriters says. The fans always want to experience the same sensations over and over again, and they may feel disappointed but we wanted to build a new universe, Pina adds.

Alex Pina and Esther Martinez Lobato, photographed in a hotel in Madrid on November 30. JUAN BARBOSA

Their intention was to separate (as much as possible) Berlin from Money Heist.

For this reason, both the tone and the characters  with the exception of Berlin and police inspectors Alicia Sierra (Najwa Nimri) and Raquel Murillo (Itziar Ituno)  are different. The new songs are performed by Tristan Ulloa, Michelle Jenner, Begona Vargas, Julio Pena Fernandez and Joel Sanchez.

While creating their characters, the scriptwriters looked for less somber attributes than what marked those from Money Heist. As creators and viewers, we needed to make something beautiful beautiful and comfortable. Its been very gratifying to return to [regular] comedy, Martinez Lobato admits.

Pedro Alonso and Samantha Siqueiros, in the second episode of 'Berlin.' TAMARA ARRANZ/NETFLIX

And, of course, theres love. Because if Berlin is about anything  besides the story of a robbery  its a love story. Love from different angles: from the disturbed one that Berlin experiences to the first love, the most carnal  the one that drives you to madness or heartbreak. In the historical moment were in, we decided to launch this defense of love, which is what moves the world and makes you have a little hope, Martinez Lobato emphasizes.

Even the setting of the story is distanced from its mother series: from the closed and claustrophobic spaces of Money Heist, the prequel moves to the landscapes of Paris. We came up with several robberies, several stories and several countries [as options]. I like that we did it in Paris. Even though it seems cliche, love is reflected in Paris. We wanted to capture  in a single frame  what Berlin is about and with the Eiffel Tower in the background, its clear, Martinez Lobato notes.

This setting also allowed them to give the series a classic esthetic, very much in line with the landscapes of the French capital. We looked for a classicism even in Berlins own clothes, which are inspired by the clothes worn by Jean-Paul Belmondo in the nouvelle vague [the French New Wave]. Classic clothes, the car, the hotels everything exudes classicism, Pina describes.

Itziar Ituno, Rachel Lascar and Najwa Nimri, in the seventh episode of 'Berlin.' CARLA OSET/NETFLIX

Introducing comedy into a character as dark as Berlin  and in a universe as dense as that of Money Heist  wasnt easy. A lot of the time, in comedy, we tend to lower the intelligence of the characters to generate funny situations. But Berlin couldnt be too stupid in comedy or too clever in planning the robbery. [Finding a balance] was very complex, to the point that once we saw some sequences in montage, we re-shot them and changed texts and even introduced a voice-over, so that people knew, from the first episode, what journey they were going to be on, Martinez Lobato explains.

In a tense sequence, everyone knows where the tension is. But in a comedy sequence, there is a lot of room for interpretation. In each country, comedy is different. Its very complicated, Pina concludes.

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The Irish Farmers Association (IFA) has negotiated a new and improved National Roads Agreement with Transport Infrastructural Ireland (TII).

This new agreement will apply to land compulsorily acquired for national road developments between Jan 1st 2022 and 31st December 2027.

Announcing details of the new agreement, IFA President Tim Cullinan said that having land subject to CPO for State infrastructural development was very disruptive, extremely stressful and unsettling for farm families.

He said the agreement covers the compensation claim by landowners impacted by the CPO process. It also provides an additional fixed payment of 6,500 per acre in recognition of the co-operation and early access provided by the landowner.



CPOs are provided for in law and while we might not like that, it is very important that farmers are at least compensated fairly and fully. An IFA team led by Paul OBrien has been working on these negotiations for months and I am confident that the best possible agreement has been reached.



The new Agreement builds on the previous 2016 Agreement and continues to set out additional arrangements and procedures, supplementary to those provided in legislation, aimed at ensuring that landowners and acquiring authorities are clear on the processes and that farmers and landowners are treated fairly.
Martin Heydon T.D. Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with special responsibility for Farm Safety, has urged everyone involved in agriculture to continue to prioritise safety when working over the New Year period.

Minister Heydon stated, As the year ends, now is the time for everyone to reflect on 2023 and assess their workload and practices when it come to the safety, health and wellbeing of themselves and others. To date this year, there have been fifteen confirmed fatal incidents on farms, one in forestry and two in the fishing and aquaculture sector. Whilst this is down on the average of 22 fatal incidents a year in the sector over the last ten years, every death is one too many.

Minister Heydon urged all farmers to consider what steps need to be taken to ensure their farms are safe and healthy places to work.

He added, As farmers, we know the farming calendar very well, but we often dont think about the risk calendar. Very soon the calving and lambing season will begin, followed by silage season in the summer and the main harvest period in the autumn. These all bring a unique set of risks. Now is an opportunity to think ahead to determine ways to reduce that risk. It is important that arrangements are put in place well in advance of the busy periods.

Reminding older farmers and young people of the importance of keeping safe, the Minister said, As we get older, we need to reassess our farming operation to ensure we can continue to farm safely. I am asking older farmers to ensure that their farming enterprises and work practices do not put them at risk of injury. We also need to consider the safety of children on farms, particularly over the holiday season when more people may be around the farm than usual.

The Minister asked all farmers to make a new years resolution to farm safely and never take a chance when it comes to safety. Most safety measures cost very little other than time and determination.

The Minister urged everyone involved in the forestry, fishing and aquaculture sectors to review their safety statements and precautions in light of the three fatalities in these sectors this year. Minister Heydon stated:

While these are high risk sectors, they need not be unsafe. By maintaining equipment in good condition, ensuring everyone has adequate training and appropriate personal protective equipment, the risk of an incident can be minimised. Weather must always be considered before undertaking work as it can have a significant affect on the risk of an incident.

Minister Heydon wishes all who work in the agriculture sector and their families a happy, safe and peaceful Christmas and best wishes for the New Year.

For further information and helpline details, visit www.gov.ie/farmsafety
The HSE has warned of an increase in flu and COVID-19, and the number of hospitalisations is expected to jump in the coming weeks.

So far, this week, 538 people with flu and 282 with COVID-19 attended our EDs, an increase from 312 (flu) and 144 (COVID-19) the previous week.

The HSE spokesperson said the increase in community infection rates will lead to an increased risk of outbreaks in hospitals, nursing homes and residential care facilities, potentially affecting the most vulnerable.

There are currently 30 outbreaks of COVID-19 in hospitals and 24 in nursing homes, again an increase from last week.

On Thursday, December 28, data shows that were 119 people on trolleys (87 in ED and 32 on a ward) compared to 443 on the same date last year. A further 124 patients occupy surge beds compared to 375 on the same date the previous year.

They said hospitals and community services around the country have put a sustained effort into ensuring hospitals are positioned for the traditional post-Christmas demand.

With the steep rise in flu and COVID-19 infections, the HSE urges the public to attend the ED only for major health emergencies. Use all other options in non-emergency situations.

The HSE Chief Clinical Officer, Dr Colm Henry, said that the rise of COVID-19 and flu will put significant pressure on hospitals and Residential Care Facilities in the short term.

Our Emergency Departments are expected to encounter significant pressures as a result and we know from experience that a delayed peak in flu season such as we are seeing now, will inevitably lead to further pressures throughout the healthcare system with heightened risk of outbreaks in all facilities and delays discharging patients to nursing homes or step down facilities if they have flu or COVID, he said.

He also urged the public to get vaccinated and stay home in case of any flu or COVID-19 symptoms.

Dr Eamonn OMoore, Director of National Health Protection, added: The new JN.1 variant of COVID is fast becoming the dominant strain. This variant may be more transmissible than previous variants, resulting in more infections.

"We are still collating data in Ireland and internationally on whether it will result in more illness requiring hospital care but at this time we are not seeing that signal. However, with more infection around, there is greater risk some people who are vulnerable could become ill and require hospital care and we still need to protect our vulnerable members of society, children and adults, by doing what we can to reduce the spread of respiratory viruses."
INX Customer Data and Funds are Secure After Recent Attack on Third-Party Service Provider





Swift Response and Assurance: Customer Accounts and Security Uncompromised Despite Third-Party Service Provider Cybersecurity Incident

TORONTO, Dec. 29, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The INX Digital Company, Inc. (NEO: INXD, OTCQB: INXDF, INXATS: INX) (the "Company" or "INX"), a security token and digital asset trading platform, U.S. broker-dealer, alternative trading system, transfer agent, and inter-dealer broker (through its subsidiaries), announced that on December 20, 2023, it learned of a cyberattack that occurred on the computer systems of a third-party vendor providing services to one of the Company's subsidiaries.

As a result, a malicious actor managed to access the third-party vendor's servers and executed unauthorized trades which resulted in a loss of funds of the Company's subsidiary of approximately $1.6 million. The Company took immediate actions to remediate the security vulnerability and to investigate the nature and scope of the incident. The Company also notified relevant law enforcement in the appropriate jurisdictions and is working with the affected trading venue to investigate this incident and take appropriate legal action.

INX customers were not affected by the incident, and the security breach at the third-party provider did not have any impact on the platforms and servers of INX. No personal information or other data of INX's customers was compromised, and INX.One remains fully operational. The Company placed additional security measures in place and continues to actively monitor any suspicious activity.

The Company holds a "Reserve Fund" (which is not part of the Company's operational capital) in the amount of $36,023,000, which is restricted and specifically designed to cover customer and INX losses, if any, that result from cybersecurity breaches or theft, errors in execution of the trading platform or its technology, and counterparty defaults, including instances where counterparties lack sufficient collateral to cover losses. The Company will seek to recover the lost funds through any means necessary. If unsuccessful, and after these efforts are exhausted, the Company will utilize the Reserve Fund for the recovery of the loss that resulted from this security incident. There is no assurance that any such lost funds will be recovered.

The Company does not expect this incident to have a material impact on its business operations or its financial results.

About INX:

INX provides regulated trading platforms for digital securities and cryptocurrencies. With the combination of traditional market expertise and a disruptive fintech approach, INX provides state-of-the-art solutions to modern financial problems. INX is led by an experienced and dedicated team of business, finance, and technology veterans with the shared vision of redefining the world of capital markets via blockchain technology and a disciplined regulatory approach.

About The INX Digital Company, Inc.:

The INX Digital Company, Inc. is the holding company for the INX Group, which includes regulated trading platforms for digital securities and cryptocurrencies. The INX Group's vision is to be the preferred global regulated hub for digital assets on the blockchain. The INX Group's overall mission is to bring communities together and empower them with financial innovation. Our journey started with our initial public token offering of the INX Token, in which we raised US$84 million. The INX Group is shaping the blockchain asset industry through its willingness to work in a regulated environment with oversight from regulators like the SEC and FINRA. For more information, please visit the INX Group website at https://www.inx.co/ .

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information and Other Disclosures

This press release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking information ("forward-looking information") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking information and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that discusses predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking information. In disclosing the forward-looking information contained in this press release, INX has made certain assumptions, including with respect to, the continuous development of the INX trading platform, the completion of the transactions described herein, and the development of the digital asset industry. Although INX believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations of any forward-looking information will prove to be correct. Known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include but are not limited to regulatory developments, the state of the digital securities and cryptocurrencies markets, and general economic conditions. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking information contained in this press release. Except as required by law, INX disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking information or otherwise.

Neo Exchange is not responsible for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. 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 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.

For further information, contact:

The INX Digital Company, Inc.

Investor Relations

+1 855 657 2314

Contact: Alan Silbert

Email: [email protected]

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1581171/4473522/INX_Logo.jpg

29 december 2023 at 16:15

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A MAN has been charged in connection with the death of Maciej Nowak, who was found dead at a house close to the Limerick/Tipperary border on Wednesday.

Tomasz Rozpeda, aged 27, of no fixed abode, appeared before Judge Elizabeth MacGrath at a special sitting of Nenagh District Court this Saturday evening after he was charged with assault causing harm.

Detective Garda Kevin OKeefe told the court that he arrested and charged Mr Rozpeda on Friday at 11:48pm at Tipperary Town garda station.

Gardai applied to have the defendant remanded in custody while awaiting DPP instructions and for him to appear before the court in Nenagh on Wednesday next, January 3.

The court was told gardai would be objecting to any application for bail.

Solicitor Vincent McCormack, acting for the accused, said he would not be making a bail application on this occasion but may do so at a later date.

Mr Rozpeda was assisted in court by a Polish interpreter and he was granted legal aid.

Maciej Nowak, 32, was found dead at a house in Ballycrana, Kilross, Co. Tipperary last Wednesday and is believed to have been assaulted in the early hours of December 27.

The rental property is located close to Galbally village in Co. Limerick where the deceased was known to socialise.
The rate of homebuilding in Ireland could increase to 40,000 annually within a couple of years, Tanaiste Micheal Martin has predicted.

Mr Martin said the Government has to keep looking at ways to accelerate housebuilding in the country, pledging that ministers would spare no effort to match supply with demand.

Opposition parties have been strongly critical of the Governments measures to deal with a housing crisis in Ireland, insisting that targets for building and social and affordable housing have been consistently missed.

The Government has previously said that its overall housebuilding target of 29,000 homes for 2023, outlined in the Housing For All strategy, would be exceeded.

Mr Martin said the number of new homes being built would continue to increase year on year.

He said: We do want to get to a higher number than 30,000 and what I would like to think in 2024 we can build again on what weve achieved in 2023.

Some people are estimating 32,000 homes for this year. Well wait for the final figures in quarter one.

Mr Martin said 100,000 new homes had been built since the coalition government took office.

He added: The pipeline is strong on social housing, strong on a number of fronts.

But we have to keep on looking at ways to accelerate housebuilding and that relates to capacity within the housing industry.

Theres a number of strands of work that are under way under the cabinets subcommittee in terms of public investment, in terms of private investment, in terms of human resources, in terms of recruitment, apprenticeships and so on, to make sure the capacity will come.

Theres lots of factors to come together to increase productivity and capacity.

We will spare no effort. The targets we have are not limits, if we can exceed those targets, we will.

Mr Martin added: Weve increased 40% over the last few years. So that is quite a dramatic increase.

We are not going to get to 40,000, on top of 32,000 this year.

But I think we will incrementally increase.

Within a number of years, we could be at 40,000 per annum.
An increase in influenza and Covid cases will lead to increased pressure on hospitals and the wider health service in coming weeks, health minister Stephen Donnelly has warned.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) said there has been a rise in the number of people with respiratory illnesses attending emergency departments this week.

Mr Donnelly said: Frontline staff and management have worked together relentlessly over the Christmas period to ensure our hospitals worked as efficiently as possible, delivering an 80% reduction in patients on trolleys during this period.

It is imperative that the laser-sharp focus the HSE has had over the Christmas period continues into January, when our emergency departments are under the greatest pressure.

The minister urged the public to consider all care options, including their GPs, pharmacists, local injury unit and out-of-hours services before presenting at emergency departments.

Mr Donnelly thanked HSE workers for a reduction in the number of patients on trolleys in hospitals of 7.5% in 2023, compared to the previous year.

The number of patients on trolleys has also reduced by 20% in the last six months of the year, compared to the same period in 2022.

Over the Christmas weekend there were 80% fewer patients waiting on trolleys, compared to the same period in 2022.

Mr Donnelly said the progress was the result of a system-wide response right across the HSE, general practice, home care, pharmacies and nursing home sector.

He said: While we still have too many patients on trolleys awaiting an in-patient bed, it is important to acknowledge that significant progress has been made this year, particularly since we moved to a year-round approach to urgent and emergency care in the latter half of the year.

This is due to planned reforms as well as investment in increased bed capacity and staffing numbers over the last three years.

Reforms are enabling the wider adoption of better processes that have been proven to work in many of our hospitals that consistently perform well.

The urgent and emergency care operational plan focuses on four key areas  hospital avoidance, emergency department (ED) operations, in-hospital operations and hospital discharge.

Id like to thank all healthcare staff for their huge effort.

The minister said he wanted to see further progress in 2024 in reducing waiting times for a hospital bed.

He said: It is regrettable that any patient has to wait beyond an acceptable timeframe for a hospital bed.

The evidence clearly shows the negative impact long waits in the emergency department can have.

We need to see further progress in 2024.
China faces a problem familiar to dictatorships throughout history: how to strike a balance between growth-boosting innovation, which thrives in a free society, and the paranoia of an authoritarian state. Its leader, Xi Jinping, wants the country to become a hyper-advanced economy. His government is aggressively promoting the commercialisation of high technologies it likes, from electric vehicles to quantum computing.

At the same time, it is tightening the screws on those it disapproves of. In 2021 it regulated a booming online-tutoring industry into oblivion almost overnight, apparently out of fear that high tuition fees were making childrens education so expensive that Chinese were put off the idea of parenthood. On December 22nd the government took a wrench to the video-gaming industry, introducing rules to, among other things, limit how much players can spend on in-game purchasesand so how much developers can make. The market value of Tencent, one of Chinas most innovative firms that also has a big gaming business, tumbled by 12%.

Nowhere is this tension clearer than in the hottest technology of 2023artificial intelligence (AI). In many countries, command of AI is seen as both economically and strategically important. Politicians everywhere fret about machines going rogue or, more realistically, being harnessed by human mischief-makers. In Beijing the added worry is that the technology, which thrives on unlimited data and, at its current stage of development, in unregulated spaces, could prove subversive if not kept in check. It is therefore busily shoring up its great firewall" for the AI age.

In 2000 Bill Clinton, then Americas president, likened Chinas attempt to control the internet to trying to nail Jell-O to the wall". Today the jelly seems firmly in place. Western internet services, from Facebook and Google search to Netflix are unavailable to most Chinese (apart from those willing to run the risk of using illegal virtual private networks"). On local platforms, any undesirable content is deleted, either pre-emptively by the platforms themselves, using algorithms and armies of moderators, or afterwards, as soon as it is spotted by government censors. A tech crackdown in 2020 brought Chinas powerful tech giants, such Tencent and Alibaba, to heeland closer to the government, which has been taking small stakes in the firms, and a big interest in their day-to-day operations.

The result is a digital economy that is sanitised but nevertheless thriving. Tencents super-app, WeChat, which combines messaging, social media, e-commerce and payments, alone generates hundreds of billions of dollars in yearly transactions. Mr Xi now hopes to pull off a similar balancing act with AI. Once again, some foreign experts predict a jelly situation. And once again, the Communist Party is building tools to prove them wrong.

The partys efforts begin with the worlds toughest rules for Chinese equivalents of ChatGPT (which is, predictably, banned in China) and other consumer-facing generative" AI. Since March companies have had to register with officials any algorithms that make recommendations or can influence peoples decisions. In practice, that means basically any such software aimed at consumers. In July the government issued rules requiring all AI-generated content to uphold socialist values"in other words, no bawdy songs, anti-party slogans or, heaven forbid, poking fun at Mr Xi. In September it published a list of 110 registered services. Only their developers and the government know all the ins and outs of the registration process and the precise criteria involved.

In October a standards committee for national information security published a list of safety guidelines requiring detailed self-assessment of the data used to train generative-AI models. One rule requires the manual testing of at least 4,000 subsets of the total training data; at least 96% of these must qualify as acceptable", according to a list of 31 vaguely worded safety risks. The first criterion for unacceptable content is anything that incites subversion of state power or the overthrowing of the socialist system". Chatbots must decline to answer 95% of queries that would elicit unacceptable content (any that do get through would, presumably, be censored ex post). They must also reject no more than 5% of harmless questions.

Anything produced by unregistered algorithms is to be blocked and its creators punished. In May a man in Gansu province was arrested after he used ChatGPT to produce text and images of a fake train crash and publish them on social media. He may have been the first Chinese to be detained for spreading AI-generated misinformation. He will not be the last.

This heavy-handed strategy has slowed the uptake of consumer-facing generative AI in the country. Ernie Bot, built by Baidu, another tech firm, was ready around the time of ChatGPTs launch but only released nine months later, in Augustaeons given how fast the technology is evolving. It is still clumsy when it comes to expressing its devotion to the party. When asked sensitive questions about Mr Xi, it dutifully censors, offering no answer and deleting the query.

Model socialists

With more work the party may be able to make AI models into not merely good communists, but fluent ones. That would obviate the need for ex post censorship, says Luciano Floridi of Yale University. Yet the authorities seem in no rush to get there. Instead, they are promoting the technologys business applications.

In contrast to consumer AI, enterprise AI faces few constraints on development, notes Mimi Zou of the Oxford Martin School, a research institute. As Steven Rolf of the Digital Futures at Work Research Centre, a British think-tank, explains, this has the effect of channelling capital and labour away from things like consumer chatbots and towards machine learning for business. This, the government seems to be betting, will allow China to catch up and even overtake America in AI without the hassle of dealing with potentially subversive AI-generated content.

In May the southern city of Shenzhen announced it would launch a 100bn-yuan ($14bn) AI-focused investment fund, the largest of its kind in the world. A number of city governments have launched similar investment funds. A lot of this money is going to firms such as Qi An Xin, which offers generative AI that manages data-security risks for companies. The company claims that the bot can do the work of 60 security experts, 24 hours a day. Before going public in 2020, it received big investments from state companies, like many similar startups.

For this strategy to work, the enterprise-AI firms need the right sort of raw material. Consumer chatbots use AI models trained on swathes of the public internet. Corporate applications need corporate data, a lot of which is squirrelled away inside companies. So the other plank of Chinas strategy is to turn corporate data into a public good. The state does not want to own the data butas with the other factorsto control the channels through which it flows.

To that end, the government is promoting data exchanges. These are meant to let businesses trade information, packaged into standardised products, about all areas of commercial life, from activity at individual factories to sales data at individual shops. Small firms will gain access to knowledge once reserved for the tech giants. Banks and brokers will get a real-time picture of the economy.

Chinese cities began launching data exchanges about a decade ago. Now there are around 50 around China. And they are finally gaining speed. The Shanghai Data Exchange (SDE), which was launched in 2021, has started dealing in a number of new data products. In one of its first transactions, ICBC, a bank, bought information from the energy sector. This can be used to assess companies power consumption and, because it reflects real levels of activity, to create alternative credit profiles for companies. SDE sells satellite-derived data on steel output in Chinas heartland and environmental violations by mining companies. Another product gives real-time data on doctors, nurses and hospital beds across the country in order to help medical firms make business decisions. The SDE is also experimenting with using data as collateral for loans.

At scale, the datafication of industry could deliver a significant economic boost, says Tom Nunlist of Trivium, a consultancy in Beijing. And more data may be coming to the exchanges soon. In August the central government tasked state-owned firms with thinking about how to value their data. In the past few months teams of auditors have been trying to come up with ways to do this, with a view to adding such data to companies balance-sheets as intangible assets. They are meant to report back by January 1st (though the deadline looks likely to be missed, given the unprecedented nature of the task).

The governments gamble on enterprise AI is not without problems, however. The car industry is a case in point. In 2022 about 185m vehicles on Chinese roads had an internet connection, and a national plan envisages mass production of semi-autonomous cars by 2025. For that to happen, companies devising self-driving algorithms need lots of data on which to train their systems. A company called WICV is building a platform for the data that is beginning to trickle out of cars.

For now, WICV returns a cars data to the carmaker that built it, so BYD gets data from BYDs, Nio from Nios and so on. But the plan is eventually for the data to be traded on exchanges, where it could be bought by other developers of self-driving systems. For that to happen, though, driving data must first be desensitised", explains Chu Wenfu, WICVs founder, by stripping out biometric and geolocation details that could help bad actors track the movements of specific people.

The potential for such tracking spooks Chinese authorities. A big reason why they cracked down on Didi Global days after the ride-hailing firms initial public offering in New York in 2021 was, it later transpired, a fear that data on Didis 25m daily rides, including geolocation information linked to passengers, could fall into the hands of the American authorities. The Chinese government is pre-emptively mapping out vast areas of China where data collection could potentially pose a national-security threat.

Many carmakers, including Western ones such as BMW, have little choice but to team up with state-backed companies to handle driving information and ensure that local data-compliance rules are followed. Just in case, some car companies are ditching certain features, such as allowing drivers to watch live footage of inside and outside their car on their phones. Some of that footage could, after all, inadvertently capture something sensitive.

Such trade-offs between innovation and security are unlikely to be limited to cars. Other industrial and corporate data, too, will probably need desensitising before it can be traded at scale on exchanges. That will slow the development of enterprise AI, even if algorithms remain unshackled. It is a price that the party appears willing to pay for its paranoia.
MBOMBELA, South AfricaA half-century-old company on the outskirts of South Africas Kruger National Park has found itself in a fortuitous spot as Western automakers push to move their electric-vehicle supply chains away from China.

Manganese Metal Co., based in the sleepy town of Mbombela, is the largest of just a handful of refiners of battery-grade manganese located outside China. Used mostly for making steel, manganese is increasingly replacing more expensive and harder-to-source minerals such as cobalt and nickel in the lithium-ion batteries that power electric cars, smartphones and laptops.

South Africa is the worlds No. 1 producer of manganese ore, but China refines more than 90% of battery-grade manganese. That dominance has stoked concerns among Western governmentsincluding the U.S.about their dependence on Beijing as they work to decarbonize their transport and energy systems.

Closely held MMC receives ore mined in the Kalahari desert at its sprawling refinery. The small black stones are milled into a powder before being dissolved in acid and purified by a mix of chemicals. The purified manganese solution is then fed into tanks, where electricity is used to get it to stick onto plates. The manganese is then stripped from the plates, washed and dried before it is packaged for shipment.

Currently, more than half of the manganese metal refined at MMC is exported to Japan, where some of it is used by Panasonicwhich supplies batteries for Tesla carsand other battery-component makers. About a third goes to the U.S. and around 10% to Europe, according to the company.

MMCs chief executive, Louis Nel, says his company has been visited by virtually every major Western battery and auto manufacturer over the past two years, as they seek to string together new supply chains that bypass China.

We have been inundated by people looking for refined manganese," Nel said, adding that MMC is in talks on potential supply deals with several Western companies. Ive signed more [nondisclosure agreements] in the last 12 months than the last 20 years," he said.

The sudden attention is a big change for MMC, which Australian mining giant BHP sold to a consortium of South African investors in 2010a time when few Western companies worried about the regulatory and logistical risks that are increasingly associated with China today.

Demand for manganese used in rechargeable batteries, which currently accounts for just 1% of global manganese use, is expected to grow sixfold over the next 20 years, according to energy consulting firm Wood Mackenzie, largely thanks to electric vehicles. That trend has put manufacturers at risk of a supply crunch, as well as rising prices.

The bottleneck is with refining capacity," said Teboho Sebetlela, research manager for steel-alloy markets at Wood Mackenzie in London. There are plans for about 20 new battery-grade manganese refineries globally, 13 of them outside of China, he said.

MMC, says Sebetlela, has a leg up on non-Chinese refineries that are still raising funds or under construction. MMC has an understanding of whats needed," he said. They already do it."

Nel says he expects around 26% of MMCs refined manganese metal to go to the battery industry this year, up from 8% in 2015. Much of the rest goes into the production of specialty steels and aluminum, which also require high-grade refined manganese.

Carmakers are generally tight-lipped about their supply chains, industry experts say, especially as many are still in the process of deciding which parts of batteries to make on their own, sometimes through joint ventures, and which to source from traditional component makers.

In July, Chrysler parent Stellantis invested $15 million in Australian-listed Element 25, a manganese miner. A month earlier, General Motors agreed to provide Element 25 with an $85 million loan to partially fund the construction of a new battery-grade manganese refinery in Louisiana that will process ore from Australia.

Other high-purity manganese refining plants are planned in the Czech Republic, Botswana and Mexico, among other countries, but most of those projects are years from their first production.

Since 2018, Washington has placed tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars worth of Chinese goods as part of a wider effort to reduce American dependence on China. That shift was accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic, which interrupted the flow of goods, especially from China, and snarled global transportation networks.

Western companies are also increasingly worried about the reputational risks of working with Chinese suppliers amid reports of forced labor and large-scale environmental damage.

We are diversifying the sourcing of our raw materials and are constantly screening the market for all battery materials, including prospectively manganese," said Pia Droldner, a spokeswoman for Mercedes-Benz. Droldner said MMC isnt currently a supplier.

MMCs metal is far more expensive than Chinastwo to three times as muchlargely because of high costs of production linked to stricter labor and environmental regulations and higher electricity costs in South Africa. But Nel says it is a premium its customers are willing to pay to avoid buying manganese from China and because of the consistent quality and bespoke solutions it offers, including extremely small quantities and specific-sized containers.

MMC refines its manganese using sulfur dioxide, which it says requires more electricity than processing the mineral with selenium dioxide, the preferred process at Chinese refiners. But there are more health risks associated with selenium, high intake of which, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, can cause nervous-system problems as well as kidney and heart failure.

In the U.S., MMCs manganese is more competitive thanks to the African Growth and Opportunity Act, which provides duty-free market access for some products including refined manganese from participating countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

MMC is in the midst of a 500 million South African rand expansion, an outlay equivalent to $27 million that will allow it to produce 5,000 tons of high-purity manganese sulfate, in addition to the 28,000 tons of 99.9% pure manganese metal it currently produces. The company doesnt publish its finances.

The manganese sulfate requires less electricity in the refining process but can require more steps depending on the quality of the ore, analysts say. Battery-component makers can later dissolve it in water, rather than sulfuric acid, making it easier to process and more environmentally friendly.

That new production is expected to come online in 2026, when MMC also has plans to begin construction on a new plant capable of putting out 30,000 tons a year.

In parts of the MMC plant where dust particles are prevalent because of the milling of ore, eye protection and dust masks are required. The company is in the process of closing down its landfill site. Instead, it has started turning waste left from processing ore into bricks that can be used for paving or building.

Those policies add to the cost of MMCs manganese, says Bernard Swanepoel, chairman of the board at MMC and former chief executive at Harmony Gold, one of the worlds biggest gold miners.

You will have to pay an appropriate price to get a second source of manganese that you arent embarrassed by," he said. We can only be ready to supply."

Write to Alexandra Wexler at alexandra.wexler@wsj.com
Masimo Chief Executive Joe Kiani bet the future of the company he spent three decades building in an expensive legal battle with the worlds most valuable company. So far, he is winning, but it isnt over.

His company, which pioneered a better method for measuring blood-oxygen levels, has spent around $100 million fighting Apple in a dispute that temporarily halted Apple Watch sales.

Sales have resumed while a court weighs the companys request to stay the ban during an appeal. Kiani has vowed to fight on and said he wont settle with Apple unless the tech giant pays for his technology and agrees to change how it interacts with smaller companies.

Apple has denied allegations that it stole Masimos technology and has accused the company of copying its technology.

Kiani has prevailed in previous battles over his companys intellectual property and believes he will win this one as well. An Iranian immigrant, Kiani has a combination of pugnaciousness and idealism that friends and associates said leads him to fixate on what he thinks is fair.

Justice isnt just blind but very slow," Kiani, 58 years old, said in an interview. Its painful. Its an ugly thing to go through. Its like war."

Some have seen his aggressive use of the U.S. patent system as exploitation that stymies the innovation of others. In 2006, he prevailed in a seven-year patent spat with Nellcor, a company that was then a dominant provider of a rival pulse oximeter device. In 2016, he beat Royal Philips in another patent-infringement case.

Apple might be Kianis biggest war yet, one that likely wont be settled for years.

The U.S. International Trade Commission in October ruled that Apple violated Masimos patents and ordered a ban on some Apple Watches shipped to the U.S., which went into effect Dec. 26. Apple on Wednesday won a reprieve to resume sales. In addition to Apples appeal, there are several related lawsuits working their way through the court system.

Before taking on Apple, Masimo employees and friends of Kiani warned him on the risks of going forward. People were telling me Im crazy and I cant go against Apple," said Kiani. They have unlimited resources."

A number of smaller companies have over the years made similar allegations against Apple over taking their ideas and violating their patents, The Wall Street Journal reported in April. When these companies attempt to claim patent infringements against Apple, the tech giant responds with an aggressive legal strategy through the U.S. patent system.

No one is standing up to them," Kiani said. If I can do it, it might change Apple for the better."

An Apple spokeswoman said previously about Masimos claims: We deeply respect intellectual property and innovation and do not take or use confidential information from other companies. We will continue to protect the innovations we advance on behalf of our customers against false claims."

Born in Iran, Kiani moved with his family to Alabama when he was 9 in order for his father to study engineering. The family brought $10,000 and lived for a time in public housing.

Kiani, who now has three children and counts himself as a lover of Persian poetry and Pink Floyd, excelled in math and was placed several grades ahead of his age. As a result, he was smaller than the rest of his classmates, making him a target. I learned that you cant walk away from bullies," he said. You have to punch back."

When Kiani was 14, his parents had to move back to Iran, leaving him and his sister alone. He graduated early from high school and by 1987 had earned a masters degree in electrical engineering from San Diego State University, he said. He founded Masimo in 1989, when he was 24, after the startup he had joined opted not to pursue his design for an improved pulse oximeter that didnt produce erroneous false alarms when patients moved.

He next took on Nellcor, the leading pulse oximeter provider. In 1994, Nellcor offered to license Masimos technology. The money would have been enough for Kiani to retire at a young age, said Steve Jensen, Masimos longtime lawyer. Kiani walked away from the deal when Nellcor wouldnt promise to quickly introduce his technology to patients, Kiani and Jensen said.

Later, Nellcor announced it had technology that allowed blood oxygen to be measured while the user was in motion. In 1999, Masimo sued over patent infringement. In 2006, Nellcor settled and began paying out for damages and royalties that eventually amounted to nearly $800 million. A spokeswoman for the company that now owns Nellcor said the company disagrees with Masimos characterizations of the early licensing discussions as well as the later patent battle, but declined to share more, citing confidential discussions.

In 2009, Masimo sued Royal Philips over a patent-infringement issue and eventually settled in 2016, with Philips paying out $300 million and agreeing to incorporate Masimos technology into its product that Kiani said ended up generating more than $1 billion for Masimo.

At a 2013 consumer-technology show, Masimo revealed a portable pulse oximeter reader that hooked up to Apple devices. A few months later, Apple reached out.

Representatives of the two companies met in 2013. An Apple official said the company didnt dig deep into Masimos technology, the meeting didnt last long and the two never met in-person again. At the time of the Apple Watch development, Apple met with many other smaller players, not just Masimo, the company said. Apple also said that the two never got close to working together because Masimo was more focused on the clinical side, too far outside Apples consumer-focused plans.

A few months after that initial 2013 meeting, Apple hired Masimos chief medical officer. Later it added a top engineer who was working at a Masimo spinoff, as well as dozens of other Masimo employees. In a later trial, the former Masimo chief medical officer and another former employee testified that Apple hadnt asked them to bring confidential Masimo information to the company and had, in fact, told them explicitly not to do so.

In 2019, Apple published a number of patents related to sensing blood-oxygen levels, listing the former engineer of the Masimo spinoff as the inventor.

It really felt like a knife in my stomach," said Mohamed Diab, a founding co-inventor of Masimos technology. It was truly painful."

Masimo sued Apple in January 2020 over allegations that Apple stole its trade secrets. Apple announced the Apple Watch Series 6 with a pulse oximeter later that year. The case, along with other legal efforts against Apple, has cost Masimo about $100 million so far. The publicly traded company posted about $144 million in profit in 2022.

Masimos federal trade-secret case, which is separate from its complaint with the trade commission, went to trial, but it ended with a hung jury in spring 2023. The trade-secret case is scheduled to go back to court in 2024.

Apple has yet to engage in what Kiani sees as serious discussions about a settlement, Kiani said. He remains determined to take his war with Apple to the very end, he said, even if it means losing his company. The mounting legal bills have eaten into his companys profits.

I feel like I have to do this," said Kiani. If I can change the most powerful company in the world from continuing to act badly, thatll have more impact on the world than anything else Im doing."

Write to Aaron Tilley at aaron.tilley@wsj.com
Franco Berardi has been distraught all morning. Hamas attack against Israel has been followed by the indiscriminate war waged by the Israeli army against Palestinians in Gaza. The excesses overwhelm the Italian philosopher. Standing in the lobby of his Madrid hotel before beginning his interview with EL PAIS, he thinks over what is happening, looking for the words to conceptualize it. His white hair is abundant, free as the wind. He says: Only one word makes sense: dementia. He also notes that geopolitics has died  that whats happening now is something else entirely: geopsychosis.

Berardi, 74, is a reference point of the 1970s-1980s leftist autonomous movement, a grouping of minor political significance but considerable artistic-intellectual weight. Bifo  his nickname since he was a child  thought about politics in classically political terms for decades. But as he gets on in age, hes begun to think about politics in psychological terms, as if the world is no longer merely an unbalanced and unfair system of power relations. More than ever, he feels that the Earth is an emotional and seriously ill nervous system.

Hes visiting Madrid to present a revised edition of his book of essays  Contro il lavoro (in English, Against Work)  which are centered on his criticism of labor within the capitalist model and the possibility of emancipation from work. The continuous struggle of the exploited to subtract [free time] from work  to gain spaces of autonomy  is the foundation of liberation, he wrote in 1977, in an article titled The Revolution is Fair, Necessary, Possible. In another paper from 2017  The Precarious Imaginary  his theoretical evolution is evident, both ideologically and poetically. I dont believe that politics has the power to consciously act on our future. I think we have to understand our present as a condition of spasms, of painful accelerations that cannot be improved by will, but only by sensitivity.

Berardi takes a seat on the right side of this journalist. He explains that he has hearing problems from attending so many concerts in New York in the 1980s. It was the time of the New Wave: he earned a few bucks writing reviews for an Italian music magazine. He had left his country to distance himself from two dangers in his environment: heroin and the Red Brigades. They were both too close to me.

Question. What relationship did your mother and father have with work?

Answer. My father, Giuseppe, was a schoolteacher. Catholic and communist. He liked his job very much. My mother, Dora, was also a schoolteacher, but she had three children and had to leave her job to take care of the house. I think that left her with a trace of bitterness forever.

Q. As a child, did you like school?

A. Yes, on top of that, I was the teachers favorite student. He was a very nice man. He was a blind professor and a Marxist, essentially anarchist, I would say. I was a child who loved to read. My first philosophical reading was Schopenhauer, when I was 12. At school, with my friends, I started talking about the idea of suicide, of the freedom to die. One day, the father of one of the children showed up at school with great indignation: he told the teacher that it was forbidden for his son to associate with the child who spoke about free death.

Q. Natalia Ginzburg says that the writer Ivan Bunin (the first Russian awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature) once told Anton Chekhov that he didnt feel like writing and that he wrote very little. Chekhov replied: Thats wrong. The essential thing, as you know, is to work all your life without ceasing. What do you think?

A. I agree with Chekhov, although we first have to understand that the word work has a double meaning: it means both free activity and forced activity  or wage labor  which implies submission. I hate any type of activity that requires me to work eight, 10 or 12 hours a day to earn my bread. And, at the same time, I really like what I do every day and no one imposes it on me. Im a great worker.

Q. How has your criticism of labor evolved since your texts from the 1970s?

A. At first, the object of my analysis  what I rejected  was the working-class model of the assembly line. I discovered very quickly that I hated this, when I was only 16. I lived next to a second-grade glass factory where only women worked, about 400 young women, mainly from southern Italy. It was hard and harmful work; they were exposed to cancer from cobalt. They made syringes, thermometers... I had already gotten close to the Communist Party and I went there every day to chat with the women. They took a liking to me. They didnt have a union and, after two years, I helped them organize a strike that lasted three weeks. The boss  a guy called Romagnoli, I remember him well  had to accept what they asked for. They werent much older than me, but they saw me as a crazy kid who went around handing out propaganda leaflets and telling them that they had to oppose work. But, in the end, we won the fight. For me, it was a fundamental political experience of worker autonomy.

In the 1980s, a profound change in [the economic] model  which was linked to the formation of the electronic network  began. I [studied] it from the beginning. It seemed that everything could change in a positive direction, that robotics could free us from manual work and that this new network would boost free shared activity. I made a mistake. At the turn of the century came the dotcom crash, there was a radical shift in the social form of the internet. The dream of free [connectivity] was broken  everything was verticalized with the emergence of large [tech] companies. The possibility of the internet as a free place is over, meaning that weve entered this essentially sad place, this depressive space of virtual relationships. Were disembodied, forced to work for an invisible boss.

Berardi, in the library of his hotel in Madrid. Jacobo Medrano

Q. What has happened over the last two decades?

A. They are two different stages. In the first, theres still an ambivalent awareness of the process: the culture of the critical and participatory network remains, with that artistic, philosophical, militant spirit that is at the root of the [movements that followed the 2008-2009 financial crash], such as Occupy Wall Street, or the [anti-austerity protests in Spain] 15-M. At the same time, a transition is being made away from that framework of self-criticism, toward what has happened in the last decade: the complete alienation in our relationship with the internet, the absolute subjugation to the factory of virtual production. The symbol [that marked the start] of this era was the explosion of Facebook. The defeat of social movements and the establishment of social media happened at the same time.

Q. And what has been happening in the 2020s?

A. In 2001, I wrote The Factory of Unhappiness. I said that we had to be careful with the internets ability to create loneliness, but I still didnt pay as much attention to the psychological dimension. In the second decade [of the 2000s], this seemed more important to me. Today, I think more psychologically than politically. The factory of unhappiness has become a psychopathological concentration camp. Social and geopolitical relations can only be explained through psychotic categories. The categories of politics have become empty and are analytically useless. As happened a century ago, were experiencing another mass psychosis. I dont know if this is curable, but I consider the last task of my life to work on thinking about how to produce cures for mass psychosis, an extremely difficult task.

Q. What do you propose?

A. To begin with, we must be aware that politics  left and right  means nothing. With the small exception perhaps being Spain, where the left seems to continue to exist. But if I look at what has happened with [Alexis] Tsipras Greece or in the United States, where Biden is worse than Trump...

Q. Biden is worse than Trump?

A. Absolutely. His anti-immigration measures are harsher and his foreign policy is more criminal. Lets be clear: Trump is the most horrible of horrors, but [the two men are] two sides of the same madness. Trump didnt even have a foreign policy. For him, Putin was a friend. Hes a fascist murderer, but any white man is a friend, because Trumps geopolitical idea is simply reduced to the fact that his enemies are not white people, but rather everyone else. [His conception is] the final fight between the race of predators and the others, the non-whites. But is this totally appalling and racist idea worse than the madness of the war in Ukraine? Biden  or, rather, Bidens circle  has carefully prepared [the terrain] to sever Europes economic and energy relations with Russia, especially Germanys deep dependence on [Russian energy]. They sent the Ukrainians to be massacred by Putin and the Russians to be massacred by Zelenskiy. But returning to what we were talking about: since the time of Tony Blair, we cannot speak of the left and the right as different strategies.

Q. So what do you propose?

A. If we can understand that the destruction of civilization is not the manifestation of a political strategy, but is instead the expression of a mass psychosis, we can begin to work politically in another way. Politics becomes psychotherapy. This doesnt mean putting psychologists in schools. It means much more: we have to stop all forms of production of mass loneliness and destruction of the bonds of solidarity. We have to stop the culture of competition. Ultimately, we have to abandon war and politics. We have to abandon precarious and enslaving labor. This is already happening, with the Great Resignation in the United States, or the shift in Italy: thousands of people used to compete for a hundred positions, but now, there are vacancies. Finally, the most important matter is to not create future victims of the foreseeable climatic and atomic infernos. We have to abandon the reproduction of the species.

Q. At this point in time, what should we do with the central ideas of civilization and progress?

A. The word progress no longer means more than the accumulation of capital and economic growth, which isnt a viable model. Although, it may have been useful or necessary at a certain time in history. Im not sure that industry was inevitable in the history of humanity, but it happened. It happened and thats it. But now, its evident that economic growth means more destruction, more suffering, more ecological catastrophe, more poverty. We can no longer consider the idea of progress to be a positive one.

Q. And what about civilization?

A. I use the expression social civilization as the possibility of everyones participation in well-being and economic production. In that sense, civilization has been a positive development. But one cannot reflect on this term without also conceiving of civilization as the project of power and submission of others by Western whites. This white civilization is in crisis or, more than in crisis, in true disintegration.

Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine and now with the war on Gaza, were seeing that, on one side, there are the Americans  not all the Americans, the old white Americans, and not all the Europeans, only the old white Europeans  and the Israelis. On the other side is the rest of humanity. We have a confrontation between an old white minority that retains all the global economic-military power and a majority with no other point in common than the will for revenge. Since Mao Zedong, China wants revenge the West will pay dearly for the humiliation [that it subjected China to] after the Opium Wars. Were going to witness the revenge of the non-whites. Were already seeing it.

Franco Berardi. Jacobo Medrano

Q. Youve written that Israel has no future.

A. Israel is dead. I wont make it to the end of the decade, but you will, youre young. You can tell me about it.

Q. But youre only 74 years old!

A. Yes, but I prefer to leave soon: 80 seems like an intolerable number to me. I dont want it, no. But hey, youll get to 2030 and youll tell me if Israel still exists. I really dont believe it, because this project has suffered a very profound deterioration, in the first place because of that nefarious individual who is Netanyahu. He wont survive the disaster he has caused and  at the same time  he represents an overly powerful set of forces that will prevent any left-wing alternative from prospering, something that practically doesnt exist in Israel.

Q. Your generation idealized youth. In a way, your generation invented it. Do you think this makes it more difficult for people such as yourself to accept old age?

A. Old age is, naturally, a personal problem, for your body, for your mind. But today, its also a structural problem, its the biggest problem of white civilization. Im very interested in the topic of old age: its exciting from a philosophical point of view, from a literary point of view... Do you know Arthur Schnitzler? Hes an Austrian from Freuds time, who wrote very interesting things about becoming old. Also Sara Mesa: for me, Dough Face is one of the most profound books of our time! The young woman and the crazy old man who meet and talk about birds, about everything and nothing at the same time...

What I believe, in short, is that we dont know how to live old age. We dont know how to process the idea of becoming old, which is becoming nothing. And, since we [dont understand it], how do we react? [Some live] like Trump, like frustrated and enraged white men who intend to live forever, seeking solutions in biotechnology, in artificial intelligence, even in the atomic bomb. Because, ultimately, the white mans civilization would say: If I die, everyone can die with me. Let there be nothing and no one left.

Q. What can be done about this?

A. Change the focus. We need to think that, while its our biggest problem, old age is also the solution. Old age is absolutely revolutionary if were capable of experiencing the process of becoming nothing  of going towards death  as a natural and pleasant process. [We must be] capable of experiencing the fading of our body and mind as an extraordinary event. If we achieve this  if we swap the traditional culture of resignation in the face of death for a new culture of acceptance of becoming nothing  we would take a transcendental step to escape the mass madness in which we are immersed. Now, I very, very much doubt that white civilization is capable of doing that.

Q. Perhaps we cannot conceive of this possibility without leaving behind the paradigm of civilization.

A. Yes, it may be necessary to understand  once and for all  that civilization isnt a linear and infinite process. It was a long stage in human history and now, its grinding to a halt. And so what if it is?

Following the conversation, Berardi asks how long it has lasted. One hour, is the reply.

Well, he smiles, I think you have enough crazy things there to write the interview. I just hope it doesnt take you too many hours of paid work.

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NEW DELHI : The ministry of petroleum and natural gas plans to substantially reduce spending on the laying of gas pipelines by leveraging the extensive infrastructure data from the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan (PMGS-NMP).

The PMGS-NMP is a digital platform that maps all infrastructure projects, and contains critical information ranging from rail, port, and road connectivity to gas pipelines and optic fibre in India. It is overseen by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).

Currently, the petroleum ministry aims to build about 1,000 km of pipelines using the PM Gati Shakti portal, while several new projects are being planned, two officials aware of the matter said, requesting not to be named.

So far, the ministry has been able to save 169 crore by reducing the length of the proposed five pipelines for the North East Gas Grid (NEGG) by 42 km. Besides, it has planned Mumbai-Nagpur-Jharsuguda pipeline project, for which 700 km of land along the road has been mapped with the help of PM Gati Shakti, one of the two officials said.

We also have plans for a 50-km Indo-Nepal pipeline between Siliguri and Jhapa in Nepal. It will meet demand for eastern Nepal as well as India, and was planned using the NMP portal. About 35 km of the Siliguri-Jhapa pipeline will be in India and 15 km in Nepal," said the official, adding that the department saved about 22 km of forest areas.

The Siliguri-Jhapa pipeline would entail a cost of about 300 crore.

Other pipeline projects planned under PM Gati Shakti include a 1,194-km-long Mundra-Panipat pipeline, and a 175-km-long Gurdaspur-Jammu natural gas pipeline, the second official said.

The PMGS-NMP portal is proving to be rather helpful for the ministry. The MoPNG has created its own national master plan portal, which is linked with the DPIITs data portal by which the parent department (DPIIT) comes to know about all the infrastructure development activities of the MoPNG, the second official said.

The proposed five pipelines in north east are Silchar-Jiribam-Imphal; pipeline of ONGC Tripura Power Company (OTPC), Itanagar-Naharlagan-Banderdeva, Mawbri-Nongstoin-Williamnagar-Tura and Jorhat-NamrupDuliajan.

The NMP portal, which also contains information on land records, has helped bring down areas designated as NoGo zone in the country. NoGo zone refers to those areas where oil and gas exploration is not allowed. The petroleum ministry is now able to utilize 99% of the NoGo areas, that earlier stood at around 100,000 sqm, for exploration purposes without any hurdle.

The government is also planning to pitch the PMGS-NMP to neighbouring countries such as Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka for execution of certain cross-border infrastructure projects.

The tool was also showcased at the recently-concluded UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia Pacific (UNESCAP) conference in Hong Kong, at the Asia Pacific Business Forum, and at the recent G20 meeting in Delhi.

Data mapping does help in planning pipeline routes in a methodical manner. One can analyze various data sources like geographical, environmental, and demographic data to firm up routes to minimize land acquisition costs, environmental impact and reduce construction complexities," said Sanjay Sah, leader for oil & gas and capital projects for Deloitte India consulting business.

The usage of construction materials, machinery, and labour is optimized leading to savings, he said.

Queries sent to the ministries of commerce, petroleum and natural gas remained unanswered till press time.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Pratap Simha's brother Vikram Simha was arrested on Saturday for allegedly chopping over 120 trees without permission. According to reports, Simha was also accused of smuggling wood in a village in the Hassan district of Karnataka.

"BJP MP from Mysuru-Kodagu Pratap Simha's brother Vikram Simha has been arrested by the forest department from Bengaluru over the allegation of cutting trees in the forest area of Hassan," Forest Department Officials were quoted by ANI as saying.

Pratap Simha was recently in the news over his connection with the Parliament security breach incident on December 13. The visitor pass was issued to one of the security breach accused in the name of BJP MP from Mysuru Pratap Simha.

According to India Today, Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre confirmed Vikram Simha's arrest and said authorities held him for illegally cutting 126 trees and selling the wood in the Hassan district.

"They have cut down nearly 126 big trees which were as old as 50 to 60 years. This is a criminal act. (The) Forest Conservation Act is there, (the) Tree Conservation Act is there, he has violated all of these...," Eshwar Khandre was quoted as saying.

ALSO READ: US man illegally chops 32 trees of his neighbor, now faces 12 crore penalty

Meanwhile, Simha refuted allegations. He was quoted by News 18 Kannada as saying, "I have not cut down any tree, it has nothing to do with me. But I had contracted that land for one year from July 24 to grow ginger..." He said the allegations were "politically motivated".

reported that Vikram Simha is being taken to Hassan from Jarakabande Kaval Forest Camp in Jalahalli, Gangamma Circle, Bengaluru.

ALSO READ: Environment ministry asks states to prevent illegal felling of trees

The state forest department filed an FIR against Vikram Simha on charges of cutting trees without permission from the authorities and smuggling wood in the Nandagondanahalli village, India Today reported.

The forest land, where the trees were chopped down, was owned by the government and allotted to two people. It was a gomala land (cattle pasturage) that spread over 12 acres, the report said.

ALSO READ: How best to save our trees

It added that Simha's operation had come to light after Mamata, a revenue official, was on a field visit to the village. She alerted the officers and initiated an FIR as soon as she found out about the operation.

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A dense layer of fog has engulfed various states across the country on Saturday morning. More than 80 flights were delayed due to fog and low visibility in the national capital. We are going to Gangtok, Sikkim to celebrate New Year but our flight is delayed by two hours. If it gets delayed further, we will complain...," a passenger said. Besides flights, some trains were also running late today due to low visibility in Delhi caused by dense fog. I am going to Mata Vaishno Devi and our train is late by more than two hours. Our train was supposed to arrive at 5.30 but it hasn't arrived yet...," a passenger said.

Meanwhile, the weather forecast as per the India Meteorological Department suggested dense to very dense fog conditions over Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi until December 31 morning and in some areas for the subsequent three days.

Areas around the national capital and neighboring states such as Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh have been dealing with dense fog over the past few days with temperatures dipping to all-time lows and peak winter season in sight.

Dense fog reduces visibility to the naked eye making it difficult for vehicle drivers to have a clear view of the road ahead of them. Visibility has been ranging from 200m to 500m under dense fog conditions.

IMD predicted that dense to very dense fog conditions are likely to continue in many places over Uttar Pradesh, north Rajasthan, and Bihar until December 31. IMD further suggested that a decrease in the distribution and intensity of fog will be experienced thereafter.

In the northern region of the country, which comprises areas of Jammu-Kashmir, Ladakh-Gilgit-Baltistan-Muzaffarabad, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, dense fog-like conditions are expected to continue during morning hours until January 2.

In areas of the northeast region of the country that includes states such as Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura, dense fog-like conditions are expected to continue during morning hours until December 31. In Jharkhand, dense fog conditions are very likely to continue until December 30.

IMD further predicted cold day conditions in several parts of Punjab, isolated places in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Delhi until December 31.

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Unidentified gunmen and police commandos resorted to heavy exchange of gunfire around 3:50 pm in Manipurs Moreh on Saturday, officials said. "One policeman sustained splinter injuries when they come under attack while crossing M Chahnou village section of Imphal-Moreh road," an officer told news agency PTI.

According to the report, the injured policeman is being treated at 5 Assam Rifles camp.

ALSO READ: Manipur violence is oversimplified to malign Hindus: Indian-American Rajshree Keisham at Congressional hearing

The gunmen reportedly targeted vehicles carrying police commandos when they were moving towards Key Location Point (KLP) from Moreh," an eyewitness said.

ALSO READ: Earthquake of magnitude 4.6 hits Ukhrul in Manipur

According to preliminary reports, indiscriminate firing was continuing near New Moreh entrance gate and M Chahnou village. Sources added that two houses were also set ablaze in Moreh.

Earlier, the gunmen had gunned down a village guard at Kadangband in Manipur's Imphal West district around 3.30 am on Saturday", police were quoted by PTI as saying.

The deceased, identified as Jamesbond Ningombam, was guarding the village when he was shot dead by suspected militants from a nearby hill, they added. "Ningbom's body was taken to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences here for post-mortem," police said.

Kadangband, located on the fringes of Imphal West district, shares boundary with Kangpokpi district which has witnessed constant violence since the ethnic strife broke out on May 3.

Manipur violence

The incident came amid the persisting tensions in Manipur where ethnic violence has killed over 100 people since May 3, 2023. According to PTI, more than 200 people have been killed and nearly 60,000 rendered homeless in ethnic violence between the majority Meitei community and the tribal Kukis since early May.

Recently, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh declared financial packages for displaced individuals who lost their homes due to violence and are yet to return.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Ram Mandir Consecration: Less than a month to the grand event of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, the trustee of Ram Janmbhoomi Teertha Kshetra , Bimlendra Mohan Pratap Mishra, has said that the selection process for the idol of Lord Ram Lalla has been completed.

"Today's (trust) meeting was regarding the selection of the idol for the Ram temple and the process has been completed," said Bimlendra Mohan Pratap Mishra on Friday.

Top updates on the Ram Lalla Mandir in Ayodhya

-The selection process for the idol of Ram Lalla has been completed and the unanimously selected idol will be brought for 'Pran Pratishtha' next month

-Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra is the trust entrusted with the construction and management of the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya

-On being asked about the parameters of the idol selection process, Bimlendra said that the idol speaks to you, as once you see it, you get mesmerised by it.

-Champat Rai, the secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, will furthjer decide on the Ram Lalla idol, Bimlendra said. "I liked an idol and gave my vote for it. Champat Rai will decide further. There was a voting system and we gave our preferences. The idol selected unanimously will be brought for Pran Pratishtha," he said.

-Trust secretary Champat Rai said that a 51-inch-tall idol of Lord Ram reflecting a five-year-old--Ram Lalla--would be selected among three designs. "The one that has the best divineness and has a childlike look will be selected," he said.

-Shri Ram Mandir Construction Committee Chairman Nripendra Misra on Thursday took stock of the ongoing construction work on the Ram Janmabhoomi Path and the complex along with the top district official

-The Ram Mandir consecration ceremony will be held over a span of seven days, starting on January 16. On the final day, January 22, after the morning puja, the deity of Ram Lala will be consecrated in 'Mrigashira Nakshatra' in the afternoon.

-On Saturday 300 metric tonnes of aromatic rice was dispatched from Chhattisgarh for the consecration ceremony of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir

-Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai flagged off 11 trucks carrying the rice consignment by waving a saffron flag during a function held here at Shri Ram Mandir on VIP Road, said a statement by the state's public relations department

-Kar Sewak turned saint, Ravindra Gupta, also known as Bhojpali Baba who pledged not to marry till Ram Mandir is built in Ayodhya, received an invitation to attend the Pran-Pratishtha (consecration) ceremony of Ram Lalla (infant Lord Ram) at the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

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Weather forecast: IMD predicts dense fog until New Year's eve; Check full forecast here

1 min read Join us

Most of northern Indian states have been blanketed under thick fog like conditions over the past few days with reduced visibility.

Premium Kartavya Path blanketed under a dense layer of on fog on December 29, on a cold winter evening, in New Delhi. (Rahul Singh)

The weather forecast as per the India Meteorological Department suggests dense to very dense fog conditions over Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi until December 31 morning and in some areas for subsequent 3 days. Areas around the national capital and neighbouring states such as Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh have been dealing with dense fog over the past few days with temperatures dipping to all-time lows and peak winter season in sight. Also read: Noida news: All schools to stay closed on December 29 and 30 due to cold weather Dense fog reduces visibility to the naked eye making it difficult for vehicle drivers to have a clear view of the road ahead of them. Visibility has been ranging from 200m to 500m under dense fog conditions. Under this reduced visibility and dense fog conditions, a delay in flights and railways could occur. IMD issued a fog advisory for the northern states. IMD predicted that dense to very dense fog conditions are likely to continue in many places over Uttar Pradesh, north Rajasthan and Bihar until December 31. IMD further suggested that a decrease in distribution and intensity of fog will be experienced thereafter. Also read: Delhi Weather Update: Dense fog causes low visibility, 22 trains running late, 134 flights delayed. Details here In northern region of the country, that comprises areas of Jammu-Kashmir, Ladakh-Gilgit-Baltistan-Muzaffarabad, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, dense fog like conditions are expected to continue during morning hours until January 2. In areas of north-east region of the country that includes states such as Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura, dense fog like conditions are expected to continue during morning hours until December 31. In Jharkhand, dense fog conditions are very likely to continue until December 30. Also read: Vistara airline diverts multiple Delhi-bound flights citing bad weather conditions

IMD further predicted cold day conditions in several parts Punjab, isolated places in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Delhi until December 31.

At the Indira Gandhi International Airport fog like conditions caused lowest visibility that was recorded at 150 meters, while the Runway Visual Range (RVR) was at a range of 400 meters to 800 meters, as per IMD data.

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French officials have raised concerns about a significant terrorist threat on New Year's Eve, citing the conflict in Gaza .

According to a report by The Telegraph, Interior Minister Gerard Darmanin said to deploy 90,000 police officers and gendarmes across France for security during the celebrations.

Ive requested a very strong mobilisation of police forces and the gendarmerie under the context of a very high terrorist threat, of course, due to whats happening in Israel and Palestine," The Telegraph quoted Darmanin as saying.

Around 5,000 soldiers from Operation Sentinel, a military initiative designed to safeguard the French population from terrorism, along with 35,000 firefighters, will be deployed.

Also Read: Could no longer see Muslims dying: Man kills 1, injures 2 others near Eiffel tower

In Paris, where an estimated 1.5 million individuals are anticipated to gather on the Champs-Elysees for the New Year's Eve countdown, 6,000 officers will be actively patrolling. Additionally, police will be authorized to incorporate drones into their operations for the first time.

Meanwhile, in anticipation of potential violence, Germany is making preparations, and authorities have declared one of the most extensive police operations in years to ensure the security of the streets of Berlin.

According to the report, Nancy Faeser, the German interior minister, said, she was concerned that New Years Eve could once again be a day on which we experience blind rage and senseless violence".

Also Read: France evacuates Palace of Versailles for second time in 4 days over 'new bomb threat'

She stressed violence had increased on December 31 in recent years. Feaser added, Of course, we have to keep a very close eye on the danger of this mixing with radicalisation, which we are now seeing in light of the Middle East conflict."

Approximately 4,000 police officers will be stationed across the German capital, with additional support from officers brought in from various regions. Germany has experienced a rise in reported terror plots since the commencement of the Gaza conflict, leading to the closure of Cologne Cathedral over Christmas due to concerns about a potential Islamic State (IS) attack.

Also Read: French President Emmanuel Macron urges Israel to stop 'bombing', 'killing' babies and women in Gaza

In France, Darmanin said, The situation in Israel and Gaza had exacerbated the terror threats it was facing," but noted the country has been a target for attacks for many years."

France elevated its counter-terrorism alert to its highest level in mid-October, following the fatal stabbing of a teacher in Arras by a radicalized former student who reportedly shouted Allahu Akbar" during the attack. This incident occurred a week after Hamas initiated its attack on Israel on October 7.

At that time, Interior Minister Darmanin asserted a connection between the attack in Arras and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Also Read: Security tightened at Cologne Cathedral over New Year's Eve attack threat

Earlier, the interior minister directed law enforcement to exercise heightened vigilance during the Christmas holiday, which, transpired without any untoward incidents.

The presence of dissuasive law enforcement and the work of our intelligence services are extremely reassuring and effective for our fellow citizens who must continue to live and celebrate if they wish," he said.

The Telegraph further noted that despite the extensive mobilization of security forces across France during the weekend, unarmed municipal police officers in Paris plan to go on strike on both New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, seeking increased wages.

Unions have indicated that as many as 80 per cent of municipal police forces nationwide may participate in the strike on December 31, citing similar grievances.

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Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra has informed that they received India's request to extradite Lashkar-E-Taiba (LeT) chief and alleged 26/11 Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed . Zahra has said that no bilateral extradition treaty exists between India and Pakistan for the extradition process of the United Nations (UN) proscribed terrorist.

In a statement, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said, "Pakistan has received a request from the Indian authorities, seeking extradition of Hafiz Saeed in a so-called money laundering case."

"It is pertinent to note that no bilateral extradition treaty exists between Pakistan and India," she added.

This comes even as Pakistan prepares to go into General Elections on 8 February, wherein, Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML), a political entity of Hafiz Saeed has fielded candidates for each and every national and provincial assembly constituency.

On Friday, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said India has requested to the Pakistan government for extradition of Hafiz Saeed to India for facing trial in a particular case.

Addressing the weekly briefing, Bagchi said, "The person in question (Hafiz Saeed) is wanted in numerous cases in India. He is also a UN-proscribed terrorist. In this regard, we have conveyed a request along with relevant supporting documents, to the government of Pakistan to extradite him to India to face trial in a particular case.

"We have been flagging the issue of activities that he's been wanted for. This is a recent request," he added.

Notably, Hafiz Saeed is the founder of terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). He was the mastermind of the deadly 26/11 attacks in Mumbai and is wanted in India in numerous cases.

Muhammad Hafiz Saeed, who has been in jail since July 17, 2019, for other charges, was sentenced in April 2022 by a special anti-terrorism court in Lahore, Pakistan, to a jail term of 33 years for "financing terrorism."

Despite being designated a terrorist by the UN and EU in the 2000s, Hafiz Saeed was neither charged nor extradited over nearly two decades. Saeed was designated as a terrorist by the United Nations Security Council in December 2008.

Hafiz Saeed's son Talha Saeed is also going to contest the polls from National Assembly's constituency NA-127, Lahore, Dawn reported. PMML's central president Khalid Masood Sindhu is contesting elections from NA-130, against Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz supremo Nawaz Sharif.

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The Israeli military said it returned fire following a strike from Syria overnight and also launched an airstrike against the militant Hezbollah movement in Lebanon amid a rise in hostilities with Iranian-backed militia groups across the region.

An increase in tensions between Israel, Iran and its militant allies throughout the Middle East is raising concerns about the opening of a second front in the nearly three-month-old war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

Israeli forces have regularly traded fire with Lebanons Hezbollah since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack and resulting Israeli offensive in Gaza, but tensions along Israels northern border have remained relatively contained, in part due to U.S. and other Western diplomatic efforts to prevent a wider regional war.

But Israeli leaders have warned in recent days that they are losing patience with diplomatic attempts to end attacks on areas of northern Israel, where more than 230,000 people have been displaced from their homes. More than 70,000 people have also fled their homes in southern Lebanon due to the conflict.

Daniel Hagari, the Israeli militarys chief spokesperson, said on Friday that to ensure security for its northern and southern borders, Israel will operate firmly against every threat and will not allow a return to the reality before Oct. 7."

In the past week, Israel and militants in Lebanon have engaged in artillery and rocket-fire exchanges, as well as increased responses including Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon, the Israeli military said. Israel also said it shot down a drone that entered Israel from Lebanese territory on Thursday.

Lebanons state-run National News Agency said on Saturday morning that Israeli artillery and warplanes struck several areas of southern Lebanon.

Militants in Lebanon injured several people in Israel this week, including at least one person hurt by an antitank missile fired at an Israeli church, and then several soldiers injured in a follow-on attack when trying to evacuate him, the military said. An Israeli airstrike in Lebanon killed three people, including two Lebanese-Australian citizens earlier this week.

The rise in hostilities in recent days comes after an airstrike in Damascus on Monday killed a senior official in Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which oversees a network of paramilitary groups throughout the Middle East. Israel is believed to have launched the attack but hasnt claimed responsibility. Iranian leaders have sworn to avenge the killing.

Any escalation poses risks for both sides. Hezbollah, with its tens of thousands of battle-tested fighters and an arsenal of missiles provided by Iran, is a more capable adversary than the relatively lightly armed Hamas. During the last war between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006, Israel heavily bombed Lebanon, including the Beirut airport and other civilian infrastructure, while Hezbollah rained rockets on Israel.

The threat of destruction on both sides is long thought to have deterred a renewal of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, but Hamass Oct. 7 attack demonstrated that deterrence alone wasnt enough to stop the worst attack on Israeli soil in history, a fact that has altered calculations for Israeli officials.

The war between Israel and Hamas and other militants is also heightening the risks for U.S. military forces stationed across the region. Overnight Iraqi militants said they launched a drone attack on a U.S. base in Iraq and fired missiles at another American base in Syria. Militants have launched at least 106 attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria in recent months, according to U.S. officials.

Hamas militants killed about 1,200 people, mostly Israeli civilians, during the attack inside Israel on Oct. 7, and also took more than 240 people hostage, according to Israeli officials. The attackers tortured civilians and set fire to residents homes.

More than 21,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel launched its military assault on Gaza in response to the attack, according to health officials in Gaza. Most of those killed have been women and children, those officials say, though the figure doesnt distinguish between combatants and civilians. Israeli strikes have devastated vast swaths of Gaza.

The Biden administration has pressured both Israel and Lebanon to contain the fighting in order to prevent a wider regional war that could draw in Hezbollah and other allies of Iran. The Biden administration convinced Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to call off a strike against Hezbollah days after the Oct. 7 attack, The Wall Street Journal has reported.

In Gaza, the Israeli military said it continued to battle Hamas militants and launch airstrikes in the Gaza Strip. The military said it dismantled two militant compounds in the northern city of Beit Lahiya.

The Israeli military earlier this week expanded operations in the central Gaza Strip, with strikes focusing on Palestinian refugee camps in the area. Some 100,000 people have fled the area to the far south of the Gaza Strip in recent days, according to the United Nations. Some 85% of the strips 2.2 million people have fled their homes, according to the U.N., with most of those confined to just one third of the enclaves land by Israeli evacuation orders.

Write to Jared Malsin at jared.malsin@wsj.com

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Paula Baeza Pailamilla is not just a Chilean artist known for her exhibitions and performances in several countries in South America and Europe (in 2020, she was a participating artist at the 11th Berlin Biennale in Germany). The Mapuche activist has converted her body into its own museum, based on her conviction that her identity expresses many things that we should know. Since 2016, she has belonged to the Mapuche collective Rangintulewfu. She carries aloft the mission of her people, that of the Indigenous communities who have been oppressed and marginalized for centuries. Baeza was recently in Madrid to speak about decolonialization and stage a performance at the Thyssen Museum. The artist, born in 1988 in Santiago de Chile, now lives in Zurich. She met EL PAIS at Madrids Casa de America. Shes happy, the smile unable to be wiped from her face, except when she speaks of the right-wings advance on her continent.

Question. How can we decolonialize the collective imagination?

Answer. I use the body as a place of encounter, of trace and memory. I feel that it is evidence of my colonial history. I am Mapuche and have a hybrid identity due to my familys context, they were displaced from the country to the city at the beginning of the 20th century. There, a structure of identity was built in which Mapuche begins to be thought of in an urban context. And from that identity hybridization of what my own body means, its features and physical heritage, I work on decolonialization. When my body appears, I feel that there is resistance and existence that demonstrates how our bodies are still alive. Our ancestral memory is not just a story of the hegemonic narrative, we also have a voice, we are alive and we can self-represent. Through performance, I use my body to speak of these conflicts.

Q. Is the narrative still hegemonic? It hasnt advanced at all?

A. In Chile it has, thanks to social movements. But the history of misappropriation by the state has been a narrative told by them, and it has been rendered invisible.

Q. Them?

A. The elite, since the mid-1800s, the beginning of what they call the pacification of the Araucania, as they called the occupation of the last territory of Wallmapu, the Mapuche territory. That is when they established this narrative of what Chile was, without other identities and other peoples. They stopped recognizing other ways of life and built a national, creole, mestizo identity, erasing the others. The invasion of Indigenous territories is hardly mentioned in schools, and if it is, it is to undermine them, that we deserved to be invaded for the good of development and the future. In the last 50 years, this has started to be made visible, the Mapuches have started to rebuild a story of what was broken. Thanks to that resistance and struggle, they have won spaces. Theyve been left with no other option but to accept it.

Q. The body is identity?

A. Yes, but at the same time it is a super-plastic, modifiable identity, one that depends on our context. Its also very transformable, performative. Identity and body are performative.

Q. Is there space for performance in such a quickly moving world?

A. People have always had individual and group bodily expression. And performance is an ancient, ancestral, ritual practice. There will always be space, it will always be necessary to say things in another way that cannot be said. The Mapuches have the epeu, stories that are told through animals. Performance is a cultural tool to preserve the collective memory.

Q. One of your performances consists of situating yourself in the middle of a river to interact with its stones. In another, of walking around dressed in cardboard boxes in front of Zurichs luxury stores. At the Thyssen, you camouflage yourself with the color of the wall. What is the concept behind this?

A. I position myself as a Mapuche person with all the complexity of my history, of my family. I am an Indigenous person who is in a museum, in front of luxury stores My body imparts a lot of information, and, just now in Switzerland, I felt the scrutiny from people who want to decode me, because in addition, I am a migrant. When one does a performance, they are calling on a miracle. But when I cease to perform and they keep staring, I feel how much my body means. Bodies mean things. We are experts in decoding things, for better or worse, and that is the point from which I do my essential work.

Q. You have uncovered horsehair that was used to make sex toys. What did you discover?

A. This work opened my mind in respect to pleasure, to how Mapuche people desire. In an ethnographic book from 1911, Psicologia de los araucanos [Psychology of the Araucanian people], there were drawings of objects called guesquel, a prothesis that men put on to give pleasure to women, made with horsehair and woven by women. There is a very strong knowledge of the female body. They say that they were used to make people fall in love, that they embodied something affective, not solely sexual. They had the same desires as we do today.

Q. You define yourself in opposition to the European model of gender binary. Is the gender binary European?

A. Christianity, being super-predominant, imposed different gender roles. Before, the roles were different. I am critical of this colonial heritage.

Q. What did Christianity impose?

A. It took it upon itself to dominate from the spiritual realm. It was quite confrontational. In the Mapuche culture there is no clear difference between the spiritual, the political and the social, they work together. One of the greatest injuries was their division. The spiritual authorities were satanized, and by eliminating them, their system of organization began to crumble. Christianity came to break the social structure, it told us that there is evil knowledge to fear. Thats a wound from which it has cost us to heal and re-discover the most profound side of us. Life is not just a political stance or a job, there are interior things, from other planes, from a territory, the spiritual, to recover.

Q. What work do we have to do as Europeans in respect to decolonialization?

A. The work is to think of oneself. What lies in history, how are we living and dealing with it? History cant change, but there are reflections that you must continue to make about reparation and self-criticism, something that is done collectively.

Q. Do you feel that Chile has advanced?

A. We had never seen as much state violence as we did during the 2019 protests, it was shocking. At the same time, there was hope. And the new constitution that lost last year was a dream, it took into account Indigenous people, sexual diversity, women Now we have reached a point of hopelessness: between continuing with Pinochets constitution or that of the updated liberal right. Very sad, like Mileis victory. The right-wing is taking power, things are worse. Chiles case resonates in other countries in Latin America.

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Two weeks following the swearing-in ceremony of Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and his deputies, Diya Kumari and Prem Chand Bairwa, the state is set to witness a cabinet expansion scheduled for today at Raj Bhavan in Jaipur, as reported by ANI citing sources.

As reported by ANI citing sources, "Around 18 to 20 MLAs will take oaths as ministers. The faces of some new and experienced MLAs will be included in Sharma's cabinet." During the forthcoming cabinet expansion in Rajasthan, a significant focus will be placed on addressing caste and regional dynamics, particularly in anticipation of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in a few months. The expansion aims to guarantee equitable representation for all regions, while simultaneously employing social engineering strategies to ensure comprehensive inclusion of major castes in the cabinet. Also Read: 2024 Lok Sabha Elections: BJP likely to finalise LS tickets by January-end, before EC poll schedule. Here's why During the forthcoming cabinet expansion in Rajasthan, a significant focus will be placed on addressing caste and regional dynamics, particularly in anticipation of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in a few months. The expansion aims to guarantee equitable representation for all regions, while simultaneously employing social engineering strategies to ensure comprehensive inclusion of major castes in the cabinet. Earlier, Chief Minister Sharma arrived in the national capital, and according to sources, he is scheduled to conduct a meeting with senior party leaders to discuss the cabinet expansion. Following this meeting, the final approval for the cabinet appointees will be secured. Also Read: 'BJP will win 400 seats in Lok Sabha Elections 2024 if': Congress' Sam Pitroda makes big claim The delay in the cabinet formation has become a focal point for criticism from opposition parties in Rajasthan, particularly targeting the BJP-led government. Earlier, former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said that due to the delay in the cabinet formation, the governance has come to a standstill.

Disappointment has now started spreading among the public because the people of Rajasthan gave a clear mandate to BJP on 3rd December, but even after 22 days, the cabinet has not been formed yet, due to which governance has come to a standstill. Every department is also in a state of confusion. The public is watching which ministers they should approach to solve their problems. The cabinet should be formed as soon as possible so that the functioning of the government can run smoothly," Gehlot wrote in a post on 'X'.

Also Read: Year Ender 2023: Can BJP's strategic victories in Hindi Heartland help win 2024 Lok Sabha Polls?

It has also come to light through the media that treatment is not being provided by private hospitals under the Chiranjeevi scheme. The present government should also clarify the situation regarding the schemes of our government so that the public does not face any problems and the previous system should continue till a new system is implemented," he added.

(With inputs from ANI)

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Ahead of the consecration ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh Minister Nitin Agarwal said that the sale of liquor has been banned on the Panchkosi Parikrama Marg of the temple town.

PM Modi to visit Ayodhya today LIVE

As reported by PTI, Agarwal, the minister of state (independent charge) for Excise and Prohibition, said, Ayodhya is a major pilgrimage place where people from the entire country and the world arrive to have a glimpse of Ram Lalla. Under the guidance of Chief Minister (Yogi Adityanath), it was decided to ban the sale of liquor on Ayodhya's Panchkosi Parikrama Marg."

The Pran Pratishtha", or the consecration ceremony of the Ram Lalla idol, will take part on January 22 and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take part in it.

Also Read: Ram Temple Pran Pratishtha ceremony: Tent cities erected in Ayodhya to accommodate devotees

"A prohibition has been declared there. All wine shops there have been removed and nobody will (be allowed to) open liquor shops there," he said on Thursday.

According to Mahant Raju Das of the Hanumangarhi temple, Panchkosi Parikrama takes place on the 'ekadashi' after Diwali. Devotees undertaking the parikrama cover a distance of around 50 kilometres."

Also Read: PM Modi to unveil project worth 15,000 crore in Ayodhya ahead of Ram Lalla Mandir consecration | 10 Updates

Most of the Ram temple compound will be a green area with hundreds of trees and the complex itself will be atmanirbhar", the temple trust said underlining features like its own sewage and water treatment plants, a fire brigade post and a dedicated power line.

Ram temple trust general secretary Champat Rai had earlier informed that about 70% of the 70-acre complex will be a green area.

The complex will have two STPs (sewage treatment plants, one WTP (water treatment plant) and a dedicated electricity line from the powerhouse. A fire brigade post there will be able to source water from an underground reservoir, he said.

Also Read: Ram Mandir consecration preparations in pics: Flowers, lights give divine look to Ayodhya ahead of PM Modi's visit

As the city prepares for the grand consecration ceremony next month, the Prime Minister will also inaugurate four newly redeveloped, widened, and beautified roads in Ayodhya, including the Ram Path to enhance accessibility to the upcoming Ram Temple in the city.

Furthermore, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra has opened the booking for 'aarti' passes in both online and offline mode. Devotees can choose any one aarti out of three from the list and make their bookings accordingly.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The year 2023 saw many significant discoveries, clinical trials and historic space missions that could shape human's future on Earth and beyond. From India's landmark Chandrayaan-3 mission to finding "life-ingredients" in deep cold space to conducting the first-ever study to show humans may reproduce in space  scientists and researchers raced beyond time and space to unravel the never-ending mysteries of the universe.

India scripted history when its Chandrayaan-3 lander module successfully landed on the moons South Pole, making it the first country to have achieved the historic feat. Here's a look at other top 10 breakthrough moments in scientific discoveries and inventions:

1. Can humans reproduce in space? In a first, researchers successfully grew mouse embryos aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Japan researchers said in October 2023 that mouse embryos were grown on the ISS and "developed normally in the first study indicating it could be possible for humans to reproduce in space".

2. The mice with two dads: In a significant milestone in reproductive biology, scientists created mice with two biologically male parents for the first time. This study "opens the possibility of bipaternal reproduction", the study said. Simply put, the research raised the possibility that someday same-sex couples may be able to have a baby who shares both parents genes, CNN reported.

3. Celestial milestone: Scientists discovered six new worlds. With six exoplanets  HD 36384 b, TOI-198 b, TOI-2095 b, TOI-2095 c, TOI-4860 b, and MWC 758 c  scientists tipped the scales and surpassed 5,500 exoplanets found. To be exact, there are now 5,502 known exoplanets.

4. Faint hum of gravitational waves: Scientists detected low-frequency gravitational waves echoing throughout the universe for the first time. These waves are created when huge objects in the universe move around and collide in space. They stretch and compress space-time as they travel through space, a Reuters report explained.

5. A mind-reading device? According to a new study published in Nature Neuroscience, a model trained on functional magnetic resonance imaging scans of three volunteers was able to predict whole sentences they were hearing with surprising accuracy  just by looking at their brain activity, the MIT Technology Review reported.

"Given novel brain recordings, this decoder generates intelligible word sequences that recover the meaning of perceived speech, imagined speech and even silent videos, demonstrating that a single decoder can be applied to a range of tasks," the study said. The findings demonstrate the need for future policies to protect our brain data, the team said.

6. TRex had lips? A new study suggested that Tyrannosaurus rex and other carnivorous dinosaurs did not look like crocodiles. They likely had lips that covered their teeth, "like todays lizards", a study reported in Science journal read.

7. Life ingredients found on asteroids? In October, NASA unveiled the secrets of an asteroid sample that landed on Earth this year. The US space agency studied the 4.5-billion-year-old asteroid Bennu sample collected in space and found evidence of high-carbon content and water. This "together could indicate the building blocks of life on Earth may be found in the rock," NASA said.

8. Is life possible on Saturns Moon too? Scientists found evidence suggesting that Saturns moon may be capable of supporting life. This year scientists said theyd found phosphorous in the ocean on Saturns sixth-largest moon, Enceladus. Alongside carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur, this sixth element is essential for sustaining life.

9. Therapy for sickle cell disease: In the world's first, the UK medicines regulator approved a therapy that uses the CRISPRCas9 gene-editing tool as a treatment, Nature reported. The therapy, called Casgevy, will treat the blood conditions of sickle-cell disease and -thalassaemia. Later, Casgevy also became the first USFDA-approved therapy utilizing CRISPR/Cas9.

10. First tomatoes in Lost in Space: Two tomatoes, the first-ever grown in space aboard the ISS, went "missing" earlier this year. The astronaut who grew them was accused of eating those tomatoes. Months later, the ISS crew found the remains of those tomatoes. Check out the full story of lost tomatoes here.

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In 2023, Meta, along with industry giants like Microsoft and Google, spearheaded the surge in generative artificial intelligence. As per HT Tech, these major players engaged in an AI arms race, unveiling their chatbots and other innovative tools. Anticipation is building for CES 2024, where numerous companies are poised to showcase their advancements in AI.

Notably, Samsung is gearing up to showcase its AI-infused refrigerator, while LG is preparing to reveal its smart home AI. As the event kicks off on January 9 in Las Vegas, let us delve into the forthcoming AI revelations we can expect.

Samsung

On December 27, in a notable announcement, Samsung disclosed its plan to debut the Bespoke 4-Door Flex Refrigerator with AI Family Hub at CES 2024. This innovative appliance is equipped with AI-driven cameras inside the fridge, enabling it to assess available ingredients and suggest personalized recipes accordingly. Samsung asserts that it can recognize up to 33 distinct fresh food items using a predefined dataset derived from around one million food photographs. Additionally, the refrigerator can actively monitor the water filter status and issue alerts when a replacement is necessary.

LG Smart Home AI

As per a report from Interesting Engineering, LG is set to feature its AI agent as the centerpiece of LG's Smart Home at the upcoming CES. This two-legged robot serves as an interactive assistant, boasting both voice and visual interfaces for user interaction. Beyond conversation capabilities, it adeptly manages a range of smart home appliances and IoT devices.

Notably, the robot also monitors environmental conditions in real-time, such as temperature and air quality. Envisioned as a robotic companion, it can navigate spaces, take charge of smart home functions, and even serve as a security guard for the household.

LG AI TV

According to a report from Tom's Guide, LG is rumored to introduce a 98-inch QNED TV featuring AI-driven picture enhancements at CES 2024. The TV is said to be powered by an A8 AI processor, enabling it to employ deep learning for faces, objects, and backgrounds within a scene, resulting in heightened texture and finer details. LG claims that the TV will offer an improved visual experience through precise HDR optimization, delivering three-dimensional picture quality.

Nvidia

In a recent blog post, Nvidia disclosed its plans to showcase AI advancements at CES 2024, with a standout revelation being a generative AI. While specific details are scarce, some reports suggest that this could mark the debut of the company's inaugural AI chatbot. Additionally, Nvidia is set to conduct various sessions at the event, focusing on AI gaming, robotics, and enterprise tools powered by artificial intelligence.

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As the highly anticipated launch event for the Samsung Galaxy S24 series approaches, a recent series of leaks on Twitter has unveiled intriguing details about the upcoming flagship smartphones. The leaks, shared by @MysteryLupin, (first spotted by 9to5Google) include high-quality images and insights into some key AI features that promise to elevate the user experience.

One standout feature highlighted in the leaked marketing materials is the "Generative Edit" feature. Described by Samsung as a tool to effortlessly remove unwanted elements from photos, it draws immediate comparisons to Google's Magic Eraser tool introduced in the Pixel 8 series. The Magic Eraser, known for its ability to erase unwanted objects from photos, requires Google Photos backup and an internet connection.

Interestingly, despite the superior on-device AI capabilities of Samsung's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 compared to Google's Tensor chips, the leaked materials suggest that an internet connection will still be required for the Generative Edit feature on the Galaxy S24 series.

The leaks also shed light on other noteworthy features, such as the previously announced "Live Translate," which utilizes AI to translate phone calls in real-time. Another feature, "Nightography Zoom," aims to enhance low-light photos when zoomed in. Given that telephoto lenses are not always optimized for low-light conditions, the inclusion of AI enhancement could be a welcome addition to improve photography in challenging lighting scenarios.

These leaked, what appears to be the marketing materials, briefly mention the "High Resolution" feature, emphasizing the impressive 200MP main camera on the Galaxy S24 Ultra. Additionally, a reference to "Screen Display" suggests a brighter, flatter screen that provides users with more space to enjoy their favorite activities.

Accompanying the leaks were high-quality images of the Galaxy S24 series, which were promptly removed, indicating Samsung's efforts to control social media leaks ahead of the official launch. The leaked images, captured by Digital Trends before their removal, provide a glimpse of the design and aesthetics of the upcoming smartphones.

While the leaked information points to a January 17 launch date, Samsung has yet to officially confirm the details. As excitement builds around the Galaxy S24 series, consumers eagerly await the official unveiling to see how these AI features and high-quality imaging capabilities will set Samsung's latest flagship smartphones apart in the competitive market.

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An Israeli Apache helicopter fires a missile in direction of the Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel, Friday, Dec. 29, 2023. (Ariel Schalit/AP)

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday that Israels war on Hamas in Gaza will continue for many more months, pushing back against persistent international cease-fire calls after mounting civilian deaths, hunger and mass displacement in the besieged enclave.

Netanyahu thanked the Biden administration for its continued backing, including approval for a new emergency weapons sale, the second this month, and prevention of a U.N. Security Council resolution seeking an immediate cease-fire. Israel argues that ending the war now would mean victory for Hamas, a stance shared by the Biden administration, which at the same time urged Israel to do more to avoid harm to Palestinian civilians.

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In new fighting, Israeli warplanes struck the urban refugee camps of Nuseirat and Bureij in the center of the territory Saturday as ground forces pushed deeper into the southern city of Khan Younis.

The Health Ministry in Gaza said Saturday that more than 21,600 Palestinians have been killed in Israels unprecedented air and ground offensive since the deadly Oct. 7 Hamas attack on southern Israel. The ministry, which does not distinguish between the deaths of civilians and combatants, said 165 Palestinians were killed over the past 24 hours. It has said about 70% of those killed have been women and children.

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The number of Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza combat rose to 170, after the military announced two more deaths Saturday.

The war has displaced some 85% of Gazas 2.3 million residents, sending swells of people seeking shelter in Israeli-designated safe areas that the military has nevertheless bombed. Palestinians are left with a sense that nowhere is safe in the tiny enclave.

With Israeli forces expanding their ground offensive this week, tens of thousands more Palestinians streamed into the already crowded city of Rafah at the southernmost end of Gaza.

Thousands of tents and makeshift shacks have sprung up on Rafahs outskirts next to U.N. warehouses. Displaced people arrived in Rafah on foot or on trucks and carts piled high with mattresses. Those who did not find space in overwhelmed shelters pitched tents on roadsides.

We dont have water. We dont have enough food, Nour Daher, a displaced woman, said Saturday from the sprawling tent camp. The kids wake up in the morning wanting to eat, wanting to drink. It took us one hour to find water for them. We couldnt bring them flour. Even when we wanted to take them to toilets, it took us one hour to walk.

In the Nuseirat camp, resident Mustafa Abu Wawee said a strike hit the home of one of his relatives, killing two people.

The (Israeli) occupation is doing everything to force people to leave, he said over the phone while helping to search for four people missing under the rubble. They want to break our spirit and will, but they will fail. We are here to stay.

More U.S. weapons for Israel

The State Department said Friday that Secretary of State Antony Blinken told Congress he approved a $147.5 million sale for equipment, including fuses, charges and primers, that is needed for 155 mm shells Israel bought previously.

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It marked the second time this month that the Biden administration is bypassing Congress to approve an emergency weapons sale to Israel. Blinken made a similar decision on Dec. 9 to approve the sale to Israel of nearly 14,000 rounds of tank ammunition worth more than $106 million.

Both moves have come as President Joe Bidens request for a nearly $106 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and other national security needs remains stalled in Congress, caught up in a debate over U.S. immigration policy and border security. Some Democratic lawmakers have spoken of making the proposed $14.3 billion in American assistance to its Mideast ally contingent on concrete steps by Netanyahus government to reduce civilian casualties in Gaza during the war with Hamas.

The wars timeline

Blinken, who has repeatedly traveled to the Middle East during the war, was expected back in Israel and other countries in the region in January. U.S. officials have urged Israel to start shifting from high intensity combat to more targeted operations, but said they were not imposing a deadline.

Netanyahu said Israel needs more time.

As the chief of staff said this week, the war will continue many more months, he told a televised news conference Saturday. My policy is clear. We will continue to fight until we have achieved all the objectives of the war, first and foremost the annihilation of Hamas and the release of all the hostages.

More than 120 hostages remain in Gaza, after Hamas fighters seized more than 240 in the Oct. 7 assault that also killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians.

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Netanyahu is also at odds with the Biden administration over who should run Gaza after the war. He has rejected the U.S.-backed idea that a unified Palestinian government should run both Gaza and parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank as a precursor to eventual statehood. Instead, he has insisted on open-ended Israeli security control in Gaza, without saying what would come next.

Trading for hostages

Families of hostages and their supporters have demanded that the government prioritize hostage releases over other war objectives, and have staged large protests every weekend, including Saturday.

Egypt, one of the mediators between Israel and Hamas, has proposed a multistage plan that would kick off with a swap of hostages for prisoners, accompanied by a temporary cease-fire  along the lines of an exchange during a weeklong truce in November.

Hamas insists the war must end before it will discuss hostage releases. Osama Hamdan, a senior Hamas official in Beirut, reiterated that position Saturday, but also told The Associated Press that we have not given any final answer so far to the Egyptian proposal.

Asked about reports of possible progress toward a deal, Netanyahu said Saturday that we see a possibility, maybe, for movement but that he did not want to raise exaggerated expectations.

Difficulties in delivering aid

More than a week after a U.N. Security Council resolution called for the unhindered delivery of aid at scale across besieged Gaza, conditions have only worsened, U.N. agencies warned.

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Aid officials said the aid entering Gaza remains woefully inadequate. Distributing goods is hampered by long delays at two border crossings, ongoing fighting, Israeli airstrikes, repeated cuts in internet and phone services and a breakdown of law and order that makes it difficult to secure aid convoys, they said.

Nearly the entire population is fully dependent on outside humanitarian aid, said Philippe Lazzarini, head of UNRWA, the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees. A quarter of the population is starving because too few trucks enter with food, medicine, fuel and other supplies  sometimes fewer than 100 trucks a day, according to U.N. daily reports.

Magdy reported from Cairo. Associated Press writer Jack Jeffery in London contributed to this report.
If you dont find Santa Claus in Lapland, the South Pole or the North Pole, you might find Sarah McNair-Landry. The 33-year-old Canadian is not an elf, but she lives among glaciers and the northern lights. Her spirit of survival and adventure seems right out of a video game script: she is the youngest person to reach both poles and, together with her brother Eric, she has revolutionized expeditions by kite surfing across Greenland and the Arctic. She always has a camera on her helmet to document the trips and the impact of climate change.

We must inspire young people to go out, to get to know the planet and to take care of it. They need to get active. Its the same with the cold, if you stay still you will freeze, says the explorer. McNair lives in a mobile home made of recycled materials that she built with her boyfriend, Erik Boomer  also an adventurer and kayak expert  in Iqaluit, a corner of the icy and giant Baffin Island in Canada. Thats where she grew up, surrounded by dogs and snow, with no television or roads. Her two polar guide parents taught her to live with temperatures that were so cold they couldnt be registered by thermometers, and to love the white, deserted landscapes.

You wont find her in a Caribbean resort. Despite having crossed the Sahara on a camel and the Gobi on a kite buggy, her comfort zone is the cold. McNair-Landry runs the company Northwinds, which makes expeditions and documentaries in the coldest areas of the Earth. She is the first woman certified by the International Polar Guides Association as a Master Polar Guide, and is considered one of the worlds top adventurers by National Geographic. At the age of 17, she reached the North Pole with her family on a sleigh that the crossed fluorescent nights. At 19, a statue was waiting for her in the heart of the South Pole: Lenin. The Soviets erected it there after tearing up Antarctica with tractors.

Shes gone to many places where humans have never walked, but their presence is still felt. The Inuit have told her about the disappearing animals, thawing ice and cracks along ancient paths. With her brother, she traveled the legendary Northwest Passage, made up of more than 1,860 miles of ice sheets where the Atlantic and Pacific oceans meet. The crossing had not been completed since 1906. Along the way, they came up against an obstacle, and had to make a 340-mile detour. That day, another surprise was in store for them: a hungry polar bear.

The McNairs form the almost perfect team. The yard of their house was the steppe where they played as children imagining distant megacities. That day in the Northwest Passage, nature reminded them of its harshness: Eric defended himself against the bear with a shovel while his sister looked for a gun. Sarah had to choose between her brother and the animal. She shot into the air and the bear walked away. The terror marked them like a tattoo.

American activist Will Steger knows the team. They taught him how to kite surf. For an old-school explorer of maps and sleds, it was a revelation. They have done almost everything. Their challenge is to find another great challenge, he details.

Sarah McNair-Landry still relies on her dogs, but she makes the most of technology: GPS, recording equipment, drones. On GoogleEarth, she found two unknown rivers in Greenland. The discovery led to the documentary Into Twin Galaxies. At the beginning of the expedition, Sarah was going so fast that her kite went up into the air and fell like a stone. She broke her helmet and part of a vertebra. Her partner, who was accompanying her, begged her to return, but she continued. Boomer avoids using the word stubborn to describe her: he prefers character. She smiles when reminded of the experience. On her trips there is no shortage of determination  or chocolate, entire boxes of them.

National Geographic has been following her travels since 2007, and she also works on her projects, uncovering hidden stories as seen in Pour Ne Pas Perdre le Nord (So As Not to Lose the North), a short documentary that denounces the mountains of garbage that is building up in Arctic towns. She also supports art installations such as Gauge, where she shows the white walls that emerge from the water and are painted by artists. She uses renewable energy for her equipment and has brought back Inuit techniques for making kayaks with the Qajakkut Society. Social media has given her adventures visibility, but while some users are just after the perfect Instagram shot, her posts are about respecting the environment.

In 2019, she received the 21st Century Adventurer Award from the European Outdoor Film Tour, the largest exploration film event on the continent. The adrenaline of sneaking into new folds of the planet and sharing its beauty gives her hope for the future. One of her most symbolic adventures was to repeat her parents pioneering journey around Baffin Island, which is as large as Spain. It was four months of traveling through a lunar and silent world. Many expect their polar guide to be an older, bearded man, and are surprised to find themselves with the snow queen.

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Panelto Foods have met their commitment to supply high end jobs in Longford as stipulated in a contract that saw them purchase an adjacent office block to facilitate expansion.

Councillor Seamus Butler raised the issue at the December meeting of the local authority to determine if undertakings by Panelto Foods to deliver graduate roles in the county town was met.



Cllr Butler asked the executive to furnish a report on the conditions of sale of the former Longford Enterprise Development Company Limited (LEDCO) building on the Ballinalee Road.

He said his motion was put forward to highlight a condition of sale requiring the purchaser to create over 40 higher end research and development posts within five years.



The Longford based bakery company inked that deal in April 2018. The condition highlighted by the Fianna Fail councillor stipulated that the Council can reclaim the building if the company does not progress with the plans.

Cllr Butler, a founding director of LEDCO, said: In 2018 we decided to make ourselves homeless, and we have been homeless since, in a move we felt was for the greater good.

Panelto Foods produces artisan-style premium quality breads for in-store bakeries for the main retailers in Ireland and the UK.

They exports over 70% of its products to the UK market. The 2018 property acquisition effectively doubled factory space and added over 125 new jobs to the 150 strong staff.



The elected members were given an overview of the expansion of Panelto Foods, however details of the jobs were not included: I welcome the report, but it doesn't answer the specific question I was asking, which was if the company delivered on the 40 R&D jobs, Cllr Butler said, They have expanded and increase their employment hugely, which is to be welcomed.

The Fianna Fail elected representative praised the company's progress, but wanted more details: They are a very successful company, unfortunately they operate under a cloak of commercial secrecy, which is not something I understand.



In the round they may not have met the absolute specifics of the deal, but the spirit has been more than met.

There have been other jobs created. I know they have transferred marketing jobs from Maynooth to Longford, so I don't understand why they can't give us a breakdown, Cllr Butler stated at the meeting.

He said the council's decision to sell was correct: We did the right thing, and that has been justified by the jobs that are there today. Panelto Foods should be thanked for the extra 125 jobs they have delivered since 2018.

Supporting Cllr Butler's motion Cllr Mick Cahill and Cllr Uruemu Adejinmi said it was a strategic decision taken at the time. Cathaoirleach Colm Murray also said the company has enjoyed significant expansion since the sale.



In his reply to the original motion Longford County Council Chief Executive, Paddy Mahon, said the company had fulfilled their obligations: We are very satisfied they have met the conditions of the sale by providing high end jobs.

They have made a very significant contribution to the local economy. It has been a fantastic good news story for both Longford town and country.
Every Christmas since moving into my own house, bales of briquettes were almost as important as the turkey and ham on the list of things that needed to be bought for Christmas.

For convenience of being able to throw a few bales in the back of the car and store them in a shed, the iconic Bord na Mona product was hard to beat.

With a strap which made it convenient to carry, the bale of briquettes was really unrivalled.

The ubiquitous briquette stand outside almost every shop in the country, meant that humble bales of briquettes were very much part of the rural and urban landscape.

The ease in which bales could be stacked in a shed and then lit without fuss in a stove or open fire, also made it almost unrivalled.

While we know that we must move away from carbon-based fuel products, the lack of bales of briquettes this year was not ideal for many, particularly the elderly.

In its place, there has been some welcome carbon neutral heating alternatives including Willow Warm briquettes, marketed as Ireland's carbon neutral briquette. There are also a number of products including E-briquettes.

Amongst others, Arigina Fuels are also producing carbon neutral biofuel, Harvest Flame.

However, it may take some time for them to be embraced to the same level as the iconic peat briquette, captured so evocatively in the advert featuring the Marino Waltz.

And the end of the availability of peat briquettes in almost all shops highlights the issue of Just Transition and the job losses experienced, particularly in the midlands, from the end of peat harvesting and fuel production. This is an even bigger issue as Ireland aims to reach its climate change targets while also having a secure and reliable fuel source.

In the meantime, we can feel a pang of nostalgia for a warm briquette fire, even if it was not in the environment's best interest!
A woman who went on a crime spree was warned she would face jail if she entered any shops in Portlaoise over the Christmas period.

Theresa Conroy, 37, of 7 Green Mill Lane, Portlaoise admitted stealing goods valued at over 1,000 from shops in Portlaoise in November and December 2023.

She was charged with stealing groceries valued at 307 from Tesco in Laois Shopping Centre on November 29. On November 30, she stole groceries valued at 71.95 from Lidl in Portlaoise. On December 1, she stole perfume valued at 43.90 from Laois Pharmacy. On December 4, she took curtains valued at 119 from Harry Corry and goods from Homesavers valued at 107.96. On December 14, she stole groceries valued at 100.15 from Lidl Portlaoise and on December 19, she stole Groovy Lights valued at 200 and alcohol valued at 82.90 from Lidl.

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said her client hadnt come to the attention of gardai in 13 years prior to these thefts. She explained that the womans brother had died and his death triggered the offending.

He was dead for a number of days and she found him, Ms Fitzpatrick explained.

She said the woman had relapsed to drug abuse but was now engaging with a methadone programme in Portlaoise.

Judge Andrew Cody noted these thefts are every second or third day. He said the woman needed to get treatment.

Ms Fitzpatrick said her client was seeking treatment and she asked that the woman be allowed to get treatment while on bail.

She had been taking drugs and that led to the offending, she said.

She has lost two brothers to drug addiction Judge and she found both of them, explained Ms Fitzpatrick.

She said the woman was from a large family and was being supported in court by another brother who didnt have any difficulties with addiction. She explained that the woman is now weaning off methadone.

She is reducing by one millilitre a week, so it is going to take her four or five months, said Ms Fitzpatrick.

Judge Cody said thefts amounting to 1,032.77 had taken place in the space of three weeks.

This is a one woman almost crime spree here in the town of Portlaoise, said Judge Cody.

He granted bail on strict conditions including daily sign on at Portlaoise Garda Station, a curfew and a ban from shops in Portlaoise.

If she looks into a shop you will be into the Dochas Centre before you know where you are, he warned the woman.

Turkey and ham will have to be bought for you, he said.

He remanded her on bail to Portlaoise District Court on January 5.
Food, Wine, & Dining

By Lon Cohen Published: January 08 2024

We cant wait for these 12 new spots to open!

Patience is a virtue but when it comes to food, we just cant help but get excited when we hear about a new restaurant opening. These food spots are opening on Long Island in 2024 and we are excited to try every single one.

Press 195 in Plainview - The owners of Press 195 gave LongIslandRestaurants.com a little more info on the opening of their new spot in Plainview at the old Prime Burger Bar at 1048 Old Country Road in Morton Village Plaza. Prime Burger Bar opened in 2022 but did not make it in the space for long, closing earlier this year. Click here for the story.

Mesita Mexican Restaurant in Amityville - Their Port Washington location just opened and its fabulous but were really psyched to see what they do with the old CHase bank building in Amityville. We are told they will be preserving the old bank vault.

Strong Island Burgers in Setauket - The owners of Maui Chop House Food Truck and Chicos Tex Mex are opening a new burger joint together called Strong Island Burgers on Route 25A in Setauket. Click here for the full story.

The new Tullulahs on Main Street in Islip - Earlier this year, Tullulahs announced plans to move from its location on 4th Avenue in Bay Shore to a more prominent spot on West Main Street. Click here for more details.

Rays Pizza going into the long-abandoned KFC in Port Jefferson Station - A pizzeria  called Rays Pizza  is being built on the long vacant Kentucky Fried Chicken property on the southeast corner of Route 112 and Hallock Avenue in Port Jefferson Station. Click here for more details.

Lucharitos Tex-Mex in Mineola - Marc LaMaina is building quite the restaurant empire across Long Island and it seems he has no plans to stop anytime soon. In an interview with LongIslandRestaurants.com, LaMaina dished on some details about the Lucharitos Tex-Mex restaurant hes building in Mineola. Click here for more details.

Daisys Nashville Lounge in Miller Place - The rumors are true! The owners of Daisys Nashville Lounge are gutting the old Recipe 7 spot in North Country Plaza (the same shopping center as Friendlys) off Route 25a in Miller Place and plan to open sometime in early 2024. Click here for the whole story.

Ixchel Mexican Cuisine in Setauket - The owners of Ixchel Mexican Cuisine hope that their new restaurant  set to open in early October at the former Old Field Barbecue spot  will fill the niche of authentic sit-down, full service Mexican food in East Setauket. Click here for the story.

Para Todo Bien in Bay Shore - Verde Kitchen & Cocktails in Bay Shore is expanding into a new spot being built out at the old location of Peninsula Asian Fusion on Main Street. Along with an increase in size (the new space will be almost three times larger than Verde is currently, according to co-owner Anthony Tartaglia) and a cool rooftop seating area, the name will get an update as well. Theyre calling it Para Todo Bien. Click here for the story.

Plado Tasting Bar - Chef German Rizzo is bringing his East Village small plate restaurant concept to Long Island early next year. Rizzo, who was born in Italy and traveled throughout Europe to perfect his craft, landed in New York where he worked as the executive chef for the Cipriani Group. In 2019, he opened Plado Tasting Bar in Manhattan. Now hes planning to open another Plado in a spot he acquired in Glen Cove. Click here for the full story.

Firehouse Restaurant & Bar in memory of FNDY Lt. Joseph P. DiBernardo in Former Hartlin Inn Spot - Its been a long time coming for the DiBernardo family who purchased the business at 30 New York Avenue in Sound Beach over two-and-a-half years ago. It used to be the Hartlin Inn, a beloved institution in the neighborhood until the former owners called it quits after the pandemic. They hope to open early 2024. Click here for the story.

Elaines Restaurant and Bar taking over Tai Show North space in Setauket - Elaine Micali is back. After presiding over one of the most beloved local spots for years as manager at Pentimento Restaurant in Stony Brook, the restaurateur who says food is in her blood has signed a lease at 316 Main Street in Setauket and is currently building out Elaines Restaurant and Bar set to open in the Spring. Click here for the story.
Three airstrikes targeted terrorists in the al-Boukamal region of eastern Syria Saturday morning, killing four members of Lebanese Hezbollah, and two members of Iraqi militia groups.

The target of the airstrikes was a weapons storage facility that was recently stocked with rocket launchers and munitions, and two militia outposts, according to the Associated Press. The strikes have not been claimed. However, both the United States and Israel have interests in targets of this nature.

In the wake of the recent strikes in Eastern Syria, Lebanese Hezbollah published a statement mourning the loss of four fighters. However, the group did not detail any information surrounding the deaths.

The strikes follow an active month of pro-Iranian activity involving rocket and drone strikes on Israeli territory as well as American positions in Syria and Iraq.

In December, nine separate occurrences of rocket and drone strikes originating from Syria or potentially Iraq have targeted Israeli territory, according to a tally conducted internally by FDDs Long War Journal.

For example, on Dec. 12, Iranian-backed militias operating in Syria fired three rockets towards the Golan Heights. The Israeli military said two projectiles landed inside Syria and a third in an open area.

Then, on Dec. 15, the IDF said it intercepted a UAV on its way to Israeli territory over Lebanese-controlled waters in the Mediterranean Sea. Subsequently, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq published a statement taking credit for the attack, saying it achieved a direct hit on a vital target in the Mediterranean Sea a few days ago.

Comparatively, Iranian-backed militias, particularly the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, have claimed nearly three dozen attacks against American troops in Iraq and Syria in December, according to an internal FDDs Long War Journal tally.

For example, on Dec. 30, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq published a statement claiming responsibility for attacking U.S. troops stationed at al-Harir air base in the Erbil Governorate, Iraq.

It was the second time in less than 24 hours that the group claimed to have attacked U.S. troops stationed at al-Harir.

Consequently, Israel and the United States have conducted retaliatory strikes against the militias and the IRGC.

On Dec. 2, Israeli airstrikes killed two IRGC officers on the outskirts of Damascus. The officers were identified as Mohammed Ali Ataei Shoorcheh and Panah Taghizadeh, who were in Syria on an advisory mission, according to an IRGC statement. Weeks later, on Dec. 26, Israel killed Razi Mousavi, a senior officer in Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, in an airstrike in the Syrian capital of Damascus.

The day before, on Dec. 25, the U.S. military launched airstrikes in Iraq against Hezbollah Brigades, an Iranian proxy, and allied militias after three U.S. soldiers were wounded, including one critically, when a drone struck a U.S. airbase in Erbil.

The occurrence of Israeli airstrikes leading to the elimination of three senior IRGC members in Syria, alongside members of Lebanese Hezbollah and their affiliates, cannot be considered as mere happenstance. It is evident that Israel intends to convey a strong message to Iran, Hezbollah, and their associated militias that a red line has been crossed and engaging in hostile actions against the Jewish state will elicit a retaliatory act.

Joe Truzman is a research analyst at FDD's Long War Journal focused primarily on Palestinian militant groups and Hezbollah. Bill Roggio is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Editor of FDD's Long War Journal.

Are you a dedicated reader of FDD's Long War Journal? Has our research benefitted you or your team over the years? Support our independent reporting and analysis today by considering a one-time or monthly donation. Thanks for reading! You can make a tax-deductible donation here.
The site of an extensive tunnel network where a Hamas headquarters was located in northern Gaza. (Screenshot of IDF video)

The IDF destroyed a Hamas headquarters in northern Gaza. The command center, which was located within a tunnel network, had electricity and other amenities, illustrating the extensive and sophistication of tunnels underneath Gaza. The IDF said in a statement that the headquarters was linked to an apartment used by Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.

The unveiling of the apartment and tunnel complex comes as Israel has gained control of swaths of territory in northern Gaza where it has also defeated Hamas battalions. This provides additional opportunity to uncover and further investigate Hamas terrorist infrastructure. The December 29 statement on the Sinwar apartment and tunnel complex says that the IDFs 14th Reserve Brigade was involved in locating and destroying the site. The IDF used its elite Yahalom combat engineers to examine the apartment and uncover a tunnel shaft. The soldiers inspected the tunnel shaft and reached a significant tunnel that is apparently used by the senior officials of Hamas military and political wing, the IDF said.



Footage released by the IDF showed the investigation of the tunnels. An infographic also shows how the tunnels branch out to civilian homes. The tunnels were 60 feet deep, and they had their own sewage so people could live in them for extended periods of time. The tunnel was built so that it would be possible to stay inside it and conduct combat from it for long periods of time, the IDF said in a statement. Footage of the tunnel complex being destroyed also shows that it was near the Mediterranean Sea, north of the port of Gaza.

In southern Gaza, the IDF also continued to expand operations. It had already expanded operations this week from Khan Yunis to areas in central Gaza around Al Bureij. It has now moved into Gazan villages near the Israeli border between Khan Yunis and Israel. These areas were left unsecured during the rapid dash by the IDFs 98th Division into Khan Yunis in early December which included paratroopers and commandos backed by tanks. Elements of the IDF 5th Brigade under the Gaza Division are now operating in Khirbat Ikhzaa which is on the border with Israel. The IDF said this is the point from where Hamas terrorists embarked on their October 7 attack in Israel. The IDF also committed soldiers from the Kfir Brigade to support existing operations in Khan Yunis.

On the humanitarian front in Gaza, Israel also sought to highlight the transfer of medical supplies into Gaza. Since the war began, around 1.5 million people in Gaza have been displaced by fighting, and humanitarian concerns have been at the forefront of discussions at the UN. In addition, countries in the region have sent support for field hospitals, such as Jordan conducting air drops and the UAE supplying a hospital via Egypt.

Israels Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) said on December 29 that 49,000 doses of various vaccines have been transported into Gaza. The transfer was coordinated with UNICEF (the United Nations Childrens Fund), COGAT said. The residents of the Gaza Strip will receive the vaccinations from UN aid organizations and international medical organizations, who are operating in coordination with Israel as part of the humanitarian effort on behalf of the Gaza Strips residents, the statement noted. It also said that an addition 80,000 vaccine doses had been donated by UNICEF and also entered Gaza. These vaccines are against measles, mumps, and rubella, the COGAT statement said.

Israel also responded to an uptick in Hezbollah threats on the northern front from December 25 to 28. The IDF struck a Hezbollah terrorist cell that had launched anti-tank missiles, and Israeli warplanes carried out large strikes against other Hezbollah sites. IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari highlighted the strikes in Lebanon against Hezbollah during an evening briefing on December 29. Sirens sounded in more than a dozen northern Israeli communities throughout the day, due to continued attacks by Hezbollah. In the evening of December 29, sirens also sounded in the Golan near the Syrian border.

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.
The U.S. Department of Justice has arrested an American citizen living in Egypt, who traveled to Kenya to join Shabaab, al-Qaedas branch in East Africa, in the wake of Hamas brutal Oct. 7 terror attack and massacre in southern Israel. Karrem Nasr, a resident of New Jersey, has been charged with material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization.

Nasr was motivated by the heinous terrorist attack perpetrated by Hamas on October 7, devoted himself to waging violent jihad against America and its allies, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in the DoJ press release that accompanied the criminal complaint.

Nasr was bent on joining and training with al Shabaab so that he could execute his jihadist mission of death and destruction and prepared to kill and be killed to support the jihadist cause, Williams said. [I]n his own words, he described America as evil and the head of the snake.

The FBI penetrated Nasrs plot with the help of a confidential informant who was posing as a facilitator for terrorist organizations. The FBI provided screenshots of communications on X (formerly Twitter) between the confidential informant and Nasr in which the latter expressed his support for jihad and his desire to conduct terrorist attacks on U.S. soil.

Nasr traveled to Egypt sometime in July 2023, and after the Oct. 7 attack on Israel, he reportedly decided to actively wage jihad. He took specific steps to join and receive military training from al-Shabaab, including making flight and lodging reservations for travel to Kenya, where he planned to meet members of al Shabaab for further travel to Somalia to join and train with the group, according to the DoJ. On Dec. 14, Nasr flew to Kenya, with the intent of meeting Shabaab handlers and to then cross the border into Somalia to receive training.

Kenyan authorities immediately arrested Nasr upon his arrival at Nairobis Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and transferred him to U.S. custody.

Shabaab attempting to mobilize jihadists worldwide

Since the Hamas-led invasion of Israel, Shabaab has publicly celebrated the mass murder of Israelis and Jews. In doing so, it hoped to mobilize supporters around the world to take action by capitalizing on the collective anger. Todays charges show that this strategy is working.

In official statements, it has put forth such celebrations of the Palestinian militants as we salute all the brave heroes, the brave commandos, and all those stationed in the Holy Land, and we say to all of them: May God reward you with good on behalf of the Islamic Ummah [worldwide Islamic community], and may God reward you for your jihad and your noble deeds.

On the ground inside southern and central Somalia  where it still maintains control over vast swaths of Somali territory  it even hosted pro-Palestine rallies, wherein men, women, and children are seen holding signs that say such slogans as Our hearts are in Palestine, our bodies are in Somalia and We say to the whole world: the Palestinian issue is our issue.

Shabaab, much like other al-Qaeda branches, put the fighting in Gaza within the context of the global jihad.

For instance, in one of Shabaabs communiques it also stated that this battle with the criminal Jews is not just the battle of the Islamic factions in the land of Palestine in particular, but rather the battle of the entire Muslim Ummah.

As such, according to the Somali group, Muslims must gather and offer everything they can to support the mujahideen against the Jews and their hypocritical infidel allies. The strength of this nation lies in the strength of its jihadist fronts.

To note, al-Qaeda has little to do with hostilities inside Israel or Palestine (despite nominal affiliations with small Gaza-based units such as Jaysh al-Ummah). However, the group and its various branches and allies around the world often seek to capitalize on the collective anger among the wider Muslim world over the conflict for its own benefit.

Al-Qaeda has also targeted Israeli and Jewish targets globally in the past, including in East Africa, wherein it targeted Israeli commercial aircraft and a hotel in Mombasa, Kenya, in 2002. Those involved in those attacks would also go on to help found Shabaab.

The various statements from al-Qaeda global branches show that while al-Qaeda has taken a hardline approach against the Muslim Brotherhood, of which Hamas is the Palestinian representative, it nevertheless celebrates Hamas recent mass killings of Jews.

Shabaab, for its part, has also proven itself to be one of the more active al-Qaeda branches at supporting, planning, and fomenting acts of terror abroad for the global organization.

For instance, it pioneered the use of a laptop bomb smuggled onto an aircraft in 2016. In 2019, one of its members was arrested in the Philippines, where he was taking flight lessons in support of a 9/11-style operation.

A second Shabaab member was arrested in an unspecified African country undergoing similar training in 2020. And though the exact reasons for their presence in Costa Rica is so far unclear, two Shabaab members have been arrested in the Central American country this year, including the son of a senior leader.

And as shown by the case of Karrem Nasr, Shabaab is attempting to now use the collective anger over the fighting in Gaza to recruit, mobilize, and prepare individuals to commit acts of terror for al-Qaedas wider jihad.

Bill Roggio is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Editor of The Long War Journal. Caleb Weiss is a research analyst at FDD's Long War Journal and a senior analyst at the Bridgeway Foundation, where he focuses on the spread of the Islamic State in Central Africa.

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.
2023 was a big year for films. Following the post-Covid slump (in which many productions were either delayed or cancelled), some speculated that the industry might take much longer to recover - if it would fully recover at all. But its been a year of surprises: huge productions and indie hits, some welcome surprises and some disappointing letdowns.

Welcome surprises

Dumb Money somehow flew under the radar of most despite its ensemble cast and their grasp of the assignment. Looking back at the 2021 Gamestop stock short squeeze (when internet denizens bought heaps of the retailers stock as a meme), the film takes its cues from The Big Short (2015) but wisely retains the rebellious, internet-borne character of the whole sequence of events. Diamond hands!

I thought Strange Way of Life would be little more than a glorified commercial for Yves Saint Laurent. But the tongue-in-cheek melodrama, played in an exaggerated manner by Ethan Hawke and Pedro Pascal, imbues it with a unique soap opera feel in which two cowboys must navigate their steamy, passionate love for one another. It does help that they are both extremely stylish in it, too.

Spine tinglers of the year

I love horror films - especially the foggy, gothic, melancholic kind. The Eternal Daughter , a ghost story straight out of Victorian times starring Tilda Swinton as a mother-daughter pair, is all about creepy mansions and ghostly visions and feeling a little off. It featured at this years British and Irish Film Festival , wore its classic ghost story influence on its sleeve and really made my Halloween that much spookier.

Beau is Afraid , though, remains an actual waking nightmare. From the mind of Ari Aster (Hereditary, Midsommar) and starring Joaquin Phoenix, rarely has a horror film been so difficult to sit through and make sense of. The whole thing is suspended in the uncanniest kind of dream logic and has real potential to give you a panic attack. Its great!

Barbenheimer revisited

Barbenheimer (the joint release of Barbie and Oppenheimer ) was the cinematic event of the year. People flocked to theatres in droves dressed in pink while others became overnight experts on particle physics. It honestly reminded me of the summer Pokemon Go came out: there was life in peoples eyes and everyone seemed happy to be out of the house.

But all things, even Barbenheimer, shall pass - and now might be the best time to re-evaluate the two films independently. Ive spoken to many whove outright said that Greta Gerwigs Barbie felt more like a one-off meme; that once youve seen the film, it immediately leaves your system.

Christopher Nolans Oppenheimer, by comparison, has staying power. Dense and unflinching in its portrayal of the eponymous physicist, its scope is difficult to digest in a single viewing - in other words, it stays with you for longer. So while Barbie was a fun one-off, Oppenheimer (like a healthy dose of gamma radiation) will stick with you long after youve been exposed to it.

Failing to live up to potential

Director David Fincher has an incredible track record when it comes to making dark, blood-soaked murder thrillers - and this years The Killer is certainly all that. But Ive since rewatched and re-compared it to his previous classics (Se7en (1995), Fight Club (1997), Gone Girl (2014)) and I just dont think its anywhere close. Its methodical and gripping, yes, but given the strong competition, it might just be my least favourite Fincher thriller.

Alarm bells sounded when director Ridley Scott, in the lead-up to Napoleon s release, berated interviewers for asking about the films historical accuracy . And while a little bit of artistic licence should always be permitted in film, the end result is a confusing mix of fact and fiction.

Dont get me wrong: Joaquin Phoenix is fantastic in the biopic, but for every historical event theres also exaggerated or fictional ones. After reading about all the crazy things Napoleon really did in his lifetime (nerd alert), I dont get why Scott so muddled the facts when the real course of events was so dramatic and interesting.

Honourable mentions

These are films that I didnt get a chance to review for the Luxembourg Times, but thoroughly enjoyed nonetheless.

Technically, Godland was released late last year - but I only got around to seeing it in early 2023. Directed by Hlynur Palmason, it concerns a Danish priest who travels to Iceland in the late 19th century and has his faith tested by the harsh conditions and bleak landscape. Being from Iceland, I can sympathise with him. But because it nevertheless is an incredibly stark and effective landscape portrait - and because it was recently shortlisted for the 2024 International Feature Film Oscar - I cannot fail to mention it.

Skinamarink (available through Shudder) is unlike anything else currently out there. Directed by Kyle Edward Ball (whose expertise lies in a very specific kind of internet horror ), this lingering and understated found-footage film might be one of the most unnerving things Ive seen - which in horror terms is great praise indeed. You wont sleep with the lights off after this one.

This years top picks

Whats remarkable about Martin Scorsese is that with each new release, it feels like hes finally hit his full stride. But as Killers of the Flower Moon presents its subject in such a dense, careful and sophisticated manner, you realise that not only has he still got it - Scorsese has been in full stride for decades. An incredible historical film to be watched again and again, the runtime is more than worth sitting down for.
People who worry excessively about their health tend to die earlier than those who dont, a recent study from Sweden has found. It seems strange that hypochondriacs who, by definition, worry yet have nothing wrong with them, should enjoy shorter lifespans than the rest of us. Lets find out more.

First, a word about terminology. The term hypochondriac is fast becoming pejorative. Instead, we medical professionals are encouraged to use the term illness anxiety disorder (IAD). So, to avoid triggering our more sensitive readership, we ought to use this term.

We can define IAD as a mental health condition characterized by excessive worry about health, often with an unfounded belief that a serious medical condition is present. It may be associated with frequent visits to a doctor, or it may involve avoiding them altogether on the grounds that a real and quite possibly fatal condition might be diagnosed.

The latter variant strikes me as quite rational. A hospital is a dangerous place, and you can die in a place like that.

IAD can be quite debilitating. A person with the condition will spend a lot of time worrying and visiting clinics and hospitals. It is costly to health systems because of time and diagnostic resources used and is quite stigmatizing.

Busy healthcare professionals would much rather spend time treating people with real conditions and can often be quite dismissive. So can the public.

Now, about that study

The Swedish researchers tracked around 42,000 people (of whom 1,000 had IAD) over two decades. During that period, people with the disorder had an increased risk of death. (On average, worriers died five years younger than those who worried less.) Furthermore, the risk of death was increased from both natural and unnatural causes. Perhaps people with IAD have something wrong with them after all.

People with IAD dying of natural causes had increased mortality from cardiovascular causes, respiratory causes and unknown causes. Interestingly, they did not have an increased mortality from cancer. This seems odd because cancer anxiety is rife in this population. The principal cause of unnatural death in the IAD cohort was from suicide, with at least a fourfold increase over those without IAD.

So how do we explain these curious findings?

IAD is known to have a strong association with psychiatric disorders. As suicide risk is increased by psychiatric illness, then this finding seems quite reasonable. If we add in the fact that people with IAD may feel stigmatized and dismissed, then it follows that this may contribute to anxiety and depression, leading ultimately to suicide in some cases.

The increased risk of death from natural causes seems less easy to explain. There may be lifestyle factors. Alcohol, smoking and drug use are more common in anxious people and those with a psychiatric disorder. It is known that such vices can limit ones longevity and so they may contribute to the increased mortality from IAD.

IAD is known to be more common in those who have had a family member with a serious illness. Since many serious illnesses have a genetic component, there may be good constitutional causes for this increase in mortality: lifespan is shortened by faulty genes.

What can we learn?

Doctors need to be alert to the underlying health problems of patients and must listen with greater care. When we are dismissive of our patients, we can often be badly caught out. People with IAD may well have a hidden underlying disorder  an unpopular conclusion, I accept.

Perhaps we can illustrate this point with the case of the French novelist, Marcel Proust. Proust is often described by his biographers as a hypochondriac, yet he died in 1922 at the age of 51 at a time when the life expectancy of a Frenchman was 63.

During his life, he complained of numerous gastrointestinal symptoms such as fullness, bloating and vomiting, yet his medical attendants could find little wrong. In fact, what he described is consistent with gastroparesis.

This is a condition in which motility of the stomach is reduced and it empties more slowly than it should, causing it to overfill. This can lead to vomiting and with that comes a risk of inhaling vomit, leading to aspiration pneumonia and Proust is known to have died of complications of pneumonia.

Finally, a word of caution: writing about IAD can be quite risky. The French playwright Moliere wrote Le Malade Imaginaire (The Imaginary Invalid), a play about a hypochondriac called Argan who tries to get his daughter to marry a doctor in order to reduce his medical bills. As for Moliere, he died at the fourth performance of his work. Mock hypochondriacs at your peril.

Stephen Hughes is a Senior Lecturer in Medicine at Anglia Ruskin University in Chelmsford, UK.

This article was originally published in The Conversation.

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A man was shot and killed in Boston early Saturday, according to authorities.

Officers responded to a report of a person shot in the area of 417 Geneva Ave. in the Dorchester neighborhood of the city shortly after 12:50 a.m. Saturday, the Boston Police Department said in a statement.

When officers arrived, they found the man suffering from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the departments statement.

No arrests have been made, the department said.

Police did not disclose the mans identity to the public.

The departments Homicide Unit is actively reviewing the facts and circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting. Anyone with information is urged to contact the unit at (617) 343-4470.

Community members who wish to help the investigation anonymously can do so by calling the Crime Stoppers tip line at 1 (800) 494-TIPS or by texting the word TIP to CRIME (27463). The department said it will stringently guard and protect the identities of all those who wish to help this investigation in an anonymous manner.

For those who need emotional support or to talk with someone about distressing events in the community, the Boston Neighborhood Trauma Team provides free, private support at all hours at 617-431-0125.

Editors note: The man was shot on Saturday, not Friday.
Police officers encountered gunfire and a barricaded suspect while responding to a fire in Boston early Saturday, according to authorities.

Officers responded to the fire at 50 Fairlawn Ave. in the Mattapan neighborhood of the city shortly before 11:40 a.m. Saturday. When police arrived, there were active flames and a shot was fired, Officer Jason Villanueva, a spokesperson for the Boston Police Department, told MassLive.

We dont know at who, but a shot was let off, Villanueva said, noting police are still at the scene responding to the emergency.

Read more: Man shot and killed in Boston

A Code 99 was declared, which means there is a special threat situation involving a barricaded suspect, according to Villanueva.

There has yet to be any injuries reported, Villanueva said.

Everything is at a standstill right now, said Villanueva, who is at the scene.
A 28-year-old woman was killed in a crash on Route 140 in New Bedford on Friday, according to authorities.

Julia Luiz was identified as the New Bedford woman killed in the multi-vehicle crash on the highway Friday afternoon, Bristol District Attorney Thomas Quinns Office said in a statement.

Massachusetts State Police responded to 911 calls around 5:10 pm Friday about the multi-vehicle crash just before exit 3 on Route 140, according to the statement.

Law enforcements preliminary investigation revealed Luiz was driving a Toyota Camry when it apparently became disabled in the left lane. She was outside her car in the roadway when a 63-year-old New Bedford man driving a Toyota RAV4 struck her vehicle, the district attorneys office detailed.

Moments later, a Toyota Camry driven by a 58-year-old Rochester man also hit Luizs disabled car, according to Quinns office.

Luiz died as a result of the crash. None of the other drivers were seriously injured, the district attorneys office said.

Read more: RI man faces negligence charge in Foxborough YMCA crash that hurt 4 children

The investigation into the crash is active and ongoing. No criminal charges have been filed, Quinns office noted.
A former acting New Bedford fire chief was killed after shooting at police outside a bar in Fairhaven on Friday, according to authorities.

Paul Coderre, 55, of Dartmouth, opened fire at police Friday afternoon outside the Bayside Lounge at 125 Sconticut Neck Road in Fairhaven, where he had been drinking with friends and had gotten into an altercation earlier. The forming acting fire chief, who was intoxicated, was subsequently shot and killed during the exchange of gunfire with officers, Bristol District Attorney Thomas Quinn said at a press conference Friday night recorded by WCVB.

An Acushnet police officer was also shot in the leg during the exchange of fire. He was taken to a nearby hospital and has since been treated and released, according to the district attorney.

Read more: RI man faces negligence charge in Foxborough YMCA crash that hurt 4 children

[He] is in good spirits despite the life-threatening situation, Quinn said about the officer.

Quinn confirmed Coderre was a deputy chief at the New Bedford Fire Department. The departments Facebook page also indicates he served as acting chief as recently as 2019.

Authorities received a report of an intoxicated man at the Bayside Lounge around 4:30 p.m. Friday. Coderre had been drinking with friends in the bar and grill and was reported to be intoxicated, according to the district attorney.

Read more: Three high schoolers help rescue distressed driver who crashed in Arlington

There was an altercation inside the lounge that led Coderre to go outside. He tried to get into his vehicle but was stopped by someone, Quinn said.

Officers tried for a period of time to speak with Coderre, who had a gun, and worked to deescalate the situation. Police attempted several times to use non-deadly force to subdue Coderre, tasing him at one point, according to the district attorney.

However, those attempts to subdue Coderre were not successful, and at one point, he fired his gun at officers. Police then returned fire, the district attorney detailed.

Read more: Human bone found near Blue Hills Reservation in Milton sparks investigation

And as a result of that, Paul Coderre died, Quinn said.

Along with Fairhaven police, officers from the Acushnet Police Department and the Mattapoisett Police Department also responded to the scene and were present during the exchange of fire, according to Quinn.

I would just say that this again highlights the dangers that police officers face every day when responding to these types of situations, especially with the potential for violence. Individual possessions of firearms certainly puts their lives in danger, the district attorney said.
A person was killed in a fire Saturday morning at a Braintree home that had no working smoke alarms, authorities said.

The fatal Saturday morning fire on Hobart Avenue in Braintree claimed the life of an older adult. The persons name is not being released to the public by authorities at this time, the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services noted in a statement.

The exact cause of the fire has yet to be determined. A joint investigation by the Braintree Fire Department, the Braintree Police Department and Massachusetts State Police is looking at accidental causes, according to the statement.

Read more: Man shot and killed in Boston

Investigators found no working smoke alarms at the scene of the fire, the statement noted.

We want to emphasize for all our residents how important it is to have working smoke alarms on every level of your home, the Department of Fire Services said.

The Braintree Fire Department received a 911 call shortly after 4 a.m. Saturday from someone who was driving past 29 Hobart Ave., saw flames coming from the home and told firefighters, There is a fire, according to a statement from the department.

Firefighters quickly arrived and found heavy fire and smoke at the address. Braintree Fire Deputy Chief James OToole immediately ordered a second alarm and called additional crews to the scene, the departments statement said.

Crews tried to attack the fire from the interior of the home, but extreme heat and falling debris in the structure forced them back at first. Once firefighters pushed into the building, they worked to suppress the blaze and searched for life safely amid the intense heat and smokiness, the department said.

Once the fire was brought under control, crews searched the structure a second time and discovered an individual in a closet in a room covered by clothing. The person, who was the homeowner, was dead. Their name is not being released at this time pending notification of their next of kin, according to the department.

No other residents were in the home at the time of the fire, the statement noted.
Sofia, 6 years-old, center, a members of a traditional bear pack takes part in a parade before performing in a festival in Moinesti, northern Romania, Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023.

Centuries ago, people in what is now northeastern Romania donned bear skins and danced to fend off evil spirits. That custom is today known as the Dancing Bears Festival, drawing crowds of tourists every December.

Hundreds of people of all ages, clad in bear costumes, dance every year around Christmas to the deafening beat of drums and roam villages and towns. The highlight of this years festival falls on Dec. 30, with bear-clad dancers descending on the town of Comanesti, in eastern Romania, for the finale.

Members of the Sipoteni bear pack perform a ritual dance in Racova, northern Romania, Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023. Vadim Ghirda (AP)

Visitors come from as far as Japan to see the spectacle, featuring lines of people in costumes with gaping bear jaws and claws marching and dancing. Giant red pompom decorations are usually added to the furs. Some of the bears jokingly growl or pretend to attack the spectators.

Locals say the custom dates back to the pre-Christianity era, when people believed that wild animals staved off misfortune or danger. Dancing bears visited peoples homes and knocked on their doors to wish them good luck and a Happy New Year.

Members of the Sipoteni bear pack strike the final pose of their performance in Preluci, northern Romania, Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023, while touring village homes. Vadim Ghirda (AP)

The bear runs through our veins, it is the spirit animal for those in our area, said Costel Dascalu, who started taking part in the festival when he was 8. At the time, Romania was still under communist rule and the festival was relatively low-key.

I want to keep the tradition alive, the 46-year-old added. When the holiday season approaches, he joked, our breath smells like bears, and we get goose bumps when we hear the sound of drums.

Romanian gendarmes pose for a photograph with members of the Sipoteni bear pack after watching their performance in Racova, northern Romania, Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023. Andreea Alexandru (AP)

Residents are happy that the tradition has lived on after many Romanians left the region in the 1990s to look for better jobs in Western Europe.

Brown bears are widely present in Romanias traditions and culture, and the animals can often be seen by mountain roads and in forests. Excessive bear hunting prompted the authorities to issue a ban in 2016.

A member of the Sipoteni bear pack loads his costume on a bus, in Comanesti, northern Romania, Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023, before touring villages in the area to perform the bear dance ritual. Andreea Alexandru (AP)

Participants in the festival say most of the bear skins they use as costumes have been preserved for generations and treated with great care.

Wearing a full-sized bear fur isnt easy: Including the head and claws, the costume could weigh up to 50 kilograms (110 pounds). The most expensive bear skins can cost some 2,000 euros ($2,200), according to local media.

A member of the Sipoteni bear pack sits on a bus in Racova, northern Romania, Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023, while touring villages to perform the bear dance ritual. Andreea Alexandru (AP)

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Maine State Police are continuing to search for a person of interest named in the death of a liquor store employee in Waterville earlier this week, authorities said.

Spirdal Hubiak, 20, of Waterville, was named as a person of interest in the death of an employee at Damons Beverage on Jefferson Street on Thursday. Law enforcement are asking the public to be on the lookout for the man, who may be armed, according to a statement from Maine State Police.

A warrant for Hubiaks arrest on the charge of murder has been issued. Investigators believe he left the state. Efforts to locate him are under way, the statement detailed.

State police described Hubiak as a man in his early twenties with dark hair. He drives a 2010 black Ford Taurus with Maine registration plate 4666ZR.

If you see this individual and/or vehicle, do not approach, state police said.

Anyone who sees Hubiak and/or his car is urged to call state police at (207) 624-7076 or the Waterville Police Department at (207) 680-4700.

Officers responded shortly after 4:30 a.m. Thursday to a call from Damons Beverage, where an employee of the business discovered the body of a co-worker inside. Waterville police called the state police Major Crimes Unit for assistance, according to state police.

The employees body was taken to the Maine Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta, where an autopsy was expected to be conducted Friday. The individuals name is currently being withheld, state police said.

Investigators developed Hubiak, who also worked at Damons Beverage, as a person of interest in the employees death, according to state police.
In another winter, in another context, we could evaluate the Red Soxs signing of Lucas Giolito for what it is: a solid addition designed to deepen the clubs rotation and provide much-needed innings.

But this isnt any winter, and thus, its far more complicated than that.

Giolito makes the Red Sox better in 2024, because the bar for the starting rotation has been set so low. Bostons starters ranked 22nd among all major league teams with a 4.68 ERA, well below average. By that standard, almost any addition would move the needle somewhat for the Sox.

And despite a subpar 2023 (8-15, 4.88), Giolito is decidedly better than average. Three times from 2019-2021, he collected votes for the AL Cy Young Award. Hes durable, too, having made 29 or more starts in every one of the last five full-length seasons.

However, Giolito currently profiles as a mid-rotation option. A solid one, to be sure, but not anyone whos regarded as a front-of-the-rotation arm.

And that, as anyone who watched the Red Sox over the last two seasons, is what the Red Sox desperately needed this winter.

The Red Sox were not a factor in the bidding for Aaron Nola. They made a presentation to Yoshinobu Yamamoto, but Yamamoto never really considered them strongly, as evidenced by his decision to bypass Boston in his east coast tour of clubs. And theres little evidence to suggest that the Sox are major players for either Blake Snell or Jordan Montgomery.

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Which means that, barring some unforeseen trade, Giolito is the teams biggest starting pitching move of this offseason at a time when the Red Sox needed more.

Theyre unsure of how much they can depend on Chris Sale, who hasnt made 25 or more starts since 2019. They know that they have a highly talented homegrown starter in Brayan Bello, but its unclear whether Bello is ready to assume to mantle of ace.

After that? The Red Sox have plenty of quantity, but are decidedly lacking in quality. Perhaps from among Garrett Whitlock, Tanner Houck, Nick Pivetta and Kutter Crawford, there exists a dependable, above-average starter. But none of the aforementioned candidates has demonstrated that for an extended period of time.

So, for now, the Red Sox head into the 2024 season with a rotation headed by a fragile one-time ace, and a 24-year-old with plenty of upside, but just 39 career starts in the majors to his credit.

Which leads us to Giolito, who weathered a season of upheaval in 2023.

Giolito was 6-5, 3.45 at the All-Star break with the White Sox last season before everything unraveled for him. His wife filed for divorce, and weeks later, he was traded to the Los Angeles Angels. Giolitos season quickly nosedived. In six starts for the Angels, he compiled a 6.89 ERA.

WIth the Angels out of the race, he was put on waivers and claimed by Cleveland, but his performance didnt improve - in another six starts for the Guardians, he pitched to a 6.75 ERA.

An evaluator who knows Gioilito well predicts hell rebounded in Boston.

Thats a solid deal for Boston, with what the going rate for starters is, said the evaluator in the wake of the signing Friday night. Solid get. (The divorce) really derailed him. I think hell bounce back in a good way. Hes a comfort guy and now that he has some actual security, hell be fine.

Solid. Fine. Again, these would be welcome attributes for any pitching staff. A dozen or so wins, 170 innings and a sub-4.00 ERA are not to be dismissed out of hand and would actually represent a formidable addition to most starting rotations.

But more was expected, be it because of Tom Werners full throttle vow, or the general assumption that the Red Sox would spend aggressively this winter to vault themselves back into contention and, not incidentally, regain the trust of the fan base.

Instead, a move has been made in which a nice, complementary piece has been added.

If having Giolito as part of the rotation means that the Red Sox can hand the ball to someone who can usually be counted on for 170-plus innings and 200 or so strikeouts, thats an upgrade over the team crossing its fingers and hoping that this year is the year that either Whitlock or Houck (or both) figure things out.

Its not, however, the dramatic surge forward people were expecting. Its not a signing that screams that the Red Sox are back in business. Its not a statement signing.

What it is is a far more modest step forward. And while thats better than nothing, its not the kind of move to transform a pitching staff, or the kind of move that, by itself, elevates a last-place team out of the division basement.

And incremental improvement is not going to convince many that the outcome will be much different in 2024.
Less than 24 hours after agreeing to sign free agent righty Lucas Giolito, the Red Sox have made a shocking trade involving their starting rotation.

Boston has traded lefty Chris Sale and cash considerations to the Braves in exchange for infielder Vaughn Grissom, a source confirmed Saturday. ESPNs Jeff Passan, who first reported the deal, notes that Sale waived his no-trade clause to facilitate the trade. The deal is official.

An important factor in the deal was, as a source said Saturday, that the Red Sox are covering a good amount of Sales $27.5 million salary for 2024. The Boston Globes Alex Speier pegs that number at is $17 million. The move gives the Red Sox a significant amount of savings ($8.6 million for competitive balance tax purposes) while netting them a highly regarded young infielder in Grissom, who is likely to take over at second base on a full-time basis and has six years of control remaining.

A trade involving Sale didnt seem particularly likely before the winter because the Red Sox wanted to add rotation help, not subtract it. Ultimately, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said Saturday night, the deal with the Braves made too much sense not to pursue.

Anytime you trade someone like Sale, who has made such a meaningful contribution to this organization and was obviously an incredibly important part of a World Series winning team, its a really tough decision, Breslow said. The fact that I wasnt the chief baseball officer here (during Sales prime) didnt diminish that in my mind at all. So its something that I was very mindful of and very thoughtful of, but in the end, I felt like this was the decision that was best for the Red Sox both in the near term and the long term.

The move ends an up-and-down tenure in Boston for Sale, who was an All-Star in 2017 and 2018 before injuries derailed the final years of his time with the club. In his first two years after coming over in a blockbuster trade with the White Sox, Sale finished in the top four in American League Cy Young voting twice while posting a 3.08 ERA in 84 starts. The Sox then gave him a five-year, $145 million contract extension before the 2019 season, which was a struggle before ending prematurely due to injury. Due to Tommy John surgery and a series of injuries (some of the freak variety), Sale was limited to just 11 starts from 2020-22. In 2023, he posted a 4.30 ERA and recorded 125 strikeouts in 20 starts but missed two months with a shoulder injury. Manager Alex Cora had named him the teams Opening Day starter for 2024, though that obviously will no longer be the case.

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In 115 starts over seven seasons with the Red Sox, Sale posted a 46-30 record and 3.27 ERA while recording 945 strikeouts in 670  innings. His departure leaves a void in what will surely be a different-looking Red Sox rotation in 2023. With Giolito signed, the Sox can pencil him in along with Brayan Bello and a group that includes Nick Pivetta, Kutter Crawford, Garrett Whitlock and Tanner Houck. The money freed up by trading Sale may also be used to add more rotation help via free agency.

Grissom, 22, has 64 games of major league experience with the Braves since debuting last season. The former 11th-round pick has hit .287 with five homers, 27 RBIs and a .746 OPS as a big leaguer and profiles as Bostons second baseman of the future.

The right-handed hitting Grissom entered 2022 as the No. 12 prospect in a loaded Braves system with scouts excited about his contact ability and arm strength. He debuted that year and played well  including hitting his first career homer at Fenway Park in August  and spent 2023 bouncing between the majors and Triple-A, where he hit .330 with eight homers, 61 RBIs and a .921 OPS in 102 games. Grissom, who has the ability to play every infield position except first base, was blocked in the majors by Atlanta stalwarts Ozzie Albies, Orlando Arcia and Austin Riley. He wont have that problem in Boston where second base is wide open; he projects as the starter there with Enmanuel Valdez, Pablo Reyes and David Hamilton moving down the depth chart.

The unexpected Sale trade fills one hole (second base) for the Red Sox while opening up another in the rotation. The club could use its savings from Sales contract ($8.6 million) to increase its aggressiveness in the free agent market for starters or dangle a middle infield prospect (Nick Yorke or Marcelo Mayer) in trade talks involving a controllable starter. Theres also still a chance the club adds to its outfield mix; Teoscar Hernandez remains available on the free agent market and the Sox do have interest in him.

As a veteran of more than 10 major league seasons and five with the same club, Sale had a full no-trade clause he had to waive to facilitate the deal. Moving to a ready-made contender like the Braves, who play not too far from his home in southwest Florida, likely appealed to Sale.

He was quite appreciative and understanding of the position and the opportunity to influence the longer term outlook of this team and the chance to go to a team thats likely to compete for a World Series championship in the NL, Breslow said. I think he would probably say it was bittersweet because the organization has meant so much to him. He had very close relationships with the people here and in fact was very mindful of calling that out.

Those decisions are never easy. Those conversations are never easy. But Im super appreciative of the way that Chris approached it.

The Braves will hold a $20 million club option over Sale for 2025.
I hope everyone is having a good holiday season. As we head into the new year, Ive been feeling grateful for what we were able to accomplish in 2023, and I look forward to whats to come.

As we end the year, my teams schedule has been full of community celebrations of all the holidays. Tuesday morning, Team Velis visited Chicopee for the citys second annual flag-raising ceremony to mark the first day of Kwanzaa, a truly special event that showcased the incredible culture of our community. Wishing a happy Kwanzaa to all who celebrate!

This Thursday, I was honored to receive the Extreme Esteem Award from Self Esteem Boston, an organization that has a proven track record of helping Massachusetts residents through self-esteem education and training in technical skills. Its been a true pleasure to support the organization in the Legislature and I am incredibly grateful to have received this award.
A man is accused of stabbing another man in Worcester late Friday, leaving him with serious wounds, according to authorities.

The 43-year-old man who was stabbed Friday night on Main Street is being treated at the hospital for his serious wounds, according to a statement from the Worcester Police Department.

Thirty-five-year-old Jose Rivera, who lives on Main Street, was arrested on a charge of armed assault with intent to murder in connection with the stabbing. He was allegedly found with a knife with dried blood on it, the departments statement said.

Police were dispatched to the area of 765 Main St. shortly before 9:50 p.m. Friday in response to a report about the stabbing. When officers arrived, they found the wounded man and gave him medical aid until an ambulance took him to the hospital, according to the statement.

Detectives soon arrived at scene of the stabbing and began a follow-up investigation. After speaking with witnesses and viewing surveillance footage, police sent out a department email with a picture of a man, later identified as Rivera, and a woman who might have been involved in the assault, the statement said.

An officer was working a police detail in the area of Austin Street and Irving Street when he saw Rivera and the woman from the picture. The man is accused of refusing to show his hands or follow the officers commands, according to the department.

Read more: Man shot and killed in Boston

The officer waited for backup and then took Rivera into custody. A pat frisk allegedly revealed a knife with dried blood on it. The department alleges other evidence linking the man to the stabbing was found as well.
THE role Ballyglass played in the struggle for Irish freedom has been remembered in a new book that has been hailed as a remarkable piece of work.

The Troubled Times: In Ballyglass (Claremorris) during Irelands War of Independence, contains detailed information about the operations of the IRA in Ballyglass during the War of Independence and Civil War.

In the book, extensive first-hand testimonies from eight members of the Ballyglass IRA Company, were lauded by local county councillors Cyril Burke (Fine Gael) and Al McDonnell (Fianna Fail) at its launch in Castlebar library.

Sean Nestor, who co-authored the book alongside Joe Nestor, cited Dr John Langan as the inspiration for the book.

Dr Langan, a former solider who worked as a GP in the local area, was central to the formation of an Old IRA Commemorative Committee around 1967.

The committee organised various reunions for veterans of the conflict  which later became known as Dr Langans Do  that were attended by hundreds at the peak of their popularity.

During this time, the committee undertook to record the testimonies of several surviving members of the Ballyglass IRA Company on an old Elizabethan Poplar reel-to-reel tape recorder.

Sean Nestor paid tribute to Carmel Varley-Monaghan, who used a typewriter to transcribe the interviews with eight former Volunteers; Lieutenant Michael Staunton, Volunteer Patrick Quinn, Volunteer Jim Scahill, Volunteer Patrick Varley, Captain Patrick Keaveney, Lieutenant Michael Scahill and Quartermaster Malachy Casey.

Spanning 97 pages, the book also features writings from Dr Langan himself, which originally appeared in the Connaught Telegraph, documenting his boyhood recollections of the war years.

The booklet contains many fascinating insights and anecdotes into the war years in the Ballyglass area.

These details including the planning and execution of successful ambushes at Partry and Tourmakeady.

Dr Langan also recalls attending public address by Michael Collins in The Mall in Castlebar in 1922, a gathering so foul-tempered that Collins could barely be heard above the jeering and cat-calling.

The also book documents an ambush planned for Carnacon which never took place after an anticipated convoy never passed.

I have no doubt that very many of you have connections with the people who were involved, Sean Nestor told those gathered at the launch of the booklet.

Cllr Cyril Burke and Cathaoirleach of Castlebar MD, Cllr Al McDonnell, who both launched The Troubled Times, pictured with Carmel Monaghan, Rita Nestor(Representing Editor Joe Nestor), Sean Nestor(Editor), and Jim O'Connor (Local Studies Librarian). Pic:Trish Forde.

The Ballyglass Company was comprised of three sections; Ballyglass, Carnacon and Clogher.

At one point during the War of Independence, The Volunteers held control of Moorehall  the boyhood home of Colonel Maurice Moore, a former British Army officer who became a leading figure in the Volunteer movement.

Moorehall was subsequently burned down during the Civil War by men believed to be Anti-Treaty irregulars. Their exact identity has never been confirmed.

Former members of the Ballyglass IRA later erected a commemorative cairn at Maggie Ruanes cottage, the founding location of the original Ballyglass Sinn Fein Club.

They also erected a similar monument in honour of the Moore family at Kiltoom beside Moorehall in 1964.

Describing the book as a remarkable piece of work, Cllr Al McDonnell noted that many of the descendants of people mentioned in the book were present at the launch.

We owe them, those great men, a debt of gratitude, because without them we wouldnt be where we are, said the Moorehall-based representative.

Cllr McDonnell also acknowledged that many of the people mentioned took opposing sides during the Civil War after fighting side-by-side during the War of Independence.

There were great men on both sides and there was no greater republican, no more ruthless soldier than Michael Collins, absolutely ruthless, said Cllr McDonnell

The Civil War was the greatest tragedy in Irish history, there is no question about that.

The book is dedicated to the memory of PJ Murphy, who was described by Cllr Cyril Burke as a great community man.

The Troubled Times: In Ballyglass (Claremorris) during Irelands War of Independence is available now in various local outlets.
A day after launching one of the largest attacks on Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion, Russia claimed on Saturday that Kyiv launched 13 missiles and 32 drones on the Russian regions of Bryansk, Belgorod, Oryol, Kursk (near the border with Ukraine) and Moscow. Local authorities say several people were killed in the attack, including three children, while many more were injured.

The Russian Defense Ministry said its units in the area thwarted what it called an attempt by the Kyiv regime to carry out a terrorist attack. Authorities in the Belgorod region, which has already been targeted in raids by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, said that dozens of houses and power lines had been damaged in the attacks, and the water supply had been interrupted. The Ukrainian army has not commented on the attack on Russian territory, but did share a video on its Telegram channel, in which the sky over a city identified as Belgorod can be seen, as well as a fire in a building. Belgorod authorities have asked citizens to take shelter from possible new attacks.

Meanwhile, in Ukraine, the death toll from Russias attack on Friday continues to rise. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy,120 large and small cities were hit in the offensive. In Kyiv alone, 16 people were killed, while across the country, the toll is at least 31. The Dec. 29 attack has been the deadliest for Kyiv in terms of civilian casualties, the major of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, said on Saturday. Ukraine said Russia used drones and 160 projectiles in Fridays attack, including Shahed-136/131 missiles. Residents in the cities hit in the attack are now concerned about what may happen during celebrations for the New Year, which is an important traditional holiday in Ukraine.

In this photo taken from video released by Russia Emergency Situations Ministry telegram channel on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023, a building damaged after shelling is seen in Belgorod, Russia. AP/ LAPRESSE

Western analysts and officials believe that Russia has been reserving cruise missiles for the past few months to build up reserves and launch massive attacks during the winter, like the one on Friday. They also warn that Russia is launching drones and missiles in a bid to locate Ukraines anti-aircraft defenses and their blind spots. Indeed, none of the ballistic or cruise missiles launched by Moscows troops on Friday were intercepted. On Saturday, the Ukrainian General Staff said that Ukraines forces had shot down a dozen Iranian-made Shahed drones in the regions of Kherson, Khmelnytskyi and Mykolaiv.

Alexander Bogomaz, the governor of the Russian region of Bryansk, said that Saturdays attack was aimed at against civilian targets, and that one child had died. In Belgorod, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov reported that one man and two minors had been killed. The Russian army also said that it shot down a Ukrainian maritime drone that was heading to the Crimean Peninsula, which was illegally annexed by Russia in 2014. Several Kyiv intelligence reports said that one of the attacks targeted an electronics factory that Kremlin troops use to manufacture military equipment such as long-range missiles and anti-aircraft systems. According to Moscow, they were all civilian targets.

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Understanding the causal relationships of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder with mental disorders and suicide attempt: a network Mendelian randomisation study



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Understanding the causal relationships of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder with mental disorders and suicide attempt: a network Mendelian randomisation study - (https://mentalhealth.bmj.com/content/26/1/e300642)



The attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is an independent risk factor for major mental health issues such as depression , post-traumatic stress disorder, the eating disorder anorexia nervosa, and suicide attempts, according to research published in the journal).The researchers from the University of Augsburg in Germany recommended health professionals to be vigilant in a bid to ward off these disorders later on.ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition in children and teenagers that extends into adulthood in up to around two-thirds of cases. Worldwide, its prevalence is estimated to be around 5 percent in children/teenagers and 2.5 percent in adults.ADHD has been linked to mood and anxiety disorders in observational studies, but its not known if its causally associated with other mental ill health.The team aimed to establish potential links between ADHD and theand at least one suicide attempt.The team found "no evidence for a causal link between ADHD and bipolar disorder anxiety , or schizophrenia". "But there was evidence for a causal link with a heightened risk of anorexia nervosa (28 percent) and evidence that ADHD both caused (9 percent heightened risk) and was caused by (76 percent heightened risk) major clinical depression. "And after adjusting for the influence of major depression, a direct causal association with bothemerged," the researchers said."This study opens new insights into the paths between psychiatric disorders. Thus, in clinical practice, patients with ADHD should be monitored for the psychiatric disorders included in this study and preventive measures should be initiated if necessary," they said in the paper.Source-IANS
A masterpiece of aerodynamic engineering, the Spitfire was among the finest fighter aircraft of the Second World War. Military archaeologist Keith Robinson celebrates the iconic design.



Spitfire Solitaire  by Mark Bromley

Spitfires have hit the ground, touched the sea, bashed through trees, cut telegraph and high tension wires, collided in the air, been shot to pieces, had rudders and parts of wings fall off, and have yet made safe landings, with or without wheels. So wrote Australian Spitfire pilot John Vader.

R J Mitchell, the Supermarine Spitfires designer, learnt his trade during WWI. He was conscious of the fragility of the early planes, and always considered pilot safety in his designs. Even when designs were optimised for speed, such as those for the Schneider Trophy races, he never sacrificed his concern for the pilot. His masterpiece, the Spitfire, proved to be not only a beautiful plane much loved by its pilots, but also a robust and adaptable design.

It was, in fact, so adaptable that it was the only fighter in production before, through, and after the war. It eventually reached Mark 24, some of those marks being specialist Photo Reconnaissance (PR) planes, others reserved for the Navy and christened Seafire. Versions of the Spitfire were equipped with machine-guns, cannons, rockets, and bombs. It could be used at high altitude or adapted as a ground-attack plane (see images of Spitfire adaptations). Two marks were even tried with floats. By the end of the war, it had got through 13 different designs of propeller. In all, 20,351 Spitfires were produced for the RAF.

Mitchell

Mitchells search for an effective fighter-interceptor did not get off to a very good start. His Supermarine Type 224, with its steam-cooled Rolls-Royce Griffon engine, could only manage a top speed of 230mph, against the Air Ministrys rather modest specification, F7/30, for an all-metal, four-gun fighter, with a top speed of 250mph. This ugly duckling was nicknamed Spitfire by the managing director of Vickers Supermarine. Mitchell, however, was already working on a much superior design, the Type 300, and went into collaboration with Rolls-Royce, who were, themselves, working on a new engine, which would eventually become known as the Merlin. At first a private venture, it was taken up by the Air Ministry, whose fighter spec, F16/36, would be written around this design.

Work began on the 300 prototype, Air Ministry registration K5054, in December 1934, and it underwent its maiden test flight at Eastleigh, Southampton, on 5 March 1936, in the hands of Vickers chief test-pilot Joseph Mutt Summers.

K5054 had a narrow fuselage with wings that tapered to slender tips and were elliptical, and its cockpit was enclosed. Its undercarriage was set close together to lower stress on the wings, and the wheels swung outward to retract flush into wing cavities.

Suspension was provided by oleo legs, which were telescopically sprung on oil and air. A tail skid completed the technical arrangements for take-off and landing. The plane was originally fitted with a two blade, fixed-pitch wooden propeller and a Merlin C engine.

Unfortunately, Mitchell died of cancer in June 1937. He continued to work despite increasing pain, tweaking the design up to the moment of his death  earning himself the posthumous sobriquet the first of the few from the makers of his 1942 film biography. Before he died, however, he had seen his prototype fly.

Production design and future adaptations were, thereafter, the work of Mitchells long-time collaborator and successor Joseph Smith. It was Smith who oversaw the production trials at Martlesham Heath, but the Air Ministry, impressed with the prototype, had already ordered 310 Spitfires, and, despite the problems with Type 224, the name had stuck.

Spitfire Dawn  by Mark Bromley

Spitfire Mark I

After consultations with RAF technical experts, the armament for the new Spitfire fighter was settled on 8 Browning .303 machine guns. These were basically Colt .30s manufactured under licence but re-chambered to take the British rimmed cartridges.

They were placed four to a wing, a novel concept at the time, and designed to fire outside the circle of the propeller, doing away with the need for the interrupter gear of earlier aircraft. Smith also simplified the construction and design to make the Spitfire more amenable to mass production, and he finally brought Mitchells idea to a practical conclusion when the first Mark I, K9789, officially entered service with No 19 Squadron at RAF Duxford on 4 August 1938  though the first few planes had only four machine-guns, as there was a desperate shortage of Brownings.

The early Mark Is had a service ceiling of 31,900ft, and at 30,000ft could reach a speed of 315mph. Its maximum speed was 362mph at 18,500ft. Its maximum cruising speed, though, was 210mph at 20,000ft, and at economical speed its range was 575 miles. Its combat range was 395 miles, allowing for take-off and 15 minutes of fighting.

By the time the Spitfire had brought down its first German plane,a Heinkel He 111 bomber over the Firth of Forth on 16 October 1939, several improvements had been made to the Mark I. To its elliptical wings and all-metal monocoque body, where the skin is part of the planes structure rather than just a covering, had been added the bulged, or blister-shaped, cockpit, thereby completing the Spitfires classic profile.

Windscreen plastic had been replaced by armoured glass, armour plate was fitted at the rear of the engine bulkhead, a power-operated pump was installed to operate the undercarriage, and the tail-skid had been replaced by a wheel. The Merlin Mark II engines were giving way to the Mark III with its improved airscrew shaft, and the two-blade wooden propeller had been replaced by the De Havilland three-blade metal, two-pitch propeller, significantly enhancing performance, particularly in the climb.

Remodelling and rearming

Most of the Spitfires with which the RAF fought the Battle of Britain were Mark Is, but work had begun on a Mark II as soon as the first model had gone into production, and some were already in service as early as the summer of 1940.

There was little difference between the two marks, the main one being that the Mark II Spitfires were fitted with the Merlin XII engine, rated at 1150hp. The Spitfire Mark II had slower maximum and cruising speeds, but a faster climb rate, being able to reach 20,000ft in 7 minutes, and had an improved ceiling of 32,800ft. The Mark II had better protection for the pilot as well, with increased armour behind the pilots seat to protect his head.

Another early development which led to increased Spitfire variety was the production of different wing types to accommodate a range of different armament set-ups. The A wing was the original one designed to hold four .303 machine guns. The B wing was designed to accommodate the newly accepted Hispano-Suiza 20mm cannon, so each wing had one cannon and two .303 machine guns.

The C, or Universal, wing could accommodate either the A or B combinations, or an altogether new combination of two 20mm cannons. There was no D wing, but an E wing was created, which carried a 20mm cannon and a .50in machine gun.

Fifty Mark IBs were manufactured, but there were problems with feed to the cannon. By the time the Mark II was ready to enter service, this problem had been sorted. Of the 920 Mark IIs made, some 170 had the B-wing combination.

In the continual programme of updating and improving the Spitfire, the next most significant development was the Mark V, and with a production run of nearly 6,500, this was the most common type ever produced. They were manufactured mostly in the B and C versions. Some with the Universal wing were given four cannons and could carry one 500lb bomb or two 250lb bombs. They were also fitted with drop tanks of 115 or 175 gallons, significantly increasing endurance.

Spitfire Mark III Cutaway

Faster and higher

The Mark V Spitfires were powered by the Merlin 45 and 46 engines, producing 1470hp at 16,000ft. These new, more powerful Spitfires were the Air Ministrys response to the introduction of the Messerschmitt Me 109 F and the Focke-Wulf FW 190 in the spring of 1941, both of which clearly outclassed the Spitfire Mark II. The Mark VAs could reach a speed of 376mph at 19,500ft, at which height the Mark VBs speed was 369mph, whilst the Mark VCs reached 374mph at 13,000ft. The climb performance of the Mark Vs was improved, being able to reach 10,000ft in 3 minutes 6 seconds, and 30,000ft in 12 minutes 12 seconds. The Spitfires ceiling was also raised by some 2,000ft.

As plane performance improved on both sides, and as the number of roles aircraft were asked to perform increased, so the Spitfire proved its versatility as a new range of designations was introduced. Those Spitfires designed for high-altitude work were given the preface HF, those for low-altitude LF, and those for normal duties F. The HFs and LFs were given variations of the Merlin engine specifically designed for their tasks. The HFs were distinguishable by their extra long wing-tips, whereas the LFs had clipped wings.

Developments and adaptations continued to the end of the war, with the Mark IX taking over from the Mk V as the most commonly manufactured plane of the later series, with some 5,500 produced, of which more than 1,000 went to Russia. Increasing numbers of Spitfires were also being sent to the Middle Eastern and Far Eastern theatres.

Experiments had been ongoing with the new Rolls-Royce Griffon engines. The first of the production Spitfires with these engines was the Mark XII with the Griffon III or IV, followed by the Mark XIV with the 2050hp Griffon 65, driving a five-blade Rotol propeller. The Mark XIV had a maximum speed of 443mph at 30,000ft, and could reach a height of 12,000ft in just 2 minutes 51 seconds. It was a Mark XIV which was the first Allied plane to bring down a Messerschmitt Me 262, the worlds first operational jet fighter.

The appearance of the Me 262, however, showed the way to the future. After the war, designers everywhere turned to the production of jet-engined fighters. The Spitfires postwar service life was brief.

Spitfires At Rest  by Mark Bromley

This article was published in the April 2011 issue of Military History Matters. To find out more about the magazine and how to subscribe, click here.
The Blue Jays had interest in signing Gio Urshela this offseason, Sportsnets Ben Nicholson-Smith reports. It isnt known if Urshela is still on the Jays radar, as Nicholson-Smith notes that Torontos recent deal with Isiah Kiner-Falefa mightve already addressed the clubs apparent need in the utility infield market.

There hasnt been much buzz about Urshela this winter, which isnt surprising given the injury-shortened nature of the infielders season. Urshela didnt play after suffering a pelvic fracture in June, ending his 2023 campaign after 62 games with the Angels. Based on the initial timeline given for Urshelas recovery, he should be ready by the start of Spring Training, though there wasnt enough time remaining for him to both rehab his injury and ramp up prior to the end of the Angels regular-season schedule.

Urshela hit .299/.329/.374 over 228 PA with Los Angeles while bouncing around the diamond at all four infield positions. Most of Urshelas action came at third base in place of the injured Anthony Rendon, and the vast majority of Urshelas playing time in his eight MLB seasons has been as a third baseman. The Outs Above Average metric hasnt been a fan of Urshelas third base glovework while the Defensive Runs Saved (+10) and UZR/150 (+3.9) metrics have given positive grades to 4620 1/3 big league innings at the hot corner.

Urshela has also shown some quality at the plate, particularly when he hit .310/.359/.523 over 650 PA for the Yankees during the 2019-20 seasons. This rather unexpected breakout earned Urshela a regular spot in New Yorks infield mix, though a somewhat injury-marred down year made him expendable, and the Yankees dealt Urshela to the Twins as part of their big five-player swap in March 2022.

While Urshela didnt quite reach his offensive heights from his time with the Yankees, he still had a solid bounce-back year, hitting .285/.338/.429 in 551 PA in Minnesota. Despite these good numbers, the Twins dealt Urshela to L.A. last offseason, in part due to Minnesotas crowded infield picture and in part due to Urshelas escalating arbitration salary (a projected $9.2MM, which ended up being $8.4MM after he lost his arb hearing in search of a $10MM salary).

If healthy, the 32-year-old Urshela could be at least a decent signing for a team in need of infield help, with some higher-ceiling potential if Urshela can even replicate his 2022 numbers, let alone his two big Yankees years. It makes sense that the Blue Jays wouldve had him on their target list given their infield needs this winter, plus Toronto is quite familiar with Urshela due to his past time in their organization  he briefly played for the Jays in 2018, appearing in 19 games at the Major League level.

The Blue Jays plans at third base may hinge on whether or not the team can re-sign Matt Chapman, but if Chapman departs, it isnt out of the question that the Jays could still pursue Urshela even with Kiner-Falefa already in the fold. IKFs lack of offensive pop makes him an imperfect answer as a starting third baseman, so if Kiner-Falefa is viewed more as a utility piece, Urshelas higher-caliber bat and still-solid glove could make him a better option for a regular third base role.
INKSTER, MI  Two police officers and another person were injured Friday after a speeding Inkster Police Department patrol car crashed into a civilian vehicle.

The two officers as well as the driver of the other vehicle were all hospitalized but in stable condition, Michigan State Police officials said in a social media post Friday, Dec. 29.

The Inkster Police Department requested state police investigate the crash.

According to state police, the crash happened around 3 p.m. Friday on Beech Daly Street near Norfolk Street in Inkster.

Around that time, the Inskter police patrol car was traveling southbound on Beech Daly and over the speed limit when it struck a vehicle that was also southbound on Beech Daly but turning westbound onto Norfolk Street, state troopers said.

State police did not say how fast the patrol car was traveling. Troopers also didnt say whether the officers had their lights engaged or if they were responding to a call.

According to Google Maps, the speed limit in the area is 35 mph.

Impairment was not a factor in the crash, state police said. The two officers in the patrol car and the driver of the other vehicle were all wearing seatbelts.

Our reconstruction team will be conducting vehicle inspections and finishing up their investigation, Michigan State Police Lt. Mike Shaw.

We believe the use of seatbelts kept the injuries to all of the occupants minor and serves as a reminder to all of us, wear your seatbelt.
Anthony Loffredo, also known as The Black Alien (35 years-old), announced last week his decision not to continue with his body transformation plan to look like a being from another planet. In an Instagram post, the Frenchman explained that the project had lost all meaning to him and that he was done altering his body. He plans to conclude his metamorphosis with a full cover-up, applying black ink to every inch of his skin. The body modifications he had done so far include finger amputation, the removal of ears and parts of the nose and lips, skull implants, the removal of parts of his dermis, the removal of his scalp and ink injections in the outer membrane of his eyeballs. Still, with all this, Loffredo considered his transformation to be at 65%.

These types of interventions are called extreme body modifications: voluntary, unconventional alterations with little social acceptance. They often require specialized surgical procedures and may be irreversible. What distinguishes them from other, less drastic modifications, such as common piercings or tattoos, is their radical nature: scarifications, subdermal implants, amputations or eye tattoos. The social perception of these practices varies considerably between cultures. With his 1.4 million followers, Loffredo established himself as one of the most recognized icons in the world of extreme body modification. He considers himself an artist, and his own body is the medium through which he expresses his art. He has described his body transformation project as a boundless artistic evolution in which he is both the creator and the work.

The story of The Black Alien has generated a social commotion due to both his appearance and his decision to stop the process before completing his metamorphosis. The multiple comments on social media  often callous  reflect this judgment, ignoring the fact that the next procedure that Loffredo had planned was the amputation of a leg in order to replace it with a biomechanical prosthesis. Youtuber Rene ZZ, who has more than 1.5 million subscribers on his channel, criticized Loffredos lack of consistency: He abandons everything, to the point of also abandoning his only constant project  destroying his life to look like an alien. In other, more positive comments, a key aspect has stood out: if Loffredo had prioritized transformation above all, there is no more significant change than changing ones mind and moving towards new directions.

Before starting his project, Loffredo was a normal-looking young man that worked as a security guard at a nightclub. He began his transformation at 26 years old. In the interviews, he has never mentioned some epiphany or a specific event that prompted him to embark on this path that would have such profound consequences on his life. His first alteration was a forked tongue, similar to that of certain reptiles, such as snakes. For Loffredo, this act, followed by more drastic interventions such as the amputation of the nose, ears and fingers, does not constitute a mutilation, but a personal evolution and an aesthetic improvement. In a 2021 interview with the Spanish newspaper El Periodico, The Black Alien explained that these transformations actually made him feel better about himself and his body.

In 2012, the film American Mary portrayed the underground world of body modifications. These procedures are illegal in most countries; Loffredo used to travel the world looking for professionals who offered body modification services. Before announcing the end of his project, he had published a post requesting a new body modification specialist, as he had ceased his collaboration with Gatto Moreno, a Mexican modifier with whom he had been working until then. Meanwhile, Brendan Dr Evil McCarthy, from the UK, was found guilty of performing extreme body modifications without anesthesia, such as removing ears and a nipple and splitting tongues. After a two-year legal battle, the Court of Appeals ruled that his clients consent did not constitute a valid defense, resulting in a 40-month prison sentence. That was one of the first cases in the UK to directly address the legality of extreme body modifications outside of professional medical settings, and his sentence established an important legal precedent.

Betty Broadbent, The Tattooed Venus, photographed in 1939. Broadbent was a pioneer of body modification. Bettmann

The documentary I Transformed Myself Into An Alien (2023, Arthur Bruel) examines the daily discrimination that Loffredo suffers as a consequence of his unique appearance. The young Frenchman describes the difficulties he encounters in everyday activities like having a beverage on a terrace or looking for a job. If he calls an Uber, the driver does not stop. He is not allowed in restaurants. He also had trouble verifying his identity to open an OnlyFans account, because the app was unable to recognize his face. Its an everyday struggle, because every day you find new people who dont understand, who want to judge. Thats life; not everyone understands everything, just like I dont understand many things about many people, he said last year on the podcast Club 113.

The book Guinness World Records includes various feats of body modification from different cultures and origins. In the West, body modification symbolizes, on one hand, the integration into a subculture and, on the other, a separation that can lead to social exclusion. An emblematic case is that of Tom Leppard, also known as the Leopard Man, who died in 2016. Leppard devoted much of his life to transforming his appearance to resemble a leopard, tattooing about 90% of his body with spots. His commitment to this identity was such that he lived apart from civilization in a house that resembled a leopards den, which he built himself.

Many people with extreme body modifications have been seen by society  and themselves  as freaks that live off their grotesquely altered bodies, evoking the freak shows and circuses from the late 19th century. Eric Sprague, known as Lizard Man, defines himself as a professional freak and has participated in several minor movie roles. His fascination with lizards prompted him to invest time and money in his transformation, tattooing his body with scales, splitting his tongue and sharpening his upper teeth to resemble these creatures.

The Black Alien has mentioned on several occasions that his livelihood comes from working as a photography model, shooting videos and collaborating with different brands. His case is similar to that of Rick Genest, better known as Zombie Boy, who stood out for his extreme tattoos and his media presence. Diagnosed with a brain tumor at age 15, Genest experienced a radical change in his life that led him to explore tattoos and body modifications. Thanks to his unique appearance, he set two Guinness World Records and worked with notable figures such as Thierry Mugler, Jay-Z and Lady Gaga, including an appearance in the video for Born This Way. Genest, who died after falling from a window in 2018, at the age of 32, became a media figure, participating in films, advertisements and fashion shows, and leaving an indelible mark on popular culture.

Rick Genest, The Zombie Boy, at a Dsquared2 show in Milan. Getty

At the moment of writing this article, The Black Aliens Instagram account had not been available for a few days. This sudden absence, along with his recent announcement to end his transformation project, caused concern among his followers, who feared that Loffredo could be going through a difficult psychological time. However, rumors emerged suggesting a positive change in his life: the possibility that Loffredo was leaving his identity as The Black Alien behind due to the beginning of a romantic relationship. These rumors were confirmed last Tuesday by Loffredo himself when he shared a video on his YouTube channel: I want to introduce you to my girlfriend, with whom I have started a new stage of my life. This announcement marks the start of a happy chapter, and the end of an important process.

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YPSILANTI, MI - Justin Harpers primary motivation for entering the education field was the potential to work with and have an impact on the lives of children.

After spending more than 14 years as a paraprofessional at three different Ann Arbor Public Schools elementary schools, Harper saw his chance to have an even greater impact in students lives by taking steps to become a classroom teacher.

The biggest thing for me was seeing their development and seeing them grow as people, Harper said. I always loved having that relationship and being a mentor and leader for kids.

Three-and-a-half years later, Harper is part of the first class of nearly 20 to graduate from a free pilot program through the Washtenaw Intermediate School District that helps paraprofessionals take the next step toward becoming a certified teacher by earning another 60-64 credits to finish their post-bachelors degree.

The program is intended to provide an immediate pipeline of qualified special education teachers upon graduation and many, including Harper, already have started working in the classroom as full-time teachers after graduating on Dec. 17 with a special education endorsement from Eastern Michigan University.

The pilot was approved by the Michigan Department of Education after it challenged districts across the state to find innovative ways to grow their own teachers due to a lack of new candidates entering the field.

Upon graduation, Harper stepped into his new role as a seventh-grade resource teacher at Slauson Middle School - a quick turnaround Harper credits to the effectiveness of the program.

Theyre doing exactly what they said they would do, Harper said. Theyre growing their own.

Harper sat down with MLive/The Ann Arbor News to discuss his journey from being a paraprofessional to becoming a teacher, including why education is his true calling.

The Ann Arbor News: What were some of your most valuable takeaways from participating in this program?

Justin Harper: The camaraderie of the peers in the cohort itself was very important. We all had prior experiences and different experiences, so I think coming to classes and sharing our experiences was insightful. It helped me, personally, grow and be able to try different things. I think there were also good teachers that cared and made me more aware of what I was stepping into. Theres a difference between practicality and theory. When you hear it, its one thing, but with the practices they (demonstrated) to us, I felt better prepared to step into a new realm of work.

AAN: Was there a moment or experience that inspired you to get into the field of education?

Harper: When I was growing up, I had different obstacles that I faced. Ive always been passionate about all kids, but I think my deepest passion is being able to help kids that sometimes dont have that additional help that they need. Thats what Ive had in my heart in saying, Im going all the way with this.

AAN: There are well-documented challenges teachers are facing in the profession at this time. Why did you feel like now was a good time to take steps toward being a teacher?

Harper: It was definitely my calling. It was time because the opportunity was there for me to go ahead and do it. I credit the WISD and Eastern Michigan for creating this program that is so helpful for so many people. I dont think I know any other schools or universities who actually invest in their teachers so they can go ahead and have a career for free. That was a big part of the reason. Of course the kids are first, but that opportunity is not something I could have walked away from.

AAN: Can you explain why teaching in the area of special education was a calling for you?

Harper: When I was younger, sometimes I wish I had had a little additional help. For me to be in this position to be able to reach out and help fill in some of those gaps kids might have to be able to make a difference is special to me. Working with kids, I see how much help they need on a day-to-day basis. Teachers are with their kids, interacting, more than the parents. Those times that theyre interacting, we are their examples and the ones making an impact. That is important for me to be that great example, so that they can learn and later be examples for others.

AAN: What have been the most rewarding aspects of working with students as a teacher?

Harper: One class that really stuck out to me is actually a different age range than the one Im going to work with, but it was so practical. I loved the fact that the teacher actually brought students in for us to work with in real life situations. When you have teachers that are doing things like that with real, live resources that are able to help students, that showed what kind of program this is and the type of teacher he is. That inspired me along the way.

Related: Its a calling. Woman achieves dream to be a teacher in new Washtenaw County program

Related: Its always been natural to me. New program grants womans wish of teaching special education

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GRAND RAPIDS, MI  A woman says a person who she described as working at the restaurant shot at her car after an argument over whether she could pay with her debit card or cash.

She said her teen son was terrified when gunshots hit their vehicle.

The encounter at the restaurant on Grand Rapids Southeast Side led to an in-person protest and online calls to boycott.

The incident happened around 10 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 27, at J Burger n Wings on Eastern Avenue SE, south of Burton Street, police said. Grand Rapids police arrested a suspect in a high-risk traffic stop.

The report of shots fired led to the protest Thursday night outside the restaurant.

Multiple people, including state Rep. Kristian Grant, D-Grand Rapids, called for a boycott in online posts.

As a community we need to hold them and any other business that doesnt respect us and our babies accountable, she wrote on Facebook. The best way to do that is by withholding our dollars.

I will be doing my part on my end, I need you all to do yours.

Related: Shots fired in incident at Grand Rapids burger joint

Grand Rapids police provided limited details. Police said a caller reported shots fired near the restaurant. Police said that a female victim and son were unharmed by the gunfire.

The suspects role at the business is unclear at this time, police said in a statement.

Protesters gathered Thursday outside the restaurant after Raven Sledge shared her story on Facebook. The restaurant was not open on Friday. Messages seeking comment were left at the Grand Rapids restaurant and another affiliated with it.

Sledge told MLive/The Grand Rapids Press that she wants justice. She was with her son, Jimal Jackson, who just turned 13, when two or three shots were fired.

Sledge said she had called in an order. The restaurant had just closed so she knocked on the front door to get the mans attention inside.

She said she told the man she had a pickup order.

She said he wanted her to pay with cash because he had already closed out the register. She said she only had a debit card.

She was leaving without her order when he called her a name, she said.

I started cussing back at him.

She said she walked to her car before the man opened the front door and shot at her vehicle, hitting the front passenger side.

I seen the flame coming from the gun. I was trying to drive off and he shot at me multiple times.

She said she was not armed and did not threaten the man.

Her son, who she described as a quiet teen and a good student, was seated behind her. She quickly backed out, exposing the passenger side to the man, she said.

I turned my car the other way so my son wouldnt get shot. I had to think fast in that drastic moment.

She is concerned how the incident affected her son. He was traumatized and has lost trust in others.

She wants the man to be held accountable.

Because thats not OK. Its not OK to shoot at a woman and her kid. Its not OK.
NORTH MUSKEGON, MI - The Canary Inn Bar & Grill has been a longtime staple along the lakeshore for locals seeking homemade comfort eats, an ice-cold drink and good conversation.

Tom Deephouse took ownership of the spot at 506 Center St. in North Muskegon in 2011, reopening the kitchen that was no longer in use and bringing life back into the space.

Its no regular bar food, Deephouse said. We offer a little bit more upscale. We cut our own ham and turkey for all our subs, we bread our own fish and chicken strips. Its a bar, but we wanted to make it a touch better.

Before purchasing the spot, he told MLive/Muskegon Chronicle he owned a liquor convenience store in the area for 12 years, so he knew his way around the hospitality industry.

Deephouse said his inspiration to take over the local spot was his late father, who had recently sold his own bar at the time.

We were going to purchase Canary Inn together before he was diagnosed with cancer, Deephouse said. Somebody else had bought it for three years and then it came back on the market and my friend asked if I really wanted to do this without my dad. Im like, Yes, I want to fulfill what we had started.

The rest was history. Deephouse bought the space as an homage to his dad, adding to the treasured family stories of the Canary Inn.

As for the atmosphere and cuisine, regulars who knew the space years ago still come in and tell stories about the bar while grabbing fresh plates of perch.

Besides the in-house breaded fresh fish, the burgers and sandwiches are raved about, Deephouse said.

His personal favorite is the California Reuben, which is $8.50. It comes with turkey, coleslaw and Swiss served on rye bread with a choice of fries, steak fries or homemade chips and tater tots.

For customers looking for more bang for their buck, the local bar also offers daily specials, including popular burger and sandwich specials.

Canary Inn stands out from the rest of the area restaurants because of its affordable prices that have stayed the same, even after the COVID-19 pandemic, Deephouse said.

We never changed because were still a local bar, Deephouse added. " We want to be affordable to people. I mean, I am not sure you can go to many places and get a 7-ounce burger and French fries for $7-$8. Were a friendly neighborhood bar with great food and great pricing.

Hours of operation for Canary Inn are Sundays through Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

See the full menu here and place a carryout order by calling (231) 744-2381.

Would you like MLive to consider featuring your favorite restaurant in Michigans Best Local Eats? Send the details, including business name, address and best menu item, to Skyla Jewell-Hammie at sjewell-hammie@mlive.com.

Want more Muskegon area news? Bookmark the local Muskegon news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Muskegon daily newsletter.

Read more:

Lakeshore Glitter Ball, dual zipline: 3 events in Muskegon this weekend (Dec. 29-31)

10 great places for a hearty sandwich in Grand Rapids

5 great spots for cocktails in the Muskegon area
LANSING, MI  State agriculture officials this week expanded the box tree moth quarantine.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) said the quarantined area now includes a dozen counties: Clinton, Eaton, Ingham, Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair, Washtenaw, and Wayne. That means both living and dead plants and parts of plants  including nursery stock  of the genus Buxus cannot be moved outside the quarantined area.

The invasive pest insect is not a threat to Michigans native plants and animals but can lead to significant defoliation and death of ornamental boxwood plants.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development expanded the states interior box tree moth quarantine area. The quarantined area now includes the entire counties of Clinton, Eaton, Ingham, Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair, Washtenaw, and Wayne.MDARD

Box tree moth was first confirmed in Michigan in November 2022 in a Lenawee County backyard in the Irish Hills. The invasive pest insect was first found in the United States in New York in August 2021, while its first detection in North America happened in 2018 near Toronto in Canada.

Michigan officials want to clamp down on the threat to the common ornamental landscaping shrub, which statistics show accounted for $3.6 million in nursery sales statewide in 2019.

We hope to keep box tree moth from moving to new areas in the state, while minimizing the impact on Michigans horticulture industry, said Mike Philip, MDARDs bureau director of environment and sustainability.

Related: Invasive pest with taste for ornamental shrub lands in Michigan

Signs of infestation include chewed, cut, or missing leaves, as well as yellowing or brown leaves, white webbing, and green-black caterpillar excrement on or around the plant.

Box tree moth caterpillars are green and yellow with white, yellow, and black stripes and spots. Adults have white wings with dark brown borders and a distinctive white dot or mark in the middle of each forewing.

Residents of the quarantined area in southeast Michigan should closely inspect their boxwood for symptoms of the box tree moth in the spring, Philip said.

By reporting any signs of the pest, Michiganders can help us determine the scope of the infestation and reduce the spread, he said in a statement.

Related: Spongy moth becomes new name for invasive pest, ending longtime slur use

The only exemptions to the quarantine are holiday greenery, such as wreaths, boughs, and grave blankets, if moved from Oct. 15 through Jan. 1.

Reports of invasive box tree moths can be made at www.michigan.gov/reportBTM online.

Once state agriculture officials confirm a case, infested boxwood should be cut back or removed, double-bagged in plastic and discarded with household trash.

More information about box tree moth can be found at www.michigan.gov/invasives online.
Barack Obama, a former American president.

30.12.2023 LISTEN

As 2023 draws to a close, former American President Barack Obama has given the world a peek into his musical preferences with a curated list of 27 tracks. Shared on his Facebook handle, the eclectic mix showcases the diverse range of genres that resonated with him throughout the year.

In a post, Obama expressed, "Here are some of my favourite songs of the year. Let me know if there are any artists or songs I should add." This gesture not only provides insight into the musical tastes of a world leader but also emphasises the universal appeal of music as a form of soul-nourishing art.

The tracklist spans various artists and styles, reflecting the rich tapestry of contemporary music. From the reggaeton vibes of "TQG" by Karol G & Shakira to the soulful collaboration of Zac Bryan ft. Musgraves in "I REMEMBER EVERYTHING," Obama's list encompasses an array of sounds.

Among the standout tracks is "AMERICA HAS A PROBLEM" by Beyonce ft. Kendrick Lamar, a poignant exploration of societal issues. The former president's selection also features international flair with "AMAPIANO" by Asake & Olamide, offering a taste of the popular South African music genre.

Some of the notable artists on Obama's list include 6Lack, Megan Thee Stallion, Davido, Mitski, and Lenny Kravitz. The inclusion of emerging talents like Tems in "ME & U" showcases Obama's openness to new voices in the music scene.

Noteworthy collaborations, such as "LA BEBE (REMIX)" by Yng Lvcas and Peso Pluma, and powerful solo performances like Victoria Monet's "MY OWN MAMA," contribute to the dynamic nature of the playlist.

Whether it's the atmospheric sounds of "MIDNIGHT GOSPEL" by Ale Araya ft. Joseph Chilliams or the energetic beats of "COBRA" by Megan Thee Stallion, Obama's music choices reflect a broad spectrum of emotions and moods.

In a world often divided by politics and ideologies, the shared enjoyment of music remains a unifying force. Obama's willingness to engage with his audience, inviting suggestions for additional tracks, underscores the communal nature of musical discovery.

As we bid farewell to 2023, Barack Obama's playlist serves as a reminder of the power of music to connect people across borders and beliefs. Whether you align with his political views or not, there's a shared appreciation for the universal language that is music, and perhaps, in these rhythms, we find a common ground that transcends differences.
29.12.2023 LISTEN

Finance analysts free of moral scruple can point to Palantir with relish and note that 2023 was a fairly rewarding year for it. The company, which bills itself as a category-leading software builder that empowers organizations to create and govern artificial intelligence, launched its initial public offering in 2020. But the milky confidence curdled, as with much else with tech assets, leading to the company stock falling by as much as 87% of value. But this is the sort of language that delights the economy boffins no end, a bloodless exercise that ignores what Palantir really does.

The surveillance company initially cut its teeth on agendas related to national security and law enforcement through Gotham. A rather dry summation of its services is offered by Adrew Iliadis and Amelia Acker: The company supplies information technology solutions for data integration and tracking to police and government agencies, humanitarian organizations, and corporations.

Founded in 2003 and unimaginatively named after the magical stones in The Lord of the Rings known as Seeing Stones or palantiri, its ambition was to remake the national security scape, a true fetishist project envisaging technology as deliverer and saviour. While most of its work remains painfully clandestine, it does let the occasional salivating observer, such as Portugals former Secretary of State or European Affairs Bruno Macaes, into its citadel to receive the appropriate indoctrination.

Its impossible to take any commentary arising from these proselytised sorts seriously, but what follows can be intriguing. The target coordination cycle: find, track, target, and prosecute, Macaes writes for Time, reflecting on the technology on show at the companys London headquarters. As we enter the algorithmic age, time is compressed. From the moment the algorithms set to work detecting their targets until these targets are prosecuted  a term of art in the field  no more than two or three minutes elapse. Such commentary takes the edge of the cruelty, the lethality, the sheer destruction of life that such prosecution entails.

While its stable of government clients remain important, the company also sought to further expand its base with Foundry, the commercial version of the software. Foundry helps businesses make better decisions and solve problems, and Forrester estimated Foundry delivers a 315% return on investment (ROI) for its users, writes Will Healy, whose commentary is, given his association with Palantir, bound to be cherubically crawling while oddly flat.

This tech beast is also claiming to march to a more moral tune, with Palantir Technologies UK Ltd announcing in April that it had formed a partnership with the Prosecutor Generals Office of Ukraine (OPG) to enable investigators on the ground and across Europe to share, integrate, and process all key data relating to more than 78,000 registered war crimes.

The companys co-founder and chief executive officer, Alexander C. Karp, nails his colours to the mast with a schoolboys binary simplicity. The invasion of Ukraine represents one of the most significant challenges to the global balance of power. To that end, the crimes that are being committed in Ukraine must be prosecuted.

Having picked the Ukrainian cause as a beneficial one, Palantir revealed that it was already helping Ukraine militarily, and supporting the resettlement of refugees in the UK, Poland and in Lithuania. For Karp, Software is a product of the legal and moral order in which it is created, and plays a role in defending it.

Such gnomic statements are best kept in the spittoon of history, mere meaningless splutter, but if they are taken seriously, Karp is in trouble. He is one who has admitted with sissys glee that the core mission of our company always was to make the West, especially America, the strongest in the world, the strongest its ever been, for the sake of global peace and prosperity. Typically, such money-minded megalomaniacs tend to confuse personal wealth and a robber barons acquisitiveness with the more collective goals of peace and security. Murdering thieves can be most moral, even as they carry out their sordid tasks with silver tongs.

When Google dropped Project Maven, the US Department of Defense program that riled employees within the company, Palantir was happy to offer its services. It did not matter one jot that the project, known in Palantir circles as Tron, was designed to train AI to analyse aerial drone footage to enable the identification of objects and human beings (again bloodless, chilling, instrumental). Its commonly known that our software is used in an operational context at war, Karp is reported as saying. Do you really think a war fighter is going to trust a software company that pulls the plug because something becomes controversial with their life? Currently, when youre a war fighter your life depends on your software.

War is merely one context where Palantir dirties the terrain of policy. In 2020, Amnesty International published a report outlining the various human rights risks arising from Palantirs contracts with the US Department of Homeland Security. Of particular concern were associated products and services stemming from its Homeland Security Investigations (HIS) division of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Human rights groups such as Mijente, along with a number of investors, have also noted that such contracts enable ICE to prosecute such activities as surveillance, detentions, raids, de facto family separations and deportations.

In 2023, protests by hundreds of UK health workers managed to shut down the central London headquarters of the tech behemoth. The workers in question were protesting the award of a 330 million contract to Palantir by the National Health Service (NHS) England. Many felt particularly riled at the company, given its role in furnishing the Israeli government with such military and surveillance technology, including predictive policing services. The latter are used to analyse social media posts by Palestinians that might reveal threats to public order or praise for hostile entities.

As Gaza is being flattened and gradually exterminated by Israeli arms, Palantir remains loyal, even stubbornly so. We are one of the few companies in the world to stand and announce our support for Israel, which remains steadfast, the company stated in a letter to shareholders. With a record now well washed in blood, the company deserves a global protest movement that blocks its appeal and encourages a shareholder exodus.

Dr. Binoy Kampmark was a Commonwealth Scholar at Selwyn College, Cambridge. He currently lectures at RMIT University. Email: [email protected]
New rules governing air traffic controllers' right to strike in France were signed into law on Friday, marking the end of a turbulent year for the aviation transport sector.

Airlines flying to and from European destinations have hailed the reform as an important first step in reducing disruption to millions of passengers following a year that saw dozens of French strike cause the cancellation of thousands of flights.

Under the new rules, airline staff performing duties "whose absence is likely to have a direct impact on the operation of flights" must individually declare their intention to strike no later than noon two days beforehand.

Up until now, air traffic control unions were required to give notice of strike action five days in advance to ensure a "minimum service", but strikers themselves did not have to declare their participation  unlike other employees in the sector.

This loophole provoked of excessive flight cancellations because the French Civil Aviation Authority could not provide reliable estimates of the number of controllers available for scheduled flights.

The amendment to the General Civil Service Code was rubber stamped by the Constitutional Council on 21 December after being adopted by Parliament on 15 November.

It was on Friday published in the Journal Officiel, the government's official gazette used to announce new laws and decrees.

'Irresponsible' air strikes in 2023

Transport Minister Clement Beaune last week welcomed the law as essential progress for airlines and air travellers", while also respecting the right to strike guaranteed by the French constitution.

Beaune had earlier proposed a change in the framework for strikes by air traffic controllers, following an lightning strike that had taken hundreds of passengers by surprise in February at Paris's Orly airport during protests against pension reform.

The industrial action caused major disruption to air traffic in the first quarter of 2023, both in France and across Europe.

A year of flight disruption

This year most of the EU's 67 air traffic controller strike days took place in France.

"More than 4,000 flights were cancelled, 24,000 delayed and more than 11 million passengers to and from France  as well as those flying over the country  were affected," according to the main association of European air carriers, Airlines for Europe.

The association called for "an additional effort" to protect overflights of French territory.

The leading union representing air traffic controllers  the SNCTA  supported the new law because of the "unreasonable or irreconcilable" abuse of previous strike rules by other unions that had led to a "deterioration in the image of the profession".

The USAC-CGT  the third largest representative organisation of air traffic controllers and a critic of the SNCTA's "unprecedented stance"  described the reform as an attack on the right to strike, adding that it would be "unworkable and ineffective".
The Ministry of Education has rebutted claims made by opposition leader and former President John Mahama regarding alleged irregularities in the conduct of the 2023 West Africa Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

In a news statement, the Ministry defended the WASSCE results and praised the progress made in improving learning outcomes.

We have made monumental progress in core subjects from an average 40.93 per cent score (A1 C6) in 2015 to a highly improved average of 69.73 percent score (A1  C6) in 2023," the statement from the Ministry said.

The Ministry took issue with former President John Dramani Mahama for questioning the authenticity of the results.

According to them, the 2024 NDC flagbearers comments were a "false misrepresentation" aimed at tarnishing teachers and students.

We described the former President's assertion as a false misrepresentation of the facts which only seeks to malign 'the integrity of the vast majority of our hard-working teachers and students,'" the statement noted.

The Ministry further highlighted what it described as an incredible performance in the WASSCE, with the country recording the highest number of students scoring straight As (8A1s) in both 2020 and 2023.

Ghana boasting of 411 out of the 465 8A1s recorded across West Africa," the statement said.

The Ministry urged Ghanaians to condemn Mr. Mahama's allegations, saying it will continue to uphold the highest standards in education and examinations.

The Ministry reiterates our commitment that the quality of education and examinations at all levels, including the WASSCE will not be compromised," the statement concluded.
Mr Kwaku Asante-Boateng, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Asante-Akim South, says he is seeking a fourth term to complete numerous projects he initiated but, yet to be completed.

I have an unfinished business with this constituency having initiated several projects and I am determined to complete them for the benefit of the people in my next term, he told the media after filing his nomination for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary primaries.

Amidst brass band music, the Deputy Minister for Railway Development filed his nomination to contest the seat with Mr Bice Osei Kuffour, Managing Director of Ghana Post Company, and Mr Eric Amofa, a businessman.

The MP said he wanted to leave a memorable legacy which he could be remembered for many years after he left office, hence his decision to seek a fourth term in office.

According to him, there were a lot of projects currently ongoing in the constituency which could not be completed due to financial constraints mostly from the central government, and it was his desire to see them through as the initiator.

He mentioned roads of communities such as Kyempo, Dwendwenase and Kwakru which he said were at various stages of completion.

I want to ensure these projects as well as others in the education and health sectors are successfully completed before I will be fulfilled as MP for the people of Asante-Akim South, he noted.

He was of the firm conviction that the lobbying skills he had acquired over the years as MP could bring more development to the constituency and stressed the need for continuity in the best interest of the people.

Mr Asante-Boateng argued that staying long in parliament did not only inure to the benefit of constituents but also enhanced parliamentary work because it took time for new entrants to learn the rudiments of parliamentary duties.

He urged the delegates to choose experience over experiment in the overall interest of national development.

Another motivation driving his quest to continue serving the people, he said, was the numerous calls from the constituents for him contest to build on the good work he had done so far.

He used the occasion to wish all the constituents Merry Christmas and charged them to use the festive season to show compassion towards the poor and needy in society.

GNA
Nicaragua has become a hot spot for migrants from around the world seeking to avoid a brutal trek through the Darien Gap jungle -- including the 303 Indians whose plane was grounded last week in France on their way to the Central American nation.

Migrants from South American and Caribbean countries, Africa and Asia, have long had to brave the lawless, virtually impassable rainforest that straddles Panama and Colombia, in a bid to reach the United States.

However, analysts say that the government of Nicaragua's iron-fisted President Daniel Ortega, a longtime nemesis of the United States, has deliberately made it easier for migrants to bypass the Darien by flying straight to his country before heading north overland.

Manuel Orozco, a migration expert at the Washington-based Inter-American Dialogue, told AFP that Ortega's government was facilitating "the business of a network of international air services" so that migrants "can reach the border with Mexico and the United States faster."

"We collected data from more than 500 charter flights," said Orozco, adding that between April and June, airport authorities had hired "private companies located in Dubai to train officials in the international handling of paperwork for these types of flights."

An Airbus A340 was detained last week at a Paris airport after an anonymous tip-off that it was carrying potential victims of human trafficking. After it was established that the passengers were traveling of their own free will, most of them were flown back to India on Monday.

Map of Central America and Mexico showing the entry points most used by migrants en route to the United States.. By Tatiana MAGARINOS (AFP)

Indian police said the passengers had paid tens of thousands of dollars to agents to help them reach the southern border of the United States.

'Premeditated'

Orozco said that the Nicaraguan government, which has remained mum on the matter, benefits from the cost of visas or tourist cards -- depending on the nationality of the arriving passenger -- as well as landing taxes.

He said Nicaragua "conceived" this new air route "in a premeditated manner faced with the opportunity to worsen the migration crisis to the United States and, in the process, make money."

Liliana Bakayoko, a lawyer for the Romanian airline operating the flight, told AFP that Nicaragua had approved the passenger list before the plane departed.

All foreigners need to get prior approval from immigration authorities to enter the country.

From the capital Managua, migrants travel to Honduras and Guatemala, then to Mexico to the southern border with the United States, paying thousands of dollars to smugglers.

This allows them to avoid the Darien Gap, where on top of the dangers of the thick jungle, rivers, and wild animals, they are preyed upon by criminal gangs and face sexual violence.

Panamanian authorities say over half a million people have made it through the jungle in 2023 -- double the amount the previous year.

Most of those braving the Darien Gap are Venezuelans fleeing economic misery, but there are also Ecuadorans, Haitians, Cubans, Chinese, Vietnamese, Afghans and Africans from Cameroon or Burkina Faso.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has said the "most significant trend has been the shift by Cuban migrants and those coming from African nations who are increasingly choosing air routes to reach Central America, sidestepping the Darien to continue their northbound trip."

'Springboard'

Honduras migration statistics show a five-fold increase in arrivals from countries like Guinea, China, Senegal, India, Afghanistan and Angola, who cross into the country from Nicaragua.

Most of those braving the Darien Gap are Venezuelans fleeing economic misery, but there are also Ecuadorans, Haitians, Chinese, Vietnamese, Afghans and Africans from Cameroon or Burkina Faso. By Luis ACOSTA (AFP/File)

Orozco said that Nicaragua has also become a "springboard" for Cubans and Haitians taking charter flights since visa requirements for those countries were scrapped in 2021.

Others take regular commercial flights to El Salvador, which in October imposed an airport transit fee of $1,130 on Africans and Indians.

Most of them "are destined for Nicaragua" a spokesman for El Salvador's immigration authority told AFP.

Colombia says that the majority of passengers arriving from Turkey are Africans in transit to San Salvador, from where they head to Nicaragua and disembark.

"It is a population which has means to pay, an intention to migrate and which pays for tickets and other things to avoid going through the Darien," Colombia's deputy foreign minister Francisco Coy said this week after two children from Guinea were found abandoned in a Bogota airport.
Spanish scientist Eva Nogales is in the running to win the Nobel Prize and her background is unusual among those who tend to be in contention.

My father was a sheepherder and my mother was an embroiderer. They couldnt finish their basic education, because they had to go to work when they were 11 or 12-years-old, Nogales explains. She was born 58 years ago in the town of Colmenar Viejo, about 20 miles north of Madrid. Her parents main goal was to save money, so that their children could study. Nogales entered the Faculty of Physics of the Autonomous University of Madrid in 1983.

There were a lot of parties, a lot of drugs, a lot of sex but I had no money, and I was a nerd. I missed Madrids La Movida scene, I was in the library, she remembers with a laugh. The researcher has just received the $1.2 million Shaw Prize. Awarded in Hong Kong, its considered to be the Nobel Prize of the East. One in every seven winners has also ended up winning the Nobel Prize.

All humans were first a single cell, the result of the union between an egg and a sperm. That solitary cell already has exclusive DNA, a manual with enough instructions to multiply and become a unique human being, with 30 billion cells. Molecular machinery reads that DNA and  depending on the sections it reads  the cell becomes a neuron in the brain, a red blood cell, or any other type of cell. Nogales  who has spent half her life at University of California, Berkeley  has managed to visualize, for the first time, atom by atom, the convoluted structure of the main proteins that read DNA. This reading process  called transcription  is essential in life and death. When it fails, it can lead to serious diseases, such as cancer.

American geneticist Francis Collins  a devout Christian and former director of the Human Genome Project  calls DNA the language of God. At the Shaw Award ceremony, Eva Nogales showed a portrait of herself as a child, at her first communion. I was 10-years-old when [Spanish dictator Francisco] Franco died. We were all raised in religion; we prayed every day at school. We believed in guardian angels and things like that. I had a lot of faith. But there was a certain moment in which I began to be more critical and began to see holes [in religion], both from the theological and social points of view, she explained. In the end, I quit. Religions exist everywhere because we want to give meaning to our life and our death, which scares us. I would love to believe that religion has a role to play, she concluded.

Nogales  passing through Madrid to celebrate Christmas with her family in Colmenar Viejo  answers questions from EL PAIS in a room at the National Cancer Research Center, where shes an affiliate.

You study the matter of life at the atomic level. What are we made of?

Well, atoms, she replies, like everything else. Our atoms come from supernovas [star explosions] and things like that. Were mostly carbon, oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen. Phosphorus  which is part of DNA  is also important. In the end, were made of super simple atoms, which are combined in thousands of different ways.

American chemist Roger Kornberg won the 2006 Nobel Prize in Chemistry after describing the structure of a protein involved in reading DNA. Life is chemistry, nothing more and nothing less. Although people resist this idea, Kornberg stated, in an interview with this newspaper four years ago. Eva Nogales  as a biophysicist  agrees. Life is chemistry, she affirms In the end, in biology, everything is chemistry. The researcher emphasizes that the enormous complexity of the proteins that make up all living beings is built with only 20 amino acids, molecules that act like 20 different Lego pieces. With only 20 units, we have all the beauty of life, from a bacterium to an elephant, including a sea sponge, Nogales proclaims.

The Shaw Prize was established in 2004 by Run Run Shaw, a Hong Kong film and press magnate, who died a decade ago. The producer of legendary kung-fu films, such as The Shaolin Avengers (1976), and global hits such as Blade Runner (1982), the wealthy patron wanted to reward scientists who illuminate the intricate mysteries of nature, such as Eva Nogales. She shared this years award with her colleague, Patrick Cramer, president of the Max Planck Society of Germany.

Eva Nogales, photographed at the Spanish National Cancer Research Center in Madrid, on December 21, 2023. JUAN BARBOSA

Nogales has mastered the electron cryomicroscope, a revolutionary instrument capable of photographing molecules that are essential for life at temperatures of about 180 degrees below zero. Its inventors won the 2017 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Nogales research team takes a million photos of the same protein and combines the images with supercomputers, until they obtain the three-dimensional structure, atom by atom. Her group at Berkeley has thus revealed the shape of key proteins, such as tau  which forms tangles within the brain cells of people with Alzheimers  or telomerase, which is activated in cancer cells and causes them to multiply without restraint.

You cant fix a car if you dont know how it works. First, you have to get to know its engine under normal conditions. And the same thing goes for nature, Nogales warns. Her first major scientific success came in 1998, when her group revealed the structure of tubulin, a protein that acts as the skeleton of cells. The discovery became the cover story of Nature, one of the worlds top science journals. EL PAIS used an entire page to announce it that Sunday and I became famous in my town, she remembers with a laugh.

Eva Nogales receives the Shaw Prize from German astrophysicist Reinhard Genzel, winner of the 2020 Nobel Prize in Physics, in Hong Kong, on November 12, 2023. Fundacion Premio Shaw

In 2014, biophysics revealed the functioning of paclitaxel, a drug that has saved millions of lives thanks to its effectiveness against breast, ovarian and lung cancer, among other types of cancer. The drug  based on an extract of bark from a North American tree, the Pacific yew  binds to tubulins and causes tumor cells to stop multiplying. That same year  alongside her colleague Jennifer Doudna  Nogales elucidated the structure of Cas9, a key protein in the revolutionary CRISPR gene editing system. Doudna went on to win the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

Since 2021, Nogales 87-year-old mother can proudly walk along a street that bears her daughters full name: Evangelina Nogales de la Morena Avenue, in Colmenar Viejo. Her father died before he could see it. While the biophysicist moved to Berkeley in 1993, she has reclaimed her roots. The day after her interview with EL PAIS, she met with three teachers from her old high school, who helped her fall in love with science more than 40 years ago: Ana Canas, who taught her Physics; Ana de Frutos, who taught her Biology and Avelina Lucas, from the Math department.

The day she collected the Shaw Prize in Hong Kong, Nogales went on stage wearing a Manila shawl that she had purchased in Madrid. Theyre beautiful, and I cant think of a more Spanish accessory!

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South Africa has asked the International Court of Justice to investigate Israel for what it called "genocidal" acts in Gaza. The Israeli government rejected the case as "baseless".

South Africa asked the UN court, which judges disputes between states, to examine whether Israel had violated the 1948 Genocide Convention in its latest conflict with the Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza.

In an application filed on Friday, South Africa alleged that "Israel has engaged in, is engaging in and risks further engaging in genocidal acts against the Palestinian people in Gaza".

It also claimed that Israel was acting with the specific intent "to destroy Palestinians in Gaza as part of the broader Palestinian national, racial and ethnical group".

Israel's foreign ministry called on the court to dismiss the claims, which it said had no basis in fact or law.

"Israel rejects with disgust the blood libel spread by South Africa in its application to the International Court of Justice," spokesperson Lior Haiat wrote on social media, insisting that its military offensive in the Gaza Strip was directed only against Hamas and its supporters.

Echoes of Apartheid

South Africa has long been a vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause, likening the plight of Palestinians in occupied territories to the struggles of its own black majority during Apartheid  a comparison that Israel vehemently rejects.

The South African government has been fiercely critical of the war in Gaza, triggered by deadly Hamas attacks on Israel on 7 October. South African authorities have said that Israel's military response constitutes war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Its parliament last month voted in favour of closing down the Israeli embassy in Pretoria and suspending diplomatic relations.

All South African diplomats have left Israeli, while Israel in turn has recalled its ambassador in South Africa.

And in November, South Africa was one of five countries  alongside Bangladesh, Bolivia, Comoros and Djibouti  to call on the International Criminal Court to investigate alleged atrocities in Gaza and the West Bank.

No date for hearing

In its application to the ICJ, South Africa asked the court to urgently order Israel to stop its military campaign in Gaza and prevent "further, severe and irreparable harm to the rights of the Palestinian people".

No date has been set for a hearing on the case.

Fully resolving cases can take many years, though the court can order emergency measures in the meantime.

Decisions by the ICJ are final  but it has no means of enforcing them, and its rulings are sometimes ignored.

(with newswires)
30.12.2023 LISTEN

The Red Apples (part 57)

They looked over to the other side of the river. Near where the musical theatres and Helm company had their location and warehouses still a small passageway gave way to excess for small vessels the pier and offload their cargo mostly from bigger ships with freight too large for a container. In the far distance, they saw Airbus Industries and their latest extension into the Altes Land Germany's traditionally largest fruits-producing area now completely turned into biological farming with many family-owned plantations hosting young experts from South Africa for advice on what to do best.

The river Elbe was dragged out as deep as fifteen meters to accommodate the latest generation of sea-going vessels far below the twenty-eight meters Rotterdam had to offer the international shipping industry. Opposite the light tower of Blankenese was still the location of Hamburg Money as the place was called by the locals meaning families that had their share of trading and transportation of goods. Among them, the new rich money business owners of former start-ups enjoying their fortune and showing it off to anyone who had no self-esteem.

Oevelgoenne with its picturesque small handing gears and Ship Museum was just visible behind Neumuehlen and the famous Fishmarket attracting each Sunday morning tourists from around the world.

The waves of the River Elbe were calm. No strong wind from behind came where the Elbphilharmonie impressively marked the entrance to Harbour City.

Rolf Heinz said with sentimental feelings in his voice: Ruthmy darlingwhen I stand here on the ponton of the Landungsbruecken I cant help itI must always remember my grandfather and his buddies for Luehrs Shipyard.

I knowI know Rolf, bit Ruth Willers into her fish roll of course not never fresh, but fish from the ocean and not a printer. She stayed away from anything that was not from nature. Sausages had to come from animal meat and not vegetables. No one could have ever changed her mind.

These old folks worked hard in the shipyards. They left their lives there their future and their dreams. That was all they had wanted in lifeI meanthat work was their life their meaning of life. Yes, it was Adolf Hitler in nineteen thirty-four who needed a harbor to take on countries in the Second World War but these buddiesfor them it was the meaning of their lives the justification of what they were. And then one day one terrible terrible time the South Koreans came along out of nowhere out from a war on their territory and with cheap labor took a whole shipyard industry into their own hands. They lead off tens of qualified workers here in the Harbour of Hamburg. Many proud menvery good peoplewere sent home to do nothing but live from unemployment benefits. Can you imagine that? How sadvery inhuman.

Ruth Willers knew what her ex-husband would say next and stepped before him: Now that Africa is ruling the wavesis the new world poweryou see history in the making again. That history never stands still but always comes back to us. Is that what you want to say?

Rolf Heinz is the last bite of his curry sausage with French fries. The sharp mustard with a touch of Dijon mustard pleased him. Of course, the prices there were made for tourists but as he did not come there daily it was okay for him. After all, why not take a good portion from foreigners, and foreigners for him was anyone not from Hamburg? His hometown was his pride. Not only was he a typical Virgo by the star sign but his DNA was typical Hanseatic.

For centuries we white people exploited Africa. You recall the cocoa beans from Ghana to Europe first landed here in Hamburg. From here they after sorting were transported by trucks all over Europe to various processing companies. And then the first shock hit us seriously here in Hamburg. When Ivory Coast and Ghana joined hands and made the decision no longer to export raw material semi-finished products only allowing cocoa to be fully processed in their nations here we had to lay off thousands of workers in Hamburg and the European chocolate industry. What a disaster it was. You remember?

Ruth Willers looked at the tall and handsome man she once had met at her workplace in a restaurant. He was a cook she his assistant. Not wanting to stay alone she married him and they got three children two girls and one boy. She was never in love with him but less did she have wanted to be alone. In the end, his character came through. To save the children and herself from destruction she eventually filed for divorce.

Yes, I remember it very well, responded Ruth Willers born in Neu-Schoenningstedt outside of Hamburg.

The next unfairness came when the New African Unionthese bastardsstopped demanding for aid support or other forms of cheap handouts. They gave our people and companies only a warning of five years. Social interventions like hospitals, schools, and orphanages had to be given to the nations to proceed to manage. I meanlike seriouslythese bastards from the New African Union came up with a plan to solve their own problems. Andcan you imagine thatthen even came here to help us with our social divide and problems. They gave us money and expertise. Can you imagine? We lost so much to them. Our aid industry was a multi-dollar businessall gonejobs lost. Andand the hundreds of thousands of professionals and volunteers in this sectorI mean this work was their life. They never wanted to give up helping people. They went to workgood and fine but the meaning of their lives was in helping the poor and vulnerable in Africa. Now that all was lost. I still cant believe our politicians allowed it to happen. Just like

Ruth Willers knew her ex-husband well enough to complete his statement:just like the shipyard industry we lost hereand in Kiel. Yes, my dearI know. I guess this is called

History! ended Rolf Heinz the sentence of his ex-wife. His right lower leg was hurting him even though it was of metal. The years of endlessly smoking had brought him into hospital for amputation
30.12.2023 LISTEN

I have written many tributes without problems. But with this, I had difficulties starting. Therefore, I procrastinated. I could not accept Elis death. Each time I delayed, his name and memories of our relationship kept reminding me. He was a good friend. Eli died on May 17, 2023, in Maryland County, Liberia. He was 77 years old.

Eli and I met in Washington, DC, over 15 years ago. He was a Pan-Africanist, believing all Black people are Africans, and they must unite to truly liberate themselves from any form of neo-colonialism. He called himself a Black man. Yes, Eli was a real Black man, a true African. He saw his living and survival in the US as a war. And Eli was strong in fighting that war. He considered Howard Hughes, a famous American movie producer and aviator, racist. Though I disagreed with his classification, he spoke in considering his general opinion of American racism.

We worked closely together in 2011 when we, as members of a concerned Liberian group in America, demonstrated in Washington, DC, against the Unity Party government in Liberia for killing peaceful Liberians at the CDCs headquarters in November 2011. Members came from different states of America, including California, Georgia, North Carolina, Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania. We assembled at the Liberian Embassy, where we, with a casket, protested the deaths and the violation of democratic and constitutional rights by the administration. We continued the demonstration to the White House and climaxed the activity with a social and cultural event at a DC government hall.

Eli and I were the foot soldiers, meeting with federal and DC government officials for permits for the demonstration. The US government, through the Park Authority, provided us with police protection for the demonstration, and the DC government allowed us to use the Reeve Municipal Center for the cultural event and reception. Eli and I worked tirelessly to make the activities successful. Mrs. Clar Marie Weah, the wife of Liberian President George Weah, also participated in the events. Though many of us were non-CDCians, we were all Liberians caring about justice in our country. Some of us went on to organize the Coalition for Justice in Liberia, a progressive advocacy group headed by Sister Lovetta Tugbe in the US. The Coalition is still functioning.

While living In the United States, Eli remembered his birthplace, Maryland County in Liberia. He often spoke about the need for Marylanders in the diaspora to form Maryland County associations [to help] meet the needs of the citizens of Maryland County. In April 1999, Eli and some other concerned Marylanders in the US founded Marylanders For Progress (MFP). Some of MFPs projects to the county included the following: Shipping 20,000 textbooks to public schools, shipping medical supplies to the J.J. Dossen Hospital and clinics, contributing to the reopening of the W. V.S. Tubman University, and providing micro-loans for market women in all four districts of the county.

Our friendship continued in Liberia when we returned home. He taught history at the Tubman University in Maryland County. I lectured as a volunteer visiting teacher in writing at the Barnes Mission School in New Krutown, Monrovia. Eli shared and discussed some of my topics with his students. We kept in touch.

Eli showed interest in Maryland Countys politics. He once wanted to run for the county senatorial seat in the 2020 election. Eli participated in renovation and historic preservation activities in his birthplace. He was a family man. Eli married Kadijah in the US. He birthed three sons: Taweh, Jumoki, and Vacanarat. He obtained a Bachelors degree in political science and Masters in African-American studies from Morgan State University and Beacon College US respectively.

Eli was bored in 1946 by Alexander Glen Tubman and Mary Wilson Tubman. The father was a brother of William V.S. Tubman, former president of Liberia. Eli died at the J.J. Dossen Hospital in Harper City and was buried in Maryland County, Liberia. His death shocked me.

May Elis soul rest in perfect peace.
John Dramani Mahama, a former president of Ghana and statesman as he should be have over time relegated his reputation to the background and thrown integrity to the dogs. His recent comments on national affairs have been more insulting on the intelligence of Ghanaians and more specifically the youth of this country like never seen in the history of this country. He has made the youth the sad recipients of his depression and envy as though the youth of this country caused his disgraceful failure as President. John Dramani Mahama as President failed woefully because he was so incompetent, nothing else.

In his recent visit to Asafo in the Agona East Constituency, Central Region, he openly condemned the success of Senior High School students who successfully passed their WASSCE with excellence. He, John Dramani Mahama argued that the students did not merit the successes chalked in the WASSCE and that their intelligence was not as the exam results portrayed. Such comments can only come from a person who is mentally depressed and need emergency mental health care. A former president and statesman for that matter should not be so unintelligent in his utterances as John Mahama has recently been.

It would be recalled that this same John Mahama in 2014 urged the media to "make noise" on the success of Senior High School students who sat for the West Africa Secondary School Certificate Examination. He claimed at the time that the results reflected the level of intelligence of the students and that was as a result of the effective educational structures laid by his Government. Fast forward in 2023, this same John Mahama is enviously and wickedly against the media "making noise" about the success of students who sat for the WASSCE. Most definitely, there is something wrong with former president John Mahama that requires that he is given urgent mental attention.

Concerning his claim that in most schools across Ghana, Teachers connived with the Students to cheat in the WASSCE, I dare the former President to mention only one school where such an unfortunate event happened. He who alleges must prove beyond street talk that what he alleges is nothing but the truth. A former president as he is must not make such unfounded comments that insult the intelligence of Ghanaian students, the hard work of Teachers, integrity of the West African Examination Council (WAEC) which is in charge of the exam, the FSHS policy implemented by the Akufo-Addo government and the goodwill of the Ghanaian youth. Also, John Mahama's depressed and envious attitude against the FSHS policy and his desperation to be president again should not be the grounds to discredit our entire school system to the outside world, reducing our certificates to nothing before our peers elsewhere in other countries. Ghanaian students and youth in general have always been intelligent and shall continue to be so.

The youth of Ghana remain the future of this nation. To insult our intelligence and that of the intelligence of our Senior High School students is a fight against the future of this nation and shall therefore not be tolerated. The youth of this country know how much John Mahama hates the idea of the Free Senior High School policy and by extension anything good that comes out of it. Nonetheless, we shall not sit aloof to allow his hatred for the FSHS policy cause him to insult the intelligence of students of this policy as much as Teachers teaching these students to become future leaders. None of John Mahama's children is intelligent than any of the FSHS students he sees as unintelligent. He must be aware.

John Mahama must be reminded that he has up until now not been able to give Ghanaians a single policy initiative he intends to execute to support the youth of this country. For education and the SHS in particular, we know, without any iota of doubt how he intends to cancel the Free Senior High School policy without thinking twice about it. Therefore, it is very important to inform him that well meaning Ghanaians won't give him such mandate to do so especially when we know that he has no vision for this country. However this might be, I particularly urge Mr John Mahama to credit the Ghanaian youth with some considerable amount of intelligence when given the platform to speak. He is at least a former president and a considered statesman and must live with respect to his office. In 2024, John Mahama must be a changed man, speaking with intelligence, devoid of desperation, envy and depression.

Sandra Sarkodee-Adoo

Deputy National Youth Organizer

New Patriotic Party (NPP)
30.12.2023 LISTEN

In recent times, the bustling streets of Tamale, the capital of Ghana's Northern Region, have been marked by a concerning issue that demands immediate attention: the poor handling of food by street vendors.

This pressing matter has raised serious concerns about public health and safety, while the seemingly silent response from local authorities begs the question, should the public be concerned?

Amid the vibrant chaos of the Tamale Metropolis, street food vendors serve up a variety of delectable local dishes. These dishes, while popular and loved by many, come with a potential health risk due to the often unhygienic conditions under which they are prepared and served.

The lack of adequate sanitation and proper food handling practices has become a cause for concern.

According to the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), between 2013 and 2021, a total of 1,914 Ghanaians suffered from various forms of food poising

Out of the figure , FDA said 60 cases of them were food-borne disease outbreaks with a total of 36 deaths.

Food-borne diseases comprise a broad spectrum of diseases and accounts for a significant number of morbidity and mortality issues worldwide.

The World Health Organization (WHO) in 2015 reported that one in 10 people fall ill each year from eating contaminated food and 420,000 people die each year as a result.

Research also revealed that the prevalence of food-borne diseases varies vastly in different countries. In Africa, it is estimated that 92 million people fall ill from consuming contaminated foods, resulting in 137 000 deaths each year.

Doctor Abubakari Ibrahim, is a health expect, and tells me that the consequences of poor food handling are dire. "Contaminated food can lead to a range of illnesses, from food poisoning to more severe cases of bacterial infections".

In a region already grappling with healthcare challenges, the last thing anyone needs is an outbreak of foodborne diseases.

To that end, Dr. Ibrahim called for vigorous Public awareness to help minimize the situation. "Public awareness is crucial in addressing this issue. As consumers, we have a responsibility to be vigilant about the food we eat" he said

He advised the public to always opt for food vendors who maintain a clean and organized stall, and are visibly committed to hygiene.

He also urged the public to pay attention to how food is prepared and served, avoid places where food handlers do not use gloves, and where raw ingredients are not separated from cooked food.

While public awareness is vital, it is equally important for local authorities to play their role in ensuring that street vendors adhere to hygiene and safety standards.

Some concerned public, shared their frustrations , and called on the authorities to crack the whip when necessary to save the lives of people.

Iddrisu Zakaria, is a resident of Choggu Manayili, and he complained that on several occasions he had to be rushed to hospital after eating food he bought by the road.

Fuseini Isaah, another resident, lamented that most food sellers use their barehands in cutting foods for customers.

"Some of them use their barehands in cutting foods for us, the same hands they use in handling their children, phones and other stuffs" he said.

Issah Zuleiha, amother of three children, said she nearly lost her 3 year old baby girl after feeding her with 'Waache' she bought at a food joint.

"Hmmmm, my brother, the issue is serious, do you know I nearly lost my child for giving her food I bought from the road side

"The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly must be proactive in conducting regular inspections and implementing stringent regulations"

According to Wikipedia, "Poor food hygiene is when foods are not properly cooked, stored at the wrong temperature and get contaminated with bacteria. The practice of poor food hygiene can give rise to severe foodborne diseases that can adversely affect any food business"

Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) has shown that unsafe food is a global public health threat, with millions of people suffering from foodborne diseases each year.

This issue is not unique to Tamale but demands immediate action nonetheless.

In conclusion, the poor handling of food by street vendors in Tamale Metropolis is a matter of grave concern, not only for the health and safety of the public but also for the region's reputation.

As consumers, we must be vigilant, and as local authorities, we must ensure that food vendors adhere to hygiene standards.

The silent response from the authorities must change, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that the food we consume is safe and hygienic. In the end, we all share the responsibility of safeguarding our health and well-being.
30.12.2023 LISTEN

To all gay people across Africa, I send you a message of support and solidarity on behalf of the humanist movement in the region. There is no doubt that this period must be a difficult moment for you, and your loved ones. But I want to assure you that, at the humanist movement, you have staunch friends and allies. You should count on our support every step of the way. At the humanist movement, we are saddened by the wave of attacks, threats, and persecution of gay people in various African countries. Homosexuality is not alien to Africa. Homosexual practices are a part of the African culture. Same-sex love is not foreign to African culture. Same sex relationship is not western. It is human.

Hence we are concerned that those who jettisoned and demonized African culture and embraced foreign homophobic Christian and Islamic faith versions are using 'African culture' to justify and sanctify their hatred and prejudice against gays. We must call out this moral hypocrisy and contradiction.

We have just received a sad news from Burundi where the president called for a public stoning of same-sex couples. Public stoning in this 21st century? What a shame! This president, a catholic, has authorized violence and persecution of homosexuals in his country. The statement is outrageous and should be condemned. But we have witnessed other revulsive pronouncements and sanctioning of gay hate and bloodletting in other African countries. Even the statement by the catholic pontiff authorizing the blessing of same-sex unions has not helped matters. It has elicited hostile reactions and caused Catholics and religious politicians to double down on their prejudice against gay people.

But we at the humanist movement stand with you and will continue to support you in this struggle as we have done in Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Uganda, South Africa, etc.

Keep in mind the saying that tough times never last, but tough people do. Humanity finds itself at a defining moment. Humanity is making a moral and cultural shift. So I urge you to remain strong, bearing in mind that these tough, and perilous moments will soon pass away. They are momentary crises, pain, and pangs that are preceding the birth and dawn of a new era of love, dignity, and respect for gays in Africa, and in the world. So, remain positive and hopeful.

To this end, I urge you to be vigilant. Take your safety seriously and try not to endanger your life or the lives of your loved ones. Eventually, love will win, and hatred will lose. Respect for gay people will triumph over abuse and persecution of homosexuals. But bear in mind, those prejudiced against gay people are many. They are on the streets, in state houses, parliaments, churches, mosques, and markets. Those who hate gays are on social and mainstream media. They are looking for an opportunity to vent their hate and victimize you. Those who want gay people dead are among the elite, and the commoners, the rich and poor, the educated and noneducated. The hatred is deep and entrenched, beyond imagination, but unwarranted. Many gay haters are thirsting for blood and want to see homosexuals dead. Once again, be careful and vigilant. Even though the pope has authorized a blessing of your union, little or nothing has changed in the region. African bishops have issued a counter-directive. They support political and legislative moves to jail or kill you for expressing love.

Now know this, all gay people in Africa. If the bishops and priests refuse to bless your union, come to us at the humanist movement, and we will 'bless' it. We will officiate it. Same-sex love and union enrich our culture and lives. At the humanist movement, we stand for human equality and marriage equality. And we will continue to work and campaign for equality for all, both gay and straight.

We will strive to dismantle the structures of hate, inequity, discrimination, injustice, and prejudice against gay people in Africa.

Leo Igwe is a board member of Humanists International, UK.
30.12.2023 LISTEN

Broadcasting in the Metaverse is unfolding to be a great tool using digital platforms to expand and empower African voices to improve social consciousness and address societal issues across the continent.

Changes in the political structures across Africa have given rise by many Africans across the socio-economic ecosystems and improving the educational equitability and access to conversations designed to include the silent voices of students who are seeking to be increasingly engaged to improve their communities, their counties, and their states.

Its a growing goal inspiration that Africans using diverse technologies are digital and increasingly immersive in content and developing content broadcasters are looking to share their voices across the second largest continent on planet Earth. Their voices will be heard either by Blogging, Podcasting, Threading, TikToking, YouTubing, Xing or any means necessary.

Technology is opening avenues for new ways to reach people who need hope that change is available. Platforms, such as YouTube, Threads, X (formally Twitter), LinkedIn offer ways for African voices to share their content that can become global and inspirational. The use of videos can be shared across Web 2.0 and as African content creators are transitioning and integrating more Web 3.0, broadcasting in the metaverse could become a consistent reality.

Africa is the youngest continent globally with over 70% of sub-Saharan Africa under the age of 30. United Nations data shows the rapid expanding use of young Africans with Smartphones and big dreams.

William Jackson, M.Ed. MetaverseWP

World Metaverse Council, Metaverse Education Project Director

https://www.un.org/ohrlls/news/young-people%E2%80%99s-potential-key-africa%E2%80%99s-sustainable-development

This is important to understand because of the influence the generations are expected to have in young people being involved in creating businesses, growing as entrepreneurs and their influences in politics and addressing society issues. The increased inclusion

of girls and women can be seen by their growing voices across social media and now the growing Web 3/4/5 ecosystems. Women in Africa are vital for economic growth, innovation, peaceful protests and security of the family that is increasingly seen across the broad spectrum with digital tools, platforms and how AI, VR, AR & MR influence engagements.

The team of MetaverseWP is working to collaborate with technology conferences across Africa to sponsor and provide scholarships to youth and teens to expose them to African thought leaders, coders, programmers that are the leading influencers in multiple areas of technology. Using platforms MetaverseWP https://metaversewp.com/ can be seen in the expansion of immersive environments that can be used for collaboration, connecting across the borders, boundaries and broad reaches of land that makes up Africa.

Not relying on Visas, documents to move freely and even financial restraints, the metaverse has grown to be an open gate for freedom of expression, sharing ideas, building collaborations and reaching across the diverse cultural differences, religions following and socio-economic diversity that separates friends and families.

Chinua Achebe, known as the "Father of African Literature," his quotes coincided with the use of digital tools and platforms and the sharing of African voices is seen here: "If you dont like someones story, write your own." The broadcasting of digital stories, ideas, and sharing of experiences is seen every day on social platforms. The traditional writing styles are replaced by the audio, video and blending of AI, and VR. Achebe would have been excited to use these tools to enhance and amplify his writings across Africa.

What the Metaverse has become is a support system and platform for African people have already connected in society across their daily lives. New technologies are being created and growing in popularity that are immersive, engaging and interactive. Africans are accepting the invitation to use any means necessary to connect across the continent and globally. Using these tools to bring conversations, exchanging of ideas, and sharing hope for a better tomorrow in the conversations that grow into collaborations and connections to change social behaviors, expand ideas and even broadcast across multiple platforms using multiple African languages. Technology has no limits and not limitations in creating, pivoting, amplifying, magnifying and transforming African content.

In many ways virtual reality platforms will be no different than television and radio, because they are content driven, but the beauty is that individual Africans have more power of the content created. Africans are free to share successes, challenges, ideas, their faith and broadcast friendships, compassion, and hope where there may not have been possible. Africans are able to reach people not otherwise accessible through commercial media. The Metaverse, AI, VR, and other tech has been created for this time, as uncertain and scary as it can seem.

Though technology is changing, the one constant is there are Africans everywhere that can connect and support each other. Only time will tell what new ways there will be to build connections that promote equality, freedoms and serve to empowering people across the African continent and the African Global Diaspora. Stay tuned as Africa's voice grows louder and stronger across the digital ether.

The New Year is just a start, there are phenomenal growth potentials across the African continent that will forever change the creating, sharing, developing, and inspiring of content that will be created. Technology is a tool, a platform, a formulated binary accumulation of data sets, digital ecosystems, and creative opportunities of expression.

The growing metaverse will open opportunities as never before, as the World Metaverse Council  Metaverse Education Project Directors I see global collaborations as never before. The opportunity to bring culture diversity and educational exchanges to the world. Sharing what Mike Abel, M&C Saatchi Group South Africa Founding Partner and CEO, stated about the metaverse and its's great potential. The unique afro-themed metaverse establishes local representation in a growing global digital universe and will open our continent up to significant digital and economic growth opportunities for both talent, clients and industry colleagues to come together to solve business and even societal challenges with creativity, As an educator of 33 years I hope to bring to Africa the great opportunities of new way to learn across culture, generation, and even religious differences. It can be done with understanding, patience, and a willingness to see beyond where we are not and looking into the future.

Let take the next step to educate new generations with new ways of learning.

William Jackson, M.Ed. MetaverseWP

World Metaverse Council, Metaverse Education Project Director
30.12.2023 LISTEN

Dennis Gowugade, a teacher trainee National Service Person and farmer at Odomi in the Nkwanta South Municipality of the Oti Region, has been shot dead by unknown gunmen on his farm.

Sources said Gowugade went to his farm on Friday to gather foodstuffs when he was shot.

They attributed the incident to the ethnic disturbance between Akyodes on one hand and the Adeles and Challas on the other.

This brings to a total of about 16 persons killed since the conflict broke some two months ago, following a tribal conflict between the three ethic tribes.

Meanwhile, the Nkwanta township is under 1700  0600 hours curfew, excluding the surrounding communities.

Some residents, who spoke to with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), requested the curfew to be extended to the fringe communities to curtail escalation of hostilities and criminal activities.

Mr Joshua Makubu, the Oti Regional Minister and Chair of the Security Council (REGSEC), confirming the incident, appealed to the people to give peace a chance and seek redress at appropriate quarters.

Nana Mprah Besemuna III, President of the Oti Regional House of Chiefs, in a recent press conference, appealed to the various factions to use dialogue to resolve their differences instead of resorting to use of arms and to embrace peace for the development of Nkwanta and the region as a whole.

He said the security agencies would investigate the incident and ensure the perpetrators were made to face the law.

Video footage showed some police and military officers retrieving the deceased's body from the farm, which they had deposited at the Municipal Hospital morgue for preservation.

GNA
30.12.2023 LISTEN

The end-of-year all-night services are going to be held across the nation to commemorate the Birth of the Saviour of the world (JESUS CHRIST). To obstruct the message of Christmas, Ghana's IGP has always had to create a subject for discussion in order to distract the media from talking about Jesus Christ.

Sometimes, there is a conflict between allegiance to God and that of the State. It is a case of how to separate the chaff from the real wheat!

The arrogator (IGP) Dr. Dampare's posture towards pastors in Ghana is unconstitutional, unscriptural and ungodly! The church is outside his jurisdiction and he does not have a clue to the trappings of Christianity! They are too technical and convoluted for the IGP or any human Leadership to attempt to regulate! The voice of God is unfathomable to human reasoning!

That is what politicians must understand!

He is subtly trying to confuse and intimidate true men of God in Ghana. He can't suppress freedom of religion and freedom of speech by his mundanity and intolerance towards churches and clergymen in Ghana.

After all, there are appropriate constitutional bodies whose duty is to sanction "erring" clergymen.

I want to encourage every true man of God to speak boldly against evil politicians, kings, chiefs, religious leaders, celebrities, media personalities and all those who are the cause of all the woes in Ghana. The Prophets and the Apostles of old who spoke for God were never conventional but radical.

Pastors have been commissioned as Jeremiah was, _"See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant._ _JEREMIAH. 1:10._

Do we have to listen to men or God? Judge it for yourselves, fellow Ghanaians! Prophets told leaders that they were going to die because of their atrocious ways or maybe they had finished serving God's purpose in their generation!

Dr Dampare is a British-trained police officer and we know how British Police characteristically harass street preachers in the UK. Governments and Security Institutions are to be submitted to but are not to be worshipped. To interfere with worship, regulate worship or dictate to the clergy or any worship system is unacceptable, except where there has been a detection of crime!

Only God regulates worship!

Here we stand: our minds are captive to God, Christ, Scriptures, the Gospel and the fear of God!

We will not bow to the gods of men! Here we stand!

"Bold to defend forever the cause of freedom and of right!"

REV. Emmanuel BOACHIE, Country Director, Awsome Bible College and HEAD PASTOR of Souls' Pasture Church, Asuofua-ACHIASE, Kumasi.

+233 240 37 59 59 .
Based on the struggle for civil rights, the Vietnam War unleashed a massive mobilization on U.S. campuses. Since then, few events have been able to mobilize students like the Gaza war, which shares some key features with the earlier conflict: the imagery of a powerful army subjugating a helpless population; generational differences (young Americans are more pro-Palestinian than their elders); the conflict as a catalyst for broader trends; and, finally, the belief in opposition to the war as a just cause in both cases.

But there are also many differences between the two. Race is the first important distinction. In the 1960s, campuses were mostly white, while todays campuses have many more students of other races, who empathize with the Palestinian struggle as a form of final resistance to colonialism. Protesters against the Gaza war agree with the denunciation of police brutality against African Americans that rocked the U.S. in 2014 and 2020. But even in the racial protests of the last decade, the demonstrations did not reach the level of polarization and virulence of the current ones, in which accusations of antisemitism have become another casus belli added to the war itself.

Todays anti-war protest differs from the one in the 1960s that was encouraged by the beat generation and the hippie movement, because the former pits equals against equals: Jewish students who say they feel insecure in the face of their own peers and the latters calls for intifada. The tension has moved from the bottom up, reaching university leaders and igniting a political firestorm a year before the elections. Indeed, the situation has reached an even higher level with a federal investigation examining whether a dozen schools, including some of the countrys most prestigious ones, have violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, legislation that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color or origin, by allowing antisemitic demonstrations.

As campus demographics have changed, so too have the political pressures and demands on university leaders, including from many donors. The latter have placed the presidents of the University of Pennsylvania, Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in an untenable situation. A case in point: Liz Magill resigned after a donor threatened to withdraw $100 million in funding. Harvards Claudine Gay is still on the hot seat, not just for failing to expressly condemn hateful messages on her campus at a congressional hearing but also for accusations of plagiarism, which have forced her to revise several articles. Like Gays, Sally Kornbluths picture appears on banners and posters with disparaging slogans. The controversy over alleged antisemitism is the Republicans new battering ram against opponents.

Omer Bartov, a professor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Brown University, summarizes the debates background. There has been a general polarization of political opinion since Donald Trumps election as president in 2016. That polarization has found its way onto campuses as well. At the same time, there has been a growing tendency to silence or even ban the opinions, speeches and writings of those expressing views opposed to ones own. That has occurred on both the Right and the Left. Among conservatives, that trend has manifested itself most notably in the bans on speeches and writings that are critical of American history and racism; among liberals, it occurs against those using terms and terminology deemed offensive or inappropriate. The former has been evident at several schools in Republican states; the latter has become common at many liberal universities.

A student-organized protest against the Gaza war on November 9 in New York. JUSTIN LANE (EFE)

The Gaza war protest movement is largely decentralized, although it has links to national platforms, such as the U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights, the largest in the country. We have seen students leading our communities across the country. Despite attempts to silence them, students continue to organize and speak out in support of an immediate ceasefire and a free Palestine. We proudly support their work, a spokesperson explains. The internet offers inspiration and, at times, advice for protesters. In 2014, when Mike Brown, an unarmed black man, was killed by police in Ferguson, Missouri, leading thousands of people to protest in the streets for days, Palestinian Americans on social media offered suggestions for how to protect oneself from tear gas. Nine years later, at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and elsewhere, black and Latino students are the vanguard of the pro-Palestinian movement.

Last week, Joey Ayub, who is of Palestinian-Lebanese descent and edits a podcast on the conflict, wrote that young Americans are more likely to conceptualize the Palestinian cause as an issue linked to the struggle for racial justice. Ayub says that there is a visual parallel, an image that is easy to assimilate: that of a soldier or police officer dominating a space inhabited by a subjugated population, whether in a West Bank city or in a majority-black neighborhood in the United States. He also argues that 2014 was a pivotal year in younger Americans understanding of the conflict: that summer, as protests erupted in Ferguson over the death of a Black youth, an offensive against Gaza, the so-called Operation Protective Edge, killed some 2,250 Palestinians and 73 Israelis. Ayub recalls that advice on social media about how to deal with tear gas was symbolically a very powerful thing.

The end of the semester and Christmas break seem to have restored calm on campus, but only in appearance. At New Yorks Columbia University, it is not difficult to find Palestinian flags, even at the headquarters of a student fraternity. In mid-December, the unrest at Harvard University came from outsiders. Columbia has managed to escape the noise thus far, despite being the epicenter of the mobilization in the wars early days, because of initiatives that combine prohibition and dialogue: among others, a new forum for specific debate over the conflict amid the ban on two pro-Palestinian groups for violating the rules authorizing demonstrations (neither of them has responded to this newspaper). Many wonder how long it will take for Columbia, one of the universities under federal investigation, to be swept up in the fury engulfing other campuses.

Israeli Shai Davidai, a professor at Columbias business school and one of the first to denounce the directions inaction, says that, in practice, nothing has changed, despite the aforementioned measures. Last month, the university suspended two pro-Hamas organizations from campus. On the 8th, under pressure from the congressional hearing [three days earlier], the university declared that calls for violence and genocide violate the institutions rules. On the 11th, the university communicated that a planned protest was unauthorized and therefore would not take place, but on the same day, the unauthorized protest did take place, he emphasizes. It was organized by the two organizations that had supposedly been suspended, and there were chants of slogans calling for violence, something the university claims to be against. In short, nothing is being done about it. As we saw during the shameful congressional hearing, todays universities are not run by leaders, but by lawyers, he decries.

Ignorance of the context

Davidai refers to the December 5 appearance of the presidents of the University of Pennsylvania, Harvard and MIT before the House Education Committee, during which they took a beating from the Republicans, especially Elise Stefanik. The far-right Republican representatives fifteen minutes of fame sank the three womens reputations and tarnished the three institutions images, but her role was an exercise in political opportunism. There is little doubt that representatives like Elise Stefanik who has expressed sympathy for the antisemitic so-called Great Replacement Theory and coddled the Republican Partys most radical factions was not interested in fighting antisemitism in her questioning of the university presidents. In addition to pursuing her own political ambitions, Stefanik seeks to expose universities as bastions of the radical leftist elite that censor all other opinions, Bartov explains. He warns of the need to beware of censorship on campuses by both sides, while protecting students and faculty from hate speech, incitement and intimidation.

Israeli-born Professor Bartov believes that the university presidents equidistance in showing sympathy for all victims and trying to please everyone (faculty, students, donors) has only made things worse. He observes that instead of expressing their own views clearly and directly or stating that they are not in a position to make public statements about political events in other parts of the world, they opted for legalistic language that completely undermined their authority as the leaders of large institutions. Moreover, Bartov adds, even at elite universities like Harvard, MIT and the University of Pennsylvania, as well as my own, Brown University, the vehemence of student protests against Israeli policies, and equally vehement attacks on those protests as antisemitic, often lack a real understanding of the complexity of the situation on the ground in Israel and Palestine.

Just a couple of examples serve to illustrate that last point: many of the young people who chant slogans like From the river [Jordan] to the sea, Palestine will be free (a slogan that Jewish students see as a call for expulsion or genocide), are unaware of what exactly the expression refers to. According to a recent Economist/YouGov poll, some believe that the Holocaust is a myth. According to a recent Harvard CAPS-Harris poll, two-thirds of voters between the ages of 18 and 24 believe that Jews as a class are oppressors and should be treated as such. Some 67% of those in that age bracket say the female presidents questioned in Congress did more than they needed to do to tackle antisemitism on campus, compared to 62% of all respondents, for whom the three women fell far short. According to the poll, one in five young Americans believe the Holocaust is a myth.

The 'official' definition of anti-Semitism In addition to the context of political polarization and culture wars, Professor Omer Bartov asserts that there is another factor that explains the root of anti-Semitism (or what some people consider anti-Semitism). "For years now, successive Benjamin Netanyahu governments, and elements of the Jewish Right elsewhere in Europe and the United States, have pushed the argument that any criticism of Israeli policies, especially as they relate to the occupation of Palestinian land, is anti-Semitic. That was intended to shield Israel from exposure of its oppression of millions of Palestinians in the occupied territories. Many governments have adopted the 'working definition of anti-Semitism' formulated by the IHRA [International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance], which labels certain anti-Israel speech as potentially anti-Semitic. That has led both to the silencing of criticism by those who fear being falsely accused of anti-Semitism, and to confusion between actual anti-Semitism, which has undoubtedly been on the rise in recent years, and growing public awareness of objectionable Israeli policies, which has also been increasing." Adherence to this standard definition is evident, for example, in Germany, where the Berlin government has closed ranks around Israel, without expressing any criticism of the military offensive against Gaza. Many others are torn between censorship and self-censorship, but does the issue threaten free speech in the U.S.? "Some pro-Palestinian students would say it does. There have been cases of students being arrested or universities trying to ban certain types of demonstrations. But for the most part, [the bans] have been based on the disruption of university life and incitement. Overall, despite the intense rhetoric coming from both sides, I do not believe that Jewish students are not safe on American campuses, as the Israeli media sometimes enthusiastically report, nor [do I think] that there is a crackdown on pro-Palestinian voices or persecution of Arab and Muslim students, as other media outlets have suggested, despite some horrific incidents, such as the shooting of three Palestinian students, including a Brown University student, a few weeks ago in Burlington, Vermont." Regarding the climate of insecurity that some Jewish students report on campuses, Bartov said "I think this is a false perception, but there have also been cases of real anti-Semitism that should not be ignored."

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In a surprising turn of events on September 25, 2023, Alan Kyerematen bid farewell to the New Patriot Party (NPP) and paved the way for his political journey by founding the Movement for Change, setting the stage for an intriguing showdown in the upcoming 2024 presidential elections. Despite initial skepticism, Kyerematens determination to challenge the NPPs grip on power has not wavered, with some party members resorting to controversial tactics to impede his political ascent.

Upon Kyerematens departure, a faction within the NPP dismissed his candidacy, questioning his ability to pose a legitimate threat to their dominance. However, not all NPP members opposed his decision, as a notable contingent of party stalwarts and dedicated supporters rallied behind him. This internal division within the NPP hinted at the complexities and challenges the party faced in managing the fallout from Kyerematens departure.

Kyerematens exit from the NPP was fueled by a sense of injustice he perceived within the party. Recounting the 2007 presidential primaries, he highlighted the abrupt suspension of the electoral process and the subsequent accusations of election interference leveled against him. According to Kyerematen, these events were orchestrated to undermine his popularity and grassroots support within the NPP. Despite these challenges, he showed his commitment to party unity by supporting Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to avoid a run-off.

The former NPP member revealed that, despite his loyalty and sacrifices, he and his supporters faced hostility and brutality, prompting him to lodge a complaint with the party leadership. Disappointingly, the promised resolution to address the attacks never materialized, further souring Kyerematens relationship with the NPP.

Adding to his grievances, Kyerematen criticized the 2023 Super Delegates Conference, alleging that it was strategically biased in favour of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. He claimed that the unprecedented levels of intimidation and monetary influences observed during the conference were instrumental in solidifying his decision to part ways with the NPP.

Regardless of the hurdles and adversities faced, Alan Kyerematen emerges as a formidable contender in the 2024 presidential race. As the leader of the Movement for Change, he poses a credible challenge to the ruling NPP, promising a dynamic political landscape in the upcoming elections. The unfolding narrative sets the stage for a riveting electoral contest with implications for the future direction of Ghanaian politics.

What challenges does the departure of Mr. Kyerematen present to the ruling NPP in the race for the presidency? When a stalwart or influential member of a political party decides to exit and form a rival party to contest for the presidential slot, it can pose significant challenges for the original party. First, Mr. Kyerematens exit can cause a loss of credibility and trust within the ruling NPP. The departure of a key figure like Mr. Kyerematen, especially one with a strong political or public standing, can erode the credibility and trust that voters have in the NPP. Supporters may question the partys internal cohesion, leadership stability, and overall vision. The perception of disunity can be damaging and might lead to a loss of voter confidence.

Secondly, the departure of Mr. Kyerematen from the ruling NPP has the potential to spark internal factionalism and discontent. The exit of the stalwart, Mr. Kyerematen, may trigger internal factionalism within the NPP. Existing members of the party may align themselves with different factions, leading to internal conflicts and power struggles. The absence of a unifying figure such as Mr. Kyerematen can create a leadership vacuum, causing disagreements over the party's direction, ideology and strategies for the 2024 elections.

Furthermore, the absence of Mr. Kyerematen may result in diminished electoral prospects of the NPP. His departure to form a rival party, the Movement for Change, can split the voter base of the NPP, resulting in a dilution of electoral support. The NPP party may find it challenging to maintain the same level of electoral success without the support of Mr. Kyerematen and his loyal followers. This can impact NPPs ability to win the parliamentary election, including the presidential slot.

Moreover, the formation of the Movement for Change will lead to resource drain and fundraising challenges for the ruling NPP. Losing a key figure like Mr. Kyerematen means losing access to crucial resources, including financial contributions and organizational support. Donors and supporters who were previously aligned with him may redirect their resources to the Movement for Change, leaving the NPP with fewer funds for campaigns, mobilization efforts and infrastructure development. NPP has the advantage of incumbency. However, fundraising might become more challenging as it grapples with the financial fallout of the split.

Finally, there may be strategic and policy shifts in the NPP. The departure of Mr. Kyerematen may lead to a shift in the NPPs strategic direction and policy priorities. The Movement for Change may adopt a different set of policies or emphasize specific issues that were not previously central to the NPPs platform. This can force the NPP to reassess its positions, potentially alienating certain segments of its traditional support base and complicating its messaging.

Addressing these challenges requires careful navigation, effective communication, and strategic planning on the part of the NPP. Rebuilding trust, resolving internal conflicts, and adapting to the changed political landscape are essential for NPPs survival and continued relevance in the face of the formidable rival, the Movement for Change.

How can Mr. Keyermatens party seize power from the ruling NPP? First and foremost, the Movement for Change needs to articulate a clear vision and message. It must develop a concise and compelling vision that resonates with a broad spectrum of voters, clearly stating its stance on critical issues such as Ghanas current economic state and, for example, the free senior high school, outlining distinctions from both the NPP and the National Democratic Congress (NDC). In addition, it should craft a message that addresses the concerns of the Ghanaian electorate and emphasizes the Movement for Changes commitment to positive change, focusing on how it plans to address the challenges faced by Ghanaians.

Moreover, the Movement for should establish a robust grassroots organization. Investing in building a strong grassroots network involves recruiting dedicated volunteers and local leaders, establishing connections at the community level to understand specific needs and aspirations, and organizing regular town hall meetings, community forums and door-to-door campaigns. These efforts will not only help disseminate its message but also build trust and support at the grassroots level.

To wrestle power from the NPP, the Movement for Change should leverage technology for outreach. Utilizing modern technology and social media platforms will enable the party to reach a wider audience. Developing an active online presence with a user-friendly website and engaging with voters through social media channels are crucial. Besides, implementing targeted digital marketing campaigns will raise awareness of the movements agenda. Leveraging data analytics to identify key demographics and tailor messages accordingly is also essential.

Furthermore, for the Movement for Change to secure victory in 2024, it must establish credible leadership. Showcasing a strong and diverse leadership team that emphasizes experience, integrity and dedication is paramount. Highlighting the achievements and qualifications of key figures within the party will build trust among voters and address any concerns or doubts regarding the movements ability to govern effectively.

In addition, forming alliances is critical for the Movement for Change to win power in 2024. Identifying potential allies and like-minded organizations that share common goals, collaborating with established groups, community leaders, and influencers will expand the movements reach and credibility. Forming alliances provides access to additional resources, expertise, and a broader support base, presenting a united front against challenges posed by more established political entities.

Lastly, Mr. Kyerematens movement should remain flexible and adapt its approach based on the evolving political landscape. Regularly assessing the effectiveness of campaigns and strategies, seeking feedback from the electorate to make informed adjustments is crucial. While building a new movement is challenging, a well-planned and executed strategy can increase the Movement for Changes chances of winning elections and making a positive impact on the political landscape.

Richmond Acheampong

Email:[email protected]
Effort by Dr. Bawumia and his economic management team to restructure our external debt has become increasingly difficult. A recent report by Bloomberg (May 20,2023) shows that loans from the Bank of Ghana played a major role in the country's debt expansion. Under Dr. Bawumia, Ghana is finding it difficult to manage and sustain its debt load. Looking at economic indicators from the previous administration to that of Dr. Bawumias NPP government, it is evident that Ghanas ticking debt bomb started in 2017 when Dr. Bawumia and his NPP economic management team engaged in aggressive borrowing and spending.

Under Dr. Bawumias NPP economic management, the Bank of Ghana (BoG) embarked on quantitative easing. BoG became a hub for money printing machines to finance Dr. Bawumias government. BoG also ignored certain monetary policy guidelines. You do recall that Dr. Bawumia and his economic management team informed Ghanaians that they can no longer service our debt. In a desperate move, Dr. Bawumia introduced a policy to purchase oil with gold with the goal of preventing the cedi from having Humpty Dumpty had a great fall or as Dr. Bawumia puts Medo Nyame Exchange Rate.

Dr Bawumias gold for oil policy did not work. Paul Krugman, the renowned American Economist was right in his legend of King Midas, and I quote Legend of King Midas...whose true sin was his failure to understand monetary economics. Paul Krugman, a Nobel laureate for his analysis on trade patterns and location of economic activity argues that gold is not a stable standard when measured in terms of other goods and services. According to Paul Krugman, gold is a commodity whose price is constantly buffeted by shifts in supply and demand. This makes me question the true intent behind Dr. Bawumias gold for oil policy.

The man who asked Paapa Amissah-Arthur (may his soul rest in peace) to answer 70+ questions has failed Ghana miserably. Dr. Bawumia with reference to your own question number 69. Have you done the following:

Solved the water problems in Ghana.

Solved the energy problem.

Put in place at least 1000 kilometres of asphalt road in each region. There would be no major road problem left in any region after this.

Transformed Agriculture in the Northern regions, Afram Plains, and the rest of Ghana through investment in machinery, irrigation and dams.

Put in place one world class hospital in each region.

Buy at least 1000 ambulances for the Ghana Ambulance Service.

Set up factories with the private sector across the country to add value to our raw materials and create jobs.

Equip our existing health and education institutions with state-of-the-art facilities.

Build an additional 600 of the Senior High Schools the government is currently trying to build.

Construct the Accra-Kumasi-Paga railway as well as the Western Railway line.

Ebenezer Ato Ntarkurfah Jackson

Cornell University Johnson School of Business Management

MBA Class of 2015
ASA Savings and Loans Ltd has again shown its commitment to supporting its clients in its resolve to give back to society.

The savings and loans company through its Kwabenya Business Centre, Dome Business Centre, and Taifa Business Centre has given out scholarships to the tune of GHS12,000 to support the education of the wards of its customers.

The money was disbursed to 20 beneficiaries on Friday, December 29, with each person receiving GHS600.

Speaking to Modernghana News, Samir Sani, Area Manager for ASA Savings and Loans Ltd in the Taifa Area assured the company has plans to do more for its customers.

This is one of the programmes we run as our CSR activities. What weve done today is a scholarship scheme that we have instituted for wards of our clients.

We decided to give them some scholarship package to assist them in their quest to purchase some educational materials for their children, Samir Sani explained.

He noted that the company takes its Corporate Social Responsibility activities seriously and will engage in several activities in 2024 to give back to society.

This is not the first time weve done this. We have been doing this and we have the intention to continue.

In subsequent ones, we intend to enlarge the numbers. In 2024 you will see us doing our CSR activities in bigger proportions, Samir Sani added.

Samir Sani further disclosed that next year, ASA Savings and Loans will expand to operate in more communities to have the capacity to support more women in their trade and businesses.

Sharing his delight in an interview, Christopher Asare, a Level 300 student at the University of Ghana, said he greatly appreciates the gesture from ASA Savings and Loans Ltd.

He said he would invest the money in his side hustle to increase his profits to be able to pay his fees for the upcoming semester.

ASA Savings and Loans Ltd in addition to the award of scholarships, also embarks on periodic free health screening exercises in communities where the company operates.

The company also donates to orphanages and hospitals as part of its CSR activities.
Livforsakringsbolaget Skandia Omsesidigt cut its stake in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) by 4.1% during the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 26,017 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after selling 1,100 shares during the quarter. Livforsakringsbolaget Skandia Omsesidigts holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $2,519,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of ABT. Fairfield Bush & CO. purchased a new stake in Abbott Laboratories during the 1st quarter valued at about $131,000. United Bank grew its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 7.2% in the first quarter. United Bank now owns 27,280 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $3,229,000 after purchasing an additional 1,826 shares in the last quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp lifted its position in Abbott Laboratories by 1.9% during the first quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 813,253 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $96,257,000 after buying an additional 15,521 shares in the last quarter. Kinneret Advisory LLC boosted its stake in Abbott Laboratories by 2.3% during the first quarter. Kinneret Advisory LLC now owns 19,467 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $2,304,000 after buying an additional 436 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Lumature Wealth Partners LLC raised its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 636.2% during the 1st quarter. Lumature Wealth Partners LLC now owns 2,216 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $262,000 after acquiring an additional 1,915 shares during the period. 73.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on ABT. Morgan Stanley dropped their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $112.00 to $107.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Thursday, October 19th. UBS Group cut their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $130.00 to $118.00 in a report on Thursday, October 19th. TheStreet upgraded Abbott Laboratories from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a report on Thursday, December 21st. Jefferies Financial Group cut their target price on Abbott Laboratories from $120.00 to $112.00 in a research note on Monday, October 2nd. Finally, Citigroup reduced their target price on Abbott Laboratories from $130.00 to $122.00 in a research report on Monday, October 2nd. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Abbott Laboratories presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $117.80.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 15,000 shares of Abbott Laboratories 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 completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 65,027 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,022,916. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other Abbott Laboratories news, Director Daniel J. Starks sold 50,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred 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 of the companys stock, valued at $632,515,969.80. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 15,000 shares of the 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 completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 65,027 shares in the company, valued at $7,022,916. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Abbott Laboratories Stock Down 0.3 %

Shares of ABT stock traded down $0.35 during trading on Friday, reaching $110.05. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,018,635 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,161,371. The company has a market capitalization of $191.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.55, a P/E/G ratio of 2.75 and a beta of 0.70. Abbott Laboratories has a 1-year low of $89.67 and a 1-year high of $115.83. 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 stocks 50-day moving average price is $101.46 and its 200 day moving average price is $102.90.

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 18th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.14 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.10 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $10.14 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.82 billion. Abbott Laboratories had a return on equity of 20.15% and a net margin of 12.92%. Abbott Laboratoriess revenue was down 2.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.15 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.44 EPS for the current year.

Abbott Laboratories Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 15th. Investors of record on Friday, January 12th will be paid a $0.55 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 11th. This represents a $2.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.00%. This is an increase from Abbott Laboratoriess previous quarterly dividend of $0.51. Abbott Laboratoriess payout ratio is currently 69.39%.

Abbott Laboratories 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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Arch Resources (NYSE:ARCH  Get Free Report) was upgraded by analysts at StockNews.com from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report released on Friday.

Several other brokerages also recently issued reports on ARCH. B. Riley decreased their price objective on Arch Resources from $197.00 to $188.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, October 3rd. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on Arch Resources from $170.00 to $175.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, November 17th. Finally, Benchmark restated a buy rating and issued a $180.00 price objective on shares of Arch Resources in a report on Tuesday, October 3rd.

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Arch Resources Stock Performance

Shares of ARCH traded down $0.73 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $165.94. 132,046 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 407,909. Arch Resources has a 1-year low of $102.42 and a 1-year high of $175.10. The stock has a market cap of $3.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 4.03 and a beta of 0.68. The stocks fifty day moving average is $158.17 and its 200 day moving average is $142.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08, a quick ratio of 1.61 and a current ratio of 2.27.

Arch Resources (NYSE:ARCH  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 26th. The energy company reported $3.91 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.26 by $0.65. The firm had revenue of $744.60 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $638.04 million. Arch Resources had a net margin of 25.36% and a return on equity of 58.01%. The companys quarterly revenue was down 13.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $8.68 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that Arch Resources will post 26.63 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Arch Resources news, VP John A. Ziegler sold 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, December 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $175.03, for a total transaction of $875,150.00. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 22,750 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,981,932.50. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other Arch Resources news, VP Rosemary L. Klein sold 158 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, November 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $165.00, for a total value of $26,070.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 8,157 shares in the company, valued at $1,345,905. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, VP John A. Ziegler sold 5,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $175.03, for a total transaction of $875,150.00. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 22,750 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,981,932.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 5,957 shares of company stock valued at $1,024,862 in the last 90 days. 5.40% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Arch Resources

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of ARCH. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. raised its stake in Arch Resources by 2.9% in the first quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 2,371 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $325,000 after purchasing an additional 67 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its position in shares of Arch Resources by 6.6% in the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 78,779 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $10,823,000 after buying an additional 4,910 shares in the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Arch Resources by 58.0% during the 1st quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 8,190 shares of the energy companys stock worth $1,125,000 after acquiring an additional 3,007 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its position in shares of Arch Resources by 2.9% during the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 519,483 shares of the energy companys stock worth $71,366,000 after acquiring an additional 14,434 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ergoteles LLC bought a new position in Arch Resources in the first quarter valued at approximately $619,000. 85.03% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Arch Resources

(Get Free Report)

Arch Resources, Inc produces and sells metallurgical products. As of December 31, 2022, the company operated seven active mines. It also owned or controlled primarily through long-term leases approximately 28,292 acres of coal land in Ohio; 952 acres of coal land in Maryland; 10,095 acres of coal land in Virginia; 306,263 acres of coal land in West Virginia; 81,450 acres of coal land in Wyoming; 234,087 acres of coal land in Illinois; 33,047 acres of coal land in Kentucky; 362 acres of coal land in Montana; 248 acres of coal land in Pennsylvania; and 19,018 acres of coal land in Colorado, as well as smaller parcels of property in Alabama, Indiana, Washington, Arkansas, California, Utah, and Texas.

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BlackRock Limited Duration Income Trust (NYSE:BLW  Get Free Report) saw a large increase in short interest in the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 71,300 shares, an increase of 134.5% from the November 30th total of 30,400 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 92,300 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.8 days.

BlackRock Limited Duration Income Trust Price Performance

BLW traded up $0.20 during trading on Friday, reaching $13.98. 260,015 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 79,324. The companys fifty day moving average price is $13.08 and its 200-day moving average price is $13.02. BlackRock Limited Duration Income Trust has a fifty-two week low of $12.35 and a fifty-two week high of $14.13.

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BlackRock Limited Duration Income Trust Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a monthly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 20th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 15th were given a dividend of $0.108 per share. This is a positive change from BlackRock Limited Duration Income Trusts previous monthly dividend of $0.11. This represents a $1.30 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 9.27%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, December 14th.

Institutional Trading of BlackRock Limited Duration Income Trust

About BlackRock Limited Duration Income Trust

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Oxbow Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of BlackRock Limited Duration Income Trust by 5.8% during the second quarter. Oxbow Advisors LLC now owns 17,533 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $226,000 after buying an additional 955 shares during the period. NewEdge Advisors LLC lifted its stake in BlackRock Limited Duration Income Trust by 2.0% in the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 59,050 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $768,000 after acquiring an additional 1,151 shares in the last quarter. Pointe Capital Management LLC boosted its position in BlackRock Limited Duration Income Trust by 5.3% during the 3rd quarter. Pointe Capital Management LLC now owns 25,965 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $334,000 after acquiring an additional 1,300 shares during the last quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC grew its stake in shares of BlackRock Limited Duration Income Trust by 4.0% during the 3rd quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 45,802 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $554,000 after acquiring an additional 1,749 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. bought a new position in shares of BlackRock Limited Duration Income Trust during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $45,000.

(Get Free Report)

BlackRock Limited Duration Income Trust is a close ended fixed income mutual fund launched by BlackRock, Inc It is managed by BlackRock Advisors, LLC. The fund invests in fixed income securities of the United States. It invests in securities of companies operating across diversified sectors. The fund primarily invests in investment grade corporate bonds, mortgage-related securities, asset-backed securities, US Government and agency securities, and senior, secured floating rate loans.

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DNB Bank ASA (OTCMKTS:DNBBY  Get Free Report) saw a significant increase in short interest in the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 12,500 shares, an increase of 95.3% from the November 30th total of 6,400 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 149,100 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.1 days.

DNB Bank ASA Stock Up 1.5 %

DNBBY stock traded up $0.32 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $21.28. 71,732 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 92,135. The company has a quick ratio of 1.49, a current ratio of 1.49 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.53. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $19.03 and its 200-day simple moving average is $19.46. DNB Bank ASA has a 1-year low of $16.34 and a 1-year high of $21.32.

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DNB Bank ASA (OTCMKTS:DNBBY  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 19th. The company reported $0.61 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.55 by $0.06. The company had revenue of $2 billion for the quarter. DNB Bank ASA had a net margin of 23.46% and a return on equity of 14.70%. As a group, analysts anticipate that DNB Bank ASA will post 2.28 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

DNB Bank ASA Company Profile

DNB Bank ASA provides financial services for retail and corporate customers in Norway and internationally. The company offers personal banking products and services, including savings and investment products; loans, such as home mortgages, and car and consumer loans; pet, home and property, travel, and personal insurance products, as well as insurance products for vehicles; retirement savings products; foreign exchange and treasury activities; and Internet and mobile banking services, as well as cards.

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Lineweaver Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Duke Energy Co. (NYSE:DUK  Free Report) by 5.0% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 9,160 shares of the utilities providers stock after purchasing an additional 433 shares during the quarter. Lineweaver Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in Duke Energy were worth $809,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. CKW Financial Group purchased a new position in Duke Energy during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Norwood Financial Corp acquired a new stake in Duke Energy during the second quarter worth about $27,000. Impact Partnership Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Duke Energy during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Horizon Bancorp Inc. IN boosted its holdings in Duke Energy by 200.0% during the second quarter. Horizon Bancorp Inc. IN now owns 312 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 208 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Chilton Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Duke Energy during the first quarter valued at $28,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 63.68% of the companys stock.

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Duke Energy Trading Down 0.4 %

Shares of DUK traded down $0.36 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $96.56. The stock had a trading volume of 554,616 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,102,438. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.43, a current ratio of 0.76 and a quick ratio of 0.52. The businesss fifty day moving average is $91.85 and its 200 day moving average is $91.23. Duke Energy Co. has a 52-week low of $83.06 and a 52-week high of $106.43. The firm has a market cap of $74.42 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 61.73, a P/E/G ratio of 2.83 and a beta of 0.45.

Duke Energy Announces Dividend

Duke Energy ( NYSE:DUK Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 2nd. The utilities provider reported $1.94 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.92 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $7.99 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.13 billion. Duke Energy had a net margin of 4.47% and a return on equity of 8.24%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 1.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.78 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Duke Energy Co. will post 5.59 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 18th. Investors of record on Friday, November 17th were given a dividend of $1.025 per share. This represents a $4.10 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.25%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, November 16th. Duke Energys payout ratio is 261.15%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on the company. Wells Fargo & Company upgraded Duke Energy from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and raised their target price for the company from $94.00 to $103.00 in a research report on Thursday, November 30th. Bank of America dropped their price target on shares of Duke Energy from $104.00 to $103.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, December 22nd. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their price objective on shares of Duke Energy from $104.00 to $101.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, September 6th. KeyCorp raised their price target on shares of Duke Energy from $96.00 to $106.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 19th. Finally, Barclays increased their target price on Duke Energy from $96.00 to $97.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, September 14th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $98.82.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on DUK

Duke Energy Company Profile

(Free Report)

Duke Energy Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an energy company in the United States. It operates through two segments, Electric Utilities and Infrastructure (EU&I) and Gas Utilities and Infrastructure (GU&I). The EU&I segment generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electricity in the Carolinas, Florida, and the Midwest; and uses coal, hydroelectric, natural gas, oil, solar and wind sources, renewables, and nuclear fuel to generate electricity.

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Enzon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (OTCMKTS:ENZN  Get Free Report) saw a large drop in short interest in December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 2,800 shares, a drop of 58.2% from the November 30th total of 6,700 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 43,500 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.1 days.

Enzon Pharmaceuticals Stock Performance

ENZN traded up $0.01 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $0.09. 117,450 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 18,532. Enzon Pharmaceuticals has a 1-year low of $0.08 and a 1-year high of $0.28. The stocks 50-day moving average is $0.12 and its two-hundred day moving average is $0.15.

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About Enzon Pharmaceuticals

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Enzon Pharmaceuticals, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in marketing drug products. The company's marketed drug product is PegIntron. It also has a marketing agreement relating to Vicineum drug. The company was founded in 1981 and is headquartered in Cranford, New Jersey.

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Farmers and Merchants Bancshares, Inc. (OTCMKTS:FMFG  Get Free Report) was the target of a large increase in short interest in December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 200 shares, an increase of 100.0% from the November 30th total of 100 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 8,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.0 days.

Farmers and Merchants Bancshares Stock Up 1.7 %

Shares of FMFG traded up $0.30 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $17.50. 18,600 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,549. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $17.47 and a 200-day moving average of $19.33. Farmers and Merchants Bancshares has a 52 week low of $14.50 and a 52 week high of $27.00.

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Farmers and Merchants Bancshares Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 15th. Investors of record on Friday, December 1st were paid a dividend of $0.33 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, November 30th. Farmers and Merchants Bancsharess payout ratio is presently 41.16%.

Farmers and Merchants Bancshares Company Profile

Farmers and Merchants Bancshares, Inc, through its subsidiary, Farmers and Merchants Bank, provides commercial and retail banking services to individuals and businesses in Baltimore and Carroll counties in Maryland, and surrounding areas of northern Maryland. It offers checking, savings, money market, individual retirement, and sweep accounts, as well as certificates of deposit, remote check deposits, and repurchase agreements.

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KYODO NEWS - Dec 30, 2023 - 20:50 | All, World, Japan

A vessel belonging to the U.S. military arrived Saturday at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni carrying wreckage from one of the nation's Osprey transport aircraft, which crashed off a southwestern Japan island in late November, a local government said.

The city government of Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture unveiled the arrival, citing a local bureau of Japan's Defense Ministry. The U.S. military is expected to fully investigate what has been salvaged from the aircraft, which crashed in waters near Yakushima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture on Nov. 29, killing all eight people on board.

It was confirmed Wednesday that the wreckage had been pulled out of the sea and placed onto the salvage vessel's deck board.

The aircraft's black box has already been recovered and will allow the U.S. military to look into what caused the crash, according to sources related to the matter.

The recovered wreckage is part of the fuselage of the CV-22 transport aircraft, which was assigned to Yokota Air Base in the western suburbs of Tokyo. The fuselage was found underwater in early December near the island.

So far, the bodies of seven airmen have been recovered, and the U.S. Air Force has declared all eight crew members dead.

The U.S. military has suspended all of its Osprey flights worldwide, including non-Air Force flights, after finding that the crash may have been due to a malfunction.

Japan's Ground Self-Defense Forces have also suspended flights of its V-22 Ospreys, which have been temporarily deployed at Camp Kisarazu in Chiba Prefecture, near Tokyo.

Related coverage:

U.S. vows not to fly Osprey aircraft until confirming safety

U.S. military grounds entire Osprey fleet after crash off Japan coast

3 more bodies of crashed U.S. Osprey crew members recovered in Japan
First Farmers Financial Co. (OTCMKTS:FFMR  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest in the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 400 shares, a growth of 100.0% from the November 30th total of 200 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 1,300 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.3 days.

First Farmers Financial Stock Performance

FFMR remained flat at $79.48 during mid-day trading on Friday. 279 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 648. First Farmers Financial has a 1-year low of $58.00 and a 1-year high of $90.00. The stocks 50-day moving average is $64.72 and its two-hundred day moving average is $63.11.

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First Farmers Financial Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 12th. Investors of record on Friday, December 29th will be given a dividend of $0.48 per share. This represents a $1.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.42%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, December 28th. This is a boost from First Farmers Financials previous quarterly dividend of $0.47.

About First Farmers Financial

First Farmers Financial Corporation operates as the financial holding company for First Farmers Bank & Trust that provides banking products and services to individuals, families, and businesses. The company offers checking and savings accounts, health savings accounts, youth accounts, business accounts, deposit and government accounts, certificates of deposit, and individual retirement accounts, as well as account management services; and mortgages and construction loans, first time home buyers loan, home equity loans, auto loans, collateral loans, and debit and credit cards.

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Hardman Johnston Global Advisors LLC decreased its position in shares of RTX Co. (NYSE:RTX  Free Report) by 4.8% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 40,750 shares of the companys stock after selling 2,050 shares during the quarter. Hardman Johnston Global Advisors LLCs holdings in RTX were worth $2,933,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of RTX by 3.0% in the 3rd quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC now owns 101,505 shares of the companys stock worth $7,305,000 after purchasing an additional 2,912 shares in the last quarter. KG&L Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in RTX by 450.7% in the 3rd quarter. KG&L Capital Management LLC now owns 15,140 shares of the companys stock worth $1,090,000 after buying an additional 12,391 shares in the last quarter. JGP Wealth Management LLC raised its position in RTX by 4.7% in the 3rd quarter. JGP Wealth Management LLC now owns 94,004 shares of the companys stock worth $6,766,000 after buying an additional 4,214 shares during the last quarter. SFG Wealth Management LLC. bought a new position in RTX during the 3rd quarter valued at about $243,000. Finally, Uncommon Cents Investing LLC boosted its holdings in shares of RTX by 5.4% during the 3rd quarter. Uncommon Cents Investing LLC now owns 56,559 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,071,000 after acquiring an additional 2,883 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 79.06% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages recently weighed in on RTX. DZ Bank downgraded shares of RTX from a hold rating to a sell rating and lowered their price objective for the company from $79.00 to $68.00 in a research report on Friday, October 27th. StockNews.com lowered RTX from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, October 25th. Bank of America downgraded RTX from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and lowered their target price for the company from $95.00 to $75.00 in a report on Thursday, September 14th. Morgan Stanley upped their price target on shares of RTX from $83.00 to $86.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 25th. Finally, TheStreet downgraded shares of RTX from a b- rating to a c rating in a report on Tuesday, October 24th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, fourteen have issued a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, RTX presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $90.21.

RTX Trading Down 0.0 %

Shares of NYSE RTX traded down $0.02 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $84.15. 2,117,181 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 6,773,217. The company has a current ratio of 1.03, a quick ratio of 0.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46. The companys 50 day moving average price is $81.03 and its 200 day moving average price is $84.10. The stock has a market capitalization of $121.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 39.15, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.80 and a beta of 0.93. RTX Co. has a 12 month low of $68.56 and a 12 month high of $108.84.

RTX (NYSE:RTX  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, October 24th. The company reported $1.25 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.19 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $19 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $18.60 billion. RTX had a net margin of 4.76% and a return on equity of 10.05%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 12.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.21 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that RTX Co. will post 5 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

RTX Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 14th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 17th were paid a $0.59 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, November 16th. This represents a $2.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.80%. RTXs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 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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Highview Capital Management LLC DE reduced its stake in Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN  Free Report) by 10.2% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,768 shares of the information technology services providers stock after selling 200 shares during the period. Highview Capital Management LLC DEs holdings in Accenture were worth $543,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of ACN. First National Bank of Hutchinson increased its stake in Accenture by 2.9% in the 2nd quarter. First National Bank of Hutchinson now owns 1,132 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $349,000 after acquiring an additional 32 shares during the last quarter. Pinnacle Wealth Planning Services Inc. raised its stake in Accenture by 0.7% in the second quarter. Pinnacle Wealth Planning Services Inc. now owns 4,535 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $1,399,000 after purchasing an additional 32 shares in the last quarter. Aries Wealth Management grew its stake in Accenture by 0.8% in the 2nd quarter. Aries Wealth Management now owns 4,288 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $1,323,000 after buying an additional 33 shares in the last quarter. Mitchell Sinkler & Starr PA increased its holdings in shares of Accenture by 0.6% in the 2nd quarter. Mitchell Sinkler & Starr PA now owns 5,172 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $1,596,000 after buying an additional 33 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Blue Chip Partners LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Accenture by 6.6% during the 2nd quarter. Blue Chip Partners LLC now owns 532 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $164,000 after acquiring an additional 33 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 70.42% of the companys stock.

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Accenture Trading Down 0.2 %

NYSE ACN traded down $0.60 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $350.99. 522,191 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,217,179. Accenture plc has a 52 week low of $242.80 and a 52 week high of $355.38. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $326.77 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $318.02. The firm has a market capitalization of $220.40 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.58, a P/E/G ratio of 3.25 and a beta of 1.23.

Accenture Dividend Announcement

Accenture ( NYSE:ACN Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, December 19th. The information technology services provider reported $3.27 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.14 by $0.13. The firm had revenue of $16.22 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $16.17 billion. Accenture had a return on equity of 29.08% and a net margin of 10.65%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 3.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $3.08 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Accenture plc will post 12.21 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, January 18th will be issued a $1.29 dividend. This represents a $5.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.47%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, January 17th. Accentures dividend payout ratio is currently 47.82%.

Accenture announced that its board has authorized a share buyback program on Thursday, September 28th that permits the company to repurchase $4.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits 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 of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Analyst Ratings Changes

ACN has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Piper Sandler reduced their target price on Accenture from $312.00 to $300.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, September 29th. BMO Capital Markets increased their price objective on Accenture from $350.00 to $385.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 20th. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on shares of Accenture from $340.00 to $356.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 12th. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $340.00 target price on shares of Accenture in a research note on Friday, September 29th. Finally, StockNews.com raised Accenture from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, November 9th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven 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 target price of $348.59.

Read Our Latest Analysis on Accenture

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, insider Ellyn Shook sold 5,250 shares of Accenture stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $298.48, for a total transaction of $1,567,020.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 20,265 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,048,697.20. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Accenture news, insider Ellyn Shook sold 5,250 shares of Accenture stock in a transaction that occurred 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 sale, the insider now owns 20,265 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,048,697.20. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Jaime Ardila sold 3,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $353.18, for a total value of $1,059,540.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 11,392 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,023,426.56. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 39,885 shares of company stock worth $12,188,860. Corporate insiders own 0.07% of the companys stock.

About Accenture

(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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Hugoton Royalty Trust (OTCMKTS:HGTXU  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant drop in short interest during the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 900 shares, a drop of 95.6% from the November 30th total of 20,300 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 93,100 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.0 days.

Hugoton Royalty Trust Trading Up 8.2 %

Hugoton Royalty Trust stock traded up $0.04 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $0.57. 133,064 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 104,320. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $0.52 and its 200-day simple moving average is $0.70. Hugoton Royalty Trust has a 1 year low of $0.43 and a 1 year high of $2.29.

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Hugoton Royalty Trust Company Profile

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Hugoton Royalty Trust operates as an express trust in the United States. It holds 80% net profits interests in various natural gas producing working interest properties in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Wyoming under conveyances. The company was founded in 1998 and is based in Dallas, Texas.

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iHuman Inc. (NYSE:IH  Get Free Report) saw a large growth in short interest in December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 5,100 shares, a growth of 131.8% from the November 30th total of 2,200 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 3,800 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.3 days.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On iHuman

An institutional investor recently bought a new position in iHuman stock. Citadel Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of iHuman Inc. (NYSE:IH  Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund acquired 10,364 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $31,000. 4.96% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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iHuman Stock Up 5.7 %

Shares of IH traded up $0.17 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $3.07. 10,584 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 14,972. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $2.68 and a 200-day moving average price of $2.90. iHuman has a 12-month low of $2.18 and a 12-month high of $4.26. The stock has a market capitalization of $163.14 million, a P/E ratio of 6.64 and a beta of 0.43.

iHuman Company Profile

iHuman ( NYSE:IH Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, December 28th. The company reported $0.13 EPS for the quarter. The company had revenue of $35.84 million during the quarter. iHuman had a return on equity of 21.37% and a net margin of 16.76%.

(Get Free Report)

iHuman Inc provides intellectual development products to individual users, kindergartens, and distributors in the People's Republic of China. The company offers interactive and self-directed learning apps, including iHuman Chinese, iHuman ABC, iHuman Pinyin, iHuman Magic Thinking, iHuman Books, iHuman Stories, iHuman Reading, iHumanpedia, iHuman Kids Workout, iHuman Coding, iHuman Fun Idioms, iHuman Little Artists, iHuman Writing, iHuman Fantastic Friends, and iHuman Readers; bekids Coding, bekids Coloring, bekids Science, bekids Reading, bekids Puzzle, bekids Academy, and Gogo Town; and Aha World, an open-ended interactive app that nurtures a desire for discovery.

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Phillips 66 (NYSE:PSX  Get Free Report) EVP Vanessa Allen Sutherland sold 3,700 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $133.18, for a total transaction of $492,766.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 47,567 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,334,973.06. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link.

Phillips 66 Trading Up 0.2 %

PSX stock traded up $0.30 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $133.14. 2,022,805 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,307,472. Phillips 66 has a one year low of $89.74 and a one year high of $136.69. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a current ratio of 1.29. The company has a market cap of $58.58 billion, a PE ratio of 8.02, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.47 and a beta of 1.35. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $121.41 and its 200-day moving average price is $113.53.

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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 return on equity of 23.32% and a net margin of 5.05%. During the same period last year, the business posted $6.46 EPS. Research analysts predict that Phillips 66 will post 15.39 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Phillips 66 Dividend Announcement

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Phillips 66

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 17th were given a dividend of $1.05 per share. This represents a $4.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.15%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 16th. Phillips 66s dividend payout ratio is 25.33%.

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Fiduciary Alliance LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Phillips 66 in the second quarter valued at approximately $30,000. YHB Investment Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Phillips 66 by 2.1% during the 2nd quarter. YHB Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 12,991 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $1,239,000 after buying an additional 265 shares during the last quarter. Marion Wealth Management grew its holdings in shares of Phillips 66 by 2.8% in the 2nd quarter. Marion Wealth Management now owns 12,510 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $1,193,000 after acquiring an additional 340 shares in the last quarter. Pinebridge Investments L.P. increased its position in shares of Phillips 66 by 8.9% in the second quarter. Pinebridge Investments L.P. now owns 210,402 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $20,068,000 after acquiring an additional 17,226 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Hussman Strategic Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in Phillips 66 during the second quarter worth about $1,793,000. 71.83% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. TD Cowen upped their price target on Phillips 66 from $134.00 to $150.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, December 4th. Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. raised shares of Phillips 66 from a hold rating to a buy rating and raised their target price for the company from $115.00 to $130.00 in a research note on Monday, October 30th. Wolfe Research raised shares of Phillips 66 from a peer perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $146.00 price target for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 31st. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their target price on shares of Phillips 66 from $125.00 to $141.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, September 1st. Finally, Bank of America upped their target price on shares of Phillips 66 from $141.00 to $143.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, September 18th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $135.29.

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About Phillips 66

(Get 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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InTrack Investment Management Inc lowered its holdings in Bank of America Co. (NYSE:BAC) by 9.4% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 42,882 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 4,446 shares during the period. Bank of America makes up about 1.0% of InTrack Investment Management Incs holdings, making the stock its 26th biggest position. InTrack Investment Management Incs holdings in Bank of America were worth $1,174,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the business. Buckingham Strategic Partners increased its holdings in Bank of America by 23.7% during the 2nd quarter. Buckingham Strategic Partners now owns 54,963 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,577,000 after acquiring an additional 10,535 shares during the period. Goodman Advisory Group LLC increased its holdings in shares of Bank of America by 104,312.4% in the 2nd quarter. Goodman Advisory Group LLC now owns 194,207 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $5,572,000 after buying an additional 194,021 shares during the last quarter. Old North State Trust LLC increased its holdings in shares of Bank of America by 1.8% in the 1st quarter. Old North State Trust LLC now owns 23,584 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $675,000 after buying an additional 420 shares during the last quarter. Arkfeld Wealth Strategies L.L.C. increased its holdings in shares of Bank of America by 1.8% in the 2nd quarter. Arkfeld Wealth Strategies L.L.C. now owns 25,847 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $759,000 after buying an additional 446 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Parnassus Investments LLC increased its holdings in shares of Bank of America by 9.5% in the 2nd quarter. Parnassus Investments LLC now owns 37,656,022 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,080,351,000 after buying an additional 3,278,515 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 68.06% of the companys stock.

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Bank of America Stock Down 0.7 %

Shares of Bank of America stock traded down $0.24 during trading on Friday, hitting $33.64. The companys stock had a trading volume of 13,395,552 shares, compared to its average volume of 48,215,770. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.12, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a current ratio of 0.83. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $29.80 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $29.28. The company has a market capitalization of $266.22 billion, a PE ratio of 9.42, a P/E/G ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 1.40. Bank of America Co. has a 52 week low of $24.96 and a 52 week high of $37.00.

Bank of America Dividend Announcement

Bank of America ( NYSE:BAC Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 17th. The financial services provider reported $0.90 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.83 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $25.20 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $25.13 billion. Bank of America had a net margin of 18.69% and a return on equity of 12.08%. Bank of Americas quarterly revenue was up 2.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.81 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Bank of America Co. will post 3.41 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 29th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 1st will be issued a dividend of $0.24 per share. This represents a $0.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.85%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, November 30th. Bank of Americas payout ratio is presently 26.89%.

Insider Activity

In other news, major shareholder Of America Corp /De/ Bank sold 17,769 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $9.94, for a total transaction of $176,623.86. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.27% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

BAC has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an outperform rating and issued a $35.00 price target on shares of Bank of America in a report on Tuesday, September 12th. HSBC began coverage on shares of Bank of America in a research note on Thursday, September 7th. They issued a buy rating and a $35.00 price objective for the company. Piper Sandler cut their price objective on shares of Bank of America from $28.00 to $27.50 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, September 15th. Evercore ISI cut their price objective on shares of Bank of America from $35.00 to $33.00 in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on shares of Bank of America from $39.00 to $40.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 18th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Bank of America has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $35.58.

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Bank of America Company Profile

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Bank of America Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides banking and financial products and services for individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses, institutional investors, large corporations, and governments worldwide. Its Consumer Banking segment offers traditional and money market savings accounts, certificates of deposit and IRAs, noninterest-and interest-bearing checking accounts, and investment accounts and products; and credit and debit cards, residential mortgages, and home equity loans, as well as direct and indirect loans, such as automotive, recreational vehicle, and consumer personal loans.

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Jardine Matheson Holdings Limited (OTCMKTS:JMHLY  Get Free Report) saw a large increase in short interest during the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,200 shares, an increase of 140.0% from the November 30th total of 500 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 90,200 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.0 days.

Jardine Matheson Stock Performance

OTCMKTS:JMHLY traded up $0.57 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $41.19. The stock had a trading volume of 14,686 shares, compared to its average volume of 27,868. Jardine Matheson has a 12-month low of $38.28 and a 12-month high of $54.48. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20, a quick ratio of 0.95 and a current ratio of 1.13. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $40.16 and a 200 day simple moving average of $45.07.

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About Jardine Matheson

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Jardine Matheson Holdings Limited, through its subsidiaries, operates in motor vehicles and related operations, property investment and development, food retailing, health and beauty, home furnishings, engineering and construction, and transportation businesses in China, Southeast Asia, the United Kingdom, and internationally.

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Lineweaver Wealth Advisors LLC lessened its stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Free Report) by 39.5% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 20,303 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 13,238 shares during the quarter. Lineweaver Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $1,179,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. True Wealth Design LLC bought a new stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb during the 4th quarter worth $26,000. Northwest Capital Management Inc bought a new position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in the second quarter worth about $26,000. Coppell Advisory Solutions Corp. acquired a new position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb during the 4th quarter worth about $31,000. Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC bought a new stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Finally, Live Oak Investment Partners acquired a new stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Institutional investors own 74.98% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

BMY has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft assumed coverage on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research note on Thursday, November 9th. They set a hold rating and a $55.00 target price for the company. Barclays lowered their price objective on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $60.00 to $51.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 27th. The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their target price on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $81.00 to $69.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Monday, October 30th. UBS Group restated a neutral rating and issued a $60.00 price objective (down previously from $70.00) on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research note on Friday, October 20th. Finally, TheStreet lowered shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research report on Thursday, November 9th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have issued a hold rating, four have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $62.88.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:BMY traded down $0.07 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $51.15. The companys stock had a trading volume of 3,701,218 shares, compared to its average volume of 10,294,420. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $51.24 and its 200-day simple moving average is $57.76. The company has a market capitalization of $104.08 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.00, a P/E/G ratio of 2.17 and a beta of 0.34. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 1.18 and a quick ratio of 1.07. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a fifty-two week low of $48.25 and a fifty-two week high of $75.18.

Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 26th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $2.00 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.76 by $0.24. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a net margin of 18.44% and a return on equity of 51.59%. The firm had revenue of $10.97 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.96 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.99 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was down 2.2% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 7.53 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 5th will be issued a dividend of $0.60 per share. 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 4.69%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 4th. Bristol-Myers Squibbs payout ratio is currently 57.87%.

Bristol-Myers Squibb declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a share buyback program on Thursday, December 7th that authorizes the company to repurchase $3.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the biopharmaceutical company to purchase up to 2.9% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are often an indication that the companys management believes its shares are undervalued.

Insider Buying and Selling at Bristol-Myers Squibb

In related news, Director Theodore R. Samuels II purchased 8,500 shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 20th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $49.81 per share, for a total transaction of $423,385.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 35,500 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,768,255. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In other Bristol-Myers Squibb news, CEO Christopher S. Boerner purchased 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 5th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $49.78 per share, for a total transaction of $99,560.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief executive officer now directly owns 82,672 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,115,412.16. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Theodore R. Samuels II purchased 8,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, November 20th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $49.81 per share, for a total transaction of $423,385.00. Following the purchase, the director now owns 35,500 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,768,255. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have acquired 13,571 shares of company stock worth $672,994. Company insiders own 0.09% of the companys stock.

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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Nordea Bank Abp (OTCMKTS:NRDBY  Get Free Report) was the target of a large growth in short interest during the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 18,200 shares, a growth of 279.2% from the November 30th total of 4,800 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 149,300 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.1 days.

Nordea Bank Abp Trading Down 0.2 %

OTCMKTS NRDBY traded down $0.02 on Friday, reaching $12.39. The company had a trading volume of 16,023 shares, compared to its average volume of 95,702. Nordea Bank Abp has a 52 week low of $9.81 and a 52 week high of $12.92. The stocks 50 day moving average is $11.36 and its 200-day moving average is $11.14. The company has a quick ratio of 1.38, a current ratio of 1.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.46. The stock has a market cap of $43.80 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.33, a PEG ratio of 0.82 and a beta of 0.98.

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Nordea Bank Abp (OTCMKTS:NRDBY  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 19th. The company reported $0.41 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.36 by $0.05. Nordea Bank Abp had a net margin of 22.69% and a return on equity of 16.90%. The business had revenue of $3.21 billion for the quarter. Equities analysts predict that Nordea Bank Abp will post 1.47 earnings per share for the current year.

About Nordea Bank Abp

Nordea Bank Abp offers banking products and services in Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, and internationally. It operates through Personal Banking, Business Banking, Large Corporates and Institutions, and Asset and Wealth Management segments. The Personal Banking segment provides various financial services to household customers through mobile banking, over the phone, online meetings, and branch offices.

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KYODO NEWS - Dec 30, 2023 - 11:35 | All, World, Japan

China had apparently ditched its pro-Tokyo position to take a neutral stance in a territorial dispute between Japan and Russia over four Moscow-controlled islands off Hokkaido by 1992, according to Japanese diplomatic records declassified in December.

In response to then Japanese Foreign Minister Michio Watanabe's request to confirm China's stance of supporting Japan on the "Northern Territories" issue, then Chinese Communist Party General Secretary Jiang Zemin said, "It would be less difficult to settle the issue bilaterally," the Foreign Ministry records showed.

The talks between Watanabe and top Chinese officials in January 1992 were held mainly to make arrangements for the Japanese emperor's visit to China.

Watanabe said then Russian President Boris Yeltsin had altered Moscow's stance to recognize the existence of the territorial issue, and referred to his own memory that then Chinese paramount leader Deng Xiaoping had previously said he regarded the four islands as "Japanese territory," according to the records.

After Watanabe tried to confirm whether China's stance remained unchanged, then Chinese Foreign Minister Qian Qichen, who was accompanying Jiang at the talks, said that many countries including China had opposed Russia's "authoritarian way" as a background at the time when Deng made those remarks, the records showed.

But while avoiding confirmation of Deng's remark, Jiang said China "would never play a negative role," suggesting Beijing would not act unfavorably toward Tokyo in the dispute.

Until then, Japan had believed that China's attitude remained unchanged on the issue of the islets, known as the Southern Kurils in Russia, after then Chinese leader Mao Zedong in 1964 expressed his view that the four disputed islands belonged to Japan.

Later that month, Watanabe told then U.S. President George H.W. Bush when he joined a summit between Bush and then Japanese Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa in Tokyo that China's view on the Japan-Russia territorial row had changed, according to the records.

Japan maintains its stance that the Soviet Union illegally seized the islands -- Etorofu, Kunashiri, Shikotan and the Habomai islet group -- soon after Japan's surrender in World War II on Aug. 15, 1945. Russia claims the action was legitimate.

The long-standing territorial dispute has hampered progress in peace treaty talks between Japan and Russia.

Bilateral negotiations over the peace treaty have been suspended since Tokyo imposed economic sanctions on Moscow following its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Chinese President Xi Jinping told Russian President Vladimir Putin during their meeting in April 2023 that China "does not take either side" regarding the territorial row, according to a Chinese source familiar with the matter.

Related coverage:

U.S. scattered Japan war criminals' ashes at sea to prevent worship

Japan asked China to shelve Senkaku claim before emperor's 1992 visit

Bush asked for help in 1992 Japan-U.S. summit as pres. race neared
NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSEAMERICAN:NBY  Get Free Report) saw a significant drop in short interest during the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 13,800 shares, a drop of 58.7% from the November 30th total of 33,400 shares. Currently, 0.2% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 129,700 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.1 days.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, StockNews.com initiated coverage on NovaBay Pharmaceuticals in a report on Thursday, September 7th. They issued a sell rating on the stock.

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NovaBay Pharmaceuticals Price Performance

Shares of NovaBay Pharmaceuticals stock traded down $0.01 during trading on Friday, hitting $0.20. 1,322,769 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 487,448. The stock has a market cap of $858,840.00, a PE ratio of -0.02 and a beta of 2.82. NovaBay Pharmaceuticals has a fifty-two week low of $0.20 and a fifty-two week high of $2.66. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $0.78.

NovaBay Pharmaceuticals (NYSEAMERICAN:NBY  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 9th. The biopharmaceutical company reported ($0.37) earnings per share for the quarter. NovaBay Pharmaceuticals had a negative return on equity of 146.20% and a negative net margin of 79.70%. The business had revenue of $3.27 million for the quarter. As a group, research analysts forecast that NovaBay Pharmaceuticals will post -2.54 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Renaissance Technologies LLC grew its stake in NovaBay Pharmaceuticals by 57.5% in the 1st quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 201,222 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $60,000 after buying an additional 73,500 shares during the last quarter. Virtu Financial LLC grew its stake in NovaBay Pharmaceuticals by 260.4% in the 1st quarter. Virtu Financial LLC now owns 163,451 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $48,000 after buying an additional 118,099 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Armistice Capital LLC acquired a new position in NovaBay Pharmaceuticals in the 4th quarter valued at $289,000. 1.34% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

NovaBay Pharmaceuticals Company Profile

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NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, Inc, a biopharmaceutical company, develops and sells eyecare, skincare, and wound care products in the United States and internationally. It offers Avenova Spray, a solution for removing foreign materials, including microorganisms and debris from skin around the eye, such as the eyelid; and wound care products, which are used for cleansing and irrigation as part of surgical procedures, as well as treating certain wounds, burns, ulcers, and other injuries under the NeutroPhase and PhaseOne brands.

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Orient Overseas (International) Limited (OTCMKTS:OROVY  Get Free Report) was the target of a large growth in short interest in December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 400 shares, a growth of 300.0% from the November 30th total of 100 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 2,300 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.2 days.

Orient Overseas (International) Trading Down 0.3 %

Shares of OTCMKTS:OROVY traded down $0.21 on Friday, hitting $69.61. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,351 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,361. The stocks 50-day moving average is $63.39 and its two-hundred day moving average is $68.28. Orient Overseas has a 12 month low of $58.65 and a 12 month high of $108.00.

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Orient Overseas (International) Company Profile

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Orient Overseas (International) Limited, an investment holding company, provides container transport and logistics services in Asia, Europe, Australia, and North America. The company offers supply chain management services; and containerised shipping services in various trade lanes comprising Trans-Pacific, Trans-Atlantic, Asia/Europe, Asia/Australia, and Intra-Asia trades.

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Wendell David Associates Inc. reduced its stake in shares of RTX Co. (NYSE:RTX  Free Report) by 5.1% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 62,397 shares of the companys stock after selling 3,336 shares during the period. Wendell David Associates Inc.s holdings in RTX were worth $4,491,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. CRA Financial Services LLC grew its stake in shares of RTX by 3.2% in the second 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 increased its holdings in shares of RTX by 2.7% during the 2nd quarter. Sterling Investment Counsel LLC now owns 4,014 shares of the companys stock worth $393,000 after purchasing an additional 107 shares during the period. Capital Advisory Group Advisory Services LLC grew its position in RTX by 0.4% during the second quarter. Capital Advisory Group Advisory Services LLC now owns 29,567 shares of the companys stock worth $2,896,000 after buying an additional 110 shares in the last quarter. Cascade Investment Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of RTX by 2.1% during the 2nd quarter. Cascade Investment Group Inc. now owns 5,359 shares of the companys stock worth $525,000 after purchasing an additional 112 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Northwest Investment Counselors LLC increased its position in shares of RTX by 7.5% during the second quarter. Northwest Investment Counselors LLC now owns 1,667 shares of the companys stock valued at $163,000 after purchasing an additional 117 shares during the period. 79.06% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on RTX. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on shares of RTX from $83.00 to $86.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 25th. Redburn Atlantic cut RTX from an overweight rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 15th. Royal Bank of Canada restated a sector perform rating and issued a $82.00 target price on shares of RTX in a research note on Monday, September 25th. Bank of America cut shares of RTX from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and dropped their target price for the stock from $95.00 to $75.00 in a research report on Thursday, September 14th. Finally, Barclays cut shares of RTX from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and decreased their price objective for the stock from $100.00 to $75.00 in a research note on Tuesday, September 12th. Three 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 company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $90.21.

RTX Trading Down 0.0 %

Shares of RTX stock traded down $0.04 on Friday, hitting $84.13. 1,935,107 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 6,772,329. RTX Co. has a one year low of $68.56 and a one year high of $108.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46, a current ratio of 1.03 and a quick ratio of 0.77. The stock has a market capitalization of $120.97 billion, a PE ratio of 39.15, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.80 and a beta of 0.93. The firms 50-day moving average price is $81.03 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $84.10.

RTX (NYSE:RTX  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, October 24th. The company reported $1.25 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.19 by $0.06. The firm had revenue of $19 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $18.60 billion. RTX had a return on equity of 10.05% and a net margin of 4.76%. The companys revenue was up 12.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.21 earnings per share. On average, research analysts expect that RTX Co. will post 5 EPS for the current fiscal year.

RTX Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 14th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 17th were given a dividend of $0.59 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, November 16th. This represents a $2.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.81%. RTXs dividend payout ratio is 109.77%.

RTX Profile

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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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Sampo Oyj (OTCMKTS:SAXPY  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest during the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 28,400 shares, a growth of 389.7% from the November 30th total of 5,800 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 84,800 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.3 days.

Sampo Oyj Stock Performance

OTCMKTS SAXPY traded up $0.01 on Friday, hitting $21.84. 14,034 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 48,365. The company has a market capitalization of $21.92 billion, a PE ratio of 17.20 and a beta of 0.89. The businesss fifty day moving average is $21.26 and its 200 day moving average is $21.69. Sampo Oyj has a 52 week low of $19.06 and a 52 week high of $26.75. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40, a current ratio of 0.32 and a quick ratio of 0.32.

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Sampo Oyj (OTCMKTS:SAXPY  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 8th. The financial services provider reported $0.31 EPS for the quarter.

Sampo Oyj Increases Dividend

Sampo Oyj Company Profile

The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 6th. Shareholders of record on Monday, October 30th were issued a $1.8331 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, October 27th. This is a boost from Sampo Oyjs previous dividend of $0.88. This represents a yield of 12.56%. Sampo Oyjs payout ratio is currently 66.93%.

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Sampo Oyj, through its subsidiaries, provides non-life insurance products and services in Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and the Baltic countries. It operates through If, Topdanmark, Hastings, Mandatum, and Holding segments. The company offers household, homeowner, motor, accident, travel, boat, forest, livestock, property, casualty, liability, car, van, bike, and cargo insurance.

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John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (NYSE:PDT  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large decrease in short interest in the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 24,900 shares, a decrease of 50.6% from the November 30th total of 50,400 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 166,300 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.1 days.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in PDT. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund by 4.9% in the first quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 49,056 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $805,000 after acquiring an additional 2,306 shares in the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. lifted its position in shares of John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund by 15.8% during the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 51,058 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $838,000 after purchasing an additional 6,971 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. grew its stake in shares of John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund by 1.2% during the first quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 332,495 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $5,456,000 after purchasing an additional 3,901 shares in the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada increased its holdings in John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund by 18.8% in the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 74,783 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,227,000 after buying an additional 11,846 shares during the last quarter. Finally, UBS Group AG raised its stake in John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund by 11.7% in the second quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 35,841 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $503,000 after buying an additional 3,755 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 7.95% of the companys stock.

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John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund Stock Up 0.3 %

Shares of John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund stock traded up $0.03 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $10.67. 251,792 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 138,368. John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund has a 1 year low of $8.77 and a 1 year high of $13.77. The stocks fifty day moving average is $10.34 and its 200 day moving average is $10.46.

John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund Dividend Announcement

John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund Company Profile

The business also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 29th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 11th will be given a $0.0825 dividend. This represents a $0.99 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 9.28%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 8th.

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John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund is a closed ended equity 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 markets of the United States. It seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors, with an emphasis on the utilities sector.

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Prio S.A. (OTCMKTS:PTRRY  Get Free Report) saw a significant increase in short interest in the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 3,400 shares, an increase of 78.9% from the November 30th total of 1,900 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 17,800 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.2 days.

Prio Price Performance

Shares of Prio stock remained flat at C$9.41 on Friday. Prio has a one year low of C$5.85 and a one year high of C$12.00. The companys 50-day simple moving average is C$9.58 and its 200 day simple moving average is C$9.18.

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Prio Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, January 9th. Investors of record on Thursday, December 21st will be issued a $0.0118 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, December 20th.

Prio Company Profile

Prio SA, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the exploration, development, and production of oil and natural gas properties in Brazil and internationally. It holds a 100% interest in the Polvo Field covering approximately 134 square kilometres located in the southern portion of the Campos Basin, Rio de Janeiro; and the Frade Field that consists of approximately 154 kilometres located in the northern region of the Campos Basin, Rio de Janeiro.

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TXO Partners L.P. (NYSE:TXO  Get Free Report) saw a large decrease in short interest during the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 4,300 shares, a decrease of 57.8% from the November 30th total of 10,200 shares. Currently, 0.0% of the companys shares are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 35,300 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.1 days.

Insider Activity

In other news, major shareholder Global Endowment Management, L sold 1,500,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, November 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $17.10, for a total value of $25,650,000.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 1,139,098 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $19,478,575.80. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, Director William H. Adams III bought 15,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 10th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $17.60 per share, with a total value of $264,000.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now directly owns 73,784 shares in the company, valued at $1,298,598.40. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, major shareholder Global Endowment Management, L sold 1,500,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, November 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $17.10, for a total transaction of $25,650,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 1,139,098 shares in the company, valued at $19,478,575.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. American Century Companies Inc. raised its holdings in TXO Partners by 34.9% during the third quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 73,335 shares of the companys stock worth $1,489,000 after buying an additional 18,974 shares during the last quarter. Stifel Financial Corp raised its holdings in shares of TXO Partners by 46.4% in the third quarter. Stifel Financial Corp now owns 41,835 shares of the companys stock valued at $850,000 after purchasing an additional 13,260 shares during the last quarter. UBS Group AG purchased a new stake in shares of TXO Partners in the third quarter valued at about $51,000. Venturi Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of TXO Partners by 64.3% in the third quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,300 shares of the companys stock valued at $47,000 after purchasing an additional 900 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of TXO Partners in the third quarter valued at about $206,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 17.05% of the companys stock.

TXO Partners Price Performance

NYSE TXO traded up $0.18 on Friday, hitting $18.18. 62,300 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 31,419. The company has a quick ratio of 0.86, a current ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $18.15 and a 200-day moving average of $19.05. TXO Partners has a 12 month low of $17.23 and a 12 month high of $25.00.

TXO Partners (NYSE:TXO  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 7th. The company reported $0.27 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.33 by ($0.06). TXO Partners had a negative return on equity of 1.33% and a net margin of 20.38%. The business had revenue of $69.87 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $71.38 million. As a group, research analysts expect that TXO Partners will post 0.66 EPS for the current fiscal year.

TXO Partners Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 27th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 17th were issued a dividend of $0.52 per share. This is an increase from TXO Partnerss previous quarterly dividend of $0.48. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, November 16th. This represents a $2.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 11.44%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, Stifel Nicolaus cut their target price on shares of TXO Partners from $28.00 to $27.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, November 20th.

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About TXO Partners

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TXO Partners L.P. focuses on the acquisition, development, optimization, and exploitation of conventional oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquid reserves in North America. Its acreage positions are concentrated in the Permian Basin of West Texas and New Mexico and the San Juan Basin of New Mexico and Colorado.

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Virtus Global Multi-Sector Income Fund (NYSE:VGI  Get Free Report) saw a large decrease in short interest in the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 2,100 shares, a decrease of 58.8% from the November 30th total of 5,100 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 34,700 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.1 days.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Virtus Global Multi-Sector Income Fund

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Raymond James & Associates lifted its position in Virtus Global Multi-Sector Income Fund by 611.2% during the third quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 101,006 shares of the companys stock valued at $741,000 after purchasing an additional 86,803 shares in the last quarter. OmniStar Financial Group Inc. increased its stake in Virtus Global Multi-Sector Income Fund by 12.9% during the third quarter. OmniStar Financial Group Inc. now owns 12,643 shares of the companys stock worth $93,000 after acquiring an additional 1,447 shares during the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. boosted its position in shares of Virtus Global Multi-Sector Income Fund by 23.4% during the third quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 50,196 shares of the companys stock valued at $368,000 after buying an additional 9,504 shares during the period. International Assets Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Virtus Global Multi-Sector Income Fund during the third quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Finally, LPL Financial LLC boosted its position in shares of Virtus Global Multi-Sector Income Fund by 40.0% during the second quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 57,080 shares of the companys stock valued at $426,000 after buying an additional 16,319 shares during the period.

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Virtus Global Multi-Sector Income Fund Trading Down 0.5 %

VGI stock traded down $0.04 during trading on Friday, hitting $7.83. 19,118 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 34,355. Virtus Global Multi-Sector Income Fund has a 1 year low of $6.68 and a 1 year high of $8.60. The company has a 50-day moving average of $7.31 and a 200-day moving average of $7.42.

Virtus Global Multi-Sector Income Fund Dividend Announcement

Virtus Global Multi-Sector Income Fund Company Profile

The firm also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, February 28th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 12th will be paid a dividend of $0.08 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 9th. This represents a $0.96 annualized dividend and a yield of 12.26%.

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Virtus Global Multi-Sector Income Fund is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched by Virtus Investment Partners, Inc The fund is co-managed by Virtus Investment Advisers, Inc and Newfleet Asset Management, LLC. It invests in fixed income markets across the globe. The fund invests in both investment grade and high yield debt instruments issued by the government, corporate, bank loans, mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities, taxable municipal bonds, and tax-exempt municipal bonds.

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Tokuyama Co. (OTCMKTS:TKYMY  Get Free Report) traded up 5.1% on Friday . The company traded as high as $8.28 and last traded at $8.28. 2,800 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 58% from the average session volume of 1,774 shares. The stock had previously closed at $7.88.

Tokuyama Stock Performance

The business has a 50-day moving average of $7.80 and a two-hundred day moving average of $8.08. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a quick ratio of 1.21 and a current ratio of 1.85.

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Tokuyama (OTCMKTS:TKYMY  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 27th. The company reported $0.10 earnings per share for the quarter. Tokuyama had a net margin of 2.56% and a return on equity of 3.57%. The business had revenue of $562.12 million for the quarter.

About Tokuyama

Tokuyama Corporation produces and sells various chemical products in Japan. The company operates through six segments: Chemicals, Cement, Electronics and Advanced Materials, Life Science, Eco Business, and Others. The Chemicals segment offers caustic soda, soda ash, calcium chloride, sodium silicate cullet, sodium bicarbonate, purified, vinyl chloride monomer, polyvinyl chloride resin, propylene oxide, methylene chloride, and chloroform.

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By Maya Kaneko, KYODO NEWS - Dec 30, 2023 - 13:46 | World, All

Whether Taiwan will see a change of government, currently led by the independence-leaning party, as a result of the Jan. 13 presidential election has drawn attention, but the poll's outcome may only have a limited impact on Sino-U.S. ties.

With the two major world powers agreeing on some steps that could help improve bilateral relations during a November summit near San Francisco, Beijing likely will not escalate cross-strait tensions, at least during the U.S. presidential election campaign in 2024, reducing the near-term prospects of an invasion of Taiwan, experts say.

Kent Calder, professor at Johns Hopkins University, told a recent Tokyo press conference that the summit between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping brought bilateral tensions to levels they were before a 2022 visit to Taiwan by then House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

"At least for the next year or so, perhaps, hopefully, there is a 'cease-fire,'" he said on Sino-U.S. relations in the November news conference, adding the Biden administration "would like to see stability above all" across the Taiwan Strait following the democratic island's leadership election.

In the race, Hou Yu-ih, the nominee of the main opposition Nationalist Party that seeks dialogue with Beijing, gained more support and now trails the frontrunner, Lai Ching-te of the Democratic Progressive Party, by a narrow margin, recent opinion polls showed, increasing the chances the eight-year DPP rule coming to an end.

China, which regards the island as a renegade province to be brought into its fold by force if necessary, has shunned talks with the DPP government since incumbent President Tsai Ing-wen took office in 2016 and called Lai, the vice president, a "separatist" and "troublemaker."

But Madoka Fukuda, professor of Hosei University, pointed out that even if Lai wins the election, China may approach him and offer a dialogue behind the scenes if the mainland deems it necessary.

Conversely, if Hou wins and sticks to his election pledge of opposing both independence and the "one country, two systems" -- China's strategy when regaining rule over Hong Kong and Macao -- to maintain the status quo of cross-strait relations, his government might receive a frosty reception from Beijing, she said.

The former British and Portuguese colonies returned to Chinese rule in 1997 and 1999, respectively. China and Taiwan have been governed separately since they split in 1949 due to a civil war.

"When China decides on its actions, it not only takes into consideration Taiwan but also various international relations, including its ties with the United States and Japan," Fukuda said. "China will find it hard to escalate cross-strait tensions based only on the situation in Taiwan."

Fukuda also said that the Taiwanese know that regardless of who becomes the island's president, the situation will "not dramatically change." Beijing may ease some restrictions on cross-strait trade and people-to-people exchanges in the case of a victory by Hou, the current mayor of New Taipei City, she added.

Taiwan has "limited choices" amid an intensifying U.S.-China rivalry, Fukuda said. Both the DPP and the Nationalist Party or the Kuomintang (KMT) will likely pursue policies of deepening cooperation with Washington and boosting the island's self-defense capabilities, she indicated.

The basic trend of Taiwan businesses slashing investment in the mainland following the U.S. request of "de-risking," or reducing dependence on the Asian powerhouse, will remain unchanged even if the KMT wins, Fukuda said.

Denny Roy, senior fellow of the East-West Center in Hawaii, said he believes if Lai wins, "by the middle of 2024, we will be back to high and sustained cross-strait tensions," but how high will depend partly on U.S. policy.

Washington could publicly disavow Lai as being too provocative or treat him as a respected leader of a fellow democracy, he said.

"We could expect China to react most strongly to U.S. actions that the Chinese interpret as 'salami-slicing.' Going further than past precedents to promote Taiwan independence," Roy added, using the term for a series of many small actions to produce a much larger action.

As for any impact on Beijing's relations with Washington from the U.S. presidential election in November 2024, Ryosei Kokubun, professor emeritus at Keio University, said at a recent press conference China will see no problems in dealing with either Biden or former President Donald Trump, who will likely become the Republican nominee.

While Kokubun said many Chinese people favor Trump's skill at cutting economic deals, Roy warned if the former president is reelected, he might reach an agreement with Xi that would include a withdrawal of U.S. support for Taiwan.

"In any case, Trump would likely resume weakening U.S. alliances in the Asia-Pacific, making a potential defense of Taiwan less robust," he said.

Fukuda said she believes the Taiwan Strait is more stable now than during the Trump administration through January 2021, and the Biden government policies are more predictable in the eyes of Beijing and Taipei. In the case of Trump's reelection, he may not be personally interested in cross-strait issues, she added.

The Hosei University professor urged Japan to strategically build ties with Taiwan regardless of which party wins in the presidential election since relations with the island, which is close to the southern prefecture of Okinawa, are vital for Tokyo.

Tokyo could be involved if Beijing attacks the self-ruled island, she added. Following Pelosi's Taiwan visit in August 2022, China staged large-scale military drills around the island that included the firing of ballistic missiles, some of which fell into Japan's exclusive economic zone.

The United States and Japan maintain unofficial ties with Taiwan as they have switched their diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing. Based on the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, Washington supplies the island with arms to help it maintain sufficient self-defense capabilities.

Ko Wen-je, of the second-largest opposition, the Taiwan People's Party, is also running in the Taiwan presidential race.

Some experts project the TPP, led by the former Taipei mayor, will increase seats in the legislative election also to be held on Jan. 13, likely resulting in no party securing a majority and making it hard for the new president to gain parliamentary approval for his policies.

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FOCUS: Japan PM's future in doubt for 2024, non-faction lawmakers in focus
Christin Mathew Philip is an Assistant editor at moneycontrol.com. Based in Bengaluru, he writes on mobility, infrastructure and start-ups. He is a Ramnath Goenka excellence in journalism awardee. You can find him on Twitter here: twitter.com/ChristinMP_
NEW YORK  There are no known security threats related to this weekends New Years Eve celebration in Times Square, but the New York Police Department is gearing up for the possibility that thousands of pro-Palestine protesters will be demonstrating nearby, Mayor Eric Adams and police officials said Friday.

In an afternoon security briefing outside the NYPDs Times Square substation, Adams said the Police Department is still on high alert, citing an incident at last years Times Square ball drop event where a Maine teenager allegedly attacked three NYPD officers with a machete.

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There are no specific threats to the city, but as we saw last year, you dont have to have a specific threat to get a threat, and were going to be ready, said the mayor, who was joined by top NYPD leaders.

Although theres no known threats of violence on the horizon, pro-Palestine groups have for weeks called for mass protests in Times Square on New Years Eve against Israels military campaign in the Gaza Strip, which local authorities say has killed more than 20,000 people, many of them children. Israel launched the military action after Hamas, which controls Gaza, killed 1,200 Israelis and took hundreds hostage during a terror attack on Oct. 7.

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John Hart, an assistant NYPD chief in charge of the departments intelligence division, noted that other pro-Palestine protests in the city over the past couple months have drawn between 1,000 and 5,000 people.

Were prepared for them in any number, Hart said of expected demonstrations at Sundays celebration. Were prepared for different groups from different places, and we will make sure this event stays safe.

On Christmas Day, six pro-Palestine protesters were arrested near the Rockefeller Center, which is blocks from Times Square, amid clashes with cops.

In anticipation of Times Square protests on Sunday, Assistant NYPD Commissioner Kaz Daughtry said the department will use the same blueprint it did when pro-Palestine demonstrators tried to interrupt the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting last month.

Were going to have tow trucks strategically parked along the actual New Years Eve festivities, and were going to have drones deployed around the outer perimeter so we can monitor the protests, potential protests that are coming in real time, said Daughtry.

Thousands of cops will also patrol the Times Square area during the celebrations, officials said.

A top police official who was absent from Fridays briefing was NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban.

Asked by The New York Daily News about Cabans whereabouts, Adams said he has been in the Dominican Republic, but will return to New York on Saturday.

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He was doing several agreements down there, Adams said.

A spokeswoman for the mayor would not elaborate on what the mayor meant by agreements. An NYPD spokesman later said Caban has been vacationing on the island.

But, you know, I say this over and over again, if the Police Department can only function when the police commissioners here, were in trouble, Adams said. This is a well-oiled machine. One person does not run the show.

Earlier this week, Adams voiced concern that the NYPDs response to recent protests has been hampered by a court settlement the department entered into in September that requires it to deploy fewer officers to most public demonstrations and stop using a controversial mass arrest tactic known as kettling. The settlement came out of a lawsuit filed by Black Lives Matter protesters who allege their First Amendment rights were violated by the NYPD during demonstrations in 2020.

I thought it put us on a very troubling direction, Adams said this past Tuesday of the settlement.

But Adams held a much different view when the department first entered into the settlement, saying at the time that it struck the right balance between public safety and First Amendment rights.

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Asked Friday why he changed his mind, Adams said recent pro-Palestine protests have shown the settlement can be exploited.

Were seeing some of that exploitation now, he said.

Referencing recent demonstrations on the Brooklyn Bridge, he added: When you have 5,000 people deciding to block the bridge and all you can do is issuing them a summons, I think its an encouragement of behavior to be disruptive in the city, and I dont want to ever encourage behavior to be disruptive in the city.
By Eduardo Martinez, KYODO NEWS - Dec 30, 2023 - 09:55 | Feature, All, Japan

Japan and Peru may seem to have little in common, but as Peruvian cuisine has gained global recognition this year, chefs with roots in the South American country are serving up meals to treat Japanese taste buds with a side of history.

With the two countries celebrating 150 years of diplomatic relations in 2023, restauranteurs and members of the Peruvian-Japanese community are also reflecting on how their culinary traditions have evolved through intercultural exchange.

Haruo Kawasaki was just 5 when he moved with his family from Peru's capital Lima to Kanagawa Prefecture, neighboring Tokyo.

Now 38, Kawasaki opened a Peruvian restaurant in July with his 36-year-old wife, Rumi Tokuda. Both are Nikkeijin, or people of Japanese heritage born overseas.

Named Rey, meaning "king" in Spanish, the restaurant in the busy Musashi Kosugi area of Kawasaki has proven a hit with the locals, most of whom are new to Peruvian food.

"We want to offer Peruvian cuisine with Japanese style," Kawasaki said, saying that what sets Rey apart from its peers is its firm rooting in Japanese culture.

Rey boasts a seasonal menu, which can include ceviche, Peru's iconic national dish of raw fish. Ceviche is traditionally marinated in lime, "but at Rey, it is instead prepared with yuzu," Tokuda says.

Ceviche's origins are contested, although Tokuda claims that the dish evolved from sashimi preparation techniques brought by Japanese migrants to Peru.

Other dishes at Rey include anticucho meat skewers, usually prepared with a sauce of Peruvian aji chillies, but instead reimagined with Japanese green bell peppers. The restaurant also offers Japanese sake pairings with Peruvian-inspired meals.

"The essence of Peruvian food is the gradual blending of delicious elements from different places," Kawasaki said, adding that due to its rich history, the country's cooking has influences from indigenous, European, Asian, and African cultures.

Peru has become known as a gourmet powerhouse among food connoisseurs, voted in the World Travel Awards as the "World's Leading Culinary Destination" in 2023, with Lima's Central, located in the Miraflores district, ranking No. 1 on the "World's 50 Best Restaurants" list.

Peru was the first Latin American country to establish diplomatic ties with Japan on Aug. 21, 1873. Soon after, lured by promising work opportunities, the first Japanese laborers and their families sailed across the Pacific Ocean to the country.

In November, to mark the 150th anniversary, Japan's Princess Kako, niece of Emperor Naruhito, made an official visit to Peru to commemorate the occasion and met with members of the over 200,000 strong Nikkeijin community.

But while many Nikkeijin have fully integrated into Peruvian society, more recent historical events saw some descendants of Japanese immigrants return to Japan.

In 1989, amid the country's asset price "bubble economy," the Japanese government decided to amend its Immigrant Control Act to allow second- and third-generation Nikkeijin in South America to obtain residential status with no working restrictions.

Political instability at the time in Peru as well as the prospect of earning money in Japan's then-booming economy sparked a wave of reverse migration to the Asian country.

Emiko Nakamine's family is one of many sharing such a story. The 29-year-old's parents moved from Peru in 1990 with the intention of staying only temporarily but chose to remain once she and her younger brother were born.

But Nakamine, a third-generation Nikkeijin on her father's side and a naturalized Japanese citizen, says she has been "blessed" by her identity and growing up between two cultures and food traditions.

Nakamine said that Peruvian food overwhelmingly made her think of her mother's cooking.

"No matter where I go to eat it, I always associate it with my mother's flavors," she said, despite moving far away from home in Saitama Prefecture, neighboring Tokyo, to Australia earlier this year.

As of June this year, there were over 49,000 Peruvian nationals residing in Japan, making up the 12th largest group of foreign residents, according to the Immigration Services Agency of Japan.

Peruvians were also the sixth largest group that naturalized as Japanese citizens between 2020 and 2022, according to the Justice Ministry.

Some, such as Bruno Nakandakari, 49, have been working to share Peruvian cuisine with Tokyoites for the better part of 10 years.

As chef- and co-owner of Bepocah, located in Tokyo's trendy Harajuku district, Nakandakari is a third-generation Nikkeijin who came to Japan at just 17 in hopes of earning money to send back to his family.

But with ongoing political strife in Peru, he chose to remain and later decided to open a restaurant himself amid a lack of good food options similar to those available back home.

Bepocah serves traditional Peruvian fare, "but we give it our personal touch," Nakandakari said, adding that they are very concerned with the quality of products used.

Nakandakari said Japanese people are very curious about food from other countries, and that his customers enjoy Peruvian cuisine's use of fresh ingredients, superfoods such as quinoa, as well as its colorful and interesting presentation.

Peruvians have long known their food is good, but the accolade won by Central is not the only sign that the cuisine is gaining increasing international recognition.

In December, ceviche was added to the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

Tokyoites can also taste the vision of Central chef and director Virgilio Martinez since he opened Peruvian restaurant Maz in the capital last year.

Nakandakari, meanwhile, says he is a product of Japan and Peru's shared history, which has also resulted in so-called "Nikkei cuisine."

Nakandakari says that while Nikkei cuisine is somewhat difficult to define, what is important is that it represents Nikkeijin culture, and is not simply a fusion of Japanese and Peruvian cooking.

"It's always evolving, and each generation wants to leave its mark," he said. "Anybody can mix two things together, but I believe the identity aspect makes it more valuable."

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Shantanu Guha Ray is a senior journalist based in New Delhi.

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KYODO NEWS - Dec 30, 2023 - 16:52 | World, All, Japan

China plans to keep its ships near the Japan-controlled Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea for 365 days in 2024 as leader Xi Jinping has called for bolstering Beijing's sovereignty claim over the islets, sources familiar with the matter said Saturday.

During a rare visit by Xi on Nov. 29 to the command office for the East China Sea area of the China Coast Guard in Shanghai, the president pointed out the need for Beijing to "constantly strengthen" its efforts to safeguard the sovereignty of the islands, which China calls Diaoyu, the sources said.

Xi, who also heads the Central Military Commission, the highest national defense organization, commented on a bilateral row over the Senkaku Islands, saying, "We can only move forward, not backward. We will never let even 1 millimeter of our territory taken," the sources added.

The coast guard has subsequently drafted a plan to keep the presence of its ships near the islets every day next year and conduct inspections of Japanese fishing boats in the sea area, if necessary, to boost Beijing's sovereignty claim, they said.

On Dec. 14, the annual number of days Chinese vessels were spotted near the Senkakus by Japan surpassed a previous record of 336, reported in 2022.

Xi's instruction came despite Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida reiterating "serious concerns" regarding the situation surrounding the Senkaku Islands at a summit meeting with the Chinese leader in San Francisco in mid-November.

Following the Xi visit, China Coast Guard Director General Yu Zhong held a meeting at the command office and decided to constantly dispatch its ships to waters near the Senkakus and allow more Chinese navy vessels to sail between Yonaguni and Iriomote islands in southern Japan's Okinawa Prefecture, the sources said.

Yonaguni is Japan's westernmost island with a population of around 1,600, located 111 kilometers from Taiwan, the self-ruled democratic island Beijing claims as its own.

The row over the Senkakus has been a long-term source of friction between the two Asian neighbors. Since Japan brought the islets under state control in September 2012, Chinese coast guard vessels have repeatedly intruded into Japanese waters near them.

Related coverage:

China likely turned neutral on Japan-Russia territorial row by 1992

China "not fearful of war" over Senkakus: military officer
ULAN BATOR, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia will more vigorously develop its tourism sector under the official motto "Go Mongolia" next year, the country's Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene said Saturday.

"In 2023, Mongolia has implemented policies to support tourism under the motto 'Welcome to Mongolia.' As a result, our country has received 650,000 foreign tourists and earned 1.2 billion U.S. dollars from the tourism sector, hitting an all-time high," Oyun-Erdene said in a statement.

In January this year, 34 countries were granted visa-free entry to Mongolia for tourism purposes, increasing the number of visa-exempt countries to 61.

The Asian country has also declared 2023-2025 as "Years to Visit Mongolia." It has set a goal of welcoming at least 1 million foreign tourists in the coming years. 
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with human rights leaders at the State Department in Washington, U.S., December 7, 2023.
Rudy Fegurgur Quinata, pictured Monday, Aug. 15, 2022, in the Superior Court of Guam in Hagatna, was sentenced to life in prison for the April 2021 murder of former Humatak Mayor Daniel Sanchez.
BEIJING, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president, and chairman of the Central Military Commission, met with Chinese diplomatic envoys attending the annual work conference for overseas envoys to foreign countries in 2023 at the Great Hall of the People on Dec. 29. Xi delivered an important speech.

Xi acknowledged the significant achievements made in China's diplomatic work in the new era, and called on the envoys to conscientiously study and implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress and the Central Conference on Work Related to Foreign Affairs, the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and the Thought on Diplomacy in particular. He urged them to have a correct understanding of the international environment and the historical mission faced by China's work on foreign affairs on the new journey in the new era, to hold high the banner of building a community with a shared future for humanity, and to keep opening up new prospects for major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics.

Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, was present at the meeting.

At around 11:40 a.m., Xi and others arrived at the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People amid a warm round of applause. Xi and others waved to the diplomatic envoys and had a cordial exchange with them before having a group photo taken together.

Amidst warm applause, Xi delivered an important speech. He said, "In the past few years, the COVID-19 pandemic has raged and spread, and external forces have continuously escalated their suppression and containment against us, posing special challenges to our diplomatic work. You all have undergone special tests. Over these years, you have stood firm in foreign lands, been on missions for our country, sacrificed personal interests for the greater good, and toiled and struggled worldwide. It is good of you to work hard." Xi extended sincere greetings to the envoys and all those working on China's diplomatic front on behalf of the CPC Central Committee.

Xi emphasized that at the 20th CPC National Congress, we made strategic arrangements for promoting the building of a strong country and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization. China's major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics will enter a new stage in which more can be accomplished. He urged the envoys uphold the centralized and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee, carry forward valuable experience in China's diplomacy in the new era, enhance cohesion, carry on the fighting spirit, and overcome all difficulties and obstacles to achieve new and greater victories.

Xi pointed out that in the just-concluded Central Conference on Work Related to Foreign Affairs, we analyzed the current and future international situation and China's external environment, and clarified the goals, guiding principles, strategic arrangements, and basic tasks for work related to foreign affairs. Xi called on the envoys to earnestly implement the decisions and arrangements of the Central Conference on Work Related to Foreign Affairs, and make new achievements with a more energetic spirit.

First, Xi urged them to keep in mind the original aspiration and mission, and be loyal to the Party. Loyalty to the Party, the country and the people is the glorious tradition of the diplomatic front. Diplomatic envoys should undertake missions and travel to various parts of the world, no matter where they go, they must never forget why they go there, and they must keep the "scepter" in their hearts. It's necessary for them to enrich their thinking with the Party's innovative theories, sharpen their eyes to tell right from wrong, and always keep to the correct political direction. It's essential for them to have a deep understanding of where the supreme interests of the Party and the country lie, and understand and implement the foreign policy of the CPC Central Committee well. Over 1.4 billion Chinese people are strong supporters of the diplomatic work. The envoys were urged to take "diplomacy for the people" as their commitment, and pass on the CPC Central Committee's care and concern to every overseas Chinese.

Second, the envoys should strengthen their sense of responsibility and be pioneers in their endeavors. They should understand and implement the thought on socialist diplomacy with Chinese characteristics for a new era, meet difficulties head on and shoulder responsibilities. It is imperative to strengthen diplomatic capacity building, be firm in taking practical and pragmatic approaches, be alert and clear-sighted and solve difficulties through realistic approaches to serve the overall situation. It is essential to be adept at making more friends and extending friendship. The work of winning public support should reach not only governments but also ordinary people. Globalized way of communication should be used to better tell China's stories, and promote understanding between China and the world through linking the country's past with the present, so that the world will know better about China in the new era.

Third, the envoys must have the courage and ability to carry on our fight and act as defenders of national interests. It is necessary for them to strengthen confidence and determination, be strategically sober-minded, firmly keep a worst-case scenario mindset, and, with combat preparedness and a firm determination, never yield to coercive power, so as to resolutely defend the country's sovereignty, security, and development interests. They must strengthen strategic planning and make good use of the effective instrument of united front work. They should skillfully utilize the multilateral mechanisms and rules to seek more understanding and support from the international community.

Fourth, the envoys should keep reforming themselves to act as promoter of full and rigorous Party self-governance. All diplomatic envoys must effectively fulfill their principal responsibilities for Party governance and promote Party building with the spirit of self-reform. They must build strong ideological defense line, constantly reflect on, alert, examine and motivate themselves so as to have firm political convictions and strictly abide by Party rules and discipline.

Strict training and management makes a difference to the building of a good team. It is important to strictly rectify conduct and tighten discipline. Discipline and rules must be constantly emphasized. They must be strict with themselves, fulfill their responsibilities strictly, and manage their subordinates strictly, so as to build a contingent of disciplined and loyal diplomats, who have a strong sense of responsibility and the courage and ability to carry on our fight.

Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and minister of foreign affairs, attended the conference and delivered a speech at the 2023 Annual Work Conference for Envoys to Foreign Countries. He urged the envoys to thoroughly study and understand General Secretary Xi's important speech and the spirit of the Central Conference on Work Related to Foreign Affairs, deeply understand the great theoretical innovation and far-reaching significance of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, which should serve as a guide for them to overcome difficulties, forge ahead, and continuously open up new prospects for major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics in the new era. 
Vianney Hosei, right, one of three men accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl, was found guilty of first-degree criminal sexual conduct during his trial in April. His co-defendants in the case took plea deals.
SHANGHAI, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- Shanghai has handled 100 China-Europe freight trains as of Saturday this year, said Shanghai Customs.

By Saturday, the freight trains had carried goods of over 10,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) totaling 3.38 billion yuan (476 million U.S. dollars) and weighing 91,400 tonnes, according to the customs.

The latest China-Europe freight train departed from Shanghai on Friday, carrying a total of 50 containers of cargo, such as solar tracker components. It will leave from the Horgos Port in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and finally arrive in Tashkent, Uzbekistan's capital.

Shanghai launched its first China-Europe freight train in September 2021. Currently, the train service connects Shanghai with over 80 overseas cities and stations, marking itself as an important logistics channel for Shanghai to connect Eurasia, and injecting new momentum into jointly building the Belt and Road. 
KIEV, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from the largest air attack on Ukraine since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict has risen to 30, with more than 160 people injured, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said on Friday.

At least 53 people have been rescued from the debris of the buildings that were damaged in the attack on Friday morning, Klymenko said in a post on Telegram.

The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said that Russia launched a record 158 drones and missiles against Ukraine, and 115 of them were intercepted.

Ukraine's critical infrastructure, and industrial and military facilities were attacked during the air strike, it said.

In Kiev, nine people were confirmed dead and 28 others wounded, said Mayor Vitali Klitschko. Most casualties occurred when a warehouse in the Shevchenkivskiy district caught fire after being hit by fragments of an intercepted missile.

Heavy casualties were also reported in the city of Dnipro in central Ukraine, southern cities of Odesa and Zaporizhzhia, and the eastern city of Kharkiv. 
Taiwans presidential candidates emphasize peace in relations with Beijing View Photo

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP)  Taiwans presidential candidates expressed desire for peaceful relations with Beijing, which has described Jan. 13 elections on the self-ruled island as a choice between war and peace and stepped up harassment of the territory that China claims as its own.

William Lai, the front-runner and currently Taiwans vice president from the ruling Democratic Peoples Party, said in a televised debate Saturday that he was open to communicating with the government in Beijing, which has refused to talk to him or President Tsai Ing-wen.

Beijing favors the candidate from the more China-friendly Nationalist, or Kuomintang, Party, and has accused Lai and Tsai of being separatists who are trying to provoke a Chinese attack on Taiwan.

Taiwan split from China amid civil war in 1949, but Beijing continues to regard the island of 23 million with its high-tech economy as Chinese territory and has been steadily increasing its threat to achieve that goal by military force if necessary.

Tensions with China have featured strongly in the presidential campaign.

China has also stepped up military pressure on the island by sending military jets and ships near it almost daily. Taiwans Defense Ministry this month also reported Chinese balloons, which could be used for spying, flying in its vicinity.

Differences over Taiwan are a major flashpoint in U.S.-China relations. U.S. relations with the island are governed by the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, which makes it American policy to ensure Taiwan has the resources to defend itself and to prevent any unilateral change of status by Beijing.

Lai - who tops most opinion polls - promised to help strengthen Taiwans defense and economy if elected.

As long as there is equality and dignity on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, Taiwans door will always be open, he said during the debate. I am willing to conduct exchanges and cooperation with China to enhance the well-being of the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

The international community has realized the threat China poses to Taiwan and the international community, Lai said. In fact, everyone is already preparing to respond. We should  unite and cooperate to ensure peace.

Hou Yu-ih, the Kuomintang candidate, also said he sought peaceful relations with Beijing.

The Kuomintang previously endorsed unification with China but has shifted its stance in recent years as Taiwans electorate is increasingly identifying as Taiwanese - as opposed to Chinese - and wants to maintain the status quo in relations with Beijing.

Hou said he opposed Taiwans independence but also a potential unification under Chinas one country, two systems framework, which Beijing has used to govern Hong Kong, a former British colony that returned to China in 1997. Hou said he sought democracy and freedom for Taiwan.

The third candidate, Ko Wen-je, from the smaller Taiwan Peoples Party, referenced a quote by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken regarding U.S.-China relations, saying that Taiwan and China will cooperate if they can cooperate, compete if theres a need to compete, and confront each other if they must confront each other.

The people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are of the same race and have the same history, language, religion and culture, but at this stage, we have a different political system and way of life, Ko said, adding that Taiwan needs self-reliance, and both sides of the Taiwan Strait need peace.

We have to make it clear to the Chinese government that my bottom line is that Taiwan must maintain its current democratic and free political system and way of life, Ko said. Only if these conditions are met can we have dialogue.

___

Associated Press video journalist Johnson Lai contributed to this report.

By SIMINA MISTREANU

Associated Press
Venezuela says troops will stay deployed until British military vessel leaves waters off Guyana View Photo

MEXICO CITY (AP)  Venezuela said Saturday it will continue to deploy nearly 6,000 troops until a British military vessel sent to neighboring Guyana leaves the waters off the coast of the two South American nations.

In a video posted to X, Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino appeared surrounded by military officers in front of a marked up map of Venezuela and Guyana, a former British colony.

Padrdino said the forces are safeguarding our national sovereignty.

Armed forces have been deployed not just in the east of the country, but across the entire territory, he said. They will be there until this British imperialist boat leaves the disputed waters between Venezuela and Guyana.

The Defense Ministry confirmed to The Associated Press that the video was made at a military base in Venezuelas capital, Caracas.

The video comes after weeks of tensions between the two countries over Venezuelas renewed claim to a region in Guyana known as Essequibo, a sparsely populated stretch of land roughly the size of Florida that is rich in oil and minerals. Operations generate some $1 billion a year for the impoverished country of nearly 800,000 people that saw its economy expand by nearly 60% in the first half of this year.

Venezuela has long argued it was cheated out of the territory when Europeans and the U.S. set the border. Guayana, which has controlled the zone for decades, says the original agreement was legally binding and the dispute should be decided by the International Court of Justice in the Netherlands.

The century-old dispute was recently reignited with the discovery of oil in Guyana, and has escalated since Venezuela reported that its citizens voted in a Dec. 3 referendum to claim Essequibo, which makes up two-thirds of its smaller neighbor.

Critics of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro say the socialist leader is using the tensions to distract from internal turmoil and stoke nationalism in the lead up to presidential elections next year.

In recent weeks, the leaders of Guyana and Venezuela promised in a tense meeting that neither side would use threats or force against the other, but failed to reach agreement on how to address the bitter dispute.

Tensions came to another head with Fridays arrival in Guyana of the Royal Navy patrol ship HMS Trent, which officials said had been taking part in an operation combatting drug smuggling in the Caribbean near the coast of Guyana. Most recently used to intercept pirates and drug smugglers off Africa, the ship is equipped with cannons and a landing pad for helicopters and drones and can carry around 50 marines.

Maduro said the ships deployment violates the shaky agreement between Venezuela and Guyana, calling its presence a threat to his country. In response, Maduro ordered Venezuelas military  including air and naval forces  to conduct exercises near the disputed area.

We believe in diplomacy, in dialogue and in peace, but no one is going to threaten Venezuela, Maduro said. This is an unacceptable threat to any sovereign country in Latin America.

Guyanas government rejected Maduros claims, with officials saying that the visit was a planned activity aimed at improving the nations defense capabilities and that the ships visit would continue as scheduled.

During talks earlier in December, Guyanese President Irfaan Ali said his nation reserved its right to work with partners to ensure the defense of his country. Guyana has a military of only 3,000 soldiers, 200 sailors and four small patrol boats known as Barracudas, while Venezuela has about 235,000 active military personnel in its army, air force, navy and national guard.

Nothing that we do or have done is threatening Venezuela, Guyanas vice president, Bharrat Jagdeo, told reporters in Georgetown, the nations capital.

MEGAN JANETSKY

Associated Press
Columbia College Logo View Photo

Sonora, CA  Yosemite Community College District gives an update on its dual enrollment program, which it says is thriving.

This month, trustees of the Yosemite Community College District (YCCD), which includes Columbia College, heard an update about the dual enrollment program, which gives students free access to earn college credits while they are still in high school. Additionally, the high schools provide the students with college textbooks, with that cost declining as increasing numbers of college courses are taught using free online resources.

In the fall 2023 semester, nearly 2,200 high school students participated in the program. YCCD officials expect that number to go up for the spring semester. Trustees heard how dual enrollment continues to thrive at the college. There were 676 high school students from Tuolumne County, Calaveras County, and eastern Stanislaus County taking Columbia classes in the 202223 school year; this year, that number is projected to top 700.

The dual-enrollment classes are offered under a College and Career Access Pathway (CCAP) agreement between the colleges and a local high school district. Melissa Raby, Columbias vice president of student services, said the college has CCAP agreements with all of the local high schools.

We have had significant success with dual enrollment courses and students, she said. The program is working. The courses are helping students reach college and succeed.

Columbia high school students earn an A, B, or C grade in their college classes, earning an 87.8% success rate and a 93.8% retention rate, or percentage of students that finish the course. CCAP agreements must be renewed every five years. All the classes are held on high school campuses, and there are three ways to access them:

A college instructor comes to their campus to teach.

A high school teacher who is qualified to teach college-level courses teaches the class.

A college instructor teaches online or via video conferencing with the assistance of an on-site high school teacher.
Harare conmen dupe visitor of US$5,000 in elaborate scam

In a distressing turn of events, a 20-year-old man from Bulawayo fell victim to a gang of conmen while visiting his brother in Harare, resulting in the loss of a substantial sum of US$5,000.

Moses Tserayi, the main suspect, appeared before Harare magistrate Mrs Appollonia Marutya, facing charges of theft. He has been remanded in custody until Wednesday pending his bail application.

According to the States allegations presented in court, the incident unfolded on Thursday at the bustling Market Square Bus Terminus in Harare. Tinotenda Ndoro, who had disembarked from a Bulawayo-bound bus, was patiently awaiting his brothers arrival at a nearby fast-food restaurant.

It was during this vulnerable moment that Tserayi and his associates approached Ndoro, enticing him with an enticing proposition. They claimed to have stumbled upon a considerable sum of lost cash, suggesting they share it equally among themselves.

Manipulating Ndoros trust, Tserayi convinced him to accompany them to the Kopje area of Harare, assuring him of privacy and ample time to distribute the money fairly. Unbeknown to Ndoro, this was the initial step in an elaborate scam.

Once they reached their destination, Tserayi and Ndoro decided to engage in prayer before dividing the money. However, as they were engaged in their religious observance, Tserayis alleged accomplices suddenly materialized, identifying themselves as police officers. They conducted a thorough search of both individuals, purportedly as part of standard procedure, and confiscated Ndoros US$5,000, as well as the counterfeit notes Tserayi had in his possession.

Adding to the intricate web of deception, another accomplice appeared at the scene and confirmed that Tserayi, not Ndoro, was the person who had discovered the misplaced money. Consequently, the supposed police officers exonerated Ndoro, albeit not without a single slap to his face, instructing him to flee the scene while leaving Tserayi at the mercy of his three alleged cohorts.

However, upon realizing the disappearance of his substantial sum, Ndoro swiftly retraced his steps and pursued the four suspects, eventually catching up with them as they were about to cross Abdel Gamal Nasser Road.

While the other three managed to escape back into the Kopje area, Tserayi was apprehended by an astute plainclothes police officer driving a private vehicle. A subsequent search of Tserayis person yielded the recovery of US$902, ZW$4,000, and two counterfeit US$100 notes. In total, the amount stolen amounted to US$5,000.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the prevalence of scams and the need for heightened vigilance when encountering unfamiliar individuals offering seemingly lucrative opportunities. As investigations continue and the legal process unfolds, authorities hope to bring all involved parties to justice and deter future instances of such fraudulent activities.

In a society that thrives on trust and community, individuals must remain cautious, particularly when approached by strangers promising instant wealth. By raising awareness and fostering a culture of skepticism towards suspicious propositions, we can collectively protect ourselves from falling prey to such nefarious schemes.

Breaking News via Email
ANKARA, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- The Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MIT) has "neutralized" a senior member of the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) in a cross-border operation in northern Syria, the semi-official Anadolu Agency reported Saturday.

The man, identified as Remziye Altig and codenamed Viyan, was responsible for YPG's financial affairs.

He was also suspected of participating in "terror activities" in northern Syria's Qamishli city, the news agency reported, citing anonymous security forces.

Altig led protests organized by the youth section of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in Turkiye's southern Mersin province before 2016 and took part in the group's "action planning," said the sources.

Turkish authorities often use the term "neutralize" in their statements to imply the alleged "terrorists" have either surrendered, been killed, or been captured.

The Turkish army launched Operation Euphrates Shield in 2016, Operation Olive Branch in 2018, Operation Peace Spring in 2019, and Operation Spring Shield in 2020 in northern Syria to create a YPG-free zone along the border with the neighboring country. The Turkish intelligence has also intensified cross-border operations targeting PKK and YPG hideouts in Iraq and Syria.

Turkiye sees the YPG as the Syrian branch of the PKK group.

The PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Turkiye, the United States, and the European Union, has rebelled against the Turkish government for more than three decades. 
Are you in an anti-free speech state? We now have the definitive list

For years, we have discussed the alarming shift in the Democratic party on free speech with candidates running on pledges to censor opposing views and politicians supporting blacklisting and censorship on social media. Many citizens oppose such efforts to restrict their rights under the First Amendment, but are unaware of the work of their representatives to limit free speech. Now, a filing in the Supreme Court supporting censorship efforts by the Biden Administration has supplied a handy list of the anti-free speech states for citizens.

(Article republished from JonathanTurley.org)

The 5th Circuit previously ruled in Missouri v. Biden that administration officials likely violated the First Amendment and issued a preliminary injunction banning the government from communicating with social media companies to limit speech.

Not surprisingly, the state of California is leading the effort to get the Supreme Court to reverse a decision enjoining the government from censorship efforts. California has long sought to impose speech limits on doctors, businesses, and citizens to silence opposing viewpoints.

However, 23 Democrat-led states joined this ignoble effort in signing on to the brief of California Attorney General Rob Bonta. The brief lauds past efforts of these states to combat harmful content on the Internet and to protect the public from misleading information through partnerships with social media companies.

So here is the list to see if you are residing in an anti-free speech state:

Arizona

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

Hawaii

Illinois

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Nevada

New Jersey

New Mexico,

New York

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

Vermont

Washington

Wisconsin

District of Columbia

Here is the brief: Missouri v. BidenNew York et al. Amicus Br.

Read more at: JonathanTurley.org
Bidens regulation of AI usage raises concerns about NARRATIVE CONTROL

"Never let a good crisis go to waste." This quote made famous by British statesman Winston Churchill now epitomizes the unjustifiable expansion and abuse of government powers in the Joe Biden era.

The pandemic ushered in a series of disastrous experiments, from distance learning and monetary supply expansion to lockdowns. After witnessing the extent of Biden's actions, seemingly anything appears permissible. Whether these alternatives lead to a better or worse future remains a topic for another day.

However, with real income diminishing due to reckless monetary policy, it's no surprise that Biden faces criticism.

The New York Times warned against going down the "rabbit hole," fearing a loss of narrative traction. Social media, despite previous claims, isn't the sole battleground; the Left seeks narrative control in various arenas.

Biden's regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) usage, showcased in an executive order, raises concerns about narrative control. The order delegates regulatory and enforcement powers, emphasizing AI's application to "critical infrastructure sectors."

Vague language regarding the internet and online communications leaves room for speculation. The Biden administration's white paper, titled "A Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights," further outlines principles that can be applied beyond specific sectors.

Two key principles include protection from "unsafe or ineffective systems" and preventing algorithmic discrimination through "proactive equity assessments."

These principles, when applied broadly, suggest potential control over AI usage in various sectors, including social media. (Related: AI-powered tools for detecting "hate speech" in gaming chats raise concerns about over-policing, censorship.)

Biden's focus on fighting "inequity" raises questions about defining "high-quality" data and manipulating algorithms to enforce progressive narratives. The implications extend beyond chatbots, potentially influencing algorithms on social media platforms and search engines.

Non-leftists must not ignore the deliberately vague executive order and regulatory regime, recognizing the potential impact on counternarratives. As attention spans decline, especially among the youth, controlled algorithms and chatbots become gateways to shape perceptions. Addressing these issues is crucial to preserving diverse perspectives in the digital landscape.

ACLU raises several concerns

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), in a press statement, said that while the order takes significant steps by mandating agencies to safeguard civil rights and liberties in the use of AI within governmental programs, it falls short of adequately addressing AI applications in national security and lacks robust safeguards against law enforcement's AI utilization  crucial federal domains fraught with considerable risks.

The order specifically excludes AI systems involved in national security, encompassing areas such as surveillance, immigration and border activities that routinely impact Americans. Instead, these systems are deferred to a future policy memorandum. The use of AI in law enforcement undergoes an interagency process and necessitates a report on the current applications of AI within this domain.

ReNika Moore, director of the ACLU's Racial Justice Program, expressed encouragement for the administration's acknowledgment of the need for a comprehensive approach to combat discrimination and real-world harms arising from AI and automated systems. However, she noted the administration's deferral of addressing tools in national security and law enforcement, areas witnessing widespread AI deployment with profound impacts on liberty, equity and due process.

Cody Venzke, senior policy counsel in the National Political Advocacy Department at the ACLU, emphasized the pervasive integration of AI into daily life and its exacerbation of discriminatory harms in various sectors.

While recognizing the executive order's invocation of existing civil rights authority to combat discriminatory AI across the government, Venzke raised concerns about the order's failure to provide protections against AI in law enforcement, particularly the role of facial recognition technology in contributing to false arrests, and in national security, encompassing surveillance and immigration.

Additionally, the foundational question of whether AI should be utilized in specific contexts or use cases remains unaddressed.

Watch this video showing deceptive and dangerous AI capabilities.

This video is from the Vigilent Citizen channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

AI firm nabs 30 billion online photos and sends them to law enforcement to prosecute Americans.

AI takeover is INEVITABLE: Experts warn artificial intelligence will become powerful enough to control human minds, behaviors.

AI is about to change the world for the WORSE: Here are 3 reasons why.

Sources include:

SHTFPlan.com

ACLU.org

Brighteon.com
Former Google CEO presents 6-point plan to combat misinformation  just more ways to MONITOR and CENSOR people

Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt recently released an opinion piece where he presented a "six-point" plan to combat misinformation . Some of Schmidt's ideas include blocking VPNs and "authenticating" users of all social media accounts.

He also warned that U.S. legislators, regulators and tech companies must listen to his recommendations "before it's too late."

Schmidt's piece, which was published by the MIT Technology Review, warned that the upcoming year will be one of "seismic" political shifts. He added that the 2024 U.S. presidential election could be "the biggest election year in history," with democracies "facing a historic test worldwide."

While he mentions other elections to be held across the globe, it is the presidential election in the U.S. that really worries him. (Related: White House forced YouTube to censor COVID-19 "misinformation," internal documents reveal.)

According to Schmidt, the public must be wary of the specter of "disinformation," which he sees everywhere in the contest of elections. Technology-wise, Schmidt talked about the trouble with artificial intelligence (AI) and social media.

Monitoring and censoring people under the guise of fighting misinformation

In his article, Schmidt detailed his suggestions in policy-making.

Schmidt said social media users must be verified and authenticated as humans so they can be "held accountable" by both the platforms and the authorities. His tone is cautious and he added that this doesn't mean "divulging" people's identities.

At least, not to everybody. There might be exceptions, such as when social media platforms are violated and if law enforcement requires it if any laws are violated.

Schmidt also claimed that these platforms should be turned into all-seeing eyes by knowing every source. He explained that knowing the source of the content and the time it entered the network can improve trust and safety.

He warned that even if VPN traffic may deter detection, "platforms can step up efforts to improve identification of VPNs."

As Schmidt warned about deepfakes, he brought up President Joe Bidens AI executive order. He encouraged the identification of deepfakes, which can bring up fears of censorship of memes or parody content.

Schmidt said one way for platforms to start doing this is to scan an existing database of images and tell the user if an image has no history, such as what Google Images is doing.

AI systems can be trained to detect the signatures of deepfakes, using large sets of "truthful images contrasted with images labeled as fake." Software like this can allegedly help users confirm if an image has a high likelihood of being a deepfake, similar to the "spam risk" a user gets on their phone when calls come in from certain numbers.

Schmidt also said companies should "filter advertisers" by sharing a list of trusted advertisers across platforms.

He also claimed that manpower can help prevent "misinformation." But while real humans can help, Schmidt said there will still be mistakes, and some untrustworthy content can get past the protections.

He cited Wikipedia as an example of how "misinformation" can be policed by humans who follow "clear and highly detailed content rules."

According to Schmidt, social media companies must also publish quality rules for content and implement them by equipping their trust and safety teams and potentially expanding those teams by providing tools to volunteers.

Schmidt suggested that it remains to be seen how humans can prevent AI-generated material from chatbots, but the task will be less discouraging if trained AI systems are enforced to detect and filter out such content.

Finally, Schmidt claimed that "research" should have more funding.

He said that for all the measures to "work at scale," long-term engagement should start now.

"My philanthropic group is working to help create free, open-source testing frameworks for many AI trust and safety groups," concluded Schmidt, revealing his true intentions for preventing "misinformation."

Watch the video below about how censorship dictatorship could become a reality by 2024.

This video is from the Mike Martins Channel channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

UNESCO releases "guidelines" for regulating all content online.

CTIL files #1: US and UK military contractors created sweeping plan for global censorship in 2018, new documents show.

Whistleblower claims U.S. and U.K. military contractors developed comprehensive global censorship plan in 2018.

Sources include:

ReclaimTheNet.org

TechnologyReview.com

Brighteon.com
First Circuit Court upholds anti-white admissions policies at elite public schools  blacks and Latinos to the front of the line

Even though the Supreme Court ruled back in the summer that affirmative action, also known as anti-white racism, is unconstitutional, a federal appeals court has since ruled that elite public schools can continue discriminating against whites and Asians in order to enroll more blacks and Hispanics.

On December 19, the court decided that the city of Boston, a hotbed of academic privilege, can admit whomever it chooses while discriminating against applicants with light skin whose ancestry traces back to Europe and Asia.

The decision can still be appealed, and likely will be, but until then the three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in Boston has decided that in the case of Parent Coalition for Academic Excellence Corp. v. The School Committee for the City of Boston, Boston's elite public schools can attempt to increase the number of black and Latino student admissions by discriminating against white and Asian applicants.

The committee in charge of the city's public schools had previously decided to distribute admissions more evenly among Boston's zip codes, even if doing so means that more qualified white and Asian applicants are passed over in favor of underachieving blacks and Latinos who are considered to be "underrepresented" at America's top schools.

Writing for the court, U.S. Circuit Judge William Kayatta declared that race-based admissions policies are constitutional just so long as they are "facially neutral."

"There is nothing constitutionally impermissible about a school district including racial diversity as a consideration and goal in the enactment of a facially neutral plan," wrote the judge, who was appointed by Barack Hussein Obama in 2013.

(Related: The Supreme Court agrees with most Americans that affirmative action is racist and needs to be abolished.)

Whites and Asians being skipped over for more blacks and Latinos

Prior to 2019, the Boston school committee at the heart of the case admitted students to three prestigious "exam schools" based on a merit-based "composite score" consisting of an admissions exam and the applicant's grade point average (GPA).

"Students were admitted according to score rankings until each school was full," reported the Epoch Times about the case.

In 2019, the committee, which decides admissions for the Boston Latin School, reportedly the nation's oldest public school; the Boston Latin Academy; and the John D. O'Bryant School of Mathematics and Science decided to change its admissions policy "in a process that was blatantly, transparently and unconstitutionally preoccupied with race," according to the Pacific Legal Foundation (PLF).

Keep in mind that the three aforementioned public schools are widely considered to be the most prestigious public schools in the entire United States.

In order to achieve the desired racial composition at the three schools, the committee created a working group, one member of which expressed that "rectifying historic racial inequalities afflicting exam school admissions for generations" was of utmost importance.

Another school committee member was caught on a hot microphone making fun of and mocking Chinese names in an anti-Asian rant while two of his colleagues laughed in response via text message.

The end result of the committee's meddling with the admissions process was the implementation of a new citywide admissions process based on a student's zip code rather than academic performance and merit.

"Students with the highest GPAs would fill 20 percent of seats at each school, with the remaining 80 percent of seats being allotted to students from each zip code based on GPAs," reports indicate.

Beginning in the fall of 2021, the new policy became apparent when students who would have previously been admitted to one of the three schools were rejected in favor of black and Hispanic applicants with much less merit.

Will America survive the anti-white onslaught? Learn more at IdentityPolitics.news.

Sources for this article include:

TheEpochTimes.com

NaturalNews.com
Rep. Gaetz raises national security concerns about Delta Air Lines transporting illegal immigrants across the country as part of invasion placement activities

Representative Matt Gaetz (R-Florida) has written a letter to Delta CEO Ed Bastian asking him to explain whether they are using taxpayer money sent through nongovernmental organizations to transport masses of illegal immigrants.

He began the letter by stating he is aware that the airline has been transporting nonresident aliens from the southern border of the United States into the interior of the country and asking what type of arrangements are in place with NGOs and federal agencies allowing these individuals to travel on Delta flights.

As you are likely aware, certain NGOs receive federal grants, including through the Federal Emergency Management Agencys Emergency Food and Shelter Program and Shelter and Services Program, making it possible that these NGOs are using federal money to purchase flights for non-resident aliens on Delta Air Lines, he stated.

What makes the situation particularly dangerous is the fact that many of these illegals have not been properly vetted. In some cases, they are not being held to the same standards of identification as Americans, which means that no one knows who is truly boarding these flights, putting us at risk of allowing terrorists onto American planes and putting citizens in danger  and we are apparently the ones footing the bill for these flights.

The inquiry comes as numerous reports show flights packed with illegal immigrants. Conservative commentator Ashley St. Clair said she was on a Delta flight from Phoenix that was full of migrants who had crossed the border and were being sent to New York; a Delta representative brushed off her questions about it. She said she was seated in a premium cabin next to one such passenger and wondered if they had been medically screened. Other reporters have had similar experiences flying on planes with illegal immigrants CBP is releasing into the country.

Tenet Media Reporter Taylor Hansen said that when flying out of Laredo, Texas, "almost every person in the airport is an illegal migrant." Hansen added that a representative for American Airlines told him that more illegal immigrants fly out of the airport there each day than American citizens.

A reporter for Fox News, Bill Melugin, posted a photo on X of illegal immigrants in dedicated security lines at the Tucson airport, saying the terminal was full of illegal immigrants being released into the U.S.

Migrants flying with boarding passes without names

St. Clair shared on X that she had "possession of legitimate major airline boarding passes for migrants that quite literally have the name printed as 'NO NAME GIVEN.'" The Epoch Times confirmed seeing boarding passes with NO NAME GIVEN dated in April, which means that this alarming practice has been going on for at least several months.

Gaetz noted in his letter: I am concerned the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) may be allowing non-resident aliens to board flights, including those operated by Delta Airlines, with an alternate form of identification that meets a weaker standard than that used to verify the identities of American citizens.

He asked the Delta CEO to disclose how many nonresident aliens they have transported since January 20, 2021, on behalf of NGOs and governmental organizations and whether the company has been given any incentives or reimbursement such as money, credit, or governmental benefits in exchange for transporting nonresident aliens. He also asked for information about how NGOs purchase tickets with Delta for non-resident aliens.

In addition, Gaetz asked for clarification on whether the TSA has notified Bastian of which forms of identification nonresident aliens can use to get through airport security and board their flights.

Sources for this article include:

TheEpochTimes.com

NationalReview.com
Israel pressures US for more Apache helicopters even while owning up to mass civilian casualty airstrikes

Already the bulk of Israel's military arsenal is courtesy of the US and the American taxpayer, following decades of foreign and defense aidand Israel is far and away the top recipient over the many yearsas well as weapons and ammo urgently rushed to Tel Aviv in the wake of the Oct.7 Hamas terror attacks.

(Article by Tyler Durden republished from ZeroHedge.com)

But Israeli officials have been urging their American counterparts to send additional AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, which some Israeli media reports say has already been denied. Apaches have been heavily relied on for air power and to disrupt Hamas ground operations throughout the conflict, equipped with heavy chain guns and Hellfire missiles.

Via Axios

Israel's defense minister has formally made the request, but as YNet reports: "The IDF has requested Apache attack helicopters from the United States but has been denied so far."

"The request was made to the Pentagon in recent weeks and was also raised by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant during his meetings with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin during his visit to Israel last week," the report says, adding: "Security sources suggest that a final decision on the potential acquisition has not been made, and Jerusalem is continuing to apply pressure."

Israel's current two squadrons of the Boeing-made Apaches have seen heavy use as YNet explains: "These squadrons have been conducting round-the-clock operations in Gaza since the beginning of the war." Israel's total number of Apaches in its arsenal are typically listed at 48.

While the White House has long said its defense aid to Israel will remain 'unconditional' - international pressure has mounted due to the unprecedented civilian death toll. Gaza's health ministry has cited a death toll of more than 21,000 killed over the past nearly three months of conflict.

Israel's military has of late even admitted to conducting mass casualty strikes against civilian camps, killing "dozens" of innocents, as The New York Times documented in a Thursday report:

The Israeli military said on Thursday that it had caused unintended harm to uninvolved civilians in two strikes this week on a densely packed Gaza Strip neighborhood, where, the local health authorities said, dozens were killed. It was a rare admission of fault by the military over its conduct of the war. The military said it was targeting Hamas on Sunday when it launched two strikes on the central Gazan community of Al Maghazi, which has been flooded with Palestinians uprooted by war and crammed into homes by the dozen.

An IDF statement said, "A preliminary investigation revealed that additional buildings located near the targets were also hit during the strikes, which likely caused unintended harm to additional uninvolved civilians." It added, "The I.D.F. regrets the harm to uninvolved individuals, and is working to draw lessons from the incident."

AFP via Getty Images

One of Israel's arguments to Washington in pressing for more Apaches is that the sophisticated attack helicopters may allow for more precision operations against ground targets, given they go after targets in closer proximity compared to either mortar fire or missiles launched by fast-moving jets.

Read more at: ZeroHedge.com
Life expectancy in the U.S. is now DROPPING in the aftermath of COVID-19 vaccines

Life expectancy has been declining in the U.S., and the timing coincides with the introduction of COVID-19 vaccines.

The average expected lifespan for Americans in 2021 was 76.4 years, which represents a drop of 0.6 from 2020. Men can expect to live an average of 73.5 years overall, while women's life expectancy is 79.3 years.

The leading cause of death in the U.S. in 2021 was heart disease, which is something that has been connected to COVID-19 vaccines. Many of the most widely reported side effects from COVID-19 vaccines have been cardiac related, with countless people suffering from a heart attack or stroke after getting jabbed.

Reports of vaccine-related injuries continue to pile up, and most of us are all too familiar with the alarming number of stories in the news about healthy young people dying suddenly.

While some experts try to argue that people arent dying off due to COVID-19 vaccines, no one can dispute the rise in young people experiencing heart attacks. Although it was already ticking upward before the pandemic, it sped up dramatically post-2020.

One study by Cedars-Sinai Medical Center showed that heart attack deaths climbed for all age groups during 2020 and 2021, but the biggest jump was seen in those aged 25 to 44. The increase of 29 percent is simply too big to ignore.

Analysis shows mRNA shots could shorten lifespan by 24 years

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows just how damaging the vaccines have been. According to analysis by The Expose, men who get the mRNA shots could see as much as 24 years taken off their lifespan as a result.

In fact, they report that CDC all-cause mortality data demonstrates that each dose of a COVID-19 vaccine a person received raised their mortality by 7 percent in 2022 compared to 2021. In other words, people who got 5 doses were 35 percent more likely to die in 2022 than in 2021, while those who got just one dose had a 7 percent greater likelihood of dying in 2022 compared to 2021. For those who avoided the vaccine, their chances of dying were the same in both years.

They liken the vaccines to slow-acting genetic poison based on this data given the fact that people do not appear to be recovering from the damage caused by earlier vaccines when it comes to excess mortality. If the trend continues, a person who received 5 doses would be 350 percent more likely to pass away in 2031 and a shocking 700 percent more likely to die in 2041 than a person who did not get the jab.

FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert M. Califf characterized the dropping life expectancy for Americans as catastrophic, writing on X on November 30: We are facing extraordinary headwinds in our public health with a major decline in life expectancy. The major decline in the U.S. is not just a trend. Id describe it as catastrophic.

Not surprisingly, he stopped short of pinning the blame on vaccines. In fact, many of those who dare to suggest vaccines are causing deaths find themselves being censored. A whistleblower who recently shared data from the New Zealand Health Agency pointing to a strong link between vaccines and excess mortality was arrested and is facing prison time. The data he shared with the public pointed to the vaccines killing more than 10 million individuals globally.

He said he shared the data because it blew his mind and he wanted experts to analyze it and make people aware of what is happening.

Sources for this article include:

Revolver.news

Expose-News.com

News-JournalOnline.com
New York City throwing away over $1M taxpayer-funded meals for migrants every month

Company records have revealed that New York City is paying millions of dollars a month for meals that are meant to feed migrants. However, thousands of these meals are never eaten and thrown away , according to the internal company records reviewed by the New York Times (NYT).

The meals are provided by DocGo, a medical services company that won a no-bid, $432 million contract from NYC to provide broad migrant care, even though it doesn't have prior experience in doing so.

More than 70,000 meals were "wasted" according to records

DocGo receives as much as $33 a day per migrant for providing three meals a day for each of the estimated 4,000 migrants under its care.

According to internal company records, from Oct. 22 to Nov. 10, DocGo recorded more than 70,000 meals as being "wasted." At $11 per meal, the maximum rate allowed by the contract, the wasted food for those 20 days would cost taxpayers about $776,000, or at least $39,000 a day.

At that rate, the bill for the wasted food would exceed $1 million a month.

Meanwhile, NYC Mayor Eric Adams is making billions of dollars in budget cuts to help pay for the city's spending on migrant care. (Related: Picky guests: Illegals REFUSE accommodation in tent city, return to Manhattan HOTELS they were formerly housed in.)

Food waste is the latest issue that has been linked to DocGo's care of migrants. This summer, the state attorney general started investigating the company over allegations that it had mistreated migrants, aside from other issues.

According to a spokesman for New York's Department of Housing Preservation and Development, which oversees the $432 million DocGo contract, the company recently started ordering fewer meals to reduce waste as part of the agency's effort to slash $66 million from the program by the end of 2024.

City officials have reported that DocGo lowered its average per-meal price to $7.82. At the rate of wasted meals reflected in the DocGo documents, that would amount to at least $28,000 in wasted food each day, or about $800,000 a month.

Brewer added that the food waste is "very expensive for the taxpayer," adding that it doesn't make sense to have budget cuts when DocGo is also wasting food.

However, DocGo officials have not been accused of wrongdoing. Additionally, there is no suggestion that the company is intentionally overbilling the city for uneaten meals.

According to the company's contract, food costs must be treated as a so-called "pass-through expense to the city with no profit going to the company."

Some claim food waste might be unavoidable because many migrants are not around when meals are served, especially during the day when they might be working or looking for work, while some might prefer cooking for themselves in their hotel rooms.

However, the underlying problem seems to be the food itself. Despite the food being provided for free, some migrants have claimed that they got sick after eating the meals.

Others reported quality issues such as mold in their food.

DocGo officials are aware of these common issues about food quality, but any attempts to address them seem ineffective. For example, on a single day, Nov. 6, more than 5,000 meals were discarded, according to the records.

DocGo claims data about food waste is "inaccurate "

Company officials have tried to downplay the complaints, claiming that reporters had focused on a handful of unhappy "guests," the term DocGo uses for migrants under its care, and are ignoring an otherwise good track record according to internal company surveys.

City officials and DocGo did not challenge the authenticity of the companys internal documents tracking the food waste that the NYT obtained. However, they insisted, without offering evidence, that 93 percent of the food that DocGo serves to migrants is being eaten.

Rob Ford, a DocGo spokesman, said the data from the NYT is "taken out of context and is not accurate." He added that DocGo frequently monitors food consumption and "works to proactively identify opportunities for savings on behalf of NYC"

Despite these claims, DocGos internal database that covers its hotels in and around New York City, the Hudson Valley, the state capital region and Western New York, had specific accounts of how thousands of uneaten meals were being thrown away.

Meanwhile, another report stated that it was a "normal night" on Nov. 12 when 110 dinner meals, at one hotel with a reported total population of about 230, were thrown away at the Holiday Inn in downtown Albany.

A DocGo supervisor at the Brooklyn Vybe Hotel, which records show is home to an estimated 200 migrants, wrote in an Oct. 31 shift report that 184 meals were wasted during lunch.

Yet the supervisor checked the "Yes" box when answering whether the migrants enjoyed the food. This is a common response from supervisors despite evidence to the contrary, including their written observations.

At the Red Roof Plus in suburban Buffalo, one DocGo supervisor wrote in her notes for an Oct. 24 shift report that the migrants "dislike the food strongly." The supervisor added that the migrants were angry, with some saying that the food was moldy and that it made them sick.

But the Red Roof Plus supervisor still checked the "Yes" box on whether the migrants enjoyed the food.

The "Yes" box was also marked by a supervisor at a Quality Inn in Buffalo. She also wrote that 74 meals were thrown away, including 20 breakfast sandwiches, 26 beef enchiladas and eight veggie trays.

This past summer, investigators visited the Ramada Plaza in Albany, where migrants living there complained about their treatment and the food. Some of the migrants then followed up with more complaints and evidence that food was being wasted.

According to two former DocGo subcontractors, they saw uneaten meals regularly being disposed of at hotels in Albany.

Rodney, 38, a migrant from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, claimed that the first day he ate the food provided he had to be taken to the hospital. While giving his statement, Rodney was wearing a special belt around his stomach that allegedly helped him cope with the horrible gas the food gave him.

One Venezuelan migrant filmed what he claimed were boxes of food being thrown into the dumpster at the Ramada, where records reveal that at least 180 migrants have been staying for several months. In the video, he said that the food was being thrown out because nobody eats it and that the food "is pure trash."

NYT investigators have identified the migrants by only their given names, or have allowed them to comment anonymously, due to concerns that disclosing their full names could jeopardize their status or cause them harm.

Watch the video below to learn more about Chinese migrants coming to the U.S. from Columbia.

This video is from the Real Deal Media channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Food tyranny: NYC to monitor household food consumption as biotech companies take over food production.

NYC Mayor Adams: MIGRANTS from Venezuela feeding Big Apple's new RED-LIGHT DISTRICT.

Top 7 ways most Americans WASTE money.

Sources include:

TheNationalPulse.com

NYTimes.com

Brighteon.com
Report: Birmingham, Alabama has highest cost of crime per capita in the entire country

A recent report by personal finance website MoneyGeek revealed that the city of Birmingham in Alabama has the highest cost of crime per capita (CCPC) in the entire United States

Researchers from the site used crime data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to look at crime rates in 302 large cities and 1,010 small cities and towns across the country. They also looked at both violent crime and property crime and used research by the University of Miami and the University of Colorado Denver to determine the cost of crime in each area.

The researchers found that Birmingham had the highest CCPC among the more than 300 cities they examined at $11,392. New Orleans landed at second spot with a CCPC of $11,094. St. Louis, Missouri placed third with a CCPC of $11,055.

Birmingham's violent crime rate  which includes instances of murder, manslaughter, rape, robbery and aggravated assault  was 1,682 per 100,000 residents. Meanwhile, its property crime rate  which includes burglary, larceny and vehicle theft  was 4,173 per 100,000 residents.

While the city had a high rate of violent crime, it wasn't the highest. Memphis, Detroit and Little Rock in Arkansas had more violent crimes per capita. Memphis, St. Louis and Tacoma in Washington state, meanwhile, had more property crimes per capita. (Related: Gallup poll: Los Angeles among five cities deemed unsafe to live in or visit.)

The site didn't just list the most violent cities, as it also listed the cities with the lowest CCPC. The No. 1 spot went to Thousand Oaks in California, followed by Fishers in Indiana. Florida's Pembroke Pines, Pearland in Texas and Gilbert in Arizona took the third to fifth spots.

"While violent crime has dropped to pre-pandemic levels nationwide, changes weren't the same across the board," reported the Hill. "The crime rates remained elevated in dozens of cities around the country."

Small towns and cities aren't necessarily safer

The researchers commissioned by MoneyGeek also analyzed more than 1,000 small towns and cities  areas whose populations range between 30,000 and 100,000. These small towns and cities have fewer crime-fighting resources than their big city neighbors. In these places, fewer crimes may occur, but the cost of crime can be an even bigger burden.

Monroe in Louisiana had the highest CCPC of the small towns and cities analyzed at $8,902. Petersburg in Virginia followed at $8,867, while Saginaw in Michigan placed third with a CCPC of $8,856. Florence in South Carolina was at No. 4 with $8,521, while Alexandria in Louisiana was at No.5 with $7,955.

The researchers also looked at the safest small towns and cities, finding that many of them are found in the Northeast. New Jersey had the most number of areas in the "safe" list, including Monroe Township, Hillsborough Township, Westfield and Princeton.

MoneyGeek also listed down the small town or city with the lowest CCPC in 48 states. Monroe Township in New Jersey took the top spot with a mere $31. Zionsville in Indiana followed at No. 2 with a CCPC of $51, while Wallingford in Connecticut made it to third place with $55.

Visit Collapse.news for more stories about the safety situation in various U.S. cities.

Watch Bill O'Reilly break down the soaring crime rates in the U.S. in the clip below.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Blue city madness: 27 of the 30 most murderous cities are run by Democrats and 14 of those 30 cities have Soros-backed prosecutors  big chain stores fleeing these crime-ridden cities.

USA has 3rd highest murder rate in the world, unless you subtract the five biggest Democrat-run metropolitan cities, and then we're 189th out of 193.

12 large US cities have broken yearly homicide records so far  and they all have Democrat mayors.

Big Democrat-run cities just keep getting more dangerous as homcide rates rise another 10%.

18 of top 20 cities with projected highest murder rates have Democrat mayors.

Sources include:

TheHill.com 1

TheHill.com 2

Brighteon.com
SACRAMENTO, the United States, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. state of California has decided to keep former President Donald Trump on the 2024 presidential primary ballot, despite mounting pressure for declaring him ineligible to run for president in the state.

California Secretary of State Shirley Weber published the list of certified candidates for the state's March 5 presidential primary election late Thursday, which included Trump's name.

Several elected officials in California, including Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, have been calling for Trump's disqualification for his controversial role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Kounalakis sent a letter to Weber last week, urging her to "explore every legal option" to keep Trump off. Weber pushed back on Kounalakis' letter, citing "complex legal issues surrounding this matter" and a commitment to "safeguarding elections in a way that transcends political divisions."

Weber said that her office had been engaged in multiple lawsuits regarding Trump's appearance on the ballot.

California Governor Gavin Newsom echoed Weber's concerns, urging caution and saying "in California, we defeat candidates at the polls. Everything else is a political distraction."

Also on Thursday, Maine disqualified Trump from the state ballot in next year's U.S. presidential primary election, becoming the second state that attempted to bar the former president for his role in the attack on the U.S. Capitol.

As the decision can be appealed to a state superior court, Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows has suspended her decision until the court rules on the matter.

Colorado is the first state trying to ban Trump from the ballot after the state's Supreme Court ruled on Dec. 19 that Trump was ineligible for the presidency.

The Colorado Republican Party on Wednesday appealed the state's decision. This puts the ruling on pause until Jan. 4, 2024, the day before the state's primary ballots are due at the printer, or until an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court is concluded.

Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold confirmed Thursday that Trump's name will remain on the state's 2024 presidential primary ballot unless the nation's highest court upholds the Colorado Supreme Court's ruling against him.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Michigan Supreme Court rejected an attempt to remove Trump from the state's primary ballot for alleged involvement in the 2021 attack.

Besides Michigan, similar challenges against Trump filed in multiple U.S. states have already been dismissed. 
Russian billionaire sues Israeli bank for freezing donation

Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich has demanded that the Israeli bank Mizrahi Tefahot unblock his account and allow him to make a NIS 8 million (approximately $2.2 million) donation to ZAKA, a Jerusalem-based non-governmental organization (NGO).

(Article republished from RT.com)

ZAKA, which operates a specially trained team of volunteer paramedics and rescue professionals, has been at the center of the effort to recover the bodies of hundreds of Israelis, including from Gaza, following Hamas attack on October 7, which resulted in the death of 1,200 Israelis.

Roman Abramovich, who was granted Israeli citizenship in 2018, and ZAKA have filed a lawsuit against the bank, accusing it of unlawfully denying Abramovich's request to transfer the funds, which were intended to support the NGO's activity amid the ongoing conflict.

The bank had earlier refused the transfer, citing sanctions imposed on the billionaire by the European Union and the British government. The bank claims that due to these sanctions, the bank account of Abramovich, whose net worth is estimated to be over $9 billion, according to Forbes, is blocked and that no operations of any kind can be performed.

The EU has sanctioned hundreds of Russian individuals and entities, including businesspeople and oligarchs, since the start of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, including the former owner of Chelsea FC. In December this year, an EU court upheld the sanctions against the tycoon, after Abramovich brought a case against the EU in May 2022, seeking to cancel his inclusion in the sanctions list.

Abramovichs lawyers are arguing that the Israeli government has not imposed any sanctions against him in the wake of the conflict in Ukraine, and neither has the US government, and therefore the blocking of the account is illegal. The lawsuit also states that Abramovich opened the bank account years ago, and that the money intended for donation to ZAKA was deposited in the account at the time.

ZAKA was established over thirty years ago following a wave of bus bombings and suicide attacks in Israel during an escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and has since grown into an international humanitarian organization with over 2,800 volunteers based in over 15 countries. As a result of its UN recognition, ZAKA has since been requested to assist following natural disasters (e.g. Japan, Haiti, New Orleans, Thailand); plane crashes (e.g. USA, Mexico) and terror attacks (e.g. Mumbai, Mombasa, Istanbul).

Read more at: RT.com
Tory MP says U.K. government must acknowledge potential FIRE RISKS stemming from electric vehicles and lithium batteries

The British government, while in a rush to meet net zero targets, has not properly recognized the potential fire risks posed by lithium batteries in electric vehicles . This is according to Tory Member of Parliament (MP) Bob Blackman, who has been campaigning against plans to build an electric bus garage beneath a residential skyscraper in north London.

Blackman, the chair of the All Party Parliamentary Fire Safety and Rescue Group, warned that there is a huge fire safety risk to consider when discussing the planned garage. He added that if there is a problem with the wrong position, there's a chance that a block of flats could collapse.

Lithium is one of those chemicals that burns at a very high temperature. Trying to put out a lithium fire with water can be dangerous because it is very high risk. (Related: EV challenges: Electric car charging stations power usage exceeds that of 280 HOMES.)

Property developers Ballymore has drafted plans to "carefully rejuvenate" the center of Edgware, a north London suburb, with a new cinema, library, shops and restaurants, along with 3,365 new homes in 25 tower blocks.

However, the most controversial aspect of the proposal is the plan to build a "transport hub," which includes a bus station, with buses being stored and charged overnight at the basement level. The hub will be located under one of the residential towers.

The Ballymore website stated: "To make better use, we are moving the bus interchange underground... which will reduce congestion and make crossings safer."

Residents could be at risk because of a potential battery fire

Anuta Zack, spokesman for Save our Edgware, said a battery fire in the bus garage could result in "Grenfell on steroids," with residents living in the building above potentially facing "severe risk." Zack was referring to the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017 where 72 people died.

In a statement released earlier in December, the group said: "Save Our Edgware, a local residents' group, has raised serious concerns about the fire risk of the Ballymore/TfL plan to charge at least 190 electric buses in an underground garage, potentially endangering 7,000 residents living in high-rise tower blocks above."

A spokesman for the Ballymore/TfL joint venture claimed that the garage would only be occupied by electric buses after getting approvals from all relevant bodies. Blackman, who represents the neighboring Harrow East constituency, said TfL has withdrawn its support for the proposed underground bus garage amid the valid concerns discussed by the London Fire Brigade.

If a petrol or diesel-powered internal combustion engine (ICE) ignites, it can be extinguished fairly quickly by the fire brigade using conventional hoses. However, things are different with electric vehicles, which are powered by lithium battery packs that are built into the chassis because the batteries can go into "thermal runaway" for many reasons.

Matt Humby, a senior technical consultant at fire extinguisher manufacturer Firechief Global, advised that it is sometimes difficult to put out fires once they go into thermal runaway. He added that in some cases, lithium battery modules can still burn underwater.

Humby also said that while water will cool it, it's not enough to stop that thermal runaway event. Each cell will go into thermal runaway, resulting in a domino effect. According to Humby, the problems lie with "whether or not the government gets the proper legislation in place to state that these need to be put in certain areas."

Visit RoboCars.news to learn more about the dangers of electric vehicles.

Watch this clip about electric vehicles exploding in shocking numbers.

This video is from the LUKE 11:31 QUEEN! channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Electric car EXPLODES on driveway and sets fire to family home after battery malfunction.

Nearly 4,000 car dealers urge Biden to abandon unrealistic electric vehicle agenda amid plummeting sales.

IMPRISONED: Climate police want EV batteries to have less capacity so electric car owners cant travel very far.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com 1

EdgwareTownCentre.uk

TheEpochTimes.com 2

Brighteon.com
U.S. destroyer intercepts drone, missile attacks launched by Houthi rebels toward Israel

The Iran-backed Houthi rebels have initiated a series of drone and missile attacks toward Israel. The offensive, however, was intercepted by a U.S. Navy destroyer and F/A-18 Super Hornets.

"U.S. assets, including the USS Laboon (DDG 58) and F/A-18 Super Hornets from the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group, successfully intercepted 12 one-way attack drones, three anti-ship ballistic missiles, and two land attack cruise missiles in the Southern Red Sea. The attack was carried out by the Houthis over 10 hours starting at approximately 6:30 a.m. (Sanaa time) on December 26," the U.S. Central Command said in a statement.

Fortunately, there was no damage to ships in the area, and no injuries were reported. The attack occurred a day after President Joe Biden authorized retaliatory strikes against Iranian-backed militias in Iraq, prompted by strikes on a U.S. airbase in Erbil that left three U.S. troops injured.

This latest attack from Yemen follows a pattern of similar incidents. (Related: U.S. warship in the Red Sea shoots down attack drones fired by Yemen's Houthi rebels.)

Just days earlier, the USS Laboon intercepted four unmanned aerial vehicles in the Red Sea. Subsequently, the destroyer responded to distress calls from two commercial vessels. The M/V Blaamanen, a Norwegian-flagged chemical tanker, reported a near miss from a Houthi one-way attack drone. Meanwhile, the M/V Saibaba, a Gabon-owned crude oil tanker, was hit by a one-way attack drone, resulting in no reported injuries.

On Dec. 16, the Navy destroyer Carney thwarted 14 attack drones in the Red Sea. U.S. Central Command has emphasized that there is strong reason to believe these attacks, orchestrated by the Houthis in Yemen, are enabled by Iran.

In response to escalating threats in the region, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced on Dec. 18 the establishment of a multinational task force to safeguard civilian ships.

Houthi rebels also hit civilian ships

Earlier this month, Yemens Houthi rebels launched a ballistic missile, narrowly missing a container ship in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a strategically vital maritime passage, as reported by the U.S. military.

This act is part of the ongoing seaborne attacks by the Iran-backed Houthis amid the Israel-Hamas conflict in the Gaza Strip. The Houthis have expanded their threats to target vessels believed to be connected with Israel, regardless of their actual association. Fortunately, the missile fired landed harmlessly in the water near the Maersk Gibraltar, a Hong Kong-flagged container ship traveling from Salalah, Oman, to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The U.S. military's Central Command confirmed the incident and expressed ongoing concern over these attacks, emphasizing the continued threat to international maritime security.

Later, a Houthi military spokesman, Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, claimed, without providing evidence, that the rebels had hit the Maersk Gibraltar with a drone strike after the crew failed to respond to their call to surrender.

The spokesman further alleged that the vessel was heading to Israel, a claim unsupported by evidence.

Maersk, one of the world's largest shipping companies, issued a statement confirming the attack, assuring the safety of the crew and vessel.

The company called attention to the alarming trend of recent attacks in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, emphasizing the risk to seafarers' lives and global trade. Maersk urged political action for a swift de-escalation, highlighting that the global shipping industry alone cannot address the situation.

In a separate incident, two missiles fired from Houthi-held territory narrowly missed a commercial tanker loaded with Indian-manufactured jet fuel near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

Additionally, near the strait, a missile fired by the Houthis struck a Norwegian-flagged tanker in the Red Sea. These events contribute to growing concerns about the safety and security of maritime traffic in the region.

Watch Houthi rebels declare the failure of the U.S. Navy and the decline of the U.S. Empire.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Yemeni Houthis claim responsibility for attacking Norwegian-flagged oil and chemical tanker with guided missiles

U.S. warship, commercial vessels UNDER ATTACK in Red Sea, Pentagon confirms

Major shipping giants HALT Red Sea route following Houthi attacks on shipping vessels

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

APNews.com

Brighteon.com
A recent report showed that a shark killed a 14-year-old while surfing in Southern Australia, based on the recent reports. Many Australians are expected to visit the beaches in December as the summer season begins.

Australians visiting the beach should be extra careful and check the conditions. Authorities are expected to investigate the incident and come up with a report.

Shark Attack in Southern Australia's Waters

The upcoming summer season can also invite more beachgoers or visitors. Based on the initial reports, the shark attack occurred in the early afternoon near Ethel Beach.

In South Australia, the latest incident was considered the 5th shark attack. Beach and surfing are enjoyable in the waters, but parents should stay alert and monitor the activities of their children while on the beach.

According to recent reports, the boy came from Maslin Beach in Adelaide's south. Communities also paid tribute to the young boy who fell from the shark attack.

Surfing was in the heart of the family, including the boy. Meanwhile, surfers also offered their sympathies to the boy's family.

Also Read: Lolita's Death: Performing Killer Whale Die Due to Multiple Chronic Illnesses, Old Age

Staying Safe From Shark Attack

Sharks can move quickly underwater, and target potential prey. Shark attacks can be life-threatening to humans and animals. The said animal is known for the best hearing and sight.

Beachgoers should stay alert for any shark activities or sightings.

Here are essential beach reminders to stay safe from shark threats. Before going to beaches, it is important to consider supervised beaches or lifeguards. People should also leave their shiny jewelry that can attack potential sharks. As much as possible, bright-colored clothes can likely get the attention of sharks.

Surfers or swimmers should not go into distant areas, far from lifeguards. They should always stay in supervised beach areas to avoid potential dangers.

When swimming, it is advisable to have a companion or buddy who can look for each other for signs of threats like sharks or wild marine animals. When it is already dark, people should keep off from water. Night hours are the usual time for sharks to roam for potential prey or food.

When a shark is present, beachgoers should stay away from the coast or waters to avoid any shark encounters. Recent reports also explained that provoked bites can happen when people start to have close encounters with sharks or marine animals.

In addition, sneak bites can occur when a person doesn't notice a shark nearby, causing deadly bites or deaths.

Related Article: Shark Attack in Bahamas: 44 Years Old Boston Woman Died Near Beach Resort

For more similar, don't forget to follow Nature World News
Global warming is one aspect of climate change that pertains to the rise of global surface temperature. Although both terms are often used interchangeably, the former is easier to monitor and predict by meteorologists and scientists.

For decades, various terrestrial and marine systems around the world have recorded above-average temperatures at some point in time. Even some cities that recorded record-breaking temperatures during the early 20th century have now been surpassed, in meteorological terms and recordings.

While climate change is known for altering weather patterns and refers to long-term shifts in temperatures, its compounded effect with the warming phenomenon is reportedly causing stronger extreme weather events and climatic phenomena, including drought.

In this context, a new study shows that global warming is contributing to tropical cyclone intensity and extreme precipitation over East Asia, a region that includes countries like China, Taiwan, and Japan has witnessed deadly flooding and rainfall brought by typhoons in recent years.

Tropical Cyclone Intensity and Extreme Precipitation

In the study published in the journal NPJ Climate and Atmospheric Science on November 1, researchers found that expanded rainfall extremes of tropical cyclones, brought by anthropogenic warming, is affecting South Korea. This comes after a deadly typhoon and unprecedented heavy rain over the past year resulted in multiple casualties across the country.

This is based on convection-permitting (CPM) simulations, which the authors of the research paper used to measure tropical cyclone intensity and extreme precipitation. The study also provides the first quantification of anthropogenic impacts on tropical cyclone characteristics affecting South Korea using the said prediction model.

The CPM simulations were conducted without human influences and were based on observations in the four recent tropical cyclones that strongly impacted South Korea, including Typhoon Hinnamnor which killed 36 people in 2022.

Also Read: Climate Change Losses Reach $140B Per Year with Prolonged Droughts, Heatwaves, Storms

Global Warming and Extreme Weather Events

In 2022, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) reported that the rise of global temperatures also entails widespread shifts in weather systems, making phenomena like droughts, floods, and hurricanes more intense and unpredictable.

The NRDC points out that extreme weather events that may have struck just once during our grandparents' lifetimes are becoming more common in our time. Climate scientists have also warned that these damaging, life-threatening events can become more frequent and intense by the end of the 21st century.

The impact of global warming to the world, including ocean warming or acidification, is evident. This is based on data gathered by meteorological authorities, such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), in recent years.

In January 2023, the NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) reported that the global annual temperature increased at an average of 0.08 degrees Celsius (0.14 degrees Fahrenheit) per decade since the year 1880. In addition, the warming is more than twice that rate of 0.18 degrees Celsius (0.32 degrees Fahrenheit) since 1981.

Related Article: Climate Change Could Not Make Extreme Weather Events Go Away: Scientists Explain
Marine species, specifically some creepy crawlies, are seen to pose danger towards Florida's food web. Experts claimed that these invasive species could sneak into Florida through hitchhiking on cargo containers or illegal releases from irresponsible pet owners.

According to experts from the University of Florida, they observed and studied nearly 500 potential animals before narrowing the field to 40 species that could pose the biggest threat in the state.

Of those species, four had stood out. The experts disclosed that the four species that need to monitored are the alewife, zebra mussels, crab-eating macaques, and red swamp crayfish.

Invasive Species Taking Over Florida

Among the creepy crawlies seen to invade Florida is the alewife, a tiny herring fish that is already causing problems with the trout population in the Great Lakes area.

Experts said that alewives eat trout larvae, reducing the population, but when adult trout consume too many of them, the bigger fish will often get a vitamin deficiency that hurts their reproductive abilities. They were originally introduced to freshwater lakes as prey for game fish. It is a small herring with an iridescent green to blue to violet back.

The sides are described as silvery with faint dark stripes. It usually has a dark spot just behind and slightly above the gills. The midline of the belly is sharp and edged like a saw. Saw belly is another common name for this fish.

The next species is the zebra mussels which are already considered one of the "world's worst" invaders. Originally from the Black, Aral and Caspian seas in Eurasia, the shellfish have since made homes in areas all around Europe, Great Britain, North America, Russia and Scandinavia.

Experts figured out that these species spread through ballast water from large ships, which first brought them to the Great Lakes region in the 1980s.

Zebra mussels negatively impact ecosystems in many ways, according to experts. They often filter out algae that native species need for food and they attach to--and incapacitate--native mussels. Scientists said that power plants must also spend millions of dollars removing zebra mussels from clogged water intakes.

There is also this crab-eating macaque which was ranked as a danger both to the ecosystem and to human health because the monkeys can carry diseases that affect humans. A close relative, the rhesus macaque, is already established in Silver Springs, Florida, and carries a deadly strain of herpes.

The last one is the red swamp crayfish, a hand-sized crustacean the color of a fire engine that is already considered as a problem in Florida. According to experts, they tend to out-eat and out-compete native crayfish, as well as devour the eggs of other vulnerable species.

Read Also: Florida Wildlife Center Fire: Majority of Animals Dead, Investigation Continues

Florida's Wildlife

Authorities have called on residents of Florida to report whenever they have sightings of these creepy crawlers or marine species.

They urged the public to call the hotline to report high-priority species, which include all nonnative snakes, monitor lizards, and tegus.

Florida has been a home to an amazing array of fish, wildlife, and the habitats in which they live and thrive.

With over 700 terrestrial animals, more than 200 freshwater fish, more than 1,000 marine fish, numerous other aquatic and marine vertebrates, and many thousands of terrestrial insects and other invertebrates, Florida literally is teeming with wildlife.

Related Article: Conservation Goals to Protect Florida's Wildlife Corridors Gains Traction
"I'm really looking forward to the future because it's going to be bright, bigger than anything we've seen."

An American entrepreneur who opened his own business in China's Hainan has been attracted by the favorable business environment, and remains optimistic about the future of the Hainan Free Trade Port.





Produced by Xinhua Global Service
Harpreet Bajwa By

Express News Service

CHANDIGARH: As many as 103 drones were shot down by the Border Security Force (BSF) in Punjab

sector along the Indo-Pak international border this year. More than 350 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) were also sighted entering the Indian Territory. According to the sources, due to fog the BSF has changed its Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and is relying more on human intelligence. Help of thermal imaging cameras is being taken to check cross-border infiltration.

The BSF troopers are keeping a watch from elevated platforms so that no intruder crosses the international border into the Indian territory. Besides, small operation teams have been formed which go ahead of the fence behind the international border and patrol the area. Nakas (check posts) are being set up deep inside the villages so that if anyone infiltrates, he would be caught with help of villagers. All the people moving in the area are checked and those unidentified are apprehended.

Also, troop deployment has been increased and vulnerability mapping is being conducted. Thermal imaging cameras along with other high-end surveillance equipment has been installed to check intrusions, said the sources, adding that a database has been prepared which includes vulnerability mapping to identify places where more such illegal activities are taking place. A database has also been prepared to identify people involved in crimes, said an official on condition of anonymity.

He said that earlier big drones were being used with payload capacity of three to five kg. But now in the past three months, we have noticed a change as small drones are being used to carry 400 to 500 grams of heroin from across the border. Atul Fulzele, Inspector General (Punjab Frontier) of BSF told this newspaper, We have intensified border domination and the standard operating procedures have been changed due to the foggy conditions to check intrusions as now more focus is on human intelligence.

A total of 755 kg of narcotics, 15 assorted rifles and 38 pistols were seized by the BSF during various operations this year besides apprehending 36 Pakistani nationals and neutralizing nine intruders from across the border along the international border.

BSF troopers keeping an eye on intruders

The BSF troopers are keeping a watch from elevated platforms so that no intruder crosses the international border into the Indian territory. Besides, small operation teams have been formed which go ahead of the fence behind the international border and patrol the area. Nakas (check posts) are being set up inside the villages so that if anyone infiltrates, he would be caught. All the people moving in the area are checked and those unidentified are apprehended. Also, troop deployment has been increased and vulnerability mapping is being conducted.

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CHANDIGARH: As many as 103 drones were shot down by the Border Security Force (BSF) in Punjab sector along the Indo-Pak international border this year. More than 350 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) were also sighted entering the Indian Territory. According to the sources, due to fog the BSF has changed its Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and is relying more on human intelligence. Help of thermal imaging cameras is being taken to check cross-border infiltration. The BSF troopers are keeping a watch from elevated platforms so that no intruder crosses the international border into the Indian territory. Besides, small operation teams have been formed which go ahead of the fence behind the international border and patrol the area. Nakas (check posts) are being set up deep inside the villages so that if anyone infiltrates, he would be caught with help of villagers. All the people moving in the area are checked and those unidentified are apprehended. Also, troop deployment has been increased and vulnerability mapping is being conducted. Thermal imaging cameras along with other high-end surveillance equipment has been installed to check intrusions, said the sources, adding that a database has been prepared which includes vulnerability mapping to identify places where more such illegal activities are taking place. A database has also been prepared to identify people involved in crimes, said an official on condition of anonymity.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); He said that earlier big drones were being used with payload capacity of three to five kg. But now in the past three months, we have noticed a change as small drones are being used to carry 400 to 500 grams of heroin from across the border. Atul Fulzele, Inspector General (Punjab Frontier) of BSF told this newspaper, We have intensified border domination and the standard operating procedures have been changed due to the foggy conditions to check intrusions as now more focus is on human intelligence. A total of 755 kg of narcotics, 15 assorted rifles and 38 pistols were seized by the BSF during various operations this year besides apprehending 36 Pakistani nationals and neutralizing nine intruders from across the border along the international border. BSF troopers keeping an eye on intruders The BSF troopers are keeping a watch from elevated platforms so that no intruder crosses the international border into the Indian territory. Besides, small operation teams have been formed which go ahead of the fence behind the international border and patrol the area. Nakas (check posts) are being set up inside the villages so that if anyone infiltrates, he would be caught. All the people moving in the area are checked and those unidentified are apprehended. Also, troop deployment has been increased and vulnerability mapping is being conducted. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By PTI

JAMMU: A total of 76 terrorists including 55 foreigners were neutralised, 291 terrorist associates arrested and 201 overground workers booked under the Public Safety Act in Jammu and Kashmir this year, Director General of Police R R Swain said on Saturday.

Swain further said that only 31 local terrorists, an all-time low, are left in the Union Territory, while the recruitment of locals into militancy has witnessed a drop of 80 per cent this year.

In 48 anti-terrorist operations, we have neutralised 76 terrorists, including 55 foreigners.

The trend of foreign terrorists getting killed more starting in 2022 and continued this year, making it clear that our actual fight is against infiltrators, he said, asserting that the anti-terrorism operations will continue next year with more vigour.

He said there are 31 identified local terrorists -- four in Jammu region's Kishtwar and 27 in the valley --  who are active and the number is at an all-time low.

There is an 80 per cent decline in terror recruitment this year.

Year-on-year comparison shows that 130 locals joined terrorism in 2022 and this year, till date the number is 22.

We will try to stop the recruitment completely which is essential to end the cycle of violence.

When there is recruitment, action happens and the fallout follows, continuing the cycle.

I am seeing the decline in recruitment as saving 113 people from getting killed this year, he said.

The DGP said that against 31 civilian killings by terrorists last year, the number dropped to 14 this year and the terror-related incidents declined from 125 in 2022 to 46 in 2023, recording a drop of 63 per cent.

Four policemen including a DSP and an inspector were martyred this year, against 14 last year, thus recording a 71 per cent decline, he said.

He said 291 terror associates, who provide logistic support, work as guides and identify targets, were arrested this year compared to 373 last year.

We have strengthened the record building and surveillance system by utilising technology and a repeat offender can now be easily identified and ensured a maximum sentence, he added.

The DGP said 201 overground workers (OGWs)  171 in Kashmir and the rest in Jammu zone - were detained under the PSA, while 89 terror modules, including 78 in Kashmir and 11 in Jammu, were busted this year.

Swain said 18 terrorist hideouts were unearthed with 12 in the valley and six in Jammu region.

He said 99 properties, linked to terrorism and separatism, worth more than Rs 170 crore, were attached including 57 by the State Investigation Agency.

Besides, several bank accounts were frozen in addition to the recovery of cash, he added.

He said police identified 8,000 fake social media accounts, mostly working from outside the country and appropriate legal action against all those were ensured.

He said the strike calls and stone-pelting continue to show a downward trend and compared to 2021-22, this year it was the lowest.

There was zero response to organised strike calls from separatists and terrorists operating from across the border, giving a silent endorsement from a common man who wants peace and development.

 The DGP said the society will not be allowed to remain hostage to a handful of sections and action against such elements is inevitable.

Swain said the overall security environment in Jammu and Kashmir has improved, paving way for successful conduct of a number of important events like three-day national conference on legal services and G20 Tourism Working Group meeting in Srinagar, Amarnath yatra and Muharram procession after a gap of 34 years, besides Bharat Jodo Yatra of the Congress.

ALSO READ | Confident army will wipe out terrorism, must avoid 'mistakes': Rajnath Singh in Jammu

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JAMMU: A total of 76 terrorists including 55 foreigners were neutralised, 291 terrorist associates arrested and 201 overground workers booked under the Public Safety Act in Jammu and Kashmir this year, Director General of Police R R Swain said on Saturday. Swain further said that only 31 local terrorists, an all-time low, are left in the Union Territory, while the recruitment of locals into militancy has witnessed a drop of 80 per cent this year. In 48 anti-terrorist operations, we have neutralised 76 terrorists, including 55 foreigners.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The trend of foreign terrorists getting killed more starting in 2022 and continued this year, making it clear that our actual fight is against infiltrators, he said, asserting that the anti-terrorism operations will continue next year with more vigour. He said there are 31 identified local terrorists -- four in Jammu region's Kishtwar and 27 in the valley --  who are active and the number is at an all-time low. There is an 80 per cent decline in terror recruitment this year. Year-on-year comparison shows that 130 locals joined terrorism in 2022 and this year, till date the number is 22. We will try to stop the recruitment completely which is essential to end the cycle of violence. When there is recruitment, action happens and the fallout follows, continuing the cycle. I am seeing the decline in recruitment as saving 113 people from getting killed this year, he said. The DGP said that against 31 civilian killings by terrorists last year, the number dropped to 14 this year and the terror-related incidents declined from 125 in 2022 to 46 in 2023, recording a drop of 63 per cent. Four policemen including a DSP and an inspector were martyred this year, against 14 last year, thus recording a 71 per cent decline, he said. He said 291 terror associates, who provide logistic support, work as guides and identify targets, were arrested this year compared to 373 last year. We have strengthened the record building and surveillance system by utilising technology and a repeat offender can now be easily identified and ensured a maximum sentence, he added. The DGP said 201 overground workers (OGWs)  171 in Kashmir and the rest in Jammu zone - were detained under the PSA, while 89 terror modules, including 78 in Kashmir and 11 in Jammu, were busted this year. Swain said 18 terrorist hideouts were unearthed with 12 in the valley and six in Jammu region. He said 99 properties, linked to terrorism and separatism, worth more than Rs 170 crore, were attached including 57 by the State Investigation Agency. Besides, several bank accounts were frozen in addition to the recovery of cash, he added. He said police identified 8,000 fake social media accounts, mostly working from outside the country and appropriate legal action against all those were ensured. He said the strike calls and stone-pelting continue to show a downward trend and compared to 2021-22, this year it was the lowest. There was zero response to organised strike calls from separatists and terrorists operating from across the border, giving a silent endorsement from a common man who wants peace and development.  The DGP said the society will not be allowed to remain hostage to a handful of sections and action against such elements is inevitable. Swain said the overall security environment in Jammu and Kashmir has improved, paving way for successful conduct of a number of important events like three-day national conference on legal services and G20 Tourism Working Group meeting in Srinagar, Amarnath yatra and Muharram procession after a gap of 34 years, besides Bharat Jodo Yatra of the Congress. ALSO READ | Confident army will wipe out terrorism, must avoid 'mistakes': Rajnath Singh in Jammu Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Pranab Mondal By

Express News Service

KOLKATA: Days before the inauguration of Ram mandir in Ayodhya by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, two top-level functionaries of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) are scheduled to visit Bengal on Saturday. RRS chief Mohan Bhagwat and its general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale will hold a series of meetings with the organisations senior functionaries in Bengal, said a source.

There are murmurs that the visit is aimed to strengthen BJPs Hindutwa rhetoric and direct the organisations functionaries to ensure its reflection in the Lok Sabha elections slated to be held next year.

Mohan Bhagwat ji will reach Kolkata on Saturday and will leave onSunday night. He will meet prominent faces from different fields with an aim to rope them in for the Lok Sabha polls as BJPs candidates, said an RSS leader.

Sources said that Bhagwat will meet former CBI officer Upen Biswas, who raised questions on the irregularities in recruitments in state-aided schools, the alleged scam which landed former education minister Partha Chatterjee behind the bars.

After his retirement, Biswas joined the TMC and won from Bagda in North 24-Parganas in the 2011 Assembly elections. He was the minister for backward class welfare in Mamata Banerjees government from 2011 to 2016.

Hosabale will hold several organisational meetings during his visit. He will give us a roadmap of the RSSs role in Bengal on the day of the inauguration of Ram Mandir by Modi, said the leader.



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KOLKATA: Days before the inauguration of Ram mandir in Ayodhya by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, two top-level functionaries of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) are scheduled to visit Bengal on Saturday. RRS chief Mohan Bhagwat and its general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale will hold a series of meetings with the organisations senior functionaries in Bengal, said a source. There are murmurs that the visit is aimed to strengthen BJPs Hindutwa rhetoric and direct the organisations functionaries to ensure its reflection in the Lok Sabha elections slated to be held next year. Mohan Bhagwat ji will reach Kolkata on Saturday and will leave onSunday night. He will meet prominent faces from different fields with an aim to rope them in for the Lok Sabha polls as BJPs candidates, said an RSS leader. Sources said that Bhagwat will meet former CBI officer Upen Biswas, who raised questions on the irregularities in recruitments in state-aided schools, the alleged scam which landed former education minister Partha Chatterjee behind the bars.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); After his retirement, Biswas joined the TMC and won from Bagda in North 24-Parganas in the 2011 Assembly elections. He was the minister for backward class welfare in Mamata Banerjees government from 2011 to 2016. Hosabale will hold several organisational meetings during his visit. He will give us a roadmap of the RSSs role in Bengal on the day of the inauguration of Ram Mandir by Modi, said the leader. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Rajesh Kumar Thakur By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The BJP has set an ambitious target of winning 350-400 Lok Sabha seats. The party is learnt to have prepared a roadmap Agenda-24 for the 2024 general election. Its all hands on deck for the party in the aftermath of its two-day meeting of national office-bearers recently. All state units and front outfits are told to ensure the implementation of Agenda-24 in a mission mode by March-April.

Senior party sources said four Lok Sabha constituencies have been clubbed into one cluster. Each cluster has been given an in-charge to supervise the partys activities ahead of the general election. The BJP is making deep inroads into the hinterland of Hindustan with its ideology of nation first and vision 2047 of Viksit-Bharat. The party is working to win a record number of more than 350-400 seats, said a senior functionary while elaborating on Agenda-24.

The party has scientifically prepared clusters of constituencies in all states. Party workers and leaders equipped with the report card of the Modi governments 9-year performances have launched a personal contact campaign, said a source. Party insiders say at least 120 senior leaders holding important posts within the organisation have been assigned the tasks of monitoring the clusters.

The cluster in-charges are regularly monitoring the implementation of Agenda-24 with state in-charges, state president of party, Lok-Sabha convenor and vistarak-padadhikaris (extension officers) across the country. As part of Agenda-24, the party is forming state election management committees and carrying out a very scientific analysis of each booth of parliamentary constituencies.

The analysis will devote considerable space to social equations and local issues keeping in view the results of previous Lok Sabha elections. It is trying to underscore weak points. The partys seven Morchas are carrying out massive outreaches said a BJP insider.

For example, OBC (Other Backward Communities) Morcha is working on OBC-related issues, the SC Morcha on SC-related matters and the womens front on woman-specific issues to take the Modi Ki Guarantee to each household, said an office-bearer.

The BJP will do wall paintings at each booth while senior leaders will soon undertake pravas(stay) across 120 clusters where they will meet prominent people and hold discussions on government policies and performances. The leaders will share with people the partys vision for the nation.

A series of activities have been planned in each LS constituency. Election offices are to be opened by January 30 or the first week of February 2024. In a bid to push further, the party is organising meetings of social media influencers in each zone. A workers conference has also been planned across all Lok Sabha seats.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

NEW DELHI: The BJP has set an ambitious target of winning 350-400 Lok Sabha seats. The party is learnt to have prepared a roadmap Agenda-24 for the 2024 general election. Its all hands on deck for the party in the aftermath of its two-day meeting of national office-bearers recently. All state units and front outfits are told to ensure the implementation of Agenda-24 in a mission mode by March-April. Senior party sources said four Lok Sabha constituencies have been clubbed into one cluster. Each cluster has been given an in-charge to supervise the partys activities ahead of the general election. The BJP is making deep inroads into the hinterland of Hindustan with its ideology of nation first and vision 2047 of Viksit-Bharat. The party is working to win a record number of more than 350-400 seats, said a senior functionary while elaborating on Agenda-24. The party has scientifically prepared clusters of constituencies in all states. Party workers and leaders equipped with the report card of the Modi governments 9-year performances have launched a personal contact campaign, said a source. Party insiders say at least 120 senior leaders holding important posts within the organisation have been assigned the tasks of monitoring the clusters.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The cluster in-charges are regularly monitoring the implementation of Agenda-24 with state in-charges, state president of party, Lok-Sabha convenor and vistarak-padadhikaris (extension officers) across the country. As part of Agenda-24, the party is forming state election management committees and carrying out a very scientific analysis of each booth of parliamentary constituencies. The analysis will devote considerable space to social equations and local issues keeping in view the results of previous Lok Sabha elections. It is trying to underscore weak points. The partys seven Morchas are carrying out massive outreaches said a BJP insider. For example, OBC (Other Backward Communities) Morcha is working on OBC-related issues, the SC Morcha on SC-related matters and the womens front on woman-specific issues to take the Modi Ki Guarantee to each household, said an office-bearer. The BJP will do wall paintings at each booth while senior leaders will soon undertake pravas(stay) across 120 clusters where they will meet prominent people and hold discussions on government policies and performances. The leaders will share with people the partys vision for the nation. A series of activities have been planned in each LS constituency. Election offices are to be opened by January 30 or the first week of February 2024. In a bid to push further, the party is organising meetings of social media influencers in each zone. A workers conference has also been planned across all Lok Sabha seats. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Mukesh Ranjan By

Express News Service

RANCHI: Giving last chance, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued a summon to Chief Minister Hemant Soren for the seventh time, asking him to decide the date, time and place himself and the officials will come there and interrogate him.

Soren has been given two days to submit written information before the ED office. Interestingly, for the first time, ED in its summon has informed Soren that inquiries are to be held in relation to the documents found from Bhanu Pratap's house, one of the accused in the alleged land scam case.

According to ED, several important documents related to land were found in the raid from the house of Sub-Inspector Bhanu Pratap Prasad of Badagain zone.

This time you are being given the last chance to record your statement under Section 50 of PMLA. Please decide the date, time and place yourself. ED officials will come there and interrogate, stated the summon issued by ED against Soren.

Notably, ED has already summoned Soren six times in an alleged land scam case but he ignored all of them giving one or another excuse for not appearing before the central agency. The Jharkhand High Court has already rejected his petition challenging the summons issued against him by the ED in the alleged land scam case.

Incidentally, Soren moved to Jharkhand High Court after the Supreme Court refused to entertain his petition directing him to approach the High Court instead of coming directly to the apex court.

Soren had approached the Supreme Court challenging the summons issued by ED saying that it is wrong for the ED to summon him in the alleged land scam, but the Apex Court refused to entertain his petition. Soren skipped the first summons on August 14, and sent a letter to ED asking it to withdraw the summons or he will be forced to take legal action against the agency.

But, the ED again issued a summon against Soren asking him to appear before it on August 24. Soren skipped it again and sent a letter to ED saying that he has filed a writ petition in Supreme Court challenging the summons issued to him, but he was summoned again by ED for the third time.

Soren was waiting for the hearing of his petition in the Supreme Court on September 17, but before that he was issued fresh summons by ED asking to appear before it on September 23. Despite going to ED office, Soren approached Jharkhand High Court against the summons issued against him and sought relief.

But, a few days later, ED issued fresh summons, this time for the fifth time, asking Soren to appear before the central investigation agency on October 4, which he skipped again.

Later he was called for the sixth time on December 12 for questioning, but he skipped it again and finally was given a last chance on December 29 to appear before the central agency asking to decided time, date and place for himself so that the ED sleuths could come there and record his statement.

ED is probing two major cases of money laundering in Jharkhand. The first case is related to illegal mining in Sahibganj in which the CM was questioned on November 17 last year.

While the second case is related to an alleged land scam in the state capital for which Soren has been issued summons twice by the ED.

13 people, including IAS officer Chhavi Ranjan and two businessmen, Amit Agrawal of Kolkata and Bishnu Agarwal, who owns shopping malls in Ranchi, have already been arrested in connection with the alleged land scam.

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RANCHI: Giving last chance, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued a summon to Chief Minister Hemant Soren for the seventh time, asking him to decide the date, time and place himself and the officials will come there and interrogate him. Soren has been given two days to submit written information before the ED office. Interestingly, for the first time, ED in its summon has informed Soren that inquiries are to be held in relation to the documents found from Bhanu Pratap's house, one of the accused in the alleged land scam case. According to ED, several important documents related to land were found in the raid from the house of Sub-Inspector Bhanu Pratap Prasad of Badagain zone.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); This time you are being given the last chance to record your statement under Section 50 of PMLA. Please decide the date, time and place yourself. ED officials will come there and interrogate, stated the summon issued by ED against Soren. Notably, ED has already summoned Soren six times in an alleged land scam case but he ignored all of them giving one or another excuse for not appearing before the central agency. The Jharkhand High Court has already rejected his petition challenging the summons issued against him by the ED in the alleged land scam case. Incidentally, Soren moved to Jharkhand High Court after the Supreme Court refused to entertain his petition directing him to approach the High Court instead of coming directly to the apex court. Soren had approached the Supreme Court challenging the summons issued by ED saying that it is wrong for the ED to summon him in the alleged land scam, but the Apex Court refused to entertain his petition. Soren skipped the first summons on August 14, and sent a letter to ED asking it to withdraw the summons or he will be forced to take legal action against the agency. But, the ED again issued a summon against Soren asking him to appear before it on August 24. Soren skipped it again and sent a letter to ED saying that he has filed a writ petition in Supreme Court challenging the summons issued to him, but he was summoned again by ED for the third time. Soren was waiting for the hearing of his petition in the Supreme Court on September 17, but before that he was issued fresh summons by ED asking to appear before it on September 23. Despite going to ED office, Soren approached Jharkhand High Court against the summons issued against him and sought relief. But, a few days later, ED issued fresh summons, this time for the fifth time, asking Soren to appear before the central investigation agency on October 4, which he skipped again. Later he was called for the sixth time on December 12 for questioning, but he skipped it again and finally was given a last chance on December 29 to appear before the central agency asking to decided time, date and place for himself so that the ED sleuths could come there and record his statement. ED is probing two major cases of money laundering in Jharkhand. The first case is related to illegal mining in Sahibganj in which the CM was questioned on November 17 last year. While the second case is related to an alleged land scam in the state capital for which Soren has been issued summons twice by the ED. 13 people, including IAS officer Chhavi Ranjan and two businessmen, Amit Agrawal of Kolkata and Bishnu Agarwal, who owns shopping malls in Ranchi, have already been arrested in connection with the alleged land scam. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Dilip Singh Kshatriya By

Express News Service

AHMEDABAD: Drug incidents have been rising in Gujarat over the recent years. Government data reveals that, in the past five years, authorities in Gujarat have confiscated 93,691 kg of drugs, 2,229 liters of liquid drugs, and 93,763 drug pills and injections.

The National Survey on Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in India indicates that in Gujarat, there are 17,35,000 male and 185,000 female drug addicts. On December 13, 2023, in the Rajya Sabha, MPs Dheeraj Prasad Shahu and Dr. Amee Yagnik were informed by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, about the seizures in Gujarat from 2018 to 2022. These included 27,842.639 kg of opium-based drugs, 59,365.983 kg of cannabis-based drugs, 75.115 kg of cocaine, 3,789.143 kg of psychotropic substances, and various other drugs in different forms.

Notably, in 2022, of the 71.89 kg of cocaine seized across India, 39.1 kg was from Gujarat. The number of drug addicts in Gujarat is also on the rise. According to the 2018 survey by the Ministry through NDDTC, AIIMS, there are 236,000 males addicted to cannabis-based drugs, 791,000 to opium-based drugs, and 659,000 to sedatives. Among females, 149,000 are addicted to cannabis-based drugs, 1,000 to opioids, and 33,000 to sedatives.

Inhalants are used by 49,000 men and 3,000 women. Hiren Banker, a spokesperson for the Gujarat Congress, criticized the state government for inadequate police force to combat drug crimes. He highlighted that Gujarat has only 117 police personnel per lakh population, less than the national average of 152 and much lower than the required 174.

The Ministry of Home Affairs acknowledged the challenges posed by Gujarats vast maritime borders for drug trafficking control. Hiren Banker, a Gujarat Congress spokesperson, attacked the state administration, saying, The government does not have enough police force in the state to fight drug crime, so how can the government take strict action?

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AHMEDABAD: Drug incidents have been rising in Gujarat over the recent years. Government data reveals that, in the past five years, authorities in Gujarat have confiscated 93,691 kg of drugs, 2,229 liters of liquid drugs, and 93,763 drug pills and injections. The National Survey on Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in India indicates that in Gujarat, there are 17,35,000 male and 185,000 female drug addicts. On December 13, 2023, in the Rajya Sabha, MPs Dheeraj Prasad Shahu and Dr. Amee Yagnik were informed by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, about the seizures in Gujarat from 2018 to 2022. These included 27,842.639 kg of opium-based drugs, 59,365.983 kg of cannabis-based drugs, 75.115 kg of cocaine, 3,789.143 kg of psychotropic substances, and various other drugs in different forms.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Notably, in 2022, of the 71.89 kg of cocaine seized across India, 39.1 kg was from Gujarat. The number of drug addicts in Gujarat is also on the rise. According to the 2018 survey by the Ministry through NDDTC, AIIMS, there are 236,000 males addicted to cannabis-based drugs, 791,000 to opium-based drugs, and 659,000 to sedatives. Among females, 149,000 are addicted to cannabis-based drugs, 1,000 to opioids, and 33,000 to sedatives. Inhalants are used by 49,000 men and 3,000 women. Hiren Banker, a spokesperson for the Gujarat Congress, criticized the state government for inadequate police force to combat drug crimes. He highlighted that Gujarat has only 117 police personnel per lakh population, less than the national average of 152 and much lower than the required 174. The Ministry of Home Affairs acknowledged the challenges posed by Gujarats vast maritime borders for drug trafficking control. Hiren Banker, a Gujarat Congress spokesperson, attacked the state administration, saying, The government does not have enough police force in the state to fight drug crime, so how can the government take strict action? Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Rajesh Kumar Thakur By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Former national president of JD (U) Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh on Saturday strongly refuted reports that he was ousted from the national presidentship of the party because of growing proximity with RJD leader Tejasvi Yadav.

Contradicting some reports that appeared in the media, Singh stated in a release that some malicious reports had surfaced regarding his resignation. He alleged, "For the last week, a lot of misleading and factless news about our party Janata Dal (United) and me has been published by a section of the media,

He added that the reporters are misleading and wrong and being refuted and contradicted by him.

He also alleged that an attempt was made to question the 37-year-old relationship between him and CM Nitish Kumar.

Those spreading such factless news must be evil-minded. I will issue a legal notice to all the organizations doing this and will file a defamation case against them for tarnishing my image, he warned.

Lalan Singh vehemently denied all rumours claiming that he was drawing close to RJD leader Tejasvi Yadav and was making attempts to make Yadav the CM.

He said he was in Delhi with CM Nitish Kumar on December 20 and attended a meeting with all MPs at the CM's residence in Delhi in the evening of December 20.

He denied rumours of attending a meeting of MLAs at the office of a minister, and termed such media reports "wrong and misleading".

He spelt out the reason behind quitting the post of JD(U) national president, claiming that he had resigned from the post because of being busy in his parliamentary constituency and had handed over the responsibility to CM Nitish Kumar with his consent. Singh is an MP from Bihars Munger LS seat.

Nitish Kumar ji has taken this responsibility himself and those who had published the misleading news will fall flat soon, he claimed.

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NEW DELHI: Former national president of JD (U) Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh on Saturday strongly refuted reports that he was ousted from the national presidentship of the party because of growing proximity with RJD leader Tejasvi Yadav. Contradicting some reports that appeared in the media, Singh stated in a release that some malicious reports had surfaced regarding his resignation. He alleged, "For the last week, a lot of misleading and factless news about our party Janata Dal (United) and me has been published by a section of the media, He added that the reporters are misleading and wrong and being refuted and contradicted by him. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); He also alleged that an attempt was made to question the 37-year-old relationship between him and CM Nitish Kumar. Those spreading such factless news must be evil-minded. I will issue a legal notice to all the organizations doing this and will file a defamation case against them for tarnishing my image, he warned. Lalan Singh vehemently denied all rumours claiming that he was drawing close to RJD leader Tejasvi Yadav and was making attempts to make Yadav the CM. He said he was in Delhi with CM Nitish Kumar on December 20 and attended a meeting with all MPs at the CM's residence in Delhi in the evening of December 20. He denied rumours of attending a meeting of MLAs at the office of a minister, and termed such media reports "wrong and misleading". He spelt out the reason behind quitting the post of JD(U) national president, claiming that he had resigned from the post because of being busy in his parliamentary constituency and had handed over the responsibility to CM Nitish Kumar with his consent. Singh is an MP from Bihars Munger LS seat. Nitish Kumar ji has taken this responsibility himself and those who had published the misleading news will fall flat soon, he claimed. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Yeshi Seli By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The deportation of eight naval veterans who are under arrest in Qatar hasnt happened despite both sides signing a treaty in 2015 on the transfer of sentenced prisoners between the two countries.

Arrested on August 30, 2022, the veterans were awarded capital punishment by a trial court a few months ago, but the sentences were on Thursday commuted to between three and 25 years of imprisonment by a Court of Appeal.

The hitch in the transfer of prisoners is possibly because Qatar didnt ratify the treaty. The treaty was signed during the visit of the then Qatari Foreign Minister Dr Khalid Bin Mohammed Al Attiyah. Once a treaty like this one is signed, both nations have to ratify it. Not sure whether Qatari side ratified it. We did ratify it in India, said MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi.

The ratification window for both sides stays open for 90 days after the accord is signed. Both countries then exchange their ratification documents. However, no such document from Qatar is available with India. This could possibly be the reason why the naval veterans tried under Qatar law could not be sent to India to serve the rest of their jail term.

A few months after being kept under detention and in solitary confinement last year, the veterans were asked by the Qatars ministry of interior to return home in Doha and pack their bags following which they would be sent to India. When they arrived with their bags, they were again placed under detention. It is possible India was exploring their transfer to the country under the agreement but since it wasnt ratified by Qatar, it didnt translate into reality, said a source.

India has signed treaties for transfer of sentenced persons with 35 countries, which include the UK, Mauritius, Bulgaria, France, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Bangladesh, Israel, the UAE, Italy, Turkey, Maldives, Russia, Canada, the US and Venezuela.

The convention on the transfer of sentenced persons is an international treaty regulating the extradition and social rehabilitation of imprisoned persons. The convention was concluded in Strasbourg on March 21, 1983 and came into effect on July 1, 1985.

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NEW DELHI: The deportation of eight naval veterans who are under arrest in Qatar hasnt happened despite both sides signing a treaty in 2015 on the transfer of sentenced prisoners between the two countries. Arrested on August 30, 2022, the veterans were awarded capital punishment by a trial court a few months ago, but the sentences were on Thursday commuted to between three and 25 years of imprisonment by a Court of Appeal. The hitch in the transfer of prisoners is possibly because Qatar didnt ratify the treaty. The treaty was signed during the visit of the then Qatari Foreign Minister Dr Khalid Bin Mohammed Al Attiyah. Once a treaty like this one is signed, both nations have to ratify it. Not sure whether Qatari side ratified it. We did ratify it in India, said MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The ratification window for both sides stays open for 90 days after the accord is signed. Both countries then exchange their ratification documents. However, no such document from Qatar is available with India. This could possibly be the reason why the naval veterans tried under Qatar law could not be sent to India to serve the rest of their jail term. A few months after being kept under detention and in solitary confinement last year, the veterans were asked by the Qatars ministry of interior to return home in Doha and pack their bags following which they would be sent to India. When they arrived with their bags, they were again placed under detention. It is possible India was exploring their transfer to the country under the agreement but since it wasnt ratified by Qatar, it didnt translate into reality, said a source. India has signed treaties for transfer of sentenced persons with 35 countries, which include the UK, Mauritius, Bulgaria, France, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Bangladesh, Israel, the UAE, Italy, Turkey, Maldives, Russia, Canada, the US and Venezuela. The convention on the transfer of sentenced persons is an international treaty regulating the extradition and social rehabilitation of imprisoned persons. The convention was concluded in Strasbourg on March 21, 1983 and came into effect on July 1, 1985. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
MOSCOW, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- Russia has already evaluated any potential "retaliatory steps" it can take if the country's assets are seized, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday.

Peskov made the remarks while commenting on Washington's proposal made within the G7, where it urged working groups to explore ways to seize Russian assets worth 300 billion U.S. dollars.

"We have analyzed all possible retaliatory steps in advance," Peskov said, adding that Moscow will do everything to serve its national interests.

He noted that Russia will fully take into account the "unpredictability" of its counterparties, and their "tendency to violate international law."

Peskov said Russia has compiled a list of Western assets that it can confiscate in response to a potential decision to seize its assets.

He stressed that any "legal theory" that would reportedly allow the confiscation of Russian assets would essentially be "pseudolegal," adding that such a decision would undermine the trust of other countries in the United States and the European Union, as well as the global economy as a whole. 
By Express News Service

BHOPAL: Five days after the formation of the new council of ministers, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav, the two deputy CMs Rajendra Shukla and Jagdish Dewda, along with the 28 newly sworn-in ministers were finally allocated portfolios on Saturday evening.

The CM retained the key roles, including General Administration, Home, Jail, Industrial Policy and Investment Promotion, Public Relations, Aviation, Mineral Resources, Public Services Management and Narmada Valley Development.

Among the two deputy CMs, Jagdish Dewda was allotted Finance, Commercial Tax, Economic and Statistical Planning (the same portfolios were held by him in the previous BJP regime) while Rajendra Shukla was allotted Public Health-Family Welfare and Medical Education.

Among the two political biggies, ex-BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya got Urban Development and Housing (the same portfolios were held by him in the BJP government between 2013 and 2016) as well as Law and Parliamentary/Legislative Affairs, while former Union Minister Prahlad Singh Patel who has become a minister in MP for the first time got Panchayat and Rural Development, besides Labour Ministry.

Among the two former Lok Sabha members, ex-Jabalpur MP Rakesh Singh took charge of the PWD Ministry, while former MP from Hoshangabad seat Uday Pratap Singh was allocated Transport and School Education.

The two women ministers in the cabinet, Nirmala Bhuria got Women and Child Development, while ex-MP Samapatiya Uikey got Public Health Engineering.

Among the former ministers (including those who were part of the previous regime), the three Jyotiraditya Scindia loyalists, among them Tulsi Silawat got Water Resources (same department as the previous regime), while the previous governments Revenue and Transport minister Govind Singh Rajput got Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection. Another Scindia loyalist Pradumn Singh Tomar retained his energy portfolio in this government also.

Among the other former ministers, former medical education minister Vishvas Sarang will be the new Minister for Sports, Youth Welfare and Cooperation, while previous school education minister IS Parmar has been allocated higher education, technical education and skill development portfolios.

Aidal Singh Kansana, one of the 22 former Congress MLAs who played a key role in toppling the Kamal Nath government in March 2020, will be the new Farmers Welfare and Agriculture Development Minister.

Among the first-time cabinet ministers, Narayan Singh Kushwah got Social Justice and Empowerment, Nagar Singh Chouhan got Forest, Environment and Scheduled Caste Welfare, while Rakesh Shukla will be the Minister for New and Renewable Energy and industrialist-turned-minister Chetanya Kashyap has been allotted the MSME portfolio.

Also, among the six ministers of state (independent charge) second time MLA from Govindpura-Bhopal seat Krishna Gaur (who is the daughter-in-law of former CM Late Babulal Gaur) has been allocated Backward Classes and Minority Welfare, while Dharmendra Lodhi got Tourism, Culture, Religious Trusts and Endowments.

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BHOPAL: Five days after the formation of the new council of ministers, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav, the two deputy CMs Rajendra Shukla and Jagdish Dewda, along with the 28 newly sworn-in ministers were finally allocated portfolios on Saturday evening. The CM retained the key roles, including General Administration, Home, Jail, Industrial Policy and Investment Promotion, Public Relations, Aviation, Mineral Resources, Public Services Management and Narmada Valley Development. Among the two deputy CMs, Jagdish Dewda was allotted Finance, Commercial Tax, Economic and Statistical Planning (the same portfolios were held by him in the previous BJP regime) while Rajendra Shukla was allotted Public Health-Family Welfare and Medical Education.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Among the two political biggies, ex-BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya got Urban Development and Housing (the same portfolios were held by him in the BJP government between 2013 and 2016) as well as Law and Parliamentary/Legislative Affairs, while former Union Minister Prahlad Singh Patel who has become a minister in MP for the first time got Panchayat and Rural Development, besides Labour Ministry. Among the two former Lok Sabha members, ex-Jabalpur MP Rakesh Singh took charge of the PWD Ministry, while former MP from Hoshangabad seat Uday Pratap Singh was allocated Transport and School Education. The two women ministers in the cabinet, Nirmala Bhuria got Women and Child Development, while ex-MP Samapatiya Uikey got Public Health Engineering. Among the former ministers (including those who were part of the previous regime), the three Jyotiraditya Scindia loyalists, among them Tulsi Silawat got Water Resources (same department as the previous regime), while the previous governments Revenue and Transport minister Govind Singh Rajput got Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection. Another Scindia loyalist Pradumn Singh Tomar retained his energy portfolio in this government also. Among the other former ministers, former medical education minister Vishvas Sarang will be the new Minister for Sports, Youth Welfare and Cooperation, while previous school education minister IS Parmar has been allocated higher education, technical education and skill development portfolios. Aidal Singh Kansana, one of the 22 former Congress MLAs who played a key role in toppling the Kamal Nath government in March 2020, will be the new Farmers Welfare and Agriculture Development Minister. Among the first-time cabinet ministers, Narayan Singh Kushwah got Social Justice and Empowerment, Nagar Singh Chouhan got Forest, Environment and Scheduled Caste Welfare, while Rakesh Shukla will be the Minister for New and Renewable Energy and industrialist-turned-minister Chetanya Kashyap has been allotted the MSME portfolio. Also, among the six ministers of state (independent charge) second time MLA from Govindpura-Bhopal seat Krishna Gaur (who is the daughter-in-law of former CM Late Babulal Gaur) has been allocated Backward Classes and Minority Welfare, while Dharmendra Lodhi got Tourism, Culture, Religious Trusts and Endowments. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Sudhir Suryawanshi By

Express News Service

MUMBAI: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, along with his two deputies - Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar  is likely to meet Union Minister Amit Shah in Delhi seeking clarity on seat-sharing in the Lok Sabha polls and tangible solutions for the Maratha reservation issue.

The chief minister had met DCMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar at Varsha bungalow on Thursday to deliberate on the issue. While BJP is firm on contesting 23 of the 48 seats, DCM Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction has set its eye on 11 seats, and CM Shinde-led Shiv Sena is demanding 3 seats, said a source.

There is big mismatch among the alliance partners seat demands. Though the BJP is playing the big brother in Mahayuti alliance, Ajit Pawar-led NCP is equally important to repeat the 2019 Lok Sabha tally of 42 seats in the multi-party politics. BJP has vote share of 32% and to bag 42 seats, including numbers of alliance partners, we need to grab 40% vote share. Therefore, this seat-sharing talk has to be held in Delhi only, said a senior NCP leader.

Asserting that there is no confusion among the alliance partners, MLA Sanjay Shirsat of the Shinde-led camp said top leaders of the three parties will resolve the issue amicably. However, another Shiv Sena leader said that last time Shiv Sena contested 23 seats and won 19. We are not demanding 23 seats but a decent number. We expect 19 seats so that on all sitting MPs seat, will repeat our candidates, the leader said.

Manoj Jarange Patil had announced his march to Mumbai on January 25 to press for the demand of Maratha reservations. Jarange Patil has threatened that three crore Maratha protestors will march to Mumbai and will not leave until reservation status is granted. The huge gathering can lead to law and order issue, he added.

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MUMBAI: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, along with his two deputies - Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar  is likely to meet Union Minister Amit Shah in Delhi seeking clarity on seat-sharing in the Lok Sabha polls and tangible solutions for the Maratha reservation issue. The chief minister had met DCMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar at Varsha bungalow on Thursday to deliberate on the issue. While BJP is firm on contesting 23 of the 48 seats, DCM Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction has set its eye on 11 seats, and CM Shinde-led Shiv Sena is demanding 3 seats, said a source. There is big mismatch among the alliance partners seat demands. Though the BJP is playing the big brother in Mahayuti alliance, Ajit Pawar-led NCP is equally important to repeat the 2019 Lok Sabha tally of 42 seats in the multi-party politics. BJP has vote share of 32% and to bag 42 seats, including numbers of alliance partners, we need to grab 40% vote share. Therefore, this seat-sharing talk has to be held in Delhi only, said a senior NCP leader.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Asserting that there is no confusion among the alliance partners, MLA Sanjay Shirsat of the Shinde-led camp said top leaders of the three parties will resolve the issue amicably. However, another Shiv Sena leader said that last time Shiv Sena contested 23 seats and won 19. We are not demanding 23 seats but a decent number. We expect 19 seats so that on all sitting MPs seat, will repeat our candidates, the leader said. Manoj Jarange Patil had announced his march to Mumbai on January 25 to press for the demand of Maratha reservations. Jarange Patil has threatened that three crore Maratha protestors will march to Mumbai and will not leave until reservation status is granted. The huge gathering can lead to law and order issue, he added. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By Express News Service

GUWAHATI: After a brief lull, a Meitei village volunteer was killed in a firing incident in strife-torn Manipur in the wee hours of Saturday even as the police arrested the editor of a local daily for allegedly promoting enmity between communities.

The firing incident occurred at a foothill area on the border of Meitei-majority Imphal West and Kuki-majority Kangpokpi districts.

James Ningombam (27), who was grievously injured in the leg, succumbed to his injuries soon after he was admitted to the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences in state capital Imphal.

The deceased was a former journalist who briefly worked with a local daily. His father is an officer in the Manipur Police.

Chief Minister N Biren Singh condemned the killing and assured that the perpetrators of the crime would not be spared.

The incident is highly condemnable and under investigation. Combing operations (by security personnel) are on and will continue. We will not spare the culprits, Singh told journalists.

Various organisations in the hills and the Imphal valley are trying hard to restore peace. But somewhere, some evil elements are trying to disturb peace, he said.

He appealed to all concerned to come to the negotiating table and help restore peace and normalcy.

The last such incident in the state occurred on December 4. Thirteen people were then killed in the Tengnoupal district.

The ethnic violence between Kuki-Zo tribals and Meiteis, which broke out on May 3, left some 200 people dead and 60,000 others displaced. Hundreds of religious institutions were also either torched or damaged.

Meanwhile, Wangkhemcha Shyamjai, editor of local daily Kangleipakki Meira and former president of All Manipur Working Journalists Union, was arrested by the police on Friday for allegedly promoting enmity between communities.

The arrest was made based on a complaint lodged by a leader of ruling BJP. He had approached the police demanding action against Shyamjai for an unfiltered news publication.

The Congress criticised the arrest of the senior journalist and demanded his immediate release.

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GUWAHATI: After a brief lull, a Meitei village volunteer was killed in a firing incident in strife-torn Manipur in the wee hours of Saturday even as the police arrested the editor of a local daily for allegedly promoting enmity between communities. The firing incident occurred at a foothill area on the border of Meitei-majority Imphal West and Kuki-majority Kangpokpi districts. James Ningombam (27), who was grievously injured in the leg, succumbed to his injuries soon after he was admitted to the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences in state capital Imphal.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The deceased was a former journalist who briefly worked with a local daily. His father is an officer in the Manipur Police. Chief Minister N Biren Singh condemned the killing and assured that the perpetrators of the crime would not be spared. The incident is highly condemnable and under investigation. Combing operations (by security personnel) are on and will continue. We will not spare the culprits, Singh told journalists. Various organisations in the hills and the Imphal valley are trying hard to restore peace. But somewhere, some evil elements are trying to disturb peace, he said. He appealed to all concerned to come to the negotiating table and help restore peace and normalcy. The last such incident in the state occurred on December 4. Thirteen people were then killed in the Tengnoupal district. The ethnic violence between Kuki-Zo tribals and Meiteis, which broke out on May 3, left some 200 people dead and 60,000 others displaced. Hundreds of religious institutions were also either torched or damaged. Meanwhile, Wangkhemcha Shyamjai, editor of local daily Kangleipakki Meira and former president of All Manipur Working Journalists Union, was arrested by the police on Friday for allegedly promoting enmity between communities. The arrest was made based on a complaint lodged by a leader of ruling BJP. He had approached the police demanding action against Shyamjai for an unfiltered news publication. The Congress criticised the arrest of the senior journalist and demanded his immediate release. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Express News Service

CHANDIGARH: The Ministry of Home Affairs has designated gangster-turned-terrorist Lakhbir Singh Landa, a Canada-based member of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) as an individual terrorist under Section 35 of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

As per the notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs Landa backed by a cross-border agency was involved in the terror attack through a shoulder-mounted Rocket Propelled Grenade on the balding of Punjab State Intelligence Headquarters at Mohali. He has been involved in the supply of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), arms, sophisticated weapons, and explosives from across the border to various modules for carrying out terrorist activities in the state of Punjab.

Landa has also been involved in various criminal cases related to the raising of terror modules, extortion, killings, planting IEDs, smuggling of weapons and narcotics and using funds or proceeds thereof for terrorist acts in Punjab and other parts of the country. An open-ended warrant has been issued against Landa and he is a subject of a Look Out Circular, it added.

Sources said that Landa was declared a proclaimed offender on July 27, 2023, as he had fled to Canada in 2017 as he was reportedly sponsored by his sister. He is believed to be residing in Edmonton in Alberta in Canada.

He also involved in the RPG attack at the Sarhali police station in Taran Taran and some 20 criminal cases, including murder, attempt to murder, arms act and under NDPS Act are registered against him. The Punjab Police has already attached four kanal land belonging to Landa at his native Kirian village in Tarn Taran.

Sources said that Landa who hails from Harike in Tarn Taran district of Punjab has close ties to several Khalistani terrorists based in Canada, including Gurpatwant Singh Pannun of Sikhs for Justice, late Hardeep Singh Nijjar of the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), Harvinder Singh, also known as Rinda, a gangster based in Pakistan besides others.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had already announced an award of Rs 15 lakh on him as he is wanted by the NIA in a case related to the grenade attack on the Punjab Police intelligence headquarters in Mohali in 2022.

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CHANDIGARH: The Ministry of Home Affairs has designated gangster-turned-terrorist Lakhbir Singh Landa, a Canada-based member of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) as an individual terrorist under Section 35 of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). As per the notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs Landa backed by a cross-border agency was involved in the terror attack through a shoulder-mounted Rocket Propelled Grenade on the balding of Punjab State Intelligence Headquarters at Mohali. He has been involved in the supply of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), arms, sophisticated weapons, and explosives from across the border to various modules for carrying out terrorist activities in the state of Punjab. Landa has also been involved in various criminal cases related to the raising of terror modules, extortion, killings, planting IEDs, smuggling of weapons and narcotics and using funds or proceeds thereof for terrorist acts in Punjab and other parts of the country. An open-ended warrant has been issued against Landa and he is a subject of a Look Out Circular, it added.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Sources said that Landa was declared a proclaimed offender on July 27, 2023, as he had fled to Canada in 2017 as he was reportedly sponsored by his sister. He is believed to be residing in Edmonton in Alberta in Canada. He also involved in the RPG attack at the Sarhali police station in Taran Taran and some 20 criminal cases, including murder, attempt to murder, arms act and under NDPS Act are registered against him. The Punjab Police has already attached four kanal land belonging to Landa at his native Kirian village in Tarn Taran. Sources said that Landa who hails from Harike in Tarn Taran district of Punjab has close ties to several Khalistani terrorists based in Canada, including Gurpatwant Singh Pannun of Sikhs for Justice, late Hardeep Singh Nijjar of the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), Harvinder Singh, also known as Rinda, a gangster based in Pakistan besides others. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had already announced an award of Rs 15 lakh on him as he is wanted by the NIA in a case related to the grenade attack on the Punjab Police intelligence headquarters in Mohali in 2022. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Namita Bajpai and Rajesh Kumar Thakur By

Express News Service

LUCKNOW/NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Ayodhya on December 30, three weeks before the idol of Ram Lalla is placed in the new Ayodhya temple. This visit is significant as it precedes the inauguration of several developmental projects worth over Rs 15,000 crore, including an international airport.

The centrepiece of Modis visit is the inauguration of the Maharishi Valmiki International Airport Ayodhya Dham, marking it as the fifth international airport in Uttar Pradesh. Another highlight is the opening of the Ayodhya Dham Junction railway station, constructed with over Rs 240 crore. This modern three-storey station is equipped with advanced facilities like elevators, escalators, food plazas, and child care rooms, reflecting the governments commitment to accessible and green-certified infrastructure.

Furthermore, Modis agenda includes flagging off two Amrit Bharat trains, introducing a new category of superfast passenger trains in India. He will also launch six new Vande Bharat trains, significantly boosting the nations rail connectivity. These trains will connect various parts of the country, including Ayodhya to Anand Vihar terminal, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to New Delhi, and more.

The PMs commitment to enhancing Indias rail network is further exemplified as he dedicates three significant railway projects in the region, worth Rs 2,300 crore. These projects are crucial for the improvement of travel and transportation in and around Ayodhya.

In a grand public programme, Modi is set to launch various developmental projects valued at over Rs 15,700 crore in Uttar Pradesh. The allocation includes Rs 11,100 crore for development of Ayodhya and vicinity, and around Rs 4,600 crore for other projects across the state.

Additionally, the PM will initiate the development and beautification of tourist facilities along the banks of Ayodhya, including Naya Ghat to Laxman Ghat, and the construction of a visitors gallery for events like Deepotsav. He will launch an ambitious Greenfield township project valued at over Rs 2,180 crore and the Vashishtha Kunj Residential Scheme, estimated at around Rs 300 crore.

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LUCKNOW/NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Ayodhya on December 30, three weeks before the idol of Ram Lalla is placed in the new Ayodhya temple. This visit is significant as it precedes the inauguration of several developmental projects worth over Rs 15,000 crore, including an international airport. The centrepiece of Modis visit is the inauguration of the Maharishi Valmiki International Airport Ayodhya Dham, marking it as the fifth international airport in Uttar Pradesh. Another highlight is the opening of the Ayodhya Dham Junction railway station, constructed with over Rs 240 crore. This modern three-storey station is equipped with advanced facilities like elevators, escalators, food plazas, and child care rooms, reflecting the governments commitment to accessible and green-certified infrastructure. Furthermore, Modis agenda includes flagging off two Amrit Bharat trains, introducing a new category of superfast passenger trains in India. He will also launch six new Vande Bharat trains, significantly boosting the nations rail connectivity. These trains will connect various parts of the country, including Ayodhya to Anand Vihar terminal, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to New Delhi, and more.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The PMs commitment to enhancing Indias rail network is further exemplified as he dedicates three significant railway projects in the region, worth Rs 2,300 crore. These projects are crucial for the improvement of travel and transportation in and around Ayodhya. In a grand public programme, Modi is set to launch various developmental projects valued at over Rs 15,700 crore in Uttar Pradesh. The allocation includes Rs 11,100 crore for development of Ayodhya and vicinity, and around Rs 4,600 crore for other projects across the state. Additionally, the PM will initiate the development and beautification of tourist facilities along the banks of Ayodhya, including Naya Ghat to Laxman Ghat, and the construction of a visitors gallery for events like Deepotsav. He will launch an ambitious Greenfield township project valued at over Rs 2,180 crore and the Vashishtha Kunj Residential Scheme, estimated at around Rs 300 crore. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By PTI

AYODHYA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday held a roadshow after his arrival here and inaugurated the redeveloped Ayodhya railway station and flagged off two Amrit Bharat and six Vande Bharat trains, some virtually.

He will also inaugurate an airport and lay the foundation stones for a slew of development projects for Uttar Pradesh.

People in large numbers who had gathered along the roadshow's route from the airport to the railway station waved and greeted the prime minister.

Modi greeted people from his car, and at one point, opened the door of his vehicle to wave back at them. People showered flower petals and raised slogans in his praise.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves to the

gathering during a roadshow ahead of the inauguration

of a redeveloped station in Ayodhya. (Photo | PTI)

The prime minister also witnessed performances by cultural troupes along the route.

In a post on X, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who received Modi, said, "Hearty welcome and greetings to respected Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji in Shri Ayodhya Dham."

After inaugurating the station, the prime minister took a tour of the facility. He was accompanied by Adityanath, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and others. Modi was briefed by Vaishnaw about the station.

Phase I of the redeveloped station -- Ayodhya Dham Junction Railway Station -- has been completed at a cost of more than Rs 240 crore.

The three-storey railway station building is equipped with features such as lifts, escalators, food plazas, shops for puja needs, cloakrooms, child care rooms, and waiting halls.

The station building is "accessible for all" and an "IGBC certified green station building", according to the officials The prime minister flagged off two new Amrit Bharat trains -- the Darbhanga-Ayodhya-Anand Vihar Terminal Amrit Bharat Express and the Malda Town-Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminus (Bengaluru) Amrit Bharat Express.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi flags off a train during the inauguration

of redeveloped Ayodhya Dham Station, in Ayodhya | PTI

He also flagged off six new Vande Bharat Trains.

These include the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra-New Delhi Vande Bharat Express, the Amritsar-Delhi Vande Bharat Express, the Coimbatore-Bangalore Cantt Vande Bharat Express, the Mangalore-Madgaon Vande Bharat Express, the Jalna-Mumbai Vande Bharat Express and the Ayodhya-Anand Vihar Terminal Vande Bharat Express.

Modi will also participate in a public programme where he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stones of development projects worth more than Rs 15,700 crore for Uttar Pradesh.

These include projects worth about Rs 11,100 crore for the development of Ayodhya and its surrounding areas and projects worth about Rs 4,600 crore related to other works across Uttar Pradesh.

This visit by the prime minister comes just ahead of the 'pran pratishtha' or consecration ceremony of the Ram temple here.

The temple is currently under construction here, with the consecration ceremony to be held on January 22, which will be attended by the prime minister.

READ MORE | Will decide at appropriate time if Sonia Gandhi, Kharge will attend Ram temple consecration: Congress

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AYODHYA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday held a roadshow after his arrival here and inaugurated the redeveloped Ayodhya railway station and flagged off two Amrit Bharat and six Vande Bharat trains, some virtually. He will also inaugurate an airport and lay the foundation stones for a slew of development projects for Uttar Pradesh. People in large numbers who had gathered along the roadshow's route from the airport to the railway station waved and greeted the prime minister.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Modi greeted people from his car, and at one point, opened the door of his vehicle to wave back at them. People showered flower petals and raised slogans in his praise. Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves to the gathering during a roadshow ahead of the inauguration of a redeveloped station in Ayodhya. (Photo | PTI) The prime minister also witnessed performances by cultural troupes along the route. In a post on X, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who received Modi, said, "Hearty welcome and greetings to respected Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji in Shri Ayodhya Dham." ''        @narendramodi    ... https://t.co/pUQfQNhQXl  Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) December 30, 2023 After inaugurating the station, the prime minister took a tour of the facility. He was accompanied by Adityanath, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and others. Modi was briefed by Vaishnaw about the station. Phase I of the redeveloped station -- Ayodhya Dham Junction Railway Station -- has been completed at a cost of more than Rs 240 crore. The three-storey railway station building is equipped with features such as lifts, escalators, food plazas, shops for puja needs, cloakrooms, child care rooms, and waiting halls. The station building is "accessible for all" and an "IGBC certified green station building", according to the officials The prime minister flagged off two new Amrit Bharat trains -- the Darbhanga-Ayodhya-Anand Vihar Terminal Amrit Bharat Express and the Malda Town-Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminus (Bengaluru) Amrit Bharat Express. Prime Minister Narendra Modi flags off a train during the inauguration of redeveloped Ayodhya Dham Station, in Ayodhya | PTI He also flagged off six new Vande Bharat Trains. These include the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra-New Delhi Vande Bharat Express, the Amritsar-Delhi Vande Bharat Express, the Coimbatore-Bangalore Cantt Vande Bharat Express, the Mangalore-Madgaon Vande Bharat Express, the Jalna-Mumbai Vande Bharat Express and the Ayodhya-Anand Vihar Terminal Vande Bharat Express. Modi will also participate in a public programme where he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stones of development projects worth more than Rs 15,700 crore for Uttar Pradesh. These include projects worth about Rs 11,100 crore for the development of Ayodhya and its surrounding areas and projects worth about Rs 4,600 crore related to other works across Uttar Pradesh. This visit by the prime minister comes just ahead of the 'pran pratishtha' or consecration ceremony of the Ram temple here. The temple is currently under construction here, with the consecration ceremony to be held on January 22, which will be attended by the prime minister. READ MORE | Will decide at appropriate time if Sonia Gandhi, Kharge will attend Ram temple consecration: Congress Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Namita Bajpai By

Express News Service

LUCKNOW: Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a fervent appeal to 140 crore Indians to light Ramjyoti at their houses and celebrate Diwali by lighting diyas so that the whole country glitters on the day of the consecration ceremony of the idol of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya on January 22. He also urged countrymen to avoid thronging the temple town on that day due to logistics and security reasons.

PM Modi was on a visit to Ayodhya to inaugurate the Maharishi Valmiki International Airport and the Ayodhya Dham Junction, the renovated railway station in the temple town, besides launching and laying the foundation of 46 developmental projects worth Rs 15,700 crore. He also flagged off two Amrit Bharat and six Vande Bharat trains on Saturday.

Calling upon Ram Bhakts to not do anything to disturb Lord Ram and attaching significance to consecration ceremony as a national occasion, the PM, while addressing a public rally in the temple town on Saturday, said: We are fortunate that this historic moment has come into our lives. We have to fill ourselves with new energy for the country and I am requesting all 140 crore countrymen with folded hands from this sacred land of Lord Ram to light Ramjyoti in your houses and celebrate Diwali on the evening of January 22. The entire country should glitter on that day.

The preparations for the grand event had been going on for years and there should be no disruption, PM Modi said. "Don't crowd Ayodhya on January 22 as the temple will be there for centuries. The temple management should not have any trouble because of the devotees. First, allow the event (consecration) to take place smoothly and then after January 23, you can come any time for darshan. It is not possible for everyone to attend the event owing to logistics and security reasons. You have waited for over 550 years. Wait for some more time," added Modi.

The PM also urged the people of Ayodhya to make the temple town the cleanest in the country. Ayodhya will now have to be prepared to host lakhs of visitors and their inflow will continue till eternity. The people of Ayodhya will have to take a pledge to make it the cleanest city in the country. The PM also exhorted the people across the nation to launch a week-long cleanliness drive in all the big and small temples from January 14, the day of Makarsankranti to January 21.

Welcome Lord Rams enthronement in his abode with a huge campaign of cleanliness at all the pilgrimages across the country from January 14-21, he said. Earlier, the PM pitched for the preservation of spiritual and cultural heritage of the country as, he claimed, that the blend of Vikas (development) and Virasat (heritage) would keep India ahead of all others in the world and help the country reach the pinnacle of holistic growth in the days to come. Todays India is moving ahead by combining its heritage with modernity, he said adding that the campaign of Viksit Bharat was getting new energy from Ayodhya.

In the days to come, the spiritual, divine and material growth of Ayodhya will not only give direction to UP but the entire nation, said the PM.

Elaborating further on the blend of heritage and modernity, the PM said: Todays Ayodhya reflects the mood of the nation. Here is celebration of progress, after some days there will be festival of tradition, today we see grandeur of development, after some days we will feel the divinity of the heritage. This collective strength of development and heritage will take India forward in the 21st century.

Referring to the ancient glory and opulence of Ayodhya in Treta yug as described by Maharishi Valmiki, the PM expressed the desire to bring that grandeur back by linking it with modernity.

He pointed out that the projected increase in the number of pilgrims and tourists coming to the holy city in the wake of the grand temple would catapult the temple town into a hub of opportunities of employment and growth.

ALSO READ | Modi inaugurates Ayodhya airport, lays foundation stone for projects worth Rs 15,700 crore

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LUCKNOW: Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a fervent appeal to 140 crore Indians to light Ramjyoti at their houses and celebrate Diwali by lighting diyas so that the whole country glitters on the day of the consecration ceremony of the idol of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya on January 22. He also urged countrymen to avoid thronging the temple town on that day due to logistics and security reasons. PM Modi was on a visit to Ayodhya to inaugurate the Maharishi Valmiki International Airport and the Ayodhya Dham Junction, the renovated railway station in the temple town, besides launching and laying the foundation of 46 developmental projects worth Rs 15,700 crore. He also flagged off two Amrit Bharat and six Vande Bharat trains on Saturday. Calling upon Ram Bhakts to not do anything to disturb Lord Ram and attaching significance to consecration ceremony as a national occasion, the PM, while addressing a public rally in the temple town on Saturday, said: We are fortunate that this historic moment has come into our lives. We have to fill ourselves with new energy for the country and I am requesting all 140 crore countrymen with folded hands from this sacred land of Lord Ram to light Ramjyoti in your houses and celebrate Diwali on the evening of January 22. The entire country should glitter on that day.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The preparations for the grand event had been going on for years and there should be no disruption, PM Modi said. "Don't crowd Ayodhya on January 22 as the temple will be there for centuries. The temple management should not have any trouble because of the devotees. First, allow the event (consecration) to take place smoothly and then after January 23, you can come any time for darshan. It is not possible for everyone to attend the event owing to logistics and security reasons. You have waited for over 550 years. Wait for some more time," added Modi. The PM also urged the people of Ayodhya to make the temple town the cleanest in the country. Ayodhya will now have to be prepared to host lakhs of visitors and their inflow will continue till eternity. The people of Ayodhya will have to take a pledge to make it the cleanest city in the country. The PM also exhorted the people across the nation to launch a week-long cleanliness drive in all the big and small temples from January 14, the day of Makarsankranti to January 21. Welcome Lord Rams enthronement in his abode with a huge campaign of cleanliness at all the pilgrimages across the country from January 14-21, he said. Earlier, the PM pitched for the preservation of spiritual and cultural heritage of the country as, he claimed, that the blend of Vikas (development) and Virasat (heritage) would keep India ahead of all others in the world and help the country reach the pinnacle of holistic growth in the days to come. Todays India is moving ahead by combining its heritage with modernity, he said adding that the campaign of Viksit Bharat was getting new energy from Ayodhya. In the days to come, the spiritual, divine and material growth of Ayodhya will not only give direction to UP but the entire nation, said the PM. Elaborating further on the blend of heritage and modernity, the PM said: Todays Ayodhya reflects the mood of the nation. Here is celebration of progress, after some days there will be festival of tradition, today we see grandeur of development, after some days we will feel the divinity of the heritage. This collective strength of development and heritage will take India forward in the 21st century. Referring to the ancient glory and opulence of Ayodhya in Treta yug as described by Maharishi Valmiki, the PM expressed the desire to bring that grandeur back by linking it with modernity. He pointed out that the projected increase in the number of pilgrims and tourists coming to the holy city in the wake of the grand temple would catapult the temple town into a hub of opportunities of employment and growth. ALSO READ | Modi inaugurates Ayodhya airport, lays foundation stone for projects worth Rs 15,700 crore Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Namita Bajpai By

Express News Service

LUCKNOW: Having a penchant for springing surprises, PM Narendra Modi did it again by visiting the house of Meera Manjhi during his Ayodhya tour on Saturday. Meera Manjhi happens to be the one who took the number of beneficiaries of the Ujjwala Yojna, the scheme giving free gas connections, to 10 crore. She stays in Ayodhya with her husband, parents-in-law and children in a house she got under the PM Awas Yojna.

Moreover, the PM, during his visit to her house, had a cup of tea with the family and handed them the invitation to attend the Ram temple consecration ceremony on January 22.

Speaking to media persons after the PMs surprise visit, Meera said she was not aware that he was coming to her house. An hour ahead of the PMs visit, she was informed by the authorities that a political leader would come. "He came, he spoke to my family members. He asked about the benefits that we are getting in the Ujjawala scheme. Then he asked me what I had cooked. I said rice, daal and vegetables...and also tea. He asked me for tea saying thhandi me chai toh pilana chahiye na (Tea should be served in winter). He said the tea was a little sweeter. I told him this was how I make tea," said an upbeat and excited Meera Manjhi with a glint of happiness in her eyes.

"I was very happy seeing the prime minister. I told him we got the house in his Awas scheme. We are also getting water and I am very happy that I am now cooking on gas. It will save my time and I will now get more time to spend with my children," Meera said.

PM Modi, while returning from the railway station after inaugurating it, visited Meera Manjhi's house before the second leg of his programme -- the inauguration of the Maharshi Valmiki airport and various other development projects. As the PM entered her house, Meeras family touched his feet. However, the PM stopped them saying, "Aise maat kariye aap log (Please don't do this)".

Do you know why I came here today? We have given gas cylinders to 10 crore families. I wanted to visit the family that takes the number to 10 crore. And it was in Ayodhya, PM Modi said.

ALSO READ | PM Modi appeals to countrymen to light diyas at home on Jan 22 to celebrate Ram temple consecration

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LUCKNOW: Having a penchant for springing surprises, PM Narendra Modi did it again by visiting the house of Meera Manjhi during his Ayodhya tour on Saturday. Meera Manjhi happens to be the one who took the number of beneficiaries of the Ujjwala Yojna, the scheme giving free gas connections, to 10 crore. She stays in Ayodhya with her husband, parents-in-law and children in a house she got under the PM Awas Yojna. Moreover, the PM, during his visit to her house, had a cup of tea with the family and handed them the invitation to attend the Ram temple consecration ceremony on January 22. Speaking to media persons after the PMs surprise visit, Meera said she was not aware that he was coming to her house. An hour ahead of the PMs visit, she was informed by the authorities that a political leader would come. "He came, he spoke to my family members. He asked about the benefits that we are getting in the Ujjawala scheme. Then he asked me what I had cooked. I said rice, daal and vegetables...and also tea. He asked me for tea saying thhandi me chai toh pilana chahiye na (Tea should be served in winter). He said the tea was a little sweeter. I told him this was how I make tea," said an upbeat and excited Meera Manjhi with a glint of happiness in her eyes.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "I was very happy seeing the prime minister. I told him we got the house in his Awas scheme. We are also getting water and I am very happy that I am now cooking on gas. It will save my time and I will now get more time to spend with my children," Meera said. PM Modi, while returning from the railway station after inaugurating it, visited Meera Manjhi's house before the second leg of his programme -- the inauguration of the Maharshi Valmiki airport and various other development projects. As the PM entered her house, Meeras family touched his feet. However, the PM stopped them saying, "Aise maat kariye aap log (Please don't do this)". Do you know why I came here today? We have given gas cylinders to 10 crore families. I wanted to visit the family that takes the number to 10 crore. And it was in Ayodhya, PM Modi said. ALSO READ | PM Modi appeals to countrymen to light diyas at home on Jan 22 to celebrate Ram temple consecration Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Rajesh Kumar Thakur By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Days after this newspaper broke the story of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar assuming the role of Janata Dal (United) chief as well, the party at its national executive meeting here on Friday elected him party president. The change of guard came amid rumours of a possible split in the party. That the party managed to stay intact is a testament to the skills of Nitish, who continues to be the most powerful leader in the JD(U).

Incumbent national president Lalan Singh tendered his resignation. Though there was no official word on why he did so, sources close to the leadership cryptically indicated that Lalans growing proximity to RJD chief Lalu Yadav was responsible for Nitishs unexpected decision. Sources said Lalan and some other senior leaders had recently suggested that RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav be made Bihar chief minister so that Nitish can fully focus on national politics to take on the BJP in the 2024 general elections.

With Nitish dropping hints about his willingness to take back the reins of party after Lalans resignation, sources said almost all prominent leaders within the party agreed the CM was the most prominent of the party as well as a candidate to become the Oppositions PM face. So, he must lead the party again.

After being elected party president, Nitish reiterated the partys commitment to work for the state as well the unity of the Opposition. In his typical style, Nitish said he was not personally keen to take over as the partys president. But I have had to abide by the decision of national executive members, who have endorsed it. When his name was being proposed for the post, slogans like Desh Ka PM kaise ho, Nitish Kumar Jaise ho rented the air.

The meet projected Nitish as the hope of the backwards, extremely backwards, minorities and unemployed youth and urged bigger parties in the INDIA bloc to show a big heart to make the alliance a success. For his part, Nitish accused the BJP of misleading people for not delivering on its promises. The party also authorised him to take the final call in dealing with allies. Interestingly, JD(U)s national spokesperson K C Tyagi said the party will be represented at the consecration ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22.

Tyagi on the BJP

Curiously, K C Tyagi said the BJP is not an enemy as there is no enemy in politics but only disagreements. He, however, categorically ruled out any alliance with the ruling party at the Centre

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NEW DELHI: Days after this newspaper broke the story of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar assuming the role of Janata Dal (United) chief as well, the party at its national executive meeting here on Friday elected him party president. The change of guard came amid rumours of a possible split in the party. That the party managed to stay intact is a testament to the skills of Nitish, who continues to be the most powerful leader in the JD(U). Incumbent national president Lalan Singh tendered his resignation. Though there was no official word on why he did so, sources close to the leadership cryptically indicated that Lalans growing proximity to RJD chief Lalu Yadav was responsible for Nitishs unexpected decision. Sources said Lalan and some other senior leaders had recently suggested that RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav be made Bihar chief minister so that Nitish can fully focus on national politics to take on the BJP in the 2024 general elections. With Nitish dropping hints about his willingness to take back the reins of party after Lalans resignation, sources said almost all prominent leaders within the party agreed the CM was the most prominent of the party as well as a candidate to become the Oppositions PM face. So, he must lead the party again. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); After being elected party president, Nitish reiterated the partys commitment to work for the state as well the unity of the Opposition. In his typical style, Nitish said he was not personally keen to take over as the partys president. But I have had to abide by the decision of national executive members, who have endorsed it. When his name was being proposed for the post, slogans like Desh Ka PM kaise ho, Nitish Kumar Jaise ho rented the air. The meet projected Nitish as the hope of the backwards, extremely backwards, minorities and unemployed youth and urged bigger parties in the INDIA bloc to show a big heart to make the alliance a success. For his part, Nitish accused the BJP of misleading people for not delivering on its promises. The party also authorised him to take the final call in dealing with allies. Interestingly, JD(U)s national spokesperson K C Tyagi said the party will be represented at the consecration ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22. Tyagi on the BJP Curiously, K C Tyagi said the BJP is not an enemy as there is no enemy in politics but only disagreements. He, however, categorically ruled out any alliance with the ruling party at the Centre Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By Express News Service

BHOPAL: With portfolios being awarded to new ministers a week after their swearing in ceremony in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh is also likely to see a similar development. Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav met Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday. Yadav was likely to return to Bhopal by Friday night. According to key sources, the portfolios allotment to the two deputy CMs and the 28 other ministers is likely to happen shortly.

Sources added that the delay in allotment of portfolios to the new ministers is being attributed to efforts by the party to strike a harmonious balance between portfolios of all senior leaders, including the two deputy CMs, Rajendra Shukla and Jagdish Dewda and cabinet ministers Prahlad Patel and Kailash Vijayvargiya.

Reasons behind delay in formation of new council of ministers and allotment of portfolios is to strike balance between the responsibilities/portfolios of all the senior leaders. The delay is also because the BJPs top brass doesnt seem to be in a mood to take any chances on any issue, months before the Lok Sabha polls, a senior state BJP leader maintained.

Importantly, even before the first cabinet expansion on December 25, the CM had flown to Delhi twice within a week and met with top party leaders.

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BHOPAL: With portfolios being awarded to new ministers a week after their swearing in ceremony in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh is also likely to see a similar development. Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav met Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday. Yadav was likely to return to Bhopal by Friday night. According to key sources, the portfolios allotment to the two deputy CMs and the 28 other ministers is likely to happen shortly. Sources added that the delay in allotment of portfolios to the new ministers is being attributed to efforts by the party to strike a harmonious balance between portfolios of all senior leaders, including the two deputy CMs, Rajendra Shukla and Jagdish Dewda and cabinet ministers Prahlad Patel and Kailash Vijayvargiya. Reasons behind delay in formation of new council of ministers and allotment of portfolios is to strike balance between the responsibilities/portfolios of all the senior leaders. The delay is also because the BJPs top brass doesnt seem to be in a mood to take any chances on any issue, months before the Lok Sabha polls, a senior state BJP leader maintained.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Importantly, even before the first cabinet expansion on December 25, the CM had flown to Delhi twice within a week and met with top party leaders. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
The Palos Fire Protection District is putting this used ambulance up for auction online, with bids due Jan. 2, 2024. (Shannah Henderson)

The Palos Fire Protection District is auctioning off a used 2000 International 4700 Low Profile ambulance with 116,000 miles to residents interested in a unique ride or a sought after road trip companion.

The ambulance may go to the highest online bidder at the end of the day Tuesday, and the fire district will keep 100% of the proceeds. An additional fee will be added to the top bid and go to Municibid which facilitates bids for a variety of items once used by municipalities and public agencies.

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These funds can be used to buy new water hoses, another vehicle, helmets, and other essentials that the fire department needs to fight fires and save the lives of those in dire situations, said spokesman Shannah Henderson in a news release praising the auction.

As of Friday, the auction still had a long way to go before delivering the returns the fire department hoped to receive, with the highest bid being $1,700. The website advertising the bid mentioned this figure is below the reserve price, which is the minimum for which the seller will part with the item. The reserve price set by the Palos fire department is not public information.

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If a bid does pass the sale threshold, someone will be in the possession of a highly sought after item since the COVID-19 pandemic caused many to pursue van life or road trips for vacations, said Greg Berry. CEO of Municibid.

We saw an uptick in people converting ambulances into RVs, said Berry, describing how another used ambulance was repurposed in a fun way. A New England Patriots fan took it and turned it into this tailgate mobile, which was really cool, and used the stretcher for the grill.

hsanders@chicagotribune.com
BEIRUT, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli forces launched five airstrikes and heavy artillery targeting southern Lebanon on Saturday, killing four Hezbollah fighters and wounding two civilians, Lebanese military sources told Xinhua.

The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Israeli warplanes and drones targeted the town of Marwahin and the villages of Aita al-Shaab and Rmeish in the central sector of southern Lebanon, while the Israeli heavy artillery shelled several villages in both the eastern and western parts of southern Lebanon.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah attacked the Israeli military site of Ramtha in the Shebaa Farms with a batch of rockets.

The Lebanon-Israel border witnessed increased tension since Oct. 8 after the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah fired dozens of rockets toward Israel in support of the Hamas attack on Israel the previous day, prompting Israel to respond by firing heavy artillery toward southeastern Lebanon.

The confrontations between Hezbollah and Israel have killed 187 people on the Lebanese side, including 132 Hezbollah members and 35 civilians, according to Lebanese security sources. 
Narendra Sethi By

Express News Service

DEHRADUN: Amid claims of improvement in the quality of school education in Uttarakhand, the government has ordered an inspection of the credentials of teachers working in all private schools in the state. This initiative emphasizes quality once again. The purpose behind this move is to ascertain whether the teachers meet the standards set by the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE).

According to information from the Education Department, an order issued on December 27 directs block education officers to collect details of the educational qualifications of all teachers in private schools within seven days. The letter notes that many private schools have been ignoring educational standards.

The School Education Department in Uttarakhand has initiated a comprehensive review of the educational qualification certificates of teachers in private schools. This is to ensure adherence to the standards established by the NCTE, said Uttarakhand Director General of Education, Banshidhar Tiwari.

The Chief Education Officer, Pradeep Kumar, has issued an order to the Block Education Officers requesting comprehensive information. In the recent directive to the Block Education Officers, we have requested the educational qualifications of teachers from all private schools to be submitted in an Excel sheet using the prescribed format within one week, Chief Education Officer Pradeep Kumar said.

In April this year, the Education Department conducted simultaneous raids at 256 private schools across the state following complaints of substituting NCERT textbooks with more expensive ones. The investigation revealed that 21 schools in Nainital and one in Haridwar were violating government orders regarding the implementation of NCERT books.

Uttarakhand has a total of 5,331 private schools. However, according to the latest report data, Uttarakhand ranks 35th among 37 states and union territories in India in terms of education performance. Meanwhile, the total number of private schools in India is 3,35,844.

Ensure adherence to NCTE standards

School Education Department initiated a comprehensive review of the educational qualification certificates of teachers in private schools. This is to ensure adherence to the standards established by the NCTE, said Uttarakhand Director General of Education, Banshidhar Tiwari.



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DEHRADUN: Amid claims of improvement in the quality of school education in Uttarakhand, the government has ordered an inspection of the credentials of teachers working in all private schools in the state. This initiative emphasizes quality once again. The purpose behind this move is to ascertain whether the teachers meet the standards set by the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE). According to information from the Education Department, an order issued on December 27 directs block education officers to collect details of the educational qualifications of all teachers in private schools within seven days. The letter notes that many private schools have been ignoring educational standards. The School Education Department in Uttarakhand has initiated a comprehensive review of the educational qualification certificates of teachers in private schools. This is to ensure adherence to the standards established by the NCTE, said Uttarakhand Director General of Education, Banshidhar Tiwari.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The Chief Education Officer, Pradeep Kumar, has issued an order to the Block Education Officers requesting comprehensive information. In the recent directive to the Block Education Officers, we have requested the educational qualifications of teachers from all private schools to be submitted in an Excel sheet using the prescribed format within one week, Chief Education Officer Pradeep Kumar said. In April this year, the Education Department conducted simultaneous raids at 256 private schools across the state following complaints of substituting NCERT textbooks with more expensive ones. The investigation revealed that 21 schools in Nainital and one in Haridwar were violating government orders regarding the implementation of NCERT books. Uttarakhand has a total of 5,331 private schools. However, according to the latest report data, Uttarakhand ranks 35th among 37 states and union territories in India in terms of education performance. Meanwhile, the total number of private schools in India is 3,35,844. Ensure adherence to NCTE standards School Education Department initiated a comprehensive review of the educational qualification certificates of teachers in private schools. This is to ensure adherence to the standards established by the NCTE, said Uttarakhand Director General of Education, Banshidhar Tiwari. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Suchitra Kalyan Mohanty By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Kerala has filed a revised plea in Supreme Court seeking a directive to lay down guidelines under which the governor may reserve Bills presented to him for the consideration of the President and or any appropriate directions or order the SC deemed fit to pass.

Earlier in one of the hearings, senior advocate and former Attorney General of India (AG) K K Venugopal, appearing for the State of Kerala, had told the Supreme Court that some of the Bills were originally ordinances promulgated by the governor under Article 213 of the Constitution, and there was no reason for the governor to now refer them to the President.

The Supreme Court then in its order had allowed the state governments plea to include this point in the amended application. On Friday, the government, adhering to the Apex Courts earlier order, filed the amended petition and sought appropriate orders in the ongoing tussle between Kerala government and the governor. According to the SC registry, the matter is likely to come up for hearing after January first week when the courts would open after the winter vacation.

The government in its revised plea said that the top court should interpret the phrase as soon as possible in the first proviso to Article 200 of the Constitution on the timeline applicable to the disposal of the Bills presented to the governor.

The petition contended that the governors actions were wrong and threaten the basic foundations of our Constitution. In the revised plea, Kerala stated that the governor has kept eight Bills pending. These Bills have been passed by the State Legislature and had been presented to the governor for his assent under Article 200.

It pointed out that governor sat on the Bills that were passed by the State Legislature even up to three years. So the SC should pass directions in this regard. It also said in its plea that the SC should declare that the governor failed to exercise his powers and duties under the Constitution through his inaction on the Bills that were presented for his consideration.

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NEW DELHI: Kerala has filed a revised plea in Supreme Court seeking a directive to lay down guidelines under which the governor may reserve Bills presented to him for the consideration of the President and or any appropriate directions or order the SC deemed fit to pass. Earlier in one of the hearings, senior advocate and former Attorney General of India (AG) K K Venugopal, appearing for the State of Kerala, had told the Supreme Court that some of the Bills were originally ordinances promulgated by the governor under Article 213 of the Constitution, and there was no reason for the governor to now refer them to the President. The Supreme Court then in its order had allowed the state governments plea to include this point in the amended application. On Friday, the government, adhering to the Apex Courts earlier order, filed the amended petition and sought appropriate orders in the ongoing tussle between Kerala government and the governor. According to the SC registry, the matter is likely to come up for hearing after January first week when the courts would open after the winter vacation.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The government in its revised plea said that the top court should interpret the phrase as soon as possible in the first proviso to Article 200 of the Constitution on the timeline applicable to the disposal of the Bills presented to the governor. The petition contended that the governors actions were wrong and threaten the basic foundations of our Constitution. In the revised plea, Kerala stated that the governor has kept eight Bills pending. These Bills have been passed by the State Legislature and had been presented to the governor for his assent under Article 200. It pointed out that governor sat on the Bills that were passed by the State Legislature even up to three years. So the SC should pass directions in this regard. It also said in its plea that the SC should declare that the governor failed to exercise his powers and duties under the Constitution through his inaction on the Bills that were presented for his consideration. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
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The Endocrine Society, the world's oldest and largest professional medical society devoted to the study and treatment of hormone-related conditions, applauds Governor Mike Dewine's veto of a proposed Ohio law that would have banned gender-affirming care for minors. The bill he vetoed contradicts mainstream medical practice and scientific evidence and would have taken medical decision-making out of the hands of families and their physicians and instead relied upon government officials.

More than 2,000 scientific studies have examined aspects of gender-affirming care since 1975, including more than 260 studies cited in the Endocrine Society's Clinical Practice Guideline.

Major medical and scientific organizations including the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics are in alignment with the Endocrine Society on the importance of gender-affirming care.

In June, the Endocrine Society worked with other medical societies in American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates to pass a resolution with overwhelming support to protect access to evidence-based gender-affirming care for transgender and gender-diverse individuals. In the resolution, the AMA committed to opposing any criminal and legal penalties against patients seeking gender-affirming care, family members or guardians who support them in seeking medical care, and health care facilities and clinicians who provide gender-affirming care.

Pediatric gender-affirming care is designed to take a conservative approach. When young children experience feelings that their gender identity does not match the sex recorded at birth, the first course of action is to support the child in exploring their gender identity and to provide mental health support, as needed.

Medical intervention is reserved for older adolescents and adults, with treatment plans tailored to the individual and designed to maximize the time teenagers and their families have to make decisions about their transitions.

As Governor DeWine noted, only a small number of Ohio's children would be impacted by the proposed legislation, but it would have profound and even life-threatening consequences for those affected by gender dysphoria. Around 300,000 teenagers ages 13-17 in the United States, or 1.4% of the population, identify as transgender, according to the Williams Institute. An estimated 4,780 adolescents with a diagnosis of gender dysphoria started puberty-delaying medication between 2017 and 2021, according to an analysis performed by Komodo Health Inc for Reuters.

Gender-affirming care can be life saving for a population with high suicide rates. For example, a 2020 study analyzed survey data from 89 transgender adults who had access to puberty-delaying medication while adolescents and data from more than 3,400 transgender adults who did not. The study found that those who received puberty-delaying hormone treatment had lower likelihood of lifetime suicidal ideation than those who wanted puberty-delaying treatment but did not receive it, even after adjusting for demographic variables and level of family support. Approximately nine in ten transgender adults who wanted puberty-delaying treatment, but did not receive it, reported lifetime suicidal ideation.

Medical decisions should be made by patients, their relatives and health care providers, not politicians.
Khaled Khiari (Front), UN assistant secretary-general for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, speaks at a Security Council meeting at the UN headquarters in New York, on Dec. 29, 2023. The UN official on Friday warned of the consequences of the threat posed by Yemen's Houthi militia on maritime navigation in the Red Sea. (Evan Schneider/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)

UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- A UN official on Friday warned of the consequences of the threat posed by Yemen's Houthi militia on maritime navigation in the Red Sea.

"The continued Houthi threat to maritime navigation in the Red Sea is of growing concern. It risks exacerbating regional tensions, and further escalation, and also has potentially grave political, economic, and humanitarian ramifications for millions in Yemen and the region," said Khaled Khiari, UN assistant secretary-general for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific.

This threat also has potential ramifications at a global scale if regional and international shipping and supply chains are adversely impacted by further escalation in the Red Sea, he told the UN Security Council.

The United Nations continues to encourage de-escalation and a cessation of attacks and threats so that traffic through the Red Sea can return to its normal state and the risk of Yemen being dragged into a regional conflagration be avoided, said Khiari.

"The United Nations underscores the importance of ensuring that international law is respected in full in relation to maritime navigation. We appeal to all members of the international community to do everything in their power to use their influence on the relevant parties to prevent an escalation of the situation in the region," he said.

Briefing the Security Council on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, Khiari said the situation in the region is alarming.

In Gaza, Israeli intense ground operations and fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas and others continued in most areas. Hamas and other Palestinian factions continue to fire rockets from Gaza into Israel. Civilians from both sides, particularly in Gaza, continue to bear the brunt of this conflict. The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, he said, reiterating UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' call for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire.

The risk of regional spillover of this conflict with potentially devastating consequences for the entire region remains high given also a multitude of actors involved, he warned.

The continued daily exchanges of fire across the Blue Line between Lebanon and Israel pose a grave risk to regional stability. Increasingly, there have been strikes on civilian areas, with civilian casualties on both sides of the Blue Line, in addition to a rising number of fatalities among combatants. While most of these exchanges have been contained to areas within a few kilometers on either side of the Blue Line, there have been several instances of strikes deeper into the territories of Lebanon and Israel, raising the specter of an uncontained conflict, with potentially devastating consequences for the people of both countries, he said.

Attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria take place now on a daily basis with the United States conducting some airstrikes against groups suspected of these actions in Iraq and Syria. There are also reported Israeli airstrikes inside Syria, he said.

Across the occupied West Bank, heightened tensions between Israeli security forces and Palestinians, intensive violence and widespread movement restrictions have continued, said Khiari.

Recent weeks have seen some of the most intensive Israeli operations in the West Bank since the Second Intifada between 2000 and 2005. Many Palestinian casualties in the occupied West Bank occurred in the context of Israeli operations in Area A, which is under the full civil and security control by the Palestinian Authority, he said.

Since the Hamas attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, 304 Palestinians, including 79 children, have been killed in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Since Oct. 7, four Israelis, including three members of the Israeli forces, have been killed in attacks by Palestinians in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Another four Israelis were killed during an attack by Palestinians in West Jerusalem, he said.

To prevent the recurrence of war and endless cycle of violence, the current hostilities throughout the occupied Palestinian territory must end with a plan to meaningfully advance the parties toward a negotiated solution, he said.

"We must restore a political horizon and move toward the only viable possibility for a peaceful future -- a two-state solution, with Gaza as an integral part of an independent Palestinian state, living side by side with Israel, in peace and security, based on the 1967 lines and with Jerusalem as the capital of both states," said Khiari. 

The UN Security Council holds a meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, at the UN headquarters in New York, on Dec. 29, 2023. Khaled Khiari, UN assistant secretary-general for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, warned of the consequences of the threat posed by Yemen's Houthi militia on maritime navigation in the Red Sea on Friday. (Eskinder Debebe/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)
2023 is about to end in just a few hours, and all of us are already preparing ourselves for entering into the new year, and looking forward to upcoming launches or products that are lined up for 2024. Before we enter into a new year, it would be injustic to not appreciate this year as it has given a massive boost to the auto industry in India, especially the electric two-wheeler segment.

The top manufacturer also has witnessed a great spike in sales, developed some great products, contributed to the segment, and forced Indian customers to give more priority to battery-powered vehicles instead of ICE models. Heres a list of top electric two-wheelers, that made a great entry into the Indian market and turned heads with their futuristic approach.

TVS X

Best known for creating tech-loaded motor cycles, TVS dropped one of the most advanced e-scooters X in India. It was launched at the starting price of Rs 2.50 lakh (ex-showroom). When it made an official entry into the Indian market, some critics slammed the company over the price range. However, later, the vehicle sealed all the mouths after showcasing its actual capabilities.

The vehicle is powered by an 11kW electric motor and a 4.44 kWh battery pack. It offers a top speed of 105 kmph, and is capable of doing 0 to 40 kmph in just 2.6 seconds.

Ola S1 X

The leading e-scooter maker Ola also turned heads this year with the launch of S1 X. It was released at the starting price of Rs Rs 89,999 (ex-showroom, including FAME II subsidy), making it accessible for all the common under budget.

The company introduced it with two battery options  2 kWh and 3 kWh  providing single-charge ranges of 85 km and 90 km, respectively.

Simple Dot One

The segment also has been contributed by a Bengaluru-based electric vehicle startup Simple Energy. The firm launched an entry-level scooter named Dot One. It made an official entry with a sticker price of Rs 1.0 lakh (ex-showroom).

On the powertrain front, it features an 8.5 kW electric motor and a 3.7 kWh battery pack. It has been claimed by the company that Dot One can do a 0-40 kmph acceleration in just 2.77 seconds and comes with a top speed of 105 kmph.
Bank Holidays In January 2024: In January 2024, banks in India will be closed for 16 days. If you need to do urgent banking, make sure to check the holiday dates. Keep in mind that while the physical branches will be closed on these days, you can still use online services such as mobile banking, UPI, and Internet banking without any issues.

Important holidays in Indias banking calendar comprise Republic Day on January 26, Independence Day on August 15, Gandhi Jayanti on October 2, and Christmas on December 25.

Furthermore, banks shut down on particular religious festivals like Diwali, Dussehra, Eid, Ganesh Chaturthi, Buddha Purnima, and more. Its important to mention that the dates of these festivals change each year.

Bank Holidays January 2024

January 01 (Monday)- New Years Day

January 07 (Sunday)

January 11 (Thursday)- Missionary Day (Mizoram)

January 12 (Friday)- Swami Vivekananda Jayanti (West Bengal)

January 13 (Saturday)- Second Saturday

January 14 (Sunday)

January 15 (Monday)- Pongal/Thiruvalluvar Day (Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh)

January 16 (Tuesday)- Tusu Puja (West Bengal and Assam)

January 17 (Wednesday)- Guru Govind Singh Jayanti

January 21 (Sunday)

January 23 (Tuesday)- Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti

January 25 (Thursday)- State Day (Himachal Pradesh)

January 26 (Friday)- Republic Day

January 27 (Saturday)-Fourth Saturday

January 28 (Sunday)

January 31 (Wednesday): Me-Dam-Me-Phi (Assam)

The RBI classifies holidays into three categories: Holidays under the Negotiable Instruments Act, Holidays under the Negotiable Instruments Act and Real-Time Gross Settlement Holiday, and Banks Closing of Accounts.

The majority of bank holidays are consistent throughout India, but there are specific public holidays that vary across states, influenced by local customs and cultures. To determine whether your bank is closed on a particular day, it is recommended to refer to the local guidelines of the state in which you reside.

The occurrence of bank holidays differs among states, contingent on the festivals observed in specific regions. On gazetted holidays, banks will be closed nationwide.
Vodafone Idea Share News Update: On the final trading day of the year, Vodafone Idea shares hit a new 52-week peak, surging nearly 23% on December 29. The telecommunications companys stock soared by 22.6% to reach Rs 16.25 on the NSE. By 3 pm, the shares were still trading close to the days peak, standing at Rs 16.10 per share.

According to reports, the rise in the stock price is attributed to a rumored equity injection by the promoters of the beleaguered telecom company.

Also Read: Year Ender 2023: Small Stocks Give Big Returns To Investors, Lead Bull Run

Over the last six months, Vodafone Idea shares have more than doubled investors wealth, marking a substantial gain of 116.78 percent. In contrast, the Nifty 50, a key benchmark index, has seen a rise of 13.28 percent during the same timeframe.

On December 29, the trading volume for Vodafone Idea was notably elevated at 175 crore shares, surpassing both the one-week average of 26 crore shares and the monthly average of 33 crore shares.

According to a report by Moneycontrol, sources familiar with the ongoing negotiations informed that the unbridled rally in the share price of Vi over the last six months has impeded the eagerly awaited fund infusion into the financially challenged telecom firm.

Although the company had initially set December as the deadline for the fund infusion in recent filings, the surge in stock prices has temporarily disrupted ongoing discussions, as per the sources. The source added, Ironically, the current surge in the companys shares is fueled by expectations of fundraising.

In the quarter ending September, Vodafone Idea reported an expanded loss of Rs 8,737.9 crore, compared to Rs 7,595.5 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. The company disclosed in an exchange filing that its revenue from operations reached Rs 10,716.3 crore, reflecting a 0.95 percent increase from Rs 10,614.6 crore in the same quarter.

As per a CNBC-TV18 report, even with the 85% surge in 2023, none of the analysts covering Vodafone Idea have issued a buy recommendation for the stock. Out of the 15 analysts, 13 have assigned a sell rating, and the remaining two hold a neutral view.
2023 was a year of remarkable highs and unfortunate lows for Indian aviation. This year was a rollercoaster, with record-breaking traffic soaring alongside unfortunate controversies that grabbed headlines. Indian aviation in 2023 hummed with the dual roar of recovery and turbulence. Passenger numbers soared past pre-pandemic heights, fueled by pent-up demand and a resurgent economy. The skies gleamed with mega-orders from Air India and Akasa Air, painting a picture of ambition and growth.

From mega aircraft orders to the chilling urinegate scandal, lets rewind and explore 10 key events that shaped the Indian aviation landscape in 2023.

1. Soaring Traffic: Despite the turbulence, Indian aviation witnessed a historic resurgence in passenger traffic, exceeding pre-pandemic levels. By December, domestic passenger numbers surpassed 2019 figures, marking a strong comeback for the sector.

2. Mega Orders: Air India and Akasa Air made headlines with record-breaking aircraft orders. Air India announced a mammoth purchase of 843 planes from Boeing and Airbus, while Akasa Air placed an order for 72 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. These deals reflect the industrys optimism and growth potential.

3. IndiGo Turns 300: IndiGo, Indias largest airline, reached a major milestone by crossing the 300 aircraft mark in its fleet. This expansion reinforces IndiGos dominance in the domestic market.

4. The Fall of Go First: Once a budget airline competitor, Go First faced financial difficulties and operational disruptions throughout the year. In November, the airline announced a potential shutdown, raising concerns about employee welfare and passenger refunds.

5. Inflight Controversies: Several high-profile incidents, including mid-air alcohol consumption, unruly passengers, and the infamous urinegate scandal, tarnished the image of Indian aviation and sparked debates about passenger behavior and onboard safety regulations.

6. Profitability Returns (Partially): While full recovery is ongoing, several airlines, including IndiGo and SpiceJet, reported profits in the second and third quarters of 2023, indicating a positive financial trend for the industry.

7. We May Close Down: SpiceJets financial struggles and potential shutdown threat in October sent shockwaves through the industry, highlighting the fragility of some airlines and the need for government support.

8. The Order that Never Came: Jet Airways anticipated return, initially slated for early 2023, faced repeated delays due to financial and regulatory hurdles. The airlines comeback remains uncertain.

9. Regional Aviation: A Mixed Bag: While regional connectivity saw some expansion with new airport inaugurations and airline initiatives, the sector still faces challenges due to operational costs and infrastructure limitations.

10. Airbus and Boeing Investments: Both aviation giants reaffirmed their commitment to the Indian market by announcing plans to set up manufacturing facilities and training centers in the country. These investments highlight Indias growing importance in the global aviation landscape.

These events collectively paint a picture of a resilient aviation industry navigating a year of triumphs and tribulations. As the industry looks towards 2024, addressing safety concerns, ensuring financial stability, and fostering regional connectivity will be crucial for sustainable growth.

India is giving a special focus on creating capacity for the countrys fast-growing aviation market, by changing its role from a regulator to a facilitator.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday expressed confidence that students of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University will lead the technology-based era in the country. Pradhan was the chief guest at the 9th convocation of the university in Katra in Jammu and Kashmirs Reasi district and congratulated the students on starting their new journey.

Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha also attended the convocation. He called upon the graduating students to set clear goals in their professional careers, identify problems and face them courageously to build a Viksit Bharat@2047. Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University is a research and design-centric university and I have full confidence that the students of the prestigious institution will lead this technology-based era and become a major contributor to the progress of the society, nation and the world in the times to come, Pradhan said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasised giving priority to competency over degree, the minister asserted. In his address, the Lt Governor asked the students to be patient, pursue their dreams passionately, and capitalise on opportunities to learn new skills.

In the journey of Amrit Kaal, the country needs young consciousness and youthful thinking. Youth will shape the future. The world is changing faster than ever and youth need patience to capitalise on the opportunity to learn new skills, he said. Never stop chasing your dreams and keep walking until you achieve your mission in life, the Lt Governor said.

He asked the graduates to never stop learning and not to be afraid of failures. Talking about life beyond the campus, the Lt Governor said the contemporary areas today offer many opportunities and graduating students should evaluate their skills to execute their goals.
The Congress is prepared to field candidates in 22 of the 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra, sources told News18 following a meeting between party president Mallikarjun Kharge and top state leaders.

The meeting was held on Friday, a day after the grand old party sounded the 2024 poll bugle on its 138th foundation day in Nagpur with Hain Taiyyar Hum (We Are Ready) as its campaign slogan.

At the meeting, Congress leaders from Maharashtra discussed the states current political scenario with Kharge and gave him a presentation on the partys stronghold constituencies. According to sources, some leaders suggested that the Congress should contest 30 seats in the state in Lok Sabha elections, to which another section of leaders asked if the party has identified these many candidates.

One of the top leaders then suggested that the party should contest a maximum of 22 seats where it stands a good chance of winning, sources said.

Party insiders told News18 that the issue of seat-sharing with the Sharad Pawar faction of the NCP and Uddhav Thackerays Shiv Sena-UBT was also discussed. Leaders are said to have pointed to Kharge that neither allies are in complete control of their traditional election symbols following Ajit Pawars rebellion in the NCP and Eknath Shindes split in the Sena.

Since the Congress is the only alliance partner in the trio that can contest on its well-established hand symbol, some leaders explained to Kharge that the Congress would have to compensate on this front for its allies. Sources say Kharge and the state leaders the possibility of exchanging a few seats with the allies depending on the situation in each constituency.

Leaders are also said to have expressed their displeasure at Shiv Sena-UBT leader Sanjay Raut publically announcing that his party wants 23 seats in the Lok Sabha election seat-sharing. Kharge, meanwhile, advised party leaders from Maharashtra not to make any such statements about the alliance or seat sharing.

The Congress high command is scheduled to meet the Shiv Sena-UBT and NCPs Sharad Pawar faction next week to take a call on the seat-sharing formula.

In the 2019 general elections, the Congress had contested 25 seats but won just one seat. The NCP had contested 19 seats and won four, whereas the united Shiv Sena, which was in alliance with the BJP then, contested 23 seats and won 18.

With the clock ticking for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and preparations taking shape for the partys Bharat Nyay Yatra, the Congress is set to hold a series of high-level meetings.

The party has set up a five-member National Alliance Committee to facilitate seat-sharing talks with allies. The committee, formed last week, is headed by senior Congress leader Mukul Wasnik and has Ashok Gehlot, Bhupesh Baghel, Salman Khurshid and Mohan Prakash as its members.

The first meeting of the partys manifesto committee for the general elections, headed by former Union minister P Chidambaram, is scheduled to be held on January 4.

The Bharat Nyay Yatra led by Gandhi will start from Manipur in the east on January 14 and conclude in Mumbai in western India in March. It will cover 14 states and 85 districts.

The march will traverse through Manipur, Nagaland, Assam, Meghalaya, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra. Leaders from other INDIA bloc parties are also expected to join the yatra, though the plans are yet to be finalised.
Once again, the Sunburn Festival is in the news for all the wrong reasons. It is alleged that organisers used the image of Lord Shiva inappropriately in the festival which was held in Goa from December 28 to 31. Another accusation levelled against the festival claims that two girls were taken into an ambulance from the festival due to some unknown reasons.

Aam Aadmi Party Goa President, Amit Palekar posted about the festival on the microblogging site, X claiming that Lord Shivas pictures were used in a derogatory manner in the famous electronic dance music festival.

In his post, he claimed that people were drinking alcohol and were dancing to loud music with an image of Lord Shiva flashing on the screen. He added that this step of organisers has hurt his Sanatan Dharma.

People drinking alcohol and dancing to loud music and my lord Shivas pics used in a derogatory manner flashing on screen at EDM Festival hurts my Sanatan Dharma @DrPramodPSawant and you should immediately register FIR against @SunburnFestival for using my god for the festival which pic.twitter.com/KLOieJVtVy Amit Palekar (@AmitPalekar10) December 29, 2023

The AAP leader stated that since the integrity of Sanatan Dharma was jeopardized, he has urged that the government take appropriate action.

It is improper to utilize our God for the sake of an EDM festival where alcohol is served, he said adding that he had called the director general of police and demanded that an offense against the Sunburn festival organizers be registered.

Congress has also demanded action against the organisers of the Sunburn EDM festival. A Congress leader Vijay Bhike has filed a police complaint at Mapusa against the organisers of Sunburn on Friday night.

Bhike complained to the Mapusa police station, contending that the organizers had deliberately offended Hindu religious sentiments by highlighting that Lord Shiva condones alcohol consumption, the use of prohibited substances, and any other illegal activity that occurs during the event.

A senior law enforcement official stated that they are currently investigating a complaint that they received from Congress.

The Goa festival also witnessed some scenes of stealing high-end mobile phones worth Rs 25 lakh. However, the Goa police on Saturday arrested seven members of a gang, all hailing from Mumbai for the crime.

The police have seized 29 mobile phones of different brands, which the accused stole from concertgoers during the three-day festival, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Mapusa) Jivba Dalvi said.

The Anjuna police were already prepared for such incidents and policemen in plain clothes were deployed at the venue to keep a watch on such elements, the official said.

Also, the police arrested five persons employed by the organisers for allegedly stealing passes worth Rs 82 lakh and attempting to sell them.

The organisers had approached the police with a complaint about the theft, following which the arrests were made, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Mapusa) Jivba Dalvi said.

(with inputs from PTI)
We are all very excited with this new, destination on our network, stated Aloke Singh, MD of Air India Express and Air Asia India, following the inaugural flight of Ayodhya. We have consistently sought out chances to grow the network. We think that Ayodhya is a fantastic fit for our network, said Singh.

It is becoming more and more popular, not only for religious and pilgrimage travel, but also, I believe, for the source market it serves. The new India is this. It has a very lofty goal. People are searching for possibilities to travel and socialize, and this is precisely the market niche we wish to target and penetrate, he continued.
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs declared Lakhbir Singh Landa, Canada-based gangster and member of the Khalistani group Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), as a terrorist.

As per a notification by MHA, the 33-year-old gangster was involved in the rocket propelled grenade attack on the building of Public Health Intelligence Headquarter at Punjabs Mohali in 2021 and several other terrorist activities.

The release further said, Lakhbir Singh Landa son, of Niranjan Singh and Parminder Kaur, born on 24.08.1989, having permanent residence at VPO Harike, District Tarn Taran, Punjab and presently residing in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada belongs to Babbar Khalsa International; is listed as a terrorist organisation at serial number 1 of the First Schedule to the said Act.

Landa backed by cross border agency was involved in the terror attack through shoulder mounted Rocket Propelled Grenade on the building of Punjab State Intelligence Headquarter at Mohali and has been involved in supply of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), arms, sophisticated weapons, explosives from across the border to various modules for carrying out terrorist activities in the Punjab, the release added.

Declaring the Canada-based gangster as a terrorist, the government statement stated, And whereas, an open ended warrant has been issued against Landa and a Look Out Circular was issued on June 9, 2021 And whereas, the Central government believes that Landa is involved in terrorism and he is to be added as a terrorist.

WHO IS LAKHBIR SINGH SANDHU ALIAS LANDA?
An e-rickshaw driver died in west Delhis Mayapuri area on Saturday after his vehicle was allegedly hit by a car driven by a drunk officer of the Delhi Police. After the accident, locals held a protest outside Mayapuri police station and blocked the road, demanding action against the officer, officials said.

According to a police officer, Sagarpur resident Amit Jha was critically injured in the accident and admitted in the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, where he died during treatment. The errant driver Mukesh Kumar was under the influence of alcohol. He is posted with the Delhi Traffic Police unit and lives in the Mayapuri police station barrack, the officer said.

A case was registered against Kumar under sections 279 (rash driving), 337 (causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) and 304A (causing death by negligence) of the Indian Penal Code. Kumar underwent a medical examination and was arrested, said an officer, adding his traffic unit has been informed for further action.
YANGON, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar's foreign direct investment (FDI) declined year-on-year, with 587.242 million U.S. dollars attracted in the first eight months of the 2023-24 fiscal year, according to the Directorate of Investment and Company Administration (DICA) on Saturday.

The Southeast Asian country attracted more than 1.45 billion dollars in the same period of the previous fiscal year 2022-23, the DICA's figures showed.

From April 1 to Nov. 30 this year, the Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC) approved 45 foreign investment enterprises, the DICA said.

During the eight-month period, the power sector attracted the most foreign investment with capital of over 374 million dollars, followed by the manufacturing sector with over 102 million dollars and the transport and communication sector with over 77 million dollars, it said.

Singapore, China and Thailand are the largest investors in Myanmar during the period, the DICA data showed. 
In yet another incident of Vandalism by Pro-Kannada activists, banners in front of Bengalurus Gopalan Arcade Mall were ripped down by a member of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike on Friday night.

The pro-Kannada activist, who came to the mall in an auto rickshaw, ripped down all the advertisement banners infront of the mall using a screwdriver and warned the mall authorities of dire consequences if the 60:40 Kannada rule is not implemented.

What is 60:40 Rule?

In a bid to preserve and promote the Kannada language, the Congress-led Karnataka government recently announced the mandatory use of 60 percent Kannada characters on nameplates and signboards of commercial shops in Bengaluru.

Since the governments announcement, the state is witnessing violence with pro-Kannada activists vandalising signboards and hoardings of business establishments that were in English.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday said that the state government has decided that businesses across the state should have 60 percent space on signboards and nameplates in Kannada. He further directed shop owners to make the change by February 28, 2024.

Announcing the decision, Siddaramaih added that an ordinance will be brought to ensure the implementation of the 60:40 rule in the state.
A Manipur Police commando was injured in a severe gunfire exchange between suspected gunmen and security personnel in Moreh, Tengnoupal district, at about 3:50 p.m. on Saturday, according to officials.

As police trucks were moving from the border town of Moreh towards the Key Location Point (KLP), witnesses reported that the gunmen targeted them, injuring the commando.

An officer confirmed to news agency, PTI, One commando sustained shrapnel injuries when they came under attack while crossing the M Chahnou village section of Imphal-Moreh road.

Officials stated that the wounded commando is Ponkhalung of 5 IRB and that he is presently undergoing treatment at the 5 Assam Rifles camp.

Police said, Unidentified gunmen fired shots and threw bombs at the commando team of Moreh at Chikim Veng, Moreh Ward No. 9 in Tengnoupal district. The incident occurred while Manipur police commandos were conducting routine reconnaissance in the area.

Police said, Initially, two bombs exploded, followed by 350 to 400 rounds of fire.

News agency sources claimed that gunfire was still going on close to M Chahnou hamlet and the New Moreh entrance gate. Two houses in Moreh were also set on fire, sources added.

Earlier on the day, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh appealed to all sections of society to shun violence and engage in dialogue to restore peace in the northeastern state.

He denounced the murder of a village guard in Kadangband, Imphal West district, by unknown assailants, saying that bad forces were trying to disturb the tranquility.

Addressing a press conference at the CMs secretariat, Singh said, Lets abandon violence, come to the negotiating table, and initiate a dialogue to restore normalcy.

He said that security forces had started combing the area in an attempt to find the village guards killers and that investigations were still ongoing.

The chief minister gave the assurance that the government apparatus and civil society groups were pursuing peace in the valley and the hills.

Unknown persons assassinated a village guard named Jamesbond Ningombam in Kadangband around 3.30 a.m. Police stated the attack was carried out by suspected militants from a nearby hill.

Ningombams body was taken to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences for post-mortem examination.

Situated on the periphery of Imphal West district, Kadangband is bordered by Kangpokpi district, which has been plagued by persistent violence since the start of ethnic conflict on May 3.

(with PTI inputs)
The world is moving ahead at breakneck speed. In 2023 we have had one more war that is roiling geopolitics and upending the global order as we knew it. We have the Israel-Hamas war, which may have started as a limited operation to teach the Palestinian outfit a lesson but now seems to be unsettling the wider Arab world. This was on top of the other war that has been ravaging the world for close to two years now: the Russia-Ukraine conflict. In that war, it is almost dead certain that Ukraine cannot win from this point. It will have to make peace with the 20 per cent or so of its territory which it has lost to Russia since the war began in February 2022. So what is likely to happen in 2024? What are going to be the five big broad trends in global policy? Heres a lowdown.

Elections, elections, elections

There are going to be more elections in 2024 than in many years past. In 2024, some of the worlds biggest democracies will be going to the polls. From America to India to even the tiny island of Taiwan, 2024 will see more than 4 billion people of the world competing to elect governments in their respective countries.

In the subcontinent, there will be elections in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. It could well reshape the politics of the subcontinent. Depending on who wins in Pakistan, there could be a revival of thaw between New Delhi and Islamabad. The military establishment seems to be backing Nawaz Sharif who has historically encouraged better ties with India. In Bangladesh, most likely Sheikh Hasina will return as Prime Minister. While that is good news for New Delhi because the Awami League has largely been seen as a pro-India party, her government is facing considerable pressure from the US and international bodies for jailing political opponents and facing accusations of muzzling free and fair elections in the country.

Later in the year, there will be elections in America, in what is likely to be a straight fight, a repeat of 2020: Joe Biden versus Donald Trump. But their roles will be reversed. In 2024 Trump will be the challenger and Biden the incumbent. Will the results also be reversed? As things stand today, Trump leads Biden in all seven swing states by anywhere between 2 to 5 percentage points.

Return of Trump 2.0

If elections were to be held today, Trump would beat Biden hands down. It could be likelier a bigger victory for Trump than his first win in 2016 against Hillary Clinton. But then one year is a long time in politics.

Anything can happen, from Trump being convicted in the many, many legal cases hes faced with. Bidens ill health may also change the campaign if he decides to withdraw or if unforeseen health circumstances force him to withdraw from the race. But if Trump were to be elected again, he could upend everything from the Russia-Ukraine war to the war in Gaza. If Trump were to win, he would likely dump Ukraine and cement Russias de facto control of 20 per cent of Ukrainian territory. He will also likely put more pressure on Zelenskyy to accept a peace deal with Russia. In the case of Israel, he could give a free pass to Netanyahu to double down on the war effort. This would mean that an embattled Israeli Prime Minister will be emboldened to go after Hamas with even more severity. This could further drive a wedge between Israel and its Arab neighbours. The process of normalisation between Israel and Saudi Arabia will have to be put in cold storage. US relations with the Latin American comity of nations will be severely strained as Trump will make migration one of his top priorities.

Fate of two wars

While the worlds gaze has been utterly shocked by the Israel-Hamas war, it is unlikely to end anytime soon. Israels stated goal is to completely destroy Hamas. While that may be possible militarily, it might not be easy to find a likely replacement to fill the power void in Gaza. America and its European partners want Hamas to be replaced with the Palestinian Authority in a post-war Gaza.

But Netanyahu will have none of it. He feels emboldened that this war will give him the latitude to bury the two-state solution once and for all. This, of course, will not be allowed by America or the Arab world. It is likely that in 2024, once the military part of this war is over, Netanyahu will be replaced, either with main opposition leader Benny Gantz or with the more middle-of-the-road Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. But it is unlikely that Netanyahu can cling on to power through much of 2024, once the war is over.

The Russia-Ukraine war on the other hand is grinding into a slow stalemate. Ukraines famed counter-offensive in 2023 came a cropper. They were not able to repel Russian troops from the eastern parts of Ukraine. Russian defences proved to be far more resilient than anticipated. Russia is now firmly entrenched in the Donbas and is unlikely to give up this territory. With this, Russia moves closer to its objective of establishing a buffer state between itself and an ever-expanding NATO. A battered Zelenskyy returned empty-handed from a year-end visit to the White House and Capitol Hill. It is unlikely that Republicans will give any more funds to Ukraine, partially because much of the funding effort has shifted to Israel. Also, this is their way of putting pressure on Biden to crack down on the southern border problem and illegal immigration. If Trump gets elected to the White House, then funding for Ukraine will almost totally stop. This would add pressure on Ukraine to forcibly sit across the table with Russia and negotiate a cold peace.

Asia in focus

The geopolitical tensions between the US and China are likely to exacerbate. Irrespective of who wins the White House, tensions between Washington and Beijing are likely to escalate as anti-China rhetoric starts dominating the campaign trail. Neither Trump nor Biden would want to be seen as reconciliatory towards China. Hawkish anti-China rhetoric plays well with the once-industrial belt in the Midwest. Those also happen to form a bulk of the swing states which ultimately decide who wins the Presidential election. There are also elections in Taiwan, the small island nation, which China claims as its own. If the leading candidate, DPPs William Lai, wins, it will lead to further tensions with Beijing. The DPP wants complete independence and does not recognise Beijings claims. But if the more conciliatory candidate of the KMT wins, then Beijing might stop interfering. In any case, expect more military muscle flexing by China in the run-up to the Taiwan polls. China will also likely test other nations in the Asia Pacific with whom it has a troubled relationship.

Of notable interest will be the Philippines and India, both of which have shown a willingness to push back.

New energy and artificial intelligence

There used to be a time when oil and gas controlled geopolitics. What else explains the oversize power of mid-sized economies in the Gulf like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar? But in an all-electric world dominated by the likes of Tesla and BYD, oil and gas are fast going to lose relevance. What is going to gain relevance in their place are rare earth minerals like lithium and nickel. These are required to manufacture semiconductors and clean batteries. Whoever controls the supply chains of these rare earths will control global geopolitics. Similarly, AI will completely start taking over in 2024. Notwithstanding the drama around OpenAI founders being kicked out and then brought back, the debate over human intelligence and jobs losing out to artificial intelligence will continue to exacerbate in 2024. There could also be the negative effects of AI with election meddling and deepfakes of celebrities. A lot of old jobs will quickly become redundant and a lot of new ones will be created. But will our economies be attuned to produce engineers and doctors and researchers who are cut out for the jobs of 2024 and not 2004?
One of the key pillars of development of the Narendra Modi government is the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN), aiming to provide support to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) by ensuring the saturation of their households and settlements with essential amenities.

The scheme was inaugurated with a total budget of Rs 24,104 crore, focusing on 11 critical interventions through nine line ministries.

An allocation of Rs 15,000 crore has been earmarked to implement the mission over the next three years.

clean drinking water

This mission is enhancing the socio-economic conditions of particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs) by ensuring the saturation of PVTG families and settlements with essential amenities. These include secure housing, access toand sanitation, improved educational and healthcare services, enhanced nutrition, better road and telecom connectivity, and sustainable livelihood opportunities.

The Ministry of Ayush is set to establish Ayush Wellness Centres as per existing norms, extending Ayush facilities to PVTG habitations through mobile medical units.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship will play a pivotal role in facilitating skill and vocational training in PVTG habitations, multi-purpose centres, and hostels, aligning with the specific skills of these communities.

The mission is allocated a budget of Rs. 15,000 crore from the Development Action Plan for the Scheduled Tribes, intended for activities to be implemented over the next three years under this initiative.

India has an ST population of 10.45 crore as per the 2011 census, out of which 75 communities located in 18 States and the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands have been categorised as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). These PVTGs continue to face vulnerability in social, economic and educational fields.
Chants of Jai Shri Ram echoed as passengers alighted from the inaugural flight, which took off from Delhi, at the newly constructed Maharishi Valmiki International Airport in Ayodhya on Saturday. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the airport and held a grand roadshow during his visit to the new-look temple town in Uttar Pradesh, where the idol of Ram will be consecrated in a ceremony on January 22.

#WATCH | Ayodhya, UP: The first flight that took off from Delhi for the newly constructed Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, landed at Ayodhya Airport; passengers deboard the plane. pic.twitter.com/Va1vZR3N6x ANI (@ANI) December 30, 2023

This place is holy and sacred. This is Lord Rams place, there is no other place which is as holy as thisthose who have taken birth here are very luckyI cant express my happiness Baskar Shukla, one of the passengers on the flight, told news agency ANI.

Passengers chanted mantras, recited Hanuman Chalisa, sang bhajans

Not only this, the IndiGo pilot Ashutosh Shekhar also chanted Jai Shri Ram on the aircrafts public announcement system when it took off from Delhi. Addressing the passengers, he said he felt fortunate that his company entrusted him with the responsibility to fly the first flight to Ayodhya.

He introduced his co-pilot Nikhil Bakshi and cabin in-charge Kirti to the flyers. While Shekhar was addressing the passengers, his wife Sweta Ranjan recorded this memorable event on her mobile phone. It was a lifetime experience, Ranjan told PTI.

Passengers chanted mantras, recited Hanuman Chalisa and sang bhajans throughout the journey from Delhi to Ayodhya. The whole atmosphere in the cabin was spiritual, she added.

Talking about the passengers, Ranjan said they were dressed in saffron outfits and many of them tied saffron headgear. They were carrying gangajal, incense sticks, flowers and sweets. Some of them even carried saffron flags with Jai Shri Ram, Om or Swastika on them, Ranjan said, adding that the atmosphere was almost the same when the flight was returning to Delhi with devotees.

Union minister VK Singh also travelled in the return flight. The inaugural flight started at 2.40 pm and landed in Ayodhya at 4 pm. On the return journey, the flight took off at 4.40 pm and reached Delhi at 5.55 in the evening.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Ayodhya on Saturday to inaugurate a redeveloped railway station and an airport. He also conducted a roadshow covering a distance of about 15 km between the airport and the railway station and passing through Dharam Path, Lata Mangeshkar Chowk, Ram Path, Tedhi Bazaar and Mohabra intersection.

Several people flocked in large numbers, while cheering and showering flowers for the Prime Minister as his convoy crossed the road.

#WATCH | People shower flower petals on Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he holds a roadshow in Ayodhya, Uttar PradeshPM Modi will inaugurate the Maharishi Valmiki International Airport Ayodhya Dham, redeveloped Ayodhya Dham Railway Station, and flag off new Amrit Bharat pic.twitter.com/b53mxsHFml  ANI (@ANI) December 30, 2023

During the roadshow, PM Modi and greeted people who had gathered along its route from the airport to the railway station.

The prime minister witnessed performances by cultural troupes along his roadshows route, and at one point, opened the door his vehicle to wave at them.

Among the ones who greeted him by showering flowers, was former Babri Petitioner Iqbal Ansari.

Babri petitioner Iqbal Ansari throws flowers on PM Narendra Modi to welcome in Ayodhya. pic.twitter.com/2ozZPNenlD News Arena India (@NewsArenaIndia) December 30, 2023

Besides the inaugurations, Modi also flagged off new Amrit Bharat and Vande Bharat trains as well as dedicated railway projects to the nation.

Modi also participated in a public programme where he inaugurated and laid the foundation stones of development projects worth more than Rs 15,700 crore for Uttar Pradesh.

These include projects worth about Rs 11,100 crore for the development of ayodhya and its surrounding areas, and projects worth about Rs 4,600 crore related to other works across Uttar Pradesh

The prime minister was welcomed to the state by Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath.

In a post on X, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, Hearty welcome and greetings to respected Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji in Shri Ayodhya Dham
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday called Ayodhyas infrastructural development as Pragrati Ka Utsav and said there was a time when Lord Ram was virajman under a tent shade and now, not only Ram Lalla, but also 4 crore needy people have got a permanent pucca house.

Be it any country in the world, if a country wants to touch developmental heights, it is very important for it to preserve its heritage. And our heritage inspires us, shows us right path and it is for the same reason todays India is a blend of old and new India and is moving along, PM Modi said while addressing a gathering after laying the foundation of the development projects in the temple town.

There was a time when in Ayodhya, Ram Lalla was virajman in the tent and today pucca ghar sirf Ram lala ko hi nahi balki desh ke 4 crore gareebo ko bhi mila hai (today not only lord Ram, other 4 crores needy also gets a pucca house), the Prime Minister said.

PM Modi was on his visit to Ayodhya where he inaugurated the newly re-developed Ayodhya Junction, and newly established Maharishi Valmiki International Airport and laid the foundation of the development projects worth more than Rs 15000 crores.

He said the entire world is waiting for January 22, when Ayodhya would witness the historic moment. I am thankful to Ayodhya wasis for showing so much love and gratitude towards us during the road show in which it seemed that the entire Ayodhya descended on the streets. The excitement among people of Ayodhya for January 22 is quite natural, said PM Modi, stating that on January 22, 2024 Ayodhya would see Parampara Ka Utsav.

Besides, the PM also called December 30, a historical day, stating that it was on December 30, 1943, when Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose announced independence in Andaman by unfurling the Indian national flag. And today on this very day we are taking forward the Viksit Bharat Abhiyan, he added.

He urged people to illuminate their homes with special diyas, termed Shri Ram Jyoti, to commemorate the day as a symbolic Deepawali.

UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in his address said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is here to inaugurate new Ayodhya. The UP CM said the development of Ayodhya is a part of the PMs promise to transform Ayodhya into the worlds most beautiful city.

And the grand welcome which PM Modi got on his visit to Ayodhya gives us a glimpse of new Ayodhya, said UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath while addressing the gathering at a public rally organized during the PMs visit to Ayodhya on Saturday.

He expressed heartfelt gratitude for the substantial projects, amounting to thousands of crores, dedicated to the development of both Uttar Pradesh and Ayodhya. The Chief Minister presented the Prime Minister with a statue of Bal Ramlala during the program and said that Ayodhya is connected to excellent four-lane, six-lane and eight-lane roads, which he said would be inaugurated in the days to come.

Besides, UP CM also highlighted the commendable railway infrastructure, including the introduction of a new railway station, the launch of the Vande Bharat train, and the introduction of two new Amrit Bharat trains.

The Prime Minister also initiated a programme to link Lord Rams birthplace in Ayodhya to Mata Sitas birthplace in Sitramarhi. While Lord Ram is believed to have arrived in Ayodhya by Pushpak Viman during the Treta Yug, the Prime Minister today gave the gift of an international airport to the people of Ayodhya, the CM said.

UP Governor Anandi Ben Patel, Union ministers Ashwini Vaishnav, Jyotiraditya Scindia and VK Singh, UP Deputy chief ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, BJP state president Chaudhary Bhupendra Singh, UP Minister Surya Pratap Shahi, Jitin Prasad and others were present on the occasion.
As individuals increasingly turn to a one-stop Google search for various queries and solutions, the search engine has become an indispensable tool for tasks ranging from finding restaurants to staying updated on the latest trends. Google serves as a trusted source even for more sensitive topics, such as questions related to ones sex life or precautions.

In situations where individuals may feel hesitant to ask such questions to friends or doctors, Google offers a confidential avenue for obtaining the needed information. As the year concludes, Google has unveiled the top-searched sex questions in 2023, reflecting the diverse queries users seek answers to.

According to a report in Cosmopolitan, Google revealed the 2023 list and the top question is What is the speed bump position? This term gained popularity after a contestant on the reality programme Love Island mentioned it during the show. Reality star Tom Clare surprised fans by declaring it as his favourite sex position, leading to a significant increase in searches to understand its meaning. According to the report, the speed bump position involves placing a pillow under a persons hips as they lie face down.

The second-most asked question revolved around individuals seeking information on whether it is safe to have sex during pregnancy. According to the NHS, engaging in intercourse does not pose harm to the baby, and it is generally considered safe unless otherwise advised by a doctor. The Australian parenting website Raising Children reassures individuals, stating, You might worry that sex will harm the baby. But your baby is well protected and sealed off in the amniotic sac, so you cant hurt your baby by having sex.

Additionally, individuals sought information on the concept of sex positivity. Moreover, another common query was related to concerns about sexual health, particularly why some individuals might experience bleeding after sex. Reports indicate that minor spotting after intercourse can be attributed to factors such as skin irritation or vaginal dryness.

Among the frequently asked questions, individuals were curious about various topics, including:
You know its going to be a Sonam Kapoor moment when she accepts a fashion event invite.

Over the years, Sonam has been effortlessly reigning the international and Indian fashion scene with her style quotient. A powerhouse of luxury and fashion-forward styles, each ensemble adorned by Sonam has celebrated a heady mix of Indian and International fashion designers and brands.

But thats not even the best part, its the exceptional styling of each garment that perfectly blends and compliments Sonams charisma, thus making it a masterpiece. Sonams biggest support when it comes to style has always been her sister, producer and celebrity stylist Rhea Kapoor.

As always, Rhea and her style team including Manisha Melwani, Abhilasha Devnani, Niyati Gogri, Bidipto Das, Prabh Malait, Vikar Rattu, Sanya Kapoor and Diptee Agarwal have been simply extraordinary with their vision for Sonam. This year also saw celebrity stylist Nikhil Mansata style Sonam at one of the actors biggest moments in 2023.

Every curated ensemble for Sonam has been a celebration of the designers craft and craftsmanship. Sonam is one of the few stars who has taken India global through fashion and has won hearts in the process. For instance, in May, Sonam Kapoor created history at the Coronation Concert held for King Charles III at Windsor Castle, to commemorate the historical ceremony declaring him as the 40th monarch of Britain.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sonam A Kapoor (@sonamkapoor)

Her floor-length custom dress designed by Indian couturier Anamika Khanna and UK-based designer Emilia Wickstead, was a beautiful amalgamation of modern design and traditional Indian craft. As Sonam said in her caption, when she posted a series of her images in the divine dress, she wrote: Historic moments call for fashion moments. Im honored to mark the unforgettable occasion of the #Coronationconcert by wearing the collaborative vision of two of the most incredible designers from the two countries Im lucky to call home...

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sonam A Kapoor (@sonamkapoor)

Another iconic moment, celebrating and representing India in the UK was when Sonam draped a gorgeous custom Rohit Bal saree at Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks UK-India Week 2023 reception hosted at 10 Downing Street. Blooming with pride, Sonams mint green printed saree was enhanced with botanical prints that added a vibrant hue to the overall look. Giving a modern touch to the six yards of sheer elegance, Sonam paired the drape with a long ivory jacket featuring red floral motifs.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sonam A Kapoor (@sonamkapoor)

We love the fact that Sonam doesnt limit herself to just one style or follow trends to fit in. She embraces fashion from all corners and dares to explore it without any inhibitions. Her confidence and I own my vibe attitude has made her one of the most exclusive global luxury fashion influencers in the world.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sonam A Kapoor (@sonamkapoor)

Though we love a luxurious western silhouette on Sonam be it Burberrys signature ensemble, Maison Valentinos divine white kaftan dress, Alexander McQueens magical blue off-shoulder statement piece or Tamara Ralph pearl encrusted flexible cage skirt, nothing looks more stunning than Sonam in a handcrafted Indian silhouette.

Remember the gajji silk lehenga featuring 20 unique individual panels spanning 25 years of designer duo Abu Jani Sandeep Khoslas history? The hand-embroidered panels featured zardozi, resham, vasli, marodi and tikki in a multitude of floral and Moghul motifs. Sonam looked ethereal in the ensemble which also featured a vasli and Swarovski corset and a silk tissue throw hand embroidered in gold and silver work.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sonam A Kapoor (@sonamkapoor)

Wherever there is a saree, there will be Sonam. Be it festivals or red carpet events, the saree has always been an integral part of her style quotient. The unconventional yet versatile Anavila striped linen hand-woven saree with goonda flowers blooming from the border floral or JJ Valayas bespoke georgette saree draped under a customised silk dupion jacket with a jewelled cummerbund, each drape has celebrated Sonams love for sarees. Recently, for the Elle India awards, Sonam adorned a sari-inspired Rick Owens outfit and styled it with a pair of gloves and an oversized jacket. Only Sonam can make a saree look cool and sexy at the same time.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sonam A Kapoor (@sonamkapoor)

In one of her earlier posts on Instagram in 2023, Sonam quoted Franz Kafka which read as I never wish to be easily defined. Id rather float over other peoples minds as something strictly fluid and non-perceivable; more like a transparent, paradoxically iridescent creature rather than an actual persona

While we totally get who she wanted to be in 2023, we are so looking forward to what she has planned for 2024
Bollywood actor Aamir Khan recently shot for an exciting project. As he finished wrapping the last work day of 2023, photographer Avinash Gowarikar dropped in a black and white photograph of the actor smoking a pipe, as a part of his #PostPackUp series. Sharing the photo, he wrote, The last #PostPackUpShot of 2023 after an exhausting shoot with my one & only Amerikhan!! Nothing he does is run of the mill Something crazzzy coming up soon!!

Have a look at the photo:

Meanwhile on the personal front, Aamir Khans daughter Ira is all set to get married on January 3. She will be marrying her long time boyfriend Nupur Shikhare. A source close to News18, shared exclusively, The Khan family is elated as theyre going to start the new year with a bang. Ira and Nupur will get married on January 3 at Bandras plush Taj Lands End hotel. Following that, there will be two reception parties that will take place  one in Delhi and the other in Jaipur  between January 6 and 10.

We have also learnt that Aamir is particularly excited to get his daughter married and has personally been making calls to his friends and peers in B-town to grace the wedding and bless the couple. Most actors arent in town due to the holiday season. But be assured that its going to be a star-studded affair. Those who wont be able to make it to their big day will be a part of the reception in Jaipur, adds the source.

And to honour Nupurs roots, the lovebirds will have a Maharashtrian wedding. Our source also tells us that most of the jewellery shopping happened from a popular store in Matunga, which is known for their traditional pieces and designs. The food menu, however, will boast of an eclectic spread.

For the unversed, Ira and Nupur reportedly met during the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020 when she moved into her fathers house. Nupur is a trainer by profession and their relationship was just limited to helping her with fitness initially but soon, loved blossomed between the two over some deep conversations.

Speaking with News18 India a while back, Aamir praised his soon-to-be son-in-law and said, He is a lovely boy. When Ira was battling depression, he was with her. He is really someone who has stood by her and emotionally supported her They are so happy together. They are very well connected, they really look after each other and care for each other. This might be a filmy dialogue but I feel Nupur is like a son. Nupur is such a fine boy, we really feel hes part of the family and his mother, Pritam ji, is someone who is already a part of our family.

He further continued, Main toh bada emotional hota hoon bhai, uss din main bahut rone waala hoon, yeh toh tay hai. Discussions have already begun in the family that Aamir ko sambaalna uss din because Im very emotional. I cant control my smile nor my tears.
DAMASCUS, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian Foreign Ministry on Friday denounced the continuous Israeli attacks on Syrian territory and urged decisive measures from the United Nations Security Council to put an end to these assaults.

The ministry said in a statement that the repeated attacks included the two Israeli missile strikes that targeted military sites in Damascus on Thursday night and after midnight.

The ministry did not provide specific details about the nature and scale of the Israeli assaults but called on the UN Security Council to intervene to end what it perceives as a violation of Syria's territorial integrity.

A day earlier, Israel carried out two attacks on Syrian sites.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said Friday that Israel conducted two rounds of airstrikes within two hours before and after midnight on Thursday-Friday. The first round targeted the area of Damascus International Airport and the second one targeted an area between Babila and Zahira neighborhoods south of Damascus.

The Britain-based war monitor said 11 members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) were killed in one of the strikes.

The previous Israeli attack in Syria on Monday evening killed Seyyed Razi Mousavi, who was also one of the longest-serving advisers of the IRGC in Syria and a close associate of the late Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani, who was assassinated by a U.S. drone attack in Iraq in 2020.

The attacks conducted by Israeli forces had reportedly targeted military sites suspected of harboring Iranian-backed militias, arms convoys, and alleged weapons storage facilities, the war monitor said.

Israel has recently increased its attacks on Syrian targets in tandem with its military campaign in the Gaza Strip.

Syria has been engulfed in an over 12-year civil war, with the government forces of President Bashar al-Assad, backed by Russia and Iran, fighting against various opposition groups.

Israel, on the other hand, has a long-standing policy of preventing Iran from establishing a military presence in Syria by repeatedly conducting airstrikes to destroy alleged Iranian weapons supplies. 
Ed Skrein has opened up on his equation with his Rebel Moon co-star Michiel Huisman. The two talented actors play important roles in this Zack Synder directorial released in the US theatres on December 21. While Skrein plays the role of an oppressive soldier Atticus Noble, Huisman essays the character of a farmer named Gunnar who is pitted against Noble. Interestingly, both Skrein and Huisman played the part of Daario Naharis in the now-concluded HBO series Game Of Thrones with Huisman replacing Skrein after a few seasons. Now, in a recent interview, Skrein has shared his bonding moment with Huisman over their shared characters during Rebel Moons shoot.

In an interaction with The Hollywood Reporter, Ed Skrein revealed that he shares a good camaraderie with Michiel Huisman, admitting that they hit off well on the sets of Rebel Moon. Skrein added that when he departed from Game Of Thrones and Huisman stepped in his place, he had no hard feelings. Skrein claimed there was a good understanding between them and the entire situation. Speaking to the interviewer, Skrein said that he had a pretty normal conversation with Huisman during their first encounter. We got on really well from the beginning, actually. It was really nice. So there were no awkward standoffs with him or anyone in the cast, he said.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rebel Moon (@rebelmoon)

Ed Skrein continued that Michiel Huisman was a really good dude and he loved hanging out with the latter on the sets. I also loved training with him in the gym and going on this press tour with him, so its been really nice. If I think of him as any character, its Gunnar from Rebel Moon, he added.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Michiel Huisman (@michielhuisman)

When discussing their Game Of Thrones replacement, Ed Skrein admitted that both he and Michiel Huisman were well aware of the dynamics of their profession. In a way, it helped the duo to relate to one anothers point of view. Skrein explained that their jobs demanded that they keep a positive attitude and be nice to everyone. People will replace me in the future and I will replace other people in the future, and Ill be a gentleman about it at all times. And I think Michiel will be, too, he concluded, refuting any possible speculations that the duo have bad blood between them.

Ed Skrein made his Games Of Throne debut in the 3rd season. His tenure ended in season 4 with Michiel Huisman playing the part till season 6.
Gary Oldman recently opened up about his role in the Harry Potter film franchise during an appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast with Josh Horowitz. The Academy Award-winning actor, known for playing Sirius Black, criticised his performance in the movies and called it mediocre." Oldman, who entered the wizarding world as Harrys godfather in 2004s Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and continued The Order of the Phoenix, regretted not reading JK Rowlings original novels to prepare for his role, unlike his late co-star Alan Rickman, who played Severus Snape.

He said, I think my work in it is mediocre. I dont know, maybe if I had read the books like Alan, Id got ahead of the curve. If I had known whats coming, I honestly think I would have played it differently. Thats just my own my wife says you know dont be ridiculous but she often does." He added, They killed me off too early, Im still upset about that and we were all taking bets, its Hagrid and I was there going no no no no, its going to be maybe, its wrong maybe and then you kind of open the script and you go its me. Im out of here."

Further in the interview, Gary Oldman discussed a challenging scene from one of the Harry Potter movies where he played dead by a frozen lake for weeks. He remembered the lengthy filming process, which would have been completed within a two-day shoot, but the production team stretched this particular scene for weeks. Oldman revealed that the studio constructed a frozen lake set for the sequence, which required the actor to lie motionless for long hours. He felt discomfort and mentioned the team would provide him with hot water bottles and pillows to bear the long working hours.

Meanwhile, the Hollywood star credited the Harry Potter and Batman film franchises for reviving his career and personal life during a challenging period. Struggling to secure acting roles before landing the parts of Sirius Black and Jim Gordon, he expressed gratitude for these characters that pushed him to newfound stardom. At 42, Oldman was divorced and had custody of his children, while going through a shift in the industrys filming locations to places like Hungary, Budapest, Prague and Australia. Due to this, he declined numerous film offers.

However, the roles in Harry Potter and Batman not only provided financial stability but also allowed Garry Oldman to work less while earning more", enabling him to prioritise his time at home with his children.
In 1988, a comedy movie titled Twins brought together actors Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito, portraying the story of unlikely fraternal twins reuniting in adulthood after being separated at birth. This comedic masterpiece swiftly gained cult status, becoming an iconic project for both Schwarzenegger who is a former politician, and DeVito who is also a renowned comedian. The film became popular for the unique pairing of the action star and comic legend. This comedy not only secured a special place in the hearts of viewers but also etched itself into the cinematic legacy of both Schwarzenegger and DeVito.

Fast-forwarding to the present day, Schwarzenegger took to social media to share a heartening reunion moment with his former co-star. He uploaded a photo that not only captures the warmth of their connection but also reminds us of the height difference between the two actors  which the fans might remember as a distinctive feature from the plot of Twins.

Schwarzenegger, in a touching caption, affectionately dubbed DeVito as My brother! while commending him for a recent stint on Broadway. He wrote, My brother! It was fantastic to see Danny on Broadway in I Need That. He and Lucy and everybody involved kept the audience entertained, laughing and loving every minute  one of the best plays Ive ever seen, a true spectacle with heart!! I cant wait to work together again.

Take a look here:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Arnold Schwarzenegger (@schwarzenegger)

After the lasting impact of Twins, a sequel to the film was announced in 2012. This second part saw incredibly slow development but was still confirmed to have a script in the works nine years later, in 2021. Later that year, it was announced that the sequel cast Tracy Morgan as a triplet brother for Schwarzenegger and DeVito, and that the sequel would be titled Triplets.

However, since this casting, prospective Triplets director Ivan Reitman passed away. Leaving Triplets without the director of the Twins, the future of the sequel seemed to be in flux. In 2022, Schwarzenegger said that Triplets would still move forward in the absence of Reitman, but Reitmans son and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire co-writer Jason Reitman later made comments that seemed to suggest otherwise.

As of now, there is no official or concrete information on the progress of Triplets. It remains elusive since Ivan Reitmans untimely demise, leaving fans in anticipation and speculation about the fate of this cinematic venture.
Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor Khan is presently reveling in a winter getaway amidst the picturesque snowy mountains of Switzerland, accompanied by her close-knit circle of friends and family. Apart from documenting her New Year holiday adventures on social media, the actress also took a moment to reveal her guiding principle for the approaching year 2024. In a post that is nothing short of hilarious, Kareena shared on her Instagram story, I am at that stage of my life where I keep myself out of arguments. Even if you tell me 1+1 = 5, you are absolutely correct, enjoy. This, she playfully labeled as her 2024 Mantra.

Take a look at her story here:

While bidding a scenic farewell to 2023 with her family in various European locales, Kareena Kapoor is gearing up for a promising 2024 on the professional front. Her film, The Buckingham Murders, recently showcased at the esteemed BFI London Film Festival, promises an amazing cinematic experience. Additionally, audiences can anticipate her on-screen chemistry with Diljit Dosanjh, Tabu and Kriti Sanon in The Crew, slated for release in March 2024.

Adding to the excitement, the much-anticipated Singham Again, directed by Rohit Shetty, is also on the horizon. Featuring an ensemble cast including Ajay Devgn, Deepika Padukone, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, and Ranveer Singh, the action-packed third installment of the franchise is scheduled for a theatrical release on Independence Day 2024.

The year 2023 has been a good one for the actress as she made her OTT debut with Jaane Jaan. The Sujoy Ghosh directorial was released on Netflix on September 21. The film also features Vijay Varma and Jaideep Ahlawat and the trio garnered much praise for it.

Recently, in an emotional and heartfelt video message for her husband Saif Ali Khan, and mother-in-law Sharmila Tagore, who graced the latest episode of Koffee With Karan Season 8, Kareena expressed the profound connection she shares with the duo. She conveyed that while Sharmila Tagore treats her like a daughter and they share a lot in person, husband Saif is the most important part of her life. She said it constitutes her entire being and universe.

During her own appearance on a chat show with her sister-in-law Alia Bhatt, Kareena engaged in candid discussions about her professional and personal life, relationships with family, and industry peers. Asserting herself as her own favourite, she demonstrated a self-assured demeanor.

Kareena Kapoor Khan continues to shine both on and off the silver screen, promising a year filled with cinematic brilliance and personal fulfillment.
Parasite actor Lee Sun Kyuns wife, actress Jeon Hye Jin was inconsolable at the actors funeral, a new video revealed. Lee Sun Kyuns funeral procession took place on Friday in Seoul, South Korea. Videos from the funeral were shared on X, previously known as Twitter. One of the videos featured an emotional Jeon Hye Jin. Participating in the procession, the actress was seen breaking down as she bid Lee Sun Kyun farewell. The actress was surrounded by her children, family, friends, and other mourners.

For More: Lee Sun Kyuns Wife Jeon Hye Jin Devastated, Breaks Down at Funeral Procession; Watch

Tamil superstar Rajinikanth was inconsolable at the Vijaykanths funeral. The actor attended the funeral to pay his last respects to the Tamil actor-turned-politician. The funeral took place in Chennai, a day after Vijaykanths shocking death. Vijaykanth died on Thursday, December 28. The 71-year-old Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) leader was on ventilatory support after testing positive for Covid-19.

For More: Emotional Rajinikanth Breaks Down at Vijaykanths Funeral, Video Goes Viral; Watch

The Hindi film industry has produced some new and highly talented actors and actresses in recent times. This has also been possible with the development of OTT, where new talent and content are now being recognised by the audience. More artists are now getting opportunities to prove their talent. One such actress who was able to prove her worth is Arushi Sharma. Even though she started out her career in 2015 with an Imtiaz Ali film, she couldnt get her due recognition. It was the world of OTT that gave her the right space to prove her mettle as an actress.

For More: Why Love Aaj Kal Fame Arushi Sharma Quit Acting And Started Looking For Corporate Jobs

Prashanth Neel finally addressed the massive fan war that broke between Prabhas and Shah Rukh Khans fans when Salaar and Dunki were releasing. The director expressed his displeasure over the fan war and said that they did not release Salaar thinking as they were clashing with Dunki. Prashanth went on to describe Prabhas and Shah Rukh Khan as huge stars in India and they deserve the respect theyve earned over the years.

For More: Prashanth Neel BREAKS Silence on Fan War Between Prabhas Salaar and SRKs Dunki: You Ignore

Thalapathy Vijay, joined relief efforts to help families affected by the recent floods in Tamil Nadu caused by the Northeast Monsoon. Pictures and videos circulating on social media show Vijay distributing relief materials and engaging with community members in flood-hit districts like Thoothukudi (Tuticorin) and Nellai (Tirunelveli). This is his first appearance since he was attacked at Vijaykanths funeral in Chennai on Friday.

For More: Vijay Makes FIRST Appearance Amid Attack At Vijayakanths Funeral, Distributes Aid in Flood-Hit Tamil Nadu
American screenwriter and film director Paul Schrader, known for his work on Martin Scorseses acclaimed Taxi Driver and Raging Bull, has shared his thoughts on Scorseses latest film, Killers of the Flower Moon. Although he acknowledged it as a good movie, Schrader suggested it could have been improved if Leonardo DiCaprio had played the FBI agent investigating the Osage murders instead of the role of Ernest Burkhart. In a recent interview with Frances Le Monde, the filmmaker labelled Leonardos character as an idiot.

As per the film, Ernest Burkhart was an American who participated in the Osage Indian murders as a hitman for his uncle William King Hales crime ring. He was later convicted for the killing of his wife Mollie Kyles sister, Anna Brown, in 1926 and sentenced to life imprisonment.

Schrader, in his interview, expressed a preference for DiCaprio in a different role, emphasising that spending a long time with an idiotic character was a tiring experience. I would have preferred Leonardo DiCaprio to play the role of the cop rather than the role of the idiot. Spending three-and-a-half hours in the company of an idiot is a long time, he said.

Originally, Scorsese had reportedly intended for DiCaprio to portray FBI agent Tom White, who led the investigation into the Osage murders in the 1920s. However, DiCaprio personally requested a script change to play Ernest Burkhart.

Scorsese explained that after the script development, DiCaprio questioned it and the focus shifted from the perspective of external bureau agents to the internal narrative. This change led to the portrayal of Ernest Burkhart, played by DiCaprio, as a central character.

After two years of working on the script, Leo came to me and asked, Where is the heart of this story? I had had meetings and dinners with the Osage, and I thought, Well, theres the story. The real story, we felt, was not necessarily coming from the outside, with the bureau, but rather from the inside, from Oklahoma, director Scorsese told The Irish Times.

The films narrative also explored the deeply complex relationship between Ernest and Mollie, a wealthy Osage woman, portrayed by Lily Gladstone. The script adjustment proved successful, earning Scorsese acclaim and awards for the film. While critics mostly praised the film, Schrader expressed a preference for Christopher Nolans Oppenheimer, calling it the best, most important film of this century.

Despite differing opinions, Killers of the Flower Moon has garnered attention and accolades, with exclusive streaming on Apple TV+ scheduled for 2024 after its initial release on VOD and digital platforms.
With the year 2023 coming to an end, Bollywood celebrities are heading out of the city for New Year celebrations. Actor Randeep Hooda along with his wife Lin Laishram were spotted at the airport today as they head for a New Year holiday. The duo showcased a relaxed yet chic travel look, captivating the attention of fans.

In the video, shared by Viral Bhayani, we can see Randeep is dressed in a plain off-white shirt and pants and opening the door for his wife. Lin is also keeping it simple yet stylish. Both even indulged in fun chat and also posed for the camera. Fans were quick enough to share heart emojis in the comment section.

Watch the video here:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani)

Recently, a viral video of the couple surfaced online. Both were seen dancing to popular dancer Sapna Choudharys son Tere Aankhon Ka. In the video, Randeep was seen dancing with his wife Lin. She looked very pretty in a white and black ensemble. Both danced their heart out. To note, the couple tied the knot on November 29. The couple had a traditional Meitei ceremony in Imphal which was an intimate affair with close friends and family in attendance. Earlier, Randeep dropped the first photos from his wedding on Instagram and wrote, From today, we are One.

During their Mumbai reception, photos and videos have gone viral on the internet. Among them, one more video was surfaced online in which Randeep Hood and Lin Laishram were seen dancing their heart out to Highway Song Patakha Guddi. Fans showered love on them. In the video, shared by Viral Bhayani, we can see Lin Laishram and Randeep Hooda dancing. They look very happy and cute. Fans are dropping heart emojis in the comment section. Dressed in the glamorous shades of ruby red and black, Randeep and Lin looked stunning and stylish in their respective ensembles designed by ace fashion designer duo Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna.
As the world gears up to bid farewell to the current year and welcome 2024, preparations for New Years celebrations are in full swing worldwide. Amongst Bollywood celebrities, several stars like Sidharth Malhotra-Kiara Advani and Shahid Kapoor-Mira Rajput have already jetted off to spend quality time together. Recently, Sussanne Khan and Arslan Goni were captured at Mumbai airport, but their destination wasnt disclosed. However, Sussanne later confirmed through an Instagram post that they were in Dubai. In a snapshot, both Sussanne and Arslan were seen beaming with joy as they landed in the City of Gold.

The recent snapshot featured Sussanne and Arslan smiling as they arrived in Dubai. For the flight journey, Sussanne opted for a simple grey t-shirt and jeans, with minimal accessories. On the other hand, Arslan wore a black t-shirt paired with denim. Sharing the selfies, Sussanne captioned, Habibi we are in Dubai, and tagged Arslan accompanied by several blue heart emojis. Additionally, she also shared another post revealing the couple heading to their destination in a Rolls Royce.

Before boarding their flight, Sussanne Khan and Arslan Goni faced an unexpected obstacle at the terminal security check. In a video shared by several paparazzi pages, Arslan realized he had forgotten his passport at home and the footage captured the exact moment he understood his mistake. While Sussanne was getting checked by the security, the couple quickly decided to turn back and return to their car. While going back, the couple requested photographers to refrain from recording further. Soon after the video went viral, many social media users were able to relate with the incident, while some people made fun of Arslan.

Sussanne Khan, a well known interior designer in Bollywood, was previously married to actor Hrithik Roshan. They tied the knot in December 2000 and have two sons together, named Hrehaan and Hridaan. The couple decided to part ways in December 2013 and their divorce was finalised in November 2014. Despite the separation, the former couple maintain an amicable relationship and jointly raise their sons. Recently, their eldest son, Hrehaan, received a scholarship from Bostons prestigious Berklee College of Music. Sussanne expressed her pride and appreciation for his accomplishment through a lengthy message on Instagram.

While Sussanne is currently in a relationship with Arslan Goni, Hrithik is romantically involved with Saba Azad. Hrithik, Sussanne along with Saba and Arslan are often spotted socialising together at different gatherings and events.
Sussanne Khan and her beau Arslan Goni were forced to return to their cars at the Mumbai airport on Saturday morning. Sussanne and Arslan were set to leave Mumbai for their New Years Eve vacation. The couple was spotted at the Mumbai airport, making their way to the security check in. However, the duo had to make a U Turn after Arslan forgot an important document  his passport.

In a video shared by a paparazzo, Sussanne Khan and Arslan Goni were asked to present their documents. While Sussanne appeared to have all her documents in place, Arslan forgot his passport at him. The actor was shocked by his mistake. The duo excused themselves from the security and made their way back to the car. Watch the video below:

Sussanne has been making headlines for a number of reasons lately. She recently revealed her son, Hrehaan Roshan, has got admission in Berklee College Of Music. Sussanne took to Instagram and shared a heartfelt note informing of her sons achievement and wishing him. In her post she called December 19 the happiest day of my life as this was the day Hrehaan received the acceptance letter as well as a scholarship merit award for his excellence.

19th of December 2023.. Our Hrehaan got his acceptance letter from Berklee College of Music, offering him a scholarship merit award for his excellence.. this was the happiest day of my life.. Ray you are my Hero and my best friend I have seen you persistently be at it for the last 9 years.. pursuing your passion for Music.. and I am so so proud of you my Son you fill me up with the brightest light.. from here to eternity let this journey of your passion take you to the highest level of joy and love. God bless you my darling may the Universe shine brightest over your every action and your every tune fill the hearts of everyone. P.S I know you never gonna Stop this Train, she wrote on Instagram.
The Gujarat government has withdrawn the 247 security cover that guarded dozens of 2002 riot case witnesses for close to two decades. The decision was based on the recommendations of the Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team probing the Godhra train carnage and subsequent riot cases. The witness protection wing of the SIT was responsible for providing security to witnesses if needed and removing the cover when deemed unnecessary. However, several witnesses, as well as a retired judge who had about a dozen paramilitary personnel guarding her for nearly a decade, have raised objections to the state governments step. Is it possible then this is more about losing a perceived status and less about security?

A newspaper article on the issue drew the eye. The article stated that the security provided to witnesses in 2002 Gujarat riot cases had been withdrawn. It also stated that retired principal city sessions judge Jyotsna Yagnik who had convicted 32 persons in the Naroda Patiya riot case had also lost her cover. She retired in 2014. Apart from Yagnik and several witnesses, two lawyers who either appeared for victims in court or offered them legal counsel have also expressed concerns over their protection being removed.

Having reported extensively during the 2002 Gujarat riots and covered the hearings in the lower and higher judiciary, the news article piqued my curiosity. Why was the security cover of these witnesses, lawyers, and a retired judge taken off? To untangle this puzzle, I spoke to several key officials connected to the SIT, Gujarat police, and the state government. The gist of these conversations was that the matter had more to do with a status symbol than security concerns. This was an attempt to whip up a storm in a teacup.

If we look at the facts then the Supreme Court based on a plea by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on crucial cases linked to the 2002 February-March riots had ordered the Gujarat government to provide security to witnesses facing threats to their lives wherever needed. Following this, the state government had provided 247 protective covers to key witnesses in 2003. The Supreme Court in April 2008 set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by former CBI director R Raghavan to probe nine important cases linked to the Gujarat riots. Retired CBI DIG AK Malhotra, who had investigated the Bofors and fodder scams in his time, was also a member of this SIT.

In May 2009, Supreme Court judge Arijit Pasayat ordered this SIT to set up a witness protection programme to provide security to key witnesses in important 2002 riot cases and determine which person actually requires a protective cover. As part of this witness protection programme, a special cell was created in the SIT, which was responsible for providing security to witnesses based on threat assessments and not on their whims and fancies. Based on the SITs recommendations around 2008-09, witnesses were provided protective covers either by Gujarat police or CISF.

Under the SITs supervision, nine cases connected to the 2002 riots were tried in lower courts and then some were appealed in the high court and Supreme Court. On August 31, 2012, then Ahmedabads principal city sessions judge Jyotsna Yagnik delivered the quantum of punishment in the crucial Naroda Patiya case. Thirty-two people had been convicted for the killings of 97 victims, while 29 were acquitted over lack of sufficient evidence. Among those found guilty was BJP leader and former minister Maya Kodnani, who got a 28-year jail term.

Citing a threat to her life, Yagnik sought security from SIT head Raghavan. Taking an empathetic view of her request, the SIT provided 14 CISF personnel for her protection. At the time, there was the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre. It should be noted that the Supreme Court had asked for a witness protection programme, and not a judge protection programme. However, based on their requests, Yagnik and some lawyers too were provided security.

Close to the time of the Naroda Patiya judgement, the states sessions courts delivered verdicts in seven other Gujarat riot cases. Its also interesting to note that many of these rulings came from women judges. In May 2009, the Gujarat high court decided which sessions judge would hear which case. If a judge retired while a trial was in progress, a new judge was assigned. As part of this process, Mehsana sessions judge S Srivastava delivered judgements in the Dipda Darwaza and Sardarpura massacre cases, while additional sessions judge PB Singh presided over the Ode 2 case.

The last of these nine cases to be decided was the Naroda Gam massacre, in which sessions judge Shubhada Baxi delivered a verdict on April 20 this year. Notably, aside from the Prantij killings and Naroda Gam massacre cases, the lower courts convicted a large number of accused in the other 2002 riot cases. The SIT went on appeal in cases where many accused were acquitted, except in the Prantij killings when even the family members of the victims did not come forward to testify.

Unlike Jyotsna Yagnik, the three other women judges who presided over these riots cases did not seek protection, neither while they were serving nor after retirement. Even Justice RM Sareen, who delivered a judgement in the Ode 1 case, and is currently in the Gujarat high court, has not asked for a security cover.

The question is why did the SIT decide to withdraw the security of Jyotsna Yagnik and the witnesses. Sources in the SIT and local police say this is not the first case of witnesses losing their protective cover.

In fact, the Supreme Court itself said in its judgement that security should be provided based on threat assessment and not lifelong protective covers. Who deserves security and for how long is decided by an assessment mechanism within the SIT. Based on this mechanism, the security cover of a few witnesses was withdrawn 2-3 years ago. That was because either their trials had been completed, there were no intelligence reports of there being any threats to their lives, or they faced no threats or attacks during the course of the trial.

This mechanism is followed not only for the common people, but also for VIPs, top officials, and politicians. When theres a threat perception, even a large security cover can be provided, and it can be withdrawn when deemed unnecessary. The SIT too removed the protective cover based on this system.

It has also come to light that the more than 300 security personnel assigned to protect the witnesses, lawyers, and judge Jyotsna Yagnik, who retired in 2013, were merely providing token service, while some would even disappear from duty. The state administration learnt that in some instances, the security personnel were bringing groceries to the witnesses homes and then remained absent from duty. This indicates that there was no real threat and some of the security personnel themselves were shirking their responsibilities.

Even the CISF had urged that if these personnel were not needed for providing protection, they should be released to be deployed for more sensitive and important assignments. Over 300 state police and CISF personnel were posted in areas where the 2002 riots had taken place, and where many of them were providing token service of patrolling for 15-20 years.

After taking these issues and its own assessments into consideration, the SIT asked the state government to withdraw the remaining security personnel guarding witnesses, lawyers, and the retired judge. The administration followed through on these recommendations this month. Only the security cover of Zakia Jafri, wife of Congress MP Ehsan Jafri who was killed in the Gulbarg Society massacre, has been retained. She is provided protection whenever she is in Surat, and the cover is withdrawn when she visits relatives abroad. Even those whose protection has been removed will receive security if and when it is needed, the local police have been told.

This move of the state government has been questioned by Jyotsna Yagnik and some of the witnesses. But the larger question is will the person receiving security decide who will be provided cover and when or the agency picked for the task by the countrys apex court? Can these hundreds of personnel be assigned for guarding a few people for life, as a status symbol, even if security is not required? The SIT shared its recommendation after a thorough assessment and the state government followed through. Those who have objections have the option to approach the courts.
by Xinhua writer Wu Qiong

BEIJING, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese brands received increasing recognition from overseas consumers in 2023 as they pursued market expansion alongside high-quality growth featuring innovation and localization.

This year, the reputations of Chinese companies "going global" have been bolstered by improvements to product research and development, winning the hearts of foreign consumers by providing products tailored to their needs, said Kantar BrandZ 2023 Chinese Global Brand Builders report.

The report, jointly compiled by the international market research firm Kantar and Google, surveyed consumers from 11 international markets on their opinions about Chinese global brands. It disclosed that at least 70 percent of interviewees were willing to consider more than 90 percent of the total 234 Chinese brands involved in the research.

Among the top 50 Chinese global brands named in the report were China's smartphone maker Xiaomi, home appliance company Haier and electric vehicle manufacturer BYD. Xinhua talked to representatives from the three companies' branding and marketing departments to reveal the stories behind their successful globalization drive.

INNOVATION

Technology and innovation have served as growth engines powering Chinese brands going global, Doreen Wang, CEO of Kantar Greater China and global chair of Kantar BrandZ said. Chinese brands have put them in the core position in the brand building process as they sought to improve brand competitiveness and consumer experience.

"Xiaomi's long-term mission has always been adhering to innovation for everyone in the international markets," Jim Xue, vice president of brand and marketing at Xiaomi International said. The company ranked the second amongst the 2023 Top 50 Chinese Global Brand Builders revealed in the aforementioned report.

Since the start of this year, a slew of technological achievements have demonstrated Xiaomi's efforts and commitment to innovation. At the Mobile World Congress 2023, Xiaomi showcased the company's first wireless AR glasses to utilize distributed computing, Xiaomi AR Glass Discovery Edition.

Connecting data from a smartphone to AR glasses with Xiaomi-developed high-speed interconnection buses, the product is among the first to achieve a "retina-level" display, while designed for more user-friendly experience with a lighter weight and more refined innovative hand tracking.

In the field of advanced robotics, cutting-edge products including the bio-inspired quadruped robot CyberDog 2 launched in August this year have also reinforced Xiaomi's brand image as a leading consumer electronics and smart manufacturing company in the international market.

"In recognition of our efforts and commitment to innovation, the company was ranked among Boston Consulting Group's '50 Most Innovative Companies of 2023' this May," Xue said.

"BYD has put brand building in an important position in the development of the company, and leveraged technologies and qualities to empower products and therefore enhance brand influence," Brian Luo, BYD general manager assistant of branding and PR, told Xinhua.

Relying on its innovation abilities in the electric vehicle manufacturing, Chinese brand BYD has also made pathbreaking achievements in the overseas market in the past 10 years.

The company has promoted new energy buses and taxis in international markets under its strategy of developing the electrification of urban public transportation, Luo said. So far, the company's electrification strategy has been implemented in more than 400 cities in over 70 countries and regions, he added.

As the company powered ahead in the globalization process, it has grown its presence worldwide with robust sales performances and endorsements.

The company's passenger electric vehicles have entered 59 countries and regions, including Japan, Germany and Australia. By November, it had exported more than 200,000 new energy passenger cars to markets outside China.

Widely recognized by overseas consumers, a popular model of BYD -- Atto 3 has reaped international awards including the United Kingdom's best electric car 2023 and Brazil's "2023 Best Car to buy," Luo said.

LOCALIZATION

Building on the innovation competitiveness that Chinese brands have developed extensively, the companies have also launched bespoke products and services to serve the demands of different consumers to deepen globalization and strive for higher growth.

Home appliance brand Haier extended its global influence by orienting toward the strategy of localization, which involves research and development, manufacturing and marketing in locals markets.

The company has opened 35 industrial parks and 138 manufacturing centers worldwide, reaching more than 200 countries and regions, Wang Meiyan, chief brand officer at Haier Group said.

To serve the different needs of consumers, the company has launched bespoke products in the overseas market, Wang added.

For example, it introduced washing machines featuring larger capacity for costumes in the Middle East, and drying machines with a sterilizing function to cater to the local weather conditions and special demands in the United Kingdom.

Xiaomi has also adapted product features for specific markets or consumers, enabled by the strategic partnerships that it has fostered with major corporations worldwide. For example, it launched the smartwatch Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro in September, featuring Wear OS by Google to serve international consumers.

Its partnership with Leica in enhancing camera capabilities of Xiaomi smartphones has helped the company to cater to the demands of photographers.

Extending the collaboration to generate a stronger connection with its users, the company has also launched online educational photography courses taught by professional instructors at Leica to help participants draw inspiration from masters and hone their skills.

"Only through consumer recognition and by injecting our brand power into the hearts of our consumers can we seek to take our premium brand image to greater heights and enhance our competitiveness in global markets," Xue added.

"As the development of Chinese brands matures, the competition among them will be more and more intensive," Wang said.

She noted that apart from innovation and global expansion, the brands will need to make breakthroughs in digitalization and diversification in order to realize stable and high-quality growth. 
The end of the year 2023 merits a close look at developments over the last 12 months to discern how India has been able to achieve its objectives, not only on the domestic social, political and economic fronts but also in the area of foreign policy. While some of the major developments like the successful presidency of India of the G20, the first time that the G20 was hosted by India after it was established in 2008, and the consequential state visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the United States in June 2023 become immediately obvious, it is essential to have a closer examination of Indias performance on the foreign policy front to arrive at a balanced assessment of its achievements and losses.

G20 Presidency

India heralded many firsts in hosting the G20 Summit in September 2023 in New Delhi. While accepting the Chairmanship of the G20 in November 2022 in Bali, Indonesia, PM Modi had declared that Indias Presidency would be inclusive, ambitious, action-oriented and decisive. The final outcome of the summit demonstrated that India was able to fully measure up to the commitment that PM Modi made at the Bali Summit in 2022.

The biggest triumph was the finalisation of the consensus Leaders Declaration by the afternoon on the first day of the summit itself as against all the misgivings about Indias ability to arrive at an agreed document before the end of the two-day deliberations. It demonstrated the growing influence of the country.

India also effectively articulated the concerns as well as aspirations of the developing countries by organising two Voice of the Global South Summits. A concrete demonstration of Indias commitment to promoting the interests of the Global South was the induction of the African Union (AU) as the 21st Member of the G20 grouping on the first day of the summit.

In addition to these momentous successes, India was able to delineate significant progress on the substantive aspects also. Some of these included the progress towards achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which were facing regression on account of the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict; the debt trap being experienced by many countries, particularly from the Global South; NITI Aayogs workshop on Green Development Pact For A Sustainable Future; promoting women-led development; increased use of public digital Infrastructure (PDI); reform of Multilateral Development Banks to better respond to the needs and demands of developing countries; ensuring strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth; countering terrorism and money laundering, and more.

In the domestic context, India took the G20 to the far reaches of the country. More than 200 meetings were organised in 59 far-flung cities of the country, making it a case of Jan Bhagidaari (peoples participation). This provided a flavour of the richness and diversity of Indias culture to the participating foreign delegations. India used some of these meetings to its political advantage by hosting them in Srinagar, J&K; Leh, Ladakh, and Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh (AP). Participation by an overwhelming number of foreign delegations in these meetings demonstrated their support for Indias position in its disputes with China and Pakistan.

Indias G20 Presidency was steered under the theme of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam: One Earth, One Family, One Future.

The summit provided an opportunity to India to play host to some of the most consequential world leaders like US and French Presidents, Japanese and Australian Prime Ministers as well as the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Presidents of UAE and Brazil, PM of Bangladesh and many more. Russian President Putin did not attend, ostensibly because he was preoccupied with the war with Ukraine. The Chinese President also did not attend. He might have calculated that his absence would dilute the importance of the summit, and the credit to India would stand diminished. Exactly the opposite happened. His absence went a long way to improve the atmospherics of the summit, and India and Prime Minister Modi garnered all the glory for organising a flawless summit.

The successful conduct of the year-long Presidency of G20 by India provided it a huge shot in the arm and catapulted it to a pole position in finding solutions to the major challenges confronting the world.

Relations with US

In May 2022, at the bilateral meeting with US President Biden on the sidelines of the Quad Meeting in Tokyo, PM Modi termed the bilateral relationship a partnership of trust. In June 2022, the White House called relations with India the most important for the United States in the 21st century.

Bilateral ties were taken to the next level in 2023 with the invitation to PM Modi by President Biden to pay an official state visit to the US. PM Modi was also invited by the Leaders of the US Senate and House of Representatives to address the joint session of the US Congress during his visit. With this Address, PM Modi became one of the few world leaders and the only Indian leader to address the US Congress on more than one occasion, having addressed the US Congress earlier in June 2016.

The visit witnessed a decisive impetus to high technology collaboration between the two countries in defence, critical and emerging technologies, clean energy, telecommunications, resilient supply chains, Open RAN, 5G/6G technologies, AI, Quantum Computing, space, semiconductor chips and many more. In addition, investments of several billions of dollars were announced by many US firms. Micron Technology, Inc. announced it will invest up to $825 million to build a new semiconductor assembly and test facility in India.

In the area of defence, an MoU was signed between General Electric of the US and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited of India for the transfer of technology and joint production of GE-F414 jet engines for Indias indigenous Tejas light combat aircraft. It is evident that the US has made the strategic decision to catapult India into the ranks of technologically advanced countries. This is evidence of the growing trust between the two leaders and the countries.

A small hiccup surfaced in bilateral ties with the indictment of an Indian national Nikhil Gupta by the US authorities in a plot to assassinate a US citizen, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who has been declared a terrorist by India for his activities to create a separate state of Khalistan in India. India denied any official involvement but set up a Committee to look into the evidence and information shared by the US authorities. This incident is unlikely to have any long-term impact on the rapidly burgeoning bilateral ties. It is however incumbent upon the US law enforcement authorities to take stern action against the activities of anti-Indian elements in the US.

India had invited President Biden as the chief guest at Indias Republic Day on January 26, 2024, This would have been followed by the meeting of Quad leaders for which PMs of Japan and Australia had agreed to visit India on January 27, 2024. The regret by Biden to visit India in January 2024, on account of his domestic preoccupations, was seen by some as a snub to India. This impression was vigorously refuted by Jake Sullivan, US National Security Advisor (NSA), saying that President Biden is personally committed to deepening ties with India and shares a close personal bond with PM Modi.

Presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation

At the culmination of its Presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in 2022-23, India organised a productive virtual summit on July 4, 2023. Prior to that, India had organised several other meetings, some of them virtually and some in person.

During its Presidency, India launched new initiatives to enhance engagement among people by holding several diverse events. India established five new pillars of cooperation within the SCO viz. Startups and Innovation, Traditional Medicine, Youth Empowerment, Digital Inclusion, and Shared Buddhist Heritage.

Two thematic joint statements were adopted at the summit in addition to the New Delhi Declaration. One on cooperation in countering radicalisation leading to separatism, extremism and terrorism and the second on cooperation in the field of digital transformation. India provided fresh energy and direction for SCOs growth and development in the coming years.

Some experts maintain that considerable harm was done by hosting the summit in a virtual format. My view is exactly the opposite. No purpose would have been served by playing host to the leaders of China and Pakistan keeping in view the existing adversarial relations with these countries. Secondly, it would have been uncomfortable, optically and substantively, to have had the leaders of Iran, Russia, Belarus and others, who maintain hostile ties with the West, on Indian soil within two weeks of PM Modis path-breaking state visit to the US on June 22-23, 2023.

The BRICS Summit

The BRICS Summit held in Johannesburg, South Africa on August 22-23 attracted unusual attention from international media, primarily because of the interest of about 40 countries to become members of the organisation. There was also considerable media speculation that a big push would be made towards de-dollarisation by moving towards a new currency. There was apprehension that the BRICS might move towards becoming an anti-Western and pro-China organisation.

Ultimately it was decided to admit six new countries viz. Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iran, Ethiopia, Argentina (which subsequently declined the offer to join) and Egypt. India enjoys warm and cordial relations with all of them. It even has strategic partnerships with some of them viz. Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt etc.

As the BRICS stands today, there is little risk of it becoming anti-Western or Indias influence being diminished. India will however need to remain vigilant. Russia is the next chair of BRICS. Pakistan has expressed its interest in becoming a member of BRICS. India will need to resist this move firmly.

No discussions on the issue of de-dollarisation took place at the Johannesburg Summit except an encouragement to the countries to trade in their national currencies.

G7 and The Quad

PM Modi has been regularly invited to G7 Summits since the Biarritz Summit in France in 2019. The fifth invitation in a row for the G7 Summit in Japan was testimony to Indias growing sway in global affairs. PM Modi participated in the G7 and Quad Summits, both held in Hiroshima, Japan in May 2023. The Quad Summit was to be held in Australia but was shifted at the last minute to Hiroshima as President Biden was required to cancel his visit to Australia from Japan and return home on account of urgent debt negotiations in Washington DC.

The third Quad Summit provided an excellent opportunity for the leaders to share their strategic assessment about developments in the region, including in the Indo-Pacific as also their shared vision of activity-based cooperation among the Quad countries across a whole range of areas. A joint statement and a vision document were issued. Both documents focus on the positive agenda of cooperation, not just among the Quad countries, but also between the Quad countries, bilaterally as also collectively, with the members of the Indo-Pacific. These included the Indo-Pacific Partnership on Maritime Domain Awareness; the Quad Investors Network called QUIN; Clean Energy Supply Chains, principles of software security etc.

Relations with Canada nosedive

In a totally unexpected move, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau soon after returning from India after attending the G20 Summit, announced in the Canadian Parliament on September 18 that there were credible allegations that the Indian government was involved in the killing of a Canadian citizen, a Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18, 2023. It expelled a senior Indian official from the Indian High Commission in Ottawa without providing any evidence of his involvement. The Indian Foreign Office termed these charges as absurd and motivated. Indias External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, categorically stated that it is not Indias policy to engage in extra-territorial killings. He added that no specific or relevant information had been shared by Canada with India and if any such information was provided, India would be prepared to look at it. India maintains that the real issue is the space provided by Canada to anti-Indian elements to carry out anti-Indian activities within Canada and India.

Till date, Canada has not provided any evidence of Indias involvement in Nijjars killing. PM Trudeau has done a tremendous disservice to Canadas credibility and reputation and to bilateral relations with his baseless charges. It would be a fallacy to equate the US charges of a plot to kill Pannun with the allegations made by Canada. The US has provided some concrete information based on which a Committee has been established by India to look into the allegations. Canada has failed to provide any specific information even after six and a half months of Nijjars killing.

Russia, Israel-Hamas Conflict and China

The annual summit between India and Russia did not take place in 2023, like in 2022. The last annual summit was in December 2021. Regular and frequent meetings between EAM and Russian FM however took place throughout the year to keep the relations on an even keel. Russia emerged as the largest supplier of crude oil to India in 2023.

India has adopted a position of moral and strategic clarity on the conflict between Israel and Hamas. It unequivocally condemned the terrorist attack by Hamas and their taking of Israeli hostages. It expressed its support for a two-state solution, sent humanitarian relief to Gaza and advocated the observance of humanitarian law in the attacks by Israeli forces in Gaza.

Relations with China continued to be under stress and abnormal. China issued a standard map showing the whole of Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh as part of China. India lodged a strong protest over the absurd claims made by China.

Incoming and Outgoing Visits

During the year, PM Modi visited France in July 2023 as chief guest at Frances National Bastille Day. He also visited Egypt, Australia, Dubai for COP28 and some other countries.

Several high-ranking visits to India took place viz. by Kings of Bhutan and Cambodia, Sultan of Oman, Chancellor of Germany, Presidents of Egypt as chief guest at Indias Republic Day, Kenya, Tanzania, Sri Lanka, PMs of Italy, Japan, Australia and several others.

All the above interactions provided a strong impetus to Indias ties with the world.

An unanticipated jolt appeared in the form of an emphatic defeat at the hands of Pakistan in the election for a rather light-weight position of Vice President of UNESCO. MEA and the Ministry of Education, which looks after this organisation, will need to undertake a detailed postmortem to understand the reasons for this debacle and ensure that it is not repeated.

Conclusion

In these turbulent times, India has charted a bold and measured course in conducting its foreign policy. It has adopted an issue-based approach to strengthen its ties with different countries on the basis of convergence of interests and positions in diverse areas. In this respect, 2023 has been both rewarding as well as challenging. At the end of the year, India can look back with satisfaction and confidence at its achievements in the competitive arena of foreign policy. This will provide it with the courage and determination to overcome the risks and threats it is bound to confront in 2024.

The writer is executive council member, Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, president, Institute of Global Studies, Distinguished Fellow, Ananta Aspen Centre, and former Ambassador of India to Kazakhstan, Sweden and Latvia. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
To exact revenge on the AAP, which controls the nations capital and the border state, the BJP-led federal government rejected the tableaux of Delhi and Punjab for the Republic Day parade alleged Delhi Art, Culture, and Languages Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj on Friday.

Addressing a press conference, Bharadwaj said the Centre has rejected Delhis tableaux for three consecutive years now.

The last time Delhis tableau featured in the Republic Day parade was in 2021 and it showcased the Shahjahanabad redevelopment project, according to officials.

Bharadwaj stated that this years tableau in Delhi would have featured schools in the city as well as the mohalla clinic model.

The tableau of Delhi, which is the capital of the country, was rejected by the Centre. Its tableau was rejected for the 2022 parade and then for the 2023 parade and now it has been rejected again for the 2024 parade, the minister said.

The theme of the Republic Day parade was Nari Shakti in 2023 and Viksit Bharat for 2024, he said.

No one can say its a design competition. The Centre had given us some suggestions and we incorporated those (into the tableau proposal). If it would have given us more suggestions, we would have included those too, Bharadwaj said.

Our tableau would have showcased schools and the mohalla clinic model, he added.

Bharadwaj asserted that it is no coincidence that Punjabs tableau proposal was also rejected by the Centre.

The Centre is doing this to exact revenge on the AAP, he charged.

Regarding the Viksit Bharat theme provided by the Central government for the parade, he said, Any state generally presents what aspects or items could represent the theme of a developed India in their tableau. India will develop through a good education system and better healthcare facilities.

He further said, The Delhi government included Delhis school system and mohalla clinics in their proposal. Despite this, the proposal for Delhis floats was rejected by the central government.

The Delhi minister also questioned the BJP-led central governments objectives, claiming that it is consistently acting in retaliation against the AAP.

Its not a coincidence that they not just rejected the tableau proposals given by the Delhi government but also those by the AAP-led Punjab government, Bharadwaj said.

He said that it is clear from the Centres actions that the AAP was the target of resentment rather than any flaw or shortcoming when Delhi and Punjabs tableaux suggestions were rejected.

Bhagwant Mann, the chief minister of Punjab, criticised the Centre on Wednesday for discriminating against the state by not included its tableau in the parade.

Eighty per cent of the selected states are ones ruled by the BJP, he alleged.

The BJPs Punjab unit, in response, slammed Mann on Thursday for politicising the non-inclusion of the states tableau. It also claimed that the AAP government had insisted that the tableau carry photos of Mann and Kejriwal.

Virendra Sachdeva, the BJPs Delhi chief, accused the AAP of indulging in politics on events of national pride.

AAP leaders know the truth but they are not telling it. January 26, and August 15 are events of national sovereignty and pride but Arvind Kejriwal is busy doing politics on this too, he said.

The actual reason for Delhi and Punjabs tableaux being rejected is that he (Kejriwal) was using his pictures there and, hence, the screening committee rejected the proposals, he added.

(with PTI inputs)
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday went to a state-run hospital here for treating her left knee and right shoulder injuries, which she had suffered earlier this year while alighting from a helicopter. Banerjee went to the Woodburn Block of the SSKM Hospital, where doctors conducted a few routine tests and addressed the injury issues, she told reporters while leaving.

Asked if there was a minor surgery on her right shoulder by reporters, she said It is not serious. Why are you so concerned? Actually, a problem occurred when our helicopter had to make an emergency landing at the helipad (IAF helipad in Sevoke near Siliguri) and I suffered injuries on both my leg and shoulder. But the doctors today treated both injuries fully and I am absolutely fine now. I just came here for a check-up. The doctors then treated me, she added.

In fact, I have been walking normally now I walk around 20,000 steps daily, the CM said. Insisting that not much should be read over her more than three-hour stay at the hospital, she said, I also interacted with the doctors and discussed some of the issues faced by them. Banerjee, before boarding her car, conveyed her New Year greetings to people of the state and recited few lines of a Tagore poem praying for amity, win of humanity and peace.

In September, her left knee was injured again during a 12-day tour of Spain and Dubai.
It had all the ingredients of a potboiler  a former angry lover, a businessman friend based in Dubai, new friends, old enemies, and a dog thrown in.

A former investment banker, expelled MP Mahua Moitra can easily claim the newsmaker of the year title on all counts.

When Moitra, handpicked by Mamata Banerjee, quit the Congress to contest from Krishnanagar, a star was born. Articulate, vocal, savvy, and very aggressive on Twitter  now X  as well as inside Lok Sabha during discussions, Moitra faced two polar reactions: Either you hated her or supported her strongly.

The firebrand leader moved in the right circles and made quick and new friends such as Shashi Tharoor and Pinaki Mishra who were as articulate as her.

For Moitra, it has been a long journey from the drawing board to the heat and dust of a rural constituency like Nadia. Born in Assam, she went to the US for studies. Moitra worked as an investment banker in JP Morgan but soon, maati beckoned her and she joined the Congress. She later quit to join the maa, maati, maanush party  Trinamool Congress. After winning assembly polls, she finally contested the 2019 Lok Sabha election and won with a margin of over 63,000 votes.

The feisty Moitra has always been a child of controversy, often putting her party and leader in a fix. For instance, the leader kicked off a row when she said she worshipped Maa Kali, a goddess who eats meat and drinks. The TMC was quick to distance itself from her. Moitra also hit headlines when Banerjee pulled her up at a party event in Nadia, asking her to be a team player.

Moitra never had too many friends in her own party. Her brashness, aggression, and feisty speeches not only made her popular but also brought jealous critics her way.

So, when the fall happened, many seemed happy in private. The unraveling began over a pet Rottweiler named Henry. Moitras former close friend Jai Anant Dehadrai complained that she had snatched his dog and kept him captive. Then followed a complaint to the Speaker along with one filed by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey that Moitra had taken expensive gifts and money to ask the right questions in Parliament to benefit her businessman friend Darshan Hiranandani who is based in Dubai. Moitra was accused of giving the log-in details of her Parliament website, allowing Hiranandani to ask questions to defame both Gautam Adani and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

All hell broke loose. The matter was referred to an ethics committee. True to her style, Moitra walked out of the committee meeting, accusing BJP members of cheer haran or humiliating her as a woman.

Her party did a slow U-turn. Initially, the TMC maintained distance, saying they would wait for the report to be out. Then, in a change of strategy, they backed Moitra, calling her a victim of political witch-hunt. The woman card was used and she also got support from opposition parties. The ethics committee recommended her expulsion. Her farewell speech of sorts captured what she has always been  an angry leader who minces no words. Quoting from Kazi Nazrul Islam, Moitra delivered her parting shot that she will be back soon.

As she battles legal hurdles, Henry returns to Dehadrai, and Hiranandanis affidavit confirms he has access to her log-in details, Moitra is almost like a lone ranger though she refuses to go down without a fight.

The year 2023 will be remembered for this fiery woman who entered the complicated, murky Delhi Page 3 circuit but somehow lost her way. A former friend revealed to News18: She is the quintessential celeb. A brilliant intelligent woman who lost her way in the dark alleys of Delhi politics.

Till then, 2023 will remember the woman who frequently let her heart and mouth rule her head and mind.
These days most electric bulbs only last for a handful of years at best, but an old carbon filament light bulb has been shining light continuously for over a century since 1901. This legendary bulb is called the Centennial Bulb. It is installed at the Livermore Fire Department Number 6 in California, USA. The Guinness World Records has given it the title of Longest burning light bulb. The handblown bulb was manufactured by the Shelby Electric Company in Shelby, Ohio between 1899-1900. In 1901, it was donated to the Livermore Fire Department by Dennis Bernal, owner of the Livermore Power and Water Company.

Retired Deputy Fire Chief Tom Bramell, the author of A Million Hours of Service, the Centennial Light Bulb Facts and History, spoke to The Mercury News about how the bulb was deemed extremely useful by the fire department. He said that back in the 1990s when light bulbs were still uncommon, the firefighters had to light kerosene lanterns, and when they got the bulb they were able to see at night.

The bulb was first installed at a fire station on L Street where it remained lit until 1976. It was switched off for 22 minutes when it was moved from the L Street fire station to its current site. According to the Guinness World Records, There has only been one break in its (the bulbs) operation when it was removed from one fire station and fitted in another.

Visitors can go to Livermore Fire Department Number 6 to see the bulb which now operates at 4 watts instead of its full strength of 60 watts. As per centennialbulb.org, the best times to visit are 10 am to 11:30 am and 3 pm to 5 pm.

In 2001, former US President George W Bush wrote a letter to the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department on the occasion of the bulbs 100th anniversary. In the letter, he described the bulb as an enduring symbol of the American spirit of invention and a source of community pride.

Tom Bramell told The Mercury News in 2022 that he thinks the bulb would work for another 100 years and said, At some point in time, it will expire. Everything expires, but its an incredible achievement of technology. Its still there 24 hours a day, seven days a week, lighting the station for the firefighters  just like when it was installed.
Three overnight airstrikes on eastern Syria Saturday near a strategic border crossing with Iraq killed six Iran-backed militants, two members of Iraqi militia groups told The Associated Press.

The strikes on the border region of Boukamal came hours after an umbrella group of Iran-backed Iraqi militants  known as the Islamic Resistance  claimed an attack on a US military base in the city of Irbil in northern Iraq. The group has conducted over a hundred attacks on US positions in Iraq and eastern Syria since the onset of the Hamas-Israel war on Oct. 7.

Four of the killed were from Lebanons powerful Hezbollah group while the other two militants were Syrian, the militants said. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not cleared to talk to the press. Another two were injured, they added.

Meanwhile, an activist collective that covers news in the area, Deir Ezzor 24, said the airstrikes hit two militant posts and a weapons warehouse that it says was recently stocked with rocket launchers and munitions.

Elsewhere, Britain-backed opposition war monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said in addition to the weapons warehouse, the strikes targeted a militants convoy that had arrived from Iraq to Syria as well as a location where a militia affiliated with Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard was training.

It added that the strikes killed nine people, three Syrians and six people from other nationalities.

Washington did not immediately comment on the strike, though it has announced some were planned on Iran-backed militia positions following the surge of attacks over the past two months.

President Joe Biden last week ordered the US military to carry out strikes on Iranian-backed Iraqi groups following a rocket attack that wounded three US troops.

The spike in tension has put Baghdad in a delicate situation. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has tried to ease the strain between the militant groups that helped him reach power and the US where Iraqs foreign reserves are housed.

The Boukamal region in Deir el-Zour, Syria, along the Iraqi border, has been a strategic area for Iran-backed militants after it was taken back from the extremist Islamic State group in 2019. US coalition forces have conducted strikes targeting convoys there prior to recent tensions.
An Indian-origin man, his wife and their teenage daughter were found dead in their mansion in the US state of Massachusetts this week. Rakesh Kamal, 57, his wife, Teena, 54, and their 18-year-old daughter, Ariana, were found dead in their $5 million Dover, Massachusetts mansion on Thursday.

The police are treating the deaths as an apparent domestic violence case. Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey said the incident was a terrible tragedy and added that a gun was found near Rakesh Kamals body.

He did not reveal if all the three family members were shot dead and who shot them citing that he is waiting for the medical examiners ruling before taking a decision on whether to rule the incident as a murder-suicide.

The New York Post in a report citing online records said the Kamals appeared to have faced financial problems in recent years. The mansion they were living in went into foreclosure  meaning the mortgagor took possession of the property  and was sold to the Massachusetts-based Wilsondale Associates LLC for $3 million.

They bought the property, which has 11 bedrooms and 13 bathrooms, for $4 million in 2019.

During the time of the deaths, the family members were the only ones living in the mansion. Teena and her husband, who was called Rick by his close associates, previously ran a Massachusetts-based education systems company called EduNova.

Rakesh Kamal is an alumnus of Boston University, the MIT Sloan School of Management and Stanford University and had an extensive career in education consulting and launched EduNova with his wife in 2016. The Boston Globe in a report said that the company marketed a student success system which aimed to improve marks scored by students in middle school, high school and college.

The company performed well initially but was dissolved in December 2021.

Teena filed for bankruptcy in September 2022  listing between $1 million and $10 million in liabilities, the newspaper reported, adding that the filing was dismissed due to insufficient documentation. She also served as one of the board of directors for the American Red Cross of Massachusetts and worked in the education and technology sectors for over three decades. She is an alumna of Harvard University and Delhi University.

Ariana, their teenage daughter, was enrolled in a neuroscience course in Middlebury College, a $64,800-a-year private liberal arts school in Vermont.

Their lifeless bodies were discovered by a relative who stopped by to check on the family members after not hearing from them in one or two days. The district attorney said there were no previous reports of domestic incidents tied to their home.

Theres been no police reports, theres been no problems, no domestic issues, no nothing at that house or in the entire neighbourhood that Im aware of. This is very unfortunate and our heart goes out to the entire Kamal family on this terrible tragedy, Morissey was quoted as saying by the newspaper.

Although the investigation is at a very preliminary stage, the evidence available at this time does not indicate the involvement of any outside party, but suggests that this is a deadly incident of domestic violence, his office said in a statement.
The Israeli army said early Saturday that it was carrying out strikes in Syria after two rockets fired from the country fell into territory under its control.

Following the report regarding sirens sounding in northern Israel, a short while ago two launches that were identified crossing from Syria fell in an open area, the army said.

The IDF (military) is striking the sources of fire, it added.

The Israeli army confirmed to AFP that the projectiles fired were rockets, but did not say the precise location where they fell.

Israel considers the annexed Golan Heights to be part of its northern region.

An Israeli strike targeted the area around the Syrian capital of Damascus on Thursday, the Syrian defence ministry and state media said.

Israel rarely comments on individual strikes targeting Syria, but it has repeatedly said it will not allow arch-foe Iran, which backs President Bashar al-Assads government, to expand its presence there.

Israel has launched hundreds of air strikes on its northern neighbour since Syrias civil war began in 2011, primarily targeting Iran-backed forces including Lebanese Hezbollah fighters as well as Syrian army positions.

Since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas on October 7, the border between Lebanon and Israel has also seen frequent exchanges of fire between the Israeli army and Hezbollah as tensions rise across the Middle East.

Those exchanges have killed more than 150 people on the Lebanese side of the border, according to an AFP count  most of them Hezbollah fighters, but also more than 20 civilians, including three journalists.

On the Israeli side, at least four civilians and nine soldiers have been killed, according to army figures.

The exchanges of fire have been largely limited to the border area, but Israel has warned it is ready to intensify its military action if Hezbollah fighters do not pull back.
Mia Shem, the 21-year-old tattoo artist, who was among 250 people taken hostage during Hamass October 7 attacks on southern Israel said she feared rape when she was being held captive in the family home of her kidnapper in the Gaza Strip.

Speaking to Israels Channel 13 Mia Shem said the only reason her kidnapper, affiliated with the Hamas terrorist group, did not rape her because his wife and kids were present. Mia Shem earlier said that she found some families who were working for Hamas. She said her biggest fear in captivity was rape.

There was a fear of rape, fear of dying. His wife was outside the room with the kids. That was the only reason he didnt rape me, Shem said, while adding that her captor did not take his eyes off her. Shem was abducted from the site of a desert rave party called the Supernova festival and was released under a truce agreement at the end of November.

Shem said she was kept in a dark room and forbidden from talking during her time in captivity. She said that she did not receive any medication or painkillers from her captors.

Mia Shem became one of the prominent faces among the hostages as she was seen in a Hamas video urging Israel to rescue her  a move Israeli authorities have denounced as psychological warfare designed by Hamas to weaken Israels resolve.

Shems accusations are in line with the accounts of sexual violence reported by survivors of the October 7 attack and are also similar to the accounts given by the freed hostages.

Israeli officials have reiterated allegations that the militants who crossed over from the Gaza Strip on October 7 committed violent gang rape and genital mutilation, and engaged in sexual acts with children and corpses.

But the scarcity of survivor testimonies and the lack of forensic evidence make it difficult to assess their scale.

Around 250 hostages were taken to the Gaza Strip by Hamas terrorists when they attacked southern Israel on October 7. The attack left around 1,140 people dead, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli figures.

Some 129 hostages remain in captivity in Gaza. Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip, following the October 7 attack. More than 21,500 people have been killed in its retaliatory assault in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
Pakistan confirmed on Friday that India sought the extradition of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) founder Hafiz Saeed who is the mastermind behind the 2008 Mumbai attack as well as a UN-proscribed terrorist. Hafiz Saeed is wanted by Indian agencies due to his involvement in several terror cases.

The external affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi on Friday said the request for extraditing Pakistan-based Saeed, along with certain documents, was sent to Islamabad recently, according to a report by news agency PTI.

We have conveyed a request along with relevant supporting documents to the government of Pakistan, Bagchi was quoted as saying by the news agency.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, spokesperson for the Pakistani ministry of foreign affairs, confirmed that Islamabad received the request but pointed out that no extradition treaty exists between the two countries.

Pakistan has received a request from the Indian authorities, seeking extradition of Hafiz Saeed in a so-called money laundering case. It is pertinent to note that no bilateral extradition treaty exists between Pakistan and India, Baloch said.

News agency PTI said even though New Delhi does not have an extradition pact with Islamabad, extradition in this matter is possible even in the absence of such a framework pact, citing people familiar with the developments.

Saeed, a hardline cleric, was arrested in July 2019 by the Pakistani Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) following 23 first information reports registered against him and his close associates.

He was given a combined sentence of 33 years imprisonment in April 2022 by an anti-terrorism court in two cases of terror financing.

Saeed-led JuD is the front organisation for the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), which is responsible for carrying out the 2008 Mumbai attack that killed 166 people, including six Americans.

Pakistan Army and the security establishment is accused of giving protection to Saeed and the political establishment of Pakistan has always ignored Saeeds terror connections with other terrorist outfits. Saeeds son Talha Saeed is also contesting the upcoming general elections from Lahore.
BEIJING, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- The National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) held a New Year gathering in its auditorium in Beijing on the morning of Dec. 29. Party and state leaders Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi, and Han Zheng attended the gathering to ring in the year 2024. Also present at the gathering were leading officials of China's non-Communist parties' central committees and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, representatives of personages without party affiliation, leading officials of central Party and government departments, and individuals from various ethnic groups and all walks of life in Beijing.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president, and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), delivered an important speech at the gathering. He stressed that promoting the building of a strong country and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through a Chinese path to modernization is the central task of the Party and the state on the new journey in the new era, and it represents the greatest political mission of the period.

We need to consolidate and develop the broadest patriotic united front, expand common ground and the convergence of interests for the building of a strong nation and realizing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, concentrate strength through unity, make great achievements through hard work, and jointly write a magnificent chapter in advancing Chinese modernization, Xi said.

On behalf of the CPC Central Committee, the State Council and the CMC, Xi extended New Year greetings to non-CPC parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, personages without party affiliation, Chinese people of all ethnic groups, compatriots in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, overseas Chinese, and the friends from around the world who support the development of China's modernization.

Xi pointed out that the year 2023 marks the first year to implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress on all fronts. Over the past year, we have remained committed to the general principle of pursuing progress while maintaining stability, promptly shifted COVID-19 management to that of a class-B infectious disease, resolutely overcome internal and external difficulties, striven hard to forge ahead, pushed for economic recovery, and fulfilled the main objectives of economic and social development.

China's GDP in 2023 is expected to surpass 126 trillion yuan, and grain output has reached a record new high. Employment and overall prices have maintained stable while new breakthroughs have been made in technological innovation. New productive forces are taking shape at an accelerated pace. The new round of reform of the Party and state institutions has been basically completed. High-level opening up continues to expand. Significant achievements have been made in controlling floods, defusing debt risks, and ensuring timely deliveries of presold homes. The growth of residents' income is faster than economic growth. Progress has been made in work related to Hong Kong and Macao, and firm actions have been taken to oppose "Taiwan independence" and promote reunification. China's major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics has forged ahead, which continues to help improve the external environment for China's development. The full and rigorous Party governance and the fight against corruption continue to be intensified, and therefore a good political environment is constantly consolidated and developed. Chengdu Universiade and the Hangzhou Asian Games, which have been successfully hosted, have seen the good results achieved by our athletes. These achievements have not come easily and are commendable. We have created new opportunities, won strategic initiative, and greatly boosted our confidence and determination in overcoming crises, tackling challenges, and responding to changing situations.

Xi noted that over the past year, the CPPCC has earnestly implemented the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee, given full play to its role as a special consultative body, and focused on the central task to carry out in-depth fact-finding missions, conduct consultation and deliberation on state affairs, and democratic oversight, making new contributions to the cause of the Party and the country.

Xi stressed that 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of New China and is a crucial year for fulfilling the goals and tasks of the 14th Five-Year Plan. It is important to adhere to the general principle of seeking progress while maintaining stability, materialize the requirements of making progress while maintaining stability, promoting stability by making progress, and building the new before breaking the old in our work of all sectors. It is imperative to strive to make greater progress in building a new paradigm of development, promoting high-quality development, comprehensively deepening reform and opening up, achieving greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology, and comprehensively promoting rural revitalization, so as to consolidate and strengthen the momentum of economic recovery. It is essential to improve people's well-being, maintain social stability, and steadily advance Chinese modernization.

Xi noted that next year also marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the CPPCC. It is imperative to carry forward the fine traditions, keep the political responsibilities in mind, focus on the central task and serve the overall interests of the country, strengthen the ideological and political guidance, take an active part in making proposals on state affairs, extensively build consensus, and strengthen self-reform, so as to continuously open up new prospects for the work of the CPPCC in the new era.

Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and chairperson of the National Committee of the CPPCC, presided over the gathering. He pointed out that it is imperative to earnestly study and understand the spirit of General Secretary Xi's important speech, unswervingly uphold the Party's leadership and forge the Party's soul with Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. It is essential to align thoughts and actions with the spirit of General Secretary Xi's important speech and the decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee, and concentrate wisdom and strength on deepening reform, boosting development, and safeguarding and improving people's well-being. It is imperative to boost confidence and work hard to make new contributions to the cause of the Party and the country, and strive for advancing Chinese modernization.

Ding Zhongli, chairman of the Central Committee of the China Democratic League, delivered a speech on behalf of the central committees of non-Communist parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and personages without party affiliation. He said that they will unite more closely around the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, firmly support the affirmation of Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole, and the affirmation of the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and resolutely uphold General Secretary Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole, and uphold the Party Central Committee's authority and its centralized, unified leadership. He said that they will forge ahead with courage on the path of Chinese modernization and write a glorious chapter with joint efforts in the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

During the gathering, Xi and others joined those present, cordially shaking hands and exchanging greetings with many of them. Performing artists and some members of the National Committee of the CPPCC presented a performance. At the end of the gathering, all arose to sing in chorus "Unity Is Strength." The auditorium was filled with a festive atmosphere of happiness and auspiciousness.

Also present at the gathering were members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and members of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, a number of major officials of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and the State Council, leaders of the National Committee of the CPPCC, and former vice chairpersons of the National Committee of the CPPCC. 
In a major blow to former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, Pakistans top poll body on Saturday rejected his nomination papers for two national assembly seats in Punjab province ahead of the February 8 general elections.

The returning officers of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) have rejected Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf: founder Imran Khans nomination papers for two national assembly seats  Lahore (NA 122) and Mianwali (NA-89), the office of the Returning Officer, Lahore, said.

Besides the main reason that Khan was convicted in the Toshakhana case, objections were raised against his nomination papers as the proposer and seconder for the PTIs founder did not belong to the respective constituencies.

Although Khans sentence was suspended by the Islamabad High Court, his disqualification still stands, the ROs were told.

The objections, raised by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawazs (PML-N) Mian Naseer, had referred to Khans five-year disqualification in the Toshakhana case wherein the electoral body had found him guilty of corrupt practices, Geo News reported.

Khan, 71, and his senior party colleague and former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi have been facing multiple cases and arrests since the May 9 riots with both Khan and Qureshi incarcerated at the Adiala jail in Rawalpindi.

The Geo News report further said that the ECP also rejected Qureshis nomination papers from Multans two seats (NA-150 and PP-218), and Tharparkars seat (NA-214). Former federal minister and PTI leader Hammad Azhars nomination papers too were rejected from his seat (PP-172).
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who was under pressure from the Opposition to block short-lived predecessor Liz Truss customary resignation honours list, has cleared the controversial peerages.

Truss made 11 nominations of some of her close friends and allies, including Conservative Party donor Jon Moynihan and former Brexit Vote Leave chief Matthew Elliott for seats in the House of Lords.

Ruth Porter, a former senior aide to Liz Truss, is made a peer, as per the announcement released on Friday night alongside the annual New Year Honours list cleared by Downing Street in the name of King Charles III.

The former prime minister was forced to resign from 10 Downing Street after just 49 days in October 2022 because of turmoil in the financial markets following a disastrous mini-budget last September.

The Opposition Labour and the Liberal Democrat parties expressed their dismay at the announcement. This list is proof positive of Rishi Sunaks weakness and a slap in the face of the working people who are paying the price of the Tories crashing the economy, said Labours shadow Cabinet Office minister Jonathan Ashworth.

Honours should be for those committed to public service, not rewards for Tory failure, he said.

Truss handing out gongs after blowing a hole in the public finances and leaving families reeling from spiralling mortgage costs calls this whole honours system into disrepute, added Deputy Lib Dem leader Daisy Cooper.

Meanwhile, those close to the former prime minister are highlighting how the list is a modest one to honour hard work and Downing Street insisted it had gone through the usual checks.

The convention is the incumbent Prime Minister does not block the political peerage proposals of others, the BBC quoted a Downing Street source as saying.

The Truss list also includes damehoods for Shirley Conran, of the Maths Anxiety Trust, and for Tory MP Jackie Doyle-Price, plus a knighthood for Tory MP Alec Shelbrooke.

Former Truss advisers Shabbir Merali and Sophie Jarvis will get Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBEs), while Tory MPs Rob Butler and Suzanne Webb will get Order of the British Empire (OBEs). David Hills, chair of the Conservative association in South West Norfolk, Trusss constituency, gets an MBE, Member of the Order of the British Empire.
Ukrainian forces struck a residential building in the Russian border city of Belgorod, killing one person and injuring four others. Belgorod regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said the attack damaged the citys water supply system.

Russian authorities said that it intercepted a total of 32 drones, including in the Moscow region. They said that Russian air defence systems destroyed a total of 13 missiles over the area that borders Ukraine.

Russian forces also intercepted and destroyed drones in the border regions of Bryansk and Kursk and also in Oryol and the Moscow region. Bryansk governor Alexander Bogomaz said a drone-type aircraft was destroyed above the regional capital.

Belgorod city is 80 kilometres (50 miles) north of the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, which was heavily hit by Russian forces on Friday morning according to Ukrainian authorities. At least 30 people were killed and more than 160 wounded in Ukraine on Friday in a series of Russian strikes across the country, according to Kyiv.

Schools, a maternity hospital, shopping arcades and blocks of flats were among the buildings hit in the barrage, said Ukrainian officials. Today Russia hit us with almost everything it has in its arsenal, President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

The Ukrainian army estimated that Russia launched 158 missiles and drones on Ukraine and 114 of them were destroyed. Ukrainian air force spokesperson Yuriy Ignat said it was record number of missiles and the most massive missile attack of the war, if the early days of constant bombing are to be excluded, according to a report by news agency AFP.

Russia tried to break down Ukraines air defences across most major cities by launching a wave of Shahed attack drones followed by missiles of numerous types fired from planes and from Russian-controlled territory.

The United Nations condemned the attacks and said they must stop immediately.

Regrettably, todays appalling assaults were only the latest in a series of escalating attacks by the Russian Federation, said UN assistant secretary-general Mohamed Khiari.

Poland reported that a Russian missile passed through its airspace.
A Russian missile passed through Polish airspace Friday, entering from and then back into Ukraine, the Polish army said, as Russia pummelled Ukraine with one of the biggest air attacks of the war.

Everything indicates that a Russian missile entered Polish airspace It also left our airspace, said General Wieslaw Kukula, chief of the general staff of the Polish armed forces.

We have national and allied radar confirmation, he told reporters.

The missile was in Polish airspace for three minutes, said Maciej Klisz, operational commander of the Polish army.

We sent our forces, fighter jets, to intercept it and shoot it down if necessary but the duration and the flight path made this impossible and allowed the missile to leave Polish territory, Klisz said.

Klisz said Polands air defence system had been put on alert because of a wave of Russian drone and missile strikes on Ukraine.

The army said it had also carried out a ground search in the place where the signal from the missile was lost.

Polish civilian and military authorities have held emergency meetings and Polish President Andrzej Duda has spoken to NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg following the incident, who reacted on social media.

NATO stands in solidarity with our valued ally, (it) is monitoring the situation and we will remain in contact as the facts are established, Stoltenberg said.

The Polish foreign ministry also summoned Moscows charge daffaires in Poland on Friday evening, and demanded that he explain the incident of the violation of Polish airspace, according to a statement.

In November 2022, a Ukrainian air defence missile fell in the Polish village of Przewodow near the border, killing two civilians.

The explosion occurred at a grain storage site near a school about six kilometres (four miles) from the border during another intensive Russian bombardment of Ukraine.

There was initial doubt about whether the missile was Russian, raising concern that NATO could become directly involved in the war as member state Poland is covered by the alliances collective defence agreement.
South Africa launched a case on Friday at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Israel for what it said were genocidal acts in Gaza, with Israel rejecting the case with disgust.

According to a statement, the ICJ application related to alleged violations by Israel of its obligations under the Genocide Convention, and said that Israel has engaged in, is engaging in and risks further engaging in genocidal acts against the Palestinian people in Gaza.

In The Hague application, South Africa also says that Israel has been acting with the requisite specific intent to destroy Palestinians in Gaza as part of the broader Palestinian national, racial and ethnic group.

Israel rejected the charge, with Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Lior Haiat writing on X, formerly Twitter: Israel rejects with disgust the blood libel spread by South Africa and its application to the ICJ.

The war started by the violent Hamas attacks on Israel is nearing its twelfth week, with vast areas of northern Gaza in ruins and Israeli air strikes and ground combat focusing on central and southern districts.

Hamas gunmen launched an attack on October 7 that left about 1,140 people dead, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli figures.

The Palestinian militants also took about 250 people hostage  more than half of whom remain captive inside the war zone, some of them believed dead.

Israels relentless military campaign since then has killed more than 21,500 people, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza.

Irreparable harm

In the ICJ filing, South Africa asks the court to protect against further, severe and irreparable harm to the rights of the Palestinian people.

South Africa has long been a vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause, with the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party often linking it to its own struggle against apartheid.

Pretoria has strongly condemned Israels response to the Hamas attacks and has recalled all its diplomats from the country.

Israel in turn has recalled its ambassador in South Africa.

Decisions by the ICJ, which judges disputes between states, are final  but it has no means of enforcing its decisions.

It can also order emergency measures pending the full resolution of cases, which can take many years.

In November five countries, including South Africa, called for an International Criminal Court investigation into the Israel-Hamas war.

ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan said South Africa, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Comoros and Djibouti  all ICC members  had sought an investigation of the situation in the state of Palestine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin extended a special New Years message to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday and highlighted the dynamic improvement in the diplomatic ties between the countries despite a difficult international situation. He also noted some important developments in bilateral cooperation between Russia and India in 2023.

The messages addressed to President of the Republic of India Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister of the Republic of India Narendra Modi note that, despite the difficult international situation, the special and privileged strategic partnership between Russia and India continues to develop dynamically: in the outgoing year, trade has been growing at an exceptionally high rate and joint projects in various areas have been successfully implemented, the note stated.

According to a report published by news agency ANI, Putin also praised Indias chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and G20 presidency. He also stressed that both the countries must continue to develop multifaceted bilateral ties and coordinate efforts to strengthen security and stability at regional and global levels.

Vladimir Putin praised the results of Indias chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the G20 and stressed his conviction that Moscow and New Delhi will continue to develop multifaceted bilateral ties and effectively coordinate efforts to strengthen security and stability at the regional and global levels, the ANI report quoted.

Only on December 28, Putin met external affairs minister S Jaishankar, who was on a formal visit to Moscow from December 25 to 29 as a part of the ongoing high-level exchanges between the two sides. During the meeting, Putin highlighted the prime ministers positive stance on complex global developments, including the situation in Ukraine.

The Russian president also mentioned how he has advised Prime Minister Modi on the developments in Ukraine and indicated that further talks on the matter will take place. India has continued to maintain that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. In fact, the PM has told Putin in so many words that this is not the era of war, when the two leaders met face to face on the sidelines of the SCO summit.
China named former Navy chief Dong Jun as its new defence minister on Friday replacing Li Shangfu who was sacked earlier this year during a series of unexplained dismissals of military and political leaders.

The former navy commanders appointment comes at a time when Chinese President Xi Jinping upgrades the Chinese army as part of his plans to make China a dominant world power, and shows increasing assertiveness in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea.

The role of the Chinese defence minister remained unfulfilled for over two months as Li Shangfu was ousted after seven months in the role. His dismissal, along with the removal of foreign minister Qin Gang in July, was unexpected as both of them were handpicked by Xi Jinping.

No official reason for their sudden removal was given by Beijings political establishment.

The Chinese defence ministers role is to be the public face of the Peoples Liberation Army in its engagement with the media and with other armed forces. One of the most important key responsibility area of the Chinese defence minister is to engage with the United States military to lower the risk of conflict over Taiwan and the South China Sea.

Dong, 62, is no stranger to these two flashpoints because before becoming the Peoples Liberation Army Navy chief and a full general in 2021 he was the vice commander of the East Sea Fleet. The East Sea Fleet is the foundational pillar of what is now the Eastern Theatre Command.

The Eastern Theatre Command is the main force responsible for fighting over Taiwan, a self-ruled island China has threatened to reunify with the motherland, if required by using force.

He also formerly served as the vice commander of the Southern Theatre Command which operates in the South China Sea, bulk of which is claimed by China.

Hu Zhongming replaced him and is now the new navy chief.

Wen-Ti Sung, a political scientist at Australian National University, said on social media site X that Dongs appointment is a sign that China sees South China Sea as a new priority area of geopolitical contestation between China and the US while following the existing tradition of appointing non-Army generals to lead Chinas military diplomacy.

Liu Zhenli, a 59-year-old general and head of Chinas joint staff department, was pegged to be the new defence minister by China observers because he held a small meeting with American defence secretary Lloyd Austin last week marking the first high-level call between military personnel from the two leading world powers in more than a year.

Corruption

Wen-Ti Sung, political scientist and non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Councils Global China Hub, told news agency Reuters that the elevation of Dong could be a sign that purges are ongoing in the Rocket Force and Equipment Development Department.

The two preceding defence ministers, Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu, who came from these two forces, have since disappeared from public view. Li is being probed for corruption related to equipment procurement and development.

In a separate Friday announcement from the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress it was announced that nine senior military officials were removed from Chinas top legislative body.

Fighting alleged corruption has been a central theme of Xis rule, which has been punctuated by high-level removals and disappearances of officials. Chinas defence ministry vowed to crack down on every corrupt official in August.

(with inputs from AFP and Reuters)
Hundreds of Serbian protesters, mostly students, gathered Friday in central Belgrade and blocked a key intersection in the capital to protest alleged electoral fraud.

It marked the first planned day-long blockade since the December 17 parliamentary and local elections in which President Aleksandar Vucics party said it secured a commanding victory. Opposition groups have contested the results.

The main opposition coalition Serbia Against Violence alleged that ethnic-Serbian voters from neighbouring Bosnia had been allowed to cast ballots illegally in the capital.

International observers also reported irregularities while several Western nations voiced concern over the electoral process.

The students, organised within the Borba (Fight) movement, are calling for the election results to be annulled and new votes held.

In our country, literally for decades, no justice has been done regarding democratic processes, Jovana Kostadinov, a 19-year-old student at the Belgrade University Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Biology, told AFP.

Now when I was finally entitled to vote, (my vote) was not respected and I feel hurt, she said.

Who stole the elections? activist Ivan Bijelic asked the protesting students, who replied chanting, Thieves, thieves!

Students, joined by other youngsters, erected tents and put sleeping bags at an improvised camp while some sat at the intersection close to government buildings.

We will not allow you (Vucic) this, read one of the banners carried by the protesters.

Euromaidan Serbia, read another one in a reference to the pro-European Union protest wave in Ukraine in 2014.

On Friday evening, the students were joined by several hundred protesters who had gathered earlier in front of the state electoral commission.

Once the blockade ends at midday Saturday, the protesters plan to join another demonstration later in the day led by a group of intellectuals, artists and celebrities who urged people to vote before the elections.

Vucics right-wing Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) won roughly 46 percent of votes in the parliamentary elections, while the leading opposition coalition secured 23.5 percent, the official results show.

Since the elections, protesters have erected sporadic roadblocks in Belgrade.

The protests culminated on Sunday evening, when demonstrators tried to storm Belgrade city hall, with police pushing them back with pepper spray.

Demonstrators, more than 30 of whom were detained, used flagpoles, rocks and eggs to break the windows of the capitals administrative building and tried to break in.
HOHHOT, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- At a commemorative site in a forest in the Dahinggan Mountains in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, a single, decaying tree has remained undisturbed since it was felled eight years ago. Next to it stands a thriving tree intentionally spared from a prior logging plan.

"Our design of the site embodies a philosophy that sees the cessation of logging not as an end but as a new beginning," introduced Li Ming with the Inner Mongolia Forest Industry Group, which manages the forest.

The state-owned forest area in the Dahinggan Mountains in Inner Mongolia is the largest of its kind in China with an ecological functional area of 106,700 square km. For a long time, the environment endured the detrimental effects of extensive logging such as strong wind, shallow rivers and decreasing wildlife.

However, this has all become history since key state-owned forests in Inner Mongolia completely ceased logging in 2015. The area now boasts forest coverage of 83,700 square km, and its forest stock volume has reached 941 million cubic meters.

Former loggers have also started a new chapter. Li Chengzhi, who has been working at the Wulikuma forest farm in the Dahinggan Mountains forest for over 20 years, is the man behind proposals to develop ecotourism.

Leveraging the dense forests and the unique culture of the previous logging team, and through pooling funding, a tourist spot has been established with 22 guest rooms, all built by the workers themselves, said Li, now deputy director of the Wulikuma forest farm.

Visitors enjoy dormitory-style lodging, savor authentic northeastern Chinese cuisine, and marvel at the weathered tractors as well as old tools like axes, saws, helmets, and clothing commonly used by loggers.

In 2023 alone, the spot received over 600,000 visitors, generating an income of 36 million yuan (about 5.08 million U.S. dollars). It has also initiated forest carbon trading since 2017 and achieved a revenue of over 50 million yuan.

Meanwhile, about 15,000 former workers were given new positions related to forest fire prevention and forest management and conservation. Gao Wuquan used to operate tractors, now he is a ranger who conducts regular patrols within the forest, diligently detecting signs of illegal logging and poaching while also monitoring potential outbreaks of plant diseases and pests.

When local residents reflect on changes in the forest over the years, the most notable is the flourishing wildlife, from bears frequenting the management stations to the sight of herds of roe deer. Human-animal encounters have transitioned from rare incidents to everyday occurrences.

Behind such transformation is China's endeavor to deepen the reform of the system for developing an ecological civilization over the past decade. The country has achieved a forest coverage rate exceeding 24 percent, and the preserved area of artificial forests has surpassed 1.3 billion mu (about 86.67 million hectares), ranking first globally.

During a meeting of the central leading group for deepening overall reform in July 2015, a series of plans to establish a stricter supervision system for environmental protection work were approved, including an environmental protection supervision plan for building a better monitoring network and a plan for independent auditing of officials of natural resource assets, among others.

Following the reform steps, the regional department of ecology and environment of Inner Mongolia has outlined 11 measures in aspects such as environmental protection inspections and judicial safeguards. Hulun Buir City, famous for its vast grasslands, conducted 48 resource and environmental audit projects from 2017 to 2022, promoting the improvement of 55 institutional measures.

The environmental conditions in Inner Mongolia have shown continuous progress. From 2012 to 2022, the grassland vegetation coverage and forest coverage in the entire region increased from 40.3 percent and 20.8 percent to 45 percent and 23 percent, respectively.

The region is projected to encompass a minimum of 596,900 square km within the ecological protection red line by 2035, constituting over half of its total land area, according to a land-use planning just approved by the State Council. 
UPDATE

Dec 30, 2023 6:00 AM CST

Google will settle the class-action lawsuit, filed in 2020, accusing the tech giant of tracking users even when they were using "incognito" mode on their Chrome web browsers, the AP reports. Plaintiffs argued Google had amassed an "unaccountable trove of information" on users who were misled into believing they were browsing privately, when really Google's advertising technologies and other technologies kept right on cataloguing where they were going and what they were doing online. The suit originally sought $5 billion; terms of the settlement have not been disclosed and must still be approved by a judge.

Dec 29, 2021 7:45 AM CST

If you use Google Chrome and don't want the web browser to remember where you've been, you can head into "Incognito" mode, which ostensibly keeps your activity private. A lawsuit now brings under the microscope the meaning of what "private" actually means, and a California federal judge has just ruled that the CEO of Google and parent company Alphabet can be questioned in the case. Reuters reports that US Magistrate Judge Susan van Keulen issued her ruling on Monday, allowing plaintiffs in the complaint filed in June of last year to put Sundar Pichai in the hot seat for up to two hours.
Visitors to Times Square got a small preview of New York City's famed New Year's Eve party on Friday, as the event's organizers heaved handfuls of colored paper skyward in a promotional event to test their confetti. With crowds of celebrants expected to pack into Times Square for the festivities, even the smallest details can't be overlooked, said Jeff Strauss, president of Countdown Entertainment. That includes the 2-by-2-inch slips of paper that will flutter to the ground at the stroke of midnight Sunday, the AP reports. "This is a whole process," Strauss said. "We got to feel the confetti. We got to fluff it up. We got to make sure it's going to float."

While the test may have been more promotional than practical, the actual New Year's confetti releasewhich has been part of the event since 1992remains a labor-intensive operation. An estimated 3,000 pounds of confetti are trucked into midtown Manhattan each year, then carried to rooftops of office buildings overlooking Times Square. About a hundred volunteer "dispersal engineers" then drop the haul on the street below to ring in the new year. At a security briefing later Friday, Mayor Eric Adams said the city's police department was prepared for throngs of spectators.

Beyond confetti, a flurry of other preparations were underway for the celebration, which runs from 6pm Sunday until after midnight. Sitting behind the "2024" light display that arrived this week, the glittering crystal ball was set to undergo its own test drop on Saturday, per the AP. "Like any fine Broadway show, we rehearse everything to make sure there are no problems for opening night," said Tom Harris, the president of the Times Square Alliance. (Read more Times Square stories.)
South Africa launched a case Friday at the United Nations' top court accusing Israel of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza and asking the court to order Israel to halt its attacksthe first such challenge made at the court over the current war. Israel swiftly rejected the filing "with disgust," calling it a "blood libel." South Africa's submission to the International Court of Justice alleges that "acts and omissions by Israel ... are genocidal in character" as they are committed with the intent "to destroy Palestinians in Gaza" as a part of the broader Palestinian national, racial and ethnic group. South Africa has been a fierce critic of Israel's military campaign in Gaza. Many there, including President Cyril Ramaphosa, have compared Israel's policies regarding Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank with South Africa's past apartheid regime of racial segregation. Israel rejects such allegations.

South Africa asked The Hague-based court to issue an interim order for Israel to immediately suspend its military operations in Gaza. A hearing into that request is likely in the coming days or weeks, reports the AP. The case, if it goes ahead, will take years, but an interim order could be issued within weeks. A Foreign Ministry statement said South Africa's case lacks a legal foundation and constitutes a "despicable and contemptuous exploitation" of the court. Israel also accused South Africa of cooperating with Hamas. The statement also said Israel operates according to international law and focuses its military actions solely against Hamas, adding that the residents of Gaza are not an enemy.

South Africa can bring the case under the Genocide Convention because both it and Israel are signatories to it. Whether the case will succeed in halting the war remains to be seen. While the court's orders are legally binding, they are not always followed. In March 2022, the court ordered Russia to halt hostilities in Ukraine, a binding legal ruling that Moscow flouted. South Africa's foreign ministry said in a statement that the country is "gravely concerned with the plight of civilians caught in the present Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip due to the indiscriminate use of force and forcible removal of inhabitants."

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The ministry added that there are "ongoing reports of international crimes, such as crimes against humanity and war crimes, being committed as well as reports that acts meeting the threshold of genocide or related crimes as defined in the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide, have been and may still be committed in the context of the ongoing massacres in Gaza." South Africa's president earlier accused Israel of war crimes and acts "tantamount to genocide." And South Africa last month pushed for the International Criminal Court, which also is based in The Hague, to investigate Israel's actions in Gaza. The ICC prosecutes individuals for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, while the International Court of Justice settles disputes between nations.

(Read more Israel-Hamas war stories.)
Shelling in the center of the Russian border city of Belgorod killed 14 people, including two children, and injured 108 others on Saturday, Russia's Emergency Situations Ministry said. Russian officials accused Kyiv of carrying out the attack, which took place the day after an 18-hour aerial bombardment across Ukraine killed at least 39 civilians. Images of Belgorod on social media showed burning cars and plumes of black smoke rising among damaged buildings as air raid sirens sounded, the AP reports. One strike hit close to a public ice rink in the heart of the city.

Russia's Defense Ministry said it identified the ammunition used in the strike as Czech-made Vampire rockets and Olkha cluster munitions. It provided no additional information, and the AP was unable to verify its claims. "This crime will not go unpunished," the ministry said in a statement on social media. The Kremlin said that Russian President Vladimir Putin had been briefed on the situation, and that the country's health minister, Mikhail Murashko, was ordered to join a delegation of medical personnel and rescue workers traveling to Belgorod from Moscow. Earlier on Saturday, Moscow officials had reported shooting down 32 Ukrainian drones over the country's Moscow, Bryansk, Oryol, and Kursk regions.

They also reported that cross-border shelling had killed two other people in Russia. A man died and four other people were injured when a missile struck a private home in the Belgorod region late Friday evening, and a 9-year-old was killed in a separate incident in the Bryansk region. Russian drone strikes against Ukraine continued Saturday, per the AP, with the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reporting that 10 Iranian-made Shahed drones had been shot down across the Kherson, Khmelnytskyi, and Mykolaiv regions. Shelling killed a 43-year-old man in Stepnohirsk, a town in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region, Gov. Yuriy Malashko said on social media.

(Read more Russia-Ukraine war stories.)
Passengers at Wellington Airport are facing a New Year's Eve headache with dozens of flights in and out of the Capital delayed or cancelled due to strong winds.

Wellington Airport told Newshub that "extremely high and gusty wind" is causing disruptions at the airport on Sunday morning.

A Wellington Airport spokesperson said as of 10:30am there have been 17 arrival flights disrupted - either cancelled or unable to land - and 15 departures disrupted.

The spokesperson said some smaller aircraft have been able to land but it is the larger planes that are most affected.

"The wind is forecast to ease this afternoon. Passengers are advised to contact their airlines for the latest information," the spokesperson said.
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WASHINGTON, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- A possible wave of commercial real estate defaults threatens to prolong the U.S. regional banking crisis into 2024, according to some experts.

"It is all too likely that we will have another round of the regional bank crisis in 2024," Desmond Lachman, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and a former official at the International Monetary Fund, told Xinhua.

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE CRISIS

A possible commercial real estate crisis could impact regional banks next year.

In the wake of COVID-19, many professionals now work from home, while shoppers continue their migration online and away from malls, department stores and outlets.

As a result, commercial space vacancy rates have soared, and commercial property prices are plunging.

Major property investors, such as Brookfield and Blackstone, are starting to walk away from their mortgages, Lachman noted.

The scenario makes it more likely that commercial property owners will, possibly by next year, start defaulting on their loans.

That would be very bad news for small and mid-size banks.

That is because commercial real estate lending by small and mid-sized banks comprises roughly 18 percent of their overall loan portfolios, Lachman noted.

Such a scenario could cause 385 U.S. banks, mostly small and mid-size, to go bankrupt, according to a report released earlier this month by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER).

"All of this could pose a serious risk to the economic recovery," Lachman said.

Meanwhile, demand for commercial space continues to drop, with vacancies hitting around 20 percent in Q3.

The value of such properties declined around 20 percent from early 2022 until late 2023, and will likely slip 5 percent to 15 percent in 2024, according to international real estate company CBRE.

Investors could default on anywhere between 10 percent and 20 percent of commercial real estate loans, according to NBER.

Roughly 1.2 trillion U.S. dollars in commercial real estate was "potentially troubled" due to falling property values, according to a report released in August by advisory company Newmark Group, as reported in the Los Angeles Times.

Office space is the biggest problem in the short term, as it comprises over 50 percent of the 626 billion dollars of debt that's slated to mature by the end of 2025.

EMPTY OFFICES

Offices started emptying out during the COVID crisis, when millions of Americans made the shift to at-home work.

Many companies have been unable to persuade employees to return to the office five days a week, as employees are happy to save time and gas money on long commutes.

Sheila Reynolds, an office worker near Washington DC, told Xinhua she now commutes to the office three days a week. But some weeks she does not go to the office at all, explaining that she's "more productive at home."

Companies have also realized they can save money on electricity and other office-related expenses. Some firms have shut their offices completely, with staff working entirely at home.

Employees say the switch helps them remain motivated, as they now can avoid the stress of long commutes.

Some economists warn against comparing the current banking problems with the 2007-2008 meltdown sparked by the Lehman Brothers collapse.

"This is not in the same ballpark," Dean Baker, senior economist at the Center for Economic and Policy Research, told Xinhua.

That time was characterized by poorly capitalized banks with trillions of dollars of bad mortgage debt on their books.

It was inevitable that it would lead to a banking crisis, especially since it was coupled with a severe recession brought on by the collapse of the housing bubble, Baker said. 
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain is keen to support all environmental issues, especially those related to biodiversity, in order to achieve the Kingdoms sustainable development goals (SDGs). This was affirmed yesterday by His Majesty the Kings personal representative and Supreme Council for Environment (SCE) president His Highness Shaikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

In a statement marking the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Wildlife Day, observed every December 30, HH Shaikh Abdulla asserted that Bahrain has attained numerous regional and global honourable achievements and gains in conserving the environment and mitigating climate change effects, as well as in enhancing joint-cooperation and exchanging experiences in the field of preserving wildlife and biodiversity with other GCC countries.

GCC Initiatives HH Shaikh Abdulla commended the GCC countries efforts to implement the Convention on the Conservation of Wildlife and Their Natural Habitats, citing their designation of December 30 as an annual occasion to celebrate wildlife.

HH Shaikh Abdulla highlighted the SCEs great interest in promoting awareness of the importance of preserving wildlife and its great role in human life. SCE activities have included organising field visits to reserves and parks, contributing to projects of school and university students regarding the mangrove plant cultivation, and participating in forums on the mangrove plant project and its importance in mitigating the effects of climate change to enhance environmental awareness among all segments of society, HH Shaikh Abdulla said.

HH Shaikh Abdulla indicated that there are a great number of natural reserves in Bahrain. He added that the SCE has inaugurated the Mangrove Nursery in Ras Sanad, within the Tubli Bay Reserve. This is part of the SCEs plans to intensify national efforts aimed at moving forward towards increasing the green area and quadrupling mangrove trees by 2035, in line with the Kingdoms commitment to achieving zero carbon neutrality to preserve the environment.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Nearly 400 government databases and over two million records have been established in the Bahrain Open Data Portal, which has won the Best Open Data Initiative at the fifth GCC eGovernment Awards.

Information and eGovernment Authority (iGA) chief executive Mohammed Ali Al Qaed congratulated and thanked the team behind the portal, data.gov. bh, which adheres to global best practices and United Nations standards for open data.

The teams endeavors included developing infrastructure and databases and updating the portal with statistics, culminating in the establishment of 387 government databases and over two million records, contributed by 34 government entities.

The portal is designed to empower decision-makers, investors, researchers, and citizens by providing them with accessible, useful, and valuable information. Al Qaed also congratulated and thanked the team behind the National Suggestions and Complaints System (Tawasul) for their efforts and for receiving a Certificate of Excellence in the Best Digital Community eParticipation category, reaching the final stage of the award which saw strong competition from a range of GCC digital projects.

He commended these achievements, which are the result of the iGA teams dedicated efforts to develop the portalone of the key digital initiatives supporting the Kingdoms digital transformation and its enhancement of government services.

Al Qaed expressed his gratitude to the senior leadership and government for their support of information and communication technology (ICT), driven by a vision that focuses on advancing technology and digital transformation across the Kingdoms key sectors.

He also congratulated Minister of Interior and Ministerial Committee for Information and Communication Technology (MCICT) chairman General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, acknowledging his crucial role in guiding and overseeing the iGAs national initiatives and ongoing project development.

These efforts were pivotal in the recent launch of the revamped Bahrain Open Data Portal, a significant accomplishment for the Gulf region. Al Qaed reaffirmed the commitment to further enhancing the portal and all national systems and projects, to improve user experience.

Al Qaed highlighted the portals role in promoting transparency, encouraging eParticipation and innovation, and disseminating government data. He invited everyone to utilise the portals extensive features, which allow for the sharing and distribution of government information in accessible formats, free of charge, and in accordance with established guidelines to meet the diverse needs of stakeholders and specialists.
TOKYO, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- Former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda said the wisdom of the East has far-reaching significance in finding resolutions to any global disputes or issues, noting, "Today, the international situation is complex and severe, and problems such as climate warming and food shortage are becoming increasingly serious. How to deal with these challenges?"

Yasuo Fukuda and his father Takeo Fukuda both served as prime ministers of Japan, and they were also witnesses to the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between China and Japan.

After Japan and China normalized diplomatic relations in 1972, his father made great efforts to promote the signing of the treaty, Yasuo Fukuda told Xinhua in an interview in Tokyo.

On Oct. 23, 1978, Takeo Fukuda, then prime minister of Japan, and Deng Xiaoping, the Chinese leader, attended the ceremony for the exchange of instruments of ratification of the treaty for the treaty to officially enter into effect. Yasuo Fukuda, serving as his father's secretary at the time, was also present and witnessed the ceremony.

"It can be said that I am also a witness to the treaty," he said.

Having had an in-depth study of Chinese culture just as his father did, Yasuo Fukuda said China's 5,000-year history is "very worthy of pride", during which many great people were born and ancient Chinese philosophers such as Confucius had long thought about how to resolve disputes and maintain unity.

"The wisdom of the East still has profound referential significance for today's world," he added.

"Do not do to others what you do not want others to do to you" is regarded by Yasuo Fukuda as the golden rule to resolve world conflicts. "As long as we persist in working in this direction, we will eventually be able to build and safeguard peace," he said.

Noting that this year marks the 45th anniversary of the treaty's signing and both countries have held celebrations, Yasuo Fukuda said, "We should review the content of the treaty and continue its spirit."

Yasuo Fukuda said he expected Japan-China friendship to become an important force that "will not only have a positive impact on other regions, but also contribute to the maintenance of world peace." 
Russian Prof Parkhomov claims to have replicated Rossi E-Cat and Parkhomov and published fully open research. Others are racing to replicate and extend the work.

Prof Alexander Parkhomov of Lomonosov Moscow State University has published a paper describing his successful replication of the E-Cat, based on the available information about it. The paper is in Russian; there is a link and commentary and video in English on E-Cat World. Parkhomovs results are more modest, but the energy output of his cloned E-Cat claimed to be up to 2.74 times as great as the input.

Here is a translation of the Russian Parkhomov report

Others are racing to replicate and extend the open work

E-catworld has seen the work of Martin Fleischmann Memorial Project, Brian Ahern, and Jack Cole as examples of efforts now attempting to build on the work of Parkhomov (in different ways)  and he is aware of another serious attempt in the planning stages. He is sure there are more efforts underway, probably behind closed doors, at least for now

If results can be shown to be consistently repeated, and the levels of energy gain are shown to be beyond the realm of chemical reactions, then 2015 could be the year where we finally see LENR breaking out in the world, even if we dont get anything more revealed from Rossi and Industrial Heat.

NOTE- Nextbigfuture has information on the Brian Ahern work which cannot be published at this time. Nextbigfuture has been in correspondence with Brian Ahern for a few years.

Here is the Parkhomov report with pictures

Parkhomov Conclusions

Experiments with the analogs of Rossis high temperature thermal generators , chrged with a mixture of nickel and lithium aluminum hydride, have shown that by heating of temperatures of 110 C or higher the produced energy is greater than the energy consumed.

The level of ionizing radiation during the functioning of the reactor is not observably greater tahn the background radiation. The density of the flux of neutrons is not higher than 0.2 neutrons/cm2 s

Local overheating resulting in Parkhomov destruction of replicated e-cat reactor

Russian video explaining the Parkhomov work

SOURCES  E-catworld, Wired UK, Youtube
Brillouin Energy Corp., developer of renewable energy technologies capable of producing commercially useful amounts of thermal energy (heat) based on controlled low energy nuclear reactions (LENR), announced today that its Hydrogen Hot Tube (HHT) Boiler System reactor core modules, were the subject of a recently completed independent Technical Validation Report.

The 35-page Report was prepared as technical due diligence by Michael Halem, a third party technical investigator. The Technical Validation Report summarizes the investigation into Brillouin Energys HHT single tube core prototypes at Brillouins Berkeley laboratory and at its research partner SRI International. The results are drawn from a series of calibrated tests of both systems. Mr. Halem personally designed tests on the HHT systems and then directed the technical staff of Brillouin Energy and SRI to execute the test plans. The tests, in which 95 channels of data were recorded and then investigated, included multiple technical changes to validate the thermodynamic results.

In all cases, the results were consistent: the data demonstrate with very high confidence that the Brillouin Energy HHT prototype repeatedly produced lab-scale excess heat from LENR.

I was given full access to the experiments, said Mr. Halem. I was able to confirm, with a high degree of confidence, excess energy output above chemical and likely due to a nuclear reaction. The Technical Validation Report affirms that Brillouin Energys HHT technology is scalable by assembling multiple HHT tubes in a reactor system. The Report was peer reviewed by Mr. Halems technical colleague, Dr. Antoine Guillemin who holds his Masters in Nuclear Physics and Ph.D. in Building Physics. Brillouin Energys Technical Validation Report is available upon request to qualified interested parties under a customary non-disclosure agreement.

Brillouin Energy is a clean-technology company based in Berkeley, California, which is developing, in collaboration with Stanford Research International (SRI), an ultra-clean, low-cost, renewable energy technology that is capable of producing commercially useful amounts of thermal energy from LENR.

Brillouin Energys technology includes a proprietary method of electrical stimulation of nickel metal conductors using its unique Q-Pulse control system. The process stimulates the system to generate LENR reactions, which generates excess heat. The excess heat produced is a product of hydrogen and a nickel metal lattice. Other than the heat output, there are no (zero) toxic or CO2 emissions of any kind.

Brillouin Approach

Brillouin Energys unique form of LENR, a Controlled Electron Capture Reaction, generates a reaction that produces excess thermal energy by using very small amounts of hydrogen, nickel and electricity for inputs.

1. Hydrogen in the form of either a wet electrolyte, or as a gas, is loaded inside a pressure vessel with a highly engineered metallic core constructed from nickel.

2. Electrical charges from Brillouin Energy Corp.s proprietary Q-Pulse generator are passed through the pressure vessel, resulting in a compressed lattice within the engineered constrained system.

3. Mass is created and a proton is converted to a neutron, causing a tremendous loss of energy in the system. 1H (protium) is converted to 2H (deuterium), 2H (deuterium) is converted to 3H (tritium) and 3H (tritium) is converted to 4H (quatrium). This results in net energy out as the 4H (quatrium) rapidly beta decays to a release of (largely) heat, plus a tiny amount of 4He (helium) into the system. This CECR process effectively liberates more energy than it took to create all the preceding steps, on an energy density level equivalent in scope to nuclear fission, but without the pollution.

This CECR process continues billions of times per second creating a safe, reliable, and continuous heat source, leading to years of potential unattended operation and no (zero) pollutants of any kind.

WET

The path to commercializing Brillouin Energys WET Boiler systems includes licensing agreements with industrial companies and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) that address the conventional boiler manufacturing, distribution and sales marketplace.

In the United States, an estimated 581,000 commercial buildings use boilers powered by fossil fuels for space heating or hot water, and another 22,000 use electric boilers.

WET Boiler systems have the capability to provide commercial and residential buildings with lower grade process heat up to 150 C. These systems offer a safe, reliable clean energy alternative at a fraction of the cost of energy from conventional sources. The WET Boiler uses a simple electrolyte with distilled water and a nickel catalyst.

The WET Boiler illustration describes the underlying Controlled Electron Capture Reaction (CECR) process. Hydrogen is loaded onto a nickel lattice where an electronic pulse (Brillouin Q-Pulse) is passed through the system, resulting in a compressed lattice within the highly engineered constrained environment. Mass is created and a proton is converted to a neutron, causing a tremendous loss of energy in the system. 1H Protium is converted to 2H (deuterium), 2H (deuterium) is converted to 3H (tritium) and 3H (tritium) is converted to 4H (quatrium), resulting in a net energy out as the 4H (quatrium) rapidly beta decays, at which point a large amount of heat, plus a tiny amount of 4He (helium) are released into the system in a process that releases more energy than it took to create all of the preceding steps.

HYDROGEN HOT TUBE

The path to commercializing Brillouin Energys HYDROGEN HOT TUBE (HHT) Boiler systems includes licensing agreements with companies producing high quality process heat for power generation of electricity, other industrial heat processes and desalination.

Industry comprises 32 percent of a $7 trillion dollar annual global energy marketplace. Designed to operate at temperatures between 500 C to 700 C, Brillouin Energy Corp.s HHT Boiler systems use a very small amount of simple hydrogen gas with a nickel catalyst which are ideally suited to meeting industrys demands for clean, cheap modular heat and power at the point of demand.

The HHT Boiler systems have the capability of providing for a wide variety of scalable non-fossil fuel process heat applications, including steam turbine power plants, manufacturing, hydronic heating, distributable power supplies, desalination of salt water and many more applications.

Clean, cheap modular heat and power at the point of demand will drive an industrial revolution in several industries including power to off-grid communities, desalination, hydrogen production, ammonia and fertilizer production and metal mining, milling and processing.
A NASA official said Artemis will need 20 SpaceX Lunar Starship launches per moon landing. On Nov. 17, Lakiesha Hawkins, assistant deputy associate administrator in NASAs Moon to Mars Program Office, said SpaceX will have to perform Starship launches from both its current pad in Texas and one it is constructing at the Kennedy Space Center in order send a lander to the moon for Artemis 3. SpaceXs Human Landing System (HLS) program needs multiple launches for refueling for each moon mission. One launch will place a propellant depot into orbit, followed by multiple other launches of tanker versions of Starship, transferring methane and liquid oxygen propellants into the depot. That will be followed by the lander version of Starship, which will rendezvous with the depot and fill its tanks before going to the moon.

Elon Musk, chief executive of SpaceX, disagreed, calling the need for 16 launches extremely unlikely in an August 2021 social media post. He said a max of 8 tanker launches should be needed to fuel the Starship lander, adding it could be as few as four.

NASA wants more fuel depot supply launches to manage boiloff. Fewer launches would be better but would require more fuel reqching orbit with each launch. The more quickly the launches are made then there would be less boiloff.

Its in the high teens in the number of launches, Hawkins said. Thats driven, she suggested, about concerns about boiloff, or loss of cryogenic liquid propellants, at the depot. In order to be able to meet the schedule that is required, as well as managing boiloff and so forth of the fuel, theres going to need to be a rapid succession of launches of fuel, she said.

Artemis III will mark humanitys return to the Moon in more than 50 years, with NASA making history by sending the first humans to the lunar South Pole to

explore.

There is a seven page NASA 2023 analysis of the Artemis moon missions.

SpaceXs Starship HLS will be prepositioned in Near-Rectilinear Halo Orbit (NRHO) to receive crew. SpaceX will start by launching a storage depot variant of Starship to Earth orbit, followed by a series of reusable tanker Starship variants that will carry propellant to the storage depot. The Starship HLS will

launch and be fueled by the depot before executing a translunar injection (TLI) engine burn, traveling approximately six days to NRHO where it will perform a Lunar Orbit Checkout Review (LOCR) and await the Artemis III crew.

The crew of four will launch to NRHO onboard the Orion spacecraft atop the SLS rocket. Orion will dock with the Starship HLS and two astronauts, and their supplies will board Starship, leaving the other two to remain in Orion. Orion will undock and back away from Starship and remain in NRHO. Starship will then descend to the lunar surface for an approximate 6.5 day stay where crew will do scientific work inside Starship and conduct a series of moonwalks to take pictures and video, survey geology, retrieve samples, and collect other data.
BEIJING, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping will deliver a New Year address to ring in 2024 at 7 p.m. Sunday.

The address will be broadcast by major TV and radio channels of the China Media Group, and the websites and new media platforms of major state news organizations. 
The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has condoled with the widow of the late Ondo State Governor Mrs Betty Akeredolu.

Tinubu, who paid a visit to the Ibadan residence of the Akeredolus, noted that the late governor fought gallantly to stay alive, but every human existence is subject to the will of God.

She noted that the nation has lost one of its great men.

He did his best. God will be there for you when God shows up for you, that is what really matters, she said.

She admonished the widow and the family to take solace in God and trust in him alone at this trying time.

She prayed that God continue to uphold the family.

Responding on behalf of the family, the brother to the late governor, Professor Oluwole Ayodeji Akeredolu, said the exit of the governor was a painful one at this time. Still, the family is consoled by the fact that he has gone to rest.

He thanked the First Lady and her entourage for the condolence visit, which he described as a great honour.

Her entourage included the wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shetima, wives of members of the National Assembly, wives of state governors of Lagos and Ogun, wife of the All Progressives Congress, APC, National Chairman and others.
Solomon Buchi, the relationship influencer, is facing backlash after his comment linking Boko Haram to Islam.

This criticism follows the recent attack in Plateau state that claimed over 160 lives on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Buchi alleged that the killings in the Middle Belt and Northern Nigeria are affiliated with Islamic terrorist groups.

But they are also killing Muslims in northern/middle belt Nigeria. It is not only Christians, he wrote.

Who is killing them? Who? Islamic groups! Okay, mention one Christian group mass killing Northern Muslims. Will you?

The killings of Northern/Middle Belt Christians that affect Muslims are not done by RCCG or Winner Chapel members.

It is perpetuated by Islamic terrorist groups.

His comment has sparked criticism on X, with users accusing him of not having enough knowledge of Islam and inciting violence.

Ok, Solomon Buchi is an IPOB terrorist. It is clear now, a user claimed.

But for him to say Boko Haram guys are Muslims? That is 99% stupidity. Why? I do not think he understands how this country works (in terms of security), another wrote.

See other comments below:

Solomon Buchi don dey fold kee?



I am actually enjoying how the former King of Feminist is unraveling like moi moi elewe. 



Its too early to chicken out @Solomon_Buchi ! pic.twitter.com/bqtjzyHwPm  Temitope Ayanbisi (@AyanbisiAT) December 30, 2023

These are kids being raised just like @Solomon_Buchi You expect them to like other tribes growing up?pic.twitter.com/9ZNegs687u https://t.co/NbsiPNsFu4  Taofeek T. Gawat  (@tfk_gawat) December 30, 2023

Same @Solomon_Buchi doing what his dad told him back in kaduna, just a pinch, you will discover those behind the mask real calling. pic.twitter.com/Hn5kDou5da  Sultan of Abuja (@realsultanoa) December 30, 2023

Whether Solomon Buchi and his bigoted brethren like it or not, NOBODY can change the Sharia law in northern Nigeria. If you don't like it, don't come!



Following the doctrines of OUR RELIGION is bigger than ANYTHING in our lives.



Stop wasting your time on frivolous nansense  Zee Yola (@Zee_Osman80) December 30, 2023

I am not supposed to sound mushy and chummy while condemning the Islamic terrorist attacks on Christians.



Some of you expect me to kneel, and beg Muslims to understand my point. Absolutely not. My goal isnt to be agreeable. My goal isnt to fake unity and peace with political  Solomon Buchi (@Solomon_Buchi) December 29, 2023

It is the same in Christianity also pic.twitter.com/TzN8LYL92l  AL-BAYANYY (@albayanyy) December 30, 2023

Lol sorry



We werent brought up to hate any tribe or religion on default.



We also dont react on impulse,propaganda or agenda.



Yall always looking for partners in misery lol,we see through you pic.twitter.com/TeavUNnlS4  Jide of Lagos (@Jidejay_) December 30, 2023

Dear North,



We need to sit up now, more than ever, especially that self confessions from people like @Solomon_Buchi on how his father has planted hatred of Northern Muslims in his heart from when he was a child, continue to resurface.



There is a syndicate of child traffickers pic.twitter.com/p8Si30k1E2  Hidima, Ph.D. (@Realoilsheikh) December 29, 2023

Is Islam a religion of Peace ??



Find out for yourself !!



Taquiyya is an Islamic doctrine of deception.



As a Muslim you are allowed to lie, even by placing your hands on the Quran, if it gains you the trust of infidels and allows you to draw out their vulnerability and defeat  Radicalyouthman #AMG (@RadicalYouthMan) December 29, 2023

The Quran never preached violence for blasphemy



In fact you are advised to be cordial and respectful of other religions.



In the case where they ridicule yours, you are told to advise them pic.twitter.com/GEPS3ksXKJ  Harbimz (@sir_harbimz) December 30, 2023
Simon Lalong, senator representing Plateau south, says he was disappointed at the reasons given by the military for failing to respond to bloody attacks in Plateau state.

Lalong spoke while contributing to a debate on a motion sponsored by Diiket Plang, senator representing Plateau central, on Saturday.

I heard a report from the military this morning and I was disappointed. [It said] why they didnt deal with the situation was because of proximity and terrain, he said.

There is nothing like terrain in the military.

Plang had drawn the attention of the red chamber to the attacks.

On the eve of Christmas, some armed men killed many residents during attacks on 17 communities in Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi LGAs of Plateau state.

The attacks were said to have occurred on December 23 and continued to 24 while residents were preparing for Christmas celebrations.

Houses were razed and properties were looted in the process.

On his part, Abdul Ningi, senator representing Bauchi central, said the attack happened because there was no synergy between the security agencies.

What happened in Bokkos is unprecedented. When you have a catchment of bandits moving at a go. There was a rumour of the attack and the governor tried to make awareness of this attack but he was not taken seriously, Ningi said.

We need to urgently call the security agencies to order. There is no synergy.

The Plateau is in dire need because they are settling over a thousand displaced people. It is a terrible phenomenon. We have forgotten about our humanity.

Ningi added that any security chief who is not competent should be shown the way out.
Ahmed Yerima, former governor of Zamfara, says he was asked to drop his presidential ambition for Muhammadu Buhari in the buildup to the 2007 elections.

According to Yerima, ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo begged Ibrahim Babangida, a former military president, to persuade him against running for the election.

Yerima spoke on Friday during a Channels Televisions programme titled Inside Sources, which was hosted by Laolu Akande, the former spokesperson of ex-Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.

BACKGROUND

Yerima was the governor of Zamfara state from 1999 to 2007. He was one of the presidential hopefuls who sought the ticket of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) ahead of the 2007 elections.

In December 2006, during the ANPP national convention, Yerima climbed the podium and announced that he had stepped down for Buhari, who was also running for the position.

Buhari was declared the winner of the ANPP presidential primary.

On the other hand, the late Umaru Musa YarAdua got the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

YarAdua was the anointed candidate of Obasanjo, who at the time was completing his two-term tenure in 2007.

YarAdua won the 2007 presidential election, while Buhari came second.

WHY I STEPPED DOWN FOR BUHARI

Speaking during the interview, Yerima said before the ANPPs national convention, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) agreed that Buhari should become the sole presidential candidate of the north and that other contestants in the region should step down.

The former governor said he was approached by the forum to step down, adding that he told them that he would think about it.

Yerima said he dropped his ambition after Babangida requested him to step down for Buhari.

President Obasanjo made sure that he brought General Ibrahim Babangida, who is still alive, and begged him for me to step down. He was in PDP and I was in ANPP, he said.

He said Obasanjo did not want him to contest against YarAdua, his anointed candidate, because he knew that the ANPP primary election would be won by him.

At that time, the security report showed him, according to my information, that I had all the delegates in my hand, except Kano and Katsina, I left for Buhari, at that time, he said.

I had all the state chairmen of ANPP of all 36 states and Abuja supporting me. The government knew that if I got the ticket, it was going to be a very difficult task for PDP to win for YarAdua to become president.

Then, Obasanjo sent an aircraft to bring IBB and requested him to please talk to me so I can step down for YarAdua.

Babangida sent the late Engineer Abdulkadir Kure, the former governor of Niger state, and even the former governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa, they were sent to come to me and to beg me to step down, Yerima said.

Asked if Buhari was aware of the underground political moves, the former governor responded in affirmation.

They (referring to Kure and Bafarawa) came to me in the night after 8 oclock, and after greetings, I asked my people to go out, and they said IBB sent them to me. I said yes, he said you were coming, he recalled.

They said, The only favour he wants you to do for him is to step down for Buhari tomorrow; the convention is tomorrow. I said, Oh my God! Please tell him Ive accepted; Ive committed myself to do the favour for him.

They said, No, he said whatever your answer is, we should call him and you will tell him by yourself. And they called IBB and I told him, Sir, tomorrow I will step down for Buhari.

Immediately they left, I went to the national chairman, Chief Ume-Ezeoke, and I told him that tomorrow I was going to step down for Buhari.
Biodun Oyebanji, governor of Ekiti, has declared three days of mourning for Rotimi Akeredolu, the late governor of Ondo state.

Akeredolu died on Wednesday morning at the age of 67.

According to the Ondo government, the former governor died of complications from protracted prostate cancer.

According to a statement by Yinka Oyebode, Oyebanjis special adviser on media, all flags at public buildings across the state are to be flown at half-mast for the three days of mourning.

Oyebode said the governor also paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Akeredolu at their Ibadan residence on Friday.

Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the governor of Ondo, had also declared a three-day mourning in the state over the death of his immediate predecessor.

Aiyedatiwa described the death of Akeredolu as a monumental loss to the people of Ondo state.

Seyi Makinde, Oyo state governor, had also reportedly declared a three-day mourning in his state in honour of the late Akeredolu.

Since the death of Akeredolu, many prominent figures have paid tribute to him.

In a statement on Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu described Akeredolu as a man who moved Nigeria towards equity, fairness and justice.

He said the late governor advocated against every form of injustice in our country through the instrumentality of the law as a senior advocate, attorney general of his beloved state, president of the Nigerian Bar Association, and governor of Ondo state.
It has been just over one month since President Joe Biden signed a disaster declaration which made way for millions of federal dollars to assist individuals most harmed by the heavy rains that rolled through the south suburbs on Sept. 17 and 18.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is beginning to wrap-up its tour of the south suburbs to provide funds for the most affected communities. The agency has given out $23 million in the month since it was discharged to Cook County with the largest sums going to residents in Calumet City, Chicago, Dolton, South Holland and Riverdale, according to FEMA.

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Disaster assistance crews have been active, knocking on doors and posting in public places to let Cook County residents know officials are available to assess damage and help pay for recovery costs, said Larissa Hale, a spokesman for the agency.

Calumet City experienced both the highest level of rain water, according to Cook County officials, and the most flood damage recuperation funds with a tally of $5.76 million so far. Because of this, FEMA is keeping the Calumet City disaster recovery center open into 2024 while several of the other centers, including in Harvey and South Holland, closed permanently Friday.

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Residents can still visit the Chicago Public Library South Shore Branch until Jan. 6. They can also visit disasterassistance.gov, download the FEMA app or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.

FEMAs response and assistance for the south suburbs is not over, although officials urge residents to sign up as soon as possible so their fund requests can be processed on time.

Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy >

FEMA officials declined questions inquiring about how this damage compared with that experienced in the past by other Cook County communities or around the nation, saying every situation is different and handled as such.

One stark difference is this most recent flood caused significantly less financial damage on an average basis per household when compared to FEMAs last visit to Cook County after a more widespread flooding event in June and July.

The average housing assistance for households affected by the June and July flooding was $5,072 while the September flooding has delivered $2,999 per household, officials said.

Weather patterns from the two time periods show these two weather events were vastly different. The September flooding came from a localized downpour over the south suburbs while the June and July flooding was more widespread throughout the greater Chicago region.

FEMA officials continue to highlight the importance for residents to visit the proper FEMA offerings online, by phone or in person in order to begin a claim and receive some of the money back that they spent on fixing their homes.

The Small Business Administration also asks residents to visit its website in case residents need a low-interest loan for projects most costly than what FEMA will provide. The deadline for applications to receive a disaster loan from the administration for personal property is Jan. 19. Visit the administrations website to start an application here, call 800-621-3362 or visit a physical disaster center like the one at Calumet City Public Library.

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hsanders@chicagotribune.com
MONTEVIDEO, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- At least two inmates were killed and six others injured after prisoners started a fire Thursday night in a cell in Uruguay's Comcar prison, the Interior Ministry said Friday.

The fire broke out when inmates threw flammable liquid through a window of a cell at Comcar, whose official name is Unit 4 Santiago Vazquez.

Luis Mendoza, director of the National Rehabilitation Institute, said at a press conference on Friday that it was a "specific incident" and "not a riot."

Mendoza confirmed that the bodies of the deceased were found in the cell, which held eight inmates, while the injured were hospitalized, four of them with serious burns.

Comcar houses 4,900 inmates, almost a third of the country's prison population, according to figures from the parliamentary commissioner of the penitentiary system.

The Interior Ministry announced that with the creation of almost 4,000 prison spots by the end of the current government in 2025, overcrowding, which affects some 2,500 inmates, will be overcome. 




The House of Representatives has passed the 2024 Budget, increasing President Bola Tinubus proposal by more than N1 trillion.





The House, at its special session on Saturday, increased the budget from the N 27.5 trillion proposed by President Tinubu to N28.7 trillion.





The lawmakers held a special session on Saturday to consider the report of the Committee on Appropriations submitted by Abubakar Bichi.





Following the debate on the report, the budget was passed by the House.





The President must sign the budget within the next 24 hours in order to keep up with the January-December budget cycle.




Gunmen were said to have again killed three youths in a fresh attack which occurred in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.





This is just as a former governor of the state, Jonah Jang, condemned what he described as the continued attacks and killing of innocent citizens in Plateau communities by gunmen.





This was just as he called on the Presidency and the National assembly to consider the establishment of state police as part of efforts to flush out insecurity in the state.





Amid Jangs condemnation following the invasion of 25 communities in Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Mangu communities by gunmen which left over 150 persons dead on Christmas Eve, the gunmen have again killed three youths in a fresh attack.





It was learnt that the three youths had gone to pick up their relatives who earlier escaped to Bokkos town during an earlier invasion of their community when some gunmen attacked them at Lut village, killing them on the spot on Friday evening.





The Chairman of Community Peace Observers in Bokkos LG, Kefas Mallai, confirmed the death of the three youths to newsmen in Jos on Saturday





Mallai said, Three youths from Angwan Hausawa, Bokkos town: Lurwan Ismail (Ron Muslim), Muhammadu Tuka (Ron Muslim), and Mayo (Mwaghavul Christian), were killed yesterday( Friday) at Lut, one of the communities earlier attacked by assailants on Christmas eve.





They went there to pick up their loved ones (Fulanis) who escaped to Bokkos town as IDPs when they were killed. Their bodies earlier seen are now missing.





In a statement issued on Saturday, titled Plateau killing: One too many and the need for state police, Jang said the Federal Government must do everything possible to stop further attacks and killings in the state and other parts of the country





The statement signed by his Media consultant, Clinton Garuba, noted, It is with a grieving heart that Senator Jonah David Jang wishes to commiserate with the families that lost loved ones during the Christmas Eve attack on communities in Bokkos and Barkin Ladi Local government areas of Plateau State.





This dastardly act has once again tampered with the peace of our dear state as it was orchestrated by people who are hell-bent on ensuring that the ordinary Plateau man does not enjoy the serenity God through nature has bestowed on him.





Choosing to murder harmless villagers in their homes as they prepared to celebrate the yuletide is the most horrendous wickedness that anyone could imagine. None of the hundreds of our people who lost their lives in the Christmas Eve attack by marauding terrorists envisaged that their lives would be cut short in such a gruesome manner.





The killings on the plateau would seem to have gone on unabated as the non-arrest and prosecution of perpetrators have bolstered the serial killers to carry out more and more killings. Unfortunately, villagers in Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, Bassa, Riyom and Mangu LGAs have continued to bear the brunt of terrorists who seem to have sworn to dispossess them of their heritage at all costs.





That these killers are out on a cleansing agenda and plan to take over the lands of the people they try to wipe out is no longer hidden. As painful as these killings are, equally hard and painstaking efforts must be made to put an end to them to restore Plateau to its known peaceful atmosphere which made it home to many people, even in decades past.





While we agree with the President that the culprits must be apprehended and made to face prosecution, we must note that these directives have been issued repeatedly. Yet, neither arrests nor prosecutions have been made in the past. It is therefore pertinent that at this point, there is the need to attend to the call for State police as part of measures for boosting security, ensuring early response in crises and confronting the challenges of insecurity headlong.





A situation where state governors have no powers to immediately deploy personnel to quell attacks and confront marauding terrorists is worrisome. The killings are getting out of hand and the State Police option is viable for nipping these massacres in the bud. States should be given the power to create, train and equip their police to enable State Governors to deal with peculiar security situations in their various states. More than ever, the time to heed the call for state policing is now.





Speaking further, while commending efforts of the federal and state governments in responding to the recent attacks, Jang called on the National Assembly to expedite action to forestall a reoccurrence of such wicked acts.





He added, The National Assembly must take this call seriously and rise to the occasion, act in the interest of the Plateau People and consider the issue as a matter of urgent importance. While we commend the efforts of the Federal and Plateau State Governments in responding to the recent attacks, we reckon that more can be done to stop the seeming non-stop attacks and needless loss of the lives of innocent villagers who are murdered while in their sleep or as the struggle on their farms to eke a living for themselves.





There is more that can be done, the endless killings are unacceptable, and our people must be allowed to stay in their homes, and continue to cultivate their farmlands without any intimidation or fear of unprovoked attacks which leave them homeless or decapitated.





We join millions of Plateau people and our well-wishers in sending our heartfelt condolences to the families that have lost loved ones in the recent attacks. We are sore and grieved but consoled that the blood of the innocent will not go unavenged, if not here, in the hereafter.





We call on the people to cooperate with the State Government which has shown commitment to ensuring the safety of Plateau citizens. The killings have assumed a dimension where inhumanity seems to have overtaken humanity but whatever the intentions and purposes of the terrorists, Plateau will survive, thrive and stand tall as the home of peace and tourism. May Plateau State succeed.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says troops foiled attacks on 19 villages in Plateau state on December 24, 2023.

On Christmas Eve, over 115 persons were confirmed dead following attacks by gunmen on communities in Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi LGAs of the state.

While speaking on Friday in Abuja, Edward Buba, defence media operations director, said the bandits carried out simultaneous attacks on other villages.

Buba said the intervention of the troops in affected LGAs forced some of the militants to flee.

The DHQ spokesperson said over 100 bandits carried out the attacks, adding that the troops received distress calls from 36 different locations.

"Sadly, events turned gloomy with the attack on Bokkos LGA and some parts of Barkin Ladi LGA on Dec. 24. It should be noted that Bokkos and Barkin Ladi LGAs span about 2,315 square kilometres with over 350 villages, mostly dispersed," NAN quoted Buba as saying.

"The distance between some of these villages and troops' locations is over 90 kilometres and sometimes difficult to access because of the rugged terrain, mostly inaccessible to vehicles.

"Thus, affecting the reaction time to incidents, except when there is credible intelligence before the attack."

"Troops responded to the calls and were able to intervene in 19 villages forcing the militants to withdraw.

"Unfortunately, the havoc had been committed before troops arrived at the other villages."

Buba said the troops had initiated kinetic and non-kinetic operations in the second half of the year, which significantly curtailed attacks between farmers and herders in the state.

"Until the recent killings in Plateau during Christmas, the highlighted measures visibly contributed to the relative peace in Plateau, as well as the adjoining areas in Bauchi, Taraba and Kaduna states," he said.

"Similarly, the activities of Operation Whirl Stroke significantly checkmated armed banditry, kidnapping and other crimes in Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba states."

Buba assured that the military had taken necessary measures to overcome all identified challenges and ensure that such tragic occurrences are avoided in the future.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu over the non-payment of December salaries of several workers.

Some workers in federal ministries, agencies and departments confirmed that they are yet to receive their December pay.

In a statement on Saturday, Debo Ologunagba, PDP spokesperson, said the development is insensitive and unacceptable.

Ologunagba said Tinubus administration has turned the country into a huge internally displaced persons (IDP) camp with millions of Nigerians becoming beggars and observing the period in hunger, anguish and misery.

It is obvious that the non-payment of the December salary critically needed by the workers including our gallant security operatives at this period is consistent with the atrocious character of APC administration to weaponize poverty and further suppress Nigerians to surrender to totalitarianism, the statement reads.

Is it not provocative that while President Tinubu is busy partying and luxuriating with APC leaders, workers who are putting in their time and energy in the service of the nation are left with nothing to feed and celebrate with their families and loved ones?

The PDP described the situation as a heartless act by the anti-people APC administration, saying it never happened in the 16 years of the PDP in government.

The major opposition party said the development further confirms that the Tinubu-led APC administration has practically run our nations economy aground.

TECHNICAL GLITCH IN NOVEMBER

The November salaries of several federal workers were also delayed.

Bawa Mokwa, director of press at the office of the accountant-general of the federation, had said the delay was due to a glitch.

Mokwa said the integrated personnel and payroll information system (IPPIS) unit, which is responsible for the payment, had technical issues.

It was a glitch and it has been settled today. All errors have also been corrected, he had said.

DISCREPANCIES IN RELEVANT INFORMATION

On November 22, Tommy Okon, national president, Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria(ASCSN), said over 5,000 federal civil servants may not receive their December salaries.

Okon had said the affected workers are those with discrepancies in their dates of first appointment and birth.

He said the names of the affected workers had been forwarded to their directors of human resources for confirmation.
A driver was killed and two people critically injured in a head-on collision on Route 70 in Pemberton Township late Friday night, police say.

Just before 11:30 p.m., a car heading westbound on Route 70 crossed the center line and collided head-on with a pickup truck driven by Richard Willitts, 56, of Browns Mills. Willitts was pronounced dead at the scene and a front seat passenger, a 57-year-old woman, was taken to Cooper University with injuries to her lower body, police said.

The driver of the other vehicle, a 49-year-old Martlon woman, also suffered injuries to her lower body and was taken to Cooper University Hospital. Both survivors were listed in critical condition, police said.

The statement from Pemberton Township police did not say whether any charges were expected in the crash.

The collision occurred near mile-marker 32.5. Pemberton Township Police are investigating and any witnesses to contact the department at 609-894-3310.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.Richard Cowen may be reached at rcowen@njadvancemedia.com.
One of New Jerseys oldest craft breweries has filed for bankruptcy, deep in debt months after a merger deal with another South Jersey brewery fell through.

The Flying Fish Brewery Company of Somerdale filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Thursday, citing $1.3 million in assets against $9.3 million in liabilities.

The company also noted a steep drop in revenue in 2023 to $3.1 million, down from $4 million in 2022, according to the filing.
Police shot and wounded a man armed with a knife after a six-hour standoff Thursday morning in Newark during a warrant arrest, authorities said Friday.

Detectives from Mercer County were attempting to arrest Quadir Harvey, 22, on the 100 block of Camden Street in Newark at 5:30 a.m. when Harvey barricaded himself inside a residence while armed with a knife, according to the Essex County Prosecutors Office.

The Essex County Sheriffs Tactical Response Team and negotiators were called to the standoff. At around 11:30 a.m., members of the response team forced entry to the residence, authorities said.

Harvey, of Newark, threatened the sheriffs officers with a knife and one of the officers shot Harvey, authorities said. He was taken to University Hospital in Newark and his injuries were described by officials as not life-threatening.

Harvey faces charges of aggravated assault, terroristic threats and weapons offenses for defying an arrest warrant by barricading himself inside his residence and assaulting officers, authorities said.

The Essex County Prosecutors Office did not disclose the charges that led to the arrest warrant. Online court records show third and fourth degree charges issued in June 2022 in Hopewell.

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Matthew Enuco may be reached at Menuco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Matt on X
For those looking for a spectacular way to launch into New Years Eve festivities, several New Jersey towns are celebrating with fireworks again this year.

So far, the weather conditions look pretty ideal for fireworks displays with partly cloudy skies on New Years eve and day, and no rain in the forecast. Be sure to bundle up, though, as temperatures will be in the 30s through much of the state.

The Jersey Shore appears to be the popular spot for many fireworks celebrations, with six of the spots on our list along the beach.

Here are some of the locations in New Jersey where you can view fireworks, weather permitting, to welcome in 2024.

Camden waterfront

The Camden waterfront provides an excellent viewing spot for the pair of big fireworks display launched from Penns Landing in Philadelphia each year.

This years fireworks will go off at 6 p.m. and midnight and are touted as rain or shine. KYW Newsradio 1060 AM will broadcast a soundtrack for both shows.

You can also watch the 6 p.m. fireworks from the deck of the Battleship New Jersey.

Jersey City and Hudson River waterfront

New York City offers multiple fireworks shows on New Years Eve including the famous display at Times Square ball drop.

But for those looking for the best views from New Jersey, check out the Hudson River waterfront to see the fireworks launched from the Statue of Liberty at midnight.

Atlantic County

Atlantic City - Tropicana Atlantic City will host fireworks at its Boardwalk casino and hotel at 9 p.m., followed by a ball drop celebration at midnight on the casino floor.

Hammonton - The Giant Blueberry Drop family festival will take place starting at 11 p.m. with food and celebrations in front of the Hammonton Municipal Building, 100 E. Central Ave., concluding a blueberry drop and fireworks.

Cape May County

Fireworks light up the glowing sunset on the beach in Avalon on New Year's Eve 2023.Matt Dowling | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Avalon - The popular Jersey Shore resort town is hosting family events at Avalons Surfside Park at 30th Street from 3:30 to 5 p.m., followed by fireworks at 5 p.m. launched from the 35th Street beach.

Ocean City - First Night OCNJ includes a massive slate of events starting at 3:45 p.m. at 20 venues and concluding with fireworks at midnight launched from the 5th Street Beach. On New Years Day, the city hosts a First Day Plunge in the ocean at 2 p.m., along with a First Day 5K run at 1 p.m.

Sea Isle City - Neighboring Shore town Sea Isle City will also host fireworks on New Years Eve set for 8 p.m. from JFK Boulevard beach.

Middlesex County

New Brunswick - The citys New Years Eve fireworks are scheduled for midnight accompanied by a DJ at Monument Square, Livingston Avenue at George Street. The fireworks will be launched from the roof of The Heldrich Hotel.

Monmouth County

Long Branch - New Years Eve fireworks are scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. Viewable from Long Branch Boardwalk. See piervillage.com for more information.

Morris County

Morristown - Touted as the largest First Night event in New Jersey with 70 performances at 20 venues, First Night Morris County will include two fireworks shows scheduled for 9:15 p.m and midnight at the Morristown Green. Access to the events requires a ticket.

Ocean County

Seaside Heights - As part of First Night Ocean County events on New Years Eve, a fireworks show is planned for 5 p.m. at Casino Pier along the Seaside Heights boardwalk. The event also includes an afternoon of entertainment from music to magic shows.

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Can Americans still have a sensible and friendly political discussion across the partisan divide? The answer is yes, and we prove it every week. Julie Roginsky, a Democrat, and Mike DuHaime, a Republican serving as a senior advisor to Chris Christies presidential campaign, are consultants who have worked on opposite teams for their entire careers yet have remained friends throughout. Here, they discuss the weeks events with editorial page editor Tom Moran.

Q. Vivek Ramaswamy quit spending money on TV in Iowa and New Hampshire, and Donald Trump predicted that hell get Ramaswamys endorsements soon. Whats next for the most obnoxious blowhard in America? as Chris Christie dubbed him? Trumps VP?

Julie: I suspect well see Ramaswamy hosting a show on Newsmax soon. And if, God help us, Trump wins next year, hell probably be secretary of something for which he is deeply unqualified.

Mike: We have all known guys like Ramaswamy - arrogant, self-important, patronizing, but smart, just not nearly as smart as he thinks he is. Nobody likes a condescending know-it-all. He may get a show or podcast, but I suspect people will get sick of him soon enough, just as voters did during the primary. For most candidates, more exposure is good. Not for Vivek. The more they saw, the less they liked.

Q. After 14 busloads full of migrants arrived in New York City in a single day last week, Mayor Eric Adams imposed new rules, saying the bus companies must give 32 hours notice and restrict drop-offs to weekday mornings. When Chicago did that, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ordered migrants dropped off in the citys suburbs. So, what if Jersey is soon deluged by busloads of migrants?

Julie: Here is hoping Governor Murphy has learned from Mayor Adams many mistakes and will provide a smoother pathway for both the migrants who arrive in New Jersey and the taxpayers who foot the bill for their initial care.

Mike: Gov Murphy proudly said NJ is a sanctuary state before he closed the doors to immigrants earlier this year. Lets see if he sticks to his word no matter how uncomfortable or unpopular.

Q. A Muslim lawyer from New Jersey, Adeel Mangi, will become the highest-ranking Muslim judge in American history if the Senate approves his nomination to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. But that is in doubt, after he faced hostile questions during his confirmation hearing from Republicans over his views on the Middle East, one of them even asking if he celebrated the 9/11 attacks. Jewish groups were among those who objected to the questioning. Is his nomination in serious trouble? Is this Islamophobia, as some claim?

Julie: I was appalled at the rampant Islamophobia to which some of these extremist Republican senators subjected Adeel Mangi. The only reason they asked for his views on 9/11 and the Hamas terrorist attacks is because he happens to be Muslim. I hope there are enough senators of good will on both sides of the aisle to repudiate these horrific attacks and confirm him quickly.

Mike: Gov Christie was attacked on the campaign trail eight years ago for appointing a Muslim judge in NJ. Many parts of the country are less diverse, less tolerant, and their fear wins out over the notion that someone who seems completely different from them can be a good, well-meaning American. In post 9/11 America, George W. Bush urged tolerance and respect. Twenty years later, our country is going backwards, retrenching into fear, distrust and hate of others.

These attacks by Republicans on Adeel Mangi, who is truly qualified, are outrageous. Making baseless political accusations, solely because of his Muslim faith, is what is really un-American here, as are turning real tragedies into cheap sound bites.https://t.co/KgGYDelMmH  Andrew H Gross (@AndrewHGross) December 28, 2023

Q. In Trenton, the Assembly approved a bill mandating 12 weeks of family leave for employees of small businesses, down to five employees from todays threshold of 30 employees. Wise move? Will the more reluctant Senate go along?

Julie: New Jersey has a very progressive paid family leave program, but it only covers about 10% of the states workforce. Meanwhile, the vast majority of workers are unable to care for a loved one in the event of illness or childbirth without fear of losing their jobs  even though workers pay a tax to cover their own salaries in the event that they are ostensibly away from work. As a small business owner, I appreciate the concerns that opponents of this measure raise, but as Speaker Coughlin noted, it is a simply the right thing to do.

Mike: The fears are well-grounded. The smaller the business, the harder this cost is to absorb. If 20% of a small businesss workforce goes away for a quarter of the year, there may be no small business to return to.

Under a bill advanced yesterday, 700K workers would gain access to family leave to take time off to care for a sick relative, a newborn child, or a recently adopted or fostered child.



Sponsored by Asw. @AnnetteQuijano, @ASWReyJackson, @SpeakerCoughlin, & Asm. Paul Moriarity. pic.twitter.com/J1pFJM6S0a  NJ Assembly Democrats (@njassemblydems) December 22, 2023

Q. Offshore wind farms dont kill whales, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which approved the Atlantic Shores projects, the only one left standing. Will that have any impact on the debate here?

Julie: This debate was never about the safety of the whales. The whales were a plot device stirred up by the oil and gas industries and perpetuated by NIMBY activists and politicians, who did not want to look out from their beach houses and catch a small sliver of a windmill somewhere in the far distance.

Mike: I never heard so many environmentalists dismiss whale deaths so quickly as this year. The debate about renewables is also about costs and reliability, both of which must be addressed. Its time for the far left to stop lecturing on climate and start caring about pragmatic realities of cost and reliability.

Whales face imminent peril. But its not because of wind farms | Editorial https://t.co/MwOHLVTq0g  NJ_Opinion (@NJ_Opinion) December 27, 2023

Q. Finally, Im reading Liz Cheneys book, Oath and Honor, a gripping account of the January 6 insurrection and the reaction to it. She says shell do everything I can to stop Trump and is considering running against him as an independent to siphon away Republican votes. Would that work?

Julie: Its getting late in the day for Liz Cheney to run  both because running requires money and the ability to get on the ballot in key states. The best thing Cheney can do is to urge Republicans to vote for Joe Biden  not because she agrees with him on policy, but because there will be no policy disagreements going forward if Donald Trump were to enter the White House again. And on that note, Happy New Year, everybody. Here is to a peaceful 2024, which I hope ends with a happy outcome for our country and our world.

Mike: Cheney would peel some conservatives away from Trump, but also some moderate Republicans who may have voted for Biden otherwise. I am more intrigued by a third-party candidacy than I ever have been before, given the field.

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A note to readers: Mike and Julie are deeply engaged in politics and commercial advocacy in New Jersey, so both have connections to many players discussed in this column. DuHaime, the founder of MAD Global, has worked for Rudy Giuliani, John McCain, and President George W. Bush, and Gov. Christie. Roginsky, a principal of Comprehensive Communications Group, has served as senior advisor to campaigns of Cory Booker, Frank Lautenberg, and Phil Murphy. We will disclose specific connections only when readers might otherwise be misled.
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BRAZZAVILLE, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- At least 17 people were killed and more than 320,000 people were affected by flooding induced by torrential rains in recent weeks in the Republic of the Congo, said Prime Minister Anatole Collinet Makosso via a statement released late Friday.

Heavy rainfall caused the total or partial flooding of 361 villages and 36 neighborhoods in several departments of the country, namely Likouala, Sangha, Cuvette, Plateaux, Niari, Pointe-Noire and Brazzaville.

According to the statement, the number of affected residents far exceeds that of past years.

"To date, there have been 17 deaths recorded in the departments of Likouala, Plateaux, Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire. People went missing and more than 2,292 hectares of cultivated land has been flooded," read the statement, noting that sources of drinking water supply have been polluted by the flooding.

To deal with this worrying situation, the prime minister announced a flood contingency plan and declared a humanitarian emergency in the most affected departments. The Congolese government also established an emergency fund in coordination with UN agencies.

According to experts cited by local media, the precipitation recorded is twice the usual average. The water level of the Oubangui River, a major tributary of the Congo River, has reached a record height over the 2022-2023 period.

The gauging done at the watercourse between Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of the Congo, showed the water level of the Congo River reached 5.9 meters, close to the historic high of 6.26 meters, said the Waterways Authority of the neighboring DRC in a statement released Friday, warning possible floods that could cause human loss and water-borne diseases.

Kinshasa and Brazzaville face each other across the Congo River. 
Thank goodness for the Screen Actors Guild strike.

If it wasnt for the 118-day-long work stoppage that brought movie making to a screeching halt, Rosella wouldnt be a thing. The low-key neighborhood restaurant in Mid-City opened around Thanksgiving, offering partners Alix Petrovich and Paul McCaige a career shift that came about providentially.

Both had careers in filmmaking, Petrovich in the art department and McCaige in lighting design. They met on the set of Quiz Lady starring Sandra Oh. Between the pandemic, the year that (Gov. Bobby) Jindal took away the tax incentives for filmmakers and then the strike, the instability of the business just got to me, Petrovich says. After more than 20 years of working in film, I wasnt able to earn a living.

Rosella Where 139 S. Cortez St., (504) 766-6642; rosellamidcity.com When Dinner Wed.-Mon. How Dine-in Check it out A new casual restaurant in Mid-City

Petrovich grew up in the neighborhood, next door to the restaurant, which back then was a corner store called Tonys. Her mom bought the building after Hurricane Katrina. We got eight feet of water here, she says. Everyone told my mom she was an idiot to stay, let alone invest in property.

Past tenants included the original location of Ruby Slipper and most recently Fullblast Brunch. When that chef/operator decided to go in another direction at the end of summer, the stars aligned. My mom had other people interested in opening, but she asked us if we were interested and to come up with a business plan, Petrovich says. Theyd both worked restaurant jobs to make ends meet over the years, but opening their own place was something new.

After canvassing friends and neighbors for market research, they knew what the block didnt need. There are plenty of great spots for breakfast and good restaurants cooking traditional New Orleans food, McCaige says. We wanted a bar with good food. And we kept hearing people say they wanted a place to drink good, affordable wine. Neither one of us really knew much about wine. And while they had both worked back of the house kitchen jobs, the notion of conceiving a menu for Rosella, named for Petrovichs grandmother, seemed ambitious.

Enter consultants Richard Horner, the former chef and co-owner of the now-shuttered Blue Giant, and James Moises, who owns the eclectic Bizou Wines, a small distributor on the nearby Lafitte Greenway.

We talked to Richard about what we were thinking, and he got it right away, McCaige says. He said, Right, you want drinking food. Which was perfect. Take his andouille corn dog, for example. So many people are admitting how much they love corn dogs, Petrovich says. Were taking the shame away. It is thick and juicy, with a perfectly crispy cornmeal coating, served sliced with Creole mustard and house made pickles. The kids menu includes a hot dog corn dog as well.

Horners original menu, executed by chef Jacob Zambarano, includes charcuterie and more snacks, like croquettes oozing house-made pimiento cheese, mushrooms in sherry cream sauce on toast, and shrimp remoulade lettuce wraps. Theres a terrific cold fried chicken Waldorf salad and a chilled red bean salad that might be the only rendition of red beans and rice that is both cold and light. The potato gnocchi arrive in a creamy bacon-studded sauce reminiscent of a loaded baked potato. Theres a vegetarian three-cheese manicotti, a pork chop with sweet potato puree and Brussels sprouts and meatloaf with onion gravy. For dessert, a fried Hubigs pie is served with a scoop of Angelo Brocato gelato.

Although there currently are no sandwiches, that will change soon when Rosella opens for lunch in mid-January. Well do some cold Italian sandwiches and incorporate some dinner items, like a meatloaf sandwich with tomato jam and a pork belly and pimiento cheese sandwich, McCaige says.

Moise supports Horners menu with an interesting selection of affordable boutique wines ($26-$56) that run the gamut from a French viognier to a Chilean cabernet sauvignon. Theres a creative $10-$12 cocktail menu as well, with a drink called Mr. Tony in honor of the former corner store. It combines Flora de Cana rum, lemon, Curacao, orgeat and orange bitters.

The restaurant is charming, full of plants and funky art, painted to look like a mottled terracotta with spring green booths and tables and seating along the bar. Theres a vintage jukebox loaded with tunes like Some Kind of Wonderful by the Drifters, so its quite possible that dancing will commence. The space already radiates fun, warmth and community. Add in the creative menu and affordable wine and Rosella has found its niche.
JERUSALEM, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated on Friday that it has started military operations in southern Gaza's Khirbat Ikhza'a region, from where, as part of its surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7, Hamas infiltrated and raided Kibbutz Nir Oz community, resulting in casualties and the abduction of civilians to Gaza.

The Israeli soldiers are working to gain operational control of the Khirbat Ikhza'a area, the IDF said in a statement, adding the soldiers in the area "have eliminated terrorists and struck many significant targets, including tunnel shafts, a tunnel route, and anti-tank missile launch posts."

Numerous tunnel shafts have been discovered, along with substantial quantities of weapons, including AK-47s, rifles, grenades, mines, launchers, and mortars, the statement added.

The combat engineering soldiers of the brigade's combat team also demolished infrastructure located in the residences of the Hamas militants who participated in the Oct. 7 attack, according to the statement.

In a separate statement issued Friday, the IDF reported identifying a number of launches from Lebanon toward Israel, two of which crossed into Israeli territory. In response, IDF artillery targeted the origin of the launches. 
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.
After phenomenally critically acclaimed Edinburgh Fringe runs in both 2022 and 2023 and previous London Fringe theatre success, the hugely popular The Importance of BeingEarnest? will play Queens Theatre, Barnstaple on Friday, February 2, to Sunday, February 4, 2024.



The plays debut UK tour has a cast that includes the cream of the crop of UK improv including Lucy Trodd (a founding member of Olivier Award-winning Showstopper! The Improvised Musical), Amy Cooke-Hodgeson, (a founding member of award-winning comedy hit Austentatious, who has starred in multiple UK tours, Edinburgh Fringe runs and on BBC Radio 4s recording of the show) and Tom Bulpett (who starred in The Play That Goes Wrong at the Duchess Theatre in the West End).

In this riotous twist on a much-loved classic the show opens to looming disaster; the actor playing Ernest in Oscar Wildes famed farce fails to arrive on cue.

In a monumental effort to save the show, a real audience member is quickly cast in the lead role.



But this impetuous recasting sets off a hilarious chain of events that, one-by-one, renders the rest of the cast unable to continue their performances.



As more audience members are encouraged to step into the spotlight, led backstage for costume and make-up, impromptu auditions, the painting of portraits, the chanting of mantras; doing whatevers needed to help the show go on, an absurd controlled madness ensues  until it feels as if there are almost as many audience members in the cast as there are in the audience.



This is a comedic masterpiece of meticulous logistics, meritoriously involved audiences and masterful stage management. The Importance of Being... Earnest? Is an exciting and hilarious experience both to watch and be part of as the innovative format creates an unexpected new experience every night. Its a show for anyone who has enjoyed the high-jinx of The Play That Goes Wrong, Sh!t-Faced Shakespeare and Austentatious.



Developed alongside the companys flagship open-rehearsal initiative, where audiences are invited into the rehearsal room to participate in the creative process, the show is written by Josh King, Simon Paris and Say It Again, Sorry?, and is directed by Simon Paris.



The companys vision is for the public to recover ownership over their own creative power and contribute to the future of theatre as active participants, collaborators, and decision-makers.

Their aim is to connect people to their inner artist and inspire creative expression in everybody.

For more information or to buy tickets, visit: www.queenstheatre-barnstaple.com/event/the-importance-of-being-earnest/
At the end of November 2023, the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust held their Extraordinary People Awards ceremony to celebrate the incredible staff and volunteers who work across the Trust.

The awards have 11 different categories which recognise the outstanding contribution that staff and volunteers make to care for patients and support colleagues. Over 500 nominations were received from staff, patients and carers, and judging panels then created a shortlist of 47 finalists.

The Royal Devons finalists came together for an awards ceremony at the RILD Building at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford), where the winners were announced and presented with their awards.

The North Devon District Hospital ICU Team won the Team of the Year Award (clinical).

The ICU team based at NDDH has shown incredible resilience and determination after key members retired. The team have demonstrated incredible levels of resilience, drive and determination to continue to deliver exceptional care and high standards.

Their nominator said: I have no words that even begin to describe the pride I have leading this team and this organisation should be incredibly proud to have such a strong, compassionate, dedicated and inspiring ICU team at NDDH."

Paul Roberts, Interim Chief Executive Officer, said: Our Extraordinary People Awards event allows us to say an extra special thank you to those staff and volunteers who were recognised by our judging panels as being truly extraordinary. We were delighted to host the event and spend time together as Team Royal Devon, and hear about the amazing work our staff and volunteers are doing.

These awards really bring home the fact that our people are our greatest strength  and I would like to congratulate and thank all of our colleagues who received recognition for the real and lasting difference they make to our patients, colleagues and local communities.

The event was made possible thanks to generous sponsorship from Nevada Construction, KJ Refrigeration, NewZapp Trusted Delivery, EX2 Group, Sodexo, Westcountry Maintenance Services, Channel 3 Consulting and Denhams Digital, and donations from Peninsula Project Consulting and Ellis James Creative.

Paul added: It is a great feeling knowing that our whole community wants to show their appreciation to their local NHS, especially just before our busiest time over winter. We are all incredibly grateful to our sponsors and donators for showing their support for us and making this award ceremony possible.
JERUSALEM/GAZA, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli ground troops, backed by aircraft, have killed dozens of "terrorists" during operations in Gaza City over the past day, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Saturday morning.

In a statement, the IDF said the air forces, directed by ground troops, struck more than 15 armed militants in Gaza City within three hours. Additionally, fierce battles were going on, and more Hamas militants were killed.

In northern Gaza's Beit Lahia, the Israeli troops dismantled two Hamas military compounds, where they located numerous weapons, explosive devices, guns, military equipment, and communication devices before the strike, the statement added.

As the Israeli army intensified its military campaign in Gaza, Osama Hamdan, a Hamas politburo member, denied on Saturday Israeli media reports of talks unfolded on a new hostage deal in exchange for another temporary ceasefire in the enclave.

Hamdan told Al Jazeera that Hamas had informed mediators that a permanent ceasefire is the militant group's major priority and that there is currently "no talk of releasing hostages before the fighting stops."

Meanwhile, at least 165 Palestinians were killed in Israeli air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip during the past 24 hours, said the Gaza-based Health Ministry on Saturday.

It raised the death toll of Palestinians to 21,672 since the conflict broke out on Oct. 7, the ministry added. 
An inspiring physiotherapist at the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was recently honoured at the Parkinsons UK Excellence Network Awards.

Nominated by several patients and families, Suzanne Seymour, neuro-specialist physiotherapist, won the Peoples Choice award in November. Suzanne set up a group for people recently diagnosed with Parkinsons in North Devon.

The families shared: Power UP has been transformational and inspiring. Suzanne has given hope to, and improved the fitness levels of, countless people with Parkinsons.

After the award win, Suzanne commented: Being diagnosed with Parkinsons is life changing for a lot of people. Its been an honour to work with the group and support them on their journey. I would like to raise awareness of the role physiotherapists play in providing care for people with Parkinsons and how increasing physical activity can help a number of symptoms.

Available to patients in North Devon, Power UP is a fun and informative course which runs over 11 weeks. It includes an hour of exercise and 45 minutes of education about physical activity and Parkinsons symptoms.

Helen Cooke, head of therapies for northern services said: Suzanne has worked tirelessly to improve the quality and outcome of Therapy interventions for people with Parkinsons. Her enthusiasm and commitment for this have not wavered and I am delighted for her and so very proud that she has won this award in recognition of her hard work.

The Royal Devon is renowned for doing things differently. It empowers colleagues to be creative and innovative in developing services for the benefit of patients and families served by the trust.

To find out more about joining the Royal Devon, visit the careers website: www.royaldevon.nhs.uk/careers/
Two North Devon women who have devoted decades to their communities have been recognised in the New Year Honours list.

Both Ann Doody from Ilfracombe and Gwen Kingdom from South Molton have received a British Empire Medal (BEM) in the 2024 honours list.

Another recipient was retired colonel Brian Gorski, who has received an OBE in addition to his MBE for services to museums and the community in Bury, Greater Manchester, but he now lives South Molton.

Ann Doody was awarded her BEM for her tireless voluntary work in many aspects of Ilfracombe life, going back many years.

Mrs Kingdon, aged 80, has been involved with South Molton community life for decades, including the Methodist Church, Town Band, Age Concern and Sunshine Circle.

Ann said: Although I have known about it for three or four weeks, you cant say anything and I did not really believe it until I saw it in print today!

Ann was one of the driving forces for Ilfracombe-in-Bloom and was also involved with the Hotelier Association for many years when she ran a hotel in the town.

She is currently president of Ilfracombe Rotary Club for a second time, after becoming the first female president of the club in 2011  in fact, she was the first female member of the club when she joined in 2005.

Every year she was a main organiser for the annual StarTrek night walk on Exmoor, which has now sadly finished, but she still organises the volunteer roster for the opening and running of the historic St Nicholas Chapel, the annual High Street charity pop-up shop and many other aspects of club life.

Other roles over the years have included being chair of the Ilfracombe and District Tourism Association as well as organising the annual Ilfracombe Catering Exhibition and many other voluntary activities.

Ann added: I really enjoy Rotary and when you are on your own, you have a social life as well as being able to do things for your community.

A statement on behalf of Ilfracombe Rotary said Ann works tirelessly for the community and added: Ann never asks for praise and is always keeping herself out of the limelight, but has now been recognised with a well-deserved honour.

Gwen Kingdon has had a lifelong involvement with South Molton Methodist Church and continues to be very active in a wide range of church activities such as the Womens Fellowship and Music Club.

She met her husband Ray when he played in South Molton Town Band and the couple have between them over the past 60 years held almost every post from chairman to treasurer.

Among several community roles, Mrs Kingdon is a trustee of South Molton Age Concern and is also part of the South Molton Sunshine Circle  initially set up for blind or partially sighted people, it has expanded to include senior citizens and organises various trips, holidays and social events, meeting fortnightly at the Methodist Church.

Mrs Kingdon told the Gazette she had been very surprised to receive the award, with the news delivered in a Cabinet Office envelope a few weeks ago.

But she said: I felt very humbled because a lot of the things I have done I have needed help with and have always had help, so I felt as if the award was on behalf of a lot of other people.

I might have been head of many different things, but you cant do it on your own.
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CHICAGO  Illinois State Police investigated a three-vehicle crash involving an ISP trooper's squad car and a Chicago Police Department officer's squad car hit by a motorist who failed to move over at approximately 2:11 a.m. Thursday on Interstate 94 southbound near 89th Street, ISP said.

ISP Troop 3 trooper's squad car was stationary in the fourth lane from the left of I-94 southbound with its emergency lights activated to protect a crash that occurred in front of them. A CPD squad car with its emergency lights activated was stationary behind the ISP squad car for extra coverage.

"Both the trooper and the CPD officers exited their vehicles to tend to the motorists involved in the crash," ISP said in a news release. "A 2019 Honda Pilot failed to move over, and struck the rear of the CPD squad car, pushing it forward into the rear of the ISP squad car."

Two CPD officers were transported to a hospital with injuries. The ISP trooper was uninjured, police said.

The Honda's driver, 36-year-old Markeila C. Pittman, of Chicago, was transported to an area hospital with minor injuries. Pittman was issued citations for Scott's Law  failure to yield to emergency vehicles, aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol while license revoked, and numerous other Illinois Vehicle Code violations state, police said.

ISP has had 20 Move Over Law-related crashes in 2023. Move Over Law, also known as "Scott's Law," requires drivers to slow down and move over when approaching an emergency vehicle, or any vehicle with its emergency or hazard lights activated, police said.

"A person who violates Scott's Law commits a business offense and faces a fine of no less than $250 or more than $10,000 for a first offense," police said. If the violation results in an injury to another person, the violator's driver license will be suspended for a mandatory period between six months and two years, police said.

Gallery: Recent arrests booked into Lake County Jail Jose Rodriguez Anaya Cory Smith Percila Melendez Cesar Rodriguez Glenn Lee Lauren Carter Peter Heenan Danielle Ydreo Bonnie Starr Terry Truitt Jr. Blake Wright David Richardson David Rocchi Jr. Maurion Martin Daniel Michalson Daniel Laird Syeed Lewis Christopher Jones Curtis Coffie LaRunte Fairley Aricka Hopkins Markee Brooks Jr. Brian Byrd Derrick Carney Mashaun Allen Amanda Skinner William Thompson James Tilton Jaqwan Mitchell Ann Nadolski Aaron Richards Donna Schantz Kristen Meadows Teresa Irving Robert Lipsey Terry Mason Jr. Kenneth Clinton II Gabriel Hostalet Yasmine Bullock Allan Blackmon Edmund Brown Jason Parker Sergio Salgado Roberto Villa Brian Muller Jr. Manuel Garcia Joshua Moxley Kendall Byears Tracy Dunham Brandon Bailey
ROME, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- A migrant rescue ship with 106 people on board disembarked in southern Italy on Saturday, according to local authorities.

The disembarkation took place in the port of Brindisi, and involved 40 minors, some of which unaccompanied, said German NGO Sea-Eye which has carried out the rescue operation.

The migrants were found and saved on Tuesday in international waters southwest of the tiny Italian island of Lampedusa, according to the NGO.

Official data provided by the Interior Ministry showed Italy registered over 155,700 people irregular arrivals by sea this year up to Dec. 29.

The overall figure marked a sharp increase compared to 103,846 people reaching the country by sea during the same period in 2022.

Italy is the main entry gate for migrants and asylum seekers trying to reach Europe for better life conditions and safety through the so-called central Mediterranean Sea corridor.

Departing from northern African countries, and especially Libya and Tunisia, migrants and refugees undergo the perilous sea crossing on board of unsafe boats and inflatables.

While a minority of them are able to reach Italian shores on their own, others are intercepted and assisted by rescue ships mainly operated by NGOs, Italian authorities, and European Border and Coast Guard Agency Frontex.

Many still face tragic shipwrecks before being rescued, due to dangerous waters and poor conditions of their vessels, making the central Mediterranean one of the deadliest routes for migrants headed to Europe.

According to the International Organization for Migration, at least 28,505 people have gone missing in the Mediterranean since 2014, and over 22,500 of them disappeared while crossing the central Mediterranean.

Yet, the central route remained "the busiest migratory route in 2023, with more than 152,200 detections reported by national (Italian) authorities in the first 11 months ... the highest total on this route for this period since 2016," Frontex said in November. 
Indiana ranked 35th nationally in an annual report by the United Health Foundation and the American Public Health Association.

The Hoosier State ranked 38th in children's health and 39th in women's health in the study, which is done in conjunction with the America's Health Rankings platform.

Indiana ranked 39th for multiple chronic conditions, 40th for obesity, 40th for frequent mental distress, 42nd for smoking and 43rd for physical inactivity, all of which were up as compared to 2022.

Indiana saw a 20% increase in drug use and came in 39th in drug-related deaths, the study found. Chronic kidney disease increased 31% in Indiana this year.

The study did find some bright spots for the Hoosier State, including that Indiana had the 9th lowest income inequality, the 6th lowest percentage of households experiencing severe housing problems and the 10th lowest prevalence of excessive drinking. In terms of women and children's health, the study identified strengths like a low prevalence of unemployment among women, a high percentage of women getting early prenatal care and low foster care placement instability, but warned of challenges like a high infant mortality rate, high prevalence of mental distress among women and low voter participation among women.

"Efforts like Americas Health Rankings and Healthy People underscore the importance of having high-quality demographic population data for benchmarking, as well as for tracking where we are and where we need to go," said Dr. David Huang, Chief of the Health Promotion Statistics Branch for the National Center for Health Statistics at the Centers for Disease Control.

The state assessed all 50 states based on 87 health metrics from 28 different sources of data. It showed some improvements nationally, such as an increase in mental health providers.

But it found that eight chronic conditions  arthritis, depression, diabetes, asthma, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic kidney disease  have reached their highest-ever levels nationally and more than 29 million adults across the country have three or more chronic conditions.

The hope is that data will help address public health problems, including disparities in which people of lower socioeconomic status tend to suffer from more health problems.

A collaborative, data-driven approach is the only way were going to create substantial change in improving chronic disease outcomes and reducing health disparities," said Dr. Roxana Cruz, Director of Medical and Clinical Affairs for the Texas Association of Community Health Centers."

Indiana fared near the bottom of the country in many metrics, including 38th in homicides, 474th in occupational fatalities, 47th in public health funding, 41st in air pollution, 41st in dental care providers, 43rd in mental health providers, 48th in voter participation, 42nd in preventable hospitalizations and 35th in households exposed to lead risks.
CHESTERTON  Anyone looking to get started on their new year fitness goals, or simply eager to enjoy a winters day outdoors, can take advantage of First Day Hikes Monday at many of Indianas state parks, forests and lakes, including Indiana Dunes State Park.

The guided hikes are organized by Indiana Department of Natural Resources officials and aimed at encouraging people to enjoy nature, connect with friends and visit state parks year-round.

The First Day Hike at Indiana Dunes State Park on Lake Michigan in Porter County is set to run from 10 a.m. to noon.

Visitors should meet at the nature center to be led on a 2-mile moderate loop along scenic Trail 7 to Lake Michigan. Make sure to wear sturdy, comfortable shoes and dress for the weather.

At the end of the hike, participants can enjoy snacks and a campfire provided by the Friends of the Indiana Dunes organization.

Gallery: First Day Hike at Indiana Dunes State Park First Day Hike at Indiana Dunes State Park First Day Hike at Indiana Dunes State Park First Day Hike at Indiana Dunes State Park First Day Hike at Indiana Dunes State Park First Day Hike at Indiana Dunes State Park First Day Hike at Indiana Dunes State Park First Day Hike at Indiana Dunes State Park First Day Hike at Indiana Dunes State Park First Day Hike at Indiana Dunes State Park First Day Hike at Indiana Dunes State Park First Day Hike at Indiana Dunes State Park First Day Hike at Indiana Dunes State Park First Day Hike at Indiana Dunes State Park First Day Hike at Indiana Dunes State Park First Day Hike at Indiana Dunes State Park First Day Hike at Indiana Dunes State Park First Day Hike at Indiana Dunes State Park First Day Hike at Indiana Dunes State Park Gallery: First Day Hike at Indiana Dunes State Park Gallery: First Day Hike at Indiana Dunes State Park Gallery: First Day Hike at Indiana Dunes State Park Gallery: First Day Hike at Indiana Dunes State Park Gallery: First Day Hike at Indiana Dunes State Park Gallery: First Day Hike at Indiana Dunes State Park Gallery: First Day Hike at Indiana Dunes State Park Gallery: First Day Hike at Indiana Dunes State Park Gallery: First Day Hike at Indiana Dunes State Park Gallery: First Day Hike at Indiana Dunes State Park Gallery: First Day Hike at Indiana Dunes State Park Gallery: First Day Hike at Indiana Dunes State Park Gallery: First Day Hike at Indiana Dunes State Park Gallery: First Day Hike at Indiana Dunes State Park
Willie Ruff, who fashioned an unlikely career in jazz as a French horn player and toured the world as a musical missionary in the acclaimed Mitchell-Ruff Duo while maintaining a parallel career at the Yale School of Music, died on Sunday at his home in Killen, Ala. He was 92.

His death was confirmed by his niece Jennifer Green.

Mr. Ruff, who was also a bassist, played both bass and French horn in the duo he formed with the pianist Dwike Mitchell in 1955, which lasted until Mr. Mitchells death in 2013. They opened for many jazz luminaries, including Duke Ellington, Miles Davis and Sarah Vaughan; played countless concerts in schools and colleges; and toured foreign countries where jazz was little known or even taboo.

In 1959, they flouted edicts against music that the Soviet Union deemed bourgeois, performing an impromptu set in Moscow while on tour with the Yale Russian Chorus. Their concerts in China in 1981 were considered the first jazz performances there since the Cultural Revolution.
A federal judge in Iowa temporarily blocked on Friday the enforcement of a law backed by Republicans that banned books describing sex acts from public school libraries.

In granting the preliminary injunction, Judge Stephen Locher said that the law makes no attempt to target such books in any reasonable way.

Instead, it requires the wholesale removal of every book containing a description or visual depiction of a sex act, regardless of context, the judge wrote. The underlying message is that there is no redeeming value to any such book even if it is a work of history, self-help guide, award-winning novel or other piece of serious literature. In effect, the Legislature has imposed a puritanical pall of orthodoxy over school libraries.

The publisher Penguin Random House and the best-selling authors John Green and Jodi Picoult were among the plaintiffs who challenged the measure on free-speech grounds.
Before she decided to bar former President Donald J. Trump from Maines primary ballot, Shenna Bellows, the secretary of state, was not known for courting controversy.

She began her career in public office as a state senator in 2016, winning in a politically mixed district. She prided herself on finding common ground with Republicans, an approach she said was shaped by growing up in a politically diverse family.

As the former head of the states American Civil Liberties Union, Ms. Bellows did not shy away from divisive issues. But her ballot decision on Thursday was perhaps the weightiest and most politically fraught that she had faced  and it sparked loud rebukes from Republicans in Maine and beyond.

In an interview on Friday, Ms. Bellows defended her decision, arguing that Mr. Trumps incitement of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol made it necessary to exclude him from the ballot next year.
Former President Donald J. Trumps advisers are preparing as soon as Tuesday to file challenges to decisions in Colorado and Maine to disqualify Mr. Trump from the Republican primary ballot because of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, according to a person familiar with the matter.

In Maine, the challenge to the secretary of states decision to block Mr. Trump from the ballot will be filed in a state court. But the Colorado decision, which was made by that states highest court, will be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, which is likely to face fresh pressure to weigh in on the issue.

On Thursday, Maine became the second state to keep Mr. Trump off the primary ballot over challenges stemming from Section 3 of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, which states that any officer of the United States who has taken an oath to uphold the Constitution cannot have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof.

Every state is different, Maines secretary of state, Shenna Bellows, told a local CBS affiliate on Friday morning. I swore an oath to uphold the Constitution. I fulfilled my duty.
South Africa accused Israel of genocide on Friday in the International Court of Justice and asked the U.N. court to order a halt to fighting in the embattled Gaza Strip, saying that Israel was trying to destroy Palestinians in Gaza.

Israels Foreign Ministry dismissed the claim as lacking a factual and a legal basis and described the filing as a despicable and contemptuous exploitation of the Court. Israel has often said it is at war with Hamas, not the civilians of Gaza.

South Africa has been one of the most vocal critics of Israels war against Hamas in Gaza. In early November, it recalled all of its diplomats from Israel over that countrys treatment of Palestinian civilians in Gaza.

Allegations of war crimes by both Israel and by Palestinian militant groups in territories occupied by Israel in 1967 are already under investigation at the International Criminal Court, which is independent of the U.N. But the impact of that investigation is unclear because Israel is not a member nation of the I.C.C. and does not recognize its jurisdiction.

Israel is, however, a signatory of the Genocide Convention, along with South Africa, which paved the way for the case at the International Court of Justice, also known as the World Court.

South Africas president, Cyril Ramaphosa, has compared Israels treatment of Palestinians to apartheid, the racist system of segregation that governed South Africans for nearly 50 years before it ended in 1994.

In recalling South Africas diplomats from Israel, Mr. Ramaphosa, a former anti-apartheid activist, said the world had sat helplessly and watched as intensifying airstrikes on Gaza and the West Bank have destroyed schools, health facilities, ambulances and civilian infrastructure and supposedly safe roads traveling to the south of Gaza.

More than 20,000 Palestinians have died in Gaza since the war began on Oct. 7, according to Gazan health authorities. A Hamas-led attack on Israel that day left an estimated 1,200 people dead, Israeli officials say.

In its statement on Friday, the Israeli government said it has tried to limit the impact of the war on civilians, and accused South Africa of cooperating with Hamas, a terrorist organization that is calling for the destruction of the state of Israel.

The World Court, based in The Hague, is tasked with settling legal disputes between member nations.
The artist Eduardo Kac was at his New York gallery the other day to show a reporter his work: a hologram encoded on a sliver of glass resting inside a tiny metal case. This little package is the capstone of Kacs career to date  an artifact he created in 1986 that is now, finally, about to find its intended home in space. On Jan. 8 it is scheduled to be on board a Vulcan Centaur rocket as it lifts off from Cape Canaveral and heads into orbit around the sun. This holographic artwork  a holopoem, Kac calls it  might or might not be discovered hundreds of thousands of years from now by whatever creatures are around to find it. But for the moment it was here at the Henrique Faria gallery just off Madison Avenue, about to be viewed by a human.

Gingerly, I took the little round case. OK, Kac said. You just have to, like, unscrew it.

Unscrew it? The thing was barely more than half an inch in diameter and had no obvious grips.

I gave it a try. Immediately it went clattering to the floor.

Kac (pronounced Katz) seemed unruffled. This thing is titanium 5  the strongest titanium alloy there is. He opened it deftly.

The tiny square of glass inside looked pristine, untouched. But when Kac held it up between thumb and forefinger and aimed a small, hand-held laser at it, the word AGORA appeared in lurid green letters on the opposite wall. This is his holopoem: In his native Portuguese it means now. But the name engraved on the outside of the titanium case is AGORA  a subtle but important distinction. With the accent mark, the word in Portuguese changes meaning, from now to place, as in the ancient Greek word agora for gathering place. (The Greek agora was akin to the Roman forum.)
In Germany, Dinner for One screens on the TV channels of the countrys many public broadcasters, sometimes several times a day on Dec. 31. Merchandise clogs German supermarkets and novelty shops in the months leading up to Christmas: You can find Dinner for One tea towels, Dinner for One puzzles, even an elaborate, fan-made Dinner for One board game. Its ubiquity is unrelenting. If you own a TV in the country, you really cant miss it.

But what about people who dont? A generation of cord-cutters has also discovered the charms of this comedy short on their own, sharing, analyzing and critiquing the movie across social media. The ubiquity of Dinner for One on these platforms suggests that the show is more than an antiquated holiday custom  it is a living, breathing tradition thats being carried forward by members of Gen Z.

Wasss experience with Dinner for One is far from the only one of its kind. All over YouTube, Dinner for One reaction videos have become popular, racking up tens of thousands  and in some cases hundreds of thousands  of views. The most successful videos tend to follow the format established by Wass: A foreigner, having heard about this quaint German tradition, records themselves experiencing it for the first time. The comment sections are routinely packed with Germans delighted to see their national tradition celebrated. This made me (as a German) so happy. Thank you for reacting, reads a typical comment.

On TikTok, too, young viewers have been discovering Dinner for One and sharing their enthusiasm. The shows simple, theatrical comedy lends itself to short-form video content, meaning scenes from the film posted out of context have a tendency to go viral, appealing to a combination of curious first-timers and nostalgic Germans. As the butler continues to drink the imaginary guests wine, he gets more and more soused, eventually stumbling around in a broad, farcical way. Its easy to see the appeal for TikTokers  and also easy to see why it might have been so accessible for Germans who dont necessarily speak English. Everyone understands falling down.
Tom Wilkinson, an admired performer on the British stage who in middle age became a skillful character actor and supporting star in a wide range of movies that gained popularity and acclaim in the United States, including The Full Monty, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Shakespeare in Love, died on Saturday. He was 75.

A statement by his agent said he died suddenly at home. It did not provide other details.

Mr. Wilkinson might not have been known by name to many American moviegoers, but he used that inconspicuousness to his advantage, evading typecasting and inhabiting instead a wide array of roles persuasively. Some of them remain broadly memorable today.

He earned Academy Award nominations for his work in the legal thriller Michael Clayton (2007) and the drama In the Bedroom (2001), an unusual turn for him as a movies protagonist. He also delighted audiences in comedies, not only The Full Monty (1997) but also The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011).

In addition to Shakespeare in Love (1998), his other blockbuster films included Batman Begins (2005) and Rush Hour (1998), both movies in which he played greedy villains.
GAZA, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- An Israeli attack on the southern Gaza Strip had taken away Samira Ismael's entire family, leaving her with deep shrapnel wounds and bruises all over her body.

She became stable two days after being rushed to a government hospital in Khan Younis. But the severe injuries made it risky for the 28-year-old Palestinian to attend the brief funeral for her mother, father and siblings, not too far away in a municipal cemetery.

Losing the last chance to bid farewell to her loved ones, the woman was plunged into unbearable agony.

"Everything was done quickly ... This war left me all alone with a lot of bad memories," the grieving woman told Xinhua.

"I cannot deal with the pain that I have now. I miss my family and want to kiss all of them," she said with teary eyes.

Younis Abu Al-Ezz, a Palestinian man who had evacuated most of his family members to the central city of Deir al-Balah, failed to stay by her father's deathbed.

Amid the chaos brought by interrupted communications and severely damaged infrastructure, Abu Al-Ezz received the bad news two days after his father's demise.

The old man had refused to relocate southward as repeatedly ordered by the Israeli army, only willing to move to the Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, where, in heavy Israeli attacks, he was left with fatal gunshot wounds.

"My father's killing was like a strong slap in my life, mainly as I am his older son, but I was not present with him in these nervous moments," Abu Al-Ezz told Xinhua.

Since Oct. 7, the bloody Israel-Hamas conflict has been raging on in the besieged Palestinian enclave for nearly three months, leaving piles of dead bodies in tents and courtyards of hospitals across Gaza.

The burials come short and hasty. The deceased, if identifiable, would be marked with personal information on his or her shroud for relatives and friends to claim. After a prayer, they would be buried in hospital yards, sometimes in a mass grave.

"It is of great challenge to bury the dead as Israeli attacks continue," Raed Al-Nems, the spokesman for the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, told Xinhua.

Unfortunately, "mostly, people cannot bury their killed families for many reasons, including their injuries sustained from the Israeli bombing or their inability to move in light of the field and security conditions," he said.

The spokesman added that the Red Crescent crews deployed in the strip are trying to reach the victims and the wounded as soon as possible, but the situation "exceeds their capabilities with the deterioration of the health system and the scarcity of fuel needed to operate ambulances."

According to Al-Nems, the bombing resulted in large numbers of deaths and injuries in the overcrowded territory, especially in central and southern Gaza.

Gaza has been under massive Israeli siege and bombardment since Oct. 7, which so far killed 21,672 Palestinians, according to the statistics updated by the Gaza-based Health Ministry on Saturday.

The Israeli escalation came in retaliation for an attack by Hamas months ago that killed about 1,200 in Israel and took away more than 200 as hostages into Gaza, according to Israeli tallies. 
In Word Through The Times, we trace how one word or phrase has changed throughout the history of the newspaper.

Toasting is a tradition that dates back to ancient Greece. The act of raising a glass to wish someone good fortune came around even before the word, Paul Dickson, the author of a book on toasts, told Times Insider. For example, Ulysses drank to Achilles health in Homers Odyssey, though the word itself was not used in the poem.

The word came to us through the Middle English tosten in the 12th century. The noun, meaning bread that had been browned with heat, and the verb, to brown bread, may have derived from the Old French toster, to roast or grill, or the Latin torrere, to burn.

Over the years, toast has enjoyed menu makeovers, with results like French toast or avocado toast. Kim Severson of New York Times Cooking said she thought the best way to enjoy it was sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. (And, she predicts that shrimp toast will become popular in 2024.)

But in the Middle Ages, toast was used to flavor a drink. Sam Sifton, an assistant managing editor for The Times and the founding editor of New York Times Cooking, said that the practice of toasting someone stemmed from the days when people would put pieces of spiced toast into your mead or your wine. Toasting a person, he said, is like putting their name in your glass, as if they add spice or sweetness.
Shortly after she became governor of New York, Kathy Hochul made an announcement that caught the higher-education world off guard: The state, which has generally regarded all its public universities as equals, would start treating two universities as flagships.

More surprising still, her choices for the elite label didnt include Binghamton University, which has often been regarded as New Yorks top academic public university. Instead, the governor said the distinction would go to Stony Brook University, on Long Island, and the University at Buffalo, in her hometown.

For leaders at Stony Brook, the promotion wasnt at all a surprise. It was the next step in a yearslong campaign to transform the institution from a well-regarded regional school, where nearly half the students are from Long Island, to a globally renowned research institution, or as administrators like to say, the Berkeley of the East.

The flagship designation is only honorary. It has rhetorical power, more than anything else, Stony Brooks president, Maurie McInnis, said in an interview. But in the two years since the announcement, Stony Brook has moved aggressively to live up to its new title, advertising its new status widely to recruit students and donors.
As the year ends, civilians are dying at a staggering pace in Gaza and the genocide in Darfur may be resuming. A man charged with 91 felonies is leading in American presidential polls, and our carbon emissions risk cooking our planet.

But something else is also true: In some ways, 2023 may still have been the best year in the history of humanity.

How can that possibly be?

Just about the worst calamity that can befall a human is to lose a child, and historically, almost half of children worldwide died before they reached the age of 15. That share has declined steadily since the 19th century, and the United Nations Population Division projects that in 2023 a record low was reached in global child mortality, with just 3.6 percent of newborns dying by the age of 5.

Thats the lowest such figure in human history. It still means that about 4.9 million children died this year  but thats a million fewer than died as recently as 2016.
Some years ago, as my mother and I were walking on New York Citys Upper West Side, she pointed out a red brick townhouse in the West 70s where, she said, my great-grandfather had lived as a child. It was an awkward building, the door set back under a large arch, the roof sharply peaked, and I wondered that it had survived as the city rose around it.

I have since discovered that many of the places in New York where my ancestors lived are still standing: tenements on the Lower East Side, brownstones in Brooklyn Heights, a squat apartment building in Astoria, a two-family building in Canarsie.

Look around most neighborhoods in the city, and youll find that the stage on which New Yorkers live and play, the physical city, hasnt changed much in a very long time. More than half the citys housing is in buildings constructed before 1947.
Besides creating a nuisance to people, cats who roam freely can damage populations of birds and other wildlife, and the question of how to humanely deal with them is a perplexing one.

Your neighbor is not committing any crimes by feeding stray cats, but there could be violations for waste that isnt cleaned up. You can file a service request regarding animal waste on private property with the city Health Department.

The citys Department of Health and Mental Hygiene reminds people who feed free-roaming cats to do so in a controlled way, removing food after a limited time period to prevent attracting other animals, as well as cleaning up animal waste. Food should be put away before evening, and no food should be out overnight.

Several local organizations neuter unowned cats and return them to their community, a process known as trap-neuter-return. Cats who have been fixed tend not to engage in fighting or excessive vocalization, and males no longer have odorous urine used to mark territory.
At a reception for OpenAIs first developer conference in San Francisco last month, a crowd mingled, wine in hand, as withering criticism of art created with artificial intelligence flashed on a blue wall at the front of the room. Ive seen more engaging art from a malfunctioning printer, one critic jabbed. The fine-art equivalent of elevator music, huffed another. Inoffensive, unmemorable and terminally dull.

It might seem an odd strategy for OpenAI, the company behind widely used generative A.I. tools like ChatGPT and DALL-E, to promote scorn of A.I. art, until you catch the twist: A.I. itself wrote the criticism. Alexander Reben, the M.I.T.-educated artist behind the presentation, combined his own custom code with GPT-4, a version of the large language model that powers the ChatGPT online chatbot.

Next month, Mr. Reben, 38, will become OpenAIs first artist in residence. He steps in as generative A.I. advances at a head-spinning rate, with artists and writers trying to make sense of the possibilities and shifting implications. Some regard artificial intelligence as a powerful and innovative tool that can steer them in weird and wonderful directions. Others express outrage that A.I. is scraping their work from the internet to train systems without permission, compensation or credit.
Two men near Portage, Ind., were scouting a creek for potential fishing spots on Tuesday when they spotted a shiny object through the trees. They moved closer and saw that it was a mangled vehicle.

One of the men, Mario Garcia, said that he looked inside, pushed aside the airbag and found what he thought was a lifeless body.

But upon touch, a young man, still alive, awoke.

He was very happy to see us, Mr. Garcia said at a news conference. Ive never seen a relief like that.

The driver, Matthew R. Reum, 27, of Mishawaka, Ind., had been trapped in the crumpled 2016 Ram truck for six days, according to the authorities.
When Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III and other top officials assembled for an event this month at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, they walked into a lesson in how the high-stakes world of Pentagon lobbying is being altered by the rise of defense technology startups.

Inside, at this elite gathering near Los Angeles of senior leaders from government and the arms industry, was a rapidly growing group of participants: former Pentagon officials and military officers who have joined venture capital firms and are trying to use their connections in Washington to cash in on the potential to sell a new generation of weapons.

They represent a new path through the revolving door that has always connected the Defense Department and the military contracting business.

Retiring generals and departing top Pentagon officials once migrated regularly to the big established weapons makers like Lockheed Martin and Boeing.
As the top elections official in Washington State, Steve Hobbs says he is troubled by the threat former President Donald J. Trump poses to democracy and fears the prospect of his return to power. But he also worries that recent decisions in Maine and Colorado to bar Mr. Trump from presidential primary ballots there could backfire, further eroding Americans fraying faith in U.S. elections.

Removing him from the ballot would, on its face value, seem very anti-democratic, said Mr. Hobbs, a Democrat who is in his first term as secretary of state. Then he added a critical caveat: But so is trying to overthrow your country.

Mr. Hobbss misgivings reflect deep divisions and unease among elected officials, democracy experts and voters over how to handle Mr. Trumps campaign to reclaim the presidency four years after he went to extraordinary lengths in an attempt to overturn the 2020 election. While some, like Mr. Hobbs, think it best that voters settle the matter, others say that Mr. Trumps efforts require accountability and should be legally disqualifying.

Challenges to Mr. Trumps candidacy have been filed in at least 32 states, though many of those challenges have gained little or no traction, and some have languished on court dockets for months.
For months, Ukraines use of powerful Western-supplied air-defense systems to repel Russian missile attacks has provided its citizens with some reassurance that a protective shield was effectively in place over big cities such as the capital, Kyiv.

On Friday, that shield partly cracked.

In one of the biggest air assaults of the war, Russia launched so many missiles that the Ukrainian defenses seem to have been overloaded. Faced with a complex barrage of different airborne weapons, the Ukrainian Air Force said it had shot down only 87 of the 122 missiles fired by Moscow, about 70 percent of the total, with all hypersonic missiles and many ballistic missiles evading interception.

Serhii Kuzan, chairman of the research group Ukrainian Center for Security and Cooperation, was blunt. It overwhelmed Ukrainian air defenses, he said.

To be sure, air defenses are imperfect and the magnitude of the barrage played an important part in the number of missiles to slip through. But the bombardment also showed how Russia has learned the best ways to evade Ukraines air defenses and hit the country hard, military experts and Ukrainian officials said.
RAMALLAH, Dec 30, (Xinhua) -- A Palestinian was killed on Saturday by Israeli gunfire, allegedly for carrying out a car-ramming attack in the West Bank that injured an Israeli, according to Palestinian and Israeli sources.

In a statement, the Palestinian Health Ministry said it informed the Palestinian Civil Affairs Authority, which coordinates with Israel on civilian matters, of the killing at the entrance of the al-Fawwar refugee camp in Hebron, the south of the West Bank.

Local Palestinian sources said Israeli forces stationed at the entrance of the camp fired intensively at a vehicle, resulting in the death of its driver.

Israeli media reported that a car-ramming attack occurred in Hebron, and Israeli soldiers in the area fired at the assailant in response, adding that an Israeli was injured in the incident.

The area witnessed Friday another car-ramming attack, after which, a Palestinian youth was shot dead and four Israeli soldiers were injured, one in critical condition. 
The Russian authorities said on Saturday that a Ukrainian attack on the city of Belgorod had killed at least 22 people and injured nearly 110 others, in what would be the deadliest single assault against a Russian city since the start of the war nearly two years ago.

Russias Defense Ministry said in a statement that Ukraine had hit Belgorod  a regional center of around 330,000 residents about 25 miles north of the Ukrainian border  with two missiles and several rockets, adding that the strike was indiscriminate.

The ministry said that most of the rockets had been shot down, but that some debris had fallen on the city. The Ukrainian government has not officially commented on the Belgorod attack, and Russian claims could not be independently verified.

The attack seemed to be Ukraines response to a massive and deadly Russian air assault against its territory a day earlier, and another sign of Kyivs determination to bring the war to Moscows doorstep. In his overnight address on Friday, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine said that his country would continue to work toward pushing the war back to where it came from  home to Russia.
The old Krudten ammunition plant, near the northernmost tip of Denmark, is a quiet shell of a factory that has sat empty for years despite its legacy of churning out bullets, artillery and explosives for the Danish military.

But that is about to change: With the war in Ukraine fueling growing demand for Western weapons, the Danish government has decided to revive its role in the ammunition business.

In 2008, amid defense cutbacks that swept across Europe and cratering global economies, Denmark sold off Krudten, its militarys main munitions plant. It was passed around among private firms until October, when the government decided to buy it back, becoming one of the latest countries to increase its focus on weapons manufacturing and counter Russias rapidly expanding arms industry.

It was crucial to get this plant, the Danish defense minister, Troels Lund Poulsen, said in an interview this month, noting a greater demand for ammunition across Europe.
The Biden administration is bypassing Congress for the second time since the start of the war in Gaza for a weapons sale to Israel, a move that comes amid growing anger at the United States over its backing of Israel as the Gaza death toll rises and misery spreads.

The State Department said Friday that it had approved a proposed $147.5 million sale of artillery munitions and related equipment to Israel, invoking an emergency provision that avoids a congressional review process generally required for arms sales to other nations. The department used the same provision this month to facilitate a government sale of about 13,000 rounds of tank ammunition to Israel.

That earlier instance was the first time the State Department had invoked the emergency provision for an arms shipment to the Middle East since May 2019, when Secretary of State Mike Pompeo approved weapons sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, a move that lawmakers and some career officials inside the State Department criticized.

The State Department has also used the emergency provision at least two times since 2022 to rush arms to Ukraine for its defense against Russias invasion.
The Israeli government had determined that the loosely organized civilian guard, known as Kitat Konnenut, would serve as the first line of defense in the towns and villages near the border. But the guardsmen had different standards of training depending on who was in charge. For years, they warned that some of their units were poorly trained and underequipped, according to two Israeli military officials with direct knowledge of the volunteer teams.

Additionally, the Israeli military reservists were not prepared to quickly mobilize and deploy. Some described heading south on their own initiative.

Davidi Ben Zion, 38, a major in the reserves, said reservists never trained to respond at a moments notice to an invasion. The training assumed that Israeli intelligence would learn of a looming invasion in advance, giving reservists time to prepare to deploy.

The procedure states that we have the battalion ready for combat in 24 hours, he said. Theres a checklist to authorize the distribution of everything. We practiced this for many years.

Hamas capitalized on these errors in ways that further delayed the Israeli response. Terrorists blocked key highway intersections, leaving soldiers bogged down in firefights as they tried to enter besieged towns. And the Hamas siege on the military base in southern Israel crippled the regional command post, paralyzing the military response.

Much remains unknown about that day, including what orders were given inside Israels senior military leadership in Tel Aviv, and when. The Times investigation builds on and adds new details to aggressive coverage in the Israeli media of the military response.

Officers and reservists who headed south that morning, whether under orders or on their own, soon learned of the chaos that they were entering.

Gen. Barak Hiram, who was scheduled to soon take over command of a division along the Gaza border, drove south to see firsthand how the soldiers there responded to what seemed like a routine Hamas attack.

In an interview, he recalled the text messages he received from soldiers he knew in the region.

Come save us.

Send the army, quickly, they are killing us.

Sorry were turning to you, were already out of weapons.

Unprepared for Battle

Commando units were among the first to mobilize that morning. Some said they rushed into the fight after receiving messages pleading for help or learning about the infiltrations from social media.

Other units were on standby and received formal activation orders.

The small size of the teams suggested that commanders fundamentally misunderstood the threat. Troops rolled out with pistols and assault rifles, enough to face a band of hostage-taking terrorists, but not to go into full-scale battle.

Previously undisclosed documents reviewed by The Times show just how drastically the military misread the situation. Records from early in the day show that, even during the attack, the military still assessed that Hamas, at best, would be able to breach Israels border fence in just a few places. A separate intelligence document, prepared weeks later, shows that Hamas teams actually breached the fence in more than 30 locations and quickly moved deep into southern Israel.

Hamas fighters poured into Israel with heavy machine guns, rocket-propelled grenade launchers, land mines and more. They were prepared to fight for days. Israeli commandos apparently believed they would be fighting for just hours; one said he set out that morning without his night-vision goggles.

The terrorists had a distinct tactical advantage in firepower, said Yair Ansbacher, 40, a reservist in a counterterrorism unit who fought on Oct. 7. He and his colleagues mainly used pistols, assault rifles and sometimes sniper rifles, he said.

The situation was so dire that at 9 a.m., the head of Shin Bet, Israel's domestic security agency, issued a rare order. He told all combat-trained, weapons-carrying employees to go south. Shin Bet does not normally activate with the military. Ten Shin Bet operatives were killed that day.

Making matters worse, the military has acknowledged that it moved two commando companies  more than 100 soldiers  to the West Bank just two days before the attack, a reflection of Israels mistaken belief that a Hamas attack was not an imminent threat.

That left three infantry battalions and one tank battalion along Gazas border. But Oct. 7 was the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah, and the Sabbath. One senior military officer estimated that about half the 1,500 soldiers in the area were away. He said that another infantry battalion had been reassigned years earlier after Israel finished building a security wall around Gaza.

Whether Hamas knew that the military was understaffed is unclear, but it had fatal consequences. When the attacks began, many soldiers were fighting for their lives instead of protecting residents nearby. Hamas stormed one base, Nahal Oz, forcing soldiers to abandon it and leave behind dead friends.

And just as the civilian volunteers had warned, the first line of defense inside Israel was quickly overwhelmed. Some units barely had enough weapons for an hourslong battle, officials said.

Hamas also worked strategically to weaken Israels advantage in firepower. Terrorists targeted Israeli tanks, hitting several of them, said Brig. Gen. Hisham Ibrahim, the commander of the armored corps. Tanks ran out of ammunition, leaving crews to fight with ground soldiers.

In another instance widely covered in the Israeli media, Hamas fired on an Israeli helicopter, forcing it down near Gaza. The paratroopers escaped injury before the helicopter burst into flames.

All of this should have been a clear sign that Israel was under broad attack, facing a dire situation.

But Hamas made another strategic strike that morning that all but blinded Israels military at a critical moment.
It was not a white Christmas in New York City, either. When was the last time the city  as well as Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.  got more than an inch of snow in a day?
Opinion Guest Essay How to Make Room for One Million New Yorkers

New York City doesnt have enough homes. The average New Yorker now spends 34 percent of pre-tax income on rent, up from just 20 percent in 1965. There are many reasons homes in the city are so expensive, but at the root of it all, even after the pandemic, is supply and demand: Insufficient housing in our desirable city means more competition  and therefore sky-high prices  for the few new homes that trickle onto the market.

Some New Yorkers harbor fantasies that instead of building more, we can meet our housing needs through more rent control, against the advice of most economists, or by banning pieds-a-terre or by converting all vacant office towers into residential buildings, despite the expense and complexity. Given the enormity of the crisis, such measures would all be drops in the bucket, leading many to worry that if we were to actually build the hundreds of thousands of homes New Yorkers need, we would end up transforming the city into an unrecognizable forest of skyscrapers.

This resistance to change is more than just the usual grumbling from opinionated New Yorkers; it has become a significant obstacle, and it threatens to stifle the vitality of this great city. As Binyamin Appelbaum of The Times argues in his analysis of New Yorks housing crisis: New York is not a great city because of its buildings. It is a great city because it provides people with the opportunity to build better lives.

To do that, New York needs to build more housing, and it can. New York could add dwellings for well over a million people  homes most New Yorkers could afford  without substantially changing the look and feel of the city.

My architecture firm, Practice for Architecture and Urbanism, previously worked with Times Opinion to imagine the future of the citys rail infrastructure and streets. This time, we took a fresh look at housing.

We found a way to add more than 500,000 homes  enough to house more than 1.3 million New Yorkers  without radically changing the character of the citys neighborhoods or altering its historic districts.

Heres how we got to 500,000 housing units  the same number that the mayor has called a moonshot goal. Apartments near public transit are convenient for residents and better for the environment, so we started by looking at areas within a half-mile of train stations and ferry terminals. Next, we excluded parts of the city that might be at risk of flooding in the future. In the remaining areas, we identified more than 1,700 acres of underutilized land: vacant lots, single-story retail buildings, parking lots and office buildings that could be converted to apartments. For each lot, we calculated how much housing we could add without building any higher than nearby structures. Take this single-story grocery store in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn. A mid-rise apartment complex built above a replacement grocery store could create 58 new housing units. The resulting structure wouldn't be any taller than the apartment complex next to it. We also identified sites that could support smaller developments, like this vacant lot on the northern edge of the Bronx. Low-rise apartment buildings house many more people than single-family homes. If designed thoughtfully, they could become just as much a part of the urban fabric as the city's brownstones. This single-story store in Flushing, Queens, is just minutes away from a subway stop on a line that runs straight to Midtown Manhattan. Its a prime example of underutilized land. Matching the density of surrounding buildings, a high-rise built above new retail spaces could create 242 apartments. Last, we considered office buildings that could be converted to apartments. Office building conversions can require a tremendous amount of construction. But we should consider any reasonable proposal to house more New Yorkers.

The hypothetical buildings in our analysis would add 520,245 homes for New Yorkers. With that many new housing units, more than a million New Yorkers would have a roof over their head that they could afford, near transit and away from flood zones, all while maintaining the look and feel of the city.

Of course, adding apartment buildings would place more demand on our subways and schools in some neighborhoods. But the construction of over 520,000 homes would stimulate our economy; add people to our sidewalks, making them safer; and make the city more accessible to middle-class families  who are essential to the long-term health and prosperity of New York.

How to add 520,245 housing units to N.Y.C. Mid-rises High-rises +336,551 units +93,331 Office conversions Low-rises +55,056 +35,307 Getting to 500,000 How many housing units our proposed buildings would add. Mid-rises 336,551 High-rises 93,331 Low-rises 55,056 Office conversions 35,307 Total 520,245 Getting to 500,000 How many housing units our proposed buildings would add. Mid-rises 336,551 High-rises 93,331 Mid-rises wouldnt feel out of place in many parts of the Bronx and Queens. Low-rises 55,056 Office conversions 35,307 Total 520,245 Almost all of the office conversions were proposing are in Manhattan. Residents of high-rises along Atlantic Avenue could easily take the subway to work. Low-rises near the Staten Island Railway could house thousands more New Yorkers.

Several political, legal and economic impediments stand in the way of addressing New York Citys housing crisis. Mayor Eric Adams and Gov. Kathy Hochul have proposed ambitious plans to build hundreds of thousands of new housing units, but they have faced stiff opposition. Our City Council and State Legislature need to support a significant expansion of housing supply for the city or otherwise answer for our housing and homelessness crisis.

There are many reasons it is so difficult to build new housing in New York City  including zoning, the under-taxation of vacant and underutilized land, the continuing rise of construction costs, the elimination of important tax incentives, and intense and often misguided anti-development sentiments. These challenges can and should be addressed. But please, dont let people tell you we cant build the homes New Yorkers need because weve run out of room or because it would ruin the citys character. We are, in fact, a very big apple.
10 Data Points and Documents That Made Us  in 2023 A selection of charts, documents, queries and calculations.

At The Upshot, one of our favorite compliments from readers is really just a question: How did you think of that?

The best way to answer may simply be to show you. In lieu of a typical best of list, we asked our reporters for some evidence of their aha (or at least hmm) moments this year  the kinds of hidden-in-plain-sight documents, charts or calculations that eventually led to some of our most-read work.

On their own, these snippets and screenshots may not look like much. In some cases, they didnt even make much sense to us. But they may shed some light on where we find stories and how we work. And, while Im certainly biased, I think the resulting journalism is something you wont find anywhere else.

Heres to more discoveries in 2024. Kevin Quealy, Upshot editor

This one sentence in a working paper on New Yorks housing stock

This line appears in a 2022 working paper by Ingrid Gould Ellen and Noah Kazis with the N.Y.U. Furman Center, exploring why its so hard to convert older buildings in New York to newer uses today. It seemed absurd. And it set us off in search of other equally bizarre rules and barriers that help illustrate why New York and other American cities cant so easily adapt to post-pandemic life  whether they need to turn offices into apartments, or hotels into affordable housing, or vacant storefronts into just about anything else.

This will be a defining issue for American cities in the years to come. And sometimes the best way to begin to wrap your arms around a really big problem is to start with something small: like one rule (NYC DCP,  33-26) that says an apartment building should have a bigger backyard than a hotel. Emily Badger and Larry Buchanan

The lines that just keep going down

Based on data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, this chart shows the fertility rates of all 38 O.E.C.D. countries  a common shorthand for the developed world. Just a glance showed that every country except Israel had fallen below the ratio of 2.1 children born for every woman, whats called the replacement rate. The chart also showed that no one had really bounced back.

The reason we were looking at this? China announced in January that its population was beginning to shrink. The question we set out to explore was whether there was anything China could do about declining fertility rates, and if any other countries had successfully reversed the trend.

Some developed nations did manage to push their rates up for a little while  like Sweden, as we ended up writing about. But targeted efforts had only modest effects. Once you cross the threshold, there seems to be no going back. Francesca Paris

The line that just keeps going up

This past summer, I met many young people who were plagued by variations of long Covid. (I also read Ed Yongs masterly article on long Covid fatigue for The Atlantic.) I started to wonder if, three years after the start of the pandemic, the cumulative effect of these lingering illnesses would show up in any reliable government data.

One of my first visits was to FRED, one of the biggest databases of reliable government data, maintained by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. I wanted to see, at a glance, what was happening with disability in the U.S.

The sharp upward line convinced me there was a story, even if it ended up being a complicated one. Francesca Paris

The number that just cant be right  can it?

Theres been a lot of great reporting about the rise in pedestrian deaths in the United States. But in looking at a basic summary of facts on the N.H.T.S.A. website, one number jumped out that hadnt made headlines. Of pedestrian deaths in 2021, nearly three-quarters of them happened at night. This was such a simple, striking statistic. Even more surprising: It turned out that this number was much higher than it used to be, and that this wasn't happening in other wealthy nations. Researchers had puzzled over this fact, but such a high-stakes mystery hadnt really been explored for a general audience yet. So we set out to do so. Ben Blatt, Emily Badger and Josh Katz

The wild fact in a C.B.O. document

For a long time, it was common knowledge among health care researchers, budget wonks and policymakers that Medicare spending grew every year at a rate much faster than gross domestic product. So when this paragraph showed up in a letter from the Congressional Budget Office in March, it clearly signaled that something interesting and important had changed. The surprisingly low increase  2.2 percent  led us to go deep on how much that slowdown in Medicare spending meant in dollars. (Spoiler: Its an extremely big number!) The mystery about why the slowdown happened has confused many people involved in preserving the future of the health care system and the federal budget. Margot Sanger-Katz, Alicia Parlapiano and Josh Katz

The unexpected place atop a list of the most at-risk places

Data via FEMA National Risk Index

Ive been interested for a while in exploring the places where climate change and social factors bump into each other. So I pulled data from the Federal Emergency Management Agency on the annual frequency of natural disasters in U.S. counties, such as hurricanes, heat waves, floods and wildfires. And I went to the census to find the fastest-growing counties in recent decades. To tie them together, I multiplied hurricane frequency with population growth, and sorted the list to highlight the fastest-growing counties in hurricane-prone regions.

To my surprise, the top of the list wasnt coastal Louisiana or South Florida, but the Myrtle Beach, S.C., metro area, which included part of North Carolina. This spreadsheet set me off on a yearlong reporting journey. I visited the region, spoke to residents affected by flooding, and interviewed overwhelmed emergency management officials to understand what living at the nexus of climate risk and a booming population meant for the Carolina coast. Aatish Bhatia

The supposed definition of Times Square

In 2022 the Supreme Court struck down a century-old New York State law that strictly limited carrying guns in public. The court allowed for some regulation, including in specially defined sensitive areas (like Times Square). But that meant New York had to define Times Square, drawing an actual border around the previously you-know-it-when-youre-in-it area. This felt new, and counter to the way New Yorkers think about where they live. So we built an interface where readers could tell us what they call their neighborhoods and how they would draw the borders. We mushed the tens of thousands of results into one living map. Larry Buchanan, Josh Katz, Rumsey Taylor and Eve Washington

The  numbers in columns 15 and 16

The right side of this appendix table, found on Page 87 of a 144-page paper, immediately stood out to us. It said that 16 percent of the attendees of Ivy League universities and their peers (like Stanford and Duke) come from families earning in the top 1 percent. We knew that children from rich families did better in college admissions, but we were surprised at the size of that number. To compare, just 1 percent come from families earning in the bottom 10 percent. Reporting on those numbers took us in many directions, requiring us to parse complex data sets to explain that even applicants with the same qualifications got in at a much higher rate if their parents were very rich. But we kept coming back to the 16 percent: That data point ended up being the first sentence of our article. Aatish Bhatia, Claire Cain Miller and Josh Katz

The line that looked different from the others.

This chart was found deep in a paper published by the National Bureau of Economic Research. At a glance, the chart plainly conveyed a devastating fact: that maternal and infant health, including mortality rates, were worse for the richest Black women than the poorest white women. Its widely known that Black mothers and babies suffer worse outcomes in birth, but this data point offered a new, clear depiction of how severe the problem was. More important, it hinted at a reason why, by showing that income alone does not explain Black women's outcomes. We set out to report on what that meant  and explain how structural forces, including racism, affect Black mothers health. Claire Cain Miller, Sarah Kliff and Larry Buchanan

The clustering that didnt make sense  at first.

Data via NYT/Siena Polls

Ever since Donald Trump won the Republican nomination in 2016, Ive been trying to figure out how to understand and illustrate the composition of todays Republican Party. At first glance, this chart does not seem to shed any light on Republicans at all.

But this was the first output of a statistical analysis  called a cluster analysis  used to segment Republican voters into different groups (labeled 1 through 6) based on their results to different survey questions (each vertical line). If it doesnt make sense to you, dont worry about it  it didnt make sense to me either, at first. It took a while to make sense of how my algorithm was segmenting Republicans. But it turned out that the groups were coherent and easy to understand. From there, we just had to give them names and illustrations, and ended up with one of my favorite pieces of the year, on the six kinds of Republican voters. Nate Cohn
A Minnesota woman is suing her dentist for allegedly putting her through hell for over five hours by conducting 32 different procedures in a single, agonizing session.

Having to endure one root canal is traumatizing enough, but imagine having to sit through four root canal procedures, eight dental crowns, and no less than 20 fillings in a single session. It sounds like a nightmare and Kathleen Wilson, a Minnesota woman with severe dental problems, can attest that it truly was. In a span of just over 5 hours, her dentist, Dr. Kevin Molldrem, allegedly used about double the recommended dose of anesthetic, in an attempt to fix all her teeth in a single session. His efforts allegedly left the woman disfigured and distressed, and she is now asking for at least $50,000 in damages.

Photo: Quang Tri NGUYEN/Unsplash

The traumatic incident occurred in the summer of 2020 and left Henderson embarrassed and in pain. She had to undergo several other procedures just to fix the damage caused by Molldrem and she now wants him to pay. An expert Florida dentist had testified that although Molldrems diagnosis  that virtually every tooth in Kathleen Wilsons mouth had cavities  the way he went about helping her was wrong.

Katie required a slow, thoughtful, careful and measured response to her disease, Dr. Avrum Goldstein said. Trying to fill every hole in every tooth in her mouth in one visit is not only the antithesis of what was indicated, it is not humanely possible to achieve in an effective or constructive manner.

Photo: lafayett zapata montero/Unsplash

Goldstein also claimed that the womans dentist gave her too much anesthetic during the long session, and then faked documents in order to conceal it. Molldrem allegedly administered 960 mg of anesthetic, almost double the 480 mg recommended for long procedures.

For the trauma she had to endure, as well as for the cost of the medical intervention to mitigate the damage, Kathleen Wilson is now seeking $50,000 in damages.

Up to this point, Dr. Molldrem has refused to comment.
This last year of 2023 has been a year of war and rumours of war. Lives lost, children killed in huge numbers, people displaced, fear and suspicion overwhelming many communities in our country and around the world. These wars are also contributing to the destruction of our environment. It feels as though we have moved backwards in our efforts to bring peace and justice to our world. In this most worrying time for our world, the subject of peace, above every other, commands the reflective attention of all people of reason and good will. It is eminently fitting to write these few words about peace as we enter into the new year of 2024, as peace is the most precious good to ask of God at this time and to build with every effort, by means of concrete gestures of peace on the part of every man, woman and child of goodwill. As individuals, we earnestly desire peace. We want peace in our homes, in our countries, in our relationships with one another and in our world. We want peace in our innermost thoughts and feelings.

Our Lord decreed peace for us again and again: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid (Jn. 14:27). We share the common heritage of peace with all people everywhere. If we think of people in other lands as being strange or different or as the enemy, we should recall the questions the prophet Malachi asked: Have we not all one father? Has not one God created us? Why then are we faithless to one another? (Mal. 2: 10). All people, regardless of language barriers and racial and cultural differences, have the same hopes and fears, the same challenges and aspirations, the same need for love, care, compassion, mercy and understanding. We are alike in so many ways. Surely we can pray and really work hard together for peace!



Be Inspired

When we pray and work hard for peace, for peace in our hearts, in our families and in our broken world, we realise how valuable peace is, how sought after it really is. But were also aware of how rare and fragile true peace is. Peace is a gift to which one must attend. As a gift, it is not unlike a plant one might receive: it cannot be left there, it must be watered, it must be nourished, it demands attention, loving care and very hard work. Peace demands constant hard work, constant vigilance. Building peace is a reality into which we must insert ourselves as we go forward into this new year of 2024. Peace is a gift, but the hard work of achieving peace is ours. Making and creating peace is not some job, something on which we can close the door at the end of our working day. Peacemakers can never rest on their laurels, not even in times of peace. Peace demands our ceaseless hardworking efforts, courage, endurance and our constant prayer.

So as we begin this new year of 2024 we pray that the Peace of God, which is a peace built upon welcome, upon dignity, upon mercy, upon hard work and prayer, upon forgiveness and upon justice, must take flesh in us, before it can take root in the world. We are called to pray and work hard for peace. We are called actively to pursue peace. Blessed are peacemakers, said Jesus. Blessed are those who go the second mile (see Matt 5:41), blessed are those who have compassion with the stranger, and blessed are those who work to turn swords into ploughshares (see Isa 2:4). Peace-making is an active process. Christ did not say, blessed are those who receive peace! But blessed are those who make peace. Let us in 2024 be inspired by Christ, the Prince of Peace, the one who on the cross, subverted hatred and greed, and became the way of true and enduring reconciliation. Let us immerse ourselves in his work for peace in our world and in our hearts. May the Holy Spirit who brought Christ to life in Mary, bring the Prince of Peace to life in us. May the Spirit strengthen us, and guide our feet on the way of this hard work for peace into 2024 and always (see Luke 1:79).

"War in pieces"

Up to recently, maybe a few years ago in the lives of many of us, we thought that we had entered an era of peace, not perfect peace, not global peace, but peace that could progressively extend to further parts of the world. This is why, when Pope Francis, a few years ago, warned that we were close to a Third World War in pieces, I thought he was exaggerating things. But Pope Francis might have spoken with sad foresight, as he often does, when he coined that expression.

Because as we look in anguish at the destruction of Gaza and the conflict between Israel and Palestine after having watched Ukrainian neighbourhoods devastated by Russian rockets for the past two years; peaceful Sudanese cities savaged by armed groups; communities in Ethiopia torn apart by violence and war; Afghanistan drifting from years of civil strife into an apparent tranquillity in which womens rights are totally denied and when we look at this litany of crises, one after the other, we can only conclude the same. We live again, I am afraid to say in a time of war, hate and greed. A "Third World War in pieces."!!



Big rifts



A time in which with increasing impunity, people pick up arms to kill, rape, destroy and above all seize power. A time of great global divisions perhaps the most severe that we have seen in maybe most of our living memory. No matter where we look and which issue is discussed, we see, we feel those divides, from global geopolitics to local communities. We are almost driven to polarization, as if it had become impossible to consider different perspectives: be with us, otherwise you are not good; not loyal; and not deserving of respect and rights. The big rifts: north/south; east/west, rich/poor, strong/weak, have been made even more visible by the unequal and inequitable response to the COVID-19 pandemic; by the responses to the Russian invasion of Ukraine; the hidden conflicts in Sudan and Ethiopia; and now putting us at risk of a fracture that could be irreparable by the war in Gaza and the many forgotten conflicts in so many parts of our world that are ongoing at this moment. Our world is full of hurting families and countries torn apart by war and violence.

Over 2 billion people, about one-third of the worlds population, live in countries with conflict, violence, terroism or fragile internal systems, according to the World Bank. These are places with the greatest humanitarian needs, where children, families, and communities struggle to acquire the basic necessities of life. It can be difficult to know how to help people in need. One of my most abiding wishes and prayers that I say daily is, "we all live in peace together." I light one of my daily candles for that prayer to come true constantly. We have seen what peace can do for people in Northern Ireland. But you only have to watch the news or read the papers to find conflict and suffering in every corner of our world. Through prayer, we can seek peace and pursue it (Psalm 34:14). Pray with me this new year of 2024 for peace for fragile countries and conflict zones in our world and for children and families living through difficult times in places like Ukraine, Israel, Gaza, Palestine, Sudan, Afghanistan,Yemen, Ethiopia and many other places in our world.



Inspirational leaders



The causes of this unrest and lack of peace may seem complex, but I believe the root of much of it is one group trying to impose its will on another. The motives may be political, religious, greed, terroism or racism, but it amounts to the same thing. One group sees itself as 'right' and others as 'wrong'. Religion and politics are often used to justify such claims. Another thing I often think to myself is that it is ironic that the objective of war is to create Peace! In order to have a better, more peaceful world we must learn to think of the globe as a whole. Our world leaders need to be more selfless and sacrificing. Only by having a universal, peaceful and spiritual vision can we bring positive change into the political and world field. A person who is really interested in making positive changes will never resort to violence to effect political reform. The approach has to be nonviolent and peaceful. Anything achieved through violence will not last long; it will leave an enemy sitting somewhere plotting against you. If instead, you make a friend, you need not be afraid of the other person; and he or she need not be afraid of you. Permanent peace can never be achieved by violent means. Remember, there is no power higher than love. Hatred breeds hatred; violence breeds violence. If we sincerely want world peace, we have to depend on our soul force, not on anything else. When our efforts fail, when we have nothing else, then we think of a Higher Power and turn to that force. And that is what soul force is and that is also what prayer is all about. Mahatma Gandhi was a great example of this principle.

He demonstrated that, by being a peaceful activist and trusting in soul and prayer power, one could liberate an entire country. That is how India gained her independence. Mahatma Gandhi, U Thant, Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, Eleanor Roosevelt, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and others were great humanitarians in public life. We need more people like these to lead and inspire. Many times we wonder, is finding peace in the midst of all that is happening in our world at present even possible? One quote reminds us, Peace. It doesn't mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart. Another says, "No God, no peace. Know God, know peace." And both are true. As usual a story from my Nana Scully's prayer book might help to explain.

Peace in your heart



"There once was a King who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace. When the entries were in, the King looked at all the pictures. There were only two he really liked. One picture was of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror, with four peaceful towering mountains all around it. Overhead was a blue sky with fluffy white clouds. All who saw this picture thought that it was a perfect picture of peace. The other picture had mountains too, but these were rugged and bare. Above was an angry sky from which rain fell and lightning played.

Down the side of the mountain tumbled a foaming waterfall. It did not look peaceful at all. However, when the King looked, he saw a tiny bush growing in a crack in the rock behind the waterfall. In the bush a mother bird had built her nest. There, in the midst of the rush of angry water, sat the mother bird on her nest, perfectly at peace.

The King chose the second picture, because, he said, Peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart. That is the real meaning of peace." We often look at the outside world and find it in a state of chaos and disorder. We cannot bring to the world that which we do not have to offer. Peace starts in our own minds and heart, and until its roots are firmly entrenched in our own selves, we cannot manifest it externally. As Eleanor Roosevelt said, It isn't enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn't enough to believe in it. One must work hard at it.

We need peace



Recently we have also seen a surge in various forms of nationalism, racism, hate, xenophobia, wars and conflicts that bring only death and destruction in their wake. These and other events that marked humanitys path these past few years have taught us how important it is to care for one another and for creation in our efforts to build a more fraternal society.

We who are here together and in peace believe and hope in a fraternal world. We desire that men and women of different religions and none may everywhere gather and promote harmony, especially where there is conflict. Our future consists in living together. For this reason I pray in 2024 that we hear the call to free ourselves from the heavy burdens of distrust, fundamentalism and hate. Believers should be makers of peace in their prayers to God and in their actions for humanity! A fraternal society of care as a way to combat the culture of indifference, waste and confrontation so prevalent in our time. We can no longer think exclusively of carving out space for our personal or national interests; instead, we must think in terms of the common good, recognizing that we belong to a greater community, and opening our minds and hearts to universal human fraternity. We cannot continue to focus simply on preserving ourselves; rather, the time has come for all of us to endeavour to heal our communities, to lay the foundations for a more just and peaceful world, and to commit ourselves seriously to pursuing a good that is truly common. In order to do this in 2024, and to live better lives we cannot ignore one fundamental fact, namely that the many moral, social, political and economic crises we are experiencing are all interconnected, and what we see as isolated problems are actually causes and effects of one another.

Consequently, we are called to confront the challenges of our world in a spirit of responsibility, fraternity, community and compassion. We must promote actions that enhance peace and put an end to the conflicts and wars that continue to cause poverty, abandonment, homelessness and death. We urgently need to join in caring for our common home and in implementing clear and effective measures to combat climate change. We need to battle the virus of inequality and to ensure food, water, shelter and dignified labour for all, supporting those who lack even a minimum wage and find themselves in great difficulty. The scandal of entire peoples starving remains an open wound in all our world. We also need to develop suitable policies for welcoming and integrating migrants and those whom our societies discard such as our own homeless people and families.

Only by responding generously to these situations, with an altruism inspired by Gods infinite and merciful love, will we be able to build a new world which is a world of love, justice and peace. Each of us in 2024, men and women of this time, is called to make peace happen, each one of us, we are not indifferent to this. We are called to make peace happen each day and in every place we live. This peace must begin with us; we must be at peace inside, in our hearts and with ourselves, and with those who are near us. Peace, is a gift from God, which must be implored from God with incessant prayer, sustained with patient and respectful dialogue, constructed with an open collaboration with truth and justice and always attentive to the legitimate aspirations of individuals and peoples. They alone with hard work and actions are what can bring inner calm and peace at times to a whirlwind crazy mindless and evil world.

Prayer for peace

We need to look at ways you can bring real, lasting and genuine peace into your own life and the lives of those around you. If peace is what you seek in 2024, focus your thoughts on this Prayerfor Peace by Jackie Trottmann - "Dear God, I need your peace now. Silence my thoughts of confusion. Silence my thoughts of anxiety. Silence my thoughts of grief or despair. Silence my thoughts of hurt or anger. When there is chaos and turmoil surrounding me, shelter and protect me with your peace and loving, powerful presence.

As I take this time to stop and pray, fill me with your peaceful presence. With each breath I take, I breathe in your peace that surpasses all understanding. Help me to focus on peace instead of unrest. I surrender my unrest to you so that I may receive peace. Help me to be a spark that ignites peace in others. Amen". And finally my own favourite prayer for peace, Dear Lord, Our world waits in darkness longing for Your light. In the midst of darkness, enkindle our hope. As we long for lasting peace in the midst of war and terrorism, Be with us. As we long for families to be reunited, Be with us. As we long for homeless and abandoned people in our communities to be cared for, Be with us. As we long for enemies to be reconciled, Be with us. As we long for cures and healings, Be with us. As we long for decent jobs, decent homes and shelter and economic security, Be with us. As we long for love and community, Be with us. Fulfill the deepest longings of your people and Dispel the darkness in our hearts and in our world. Let your Word ignite the hope the world needs to bring to life your love and justice. May the Virgin Mary, who gave birth to the 'Prince of Peace' (Is 9:6), and who cuddles him thus, with such tenderness in her arms, obtain for us from heaven the precious gift of peace. Nothing is impossible if we turn to God in prayer. Amen

Thought for the week

As your thought for the week and for this coming New Year of 2024, don't ever forget for even a second how very important and how very special each and every one of us Are. Here is a story to finish this thought from my Nana Scully's prayer book about a person asking God what he would wish for each one of us for this new year of 2024. "As God, what would you ask your children to do for the new year of 2024?" He said, "To learn that what is most valuable is not what they have in their lives, but who they have in their lives. To learn that a rich person is not one who has the most, but is one who needs the least. To learn that they should control their attitudes, otherwise their attitudes will control them. To learn that it only takes a few seconds to open profound wounds in persons we love, and that it takes many years to heal them.

To learn to forgive by practising forgiveness. To learn that there are persons that love them dearly, but simply do not know how to show their feelings. To learn that money can buy everything but happiness. To learn that while at times they may be entitled to be upset, that does not give them the right to upset those around them. To learn that great dreams do not require great wings, but a landing gear, to achieve. To learn that true friends are scarce; he or she who has found one has found a true treasure. To learn that it is not always enough that they be forgiven by others, but that they forgive themselves. To learn that they are masters of what they keep to themselves and slaves of what they say. To learn that they shall reap what they plant; if they plant gossip they will harvest intrigues; if they plant love they will harvest happiness.

To learn that true happiness is not to achieve their goals, but to learn to be satisfied with what they already achieved. To learn that happiness is a decision. They decide to be happy with what they are and have, or die from envy and jealousy of what they lack. To learn that two people can look at the same thing and see something totally different. To learn that those who are honest with themselves without considering the consequences go far in life. To learn that even though they may think they have nothing to give, when a friend cries with them, they find the strength to appease the pain. To learn that by trying to hold on to loved ones, they very quickly push them away; and by letting go of those they love, they will be side by side forever. To learn that even though the word "love" has many different meanings, it loses value when it is overstated. To learn that they can never do something extraordinary for Me to love them; I simply do. To learn that the shortest distance they could be from Me is the distance of a prayer." God bless and Happy New Year to each and everyone of you that reads or shares my column and may the future be bright and safe for you and all your family, friends and colleagues. Please try to love deeply from your heart in 2024 for the good of everyone, especially those most in need in our communities and the world and for those most in need of peace in their lives. So in these first days of 2024 keep in mind those 18th century words: I shall pass through this world but once. Therefore any kind act that I can perform for any fellow-creature, let me do it now. For I shall not pass this way again. Le Cunamh De, may 2024 be a good peaceful year in our lives. The blessings of God and a happy New Year of 2024 to one and all.
It's now just a distant, and at times very vague memory, but 'The Harriers' in Tullamore was the spot for a number of generations to head to on a Saturday night and there was no bigger night than New Year's Eve!!!

And it wasn't just people from Tullamore who descended on the venue. Buses came from all across Offaly and further afield emptying their loads of excited teenagers in the car park.

Take a trip down memory lane and see how many of these 15 things you remember!

1  Waiting nervously in the queue to more than likely be asked for ID you most certainly didn't have. No such thing as Age Cards back in the day which made life much easier for intrepid 15, 16 and 17-year-olds. This was followed by the sense of sheer relief or bitter disappointment when you did or didn't get past the front desk. It was all down to confidence and, for the lads, that little scruffy bit of facial hair.

2  Finding someone in the long, long line for the cloakroom who would hang up your denim jacket or alternatively, finding a dark corner up the back to dump it for the night as standing in the queue was wasting valuable drinking time.

3  Getting in early on a busy night to avoid the long queue when the buses arrived from all points in the midlands. You were also trying to get a booth near the bar or up the back in 'The Restaurant'.

4  Being a hero at the bar and ordering double vodkas or double Famous Grouse knowing full well it was all going to end badly before you got out the door that night.

5  If you were a lad, prowling the floor when you knew the slow set was about to start in the hopes of getting the shift.

6  If you were a girl, watching out for the lads prowling the floor when the slow set was about to start and doing your level best to dodge them.

7  The sound of numerous teens puking in the toilets while you waited outside the door trying desperately not to lose the contents of your stomach all over the floor!

8  What live music was really like and how many great Irish bands were touring the country during the late 80s and early 90s with The Stunning, The 4 of Us and An Emotional Fish being among the regular visitors.

9  The pain in your neck the next day after head banging to Thunderstruck, Whole Lotta Rosie, Black Betty and various other metal tunes.

10  The helpful hand picking you off the floor in the mosh pit after you unwisely chose to bounce off someone twice your size and half as drunk when Smells Like Teen Spirit was blasted out.

11  The drunk lad who seemed to knock a drink out of everyone's hand no matter how much you tried to dodge him while coming up the steps from the dance floor

12  Gyrating your body in some weird and wonderful way and trying to convince other people that you were actually dancing.

13  Trying to jump the queue to get your coat from the cloakroom (if you bothered putting it there in the first place) as the girl you were snogging earlier in the night had already left with her friends and you were desperate to catch up with her before she got on her bus to God knows where.

14  Staggering home afterwards with a curry chips because someone told you that hid the smell of alcohol on your breath. Turns out it didn't and you spent a lot of time trying to convince your irate parents you really only had one pint despite the puke stains all down your clothes.

15  Not having to worry about your every move and indiscretion being posted all across social media the next day. Back then we had to rely on vague flashbacks and the day after postmortem with friends to piece together what we did.
Bengaluru Bandh? Outfits Warn Of Citywide Shutdown If KRV President Not Released From Jail

Bengaluru

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Over 25 Kannada organizations, including the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV), threatened citywide shutdown (Bengaluru Bandh) if their president, TA Narayan Gowda, and others arrested for Wednesday's vandalism remain jailed.

Praveen Kumar Shetty, state president of another KRV faction, criticized the government's arrests, emphasizing that these activists were advocating for the preservation of the Kannada language.

Shetty declared at a press briefing that a decision regarding a specific date for action would be made soon. Should the activists remain incarcerated beyond that chosen date, Bengaluru bandh would be called.

Another Leopard Spotted Off Sarjapur Road In Bengaluru, Forest Officials On Alert

The groups aimed to wait until February 28, 2024-the BBMP deadline requiring establishments to display 60% Kannada signage on their nameboards. Failure to comply with this regulation might prompt street demonstrations and removal of non-compliant signboards. Shetty lamented the government's failure to ensure compliance, suggesting that such actions wouldn't have been necessary if the laws were upheld.

Writer HamPa Nagarajaiah criticized the activists' arrests, acknowledging isolated incidents of signboard removal but attributing these acts to the frustration of those advocating for the language. Nagarajaiah highlighted that most activists were urging private entities to respect the local language and laws rather than engaging in vandalism.

Mahesh Joshi, president of Kannada Sahitya Parishat, expressed the Parishat's unwavering support for the release of all detained pro-Kannada activists, deeming their arrest unjust.
Missing Office Address, Empty Apartment: The Curious Case Of Bengaluru CEO Suchana Seth Who Killed Her Son

Bengaluru Phoenix Mall Of Asia Closed For 15 Days, Sec 144 In Place

Bengaluru

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Bengaluru Police announced a restriction on public entry to the Phoenix Mall of Asia located on Bellari Road in North Bengaluru from December 31 to January 15, ahead of the city's New Year celebrations.

Citing sections 144(1) and 144(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the police declared limited access to the Phoenix Mall of Asia, Bellari Road, Byatarayanapura, Yelahanka, starting from 10 am on December 31 until 11:59 pm on January 15, 2024.

Bengaluru City Police Commissioner B Dayananda stated that this measure aimed "to prevent annoyance and disturbance to public tranquility and to ensure a safe environment for traffic and the general public."

Bengaluru Phoenix Mall Of Asia Closed Today Amid Protests Over Kannada Language Rule

Meanwhile, Several restrictions including section 144 have been imposed in Bengaluru for safe New Year celebrations.

The Bengaluru Police has also announced stringent measures, including rigorous drunk driving checks, traffic controls in vital zones, and heightened security citywide. To anticipate sizable crowds gathering at prominent spots like MG Road, Brigade Road, Residency Road, St Marks Road, and Church Street for New Year celebrations, the police have limited traffic along these major routes on the nights of December 31 and January 1, 2024, prioritizing public safety.

The decision follows the closure of Phoenix Mall of Asia in Hebbal and Phoenix Marketcity in Whitefield on December 27 due to protests by pro-Kannada activists demanding Kannada signboards.

The order emphasized the urgency of preventing potential disruptions, offenses, and disturbances to public peace and order during the upcoming New Year celebrations and subsequent days. Due to time constraints and the pressing situation, the order stated the impossibility of conducting hearings for affected individuals or exploring alternative courses of action.
BJPs Jammu and Kashmir Convention: Strong Stance on Pakistan, Minority Exodus, and Political Goals

The BJPs Jammu and Kashmir unit held a convention, emphasizing their position against talks with Pakistan and demanding accountability for the exodus of minorities. They welcomed the Supreme Courts verdict on Article 370 and set their sights on securing an absolute majority in the Legislative Assembly.

India

-Krishna Kripa

The Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Jammu and Kashmir unit organized a one-day convention of office-bearers on Saturday, December 30, 2023, in Jammu. The convention witnessed significant resolutions passed by the party, including a firm stance against talks with Pakistan and a demand for identifying and prosecuting those responsible for the exodus of minorities from Kashmir.

No Talks with Pakistan, Prosecution for Exodus Culprits

The BJP's Jammu and Kashmir unit unequivocally resolved that there should be no negotiations or talks with Pakistan or its agents, including individuals or organizations supporting separatism in the region. The party emphasized that terrorism and talks cannot coexist, and it will strive for an absolute majority in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, aiming to have a chief minister from the party.

Furthermore, the resolution demanded that those responsible for the exodus of minorities from Kashmir in 1989-90 be identified and brought to justice. The party expressed its commitment to instilling confidence and peace among the masses, promoting nationalistic spirit, and combating terrorism and separatist elements.

Addressing Terrorism and Pakistan's Destabilizing Efforts

The BJP acknowledged that while normalcy is gradually returning to Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan continues to destabilize the Union Territory through subversive activities and terrorism. The recent surge in terror activities in Rajouri and Poonch districts was highlighted as a reflection of Pakistan's hostile intentions.

The party pledged to stand firmly with the armed forces in their efforts to eradicate terrorism from the region and thwart Pakistan's nefarious designs. While supporting necessary measures to curb terrorism, the BJP also resolved to reach out to the people and win their hearts and minds.

Supreme Court Verdict on Article 370 Hailed

The BJP's Jammu and Kashmir unit hailed the Supreme Court's verdict upholding the abrogation of Article 370, describing it as a landmark decision that puts a stamp of finality and paves the way for strengthening the nation. The resolution highlighted the significance of the abrogation as a watershed moment in India's history, undoing the "Nehruvian Himalayan blunder" and fulfilling the country's quest for "Ek Nishan, Ek Vidhan, Ek Pradhan -- Ek Bharat" (One Symbol, One Constitution, One Prime Minister -- One India).

The party asserted that the Supreme Court's verdict reinforces the nation's resolve to bring new hope and rejuvenated aspirations to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. It emphasized the end of exploitative politics and the devolution of equitable rights to all, irrespective of caste, creed, gender, religion, region, or sub-region. The resolution envisioned a "Naya Jammu Kashmir"  a better, brighter, prosperous, and peaceful region where all can live in harmony and unity, free from discrimination.

Conclusion

The BJP's Jammu and Kashmir unit's convention reflected the party's unwavering commitment to addressing key issues affecting the region. By demanding action against those responsible for the exodus of minorities, taking a strong stance against talks with Pakistan, and supporting the Supreme Court's verdict on Article 370, the party outlined its vision for a peaceful and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir.
Canada May Arrest Two Suspects In Nijjar's Killing Within Weeks: Report

Is Canada Losing Its Edge As A Top Choice For Indian Students?

Canada-Based Gangster Lakhbir Singh Landa Declared Terrorist By MHA

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Friday declared Lakhbir Singh Landa, a Canada-based gangster and Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) leader, as an "individual terrorist" under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

Landa, overseeing the trafficking of arms and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) from Pakistan to India, orchestrated the rocket propelled grenade (RPG) attack on Punjab Police's intelligence headquarters in Mohali on May 9 last year. Both the Punjab Police and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) have sought him in connection with this assault.

According to the MHA's notification, Landa had close ties with Canada-based pro-Khalistan elements (PKEs), including the late Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar and Sikhs for Justice leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, among others.

Originally from Harike in Punjab's Tarn Taran district, Landa currently resides in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Canada May Arrest Two Suspects In Nijjar's Killing Within Weeks: Report

The notification detailed Landa's involvement in various criminal activities, encompassing the supply of explosives, arms, and sophisticated weaponry across borders to different modules for executing terrorist acts in Punjab. His criminal record includes terror module establishment, extortion, killings, IED placements, weapon smuggling, narcotics trade, and channeling funds for terrorist activities in Punjab and other parts of India.

Additionally, the notification stated his implication in targeted assassinations, extortions, and other anti-national endeavors throughout the country.

In 2021, a lookout circular was issued against Landa, and the NIA has offered a reward for information leading to his arrest.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Saturday, December 30, 2023, 10:38 [IST]
Ram Temple Inauguration: What Is 'Pran Pratishtha' And How It Is Performed?

Determined To Preserve Ayodhya's Rich Heritage: PM Modi Ahead Of Visit To Temple Town

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Ayodhya today to inaugurate several projects with a total investment exceeding Rs 15,000 crore. head of his arrival, the Prime Minister underscored his administration's commitment to constructing top-tier infrastructure in the city.

At 11:15 am, PM Modi will commence the day by inaugurating the revamped Ayodhya Railway Station. Additionally, he will initiate the launch of new Amrit Bharat and Vande Bharat trains. Following this, at 12:15 pm, he will unveil the newly constructed Ayodhya Airport.

"Our government is determined to develop world-class infrastructure, improve connectivity and preserve the rich heritage of Ayodhya, the city of Lord Shri Ram. In this direction, I will inaugurate the newly constructed airport and redeveloped railway station tomorrow. Along with this, I will also get the privilege of inaugurating and laying the foundation stone of many more development projects, which will make the life of my family members in many areas of the country including Ayodhya and UP easier," PM Modi wrote on X in Hindi.

          ,                                      Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 29, 2023

The day's activities will culminate in a public program at 1 pm, where PM Modi will inaugurate, dedicate, and lay foundation stones for a plethora of development projects. Valued at over 15,000 crore, these initiatives encompass 11,100 crore dedicated solely to Ayodhya's development and surrounding regions. An additional 4,600 crore worth of projects will target various areas within Uttar Pradesh.

These projects entail the establishment of a medical college, the Ayodhya bypass, a solid waste treatment facility, and the creation of five parking and commercial facilities.

Ayodhya has been adorned with floral decorations, murals, and thematic ornamental columns to welcome the Prime Minister amid stringent security measures. Prominent locations boast huge posters featuring Modi's image, while cut-outs of Lord Ram grace the precincts of the redeveloped railway station.

Enhanced security arrangements have been implemented along the Ram Path leading to the Ayodhya airport, situated approximately 15 km away from the city center.

As a prelude to the Prime Minister's visit, devotional songs dedicated to Lord Ram filled the streets on Saturday morning, accompanied by temple bells tolling and holy chants resonating across several temples.

Gaurav Dayal, Divisional Commissioner of Ayodhya, outlined the Prime Minister's schedule, stating, "The prime minister is expected to reach Ayodhya airport around 10.45 am. Following his arrival, he will proceed to the Ayodhya railway station for the inauguration. Subsequently, he'll return to the airport to unveil the new airport and address a public rally."

It's anticipated that approximately 1.5 lakh people will assemble for the rally, which is slated to last nearly an hour before the Prime Minister departs from Ayodhya, Dayal added.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's office, in a statement on Friday, highlighted that more than 1,400 performers will showcase folk art and cultural programs across 40 stages lining the route from the airport to the railway station during PM Modi's visit.
Jammu and Kashmir: 250 Narcotic Smugglers Face PSA Action in 2023 Crackdown

Jammu and Kashmir witnessed a surge in anti-drug operations in 2023, resulting in the booking of 250 narcotic smugglers under the Public Safety Act. The police, aided by agencies like the Narcotics Control Bureau and Interpol, aim to dismantle narco-terror networks and bring masterminds to justice.

India

-Krishna Kripa

Jammu, December 30: In a significant move to combat the menace of drug trafficking, the Jammu and Kashmir Police have booked as many as 250 narcotic smugglers under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA) in 2023. This represents a substantial increase compared to the previous year, reflecting the state's intensified efforts to curb the illicit drug trade.

Surge in Narcotic Smuggling Cases

Director General of Police (DGP) R R Swain disclosed that 15 cases of narco-terrorism came to light during the year, underscoring the nexus between drug smuggling and terrorism. In response to this grave threat, the police intend to seek assistance from the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and the Interpol to take legal action against the masterminds operating from various foreign countries, including Turkey.

PSA Detentions and NDPS Act Cases

The number of individuals detained under the PSA for drug-related offenses witnessed a significant rise, with 250 persons apprehended in 2023 compared to 191 in the preceding year. This marks an increase of approximately 31%. Additionally, a total of 2,400 cases were registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act this year, a notable surge compared to the 1,659 cases recorded in 2022.

Legal Actions and Convictions

The police have demonstrated their commitment to combating drug trafficking by filing charge sheets in 1,710 cases under the NDPS Act, resulting in 127 convictions thus far. These decisive actions reflect the state's determination to bring drug offenders to justice and disrupt their illicit activities.

Drug Seizures and Financial Assets

During the course of their operations against narcotic smugglers, the authorities have made substantial seizures of illegal drugs. These include 297 kg of heroin, 330 kg of charas, 63 kg of brown sugar, 6,557 kg of poppy straw, 118 kg of ganja, and 118 kg of opium. Furthermore, a significant amount of financial assets, totaling Rs 10.90 crore, has been seized from the drug traffickers.

Evidence of Narco-Terror Link

The DGP highlighted that the first concrete evidence of narco-terrorism emerged in 2022, dispelling any lingering doubts about the connection between narcotic smugglers and terrorist activities. This revelation has prompted the state to adopt a more comprehensive approach to combating drug trafficking, recognizing its potential implications for national security.

Enhanced Investigation and Collaboration

The investigation of NDPS cases has been elevated to a new level this year, with the State Investigation Agency (SIA) assuming responsibility for probing several major cases. This specialized agency is tasked with exposing the intricate networks and linkages associated with drug trafficking, both within and outside Jammu and Kashmir.

Drug Trafficking Routes and International Connections

DGP Swain shed light on the modus operandi of drug smugglers, revealing that heroin is primarily smuggled from Pakistan and transported to Delhi through a well-organized business model. Under this system, one kilogram of heroin worth Rs 5 lakh upon reaching Delhi is sold for a staggering Rs 1 crore.

The SIA has played a pivotal role in exposing drug trafficking rackets, leading to the arrest of 19 accused individuals from Kashmir, Jammu, and Punjab in one such case. Notably, the mastermind behind this network was not based in Pakistan but operated from Turkey, Paris, and occasionally Canada.

Addressing Cyber Crime

The DGP also drew attention to the growing prevalence of cyber crime, emphasizing that it remains an under-reported issue affecting a significant number of citizens. The police are actively addressing this challenge and working to enhance their response mechanisms to combat cyber-related offenses.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police's intensified efforts to combat drug trafficking and cyber crime demonstrate the state's unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and security of its citizens. By adopting a multi-pronged approach, including stringent legal measures, enhanced investigations, and international collaboration, the state is making significant strides in disrupting illicit drug networks and safeguarding its citizens from the harmful consequences of drug abuse.
AAPs Main Bhi Kejriwal Initiative: Public Dialogue to Begin on January 4

AAPs Main Bhi Kejriwal public dialogue initiative, following a successful signature campaign, will begin on January 4 to gather public feedback on whether CM Arvind Kejriwal should resign or continue if arrested.

India

-Krishna Kripa

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is set to launch its 'Main Bhi Kejriwal' public dialogue initiative on January 4, 2024, following the success of its signature campaign.

Main Bhi Kejriwal Signature Campaign

The Main Bhi Kejriwal signature campaign was conducted from December 1 to December 30 to seek public feedback on whether Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal should resign or continue to be in office if arrested. The campaign achieved remarkable success, surpassing expectations.

Meeting at AAP Headquarters

AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sandeep Pathak convened a meeting at the party headquarters to discuss the success of the door-to-door campaign and to provide training to party cadre for the upcoming Main Bhi Kejriwal public dialogue campaign. Delhi minister Imran Hussain and several party leaders attended the meeting, along with all AAP MLAs, councilors, district presidents, and district secretaries.

Pathak's Address

Addressing the meeting, Pathak congratulated everyone for the success of the Main Bhi Kejriwal signature campaign. He highlighted the importance of building on this success and announced the launch of the Main Bhi Kejriwal Jan Samvad campaign in Delhi, starting on January 4, 2024. Pathak emphasized the need to ensure the participation of as many people as possible from across Delhi during the public dialogue campaign.

Campaign against Modi Government

Pathak also spoke about the party's efforts to inform the people of Delhi about the autocratic nature of the Narendra Modi government. He stated that the Modi government is conspiring to eliminate the AAP and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, and that anyone who questions the government is either suspended or imprisoned. Pathak asserted that Modiji fears Arvind Kejriwal the most.

The AAP's Main Bhi Kejriwal public dialogue initiative aims to engage the public and gather their feedback on various issues. The party is confident that the initiative will be a success, building on the momentum of the successful signature campaign.
Ram Temple Inauguration: What Is 'Pran Pratishtha' And How It Is Performed?

PM Ayodhya Visit: Modi Inaugurates Revamped Ayodhya Dham Railway Station

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurate the newly redeveloped Ayodhya Dham Railway Station on Saturday. The Chief Minister's office revealed plans for over 1,400 artists showcasing diverse folk art and cultural performances across 40 stages lining the path from the airport to the Ram Path railway station.

During his visit, the Prime Minister will also launch various development projects valued at more than Rs 15,700 crore. The consecration ceremony for the Ram temple is scheduled for January 22.

The anticipation in Ayodhya is palpable as preparations are in full swing for PM Modi's visit. The day will include a roadshow where he'll interact with the locals, a public rally near the airport, and inaugurations at both the railway station and the airport. The city is bedecked with welcoming posters, and temporary wooden barricades have been set up along his route.

Apart from inaugurating infrastructure projects, PM Modi plans to flag off new trains and unveil upgraded roads to improve accessibility to the upcoming Ram temple. The visit will also include a review meeting by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and the presence of several dignitaries, including Union Ministers and local representatives.

As the city gears up for the consecration ceremony later in January, installations like the 'Surya Stambhs' and interpretation walls depicting Lord Ram's life are being set up, adding to the grandeur of Ayodhya.
Rumble 10 Jan 2024

During the unprovoked terrorist attack against Israel committed by Palestinians in the terrorist organization known as Hamas..
This photo taken on Dec. 30, 2023 shows the Peace Palace, the seat of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), in The Hague, the Netherlands. (Xinhua/Wang Xiangjiang)

THE HAGUE, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- South Africa filed a case on Friday in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Israel for its "genocidal" acts in Gaza.

The case claims "alleged violations by Israel of its obligations under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (the 'Genocide Convention') in relation to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip," according to an ICJ press release.

In its application to the UN court, South Africa said that "acts and omissions by Israel ... are genocidal in character, as they are committed with the requisite specific intent ... to destroy Palestinians in Gaza as a part of the broader Palestinian national, racial and ethnical group."

South Africa also said that "the conduct of Israel -- through its State organs, State agents, and other persons and entities acting on its instructions or under its direction, control or influence -- in relation to Palestinians in Gaza, is in violation of its obligations under the Genocide Convention."

"Israel, since 7 October 2023 in particular, has failed to prevent genocide and has failed to prosecute the direct and public incitement to genocide" and that "Israel has engaged in, is engaging in and risks further engaging in genocidal acts against the Palestinian people in Gaza," said the South African application.

South Africa urged the UN court to take "provisional measures" to "protect against further, severe and irreparable harm to the rights of the Palestinian people under the Genocide Convention."

It also called on the ICJ for measures "to ensure Israel's compliance with its obligations under the Genocide Convention not to engage in genocide, and to prevent and to punish genocide."

The ICJ is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. It was established by the UN Charter in June 1945 and began its activities in April 1946. 

This photo taken on Dec. 30, 2023 shows the World Peace Flame Monument at the Peace Palace, the seat of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), in The Hague, the Netherlands. (Xinhua/Wang Xiangjiang)
Rumble 10 Jan 2024

Iran has developed an advanced attack drone for Russia's war against Ukraine, as per a report by the Sky News UK. The new..
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At least 30 people are dead after one of the deadliest assaults since the start of the war. The Ukrainian president called on the international community to take immediate action to end the "terror." Follow DW for more.
The Israeli military has said it destroyed a tunnel complex used as a hideout by the mastermind of the October 7 terror attacks. Israel has also launched strikes in Lebanon and Syria. Follow DW for the latest.
Slotegrator's 2023 was marked by extensive research, global market expansion, and innovation in the iGaming industry. The company's strategic participation in key international events and technological advancements showcased its commitment to excellence and growth in the dynamic world of online gaming.

In 2023, Slotegrator embarked on a year of significant growth, market expansion, and product innovation in the iGaming industry. The year witnessed Slotegrator's active participation in major global markets, including Europe, Latin America, Asia, and Africa. The team's dedication to understanding new trends and confirming their strategic development path was evident through their presence at various iGaming events worldwide.

Global Outreach and Event Participation

Slotegrator's commitment to expanding its international footprint was highlighted by its presence at numerous iGaming events. The team attended important expos like SiGMA Asia, GAT Expo Colombia, and SAGSE LatAm, alongside featuring at SiGMA Malta, SBC Summit Barcelona, SiGMA Malta, SBC Summit Barcelona, SiGMA Cyprus, iGB LiVE Amsterdam, SiGMA Brazilian iGaming Summit, SiGMA Eurasia in Dubai, ICE London, and SiGMA Africa in Kenya and ICE London. These global engagements underlined Slotegrator's dedication to exploring new opportunities and contributing to clients' growth.

2023: A Year of Regulatory Vigilance and Technological Advancements

Slotegrator stayed ahead in understanding gambling regulations, evidenced by creating an interactive map of gambling laws. The company also made significant technological strides by implementing cutting-edge features in its turnkey platform, including the Casino Builder and KYC modules and Anti-fraud and Artificial BI modules, enhancing online casino and sportsbook management.

Pioneering the Telegram Casino Solution

Slotegrator reaffirmed its position as a pioneer of the Telegram Casino solution, capitalizing on the growing trend of mobile gambling. This product's increasing popularity underscores the shift towards convenient, portable gaming experiences.

JetX's Impact: Smartsoft Gaming's Crash Game Revolutionizes Online Casinos

Smartsoft Gaming's JetX, introduced in 2018, revolutionized online casinos with its unique crash game format. Its collaboration with Slotegrator showcases the success of non-traditional gaming experiences in the mainstream market. JetX's engaging gameplay, dynamic graphics, and innovative design have set a new trend in the industry, garnering praise for its creative approach and user experience. As Smartsoft Gaming prepares to unveil more pioneering games, its partnership with Slotegrator significantly impacts the gaming landscape.

Commitment to Responsible Gambling and Industry Compliance

Slotegrator's focus on regulatory compliance and responsible gambling reflected a growing industry trend. The company's attention to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) aspects highlighted the industry's commitment to safe and responsible gambling practices.

Educational Contributions and Player Insights

Recognizing the importance of staying informed in a rapidly evolving industry, Slotegrator actively disseminated knowledge through its Slotegrator Academy. In December 2023, they released a comprehensive report on modern players, offering valuable insights into player behavior, game types, and payment methods.

Looking Ahead: Slotegrator's Goals for 2024

As Slotegrator looks towards 2024, they are set to release a new report on gambling trends, continuing their tradition of providing informative material and industry forecasts.

Accolades and Awards in 2023

Slotegrator's innovative solutions and services earned them nominations in several prestigious award categories, including the SBC and EGR B2B Awards. They notably won the "Sports Provider of the Year" at the AffPapa iGaming Awards 2023.

Yana Khaidukova's Reflection on Slotegrator's Journey

Yana Khaidukova, Managing Director at Slotegrator, reflected on the company's journey in 2023, expressing satisfaction with the milestones achieved and excitement for the future. The company's appreciation for its partner network, new connections, and developments was evident as it geared up for more achievements in 2024.

About Slotegrator

Since 2012, Slotegrator has been a leading software and business solution provider in the iGaming industry. Their focus spans software development, online casino platform support, game content integration, and payment system solutions. The company collaborates with licensed game developers, offering various casino content and consulting services for gambling license acquisition and business incorporation. Slotegrator's commitment to excellence has positioned it as a key player in the iGaming sector.
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A jail threat, extortion, robbery, credit card fraud and wire transfer fraud are now properly documented in a TripAdvisor trip review. Following an Op Ed, TripAdvisor changed their decision, and published the facts of the crimes committed against my wife and me while we visited the Loire Valley in France. TripAdvisor apparently responded to my OpEd News article from 12/27/2023, "Luxury Tours France / RiverLoire Tours: Robbery, FBI Intervention, Return of Stolen Cash, and a TripAdvisor Cover-up" I would like to say 'Thank You' to TripAdvisor for changing their decision, and publishing my trip review to prevent such crimes against other tourists.

The thief at Luxury Tours France, RiverLoire, got away with stealing a few thousands dollars, but tens of thousands of dollars in stolen money were returned following an FBI intervention. Even so, a breach of honor still remains.



Beware the criminals. The Loire Valley and chateaus are quite beautiful, where my wife and our tour guide are shown in this photo. However, the crimes against tourists are disgraceful.

(Image by Leishear Engineering, LLC) Details DMCA



A Question of Ethics

As a licensed Professional Engineer and Research Engineer, I work hard to save lives, property, and the environment. I make bold claims against our government and many industries - including nuclear, gas, oil, bridge construction, and water supply industries - in addition to many U.S. government agencies ("Book Publisher Wanted for a New Book, "Industrial Murder for Profit"").

For such a monumental undertaking, honesty and integrity are crucial. I even wrote a journal paper on ethics as part of this voluntary research ("Nuclear Power Plants Are Not So Safe: Fluid Transients / Water Hammers, Autoignition, Explosions, Accident Predictions and Ethics", click here).

The attacks on my character by Luxury Tours France and the Hotel Le Pavillon Des Lys are unacceptable. To hide their crimes, both of these companies falsely accused me of lying, blackmail, and fraud. Nonsense - they lied and committed libel, and they refuse to admit their lies.

The Latest TripAdvisor Responses

TripAdvisor did not directly respond to my emails requesting that they reconsider publishing one of two trip reviews, but they have, in fact, now published that trip review. Their decision followed within one day of my OpEdNews article, where my requests since October have not been addressed for this second publication concerning crimes in the Loire Valley.

1) The earlier, published trip review documents the criminal acts of the Hotel Le Pavillon Des Lys ("The Hotel Le Pavillon Des Lys Will Steal Your Money and Then Accuse You of Blackmail and Theft", click here).

2) The newer - and now published - trip review documents the full breadth of this criminal conspiracy ("Luxury Tours France Will Rob You, Threaten You With Jail and Extortion, and Then Accuse You of Blackmail", Click Here).

Hopefully, these two trip reviews will warn other tourists to avoid such atrocious crimes in the Loire Valley.

What We Know vs. What We Think We Know

Did TripAdvisor respond directly to my earlier Op Ed, or not? The answer is apparently 'yes'. They did not act on multiple email requests for months. When they received a copy of my earlier Op Ed (click here), they published the requested trip review within one day. They did not respond directly to me that they had published this trip review. These facts conclude that TripAdvisor changed their decision about covering-up these crimes for Luxury Tours France, as they changed a poor decision to an honorable decision. A link to this Op Ed was forwarded to TripAdvisor upon publication of this Op Ed, they were offered the opportunity to respond, but they did not respond. therefore, this Op Ed stands as-is.

The Power of the Press

The Power of the Press is an amazing tool to accomplish goals that one person cannot accomplish alone. This Power prompted the FBI to pressure the Bank of America to return stolen money, and TripAdvisor published the factual details of crimes against tourists, immediately following an OpEd News publication. Also, 'Thanks' go to OpEd News for providing a platform to fight against criminals. Even so, national and international internet crimes still need resolution since these crimes continue, unabated, by our banks and the FBI.

Some Thefts are at an End, and Many More Thefts are On the Way

The Bank of America emailed the receiving bank with respect to a wire transfer fraud committed by Luxury Tours France. That bank, Cornerstone Community Federal Credit Union, refused to repay the stolen money that they received on behalf of Luxury Tours France. Basically, Luxury Tours France has gotten away with stealing $3,000.

I responded to the Bank of America with the following email.

'My money was stolen through Bank of America, and you have accepted this theft as business as usual. You call this theft a Scam, and refuse to even call this theft the fraud that it is. Our country has reached a desperate state of affairs when banks accept wire transfer crimes, and law enforcement agencies refuse to prosecute these crimes. These modern day bank robbers do not rob banks. These robbers open bank accounts, and then rob customers through wire transfer frauds. As in this case, when criminals are caught stealing from other customers, the criminals are not even asked to stop stealing from customers, [and the bank accounts of the thieves remain open for further thefts]. Wire transfer frauds are business as usual. See "U.S. Banks and the FBI Harbor Criminal Fraud Enterprises" [and this Op Ed].'

Addendum , 1/2/2024

Luxury Tours France did not respond to this Op Ed, my TripAdvisor trip review, a request for a return of stolen money, or a request for apology.

The Hotel Le Pavillon Des Lys did not respond to this Op Ed, but the hotel did respond to my TripAdvisor trip review and a request for an apology with the following comment.

'Sir, I still don't understand your motivation for doing us this harm. You defame our establishment with your lies and fabrications by inventing an incredible story. In short, I do not salute you Sir and I no longer wish to waste my energy on you, wasted effort.'

The hotel response to approximately 300 pages of bank records, FBI reports, and detailed Op Eds was to lie even more. The integrity of the hotel manager is criminal in these egregious thefts and slander against my family.

All in all, the crimes against my wife and I have been well-proven against these thieves and liars from the Hotel Le Pavillon Des Lys and Luxury Tour France.

(Article changed on Jan 02, 2024 at 9:11 AM EST)
PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico  As a shortage of Adderall stretches into its second year, millions of patients are still struggling to fill their prescriptions in U.S. pharmacies. But in Mexico, some pharmacies are selling the pricey orange pills over the counter, in sealed bottles bearing the names and logos of well-known pharmaceutical companies.

One problem: Theyre not real. Some are counterfeits made of methamphetamine, while others contain appetite suppressants, acetaminophen or caffeine.

Ten months after the Los Angeles Times sounded the alarm about methamphetamine-tainted Adderall appearing in Mexican pharmacies, a follow-up investigation shows the problem is more sophisticated than previously known.

A new round of testing in Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta found that counterfeiters in both beachfront cities are now passing off a wider array of substances as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder medications and selling the pills not only as Adderall but sometimes as a similar medication called Vyvanse.

And, instead of just selling loose tablets one at a time, dozens of drug stores are offering painstakingly counterfeited bottles, complete with drug identification codes, lot numbers and sometimes even holographic anti-tamper seals. In some cases, identical bottles were found in multiple stores or regional chains.

Its really bad to find out that pharmacies are selling whole bottles of fake medication, and clearly an effort has been made to make them look legitimate, said Chelsea Shover, a UCLA researcher who published a study on counterfeit medications in Mexico earlier this year.

There was some sense before that maybe the problem was largely confined to single pills, but clearly thats not the case, Shover said. It sounds like the problem of counterfeit medications is a lot more widespread than we would have thought.

Healthcare providers called the shift very concerning, and drug market experts said the sophistication of the faux bottles points to the involvement of large criminal organizations.

This is clearly escalating, increasing the quality of the fakes, said Vanda Felbab-Brown, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution who studies organized crime. That also suggests a systematic component  like the cartels. You wouldnt have this consistency in the packaging if you didnt have a big actor behind it.

Drug regulators in Mexico did not respond to requests for comment, although in recent months officials have cracked down with raids and seizures in multiple cities.

****

n November 2023, some pharmacies in Puerto Vallarta were selling bottles of fake Adderall containing methamphetamine that were identical to this one that Times reporters purchased from a drug store in the coastal city in May 2023. (Connor Sheets/Los Angeles Times/TNS)TNS

Pharmacies in Mexico have long been known for selling a wide range of medications over the counter, many of which, in the United States, either require a prescription or are simply not available. But the official list of substances that can be legally prescribed in Mexico does not include Adderall  which makes it a prime target for counterfeiters catering to American travelers who can no longer get their medication at home.

The Times first began investigating counterfeit medications in January, when reporters traveled to Tijuana and Los Cabos and purchased loose pills over the counter from several brick-and-mortar drugstores.

They found some of the pills sold as opioid painkillers were actually fentanyl, and all of the pills sold as Adderall were actually methamphetamine. Overall, the Times investigation found that 71% of the 17 pills tested came up positive for more powerful drugs. So reporters expanded the investigation to other border towns and tourist destinations, using at-home testing strips followed by confirmatory lab tests to determine the pills contents.

By June, the Times team had bought and tested more than 50 pills from 29 pharmacies in eight cities, finding counterfeits for sale in stores from coast to coast, mostly in areas that attract travelers. While more than a third of the painkillers tested were fake, an even higher fraction  roughly 80%  of the pills sold as Adderall were counterfeit.

During initial rounds of testing in the first half of the year, most of the 15 Adderall samples purchased were sold over the counter as single pills. Many bore a strong resemblance to the orange, circular tablets commonly sold as Adderall in U.S. pharmacies, though a few came in large capsules typically used for antibiotics.

Twelve of the pills tested positive for substances that are not found in legitimate Adderall, including methamphetamine, caffeine, acetaminophen and MDMA  more commonly known as ecstasy.

Following the investigation, authorities in Mexico raided pharmacies in several areas where reporters and researchers had documented the problem. Government agents shut down dozens of pharmacies in the Yucatan Peninsula and Los Cabos over the spring and summer. Then in late November, authorities shuttered 31 stores in Ensenada, a Baja California port city roughly 50 miles south of Tijuana.

But this fall, a follow-up investigation by The Times at two of the tourist hotspots reporters visited previously found that pharmacies were still selling counterfeit medications. In Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas, none of the 15 pills sold as Adderall in November contained either of the medications active ingredients, dextroamphetamine and amphetamine.

Instead, 13 contained methamphetamine  a drug that is closely related, but stronger. Some of the orange pills also contained other drugs such as acetaminophen or caffeine. In two cases, the alleged Adderall instead came in green capsules that contained clobenzorex, a weaker stimulant sold in Mexico as an appetite suppressant.

Though some stores offered the pills individually, most sold them in sealed bottles. In Cabo San Lucas, the bottles varied in appearance from one store to the next. They all bore the names of major pharmaceutical companies  though often there were spelling, printing or translation errors, telltale signs of counterfeiting.

In Puerto Vallarta, several stores and at least two regional chains offered identical bottles: wider ones bearing a Teva Pharmaceutical Industries label, and taller ones with a Sun Pharmaceutical Industries label. The bottles typically had expiration dates, lot numbers, bar codes and drug identification numbers.

But the most elaborate counterfeit was a bottle of fake Vyvanse sold in Puerto Vallarta. Unlike Adderall, the medication has been legally available by prescription in Mexico  and last year health officials there put out a vague warning about counterfeit versions appearing on the market. Crucially, the warning did not say what the counterfeit pills actually contained.

When reporters visited a small chain called Super Farmacias del Pueblo, one worker offered up a bottle of Vyvanse bearing the brand name Shire Pharmaceuticals for a little over $200. There were no obvious mistakes on the sealed bottle or the Spanish-language informational material that came with it.

And both items were enclosed in a neatly printed box with tamper-proof holographic stickers at the edges. The only red flag was the capsules themselves. Like regular 50-milligram Vyvanse, they were half-blue and half-white  but they didnt have the S489 and 50mg imprints that appear on the legitimate medication.

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company, which acquired Shire in 2019, said it has not sold Vyvanse in Mexico since 2021 and confirmed the lot number on the box was not one associated with the legitimate Takeda medication. The company said it could not comment on the rest of the packaging.

In response to questions from The Times, a Super Farmacias del Pueblo representative said the chain planned to do an audit of its stores to make sure none of them were selling products not included in its catalog. In a follow-up message, the representative went on to accuse two other chains of selling unapproved medications.

Of the other drugmakers whose products were counterfeited, one  Sun Pharmaceuticals  did not offer comment. Teva confirmed that the company does not sell Adderall in Mexico and said it reported the suspicious pill bottles to health authorities there.

Based on our review of these images, we believe that the pictured bottles are counterfeit and not produced by or on behalf of Teva, spokesperson Yonatan Beker wrote in an email to The Times. Teva takes counterfeiting of its products very seriously.

****

Tucked between massage parlors and bars on the curvy, sun-speckled roads of Cabo San Lucas and dotted along the hilly, bougainvillea-lined streets of Puerto Vallarta are dozens of drug stores that also take counterfeiting very seriously  or at least thats what their workers say.

When reporters visited in November, clerks at several pharmacies stressed that their medications came from legitimate suppliers whose names they had forgotten. One said the pills came directly from a laboratory.

Pharmacies in both cities sold Adderall to one reporter and then denied carrying the illegal product just minutes later when a second set of reporters showed up with questions. At one drug store steps from the yacht-filled marina in Cabo San Lucas, a woman working behind the counter warned two reporters about fake ADHD pills at other stores in the area.

In Mexico, they dont make Adderall, said the woman, who did not give her name. American buyers, she continued, should be careful when purchasing narcotics, even in bottles.

You can tell from the presentation of the box or the bottle, you can tell that its not real, she said. Or we can tell, because theyre Mexican brands. But you all [tourists]  how are you going to tell?

That warning came hours after another reporter purchased Adderall from that same pharmacy, where a different worker had asserted the pill was safe because it had come directly from California. Lab testing later showed it contained acetaminophen and methamphetamine.

Though unwittingly taking a methamphetamine pill may not necessarily carry the same immediate risk of death as accidentally consuming fentanyl, drug experts say there are still significant concerns  such as failing a drug test, accidentally running afoul of the law or having unanticipated effects.

Meth is a stronger stimulant than Adderall, and that can mean it lasts longer or has more pronounced effects than what some would be expecting, said Shover, the UCLA researcher. Crucially, with the chronic use of meth there are long-term cardiovascular issues.

****

It is difficult to know how much the recent scarcity of ADHD medication in the U.S. has pushed people toward methamphetamine-tainted prescriptions in Mexico, although drug experts say its a foreseeable outcome.

Cutting off prescriptions gets more people using meth, said Dr. Ryan Marino, a toxicology expert at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Making more things inaccessible increases the revenue to cartels. Its predictable.

When the FDA acknowledged an Adderall shortage in October 2022, federal officials blamed it on manufacturing delays at Teva, one of the major suppliers of the drug. Eventually, the shortage spread to other companies and to other stimulant medications, including Ritalin and Vyvanse.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration sets annual quotas limiting the amount of raw materials each company can have to make certain controlled drugs. According to the agency, pharmaceutical companies werent making as many doses of ADHD medications as they could. But several drugmakers said they were  and that theyd even asked the DEA for permission to make more.

At the end of the day, the fact that this shortage lasted so long without any intervention, that falls on the DEA, Marino said. Theyre the ones that had the power to change that  especially when other companies were offering to step up and increase their manufacturing.

The DEA did not respond to a request for comment.

This year, at least one company  Ascent Pharmaceuticals  took the matter to court, filing a motion accusing the DEA of slow-walking and then denying its request to get the raw materials for making a variety of ADHD medications. The agency responded with filings accusing Ascent of major record-keeping violations that officials said justified denying the application altogether. The case is ongoing.

After nearly a year of complaints from increasingly desperate patients and the elected officials who represent them, in August the FDA and DEA addressed the shortage publicly by releasing an open letter to pharmaceutical companies, asking them to increase their production of stimulant ADHD medications.

A few months later, federal officials announced changes that could prevent similar medication shortages in the future and said 17 of the drug companies that produce ADHD medications have agreed to increase their output.

Now, several drug experts and health care providers said, the shortage appears to be waning.

****

Despite the concerning presence of fake medication in Mexico, not all stimulants appear to be affected. In several Mexican cities, about half a dozen samples of methylphenidate  commonly known in the U.S. by the brand names Ritalin and Concerta  did not reveal abnormalities.

That could be because the medication is readily available in Mexico through legal means, or simply because it comes in harder-to-fake blister packs.

And over the summer, lab testing on a small number of Adderall samples reporters collected from pharmacies in Tijuana found the pills contained the same ingredients as legitimate Adderall. Drug experts said that could mean the medications were smuggled from the U.S., where they are legally available by prescription.

Still, to health care providers, the specter of drug stores selling methamphetamine-tainted medications is deeply concerning. Millions of children and adults are prescribed stimulants for either ADHD or narcolepsy, and shortages can derail their academic and professional careers.

ADHD can also coexist with depression and anxiety, and the more severe cases can cause depression and anxiety, said Linda Yoon, a licensed clinical social worker in Los Angeles who helps people manage ADHD. I have definitely had clients who cannot get out of bed without their ADHD medication.

If the shortage continues to ebb in the coming months, there may be less incentive for desperate patients to buy pills abroad  but some cartel and drug market experts are still concerned about what the future holds.

One of the things that worries me is at what point criminal organizations will start putting pressure on legitimate industries, said Felbab-Brown, pointing to her prior work examining the infiltration of criminal organizations into Mexicos fishing industry.

Are we going to have systematic pressure on the pharmaceutical industry and the packaging industry? Its extraordinary what theyre doing now, and the public health dangers are clearly enormous.

2023 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

 Copyright 2023 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved
Dear Liz: We are tapping our childs 529 college savings plan for the first time and are confused on what qualifies as a qualified higher education expense.

Obviously tuition counts, but what about other fees, such as student body fees, health insurance coverage and tuition insurance?

Were also trying to figure out how much we can withdraw to cover an off-campus apartment next year. The college website lists three different food plans (with different costs) as well as different room costs depending on whether the student is in a dorm or a college-run apartment on campus.

Answer: A fee must be required to be considered a qualified education expense for a tax-free 529 plan withdrawal, said Mark Luscombe, principal analyst for Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting. The qualified fee can be required either to attend the institution or required of all students in a particular for-credit course of instruction, Luscombe said. The schools business office can tell you whats required and whats optional.

This school year, while your student lives on campus, you can withdraw an amount equal to the actual cost incurred for room and board.

You cant take tax-free withdrawals for other costs, such as dorm furnishings, groceries or restaurant meals.

Next year, you can use the schools official cost of attendance figures listed on its website, which will set an upper limit on what qualifies as room and board expenses. The college may list different figures for dorm rooms, on-campus apartments, married or graduate student apartments or living at home.

If more than one figure for room and board is listed in the COA, you could use the highest figure that would apply to the particular students situation, Luscombe said.

Books, supplies and computers used for school are also considered qualified education expenses. Transportation and commuting costs are not.

Liz Weston, Certified Financial Planner, is a personal finance columnist for NerdWallet. Questions may be sent to her at 3940 Laurel Canyon, No. 238, Studio City, CA 91604, or by using the Contact form at asklizweston.com.
LOS ANGELES  M-I-C-K-E-Y will soon belong to you and me.

With several asterisks, qualification and caveats, Mickey Mouse in his earliest form will be the leader of the band of characters, films and books that will become public domain as the year turns to 2024.

In a moment many close observers thought might never come, at least one version of the quintessential piece of intellectual property and perhaps the most iconic character in American pop culture will be free from Disneys copyright as his first screen release, the 1928 short Steamboat Willie, featuring both Mickey and Minnie Mouse, becomes available for public use.

This is it. This is Mickey Mouse. This is exciting because its kind of symbolic, said Jennifer Jenkins, a professor of law and director of Dukes Center for the Study of Public Domain, who writes an annual Jan. 1 column for Public Domain Day. I kind of feel like the pipe on the steamboat, like expelling smoke. Its so exciting.

U.S. law allows a copyright to be held for 95 years after Congress expanded it several times during Mickeys life.

Its sometimes derisively referred to as the Mickey Mouse Protection Act, Jenkins said. Thats oversimplified because it wasnt just Disney that was pushing for term extension. It was a whole group of copyright holders whose works were set to go into the public domain soon, who benefited greatly from the 20 years of extra protection.

Current artists and creators will be able to make use of Mickey, but with major limits. It is only the more mischievous, rat-like, nonspeaking boat captain in Steamboat Willie that has become public.

More modern versions of Mickey will remain unaffected by the expiration of the Steamboat Willie copyright, and Mickey will continue to play a leading role as a global ambassador for the Walt Disney Company in our storytelling, theme park attractions, and merchandise, a Disney spokesperson said in a statement to The Associated Press.

Not every feature or personality trait a character displays is necessarily copyrightable, however, and courts could be busy in the coming years determining whats inside and outside Disneys ownership.

We will, of course, continue to protect our rights in the more modern versions of Mickey Mouse and other works that remain subject to copyright, the company said.

Disney still solidly and separately holds a trademark on Mickey as a corporate mascot and brand identifier, and the law forbids using the character deceptively to fool consumers into thinking a product is from the original creator. Anyone starting a film company or a theme park will not be free to make mouse ears their logo.

Disneys statement said it will work to safeguard against consumer confusion caused by unauthorized uses of Mickey and our other iconic characters.

Steamboat Willie, directed by Walt Disney and his partner Ub Iwerks and among the first cartoons to have sound synced with its visuals, was actually the third cartoon featuring Mickey and Minnie the men made, but the first to be released. It features a more menacing Mickey captaining a boat and making musical instruments out of other animals.

In it, and in a clip from it used in the introduction to Disney animated films in recent years, Mickey whistles the 1910 tune Steamboat Bill. The song inspired the title of the Buster Keaton film " Steamboat Bill Jr, released just a few months before Steamboat Willie, which in turn may have inspired the title of the Disney short. The copyright wasnt renewed on the Keaton film and its been in the public domain since 1956.

Another famous animal sidekick, Tigger, will join his friend Winnie the Pooh in the public domain as the book in which the bouncing tiger first appeared, The House at Pooh Corner, turns 96. Pooh, probably the most celebrated prior character to become public property, took on that status two years ago when A.A. Milnes original Winnie the Pooh entered the public domain, resulting in some truly novel uses, including this years horror film Winnie The Pooh: Blood and Honey.

Young Mickey could get the same treatment.

Now, the audience is going to set the terms, said Cory Doctorow, an author and activist who advocates for broader public ownership of works.

Jan. 1, 2024, has long been circled on the calendars of public domain watchers, but some say it serves to show how overlong it takes for U.S. works to go public, and many properties with less pedigree than Winnie or Minnie can disappear or be forgotten with their copyrights murky.

The fact that there are works that are still recognizable and enduring after 95 years is is frankly remarkable, Doctorow said. And it makes you think about the stuff that we must have lost, that would still have currency.

Other properties entering the U.S. public domain are Charlie Chaplins film Circus, Virginia Woolfs novel Orlando and Bertolt Brechts musical play The Threepenny Opera.

The current copyright term passed in 1998 brought the U.S. into closer sync with the European Union, making it unlikely Congress would extend it now. There are also now powerful companies, including Amazon with its fan-fiction-heavy publishing arm and Google with its books project, that in some cases advocate for the public domain.

Theres actually more pushback now than there was 20 some years ago when the Mickey Mouse act was passed, said Paul Heald, a professor at the University of Illinois College of Law who specializes in copyright and international intellectual property law.

In some instances, the U.S. goes well beyond Europe, and maintains copyright on work that is already public in its country of origin, though international agreements would allow the U.S. to adopt the shorter term of other nations on work produced there.

The books of George Orwell for example, including Animal Farm and 1984, both published in the 1940s, are now public domain in his native Great Britain.

Those works arent going to fall into the public domain in the United States for 25 years, Heald said. It would be literally costless for Congress to pass a law saying, we now adopt the rule of the shorter term, which would throw a butt ton of works into the public domain over here.

 ANDREW DALTON, AP entertainment writer
GABORONE, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- Botswana and Namibia have embarked on a joint investigation into the increased incidents of elephant poaching in the northern part of Botswana.

"The country (Botswana) experienced a surge in elephant poaching incidents during November and December 2023," Lesego Kgomanyane, the spokesperson for Botswana's Ministry of Environment and Tourism, told Xinhua over the telephone, noting that the development has shone the light on the apparent increase in poaching of elephants in northern Botswana.

At least four separate incidents involving arrests of poaching groups smuggling elephant tusks were made in Namibia within ten days of mid-November this year, and at least 68 elephant tusks weighing almost a tonne were seized in Namibia's eastern area of the Zambezi region, which borders Botswana and Zambia, she said. According to Kgomanyane, preliminary investigations into the incidents have established that most of the tusks came from the elephants recently poached in Botswana.

Kgomanyane said some of the arrests occurred as a result of a tipoff that Namibia's Zambezi Region is being used as a transit route to smuggle tusks of poached elephants from Botswana to Zambia.

Major General Goitseone Mothapo of the Botswana Defense Forces (BDF) is leading the anti-poaching brigade from Botswana, who are working closely with their Namibian counterparts.

Mothapo told Xinhua that 25 carcasses of recently poached adult bull elephants were identified in Botswana's Linyanti Game Reserve, north of Botswana, between October and November. The enforcement agencies from both Botswana and Namibia are still verifying the proportion of tusks from poached animals with those that died due to natural causes.

Meanwhile, both the governments of Botswana and Namibia have significantly increased the number of patrol teams in the northern part of Botswana and information sharing between the two neighboring nations. 
The Oregon Court of Appeals has halted Multnomah Countys ban on flavored tobacco, which was scheduled to go into effect Monday.

This comes weeks after a Multnomah County circuit judge blocked efforts from tobacco companies to stop the ban. Tobacco industry leaders appealed, and the appellate court approved a temporary stay Thursday, according to county officials.

County commissioners had approved a ban on the sale of flavored tobacco in December 2022 in an effort to reduce vaping among younger people. In response, the 21+ Tobacco and Vapor Retail Association, tobacco retailer No Moke Daddy and vape shop owner Paul Bates argued in a lawsuit that the ban was illegal. Circuit Judge Benjamin Souede dismissed the complaint Sept. 1, and later denied a request to halt the ban on Dec. 13.

The relief provided by the Court of Appeals, allowing for the sale of flavored tobacco to continue, could remain in effect while the lawsuit is being litigated on appeal.

How long this temporary stay will stay in effect, we have no idea, said Richard Burke, executive director of Oregons 21+ Tobacco and Vapor Retail Association. But it does give our constituency the ability to continue doing business for the time being.

Washington County officials passed a similar ban on flavored tobacco products in 2021, but it was struck down after Circuit Judge Andrew Erwin wrote in a ruling that decisions to disallow licensed retail sale of such products must come from the state, not county by county.

Burke said he is confident similar reasoning can be successfully applied to this case. If the Multnomah County ban ultimately goes forward, Burke said it would wreck the countys tobacco industry. He said there are more constructive ways to keep young people from using flavored tobacco.

It will eviscerate anyone who relies on selling flavored products, Burke said. It doesnt take into account the negative unintended consequences that will result. Were more interested in working with government to make sure that these products are only sold to adults.

The ban would block retailers from selling cigarettes, vape products, chewing tobacco or synthetic nicotine products that have any flavor besides tobacco. It includes menthol cigarettes, which health officials say are especially popular.

Multnomah County commissioners have cited statistics that flavored tobacco products caused an increase in chronic tobacco use after a 25-year trend of decreasing cigarette sales. Eight out of 10 youths who use tobacco products started with flavored nicotine products, according to the National Library of Medicine.

Their goal is to attract and hook new young users on nicotine and tobacco, Flavors Hook Oregon Kids wrote in a statement Saturday. We look forward to prompt action by the Court; each day of delay leads to more kids being hooked on nicotine.

State legislators were considering a state-wide ban on the sale of flavored nicotine products at the beginning of the year. House Bill 3090 was slated to head to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means, but it was not addressed before the legislative session ended in June.

Multnomah County officials declined to comment on the temporary stay, citing the ongoing legal proceedings.

 Austin De Dios; adedios@oregonian.com; @austindedios; 503-319-9744

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LOS ANGELES  A new rainstorm was expected to move into Southern California on Friday night as residents in some coastal communities dug out from big waves that damaged homes, closed beaches and left several people injured.

The West Coast is being inundated with rain and high surf thanks to powerful cyclonic storms spinning hundreds of miles off the coast and over the Pacific Ocean, forecasters said.

From Medford, Oregon, down to Los Angeles County, the end of the year will be awash in high surf, rain and coastal flooding.

Emergency officials are asking people to avoid the beaches and shorelines over the weekend. All beaches and coastal parks in hard-hit Ventura County were closed Friday and will remain closed over the New Years weekend, including the Ventura Pier, seaside campgrounds and harbor entries, officials said. In Los Angeles County, the Manhattan Beach Pier will also be closed over the weekend and the Hermosa Beach Pier will be closed Saturday because of the high surf.

Our recommendation is not to venture into the water, especially in those areas where the surf is showing heavy activity and large swells, said Pono Barnes, spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Fire Departments Lifeguard Division. Its not the best day to start your surfing journey or testing your skills in the water if youre not 100% confident.

Surfers wait for a wave in high surf at Manhattan Beach, Calif. on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. The National Weather Service has issued high surf warnings for much of the West Coast and parts of Hawaii, describing the waves and rip currents expected to hit certain coastlines as potentially dangerous and life-threatening.(AP Photo/Richard Vogel)AP

High surf battered the California coast on Thursday, with Ventura County particularly hard hit. The conditions eased Friday, but dangerous waves were expected to return Saturday when Southern California beaches could see 6- to 12-foot waves, with more rain expected, according to the National Weather Service.

The next storm system is expected to arrive first in San Luis Obispo County by Friday afternoon, and will make its way south along the coast, cooling temperatures by 2 to 3 degrees, according to the weather service. But in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, residents can expect an offshore flow from the east that brings a few degrees of warming temperatures on Friday.

Overnight, the storm will arrive along the Central Coast with rain expected in Los Angeles County by late Saturday morning. The forecast calls for several hours of rain, including a few hours of intense showers, and cooler temperatures.

Were expecting significant rainfall for two to three hours on Saturday, said meteorologist David Sweet, of the National Weather Service in Oxnard. Its not going to be as strong as the storm system we saw last week, for a few hours it will cause some nuisance flooding. Drivers should be aware of puddling in roadways and give themselves more time or slow down.

Forecasts show a slight chance of rain on New Years Eve in the Pasadena area and lingering through New Years Day. The forecast shows a 20% to 30% chance for light rain.

The National Weather Service is also tracking a second system of strong waves that are expected to arrive by Saturday, with 15- to 20-foot waves, including sets of up to 25-foot waves, along the Central Coast. Ventura County beaches are expected to receive 10- to 15-foot waves, with 20-foot sets. Santa Barbara County beaches along the South Coast will be hit with 7- to 12-foot waves and in some areas 15- to 20- foot sets along west-facing beaches near Point Conception, according to forecasts.

The San Francisco Bay Area could see 28- to 33-foot waves, with some 40 foot waves, when the National Weather Service issues a high surf warning on Saturday, said meteorologist Roger Gass with the National Weather Service in Monterey, Calif.

Last winter, in January, we saw similar conditions, Gass said.

High surf warnings will be in effect through Saturday night for the Southern California region. Along with the high surf advisory for Los Angeles-area beaches, the weather service issued a coastal flood advisory through 10 p.m. Saturday.

While the high surf is expected to die down by Sunday, officials advise people to stay out of the water and away from beaches over the weekend because of coastal erosion, flooding and strong rip tides.

Take caution and heed the direction of local authorities and lifeguards, the National Weather Service said. Never ever turn your back to the water as damaging and life-threatening sneaker waves are likely to occur.

On the Ventura County coast, residents were assessing the damage.

Eight people sustained minor to moderate injuries and were taken to the hospital after large waves caused flooding near South Seaward Avenue at approximately 10:50 a.m. Thursday, Ventura County Fire Department Captain Brian McGrath said.

Of the injured, some were located in Inn on the Beach, a boutique hotel located along the coast and now closed because of flooding, he said.

The county fire department also rescued at least 15 people out of the ocean Thursday morning during high tide, McGrath added. None sustained injuries, he said.

Dramatic videos emerged of one wave smashing onto the Ventura coast and water inundating streets, forcing people to run for their lives. One video showed waves knocking down some bystanders. Another shows waves racing down several blocks as people tried to get away.

At around 10:45 a.m., a rogue wave slammed Inn on the Beach, flooding rooms with nearly 2 feet of water.

The force of the wave smashed glass on the patios of rooms facing the ocean.

The wall of water tossed furniture all about. Desks and beds and dressers stood at odd angles inside rooms, covered in mud.

Luckily no guests were injured, although some were stuck in their rooms for a short time, officials said.

Around 45 guests were evacuated from the hotel, which will have to close for an unknown amount of time.

The floor of the lobby was covered in mud and sand, said Jay Williams, the hotel manager.

One wave dragged a man a short distance down the street, while some people became trapped in the water near their cars.

Northern California beaches were also hard hit.

In Santa Cruz County, the Rio del Mar Esplanade was flooded with several inches of stormwater.

Just north of the town Half Moon Bay, on the coast between San Francisco and Silicon Valley, the surf break known as Mavericks hosts some of the largest waves in the U.S. and attracts big-wave surfers from around the world.

More than a dozen surfers were spotted catching the waves at Mavericks on Thursday morning, with thousands of spectators gathered at the cliffs to watch, said Tina Lourenco, who works at Old Princeton Landing  a popular restaurant and bar for locals and surfers in Half Moon Bay.

___

2023 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Smoke rises behind a building damaged in Russia's missile attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, Friday, Dec. 29, 2023. Russia launched about 110 missiles as well as drones against Ukrainian targets during the night Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday, in what appeared to be one of the biggest aerial barrages of the 22-month war.(AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)AP

KYIV, Ukraine  Russia launched 122 missiles and dozens of drones against Ukrainian targets, officials said Friday, killing at least 30 civilians across the country in what an air force official called the biggest aerial barrage of the war.

At least 144 people were wounded and an unknown number were buried under rubble during the roughly 18-hour onslaught, Ukrainian officials said. A maternity hospital, apartment blocks and schools were among the buildings reported damaged across Ukraine.

In the capital, Kyiv, broken glass and mangled metal littered city streets. Air raid and emergency service sirens wailed as plumes of smoke drifted into a bright blue sky.

Kateryna Ivanivna, a 72-year-old Kyiv resident, said she threw herself to the ground when a missile struck.

There was an explosion, then flames, she said. I covered my head and got down in the street. Then I ran into the subway station.

Meanwhile, in Poland, authorities said that what apparently was a Russian missile had entered the countrys airspace Friday morning from the direction of Ukraine and then vanished off radars.

In the attack on Ukraine, the air force intercepted most of the ballistic and cruise missiles and the Shahed-type drones overnight, said Ukraines military chief, Valerii Zaluzhnyi.

Western officials and analysts had recently warned that Russia limited its cruise missile strikes for months in an apparent effort to build up stockpiles for massive strikes during the winter, hoping to break the Ukrainians spirit.

The result was the most massive aerial attack since Russias full-scale invasion in February 2022, Air Force commander Mykola Oleshchuk wrote on his official Telegram channel. It topped the previous biggest assault, in November 2022 when Russia launched 96 missiles, and this years biggest, with 81 missiles on March 9, according to air force records.

Fighting along the front line is largely bogged down by winter weather after Ukraines summer counteroffensive failed to make a significant breakthrough along the roughly 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) line of contact.

Ukrainian officials have urged the countrys Western allies to provide it with more air defenses. Their appeals have come as signs of war fatigue strain efforts to keep support in place.

The U.N. Security Council hastily convened later Friday to discuss the attack, which Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari called appalling.

Tragically, 2023 is ending as it began  with devastating violence against the people of Ukraine, he said, and noted that international humanitarian law forbids attacking civilians and civilian infrastructure.

President Joe Biden said in a statement that the bombardment shows Russian President Vladimir Putin must be stopped, but unless Congress takes urgent action in the new year, we will not be able to continue sending the weapons and vital air defense systems Ukraine needs to protect its people. Congress must step up and act.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the attack should stir the world to further action in support of Ukraine.

These widespread attacks on Ukraines cities show Putin will stop at nothing to achieve his aim of eradicating freedom and democracy, Sunak said on social media platform X, formerly Twitter. We must continue to stand with Ukraine  for as long as it takes.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned Russias attack in the strongest terms and said attacks against civilians are unacceptable and must end immediately, according to a statement.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said the scale of the attack should wake people up to Ukraines continuing needs.

Today, millions of Ukrainians awoke to the loud sound of explosions, he wrote on X. I wish those sounds of explosions in Ukraine could be heard all around the world. In all major capitals, headquarters, and parliaments, which are currently debating further support for Ukraine.

In Kyiv, the bombardment damaged a subway station that lies across the street from a factory belonging to the Artem company, which produces components for various military-grade missiles. Officials did not say whether the factory was directly hit.

Overall, the attack hit six cities, and reports of deaths and damage came in from across the country. Several dozen missiles were launched towards Kyiv, with more than 30 intercepted, said Serhii Popko, head of the Kyiv military administration. Eight people were killed there, officials said.

In Boyarka, near Kyiv, the debris of a shot-down drone fell on a home and started a fire. Andrii Korobka, 47, said his mother was sleeping next to the room where the wreckage landed and was taken to hospital suffering from shock.

The war goes on, and it can happen to any house, even if you think yours will never be affected, Korobka said.

Tetiana Sakhnenko lives next door and said neighbors ran with buckets of water to put out the blaze, but it spread quickly. Its so scary, she said.

In the eastern city of Dnipro, four maternity hospital patients were rescued from a fire, five people were killed and 20 injured, officials said.

In Odesa, on the southern coast, falling drone wreckage started a fire at a multistory residential building, according to the regional head, Oleh Kiper. Two people were killed and 15, including two children, were injured, he said.

The mayor of the western city of Lviv, Andrii Sadovyi, said one person was killed there, with three schools and a kindergarten damaged in a drone attack. Local emergency services said 30 people were injured.

In northeastern Ukraine, Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said the city was subjected to at least three waves of aerial attacks that included S-300 and Kh-21 missile launches. One person was killed and at least nine injured, officials said.

___

Associated Press reporter Dmytro Zhyhinas contributed to this story. AP reporter Jennifer Peltz contributed from New York.

___

Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
The capstone on this wretched year in Multnomah County governance is, fittingly, another walk among the tombstones:

The Domicile Unknown report, which tells us that 315 unhoused people died on the streets (or a last-minute hospital bed) in the county in 2022.

The body count? Ninety-one fentanyl overdoses, up from four in 2020. Twenty-five homicides. Seventeen suicides. Fourteen traffic fatalities.

An average of 26 homeless deaths each month.

It is frustrating, though hardly surprising, that the county requires almost an entire calendar year to release these numbers. After all, the reports best estimate of the Multnomah Countys homeless population  5,228  dates to a January 2022 point-in-time count, which is now 23 months old.

But county Commissioner Sharon Meieran wasted no time making the case that the Domicile Unknown statistics are a vicious barometer of our moral failure, and a clear indictment of the Countys failed approach to homelessness, mental illness and addiction.

That approach has been stubborn and inept.

Sharon MeieranDave Killen

Weve wrung our hands, convened committees, issued press releases, and bemoaned the tragic conditions experienced by people living on our streets, Meieran notes in a Dec. 20 press release.

What the county hasnt done, she added, is bring any sense of urgency to the deadliest conditions our streets have ever seen.

The Oregonians Shane Dixon Kavanaugh and I have chronicled the countys dysfunction and paralysis before. Why do I return to it at years end?

Because a presidential election is the rough beast just round the bend. Undecided voters near and far are tracking Portlands struggle with housing, taxes and safety in the public square. And the ultimate, bloated beneficiary of this local incompetence just might be Donald Trump, the dictator who wants to save us from duly elected government.

Meieran and Homer Williams, the founder of Home Share Oregon, have long argued that Multnomah Countys approach to the homeless crisis is tragically flawed.

There is no accurate, ongoing count of people who live on the streets and need wrap-around services, whether for domestic abuse, poverty, addiction or mental-health issues.

There is nothing in place to identify the providers who are doing the best work to help move people from a tent on Columbia Boulevard to more permanent shelter.

And theres no consistent strategy on where our tax dollars  including tens of millions from the Metro Supportive Housing Services measure  are best employed.

Yet county dysfunction isnt limited to the homeless. As The Oregonian/OregonLive and Willamette Week have reported, Gov. Tina Koteks task force and downtown business leaders argue that county Chair Jessica Vega Pederson should abandon the 2026 increase in the Preschool for All tax rate, given that the program is already awash in cash.

Vega Pederson cant be bothered to engage in the conversation.

Even worse, and more personal for me, is what Ive seen happen to one of my old Meals on Wheels regulars since she lost Section 8 housing thirteen months ago.

In our monthly reunions, Ive been unnerved by what this 82-year-old woman has had to deal with in two different assisted-living facilities. Its been unbelievably difficult to find a caseworker at the county who gives a damn.

Ive long maintained a reserved faith in government, believing that its enlightened champions can outwit or outmaneuver the ideologues and cowards. All this is giving me pause.

Meieran is a practicing emergency physician. If I treated the people coming into my ER the way the County treats emergencies, she says, my patients would be dead.

The latest Domicile Unknown report suggests as much. Therein, our dilemma: Are the incentives in politics at odds with the incentives to change flawed or corrupt systems?

If Multnomah County has made clear it cant deal with the crises of homelessness, addiction or behavioral health, does Kotek have cause and imperative to intervene with more than a task force?

And if the governor doesnt, will anyone celebrate that ambivalence more than Trump, who has no sense of good and no fear of power?

-- Steve Duin

stephen.b.duin@gmail.com
A 5-year-old girl was hospitalized after she was hit by an unexpected wave  known as a sneaker wave  on the Oregon coast Thursday, as first reported by KEZI 9.

Bystanders told fire officials that the child was standing on South Jetty Beach in Florence when a sneaker wave carrying a large log struck her, according to Western Lane Fire and EMS Authority spokesperson Matt House. The log hit her in the back of the head and pinned her facedown in the sand.

The child, who was not identified, was trapped until her mother and other beachgoers could get the log off her, House said.

Firefighters rushed to the scene just before noon and found the child sitting away from the dangerous waters. Fire officials helped her on to a LifeFlight helicopter and she was taken to a hospital in Springfield, House said.

House said the child was stable at the time, but he could not provide further updates on her condition Saturday.

In October, a young child was swept away by a sneaker wave that dragged her into the mouth of the Yachats River, according to reporting by YachatsNews. A Portland woman helped rescue the child from the water, YachatsNews wrote.

A National Weather Service advisory is in effect along the coast of southwest Washington and Oregon warning of powerful and unpredictable waves. Sneaker waves can knock people off their feet and quickly pull them into cold ocean waters, according to the weather service.

The beach hazard warning is in effect until Saturday night. Those on the coast should stay farther back from the ocean than seems necessary and routinely check weather forecasts.

 Austin De Dios; adedios@oregonian.com; @austindedios; 503-319-9744

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As courts and elections officials in multiple states reached different decisions about the legality of blocking former President Donald Trump from their states ballots this week, a group attempting to keep the Republican front-runner off Oregons in 2024 awaits state Supreme Court action on the same question.

Trump has now inserted himself into the Oregon legal battle, which his opponents initiated before the high court early this month. On Friday, his team of lawyers filed a 162-page brief, citing numerous Oregon legal precedents they say should clear his path to the ballot.

Free Speech for People, a national nonprofit that advocates for election fairness and voters rights, appealed a preliminary decision against it by the Oregon secretary of state to the state Supreme Court.

In the complaint, the group cited the 14th Amendment and Trumps involvement in the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol to argue that, having sworn an oath to support the Constitution of the United States, (Trump) has engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof and is therefore disqualified from public office.

It is that same obscure provision of the U.S. Constitution, enacted in the wake of the Civil War, that caused the Colorado Supreme Court and Maines secretary of state to rule this week that Trump cannot appear on their states presidential primary ballots  but Californias elections chief to rule Friday that he can.

The question will all but certainly land before the U.S. Supreme Court, legal experts say.

The case before the Oregon Supreme Court came in response to a Nov. 30 decision by Oregon Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade, a Democratic appointee, that she would not remove Trump from the states May 2024 primary ballot. She did not mention the general election in her announcement.

Oregon law does not give me the authority to determine the qualifications of candidates in a presidential primary, Griffin-Valade said at the time. I will follow our usual process and expect to put Donald Trump on the primary ballot unless a court directs me otherwise.

Free Speech for People retained two high profile Oregon lawyers, Dan Meek and Jason Kafoury, to lead its petition. On Dec. 15, Meek asked the Oregon Supreme Court to rule on whether Trump should be barred from the states general election ballot, court documents show.

According to Meek, there is a stronger legal case to remove Trump from Oregons general election ballot than the primary ballot. Thats because Oregon law requires candidates to swear that they are qualified to enter office after they win the election, not beforehand  meaning the 14th Amendment is not applicable to a primary election because it does not choose the president, Meek said.

Even if you win the Oregon primary, that doesnt mean that youre nominated, Meek told The Oregonian/OregonLive. And it certainly doesnt mean that youre elected. So its several steps away from what the 14th Amendment says (when) it says you cannot serve in office.

In their lengthy brief filed Friday, Trump and his legal team primarily argue, as Meek concedes, that Oregon officials have no right to decide who is qualified to run in the states presidential primaries.

His team also asserts, however, that while the events of January 6 included serious crimes and violence by others ... they did not amount to an insurrection within the meaning of the 14th Amendment. On top of that, President Trump did nothing to engage in the riot at the Capitol.

Last year, a bipartisan committee of the U.S. House of Representatives reported that Trump refused to accept the lawful result of the 2020 election and refused repeated requests over a multiple hour period that he instruct his violent supporters to disperse and leave the Capitol.

Multiple national political groups have attempted to weigh in on the fight in Oregon. The conservative legal advocacy group Landmark Legal Foundation, which has intervened in several similar challenges in other states, filed a motion requesting permission to submit a brief in favor of Trump. On Friday, the Oregon Supreme Court denied the motion, citing a procedural error.

The Constitutional Accountability Center, a law firm that has filed several similar briefs against Trump in other states, filed a motion requesting permission to submit a brief in opposition of Trump, which the court approved.

 Carlos Fuentes; cfuentes@oregonian.com; 503-221-5386; @carlos_reports

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Portland has a reputation for being weird, but that doesnt stop the rest of the state from doing its own thing. Here are our favorite weird stories from across Oregon.

Coast Guard swimmer recounts dramatic rescue of alleged Oregon yacht thief and Goonies prankster

U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmer John "Branch" Walton is now stationed out of North Bend, Oregon.

Unbeknownst to Coast Guard rescue swimmer John Branch Walton, who learned to swim only after joining the Coast Guard a few years earlier, hed soon execute a very difficult rescue seamlessly. And he would be thrust into the national limelight as millions viewed video of his first real-world rescue.

It wasnt until later that day that Walton and others in the Coast Guard would learn the man hed pulled from the stormy waters allegedly had stolen the $160,000 yacht and drawn the attention of Astoria police for placing a dead fish on the porch of the famous Goonies house days earlier.

Scientists find harbinger of doom lurking off Oregons coast. So, of course, late night TVs got jokes

A small earthquake struck off the Oregon coast Tuesday afternoon.Courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey

The Big One made headlines again  and inspired some dark humor.

The University of Washington scientists announced a new discovery about the subduction zone: its leaking. The Daily Beast immediately dubbed the leak a harbinger of doom, and tweeted out an article featuring a GIF of an ominous-looking vent in the sea floor.

In a segment on The Late Show, Stephen Colbert was very concerned about how this newly discovered tectonic lube will affect the Cascadia megathrust.

More than 200 vanity plates were rejected by Oregon DMV in 2022

More than 200 vanity plates were rejected by the DMV in 2022.

In 2022, Oregon Driver & Motor Vehicle Services rejected more than 200 combinations of letters for license plates. While some license plate restrictions might seem humorous (if not childish) like ICUP others that were banned were not so funny.

Oregon has a new state vegetable, and its controversial

Red potatoes at the Portland Farmers Market at Portland State University on Saturday, April 2, 2022. Sean Meagher/The OregonianSean Meagher/The Oregonian

The Oregon State House approved a resolution designating a new state vegetable  the potato.

While most may think of Idaho as the potato state, Oregon does, in fact, put the Ore in Ore-Ida, producing a large number of potatoes each year.

Monstrous, cannibalistic fish washes up on Oregon shore

Self-proclaimed Oregon Beach Bum, at least according to his YouTube channel, found a relatively rare fish on the beach in Florence, Oregon.

Though it looks scary with its too-big eyes and snake-like scaleless body, these attributes are what make a lancetfish adapted to its deeper sea life.

Escaped attempted-murder suspect arrested in Portland after getting stuck in muddy pond

An attempted murder suspects wild flight from a Salem mental hospital ended ignominiously less than 36 hours later, after the man got stuck in muck, authorities say.

Portland firefighters used a rope and ladder to extricate Christopher L. Pray, 39, from a pond near North Force Avenue and Victory Boulevard. He had been trapped in six inches of mud for about 12 hours while trying to swim across the murky body of water, according to Portland Fire & Rescue.

This Oregon shrub is NSFW, stops traffic in Portland suburb

This one probably doesnt need an intro. It is a plant that looks like a penis. You probably already clicked that link so why are we even writing more?

- Ryan Fernandez & Julie Evensen
This photo provided by the Indiana State Police, police rescue a man after finding his damaged vehicle Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023 along Interstate 94 near Portage, Ind. Police say the man who was rescued after being trapped for six days in his crashed pickup truck drank rainwater to survive the ordeal while pinned in the wreckage beneath the Indiana highway bridge. (Uncredited/AP)

PORTAGE, Ind.  A man who had been trapped for days in his crashed pickup truck was rescued Tuesday after two fishermen spotted the wreckage, Indiana State Police said.

Two men were scouting fishing locations when they found the man in his badly damaged vehicle, Sgt. Glen Fifield told local news outlets.

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They touched the body, and the person turned their head and started talking to them. So, that got a little rise out of them, Fifield said.

The driver told the men he had been trapped since Dec. 20. The pickup had wrecked along Interstate 94 near Portage below an underpass where it could not be seen from the highway above.

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The man, in his 20s, was airlifted to a hospital in South Bend for treatment of life-threatening injuries, Fifield said.

The drivers name hasnt been released. He had not been reported missing, Fifield said.

Portage is about 31 miles southeast of Chicago.
YANGON, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar's manufactured goods export exceeded 6.67 billion U.S. dollars in the first nearly nine months of the 2023-24 fiscal year, according to the Ministry of Commerce on Saturday.

The figure recorded between April 1 and Dec. 22 this year was down from over 8.36 billion dollars registered in the same period a year ago, the ministry's data showed.

The country's manufactured goods export earnings during the period this year comprise over 2.45 billion dollars from the government sector and over 4.22 billion dollars from the private sector, showed the figures.

Among export products, manufactured goods are on top in foreign revenue earnings, followed by agricultural products and other products.

Myanmar mainly exports agricultural, animal and marine products, minerals, forest products and manufactured goods to its foreign trade partners, including China, Thailand, Bangladesh and India, according to the ministry. 
COLOMBO, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lankan police have arrested 217 suspects with narcotics within 500 meters of selected schools in a special operation, police said in a press release on Saturday.

Police said that between Dec. 18 and Dec. 25, they educated workers and owners of business establishments where students congregate about the importance of creating a drug-free environment for children.

The establishments were located in 45 police divisions where drug use is prevalent, with 30,000 workers and owners having been educated, police said.

Based on information police received from the workers, 217 suspects were arrested with large quantities of drugs.

Meanwhile, police were carrying out a countrywide operation aimed at eradicating drugs and organized crimes. 
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - A total of 278 illegal migrants of different nationalities were Friday rescued by Libyan coastguards in two separate operations, announced the Libyan Ministry of the Interior of the Government of National Unity
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The Libyan Ministry of Oil and Gas of the Government of National Unity has welcomed the rejection of plans for the Libyan National Oil Company (NOC) to sign a contract with a consortium of oil companies, granting them 40pc of production from the Hamada oil field, located south of Tripoli
MOSCOW, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- At least two children were killed during shelling attacks on the Russian border city of Belgorod, regional Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on Saturday.

"The Ukrainian Armed Forces shelled the center of Belgorod. According to preliminary information, two children were killed and several were injured. Residential settlements were also hit during the attacks," he said on social media.

A missile attack alarm has been sounded to urge all residents to take shelter, he added.

The Russian Ministry of Defense said earlier that Russian air defense systems had destroyed 13 rockets over the territory of the Belgorod region on Friday night. 
Photo: (Photo : David Greedy/Getty Images)

Iowa's federal judge, Stephen Locher, halts a controversial law that seeks to prohibit teachers from discussing LGBTQ+ education with children and to ban books in schools.

This landmark ruling came with heated debate from supporters on both sides as the law pushes for more content regulation in Iowa's educational institutions.

Iowa's Federal Judge Halts Book Ban in Schools and Dismissal of LGBTQ+ Education

The law, which was enacted by the Republican-led legislature and Republican Governor Kim Reynolds at the beginning of 2023, prohibits instructors from discussing gender identity and sexual orientation concerns with pupils up to the sixth grade and prohibits school libraries and classrooms from displaying books that portray sexual conduct.

However, the recent ruling of the federal judge halted both of those provisions from being enforced. When Reynolds started implementing the book bans, numerous teachers, librarians, and LGBTQ+ rights advocates expressed significant concerns.

They were vocal in opposing the bill and stated that it censored educational content in an unfair manner and made it more difficult to create inclusive learning environments.

The rule, which was scheduled to go into effect on January 1 but has already resulted in the removal of hundreds of books from Iowa schools, is halted in its execution as a result of the interim injunction issued by Judge Stephen Locher.

Judge Stephen Locher believes that the book ban in schools is incredibly broad, and as a consequence, it has led to the removal of history books, classics, novels that have won awards, and even books designed to help students avoid being victimized by sexual assault.

He also stated that it is highly unlikely that this particular provision of the law will satisfy the constitutional requirements for free speech.

Locher stated that the section that prohibited any discussion of "gender identity" and "sexual orientation" in primary school was "wildly overbroad" at the time it was created. This was the reason why the provision was removed.

Read Also: Brittany Watts' Bathroom Miscarriage Leads To Unprecedented Felony Charge in Ohio

Advocates Opposition the Iowa Law Celebrates

Two lawsuits were brought by opponents of the Iowa bill. One is on behalf of the nonprofit Iowa Safe Schools, while the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa and Lambda Legal represent seven students.

The other is a collaboration between the Iowa State Education Association, Penguin Random House, and four authors.

The first lawsuit claims the bill is illegal because it violates the free speech and equal protection rights of students and instructors.

The second, which focuses on the book bans, claims that the statute breaches the First and 14th amendments.

The decision has provoked a wide spectrum of reactions. Advocates for LGBTQ+ education and opponents of the school book ban applauded the decision, considering it an important step toward maintaining educational variety and freedom.

Mike Beranek, Iowa State Education Association President, said in a statement that when education professionals return to work next week, they will be able to do what they do best: take excellent care of all their students without fear of retaliation.

Supporters of the Iowa law, on the other hand, express concern about losing control over school curriculum and content.

The topic continues to elicit strong emotions on both sides, revealing the intricate interplay between educational policy, individual rights, and community values.

Finally, the Federal Judge's decision to block the contentious Iowa statute marks a watershed point in the ongoing debate over LGBTQ+ education, book prohibitions in schools, and the role of school libraries in building inclusive learning environments.

This decision not only affects Iowa, but it also establishes a national precedent for how similar laws and regulations may be interpreted in the legal system.

As the regulatory framework for educational content evolves, this case will surely serve as a significant reference point for future conversations and legal conflicts.

Related Article: Brittany Watts' Bathroom Miscarriage Leads To Unprecedented Felony Charge in Ohio
Photo: (Photo : SUSANA BATES / Getty Images)

A family murder in California rocked the community of Miramonte in Fresno County as a 14-year-old murdered his parents and attempted to do the same with his younger sister.

As the police rushed to the scene, the 14-year-old boy has now been taken into custody as the prime suspect for the double homicide and for heavily injuring his sister, who is currently receiving critical care in a nearby hospital.

14-Year-Old Murders Parents in Fresno County, California

In response to a troubling 911 call, deputies were dispatched to a residence in Miramonte, Fresno County, in a break-in and attack incident.

Upon their arrival, they found a scene of horror that was beyond their comprehension, as they found the parents dead on the spot and what seemed to be a younger sister heavily injured.

While responding to the crime scene, a 14-year-old boy talked about an intruder attacking them and breaking into their homes. Inconsistencies in his account, on the other hand, became apparent quite quickly, which resulted in a significant change in the investigation.

The evidence around the home and the changing stories told by the boy did not match, and it was then that the deputies quickly realized that he was the prime suspect in the killing of his parents, Lue Yang and Se Vang, who were both 37 years old.

Aside from that, it also reveals that the boy tried killing his 11-year-old sister, leaving her with significant injuries. In spite of the severe injuries she sustained, the younger sister, who is still alive, is anticipated to make a full recovery.

The youngest child of the pair, who is seven years old, was found unharmed by the authorities and is currently in the care of another family member.

Although the deputies did not discover any proof of a break-in, they nevertheless apprehended the youngster, whose identity is being concealed due to the fact that he is a minor.

As a result of this horrific family murder in California, shockwaves have been sent through the hamlet of Miramonte, which is famed for its serenity. This tragedy has repercussions that transcend beyond the immediate family, reaching not only neighbors but also members of the community as part of its ripple effect.

Read Also: Brittany Watts' Bathroom Miscarriage Leads To Unprecedented Felony Charge in Ohio

Legal Proceedings and Ongoing Investigation

The 14-year-old boy has now been placed in a facility for juveniles, facing allegations of double homicide for his parents and injuring his sister.

Although the office of the public defender for Fresno County has not yet provided a comment on the matter, it is still unknown whether or not formal charges have been filed.

The authorities are still conducting an investigation to determine the reason for this heinous act, and they are methodically piecing together the sequence of events that led to this unimaginable tragedy, which occurred within a family.

It raises significant concerns about the dynamics of families, the criminal behavior of children, and the secret struggles that occur within houses that appear to be normal.

While the inquiry is still ongoing, the community of Miramonte and the general public are waiting for answers in the hopes of gaining some comprehension in the face of such a senseless act.

According to Fresno County Sheriff John Zanoni, as a result of the activities of their brother, the other two children now need to face the loss of both their mother and their father, who noted that the sorrow of the scenario is of such a high scale.

He went on to say that, as a result of this tragedy, those children will grow up separated from both their mother and their father.

Related Article: Wyoming Woman Ordered to Pay $300,000 for Arson of State's Sole Abortion Clinic
Burundi's President Evariste Ndayishimiye has said that homosexuals in his country "should be stoned".



Responding to a reporter's question, Mr Ndayishimiye, a fervent Catholic, said powerful nations "should keep" their aid if it comes with an obligation to give rights to homosexuals.



Some African leaders have in the past accused donor countries of trying to impose their values on the continent.



Homosexual sex is illegal in Burundi, punishable by up to two years in jail.



In an interview with the BBC last month, Ghanaian Catholic Cardinal Peter Turkson said homosexuality should not be a criminal offence and people should be helped to understand the issue better.



But his views are at odds with many conservative Christians on the continent. More than 30 African countries outlaw homosexual sex.



Talking to journalists at a press conference, President Ndayishimiye used a Bible reference to say that God was opposed to homosexuality adding that it was no longer an issue in Burundi.



He had been asked about alleged pressure from Western countries for LGBT rights to be respected.



"For me, I think that if we find these people in Burundi they should be taken to stadiums and be stoned, and doing so would not be a crime," he said.



Mr Ndayishimiye suggested that homosexuality was like "choosing between Satan and God".



"If you want to choose Satan now go and live in those countries [in the West] and I think those who strive to go there want to acquire those habits, they should remain there and never bring them to us," the president added.



In a rare court case in August, seven people were sentenced to between one and two years in prison after they were found guilty of engaging in homosexual acts - a charge they denied.



Homosexual sex is also illegal in many other countries in the region, including in Uganda, which in May tightened its law further to include a possible death penalty for what is described as "aggravated homosexuality". This includes having gay sex with someone below the age of 18 or where someone is infected with a life-long illness such as HIV.



The fresh measures led the World Bank to halt new loans to Uganda and the US to pull Uganda out of a preferential trade agreement and impose visa restrictions on key officials.



Ugandan rights groups are currently challenging the law in the courts.



Ghanaian MPs are also considering a bill that would make identifying as LGBT punishable with a three-year prison sentence. People who campaign for LGBT rights could also face up to 10 years in jail.

Source: BBC









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Following the recent Akosombo Dam Spillage that displaced residents in Lower Volta, OmniBSIC Bank staff have demonstrated their generosity and commitment to the community through the Banks Staff CSR project known as the SEEK Initiative.



Recognizing the urgent need for support, the bank's staff raised funds and donated essential supplies to families now residing at the Aveyime-Battor Resettlement Centre.



A 10-member delegation of OmniBSIC Bank staff visited the Resettlement Center to deliver the food items and toiletries. The team met with the Chiefs and Community Leaders, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, and affected families to interact with them.



Mr. Dominic Donkoh, the Chief Risk Officer of the Bank, in presenting the items to the Chiefs, Queenmothers, and the affected people, stated, This is a CSR initiative by our staff who believe that the people of Aveyime-Battor deserve our support during this challenging time. We understand the hardships faced by the residents due to the Akosombo Dam Spillage, and it is our duty as a responsible corporate citizen to extend a helping hand.



He further emphasized the Bank's commitment to the community's well-being and highlighted that the SEEK Initiative is not just a one-time effort but an ongoing commitment to making a positive impact on lives.



The Chief of Battor, Torgbe Manklalo Borbordzi VII, expressed heartfelt appreciation to OmniBSIC Bank and its staff for their timely intervention. He stated, 'The generosity shown by OmniBSIC Bank staff is a testament to their dedication to community development. This support will go a long way in easing the challenges faced by our people during this difficult period.'



The Member of Parliament, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, also commended OmniBSIC Bank for its swift response and community-focused approach. He noted that the essential items donated would meet the practical needs of the people. He recognized the Bank's tagline, 'At Your Service,' which is in line with its commitment to serving the people of Aveyime-Battor.







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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A double shooting in Philadelphia left one man injured and another killed, according to news reports.

The sad twist is that the two victims were participants of Philadelphias Group Violence Intervention Program.

Today, two participants in the City of Philadelphias Group Violence Intervention (GVI) program were victims of a shooting that resulted in one death and one injury, a statement released by city officials to 6ABC read.

The statement continued, We would like to first and foremost offer our sincere condolences to the victims family who lost their loved one today and to also offer our support and prayers to the family of the victim now in the hospital in stable condition.

The tragedy today underscores the importance of this program since it serves people in specific parts of the city who are identified as those who are most at risk, it added.

The incident occurred at 1:30 p.m. Thursday along the 1900 block of South 61st Street, where 28-year-old Jalonnie Gentry was shot multiple times. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but was later pronounced dead.

The other victim, a 21-year-old man, was shot in the lower left leg. He was rushed to the hospital and is currently listed in stable condition, news outlets reported.

It happened when both men were returning from lunch. Thats when gunshots rang out as they parked their vehicle, NBC10 said.

Currently, no arrests have been made and no weapons were recovered. The motive for the shooting is unknown.
Update: Mother, teen son identified after fatal stabbing in central Pa. home

A man fatally stabbed a woman and teenager at his Hanover home Thursday before dying of his own wounds in a double-homicide case that shocked a quiet neighborhood.

Police filed two counts of homicide and two counts of attempted homicide against Rogelio Arvizu, who turned 50 on Christmas Day, in connection with the stabbings Dec. 28 at his home in the 900 block of E. Walnut Street.

The charges were dismissed Friday in light of Arvizus death.

Police were first called to the neighborhood about 10:12 a.m. Thursday, where they found a 27-year-old man outside with serious injuries. He told police his relatives were inside the home. He was then taken to a hospital, where he was expected to survive.

Inside the home, police found the bodies of a 17-year-old boy and a 49-year-old woman.

Nearly two hours later, police arrested Arvizu, who was found severely wounded in an alley near his home, and he was taken to a hospital for his injuries. He was covered in blood and handcuffed, according to a reporter from the Hanover Evening Sun. He later died from his injuries.

A neighbor said a couple lived at the home and had three sons, ages 27, 25 and 17. The family was quiet, private and polite, according to the neighbor. Other neighbors told the York Dispatch that they previously noticed nothing awry from the family and frequently saw the teen walking the family dog in the neighborhood.

Arvizu and his wife purchased the 2-bedroom home in 2005, according to property records.

Neighbors told PennLive they waved at Arvizu and his family and occasionally exchanged pleasantries, but didnt talk enough with the family to know where Arvizu worked or other details about the family.

The criminal case against Arvizu was later dismissed. Police did not respond to requests for updated information about the case. Their initial news release was vague and referred to the crime as a stabbing incident. Police did not say what type of weapon was used.

The coroner also called the situation a stabbing incident in her news releases. She said Friday she expects to release the names of the victims later in the day, but not their causes and manners of death.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident, have knowledge of the incident, or who may have outside camera surveillance in the 900 block of E. Walnut Street and Broadway, and the 500 block of Witmer Avenue may call the police department at 717-637-5575 or submit a tip through their CRIMEWATCH page.

Editors Note: This article was updated on Jan. 4 when the affidavit was provided to PennLive.
The news of Bruce Reischs retirement has been circulating for months, in several cases embedded in stories trumpeting the final step of a grape he spent 42 years developing as a breeder at Cornell.

It was an appropriate climax for a researcher whose program since he joined the faculty in 1980 has released 14 new grape varieties  10 wine grapes (cooperatively with the Dept. of Food Science and Technology) and four seedless table grapes. According to the university, those grapes produce more than $100 million of wine a year, with a potential to grow as wineries adapt their vineyards to the changing climate.

The grapes include:

Chardonel (1991), a conventional genetic hybrid between Chardonnay and Seyval Blanc, which has downy mildew resistance and better disease tolerance than both parents while producing premium Chardonnay-style sparkling and still wines.

Traminette (1996), a conventional genetic hybrid with Gewurtztraminer as one of the parents. It has shown excellent cold hardiness and disease resistance and is producing premium Gwurtz-style wines even in warmer climates.

The more recently released hybrids Aravelle (2023), Arandell (2013), and Aromella (2013)  more on how the latter two got their names in this background story  are just getting traction and will be prominent in the industry in the future.

Among those who admire what Reisch and his Cornell AgriTech colleagues have accomplished is Joe Fiola, the specialist in Viticulture and Small Fruit for the University of Maryland Extension after holding a similar position at Rutgers from 1988-2001. Reichs contributions, he said, have been achieved by using conventional hybridization and more recently incorporating the latest genome mapping and selection procedures.

He has made a significant impact on Eastern U.S. grape growing via the development of new hybrid cultivars, Fiola said. He was ahead of his time, anticipating the need to produce hybrid cultivars that were adapted to Eastern viticulture due to increased cold hardiness and disease resistance. The industry is finally appreciating the importance of these hybrids for sustainable production and reduced pesticide use.

Aravelle, a cross of Riesling and Cayuga White (developed at Cornell in 1972) and known for a long time simply as New York 81, is expected to offer slightly improved cold hardiness, much better rot and fungal disease resistance, and similar wine quality to Riesling. Work on the new white grape began in 1981, and enthusiasm for the results ebbed and flowed through the years, with test vines made available by a couple of New York nurseries to winery owners that had vineyard space and wanted to experiment.

Eventually, it would get a name  Aravelle comes from the Latin Arabella, which means grace, favor, answer to prayers  and a release in late March at the B.E.V. (Business, Enology and Viticulture) NY 2023 conference in Syracuse.

Conference attendees even got to taste it: a Wine Enthusiast story assessed it as having Rieslings acidity along with more overt fruit (think apricot, peach and tropical fruit), floral, muscat and honeyed characters than its famed parent variety, and in intriguing textural component. At Weis Vineyards in Hammondsport, New York, founder/winemaker/GM Hans Peter Weis is already seeing a following for his semidry white called Heart of the Lake, which is made from the Aravelle grape. He called the flavor profile approachable to any palate and said he plans to also begin making it in a dry style.

Reisch said that if Riesling or Cayuga White grows well in a vineyard, Aravelle should do well there, too, with the potential to find a home not only in the Fingers Lakes but elsewhere across the mid-Atlantic and parts of the Midwest.

I couldnt anticipate how well for instance Traminette would do in warmer summers like in Missouri, but Ive tasted some beautiful samples of Traminette in warmer climate areas. So it will be interesting to see how Aravelle does in other states, he said.

Reisch retired Oct. 1  his successor, who has not been officially named, will start July 1, 2024  but doesnt expect to disappear entirely from education. I Zoomed into a wine and viticulture class in Washington state the other day, so Ill be doing a few guest lectures here and there, he said. I enjoy doing that. Ive always enjoyed whatever teaching responsibilities Ive had.

Says one colleague of Bruce Reisch: 'He was ahead of his time, anticipating the need to produce hybrid cultivars that were adapted to Eastern viticulture due to increased cold hardiness and disease resistance.'Communications Services, Cornell University

Theres some irony in that, considering that for the first 25 years of his career, he largely gave guest lectures. Once Reisch got into the classroom on a more regular basis he wondered why he had waited so long. I enjoyed teaching so much, so I took on more teaching responsibility, he said.

Otherwise, his primary role was as a researcher and, as he called it, Getting the word out. Speaking to reporters. Doing stories about grapes. Working with Cooperative Extension on trials and getting a variety of information out to the public and grape growers.

As far as deciding on what projects to tackle, he said he always relied on industry guidance and then on his knowledge of whats possible to do and whats not, whats approachable and whats not.

He added: Sometimes Ive been asked to develop varieties with characteristics I just dont see being under much genetic control. But I do listen to the industry. What would they like? What would be important for them? I often hear about how difficult it is to control disease in vinifera grapes, and we do invite winemakers to our test tastings as well so that we get their real-world perspective. This kind of input is really important to us.

Summarizing a couple of topics that Reisch spent some time talking about:

Late frosts have done considerable damage to East Coast vineyards, and they are occurring with more frequency. One such frost clobbered the Finger Lakes on May 18. But based on what he saw in his vineyard, some varieties were just about untouched. Something struck me that there was some native type of resistance in the leaves and shoots of these vines, said Reisch, who documented his observations. So those will be for my successor to evaluate. He also noted that hybrids such as DeChaunac and Seyval were able to avoid significant frost damage through an abundance of fruit on secondary and tertiary shoots.

One of his colleagues, he said, is looking at ways to delay bud break, which is the emergence of a new shoot from a bud during the spring. Coming off warmer winters and mild springs, vines are budding earlier, making them increasingly more susceptible to damage from frost. There are some hormonal application solutions that hes working on, some formulations that can be commercialized so we can avoid the damage from a late-spring frost by delaying bud break. The Traminette vine, he said, is one that buds late. Can we make it [bud] even later to avoid spring frost and still not have the whole life cycle greatly delayed?

Reisch said he has often heard about the need for more tannin in some red wines. Thats something weve been working on What is it about hybrid grapes that its rare to find more winter-hardy hybrid types that have good tannin? I think were making some progress there, he said.

In terms of wants from the industry, he said, If we did have something that was very Cabernet-or Merlot-like but much easier to grow thats something Ive occasionally heard requests for.

One colleague whose career has paralleled Reischs is Lucie Morton, an internationally recognized viticulturist, ampelographer, research collaborator and (lately) film producer whose impact as a consultant can be found in some of the East Coasts most productive vineyards.

Illustrating their similar timelines are several photos she emailed to me for this story: One was a screenshot of a 2022 interview she did with Reisch for a yet-to-be-completed documentary exploring the exile and rebirth of historic American grapes while the other image was taken of her and Reisch in 1980 in Geneva, New York.

He really was a wonderful transition from John Einset, the grape breeder before Bruce, who I liked a lot, Morton said. John did great work. Sometimes transitions between professors dont go that well. Somebody comes in and they have to do their own thing. But what Ive seen Bruce do is go from traditional, keeping along with what was already done before he got there, and moving it along and doing the evaluations. But then he has continually like a good scientist evolved with the new methodologies of grapevine breeding and the new genetics and understanding what genes bring.

A photo taken in 1980 in Geneva, New York, featuring (from left) John Watson, research specialist at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station working on plum and grape breeding; Lucie Morton; Professor Nelson Shaulis (long-time viticulturist at the station); and then Assistant Professor Bruce Reisch. Morton noted that the photo was taken by renowned French ampelographer and author Pierre Galet and that what she was holding was 'an enormous stack of leaves in newspaper Galet was collecting for the herbarium at Montpellier.'Lucie Morton

If I ever have a question and want to know the latest, greatest about where we are in grapevine breeding, Bruce would be my go-to, Morton said.

Reisch and Dr. Andrew Walker at UC Davis have probably been the two most prominent grape breeders nationally. Their programs, along with the one at the University of Minnesota, have established themselves as the most productive in developing new grapes.

Morton said she is hopeful that Reischs successor has the same enthusiasm for the grape as a plant as for all the DNA sequencing. Some scientists Ive talked to would not be able to recognize the grape in the field, and Bruce does, she said.

To be with him, and hopefully well capture this in our film, the enthusiasm he has. He may as well be showing you his children and his grandchildren as you go through the vineyard, Morton said. He just has this huge enthusiasm and he bridges, and I think the same with me, old school and new school. Hes as good in the field with ampelography and looking at the vines and seeing what the vines tell you physically themselves as he is with getting into the heavy-duty genomics.
A York County restaurant has salvaged its weekend plans despite its building sustaining serious damage when a vehicle crashed into it early Friday morning.

On its Facebook page Friday, McAllisters on York, in Hanover, said a truck plowed through our dining room about 2 a.m. Its really devastating.

The restaurant remained closed Friday but announced on its Facebook page that its reopening at 4 p.m. Saturday and that tomorrows brunch and New Years Eve reservations and an Evening in Hollywood event will take place as planned. We will be utilizing some seating and Bar E11even [rooftop bar] to accommodate everyone.

We thank everyone for all your wishes and kind words during this difficult time and we hope to see you soon and come by and sign the wall.

We also want to thank our staff, Hanover Borough, the fire, police and the Jordan Illyes team for all the work done over the last 36 hours to get us to this point. Everyone worked like a team and we are so very thankful.

McAllisters on York, in Hanover, said a truck plowed into its dining room about 2 a.m. Friday, Dec. 29, 2023, causing serious damage. (Photos from restaurant, used with permission.)McAllisters on York, submitted

McAllisters on York, in Hanover, said a truck plowed into its dining room about 2 a.m. Friday, Dec. 29, 2023, causing serious damage. (Photos from restaurant, used with permission.)McAllisters on York, submitted

On Friday, the Hanover Evening Sun said the restaurant was condemned by the borough because of damage, including to a load-bearing wall.

Damage from the crash included every bottle of wine dropping off a wall and a smashed $20,000 chandelier, according to the Sun.

McAllisters on York, in Hanover, said a truck plowed into its dining room about 2 a.m. Friday, Dec. 29, 2023, causing serious damage. (Photos from restaurant, used with permission.)McAllisters on York, submitted
A family from Miami wasnt too relaxed while on their family vacation after their luggage had been stolen. But thanks to Apple technology, they were able to recover the stolen items, according to a media report.

I wanted justice, Catherine Gavino said to Queen City News on Tuesday.

The weekend before Christmas, the Gavino family was traveling from Miami to the North Carolina mountains. When they arrived at North Douglas International Airport that Friday afternoon, Dec. 22, they learned one of their bags never arrived at the destination.

Searching for the bag, they were unable to find the suitcase at the baggage claim, according to what they told Queen City News.

However, Gavinos new Apple AirTag simplified things. She was able to track the missing luggage without the need to stand in line at the airlines customer service.

She had just happened to buy the small tracker one day before her family traveled for the vacation, placing it in her parents luggage the morning of their flight, just in case anything got lost, according to the news site.

When Gavino pulled out her cell phone to track the luggage, it showed it was traveling on I-85 and was on its way toward Gastonia.

Thats when the family gathered the rest of their bags, picked up their rental car, and began to follow the tracker to a neighborhood, the site said. The only problem is they were unable to find the specific location because the AirTag stopped displaying its whereabouts after a certain point.

Throughout the entire trip it kept showing up around Gastonia and South Carolina, Gavino said to Queen City News.

But a miracle came after dropping off family members back at the airport because, on Christmas day, an address appeared when Gavino checked her AirTag one more time. This time, it revealed a house in Gastonia and the family pursued the AirTag to that location.

Gavino then called the police. Upon arrival, authorities found the stolen luggage, along with a different suitcase that was stolen from another victim at the airport.

Turns out, authorities told Gavino that someone else called with the same issue. And they also had an AirTag, she said to the news outlet.

Even though Gavino was able to get back her luggage, various items were missing.

The suspect now faces multiple charges, including theft and drug possession, Queen City News reported.
UPDATE: Driver charged in Easton hit-and-run that left man in critical condition, cops say

Easton police said Friday they are searching for a driver they say struck a 67-year-old man and drove off.

The incident happened shortly after 7:15 a.m. Thursday in the area of South Fourth and Washington streets. The man was crossing from the south side of Washington Street to the north when he was struck, Easton police Lt. Matthew Gerould told lehighvalleylive.com.

The man was found by officers and taken to a hospital for treatment of serious injuries. Gerould said the man remained in critical condition Friday.

City police believe the fleeing vehicle was a black Nissan Altima that headed west on Washington Street after the accident.

Police asked anyone who was traveling in the area at that time and may have witnessed the incident to call city detectives at 610-250-6645 or the police tip line at 610-250-6635.

Editors note: This article has been updated to correct the age of the victim, based on new information from police.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com.
ROME, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- Italy's lower house passed the new budget law on Friday, providing a definitive green light to a package worth some 28 billion euros (30.9 billion U.S. dollars) for 2024, according to the Italian parliament.

Deputies approved it with 200 votes in favor, 112 against and three abstentions after a second reading. This is the second budget law presented by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's right-wing cabinet. The Senate had already passed the financial bill on Dec. 22.

Among its provisions, the budget includes a 2.3-billion-euro funding for the construction of a bridge connecting the country's major southern island, Sicily, to the mainland. It also extends certain cuts to social security contributions (the difference between before-tax and after-tax wages) paid by employers and workers into the next year, which were initially introduced to reduce the tax wedge by 6-7 percentage points and thereby increase the net pay of employees earning up to 35,000 euros annually.

The 2024 budget safeguards pensions of healthcare workers and professionals, allocates funding to secure wages of military and police staff, and provides free day-care for families with more than one child to address the country's longstanding declining natality rate.

In terms of public finance, the budget will elevate Italy's fiscal deficit to 4.3 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2024 from the Finance Ministry's forecast in September of 3.6 percent. Meanwhile, it will keep the public debt at 140.1 percent of GDP, almost unchanged from 140.2 percent this year.

According to the Bank of Italy, the country's public debt hit a new record in October, rising by 23.5 billion euros over the previous month to about 2.8 trillion euros, making it the second-largest in the eurozone after that of Greece. (1 euro = 1.11 U.S. dollar) 
The mayor of Lebanon, Pa. said the city wont end its tradition of dropping a Lebanon bologna on New Years Eve as requested by an animal rights group.

The request had come from the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, which called it an ugly tradition and load of bologna while offering to donate a vegan alternative.

I thank PETA for their concern about the ethical treatment of animals. Most of the people I know share many of these concerns and have no desire to cause unnecessary pain or suffering of any animal, Lebanon Mayor Sherry L. Capello said in a written statement on Friday.

She went on to say the city also recognizes that Lebanon bologna was developed by resourceful PA Germans more than two centuries ago and has long been a substantial local industry.

Bologna making is a part of our Lebanon heritage and we proudly stand by the tradition of dropping a bologna on New Years Eve as a way to celebrate our heritage, as we have done so for the past 27 years, she said.

Capello noted the dropped Lebanon bologna is then donated to a local shelter which uses it to feed people in need.

PETA had argued that cows raised for slaughter endure suffering and that using a vegan alternative would be better for the environment.
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
Editor's note: The Aiken Standard is counting down its top 10 local stories for 2023 from Dec. 19-30.

For just the fourth time since Dwight Eisenhower was sworn into office for a second term as president, the city of Aiken gained a new mayor in 2023.

City Clerk Sara Ridout swore Teddy Milner into office Nov. 27.

"I'm sure our best days are ahead, so let's get to work," Milner said after being sworn in.

Milner took over for fellow Republican Rick Osbon, who served from 2015 to 2023. Osbon took over from Fred Cavanaugh, who served from 1991 to 2015. And Cavanaugh took over from H. Odell Weeks, who served from 1957 to 1991.

It took three elections for Milner to become Aiken's first female mayor.

On Aug. 8, it looked like Osbon would win reelection.

He received 1,556 votes (42.61% of the votes cast), Milner received 1,070 votes (29.3% of the votes cast) and Kathryn Wade received 1,026 votes (28.09% of the votes cast).

Osbon said in November he felt he needed to win the nomination that night.

"Municipal elections being standalone in the odd years lend themselves to upsets," Osbon said recently. "There's nothing else really on the ballot. There was nothing on the ballot for the primary."

But, that didn't happen: South Carolina mandates a runoff between the two-highest finishing candidates if no candidate receives more than 50% of the votes cast.

The runoff between Osbon and Milner was held Aug. 22.

When the city's Municipal Election Commission tallied results at the Aiken County election office, the results showed Milner with 2,135 votes and Osbon with 2,121 votes.
BERLIN, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Alliance Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW), a new left-wing party in Germany, will campaign for an economic rapprochement with Russia, BSW foreign affairs expert Sevim Dagdelen said on Friday.

The party, a split-off from the existing left-wing Die Linke (or the Left Party), was launched in October by Sahra Wagenknecht, a member of the lower house of the German Parliament (Bundestag), after her own name.

It aims to complete its formalities in January and rejects the "economic war, the stupid energy sanctions against Russia," Dagdelen told public broadcaster ZDF.

Since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict last year, the European Union (EU) imposed heavy sanctions on Russia, affecting both members of the government and individuals. Foreign trade with Russia was severely restricted.

According to the European Council, a total of 321.5 billion euros (356.9 billion U.S. dollars) in assets in the EU and the Group of Seven countries have been frozen or blocked. The value of goods traded with Russia subject to sanctions amounted to around 135 billion euros.

Germany's monthly exports to Russia have meanwhile dwindled to only 0.8 billion euros in November, according to preliminary figures by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis). Since February 2022, Russia plummeted from fifth to 16th place as Germany's most important export market outside the EU.

Wagenknecht has been one of the most prominent critics of the West's strategy in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. "The Russians were ready to end the war in spring 2022 when it had barely begun, if Ukraine had committed to not joining NATO," she said in her latest video on YouTube.

"In this war, people are fighting and dying for NATO," Wagenknecht stressed. "For the United States to be able to set up military bases and missile bases on Ukrainian territory at some point. That's what it's all about."

Although a large majority of Germans are in favor of sanctions against Russia, almost three out of four believe that the frozen trade relations are harming Germany's economy more than Russia's, a survey by the German Economic Institute found earlier this year.

In February, Wagenknecht and feminist Alice Schwarzer published a manifesto calling for an end to Western arms supplies to Ukraine. "Negotiating does not mean capitulating. Negotiating means making compromises, on both sides," it said. So far, more than 900,000 people have signed the document.

Alongside Wagenknecht's BSW and parts of her former party Die Linke, the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) is also speaking out loudly against the sanctions on Russia.

"Europe, and Germany in particular, are at risk of being crushed between these major powers," said AfD leader Alice Weidel in a recent interview, calling for a "responsible government to take countermeasures in order to represent the interests of our country."

The Ukraine crisis will "not be ended by force of arms," Weidel stressed. Instead of further escalations towards a third world war, the international community should "work more intensively for peace negotiations."

In initial polls shortly after the foundation of the BSW was announced, it received 12 percent of votes, fueled by inflows from the Left Party and AfD. However, election experts now see a significantly lower electoral potential of only 1 to 3 percent, not enough to reach the required 5 percent hurdle to enter the Bundestag. (1 euro = 1.11 U.S. dollar) 
Millions of Americans will ring in 2024 with a toast of Champagne or sparkling wine and they could perhaps enjoy some other alcoholic beverages during the evening, but Aiken County residents may have a difficult time if they seek to purchase their libations Sunday.

First, South Carolina bans the sale of liquor by the bottle on Sundays.

Aiken County residents looking to enjoy an Old Fashioned, a Jack and Coke, a Moscow Mule or a Whiskey Sour have two choices: purchase the necessary liquor before Sunday or plan to be at a bar or similar establishment Sunday evening.

If Aiken County residents want to purchase their liquor early, they can do so at licensed ABC stores. These stores and their hours can be found by searching online. ("Aiken SC ABC stores").

If Aiken County residents want to visit a bar, they can find a bar or similar establishment by searching online as well ("Aiken SC bars"). If Aiken County residents go to a bar, they should also be mindful of the dangers of consuming alcohol and attempting to drive. The residents should make arrangements for transportation if they plan on drinking during the New Year's Eve festivities.
An Edgefield County community action group hopes to get involved in a developers lawsuit against the county, its council and planning commission over a proposed subdivision just outside North Augusta.

Attorneys with the South Carolina Environmental Law Project filed a motion to intervene on behalf of the Merriwether Community Coalition in the case of Blue Sky Properties v. Edgefield County.

The Coalition and its members have a direct and substantial interest in the implementation of the statutes, regulations, ordinances, and policies meant to protect community way of life and safeguard public participation in decisions that affect that way of life, the motion reads.

A hearing on the motion is scheduled for Jan. 17.

Its part of an ongoing appeal that could help determine what happens when a developer is denied an application to build on land thats un-zoned and so not restricted by the kind of rigid laws that oversee property that is.

Similar cases have landed in the courts, but decisions in those cases have not been uniform, and the South Carolina Supreme Court hasnt issued a ruling on the subject.

How we got here

Attorneys for Blue Sky and property owner James E. Miller filed an appeal in the Edgefield County court of common pleas Sept. 22 after a majority on the county planning commission rejected Blue Skys development proposal for the Trestle Run subdivision.

Trestle Run is a project of 254 new homes, nearly evenly split between townhomes and single-family houses. Its planned for 97 acres of un-zoned land just outside North Augusta, near Fox Creek High School.
New Italian and Thai dining spots, along with two new bagel shops, soon will be cooking across the Lowcountry. Also, a new retailer is on the way to the peninsula, a longtime Summerville shop changes hands, and a new cafe and market officially opens Jan. 11 in Mount Pleasant. Read moreNew restaurants coming to Charleston, Mount Pleasant and Moncks Corner
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
ANKARA, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- Turkish security forces detained 189 suspected members of the Islamic State in an operation codenamed "Heroes-38" across 37 provinces in the country, a cabinet minister said on Saturday.

The operation was carried out "simultaneously" in all the provinces, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Most of the suspects were detained in the capital Ankara. At the same time, 22 people were caught in the country's most populated city Istanbul.

"Thanks to the prayer of our nation and the superior efforts of our security forces, we will continue our struggle without interruption," Yerlikaya said.

The Turkish government designated the Islamic State a terrorist organization in 2013, blaming it for a spate of deadly attacks in the country since 2015. 
Nikki Haley made one of the few real blunders of the GOP primary season when she was asked at a New Hampshire town hall, What was the cause of the United States Civil War? For a Republican, this shouldnt be a tough question. The Republican Party was founded mostly to oppose slavery. But Haley equivocated, in rather weird fashion:

The cause of the deadliest conflict in American history, she said, was basically how government was gonna runthe freedoms and what people could and couldnt do. She went on: We need to make sure that we do all things so that individuals have the liberties so that they can have freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom to do or be anything they want to be without government getting in the way.

That would be a more plausible explanation of the causes of the Revolutionary War than the Civil War. To talk about the origins of the Civil War without mentioning slaverywhen someone in the audience followed up, Haley responded, What do you want me to say about slavery?seems inexplicable, especially to us northerners.

Haleys bad moment may simply indicate that she isnt as good on the stump, as quick on her feet, as she needs to be. Maybe that is all there is to it. But I suspect there is another element: a longstanding Southern conviction, in many quarters, that the War Between the States was not about slavery.

Most northerners are not tuned into this, but that theme persists in the South. One of my brothers lives in North Carolina, and some years ago he told me about an encounter with an employee at his local post office. He was mailing someone a book on the Civil War, and got into a conversation about it with the postal employee. Well you know, she said confidentially, that war wasnt about slavery. That attitude may be delusional, but it isnt hard to understand why many southerners, steeped in regional history, prefer to adopt it.

So maybe Nikki Haley is just inept on the stump. But she isnt randomly inept. She grew up in South Carolina and served as governor of that state. She is well acquainted with the nuances of belief in the southern states. And I suspect that even today, she saw it as problematic to assert unreservedly that slavery was the cause of the Civil War. If so, it was a serious misjudgmentcertainly in New Hampshire!and it does cast reasonable doubt on Haleys strength as a presidential candidate.
PR-Inside.com: 2023-12-30 17:11:26

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / December 30, 2023 / Hagens Berman urges Barclays PLC (NYSE:BCS) investors who suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now.Class Period: July 22, 2019 - Oct. 12, 2023Lead Plaintiff Deadline: Jan. 2, 2024Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/BCS Contact An Attorney Now: BCS@ hbsslaw.com 844-916-0895Barclays PLC (NYSE: BCS) Securities Fraud Class Action:The complaint alleges that Defendants made false and misleading statements and failed to disclose that:(1) contrary to his false public statements and assertions to Britain's Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA"), Barclays' ex-CEO Jes Staley had a very close relationship with Epstein;(2) Staley was reportedly aware of Epstein's criminal activities and may have even sexually assaulted a victim who had previously been trafficked by Epstein;(3) Staley's close, personal relationship with Epstein, and potential criminal activity, if discovered could bring reputational, legal, and financial harm to Barclays;(4) as a result, Barclays' response to the FCA inquiry regarding Staley's relationship with Epstein was materially false; and(5) Barclays, having become aware of information contradicting its response to the FCA's inquiry, then failed to update the response so that it would be accurate, or otherwise take any meaningful action.Investors began to learn the truth on Nov. 1, 2021, when Barclays announced Staley's departure after becoming aware of the FCA's preliminary conclusions regarding the company's and Staley's characterization of the Epstein relationship.Subsequently, the Financial Times reported that Staley and Epstein exchanged 1,200 emails over a four-year period and, just before joining Barclays in 2015, Staley sailed his yacht to Epstein's island in the Caribbean.Finally, on Oct. 12, 2023, the FCA announced that "Staley recklessly approved a letter sent by Barclays to the FCA, which contained two misleading statements, about the nature of his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and the point of their last contact." The FCA fined Staley, barred him from the financial services industry and observed that Staley's emails described Epstein as one of his "deepest" and "most cherished" friends.Each of these events drove the price of Barclays American Depositary Shares lower."We're focused on investors' losses and are investigating whether Barclays may have intentionally misled investors about the nature of the Staley-Epstein relationship," said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the investigation.If you invested in Barclays and have significant losses, or have knowledge that may assist the firm's investigation, submit your losses now If you'd like more information and answers to frequently asked questions about the Barclays case and our investigation, read more Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding Barclays 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 BCS@ hbsslaw.com # # #About Hagens Berman Hagens Berman is a global plaintiffs' rights complex litigation law firm focusing on corporate accountability through class-action law. The firm is home to a robust securities litigation practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and fraud. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com . Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.Attorney advertising.Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.Services may be performed by attorneys in any of our offices.Contact:Reed Kathrein, 844-916-0895SOURCE: Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP
PR-Inside.com: 2023-12-30 05:15:20

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NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESSWIRE / December 28, 2023 / Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have untilJanuary 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
PR-Inside.com: 2023-12-30 03:15:41

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / December 29, 2023 / Blackwolf Copper and Gold Ltd. ("Blackwolf" or the "Company") (TSXV:BWCG)(OTC PINK:BWCGF) is pleased to provide its year-end letter to shareholders.Dear Shareholders,2023 was a year of action and achievements for Blackwolf, we want to personally thank our shareholders for joining us in this journey in creating a top tier exploration and resource development company. We structured a path for this growth through our strategic investors, board, management team, advisors and projects. We are very excited to continue to grow in 2024 as we steer Blackwolf in the direction of success.In April, the Company closed a $8.5 million private placement and gained the financial backing of Mr. Frank Giustra. His support as a major shareholder has been immeasurable. Subsequently, in October, Blackwolf completed another private placement, raising $3.2 million-an amount that exceeded our initial target, thanks to the significant support from our current and new shareholders.June marked a strategic reorganization of the board and management team to better position Blackwolf for its planned future growth, with the appointment of Morgan Lekstrom as CEO and Rob McLeod transitioning to Executive Chairman. The team has a track record of executing and has shown incredible resolve over the past year.In September, the Company completed the acquisition of Optimum Ventures Ltd., and its interest in the Harry Project. With the acquisition of the Harry Project, Blackwolf became strategically positioned in the Golden Triangle, between Ascot's Premier mine, scheduled to go into production and another successful exploration company, as well as in south-east Alaska with its 6 million tonne high grade Niblack copper-gold VMS Project. Blackwolf is becoming a premier precious and strategic metals explorer in Alaska and British Columbia's Golden Triangle.In September Andrew Bowering was added to the board, who brings significant experience in the capital markets, corporate strategy and marketing. In November, Vivien Chuang was appointed as the Company's newest board member, who also has over 15 years experience in the resource sector.Upon closing of the Optimum transaction, we completed our initial drill program on the Harry Project of just under 2,000 meters and made a significant gold discovery with two high grade intercepts of 312 g/t of gold over 1 meter and 277 g/t of gold over another meter in the same hole. (Please refer to the Blackwolf news release of October 30, 2023 for details.)We were able to drill the first two exploration holes ever at the Cantoo Project on the Alaska side of the Golden Triangle in an area that is one of the last undiscovered and underexplored positions in the area.Assay results are still pending from the 2023 drill programs and will provide a clear direction to follow up on our discoveries.Morgan Lekstrom, CEO stated "All this to say, we spent the last 12 months executing on projects that were promised but also setting up the right people and the launching pad from which we can grow Blackwolf significantly. These transactions, strategic people, and financings have given Blackwolf the look and feel of a company that has a bright future and one that can execute. I personally want to thank our current and former directors for their guidance and support of management's vision and goals." In closing, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to our shareholders. None of what we have accomplished this past year would have been possible without your continuous support. Thank you. We look forward to an exciting 2024.About Blackwolf Copper and Gold Ltd.Blackwolf's founding vision is to be an industry leader in transparency, inclusion and innovation. Guided by our Vision and through collaboration with local and Indigenous communities and stakeholders, Blackwolf builds shareholder value through our technical expertise in mineral exploration, engineering and permitting. The Company holds a 100% interest in the high-grade Niblack copper-gold-zinc-silver VMS project, located adjacent to tidewater in southeast Alaska. In addition, the Company holds a 100% interest in five Hyder Area gold-silver and base metal properties in southeast Alaska and an option to acquire an 80% interest in the Harry gold-silver property located in northwest British Columbia in the Golden Triangle. For more information on Blackwolf, please visit the Company's website at www.blackwolfcopperandgold.com On behalf of the Board of Directors of Blackwolf Copper and Gold Ltd."Morgan Lekstrom" CEO and DirectorFor more information, contact:Morgan Lekstrom250-574-7350 (Mobile)604-343-2997 (Office)MLL@ bwcg.ca Liam Morrison604-897-9952 (Mobile)604-343-2997 (Office)lm@ bwcg.ca 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 Statement Regarding Forward-Looking InformationThis release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forwardlooking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements relating to the properties located in the Golden Triangle area and the Company's future objectives and plans. Forwardlooking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, market volatility; the state of the financial markets for the Company's securities; fluctuations in commodity prices and changes in the Company's business plans. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable, including without limitation, that the Company will continue with its stated business objectives and its ability to raise additional capital to proceed. Although management of the Company has
PR-Inside.com: 2023-12-30 01:56:31

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LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESSWIRE / December 29, 2023 / CLS Holdings USA, Inc. (OTCQB:CLSH)(CSE:CLSH), the ''Company'' or ''CLS'', a diversified cannabis company operating as Cannabis Life Sciences, today announced that following receipt of the requisite approval of debentureholders and the Canadian Securities Exchange, it has amended the terms of its outstanding US$5,252,873 principal amount unsecured convertible debentures (the "December Debentures") issued December 12, 2018 by, among other things, (i) decreasing the conversion price of the remaining December Debentures (following the mandatory conversion) to $0.07 per unit; (ii) changing the maturity date of the December Debentures so that the December Debentures mature on January 31, 2028; (iii) providing for interest accruing between July 1, 2022 and December 31, 2023 to be added to the principal balance of the December Debentures; (iv) granting debentureholders a put right exercisable to December 29, 2023, granting each debentureholder the right to require the Company to redeem all or any part of such debentureholder's outstanding December Debenture in cash at a redemption price equal to US$600 per US$1000 principal amount of December Debentures elected to be redeemed; any accrued but unpaid interest through to and including the date of the debentureholder's election shall not be paid and shall be cancelled; (v) granting debentureholders a put right in the event the Company's cash available for debt service for any fiscal quarter exceeds US$750,000, subject to pro ration, to require the Company to redeem all or any part of such debetureholder's outstanding December Debentures in cash at a redemption price equal to the aggregate principal amount of the December Debentures being so redeemed, (vi) including a provision providing that the Company shall redeem on the last day of each calendar month beginning March 31, 2025 an aggregate amount of outstanding December Debentures equal to US$108,799.73 less the amount of interest paid on such date; and (vii) subject to the receipt of regulatory approvals, granting a security interest in certain of the Company's assets (such as licenses, inventory (including work in process), equipment (excluding equipment subject to purchase money financing) and contract rights (excluding investments in entities other than wholly owned subsidiaries)) to the holders of the December Debentures and to other holders of the Company's debt, now or in the future, as the Company may elect.About CLS Holdings USA, Inc. CLS Holdings USA, Inc. (CLSH) is a diversified cannabis company that acts as an integrated cannabis producer and retailer through its Oasis Cannabis subsidiaries in Nevada and plans to expand to other states. CLS stands for "Cannabis Life Sciences," in recognition of the Company's proprietary method of extracting various cannabinoids from the cannabis plant and converting them into products with a higher level of quality and consistency. The Company's business model includes licensing operations, processing operations, processing facilities, sale of products, brand creation and consulting services.Oasis Cannabis has operated a cannabis dispensary in the Las Vegas market since dispensaries first opened in Nevada in 2015 and has been recognized as one of the top cannabis retailers in the state. Its location within walking distance to the Las Vegas Strip and Downtown Las Vegas in combination with its delivery service to residents allows it to efficiently serve both locals and tourists in the Las Vegas area. In February 2019, it was named "Best Dispensary for Pot Pros" by Desert Companion Magazine.@oasisdispensaryFounded in 2017, City Trees is a Nevada-based cannabis cultivation, production and distribution company. Offering a wide variety of products with consistent results, including cannabis concentrates and cannabis-infused products. City Trees products are available in numerous dispensaries throughout the state of Nevada.@citytreesnvInstagram @clsholdingsusaFacebook: @CLSHoldingsUSATwitter: @CLSHoldingsUSALinkedIn: @CLS Holdings USA IncForward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain ''forward-looking information'' within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and ''forward-looking statements'' as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively, the ''forward-looking statements''). These statements relate to, among other things, the impact of the COVID-19 virus on our business, the results of our initiatives to retain our employees and strengthen our relationships with our customers and community during the pandemic, the effect of our initiatives to expand market share and achieve growth, the expected development of our business and joint ventures, results of operations and financial performance, future liquidity, working capital and capital requirements, the impact of the reverse stock split on our stock price, the effects of the additional dilution in our common stock that may occur as a result of the amendments to our convertible debentures, and anticipated future events. The continued spread of COVID-19 could have, and in some cases already has had, an adverse impact on our business, operations and financial results, including through disruptions in our cultivation and processing activities, supply chains and sales channels, and retail dispensary operations as well as a deterioration of general economic conditions including a possible national or global recession. In some cases, you can identify forward looking statements by terminology such as ''may,'' ''might,'' ''will,'' ''should,'' ''intends,'' ''expects,'' ''plans,'' ''goals,'' ''projects,'' ''anticipates,'' ''believes,'' ''estimates,'' ''predicts,'' ''potential,'' or ''continue'' or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements are only predictions, are uncertain and involve substantial known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, levels of activity or performance to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity or performance expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. We cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity or performance. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date that they were made. These cautionary statements should be considered together with any written or oral forward-looking stateme
PR-Inside.com: 2023-12-30 18:10:33

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FLUSHING, NY / ACCESSWIRE / December 30, 2023 / The Dr. Arun Arora Scholarship for Future Doctors, a prestigious scholarship established by renowned physician Dr. Arun Arora, has officially opened its application window for the 2024 academic year.Dr. Arun Arora's experience in the medical field, has dedicated his career to excellence and innovation in healthcare. This scholarship embodies his commitment to nurturing the next generation of medical professionals and empowering them to become leaders in their field.Open to both current undergraduate students and high school seniors pursuing a career in medicine, the Dr. Arun Arora Scholarship recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement, a deep commitment to medicine, and a dedication to personal and professional growth.Dr. Arora's vision for the scholarship extends beyond financial assistance. He believes that supporting aspiring doctors early in their education is crucial for shaping the future of healthcare.Through the scholarship, Dr. Arun Arora's aims to inspire a passion for innovation within the medical field and empower future doctors to address the challenges and opportunities facing healthcare today."Investing in the education of future doctors is an investment in the health and well-being of our communities," says Dr. Arun Arora. "I am honored to support aspiring medical professionals who are dedicated to making a positive impact on the world." The Dr. Arun Arora Scholarship provides a one-time award of $1,000 to the selected recipient.To be considered for the scholarship, applicants must:Be actively pursuing a career in medicine as either a current undergraduate student or a high school senior with plans to attend university for a medical degree Demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and a strong academic record Possess a deep and genuine commitment to the field of medicine Exhibit a strong desire for personal and professional growth Submit a well-thought-out essay of under 1000 words in response to the prompt: "Describe a significant challenge currently faced by the healthcare industry and propose an innovative solution to address it effectively." Showcase creative and resourceful problem-solving skillsThe deadline to apply for the Dr. Arun Arora Scholarship for Future Doctors is June 15, 2024. The winner will be announced on July 15, 2024.For more information and to apply, please visit the Dr. Arun Arora Scholarship website at https://drarunarorascholarship.com/ About Dr. Arun AroraDr. Arun Arora is a renowned physician with over four decades of experience in the medical field. He is a graduate of Maulana Azad Medical College in New Delhi, India, and has specialized in Cardiovascular Disease, Critical Care Medicine, Geriatric Medicine, and Internal Medicine.Dr. Arora has been affiliated with prestigious medical institutions such as New York-Presbyterian Queens Hospital and Flushing Hospital Medical Center. He is also a Diplomate in Critical Care and Internal Medicine.Beyond his clinical practice, Dr. Arora is actively involved in medical education, teaching, and research. He is passionate about advancing medical knowledge and providing exceptional care to patients.Dr. Arun Arora established the Dr. Arun Arora Scholarship for Future Doctors to inspire and support the next generation of medical professionals and continue his legacy of excellence in healthcare.Contact Info:Spokesperson: Dr. Arun Arora Organization: Dr. Arun Arora Scholarship for Future DoctorsWebsite: https://drarunarorascholarship.com/ Email: apply@ drarunarorascholarship.com SOURCE: Dr. Arun Arora Scholarship
PR-Inside.com: 2023-12-30 05:00:25

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HALIFAX, NS / ACCESSWIRE / December 29, 2023 / MedMira Inc. (MedMira) (TSXV:MIR), reported today on its financial results for the quarter ended October 31, 2023.Corporate updateDuring Q1 FY2024, MedMira continued its focus on its regulatory and clinical trial work for a number of products, while increasing its sales and marketing activities. Throughout the reporting period, the Company achieved significant milestones in its pursuit of FDA and Health Canada approvals for a range of products.Subsequent to Q1 FY2024, the Company received the US FDA 510(k) clearance for the HIV-2 claim on the Reveal G4 Rapid HIV 1/2 antibody test in the United States. This achievement marks a significant milestone for MedMira, positioning the company as a key player in the HIV testing landscape and addressing the demand for comprehensive HIV screening mandated by various State laws across the nation. It further allows the Company to significantly grow its market share and revenue in the United States, while re-confirming its quality for its upcoming Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) waiver.This latest approval enables the Company to offer the fastest high quality HIV rapid test which can be sold to CLIA laboratories, clinics and hospitals. In anticipation of the high demand, the Company increased its Business Development unit to assist its existing distribution partners with the product launch and any sales and marketing efforts.Furthermore, Company was able to discuss its pending and future submissions with Health Canada's In Vitro Diagnostic Division, Medical Device Directorate. The Company had a positive dialogue with key staff and is confident to satisfy all regulatory requirements set forward by Health Canada. In addition, the division has provided clear guidance and answers to any open questions to move forward with its pending and subsequent submissions. The Company will provide an Update in January 2024.Profit and Loss HighlightsRevenue: The Company recorded revenues in Q1 FY2024 of $117,862 compared to $120,770 in the same period last year. Gross Profit: The Company recorded a gross profit in Q1 FY2024 of $70,633 compared to $98,267 in Q1 FY2024. Operating expenses: The Company recorded for this quarter operating expenses of $668,729 compared to $596,154 in Q1 FY2024. Net (loss) income: The Company recorded a net loss of $780,360 compared to a loss of $632,449 for the same period last year. Balance Sheet HighlightsAssets: The Company recorded an increase of its assets by $933,996 between Q4 FY2023 and Q1 FY2024 which was mainly due an increase in the cash received during the quarter. Liabilities: The Company's liabilities increased by $1,714,356 between Q4 FY2023 and Q1 FY2024. The Company's current liabilities increased by $1,731,770 or 11% was mainly due to increase in advances. Loans in default increased by $1,437 or less than 1% compared to last quarter. All other long and short terms debts are currently under negotiation to restructure terms and conditions of repayment. Working Capital deficit: As a result of the changes noted above, the Company recorded a higher working capital deficit of $742,257 or 5% compared to last quarter.The Company's financial statements and management's discussion and analysis are available on the Company's profile on SEDAR atwww.sedar.com . For matters of going concern, reference is made to the Auditor's Emphasis of Matter statement in the fiscal year ended 2023 Auditors Report and note 2b in the audited financial statements which are also available on SEDAR.About MedMiraMedMira is the developer and owner of Rapid Vertical Flow (RVF) Technology. The Company's rapid test applications built on RVF Technology provide hospitals, labs, clinics and individuals with instant diagnosis for diseases such as HIV and hepatitis C in just three easy steps. The Company's tests are sold under the Reveal, Multiplo and Miriad brands in global markets. MedMira's corporate offices and manufacturing facilities are located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada and the Company has a sales and customer service office located in the United States. For more information visitmedmira.com . Follow us onTwitterandLinkedIn .This news release contains forward-looking statements, which involve risk and uncertainties and reflect the Company's current expectation regarding future events including statements regarding possible approval and launch of new products, future growth, and new business opportunities. Actual events could materially differ from those projected herein and depend on a number of factors including, but not limited to, changing market conditions, successful and timely completion of clinical studies, uncertainties related to the regulatory approval process, establishment of corporate alliances and other risks detailed from time to time in the company quarterly filings.Neither 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.MedMira Contacts:Markus Meile, CFOTel: 902-450-1588Email: ir@ medmira.com SOURCE: MedMira, Inc.
PR-Inside.com: 2023-12-30 05:35:14

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Mountain Top Properties files Regulation A to raise ten million dollars for Hamptons real estate venture.LIVERPOOL, NY / ACCESSWIRE / December 29, 2023 / Mountain Top Properties Inc (OTC PINK:MTPP) is pleased to announce it has filed Regulation A offering to add up to $10 million for the company's real estate development plans. The company's initial projects are planned in the storied Hamptons, beachfront community of Long Island, along with technology driven property management roles in the larger Northeastern US. This initial strategy includes exciting new real estate projects professionally managed by one of the most accomplished custom home builders in the Hamptons, On Site Builder Construction Co. Inc ("On Site"). The management of On Site has been in the construction space and has built over 60 custom homes valued well over $500 million dollars in this exclusive market.Pictured above is a home that was designed by architect, Blaze Makoid from BMA Architects and built by Joseph Kelley of On Site. More photos of this project at https://www.bmaarchitects.com/featured_projects/ferry-road/ MTPP has partnered with On Site to facilitate the transition from offering a managed service to offering a turn-key finished home ready to market. The focus for this venture is waterfront or water view projects that offer significant cash on cash returns. The partnership between MTPP and On Site allows investors or limited partners to come together and get into a market that is rarely available to retail investors.It is expected that revenues from the property management activities will begin early in the first quarter of 2024 followed closely by the start of the Hamptons NY projects slated for Spring. Over the coming weeks MTPP will be expanding its traditional and social media presence to showcase some of the houses On Site has built and will also use these platforms to showcase the ongoing development.To review the Reg A documents please click here: https://www.otcmarkets.com/filing/html?id=17132417&guid=RoJ-kKyjFy5HJth . For more information about MTPP please visitwww.mountain-top-properties.com Forward Looking Statements:Some of the statements contained in this press release and the documents incorporated herein are by reference are considered "Forward Looking Statements." In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terms such as "may," "will," "should," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential," or "continue," or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. The forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference in this document involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, expressed or implied by these statements. The Company believes that the forward-looking statements contained in this release are reasonable based on the information available to us on the date of this release. The Company assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.Media ContactOrganization: Mountain Top Properties, IncContact Person: Cole FerryWebsite: https://www.mountain-top-properties.com/ Email: info@ mountain-top-properties.com Contact Number: 310-299-1717City: LiverpoolState: New YorkCountry: United StatesSOURCE: Mountain Top Properties, Inc
LISBON, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- The China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) will boost relations between China and Portugal, said Fernanda Ilheu, president of the Friends of the New Silk Road Association (ANRS) in a recent interview with Xinhua.

Ilheu, who is also a professor at the University of Lisbon (ULisboa), said that this initiative should reach Portugal through scientific cooperation projects and commercial ventures, using both land and sea routes.

As a result, she said, there will be a consolidation of Chinese investments in Portugal. "There are many opportunities for China to continue investing. Cooperation ... will be fantastic for understanding China and Chinese technology," Ilheu said.

The president of the ANRS said that the Portuguese are already familiar with the efficient management of the Chinese companies which are present in Portugal, also recognizing the cooperation between Chinese and Portuguese management.

Portugal welcomes foreign investment, she said, especially when it comes to "updating our technology, modernizing our markets, and allowing companies to have sustainable economic development."

"Therefore, we always consider foreign investment as a positive issue. And ... we also consider Chinese investment a very positive issue," she said.

Despite current global instability, the expert said that this does not affect China's relations with Portugal. "Most people admire China and want to cooperate," Ilheu said.

Recalling the 18 years she lived in Macao, she compared the "peaceful culture" of Portugal with Chinese culture. "I always understood that the Chinese people prefer balance and harmony, not conflict," she said.

"In the field of Portuguese language teaching, there are about 60 universities in China with Portuguese studies, and we also have many schools in Portugal that teach Chinese. There is good collaboration in terms of cultural exchanges" Ilheu said.

"At the level of tourism, we are now beginning to see Chinese tourism coming back to Portugal," she added.

Ilheu also spoke highly of the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation held in Beijing in October.

BRI is a stable and sustainable initiative to develop economic cooperation between Portugal, China, and Portuguese-speaking countries, Ilheu underlined.

"We should all cooperate for the development and sustainability of countries," she said. 
PR-Inside.com: 2023-12-30 01:01:56

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / December 29, 2023 / Snipp Interactive Inc. ("Snipp" or the "Company") (TSXV:SPN);(OTC PINK:SNIPF), a global provider of digital marketing promotions, rebates and loyalty solutions, announces its financial results for the six months ended June 30, 2023 ("H1 2023") along with Q2 2023 and Q1 2023. All results are reported under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") and inUS dollars . A copy of the complete unaudited interim financial statements and management's discussion and analysis are available on SEDAR ( www.sedarplus.ca) H1 2023 Highlights(Refer to Non-GAAP Measures, EBITDA and Bookings Backlog discussion below)Revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2023 ("H1 2023") increased by 45% compared to the six months ended June 30, 2022 ("H1 2022"). Revenue for H1 2023 was $14.0 million compared to $9.7 million for H1 2022.Revenue for Q2 2023 increased by 36% compared to Q2 2022. Revenue for Q2 2023 was $7.5 million compared to $5.5 million for Q2 2022.Revenue for Q1 2023 increased by 56% compared to Q1 2022. Revenue for Q1 2023 was $6.6 million compared to $4.2 million for Q1 2022.EBITDA in H1 2023 was a loss of $1.97 million vs H1 2022 EBITDA of $0.44 million.EBITDA in Q2 2023 was a loss of $0.87 million vs Q2 2022 EBITDA of $0.12 million.EBITDA in Q1 2023 was a loss of $1.10 million vs Q1 2022 EBITDA of $0.32 million.Bookings Backlog (programs that have been sold, but whose revenues have not yet been recognized) stood at $14MM at June 30, 2023, an increase of 27% compared to June 30, 2022 of $11 MM."During the first six months of fiscal 2023 we continue to recognize revenue growth beyond our 2022 revenue records. Our expenses have increased as we have made growth investments in new hires as we continue to scale our business and develop our new revenue streams with Gambit Rewards and SnippMedia. We look forward to sharing our Q3 2023 results next week and we will also be scheduling an investor conference call the week after to provide further information and to answer questions from investors." said Atul Sabharwal, Founder of Snipp.Non-GAAP Measures Snipp uses certain performance measures throughout this document that are not recognizable under Canadian generally accepted accounting principles or IFRS ("GAAP"). These performance measures include Gross Margin and EBITDA. Management believes that these measures provide supplemental financial information that is useful in the evaluation of the Company's operations.Investors should be cautioned, however, that these measures should not be construed as alternatives to measures determined in accordance with GAAP and IFRS as an indicator of Snipp's performance. The Company's method of calculating these measures may differ from that of other organizations, and accordingly, these may not be comparable.EBITDA Snipp defines earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") as revenue minus operating expenses excluding non-cash operating expenses of share-based payments, depreciation and amortization (interest and taxes are not included in the Company's operating expenses).Bookings Backlog Snipp defines Bookings Backlog as future revenue from existing customer contracts to be recognized in future quarters. Bookings get translated into revenues based on IFRS principles and the Bookings Backlog reflects how revenues in future quarters are steadily being booked today.The Following are calculations of EBITDA:Three Three Six SixMonths Ended Months Ended Months Ended Months EndedJune 30, 2023 June 30, 2022 June 30, 2023 June 30, 2022 USD USD USD USD Net loss before interest, foreign exchange and taxes(1,288,199 ) (503,554 ) (2,814,699 ) (471,063 ) Amortization of intangibles272,700 275,361 540,008 550,254Depreciation of equipment2,763 2,280 5,325 4,468Share-based payments139,184 345,320 296,037 351,991 EBITDA(873,552 ) 119,407 (1,973,329 ) 435,650 About Snipp: Snipp Interactive Inc. (TSXV:SPN);(OTC PINK:SNIPF) is a leading Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) company in the global loyalty and promotions sector. Snipp's proprietary and modular SnippCARE (Customer Acquisition, Retention & Engagement) Platform allows its marquee list of Fortune 500 clients and world-class agencies and partners to use various modules of the Platform to run long-term and short-term programs and promotions, while continually generating and capturing unique zero party data that is invaluable in providing insights to drive sales. SnippCHECK, the Platform's Receipt Processing Module has established itself as an industry leader and standard by powering a large majority of all receipt-based promotions in North America. SnippLOYALTY, the Platform's full scale modular loyalty engine allows clients the flexibility of deploying any/all aspects of a standard loyalty program on a case-by-case basis. SnippREWARDS, the Platform's modular catalogue of digital and physical rewards provides clients with global and easily deployable access to an extensive catalogue of digital and physical rewards. SnippWIN, the Platform's gaming module solves for the implementation and compliance difficulties of offering games of chance and skill on a global basis and allows for the global deployment and administration of legally compliant games of chance and skill. For more information, visit Snipp's website at www.snipp.com and its profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca Snipp is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada with a presence across the United States, Canada, Ireland, Europe, and India. Snipp is publicly listed on the TSX Venture Exchange in Canada and is also quoted on the OTC Pink marketplace under the symbol SNIPF.FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Snipp Interactive Inc.Jaisun GarchaChief Financial Officer investors@ snipp.com 1-888-99-SNIPPCautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made. When used in this document, the words "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are subject to such risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from the statements made, including those factors discussed in filings made by us with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties, such as changes in demand for and price
The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) have announced a first-of-its-kind cross-over mega carnival at Sangotedo, Lagos State.

Cross Over is a longstanding tradition among Nigerian Christians on New Years Eve (31st December night), where people congregate in churches to express gratitude for the past year and entrust the upcoming year to divine guidance; it is often accompanied by prophetic messages.

In a departure from the norm, for the first time, PFN say it will collectively observe the Cross-over this year as a unified body, moving away from individual church celebrations.

Ralphel Olatoyin, the PFN chairman for the Sangotedo chapter, announced the event during a press conference in Victoria Island, revealing that it will take place at the Echo Event Centre in Sangotedo, Lagos State.

He said, In the previous years, we have been holding various programmes, but this year, it dawned on me as a chairman that we need to do it in another dimension. Before our cross-over nights, everybody will do it in their churches, but this year, we have decided to do it together as a body of Christ.

With the present situation of Nigeria, the current hardship, we decided to come together as a body and commit the coming year to the hands of the Almighty God.

The event, titled A Big Night of Miracles and Gifts of Money, will be hosted by Nigerian pastor Sign Fireman, also sponsoring the programme.

Mr Olatoyin disclosed that Sign Fireman will be distributing N5000 to early attendees and N1000 to others present at the event.

When asked about the decision to collaborate with the cleric, Mr Olatoyin said the pastors unique grace and his ministrys impact were determinants.

He said, Truly all of us we are called. I have been in the ministry for 35 years as a full-time pastor, and I have pastored various churches in almost 14 denominations, so with my experience in the ministry, we cannot just bring in anybody anyhow; we needed someone who carries the grace, that we too can tap grace from the person, and that is Sign Fire.

I have been following Fireman ministry, and I am convinced that If this man of God would come to the programme, not only the congregations would be blessed, but we ministers, our lives will never remain the same. The grace of God is upon him, and his ministry and calling are unique from other men of God. The way God is using him is mysterious.

Mr Olatoyin also called on the PFN chairman of Lagos State, Enyinnaya Okwuonu, to organise a similar programme uniting Christians state-wide.

He said, We are one body; I dont know why we behave like people with another heaven somewhere else; we are all going to the same heaven. If we all can come together like this at the end of the year and commit the coming year to him, God will show himself strong.

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With the demise early Wednesday of former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali NaAbba, Nigeria has lost an advocate of democracy, independence of the legislature and strong institutions.

Mr NaAbba died in Abuja after a protracted illness. He was 65 years old.

The late speaker was buried in Kano, his home city, later that day. The burial was witnessed by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, governors and other prominent persons.

Mr NaAbba was born to the family of Umar NaAbba in the Tudun Wada area of Kano city. He attended the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, graduating in political science in 1979.

While at ABU, he was elected an executive committee member of the institutions chapter of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) founded by his kinsman, Aminu Kano.

At the advent of the Fourth Republic in 1999, he joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and was elected into the House of Representatives to represent Kano Municipal Federal Constituency.

He was soon named the chairman of the appropriation committee of the House by the then speaker, Salisu Buhari, also from Kano.

But shortly after, he became the speaker following Mr Buharis resignation due to age falsification and certificate forgery.

While he was speaker between July 1999 and June 2003, Mr NaAbbas quest for the independence of the legislature came to the fore. But some are wont to argue that it was merely a survival strategy for the belligerent speaker.

Nevertheless, soon after he assumed office as Nigerias fourth citizen, the speaker did not leave the countrys democratic watchers and the executive arm led by President Olusegun Obasanjo in doubt that he wanted the legislature treated as an independent arm of government.

With another defender of democracy, Chuba Okadigbo, at the helm of affairs at the Senate from November 1999, Mr NaAbba, a firm believer in Montesquieus theory of Separation of Power, put his foot down and resisted executive interference in the affairs of the legislature as obtained under his predecessor.

Battles with Obasanjo

The speakers running battle with Mr Obasanjo reportedly began when he noticed the presidents desire to pardon the sacked Mr Buhari.

According to reports, Mr NaAbba, who was thrown up by the forces that supported and sustained Mr Buhari, feared that if pardoned, the disgraced former speaker might return to the House as the presiding officer with the assistance of the executive arm. That for him could spell doom because at the time, the PDP, led by Solomon Lar, had cleared Mr Buhari.

This is however contestable as some events later proved otherwise. For instance, there were reports that Mr NaAbba patronised his predecessor with a contract for the supply of computers and accessories worth N50 million.

The allegation and some others prompted a group within the House led by Cajethan Dike, a lawmaker from Imo State, to root for his impeachment in December of 1999.

What is certain is that not long after, it emerged that Messrs NaAbba and Obasanjo, despite belonging to the same party, could not work together.

With granite support from his deputy, Chibudom Nwuche, from Rivers State, the speaker floated a Kitchen Cabinet which helped him to confront Mr Obasanjo whom he never saw eye to eye for the rest of his tenure that was characterised by executive-legislative face-off.

Notable members of this cabinet included the current Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, also from Kano, who was then the appropriation committee chairman; Farouk Lawan, also from Kano, who was heading the information committee; house leader Mohammed Wakil from Borno, Mohammed Kumalia, the ANPP leader, also from Borno, and Ehiogie West-Idahosa, from Edo State, who headed the power and petroleum resources committee.

In just four months of assumption of office, the once harmless politician from Kano had become so powerful that he could confront an executive arm led by a retired general, effortlessly.

Backed by this impregnable power base to which he appeared to be answerable only, Mr NaAbba was not only able to stave off several impeachment moves by the pro-executive elements in the lower legislative chamber but also took on Mr Obasanjo repeatedly.

That earned him the sobriquet The Lion while his deputy, Mr Nwuche, was nicknamed The Tiger.

The cabinet was strategic in its operation and use of power. Once it got wind of any opposition, it would meet, take a decision and come to the hallowed chamber to play out the script.

Apart from offering assistance to needy members of the 360-member House, one major weapon Mr NaAbba deployed was the frequent reshuffling of the headship of the standing committees.

Once he doubted the loyalty of any lawmaker, he went after them. For the speaker, once you were not for him, you were undoubtedly against him.

For instance, on 22 October 2002, a group, comprising some pro-executive lawmakers, hatched a plot to impeach him. The group was led by Mr West-Idahosa, from Edo State.

On that day, the lawmakers had gathered on the floor of the House waiting to commence the business of the day but neither Mr NaAbba nor his deputy was available to kick off the proceedings. The lawmakers waited for hours on end.

Aware of the plot, the speaker did not convene the sitting until at about 4.30 p.m. by which time the lawmakers were already impatient and angry.

About 20 minutes into the plenary, Mr NaAbba wielded the stick. He announced the ouster of Mr West-Idahosa as petroleum resources committee chairman.

Also fired were Willie Ogbeide (Health), Jerry Ugokwe (Housing), Sanusi Daggash (Finance) and Lumumba Adey (House Services). The speaker also announced their replacements.

Expectedly, there were reactions based on the sides lawmakers belonged to. The session almost became rowdy. The Kano politician survived the plot.

Earlier in December 2000, the leadership of the House had accused Mr Obasanjo, his deputy Atiku Abubakar, and the then Rivers governor, Peter Odili, of offering bribes to some lawmakers to remove the speaker and some principal officers.

They were alleged to have given each lawmaker involved N4 million. The presidency denied the allegation.

In the main, the crisis that stemmed from the allegation almost aborted the presidents plan to present the 2001 budget to a joint session of NASS.

Mr Obasanjo was concerned that he could be harassed by Mr NaAbbas loyalists during the session. He was however assured at a peace meeting convened by the PDP leadership that nothing would happen. He then changed his mind and went ahead to present the budget.

Impeachment plot against Obasanjo

But the undaunted speaker was not done. In 2002, Mr NaAbba, who had now consolidated power, and his supporters moved against Mr Obasanjo. It was at a time when the frosty legislative-executive relationship had not only become commonplace but also intense.

In a motion on 13 August that year, the House gave the president two weeks to either resign or face impeachment.

Some of the 17 impeachment offences brought against Mr Obasanjo were that he failed to implement budgets passed in the previous three years and that the military invaded Odi in Bayelsa State and Zaki Biam in Benue State without the consent of the National Assembly.

Mr Obasanjo, who was preparing to seek re-election, however, defied the motion, describing the move as a joke taken too far. But he was mistaken.

On 27 August, the Senate, also dominated by the PDP, and now headed by Pius Anyim, also an advocate of the independence of the legislature, threw its weight behind the impeachment plot.

There was tension in the land. So concerned were some prominent Nigerians that they had to wade in. Among them were former Nigerian leaders, Shehu Shagari and Yakubu Gowon, who pleaded with the lawmakers to allow peace to reign. The matter eventually died down.

We have succeeded in changing him substantially as the president is now afraid of violating the law, the lionised NaAbba triumphantly said a few months after.

Despite the frictions, the speaker led the 4th House to pass 102 bills out of 314 introduced into it.

Payback time

Without a doubt, under the leadership of Mr NaAbba, the House assumed a greater level of vibrancy. The only snag was that he and Mr Anyim appeared to be running the legislature as if they were members of the opposition.

But the payback time soon came in the build-up to the 2003 polls. Mr Anyim had chosen the path of temporary retirement from politics.

On his part, Mr NaAbba was interested in returning to the lower chamber. But the then-ruling PDP, with Mr Obasanjo as leader, ambushed the speaker.

He won the party primary, thanks to the last-minute withdrawal of his main rival, a son of former Head of State, Murtala Muhammed.

It was speculated that the young Muhammed was propped up to run against Mr NaAbba by Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso and the presidency where he (Muhammed) was working at the time.

But only six days before the election, the party suspended the speaker, apparently to disorganise him. The Kano PDP chairman, Yusuf Kutama. alleged that he was campaigning for the Peoples Salvation Party (PSP) governorship candidate, Umar Hassan, and the ANPP presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari. Both Mr Kwankwaso and Audu Ogbeh, the partys national chairman at the time, gave their nod.

But the reason was clear. The speaker had sympathy for another faction of the party, which supported a former governor of the state, Abubakar Rimi, who ran against Mr Obasanjo in the presidential primary.

Expectedly, the lion could not roar in the main election as he was trounced by the candidate of the defunct ANPP, Umar El-Yakubu.

The speaker cried foul for the woeful outing. My opponent in the election was not the ANPP candidate, he was just a beneficiary. My real opponents were the government and the PDP, he said.

The whole process was staged-managed against me to achieve a predetermined end. It does not reflect the wishes of the people. I am not desperate for power. Politics is about service and I think I have done my best. Only God can give power.

If anything, Mr NaAbba had been mortally wounded politically. He did not rise again in that vocation. Repeated attempts to do so failed. There was no love lost between Mr NaAbba and the PDP. Mr Obasanjo, his arch-political enemy, had been re-elected as president though Mr Kwankwaso failed in his bid for a second term as Kano governor.

In 2006, Mr NaAbba, now out of office, joined the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) but could not also advance his political vocation. He returned to the PDP but in 2014 he left for the newly formed All Progressives Congress (APC).

Since then he appeared not to have survived in the political mainstream. In his later years, Mr NaAbba tried to join some political groupings vaunting a desire to reposition Nigeria.

In 2021, alongside Pat Utomi, a known opposition figure, and other like-minds, the once powerful speaker floated the National Consultation Front (NCF), a citizen-led mass political movement to mobilise Nigerians towards the emergence of a credible alternative. The group could hardly fly.

Despite these setbacks in the latter times, Mr NaAbba paid his dues as an exemplary politician who wanted the current democratic experimentation and parliamentary independence enhanced and sustained. Prominent Nigerians, including President Bola Tinubu, have attested to this in their tributes to the Kano politician, who bowed to the inevitable end of humans 20 years after he left office.

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The Senate on Saturday passed the 2024 budget with an increase of about N1.2 trillion.

It increased the budget from N27.5 trillion presented by President Bola Tinubu in November to N28. 7 trillion.

The upper legislative chamber also pegged the benchmark of oil price at $77.96 per barrel of crude oil to reflect the current market values of the product in the international market.

The federal lawmakers approved the oil production rate of 1.78 million barrels per day and the exchange rate of N800 to a US dollar.

The GDP growth rate was pegged at 3.88 per cent and the budget deficit was approved at N9.18 trillion.

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the passage of the budget after the majority of the lawmakers supported it through a voice vote.

The budget was passed after considering a report presented by Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Adeola Olamilekan (APC, Ogun West).

Mr Olamilekan, while presenting the report, recommended that N1.7 trillion be approved for Statutory Transfers and N8 2 trillion be approved for Debt service.

The committee chairman also recommended that N8.7 trillion be approved as recurrent (non-debt) expenditure and N9.9 trillion be approved as capital expenditure.

The lawmaker explained that the increase in the appropriation was as a result of a request for additional funding of items which were not listed in the Appropriation Bill as submitted by President Tinubu.

He said the joint National Assembly Committee on Appropriation observed inadequate funding in the budgetary allocation of some Ministeries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the federal government

Breakdown

The breakdown of budget as approved by the Senate is as follows;

Aggregate Expenditure -N28,777,404,073,861

Statutory Transfers -N1,742,786,788,150

Recurrent Expenditure  N8,768,513,380,852

Capital Expenditure  N9,995,143,298,028

GDP  3.88 %

After presenting the report, the Senate dissolved into the Committee of Supply, which considered and passed the budget.

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The National Assembly on Saturday passed the 2024 budget with an increase of about N1.2 trillion.

Both the Senate and the House increased the budget from N27.5 trillion presented by President Bola Tinubu in November to N28. 7 trillion.

They also pegged the benchmark of oil price at $77.96 per barrel of crude oil to reflect the current market values of the product in the international market.

The federal lawmakers approved the oil production rate of 1.78 million barrels per day and the exchange rate of N800 to a US dollar.

The GDP growth rate was pegged at 3.88 per cent and the budget deficit was approved at N9.18 trillion.

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the passage of the budget after the majority of the lawmakers supported it through a voice vote.

The budget was passed after considering a report presented by Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Adeola Olamilekan (APC, Ogun West).

The Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, Abubakar Bichi (APC Kano), presented the report at the lower chamber.

Mr Olamilekan, while presenting the report, recommended that N1.7 trillion be approved for Statutory Transfers and N8 2 trillion be approved for Debt service.

The committee chairman also recommended that N8.7 trillion be approved as recurrent (non-debt) expenditure and N9.9 trillion be approved as capital expenditure.

The lawmaker explained that the increase in the appropriation was as a result of a request for additional funding of items which were not listed in the Appropriation Bill as submitted by President Tinubu.

READ ALSO: Senate passes 2024 budget

He said the joint National Assembly Committee on Appropriation observed inadequate funding in the budgetary allocations of some Ministeries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the federal government

Breakdown

The breakdown of budget as approved by the National Assembly is as follows;

Aggregate Expenditure -N28,777,404,073,861

Statutory Transfers -N1,742,786,788,150

Recurrent Expenditure  N8,768,513,380,852

Capital Expenditure  N9,995,143,298,028

GDP  3.88 %

After receiving the reports, both chambers dissolved into the Committee of Supply, which considered and passed the budget.

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The Nigerian government has allocated the sum of N1.2 billion of the 2024 proposed budget for the purchase of office buildings for the newly created National Agricultural Development Fund.

The government also allocated the sum of N70 million for the purchase of office furniture, partitioning and fittings for the agency.

Of a total of N102.5 billion allocated to the agency in the budget, N27.5 million is earmarked for its office rent while N450 million is budgeted for the purchase of operational vehicles for the agency.

Also, N10 million is budgeted for maintenance of office building/ residential quarters of the agency.

President Bola Tinubu, on 29 late November, presented the N27.5 trillion 2024 budget to the National Assembly for approval.

It passed second reading at the House of Representatives on 1 December after extensive two-day debate.

National Agricultural Development Fund

The National Agricultural Development Fund is a federal agency dedicated to empowering and revolutionising the Nigerian agricultural sector.

Established under the National Agricultural Development Fund (Establishment) Act, 2022, the fund has a mandate to provide financial support for agricultural development in Nigeria, ensuring food production, food security, and sustainable agricultural practices in the country.

The National Assembly, on 27 July 2022, passed the bill setting up the agency, which was signed into law by former President Muhammadu Buhari in November of that year.

Allocations

For the N1.2 billion, the number of the buildings to be purchased by the NADF was not indicated in the budget.

Also, the N70 million for the purchase of office furniture, partitioning and fittings for the agency appears inflated given that other agencies got far lower sums for the same purpose in the budget.

The Institute of Agricultural Research Zaria, for instance, got N7.5 million in the budget while the sum of N5 million was earmarked for the National Institute for Oil Palm Research, Benin for the same purpose.

For the N450 million, the type and number of the operational vehicles to be purchased for the agency were not specified.

Officials of many federal government agencies usually use Toyota Hilux pickup trucks as their operational vehicles.

Checks by PREMIUM TIMES showed that the cost of a brand new Toyota Hilux pickup truck in Nigeria, as of December 2023, ranges between N24 and N25 million, depending on the model and distributor.

The sum of N450 million, by the above calculation, can purchase about 18 Toyota Hilux pickup trucks for the agency.

But government agencies may not need such a large number of vehicles to operate.

Similarly, the allocation of N10 million for maintenance of office building/ residential quarters of the agency appears strange given that the office building was yet to be purchased.

Group kicks

Meanwhile, ActionAid Nigeria, an anti-poverty agency, has condemned the allocations of N1.2 billion for the purchase of office buildings for the National Agricultural Development Fund and N70 million for the purchase of the agencys office furniture, partitioning and fittings in the 2024 budget.

Azubuike Nwokoye, programme manager, Food and Agriculture in the ActionAid, who stated this on Wednesday, also described the allocation of N10 million for maintenance of office building/ residential quarters of the agency as worrisome, according to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria.

Mr Nwokoye stressed that should a new building and furniture be provided in year one, maintenance should not be required given that these were fixed assets that required no maintenance in one to three years.

Speaking on the allocation of N450 million for the purchase of operational vehicles, the programme manager queried the kind of vehicles and the number required for the agency.

This is not necessary. A brand new operational staff bus costs about N30 to N50 million and the fund cannot use more than three of such buses aside from very few executive cars, he said.

In the 2024 budget, a total of N102.5 billion was allocated to the National Agricultural Development Fund out of the total agriculture sector budget of N362 billion.

This is 28 per cent of the overall sector budget for agricultural financing. Of the total N102. 5 billion of NADF, N150 million or 0.1 per cent is for personnel salary, N350 million overhead (0.1 per cent) and N102 billion capital expenditure (99.5 per cent), Mr Nwokoye stated.

The programme manager suggested that N100 billion allocation for capital expenditure for agency should be targeted towards achieving the commitments of the presidents state of emergency on the food security situation in the country.

He said the fund should focus on extension services, access to credit, women and youth in agriculture, appropriate labour-saving technologies and inputs.

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The Governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf, on Friday, flagged off the construction of two flyovers worth over N 27 billion in the metropolis.

The flyovers, located at Kofar Danagundi on the BUK road and Taludu junction, are being financed by the state and local government joint accounts because that has been a tradition in the state, Mr Yusuf said in an apparent response to the controversy over the use of local government funds for the projects.

It has been the tradition from my predecessors to finance such gigantic projects through the joint- account managed by the state and local governments, the governor said at the ceremony, according to a statement by his spokesperson, Sanusi Bature.

An internal memo earlier revealed how one of the flyovers at the Danagundi junction will cost about N16 billion. The payment is to be shared in a 30/70 ratio between the state and the 44 local governments.

The memo dated 18 December, from the office of the Accountant General, directed the Commissioner for Local Government, who is the states Deputy Governor, Aminu Abdulsalam, to release about N16 billion for the construction of the Danagundi flyover.

Your Excellency kind indulgence is hereby invited to note that, at its sitting held on 29 November 2023, the Executive Council has approved the award of contract to Messrs CGC Nigeria Limited at the figure of N15,974,203.99 to be paid finance by the state and local government joint arrangement at the ratio of 30 per cent and 70 per cent respectively.

Accordingly, the Executive Council has directed the Ministry of Finance to release advance payment to the tune of N6,389,742,881.59 under a genuine Advance Payment Guarantee (APG) from a reputable Bank to enable quick mobilisation of the contractor.

The state government is paying over N1.9 billion for the advance payment while the local government councils will pay over N4.4 for the advance payment to the contractor, the memo stated.

The flyover at the Taludu Junction will cost over N11 billion making a total of over N27 billion for the two projects.

Commencement ceremony

Mr Bature said the Danagundi project is a three-layer interchange bridge, while the one at Taludu junction is a cloverleaf overpass bridge.

The projects were initiated to reduce traffic congestion, ease travel, beautify the city, control pollution, and develop infrastructure, the statement said.

Kano as a mega city deserves massive infrastructural transformation to cater for the needs of the over ten million urban dwellers and improve the socio-economic well-being of residents of the city.

The governor called on the contractor handling the project to ensure timely completion, adhere to the contract provisions, and use quality materials as the government wouldnt condone sub-standard work, Mr Bature said.

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The First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has condoled with Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, the widow of the late Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, over her husbands death.

Mr Tinubu, who was at the Ibadan residence of the Akeredolus noted that the late governor fought gallantly to stay alive but every human existence is subject to the will of God.

She noted that the nation has lost one of its great men.

He did his best. God will be there for you, when God shows up for you, that is what really matters, Mrs Tinubu said.

The first lady admonished the widow and the family to take solace in God and trust in him alone at this trying time.

She prayed God to continue to uphold the family.

Responding on behalf of the family, Oluwole Akeredolu, a professor, said the exit of his brother, is a painful one at this time but that the family is consoled by the fact that he has gone to rest.

He thanked Mrs Tinunu and her entourage for the condolence visit which he described as a great honour.

The first lady was accompanied by the wife of the Vice President, Nana Shetima, wives of members of the National Assembly, wives of the governors of Lagos and Ogun, wife of the APC national chairman and others.

SIGNED

Busola Kukoyi

SA Media to the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

29th December 2023

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The head of Nigerias electoral commission, INEC, Mahmoud Yakubu, has emphasised the need for collaboration among electoral commissions in West African countries.

Mr Yakubu spoke at the weekend in Liberia where he was honoured by Liberias National Elections Commission (NEC), according to a statement by Mr Yakubus Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi.

The statement said Mr Yakubu was in Liberia at the invitation of NEC chairperson, Davidetta Lansanah, to officiate the countrys commissions dedication of a workspace for its staff.

NEC also extended an honourary tribute to Mr Yakubu at the event.

Speaking at the forum, the INEC chair underscored the complexity of election management and urged electoral commissions to prioritise peer support amid limited resources and escalating election costs.

Reflecting on past collaborations, Mr Yakubu highlighted the joint efforts of IT experts from INEC and NEC-Liberia in addressing stakeholders concerns regarding the voters register during Liberias 2017 Presidential election.

He also highlighted INECs technical support ahead of subsequent special elections, the 2020 referendum facilitated by ECOWAS, and the implementation of the biometric register in the recent general election.

Mr Yakubu expressed heartfelt appreciation to NEC for the esteemed honour bestowed upon INEC Nigeria in dedicating the workspace to staff.

He emphasised the value of the resource in enhancing the operational capabilities of staff, particularly through Information and Technology (IT) facilities.

Earlier, Ms Lansanah acknowledged the pivotal technical support rendered by INEC and Mr Yakubu in establishing the workspace and bolstering the electoral process in Liberia.

She expressed gratitude for what she described as the indispensable contributions made by Prof. Yakubu and INEC Nigeria in sustaining Liberias democratic journey.

Speaking on Mr Yakubus role as President of the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC), Ms Lansana highlighted his advocacy for resource-sharing among regional Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs).

She commended his efforts, resulting in Liberias election as the First Vice President of ECONEC in 2021.

She thanked Prof Yakubu for his steadfast backing of NEC-Liberia in various regional endeavours, the statement said.

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The Defence Headquarters says the military eliminated no fewer than 6,880 terrorists and other criminals and apprehended 6,970 others from January till date.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Edward Buba, said this while giving an update on the operations of the military in 2023 on Friday in Abuja.

Mr Buba, a major-general, said the troops also rescued 4,488 kidnapped hostages as well as recovered 3,320 assorted weapons and 39,075 assorted ammunition during the year.

He added that troops recovered 100.3 million litres of crude oil, 60.3 million litres of kerosene, 3.4 million litres of diesel and 3.5 million litres of petrol within the year.

In the North-east, Mr Buba said, the troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised 1,759 terrorists, apprehended 953 suspects and rescued 826 hostages while 11,015 BH/ISWAP terrorists and their families surrendered.

According to him, 259 AK47 rifles, mine FN rifles, 681 assorted arms, 7,097 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 5,773 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 495,336 assorted ammunitions and 2,059 livestock were recovered.

In the North-west, he said, the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji killed 1,522 terrorists, apprehended 645 suspects and rescued 1,101 hostages.

Items recovered, according to him, are 53 AK47 rifles, 426 assorted arms, 2,342 rounds of 7.62mm special, 6,900 assorted ammunition and 5,084 livestock.

Mr Buba added that troops of Operation Whirl Punch in the North-west also neutralised 992 terrorists, apprehended 345 suspects and rescued 538 hostages during the year.

He said the troops also recovered 34 AK47 rifles, 346 assorted arms, 4,792 rounds of 7.62mm special, 5,127 assorted ammunition and 830 livestock.

Some of the features recorded by troops in the North Central in Operation Safe Haven are 2,094 terrorists neutralised, 2,316 arrested and 630 hostages rescued.

Items recovered are 78 AK47 rifles, 666 assorted arms, 4,772 rounds of 7.62mm special, 7357 assorted ammunitions and 4,734 livestock.

Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke neutralised 977 terrorists, arrested 722 and rescued 571 hostages during the year.

Items recovered were 45 AK47 rifles, 198 assorted arms, 952 rounds of 7.62mm special, 1,666 assorted ammunitions and 338 livestock, he said.

In the South-south, the defence spokesman said the troops of Operation Delta Safe neutralised 448 criminals, apprehended 1,090 oil thieves and other criminals and rescued 309 hostages.

Also, oil thieves were denied 100.3 million litres of crude oil, 60.3 million litres of AGO, 3.4 million litres of DPK and 3.5 million litres of PMS.

Additionally, troops recovered 321 assorted weapons and destroyed 1,016 wooden boats, 16 barges/vessels and destroyed 1,374 illegal refining sites, he added.

In the South-east, Mr Buba said, the troops of Operation UDO KA neutralised 464 terrorists, apprehended 907 suspects and rescued 518 hostages.

He added that the troops recovered 65 AK47 rifles, 150 pump action guns, 53 Dane guns, 85 pistols, 684 assorted arms, 1,082 rounds of 7.62mm special, 4,371 live cartridges, 5,825 assorted ammunition and 630 other equipment.

According to him, the security situation in the year 2023 has remained fluid, complex and dynamic with the threat morphing in form and scale.

ALSO READ: Military troops deactivate 68 illegal refining sites in Niger Delta

This unpredictable nature of the threat and the attendant demands for stability have continued to pose significant challenges for security forces.

Consequently, various forces have continued to evolve tactics, techniques and procedures to professionally respond to these threats.

The armed forces has been developing the desired enablers to overcome the countrys numerous threats.

Notably, the application of kinetic and non-kinetic efforts in collaboration with other Services and security agencies has continued to shape the operating environment, in which we are in a dominant position, he said. (NAN)

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After a record-breaking season of domination, it's hard to imagine that there's nothing for Red Bull to improve upon in 2024. But driver Max Verstappen and technical director Pierre Wache have already set their new objectives.

Red Bull won all but one race out of a total of 22 in 2023 with the RB19. The one fly in the ointment was Singapore, where mistakes adjusting their ride-height settings saw them out-performed by Ferrari's Carlos Sainz.

That race has helped the team identify its few remaining weaknesses, and they intend to do something about that before the start of the 2024 season in Bahrain in February: "It helps if we know what direction we are working in.

Mainly I think just street circuits and low-speed, kerbing," Verstappen told Motorsport.com in an exclusive interview. These kind of things I think we are not the best at, at the moment.

Speaking at this year's season finale Abu Dhabi, Wache confirmed Verstappens assessment but said Red Bull had to be careful not to compromise the car's existing formidable strengths in other areas in the process.

The team sees that same weakness, maybe in a different perspective than Max," he commented. "Its more or less summarised quite well where we have to work for next year.

Low-speed is clearly [one area for improvement]," he continued. "Ninety-degree corners we are not the best, as you could see in quali in Baku. Singapore also was not a fantastic one.

"Our capacity to ride the kerbs, and the bumpy tracks is also not perfect," he added. "We have to improve this area.

But in our system and in this business, you never have nothing for free," he cautioned. You can improve the overall potential of something, but most of the time it also affects some other aspect of the car.

"We have to be very careful not to destroy what we built in terms of strengths, so its what we are trying to do: improve our weaknesses without compromising too much the strengths we have.

Red Bull suffered a reduction in development and wind tunnel time this season as a result of exceeding F1's new budget cap during the 2021 season.

No team committed the same offence in the most recently scrutinised season so the restrictions on Red Bull will not be as great in 2024, but the dominance of its victory will mean it rivals will again have more development time.

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
No fewer than seven children from Bauchi State have been reunited with their parents by Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State on Friday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the police in Kano State busted an inter-state child abduction and trafficking syndicate and arrested nine suspects after months of tracking across seven states.

The investigation was initiated by the police command in Kano State following reports of missing children.

The state Commissioner of Police, Husseini Gumel, told journalists in Kano, the Kano State capital, that the syndicate had been operating for over 10 years, and allegedly specialised in inter-state trafficking, abduction, buying and selling of minors.

He said diligent investigation helped to dismantle the syndicate which has members in Kano, Bauchi, Gombe, Lagos, Delta, Anambra and Imo states.

Mr Yusuf, who was moved to tears of joy by the commendable efforts of the Kano State police command, expressed his appreciation for their work.

The governor, however, expressed dismay over the discovery of seven children abducted from Bauchi State and then trafficked and sold in Anambra and Lagos states.

Mr Yusuf urged parents to remain vigilant and attentive to the well-being of their children as a fundamental responsibility.

READ ALSO:

He also called on his Bauchi State counterpart to take decisive legal action against the arrested suspects.

Responding on behalf of other parents, Abdulmutallif Saad from Bauchi State, expressed their gratitude to Mr Yusuf and the Kano State police command for recovering their children and pledged to be more vigilant.

The nine suspects apprehended by the police command were brought alongside the children they stole from Bauchi State and intercepted at Mariri motor park in Kano while en route to Lagos and Anambra states.

Speaking on behalf of the Bauchi State Government, Shaawanatu Yusuf, the Director of Public Prosecution in the state Ministry of Justice, emphasised the unity of Kano and Bauchi states for greater good.

She assured that the Bauchi State government would take the necessary legal steps to ensure that the suspects were brought to justice and face the full consequences of the law.

Additionally, the Kano State governor donated N500,000 to each of the seven recovered children. (NAN)

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Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State on Friday signed into law the N199.8 billion states budget for the 2024 fiscal year.

Mr Sule, while assenting to the 2024 budget tagged, Budget of Renewed Commitment, appreciated the speaker and members of the state House of Assembly for ensuring due diligence in the passage of the budget.

The governor assured the people of the state that he would continue to implement the budget within the economic threshold, adding that government would adhere strictly to the budgetary provisions.

He urged the members of the state assembly to be committed to carrying out their oversight functions in order to address identified loopholes.

In his remarks, Danladi Jatau, the Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, reiterated the commitment of the legislature to support the governor to deliver on his people-oriented programmes.

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The speaker emphasised that the budget had passed through all the necessary legislative procedures.

Also speaking, the states Commissioner for Finance, Munirat Abdullahi, commended the legislature, particularly the budget committee for facilitating the expeditious passage of the budget by the Assembly.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the dignitaries present at the signing ceremony were the Deputy Governor, Emmanuel Akabe, Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Mr Jatau, Principal Officers and members of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly.

Also in attendance include the State Chief Judge, Aisha Bashir, the Emir of Lafia, Sidi Bage Muhammad, and the State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Aliyu Bello.

(NAN)

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The Bishop of Sokoto Diocese of the Catholic Church, Matthew Kukah, has warned President Bola Tinubu that Nigerians are losing trust in the government to secure them and there is a need to reset Nigerias security architecture to prevent further killings by terrorists and armed groups in the country.

Mr Kukah said this in a Saturday statement in response to the Christmas Eve attacks that left more than 100 people dead across three local government areas (LGAs) of Plateau State.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the attacks took place in communities in Mangu, Bokkos and Barkin Ladi LGAs. The attackers also set ablaze more than 200 houses, according to the Plateau State Police Command.

In a statement on Saturday, Mr Kukah said the insecurity across the country is tantamount to Nigeria being at war. He said the killers have turned the security agencies into objects of mockery and turned Nigerians into mere weeping, helpless victims and spectators.

He noted that funerals and coffins from attacks like the recent Plateau attack are now part of the daily lives of Nigerians.

The cleric, therefore, called on President Bola Tinubu to review the security arrangement of the country and implement permanent solutions to end these attacks.

President Tinubu must know that the legitimacy of his government hangs on resolving this and giving us our country back, Mr Kukah stated.

He said years of military involvement have led to the mistaken notion that issues of security are military, adding that years of guns and bullets approach have seen the growth of corruption, lack of cohesion, collaboration and coordination, and infighting among the security agencies.

There is an urgent need to re-set the national Security architecture. Enough is enough, he said.

National security is a function of robust, deep intellectual analysis and mapping of the goals and even ambitions of a country, its local, regional or global place in the world.

It thrives on creating scenarios based on a proper understanding and reading of geo-politics and locating where a country wants to be. So far, we have thrived on ad hoc and arbitrary options.

Mr Kukah, who asked the intelligence community to identify the attackers, their sponsors and motives, noted that these killings are no longer acts by herders and farmers over grazing fields.

He said: There is more and we as a nation will do well to face this threat before it is sunset. No evil lasts forever. The world defeated Slavery, Apartheid, Nazism, Racism, and forms of extremism.

It is the task of the Intelligence community to tell us who they are, where they live and what their goals are. These killers are professionals and are they Nigerians or they have just Nigerian sponsors? Their sponsors are among us. They must be in high places. They are now embedded in the architecture of the state.

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Mr Kukah said Nigerians are gradually losing hope in the governments ability to protect and secure them.

He, however, commended the government for the way it responded to the tragedies, unlike before when no one bothered to visit the scenes, we are seeing very rapid responses from the top.

He said it was not sufficient as rebuilding these communities requires more than mere physical infrastructure.

He said there is a need for clearer, more imagined strategies for rebuilding community cohesion and resilience, adding that rebuilding the peoples hearts is more urgent than rebuilding houses.

Merely awarding contracts for building of houses is not as important as building markets, rebuilding roads, providing agricultural inputs for farmers and so on, he said.

He noted that while religious leaders have continued to use their moral authority to pacify people and encourage them not to take laws into their own hands, there is a rise in anger and frustration among people.

He added that clerics even risk being seen as accomplices to an erring state as they continuously call for calm.

The Nigerian state itself risks becoming an undertaker in the eyes of its citizens, he said.

Our cups of sorrow are overflowing. We have cried enough tears. We may pretend that we are not at war, but truly, a war is being waged against the Nigerian state and its people. God forbid, but we could snap anytime, anywhere and for any reason.

Bishop Kukah said the attackers, whoever they are, have unspoken motives in the north-central part of the country.

According to him, the method, choice of location, communities and timings of the attacks further restate the attackers motive.

We may not know who they are, but someone wants something from the Middle Belt. Stretch your imagination from the emergence of the modern Nigerian state and connect the dots, he said.

We have questions crying for answers: Who are these killers? Where are they coming from? Who is sponsoring them? What are their grouses and against whom? What do they want? Whom do they want? Who are they working for? When will it all end? Why are they invincible and invisible? Who is offering them cover? Are we condemned to live with this and hand this broken nation to our children? Should we all just become inoculated and sedated to make all this bearable? Who will supply the opium to dull our pain? Are we sleepwalking to self-destruction?

The cleric lamented that the murderers have left their footprints of blood and tears across the length and breadth of the entire northern states, indiscriminately wreaking destruction across large swaths of land and communities.

He said Nigerians are gradually succumbing to the fact that the killers do not respect religion, region or ethnicity.

In all this, the Nigerian state and its security agencies are blind-sided, seemingly incapable of cleaning up this Augean stable of sorrow and pain in our land, he said.

We are gradually taking eerie solace in the fact that these killers do not respect the boundaries of religion, region or ethnicity. We seem to be consoled that they are destroying Churches as well as mosques, killing Christians as well as Muslims. We seem to be lulled into a feeling of collective consolation and we all believe that we are all victims of an endless orgy of violence that has taken over our land.

Qosim Suleiman is a reporter at Premium Times in partnership with Report for the World, which matches local newsrooms with talented emerging journalists to report on under-covered issues around the globe

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The government of South Africa on Friday instituted proceedings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against the State of Israel for committing genocidal acts in Gaza.

In the 84-page document submitted to the court, South Africa said, The acts and omissions by Israel  are genocidal in character because they are intended to bring about the destruction of a substantial part of the Palestinian national, racial and ethnical group, that being part of the Palestinian group in the Gaza Strip.

It noted that these acts are committed through Israeli State organs, state agents, and other persons and entities acting on its instructions concerning Palestinians in Gaza which violates its obligations under the Genocide Convention.

Both Israel and South Africa are state parties to the Genocide Convention of 1948. South Africa is under a treaty obligation to prevent genocide from occurring, the country said, hence the reason for instituting the proceeding.

In a separate statement signed by its Department of International Relation and Cooperation, the Southern African country said it is gravely concerned with the plight of civilians caught in the ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip due to the indiscriminate use of force and forcible removal of inhabitants.

Whereas it condemns violations of international law by all parties, including the direct targeting of Israeli civilians and other nationals and hostage-taking by Hamas, no armed attack on a States territory no matter how serious  even an attack involving atrocity crimes  can, however, provide any possible justification for, or defence to, breaches of the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, whether as a matter of law or morality.

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South Africa requested the ICJ, also known as World Court, to as a matter of extreme urgency, pending the Courts determination of this case on the merits, to ask Israel to immediately suspend its military operations in and against Gaza amongst other provisional measures outlined in the document.

Responding to South Africas application, Lior Haiat, spokesperson of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused South Africa of cooperating with a terrorist organisation that is calling for the destruction of the State of Israel.

Israel rejects with disgust the blood libel spread by South Africa in its application to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the press statement he shared on X said.

Mr Haiat said South Africas claim lacked both a factual and a legal basis and constituted a despicable and contemptuous exploitation of the Court.

According to him, Hamas is responsible for the suffering of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip by using them as human shields and stealing humanitarian aid from them.

Reiterating that Israel is committed to international law and acts by it, he called on the ICJ and the international community to completely reject South Africas baseless claims.

War in Gaza

The ongoing war in Gaza which has seen the death of over 20,000 people including journalists and aid workers started on 7 October after Hamas launched what has been described as the biggest attack against Israel in years.

After the 7 October attack, that led to the death of 1,200 Israelis, Israel promised to wipe out Hamas. This has led to a relentless attack on Gaza, killing thousands of people, the majority of them women and children, and displacing about 90 per cent of the over two million Gaza residents.

At least 150 UN staff have been killed in the ongoing war.

Several attempts at a ceasefire have failed. The closest parties have come is a humanitarian pause to allow for aid to reach civilian populations caught in the war.

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The Defence Headquaters, says troops intervened in 19 out of the 36 villages in Plateau State after receiving distress calls from villagers about attacks by militants on 24 December.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Edward Buba, a major-general, said on Friday in Abuja that the militants carried out simultaneous attacks on the villages from various fronts.

He said the intervention of the troops in Bokkos and Barkin Ladi Local Governement Areas forced some of the militants to withdraw after wrecking havoc on the defenceless villagers.

Sadly, events turned gloomy with the attack on Bokkos LGA and some part of Barkin Ladi LGA on 23 December.

It should be noted that, Bokkos and Barkin Ladi LGAs span about 2,315 square kilometres with over 350 villages, mostly dispersed.

The distance between some of these villages and troops locations is over 90 kilometres and sometimes difficult to access because of the rugged terrain which are mostly inaccessible to vehicles.

Thus, affecting the reaction time to incidents, except when there is credible intelligence before the attack.

Mr Buba said over 100 marauding armed militant herders suspected to be mercenaries, carried out the series of unprovoked attacks from multiple fronts on Kambarpeli village in Bokkos while the locals were asleep.

The militants unleashed mayhem on the villagers before arrival of troops to the location, he added.

Mr Buba said the troops received a total of 36 distress calls from diverse locations simultaneously on 24 December at about 1900 hours.

He said the distress calls reported series of coordinated attacks by armed militant herders on isolated villages in the two local government areas.

READ ALSO:

Troops responded to the calls and were able to intervene in 19 villages forcing the militants to withdraw.

Unfortunately, the havoc had been committed before troops arrived the other villages, he added.

According to him, the troops had in the second half of the year initiated kinetic and non-kinetic operations which significantly curtailed attacks between farmers and herders in the state.

Until the recent killings in Plateau State during the Christmas, the highlighted measures visibly contributed to the relative peace in Plateau, as well as the adjoining areas in Bauchi, Taraba and Kaduna States.

Similarly, the activities of Operation Whirl Stroke significantly checkmated armed banditry, kidnapping and other crimes in Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba states, he added.

Mr Buba assured that the military had taken necessary measures to overcome all identified challenges and ensure that such tragic occurrences were avoided in the future.

(NAN)

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The Bayelsa State Government has invited parents of a four-year-old girl and the 54-year-old man allegedly involved in a purported marriage in Akeddei community in Sagbama Local Government Area of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governments intervention is coming on the heels of media reports of a 2 December marriage between the child and the man.

The governments reaction is contained in a statement provided to NAN in Yenagoa, the state capital on Saturday.

The statement is jointly signed by Dise Ogbise-Goddy, chairperson, Gender Response Initiative Team, Bayelsa State, and Paniebi Jacob, director, Child Development in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Children and Social Development.

The state government frowned on the illegal marriage which is based on tradition and customs, saying it was repugnant to natural justice, equity and good conscience.

The Ministry of Women, Children Affairs and Social Development and Gender Response Initiative Team, according to the statement, acknowledged the receipt of a formal complaint from a child rights advocacy group, DO Foundation, on the controversial marriage.

Jacob, Ogbise-Goddy and the state Human Rights Commission, said the traditional ruler of Akeddei community honoured the governments invitation and promised to produce the child, her parents, the groom, the youth leader and the chairman of the Community Development Committee.

The statement noted that the Bayelsa State Government did not support child marriage under any guise.

That is why the state government did not hesitate to assent to the passage of the Bayelsa State Child Rights Law.

We are taking steps to rescue the child from all the key actors in relation to this illegal ceremony that they tagged a mere spiritual affair.

The law is clear on issues of tradition and customs that are repugnant to natural justice, equity and good conscience and working with the Bayelsa State Police Command, we shall ensure incidents like this do not occur in the state again.

On behalf of the governor of Bayelsa State, we express our gratitude to all the non-governmental organisations, including FIDA and DO Foundation that have risen to the rescue of this innocent child.

Bayelsa State is children-friendly and this case will be pursued to a logical conclusion.

NAN learnt that the alleged marriage involving the man, simply identified as Elder Akpos, was at the instance of the girls parents.

According to a source, the parents of the girl claim that the 54-year-old man was the girls husband in their previous life.

The girl, according to the community source, claimed that the man was her husband who died mysteriously in their previous life.

The girl was said to have narrated how she had been moving over the years from place to place, to be given birth to by different parents, searching for her former husband.

The source said: The little bride said if she was not allowed to marry her husband, she would have no other business in the Akeddei community, and that she was going to die peacefully and go her way.

In order to avoid losing the girl to death, the people of Akeddei decided to organise a glamorous wedding ceremony to mark the union of the two previous life lovers.

(NAN)

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A documentary photographer, Etinosa Yvonne, in November, deployed a photo exhibition Its All in My Head to push for a collective action in Nigeria against the persistence of torture and killings of women and children accused of being witches in Africas most populous nation.

Witch killing is rampant in Nigerias southern states of Cross River and Akwa Ibom, despite the existence of laws to check it.

The government and law enforcement agencies appeared to look the other way in most of the cases, therefore making the perpetrators to get away with torture and murder while the victims, typically from poor and vulnerable families, hardly get justice.

Most of Akwa Ibom street children, for instance, are victims of witchcraft accusations  accused by pastors, rejected by parents or guardians, and abandoned by the government.

Its All in My Head

The Its All in My Head exhibition, done in collaboration with a non-profit organisation, Basic Rights Counsel Initiative, captured the scars, pain, struggles, and cries of some of the survivors.

There were touching photos on the walls of the exhibition room, showing scars on survivors bodies. The survivors handwritten remarks about the scars were framed and also displayed in the room.

When I look at the scar on my leg I pray that God forgives my father for giving me the scar, said a survivor, Ukeme Inyang, in his framed comment.

A monologue, put together by Eshiet James, the head of department of theatre arts, Igbinedion University, Okada, depicted the suffering of women who are branded witches and ostracised by their community.

The exhibition ran for about a week at the National Museum, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. It was first staged in Calabar, Cross River State.

Traumatised generation

Ms Yvonne said she wanted to use the exhibition to bring to the fore how witchcraft accusation and torture affect survivors mental health.

We are raising a generation of people who are so traumatised, she said in Uyo.

I met with a child who told me how his father tied his hands and wanted to throw him into a river, and he kept shouting daddy, I am not a witch. The father looked at him, cut the rope and threw him away.

Witchcraft accusation has been a global thing but how come in the 21st century people are still being set ablaze? she added.

At the Calabar exhibition, James Ibor, a lawyer and principal counsel at the Basic Rights Counsel Initiative, said 11 people were murdered in Cross River in August 2022 after they were accused of being witches.

What is this witchcraft about? Who is a witch? Who can tell us who a witch is? Some of the people society have called witches have become graduates and productive citizens of this country, Mr Ibor said.

He talked about a boy, David, who was branded a witch and abandoned to the streets in Cross River until he was rescued and sponsored through school up to the university level where he graduated in mechanical engineering.

A religious leader, Pastor Sam He is not here. He was also, early this year, branded a witch in Akpabuyo. They were mobilising to set him ablaze when we rescued him. He is in-charge of a church in Akpabuyo.

We are all vulnerable, Mr Ibor said. The fact that you are safe today, doesnt mean youll be safe tomorrow.

Those signs we claim are evidence of witchcraft are things that can be explained scientifically, he added.

By those signs, Mr Ibor was apparently referring to happenings  like death, illness, road accident, job loss, and miscarriage in pregnancy  that could trigger witchcraft accusations.

Eighty-year-old woman tortured to death

A woman narrated to the visitors to the Calabar exhibition how her 80-year-old mother was branded a witch and tortured to death in 2022 in Cross River.

The slain woman, a Catholic, was returning home from church where she had gone for a fasting and prayer programme when some youths intercepted her, blindfolded and tied up her hands and legs, and tortured her till she died, the daughter said.

They collected her bible and burnt it They struck her head with a machete, and blood gushed out. Thats my beloved mom! she said, sobbing.

Mr Ibor told PREMIUM TIMES that the killers were yet to be brought to justice, even though they are known by the community leaders and the police.

A shrine was mounted at the exhibition in Uyo and Calabar in remembrance of slain victims of witchcraft accusation.

Among the shocking cases is that of a married woman, Martina Itagbor, who was burnt to death around June by a mob in Akampa Local Government Area of Cross River after she was unjustifiably accused of using witchcraft to cause a road accident which had claimed two lives.

Ideba Edu Ele, a social worker and founder of a non-profit organisation, Bonnicare Foundation, in Cross River State, was among those who signed the register that was kept on the shrine.

PREMIUM TIMES asked her how she felt when she was signing the register.

I worked with Basic Rights Counsel Initiative and also on a few of the stories during my time with them so it was a familiar ground for me, she responded.

It was infuriating to note that they were yet to get justice since I left.

The perpetrators are not only being protected by the community, the security agencies are not even going after them to begin with, she added.

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The Senate has summoned the Chief of Army Staff, Taoreed Lagbaja, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Director-General of State Security Services (SSS), Yusuf Bichi, over the recent killings in Plateau State.

The summons was sequel to a motion sponsored by Diket Plang (APC, Plateau Central) at the plenary on Saturday.

Armed men killed scores when they invaded several communities in Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State on Christmas Eve.

The Vice President, Kashim Shettima, visited the communities on Wednesday to condole with the people and the state government over the attacks

The Nigerian Army said its operatives had identified all the challenges resulting to killings in the state, assuring that the military will take necessary measures to overcome all the identified challenges.

While moving the motion, Mr Plang, who represents Plateau Central, said 195 persons have been confirmed dead in the attacks while many others sustained varying degrees of injury.

He said that Plateau State was known as the home of peace but bandits have constantly made it lose its peaceful coexistence.

He stated that the attacks were well coordinated.

The senator explained that most of the crises affecting the state were caused by cattle rustlers and Illegal miners.

Mr Plang called for the use of drones and cameras to checkmate activities of the bandits marauding the state and locate their hideouts.

He prayed the Senate to observe one minute silence in honour of those who lost their lives in the attacks.

The senator also urged the upper chamber to direct the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betty Edu, to distribute relief materials to the affected victims.

Abdul Ningi, the senator representing Bauchi Central, seconded the motion.

Mr Ningi said after the attacks, he visited the Teaching Hospital in Jos, the Plateau State capital, where he saw three months old babies injured with gunshots.

He urged the Senate to support the state with appropriate funding for the welfare of the displaced persons.

Simon Lalong (APC, Plateau South) also expressed sadness over the attacks.

Those who are displaced in 2021 have not been returned to their homes because the land is devastated. A man who is displaced will alway be an angry man. Let us call back the military to order Mr Lalong said .

However, following an amendment to the motion, the Senate resolved to invite Messrs Lagbaja, Egbetokun and Bichi to brief it on the attacks and what they are doing to forestall further attacks in the areas.

The security chiefs are also to explain efforts being made to tackle rising insecurity in the country.

In his remarks, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio stated that the country needs to increase its surveillance.

Mr Akpabio therefore directed the upper chamber to observe one minute silence in honour of those who lost their lives in the attacks.

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As we indulged in extravagantly priced bottles of champagne, I was enveloped in a contemplative moment echoing the moral depth of Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol. Beyond literary comparisons, this encounter sparked a deep resolve in me to promote a Dickensian Christmas in my social circle  not one defined by opulence but by a genuine display of compassion and thoughtful consideration for the less fortunate.

In a rare departure from the familiar warmth of celebrating Christmas surrounded by my wife and kids, I found myself immersed in the vibrant chaos of Lagos, Nigeria  a sprawling mega-city pulsating with life. This also marked my initial experience observing the most significant Christian holiday in a place where contrasts between affluence and destitution create a compelling narrative.

My journey to Lagos commenced in mid-December, fueled by the anticipation of a public presentation for our book, Dis Life No Balace, a collaborative endeavour involving myself and two erudite professors: Farooq Kperogi and Moses Ochonu. Subsequent to the successful event, my stay extended as I attended to various matters.

Navigating Lagos, one is immediately confronted by its notorious traffic, a force so formidable that survival becomes an achievement in itself. Yet, within this metropolis lies an allure for those who revel in the excitement of adventure and nightlife. However, the caveat is clear: to partake in the glamour of Las Gidis, one must be a financial heavyweight. Wealth alone is insufficient; a willingness to part with substantial sums, paying tenfold for any commodity, becomes the ticket to this exclusive playground. This reality, for someone accustomed to reveling in $200 worth of merriment, proved to be a stark contrast.

Lagos, with its dichotomies, further unfolds as a city of staggering contradictions. The church-rat poor inhabit shanty towns like Ajegunle and Makoko, juxtaposed against the uber-wealthy residing in opulent mansions that embellish the landscapes of Ikoyi and Banana Island. In a city boasting a population surpassing 15 million, the coexistence of poverty and opulence paints a vivid tableau.

In Nigeria, there seems to exist a conspicuous proclivity for flamboyant displays of affluence, seemingly driven by an incessant urge to keep up with the Joneses. The readiness to expend $1,500 on a beverage, when its equivalent can be procured elsewhere at a significantly lesser cost, appears akin to an extravagant admission fee into a phantom echelon of exclusivity. It is disconcerting how our cultural landscape often portrays modesty as if it were a debilitating affliction.

Adding to this observation, I couldnt help but notice that many of the high-end establishments we frequented are owned by Lebanese entrepreneurs, who, with a contented smile, reap the rewards and eventually return to their home country. This scenario catalyses inquiries into the intricate dynamics of ownership and wealth distribution, thereby necessitating a profound reevaluation of our societal values and priorities.

A Christmas Carol explores several enduring themes, including the consequences of greed and selfishness, the power of redemption and change, and the importance of compassion and generosity. Dickens uses the character of Scrooge to criticise societal injustices and advocate for a more compassionate approach to life, particularly during the holiday season.

As we indulged in extravagantly priced bottles of champagne, I was enveloped in a contemplative moment echoing the moral depth of Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol. Beyond literary comparisons, this encounter sparked a deep resolve in me to promote a Dickensian Christmas in my social circle  not one defined by opulence but by a genuine display of compassion and thoughtful consideration for the less fortunate. Published in 1843, the novella A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens  the English novelist and social critic, who created some of the worlds best-known fictional characters  has become one of his most famous and enduring works. The story is a timeless classic, particularly associated with the Christmas season.

The narrative follows Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly and cold-hearted old man who despises Christmas and everything associated with it. On Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his former business partner, Jacob Marley, who warns him of the consequences of his greedy and selfish ways. Marley tells Scrooge that he will share the same fate unless he changes his behaviour.

Throughout the night, Scrooge is visited by three spirits: the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present, and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come (also known as the Ghost of Christmas Future). These spirits take Scrooge on a journey through time, showing him scenes from his own past, the current state of Christmas celebrations around him, and a glimpse into a possible dark future.

As Scrooge witnesses these visions, he experiences a profound transformation. He sees the impact of his actions on his own life and the lives of those around him. The narrative culminates in Scrooges redemption as he embraces the true spirit of Christmas, becomes compassionate and generous, and seeks to make amends for his past behaviour.

A Christmas Carol explores several enduring themes, including the consequences of greed and selfishness, the power of redemption and change, and the importance of compassion and generosity. Dickens uses the character of Scrooge to criticise societal injustices and advocate for a more compassionate approach to life, particularly during the holiday season.

The novella underscores the importance of empathy and social responsibility. Through characters like Bob Cratchit, the underpaid and overworked clerk, and Tiny Tim, his ailing son, Dickens draws attention to the harsh realities faced by the less fortunate during a time when societal disparities were glaring. The story challenges readers to reflect on their own attitudes toward wealth, generosity, and the well-being of others.

In all, Nigeria proved to be an unequivocally gratifying experience. Our populace, distinguished by an exceptional vitality, remains undeterred by the formidable challenges posed by social, political, and economic landscapes. Yet, following a dynamic three-week immersion, accentuated by a trifling encounter with the ubiquitous common cold virus, I found myself decidedly prepared to bid adieu  kemesia, ban kwana, O dabo!

At its core, A Christmas Carol serves as a inciting critique of societal ills and the consequences of unchecked greed. Ebenezer Scrooge, the miserly protagonist, personifies the embodiment of avarice and indifference to the plight of others. Dickens crafts a vivid portrayal of the consequences of such a callous existence, taking Scrooge on a supernatural journey through past, present, and future Christmases.

One of the central themes is the redemptive power of change. Scrooges transformation from a miserly, cold-hearted individual to a benevolent and compassionate soul exemplifies the potential for personal growth and moral redemption. The Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come serve as catalysts for this metamorphosis, guiding Scrooge through poignant moments in his life and illuminating the impact of his actions on both himself and those around him.

Moreover, Dickens skillfully employs symbolism and allegory throughout the narrative. The chains worn by the ghostly figure of Jacob Marley, Scrooges former business partner, serve as a metaphor for the burdens created by a life consumed by material pursuits. This haunting imagery reinforces the cautionary message against the spiritual impoverishment that results from neglecting ones duty to humanity.

A Christmas Carol transcends temporal boundaries, earning its status as a classic not solely for its evocative portrayal of Victorian England but for its enduring themes that resonate profoundly with the human experience. Dickens nuanced exploration of compassion, redemption, and the latent potential for positive metamorphosis serves as an enduring reminder of the authentic spirit of Christmas  one that extends well beyond ornate decorations and transient seasonal merriment.

In all, Nigeria proved to be an unequivocally gratifying experience. Our populace, distinguished by an exceptional vitality, remains undeterred by the formidable challenges posed by social, political, and economic landscapes. Yet, following a dynamic three-week immersion, accentuated by a trifling encounter with the ubiquitous common cold virus, I found myself decidedly prepared to bid adieu  kemesia, ban kwana, O dabo!

Osmund Agbo is the author of Black Grit, White Knuckles: The Philosophy of Black Renaissance.

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By the banks of the Niger river, on the hills of the Plateau, across the lush savannahs of the Middle Belt, we have sat down and wept. We have questions crying for answers: Who are these killers? Where are they coming from? Who is sponsoring them? What are their grouses and against whom? What do they want? Whom do they want? Who are they working for? When will it all end? Why are they invincible and invisible? Who is offering them cover?

Those invisible men came to the Plateau again, bearing their gifts of death and destruction. They came from the deepest pit of hell, the habitat of the devils that they are. They are children of darkness, sons of Satan. They opted to extinguish and snatch the light of the joy of Christmas from thousands of people on the Plateau. They imagined they would ignite an orgy of blood, seduce the ordinary peace-loving people of the Plateau and set them on a mission of mindless murder of fellow citizens in the name of retaliation. The world would then say that this is was a war of religion  Christians killing Muslims  to ignite a larger war. So far, over two hundred lives are gone and we are still counting, but what next, where next, and who next?

Over the years, these murderers have left their footprints of blood and tears across the length and breadth of the entire northern states, indiscriminately wrecking destruction across large swathes of land and communities. In all this, the Nigerian state and its security agencies are blind-sided, seemingly incapable of cleaning up this augean stable of sorrow and pain in our land. These killers have turned the Nigerian state and its security agencies into objects of cynicism, mockery and mere lachrymal spectators daily accompanying funeral processions. Across the country, these funerals and the coffins are now part of our landscape.

We are gradually taking eerie solace in the fact that these killers do not respect the boundaries of religion, region or ethnicity. We seem to be consoled that they are destroying churches, as well as mosques, killing Christians, as well as Muslims. We seem to be lulled into a feeling of collective consolation and we all believe that we are all victims of an endless orgy of violence that has taken over our land. There is a method to this madness. The choice of location, communities, timings, the seeming hooded identities of the killers, all mask a fact: We may not know who they are, but someone wants something from the Middle Belt. Stretch your imagination from the emergence of the modern Nigerian state and connect the dots.

Sadly, with time, Nigerians are gradually losing hope in the ability of their government to protect and secure them. While we religious leaders have continued to use our moral authority to encourage our people not to take the laws into their hands, we risk being swept away by the anger and frustration of our people. We even risk being seen as accomplices to an erring state. The Nigerian state itself risks becoming an undertaker in the eyes of its citizens. Our cups of sorrow are overflowing. We have cried enough tears. We may pretend that we are not at war, but truly a war is being waged against the Nigerian state and its people. God forbid, but we could snap anytime, anywhere and for any reason.

We are tired of the confusing, inexcusable, monosyllabic excuses saying: this is an asymmetrical war, we are on top of the situation, you cannot kill an idea, it is not about religion or ethnicity, we will bring them to justice. We, citizens of Nigeria, feel collectively humiliated and betrayed by those who are collaborating with these murderers and a government that seems helpless. Can we continue to believe that there is no long-term plan to take over the reins of power of the Nigerian state?

By the banks of the Niger river, on the hills of the Plateau, across the lush savannahs of the Middle Belt, we have sat down and wept. We have questions crying for answers: Who are these killers? Where are they coming from? Who is sponsoring them? What are their grouses and against whom? What do they want? Whom do they want? Who are they working for? When will it all end? Why are they invincible and invisible? Who is offering them cover? Are we condemned to live with this and hand this broken nation to our children? Should we all just become inoculated and sedated to make all this bearable? Who will supply the opium to dull our pain? Are we sleep walking to self-destruction?

Why has the North become the birthplace of so much bloodletting? Why are these killings seen as tools of negotiation with the Nigerian state by the protectors of the North? Why has our North become the incubator of all that is destructive? Boko Haram, banditry and shades of terrorism all live in our region. Why is this so? These killers are not ordinary murderers. They are killers for a purpose. It is the task of the Intelligence community to tell us who they are, where they live and what their goals are. These killers are professionals and are they Nigerians or they just have Nigerian sponsors? Their sponsors are among us. They must be in high places. They are now embedded in the architecture of the state. President Tinubu must know that the legitimacy of his government hangs on resolving this and giving us our country back.

We are tired of the confusing, inexcusable, monosyllabic excuses saying: this is an asymmetrical war, we are on top of the situation, you cannot kill an idea, it is not about religion or ethnicity, we will bring them to justice. We, citizens of Nigeria, feel collectively humiliated and betrayed by those who are collaborating with these murderers and a government that seems helpless. Can we continue to believe that there is no long-term plan to take over the reins of power of the Nigerian state? These people want power. They want it on their own terms. They want their own kind of Nigeria, according to their ideology. These killings are just a preface. These killings are no longer acts by herders and farmers over grazing fields. No, there is more and we as a nation will do well to face this threat before it is sunset. No evil lasts forever. The world defeated slavery, Apartheid, Nazism, racism, and other forms of extremism.

So far, I commend the government in its responses to these tragedies. Unlike before when no one bothered to visit the scenes, we are seeing very rapid responses from the top. This is necessary but not sufficient as a strategy. Rebuilding these communities requires more than mere physical infrastructure. There is need for clearer, more imagined strategies for rebuilding community cohesion and resilience. Rebuilding hearts is more urgent than rebuilding houses. Merely awarding contracts for the building of houses is not as important as building markets, rebuilding roads, providing agricultural inputs for farmers and so on.

This culture of investigation as excuses must end. The media and we the people must continue to remind the government of its obligations to be accountable. If investigations are made public and rewards or punishment are carried out, then it builds confidence. It will enable people to become involved in their own security. Only by pursuing, apprehending and bringing these evil men to justice can we begin to speak of a genuine reconciliation among our people.

There are growing concerns as to the sophistication, professionalism and capacity of the security agencies. Years of military involvement has led to the mistaken notion that issues of security are military. This guns and bullets approach has seen the growth of corruption, lack of cohesion, collaboration and co-ordination, alongside infighting within the security agencies. We civilians hear stories of orders from the top at the last minute, about credible intelligence provided but not used by those at the top. People are dying and no ones job is threatened. There is an urgent need to re-set the national security architecture. Enough is enough.

This culture of investigation as excuses must end. The media and we the people must continue to remind the government of its obligations to be accountable. If investigations are made public and rewards or punishment are carried out, then it builds confidence. It will enable people to become involved in their own security. Only by pursuing, apprehending and bringing these evil men to justice can we begin to speak of a genuine reconciliation among our people. Bringing criminals to justice is justice to the criminal and justice to the victim too. Fixing our economy is desirable, but it must hang on a rigid security scaffolding to protect citizens and nation. The youth are fleeing their own country. The elites are fleeing their own communities. The poor are becoming refugees outside their own communities. Mr President, give us back our communities. Give us back our country.

Finally, national security is a function of robust, deep intellectual analysis and mapping of the goals and even ambitions of country, its local, regional or global place in the world. It thrives on creating scenarios based on a proper understanding and reading of geo-politics and locating where a country wants to be. So far, we have thrived on ad hoc and arbitrary options.

On the Plateau and elsewhere, so much academic research has been done. All the President needs to do is to order a review of all the options and find the political will to get our nation back on track. The current crucifixion of the Middle Belt is merely a metaphor. However, for us as Christians, in the cross, there is salvation. May this new year begin the healing of our dear nation. Happy new year and God bless our dear country.

Matthew Hassan Kukah is Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto and founder of the Kukah Centre, Abuja, Nigeria.

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In this article, we will be navigating through the 15 richest countries that pay you to move there. If you wish to skip our detailed analysis, you can move directly to the 5 Richest Countries that Pay You to Move There.

Changing Working Trends

Leaving your homeland for better opportunities is a decision for ambitious individuals. The key to earning more might lie not in working hard all the time but in moving to the right place sometimes. The COVID-19 pandemic triggered the remote working culture when the world went into lockdown. According to Relocation Coordinates International, almost 48 million people quit their jobs in 2021. Almost 41% of the global workforce is considering leaving their job and another 46% are looking for remote jobs. Workers are leaving the traditional 9 to 5 roles and are preferring a 4-day work week. After a 4-day week trial of 33 companies and 903 employees, 97% of the workers want the 4-day week structure to prevail in the future. Whereas, 91% of respondents from Buffers 2023 State of Remote Work survey shared that they enjoy working remotely, with flexibility listed as the biggest benefit.

As per Forbes, around 12.7% of full-time employees work from home in 2023, while 28.2% workers follow a hybrid model. The 12.7% of full-time remote employees reflect the swift adoption of a remote work environment. By 2025, an estimated 32.6 million Americans will be working from remote positions, which reflects approximately 22% of the workforce. As per this projection, the remote work environment will continue to increase gradually. The increase in remote work is changing the dynamics of relocation. Many countries are now offering digital nomad or freelance visas for remote employees and freelancers.

Iceland, Spain, Estonia, Portugal, and Greece are some of the most desirable digital nomad visa countries in 2023. As we mentioned earlier, almost 17.3 million Americans identify themselves as digital nomads. Since 2022, the number of digital nomads in the US has increased by 2% and has recorded a whopping 131% growth from the period before the pandemic, between 2019 and 2022.

Story continues

Despite a sudden shift in remote work, the majority of the workforce still work in-office. Therefore, people in large numbers seek opportunities to move to places where they can earn more and live a peaceful life. The US is home to most immigrants. As we mentioned earlier, the total immigrant population soared by nearly 30% in the US between 2005 and 2022, reaching over 46 million. In 2022, the foreign-born Americans accounted for 13.9% of the US population. The United States, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, France, Canada, Australia, and Spain are the top countries with the most immigrants. For instance, the United Arab Emirates is one of the best countries to work and make the most amount of money. The country offers a great platform for startups and corporate employees to make their way to the top and for entrepreneurs to grow their businesses.

Companies Offering Jobs in Rich Countries

Countries that offer different opportunities for you to move there are looking for skilled labor and experts. As we mentioned, remote work is increasing every year and companies such as Upwork Inc. (NASDAQ:UPWK) provide great opportunities for individuals to work remotely from anywhere in the world. America is a land of opportunities and hosts the largest number of immigrants. Some of the top US companies pay handsome salaries to their employees including Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL). While, Swiss giant Nestle S.A. (OTC:NSRGY) is also among the top-paying firms in the world.

Upwork Inc. (NASDAQ:UPWK) has one of the largest freelance marketplaces in the world. In 2023, Upwork Inc. (NASDAQ:UPWK) took the platform developments to the next level through collaboration with OpenAI and also launched the Upwork Research Institute. On December 5, Upwork Inc. (NASDAQ:UPWK) announced its collaboration with vendor management systems (VMS) and managed service providers (MSP) for its Enterprise Suite offering. In partnership with SAP Fieldglass and Flextrack, Upwork Inc. (NASDAQ:UPWK) will add a more comprehensive and unified approach to workforce management. On December 12, Upwork Inc. (NASDAQ:UPWK) shared annual stats for freelancing in 2023. As per Upwork Inc. (NASDAQ:UPWK), freelancers added $1.27 trillion to the US economy in 2023, reaching an all-time high. While, a large population of 52% of freelancers were all Gen Z professionals, and 44% were all Millennial professionals in 2023.

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is one of the largest companies in the world. According to Indeed, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has an average salary of approximately $42,000 per year for an Inventory Control Specialist to $219,258 per year for an Engineering Manager. While, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) pays an average hourly rate of almost $13 per hour for an Agent to $64.81 per hour for Integration Engineer.

Wall Street is bullish on Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL). On December 20, Wedbushs analyst Daniel Ives reiterated an Outperform rating on Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) with a price target of $250. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has an average price target of $203.07 and a high forecast of $250. As of December 30, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has surged nearly 54% year-to-date. During the third quarter of 2023, 134 out of 910 hedge funds held Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL). The total stakes of these hedge funds amounted to $179.01 billion at the close of Q3 2023. As of September 30, Warren Buffetts Berkshire Hathaway was the largest shareholder in Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and held a position worth $156.75 billion.

Nestle S.A. (OTC:NSRGY) is one of the largest food and drink processing multinationals in the world. According to Glassdoor, Nestle S.A. (OTC:NSRGY) has an average salary from approximately $42,328 per year for a Warehouse Worker to $226,791 per year for a Director. While, the company pays an hourly rate of $20 per hour to a Warehouse Worker and $108 per hour to a Director. On December 4, Nestle S.A. (OTC:NSRGY) announced the appointment of four new Creating Shared Value (CSV) members including Dr. Martin Bloem, Paul Hawken, Gonzalo Munoz, and Jennifer Morris. Nestle S.A.s (OTC:NSRGY) CSV Council engages with the companys Executive Board twice a year to critically review its sustainability initiatives.

These are some of the leading companies that pay a handsome salary to their employees. Now, lets take a look at the list of the richest countries that pay you to move there.

15 Richest Countries that Pay You to Move There

15 Richest Countries that Pay You to Move There

Our Methodology

To compile or list the richest countries that pay you to move there, we first gathered the list of countries that pay you to move there. We shortlisted the countries that fund people in the form of business investment or incentives for relocation. Then we gathered their GDP per capita (PPP) from the International Monetary Funds (IMF) database. Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) figures are used and PPP is calculated by subtracting price differences and nominal changes in the local currency and the US Dollar. We ranked the richest countries that pay you to move there in ascending order of their GDP per capita.

We have also mentioned the country's employment rate and peace score, which are taken from Trading Economics and Global Peace Index 2023, respectively. These statistics are highlighted to give a better idea of the countrys employment opportunities and how safe it is to move there.

By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By using different consensus approaches, 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.

Note: Some of the countries may not directly pay people to move there, but they provide an easy route and offer job visas.

15 Richest Countries that Pay You to Move There

15. Greece

GDP Per Capita: $39,860

Greece is one of the richest countries that pay you to move there. Greeces island Antikythera offers a stipend of 500 euros every month for the first three years. Overall, Greece has a 91.33% employment rate and a global peace score of 1.89.

14. Portugal

GDP Per Capita: $45,230

Portugal offers a Startup Visa that provides funding and support to entrepreneurs. Portugal has a 57.4% employment rate and a global peace score of 1.333. With a GDP per capita of $45,230, Portugal is ranked 14th among the richest countries that pay you to move there.

13. Estonia

GDP Per Capita: $45,240

Estonia offers an e-residency program that provides funding and support to entrepreneurs. Estonia has a 69.1% employment rate and a global peace score of 1.563. Estonia ranks among the richest countries that pay you to move there.

12. Spain

GDP Per Capita: $50,470

Spain offers an Entrepreneur Visa that offers funding and support to entrepreneurs who want to start a business. Moreover, Ponga, Rubia, and Griegos are small towns in Spain that offer financial compensation to move there. With a 52.38% employment rate and a global peace score of 1.649, Spain is placed 12th among the richest countries that pay you to move there.

11. Japan

GDP Per Capita: $52,120

Japan has a Regional Revitalization Program which offers funding and support to people who are willing to move to rural areas of the country. Japan has a 61.5% employment rate and a global peace score of 1.336. Japan is one of the richest countries that pay you to move there.

10. New Zealand

GDP Per Capita: $53,810

New Zealand has a Global Impact Visa that allows you to move there and provides support for businesses. Moreover, Kaitangata, a small town in New Zealand, offers land and financial support for people to move there. With a 69.1% employment rate and a global peace score of 1.313, New Zealand is placed 10th among the richest countries that pay you to move there.

9. Italy

GDP Per Capita: $54,260

Italy is one of the richest countries that pay you to move there. Presicce-Acquarica, a small municipality in southern Italy, offers financial grants and other support for people to settle in the town. Italy has a 61.7% employment rate and a global peace score of 1.662.

8. South Korea

GDP Per Capita: $56,710

South Korea provides different visas that supports you to move there. South Korea has a 63.1% employment rate and a global peace score of 1.662. Ranked eighth on our list, South Korea is one of the richest countries that pay you to move there.

7. Canada

GDP Per Capita: $59,810

Canada is one of the richest countries that pay you to move there. Canada offers Startup Visa which supports entrepreneurs to start businesses. Moreover, Saskatchewan pays you if you live there for almost a decade and pay taxes to the province. With a 61.8% employment rate and a global peace score of 1.35, Canada ranks among the richest countries that pay you to move there.

6. Austria

GDP Per Capita: $69,070

Austria through its Red-White-Red Card program allows non-EU/EEA citizens to live and work within the country. The program offers financial support to relocate and work in the country. Austria has a 74.9% employment rate and a global peace score of 1.316. Ranked sixth on our list, Austria is one of the richest countries that pay you to move there.

Click to continue reading and see the 5 Richest Countries that Pay You to Move There.

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Disclosure: none. 15 Richest Countries that Pay You to Move There is originally published on Insider Monkey.
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has expressed his condolences on the passing of elder statesman, M Z Anka, stating that Zamfara has lost an experienced leader.

Mr Anka, a prominent political figure in the state, passed away in the early hours of Friday.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, Governor Lawal said the death of Mr Anka has created a significant void due to his vast experience.

According to the governor, The loss of Ambassador M Z Anka is not only felt by his immediate family, but by the entire people of Zamfara State.

Late Anka lived a principled and exemplary life full of modesty, honesty, and hard work. His role in the realisation and creation of Zamfara State is a testament to his commitment to his peoples progress and prosperity.

Ambassador Anka was a great leader, a wise counsellor, and a source of pride for our state.

On behalf of the state government, we extend our deepest condolences to the immediate family and the Anka emirate.

May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljannah Firdaus, the governor further stated in the condolence message.

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IHS Nigeria, part of the IHS Holding Limited (NYSE: IHS) (IHS Towers) group, one of the largest independent owners, operators, and developers of shared communications infrastructure in the world by tower count, has won five awards at the 2023 Sustainability, Enterprise, and Responsibility Awards (SERAs) Africa CSR and Sustainability Awards.

The awards received were Most Responsible Organisation, Best Company in Environmental Stewardship, Best Company in Circular Economy, Best Company in Workplace Practices and CEO of the Year for Mohamad Darwish. The awards were presented to IHS Nigeria in Lagos, on Friday, 15 December, 2023.

Commenting on the award, IHS Nigeria CEO, Mohamad Darwish, said, IHS Nigerias sustainability initiatives are designed to help further the UNSDGs and address specific community needs. Through targeted programs, we aim to deliver positive transformations in critical areas such as education, employment, and enhanced health and wellbeing. In addition, we have delivered campaigns relating to a safer and cleaner environment, sought to increase community access to and awareness of renewable energy sources, focused on youth development and womens empowerment, and supported the growth of the small and medium enterprise sector.

Highlighting other impactful sustainability initiatives led by IHS Nigeria, he said: Building sustainable connections and improving lives in emerging markets is at the core of our business. However, for mobile connectivity to truly thrive, responsible development is pivotal, and were actively contributing to this vision.

Were dedicated to using our resources and partnerships to make real, long-lasting changes that support a sustainable future for Nigeria. Our partnership with the Telecommunications and Technology Sustainability Working Group (TTSWG), for instance, has enabled us to reach over 200,000 individuals through TTSWG initiatives, promoting sustainable practices that benefit both the ICT sector and the country as a whole.

In addition to SERAs, IHS Nigerias sustainability programmes were recognised at the 2023 Africa Public Sector Conference and Awards; Top 50 Brands on Sustainability in Africa; 2023 World Sustainability Awards; Best External Partnership; 2023 Tech Innovation Award as Best Sustainable Tower Company; 2023 CSR Reporters Award for Sustainability Company of the Year; CAHR Awards for Josephine Nkemdilim Equal Rights;and the SOS Childrens Villages International (SOSCVI) Donor Award.

IHS Towers is one of the largest independent owners, operators, and developers of shared communications infrastructure in the world by tower count. It is one of the largest independent multinational towercos solely focused on the emerging markets.

The Company has nearly 40,000 towers across its 11 markets, including Brazil, Cameroon, Colombia, Cote dIvoire, Egypt, Kuwait, Nigeria, Peru, Rwanda, South Africa, and Zambia. For more information, please email: communications@ihstowers.com or visit: www.ihstowers.com

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The Jigawa State Government has announced a plan to secure a N2 billion loan to pay the gratuities of retired civil servants including those who retired from the local governments in the state.

This follows the failure of the 27 local governments in the state to remit at least N3.2 billion in statutory pension deductions and contributions for several years.

PREMIUM TIMES exclusively reported that the local councils did not remit appropriate pension dues in 2014, 2015, 2019, 2020, and 2021, as mandated by law. The non-remittal of the funds put the state contributory pension scheme in distress.

In the outgoing year, hundreds of workers in the public service in the state retired without being paid their gratuities. The new development has left retiring civil servants and their colleagues still in service murmuring about whether the contributory pension had collapsed.

On Thursday, the State Executive Council held a meeting presided over by the Governor, Umar Namadi. The council approved that the state secures a loan of N2 billion to settle the outstanding benefits of retirees, the state Head of Service, Muhammed Dagaceri, said in a statement.

Background

The states transitional committee report obtained by this newspaper lists the non-remitted funds by the 27 local government councils as the 17 per cent contributions from September 2014 to May 2015 which amount to N1.25 billion.

Similarly, in 2019, the unremitted funds stood at N254.6 million; N795 million in 2020, and N920.9 million in 2021; totaling over N3.2 billion. The non-remittance of the pension dues violates the states pension law.

Section 4 of the Jigawa (State and Local Government) Contributory Pension Scheme law mandates each pensionable worker to contribute eight per cent of their basic salary; while the state and local governments are to contribute 17 per cent of the basic salary of all of the affected staff on their payroll.

Retired workers would be entitled to enjoy their retirement benefits from the fund when they have contributed for at least five years. Those who contributed for less than five years would be refunded their eight per cent contributions plus the interest earned.

Most local governments in Jigawa, like their counterparts in many parts of Nigeria, rely on federal statutory allocations to survive. However, most states operate joint state/local government accounts that allow state governors to determine the amount sent to each local government. Many local governments thus become underfunded barely having enough to pay salaries.

PREMIUM TIMES could not establish if the local governments in Jigawa in those years got all of their statutory allocations that could have enabled them to make the due pension contributions.

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From the seemingly unending attacks in the region to the Obidient Movement and the conviction of a former Nigerias Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, the year 2023 was clearly an action-packed year in Nigerias south-east.

PREMIUM TIMES is highlighting some of the defining events in the region in 2023:

Deadly attacks

Like in other recent years, 2023 will be remembered for the deadly attacks in the South-east. Sadly, there are no indications that the attacks will end soon.

Gunmen, said to be part of the Biafra agitation in the region, have abducted, killed and beheaded several persons, mainly government officials and security operatives in the region during their numerous attacks in the year.

Security facilities and the offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the five South-east states  Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi, Imo and Abia  have suffered recurring attacks by gunmen in 2023.

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a group seeking to carve out a sovereign state of Biafra from South-east and some parts of the South-south of Nigeria, has been linked to some deadly attacks in two regions. But the separatist group has repeatedly denied any involvement in the attacks.

Some of the prominent incidents include the killing of Oyibo Chukwu, the 2023 Labour Party senatorial candidate for Enugu East District in Enugu State alongside five others and the attack on the convoy of a former governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, which resulted in the death of a police operative.

Apart from the attacks and killings by suspected pro-Biafra gunmen, kidnap attacks intensified in 2023 in the South-east with several people abducted and others killed by the abductors across the region.

Obidient Movement

The year 2023 will be remembered for the wave of Obidient Movement, which gained traction and unsettled many politicians in Nigeria in the build up to the 2023 general elections, given that many Nigerian youths embraced the movement.

Obidients is a popular name for supporters of Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general election.

The term Obidients was coined from Obi, the surname of the LP presidential candidate.

Obidient Movement is often used to describe the activities of the group, which have been critical of President Bola Tinubu and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Mr Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, enjoyed a great following during the 2023 elections, especially in Nigerias South-east.

The former governor did not win the presidential election, but his party, the LP, won several elections in the country for the first time in the history of the party.

Although the impact of the Obidient Movement was felt almost across Nigeria, it was more in the South-east with the LP, for instance, producing a governor for the first time in Abia State and winning many federal and state legislative seats in Enugu State in 2023.

Like in Abia, the victories recorded by the LP in some parts of the country have been linked to Mr Obis effect and Obidient Movement which organised several rallies to mobilise support for LP candidates in the election.

New naira notes scarcity

Like in other regions of Nigeria, the memories of the new naira notes scarcity in the South-east would linger because of the severe hardship it brought upon the people.

The scarcity began after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) introduced the newly redesigned N200, N500, and N1,000 notes which they said was meant to help in the nations fight against corruption, terrorism, counterfeiting and related crimes.

The CBN policy led to scarcity of the naira notes, bringing unprecedented hardship to millions of Nigerians in an economy significantly driven by the informal sector with a large proportion of unbanked population.

A 31 January deadline initially set for ending the legal tender status of the old naira notes was extended to 10 February as the supply of the new notes fell far short of the volume needed by citizens to meet their most basic transactions across the country.

In the South-east, just like in other regions of the country, many residents were forced to sleep at the premises of several commercial banks while some bank customers had to protest the continued cash crunch and its negative impacts on their lives.

The Supreme Court, later this year, held that both new and old naira notes should be used together. But the hardship caused by the new naira notes scarcity will remain evergreen in the minds of many Nigerians.

Conviction, sentencing of Ekweremadus in UK court

Residents of South-east Nigeria will not easily forget the year 2023 when a former Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, his wife, and Obinna Obeta, a medical doctor were convicted of organ trafficking by a court in the UK.

Mr Ekweremadu, hails from Mpu, a community in Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State in the South-east.

The former senator, his wife, Beatrice and the doctor were found guilty of organ trafficking. They allegedly procured a 21-year-old Nigerian and flew him to the UK with the intention to harvest his kidney for their sick daughter.

The UK court, in a landmark judgment last May, sentenced Mr Ekweremadu to nine years and eight months in prison.

The court also sentenced Mr Ekweremadus wife, Beatrice, to four years and six months in prison while Mr Obeta, the doctor who allegedly colluded with them, was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

The trio are currently serving their separate sentences in the European country.

Although the sentencing happened in faraway UK, its impact was heavily felt in Nigeria, particularly in the South-east.

Nnamdi Kanus declaration of end of sit-at-home

It was a cheering news in Nigerias South-east in July 2023 when Nnamdi Kanu, the IPOB leader, ordered Simon Ekpa, a controversial Biafra agitator, to stop enforcing the controversial sit-at-home order in the region.

Mr Kanu, in a handwritten letter sent through Aloy Ejimakor, his special counsel, asked the Biafra agitator to make a public announcement acknowledging receipt of the order from him.

Mr Ejimakor, in a statement which accompanied the letter, said Mr Kanu wrote the letter on 24 July when he (Ejimakor) visited him at the facility of the State Security Service.

The lawyer said the IPOB leader instructed him to issue a press statement and make the letter public if Mr Ekpa failed to announce the end of the sit-at-home in the region.

He said, after unsuccessful attempts, he reached Mr Ekpa at about 1:44 a.m. on 25 July and subsequently sent him a snapped copy of the direct order from Mr Kanu to completely stop the illegal action in the region.

He (Ekpa) acknowledged receipt (of the order) and we spoke briefly on it and exchanged a couple of text messages thereof, Mr Ejimakor had said.

The special counsel said Mr Ekpa failed to implement the order which made Mr Kanu to authorise him (Ejimakor) to make the order public later that month.

In the beginning

IPOB, in August 2021, introduced a sit-at-home order every Monday across the South-east to pressure the Nigerian government to release its detained leader, Mr Kanu, who is facing terrorism trial at a Federal High Court, Abuja.

The separatist group later suspended the order, in preference for it to be implemented only on days Mr Kanu appears in court.

But despite its suspension, residents of the five South-east states  Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo, Abia and Anambra  have been observing the Monday sit-at-home order, mostly out of fear.

However, Mr Ekpa, a leader of Autopilot, a faction of the IPOB, continued to declare sit-at-home orders in the region despite being suspended by the IPOB faction led by Mr Kanu.

Short-lived joy

When the report of Mr Kanus order to Mr Ekpa circulated across the South-east, many residents thought that the end of their nightmare had ended. But they were wrong!

Hours after the order went public, Mr Ekpa, described the letter as fake, and maintained that the illegal action would go on until Mr Kanu spoke to him directly in Finland, a North European country, where he (Ekpa) resides.

Since then, the illegal order has continued, despite efforts by various Igbo leaders such as Governor of Anambra State, Charles Soludo and his Enugu State counterpart, Peter Mbah, against it.

Observance of the illegal order has, however, slightly waned in the past months across the region.

Emergence of new Ohanaeze president-general

Many new leaders emerged in various states recently in the South-east such as Enugu, Abia and Ebonyi, but the emergence of Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu as the new president-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, was a significant event in the region.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo is an influential socio-cultural group for the Igbo speaking people in the South-east and parts of South-south Nigeria (Rivers and Delta States).

Mr Iwuanyanwu, who hails from Atta, a community in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State, was nominated by Imo Elders Council led by its Chairperson, Cletus Ilomuanya, in April 2023 to replace the immediate past leader of the organisation, George Obiozor, who died in December 2022.

The leadership of the Ohanaeze is rotational among seven Igbo-speaking states in the two regions.

Mr Iwuanyanwus nomination was for him to complete the aborted tenure of Imo State, following the demise of Mr Obiozor, a professor, who came from the state.

His nomination as the new president-general of the Igbo group was confirmed during a meeting of Ohanaeze Imeobi at Enugus Banquet Hall on 30 April 2023.

Imeobi is the highest decision-making organ of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

Failed attempt at producing a president

When the support for Mr Obi, the LP candidate was gaining traction across Nigeria, many residents of the South-east thought that the long wait for the region to produce the countrys president would be over.

Although the former governor of Anambra State was not the only presidential candidate from the South-east, he was seen by many residents of the region as the stronger instrument for the Igbos shot at the presidency.

But their expectation did not happen after INEC declared Mr Tinubu as the winner of the 2023 presidential election.

Before then, several leaders of the South-east had argued that it was the turn of the region to produce a president for the first time given that other regions of the country had done so in the past.

The frustration of South-east residents began earlier in 2023 when the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)  the two dominant political parties in the country  picked their presidential candidates outside the South-east.

Meanwhile, Mr Obi, a former presidential aspirant in the PDP, left the party days to their presidential primary, saying there were some actions in the party which were inconsistent with his belief and persona.

The former governor subsequently joined the LP where he later emerged the partys presidential candidate.

In the election, Mr Obi won in several states outside the South-east such as Lagos and Abuja, which confirmed the swelling support for his candidacy in the country.

After the election, he also lost his legal challenge to the victory of Mr Tinubu at various Nigerian courts.

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A day after Lucky Aiyedatiwa took over as Ondo State Governor, the Commissioner for Infrastructure Land and Housing, Raimi Aminu, submitted his resignation letter.

He said he was resigning because his principal, Romiti Akeredolu, was dead.

The decision is anchored on my conscience, as my leader and dear boss, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, CON, joined the saint triumphant, the letter dated 28 December read.

I sincerely thank our dear Arakunrin and the good people of Ondo State for the opportunity to serve in his cabinet as Senior Special Assistant on Lands and Infrastructure and Special Adviser on Lands, Works and Infrastructure and Commissioner for Infrastructure, Lands and Housing.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that three of Mr Akeredolus aides had earlier resigned on Wednesday, indicating that there might be a gale of resignations in the following days.

The aides include Chief Press Secretary Richard Olatunde; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Duties and Strategy, Adedoyin Odebowale and Special Adviser to the Governor on Union Matters and Special Duties, Dare Aragbaiye.

Mr Aiyedatiwa has also appointed some new aides including Smart Omodunbi as Special Assistant on Political Matters; Abire Olugbenga, Special Assistant on New Media; Motunrayo Oyedele, Special Assistant on Photography and Temitayo Iperepolu, Special Assistant on Domestic and Government House.

Their appointments took immediate effect.

Meanwhile, a former commissioner for Special Duties and Tourism in Ondo State, Femi Adekanmbi, has urged Mr Akeredolus family to relocate from Ibadan, in Oyo State, to Owo, in Ondo State to mourn him.

Mr Adekanmbi, an indigene of Owo, which is Governor Akeredolus hometown, said the late governor was not born in Ibadan, nor was he the governor of Oyo State.

He said on Thursday in Akure that Governor Akeredolu was an extraordinary leader whose unwavering dedication to the state and its people was both commendable and unparalleled.

He said the late governor served Ondo State to the best of his abilities, and that it was important for his wife and the entire family to mourn him at Owo.

Akeredolu, fondly known as Aketi, is our pride in Owo, and he served the community with distinction. No doubt, the ancient town has suffered a huge loss, but we would be honoured to receive visitors who will be coming from far and near to pay tribute to a refined gentleman who has redefined governance, with a legacy of good road network and security, he said.

So Governor Seyi Makinde will now pay condolence visit to the family in Ibadan, what an insult to Owo Kingdom.

Though, his death is a painful one but we are consoled only by the fact that he made significant contributions to the development of our state and lived a good life, made his mark in his chosen field.

Mrs Akeredolu shouldnt desecrate the culture and traditions of our land by choosing to mourn the husband, our illustrious son at Ibadan. Except if she doesnt see herself as our wife in Owo. If thats the case, she better remain in Ibadan and never return to Ondo State.

Akeredolu died as governor of Ondo State and every activity after his demise should take place within the precincts of Ondo State and not outside the state.

Mrs Akeredolu shouldnt destroy what Aketi stood for. All his legacies will be forgotten with her actions if she continues like this.

She should allow the husband to rest in peace, and respect Owo Kingdom.

Mr Adekanmbi said the Owo community will give Mr Akeredolu a befitting burial because of what he did in Owo.

Mr Aiyedatiwa had on Thursday paid a condolence visit to the family of Mr Akeredolu in Ibadan, where he eulogized his boss and promised to sustain his legacies.

Mr Akeredolu had remained in his Ibadan home after he returned from medical treatment in Germany in September.

Opposition politicians had criticized him for staying away in Oyo State instead of resuming duties in Ondo State. However, his supporters said he violated no law by governing Ondo from Oyo State.

He later returned to Germany for more treatment where he died on Wednesday morning.

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Bhilwara: Following the directives of the Election Commission of India and the Election Department of Rajasthan, Jaipur, an election expenditure reconciliation meeting was organized in the presence of Expenditure Observer Shri Pratap Singh Bhukya (IRS) on Friday at the District Collectorate Conference Hall. The meeting aimed to facilitate the reconciliation of election expenditure records submitted by candidates and election agents participating in the Vidhan Sabha General Elections 2023.

During the meeting, a thorough review of the compiled election expenditure records was conducted. Deputy District Election Officer Shri Brahm Lal Jat, along with election agents and the accounting team of candidates contesting in the upcoming elections, was present.

It is noteworthy that, as per Section 78 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, every candidate contesting in the Vidhan Sabha General Elections 2023 is required to submit their election expenditure records to the District Election Officer by January 2, 2024.

Source :
NEW ORLEANS, Dec. 29, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until January 26, 2024 to 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.

Get Help

Dollar General investors should visit us at https://claimsfiler.com/cases/nyse-dg-2/ or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options.

About the Lawsuit

Dollar 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 ClaimsFiler

ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations.

To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com.

SOURCE ClaimsFiler
The fact that multiple The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE:BK) insiders offloaded a considerable amount of shares over the past year could have raised some eyebrows amongst investors. Knowing whether insiders are buying is usually more helpful when evaluating insider transactions, as insider selling can have various explanations. However, when multiple insiders sell stock over a specific duration, shareholders should take notice as that could possibly be a red flag.

While we would never suggest that investors should base their decisions solely on what the directors of a company have been doing, logic dictates you should pay some attention to whether insiders are buying or selling shares.

Check out our latest analysis for Bank of New York Mellon

Bank of New York Mellon Insider Transactions Over The Last Year

Over the last year, we can see that the biggest insider sale was by the General Counsel, Jane McCarthy, for US$1.6m worth of shares, at about US$46.33 per share. That means that even when the share price was below the current price of US$52.05, an insider wanted to cash in some shares. When an insider sells below the current price, it suggests that they considered that lower price to be fair. That makes us wonder what they think of the (higher) recent valuation. While insider selling is not a positive sign, we can't be sure if it does mean insiders think the shares are fully valued, so it's only a weak sign. This single sale was just 42% of Jane McCarthy's stake.

Insiders in Bank of New York Mellon didn't buy any shares in the last year. You can see a visual depiction of insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last 12 months, below. By clicking on the graph below, you can see the precise details of each insider transaction!

If you are like me, then you will not want to miss this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying.

Does Bank of New York Mellon Boast High Insider Ownership?

Many investors like to check how much of a company is owned by insiders. Usually, the higher the insider ownership, the more likely it is that insiders will be incentivised to build the company for the long term. It appears that Bank of New York Mellon insiders own 0.1% of the company, worth about US$52m. We've certainly seen higher levels of insider ownership elsewhere, but these holdings are enough to suggest alignment between insiders and the other shareholders.

Story continues

What Might The Insider Transactions At Bank of New York Mellon Tell Us?

The fact that there have been no Bank of New York Mellon insider transactions recently certainly doesn't bother us. We don't take much encouragement from the transactions by Bank of New York Mellon insiders. But it's good to see that insiders own shares in the company. Of course, the future is what matters most. So if you are interested in Bank of New York Mellon, you should check out this free report on analyst forecasts for the company.

If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt.

For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions of direct interests only, but not derivative transactions or indirect interests.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Latest offer to WellNow is lower than a decade ago

SYRACUSE, N.Y., Dec. 29, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The latest offer from Excellus BlueCross BlueShield to Upstate New York's largest urgent care services provider is less than it paid ten years ago while over the same time period has convinced New York State to raise its prices by 45%.

"The potential large-scale disruption on health equity is immense as people in underserved communities are left to cope with fewer resources," said Dr. Robert Biernbaum, D.O., Chief Medical Officer for WellNow Urgent Care.

"Excellus is making a decision that will create more underserved areas and cost New York State taxpayers more for Medicaid," said Biernbaum.

Without WellNow in-network, Excellus subscribers will either pay out-of-pocket costs to use WellNow or Excellus will pay higher costs for urgent care services delivered in hospital emergency departments and hospital-owned urgent care centers. Some of those higher costs for Excellus subscribers are passed on to the state Medicaid program.

Medicaid provides coverage for health care services for millions of New York's children, veterans, pregnant women, people with disabilities and seniors. Last year, WellNow Urgent Care Centers delivered high quality care for nearly 200,000 Upstate visits which were covered by Medicaid.

Ironically, Excellus is poised to spend more of its money and more Medicaid money in 2024 to cover services in hospital emergency departments and hospital-owned urgent care centers instead of at WellNow centers.

"It just doesn't have to end this way," said Dr. John Radford, founder of WellNow Urgent Care. "Excellus is using its strong market position to pressure WellNow into an unfavorable agreement."

"In Western New York, where Excellus operates as Univera with less market dominance, they acknowledge WellNow as an urgent care and pay a fair rate. However, in Central New York, where Excellus has a larger market share, they present conflicting information, treating WellNow like primary care. Adding to the confusion, Excellus pays many hospital-owned urgent care centers in Central New York much more than what WellNow is asking under our existing contract in the Buffalo area," said Radford.

"It's quite simple  if Excellus pays us in Central New York what they pay us in Western New York, we will stay in network. Otherwise, we have no choice but to go out of network. At this point one must wonder based on their unwillingness to provide an offer of any merit and their slow responses, as these negotiations started nine months ago, if they have any interest in keeping us in network. Ultimately, I have concerns about Excellus's commitment to healthcare access  it feels like they're putting profits over the people of New York," said Radford.

About WellNow Urgent Care

WellNow Urgent Care is one of the fastest-growing providers of urgent medical care, virtual care, occupational health services and clinical research in the United States. Opened in 2012, the independent healthcare practices WellNow supports operate more than 200 centers across New York, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. More information about WellNow Urgent Care's services, hours and locations can be found at WellNow.com.

SOURCE WellNow Urgent Care
NEW ORLEANS, Dec. 29, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until January 26, 2024 to 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.

Get Help

Fisker investors should visit us at https://claimsfiler.com/cases/nyse-fsr/ or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options.

About the Lawsuit

Fisker 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 ClaimsFiler

ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations.

To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com.

SOURCE ClaimsFiler
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Dec. 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Law Offices of Jason Turchin shares advice for passengers injured on cruise lines, including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), and Disney Cruises. With a deep understanding of maritime law and a history of representing cruise injury victims, the firm offers these five tips to help passengers navigate the path to compensation.

"Injuries on cruise ships are more common than many realize, and pursuing compensation often requires knowledge of maritime and personal injury law," states Jason Turchin, Esq.

Tip 1: Report the Injury Immediately

Inform the cruise ship staff about your cruise passenger injury as soon as possible. Officially documenting the incident on board is a helpful first step in your claim to prove it occurred.

Tip 2: Collect and Preserve Evidence

Take photos of the accident scene and your injuries. Gather contact information from any witnesses. This evidence can be invaluable in supporting your claim.

Tip 3: Seek Medical Attention Promptly

Prioritize your health and seek medical attention immediately, either on the ship or at the next port. Medical records can serve as important evidence in personal injury claims.

Tip 4: Be Aware of the Statute of Limitations

Cruise lines often have stringent statutes of limitations for filing injury claims. For example, many require claims to be filed within one year of the incident. Be mindful of these timeframes to ensure your claim is allowed.

Tip 5: Consult with a Specialized Attorney

Seek legal advice from an attorney experienced in cruise ship injury claims. Cruise lines like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, NCL, and Disney have specific procedures and legal teams to handle these cases, and so should you.

"Victims of cruise ship injuries often face a challenging battle against well-prepared corporate legal teams," adds Turchin. "Our experience in this field can help level the playing field, giving our clients the representation they may need to pursue rightful compensation."

Passengers injured on a Carnival, Royal Caribbean, NCL, Celebrity or Disney Cruise can reach out to the Law Offices of Jason Turchin for a consultation.

About Law Offices of Jason Turchin

The Law Offices of Jason Turchin have handled hundreds of cruise passenger injury cases. Jason Turchin, Esq. has been featured in media around the world, including CBS Evening News, Forbes, Rolling Stone and more.

Contact:

Jason Turchin

(800) 337-7755

[email protected]

SOURCE Law Offices of Jason Turchin
NEW ORLEANS, Dec. 29, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until January 8, 2024 to file lead plaintiff applications in securities class action lawsuits against FMC Corporation (NYSE: FMC), if they purchased or otherwise acquired the Company's shares between February 9, 2022 and October 30, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). These actions are pending in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Get Help

FMC investors should visit us at https://claimsfiler.com/cases/nyse-fmc/ or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options.

About the Lawsuits

FMC and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.

On September 7, 2023, Blue Orca Capital reported that the Company had made a series of false statements about the status of patent protections for its flagship products following legal defeats in India, China, and Brazil, that allowed competitors to launch competing generic products at much lower prices. On this news, the price of FMC's shares dropped more than 7.4%, to close at $76.10 per share, representing approximately $630 million in investor losses, on high trading volume.

Then, on October 23, 2023, the Company disclosed further cuts to its Q3 2023 outlook and guidance for revenues for Q4 and FY 2024, projecting earnings well below analysts' expectations, citing substantially lower sales volumes in Latin America. On this news, the price of FMC's shares plummeted by $8.83 per share, or 12.18%, to close at $58.12 per share.

The case is Heeg v. FMC Corporation, et al., 23-cv-4938. A subsequent case expanded the class period, Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System v. FMC Corporation, et al., 23-cv-4842.

About ClaimsFiler

ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations.

To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com.

SOURCE ClaimsFiler
NEW ORLEANS, Dec. 29, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until January 26, 2024 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Roblox Corporation (NYSE: RBLX), if they purchased or otherwise acquired the Company's shares between March 10, 2021 and February 15, 2022, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.

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Roblox investors should visit us at https://claimsfiler.com/cases/nyse-rblx/ or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options.

About the Lawsuit

Roblox 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) the Roblox platform had insufficient content controls and lacked user spending restrictions; (ii) these inadequate controls enabled younger users to play games with inappropriate content and make excessive, unauthorized purchases; (iii) a material portion of the Company's bookings and revenue growth was due to these excessive, unauthorized purchases; (iv) the Company's planned rollout of enhanced parental controls would negatively impact Q4 2021 and 2022 bookings; and (v) based on the foregoing, the Company's bookings and revenue growth were unsustainable throughout the Class Period.

The case is DeKalb County Pension Fund v. Roblox Corporation, et al., 23-cv-06618.

About ClaimsFiler

ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations.

To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com.

SOURCE ClaimsFiler
Sanaa, Dec 30 : Yemen's Houthi rebels issued a new warning to the US, cautioning against any military escalation and pledging to continue attacks on "Israel-related" commercial ships in the Red Sea.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea, in a statement broadcast on the rebel-run al-Masirah TV on Friday, affirmed the group's commitment to counter "any potential aggression on Yemen".

Sarea also sent a warning to nations considering participation in the US-led coalition aimed at protecting the ships, Xinhua news agency reported.

In recent weeks, the rebel group has targeted "Israel-related" cargo vessels in the southern Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, citing solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

On November 19, the Houthis hijacked a cargo ship, the Galaxy Leader, in the Red Sea and took it and its crew to Hodeidah port.

The Houthis said they would stop attacks on ships if food and medicine aid were allowed into the Gaza Strip.

Last week, the US announced a multinational maritime coalition to secure the ships passing through the Red Sea after a series of Houthi attacks.

The rebels control much of northern Yemen, including the strategic Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, since they ousted the Yemeni government from the capital Sanaa.
New Delhi, Dec 30 : Indian Navy unveiled a new design for Admirals' epaulettes on Friday, drawing inspiration from the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. With the feeling of taking pride in one's heritage, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the Indian Navy is now going to name its ranks in line with Indian traditions.

The unveiling of the epaulettes, a shoulder piece worn to show the rank of an officer, came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an announcement on it earlier this month.

In his address at the Navy Day celebrations at Sindhudurg in Maharashtra on December 4, Modi expressed happiness that the epaulettes donned by the Naval officers will now highlight the heritage and legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

"As we usher in the new year #2024, Indian Navy proudly unveils the new design of Admirals' Epaulettes," the Navy said on X.

"Announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during Navy Day 2023 at Sindhudurg -- the new design is drawn from the Naval Ensign and inspired by Rajmudra of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and is a true reflection of our rich maritime heritage," it added.

The royal seal of the Maratha ruler has been brought in the new epaulettes which has been replaced in place of the 'Nelson Ring' of the British Raj.

"The new design is octagonal. It symbolises the eight directions, which reflects the all-round long-term vision of the Army. It has a sword which shows the Navy's objective of winning wars through dominance and overcoming every challenge. There is also a telescope which symbolises vision, foresight and keeping an eye on the weather in the changing world."

The 'Sailors Rank' of British rule has been reviewed due to which more than 65,000 sailors will now get a new rank.

Earlier, there was a Red Cross symbol on the Naval flag. This was the St. George's Cross, which was part of the British flag -- the Union Jack. St. George's Cross was a symbol of a Christian saint and warrior.

Earlier new changes in the uniform of Indian Army officers were approved. Under this approval, a uniform was implemented for all officers of the ranks of Brigadier and above Brigadier in the Army from August 1. Till date, different military officers wear different uniforms reflecting their respective regiments.

As of now, officers of the Parachute Regiment wear maroon coloured berets, while officers of infantry, Armoured Corps, combat support arms and services wear green, black and blue berets. This new change ended the practice of the Army wearing different uniforms and equipment denoting different regiments and services and weapons.

Now the caps, shoulder badges, georgette patches worn on the collars of uniforms, belts and shoes of military officers are the same.

This important change in the army uniform means that after reaching the rank of Brigadier, para officers will not wear the maroon coloured cap nor will the armoured officers wear their distinctive belt. However, there is still no change in the uniform worn by officers of Colonel rank and below.

According to military officials, the headgear, shoulder rank badges, gorget patches, belts and footwear of officers of flag rank i.e. Brigadier and above have become standardised and uniform.

It is noteworthy that in the same year, a meeting of army commanders was held to take important decisions. Meanwhile, this decision was taken after deliberations and extensive discussions with all the stakeholders.

It has been argued in the decision that this uniform for officers of the rank of Brigadier and above in the Indian Army will ensure a common identity for all senior rank officers, reflecting the ethos of the Army. It is noteworthy that various types of uniforms and decorations have specific associations with the respective arms, regiments and services in the Indian Army.
New Delhi, Dec 30 : At least two inmates were killed and six others injured after prisoners started a fire Thursday night in a cell in Uruguay's Comcar prison, the Interior Ministry said.

The fire broke out when inmates threw flammable liquid through a window of a cell at Comcar, whose official name is Unit 4 Santiago Vazquez, Xinhua news agency.

Luis Mendoza, director of the National Rehabilitation Institute, said at a press conference on Friday that it was a "specific incident" and "not a riot."

Mendoza confirmed that the bodies of the deceased were found in the cell, which held eight inmates, while the injured were hospitalized, four of them with serious burns.

Comcar houses 4,900 inmates, almost a third of the country's prison population, according to figures from the parliamentary commissioner of the penitentiary system.

The Interior Ministry announced that with the creation of almost 4,000 prison spots by the end of the current government in 2025, overcrowding, which affects some 2,500 inmates, will be overcome.

--IANS

int/dan
United Nations, Dec 30 : A Chinese envoy has asked UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to be cautious in dealing with the appointment of a special envoy for Afghanistan.

The UN Security Council has adopted a resolution on the Afghanistan independent assessment, which requests the secretary-general to appoint a special envoy for Afghanistan to promote the implementation of the recommendations in the assessment, Xinhua news agency.

China and Russia abstained while the remaining 13 members of the Security Council voted in favor.

In an explanation of vote, Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, asked the secretary-general to cautiously deal with the appointment of a special envoy.

China has always maintained that when dealing with hot-spot issues, actions taken by the Security Council and the UN secretary-general, including the appointment of special envoys, should be based on thorough communications with the countries concerned and on respect for their opinions, said Geng.

"We are, therefore, of the view that the follow-up by this council to the independent assessment should also be taken in full communication with the Afghan authorities, respecting their opinions, with the decision to be made after extensive consultations with various stakeholders," he said.

Geng warned that a forcible appointment of a special envoy in disregard of the views of the country concerned may not only lead to the special envoy being unable to discharge his or her functions at all, but also heighten the antagonism and confrontation between the international community and the Afghan authorities.

Such a scenario, the envoy noted, completely runs counter to the signal sent by the independent assessment to step up constructive engagement with the Afghan authorities.

Security Council members remain obviously divided on the follow-up implementation of the assessment report, while the Afghan authorities, on the other hand, still have reservations about some recommendations, he said, adding that against this background, it seems hasty to force through the adoption of the resolution and doing so might turn out to be counterproductive.

China and Russia expressed these concerns in the consultation process and constructively proposed amendments to the draft resolution, which were regrettably not taken on board. China had to abstain from voting, he said.

"It is our hope that, going forward, the secretary-general will cautiously deal with the appointment of a special envoy, continue to strengthen communication and interaction with the Afghan authorities, and strive to find appropriate solutions," said Geng.

Afghanistan's history in the last two decades has proven once and again that externally imposed solutions will only end in failure. The real solution to the Afghan issue ultimately lies with the Afghan people themselves. In this process, the international community should effectively communicate and engage with the Afghan authorities to provide support and assistance in a constructive manner, he said.
Tel Aviv , Dec 30 : The Ambassador of Israel to the United Nations, Gilad Ergan, came out strongly against the topics of discussion at the emergency UN security council meeting.

An emergency United Nations Security Council meeting was held on Friday at the request of the United Arab Emirates focusing on the Israel-Hamas war, the situation in Judea and Samaria, and Israeli security operations in Palestinian cities.

Gilad Erdan sharply criticised the topics of the debate and said: "I am shocked by the focus of this briefing. I am shocked by the blatant lies being spread. I am shocked at the utter dissonance from the realty on the ground."

The Ambassador referred to the Council's disregard for the terrorist attacks from Lebanese territory and asked "Why have you not condemned the rocket fire from Lebanon? The situation in northern Israel is reaching a point of no return50,000 Israeli civilians were displaced along the northern border because of the Iran-backed attacks by Hezbollah from Lebanon."

He added: "If these attacks continue, the situation will escalate and may lead to a full-scale war. Lebanon must be held accountable for the aggression carried out from its territory."

As far as the claims of "settler" violence, the Ambassador said: "There were no Israelis in the West Bank in 1948 and there were none in 1967, yet the Palestinians and Arab countries still sought to annihilate Israel."

The Ambassador described the number of Palestinian terrorist attacks against Israelis in Judea and Samaria since October 7 and emphasised that it is 15 times greater than the number of incidents against Palestinians but despite this fact, the UN ignores terrorism against Israelis in Judea and Samaria.

In a hard hitting speech, he said: "The UN either distorts or ignores the facts regarding Israeli terror victims. The UN is one of the main driving forces for the sick phenomena we are seeing now."

The Ambassador also referred to the denial of the massacre on October 7: "From October 7 atrocity denial to the denial of rape and sexual violence perpetrated by Hamas, the UN is an accomplice of terror organisations and anti-semites. Because, for the UN, Israeli lives don't matter!"

The Ambassador said: "You have been dragged here again by the Arab League, to give you the impression that the core of the conflict is not Palestinian terror, but Israel's acts of self-defense from Palestinian terror."

He also read the names of the 129 hostages held captive by Hamas and concluded: "Our hostages will not be forgotten. The world and the people of Gaza must know their names in order to remember why the war in Gaza is ongoing, and will continue, until we bring all of the hostages home."
Migrants reach through a border wall for clothing handed out by volunteers, as they wait between two border walls to apply for asylum Friday, May 12, 2023, in San Diego. Hundreds of migrants remain waiting between the two walls, many for days. The U.S. entered a new immigration enforcement era Friday, ending a three-year-old asylum restriction and enacting a set of strict new rules that the Biden administration hopes will stabilize the U.S.-Mexico border and push migrants to apply for protections where they are, skipping the dangerous journey north. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) (Gregory Bull/AP)

Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Wednesday with Mexicos President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador discuss to discuss the border crisis, a tacit acknowledgment that no nation, including the United States, can absorb unlimited numbers of immigrants.

An overwhelming majority of Americans of all political stripes want Congress to fix the border, and yet, Congress has failed to do so for decades. Despite fearmongering from the right, significant immigration and border proposals were introduced in 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2012, 2013, 2021, and 2022  and all failed, largely due to Republican opposition.

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Two weeks ago, Speaker Mike Johnson adjourned the House of Representatives for the rest of the year without passing legislation on the border crisis, and sent a letter to President Joe Biden calling on him to fix the problem alone, via executive order.

It seems the only thing Republicans want more than a fixed immigration system is a broken immigration system.

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Weve been here before

Johnsons letter admitted that fixing the border requires him to pass elusive federal legislation which, despite his own breast beating, remains long-unfinished business. He wrote, Statutory reforms designed to restore operational control at our southern border must be enacted ... and, stating the obvious, (Legislators) have not yet been able to finalize an agreement.

In other words, its more of the same. After years of inaction, Johnson and the far right now insist that U.S. borders must be fixed before the U.S. meets its security commitments to Ukraine and Israel. Its a cynical bet on Americas short attention span.

Ten years ago, a Gang of Eight  4 Republican and 4 Democratic Senators  crafted an ambitious proposal to fix our nations broken immigration system. It was the first comprehensive immigration reform plan presented in nearly 30 years.

The proposal provided tech/science employers with more access to urgently-needed engineers and foreign graduates with advanced degrees, included a merit-based review system to award more green cards based on skills and education, and created a legalization plan for undocumented immigrants already living and working in the country. It also revamped visa rules to assist industries that rely on immigrants to fill backbreaking jobs Americans wont take.

The highly celebrated, bipartisan plan went nowhere.

After passing the Senate by an overwhelming margin of 68 to 32, it tanked in the House, where far-right conservatives blocked it from ever getting a vote. The late Sen. John McCain, the last real Republican champion of immigration reform, blamed the Gang of Eights House failure on the conservative Republican Freedom Caucus.

A decade later, nothing has changed. Republican political attacks remain a cynical surrogate for action, and our borders remain a mess.

Republicans jeopardize national security for political points

Despite GOP majorities in both House and Senate since the Gang of Eight failed, including from 2017-2019 under then-President Donald Build the Wall Trump, Republicans have bypassed clear opportunities to fix immigration, which seems to be a crisis only when theres a Democrat in the White House.

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Fox News now churns out alarmist immigration stories on the daily. Fresh surge, frightening toll of criminals, and massive influx headlines run practically nonstop like a ticker tape. Meanwhile, President Biden has called on Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform since his first day in office. Rejecting Bidens border requests, Republicans have now decided to hijack NATO and the United States national security commitments by making them contingent on hard-line border proposals they havent seriously pursued in over 30 years.

Sweeping decades of squandered Republican opportunities under the rug, Johnson has declared that immigration reform has become Republicans hill to die on.

Far right politicians approach immigration today like they approached abortion yesterday  as an opposition party whose role is to attack, not solve. They obviously dont want the dog to catch this car either.

Effective reform requires nimble analysis, not grandstanding

Not all Republicans are so deliberately obtuse. Earlier this year, two Republican governors, including Eric Holcomb of Indiana and Spencer Cox of Utah, delivered an admirable essay in The Washington Post correctly citing the countrys economic dependence on immigrant labor.

Describing more than 300,000 job vacancies between Utah and Indiana alone, they wrote, In meaningful ways, every U.S. state shares a border with the rest of the world, and all of them need investment, markets and workers from abroad. They point out that rapidly declining U.S. birthrates coupled with accelerating retirements is becoming an American labor crisis that can only be fixed with increased immigrant workers.

Its long past the hour for Congress to help border states and accommodate farmers and industry leaders desperate for workers, by developing a data-driven, market-specific immigration plan. It should provide clear rules on which skills and people can come in, enhanced enforcement, sustainable asylum standards, fast-track deportation procedures, increased border staff, temporary shelters so border states arent stuck with the bill, and a path to citizenship based on evolving labor, social and housing needs.

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Johnson does a great disservice to farmers and industry, and to Americans who understand these complexities, by ascribing Fox News viewers lowest-common-denominator intellect to everyone. His fearmongering and pro-Putin platitudes make clear that Americans concerned about immigration are far smarter, more informed and more motivated to fix the problem than Republicans have ever been.

Sabrina Haake is a Chicago attorney and Gary resident. She writes the Substack newsletter The Haake Take.
If you need to run to the post office or bank before 2024 begins, it's a good idea to plan ahead.

Most major banks and U.S. Postal Service offices will be closed on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day this year.

Additionally, shipping services such as UPS and FedEx, and their office locations, may have reduced hours or service options on both days. It is a good idea to contact your local UPS or FedEx store location for their specific holiday hours before leaving home.

Here's what to know about banks, post offices, and shipping services, and whether they'll be open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day in 2023.

When is New Year's Day? Here's when the holiday falls for 2024 and why we celebrate it.

Is the post office open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day? Will mail be delivered?

Local post office locations will be closed on both days and regular mail will not be delivered, 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 New Year's Eve and New Year's Day?

Banks will be closed on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.

Branches of Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Truist, CitiBank and more will not open their branches on either day, the companies told USA TODAY.

New Year's Eve falls on a Sunday this year, which is a day banks are closed anyway, while New Year's Day is a federal holiday.

Pet safety tips: How to keep your pets calm during New Year's Eve fireworks

Is UPS open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day? Will packages be delivered?

UPS will not pick up or deliver packages on New Year's Eve, and some UPS Store locations may have modified business hours, according to the company. Check with your local store for specific hours of operation.

UPS pickup and delivery services will also be unavailable on New Year's Day and UPS Store locations will be closed.

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According to the company, UPS Express Critical is available 365 days a year. For more information, visit upsexpresscritical.com.

Is FedEx open New Year's Eve and New Year's Day? Will packages be delivered?

Most FedEx delivery services will be unavailable on New Year's Eve, however FedEx Office locations will be open. Check with your local store for specific hours of operation.

FedEx pickup and delivery services will also be unavailable on Jan. 1, and FedEx Office locations will be closed on the day.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Are banks, post offices open New Year's Eve, New Year's Day?
Mexico City, Dec 30 : Uruguayan manager Jorge Bava has promised to instill an offensive mindset at Leon as he prepares to take charge of the Mexican top-flight club.

Bava arrived in Mexico on Thursday after agreeing personal terms of a contract that will reportedly run until the end of 2025, reports Xinhua.

"I'm happy with my decision to come here. It's a challenge I'm eager to take on," Bava told reporters.

"The aim is to build the squad as quickly as possible and fill in the missing pieces that will hopefully make us very competitive and very offensive," he added.

The 42-year-old replaces Argentine Nicolas Larcamon, who left the Liga MX club earlier this month to join Brazil's Cruzeiro.

It will be Bava's second spell as manager of a professional club, having led Liverpool Montevideo to their first Uruguayan top-flight title last week.

Leon will begin their 2024 Liga MX Clausura campaign with a home clash with Tigres UANL on January 17.

--IANS
Bengaluru, Dec 30 : Bengaluru Special Courts for People's Representatives has issued an order convicting Karnataka Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa in connection with a cheque bounce case from 2011 and imposing a Rs 6.96 crore fine.

The court has said that in case of non-payment of the fine, Minister Madhu Bangarappa will have to undergo six months of simple imprisonment. The order was given on Friday.

Following the development, the BJP has demanded his resignation.

BJP State President B.Y. Vijayendra said that the Minister of the Congress government has been declared the offender in the cheque bounce case.

"It's a black mark on the dignity of the government and the sanctity of education. Bangarappa should tender his resignation, taking moral responsibility. Otherwise, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah should seek his resignation," he said.

He said that if the Congress government is arrogant and hesitates in this matter, the education sector of the state will suffer a major dent at the international level.

BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal said that who is supposed to bring comprehensive change to the education sector, indulges in cheating and has been declared an offender.

"Where will he take the education department? According to sources, he is not able to read or write Kannada," he said.

Minister Madhu Bangarappa was supposed to pay the pending amount of Rs 6.96 crore to Rajesh Exports and had issued a cheque which had bounced.

Bangarappa had submitted an undertaking that he would make the payment of Rs 50 lakh by the end of January 2024. However, the court did not oblige as the previous undertaking was dishonoured.

The court had ordered that in the fine amount, Rs 6.96 lakh should be given as compensation to the complainant and Rs 10,000 as a fine amount to the government.

Bangarappa, as the director of Akash Audio-Video Pvt Limited, was the second accused in the cheque bounce case.

Judge Preeth J of the Special court had passed the order. The court had also criticised the attitude of the minister for dragging the case. Bangarappa had approached the High Court to quash the case, but his petition was dismissed.

--IANS

mka/dan
Gandhinagar: Director-General WHO Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus Addresses at the opening ceremony of WHO Traditional Medicine Global Summit. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, Dec 30 : World Health Organization Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has said that he is "very concerned" about the growing threat of infectious diseases in the Gaza Strip.

New Delhi, Dec 30 (IANS) World Health Organization Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has said that he is "very concerned" about the growing threat of infectious diseases in the Gaza Strip.

"As people continue to be massively displaced across the south of Gaza, with some families forced to move multiple times and many sheltering in overcrowded health facilities, my WHO colleagues and I remain very concerned about the increasing threat of infectious diseases," Tedros said on X.

He said that since mid-October until mid-December, people living in shelters have continued to fall sick.

Giving details of the catastrophic health situation in Gaza, the WHO Chief wrote that close to 180,000 people are suffering upper respiratory infections.

"There are at least 136,400 cases of diarrhoea half of these among children aged under 5; 55,400 cases of lice and scabies; 5,330 cases of chickenpox; 42,700 cases of skin rash, including 4722 cases of impetigo; 4,683 cases of Acute Jaundice Syndrome; and 126 cases of meningitis," Tedros said.

He said that WHO and partners are working tirelessly to support the health authorities to increase disease surveillance and control by supplying medicines, and testing kits to support the prompt detection.

"We are working to respond to stop infectious diseases such as hepatitis, and trying to improve access to safe water, food, hygiene and sanitation services," the WHO Chief said.

--IANS

int/dan
Bhopal, Dec 30 : As Madhya Pradesh has already undergone a change in political leadership after the conclusion of the high-voltage Assembly elections, the year 2024 will be crucial in the context of assessing the performance of the new leadership in both the BJP and Congress camps.

The ruling BJP has replaced its most popular leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan -- after being at the helm of the state for over 16 years a" with a new Chief Minister, Mohan Yadav, who is relatively less popular in the stateas politics.

The Opposition Congress, too, has replaced its old leadership in the state and brought in young Jitu Patwari, as state President after removing the previous chief Kamal Nath.

Even though 59-year-old Mohan Yadav will have enough time to prove his leadership for the next five years and will continue to enjoy the backing of the BJPas central leadership, yet, every decision that he takes for the governance of the state, would be compared with that of his predecessor Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

Meanwhile, in the Congress camp it would be the same situation for 58-year-old Patwari who is a two-time MLA and former Minister. After replacing veteran leader and former Chief Minister Kamal Nath as state unit President, Patwari will have to ace all the challenges he faces in the state to justify the Congress leadershipas decision.

Being the head of the Opposition party, his challenge lies in rebuilding the organisation after the Congressa massive defeat in the Assembly elections and in keeping the party's cadre together and motivated for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Apart from this, Patwarias main test would be to keep the Congressa vote share intact in Madhya Pradesh and the 2024 Lok Sabha election would be a real test of his leadership.

In the just-concluded Assembly election, the BJP won 163 seats and garnered a 48.55 per cent vote share. The Congressa vote share remained almost the same at 40.40 per cent as against 40.89 per cent in 2018, even as its tally plunged from 114 to 66 seats.

In the last four elections in Madhya Pradesh (2003, 2008, 2013 and 2018), the Congressa vote share has been increasing, from 32 per cent in 2003, 32 per cent in 2008, 36 per cent in 2013 and 40.89 per cent in 2018. The BJPas vote share in the state has been 44.88 per cent (2003), 38 per cent (2008), 45 per cent (2013) and 41 per cent (2018).

In the 2023 Assembly election, the BJP won 101 seats with more than 50 per cent vote share and on nearly 50 seats it secured 40 per cent to 50 per cent vote share. Overall, a gain of more than seven per cent cemented the saffron partyas win in Madhya Pradesh, which is called the laboratory of its parent organization, the RSS.

Significantly, in the last two Lok Sabha elections a" 2014 and 2019 a" the BJP has been much ahead of the Congress in terms of seats and vote share in Madhya Pradesh. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections the BJP had won 26 out of 28 seats with more than 54 per cent vote share. In 2019 it won 28 out of 29 seats, with 58 per cent vote share against the Congressa one with 34.5 per cent vote share.

After chairing a series of meetings with organisational leaders, Patwari himself has stated that it is a challenging time for the Congress in Madhya Pradesh and he has signaled that he would strengthen the party through the five mantras of Sangharsh (struggle), Samvad (dialogue), Sankalp (resolution), Samanvay (coordination) and Sakriyata (activism). How he will fare in his endeavours, only time will tell.
Patna, Dec 30 : Bihar is important for both the NDA and the INDIA blocs in the context of the 2024 Lok Sabha election and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is holding the key to opening its gates for whichever side he chooses.

At present, he is standing with the INDIA bloc and this is the reason why the BJP-led NDA cannot relax till the 2024 Lok Sabha poll keeping in view that the INDIA leaders have only one plan -- to cut 40 to 50 seats from the NDA tally from the three states of Bihar, West Bengal and Jharkhand.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha election, the BJP won 18 seats in West Bengal, 17 in Bihar and 12 seats in Jharkhand.

In West Bengal, its Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led TMC is strongly opposing the BJP. In Jharkhand, the Hemant Soren-led JMM and the Congress are fighting the BJP. But in Bihar, keeping in mind the 'Paltimar' (changing sides) track record of Nitish Kumar, the BJP still harbours hopes.

The BJP think tank knows that if RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav and Nitish Kumar contest together in Bihar, a big chunk of the Dalit, Mahadalit, Muslim, OBC and EBC vote bank will go with them and they would easily win the contest. The BJP would have only the upper castes and the votes of the trader community and that will not be good enough for it.

In case Nitish Kumar goes with the BJP, a sizable number of Dalit, Mahadalit, Muslim, OBC and EBC voters will vote for the NDA and retaining its 17 seats in Bihar would be easy for the saffron brigade.

The BJP realises that if Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad contest jointly in Bihar, they would repeat their performance in the 2015 assembly election when the RJD got 80 seats, the JD-U 69 and the BJP 59 seats.

Compared to that when Nitish Kumar went with the BJP, his party JD-U got only 43 seats and the BJP 74. At that time, Nitish Kumar and other leaders of the JD-U levelled conspiracy charges against the BJP. The BJP leaders always referred to the 2019 Lok Sabha election when their party had won 17 seats, the JD-U 16 and the LJP 6. The seats of the JD-U increased due to the campaign of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP, the saffron party claimed.

The differences between the JD-U and the BJP arose post the 2019 Lok Sabha poll results. The JD-U wanted a cabinet and two state minister portfolios in the second tenure of the Narendra Modi government while the BJP was not ready for it. The BJP offered only one post of cabinet minister and it had given only one cabinet berth during the second expansion of the cabinet and made RCP Singh the Union steel minister.

Apart from that, BJP national president JP Nadda's statement to finish the regional parties also hurt Nitish Kumar and made him jump ship in Bihar. He formed the government with the help of the RJD, Congress and the Left parties.

If Nitish Kumar stays with INDIA in the Lok Sabha election 2024, the BJP is expected to do poorly in Bihar.

After the resignation of Lalan Singh from the post of national president of the JD-U, Nitish Kumar took the reins of the party into his own hands. With this, he can take decisions on his own and going with the NDA cannot be ruled out.

"Nitish Kumar is an unpredictable person who generally surprises people. If he had not become the national president of the party by removing Lalan Singh, the JD-U might have split. He has saved the JD-U from splitting for now. After becoming national president of the party, he can stand before Lalu Prasad Yadav to counter him. The country is surprised as Nitish Kumar who started good governance with the support of the BJP is now sitting in the lap of Lalu Prasad," said Nikhil Anand, national general secretary of the BJP's OBC wing.

"Nitish Kumar is the undisputed leader of the JD-U and this was stated by Lalan Singh himself. Lalan Singh quit the party's national president's post and proposed Nitish Kumar as the new national president. If the name of any other leader had been proposed many questions would have arisen. Maybe one section would have accepted it and the other not," said Mritunjay Tiwari, spokesperson of the RJD.

"All the news in the media have no truth. If Nitish Kumar wants to go with the NDA, no one in the JD-U will stop him. So, making allegations against Lalan Singh that he is close to Lalu Prasad Yadav is not right," Tiwari said.

However, Nitish Kumar will face the heat from both the sides on his chief minister's post. Lalu Prasad wants his son Tejashwi Yadav to become the chief minister and the BJP wants its own chief minister in Bihar.
New Delhi, Dec 30 : The Delhi Police has filed an FIR against unknown persons in connection with Tuesday's low-intensity blast near the Israel embassy in the national capital, amid the ongoing conflict involving Hamas.

The case has been registered at the Tughlak Road police station under Section 3 of the Explosive Substances Act, which pertains to the punishment for causing an explosion likely to endanger life or property, according to sources.

Experts from the Forensic Sciences Laboratory (FSL) have also uncovered more than two dozen pellets (small metal balls), shedding light on the nature of the explosion.

The official sources revealed that the blast was likely a low-intensity one involving a crude bomb.

According to sources, a letter discovered a day ago was found to be abusive in nature. The typed words on the letter, such as "Sir Allah Resistance," strongly suggest that the organisation may be claiming responsibility for the attack.

Meanwhile, the police have reinforced security measures around the Chabad House in Paharganj where a large number of Israelis reside.

Security agencies in Delhi were sent into a tizzy after receiving an emergency call reporting an 'explosion' near the Israel Embassy in Chanakyapuri on Tuesday.

Delhi Police had said in a statement that at 5:53 p.m. on Tuesday, a PCR call conveyed that a "loud sound was heard from the rear side of the Israel Embassy".

"Given the sensitivity of the site and the report of a sound resembling an explosion, a dog squad, crime team, and the bomb disposal squad of Delhi Police were sent to the spot from where the alleged explosion sound was reported," said a Delhi Police spokesperson.

"Subsequently, experts from the forensic science laboratory (FSL) also reached the scene and the area was cordoned off for a meticulous search. The experts conducted an examination of the spot, collecting potential evidentiary exhibits, which are now being sent for forensic analysis," said the spokesperson.

Simultaneously, the Israel Embassy confirmed the incident, asserting that an 'explosion' occurred in close proximity of the Embassy building. It also confirmed the safety of all the workers and diplomats present in the Embassy.

Israel's Deputy Ambassador to India, Ohad Nakash Kaynar, had said in a video statement on Tuesday, "This evening, several minutes after 5 p.m., an explosion occurred in close proximity to the Embassy. All our workers and diplomats are safe. Our security teams are working in full cooperation with the local security forces, and they will investigate the matter."

Earlier, in January 2021, a minor explosion occurred near the Israel Embassy, causing damage to several vehicles.

In February 2012, a bomb was placed beneath an Israel Embassy vehicle, resulting in injuries to a diplomat's wife.
Toronto, Dec 30 : A 28-year-old Sikh woman is facing a first-degree murder charge in connection with the "suspicious" death of another woman in Canada's British Columbia province, police said.

Toronto, Dec 30 (IANS) A 28-year-old Sikh woman is facing a first-degree murder charge in connection with the "suspicious" death of another woman in Canada's British Columbia province, police said.

Preety Teena Kaur Panesar was taken into custody a day after the victim's body was discovered earlier this month at a property in Delta, a city in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia.

The Delta Police did not share the victim's name, age or any other identifying details about her except that she has an unspecified "familial relationship" with Panesar.

Officers were called to a home in the city's Ladner neighbourhood in the evening after receiving a report that a woman was found dead at the property, the CTV News reported, citing Delta Police.

Initially describing the circumstances as "suspicious", investigating officers said they had "conclusively determined" that the deceased was the victim of a homicide.

In a news release, the Delta Police Department offered "sincere condolences to the victim's family "during this challenging period".

"In consideration of the ongoing investigation and legal proceedings, no further details will be disclosed at this time," the release stated.

Police told the local media that the death was not linked to the ongoing Lower Mainland gang conflict, which has spread across the British Columbia province.

Beginning this year, the Lower Mainland has seen multiple gang-related shootings with the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit estimating 188 gangs in British Columbia.
New Delhi, Dec 30 : Israel has rejected South Africa's launch of a genocide case against at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), media reports said.

Reports said that Israel has termed it as a "baseless blood libel" with no "legal merit".

"South Africa is collaborating with a terrorist group that calls for Israel's destruction," Israeli media has reported.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry has said, "The people of Gaza are not an enemy of Israel, who is making efforts to limit harm to non-combatants."

Israel has claimed that it was "abiding" by international law in its conflict on Hamas in Gaza.
Bengaluru, Dec 30 : An incident of an engineer working with a private company dying after falling from 33rd floor balcony in an inebriated state has been reported from Bengaluru on Saturday.

The deceased is identified as Deepanshu Dharma. The incident took place on Friday morning in the limits of K.R. Puram police station.

According to police, Deepanshu attended a party on Thursday night and got high on liquor with friends. He came back to his apartment and entered the balcony. After losing his balance, he fell off from the balcony and died on the spot.

K.R. Puram police had rushed to the spot and have taken up investigation. More details are yet to emerge regarding the case.
Bengaluru, Dec 30 : Karnataka Police has felicitated the police officers and local residents who made a daring attempt to prevent the nude parade and assault incident reported from Vantamuri village of Belagavi district.

The felicitation programme was held at the Belagavi City Police Grounds on Saturday. The residents of Vantamuri village Jahangir Tahsildar, Wasim Makandar, Gram Panchayat Chairman Siddappa Holikar were felicitated for showing courage to prevent the assault.

The letter of appreciation given by the court was handed over to them by the Belagavi Police Commissioner Siddaramappa. They were also given Rs 3,000 cash award. PSI Manjunath Hulakunda and five others were also facilitated for rushing to the spot immediately and initiating action.

Police Commissioner Siddaramappa said that the department had facilitated those who attempted to prevent the incident in Vantamuri village. Three residents of Vantamuri village are facilitated and honoured with certificates conferred by the court.

He said that PSI Manjunath was given Rs 5,000 cash and other staff was given Rs 4,000 cash award.

"The people who informed the police will be given protection. The public should not fear and inform police if any untoward incident reports," he said.

On December 10, the 42-year-old woman was dragged outside her home, stripped naked, and paraded. She was then tied to an electric pole and assaulted, reportedly because her son had eloped with a girl from the village. The terror was unleashed on the boy's mother by the family members of the girl.

The Karnataka High Court had strongly criticised the government earlier for the failure of the police department to prevent the incident.

The Bench remarked: "Imagine the fear among other women? They will feel unsafe in the country. Such an incident did not even take place in Mahabharata. Draupadi had Lord Krishna who came up to help her, but in the modern world, no one came to help this woman. Unfortunately, this is a world of Duryodhanas and Dushasanas."

The Karnataka High Court also expressed that the villagers who stood mute spectators as a Dalit woman was stripped and paraded naked, should be fined by the government while the collected money must be given to the victim.

A Division Bench, headed by Chief Justice PB Varale and Justice Krishna S Dixit, while looking into the Suo Motu PIL filed regarding the case, further said that the Karnataka government should make a provision for punishment or imposition of fines on the people of Vantamuri Village in Belagavi district where the incident took place.

The case is now investigated by the special wing Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

The police have arrested all 13 accused persons including a minor in connection with the case.

The state government had awarded 2 acres of land to the victim.
If you buy and hold a stock for many years, you'd hope to be making a profit. But more than that, you probably want to see it rise more than the market average. But The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) has fallen short of that second goal, with a share price rise of 24% over five years, which is below the market return. Unfortunately the share price is down 7.4% in the last year.

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 Coca-Cola

To paraphrase Benjamin Graham: Over the short term the market is a voting machine, but over the long term it's a weighing machine. By comparing earnings per share (EPS) and share price changes over time, we can get a feel for how investor attitudes to a company have morphed over time.

Over half a decade, Coca-Cola managed to grow its earnings per share at 31% a year. This EPS growth is higher than the 4% average annual increase in the share price. Therefore, it seems the market has become relatively pessimistic about the company.

The image below shows how EPS has tracked over time (if you click on the image you can see greater detail).

This free interactive report on Coca-Cola's earnings, revenue and cash flow is a great place to start, if you want to investigate the stock further.

What About Dividends?

When looking at investment returns, it is important to consider the difference between total shareholder return (TSR) and share price return. The TSR is a return calculation that accounts for the value of cash dividends (assuming that any dividend received was reinvested) and the calculated value of any discounted capital raisings and spin-offs. It's fair to say that the TSR gives a more complete picture for stocks that pay a dividend. We note that for Coca-Cola the TSR over the last 5 years was 45%, which is better than the share price return mentioned above. And there's no prize for guessing that the dividend payments largely explain the divergence!

Story continues

A Different Perspective

Investors in Coca-Cola had a tough year, with a total loss of 4.4% (including dividends), against a market gain of about 26%. However, keep in mind that even the best stocks will sometimes underperform the market over a twelve month period. Longer term investors wouldn't be so upset, since they would have made 8%, each year, over five years. It could be that the recent sell-off is an opportunity, so it may be worth checking the fundamental data for signs of a long term growth trend. 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. For instance, we've identified 1 warning sign for Coca-Cola that you should be aware of.

Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of companies we expect will grow earnings.

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.
Los Angeles, Dec 30 : Actress-comedian Kathy Griffin and Randy Bick have called it quits after nearly four years of marriage, with Griffin, 63, filing for divorce with the Superior Court of California.

In court documents, Griffin listed the pair's date of separation as December 22, reports People magazine.

She cited "irreconcilable differences" as the reason for their split. TMZ was the first to report the news.

The legal documents noted that Griffin requested that the court's ability to award spousal support to both parties be terminated. Additionally, she requested that the court "enforce premarital agreement dated December 23, 2019.

As per People, the news of their separation comes days ahead of what would have been their fourth wedding anniversary. Reacting to the divorce news on Instagram, Griffin wrote: "Well...s***. This sucks."

Griffin and Bick began dating in 2011 but they didn't wed until January 2020. During the ceremony officiated by Lily Tomlin, the Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List alum wore the same dress she wore on the pair's first date.

"Randy and I are doing sort of toy rings for the ceremony because neither one of us like wearing rings ever. So we will never wear rings", she shared with People at the time. Deal with it."

Griffin was previously married to Matt Moline from 2001 to 2006.
New York, Dec 30 : Two Indian-origin men have been arrested and charged with one count each of conspiracy to commit visa fraud in the US.

Rambhai Patel, 36, and Balwinder Singh, 39, allegedly staged armed robberies so that "victims" could apply for immigration benefits, the US Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts said on Friday.

Patel was arrested in Seattle on December 13, 2023, and following an initial appearance in the Western District of Washington, he was ordered detained pending trial.

Singh was also arrested on the same day in Queens, and had his initial appearance in the Eastern District of New York.

While Singh appeared in federal court in Boston on Friday afternoon, Patel is expected to appear at a later date in the same court.

According to the charging documents, beginning March 2023, Patel and his co-conspirators, including at times Singh, set up and carried out staged armed robberies.

These were carried out at eight convenience/liquor stores and fast food restaurants across the United States, including at least four in Massachusetts.

It is alleged that the purpose of the staged robberies was to allow the clerks present to claim that they were victims of a violent crime on an application for U non-immigration status (U Visa).

A U Visa is available to victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and who have been helpful to law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution of criminal activity.

In the course of the alleged staged robberies, the "robber" would threaten store clerks and/or owners with an apparent firearm before taking cash from the register and fleeing, while the interaction was captured on store surveillance video.

The clerks and/or owners would then wait five or more minutes until the "robber" had escaped before calling police to report the "crime".

The "victims" are alleged to have each paid Patel to participate in the scheme. In turn, Patel allegedly paid the store owners for the use of their stores for the staged robbery.

The charge of conspiracy to commit visa fraud provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000.

Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the US Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law, the attorney's office said.
New Delhi, Dec 30 : To ease overcrowding on New Year's eve, exit from Rajiv Chowk metro station will not be allowed from 9 p.m on Sunday, said a Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) official.

"As advised by the police authorities, to ease overcrowding on December 31, EXIT from Rajiv Chowk Metro station will not be allowed from 9 p.m. onwards," said Metro in a statement.

"However, entry of passengers will be allowed till the departure of the last train from the Rajiv Chowk Metro station on Sunday. Commuters are requested to plan their journey accordingly," said Anuj Dayal, the DMRC spokesperson.

"Metro services on the rest of the Metro network will continue to remain available as per regular time table," he said.
Kolkata, Dec 30 : National strike by tribal body organisations, demanding separate code for 'Sarna' religion, evoked partial impact since Saturday morning in certain pockets of West Bengal especially those with substantial tribal population.

As a part of the movement titled under the banner of 'Adivasi Sengel Abhiyan', the tribal body association started rail blockades at various stations in the districts with substantial tribal population namely West Burdwan, Bankura, Purulia, West Midnapore in South Bengal and pockets in Malda district in North Bengal since early Saturday morning.

As per the latest information available, the rail blockades have been removed at certain important junction stations, but normal train services in those routes have continued to be heavily disrupted. Several long distance trains are reported to be running late.

However, according to the tribal association leader Dhaneswar Hansda, their agitations including rail and road blockades will continue till 6 p.m. on Thursday, meaning that there will be continuing day-long inconveniences for the daily railway commuters.

The main demands of the agitating tribal bodies are not only recognition of 'Sarna' as a separate religion but also introduction of separate code for that religion. They argue that the official percentage of tribal population in the total population of the country has declined to 26 per cent currently from the earlier figure of 38 per cent because of this non-recognition of the 'Sarna' religion.

The associations also demanded the recognition of Santhali language as the principal language in Jharkhand. In case of West Bengal, they are demanding tribal bodies' absolute administrative control on Ayodhya Hills in Purulia district of West Bengal.
New Delhi, Dec 30 : Pakistan army on Saturday said that they have killed five terrorists in an intelligence-based operation in the Mir Ali area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's North Waziristan District, media reports said.

"An intense exchange of fire took place during the operation and five terrorists, including their commander, Rahzaib Khuray, were sent to hell," reports quoting Pakistan military's media affairs wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

It said that the terrorists remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities against security forces as well as extortion and targeted killings of civilians.

ISPR has said that weapons and ammunition were also recovered during the operation.

Media reports said that Pakistan has witnessed an uptick in terror activities in recent months, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, after the banned militant Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan ended its ceasefire with the government last year.

--IANS

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Hyderabad, Dec 29 : With 10,125 representatives from 134 nations in attendance, and with the blessings of His Holiness Shri ShankaraVijayandra Saraswati ShankracharyaSwamigalof Sri KanchiKamakotiPeetham (Sri KanchiMatham,Tamil Nadu), Dr. Tony Nader, MD, PhD, formally inaugurated the Assembly of 10,000 for World Peace, which will convene until 13 January 2024.

Addressing the vast assembly overflowing the main hall at Kanha Shanti Vanam outside Hyderabadthe largest hall dedicated to meditation in all of India  Dr. Nader said "Congratulation to you all! You have only just arrived but already you are making history. Never before have so many experts in the technologies of consciousness (10,175 and counting) gathered together in one place, and from so many countries  134: truly, a united nations of meditation! And it's not just history that you're making here, it is also the future. Together, we will be demonstrating a much brighter tomorrow for our world."

Dr. Nader continued: "Maharishi Mahesh Yogi often called Bharat 'the Land of the Veda,' and two Vedic phrases come immediately to mind: from the Yoga Sutra, 'In the vicinity of Yoga, hostile tendencies are eliminated;' and from the Maha Upanishad, 'The world is my family.' Here in the heart of Bharat we will be applying the most powerful of all Vedic technologies for peace  the Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi Program  to demonstrate for the entire world how hostility can be ended and the long-sought unity in the family of nations can finally be achieved."

His Holiness ShankaraVijayandra Saraswati ShankracharyaSwamigalof Sri KanchiKamakotiPeetham, told the assembly, "For more than fifty years, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi traveled the world encouraging top modern scientists to study the technologies of consciousness from ancient Vedic science. Maharishi planted the seed for International Yoga Day at the United Nations and by his tireless work opened a new era that brought the practical benefits of Vedic science to an increasingly receptive global audience.

"Now, guided by Maharishi, his successor, Dr. Tony Nader, head of all the Transcendental Meditation organizations worldwide, has taken up this essential research work with great energy.

"That so many of you have answered his call and assembled here at this difficult time in world affairs testifies both to your conviction and to the power of the technologies of consciousness that you will be practicing. I encourage all world leaders to look deeply into this Vedic science as a solution to mankind's problems. It is time now that many more join Dr. Nader in applying these consciousness technologies to create a more perfect life on Earth."

Sri Shankaracharya concluded by giving his blessing "to all in this big international assembly dedicated to creating all good for all humanity."

Dr. Nader told the assembly, "You have journeyed a great distance to be here. At last you are among thousands who share the same goal, the very best goal  enlightenment for every individual and a world at peace. We may speak different languages but we know the same one Self, the field of pure Consciousness, in which everything manifests and progresses to ultimate fulfilment. We have a common purpose here at Kanha Shanti Vanam: together in our silent sessions of meditation we will powerfully enliven pure Consciousness, that fundamental field of coherence and integration in the whole of world consciousness."

Dr. Nader's address, and the blessings from the Shankaracharya, were interpreted simultaneously into 21 different languages so no assembly participant would miss even one inspiring word.

Dr. Nader continued, "Struggle and conflict are not necessary. Enlightenment and peace can be easily achieved and shine everywhere as soon as there is a permanent 10,000 group anywhere in the world."

The news of the Hyderabad global peace assembly has already been carried worldwide by the media.

Dr. Nader said, "Everyone knows by now that this is not just another conference talking about peace. It is not just another rally calling for an end to war. We are here to actually demonstrate a scientifically proven technology so powerful that merely ten thousand can create peace for eight billion once the group of 10,000 is established permanently."

--IANS

dan/
Varanasi : , Dec 30 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the Maharishi Valmiki international airport in Ayodhya.

The Prime Minister inspected the various facilities available at the airport.

Designed by Sthapati and built at a cost of Rs 1450 crores, the Ayodhya Airport emerges as an infrastructural marvel and a promise of holistic community development and cultural enrichment.

Beyond its physical dimensions, the airport, with its GRIHA 4-Star Certification, stands as a testament to Indiaas commitment to sustainable practices, heralding a new era in environmentally conscious aviation.

The Ayodhya Airport, is strategically located to facilitate travel for devotees and tourists.

The location complements the upcoming Ayodhya Ram Temple, providing a seamless travel experience to visitors seeking to experience this historic city.

Ayodhya Airport is the newest milestone in this journey of unprecedented growth in aviation traffic and infrastructure. With a peak-hour capacity of 750+ passengers and four aircraft movements per hour, it will cater to a large population and accommodate the continuous expected growth.

A two-storeyed structure, the Ayodhya Airport is adorned with elevational elements depicting the sacred cityas rich history. The ground floor invites passengers with expansive amenities, and the airport operations are carried out from the first floor.

The building is inspired by the gradual elevation of the mandapas and the Nagara style of temple architecture prevalent in Northern India.

According to an official release, the Ayodhya Airport Integrates the cityas heritage into the architecture

At the main entrance of Ayodhya Airport, a grand stepped shikar stands tall, adorned with brass. This architectural masterpiece follows the Nagara style, outlined with scriptures, presenting a majestic and culturally rich welcome to passengers.

The cityas heritage and story unfold through intricate columns, each laden with profound symbolism. The mega columns supporting the terminal roof symbolise the Kandas of Ramayana, blending cultural richness into the airport's architecture.

The Khandika, symbolising impermanence, coexists with the Deva Gana Patta, embodying divine features. Every column narrates a story of dedication, courage, and spirituality, weaving the city's essence into the very fabric of the airport.

The airportas artistic immersion includes symbolic murals and artwork from the Ramayana

The terminal building is a canvas of profound messages. The Bow and Arrow mural symbolises the courage to confront untruth, while hexagonal light particles embody the eternal triumph of truth over hierarchy.

From arrivals to skylights, artworks intricately depict the timeless tale of Lord Ram from the Ramayana, creating an immersive, sensory-rich experience beyond traditional airport designs. Strategically placed skylights serve as guiding beacons, enhancing wayfinding and offering a sensory experience for passengers.

--IANS

amita/dan
Two more complaints filed against Ktaka RSS functionary for derogatory remarks against Muslim women. Image Source: IANS News

Bengaluru, Dec 30 : Two more police complaints were filed on Saturday against Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat -- a top RSS functionary in Karnataka -- for derogatory remarks against Muslim women and praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi for banning Triple Talaq.

The two complaints were filed by Rahib Ulla and Usman against Bhat.

"Muslim women have found permanent husbands only after the arrival of Modi," he said at Hanuma Sankeerthna Yatra programme in Mandya city.

A complaint has also been registered against him at Srirangapatna police station in Mandya district. However, Bhat had obtained a stay order from the Karnataka High Court in this case.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Karnataka on Friday had also filed a police complaint at the Sheshadripuram police station in Bengaluru.

AAP slammed Bhat for humiliating women, the community, and religion.

Women organisations have also staged protests and slammed the Congress government for not initiating action against Bhat.
Mumbai, Dec 30 : Vishal Aditya Singh and Kanika Mann-starrer passionate love story 'Chand Jalne Laga' has now got a new time slot for the New Year, and the lead actors have called it a 'new beginning' for them.

Expressing his thoughts on the new time slot, Vishal shared: "It's a new beginning for us, and with the change in the time slot, the team aims to entertain our loyal fans and attract new ones. I'm thrilled about connecting with the audience in this fresh time slot, especially as the storyline is about to take an intense turn."

"Tara will be suspecting the relationship between my character, Dev, and Savitri. The dynamics and chemistry between Dev and Tara are on the brink of undergoing a drastic drama, promising an interesting twist to the passionate love story," he added.

Kanika commented on the time slot change, and said: "I'm overwhelmed by the immense love the show has received since its debut. With the New Year, the show is now airing in a fresh time slot and its storyline will arrive at a big twist. Dev and Tara's passionate love story will spark curiosity among the viewers and make them think about love in a new light."

In the upcoming episodes, 'Chand Jalne Laga' brings a mix of love and conflict brewing between Dev (Vishal) and Tara (Kanika). Tara, keen on attending a reception with Dev, goes the extra mile and stitches a unique suit for him. However, Tara starts suspecting a link between Dev and Savitri, which leads to a tense confrontation initiated by Savitri.

Adding to the drama, Jyoti's revelation about an illegitimate child, brought to light by a Pandit, unfolds dramatically in a temple incident; Dev steps in to rescue her during this intense moment.

The show will now air Monday to Sunday at 6 p.m. from January 1 on Colors.
Kolkata, Dec 30 : Starting from Justice Rajasekhar Mantha to Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay and Justice Jay Sengupta - unprecedented attacks on the judiciary by the ruling party leaders were a regular feature in West Bengal in 2023.

Kolkata, Dec 30 (IANS) Starting from Justice Rajasekhar Mantha to Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay and Justice Jay Sengupta  unprecedented attacks on the judiciary by the ruling party leaders were a regular feature in West Bengal in 2023.

The latest blot on the West Bengal Government's track record was the complaint to the President and Prime Minister by a senior counsel of Calcutta High Court who is also the husband of Justice Amrita Sinha, accusing the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the state police of intimidating him to give statements against his wife.

Senior Advocate of Calcutta High Court and CPI(M) Rajya Sabha member Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, who has around four decades of experience both at the Supreme Court and High Court levels, says that this attack on the judiciary and targeting of family members of judges is a trend set by the ruling Trinamool Congress. He also says that unless checked immediately, this dangerous trend will take the shape of a pandemic in the near future.

"This is unprecedented and in a way it is a gift from the ruling Trinamool Congress to the country in 2023," Bhattacharya said during an exclusive interaction with the IANS.

He pointed out that previously, too, there had been rifts between sections of the judiciary and legal practitioners at Kolkata High Court however, in those cases there had been sporadic instances of boycott of the Bench of a particular judge for some time.

"However, those were sporadic and never done in an orchestrated manner as it is happening now. The way slanderous posters were pasted on the wall of Justice Rajasekhar Mantha's residence and the ruckus at his Bench in the name of boycott was simply unthinkable. The manner in which a spokesman of the ruling party launched personal attacks against both Justice Mantha and Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay was unthinkable before. The way in which Justice Amrita Sinha's husband, who is himself an acclaimed Calcutta High Court counsel, is being targeted by the ruling party and harassed through the CID does not paint a rosy picture of the state," Bhattacharya added.

He emphasised that while there was nothing wrong in criticising a particular judgment strictly from the legal point of view, personal attacks against any judge or harassing the family members of a judge is unacceptable.

"During my four-decade-long career, I have never come across such instances, not only in West Bengal but anywhere in India," Bhattacharya said.

He also expressed frustration with the Bar Association of the Calcutta High Court over its tepid response to the attacks on the judiciary. According to him, although some members of the association vociferously criticised the attacks, there were no orchestrated efforts on part of the association to condemn such developments.

"The current panel structure of the association is such that a more forceful initiative that might hurt the interest of the ruling party in the state cannot be expected," he added.

Bhattacharya also expressed his opinion on why the Calcutta High Court should take suo motu cognisance and direct action against the offenders. He pointed out that in the incident of the harassment of Justice Mantha, the Calcutta High Court did take sumo motu cognisance and a probe was initiated. A Special Bench was also constituted to hear the matter.

"The investigating team has also submitted its preliminary investigation report and we are all waiting for the next hearing. How the honourable judges will react in such matters is their decision. But what I have seen is that often judges choose to ignore personal attacks, even those who fall victims of such attacks. Perhaps they feel it to be beyond their dignity to react," he added.

However, he added at the same time, that it is high time that this growing tendency of launching personal attacks against the judiciary or harassing the family members of the judges should be bridled or this tendency might turn into a pandemic.

"On one hand, habitual offenders will be emboldened to make personal attacks against the judiciary more frequent and scathing as they won't fear punishment. On the other hand, their actions will also encourage others to adopt similar methods if a judgment is not to their liking," he added.
FILE PHOTO: Logo of Tyson Foods is seen in Davos

(Reuters) - Egg producer Cal-Maine Foods said on Friday it had agreed to acquire a recently shut chicken broiler processing plant, hatchery and feed mill in Dexter, Missouri from Tyson Foods.

Tyson, the largest U.S. meat producer by sales, said in August it would be shutting down four of its chicken plants in states including Missouri, as it looks to cut costs amid slowing demand for its products.

About 683 people worked at Tyson's facility in Dexter, which has a population of around 8,000.

Cal-Maine said it expects to convert the broiler processing factory into an egg-grading facility initially and anticipates making additional investments and creating new jobs.

The company, which expects to close the transaction in its third fiscal quarter, did not disclose a value for the deal.

Cal-Maine also said it expects to enter into agreements with some of Tysons former contract farmers and convert their operations to support its egg production.

(Reporting by Granth Vanaik in Bengaluru; Editing by Pooja Desai)
do not release (STATE OF STATES) Mired in legal troubles, Soren prepares to confront Marandi's challenge. Image Source: IANS News

Ranchi, Dec 30 : As the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-Congress-Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) coalition government led by Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren completed four years in power on December 29, entering into the election year 2024, will be quite challenging legally and electorally for the government.

For Jharkhand's two political stalwarts, Hemant Soren and Babulal Marandi, 2024 is poised to be a decisive year.

The new year will bring with it significant political and legal challenges for Soren, and the outcomes will shape his future. On the other hand, 2024 will also answer the question of how effectively the BJPas Marandi, who was the first Chief Minister of Jharkhand, can reclaim lost power in the state.

Soren has not only established himself as the leader of the tribal community but has also rejuvenated the political legacy of his father, Shibu Soren, known as the aGuru of directionsa among tribals, over the last decade.

In the 2019 Assembly elections, the JMM secured 30 seats out of 82, forming a coalition government with allied parties. Despite facing various controversies, Sorenas Government completed its four-year term.

The ED recently issued its sixth summon to the Jharkhand CM in an alleged land scam case. Soren filed petitions in the Supreme Court and High Court against the agencyas summons, but he did not get any concrete relief. There is speculation that the central agency can approach the court to seek a warrant for his arrest in the first week of January.

However, Soren appears undeterred by the prospect of arrest and has publicly stated that the Opposition is conspiring to imprison him and overthrow his government.

"Opposition parties are hatching conspiracies to send me to jail and topple our government. But the fear of prison cannot break a Jharkhandi like me. I am not afraid of any challenge," he said.

Soren knows that even if he ends up in jail, it may not have an adverse effect on his political career. In such a scenario, he can present himself as a victim among his core voters and tribals, generating sympathy for his cause.

The Chief Minister, who is gearing up for the 2024 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, has been making several decisions to appease the tribal and indigenous communities.

The Jharkhand Assembly once again passed the 1932-based Domicile Bill, which specifies that only individuals or their ancestors listed in the Khatiyan (land records) of 1932 or earlier would be recognised as local inhabitants of Jharkhand, entitling them to Class III and Class IV jobs in the state.

However, despite Soren's efforts, the path to a political comeback may not be smooth after the 2024 Assembly elections.

The BJP has been relentless in its attacks on his Government, highlighting alleged corruption cases like mining scams, land scams, liquor scams, the Dhiraj Sahu cash scandal, Bangladeshi infiltration in Santhal Pargana and issues related to unemployment.

Moreover, the Centre has launched various schemes to woo tribal voters in Jharkhand and Union Minister of Tribal Affairs, Arjun Munda has been actively addressing tribal issues in the state.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, too, held a significant dialogue with the Adivasi community during his visit to Khunti, the birthplace of Birsa Munda, on November 15.

As a direct challenge to Soren, Marandi has been projected as the face of the BJP in the state and is actively working towards consolidating the tribal vote. His responsibilities as the state party President indicate the BJP's strategy for the forthcoming elections.

Marandi, who was the first Chief Minister of the state, parted ways with the BJP in 2006 and formed his own party.

However, after the BJP lost power in Jharkhand during the 2019 elections, and his party's subsequent merger with the saffron party, Marandi became a prominent face in the state leadership. As the BJP aims to win all 14 Lok Sabha seats in Jharkhand in 2024, Marandi's leadership will be crucial in achieving this goal.

The BJP's central leadership has given Marandi a free hand to drive the party in the state.

Meanwhile, the party has strategically positioned senior leader and former CM Raghubar Das in Odisha, and increased the importance of Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda in the Union Cabinet by giving him the Agriculture Ministry.

Marandi recently toured all 81 Assembly constituencies in the state, actively criticising Soren and his government.

The political dynamics in Jharkhand are poised for a significant shift in 2024, determining whether Soren or Marandi will emerge as the most influential tribal leader in the state.
do not release (STATE OF STATES) Chaotic year beckons Ktaka as Deve Gowda, BSY prop up their sons. Image Source: IANS News

Bengaluru, Dec 30 : Karnataka, regarded as one of the most progressive states in the country, is inching closer to a chaotic and heated political scenario in 2024.

The caste census issue has already divided society between minorities and the oppressed classes on one side and influential castes on the other.

The influential Lingayat and Vokkaliga communities are clearly positioned against the acceptance of the caste report, while the marginalised classes and minorities are vouching for the implementation of the report in total.

Massive public rallies are being organised by both camps, and there are all signs of a challenge to the law and order situation in the state.

The caste report allegedly pushed the population of Lingayats and Vokkaligas to the third and fourth positions respectively and the SC-ST population to the top and Muslims to the second position, sources said.

As religious leaders and top netas irrespective of the party they belong to, take a stand and support their castes in this regard, the situation in Karnataka is going to be volatile in the year ahead, political experts opine.

Meanwhile, top political leaders in Karnataka like former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar are waiting to fulfil their political ambitions which also define their relevance in the state political scenario.

Deve Gowda is doing everything to save his party and ensure the prominence of his family members in the state. Following the desertion of a major chunk of the JD(S) leadership, Gowdaas party managed to get only 19 MLA seats out of a total of 224.

Amid comments on the survival of the JD(S) in Karnataka, Gowda had forged an alliance with the BJP, deviating from his secular image in a bid to secure a prominent position for his family.

Gowdaas son and former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamyas statement on the presence of politicians like Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde in state politics has assumed importance in view of this.

Kumaraswamy was indicating a development similar to Maharashtra in Karnataka, where the BJP managed to bring down the coalition government with the help of Eknath Shindeas rebellion.

Kumaraswamy had also stated that the Congress Government would collapse in another six months.

Sources claim that anything can happen after the Lok Sabha polls in the state.

Sources close to Deve Gowda say that with the BJP alliance, he has managed to bring his son Kumaraswamy into the limelight as there is no charismatic leader left in the state BJP after the exit of Yediyurappa from electoral politics.

Meanwhile, Yediyurappa was successful in getting his son BY Vijayendra, appointed as the BJP state President in Karnataka. BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal had accused Yediyurappa of pursuing adjustment politics with the Congress for his own benefit.

Yatnal had also stated that Yediyurappa blackmailed the party high command, saying that he would not campaign for the Lok Sabha polls and got the post for his son in the bargain.

Sources close to Yediyurappa state that his focus now is to see Vijayendra emerging as the unquestionable leader of the Lingayat community and be in the running for the CMas post if the BJP attains power in the state.

DK Shivakumar, disappointed after losing the CMas post to Siddaramaiah, is doing everything possible to get to the seat of power for the 2.5-year term. Shivakumar is aiming to ensure victory in more than 15 seats in Karnataka out of the 28 Lok Sabha seats and pressurising the high command to make him the Chief Minister.

Shivakumar had stated that he was given two choices, either to join the BJP or go to jail, and he had chosen the latter. It remains to be seen how things shape up in the political scenario of the state in the coming year.
Gandhinagar, Dec 30 : As Gujarat strides into 2024, it is set to host a series of groundbreaking events that will not only redefine its landscape but also assert its position on the global stage.

At the helm of these developments is the much-anticipated Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2024, a biennial event that has grown in stature and significance since its inception in 2003 under the then Chief Minister, now Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Scheduled for January 10-12, 2024, at the Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre in Gandhinagar, the 10th edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit is themed "Gateway to the Future." Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the event. Organized by the Gujarat government in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and iNDEXTb, it aims to foster sustainable development by bringing together global leaders, policymakers, and industry experts.

Dignitaries like President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the UAE and Mozambique's President Filipe Nyusi are expected to attend, highlighting the summit's diplomatic and economic significance.

A key highlight of the summit, as disclosed by Rakesh Shankar, Secretary of Planning at the General Administration Department of Gujarat, is the seminar on "Gujarat's Roadmap for Viksit Bharat@2047". This session, slated for January 10, aims to brainstorm ideas for Gujarat's future development, involving global stakeholders in a collaborative discussion about the state's long-term goals.

Adding to the economic fervour, Tesla, the electric vehicle manufacturer, is poised to make a grand entry into India with its first manufacturing plant in Gujarat in the coming year. This development, likely to be formally announced at the Vibrant Gujarat Summit, signifies a major leap in the state's industrial domain. With Gujarat already hosting major automakers, Tesla's presence is expected to elevate the state's status in the global automotive industry.

Gujarat will also play host to the 69th edition of the Filmfare Awards on January 28, in Gandhinagar, in a blend of glamour and tradition. This event, resulting from a collaboration between the Gujarat Tourism Corporation Limited (TCGL) and Worldwide Media Pvt Ltd, is set to bring the glitz and glamour of Bollywood to Gujarat's capital. The Filmfare Awards, a symbol of cinematic excellence in India, will add a cultural dimension to Gujarat's eventful year.
Hyderabad, Dec 30 : With Telangana voting the Congress to power recently, ending the ten-year rule of the Kalvakuntla Chandrashekar Rao-led Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), the focus in 2024 will be on how the state, which is struggling to meet its daily expenditure, will mobilise resources to foot the bill for the welfare schemes announced by the grand old party in its manifesto.

Implementation of the six guarantees given by the Congress during campaigning, and a host of other promises made by the grand old party means the welfare budget will have to be more than doubled at Rs.1.2 lakh crore but there is still no clarity on how the new government will find the means to meet the additional expenditure.

Going by the new government's own assertions, there is fiscal stress and the state is staring at a debt crisis left by the KCR Government.

With Telangana's revenue and revenue expenditure being almost equal and the state unable to go for any further borrowings due to the legacy debt left by the BRS Government, the Revanth Reddy-led Government has its task cut-out.

The new government is yet to come out with an estimate of the funds required to fulfil the six guarantees, even though it has promised to implement them in 100 days. This will be a huge challenge.

Immediately after assuming office on December 7, the Congress government decided to release a White Paper on Telangana's finances and the financial health of power distribution companies and government-run corporations, saying it wants to place the facts before the people.

Two weeks later a White Paper on state finances was tabled in the Telangana Assembly, presenting a grim picture.

Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, who is also the Minister for Finance, told the House that the state has no money even to meet daily expenditure and that it is staring at a debt crisis with outstanding debts of over Rs.6.71 lakh crore.

He highlighted the financial indiscipline of the previous KCR Government during its 10-year rule for this fiscal stress. Telangana, which was a revenue surplus state in 2014, is today depending on the ways and means advances from the Reserve Bank of India on a daily basis, he said.

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy said his government inherited empty coffers from the KCR Government. He admitted that they realised this only after taking the reins of power in their hands that the previous BRS Government had left nothing in the state Treasury.

There are various estimates on the money required to implement the six guarantees. A conservative estimate is that the government will require Rs.70,000 crore every year.

According to Lok Satta party founder Jayaprakash Narayan, the Congress Government in Telangana may have to spend Rs.1.2 lakh crore a year to implement various welfare schemes, including the existing ones.

The former IAS officer pointed out that the state government's revenue and revenue expenditure for 2022-23 is almost the same at Rs. 1,72,000 crore, while the size of the state budget was Rs.2.90 lakh crore.

"If the entire budget goes towards welfare schemes and salaries and pensions, there will be nothing left for capital expenditure such as infrastructure works," he said.

Two days after taking charge, the Congress Government launched free bus rides for women in State Road Transport Corporation buses and also enhanced the annual coverage under Rajiv Aarogyasri, a health insurance scheme for Below Poverty Line (BPL) families to Rs.10 lakh from Rs.5 lakh.

Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) Managing Director, VC Sajjanar, revealed that with the implementation of the free travel scheme, the TSRTC's daily revenue of Rs.14 crore will come down by 50 per cent.

The free bus ride is one of the components of 'Mahalakshmi', the Congress' guarantee for women. It has also promised Rs.2,500 monthly financial assistance to every woman head of BPL families.

The AIMIM's leader in the Assembly, Akbaruddin Owaisi, mentioned in the House that there are 89.99 lakh BPL families in the state and if Rs.2,500 is paid to one woman in each family, this alone will require Rs 26,997 crore.

Providing cooking gas cylinder to families for Rs.500 may require another Rs.5,399 crore. He believes that the implementation of the guarantees and other promises will require Rs.3.10 lakh crore while the state budget is only Rs 2.90 lakh crore.

According to him, the six guarantees alone will require Rs 2.16 lakh crore annually. Enhancing investment support for farmers to Rs.15,000 an acre from Rs.10,000 at present, may require Rs.6,000 crore.

Nearly 17 lakh tenant farmers, who were excluded by the BRS Government from Rythu Bandhu, will now be covered under Rythu Bharosa, as the scheme has been rechristened.

Bonus of Rs.500 on every tonne of paddy may need another Rs. 7,500 crore. Under its guarantee for agriculture, the Congress also promised Rs.12,000 financial assistance for every agricultural labourer. There are about 25 lakh agricultural labourers and this scheme may require Rs.3,000 crore.

Fulfilling the promise of waiver of farm loans up to Rs.2 lakh is also estimated to cost Rs.36,000 crore.

To implement the promise of 200 units of free power, the government will have to provide an additional Rs. 4,500 crore. Enhancing monthly pension from Rs.2,000 to Rs.4,000 for various categories of beneficiaries like widows, senior citizens, single women may also put an additional burden of Rs. 22,200 crore.

House site and Rs.5 lakh for construction of houses for an estimated 32 lakh homeless families may need another Rs. 25,000 crore. The Vidya Bharosa card of Rs.5 lakh for students may cost Rs. 38,894 crore.

When the new government presented the White Papers on state finances and also on energy, the Opposition parties alleged that it was trying to find an excuse to run away from its promises made during the election campaigns.

However, the finance minister assured the Assembly that every effort would be made to increase the state's resources and direct expenditures toward the uplift of the impoverished, while reducing unnecessary spending.

"The new Government is determined to implement all the six guarantees which were promised by the party, based on which the people of Telangana had given the mandate for change. The Government is determined to overcome the fiscal challenges in a responsible, prudent and transparent manner," said Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka.

Two days ago, the government embarked on a massive exercise to receive applications for the six guarantees. However, a common application form for all six guarantees and the condition that only White Ration Card holders would be eligible, created doubts among Opposition parties about the government's intention.

BRS' Working President, KT Rama Rao, alleged that the Congress fooled the people by making impractical promises and the real game for the government starts now.

"Do you calculate and then make promises or you make promises and then do the math," he asked.

Chief Minister Reddy, however, called the BRS' reaction "withdrawal symptoms" after losing power. He remains confident that his government will fulfil all the promises in a time-bound manner.

Revanth Reddy believes that the state can achieve this by putting an end to misuse of public money and corruption. Revanth Reddy also faces the challenge of filling two lakh vacancies in government departments in 2024. He will also be under pressure to immediately implement the promise of Rs.4,000 unemployment allowance.

The anger among the youth over the previous BRS Government going back on its promise of unemployment allowance and its failure to provide government jobs was a key factor in the Congress party's victory. Revanth Reddy knows that he can't afford a backlash from this segment.
New Delhi: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and JD(U) National President Lalan Singh during the party's national executive meeting. Image Source: IANS News

Patna, Dec 30 : Two senior JD-U leaders engaged in a verbal duel in presence of newly elected national president and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar during a meeting in New Delhi on Saturday.

The incident occurred when Nitish Kumar called for a meeting of all state presidents and incharge ahead of Lok Sabha election 2024 in New Delhi where Uttar Pradesh incharge and Bihar's rural development minister Shrawan Kumar and Uttar Pradesh unit president Satyendra Patel engaged in a verbal duel over an issue.

They were calmed down by other leaders but they did not stop and finally NItish Kumar had to intervene in the matter.

Kumar, after being elected as a national president of the party, is looking to strengthen the party in other states and develop an organisational structure more strong.

Nitish Kumar is expected to return to Patna on Saturday.
Bengaluru, Dec 30 : Sri Rama Sena President Pramod Muthalik on Saturday said that Muslims and Christians are exploiting the devotees of Sabarimala temple.

"Ours is a spiritual country with many temples and pilgrimage centers across the nation. The Ayyappa temple in South India is as famous as Tirupati Venkateswara. About five crore devotees from six states visit the temple," Muthalik told media persons.

He said that the Ayyappa temple generates more than Rs 3,000 crore in revenue.

"One crore vehicles will park, and each vehicle would be charged Rs 40. From all sources, the revenues will cross Rs 3,000 crore," he said.

He said that Kerala state has an atheist government that doesn't believe in God.

"'The revenue of the temple is used for its convenience. The facilities for the convenience of five crore devotees of Sabarimala are not provided. The government is threatening the management of the temple," Muthalik said.

He said that Karnataka should extend its support to the Sabarimala devotees in Kerala.

He said that the Karnataka government should hold talks with the Kerala government and ensure facilities for devotees.

"Thousands of crores in revenues must be utilised for the benefit of devotees. The free food distribution program should be resumed as before," he demanded.

He said that Hindu organisations used to make arrangements for Anna Prasadam (free food distribution) for devotees, but it was banned and handed over to the police department.

"Following the move, many devotees are not getting Prasadam. We are requesting the temple management to rectify the system of distributing Anna Prasadam to devotees," he said.

He said that the water availability and bathroom facilities have to be provided to devotees.

"The earlier parking system should also be brought back," he said.
New Delhi, Dec 30 : High-level diplomacy, disruptions - political and economic - and disasters, mostly the outcome of climate change, marked this year for Africa and in 2024, all the three 'Ds' seem certain to continue playing their role as global political configurations shift and a major power seeks to regain its influence on the continent.

For Africa as a whole and some of its countries, 2023 was marked by two major diplomatic developments - the inclusion of the African Union as a member of the G20 and the invitation to Egypt and Ethiopia to join the BRICS, along with Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Argentina, from January 1, 2024, doubling the grouping's membership.

Equally significant is the new contest for influence among major powers across the continent with a former colonial power losing out in its turf as another significant player makes its return in a more pragmatic avatar than its former ideological forebear.

West and central Africa and the Sahel countries -- largely former French colonies and comprising the so-called "Coup Belt", now ranging from the Atlantic to the Red Sea -- are spurning Paris and the EU to strike deals with Russia on security and economic issues as it signals renewed engagement with Africa.

While the Second Russia-Africa Summit, and the Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum in St. Petersburg in late July was a major indicator of Moscow's intention to formalise its outreach with regular meetings planned, it also followed the bilateral approach.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, had, in 2023, visited South Africa, Angola, Eswatini, Eritrea, Mali, Mauritania, Sudan, Kenya, Burundi, and Mozambique for discussions and agreements, but Moscow's real pointsman seemed to be its Deputy Defence Minister, Colonel-General Yunus-Bek Yevkurov, with his peregrinations through the sandy wilderness of the Sahel.

Yevkurov, who was humorously nicknamed the Russian Defence Ministry's own "Afrika Korps", had in a few months, visited Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, the Central African Republic, and strife-torn Libya - where he met Libyan National Army chief, Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, who subsequently visited Russia too.

While he did reach agreements on military cooperation with most of these, especially Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger -- which have formed the Association of Sahel States and have repudiated French, and EU security ties as well as stood against regional grouping ECOWAS -- the real impact was how his travels were tracked and sought to be countered.

Days after the Russian minister left Libya, AFRICOMas US General Michael Langley was sent to Tripoli to resume negotiations, while Germany announced a policy shift for resumed cooperation with post-coup Niger.

The new Nigerien government, however, was not biting and in end December, announced plans to reassess military agreements, signed by its previous governments with Western powers, and the bases on its territory thereof.

While it is too early to assess how the Russian outreach to Africa will play out, it cannot be denied that it has shaken up the dynamics in this volatile Sahel region where Chad is left as the only friend of France.

This area, below the Maghreb or Arab north Africa, forms the "Coup Belt", following military takeovers in Mali in 2020 and 2021, Chad, Guinea, and Sudan in 2021, in Burkina Faso in January and September 2022, and in Niger and Gabon in 2023. What makes it more volatile is the presence of Al Qaeda and its offshoots in this desolate wilderness - which the long presence of French and other foreign troops have been unable to eradicate.

Conflicts also continued to roil several parts of Africa, especially Sudan after the agreement between the army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces broke down in April, leading fighting that has left over 10,000 dead and millions displaced. Somalia and Ethiopia witnessed their share of violence too.

Meanwhile, the long-running conflict in mineral-rich Democratic Republic of the Congo is still on, and the country has asked the UN forces (MONUC), as well those of the East African Community nations to leave.

The third main issue was natural disasters, which exacerbated the economic woes due to the lingering effects of the Covid pandemic, and the supply disruptions due to the Russia-Ukraine war.

The drought in the Horn of Africa continued as rainfall failed for the third year, while there were floods in east Africa, killing many across Tanzania, Kenya, Somalia, and South Sudan. Further south, cyclones batttered Malawi and Mozambique.

The extreme climate underpinnings of these led to the first-ever African climate summit in Nairobi where the higher carbon-emitting West was asked to pay more in climate taxes, and at the COP28, African nations sought the fossil phase-out commitments be equitable and focus more on the developed nations.

It remains to be seen what else falls to Africa's lot in 2024.

(Vikas Datta can be contacted at vikas.d@ians.in)
Chandigarh, Dec 30 : On the directions of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Director Bureau of Investigation L.K. Yadav on Saturday constituted a four-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate offences involved in the Nicaragua human trafficking case.

The SIT is headed by Superintendent of Police (Investigation) Randhir Kumar, while three members include Assistance Commissioner of Police Jasroop Kaur Baath and Deputy Superintendents of Police Balkar Singh Sandhu and Dalbir Singh Sidhu.

The SIT has been asked to submit the final report to the competent court at the earliest. The SIT can also co-opt any other officer or official for assistance in the investigation of the case.

The Nicaragua human trafficking case was reported in various newspapers where 303 passengers from India, mostly belonging to Punjab and Gujarat, were detained by French authorities.
Beyond Rishi and Leo: The political desi's unstoppable rise around the world. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, Dec 30 : In September this year, Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam joined the growing list of Indian-origin leaders dominating the world politics, just as Rishi Sunak scripted history by becoming Britain's first desi premier in 2022.

Before him, Leo Varadkar -- born to an Indian father and Irish mother -- took over the reins of Ireland in 2017 as first Indian-origin Taoiseach, or Prime Minister, and came back for a second term again in the same role in December last year.

Indubitably, the new generation of emigrants from India has successfully dived into local politics with many like Sunak, Varadkar, US Vice- President Kamala Harris and Guyanese President Mohamed Irfaan Ali reaching the uppermost echelons of their countries' political spectrum.

And as former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and Biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy cross swords in the Republican primary debates for the 2024 US Presidential race, it only goes on to show that there is no stopping the 30 million-plus strong Indian diaspora spread across the length and breadth of the world, now.

This is especially true of Indians in more developed countries like the UK, Canada and the US, where their presence in electoral politics is discernibly visible.

As they gain prominence, both in terms of their sheer size and through their economic contributions, the host country finds that it must pay more attention to the Indian expatriate communities, according to Delhi-based Observer Research Foundation.

WHAT DO THE NUMBERS SAY

A 2021 Government Leaders list released by the US-based Indiaspora said that more than 200 Indian-origin people occupy leadership positions in as many as 15 countries.

Six countries are currently being led by men who can trace their ancestry to India, including in Britain (Prime Minister Rishi Sunak), Guyana (President Mohamed Irfaan Ali), Portugal (Prime Minister Antonio Costa), Mauritius (Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth and President Prithvirajsing Roopun), Suriname (President Chandrikapersad Santokhi) and Singapore (President Tharman Shanmugaratnam).

Besides being the heads or deputy heads of other countries, people of Indian heritage are also serving as members of a government's cabinet and ministers, diplomats, ambassadors and consuls general, according to the report.

A total of 55 Indian-origin people are serving as cabinet ministers in nearly a dozen countries, and another 63 people of Indian origin are members of Parliament or federal legislators.

A total of 10 people of Indian descent serve as ambassadors of their respective countries, while another two represent their nations as consul generals.

THE POLITICAL DESI IN THE US, UK, CANADA

In the US, Indians have become a potent political force, not just due to their growing numbers -- around four million -- but also because of their growing influence as well as affluence.

The Samosa Caucus has indeed become the "flavour of the House" with a record five Indian-Americans getting elected to the House of Representatives in one of the most polarised midterm elections in the country last year.

Constituting nearly two per cent of the US population, Indian-Americans now represent roughly one per cent of the US Congress -- all of them Democrats.

In politics, 26 Indian-origin leaders have been elected as state leaders while another six have been elected as local leaders.

The political clout of these communities rests not just in their numbers but also in their ability to swing votes, especially in countries like the US and the UK.

Considered to be key players in the battleground states of the US, the impact of the Indian community was evident on the ballot box as they turned up in huge numbers to vote in the tightly-contested November 2020 Presidential race.

In the Canadian political landscape, Indians are among the most prominent ethnic minorities with four people of Indian-origin in the current cabinet -- Harjit S Sajjan, Kamal Khera, Anita Indira Anand and Arif Virani.

A total of 17 Indo-Canadians, majority of them Sikhs, were elected as MPs when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau clinched a third victory in the September 2021 snap elections by securing 158 seats -- short of the 170 needed for a majority -- in the 338-member House of Commons.

Trudeau's minority government is backed by the NDP, which is led by Indian-origin Sikh, Jagmeet Singh, and has 25 sitting MPs in the present Parliament.

In 2019, the Canadian Parliament had 18 Sikh MPs, way ahead of the Indian Parliament with 13 MPs, and in 2015, after appointing four Sikhs to his 30-member Cabinet, Trudeau had boasted of having more Sikhs in his government than Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Dadabhai Naoroji, one of the founders of the Indian National Congress in Bombay, was the first Indian to be elected to Parliament in Britain in 1892.

In 2019, British election saw 15 Indian-origin members of Parliament take office, including two high-profile cabinet ministers -- Priti Patel as Home Secretary and Rishi Sunak as the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

ELSEWHERE...

In New Zealand, Priyanca Radhakrishnan is the first person of Indian origin to become a Minister. Born in Chennai to Malayali parents, she is currently the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector.

Christine Carla Kangaloo, the President-elect of Trinidad and Tobago, was born into an Indo-Trinidadian family.

Singapore's politics has many Indian-origin faces, including Vivian Balakrishnan, K. Shanmugan, S. Iswaran, Pritam Singh and Indranee Rajah.

Former MP Dave Sharma was officially sworn as a Senator for New South Wales (NSW) in the Australian Parliament this month.

While Indians have a remarkable presence in Gulf nations, with most doing well in business and healthcare sectors, they could not ascend to political dominance due to the nature of polity in these countries.

WHAT EXPLAINS THE TREND

For a community barely visible politically a generation ago, the Indians abroad seem to have turned out better than the other immigrant communities.

Indian immigrants and their children don't just survive in Western systems designed to benefit their local populations now. They thrive, carving out unique political identities that stand to benefit their host countries more than the nations they hail from.

According to Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, "India's encouragement of diversity and discouragement of excess make it easier for Indians to adapt to competitive environments."

The former UN Under-Secretary-General adds that a cultural emphasis on education, close-knit families, and a strong work ethic also serve Indians well.

"The success of Sunak, Varadkar and Harris suggest that Indians have passed these traits to their offspring. Sunak, in particular, seems to embody the aspirations and values of many Indians who celebrate him as a poster boy for the "New India," Tharoor wrote.
Bengaluru, Dec 30 : Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Saturday reacted to the objection raised by the opposition over allocation of Rs 1,000 crore for Muslim colonies in the state, saying that there is nothing wrong in it.

"I will take you to Ramanagara town. You can see for yourself the condition of the minorities. This decision has been taken to improve their livelihoods. If Rs 1,000 crore is divided among 224 assembly constituencies, it is not much," the Deputy Chief Minister told media persons.

He said that the minorities mostly live in urban areas and they don't have the benefit of MGNREGA scheme.

"There is nothing wrong in allocating the funds. Let them keep complaining and we will continue to work for the poor," he said when asked about BJP's criticism that the fund allocation is minority appeasement.

On Lok Sabha polls, the Deputy Chief Minister said that he will hold a preparatory meeting with party leaders, MLAs and AICC leaders on January 10.

On his proposed visit to Delhi on January 4, he said, "There is a meeting regarding the Lok Sabha polls. Ministers have given reports about candidate selection. A survey needs to be done. We are going to Delhi to discuss that."

About the cheque bounce case of Minister Madhu Bangarappa, he said that things do happen when one is in business.

Shivakumar said that the party workers and legislators will get equal share in the appointments to Boards and Corporations. "Party workers will get their due share in the appointments to Boards and Corporations. All the leaders in the party will sit and discuss it. The list has been finalised to some extent. The central leaders have made certain promises. It needs to be discussed. The list is likely to be finalised by the Sankranthi festival," he said.

"People are coming to our doorsteps with their grievances. We have decided to take the government to their doorstep through the 'Government at Your Doorstep' programme," the Deputy Chief Minister said.

He said that through this programme, the government will address the grievances of all the 28 constituencies in Bengaluru by January.

"Two to three assembly constituencies will be covered at a time. The respective local MLAs and MPs have been invited to participate in the programme," he said.
The board of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) has announced that it will be paying its dividend of $1.30 on the 8th of March, an increased payment from last year's comparable dividend. Even though the dividend went up, the yield is still quite low at only 0.9%.

See our latest analysis for Eli Lilly

Eli Lilly's Dividend Is Well Covered By Earnings

While yield is important, another factor to consider about a company's dividend is whether the current payout levels are feasible. Prior to this announcement, Eli Lilly's dividend was making up a very large proportion of earnings and perhaps more concerning was that it was 340% of cash flows. Paying out such a high proportion of cash flows can expose the business to needing to cut the dividend if the business runs into some challenges.

Looking forward, earnings per share is forecast to rise exponentially over the next year. If the dividend continues along recent trends, we estimate the payout ratio will be 24%, which would make us comfortable with the dividend's sustainability, despite the levels currently being elevated.

Eli Lilly Has A Solid Track Record

The company has been paying a dividend for a long time, and it has been quite stable which gives us confidence in the future dividend potential. Since 2013, the annual payment back then was $1.96, compared to the most recent full-year payment of $5.20. This implies that the company grew its distributions at a yearly rate of about 10% over that duration. Rapidly growing dividends for a long time is a very valuable feature for an income stock.

Dividend Growth Could Be Constrained

Some investors will be chomping at the bit to buy some of the company's stock based on its dividend history. Eli Lilly has seen EPS rising for the last five years, at 73% per annum. Fast growing earnings are great, but this can rarely be sustained without some reinvestment into the business, which Eli Lilly hasn't been doing.

Our Thoughts On Eli Lilly's Dividend

In summary, while it's always good to see the dividend being raised, we don't think Eli Lilly's payments are rock solid. In the past the payments have been stable, but we think the company is paying out too much for this to continue for the long term. We don't think Eli Lilly is a great stock to add to your portfolio if income is your focus.

It's important to note that companies having a consistent dividend policy will generate greater investor confidence than those having an erratic one. Still, investors need to consider a host of other factors, apart from dividend payments, when analysing a company. As an example, we've identified 2 warning signs for Eli Lilly that you should be aware of before investing. Is Eli Lilly not quite the opportunity you were looking for? Why not check out our selection of top dividend stocks.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
New Delhi, Dec 30 : The big bad news of the year for China was economic. The country's economy has struggled to recover from the impact of Covid-19 shutdowns, and long-running structural problems have become impossible to ignore.

The economic data has been troubling all year, and it's not getting any better. Foreign investment has plummeted and capital outflows have grown sharply, said an article in Foreign Policy.

Meanwhile, although job numbers have somewhat recovered on paper, official figures are highly unreliable, and the picture on the ground is depressing. Youth unemployment in China has reached such highs that the government stopped publishing the statistic this year.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF), based on Chinese official data, has predicted that China's GDP grew by more than 5 per cent this year this year, but it's unclear if that is anywhere near the truth, the article said.

The outlook seems the worst for new graduates, who face the kind of bleak job market that young Americans did amid the 2009 financial crisis. Despondency about the value of education is spreading, with graduates comparing themselves to Kong Yiji, a failed scholar from a famous 1919 short story. Young Chinese aren't just "lying flat" by choice -- they are being crushed, it added.

A driving factor in China's economic crisis is that people simply aren't spending -- a major problem given that boosting domestic consumption has been key to Chinese economic hopes for years.

This is in part because the Chinese government was stingy with aid to households during the pandemic; massive spending on enforcing the zero-Covid policy left local authorities with few fiscal options to support the public.

The last three years have also seen successive government crackdowns on parts of the private sector, leading to job losses in everything from game programming to school tutoring.

All of this has made people more aware of the arbitrariness of government power and the risk that comes with it. Economic optimists hoped these crackdowns might end this year; instead, they have expanded to other areas, including health care, the article said.

After three years of waiting for potential Covid-19 lockdowns and with jobs disappearing at the government's whim, it's no wonder people in China don't have a lot of confidence in the future.

That has led to more reluctance to get married. adding to the looming demographic crisis. As many people feared, China seems to be getting old before it gets rich, the article said.

Yet even Chinese savings aren't safe. Property is the overwhelming vessel for wealth investment in China, where 70 per cent of household assets are tied up in property.

For two decades, property prices soared faster than the rest of the economy. Now, China's real estate developers are nearly bankrupt and the sector is in slow-motion collapse. The government has worked hard to prop up the prices of new homes, but they're still falling; the secondary market is even worse.

The Chinese economy was expected to recover quickly in 2023 and resume its role as the undisputed engine of global growth. Instead, it stalled to the point where it's being called a "drag" on world output by the IMF, among others, CNN reported.

Despite its many problems -- a property crisis, weak spending and high youth unemployment -- most economists think the world's second largest economy will hit its official growth target of around 5 per cent this year.

But that is still below the 6 per cent-plus annual growth averaged in the decade before the Covid pandemic, and 2024 is increasingly looking ominous, they said. The country may be staring at decades of stagnation thereafter, CNN reported.
(PKG Sty) Russia seems to be looking beyond Ukraine in its pan-continental outreach. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, Dec 30 : The contrast between their end-of-the-year press conferences could not have been more evident.

Russian President Vladimir Putin radiated self-assurance as he spelled out his agenda on various fronts, including Ukraine, while his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky seemed a bit subdued over the stuck funding - and diverted attention - of his Western allies.

And while Putin, who will be running for his fifth term as President next March, was cautiously optimistic over the military situation, he was rather trenchant with the Western powers over their sanctions, telling them it was time they "stopped playing the fool" and stood waiting for his country's collapse.

The Russian leader's rather frank tone was not just bravado, but a clear signal to the West that if they are not willing to maintain economic ties with his country, Russia is also in no mood to plead with them, given that it has many other prospects.

It is this diplomatic pivot that is going to be a major Russian focus in 2024, apart from more military successes - or rather, preventing Ukraine from gaining any successes and dissipating its manpower and material.

While the coming year might see Russia seek incremental gains on the battlefront, especially in securing the entire territory of the Donbas Republics - Donetsk and Luhansk - and then the other areas, its real action will be on the political and diplomatic canvas.

Moscow, a dab hand at playing the long game for centuries, knows too well that the sanctions are only going to inevitably boomerang on the West, especially the European nations.

Their rising fuel costs in these countries - also impacted by the Middle East tensions and its Yemen offshoot, coupled with their lavish support of Ukraine, are not only causing social tensions and economic distress, but also political churning.

Economic woes, chiefly manifested in the rise of cost of living, only help to propel the rise of populist, nativist, and Euro-sceptic forces in various EU nations, but European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen or leaders like France's Emmanuel Macron and Germany's Olaf Scholz seem oblivious to this looming peril.

Russia will only be pleased with this political recasting in Europe and no reason to bemoan the loss of European markets - China and India are more than making up in crude sales, and it has found other markets, viz Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, which has doubled imports of LPG in 2023.

China may have been the first country to signal closer relations with the Taliban by sending a new envoy in September and inviting it to the BRI conclave, but it was Russia which signed a deal with it - in 2022 - for providing various fuels, and wheat, and that too, at a discount.

Russia is seeking to undertake a strategic pivot for closer relations with the rest of the world in the wake of the West spurning it and becoming tacitly hostile with sanctions and supply of arms to Ukraine.

While the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation already welds a major part of Eurasia, the BRICS, set to expand into the Middle East and Africa from 2024 though the South American part proved stillborn, may also fit in with its plans.

Already an acknowledged power in the Middle East as its intervention in Syria, close links with Iran and several Arab countries and actors, including the Hamas, shows, Moscow is also seeking to regain ground in Africa, especially in the coup-prone Sahel region at the cost of France.

In early December, a Russian delegation, led by Deputy Defence Minister, Colonel General Yunus-Bek Yevkurov, was in Mali to discuss energy and transport ties with it as well as fellow Alliance of Sahel States states Niger, and Burkina Faso.

This was his second visit to Mali in three months with the first one in September focusing on defence cooperation between Moscow and Bamako, and overall security in the Sahel region.

Yevkurov also visited Niger and soon after it announced that it had withdrawn from two major security pacts with the European Union and would end any "privileges and immunities" offered to EU forces under these.

Yevkurov had earlier been in Libya to meet the influential Libyan National Army Commander, Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, who had also visited Russia recently.

But, it's not only economic and military ties Russia is eyeing, but also displaying its soft power - a Russian language and culture centre was launched in Mali, joining three Russian pre-university training centres in Nigeria, Zambia and Namibia and language classes available in a dozen universities in Zambia, Angola, Gambia, Nigeria, Namibia, Tanzania, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, and Cameroon.

Unlike the Soviet Union, Russia's new global sweep is pragmatic - and strategic. 2024 will show how effective it will be.

(Vikas Datta can be contacted at vikas.d@ians.in)
United Nations, Dec 30 : When the sun rising over the East River splashed its rays on the UN's glass tower on January 1, 2022 -- the world organisation was mired in the intractable problem of Ukraine invasion -- and when it set on this Sunday over the Hudson, another, Palestine, would have been added.

United Nations, Dec 30 (IANS) When the sun rising over the East River splashed its rays on the UN's glass tower on January 1, 2022 -- the world organisation was mired in the intractable problem of Ukraine invasion -- and when it set on this Sunday over the Hudson, another, Palestine, would have been added.

The polarisation of the Security Council is at the root of the UN's inaction and, tellingly, its two final sessions of the year on Friday were on Ukraine and Palestine -- and apart from the volcanoes of rhetoric it could not even condemn the excesses of the parties in the Hamas-Israel conflict or the barrage of bombings by Russia.

Russia's veto power prevents any action against its invasion of Ukraine and the US invokes its veto power to protect Israel from even calls for a ceasefire by the Council.

The General Assembly, on the other hand, called for Russia's withdrawal from Ukraine and, twice this year, demanded a ceasefire in Gaza, but it lacks the enforcement powers of the Council and the issues will fester in the New Year.

While the world's attention is riveted on the inaction on the inaction on these and other hotspots like Syria and Sudan, the UN is moving ahead in areas where the vetoes don't count.

At the Assembly's request, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is convening a Summit of the Future in September for the heads of state and government to make a pact of "global solidarity for current and future generations" and "breathe new life into the multilateral system".

Without a reform of the Council on the horizon or even a solution to the veto imbroglio possible, the summit is expected to help the UN move ahead on issues that the UN can act without the vetoes of the five permanent members of the Council.

The UN ventured into the arena of artificial intelligence (AI), preparing the world for its dangers to international security.

Guterres appointed a high-level advisory group to come up with suggestions for governance of AI and in two months it has produced an interim report laying the foundation for international action.

Guterres said, "The new initiative will foster a globally inclusive approach, drawing on the UN's unique convening power as a universal and inclusive forum on critical challenges."

The report will go before the Summit of the Future.

Foremost among what the UN was able to do this year is the Climate Summit in Dubai, where there was for the first time a commitment  at least on paper  to eventually stop the use of fossil fuels to fight global warming.

Even on Ukraine and Palestine, the UN has had some success off the battlefields.

In Ukraine, the UN brokered the Black Sea grain deal that allowed -- until Russia reneged -- ships to carry badly needed foodgrains from Ukraine to world markets to avert food shortages and hunger in many developing countries.

The UN pushed Israel to allow humanitarian supplies of food, water, medicine and fuel into Gaza to avert a humanitarian catastrophe, and Guterres personally went to the Egypt-Gaza Rafa crossing to draw the world's attention to the crisis.

The UN already had 13,000 relief workers in Gaza running schools, medical facilities and food distribution programmes and more than 130 of them have been killed in Israeli attacks.

Something that sounds mundane, but with great impact is the UN's rescue of a rusted, leaky oil tanker in the Red Sea off the Yemeni coast that threatened an environmental disaster and a threat to important global shipping lanes.

The UN crowd-funded the operation costing about $150 million to safely pump out the oil remaining in and safely move it.

About 80,000 peacekeepers are operating in 10 countries after ending missions in two this year with mandates to monitor the peace between warring countries or to protect unstable nations from being overrun by terrorists or armed dissident groups.

Around the world, 26 UN agencies and affiliated organisaiton are making everyday contributions in their fields ranging from food and agriculture to meteorology, from economic and social development to health, from postal services to telecommunications, and from labour to human rights.

(Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in and followed at @arulouis)
Washington, Dec 30 : America's five Indian-descent lawmakers recently warned India of "significant damage" to bilateral ties if it did not adequately address concerns around an indictment charging Indian of plotting to kill a Khalistani activist.

Washington, Dec 30 (IANS) America's five Indian-descent lawmakers recently warned India of "significant damage" to bilateral ties if it did not adequately address concerns around an indictment charging Indian of plotting to kill a Khalistani activist.

There was not a word in their strongly-worded statement about the responsibilities of its own government to investigate and stop US-based Khalistani separatism and terrorism that came along with it that had claimed thousands of lives in the 1980s in India and abroad, including then Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Washington had become responsive to Indian entreaties later and apprehended US-based separatists.

The government in Canada is treating Khalistani separatists with equal indulgence.

Indulging an extremist cause with a history of terrorism in the name of freedom of speech and expression is supporting terrorism. Pakistan practised it as a strategic maneuver to weaken India, but it has been its worst victim.

No one has been arrested for the attacks on the Indian consulate in San Francisco in March and July.

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan had said in a post on X, which was Twitter at the time, "We condemn the acts of violence against the Indian Consulate."

Mathew Miller, the state department spokesperson, had said after the second incident that "vandalism or violence against diplomatic facilities or foreign diplomats in the US is a criminal offence".

No update has been reported by local or federal authorities on these attacks.

"Unfortunately, we cannot speak to open investigations, there are no updates we can supply," a spokesperson for the San Francisco police department had said in response to a request for an update in September.

The same month, India's National Investigation Agency (NIA), a specialist body set up after the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks, issued photographs of 10 persons it has accused of involvement in the March attack.

The agency had registered a case regarding the incident and a team came to the San Francisco consulate to investigate in August. It also raided 14 locations in Punjab and Haryana in November in connection with these attacks.

But no arrests have been made or cases have been filed in the US yet.

The US has been generally quite leery about "dossiers" submitted by India seeking action against leading actors of Khalistani separatism based in the US, according to people who spoke on condition of anonymity.

They lacked the specificity of the indictment filed by the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York against an Indian man, Nikhil Gupta, who has been charged with trying to hire a contract killer to kill a Khalistani separatist who has not been named, but is believed to be Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the self-styled general counsel of a body called Sikhs for Justice.

Both are proscribed entities in India, which has designated Pannun an international terrorist.

Washington was more accommodative of New Delhi's concerns once upon a time. The US was then led by President Ronald Reagan, a Republican.

"Sikh terrorism threatens US interests in India, in part because the extremists' primary target is Prime Minister Gandhi," said a classified CIA document from 1987, referring to then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

"Delhi's favourable response to US policy initiatives during the last two years has depended heavily on Rajiv Gandhi remaining in power. No successor is likely to be as motivated or have sufficient political standing to continue improving ties with (sic) the United States," the document added.

New Delhi needs the same recognition and support at this time.
Lahore, Dec 30 : Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan's nomination papers were rejected from National Assembly (NA) constituencies Lahore and his home city, Mianwali, media reports said on Saturday, citing officials of the provincial Election Commission (EC).

The former Prime Minister had filed his nomination papers from Lahore's NA-112 and Mianwali's NA-89 constituencies ahead of the upcoming polls slated for February 8, 2024.

The development comes as a major blow to the party whose leadership is facing a plethora of cases -- especially pertaining to the May 9 riots -- with senior leaders, including Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi and others, behind bars, Geo News reported.

"The PTI founder has been convicted," the Returning Officer (RO) assigned to scrutinise the nomination papers of the NA-122 constituency said, explaining the basis of the decision, dealing a blow to the PTI ahead of the polls.

The objections, raised by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz's (PML-N) Mian Naseer, had referred to Khan's five-year disqualification in the Toshakhana case wherein the electoral body had found him guilty of corrupt practices under Section 167 of the Elections Act, 2017, Geo News reported.

"PTI founder's proposer and seconder do not belong from NA-112," the objection added.

Separately, Khan's nomination papers from his stronghold of Mianwali, a constituency which he has won previous elections from, were also rejected due to the same reason.

Furthermore, the EC also rejected PTI Vice Chairman Qureshi's nomination papers from Multan's NA-150, PP-218, and Tharparkar's NA-214.

Meanwhile, former federal minister and PTI leader Hammad Azhar's nomination papers were rejected from PP-172, the media outlet reported.
Mumbai, Dec. 30 : After a hot pursuit of six months, Mumbai Police have finally arrested Ashesh Shailesh Mehta and his wife Shivangi Lad-Mehta, the absconding couple who allegedly committed a scam of over Rs 1000 crore, before 'disappearing' from Mumbai, official sources said here on Saturday.

Mehtas, the proprietors of Bliss Consultants Trading Co. Ltd., who were suspected to have fled the country, have been nabbed from an 'undisclosed' domestic location and are presently in the custody of Mumbai Police's Economic Offences Wing (EOW), an official said, declining to elaborate.

The case, which started around June with the Madhya Pradesh Police but seemed to have lost steam, picked up momentum when ruling Shiv Sena spokesperson Krishna Hegde raised the issue with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who ordered a detailed police probe into the matter in July.

On learning of the 'big catch', the police from Gujarat and Punjab  which earlier this month nabbed Ashesh's father Shailesh Mehta (71) from an old-age home in Ahmedabad  have also sent teams seeking to probe the couple.

It all started with an FIR on June 26 - which was transferred to the EOW - with 151 complainants, that was lodged by Hegde, alleging that more than 6,000 investors all over India had lost their hard-earned money after being duped by the Mehta couple.

"The Mehtas are facing complaints under the MPID and other laws. With their arrest, the EOW has now indicated that they will make attempts to release their frozen funds and seized properties which can be disposed of to clear the investors' dues gradually in due course as per the laws," Hegde told IANS.

The Mehtas had faced Look Out Circulars from Mumbai and Madhya Pradesh Police, while the Gujarat and Punjab police also wanted their custody to probe complaints in their states, but officials remained tight-lipped on various aspects of the case to avoid tipping off their accomplices.

The lid blew off the scam  which was prominently highlighted by IANS in June-July  after suspicious withdrawals-transfers of huge amounts of around Rs 174 crore to multiple accounts of the scamster couple's associates or other entities, all of which are being probed.

The police in Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh, stumbled onto the scam when they were probing a narcotics case there linked to the Mehta couple, as other frauds of money-laundering, illegal ponzi schemes, gypping investors and common masses tumbled out, estimated to be of over Rs 1,000 crore.

In September, Mumbai Police froze five prime residential properties in Kandivali, Goregaon and Santacruz, 11 bank accounts of the missing couple and their companies, worth a total of around Rs 175 crore

Teams from Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Punjab Police had done multiple rounds of the flat in Goregaon East where the Mehta couple was last seen six months ago, but had returned empty-handed.

The low-profile Mehtas allegedly plotted the entire mega-scam, but their luck ended when a suspected drug-peddler, Nissar Zubair Khan of Mira Road (Thane), was arrested by Madhya Pradesh Police with a packet of Mephedrone drugs worth Rs 17 lakh in early-June.

However, the Mehtas' lawyers have consistently claimed that their clients were being framed in the case though they were cooperative with the investigators.

Expressing gratitude to Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar, Joint Commissioner Mishra, Investigating Officer Mahendra Sawardekar, Chief Minister Shinde and others, Hegde said there will be 'zero tolerance' for such scamsters who dupe innocent people and then vanish.

(Quaid Najmi can be contacted at: q.najmi@ians.in)
Ahmedabad, Dec 30 : A team of Ahmedabad Police has been questioning 20 Gujarat residents in connection with its probe into suspected illegal immigration network, an official said on Saturday, adding that those being questioned were onboard the 'donkey flight' that was grounded earlier this month in France.

These individuals were aboard a Nicaragua-bound flight, which was rerouted from France amid human trafficking suspicions. The Airbus A340, after being halted in France, landed in Mumbai in the early hours of December 26.

Among the passengers, at least 60 hailed from Gujarat and have since returned to their native places.

The ongoing investigation by the police aims to determine if they had intentions of illegally entering the US after arriving in Latin America.

The statements of these passengers, who claimed to be tourists, are being thoroughly scrutinised.

A senior official said that the CID has been verifying the documents of these individuals to confirm their authenticity and to investigate any possible forged documentation used for the journey.

The passengers' financial transactions are also examined to establish if their travel expenses align with those of regular tourists.

Throughout the course of the ongoing probe, the passengers have maintained that their travel was "purely for tourism".

A source in the know of the things said that officials were exploring every aspect of this case, noting the "challenge in extracting concrete information" from the individuals questioned.

The journey, initially undertaken by a Romanian charter company, Legend Airlines, was interrupted by French police during a technical stopover in Vatry, near Paris.

French authorities have since initiated a judicial investigation into the trip's purpose, with a special unit for organised crime leading the probe.
Kolkata, Dec 30 : A crucial coordination meeting between the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Singh (RSS) and the West Bengal unit of the BJP is scheduled in Kolkata on Sunday.

It is believed that an initial strategy for next year's Lok Sabha polls will be chalked out at the meeting, which will be chaired by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, who is currently on a three-day visit to West Bengal.

Bhagwat's visit is considered significant, especially in the backdrop of the recent visit to the state by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP President J.P. Nadda to take stock of the organisational situation of the party.

There are also speculation over the RSS chief's scheduled visit to the residence Upendra Nath Biswas, a former top CBI officer and ex-member of Mamata Banerjee-led state Cabinet, on Sunday. The agenda of the meeting is not known yet.

Biswas was the CBI officer instrumental for the arrest and imprisonment of former Bihar Chief Minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad in the fodder scam case.

Sources said that Bhagwat's ongoing visit is an exercise to have a clear idea about the current political situation in the state, which is reeling under various cases of alleged financial scam and money laundering.

"The other major purpose of the visit is to spread the message for the inauguration of Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22. He is also taking stock of the possibilities of further spreading Sangha's organisational network in West Bengal," said an RSS insider.

During his recent visit to the state, Shah had clearly sent a message to the state BJP leaders that the final battle in 2024 will have to be fought by the state leadership by strengthening the organisational base of the party.

Shah had also assured the state leadership of full cooperation from the party's central leadership to spearhead the organisational efforts of the BJP in the state.
Mumbai, Dec 30 : After a hot pursuit of six months, Mumbai Police have finally arrested Ashesh Shailesh Mehta and his wife Shivangi Lad-Mehta, the absconding couple who allegedly committed a scam of over Rs 1,000 crore, before 'disappearing' from Mumbai, sources said here on Saturday.

Mehtas, the proprietors of Bliss Consultants Trading Co. Ltd., who were suspected to have fled the country, are currently in the custody of Mumbai Police's Economic Offences Wing (EOW), an official said, declining to elaborate.

The proprietors of Bliss Consultants Trading Co. Ltd., the Mehtas, were nabbed from Surat in Gujarat, and are presently in the custody of Mumbai Police's Economic Offences Wing (EOW), an official said, declining to elaborate.

"The accused persons were caught from Surat, brought to Mumbai and after questioning, they have been arrested. They have been remanded to police custody till January 4, and further investigations are underway," a top EOW official told IANS.

The case, which started around June with the Madhya Pradesh Police but seemed to have lost steam, picked up momentum when ruling Shiv Sena spokesperson Krishna Hegde raised the issue with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who ordered a detailed police probe into the matter in July.

On learning of the 'big catch', the police in Gujarat and Punjab -- which earlier this month nabbed Ashesh's father Shailesh Mehta (71) from an old-age home in Ahmedabad a" have also sent teams seeking to probe the couple.

It all started with an FIR on June 26 -- which was transferred to the EOW -- with 151 complainants, that was lodged by Hegde, alleging that more than 6,000 investors all over India had lost their hard-earned money after being duped by the Mehta couple.

"The Mehtas are facing complaints under the MPID and other laws. With their arrest, the EOW has now indicated that they will make attempts to release their frozen funds and seized properties which can be disposed of to clear the investors' dues gradually in due course as per the laws," Hegde told IANS.

The Mehtas had faced Look Out Circulars from Mumbai and Madhya Pradesh Police, while the Gujarat and Punjab police also wanted their custody to probe complaints in their states, but officials remained tight-lipped on various aspects of the case to avoid tipping off their accomplices.

The lid blew off the scam -- which was prominently highlighted by IANS in June-July -- after suspicious withdrawals-transfers of huge amounts of around Rs 174 crore to multiple accounts of the scamster couple's associates or other entities, all of which are being probed.

The police in Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh, stumbled onto the scam when they were probing a narcotics case there linked to the Mehta couple, as other frauds of money-laundering, illegal ponzi schemes, gypping investors and common masses tumbled out, estimated to be of over Rs 1,000 crore.

In September, Mumbai Police froze five prime residential properties in Kandivali, Goregaon and Santacruz, 11 bank accounts of the missing couple and their companies, worth a total of around Rs 175 crore

Teams from Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Punjab Police had done multiple rounds of the flat in Goregaon East where the Mehta couple was last seen six months ago, but had returned empty-handed.

The low-profile Mehtas allegedly plotted the entire mega-scam but their luck ended when a suspected drug-peddler, Nissar Zubair Khan of Mira Road (Thane), was arrested by Madhya Pradesh Police with a packet of Mephedrone drugs worth Rs 17 lakh in early-June.

However, the Mehtas' lawyers have consistently claimed that their clients were being framed in the case though they were cooperative with the investigators.

Expressing gratitude to Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar, Joint Commissioner Mishra, Investigating Officer Mahendra Sawardekar, Chief Minister Shinde and others, Hegde said there will be 'zero tolerance' for such scamsters who dupe innocent people and then vanish.

(Quaid Najmi can be contacted at: q.najmi@ians.in)
Aizawl, Dec 30 : At least 151 more Myanmarese soldiers fled to Mizoram after their camps were overrun by armed pro-democracy ethnic groups, officials said on Saturday.

According to officials, the Myanmar army personnel, also known as the 'Tatmadaw', fled to Mizoramas Lawngtlai district with their arms and ammunition; and approached the Assam Rifles on Friday evening after their camps near the India-Myanmar border were overrun by the Arakan Army fighters.

Some of the Myanmarese soldiers were critically injured in the gun fight and basic medical treatments were provided to them by the Assam Rifles.

The soldiers are now in the safe custody of Assam Rifles at Parva in Lawngtlai district near the Myanmar border.

Intense gun battles between the Myanmar army and the armed fighters resumed during the past few days in areas close to the Indian border leading to the fresh influx of soldiers.

Like previous occasions, the Indian authorities would repatriate the Myanmar soldiers to their country through the Moreh border in Manipur after completing the necessary formalities.

In November, a total of 104 Myanmar soldiers including officers in different phases fled to Mizoram after their camps near the border were overrun by pro-democracy armed groups.

Since November 13, Myanmar soldiers fled to the Indian territory in different phases after their camps in Chin state were captured by the Chin National Defence Force (CNDF), the armed wing of the Chin National Organisation (CNO).

They were airlifted by the Indian Air Force to Moreh in Manipur, from where they had repatriated to Tamu, the nearest border town in Myanmar.

Besides soldiers, over several thousand Myanmarese, including women and children, took shelter in Mizoram's Champhai and other districts since last month following the gunfight between Myanmar's Tatmadaw (military) and CNDF cadres.

The district administration has provided food and relief materials to the refugees. Necessary medical aid has also been provided to them.

The first influx from Myanmar happened in February 2021 after the Military junta seized power there.

Since then, over 32,000 people, including women and children, have taken shelter in the northeastern state from Myanmar.

Mizoram's six districts -- Champhai, Siaha, Lawngtlai, Serchhip, Hnahthial and Saitual -- share 510 km unfenced border with Myanmar's Chin state.

On December 16, Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh said that due to prevailing unrest around 6,000 people from Myanmar have taken shelter in his state in the recent past.
When it comes to serious savings and funds needed over the longer term, investors shouldn't be afraid to pay a premium for a quality stock. If you can buy a quality stock at a relatively low price, though, so much the better.

Here are three high-quality, low-cost value stocks, meeting that description, that you could buy sizable stakes in now and hold on to for years.

U.S. Bancorp

While U.S. Bancorp (NYSE: USB) is one of the 10 largest financial institutions in the country, it is smaller than the likes of JPMorgan Chase or Bank of America, and doesn't do as much business in certain areas the banking giants are best known for. For instance, corporate fundraising, institutional trading, and wealth management aren't major profit centers for U.S. Bank. This limits its revenue and earnings growth prospects, particularly when the economy is firing on all cylinders.

Yet in many ways, a simpler suite of product and service offerings is advantageous to U.S. Bancorp's investors. Primary among that -- the bank can better focus on doing the things it does (like consumer lending) well. And its results are more predictable because they're less cyclical.

That's what the graph below shows us. While the subprime mortgage meltdown and the COVID-19 pandemic clearly undermined its top and bottom lines, it's also clear that U.S. Bancorp quickly recovered from both and got back on its long-standing growth track. Not every bigger banking outfit can say the same.

Boring? A little. But that's the point -- if you're going to be sitting on a stock for many years, you want to be able to count on the underlying company's progress. U.S. Bancorp reliably logs it, even if never at tremendous speed. And shareholders collect decent dividends all the while. Its yield of 4.4% at the current share price is better than average.

Newcomers will be stepping into U.S. Bank's stock at 13.1 times earnings, and only 10.4 times its forward earnings.

Story continues

Pfizer

Shares of Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) may not be as cheap as U.S. Bancorp's are -- the drugmaker's price-to-earnings ratio stands at 15.5, while its forward price-to-earnings ratio is a little under 12. Still, those valuations are cheap, and certainly below average pharmaceutical stock valuations right now.

There's no sense in ignoring the 800-pound gorilla in the room here: Governments are effectively winding down their intense efforts to combat COVID-19. Although new variants continue to surface, and a seasonal surge in new cases is underway, demand for vaccines and treatments is waning. Pfizer's third-quarter revenue fell 42% year over year, with slumping sales of the company's COVID products responsible for the entirety of that dip. Don't be surprised to see this weakness linger at least a little while longer.

Just don't tarry too long if you're considering eventually opening a new position in Pfizer stock. The current quarter should be the last one to show a major year-over-year sales tumble due to people's fading concerns about the virus. Beginning in early 2024, Pfizer's business results will largely reflect demand for everything else in its portfolio and pipeline.

And that's exciting, to be sure.

Among other things, Pfizer owns blood thinner Eliquis, cardiomyopathy treatment Vyndaqel, pneumonia vaccine Prevnar, and cancer-fighting Ibrance, to name just a few. These are all blockbuster drugs, but they haven't realized their full potential yet because of the pandemic. Never even mind its pipeline, where you'll find sickle cell disease treatment Oxbryta, multiple myeloma therapy Elranatamab, and hemophilia drug Marstacimab. All told, Pfizer believes its current pipeline could be producing $20 billion worth of annual revenue by 2030, contributing to up to $84 billion worth of annual companywide sales that year thanks to its recent acquisition of Seagen. From here, the company will put its focus back on these longer-lived opportunities.

The kicker: There are credible plans to simultaneously begin culling at least $4 billion worth of annual costs.

There's not a lot not to like here if you're truly looking a few years down the road.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company

Last but not least, add Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (NYSE: TSM) to your list of value stocks to buy now and hold for years.

It's not exactly a household name. In fact, there's a decent chance you've never even heard of the company, which also goes by TSMC. There's also a strong chance, however, that you're using technology manufactured by Taiwan Semiconductor right now without even realizing it.

Although tech giants like Intel and Nvidia are starting to handle more of their own manufacturing, the bulk of this work is still farmed out to third parties capable of cranking out silicon designed by more familiar players. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company isn't just one of these contract manufacturers. It's the world's biggest, with more than half of the third-party semiconductor fabrication market.

The company was hit as hard as any other by the COVID-19 pandemic, which not only crimped demand, but banged up supply chains as well (coming and going). The turbulence is still bumping the business around, too. Analysts believe Taiwan Semiconductor is on pace to fall nearly 9% for the full year.

The supply headaches of the pandemic have also inspired several big tech names to become more self-sufficient. Intel is investing billions of dollars to build two different chip foundries in the United States, for example, while Micron has budgeted up to $100 billion to build what it refers to as a "megafab" in central New York.

Yet, despite these initiatives, the world still needs third-party chip foundries. This is going to remain the case for a long while, too, if not forever. In fact, Taiwan Semiconductor is so certain its advanced capabilities and services will remain in demand for the foreseeable future that it's building its own production facility in Arizona. And, given the 19.5% revenue growth expected of the company in the coming year, that's arguably the right call. It's a sign that the chip business is recovering, and bringing Taiwan Semiconductor along for the ride.

Trading at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 16.6, TSMC isn't exactly a screaming value. However, it's below this ticker's recent average earnings ratio, and below the valuations many of its peers are sporting right now.

Should you invest $1,000 in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing right now?

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JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Bank of America is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. James Brumley has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, Nvidia, Pfizer, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, and U.S. Bancorp. The Motley Fool recommends Intel and recommends the following options: long January 2023 $57.50 calls on Intel, long January 2025 $45 calls on Intel, and short February 2024 $47 calls on Intel. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Mumbai, Dec. 30 : Shiv Sena (UBT) President and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray asserted on Saturday that seat-sharing talks among the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) allies are proceeding smoothly and a formula will be decided after final discussions with the Congress in Delhi.

"There are no problems and all is well in the MVA. Seat-sharing talks are taking place smoothly. As per the decision arrived after the last INDIA bloc meeting, seat-sharing talks will be finalised in Delhi," Thackeray told mediapersons here.

His remarks came amid contradictory statements made by the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and its ally Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) led by Prakash Ambedkar in the past one week, sparking political speculation.

Thackeray said that while talks with the Nationalist Congress Party (SP) are in the final stages, discussions will be initiated with the Congress and VBA soon.

"We are making efforts to have a joint meeting of the MVA allies and the VBA soon to discuss and hammer out the issues," Thackeray said.

The VBA is keen to join MVA-INDIA bloc and has made several overtures, but has apparently been spurned by the Congress, though the NCP (SP) has maintained a neutral stance.

Thackeray added that he had discussed the matter with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi in Delhi and expressed confidence that the issue will be resolved smoothly.

Dismissing reports of squabbles in seat-sharing among the MVA allies, he said the Congress is yet to give its proposal.

"I will not allow any problems to develop on this count We are working to save democracy and the constitution, and all the parties are in this together," declared Thackeray.

On Ambedkar's formula of 12 seats each for the VBA and the MVA's three partners, Thackeray said he has not received any such proposal, but he will meet and discuss the matter with the VBA leaders.

Thackeray also said that as per his information, the Bharatiya Janata Party may opt for conducting the Lok Sabha elections before April 30, as it could 'favour' the ruling alliance at the Centre.
Tel Aviv, Dec 30 : The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Saturday that its troops have raided a Hamas military intelligence headquarters at Khan Yunis in southern Gaza as they are pushing into the area.

The IDF in a statement said that the raid was conducted by the IDF's 7th Brigade Combat Team and the Givati Brigade Combat Team.

According to IDF, the centre was responsible for all the intelligence operations of Hamas in the area.

The Israeli army also uncovered the location of a Palestinian Islamic Jihad headquarters during the raids at the centre in Khan Yunis.

The IDF said that its elite Gaviti Brigade has raided many Hamas infrastructures in the area and eliminated terrorists who were preparing to attack Israeli forces through sniper and tank fire.

The brigade also used several UAVs to eliminate armed terrorists and targets such as a weapons production site of Hamas.

The 98th division of the IDF carried out attacks to clear the ground at Khan Yunis of Hamas military structure for advancing into southern Gaza.

The IDF said that it has also carried out 50 airstrikes on Saturday at Hamas targets including tunnel networks.
Patna Dec 30 : A 90-year-old woman won the panchayat by-election in Bihar's Jamui district on Saturday.

The victorious woman, identified as Sunita Devi, has defeated her nearest opponent Lalita Devi (53) by 140 votes.

"My mother filed had nomination for the post of Mukhiya in Dadha panchayat under Barhat block following the death of my wife, who held the post. She went from door-to-door for campaigning in the run up to the elections.

"The voters have shown respect for her passion. She won the elections by a margin of 140 votes, defeating Lalita Devi," said Vijay Yadav, Sunita Devi's son.

Sunita Devi, who is known as 'Kaki' and 'Dadi' area, secured 1,728 votes, 140 more than Lalita Devi's 1,588 votes.

Vijay Yadav has been the Mukhiya of Dadha panchayat in the past.

After the Election Commission declared it as a female seat, his wife had successfully contested last time.

Sunita Devi has four sons and 10 grandchildren.
Imphal, Dec 30 : A civilian volunteer was killed in a gunfight with unidentified persons in Manipur's Imphal West district while unidentified militants and police commandos exchanged heavy gunfire in Moreh in which a police commando was injured, an official said on Saturday.

An official said here that the security forces came under heavy attack at M. Chahnou village in Imphal-Moreh road in Tengnoupal district, and after that, some houses were torched by the attackers.

The injured commando has been identified as Ponkhalung of the fifth battalion of Manipur Rifles.

In another incident, a youth, stated to be a village volunteer, was killed in a gunfight with unidentified men in Imphal West district on Saturday.

The deceased youth has been identified as Jamesbond Ningombam.

The incident took place when a group of armed men attacked Joupi in Manipur, leading to a gunfight with local volunteers guarding the village between Imphal West and Kangpokpi district.

Meanwhile, additional security forces have been deployed in the village and combing operations are underway to nab the culprits.

Tension prevailed in the village as well as adjoining areas in Bishnupur and Kangpokpi districts.

Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Saturday condemned the killing of the youth.

"A few evil elements are trying to disrupt the peace in the state. It's an unfortunate incident and we highly condemn the incident. Combing operation is on to nab the culprits. We would not spare the culprit," the Chief Minister told the media.

He said: "Several civil societies including Meira Paibis are also trying hard to restore peace in the state. But this fresh incident is highly condemnable. Let us come to a negotiation and hold dialogue and resolve the issues in an amicable way and restore peace in the state."
Gandhinagar, Dec 30 : Home Minister Amit Shah who was in Gandhinagar on Saturday at the National Cooperative Dairy Federation of India Ltd. (NCDFI) E-market awards gave away prizes to around 37 winning organisations from across 25 states and union territories.

Speaking on the occasion, he said: "Cooperation among cooperatives is important for the progress of the cooperative sector. APMC accounts will also soon be in cooperative banks. If every farmer works via a cooperative bank, it will give a major boost to online transactions. Cooperatives must support other cooperatives."

The Minister added: "I urge the NCDFI members to move 100 per cent towards e-business. We have begun with a small pilot project by giving KCC Cards to each farmer in a couple of districts in Gujarat itself. Each farmer's account is being transferred to a cooperative bank. The milk payments are being transferred into their bank accounts. If this model is implemented across the country, it will bring about a huge change to further accelerate India's digital economy."

Amit Shah also urged NCDFI and NDDB to encourage natural and organic farming.

He said they should promote and educate farmers about these techniques and develop models to implement them so that farmers' incomes are not affected.

"We want to focus on organic farming. We have formed a plan to make it possible at the grassroots level. The first is to set up cow dung collection booths and milk collection as cow dung can be used as natural fertilizers. We have to reduce chemical fertilisers in farming. Internationally, there is an opportunity for organic produce, and we want to seize the opportunity," he said.

Shah also laid the foundation for the NCDFI office complex in Anand.

The NCDFI is now investing in a new office complex in Vaghasi village near Anand, covering a land size of 7,099 sq. m. with a total built-up area of 4,674 sq. m.

The NDDB will construct the facility turn-key, marking a milestone as NCDFI transitions from a rented space to its structure.
Bengaluru, Dec 30 : Karnataka Minister for Planning and Statistics, D. Sudhakar on Saturday said that "to get votes in the last Lok Sabha elections, the BJP government projected the Pulwama terror attack, and this time, Lord Ram is being projected".

"Ram Mandir's inauguration is a stunt. People are not fools. We have been made fools twice. I am confident that we won't be fooled for the third time," he told reporters.

"Ram Mandir is being inaugurated ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. I and Congress MLA Raghu Murthy contributed to Ram Mandir. We have also donated bricks. Lord Ram is for everyone. The inauguration of the temple is a gimmick during the time of the election," Sudhakar said.

The minister further said that the BJP was using religious beliefs to garner votes.

"Where was Ram Mandir during the last Lok Sabha elections?" he questioned.
President Joe Biden speaks from the Oval Office of the White House. Image Source: IANS News

Washington, Dec 30 : US President Joe Biden has bypassed the Congress for the second time in a row this month to release $147.5 million in aid for military equipment as emergency arms sales to Israel to fight Hamas.

"The US is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to US national interests to ensure Israel is able to defend itself against the threats it faces. This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives," a US State Department spokesperson said.

The arms sale of $147.5 million in terms of military hardware.

It is intended to help the functionality of the US ally's previous purchase of nearly 14,000 rounds of 155mm shells in early December, media reports said even as Biden's omnibus humanitarian plus military assistance of over $105 billion hangs in the balance into the New Year.

The Congress led by the Republicans in the House blocked the aid package but agreed to release $16 billion to Israel.

"Given the urgency of Israel's defensive needs, the Secretary notified Congress that he had exercised his delegated authority to determine an emergency existed necessitating the immediate approval of the transfer," a State Department spokesperson said.

The equipment is valued at about $147.5 million and comes as Israel faces increased scrutiny over the rising number of Palestinian civilian casualties.

Israeli army tanks were deployed in southern Israel bordering the Gaza Strip on December 22 amid the on-going conflict.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which is part of the Pentagon, notified Congress of the sale on Friday after Secretary of State Antony Blinken approved it.

The agency said the sale would not negatively impact US defense readiness, and 155mm shells would be drawn from army stock.

The move comes as Israel faces increasing scrutiny over its military tactics and a civilian toll that has surpassed 21,000 in Gaza, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
Patna, Dec 30 : Three persons were killed while another was seriously injured in a road accident in Bihar's Bhojpur district on Saturday evening.

Patna, Dec 30 (IANS) Three persons were killed while another was seriously injured in a road accident in Biharas Bhojpur district on Saturday evening.

The incident took place near Harigaon Bazar on Arrah-Mohania four-lane national highway when a truck laden with paddy rammed into two bikes.

Three persons -- Manish Sharma and Anchal Kumari, riding on one bike, and Priya Sharma travelling on another bike with Wakil Sharma -- died on the spot.

Wakil Sharma, who was critically injured in the mishap, has been referred to PMCH Patna for treatment.

Following the accident, the driver of the truck managed to flee from the spot, leaving the vehicle behind.

Meanwhile, angry villagers blocked the road after the accident. They also set a shop and a poultry farm on fire.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 4, 2019 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a press conference at the White House Rose Garden in Washington D.C., the United States, on Jan. 4, 2019. Trump said Friday that he's prepared for a partial government shu. Image Source: IANS News

Washington, Dec 30 : Former US President Donald Trump doesn't score well on the likeability factor for Presidency among most Democrats and a section of the Republicans, but most of them agree on the eligibility factor that the brazen politician should not be struck off the ballot due to his alleged involvement in the January 6 insurrection on Capitol in 2021, but given a chance at the hustings.

Not even all of Donald Trump's political foes are on board with efforts to kick the former President off the ballot because of his involvement with the January 6 insurrection, media reports said.

Most Democrats and some Republicans don't want Donald Trump to be President again. But many in that group still think the indicted former President should be allowed to try, US News and World Report said in analysis of political and people's reaction since the courts diverse rulings on the matter -- Colorado and Maine for striking him off the ballot and Michigan and Minnesota against.

Maine on Thursday became the second state to rule on Trump's eligibility factor for the 2024 presidency to be on the ballot, because of a Civil War-era provision of the Constitution, called the 14th amendment specified former public officials, who engaged in "insurrection or rebellion" against the US are ineligible to hold office again.

As with Colorado -- where a state court last week said Trump was ineligible to appear on the ballot there -- the decision by the Maine Secretary of State will be on hold while the cases go through the courts. But the Michigan courts did not even admit the pleas of the anti-Trump camp, saying it was for the voters to decide and not the courts.

Not all Democrats -- or even Republicans trailing Trump in primary polls -- are celebrating.

"I voted to impeach Donald Trump for his role in the January 6 insurrection. I do not believe he should be re-elected as President of the US," Democratic Representative Jared Golden said in a statement after his home state of Maine said Trump was not eligible to be on the ballot there.

"However, we are a nation of laws, therefore, until he is actually found guilty of the crime of insurrection, he should be allowed on the ballot," Golden added.

His Congressional colleague from Maine, Democratic Representative Chellie Pingree, disagreed, writing on social media, "The text of the Fourteenth Amendment is clear. No person who engaged in an insurrection against the government can ever again serve in elected office."

California's Democratic Secretary of State, Shirley Weber, certified Trump on the Golden State's ballot for the March 5 primary, hours after her Maine counterpart, Shenna Bellows, said Trump was not eligible to be on the ballot there on the same primary day.

Weber's decision runs counter to an open letter by the state's Lieutenant Governor, Eleni Kounalakis, to boot Trump from the ballot.

"California must stand on the right side of history," Kounalakis said in her missive. But Weber's move is in sync with what California Governor Gavin Newsom -- himself a rising star in Democratic politics -- says it is the best way to deal with Trump.

"There is no doubt that Donald Trump is a threat to our liberties and even to our democracy," Newsom said in an earlier statement.

"But, in California, we defeat candidates at the polls."

Trump's presidential primary foes, too, slammed efforts to remove him from the ballot -- even though that might be the only path to victory for those well behind the former President in primary polls.

"The idea that one bureaucrat in an executive position can simply unilaterally disqualify someone from office, that turns on its head every notion of constitutional due process that this country has always abided by for over 200 years," Florida Governor Ron DeSantis told Fox News on Thursday night.

"It opens up Pandora's box," he added in remarks similar to those of his fellow primary competitors.

The issue is complicated on both legal and political grounds. The provision, a section of the 14th Amendment of the Constitution, does not require that a candidate be convicted of participating in an insurrection or rebellion. Nor does it specify who decides -- meaning, critics say, that it is open to partisan abuse.

The Trump campaign, for example, has cast all efforts to keep the candidate off the ballot as purely political.

"We are witnessing, in real-time, the attempted theft of an election and the disenfranchisement of the American voter," Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement after Maine's ruling on Thursday.

But the politics are complicated, too, for those who don't want Trump to be President again. Keeping Trump off the ballot could make it impossible for him to get re-elected. But it also could make voters feel as though they were denied their right to choose their President through a democratic election -- not to mention set a precedent for removing other candidates in other races, the World report observed.

That Trump is ineligible is "far from a slam dunk," Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat, wrote in a lengthy explanation of the issue this week.

"And there's the very real value of ensuring that, in our democracy, voters and political parties have the choice and freedom to vote for or nominate their preferred candidate -- and that ballot access is not used as a political tool for disqualification," she added.

Michigan's Supreme Court earlier this week ruled that Trump should appear on the primary ballot there on February 27 -- but left open the possibility that a new legal challenge could keep him off the general election ballot there.

Minnesota's High Court also rejected an effort to remove Trump from the primary ballot there. But while Colorado's Supreme Court said Trump had indeed participated in an insurrection effort, Michigan and Minnesota courts skirted that issue, basing their rulings on technical issues of who has the authority to choose a party nominee.

A group called "Free Speech for People", representing some Oregon voters, has filed a lawsuit challenging Trump's eligibility there, citing the insurrection clause.

It is the US Supreme Court that will give the final ruling on Trump's eligibility factor when it hears Trump's legal teams challenging the Colorado court and Maine's Secretary of State rulings on the issue. The Colorado case, notably, was brought by six Republican and Independent voters.
New York, Dec 31 : Retired US Army General Barry McCaffrey has said that Russian President Vladimir Putin is "actively hoping" that former President Donald Trump wins the 2024 Presidential election as Putin felt "Trump's persecution was politically motivated reflecting the rottenness of the American political system".

Trump, the frontrunner in the 2024 GOP presidential primary, has long been praised by Putin (even suspected of trying to interfere in the 2016 campaign to influence voters) and the former President has often quoted the Russian leader on the campaign trail.

The Russian President himself faces the electorate in his country facing a crisis of confidence fighting "ill health" besides the army's resistance to prolong the war with Ukraine.

Putin is rumoured in the Kremlin to be suffering from cancer and that he is operating incognito from a far-off mansion in the outskirts of Moscow and some say he is in Georgia.

At a rally in Durham, New Hampshire, earlier this month, former President Trump quoted Putin, who reportedly criticised the numerous criminal charges that Trump is currently facing, denied by the former President and pleaded not guilty to.

"Even Vladimir Putin... says that Biden's, and this is a quote, politically motivated persecution of his political rival is very good for Russia because it shows the rottenness of the American political system, which cannot pretend to teach others about democracy," Trump quotes Putin.

Putin made the comment during an Economic Forum in eastern Russia as late as September this year. Putin did not name Biden in the original quote which was added by Trump, Newsweek reported in its latest issue, putting Trump on the cover with the caption "Trump, the year that was".

Meanwhile, the relationship between Trump and Putin has been criticised since the former President's 2016 run when questions of Russia's alleged election interference and possible coordination with the Trump campaign arose, media reports said.

"I have never understood this whole relationship between Trump and Putin. Putin is a thug, a murderer; he's gotten the Russian Federation into terrible trouble economically, politically. He stamped out free speech. So, why Trump seems to be in league with this desperado is hard to understand," McCaffrey said, during his interview appearance on MSNBC.

"Yes, Putin and for that matter other criminal enterprises like the North Koreans are actively hoping to have Trump back in office, where in my personal opinion, he would be devastatingly bad for US national security," the retired General said.

Some media reports suggested that arch foes of US such as China, Iran, North Korea and Russia were in cahoots to disrupt or influence the 2024 elections using social media to spread false information or propaganda against the Biden administration and eulogise Trump.

McCaffrey, a decorated Vietnam War veteran, was in the US Army for 32 years and later served as Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy under President Bill Clinton. Newsweek reached out to McCaffrey via 'X' direct message, Trump's campaign via email and the Russian government via online form.

Following Trump's 2016 win against his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton, the Department of Justice (DOJ) probed possible Russian interference. Special counsel Robert Mueller led the investigation and in March 2019, his findings were made public in what is infamously known as the Mueller report.

"Although the investigation established that the Russian government perceived it would benefit from a Trump presidency and worked to secure that outcome, and that the campaign expected it would benefit electorally from information stolen and released through Russian efforts, the investigation did not establish that members of the Trump campaign conspired or coordinated with the Russian government in its election interference activities," the report said.

Russia has denied allegations of election inference and Trump has called the Mueller report a "complete and total exoneration".

On the question of whether Trump obstructed justice, the report said, "The President's efforts to influence the investigation were mostly unsuccessful, but that is largely because the persons who surrounded the President declined to carry out orders or accede to his requests."

"While this report does not conclude that the President committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him," according to the report.

In March 2021, a declassified US intelligence report alleged Russia also tried to help Trump in the 2020 election, but found no evidence of foreign voter fraud.

Putin authorised "influence operations aimed at denigrating President Biden's candidacy and the Democratic Party, supporting Trump, undermining public confidence in the electoral process and exacerbating socio-political divisions in the US," the Office of the Director of National Intelligence report said.

The Kremlin denied allegations that it interfered in the 2020 election, which Trump ultimately lost to Biden. The former President also denied being "given help from any country" in the election.
In this article, we will discuss the 30 growing economies according to the IMF's GDP forecast for 2030 by country. If you want to skip our detailed analysis, you can go directly to IMF's GDP Forecast for 2030 by Country: Top 10.

Global Economic Outlook

The global economy continues to recover gradually from the pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war, and high inflation. In retrospect, the global economy has shown remarkable resilience in 2023. Despite the global tensions and increasing climate risks, the overall economic outlook seems positive. The disruption in energy and food markets has had a massive impact on the European economy. Whereas, tightening of global monetary conditions has caused a slowdown in economic progress worldwide. These unprecedented events in global economic development reflect a limping economy, not sprinting. According to the IMFs October 2023 World Economic Outlook report, global growth is expected to slow down from 3.5% in 2022 to 3% in 2023 and continue a downward trajectory in 2024 to 2.9%. This economic outlook remains well below the historical average from 2000 to 2019 of 3.8%.

Rising headline inflation has been one of the major problems in the past few years. Headline inflation is expected to reach 5.9% in 2023 compared to 9.2% in 2022 and continue to drop to 4.8% in 2024. Core inflation, excluding food and energy prices, is projected to drop to 4.5% in 2024. As a result, most analysts are projecting a soft landing during the second half of 2024. The unemployment forecast for the US is very modest and is expected to record a gradual increase from 3.6% in 2023 to 3.9% by 2025. The US economy is expected to grow 2.1% in 2023 and slowly grow by 1.5% in 2024.

The growth in emerging and developing Asia is projected to increase from 4.5% in 2022 to 5.2% in 2023, and then decline to 4.8% in 2024. The two largest economies in Asia, China and India, are on track to be the worlds largest economies by 2030. India seems to grow at a steady rate compared to China. As per the forecast, China is projected to have a growth rate of 5% in 2023 and 4.2% in 2024. India is expected to have a growth rate of 6.3% in both 2023 and 2024. India is also on the list of one of the fastest growing economies according to the World Bank's GDP forecast for 2025. The growth in Europe is expected to grow to 2.4% in 2023, before declining to 2.2% in 2024. Growth in Europe is mainly impacted by slow development in the Euro area and the vast consequences of the Russia-Ukraine war. The Latin America and the Caribbean region is projected to see growth decline from 4.2% in 2022 to 2.3% in both 2023 and 2024. In the Middle East and Central Asia, the growth rate is expected to plunge from 5.6% in 2022 to 2% in 2023, before rising to 3.4% in 2024. Sub-Saharan Africa is projected to record a growth decline of 3.3% in 2023, before improving the growth rate to 4% in 2024.

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Businesses in Growing Countries

The economies that are making strong progress are backed by some of the largest companies in the world. Reliance Industries Limited (NSE:RELIANCE), Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA), and Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) are some of the leading companies operating out of the largest economies.

Reliance Industries Limited (NSE:RELIANCE) is the largest corporation in India. The company has multiple subsidiaries operating in different industries and plays a vital role in the Indian economy. On December 1, Reliance Industries Limited (NSE:RELIANCE) announced that its telecom subsidiary Jio and TM Forum are collaborating for the first TM Forum Innovation Hub in Mumbai, India. The Innovation Hub will focus on enhancing applications for Generative AI, Large Language Models (LLM), and Open Digital Architecture to create use cases for the telecom industry. On December 29, Reliance Industries Limited (NSE:RELIANCE) announced that it became the first Indian firm to chemically recycle plastic waste-based pyrolysis oil into International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC)-Plus certified Circular Polymers. This development shows the companys commitment to reducing plastic waste and supporting the circular economy in India.

Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) is one of the leading e-commerce firms in the world. The Chinese e-commerce platform is one of the largest wholesale marketplaces on the internet. Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) has a global impact on the e-commerce economy. On November 27, Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) announced that it joined the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). WBCSD is a group of over 200 of the worlds leading sustainable businesses. The main purpose of Alibaba Group Holding Limiteds (NYSE:BABA) collaboration with WBCSD is to find innovative ways to leverage the companys platform for broad decarbonization. Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) will also work on the Avoided Emissions framework and methodologies with WBCSD.

Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) is one of the largest US companies and continues to top the Fortune 500 list for the 11th year in a row. The company continues to report the highest revenues among global corporations each year to make it to the top spot on the Fortune 500 list. On November 16, Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) reported its third-quarter results for the fiscal year 2024. The company posted earnings per share of $1.53, surpassing consensus estimates by $0.01. Walmart Inc.s (NYSE:WMT) revenue of $160.8 billion for Q3 2024 topped market estimates by $2.26 billion. Here are some of the comments from earnings call of Q3 2024:

Our value proposition continues to resonate with customers, helping us gain share and drive e-commerce growth. We're on track to grow adjusted operating income at a faster rate than sales for the year, consistent with what we discussed at our investor meeting earlier this year. We had strong revenue growth for the quarter across each of our segments. Comp sales for Walmart U.S. were 4.9% and 3.8% for Sam's Club U.S. Sales for Walmart International were up 5.4% in constant currency, led by Walmex and China. Sam's Club continues to perform well both in Mexico and China, and while strength was broad-based for Walmex.

These are a few companies from some of the leading economies. Now, lets take a look at the list of growing economies according to the IMFs GDP forecast for 2030.

IMF's GDP Forecast of 2030 GDP by Country

IMF's GDP Forecast of 2030 GDP by Country

Our Methodology

To compile or list the countries based on the IMFs GDP forecast for 2030, first, we shortlisted the countries with the highest forecasted GDP (PPP) for 2028 from the International Monetary Funds (IMF) GDP (PPP) database. As the IMF forecasted data is available till 2028, we had to find the forecasted GDP (PPP) of countries for 2030. We had the real GDP growth rate forecasts for 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, and 2028. To find the real GDP growth rates for 2029 and 2030, we took the average of real GDP growth rates from 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, and 2028. Then using the forecasted average real GDP growth rates for 2029 and 2028, we calculated the forecasted GDP (PPP) for 2029 and 2030. We have ranked the countries based on the IMFs GDP forecast for 2030 in ascending order of their GDP (PPP).

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IMF's GDP Forecast of 2030 GDP by Country

30. Argentina

Forecasted GDP (PPP) for 2030: $1.66 Trillion

Argentina is one of the largest economies in the world. In 2023, the GDP of the country stood at $1.24 trillion. The countrys GDP is projected to reach $1.66 trillion by 2030. Argentina is placed 30th among the growing countries according to the IMFs GDP forecast for 2030.

29. Malaysia

Forecasted GDP (PPP) for 2030: $1.80 Trillion

Malaysia is one of the largest economies in Asia having a GDP of $1.23 trillion in 2023. Malaysias GDP is projected to reach $1.80 trillion by 2030 and ranks among the growing economies according to the IMFs GDP forecast for 2030.

28. Nigeria

Forecasted GDP (PPP) for 2030: $1.86 Trillion

Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa and has a GDP of $1.37 trillion. Nigerias forecasted GDP for 2030 is $1.86 trillion and is one of the growing economies according to the IMFs GDP forecast for 2030.

27. Philippines

Forecasted GDP (PPP) for 2030: $2.14 Trillion

The Philippines is one of the emerging economies according to the IMFs GDP forecast for 2030. In 2023, the country has a GDP of $1.28 trillion. The Philippines forecasted GDP for 2030 is $2.14 trillion. The Philippines is placed 27th among the growing countries according to the IMFs GDP forecast for 2030.

26. Thailand

Forecasted GDP (PPP) for 2030: $2.15 Trillion

Thailand is one of the largest economies in Asia having a GDP of $1.58 trillion in 2023. Thailands GDP is projected to reach $2.15 trillion by 2030 and ranks among the growing countries according to the IMFs GDP forecast for 2030.

25. Australia

Forecasted GDP (PPP) for 2030: $2.18 Trillion

Australia is one of the emerging economies according to the IMFs GDP forecast for 2030. Australia has a GDP of $1.72 trillion in 2023 and has a forecasted GDP of $2.18 trillion by 2030.

24. Iran

Forecasted GDP (PPP) for 2030: $2.20 Trillion

Iran has emerged as a strong economy in the region despite international sanctions. In 2023, the country has a GDP of $1.73 trillion. Irans forecasted GDP for 2030 is $2.20 trillion. Iran is placed 24th among the growing economies according to the IMFs GDP forecast for 2030.

23. Taiwan

Forecasted GDP (PPP) for 2030: $2.22 Trillion

Taiwan is a small state with a strong economy. The country has a GDP of $1.69 trillion in 2023. Taiwans forecasted GDP for 2030 is $2.22 trillion. Taiwan ranks among the growing economies according to the IMFs GDP forecast for 2030.

22. Pakistan

Forecasted GDP (PPP) for 2030: $2.30 Trillion

Pakistan's economy is struggling but it has the potential to become one of the leading economies in the world. In 2023, Pakistans GDP stood at $1.57 trillion and is projected to reach $2.30 trillion by 2030. Ranked 22nd on our list, Pakistan is one of the emerging economies according to the IMFs GDP forecast for 2030.

21. Poland

Forecasted GDP (PPP) for 2030: $2.33 Trillion

Poland is one of the largest economies in Europe having a GDP of $1.71 trillion, as of 2023. Polands GDP is projected to reach $2.33 trillion by 2030 and ranks among the growing countries according to the IMFs GDP forecast for 2030.

20. Vietnam

Forecasted GDP (PPP) for 2030: $2.48 Trillion

Vietnam is one of the largest economies in Asia and has a GDP of $1.43 trillion in 2023. Vietnams GDP is projected to reach $2.48 trillion by 2030 and ranks among the growing economies according to the IMFs GDP forecast for 2030.

19. Bangladesh

Forecasted GDP (PPP) for 2030: $2.61 Trillion

Bangladesh is one of the emerging economies according to the IMFs GDP forecast for 2030. In 2023, the country has a GDP of $1.48 trillion. Bangladeshs forecasted GDP for 2030 is $2.61 trillion. Bangladesh is ranked 19th among the growing countries according to the IMFs GDP forecast for 2030.

18. Egypt

Forecasted GDP (PPP) for 2030: $2.84 Trillion

Egypt is one of the largest economies in Africa having a GDP of $1.81 trillion, as of 2023. Egypt has a forecasted GDP of $2.84 trillion for 2030 and is one of the emerging economies according to the IMFs GDP forecast for 2030.

17. Canada

Forecasted GDP (PPP) for 2030: $2.98 Trillion

Canada is one of the largest economies in the world. In 2023, the GDP of the country stood at $2.38 trillion. The countrys GDP is projected to reach $2.98 trillion by 2030. Canada is placed 17th among the growing countries according to the IMFs GDP forecast for 2030.

16. Spain

Forecasted GDP (PPP) for 2030: $3.01 Trillion

Spain is one of the largest economies in Europe and has a GDP of $2.41 trillion in 2023. Spains forecasted GDP for 2030 is $3.01 trillion and is one of the growing economies according to the IMFs GDP forecast for 2030.

15. Saudi Arabia

Forecasted GDP (PPP) for 2030: $3.17 Trillion

Saudi Arabia is one of the fastest-growing economies according to the IMFs GDP forecast for 2030. Saudi Arabia has a GDP of $2.25 trillion in 2023 and its GDP is forecasted to reach $3.17 trillion in 2030.

14. South Korea

Forecasted GDP (PPP) for 2030: $3.75 Trillion

South Korea is one of the strongest economies in the region having a GDP of $2.92 trillion in 2023. By 2030, South Koreas GDP is projected to reach $3.75 trillion. South Korea is one of the growing economies according to the IMFs GDP forecast for 2030.

13. Italy

Forecasted GDP (PPP) for 2030: $3.76 Trillion

Italy is one of the largest economies in Europe having a GDP of $3.19 trillion in 2023. Italys forecasted GDP for 2030 is $3.76 trillion and is one of the growing economies according to the IMFs GDP forecast for 2030.

12. Mexico

Forecasted GDP (PPP) for 2030: $4.12 Trillion

Mexico is one the largest economies in North America having a GDP of $3.28 trillion in 2023. Mexicos GDP is forecasted to reach $4.12 trillion by 2030 and ranks among the growing countries according to the IMFs GDP forecast for 2030.

11. France

Forecasted GDP (PPP) for 2030: $4.75 Trillion

Located in Western Europe, France is one of the largest economies in the world and ranks among the growing countries according to the IMFs GDP forecast for 2030. France has a GDP of $3.87 trillion in 2023 and its forecasted GDP for 2030 is $4.75 trillion.

Click to continue reading and see the IMF's GDP Forecast for 2030 by Country: Top 10.

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Disclosure: None. 30 Growing Economies According to the IMF's GDP Forecast for 2030 by Country is originally published on Insider Monkey.
Panaji: The Sunburn festival begins at Vagator, near Panaji on Dec 28, 2014. . Image Source: IANS News

Panaji, Dec 31 : Goa Police have arrested seven persons for allegedly stealing high-end mobile phones valued at Rs 25 lakh during the Sunburn Music festival, a police official said.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Jivba Dalvi said on Saturday that members of inter-state gang of thieves, which was operational during the Sunburn festival at Vagator, Bardez, have been arrested by the Anjuna police.

"The modus operandi of the thieves was such wherein they used to target music lovers, and steal their high-end mobile phones while they were enjoying at the Sunburn festival," Dalvi added.

He said that the Anjuna police were already prepared for such an incident and teams were deployed in civil clothes during the festival to keep a vigil on such thieves.

"The police team achieved a breakthrough, and finally busted the operational gang from Maharashtra and arrested the accused persons," he added.

"During the seizure, we have recovered 29 high-end mobile phones of different brands which are valued at Rs 25 lakh," Dalvi said.
New Delhi, Dec 31 : The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), the technical education regulator in the country, has warned students against fake 10-day MBA crash courses.

New Delhi, Dec 31 (IANS) The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), the technical education regulator in the country, has warned students against fake 10-day MBA crash courses.

The AICTE issued the notice warning the students after a motivational speaker ran advertisements on a 10-day MBA programme.

The Union Education Ministry said that recognition of AICTE is essential to run a MBA programme in the country.

AICTE Vice-Chairman, Abhay Jere, said that an advisory has been issued against such 'fake MBA' programmes, targeting youth.

He added that it has come to the notice of AICTE that some motivational speaker and Influencers are offering a 10-day MBA crash course.

This is to inform to all stakcholders that such crash course is an attempt to misguide the young minds of the country, he said.

As per the Supreme Court judgement, no institution or university can run technical courses, including MBA, management courses (leading to postgraduate degree) without taking approval from AICTE, Jere added.

AICTE said that MBA is a two-year postgraduate degree course designed to equip individuals with advanced skills and knowledge in various aspects of business and management.

"An MBA programme which leades to a degree, cannot be completed in 10 days.Therefore, it is to notify to all stakeholders that the MBA crash course offered by such individuals or ganisations are misleading and inappropriate. All stake holders and students are advised to be cautious and do not fall prey to such fraudulent offers," an AICTE official added.
In yet another legal victory for freedom to read advocates, a federal judge has blocked two key portions of SF 496, a recently passed Iowa state law that sought to ban books with sexual content from Iowa schools and to bar classroom discussion of gender identity and sexuality for students below the seventh grade.

In a 49-page opinion and order, judge Stephen Locher criticized the law as incredibly broad and acknowledged that it has already resulted in the removal of of hundreds of books from school libraries, including, among others, nonfiction history books, classic works of fiction, Pulitzer Prizewinning contemporary novels, books that regularly appear on Advanced Placement exams, and even books designed to help students avoid being victimized by sexual assault.

Specifically, Locher preliminarily enjoined two provisions challenged in two separate but parallel lawsuits. Regarding the laws ban on books with any depictions of sex acts, Locher found that the laws sweeping restrictions are unlikely to satisfy the First Amendment under any standard of scrutiny. In a rebuke, Locher said he was unable to locate a single case upholding the constitutionality of a school library restriction even remotely similar to Senate File 496.

Locher said that the law's underlying message is that there is no redeeming value to any such book even if it is a work of history, self-help guide, award-winning novel, or other piece of serious literature, adding that with the law state lawmakers had sought to impose a puritanical pall of orthodoxy over school libraries.

Furthermore, Locher suggested that the law was a solution in search of a problem. The State Defendants have presented no evidence that student access to books depicting sex acts was creating any significant problems in the school setting, much less to the degree that would give rise to a substantial and reasonable governmental interest justifying across-the-board removal, he wrote. Instead, at most, the State Defendants presented evidence that some parents found the content of a small handful of books to be objectionable.

As to the laws restrictions on instruction relating to gender identity and sexual orientation, Locher sought to clarify two severe misunderstandings about what the law actually says. First, nothing in the law act restricts the ability of school officials to engage with issues of gender identity and sexual orientation with students in grade seven and above, he held, whether in the classroom or outside of it. To the extent school districts, teachers, or students have been interpreting the law otherwise, they are simply wrong, Locher wrote.

 The State Defendants have presented no evidence that student access to books depicting sex acts was creating any significant problems in the school setting, much less to the degree that would give rise to a substantial and reasonable governmental interest justifying across-the-board removal. 

As for students in grade six and below, Locher noted that the plain text of the law actually doesnt distinguish between cisgender or transgender identity or gay or straight relationships. While opponents of SF 496 have often described the effort as a dont say gay or dont say trans bill, based on the plain language of the statute, Locher said, it is actually a dont say anything bill.

The statute is therefore content-neutral but so wildly overbroad that every school district and elementary school teacher in the State has likely been violating it since the day the school year started, Locher held. This renders the statute void for vagueness under the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment because the State will have unfettered discretion to decide when to enforce it and against whom, thus making it all but impossible for a reasonable person to know what will and will not lead to punishment.

Still, Locher was quick to acknowledge the intent of the law, acknowledging that both the plaintiffs and the state agree that the law was designed to prohibit discussion of homosexuality and transgenderism. The problem, Locher said, is that the Court cannot interpret Senate File 496 as targeting transgender identities and homosexual relationships without substituting the Courts own choice of words for the ones chosen by the Legislature. This the Court cannot do.

In a setback for LGBTQ advocates, however, the court declined to block a controversial provision of the law that requires school officials to notify a childs parents if the child asks for the use of pronouns that do not match the schools registration records or otherwise seeks an accommodation relating to gender identity, citing a standing issue. As of January 1, 2024, school officials who violate this rule can be disciplined, even fired. Only the GLBT Youth Student Plaintiffs challenge this portion of the law, but they are all already out to their families and therefore not affected in a concrete way by this requirement, Locher ruled.

SF 496 was signed by Iowa governor Kim Reynolds in May, and set to into full effect as of January 1, 2024.

In a statement, Reynolds said that she was "extremely disappointed by the ruling. Instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation has no place in kindergarten through sixth grade classrooms. And there should be no question that books containing sexually explicit contentas clearly defined in Iowa lawdo not belong in a school library for children. The fact that were even arguing these issues is ridiculous, Reynolds said. The real debate should be about why society is so intent on over-sexualizing our young children. Its wrong, and I will continue to do my part to protect their innocence.

On November 26, Lambda Legal and the ACLU of Iowa, together with a number of named plaintiffs in Iowa, filed the first suit to challenge the law, calling it a clear violation of public school students First Amendment right to speak, read, and learn freely. Days later, Penguin Random House and the Iowa State Education Association, along with bestselling authors Laurie Halse Anderson, John Green, Malinda Lo, and Jodi Picoult, also sued.

The ruling in Iowa is the third major legal victory for freedom to read advocates since July, all seeking to block and eventually strike down a host of state laws passed in 2023 that seek to ban books under the guise of parental rights.

In a July 29 opinion and order, judge Timothy Brooks preliminarily enjoined key provisions of Act 372, Arkansas's newly passed harmful to minors law, which would have exposed Arkansas librarians to criminal liability for making allegedly inappropriate books accessible to minors. And on August 31, a federal judge in Austin, Tex., preliminarily enjoined HB 900, that states controversial book rating law. Those cases are currently being appealed.

In a statement, Penguin Random House associate general counsel, Dan Novack said the plaintiffs are "extremely gratified" by Lochers opinion and order.

"Our position remains that all viewpoints and perspectives must be made equitably available to readers, and judge Locher has validated the importance of that with his ruling today," Novack said. "Penguin Random House will continue to stand up for the First Amendment, our authors, their stories and ideas, and the students and educators who have the right to access and discuss books without government interference.
Alstom has won a contract worth around 900 million euro to maintain the regional rolling stock VLocity and Classic fleets in Australia's Victoria state for the next ten years.

Alstom built the VLocity train fleet at its Dandenong manufacturing site in Melbourne, Australia, and will maintain the vehicles alongside the Classic fleet out of West Melbourne, South Dynon and Ballarat East sites. This will secure jobs for hundreds of workers in Victoria, which is Australia's second-smallest state and is located in the south-east of the country.

98% of the contract's labour will be based in Victoria servicing the VLocity and Classic fleet, and Alstom will source 69% of maintenance materials from local Victorian suppliers. Alstom has also committed to spending 6% with forty local social benefit suppliers over the life of the contract.

VLocity trains run on Victoria's Geelong, Ballarat, Ararat, Maryborough, Bendigo, Echuca, Seymour, Shepparton, Traralgon and Bairnsdale lines. It is the newest and fastest train in the V/Line fleet, and travels at speeds of up to 160km/h.

Pascal Dupond, Alstom's Managing Director, Australia and New Zealand, said, Our association with VLocity goes back to 2003. On the twentieth year of that association, I am humbled by the trust placed in us by the Victorian Government to continue the privilege of servicing VLocity trains for the next decade.

We will establish a fleet control centre in South Dynon, based on Alstom's UK Voyager Control Centre which will further improve reliability and availability of the fleet. Local suppliers across Victoria will also play an important part in supplying parts, overhauls, repairs, preventative maintenance and wheel turning; the impact to the rail supply chain in Victoria will be profound.
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Property details:

1.26 ACRES IN POLK CITYPOLK COUNTY, FLORIDA High bid wins! Cash sale! ABOUT THE PROPERTY:Parcel Number: 32-24-25-000000-023210Off Commonwealth Ave N, Polk City, FL 33868 Polk CountySize: 1.26 AcreUtilities - Not to lotTaxes: Approx $50/yearHOA: NoneDocument Fee $299 Payment/Terms: Payment accepted via Zelle, Venmo, cashiers check, or wire transfer. We do not take Paypal, as they will no longer allow real estate transaction payments thru them. Payment must be made by the winning bidder within ...

Price: $ 2,025 Seller State of Residence: California Zip/Postal Code: 33868 City: Polk City State/Province: Florida Location: 305**, Cleveland, Georgia

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Auction Process:a. All bidders must agree to and abide by these terms and conditions to participate in the auction.b. The highest bidder, at or above the reserve price (if applicable), will be declared the successful bidder Property Description:a. The investment property up for auction is described as 717 fifth street, Jackson MI 49203. b. The property is sold "as-is," and no warranties or representations are made regarding its condition, including any potential for future returns, profitability...

Price: $ 10,700 Seller State of Residence: New York For Sale by: Owner Property Address: 717 fifth st Jackson, MI Property Type: House Number of Bedrooms: 2 Sale Type: Existing Homes Number of Bathrooms: 1 Zip/Postal Code: 49203 City: Jackson State/Province: New York Location: 112**, Brooklyn, New York

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The main point of investing for the long term is to make money. Better yet, you'd like to see the share price move up more than the market average. Unfortunately for shareholders, while the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (TSE:CM) share price is up 24% in the last five years, that's less than the market return. Looking at the last year alone, the stock is up 16%.

So let's assess the underlying fundamentals over the last 5 years and see if they've moved in lock-step with shareholder returns.

See our latest analysis for Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

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 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).

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce's earnings per share are down 2.8% per year, despite strong share price performance over five years.

With EPS falling, but a modestly increasing share price, it seems that the market was probably too pessimistic about the stock in the past. In the long term, though, it will be hard for the share price rises to continue without improving EPS.

The image below shows how EPS has tracked over time (if you click on the image you can see greater detail).

TSX:CM Earnings Per Share Growth December 30th 2023

We like that insiders have been buying shares in the last twelve months. Even so, future earnings will be far more important to whether current shareholders make money. Dive deeper into the earnings by checking this interactive graph of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce'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). The TSR is a return calculation that accounts for the value of cash dividends (assuming that any dividend received was reinvested) and the calculated value of any discounted capital raisings and spin-offs. Arguably, the TSR gives a more comprehensive picture of the return generated by a stock. As it happens, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce's TSR for the last 5 years was 62%, which exceeds the share price return mentioned earlier. This is largely a result of its dividend payments!

Story continues

A Different Perspective

It's nice to see that Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce shareholders have received a total shareholder return of 24% over the last year. And that does include the dividend. That's better than the annualised return of 10% over half a decade, implying that the company is doing better recently. Someone with an optimistic perspective could view the recent improvement in TSR as indicating that the business itself is getting better with time. 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. Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 1 warning sign with Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce , and understanding them should be part of your investment process.

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce is not the only stock insiders are buying. So take a peek at this free list of growing companies with insider buying.

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on Canadian 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.
Property details:

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The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) is contemplating the implementation of a same-day settlement cycle, known as T+0, in two phases.

Photograph: Shailesh Andrade/Reuters

This is seen as a preliminary step towards instantaneous settlement.

The shorter T+0 settlement cycle is being considered for the equity cash segment as an optional mechanism, in addition to the current T+1 (Trade plus one day) cycle.

The markets regulator has released a consultation paper outlining the T+0 settlement mechanism and seeking comments on potential challenges.

Sebi has also tried to address concerns about fragmented liquidity raised by several foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) and institutional investors.

A two-phase migration has been proposed to assess the impact of a shorter settlement cycle on the market, as well as operational and technological issues.

Currently, settlements occur in a T+1 settlement cycle, in which securities and funds are credited to a demat account the day after the trade.

India only transitioned to the T+1 cycle for all listed companies this year.

Sebi chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch had previously indicated a timeline of March-end next year for implementing the T+0 settlement, with a transition to instantaneous settlement occurring 12 months later.

In the first phase, an optional T+0 settlement cycle is proposed for trades until 1:30 pm, with the settlement of funds and securities to be completed on the same day by 4:30 pm.

In the second phase, an optional immediate trade-by-trade settlement may be implemented for trades until 3:30 pm.

Once phase 2 has been implemented, phase 1 will be discontinued, Sebi has suggested.

In the first phase, custodian clients, such as foreign portfolio investors and certain institutional investors, will be excluded.

These clients will be included in the second phase.

Sebi stated that the shorter settlement cycle will further free up capital in the securities market, enhance risk management by clearing corporations, and allow investors to have better control of their funds and securities.

Regarding concerns about liquidity fragmentation, the discussion paper stated that there will be participants who can access both T+0 (or instant settlement) and T+1 markets, and will bridge price and liquidity gaps between the two segments.

The issue of divergence of prices for same scrip between the two segments (T+0 or instant settlement cycle, and T+1 settlement cycle), can also be addressed by the introduction of price bands between segments (of say +100 basis points), which ensure limited divergence in the prices between the T+1 settlement cycle and T+0 or instant settlement cycle, it said.

Sebi, however, has acknowledged that the two different cycles can affect price discovery, increase the cost of trading, increase the impact cost in case of lack of liquidity, and result in divergence in prices.

Furthermore, T+0 settlement will initially be available for only the top 500 companies by market capitalisation.

Similar to India's transition to T+1, the transition to T+0 will also be done in three tranches of 200, 200, and 100 companies, from the lowest to the highest market cap brackets.

According to the paper, exchanges will publish a common list of securities and a calendar for migration to T+0, and create a separate series or scrip code for T+0.

As the Indian market will be transitioning to a block mechanism (ASBA) for the secondary market from January 2024 onwards, the consultation paper also addresses transactions and trades conducted by UPI clients.

Sebi has sought comments on the recommendations until January 12 next year.
'Today, the BJP is using power in such a manner that they not only crush the Opposition, but even their own supporters can't rebel.'

In the third and concluding part of the interview with Jyoti Punwani, Quit India veteran Dr G G Parikh dissects the exceptional qualities as well as the failures of the Socialists, with whom he spent his life; analyses why he considers Gandhian thought as most relevant; and talks about how to come out of the "dark night" in which the country finds itself today.

The freedom fighter -- born December 30, 1924 -- entered his 100th year on Saturday.

We spoke of communal feelings being on the rise. Even in matters of caste, people are far more intolerant today, compared to earlier? Why is that?

When Socialists started defining their doctrine, they spoke of a casteless and classless society. By then, the reality of caste had started sinking in. Those suppressed for centuries had to be uplifted; not merely the SCs and STs, but also the other so-called lower castes.

The realisation also dawned that the so-called upper castes had cornered the maximum land share, and therefore some sort of positive action was necessary. Reservations had to be extended to the OBCs.

Once this thought came into their minds, two things happened:

i. Socialists realised the danger that this kind of thinking presented to the objective of creating a casteless society. Hence (Ram Manohar) Lohia, apart from focusing on caste, said we must focus on women across castes.

ii. Gradually, movements that promoted inter-caste marriages increased. We hoped these could create a new class of citizens who would be casteless, and thereby provide a balance to the heightened caste consciousness brought in by reservations.

This work would have gone on, but then Socialists started accepting that to bring social change, power was necessary. That shifted the emphasis, resulting in a dilution in Socialist thinking and character.

All over India there were Socialist cadres with excellent character, scrupulously honest, those who never used power for personal gain. But fighting elections affected their character. The Socialist and democratic character which they were trying to develop in their cadre got short circuited.

Power became so important that all else was neglected, even Vinoba Bhave's experiment, Bhoodan, wherein he got more land freed than under the Zamindari Abolition Act. Only JP (Jayaprakash Narayan) and a few others continued that movement.

Everyone knows power corrupts, but we did not realise the extent to which it does, despite all our readings of history. We had seen the Communists in the USSR became like the czar. Yet, gaining power became so important that our ideology got diluted, and manipulating castes to get power became more important for some leaders who came from intermediate castes.

Socialists forgot that Gandhi was never in power, yet he managed to change so many.

Wasn't the Rashtra Seva Dal (the Socialists' youth wing) supposed to counter both casteism and communalism?

It was a sort of counter to the RSS. It created a cadre which promoted inter-religious and inter-caste marriages. In fact, this was the only body that did so. This had happened during the freedom movement too, but it was much more in the Dal. Almost everyone there married outside their caste.

But the split in the Socialist movement affected the Dal. Both factions tried to control it. So though the cadres remained casteless they could not focus on spreading their ideas.

The cadres are still casteless; I think the Rashtra Seva Dal cadre is far better than those of other organisations.

Later, didn't the JP movement also try to eradicate caste identity among its participants?

Yes, the movement consciously made an effort to do so, and succeeded. But many of those who joined it became interested in power, hence the idealism of the movement gave way to the opportunism of elections.

Even now, a large number of people are committed to JP's ideas. But the energy has reduced, and most of the cadre have become some sort of intellectuals promoting the ideology but not going to the masses. This is true of Communist cadre too.

Only the RSS goes to the people all the time.

You think the Rashtra Seva Dal can be revived? Or a group like it can be set up?

It can. In the early period, the objective was freedom from the British and also social evils, thanks to Mahatma Gandhi. Today, all the activists we have are either Communists or Socialists or Gandhians. With these kinds of people available, a social movement can be revived.

But now if we want to revive it, the organisation must talk of the environment. If it gets converted to a green movement, the younger generation would get attracted.

Unfortunately the Socialists are not giving that much importance to global warming. The solutions lie in Gandhian thinking, in swadeshi, in using minimum resources.

This year, you were stopped from proceeding towards August Kranti Maidan on August 9. Has this happened before?

Once, (freedom fighter and Gandhian) Ushaben Mehta, Pramila Dandavate, Mrinal Gore and I were stopped at Nana Chowk. So we simply sat down there. Later, some ministers came to persuade us to give up our dharna.

Our 1942 group (who were in jail during the Quit India movement), including (journalist) Dinkar Sakrikar, Prabhakar Kunte, Rohit Dave and I, had decided that on August 9 and January 30 every year, we'd take out a silent march (to commemorate the Quit India movement and Gandhi's assassination). Somewhere, the January 30 march was given up, but August 9 is done till today.

This time, did anyone from the government contact you to apologise for the police preventing you from the march?

No.

Do you think today is worse than the Emergency?

Yes. Worse than British times even. The British had some conscience. Gandhi was kept alive, provided a phone, allowed to travel.

Even Indira Gandhi did not arrest (senior Socialist leaders) N G Goray, S M Joshi. That meant she always intended to bring back democracy.

Today, the BJP is using power in such a manner that they not only crush the Opposition, but even their own supporters can't rebel.

IMAGE: Dr G G Parikh at the Red Ink Awards 2023 organised by the Mumbai Press Club. Photograph: Kind courtesy Mumbai Press Club/Facebook

At the RedInk awards, you described the current time as 'a dark night'. Yet you also said you haven't lost hope, that the people still believe in the ideas of Gandhi and the freedom movement, Where's the evidence of this?

The terrible thing today is that those who never accepted the dawn of freedom, or the Preamble which says that everyone is equal, are now in power. Yet, despite all their efforts, only 40% of the people are supporting them. The rest are still resisting.

In such a situation we have to emphasise the ideas of the freedom movement and work hard to see they are accepted. While doing so, we must remember our socialist values: Free education, subsidised housing, free medical care. employment being more important than GDP...

The people's resistance can get galvanised only if we go to the masses with the issue of global warming. In Mumbai, we can easily say the city is being built for motorists alone. We will then get the support of a lot of people. Unfortunately, we're not using that kind of thinking.

Instead, parties are using soft Hindutva. In Nehru's days, there was no such thing. If you believe in a plural society, you should make it clear.

IMAGE: Mahatma Gandhi arrives at Simla to discuss the international situation with local Congress leaders and the viceroy. Photograph: Fox Photos/Getty Images from the Rediff Archives

You interacted with all streams of the freedom movement, but finally, you remained a Gandhian. Why?

In jail, where I was probably the youngest and hence looked after very well by everyone, I got introduced to many things. I started reading Marx, Freud... Like everyone of my age, I became some sort of fan of Marx.

The Communists had concentrated their student activity in St Xavier's and I used to sell the Communist Party weekly called Imperialist War. But after the party changed its stand on the war (World War II), they changed the name of the weekly to People's War. I got confused and also disillusioned.

By then I had also started reading what was happening with the Left in Europe. I realised in quite a few ways, their actions went against Marxist thinking. The first was the characterisation of WWII as a 'people's war'.

Secondly, they didn't support the freedom movement. They opposed the Quit India movement because they wanted the Congress to support the war effort.

But that wasn't the only thing. As I started reading more and more, I came to the conclusion that the Marxist or Anglo Saxon model of relationship between employer and employee was unlikely to yield the type of world we aspired to.

I was attracted to the Gandhian trade union model. The Champaran struggle inspired me, as did the Ahmedabad textile strike.

I realised Gandhian thinking had two aspects. It encouraged people to fight for their rights, but it also tried to change the oppressor. The relationship between the oppressor and the oppressed was mediated at two levels: The oppressed had to assert themselves, but the oppressor had to change too.

Much later, I found that if you want a modern ideal world, the possibility of realising it lay more in Gandhian than Marxist or even Socialist thought, (barring a few individuals such as Acharya Narendra Dev or JP).

IMAGE: Dr G G Parikh with Rajmohan Gandhi, the thinker and author, at a felicitation ceremony in Mumbai, December 29, 2023. Photograph: Jyoti Punwani

Why?

I saw how Socialists fared after Independence: Sane Guruji committed suicide in 1950 out of disillusionment; Achyut Patwardhan whom I admired, left the movement; and JP, for many reasons, left the Socialist movement and joined Vinoba Bhave's Bhoodan movement.

The Socialists were a fine group of people. Committed to changing both the system and man, they left everything for the cause. But they lacked a democratic character.

We were good Socialists, but not good democrats. Socialists, when they disagree, do not accept the majority decisions of the party. They split the party. This happened so many times.

You should be willing to accept the majority view. You can leave, but don't split the party. That's why I admire Madhu Dandavate and Rohit Dave. Though many a time they were in a minority, they accepted the majority decision.

The Socialist movement didn't create the type of leaders that Gandhi created. The irony is that all these Socialists were Gandhi's creation and all of them, at the end of their lives, went back to his ideology.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
There are a few key trends to look for if we want to identify the next multi-bagger. Amongst other things, we'll want to see two things; firstly, a growing return on capital employed (ROCE) and secondly, an expansion in the company's amount of capital employed. Put simply, these types of businesses are compounding machines, meaning they are continually reinvesting their earnings at ever-higher rates of return. And in light of that, the trends we're seeing at Motorola Solutions' (NYSE:MSI) look very promising so lets take a look.

What Is Return On Capital Employed (ROCE)?

Just to clarify if you're unsure, ROCE is a metric for evaluating how much pre-tax income (in percentage terms) a company earns on the capital invested in its business. The formula for this calculation on Motorola Solutions is:

Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT)  (Total Assets - Current Liabilities)

0.34 = US$2.4b  (US$12b - US$5.3b) (Based on the trailing twelve months to September 2023).

Thus, Motorola Solutions has an ROCE of 34%. In absolute terms that's a great return and it's even better than the Communications industry average of 8.3%.

Check out our latest analysis for Motorola Solutions

roce

In the above chart we have measured Motorola Solutions' 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 Motorola Solutions here for free.

The Trend Of ROCE

Investors would be pleased with what's happening at Motorola Solutions. Over the last five years, returns on capital employed have risen substantially to 34%. The company is effectively making more money per dollar of capital used, and it's worth noting that the amount of capital has increased too, by 22%. So we're very much inspired by what we're seeing at Motorola Solutions thanks to its ability to profitably reinvest capital.

On a separate but related note, it's important to know that Motorola Solutions has a current liabilities to total assets ratio of 43%, which we'd consider pretty high. This can bring about some risks because the company is basically operating with a rather large reliance on its suppliers or other sorts of short-term creditors. Ideally we'd like to see this reduce as that would mean fewer obligations bearing risks.

Story continues

In Conclusion...

A company that is growing its returns on capital and can consistently reinvest in itself is a highly sought after trait, and that's what Motorola Solutions has. Since the stock has returned a staggering 191% to shareholders over the last five years, it looks like investors are recognizing these changes. Therefore, we think it would be worth your time to check if these trends are going to continue.

On a separate note, we've found 2 warning signs for Motorola Solutions you'll probably want to know about.

If you'd like to see other companies earning high returns, check out our free list of companies earning high returns with solid balance sheets 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.
In a major purge of the Chinese military, nine senior generals of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), including senior officials of the country's Rocket Force, have been dismissed from Parliament, official media reported here on Saturday.

IMAGE: Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist party of China, arrives at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, October 23, 2020. Photograph: Carlos Garcia Rawlins/Reuters

Those dismissed from the National People's Congress (NPC), the country's Parliament, include five past or current top commanders of the PLA Rocket Force, which handles the missiles division and a key component of the country's nuclear arsenal, besides a former Air Force commander, state-run Xinhua news agency said.

The report carried the announcement of the Standing Committee of the NPC but did not attribute any reason for their disqualification.

These generals are part of a substantial number of members of the Chinese military who formed part of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) and are appointed to the NPC.

Their dismissals come days after the NPC appointed former naval commander General Dong Jun as the new Defence Minister, two months after the summary dismissal of General Li Shangfu without any explanation.

Those whose membership was terminated from the NPC included Zhang Zhenzhong, Zhang Yulin, Rao Wenmin, Ju Xinchun, Ding Laihang, Lu Hong, Li Yuchao, Li Chuanguang and Zhou Yaning, according to the NPC announcement.

A new anti-corruption drive in China has led to the downfall of several past and present senior commanders in the Rocket Force, Hong Kong based South China Morning Post quoted official sources as saying.

The military's anti-corruption body has been investigating the force's current commander Li Yuchao, as well as Zhang Zhenzhong and Liu Guangbin, his past and present deputies.

Li, who was the most senior general to be caught up in the latest investigation, is only the third commander of the rocket force, which was created during a major overhaul of the military in 2015.

Li had disappeared from the public eye in late August and no reason was given for his removal either.

Almost all the senior generals [in the rocket force] had good reputations before their promotion. They became immoral after moving to Beijing headquarters, allowing them to have more chances to engage with defence-related enterprises, the Post quoted an official source as saying.

Those who were terminated from the Rocket Force were reportedly closely linked to the dismissed Defence Minister Gen. Li Shangfu, whose whereabouts are not known.

Their membership was terminated under the relevant provisions of the law of the People's Republic of China concerning the representatives to the NPC, said the official announcement issued on Friday.

This is not the first-time top generals of the PLA were dismissed for corruption as a number of them were summarily removed for graft and abuse of power after Xi came to power in 2012.

Over a million officials are said to have been punished in Xi's anti-corruption campaign according to the official media accounts. The intensity of the campaign also attracted criticism that Xi made effective use of it to silence his critics and rivals within the party.

Representatives of the PLA from all the military wings hold a chunk of the 2,996-strong member NPC. While the NPC holds its annual session with full members, a 175-member Standing Committee of the NPC periodically meets to conduct that legislative business.

On Friday, it was announced that the next annual session will be held on March 5. Also the NPC Standing Committee Friday appointed Dong Jun, a close confidant of Chinese President Xi, as Defence Minister. Formerly the commander of the Chinese navy, Dong was promoted to the rank of general in September 2021, making him one of the highest-ranking officers in active service.

Before Li, Foreign Minister Qin Gang was also removed without an explanation. Qin was replaced by Wang Yi as Foreign Minister.

The fate of both Li and Qin is not known. Li had disappeared from the public eye in late August and no reason was given for his removal either.
In another move that sidesteps congressional approval, the Biden administration has authorised the immediate transfer of nearly $150 million in military equipment to Israel for its ongoing conflict with Hamas.

IMAGE: A gazelle stands, as an Israeli army tank manoeuvres near the Israel-Gaza border, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, as seen from Israel, December 29, 2023. Photograph: Violeta Santos Moura/Reuters

It marks the second such bypass within the month, CNN reported.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken apprised Congress of his emergency determination, allowing the prompt transfer of "155mm ancillary items, including fuzes, charges, and primers that make 155mm shells functional," as revealed by a state department spokesperson on Friday.

Citing the urgency of Israel's defensive requirements, the spokesperson explained, "The secretary notified Congress that he had exercised his delegated authority to determine an emergency existed necessitating the immediate approval of the transfer."

The spokesperson said the additional items were added to previous sales, which "increased the total value of the sale to $147.5 million," according to CNN.

Earlier this month, the administration expedited the sale of thousands of munitions to Israel, circumventing the standard 20-day review period typically granted to congressional committees. The emergency declaration sent to oversight committees outlined the delivery of over 13,000 tank shells to Israel without providing "further information, details, or assurances."

"We continue to be clear with the government of Israel that they must comply with [international humanitarian law] and must take every feasible step to avoid harm to civilians," emphasised a state department spokesperson at the time.

The USD 106 million transaction was part of a larger request to sell a total of 45,000 tank shells to Israel. The series of emergency approvals underscores the Biden administration's response to Israel's perceived immediate defensive needs amid the ongoing conflict, CNN reported.
Days after reports from Canada suggested that the country's police are close to arresting two men believed to be responsible for the fatal shooting of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, India on Friday said it has no information on the matter.

IMAGE: Designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was slain in June 2023. Photograph: Courtesy Twitter

"We certainly do not have any information on that," ministry of external affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said.

His remarks at a press briefing came when asked about a media report that said Canada may arrest two suspects in Nijjar's killing "within weeks".

In a report, Canada's The Globe and Mail newspaper said the suspects are under police surveillance and are expected to be apprehended "in a matter of weeks".

According to three anonymous sources quoted by the newspaper, the two suspected killers did not leave Canada following Nijjar's assassination in British Columbia and have been under police surveillance for months.

The ties between India and Canada came under severe strain following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations in September of a "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani separatist Nijjar outside a gurdwara in Surrey city on June 18.

India designated Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020. The country has rejected Trudeau's allegations as "absurd" and "motivated".

The report on Wednesday said police will unveil details regarding the alleged involvement of the suspected assassins and their connection to the Indian government when formal charges are filed.

India has been asserting that its "core issue" with Canada remains that of the space given to separatists, terrorists and anti-India elements in that country.

"What I can tell you is that we have made our position very clear on where we stand on the issue and I do not have anything further on that," Bagchi said.

To a question on reports of shots fired at the residence of the president of the Swami Narayan temple in Canada, Bagchi declined to comment on the details.

"Our understanding of that incident in British Columbia is that it was at a private residence related to, of course, somebody who is a member of the temple managing committee," he said.

"I understand that investigations are underway. I do not think it is appropriate to comment at this stage on the motivations or details behind it until such time the investigation is completed," the MEA spokesperson added.

To another question on some unverified reports about Indian officials being expelled from a couple of countries, Bagchi said he was not aware of any such development.

"There were some speculative reports saying intelligence officers are not being allowed posting abroad. As a matter of policy, we do not comment on intelligence issues," he said.

"I would caution against speculative reports. I am not aware of any such expulsion," Bagchi said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in a festooned, festive Ayodhya on Saturday to unveil a new look old' city with an airport, a revamped train station and projects worth Rs 15,700 crore ahead of the consecration of the Ram temple next month, his day an artful blend of heritage, culture and development.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi being warmly welcomed by supporters as he holds a roadshow upon his arrival in Ayodhya. Photograph: Press Information Bureau

The flower-bedecked temple town, associated with the Ramayana for centuries and at the centrestage of modern day politics since the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, was the cynosure of attention as Modi said the strength of vikas' (development) and virasat' (heritage) would take India forward.

The whole world is waiting for the historic moment of the 'pran pratishtha' ceremony in Ayodhya on January 22, Modi said at a rally here while appealing to people to not come on the day itself.

Stressing that the business of people from across the country and the world coming to Ayodhya had started and would go on till eternity, the prime minister also appealed for a resolve to make town the cleanest in the country.

Addressing the meeting after inaugurating the Maharshi Valmiki airport and the redeveloped station named Ayodhya Dham from where he flagged off two Amrit Bharat and six Vande Bharat trains, some virtually, he appealed to all citizens to light diyas in their houses on January 22 so the whole country basks in the glory of the temple.

Marking January 22 as a special day, he also asked people to launch cleanliness drives at pilgrimage sites and temples across the country from Makar Sankranti on January 14 till the temple consecration day.

There was a time Lord Ram was "living under a tent", but now he will get a concrete house like the four crore poor who got pucca houses, he said.

The Ujjwala scheme, he said, had transformed the lives of crores of mothers and sisters. Only 14 crore gas connections were given in five decades, but his government in a decade gave 18 crore, including 10 crore free of cost under the scheme, the prime minister pointed out.

IMAGE: Modi inaugurates the Ayodhya Dham Junction railway station. Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw are also seen. Photograph: ANI Photo

Earlier in the day, he stopped by at the home of an Ujjwala beneficiary Meera Majhi. He met the family in her humble home and was also seen drinking a cup of tea.

Modi inaugurated, dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth more than Rs 15,700 crore.

These comprise projects worth about Rs 11,100 crore for the development of the city and its surrounding areas, and those worth about Rs 4,600 crore related to other works in Uttar Pradesh.

The day in Ayodhya, which in 1992 catapulted to global headlines with the demolition of the Mughal-era Babri Masjid by a group of kar sevaks who believed it was built on the birthplace of Lord Ram, was one of dances, music and the many folk colours of Uttar Pradesh and other states.

After he arrived in Ayodhya, Modi held a roadshow from the airport to the railway station and was greeted by hundreds of people lining alongside the route.

Modi greeted people from his car and at one point opened the door of his vehicle to wave back at them. People showered flower petals, waved BJP flags and raised slogans in his praise.

The prime minister also witnessed performances by cultural troupes along the route. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's office on Friday said that more than 1,400 performers would present folk art and cultural programmes on 40 stages along the route from the airport to the railway station.

While one group of women from Rajasthan danced the 'Chakri' to lilting tunes, another from Prayagraj performed the ancient folk dance 'Dedhiya'.

IMAGE: Modi waves to the crowd after flagging off two new Amrit Bharat trains and six new Vande Bharat tTrains in Ayodhya. Photograph: ANI Photo

"It is believed that women of Prayagraj danced the 'Dedhiya' when Ramji and others had returned from Lanka after Lanka Dahan. Now, Ram Lalla is also getting a new temple, so the divine feeling have come back, so this performance. As also to welcome the PM," lead dancer Preeti Singh told PTI.

The inauguration of the airport and railway station took place after the roadshow.

After inaugurating the station, the prime minister took a tour of the facility. He was accompanied by Adityanath, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and others. Modi was briefed by Vaishnaw about the station, the facade of which is inspired by traditional temple architecture.

The Phase-I of the redeveloped station -- Ayodhya Dham Junction Railway Station -- has been completed at a cost of more than Rs 240 crore, officials said.

The three-storey railway station building is equipped with features such as lifts, escalators, food plazas, shops for puja needs, cloak rooms, child care rooms and waiting halls.

The station building is "accessible for all" and an "IGBC certified green station building", according to officials

The prime minister visited the Lata Mangeshkar Chowk, where a giant-size veena has been installed. In keeping with the place and the mood, a bhajan by the late music queen played in the backdrop.

During the inauguration of the airport, Union Minister for Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Gen (Retired) VK Singh and Adityanath were among those who accompanied Modi.

The facade of the terminal building depicts the architecture of the upcoming Ram temple here, while its interiors are decorated with paintings and murals depicting the life of Lord Ram.

Phase-1 of the airport has been developed at a cost of more than Rs 1,450 crore, according to officials. The airport's terminal building will have an area of 6,500 sqm, equipped to serve about 10 lakh passengers annually.

The airport will improve connectivity in the region, leading to a boost in tourism, business activities and employment opportunities, they said.
The Bharatiya Janata Party's minority front will launch a 'Shukriya Modi Bhaijaan' campaign next week in all Lok Sabha constituencies of Uttar Pradesh to draw Muslim women towards the party ahead of the 2024 general elections.

IMAGE: BJP supporters hold placards thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the women's reservation bill was passed in both Houses of Parliament. Photograph: Ayush Sharma/ANI Photo

With the tagline "Na duri hai, na khai hai, Modi hamara bhai hai, (there's no detachment, there's no chasm, Modi is our brother)", the campaign aims to attract at least 1,000 Muslim women towards the party.

Uttar Pradesh BJP Minority Morcha President Kunwar Basit Ali told PTI on Saturday that under the campaign, Muslim women would be told about the work done for them by the Narendra Modi government and would be encouraged to vote for the BJP.

Through various events under the campaign, efforts will be made to ensure that Muslim women get benefits of the Ujjwala Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Ayushman Bharat Yojana, and other such schemes, he said.

Ali said the campaign will start on January 2 and continue till January 20.

"Recently, Muslim women in all districts of the state gave a memorandum thanking the district magistrates regarding the schemes of the Modi government. Taking this trend forward, 'Shukriya Modi Bhaijaan' programmes will be organised in every Lok Sabha constituency (of the state)."

Ali said a reason for naming the campaign 'Shukriya Modi Bhaijaan' is that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has established a brother-sister relationship by giving priority to Muslim women in various schemes.
Very little was said about the 4.5 lakh Kashmiri Pandits who got displaced from the Valley with the advent of separatist militancy, possibly because they were not "such a big electorate" as to invite "political intervention", former Supreme Court judge Sanjay Kishan Kaul has said.

IMAGE: Kashmiri Pandits protest against the killing of Puran Krishan Bhat, a Kashmiri Pandit in Shopian, in Jammu, October 15, 2022. Photograph: ANI Photo

Justice Kaul, who was part of the bench which upheld the abrogation of Article 370 in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, and recommended setting up an "impartial truth and reconciliation commission" to probe and report on human rights violations by both state and non-state actors since the 1980s, said people of different communities lived in unity before insurgency shattered the peace and he was at a loss to comprehend how the situation "slowly degenerated".

A Kashmiri Pandit himself, Kaul feels, it is time now for the people to move forward, after more than 30 years of unbridled violence.

In an interview with PTI on Friday, Justice Kaul spoke about the unanimous verdict of the five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud which upheld the Centre's decision to abrogate Article 370 of the Constitution that bestowed special status on Jammu and Kashmir.

"It was a unanimous verdict which means all of us must have thought that this is the correct path to follow. Of course, every judgement, especially every important judgement, will generate debates. There will be people who will have a counter view to it. That does not affect me really because a judgment is an opinion of a situation and we should not be over-sensitive about it," he said.

He lamented the silence around the displacement of the minority Kashmiri Pandit community in the Muslim majority state.

"Earlier, security concerns were not really a problem. But then the degeneration reached a stage where more than four-and-half lakh people of one community from their own country were displaced from their place. I thought very little was said about that.

"Maybe they were not such a big electorate to invite that kind of political intervention and then the scenario deteriorated to such an extent that the Army had to be called in because the very territorial integrity of the country was being endangered...," he said.

About his recommendation for settting up a truth and reconciliation commission, Justice Kaul said it was a "good method" to acknowledge that some wrong had happened, adding that there was a whole generation of people in the region that did not see a "better time".

"The question is do we keep not tackling that issue? Do we let that thing still hurt people where it hurts? I thought it was a good method of acknowledging that something wrong has happened and what is that wrong that has happened. If you do that, you should move forward. 30 years is a long time. You have to move forward," he said.

"It is not easy for people who left 30 years ago to come back. The security environment should be such that those people can get back to the places where they lived, not permanently, which is unlikely to happen now after so much time, but to have a place as people travel for occupation elsewhere, and maintain their ancestral homes. My personal belief is that merely ghettoization of communities in some areas may not be able to help. Not many people will come out like that," he added.

He was referring to the government's move to settle Kashmiri Pandits in highly-protected zones together away from places where they once lived.

The commission, Justice Kaul said, will endeavour to heal those who have gone through troubled times.

"What has persuaded me to write that part (on the commission) begins with the beginning where I have set out the history of Kashmir, the assimilation, and how it evolved and how people were living there post partition, which is a traumatic period, and even Gandhiji thought that Kashmir was a place where semblance of unity prevailed," he said.

Justice Kaul also felt the encouragement to tourism, which Kashmir is getting now, with tourists feeling "more confident" while flocking the verdant Valley, was helping people, wracked by decades of violence, get back on their feet economically.

"I feel the situation is changing. I personally was able to stay in my house after 34 years. So, now this time, when I went in summer, the people (were) moving around, there was tourism which certainly gave a fillip to everything because everything is linked to tourism in Kashmir," he said.

"So the encouragement to tourism and its expansion has helped people in getting economic prosperity and tourists also feel more confident of going there. Last year, the national legal service authority conference was held in Kashmir. The object is also to showcase that this is a part of our country. The other people, the judiciary also comes and sees what the situation is. The apprehension is removed, and I believe that things should improve," Justice Kaul said.
Resistance forces are now turning their attention to setting up civil administrations in towns they control.

A member of Ta'ang National Liberation Army walks past damaged pagodas after clashes with Myanmars military in Namhsan township in Myanmar's northern Shan state, Dec. 12, 2023.

Myanmars ethnic armed organizations and other resistance groups made significant gains against the countrys military dictatorship in 2023.

"Operation 1027," launched by the Three Brotherhood Alliance in northern Shan state in October, was a surprising success. Along with the efforts of local Peoples Defense Forces, or PDFs, and ethnic armed groups in Kayah, Kayin, Chin and Kachin states, anti-junta forces put the ruling military junta on the defensive.

The junta lost hundreds of outposts as rebel forces captured towns and several key border crossings in November and December, suggesting the tide could be turning in the country's civil war that erupted after the military overthrew a democratically elected government in a February 2021 coup d'etat

The military council suffered great losses in 2023, while the peoples revolution has stepped forward gradually, said Kyaw Zaw, spokesman for the shadow National Unity Government, or NUG. It is the victory of the people.

The number of junta troops surrendering to resistance forces increased after Operation 1027 began.

People's Liberation Army forces from China fight Myanmar junta army troops near northwestern Myanmar's Sagaing region, Nov. 23, 2023. (Reuters)

On Oct. 30, more than 40 members of Light Infantry Battalion 143 in Kunlong township, northern Shan state, surrendered to the Three Brotherhood Alliance, which includes the Arakan Army, Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army and the Taang National Liberation Army.

A day later, the military juntas 15 local militia members laid down their weapons and turned over their arms and ammunition. Reports of junta units submitting to resistance forces have continued over the last two months.

Many have contacted us to surrender, said Maung Maung Swe, spokesman for the NUGs Ministry of Defense. If we can have more collaborative fights, the military council will soon topple.

Junta troops have lost motivation and confidence in their fighting ability because of Operation 1027, political observer Than Soe Naing said.

They have realized they should not sacrifice their lives for corrupt senior military officials, he said. They will surrender if they are defeated, and will flee from the military if they have an opportunity. Its become a common idea among soldiers.

RFA was unable to reach junta spokesman Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun for comment about junta forces surrendering.

Local administrations

Ethnic armies and officials from the NUG, which is mostly made up of former civilian government leaders, have been setting up interim administrative bodies in areas they control.

In other areas of the country, resistance leaders have started to think about what Myanmar would look like if the junta was defeated.

In Sagaing region, a hotbed of resistance to military rule that saw a resurgence of anti-junta protests in 2023, more than 170 resistance forces held a forum on May 30-31 to discuss the armed revolt and local administration.

Ta'ang National Liberation Army troops prepare to launch a drone during their attack on a Myanmar junta military camp in Namhsan township in Myanmar's northern Shan state, Dec. 12, 2023. (AFP)

The forum was held to continue the revolution collaboratively as it has been for more than two years, Sagaing Forum spokesman Chaw Su San said. It also aims to forge more cooperation among anti-military dictatorship forces in Sagaing region.

On Nov. 17, democratically elected representatives from Sagaing, Tanintharyi and Magway regions convened regional parliaments and approved a preparatory bill for an interim constitution, supported by the dissolved National League for Democracy.

But revolutionary groups objected to the measure, saying they wanted to ensure equal rights for negotiation, participation and collective leadership by all resistance groups, said Soe Win Swe, another Sagaing Forum spokesman.

We concluded that the recent approval was intended just for the interest of a single organization, so we objected to it, he said. The Sagaing Forum firmly stands on collective leadership.

Draft constitutions

In western Myanmar, armed ethnic Chin groups have also gone on the offensive since October.

Our resistance forces could capture only four or five military outposts in the past two and half years, said Salai Timmy, the secretary of the Chinland Joint Defense Committee.

However, after launching Operation 1027, we controlled about nine outposts, he said. Meanwhile, the military troops abandoned about 12 camps.

The Chin National Front, an ethnic Chin political organization whose armed wing has battled junta forces, along with local administration organizations, established Chinland  Chin states new name  following the approval of a new constitution on Dec. 6.

The Chinland Council, the new governing body, will form a legislature, an administration and a judiciary branch within 60 days, said Salai Htet Ni, first joint secretary of the council.

Members of the Myanmar Armys Light Infantry Battalion 129 surrender to the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army in northern Shan state, Nov. 12, 2023. (Three Brotherhood Alliance)

In eastern Myanmar, ethnic Karenni forces launched Operation 11.11  their own version of Operation 1027  in November, seizing at least nine military outposts in Kayah state, said Khun Bedu, chairman of the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force.

The junta soldiers abandoned their camps, he said. We are moving on to capture more outposts.

Resistance forces in Kayah state set up an Interim Executive Council, or IEC, on June 12, putting in place local administrations at village, village-tract and township levels, IEC General Secretary Khu Plue Reh said.

NUG is working with the IEC without intervening in administrative procedures, he said.

We also work together to provide public services especially in education, health care and humanitarian assistance, he said.

With its own public support, the establishment of the IEC could be an initial step toward the establishment of a federal union in Myanmar  a long-running goal of ethnic political organizations and their respective ethnic armies.

In adjacent Kayin state, the Karen National Union, or KNU, battled junta troops, while providing training to local PDFs.

The KNUs Karen National Liberation Army and PDF forces took control of Mon township in early December  the first town captured in Bago region. Resistance forces controlled four other military outposts near the township after three military officers and 19 soldiers surrendered during the battles, according to a KNU news release on Dec. 6.

Ethnic Karen resistance groups announced that they would form a federal unit this year and would prepare a draft constitution, KNU spokesman Padho Saw Taw Nee said.

Translated by Aung Naing for RFA Burmese. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Matt Reed.
The main point of investing for the long term is to make money. Better yet, you'd like to see the share price move up more than the market average. Unfortunately for shareholders, while the The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV) share price is up 61% in the last five years, that's less than the market return. Meanwhile, the last twelve months saw the share price rise 1.6%.

So let's investigate and see if the longer term performance of the company has been in line with the underlying business' progress.

See our latest analysis for Travelers Companies

There is no denying that markets are sometimes efficient, but prices do not always reflect underlying business performance. 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.

Over half a decade, Travelers Companies managed to grow its earnings per share at 1.0% a year. This EPS growth is slower than the share price growth of 10% per year, over the same period. This suggests that market participants hold the company in higher regard, these days. That's not necessarily surprising considering the five-year track record of earnings growth.

The image below shows how EPS has tracked over time (if you click on the image you can see greater detail).

This free interactive report on Travelers Companies' earnings, revenue and cash flow is a great place to start, if you want to investigate the stock further.

What About Dividends?

When looking at investment returns, it is important to consider the difference between total shareholder return (TSR) and share price return. The TSR is a return calculation that accounts for the value of cash dividends (assuming that any dividend received was reinvested) and the calculated value of any discounted capital raisings and spin-offs. So for companies that pay a generous dividend, the TSR is often a lot higher than the share price return. We note that for Travelers Companies the TSR over the last 5 years was 80%, which is better than the share price return mentioned above. And there's no prize for guessing that the dividend payments largely explain the divergence!

Story continues

A Different Perspective

Travelers Companies provided a TSR of 3.9% over the last twelve months. Unfortunately this falls short of the market return. It's probably a good sign that the company has an even better long term track record, having provided shareholders with an annual TSR of 13% over five years. Maybe the share price is just taking a breather while the business executes on its growth strategy. 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. To that end, you should be aware of the 1 warning sign we've spotted with Travelers Companies .

If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of companies that have proven they can grow earnings.

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.
The separatist-minded leader of the mostly ethnic Serb part of Bosnia-Herzegovina has repeated his threat to rip the country apart and wreak new havoc on the Balkans if the international community further strengthens multiethnic institutions.

In an interview with AP on December 29, Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik said he was "not irrational [and] I know that America's response will be to use force" but he won't be "frightened...into sacrificing [Serbian] national interests."

Since a 1995 peace deal known as the Dayton agreements ended intense ethnically fueled war in the former Yugoslavia, Bosnia has been administered under a Bosniak and Croat federation and a mostly Serb-populated entity known as Republika Srpska.

It is also overseen by a civilian high representative with UN backing and sweeping powers, currently German Christian Schmidt.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs James O'Brien said on December 28 that Washington will take action if there are efforts to unilaterally alter "the basic element" of the post-1995 architecture.

There is "no right of secession," O'Brien said.

Dodik has spent the past two years trying to erode central Bosnian authority and establishing parallel institutions to further his longtime threats to divide the country for good.

Many groups cling fiercely to ethnic divisions despite decades of international mediation to settle grievances among Bosnia, Serbia, Kosovo, and other former parts of Yugoslavia. Serbs are the most numerous of the ethno-national groups in the region.

"Among Serbs, one thing is clear and definite and that is a growing realization that the years and decades ahead of us are the years and decades of Serb national unification," Dodik told AP.

Dodik has also cultivated increasingly close ties to Moscow, which has tried to exploit religious and cultural affinities in the region.

He has also courted -- and been courted by -- national populist Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has resisted anti-Russian sanctions and battled publicly with the European Union.

"Brussels is using the promise of EU accession as a tool to unitarize Bosnia," Dodik said, adding, "In principle, our policy still is that we want to join [the EU], but we no longer see that as our only alternative."

EU officials who asked for anonymity to discuss the situation after similar comments earlier this week by Dodik insisted to RFE/RL's Balkan Service that Republika Srpska independence is a moot issue because of the resulting isolation it would bring.

"Any random remarks by Dodik are not really worth commenting on," one EU official said. "Apart from his only 'friend' in Europe, Orban and no one else, Dodik knows very well that the talk of the independence of Republika Srpska is nonsense because such an entity would be politically and economically totally isolated, and it would only bring more trouble to its people."

With reporting by AP and RFE/RL's Balkan Service
ALMATY, Kazakhstan -- Friends who are old faces and friends in high places: Kazakhstan's former leader Nursultan Nazarbaev has proven in recent months that he still has both.

Does that mean the 83-year-old is mulling a political comeback?

Kazakh officials loyal to his successor, Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev, are keen to dispel the notion. But the very fact that they are feeling the need to comment on the idea is indicative of the interest -- and, in some quarters, alarm -- sparked by the ex-president's recent return to the national news cycle.



The first week of January will mark the second anniversary of the Bloody January unrest that exposed fractures in the elite and, for many, definitively marked the end of the long Nazarbaev era in Kazakhstan.



Since ceding all his remaining positions and titles in the aftermath of the violence that left at least 238 people dead, Kazakhstan's first president has mostly shunned the limelight.

But in the final months of 2023, Nazarbaev's name is once more on everybody's lips.



One public appearance in November was perhaps unavoidable, after his controversial younger brother, Bolat Nazarbaev, passed away. But even then, the grand, elite-packed memorial for a former plumber who grew fabulously rich during the reign of his older sibling turned out to be more like an homage to that same older sibling.

After that appearance came the release of Nazarbaev's autobiography: My Life: From Dependence To Freedom. The book was not his first, but proved sensational in that the author acknowledged for the first time that he fathered children -- sons, no less -- by a woman other than his official wife, Sara Nazarbaeva.



Later this month, Nazarbaev addressed the seventh meeting of the Astana Club, his own geopolitical talking-shop initiative that included former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and ex-Afghan President Hamid Karzai among the speakers.



But it was his meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, likely in Moscow on December 19 -- which Putin's press spokesman Dmitry Peskov described as "absolutely private" -- that really set tongues wagging and provided the context for comments by Yerlan Koshanov, chairman of the lower house of parliament, on December 27.



"Dual power does not exist today and cannot exist. Today, all decisions are made by the head of state, Toqaev, elected by the overwhelming majority of the people," said Koshanov, who told journalists that people had "no reason for concern" over Nazarbaev's activities as a "private citizen."

Fulfilling Allah's Task



Toqaev made similar comments about "dual power" in 2019, just months after he stepped into the presidential hot seat as Nazarbaev's hand-picked, loyalist successor.



Nobody believed him then, and with good reason.



At that time, Nazarbaev was serving as the "lifelong" chairman of the Security Council -- a role that raised questions about which of the two was commander in chief. And the former president also chaired the ruling party and enjoyed extensive perks and protections thanks to his constitutionally enshrined status as "elbasy," or leader of the nation.



Subsequent "de-Nazarbaevification" was seemingly driven by two factors.



Firstly, protesters had signaled right before the January 2022 unrest turned deadly that they had had enough of the authoritarian who dominated Kazakh politics for more than three decades, beginning in Soviet times.



And Toqaev, having been constrained by his predecessor for the best part of three years, probably felt the same, not least because of the way the "dual power" situation had paralyzed the security apparatus, dividing loyalties in the process.



After the deadly January events, the power struggle was laid bare.

In addition to transferring his remaining power to Toqaev, Nazarbaev's relatives and allies lost powerful and lucrative positions. At least three members of the president's extended family were jailed on corruption charges. The capital, Astana, also got its old name back after spending three years as Nur-Sultan in Nazarbaev's honor.



In public, the former president has said only positive things about Toqaev and his policies. But it can be assumed that in private he is less than happy -- and probably worried for his family's future. Notable then was the guest list at the closed-doors memorial for Nazarbaev's brother, Bolat.



The younger Nazarbaev had been buried four days earlier in the family's home village of Shamalgan in the Almaty region, more than 1,000 kilometers away.



And if Toqaev's government was represented at the funeral by Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov -- presumably as a courtesy to Nazarbaev -- then the faces captured in footage from the Astana memorial luncheon were former officials: ex-police chiefs, prosecutors, defense and education ministers, as well as his ex-lawmaker daughter, Darigha Nazarbaeva.



"It was not easy for us to establish independence," the former president told his appreciative audience after thanking Toqaev, "a number of heads of state," officials, and ordinary citizens for their condolences.



"When the Soviet government fell in 1992, 1,500 manufacturing plants were shut down, leaving 2 million people unemployed," Nazarbaev said. "The store shelves were empty, salaries and pensions were not paid. At a time when there was the question, 'Will we be a country or not?' [We] colleagues and comrades came together to lift up the country. In this way, I believe that I fulfilled the task assigned to me by Allah."



Meet My Other Family



Even some of Nazarbaev's critics give him credit for dealing with the manifold challenges of early independence.



Opinion is more divided over the subsequent repression that included the killing of opposition figures, the elbasy cult, and the excesses of relatives like Bolat, who allegedly acquired huge tracts of valuable land around the country's largest city, Almaty, at little or no cost and had millions of dollars in luxury properties around the world.



After Bloody January, some of Bolat Nazarbaev's businesses and land were returned to the state, while he was also named and shamed by the authorities as a participant in an illegal cryptomining venture. Yet despite strong public demands, he was not brought to justice before his death.



As November became December, Kazakhs were already discussing another family of the former president, which had been an open secret but was only officially revealed in Nazarbaev's autobiography. His description of falling in love with Asel Qurmanbaeva (then Asel Isabaeva) -- a woman some 40 years younger than him -- certainly made for awkward reading.



His only legal wife, Sara Nazarbaeva, responded to her husband's decision to tie the knot with Qurmanbaeva in an Islamic ceremony, "with nobility," Nazarbaev wrote, adding that the pair's three daughters -- Darigha, Dinara, and Alia -- had also understood.

Qurmanbaeva bore him two sons, his only confirmed male heirs. In an interview with RFE/RL, former diplomat Talgat Kaliev said that Nazarbaev's book reveal was a bid to publicly legitimize the two boys "[so] it is officially possible to leave something to them. Otherwise, their destiny would be very challenging."



Qurmanbaeva -- Miss Kazakhstan in 1999 -- and Nazarbaev began their relationship when the former was just 19, and she is most often referred to as Nazarbaev's third wife, with former air stewardess Gulnara Rakisheva reportedly bearing the president two more daughters.

And the elder of Nazarbaev's two sons, 18-year-old Tauman Nursultan, has already been romantically linked to the daughter of Energy Minister Almasadam Satkaliev.



Responding to rumors that the young pair had married, the Energy Ministry published a statement in April calling the information "inaccurate," stressing that the minister "does not have and did not previously have any family ties with the first president."



The ministry's press department was pressed into action once more last month to deny reports that Satkaliev was among the guests at Bolat Nazarbaev's memorial.



Putin Meeting



One person who might be sympathetic to Nazarbaev's complicated situation is divorced Russian President Vladimir Putin.



Putin, after all, is rumored to have fathered at least two children with Alina Kabayeva, a retired Olympic gymnast who was placed under sanctions by the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union after Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine last year.



But there was no shortage of suspicion that the two men were talking about things other than family when they met in Moscow earlier this month.



This was not the first time the two have met since Nazarbaev formally retired from politics, famously declaring himself "just a pensioner." They had previously met in June 2022, almost immediately after a constitutional referendum promoted by Toqaev that, among other things, removed all the basic law's references to Nazarbaev as elbasy, a move that, in theory, made him more vulnerable to prosecution.



At the time, Russia's Nezavisimaya gazeta speculated that Nazarbaev was seeking "assurances for himself and his capital," and referred to "various estimations" of the octogenarian's net worth at around $200 billion.



Before that, in late December 2021 -- weeks before the unrest in Kazakhstan and two months before Russia launched its full-scale aggression against Ukraine -- Nazarbaev and Toqaev held talks with Putin in St. Petersburg with Belarusian leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka along for the ride.

It was undoubtedly Toqaev, not Nazarbaev, who benefited from the CSTO peacekeeping intervention. But public figures and politicians close to the Kremlin were soon complaining that Toqaev had failed to show gratitude for the mission, after Astana chose to remain neutral in the Ukraine war.



In this light, Nazarbaev's sudden return to prominence looks like something of a "cliffhanger" for Kazakhstan.

Written by Chris Rickleton based on reporting by RFE/RL's Kazakh Service
Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny, in his first court appearance since being moved to a notorious prison in the Arctic, joked and smiled at a hearing on his challenge to how he was being treated in prison, which the judge ultimately rejected.

The court said a suit filed by Navalny, who attended the January 10 hearing via video link, against his placement in a solitary confinement for 12 days at his previous prison in October was without merit as the move was legal.

In his decision, Judge Kirill Nikiforov ruled Navalny's placement in a punitive cell was warranted because it was proven that he violated an internal order at the IK-6 prison in the Vladimir region, namely by using "offensive" words when debating with a guard.

In a light moment during the proceedings, Navalny told the judge, who has presided over several similar sessions, that "a tear is flowing down my cheek" as a sign of pleasure at getting to see him again.

A second suit also filed by Navalny against the prison's decision not to allow his wife's letters to reach him will be considered by the court at a later date as Navalny asked for time to get acquainted with all documents related to the case. Navalny said he needed to see the prison warden's written order banning his wife's letters.

The day before, Navalny said on X, formerly Twitter, that he was immediately placed in a punitive solitary-confinement cell for seven days for failing to "properly" introduce himself to a prison guard after finishing a quarantine term at his new prison formally known as IK-3, but widely referred to as "Polar Wolf."

Navalny was transported to the notorious and remote prison in December.

Located some 2,000 kilometers northeast of Moscow, the prison holds about 1,050 of Russia's most incorrigible prisoners.

Human rights activists say the prison holds serial killers, rapists, pedophiles, repeat offenders, and others convicted of the most serious crimes and serving sentences of 20 years or more.

Navalny, who is serving a total of 19 years in prison on extremism and other charges, was hospitalized on August 20, 2020, after falling seriously ill on a flight from Tomsk to Moscow. He was later transferred to Germany for treatment of poisoning by a deadly nerve agent of the Novichok group.

His Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) conducted an investigation of the poisoning and determined that it was carried out by agents of the Federal Security Service acting at Putins behest.

Russian authorities have never investigated the poisoning, with prosecutors claiming there was no evidence a crime had been committed.

Navalny returned to Russia from Germany on January 21, 2021 and was immediately arrested. He has been in custody ever since.

He has posed one of the most serious challenges to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who recently announced he is running for reelection in March. Putin is expected to easily win the election amid the continued sidelining of opponents and a clampdown on opposition and civil society that has intensified since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

On January 9, Navalny's team, in a post on Telegram, called on Russian citizens both home and abroad to hold an action called "Russia Without Putin" on January 21 -- the third anniversary of Navalny's arrest at a Moscow airport after he returned from Germany.

Navalny's FBK and his network of regional offices were declared "extremist" organizations and shut down in Russia in 2021. Many of his supporters fled the country in the face of criminal cases or the threat of prosecution.

Several of his associates were arrested on extremism charges, with some of them being handed prison terms.

With reporting by Mediazona and Meduza
Thousands of demonstrators gathered in central Belgrade on December 30 to call for opening voter lists and other anti-fraud efforts amid ongoing unrest over this month's national, regional, and municipal elections claimed by President Aleksandar Vucic's ruling party.

The protesters filled the spacious Terazije Square in the old Stari Grad neighborhood of the Serbian capital, and looked to number well into the thousands.

The show of anger in the streets by students and activists outside the formal political opposition pledging to challenge the conduct of the elections is the latest of nearly two weeks of public discontent since the December 17 voting.

The organizer, ProGlas, is a movement that includes public figures and launched an initiative before the elections that has been signed by nearly 200,000 citizens. It is demanding parliamentary and local elections in Serbia within six months, "after the process of fundamentally changing election conditions."

ProGlas says the citizens' electoral will was "betrayed."

One day earlier, Serbia's national election commission rejected the united opposition alliance Serbia Against Violence's call to nullify the voting, citing a technicality.

That decision came after a student-led, noon-to-noon traffic blockade was launched in downtown Belgrade ahead of the weekend demonstration.

Vucic declared a sweeping victory at nearly every level in the parliamentary and local voting, which also sparked a handful of hunger strikes by opposition leaders demanding a new vote and an internationally backed probe into the elections.

International observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) have called the election process unfair and cited evidence of bused-in nonresidents to boost the ruling Serbian Progressive Party's (SNS) support, especially in Belgrade.

Vucic, who has tightened his hold on the Balkan state since his party came to power in 2012, has called it "the cleanest and most honest" elections ever.

In its ruling handed down late on December 29, the Republic Election Commission (RIK) dismissed an appeal by the opposition Serbia Against Violence alliance to annul the vote results.

The commission's deputy president, Marko Jankovic, said the challenge of nationwide results was rejected because it had been submitted by the opposition alliance's party list in Belgrade to the city's election commission, which then turned it over to the RIK.

Groups of students set up tents in downtown Belgrade shortly after noon on December 29 to blockade a main street near government buildings.

They were camped out on one of the busiest roadways in the capital, Kneza Milosa Street, near the Ministry for State Administration and Local Self-Government.

Vucic and Prime Minister Ana Brnabic have dismissed the international assessments as planned and untrue, and alleged without presenting evidence that foreign plotters are behind the postelection unrest.

A protest against the election process and results outside Belgrade city hall on December 24 turned violent when windows were broken and police used tear gas to disperse the crowd.

Opposition leader Dragan Djilas denied allegations levelled by pro-government tabloids that the opposition was planning incidents at the rally on December 30.

"No one is planning any violence," he said on December 29. "We will not accept stolen elections and we will fight with all democratic methods."

OSCE observers concluded in their initial report that the national vote was conducted under "unjust conditions."
Near BAKHMUT, Ukraine -- In the final days of 2023, snow and fog has given way to sunshine along Ukraine's eastern front, but the improved weather brings its own dangers for Ukrainian soldiers operating close to Bakhmut.



For Ukrainian tank crews, the sunny days mean that they need to camouflage themselves and their equipment even more carefully than usual as they continue to repel attacks launched by Russian forces from the nearby city.



A year ago, Bakhmut and other nearby areas were the site of some of the most intense fighting of the war since Russia's February 2022 full-scale invasion. Artillery barrages have left the city decimated and under Russian control since the spring, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy vowing to retake Bakhmut in September.



Now, Oleksandr, a mechanic turned tank operator who asked to be identified by only his first name, spends most of his time holding the Ukrainian line on the outskirts of Bakhmut, where assaults and exchanges of artillery have become a fixture of daily life. With the sun shining on a late December day, his crew has been tasked with being ready to shoot from closed positions, only risking open-field fighting -- which leaves them exposed to attack drones -- on rare occasions.



Conscripted a year ago after initially trying to enlist in the immediate aftermath of the Russian invasion, Oleksandr says that his will to fight has only grown, especially amid the high casualty figures that prolonged bloody battles have brought.



"My arms and legs are intact. I understand that we don't have enough people, we really don't have enough people," Oleksandr told Current Time, a Russian-language network run by RFE/RL in cooperation with VOA.



"They keep coming and going by the thousands," he added, in reference to Ukrainian soldiers killed and wounded fighting in eastern Ukraine. "Every arm and every leg in Ukraine is worth its weight in gold."



The strategic stasis outside of Bakhmut has come to reflect the war's reality as 2024 approaches. Kyiv's once highly anticipated counteroffensive has largely stalled and Western funding for the war continues to falter amid rising living costs and declining approval ratings across the West.

The Biden administration's proposed $60 billion aid package to Ukraine to cover the country's anticipated needs through 2024 has been held up for months amid political deadlock in Washington. As a result, the administration has been forced since August to curtail the size of the bimonthly military aid packages to Ukraine as authorized funding runs dangerously low. The State Department announced on December 28 its latest weapons package for $250 million, bringing the monthly total to $450 million. From March 2022 through July 2023, U.S. military aid averaged more than $1 billion a month.



Despite stalling progress on the battlefield, Ukraine has pressed ahead in recent days with an attack on Russia's Black Sea Fleet near the Crimean port city of Feodosia and December 29 air attacks on southern Russia's Belgorod and Bryansk regions.

Moscow has also stepped up its own attacks, with Russia firing more than 150 missiles and drones at Ukraine on December 29 in one of the largest bombardments of the war. The aerial attack has left 39 people dead, at least 160 wounded, and an unknown number buried under the rubble in the assault, according to Ukraine's Interior Ministry.



The scale of the bombardment appeared to confirm recent warnings from Western officials and analysts that Russia had been limiting its cruise-missile strikes for months in an apparent effort to build up stockpiles for massive barrages during the winter, hoping to break the morale of Ukrainians.



'That's How We Live'



Less than 20 kilometers west of Bakhmut, the town of Chasiv Yar's remaining 800 residents have adapted to the grueling reality of wartime life.



Constant barrages from the Russian military have become a fixture of life over the last year but have left much of the town in rubble or its buildings damaged.



Yuriy, a longtime resident of Chasiv Yar, says that it's so cold in his house that the tea in his cup froze. The town lacks any proper heating and most residents subsist on what wood they can gather to burn, but with temperatures dipping and supplies running low, that's proving more difficult by the day.

Yuriy spoke to Current Time while trying to contact his neighbor who had left town that the windows and doors on her apartment have all been knocked out from shelling. He says that he currently spends his time checking in on her apartment, looking for supplies, and warming up at one of the small heating tents that local officials have set up for the remaining residents.



"That's how we live. It's minus 3 [degrees Celsius] in the room," Yuriy said. "So we came, warmed up, and then we go there again."



Yuriy says that today he is lucky, as Chasiv Yar's mayor and his team brought him a cylinder with gas to help with heating and cooking. He explains that with fuel in such short supply, he uses it strategically to heat one small room and then conserve the rest for cooking, which can be used to boil a kettle or warm a small stovetop.



Natalya, another Chasiv Yar resident, says that she worries about what's next for her town and Ukraine.



"I'm worried. The United States is holding back help. There are fewer munitions," she said. "The manpower [and resources] on the other side is greater than in Ukraine. So, I'm worried."



2024's New Phase



Uncertainty over the level of Western military assistance for Ukraine will follow Kyiv into 2024.



The recent funding announced by Washington provides a stopgap, but it gives no long-term clarity on helping Ukraine resolve its ammunition shortages and military planning for the coming year.

White House officials have suggested that this weapons package, known as a "drawdown" from Pentagon inventories, was the last one they could make with existing funds. Any new assistance will require the approval of Congress and the legislation for a new package put forward by the White House is currently stalled as negotiators try to find a compromise on border security and immigration policy, key demands from Republicans in agreeing to any future deal.



Political battles have also stalled aid from Kyiv's other Western backers. In Brussels, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is blocking a proposed plan of 50 billion euros ($55 billion) in new assistance for Ukraine from the European Union.



According to the Financial Times newspaper, the bloc is preparing a back-up plan worth up to 20 billion euros ($22 billion) for Ukraine, using a debt structure that sidesteps Orban should he refuse to drop his veto by a planned EU summit on February 1.



Securing future military assistance is vital for Ukraine if it is to make progress in its goal of pushing back Russian forces. Speaking at a press conference in late December, Zelenskiy said that Ukraine's military leadership submitted a plan to him to mobilize up to 500,000 more troops for the fight against Russia that is estimated to cost some $13 billion. "I would like to know where the money will come from," the Ukrainian president remarked.



Elsewhere, Western officials have been pushing for more military assistance for Ukraine and warning of the consequences should support for Kyiv dry up.



"Wars develop in phases," NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said in an interview on December 3 with the German broadcaster ARD. "We have to support Ukraine in both good and bad times."



"We should also be prepared for bad news," Stoltenberg added, without offering specifics.

Written by Reid Standish based on reporting by Oleksiy Prodayvoda of Current Time in eastern Ukraine
Aerial attacks continued overnight between Russia and Ukraine but appeared to have abated early on December 30, one day after Russia carried out its most intense bombardment of Ukrainian military and civilian targets in the 22-month-long war, sparking international outcry and condemnation at a special meeting of the UN Security Council.

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.

Ukrainian officials said the death toll had climbed to at least 39, with 159 injured in the massive Russian air attacks on Kyiv and other targets throughout Ukraine with hypersonic and other missiles and drones on December 29.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and other Ukrainian officials called it the heaviest bombardment since the unprovoked full-scale invasion began in February 2022.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said a 16th body had been found at a bombed-out warehouse in the capital. He also declared January 1 a day of mourning in the city.

U.S. and European governments joined together to condemn the Russian air attacks at a special UN Security Council meeting late on December 29 requested by Kyiv.

Permanent council member China avoided condemning the attacks but called for peace, while Russia's UN envoy blamed the civilian casualties on Ukrainian air defenses.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the Russian air attacks on Ukraine through a spokesperson. Stephane Dujarric said in a statement for Guterres that "Attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure violate international humanitarian law, are unacceptable and must end immediately."

"Today, millions of Ukrainians awoke to the loud sound of explosions. I wish those sounds of explosions in Ukraine could be heard all around the world," Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said in conjunction with the Security Council gathering.

Russian Ambassador to the UN Vasily Nebenzya told the council that Russia's forces had only attacked military targets and said civilians were killed by Ukrainian air defenses.

Hours after the Security Council meeting, the Ukrainian General Staff said early on December 30 that there had been dozens of Russian missile and drone attacks on military and civilian targets in the past 24 hours.

Later, Russia's Emergencies Ministry claimed that Ukrainian strikes had killed at least 18 people, including two children, in the city of Belgorod, which lies about 30 kilometers from the border with Ukraine.

Russia claimed another 111 people were injured in the attack on the city. Unverified footage showed burnt-out cars, damaged residential buildings, and debris strewn across streets in Belgorod.

The Russian Defense Ministry had accused Ukraine of attacking Belgorod and other nearby regions with 32 drones overnight.

Ukraine has repeatedly targeted military or government-related sites in Russian regions close to the border in part as it seeks to bring the war home to Russia.

The December 30 attack on Belgorod appears to be one of the biggest to date

As usual, Kyiv did not officially comment on the Belgorod attack but government soures told media that it targeted military sites. The sources said the civilian damage was caused by Russia's anti-missile defenses.

RFE/RL was not immediately able to determine the cause of the civilian damage in Belgorod.

Russia, which has been accused of extensive war crimes in Ukraine and continues to bombard civilian infrastructure, called for a meeting of the UN Security Council to raise complaints about the Belgorod strike.

Zelenskiy's office said early on December 30 that the Ukrainian president made a surprise visit to a forward control post in Avdiyivka, the scene of months of intense ground fighting in the eastern Donetsk region.

The Ukrainian General Staff said Russian forces continue to try to surround Avdiyivka.

Ukrainian officials said late on December 29 that search-and-rescue operations were continuing in many places struck in the missile and drone barrage earlier in the day.

They have reported that 158 Russian missiles of varying sophistication and attack drones were fired and said Russia appeared to throw "everything they have" into the attack.

Power was cut in four northern and southern regions as a result of the attacks, which reportedly hit a maternity ward and education facility as well as residential buildings and infrastructure.

The intense attack comes with U.S. and other Western assistance at risk despite Kyiv's pleas. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said on December 29 that there can be "no talk of a truce" under current conditions.

The United States and its NATO allies were consulting Warsaw after Poland reported an air intrusion during the Russian flurry, with indications reportedly suggesting a possible Russian missile was to blame.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said he talked with President Andrzej Duda about the "missile incident" and said the alliance "is monitoring the situation & we will remain in contact as the facts are established."

A Russian charge d'affaires who was summoned to the Polish Foreign Ministry said Warsaw did not show evidence of a missile entering its airspace.

Hundreds of Polish troops resumed their search in what the army said was an effort "to definitively confirm that no element of the object remains on Polish territory."

The U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War said in its regular daily assessment that the massive air attack "appears to be a culmination of several months of Russian experimentation with various drone and missile combinations and efforts to test Ukrainian air defenses."

It predicted that "Russia will continue to conduct strikes against Ukraine at scale in an effort to degrade Ukrainian morale and Ukraines ability to sustain its war effort."

With reporting by Reuters
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.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is reportedly building an underground bunker on his expansive Hawaii ranch. Credit - David Paul MorrisGetty Images

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan, co-founder and co-CEO of the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, plan to build a 5,000-square-foot underground shelter on their Hawaii ranch with its own energy and food supplies, according to a Wired investigation published earlier this month.

The plan is that the shelters door will be made of metal and filled in with concretecommon in bunkers and bomb shelters, the news outlet reported in its extensive article citing planning documents and interviews.

The bunker-like construction is just one part of the sprawling 1,400-acre compound, named Koolau Ranch, on the island of Kauai. Planning documents obtained by Wired show the partially-completed compound is set to include more than a dozen buildings with at least 30 bedrooms and 30 bathrooms, including two stand-alone mansions. There are also plans for 11 treehouses, as well as a fitness center, guest houses and operations buildings.

It was not clear from reports of planning documents what the intent of the underground shelter is. In response to questions from TIME about the project and the purpose of the bunker, Brandi Hoffine Barr, a spokesperson for Zuckerberg and Chan, noted that Kauai County encourages homeowners to build shelters. The county started offering residents a tax break for building hurricane-resistant safe rooms two decades ago.

More From TIME

Mark and Priscilla value the time their family spends at Koolau Ranch and in the local community, and are committed to preserving the ranchs natural beauty, Hoffine Barr told TIME via email. They added that 80 luxury homes were slated to be built on the property before the couple bought it, and theyre now developing on less than one percent [of the land], leaving the rest for farming, ranching, conservation, open spaces and wildlife preservation.

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Silicon Valleys elite have been buying up property and trying to build bunkers for years, The Guardian has reported. Venture capitalist Peter Thiels much-publicized plans were not approved by a local council in New Zealand in 2022, as authorities cited concerns that the bunker-like home would negatively impact the surrounding landscape. Entrepreneurs are reportedly selling luxury underground apartments in case of a catastrophe, while super-rich doomsday preppers asked Douglas Rushkoff, author of the book Survival of the Richest, how to guard their own food supply, among other end times survival concerns, he has shared.

Whatever the purpose, the cost to build the new Zuckerberg-Chan compound is expensivealong with the land, it is pegged at upwards of $270 million, Wired reported. Construction and other workers on the property were reportedly made to sign strict non-disclosure agreements, according to the news outlet. In an emailed response to TIME, Hoffine Barr did not address a question about NDAs.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
A County Roscommon native has been presented with a Human Rights Award from the Brazilian State of Goias.

Sr. Margaret Hosty, originally from the village of Cloonfad has lived and worked as a missionary of the Sisters of Saint Louis since 1985.

The award, presented in front of the States Legislative Assembly, was presented to her in recognition of her dedication to human rights work on behalf of those living with HIV and AIDS in the city of Goiana (in the Midwestern region of Brazil).

The Sisters of Saint Louis is a member organisation of Misean Cara, which provides funding and practical support to Irish missionary groups overseas.

Sr. Margarets involvement in HIV/AIDS work began in 1993, while serving as a pastoral worker in a parish without a resident priest on the outskirts of Goiania, when a colleague and friend died from AIDS complications after a short illness.

I knew almost nothing about AIDS at the time, and from seeing the discrimination my friend suffered, I realised that so many others were also ill-informed, leading to fear and stigma for those with HIV/AIDS. I felt I needed to do something about this, and that was how I got into working with and for people living with HIV and AIDS and founded the AAVE Group, said St Margaret.

Founded in 1995, the AAVE Group (in English: AIDS, Assistance, Life, Hope; in Portuguese: AIDS, Apoio, Vida, Esperanca) provides support to people with HIV/AIDS and their families, including psychological support and counselling, home and hospital care visits, advice on rights and entitlements, and skills training to help people who have lost their incomes due to HIV/AIDS to become financially self-sufficient and provide for themselves and their families. The AAVE Group also works to educate people on HIV/AIDS to help reduce stigma around the disease (grupoaave.org).

The AAVE Group is funded entirely by donations and grant funding, including support from Misean Cara, via the Irish Aid Programme.

Concerning the ongoing need for the services and human rights support of organisations like the AAVE Group, in Brazil and beyond, Sr. Margaret commented: While there is now effective treatment for AIDS, and people are no longer dying from it, there is still a lack of information which contributes to prejudice. Infections continue, but worse than the virus, is the judgment and condemnation that exclude and force those living with HIV to hide.
'Nandhi Varman' Movie OTT Release Update

'Nandhi Varman' Movie Captivates Audiences in Theatres: Awaited OTT Release Details

'Nandhi Varman' Movie OTT Release Update: In a compelling cinematic narrative, the Tamil Crime Mystery Thriller 'Nandhi Varman,' directed by G.V. Perumalvaradhan, has enthralled audiences since its theatrical release on December 29. The film features a stellar cast, including Suresh Ravi, Asha Gowda, Bose Venkat, Nizhalgal Ravi, and Gajaraj, with additional appearances by Meesai Rajendar, Aadukalam Murugadoss, Ambani Shankar, Kothandam, JSK Gopi, and others in supporting roles. The musical score by Jerard Felix, coupled with cinematography by R.V Seyon Muthu and editing by San Lokesh, adds to the cinematic appeal.

About 'Nandhi Varman'

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The film narrates the gripping tale surrounding the demise of Pallava emperor Nandivarman, who valiantly sacrificed his life to thwart Gora and his accomplices from looting the treasure of Anumantheshwara temple. In addition to the charismatic performance of Suresh Ravi in the pivotal role of hero Guru Varman, the movie boasts a talented ensemble cast, including Asha, Bose Venkat, and Nizhalgal Ravi.

'Nandhi Varman' Movie OTT Release Update

As audiences relish the theatrical experience of 'Nandhi Varman,' many eagerly anticipate its release on Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms. However, as of now, no official announcement has been made regarding the OTT release date or the platform where the movie will be available for streaming. Industry speculations suggest that details about the OTT release might surface after the film completes its theatrical run, estimated to be around 45 days. Updates on the OTT release will be promptly provided as soon as official information emerges.

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To get all the latest updates, join us on Whatsapp Broadcast Channel.

Directed by G.V. Perumalvaradhan and produced by Arunkumar Dhanasekar under the banner of AK Film Factory, 'Nandhi Varman' stands as a testament to riveting storytelling and stellar performances. As the audience eagerly awaits further details about its OTT release, the film continues to make waves in the theatres, leaving an indelible mark on the minds of movie enthusiasts. Stay tuned for updates on the film's digital release on our platform.

(For More News Apart from Nandhi Varman Movie OTT Release Update Latest News, Stay Tuned to Rozana Spokesman)
Year Ender 2023 India's Achievements

From Chandrayaan-3 Triumphs to Fastest 5G Rollout and Economic Growth, India Emerges as a Global Leader

Year Ender 2023 India's Achievements: As the curtain falls on 2023, India stands tall, having etched its name in the global records book with a series of remarkable achievements spanning space exploration, technology, economy, and sports.

Chandrayaan-3 Triumphs

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In a historic feat, India soared to new heights in space exploration with the success of Chandrayaan-3. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) propelled India to become the first country to reach the South Pole of the Moon. Launched on July 14, 2023, from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, Chandrayaan-3 marked India's proud entry into the elite league of nations successfully landing on the moon, alongside the United States, Russia, and China.

Fastest 5G Rollout

Union Communications, Railways, and Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, along with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, inaugurated the 2,00,000th 5G site in Gangotri, Uttarakhand. India set a world record for the fastest 5G rollout, installing one site every minute across 700 districts in just 8 months. This technological stride underscores India's commitment to staying at the forefront of digital innovation.

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Fastest Economic Growth

Additionally, India has outpaced major economies globally, securing its position as the fastest-growing economy. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted India's remarkable second-quarter growth, surpassing other nations and maintaining momentum as an economic powerhouse.

India Tops in Digital Payments

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The prowess of India's digital landscape was further validated as the country led the world in digital payments for the year 2023. A staggering 89.5 million digital payments were recorded, showcasing India's robust and expanding digital financial ecosystem.

World's Biggest Plane Deal

The Tata Group-owned Air India secured a historic deal by signing agreements with France's Airbus and American aircraft manufacturer Boeing to acquire 470 passenger jets. This monumental deal solidified India's global standing in the aviation sector and marked the largest commercial aircraft deal worldwide.

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Records Set in the Asian Games

India showcased its sporting prowess at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, from September 23 to October 8. Indian athletes made history by clinching a total of 107 medals, setting a new record in the Asian Games and bringing pride to the nation.

To get all the latest updates, join us on Whatsapp Broadcast Channel.

As India bids farewell to 2023, these remarkable achievements reflect the nation's resilience, innovation, and unwavering commitment to excellence on the global stage.

(For More News Apart from Year Ender 2023 India's Achievements Latest News, Stay Tuned to Rozana Spokesman)




Chandigarh Weather Update Latest News

Met Dept Forecasts Prolonged Fog Till December 31, Temperature Dips to 3 Degrees Celsius

Chandigarh Weather Update Latest News: As the countdown to the new year begins, Chandigarh finds itself shrouded in dense fog, creating an atmospheric start to 2024. The Meteorological Department issues an alert, predicting persistent foggy conditions until December 31, attributed to the influence of the Western Disturbance.

The current weather scenario in Chandigarh reflects a drop in temperature to 3 degrees Celsius, intensifying the cold wave. With the maximum temperature recorded at 19.5 degrees, nearly 4 degrees below normal, and the minimum at 8 degrees Celsius, 1 degree below normal, residents are advised to brace for chilly conditions.

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The Meteorological Department anticipates cloudy conditions in Chandigarh for the next two days, extending till Sunday, due to the Western Disturbance. The temperature may hover around 6 degrees Celsius, with intermittent light sunshine during the day.

The thick fog is not only impacting visibility but also causing delays in transportation. Trains in and out of Chandigarh are experiencing delays, with the Kalka New Delhi Shatabdi Express arriving 25 minutes late and the Howrah Kalka mail running behind by 9 hours and 25 minutes. Additionally, the Lucknow to Chandigarh Sadbhavana Express faced a delay of an hour and 50 minutes.

To get all the latest updates, join us on Whatsapp Broadcast Channel.

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Flight Disruptions

Reduced visibility at the airport has led to the cancellation of 6 flights from Chandigarh to Delhi. Flights destined for Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad from Chandigarh were also grounded. The adverse weather conditions persisted until 10 am, disrupting both incoming and outgoing flights. Residents are urged to exercise caution during the foggy conditions, especially while traveling.

(For More News Apart from Chandigarh Weather Update Latest News, Stay Tuned to Rozana Spokesman)

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Gangster Lakhbir Singh Landa News Latest

Union Home Ministry's UAPA Act Designation Targets Landa Linked to Babbar Khalsa International

Gangster Lakhbir Singh Landa News Latest: In a significant move, India has officially declared Lakhbir Singh Landa, an operative associated with Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), a terrorist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Landa, infamous for orchestrating terror from the sanctuary of Canada, faces numerous charges, including murder and attempted murder.

Lakhbir Singh Landa, identified as the mastermind behind the Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) attacks in Mohali and Tarn Taran, has been linked to a range of criminal activities. The Union Home Ministry's declaration under UAPA underscores his involvement in dozens of cases, including the smuggling of arms and Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) from Pakistan into India.

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Landa is accused of actively monitoring and facilitating the illicit transportation of arms and IEDs across the India-Pakistan border. Furthermore, he stands accused of targeting Hindu leaders in Punjab, purportedly at the behest of a Pakistani intelligence agency.

RPG Attack on Punjab Police Headquarters

The RPG attack on the Intelligence Headquarters of the Punjab Police in Mohali on May 9, 2022, is attributed to Landa's orchestration. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Punjab Police have registered cases against him, highlighting the severity of his criminal involvements.

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https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va5YsojLY6d7m75hgV1y

International Presence and Red Corner Notice

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A resident of Tarn Taran in Punjab, Landa has been on the radar of investigative agencies for some time. The NIA had issued a Red Corner Notice against him in 2021, coupled with a reward of Rs 15 lakh for information leading to his arrest. Having escaped from Canada in 2017, intelligence reports suggest that he is currently evading authorities in Alberta, Canada.

(For More News Apart from Gangster Lakhbir Singh Landa News Latest, Stay Tuned to Rozana Spokesman)


Punjab's First Vande Bharat Express Latest News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Flags Off the Service, Governor Banwari Lal Purohit Commends the Gift to Punjab

Punjab's First Vande Bharat Express Latest News: In a momentous occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Vande Bharat Express on the key Amritsar-Old Delhi Railway route. The historic event saw Governor Banwari Lal Purohit and MP Gurjit Singh Aujla flagging off the train, symbolizing a significant leap in railway connectivity in the region.

Governor Banwari Lal Purohit expressed his enthusiasm for the rapid pace of development, noting that eight trains were simultaneously launched across the nation. He underscored the profound impact of this development on the people of Punjab, thanking the Prime Minister for the substantial gift, which promises to benefit every stratum of society.

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The Vande Bharat fleet introduces two trains for Haryana-Punjab, enhancing connectivity for diverse passengers. One of these trains will journey from New Delhi Railway Station to Maa Vaishno Devi Katra station in Jammu and Kashmir, traversing through Haryana and Punjab. The second Vande Bharat train is set to operate between Amritsar and Old Delhi Railway Station, further strengthening the rail network.

The Amritsar-Delhi Vande Bharat train is designed to cover the distance in approximately 5.45 hours, departing at 8.05 am and arriving in Delhi at 1.30 pm. Notable stoppages include Beas, Jalandhar Cantt, Phagwara, Ludhiana, and Ambala Cantt. This initiative aims to streamline travel, offering an efficient alternative to existing services.

To get all the latest updates, join us on Whatsapp Broadcast Channel.

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While the Vande Bharat Express boasts a travel time only 25 minutes less than the popular Swarn Shatabdi, it comes with a marginally higher fare. The chair car and executive class tickets are priced 1.4 times and 1.3 times higher, respectively. Despite this, the enhanced schedule aims to cater to the preferences of travelers seeking daytime journeys. The inauguration of the Vande Bharat Express is poised to benefit passengers who prefer reaching Delhi in the evening. With its 8.05 am departure from Amritsar and 1.30 pm arrival in Delhi, the service fills a crucial gap in the travel schedule, aligning with the needs of the commuting public.

(For More News Apart from Punjab's First Vande Bharat Express Latest News, Stay Tuned to Rozana Spokesman)




Vikas Jha has shared a video of his damaged Tata Nexon  Which he claims is because a service technician

In a recent social media post, Vikas Jha, a proud owner of the latest Tata Nexon SUV, shared a distressing video claiming that his vehicle was damaged at a Tata Motors authorized service center. Jhas video depicted what appeared to be a service technician inadvertently colliding the new Nexon with a wall, resulting in visible damage to the vehicle.

New Nexon Crashed Into Wall

The incident, which occurred at Sagar Motors, a designated Tata Motors service center, left Jha disheartened and frustrated over the apparent mishandling of his brand-new SUV. Video shared by Vikas shows the extent of damage caused to the front bumper. There is more damage likely as in the video one can notice smoke coming out while the bonnet is open and being checked by a group of service personnel.

New Tata Nexon owner shares pic.twitter.com/DyiA6BoVOk  RushLane (@rushlane) December 30, 2023

Tata Motors swiftly responded to Jhas distressing experience, expressing their apologies and a commitment to resolve the issue. In their public reply to Jhas video, the automobile giant stated, Hi Vikas, were sorry that youve had to face this and would like to help. Please share your primary & alternate contact number, email ID & dealer information via DM, so that we can connect with you for further help.

In response to Tata Motors public message, Vikas Jha promptly provided the requested details via direct message, initiating a channel for further communication and resolution.

Industry Concerns

This is not the first incident where a car has been damaged or not handled properly by a service technician. Last month a Kia Seltos owner had reported that his SUV was taken out of the service center for a joy ride. Kia dealer had fired the service advisor because of this.

Such incidents have sparked conversations surrounding the safety and security of vehicles at authorized service centers, raising concerns among car owners regarding the handling of their vehicles during service or repair procedures.

Tata Motors Challenge

Tata Motors, known for its commitment to customer satisfaction and quality service, faces the challenge of addressing Jhas issue effectively and ensuring that incidents of this nature are minimized or prevented in the future. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of stringent quality control and careful handling of customers vehicles at service centers, prompting discussions on enhancing protocols for vehicle maintenance and care within the automotive industry.

Update shared by owner

The service center swiftly replaced damaged parts with new parts on the same day and even treated me to complimentary Teflon coating as a thoughtful gesture!
The town of Merrillville, after some protest but no surprise in the vote, now has a food and beverage tax.

The Town Council, with Councilwoman Rhonda Neal, D-1, absent and Councilman Leonard White, D-7, casting the lone No vote, passed 5-1 on second reading the 1% food and beverage tax at its Dec. 26 meeting. It also passed 5-1, with White once again dissenting, an ordinance establishing a receipts fund that will capture the money for disbursement in the budget.

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Merrillville resident Don Koliboski, the former vice president for the Lake County Economic Alliance, spoke out against the tax, saying legislators created the tax deceptively by linking it to Jasper County in Senate Bill 1454. It will end up hurting many of the towns small, service-oriented businesses, he said, because those business owners will end up paying the 1% while small service-oriented businesses in the adjacent communities of Schererville and Crown Point are thriving.

Council President Rick Bella, D-5, corrected Koliboski, pointing out that the businesses only collect the 1% tax from customers. That money will then go downstate and then be sent back to the towns clerk-treasurer, where itll go into the receipts fund, he said.

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If this is passed, it will be hurting small businesses in the town of Merrillville, Koliboski said. Itll attract small businesses to adjacent communities, which will then attract other property investments which go against what I pay in the town of Merrillville.

The tax will take effect Feb. 1, and the estimated $1.8 million its supposed to generate will enhance parks and promote tourism. To learn more about the new tax, residents and business owners may log onto https://www.merrillville.in.gov/government/town_council/food_and_beverage_tax/index.php

The meeting concluded by celebrating outgoing elected officials Clerk-Treasurer Kelly White-Gibson; White; Councilman Jeff Minchuk, D-3; and Councilman Richard Hardaway. D-2, each receiving lamps symbolizing the constellation of servants, interim Town Manager Michael Griffin said.

Because Hardaway was the longest serving of the group, he also received a chair recognizing the durability and service of 20 years and evoking three ideas: Councilor Hardaway the friend, Councilor Hardaway the leader, and Councilor Hardaway the exemplar, Griffin said.

Councilman Shawn Pettit said Hardaway and former Councilman Terrell Taylor were the first African American members of the Town Council when they were elected in 2003, and it was then that history was made. He said Hardaway has worked tirelessly ever since, having logged nearly 500 regular meetings among other duties over his tenure.

A true leader, Councilman Hardaway ascended to the esteemed position of council president for several years, steering our town with wisdom and acumen, he said. His departure leaves a void that will be felt by all who had the privilege of working alongside of him,

Hardaway thanked all whove supported him.

My main goal when I became councilman was to make sure I leave Merrillville a lot better than I found it, and I think Ive done that, Hardaway said. Its been a labor of love. I appreciate it.

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Hardaways daughter, Keesha Hardaway, joins the council Jan. 1 as the 7th Ward representative, of which he said hes extremely proud.

There will always be a Hardaway around to call, he said.

Michelle L. Quinn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
Key Insights

Institutions' substantial holdings in Paysafe implies that they have significant influence over the company's share price

51% of the business is held by the top 5 shareholders

Ownership research along with analyst forecasts data help provide a good understanding of opportunities in a stock

To get a sense of who is truly in control of Paysafe Limited (NYSE:PSFE), it is important to understand the ownership structure of the business. With 29% stake, institutions possess the maximum shares in the company. That is, the group stands to benefit the most if the stock rises (or lose the most if there is a downturn).

Since institutional have access to huge amounts of capital, their market moves tend to receive a lot of scrutiny by retail or individual investors. As a result, a sizeable amount of institutional money invested in a firm is generally viewed as a positive attribute.

Let's take a closer look to see what the different types of shareholders can tell us about Paysafe.

See our latest analysis for Paysafe

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Paysafe?

Institutional investors commonly compare their own returns to the returns of a commonly followed index. So they generally do consider buying larger companies that are included in the relevant benchmark index.

Paysafe already has institutions on the share registry. Indeed, they own a respectable stake in the company. 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. It is not uncommon to see a big share price drop if two large institutional investors try to sell out of a stock at the same time. So it is worth checking the past earnings trajectory of Paysafe, (below). Of course, keep in mind that there are other factors to consider, too.

Paysafe is not owned by hedge funds. PI Holdings Jersey Limited is currently the largest shareholder, with 21% of shares outstanding. Meanwhile, the second and third largest shareholders, hold 18% and 6.1%, of the shares outstanding, respectively.

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To make our study more interesting, we found that the top 5 shareholders control more than half of the company which implies that this group has considerable sway over the company's decision-making.

While it makes sense to study institutional ownership data for a company, it also makes sense to study analyst sentiments to know which way the wind is blowing. There are plenty of analysts covering the stock, so it might be worth seeing what they are forecasting, too.

Insider Ownership Of Paysafe

The definition of company insiders can be subjective and does vary between jurisdictions. Our data reflects individual insiders, capturing board members at the very least. 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 most recent data indicates that insiders own some shares in Paysafe Limited. It has a market capitalization of just US$820m, and insiders have US$25m worth of shares, in their own names. This shows at least some alignment. You can click here to see if those insiders have been buying or selling.

General Public Ownership

The general public, who are usually individual investors, hold a 29% stake in Paysafe. While this group can't necessarily call the shots, it can certainly have a real influence on how the company is run.

Private Equity Ownership

With an ownership of 18%, private equity firms are in a position to play a role in shaping corporate strategy with a focus on value creation. Sometimes we see private equity stick around for the long term, but generally speaking they have a shorter investment horizon and -- as the name suggests -- don't invest in public companies much. After some time they may look to sell and redeploy capital elsewhere.

Private Company Ownership

Our data indicates that Private Companies hold 21%, 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. Case in point: We've spotted 2 warning signs for Paysafe you should be aware of, and 1 of them shouldn't be ignored.

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.
Ozempic diabetes drug pens

Novo Nordisk is poised to open a new AI research hub in the heart of Londons science and tech neighbourhood, as it seeks to build on its weight-loss drug success using British expertise.

The Danish drug maker is understood to have leased new office space in the Knowledge Quarter in Kings Cross, London, with plans to move into the site in early 2024.

Around 40 workers are expected to be based at the site initially, bringing together teams from Novo Nordisks existing research, development and IT divisions. It will see the company establish a new digital innovation hub.

A spokesman said the move would enable innovation and collaboration to create and apply artificial intelligence in the discovery and development of new potential drug candidates.

The area already houses offices from some of Britains leading technology and drugs companies, including AstraZeneca and Google, as well as being home to science centres such as the Francis Crick Institute and the Alan Turing Institute.

The spokesman added: The Knowledge Quarter represents a vibrant and diverse AI research ecosystem, world-renowned for its focus to drive advances in fields such as artificial intelligence, data science and engineering.

Having a presence here will allow Novo Nordisk to better collaborate with leading research institutions, big tech and innovative start-ups, and attract top talent.

GSK last year announced a new global headquarters to be built in King's Cross - GSK

It comes as a sign of Britains leading role in helping to develop next-generation drugs, with more biotech businesses created in the UK than anywhere else in Europe. Companies including Oxford-based Exscientia have emerged as pioneers in using AI to speed up drug discovery. Exscientia is currently working on a pill to prevent Covid.

Exscientia chief Andrew Hopkins has said the technology means it can speed up the amount of time a drug spends in development from four years to 18 months and reduce the number of experiments by around 90pc.

Novo Nordisk is setting up the digital innovation hub as it plots its next generation of treatments, after enjoying a wave of demand for obesity drugs.

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It is developing a pill version of its weight-loss drug Wegovy. It also recently suggested it was looking at ways to stop people from gaining weight in the first place, instead of only treating people when they are already overweight.

Novo Nordisk has seen its market value swell by more than 45pc since the start of the year, as investors race to get a piece of the weight-loss market which could be worth $90bn (74bn) within the coming years.

In November, Novo Nordisk revealed a 31pc jump in operating profits for the first nine months of 2023, after huge demand for the obesity treatments.

Novo Nordisk has been battling to bolster supplies of Wegovy and Ozempic, a diabetes drug which is used off-label to treat against obesity.

It recently announced a 1.8bn deal to expand its manufacturing facilities in France.

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If you're hosting a New Year's Eve gathering and need some last-minute essentials, or need to hit the mall for a new outfit, you're in luck this year, as most retail and grocery stores will be open on Dec. 31.

While some stores, like Walmart and Kroger, will be open their regular hours, others, like Costco and TJ Maxx, will be open limited hours. It is always best to check with your local store before leaving home, as store hours can vary by location.

Most fast food chains and sit-down restaurants will also be open on Dec. 31, so if you get hungry while you're out running errands, you'll have plenty of delicious options to choose from.

Here's what you need to know about which retail and grocery stores are open on New Year's Eve and their hours.

Looking for open restaurants? Here are your options on New Year's Eve 2023

Walmart New Year's Eve hours

Walmart stores will be open their regular hours on Dec. 31, the company told USA TODAY. Their stores are usually open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Target New Year's Eve hours

Target stores will be open on New Year's Eve, however most locations will close by 9 p.m.

Costco New Year's Eve hours

Costco warehouses will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 31, according to the company's website.

Sam's Club New Year's Eve hours

Sam's Club locations will be open until 6 p.m. on New Year's Eve this year.

Kroger New Year's Eve hours

All stores in the Kroger family of companies will be open their regular business hours on Dec. 31.

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.

Trader Joe's New Year's Eve hours

All Trader Joe's locations will close at 5 p.m. on New Year's Eve, according to the company's website.

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Publix New Year's Eve hours

Publix stores will close at 9 p.m. on Dec. 31, the company told USA TODAY.

Whole Foods New Year's Eve hours

Whole Foods stores will be open limited hours on New Year's Eve. You can find your local store and its specific hours here.

Aldi New Year's Eve hours

Aldi stores will be open limited hours on Dec. 31. You can find your local store and its specific hours here.

Home Depot, Lowe's and Ace Hardware New Year's Eve hours

Home Depot stores will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on New Year's Eve, the company told USA TODAY.

Lowe's stores will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. while Ace Hardware stores will be open their regular business hours.

TJ Maxx, Marshall's and HomeGoods New Year's Eve hours

All three stores will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Dec. 31.

JCPenney and Macy's New Year's Eve hours

JCPenney stores will open at 11 a.m. on New Year's Eve. Closing times vary by location, so the company recommends verifying those with your local store.

Macy's will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Kohl's New Year's Eve hours

All Kohl's stores will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Dec. 31.

Cabela's and Bass Pro Shop New Year's Eve hours

Cabela's and Bass Pro Shop stores will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Barnes & Noble New Year's Eve hours

Barnes & Noble bookstores will be open their regular hours on New Year's Eve.

Grocery store hours on New Year's Eve

The following grocery stores will be open on Dec. 31. Hours are listed for the companies that provided them.

Winn-Dixie: Stores close at 10 p.m.

Meijer: 6 a.m. to midnight

Food Lion

Sprouts Farmers Market: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Lidl: Stores close at 7 p.m.

Giant Eagle: Stores close at 9 p.m.; pharmacies close at 5 p.m.

Wegman's: Stores close at 8 p.m.

Retail store hours on New Year's Eve

The following retail stores will be open on New Year's Eve, in addition to Walmart and Target, which are listed above. Hours are listed for companies that provided them.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New Year's Eve 2023 store hours: Walmart, Target, Costco, Kroger, Aldi
A primary factor contributing to the fentanyl crisis in the United States may be the smuggling of the drug through legal trade flows, according to a report by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER).

A substantial amount of fentanyl smuggling occurs via legal trade flows, with a positive relationship between [nation] state-level imports and drug overdoses that accounts for 15,000-20,000 deaths per year, the report stated. This relationship is not explained by geographic differences in deaths of despair, general demand for opioids, or job losses from import competition. Our results suggest that fentanyl smuggling via imports is pervasive and a key determinant of opioid problems.

Fentanyl is the leading cause of drug overdose deaths in the US, accounting for more than 70,000 deaths in 2021  or nearly two-thirds of all drug overdose deaths that year.

Tim Moore, associate professor of economics at Purdue University and co-author of the report, explained that the illicit drugs arent entering the US through legal imports of medical fentanyl but rather through the legal trade for all goods.

Every day there are containers and air shipments and so on that are all coming in across the United States, Moore told Yahoo Finance. Our belief, and I think its consistent with others, is that this is illicit fentanyl thats manufactured overseas and then smuggled into the country.

While there are now 25 states seeing decreases in drug overdose deaths, the overall death rate in the country is still up 2.3% for the 12-month period ending July 2023, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data.

Working with Mexico and China

Much of the US's policy efforts to disrupt fentanyl trafficking emphasizes Mexico, the US's largest trading partner, and trade from China.

According to the latest report from the Commission on Combating Synthetic Opioid Trafficking, Mexico is the main source of illicit fentanyl and its analogs in the US. The drug is sourced primarily from China, where traffickers then export the fentanyl to Mexican cartels.

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Because illicit fentanyl is so powerful and such a small amount goes such a long way, traffickers conceal hard-to-detect quantities in packages, in vehicles, and on persons and smuggle the drug across the US-Mexico border, the Commission's report stated. It is difficult to interdict given that just a small physical amount of this potent drug is enough to satisfy US demand, making it highly profitable for traffickers and dealers. Indeed, the trafficking of synthetic opioids offers a more profitable alternative to heroin for Mexican drug traffickers.

A chart details how fentanyl makes its way into the US. (Chart: Commission on Combating Synthetic Opioid Trafficking)

Many politicians have called on President Biden to complete the construction of a wall along the US-Mexico border, citing the ongoing toll of the overdose crisis, although data shows that most fentanyl is seized at legal ports of entry.

Fentanyl has been found in 1,351 of the 51,484 drug seizures at the border so far in 2023. Its the fifth-most-seized drug at the border behind marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine, and ecstasy, according to CBP data.

The Biden administration has also intensified pressure on Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to crack down on clandestine labs manufacturing illicit fentanyl, though so far results have come up short.

Cooperation with China is another key step to stopping the flow of fentanyl in the US.

Last month, President Biden and China President Xi Jinping met in California and announced that China would be directing its chemical companies to curtail shipments to Latin America. They also announced that China would be sharing information about suspected drug trafficking with an international database and launch a counternarcotics group with the US.

David Luckey, a senior researcher for the RAND Corporation and former director of homeland security for the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, stated that the "vast majority of fentanyl precursor chemicals are being produced in China and shipped from China ultimately to Mexico."

He explained that there are "various things we can do along this entire supply chain from the production of precursor chemicals to the shipment of precursor chemicals to the production of fentanyl, to the shipment of fentanyl across the border to that shipment of fentanyl within the United States. All of these things need to be addressed, and small improvements in all of these areas can add up to larger improvements overall.

And the Southwest border is still the primary introduction of illicit fentanyl into the US, according to Luckey, there are other emerging means of shipping fentanyl across the border.

'This is more than a border story'

Given that the US is the second-largest exporter of goods and largest importer in the world, Moore argued that Mexico shouldnt be the only focus to curb the flow of fentanyl into the US.

In terms of policy, I think one of the key takeaways is that we maybe need to be looking more broadly at smuggling roots, he said. Our data and findings dont actually closely match the public policy emphasis in discussions in the US at the moment. ... [Those channels] may be very important, but were highlighting that there are other things going on that arent being given a strong emphasis.

Moores research found that imports from Europe and Latin America to the US are associated with fentanyl deaths, as are chemical and agricultural imports.

US government agencies like the DEA and CBP often focus on China and Mexico, although fentanyl seizures from European and Latin American shipments do occur and there is evidence that smugglers are active in those regions, the NBER report said. Our results suggest that the use of imports to smuggle fentanyl is more pervasive than currently appreciated.

U.S. President Joe Biden meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the G20 leaders' summit in Bali, Indonesia, November 14, 2022. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque (REUTERS / Reuters)

According to Moores research, targeting more resources toward screening imported goods could reduce the relationship between imports and overdoses. A 20% reduction in that relationship, he wrote, would save around 3,000-4,000 lives per year and be valued at around $30-40 billion.

His research also looked at states that don't share an international border to assess the relationship between imports and fentanyl overdoses without accidentally attributing the impact of drugs smuggled across the Canadian or Mexican borders.

If you drop those 14 [international border] states, then the relationship between the amount of ... import activity in the other states and its relationship to drug overdoses, its almost exactly the same, he said. So I think it highlights this idea that this is more than a border story.

Adriana Belmonte is a reporter and editor covering politics and healthcare policy for Yahoo Finance. You can follow her on Twitter @adrianambells and reach her at adriana@yahoofinance.com.

Click here for the latest economic news and indicators to help inform your investing decisions.

Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance
ZURICH (Reuters) - Switzerland's financial regulator wants to discuss the ability to claw back bonuses from bankers as part of stronger powers following the fall of Credit Suisse and sale to UBS.

"The question is on the table and must be discussed now," FINMA Chairwoman Marlene Amstad told newspaper Schweiz am Wochenende, when asked about the right to demand bonuses be repaid.

"The Credit Suisse case shows that for decades the bank has incurred losses and at the same time paid out high bonuses," she said in the interview on Saturday.

"We therefore need a better legal basis so that FINMA can intervene earlier and more systematically."

FINMA has already demanded stronger powers to oversee lenders in future after it came under fire for its tepid response to the mounting problems at Credit Suisse before the bank's crash in March.

The regulator has previously said it wanted the ability to issue fines, publish details of enforcement proceedings, and increase accountability by establishing a set of rules that identify specific responsibilities for senior executives - mirroring a framework adopted in Britain.

FINMA cannot currently exercise these powers, with the decision on whether to grant them in future a matter for the Swiss parliament, said Amstad, who has led the watchdog since 2021.

"In the money business, money plays a role," she told the newspaper. "That's why we need fines and why we need the right incentives when it comes to remuneration."

The power to publicise FINMA's proceedings in future would also help, Amstad said.

"We have teeth and use them, but we should also be allowed to show them," she said. "Today, the law requires that many of our actions remain publicly invisible, which in turn can be interpreted as inaction.

"The Credit Suisse case has once again shown us how important it is to inform other market participants and the public. With this strict obligation of confidentiality regarding measures taken, Switzerland is an exception internationally."

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FINMA also wanted to have a say in remuneration models at banks, although this did not mean setting wages, Amstad said.

"That's not our job," she said. "But we need more legal means to intervene in the remuneration system."

(Reporting by John Revill; Editing by David Holmes)
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands--(Newsfile Corp. - December 29, 2023) - Tethys Petroleum Limited (TSXV: TPL) ("Tethys" or the "Company") is providing an update on the Company's operations in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Gas Marketing update

Tethys has entered into an agreement with QazaqGaz on the outstanding dispute over the price of gas previously produced. The Company has received a first payment for the gas produced in the first four months of 2022 that equates to approximately $4.3 million USD. The team is working on a resolution on the rest of the issue and has commenced steps to prepare restarting the gas production.

Oil Regulatory status

Tethys is continuing to move forward on the necessary steps to receive a license for commercial production. The Company has prepared the Kul-Bas field development plan and scheduled a meeting with the Ministry of Energy in January of 2024. The goal is to sign a production contract for a 25 year period by April of 2024.

Main facilities

Construction contractors are working on the oil handling facilities and gas turbine site. Work was carried out to prepare the booster compressor station equipment for startup. This equipment is ready for production. The Company is working on a railway terminal in Sagyr that is scheduled to be completed in the beginning of 2025.

Plans

The marketing team has started negotiations with oil buyers on possible prepayments in January of 2024. The Company has been in communication with JSC KTO regarding establishing a way to transport oil through KTO's pipeline network. The Company is initiating a feasibility study. The company is preparing a seismic campaign on the Aral-4 block that includes 700 km of 2D seismic in 2024, with an additional 300 km to be acquired later based on the results. On the Diyar block, 334 km of seismic is planned for this underexplored area. The total cost is estimated at $2.5 million.

About Tethys

Tethys is focused on oil and gas exploration and production activities in Central Asia and the Caspian Region.

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Disclaimer

Some of the statements in this document are forward-looking. No part of this announcement constitutes, or shall be taken to constitute, an invitation or inducement to invest in the Company or any other entity and shareholders of the Company are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Save as required by applicable law, the Company does not undertake to update or change any forward-looking statements to reflect events occurring after the date of this announcement.

Neither the 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.

Contact Information:

Tethys Petroleum

Casey McCandless

Chief Financial Officer

901-763-4001

info@tethys-group.com

www.tethys-group.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/192778
With a market cap of more than $3 trillion, Apple (AAPL) is the most valuable company in the state of California and all of the United States.

The iPhone maker once again surpassed that $3 trillion mark in early December. Tech titan Microsoft (MSFT), based out of Washington, isnt too far behind at $2.79 trillion.

Yahoo Finance compiled a list of the biggest publicly traded companies in each state and Washington, D.C., based on market cap and the location of companies' headquarters as of 2023.

Healthcare giants at the top

Healthcare is the dominant sector among the largest companies in the US, including health insurance giants Humana (HUM) in Kentucky at $56.1 billion and UnitedHealth (UNH) out of Minnesota at $485.49 billion.

The Northeast is home to several of those companies, along with other big healthcare names like CVS Health (CVS) based out of Rhode Island and valued at $101.61 billion, Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) in New Jersey and valued at $376.93 billion, and Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) in Massachusetts and valued at $205.91 billion.

Other biotech companies on the list include Indiana's Eli Lilly (LLY), valued at $552.87 billion, and Illinois' AbbVie Inc. (ABBV), valued at $273.09 billion.

Several financial companies are also among the largest in their home states. In New York City, banking giant JP Morgan Chase (JPM) is worth $492.34 billion while billionaire Warren Buffetts Nebraska-based conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-A) is valued at a whopping $776.04 billion. Charlotte, North Carolina, a hot spot in the financial services industry, is home to the headquarters of Bank of America (BAC), which is the most highly-valued company in the state at $268.12 billion.

The J.P. Morgan logo sign on the entrance of a glass office building in Midtown Manhattan, New York, USA on 23 January 2020. (Photo by Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images) (NurPhoto via Getty Images)

The tech sector saw significant representation among the largest publicly traded companies with eight standing out as the most valuable in their states including semiconductor giant Micron (MU), based out of Idaho, and Marvell Technology (MRVL), based out of Delaware.

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Tesla (TSLA), which left California for the more tax-friendly Texas back in 2021, is the Lone Star States most valuable company with a value of $804.84 billion.

Retail giants Walmart (WMT) and Home Depot (HD) are the biggest in Arkansas and Georgia, respectively. Procter & Gamble (PG), headquartered in Cincinnati, is Ohios most valuable company at $343.47 billion.

Aerospace and defense company Lockheed Martin (LMT) is Maryland's biggest company while neighboring state Virginia is represented by aircraft maker Boeing (BA).

Philadelphias Comcast Corporation (CMCSA) is the most valuable company in Pennsylvania at $177.59 billion and footwear giant Nike (NKE) is still the dominant business in the state of Oregon at $165.61 billion.

Adriana Belmonte is a reporter and editor covering politics and healthcare policy for Yahoo Finance. You can follow her on Twitter @adrianambells and reach her at adriana@yahoofinance.com.

Click here for the latest economic news and indicators to help inform your investing decisions.

Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Three individuals face multiple charges tied to a loaded gun allegedly recovered from an Elm Park home by police executing a search warrant Wednesday morning.

The NYPDs 121st Precinct touted the arrests on social media.

According to a post on X, the arrests were prompted by a domestic violence call to which officers responded. Upon arrival, the alleged victim indicated to officers the offender was in possession of a loaded firearm, according to the post.

Field intelligence officers acted quickly with @StatenIslandDA office to draft a search warrant, the post reads. This morning the offender was arrested with this gun.

When our officers responded to a domestic violence call, the victim indicated the offender was in possession of a loaded firearm. Field intelligence officers acted quickly with @StatenIslandDA office to draft a search warrant. This morning the offender was arrested with this gun. pic.twitter.com/QYc6djnYhU  NYPD 121st Precinct (@NYPD121Pct) December 27, 2023

Police then carried out a search warrant inside of the residence on the 200 block of Dixon Avenue.

Twenty-three-year-old Isaiah Richardson, 54 year-old Louis Goddard and 51 year-old Angele Goddard were arrested, according to a spokesman for the NYPDs Deputy Commissioner of Public Information.

Two additional people at the location were initially taken into custody by police during the sweep, but charges against them are not being pursued by the Richmond County District Attorneys office.

Criminal complaints against the trio allege that the unlicensed gun was recovered from the homes basement, loaded with five rounds. A photo attached to the NYPD social media message shows a black revolver and five rounds of ammunition.

Richardson, who has a previous conviction according to the complaint, faces the most charges: two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree and criminal possession of a firearm.

Both Louis and Angele Goddard are charged with criminal possession of a firearm and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree, according to the complaints.

The investigation is ongoing.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Community Board 3 will host a virtual meeting of its Health and Human Services Committee on Tuesday, Jan. 2, at 7 p.m

Those interested in attending the meeting are asked to register by 9 a.m. on the day of the meeting on the board website, or by visiting the Google forms signup page.

Community Board 1

Community Board 1 will host a Land Use Public Hearing on Thursday, Jan. 4, at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom.

During the meeting, the City of Yes economic opportunity will be discussed. Also on the agenda is development at 27 Wetmore Rd., Grymes Hill, in a Special Hillsides Preservation District.

Community Board 2

Community Board 2 has no meetings scheduled this week.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

All Community Board meetings and meetings of their committees are open to the public. They provide an excellent opportunity for residents to learn about happenings in their neighborhood and surrounding areas.

Below is more information about the Islands three Community Boards:

COMMUNITY BOARD 1

Arlington  Castleton Corners  Clifton  Concord  Elm Park  Fort Wadsworth  Graniteville  Grymes Hill  Livingston  Mariners Harbor  New Brighton  Port Richmond  Randall Manor  Rosebank  St. George  Shore Acres  Silver Lake  Stapleton  Sunnyside  Tompkinsville  West Brighton  Westerleigh.

The board chairman is Nicholas Siclari. The district manager is Joan Cusack. The telephone number is 718-981-6900.

COMMUNITY BOARD 2

Arrochar  Bloomfield  Bulls Head  Chelsea  Dongan Hills  Egbertville  Emerson Hill  Grant City  Grasmere  High Rock  Lighthouse Hill  Midland Beach  New Dorp  New Springville  Oakwood  Ocean Breeze  Old Town  Richmond  South Beach  Todt Hill  Travis.

The phone number is 718-568-3581. The fax number is 718-568-3595. The chairman is Fred Guinta. The district manager is Debra A. Derrico.

COMMUNITY BOARD 3

Annadale  Arden Heights  Bay Terrace  Charleston  Eltingville  Great Kills  Greenridge  Huguenot  New Dorp  Oakwood  Pleasant Plains  Princes Bay  Richmond Valley  Richmond  Rossville  Tottenville  Woodrow.

The office phone number is 718-356-7900. The board chairman is Frank Morano; the district manager is Charlene Wagner.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Dr. Jeffry Tambor is being honored by his Staten Island patients, as they remember him as a wonderful and excellent doctor who treated them with care. The physician died last week; public records show he was 65.

Dr. Tambor, an internal medicine physician, was affiliated with Staten Island University Hospital, and had an office located on Mason Avenue in Ocean Breeze, as indicated by Northwell Health.

He received his medical education from SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, according to Northwell Health. An online biography said he had four decades of medical experience.

According to Congregation Bnai Yeshurun, an Orthodox Synagogue in Teaneck, N.J., funeral services for Dr. Tambor were held Tuesday, Dec. 26 at Young Israel of Staten Island.

He is survived by his daughter, Yonit Weiss, and sister, Chanie Grunstein.

We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Dr. Jeffry Tambor, a cherished member of our SIUH family, said Dr Brahim Ardolic, executive director of Staten Island University Hospital. His dedicated service to the field of internal medicine spanned an impressive 39 years.

Dr. Tambors legacy is marked by the positive influence he had on numerous lives, his contagious enthusiasm, and his unwavering commitment to his patients. Our sincere condolences extend to his family, as well as to the many colleagues and patients who deeply valued and admired him.

As the news of Dr. Tambors death has reached patients, many have posted on social media to express their sorrow.

What a shock. He always was so energetic and concerned for his patients, one Facebook user said.

Some noted Dr. Tambors professionalism and experience, others touched on his personality and bedside manner.

So sorry to learn of Dr. Tambors passing. He was an excellent doctor to me for almost 30 years. My condolences to his family, another Facebook user wrote.

Hes helped me through several scary uncertain diagnoses and was always able to work with me to figure out my health issues, a comment on reddit stated. His bedside manner was so calm, especially with my anxiety. Any time I was referred to a specialist, they were always wonderful too.

He always kept it professional but I saw him so much in the past few years and saw more of his sense of humor and personality during my visits. He was a wonderful doctor that really cared about helping his patients.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Its 1953 and Carmelo Graci is arriving in America from Sicily. Little does the future Staten Islander know that his soon-to-be wife Angela will live to see their family grow to five generations of Americans.

Those five generations, which include Angela Graci, daughter Concetta Bulone, granddaughter Renee Bulone-Greene, great-granddaughter Kiara Pitt and twin great-great-grandchildren Zoe and Vincent, gathered just before Christmas at Angelas Tottenville home. Angela is the only member of the family who lives on the Island as the rest reside in New Jersey.

Gracis granddaughter Renee Bulone-Greene told the Advance/SILife.com that her grandfather originally immigrated to the county from Sicily without her grandmother: He came to the United States to try to find a life for himself, she said.

With the woman he loved thousands of miles away, Graci saved up enough money from his job as a longshoreman to buy Angela a wedding dress that he had sent to her in Sicily. It just happened to fit her perfectly. The couple were married on Oct. 2, 1954 and arrived together in America later that year.

The couple lived for a short time in downtown Brooklyn before settling in Canarsie. Their son Charlie was born in 1956 and was followed every two years by another sibling until 1966. It wasnt until 1998 that Carmelo and Angela made their way to Tottenville.

My grandmother was a housewife, a mother and an excellent cook, Renee said. She made sure we ate good every Sunday.

As if the familys story wasnt rife with enough romance, the Gracis daughter Concetta was engaged to another man, when Renees dad Vincent  whose family happened to be best friends with Concettas family  fell in love with Concetta. She broke off her engagement and the couple were married in 1978. Renee was born in 1979.

They were all from Licata, the same town in Sicily, Renee said. My grandparents on my moms side and my grandparents on my dads side grew up together.

Concetta met her great-great-grandchildren for only the second time during the family gathering in early December. Her sister had passed away a few weeks prior, making her the last surviving family member of that generation.

My grandmother was a little down and going to visit her makes her so happy, Renee said. Seeing my daughter as a mother to twins was just amazing to her. She always says babies are a blessing  she did have six of her own.

Almost 70 years later and we get to celebrate five generations with my grandmother, Renee said. My grandpa passed away in 2006, but we still feel his presence all around us. He would be so proud of this accomplishment.

Renee said that the family is a very close and tight knit. Her daughter Kiara is allegedly everybodys favorite, and the family just wants to spend as much time as possible with her and the twins as they make their own family history.

Theres a lot of stories that you can go on and on about, Renee said. Were an amazing family. Weve had a good life.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  In honor of those who have died, here is a compilation of obituaries posted on SILive.com. Viewing times and guest books can be seen here.

Barbara Berman, a cherished mother, sister, and educator, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023. Born in Brooklyn, she became the first in her family to graduate from college with honors. Becoming a dedicated NYC school teacher, she later transformed her career, excelling as an educational consultant, publishing books, and founding the Foresight School, which became a model for early childhood education on Staten Island for over 30 years. Despite raising two children, pursuing advanced degrees, and maintaining her professional life, Barbara remained independent. She then moved to Manhattan, where she fulfilled her dreams of immersing herself in theater, museums, jazz, and socializing with friends in her beautiful city apartment. Her life marks her as a remarkable figure in both education and personal relationships. Her legacy of love and support will endure in the hearts of her family and friends. Read the full obit on SILive.

Michael S. Powers, 63, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2033. He is a resident of Brodheadsville, PA, survived by his wife Doreen (McKenna) Powers, and two daughters Valerie and Jennifer. Michael was a graduate of Holy Rosary and the Monsignor Farrell Class of 1978, as well as a St. Johns University in Queens. Read the full obit on SILive.

YESTERDAYS OBITUARY

Linda Cheatham passed away peacefully in her home in Manhattan on Dec. 21, 2023. After graduating from St. Louis Academy High School on Staten Island, and attending Fisher College in Boston, Linda fulfilled her lifelong dream by moving to Manhattan, and beginning her professional career as a bookkeeper. She married and soon began raising her two boys on the doorsteps of Columbia University. Linda was dedicated to being a loyal friend and active community member who was always willing to listen and give honest advice. She selflessly served on her buildings tenants board during the early 1980s and as a teaching assistant for aspiring medical workers. Having a desire to become an artist, she successfully returned to school to pursue her passion. Taking evening and weekend classes, she graduated with her BA in Arts from the City College of New York in 1997. During the years after that, she practiced her passion for wood sculpture design, dancing, music, the arts, and travel until she was no longer physically able. Spending time with her friends and large family was always a high priority for Linda. She especially loved her times at the Jersey Shore with her sister Gerri and other family members who would gather there in the summers and for holidays. Read the full obit on SILive.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  The law can be a strange institution, but certain New York statues will certainly make you scratch your head.

From the outdated to the absurd, heres a look at five of the weirdest laws in the state and city:

SELLING CAT OR DOG HAIR

Section 379 of the Agriculture and Markets law prohibits the marketing of domesticated cat and dog hair. More specifically, a person cannot import, sell, offer for sale, manufacture, distribute, transport or otherwise market or trade in the fur, hair, skin or flesh of those animals.

Manufacturers need to provide certification to retailers that their products dont contain those animals hair, and fines for violations of the law can reach $25,000.

The law doesnt apply to other animals, like coyotes, foxes or bobcats.

STREET SHOWS

New York City, like any other urban area, is known for its buskers, but not all performers hoping to put on a show can do so under the law.

Part of the New York City Administrative Code covering public safety prohibits certain kinds of street performances, including building climbing. In addition, some other performances, including puppet shows, from the open part of a building, like a window, are also prohibited.

Fines are only $25, but the possibility of a 30 day lockup is also written into the statute.

OFFENSIVE EXHIBITIONS

Part of section 245 of New Yorks penal law prohibits certain types of exhibitions.

Under this section of the penal law, people are guilty of offensive exhibitions when he or she knowingly produces, operates, manages or furnishes premises for, or in any way promotes or participates in several activities.

This law prohibits people from participating in contests of more than eight hours without a break. That includes things like dance contests, bicycle races and other contests involving physical endurance.

It also outlaws people from voluntarily submitting to indignities like having balls thrown at their bodies for other peoples amusement. More reasonably, the law also prohibits activities where firearms are discharged or sharp objects are thrown toward a person.

PUBLIC NUDITY

While the penal law prohibits a host of offensive exhibitions, public nudity in the Empire State is a bit more complicated thanks to a 1990s court case with a Staten Island tie.

State law prohibits exposure of the private or intimate parts of a persons body  including, for women, the portion of the breast which is below the top of the areola  but a 1992 court case changed that.

A group of women protested that law by exposing themselves in a Rochester park. They faced criminal charges under the law, but ultimately won on appeal reaching the states highest court, the Court of Appeals.

Justice Vito Titone, a Staten Islander who passed away in 2005, was one of the courts judges that sided with the women on the appeal brought by Ramona Santorelli and Mary Lou Schloss.

In his concurring decision, Titone, the father of Surrogate Court Judge Matthew Titone, wrote that the women were only exercising the same rights offered to men when they went topless.

Appellants and the five other women who were arrested with them were prosecuted for doing something that would have been permissible, or at least not punishable under the penal laws, if they had been men  they removed their tops in a public park, exposing their breasts in a manner that all agree was neither lewd nor intended to annoy or harass, he wrote.

ADULTERY

They say family values have waned in America, but not in New Yorks penal code.

A section of that law against adultery is still on the books.

TIGER SELFIES

Probably the most recent addition to this list, the New York Legislature and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo passed a law in 2014 prohibiting contact with big cats.

The law followed a proliferation of roadside attractions around the country offering visitors the chance to get dangerously close to man-eating wild animals, think Tiger King.

To combat the obvious concerns, the legislation thats codified in the states environmental conservation law prohibited those types of exhibitions and any direct contact with big cats. The legislators crafted the legislation to exclude zoos.
Christmas is over but the kiddos are still on winter break. For a family fun day trip, consider bringing your family to the 2023 Winter Lantern Festival, in its final days at the Queens Country Farm Museum, in Queens, N.Y. The exhibition leaves New York for good on Jan. 7. This attraction is not to be missed.

My family and I, including my three adult children (in their 20s) visited at the beginning of December, when the weather was mild and the lanterns were extra-captivating in the newness of the holiday season. Visitors will delight in the magical setting of the Queens Country Farm, decked out with more than 1,000 meticulously crafted lanterns.

If you recall, the Winter Lantern Festival was staged in 2022 at the FerryHawk Stadium at the SIUH Community Park, in St. George near the Staten Island Ferry and Empire Outlets; prior to that, Snug Harbor Cultural Center, New Brighton, hosted the festival.

For 2023, guests are invited to take a radiant night stroll adorned with traditional Chinese lantern festivals, showcasing Chinese culture and craftsmanship. Contemporary LED lights twinkle in handcrafted lantern frames, skillfully fashioned from authentically crafted Chinese silk cloth and steel wire.

* * * For more information and to buy tickets, click here.

Scene from the 2023 Wintern Lantern Festival at the Queens County Farm Museum in Queens, N.Y. (Staten Island Advance/Dr. Gracelyn Santos)Staten Island Advance/Dr. Gracelyn Santos

The Queens County Farm Museum is located at 73-50 Little Neck Pkwy, in Queens, N.Y. Please note the festival is only open Friday through Sunday, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Crafted by seasoned artisans, several boasting more than two decades of expertise in their craft, the winter lanterns were brought to life, bringing forth enchanting mythical creatures. There were rides on illuminated swings and seesaws, plenty of photo opportunities and even a Bounce House.

This event promises a plethora of photo opportunities to create lasting memories with friends and family. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and gaze at the colorful themes such as an animal kingdom, an underwater sea world, and a theme park. Its no wonder that this Winter Lantern Festival has attracted more than 150,000 annual guests.

The walkthrough takes about 45-60 mins and guests are encouraged to take photos and post on social media. It is recommended guests arrive within the time stated on tickets to maximize your experience.

Scroll below for glimpses into the Winter Lantern Festival and learn more at winterlanternfestival.com.

Scene from the 2023 Wintern Lantern Festival at the Queens County Farm Museum in Queens, N.Y. (Staten Island Advance/Dr. Gracelyn Santos)Staten Island Advance/Dr. Gracelyn Santos

Scene from the 2023 Wintern Lantern Festival at the Queens County Farm Museum in Queens, N.Y. (Staten Island Advance/Dr. Gracelyn Santos)Staten Island Advance/Dr. Gracelyn Santos

Scene from the 2023 Wintern Lantern Festival at the Queens County Farm Museum in Queens, N.Y. (Staten Island Advance/Dr. Gracelyn Santos)Staten Island Advance/Dr. Gracelyn Santos

Scene from the 2023 Wintern Lantern Festival at the Queens County Farm Museum in Queens, N.Y. (Staten Island Advance/Dr. Gracelyn Santos)Staten Island Advance/Dr. Gracelyn Santos

Scene from the 2023 Wintern Lantern Festival at the Queens County Farm Museum in Queens, N.Y. (Staten Island Advance/Dr. Gracelyn Santos)Staten Island Advance/Dr. Gracelyn Santos

Scene from the 2023 Wintern Lantern Festival at the Queens County Farm Museum in Queens, N.Y. (Staten Island Advance/Dr. Gracelyn Santos)Staten Island Advance/Dr. Gracelyn Santos

Scene from the 2023 Wintern Lantern Festival at the Queens County Farm Museum in Queens, N.Y. (Staten Island Advance/Dr. Gracelyn Santos)Staten Island Advance/Dr. Gracelyn Santos

Scene from the 2023 Wintern Lantern Festival at the Queens County Farm Museum in Queens, N.Y. (Staten Island Advance/Dr. Gracelyn Santos)Staten Island Advance/Dr. Gracelyn Santos

Scene from the 2023 Wintern Lantern Festival at the Queens County Farm Museum in Queens, N.Y. (Staten Island Advance/Dr. Gracelyn Santos)Staten Island Advance/Dr. Gracelyn Santos

Scene from the 2023 Wintern Lantern Festival at the Queens County Farm Museum in Queens, N.Y. (Staten Island Advance/Dr. Gracelyn Santos)Staten Island Advance/Dr. Gracelyn Santos

Scene from the 2023 Wintern Lantern Festival at the Queens County Farm Museum in Queens, N.Y. (Staten Island Advance/Dr. Gracelyn Santos)Staten Island Advance/Dr. Gracelyn Santos

Scene from the 2023 Wintern Lantern Festival at the Queens County Farm Museum in Queens, N.Y. (Staten Island Advance/Dr. Gracelyn Santos)Staten Island Advance/Dr. Gracelyn Santos

Scene from the 2023 Wintern Lantern Festival at the Queens County Farm Museum in Queens, N.Y. (Staten Island Advance/Dr. Gracelyn Santos)Staten Island Advance/Dr. Gracelyn Santos

Scene from the 2023 Wintern Lantern Festival at the Queens County Farm Museum in Queens, N.Y. (Staten Island Advance/Dr. Gracelyn Santos)Staten Island Advance/Dr. Gracelyn Santos

Scene from the 2023 Wintern Lantern Festival at the Queens County Farm Museum in Queens, N.Y. (Staten Island Advance/Dr. Gracelyn Santos)Staten Island Advance/Dr. Gracelyn Santos

Scene from the 2023 Wintern Lantern Festival at the Queens County Farm Museum in Queens, N.Y. (Staten Island Advance/Dr. Gracelyn Santos)Staten Island Advance/Dr. Gracelyn Santos

Scene from the 2023 Wintern Lantern Festival at the Queens County Farm Museum in Queens, N.Y. (Staten Island Advance/Dr. Gracelyn Santos)Staten Island Advance/Dr. Gracelyn Santos

Scene from the 2023 Wintern Lantern Festival at the Queens County Farm Museum in Queens, N.Y. (Staten Island Advance/Dr. Gracelyn Santos)Staten Island Advance/Dr. Gracelyn Santos

Scene from the 2023 Wintern Lantern Festival at the Queens County Farm Museum in Queens, N.Y. (Staten Island Advance/Dr. Gracelyn Santos)Staten Island Advance/Dr. Gracelyn Santos

Scene from the 2023 Wintern Lantern Festival at the Queens County Farm Museum in Queens, N.Y. (Staten Island Advance/Dr. Gracelyn Santos)Staten Island Advance/Dr. Gracelyn Santos

Scene from the 2023 Wintern Lantern Festival at the Queens County Farm Museum in Queens, N.Y. (Staten Island Advance/Dr. Gracelyn Santos)Staten Island Advance/Dr. Gracelyn Santos
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In this article, we will take a look at the top 20 countries with the highest weed consumption. If you want to skip our detailed analysis, you can go directly to Top 5 Countries With The Highest Weed Consumption.

Cannabis use has been a topic of interest and controversy on a global level for years. Over the past few decades, there has been a significant shift in attitudes toward cannabis, leading to increased consumption and legalization efforts in several countries. The United States and Canada have been at the forefront of this movement. Other countries worldwide, like Uruguay, and several European nations, such as Luxembourg and Albania, have also legalized cannabis to varying degrees.

On July 21, the members of the Albanian Parliament legalized cannabis for medical and industrial use. According to New Frontier Data, 70 countries worldwide have legalized cannabis in some form, mainly medical, of which 26 countries provide medical patients with legal access to high-THC cannabis. Additionally, ten countries legalized the recreational use of cannabis.

Those who continue to oppose the cannabis policy change continue to express concerns about potential health risks, abuse and addiction related to cannabis use. Even though a growing body of research backs both standpoints, it is evident that the number of those supporting marijuana legalization is growing exponentially.

On the contrary, proponents of cannabis argue it has various medicinal benefits, including pain relief, alleviation of symptoms in conditions such as epilepsy and multiple sclerosis, and even potential cancer-fighting properties.

Moreover, advocates claim that legalization can bring economic benefits, such as job creation and tax revenue. The legal cannabis market is projected to reach billions of dollars by the end of the decade, attracting investments from both domestic and international companies. The recent deal between Phillip Morris, one of the biggest companies within the tobacco industry, and Israeli med-tech company Syqe Medical which produces a metered-dose inhaler for pain reduction treatment using medical marijuana, is a step in that direction.

Story continues

Global Cannabis Market: An Analysis and Major Players

According to an industry analysis report by Fortune Business Insights, the global cannabis market was valued at $43.72 billion in 2022. The market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 34.03% between 2023 and 2030 and reach $444.34 billion by the end of the forecasted period.

Some of the cannabis operators in the world have seen exponential growth over the past couple of years, even though 2023 has been rough for the industry. Some of the top performers in the burgeoning market are Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. (OTC:CURLF), Tilray Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ:TLRY), and Green Thumb Industries Inc. (OTC:GTBIF).

Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. (OTC:CURLF) is a leader in the medical and recreational marijuana space. The company is based in New York and is involved in the cultivation, production, and sale of cannabis products through retail and wholesale channels. Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. (OTC:CURLF) operates through two segments: Domestic Operations and International Operations. As of December 29, the stock has surged by 31% over the past 6 months.

Green Thumb Industries Inc. (OTC:GTBIF) is another prominent American manufacturer and retailer of cannabis products. As of December 29, Green Thumb Industries Inc. (OTC:GTBIF) is worth $2.68 billion and has returned over 35% to investors on a year-to-date basis. Over the past 3 months, 6 Wall Street analysts have given Buy recommendations on the stock. Green Thumb Industries Inc. (OTC:GTBIF) has an average price forecast of $16.90 and a high price target of $23.89.

Tilray Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ:TLRY) is a Canadian cultivator and distributor of cannabis products. The group was founded in January 2022 and has grown to become one of the top pure-play cannabis companies. As of December 29, Tilray Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ:TLRY) has surged more than 45% over the past 6 months and is worth $1.70 billion on the open market. Hedge funds are piling into Tilray Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ:TLRY). At the close of the third quarter of 2023, the stock was part of 17 investors' portfolios that disclosed positions worth $84.19 million. This is compared to 15 positions in the preceding quarter with stakes worth $11.08 million. The hedge fund sentiment for the stock is positive.

Despite the ongoing discussions and evolving regulations surrounding cannabis, its use and legalization efforts differ significantly from country to country. Some nations have embraced cannabis, allowing its use in various forms and establishing a regulated market. In contrast, others continue to enforce strict laws and prohibit any form of cannabis use. Let's now take a look at the top 20 countries with the highest weed consumption.

Top 20 Countries With The Highest Weed Consumption

Top 20 Countries With The Highest Weed Consumption

Our Methodology

To compile the list of the top 20 countries with the highest weed consumption, we mixed and matched data from New Frontier Data in 2020, The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction and EarthMed . After summarizing the results, we made the following list. The list has been arranged in ascending order of the "prevalence of cannabis use among adults".

Top 20 Countries With The Highest Weed Consumption

20. Croatia

Prevalence of cannabis use among adults: 10.4%

In Croatia, the use of medical marijuana is legal for limited medical use and is decriminalized for personal use. The policy change sought to provide relief primarily to patients with conditions like cancer, multiple sclerosis, or AIDS. Under the Medical Marijuana Regulation, individuals can avail themselves of cannabis-based medicines that contain more than 0.2% of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). However, both cultivation and sales of cannabis are criminal offenses punishable by imprisonment.

19. Spain

Prevalence of cannabis use among adults: 10.5%

In Spain, the cultivation and personal use of cannabis is considered a non-criminal offense. However, the sale and trade of cannabis remains prohibited. Over the years, this Mediterranean country saw the emergence of numerous clubs and associations for cannabis consumption. These businesses, which first appeared in 1991, operate as not-for-profit organizations. They cultivate cannabis and distribute it to their members at a cost price. In May, the Spanish Pain Society (SED) called for the government to present medical cannabis regulatory framework. According to Business of Cannabis , the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) partnered to integrate medical cannabis into the country's existing health framework.

18. Italy

Prevalence of cannabis use among adults: 10.8%

Italy has embraced a more lenient approach towards cannabis, permitting its use for medical and industrial purposes within a carefully controlled framework while adopting a decriminalization stance towards recreational usage. Specifically, possessing small quantities of marijuana for personal enjoyment is considered a minor offense under civil law. According to The Times , the Italian Army agreed to cultivate and produce high-quality medical marijuana earlier this year, incorporating undisclosed ingredients to nurture potent cannabis strains designed for individuals plagued by health issues such as cancer and Parkinson's disease.

17. Barbados

Prevalence of cannabis use among adults: 10.9%

Recreational use of marijuana is illegal in Barbados, while medical use was legalized in November 2019 via the Medicinal Cannabis Industry Bill. A second bill approved by the government, the Sacramental Cannabis Bill, allows registered Rastafarians' spiritual use of cannabis. Barbados Medical Cannabis Licensing Authority's (BMCLA) chairman recently indicated that the island's first therapeutic facility is scheduled to kick off operations within a year, reported St Vincent Times.

16. Monaco

Prevalence of cannabis use among adults: 11.1%

In Monaco, cannabis is altogether illegal. The cultivation, sale and possession of both medical and recreational cannabis is considered a criminal offense punishable with jail time and a steep fine .

15. Morocco

Prevalence of cannabis use among adults: 11.1%

Moroccans have been cultivating cannabis for centuries, earning them a place among the world's top producers of hashish. However, the substance has been illegal since 1956 nationwide . Last fall, the Moroccan state has issued the first ten permits for the medicinal and industrial of cannabis as well as for export. Reuters wrote that cooperatives of farmers living in mountain areas of Al Houceima, Taounat, and Chefchaouen will eventually start cultivating the plant.

14. Belize

Prevalence of cannabis use among adults: 11.4%

This Central American country amended its Misuse of Drugs Act in 2017 to decriminalize marijuana. Under the amended rule, legal marijuana use is allowed only on private property.

13. Nigeria

Prevalence of cannabis use among adults: 11.4%

Even though cannabis is considered illegal in Nigeria, the country is a significant supplier of West African-grown cannabis. Earlier this year, members of the country's House of Representatives weighed in on a measure that would make commercial cultivation, sale and consumption of cannabis legal when enacted by local media.

12. France

Prevalence of cannabis use among adults: 11.7%

In France, cannabis is considered illegal for personal use, but certain cannabis-derived products are allowed for medical use. In January, the French Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE) presented to the government a draft opinion on public policies regarding the use of cannabis.

11. Australia

Prevalence of cannabis use among adults: 11.8%

Despite the differences in legislation across Australian states and territories, cannabis continues to be prohibited and its growth, possession, sale and use are all considered unlawful. But, things could change quickly as legal marijuana has the potential to generate $243.5 million per year in the first five years, revealed a recent report.

10. Madagascar

Prevalence of cannabis use among adults: 12.5%

The use and cultivation of cannabis is outlawed in Madagascar, yet it remains a thriving industry within the country's borders.

9. Zambia

Prevalence of cannabis use among adults: 13%

Cannabis in Zambia is illegal for recreational use. The substance was legalized In December 2019 for export and medicinal purposes. Two laws addressing the issue got enacted in 2021.

8. Bermuda

Prevalence of cannabis use among adults: 13.5%

Bermudians are allowed to use medical cannabis following the policy change in 2016 legally. A year later, the country introduced the Decriminalization of Cannabis Amendment Act, decriminalizing simple possession of up to 7 grams of the plant.

7. Uruguay

Prevalence of cannabis use among adults: 15.2%

Uruguay president Jose Mujica signed the recreational cannabis bill into law in 2013, making it the first country in the world to do so. Currently, the government is exporting low-THC cannabis to the US and has also supplied some European countries, such as Switzerland with the plant.

6. New Zealand

Prevalence of cannabis use among adults: 15.3%

New Zealand's first "legal weed" reached pharmacy shelves in the form of tea last year. The move was part of a deal with the Australian Natural Therapeutics Group. The Ministry of Health gave the company the green light to sell its products to those with a prescription who suffer from chronic pain. Medical cannabis products became available in the country after the Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Act of 2018 and the 2020 Medicinal Cannabis Scheme (MCS) got enacted.

Click to continue reading and see Top 5 Countries With The Highest Weed Consumption.

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Disclosure: None. Top 20 Countries With The Highest Weed Consumption is originally published on Insider Monkey.
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Thanks to Nick OMalley and Mike Foley for their comprehensive review of the nuclear power option (Net zero hero or big waste of time that we dont have on our side?, December 24). As they explain, nuclear power is too slow and too costly to help Australia meet its 2050 net zero target. As former chief scientist Alan Finkel said in June, So when put together its not realistic, even if we wanted to, to have nuclear in Australia before about 2040, by which time I am quite confident we wont need it. The opposition is not strong on science but is better at art  the art of distraction. Ray Peck, Hawthorn

Nuclear power wont solve Australias energy problems. Credit: AFR

Apart from problems with the untested new modular nuclear reactors cost, slowness in deployment, location, and waste management, their advocates also need to address the fact that they would become easy targets for conventional bombs, spreading radioactive fallout in the same manner as a dirty nuclear weapon. Mark Allerton, Huntleys Cove

Despite all the evidence against, the Coalition continues to argue in favour of nuclear energy. I suspect Labor is praying that the opposition flogs this dead horse all the way up to the election. Dutton was highly successful in defeating the referendum on the Voice with his fearmongering and disinformation tactics. However, he is leaving himself wide open to having the tables turned on him by anti-nuclear activists if he persists in promoting nuclear energy. It could put paid to any chance of his ever becoming prime minister. Graham Lum, North Rocks

Duttons cohort of soothsayers has no clear nuclear silver bullet to target Australias contribution to carbon consumption, giving short shrift to the realistic road map of renewable energy that is largely and firmly based in solar and wind. Convincing an electorate to host a nuclear reactor or its generational waste would make for a challenging electioneering position. Steve Dillon, Thirroul

Plan wisely

The NSW government should place restrictions on rapacious developers for new housing estates in environmentally sensitive coastal villages which are already exposed to climate change and rising sea levels (Holiday towns feel under threat from wave of development, December 24). Far better that new housing is directed to revitalise older river towns like Kempsey and Grafton. Tony Simons, Balmain
We ask people to be patient, and we need to make sure that people entering those various transport hubs do so safely, he said. Circular Quay tends to become one of the most crowded areas after the fireworks end because of its status as a transport hub. If required during the evening, there will be plans enacted to prevent trains from stopping at that location should the crowds become so dense that it is a risk, Bell said. German backpackers Jasmina Schroder and Giulia Leiser staked out a spot on the Opera House forecourt early on Sunday morning after deciding against queuing for the Botanic Garden. I think its something you do once in your lifetime, Leiser said. Hezel Lynch and her young daughter Eva travelled from Dubbo to Sydney for the fireworks, joining her mother Dailene Elan and sister Paula who had travelled from the Philippines and the Sunshine Coast respectively.

The queue forms outside the Art Gallery of NSW ahead of tonights New Years Eve celebrations. Credit: Dion Georgopoulos After arriving at Circular Quay at about 9.30am, they scored one of the best seats in town to watch the fireworks: a bench on the eastern edge of the foreshore. On the north side of the harbour, social media postings show the most eager revellers began gathering at Blues Point Reserve in McMahons Point from as early as 5am on Sunday. What will the weather do? The crowds are being greeted by overcast skies and subdued temperatures. Its unlikely theyll see much sunshine on Sunday. But, with a bit of luck, they should remain fairly dry until the festivities kick off.

It will be a little bit on the more miserable side  but not totally miserable, said Gabrielle Woodhouse, a senior meteorologist at the Bureau of Meteorology. She said overcast conditions would prevail on Sunday, with the possibility of very light showers across the Sydney basin throughout the day and into the evening. Dubbo resident Hezel Lynch, left, her daughter Eva (front), sister Paula Elan and mother Darlene Elan scored a seat on the edge of Circular Quay. Credit: Flavio Brancaleone However, only 1 millimetre of rain is expected, meaning a light drizzle at most. For the most part were seeing those light showers ease off throughout the morning, but realistically we could be seeing them at any point in time, Woodhouse said.

Temperatures are expected to peak at 24 degrees along the coast, with a gentle south-easterly breeze, and 23 degrees in the west. However, by the time night falls on the harbour, the mercury is expected to be closer to 19 degrees. Id be bringing a jacket, Woodhouse said. A crowd waited early on Sunday to enter the Mrs Macquaries Chair viewing area. Credit: Dion Georgopoulos The New Years Day forecast is looking equally gloomy, with cloud cover and shower activity expected to persist. At the moment, it seems as though we could get some sunnier breaks developing from Tuesday onwards, Woodhouse said.

Were still going to be sitting in moist north-easterly winds, which means showers and storms across Sydney for the coming week, possibly. Where to watch the fireworks Thirty-eight of the 49 vantage points across the harbour are free to enter on a first-in, first-served basis, fulfilling an election promise from the state government to abolish paid ticketing at most New Years Eve vantage spots. They include Barangaroo Reserve, West Circular Quay (including First Fleet Park), Campbells Cove, Hickson Road Reserve and locations in the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney and The Domain, including Mrs Macquaries Point.

Other locations will also be free but have been managed via a ballot system to ensure crowd numbers are manageable. They include the Cahill Expressway event, Bradleys Head, Strickland Estate, Clark Island, Me-Mel (Goat Island) and Shark Island. Tickets were quickly exhausted for those events. City of Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the eyes of the world would be watching Sydney bring in the new year, citing forecasts that 425 million people globally would be tuning in to see the fireworks. They remind the world that Sydney is a global city, she said. On Observatory Hill, Canadian Madi Cook and Megan Elias, from Wales, had prepared for a 14-hour wait for the midnight fireworks with a cake and other festive food, arriving at 10am. Canadian Madi Cook (left) and Megan Elias, from Wales, packed a cake for the 14-hour wait for the midnight fireworks. Credit: Flavio Brancaleone North Strathfield residents Ashmita Shrestha and Sabina Shrestha, who are unrelated, usually head to the Royal Botanic Gardens to watch the New Years Eve fireworks but opted for Observatory Hill this time.

Most of the time we go to the other side but this time we wanted to have the Harbour Bridge view, Sabina said. Its very close. The mostly free entry model marks the end of a years-long ticketing saga that was sparked in 2011 when the then-Office of Environment and Heritage introduced a user-pays model for entry to spots around the Botanic Garden and Bradleys Head. How to get there Authorities are urging anyone heading into the city to catch public transport due to road closures in the CBD. The Cahill Expressway is closed over the Harbour Bridge and Circular Quay. Macquarie Street is closed north of Bridge Street, and roads in Circular Quay, the Rocks, Royal Botanic Garden and The Domain are also shut.

For those catching the train in, there are some key changes to be mindful of when planning your movements. Partygoers queue to access Milsons Point on Sunday morning. Credit: Nigel Gladstone Trains will not drop passengers at Circular Quay after 3pm; trains will not stop at Milsons Point between 6pm and midnight; the York Street entrance to Wynyard station will be closed from 9pm; and from 10pm some entrances to Central will be closed and crowds managed by NSW Police. Police reminded revellers that it is illegal to drink alcohol on public transport, and warned that officers will be patrolling trains, light rail, buses, and ferries.
Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters took to the streets of Melbourne for the final time this year, vowing to continue gathering in the city until the violence in Gaza ends.

They defied drizzly conditions on Saturday afternoon to meet on the steps of the State Library for the 12th Free Palestine rally.

Police estimated about 6000 protesters marched through the CBD, many donning traditional keffiyeh scarves  a symbol of the Palestinian movement  waving flags or holding signs calling for a ceasefire.

Roxburgh Park mum Zeanab Hameed with her kids (from left) Ali, Zahra and Sarah.

Roxburgh Park mum Zeanab Hameed said it was the ninth rally she had attended, and brought her children, Ali, Zahra and Sarah.
Treating vape addiction will be a new phenomenon for the medical industry as it braces for the first stage of the federal governments world-leading reforms to limit usage of the device to people with a prescription.

From New Years Day, the importation of all disposable vapes with or without nicotine will be banned as part of a crackdown to stop a thriving black market that imports millions of flavoured disposable vapes from China.

From New Years Day, the importation of all disposable vapes with or without nicotine will be banned. Credit: Marija Ercegovac

Parallel to the governments ban on disposable vapes, all doctors and nurses will have the power to prescribe vapes as a method to help patients recover from addiction.

Originally, only doctors with additional training and certification were able to prescribe vapes which was widely seen as ineffectual because only 5 per cent of practitioners took up the option.
Triggs said several countries had explored adopting the so-called Australian model in the past three years, but had abandoned it after seeing the UKs copycat approach that has racked up 240 million ($447 million) in costs and failed to deport a single asylum seeker since the policys announcement in 2022. Loading What weve seen over the last 18 months or so has been a decision by those EU countries that flirted with the idea, theyve retreated completely away from it because they do not want to be associated with the opprobrium, the cost and the political turmoil that its created, she said. And I say this with great pleasure, they have decided to go into the EU pact  the pacts not perfect, but its a very good achievement. The EU last week agreed to share the responsibility of dealing with migrants who journey across the Mediterranean.

Asylum seekers will be detained while their claims are processed over 12 weeks. EU states that do not want to accept refugees will pay into a fund to help share the costs of processing and accepting refugees, currently borne by Greece and Italy. Triggs says countries do have a right to detain asylum seekers while their claims are processed, but only for a few weeks while health and security checks are carried out. Its about the way in which that detention is carried out, and what Australia has done is detain indefinitely. On the High Court ruling overturning indefinite detention she says: Excellent, thats a good outcome.

Its taken 20 years for the High Court of Australia, that would be reached in a matter of weeks or months in Europe and the UK. Loading Triggs says that preventative detention could be used for people deemed serious security risks, but thats controlled by judges. Migration has become a top issue across several continents ahead of 2024s blockbuster year of elections, and the issue has already propelled Geert Wilders far-right party to political highs in the Netherlands. It has also triggered debate about whether the Refugee Convention is fit for purpose to deal with modern mass migration movements.

We see it as more fit for purpose than its ever been, Triggs said. Loading Where it fails is where countries have not implemented it properly, the classic example being the UK and Australia refusing to allow a process of asylum. She says it is ironic that Australia then turned to the UNs program to resettle asylum seekers languishing in Nauru and Papua New Guinea to New Zealand. This is disgraceful for a country like Australia, with the resources and skills and sophistication; its extraordinary that thats what theyve chosen to do.

Australia benefits from a rules-based system, you cant just pick the bits you like and discard the ones you dont like. But Triggs says the UNHCR is sympathetic to countries trying to cope with the blurring of economic migrants into asylum seeker routes. Gillian Triggs and former senator George Brandis (later High Commissioner to the UK from 2018 to 2022) during budget estimates at Parliament House in May 2017. Credit: Andrew Meares These are what we call mixed movements. The UNHCR is trialling a new whole-of-journey approach that involves identifying economic migrants as early as possible and linking them through the UN bodies, the private sector and NGOs, as well as immigration programs by countries in need of labour.

If we can make that determination earlier along the route, then the person concerned knows theyre never going to be a refugee under any proper legal system, Triggs said. Loading Theyve got to face the fact that what they want is an economic opportunity, so lets help them. That is where we could start setting up one-stop shops with rapid asylum processes and information for those who will not be refugees but need opportunities, she said, adding that the concept was already being trialled. This is starting to work in the Americas  its a brilliant and innovative approach, funded largely by the United States, but its showing that you can deal with these mixed movements in a faster and more effective manner, and you can, that way, keep people out of the hands of people smugglers.

She says working with private companies to develop business opportunities along migration routes, citing IKEA as a prime example, is also key to stopping journeys from ending in the sea. None of these are solutions in themselves, but they are part of a wider solution that will help us deal with it. No country can respond effectively unilaterally. Tunisia cant do it alone, Italy cant do it alone, the US cant do it alone  and its now working much more collaboratively and it has massively increased its resettlement program to 125,000 places this year. She says global instability is contributing to mass movements, noting that the UNHCR has had to deal with more than 40 crises this year  double the average.

But she says there are reasons to be optimistic, despite fears that migration could fuel the populist right to political success in 2024s mega year of elections, pointing to the way Europe  particularly Poland and Moldova  have welcomed 8.3 million Ukrainians following Russian President Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Loading That is a massive movement of people, and yet Europe coped perfectly well  the sky didnt fall in, she says. Triggs departed Australia after years of a torrid political battle over human rights with the then-Coalition government. She says she is hoping to keep a low profile when her role at UNHCR ends, but plans to write a book proposing ways the UN can deal with the refugee challenge. She is already the author of Speaking Up, published in 2018.
Tel Aviv: Mia Schem had been held hostage in the Gaza Strip for three days when, she said, she underwent surgery for a gunshot wound she sustained in Hamas attack on Israel. For days afterward  forced to share a room with her captor  she received no painkillers and had to replace her own bandages.

The account by Schem, who has talked about her 55 days in captivity with two television stations and in a photo essay published in the newspaper Yediot Ahronot, has touched a particular nerve in Israel.

French-Israeli woman Mia Schem is greeted by her mother and brother at the Hatzerim Air Base on November 30. Credit: AP

It echoes those of other hostages: a lack of food and water and minimal access to medical care. But her interviews and written account, which could not be independently confirmed, have offered the most detailed look at what life was like in captivity.

Schem, a 21-year-old Israeli French citizen from Shoham, Israel, was kidnapped by Hamas after fleeing the Nova music festival during the October 7 terrorist attack that killed about 1200 people in southern Israel. Early in the war, the group released a video of her in captivity, the first on any of the more than 230 hostages.
QuantumScape (NYSE: QS), a developer of solid-state batteries, went public by merging with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) on Nov. 27, 2020. Its stock started trading at $24.80 and rallied to a record high of $131.67 on Dec. 22.

But today QuantumScape's stock trades at just $7. A $2,000 investment in the stock on the first day would have briefly blossomed to over $10,600 before withering to about $560 today. Let's see why the bulls initially fell in love with QuantumScape, why they retreated, and if the stock has a shot at revisiting its all-time highs.

Image source: Getty Images.

Why did QuantumScape's stock skyrocket in 2020?

QuantumScape develops solid-state batteries powered by solid electrolytes instead of the volatile liquid electrolytes used in lithium-ion batteries. That difference makes solid-state batteries more tolerant of higher temperatures and less prone to fires.

Solid-state batteries are already widely used in pacemakers, wearable devices, and small radio-frequency identification (RFID) products, but they haven't replaced lithium-ion batteries in smartphones or electric vehicles (EVs) because they're less durable, less dense, and more expensive.

QuantumScape wants to close that gap by developing a new generation of solid-state batteries that can replace lithium-ion batteries in EVs. It's already developing a solid-state battery that could revolutionize the EV market with a range of 650 km and a charge time of just 15 minutes. Its top investor is the auto giant Volkswagen, which started working with the battery maker more than a decade ago.

QuantumScape's plans sound promising, but it hasn't commercialized any products yet. During its pre-merger presentation, it claimed it could start commercializing its products in 2024 and grow its revenue at a compound annual growth rate of 363% from $14 million in 2024 to $6.44 billion in 2028. It also declared its adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) would turn positive by 2027.

Story continues

Those bullish estimates attracted a stampede of bulls, and its market cap peaked at $47.8 billion in late 2020 even though it hadn't generated any revenue yet. The buying frenzy in growth and meme stocks amplified those gains.

Why did QuantumScape's stock drop over the following three years?

QuantumScape's stock subsequently plunged 95%, for three reasons. First, rising rates drove investors away from speculative pre-revenue companies. Second, the broader EV market cooled off and clipped the wings off a lot of high-flying EV stocks.

Lastly, QuantumScape lost more money than it originally anticipated. Back in its pre-merger presentation, it predicted it would post adjusted EBITDA losses of $102 million in 2022 and $114 million in 2023. But in reality, it posted an adjusted EBITDA loss of $249 million in 2022 -- and analysts expect an even wider loss of $280 million in 2023.

It also expected to generate a negative free cash flow (FCF) of $137 million in 2022 and $169 million in 2023. But it actually posted a negative FCF of $377 million in 2022, and analysts expect a negative FCF of $314 million in 2023.

Could QuantumScape's stock revisit its all-time highs?

On the bright side, QuantumScape still ended its latest quarter with $1.13 billion in cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities, while its low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.1 gives it ample room to raise fresh cash. The company also says it's still on track to start shipping its first low-volume samples in 2024 and high-volume samples in 2025.

For now, analysts expect QuantumScape's revenue to only reach $2 million in 2024 and $15 million in 2025. Based on its current enterprise value of $2.54 billion, its stock still looks ridiculously expensive at 169 times its 2025 sales. But if it can successfully ramp up its production over the next few years, it could potentially grow into its high valuations.

That said, I don't think QuantumScape will revisit its all-time highs anytime soon. Its rally in late 2020 was largely driven by the stimulus-induced buying frenzy in meme stocks instead of the underlying value of its business. It's still a speculative stock at these levels -- but it could be a potential multibagger over the next few decades if it proves the bears wrong.

Should you invest $1,000 in QuantumScape right now?

Before you buy stock in QuantumScape, consider this:

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If You'd Invested $2,000 in QuantumScape in 2020, This Is How Much You Would Have Today was originally published by The Motley Fool
I had to work over Christmas, so had some special plans to compensate for that with my partner, but now itll be attempts to get refunds, if at all possible, and claims through my insurer, not about the money, devastated to be missing out on what we had planned.
Dame Amanda was born in Wales and worked most of her career across the insurance industry before becoming one of the most high-profile female chief executives in Britain when she was appointed to lead Aviva in 2020.
Four officers were injured, one of whom was taken to hospital and has now been discharged.
FREDERICKSBURG

Fairview Baptist Church, 900 Charlotte St., hosts a food pantry on the second and fourth Saturday of each month, 9:3011 a.m., for residents of Fredericksburg, Locust Grove and Spotsylvania, Stafford, King George and Caroline counties. Bring ID. 540/373-8377; fairview-baptist.org.

Hillcrest United Methodist Church, 2208 Lafayette Blvd., holds Sunday service at 10 a.m. The Salvation Army will sponsor a New Years Eve gospel sing on Sunday, 7 p.m.midnight, featuring Tommy Decatur, Ray Bennett, Reverent Quartet, Mike Milstead and Justified. 540/898-2180; hillcrestumc.com.

Mount Zion Baptist Church, 309 Wolfe St., has reopened its regular church services. Capacity is limited to 50%; face coverings and social distancing are mandatory. Weekly and Sunday service will be held on Facebook Live at the following times: Bible study at 6:45 p.m. Wednesday, Sunday school at 9:30 a.m. and Sunday worship services at 10:50 a.m. Call in by telephone conference number to 978/990-5000 and enter pin 569693#. 540/371-2878; mtzionfbg.org.

Shiloh Baptist Church (New Site), 525 Princess Anne St., worships each Sunday at 10 a.m.; masks optional. Services are also livestreamed at shilohnewsite.com and YouTube; or call 1-929-205-6099, meeting ID: 11085999, passcode 22401. 540/371-1153.

Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site), 801 Sophia St., worships in person and online each Sunday at 10 a.m. Masks are now optional and available. Worship virtually via Facebook, Shiloh Old Site Live; on the churchs website; or by conference call 1-855/552-4463 ID 3487 96 5653. Breakfast is provided to the homeless/less fortunate every Wednesday, 7:308:30 a.m. The food pantry is open on the second and fourth Friday of each month, 9 a.m.noon, and can be accessed from the glass door in front of the church located on Sophia Street. Follow posted signs for directions and safety procedures. 540/373-8701; shiloholdsite.org.

The Presbyterian Church, 810 Princess Anne St. On Sundays, Living In Faith Together (LIFT) time is 8:459:45 a.m., and worship service is at 10 a.m. 540/373-7057; fredericksburgpc.org.

Trinity Episcopal Church, 825 College Ave. Worship services are held Sundays at 8 and 10:30 a.m. The food pantry is open 911 a.m. Monday through Thursday mornings. Limited financial assistance for utilities is sometimes available. Call the church at 540/373-2996 to request this help, and someone will return your call. trinity@trinity-fredericksburg.org.

Turning Point Christian Church, Dorothy Hart Community Center, 408 Canal St. Sunday worship is at 10 a.m. yourturningpointchurch.org.

United Church of Christ of Fredericksburg, 803 Princess Anne St. (Hanover Street entrance), meets Sunday at 10 a.m. 202/255-3320.

Unity of Fredericksburg. Worship Sundays at 10:45 a.m. through Zoom and YouTube livestreaming. Email info@uofva.org for the link. 540/661-7976; uofva.org.

SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY

Christ Episcopal Church, 8951 Courthouse Road. In-person worship is held Sundays at 8 a.m. (Rite I) and 10:30 a.m. (Rite II); 10:30 a.m. worship is streamed on YouTube. Childrens activity bags available. Nursery and Christian education are also at 10:30 a.m.; youth at noon. Celtic Eucharist is offered Wednesday at noon. The food pantry distributes on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, 10 a.m. to noon. Families unable to come during these hours due to work conflicts may retrieve food from lockers on the church campus; for more information email secretary@christchurchspotsy.com. 540/582-5033; christchurchspotsy.com.

Church of the Messiah Episcopal Church, 12201 Spotswood Furnace Lane, holds Sunday worship services at 8:30 a.m. (Rite I) and 11 a.m. (Rite II); the 11 a.m. service is also livestreamed on the churchs Facebook page. Childrens Sunday school and adult education are offered Sunday at 9:45 a.m. Morning prayer services are livestreamed on Facebook at 9 a.m., Monday through Friday. 540/786-3100; churchofthemessiahva.org; facebook.com/cotmfredericksburg.

Cornerstone Chapel, 4743 Patriot Highway, holds services on Sunday at 11 a.m. 540/663-3398; cornerstonechapel.cc.

Eastland United Methodist Church, 10718 Courthouse Road, worships in person on Sunday at 11 a.m.; masks are optional. Services are also livestreamed on the churchs Facebook page. 540/898-6430; eastlandumc.org.

Goshen Baptist Church, 9800 Gordon Road, worships Sunday at 10:45 a.m.; Sunday school is 9:30 a.m. for ages 3 to adult. Awana Clubs for ages 2 through fifth grade is Wednesday at 6:15 p.m. Register on the churchs website. 540/786-7500; goshenbaptistchurch.net.

Mercy Hill Community Church, 9215 Courthouse Road, worships Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Mercyhillcc.org.

New Post Church, 1900 New Post Blvd., worships in person on Sunday at 11 a.m. Services are also streamed at facebook.com/newpostchurch. 540/287-4100; newpost.church.

Peace United Methodist Church, 801 Maple Grove Drive, worships in person on Sunday at 8:30 and 11 a.m. Services are also streamed on Facebook; search for Family Of Peace. 540/786-8585; passthepeacechurch.org.

Potomac Valley Church, 12500 Chewning Lane, worships in person on Sundays at 10 a.m. and provides a childrens ministry. povachurch.churchcenter.com; 703/878-6937.

Redeemer Bible Church, 7610 Heths Salient St., worships in person on Sunday at 9:30 and 11 a.m. Services are also streamed on the churchs Facebook page.

Resurrection Lutheran Church, 6170 Plank Road, worships in person and online on Sunday at 10 a.m. The service is livestreamed on facebook.com/ResurrectionPeople or resurrectionpeople.org. Bulletins are posted one hour before worship. Prayer requests may be left on the chat on the Facebook page. 540/786-7778; resurrectionpeople.org.

Spotswood Baptist Church, 4009 Lafayette Blvd., worships in person on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. (traditional) and 11 a.m. (contemporary). Services are also streamed at Spotswood.org/watch-live and the churchs Facebook page. Small groups meet Sunday mornings and throughout the week. spotswood.org.

St. Matthew Catholic Church, 8200 Robert E. Lee Drive, hosts a drive-up food pantry and baby closet 26 p.m. Wednesdays; 9 a.m. to noon Fridays; and 911 a.m. on the first Saturday of every month.

Tabernacle United Methodist Church, 7310A Old Plank Road. Worship Sunday in person at 8:15 and 10:30 a.m.; join the 10:30 a.m. service via livestream at tabumc.org/watch. The church will host a prayer breakfast on Jan. 6 at 9 a.m. The Resource Closet provides nonperishable food and paper/personal care items to families in need on the last Saturday of the month, 911 a.m. 540/786-6162; tabumc.org.

Wallers Baptist Church, 4001 Partlow Road, Partlow. On Sunday, a traditional service will be held at 11 a.m. and posted on the churchs Facebook page by 4 p.m. Drive Thru Prayer continues to be held in the church parking lot Wednesdays, 56 p.m. Wednesday night Bible Study will resume Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. 540/582-5703; wallersbaptist.com.

STAFFORD COUNTY

Andrew Chapel United Methodist Church, 1732 Brooke Road, offers Sunday contemporary worship at 9 a.m. Traditional services are Sundays at 11 a.m., in person and on YouTube. Sunday School for all ages is 10 a.m. Bible study is held Wednesdays at 11:30 a.m. 540/659-2461; andrewchapelumc@yahoo.com; andrewchapelumc-staffordva.com.

Antioch United Methodist Church, 138 Kellogg Mill Road, worships in person on Sundays at 9:30 a.m., following current guidelines. A food pantry for qualified families is open every other Thursday from 35 p.m. 540/752-3108; antiochumcstafford.org.

Aquia Episcopal Church, 2938 Richmond Highway, offers worship services at 7:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. most Sundays. Sunday school for all ages is at 9:30 a.m. in the Christian Formation and Fellowship Building. Broadcasts for morning prayer continue at facebook.com/AquiaEpiscopalChurch on most Sundays at 7:30 a.m. and most weekdays at 8 a.m. Bible studies are offered on most Wednesdays at 7 p.m. and most Thursdays at 11 a.m. on Facebook Live. These events are viewable afterward and can be accessed without a Facebook account. Aquias Table provides curbside pickup of takeout meals and Aquias Pantry provides curbside pickup of groceries on most Wednesdays, 67 p.m., while supplies last. 540/659-4007; aquiachurch.org.

Beth Sholom Temple, 805 Lyons Blvd. Friday evening Shabbat services are at 7:30 p.m. On first Fridays, a family Shabbat service is at 7 p.m. On Saturday, Shabbat services are at 10 a.m., and Torah study is at noon. 540/373-4834; bstva.org.

Bethel Baptist Church, 1193 White Oak Road, will host a craft show on March 16, 9 a.m.3 p.m. Vendor applications and more information are available on the church website. 540/371-3650; bethelbaptistva.org.

Bethlehem Baptist Church, 135 Chapel Green Road, will hold in-person services on first, second and third Sundays at 10 a.m.; phone conference call is also available. Devotion starts at 9:50 a.m. Services on fourth and fifth Sundays will be by conference call: 425/436-6350 code is 245538#. Communion is held on first Sundays. Bible Study is Wednesdays at 7p.m. by conference call. On Thursdays, Noon Day Prayer and Sunday school at 7 p.m. are by conference call.

Ferry Farm Baptist Church, 1 Westmoreland Drive. On Sunday, a combined worship service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Services are also livestreamed at ferryfarmbc.org.

Hollywood Church of the Brethren, 225 Ferry Road. Worship services are Sundays at 11 a.m. in person and on Facebook and YouTube. Sunday school for all ages is 10 a.m. The church hosts a food pantry on Tuesdays, 10 a.m. until noon. Donations are appreciated.

Hulls Memorial Baptist Church, 420 Enon Road. Sunday school and adult Bible study are at 9:30 a.m., and Sunday worship is at 10:45 a.m. Childcare/nursery is provided. 540/371-4124; hullsbaptist.org.

Mount Olive Baptist Church, 395 Mt. Olive Road, worships in person on Sunday at 11 a.m.; or connect on Facebook or by conference call to 202/602-1295, access code 778-183-179#. 540/752-4296.

New Hope United Methodist Church, 164 New Hope Church Road, has resumed in-person worship. A drive-in option is also available. The service can be viewed on YouTube and Facebook. 540/370-4875; newhopeva.com.

Rock Hill Baptist Church, 12 Van Horn Lane. On Sunday, Bible study for all ages is at 9:30 a.m.; worship service is at 11 a.m. 540/752-0336; rockhillbaptistchurch.org.

St. Lukes Anglican Church, 65 Warrenton Road, Falmouth, celebrates the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass using the 1928 Book of Common Prayer on Sundays at 11 a.m. Sunday school for adults and children is at 10 a.m. On Thursdays, midday prayer and Holy Mass are at noon. The Sacrament of Confession is offered on Thursdays and by appointment. 540/371-8405; stlukeanglican.org.

St. Matthias United Methodist Church, 426 Deacon Road, worships in person Sundays at 10 a.m. 540/373-8759; stmtoday.com.

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Fredericksburg, 25 Chalice Circle, worships Sunday at 10:30 a.m., in person and online. Zoom and YouTube links may be found at uuffxbg.org. 540/310-4001.

KING GEORGE COUNTY

Emmanuel Church, 17062 James Madison Parkway, hosts Rite II Holy Communion on the third and fifth Sundays at 10 a.m. 540/775-3635; hwbkgva.org.

Fletchers Chapel United Methodist Church, 8330 Fletchers Chapel Road, holds in-person worship on Sunday at 9 a.m., followed by adult Sunday school at 10 a.m. On the second Sunday of each month, Coffee Fellowship is at 10 a.m. with Sunday school at 10:30 a.m. 540/775-7247; fletcherschapel-kinggeorge-va.org.

Gods Holy Temple, 17192 Kings Highway, worships Sundays at 11 a.m.; Bible study is Wednesdays at 7 p.m.

Good Hope Baptist Church, 17223 Good Hope Road, worships in person on Sundays at 9 a.m. Masks are required.

Little Ark Baptist Church, 15681 Owens Drive, holds Bible school at 8:45 a.m. and worship service at 10 a.m. on Sunday; worship is streamed on Facebook Live. Bible study is Wednesday at 6 p.m. The churchs radio broadcast is Saturday at 4:40 p.m. and Sunday at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. at dmvpoweredgospel.airtime.pro. 540/663-2831; little.arkbc@gmail.com; littlearkbaptistchurch.org.

Mountain View Baptist Church, 6713 Passapatanzy Drive. On Sunday, small group Bible study is at 10 a.m., followed by a worship service at 11 a.m. On Wednesday, youth group for grades 712, adult Bible study and CIA Adventures for preschoolgrade 6 are at 7 p.m. mtnviewbaptistchurch.org.

Peace Lutheran Church, 5590 Kings Highway. On Sunday, worship service with Holy Communion will be held at 9:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. 540/775-9131; peacekg.com.

St. Johns Episcopal Church, 9415 Kings Highway, hosts Rite II Holy Communion on the first, second and fourth Sundays at 10 a.m.; coffee hour follows the service. 540/775-3635; hwbkgva.org.

St. Pauls Episcopal Church, 5486 St. Pauls Road, worships in person Sundays at 8 and 10 a.m., following current health guidelines. 540/663-3085; stpaulskgva.org.

St. Stephens Baptist Church, 9142 Comorn Road, worships in person Sundays at 10 a.m. Access the service by conference line at 1-712/832-8330, access code 8055544#, or on Facebook Live.

CAROLINE COUNTY

First Baptist Church, 9262 Guinea Station Road, Woodford, will not hold an in-person service on Sunday. A New Years Eve Watch Night service will be on Zoom beginning at 11:30 p.m. Stream services at us02web.zoom.us/j/8046334233 (meeting ID: 8046334233). To dial in, call 301/715-8592 (meeting ID: 8046334233). 804/633-4233; firstbaptistwoodford.com.

Long Branch Baptist Church, 14297 Long Branch Road, Woodford. On Sunday, Sunday school is 10 a.m. and worship service is 11 a.m. The service is also streamed on the church website and YouTube. Bible study is Wednesdays, 78 p.m.; call in to 605/313-5416, access code 7856145#. 540/373-0690; lbbcwoodford.org.

River Rock Church Caroline, Lewis and Clark Elementary School, 18101 Clark and York Blvd., Ruther Glen, worships Sundays at 10:15 a.m. Service is also streamed at riverrockcc.com. Community groups meet in person Sunday mornings at 9 a.m. and throughout the week; they can be found at riverrockcc.com/next-steps/community-groups.

St. Mary of the Annunciation Catholic Church, 10306 Ladysmith Road. In-church Mass is held Saturday at 5 p.m. and Sunday at 8:30 and 11 a.m. The church sponsors a drive-up food pantry on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 67:30 p.m. Bring your ID. 804/448-9064; saintmarycc.org.

St. Paul United Methodist Church, 25187 Signboard Road, Ruther Glen, meets in person on Sundays at 11 a.m.

ORANGE COUNTY

Mount Olive Baptist Church, 11251 Tower Road, Unionville. Sundays service is at 10 a.m.

CULPEPER COUNTY

Beulah Baptist Church, 9297 Eggbornsville Road, Rixeyville, holds Sunday school at 9 a.m. and worship service at 10 a.m. 540/937-5563; bbc9297@gmail.com.

Christ Episcopal Church, 14586 Alanthus Road, Brandy Station, will hold a regular church service Sunday at 9 a.m. christchurchbs.com.

Jeffersonton Baptist Church, 18498 Springs Road, Jeffersonton, hosts Bible study Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the church and online. 540/937-5446; jeffersontonbaptistchurch.org.

Oakland Baptist Church, 28348 Eleys Ford Road, Richardsville. Worship in person on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. Sunday school is at 9:30 a.m. obcrichardsville@gmail.com; 540/399-1248.

WESTMORELAND COUNTY

Our Lady of Good Hope Anglican Catholic Church, at Stilfontein Priory, 11264 Kings Highway, Montross, celebrates the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass every Sunday at 5 p.m. Church open daily for private prayer. 804/465-1986; stilfonteinpriory.org.

REGIONAL

First Baptist Church, 5340 Tidewater Trail, Loretto, holds worship services in the gym on Sundays at 11 a.m. Temperature checks, social distancing and masks/face coverings are required. Sunday worship and Wednesday 7 p.m. Bible study is livestreamed at facebook.com/fbcloretto or the conference line, 313/209-8800, access code 2610624#. Moments of Inspiration for Seniors is Thursdays, 66:30 p.m.; call 425/436-6367, access code: 871111. 804/443-5007.

Kirk OCliff Presbyterian Church, 16420 Monrovia Road, Mineral, holds services Sundays at 11 a.m. with Sunday school at 10 a.m. 540/854-5525; kirk@kirkocliff.org; kirkocliff.org.

Temple of Deliverance, HCG, 5756 Zachary Taylor Highway, Mineral, holds Sunday worship at 11 a.m. Arrive early for temperature check; masks are optional. Sermon is livestreamed at 11:30 a.m. on Facebook Live. Bible study sessions are Mondays and Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. on Facebook Live. Ladies Evening Prayer is Tuesday at 8 p.m. by conference call; dial in: 978/990-5066, access code: 2133327. The church operates a food pantry every third Thursday, 57 p.m., in the basement. 540/894-4458; templeofdeliverancehcg.org.
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During the late 1950s and early 1960s, Gaslight Square was the hippest, hottest place in St. Louis. Stars from Miles Davis to Barbra Streisand were among the entertainers who performed there. But with the crowds, came the crime. Car theives, purse snatchers and more, quickly became a problem.

Then on Dec. 30, 1964, artist Lillian Heller was fatally shot in a robbery in the vestibule of her apartment building at 4254 Gaslight, just east of Boyle. For many, that was the last straw. Crowds stayed away, clubs began closing. By the end of sixties, Gaslight was dead. Here was our original report from Feb. 18, 1965, foreshadowing the end.

Many women proprietors of antique shops in Gaslight Square keep their doors locked during daytime business hours because they are afraid of toughs and thieves, they told the Post-Dispatch yesterday.

Only regular customers or persons "who look respectable" are admitted, several antique shop operators in the Boyle and Olive area said. Suspicious-looking persons are waved on.

Other antique shop proprietors have sharply curtailed their business hours for fear of hooligans in the early morning or from 4 to 7 p.m. when Gaslight Square is relatively quiet.

A reporter who toured Gaslight Square antique shops at 3:30 p.m. yesterday found that six of eight shops operated by women had locked doors. Signs instructed the caller, however, that the stores were open, and after the reporter rang or knocked, he was admitted.

After numerous break -ins, thievery and harassment, Dave Krush, owner of a souvenir shop at 4231 Gaslight Square, has closed his store. "And I'm not going to open it until we get at least one policeman walking a beat in this area during the day," Krush said. "If we don't get adequate police protection here, Gaslight Square will be ruined," he said.

"Local people are becoming afraid to come here." Miss Velma Moifry, proprie- tor of Mosley's Antique Ship, 4201 Gaslight Square, said that "all women who run antique shops here are scared stiff."

The women proprietors sit near the door where they can see who wants to come in or they answer a knocker or doorbell and then look over callers.

"We have good reason to be afraid, " Miss Mosley said. "Muggings and thievery go on here that you don't hear about. If you had a man in the shop, you could take a chance and leave the door open to anyone who wants to come in.

"But without a man around, a single woman running a shop here may find herself confronted by a couple of toughs when the streets outside are deserted. A single woman operating an antique shop is an easy mark."

Miss Ann Hirschfeld, proprietor of Bennett's Antiques, 4221 Gaslight Square, said that the killing of Mrs. Lillian Heller in the vestibule of the Cumberland Apartments, 4254 Gaslight Square, about 7 p.m. Dec. 30 had increased the women's fears.

George Taylor, a paroled con-vict, was charged with the murder of Mrs. Heller in a warrant issued by the circuit attorney today.

The 4-to-7 p.m. period is said by women and men antique shop operators to be the most dangerous time of the day for the store operator in Gaslight Square.

Miss Lillian Ford and Miss Lee Littlepage said they keep their doors open during the day because they have male help but that they have drastically cut their hours.

A spokesman for the Police Department said that police protection in Gaslight Square during the day is as good as in any neighborhood in the city. Every neighborhood would like to have a beat policeman walking up and down the street all day, but the department has found that men in patrol cars are more efficient and give better protection, the spokesman said.

Squad cars patrol the area during the day. At night more squad cars are used and detectives walk the streets.

Look Back: Gaslight Square in St. Louis
ST. LOUIS  A Mississippi-based egg producer announced Friday that it had reached a deal to buy Tysons former chicken plant in Dexter, Missouri, and convert the facility to egg production.

Tyson closed the Dexter site, where almost 700 people worked, in mid-October as the company moved to improve profit margins with a sweep of plant closures across the country.

The company, Cal-Maine, said it had reached a definitive agreement to buy Tysons processing plant, hatchery and feed mill in Dexter. The processing plant will be converted into an egg grading facility. A purchase price was not disclosed.

Dexter City Administrator David Wyman applauded the news. The deal will restore some of the jobs lost to the Tyson layoffs, he said Friday, bring business to some of the farmers who had contracted with Tyson, and prevent the buildings from becoming blighted.

But it wont create nearly as many jobs as were lost.

Its great for Dexter, Wyman said. Were excited to have them. But as a city, were not where we need to be. We need to push forward, and attract new businesses.

The Cal-Maine site will support about 96 jobs, according to the state Department of Economic Development  a far cry from the 683 who worked there under Tysons ownership.

The announcement of the plants closure earlier this year was a shock to the city, where 7,900 people live. The site had long provided the area with jobs and tax revenues, and its workers pumped money into the local economy by living and spending inside Dexters city limits. Some local farmers had relied on their business with the Dexter plant for decades.

Cal-Maine said that additional investments, beyond those announced Friday, are possible. And the company said it planned to contract with some of the farmers who had relied on Tyson to buy their chickens and grain.

Chickens can only be transported a short distance  both for animal welfare and because the birds are more likely to die on longer journeys. One family of farmers filed a lawsuit against Tyson in August, claiming that because the Dexter site was the only chicken processing facility within 45 miles of the familys farm, its closure would reduce the value of their operations to nearly nothing.

Wyman said the city will continue working to attract another poultry producing company to the area.

Were super proud of our town, Wyman said. But, he added, we still have a lot of work left to do.

The deal is expected to close in the third fiscal quarter. The facility is expected to begin operations in the summer of 2024.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY  The vice president of a nonprofit that raises money to provide service dogs to military veterans has been charged with stealing from the organization after authorities say he embezzled more than $36,000 to pay personal debts.

Brett Aaron Leary, vice president of the Des Peres-based Gateway Warrior Foundation, was charged Dec. 21 in St. Louis County Circuit Court with a felony count of stealing.

Leary, 42, of Eureka, admitted to taking money from the nonprofit from March through October, according to charging documents. He tried to repay the organization, but his $36,000 check bounced.

Learys father, Denny Leary, was the longtime president of the foundation. He resigned after his son was charged.

Neither Brett Leary nor his father could be reached for comment on Friday. An attorney for Leary was not listed in court documents.

The nonprofit said in a written statement that the board of directors immediately reported the theft to the police and cooperated fully with the investigation.

The board was deeply saddened by Learys actions and thankful for the thoughtful and thorough investigation by law enforcement, the organization said.

We remain committed to helping Veterans recover from the wounds they received while serving our nation.

The Gateway Warrior Foundation was founded in 2010 by Master Gunnery Sgt. Leonard Lennie P. Miller, a veteran of the Marine Corps and Vietnam War. Miller died in 2014. A relative of Miller said Friday the family has not been involved with the foundation since then.

The nonprofit had about $25,700 in assets in 2021 when it last reported a tax filing. It previously reported raising between $100,000 to $200,000 each year in donations  and spending nearly that much in expenses, including grants to other veterans support nonprofits that provide counseling, job training, rehabilitation and other services.

Leary, who was described in charging documents as the son of one of the nonprofits co-founders, was named vice president earlier this year. He was previously the organizations secretary for about six years, according to state records.

Soon after Leary became vice president, the foundation closed its previous bank account and opened a new one with Leary as the accounts sole administrator, according to charging documents. As part of the move, Leary was given a debit card and checks for the bank account.

Months later, the foundations treasurer requested bank statements and saw that Leary had written multiple checks to himself totaling several thousand dollars, without listing a reason for the expenses, according to charging documents. The treasurer was not named in the probable cause statement.

Leary later admitted to the nonprofits board that he stole from the foundation to pay off loans and debts from his credit card, according to charging documents.

Leary wrote a check to the foundation for $36,716.44 to try to pay back the money he stole, but a bank denied the transaction because Leary didnt have enough money to see it through, according to charging documents. Leary eventually turned himself in to police, but insisted he had paid back all the stolen money.
KIMMSWICK  These days, the only riverboats visitors can observe on the Mississippi River at Kimmswick are cruising right past this historic town.

The boats go by, even though they cant land, Mayor Phil Stang said.

Its a disappointing reality for Stang after efforts to lure excursion river cruise boats culminated in the first cruise vessel, the American Duchess, docking at the newly constructed Kimmswick port in July 2021.

But persistently low water levels more recently have placed the dock out of reach for excursion boats looking to safely land here  a stark contrast to years of floods that have tested Kimmswicks levees.

Were just praying that we get some water, Stang said. My prayers are enough water to float boats but not enough water that I have to build the levee up again.

Low water levels this year on the Mississippi have caused problems elsewhere: from ships running aground at Vicksburg, Mississippi, to saltwater from the Gulf of Mexico moving up the river and harming drinking water supplies in southern Louisiana.

Janet Meredith, spokeswoman for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in St. Louis, said the Corps maintains a 9-foot channel on the river, allowing goods to be transported.

Weve been able to maintain our shipping channel all year long, she said. We had no stoppages or restrictions in our area of operations, which stretches from Saverton, Missouri, south to Cairo, Illinois.

Stang said a lack of boats at Kimmswick hasnt hurt the city as much as one might expect, as visitors have continued spending money in the towns network of shops and restaurants.

We get some income from the people who are on the boats, Stang said. But the majority of the impact on the city of Kimmswick comes from the people who now know that Kimmswick is a historic river city.

In the past, you basically couldnt get to the river in the first place because it was a bunch of brush and stuff down there, he said.

In 2022, 13 one-day riverboat stops were scheduled for Kimmswick, but most of the landings didnt take place due to low water, the Jefferson County Leader reported.

Meanwhile, one companys absence from the Kimmswick riverfront isnt due to current low water levels.

The Delta Queen Steamboat Company announced in 2015 that Kimmswick would be its port of call and headquarters. Before the historic vessel could embark on overnight excursions, it needed an exemption to federal law, which came in 2018.

But since then, the company has faced numerous setbacks, manager Phillip Johnson said.

He said the company spent 2019 trying to put together financing for the project, but that efforts were derailed in early 2020 with the COVID-19 pandemic that shut down of the cruise industry.

In 2021, the historic Delta Queen sustained damage from Hurricane Ida, Johnson said.

Only recently did the insurance monies come through and repairs to the vessel get underway, he said in an email. The damage was primarily to the roof and outer decks, such as railings and a few windows. The interior of the vessel remains in good condition and thanks to the new roof has remained dry and preserved.

We are currently in talks with a couple groups to secure a future for the Delta Queen as an overnight cruise vessel, Johnson said. Should we be successful we most certainly plan to stop in Kimmswick.
Greek bread called Vasilopita - Sweet Bread of Basil- is displayed in the home of Mary Bencie of Chesterton. Vasilopita is traditionally prepared for New Years. - Original Credit: Mary Bencie (Handout/HANDOUT)

Cultural and ethnic traditions encompass the holiday season, and many celebrate New Years just as much as Christmas.

Many celebrate with fireworks, lavish parties, and countdowns, but most of the celebrations center around the food.

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Greek tradition allows for the throwing of a pomegranate against the front door, to symbolize good luck, and also the baking of bread called Vasilopita  Sweet Bread of Basil. When prepared, a coin is baked into the ingredients. The pieces of bread are cut in a special order.

The person that receives the piece of bread with the coin is said to have had luck for the whole year, said Mary Bencie, of Chesterton. We would tape the coin to the back of our icon.

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When I was growing up, my mom also made a chicken and rice pita with homemade phyllo dough in a big round pan, and put it in a coin just like we do with Vasilopita, said Bencie. I remember rolling out the dough to be nice and thin, lifting up the sheets and backing them for a few minutes.

Italians love to celebrate with food, and New Years is no different.

My mom would make spaghetti aglio e olio (garlic and oil) with raisins and sometimes walnuts, said Elaine Russell, formerly of Valparaiso, who now lives in Central City, Kentucky. Also a homemade pizza with cheese and anchovies, and a coconut cake.

Antonia Caruso Russell and Nunzia Pignatoro Caruso, mother and grandmother of Elaine Russell, in their 1950s kitchen in New Jersey. Italian celebrations often centered around food and days of preparation in the kitchen. - Original Credit: Elaine Russell (Handout/HANDOUT)

Russells parents were Sicilian and Napolitano, and said their foods and customs were a combination of both.

Coconut and lentils were for good luck, said Russell. Raisins were said to be for growth and prosperity for the new year.

We would always get to stay up late as kids, said Russell, who grew up in New Jersey. Then at midnight shoot off guns and bang pot lids together.

Traditions in other countries revolve around food as well.

My dads parents came from the Netherlands, and my grandfather had a bakery, so baked goods were abundant in my family, said Dori Smith, of Goli, Michigan.

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One of my fondest memories was going to the big family home in New Years Day for Olie Bollen (fat balls), said Smith. This is a traditional New Years Eve treat in the Netherlands, but our family got together to make them the next morning.

Ours had chopped apple and raisins in the dough, and it was the kids job to shake them in a brown paper bag with granulated sugar, said Smith. Powdered sugar is the more traditional topping but when I make them now, I still like them the way I remember them as a child.

New Years Eve for 2024 is celebrated Dec. 31, and, with time zones, the Pacific islands, specifically Kiribati, are the countries that will welcome the New Year first, celebrating almost a day earlier. Officially, the last inhabited country to celebrate the new year is the United States, according to nationalgeographic.com.

Deena Lawley-Dixon is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
STANFORD, Ky. (AP)  Police in Kentucky found a missing 16-year-old North Carolina girl under a trap door in the bedroom of a 34-year-old man after the man's mother called authorities to report a domestic dispute between the two, according to arrest reports.

When deputies with the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office arrived at the home on Christmas Day, Zachary Jones told them the girl had fled, but his mother disputed that and deputies began searching to check on her safety, the reports said. She was found inside a bed room in a cut out door in the floor covered by a rug," the report said.

Deputies later determined that she had been reported missing from Fayetteville, North Carolina, on Dec. 6.

The girl told deputies that Jones picked her up after making contact a few weeks earlier and that he originally told her he was 19. When they met and she questioned why he looked older, he told her he was 25, but she found out after getting to his home and meeting his family that he was 34, the reports said. She said he threatened her and told her to tell people she was 18.

She told officers that he had a gun and had threatened to kill her several times and that on the day they were found, they had used drugs and he had choked and assaulted her, the arrest reports said.

Jones was originally taken into custody because he tried to destroy drug paraphernalia that deputies found in the home while searching for the girl, reports said.

Jones admitted using drugs with her and having an altercation, but he denied choking her, one report said. Marks were visible on her throat, it said. Jones and the girl both said they had sex on multiple occasions, and Jones admitted to luring her by using an electronic device and taking her from her grandmother's home in North Carolina, the reports said.

He was charged with multiple crimes, including third-degree rape, unlawful imprisonment, assault, strangulation, possession of a controlled substance and unlawful transaction with a minor.

It wasn't clear whether Jones has an attorney. A phone number for his mother rang unanswered Friday, but she told WRAL-TV in North Carolina that she thought the girl was an adult.

I asked him how old she was. He said, Shes 19. So, I took that as the truth, Rhonda Jones told the station. I believed him, because a lot of girls looked older than they are.

She also said the girl didn't appear to be held against her will.

To me, she willingly came with him, Rhonda Jones said. I just feel like, theyd probably been talking. I dont know how long hes been texting her. From what the cops said that she was unhappy where she was at, and she felt like she was cared for and came with him.
Comedian Tom Smothers, one-half of the Smothers Brothers, dies at 86

Tom Smothers, half of the Smothers Brothers and the co-host of one of the most socially conscious and groundbreaking television shows in the history of the medium, has died at 86.

The National Comedy Center, on behalf of his family, said in a statement Wednesday that Smothers died Tuesday at home in Santa Rosa, California, following a cancer battle.

"Tom was not only the loving older brother that everyone would want in their life, he was a one-of-a-kind creative partner. I am forever grateful to have spent a lifetime together with him, on and off stage, for over 60 years," his brother and the duo's other half, Dick Smothers, said in the statement. "Our relationship was like a good marriage  the longer we were together, the more we loved and respected one another. We were truly blessed."

Read more here:

Maine bars Trump from ballot as US Supreme Court weighs state authority to block former president

Maines Democratic secretary of state on Thursday removed former President Donald Trump from the states presidential primary ballot under the Constitutions insurrection clause, becoming the first election official to take action unilaterally as the U.S. Supreme Court is poised to decide whether Trump remains eligible to return to the White House.

The decision by Secretary of State Shenna Bellows follows a ruling earlier this month by the Colorado Supreme Court that booted Trump from the ballot there under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. That decision has been stayed until the U.S. Supreme Court decides whether Trump is barred by the Civil War-era provision, which prohibits those who engaged in insurrection from holding office.

The Trump campaign said it would appeal Bellows' decision to Maine's state courts, and Bellows suspended her ruling until that court system rules on the case. In the end, it is likely that the nation's highest court will have the final say on whether Trump appears on the ballot in Maine and in the other states.

Read more here:

From pastina pasta to Sierra Mist, here are 8 food and drinks we lost in 2023

You mightve indulged in some of the final bites and slurps of your favorite food and drinks without even realizing it.

2023 marked the end of McDonalds baked goods (thankfully, we have new treats at CosMcs to anticipate), the final batch of a historic craft beer and a Girl Scouts cookie that was one year old, among other fan-favorite foods that are now in the garbage heap of history.

Restaurants and food manufacturers are constantly evaluating whats selling and whats not, so its not a surprise that these items are disappearing. But it doesnt make their losses any easier for fans.

Read more here:

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Get more of the week's top news here:
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip  Israeli warplanes struck two urban refugee camps in central Gaza on Saturday, as the Biden administration approved a new emergency weapons sale to Israel despite persistent international cease-fire calls over mounting civilian deaths, hunger and mass displacement in the enclave.

Even a brief halt in fighting seems out of reach. A senior Hamas official told The Associated Press in Beirut that the group has not budged from its position that a permanent cease-fire has to be the starting point for any further releases of Israeli and foreign hostages the group holds, which runs counter to a recent proposal by Egypt for a staged end to the war.

Its a demand Israel is bound to reject. Israel has said it will pursue its unprecedented air and ground offensive until it has dismantled Hamas, a goal viewed by some as unattainable because of the militant groups deep roots in Palestinian society. The United States has shielded Israel diplomatically and has continued to supply weapons.

Israel argues that ending the war now would mean victory for Hamas, a stance shared by the Biden administration, which at the same time urged Israel to do more to avoid harm to Palestinian civilians.

The war, triggered by the deadly Oct. 7 Hamas attack on southern Israel, has killed more than 21,600 Palestinians, with 165 people killed over the past 24 hours, the Health Ministry in Gaza said Saturday. The fighting has displaced some 85% of Gazas 2.3 million residents, sending swells of people seeking shelter in Israeli-designated safe areas that the military has nevertheless bombed. Palestinians are left with a sense that nowhere is safe in the tiny enclave.

With Israeli forces pushing deeper into the southern city of Khan Younis and the camps of central Gaza, tens of thousands of Palestinians streamed into the already crowded city of Rafah at the southernmost end of Gaza in recent days.

Thousands of tents and makeshift shacks have sprung up on Rafahs outskirts next to U.N. warehouses. Displaced people arrived in Rafah on foot or on trucks and carts piled high with mattresses. Those who did not find space in overwhelmed shelters pitched tents on roadsides.

We dont have water. We dont have enough food, Nour Daher, a displaced woman, said Saturday from the sprawling tent camp. The kids wake up in the morning wanting to eat, wanting to drink. It took us one hour to find water for them. We couldnt bring them flour. Even when we wanted to take them to toilets, it took us one hour to walk.

In the urban refugee camps of Nuseirat and Bureij in central Gaza, residents reported airstrikes overnight and into Saturday.

Nuseirat resident Mustafa Abu Wawee said a strike hit the home of one of his relatives, killing two people.

The (Israeli) occupation is doing everything to force people to leave, he said over the phone while searching along with others for four people missing under the rubble. They want to break our spirit and will, but they will fail. We are here to stay.

More U.S. weapons for Israel

The State Department said Friday that Secretary of State Antony Blinken told Congress he approved a $147.5 million sale for equipment, including fuses, charges and primers, that is needed for 155 mm shells Israel bought previously.

It marked the second time this month that the Biden administration is bypassing Congress to approve an emergency weapons sale to Israel. The department cited the urgency of Israels defensive needs as a reason for the approval.

Blinken made a similar decision on Dec. 9 to approve the sale to Israel of nearly 14,000 rounds of tank ammunition worth more than $106 million.

Both moves have come as President Joe Bidens request for a nearly $106 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and other national security needs remains stalled in Congress, caught up in a debate over U.S. immigration policy and border security. Some Democratic lawmakers have spoken of making the proposed $14.3 billion in American assistance to its Mideast ally contingent on concrete steps by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government to reduce civilian casualties in Gaza during the war with Hamas.

Difficulties in delivering aid

More than a week after a U.N. Security Council resolution called for the unhindered delivery of aid at scale across besieged Gaza, conditions have only worsened, U.N. agencies warned.

Aid officials said the aid entering Gaza remains woefully inadequate. Distributing goods is hampered by long delays at two border crossings, ongoing fighting, Israeli airstrikes, repeated cuts in internet and phone services and a breakdown of law and order that makes it difficult to secure aid convoys, they said.

Nearly the entire population is fully dependent on outside humanitarian aid, said Philippe Lazzarini, head of UNRWA, the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees. A quarter of the population is starving because too few trucks enter with food, medicine, fuel and other supplies  sometimes fewer than 100 trucks a day, according to U.N. daily reports.

U.N. monitors said operations at the Israeli-run Kerem Shalom crossing halted for four days this week because of security incidents, such as a drone strike and the seizing of aid by desperate Gaza residents.

They said the crossing reopened Friday, and that a total of 81 aid trucks entered Gaza through Kerem Shalom and the Rafah crossing on the Egyptian border  a fraction of the typical prewar volume of 500 trucks a day.

Trading for hostages

Gazas health ministry said Saturday that the Palestinian death toll since the start of the war rose to 21,672, with a further 56,165 people wounded during the same period. The ministry does not distinguish between the deaths of combatants and civilians, but has said about 70% of those killed have been women and children.

Israeli officials, meanwhile, have vowed to bring back more than 100 hostages still held in Gaza, after militants seized more than 240 in the Oct. 7 assault that also killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians.

The military on Saturday announced the deaths of two more soldiers in Gaza, bringing the total number of troops killed since the start of the ground offensive to 170.

Mediator Egypt has proposed a multistage plan that would kick off with a swap of hostages for prisoners, accompanied by a temporary cease-fire  along the lines of an exchange during a weeklong truce in November.

In a subsequent phase, talks would begin on forming a transitional Palestinian government of experts who would run both Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Israel and Hamas remain far apart on the terms of a cease-fire and future swaps.

We have been clear that a complete cease-fire is the first step, Osama Hamdan, a senior Hamas official in Beirut, said Saturday. Its a position that seemingly derails the Egyptian plan, though Hamdan also said conversations are continuing.

There are also ideas we have received through our brothers in Qatar, and we have not given any final answer so far, he said. This may take some time. We are keen to talk about the details, because the idea put forward today may develop in different ways and may no longer be raised at all.

Magdy reported from Cairo. Associated Press writer Jack Jeffery in London contributed to this report.
MINNEAPOLIS  A Minnesota woman sued her dentist after receiving four root canals, eight dental crowns and 20 fillings in a single visit that she says led to her disfigurement.

Kathleen Wilson filed the lawsuit recently in Hennepin County District Court, accusing Dr. Kevin Molldrem of Molldrem Family Dentistry in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, of providing negligent treatment in July 2020 that caused significant injuries to Wilson, along with providing an unsafe dosage of anesthesia and falsifying medical records to cover it up, the Star Tribune reported.

Molldrem and his attorney, Nathaniel Weimer, did not immediately respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press.

According to the Star Tribune, Wilson's legal team retained Dr. Avrum Goldstein, a dentist in Florida, to provide an expert opinion and review Wilson's medical records from Molldrem and subsequent providers. Goldsteins Nov. 14 report identified various duty-of-care breaches.

Goldstein said in the report that Molldrem made the right diagnosis, but he provided poor-quality treatment.

Wilson had decay on virtually every tooth in her mouth, something that is quite rare, Goldstein wrote. Molldrems attempt to restore all Wilsons teeth in one visit did nothing to address her susceptibility to disease or the potential of losing teeth, he said.

Katie required a slow, thoughtful, careful and measured response to her disease. Trying to fill every hole in every tooth in her mouth in one visit is not only the antithesis of what was indicated, it is not humanely possible to achieve in an effective or constructive manner, Goldstein said, adding that it is inconceivable to address 28 teeth in 5 12 hours.

One challenge of a long appointment is maintaining adequate anesthesia, Goldstein said. The maximum dosage is 490 mg  but Molldrem administered 960 mg to Wilson.

Wilsons records show that Molldrem said he administered eight tubes of dental anesthetic, known as carpules. But Goldstein found the first dose alone was eight carpules, and he administered 15 carpules throughout the visit.

Wilson went to a different dental office for an evaluation showing recurrent decay and other damage. For several months in 2022 she was treated at the University of Minnesota Dental School for repair and replacement of many of her restorations in an attempt to stabilize her mouth," Goldstein said.

If all of Wilsons teeth end up having to be removed and replaced with implants, Goldstein said all of the work that was done and all of the expense associated with it will have been for nothing."

Beyond medical costs, Wilson said she suffered pain, embarrassment, disfigurement and distress. She is asking for at least $50,000 in damages.
KYIV, Ukraine  Russia launched 122 missiles and dozens of drones against Ukrainian targets, officials said Friday, killing at least 30 civilians across the country in what an air force official called the biggest aerial barrage of the war.

At least 144 people were wounded and an unknown number were buried under rubble during the roughly 18-hour onslaught, Ukrainian officials said. A maternity hospital, apartment blocks and schools were among the buildings reported damaged across Ukraine.

Meanwhile, in Poland, authorities said an apparent Russian missile entered the countrys airspace Friday morning from the direction of Ukraine and then vanished off radars.

In the attack on Ukraine, the air force intercepted most of the ballistic and cruise missiles and the Shahed-type drones overnight, said Ukraines military chief, Valerii Zaluzhnyi.

Western officials and analysts recently warned that Russia limited its cruise missile strikes for months in an apparent effort to build up stockpiles for massive strikes during the winter, hoping to break the Ukrainians spirit.

The result was the most massive aerial attack since Russias full-scale invasion in February 2022, Air Force commander Mykola Oleshchuk wrote on his official Telegram channel. It topped the previous biggest assault, in November 2022 when Russia launched 96 missiles, and this years biggest, with 81 missiles on March 9, according to air force records.

Fighting along the front line is largely bogged down by winter weather after Ukraines summer counteroffensive failed to make a significant breakthrough.

Ukrainian officials have urged the countrys Western allies to provide it with more air defenses. Their appeals come as signs of war fatigue strain efforts to keep support in place.

The U.N. Security Council hastily convened later Friday to discuss the attack, which Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari called appalling.

Tragically, 2023 is ending as it began  with devastating violence against the people of Ukraine, he said, and noted that international humanitarian law forbids attacking civilians and civilian infrastructure.

President Joe Biden said in a statement that the bombardment shows Russian President Vladimir Putin must be stopped, but unless Congress takes urgent action in the new year, we will not be able to continue sending the weapons and vital air defense systems Ukraine needs to protect its people. Congress must step up and act.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the attack should stir the world to further action in support of Ukraine.

These widespread attacks on Ukraines cities show Putin will stop at nothing to achieve his aim of eradicating freedom and democracy, Sunak said on social media. We must continue to stand with Ukraine  for as long as it takes.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned Russias attack in the strongest terms and said attacks against civilians are unacceptable and must end immediately, according to a statement.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said the scale of the attack should wake people up to Ukraines continuing needs.

Today, millions of Ukrainians awoke to the loud sound of explosions, he wrote on social media. I wish those sounds of explosions in Ukraine could be heard all around the world. In all major capitals, headquarters, and parliaments, which are currently debating further support for Ukraine.

In Kyiv, the bombardment damaged a subway station that lies across the street from a factory belonging to the Artem company, which produces components for various military-grade missiles. Officials did not say whether the factory was directly hit.

Overall, the attack hit six cities, and reports of deaths and damage came in from across the country. Several dozen missiles were launched towards Kyiv, with more than 30 intercepted, said Serhii Popko, head of the Kyiv military administration. Eight people were killed there, officials said.

In Boyarka, near Kyiv, the debris of a shot-down drone fell on a home and started a fire. Andrii Korobka, 47, said his mother was sleeping next to the room where the wreckage landed and was taken to hospital suffering from shock.

The war goes on, and it can happen to any house, even if you think yours will never be affected, Korobka said.

Tetiana Sakhnenko lives next door and said neighbors ran with buckets of water to put out the blaze, but it spread quickly. Its so scary, she said.

In the eastern city of Dnipro, four maternity hospital patients were rescued from a fire, five people were killed and 20 injured, officials said.

In Odesa, on the southern coast, falling drone wreckage started a fire at a multistory residential building, according to the regional head, Oleh Kiper. Two people were killed and 15, including two children, were injured, he said.

The mayor of the western city of Lviv, Andrii Sadovyi, said one person was killed there, with three schools and a kindergarten damaged in a drone attack. Local emergency services said 30 people were injured.
Laura Lynch, who co-founded the immensely popular country band the Chicks  formerly known as the Dixie Chicks, died in a car crash Friday. She was 65.

Lynch was driving her truck in El Paso, Texas, when she was struck head-on by another vehicle and was pronounced deceased on the scene by a justice of the peace, according to a report from NPR.

The Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed the musicians death via a statement to NPR, which also reported that the other driver was transported to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries..

The three current members of the Chicks  lead vocalist and guitarist Natalie Maines and multi-instrumentalists Martie Maguire and Emily Strayer  posted a joint statement about Lynchs passing on the bands Instagram page.

We are shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Laura Lynch, a founding member of The Chicks. We hold a special place in our hearts for the time we spent playing music, laughing and traveling together. Laura was a bright light  her infectious energy and humor gave a spark to the early days of our band.

Laura had a gift for design, a love of all things Texas and was instrumental in the early success of the band. Her undeniable talents helped propel us beyond busking on street corners to stages all across Texas and the mid-West. Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones at this sad time.

Vocalist-bassist Lynch co-founded the Dallas, Texas country group with sisters Maguire and Strayer (both nee Erwin) and vocalist-guitarist Robin Lynn Macy in 1989. The foursome reportedly borrowed their original moniker from the title of Little Feats third studio outing, 1973's Dixie Chicken.

At the end of 1990, the group put out its first full-length album, Thank Heavens for Dale Evans, followed some 18 months later by Little Ol Cowgirl in 1992.

Lynch and Macy split vocal duties on those first two albums, both of which were independently released. Macy left the band in 1992 and Lynch became the full-time lead vocalist on Shouldnt a Told You That.

After three full-length albums, the group still had not been able to land a major-label recording contract or greatly expand its fanbase outside of Texas. That quickly changed once Lynch was replaced with Maines, who propelled the group to multiplatinum heights on the 1998 Monument Records debut Wide Open Spaces.

With Maines at the microphone, the group become one of the most popular acts in country music history, selling tens of millions of albums, earning multiple Grammys and playing countless sold-out shows.

Having gone by the Dixie Chicks for the first 30-plus years of its career, the group shortened its name to the Chicks in 2020 in response to concerns over the appropriateness of Dixie, a term often associated with slavery.
IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 30, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Talonvest Capital, Inc., a boutique self-storage and commercial real estate advisory firm, proudly announces the naming of its philanthropy initiative, Talonvest Philanthropy Partners. The program builds upon the company's tradition of giving back to the community to positively impact families, support education, and foster opportunities for children worldwide.

Since its founding in 2010, Talonvest Capital has dedicated a percentage of its top-line revenue to support various charitable causes, reflecting its belief in the power and impact of philanthropy. Talonvest's unique approach allows the firm to direct annual contributions to specific organizations that the company, clients, and employees are passionate about supporting.

Tom Sherlock, Co-Founder of the firm, commented, Talonvest Philanthropy Partners embodies our commitment to corporate and social responsibility as well as our collaborative culture. We hope to continue positively impacting the lives of those in need, inspire others to take action, and further a network of giving beyond financial donations.

As part of this announcement, Talonvest Capital discloses that it is set to surpass the milestone of $1,500,000 in cumulative donations. These contributions, made over the years, have supported various causes, from local community development to global initiatives to advance education and opportunities for children.

About Talonvest Capital, Inc.:

Talonvest Capital is a commercial real estate advisory firm sourcing cutting-edge lending programs and advising on capital market trends for industrial, self-storage, multifamily, office, and retail property owners. Talonvest Capital offers a unique boutique approach by leveraging the companys collective institutional knowledge and remaining highly engaged throughout the entire assignment, including the closing process, to deliver tailored capital solutions for their clients.

With over four decades of experience, Talonvest Capital has a unique perspective from its team's previous experience on the lending side, managing institutional equity, executing nationwide joint venture investments, and facilitating diverse capital placements for clients across the United States. Learn more at https://talonvest.com.

Contact: Daniela ValenciaTalonvest Capital, Inc.949.387.2368[email protected]

Source: Talonvest Capital, Inc.
ZenaDrone is now a revenue producing venture and the company is expecting major revenue streams in 2024

CHICAGO, IL - (NewMediaWire) - December 20, 2023 - Epazz, Inc. (OTC: EPAZ), a mission-critical provider of drone technology, blockchain mobile apps and cloud-based business software solutions, announced today that its subsidiary company, ZenaDrone, Inc. has executed the SBIR award contract that focused on ZenaDrones flagship drone, the ZenaDrone 1000 technology, to address the most pressing challenges in the Department of the Air Force (DAF).

The Company is meeting with the Air Force high-ranking personnel this week as part of the planning sessions. This is a major event that advances the company to the next level and provides it with more resources. ZenaDrone is now a revenue producing venture and the company is expecting major revenue streams in 2024. The company is focused on getting to phase 2 in the next 90 days, which is a contract award up to $1.2 million.

We are ecstatic to win in the Phase I of the SBIR Awards and receive the funding to further improve and upgrade the ZenaDrone 1000 technology, which is geared towards serving and addressing the needs of the Air Force and US Defense Department, commented Shaun Passley, Ph.D., CEO of Epazz, Inc. and ZenaDrone, Inc.

The Air Force Research Laboratory and AFWERX have partnered to streamline the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) process by accelerating the small business experience through faster proposal to award timelines, changing the pool of potential applicants by expanding opportunities to small business and eliminating bureaucratic overhead by continually implementing process improvement changes in contract execution.

The DAF began offering the Open Topic SBIR/STTR program in 2018 which expanded the range of innovations the DAF funded and now on December 15, 2023, Epazz ZenaDrone, Inc. has started its journey in creating and providing innovative capabilities that will strengthen the national defense of the United States of America.

The ZenaDrone 1000 is multi-purpose technology that can be used for both military and civilian applications. It is designed to be a reliable and cost-effective solution for the US Air Force and other defense departments. The drone is equipped with advanced sensors and cameras that can be used to detect and identify objects in the air, on the ground, and in the water. It also has the capability to detect and track moving targets, as well as provide real-time situational awareness.

The ZenaDrone 1000 is also designed to be a reliable and cost-effective solution for civilian applications. It can be used for search and rescue operations, surveillance, and mapping. It can also be used for agricultural applications, such as crop monitoring and precision agriculture.

About ZenaDrone Inc. (https://www.zenadrone.com/)

ZenaDrone Inc. is dedicated to improving its intelligent unmanned aerial vehicle technology that incorporates machine learning software and AI. It was created to revolutionize the farming sector and later evolved into an intelligent multifunctional industrial surveillance, inspection and monitoring solution.

About Epazz Inc. (https://www.epazz.com/)

Epazz Inc. is a leading cloud-based software company that specializes in providing customized cloud applications to the corporate world, higher education institutions and the public sector. Epazz BoxesOS v3.0 is a complete web-based software package for small and midsized businesses, Fortune 500 enterprises, government agencies and higher education institutions. BoxesOS provides many of the web-based applications organizations would otherwise need to purchase separately. Epazzs other products include DeskFlex (room-scheduling software) and Provitrac (an applicant-tracking system).

SAFE HARBOR

This Safe Harbor statement is made under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Certain statements contained in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of words such as may, expect, intend, estimate, anticipate, believe or continue (or the negatives thereof) or similar terminology. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that can cause actual results to differ materially from future results or those implied by such forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned any forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results might differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Epazz Inc. assumes no obligation and has no intention of updating those forward-looking statements, and it has no obligation to update or correct information prepared by third parties that is not paid for by Epazz Inc. Investors are encouraged to review Epazz Inc.s public filings on SEC.gov and otcmarkets.com, including its unaudited and audited financial statements and its over-the-counter market filings, which contain general business information about the companys operations, results of its operations and risks associated with the company and its operations.

Contact

Investor Relations

[email protected]

312-955-8161

https://www.epazz.com/

View the original release on www.newmediawire.com
Shanghai Weixing Optical issued a significant payment to HOYA Vision Care to obtain a limited duration license to Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments (D.I.M.S.) Technology after which Shanghai Weixing Optical products utilizing D.I.M.S. Technology will be withdrawn from the market.

Shanghai Weixing Optical issued a significant payment to HOYA Vision Care to obtain a limited duration license to Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments (D.I.M.S.) Technology after which Shanghai Weixing Optical products utilizing D.I.M.S. Technology will be withdrawn from the market.

D.I.M.S. Technology is jointly developed by Hoya and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and is HOYA Vision Care's proprietary approach to manage myopia in children.

Shanghai, China--(Newsfile Corp. - December 30, 2023) - HOYA Vision Care, a leader in optical technology innovation, today announces that it has settled its lawsuit1 with Shanghai Weixing Optical, a developer, manufacturer and distributor of optical lenses in China following extensive negotiations. Under the settlement, Shanghai Weixing Optical issued a significant payment to obtain a license covering sales of Shanghai Weixing Optical products utilizing proprietary D.I.M.S. Technology. The license will end after an agreed phase-out period after which Shanghai Weixing Optical products utilizing proprietary D.I.M.S. Technology will be withdrawn from the market. Sale or export of any Shanghai Weixing Optical products that utilise proprietary D.I.M.S. Technology after the phase-out period (regardless of their name or branding) is prohibited under the agreement.

Myopia is a condition in which visual images come to a focus in front of the retina of the eye, resulting in the blurry appearance of distant objects. Myopia is also commonly known as 'near-sightedness'.2Myopia has risen dramatically among children in China, reaching 76% - 90% among older school children, and can lead to lasting vision problems.3

MiYOSMART spectacle lenses, developed in collaboration with PolyU, are a safe, easy to use, effective and non-invasive method to manage myopia in children. Based on a proprietary approach leveraging D.I.M.S Technology (developed based on peripheral hyperopic defocus theory), MiYOSMART spectacle lenses are based on a well-established and widely recognised theory supported by the leading researchers.4,5

The efficacy of MiYOSMART spectacle lenses, proven by a wide spectrum of evidence, has resulted in over 5 million MiYOSMART spectacle lenses having been purchased by parents across the world between its launch in 2018 and August 2023.6

HOYA Vision Care is committed to developing innovative solutions to address the growing problem of myopia progression in children and remains steadfast in its approach to collaborating with leading scientific institutes around the world to contribute to better treatment options that are proven as effective by robust clinical trials. Hoya Vision Care is dedicated to the protection of both consumers and the integrity of its products.

Product Disclaimer: MiYOSMART spectacle lenses have not been approved for use in the management of myopia in all countries, including the U.S., and are not currently available for sale in all countries, including the U.S.

About HOYA Vision Care

As a global leader in optical technology, HOYA Vision Care is dedicated to providing innovative vision care solutions for every stage of life. A steadfast partner to Eye Care Professionals around the world, it stands at the forefront of optical excellence. Its global presence, consisting of 43 laboratories and a growing team of 20,000 employees, enables HOYA Vision Care to deliver innovative lenses and other vision care solutions to millions of people in 110 countries.

About PolyU

PolyU is an innovative, socially responsible university with global recognition for leading research and practical solutions. Ranked consistently among the top 100 universities worldwide, including 65th in the QS World University Rankings 2023, PolyU strives to address societal challenges.

The School of Optometry at PolyU is committed to fostering professional optometrists and advancing cutting-edge research and knowledge transfer. As the sole provider of undergraduate and doctoral programmes in Optometry in Hong Kong, the School's impactful research, including breakthroughs in controlling myopia progression and age-related ocular diseases prevention and treatment, are internationally recognized.

References

Shanghai Intellectual Property Court Case No. (2023) Hu 73 Zhi Min Chu No. 103. Definition of Myopia. Merriam Webster Dictionary. Last Accessed: 01/12/2023 Link: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/myopia Wang. J. Prevalence of myopia and vision impairment in school students in Eastern China. BMC Ophthalmology 20, 2 (2020). Lam CSY, et al. Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments (DIMS) spectacle lenses slow myopia progression: a 2-year randomised clinical trial. Br J Ophthalmol. 2020;104(3):363-8. Lam CSY, et al. Long-term myopia control effect and safety in children wearing DIMS spectacle lenses for 6 years. Sci Rep. 2023;13(1):5475. Based on number of MiYOSMART spectacle lenses sold per HOYA sales data on file as of August 2023.

Follow HOYA Vision Care on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hoya-vision-care

Contact Info:

Name: Susan Brown

Email: [email protected]

Organization: HOYA Vision Care PR

Website: http://www.merriam-webster.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/192717
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 29, 2023) - New Break Resources Ltd.(CSE:NBRK)("New Break" or the "Company")is pleased to announce that, further to its news release dated December 7, 2023, it has closed the first tranche of the previously announced non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") of flow-through units ("FT Units") at a price of $0.10 per FT Unit and non-flow-through units ("Units") at a price of $0.08 per Unit. The closing of the first tranche of the Offering consisted of 1,250,000 FT Units for gross proceeds of $125,000 and 750,000 Units for gross proceeds of $60,000.

Each Unit consists of one common share ("Common Share") of the Company and one common share purchase warrant ("Warrant"), with each Warrant entitling the holder thereof, to purchase one additional Common Share of the Company at a price of $0.12 for a period of twenty-four (24) months from the date of issuance.

Each FT Unit consists of one common share that will qualify as a "flow-through share" (within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (an "FT Share") and one common share purchase warrant, with each Warrant entitling the holder thereof, to purchase one additional non-flow-through Common Share of the Company at a price of $0.15 for a period of twenty-four (24) months from the date of issuance.

The Warrants are subject to an acceleration clause, whereby if the closing price of the Common Shares of the Company on the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") is equal to $0.25 or higher for five non-consecutive trading days, over a 365-day period, the Company may accelerate the expiry of the Warrants to the date that is 20 business days from the date of the issuance of a news release by the Company announcing the exercise of the acceleration right.

The gross proceeds from the sale of the FT Units will be used for Canadian Exploration Expenses ("CEE") and will qualify as "flow-through mining expenditures" as defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada). More specifically, it is expected that these proceeds will be used to fund a planned drilling program at the Company's Moray property, located approximately 49 km south of Timmins, Ontario and 32 km northwest of the Young-Davidson gold mine, operated by Alamos Gold Inc. The net proceeds from the sale of the Units will be used for general working capital purposes. No finder's fees were paid in connection with the closing of the first tranche of the Offering.

All securities issued pursuant to this private placement are subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day expiring on April 30, 2024, in accordance with applicable Canadian Securities Laws. The completion of the Financing is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all required regulatory approvals including final approval of the CSE.

John Ross Quigley, a greater than 10% securityholder and Orix Geoscience 2018 Inc., a geological consulting company, the President and CEO of which, is also a director of New Break (collectively, the "Related Parties") purchased a total of 1,000,000 FT Units and 500,000 Units. This issuance of securities constitutes a "related party transaction" as such term is defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company is relying on an exemption from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements provided under MI 61-101 pursuant to section 5.5(a) and section 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, on the basis that the issuance of the securities does not exceed 25% of the fair market value of the Company's market capitalization.

The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This news release will not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor will there be any sale of the securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About New Break Resources Ltd.

New Break is a Canadian mineral exploration company with a dual vision for value creation. In northern Ontario, New Break is focused on its Moray Project, in a well-established mining camp, within proximity to existing infrastructure, while at the same time, through our prospective land holdings in Nunavut that include the Sundog, Esker-Noomut, Sy and Angikuni Lake properties, we provide our shareholders with significant exposure to the vast potential for exploration success in one of the most up and coming regions in Canada for gold exploration and production. New Break is supported by a highly experienced team of mining professionals committed to placing a premium on Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance. Information on New Break is available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at www.newbreakresources.ca. New Break began trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange (www.thecse.com) on September 7, 2022 under the symbol CSE: NBRK.

For further information on New Break, please visit www.newbreakresources.ca or contact:

Michael Farrant, President and Chief Executive Officer

Tel: 416-278-4149

E-mail: [email protected]

And follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook

No stock exchange, regulation securities provider, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained in this news release.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

Except for statements of historic fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements including, but not limited to receipt of regulatory and stock exchange approvals, grants of equity-based compensation, renouncement of flow-through exploration expenses, property agreements, timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, an inability to predict and counteract the effects global events on the business of the Company, including but not limited to the effects on the price of commodities, capital market conditions, restriction on labour and international travel and supply chains etc. Forward-looking information addresses future events and conditions and therefore involves inherent risks and uncertainties, including factors beyond the Company's control. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise any forward-looking information, except as may be required by law. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties that could affect financial results is contained in the Company's financial statements and management's discussion and analysis (the "Filings"), such Filings available upon request.

Not for dissemination in the United States of America or through U.S. newswire services.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/192787
Shenzhen, China--(Newsfile Corp. - December 30, 2023) - Sungold Solar, a company based in Shenzhen, China, is proud to introduce two game-changing lines of solar panels designed specifically for RV - the TF Series of flexible solar panels and the Hi-Power Series of portable solar kits.

The TF Series and Hi-Power Series are designed to meet the diverse needs of solutions that will transform the RV experience, offering unparalleled innovation and efficiency in the solar energy space.





Sungold Solar

Customize RV Solar Systems

Without having to worry about running out of power support while traveling or having a professional install the power system, the TF Series RV solar panels redefine the possibilities of RV applications. These panels have been carefully designed and are known for their 23% efficient energy output and superior durability. The products have been tested many times to withstand the rigors of trampling and have superior impact resistance.

Users install their RV solar panels themselves, with installation instructions and manuals to help them through the process.

The addition of an ETFE surface material further improves longevity and efficiency, setting a new standard in mobile home solar technology.





TF Series RV solar panels

High Power Off-Grid Solar Solutions

The Hi-Power series portable solar panels offer unprecedented convenience for RVers looking for a portable, versatile power solution. Designed to be handheld, these panels promote mobility and easy storage.

With an IP68 waterproof rating, they can withstand a variety of weather conditions, ensuring reliability. These high-power output panels are suitable for use in a variety of portable power stations, providing seamless integration for a wide range of energy needs.

"RV owners are increasingly looking for sustainable, reliable energy options for their mobile lifestyles," said Haoyang Li, Marketing Manager at Sungold Solar. "With our TF and Hi-Power series, we are changing how energy is utilized in the RV industry, providing top-notch innovation and reliability."





Hi-Power series portable solar panels

As more and more RV enthusiasts seek sustainable energy solutions, it has inspired innovation within the industry.

Equipping RVs with solar panels not only significantly reduces costs, but also simplifies the energy supply for RV travel, making it easier and more cost-effective. Embrace green practices and pave the way for a more sustainable and promising future by adopting diverse solar solutions.

Media Contact

Company Name: Sungold Solar

Contact Person: Karen Long

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +86-(0)755-2968 5821

Website: https://www.sungoldsolar.com/

Linkedin

Facebook

Youtube

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/192718
Saturday

HomeStore open, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., 701 E. Dodge St., Fremont. The HomeStore sells donated items at discounted prices. Proceeds support the mission of Fremont Area Habitat for Humanity.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 10 a.m., Chapter 5 Club, 136 N. Main St., Fremont.

Kids Noon Years Eve Swim Party, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Fremont Family YMCAs Dillon Family Aquatics Center. Activities will include a ball drop at noon, open swim and pool games. The cost is $5 for members and $10 for non-members. A lunch of a hot dog, chips and a beverage is included in the price. There must be an adult in the water with swimmers under age 8. For ages 8-12, swimmers must be able to pass a water safety test to the satisfaction of the lifeguard.

Alcoholics Anonymous womens heart-to-heart group, noon, Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

Fremont Eagles Club open, noon to midnight, 649 N. Main St., Fremont. The club may stay open later or close early depending on business.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 5:15 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

Spiritual 12-Step Recovery Program, 7 p.m., Lighthouse, 84 W. Sixth St., Fremont.

Narcotics Anonymous The Lie is Dead meeting, 8 p.m., LifeHouse, 723 N. Broad St., Fremont. The hotline number is 402-459-9511.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 10:30 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

Sunday

Alcoholics Anonymous Happy Sober Sunday Group, 9 a.m., Chapter 5 Club, 136 N. Main St., Fremont.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 10 a.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

Narcotics Anonymous Seekers of Serenity meeting, 10:30 a.m., LifeHouse, 723 N. Broad St., Fremont. The hotline number is 402-459-9511.

Fremont Eagles Club open, noon to 12:30 a.m., 649 N. Main St., Fremont. The club may stay open later or close early depending on business. The kitchen will be open from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The dining room open at 5 p.m. The menu will include prime rib dinner, shrimp dinner and chicken tender dinner. The Silver Moon Band will be playing from 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. in the ballroom. Everyone is welcome.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 5:15 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

Narcotics Anonymous Freedom Works Group, 7 p.m., Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1440 E. Military Ave., Fremont.

Alcoholics Anonymous Sunday speaker, 7:30 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

New Years Eve Party, 8 p.m. to close, 30 Bowl, 1205 E. 23rd St., Fremont. There will be a social hour from 8-9 p.m., followed by a colored pin sweeper (open to all skill levels) from 9-11 p.m. and glow bowling from 11 p.m. to close. All night long there will be drinks, snacks, music, bowling and cash prizes. The cost is $175 per lane for up to six bowlers. Reservations are required. To make a reservation, call 30 Bowl ask to speak with Jared or Chelsey.

Monday

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 10 a.m., Chapter 5 Club, 136 N. Main St., Fremont.

Fremont Eagles Club open, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., 649 N. Main St., Fremont. The club may stay open later or close early depending on business. There will be Bloody Mary and other drink specials, free Tom and Jerrys (limit) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Rocky Mountain oysters and chicken tenders from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, noon, Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 5:15 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

Celebrate Recovery, 6:30 p.m., Fremont Church of the Nazarene, 960 Johnson Road.

Fresh Hope Mental Health Support Group, 7 p.m., Lighthouse, 84 W. Sixth St., Fremont.

Narcotics Anonymous Freedom Works Group, 7 p.m., Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1440 E. Military Ave., Fremont.

Alcoholics Anonymous 12x12 meeting, 8 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.
Edmonton, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - December 29, 2023) - TrustBIX Inc. (TSXV: TBIX)("TrustBIX" or the "Company")announces a strategic shift in its product portfolio whereby the Company will initiate a planned transition to gradually phase out its ViewTrak Market Master ("MM") and Dealer Master ("DM") software programs and an extension and amendment to its convertible debenture.

Strategic changes to product portfolio

The MM and DM programs represented approximately 19% and 23% of total revenue during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

The Company expects the planned phase out to occur gradually over the next twelve (12) months. Throughout this period, the Company will continue to provide certain ongoing support for MM and DM hardware and software to its customers to allow for a smooth transition.

As part of this strategic shift, TrustBIX encourages its existing MM and DM customers to migrate to its newer ViewTrak Auction Master Pro ("AMP") software program.

"This strategic move allows us to streamline our offerings and focus our efforts towards newer products. We remain dedicated to supporting our customers throughout this transition and look forward to the opportunity to continue to work together with our AMP program," said Hubert Lau, CEO.

Extension and amendment to convertible debenture

The Company and the holder of the previously issued unsecured convertible debenture (the "Debenture") have entered into an agreement to amend the terms of the Debenture to extend the maturity date from January 5, 2024 to January 5, 2025 and to remove the option of the holder of the Debenture to convert the Debenture into common shares of the Company, such that no securities will be issued as payment for the Debenture. All other terms of the Debentures remain the same.

About TrustBIX (TSXV: TBIX)

TrustBIX is an agricultural technology company providing Gate to Plate solutions to create a world where we trust more, waste less, and reward sustainable practices. Our award-winning technologies offer practical tools trusted by local and international agri-food organizations.

www.TrustBIX.com

Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains certain forward-looking information and reflects the Company's present assumptions regarding future events. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, levels of activity, performance, and/or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

Certain statements contained in this document constitute forward-looking statements and information within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. When used in this document, the words "may", "would", "could", "should", "will", "intend", "plan", "propose", "anticipate", "believe", "forecast", "estimate", "expect" and similar expressions used by any of the Company's management, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the Company's internal projections, expectations, future growth, performance and business prospects and opportunities and are based on information currently available to the Company. Since they relate to the Company's current views with respect to future events, they are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update any such factors or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments except as required by applicable securities legislation, regulations or policies.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Hubert Lau

President and CEO

Telephone: (780) 456-2207

Email: [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 of accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/192788
Paid press release content from The Financial Capital. The StreetInsider.com news staff was not involved in its creation.

The well-established private land acquisition firm Land Avion announces the expansion of its cash purchase program, now accepting unwanted suburban lots in Texas, Florida, Arkansas, and other southeastern and southwestern regions.



The firm is now accepting submissions of unwanted residential- and commercial-use land parcels in suburban regions, with all-inclusive cash offers being returned in as little as 24-hours. The company states that its program continues to apply to vacant land in undeveloped and rural regions, which remains popular among owners of such properties.

More details can be found at https://landavion.com

Offers made under Land Avions expanded program are based on detailed market research, including county data and recent sales, with the goal of ensuring that prices are fair and transparent. The company also works with clients in a variety of financial or legal situations, such as those who are behind on taxes, going through a divorce, or involved in bankruptcy proceedings.

Vacant land can often take considerably longer to sell when compared to properties that have been developed. Land that is in poor condition or in an undesirable location can also add to these difficulties, with owners often having to accept a low price if they want to sell quickly.

As part of the recent update, Land Avion states that it will make an all-inclusive cash offer on land in any location or condition. The firm often seeks ways to add value to a property before reselling, which is central to its business model. As such, no fees or commissions are added to its offers, allowing owners to keep the full sale amount.

Many of the lots we buy are in rural or undeveloped areas, making them hard to sell through traditional methods. However, we are interested in all types of land; rural, suburban, and even commercial, a company representative explained. We will make an offer on almost any lot, helping you to get the cash you need for other investments.

About Land Avion

First established in New Mexico in the 1990s, Land Avion states that its continued success is due to its fair pricing and efficient processes. The company continues to develop its cash purchase program, with new regions expected to be available in the near future.

Im glad I decided to use Land Avion, and Im planning to use them again in the future, one owner recently stated. I was offered a fair cash deal in the span of hours, and it was far better than dealing with real estate agents who take weeks or months to reply, and end up taking a huge cut of your profits.

Interested parties can find more information by visiting https://landavion.com

Contact Info:

Name: Robin Lilly

Email: Send Email

Organization: Land Avion, LLC

Address: 2521 North Main Street #1-276, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88001, United States

Website: https://landavion.com



Release ID: 89117594

Should you come across any errors, concerns, or inconsistencies within this press release's content, we urge you to reach out without delay by contacting [email protected]. Our committed team will promptly address your feedback within 8 hours and take appropriate measures to resolve any identified issues or guide you through the removal process. Providing accurate and dependable information remains our utmost priority.
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Silberstein, Awad, and Miklos, P.C. (ASK4SAM), a leading NYC personal injury law firm, is extending its services to victims of Uber and Lyft accidents in Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens, providing specialized legal assistance to navigate complex legal and insurance issues.



In the bustling streets of New York City's boroughs - Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens - the prevalence of rideshare services like Uber and Lyft is undeniable. With this growing trend, however, comes an increase in rideshare-related accidents. Silberstein, Awad, and Miklos, P.C. (ASK4SAM), a leading personal injury law firm in NYC, is extending its expertise to assist victims of such accidents in these boroughs. They've dedicated their iconic number - 877-ASK4SAM - as a hotline for people injured in Uber or Lyft rideshare accidents.

Rideshare accidents, often involving complex legal and insurance issues, require specialized legal expertise. The attorneys at ASK4SAM are well-equipped to navigate these challenges, providing victims with the support and representation they need to pursue their claims effectively.

In the evolving landscape of urban transportation, rideshare services have become integral. While they offer convenience, the increase in accidents associated with these services is concerning, stated a spokesperson from ASK4SAM. Our team of dedicated lawyers specializes in handling cases involving Uber and Lyft accidents, ensuring that victims in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens receive the justice and compensation they deserve.

The legal issues surrounding rideshare accidents are multifaceted. Determining liability can be complicated, as it often involves not only the rideshare driver but also the rideshare company, other motorists, and insurance companies. ASK4SAM's legal team has a deep understanding of the nuances in rideshare accident cases, including the specific laws and regulations that govern these services in New York City.

Victims of Uber and Lyft accidents may face various challenges, from dealing with injuries and medical treatment to coping with financial burdens due to loss of income and medical expenses. The firms attorneys are skilled in evaluating the full extent of damages, including both economic and non-economic losses, and negotiating with insurance companies to secure fair compensation.

Our approach is comprehensive. We not only focus on the immediate legal needs of our clients but also consider the long-term impact of the accident on their lives, added the ASK4SAM spokesperson. Whether its a case of driver negligence, defective vehicle parts, or a failure to adhere to traffic laws, we are committed to holding the responsible parties accountable.

ASK4SAMs expertise extends to a range of injuries resulting from rideshare accidents, from minor bruises and whiplash to more severe cases such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and even wrongful death claims. The firms attorneys are adept at compiling necessary evidence, including police reports, medical records, and witness statements, to build a strong case for their clients.

In addition to legal representation, ASK4SAM is dedicated to advocating for safer rideshare practices in New York City. Through community outreach and education, the firm aims to raise awareness about the rights of rideshare passengers and the responsibilities of rideshare drivers and companies.

When an Uber driver is involved in a motor vehicle accident, the complexities of insurance policies and liability come into play. ASK4SAMs team of accident lawyers and personal injury attorneys are well-versed in the intricacies of such cases. They understand the nuances of dealing with multiple insurance providers, ensuring that victims receive comprehensive coverage for their bodily injuries and property damage. The legal process following an Uber accident requires a seasoned personal injury lawyer who can effectively navigate the claims process and advocate for the clients rights.

Victims of rideshare accidents often require immediate medical attention, and the aftermath can include prolonged treatment for physical and emotional distress. ASK4SAMs accident attorneys are committed to ensuring that clients receive adequate financial compensation not only for their medical expenses but also for the broader impact on their enjoyment of life. Their approach in personal injury lawsuits and personal injury claims stemming from an auto accident involving a ridesharing service is both empathetic and relentless, focusing on the full recovery of the victim.

In accidents involving rideshare vehicles, identifying the liable parties can be challenging. Rideshare accident lawyers at ASK4SAM have the expertise to determine fault, whether it lies with the Uber driver, another motorist, or even the rideshare company itself. They work meticulously to uncover all aspects of insurance coverage and liability, ensuring that their clients are not shortchanged by insurance companies. Their goal is to secure just and fair financial compensation for their clients, helping them move forward from the accident.

Residents of the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens who have been involved in an Uber or Lyft accident are encouraged to reach out to ASK4SAM for legal assistance. The firm offers free initial consultations, allowing accident victims to explore their legal options without any financial commitment.

For more information or to seek legal representation, individuals can contact ASK4SAM through their 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 renowned personal injury law firm based in New York City, offering expert legal representation to victims of various accidents, including those involving rideshare services. With a reputation for aggressive advocacy and a client-centered approach, ASK4SAM is committed to securing the best outcomes for their clients.

Contact Info:

Name: Joe Miklos

Email: Send Email

Organization: Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C.

Address: 1850 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10031, United States

Phone: +1-866-219-7997

Website: https://ask4sam.net



Release ID: 89117595

Should you detect any errors, issues, or discrepancies with the content contained within this press release, or if you need assistance with a press release takedown, we kindly request that you inform us immediately by contacting [email protected]. Our expert team will be available to promptly respond and take necessary steps within the next 8 hours to resolve any identified issues or guide you through the removal process. We value the trust placed in us by our readers and remain dedicated to providing accurate and reliable information.
Paid press release content from The Financial Capital. The StreetInsider.com news staff was not involved in its creation.

Delray Beach Physician Manuel Abreu Gives Back With Scholarship Fund



Esteemed internal medicine physician, Dr. Manuel Abreu, continues his legacy of support for aspiring medical professionals with the establishment of the prestigious Dr. Manuel Abreu Scholarship for Future Doctors. This distinguished scholarship, offered through the Dr. Manuel Abreu Scholarship Program, aims to recognize and financially assist exceptional high school students from Delray Beach, FL, who exhibit outstanding promise in the field of medicine.

The scholarship, with a one-time award of $1,000, serves as a testament to Dr. Abreu's lifelong dedication to medical education, access to healthcare, and commitment to nurturing the next generation of compassionate healers and dedicated medical practitioners. Dr. Abreu is fervently passionate about ensuring equal opportunities for all individuals to access high-quality medical care, irrespective of their financial circumstances.

The scholarship, hosted on the Dr. Manuel Abreu Scholarship for Future Doctors' official website, invites eligible high school students to apply before the application deadline of July 15, 2024. Applicants must demonstrate a fervent aspiration to pursue a career in medicine, maintaining an exceptional academic record highlighted by notable GPAs and test scores.

Furthermore, candidates are required to exhibit traits characteristic of a compassionate healer, showing unwavering commitment to serving others and displaying a fervent desire to effect positive change in their future patients' lives. A key criterion involves showcasing an unrelenting thirst for knowledge and personal development within the medical field, coupled with an innate ability to creatively solve complex issues prevalent in healthcare today.

To apply for the Dr. Manuel Abreu Scholarship for Future Doctors, candidates must submit a thought-provoking personal statement. This essay must address a significant challenge currently faced by the healthcare industry while proposing an innovative solution to effectively tackle the issue. Additionally, applicants are urged to elaborate on their passion for medicine and elucidate why they deserve to be bestowed with the prestigious Dr. Manuel Abreu Scholarship.

Dr. Manuel Abreu, a distinguished figure in the medical community, boasts over two decades of experience in practicing internal medicine. His educational journey commenced at the Superior Institute of Medical Science in Havana, Cuba, followed by residencies in general surgery and internal medicine at esteemed institutions. Dr. Abreu's expertise is not only recognized by his certifications but also by his active involvement in professional medical associations like the American Board of Internal Medicine, the Florida Medical Association, and the American Medical Association.

Apart from his medical endeavors, Dr. Abreu remains an active and devoted member of the Delray Beach community, generously volunteering his time at the Mission Medical Center/Lady Queen of Peace Church. He is also deeply committed to mentoring medical students and residents, nurturing the future generations of medical professionals.

The winner of the Dr. Manuel Abreu Scholarship for Future Doctors will be publicly announced on August 15, 2024, marking a significant milestone in recognizing the exceptional talent and dedication of a deserving high school student from Delray Beach, FL.

For more information about the scholarship and the application process, please visit the official website at https://drmanuelabreuscholarship.com/manuel-abreu-scholarship/.



Contact Info:

Name: Dr. Manuel Abreu

Email: Send Email

Organization: Dr. Manuel Abreu Scholarship

Website: https://drmanuelabreuscholarship.com



Release ID: 89117574

Should you identify any discrepancies, concerns, or inaccuracies in the content provided in this press release or require assistance with a press release takedown, we strongly urge you to notify us promptly by contacting [email protected]. Our responsive team is committed to addressing your concerns within 8 hours by taking necessary actions to resolve identified issues diligently or guiding you through the necessary steps for removal. Our dedication lies in providing accurate and reliable information.
Paid press release content from The Financial Capital. The StreetInsider.com news staff was not involved in its creation.

Florida Urologist Zamip Patel Gives Back With Scholarship Fund



The Dr. Zamip Patel Scholarship for Future Doctors, established in 2023 by Dr. Zamip Patel, a distinguished urologist based in Orlando, proudly announces its annual scholarship opportunity to support and recognize outstanding pre-medical students across the United States.

The Dr. Zamip Patel Scholarship for Future Doctors is dedicated to providing financial assistance and encouragement to exceptional pre-medical students who demonstrate academic excellence, compassion, leadership, and a resolute commitment to healthcare. This annual scholarship seeks to inspire the next generation of physicians by easing financial burdens and fostering the ambitions of budding medical professionals.

To be eligible for the Dr. Zamip Patel Scholarship, applicants must meet specific criteria:

Currently enrolled in an accredited 4-year university in the U.S.

Completed at least 1 year of undergraduate coursework

Maintained a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5

U.S. citizenship or permanent residency

Intent to pursue an MD or DO degree

Fulfillment of general requirements to apply to medical school, including prerequisite coursework in biology, chemistry, physics, math, etc.

Applicants are required to submit an essay between 750-1000 words, addressing the following prompt:

"In your own words, explain what inspired your interest in medicine, how you plan to embrace the compassionate care of patients, and your vision for positively impacting the medical field. Highlight any relevant extracurricular activities, research experiences, or service initiatives that illustrate your passions and commitment to healthcare. Discuss how receiving this scholarship would assist you in achieving your goals of becoming a physician."

The essay should emphasize academic excellence, exemplary character, demonstrated interest in medicine, and financial need. Evaluation will be based on the quality of writing, originality, and alignment with the values embodied by Dr. Zamip Patel.

Dr. Zamip Patel, a prominent figure in Orlando's medical community, passionately champions the aspirations of future medical professionals. With a commitment to nurturing and supporting driven individuals seeking careers in medicine, Dr. Patel established this scholarship to recognize and assist deserving students in fulfilling their dreams.

The Dr. Zamip Patel Scholarship for Future Doctors will award one exemplary applicant with a $1,000 scholarship annually through an essay-based application process.

For further information about the scholarship criteria, submission guidelines, and Dr. Zamip Patel's impactful work, visit https://drzamippatelscholarship.com/ or directly access the scholarship page here https://drzamippatelscholarship.com/dr-zamip-patel-scholarship/ .

About Dr. Zamip Patel

Dr. Zamip Patel, an esteemed Orlando urologist, is dedicated to fostering the next generation of medical professionals. Through the Dr. Zamip Patel Scholarship for Future Doctors, Dr. Patel aims to alleviate financial barriers and inspire passionate individuals to pursue careers in healthcare.

Contact Info:

Name: Dr. Zamip Patel

Email: Send Email

Organization: Dr. Zamip Patel Scholarship

Website: https://drzamippatelscholarship.com



Release ID: 89117573

If you come across any problems, discrepancies, or concerns related to the content contained within this press release that necessitate action or if a press release requires takedown, we strongly encourage you to reach out without delay by contacting [email protected]. Our committed team will be readily accessible round-the-clock to address your concerns within 8 hours and take appropriate actions to rectify identified issues or support with press release removals. Ensuring accurate and reliable information remains our unwavering commitment.
Paid press release content from The Financial Capital. The StreetInsider.com news staff was not involved in its creation.



As the global real estate market grapples with the ongoing challenges presented by the pandemic, DTX Equity has solidified its position as the premier solutions company adept at simplifying intricate property transactions. With headquarters situated in Dallas, Texas, DTX Equity boasts over a decade of hands-on experience within the real estate industry. Their seasoned expertise empowers clients, streamlining the complexities of property transactions and ensuring a swift, hassle-free sales process.

The intricacies of property transactions involve a multitude of steps, from property discovery to negotiation and closing. Operating primarily within the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and extending services across surrounding regions, DTX Equity offers a seamless selling process. Their dedicated team provides personalized guidance and deploys strategic marketing approaches to secure maximum value for property transactions.

Transparency, unwavering integrity, and deep client commitment constitute the core values that distinguish DTX Equity. With an extensive background in real estate spanning over a decade, the company brings a wealth of expertise and ethical considerations to every transaction.

"We are pleased to be the go-to solutions company for complex property transactions," expressed a representative of DTX Equity. "Our expertise extends across various real estate properties, whether single-family homes, vacant land, or commercial properties. We are your trusted partner."

DTX Equity's notable attributes set them apart in the industry. They purchase properties as is, alleviating sellers from listing or showcasing the property, making repairs, or enduring constant buyer traffica remarkable feature streamlining the sales process.

The company prides itself on maintaining:

- Transparency: Ensuring clients remain informed and engaged throughout the transaction.

- Integrity: Upholding honesty and ethical considerations in every deal.

- Commitment: Dedicated to securing the best possible outcomes for every client.

Client testimonials further affirm DTX Equity's commitment to excellence:

"I lost my job and needed to sell my house quickly, and DTX Equity was a lifesaver. They were professional, and their cash offer was fair. I couldn't have asked for a better experience." - Maria G.

"I was skeptical at first, but they proved me wrong. The team was courteous, and they genuinely cared about my needs. If you want to sell your property hassle-free, DTX Equity is the way to go." - Devon J.

"I was amazed at how fast and easy the process was. Within a few days, I had a cash offer for my property, and the sale was completed without complications. I highly recommend DTX Equity!" - Juan H.

About DTX Equity:

DTX Equity is a renowned real estate solutions company based in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, specializing in simplifying intricate property transactions. With over a decade of industry experience, their commitment to transparency, integrity, and client-centric services sets them apart, ensuring a seamless selling process for various property types.

For more information on how DTX Equity simplifies complex property transactions, please visit their website at https://dtxequity.com/.



Contact Info:

Name: Raza Khan

Email: Send Email

Organization: DTX Equity

Website: https://dtxequity.com/



Release ID: 89117105

In the event of detecting errors, concerns, or irregularities in the content shared in this press release that require attention or if there is a need for a press release takedown, we kindly request that you inform us promptly by contacting [email protected]. Our dedicated team will promptly address your feedback within 8 hours and take necessary actions to resolve any identified issues diligently or guide you through the removal process. Providing accurate and dependable information is our utmost priority.
BOSTON , Dec. 29, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Bunker Hill Community College ("BHCC") experienced a data incident in May 2023 (the "Incident") that potentially involved certain individuals' personal information ("Information"). This notice provides information about this Incident, BHCC's response, and where individuals can direct further questions.

What Happened?

On May 23, 2023 , BHCC detected irregular activity on certain BHCC systems that was consistent with a ransomware attack. BHCC immediately responded to the situation by taking the affected systems offline, contacting law enforcement, and engaging data security and privacy experts to conduct an investigation. BHCC personnel were able to stop the unauthorized activity from spreading and contained the Incident to a limited number of BHCC systems. BHCC's backups were not affected by the Incident, and BHCC personnel were able to restore BHCC's network from those backups without any data loss. As a credit to the existing safeguards that BHCC had in place, BHCC personnel successfully and safely restored BHCC's network, enabling BHCC to continue with its academic calendar without any delay.

BHCC engaged leading data security professionals to support its investigation and response. BHCC's investigation has found that an unauthorized actor gained access to BHCC's network before deploying ransomware. The investigation was also able to confirm that a limited amount of data was copied from BHCC's network. Accordingly, BHCC reviewed the relevant data to determine whether any personal information was present so it could notify individuals as appropriate. There is currently no indication that the unauthorized actor has misused any Information for identity theft or fraud in connection with this Incident.

What Information Was Involved?

BHCC's investigation determined that the following general categories of Information may have been involved in the Incident but are not relevant to every individual: name, date of birth, Social Security Number, driver's license number, state identification number, U.S. alien identification number, passport number, financial account number in combination with routing number or code, credit/debit card number, username and password, medical information, and health insurance information. Again, the circumstances are different for each individual and not every category applies to each individual.

What BHCC is Doing.

Upon becoming aware of the unauthorized activity, BHCC immediately implemented measures to further improve the security of BHCC's information technology systems and practices, including resetting and strengthening passwords, implementing new network security tools, and adopting new network access policies. BHCC worked with leading cybersecurity experts to aid in their investigation and response, and BHCC reported this incident to relevant government agencies and law enforcement.

Additionally, BHCC is offering free credit monitoring services to potentially affected individuals for 24 months through Experian, which includes Credit Monitoring, Fraud Consultation, and Identity Theft Restoration.

What Individuals Can Do.

BHCC encourages potentially affected individuals to remain vigilant against incidents of identity theft and fraud by reviewing their account statements and monitoring their free credit reports for suspicious activity and to detect errors. Potentially affected individuals can also enroll in the credit monitoring services that BHCC is offering at no cost.

Potentially affected individuals seeking additional information, including whether their Information was involved and their eligibility for complimentary credit monitoring, may call BHCC's toll-free assistance line at 888-722-9207, Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 9 PM Eastern time . Individuals may also contact BHCC at [email protected].

Other Important Information

Under U.S. law, individuals are entitled to 1 free credit report annually from each of the 3 major credit reporting bureaus. To obtain a free credit report, individuals may visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call, toll-free, 1-877-322-8228. Alternatively, affected individuals can contact the 3 major credit reporting bureaus directly at the addresses below.

Equifax Experian TransUnion https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-

report-services/ https://www.experian.com/help/ https://www.transunion.com/credit-

help 1-888-298-0045 1-888-397-3742 1-833-395-6938 Equifax Fraud Alert, P.O. Box 105069

Atlanta, GA 30348-5069 Experian Fraud Alert, P.O. Box

9554, Allen, TX 75013 TransUnion Fraud Alert, P.O. Box

2000, Chester, PA 19016 Equifax Credit Freeze, P.O. Box 105788

Atlanta, GA 30348-5788 Experian Credit Freeze, P.O.

Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013 TransUnion Credit Freeze, P.O.

Box 160, Woodlyn, PA 19094

Moreover, information regarding identity theft, fraud alerts, security freezes, and the steps an individual can take to protect personal information may be obtained by contacting the consumer reporting agencies, the Federal Trade Commission, or the appropriate state Attorney General. The Federal Trade Commission can be reached at: 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW , Washington, DC 20580; www.identitytheft.gov; 1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338); and TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The Federal Trade Commission also encourages those who discover that their information has been misused to file a complaint with them. Individuals can obtain further Information on how to file such a complaint by calling 1-877-438-4338. Individuals should file a police report if they are a victim of identity theft or fraud. To file a report with law enforcement for identity theft, an individual will likely need to provide some proof that they have been a victim.

If you have questions regarding this matter, you can contact (888) 722-9207.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bunker-hill-community-college-provides-notice-of-security-incident-302023507.html

SOURCE Bunker Hill Community College
BOSTON , Dec. 29, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund (NYSE: HTD) (the "Fund"), a closed-end fund managed by John Hancock Investment Management LLC and subadvised by Manulife Investment Management (US) LLC, announced today sources of its monthly distribution of $0.1380 per share paid to all shareholders of record as of December 11, 2023 , pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan. This press release is issued as required by an exemptive order granted to the Fund by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Notification of Sources of Distribution

This notice provides shareholders of the John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund (NYSE: HTD) with important information concerning the distribution declared on December 1, 2023 , and payable on December 29, 2023 . No action is required on your part.

Distribution Period: December 2023

Distribution Amount Per Common Share: $0.1380

The following table sets forth the estimated sources of the current distribution, payable December 29, 2023 , and the cumulative distributions paid this fiscal year to date from the following sources: net investment income; net realized short term capital gains; net realized long term capital gains; and return of capital or other capital source. All amounts are expressed on a per common share basis and as a percentage of the distribution amount.





For the period 12/1/2023-12/31/2023

For the fiscal year-to-date period 11/1/2023-12/31/2023 1 Source

Current Distribution ($)

% Breakdown of the Current Distribution

Total Cumulative Distributions ($)

% Breakdown of the Total Cumulative Distributions Net Investment Income

0.0768

56 %

0.2083

75 % Net Realized Short- Term Capital Gains

0.0081

6 %

0.0243

9 % Net Realized Long- Term Capital Gains

0.0531

38 %

0.0434

16 % Return of Capital or Other Capital Source

0.0000

0 %

0.0000

0 % Total per common share

0.1380

100 %

0.2760

100 %

















Average annual total return (in relation to NAV) for the 5 years ended on November 30, 2023

4.41 %





Annualized current distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of November 30, 2023

8.02 %





Cumulative total return (in relation to NAV) for the fiscal year through November 30, 2023

9.31 %





Cumulative fiscal year-to-date distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of November 30, 2023

1.34 %

_________________________________________

1 The Fund's current fiscal year began on November 1, 2023 and will end on October 31, 2024

You should not draw any conclusions about the Fund's investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Fund's managed distribution plan.

The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this Notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

The Fund has declared the December 2023 distribution pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan (the "Plan"). Under the Plan, the Fund makes fixed monthly distributions in the amount of $0.1380 per share, which will continue to be paid monthly until further notice.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact your financial professional or call the John Hancock Investment Management Closed-End Fund Information Line at 1-800-843-0090, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Eastern Time .

Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined by the United States securities laws. You should exercise caution in interpreting and relying on forward-looking statements because they are subject to uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond the Fund's control and could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

An investor should consider a Fund's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing.

About John Hancock Investment Management

A company of Manulife Investment Management, we serve investors through a unique multimanager approach, complementing our extensive in-house capabilities with an unrivaled network of specialized asset managers, backed by some of the most rigorous investment oversight in the industry. The result is a diverse lineup of time-tested investments from a premier asset manager with a heritage of financial stewardship.

About Manulife Investment Management

Manulife Investment Management is the global brand for the global wealth and asset management segment of Manulife Financial Corporation. We draw on more than a century of financial stewardship and the full resources of our parent company to serve individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. Headquartered in Toronto , our leading capabilities in public and private markets are strengthened by an investment footprint that spans 18 geographies. We complement these capabilities by providing access to a network of unaffiliated asset managers from around the world. We're committed to investing responsibly across our businesses. We develop innovative global frameworks for sustainable investing, collaboratively engage with companies in our securities portfolios, and maintain a high standard of stewardship where we own and operate assets, and we believe in supporting financial well-being through our workplace retirement plans. Today, plan sponsors around the world rely on our retirement plan administration and investment expertise to help their employees plan for, save for, and live a better retirement. Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulife.com.

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SOURCE John Hancock Investment Management
WASHINGTON , Dec. 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Following is a statement from Eileen O'Reilly , president of the National Press Club, and Gil Klein , president of the National Press Club Journalism Institute, on the extended detention of Chinese journalist Yuyu Dong .

"We have learned through the family of Chinese journalist Yuyu Dong that his unjust detention has been extended two months. We had expected a verdict Dec. 27 .

This extension will now push Yuyu's detention beyond the anniversary date of his arrest in 2022. He will have been held for two years without being convicted of a crime. This is outrageous. He has not seen or spoken to his family during that time. The lack of a conviction and continued detention extensions show this to be a political rather than a legal process.

"Great nations do not keep their citizens in prison like this. It is time for China to step up and release Yuyu to his family. Journalism is not a crime."

Founded in 1908, the National Press Club is the world's leading professional organization for journalists. With 3,000 members representing nearly every major news organization, the Club is a leading voice for press freedom worldwide.

The National Press Club Journalism Institute promotes an engaged, global citizenry through an independent and free press. The NPCJI is the non-profit affiliate of the National Press Club.

Contact: Bill McCarren , press freedom consultant for National Press Club, 202-662-7534

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SOURCE National Press Club
Known for its agent-centric model and cutting-edge tech platform, the company touts its continued growth and announces plans for rapid expansion in 2024!

PLANO, Texas , Dec. 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- JPAR - Real Estate , a leading real estate brand, is pleased to report on its annual growth and achievements in 2023 and reveal its plans for continued expansion with an aggressive, agent-centric market positioning.

JPAR - Real Estate Expands its Footprint to 30 States in 2023 and Launches Growth Plans

In 2023, JPAR was recognized as the #1 low-cost franchise brand, celebrated new locations in many key markets throughout the United States , launched a successful wellness program on the path toward comprehensive agent benefits, all while empowering its brokers and agents with one of the most powerful marketing, technology and training platforms in the industry.

JPAR is led by industry-veterans, Chris Sears , President, JPAR - Real Estate and Laura O'Connor , President and COO, JPAR Affiliated Network. Both leaders were recognized for their transformative leadership and growth.

"The JPAR Affiliated Network has added several new affiliates to our network this year and we are poised for success in 2024. Our flexible, agent-centric franchise model continues to attract entrepreneurs who are ready to take their business to the next level," said O'Connor.

JPAR - Affiliated Network Office Openings in 2023:

JPAR - Magnolia Group : Mt. Pleasant, SC

: JPAR - Platinum: Littleton, CO

JPAR - Iron Horse Real Estate : Pleasanton, CA

: JPAR - Corona Luxe: Corona, CA

JPAR - Gulf Coast : Orange Beach, AL

: JPAR - 5 Star Properties : Columbia, MD

: JPAR - Duke City: Albuquerque, NM

JPAR - Premier Destination Realty : Providence, RI

: JPAR - Southern Charm: Florence, AL

"Our +JPAR model is tailor-made for brokers seeking to uphold their market identity while benefiting from industry-leading technology, training, and marketing support," added O'Connor.

+JPAR Brokerage Partnerships Launched in 2023:

Shelly Wagner and Associates +JPAR: Shreveport, LA

+JPAR: Western Home Realty +JPAR: Casper, WY

+JPAR: Coming soon to New York !

In addition to the brand expansion, JPAR also made a difference under O'Connor's leadership with its W.E.L.L. (Women Empowering, Listening, and Leveraging) Interview Series. The series amplifies the voices of women leaders who are making a difference, fostering collaboration, and driving meaningful change in the real estate industry. Initiatives like this and others contributed to the brand being recognized as a top franchise for diversity, equity, and inclusion by Entrepreneur Magazine.

With JPAR's Whole Health Organization, its 3,700 agents now have access to three programs aimed at improving their whole health: JPAR Wellness, JPAR Health, and JPAR Wealth. JPAR Wellness launched in October 2023 in partnership with Avibra to bring free life and AD&D insurance to JPAR agents in addition to a slew of other benefits. JPAR Health allows agents to consult with health advisors to shop a marketplace of reduced cost ACA and self-employed health insurance plans. The initial stages of JPAR Wealth were rolled out in 2023 including a partnership with Tongo allowing agents to access pending commissions via a line of credit and a recruiting revenue sharing plan available in select offices. The brand expects to continue to bolster its Whole Health Organization offering for all of its agents nationwide in 2024.

JPAR has improved its technology offering for its agents and affiliates in 2023 through a number of new offerings. In March, the brand announced that all agents would receive premium licenses for Dotloop in its initiative to align with vendors who promote stronger integrations across JPAR's technology suite. The brand has also provided all affiliates with licenses to MoxiBalance, an industry-leading back office accounting software to provide leaders at all levels of the organization with relevant production data. JPAR 's partnership with CubiCasa marked one of the vendor's first partnerships with a residential real estate brand, and the companies have joined in executing a vision to bring a floor plan to every listing. The brand has also worked with Inside Real Estate to bring a new design center, social media management tool, and marketing automation tool to JPAR Connect by kvCORE.

The appointment of Chris Sears as President of JPAR - Real Estate's brokerage operations in Texas , currently comprises 27 company-owned offices across the state with 2200+ Texas -based agents where he is poised to drive innovation, foster growth, and further solidify JPAR's position as a leading real estate force in the Texas market.

JPAR will continue to innovate by creating groundbreaking partnerships in the industry with a clear focus on creating the best environment for an agent to thrive as a business owner.

About JPAR: JPAR  Real Estate ( www.jpar.com ) is a full-service real estate brand and franchise platform offering a highly competitive transaction fee-based model and agent-centric culture. The JPAR platform provides agents seven (7) days-per-week support, a comprehensive tech stack, marketing, lead generation, training, and mentoring. JPAR affiliated owners benefit from compliance review, 1-on-1 consulting, recruiting support, and a peer network of influential industry leaders. The company boasts 3,700 agents operating in 75 offices across 30 states and closes $7.8B annually in sales volume.

JPAR is a forward-thinking real estate brokerage focused on empowering real estate professionals to deliver exceptional service and achieve outstanding results. With cutting-edge technology, comprehensive support, and a customer-centric approach, JPAR is committed to transforming the real estate experience for agents and clients alike.

For more information about joining the growth of JPAR, visit grow.jpar.com (ownership) or jparready.com (agents).

Media Contact: [email protected]

Corporate Contact: [email protected]

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jpar---real-estate-expands-its-footprint-to-30-states-in-2023-and-launches-growth-plans-302024022.html

SOURCE JPAR Real Estate
The 2023 calendar year was marked by many news stories and the people who were a part of those issues, incidents and happenings. As part of the Tribunes look back at 2023, weve chosen these 10 people as the most impactful and interesting newsmakers of the year.

Sandra Murray leads charge against controversial library books

Although she began her book removal efforts with an unexpected and scathing public comment speech in late December 2022, local business owner and grandmother Sandra Murray was a dominant figure in Fremont in 2023.

The owner of downtown clothing and jewelry boutique Fia+Belle led a group of parental rights activists in what would become a 10-month long effort to remove what she and others claim are inappropriate and allegedly sexually explicit books from the Keene Memorial Library in Fremont.

The group was unsuccessful in efforts to remove any books from the city-owned and managed public library, however their complaints led to one book being relocated to the adults-only section of the library and the development and implementation of a new age-tiered library card system is now in place.

Murrays first effort in 2023 was filing an official reconsideration of material/book complaint seeking the removal of Sex is a Funny Word from the city library. That appeal was one of several both Murray and one of her daughters, Kelly Garay, filed with library officials in the first three months of 2023.

The duo also challenged other books, including This Book is Gay and a transgender novel called Melissa.

Among the claims Murray lobbed at library officials, city council members and anyone else who was involved were that the books she opposed contained alleged pornographic imagery and involved, in her belief, inappropriate discussions of LGBTQ+ content and topics. She also labeled members of the library staff as being alleged groomers of young children.

Murray was a frequent attendee of city council meetings as well as meetings of the Keene Memorial Library Advisory Board, during which she routinely made passionate and lengthy public comments bashing those who supported keeping the books while also making her case for removing the material.

In addition to her public comments, Sandra Murray was at times joined in criticizing the city by her husband, Robert Bert Murray; her son-in-law, Ethan Kindler; both her daughters, Brianna Kindler and Kelley Garay; as well as other residents who were employees of one of the many businesses owned by the family.

Following the Fremont City Councils approval of several new policies at the city library  including the age-tiered user cards  Murray has been absent from meetings and not made any book removal requests according to city officials.

Council President Mark Jensen embroiled in many controversies

City Council President Mark Jensen already had a reputation  as fellow council member Sally Ganem said  as a rebel prior to 2023. But, not many could envision the number of controversial incidents the second-term Ward 3 council member would find himself entangled in this year.

The two-term council member started off the 2023 calendar year in January with an incident during the public comment period of the final council meeting that month: uttering the word bullshit while local book removal activist Sandra Murray was speaking at the podium.

Jensen was not heard because his microphone was turned off, but viewers of the citys live-stream of the council meeting read his lips and outrage ensued.

The incident led former council member Glen Ellis to place an item on the agenda of a council meeting in February to censure Jensen for the incident. That effort, though, was defeated after Ward 3 Council Member James Vaughan made a motion to have the item removed from the agenda, which was then approved by the council.

In May, Jensen became embroiled in yet another controversy, when a local resident followed him to the Big Red Keno and videotaped the council president playing the city and state-regulated gambling game. At the time, the belief held by most of the city council as well as the public was that playing Keno was forbidden for elected officials and their spouses.

That supposed ban was later determined to be moot after Fremonts City Attorney Travis Jacott uncovered a change in the wording of the citys municipal code in the late 1990s that he said did allow council members and their spouses to play Keno.

Despite that legal interpretation, former council member Brad Yerger filed an official complaint against Jensen, accusing him of violating city code by playing Keno. An agenda item to hold a hearing about Jensens playing of Keno was placed on a council meeting agenda in June, but that effort was also defeated.

The final controversy involving Jensen in 2023 came in late September when a woman who said she was a personal friend of Jensen spoke during public comment and criticized Jensen for a telephone conversation she and her husband had with him on Sept. 23.

As the woman spoke, Jensen first loudly responded to her, disputing her statements. After a warning to be quiet from Mayor Joey Spellerberg, Jensen then yelled at the woman in a second interruption. Under city municipal code rules, council members are banned from talking back to people making public comment.

The woman, Deb Brunmeier, and her husband then filed a criminal complaint against Jensen, seeking misdemeanor charges filed against him for yelling at her. Despite an investigation by city police, no charges were filed against Jensen.

The incident led to a second effort to censure Jensen in 2023 at the Nov. 14 city council meeting. With only six council members present and Jensen recusing himself from the vote, the bid to censure him failed, one vote short of the required five yes votes.

Animal activist Rae Tuff arrested, faces January trial

Local animal rights activist and city council political watchdog Rachel Rae Tuff was arrested in late July along with her mother, Theresa Macrander, following a three-month police investigation by the Fremont Police Department.

The complicated case presented by police officials claimed that Tuff and Macrander had allegedly improperly accepted possession of a dog from a California-based dog rescue group and both tried to find a new home for the dog.

Tuff and Macrander have denied all allegations and both pleaded not guilty in Dodge County Court. As of Friday, Dec. 29, both are scheduled to have a jury trial on Jan. 12.

Tuff is charged with two alleged crimes in Dodge County Court: suspicion of theft of services, zero to $500, a Class II misdemeanor; and suspicion of violation of the Commercial Dog and Cat Operator Inspection Act, a Class I misdemeanor.

Macrander is charged with suspicion of violation of the Commercial Dog and Cat Operator Inspection Act, a Class I misdemeanor.

In an email to the Tribune, Tuff said she arranged the return of the dog in question  Booney  to its original owner during an exchange in Fremont. She also stated that she is innocent of all charges and, despite reportedly being offered a plea deal by the County Attorney Office, she plans to go to trial on Jan. 12.

Not only did I not steal (Booney) but that rescue abandoned him on me, Tuff stated in her email.

Dodge County Deputy Attorney Justin Bignell said on Dec. 29 that he has been in plea negotiations with Tuff and Macranders attorney, but he had no comment on the specifics of the discussions.

Library Director Laura England-Biggs battles book removal efforts

Keene Memorial Library Director Laura England-Biggs arguably had one of the most challenging years of any city government employee in 2023.

The veteran library professional juggled three major tasks during the past calendar year while also powering through numerous personal challenges facing her immediate and extended family.

One of those tasks was managing the satellite location of the city library at the Fremont City Auditorium for 10  months before leading the packing up of thousands of books, which needed to be moved back to the newly renovated and remodeled main library facility.

While England-Biggs was trying to operate the library from a temporary location, she was also heavily involved in fundraising efforts for the renovation and expansion of the original Keene library building, a task that is still ongoing as the final touches of the new building are finished.

During those two efforts, England-Biggs was also the face and spokesperson for the library as a group of parental rights activists in Fremont led a 10-month effort to have numerous books removed from the library as well as changes in library policy regarding book selection and availability.

Beginning in late December 2022, but primarily occurring from January to September 2023, local grandmother Sandra Murray led a large group of residents in a vigorous effort to have books removed as well as vocalize their opposition to allegedly sexually explicit books and LGBTQ+ themed tomes in the city library.

During public comment periods before the final meeting of the city council at the end of each month, as well as during meetings of the Keene Memorial Library Advisory Board, England-Biggs endured scores of insults labelling her and her staff at the library as alleged groomers, saying that she was indoctrinating local youth with the books being criticized.

England-Biggs also was the person who vetted the reconsideration of material complaint forms that were repeatedly filed by Murray and one of her daughters, Kelly Garay, causing the library director to read each book and write a legal response letter with her determination.

Those reviews were only a fraction of her involvement in the months-long debate, theorizing and finally approving a series of new library policies that dealt with book acquisition and location, reforming the process for contesting books and materials and developing a new age-tiered library card system.

Baby killer Alexander Hernandez committed to psychiatric prison

The more than two-year legal journey of local resident Alexander Hernandez came to an end in the spring of 2023 when he was deemed insane by a state psychologist and found not guilty by reason of insanity in the stabbing death of his infant cousin.

Hernandez was arrested for killing his infant cousin in January 2021 after police were called to his parents home and found the young girl suffering from at least 20 stab wounds. The infant  whom the Tribune is not identifying  was rushed to Methodist Fremont Health where she later died.

Following extensive psychological assessments, research into his background and therapy sessions, Hernandez finally went to court for a hearing to determine whether or not he would be adjudged insane, which is the key element in a suspect using the guilty by reason of insanity defense.

During testimony over a nearly four-hour timeframe, Hernandezs parents testified that their son had descended into a dire mental health state following the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020 and began to have paranoid delusions and other episodes of mental health crisis.

Those culminated in January 2021 when Hernandez, for unknown reasons, stabbed his infant cousin at least 20 times as she slept in a crib at Hernandezs parents home in Fremont.

After the state psychologist diagnosed Hernandez insane, in his medical opinion, Dodge County Judge Geoffrey Hall agreed and found Hernandez not guilty of the crime by reason of insanity. Hall later sentenced Hernandez to be committed to the state of Nebraskas maximum security mental health hospital prison in Lincoln.

Ward 2 Council Member Glen Ellis resigns from politics

In late October, Ward 2 Council Member Glen Ellis made a difficult decision: to resign his seat on the city council less than one year into his second term in office.

Ellis made his decision official and public on Nov. 2 in an exclusive interview with the Tribune, explaining the reasons why he decided to step away from the public eye and what he said was growing frustration he harbored toward the city administration and city council.

The main reason he was leaving elected office was the declining health of his older brother and his desire to spend as much time with him during his brothers battle with a terminal medical condition, he said. Ellis also cited frustration with the city council itself as well as the administration of the City of Fremont.

In February, Ellis attempted to have council President Mark Jensen censured after Jensen uttered the word bullshit. Ellis was heavily involved in the library book controversy that spanned much of 2023, siding with the parental rights group of residents in seeking the removal of many books they claimed were sexually explicit or, in his opinion, inappropriate content for the city library.

Once summer hit, Ellis began to regularly miss council meeting because he was visiting his ailing brother out-of-state to help with his care and medical needs. Ellis returned to meetings in September when the city budget was being debated by the council, but decided to leave the council in October.

Ellis was in the first year of his second term as a city council member after he defeated Blair Horner in the November 2022 election. Following his resignation, Ellis was replaced on the council by Horner, who was appointed to fill the seat by Mayor Joey Spellerberg.

Mayor Joey Spellerberg raised eyebrows with bid for state treasurer

Fremont Mayor Joey Spellerberg had a busy 2023, as one of the rising stars of the Nebraska Republican Party kept busy managing the city he grew up in while also gallivanting around the state and nation hobnobbing with elected officials in Lincoln and Omaha as well as Washington, D.C.

Spellerberg was involved in many key efforts with the city in 2023, including helping lead the bid for Fremont to be named an inland port authority community, an effort that became reality in February; working hard to develop the new van-based ride service Fremont Transit over the summer; and also pushing for the revitalization of the northern area of downtown with the announcement of the location of a new police station.

In addition to those items, Spellerberg also continued to shape the city council itself with his two 2023 appointments of new members of the council.

In January, Spellerberg appointed Tad Dinkins to fill the Ward 1 seat of former council member Vern Gibson. Dinkins  a 10-year resident of Fremont  had relocated to the city for his job in 2013 and had a lengthy resume of community service and roles on assorted boards and organizations.

After the sudden resignation of Ward 2 council member Glen Ellis, Spellerberg appointed his second council member of 2023 in November, when he selected local real estate agent Blair Horner to replace Ellis. Horner relocated to Fremont in 2015 after his wife was hired to be the president of Midland University.

The two appointments in 2023 meant that Spellerberg has appointed members to three of the eight city council seats since 2021. In September 2021, Spellerberg appointed James Vaughan to one of the two Ward 3 seats.

In mid-September, Spellerberg shocked his supporters and residents after it was revealed in a Nebraska Examiner article that he had been one of many applications seeking to be appointed to the state treasurer job by Gov. Jim Pillen.

Spellerberg had announced to supporters in April he was seeking re-election to a second term as mayor and had already begun hosting campaign events for supporters and donors over the summer. He eventually was passed over by Pillen, who appointed another applicant to be state treasurer.

Real-McKeighan retired from Tribune

Thousands of local residents and readers of the Tribune were saddened by the unexpected retirement from the Tribune of longtime reporter and news editor Tammy Real-McKeighan.

Real-McKeighan began her career at the Tribune in 1981 and reported and edited thousands of news articles over four decades. She also was the author behind religious-themed column Spiritual Spinach, which gave local readers a dose of Godly goodness each Friday for 15 years.

After announcing her retirement, Real-McKeighan powered through her last few weeks doing what she had for more than four decades: writing and editing articles while uplifting the community.

In late November, a community celebration was hosted for Real-McKeighan at the Gallery 92 West in downtown Fremont. More than 100 local readers showed up to say thanks, goodbye and share their memories of interacting with Real-McKeighan.

Semo Pasta+Wine duo Drew, Michelle Statz

Fremont residents are now able to eat highly regarded farm-to-table cuisine right here in Dodge County, thanks to the husband-wife chef duo of Drew and Michelle Statz, who are the operators and minority owners of the new restaurant Semo Pasta+Wine.

Chef Drew has a long resume of highly regarded cooking stints at numerous Omaha-region restaurants, and, combined with his pastry chef and sommelier wife Michelle, they opened the doors in late May to the new eatery on North Main Street in the heart of downtown Fremont.

Since then, the couple has worked hard to put downtown Fremont on the map, drawing in thousands of diners in the months since opening whove been wowed by rare, high-end wines, unique dishes such as locally sourced beef and vegetables and specialty dinner nights like the recent truffle-mania event.

And, the restaurant  owned by the parent company Wine, Beer and Spirits  also attracted the attention of world-renowned chef and TV icon Guy Fieri, who visited the restaurant and ate a specially-made dinner in the days before it officially opened.
Real estate developer Mark McClure is launching his "Luxury Motor Toys" brand in Greater Portland Maine this summer

PORTLAND, Maine , Dec. 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Developer Mark McClure , managing director for real estate investment firm GenX Capital Partners (http://www.GenXCP.com), is set to transform the landscape of personal vehicle storage in the State of Maine with the introduction of Luxury Motor Toys (http://www.LuxuryMotorToys.com), a groundbreaking brand that offers high-end condominium garages designed to cater to the discerning needs of vehicle enthusiasts.

Luxury Motor Toy condos are 1,000 square foot units (37X27) meticulously crafted to accommodate a variety of vehicles, including cars, boats, RVs, motorcycles, ATV's, and more. These state-of-the-art garages will be individually climate controlled, featuring both air conditioning and heating systems to ensure optimal conditions for vehicles year-round in addition to a community club house complete with full bar and kitchen area.

Recognizing the growing demand for premium storage solutions, McClure remarked, "Definitely a need for sure. I have a lot of friends that are boat owners, own several snowmobiles and high-end cars, and storage has always been an issue with waiting lists in most places. It's crazy. What we have done here is take their need for storage and garage space and combine it with an amenity package and atmosphere that allows them to enjoy and work on their vehicles year-round in a fun, active, and social setting. Essentially "man caves on steroids" if you will."

To McClure's point, the Luxury Motor Toys condos are not just storage units, however, they are designed to be personalized havens for vehicle enthusiasts. Each unit includes internet access, cable, a full bathroom, stainless steel refrigerator, bar/food prep area, and a spacious 200 square foot mezzanine/loft area for relaxation and entertaining. Buyers also have the opportunity to customize their units with their own interior designs, features, furniture, electronics, and artwork.

Paula Wallem, wife of Mark McClure and interior design collaborator and co-developer on many of their projects, (most currently http://www.TheMarkCumberland.com), expressed her enthusiasm for the unique concept.

"We wanted to create a space where owners can not only store their prized possessions but also immerse themselves in an environment that reflects their passion while having fun at the same time. The combination of functionality and escapism is what sets Luxury Motor Toys apart."

Each condo also features a partial kitchen, a staircase leading to the mezzanine level for relaxation, and an outdoor deck above the garage door, providing an ideal space to enjoy fresh air or socialize with friends on those sunny days. The innovative design ensures that Luxury Motor Toys condos are not just storage spaces but extensions of the lifestyle of the owners.

McClure is hesitant to name the southern Maine / Greater Portland location until full approvals are in place for the 40-unit development, which the Town has indicated to be sometime in February, 2024. Prices for the units will range from $300K to $330K and reservations will soon be accepted. For more information please email [email protected] or visit http://www.LuxuryMotorToys.com

Mark McClure heads up GenX Capital Partners, LLC, which is a Miami and Maine based real estate development and investment firm that has multifamily and hospitality assets in New England , Texas and Florida with an expansion currently underway into Italy and France . The firm is also headed by CFO Paula Wallem .

GenX Capital Partners (http://www.GenXCP.com) lends and originates debt and equity financing for seasoned real estate developers, closing on average more $150 million a year. Additionally the firm has more than $100 million in the development, acquisition and approval stages at any one time and is actively pursuing distressed and "value add" MF and hospitality deals nationwide.

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SOURCE GenX Capital Partners, LLC
TOKYO (Reuters) - Chinese President Xi Jinping has instructed the coast guard to strengthen its activities to assert sovereignty over the East China islets, which are controlled by Tokyo but also claimed by Beijing, Japan's Kyodo news agency reported on Saturday.

In response to the order, which the report said was issued by Xi in November, the coast guard has drawn up a plan to send ships on daily patrols during 2024 near the islets, called Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China.

The coast guard vessels will also be charged with conducting on-site inspections of Japanese fishing vessels if necessary, Kyodo said, citing unnamed sources.

No one was immediately available for comment at Japan's Foreign Ministry.

Japan's ties with China have long been plagued by the territorial dispute over the group of tiny, uninhabited islets.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida reiterated Japan's serious concerns over the matter when he held talks with Xi in the United States in November, the Japanese government said at the time.

(Reporting by Kiyoshi Takenaka; Editing by Neil Fullick and Helen Popper)
FILE PHOTO: Colombia's President Gustavo Petro looks on during a meeting with Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro at the Miraflores Palace in Caracas, Venezuela November 18, 2023. REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria/File Photo

BOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombia's President Gustavo Petro on Friday proposed making changes to a tax reform that entered into effect this year that would lower taxes for businesses and hike them for rich individuals.

The changes would not look to increase overall tax take, Petro added.

The fiscal reform, approved by Congress, looked to increase tax take by some 20 trillion pesos ($5.23 billion currently) in 2023, with more money to fill government coffers in subsequent years.

However, the goal was hit by a decision by Colombia's Constitutional Court which eliminated a law preventing businesses in extractive industries from deducting royalties from their taxable income.

"I invite the business community to discuss the possibility of reforming the tax reform, I think it is time to see the impact of what was approved in Congress in this government and see it in terms of production," Petro told journalists.

The reform needs reexamining to boost productivity, Petro said, adding that a change to the reform could see corporate tax rates fall while taxes on the highest paid individuals could increase.

In November, Petro said that the Constitutional Court's ruling would reduce Colombia's tax income by about 6.5 trillion pesos ($1.7 billion) in 2024.

($1 = 3,822.05 Colombian pesos)

(Reporting by Nelson Bocanegra; Writing by Oliver Griffin; Editing by Diane Craft)
Palestinians gather at the site of an Israeli strike on a house, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, December 29, 2023. REUTERS/Fadi Shana

By Nidal al-Mughrabi, Arafat Barbakh and Dan Williams

CAIRO/GAZA/JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel must take full control of the Gaza Strip border corridor with Egypt to ensure a "demilitarisation" of the area, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday, as Israel's military pushed deeper into central and southern Gaza.

Speaking at a press conference, Netanyahu said: "The Philadelphi Corridor - or to put it more correctly, the southern closing point (of Gaza) - must be in our hands. It must be shut. It is clear that any other arrangement would not ensure the demilitarisation that we seek."

He did not elaborate. If accomplished, such a move would mark a de facto reversal of Israel's 2005 withdrawal from Gaza, placing the enclave under exclusive Israeli control after years being run by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Netanyahu's comments about the buffer zone came as Israeli military forces pressed ahead with an offensive that the prime minister reiterated will last "for many more months."

Fighting was focused in al-Bureij, Nuseirat, Maghazi and Khan Younis, according to residents, and was backed by intensive air strikes that filled hospitals with wounded Palestinians.

The bombardment has killed 165 people and wounded 250 others in Gaza over the past 24 hours, Palestinian health authorities said.

At Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, the biggest medical facility in the south of the crowded territory, a Red Crescent video showed paramedics rushing a tiny, dust-covered baby into a ward as one shouted "there is breathing, there is breathing".

Almost all Gaza's 2.3 million residents have been forced from their homes by Israel's 12-week assault, triggered after Hamas and allied groups killed 1,200 people and captured 240 hostages in a rampage in southern Israel on Oct. 7.

The offensive has killed at least 21,672 Palestinians, according to health authorities in Gaza, with more than 56,000 injured and thousands more feared dead under the rubble.

Israel says 172 of its military personnel have been killed in the Gaza fighting.

On Saturday, the armed wing of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine said an Israeli soldier being held captive in Gaza by the group had been killed in an Israeli air strike that also wounded some of his captors.

A spokesperson for the group told Al Araby television the air strike followed a failed attempt by Israeli commandos to free the soldier.

The spokesperson gave no details of location or when the soldier had been taken captive.

The Israeli military declined comment.

FLEEING BOMBARDMENT

The conflict risks spreading across the region, drawing in Iran-aligned groups in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and Yemen, that have exchanged fire with Israel and its U.S. ally, or targeted merchant shipping.

Bombardment has smashed houses, apartment blocks, businesses and hospitals. On Saturday the Palestinian Culture Ministry said Israeli strikes had struck a medieval bathhouse. Gaza's Great Mosque was hit earlier in the war.

Ziad, a medic in Maghazi in central Gaza, was fleeing with his three children to Rafah, on the border with Egypt.

"We want a ceasefire now," he said. "Enough, more than enough, already."

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said on Friday troops were reaching Hamas command centres and arms depots. Pictures released by the military showed soldiers moving across churned-up earth among ruins of destroyed buildings.

The Israeli military said it had destroyed a tunnel complex in the basement of one of the houses of the Hamas leader for Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, in Gaza City. Troops also raided the Hamas military intelligence headquarters and an Islamic Jihad command centre in Khan Younis, and destroyed targets including a weapons foundry, a military statement said.

Hamas and Islamic Jihad - both sworn to Israel's destruction - said in separate statements their fighters destroyed and damaged several Israeli tanks and troop carriers in attacks across Gaza on Saturday. They also said they fired mortars against Israeli forces in Khan Younis and Al-Bureij as well as in northern Gaza.

Israel's stated aim is to destroy Hamas and while the U.S. has called for it to scale down the war and move to targeted operations against the group's leaders, so far it shows no sign of doing so.

VACCINES FOR GAZA

Israel said on Friday it had facilitated the entry of vaccines into Gaza in coordination with UNICEF, the U.N. children's agency, to help prevent the spread of disease.

The little aid reaching the enclave since the start of the war, when Israel imposed a near total blockade on all food, medicine and fuel, has come across the border with Egypt.

Israel has only allowed access to the south of the enclave, where it started ordering all Gaza civilians to move from October, and aid agencies have said Israeli inspections have stopped all but a small fraction of needed supplies getting in.

The Israeli government said it does not limit humanitarian aid and the problem was with distribution inside Gaza.

Al-Bureij, Nuseirat and Khan Younis are three of eight camps set up in Gaza for some of the Palestinians who fled or were driven from their homes during Israel's creation in 1948. The camps have gradually become crowded urban areas after decades of building. Other Palestinian refugees live in camps in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and the West Bank.

The Gaza war has also stoked violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. On Saturday, Israeli troops shot a Palestinian motorist who tried to ram them near the West Bank city of Hebron, the army said. He was killed in the incident, the Palestinian health ministry said.

A Palestinian journalist working for Al-Quds TV was killed along with some of his family members in an airstrike on their house in the Nuseirat camp in central Gaza Strip on Friday, health officials and fellow journalists said.

(Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi in Cairo and Arafat Barbakh in Gaza; Writing by Daphne Psaledakis, Kim Coghill, Angus McDowall, William Maclean and Richard Cowan; Editing by Grant McCool, Neil Fullick, Frances Kerry, David Holmes and Daniel Wallis)
A dog dressed as Santa Claus looks at the camera after participating in the "Sanperrestre", an annual festive dog walk version of the traditional year-end San Silvestre race, to make a stand against animal abuse and abandonment while also raising awarenes

By Elena Rodriguez

MADRID (Reuters) - Hundreds of canines and their owners took to the streets of Madrid on Saturday for the city's traditional Sanperrestre walk to raise awareness about animal abandonment.

The festive version of the year-end San Silvestre race is organized by animal protection group El Refugio which campaigns against animal abuse and works to re-home abandoned dogs and cats.

"A dog is all love and it's a shame that [...] people buy them like toys and then abandon them," said 66-year-old Susana Isabel Fernandez, who was marching along with her dog Rita.

"It's a crime."

Excited pooches, some donning Santa costumes and other festive outfits, passed by the Puerta del Sol and other landmarks of the capital with their owners who topped off the event with Spain's New Year's Eve tradition of eating 12 grapes.

(Reporting by Elena Rodriguez; Writing by Elena Rodriguez and Pietro Lombardi; Editing by Christina Fincher)
SYDNEY (Reuters) - Severe thunderstorms battered parts of eastern Australia on Saturday, bringing heavy rain, giant hail and strong winds, days after another storm hit the region over the Christmas holidays.

A wild weather system is forecast to stretch more than 1,000 kms (620 miles) from Port Macquarie in the state of New South Wales to Rockhampton in Queensland, with southeastern Queensland expected to bear the brunt of the storm.

"We're now entering another active period of thunderstorms," David Grant, forecaster at the Bureau of Meteorology, said during a press briefing. "There is potential for further isolated, very dangerous thunderstorms."

Some regions picked up about 110 mm (4.3 inches) of rain, roughly a month's total, in two hours on Saturday morning, while hailstones as big as 6 cm (2.4 inches) were also spotted. The bad weather is expected to continue into the new year.

Two people were taken to hospital after lightning strikes, one while inside a car and the other on an excavator.

The storms follow severe weather on Dec. 25 and 26 that killed 10 people and knocked out power for tens of thousands of properties across the east, and after Cyclone Jasper earlier this month caused widespread flooding and damage.

Australia's December-February summer is under the influence of the El Nino phenomenon, which can cause weather extremes ranging from wildfires to cyclones and prolonged droughts.

About 28,000 properties are still without power and the latest storms will hamper reconnection efforts, Queensland state Premier Steven Miles told reporters.

As Queensland endures its second major storm in a week, an intense heatwave was sweeping across Australia's north and west. Temperatures in Marble Bar, a remote old mining town in the northwest of the state of Western Australia, are expected to touch 49C (120F) on Saturday.

But mild weather is forecast for the southeast, including Sydney, on Sunday as Australia's biggest city gears up for New Year's Eve celebrations. Tens of thousands of people are expected to flock to prime harbourside spots to watch the famous fireworks that ring in the new year.

(Reporting by Renju Jose in Sydney; Editing by Kim Coghill)
SEOUL (Reuters) - Two South Koreans kidnapped by gunmen in Nigeria earlier this month have been released safely, Seoul's foreign ministry said on Saturday.

The two men were taken after gunmen ambushed their convoy in Nigeria's oil-producing Niger Delta on Dec. 12, killing four soldiers guarding the group and two civilian drivers.

"On Friday, we secured custody of the two abducted Korean citizens," the ministry said in a statement.

"Both people are currently in good health, and after a hospital checkup, they moved to a safe area and spoke with their families."

Attacks by militants in the Niger Delta have dwindled over the years. But the region is volatile and suffers from crude oil theft and vandalism of pipelines, which has taken a toll on Nigeria's oil output.

(Reporting by Hyonhee Shin: Editing by Neil Fullick)
CAIRO (Reuters) -The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) organization on Saturday received a report of an incident in the Red Sea about 55 nautical miles southwest of the Yemeni port of Hodeidah.

The master of the unidentified ship reported "a loud bang accompanied by a flash on the port bow of the vessel" and several explosions in the vicinity of the area, the UKMTO said in an advisory note.

No damage was reported and all crew were reported to be safe. The vessel has now cleared the area at full speed to the next port of call, the note said.

Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthi militants, who control much of Yemen including the capital Sanaa, have stepped up attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea in protest against Israel's war in Gaza.

Several shipping lines have suspended operations through the Red Sea in response to the attacks, instead taking the longer journey around Africa.

The Houthis have vowed to continue their attacks until Israel halts the conflict in Gaza, and warned that it would attack U.S. warships if the militia group itself was targeted.

(Reporting by Enas Alashray, Hatem Maher and Ahmed Tolba; Editing by Jan Harvey, Marguerita Choy and Christian Schmollinger)
According to the Northwestern District Attorneys Office, Coast Guard veteran Blake Lassiter, pleaded guilty to charges involving sex abuse images. (Facebook)

(Tribune News Service)  A Coast Guard veteran will serve a sentence of 4.5 to 5 years after pleading guilty to charges involving child sex abuse images.

The sentence in state prison follows a lengthy investigation sparked by cyber tips that Blake Lassiter of Amherst, Mass., had been sending and receiving images of sexual exploitation of children, according to the Northwestern District Attorneys office.

Lassiter pleaded guilty to possession of child sexual abuse material, nine counts of dissemination of child sexual abuse material and one count of possession with intent to distribute child sexual abuse material. Lassiter admitted to sending images of abuse to another person in the United Kingdom.

His sentence, handed down on Dec. 8, includes five years of probation following his release from prison.

The sentence will not begin immediately. Lassiter is currently serving a two-year jail sentence in Oregon for similar charges, and his Massachusetts sentence will begin after he completes that, the District Attorneys office said.

Despite the best efforts of the Amherst Police Department and the National Child Victim Identification Program at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, we were unable to identify the child victims depicted in these images, but we know the impact of the defendants behavior on those children is devastating, Northwestern Assistant District Attorney Anne Yereniuk said.

2023 Advance Local Media LLC.

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Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
(Rick Vasquez/Stars and Stripes)

Washington, D.C., March 18, 2014: President Barack Obama talks about Medal of Honor recipients Staff Sgt. Melvin Morris, Sgt. 1st Class Jose Rodela and Spc. Santiago J. Erevia at the White House. The president honored 24 Hispanic, Jewish and Black men who had been denied the nations highest commendation for combat valor.

Because of the politics and prejudices of earlier decades, doubt has long lingered over whether Hispanic-Americans or Jewish-Americans had been given equal consideration with Anglo-Americans for the Medal of Honor. After Army researchers reviewed some 6,500 Distinguished Service Cross awards, they found 19 Jewish and Hispanic soldiers who deserved the highest honor, along with five soldiers of other backgrounds.

Read Stars and Stripes story highlighting a few of the recipients here.
Ensuring the safety and well-being of Nebraskas kids is our states top priority. Providing access to programs that best guarantee the delivery of nutritional foods is vital.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, person-to-person interaction was severely restricted. As a result, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) created the Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) program. At the time of this emergency, P-EBT was an important program to deliver services for Nebraskans most in need.

In 2021, Governor Ricketts declared an end to the pandemic. President Biden declared it over in May of this year. Recently, the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program (S-EBT) was created to essentially continue the pandemic era P-EBT. Continuing a pandemic-based policy is not reflective of Nebraskas current social or economic conditions.

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is committed to fighting food insecurity and improving the economic self-sufficiency of Nebraskans. Nebraska has a robust infrastructure of established and time-proven programs already in place connecting Nebraskans to the resources and support they need.

It includes the continued utilization of the Summer Food Services Program (SFSP). This program is designed to meet the needs of school children during the summer months, by providing no-cost healthy meals and snacks to children and teens at various sites. These programs also include enrichment activities such as reading, physical activity, and nutrition education. SFSP allows program organizers to interact with children in a safe and supervised environment. Organizers also identify whether additional support services may be required.

Another option is the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). It provides supplemental food, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides food benefits to low-income families so they can afford the nutritious food essential to health and well-being. There is also the SNAP E&T program which partners with Ignite Nebraska. It assists those who are receiving assistance in gaining needed training and skills to obtain high-paying careers.

DHHS also connects families to other programs for help with food assistance, such as The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) through local food banks, and the Double Up Food Bucks program operated by the University of Nebraska. In addition, DHHS has earmarked $10 million in funding to help support food banks throughout Nebraska. I encourage Nebraskans to visit iServe.Nebraska.Gov, or call the Office of Economic Assistance at (855) 632-7633. Knowledgeable, dedicated, and compassionate public servants are ready to assess families' situations, determine eligibility for economic assistance programs and refer families to community resources.

Shannon Grotrian

Director of the Office of Economic Assistance

Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
Workers stand inside a mega-pharmacy warehouse on its inauguration day in Huehuetoca, Mexico, Friday, Dec. 29, 2023. It is Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obradors solution to help end a supply issue for hospitals that dont have specific medicines needed by patients. (Fernando Llano/AP)

MEXICO CITY  Mexicos president inaugurated a huge super pharmacy Friday in a bid to end the woes of patients throughout the country who are often told they need a specific medicine  but the hospital in question doesnt have it.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obradors solution was to outfit a big warehouse on the outskirts of Mexico City to centralize a supply and send it to hospitals throughout the country.

The pharmacy is going to be big, big, big, and it is going to have all the medications that are used in the heath system, Lopez Obrador said Friday.

The pharmacy is intended to complement local health facilities. If a patient cant get needed medications at a local hospital, the patient, the patients doctor or the pharmacist would be able to call up the warehouse and get it delivered from the huge 40,000 square meter (430,000 square foot) Mexico City warehouse.

The armed forces, or the government-run pharmaceutical company Birmex, will ship the drugs out by land or air within 24 to 48 hours, Lopez Obrador pledged.

The question is whether Mexico can overcome its history of being bad at regulating the pharmaceutical industry, bad at buying medicines, bad at storing them, and bad at distributing them. Extreme centralization also hasnt helped Mexico much in the past in many areas.

The most visible face of this problem are the parents of children with cancer, who frequently stage protests because they say that in recent years chemotherapy and other drugs have been impossible to obtain.

Desperate parents blocked traffic at the Mexico City airport last year, holding up a banner reading: There isnt any chemotherapy, treatment or medicines, have some empathy and sensitivity.

The problems have killed otherwise healthy people. Because Mexico has had problems in obtaining enough morphine, anesthesiologists in Mexico have had to carry around their own vials of the sedative, drawing multiple doses out of a single vial for routine procedures like spinal blocks during births.

In the United States, where there is no shortage of morphine, doctors are advised to draw a single dose from a vial and throw the remainder out.

But in Mexico, that has led to contamination of the vials, triggering outbreaks of injection-induced meningitis in two Mexican states that have killed dozens of people  including some Americans who sought treatment at clinics in the border city of Matamoros, across from Brownsville, Texas.

Lopez Obrador mounted a major effort to obtain COVID-19 vaccines in 2021, using the armed forces to distribute them and volunteers to help apply them, and by the end of that year just about anybody in Mexico who wanted a vaccine got one, for free.

But trying to replicate that model of centralized government purchasing and army distribution on a national scale for thousands of medications is not the same, according to Mauricio Rodriguez, a professor at the School of Medicine at Mexicos National Autonomous University.

This is crazy, said Rodriguez, noting the government is opening the centralized warehouse without answering how the system will operate, especially for urgently-needed medications. He noted that concentrating all the drugs at one site increases risks, and could sideline some already-existing distribution systems.

Many of the problems pre-date Lopez Obrador, who took office in late 2018. For decades, there have been scandals involving of millions of dollars worth of medicines going out-of-date at warehouses while hospitals couldnt get them.

The countrys medicine regulatory agency, known by its Spanish acronym as Cofepris, was already so riddled with corruption prior to Lopez Obrador that regulators would hide applications for approval of new medicines for years, and demand bribes to approve them.

And with alarming frequency, regulators in Mexico send out alerts about falsified or knock-off medications being sold for treating everything from cancer to heart disease. Boxes, labels, vials and certifications are copied with amazing accuracy, but the bottles often contain little or none of the medication.

The fake medicine trade is so common, and so lucrative in Mexico because patients or their relatives are often told by doctors to buy medications at private drug stores when they are unavailable at government hospitals.

The civic group Zero Shortages said there was an increase of 142% in the number of alerts about falsified medicines between 2021 and 2022.

But part of the problems are of Lopez Obradors own making. Angry at what he claimed were inflated profits made by drug distributors and importers, the president simply cut the private companies out and decided the government should directly buy all medications.

Because the government did not have much infrastructure, contacts or experience in such a massive effort, Lopez Obrador signed an agreement with the World Health Organization to help Mexico in purchasing. But even with that help, Mexico was unable to obtain some specialized medication, something Lopez Obrador blamed on sabotage by pharmaceutical firms.

Rafael Gual, the director of the National Pharmaceutical Industry Chamber, said the governments own actions created bottlenecks in distribution.

According to the group Zero Shortages, the number of prescriptions that went unfilled in Mexico rose from 1.5 million in 2019 to 22 million in 2021; disruptions due to the COVID pandemic probably played a role.

But even in 2022, there were still about 12.5 million prescriptions that went unfilled.

Dr. Jose Moya, WHOs Mexico representative, said centralized medical warehouses can be a solution, but the key is to have a good logistical system.

If they are considering a warehouse like this, its because there is a need, Moya said, and this has to be very well organized.
China's Minister of National Defence Li Shangfu salutes the audience before delivering a speech during the 20th Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore on June 4, 2023. He has been replaced by navy veteran Dong Jun. (Roslan Rahman/AFP/Getty Images/TNS)

(Tribune News Service)  China named navy veteran Dong Jun as its new defense minister, a move that will help resume top-level military talks with the U.S. that are seen as crucial to steadying ties between the nuclear-armed powers.

Dongs appointment was announced by the countrys top legislator on Friday, ending weeks of speculation over who would occupy the role Li Shangfu was ousted from in October, without explanation. Chinas new defense minister is the first to come from a naval background.

That departure from precedent comes as Chinas military has been rocked by a volley of unexplained personnel purges this year. Two top leaders were abruptly removed this summer from the secretive rocket force, from which the nations defense ministers have previously been picked.

Three senior executives at Chinese defense suppliers that manufacture missiles were exiled from a top Communist Party advisory body this week, with no details provided. The purges continued Friday, as China ousted nine military deputies from the legislature, including former ex-Air Force Commander Ding Laihang  the first time that area of the military had been implicated in the shake-ups.

Dongs promotion suggested purges were ongoing in the rocket force, as well as the military procurement department that Li used to run, and which is under investigation, according to Wen-Ti Sung, a non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Councils Global China Hub.

It was also a sign of China designating the South China Sea as a new priority area of geopolitical contestation between China and the U.S., he added.

Dongs appointment will help smooth the path for the resumption of top-level military talks between Beijing and Washington, which were suspended after then U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan in 2022. A senior U.S. military official, who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity, said such talks would resume in January.

Former defense minister Li had been unable to meet with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, because he was subject to U.S. sanctions. President Xi Jinping and his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden pledged to resume high-level military talks during their meeting in California last month.

Unlike Chinas recent top military diplomats, Dong doesnt yet sit on the Central Military Commission, meaning Xi skipped members of the nations top military body to promote him. General Liu Zhenli, chief of the commissions joint staff department, for example, was touted a top contender.

Dong does, however, have extensive experience in Chinas navy, which has been projecting its force in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait this year, attracting criticism from the U.S. He has also worked in the Taiwan Strait, one of the biggest flashpoints in Beijings fragile relationship with the Washington.

He was appointed head of the worlds largest navy by number of vessels in 2021, a role now occupied by General Hu Zhongming, state media revealed earlier this week.

The new defense minister was also previously a deputy commander of the Southern Military Command, which looks after the South China Sea, where China has territorial disputes with neighboring nations including the Philippines and Vietnam. The U.S. conducts freedom of navigation operations in those waters, frustrating Beijing.

Dong was also a deputy commander of Eastern Military Commands navy force. The fleet is in charge of the East China Sea, including the self-ruled island of Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own. The force conducted drills around the island after Pelosis visit last year.

With assistance from Lucille Liu.

2023 Bloomberg News.

Visit at bloomberg.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Chinas President Xi Jinping, center, after meeting with Vietnams Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, right, in Hanoi on Dec. 13, 2023. (Nhac Nguyen/Pool)

(Tribune News Service)  China will escalate its challenge to the US-led world order, using a rare Communist Party conference this week to map out a strategy to raise its profile and power on the global stage.

President Xi Jinping and other senior leaders pledged to raise Chinas influence on world events to a new level, according to a government statement issued late Thursday after the conference.

We must reject all acts of power politics and bullying, and vigorously defend our national interests and dignity, it said, an allusion to what it sees as the US anti-China lobbying.

Xi has presided over an aggressive foreign policy agenda designed to bolster Chinas sovereignty, security, and development interests - and to position itself as an alternative to the US and other Western democracies, using aid, trade and foreign direct investment to build goodwill and expand its political clout.

This is just the fourth instance of the Party conference, following the inaugural meeting in 2006 and follow-ups in 2014 and 2018. Its the foreign policy equivalent of the twice-a-decade financial policy meeting China held in October.

We must take a clear and firm position, hold the international moral high ground, and unite and rally the overwhelming majority in our world, according to the statement.

Underscoring Xis determination to challenge the US, he used a speech on Tuesday intended to remember the nations founder, Mao Zedong, to instead laud Chinese modernization. Xi has promoted that vaguely defined concept since 2021, adding this week that is now the solemn historical responsibility of todays Chinese Communists.

Since Xi started abandoning his stringent approach to curbing Covid-19 in late 2022 - one that cut his nation off from the rest of the world for some three years - he has made a flurry of diplomatic efforts aimed at building Chinas global standing.

A special feature of that has been portraying his nation as the champion of emerging economies known as the Global South, mostly through groups in which Beijing has a big say. In August, he called for the BRICS bloc to fasttrack a plan to expand its members, a move that would give his policies and ideas a bigger audience.

Then in October he hosted the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing - an event for his signature infrastructure initiative that has become a club for Global South nations as Europe largely opts out.

Xi has also been building up the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as more important regional security grouping. That group helps China forge closer ties with Russia and Iran, two major foes of the US.

And hes seeking to deepen Beijings influence in Central Asia, as Russia focuses on its war in Ukraine. In May, Xi hosted a summit with leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to discuss closer trade and security links.

Xis vision of a more influential China even includes the southern Pacific. In a sign of Beijings greater interest in the region, this year it appointed its inaugural special envoy for the Pacific islands.

There are indications Beijing is trying to revamp international organizations like the United Nations to better suit its view of the world. It is also stepping up efforts to have a bigger voice on bodies around the world that set technical standards, both to move its manufacturing up the global value chain and grow its influence.

China says the moves are necessary because it deserves a voice to match its economic clout, though critics say it is undermining the bodies, for example by shifting the UNs focus away from human rights that protect the individual.

The diplomacy meeting Xi attended this week signaled China intends to forge ahead with these projects in the coming years. The nation faces new strategic opportunities in its development, the statement said, adding that the country will foster new dynamics in the relations between China and the world.

With assistance from Josh Xiao, Ocean Hou, Evelyn Yu and Janet Paskin.

Visit bloomberg.com

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Adjourning the case, Judge John Hughes said he would consider leaving the accused without a criminal record if he made a charity donation.

A council worker barged through gardai and violently struggled with them when his blood was up during a street row.

Father-of-two Dylan Behan (28) lost his cool and ran at the officers who came to deal with the earlier incident on a street near his home.

Adjourning the case, Judge John Hughes said he would consider leaving the accused without a criminal record if he made a charity donation.

Behan, of Decies Road, Ballyfermot, pleaded guilty to obstructing gardai, failing to comply with their directions and using threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour.

Dublin District Court heard gardai were called to an incident at Decies Road on August 2, 2021.

Behan began screaming at the gardai to f**k off, saying it had nothing to do with them, the court heard.

He ran from the gardai and tried to barge through two of them before putting up a violent struggle and wrestling himself away.

Gardai searched for him with the help of the air support unit but were unsuccessful and he was located and arrested the next day.

Behan had no previous convictions. He was very apologetic and remorseful for his behaviour on the night, his lawyer said.

At the time, he had an argument with someone and had too much alcohol on board.

His lawyer asked the judge to spare Behan convictions, as a criminal record could have an impact on his job. The accused was employed by a local authority and had a good work history, the court heard.

Judge Hughes said the blood was up and the accused lost his cool.

Roaring and shouting and cursing at the gardai is one thing, the judge said, but running at them and ending up in a struggle was more serious.
Wexford Circuit Court judge said what occurred was a clear attack on the administration of justice

A man facing a burglary charge was put away for three months in jail after he attempted to film the swearing in of the jury called to deal with his case.

The burglary trial  interrupted when an alert garda sergeant noticed defendant Trevor Mooney was pointing his phone at jurors  has been put back to a date in the new year.

But Judge Cormac Quinn was keen to deal without delay with the contempt of court prosecution arising from the taking of the unapproved video.

The accused, with an address in Dublin at Buttercup Park, Darndale, Coolock, was brought before Wexford Circuit Court by prison officers.

Defending the man who had 155 previous convictions from the past 39 years, barrister Brian Mulvany commented that his client leads a chaotic lifestyle and makes reckless decisions.

Counsel passed on what he called a fulsome apology on Mooneys behalf but this did not suffice to stave off the prison sentence.

Judge Quinn recalled how the defendant was spotted lifting up his phone as jury selection was under way on October 24. The court commended Garda Sergeant Mairead Brophy for noticing what was going on.

Also commended was Garda Geoffrey Scally who retrieved a 19 second video from the phone after it was seized.

What happened was a clear attack on the administration of justice, concluded Judge Quinn.

Mooney was sent away to commence his latest three month spell in prison.
The man has been charged by gardai and will be brought before a judge later this morning.

A man is due in court this morning after being charged in connection with the death of gunman Tristan Sherry.

Tristan Sherry (26) was killed after opening fire inside Brownes Steakhouse in Blanchardstown, west Dublin, on Christmas Eve.

During the shooting, a 47-year-old man was struck several times before a group managed to overpower Sherry, who was armed with a sub-machine gun.

CCTV footage captured the aftermath in which Sherry was attacked, including being stabbed multiple times, after attempting to escape out of a locked door.

On Thursday, gardai carried out a search operation in relation to the killing and a man, in his 20s, was arrested as part of the investigation.

A garda spokesman has now confirmed the man has been charged and will be brought before a judge later this morning.

He said: Gardai have charged the arrested man in relation to the investigation of the fatal assault that occurred at a premises on the Main Street in Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 at approximately 8pm on Sunday, 24th December 2023.

"The man is due to appear before a Special sitting of the Criminal Courts of Justice, this morning Saturday 30th December, 2023 at 10.30a.m.

Sherry, a father of one, was connected to a crime gang in the Finglas area led by a drug dealer known as Mr Flashy.

Funeral details for Sherry have not been announced but it is expected to be held in the coming days.

After the shooting, a page was set up for Sherry on the fundraising website GoFundMe, with his family trying to raise money for funeral costs.

The page has since been removed after several hundred euro was donated.

Gardai have appointed a senior investigating officer to oversee the inquiry, while a family liaison officer is assisting Sherrys family.
Judge David McHugh adjourned the case to give the accused time to consider how he intends to plead.

A man punched his girlfriend on the face outside a bar, causing her to fall and injure her head, it is alleged.

Albert Okolo (28) is accused of striking the woman, leaving her with marks and cuts to her face and head.

Judge David McHugh adjourned the case to give the accused time to consider how he intends to plead.

Okolo, of Kildare Road, Crumlin, is charged with assault causing harm to a woman.

Blanchardstown District Court heard the incident was alleged to have happened at Main Street, Leixlip, Co Kildare.

Gardai were called to the scene and the alleged victim told them Mr Okolo had punched her in the face, causing her to fall outside a bar.

She had marks to her face and cuts to her head from where she fell.

The DPP consented to the case being dealt with at district court level and Judge McHugh accepted jurisdiction after hearing the outline of the allegations.

Mr Okolo was unable to be present in court for the jurisdiction hearing as he was working, his lawyer said.

Judge McHugh ordered disclosure of prosecution evidence to the defence.

He adjourned the case in the accuseds absence to February but said Mr Okolo would have to be in court on the next date come hell or high water.
Byrne, of Rory OConnor House, Hardwicke Street, Dublin, pleaded guilty to threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour and public intoxication.

Jason Byrne told a garda he was not safe in his home. Photo: Paddy Cummins

A man made a sinister and insidious threat against a garda, telling him he had followed him home and knew where he lived, a court has heard.

Jason Byrne (29) told the garda he would not be safe in his home as he would get him.

Judge John Hughes gave Byrne a two-month suspended sentence for public order offences.

Byrne, of Rory OConnor House, Hardwicke Street, Dublin, pleaded guilty to threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour and public intoxication.

Dublin District Court heard that when gardai spoke to him at Hardwicke Street, Byrne was highly intoxicated and became abusive, threatening the gardai that he would get them.

He said he had followed the garda home, knew where he lived and said the garda was not safe in his home, that he would get him, a sergeant told the court.

Byrne attempted to flee and continued his threats after he was apprehended. Gardai had to physically restrain him.

Byrne had previous public order convictions.

It was not a typical case of threatening and abusive behaviour where someone was just being mouthy, Byrnes lawyer said.

Byrne had a history of severe drug abuse and mental-health issues, he added. He said some things that I would be 99pc sure he didnt know what he was saying, the lawyer said.

Judge Hughes replied: He was not saying, I know where you live, Im going to give you a present.

Byrne had been using drugs from the age of 15 and became addicted to cocaine.

He was now clean, back on the straight and narrow and doing his best to get a job.

Byrne had also suffered recent family bereavements, his lawyer said.

Judge Hughes said the threats were of a particularly sinister and insidious nature. While they were said in the heat of battle and Byrne may have had no real intention of carrying them out, the judge said he was not sure the garda would have had the same confidence at the time.

He suspended the sentence for two years on condition Byrne keeps the peace and is of good behaviour.
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The theft of 17 old masters paintings was the largest art robbery in the history of the State, with the paintings conservatively valued at over IR30m.

Gardai at Russborough House in Co Wicklow, where the art heist took place in May 1986. Photo: Independent Newspapers Ireland/NLI Collection

Irish authorities were effusive in their praise of their Belgian counterparts after a sting operation resulted in the recovery of a number of paintings stolen from Russborough House in Wicklow in 1986.

The theft of 17 old masters paintings was the largest art robbery in the history of the State, with the paintings conservatively valued at over IR30m.

Secret documents released as part of the State Archives revealed Irish officials were eager to have the paintings returned to Ireland from Belgium as quickly as possible.

On December 13, 1993, Belgian prosecutor Michel Jordens wrote to the Departments of Justice and Foreign Affairs in Ireland over the recovery of a number of suspected stolen paintings.

He indicated that four men had been detained by the Belgian authorities: Desmond Geraghty with an address in London, Cornelius Niall Mulvihill from Dublin, Damien OBrien from Dublin, Milan Marcovic from Yugoslavia and Jean Marie Leemans, who was living in Belgium but was originally from Zaire.

Mr Jordens wrote that on July 23. 1993, Cornelius Mulvihill displayed a suspected Vermeer painting, The Letter Writer, from the boot of his car.

Further meetings were set up and other paintings were displayed with a view to selling them.

Belgian police then intervened at an address near Antwerp Airport and a total of eight works of art were seized.

Mr Jordens wrote that these included Dona by Goya, Princess by Vestier, the Vermeer and Letter Writer by Metsu.

The Belgian official said that after consulting over the works seized, it was believed that they were among the artworks stolen from the Alfred Beit Foundation at Russborough House on May 20/21 1986.

All the artworks involved belonged to the National Gallery in Dublin after they had been gifted to the State by the Beit Foundation.

Mr Jordens said the Belgian authorities now wanted proof in the form of an affidavit that the works mentioned were stolen; if any of those detained in Belgian were among the suspects in Ireland; to obtain the garda records of all those in custody in Belgium; and to ask the director of chief restorer of the National Gallery to travel to Belgium to examine the recovered works and verify their authenticity. A further memo from the Irish Embassy in Brussels confirmed that the Belgian authorities indicated all the paintings involved would be returned to Ireland once it was legally permitted to do so in light of the ongoing prosecutions.

A letter dated September 16, 1993 confirmed that senior conservator of the National Gallery, Andrew OConnor, had visited Antwerp and had inspected the paintings.

Mr OConnor later had dinner at the Irish Embassy to brief diplomats on the condition of the artworks.

He expressed relief that the pictures were in relatively good shape, it noted.

He said that the police authorities in Antwerp had been quite cooperative.

Irish diplomats noted that for the paintings to be returned, a formal request from senior Government officials would have to be made through diplomatic channels to the Belgian authorities.

Once the criminal proceedings were concluded in Belgium, the return of the paintings would be automatic.

A number of the Beit paintings were also recovered from London.

Two were found by Scotland Yard detectives: one hidden behind furniture in a house in Hertfordshire and the second in a left luggage room at Euston Station.

One of those paintings was a Rubens valued at IR4m. Another painting was recovered by police in Turkey.

The robbery at Russborough House was masterminded by Dublin criminal Martin The General Cahill, who had thought the artworks could be readily sold on the black market for cash.
Police are investigating the incident as an attempted robbery but so far are not thought to have made any arrests.

AN Irish tourist has reportedly been stabbed four times in the head and back in an attempted street robbery in Brazil.

The 35-year-old was rushed to hospital after being attacked by two men who mugged him in the early hours of yesterday morning as he headed to a holiday home he was renting with relatives.

Brazilian media published grainy footage overnight showing the victim being knifed repeatedly as he lay helpless on the ground after the surprise assault, moments after the suspects had been picked up on CCTV cameras in the area.

Despite the severity of the horror attack the unnamed man is expected to survive and although he remains in hospital, he is said to be out of danger according to locals cited by Brazilian media.

The mugging occurred around 1am yesterday in an upmarket neighbourhood of Vila Velha, a coastal resort in the state of Espirito Santo just over 300 miles north of Rio de Janeiro.

The area where the stabbing happened is called Jockey de Itaparica and lies just south of Itaparica Beach which is popular with kite surfers and body boarders and was described by one recent visitor as an amazing place.

Local reports said the victim had travelled to Brazil from Ireland to meet up with family in a neighbouring state before travelling to Vila Velha to spend New Year with his relatives at a rented holiday property.

A resident whose husband alerted the emergency services told Brazilian media: He was left covered in blood and local residents helped him. He was stabbed four times, in the back, shoulder and head.

The telephone the muggers tried to steal was left lying on the street following the violent struggle and has now been handed in to the authorities by a Good Samaritan who found it.

Police are investigating the incident as an attempted robbery but so far are not thought to have made any arrests.

A spokesman for Espirito Santos Civil Police force said in a statement: No details are being disclosed at the moment to protect the ongoing investigation.

The unnamed tourist was taken to hospital in Vitoria, which is Santo Espiritos capital city.
Tristan Sherry was attacked and killed after opening fire in Brownes Steakhouse

Gardai braced for revenge attacks after gunman Tristan Sheery overpowered and killed in Christmas Eve shooting

An associate of the target of a botched gangland hit has been arrested in relation to the gunmans murder.

Tristan Sherry (26) was killed after opening fire inside Brownes Steakhouse in Blanchardstown, west Dublin, on Christmas Eve.

During the shooting, a 47-year-old man was struck several times before a group managed to overpower Sherry, who was armed with a sub-machine gun.

CCTV footage captured the aftermath in which Sherry was attacked, including being stabbed multiple times, after attempting to escape out of a locked door.

On Thursday, gardai carried out a search operation in relation to the murder.

A man, aged in his early 20s, was arrested in relation of the killing and taken to a west Dublin garda station.

The suspect is known to the gun victim, as well as his younger relatives who are connected to organised crime in the Blanchardstown area.

He was detained under section four of the Criminal Justice Act and can be questioned for a period of up to 24 hours, before he must either be charged or released from custody pending a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Gardai believe the shooting is linked to a west Dublin gangland feud which has seen a number of shootings and attacks in the past.

Sherry, a father of one, was connected to a crime gang in the Finglas area led by a drug dealer known as Mr Flashy.

Funeral details for Sherry have not been announced but it is expected to be held in the coming days.

A significant policing operation involving armed gardai is to be put in place over fears of reprisal attacks.

After the shooting, a page was set up for Sherry on the fundraising website GoFundMe, with his family trying to raise money for funeral costs.

The page has since been removed after several hundred euro was donated.

Footage also emerged of the latter stages of the attack on Sherry, which showed him bloodied on the floor of the restaurant before being struck with an object.

Gardai have appointed a senior investigating officer to oversee the inquiry, while a family liaison officer is assisting Sherrys family.

The shooting has been condemned by senior political figures, including Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Justice Minister Helen McEntee.

Local gardai are being assisted by detectives attached to the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, while increased uniformed and armed patrols have been deployed to the area.

An Garda Siochana is aware of videos of the incident and immediate aftermath which are in circulation on social media and messaging apps. We are appealing to the public for these videos not to be further distributed, a garda spokesperson said.

We are also appealing to the public to be aware of a significant level of speculation, misinformation and disinformation which is in circulation.
The investigation team also thanked the local community for their support while appealing for anyone who may have information to contact them

Footage of a blaze at a Galway hotel due to house asylum seekers as gardai investigate criminal damage incident

A suspected arson attack on the disused Ross Lake House Hotel in Rosscahill in Galway earlier this month is now the subject of a major Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI).

Gardai said this evening that the investigation team from Galway Divisional Crime Unit are now being supported by the GNBCI as they issued a fresh appeal for witnesses.

Gardai in Galway continue to investigate the criminal damage by fire incident which occurred at a premises in Rosscahill, Co Galway on Saturday, December 16, the force said.

The incident occurred at around 11.35pm. No persons were in the building at the time of the incident but there was substantial damage caused to the property.

An incident room has been established in relation to this investigation and a large number of investigative tasks have been completed.

Gardai added: The investigation team from Galway Divisional Crime Unit are now being supported by the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI).

The investigation team also thanked the local community for their support while appealing for anyone who may have information to contact them.

In particular, members of the community in the Rosscahill, Oughterard and surrounding areas who may be able to assist gardai is asked to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Clifden Garda Station 095 22500, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

The hotel was severely damaged over the weekend of Saturday, December 16, prompting a political reaction after it emerged that the Department of Integration had said it planned to use house 70 international protection applicants there.

Close-up video of the blaze had been shared on social media by accounts supportive of Irelands far right.

It later emerged that Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration, and Youth Roderic OGorman who called the news deeply disturbing said a briefing proposal was emailed to the gardai on the Friday afternoon on the plan to use the disused hotel in Rosscahill to house the international protection applicants.

The proposal triggered a protest and blockade by locals the following day and later that night the property was badly damaged in a suspected arson attack.

It is understood the privately owned hotel has been disused for some time.

"Politicians across the board should condemn this disgraceful act and the fear mongering that led to it, Minister OGorman wrote on social media.

However, before Christmas Commissioner Drew Harris told a meeting of the Policing Authority in Dublin that gardai had not received official notification about the accommodation plan and had to rely on local sources to find out what was proposed.

Mr OGorman has insisted established protocols for informing the gardai were followed.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said while gardai were notified, it appeared the information had not been passed on to the right people on the ground. Mr Varadkar suggested more of a belt and braces approach to communicating such plans may be required.

Some Fianna Fail councillors in Galway also received criticism for comments made after the fire in Ross Lake House hotel.

Councillor Noel Thomas said Ireland can no longer accommodate international protection applicants as the inn is full.

Speaking to Morning Ireland on RTE Radio One, coalition party politician Noel Thomas said the blockade was attended by people from the locality who all condemn the fire at the hotel.

Youve got to understand the strong links that hotel has got with the community there and everybody there were completely disheartened and gutted when they heard it had burnt down.

He said it held fond memories for people in the surrounding area and that everybody was gutted, even yesterday talking to people.

Theyre disgusted with what happened to that hotel and nobody, nobody condones what happened there.

He said those attending the blockade were concerned about the possibility of 70 male migrants being brought in to stay in a hotel as the location is remote and in complete isolation.

Mr Thomas said it would instil a certain amount of fear in people, adding: Its the fear of the unknown. Nobody knows.

He told how people in the area are happy to let their children out to play and leave their doors open, saying: What theyre afraid of is that there may be some antisocial behaviour coming from a group of young men being isolated in an area like this.

There is no evidence in the conjunction with the particular people that may have been brought into that area, he said.

I cannot say exactly what these people are going to be doing, but the fear is there no matter what.

Like, what we have now in this country at the moment, we have a situation here where we are bringing more and more people in here, we have no place for them to stay, were putting them into hotels, were putting them into B&Bs, were putting them into rooms in houses, that is not proper accommodation for people and its actually causing a lot of upset in a lot of communities.

We really have to start realising that the inn is full.

Cllr Thomas later said he had not been contacted by any Fianna Fail representative regarding disciplinary action over his comments.

Councillor Seamus Walsh also said government policies were in some way responsible for the fire.

The comments were referred to the partys rules and procedures committee after Tanaiste Micheal Martin had a heated phone call with Cllr Thomas.

Mr Martin said the two councillors had not struck the right tone on the burning down of the hotel.

The councillors comments were also criticised by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.

Another Fianna Fail councillor later defied party and Government policy by saying people who buy buildings and rent them as refugee accommodation are worse than the English landlords of decades ago.

William OLeary was speaking at a protest about plans for asylum seekers to move into a B&B in Fermoy Co Cork.

Cllr Thomas told RTEs Morning Ireland: Micheal Martin is entitled to give his opinion on it, but lets just make one thing very clear.

In two days, I have had zero contact from Fianna Fail regarding any disciplinary action being taken against me.

And the only source of information Im hearing about this has come from the media, he said.

Cllr Thomas said he still doesnt know whether he is being investigated by Fianna Fail.

I had been told by the media I am but haven't been told by anybody else, he said.

He added he had a long conversation with Tanaiste Micheal Martin on Sunday evening.

I stated Im not happy with what Micheal Martin is doing to this country at the moment, and he stated he was not happy with what I was saying in relation to that.
The 12-year-old and an 11-year-old girl were staying with guardians at the InterContinental New York Times Square Hotel

A 12-year-old child has been charged after a woman was injured when alcohol bottles were thrown from the 32nd floor of Times Square hotel in New York.

The loud bangs of the glass smashing onto the street caused a brief panic at the Crossroads of the World and led to police temporarily shutting down the street.

Some witnesses mistook the sound for gunfire

I can understand why people thought it was gunshots, a law enforcement source told The New York Post. When something falls 32 stories and hits the ground it will make a loud noise.

The 12-year-old and an 11-year-old girl were staying with guardians at the InterContinental New York Times Square hotel on West 44th Street between Eighth and Ninth avenues.

The 12-year-old was charged with reckless endangerment as a juvenile, while the 11-year-old was not charged because of her age, sources said.

The Post reports that the youngsters had tossed glass shooters of booze from the 32nd-floor window shortly before 5pm.

Hotel workers described how the bottle crash to the ground on the Eighth Avenue side of the hotel in front of Shake Shack and the Satin Dolls strip club.

A 24-year-old woman was injured, suffering a cut to her head, was taken to Bellevue Hospital in stable condition.

The incident temporarily shut down the street as police investigated, sources told the Post.

It sounded like an explosion or gunshots, one passer-by told an officer.

Throwing a bottle from the 34th floor, you could literally kill somebody, said a bouncer outside of Satin Dolls, who narrowly missed being hit by a bottle.

NYPD had the entire area shut down for over an hour, said Clichy Pierre, 40, of Brooklyn, a parking attendant working at a lot across the street from the hotel.

Irate customers were unable to leave the lot due to the bottle-tossing incident, he said.

Anytime you shut down the street, you know its crazy, said a hotel bellhop.Incidents, adding: Incidents like these are just part of the area.

A Shake Shack employee said he thought someone was trying to jump out of the window, adding that employees were forced to shelter in place for over three hours.

I thought it was a suicide. Everyone was looking up as I was walking into work, a hostess at Sugar Factory, said.

The incident took place just hours after Mayor Eric Adams and The Times Square Alliance assured New Yorkers that safety would be a top priority this New Years Eve.

Organisers have said they are prepared to welcome the crowds and ensure their safety as thousands prepare to descend on New Yorks Times Square for the traditional New Year celebrations.

At a security briefing on Friday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said there were no specific threats to the annual New Years Eve bash, which is expected to draw tens of thousands of people to the heart of midtown Manhattan on Sunday.

The celebrity-filled event will include live performances from Flo Rida, Megan Thee Stallion, LL Cool J as well as televised appearances from Cardi B and others.

Organisers said in-person attendance is expected to return to pre-Covid levels, even as foot traffic around Times Square remains down slightly since the pandemic.
Jesus Benito Fernandez-Asta (55) was detained by Spanish authorities in Almeria on Thursday, after failing to appear at Lewes Crown Court in July.

A Spanish national wanted by the National Crime Agency (NCA) in connection with the attempted importation of cannabis worth over 100,000 (114,000) into the UK has been arrested in southern Spain.

Jesus Benito Fernandez-Asta, 55, was detained by Spanish authorities in Almeria on Thursday, after failing to appear at Lewes Crown Court in July.

He is now expected to appear in court as extradition proceedings begin after he was tracked down to a residential address in the city of Almeria on Thursday, December 28.

According to the NCA, he is suspected of orchestrating a cannabis shipment in a lorry from Spain before flying over to the UK to take receipt at the other end.

However, the blocks of resin were found in the pallet locker of a lorry by Border Force officers carrying out checks on freight at the Channel Tunnel terminal in Coquelles, northern France, in November 2020.

The drugs were found on pallets

NCA investigators were able to link Fernandez-Asta to the importation and found him at an address in Donald Hall Road, Brighton, where he was arrested in August 2021.

During a search of the property further quantities of cannabis and cocaine were discovered, leading investigators to believe he was involved in drug distribution. Financial records indicating payments to contacts in Spain were also found.

Fernandez-Asta was charged with conspiring to import class B drugs, being concerned in the supply of class A and B drugs and money laundering.

He was bailed and a warrant for his arrest was issued when he failed to attend his trial at Lewes Crown Court in July 2023.

The NCA said they and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) will now work with the Spanish authorities to facilitate his extradition back to the UK.

NCA Senior Investigating Officer Dean Wallbank said Fernandez-Asta stands accused of significant drug importation and distribution offences.

Im delighted he has been tracked down, and Im grateful to our Spanish partners for their work in ensuring his arrest. The process of returning him to the UK to face the courts here is now underway.

This case once again demonstrates that NCA has international reach, and no matter where fugitives try to hide we have the determination and ability to hunt them down and bring them back to face justice.
On other occasions, he added, he had happened to lose large loads of cocaine, including in Gioia Tauro, where overall a ton and a half of drugs disappeared

Camorra mob boss Raffaele Imperiale has revealed how he lost 600-kilo cocaine bound for Sydney in Australia with no idea where it went.

However, the former Kinahan cartel partner who has turned pentito (supergrass) told Italian authorities the failed expedition was a calculated risk that did not stop his activity.

During an interrogation in the Court of Naples, Imperiale, connected by videoconference from the prison where he is being held, was responding to questions posed by deputy prosecutor Maurizio De Marco.

Imperiale, who has already handed over an island in Dubai to the Italians as part of his collaboration with justice officials, explained how the operation proved to be a failure as the cargo was lost.

Raffaele Imperiale and Daniel Kinahan

According to Imperiale, the two containers containing the drugs may have disappeared in Naples or Gioia Tauro, where the ship carrying them had stopped before leaving for Sydney.

Imperiale told how the Australian market is particularly profitable with an investment of between 7-8 million returning as much as 90 million.

The drug shipments the narco boss said, according to reports in the Naples-based online newspaper Fanpage, were organised together with other partners in order to write off potential losses.

Of the 600 kilos sent to Australia, 200 belonged to Imperiale while the other 400 had been purchased by the Australians, who had paid 14 million in advance.

The shipment dates back to January 2021 and its disappearance would have marked the end of any attempt by the broker to bring the cocaine to Australia, Fanpage reports.

Imperiale, however, explained that it had not been a brake on his activity, and that it was indeed an expected risk.

On other occasions, he added, he had happened to lose large loads of cocaine, including in Gioia Tauro, where overall a ton and a half of drugs disappeared.

Earlier this month we reported how Imperiale had offered to hand over a 60 million island off Dubai in his latest bid to get a reduced prison sentence.

In March this year, police found more than 80 weapons hidden under the garage floor of Imperiales house, including three Kalashnikov rifles, a grenade, and 5,067 rounds of ammunition.

Known as the Van Gogh Boss  because he had two of the painters stolen works in a villa  he is facing a 14-year sentence.

Imperiale, who had been on the run for five years, was arrested in Dubai in August 2021 and was extradited to Italy in March 2022.

In early December, documents in English were handed into the court in which a Dubai registered company said it had been given the power to hand the artificial island to the Italian authorities.

Imperiale bought the island, named Taiwan, during his time in hiding and the firm estimated its value at 60m-80m.

The barren island is part of an artificial archipelago off the coast of the United Arab Emirates called The World, which is shaped as a map of the globe.

It is registered to a company whose lawyers sent the letter to the Neapolitan Prosecutors Office, stating they wanted to make it available to the authorities.

Imperiale said he bought it seven years ago for 12 million.

The offer is being examined by the prosecutors office, but it may be difficult for the Italian state to legally acquire it.

It is clear that Imperiale wants sentence reductions, the prosecutor, Maurizio De Marco, was reported as saying in local media.

We are assessing the validity of his statements, but there seems to be no doubts about their genuineness.

Imperiale had six months to prove his commitment to telling all after declaring his wish to be a pentito last October, in a move that is likely to have left the Kinahans sweating.

But he was already co-operating with police even before he attended Daniel Kinahans wedding at the Burj al Arab Hotel in 2017.

The Van Gogh paintings stolen in 2002 in Amsterdam were discovered by Italian police acting on information in 2016.

Imperiale told an Italian newspaper he didnt steal the paintings, which have since been returned the Netherlands, but bought them after they were offered to him for sale.

It also emerged during the trial that Encrochat and SkyECC messages hacked by French police have been linked to Imperiale.

A legal decision has yet to be made on whether the messages can be used in the trial after a previous Italian Supreme Court ruling that a judges permission must first be sought before they are acquired by police.

Imperiale, who began his criminal career from a coffee shop in Amsterdam, is believed to have been at the top of the drug cartel, along with Dutch criminal Ridouan Taghi, Daniel Kinahan and Bosnian drug trafficker Edin Gacanin.

The group was observed having meetings in the Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai in 2017 and attended Kinahans wedding there.

The cartel is considered to be one of the biggest in the world with almost complete control over the sale of Peruvian cocaine.

Daniel Kinahan, his father Christopher and brother Christopher Jr are still at large despite a US $5 million bounty on their heads.

Close associate Sean McGovern, who is the subject of an arrest warrant in relation to a murder from the Irish authorities, is believed to be living in Dubai.

McGovern is wanted in Ireland on charges related to the murder and organised crime related offences in connection with the 2016 fatal shooting of Noel Duck Egg Kirwan.
"He was robbed on us. They should give him back, Kathleen Byrne told the Sunday World.

A Waterford woman who spent decades trying to find out what happened to her baby who was taken away from her in hospital, never to return, fears his remains will never be returned to her after gardai said they are no longer looking into the case.

All Im asking is - will they give me my child back so he can come with us?

"Ill be buried where he is.

"Hell be buried with his family.

"He was robbed on us. They should give him back, Kathleen Byrne told the Sunday World this week.

Kathleen gave birth to her second child, Patrick, in Airmount Hospital in Waterford on December 27, 1966.

Days later he was taken by ambulance to Dublin but she was assured by a nun he would be fine and back to her soon but she says the nun subsequently told her he was playing with the angels in heaven.

She said nun at the hospital told her to never mention him again and move on, despite Kathleen pleading for his remains to be returned.

After decades seeking answers, she was finally told in the 1990s that Patrick had been taken to Temple Street Hospital in Dublin where he died due to a heart issue before his organs were taken with-permission, and that he was buried in a mass grave.

Kathleen said that because she is aware of things like illegal adoptions happening in Ireland back then, she wont believe her son is dead until she has his remains which have still not been returned to her after all these years.

She previously described the removal of his organs as being gutted like a fish.

Kathleen also wants her sons remains so she can bury him in a family plot in Waterford.

Gardai met with Kathleen in 2021 to discuss her case and have spoken to her on several occasions since but told the Sunday World this week they are not currently investigating the matter.

An Garda Siochana is not investigating the matter referenced in your query at this time. HSE has carried out significant audits on this issue before.

Ahead of the anniversary of his death on January 7, Kathleen told the Sunday World she does not think she will ever get her childs remains back.

They robbed my child and never brought him back and never gave him back. I never seen my child after he left Waterford.

I dont think Ill ever get his remains back. If I got his remains back through DNA then Id know he was there. If theyre not giving him back, what are they hiding. Are they hiding something?

It took Kathleen years before she was even told what happened to her baby and where his remains were, but she said because of this she cant even be sure he is where they say he is unless they exhume his body and do a DNA test.

She said authorities dont want to exhume the grave as there are remains of 35 other infants in the plot.

They cant dig Glasnevin to dig my childs remains because there are 28 before him and seven on top of him.

She said she thinks she will go to her own grave without getting her sons remains back.

Thats what Im thinking.

When it came out they were taking body parts and hearts and lungs. When youd hear all this. How could they do that to your child without your consent.

Kathleen has a gravestone for Patrick in Waterford but the grave remains empty and she fears it will remain that way.

She said she is sceptical about the official explanation for what happened to Patrick because she was told for years no records about him existed until she received them under Freedom of Information.
The cheeky primate is about the size of a tom cat or a small dog, and Mr. Heffernan has warned that the animal is very agile and a great tree-climber

Wicklow people have been warned not to approach a marauding monkey which is on the loose in the Garden of Ireland.

The worlds most intelligent organ grinder monkey, the famed nut-cracking capuchin, broke free from Rathdrum Monkey Sanctuary last week and is believed to still be somewhere in the Rathdrum area.

Monkey sanctuary manager William Heffernan has sent out an urgent message to locals to be on the lookout for an escaped capuchin monkey" and he warns the public not to approach the animal.

Willie approaches the sanctuary by boat (Pic: Rathdrum Monkey Sanctuary)

The cheeky primate is about the size of a tom cat or a small dog, and Mr Heffernan has warned that the animal is very agile and a great tree-climber, Wicklownews reports.

The sanctuary is only reachable by boat and how the monkey managed to escape is not known although it may have managed to swim or climbed onto a floating object.

Sanctuary owner Mr Heffernan is a true animal lover and his monkeys owe their lives to what is Ireland's first and only sanctuary for unwanted primates.

Capuchin seen in a tree

"The best part about this unique project is how the lives of these monkeys have been totally transformed: monkeys that had spent their entire lives in cages are now are free to live on idyllic islands in a spring-fed lake at the sanctuary, where they spend their days climbing and swinging on trees, a spokesperson states.

Mr Heffernan keeps 17 capuchin monkeys who are natives of the South American rainforest and a Sooty Mangabey, a native of equatorial West Africa.

The capuchin is considered to be the most intelligent small monkey and is noted for its long-term tool usage, one of the few examples of primate tool use other than by apes and humans.

Upon seeing macaws eating palm nuts, cracking them open with their beaks, capuchins will select a few of the ripest fruits, nip off the tip of the fruit and drink down the juice, then seemingly discard the rest of the fruit with the nut inside.

Locals are warned to be aware as these monkeys can swing up to 34 mph through trees over great distances.

When the discarded fruits have hardened and become brittle, the capuchin will gather them up again and take them to boulders where they gather stones.

They will then use these stones, some of them weighing as much as themselves, to crack open the fruit to get to the nut inside.

Young capuchins will watch this process to learn from older relatives.

At this point, it is understood there have been no reports of any monkey business, Wicklow authorities remain vigilant and hope to get the issue off their back soon.
But the 39-year-olds dreams of a life-changing op hit the buffers today after it emerged just a fraction of the 16,000 (18,500) he needs has so far been donated by 25 people.

A FUNDRAISER for a man whose wife sliced off his penis after he allegedly slept with her niece, is struggling to garner support.

Gilberto Nogueira de Oliveira, named and pictured for the first time overnight, had let a friend organise an online campaign to fund the prosthetic penis he wants after Daiane dos Santos flushed his own pride and joy down the loo in a fit of jealous rage.

But the 39-year-olds dreams of a life-changing op hit the buffers today after it emerged just a fraction of the 16,000 (18,500) he needs has so far been donated by 25 people.

The donations so far total just over 1,352 Brazilian reais, a paltry 218.

A moving online write-up by a friend identifying herself as Angela de Oliveira for the fundraiser says: Due to an obsessive and out-of-control relationship my friend's wife, after discovering a betrayal, committed the crime of cutting off his member.

Im asking for help so that he can rebuild his life after this tragedy, and in the name of everyone who has already suffered from abusive relationships, he can return to a normal life.

We are raising this amount to cover the medical costs of a reconstruction and also to put his life in order, including helping to support his daughter who depended on his work, which he is currently unable to do.

The message concluded in capped-up letters: NO JUDGMENTS PLEASE, JUST PEACE AND SENSITIVITY.

Overnight it emerged Gilberto, who supplements his salary as a petrol station attendant by working as a part-time cab driver, may face an agonising drawn-out trial as well as the struggle of paying for his penis op.

Daiane, 34, confessed to slicing off his todger after walking into a police station as he was rushed to hospital, claiming she acted out of revenge after discovering he had slept with her 15-year-old niece.

The fundraiser hasn't really taken off

The professional cook switched the lights off at their home in Atibaia near Sao Paulo on December 22 after offering him kinky sex and tying his hands up with a pair of her knickers before assaulting Gilberto.

She told police she then flushed his organ down the toilet because she wanted to make sure it couldnt be sewn back on.

She was briefly freed before being arrested and remanded in custody where she remains ahead of an expected trial for attempted murder.

But Gilbertos hopes of a quick guilty plea by his wife so he can avoid a long drawn-out trial looked bleak today after his wifes defence lawyer submitted copies of WhatsApp messages he exchanged with her niece.

One includes a photo of his penis before it was sliced off which he allegedly sent to the 15-year-old.

Gilberto reportedly messaged the teenager alongside the pic to say: Send me one of your breasts and received a photo of the youngster without her shirt on as a reply.

The slice victim admitted he is trying to raise money for an implant in an interview after he was released from hospital.

He is understood to have had a catheter fitted so he can go to the toilet.

Despite the traumatic injuries he suffered, Gilberto says he has forgiven his wife for what she did.

He told Brazilian media: I havent spoken to Daiane since this happened because she is in prison but I forgive her.

I am not angry, I have no grudges.

I hope God blesses her and me too. Obviously I wouldn't go back with her, but maybe I would talk to her in the future.

Im mentally calm. I'm not 100 per cent but I am recovering. I have a lot of faith and I know that God will bless me and heal me. Positive thinking.

Recalling the moment his wife carried out her crime, he added: We lay down and started having sex. She tied my hands, but the only thing I found strange was that she turned off all the lights. I couldn't see anything, and then she used a knife and cut off my penis.

The age of consent in Brazil is 14 and police have confirmed they are not investigating Gilberto over what has been described as a "consensual" relationship with his wife's niece.
Falcon residents will say goodbye to 2023 by saying hello to Chipotle Mexican Grill.

The fast-casual restaurant chain, which specializes in burritos, tacos, quesadillas and other items, will open Sunday  New Years Eve  in the Falcon Marketplace shopping center northwest of Woodmen and Meridian roads in Falcon, the unincorporated area outside Colorado Springs. The location will operate from 10:45 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

The restaurant, which will employ about 25 people, will feature a Chipotlane  a drive-thru that allows customers to pick up digital orders without leaving their cars, according to a Chipotle news release. Most new Chipotles have the drive-thru lane, a feature the 30-year-old chain introduced in 2019.

The Falcon location also will join another Chipotle that will open the same day in Castle Rock as the chains first all-electric restaurants in Colorado, the news release said.

The Falcon and Castle Rock restaurants will operate with all-electric equipment and systems to replace gas power, as well as a smaller electric cookline, improved exhaust hoods and heat pump water heaters. Those features are part of what Chipotle calls its new responsible restaurant design, which seeks to maximize energy efficiency and use 100% renewable energy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

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Chipotle  which says it has more than 3,300 locations in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France and Germany  becomes one of the latest restaurants and retailers to open in fast-growing Falcon, the area to the east and northeast of Colorado Springs in unincorporated El Paso County.

Falcon was once known for large lots and acreages and a rural look and feel. Over the last 30 years, however, it became an attractive alternative for homebuyers who sought less expensive housing and wanted to get away from city life in Colorado Springs.

Thousands of single-family homes now have been built in suburban-like residential developments in Falcon, such as Woodmen Hills and Meridian Ranch.

Those rooftops, in turn, have drawn dozens of retailers, restaurants, banks, coffee shops, tire and auto parts stores and service-oriented businesses; Walmart, Safeway, Walgreens, McDonalds, Wendys, Pizza Hut, 7-Eleven and other familiar national brands all have locations in Falcon.

At the Falcon Marketplace shopping center, Chipotle joins Dutch Bros Coffee, Freddys Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, Panda Express, Slim Chickens and Discount Tire, among others. Grocery chain King Soopers, meanwhile, will anchor Falcon Marketplace and will open one of its larger format marketplace stores at the shopping center Jan. 24.
With the holidays upon us and the promise of sunny beach days ahead, Coast Care Bay of Plenty is reminding beach users to be proactive in taking care of the region's pristine coastline and beaches.

Coast Care, a coastal restoration programme that has been operating since 1994, is run in close partnership with local communities, schools and authorities to restore and protect the sand dunes along Bay of Plenty beaches.

We work hard with locals year-round to protect and restore our dunes, so with summer welcoming more people to the beach, were asking everyone to please be aware of these fragile ecosystems while enjoying our coast, says Coast Care Regional Coordinator Russell Knutson.

This sentiment was echoed in the results of Coast Cares newly released 2023 Beach User Survey.

With more than 600 responses from people across the region, the survey results highlight the importance of community involvement in maintaining the health and vitality of the coastal environment.

It also shows a shift in community priorities and values since the last survey was carried out in 2014, with some key themes emerging that will inform the future direction of Coast Care.

"The sandy dunes that span 156km along the Bay of Plenty coastline are not just a gateway for summer activities; they are a living, breathing ecosystem that supports diverse native species, provides recreational space for families, and acts as natural barrier against coastal hazards," says Russell.

"These coastal areas play an important part in our community's wellbeing.

Natural beauty and wildlife has risen to the top of the values cherished by beach users. It's a clear signal that our community places a premium on sustainable conservation efforts.

Most respondents favour environmentally friendly methods for coastal preservation, with dune planting emerging as a top choice.

It's encouraging to see our community embrace these sustainable initiatives to ensure the longevity of our beaches, dunes, and coastal property. Its also another reason to take care of our dunes over the busiest season.

"Feet and vehicles destroy dunes, all the more reason to stick to the official accessways, says Russell.

The survey results show there is support for restrictions on vehicle access and a call for councils to enforce rules to support safer beaches for families and children.

"As we enjoy the sun and surf, it's essential to be mindful of our human impacts. The beach is a shared place. Everyone can do their part this summer to keep our coastal systems protected, dunes preserved and ultimately enjoyed safely by all," says Russell.

Read the full 2023 Beach User Survey report here.

Coast Care Bay of Plenty is run in partnership with all four coastal district and city councils (Western Bay of Plenty, Tauranga, Opotiki and Whakatane) and the Department of Conservation. Learn more here: boprc.govt.nz/coast-care
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The caves of Rincon de la Victoria, on the eastern stretch of the Costa del Sol are the protagonists of the documentary The Last Traces of the Neanderthals, which is being produced by Spains Canal Sur television company. The production team has visited the towns Cueva de la Victoria and the Galeria del Higueron to find out more about the presence of Neanderthals in Andalucia.

"The team directed by Jesus Moreno Vidal has visited the caves of El Cantal with the idea of obtaining evidence of the presence of these human groups which date back more than forty thousand years and who used the caves of Rincon de la Victoria, which was scientifically proven during research in summer", explained Rincons councillor for tourism, Antonio Jose Martin.

The documentary looks at fossil footprints found on the beaches of Matalascanas (in the coastal area of Donana National Park, in Huelva province), which uncovered the traces of a group of people who fished on the beach some 120,000 years ago.

Tourism

Mayor of Rincon de la Victoria, Francisco Salado said that the documentary was of enormous scientific importance and that it would have an impact on the town as a tourist destination. "For Rincon de la Victoria it is a great step forward in the scientific dissemination of its prehistoric caves, following the experience with National Geographic and the collaboration and research agreements signed with the Nerja Cave Research Institute, the University of Cadiz, the First Art Project and the Max Planck Institute in Germany".

The documentary also includes caves in Ardales and Gibraltar and shows how Neanderthals lived in different ecosystems and exploited the natural resources around them such as coastline, valleys, mountains and caves," said Pedro Cantalejo, researcher at the Rincon de la Victoria caves. The documentary is set to be broadcast by Canal Sur in spring 2024.
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This past year in New Yorks cannabis industry has been a lot like a New Years Eve party: high expectations made for a fair amount of disappointment, even though there were some genuinely good times, as well.

The states first adult-use dispensary opened just before the start of 2023, and a few more outlets opened in the following weeks. However, retail shops  many of which contended with real estate issues  opened at a slower than expected pace this year, even before a lawsuit paused the entire Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary program altogether.

However, we also saw some undeniable greenshoots throughout the year. Cannabis Growers Showcase events provided struggling farmers with much-needed retail outlets, as well as access to legal products in areas without any dispensaries. The Cannabis Control Board also completed regulations and launched the states first general licensing application period.

As we turn our eyes toward 2024  and all the opportunity and heartbreak it presents  lets take a look back at this past year, and all it entailed.

A look at 2023

In January, the Office of Cannabis Management launched the Cannabis Compliance Training & Mentorship program for adults with advanced farming, cultivation or horticulture experience and/or advanced experience with manufacturing, processing, packaging or branding products for human consumption.

Some of New Yorks legacy operators saw the program as a foot in the door for cannabis business licenses  especially microbusiness licenses. But by June, some participants who completed the 10-week curriculum said a lack of clarity around whether completing the program would make them any more likely to get a license put its value into question.

Later in January, the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York released information on the players managing New Yorks $200 million cannabis social equity fund to NY Cannabis Insider  a prompt 100 days after we requested the information.



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NY Cannabis Insider sought documents from DASNY that would show how the agency ended up selecting Social Equity Impact Ventures to raise and manage money for the fund. The documents include a partially redacted version of Impact Ventures response to DASNYs request for proposals submitted in June. The documents also confirm that Impact Ventures did submit information to the state that was not true or, at best, was a stretch.

In February, we ran a long-form profile on Joshua Waterman, a longtime operator within New Yorks underground market and president of the Legacy Growers Association. Waterman and many others informally created the Legacy Growers Association years ago as an underground network through which members of that community can trade tips. As he and partner Brandi Hester worked to establish LGA as a formal entity, Waterman told NY Cannabis Insider that he wanted to keep helping legacy operators grow their businesses.

In March, a NY Cannabis Insider story led to policy change at OCM after our investigation found a majority of the best-selling weed available in the nascent marketplace contained drastically lower THC than advertised.

The discrepancy between the label and whats inside was due primarily to an OCM Band-Aid  called line testing  that allowed flower and pre-rolls to get to shelves fast without measuring actual potency, and instead allowed advertising anticipated potency. By the time the story was published, the OCM had concluded that the states flower should be tested for potency and announced an end to its line testing program for flower and pre-rolls.

That same month, we were the first to report a major lawsuit filed by a coalition that included some of New Yorks medical cannabis companies. The lawsuit asked a judge to compel state regulators to open up licensing for all retail dispensary applicants immediately, and was settled alongside another similar suit this month.

Real estate was always going to present a challenge to New Yorks cannabis industry  especially for retailers  and that surfaced in 2023, as CAURD licensees were forced to compete with DASNY for storefronts. Entrepreneurs and their lawyers complained of an emerging dynamic in which small business owners were pitted against DASNY  a huge government institution that issued more than $10.6 billion in bonds in the 2021 fiscal year.

Predatory financing deals also became an increasing issue in 2023, according to stakeholders. In an adult-use market which only included small businesses  at the time  predatory investment offers seemed to be increasingly common, with licensees receiving exploitative offers, such as a $1 million investment in exchange for 49% equity in the company.

In May, the states largest cannabis industry group, the Cannabis Association of New York, escalated a call for swift regulatory action, specifically regarding alleged conflicts of interest by then-Cannabis Control Board member Reuben McDaniel, who was also president of DASNY.

Following calls for accountability from CANY and others, McDaniel resigned from the CCB in June and from DASNY in October.

As an increasing number of CAURD licensees sought storefronts, zoning issues came to the forefront. Though the time has long-passed for cities and towns to opt out of cannabis retail, some CAURD licensees told NY Cannabis Insider that many are creating zoning standards that make it nearly impossible for dispensaries to open within their borders.

In late-spring, cannabis regulators settled a federal lawsuit that paused parts of the CAURD program for months. The CCB agreement with Michigan-based plaintiff Variscite NY One, Inc., ended a court injunction that had prevented the state from granting CAURD licenses to businesses in the Finger Lakes region. It also guaranteed an adult-use license for the plaintiff once general licensing began. (Variscite filed a second lawsuit on Dec. 18, asking for another injunction.)

But not long after the state settled the Variscite lawsuit, the CAURD program screeched to a halt a second time in early August, after a lawsuit initially filed by four service-disabled veterans, including Carmine Fiore, resulted in an injunction that prevented more than 400 CAURD licensees from opening their stores, causing another huge disruption in New Yorks legal weed rollout.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services made a late-summer recommendation that cannabis be moved from the Drug Enforcement Agencys Schedule I to Schedule III, and NY Cannabis Insider took a look at how that would affect New Yorks legal market.

We also ran a story about a disparity in how cannabis regulators seem to treat True Parties of Interest rules. While the OCM is holding businesses to stringent standards, the state appears to be giving itself a fair amount of latitude in its funding agreement with asset management firm Chicago Atlantic  the sole private lender to New Yorks $200 million social equity fund for CAURD licensees.

An investigation NY Cannabis Insider published in late-September uncovered systemic public health failures at every level of the states legal cannabis industry, from farmers to labs to state regulators, that experts said may pose a serious health threat to consumers. Top-selling weed strains, available at licensed dispensaries from Western New York to Manhattan, were found to contain microbial levels 10-250 times higher than whats allowed under the states rules for medical cannabis.

Also in September, the head of New Yorks Cannabis Advisory Board said in a meeting that the group needs a staff and budget to function properly, and noted the board hasnt been as involved with the states legal weed rollout as the cannabis law prescribes.

On Oct. 4, the OCM launched its long-awaited general licensing application period after approving all regulations for each license category. Applications for the initial tranche of general license hopefuls had a deadline of Dec. 4 to file their paperwork.

As the injunction from the Fiore case dragged on, many CAURD licensees began applying for general licenses in October, worrying that their conditional licenses were too precarious and vulnerable to lawsuits.

In late-October, the New York State Senate held a fact-finding public hearing in Albany that Sen. Jeremy Cooney called to address the states troubled rollout of its legal cannabis industry. Lawmakers heard from regulators, government officials and businesses about the problems and successes associated with New Yorks legal weed market.

NY Cannabis Insider wrote about a partnership between companies that serve medical cannabis patients, which appears to violate medical regulations. Cannabis telemedicine company Leafwell, in partnership with medical cannabis company Curaleaf  and possibly other medical operators in New York  have been emailing medical cannabis patients who have subscribed to mailing lists with offers of lower-cost telehealth certifications, both companies acknowledged to NY Cannabis Insider.

In early December, a judge approved a settlement in the lawsuit that led to a nearly four-month injunction on the CAURD program, and a prior one filed by a coalition of medical cannabis companies. The settlement lifted that injunction, while regulators agreed to award retail licenses and site protection to the plaintiffs, and add pro-veteran programs to the OCM.

Later in December, Carmine Fiore  the face of that lawsuit  spoke exclusively with NY Cannabis Insider about the litigation and its fallout, while other service-disabled veterans in New Yorks cannabis industry also provided their opinions. Fiore told NY Cannabis Insider that he believes veterans would have been ignored if not for the litigation. Among other service-disabled veterans in the states weed industry, opinion is split.

Happy New Year everyone, well be back with plenty more in 2024!
Syracuse, NY -- Paiges Butterfly Run, organizer of a popular annual race during Taste of Syracuse, raised $247,500 this year to support Upstate Medical Universitys efforts to combat childhood cancer.

The donations, which included proceeds from the June race, will go to pediatric cancer research, as well as financial support to families to cover everyday expenses, like food, gas and medical supplies.

This years donation included $11,200 in books bought by customers at Barnes & Noble and donated to Upstate for distribution.

Since 1997, Paiges Butterfly Run has raised nearly $5 million for Upstate Golisano and the Waters Center for Childrens Cancer and Blood Disorders at Upstate.

The organization honors Baldwinsville elementary school student Paige Arnold, who was diagnosed with leukemia in 1993 at age 6 and died a year later in a Boston hospital. Her father, Chris Arnold, chairs the non-profits board.

The Central New York community really stepped up to support our mission with tremendous fundraising from individuals, corporate sponsorship and personal giving, Chris Arnold said in a news release.

Staff writer Douglass Dowty can be reached at ddowty@syracuse.com or (315) 470-6070.
RahulNagaraj Senior - BHPian



Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,897 Thanked: 18,891 Times

Suzuki Jimny gets body kits to make it look like a Renault 5 Turbo or Lancia Delta Integrale







Now, the tuning company is set to release two new body kits, which will make the Suzuki Jimny look either like the Renault 5 Turbo or a Lancia Delta Integrale. Starting with the "Little 5", this body kit includes a slim grille, square headlights, grey plastic bumpers and a spoiler. It also includes stickers to mimic the Renault 5's air vents on the rear fender. There is also a huge "Non Turbo" decal on the doors - a cheeky nod to the Renault 5's Turbo graphics.







Moving on to the second, called the "Little ", inspired by the Lancia Delta Integrale. This body kit uses the same fender and bumpers from the "Little 5" but these are painted in body colour. The styling kit also includes a Lancia-like grille, round headlamps and a large spoiler. The Jimny also gets racing stripes running down the centre of the car.



In addition to the body kits, DAMD has also partnered with OZ Racing to offer matching wheels. Apart from the body kits, no other changes are made & the Jimny continues to be powered by the same engine & transmission without any modifications.



Source: J



Link to Team-BHP news DAMD, a Japanese tuning company, has released multiple body kits & styling parts for the Suzuki Jimny. These body kits and parts can be used to either give the small SUV a retro look or make it look like other off-roaders such as a Toyota Land Cruiser and the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon.Now, the tuning company is set to release two new body kits, which will make the Suzuki Jimny look either like the Renault 5 Turbo or a Lancia Delta Integrale. Starting with the "Little 5", this body kit includes a slim grille, square headlights, grey plastic bumpers and a spoiler. It also includes stickers to mimic the Renault 5's air vents on the rear fender. There is also a huge "Non Turbo" decal on the doors - a cheeky nod to the Renault 5's Turbo graphics.Moving on to the second, called the "Little ", inspired by the Lancia Delta Integrale. This body kit uses the same fender and bumpers from the "Little 5" but these are painted in body colour. The styling kit also includes a Lancia-like grille, round headlamps and a large spoiler. The Jimny also gets racing stripes running down the centre of the car.In addition to the body kits, DAMD has also partnered with OZ Racing to offer matching wheels. Apart from the body kits, no other changes are made & the Jimny continues to be powered by the same engine & transmission without any modifications.Source: J alopnik Last edited by Rehaan : 31st December 2023 at 05:41 . Reason: Integrale*
LameXP is a graphical front-end for the LAME MP3, Ogg Vorbis and Nero AAC encoders.

The Nero Encoder is not included in the download, it's available from the Nero Webseite as free download. Accepted input formats are: Wave, MP3, Ogg Vorbis, AAC/MP4, FLAC, WavPack, Musepack, Speex and APE.

Batch processing is implemented and will use multi-threading when several processors/cores are available. All encoder binaries included in the download have been kindly provided by Rarewares.org.

What's New

Updated FLAC encoder/decoder to v1.4.1 (2022-09-22), compiled with ICL 2022.2 and MSVC 15.9

Updated Monkey's Audio binary to v8.92 (2022-10-07), compiled with ICL 2022.2 and MSVC 15.9

Updated mpg123 decoder to v1.30.2 (2022-08-02), compiled with GCC 12.2.0

Updated MediaInfo to v22.12 (2022-12-22), compiled with ICL 2022.2 and MSVC 15.9

Implemented workaround for DwmEnableBlurBehindWindow() not working on Windows 11

Updated cURL to v7.87.0 (2022-12-21), with libcurl v7.87.0 and OpenSSL v1.1.1s

Previous release notes
Serving the tech enthusiast community for over 25 years.TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust . Read our ethics statement

In context: Microsoft has been teasing its new AI assistant's future capabilities throughout 2023, but the full range of use cases remain somewhat vague. Dell is offering some of the most vivid showcase of how Copilot could leverage NPUs to help ordinary users, however this is not an official Microsoft showcase but Dell's interpretation of what they could achieve.

Gizmodo recently witnessed a demonstration from Dell showcasing Windows 11 Copilot helping find and change settings. The animated presentation indicates one way an AI assistant could facilitate interface navigation as PCs with Neural Processing Units (NPUs) begin to emerge.

In one example (watch below), a user asks Microsoft's chatbot how to change the trackpad's brightness. A brightness slider immediately appears in the chat window, and manipulating it alters the brightness of the trackpad's backlit icons.

A second video demonstrates how Copilot can change power settings when the user requests adjustments to make the PC run at its fastest. The chatbot then estimates the remaining battery power under the new settings.

Prior information about Windows 11's upcoming generative AI integration included an example where a user could ask Copilot to retrieve a specific file they recently received from a specific person in a particular app, like WhatsApp, or for graphics driver details without digging through menus. Other context-sensitive queries could fundamentally change how users navigate Windows.

Dell said Copilot could also perform specific actions automatically depending on the situation, like changing network security settings when logged into public WiFi, engaging battery-saving mode when unplugged, or shutting down programs that crash when Windows starts. The AI will notify users when taking these steps and reverse them if asked. The new AI could bring attention to many useful but hidden features.

The range of AI applications could extend far beyond what Dell showcased. Microsoft previously suggested that NPUs could reduce reliance on cloud servers when running generative AI models, and the processors could facilitate AI application development.

An early version of Copilot is available now as an app for Windows and Android. However, reports indicate that an upcoming revision of Windows  which may or may not be called Windows 12  will strengthen it using the AI chips in new processors like the Meteor Lake series or the Qualcomm Snapdragon X. The technology could arrive with next-generation Surface laptops debuting sometime in 2024.
There is a new malware found that takes advantage of Google's use of cookies via Chrome, and through this, it can utilize the data to allow authentication to one's account and access it. This is now enforced by threat actors to target individuals who are using Google's browser, and this came at a time during the internet company's plans to phase out cookie use for third-party clients.

Ironically, one of the most notorious hacks taking place now is through cookies, with Chrome being among the last to remove its use to track users.

Chrome Malware Restores Cookies to Access Google Account

(Photo : Firmbee.com on Unsplash )

CloudSEK and Hudson Rock revealed a new malware that is infecting Chrome users, centering on the access to Google accounts that was made possible by taking advantage of the cookie trackers. This malware is called the "Lumma Infostealer" and it recently announced an update to its malware where it found unique access to accounts through this latest discovery.

It could happen without users noticing that they are getting accessed by threat actors, and this is because the notorious cookies are authorizing it, restoring expired Google cookies via a newfound key, that sends requests to its API.

However, the only caveat here for threat actors is the need to install the malware to a device, but this bit comes easy as many can victimize peole through clickbait, emails, and links. Installing the malware will help "extract and decrypt login tokens stored within Google Chrome's local database."

Read Also: Google Bard: Trump's Former Fixer's AI-Generated Bogus Cases Exposed in Court Documents

This Cookie Restoration Malware is Sold to Others

While the threat actors from the Lumma Infostealer own it, they are not necessarily using the malware to attack users via the Chrome browser.

This malware is sold to multiple groups and hackers out there, with six organizations having access to it.

It is important to avoid installing unknown software from the internet, with Google yet to respond to this issue.

Google Chrome's Cookie Phase Out

For a long time, Google has enforced cookies on the Chrome browser and asked for them on different Google-related sites from users, and this means that it will store the said data that it can use to track the account or device holder. Through this, Google can better understand the customer and it is mainly used for advertising, but talks about it getting phased out is already massive since then.

While other browsers have already gone ahead and enforced a block on websites that ask for it, Chrome's promises are yet to be fulfilled, awaiting Chrome's commitment to totally removing cookies.

It was earlier affirmed by Google that it is looking to remove cookies soon, but on the initial rollout of the experience, the Chrome browser will roll this out to 1 percent of its global users only.

Ironically, the latest malware attacking Google account users is taking advantage of Chrome's API that will then use cookies to authorize access, all amidst the plans to remove cookies starting this January 2024.

Related Article: Google Chrome to Block Cookies, Trackers on Browser, But is Limited-Why?

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
One of the most iconic things about owning a smartphone now is users get to do all sorts of things thanks to new features, with the Samsung Wallet rolling out its latest feature yet, to store physical ID cards in Galaxy devices. Its partner is the State of Arizona, and it is the first US state to do so, expressing their support for the initiative, with more coming soon.

Like Google and Apple's Wallet, this feature from Samsung can store physical IDs, cards, and more via the app, and it offers a way to present identification for different searches, particularly in the state.

Samsung Wallet Rolls Out Arizona Driver's License Support

(Photo : Samsung)

In an email to users as spotted by 9to5 Mac, Samsung has now rolled out the driver's license support for the state of Arizona, via the Wallet app, and this is available for a wide range of uses.

However, it is important to note that this Samsung Wallet integration is only available for the state of Arizona, and other licenses will not be scanned and stored in the app.

Samsung is doing well on its promise to bring the driver's license support before 2023 ends, particularly as the company's initial announcement confirmed this date for its arrival.

Read Also: Google Wallet Now Adds Arizona, Colorado, Georgia State IDs for Digital Use via Android

Samsung Galaxy: Present ID in Arizona, More Coming

As per Samsung's announcement, this will be available for eligible Galaxy smartphones, and only in the state of Arizona for now.

To clarify further, Samsung said that this is available only for Arizona's driver's license and state ID, and others would not work as such. Lastly, it is still exclusive to selected TSA checkpoints, and others may reject it when presented with the digital ID.

Digital Wallets Storing Credentials for All

Having a picture or copy of the ID is good to have on the device, but it will not be accepted by officials whenever they ask for it as it does not have any form of authentication that could ensure them that it is real. This is why technologies like what Samsung offers are essential to digitalizing the wallet, and it goes beyond simple authentication, and also help give credentials access like the real plastic card.

This is the reason behind the many rollouts by tech companies still depend on the state that supports it, and this is because these jurisdictions are allowing its use and giving the checker a seal of confidence in its legitimacy.

Driver's licenses were among the first to be integrated for use in the wallet, but soon, other forms of IDs like school badges, passports, and more may be stored.

Announced earlier this year, Samsung Wallet reaffirms its commitment to digitalizing the need to present IDs for different authentication methods, including using it for the airport when going on domestic flights. In Arizona, users are already permitted to add their driver's licenses to the Samsung Wallet, with other states soon following in this venture and accepting this form of identification.

Related Article: Samsung Wallet Now Accepts Student IDs, Offering Support for Credentials Access

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The renowned former lawyer of the previous President of the United States, Donald Trump, is now in the hot seat after it was revealed that he used Google Bard's content generation and cited three fake court cases made up by the AI. Michael Cohen is currently facing prison time for his tax evasion case which he pleaded guilty to, alongside the other charges against him.

Former Trump Lawyer, Michael Cohen, Admits Using Bard

(Photo : Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

A filing last Friday revealed that another lawyer has allegedly fallen victim to AI's hallucinations, and this is with the infamous former lawyer of Trump, Michael Cohen. It was previously said that Cohen, including his legal team, presented a federal judge with three cited cases that were made up entirely by Google's Bard.

US District Judge Jesse Furman wrote in a filing that these cases were nonexistent, asking David Schwartz, Cohen's lawyer, to explain why it contained fake information. The document in question was Cohen's motion to reduce the three-year probation against him.

Moreover, Schwartz is also facing questioning if Cohen helped him draft the motion.

Cohen then admitted to giving his version of the motion and submitting it to court, further stating that he used Google's Bard, thinking it was a "super-charged search engine," and not like the AI chatbot, ChatGPT.

Read Also: Google Bard Gives Incorrect Answer About JWST; AI Chatbot's Accuracy Now Questioned

Citing Three Fake Court Cases: Bard Hallucination?

The three fake court cases included in the motion took the spotlight in Cohen's criminal case, and now, his lawyer is facing potential sanctions for the use of misleading information. Cohen also said that he did not know that Schwartz would use his draft and not bother to check the content's legitimacy.

It was not claimed that Bard had hallucinations which led to this court fiasco, but it is similar to a case earlier this year, with fake information making its way to an official.

AI Hallucinations and Lawyers Using It

Earlier this June, a similar case to Cohen was brought up in court, and while this case is not centered on AI hallucinations, it still brought a significant highlight to this issue. Lawyers Steven A. Schwartz and Peter LoDuca of the law firm Levidow, Levidow & Oberman made it to the headlines not because of their skills, but because of relying on ChatGPT to cite cases beneficial to their claims against Avianca, a Colombian airline.

This infamous case is also one of the top examples of AI hallucinations, as industry experts call it.

While most times, AI technology promises to be factual, careful, and truthful in their generations, there have been cases where it brought fake or misleading information to users. While for some it had been harmless, others who have used it for important situations have since been burned by the AIs.

Initially, it was only ChatGPT that was significantly criticized for the alleged hallucinations it brought users, with many thinking that this problem is yet to see a fix for the entire industry. One of the most recent cases regarding AI's misinformation is with Michael Cohen, with the disbarred lawyer claiming to have used Bard before, offering him three fake cases, while mistaking it as a search engine.

Related Article: Can AI Avoid Having Hallucinations? Here's What Researchers Say

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Tesla's Cybertruck encounters its first on-road incident. The first reported accident sheds light on safety considerations amid its distinctive design and crashworthiness.

(Photo : SUZANNE CORDEIRO/AFP via Getty Images)

Newly manufactured Tesla Cybertrucks are parked outside the company's Giga Texas factory on December 13, 2023, in Austin, Texas.

Shedding Light on Safety Considerations

In a notable development, the highly awaited Tesla Cybertruck was entangled in its inaugural on-road incident. This offers insights into safety considerations surrounding its unique design and crashworthiness.

Interesting Engineering reported that the incident unfolded on a Thursday afternoon in California as a Tesla Cybertruck, carrying three occupants, became involved in its first reported accident.

The collision took place on SR 35 (Skyline Boulevard) at approximately 2:05 pm local time and implicated a 2009 Toyota Corolla, helmed by a 17-year-old driver. Thankfully, authorities have characterized the outcome as yielding only 'minor' injuries to the Cybertruck driver.

The Toyota Corolla was traveling south on SR-35 when, under reasons yet undisclosed, the driver executed a right turn, collided with a dirt embankment, re-entered the roadway, and ultimately collided with the northbound-bound Cybertruck.

This impactful event occurred south of Page Mill Road, situated within an area denoted as Palo Alto on Google Maps. The incident serves as an early test for the Cybertruck, assessing its performance and safety features in real-world scenarios, and addressing concerns regarding its unconventional design.

No Injuries Occured

Despite lingering safety concerns surrounding the Cybertruck, images shared by Reddit user "boddhya" revealed the Tesla vehicle relatively unharmed, while the front of the Toyota Corolla bore substantial damage.

A preliminary investigation by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) unveiled details surrounding the accident.

As detailed in the CHP report, the incident unfolded with the Toyota re-entering the roadway, crossing over double yellow lines into the northbound lane, and colliding with a northbound-traveling Tesla Cybertruck on SR-35.

The CHP report specified that the Tesla driver is suspected to have sustained minor injuries and declined medical transportation.

Notably, there were no additional reported injuries, and there is no indication that the Tesla Cybertruck was in autonomous mode during the incident. The ongoing investigation continues to delve into the particulars of the occurrence, as outlined in the CHP report's final remarks.

The distinctive design of the Cybertruck had previously sparked safety concerns, prompting Tesla CEO Elon Musk to assert its safety superiority, claiming it is safer per mile than other trucks.

Also Read: Tesla Confirms Cybertruck's Amphibious Transformation, Diving to New Horizons of Electric Off-Road Adventures

While official crash test results are yet to be released, Tesla conducted its crash tests and showcased videos during the Cybertruck Delivery Day, as reported by Teslaraiti. The emphasis was on the efficiency of the front underbody megacasting in absorbing and dispersing impact energy.

Experts, considering the Cybertruck's unconventional design, have voiced apprehensions about its safety. Weighing 3.5 tons and boasting Formula 1 car acceleration, some experts have likened the vehicle to a guideless missile.

The decision to encase the truck's frame in cold-rolled stainless steel has prompted inquiries about its crumple zone, a crucial element in absorbing collision energy.

Related Article: Tesla's Cybertruck: A Symbol of Innovation and Controversy in the Automotive World

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A Canadian scientist has investigated the utilization of viruses to combat drug-resistant superbugs. This scrutiny centers on the potential applications of bacteriophages in both healthcare and agriculture, recognizing the regulatory challenges that hinder their prompt deployment.

(Photo : Pixabay)

Scientists discover a new compound that could be the key to fighting antibiotic resistant superbugs.

Combating Drug-Resistant Superbugs

In the realm of combating drug-resistant superbugs, Canadian scientist Steven Theriault pioneers a unique strategy, deploying viruses.

Interesting Engineering reported that this exploration delves into the potential applications of bacteriophages in healthcare and agriculture, all while navigating the regulatory hurdles that impede their swift implementation.

Within this ongoing battle against antibiotic-resistant superbugs, Theriault, based in Winnipeg, introduces bacteriophages, viruses specifically engineered to target and eliminate bacteria.

However, the promising potential of these viruses, which could save lives and revolutionize agriculture, faces a considerable challenge in the form of Canada's rigorous regulatory framework.

Having transitioned from a paramedic background to earning a Ph.D. in molecular genetics and virology, Theriault establishes Cytophage with a mission: utilizing bacteriophages to combat antibiotic resistance.

His groundbreaking research involves the manipulation and engineering of these viruses, enabling them to effectively target a diverse array of bacteria. The significance of this breakthrough extends beyond mere transformation, it holds the potential to save lives.

CBC reported that Theriault reassures about safety concerns, explaining that bacteriophages pose no threat to humans or animals; their specificity lies in targeting bacteria.

Addressing a Global Health Crisis

He emphasizes their capacity to address a global health crisis highlighted by the World Health Organization (WHO) an epidemic of antibiotic resistance responsible for nearly five million deaths annually.

Beyond his contributions to human health, Theriault's research extends into the realm of agriculture with the development of FarmPhage, a bacteriophage cocktail that has demonstrated remarkable effectiveness in trials.

In trials involving chickens infected with E. coli, the survival rate soared to an impressive 92 percent, a stark contrast to the mere 8 percent survival rate observed in untreated birds.

Additionally, chickens treated with FarmPhage in Bangladesh exhibited enhanced growth, requiring less food and reaching maturity at an accelerated pace. However, Theriault encounters a formidable obstacle in implementing this groundbreaking solution-Canada's stringent regulatory system.

Despite the promise shown by Theriault's bacteriophage-based treatments, navigating the existing regulatory landscape, primarily tailored for chemical drugs, poses challenges that are currently insurmountable.

Also Read: Superbugs a global threat to public health, WHO warns

A significant regulatory challenge emerges in the form of Health Canada's requirement for field trials, demanding the euthanization of treated animals-an ethical stance vehemently opposed by Theriault and advocates.

Their argument centers on the safety and absence of residues in meat products left by bacteriophages, challenging the conventional classification as traditional drugs.

Lauren Carde, an expert in regulatory affairs, aligns with this perspective, advocating for flexibility in regulatory frameworks. She contends that products like FarmPhage, boasting a minimal risk profile and no residues in meat, should not be subjected to the same stringent regulations as traditional drugs.

Related Article: Gold Antibiotics May Be Key to Ending Multidrug-Resistant 'Superbugs'

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
NASA's Parker Solar Probe is preparing for a historic rendezvous with the Sun on December 24, 2024 (via BBC).

At an incredible speed of 195 km/s (435,000 mph), this spacecraft is set to achieve a historic milestone by approaching within 4% of the Sun-Earth distance, marking a watershed moment in space exploration comparable to the historic Moon landing of 1969.

Like Landing on a Star

"It's like almost landing on a star," remarks Dr. Nour Raouafi, the Parker project scientist from the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory.

Launched in 2018, the Parker Solar Probe is on a mission to demystify the Sun's corona, the outer atmosphere posing perplexing questions to scientists.

As the probe hurdles toward the Sun, it will reach temperatures of 1,400C at perihelion, the closest point in its orbit. NASA's next steps are to get in quickly, gather data, and get out fast, all behind a thick heat shield.

A Closer Look of the Sun

The primary scientific objective of this audacious mission is to unlock the perplexing workings of the corona, the Sun's outer atmosphere that defies conventional physics by boasting temperatures exceeding a million degrees Celsius, far hotter than the Sun's surface.

Furthermore, the probe aims to understand the acceleration of charged particles into a supersonic solar wind, a phenomenon crucial for enhancing our understanding of space weather, which can impact Earth's communications and power infrastructure.

"This takes on a new dimension, especially now that we're thinking of sending women and men back to the Moon and even setting up a permanent presence on the lunar surface," Dr. Raouafi emphasizes, underscoring the broader implications for humanity's future endeavors beyond Earth.

Read Also: SpaceX's Falcon Heavy Launches Carrying Top-Secret X-37B Drone on Mysterious US Military Mission

Eugene Parker's Legacy

The mission was named after astrophysicist Eugene Parker, who, in the 1950s, proposed concepts about how stars, including our Sun, emit energy.

Parker's groundbreaking work included theories on the solar wind and an explanation for the superheated solar atmosphere, challenging prevailing notions in physics.

Bracing for the Sun's Heat

As the Parker Solar Probe approaches the Sun, it will deploy a suite of instruments designed to withstand the harsh conditions.

Despite temperatures nearing 2,600F at the forefront of its solar shield, these instruments will maintain a relatively comfortable temperature of around 85F, ensuring continuous data collection during the prolonged encounter with the Sun's corona.

Trajectory and Orbits

The probe's trajectory design involves seven Venus flybys over nearly seven years to decrease its orbit around the Sun gradually.

This meticulous approach brings the Parker Solar Probe within an astounding 3.83 million miles approximately nine times the Sun's radius.

At its closest approach, the probe will hurtle around the Sun at a mind-boggling speed of 430,000 miles per hour, equivalent to covering the distance from Philadelphia to Washington, DC, in just one second.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.

Related Article: NASA Hubble Space Telescope Captures a Dazzling Gathering of Spiral Galaxies

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
After confirming that a Russian missile had breached its airspace during the ongoing assault on Ukraine, Poland expressed immediate concern and demanded an explanation from Russia.

The violation occurred amid a barrage of missile and drone strikes on various Ukrainian cities, heightening tensions and raising security concerns in the region (via Reuters).

Poland Seeks Russia for Answers After Missiles Reached Airspace

NBC News tells us that the Polish Foreign Ministry swiftly summoned Russia's charge d'affaires, seeking an urgent halt to such activities and clarification regarding the airspace violation.

Confirming the incident, Poland's General Staff of the Armed Forces detailed the missile's trajectory, indicating its entry and exit from Polish airspace within a mere three minutes.

"We identify it as a Russian guided missile," the General Staff conveyed, emphasizing continuous monitoring of the missile's path through both Polish and allied radar systems. The nation's air defense systems remained on high alert throughout the incursion.

Russia Responds

During the escalation, Russian officials, according to the RIA Novosti News agency, rejected Poland's claims, citing a lack of evidence to support the breach.

Russia's charge d'affaires in Warsaw, Andrei Ordash, reiterated the lack of documented proof, escalating the diplomatic standoff between the two countries.

Following the detection of long-range Russian aircraft activity earlier that day, Poland demonstrated its readiness by deploying F-16 fighter jets, including American allies, alongside an air tanker.

Officials stated that if the missile had penetrated deeper into Polish territory, they would intercept it.

Read Also: Massive Cyber Attack Hits Ukraine's Biggest Mobile Operator, Disrupting Internet for Millions

Poland Retaliates With Warnings

Addressing the gravity of the situation, Poland's Deputy Foreign Minister, Wladyslaw Teofil Bartoszewski, sternly cautioned Russia.

"The repeating of such attempts will be met with a stronger reaction from the Republic of Poland," Bartoszewski emphasized, highlighting the nation's determination to defend its airspace.

"If (a missile) had flown a bit deeper into Polish territory, it would have been shot down," Bartoszewski reiterated, underscoring Poland's commitment to safeguarding its borders.

Russia Launches Aggressive Assaults on Ukraine

The incursion follows Russia's aggressive assault on Ukraine, with 158 drones and missiles targeting critical Ukrainian infrastructure, industries, and military installations.

This incident reignites concerns echoing from prior events, such as the stray Ukrainian missile that struck the Polish village of Przewodow in 2022, claiming two lives.

Amid the current tension, reports surfaced of an object appearing on radar near Hrubieszow in southern Poland, prompting a search operation.

Krzysztof Komorski, the governor of the Lublin region, noted the lack of confirmation about the object's landing within Polish territory, maintaining that no casualties were reported.

General Maciej Klisz, the operational commander of the Polish armed forces, disclosed that the missile traveled approximately 25 miles into Poland without any counteraction taken against it.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk convened with military and security service chiefs to discuss the alarming breach, underlining the gravity of the situation and the nation's preparedness to address future violations.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.

Related Article: Ukraine Unveils Ambitious Plans for Mass Production of FPV Drones in 2024

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Resecurity's HUNTER unit has uncovered a crucial discovery on Christmas Eve. It's not all about opening gifts, but instead seeing the latest version of the password stealer Meduza.

According to cybersecurity researchers, the new update brings version 2.2 which comes with significant upgrades. The experts believe that it can even compete with other password stealers such as Vidar, Azorult, and Racoon Stealer.

These are all notorious for online banking theft, making them a favorite pick among threat actors.

Meduza Stealer's New Version Comes with Several Improvements

According to Resecurity's blog on Dec. 27, Meduza's version 2.2 introduces several noteworthy enhancements, including extended support for diverse software clients.

The improvements cover browser-based cryptocurrency wallets, an upgraded credit card (CC) grabber, and advanced mechanisms for password storage dumps across various platforms. This evolution positions Meduza as a robust and versatile tool for cybercriminals seeking illicit gains.

Related Article: Yakult Australia Data Breach Sees Employee Files Leaked in Dark Web; DragonForce Blamed For the Attack

Versatility and Platform Support

Originally surfacing in the XSS underground forum, Meduza garnered positive feedback in well-established communities like Exploit.

Presently, it extends its reach to Windows Server editions (2012/2016/2019/2022) and Windows operating systems (10/11). The author has demonstrated its seamless operation across all editions, earning accolades for stability and reliability in the cyber underworld.

Furthermore, Meduza stands out with its capability to extract data from a wide array of popular software applications. The extensive list includes support for 106 browsers, 107 cryptocurrency wallets, various file extensions via the FileGrabber module, messaging apps like Telegram, gaming platforms like Steam and Discord, password managers, VPN solutions like OpenVPN, and even email clients like Outlook.

What Browsers Does Meduza Support?

Based on a report by Security Affairs, the supported browsers span Chromium-based and Gecko-based categories. Notable mentions include Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Firefox, and many others. Additionally, the inclusion of Discord and Telegram clients further expands Meduza's scope, showcasing its adaptability to evolving digital landscapes.

The popular stealer is not only limited to browsers. Meduza's prowess extends to cryptocurrency wallets and password managers. It covers a wide range of crypto-extensions, including Metamask, BinanceChain, and Coin98, as well as popular desktop cryptocurrency wallets like Coinomi, Exodus, and Electrum.

The comprehensive support for password managers ensures that Meduza can infiltrate and extract sensitive information from widely used tools like LastPass, Bitwarden, and 1Password.

Meduza's evolution only proves that the perpetual cat-and-mouse game between threat actors and cybersecurity experts will not stop instantly. As organizations adapt their defenses, hackers become smarter to evade any security defenses in a particular system.

Three days after Christmas, the DragonForce ransomware gang attacked the Ohio Lottery, forcing it to shut down temporarily.

In the wake of the cyberattack, the gaming system remained operational. However, the people were warned to refrain from putting any money into the website and mobile app before the problem was resolved.

Read Also: Russian Ransomware Group BlackCat Seized by US: Decryption Tool Distributed to Over 500 Victims

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A Colorado Springs high school employee has been arrested following accusations of an alleged sexual relationship with a minor, the Colorado Springs Police Department said on Friday.

Police said that an investigation was launched on Dec. 15 into reports that 48-year-old Marco Laura had allegedly committed sexual assault of a child by one in a position of trust.

According to police, Lara is currently an employee at Cheyenne Mountain High School in District 12.

Investigators say Lara had engaged in a sexual relationship with a minor, resulting in his arrest on Dec. 28.

According to officials, Lara is facing charges of sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust and aggravated incest. It is unclear if the victim was a student at Cheyenne Mountain High School, but investigators believe there may be additional victims.

"If you have any information about this case or similar cases, please contact the Colorado Springs Police Department at 719-444-7000," officials said.
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 Communities 2019 - Privacy

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The Palomino Ranch Complex near Stetson Hills and Tutt boulevards appeared more normal Friday than it had a week earlier, when police tape and crime-scene technicians dominated the scene of an early morning double homicide.

On Friday, neighbors walked their dogs and picked up mail at the multistory complex amid the ongoing construction of additional units. Tucked behind a row of detached garages is the building where Colorado Springs police allege Kimberlee Singler, 35, killed her 9-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son shortly after midnight on Dec. 19.

Police, with the aid of the FBI, are seeking to arrest Singler on suspicion of multiple counts of murder in the first degree, attempted murder and child abuse.

Neighbors told The Gazette that they had seen Singler and the children "a few times" since the family had moved in a few months ago.

Multiple residents said they heard verbal disputes coming from the apartment. A few said they had seen the children play on the grassy area in the common area a few times, but none of the residents The Gazette spoke with on Friday had ever talked with Singler.

On Dec. 19, police reported they received a 911 call about a burglary. Officers arrived at the apartment and found Singler and her 11-year-old daughter both injured. The 9-year-old girl and 7-year-old boy were found dead.

Singler and the 11-year-old were treated for their injuries, and taken to the hospital for further medical care, the police statement said.

"As the investigation into this case unfolded, it was determined the initial report of a burglary was unfounded," police say.

Instead, by Dec. 26, investigators had established probable cause to obtain an arrest warrant for Singler.

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No further details were provided, and the arrest warrant is sealed. The names of the dead children will not be released under a change in state law to prohibit public release of that information.

Colorado Springs police requested the FBI's help in searching for Singler, but the local agency is still leading the investigation, the FBI said.

Court documents obtained by Gazette news partner KOAA show that a court ruled Singler had to bring her children to her ex-husband for a holiday visit.

They two were scheduled to meet at the Stetson Hills police substation on Dec. 16. It is unclear if Singler showed up. Court documents say her ex-husband made an emergency motion for her to enforce the custody agreement on Dec. 17, KOAA reported.

Singler was last seen on Dec. 23, and her whereabouts are unknown.

Police spokesman Ira Cronin said CSPD has reason to believe she has left the area.

"We do believe this person is obviously dangerous, we don't know if she is armed," Cronin said. "If anyone spots her, we would ask them to call 911 do not approach her."

A $10 million bond has already been set by the court in the event of her arrest.

Those with information can call the Colorado Springs Police Department at 719-444-7000; or if you wish to remain anonymous, you may call the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 719-634-STOP (7867) or 1-800-222-8477.
Gary Mayor Jerome Prince speaks during a press conference in response to comments made by the Gary Public Safety Committee during a meeting last week, on Monday, September 12, 2022. (Kyle Telechan for the Post-Tribune) (Kyle Telechan / Post-Tribune)

Outgoing Gary Mayor Jerome Prince says he has no regrets looking back at his four years at the citys helm.

His administration weathered a pandemic pushing through an agenda aimed at reimagining what the city could be in an effort to clean up the streets, improve public safety and spur economic development.

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I feel great. I feel humbled and certainly honored to have had the opportunity to serve in what is the highest office in municipal government, Prince said.

Jerome Prince tells his supporters hes conceded the mayors race as his wife DeAnna looks on at his campaign party in Gary, Indiana Tuesday May 2, 2023. (Andy Lavalley for the Post-Tribune) (Post-Tribune)

His departure from office  and at this time no intention to run for another elected position  caps a 25-year political career that began in the very same place, Gary City Hall, when he was first elected to serve as a Gary city councilman. Prince went on to serve on the Lake County Council and then as the Lake County Assessor, where he was the first Black elected county assessor in the state.

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Instead of running for reelection, Prince made his successful run for mayor, defeating two-term incumbent Karen Freeman-Wilson for the spot. It was the defeat of a well-liked Freeman-Wilson that handed Prince a hostile council when he took office January 2020.

Deputy Mayor Trent McCain said seven of the nine incoming council members had supported the former mayor. Prince said that while he anticipated some pushback or a lack of cooperation coming in but was optimistic a working relationship could be forged.

Gary Mayor Jerome Prince bumps elbows with former mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson during an unveiling ceremony for Freeman-Wilson's mayoral portrait on Friday, February 19, 2021 (Kyle Telechan / Post-Tribune)

I certainly attempted to work with that body, Prince said. :That dynamic was clear very early on  I think at the first meeting  that was not going to be the case. Although that made things more challenging, it certainly did not stop our ability to move forward, Prince said.

Councilman Ronald Brewer, D-At Large, acknowledged the relationship between the council and the mayor in the beginning was pretty rough as both sides engaged in a standoff for too long. He said the COVID-19 pandemic did not help since officials were forced to work away from each other instead of face to face.

Personally, I think myself and the mayor started developing a good working relationship. I regret it not happening sooner, Brewer said.

Gary Mayor Jerome Prince, left, hands a Key to the City to Indiana State Police Maj. Jerry Williams during a ceremony at Gary City Hall on Tuesday, December 5, 2023. (Michael Gard/Post-Tribune) (Michael Gard/Post-Tribune)

Still, the administration was able to get things done including $10 million worth of road paving over the course of two years in which a lot of the citys main streets were tackled.

The way they pulled those dollars together to make sure that happened and we didnt have to borrow any money, I thought that was good on the administrations part, Brewer said.

Brewer also lauded the work to reform the citys police code through 17 ordinances presented to the council. The body ultimately passed 16 of the measures, including an ordinance that transfers the hiring process from the police commission to the police chief.

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Brewer said the police department conducted two police academy classes in 2023 and was preparing for a third under now former Chief Anthony Titus. He was uncertain at this time what the course of action would be under new Police Chief Derrick Cannon Sr. One of the biggest challenges the police department has faced is filling its ranks. Putting hiring under the purview of the chief was an effort to improve the situation.

Police reforms ongoing

Indeed, Prince said his proudest accomplishment was the work the administration and city were able to do with the Indiana State Police and the Gary Police Department. Prince said he came into office with the goal of improving public safety, improving interactions with constituents and shoring up the citys finances.

The work with the state police I think yielded some pretty relevant outcomes for the city and for the police department itself to be sure and for those folks who even think about or consider coming to Gary  safety is always a concern. We wanted to do more than just appear to be safe. We wanted the satisfaction of knowing we had made it safer, Prince said.

McCain said crime overall in the city is down this year, but more importantly the clearance rate for the crimes that have been committed have improved.

Gary Mayor Jerome Prince stands in a location recently cleaned of thousands of dumped tires on Monday, April 27, 2020. (Kyle Telechan / Post-Tribune)

Thats where the ISP partnership has really shown its benefit. The new Lake County Prosecutors Metro Homicide Unit is kicking butt and taking names, McCain said, adding the homicide unit has executed dozens of search warrants and arrest warrants and have closed a lot of cases.

Thats what is really important. It sends a message to criminals we are going to get you, McCain said.

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The greatest indicator that the moves made at the police department were a step in the right direction comes from the feedback and response from the officers themselves, Prince said.

A majority of the officers certainly embraced the changes, he said.

Prince said early in his administration  before he even began solidifying the plan for the police department  officers were coming forward with their ideas on what needed to be changed.

The public safety building is old, and moving forward a replacement should be considered, but until that day, he said they tried to improve the facility as best as possible to help boost morale. Some changes were as simple as painting and changing where roll call is conducted.

Officers were brought out of the dark and damp basement upstairs where they can have some dignity and pride about being part of the department before they go about their shifts, Prince said.

Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas Carter described working with Prince as a pleasure and is hopeful the reforms enacted under his administration remain in place. It was the first of the three efforts to come to fruition.

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If they lose momentum with what was done internally, the external effects will be enormous, Carter said. The perception of safety drives economic development. The focal point moving forward has got to be on the police department.

Carter said the ISP offered options on structure, policy, process and accountability.

If you lose any one of those, the house of cards will fall, Carter said. He has met with incoming Mayor Eddie Melton and is hopeful that relationship will continue.

We did everything we could possibly do in Gary in 18 months, Carter said. Recreating the work of the partnership and what brought the city and ISP together at that specific time would take decades to recreate, he said.

He described the partnership, which had the backing of Gov. Eric Holcomb, as one of the most important projects the ISP has undertaken and certainly one of the most important I have done as a leader in our profession. None of it would have happened without the courage of the mayor, Carter said.

I do think (Interim Chief) Jerry Williams left a legacy up there and at least an architectural model for success, Carter said, adding the ISP will continue to support the city. Im still all in, whatever the city might need. Just because we left, we are not away.

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Gary Mayor Jerome Prince helps distribute food in partnership with the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana on Wednesday, May 13, 2020. (Kyle Telechan / Post-Tribune)

Governing during the COVID-19 pandemic

Prince attributes much of his administrations successes the salient advice of the people he surrounded himself with including McCain, whom he had known since childhood but reconnected with upon his election; his health commissioner Dr. Roland Walker; and Chief of Staff Joy Holiday, who he said excelled beyond any expectation. Holiday will remain in Meltons administration.

These things all factored into whatever successes we were able to accomplish, Prince said.

While some accomplishments are tangible  repeated citywide cleanup initiatives, new needed equipment for general services and police, and visible development in some areas  others are more abstract such as perception.

Theres so much to do in the city, right, they tell me often to just relish in the things we were able to accomplish and be proud of it, Prince said, something he finds difficult to do. I came in with the goal of really moving and pushing the city forward.

Gary Mayor Jerome Prince receives his Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccination Sunday at Calumet New Tech High School in Gary. - Original Credit: Post-Tribune (Provided by City of Gary / HANDOUT)

Getting things accomplished would become more challenging after he was elected. Just 79 days after he took office, the country shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, changing the way government operates. He said navigating the worldwide pandemic was an important accomplishment for his administration but it did impact the amount of work done.

Once government opened back up, it seemed like we could never recapture the momentum and energy we came into office with, Prince said. People got accustomed to working off site, a dynamic that required a degree of management to which they were not accustomed, he said.

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Still, Gary led Lake County when it came to COVID-19 response. It was the first community to come out with a mask mandate, as well as the first to close its offices and transition to remote work. Prince said he worked with Chicago business owner Willie Wilson to receive 10,000 hard-to-find masks for distribution to the public for free, and partnered with various organizations to keep a flow of sustenance available to community members through various food donation programs.

Its such an unbelievable challenge ...

Jim Wieser, chairman of the Lake County Democratic Committee, said he has known Prince since his time on the Gary City Council when he brought development projects before the panel for his work as an attorney.

Hes always trying to do the right thing for his community, Wieser said.

I feel a real sense of loss because of his institutional knowledge and his background. Hell always give you an honest assessment of what he thinks about a given issue. Ill miss that candor, Wieser said. He plans to discuss with Prince his plans for the future and if there may be a chance he sees a place for himself in Lake County politics.

Wieser said Prince had a successful political career largely outside of the precinct committee organization. He took over as the citys party chair upon being elected mayor. It was a position with which he was comfortable as Prince attended at least 90% of the city and town chairman meeting to give his perspective, Wieser said.

I cant think of a tougher elected official position certainly in the state of Indiana than being the mayor of the city of Gary. Its such an unbelievable challenge  He did some good things. I know he worked hard at it, Wieser said.

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Moving forward Prince said he has registered his own consulting firm, JAP & Associates LLC and will be using his experience in office to help people and businesses with property tax assessment issues. He will also be looking at ways to help government entities incorporate new technologies to improve their efficiency.

Prince said he has not completely ruled out a return to public life if the right position and circumstances were to arise. He would like to toss his hat in the ring for the president and CEO position at the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority. In the meantime, he will be building his business and spending more time with his family.

Leaving office I dont have any complaints. We did exactly what set out to do, Prince said.
Only a fraction of families who lost homes in the Marshall fire have rebuilt, even as litigation is gearing up against the energy company that some blamed for the disaster.

Colorado's most devastating wildfire tore through Louisville, Superior and unincorporated Boulder County two Decembers ago, fueled by hurricane-force winds and dry grasses.

Most of the lawsuits that have been filed are mass torts, which means they are comprised of hundreds of lawsuits rolled into one.

Though the exact number is unclear, hundreds of Marshall fire victims joined those mass tort lawsuits before the two-year deadline on Dec. 29.

A week before that, six public entities also got in under the legal wire to join those alleging that Xcel Energy was responsible for the ignition of the Marshall fire, which killed two people and destroyed about 1,100 homes and businesses.

On Dec. 22, Boulder County, the City of Louisville, Boulder County Public Health, Superior Metropolitan District #1, the Boulder Valley School District, and the Town of Superior filed lawsuits pursuing the collection of losses in taxpayer dollars to government properties, such as open spaces and parks. These half-dozen government entities are being represented by Baron and Budd P.C., a California law firm that specializes in wildfire recovery.

In November 2019, Baron and Budd agreed to a $360 million settlement-in-principle with Southern California Edison on behalf of 23 local government entities for taxpayer losses caused by the 2017 Thomas and Koenigstein fires, the 2018 Montecito Debris Flows, and the 2018 Woolsey Fire.

Baron and Budd attorney Torri Sherlin said that each of the six Marshall fire public entity plaintiffs has different claims depending on damages.

Everyone is pursuing their own losses and damages," Sherlin said.

She would not divulge the exact amount that the entities are seeking, but losses are said to be in the millions of dollars.

Two people died and 1,084 homes were lost in the inferno, which started at 5325 Eldorado Springs Drive in unincorporated Boulder County on Dec. 30, 2021. Besides the residential loss, seven commercial buildings were destroyed, 149 structures were damaged, and many victims suffered psychological trauma.

The family of one of the two victims, Nadine Turnbull, recently filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Xcel Energy.

Turnbull was 91 years old and lived in Superior. James Avery, the attorney for the Turnbull family, told Denver Gazette news partner 9News, "The loss of their grandmother is a great tragedy. It is something that can't be compensated for but it is something that there should be accountability for."

Avery is also representing more than 150 other clients suing Xcel Energy.

After 17 months of investigation, Boulder County Sheriff Curtis Johnson and Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty announced in June that the Marshall fire was actually two separate fires started by two separate causes within 2,000 feet and an hour apart.

Xcel Energy said it will fight the lawsuits. The power company has maintained that its power lines were not responsible for the loss of homes and life in the Marshall fire.

Investigators determined that a trash burn, which got out of control on the Twelve Tribes property just off of Marshall Road in Boulder County, was the first to ignite. The second fire, which merged with the first one, was started by a swinging power line, which was throwing off sparks, according to investigators.

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Xcel Energy officials disagreed with the findings, which hold the company partially responsible for the Marshall fire. In a statement to The Denver Gazette, Xcel called the Boulder County Sheriff's office "analyses flawed and their conclusions incorrect." Xcel explained that the second ignition burned 80-100 feet away from its power lines "in an area with underground coal fire activity."

Furthermore, Xcel officials said that, after a review of its maintenance records, its system was "properly maintained."

The first court hearing in the case will be held in Boulder County on Jan. 5.

Rebuilding after disaster

Two years after Colorado's most devastating wildfire, rebuilding is happening at varying paces, depending on where one looks.

Of 157 homes lost in unincorporated Boulder County, 18 certificates of occupancy have been issued. Thats compared to Louisville, which lost 550 homes and businesses. There, 128 certificates of occupancy have been issued to date.

In Superior, where 396 homes were destroyed, 157 certificates of occupancy have been issued.

Between Superior, Louisville and unincorporated Boulder County, about a third of Marshall fire victims have completed their rebuild and have returned home.

Of that 36%, other victims' homes are under construction and more people are moving in every day.

Were in a much better place than we were, but we still have a ways to go, said Superior Mayor Pro-Tem Neal Shah. He said that the critical piece to rebuilding after such devastation has been having the support of the full community. Its the reason so many want to come back to Superior.

Shah said that the town won't see a 100% rebuild because some homeowners bought connecting lots from their neighbors.

"Some residences won't get rebuilt," he said.

Two years later

On Saturday, two years to the day after the fire, many Marshall fire survivors are struggling.

Insurance funding for Additional Living Expenses will be expiring at the end of 2023 or early in 2024 for at least 200 households, according to Boulder's Recovering Navigators Report from November.

Those survivors will likely request an extension for extra funds from their insurance companies.

The navigation assistance  which helps victims with what can be an overwhelming process  is scheduled to end this spring. In addition to the 1,084 homes lost, many more are still standing but uninhabitable because of smoke damage.

A two-year commemorative community breakfast for Marshall fire survivors is scheduled for Saturday morning from 8-10 a.m. at the Superior Community Center. The event, organized by a group called Marshall Together, has scheduled a Saturday afternoon gathering called "Hugs and Brews." It will be held from 3-5 p.m. at Bambei Brewing "for anyone looking for a little quiet time with their community."
It is the end of the year and, as we gaze at the new one, anything seems possible. New selves shimmer over the horizon of midnight. The fireworks bang to scare away bad spirits and the colours exploding above us glitter with promises of a better tomorrow.

A lifetime of new years has cured me of specific resolutions, the hard binaries of success or failure. But at the end of each year, I like to declare (sometimes privately to myself, sometimes impetuously to friends) a theme for the fresh year ahead. Often, this theme is a mix of hard-won lessons and heady aspirations.

A New Years resolution: lets have a hard chat but, please, turn down the outrage. Credit: iStock

I have, in the past, declared a year of yes in which I would walk boldly  imposter syndrome be damned  through any door that was open or offered. And I have, following the year of yes, had a year of no, in which I gratefully relinquished some of the acquired commitments and declined new experiments.

Sometimes we need a year of risk and sometimes a year of consolidation. Some years are for throwing everything we have into a single venture, sometimes into family life. A year of the small child tends to declare itself, but acquiescing to it consciously, intending it, can make the experience voluptuous and rewarding.
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 A clear, still morning rushed past as pilot Richard Champion de Crespigny lifted the nose of the A380 from the runway at Singapores Changi Airport. Bound for Sydney, the passengers barely had time to get comfortable when two bangs sounded. The plane began to shudder. A turbine disk had exploded from one of the engines, breaking into shrapnel that ripped hundreds of holes in the Qantas aircraft. Shock ran through de Crespigny. Then the captains decades of training kicked in. It could have easily gone the wrong way and the aircraft crashed, he says of the 2010 crisis. Simply following procedure would get the five pilots in the cockpit only so far. It could even risk putting the 469 people on board in greater danger. The crew had to think independently of the systems, and follow de Crespignys lead. There are so many ways to make decisions, and on QF32 we used all of them, he says. Making decisions is somewhere between art and science. Flying a plane with engine failure might be one extreme, but we all make life-changing decisions sometimes. A handful of them carry more weight than others: What career should I pursue? Should I stay or leave a relationship? Where should I live? Should I have kids? When do I retire? When we get stuck, emotions, values, plans and consequences roll around like metal balls in a handheld maze, each a balancing act to navigate. So, is there a better way to make big decisions? When should we rely on intuition? And what is the role of regret? Credit: Artwork by Monique Westermann, Getty How do you decide on matters of life and death? The cockpit shook, alarms blared and large warning lights flashed red. While panic would overwhelm most of us, de Crespigny didnt hesitate. He stopped the aircraft from climbing, knowing it was high enough to clear any mountains, and overrode the autopilot.

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Pilots are taught that the first 30 seconds of a crisis can be the difference between life and death, de Crespigny says. All I did was make sure the aircraft was flying and that we were safe. In those critical first few seconds, its important to create time, he says. Dont get drawn into making any rash decisions. Panic is a subconscious response that pilots train to overcome. Practising being out of your comfort zone is really good for protecting you from the fear response, he says. Loading The plane was momentarily safe but the damage was severe; one engine was destroyed and another three were degraded. All but one of the 22 flight systems had problems, including the brakes and landing gear. The pilots put the plane in a holding pattern while they ran computer checklists that helped them stabilise the damage and prepare for an emergency landing in Singapore. Pilot Richard Champion de Crespigny is a seasoned decision-maker in life  including when he safely landed a severely damaged A380. One theory of how we think, popularised by Nobel prize-winning psychologist Daniel Kahneman  including in his 2011 book Thinking, Fast and Slow  breaks our minds into two systems. The first strains over slow, deliberate decisions. The other uses mental shortcuts from prior experience. De Crespigny needed both to survive this crisis. When youre flying an aircraft, the 35 years of flying experience that I had gave me all these basic skills to operate subconsciously, he says. It makes decision-making fairly quick  or youve at least thought through the processes. Keep calm, dont rush, create time, never presume or assume, and face only the danger in front.

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Still, he and his team thought hard before following many of the aircrafts checklists; they ignored a direction to transfer fuel from one wing to another, for example, given there were holes in the fuel tank. If we had followed those checklists we probably wouldnt have gotten back. Nearly two hours after the explosion, a magic silence came over the flight deck as de Crespigny dropped the plane towards the runway, he recalls in his book QF32. The plane was overweight, too fast and with limited runway length available. A stall warning sounded metres from the ground. The plane used nearly all four kilometres of tarmac to come to a halt. After wed stopped, I had a moment of pleasure thinking the crisis was over, but it wasnt, it was like a bushfire when the wind changes direction, he tells us. In fact, the decision-making was only entering another phase. Fuel was pouring out of one wing near the planes hot brakes. One of the engines would not shut off. A complex question arose: should they evacuate via emergency slides that would, among other risks, injure the elderly or put passengers in danger of igniting jet fuel if they walked through it? We decided to keep the passengers on board, de Crespigny says, believing it was safer to wait for stairs for them to exit, adding, passengers could have died if forced to evacuate. I would say 60 per cent of pilots would say we made the wrong decision not to evacuate, he says. But he kept returning to his training: Keep calm, dont rush, create time, never presume or assume, and face only the danger in front. Credit: Artwork by Monique Westermann, Getty Are there techniques for making big life decisions? November 11, 1838 was the day of days! Charles Darwin wrote in his journal. The excitement wasnt a breakthrough in his theories of evolution but a successful marriage proposal to his cousin, Emma Wedgwood. It would be a union of four decades; the remainder of Darwins life. Months earlier, though, he had been weighing marriage against his scientific career. The most common big decisions people make involve their relationships, family, career, education, finances and home, says University of Technology Sydney associate professor Adrian Camilleri. He has asked 658 people about their biggest decisions, finding these moments were often rare, uncertain, required contemplation, involved personal morals or values, affected multiple people and had long-term consequences. The more of those elements that are part of a decision, the bigger it is, he says.

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Darwin used a rudimentary tool to ponder marriage. He ruled his page down the centre and scribbled a pros and cons list. The upsides were children, companionship, love and play, all of which were good for ones health. But there were downsides, such as less conversation of clever men at clubs, more expense and anxiety of children, and perhaps quarrelling. The pros had it. Darwin jotted his conclusion at the bottom of the page: Marry. Several experts told us pros and cons lists were useful if the alternative was that you wouldnt spend time thinking through a decision. In some ways, pros and cons remain state of the art, because the art hasnt advanced much, says Steven Johnson, who researched long-term decision-making in his book Farsighted. This got more and more scandalous to me as I researched and wrote the book; no one had ever told me how to make a decision. Still, a pros and cons list can reduce big decisions into either/or choices too early. Relationship concerns framed as stay or go are one example, says Dr Rowan Burckhardt, director of the Sydney Couples Counselling Centre. He finds people who are no longer in love rarely find therapy beneficial. But for others working through conflicts or differences, it can open up options. You think that youre facing two roads in front of you: one is separation and one is just putting up with this forever. But in fact, there is a third path  you just dont even see it. Johnson adds another approach: If you dont predict well, then you cant decide well. Some businesses like to call it a pre-mortem  a way of foreseeing nightmare scenarios in advance of a decision. But Johnson thinks of it more as a form of storytelling that can plot positive or surprising outcomes too. The other important thing is having a diversity of storytellers, he says, to offer their perspectives. People just make better, more farsighted decisions when they make them in heterogeneous groups. Before making a critical decision about a checklist on QF32, de Crespigny consulted each member of his team from the lowest-ranked pilot up, to make sure he hadnt overlooked anything. If you start at the bottom, everyone is going to have their say, he explains. You dont get any groupthink, and you certainly dont get peer pressure from someone being reticent to speak up. He suggests using this technique at home, asking the youngest childs opinion before their siblings. With any big decision, says Ben Newell, a professor of behavioural science at UNSW, gathering as much information as possible is preferable before drilling down to what you value most. It sounds like a trite thing to say, but its true: if you can get the evidence as much in front of you, that will help you distinguish between the choices, he says. When you identify your values, it makes it easier for you to make a decision.

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De Crespigny believes hes pretty good at making everyday decisions: When the wife says, What would you like for dinner? I say, What are the options? When we pose a question to our children the first thing they say is, What are the options? So Im particularly pleased that it has rubbed off on them. Newell then suggests prioritising the most important aspect of the choice. When buying a house, for example, is your budget the thing thats driving you, is it being in an area thats not going to be prone to floods? With the options and scenarios on the table, Johnson says, the question becomes about what you value most. [Perhaps] having kids is much more important than conversations with clever men in clubs; theyre both meaningful, but one is way more important, he says of Darwins choice. De Crespigny stays aware of his personal values when deciding too: When you identify your values, it makes it easier for you to make a decision. There are plenty of decisions de Crespigny has agonised over too. As a pilot, he was unable to take as many risks in life as he might have liked, to protect his health and the financial wellbeing of his family. But his piloting career ended unexpectedly because of COVID, and his children have now finished school. So, after refusing for many years to ride the Cresta toboggan run in Switzerland, it was time. You go headfirst at 80 miles an hour with your head two inches from the ice, he says. Your risk appetite changes during life. When the moment comes, for obvious reasons, no single approach to a decision can tell you exactly which way to go. But the experts we spoke with said people were generally happier with their decision when they used a method and spent the time they needed to make it. Having some kind of structure is the most important thing, Johnson says. Credit: Artwork by Monique Westermann, Getty Images Can going with your gut or sleeping on it help?

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Residents of one of Sydneys smallest councils have flooded the NSW Ombudsman with grievances about controversial building projects, as both councils and residents express dissatisfaction with the watchdogs handling of complaints.

Large councils in Sydney and the Central Coast filled eight of the states 10 most maligned municipalities in 2022-23, according to NSW Ombudsman Paul Millers annual report.

Darvan Sinnetambys concerns about plans to build a sports complex at Lane Cove Golf Course prompted him to make a complaint about Lane Cove Council to the NSW Ombudsman. Credit: Dion Georgopoulos

But Lane Cove Council on Sydneys north shore, which has about 40,000 residents, had more than three times the rate of complaints of other NSW councils.

The Ombudsman received 121 complaints about Central Coast Council in 2022-23, followed by Canterbury-Bankstown (73), Northern Beaches (65), Blacktown (63) and Lane Cove (62).
Mayer said it was fairly easy to secure a spot to anchor so long as you arrive early enough. With many boats expected on Sydney Harbour on December 31, a number of boating restrictions are in place. New Years Eve organisers recommend vessels move into position well before sunset as popular spots both west and east of the Sydney Harbour Bridge fill up quickly. Apart from the 9pm and midnight fireworks displays, Sydneys New Years Eve will feature a smoking ceremony, projections onto the pylons of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and illuminated vessels on the water. City of Sydney executive producer Stephen Gilby said music was a vital part of Sydneys New Years Eve celebrations. City of Sydney executive producer Stephen Gilby said music was a vital part of Sydneys New Years Eve celebrations. Credit: Wolter Peeters

It is the first element created, and the tempo, beats and highs and lows of the music are used as [the] basis for the programming of the fireworks, projections and lighting, he said. Sydneys New Years Eve fireworks have always been set to music, but Gilby said the soundtrack had changed from a mix of previously released tracks to music created for the night. It gives the composers, fireworks technicians, projection developers and lighting designers the opportunity to work collaboratively together, and actively create new and exciting moments to make the show better and better each year, he said. Pete Goodwin is the composer behind Sydneys New Years Eve celebrations this year. You realise 425 million people will be watching this  no pressure, Goodwin said.

The Brisbane-based composer and DJ, who performs under the name THE SWEATS, produced a 12-minute soundtrack to accompany the midnight fireworks. Pulling it together was quite the production, one that involved nine children yelling, 33 choristers singing, several backing vocalists, and various mixing and mastering engineers, he said. Goodwins musical work consists of three pieces titled NYE (Again), Tiny Sparks and One More Revolution that he said, slot together like a DJ mix to create a single, seamless 12-minute track. An award-winning theatre composer, Goodwin said the original score is designed to be a choreographed dance between fireworks, lighting, video projection and music. Brisbane-based composer and DJ Pete Goodwin, who performs under the name THE SWEATS, composed a 12-minute soundtrack to accompany Sydneys midnight New Years Eve fireworks. Credit: Dan Peled

The soundtrack draws on house and bass music influences, hyper-pop, drum & bass and old school electronica, in tandem with bombastic brass sections and lush choral moments, he said. Goodwin grew up in regional Queensland where he recalled fireworks displays were hosted by an MC who encouraged kids to yell out colours as they exploded in the sky. I used this idea as I wanted to capture that sense of wonderment and nostalgia of the first time you see fireworks, he said. Goodwin will be among the crowds on the Sydney Harbour foreshore listening to his soundtrack for the midnight fireworks  the first time he has attended Sydneys New Years celebrations. I dont love crowds personally, he said. But I think being tucked away at the Opera House will be a nice safe place for me.

This years fireworks display will feature more than 8.5 tonnes of fireworks launched from the Sydney Harbour Bridge, barges on the harbour, Sydney Opera House sails and city rooftops. The display will include 36,000 shooting effects, 13,000 aerial shells and silver and gold pyrotechnics to mark the Opera Houses 50th anniversary. It will be the 27th New Years Eve masterminded by Fortunato Foti, a seventh generation pyrotechnician whose family has been making fireworks since 1793. Foti said music was an important component in the creation of the fireworks displays. We design the show to flow with the mood of the music, in essence aiming to make the fireworks appear like theyre dancing to the music, he said.

Loading The 9pm Calling Country fireworks will be accompanied by a hip hop soundtrack created by Nooky and ARIA Award winner 18YOMAN. Business Sydney executive director Paul Nicolaou said the New Years Eve celebrations would generate $100 million in additional revenue for dining venues across Sydney. We estimate that a third of these revellers will be international visitors comprised of holidaymakers wanting to experience the worlds best New Years Eve extravaganza, international students, and family and friends visiting from overseas, he said. Nicolaou said the economic benefits of international tourism stretched beyond the night of December 31.
Ever wondered how the main streets of Sydneys CBD got their name? Former governor Lachlan Macquarie is mostly responsible, channelling his loyalty to the empire into streets named after the titles of the sons of George III (Sussex, Kent, Clarence and York) and prominent British officers of the day (Castlereagh, Bathurst, Liverpool and Pitt).

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Throw in former NSW governors Bligh, Hunter, King, Phillip and  naturally  Macquarie, and the map is a whos who of early Sydney. Even Macquaries wife, Elizabeth, received her own thoroughfare (no, its not named after the queen).

As time went on, some street names came to give clues as to what was  or used to be  in the area. In inner-city Chippendale for example, Rose, Myrtle, Vine and Pine streets stand on the site of the Darling Nursery, a patch of green established to beautify the odorous area in the 1820s but subdivided by the 1880s.

A hundred years later and 40 kilometres west, the residential development of the former Penfolds Wines vineyard at Minchinbury led to more than a dozen viticultural rues in the suburbs new streets, including Pinot Place and Barossa Drive.
A toddler missing in the Blue Mountains has been reunited with his family after police issued an urgent appeal to find his parents or carer.

A member of the public rang police about 8am on Saturday after finding a young boy walking alone outside Faulconbridge Public School.

Police are doorknocking in the Faulconbridge area in an urgent effort to find the parents or carers of the missing toddler. Credit: Peter Rae

The boy, who told police his name is Ryder, is about three years old, was found wearing light green shorts, black sneakers and a dark green T-shirt picturing the Grinch beside the words Feeling Grinchy on the front.

He told police at Springwood police station he was staying with his nana but doesnt know where she lives.
So the year turns to 2024. And while screeds are written on the past year or what the year to come will bring, Ive taken the contrarian view, jumped into the time machine and set the controls for the heart of my youth. That is to 1974, the year a circle of vinyl played at 33 revolutions per minute entered my world, and didnt leave. I speak of On the Beach by Neil Young.

Music is a marker in a persons life; yes, to claim a cliche, it can be the soundtrack. On the Beach opened my eyes and ears. Now I see it also as a signpost.

The cover of Neil Youngs 1974 album On the Beach.

I came to Neil Young through Heart of Gold and The Needle and the Damage Done from Harvest, the album that catapulted him into solo stardom, but as the music world and fans were to discover, Young was his own man, and when success came calling, he took off into the ditch. What followed was the ditch trilogy of On the Beach, Tonights the Night (recorded before On the Beach but released after it) and Time Fades Away. I loved them all.

On the Beach had an edge to it, which was ironic since a lot of it was recorded on a diet of marijuana and honey. The opening lines of the opening track, Walk On, set the scene: I hear some people been talking me down/ bring up my name, pass it round.
By Nidal al-Mughrabi, Arafat Barbakh and Dan Williams

CAIRO/GAZA/JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel must take full control of the Gaza Strip border corridor with Egypt to ensure a "demilitarisation" of the area, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday, as Israel's military pushed deeper into central and southern Gaza.

Speaking at a press conference, Netanyahu said: "The Philadelphi Corridor - or to put it more correctly, the southern closing point (of Gaza) - must be in our hands. It must be shut. It is clear that any other arrangement would not ensure the demilitarisation that we seek."

He did not elaborate. If accomplished, such a move would mark a de facto reversal of Israel's 2005 withdrawal from Gaza, placing the enclave under exclusive Israeli control after years being run by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Netanyahu's comments about the buffer zone came as Israeli military forces pressed ahead with an offensive that the prime minister reiterated will last "for many more months."

Fighting was focused in al-Bureij, Nuseirat, Maghazi and Khan Younis, according to residents, and was backed by intensive air strikes that filled hospitals with wounded Palestinians.

The bombardment has killed 165 people and wounded 250 others in Gaza over the past 24 hours, Palestinian health authorities said.

At Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, the biggest medical facility in the south of the crowded territory, a Red Crescent video showed paramedics rushing a tiny, dust-covered baby into a ward as one shouted "there is breathing, there is breathing".

Almost all Gaza's 2.3 million residents have been forced from their homes by Israel's 12-week assault, triggered after Hamas and allied groups killed 1,200 people and captured 240 hostages in a rampage in southern Israel on Oct. 7.

The offensive has killed at least 21,672 Palestinians, according to health authorities in Gaza, with more than 56,000 injured and thousands more feared dead under the rubble.

Israel says 172 of its military personnel have been killed in the Gaza fighting.

On Saturday, the armed wing of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine said an Israeli soldier being held captive in Gaza by the group had been killed in an Israeli air strike that also wounded some of his captors.

A spokesperson for the group told Al Araby television the air strike followed a failed attempt by Israeli commandos to free the soldier.

The spokesperson gave no details of location or when the soldier had been taken captive.

The Israeli military declined comment.

FLEEING BOMBARDMENT

The conflict risks spreading across the region, drawing in Iran-aligned groups in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and Yemen, that have exchanged fire with Israel and its U.S. ally, or targeted merchant shipping.

Bombardment has smashed houses, apartment blocks, businesses and hospitals. On Saturday the Palestinian Culture Ministry said Israeli strikes had struck a medieval bathhouse. Gaza's Great Mosque was hit earlier in the war.

Ziad, a medic in Maghazi in central Gaza, was fleeing with his three children to Rafah, on the border with Egypt.

"We want a ceasefire now," he said. "Enough, more than enough, already."

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said on Friday troops were reaching Hamas command centres and arms depots. Pictures released by the military showed soldiers moving across churned-up earth among ruins of destroyed buildings.

The Israeli military said it had destroyed a tunnel complex in the basement of one of the houses of the Hamas leader for Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, in Gaza City. Troops also raided the Hamas military intelligence headquarters and an Islamic Jihad command centre in Khan Younis, and destroyed targets including a weapons foundry, a military statement said.

Hamas and Islamic Jihad - both sworn to Israel's destruction - said in separate statements their fighters destroyed and damaged several Israeli tanks and troop carriers in attacks across Gaza on Saturday. They also said they fired mortars against Israeli forces in Khan Younis and Al-Bureij as well as in northern Gaza.

Israel's stated aim is to destroy Hamas and while the U.S. has called for it to scale down the war and move to targeted operations against the group's leaders, so far it shows no sign of doing so.

VACCINES FOR GAZA

Israel said on Friday it had facilitated the entry of vaccines into Gaza in coordination with UNICEF, the U.N. children's agency, to help prevent the spread of disease.

The little aid reaching the enclave since the start of the war, when Israel imposed a near total blockade on all food, medicine and fuel, has come across the border with Egypt.

Israel has only allowed access to the south of the enclave, where it started ordering all Gaza civilians to move from October, and aid agencies have said Israeli inspections have stopped all but a small fraction of needed supplies getting in.

The Israeli government said it does not limit humanitarian aid and the problem was with distribution inside Gaza.

Al-Bureij, Nuseirat and Khan Younis are three of eight camps set up in Gaza for some of the Palestinians who fled or were driven from their homes during Israel's creation in 1948. The camps have gradually become crowded urban areas after decades of building. Other Palestinian refugees live in camps in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and the West Bank.

The Gaza war has also stoked violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. On Saturday, Israeli troops shot a Palestinian motorist who tried to ram them near the West Bank city of Hebron, the army said. He was killed in the incident, the Palestinian health ministry said.

A Palestinian journalist working for Al-Quds TV was killed along with some of his family members in an airstrike on their house in the Nuseirat camp in central Gaza Strip on Friday, health officials and fellow journalists said.

(Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi in Cairo and Arafat Barbakh in Gaza; Writing by Daphne Psaledakis, Kim Coghill, Angus McDowall, William Maclean and Richard Cowan; Editing by Grant McCool, Neil Fullick, Frances Kerry, David Holmes and Daniel Wallis)
Police are investigating after a disruptive passenger had to be pinned down by flight attendants on a Qantas flight from Bali to Australia in the early hours of Sunday.

A witness said the man had gone crazy on board flight QF46, which departed Denpasar on Saturday night and landed safely in Melbourne just before 7am on Sunday.

Footage from the flight shows the man was tackled to the ground by a group of passengers before a flight attendant used his knee to pin him to the floor of the cabin.

On arrival, Australian Federal Police officers boarded the aircraft and questioned the Victorian man, 28, before he was taken for a medical assessment.
State, territory and federal governments have been accused of gatekeeping road data which could be used to prevent fatalities after one of the worst years on the nations roads.

A horror crash on Friday in Lithgow, west of Sydney, left two people dead and five others in a critical condition, taking NSWs road toll to 351  a 26 per cent increase from last year. Victoria reported a 24 per cent increase with 296 road fatalities, leading to a national increase of 6.3 per cent.

Emergency services attend the scene of a serious multi-vehicle crash in the NSW Central Tablelands. Credit: Nine News

The Lithgow crash comes after the death of 10 passengers after a wedding bus driver crashed in the Hunter Valley in June was Australias worst road disaster in nearly three decades. Five people died in April in the deadliest crash in Victoria in 11 years when a car hit a ute, sending it into the path of an oncoming truck in Strathmerton.

Australian Automobile Association managing director Michael Bradley said the Lithgow crash reinforced the associations advocacy that fatalities would continue to be an issue until all governments publicly release data on crash causes and road conditions.
Cairo/Gaza/Jerusalem: Israel must take full control of the Gaza Strip border corridor with Egypt to ensure a demilitarisation of the area, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says, as Israels military pushed deeper into central and southern Gaza.

Speaking at a press conference, Netanyahu said: The Philadelphi Corridor  or to put it more correctly, the southern closing point [of Gaza]  must be in our hands. It must be shut. It is clear that any other arrangement would not ensure the demilitarisation that we seek.

This drone image shows thousands of tents used by displaced people in Rafah, near the Egyptian border. Credit: AP

He did not elaborate. If accomplished, such a move would mark a de facto reversal of Israels 2005 withdrawal from Gaza, placing the enclave under exclusive Israeli control after years being run by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Netanyahus comments about the buffer zone came as Israeli military forces pressed ahead with an offensive that the prime minister reiterated will last for many more months.
New York: Michael Cohen, former US president Donald Trumps onetime personal lawyer and fixer, says he unwittingly passed along to his attorney bogus artificial intelligence-generated legal case citations he got online before they were submitted to a judge.

Cohen made the admission in a court filing unsealed on Friday (New York time) in Manhattan federal court after a judge earlier this month asked a lawyer to explain how court rulings that do not exist were cited in a motion submitted on Cohens behalf. Judge Jesse Furman had also asked what role, if any, Cohen played in drafting the motion.

Michael Cohen, President Donald Trumps former personal lawyer. Credit: AP

The AI-generated cases were cited as part of written arguments attorney David M Schwartz made to try to bring an early end to Cohens court supervision after he served more than a year behind bars. Cohen had pleaded guilty in 2018 to tax evasion, campaign finance charges and lying to US Congress, saying Trump directed him to arrange the payment of hush money to a porn actor and to a former Playboy model to fend off damage to his 2016 presidential bid.

Cohen, who was disbarred five years ago, said in a declaration submitted to the judge that he found the citations by doing research through Google Bard and was unaware that the service could generate nonexistent cases. He said he uses the internet for research because he no longer has access to formal legal-research sources.
Paula Abdul has filed a lawsuit against Nigel Lythgoe, a former longtime producer of American Idol, accusing him of sexually assaulting her when she was a judge on the reality show in the early 2000s.

In the lawsuit, Abdul says that during one of the early seasons of American Idol, Lythgoe shoved her against the wall of a hotel elevator, grabbed her genitals and breasts and began shoving his tongue down her throat. Abdul said in the lawsuit that she tried to push Lythgoe away, and that when the elevator doors opened, she ran to her hotel room and called one of her representatives in tears.

American Idol judge Paula Abdul in 2005. Credit: AP

Lythgoe helped turn American Idol into a phenomenon in the United States in 2002 after developing an earlier iteration of the show in Britain. He was also a creator of So You Think You Can Dance, on which he appeared as a judge for 16 seasons.

Representatives for Lythgoe did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
if the people of Biafra want Republic of Biafra, it will be a reality during my administration. ----Donald Trump Donald Trump I wi...
By Ismael Lopez

SAN JOSE (Reuters) - Nicaraguan police detained four more priests early on Saturday, bringing the total number to 12 over the past three days, according to a high-ranking member of the Catholic Church with knowledge of the matter and local media.

Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, who has governed the Central American country since 2007, has started a crackdown on the Catholic Church and political opponents.

Priests Mikel Monterrey, Gerardo Rodriguez and Raul Zamora, along with Monsignor Miguel Mantica, the son of one of the richest families in Nicaragua, were taken from their respective homes, the source said.

"They're all from the Archdiocese of Managua," said the source, who spoke to Reuters on the condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.

The Nicaraguan government and police did not respond to a request for comment. La Prensa, one of the country's last remaining newspapers, also reported the four arrests of the priests.

Among those arrested early Saturday were two priests - Monterrey and Zamora - who opened the doors of their parish to students from two universities that were attacked by the government in 2018.

In total, 12 priests and Bishop Isidro Mora have now been arrested in recent days. In August 2022, Bishop Rolando Alvarez was arrested and sentenced to 26 years in prison.

Since the 2018 protests, Ortega has accused priests of organizing themselves and orchestrating a coup; the bishops had asked the president for justice for those who died during the protests, and early elections.

(Reporting by Ismael Lopez in San Jose, Costa Rica; Editing by Marguerita Choy)
Staff Reporter

Commissioner of Police (CP) Amitesh Kumar on Friday claimed a substantial decrease in overall crime rate in the city and attributed the upswing in reported theft cases to the proactive registration of mobile theft incidents rather than categorising them as missing mobile cases. The CP stated, The apparent increase of around 1500 reported crimes over the past year is primarily due to the pro-active registration of Mobile Theft cases and subsequent successful detection and recovery efforts. Providing a detailed overview of crime statistics spanning the last 22 years, CP Kumar said that total murders during this period amounted to 2067, with an average of 94 murders per year. However, 2023 saw a dip in the murder count, with 73 cases reported which marked a 23 per cent reduction compared to the average over the past two decades. Focusing on the positive side of policing, he remarked, There is a sharp decline in incidents of murders, almost 23 per cent less than the average of the last 22 years. The decline in crime wasnt limited to murders, as the CP claimed a trend of diminishing criminal activities across various categories. Professional policing efforts resulted in the detention of 67 criminals under the Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities (MPDA) Act in 2023. Additionally, 110 criminals faced charges under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), he said.

On rape and molestation cases, the CP revealed a concerning trend where nearly 99 per cent of incidents involved known persons, ranging from family members and friends to on-line acquaintances. The police, however, have taken proactive measures, including initiatives such as the Police Didi to register offenses and address molestation cases. While addressing cases of kidnapping, the Commissioner shed light on the the registration of offences in all minor missing cases, with an impressive 95 per cent success rate in tracing and recovering victims. The Nagpur City Police emerged as pioneers in the enforcement of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act as it detailed drug smugglers under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PITNDPS) Act, a first for Maharashtra, claimed CP Amitesh Kumar. Moreover, the force conducted a comprehensive drive against drug peddlers, registering 423 cases in 2023, arresting 558 drug peddlers, and seizing property worth Rs 4,74,39,191/-. The commitment to combating narcotics-related offenses was underlined by the disposal of 1200 kgs of Ganja on the occasion of International Day against Drug Abuse, said the CP.

On the front of stolen property recovery, Nagpur City Police undertook a remarkable initiative, returning stolen property valued at more than Rs 3.78 crore to its rightful owners on the eve of Dhanteras this year. The City Police showcased a commitment to public safety by successfully conducting numerous raids against illegal animal trafficking and implementing strict actions under MPDA, with 68 detentions in 2023, marking a 203 per cent increase compared to the previous year, informed CP. Commissioner Kumar also shed light on the citys dedication to womens safety - initiatives such as the installation of QR codes in vulnerable locations, the revitalisation of Damini Pathak with increased manpower, and effective coordination with various departments to enhance security measures. In response to past criticisms, the Commissioner addressed the issues of rising murders, and pointed out a significant reduction in homicides, especially during the rainy season. The CP expressed satisfaction with the overall crime situation in Nagpur, stating, The overall crime situation in Nagpur city is very good, and there is nothing to criticise. Addl CP Sanjay Patil, DCP Mumakka Sudarsharshan, DCP Rahul Madne, DCP Chetna Tidke, DCP Anurag Jain and others were present in the press conference.
Bars to remain open till 5 am Guidelines for December 31 celebrations out





Staff Reporter

In a bid to maintain public order and ensure the safety and well-being of citizens, Commissioner of Police (CP) Amitesh Kumar has issued a notification under Section 144 of CrpC with comprehensive guidelines for establishments hosting New Years Eve events. According to notification, all establishments hosting December 31 events, in addition to their regular activities, are required to obtain written permission from the CP, Nagpur City. Bars and permit rooms must strictly adhere to the closing time of 5 am, with indoor music performances allowed until the closing time. No entry of persons below the age of 18 is allowed in the designated areas where liquor is served. For outdoor events with temporary liquor licenses, persons below 18 are also prohibited, and no person below the age of 25 should be served liquor, the notification stated.

Eating houses, dhabas, or establishments without a valid excise license are prohibited from allowing the drinking or sale of liquor to customers. Similarly, customers are not allowed to dance in seating areas to prevent conflicts between different groups of guests. Acoustic soundproofing for indoor events and a music shutdown at midnight for outdoor events are stipulated, the notification stated. Establishments must install CCTV cameras covering all crucial areas, and two sets of DVRs must be maintained for police verification if necessary, the CP stated in the notification.
Corona death Reported in Durg





Staff Reporter

Bhilai,

On Friday, one person lost his life from infection of coronavirus in Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital and Research Centre in Durg. The deceased person was Hanuman Singh (81 years) and a resident of Adarsh Nagar Camp-1, Bhilainagar. He was diagnosed with DM (Type 2) Bilateral Pneumonia and found infection of COVID-19 in Antigen Test. On the other hand, the health authorities of Durg District Health Department denied the death of women in District Government Hospital by this coronavirus infection.

The health department of Durg district stated that woman lost her life from high blood sugar as well as hypertension. On Friday, 1 patient was detected from coronavirus and now, Durg district has 14 cases of coronavirus and of them, 1 patient is undergoing treatment at Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital and Research Centre, Bhilainagar. The remaining 13 patients are in home isolation and take medication from doctors.

Dr J P Meshram, Chief Medical and Health Officer of district said that the health department has formed a team of Dr C B S Banjare, District Surveillance Officer, Dr Piyam Singh, Block Level Medical Officer, Ritika Sonwani and Tushar Verma who have directed to look out the matter. They have also started to visit hospitals, health centers and private hospitals to see the condition of coronavirus disease and its situation. Dr Meshram suggested people to avoid go outside and prefer to wear masks. Senior citizens, people with hypertension, high blood sugar and asthma, children and pregnant women should avoid to go outside. With symptoms of cold, cough and viral fever, people should visit the nearby health centers and do the necessary tests.
DIPLOMATIC WIN





THE decision of an appellate court in Qatar to commute death sentence of eight former personnel of the Indian Navy (in employment of a private firm post-retirement) points to Indias capable handling of the diplomatic challenge involved in the case. Working patiently and systematically, Indian leadership worked its way around a lot of difficult obstacles to present a firm point of view that the eight Indian arrested under espionage law of Qatar could not be held guilty of the charge, and that all of them deserved a deeper and compassionate listening-to. These efforts finally succeeded with the Qatar appellate court agreeing with the point of view and reducing the sentence of all the eight men. This is welcome development -- from the point of view of the current Indian leadership as well as for the Indian nation. What was involved in this episode was not just eight Indian persons, but also an entire range of issues encompassing the overall bilateral relations between India and Qatar. When a Qatar court gave the death sentence to the eight persons held for loosely-levelled espionage charges, a clamour went up in Indian political space that the leadership was proving itself to be incompetent.

In Particular, Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi was accused of not doing anything to ensure release of the eight persons not just from the Qatar prison but also from the clutches of sure death. Since the Prime Minister did not openly say a word about the episode, the accusation got a greater weight -- that he was not concerned about the safety and security of the eight Indian Navy personnel. The Opposition appeared hell bent on proving that Mr. Narendra Modis so-called diplomatic success was just a bubble -- that would soon burst. Nothing of that sort happened, though. For, even when he did not speak a word about the episode, the Prime Minister was actually and personally masterminding a well-focused diplomatic initiative with a view to helping the unfortunate eight to escape the sentence. He directed the Indian Mission in Qatar to provide to the eight Indian accused every possible legal and even consular assistance while contesting the sentence. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister held detailed discussions with Qatars leadership on the sidelines of an international gathering, and tweeted that he was satisfied with the overall tone and tenor of the discussion -- without any specific mention of the espionage case. That meeting did give an indirect assurance that the Prime Minister was at it personally and a solution may soon emerge.

Exactly that happened in due course of time. The slow and patient work of Indian diplomats under the Prime Ministers direct leadership made all the difference. Mr. Narendra Modi did not respond to the criticism against him, but guided the diplomatic action patiently and quietly. The case is yet not fully over, but there are provisions in the law that can help in having the entire case either dropped or disposed of without sentence. Some provisions also can help in shifting the accused to Indian prisons to serve their jail terms. The Ministry of External Affairs will work out the details to a logical culmination -- much to everybodys satisfaction, proving the efficacy of the countrys diplomatic prowess and finesse - made possible by the polished culture foreign policy managers have developed over time. The world has seen in the past some years that Indias diplomatic community has developed fine capabilities of handling all types of challenges in all domains -- across ideologies and cultures and geographies. Led by Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi, Indian diplomacy has now become an effective ecosystem that can stand up to any challenge and sort it out as per national interest -- which is to be hailed.
(Reuters) -Russia said 20 people including two children had been killed and 111 injured in "indiscriminate" Ukrainian strikes allegedly including cluster bombs on the Russian provincial capital of Belgorod on Saturday, and vowed to retaliate.

The Belgorod region, which adjoins northern Ukraine, has like other Russian border zones suffered shelling and drone attacks all year that authorities have blamed on Ukraine, although none have previously been on such a scale.

Newspaper Kommersant cited a source close to the Russian Investigative Committee as saying missiles fired from a multiple rocket launcher in Ukraine's Kharkiv region had hit a skating rink on the central Cathedral Square, a shopping centre and residential buildings.

No official comment was immediately available from Kyiv, but the Ukrainian news outlet RBC-Ukraine quoted unnamed sources as saying Ukrainian forces had directed fire at military targets in Belgorod in response to the massive Russian bombardment of Ukrainian cities the previous day.

News website Ukrainska Pravda quoted an unnamed security service source as blaming the destruction of civilian infrastructure on "unprofessional actions by Russian air defence, as well as deliberate and planned provocations".

Russia's mission to the United Nations in New York said it had requested a meeting of the Security Council, which began at 4 p.m. ET (2100 GMT).

Within hours of the attack on Belgorod, Ukrainian authorities said two Russian S-300 missiles hit the centre of Kharkiv, Ukraine's second city, injuring 21 people including two boys aged 16 and 14.

One missile hit the Kharkiv Palace Hotel and another an apartment building. Officials said a medical institution and other civilian infrastructure were also damaged.

Air raid sirens had earlier sounded all over Belgorod as regional Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov urged all residents to move to shelters.

"Today, the Kyiv regime attempted an indiscriminate combined strike on the city of Belgorod with two 'Olkha' missiles in a banned cluster configuration, as well as Czech-made Vampire rockets," the Defence Ministry said in a Telegram posting. "This crime will not go unpunished."

'APARTMENTS AND SHOPS HIT'

It said most of the rockets, including both the "Olkha" missiles, had been shot down, averting far greater casualties, although fragments had fallen on the city.

Governor Gladkov said 22 apartment buildings had been damaged along with a large number of commercial properties, shopping centres and shops, and that more than 100 cars had been damaged, most of them burned out.

Images posted by the Emergencies Ministry showed at least three burned out cars, and a commercial building with some broken windows. Other images posted online showed black smoke rising from the city.

Two residents told Reuters they had seen air defence missiles rising into the sky followed by explosions in the air and then louder blasts.

Russian state-run news agency RIA quoted the Kremlin as saying President Vladimir Putin had sent a team of health and emergency workers to Belgorod.

Russia, which invaded Ukraine in February 2022 in what it calls a "special military operation", unleashed its biggest air attack of the war on Friday.

Ukrainian officials said 39 civilians had been killed and 159 wounded as Russia launched 158 missiles and drones at more than 120 cities and towns across Ukraine. On Saturday, the toll climbed to 41, after one person found dead in Kyiv and another succumbed to injuries in Odesa.

Russia said its anti-aircraft units had destroyed 13 Ukrainian rockets over the Belgorod region on Friday, as well as 32 drones overnight over the nearby Bryansk, Oryol and Kursk regions and the Moscow region.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told RIA that Britain and the U.S. had incited Ukraine to carry out "terrorist acts", and said European Union countries must also bear blame for supplying it with weapons.

(Reporting by Maxim Rodionov; additional reporting by Elaine Monaghan in Washington; Editing by Kevin Liffey, Jan Harvey, Christina Fincher, David Holmes and Marguerita Choy)
I.N.D.I.A. bloc seat sharing: Mamata keen to test Bengal waters alone, UBT Sena not willing to compromise





MUMBAI,

THE buzz over the seat-sharing formula of the Oppositions I.N.D.I.A. bloc hit a crescendo on Friday after a few partners within the alliance hinted at going all alone in next years Lok Sabha elections or not willing to compromise in their respective States. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has asserted that their party is the biggest in Maharashtra, hinting at no compromise over seat- sharing talks. This is Maharashtra, and Shiv Sena is the biggest party here. Congress is a national party. Uddhav Thackeray is having positive discussions with the decision-making leaders of Congress including Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and KC Venugopal. We have always said that Shiv Sena has always been fighting on 23 seats in the Lok Sabha elections including Dadra and Nagar Haveli and that will be firm, Raut had said. Prior to Shiv Sena (UBT), Mamata Banerjee on Thursday expressed her desire to test Bengal waters alone in the next years Lok Sabha elections.

I.N.D.I.A. alliance will be there across the country. In Bengal, the TMC will fight and defeat the BJP. Remember, in Bengal, only TMC can teach a lesson to the BJP and not any other party, Mamata said while she was speaking at a gathering in North 24 Parganas. However, the Trinamool Congress supremo said that I.N.D.I.A. alliance will contest on all seats across the country. Congresss National Alliance Committee, set up to facilitate seat-sharing talks with allies, will hold meetings with party leaders from the States here on Friday and Saturday, and the negotiations with the allies will formally start next week after the panel submits a report to party chief Mallikarjun Kharge. With the clock ticking for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and preparations taking shape for the partys Bharat Nyay Yatra, the Congress is set to hold a series of high-level meetings.

Meanwhile, Congress has said that talks on the agreement with all the parties will be held with an open mind. Jairam Ramesh, the Congress general secretary in charge of communications, said, Khule mann aur band muh se hi hum seat sharing pe baat aage chalaenge (We will carry forward seat-sharing talks with an open mind and refraining from public statements). The Congress leader added that different States would pose different challenges with regard to advancing seat-sharing talks and the discussions, hence, be held, taking all aspects into consideration. The seat-sharing talks are ongoing and will continue. We will do what needs to be done. There are different conditions and challenges in different States. We will be having discussions on seat sharing, keeping in mind the different (political) realities there, Ramesh said.
Navy unveils new design for Admirals Epaulettes





NEW DELHI,

THE Indian Navy has revealed the new design for Admirals Epaulettes. The announcement on a new design for the Epaulettes was made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during Navy Day 2023 at Sindhudurg in Maharashtra. The design draws inspiration from the Naval Ensign and features elements inspired by the Rajmudra of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the statement said. Rajmudra is an authentic stamp or the Royal Seal that Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj used to use in his letters and ordinance. There are several letters that have the Rajmudra printed on it. Legend has it that the Rajmudra was given to Shivaji Maharaj by his father Shahajiraje Bhosale.

The epaulettes consist of the Golden Navy Button, the Octagon, the Sword and the Telescope. The Golden Navy Button reiterates the Navys commitment to do away with the colonial mindset. The Octagon represents the eight cardinal directions, indicative of an all-round long-term vision. The Sword emphasises the very essence of the Navys Raison detre, viz. being the cutting edge of national power and winning wars through dominance, defeating adversaries and overcoming every challenge. The Telescope symbolises a long-term vision, foresight and a weather-eye in an ever-changing world.

The statement further said that the design serves as a genuine reflection of Indias rich maritime heritage. Addressing the Navy Day celebrations in Sindhudurg earlier this month, Prime Minister Modi said, Inspired by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the nation is moving forward, leaving the mentality of dependence behind. I am happy that the epaulettes worn by our Naval officers will now have a sight of the heritage of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. New epaulettes will now have a symbol of Shivaji Maharajs army. It is my fortune that I had the opportunity to connect the Naval flag with the heritage of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, he added.
Tipper crushes brother-sister duo to death





Special Correspondent

VIOLENCE erupted in the Wathoda area after a speeding garbage tipper crushed a brother-sister duo to death at Bidgaon Square Friday morning. Soon, hundreds of local residents caught the tipper driver. An irate mob gave him a sound thrashing and torched the killer vehicle. The angry residents resorted to stone-pelting. They smashed the windshields of a fire tender and police vehicles. Identified as Sumit Nanelal Saini (15) and her his sister Anjali (18), the deceased siblings were the residents of Jai Durga Nagar, Bhandewadi, Pardi. Suraj was a student of Standard X and Anjali was studying in Manohar Kambli College, Mahal. She was also doing a part-time job. Eye-witnesses told The Hitavada that the ghastly mishap occurred when Sumit was taking Anjali on a bicycle to drop her at her workplace. Around 9.50 am, a garbage tipper coming at a high speed from behind mowed down the siblings, killing them instantaneously on the spot. The tipper driver tried to flee but the passers-by and bystanders blocked the tipper and bashed up the driver ruthlessly.

As the news about the tragedy spread like jungle fire in the adjoining localities, a crowd of more than 2000 citizens gathered. The irate residents blocked the roads and resorted to stone-pelting. A team of Wathoda Police led by Senior Inspector Ganesh Jamdar rushed to the spot. A team of firefighters from the Fire & Emergency Services Department of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation also rushed to the spot. The unruly mob also smashed the wildshilds of the fire tender and some police vehicles. As the situation was beyond control, staff from Pardi, Kalamna, Shanti Nagar, Tehsil, Ganeshpeth Police Stations were summoned. Jawans of the State Reserve Police Force were all called to assist their counterparts to handle the violent mob. Additional CP (North Region) P P Shewale, DCP (Zone-04) Vijaykant Sagar, DCP (Detection) Mummaka Sudarshan and other senior officers visited the spot to pacify the angry residents who were agitating under the leadership of Congress activist Awantika Lekurwade and others .

Cops resorted to lathi charge to quell the unruly mob. After conducting the panchnama, police sent the bodies of the two siblings to Government Medical College & Hospital for autopsy. A huge police posse was deployed when the last rites of Sumit and Anjali were being performed to prevent any untoward incident. Senior Inspector Jamdar informed that Wathoda Police arrested the tipper driver Badshah Thakre (59), a resident of Pardi, and registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and Motor Vehicle Act. His tipper was also detained, he added.
Waterdrop (NYSE:WDH  Get Free Report) and Swiss Life (OTCMKTS:SZLMY  Get Free Report) are both business services companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their valuation, risk, dividends, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, profitability and earnings.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Waterdrop and Swiss Lifes revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Waterdrop $406.22 million 1.01 $88.11 million $0.07 15.00 Swiss Life N/A N/A N/A $1.19 29.47

Waterdrop has higher revenue and earnings than Swiss Life. Waterdrop is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Swiss Life, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Profitability

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Waterdrop 8.96% 5.08% 3.99% Swiss Life N/A N/A N/A

Analyst Recommendations

This table compares Waterdrop and Swiss Lifes net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

This is a breakdown of current recommendations and price targets for Waterdrop and Swiss Life, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Waterdrop 0 0 1 0 3.00 Swiss Life 0 1 1 0 2.50

Waterdrop currently has a consensus price target of $2.80, suggesting a potential upside of 166.67%. Given Waterdrops stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, research analysts plainly believe Waterdrop is more favorable than Swiss Life.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

2.0% of Waterdrop shares are owned by institutional investors. 24.6% of Waterdrop shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

Waterdrop beats Swiss Life on 8 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Waterdrop

(Get Free Report)

Waterdrop Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides online insurance brokerage services to match and connect users with related insurance products underwritten by insurance companies in the People's Republic of China. The company offers short-term health and long-term health and life insurance products and services. It also operates a medical crowdfunding platform. Waterdrop Inc. was founded in 2016 and is headquartered in Beijing, the People's Republic of China.

About Swiss Life

(Get Free Report)

Swiss Life Holding AG provides life, pensions, and financial solutions for private and corporate clients. It operates through Switzerland, France, Germany, International, Asset Managers, and Other segments. The company offers a range of life, pension, health, annuity, and investment-type policies to groups and individuals, as well as disability coverage. It also provides property and casualty, liability and motor, accident, and health insurance. In addition, the company manages assets and provides advisory services for institutional clients. Further, the company engages in the private equity, information technology, real estate, banking, staff restaurant/canteen, and investment funds businesses. Swiss Life Holding AG distributes its products through its sales force and distribution partners. The company operates in Switzerland and internationally under the Swiss Life Select, Tecis, Horbach, Proventus, Chase de Vere, and Fincentrum brands. Swiss Life Holding AG was founded in 1857 and is based in Zurich, Switzerland.

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Autohome Inc. (NYSE:ATHM  Get Free Report)s share price gapped down prior to trading on Thursday . The stock had previously closed at $27.99, but opened at $27.16. Autohome shares last traded at $27.62, with a volume of 23,211 shares traded.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, StockNews.com raised Autohome from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Thursday, October 5th.

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View Our Latest Report on ATHM

Autohome Stock Up 1.5 %

The company has a market cap of $3.52 billion, a PE ratio of 12.09 and a beta of 0.24. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $27.10 and a 200-day moving average of $28.87.

Autohome (NYSE:ATHM  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 2nd. The information services provider reported $0.61 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.61. Autohome had a return on equity of 8.93% and a net margin of 28.31%. The business had revenue of $261.24 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $263.12 million. Research analysts expect that Autohome Inc. will post 2.22 EPS for the current year.

Autohome Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared an annual dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 27th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 29th will be given a dividend of $1.13 per share. This is an increase from Autohomes previous annual dividend of $0.58. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, December 28th. This represents a yield of 4.11%. Autohomes dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 25.00%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of ATHM. E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd. grew its stake in shares of Autohome by 137.5% during the first quarter. E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd. now owns 44,775 shares of the information services providers stock valued at $1,316,000 after buying an additional 25,922 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its position in Autohome by 39.7% during the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 186,914 shares of the information services providers stock valued at $5,684,000 after acquiring an additional 53,122 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. boosted its position in Autohome by 1.3% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 3,863,666 shares of the information services providers stock valued at $117,497,000 after acquiring an additional 50,368 shares in the last quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can boosted its position in Autohome by 2.4% during the 1st quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 93,217 shares of the information services providers stock valued at $2,954,000 after acquiring an additional 2,200 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in Autohome by 3.9% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 2,106,816 shares of the information services providers stock valued at $64,068,000 after acquiring an additional 78,170 shares in the last quarter. 48.07% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Autohome Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Autohome Inc operates as an online destination for automobile consumers in the People's Republic of China. The company delivers interactive content and tools to automobile consumers through its three websites, autohome.com.cn, che168.com, and ttpai.cn on PCs, mobile devices, mobile applications, and mini apps.

Further Reading

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Avity Investment Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Exxon Mobil Co. (NYSE:XOM  Free Report) by 2.5% during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 22,819 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after buying an additional 550 shares during the quarter. Avity Investment Management Inc.s holdings in Exxon Mobil were worth $2,683,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Private Trust Co. NA lifted its holdings in Exxon Mobil by 1.6% during the 3rd quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 51,928 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $6,106,000 after purchasing an additional 827 shares in the last quarter. B.O.S.S. Retirement Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Exxon Mobil by 6.3% in the third quarter. B.O.S.S. Retirement Advisors LLC now owns 42,658 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $5,016,000 after buying an additional 2,536 shares in the last quarter. New Hampshire Trust boosted its position in shares of Exxon Mobil by 0.4% in the third quarter. New Hampshire Trust now owns 49,111 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $5,774,000 after acquiring an additional 191 shares during the period. S.E.E.D. Planning Group LLC grew its stake in Exxon Mobil by 90.0% during the third quarter. S.E.E.D. Planning Group LLC now owns 4,271 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $502,000 after acquiring an additional 2,023 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Summit Financial Group Inc. lifted its stake in Exxon Mobil by 8.8% in the 3rd quarter. Summit Financial Group Inc. now owns 49,361 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $5,804,000 after purchasing an additional 4,002 shares in the last quarter. 58.53% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have recently commented on the stock. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Exxon Mobil in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating for the company. Bank of America upped their target price on Exxon Mobil from $145.00 to $150.00 in a research note on Wednesday, September 27th. Mizuho dropped their price target on Exxon Mobil from $139.00 to $133.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, November 14th. Jefferies Financial Group raised their target price on shares of Exxon Mobil from $140.00 to $145.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, October 12th. Finally, Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on shares of Exxon Mobil from $131.00 to $134.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, October 2nd. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $128.70.

Exxon Mobil Trading Down 0.2 %

NYSE:XOM opened at $99.98 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $396.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.93, a P/E/G ratio of 3.69 and a beta of 1.01. The company has a quick ratio of 1.08, a current ratio of 1.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18. The company has a fifty day moving average of $103.32 and a 200 day moving average of $107.13. Exxon Mobil Co. has a 52 week low of $97.48 and a 52 week high of $120.70.

Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 27th. The oil and gas company reported $2.27 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.36 by ($0.09). Exxon Mobil had a net margin of 11.56% and a return on equity of 20.72%. The firm had revenue of $90.76 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $93.41 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $4.45 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was down 19.0% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts predict that Exxon Mobil Co. will post 9.18 earnings per share for the current year.

Exxon Mobil Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 11th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, November 15th were paid a dividend of $0.95 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, November 14th. This is a boost from Exxon Mobils previous quarterly dividend of $0.91. This represents a $3.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.80%. Exxon Mobils payout ratio is 37.74%.

Insider Activity at Exxon Mobil

In related news, VP Leonard M. Fox sold 12,000 shares of Exxon Mobil stock in a transaction on Monday, December 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $102.65, for a total value of $1,231,800.00. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 220,678 shares in the company, valued at $22,652,596.70. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other news, Director Jeffrey W. Ubben sold 2,077,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $104.06, for a total value of $216,132,620.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 13,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,352,780. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, VP Leonard M. Fox sold 12,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, December 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $102.65, for a total value of $1,231,800.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 220,678 shares in the company, valued at $22,652,596.70. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.06% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

About Exxon Mobil

(Free Report)

Exxon Mobil Corporation engages in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas in the United States and internationally. It operates through Upstream, Energy Products, Chemical Products, and Specialty Products segments. The Upstream segment explores for and produces crude oil and natural gas.

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Shares of Rio Tinto Group (LON:RIO  Get Free Report) have been assigned an average rating of Moderate Buy from the eight brokerages that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. The average 1 year price target among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is GBX 6,140 ($78.02).

A number of analysts have recently commented on RIO shares. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their target price on Rio Tinto Group from GBX 5,100 ($64.80) to GBX 4,800 ($60.99) in a research note on Tuesday, October 10th. Berenberg Bank restated a buy rating and issued a GBX 6,000 ($76.24) price objective on shares of Rio Tinto Group in a research report on Thursday, November 23rd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed a neutral rating on shares of Rio Tinto Group in a research note on Thursday, November 23rd.

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Insider Transactions at Rio Tinto Group

Rio Tinto Group Stock Down 0.3 %

In other news, insider Jakob Stausholm sold 3,868 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, December 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 5,557 ($70.61), for a total transaction of 214,944.76 ($273,119.14). Insiders own 14.70% of the companys stock.

Shares of RIO opened at GBX 5,842 ($74.23) on Wednesday. Rio Tinto Group has a 52 week low of GBX 4,509.50 ($57.30) and a 52 week high of GBX 6,406 ($81.40). The company has a quick ratio of 1.34, a current ratio of 1.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 26.39. The company has a market capitalization of 73.03 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 1,400.96, a PEG ratio of -0.64 and a beta of 0.65. The stocks 50-day moving average price is GBX 5,471.09 and its 200-day moving average price is GBX 5,175.75.

Rio Tinto Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report

Rio Tinto Group engages in exploring, mining, and processing mineral resources worldwide. The company operates through Iron Ore, Aluminium, Copper, and Minerals Segments. It offers aluminum, copper, iron ore, diamonds, gold, borates, titanium dioxide, salt, silver, molybdenum, and lithium. The company also owns and operates open pit and underground mines, refineries, smelters, and concentrator facilities, as well as power stations, research, and service facilities.

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Brown Miller Wealth Management LLC increased its position in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) by 1.3% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 44,074 shares of the financial services providers stock after buying an additional 577 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. accounts for approximately 3.6% of Brown Miller Wealth Management LLCs holdings, making the stock its 4th biggest position. Brown Miller Wealth Management LLCs holdings in JPMorgan Chase & Co. were worth $6,391,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Miller Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in the 2nd quarter valued at $67,000. VitalStone Financial LLC increased 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 purchasing an additional 463 shares in the last quarter. Guardian Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. during the 1st quarter worth about $70,000. True Wealth Design LLC acquired a new stake in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. during the 4th quarter worth about $76,000. Finally, Maryland Capital Advisors Inc. increased its position 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 worth $99,000 after purchasing an additional 103 shares in the last quarter. 68.94% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Activity

In other news, CEO Marianne Lake sold 32,243 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $160.00, for a total value of $5,158,880.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 131,962 shares of the companys stock, valued at $21,113,920. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.79% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. Stock Performance

Shares of JPM opened at $170.15 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.25, a quick ratio of 0.90 and a current ratio of 0.90. JPMorgan Chase & Co. has a twelve month low of $123.11 and a twelve month high of $170.69. The firms 50 day moving average price is $153.80 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $149.92. The firm has a market cap of $491.91 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.16, a PEG ratio of 2.05 and a beta of 1.13.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 13th. The financial services provider reported $4.33 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.95 by $0.38. JPMorgan Chase & Co. had a net margin of 22.79% and a return on equity of 17.97%. The firm had revenue of $40.69 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $39.63 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $3.12 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 24.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts forecast that JPMorgan Chase & Co. will post 16.55 EPS for the current fiscal year.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 31st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 4th will be given a $1.05 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 4th. This represents a $4.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.47%. JPMorgan Chase & Co.s payout ratio is presently 25.07%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have weighed in on JPM. Evercore ISI raised their price objective on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $158.00 to $167.00 in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. 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 report on Thursday, November 2nd. Oppenheimer raised their price objective on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $233.00 to $243.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, November 16th. BMO Capital Markets raised their price objective on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $167.00 to $171.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Monday, October 16th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group lowered their price objective on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $176.00 to $169.00 in a research report on Tuesday, October 10th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $168.80.

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About JPMorgan Chase & Co.

(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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Community Bank System, Inc. (NYSE:CBU  Get Free Report) Director Sally A. Steele sold 9,400 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $53.05, for a total transaction of $498,670.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 33,634 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,784,283.70. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink.

Community Bank System Trading Down 1.3 %

Shares of CBU stock opened at $52.14 on Friday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $45.99 and a 200-day moving average of $46.54. The company has a quick ratio of 0.73, a current ratio of 0.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20. Community Bank System, Inc. has a 12-month low of $35.38 and a 12-month high of $64.86. The firm has a market cap of $2.78 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.69 and a beta of 0.65.

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Community Bank System (NYSE:CBU  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 24th. The bank reported $0.82 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.88 by ($0.06). Community Bank System had a return on equity of 10.07% and a net margin of 16.23%. The company had revenue of $175.40 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $176.53 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.90 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was down .1% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Community Bank System, Inc. will post 3.43 earnings per share for the current year.

Community Bank System Announces Dividend

Analysts Set New Price Targets

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 10th. Investors of record on Friday, December 15th will be issued a $0.45 dividend. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.45%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 14th. Community Bank Systems dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 64.52%.

Several equities research analysts have commented on the stock. Piper Sandler decreased their price objective on shares of Community Bank System from $42.00 to $38.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, October 25th. Raymond James decreased their price objective on shares of Community Bank System from $60.00 to $45.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, October 25th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded shares of Community Bank System to a sell rating in a research note on Thursday, November 23rd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Community Bank System currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $51.50.

View Our Latest Analysis on CBU

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Wesbanco Bank Inc. boosted its holdings in Community Bank System by 35.5% in the 3rd quarter. Wesbanco Bank Inc. now owns 26,568 shares of the banks stock worth $1,121,000 after buying an additional 6,957 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its holdings in Community Bank System by 120.0% in the 3rd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 39,281 shares of the banks stock worth $1,658,000 after buying an additional 21,427 shares during the period. Fidelity D & D Bancorp Inc. bought a new position in Community Bank System in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $437,000. Deutsche Bank AG boosted its holdings in Community Bank System by 15.7% in the 3rd quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 26,617 shares of the banks stock worth $1,124,000 after buying an additional 3,619 shares during the period. Finally, Graham Capital Management L.P. bought a new position in Community Bank System in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $1,123,000. 75.39% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Community Bank System Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Community Bank System, Inc operates as the bank holding company for Community Bank, N.A. that provides various banking and other financial services to retail, commercial, and municipal customers. It operates through three segments: Banking, Employee Benefit Services, and All Other. The company offers various deposits products, such as interest and noninterest -bearing checking, savings, and money market deposit accounts, as well as time deposits.

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AirBoss of America (OTCMKTS:ABSSF  Get Free Report) is one of 129 public companies in the Specialty Chemicals industry, but how does it weigh in compared to its rivals? We will compare AirBoss of America to related companies based on the strength of its risk, analyst recommendations, earnings, profitability, institutional ownership, dividends and valuation.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and recommmendations for AirBoss of America and its rivals, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score AirBoss of America 0 1 1 0 2.50 AirBoss of America Competitors 808 2999 3800 21 2.40

AirBoss of America currently has a consensus target price of $29.00, indicating a potential upside of 698.90%. As a group, Specialty Chemicals companies have a potential upside of 23.17%. Given AirBoss of Americas stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities analysts clearly believe AirBoss of America is more favorable than its rivals.

Dividends

Valuation and Earnings

AirBoss of America pays an annual dividend of $0.18 per share and has a dividend yield of 5.1%. AirBoss of America pays out 45.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, Specialty Chemicals companies pay a dividend yield of 3.6% and pay out 104.3% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. AirBoss of America is clearly a better dividend stock than its rivals, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

This table compares AirBoss of America and its rivals revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio AirBoss of America N/A N/A 8.97 AirBoss of America Competitors $2.76 billion $122.30 million 28.51

AirBoss of Americas rivals have higher revenue and earnings than AirBoss of America. AirBoss of America is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its rivals, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

Profitability

This table compares AirBoss of America and its rivals net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets AirBoss of America N/A N/A N/A AirBoss of America Competitors -19.45% -46.13% -3.70%

Insider & Institutional Ownership

16.5% of AirBoss of America shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 34.6% of shares of all Specialty Chemicals companies are held by institutional investors. 26.4% of shares of all Specialty Chemicals companies are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

AirBoss of America beats its rivals on 8 of the 13 factors compared.

AirBoss of America Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

AirBoss of America Corp., together with its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures, and markets rubber-based products in Canada, the United States, and internationally. It operates through three segments: AirBoss Defense Group, Rubber Solutions, and Engineered Products. The AirBoss Defense Group segment develops, manufactures, and sells healthcare protective equipment, personal respiratory protective products, rapid deployment negative pressure isolation shelters, and cold weather combat footwear, as well as chemical, biological, radioactive, and nuclear and explosive protective equipment for military, law enforcement, healthcare and industrial providers, and first responders. The Rubber Solutions segment is involved in the development and manufacture of custom rubber formulations and compounds, calendered and extruded materials, and molded products for use in various applications and industries, including automotive, heavy industry, rollers, conveyor belting, defense, construction and infrastructure, mining, transportation, and oil and gas. The Engineered Products segment designs, engineers, manufactures, and sells rubber, synthetic rubber, and rubber-to-metal bonded products that are used to eliminate or control undesired vibration and noise for use in automotive, electric vehicle, heavy truck and off-highway, industrial, and defense industries. The company was formerly known as IATCO Industries Inc. and changed its name to AirBoss of America Corp. in April 1994. AirBoss of America Corp. is headquartered in Newmarket, Canada.

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Nokia Oyj (NYSE:NOK  Get Free Report) and ERF Wireless (OTCMKTS:ERFB  Get Free Report) are both computer and technology companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their institutional ownership, dividends, valuation, earnings, risk, analyst recommendations and profitability.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for Nokia Oyj and ERF Wireless, as reported by MarketBeat.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Nokia Oyj 1 4 2 0 2.14 ERF Wireless 0 0 0 0 N/A

Nokia Oyj currently has a consensus price target of $5.06, suggesting a potential upside of 48.24%.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

Valuation and Earnings

5.3% of Nokia Oyj shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 0.1% of ERF Wireless shares are owned by institutional investors. 5.8% of ERF Wireless shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

This table compares Nokia Oyj and ERF Wireless top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Nokia Oyj $24.00 billion 0.80 $4.48 billion $0.70 4.88 ERF Wireless N/A N/A N/A ($1.83) N/A

Nokia Oyj has higher revenue and earnings than ERF Wireless. ERF Wireless is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Nokia Oyj, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Profitability

This table compares Nokia Oyj and ERF Wireless net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Nokia Oyj 15.62% 9.08% 4.67% ERF Wireless N/A N/A N/A

Summary

Nokia Oyj beats ERF Wireless on 8 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Nokia Oyj

(Get Free Report)

Nokia Oyj provides mobile, fixed, and cloud network solutions worldwide. The company operates through four segments: Network Infrastructure, Mobile Networks, Cloud and Network Services, and Nokia Technologies. It offers products and services for radio access networks and microwave radio links for transport networks, and solutions for network management, as well as network planning, optimization, network deployment, and technical support services. The company provides fixed networking solutions, such as fiber and copper-based access infrastructure, Wi-Fi in-home solutions, and cloud and virtualization services; IP networking solutions, including IP access, aggregation, and edge and core routing for residential, business, mobile, cloud, and digital industry applications, as well as software-defined WAN solutions; a portfolio of optical networks comprising portfolio coherent optical transponders, optical transport network switchers, wavelength-division multiplexers, reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer solutions, and optical line systems for metro, regional, long-haul and ultra-long-haul applications; and submarine networks. In addition, it offers cloud and network services, including core network solutions, such as voice and packet core; business applications, which covers security, automation, and monetization; cloud and cognitive services; and enterprise solutions covering private wireless and industrial automation. Further, the company provides hardware, software, and services, as well as licensing of intellectual property, including patents, technologies, and the Nokia brand. It serves communications service providers, webscales, hyperscalers, digital developer, partner, and government. Nokia Oyj was founded in 1865 and is headquartered in Espoo, Finland.

About ERF Wireless

(Get Free Report)

ERF Wireless, Inc. provides wireless broadband access solutions for the energy industry in North America. The company conducts its operations through Energy Broadband, Inc., Wireless Bundled Services Division, and Enterprise Network Services segments. It offers wireless bandwidth and related support services, including nomadic terrestrial wireless broadband circuit connectivity to the wellsite; wellsite communications equipment rental; wellsite IT support services; wellsite IT services over broadband; network monitoring and maintenance:; layer 2 secure communications connectivity products rental and services; fixed site terrestrial wireless broadband connectivity; network design and construction; production field supervisory control and data acquisition; and midstream communications, monitoring, and security solutions for the oil and gas industry. The company also provides enterprise-level wireless bandwidth product and services, such as design and implementation of custom Internet wireless bandwidth solutions, including long-term maintenance and network monitoring; reselling arrangements; and secure connectivity services through its CryptoVue product to the regional banking, healthcare, and educational sectors primarily in the rural areas of North America. In addition, it offers commercial and residential wireless bandwidth products and services comprising -speed Internet, voice over Internet protocol services, network monitoring and maintenance services, and video services to commercial businesses and residential customers. The company was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in League City, Texas.

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Denali Advisors LLC cut its stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX  Free Report) by 30.2% in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 3,005 shares of the medical research companys stock after selling 1,302 shares during the quarter. Denali Advisors LLCs holdings in Quest Diagnostics were worth $366,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of DGX. Pacifica Partners Inc. acquired a new position in Quest Diagnostics during the third quarter worth $25,000. Park Place Capital Corp grew its position in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 73.4% in the second quarter. Park Place Capital Corp now owns 189 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 80 shares during the last quarter. Chilton Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in Quest Diagnostics during the first quarter worth $28,000. Alaska Permanent Fund Corp acquired a new position in Quest Diagnostics in the 2nd quarter valued at about $37,000. Finally, Altshuler Shaham Ltd acquired a new stake in Quest Diagnostics during the second quarter worth approximately $38,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.76% of the companys stock.

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Quest Diagnostics Price Performance

Shares of DGX stock opened at $137.84 on Friday. The firms 50 day moving average price is $134.27 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $133.13. Quest Diagnostics Incorporated has a 52-week low of $119.59 and a 52-week high of $157.36. The stock has a market cap of $15.50 billion, a PE ratio of 20.70 and a beta of 0.91. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61, a quick ratio of 1.01 and a current ratio of 1.12.

Quest Diagnostics Announces Dividend

Quest Diagnostics ( NYSE:DGX Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 24th. The medical research company reported $2.22 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.19 by $0.03. Quest Diagnostics had a net margin of 8.21% and a return on equity of 15.80%. The firm had revenue of $2.30 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.27 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $2.36 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was down 7.7% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts forecast that Quest Diagnostics Incorporated will post 8.71 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 31st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, January 17th will be given a dividend of $0.71 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, January 16th. This represents a $2.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.06%. Quest Diagnosticss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 42.64%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have recently commented on DGX. TheStreet downgraded Quest Diagnostics from a b- rating to a c rating in a report on Tuesday, October 24th. Truist Financial lifted their target price on Quest Diagnostics from $145.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 20th. StockNews.com raised Quest Diagnostics from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Tuesday. Evercore ISI cut their price objective on shares of Quest Diagnostics from $136.00 to $130.00 in a research report on Wednesday, October 11th. Finally, UBS Group lifted their price objective on shares of Quest Diagnostics from $135.00 to $137.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, December 7th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $146.75.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Quest Diagnostics

About Quest Diagnostics

(Free Report)

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated provides diagnostic testing, information, and services in the United States and internationally. The company develops and delivers diagnostic information services, such as routine testing, non-routine and advanced clinical testing, anatomic pathology testing, and other diagnostic information services.

Further Reading

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Town & Country Bank & Trust CO dba First Bankers Trust CO lessened its stake in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 11.3% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 12,232 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,559 shares during the period. Eli Lilly and Company comprises approximately 3.3% of Town & Country Bank & Trust CO dba First Bankers Trust COs portfolio, making the stock its 4th largest position. Town & Country Bank & Trust CO dba First Bankers Trust COs holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $6,570,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. TFG Advisers LLC increased its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 4.6% in the 3rd quarter. TFG Advisers LLC now owns 3,181 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,709,000 after purchasing an additional 141 shares during the last quarter. KRS Capital Management LLC boosted its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 1.2% in the 3rd quarter. KRS Capital Management LLC now owns 4,788 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,572,000 after buying an additional 57 shares during the period. Ballentine Partners LLC boosted its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 3.0% in the 3rd quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC now owns 12,724 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,834,000 after buying an additional 372 shares during the period. Connecticut Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 55.4% in the 3rd quarter. Connecticut Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,886 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,550,000 after buying an additional 1,029 shares during the period. Finally, Alta Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 10.8% in the 3rd quarter. Alta Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 3,046 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,636,000 after buying an additional 297 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.38% of the companys stock.

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Eli Lilly and Company Trading Up 0.5 %

Shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock opened at $583.65 on Friday. Eli Lilly and Company has a 52-week low of $309.20 and a 52-week high of $629.97. 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 companys 50-day simple moving average is $585.14 and its 200-day simple moving average is $540.25. The firm has a market cap of $554.06 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 105.73, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.54 and a beta of 0.33.

Eli Lilly and Company Increases Dividend

Eli Lilly and Company ( NYSE:LLY Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 2nd. The company reported $0.10 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of ($0.08) by $0.18. Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 15.55% and a return on equity of 48.12%. The business had revenue of $9.50 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.88 billion. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Eli Lilly and Company will post 6.6 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 4th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 15th will be given a $1.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 14th. This is a positive change from Eli Lilly and Companys previous quarterly dividend of $1.13. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.89%. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio is currently 81.88%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have commented on the stock. UBS Group reissued a buy rating and issued a $710.00 price target (up previously from $612.00) on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Friday, October 20th. Truist Financial reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $650.00 price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Wednesday, November 29th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed an overweight rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Wednesday, November 8th. Morgan Stanley lifted 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 report on Tuesday, December 19th. Finally, TheStreet cut shares of Eli Lilly and Company from a b rating to a c+ rating in a research report on Monday, December 4th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and seventeen have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Eli Lilly and Company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $583.24.

Get Our Latest Report on LLY

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 215,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $605.44, for a total transaction of $130,169,600.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 99,768,810 shares in the company, valued at $60,404,028,326.40. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 215,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $605.44, for a total transaction of $130,169,600.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 99,768,810 shares in the company, valued at $60,404,028,326.40. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CAO Donald A. Zakrowski sold 670 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $571.10, for a total transaction of $382,637.00. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 4,708 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,688,738.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.13% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Eli Lilly and Company Profile

(Free Report)

Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. It offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; and Jardiance, Trajenta, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes.

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Private Trust Co. NA raised its holdings in shares of Exxon Mobil Co. (NYSE:XOM  Free Report) by 1.6% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 51,928 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after acquiring an additional 827 shares during the quarter. Exxon Mobil makes up 0.8% of Private Trust Co. NAs investment portfolio, making the stock its 17th biggest holding. Private Trust Co. NAs holdings in Exxon Mobil were worth $6,106,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in XOM. B.O.S.S. Retirement Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Exxon Mobil by 6.3% in the 3rd quarter. B.O.S.S. Retirement Advisors LLC now owns 42,658 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $5,016,000 after purchasing an additional 2,536 shares during the last quarter. New Hampshire Trust lifted its holdings in shares of Exxon Mobil by 0.4% in the 3rd quarter. New Hampshire Trust now owns 49,111 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $5,774,000 after purchasing an additional 191 shares during the last quarter. S.E.E.D. Planning Group LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Exxon Mobil by 90.0% in the 3rd quarter. S.E.E.D. Planning Group LLC now owns 4,271 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $502,000 after purchasing an additional 2,023 shares during the last quarter. Summit Financial Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Exxon Mobil by 8.8% in the 3rd quarter. Summit Financial Group Inc. now owns 49,361 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $5,804,000 after purchasing an additional 4,002 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Argus Investors Counsel Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Exxon Mobil by 1.5% in the 3rd quarter. Argus Investors Counsel Inc. now owns 20,350 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $2,393,000 after purchasing an additional 300 shares during the last quarter. 58.53% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Exxon Mobil Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:XOM opened at $99.98 on Friday. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $103.32 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $107.13. The stock has a market cap of $396.21 billion, a PE ratio of 9.93, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.69 and a beta of 1.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a current ratio of 1.42. Exxon Mobil Co. has a one year low of $97.48 and a one year high of $120.70.

Exxon Mobil Increases Dividend

Exxon Mobil ( NYSE:XOM Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Friday, October 27th. The oil and gas company reported $2.27 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.36 by ($0.09). The company had revenue of $90.76 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $93.41 billion. Exxon Mobil had a net margin of 11.56% and a return on equity of 20.72%. Exxon Mobils quarterly revenue was down 19.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $4.45 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that Exxon Mobil Co. will post 9.18 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 11th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, November 15th were issued a dividend of $0.95 per share. This represents a $3.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.80%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, November 14th. This is a boost from Exxon Mobils previous quarterly dividend of $0.91. Exxon Mobils dividend payout ratio is 37.74%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have recently weighed in on XOM shares. Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on Exxon Mobil from $131.00 to $134.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Monday, October 2nd. TD Cowen reduced their target price on Exxon Mobil from $118.00 to $115.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a report on Monday, December 11th. UBS Group reduced their price objective on Exxon Mobil from $138.00 to $133.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, December 14th. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price objective on Exxon Mobil from $140.00 to $145.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, October 12th. Finally, Truist Financial raised Exxon Mobil from a hold rating to a buy rating and upped their price objective for the company from $110.00 to $131.00 in a research note on Thursday, October 12th. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $128.70.

View Our Latest Analysis on Exxon Mobil

Insider Buying and Selling at Exxon Mobil

In other Exxon Mobil news, Director Jeffrey W. Ubben purchased 250,000 shares of Exxon Mobil stock in a transaction on Monday, November 6th. The shares were bought at an average price of $105.97 per share, with a total value of $26,492,500.00. Following the purchase, the director now directly owns 2,077,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $220,099,690. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In other Exxon Mobil news, Director Jeffrey W. Ubben sold 2,077,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $104.06, for a total transaction of $216,132,620.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 13,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,352,780. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Jeffrey W. Ubben purchased 250,000 shares of Exxon Mobil stock in a transaction on Monday, November 6th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $105.97 per share, for a total transaction of $26,492,500.00. Following the purchase, the director now owns 2,077,000 shares in the company, valued at $220,099,690. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. 0.06% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Exxon Mobil Company Profile

(Free Report)

Exxon Mobil Corporation engages in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas in the United States and internationally. It operates through Upstream, Energy Products, Chemical Products, and Specialty Products segments. The Upstream segment explores for and produces crude oil and natural gas.

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Boston Trust Walden Corp raised its stake in Exxon Mobil Co. (NYSE:XOM  Free Report) by 0.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 657,814 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after purchasing an additional 2,045 shares during the quarter. Boston Trust Walden Corps holdings in Exxon Mobil were worth $77,346,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of XOM. Avity Investment Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Exxon Mobil by 2.5% in the third quarter. Avity Investment Management Inc. now owns 22,819 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $2,683,000 after purchasing an additional 550 shares during the period. Private Trust Co. NA boosted its position in Exxon Mobil by 1.6% in the 3rd quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 51,928 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $6,106,000 after buying an additional 827 shares during the last quarter. B.O.S.S. Retirement Advisors LLC boosted its position in Exxon Mobil by 6.3% in the 3rd quarter. B.O.S.S. Retirement Advisors LLC now owns 42,658 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $5,016,000 after buying an additional 2,536 shares during the last quarter. New Hampshire Trust grew its stake in shares of Exxon Mobil by 0.4% during the third quarter. New Hampshire Trust now owns 49,111 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $5,774,000 after acquiring an additional 191 shares in the last quarter. Finally, S.E.E.D. Planning Group LLC lifted its stake in shares of Exxon Mobil by 90.0% in the third quarter. S.E.E.D. Planning Group LLC now owns 4,271 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $502,000 after acquiring an additional 2,023 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 58.53% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

XOM has been the topic of several analyst reports. Royal Bank of Canada restated a sector perform rating and set a $120.00 price objective on shares of Exxon Mobil in a report on Thursday, December 7th. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Exxon Mobil in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating for the company. TD Cowen reduced their price objective on shares of Exxon Mobil from $118.00 to $115.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, December 11th. Sanford C. Bernstein began coverage on shares of Exxon Mobil in a research report on Tuesday, October 17th. They issued an outperform rating and a $140.00 target price for the company. Finally, UBS Group reduced their price target on shares of Exxon Mobil from $138.00 to $133.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, December 14th. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $128.70.

Exxon Mobil Trading Down 0.2 %

Shares of NYSE XOM opened at $99.98 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $396.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.93, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.69 and a beta of 1.01. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $103.32 and its 200 day simple moving average is $107.13. The company has a current ratio of 1.42, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18. Exxon Mobil Co. has a 12-month low of $97.48 and a 12-month high of $120.70.

Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 27th. The oil and gas company reported $2.27 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.36 by ($0.09). Exxon Mobil had a net margin of 11.56% and a return on equity of 20.72%. The firm had revenue of $90.76 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $93.41 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $4.45 EPS. The businesss revenue was down 19.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts expect that Exxon Mobil Co. will post 9.18 EPS for the current year.

Exxon Mobil Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 11th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, November 15th were given a $0.95 dividend. This is a boost from Exxon Mobils previous quarterly dividend of $0.91. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, November 14th. This represents a $3.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.80%. Exxon Mobils dividend payout ratio is 37.74%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Exxon Mobil

In related news, Director Jeffrey W. Ubben sold 2,077,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $104.06, for a total value of $216,132,620.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 13,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,352,780. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In related news, Director Jeffrey W. Ubben sold 2,077,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $104.06, for a total value of $216,132,620.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 13,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,352,780. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Jeffrey W. Ubben bought 250,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, November 6th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $105.97 per share, for a total transaction of $26,492,500.00. Following the purchase, the director now owns 2,077,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $220,099,690. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. 0.06% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Exxon Mobil Company Profile

(Free Report)

Exxon Mobil Corporation engages in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas in the United States and internationally. It operates through Upstream, Energy Products, Chemical Products, and Specialty Products segments. The Upstream segment explores for and produces crude oil and natural gas.

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Family Firm Inc. lifted its position in iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF (NYSEARCA:EPP  Free Report) by 11.1% in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 5,988 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 596 shares during the period. Family Firm Inc.s holdings in iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF were worth $238,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in EPP. Partners Capital Investment Group LLP increased its position in iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF by 429.8% during the 2nd quarter. Partners Capital Investment Group LLP now owns 448,438 shares of the companys stock valued at $18,942,000 after purchasing an additional 363,792 shares during the period. Flow Traders U.S. LLC increased its position in iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF by 84.5% during the 2nd quarter. Flow Traders U.S. LLC now owns 298,618 shares of the companys stock valued at $12,614,000 after purchasing an additional 136,796 shares during the period. Resolute Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF by 1.9% in the 2nd quarter. Resolute Advisors LLC now owns 19,560 shares of the companys stock worth $826,000 after buying an additional 363 shares during the last quarter. OLD Mission Capital LLC grew its position in shares of iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF by 744.9% in the 1st quarter. OLD Mission Capital LLC now owns 282,892 shares of the companys stock worth $12,388,000 after buying an additional 249,408 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. grew its position in shares of iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF by 8.2% in the 2nd quarter. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. now owns 102,060 shares of the companys stock worth $4,311,000 after buying an additional 7,730 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 74.83% of the companys stock.

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iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF Stock Down 0.3 %

Shares of iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF stock opened at $43.41 on Friday. The firms 50 day moving average price is $40.90 and its 200-day moving average price is $41.15. iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF has a 52-week low of $38.05 and a 52-week high of $47.60.

About iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF

iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ET (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of publicly traded securities in the aggregate in the Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Singapore markets, as measured by the MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index (the Index).

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Howland Capital Management LLC decreased its stake in JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM  Free Report) by 2.1% in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 40,802 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 880 shares during the quarter. Howland Capital Management LLCs holdings in JPMorgan Chase & Co. were worth $5,917,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of JPM. Miller Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in JPMorgan Chase & Co. during the 2nd quarter worth about $67,000. VitalStone Financial LLC raised its stake 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 purchasing an additional 463 shares in the last quarter. Guardian Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $70,000. True Wealth Design LLC bought a new position in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $76,000. Finally, Maryland Capital Advisors Inc. increased its position in 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 during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.94% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

JPM has been the topic of several recent research reports. StockNews.com initiated coverage on JPMorgan Chase & Co. in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Oppenheimer lifted their price objective on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $233.00 to $243.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, November 16th. HSBC assumed coverage on JPMorgan Chase & Co. in a research report on Thursday, September 7th. They issued a hold rating and a $159.00 price objective for the company. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their target price on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $176.00 to $169.00 in a research report on Tuesday, October 10th. Finally, Evercore ISI boosted their target price on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $158.00 to $167.00 in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. Nine 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 currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $168.80.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CEO Marianne Lake sold 32,243 shares of the 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 sale, the chief executive officer now owns 131,962 shares of the companys stock, valued at $21,113,920. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 0.79% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. Stock Down 0.1 %

JPM stock opened at $170.15 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.25, a current ratio of 0.90 and a quick ratio of 0.90. The stock has a market capitalization of $491.91 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.16, a P/E/G ratio of 2.05 and a beta of 1.13. The business has a 50-day moving average of $153.80 and a 200-day moving average of $149.92. JPMorgan Chase & Co. has a fifty-two week low of $123.11 and a fifty-two week high of $170.69.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 13th. The financial services provider reported $4.33 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate 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 firm had revenue of $40.69 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $39.63 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $3.12 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 24.4% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that JPMorgan Chase & Co. will post 16.55 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 31st. Investors of record on Thursday, January 4th will be given a dividend of $1.05 per share. This represents a $4.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.47%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 4th. JPMorgan Chase & Co.s dividend payout ratio is currently 25.07%.

About JPMorgan Chase & Co.

(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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HWG Holdings LP grew its holdings in shares of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH  Free Report) by 4.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 987 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock after acquiring an additional 46 shares during the quarter. HWG Holdings LPs holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $498,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in UNH. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL acquired a new stake in UnitedHealth Group in the first quarter valued at $35,000. WFA of San Diego LLC acquired a new stake in UnitedHealth Group during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $39,000. RVW Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the third quarter worth $44,000. Grayhawk Investment Strategies Inc. boosted its position in UnitedHealth Group by 168.6% during the first quarter. Grayhawk Investment Strategies Inc. now owns 94 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock valued at $60,000 after acquiring an additional 59 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Power Corp of Canada bought a new stake in UnitedHealth Group during the first quarter valued at $48,000. 85.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have commented on the stock. Morgan Stanley cut their price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $587.00 to $579.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, October 23rd. UBS Group upgraded UnitedHealth Group from a neutral rating to a buy rating and raised their target price for the company from $520.00 to $640.00 in a research note on Monday, October 16th. Stephens restated an overweight rating and issued a $585.00 target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research note on Wednesday, December 13th. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their target price on UnitedHealth Group from $565.00 to $503.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research note on Monday, November 20th. Finally, HSBC reaffirmed a reduce rating and issued a $480.00 price target (down previously from $550.00) on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research report on Monday, December 18th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating, fourteen have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $574.89.

Insider Activity at UnitedHealth Group

In related news, EVP Erin Mcsweeney sold 4,498 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $544.28, for a total transaction of $2,448,171.44. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 9,218 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,017,173.04. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In related news, Director Stephen J. Hemsley sold 66,081 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $550.39, for a total transaction of $36,370,321.59. Following the sale, the director now owns 635,528 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $349,788,255.92. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Erin Mcsweeney sold 4,498 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, October 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $544.28, for a total transaction of $2,448,171.44. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 9,218 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,017,173.04. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 192,094 shares of company stock worth $104,507,072. 0.35% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

UnitedHealth Group Stock Up 0.4 %

UNH opened at $526.78 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The stock has a market cap of $487.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.86, a PEG ratio of 1.59 and a beta of 0.61. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a twelve month low of $445.68 and a twelve month high of $554.70. The companys 50-day moving average price is $535.63 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $508.73.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, October 13th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $6.56 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $6.33 by $0.23. The firm had revenue of $92.36 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $91.41 billion. UnitedHealth Group had a net margin of 6.02% and a return on equity of 26.58%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 14.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $5.79 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts expect that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 24.95 earnings per share for the current year.

UnitedHealth Group Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 12th. Investors of record on Monday, December 4th were paid a dividend of $1.88 per share. This represents a $7.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.43%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 1st. UnitedHealth Groups payout ratio is currently 32.64%.

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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By Jonathan Stempel

NEW YORK (Reuters) -U.S. prosecutors said they do not plan to conduct a second trial against Sam Bankman-Fried, who was convicted last month of stealing from customers of his now-bankrupt FTX cryptocurrency exchange.

In a letter filed on Friday night in federal court in Manhattan, prosecutors said the "strong public interest" in a prompt resolution of their case against the 31-year-old former billionaire outweighed the benefits of a second trial.

Prosecutors said that interest "weighs particularly heavily here," given that Bankman-Fried's scheduled March 28, 2024, sentencing will likely include orders of forfeiture and restitution for victims of his crimes.

Jurors on Nov. 2 convicted Bankman-Fried on all seven fraud and conspiracy counts he faced. Prosecutors had accused him of looting $8 billion from FTX customers out of sheer greed.

Lawyers for Bankman-Fried declined to comment.

Bankman-Fried had faced six additional charges that had been severed from his first trial, including campaign finance violations, conspiracy to commit bribery, and conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business.

He had been extradited in December 2022 from the Bahamas, where FTX was based, to face the seven earlier charges.

The Bahamas has yet to grant its consent for a trial on the remaining charges, however, leaving the timetable uncertain, prosecutors said.

Bankman-Fried's verdict came nearly one year after FTX filed for bankruptcy, erasing his once-$26 billion personal fortune in one of the fastest collapses of a major participant in U.S. financial markets.

Bankman-Fried could face decades in prison when he is sentenced by U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan in Manhattan.

Prosecutors said much of the evidence that could be offered at a second trial was already presented at the first trial.

They also said a second trial would not affect how much time Bankman-Fried could face in prison under recommended federal guidelines, because Kaplan could consider all of Bankman-Fried's conduct when sentencing him for the counts on which he was convicted.

Bankman-Fried is expected to appeal his conviction.

He testified at trial that he made mistakes running FTX, including by not creating a team to oversee risk management, but did not steal customer funds.

Bankman-Fried also said he thought the borrowing of money from FTX by his crypto-focused hedge fund Alameda Research was permissible, and that he did not realize how precarious their finances had become until shortly before both collapsed.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduate has been jailed since August, when Kaplan revoked his bail after concluding that Bankman-Fried had likely tampered with prospective trial witnesses.

The case is U.S. v. Bankman-Fried, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 22-cr-00673.

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Leslie Adler)
Investment Research & Advisory Group Inc. lifted its stake in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 2.1% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 3,053 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 64 shares during the period. Investment Research & Advisory Group Inc.s holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $1,640,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. State Street Corp lifted its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 1.9% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 33,878,417 shares of the companys stock worth $15,888,300,000 after buying an additional 642,274 shares during the last quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich lifted its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 533,336.4% during the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 19,059,681 shares of the companys stock worth $8,938,609,000 after buying an additional 19,056,108 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 2.3% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 15,205,501 shares of the companys stock worth $7,111,568,000 after buying an additional 338,077 shares during the last quarter. Morgan Stanley lifted its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 44.1% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 12,059,204 shares of the companys stock worth $4,411,740,000 after buying an additional 3,691,436 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company during the 4th quarter worth about $3,416,206,000. 81.38% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Eli Lilly and Company Price Performance

Shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock opened at $583.65 on Friday. Eli Lilly and Company has a twelve month low of $309.20 and a twelve month high of $629.97. The stock has a market capitalization of $554.06 billion, a P/E ratio of 105.73, a PEG ratio of 3.54 and a beta of 0.33. The company has a current ratio of 1.05, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.59. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $585.14 and its 200 day moving average price is $540.25.

Eli Lilly and Company Increases Dividend

Eli Lilly and Company ( NYSE:LLY Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, November 2nd. The company reported $0.10 earnings per share 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. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Eli Lilly and Company will post 6.6 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 4th. Investors of record on Thursday, February 15th will be issued a $1.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 14th. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.89%. This is a boost from Eli Lilly and Companys previous quarterly dividend of $1.13. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 81.88%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Eli Lilly and Company

In other Eli Lilly and Company news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 215,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, October 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $605.44, for a total value of $130,169,600.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 99,768,810 shares of the companys stock, valued at $60,404,028,326.40. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, CAO Donald A. Zakrowski sold 670 shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $571.10, for a total transaction of $382,637.00. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 4,708 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,688,738.80. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through 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 value of $130,169,600.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 99,768,810 shares in the company, valued at $60,404,028,326.40. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have recently weighed in on the company. StockNews.com raised Eli Lilly and Company from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, November 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. restated an overweight rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Wednesday, November 8th. Bank of America boosted their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $600.00 to $700.00 in a research report on Friday, October 6th. Truist Financial reissued a buy rating and set a $650.00 target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research note on Wednesday, November 29th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald reissued an overweight rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research note on Monday, December 18th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and seventeen have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $583.24.

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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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ITT Inc. (NYSE:ITT  Get Free Report) has earned a consensus recommendation of Buy from the seven brokerages that are covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating. The average twelve-month price target among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $117.43.

Several equities analysts have issued reports on ITT shares. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their target price on ITT from $122.00 to $131.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 19th. StockNews.com downgraded ITT from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Sunday, October 29th. Citigroup raised their price target on ITT from $122.00 to $134.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, December 11th. Finally, Bank of America raised ITT from a neutral rating to a buy rating and raised their price target for the stock from $105.00 to $125.00 in a report on Thursday, November 16th.

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ITT Trading Down 0.8 %

Shares of ITT stock opened at $119.34 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $9.80 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.77, a P/E/G ratio of 1.77 and a beta of 1.42. ITT has a 12 month low of $75.82 and a 12 month high of $121.19. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $107.69 and its 200-day moving average price is $100.54.

ITT (NYSE:ITT  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, November 2nd. The conglomerate reported $1.37 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.27 by $0.10. ITT had a return on equity of 18.30% and a net margin of 13.45%. The company had revenue of $822.10 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $809.87 million. Analysts forecast that ITT will post 5.21 earnings per share for the current year.

ITT announced that its board has approved a share buyback program on Wednesday, October 4th that permits the company to buyback $1.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization permits the conglomerate to buy up to 12.1% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are usually a sign that the companys leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

ITT Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 29th. Investors of record on Friday, December 1st were issued a dividend of $0.29 per share. This represents a $1.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.97%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, November 30th. ITTs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 22.14%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, SVP Ryan F. Flynn sold 2,500 shares of ITT stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $113.44, for a total transaction of $283,600.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 14,047 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,593,491.68. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, SVP Ryan F. Flynn sold 2,500 shares of ITT stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $113.44, for a total transaction of $283,600.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 14,047 shares in the company, valued at $1,593,491.68. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Don Defosset sold 9,996 shares of ITT stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $101.25, for a total value of $1,012,095.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 20,694 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,095,267.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.60% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky raised its position in ITT by 12.7% during the third quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky now owns 42,077 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $4,120,000 after acquiring an additional 4,741 shares in the last quarter. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. increased its position in shares of ITT by 4.5% in the third quarter. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 2,716 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $267,000 after buying an additional 118 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. increased its position in shares of ITT by 140.7% in the third quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 36,796 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $3,603,000 after buying an additional 21,506 shares in the last quarter. Comerica Bank purchased a new stake in shares of ITT in the third quarter valued at approximately $7,359,000. Finally, Tudor Investment Corp Et Al increased its position in shares of ITT by 26.6% in the third quarter. Tudor Investment Corp Et Al now owns 108,366 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $10,610,000 after buying an additional 22,759 shares in the last quarter. 90.73% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

ITT Company Profile

(Get Free Report

ITT Inc manufactures and sells engineered critical components and customized technology solutions for the transportation, industrial, and energy markets worldwide. The company operates in three segments: Motion Technologies, Industrial Process, and Connect & Control Technologies. The Motion Technologies segment manufactures brake pads, shims, shock absorbers, and energy absorption components; and sealing technologies primarily for the transportation industry, including passenger cars, trucks, light- and heavy-duty commercial and military vehicles, buses, and trains.

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Summit Financial Group Inc. trimmed its stake in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM  Free Report) by 4.7% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 13,502 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 670 shares during the quarter. Summit Financial Group Inc.s holdings in JPMorgan Chase & Co. were worth $1,958,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich raised its position in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 97,681.8% during the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 2,056,747,063 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $299,133,293,000 after purchasing an additional 2,054,643,659 shares during the period. State Street Corp grew its holdings in JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 1.9% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 126,243,947 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $18,360,920,000 after buying an additional 2,384,901 shares in the last quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC grew its holdings in JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 105,652.2% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 98,000,567 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $13,141,876,000 after buying an additional 97,907,897 shares in the last quarter. Morgan Stanley grew its holdings in JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 15.9% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 59,049,256 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $7,918,506,000 after buying an additional 8,088,433 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 2.0% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 53,367,497 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $7,740,212,000 after buying an additional 1,057,041 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. Price Performance

JPM opened at $170.15 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $153.80 and a 200-day moving average of $149.92. The firm has a market capitalization of $491.91 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.16, a PEG ratio of 2.05 and a beta of 1.13. JPMorgan Chase & Co. has a 12-month low of $123.11 and a 12-month high of $170.69. The company has a quick ratio of 0.90, a current ratio of 0.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.25.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. Dividend Announcement

JPMorgan Chase & Co. ( NYSE:JPM Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Friday, October 13th. The financial services provider reported $4.33 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.95 by $0.38. The company had revenue of $40.69 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $39.63 billion. JPMorgan Chase & Co. had a return on equity of 17.97% and a net margin of 22.79%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 24.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $3.12 earnings per share. Equities analysts forecast that JPMorgan Chase & Co. will post 16.55 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 31st. Investors of record on Thursday, January 4th will be issued a dividend of $1.05 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 4th. This represents a $4.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.47%. JPMorgan Chase & Co.s dividend payout ratio is 25.07%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CEO Marianne Lake sold 32,243 shares of the stock in a transaction 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 completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 131,962 shares in the company, valued at $21,113,920. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.79% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their price objective on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $176.00 to $169.00 in a report on Tuesday, October 10th. Oppenheimer increased their price objective on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $233.00 to $243.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, November 16th. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $187.00 to $191.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, October 16th. Odeon Capital Group lowered JPMorgan Chase & Co. from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $140.00 price target for the company. in a research note on Thursday, November 2nd. Finally, Evercore ISI increased their price target on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $158.00 to $167.00 in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. Nine 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, JPMorgan Chase & Co. has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $168.80.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on JPM

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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StockNews.com cut shares of L.S. Starrett (NYSE:SCX  Free Report) from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note published on Friday morning.

L.S. Starrett Stock Down 0.7 %

Shares of L.S. Starrett stock opened at $12.10 on Friday. The stocks fifty day moving average is $10.38 and its 200-day moving average is $10.74. The firm has a market capitalization of $90.51 million, a PE ratio of 3.98 and a beta of 0.41. The company has a quick ratio of 1.37, a current ratio of 2.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06. L.S. Starrett has a 12-month low of $7.20 and a 12-month high of $13.10.

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L.S. Starrett (NYSE:SCX  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Monday, November 13th. The company reported $0.25 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The company had revenue of $60.64 million for the quarter. L.S. Starrett had a return on equity of 6.53% and a net margin of 8.95%.

Insider Activity

Institutional Trading of L.S. Starrett

In other L.S. Starrett news, CFO John C. Tripp sold 2,757 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, October 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $10.51, for a total value of $28,976.07. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 44,130 shares in the company, valued at $463,806.30. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website . In other L.S. Starrett news, CFO John C. Tripp sold 2,757 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, October 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $10.51, for a total value of $28,976.07. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 44,130 shares in the company, valued at $463,806.30. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website . Also, CEO Douglas A. Starrett sold 4,615 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, October 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $10.45, for a total value of $48,226.75. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 162,585 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,699,013.25. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 9,129 shares of company stock worth $95,827. 7.00% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its stake in shares of L.S. Starrett by 2.6% during the 2nd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 353,808 shares of the companys stock worth $3,697,000 after acquiring an additional 9,121 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of L.S. Starrett by 0.6% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 244,536 shares of the companys stock worth $2,629,000 after purchasing an additional 1,461 shares during the last quarter. Teton Advisors Inc. lifted its position in shares of L.S. Starrett by 3.2% during the 1st quarter. Teton Advisors Inc. now owns 67,100 shares of the companys stock worth $516,000 after purchasing an additional 2,100 shares during the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada lifted its position in shares of L.S. Starrett by 9.3% during the 3rd quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 28,700 shares of the companys stock worth $309,000 after purchasing an additional 2,437 shares during the last quarter. Finally, BlackRock Inc. lifted its position in shares of L.S. Starrett by 4.5% during the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 25,162 shares of the companys stock worth $263,000 after purchasing an additional 1,084 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 41.60% of the companys stock.

L.S. Starrett Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

The L.S. Starrett Co engages in the business of manufacturing products for industrial, professional, and consumer markets. It operates through the following segments: North American Industrials, International Industrials, and Global Test and Measurement. The company was founded by Laroy S. Starrett in 1880 and is headquartered in Athol, MA.

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LG Display Co., Ltd. (NYSE:LPL  Get Free Report) gapped up before the market opened on Thursday . The stock had previously closed at $4.73, but opened at $4.84. LG Display shares last traded at $4.89, with a volume of 17,550 shares.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have recently commented on LPL shares. StockNews.com started coverage on LG Display in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Morgan Stanley lowered shares of LG Display from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating in a report on Tuesday, September 5th.

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Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on LG Display

LG Display Price Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.36, a current ratio of 0.72 and a quick ratio of 0.49. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $4.84 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $5.16.

LG Display (NYSE:LPL  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 14th. The electronics maker reported ($0.77) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.75) by ($0.02). LG Display had a negative return on equity of 45.72% and a negative net margin of 22.07%. The company had revenue of $3.65 billion for the quarter. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that LG Display Co., Ltd. will post -3.07 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On LG Display

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. BlackRock Inc. grew its position in shares of LG Display by 82.7% during the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 779,380 shares of the electronics makers stock worth $6,438,000 after buying an additional 352,719 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. grew its position in shares of LG Display by 6.6% during the third quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 740,685 shares of the electronics makers stock worth $3,615,000 after buying an additional 46,131 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp grew its position in shares of LG Display by 1.9% during the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 645,527 shares of the electronics makers stock worth $2,634,000 after buying an additional 12,061 shares in the last quarter. Rhumbline Advisers boosted its holdings in LG Display by 2.4% in the third quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 462,558 shares of the electronics makers stock valued at $2,257,000 after purchasing an additional 11,005 shares in the last quarter. Finally, First Trust Direct Indexing L.P. boosted its holdings in LG Display by 44.6% in the second quarter. First Trust Direct Indexing L.P. now owns 390,300 shares of the electronics makers stock valued at $2,365,000 after purchasing an additional 120,348 shares in the last quarter. 2.04% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About LG Display

(Get Free Report)

LG Display Co, Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the design, manufacture, and sale of thin-film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) and organic light emitting diode (OLED) technology-based display panels. Its TFT-LCD and OLED technology-based display panels are primarily used in televisions, notebook computers, desktop monitors, tablet computers, mobile devices, and automotive displays.

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Meridian Wealth Management LLC trimmed its position in Exxon Mobil Co. (NYSE:XOM  Free Report) by 25.2% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 718,145 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after selling 242,259 shares during the quarter. Exxon Mobil makes up approximately 5.2% of Meridian Wealth Management LLCs holdings, making the stock its 3rd largest position. Meridian Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Exxon Mobil were worth $84,439,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. KB Financial Partners LLC acquired a new position in Exxon Mobil during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Financial Connections Group Inc. boosted its position in Exxon Mobil by 105.4% during the 2nd quarter. Financial Connections Group Inc. now owns 306 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 157 shares during the period. Trivant Custom Portfolio Group LLC acquired a new position in Exxon Mobil during the 1st quarter worth $38,000. IMA Wealth Inc. boosted its position in Exxon Mobil by 720.0% during the 2nd quarter. IMA Wealth Inc. now owns 369 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $40,000 after acquiring an additional 324 shares during the period. Finally, Country Trust Bank boosted its position in Exxon Mobil by 64.1% during the 2nd quarter. Country Trust Bank now owns 384 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $41,000 after acquiring an additional 150 shares during the period. 58.53% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

XOM has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a sector perform rating and set a $120.00 price target on shares of Exxon Mobil in a research report on Thursday, December 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on Exxon Mobil from $134.00 to $127.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Friday, December 8th. Truist Financial upgraded Exxon Mobil from a hold rating to a buy rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $110.00 to $131.00 in a research report on Thursday, October 12th. Erste Group Bank reiterated a hold rating on shares of Exxon Mobil in a research report on Friday, December 22nd. Finally, TD Cowen dropped their price objective on Exxon Mobil from $118.00 to $115.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, December 11th. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Exxon Mobil presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $128.70.

Insider Buying and Selling at Exxon Mobil

In other Exxon Mobil news, VP Leonard M. Fox sold 12,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $102.65, for a total value of $1,231,800.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 220,678 shares in the company, valued at $22,652,596.70. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other Exxon Mobil news, VP Leonard M. Fox sold 12,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $102.65, for a total value of $1,231,800.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 220,678 shares in the company, valued at $22,652,596.70. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Jeffrey W. Ubben bought 250,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, November 6th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $105.97 per share, for a total transaction of $26,492,500.00. Following the purchase, the director now directly owns 2,077,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at $220,099,690. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.06% of the companys stock.

Exxon Mobil Stock Down 0.2 %

NYSE:XOM opened at $99.98 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $396.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.93, a PEG ratio of 3.69 and a beta of 1.01. Exxon Mobil Co. has a 1-year low of $97.48 and a 1-year high of $120.70. The company has a current ratio of 1.42, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $103.32 and its 200 day moving average price is $107.13.

Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 27th. The oil and gas company reported $2.27 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.36 by ($0.09). The business had revenue of $90.76 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $93.41 billion. Exxon Mobil had a net margin of 11.56% and a return on equity of 20.72%. The firms quarterly revenue was down 19.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $4.45 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Exxon Mobil Co. will post 9.18 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Exxon Mobil Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 11th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, November 15th were paid a $0.95 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, November 14th. This represents a $3.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.80%. This is an increase from Exxon Mobils previous quarterly dividend of $0.91. Exxon Mobils payout ratio is 37.74%.

Exxon Mobil Company Profile

(Free Report)

Exxon Mobil Corporation engages in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas in the United States and internationally. It operates through Upstream, Energy Products, Chemical Products, and Specialty Products segments. The Upstream segment explores for and produces crude oil and natural gas.

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Peregrine Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of OUTFRONT Media Inc. (NYSE:OUT  Free Report) by 25.5% in the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 800,019 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 162,554 shares during the quarter. Peregrine Capital Management LLCs holdings in OUTFRONT Media were worth $8,080,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of OUTFRONT Media by 16.4% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 25,900,724 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $393,432,000 after buying an additional 3,643,500 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. lifted its stake in shares of OUTFRONT Media by 3.2% during the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 19,931,847 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $566,663,000 after buying an additional 610,565 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its holdings in shares of OUTFRONT Media by 7.7% during the second quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 6,376,432 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $100,238,000 after purchasing an additional 453,574 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp raised its holdings in shares of OUTFRONT Media by 1.0% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 5,538,125 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $87,059,000 after purchasing an additional 55,754 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Hawk Ridge Capital Management LP raised its holdings in shares of OUTFRONT Media by 51.0% during the first quarter. Hawk Ridge Capital Management LP now owns 4,348,518 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $70,576,000 after purchasing an additional 1,468,759 shares during the last quarter.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. StockNews.com raised shares of OUTFRONT Media to a sell rating in a report on Monday, November 6th. TheStreet cut shares of OUTFRONT Media from a c- rating to a d+ rating in a report on Monday, September 18th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on shares of OUTFRONT Media from $14.00 to $12.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Thursday, October 5th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reduced their target price on shares of OUTFRONT Media from $15.00 to $12.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report 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 companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $14.50.

OUTFRONT Media Trading Down 2.6 %

OUT opened at $13.96 on Friday. OUTFRONT Media Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $8.18 and a fifty-two week high of $21.65. The company has a quick ratio of 0.58, a current ratio of 0.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.43. The company has a fifty day moving average of $12.29 and a two-hundred day moving average of $12.44.

OUTFRONT Media Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 29th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 1st were paid a $0.30 dividend. This represents a $1.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 8.60%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 30th. OUTFRONT Medias dividend payout ratio (DPR) is -44.78%.

About OUTFRONT Media

(Free Report)

OUTFRONT leverages the power of technology, location and creativity to connect brands with consumers outside of their homes through one of the largest and most diverse sets of billboard, transit, and mobile assets in North America. Through its technology platform, OUTFRONT will fundamentally change the ways advertisers engage audiences on-the-go.

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Peregrine Capital Management LLC cut its stake in shares of Taylor Morrison Home Co. (NYSE:TMHC  Free Report) by 4.1% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 198,313 shares of the construction companys stock after selling 8,483 shares during the period. Peregrine Capital Management LLCs holdings in Taylor Morrison Home were worth $8,450,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC raised its stake in Taylor Morrison Home by 19.6% during the 2nd quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 16,295 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $795,000 after buying an additional 2,674 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. grew its position in shares of Taylor Morrison Home by 14.6% during the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 16,885,291 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $823,496,000 after acquiring an additional 2,146,779 shares during the period. Mackenzie Financial Corp grew its position in shares of Taylor Morrison Home by 35.6% during the 2nd quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 319,718 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $15,589,000 after acquiring an additional 83,973 shares during the period. Wedge Capital Management L L P NC grew its position in shares of Taylor Morrison Home by 19.3% during the 3rd quarter. Wedge Capital Management L L P NC now owns 787,086 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $33,538,000 after acquiring an additional 127,494 shares during the period. Finally, Unison Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Taylor Morrison Home during the 2nd quarter valued at $540,000. 95.32% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Taylor Morrison Home Stock Down 1.0 %

TMHC opened at $53.35 on Friday. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $45.98 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $46.09. Taylor Morrison Home Co. has a 52 week low of $30.14 and a 52 week high of $54.48. The company has a market capitalization of $5.73 billion, a PE ratio of 6.74 and a beta of 1.79. The company has a quick ratio of 0.97, a current ratio of 5.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38.

Insider Activity

Taylor Morrison Home ( NYSE:TMHC Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 25th. The construction company reported $1.62 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.52 by $0.10. Taylor Morrison Home had a net margin of 11.05% and a return on equity of 18.75%. The business had revenue of $1.68 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.66 billion. Analysts forecast that Taylor Morrison Home Co. will post 7.24 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

In other news, Director William H. Lyon sold 2,285 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $54.01, for a total transaction of $123,412.85. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 17,744 shares in the company, valued at approximately $958,353.44. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, Director William H. Lyon sold 2,285 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $54.01, for a total transaction of $123,412.85. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 17,744 shares in the company, valued at approximately $958,353.44. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director William H. Lyon sold 139,661 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $54.10, for a total transaction of $7,555,660.10. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 85,570 shares in the company, valued at $4,629,337. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 142,043 shares of company stock worth $7,684,311. 5.50% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on TMHC shares. Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of Taylor Morrison Home from $47.00 to $55.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 13th. Seaport Res Ptn raised shares of Taylor Morrison Home from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, November 3rd. StockNews.com raised shares of Taylor Morrison Home from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, December 6th. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their target price on shares of Taylor Morrison Home from $49.00 to $43.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a report on Thursday, October 26th. Finally, Wedbush reaffirmed a neutral rating and issued a $52.00 target price on shares of Taylor Morrison Home in a report on Monday, December 18th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $52.60.

Get Our Latest Research Report on TMHC

Taylor Morrison Home Company Profile

(Free Report)

Taylor Morrison Home Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a public homebuilder in the United States. The company designs, builds, and sells single and multi-family detached and attached homes; and develops lifestyle and master-planned communities. It also develops and constructs multi-use properties consisting of commercial space, retail, and multi-family properties under the Urban Form brand name; and offers title insurance and closing settlement services, as well as financial services.

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Peregrine Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in DigitalBridge Group, Inc. (NYSE:DBRG  Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor acquired 471,443 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,288,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. lifted its stake in shares of DigitalBridge Group by 76.9% in the 1st quarter. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 2,300 shares of the companys stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 1,000 shares in the last quarter. Quarry LP acquired a new position in shares of DigitalBridge Group in the 1st quarter valued at about $32,000. Dark Forest Capital Management LP lifted its stake in shares of DigitalBridge Group by 161.1% in the 1st quarter. Dark Forest Capital Management LP now owns 2,781 shares of the companys stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 1,716 shares in the last quarter. Sunbelt Securities Inc. acquired a new position in shares of DigitalBridge Group in the 1st quarter valued at about $34,000. Finally, Covestor Ltd lifted its stake in shares of DigitalBridge Group by 37.1% in the 2nd quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 3,968 shares of the companys stock valued at $59,000 after purchasing an additional 1,074 shares in the last quarter. 90.43% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms recently commented on DBRG. Truist Financial reduced their price target on DigitalBridge Group from $35.00 to $20.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, September 20th. TheStreet raised DigitalBridge Group from a d rating to a c- rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 1st. Raymond James cut their target price on DigitalBridge Group from $25.00 to $24.00 and set a strong-buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, November 2nd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised DigitalBridge Group from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and upped their target price for the company from $19.00 to $25.00 in a research report on Thursday, September 28th. Seven equities research 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, the company has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $21.94.

DigitalBridge Group Trading Down 1.7 %

Shares of NYSE DBRG opened at $17.55 on Friday. DigitalBridge Group, Inc. has a twelve month low of $9.99 and a twelve month high of $18.43. The company has a market capitalization of $2.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -83.54 and a beta of 2.02. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $16.48 and a 200-day simple moving average of $16.21.

DigitalBridge Group (NYSE:DBRG  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 1st. The company reported $0.12 earnings per share for the quarter. The business had revenue of $477.08 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $336.03 million. DigitalBridge Group had a return on equity of 1.39% and a net margin of 4.50%. As a group, equities analysts predict that DigitalBridge Group, Inc. will post -0.25 earnings per share for the current year.

DigitalBridge Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, January 16th. Investors of record on Sunday, December 31st will be paid a dividend of $0.01 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 28th. This represents a $0.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.23%. DigitalBridge Groups payout ratio is currently -19.05%.

DigitalBridge Group Profile

(Free Report)

DigitalBridge is an infrastructure investment firm specializing in digital infrastructure assets. They provide services to institutional investors. They primarily invest in data centers, cell towers, fiber networks, small cells, and edge infrastructure. DigitalBridge Group, Inc was founded in 1991 and is headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida with additional offices in Los Angles, California, and New York New York.

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Shares of Restaurant Brands International Inc. (NYSE:QSR  Get Free Report) (TSE:QSR) have been assigned an average rating of Moderate Buy from the twenty-six brokerages that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, nine have assigned a hold recommendation and sixteen have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $78.46.

Several research firms have recently commented on QSR. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on Restaurant Brands International from $73.00 to $74.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, November 10th. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on Restaurant Brands International from $78.00 to $75.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, October 11th. Loop Capital upgraded Restaurant Brands International from a hold rating to a buy rating and increased their price objective for the company from $77.00 to $81.00 in a research note on Friday, September 29th. Barclays reduced their price objective on Restaurant Brands International from $86.00 to $75.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 23rd. Finally, TD Cowen increased their price objective on Restaurant Brands International from $77.00 to $81.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, December 1st.

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Restaurant Brands International Trading Up 0.0 %

Shares of Restaurant Brands International stock opened at $78.12 on Wednesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $24.83 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.89, a PEG ratio of 2.98 and a beta of 0.96. Restaurant Brands International has a fifty-two week low of $59.99 and a fifty-two week high of $78.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.82, a quick ratio of 1.07 and a current ratio of 1.15. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $71.15 and a 200 day moving average of $71.29.

Restaurant Brands International (NYSE:QSR  Get Free Report) (TSE:QSR) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, November 3rd. The restaurant operator reported $0.90 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.85 by $0.05. Restaurant Brands International had a return on equity of 32.72% and a net margin of 13.22%. The company had revenue of $1.84 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.87 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.96 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 6.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts predict that Restaurant Brands International will post 3.23 earnings per share for the current year.

Restaurant Brands International Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 4th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, December 21st will be given a dividend of $0.55 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, December 20th. This represents a $2.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.82%. Restaurant Brands Internationals dividend payout ratio is currently 75.60%.

Insider Transactions at Restaurant Brands International

In related news, CFO Matthew Dunnigan sold 1,462 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $73.68, for a total value of $107,720.16. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 41,652 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,068,919.36. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In other news, Chairman J Patrick Doyle sold 40,783 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $69.97, for a total transaction of $2,853,586.51. Following the transaction, the chairman now directly owns 62,503 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,373,334.91. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CFO Matthew Dunnigan sold 1,462 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, December 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $73.68, for a total transaction of $107,720.16. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 41,652 shares in the company, valued at $3,068,919.36. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 46,065 shares of company stock worth $3,242,216. Insiders own 1.25% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Restaurant Brands International

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Bank of Montreal Can acquired a new position in Restaurant Brands International during the 2nd quarter worth $400,702,000. Holocene Advisors LP grew its holdings in shares of Restaurant Brands International by 1,905.4% during the 2nd quarter. Holocene Advisors LP now owns 2,294,258 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $177,851,000 after purchasing an additional 2,179,856 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Restaurant Brands International during the 4th quarter worth approximately $91,144,000. Capital Research Global Investors grew its holdings in shares of Restaurant Brands International by 7.3% during the 2nd quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 19,898,620 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $1,542,541,000 after purchasing an additional 1,350,491 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Alliancebernstein L.P. grew its holdings in shares of Restaurant Brands International by 222.1% during the 4th quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 1,957,325 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $126,580,000 after purchasing an additional 1,349,590 shares in the last quarter.

About Restaurant Brands International

(Get Free Report

Restaurant Brands International Inc operates as a quick-service restaurant company in Canada, the United States, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Tim Hortons (TH), Burger King (BK), Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen (PLK), and Firehouse Subs (FHS). The company owns and franchises TH chain of donut/coffee/tea restaurants that offer blend coffee, tea, and espresso-based hot and cold specialty drinks; and fresh baked goods, including donuts, Timbits, bagels, muffins, cookies and pastries, grilled paninis, classic sandwiches, wraps, soups, and other food products.

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Ropes Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO  Free Report) by 96.4% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 8,100 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 3,976 shares during the quarter. Ropes Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in Novo Nordisk A/S were worth $737,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. WCM Investment Management LLC grew its position in Novo Nordisk A/S by 88.3% during the 3rd quarter. WCM Investment Management LLC now owns 6,528,911 shares of the companys stock valued at $594,000,000 after purchasing an additional 3,061,251 shares during the last quarter. Morgan Stanley lifted its stake in Novo Nordisk A/S by 39.4% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 5,212,398 shares of the companys stock valued at $705,446,000 after acquiring an additional 1,472,550 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. lifted its stake in Novo Nordisk A/S by 45.4% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 5,035,879 shares of the companys stock valued at $559,235,000 after acquiring an additional 1,571,747 shares during the period. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its stake in Novo Nordisk A/S by 1,514.6% during the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 3,785,560 shares of the companys stock valued at $602,435,000 after acquiring an additional 3,551,104 shares during the period. Finally, Millennium Management LLC lifted its stake in Novo Nordisk A/S by 90.8% during the 4th quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 2,031,553 shares of the companys stock valued at $274,950,000 after acquiring an additional 966,580 shares during the period. 6.41% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Novo Nordisk A/S Price Performance

NYSE NVO opened at $103.43 on Friday. Novo Nordisk A/S has a 12 month low of $65.05 and a 12 month high of $105.69. The stock has a market cap of $464.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 42.92, a PEG ratio of 1.43 and a beta of 0.40. The companys 50 day moving average is $100.05 and its two-hundred day moving average is $70.67. The company has a current ratio of 0.82, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Novo Nordisk A/S ( NYSE:NVO Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 2nd. The company reported $0.73 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.69 by $0.04. Novo Nordisk A/S had a net margin of 35.20% and a return on equity of 86.53%. The business had revenue of $8.58 billion during the quarter. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Novo Nordisk A/S will post 2.62 earnings per share for the current year.

NVO has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Cantor Fitzgerald restated an overweight rating on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a research note on Monday, December 18th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Novo Nordisk A/S from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Monday, October 16th. Argus initiated coverage on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a research note on Monday, October 2nd. They set a buy rating and a $110.00 target price on the stock. Finally, TD Cowen increased their price objective on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S from $105.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, December 4th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of $115.00.

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About Novo Nordisk A/S

(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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Ropes Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its position in iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:IWP  Free Report) by 6.2% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 4,985 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 292 shares during the period. Ropes Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF were worth $455,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of IWP. DHJJ Financial Advisors Ltd. purchased a new stake in shares of iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF during the third quarter valued at $30,000. Northwest Bank & Trust Co purchased a new stake in iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at about $33,000. Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO bought a new position in iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF in the 3rd quarter worth about $35,000. Northwest Capital Management Inc purchased a new position in shares of iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF during the second quarter worth approximately $38,000. Finally, Farmers & Merchants Trust Co of Chambersburg PA raised its stake in shares of iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF by 43.7% during the second quarter. Farmers & Merchants Trust Co of Chambersburg PA now owns 408 shares of the companys stock valued at $39,000 after acquiring an additional 124 shares in the last quarter.

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iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF Stock Down 0.6 %

Shares of NYSEARCA:IWP opened at $104.46 on Friday. The businesss 50 day moving average is $95.83 and its 200 day moving average is $95.17. The stock has a market cap of $14.18 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.03 and a beta of 1.10. iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF has a 52-week low of $82.43 and a 52-week high of $105.36.

About iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF

iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF, formerly iShares Russell Midcap Growth Index Fund (the Growth Fund), is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the Russell Midcap Growth Index (the Growth Index).

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Denali Advisors LLC cut its holdings in Southern Copper Co. (NYSE:SCCO  Free Report) by 21.1% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 7,500 shares of the basic materials companys stock after selling 2,000 shares during the quarter. Denali Advisors LLCs holdings in Southern Copper were worth $565,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its stake in shares of Southern Copper by 1.3% during the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 283,570 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $21,523,000 after acquiring an additional 3,611 shares during the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. increased its position in shares of Southern Copper by 48.3% in the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 11,974 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $909,000 after acquiring an additional 3,901 shares in the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Southern Copper during the 1st quarter valued at $388,000. Rhumbline Advisers lifted its holdings in shares of Southern Copper by 121.4% during the 1st quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 173,100 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $13,138,000 after acquiring an additional 94,910 shares in the last quarter. Finally, BlackRock Inc. boosted its position in Southern Copper by 10.7% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 7,022,108 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $532,978,000 after purchasing an additional 680,165 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 7.40% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have commented on the company. Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on Southern Copper in a research report on Monday, September 18th. They issued a hold rating and a $91.00 price objective on the stock. Morgan Stanley downgraded Southern Copper from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating and dropped their target price for the company from $83.00 to $68.00 in a report on Monday, November 27th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded Southern Copper from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Thursday. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $63.94.

Southern Copper Price Performance

SCCO stock opened at $86.09 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $66.56 billion, a PE ratio of 23.08, a P/E/G ratio of 21.67 and a beta of 1.24. The company has a quick ratio of 2.94, a current ratio of 3.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80. The stocks 50 day moving average is $75.93 and its two-hundred day moving average is $76.60. Southern Copper Co. has a 52-week low of $60.20 and a 52-week high of $88.40.

Southern Copper (NYSE:SCCO  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 24th. The basic materials company reported $0.80 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.72 by $0.08. Southern Copper had a return on equity of 35.91% and a net margin of 27.66%. The business had revenue of $2.51 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.49 billion. Analysts predict that Southern Copper Co. will post 3.36 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Southern Copper Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 22nd. Investors of record on Wednesday, November 8th were given a dividend of $1.00 per share. This represents a $4.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.65%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, November 7th. Southern Coppers dividend payout ratio is currently 107.24%.

Southern Copper Company Profile

(Free Report)

Southern Copper Corporation engages in mining, exploring, smelting, and refining copper and other minerals in Peru, Mexico, Argentina, Ecuador, and Chile. The company is involved in the mining, milling, and flotation of copper ore to produce copper and molybdenum concentrates; smelting of copper concentrates to produce blister and anode copper; refining of anode copper to produce copper cathodes; production of molybdenum concentrate and sulfuric acid; production of refined silver, gold, and other materials; and mining and processing of zinc, copper, molybdenum, silver, gold, and lead.

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TFG Advisers LLC trimmed its holdings in shares of Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE:RSG  Free Report) by 23.4% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 1,427 shares of the business services providers stock after selling 437 shares during the quarter. TFG Advisers LLCs holdings in Republic Services were worth $203,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in RSG. Bangor Savings Bank raised its stake in shares of 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 in the last quarter. Horizons Wealth Management acquired a new stake in shares of Republic Services in the second quarter worth $31,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL bought a new stake in shares of Republic Services during the 1st quarter worth $34,000. Fred Alger Management LLC grew its stake in 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 last quarter. Finally, DHJJ Financial Advisors Ltd. bought a new position in Republic Services in the 3rd quarter worth $41,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 57.23% of the companys stock.

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Republic Services Stock Up 0.7 %

Shares of RSG opened at $164.91 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 $51.89 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.90, a P/E/G ratio of 3.01 and a beta of 0.68. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $157.89 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $151.30. The company has a quick ratio of 0.58, a current ratio of 0.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06.

Republic Services ( NYSE:RSG Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 26th. The business services provider reported $1.54 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.41 by $0.13. Republic Services had a return on equity of 16.81% and a net margin of 11.17%. The business had revenue of $3.83 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.81 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.34 EPS. Republic Servicess quarterly revenue was up 6.3% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts predict that Republic Services, Inc. will post 5.47 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Republic Services announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a share buyback 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 purchase up to 6.4% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are usually an indication that the companys board believes its stock is undervalued.

Republic Services Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, January 16th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, January 2nd will be issued a dividend of $0.535 per share. This represents a $2.14 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.30%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 29th. Republic Servicess payout ratio is 41.39%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Republic Services in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a buy rating for the company. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price target on Republic Services from $163.00 to $166.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Monday, October 2nd. Wolfe Research began coverage on shares of Republic Services in a research note on Tuesday, October 17th. They issued a peer perform rating on the stock. Oppenheimer upped their target price on shares of Republic Services from $166.00 to $172.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 6th. Finally, UBS Group upgraded shares of Republic Services from a neutral rating to a buy rating and raised their price target for the stock from $155.00 to $175.00 in a research report on Monday, October 23rd. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $164.77.

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About Republic Services

(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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Family Firm Inc. decreased its stake in The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO  Free Report) by 15.7% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 4,244 shares of the companys stock after selling 792 shares during the quarter. Family Firm Inc.s holdings in Coca-Cola were worth $238,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. State Street Corp boosted its position in Coca-Cola by 1.0% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 171,246,926 shares of the companys stock worth $10,390,407,000 after acquiring an additional 1,628,772 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted 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 in the last quarter. Morgan Stanley boosted 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 in the last quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC boosted 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 in the last quarter. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Coca-Cola by 2.6% in the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 51,570,921 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,197,397,000 after buying an additional 1,301,902 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.96% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Bank of America lowered their target price on shares of Coca-Cola from $74.00 to $60.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, October 17th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on shares of Coca-Cola from $59.00 to $62.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 25th. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Coca-Cola from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, October 13th. Jefferies Financial Group assumed coverage on shares of Coca-Cola in a research report on Monday, November 13th. They issued a hold rating and a $64.00 price target for the company. Finally, Citigroup reduced their price target on shares of Coca-Cola from $74.00 to $65.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, October 11th. Four investment 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, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $66.20.

Insider Buying and Selling at Coca-Cola

In other news, CEO James Quincey sold 92,028 shares of Coca-Cola stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $59.06, for a total transaction of $5,435,173.68. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 442,546 shares in the company, valued at $26,136,766.76. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other news, SVP Henrique Braun sold 52,696 shares of Coca-Cola stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $56.97, for a total transaction of $3,002,091.12. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 26,272 shares in the company, valued at $1,496,715.84. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, CEO James Quincey sold 92,028 shares of Coca-Cola stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $59.06, for a total transaction of $5,435,173.68. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 442,546 shares of the companys stock, valued at $26,136,766.76. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 349,315 shares of company stock worth $19,805,715. 1.00% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Coca-Cola Stock Up 0.3 %

Shares of NYSE KO opened at $58.93 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.97, a current ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.23. The Coca-Cola Company has a 52 week low of $51.55 and a 52 week high of $64.99. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $57.75 and a 200 day moving average price of $58.67. The stock has a market capitalization of $254.78 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.67, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.52 and a beta of 0.58.

Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 24th. The company reported $0.74 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.69 by $0.05. Coca-Cola had a net margin of 23.92% and a return on equity of 42.44%. The firm had revenue of $11.95 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.45 billion. Equities research analysts anticipate that The Coca-Cola Company will post 2.68 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Coca-Cola Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 1st were issued a dividend of $0.46 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 30th. This represents a $1.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.12%. Coca-Colas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 73.90%.

Coca-Cola Company Profile

(Free Report)

The Coca-Cola Company, a beverage company, manufactures, markets, and sells various nonalcoholic beverages worldwide. The company provides sparkling soft drinks, sparkling flavors; water, sports, coffee, and tea; juice, value-added dairy, and plant-based beverages; and other beverages. It also offers beverage concentrates and syrups, as well as fountain syrups to fountain retailers, such as restaurants and convenience stores.

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Czech National Bank increased its stake in shares of The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG  Free Report) by 47.7% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 412,009 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 132,991 shares during the quarter. Procter & Gamble accounts for approximately 1.0% of Czech National Banks holdings, making the stock its 16th biggest position. Czech National Banks holdings in Procter & Gamble were worth $60,096,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich raised 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 buying an additional 252,827,976 shares during the last quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC grew its holdings 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 during the period. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Procter & Gamble during the 4th quarter worth about $3,752,321,000. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its position in Procter & Gamble by 42.2% during the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 24,386,838 shares of the companys stock worth $3,626,080,000 after acquiring an additional 7,235,990 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted its position in Procter & Gamble by 12.6% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 44,320,700 shares of the companys stock worth $6,717,246,000 after acquiring an additional 4,959,527 shares in the last quarter. 63.43% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on PG. StockNews.com downgraded Procter & Gamble from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday. Barclays lowered their price objective on Procter & Gamble from $166.00 to $154.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, October 12th. DZ Bank upgraded Procter & Gamble from a sell rating to a hold rating and set a $155.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Friday, October 20th. Sanford C. Bernstein decreased their price target on Procter & Gamble from $162.00 to $153.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, October 12th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on Procter & Gamble in a report on Monday, November 13th. They issued a buy rating and a $177.00 price objective for the company. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Procter & Gamble currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $166.41.

Procter & Gamble Price Performance

NYSE PG opened at $146.61 on Friday. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $148.90 and a 200 day simple moving average of $150.29. The Procter & Gamble Company has a 52-week low of $135.83 and a 52-week high of $158.38. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51, a quick ratio of 0.48 and a current ratio of 0.67. The stock has a market cap of $345.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.80, a PEG ratio of 3.02 and a beta of 0.46.

Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, October 18th. The company reported $1.83 earnings per share (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 analysts expectations of $21.58 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.57 EPS. Procter & Gambles revenue for the quarter was up 6.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts anticipate that The Procter & Gamble Company will post 6.42 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Procter & Gamble Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 20th were given a dividend of $0.9407 per share. This represents a $3.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.57%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, October 19th. Procter & Gambles dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 61.04%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Procter & Gamble news, CEO R. Alexandra Keith sold 6,575 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $153.47, for a total transaction of $1,009,065.25. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 5,620 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $862,501.40. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In other Procter & Gamble news, CEO R. Alexandra Keith sold 6,575 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $153.47, for a total transaction of $1,009,065.25. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 5,620 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $862,501.40. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Susan Street Whaley sold 575 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $144.97, for a total value of $83,357.75. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 7,498 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,086,985.06. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 79,382 shares of company stock valued at $11,988,690 in the last quarter. 0.17% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Procter & Gamble Company 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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Shares of The Toronto-Dominion Bank (NYSE:TD  Get Free Report) (TSE:TD) have earned a consensus recommendation of Hold from the six ratings firms that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and two have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year price objective among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $88.00.

TD has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Scotiabank downgraded shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank from a sector outperform rating to a sector perform rating in a report on Wednesday, December 20th. StockNews.com raised shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, December 4th. CIBC downgraded shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank from a sector outperform rating to a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, November 22nd. Finally, Bank of America downgraded shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a report on Monday, December 18th.

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Read Our Latest Research Report on Toronto-Dominion Bank

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Toronto-Dominion Bank Price Performance

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank by 1.8% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 72,384,265 shares of the banks stock valued at $4,361,876,000 after purchasing an additional 1,303,730 shares in the last quarter. National Bank of Canada FI grew its position in Toronto-Dominion Bank by 20.8% in the third quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 38,707,020 shares of the banks stock worth $2,275,959,000 after acquiring an additional 6,665,503 shares in the last quarter. TD Asset Management Inc grew its position in Toronto-Dominion Bank by 1.5% in the second quarter. TD Asset Management Inc now owns 37,106,631 shares of the banks stock worth $2,302,532,000 after acquiring an additional 541,053 shares in the last quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia grew its position in Toronto-Dominion Bank by 8.2% in the second quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia now owns 36,757,624 shares of the banks stock worth $2,300,294,000 after acquiring an additional 2,777,516 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mackenzie Financial Corp grew its position in Toronto-Dominion Bank by 1.6% in the second quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 29,954,521 shares of the banks stock worth $1,856,416,000 after acquiring an additional 474,238 shares in the last quarter. 51.52% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Shares of NYSE:TD opened at $64.62 on Wednesday. The companys 50-day moving average is $60.44 and its 200 day moving average is $61.13. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.09, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a current ratio of 1.00. The company has a market capitalization of $116.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.57, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.49 and a beta of 0.91. Toronto-Dominion Bank has a fifty-two week low of $54.69 and a fifty-two week high of $70.67.

Toronto-Dominion Bank (NYSE:TD  Get Free Report) (TSE:TD) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 30th. The bank reported $1.35 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.39 by ($0.04). The company had revenue of $13.19 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $9.02 billion. Toronto-Dominion Bank had a return on equity of 14.68% and a net margin of 10.65%. Toronto-Dominion Banks quarterly revenue was up 7.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.64 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Toronto-Dominion Bank will post 5.92 earnings per share for the current year.

Toronto-Dominion Bank Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 31st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, January 10th will be issued a $0.7506 dividend. This represents a $3.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.65%. This is an increase from Toronto-Dominion Banks previous quarterly dividend of $0.73. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, January 9th. Toronto-Dominion Banks dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 68.19%.

About Toronto-Dominion Bank

(Get Free Report

The Toronto-Dominion Bank, together with its subsidiaries, provides various financial products and services in Canada, the United States, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Canadian Personal and Commercial Banking, U.S. Retail, Wealth Management and Insurance, and Wholesale Banking.

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Chronos Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH  Free Report) by 0.8% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 17,019 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock after buying an additional 129 shares during the quarter. UnitedHealth Group accounts for approximately 6.0% of Chronos Wealth Management LLCs holdings, making the stock its 5th biggest holding. Chronos Wealth Management LLCs holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $8,581,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL purchased a new stake in UnitedHealth Group in the 1st quarter worth about $35,000. WFA of San Diego LLC purchased a new stake in UnitedHealth Group in the 2nd quarter worth about $39,000. RVW Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in UnitedHealth Group in the 3rd quarter worth about $44,000. Grayhawk Investment Strategies Inc. raised its position in UnitedHealth Group by 168.6% in the 1st quarter. Grayhawk Investment Strategies Inc. now owns 94 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock worth $60,000 after purchasing an additional 59 shares during the period. Finally, Power Corp of Canada bought a new position in UnitedHealth Group in the 1st quarter worth about $48,000. 85.69% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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UnitedHealth Group Trading Up 0.4 %

Shares of UnitedHealth Group stock opened at $526.78 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 0.80 and a quick ratio of 0.80. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $535.63 and a 200 day moving average price of $508.73. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a 1 year low of $445.68 and a 1 year high of $554.70. The stock has a market cap of $487.23 billion, a PE ratio of 22.86, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.59 and a beta of 0.61.

UnitedHealth Group Announces Dividend

UnitedHealth Group ( NYSE:UNH Get Free Report ) last issued its 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 net margin of 6.02% and a return on equity of 26.58%. The firm had revenue of $92.36 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $91.41 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $5.79 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 14.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts predict that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 24.95 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 12th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 4th were issued a $1.88 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 1st. This represents a $7.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.43%. UnitedHealth Groups payout ratio is 32.64%.

Insider Buying and Selling at UnitedHealth Group

In other UnitedHealth Group news, EVP Erin Mcsweeney sold 4,498 shares of UnitedHealth Group stock in a transaction on Monday, October 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $544.28, for a total value of $2,448,171.44. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 9,218 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,017,173.04. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In related news, EVP Erin Mcsweeney sold 4,498 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $544.28, for a total transaction of $2,448,171.44. Following the 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 hyperlink. Also, Director Stephen J. Hemsley sold 66,081 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $550.39, for a total transaction of $36,370,321.59. Following the transaction, the director now owns 635,528 shares in the company, valued at $349,788,255.92. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 192,094 shares of company stock valued at $104,507,072. Corporate insiders own 0.35% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have commented on UNH. Morgan Stanley dropped their target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $587.00 to $579.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 23rd. Stephens reiterated an overweight rating and set a $585.00 price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research note on Wednesday, December 13th. Piper Sandler increased their price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $580.00 to $584.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, October 16th. UBS Group upgraded shares of UnitedHealth Group from a neutral rating to a buy rating and increased their price objective for the company from $520.00 to $640.00 in a research note on Monday, October 16th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and set a $596.00 price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research note on Thursday, November 30th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating, fourteen have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $574.89.

Get Our Latest Stock Report on UNH

About UnitedHealth Group

(Free Report)

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated operates as a diversified health care company in the United States. It operates through four segments: UnitedHealthcare, Optum Health, Optum Insight, and Optum Rx. The UnitedHealthcare segment offers consumer-oriented health benefit plans and services for national employers, public sector employers, mid-sized employers, small businesses, and individuals; health care coverage, and health and well-being services to individuals age 50 and older addressing their needs; Medicaid plans, children's health insurance and health care programs; and health and dental benefits, and hospital and clinical services, as well as health care benefits products and services to state programs caring for the economically disadvantaged, medically underserved, and those without the benefit of employer-funded health care coverage.

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Asset Management One Co. Ltd. grew its stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH  Free Report) by 0.5% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 479,578 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock after purchasing an additional 2,245 shares during the quarter. UnitedHealth Group accounts for 1.1% of Asset Management One Co. Ltd.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 12th biggest position. Asset Management One Co. Ltd. owned 0.05% of UnitedHealth Group worth $241,798,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL purchased a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the first quarter worth about $35,000. WFA of San Diego LLC purchased a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the second quarter worth about $39,000. RVW Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the third quarter worth about $44,000. Grayhawk Investment Strategies Inc. increased its position in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 168.6% during the first quarter. Grayhawk Investment Strategies Inc. now owns 94 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock worth $60,000 after acquiring an additional 59 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Power Corp of Canada bought a new stake in UnitedHealth Group in the first quarter valued at about $48,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 85.69% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages recently weighed in on UNH. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued an overweight rating and issued a $591.00 price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a report on Tuesday, November 21st. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their price objective on UnitedHealth Group from $565.00 to $503.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Monday, November 20th. UBS Group raised UnitedHealth Group from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their target price for the company from $520.00 to $640.00 in a report on Monday, October 16th. StockNews.com lowered UnitedHealth Group from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday, October 21st. Finally, Truist Financial reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $610.00 target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a report on Thursday, November 30th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating, fourteen have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $574.89.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP Erin Mcsweeney sold 4,498 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, October 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $544.28, for a total transaction of $2,448,171.44. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 9,218 shares in the company, valued at $5,017,173.04. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In other news, Director Stephen J. Hemsley sold 66,081 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $550.39, for a total value of $36,370,321.59. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 635,528 shares of the companys stock, valued at $349,788,255.92. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Erin Mcsweeney sold 4,498 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $544.28, for a total value of $2,448,171.44. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 9,218 shares in the company, valued at $5,017,173.04. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 192,094 shares of company stock worth $104,507,072. Corporate insiders own 0.35% of the companys stock.

UnitedHealth Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:UNH opened at $526.78 on Friday. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a one year low of $445.68 and a one year high of $554.70. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $535.63 and a 200-day moving average of $508.73. The company has a market capitalization of $487.23 billion, a PE ratio of 22.86, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.59 and a beta of 0.61. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a current ratio of 0.80.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, October 13th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $6.56 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $6.33 by $0.23. The company had revenue of $92.36 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $91.41 billion. UnitedHealth Group had a return on equity of 26.58% and a net margin of 6.02%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 14.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $5.79 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 24.95 EPS for the current fiscal year.

UnitedHealth Group Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 12th. Investors of record on Monday, December 4th were issued a dividend of $1.88 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 1st. This represents a $7.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.43%. UnitedHealth Groups dividend payout ratio is 32.64%.

UnitedHealth Group Company Profile

(Free Report)

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated operates as a diversified health care company in the United States. It operates through four segments: UnitedHealthcare, Optum Health, Optum Insight, and Optum Rx. The UnitedHealthcare segment offers consumer-oriented health benefit plans and services for national employers, public sector employers, mid-sized employers, small businesses, and individuals; health care coverage, and health and well-being services to individuals age 50 and older addressing their needs; Medicaid plans, children's health insurance and health care programs; and health and dental benefits, and hospital and clinical services, as well as health care benefits products and services to state programs caring for the economically disadvantaged, medically underserved, and those without the benefit of employer-funded health care coverage.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding UNH? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH  Free Report).

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President Joe Biden's decades of support for Israel has provided him with the leeway to push his vision for its war in Gaza when Tel Aviv deviates too far away from it.

Biden, who spent over 25 years in the Senate before winning the vice presidency twice and subsequently the presidency, has largely resisted international and domestic pressure to demand an end to Israel's war in Gaza, though his administration has repeatedly encouraged Israel to do more to protect Palestinian civilians.

NIKKI HALEY'S 2024 CAMPAIGN MOMENTUM UNDER NEW SPOTLIGHT IN IOWA CAUCUSES

The president has "withstood tremendous pressure from within his own party, within his own administration, from the international community, tremendous pressure, and ... he's continuing to veto U.N. resolutions," former Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Oren, who served during the Obama administration, told the Washington Examiner. "He's continuing to supply us with vital ammunition."

The United Nations Security Council has delayed a vote on a Gaza resolution multiple times this month due to a disagreement on the text of the resolution that would call for the international community to provide additional humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians in need. The U.S. has indicated its intent to veto any resolution that it feels is one-sided, favoring the Palestinians.

"When President Biden wants to get Israel to open up humanitarian corridors or increase the aid or even the flow of fuel into Gaza, Israel is hard-pressed to say no. That probably wouldn't have been the case with Barack Obama," Oren explained.

U.S. officials have begun urging Israeli military leaders to end the high-intensity operations phase of their invasion and instead focus on precise and deliberate attacks against Hamas officials, but doing so puts Israeli forces asked to carry out those operations at greater risk. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant acknowledged that "circumstances are changing" in the war on Dec. 18.

"We have seen [the Israelis] act on those messages in terms of the scope and scale of the ground force that they used to go into north Gaza, much reduced than what they had originally planned," National Security Council coordinator John Kirby said earlier in December. "We saw them beginning to rely less on airstrikes. And because they've got troops inserted, and when you have troops inserted on the ground, you are able to target in a more precise way, you also take a higher risk to your forces."

The strategy the U.S. wants would be "a little bit slower, but it is a more deliberate, more, I think, thoughtful process in how you try to move through this very dense urban terrain and try to do the very best to protect the civilians. Again, even that's not perfect," retired U.S. Central Command Cmdr. Joseph Votel told the Washington Examiner. He described the U.S.'s desired strategy as a "high-value individual targeting campaign where they actually just go after Hamas."

More precise operations would require Israeli forces to go building by building in some of Gaza's densest areas to clear them while factoring in the threat posed by Hamas's underground tunnel infrastructure, according to Votel, who has experience in urban combat in Iraq.

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Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have had a relationship for a long time, though both have admitted to some disagreements since the war began.

"I think he has to change, and with this government, this government in Israel is making it very difficult for him to move," Biden said earlier this month, and he warned that Israel is "starting to lose that support by the indiscriminate bombing that takes place." The two leaders also disagree on who should govern Gaza once the war is over. The U.S. has repeatedly said it wants a "revitalized" Palestinian Authority, which leads the West Bank, to govern Gaza after the war. Netanyahu has vowed to prevent that from happening.

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Despite the differences, the Biden administration has withstood significant condemnation from the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, many of whom have urged the president to call for a complete ceasefire. The administration has pushed back on that sentiment, including at the U.N., arguing there will not be peace until Hamas is removed from power in Gaza and demilitarized, given Hamas officials' calls for repeat attacks in line with the Oct. 7 massacre because they refuse to accept Israel's statehood and want to harm Jewish people globally.

Oren described the Obama administration's policy as one in which it "sought to extract concessions from Israel through force, through putting distance and daylight between the United States and Israel," whereas "Biden has done just the opposite. He's expressed great love for the state of Israel, commitment to the state of Israel, and that's given him leverage here that Obama never enjoyed, could never attain."

Original Location: Biden's decades of support for Israel helps him push for desired war conduct

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Body found off Koh Maithon

PHUKET: A local tour boat found the body of a man floating in the water near Koh Maithon, just over eight kilometres southeast of the tip of Cape Panwa, late yesterday afternoon (Dec 29).

marinetourismtransportdeathpolice

By Eakkapop Thongtub

Saturday 30 December 2023 04:03 PM

The staff on the tour boat waited 90 minutes before they had to leave due to failing light. Photo: via Wichit Police

Pol Lt Sommat Tanmaneeprasert of the Wichit Police said he received the report at about about 4:45pm.

Police were informed that the body was dressed only in shorts. It was not confirmed whether the body appeared to be that of a foreigner.

With local charity rescue workers dispatched to provided assistance in the heavily flooded areas in Southern thailand, the Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command, based at Cape Panwa, said a Navy vessel would be dispatched today to recover the body.

However, the Third Area Command has yet to confirm locating and recovering the body. As they say it was marked with a buoy by the tour boat, but not anchored to a fixed position.

The Phuket News was informed that in trying to report the finding of the body, the boat tour company representative was passed on to five different government agencies, and was called on to report the details of the discovery each time.

The tour boat waited alongside the body, found found between Phuket and Koh Maithon, for 90 minutes before attaching a marker buoy on and leaving due to failing light.

By that time the tour boat still had not received any response from authorities.

The location of the body at that time was no more than 15 minutes by boat from Phuket.
Holiday traffic crawling out of capital

BANGKOK: Traffic moving at a crawl was reported on main roads to the North and the Northeast as New Year revellers streamed out of Bangkok on Friday (Dec 29).

transport

By Bangkok Post

Saturday 30 December 2023 09:46 AM

Traffic congestion is heavy in Nakhon Sawan province on Friday as New Year revellers head north. Photo: Chalit Phumruang / Bangkok Post

Traffic on northbound roads in Ayutthaya and Nakhon Sawan was heavy. Congestion built up at kilometre maker 50 on Phahon Yothin Road in Bang Pa-in district of Ayutthaya about 9am as many motorists headed north, reports the Bangkok Post.

From morning to afternoon, major roads heading to the North, particularly in Nakhon Sawan, were packed with vehicles. On Phahon Yothin Road from Phayuhakhiri district to Muang district of the lower northern province, traffic was very heavy.

The high volume of vehicles from the intersection in front of the Jiraprawat military camp to the Dechatiwong bridge caused traffic to move at a snails pace. Traffic police had to close a section of road at the Dechatiwong intersection to allow traffic to flow better.

In the Northeast, traffic has also slowed on main roads as many vehicles are heading to the region.

In an attempt to ease congestion, the Transport Ministry has waived fees on some motorways around the country, including a 77-kilometre section of Motorway No 6 linking Bang Pa-in in Ayutthaya to Nakhon Ratchasima.

In Nakhon Ratchasima, traffic was congested on the Mitraparp Highway in Nong Sung, Khong and Sida districts as motorists headed to Khon Kaen and other northeastern provinces on Friday. Vehicles were moving an an average speed of 40-50 kilometres per hour in those areas.

Highway police and local officials were helping to facilitate traffic flow along the roads.
Russian 18-year-old slashes mothers throat

PHUKET: An 18-year-old man has been arrested for slaying his mother, slashing her throat with a knife, at a house in Tambon Thepkrasattri yesterday (Dec 29).

deathmurdercrimeRussianpolice

By The Phuket News

Saturday 30 December 2023 12:09 PM

CORRECTION: The mother, Elena Nikolaeva, survived her throat being cut with the knife. She is reported to be in serious condition, but no further details of her condition have been released. The error in reporting is sincerely regretted.

Original story is as follows:

Police were alerted to the incident when Pol Lt Col Phongpipat Khamchomphu of the Thalang Police received a report from the village headman of Moo 2, Thepkrasattri, at about 5:15pm.

Police and rescue workers arrived at the home to find the Russian national Elena Nikolaeva, 46, on the floor with severe cut across her throat. Unable to stem the flow of blood, rescue workers rushed her to Thalang Hospital, then on to Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town.

Forensic police began investigating the house while all police stations on the island were notified to be on the lookout for her son, Aleksandr, 18, last seen fleeing the home in a grey Nissan Almera.

At about 9pm last night, officers found Aleksandr sitting in the a grey Nissan Almera parked in front of Phuket City Police Station.

Officers took Aleksandr inside, where through a written note he confessed to cutting his mothers throat with a knife.

Aleksandr at this stage has been charged with attempted murder, despite his actions resulting in his mothers death.

He is believed to be mentally ill and is receiving psychiatric help.

A Russian translator has been provided, but he has so far refused to speak with officers further about the incident.

If you or anyone you know is in need of emotional support and counselling, please contact the Samaritans of Thailand at their 24-hour hotline 02-113-6789 (English & Thai) or the Thai Mental Health Hotline at 1323 (Thai).
Serial motorbike thief nabbed

PHUKET: Patong Police have have tracked down and arrested a 37-year-old man in Kow Kaew wanted for a spate of motorbike thefts.

crimepatongpolice

By Eakkapop Thongtub

Saturday 30 December 2023 10:21 AM

The man, named by police only as Mr. Joy was arrested at an unregistered abode in Koh Kaew, where three stolen motorbikes were found.

The hunt for Mr Joy began on Dec 17, after a woman (named by police only as Ms Patch) reported her motorbike stolen from in front of Patong Tower.

She parked her motorbike in front of Patong Tower at 9:40pm on Dec 16, and returned at about 11:45pm to find her brown Yamaha Grand Filano, registered in Udon Thani, missing.

Officers checked CCTV footage and managed to track down the thief, Mr Joy, arrested yesterday.

Her motorbike was recovered during the arrest in Koh Kaew yesterday, but now fitted with a Phuket licence plate.

A white Honda Scoopy I with its licence plate swapped and a blue-black Honda Wave 110i was also recovered at the address in Koh Kaew yesterday, as were several Phuket licence plates for motorbikes.

During questioning Mr Joy confessed to stealing motorbikes in Patong, Phuket Town and Wichit, police reported.

Mr Joy was taken back to Patong Police to face charges and for further questioning.
Swedish man, 52, dies from heart attack at Bang Tao

PHUKET: A 52-year-old Swedish man exercising near Bang Tao Beach suffered a heart attack and later died yesterday (Dec 29).

deathpolice

By Eakkapop Thongtub

Saturday 30 December 2023 09:12 AM

People enjoy Bang Tao beach near where the Swedish man suffered a heart attack. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

Lt Col Phongpipat Khamchumphu of the Thalang Police was notified of the mans death at 12:21pm.

The mans son told police that he and his father had been jogging and swimming in front of Bang Tao Beach. Afterwards, they had breakfast then lay down and rested for a while at an area near the beach.

Later, the son noticed that his father was shaking and he was unable to wake him. The son called an ambulance, which soon arrived.

Nurses began performing CPR while rushing the man to Thalang Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Doctors at Thalang Hospital have confirmed the cause of death as cardiac arrest.
Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley claimed barring her primary opponent, former President Donald Trump, from the ballot, is "dangerous" to the United States's democracy.

Haley appeared on Cavuto Live on Saturday to respond to Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows blocking Trump from the state's ballot because she alleged Trump violated the 14th Amendment through his actions on Jan. 6. Colorado was the first to do so, also citing the 14th Amendment. Haley disagreed with the decision despite her campaign against Trump.

TRUMP CAN APPEAR ON CALIFORNIA BALLOTS AS DEMOCRATIC OFFICIAL BREAKS WITH COLORADO AND MAINE

"Right now, we're seeing too many elected officials decide who's good, who's bad, who's right, who's wrong. That is not your role. If you are a leader, your role is to put all the information out there, be as transparent as you can, and let the American people make decisions for themselves," Haley said. "And America's got to snap out of this because this is more than about Donald Trump; this is more than about Republicans. This is about the fact that if they can start doing this to individuals, you're changing the entire face of democracy when you allow this to happen."

Haley suggested that this level of government "intrusion" began during the coronavirus pandemic. On her campaign trail, she's promised to pardon Trump of any federal convictions if elected.

"I will defeat Donald Trump fair and square," Haley said. "I don't need him thrown off the ballot."

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Haley represented the United States at the United Nations from 2017 to 2018 during Trump's term as president. She trails him in the GOP primary polls and is fresh off the heels of what many see as a blunder during a town hall in New Hampshire. When asked about what started the Civil War, Haley failed to mention slavery.

Other candidates vying for the nomination include Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson. When former Texas Rep. Will Hurd dropped out of the race, he offered Haley his endorsement.

Original Location: Nikki Haley claims barring Donald Trump from ballot is 'changing the entire face of democracy'

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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the arrest of opposition leaders, alleging that they are promoting a democracy of agencies.

Addressing a public gathering in Chakla, North 24 Paraganas district, Mamata questioned the BJPs track record of arresting individuals from their party and accused them of running a system where agencies are used to control democracy. She challenged the BJP to disclose the number of their members arrested for crimes across the country.

I want to know, how many thieves, dacoits, and murderers of the BJP have been arrested across the country? They are running a democracy of agenciesTheir leaders want to increase arrests. But they should know that they will not be in power forever, Mamata said, speaking at a public meeting in Chakla in West Bengals North 24 Paraganas district on Thursday.

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Accusing the BJP of not going after leaders for crimes from their own party, Mamata said, They (BJP) call everyone thieves, but in reality, they are the leaders of the biggest dacoits. If someone is in the BJP, they are clean because of their washing machine. But if someone is in Trinamool, they will be thrown behind the bars.

According to Mamata, the BJP labels everyone as thieves but shields their own leaders from scrutiny. She sarcastically remarked that if someone is in the BJP, they are considered clean due to their washing machine, while individuals in the Trinamool party are arbitrarily put behind bars.

Mamata contended that the BJPs focus is not on solving cases or recovering looted funds but on detaining political leaders to hinder their party-related activities. She argued that the arrests were a deliberate strategy to prevent opposition leaders from working effectively.

None of the cases have been solved and they have not been able to retrieve any looted money. But they are deliberately putting our leaders in jail so that they can neither work for the party nor do election work, she said.

Criticizing the BJPs approach to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Mamata accused them of dividing people based on religion. She expressed opposition to the discriminatory nature of the act, asserting that citizenship should not be granted to some while denied to others.

Mamata emphasized that citizenship in the country is not determined by religion but by access to benefits such as free ration, Swasthya Sathi (healthcare program), Pan Card, and Aadhaar Card. She urged the public to recognize that anyone availing themselves of these benefits is a citizen of the country.

Previously, the citizenship card was the responsibility of the DMs, but the same has been taken away now only for politics. They want to divide people. They want to give it (citizenship) to some and deny it to others. If one (community) is getting citizenship, the other (community) should also get it. This discrimination is wrong, Mamata said.

The Bengal Chief Minister said that if anyone is getting the benefit of free ration, Swasthya Sathi, Pan Card, Aadhaar Card then he is a citizen of this country.

As for citizenship, remember, all of you are the citizens of this country. If you are not a citizen of this country then how are you getting free ration, Swasthya Sathi, Pan Card, Aadhaar Card? Mamata said.

The Chief Minister said that those who settled in West Bengal till 1971 and even after that, lived in colonies. She said that her government is giving out pattas to them under the Chirosthaayi Thikana scheme.

Those who came (to Bengal) from Bangladesh till 1971 and even after that, they live in colonies and we are giving out pattas to all those colonies under the name Chirosthaayi Thikana. We are giving pattas to all so that they dont have to live like refugees, Mamata said.
The 85th train under the Mukhyamantri Teerth Yatra Scheme of the Delhi government left for Rameswaram with 780 elderly pilgrims from Safdarjung railway station here on Saturday.

Ahead of the journey, a devotional evening was organized at Thyagaraj Stadium for all pilgrims. Delhi Revenue Minister Atishi interacted with the pilgrims, and distributed journey tickets and kits to them on the occasion.

In her address, Atishi said, I would like to express my gratitude to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on behalf of all elderly residents of Delhi, who regard all elderly citizens of Delhi as his own parents. He plays the role of a son, organizing pilgrimage trips for the elderly in Delhi.

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Asserting that Kejriwal is no less than Shravan Kumar for the elderly in Delhi, the minister said he has so far sent over 81,000 elderly individuals on pilgrimage through 84 trains.

He has pledged that regardless of any challenges, he will not allow the pilgrimage initiative for the elderly in Delhi to stop and will ensure that every elderly resident of Delhi gets the opportunity for a pilgrimage, she said.

Atishi further said, Under this scheme, the Kejriwal government sends travelers by AC trains, books AC hotels for them, arranges for timely meals, and ensures that there are no situations where the elderly face any issues during their journey. A team from the Delhi government will also travel with them to ensure that all the facilities are provided to elderly pilgrims from time to time.

Under the CM Teerth Yatra Scheme, the Delhi government has been organizing pilgrimages for its elderly citizens to various pilgrimage sites across the country for the past two to three years.

The scheme facilitates journeys for senior citizens to Rameshwaram, Dwarkadhish, Somnath, Nageshwar, Jagannath Puri, Baba Mahakal in Ujjain, Shirdi Sai Baba, Tirupati Balaji, Ayodhya, Mata Vaishno Devi, Pushkar, Fatehpur Sikri, Golden Temple in Amritsar, Kartarpur Sahib, Mathura-Vrindavan, and Haridwar.

To participate in these pilgrimages, pilgrims apply through an online portal. The government arranges convenient train services, and transportation from home to the station, and back. They also provide accommodation, meals, and kits containing essentials for each pilgrims comfort and convenience during the journey.
Amid the biting chill and foggy conditions, the countrys Defense and Security forces carried out the rehearsals for the upcoming Republic Day parade 2024 at the Kartavya Path, India Gate.

The soldiers, braving harsh weather and bad air quality were seen marching in line with the drumbeats in their uniforms rehearsing for the 75th Republic Day parade.

Despite the sharp chill, undeterred, the soldiers matched their steps displaying the unshaken character of the armed forces.

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Every year the personnel from the Defence and Central Armed Police Forces take part in the Republic Day parade with full enthusiasm.Punjab Regiment Centres marching contingent bagged the title of the best amongst tri- services(Army, Navy & Air Force) , while CRPF contingent was adjudged as the best amongst the CAPF and auxiliary forces contingents.

For the last Republic Day parade, three panels of judges were appointed for assessing the performance of the marching contingents from tri- services and the contingents from CAPFs and other auxiliary forces and the tableaux of the different states and UTs including government departments and ministries.

Meanwhile, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the French president will be visiting India as the chief guest for the 75th Republic Day celebrations.

As the event of national importance is getting closer, security agencies have started gearing up for the same.

Recently, on Thursday, the Delhi Police conducted a mock drill at a mall in East Delhi in view of the security preparedness for the up[coming new year festivities and the Republic Day celebrations.

The country will celebrate its 75th Republic Day on January 26, 2024, to mark the day of the Constitution coming in to effect.
Uttar Pradesh Tourism & Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh is the first BJP leader to have won a seat for the party from Mainpuri, a bastion of the Sama- jwadi Party, in the 2022 Assembly polls. A three-time MLA who was a minister in the BSP regime, Singh was instrumental in introducing a new tourism policy in the state with emphasis on promoting tourist facilities, particularly in religious places.

In an interview with Manoj Bhadra of The Statesman, Singh spoke about how the Yogi Adityanath gov- ernment is promoting tourism in the state with focus on Ayodhya.

EXCERPTS:

Q. With the Ram Temple con- secration on January 22 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, all eyes will be on the facilities to be pro- vided in Ayodhya. Your com- ment?

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A: The UP government has been all attentive to providing world-class facilities in Ayodhya for pilgrims as well as for tourists. We are committed to providing five-star facilities. The new tourism policy of the UP govern- ment, the best in the country, has already listed several steps to boost the facilities for people coming from all over the world to pray at the Ram Temple. The development of pilgrim- age sites is the driving force of the economy and it is an integral part of our vibrant tourism sector.

Q: What are the pro jects being undertaken in Ayodhya to make it a world-class pilgrim and tourist Centre?

A: Ayodhya city is developing into the top pilgrim and tourism centre in the world as development plans worth about Rs 32,000 crore are taking shape. These development schemes are being personally monitored by the Prime Minister and the Chief Minis- ter. Some of the big projects are: an international airport in Ayodhya which is almost ready at a cost of Rs 320 crores, the Inter-state bus stand which is also ready at a cost of Rs 219 crores and the Ayodhya Junction rail- way station which is also almost com- plete. Along with these, roads are being widened. Three paths are being built to reach Shri Ram temple. Besides, the proposal to build 25 luxu- ry and five-star hotels is also in process.

Q. Ayodhya is expected to emerge as the busiest religious place in the world after the con- secration of the Ram temple. How will the tourism department manage the huge crowd and what will be the facilities?

A: The tourism department has acquired or purchased several hectares of land at all eight entry points to Ayodhya from different dis- tricts. We have constructed welcome gates at all these places where there will be facilities for budget hotels, dhabas, restaurants, petrol pumps and rest rooms. All these facilities are under construction by private builders. In the coming days, tourists or pilgrims can reach these entry points, park their buses or cars and from there they can take public transport to visit the Ram temple and other temples in Ayodhya. They can stay in hotels near the parking lots too. We have also made efforts to enhance and streamline the public transport sys- tem in Ayodhya so that people do not encounter any problem in easily reaching the temples. Besides, the tourism department in coordination with other depart- ments has developed facilities like food courts and rest rooms at every 500 meters.

Q. Tent cities in other reli- gious and tourist places boost tourist facilities since they can accommodate a huge number of pilgrims. Is there any Tent City coming up in Ayodhya too?

A: As per the wish of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, tent cities have been constructed at various places by Shri Ram Mandir Teerth Kshetra Trust and the Ayodhya Development Authority. A Tent City is being set up on 20 acres of land at Majha Guitar Ghat, in which arrangements are being made to accommodate thousands of devo- tees. A Tent City is also being set up near Brahmakund, in which 35 tents are being installed. At the same time, a city of 30 tents is also being estab- lished in Ramkatha Park. Similarly, a Tent City is being set up on 25 acres of land in Bagh Bijesi by Tirtha Kshetra Trust, in which arrangements to accommodate some 10,000 people are being made. Apart from this, a Tent City is also being set up in Karsevak Puram and Maniram Das cantonment for the devotees. In these tent cities, which give the feel of a Heritage Cot- tage Stay, devotees will be able to taste all the flavours of the country and the world, but the most signifi- cant ones will be the Awadhi and Banarasi flavours.

Q: What is the Tourism policy of the UP government and what benefits would the investors get?

A: First of all, we have accorded tourism the status of an Industry which will give several benefits to the investors. Besides this, for any invest- ments under the tourism policy, the state government will provide a 25 per cent subsidy on the entire cost of the project while it will be 30 per cent for women or Schedule Caste entrepre- neurs. There are also several other incentives for investors. To meet the demand of rural tourists and provide them with affordable facilities, the state government has started permit- ting stays in five-room private houses. These homestays will give the pilgrims and tourists a new experience of cul- tural and religious atmosphere. Besides, there would be several good hotels and dharamshalas in Ayodhya for the guests.

Q. How did the tourism department fare during the UP Investors Summit 2022 and how much investments were prom- ised by investors?

A: Its a big achievement for the department that 100 per cent of the Rs 40,000 crore investment proposals that were signed during the meet have fructified. Though several of the investment proposals were from Ayo- dhya, investors also showed interest in other places, particularly religious places. In Ayodhya, most of the proj- ects are under construction and will be completed within a year. Among the projects, there are a couple of 5- star hotels and dharamshalas in Ayo- dhya.

Q. What is the share of UP in the national tourism sector and how can it be increased through religious tourism?

A: Religious tourism makes a huge contribution to the Indian economy. While 32 crore domestic tourists visit- ed religious places and pilgrimage sites in the year 2022, the number of foreign tourists was 64.40 lakhs. According to the report for the year 2022, the highest proportion of tourists was in Uttar Pradesh at 18.04 per cent, followed by Tamil Nadu at 12.06 per cent and Andhra Pradesh at 11.01 per cent. Besides, the share of tourism in Indias GDP is 7 per cent and its share in employment is 8 per cent. That means this sector employs 30 crore people in the country.
The National Alliance Committee (NAC) of the Congress on Saturday held a meeting with the senior leaders of the state unit of Uttar Pradesh.

During the meeting chaired by convener of the panel Mukul Wasnik, they discussed the upcoming Lok Sabha elections besides the partys UP Jodo Yatra among others.

We discussed the roadmap of the Congress and INDIA alliance for the upcoming elections (Lok Sabha). We also discussed the partys ongoing UP Jodo Yatra, said Congress UP in-charge Avinash Pande after the meeting.

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He further said: In the coming days, how we can make the INDIA alliance further strong, and how the candidate of INDIA alliance can win by a huge margin was discussed.

Pande informed that the report of todays meeting would be submitted to the partys top leadership by the NAC.

The NAC held a meeting with the leaders of the partys Bihar and Maharashtra unit here on Friday.

These meetings are held with senior leaders of the Pradesh Congress Committees to take their views on seat sharing for the general elections.

Notably, several parties of the INDIA have already stressed on the need to finalise on seat sharing at the earliest. The INDIA is an umbrella of Opposition parties formed to take on the ruling BJP in the Lok Sabha polls.
Union Home minister Amit Shah on Saturday said the consecration of Lord Ram in Ayodhya and beginning of Indias Amrit Kaal is a signal that this is the countrys golden time..

Speaking at the Pujya Purani Swami Smriti Mahotsav, organized by Shri Swaminarayan Gurukul Vishwavidya Pratisthanam (SGVP), in Gujarats Ahmedabad, the minister said,We could not reconstruct the holy birthplace of Lord Shri Ram for the last 550 years, but after the formation of the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, now on January 22, Ram Lala will be consecrated in Ram Temple again.

The consecration of Ram Lala in his home and the beginning of Indias Amrit Kaal is a signal from nature that this is the golden time of India and our country is going to become the first in the next 25 years, he said.

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Informing that the Prime Minister will visit Ayodhya on January 22 and perform the consecration of Ram Lala in the presence of saints, Shah said this is an auspicious sign for the entire country.

Not only Ayodhya, Kashi Vishwanath Corridor has been rebuilt, Mahakal Lok has been built in Ujjain, Badrinath Dham and Kedarnath Dham have been rebuilt, Somnath temple has been once again gold plated and in Gujarat, after so many years, Shaktipeeth will also be established again at Pavagadh, this beginning is an auspicious sign, he said.

The minister also heaped praise on the Prime Minister and said under his leadership India is being hailed all over the world in every field.

In a veiled attack on the previous government, Shah said, From 2004 to 2014, India was immersed in despair and looked helpless, whereas under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, India is moving forward with a determination to become first in the world in the 10 years from 2014 to 2024.

Prime Minister Modi has awakened the soul of this country. Today the whole world is eager to know about several heritages of our country, he said.
A Chicago woman is charged with lying on an ATF form at the Lake County Gun Show in December in an effort to purchase firearms for an acquaintance.

Brianna M. Smith is charged with false statement on criminal history information, a Level 6 felony.

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On Dec. 17, the Lake County Sheriffs Special Operations  High Crime Unit was targeting illegal firearm sales and possession at the Lake County Gun Show at the fairgrounds in Crown Point, according to the probable cause affidavit.

During surveillance, police observed a man withdraw an unknown amount of money from an ATM, then approach three other individuals. Smith received the money, then left the three men and wandered through the gun show, court records state, when she appeared to call one of the three men and wasnt interested in most of the items for sale.

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She meets up with the man she was on the phone with, and he pointed to a firearm displayed on a rack at a nearby vendor. After meandering around the show again, she withdrew money from the ATM and presented her ID to purchase a Glock handgun, records state. Smith types on a tablet given to her by an employee and she received a black, Glock handgun case when the transaction concluded. She met up again with the three men, bought a stun gun and gave some money to one of the men, the affidavit states.

Smith left the building with the gun and the group got inside a red Monte Carlo that was tailed by police.

Police stopped the car for traveling 35 mph in a 25 mph zone, records state. Smith told officers that she had a firearm under a floorboard in the front passenger seat, and another occupant said he had a slide  which is an upper to a firearm  on him. The serial on the slide came back stolen, court records state.

Smith presented her Illinois ID and told police that she doesnt have an Indiana ID but does live in East Chicago. She said she was able to purchase the firearm because she has an Illinois ID and Indiana Fishing License and paycheck stub with her East Chicago address, the affidavit states. Police contacted the DNR who said Smith had just purchased the fishing license on Dec. 16, which would expire in 24 hours, but she had never owned a fishing license before.

On the ATF 4473 forms that Smith filled out, she checked a box indicating that she was the actual buyer and wasnt doing it on behalf of someone else.

The gun show vendor told police that Smith purchased two other firearms at the gun show  with one being a Glock 22 and a Smith and Wesson .40-caliber handgun on Dec. 16, court records state.

When interviewed by police, Smith claimed she had never purchased a handgun before Dec. 17, and she also denied receiving money from any of the men she arrived with  neither of which was consistent with what police observed.

She told police that she and the three men arrived at the gun show on Dec. 16 where they planned for Smith to make firearm purchases for one of the men and she would get $100 profit, the affidavit states. The man who she had purchased them for was dropped off in East Chicago.

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Police stopped the interview when they believed Smith was lying to them.

Another officer arrived to explain the case, who saw her using her cellphone. He thought she might be erasing or destroying information, so he asked her to hand over her cellphone as possible evidence. Smith refused and became belligerent. Police took the phone and stored it at the Sheriffs Department.

On Dec. 16, Smith had sent a text message that read Doing the fishing license now and she received a cash app transfer of $330 from one of the men she was at the gun show with. On Dec. 17, she texted someone Im inside an interrogation room right now waiting on someone to come in here and Talking bout the guns from yesterday that was bought n for other people.
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) reminded states that are trying to remove former President Donald Trump from the 2024 ballot that Congress has the final say over whether electors from those states are certified in 2025.

The Kentucky Republican said the likelihood that the House would toss out the electoral votes in 2025 depended on the party in power. The House is controlled by Republicans, albeit by a small majority. The reminder comes after two states ruled recently that Trump could not appear on their ballots because they believe he violated the 14th Amendment.

TRUMP CAN APPEAR ON CALIFORNIA BALLOTS AS DEMOCRATIC OFFICIAL BREAKS WITH COLORADO AND MAINE

"Maine, Colorado, and other states that might try to bureaucratically deny ballot access to any Republican nominee should remember the U.S. House of Representatives is the ultimate arbiter of whether to certify electors from those states," Massie posted to X, formerly known as Twitter.

The Kentucky congressman said that part of the reason Congress voted to certify the results of the 2020 election on Jan. 6, 2021, was because Republicans were in a minority in both chambers. Massie was among those who voted to certify the results.

"That effort [in 2021] was doomed because Democrats controlled the House and Senate at that time," Massie said in a separate post. "Republicans hold a slim majority in the House now. Whether we keep the majority remains to be seen."

Trump has been deemed ineligible to appear on the ballots in Maine and Colorado. The Colorado Supreme Court ruled that he violated Section 3 of the 14th Amendment by inciting an insurrection on Jan. 6, although he has not been convicted of doing so.

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Shenna Bellows, Maine's Democratic secretary of state, removed Trump from the state's 2024 primary ballot on Thursday. However, the effect of her decision will be suspended until the Superior Court rules on any appeals to the order or until the appeal window has expired. Trump's campaign is expected to file a legal challenge to the decision to prevent it from taking effect.

Other states, including California and Arizona, have opted not to take Trump off their primary ballots. The former president is the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination.

Original Location: Thomas Massie says House will have final say over Trump 2024 election ballots

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Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Saturday that the warm welcome accorded to the PM by the people of Ayodhya is a preview of a new Ayodhya in a new India.

Addressing a public meeting in Ayodhya, the CM said, Avadhpuri Prabhu Aavat Jani, Bhai Sakal Shobha Ke Khani In January 2024, the grand temple is set to host the divine presence of the Lord, a momentous occasion facilitated by the auspicious hands of Prime Minister Modi Ji. The 500-year-long anticipation is on the verge of fulfilment. Preceding the Lords arrival, the Prime Minister harboured a visionary dream  to transform Ayodhya into the most beautiful city globally.

The Chief Minister warmly welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on behalf of the people of Uttar Pradesh. He expressed heartfelt gratitude for the substantial projects, amounting to thousands of crores, dedicated to the development of both Uttar Pradesh and Ayodhya. The Chief Minister presented the Prime Minister with a statue of Bal Ramlala during the event.

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The Chief Minister said that Ayodhya is connected to excellent four-lane, six-lane and eight-lane roads. It is going to be inaugurated by the Prime Minister. He highlighted the commendable railway infrastructure, including the introduction of a new railway station, the launch of the Vande Bharat train, and the introduction of two new Amrit Bharat trains.

The Prime Minister also initiated a programme to link Lord Rams birthplace in Ayodhya to Mata Sitas birthplace in Sitramarhi. While Lord Ram is believed to have arrived in Ayodhya by Pushpak Viman during the Treta Yug, the Prime Minister today gave the gift of an international airport to the people of Ayodhya, the CM said.

Highlighting a significant transformation, the Chief Minister remarked that Ayodhya, which once upon a time people even hesitated to mention, has emerged with a new identity, thanks to Prime Minister Modi Ji. Underscoring this transformation, the Chief Minister emphasised that the Prime Minister has set a remarkable record by frequently visiting Ayodhya. Modi jis vision has paved the way for a new identity of Uttar Pradesh and heritage cities like Ayodhya. The Prime Minister is actively bestowing Ayodhya with top-notch development, infrastructure, and connectivity enhancements ahead of the auspicious date of 22 January.

Expressing gratitude, the CM said that the Prime Minister had named this international airport after the Trikaldarshi Rishi Maharishi Valmiki ji, who united this world with Lord Ram. Maharishi Valmiki is the first sage to convey Ramayana to all of us in a cosmic form. The decision to name the international airport after him is a moment that instils pride in Indias traditions and heritage.

The CM said, After the consecration ceremony of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya on January 22, the country and the world will have a new experience of Atithi Devo Bhava.

Those who were present on the occasion included UP Governor Anandi Ben Patel, Union ministers Ashwini Vaishnav, Jyotiraditya Scindia and VK Singh, UP Deputy chief ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, BJP state president Chaudhary Bhupendra Singh, UP Minister Surya Pratap Shahi, Jitin Prasad, Dayashankar Singh, Jaiveer Singh, MP Lallu Singh, Legislative Council member Hariom Pandey, MLA Ved Prakash Gupta, Dr Amit Singh Chauhan and district panchayat president Roli Singh.
Difference of opinion among Congress leaders in Kerala on the question of participation of its leaders in the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22 has surfaced in KPCC executive meet held here on Saturday.

Speaking at the executive meeting, former KPCC president VM Sudheeran took a stand that the Congress should not participate in the Ram Temple consecration ceremony. Sudheeran said that KPCCs position in this regard should be conveyed to the high command and that there should be no soft Hinduism.

Disagreeing with Sudheeran, Congress Working Committee member Sashi Tharoor said that there is neither radical Hinduism nor soft Hinduism in the Congress and there are many Hindu believers in the Congress as activists. He also cautioned the Congress leaders and workers on the BJP making the Ayodhya Ram temple a political weapon.

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AICC General Secretary in-charge of Kerala Deepa Das Munshi, who participated in the executive meeting, interfered and asked the party leaders not to make statements on controversial issues. She said the party high command will take an appropriate decision on the issue.

Sudheeran also criticized the Congress leadership in the state at the KPCC executive meeting. He said that the KPCC leadership is a failure and the leaders are not working for the party but for themselves.

Responding to Sudheerans statement against party leadership, KPCC chief K Sudhakaran said that Sudheeran had conveyed that he was keeping aloof from party activities, when he went to meet him after taking over charge of the party in the state.

Meanwhile, Samastha Kerala Jam-iyyathul Ulama president Syed Muhammad Geoffrey Muthukoya Thangal said that the editorial of the Suprabhatam daily did not reflect the opinion of Samastha as regards the Ayodhya issue.

Speaking to media persons in Kozhikode. Thangal said that Samastha had no opinion on the political policies of the political parties.

If political parties are invited for the consecration ceremony, they can accept the invitation or reject it. Thats their policy, he said .

The Suprabhatam daily, the mouthpiece of Samastha Kerala Jam-iyyathul Ulama, had the other day come out against the Congress stand that it will participate in the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple.
Maharashtra Congress leaders held a meeting at the residence of Rajya Sabha MP Mukul Wasnik to discuss the political situation of Maharashtra as the state will undergo assembly elections next year.

We gathered here under the leadership of Mukul Wasnik to discuss the political situation of Maharashtra. High command will make a decision on these discussions held today, said Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole on Friday.

On being asked about the seat sharing within the INDI alliance, Patole said, Our only duty is to oust BJP in the state and seat sharing shall be based on merit and I think our alliance will accept this.

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Earlier this week, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, at a rally in Maharashtras Nagpur, exuded confidence in the partys victory in Maharashtra as well as in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

In his address at the Congress Hain Taiyyar Hum rally in Nagpur, Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said, This is a fight of ideologies. Together we are going to win elections in Maharashtra and the country.

The Congress kickstarted its campaign for 2024 Lok Sabha elections with the Hain Tayyar Hum rally in Nagpur on Thursday where the grand old party also celebrated their 139th Foundation Day on 28 December.

The Congress had also put bar codes behind the chairs for crowdfunding during the rally.

As a part of the Congress Crowdfunding Campaign Donate for Desh, which was launched earlier this month, a barcode was pasted behind all the chairs on the ground and attendees of the Hain Taiyyar Hum rally were urged to donate.

The pamphlet behind the chairs featured Rahul Gandhis image along with a bar code.

The pamphlet read, In this struggle of 138 years for the formation of a better India, Congress needs you. India needs you. Scan now to donate.
Pakistan has rejected Indias request for the extradition of LeT chief and Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed, saying there was no bilateral extradition treaty between the two countries.

Pakistan has received a request from the Indian authorities, seeking extradition of Hafiz Saeed in a so-called money laundering case, Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch was quoted as saying.

However, she added that there was no proposal to follow up on Indias request, as no bilateral extradition treaty exists between Pakistan and India.

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India on Friday confirmed that it has sought the extradition of Saeed from Pakistan to face trial in a particular case against him in this country.

The person in question (Saeed) is wanted in numerous cases in India. He is also a UN-proscribed terrorist. In this regard, we have conveyed a request along with relevant supporting documents to the Government of Pakistan to extradite him to India, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said at a media briefing.

He said India has been flagging the activities of Saeed for years and the latest request for his extradition was made to the Pakistani authorities a few weeks ago.

India blames Saeed for being involved in a number of terror attacks in the country, including the 2611 Mumbai attack.

On reports that Saeeds Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML) has fielded candidates for most of the constituencies, including Saeeds son, in the coming general elections, the Indian spokesperson said the mainstreaming of radical elements was nothing new in the neighbouring country. As far as India was concerned, it always kept an eye on all developments which could have an impact on the countrys security, he added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday arrived in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh to inaugurate the newly built Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, the redeveloped Ayodhya railway station and lay foundation stones of projects worth Rs 15,700 crore.

Upon his arrival, the prime minister was welcomed by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Governor Anandi Ben Patel among state BJP leaders at the Ayodhya airport.

The airport in Ayodhya has been built in a record time of 20 months. The inauguration will significantly improve the connectivity of Ayodhya ahead of the Ram Temple inauguration.

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The railway station in the temple town has also been redeveloped ahead of the mega Ram temple consecration ceremony on January 22. During its inauguration, Modi will also flag off new Amrit Bharat and Vande Bharat trains.

After landing in Ayodhya, the prime minister held a roadshow and greeted people. Large number of supporters lineup on both sides of the road and showered flower petals on the prime minister.

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives a warm welcome as he arrives in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh pic.twitter.com/HG7L9Zxudd  ANI (@ANI) December 30, 2023

Ahead of his visit, the Prime Minister on Friday said that his government was determined to preserve the rich heritage of the holy city.

Our government is determined to develop world-class infrastructure, improve connectivity and preserve the rich heritage of Ayodhya, the city of Lord Shri Ram, Modi said.

The PM also mentioned the projects he will inaugurate during his Ayodhya visit, which comes less than a month ahead of the Ram Temple inauguration.

In this direction, I will inaugurate the newly constructed airport and redeveloped railway station tomorrow. Along with this, I will also get the privilege of inaugurating and laying the foundation stone of many more development projects, which will make the life of my family members in many areas of the country including Ayodhya and UP easier, the PM has said.
The protracted Vietnam War that continued for twenty years from 1955 to 1975 had killed more than two million people, about half of them civilians. Nearly 60,000 American troops died over the course of the war. To re- call briefly the history of the war, South Vietnam and the US wan- ted to prevent North and South Vietnam from being united under communist leadership. After the first Indo-China War, Vietnam was partitioned along latitude 17 degree N to separate the warring parties until free elections could be held in 1956. South Vietnam under Ngo Dinh Diem refused to hold the election in apprehension of los- ing it to Ho Chi Minhs popular Viet Minh party from the north. In the war that ensued, the Vietcong guerrillas supported by the North Vietnamese forces fought US supported South Viet- namese forces. At the height of US involve- ment, there were more than half a million US military personnel in Vietnam. The Tet (Lunar New Year) Offensive of 1968, in which the guerrillas and North Viet- namese troops attacked 36 ma- jor South Vietnamese cities and towns, marked a turning point in the war. Many in the US had come to oppose the war on mor- al, ethical and practical grounds and then President Lyndon B Johnson decided to shift to a po- licy of de-escalation. Peace talks began in Paris and between 1969 and 1973 US troops were withdrawn from Vietnam. Even though peace talks produced a cease-fire ag- reement, there were numerous truce violations. In 1975, the North Vietna- mese launched a full-scale inva- sion of the south. The south sur- rendered later that year and in 1976 the country was reunited as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The War Remnants Muse- um in Ho Chi Minh City (for- merly Saigon) contains exhibits relating to the first Indo-China war and the Vietnam War. The museum, opened in 1975, was previously known as Exhibition House for Crimes of War and Aggression. In 1995, following the nor- malisation of diplomatic rela- tions with the United States and the end of embargo a year be- fore, the references to War Crimes and Aggression were dropped from the museums title and the present name came into being. The museum is home to more than 20,000 different arte- facts, documented evidence of Vietnams gruelling and heroic struggle for independence. Every single artefact is preserved to serve as a reminder of the horrors of the wars and as an advocate for peace. The muse- um comprises a series of themed rooms in several build- ings including a four-walled roofless courtyard that exhibits various military equipment, a helicopter, a fighter bomber, a Patton tank and many pieces of unexploded ordnance either left by the US troops or captured by North Vietnamese forces and Vietcong guerrillas. The exhibits also include rem- embrances donat- ed by former US Vietnam War veter- ans, reflecting their respect for the Vietnamese as well as their regret for having participat- ed in an unjust war. The main at- traction of the mu- seum is the graph- ic photographic displays focusing on events dating from the first Indo- China War in 1946 until the end of Vietnam War in 1975 accom- panied by short texts in English and Vietnamese. I recently visited Vietnam with my family. At the War Mus- eum, a great surprise was wait- ing for us. Of the hundreds of photographic displays, all in black and white, there is one photograph of Ho Chi Minh, very prominently displayed, partly in red, that was contri- buted by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) from West Bengal. The text of the photograph is written in Bengali. If translat- ed in English, that should read, Red Salute to Victorious Viet- nam. Red Salute to Ho Chi Minh. From Communist Party of India Marxist. We were stunned and overwhelmed to see the photograph with textual message in Bengali. Our pride and joy of seeing a photograph of a great leader of Vietnam in Vietnam with a description in Bengali knew no bounds. This was the only photograph that we could find which is explained in a vernacular language of a for- eign country. All other photographs and pictures have English and Viet- namese texts. The War Mus- eum is one of the most popular mu- seums in the wor- ld attracting al- most half a million visitors every year. About two-thirds of the visitors are foreigners. The visitors used to be mostly Euro- peans and North Americans before 2005 but they became much more varied after Vietnam dropped their visa requirement for ASEAN countries that year. In spite of so many visitors now from different parts of the world to the Museum, the pic- torial salutation of Ho Chi Minh in Bengali has remained un- known and unrevealed. This is a bit disheartening to a Bengali tourist. Even tourists from other parts of India will not be able to realise that the photograph has its origin in West Bengal. It is also doubtful whether the present generation of lead- ers of CPI-M know that their partys name and poster along with a photograph of Ho Chi Minh has found pride of place in the War Museum of Vietnam. The photograph has been accepted by the Vietnam gov- ernment and the curators of the museum as important, worthy and valuable. Bengali language has been acknowledged for the War Muse- um which is internationally renowned. The War Museum has been in existence since 1975. It is not known when the picture photograph was accept- ed for display. Ho Chi Minh died in 1969 as President of Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Viet- nam). He did not live to see the re-unification of Vietnam. North Vietnamese forces along with Vietcong guerrillas prevailed over the south six years after Hos death. The Central Executive Com- mittee of the Communist Party of Vietnam in December 1976 thanked the communist parties and the working class of the countries in the world for their whole-hearted support and strong encouragement to the patriotic resistance by the peo- ple of Vietnam against the US for national salvation. Indias External Affairs Min- ister S Jaishankar visited Viet- nam from 15 to 18 October 2023 to co-chair the 18th meeting of India-Vietnam Joint Commis- sion on Economic, Trade, Scien- tific and Technological Coopera- tion with his counterpart. It was stated in Indian print media that the EAM would unveil Mahatma Gandhis bust at Tao Dan Park in Ho Chi Minh city. What was not reported was that EAM would also unveil Tagores bust at International Friendship Park at Bac Ninh city, near Hanoi on 15 October. Tagores works are widely recognised, read and appreciat- ed throughout Vietnam and have been included in Viet- namese text books. Vietnam issued a com- memorative postage stamp in honour of Tagore in 1982. It is indeed heartening to know that Tagores Gitanjali was translated into Vietnamese and published in 2001. Historical records indicate that Tagore paid a three-day visit to Ho Chi Minh city in 1929 leav- ing a lasting intellectual and socio-cultural impact on Viet- nam, the minister said. He added, We are honoured by the respect and admiration shown towards him in Vietnam. I be- lieve unveiling Gurudev Tagores bust today will enhance the international character of Bac Ninh city. These are the two glorious Bengali connections in Vietnam. All Bengali-speaking people and the Bengali diaspora should be proud of these two permanent milestones in Vietnam seen and appreciated by tourists all over the world. The inspiration, motivation and encouragement have also come from the Indian commu- nity in Vietnam. The epilogue is that Tagore had sown the seeds through his visit to Vietnam in 1929. Tagore is the cause while the Bengali salutation on the picture of Ho Chi Minh at War Museum is the effect.

The writer is a former central civil service officer who retired from the Ministry of Defence

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To run short of dollars is bad. To run out of ideas is worse. Pakistan could have explored numerous ideas of improving the quality of its future leaders. Pro- viding the none of the above voting option could be one such progressive step. This article will explain why citi- zens ought to have been given the NOTA option for the next elections.

The current leaders of the three main political parties suffer from eight critical shortcomings that should make citizens rethink their options. First, the existing contestants contin- ue to carry the legacy of an obsolete past.

They have not been able to liber- ate themselves from orthodox ideas, personal animosities, narrow world- views, umrah at state expense and a lifetime of scientific illiteracy. They still live in a world of affidavits, photo- copies, and Grade 17 attestations. They do not have the tools, scientific skills or rationality to navigate the nations complex future challenges.

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Second, none of our current con- testants have ever had the wisdom or integrity to accept responsibility for their failures. Blaming and scapegoat- ing previous governments, other par- ties or institutions, they appear to have learnt nothing from the past. Never once have we heard a leader stand up and admit, I failed, I apolo- gise, I quit.

Third, we must be wary of leaders who only believe in management by personal loyalties or management by appeasement of a selected few, instead of management by building institutions. Massively raising the salary and perks of senior government officials and doling out billions as dis- cretionary funds are just two exam- ples of this bribe-laden governance style.

Fourth, it would be suicidal for Pakistan to have a future leader who has no clue about the total fertility rate or any other statistics regarding the runaway population. No existing leader has tackled this issue in previ- ous tenures, nor is it a part of their future agenda. Pakistan is doomed without urgent population manage- ment measures and the current con- testants with their orthodox beliefs and short-sightedness will only accel- erate this disaster.

Fifth, it will be calamitous to elect the same leaders whose policies and lack of concern have led over 28 mil- lion children to drop out of school. They have no ideas about how to pro- vide decent schools to all children, how to reform existing schools or how to enhance skills, learning agility, work ethic, and creativity in education. Why must we vote for leaders who will nei- ther slow down the pace of 17,435 new babies arriving every day nor enable decent schooling for the ones already there?

Sixth, why must one vote for lead- ers who have done nothing to miti- gate the plight of thousands of sanita- tion workers (some 20pc of them chil- dren) who sweep the streets of Karachi for Rs 15,000 per month, against a minimum wage of Rs 32,000?

Why vote for leaders who are blind to a million or so private securi- ty guards, working 12 hours a day but being paid a third of the legal mini- mum wage? Why vote for the same leaders who never lifted a finger for thousands of railway coolies who sur- render a third of their daily earnings to blood-sucking railway contractors? Why must Pakistanis vote for leaders who, instead of stripping the elite of its padded perks and pensions, will promote disparity by pampering the rich and pulverising the poor?

Seventh, the current rulers have no interest or capacity with regard to undertaking serious fiscal steps, such as imposing agriculture tax, carrying out pension reforms, making all citi- zens file tax returns or enabling a doc- umented economy. Even the little that is done half-heartedly is done under the pressure of donor agencies.

Lastly, these are the same leaders who stuff thousands of em-ployees in government depart- ments and promote hundreds of sen- ior bureaucrats as political favours. For every government department we compared, in terms of human resource, with government depart- ments in developed countries, we found the Pakistani ones overstaffed at least five times.

Con-sider a recent right to infor- mation request by a citizen. It revealed that our Supreme Court operates with 16 honourable justices and 687 regular employees. An identi- cal RTI request to the UK Supreme Court revealed that the 12 justices of the latter are served by 64 regular employees only.

No contesting leader understands the extent of dysfunctionality created by our bloated government and over- crowded departments. We need lead- ers who will deconstruct this huge bureaucratic mountain and create a lean, efficient, and digital government structure. Pakistanis could learn much about the benefits of NOTA from the Dakota Indian tribes, who believed that, When you discover that you are riding a dead horse, the best strategy is to dismount.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called upon the international community to respond to Russias recent massive aerial assault on Ukraine, the most significant escalation since the commencement of Russias full-scale invasion in February 2022.

In response to the devastating attacks that left at least 31 people dead and over 150 injured, Ukraine urgently called for a meeting of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

It is important that the world responds to this latest act of terror. Many leaders have already expressed their support for Ukraine and Ukrainians today, and I am grateful to everyone, Zelenskyy said in his daily address on Friday, emphasising the gravity of the situation.

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Zelenskyy pledged to reinforce the countrys air defence and vowed to continue efforts to bring the war back into Russia.

Zelenskyy also acknowledged the efforts of emergency services and staff involved in rescue operations following the aerial assaults in various parts of the country.

The attacks resulted in extensive damage to civilian infrastructure, including the destruction or damage of over 100 private houses, 45 high-rise buildings, schools, churches, hospitals, a maternity hospital, and numerous commercial and warehouse premises.

Zelenskyy extended his condolences to the families and friends of the victims.

More than 100 private houses were destroyed or damaged, (as well as) 45 high-rise buildings, schools, two churches, hospitals, a maternity hospital, many commercial and warehouse premises, Zelenskyy said, offering his condolences to the families and friends of the victims.

Regarding the urgent UNSC meeting, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba shared on X (formerly known as Twitter), Ukraine, along with three dozen UN Member States, requested that the Ecuadorian Presidency convene an urgent UNSC meeting to address Russias missile and drone attack against Ukraine, which resulted in multiple civilian casualties and heavy destruction of civilian infrastructure.

The presidency of the UN Security Council rotates on a monthly basis, and Ecuador holds the responsibility for December, CNN reported.


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Donald Trump is facing more issues in court  and once again, it may help him win with GOP voters.

The former president has, for now, been removed from election ballots in Colorado and Maine over concerns that he violated the 14th Amendment's clause banning those who "engaged in insurrection" from holding office.

TWELVE DAYS OF WEX-MAS: WHAT'S AT STAKE FOR THE SUPREME COURT IN 2024?

But the Supreme Court could nix the challenges with a ruling favorable to Trump, and if it does, the saga could wind up as just one more example of the 45th president soaking up the spotlight and refueling his anti-establishment persona.

"The challengers are rapidly fulfilling Trump's narrative of a weaponized legal system and the anti-democratic tendencies of his opponents," said George Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley. "This disqualification effort bulldozes any moral high ground for these Trump critics."

Turley believes the high court will ultimately reject the 14th Amendment challenges, calling them legally and historically unfounded.

While Trump has been barred in only two states to date, a broader campaign from various advocacy groups to remove him has resulted in dozens of cases seeking a similar result.

Sean Grimsley, an attorney representing the anti-Trump challengers in Colorado, said he was encouraged that the state's ruling could be replicated.

"[Trump] betrayed his oath to the Constitution by engaging in insurrection against it, and by doing so he made himself ineligible for public office," Grimsley said in a statement. "We hope and believe other states will now follow suit."

Challenges to Trump's candidacy have been rejected in California and Michigan, and the various state-level decisions are likely to lead to a high court ruling on the matter. The Supreme Court has never before ruled on Section 3 of the 14th Amendment.

Trump blasted the Colorado ruling in a social media post, calling it a "pathetic gambit to rig the election."

The wrangling over a Trump-involved court case is becoming a familiar theme of the 2024 presidential election cycle. The ex-president entered 2023 looking wounded after several of his hand-picked candidates lost contests in the midterm elections while Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) won the former swing state of Florida by a 20-point landslide.

DeSantis threatened Trump's dominance throughout the spring, hovering at 30% support to Trump's 45%, according to the RealClearPolitics average.

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That all changed when Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg indicted Trump at the end of March on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. Within days, Trump's support surged above 50% while DeSantis slipped into the low 20s.

The 14th Amendment cases appear to be having a similar effect. Already the runaway front-runner, Trump is closing in on 65% support nationally, with DeSantis struggling to even remain in double digits.

"It clearly doesn't hurt him in the primary because, as we've seen so many times, any time Trump gets in trouble, most of his opponents rush to his defense," Republican strategist Doug Heye said.

Indictments from Democratic prosecutors and left-leaning groups have forced challengers like DeSantis and former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley to defend Trump while simultaneously trying to convince voters to look elsewhere.

Primaries starting just weeks from now should settle the question of how Republican primary voters think. A wider question is the effect the Colorado ruling and other indictments have on the general election, should Trump make it that far.

"It's just not clear yet if it plays a role," Heye said. "If the Supreme Court shoots it down, it probably has little to no effect."

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Another Republican strategist, John Feehery, said Democrats are clearly helping Trump, even if they don't quite realize it.

"If I believed in conspiracy theories, I would think that the Democrats are doing all of this on purpose to make sure that Trump wins the GOP nomination," he said. "But I think the reality is that Democrats are so overcome by Trump derangement syndrome that they don't even know how stupid all of these things look to the average voters."

Original Location: Why 14th Amendment effort to oust Trump could backfire on Democrats

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Two members of Iraqi militia groups have told The Associated Press that overnight airstrikes on eastern Syria killed six Iran-backed militants near a strategic border crossing with Iraq
Edward Florez was 18 years old, a high school senior in rural Rocky Ford, when he decided to take his future  or, at least the part of it he still could  into his own hands.

It was 1968. Officially designated American combat troops had been in Vietnam for three years, although the nation's military advisers had arrived years before, numbering approximately 11,000 by the end of 1962. By the late 1960s, alongside the escalating conflict in the jungles of Southeast Asia was a growing wave of antiwar sentiment at home.

U.S. Marines were the first combat troops sent to Vietnam in 1965, and the last to leave in 1973, but more soldiers were needed, and a draft lottery to fill those needs  in a supposedly more egalitarian and emergent way than the conscription already in place  would begin on Dec. 1, 1969.
Kochi, which is literally the heart of Kerala, is home to a dynamic population, especially youth in search of jobs and other creative opportunities. So, when the need for a safe place for lone women travellers arose, the idea of a 'She Lodge' was proposed by Cochin Corporation Mayor M. Anilkumar and Welfare Standing Committee Chairperson Sheeba Lal.

The idea is a reality today, and is one of the prime projects of the Cochin Corporation. Located near the Ernakulam Town Railway Station, the She Lodge provides safe and clean accommodation, and food to women travellers travelling to and through the city.

When the idea of a safe shelter for women was proposed, everyone agreed that it should be readily accessible. The inoperative Libra Hotel premises was chosen as the location. Though the renovation of the hotel started in 2017, the project gained momentum after the new council came to power in 2020. Sheeba Lal was given the responsibility to oversee the project.

Initially, people said it would shut down in a few days. But, nine months later, here we are as a ray of hope for women travelling to Kochi, Sheeba Lal said. Even if rooms are not available, we accommodate women who feel unsafe at night and provide them with basic needs.

Grand opening

Kerala Local Self Government Minister M.B. Rajesh inaugurated the She Lodge in 2022. It was opened to the public on March 8 - Womens Day  this year. The staff were recruited from among Kudumbashree members, post interviews. All three matrons of the institution are graduates. The She Lodge provides employment to at least 20 women.

While recruiting from among Kudumbashree volunteers, we appointed the ones who were passionate about this institution. We needed people who would care for this place as their own house, said Sheeba Lal.

Facilities

The She Lodge has 48 single rooms, 32 double rooms (two-sharing) and a dormitory with 30 beds, all with attached bathrooms. The dormitory is in high demand, as it costs only Rs 100 a day. Single bedrooms cost Rs 200 and the double rooms for Rs 350. The inmates can avail food of their choice from Samridhi@Kochi hotel at subsidised rates. A library and a reading space are provided for its inmates. The institution is eco-friendly and the entire building works on solar energy.

Warm response

People, especially women, have welcomed the She Lodge. Amala, a Suchitwa Mission worker and a frequent inmate of She Lodge, said it feels like home.

In the past, finding a secure place to stay in Kochi was challenging, she said. When I first heard about the She Lodge, I rushed to explore it. But, it was not open to the public then.

"She Lodge offers a peaceful environment for women like me who travel frequently, Amala said.

Challenges galore

She Lodge had to face several challenges initially. Prime among them was the deserting of elderly women by relatives. The staff had to ensure their well-being. The increasing frequency of such instances forced the corporation not to admit women above 60 years of age.

Also, some inmates refused to vacate their rooms even after the proposed days of stay. So, the corporation had to cap the number of days at seven.

Some occupants would take away the pillow covers, bed sheets and blankets that were provided to them, while vacating.

Also, the She Lodge used to get several packages in the name of the inmates, following which the management asked the inmates to refrain from using the institutions address.

At least 2,700 women have availed this facility since March 2023. Perhaps, the best indicator of the success of the She Lodge is the profit of Rs 24 lakh in less than a year.

Timing:

She Lodge is operational from 6am to 10pm. But the doors are never closed for women in need.

Location:

Paramara Road, near Ernakulam Town Railway Station,

Kacheripady, Ernakulam

Contact:

+91 95671 44489
Days after a low-intensity blast took place near the Israeli embassy here, Delhi Police have registered an FIR against "unknown" persons, officials said on Saturday.

The FIR was registered on Friday night under Section 3 (punishment for causing an explosion likely to endanger life or property) of the Explosive Substances Act and Section 427 (mischief causing damage to the amount of fifty rupees) of the Indian Penal Code at Tughlak Road police station based on a complaint lodged by a police officer, an official said.

The blast occurred on Tuesday evening in the area between the boundary walls of a house on plot number 4, Nanda's House, and the Central Hindi Training Institute on plot number 2A on Prithviraj Road. The area has bushes, plants and trees and no CCTV camera. It is behind the Israeli embassy on Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Road, running parallel to Prithviraj Road.

No one was injured in the blast. Police had found an "abusive" letter addressed to the Israeli ambassador near the blast site. According to sources, the one-page letter written in English is suspected to be related to an organisation called Sir Allah Resistance and mentions words like "Zionists", "Palestine" and "Gaza".

On Friday, police told PTI that they were planning to register an FIR as they had found "crucial evidence" pointing to a conspiracy to threaten the Israeli envoy. Another official said on Saturday that the case might be handed over to the Special Cell to dig out the deeper conspiracy.

Delhi Police officials, who are investigating the case, have scanned footage of multiple CCTV cameras installed around the blast site and spotted a suspect who had come from Jamia Nagar in an autorickshaw.

Police have questioned multiple autorickshaw drivers, including the one who brought the suspect to the spot before the blast took place. However, police are yet to trace the accused.

The officials said police had recovered a broken dial of a watch and some steel bearings from the blast site but it was too early to say if they were used in the explosion. Investigating officials are awaiting reports from the National Security Guard's (NSG) laboratory, where samples collected from the spot have been sent to ascertain the components used in the explosion.

Police have recorded statements of a dozen people who claimed to have heard the loud noise of the blast. The statements reveal that the witnesses spotted a vehicle which broke down near the blast site.
The Pir Panjal, which includes the Rajouri and Poonch districts of the Jammu region, has become the focus of militant activities due to several strategic factors.

First, its topography offers cover and transit routes for militants. The rugged terrain, dense forests, and elevated areas provide hiding spots, refuge in caves, and convenient escape routes. This terrain advantage allows militants to evade security forces and launch surprise attacks, making operations here riskier for the security forces.

Moreover, the proximity to the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) makes Rajouri and Poonch districts advantageous for infiltration.

Unlike other areas like Kupwara and Baramulla, the nature of the LoC in Rajouri and Poonch, with its rivers and ravines, offers cover for militants during their crossings, lowering the risks involved in infiltration.

Strategic passes in the Pir Panjal range, like Haji Pir, Pir Panjal, and Banihal, provide seasonal access to the valley from PoK.

This seasonal accessibility during summer offers militants a window to move between regions, effectively using the mountain range as a transit route.

Additionally, the militants' ability to blend in with the local population on both sides of the LoC contributes to their effectiveness. They capitalise on shared demographics, assimilating and maintaining a low profile until they are ready to strike.

The recent surge in militant activities and the tactical shift towards Pir Panjal also stem from the losses suffered by militants in Kashmir valley. Over 590 casualties in anti-militancy operations in the last three years have made this area a battleground, drawing more attention from militants aiming to challenge security forces here.

The change in leadership within the Pakistan Army has also influenced this shift. After the abrogation of Article 370 and the subsequent ceasefire agreement on the LoC in 2021, there's been a transition in the leadership of militant groups from local to foreign elements, possibly due to a perceived relaxation or shift in the approach by Pakistan concerning the Kashmir issue.

The emergence of groups like TRF and PAFF, with names avoiding Islamic connotations, creates an impression that the militancy in Kashmir is indigenous rather than ideologically driven. This rebranding might be an attempt to change global perceptions and garner local support.

In essence, the Pir Panjal region's unique geographical features, its proximity to PoK, seasonal accessibility through strategic passes, and the shifting dynamics in militant leadership and strategy have collectively transformed it into a new battleground for deadly militancy in Jammu and Kashmir.

The security forces say that around 30 foreign militants operate in the Pir Panjal area. Some of them are retired soldiers of the Pakistan Army well-versed in survival tactics in forests and mountains and the use of sophisticated weapons like US-made M4 carbines. According to the South Asian Terrorism Portal, most of the Special Forces (SF also known as Paras) fatalities in the recent attacks have occurred in SF initiated operations, where the militants entrenched themselves in fortified positions or targeted troops in movement.

These incidents have reversed the trend of declining fatalities among SFs since the recent high of 95 recorded in 2018, now reflected in 2023 with 33 troopers killed as opposed to 30 in 2022. There were 78 SF fatalities in 2019, 56 in 2020, and 45 in 2021. Moreover, the SF-terrorist kill ratio, though still in favour of the SFs in 2023, has deteriorated: 1:2.6 compared to a more substantial 1:6.4 in 2022. Experts believe that the key to handling the challenge in Pir Panjal is better intelligence for which the support of the locals, especially Gujjar and Bakerwals (nomads) is the key.
Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) R.R. Swain said on Saturday that foreign terrorists were receiving support from our territory, acknowledging the security concerns in the region.

There are foreign fighters who receive some support from our territory, Swain said during his year-end press conference in Jammu.

However, the number of those supporting foreign terrorists is very limited.

The DGP noted that these foreign terrorists hide in houses, caves, jungles, and wilderness, leading to a limited flow of information.

Regarding the counter-strategy, he said the details couldnt be disclosed to the media.

We have discussed the issue and strategy at the highest level, and we will effectively deal with it, Swain said.

The top police officers remarks came a week after a terrorist attack at Thanamandi in Poonchs Dera Ki Gali that had left four soldiers dead and two others injured.

After the incident, several civilians were rounded up for questioning, and three of them reportedly died in Army custody, sparking public outrage.

Army Chief General Manoj Pande and Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited the area on Wednesday to pacify the situation.

Singh also visited the hospital to meet the allegedly tortured civilians and the families of the three deceased men, assuring them that justice would be delivered.

Swain, while responding to PDP chief Mehbooba Muftis claim that she was not allowed to meet the families of the slain civilians in Poonch, said that the police's role is to ensure that such visits are not exploited.

When asked if the Rajouri-Poonch region was returning to its state between 1997 and 2003, the J&K police chief said the police are vigilant and recognise the gap between the past and present situations.

We will bridge this gap, he stressed.
Pakistan confirmed it has received India's request for extradition of 26/11 Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed, but said that no bilateral extradition treaty exists between India and Pakistan.

Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, in a statement, said, "Pakistan has received a request from the Indian authorities, seeking extradition of Hafiz Saeed in a so-called money laundering case. It is pertinent to note that no bilateral extradition treaty exists between Pakistan and India.

Though India does not have an extradition pact with Pakistan, extradition is, reportedly, possible even in the absence of such a pact.

Saeed, 71, was sentenced to 33 years in jail by a Pakistan court after being convicted in two cases of terror financing in April last year. However, he has been in jail since 2019 after being convicted in several terror finance cases.

Earlier, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi had confirmed to the media that India has asked Pakistan to extradite the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) founder and UN-proscribed terrorist Saeed, who is wanted by Indian probe agencies in a number of terror cases.

Saeed-led Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) - the front organisation for LeT - was behind the 2008 Mumbai terror attack.

He said the request for extraditing Saeed, along with certain documents, was handed over to Islamabad a few weeks ago by the Indian high commission in Pakistan. "The person in question is wanted in numerous cases in India. He is also a UN-proscribed terrorist. In this regard, we have conveyed a request, along with relevant supporting documents, to the government of Pakistan to extradite him to India to face trial in a particular case," he said.

India has also taken note of reports of Saeed's son Talha contesting elections in Pakistan, he said, and added that the "mainstreaming" of radical terror outfits in the neighbouring country is nothing new and that it has been part of its State policy for a long time.

Talha Saeed is considered the number two person in the LeT hierarchy.

Hafiz Saeed-backed Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML) will contest the upcoming general elections in Pakistan. Talha Saeed will contest the polls from the National Assembly's constituency NA-127, Lahore.
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has designated Lakhbir Singh Landa, a Canada-based gangster, as a terrorist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.



Landa reportedly had links with Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Canada in June, and US-based Sikhs for Justice leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.

Who is Lakhbir Singh Landa?

Landa, 34, is the son of Niranjan Singh and Parminder Kaur and hails from Punjab's Tarn Taran district. He currently lives in Edmonton, the capital of Canada's Alberta province. He is a member of Babbar Khalsa International, which is listed as a terrorist organistion by India.

With the help of a cross-border agency, Landa was involved in a terror attack wherein a shoulder-mounted rocket propelled grenade was used to target Punjab's State Intelligence Headquarters in Mohali, according to the Union ministry.

He was also involved in suppying IEDs, arms, sophisticated weapons and explosive across the border to various modules for carrying out terrorist activities in Punjab. He was also slapped with charges over raising terrorist modules, extortion, killings, planting IEDs, smuggling weapons and narcotics, according to the MHA.

"An open-ended warrant has been issued against Lakhbir Singh Landa and he is a subject of Lookout Circular No. 2144306 dated 09.06.2021," read the MHA statement.
The body-camera footage showed the fatal shooting of Niani Finlayson in Los Angeles was released by the authorities. The woman who had called 911 for help was gunned down by an officer, who was there to assist her in an alleged domestic violence incident. Notably, the officer involved had earlier gunned down a civilian under similar circumstances. Here is why the month-old case is in the centre of a storm in the United States.



1. The shooting took place on the night of December 4 in Lancaster of Los Angeles. Niani Finlayson, a 27-year-old black woman, was shot dead by an officer of the Los Angeles Sheriffs Department (LASD) in the presence of her 9-year-old daughter.

2. The incident made headlines once again as the LASD on Friday released body-camera footage of the deputies involved in the incident.

3. Shockingly, the officers arrived at the doorstep to respond to Niani Finlayson's 911 emergency call for help and ended up fatally shooting her.

4. Niani Finlayson reportedly called the cops to report a domestic violence incident. Her ex-boyfriend was at her residence and refused to leave. Niani even accused him of punching and pushing her in the presence of the minor.

5. The LASD deputies were let in by the woman herself. She answered the door in the presence of the child. The mother and daughter are seen pointing fingers at the man inside the house.

6. A female deputy entered the apartment first, followed by her colleague identified as Ty Shelton. Just moments after seeing what was going on Shelton fired at the woman -- hitting her four times.

7. Deputy Shelton had a Taser in his hand but decided to use his gun on Finlayson instead. No, no, why did you shoot? Niani's ex reportedly asked Shelton as she collapsed on the floor.

8. The officer made no effort to defuse the situation. Despite having the non-lethal weapon at his disposal, Shelton went for the gun, may point out.

9. Deputy Ty Shelton was earlier involved in the fatal shooting of another civilian. On 11 June 2020, he shot dead Michael Thomas, 61, also while responding to a call for potential domestic violence. According to the victim's girlfriend, Shelton gunned down Thomas when he tried to stop them from entering their residence, The Guardian said in a report. Thomas was unarmed and Shelton shot him in the chest. He was not prosecuted, the report added.

10. Shelton remains removed from the field as an investigation is going on into the incident. The murder is the latest in a string of violent incidents by the LA Sheriff's Department in Lancaster, The Guardian said. Black women were at the receiving end of these incidents. Some of these cases included black women getting punched in the face and being thrown to the floor by uniformed officers, the report added.
Details

If all goes accordingly, the AdAmAn Club will shoot New Year's Eve fireworks atop Pikes Peak at 9 p.m.  a short show to commemorate the original Frozen Five  and at midnight.

Also look to the mountain between 10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Per tradition, that's around the time climbers at treeline flash mirrors to the city, hoping to receive flashes back.
In a major setback to former Prime Minister Imran Khan, Pakistan's top poll body on Saturday rejected his nomination papers for two national assembly seats in Punjab province ahead of general elections.

The office of the Returning Officer, Lahore, said that the returning officers of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) have rejected Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan's nomination papers for two national assembly seats Lahore (NA 122) and Mianwali (NA-89).

Khan, who is convicted in the Toshakhana case, has been in jail since August. Objections were raised against his nomination papers as the proposer and seconder for Khan did not belong to the respective constituencies.

The objections, raised by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz's (PML-N) Mian Naseer, had referred to Khan's five-year disqualification in the Toshakhana case wherein the electoral body had found him guilty of corrupt practices, Geo News reported.

Meanwhile, PTI condemned the ECP's rejection of the nomination papers of Khan and several other party stalwarts and claimed that the opposition parties cannot face the PTI in a free and fair election and are resorting to these tactics.

A PTI spokesperson said, abducting proposers and seconders is a new normal in this part of the world, the current state of lawlessness is preposterous.

(With PTI inputs)
In what is dubbed Russia's biggest air attack of the war on Ukraine, at least 31 civilians were killed and more than 160 others were injured, according to officials.



In Kyiv alone, at least nine people were killed and 30 were injured after attacks targeted a warehouse, residential buildings and an uninhabited property, as per Reuters. However, Russia's UN ambassador Vasily Nebenzya said Moscow had targeted only military facilities, blaming Ukraine's air defense systems for the civilian casualties.

Ukrainian air force reportedly downed 87 cruise missiles and 27 drones out of the 158 aerial "targets" fired by Russia. Defence Minister Rustem Umerov said it was the "most massive air attack of this war" and involved 18 strategic bombers, reported the new agency.

"Russia attacked with everything it has in its arsenal. Approximately 110 missiles were fired, most of which were shot down," President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Telegram messenger.

Kyiv had earlier claimed that Moscow could be amassing missiles to launch air attacks on Ukraine's energy system during the winter, similar to the attacks in 2022. "It is obvious that with the stocks of missiles that the aggressor state has, it can and will continue such attacks," Reuters quoted Umerov as saying.

Meanwhile, Poland, a member of NATO, said a Russian missile seemingly flew into its airspace for some 40 km before returning to Ukraine under three minutes later. However, the Russian charge d'affaires, summoned to the Polish Foreign Ministry, said Warsaw did not have any proof of a Russian missile entering its airspace.
After the massive airstrike by Russia, Ukraine's missile hits border city of Belgorod, that killed over 12 people on Saturday. According to Russias emergencies ministry, the strike had injured more than 100 people.

Images of Belgorod on social media showed cars set alight and plumes of black smoke rising from damaged buildings as air raid sirens were sounded.

Russia's Minister of Defence said in a statement that this crime will not go unpunished.

The Kiev regime, which committed this crime, is trying to distract attention from defeats at the front, and also provoke us to similar action. We emphasize that the Russian Armed Forces work only on military facilities and infrastructure directly related to them...We will continue to do so. This crime will not go unpunished, read the statement.

Earlier, Russian officials had reported shooting down 32 Ukrainian drones over the country's Moscow, Bryansk, Oryol, and Kursk regions.

Also, cross-border shelling had killed two other people in Russia as well.

Meanwhile, Russian drone strikes against Ukraine continued on Saturday. Ukraine officials said they had shot down drones across Kherson, Khmelnytskyi, and Mykolaiv regions.

Moscow had launched 122 missiles and dozens of drones against Ukraine on Friday killing over 35 people and injuring around 160. The strikes had damaged a maternity hospital, apartment blocks and schools.

Ukraines president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, wrote on X, Work is still underway to eliminate the consequences of yesterdays Russian attack...In total, 159 people were injured in this terrorist attack. Unfortunately, 39 of them have been killed so far."

Poland's defence forces on Friday had said that an unknown object had entered the country's airspace before vanishing off radars. Poland claimed that all indications pointed it being a Russian missile.
Massive waves and flooding hit California's coastal areas for the third day on Saturday. The unusually large surf--towering over 20 ft--has prompted beach closures along the California coast hitting beachside streets, homes and businesses.

With high surf warnings in effect, all the beachside shops and restaurants will remain shut on New Years eve. Waves between 20 to 25 ft is expected to hit the region on Saturday.

In Ventura County, one of the worst hit region, waves have surged over seawalls and carried parked cars down the street.

NEW: Massive wave crashes into the sea wall in Ventura, California sending 8 people to the hospital



A crowd of people was standing at the sea wall when a massive wave came surging through the street



Forecasters are warning that southern California may see waves up to a whopping pic.twitter.com/o8H463LMhV  Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) December 29, 2023

High water and dangerous rip currents have been besieging much of the West coast from southern California to Oregon since Thursday. The unusual waves were caused by series of powerful storms that have been making their way ashore from the Pacific Ocean.

Warnings were sounded as waves slamming into California's Bay Area may peak at 40 feet- about the size of a telephone pole- and others are expected to hit 28 to 33 feet.

Monstrous waves along the California coast took onlookers by surprise Thursday. Waves as high as 20 feet crashed over seawalls, injuring some onlookers and flooding streets. pic.twitter.com/wyNFOxgkja  AccuWeather (@accuweather) December 29, 2023

The National Weather Service in Los Angeles said the Beaches, piers, vulnerable harbors should NOT be considered safe.

The Ventura county, along with Hermosa, Manhattan and Palos Verdes beaches, face the most extreme surf on Saturday and are at risk for significant coastal flooding.

In the wake of the powerful Pacific swell, emergency barriers were constructed along the Pierpont area of Ventura city. We have had water down the lane once before but never like this, said Karris Kutivan, a 9-year resident of the scenic shoreline city about 60 miles (97 kilometres) northwest of Los Angeles.

According to authorities, eight people were taken to various hospitals for treatment of injuries after the Pierpont incident.

The Los Angeles-area weather office wrote that powerful cyclones over northern Pacific waters were sending 12- to 17-foot (3.6- to 5-metre) swells, creating tremendous wave energy across coastal waters.
Kolkata, Dec 30 (PTI) Ride-hailing platform inDrive is planning to provide insurance to commuters during rides, a company official said on Saturday.

Launched in India in 2019, the US-based inDrive now operates in major metros like Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai and some other towns.

It will start services in Bangalore next year, the official said.

"We are thinking of providing insurance during rides to those availing of the inDrive service. It is now in the planning stage, he said.

The app-based platform registers 30,000 rides daily in Kolkata with 10,000 driver partners in its fold, he claimed.

The official said inDrive will shortly launch a safety feature in its app, which will not share the phone numbers of riders with drivers.

"We will introduce Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) so that the phone number of the rider is not seen by the driver. The VoIP calls will be secured, he said.

inDrive has also started operations with electric cars in New Delhi, the official added.
Chandigarh (India), December 30: UNITED SIKHS appointed fitness icon Kuwar Amritbir Singh, who recently broke Bruce Lees Guiness World record, as its fitness icon to motivate youths in Punjab to adopt fitness, health and wellness lifestyle.



Kuwar Amritbir Singh, who is quickly gaining his popularity amongst youths in Punjab recently broke the legendary martial artist Bruce Lees Guinness World record for the most pushups in a minute, where he outperformed Lee's record by completing an astounding 86 pushups within a minute.



Noteworthy is the fact that these remarkable accomplishments were achieved within the confines of his home, without the aid of gymnasiums or advanced training equipment, predominantly relying on body-weight training.



Devinder Singh, Secretary, UNITED SIKHS India said he was impressed by Kuwar Amritbir Singh's dedication for fitness as well as his commitment to motivate youths to break free from drug addiction and adopt a fitness, health and wellness lifestyle. UNITED SIKHS would support Singh for a wider and effective outreach to convince youths to give up drugs and adopt a lifestyle of fitness and health.



Daljit Singh, UNITED SIKHS Executive Director, emphasized the organization's steadfast commitment over the past 25 years to safeguarding the interests of the Sikh community and advocating for the rights of underprivileged and marginalized sections of society. This collaborative effort with Kuwar Amritbir Singh marks another stride in UNITED SIKHS' enduring mission towards positive societal change.



The decision to enlist Singh as the fitness icon aligns with UNITED SIKHS' ongoing commitment to address the drug epidemic in the region. During his felicitation, Singh expressed gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to the organization's vision of a drug-free Punjab. With the support of UNITED SIKHS, I have successfully established nine fitness centers withinva span of a couple of months, he said. He passionately motivates youths to adopt fitness as a lifestyle choice, steering them away from the dangerous path of drug addiction, and approximately 170 young individuals have already joined this transformative campaign, he said.



In a heartening development, he highlighted the rehabilitation of four formerly addicted youths as a tangible outcome of the initiative. Citing the sensitivity of the issue, he refrained from revealing their identities to protect them from potential stigma and ensure a promising future.



Thanking supporters and donors, he appealed to the people of Punjab to join UNITED SIKHS in the endeavor to eradicate drugs.



(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PNN and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR

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New Delhi (India), December 30: Cellecor Gadgets, India's most trusted and affordable electronics brand, has recently achieved significant milestones that underscore its commitment to innovation, market presence, and strategic growth and announces:



 Launch of Washing Machines  Cellecor Gadgets has introduced 2 new cutting-edge washing machines SKUs, designed with a focus on innovation, efficiency, and user-friendly features. Key attributes include a variety of wash cycles, multiple wash program, advanced energy-efficient technologies, and adjustable spin speed. Artificial intelligence has been integrated into the design enabling adaptive wash settings that optimize cleaning performance while minimizing water and energy consumption. Considering the target customers, price ranges for Cellecor Washing Machine is kept very competitive, between Rs 8,000-Rs. 10,000 per piece.



 Introduces Mixer Grinders - Cellecor is launching 11 New models of Mixers and Grinders with advanced features making them budget-friendly and a modern addition to your kitchen tools. The decision stems from thorough market research, showing an increasing demand for versatile kitchen appliances that seamlessly combine technology, design, and functionality. Key features include multifunctionality, a powerful motor, and variable speed control. Cellecor Mixer Grinders are being offered in the prices range of Rs 1,200 - Rs 1,800.



 New SKU Addition to its Portfolio - Cellecor is thrilled to present a cutting-edge addition to its portfolio, poised to redefine industry standards and establish new benchmarks in the market.



1. M Series Smart Watches: Cellecor proudly presents the M Series Smart Watches, featuring 30 new SKUs that blend sophisticated design with advanced technology. Boasting metal marvels, a health suite, wellness companion, and a retina AMOLED display, these smartwatches aim to set unprecedented standards in the market. Foreseeing a steady 5% to 8% growth in the smartwatch segment, these devices align with the rising demand for intelligent wearables and very competitively priced between Rs 1,200 to Rs 3,500.



2. 50 Inch Smart TV: Cellecor introduces a fresh model of a 50-inch Smart TV, promising intelligent connectivity, stunning visuals, and immersive sound for an unparalleled cinematic adventure.



3. 5 New SKUs of Smart TVs: Elevate your viewing experience with Cellecor's 5 new SKUs of Smart TVs, offering crystal clear brilliance with 4K Ultra HD LED TV, immersive audio featuring Dolby Atmos, and user-friendly controls. The customers may buy Cellecor Smart TVs as per their choice, features requirement, affordability and budget from a wide range, priced between Rs. 10,000 to Rs 50,000.



4. 12 New SKUs in TWS and Headphones: Cellecor is embarking on a new era of audio excellence with its latest SKU launch in earbuds. Elevates the listening experience with state-of-the-art technology, enhanced comfort, and a stylish design that harmonizes seamlessly. Top features of new products include Environment Noise Cancellation, Powerful or deep bass, Fast Charging, Crystal Clear Sound and Auto Connect. Headphones have classic features of Gaming headset, Bluetooth V5.3, Superior bass sound, Foldable design and Hands-free. Cellecor Earbuds are priced between Rs. 800 - Rs. 1,500 and Headphones between Rs 1,000 - Rs. 1,500



5. 2 New SKUs in Sound Bar: Cellecor is pleased to introduce its newest advancement in audio technology through the latest Sound Bar SKUs. These cutting-edge models feature Bluetooth V5.3, 3D surround sound, Type C charging, and compatibility with AUX and USB and are made available for customers between the prices range from Rs 999 to Rs 10,000.



6. 15 New SKUs of Feature Phones: Cellecor introduces a revolutionary shift in communication with 15 new SKUs of feature phones. Offering classic reliability coupled with modern functionality, these phones redefine simplicity and connectivity. Features include touch keypads, a 2000-mAh battery, a digital camera, sleek design, and MP3 & MP4 players. Prices range between Rs 900 and Rs 2,000.



7. Cellecor ZPDQC 24W Charger: Presenting the Cellecor ZPDQC 24W Charger, a powerhouse for swift device charging. Engineered for efficiency and speed, this cutting-edge charger ensures the rapid replenishment of your devices. With advanced technology and an elegant design, the ZPDQC 24W Charger by Cellecor brings a new level of convenience to the charging experience and Cellecor Chargers are available for the customers in the price range of Rs. 350 to Rs. 500.



 Partnership with Large Distributors- Cellecor is also excited to announce a strategic partnership with distributors, marking the inception of an impactful alliance. This collaboration aims to synergize the strengths of our cutting-edge products with the extensive reach and efficiency of our distribution partners



 Collaboration with Bhatia Communication- Cellecor partnerships with Bhatia Communication Sparks Excitement Across Gujarat. Bhatia Communication is engaged into retail and wholesale distribution business of trading mobile handsets, tablets, data-cards, mobile accessories, air conditioners, Washing Machines and other Electronic Equipment. They sell smart mobile handsets of all the brands including APPLE I-PHONE, SAMSUNG, OPPO, GIONEE, VIVO, HONOR, JIO, REALME, REDMI, NOKIA etc, mobile related products, tablets, data cards, accessories under one roof through their owned 81 retail outlets chain located all over the South Gujarat region including Surat, Vapi, Valsad, Navsari, Vyara and other towns of South Gujarat. They also provide the same services through our 17 franchisee retail chain dealers located in the South Gujarat region. Cellecor anticipates a revenue generation of Rs 25-50cr from this collaboration.



 Collaboration with Smart Dukaan- Cellecor partners with Smart Dukaan across North India. Smart Dukaan is India' s fastest growing Smartphone retail chain with over 350 stores across 100 cities in 6 states. They have created a tech-led Retail & Distribution company that is revolutionizing distribution of smart products across urban, semi-urban and rural areas. Cellecor anticipates a revenue generation of Rs 25-50cr from the above tie up.



 500+ Orders in Single Day from Website- In a strategic shift from exclusive availability on e-commerce platforms, companys listed electronics gadgets brand has successfully intensified Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) sales (cellecor.com), achieving a noteworthy milestone of processing 500+ online orders in a single day on our D2C website.



 International Review Meet with Distributors- The one-on-one meetings with distributors were highly successful, significantly strengthening our relationships. This bond is poised to fuel further business growth, as personalized interactions foster trust and collaboration, laying the foundation for mutual success and prosperity. The distributor meet yielded an exceptional response for our newly launched products. Witnessing an instant sale of 25,000 Smartwatches, 1,500 Smart TVs, and 50,000 feature phones showcased the overwhelming success and market demand, affirming our strategic product launch.



With these recent developments, we expect Cellecor brand to be further strengthened and it will strategically position as a leading supplier of products under multiple categories.



Mr. Ravi Agarwal, Founder of Cellecor Gadgets Ltd commented "We are thrilled to share recent advancements at our company. In this quarter, we've made significant progress across various aspects of our business, highlighting our steadfast commitment to excellence and advancement. Our R&D team has delivered innovative solutions that not only meet but surpass market expectations, emphasizing our dedication to staying at the forefront of technology. Our strategic partnerships with distributors have expanded our market presence and distribution networks. Riding on all these factors, we are confident of achieving robust growth in the coming quarters and shall exceed the revenues projections. Moving forward, our focus remains on investing in research, innovation, enhancing customers experience, building new partnerships, cementing existing capabilities to achieve desired results.



About Cellecor Gadgets Ltd.:



Cellecor Gadgets journey in electronics device business, and selling products in its own brand, including mobile feature phones, smartwatches, TWS (True Wireless Stereo) earbuds, neckbands, and LED TVs -outsources from various electronic assemblers and manufacturers, started in 2012 as M/s Unity Communications-its founder Mr. Ravi Agarwals proprietorship firm.



The company is promoted and managed with an enduring sustainable business strategy, wherein the Company is aiming to synergetic amalgamate business potential embedded in the ever-growing demand of electronic products with modern business approach of sourcing, producing, and marketing with an objective to provide quality products at affordable price.



Today, Cellecor Gadgets Ltd is a leading name in the consumer electronics industry, known for its innovative and cutting-edge technology. With a commitment to making happiness affordable, Cellecor offers a diverse range of products, including mobile phones, smart TVs, speakers, neckbands, TWS, soundbars, smartwatches, Washing Machines, and many more.



The securities of the Company are listed on the NSE EMERGE (SME Platform of National Stock Exchange of India Limited) with Scrip Code: CELLECOR



Company Presentation: https://bit.ly/47hURJd



For Further information please contact



You may please visit https://cellecor.com/



Ms. Bindu Gupta



Chief Finance Officer



011-43034907



finance.head@cellecor.in



Ms. Monali Jain



Investor Relations



7597304020



monali@goindiaadvisors.com



(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PNN and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR

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New Delhi (India), December 30: Ineffective weight management and bariatric surgery is a solution for those seeking profound transformation. At the forefront of this transformative journey is Dr Amit Sood, recognized as one of the top three leading bariatric surgeons in India. Operating from CKOSMIC Health City, the largest hospital in Punjab, equipped with the latest laser and robotic facilities, Dr. Amit Sood, the best bariatric surgeon in Punjab, and his multidisciplinary team pave the way for individuals to reclaim their health and well-being.



Understanding Bariatric Surgery: Navigating the Path to Wellness



Bariatric surgery (or weight loss surgery) encompasses a spectrum of procedures designed to facilitate significant weight loss and address obesity-related health concerns. Let's delve into the various techniques offered by Dr. Amit Sood, the best weight-loss surgeon in Punjab, at CKOSMIC Health City:



1. Gastric Bypass Surgery



It is a cornerstone in obesity treatment and strategically reroutes the digestive system, resulting in reduced food intake and altered calorie and nutrient absorption. Ideal for those with severe obesity or weight-related health issues, gastric bypass surgery achieves long-term weight management and contributes to solving obesity-related comorbidities. CKOSMIC Health City offers OPD's consultation for gastric bypass surgery in Punjab under Dr Amit Sood, one of the best bariatric surgeons in India and his team in major cities like Moga, Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Bathinda, Ferozepur, Faridkot, Patiala, Panchkula, Mohali, and more.



2. Mini Gastric Bypass Surgery (MGB)/One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass (OAGB)



This minimally invasive approach mirrors the effectiveness of traditional gastric bypass surgery, ensuring optimal outcomes. A Proven long-term weight management solution, with this procedure, Dr Amit Sood, one of the best bariatric surgeons in India, leverages the latest techniques for patient benefit. It is an effective weight-loss solution, and for people interested in finding out the various aspects, including the cost of mini gastric bypass surgery, they can contact CKOSMIC Health City, the best weight-loss surgery centre in Punjab.



3. Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG)



LSG represents another transformative option offered by Dr Amit Sood. This procedure involves the removal of a portion of the stomach, effectively restricting food intake and fostering sustainable weight loss. Beyond the physical aspects, LSG enhances the patient's quality of life and overall well-being, aligning with the holistic approach at CKOSMIC Health City. For patients looking for reliable weight loss surgery in Punjab, CKOSMIC Health City employs, under the expert leadership of Dr Amit Sood, some of the top bariatric surgeons in Punjab.



4. Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB)



For those seeking precision in weight loss, RYGB is a procedure that intricately alters the digestive process. By creating a small stomach pouch and rerouting the digestive tract, this surgery achieves long-term weight management and minimizes the risk of complications. To understand various aspects of the surgery, including eligibility criteria, cost, and compilations of weight loss surgery, patients can contact CKOSMIC Health City and get expert guidance from Dr Amit Sood, one of the best bariatric surgeons in Punjab.



5. Laparoscopic Duodenal Switch Gastric Bypass



It is a nuanced approach, combining aspects of sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass surgery. This comprehensive technique addresses severe obesity and metabolic concerns. It begins with a sleeve gastrectomy, limiting food intake and influencing hunger-regulating hormones. Then, a fundamental feature of the LDSGB is the rearrangement of the small intestine. This dual mechanism restriction and malabsorptionsets the LDSGB apart as a comprehensive solution for sustained weight loss. Dr Amit Sood, one of the best bariatric surgeons in India, adapts the best solutions for his patients from all over the country and abroad, from his vast experience as one of the best bariatric surgeons in Punjab.



6. Laparoscopic Single Anastomosis Duodenal Switch



It is a modification of traditional duodenal switch surgery. By combining malabsorption and restriction, this procedure provides a comprehensive solution for patients seeking transformative weight loss. To learn more about the procedure complications or the benefits of weight loss surgery, you can trust the expert guidance of Dr Amit Sood, one of the best bariatric surgeons in India.



7. Laparoscopic Single Port Bariatric Surgery



It is an advanced, minimally invasive approach executed through a single incision. This revolutionary method leaves no scarring, exemplifying CKOSMIC Health City's commitment to patient-friendly and advanced surgical techniques. Dr Amit Sood is the only surgeon in Punjab offering single-port bariatric surgery specially designed for unmarried patients. For such innovative weight-loss solutions, you can count on CKOSMIC Health City, the best weight-loss hospital in Punjab.



8. Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding Surgery (LAGB)



By placing an adjustable band around the stomach to regulate food intake, this procedure caters to patients seeking a less invasive yet effective option. Dr Amit Sood determines the suitability of this approach for individual cases through personalized consultations. If you're looking for a less invasive weight loss solution, a consultation with a top bariatric surgeon in Punjab can be the fitting first step.



9. Gastric Balloon



Gastric Ballon offers patients a non-surgical option. It involves the insertion of an inflatable balloon in the stomach. The procedure induces a feeling of fullness, aiding in weight loss, especially for those seeking temporary interventions. If you want to know if a gastric balloon is the right solution, you can contact CKOSMIC Health City to learn more.



This wide array of bariatric procedures underscores Dr. Amit Sood's commitment to providing state-of-the-art and personalized solutions for weight management. Operating from CKOSMIC Health City, the largest hospital in Punjab, equipped with laser and robotic facilities, Dr. Amit Sood and his dedicated team are leaders in bariatric excellence.



CKOSMIC Health City experts conduct a comprehensive evaluation encompassing factors such as BMI, obesity-related health issues, and previous weight loss attempts to determine if a patient is eligible for these procedures. This commitment to individualized care exemplifies Dr. Amit Sood's patient-centric philosophy.



Dr Amit Sood's persistent exploration into advanced techniques, such as Single Port Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery, reflects the continuous pursuit of excellence and innovation at CKOSMIC Health City.



Benefits of Bariatric Surgery: Beyond Weight Loss



Bariatric surgery is a transformative journey offering benefits that extend beyond shedding pounds:



 Improved Health: Resolution or improvement of obesity-related conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and sleep apnea.



 Enhanced Quality of Life: It increases mobility, improving self-esteem and mental well-being.



 Sustainable Weight Loss: Bariatric surgery offers long-term weight management.



Dr Amit Sood and CKOSMIC Health City:



Leaders in Bariatric Excellence



As one of the top three leading Indian bariatric surgeons, Dr Amit Sood's expertise is unparalleled. CKOSMIC Health City is one of the best weight loss surgery centers, the biggest hospital in Punjab, and the only center equipped with a robotic facility for bariatric surgery. It is a testament to excellence, offering state- of-the-art facilities, including laser and robotic technologies.



Exploring Advanced Techniques



Beyond the conventional procedures, Dr Amit Sood, the best weight-loss surgeon in Punjab, explores advanced techniques such as Single Port Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery, ensuring patients receive advanced and minimally invasive treatment options.



Are You Eligible?



Determining eligibility for bariatric surgery involves a comprehensive evaluation. Factors considered include BMI, obesity-related health issues, and previous weight loss attempts.



Why Choose Dr. Amit Sood and CKOSMIC Health City?



 Top-tier Facilities: State-of-the-art infrastructure for comprehensive patient care.



 Experienced Team: A multidisciplinary team collaborating under Dr. Amit Sood's guidance.



 Cost-Effective Solutions: Transparent discussions about the cost of bariatric surgeries.



Embark on Your Transformation Journey



Bariatric surgery is a life-changing decision. The benefits outweigh potential complications, making it a viable option for those committed to their well-being. Take the first step toward transformative health. Consult with Dr Amit Sood, the best weight-loss surgeon in Punjab, at CKOSMIC Health City today.



(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PNN and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR

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Chennai, Dec 29 (PTI) The Tamil Nadu government is in discussions with the state electricity board to set up charging facilities along arterial roads and highways, Minister for Industries T R B Rajaa said.

The government has also instructed electric vehicle manufacturers also to invest in charging stations, he said.

The move comes in the backdrop of the government giving a big push to the electric vehicle industry in the state. To boost growth, the government released the EV policy, he said.

"Of all electric vehicles sold in the country about 70 per cent of the two-wheelers and 40 per cent of four wheelers are manufactured in Tamil Nadu. That is a huge number and the consumption of electric vehicles in Tamil Nadu is also picking up now," he told PTI in an interview.

"We will have the ecosystem for the EV industry. Infrastructure is also being built and charging stations are also coming up, so I think that will help boost the EV industry in Tamil Nadu," he said.

Responding to a query, he said, "we have asked all the (EV) manufacturers also to invest in charging stations and we are also in talks with TANGEDCO (Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation) to provide space for charging stations along the highways."

To another query on the possible time-frame for the launch of charging facilities for battery operated vehicles, he said, "by the Global Investors Meet (scheduled to be held between January 7 and 8, 2024) you will have some good announcements."

To boost the battery operated vehicles industry, the state government unveiled its EV policy which aims to attract investments to the tune of Rs 50,000 crore and generate 1.50 lakh jobs.

Tamil Nadu has transformed into a leading electric vehicle manufacturing hub with new entrants including Ather Electric and Ola Electric having set up their production facilities, the policy said.

The EV policy was launched on the backdrop of the government expecting battery operated vehicles to play a crucial role in the electrification of last mile connectivity.

"To support this goal, Tamil Nadu aims to electrify the vehicular fleets operating in the State by leveraging its vibrant automotive ecosystem comprising original equipment manufacturers, auto component ancillaries, highly skilled workforce and robust R&D capabilities," the policy said.

The Tamil Nadu government has announced 100 per cent road tax exemption till December 31, 2025 for battery operated vehicles - two-wheelers, private cars, three-seater autorickshaws, transport vehicles and light goods carriers among others.
Shimla (HP), Dec 30 (PTI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday directed concerned officials to expedite the Forest Conservation Act (FCA) and Forests Rights Act (FRA) cases in various hydropower projects.

During a review meeting of the Power Department here, he said hydropower projects of 11,000 MW power capacity are stalled at various stages due to clearance issues and issued directions to constitute a body consisting of Forest and Energy departments to streamline the FCA and FRA process.

In addition, Deputy Commissioners and other concerned officials and District Forest officers (DFOs) will also identify the land in their respective districts for compulsory afforestation, he added.

It was of utmost importance to harness hydropower to make Himachal a self-sufficient state and concerned departments must ensure time-bound completion of the hydropower projects to reap benefits for the people of the state, the chief minister said.

He also directed to complete of 800 MW Parvati and 100 MW Uhal stage-III Hydro Electric Projects by 2024.

The present state government has raised the issue of enhancing royalty in the power projects, Sukhu said, adding that the same would be raised with the Union Power Minister during the upcoming meeting to ensure more revenue to the state.

He said that power projects will give 20 per cent, 30 per cent and 40 per cent royalty to the state for the first 12 years, the next 18 years and the remaining 10 years, respectively, as per the policy of the state government.

The chief minister also affirmed support for the power projects below 5 MW to complete them in a time-bound manner.
Kolkata, Dec 29 (PTI) As movie buffs have returned to theatres in larger numbers after three years of Covid lull and recovery phase, two Bengali films released during Christmas are performing exceptionally well with back-to-back sold-out shows.

The two films are Suman Ghosh-directed Kabuliwala and Atanu Roy Choudhury-produced Pradhan.

National award-winning filmmaker Ghoshs Kabuliwala is an adaptation of Rabindranath Tagore's short story of the same name.

Since December 22, the film has already earned over Rs 1 crore in revenue and is currently running in 66 theatres in Bengal, including both single screens and multiplexes, according to a source from the production house.

The film, which stars Mithun Chakraborty and explores the bond between a father who leaves his young daughter in faraway Kabul and discovers a resemblance to his daughter in a little girl in the city, has been consistently sold out since December 22. The film will be released nationwide on December 29.

Atanu Roy Choudhurys Pradhan has been released in 111 theatres. The film's first-week collection has surpassed all previous records for recent Bengali film releases during Christmas. The film, which stars Bengali superstar Dev and is also co-produced by him, focuses on corruption.

Choudhury expressed his satisfaction with the film's performance, saying it has exceeded his expectations. Many theatres have had sold-out shows, while others have had an occupancy rate of over 60 per cent in most screenings.

Some multiplexes, like PVR Inox South City, are showing the film five times a day, while others are showing it at least three times.

Director Suman Ghosh expressed happiness with the large turnout for both Kabuliwala and Pradhan despite facing tough competition from the Hindi blockbuster Dunki starring Shah Rukh Khan.

During 2020-2021, with theatres operating at 50 per cent capacity, film releases had lower turnouts, and the OTT platforms dominated during Durga Puja-Diwali and Christmas releases.

However, the situation has started to change since 2022, with the release of three Bengali films.
Lahore, Dec 30 (PTI) In a major blow to former prime minister Imran Khan, Pakistans top poll body on Saturday rejected his nomination papers for two national assembly seats in Punjab province ahead of the February 8 general elections.

The returning officers of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) have rejected Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan's nomination papers for two national assembly seats  Lahore (NA 122) and Mianwali (NA-89), the office of the Returning Officer, Lahore, said here.

Besides the main reason that Khan was convicted in the Toshakhana case, objections were raised against his nomination papers as the proposer and seconder for the PTIs founder did not belong to the respective constituencies.

Although Khan's sentence was suspended by the Islamabad High Court, his disqualification still stands, the ROs were told. The objections, raised by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz's (PML-N) Mian Naseer, had referred to Khan's five-year disqualification in the Toshakhana case wherein the electoral body had found him guilty of corrupt practices, Geo News reported.

Khan, 71, and his senior party colleague and former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi have been facing multiple cases and arrests since the May 9 riots with both Khan and Qureshi incarcerated at the Adiala jail in Rawalpindi.

The Geo News report further said that the ECP also rejected Qureshi's nomination papers from Multan's two seats (NA-150 and PP-218), and Tharparkar's seat (NA-214). Former federal minister and PTI leader Hammad Azhar's nomination papers too were rejected from his seat (PP-172).
Lahore, Dec 30 (PTI) The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Saturday condemned the top poll bodys rejection of nomination papers of its founder Imran Khan and several other party stalwarts on what it called flimsy grounds.

Abducting proposers and seconders is a new normal in this part of the world, the current state of lawlessness is preposterous, a PTI spokesperson said after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) rejected nomination papers of Khan and others ahead of the February 8 general elections.

Returning officers are accomplices and the reason why PTI requested ROs from the judiciary, not bureaucracy. Some group members may not be aware, but bureaucrats, including deputy commissioners, signing illegal restraining orders for PTI leadership have been appointed as ROs by the interim setup, adding more hostility to the already perpetuated situation, he further said.

PTIs current chairman Gohar Khan posted on X: "Today, the first step towards general elections (scrutiny of nomination forms for general seats) is ending. But up and down the country, the state machinery is in full swing against PTIs candidates, whose proposers and seconders or they are being openly harassed, assaulted and pushed back from ROs offices.

Party's secretary general Omar Ayub said if this pre-poll rigging continues unabated, the transparency of the election process is and will be called into question. Political instability will grow exponentially after a rigged election, and national cohesion will deteriorate," he added.
Deir Al-Balah (Gaza Strip), Dec 30 (AP) Israeli warplanes struck two urban refugee camps in central Gaza on Saturday, as the Biden administration approved a new emergency weapons sale to Israel despite persistent international cease-fire calls over mounting civilian deaths, hunger and mass displacement in the enclave.

Even a brief halt in fighting seems out of reach. A senior Hamas official told The Associated Press in Beirut on Saturday that the group has not budged from its position that a permanent cease-fire has to be the starting point for any further releases of Israeli and foreign hostages the group holds, which runs counter to a recent proposal by Egypt for a staged end to the war.

It's a demand Israel is bound to reject. Israel has said it will pursue its unprecedented air and ground offensive until it has dismantled Hamas, a goal viewed by some as unattainable because of the militant group's deep roots in Palestinian society. The United States has shielded Israel diplomatically and has continued to supply weapons.

Israel argues that ending the war now would mean victory for Hamas, a stance shared by the Biden administration which at the same time urged Israel to do more to avoid harm to Palestinian civilians.

The war, triggered by the deadly October 7 Hamas attack on southern Israel, has displaced some 85 per cent of the Gaza Strip's 2.3 million residents, sending swells of people seeking shelter in Israeli-designated safe areas that the military has nevertheless also bombed. That has left Palestinians with a harrowing sense that nowhere is safe in the tiny enclave.

The Health Ministry in Gaza said on Saturday that the Palestinian death toll since the start of the war rose to 21,672, with a further 56,165 people wounded during the same period. Over the past 24 hours, 165 people were killed, said ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qidra. The ministry does not distinguish between the deaths of combatants and civilians, but has said about 70 per cent of those killed have been women and children.

Some of the latest deaths were reported as Israeli airstrikes targeted the urban refugee camps of Nuseirat and Bureij overnight and into Saturday.

Nuseirat resident Mustafa Abu Wawee said a strike hit the home of one of his relatives, killing two people.

The (Israeli) occupation is doing everything to force people to leave, he said over the phone while searching along with others for four people missing under the rubble. They want to break our spirit and will but they will fail. We are here to stay.

A second strike late Friday in Nuseirat targeted the home of a journalist for Al-Quds TV, a channel linked to the group Islamic Jihad whose militants also participated in the October 7 attack. The channel said the journalist, Jaber Abu Hadros and six members of his family were killed.

Bureij resident Rami Abu Mosab said sounds of gunfire echoed across the camp overnight, followed by heavy airstrikes Saturday.

With Israeli forces pushing deeper into Khan Younis and the camps of central Gaza, tens of thousands of Palestinians streamed into the already crowded city of Rafah at the southernmost end of Gaza in recent days.

Drone footage showed a vast camp of thousands of tents and makeshift shacks set up on what had been empty land on Rafah's western outskirts next to UN warehouses. People arrived in Rafah in trucks, in carts and on foot. Those who did not find space in the already overwhelmed shelters put up tents on roadsides slick with mud from winter rains.



MORE US WEAPONS FOR ISRAEL

The State Department said on Friday that Secretary of State Antony Blinken told Congress he approved a USD 147.5 million sale for equipment, including fuses, charges and primers, that is needed for 155 mm shells Israel bought previously.

It marked the second time this month that the Biden administration is bypassing Congress to approve an emergency weapons sale to Israel. The department cited the urgency of Israel's defensive needs as a reason for the approval.

Blinken made a similar decision on December 9 to approve the sale to Israel of nearly 14,000 rounds of tank ammunition worth more than USD 106 million.

Both moves have come as President Joe Biden's request for a nearly USD 106 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and other national security needs remains stalled in Congress, caught up in a debate over US immigration policy and border security. Some Democratic lawmakers have spoken of making the proposed USD 14.3 billion in American assistance to its Mideast ally contingent on concrete steps by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to reduce civilian casualties in Gaza during the war with Hamas.



DIFFICULTIES IN DELIVERING AID

More than a week after a UN Security Council resolution called for the unhindered delivery of aid at scale across besieged Gaza, conditions have only worsened, UN agencies warned.

Aid officials said the aid entering Gaza remains woefully inadequate. Distributing goods is hampered by long delays at two border crossings, ongoing fighting, Israeli airstrikes, repeated cuts in internet and phone services and a breakdown of law and order that makes it difficult to secure aid convoys, they said.

Nearly the entire population is fully dependent on outside humanitarian aid, said Philippe Lazzarini, head of UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. A quarter of the population is starving because too few trucks enter with food, medicine, fuel and other supplies  sometimes fewer than 100 trucks a day, according to UN daily reports.

UN monitors said operations at the Israeli-run Kerem Shalom crossing halted for four days this week because of security incidents, such as a drone strike and the seizing of aid by desperate Gaza residents.

They said the crossing reopened on Friday, and that a total of 81 aid trucks entered Gaza through Kerem Shalom and the Rafah crossing on the Egyptian border  a fraction of the typical prewar volume of 500 trucks a day.



TRADING FOR HOSTAGES

Israeli officials, meanwhile, have vowed to bring back more than 100 hostages still held in Gaza, after militants seized more than 240 in the October 7 assault that also killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians.

The military says 168 of its soldiers have been killed since the ground offensive began.

Mediator Egypt has proposed a multi-stage plan that would kick off with a swap of hostages for prisoners, accompanied by a temporary cease-fire  along the lines of an exchange during a weeklong truce in November.

In a subsequent phase, talks would begin on forming a transitional Palestinian government of experts who would run both Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Israel and Hamas remain far apart on the terms of a cease-fire and future swaps.

We have been clear that a complete cease-fire is the first step," Osama Hamdan, a senior Hamas official in Beirut, said Saturday. It's a position that seemingly derails the Egyptian plan, though Hamdan also said conversations are continuing.

There are also ideas we have received through our brothers in Qatar, and we have not given any final answer so far, he said. "This may take some time. We are keen to talk about the details, because the idea put forward today may develop in different ways and may no longer be raised at all." (AP) PY

PY
Lahore, Dec 30 (PTI) In a major blow to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) ahead of the February 8 general elections, Pakistans top poll body on Saturday rejected nomination papers of party founder and former prime minister Imran Khan and several of his stalwart colleagues on what they described as flimsy grounds.

The returning officers of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) have rejected Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan's nomination papers for two national assembly seats  Lahore (NA 122) and Mianwali (NA-89), the office of the Returning Officer, Lahore, said here.

Besides the main reason that Khan was convicted in the Toshakhana case, objections were raised against his nomination papers as the proposer and seconder for the PTIs founder did not belong to the respective constituencies.

Although Khan's sentence was suspended by the Islamabad High Court, his disqualification still stands.

The objections, raised by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz's (PML-N) Mian Naseer, had referred to Khan's five-year disqualification in the Toshakhana case wherein the electoral body had found him guilty of corrupt practices.

Khan, 71, and his senior party colleague and former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi have been facing multiple cases and arrests since the May 9 riots with both incarcerated at the Adiala jail in Rawalpindi.

A Pakistan court on December 28 sent Qureshi to a 14-day judicial custody in a fresh case linked to the May 9 attack on military installations.

The ECP also rejected Qureshi's nomination papers from Multan's two seats (NA-150 and PP-218), and Tharparkar's seat (NA-214). Former federal minister and PTI leader Hammad Azhar's nomination papers too were rejected from his seat (PP-172) on the last day of the scrutiny of nomination forms for general seats.

The other leaders included Murad Saeed, Sahibzada Sighbatullah, Dr Amjad Khan, Fazal Hakim Khan, Mian Sharafat, and Salim ur Rahman.

Meanwhile, soon after, the PTI condemned the ECPs rejection of the nomination papers of Khan and several other party stalwarts and claimed that opposition parties cannot face the PTI in a free and fair election and are resorting to these tactics.

It also warned that if such pre-poll rigging continues unabated, the transparency of the election process is and will be called into question.

A PTI spokesperson said, Abducting proposers and seconders is a new normal in this part of the world, the current state of lawlessness is preposterous.

Returning officers are accomplices and the reason why PTI had requested ROs from the judiciary and not the bureaucracy. Some group members may not be aware, but bureaucrats, including deputy commissioners, signing illegal restraining orders for PTI leadership have been appointed ROs by the interim setup, adding more hostility to the already perpetuated situation, he added.

Party chairman Gohar Khan posted on X: Today, the first step towards general elections (scrutiny of nomination forms for general seats) is ending. But up and down the country, the state machinery is in full swing against PTIs candidates whose proposers and seconders or they are being openly harassed, assaulted and pushed back from ROs offices.

He further said: This is the worst kind of misuse of authority and abuse of process. It is a flagrant failure of ECP in the performance of its constitutional duties. We strongly condemn and deplore this. But tigers to stay steadfast till February 08 and thereafter.

PTI secretary general Omar Ayub said: We strongly condemn the politically motivated rejections. The PTI had already predicted that ROs would reject PTI candidates' nomination papers on flimsy grounds.

These ROs 'software' has been duly 'updated' and the forces of status quo represented by parties like Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan People's Party (PPP), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Fazl) (JUI-F), Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), who cannot face PTI in a free and fair election. (They) are resorting to these tactics, he said.

Ayub said if this pre-poll rigging continues unabated, the transparency of the election process is and will be called into question. Political instability will grow exponentially after a rigged election, and national cohesion will deteriorate.

Earlier, Pakistans Supreme Court on December 15 suspended an order by the Lahore High Court on the appointment of bureaucrats as Returning Officers, a ruling that had led to uncertainty over the much-awaited February 8 general elections. The LHC order had come against a plea by the PTI party pointing to the apparent absence of a level playing field.
New York, Dec 30 (PTI) A wealthy Indian-origin couple and their teenage daughter were found dead in their USD 5 million mansion in the US state of Massachusetts in an apparent domestic violence incident, according to media reports.

The bodies of Rakesh Kamal, 57, his wife, Teena, 54, and their 18-year-old daughter, Ariana, were found in their Dover mansion at about 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Norfolk District Attorney (DA) Michael Morrissey said.

Dover is about 32 kilometres southwest of downtown Boston, the capital of Massachusetts.

Teena and her husband, who also went by Rick, had previously run a now-defunct education systems company called EduNova.

The district attorney, who described the terrible tragedy as a domestic violence situation, said a gun was found near the husbands body.

He declined to say whether all three family members were shot dead  and by whom, the New York Post reported.

Morrissey said he was waiting for the medical examiners ruling, which was expected soon, before deciding whether to refer to the incident as a murder-suicide.

The district attorney refused to speculate on a motive for the slayings.

The couple appeared to have faced financial problems in recent years, online records show.

The grim discovery of their bodies was made after a relative had stopped by to check on the family members after not hearing from them in one or two days, the district attorney said.

Morrissey added that there had been no prior police reports or domestic incidents tied to the home.

Theres been no police reports, theres been no problems, no domestic issues, no nothing at that house or in the entire neighborhood that Im aware of, Morrissey said.

This is very unfortunate and our heart goes out to the entire Kamal family on this tragedy.

I hate to see it at any time, Morrissey added of domestic violence incidents. I think some of the tensions that people feel in relationships often come out around the holidays.

The district attorney said the investigation into the slayings was ongoing and that investigators had worked the crime scene through much of the night.

Although the investigation is at a very preliminary stage, the evidence available at this time does not indicate the involvement of any outside party, but suggests that this is a deadly incident of domestic violence, his office said in a statement.

It is not believed that there is any ongoing danger to the Dover community related to this incident.

The familys sprawling mansion  estimated to be worth USD 5.45 million  went into foreclosure a year ago and was sold to the Massachusetts-based Wilsondale Associates LLC for USD 3 million, according to The Post.

The Kamals had purchased the 19,000-square-foot estate  which boasts 11 bedrooms  for USD 4 million in 2019, according to the records, according to media reports.

The slain family members were the only ones living in the mansion at the time, the DA said, adding that the area, one of the richest in the state, was a nice neighbourhood, a safe community.

Their company was launched in 2016 but was dissolved in December 2021, state records show.

Teena Kamal was listed on EduNovas website as the chief operating officer of the company, describing her as an alum of Harvard University and Delhi University in India.

According to his biography on the EduNova website, Kamal was an alumnus of Boston University and the MIT Sloan School of Management, as well as Stanford University.

Before working at EduNova, he held many executive positions in the education-consulting field, the biography added.

EduNova marketed a student success system designed to improve the grades of students in middle school, high school, and college, The Boston Globe newspaper reported.

Teena filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy in September 2022  listing between USD 1 million and USD 10 million in liabilities, filings show. The case, however, was dismissed two months later due to insufficient documentation.

Teena, who was a Harvard alumnus, was listed as one of the board of directors for the American Red Cross of Massachusetts.

Her online bio touted her more than three decades of working in the education and technology industries.

Meanwhile, the couples daughter was a student at Middlebury College, a USD 64,800-a-year private liberal arts school in Vermont, where she was studying neuroscience, according to her LinkedIn.

Morrissey also said a homicide has not been reported in Dover since 2020, and he has never worked a homicide case from that neighbourhood since he started his position as District Attorney 12 years ago.

Its very rare to have this kind of a violence situation almost in any community in Norfolk County, but particularly Dover, Morrissey said.

Its a small, well-run community, but like everybody else, there are problems out there that can affect no matter where you live.
Bilaspur, Dec 30 (PTI) Seven years after the death of a 29-year-old man at a private hospital in Chhattisgarh's Bilaspur city, four senior doctors were arrested for alleged negligence, police said on Saturday.

Doctors Devendra Singh, Rajiv Lochan Bhanja, Manoj Rai and Sunil Kedia were arrested on Friday but released soon afterwards on personal bonds, said an official of Sarkanda police station.

Gurveen Chhabra alias Goldi died at Apollo Hospital here on December 26, 2016. The memo submitted by the hospital to police claimed that he died due to celphos poisoning.

Chhabra's relatives, however, lodged a complaint alleging that negligence by the hospital management and doctors and the wrong treatment resulted in his death. His father Paramjeet Singh Chhabra demanded action against the doctors and cancellation of their licenses.

The divisional medical board of Chhattisgarh Institute of Medical Sciences (CIMS), where the autopsy was conducted, in its report pointed out prima facie negligence during the treatment, the police official said.

On September 27 this year, the police received a report from the `Directorate of Medicolegal Institute Home (Police) department, Medicolegal Expert and Medicolegal Advisor' which too pointed out negligence on the part of the doctors and hospital management.

Subsequently, police registered an FIR under sections 304 (A) (causing death by negligence), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code.

Further investigation is underway, the official added.
Thane, Dec 30 (PTI) The work on the proposed railway station between Thane and Mulund is getting delayed as the Maharashtra government's health department has not yet handed a four-acre land to the Railways, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP from Thane, Rajan Vichare, alleged on Saturday.

He also flagged issues like slum encroachment on the land for the work delay.



Vichare also alleged that the inauguration of Digha railway station between Thane and Airoli on trans-Harbour line has been pending for months.

The MP inspected facilities at Thane railway station on Saturday. He said the work on three approach roads, station deck, parking and compound wall for the new railway station between Thane and Mulund was 30 per cent complete, an official release said.

Shiv Sena (UBT) activists and others welcomed the Jalna-CSMT Vande Bharat Express, which was flagged via video link by PM Modi from Ayodhya, at Thane station in the evening.



The Bombay High Court had earlier this year lifted a stay on the transfer of part of Thane Mental Hospital's land for the construction of a railway station.

The high court allowed the transfer of the hospital's more than 14 acres of land, out of its total land of 72 acres, for the new railway station, which will come up on this land belonging to the Maharashtra government's health department.
Thane, Dec 30 (PTI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said the "deep cleaning" drive undertaken in Mumbai and Thane and parts of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region will be extended to the rest of the state.

Launching the campaign in Thane on Saturday, Shinde said the move will encourage healthy competition among cities, towns and villages to ensure cleanliness.

The chief minister lauded the efforts of the Thane Municipal Corporation under civic chief Abhijit Banger for planning and implementing the drive, which will continue till February 24, 2024.

"This drive is not the government's, the corporation's or the chief minister's but belongs to the citizens. Every citizen wants his locality to be clean," Shinde said, urging people to make the drive a citizens' movement.
Bhubaneswar, Dec 30 (PTI) Ruling out the possibility of an alliance with the ruling BJD in Odisha, the BJP on Saturday set a target to secure 50 per cent votes in the 2024 elections in the state.

Speaking to reporters after attending a meeting with the party's central leadership, state BJP vice-president Aparajita Sarangi said some persons with vested interests were spreading rumors that there is a possibility of an alliance between BJD and BJP for the Lok Sabha polls and the assembly elections, which are usually held simultaneously in Odisha.

"Various issues were discussed at the meeting. There is no question of any alliance with any political party, including the BJD," said Sarangi, the MP of Bhubaneswar.

Speculations were rife about a possible alliance between the two parties after the BJD backed the BJP on the opposition's no-confidence motion in Parliament in August, and the Delhi services bill that entails the creation of an authority for the transfer and posting of Group-A officers in the national capital.

The speculations were further fuelled by a one-on-one meeting between Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in August on the sidelines of official engagements. The two parties were in an alliance from 2000 to 2009.

Among the others who attended the meeting were state BJP president Manomohan Samal, Leader of Opposition Jaynarayan Mishra, the party's national general secretary (organisation) BL Santhosh, central observer Sunil Bansal and assistant observer Vijaypal Singh Tomar.

Mishra said that there will be a straight fight between the BJD and BJP in the elections as the Congress has lost its ground.

"We will work to ensure that 50 per cent of the votes come to the BJP's kitty," Mishra said, adding that the party will contest all the 147 assembly seats and the 21 Lok Sabha constituencies in Odisha.

He said BJP workers and leaders will campaign, highlighting the benefits of the 157 welfare schemes of the Centre.

Samal exuded hope that the BJP will form the next government in the state.

"This time, our focus will be winning assembly seats which will ultimately help in winning Lok Sabha seats. The party has targeted 50 per cent of votes in each polling booth," he said.

Samal said that if voted to power in the state, the BJP will ensure that the people who have been cheated by chit funds get back their hard-earned money "within 24 hours".

Claiming that the Centre has provided Rs 18.83 lakh crore to Odisha in the last nine years, he said, "We demand that the state's BJD government give account of this money to the people."
In a stunning move, U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert on Wednesday night announced that she plans to run next year for the seat held by retiring fellow Republican Ken Buck in Colorado's 4th Congressional District, rather than seek reelection in the district she barely won last year.
Itanagar, Dec 30 (PTI) Days after the Yung Aung faction of the banned militant outfit NSCN-K claimed responsibility for the murder of former Arunachal Pradesh legislator Yumsen Matey earlier this month, the state government announced a cash reward for information on the whereabouts of the mastermind behind the killing.

The former Congress lawmaker was shot dead by gunmen at Raho village in Tirap district along the India-Myanmar border on December 16.

Tirap SP Rahul Gupta announced on Friday a cash reward of Rs 2.5 lakh for information on the whereabouts of Tonglu Akham Hasik, the self-styled brigadier of Naga Army No 130076 of the outfit, who was allegedly involved in the gruesome murder of Matey.

In a statement on Thursday, the outfit claimed that Matey was killed due to his "active involvement in anti-NSCN activities".

The statement further elaborated, "He was masterminding anti-NSCN propaganda in Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh. He conspired against the NSCN/GPRN."

The outfit clarified that "this case is not in any way related to the upcoming Arunachal Pradesh state assembly election, as some suspected, because the NSCN/GPRN will never meddle in state politics."

Matey, along with three of his supporters, had gone to the village for some personal work when someone lured the former MLA towards a jungle and shot him.

Matey was elected as an MLA from Khonsa West assembly constituency on a Congress ticket in 2009.

He joined the BJP in 2015 and earlier this year, declared his willingness to contest the assembly polls in 2024. Before entering politics, he had served as an adult education officer in Changlang district.

On December 21, the state government decided to transfer the case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Subsequently, the state home department forwarded the case to the ministry of home affairs for appropriate direction to the NIA in this matter.

According to official data, of the 239 insurgency-related fatalities in the state since March 2000, 183 have been reported in the Tirap-Changlang-Longding (TCL) region.
Lucknow, Dec 30 (PTI) The BJP's minority front will launch a ''Shukriya Modi Bhaijaan'' campaign next week in all Lok Sabha constituencies of Uttar Pradesh to draw Muslim women towards the party ahead of the 2024 general elections.

With the tagline "Na duri hai, na khai hai, Modi hamara bhai hai, (there's no detachment, there's no chasm, Modi is our brother)", the campaign aims to attract at least 1,000 Muslim women towards the party.

Uttar Pradesh BJP Minority Morcha President Kunwar Basit Ali told PTI on Saturday that under the campaign, Muslim women would be told about the work done for them by the Narendra Modi government and would be encouraged to vote for the BJP.

Through various events under the campaign, efforts will be made to ensure that Muslim women get benefits of the Ujjwala Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Ayushman Bharat Yojana, and other such schemes, he said.

Ali said the campaign will start on January 2 and continue till January 20.

"Recently, Muslim women in all districts of the state gave a memorandum thanking the district magistrates regarding the schemes of the Modi government. Taking this trend forward, ''Shukriya Modi Bhaijaan'' programmes will be organised in every Lok Sabha constituency (of the state)."

Ali said a reason for naming the campaign ''Shukriya Modi Bhaijaan'' is that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has established a brother-sister relationship by giving priority to Muslim women in various schemes.
Shahjahanpur (UP), Dec 30 (PTI) Two persons riding a motorcycle snatched a 15-day-old girl from the lap of her mother on Saturday when she was walking back home from a hospital in Shahjahanpur district of Uttar Pradesh, police said.

Soon after the incident in the Jalalabad police station area, senior police officers reached the spot and formed five teams to nab the accused.

Additional Superintendent of Police Manoj Kumar Awasthi, who also visited the spot, said police stations in neighbouring Hardoi district have also been alerted and checking was going on to nab the culprits soon.

Sunita, a resident of Manjha village, went to the hospital along with her mother-in-law to take medicine for her 15-day-old daughter.

As she was returning home, two persons riding a motorcycle snatched the baby from her lap and sped away, Awasthi said.
Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 30 (PTI) Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly V D Satheesan has accused the state government, including the police and the Devaswom Board, of failing to effectively organise the first phase of the Sabarimala pilgrimage.

Satheesan expressed his concerns in a letter addressed to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, urging him to ensure flawless arrangements for devotees during the upcoming Makaravilakku pilgrimage.

The Lord Ayyappa temple here closed late Wednesday night after Mandala Pooja.

Highlighting the alleged failures of various departments during the Mandala season, he said the state government and the Devaswom Board have miserably failed to provide smooth darshan and basic infrastructure for the pilgrims.

Criticising the government's handling of the pilgrimage, Satheesan, in his letter, also highlighted the unprecedented challenges faced by devotees.

"It is sad that, for the first time in the history of the most important pilgrimage centre in India, the plight of devotees was such that they were forced to end their pilgrimage halfway with their garlands removed," the Leader of Opposition said.

He pointed out instances of extreme laxity in crowd control, with queues stretching for 15 to 20 hours from Pampa to Sannidhanam.

"It was heartbreaking to see children, women, and the elderly queuing up for hours without water or food," Satheesan alleged.

He called for an immediate end to what he termed the "police raj" and criticised the government's reluctance to appoint an adequate number of policemen with experience in coordinating operations at Sabarimala.

"The police work at Sabarimala was poor. The government didn't appoint enough policemen. They were unwilling to deploy experienced officers at Sabarimala, making things worse. There are complaints that the police treated devotees badly and cruelly," he alleged.

Satheesan concluded his letter by demanding corrective actions, emphasising the need to rectify lapses that occurred during the Mandala Puja season and ensure flawless arrangements for the Makaravilakku pilgrimage.

The temple is scheduled to reopen on the evening of December 30 (Saturday) for the Makaravilakku festivities.

Various rituals, including "prasada shudha kriya" and "bimba shudha kriya," are planned to be held on January 13 and 14, preceding the Makaravilakku festival on January 15, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), which manages the hill shrine, has said.
Chennai, Dec 30 (PTI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Saturday had a 'cordial' meeting with state Governor R N Ravi at the Raj Bhavan here and discussed about the Assembly bills awaiting Presidential assent.

The meeting happened in the wake of the Supreme Court's suggestion to the Governor recently to "meet and resolve" the difference with the chief minister.

"The meeting was cordial and the Governor has agreed to send 9 out of 10 Bills to the President for assent," state Law Minister S Reghupathy said.

Apart from the pending bills, the government had sought to prosecute two former AIADMK ministers, and also release 112 prisoners on former Chief Minister C N Annadurai's birth anniversary, he told reporters here.

The ruling DMK and Ravi have been at loggerheads over a number of issues.

The SC, while hearing the state government's plea against the governor on the alleged delay over acting on the Bills, had earlier this month said the governor of a state cannot refer bills passed by the legislature and readopted by it for presidential assent.

It had also asked Ravi to hold a meeting with Stalin in an effort to end the impasse over 10 such pending bills.

The Governor received the CM upon his arrival at the Raj Bhavan and both honoured each other with shawls.
Pathanamthitta (Kerala), Dec 30 (PTI) A 73-year-old merchant was allegedly killed inside his shop during the daytime on Saturday at a busy junction in this south Kerala district, the police said.

The body of George Unnunny was found with his hands tied and cloth stuffed in his mouth. His grandson who arrived at the shop in Mylapra around 5.30 pm to take him home discovered the body, they said.



His neck chain, weighing six sovereigns, and money were stolen.



Unnunny had been running the shop in his own building at the Mylapra post office junction for the past several years.



The police said there was a CCTV inside the shop, but its hard disk was missing.



Police suspect that the murder took place between 2 pm and 6 pm, and the initial conclusion is that Unnunny was strangled to death.



According to the police, there is plenty of space inside the store, and from the outside it is impossible to know what is going on inside the shop.



The police said professional thieves are believed to be behind the murder.




A reserve soldier was seriously wounded on Shabbos afternoon in a ramming attack at an IDF base in the Chevron area.

The terrorist was neutralized by other reserve soldiers at the base.

The soldier received emergency medical aid at the scene and was evacuated to Soroka Hospital in serious condition.

The family of the soldier has asked the public to daven for the refuah sheleimah of Aiden ben Vered btoch shaar cholei Yisrael.

The attack came less than 24 hours after a ramming attack in the same area on Friday afternoon left five IDF soldiers injured, one seriously and four moderately or lightly.

(YWNs Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated after tzeis haShabbos in Israel)
Energy bills are likely to fall in 2024 but will still remain historically high, with households struggling to find cheaper deals.

The new year will start with a rise in the price cap, energy regulator Ofgem has confirmed, with the average annual bill rising to 1,928 on 1 January.

That is an increase of 94.

We look at what households currently pay for energy, what they could pay throughout 2024, and when prices might finally start to go down.

Still rising: The typical energy bill is going up by 94 in January, Ofgem has confirmed

What is the average energy bill now?

The typical home currently pays gas and electricity bills of 1,834 a year - the level of the Ofgem price cap, which sets prices for more than 80 per cent of homes.

The price cap applies to variable-rate energy tariffs paid by direct debit. It is based on the price paid per kWh of energy, so varies depending on how much is used.

Before 2021, the price cap was normally reserved for a minority of households - normally because they had fallen off the end of their cheaper fixed-rate deal without switching to a new one.

But after energy prices began soaring in late 2021, energy companies began failing. The nervous remainder stopped offering new fixed rate tariffs, leaving most households on expensive variable rate deals.

What will happen to the energy price cap in 2024?

The average price-capped energy bill will rise from 1,834 now to 1,928 on 1 January, an increase of 94. That 1,928 cost will then last until April, when Ofgem resets its price cap.

Ofgem has made no predictions for the price cap past April 2024.

However, expert energy analysts at Cornwall Insight have, after predicting price cap movements with a high degree of accuracy since 2021.

Movements: This graph shows how Ofgem's price cap has risen and fallen since 2019

After April, the price cap is due to fall by 268 to 1,660, according to Cornwall Insight's forecast.

This trend is currently expected to carry on through 2024, falling to 1,590 in July before a slight increase to 1,640 from October.

Cornwall Insight principal consultant Craig Lowrey said: 'As households brace themselves for energy bill rises in January, current forecasts of price cap dips later in the year may offer a small light at the end of the tunnel.'

When fixed rate deals return?

The real hope for cheaper energy bills comes in the form of competitive fixed-rate deals, but these are hard to find.

There are many providers offering fixed-rate deals to existing customers, many of which are cheaper than the price cap - but often only just.

Ofgem rules mean providers do not need to publish the details of these tariffs - and so none do.

To take advantage, households need to carefully compare their current unit rates and standing charges on a variable rate deal compared to those of any fixed rate being offered.

Many fixed-rate tariffs actually work out more expensive than the price cap, meaning consumers need to tread cautiously.

Far rarer are cheap fixed-rate deals open to any customer, which would allow any household to switch easily to a cheaper energy tariff.

Lowrey said: 'The current scarcity of fixed deals lower than the cap further complicates the situation. With few affordable alternatives, households are left at the mercy of market fluctuations.'

However, if Cornwall Insight is correct that energy bills will fall next year, this could spur energy firms to bring back cheaper fixed-rate deals.

Natalie Mathie, energy expert at Uswitch.com, said: 'If these predictions ring true, we hope that it will encourage suppliers to bring back cheaper fixed deals. Ofgem should ensure it is encouraging suppliers to offer deals widely, and at competitive prices.'

Bills, bills, bills: Cash-strapped households are hoping for a return to cheaper deals

Price cap COULD still go up

The Ofgem price cap could also go up next year for a couple of one-off reasons.

Ofgem has said it is planning to put its price cap up by 16 in the period between April 2024 and March 2025, to cover unpaid customer debts during the energy crisis. This means the average customer would pay an extra 1.33 a month.

Ofgem has also warned that energy bills could rise by 43 a year from 2026 to compensate gas networks for the UK's net zero drive.

The cost of delivering gas to UK homes is run by private companies and paid for through energy bills and levies, regulated by Ofgem.

But these firms face losing money on their investment, Ofgem said earlier this month, as the use of gas slows down under Government initiatives like the heat pump rollout.

If the Government does not intervene, consumers face higher gas bills, Ofgem said.
Harland & Wolff  the Belfast shipyard that built the Titanic more than a century ago  has moved closer towards raising 200million.

The company was granted permission by the Government to advance talks with UK Export Finance over a new loan facility.

Harland & Wolff is hoping to shore up its finances by accessing funds under the export development guarantee scheme.

History: Harland & Wolff built the Titanic more than a century ago

The scheme is a measure that is designed to help firms that export from the UK.

Having received approval to progress negotiations, the firm will now finalise key details.

These will range from the banks involved to the credit and guarantee agreements and the security package offered.

Harland & Wolff added that it should now have enough cash to run its business until the new loan facility is completed.

It has said that it needs fresh funds after its half-year losses widened and debt ballooned.

Harland & Wolff shares soared 17.4 per cent, or 2p, to 13.5p.
Google has settled a 4billion lawsuit over claims the tech giant secretly tracked the internet use of millions of consumers who thought they were browsing privately.

A trial in the US has been put on hold after lawyers for Google and the internet users reached a preliminary agreement. The terms were not disclosed but lawyers had sought 4billion, including at least 4,000 in damages per user.

The case alleged Google's analytics, cookies and apps tracked online activity even after users set their browser to 'incognito' mode, which is supposed to be private.

Settlement: The case alleged Google's analytics, cookies and apps tracked online activity even after users set their browser to 'incognito' mode, which is supposed to be private

Alphabet-owned Google was able to access personal data and 'potentially embarrassing things'.

In a document filed in a California court, complainants said: 'Through its pervasive data tracking business, Google knows who your friends are, what your hobbies are, what you like to eat, what movies you watch, where and when you like to shop, what your favourite vacation destinations are, what your favourite colour is, and even the most intimate and potentially embarrassing things you browse on the internet  regardless of whether you follow Google's advice to keep your activities 'private'.

'Google has made itself an unaccountable trove of information so detailed and expansive that George Orwell could never have dreamed it.'

But US district judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers put the trial, scheduled to begin in February, on hold.

The parties are expected to provide a formal settlement for court approval by February 24. The lawsuit was filed in 2020, covering millions of Google users since June 2016.

Judge Rogers rejected Google's bid to dismiss the lawsuit in August. She said that it was an open question whether it had made a legally binding promise not to collect users' data when they browsed in private mode.

Google declined to comment.

The settlement comes after it became caught up in several legal battles in the US over alleged anti-competitive practices involving its Android apps.

It has agreed to pay 550million over allegations that it had been stifling competition against the Google Play store.

The terms were not revealed until earlier this month in documents that were filed in San Francisco.

Meanwhile, a federal court jury rebuked Google this year over competition concerns, forcing it to pay 495million in compensation to US consumers.

In a separate legal case, Fortnite maker Epic Games won a competition battle over Google's Play app store, alleging it was an illegal monopoly.
"Let's work together. Let's stop with the campaign smears and tactics to get people to turn against us, even having my favorite president call us and tell us we need to knock this off," said U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, a reliable ally of the former president.
Shares in Ferrexpo climbed as the Ukrainian iron ore miner set its sights on ramping up exports through the Black Sea.

Ships leaving the port of Odesa have been at risk of Russian attack since Moscow scrapped a deal that allowed the safe export of Ukrainian grain.

Kyiv has since opened a temporary corridor to allow vessels to come and go. But Russia has said it regards all cargo ships in the Black Sea bound for Ukraine as potential targets.

Digging deep: Ferrexpo produces iron ore pellets, but only half its four pellet lines have been used due to the reduced export capacity

Ferrexpo chairman Lucio Genovese plans to resume exports via the route, and laid bare the 'hugely challenging situation' it has faced since Russia invaded Ukraine.

This has 'sharply reduced opportunities to ship significant product volumes to the Middle East and Asia,' Genovese said.

Ferrexpo produces iron ore pellets. But only half its four pellet lines have been used due to the reduced export capacity.

The group also said 34 employees have died in the conflict while 754 others are serving in Ukraine's armed forces. Shares gained 6.6 per cent, or 5.55p, to close at 90.25p.

The London stock market shut early on the final trading day of the year as the FTSE 100 was up 0.1 per cent, or 10.5 points, to 7733.24 while the FTSE 250 fell 0.2 per cent, or 29.53 points, to 19,689.63.

While the top index has risen nearly 4 per cent in 2023, it has underperformed global peers with America's S&P 500 and Germany's Dax up by at least a fifth.

Oil prices recorded a first annual loss since 2020. Brent crude started the year at around $86, fell to $71 in June and peaked at nearly $97 three months later. Yesterday it was almost $78. BP rose 0.2 per cent, or 0.95p, to 466.15 and Shell by 0.9 per cent, or 22.5p, to 2571.5p.

Sophie Lund-Yates, lead equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: 'The price has whipsawed this year as expectations of sluggish demand, inventory build-ups and conflicts in key locations amalgamated into volatility.

'The overall theme of the year though seems to indicate that heat has come out of the price for now but that can change at very short notice.'

Formerly known as National Express, Mobico gained 7.9 per cent, or 6.2p, to 84.6p after Northern Express Enterprises Limited disclosed a 3 per cent stake.

British American Tobacco made gains a day after it was slapped with a 100million fine for breaking competition rules.

Shares in the maker of Lucky Strike and Dunhill, which were flat on Thursday, rose 0.6 per cent, or 13p, to 2295.5p.

Also clawing back some losses was Sondrel. The chipmaker crashed 53.7 per cent on Thursday after it saying it needed more cash following a 1.7million contract delay.

But it shot up 29.3 per cent, or 1.1p, to 4.85p yesterday.

The son of the chairman who founded Naked Wines in 2008 has bought nearly 8,500 worth of shares in the firm.

Luke Gormley snapped up 14,392 shares in the online alcohol seller at almost 59p each, as the stock slid 3.5 per cent, or 2p, to 55p.

Saietta, which makes parts that can be fitted inside electric vehicles, has moved closer towards transitioning from a research and development company into large-scale manufacturing.

Its half-year results showed a slight increase in revenues while losses narrowed. Shares fell 2.8 per cent, or 0.5p, to 17.5p.

AIM-listed Duke Royalty, which provides funds to company owners to help them retain control of their business, expects to have made 6.3million of revenue in the three months to the end of December  12 per cent higher than the same period last year. It rose 2.3 per cent, or 0.75p, to 33.25p.
Money box: Norman Lamont, with his then wife Rosemary, leaves Downing Street for the Budget in 1992

Life peer and former Conservative MP Norman Lamont would compel more people to save more money into their pensions if he were made Chancellor of the Exchequer again.

Lord Lamont, who held the post in John Major's government from 1990 until 1993, tells us that as a country, we don't save enough money.

He gave up his work as a professional investment manager to go into politics and says that on a Minister's salary, 'it wasn't easy' for him to pay his children's school fees and make ends meet.

Lord Lamont was married to Rosemary for 28 years with whom he had two children before their divorce in 1999.

Now 81, he lives in Notting Hill, West London, and has four grandchildren.

What did your parents teach you about money?

Quite a lot. My mother was a schoolteacher and my father was a surgeon in Shetland.

He was fairly well-paid as the only surgeon on a hundred different islands  but he worked all hours, seven days a week, and had to cover everything from brain surgery to getting people's tonsils out.

We were an ordinary, middle-income, middle-class family. Both my parents were keen that I should understand the importance of saving and investing. When I was very young, my father gave me some shares in an investment trust called General Consolidated. It was a small sum of money but I kept it for years, and it grew and grew.

He also took out a life insurance policy for me, early on. I am now 81 and so I save less than I used to, but my instincts remain those of the saver rather than the spender.

Have you ever struggled to make ends meet?

Mercifully, I'm reasonably comfortable. But there were times, particularly during the 11 years I was a Minister and we had two children to educate, that money was a bit tight and it was an effort to make ends meet.

I'm not saying I was hard up, I'm just saying it wasn't easy. I'm sure, if I hadn't been a Minister, I'd have earned a lot more money.

Have you ever been paid silly money?

After my time as a Minister, I was once paid a quite large sum of money for giving the same speech three times in the same day to different groups in the same company. I couldn't quite believe I was doing it.

They were a salesforce, with several thousand people each time, and I was meant to give them what is called a 'motivational speech'. To this day, I have no idea what that means. It was a strange experience.

What is the most expensive thing you bought for fun?

I've never been a big spender. Like most people, the largest sum of money I've ever spent was on my own house. I've bought the odd picture or piece of furniture but I've never splashed out on anything.

The biggest luxury I ever had was in the late-1990s, when I decided to visit almost every country in South America. I would visit two countries in a fortnight, every year for a period of time, which wasn't cheap. I visited Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, Ecuador, Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, as well as Cuba and Central America.

I don't like hot weather that much so I would go to South America when it was a bit cooler, in the middle of our summer. I just find the different countries fascinating and their architecture and way of life has always interested me.

What is your biggest money mistake?

I'm sure I've made lots. I have a Sipp and Isas, and a small portfolio of shares I run myself and in investment terms, my biggest mistake was underestimating the US tech companies. I didn't believe they would expand as fast as they did, so I didn't join in the great tech boom in the US stock market. I saw it as a bubble. I'm a very cautious investor  probably too cautious.

I don't tend to invest in companies, I invest normally in collective vehicles such as trusts which are very cautious and old-fashioned, but I believe in them and that's how I invest. Before I went into politics, I was a professional investment manager. I enjoy investing. I like it. If I hadn't become a politician, I would have liked to continue.

I think when you invest, you get a bird's eye view of what is happening in the world, you are made aware of trends. I strongly believe no one can forecast the future and it's a lot of fun being surprised all the time.

The best money decision you have made?

Buying my home, a house in Notting Hill, which I bought around 2000. I don't want to go into how many bedrooms it has but I've done quite well. It has more than doubled in value since I bought it. But that's not due to any genius on my part. It's more down to luck.

I haven't invested in a buy-to-let. That might be a mistake but I've never liked the idea of managing two properties.

Do you save into a pension?

I have an MP's pension, and before and after I became an MP, I put money into a Sipp. I haven't drawn down any of it yet. I live on my MP's pension and I have some earnings as well. I still work outside Parliament as a consultant and non-executive director, and do some lecturing and speaking.

What is the one little luxury you treat yourself to?

I have a fatal weakness for taxis, particularly black cabs. I don't have a car and I use a lot of them. I use public transport, too, but I ought to use it more. I'm not going to share how much I typically spend every week, but I usually tip the driver ten per cent.

What would you do as Chancellor now?

You might think that would be an easy question for me to answer, but it's not, because it's a very difficult question.

I would introduce more incentives for saving. As a country, we don't save enough and governments need to do more to encourage that.

I think people should be compelled to put more into pension schemes. There's been great success with auto-enrolment  a lot of people have pensions  but they're still not big enough. More people, including self-employed workers, should be forced into pensions, and people should be forced to pay more into them.

Do you donate money to charity?

Not as much as I should. But I do try. For example, when I shop in the supermarket, I try always to put something by for the food bank. There are also one or two old-fashioned charities that I like to give money to, such as lifeboats [the RNLI] or the Salvation Army.

What is your number one financial priority?

To help my children and grandchildren, and to have enough to support myself if I need any care, depending on my own longevity.
U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO  Free Report) by 2.8% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 169,777 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 4,633 shares during the period. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in Coca-Cola were worth $9,504,000 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. Johnson Midwest Financial LLC lifted its position in shares of Coca-Cola by 7.5% in the 2nd quarter. Johnson Midwest Financial LLC now owns 2,321 shares of the companys stock worth $140,000 after purchasing an additional 162 shares during the period. Alpha Financial Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of Coca-Cola by 3.4% in the 2nd quarter. Alpha Financial Partners LLC now owns 4,913 shares of the companys stock worth $296,000 after purchasing an additional 162 shares during the period. Traynor Capital Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of Coca-Cola by 4.4% in the 2nd quarter. Traynor Capital Management Inc. now owns 3,831 shares of the companys stock worth $231,000 after purchasing an additional 162 shares during the period. Plancorp LLC lifted its position in shares of Coca-Cola by 1.1% in the 2nd quarter. Plancorp LLC now owns 14,897 shares of the companys stock worth $897,000 after purchasing an additional 164 shares during the period. Finally, Aberdeen Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Coca-Cola by 0.9% in the 2nd quarter. Aberdeen Wealth Management LLC now owns 17,756 shares of the companys stock worth $1,069,000 after purchasing an additional 164 shares during the period. 68.96% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Activity at Coca-Cola

In related news, CEO James Quincey sold 92,029 shares of Coca-Cola stock in a transaction dated 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 owns 442,546 shares in the company, valued at approximately $23,835,527.56. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other Coca-Cola news, SVP Beatriz R. Perez sold 20,534 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, October 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $56.12, for a total transaction of $1,152,368.08. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 143,383 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,046,653.96. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CEO James Quincey sold 92,029 shares of the businesss 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 sale, the chief executive officer now owns 442,546 shares of the companys stock, valued at $23,835,527.56. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 349,315 shares of company stock worth $19,805,715 in the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 1.00% of the companys stock.

Coca-Cola Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE KO traded up $0.01 during trading on Friday, reaching $58.76. 957,026 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 13,719,194. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $57.66 and its 200 day simple moving average is $58.68. The stock has a market cap of $254.04 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.59, a PEG ratio of 3.52 and a beta of 0.58. The Coca-Cola Company has a 12-month low of $51.55 and a 12-month high of $64.99. The company has a current ratio of 1.14, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.23.

Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 24th. The company reported $0.74 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates 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 during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.45 billion. As a group, research analysts anticipate that The Coca-Cola Company will post 2.68 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Coca-Cola Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 15th. Investors of record on Friday, December 1st were paid a $0.46 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, November 30th. This represents a $1.84 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.13%. Coca-Colas dividend payout ratio is presently 73.90%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on KO shares. Bank of America lowered their price target on shares of Coca-Cola from $74.00 to $60.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, October 17th. Morgan Stanley lowered their price target on Coca-Cola from $70.00 to $65.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, October 25th. Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on Coca-Cola in a research report on Monday, November 13th. They set 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 research report on Friday, October 13th. Finally, Barclays lowered their price target on Coca-Cola from $70.00 to $59.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 12th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $66.20.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on KO

Coca-Cola Profile

(Free Report)

The Coca-Cola Company, a beverage company, manufactures, markets, and sells various nonalcoholic beverages worldwide. The company provides sparkling soft drinks, sparkling flavors; water, sports, coffee, and tea; juice, value-added dairy, and plant-based beverages; and other beverages. It also offers beverage concentrates and syrups, as well as fountain syrups to fountain retailers, such as restaurants and convenience stores.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding KO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO  Free Report).

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Clarius Group LLC reduced its position in shares of Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT  Free Report) by 18.5% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 15,257 shares of the retailers stock after selling 3,467 shares during the period. Clarius Group LLCs holdings in Walmart were worth $2,440,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in WMT. Strategic Financial Concepts LLC grew its stake in Walmart by 1.0% during the second 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 position in shares of Walmart by 1.9% during the second quarter. Signature Wealth Management Group now owns 3,436 shares of the retailers stock valued at $540,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares in the last quarter. Carmel Capital Partners LLC increased its holdings in shares of Walmart by 3.7% in the second quarter. Carmel Capital Partners LLC now owns 1,818 shares of the retailers stock worth $286,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares during the last quarter. Verdence Capital Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Walmart by 1.1% in the second quarter. Verdence Capital Advisors LLC now owns 5,976 shares of the retailers stock worth $939,000 after buying an additional 65 shares in the last quarter. Finally, RB Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in Walmart by 0.7% during the second quarter. RB Capital Management LLC now owns 9,770 shares of the retailers stock valued at $1,536,000 after buying an additional 65 shares during the last quarter. 33.18% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Walmart Trading Down 0.1 %

Shares of WMT opened at $157.65 on Friday. The firms fifty day moving average is $158.46 and its two-hundred day moving average is $158.77. The company has a quick ratio of 0.23, a current ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49. The stock has a market cap of $424.43 billion, a PE ratio of 26.14, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.34 and a beta of 0.48. Walmart Inc. has a 52-week low of $136.09 and a 52-week high of $169.94.

Insider Buying and Selling

Walmart ( NYSE:WMT Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 16th. The retailer reported $1.53 EPS for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $1.53. Walmart had a return on equity of 21.20% and a net margin of 2.55%. The firm had revenue of $160.80 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $159.65 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.50 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 5.2% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts forecast that Walmart Inc. will post 6.45 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

In related news, CEO C Douglas Mcmillon sold 9,708 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $162.99, for a total transaction of $1,582,306.92. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,451,801 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $236,629,044.99. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Walmart news, CEO C Douglas Mcmillon sold 9,708 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $162.99, for a total transaction of $1,582,306.92. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,451,801 shares in the company, valued at $236,629,044.99. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director S Robson Walton sold 885,170 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $156.13, for a total value of $138,201,592.10. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 233,094,355 shares of the companys stock, valued at $36,393,021,646.15. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders sold 3,479,006 shares of company stock worth $542,170,741. Company insiders own 46.51% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have issued reports on WMT shares. Telsey Advisory Group reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a $185.00 price objective on shares of Walmart in a research note on Friday, November 17th. Piper Sandler reaffirmed an overweight rating and set a $210.00 price target on shares of Walmart in a research note on Wednesday, September 27th. Evercore ISI dropped their price objective on shares of Walmart from $187.00 to $177.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, November 17th. Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on shares of Walmart from $170.00 to $168.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, November 17th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus upped their price objective on Walmart from $169.00 to $171.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Monday, November 13th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty-eight have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $179.44.

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About Walmart

(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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Shulman DeMeo Asset Management LLC reduced its position in shares of International Business Machines Co. (NYSE:IBM  Free Report) by 6.5% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 8,661 shares of the technology companys stock after selling 600 shares during the period. International Business Machines accounts for about 0.4% of Shulman DeMeo Asset Management LLCs holdings, making the stock its 20th biggest position. Shulman DeMeo Asset Management LLCs holdings in International Business Machines were worth $1,215,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Cantor Fitzgerald Investment Advisor L.P raised its position in International Business Machines by 97.6% in the first quarter. Cantor Fitzgerald Investment Advisor L.P now owns 257,335 shares of the technology companys stock worth $33,459,000 after acquiring an additional 127,093 shares during the period. Roundview Capital LLC purchased a new position in International Business Machines during the first quarter valued at approximately $203,000. Sei Investments Co. grew its stake in International Business Machines by 35.7% during the first quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 177,599 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $23,157,000 after acquiring an additional 46,756 shares in the last quarter. Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. grew its stake in International Business Machines by 1.9% during the first quarter. Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. now owns 95,662 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $12,438,000 after acquiring an additional 1,821 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Baird Financial Group Inc. grew its stake in International Business Machines by 1.5% during the first quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 382,232 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $49,698,000 after acquiring an additional 5,506 shares in the last quarter. 56.16% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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International Business Machines Trading Up 0.0 %

NYSE:IBM traded up $0.08 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $163.83. 147,311 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,446,021. The company has a fifty day moving average of $154.06 and a 200 day moving average of $145.40. International Business Machines Co. has a 12 month low of $120.55 and a 12 month high of $166.34. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.11, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a current ratio of 0.91. The stock has a market capitalization of $149.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.72, a PEG ratio of 4.45 and a beta of 0.77.

International Business Machines Dividend Announcement

International Business Machines ( NYSE:IBM Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 25th. The technology company reported $2.20 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.12 by $0.08. International Business Machines had a net margin of 11.32% and a return on equity of 38.51%. The business had revenue of $14.75 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $14.73 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.81 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 4.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts predict that International Business Machines Co. will post 9.45 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Saturday, December 9th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 10th were issued a $1.66 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 9th. This represents a $6.64 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.05%. International Business Machiness dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 88.06%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages recently commented on IBM. StockNews.com raised shares of International Business Machines from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 21st. Bank of America boosted their price target on shares of International Business Machines from $155.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 5th. Royal Bank of Canada cut their price target on shares of International Business Machines from $188.00 to $179.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, October 26th. Wedbush reissued a neutral rating and issued a $140.00 price target on shares of International Business Machines in a research note on Monday, November 13th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets boosted their price target on shares of International Business Machines from $152.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research note on Thursday, October 26th. Seven 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, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $150.00.

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International Business Machines Profile

(Free Report)

International Business Machines Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides integrated solutions and services worldwide. The company operates through four business segments: Software, Consulting, Infrastructure, and Financing. The Software segment offers hybrid cloud platform and software solutions; software for business automation, AIOps and management, integration, and application servers; data and artificial intelligence solutions; and security software and services for threat, data, and identity.

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KRS Capital Management LLC cut its holdings in RTX Co. (NYSE:RTX  Free Report) by 11.6% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 3,809 shares of the companys stock after selling 500 shares during the quarter. KRS Capital Management LLCs holdings in RTX were worth $274,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich raised its holdings in shares of RTX by 105,363.3% in the second quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 70,115,189 shares of the companys stock worth $6,868,484,000 after buying an additional 70,048,706 shares during the last quarter. Morgan Stanley increased its position in shares of RTX by 11.3% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 30,509,436 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,079,013,000 after acquiring an additional 3,104,282 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its stake in RTX by 2.7% in the 1st quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 26,237,984 shares of the companys stock worth $2,563,118,000 after acquiring an additional 696,262 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in RTX during the 4th quarter worth about $1,580,608,000. Finally, Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC lifted its position in RTX by 87,932.7% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 13,614,259 shares of the companys stock worth $1,373,951,000 after acquiring an additional 13,598,794 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.06% of the companys stock.

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RTX Stock Performance

Shares of RTX stock opened at $84.17 on Friday. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $81.03 and its 200-day simple moving average is $84.10. The company has a quick ratio of 0.77, a current ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46. The firm has a market cap of $121.03 billion, a PE ratio of 39.15, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.80 and a beta of 0.93. RTX Co. has a 52 week low of $68.56 and a 52 week high of $108.84.

RTX Announces Dividend

RTX ( NYSE:RTX Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, October 24th. The company reported $1.25 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.19 by $0.06. RTX had a net margin of 4.76% and a return on equity of 10.05%. The company had revenue of $19 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $18.60 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.21 earnings per share. RTXs revenue for the quarter was up 12.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts forecast that RTX Co. will post 5 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 14th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 17th were given a $0.59 dividend. This represents a $2.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.80%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 16th. RTXs payout ratio is 109.77%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Royal Bank of Canada restated a sector perform rating and issued a $82.00 price objective on shares of RTX in a research note on Monday, September 25th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut shares of RTX from a hold rating to a sell rating and decreased their price objective for the company from $79.00 to $68.00 in a research note on Friday, October 27th. Melius cut shares of RTX from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and set a $92.00 target price for the company. in a report on Monday, September 11th. Redburn Atlantic lowered shares of RTX from an overweight rating to a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, November 15th. Finally, Bank of America lowered RTX from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and reduced their price objective for the company from $95.00 to $75.00 in a research note on Thursday, September 14th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, fourteen have given a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $90.21.

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RTX Profile

(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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Zullo Investment Group Inc. cut its holdings in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:AGG  Free Report) by 23.6% during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 4,597 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,418 shares during the period. Zullo Investment Group Inc.s holdings in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF were worth $432,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management lifted its stake in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 145.5% during the first quarter. Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management now owns 6,590 shares of the companys stock worth $705,000 after purchasing an additional 3,906 shares in the last quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 36.2% during the first quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 52,003 shares of the companys stock worth $5,570,000 after purchasing an additional 13,829 shares in the last quarter. Worth Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF during the first quarter worth $44,000. Baltimore Washington Financial Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF during the first quarter worth $241,000. Finally, West Michigan Advisors LLC lifted its stake in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 2.0% during the first quarter. West Michigan Advisors LLC now owns 14,640 shares of the companys stock worth $1,568,000 after purchasing an additional 292 shares in the last quarter. 83.21% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF Stock Performance

NYSEARCA:AGG opened at $99.44 on Friday. The stocks fifty day moving average is $95.77 and its two-hundred day moving average is $96.00. iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF has a 52 week low of $91.58 and a 52 week high of $101.15.

iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF Profile

IShares are index funds that are bought and sold like common stocks on national securities exchanges as well as certain foreign exchanges. iShares are attractive because of their relatively low cost, tax efficiency and trading flexibility. Investors can purchase and sell shares through any brokerage firm, financial advisor, or online broker, and hold the funds in any type of brokerage account.

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Denali Advisors LLC increased its stake in Bank of America Co. (NYSE:BAC) by 4.1% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 30,600 shares of the financial services providers stock after acquiring an additional 1,200 shares during the quarter. Denali Advisors LLCs holdings in Bank of America were worth $838,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. FNY Investment Advisers LLC grew its holdings in shares of Bank of America by 75.9% in the 2nd quarter. FNY Investment Advisers LLC now owns 920 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 397 shares during the last quarter. Marquette Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Bank of America by 333.2% in the 2nd quarter. Marquette Asset Management LLC now owns 953 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 733 shares during the last quarter. Castleview Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Bank of America in the 1st quarter worth $28,000. Global Trust Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Bank of America by 45.7% in the 2nd quarter. Global Trust Asset Management LLC now owns 1,036 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 325 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Live Oak Investment Partners acquired a new position in shares of Bank of America in the 4th quarter worth $39,000. 68.06% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Bank of America Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:BAC opened at $33.92 on Friday. Bank of America Co. has a fifty-two week low of $24.96 and a fifty-two week high of $37.00. The business has a 50-day moving average of $29.80 and a two-hundred day moving average of $29.28. The stock has a market capitalization of $268.43 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.49, a P/E/G ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 1.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.12, a current ratio of 0.83 and a quick ratio of 0.82.

Bank of America Announces Dividend

Bank of America ( NYSE:BAC Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 17th. The financial services provider reported $0.90 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.83 by $0.07. Bank of America had a return on equity of 12.08% and a net margin of 18.69%. The company had revenue of $25.20 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $25.13 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.81 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 2.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts predict that Bank of America Co. will post 3.41 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 29th. Investors of record on Friday, December 1st will be given a dividend of $0.24 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, November 30th. This represents a $0.96 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.83%. Bank of Americas dividend payout ratio is presently 26.89%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

BAC has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a $35.00 target price on shares of Bank of America in a report on Tuesday, September 12th. Oppenheimer lifted their price target on Bank of America from $49.00 to $51.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, November 16th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price target on Bank of America from $39.00 to $40.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a report on Wednesday, October 18th. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their price target on Bank of America from $31.00 to $28.00 in a report on Tuesday, October 10th. Finally, Evercore ISI lowered their price target on Bank of America from $35.00 to $33.00 in a report on Thursday, October 5th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $35.58.

Read Our Latest Report on BAC

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, major shareholder Of America Corp /De/ Bank sold 17,769 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $9.94, for a total transaction of $176,623.86. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. 0.27% of the stock is owned by insiders.

About Bank of America

(Free Report)

Bank of America Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides banking and financial products and services for individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses, institutional investors, large corporations, and governments worldwide. Its Consumer Banking segment offers traditional and money market savings accounts, certificates of deposit and IRAs, noninterest-and interest-bearing checking accounts, and investment accounts and products; and credit and debit cards, residential mortgages, and home equity loans, as well as direct and indirect loans, such as automotive, recreational vehicle, and consumer personal loans.

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Grimes & Company Inc. grew its stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Free Report) by 4.4% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 331,440 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after acquiring an additional 14,084 shares during the quarter. Bristol-Myers Squibb comprises about 0.7% of Grimes & Company Inc.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 25th biggest holding. Grimes & Company Inc.s holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $19,237,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in BMY. Ballentine Partners LLC grew its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 2.8% in the 3rd quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC now owns 41,332 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $2,399,000 after purchasing an additional 1,116 shares during the period. Red Door Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 18.5% in the third quarter. Red Door Wealth Management LLC now owns 12,564 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $729,000 after acquiring an additional 1,962 shares during the period. Connecticut Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb during the third quarter valued at $240,000. Riversedge Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 3.2% in the third quarter. Riversedge Advisors LLC now owns 5,691 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $330,000 after acquiring an additional 178 shares during the period. Finally, Quaker Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 47.5% in the third quarter. Quaker Wealth Management LLC now owns 5,924 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $344,000 after purchasing an additional 1,909 shares during the last quarter. 74.98% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have recently commented on BMY. UBS Group reaffirmed a neutral rating and set a $60.00 price target (down previously from $70.00) on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research report on Friday, October 20th. Cantor Fitzgerald downgraded shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and decreased their price target for the stock from $68.00 to $55.00 in a research report on Wednesday, November 15th. Daiwa Capital Markets downgraded shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and cut their price objective for the company from $68.00 to $54.00 in a research report on Thursday, November 2nd. William Blair cut Bristol-Myers Squibb from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a report on Friday, October 27th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets lowered Bristol-Myers Squibb from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and set a $60.00 price target for the company. 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 assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Bristol-Myers Squibb has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $62.88.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:BMY opened at $51.22 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $104.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.00, a P/E/G ratio of 2.17 and a beta of 0.34. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $51.24 and a 200 day moving average price of $57.76. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a fifty-two week low of $48.25 and a fifty-two week high of $75.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 1.07 and a current ratio of 1.18.

Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 26th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $2.00 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.76 by $0.24. 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 the consensus estimate of $10.96 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.99 EPS. The businesss revenue was down 2.2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 7.53 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 1st. Investors of record on Friday, January 5th will be given a $0.60 dividend. This represents a $2.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.69%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 4th. This is a boost from Bristol-Myers Squibbs previous quarterly dividend of $0.57. Bristol-Myers Squibbs payout ratio is currently 57.87%.

Bristol-Myers Squibb announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock buyback plan on Thursday, December 7th that permits the company to repurchase $3.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the biopharmaceutical company to buy up to 2.9% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are typically an indication that the companys management believes its stock is undervalued.

Insider Activity at Bristol-Myers Squibb

In other Bristol-Myers Squibb news, Director Theodore R. Samuels II acquired 8,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, November 20th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $49.81 per share, with a total value of $423,385.00. Following the purchase, the director now directly owns 35,500 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,768,255. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, CEO Christopher S. Boerner purchased 2,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 5th. The shares were bought 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 owns 82,672 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,115,412.16. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, Director Theodore R. Samuels II purchased 8,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 20th. The stock was bought at an average price of $49.81 per share, with a total value of $423,385.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 35,500 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,768,255. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders have acquired a total of 13,571 shares of company stock valued at $672,994 over the last 90 days. 0.09% of the stock is owned by corporate 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.

Further Reading

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Ropes Wealth Advisors LLC lessened its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Free Report) by 16.8% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 44,337 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 8,943 shares during the quarter. Ropes Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $2,573,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. SevenBridge Financial Group LLC grew its stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 1.6% during the second quarter. SevenBridge Financial Group LLC now owns 49,112 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $3,141,000 after buying an additional 797 shares during the last quarter. Plancorp LLC grew its stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 3.2% during 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 during the last quarter. Security Asset Management grew its stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 20.3% during 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 during the last quarter. Wealth Architects LLC grew its stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 4.8% during 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 during the last quarter. Finally, Osterweis Capital Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 69.6% during 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 during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 74.98% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on BMY shares. Barclays dropped their target price on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from $60.00 to $51.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Friday, October 27th. Truist Financial reiterated a buy rating and set a $84.00 target price on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a report on Friday, October 6th. TheStreet lowered shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a report on Thursday, November 9th. TD Cowen dropped their target price 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. Finally, UBS Group reiterated a neutral rating and set a $60.00 target price (down from $70.00) on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a report on Friday, October 20th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have given a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $62.88.

Insider Activity at Bristol-Myers Squibb

In other news, CEO Christopher S. Boerner purchased 3,071 shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 28th. The stock was bought at an average price of $48.86 per share, with a total value of $150,049.06. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 79,384 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,878,702.24. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In related news, CEO Christopher S. Boerner bought 3,071 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 28th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $48.86 per share, with a total value of $150,049.06. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 79,384 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,878,702.24. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, CEO Christopher S. Boerner purchased 2,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated 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 purchase, the chief executive officer now directly owns 82,672 shares in the company, valued at $4,115,412.16. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders bought 13,571 shares of company stock valued at $672,994 over the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 0.09% of the companys stock.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Price Performance

Shares of NYSE BMY opened at $51.22 on Friday. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a fifty-two week low of $48.25 and a fifty-two week high of $75.18. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $51.24 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $57.76. The company has a market capitalization of $104.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.00, a P/E/G ratio of 2.17 and a beta of 0.34. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 1.07 and a current ratio of 1.18.

Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 26th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $2.00 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.76 by $0.24. The company had revenue of $10.97 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.96 billion. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a net margin of 18.44% and a return on equity of 51.59%. The firms quarterly revenue was down 2.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.99 earnings per share. Analysts expect that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 7.53 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared 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 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.69%. This is an increase 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 of Directors has authorized a stock buyback program 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 programs are often a sign that the companys board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

About Bristol-Myers Squibb

(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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The snow melts quickly from the Helios, left, and Bridge sculptures in Memorial Park this month as a runner circles Prospect Lake. While much of Colorado saw above-average snowfalls this winter, Colorado Springs water collection sources got average levels of snowfall.
WESCO International (NYSE:WCC  Free Report) had its price target lowered by Royal Bank of Canada from $198.00 to $187.00 in a research note published on Tuesday. The brokerage currently has an overweight rating on the technology companys stock.

Other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports about the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded WESCO International from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and set a $180.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Friday, October 6th. StockNews.com cut shares of WESCO International from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, November 23rd. One equities research 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 stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, WESCO International presently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $189.57.

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WESCO International Price Performance

Shares of WCC stock opened at $173.87 on Tuesday. WESCO International has a twelve month low of $121.53 and a twelve month high of $185.23. The company has a current ratio of 2.36, a quick ratio of 1.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.10. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $153.50 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $157.40. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.88 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.60, a P/E/G ratio of 1.11 and a beta of 2.02.

WESCO International (NYSE:WCC  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, November 2nd. The technology company reported $4.49 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.85 by $0.64. WESCO International had a net margin of 3.75% and a return on equity of 19.22%. The company had revenue of $5.64 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.64 billion. On average, analysts predict that WESCO International will post 15.77 EPS for the current fiscal year.

WESCO International Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 29th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 15th were paid a $0.375 dividend. This represents a $1.50 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.86%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, December 14th. WESCO Internationals payout ratio is 10.01%.

Insider Activity at WESCO International

In other news, EVP Hemant Porwal sold 13,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $154.12, for a total value of $2,003,560.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 14,089 shares in the company, valued at $2,171,396.68. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 2.60% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of WESCO International

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. KB Financial Partners LLC boosted its stake in shares of WESCO International by 76.8% during the 3rd quarter. KB Financial Partners LLC now owns 198 shares of the technology companys stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 86 shares in the last quarter. Park Place Capital Corp purchased a new position in WESCO International during the second quarter worth approximately $37,000. RFP Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in WESCO International in the second quarter valued at approximately $55,000. Fred Alger Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of WESCO International in the third quarter valued at approximately $60,000. Finally, Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in WESCO International in the 2nd quarter valued at $66,000. 99.15% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

WESCO International Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

WESCO International, Inc provides business-to-business distribution, logistics services, and supply chain solutions in the United States, Canada, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Electrical & Electronic Solutions (EES), Communications & Security Solutions (CSS), and Utility and Broadband Solutions (UBS).

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StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Hess (NYSE:HES  Free Report) in a research report sent to investors on Wednesday morning. The firm issued a sell rating on the oil and gas producers stock.

Several other research analysts have also issued reports on HES. Sanford C. Bernstein lowered Hess from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and lowered their target price for the stock from $189.00 to $166.00 in a research report on Thursday, November 2nd. Bank of America increased their price target on Hess from $205.00 to $210.00 in a report on Wednesday, September 27th. Piper Sandler increased their price target on Hess from $167.00 to $169.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, October 9th. Citigroup raised their target price on Hess from $155.00 to $163.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 18th. Finally, Raymond James restated a market perform rating on shares of Hess in a research note on Tuesday, October 24th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Hess has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $172.18.

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View Our Latest Stock Analysis on HES

Hess Stock Down 0.4 %

Shares of HES opened at $144.21 on Wednesday. Hess has a 52 week low of $113.82 and a 52 week high of $167.75. The stock has a market capitalization of $44.29 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.86 and a beta of 1.45. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.90, a quick ratio of 1.20 and a current ratio of 1.31. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $144.34 and a 200-day moving average of $147.06.

Hess (NYSE:HES  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 25th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.64 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.24 by $0.40. Hess had a return on equity of 18.06% and a net margin of 14.94%. The company had revenue of $2.30 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.68 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.89 EPS. Hesss revenue was down 27.3% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Hess will post 5.29 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hess Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 29th. Investors of record on Monday, December 18th were paid a $0.4375 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 15th. This represents a $1.75 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.21%. Hesss dividend payout ratio is 33.72%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. NBC Securities Inc. purchased a new position in Hess in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Larson Financial Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Hess during the 3rd quarter valued at $30,000. KB Financial Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of Hess during the 1st quarter valued at $26,000. Orion Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Hess during the 3rd quarter valued at $33,000. Finally, IMA Wealth Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Hess during the 2nd quarter valued at $30,000. 81.72% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Hess

(Get Free Report)

Hess Corporation, an exploration and production company, explores, develops, produces, purchases, transports, and sells crude oil, natural gas liquids (NGLs), and natural gas. The company operates in two segments, Exploration and Production, and Midstream. It conducts production operations primarily in the United States, Guyana, the Malaysia/Thailand Joint Development Area, and Malaysia; and exploration activities principally offshore Guyana, the U.S.

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Thomson Reuters Co. (TSE:TRI  Get Free Report) (NYSE:TRI) Senior Officer Elizabeth Beastrom sold 127 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$141.40, for a total transaction of C$17,957.17.

Thomson Reuters Price Performance

Shares of TSE:TRI opened at C$193.73 on Friday. The companys fifty day moving average is C$184.48 and its two-hundred day moving average is C$177.32. The company has a market cap of C$88.24 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.75, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.53 and a beta of 0.40. Thomson Reuters Co. has a 12-month low of C$151.86 and a 12-month high of C$195.51. The company has a quick ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 1.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 40.94.

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Thomson Reuters (TSE:TRI  Get Free Report) (NYSE:TRI) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 1st. The company reported C$1.10 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of C$0.91 by C$0.19. The business had revenue of C$2.14 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of C$2.15 billion. Thomson Reuters had a return on equity of 18.53% and a net margin of 33.14%. Equities analysts expect that Thomson Reuters Co. will post 4.9514487 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Thomson Reuters Increases Dividend

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, November 16th were issued a $0.68 dividend. This is an increase from Thomson Reuterss previous quarterly dividend of $0.65. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, November 15th. This represents a $2.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.40%. Thomson Reuterss dividend payout ratio is currently 41.75%.

Several analysts have issued reports on TRI shares. TD Securities cut their price objective on Thomson Reuters from C$190.00 to C$185.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, November 2nd. Bank of America cut their price target on Thomson Reuters from C$222.00 to C$195.00 in a report on Thursday, November 2nd. BMO Capital Markets upped their price objective on shares of Thomson Reuters from C$201.00 to C$211.00 in a report on Monday, December 11th. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their price target on Thomson Reuters from C$136.00 to C$133.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, November 2nd. Finally, National Bankshares lowered their price objective on shares of Thomson Reuters from C$186.00 to C$180.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, November 2nd. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Thomson Reuters presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of C$177.14.

Check Out Our Latest Report on Thomson Reuters

About Thomson Reuters

(Get Free Report)

Thomson Reuters Corporation engages in the provision of business information services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates in five segments: Legal Professionals, Corporates, Tax & Accounting Professionals, Reuters News, and Global Print. The Legal Professionals segment offers research and workflow products focusing on legal research and integrated legal workflow solutions that combine content, tools, and analytics to law firms and governments.

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Targa Resources Corp. (NYSE:TRGP  Get Free Report) has received an average rating of Buy from the thirteen brokerages that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Twelve analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average 1 year target price among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $104.09.

Several research analysts recently commented on TRGP shares. UBS Group lowered their target price on Targa Resources from $116.00 to $109.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, December 14th. Barclays lifted their price target on Targa Resources from $89.00 to $94.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, October 18th. TheStreet raised Targa Resources from a c+ rating to a b rating in a report on Tuesday, September 5th. The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on Targa Resources in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a buy rating and a $101.00 price target for the company. Finally, Truist Financial lifted their price target on Targa Resources from $95.00 to $105.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, November 6th.

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Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Targa Resources

Targa Resources Price Performance

NYSE:TRGP opened at $86.87 on Friday. Targa Resources has a 52 week low of $64.85 and a 52 week high of $91.43. The company has a quick ratio of 0.60, a current ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.81. The company has a market capitalization of $19.37 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.74 and a beta of 2.22. The stocks fifty day moving average is $86.34 and its two-hundred day moving average is $83.19.

Targa Resources (NYSE:TRGP  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 2nd. The pipeline company reported $0.97 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.17 by ($0.20). Targa Resources had a net margin of 5.33% and a return on equity of 19.08%. The firm had revenue of $3.90 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.13 billion. Equities analysts expect that Targa Resources will post 5.03 EPS for the current year.

Targa Resources Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, October 31st were given a dividend of $0.50 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, October 30th. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.30%. Targa Resourcess payout ratio is 52.36%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Targa Resources news, insider Robert Muraro sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $90.03, for a total transaction of $900,300.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 187,021 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $16,837,500.63. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other news, Director Charles R. Crisp sold 3,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $85.01, for a total transaction of $255,030.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 116,524 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,905,705.24. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, insider Robert Muraro sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $90.03, for a total value of $900,300.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 187,021 shares of the companys stock, valued at $16,837,500.63. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 15,000 shares of company stock valued at $1,335,330. 1.39% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Targa Resources

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Glenview Trust Co increased its stake in Targa Resources by 4.4% in the 2nd quarter. Glenview Trust Co now owns 2,894 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $220,000 after purchasing an additional 121 shares in the last quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. increased its stake in Targa Resources by 51.3% in the 3rd quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 357 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 121 shares in the last quarter. Chilton Capital Management LLC increased its stake in Targa Resources by 11.7% in the 2nd quarter. Chilton Capital Management LLC now owns 1,186 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $90,000 after purchasing an additional 124 shares in the last quarter. Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC increased its stake in Targa Resources by 2.1% in the 2nd quarter. Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC now owns 6,125 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $466,000 after purchasing an additional 128 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC increased its position in Targa Resources by 0.3% during the second quarter. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC now owns 47,658 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $3,868,000 after buying an additional 137 shares in the last quarter. 90.21% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Targa Resources Company Profile

(Get Free Report

Targa Resources Corp., together with its subsidiary, Targa Resources Partners LP, owns, operates, acquires, and develops a portfolio of complementary domestic midstream infrastructure assets in North America. The company operates in two segments, Gathering and Processing, and Logistics and Transportation.

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X-trackers Harvest CSI 300 China A-Shares Fund (NYSEARCA:ASHR  Get Free Report) was the recipient of some unusual options trading activity on Thursday. Traders acquired 36,039 put options on the stock. This is an increase of 68% compared to the average daily volume of 21,432 put options.

X-trackers Harvest CSI 300 China A-Shares Fund Price Performance

NYSEARCA:ASHR opened at $23.91 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $1.96 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.98 and a beta of 0.46. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $24.47 and a 200-day moving average price of $25.88. X-trackers Harvest CSI 300 China A-Shares Fund has a 1-year low of $22.73 and a 1-year high of $32.19.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On X-trackers Harvest CSI 300 China A-Shares Fund

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Turim 21 Investimentos Ltda. purchased a new stake in shares of X-trackers Harvest CSI 300 China A-Shares Fund during the third quarter worth $46,000. Hollencrest Capital Management purchased a new stake in shares of X-trackers Harvest CSI 300 China A-Shares Fund during the third quarter worth $62,000. KB Financial Partners LLC boosted its position in shares of X-trackers Harvest CSI 300 China A-Shares Fund by 20.0% during the 1st quarter. KB Financial Partners LLC now owns 10,349 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $342,000 after acquiring an additional 1,726 shares during the last quarter. SkyView Investment Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of X-trackers Harvest CSI 300 China A-Shares Fund by 434.2% during the 1st quarter. SkyView Investment Advisors LLC now owns 10,652 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $352,000 after acquiring an additional 8,658 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Syon Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of X-trackers Harvest CSI 300 China A-Shares Fund during the 3rd quarter valued at about $306,000.

X-trackers Harvest CSI 300 China A-Shares Fund Company Profile

The Xtrackers Harvest CSI 300 China A-Shares ETF (ASHR) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the China Shenzhen SE \u002F CSI 300 index. The fund tracks an index of the 300 largest and most liquid Chinese shares traded on the Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges. The fund holds physical China A-shares.

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Gray Television, Inc. (NYSE:GTN.A  Get Free Report) saw unusually-high trading volume on Thursday . Approximately 4,731 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 96% from the previous sessions volume of 2,412 shares.The stock last traded at $8.93 and had previously closed at $8.89.

Gray Television Price Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.08, a quick ratio of 1.20 and a current ratio of 1.20. The stock has a market cap of $828.59 million, a PE ratio of 11.92 and a beta of 1.43. The stocks 50-day moving average is $8.43 and its two-hundred day moving average is $8.60.

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Gray Television (NYSE:GTN.A  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 8th. The company reported ($0.57) EPS for the quarter. Gray Television had a net margin of 3.41% and a return on equity of 5.78%. The business had revenue of $803.00 million during the quarter.

Gray Television Dividend Announcement

Gray Television Company Profile

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 29th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 15th were paid a $0.08 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, December 14th. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.68%. Gray Televisions dividend payout ratio is presently 43.84%.

(Get Free Report)

Gray Television, Inc, a television broadcast company, owns and operates television stations and digital assets in the United States. As of February 28, 2019, it owned and operated television stations in 91 television markets broadcasting approximately 400 program streams, including approximately 150 channels affiliated with the CBS Network, the NBC Network, the ABC Network, and the FOX Network.

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Livforsakringsbolaget Skandia Omsesidigt lessened its stake in shares of Lennar Co. (NYSE:LEN  Free Report) by 4.4% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 12,941 shares of the construction companys stock after selling 600 shares during the quarter. Livforsakringsbolaget Skandia Omsesidigts holdings in Lennar were worth $1,452,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Raymond James Trust N.A. lifted its holdings in shares of Lennar by 2.3% during the second quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 4,144 shares of the construction companys stock worth $520,000 after purchasing an additional 93 shares during the period. Harvest Fund Management Co. Ltd boosted its holdings in shares of Lennar by 10.6% in the second quarter. Harvest Fund Management Co. Ltd now owns 1,016 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $127,000 after acquiring an additional 97 shares in the last quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC lifted its position in Lennar by 4.4% in the second quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC now owns 2,312 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $290,000 after purchasing an additional 98 shares during the period. Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton boosted its holdings in Lennar by 10.6% in the 3rd quarter. Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton now owns 1,100 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $123,000 after purchasing an additional 105 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Unison Advisors LLC increased its position in Lennar by 0.3% during the 3rd quarter. Unison Advisors LLC now owns 36,438 shares of the construction companys stock worth $4,089,000 after purchasing an additional 107 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.87% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In other Lennar news, CFO Diane J. Bessette sold 10,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $147.73, for a total value of $1,477,300.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 260,556 shares in the company, valued at approximately $38,491,937.88. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, CFO Diane J. Bessette sold 10,000 shares of Lennar stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $147.73, for a total transaction of $1,477,300.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 260,556 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $38,491,937.88. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, VP Mark Sustana sold 37,304 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $146.38, for a total transaction of $5,460,559.52. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 18,694 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,736,427.72. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 67,304 shares of company stock worth $9,288,755. 9.53% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have issued reports on the company. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on Lennar from $114.00 to $137.00 and gave the stock an underperform rating in a research report on Monday, December 18th. Citigroup reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $139.00 price objective on shares of Lennar in a report on Tuesday, September 19th. Wedbush restated a neutral rating and set a $123.00 target price on shares of Lennar in a report on Monday, September 11th. UBS Group boosted their price target on Lennar from $150.00 to $159.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, September 18th. Finally, Evercore ISI lifted their price objective on Lennar from $161.00 to $164.00 in a research report on Monday, September 18th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Lennar has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $140.53.

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Lennar Trading Down 0.1 %

Shares of LEN stock opened at $149.02 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.72, a current ratio of 6.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11. Lennar Co. has a fifty-two week low of $89.73 and a fifty-two week high of $156.01. The firms 50 day moving average price is $129.52 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $122.86. The stock has a market cap of $42.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.83, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.52.

Lennar (NYSE:LEN  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Friday, December 15th. The construction company reported $4.82 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.59 by $0.23. Lennar had a net margin of 11.51% and a return on equity of 15.84%. The business had revenue of $10.97 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.22 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $5.02 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 7.8% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts anticipate that Lennar Co. will post 14.38 EPS for the current year.

About Lennar

(Free Report)

Lennar Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a homebuilder primarily under the Lennar brand in the United States. It operates through Homebuilding East, Homebuilding Central, Homebuilding Texas, Homebuilding West, Financial Services, Multifamily, and Lennar Other segments. The company's homebuilding operations include the construction and sale of single-family attached and detached homes, as well as the purchase, development, and sale of residential land; and development, construction, and management of multifamily rental properties.

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Livforsakringsbolaget Skandia Omsesidigt lessened its holdings in shares of Primerica, Inc. (NYSE:PRI  Free Report) by 4.9% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 7,700 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 400 shares during the quarter. Livforsakringsbolaget Skandia Omsesidigts holdings in Primerica were worth $1,493,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Summit Trail Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Primerica by 2.4% during the second quarter. Summit Trail Advisors LLC now owns 2,522 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $499,000 after acquiring an additional 58 shares in the last quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC boosted its position in shares of Primerica by 2.7% during the 1st quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 2,281 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $393,000 after acquiring an additional 59 shares during the last quarter. KB Financial Partners LLC raised its stake in Primerica by 1.2% in the second quarter. KB Financial Partners LLC now owns 5,026 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $994,000 after purchasing an additional 60 shares in the last quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. grew its stake in Primerica by 110.0% in the 2nd quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. now owns 126 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 66 shares in the last quarter. Finally, IFP Advisors Inc lifted its holdings in shares of Primerica by 12.0% during the 3rd quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 617 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $120,000 after acquiring an additional 66 shares during the last quarter. 90.56% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Transactions at Primerica

In related news, CFO Alison S. Rand sold 3,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $210.07, for a total value of $630,210.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 6,444 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,353,691.08. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.85% of the companys stock.

Primerica Price Performance

NYSE PRI opened at $205.76 on Friday. Primerica, Inc. has a 1-year low of $140.69 and a 1-year high of $220.00. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.61 and a beta of 1.15. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $205.68 and its 200-day moving average price is $203.50.

Primerica (NYSE:PRI  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 7th. The financial services provider reported $4.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $4.03 by $0.25. The company had revenue of $710.90 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $703.50 million. Primerica had a net margin of 19.94% and a return on equity of 28.00%. The firms revenue was up 5.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $3.02 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that Primerica, Inc. will post 16 EPS for the current year.

Primerica declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock repurchase program on Thursday, November 16th that permits the company to repurchase $425.00 million in shares. This repurchase authorization permits the financial services provider to buy up to 5.8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are generally a sign that the companys board believes its stock is undervalued.

Primerica Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 12th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, November 21st were given a $0.65 dividend. This represents a $2.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.26%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 20th. Primericas payout ratio is 17.20%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have issued reports on PRI. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Primerica from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Monday, November 27th. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their price objective on Primerica from $198.00 to $197.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, September 14th. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on Primerica from $190.00 to $200.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 15th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, two have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $219.20.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on PRI

Primerica Profile

(Free Report)

Primerica, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial products to middle-income households in the United States and Canada. The company operates in four segments: Term Life Insurance; Investment and Savings Products; Senior Health; and Corporate and Other Distributed Products. The Term Life Insurance segment underwrites individual term life insurance products.

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Livforsakringsbolaget Skandia Omsesidigt trimmed its holdings in Griffon Co. (NYSE:GFF  Free Report) by 4.5% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 40,109 shares of the conglomerates stock after selling 1,900 shares during the quarter. Livforsakringsbolaget Skandia Omsesidigt owned approximately 0.07% of Griffon worth $1,591,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Cerity Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of Griffon during the first quarter worth $478,000. Covestor Ltd boosted its holdings in shares of Griffon by 128.6% during the 2nd quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 944 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 531 shares during the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its position in shares of Griffon by 2.1% during the second quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 26,030 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $730,000 after purchasing an additional 542 shares in the last quarter. Summit Global Investments grew its position in shares of Griffon by 2.0% during the third quarter. Summit Global Investments now owns 28,419 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $1,127,000 after purchasing an additional 554 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Great West Life Assurance Co. Can increased its holdings in shares of Griffon by 1.4% in the first quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 41,660 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $856,000 after purchasing an additional 594 shares during the last quarter. 73.88% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have weighed in on GFF. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on Griffon in a report on Friday, October 27th. They set a buy rating and a $65.00 price target for the company. TheStreet upgraded shares of Griffon from a c+ rating to a b rating in a research report on Friday, November 24th. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Griffon from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday, October 27th. Finally, Raymond James lifted their price objective on shares of Griffon from $55.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, November 16th.

Griffon Price Performance

Shares of Griffon stock opened at $60.96 on Friday. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $48.46 and a 200-day moving average price of $43.20. Griffon Co. has a one year low of $25.97 and a one year high of $62.45. The stock has a market cap of $3.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 43.54 and a beta of 1.52. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.63, a quick ratio of 1.32 and a current ratio of 2.73.

Griffon (NYSE:GFF  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 15th. The conglomerate reported $1.19 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.95 by $0.24. Griffon had a net margin of 2.89% and a return on equity of 60.20%. The company had revenue of $641.40 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $653.83 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.09 earnings per share. Griffons quarterly revenue was down 9.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts expect that Griffon Co. will post 4.62 EPS for the current year.

Griffon Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 14th. Investors of record on Tuesday, November 28th were given a $0.15 dividend. This is a positive change from Griffons previous quarterly dividend of $0.13. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.98%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 27th. Griffons dividend payout ratio is 42.86%.

Griffon declared that its board has initiated a share buyback plan on Wednesday, November 15th that allows the company to buyback $200.00 million in shares. This buyback authorization allows the conglomerate to buy up to 8.1% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are generally an indication that the companys leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

About Griffon

(Free Report)

Griffon Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides consumer and professional, and home and building products in the United States, Europe, Canada, Australia, and internationally. The company operates through two segments: Home and Building Products, and Consumer and Professional Products. The Home and Building Products segment manufactures and markets residential and commercial sectional garage doors, rolling steel service doors, fire doors, shutters, steel security grilles, and room dividers for the use in commercial construction and repair, and home remodeling applications.

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Valeo Financial Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK  Free Report) by 0.8% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 2,763 shares of the asset managers stock after buying an additional 23 shares during the period. Valeo Financial Advisors LLCs holdings in BlackRock were worth $1,786,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in BLK. Impact Partnership Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in shares of BlackRock during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $25,000. OLD Point Trust & Financial Services N A bought a new stake in BlackRock in the second quarter valued at about $26,000. West Tower Group LLC acquired a new position in BlackRock in the second quarter worth about $27,000. Archer Investment Corp bought a new position in BlackRock during the second quarter worth about $29,000. Finally, WFA of San Diego LLC acquired a new stake in BlackRock during the second quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Institutional investors own 77.01% of the companys stock.

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BlackRock Price Performance

Shares of BLK opened at $812.50 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 3.72, a quick ratio of 3.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33. The stock has a market cap of $120.87 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.79, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 1.33. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $719.67 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $698.41. BlackRock, Inc. has a 1 year low of $596.18 and a 1 year high of $819.00.

BlackRock Dividend Announcement

BlackRock ( NYSE:BLK Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Friday, October 13th. The asset manager reported $10.91 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $8.34 by $2.57. The firm had revenue of $4.52 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.52 billion. BlackRock had a net margin of 30.66% and a return on equity of 14.65%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 4.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $9.55 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts predict that BlackRock, Inc. will post 36.84 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 22nd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, December 7th were issued a $5.00 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, December 6th. This represents a $20.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.46%. BlackRocks dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 56.10%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages recently commented on BLK. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their price target on BlackRock from $781.00 to $754.00 in a research note on Tuesday, October 10th. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their target price on shares of BlackRock from $719.00 to $793.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, November 30th. BNP Paribas raised shares of 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. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their price objective on shares of BlackRock from $814.00 to $800.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, October 11th. Finally, StockNews.com initiated coverage on BlackRock in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $771.54.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on BlackRock

Insider Activity

In other news, CEO Laurence Fink sold 15,385 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $652.03, for a total value of $10,031,481.55. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 435,260 shares in the company, valued at $283,802,577.80. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. 0.96% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

BlackRock 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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Events

Saturday, Dec. 30

League of Women Voters of Corvallis Fruit Sale. Ruby Red Texas Grapefruit or a combination box of oranges and grapefruit. Buy a 20-pound box for $35. Proceeds help fund the league's local activities, including candidates forums, legislative town halls, education and advocacy. For more information, call Louise at 541-753-0012 or email lwvclouise@aol.com. Deadline: Jan. 12.

Open house hosted by the Brownsville Women's Study Club, noon to 3 p.m., Moyer House, 204 N. Main St., Brownsville. Last day.

Politics 'A Place to Sleep' podcast: Catch all the episodes here Our podcast, A Place to Sleep, explores how Oregon cities are responding to a new law that is meant to provide homeless individuals a place to rest.

Sunday, Dec. 31

Worship service: "The Story Continues," 9:30 a.m., First United Methodist Church, 1165 NW Monroe Ave., Corvallis, andfacebook.com/CorvallisFUMC/live. The Rev. Linda Tucker will explore the birth story using the Gospel of John.

Bahai devotions and discussion: Kwanzaa Spirit, 10:30 a.m., via Zoom; the Zoom room will open at 10:15. All are welcome to join in reading and meditating on the seven principles of Kwanzaa, through the lens of several religious traditions. Bahais regard all religions as having one animating source. For the Zoom link, visit https://tinyurl.com/2ejv7cth, where you will find the readings for Sunday.

Santas on Vacation Ride, 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., Santiam Excursion Trains, 750 S. Third St., Lebanon. Tickets: adults, $27 and up; military, free to $13; seniors, $20 and up; children, $22 and up; toddlers, free to $3. Tickets: https://santiamexcursions.com.

Noon Year's Eve 2023, 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Marys River Grange Hall, 24707 Grange Hall Road, Philomath. Free, family-friendly fun. Countdown item drop, art supply walk, STEAM activities, hot cocoa and coffee bar, cotton candy and popcorn. Food sales and raffle entries benefit Maxtivity.

New Years Eve Hoof N Holler, 7:30 p.m., Linn County Expo Center, 3700 Knox Butte Road E., Albany. The biggest New Years Eve Event of its kind, featuring rodeo, special effects, pyrotechnics, concert sound and lighting. Heated arena and free parking. Bull- and bronc-riding champions from around the country will put it all on the line to determine whos No. 1. The Rough Stock Event features the top cowboys in the business and world-renowned bucking bulls and broncs. All-around champions and circuit finalists will compete. Riders compete for over $25,000 in cash and prizes, including a trophy saddle and a handmade trophy buckle. The rodeo is followed by a dance and New Years Eve Celebration with a balloon drop and prizes to ring in the new year. All ages are welcome. If you exit the event, you will not be allowed reentry. Tickets: $52 at https://bit.ly/41wx3A8; $56 at the door (limited seats); no childrens discount.

Maxtivity's Mardi Gras New Year's Eve Party, 8 p.m. to 12:15 a.m., Marys River Grange Hall, 24707 Grange Hall Road, Philomath. Live blues and zydeco by the Monkey See Monkey Duo and the New Iberians. Midnight countdown. Hors d'oeuvres, desserts, mocktails, masks, photo booth. Wine served by Cardwell Hill Cellars. Live auction, costume contest. No stiletto heels or loose glitter. Carpool if possible. Tickets: $99 each or $150 for a pair; tables: $500 each; visit https://givebutter.com/c/MaxtivityNYE2023.

New Year's Eve Celebration on a Train, 8 p.m., Santiam Excursion Trains, 750 S. Third St., Lebanon. Age 21 or over only. Tickets: https://santiamexcursions.com.

Monday, Jan. 1

First Day Hike, 9 a.m., Thompson's Mills State Heritage Park; meet in parking lot, 32655 Boston Mill Drive, Shedd. The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is partnering with Americas State Parks for free guided First Day Hikes in state parks on New Years Day. Come explore Thompson's Mills and get a sneak peek of the planned nature trail. The 1-mile walk-and-talk will focus on the mill property and new trail. As participants walk along the Calapooia River, they may see river otters, kingfishers, hawks, eagles and a variety of other creatures. Learn about the rich history of land use at the mill. A tour of the mill building will be offered after the hike. Visitors who choose not to hike can join staff at the wheelchair-accessible area to use the spotting scope and bird watch. The trail is a natural surface that may be uneven or muddy in areas. Friendly dogs are welcome on 6-foot leashes. Participants should dress in layers, wear sturdy shoes appropriate for ice and snow, and bring water and snacks, as well as a camera or binoculars for wildlife viewing. Those who have questions about access or want to request any reasonable accommodations needed for their participation can call Park Ranger Rye Guessford at 503-798-3674. Requests must be submitted at least three days prior to Jan. 1. The $5 day-use parking fee is waived that day for all state parks that require a parking permit and are open. Share photos of First Day Hikes via social media by using the hashtag #ORfirstdayhikes. First Day Hikes is a national initiative to welcome the coming year in the outdoors, promote exercise and encourage connecting with nature.

First Day Hikes, 10 a.m. and noon, Silver Falls State Park, 20024 Silver Falls Highway SE, Sublimity. The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is partnering with Americas State Parks for free guided First Day Hikes in state parks on New Years Day. Meet at 10 a.m. or noon at the North Canyon trailhead near Milepost 28 on Highway 214. The parking lot is three miles north of the South Falls day-use area. GPS directions may not be accurate for this location. When you arrive, look for "First Day Hike" signs leading you to the meeting point. Join in exploring the new North Rim Trail that opened last summer. The hike is 1 1/2 miles round trip through the forest. Participants will stop at the spectacular North Falls Viewpoint before the return trip. The trail surface is compacted gravel; the trail is 6 feet wide and has a slope of 5% or less. Most mobility devices can navigate this trail. Leashed dogs are welcome. Participants should dress in layers with rain gear and gloves, wear shoes appropriate for the activity, and bring water and snacks, as well as a camera or binoculars for wildlife viewing. If you have questions about access or want to request any reasonable accommodations needed for your participation, call Park Ranger Matt Palmquist at 503-689-5122. Requests must be submitted at least three days prior to Jan. 1. The $5 day-use parking fee is waived that day for all state parks that require a parking permit and are open. Share photos of First Day Hikes via social media by using the hashtag #ORfirstdayhikes. First Day Hikes is a national initiative to welcome the coming year in the outdoors, promote exercise and encourage connecting with nature.

Polar Brrr Swim, 1 to 4 p.m., Osborn Aquatic Center, 1940 NW Highland Drive, Corvallis. Start the New Year by riding down the great white waterslide and taking the plunge into the cold outdoor pool. Warm up in the indoor pools and enjoy a treat on the OAC on the way out. All ages welcome. Regular admission rates apply.

Ongoing

Pastega Christmas Light Display, 5 to 9 p.m. daily through Sunday, Dec. 31, Benton County Fairgrounds, 110 SW 53rd St., Corvallis. Admission is free; donations of nonperishable foods are encouraged.

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Its the time of year to visit the Willamette National Forest and find the perfect Christmas tree and ornament for your celebrations. Christmas tree permits are available online at Recreation.gov, in person from local vendors or from one of the Willamette offices (in the mid-Willamette Valley, visit the Sweet Home Ranger District, 4431 Highway 20, phone 541-367-5168). Permits allow the holder to cut one tree in designated areas; each household can purchase up to five permits. Permits are $5 each; online purchases have an additional $2.50 service fee. For downloadable maps of tree-cutting areas and a list of local vendors selling tree permits, visit https://bit.ly/WNFtree. Fourth-grade students can receive a free tree permit by getting their Every Kid Outdoors pass and entering the voucher or pass number when prompted on Recreation.gov or by visiting a Forest office. While hunting for a Christmas tree, be sure to search for ornaments. The Willamette Valley Visitors Association's sixth annual ornament hunt has begun and will run through Dec. 31. In partnership with Cascade Volunteers, 200 locally crafted wooden ornaments have been hidden along non-wilderness trails on the Willamettes Detroit, Sweet Home, McKenzie River and Middle Fork ranger districts. The hunt encourages local communities and travelers to connect with public lands and increase outdoor recreation activities. The tradition was born when the Willamette National Forest provided the Capitol Christmas Tree that went to Washington, D.C. For more information on the ornament hunt contest and a list of participating trails, visit https://willamettevalley.org/ornament. Be mindful of safety and your surroundings when searching for trees or ornaments. Cutting trees in some areas of the forest is prohibited. Tree hunters should remain outside closed areas and check maps prior to heading out. Forest roads are not maintained for winter driving. Be sure to bring traction devices, a shovel, extra food, drinking water, winter clothing, blankets, a flashlight and a first aid kit. Let someone know where you are going, get an early start and leave the woods before dark.

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Give the gift of the outdoors and save this season with the Oregon State Parks 12-month parking permit sale during the month of December. The permit hangtag once again features whimsical designs by Portland artist El Tran. Holiday shoppers can buy the annual parking permits for only $25, a $5 savings, running through Dec. 31. The permit is good for 12 months, starting in the month of purchase. You can purchase permits at https://bit.ly/3T7lJIv. Permits are also sold at some state park friends' group stores and select local businesses throughout the state. For a complete list of vendors, visit stateparks.oregon.gov. Parking costs $5 a day at 25 Oregon state parks unless you have a 12- or 24-month parking permit or a same-day camping receipt. The 24-month pass is $50 and is also available at store.oregonstateparks.org. The permits are transferable from vehicle to vehicle.

Giving Opportunities

Holiday pet supply drive, Linn County Animal Rescue, 39389 Plagman Drive, Lebanon. This is a sanctuary/rescue for neglected, abandoned and abused horses, and hospice dogs. In existence for 15 years, the rescue is 100% run by volunteers. The rescue provides Healing Hearts with Horses events for the developmentally disabled/handicapped and individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder. For more information, to consider volunteering at the rescue and to participate in fundraisers (Bottle Drop and Points for Profit), visit www.lcarhorse.org or call 541-258-3422. If horses and dogs speak to your heart, consider donating gift certificates; cash; cleaning supplies; senior horse grain; or small blankets, beds or pee pads for dogs. Donations can be sent to PO Box 2669, Lebanon, OR 97355.
Mitchell Mcleod Pugh & Williams Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Hess Co. (NYSE:HES  Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 1,372 shares of the oil and gas producers stock, valued at approximately $210,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Czech National Bank increased its holdings in shares of Hess by 47.7% in the 3rd quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 48,300 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $7,390,000 after buying an additional 15,601 shares during the last quarter. Fiduciary Alliance LLC increased its stake in Hess by 130.4% in the third quarter. Fiduciary Alliance LLC now owns 21,162 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $3,238,000 after acquiring an additional 11,977 shares during the last quarter. Oak Thistle LLC purchased a new stake in Hess during the third quarter valued at about $668,000. Coronation Fund Managers Ltd. boosted its holdings in shares of Hess by 15.5% in the 3rd quarter. Coronation Fund Managers Ltd. now owns 12,495 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $1,912,000 after purchasing an additional 1,681 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Coastline Trust Co bought a new position in shares of Hess during the 3rd quarter valued at about $787,000. 81.72% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

HES has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Citigroup increased their price target on shares of Hess from $155.00 to $163.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 18th. UBS Group lowered their price target on shares of Hess from $210.00 to $195.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, December 14th. Piper Sandler raised their price objective on Hess from $167.00 to $169.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, October 9th. Argus raised Hess from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $171.00 target price for the company in a research note on Tuesday, November 7th. Finally, Morgan Stanley dropped their target price on Hess from $166.00 to $165.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, October 17th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given 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 Hold and an average price target of $172.18.

Hess Trading Down 0.4 %

Shares of HES opened at $144.21 on Friday. Hess Co. has a 1-year low of $113.82 and a 1-year high of $167.75. The firm has a market capitalization of $44.29 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.79 and a beta of 1.45. The firms 50-day moving average price is $143.96 and its 200-day moving average price is $147.13. The company has a current ratio of 1.31, a quick ratio of 1.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.90.

Hess (NYSE:HES  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 25th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.64 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.24 by $0.40. The business had revenue of $2.30 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.68 billion. Hess had a return on equity of 18.06% and a net margin of 14.94%. The businesss revenue was down 27.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.89 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Hess Co. will post 5.29 EPS for the current year.

Hess Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 29th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 18th were issued a $0.4375 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 15th. This represents a $1.75 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.21%. Hesss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 33.72%.

Hess Company Profile

(Free Report)

Hess Corporation, an exploration and production company, explores, develops, produces, purchases, transports, and sells crude oil, natural gas liquids (NGLs), and natural gas. The company operates in two segments, Exploration and Production, and Midstream. It conducts production operations primarily in the United States, Guyana, the Malaysia/Thailand Joint Development Area, and Malaysia; and exploration activities principally offshore Guyana, the U.S.

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Fuji Media Holdings, Inc. (OTCMKTS:FJTNY  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant increase in short interest in December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,400 shares, an increase of 600.0% from the November 30th total of 200 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 1,500 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.9 days.

Fuji Media Price Performance

FJTNY opened at $5.45 on Friday. The stocks fifty day moving average is $5.16 and its 200-day moving average is $5.19. Fuji Media has a one year low of $3.88 and a one year high of $6.03.

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Fuji Media Company Profile

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Fuji Media Holdings, Inc, through its subsidiaries, engages in the broadcasting activities in Japan. It operates through Media & Content, Urban Development, Hotels & Resorts, and Other segments. The Media & Content segment provides terrestrial television broadcasting, including satellite broadcasting, radio broadcasting, streaming platforms, content production, games, music, advertising, publishing, and direct marketing activities.

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Continental Aktiengesellschaft (OTCMKTS:CTTAY  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest in the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 21,800 shares, a growth of 473.7% from the November 30th total of 3,800 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 235,100 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.1 days.

Analyst Ratings Changes

CTTAY has been the subject of several analyst reports. Citigroup upgraded Continental Aktiengesellschaft from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 14th. Berenberg Bank upgraded shares of Continental Aktiengesellschaft from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 28th. Barclays raised shares of Continental Aktiengesellschaft from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a report on Friday, November 24th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of Continental Aktiengesellschaft from a sell rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, September 18th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy.

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View Our Latest Research Report on Continental Aktiengesellschaft

Continental Aktiengesellschaft Price Performance

Continental Aktiengesellschaft stock opened at $8.45 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $16.90 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.85 and a beta of 1.65. Continental Aktiengesellschaft has a one year low of $5.89 and a one year high of $8.51. The business has a fifty day moving average of $7.46 and a two-hundred day moving average of $7.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30, a quick ratio of 0.78 and a current ratio of 1.20.

Continental Aktiengesellschaft (OTCMKTS:CTTAY  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 8th. The company reported $0.16 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.20 by ($0.04). Continental Aktiengesellschaft had a net margin of 2.84% and a return on equity of 8.26%. The company had revenue of $11.15 billion during the quarter. As a group, analysts predict that Continental Aktiengesellschaft will post 0.7 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

About Continental Aktiengesellschaft

(Get Free Report)

Continental Aktiengesellschaft, a technology company, offers intelligent solutions for vehicles, machines, traffic, and transportation worldwide. It operates through four sectors: Automotive, Tires, ContiTech, and Contract Manufacturing. The company offers safety, brake, chassis, motion, and motion control systems; solutions for assisted and automated driving; and audio and camera solutions for the vehicle interior, as well as intelligent information and communication technology solutions.

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Uncommon Cents Investing LLC decreased its stake in Canadian Natural Resources Limited (NYSE:CNQ  Free Report) (TSE:CNQ) by 6.5% in the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 4,120 shares of the oil and gas producers stock after selling 285 shares during the quarter. Uncommon Cents Investing LLCs holdings in Canadian Natural Resources were worth $266,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Simplicity Solutions LLC increased its stake in shares of Canadian Natural Resources by 2.6% during the 3rd quarter. Simplicity Solutions LLC now owns 51,736 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $3,346,000 after purchasing an additional 1,287 shares during the last quarter. Caprock Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Canadian Natural Resources during the 3rd quarter worth $230,000. Washington Trust Advisors Inc. increased its stake in shares of Canadian Natural Resources by 238.1% during the 3rd quarter. Washington Trust Advisors Inc. now owns 1,136 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $73,000 after purchasing an additional 800 shares during the last quarter. Baskin Financial Services Inc. increased its stake in shares of Canadian Natural Resources by 0.4% during the 3rd quarter. Baskin Financial Services Inc. now owns 448,741 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $29,015,000 after purchasing an additional 1,732 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Rothschild Investment LLC IL increased its stake in shares of Canadian Natural Resources by 1.4% during the 3rd quarter. Rothschild Investment LLC IL now owns 14,926 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $965,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 73.88% of the companys stock.

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Canadian Natural Resources Stock Performance

NYSE:CNQ opened at $65.53 on Friday. Canadian Natural Resources Limited has a 1 year low of $48.81 and a 1 year high of $68.74. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $64.79 and its 200 day simple moving average is $62.16. The company has a current ratio of 0.91, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25. The firm has a market capitalization of $71.00 billion, a PE ratio of 13.74 and a beta of 1.48.

Canadian Natural Resources Increases Dividend

Canadian Natural Resources ( NYSE:CNQ Get Free Report ) (TSE:CNQ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, November 2nd. The oil and gas producer reported $1.93 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.62 by $0.31. Canadian Natural Resources had a net margin of 17.32% and a return on equity of 20.89%. The business had revenue of $7.38 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.49 billion. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Canadian Natural Resources Limited will post 5.39 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 5th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 8th will be issued a $0.7203 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 7th. This is an increase from Canadian Natural Resourcess previous quarterly dividend of $0.67. This represents a $2.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.40%. Canadian Natural Resourcess dividend payout ratio is 61.84%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

CNQ has been the topic of several analyst reports. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on shares of Canadian Natural Resources from $95.00 to $96.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, November 3rd. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Canadian Natural Resources in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $90.80.

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Canadian Natural Resources Profile

(Free Report)

Canadian Natural Resources Limited acquires, explores for, develops, produces, markets, and sells crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids (NGLs). The company offers light and medium crude oil, primary heavy crude oil, Pelican Lake heavy crude oil, bitumen (thermal oil), and synthetic crude oil (SCO).

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KG&L Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in B2Gold Corp. (NYSEAMERICAN:BTG  Free Report) (TSE:BTO) by 14.7% in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 98,200 shares of the basic materials companys stock after purchasing an additional 12,600 shares during the quarter. KG&L Capital Management LLCs holdings in B2Gold were worth $284,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of BTG. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. purchased a new stake in B2Gold during the 4th quarter worth approximately $36,000. Belvedere Trading LLC purchased a new stake in shares of B2Gold during the second quarter worth $38,000. MML Investors Services LLC acquired a new stake in shares of B2Gold in the third quarter valued at about $40,000. MBL Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in B2Gold during the 3rd quarter valued at about $40,000. Finally, GTS Securities LLC acquired a new stake in B2Gold in the 2nd quarter valued at about $48,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 51.52% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

BTG has been the topic of several analyst reports. Raymond James reduced their price target on B2Gold from $5.00 to $4.50 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, November 28th. Royal Bank of Canada reissued a sector perform rating and set a $4.25 price objective on shares of B2Gold in a research report on Friday, September 29th. Finally, StockNews.com cut shares of B2Gold from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, November 20th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $6.00.

B2Gold Trading Down 0.9 %

BTG stock opened at $3.16 on Friday. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $3.56. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.01, a current ratio of 2.18 and a quick ratio of 1.12. B2Gold Corp. has a 12-month low of $2.77 and a 12-month high of $4.40. The stock has a market cap of $4.11 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.67 and a beta of 0.98.

B2Gold (NYSEAMERICAN:BTG  Get Free Report) (TSE:BTO) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 8th. The basic materials company reported $0.05 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.07 by ($0.02). The company had revenue of $477.89 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $474.00 million. B2Gold had a return on equity of 10.44% and a net margin of 13.95%. Research analysts predict that B2Gold Corp. will post 0.29 EPS for the current fiscal year.

B2Gold Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 18th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 4th were issued a $0.04 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 1st. This represents a $0.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.06%. B2Golds payout ratio is 61.54%.

B2Gold Company Profile

(Free Report)

B2Gold Corp. operates as a gold producer with three operating mines in Mali, the Philippines, and Namibia. It operates the Fekola Mine in Mali, the Masbate Mine in the Philippines, and the Otjikoto Mine in Namibia. The company also has an 25% interest in the Calibre Mining Corp.; and approximately 19% interest in BeMetals Corp.

Further Reading

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BTG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for B2Gold Corp. (NYSEAMERICAN:BTG  Free Report) (TSE:BTO).

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Arthur M. Cohen & Associates LLC lessened its position in shares of Veeva Systems Inc. (NYSE:VEEV  Free Report) by 3.5% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 15,983 shares of the technology companys stock after selling 587 shares during the period. Veeva Systems makes up 0.8% of Arthur M. Cohen & Associates LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 20th biggest position. Arthur M. Cohen & Associates LLCs holdings in Veeva Systems were worth $3,252,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Arizona State Retirement System boosted its position in Veeva Systems by 8.2% during the 2nd quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 41,520 shares of the technology companys stock worth $8,210,000 after purchasing an additional 3,154 shares during the period. Bleakley Financial Group LLC boosted its stake in shares of Veeva Systems by 76.8% in the second quarter. Bleakley Financial Group LLC now owns 4,958 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $980,000 after purchasing an additional 2,154 shares during the period. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina boosted its stake in shares of Veeva Systems by 5.7% in the second quarter. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina now owns 66,496 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $13,148,000 after purchasing an additional 3,600 shares during the period. Frontier Capital Management Co. LLC boosted its stake in shares of Veeva Systems by 26.8% in the second quarter. Frontier Capital Management Co. LLC now owns 574,955 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $113,686,000 after purchasing an additional 121,522 shares during the period. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald L. P. boosted its stake in shares of Veeva Systems by 4,306.0% in the second quarter. Cantor Fitzgerald L. P. now owns 91,425 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $18,077,000 after purchasing an additional 89,350 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.07% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Veeva Systems

In other Veeva Systems news, EVP Alan Mateo sold 13,801 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, October 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $197.67, for a total value of $2,728,043.67. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 20,718 shares in the company, valued at $4,095,327.06. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other Veeva Systems news, EVP Alan Mateo sold 13,801 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, October 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $197.67, for a total value of $2,728,043.67. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 20,718 shares in the company, valued at $4,095,327.06. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Matthew J. Wallach sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $199.66, for a total transaction of $998,300.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 23,735 shares in the company, valued at $4,738,930.10. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 57,351 shares of company stock worth $10,801,735. 10.98% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus restated a buy rating and issued a $205.00 target price on shares of Veeva Systems in a research note on Thursday, December 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on Veeva Systems from $188.00 to $183.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, November 29th. Canaccord Genuity Group reduced their target price on Veeva Systems from $210.00 to $185.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, December 7th. Needham & Company LLC reiterated a buy rating and set a $220.00 target price on shares of Veeva Systems in a research note on Thursday, December 7th. Finally, Truist Financial reiterated a hold rating and set a $227.00 target price on shares of Veeva Systems in a research note on Monday, November 13th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and fifteen 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 an average target price of $214.14.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on VEEV

Veeva Systems Stock Performance

Veeva Systems stock opened at $192.50 on Friday. Veeva Systems Inc. has a one year low of $157.00 and a one year high of $225.49. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $182.39 and a 200-day simple moving average of $195.32. The firm has a market capitalization of $31.00 billion, a P/E ratio of 55.32, a P/E/G ratio of 2.81 and a beta of 0.79.

Veeva Systems (NYSE:VEEV  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, December 6th. The technology company reported $1.34 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.29 by $0.05. Veeva Systems had a net margin of 24.68% and a return on equity of 10.91%. The firm had revenue of $616.51 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $615.98 million. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $0.69 EPS. Veeva Systemss revenue was up 11.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Veeva Systems Inc. will post 2.81 earnings per share for the current year.

About Veeva Systems

(Free Report)

Veeva Systems Inc provides cloud-based software for the life sciences industry. It offers Veeva Commercial Cloud, a suite of software and data solutions, such as Veeva customer relationship management (CRM) that enable customer-facing employees at pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies; Veeva Vault PromoMats, an end-to-end content and digital asset management solution; Veeva Vault Medical that provides source of medical content across multiple channels and geographies; Veeva Crossix, an analytics platform for pharmaceutical brands; Veeva OpenData, a customer reference data solution; Veeva Link, a data application that allows link to generate real-time intelligence; and Veeva Compass includes de-identified and longitudinal patient data for the United States.

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Arthur M. Cohen & Associates LLC boosted its position in shares of The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY  Free Report) by 0.4% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 14,261 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 55 shares during the quarter. Hershey comprises about 0.7% of Arthur M. Cohen & Associates LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 22nd biggest position. Arthur M. Cohen & Associates LLCs holdings in Hershey were worth $2,853,000 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. Glass Jacobson Investment Advisors llc acquired a new stake in shares of Hershey in the 2nd quarter worth $25,000. Institutional & Family Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Hershey in the 2nd quarter worth $25,000. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. acquired a new stake in Hershey during the 3rd quarter worth about $25,000. Zions Bancorporation N.A. lifted its position in Hershey by 121.3% during the 1st quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 135 shares of the companys stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 74 shares during the period. Finally, Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO acquired a new stake in Hershey during the 3rd quarter worth about $30,000. 56.47% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Activity

In other news, CFO Steven E. Voskuil sold 1,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $190.55, for a total value of $285,825.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 34,316 shares in the company, valued at $6,538,913.80. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, Director Pamela M. Arway sold 182 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $194.56, for a total value of $35,409.92. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 15,562 shares in the company, valued at $3,027,742.72. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CFO Steven E. Voskuil sold 1,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $190.55, for a total value of $285,825.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 34,316 shares in the company, valued at $6,538,913.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 4,682 shares of company stock worth $883,405 over the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 0.34% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have commented on HSY shares. Bank of America cut Hershey from a buy rating to a neutral rating and lowered their price target for the stock from $250.00 to $200.00 in a research report on Friday, December 15th. Mizuho decreased their price objective on Hershey from $195.00 to $180.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, October 31st. Royal Bank of Canada cut Hershey from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating and decreased their price objective for the company from $239.00 to $213.00 in a report on Tuesday, November 21st. Piper Sandler cut Hershey from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and decreased their price objective for the company from $240.00 to $200.00 in a report on Wednesday, November 29th. Finally, TD Cowen cut Hershey from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and decreased their price objective for the company from $235.00 to $200.00 in a report on Friday, October 27th. Thirteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $239.81.

View Our Latest Analysis on Hershey

Hershey Price Performance

NYSE:HSY opened at $186.54 on Friday. The Hershey Company has a 12 month low of $178.82 and a 12 month high of $276.88. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $188.19 and a two-hundred day moving average of $211.69. The company has a current ratio of 1.09, a quick ratio of 0.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.03. The firm has a market cap of $38.15 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.12, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.28 and a beta of 0.34.

Hershey (NYSE:HSY  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 26th. The company reported $2.60 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.47 by $0.13. Hershey had a return on equity of 54.74% and a net margin of 17.11%. The company had revenue of $3.03 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.95 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $2.17 EPS. Hersheys quarterly revenue was up 11.1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts expect that The Hershey Company will post 9.53 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hershey Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 17th were given a $1.192 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 16th. This represents a $4.77 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.56%. Hersheys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 51.46%.

About Hershey

(Free Report)

The Hershey Company, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and sale of confectionery products and pantry items in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three segments: North America Confectionery, North America Salty Snacks, and International. It offers chocolate and non-chocolate confectionery products; gum and mint refreshment products, including mints, chewing gums, and bubble gums; pantry items, such as baking ingredients, toppings, beverages, and sundae syrups; and snack items comprising spreads, bars, snack bites, mixes, popcorn, and pretzels.

Further Reading

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Wolters Kluwer (OTCMKTS:WTKWY  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant drop in short interest during the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 800 shares, a drop of 52.9% from the November 30th total of 1,700 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 26,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.0 days.

Wolters Kluwer Price Performance

WTKWY opened at $142.51 on Friday. The business has a 50-day moving average of $135.48 and a 200-day moving average of $127.81. Wolters Kluwer has a fifty-two week low of $102.36 and a fifty-two week high of $146.15. The company has a quick ratio of 0.73, a current ratio of 0.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.43.

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About Wolters Kluwer

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Wolters Kluwer N.V. provides professional information, software solutions, and services in the Netherlands, rest of Europe, the United States, Canada, the Asia Pacific, and internationally. The company operates through four segments: Health; Tax & Accounting; Governance, Risk & Compliance; and Legal & Regulatory.

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Valeo Financial Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Laboratory Co. of America Holdings (NYSE:LH  Free Report) by 1.7% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 7,243 shares of the medical research companys stock after purchasing an additional 119 shares during the period. Valeo Financial Advisors LLCs holdings in Laboratory Co. of America were worth $1,456,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Handelsbanken Fonder AB lifted its position in shares of Laboratory Co. of America by 218.6% during the 3rd quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB now owns 43,620 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $8,770,000 after purchasing an additional 29,928 shares during the last quarter. Birch Hill Investment Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Laboratory Co. of America by 5.6% during the 3rd quarter. Birch Hill Investment Advisors LLC now owns 86,621 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $17,415,000 after purchasing an additional 4,632 shares during the last quarter. Asset Management One Co. Ltd. lifted its position in shares of Laboratory Co. of America by 7.7% during the 3rd quarter. Asset Management One Co. Ltd. now owns 37,359 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $7,511,000 after purchasing an additional 2,664 shares during the last quarter. Czech National Bank lifted its position in shares of Laboratory Co. of America by 47.7% during the 3rd quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 15,486 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $3,113,000 after purchasing an additional 4,998 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Oak Thistle LLC acquired a new stake in Laboratory Co. of America during the 3rd quarter worth $604,000. 89.37% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts recently commented on LH shares. 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. Bank of America cut their price target on shares of Laboratory Co. of America from $238.00 to $230.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, September 21st. UBS Group cut their price target on shares of Laboratory Co. of America from $255.00 to $250.00 in a research note on Monday, September 18th. HSBC started 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 target on the stock. Finally, Mizuho cut their price target on shares of Laboratory Co. of America from $257.00 to $230.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, October 31st. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Laboratory Co. of America presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $243.67.

Insider Transactions at Laboratory Co. of America

In other news, CAO Peter J. Wilkinson sold 1,384 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $210.71, for a total transaction of $291,622.64. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 2,087 shares in the company, valued at $439,751.77. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.65% of the companys stock.

Laboratory Co. of America Trading Up 0.1 %

NYSE LH opened at $227.29 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57, a quick ratio of 1.20 and a current ratio of 1.36. The firm has a market cap of $19.30 billion, a PE ratio of 30.39 and a beta of 1.07. Laboratory Co. of America Holdings has a one year low of $174.20 and a one year high of $227.84. The firms fifty day moving average is $213.13 and its two-hundred day moving average is $212.90.

Laboratory Co. of America (NYSE:LH  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 26th. The medical research company reported $3.38 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates 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 analyst estimates of $2.99 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $4.68 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 6.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts expect that Laboratory Co. of America Holdings will post 13.56 earnings per share for the current year.

Laboratory Co. of America Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 12th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, November 8th were paid a dividend of $0.72 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, November 7th. This represents a $2.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.27%. Laboratory Co. of Americas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 38.50%.

Laboratory Co. of America Company Profile

(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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InTrack Investment Management Inc lessened its position in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 35.6% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 3,520 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,950 shares during the period. Eli Lilly and Company accounts for 1.7% of InTrack Investment Management Incs investment portfolio, making the stock its 8th biggest position. InTrack Investment Management Incs holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $1,891,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich lifted its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 533,336.4% in the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 19,059,681 shares of the companys stock worth $8,938,609,000 after purchasing an additional 19,056,108 shares during the period. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the 4th quarter worth about $3,416,206,000. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 102,752.2% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 5,446,026 shares of the companys stock worth $1,992,374,000 after purchasing an additional 5,440,731 shares during the period. Morgan Stanley lifted its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 44.1% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 12,059,204 shares of the companys stock worth $4,411,740,000 after purchasing an additional 3,691,436 shares during the period. Finally, Imprint Wealth LLC lifted its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 53,716.8% in the 2nd quarter. Imprint Wealth LLC now owns 1,751,200 shares of the companys stock worth $175,120,000 after purchasing an additional 1,747,946 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 81.38% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

LLY has been the subject of several research analyst reports. StockNews.com raised shares of Eli Lilly and Company from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, November 3rd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft began coverage on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Thursday, November 9th. They set a hold rating and a $535.00 price target for the company. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $727.00 to $822.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 19th. Citigroup lifted their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $525.00 to $675.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, October 23rd. Finally, Bank of America lifted their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $600.00 to $700.00 in a research report on Friday, October 6th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and seventeen have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $583.24.

Insider Activity at Eli Lilly and Company

In related news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 215,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $605.44, for a total transaction of $130,169,600.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 99,768,810 shares in the company, valued at $60,404,028,326.40. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In other Eli Lilly and Company news, CAO Donald A. Zakrowski sold 670 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $571.10, for a total value of $382,637.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 4,708 shares in the company, valued at $2,688,738.80. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 215,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $605.44, for a total transaction of $130,169,600.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 99,768,810 shares of the companys stock, valued at $60,404,028,326.40. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Eli Lilly and Company Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE LLY opened at $583.65 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $585.14 and a 200 day moving average of $540.25. The company has a current ratio of 1.05, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.59. The firm has a market capitalization of $554.06 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 105.73, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.54 and a beta of 0.33. Eli Lilly and Company has a 12-month low of $309.20 and a 12-month high of $629.97.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, November 2nd. The company reported $0.10 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.08) by $0.18. The company had revenue of $9.50 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.88 billion. Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 15.55% and a return on equity of 48.12%. On average, 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 firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 4th. Investors of record on Thursday, February 15th will be given a dividend of $1.30 per share. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.89%. This is a positive change from Eli Lilly and Companys previous quarterly dividend of $1.13. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 14th. Eli Lilly and Companys payout ratio is 81.88%.

Eli Lilly and Company Company Profile

(Free Report)

Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. It offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; and Jardiance, Trajenta, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes.

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We often come down hard on our local politicians, and rightly so. But the following rebuke, dear reader  especially if you are a resident of Corvallis  is for you.

Corvallis is in the midst of its own constitutional crisis. Just as the U.S. Constitution guides the federal government and the Oregon Constitution does the same at the state level, the citys charter is the citys constitution.

So when we say the city is facing a constitutional crisis, thats a pretty big deal.

Given that, what do the good citizens of Corvallis, arguably the states most educated (and left-leaning) city, want to talk about?

The Israel-Hamas conflict.

Nevermind that an elected official may lose her seat  to which the voters have duly elected her six times  with merely a vote from her fellow council members, disenfranchising the electorate in Ward 5 and possibly setting a dangerous precedent for other elected representatives with this message: Play nice or we too will find a way to twist charter language into an expulsion-worthy crime.

But thats NOT what they want to talk about.

At the same Tuesday, Jan. 2, meeting during which the council will decide whether it takes a simple majority or a two-thirds vote to oust a sitting councilor, the citys packet includes 11 letters of community comment all focused on a single subject, either calling for  or opposing  a city resolution that would take a stand in the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Dont misunderstand us: The conflict is worthy of understanding, discussing and opining  on a national and maybe even state or corporate level. Its of high geo-political importance. Anyone of influence could and should weigh in.

That doesnt include Corvallis City Council. What the council has to say on the matter moves no needles. None. It may feel good to those who agree with the ultimate resolution, but it is next to meaningless.

Were not saying its entirely meaningless. We suppose theres value to good vibes, at least for those who agree with the resolutions ultimate phrasing.

But if you think any person who holds sway in the Middle East is checking to see what the Corvallis City Council has to say, you are sorely mistaken. Its a token move. A gesture. A hollow act. And maybe, just maybe, if the city werent facing its own challenges, it would be worth the time.

Nah, probably not.

But the city IS facing a serious crisis, one that impacts democracy in our fair burg. How the council comes down in the allegations of Councilor Charlyn Ellis impacts Corvallis residents directly, in Ward 5 and beyond.

Want to know how much of an outlier this is? Weve been trying to find similar situations across Oregon. We havent found one, and neither did a law professor we consulted.

Oh, there is some crazy stuff going on out there, especially in Eastern Oregon. Baker City has had multiple crises with its council this year. Probably the most analogous was when the council stripped a colleague of her mayorship  the position is rotated among council members in two-year stints  but she remained on the council.

She became mayor again after her successor quit, prompted by the uproar that followed his posting of gay Pride flags shaped in the form of a swastika. But she has since quit. All the council members did.

We told you it was crazy. But no one was ousted by their fellow council members.

The mayor of John Day is accused of violating that citys charter by acting as a city manager because the town was without one. Residents are launching a recall attempt, which is one course of action we (and democracy) supports.

Censure is also an option city councils seem to favor when they cant convince a colleague to resign. Silverton censured its transgender mayor in 2009 for wearing too short a skirt. A Roseburg council president was censured in 2021 for transphobic comments.

But here in well-mannered Corvallis, where residents are accused of being too involved, where analysis paralysis is a real problem among well-intentioned, smart people, the council will consider in January booting Ellis.

The alleged charter violation sounds serious enough, interference of administration and elections. What she actually did was make a motion to direct the city manager to fill a City Hall position, one that had gone vacant months before, one the City Council had budgeted.

Whether this an actual violation will be determined by the City Council, much like Congress did when it voted to kick out New York representative George Santos. We cant believe were equating a Corvallis councilor to Santos.

This is all unchartered territory. Unlike the Constitution, which does offer some guidance to eject a member, the Corvallis Charter is silent on such a process.

And because the City Attorneys Office may be called to defend the City Councils actions should Ellis sue, the city is paying an outside attorney to represent it at the due process hearing.

Corvallis, apparently, can be as messy as Eastern Oregon. And even messier if this is the violation that finally ejects an Oregon councilor without an election.

Residents, THIS is the subject that should move you to write letters.
Covenant Partners LLC lowered its stake in Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO  Free Report) by 42.6% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 4,608 shares of the mining companys stock after selling 3,423 shares during the period. Covenant Partners LLCs holdings in Rio Tinto Group were worth $293,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. grew its stake in Rio Tinto Group by 6.1% during the 2nd quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. now owns 62,782 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $4,008,000 after purchasing an additional 3,632 shares during the last quarter. LPL Financial LLC lifted its stake in Rio Tinto Group by 6.6% during the 2nd quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 355,848 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $22,717,000 after acquiring an additional 21,891 shares during the period. Capital Investment Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Rio Tinto Group by 16.7% during the 3rd quarter. Capital Investment Advisors LLC now owns 404,189 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $25,723,000 after acquiring an additional 57,818 shares during the period. Marshall Wace LLP purchased a new stake in shares of Rio Tinto Group in the 2nd quarter valued at $31,203,000. Finally, Thrive Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Rio Tinto Group by 7.9% in the second quarter. Thrive Wealth Management LLC now owns 5,451 shares of the mining companys stock worth $348,000 after acquiring an additional 401 shares during the period. 10.03% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have commented on the stock. UBS Group raised shares of Rio Tinto Group from a sell rating to a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, October 5th. StockNews.com lowered Rio Tinto Group from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, November 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised Rio Tinto Group from a neutral rating to an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, September 13th. BNP Paribas raised shares of Rio Tinto Group from a neutral rating to an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 5th. Finally, Liberum Capital upgraded shares of Rio Tinto Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday, December 1st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Rio Tinto Group currently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $72.00.

Rio Tinto Group Trading Down 0.1 %

Rio Tinto Group stock opened at $74.46 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25, a current ratio of 1.99 and a quick ratio of 1.37. Rio Tinto Group has a 1 year low of $58.27 and a 1 year high of $80.51. The companys fifty day moving average price is $68.76 and its 200 day moving average price is $65.51.

Rio Tinto Group Company Profile

(Free Report)

Rio Tinto Group engages in exploring, mining, and processing mineral resources worldwide. The company operates through Iron Ore, Aluminium, Copper, and Minerals Segments. It offers aluminum, copper, iron ore, diamonds, gold, borates, titanium dioxide, salt, silver, molybdenum, and lithium. The company also owns and operates open pit and underground mines, refineries, smelters, and concentrator facilities, as well as power stations, research, and service facilities.

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U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC decreased its position in Apollo Global Management, Inc. (NYSE:APO  Free Report) by 5.4% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 25,854 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 1,468 shares during the quarter. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in Apollo Global Management were worth $2,321,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Arizona State Retirement System increased its stake in Apollo Global Management by 4.4% in the 2nd quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 114,183 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $8,770,000 after buying an additional 4,803 shares during the last quarter. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale lifted its holdings in Apollo Global Management by 4.3% during the second quarter. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale now owns 62,217 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $4,710,000 after acquiring an additional 2,562 shares during the period. AE Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Apollo Global Management during the second quarter worth $232,000. Truist Financial Corp boosted its position in Apollo Global Management by 1.4% in the second quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 209,393 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $16,083,000 after purchasing an additional 2,815 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Doliver Advisors LP grew its stake in Apollo Global Management by 26.9% in the 1st quarter. Doliver Advisors LP now owns 17,161 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,084,000 after purchasing an additional 3,638 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 60.86% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on APO shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their target price on Apollo Global Management from $100.00 to $102.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 11th. Oppenheimer lowered Apollo Global Management from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a report on Monday, October 9th. They noted that the move was a valuation call. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Apollo Global Management in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Bank of America decreased their price objective on Apollo Global Management from $97.00 to $94.00 in a report on Friday, October 6th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price objective on Apollo Global Management from $97.00 to $100.00 in a report on Tuesday, October 10th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $95.82.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider James C. Zelter sold 70,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $90.85, for a total value of $6,359,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 1,130,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $102,660,500. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In related news, insider James C. Zelter sold 70,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $90.85, for a total value of $6,359,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 1,130,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $102,660,500. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, insider James C. Zelter sold 87,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $86.16, for a total value of $7,539,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 5,094,585 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $438,949,443.60. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 177,500 shares of company stock worth $15,620,100 in the last quarter. 8.70% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Apollo Global Management Stock Down 1.1 %

Shares of NYSE APO opened at $93.20 on Friday. Apollo Global Management, Inc. has a 52 week low of $55.16 and a 52 week high of $96.23. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $88.58 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $85.17. The company has a quick ratio of 1.19, a current ratio of 1.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43. The company has a market cap of $52.90 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.70, a P/E/G ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.65.

Apollo Global Management (NYSE:APO  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 1st. The financial services provider reported $1.55 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.64 by ($0.09). The business had revenue of $834.00 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $816.03 million. Apollo Global Management had a net margin of 10.87% and a return on equity of 24.30%. Research analysts anticipate that Apollo Global Management, Inc. will post 6.21 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Apollo Global Management Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 17th were given a dividend of $0.43 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 16th. This represents a $1.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.85%. Apollo Global Managements dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 36.36%.

Apollo Global Management Company Profile

(Free Report)

Apollo Global Management, Inc is a private equity firm specializing in investments in credit, private equity and real estate markets. The firm's private equity investments include traditional buyouts, recapitalization, distressed buyouts and debt investments in real estate, corporate partner buyouts, distressed asset, corporate carve-outs, middle market, growth capital, turnaround, bridge, corporate restructuring, special situation, acquisition, and industry consolidation transactions.

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Linden Thomas Advisory Services LLC increased its stake in shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise (NYSE:HPE  Free Report) by 2.1% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 99,688 shares of the technology companys stock after buying an additional 2,063 shares during the period. Linden Thomas Advisory Services LLCs holdings in Hewlett Packard Enterprise were worth $1,732,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Valley National Advisers Inc. lifted its position in shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 68.1% during the second quarter. Valley National Advisers Inc. now owns 1,728 shares of the technology companys stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 700 shares in the last quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC lifted its holdings in Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 90.2% during the 2nd quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC now owns 1,910 shares of the technology companys stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 906 shares in the last quarter. First Manhattan Co. boosted its position in Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 89.4% in the 1st quarter. First Manhattan Co. now owns 2,413 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $40,000 after buying an additional 1,139 shares during the last quarter. Glassman Wealth Services increased its stake in shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 72.0% in the 2nd quarter. Glassman Wealth Services now owns 2,444 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $41,000 after buying an additional 1,023 shares during the period. Finally, Pacific Center for Financial Services bought a new stake in shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise during the first quarter worth $44,000. Institutional investors own 81.15% of the companys stock.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, CFO Jeremy Cox sold 1,773 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $16.93, for a total value of $30,016.89. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 14,374 shares of the companys stock, valued at $243,351.82. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other news, SVP Kirt P. Karros sold 26,127 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $16.07, for a total value of $419,860.89. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 26,130 shares in the company, valued at approximately $419,909.10. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Jeremy Cox sold 1,773 shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $16.93, for a total value of $30,016.89. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 14,374 shares in the company, valued at approximately $243,351.82. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 303,575 shares of company stock valued at $4,989,141 in the last quarter. 0.53% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Stock Performance

Shares of HPE stock opened at $16.98 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $22.07 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.03, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.34 and a beta of 1.25. Hewlett Packard Enterprise has a 52 week low of $13.65 and a 52 week high of $18.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a quick ratio of 0.66 and a current ratio of 0.87. The companys 50 day moving average price is $16.16 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $16.76.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (NYSE:HPE  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 28th. The technology company reported $0.52 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.50 by $0.02. Hewlett Packard Enterprise had a net margin of 6.95% and a return on equity of 9.83%. The business had revenue of $7.35 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $7.36 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted ($0.23) EPS. The firms revenue was up 5.0% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts expect that Hewlett Packard Enterprise will post 1.58 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 11th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, December 13th will be paid a $0.13 dividend. This is a boost from Hewlett Packard Enterprises previous quarterly dividend of $0.12. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 12th. This represents a $0.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.06%. Hewlett Packard Enterprises payout ratio is presently 33.77%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on HPE shares. Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $15.00 to $16.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 29th. Raymond James lifted their price target on shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $19.00 to $20.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, October 20th. Barclays cut their price objective on shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $16.00 to $15.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, November 29th. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, October 31st. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Hewlett Packard Enterprise currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $17.67.

Read Our Latest Analysis on Hewlett Packard Enterprise

About Hewlett Packard Enterprise

(Free Report)

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company provides solutions that allow customers to capture, analyze, and act upon data seamlessly in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and Japan. It operates in six segments: Compute, HPC & AI, Storage, Intelligent Edge, Financial Services, and Corporate Investments and Other.

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Linden Thomas Advisory Services LLC boosted its position in Matson, Inc. (NYSE:MATX  Free Report) by 1.7% during the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 23,996 shares of the shipping companys stock after buying an additional 409 shares during the quarter. Linden Thomas Advisory Services LLCs holdings in Matson were worth $2,129,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of MATX. Parallel Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Matson by 43.1% during the second quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 362 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 109 shares during the period. Evergreen Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of Matson by 4.0% during the 1st quarter. Evergreen Capital Management LLC now owns 2,995 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $361,000 after buying an additional 115 shares in the last quarter. CWM LLC raised its position in shares of Matson by 41.4% during the 2nd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 413 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 121 shares in the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Matson by 1.0% in the 2nd quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 14,488 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $1,126,000 after acquiring an additional 141 shares during the period. Finally, Bridgewater Associates LP boosted its holdings in shares of Matson by 0.7% in the second quarter. Bridgewater Associates LP now owns 21,296 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $1,655,000 after acquiring an additional 149 shares in the last quarter. 85.04% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Matson Stock Down 0.4 %

MATX stock opened at $109.60 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17, a current ratio of 1.11 and a quick ratio of 1.11. The firm has a market cap of $3.85 billion, a PE ratio of 12.60 and a beta of 1.17. Matson, Inc. has a 12 month low of $56.51 and a 12 month high of $114.55. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $97.06 and a 200 day simple moving average of $89.64.

Matson Announces Dividend

Matson ( NYSE:MATX Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, October 30th. The shipping company reported $3.40 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.36 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $827.50 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $798.86 million. Matson had a return on equity of 13.53% and a net margin of 10.06%. The companys revenue was down 25.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $6.89 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Matson, Inc. will post 7.89 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 7th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, November 9th were issued a dividend of $0.32 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, November 8th. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.17%. Matsons payout ratio is presently 14.71%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts recently commented on the company. StockNews.com cut Matson from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, November 1st. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price objective on Matson from $90.00 to $102.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 24th. Finally, Wolfe Research raised their target price on Matson from $113.00 to $116.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 24th.

Read Our Latest Report on Matson

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, SVP Vic S. Angoco, Jr. sold 11,500 shares of Matson stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $90.52, for a total value of $1,040,980.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 23,693 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,144,690.36. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In related news, SVP Christopher A. Scott sold 350 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, November 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $88.59, for a total transaction of $31,006.50. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 11,926 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,056,524.34. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, SVP Vic S. Angoco, Jr. sold 11,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $90.52, for a total value of $1,040,980.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 23,693 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,144,690.36. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 13,799 shares of company stock worth $1,262,179. Company insiders own 1.90% of the companys stock.

Matson Company Profile

(Free Report)

Matson, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides ocean transportation and logistics services. The company's Ocean Transportation segment offers ocean freight transportation services to the domestic non-contiguous economies of Hawaii, Alaska, and Guam, as well as to other island economies in Micronesia.

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Charles Schwab Trust Co boosted its position in shares of American Express (NYSE:AXP  Free Report) by 10.6% 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 2,267 shares of the payment services companys stock after acquiring an additional 217 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Trust Cos holdings in American Express were worth $338,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Tyler Stone Wealth Management purchased a new stake in shares of American Express in the second quarter worth $27,000. RVW Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in shares of American Express in the 3rd quarter valued at about $33,000. Impact Partnership Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of American Express during the 2nd quarter valued at about $35,000. BOK Financial Private Wealth Inc. grew its holdings in shares of American Express by 2,142.9% during the third quarter. BOK Financial Private Wealth Inc. now owns 314 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $47,000 after purchasing an additional 300 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Brown Shipley& Co Ltd bought a new position in shares of American Express in the second quarter worth approximately $49,000. Institutional investors own 83.08% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity at American Express

In other news, Vice Chairman Douglas E. Buckminster sold 11,344 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $158.87, for a total value of $1,802,221.28. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 88,376 shares of the companys stock, valued at $14,040,295.12. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In other news, Vice Chairman Douglas E. Buckminster sold 11,344 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $158.87, for a total value of $1,802,221.28. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 88,376 shares in the company, valued at $14,040,295.12. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, Vice Chairman Jeffrey C. Campbell sold 21,008 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $168.33, for a total transaction of $3,536,276.64. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 125,646 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $21,149,991.18. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.12% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

American Express Price Performance

Shares of AXP stock opened at $187.34 on Friday. The businesss fifty day moving average is $165.00 and its 200 day moving average is $163.36. The company has a quick ratio of 1.60, a current ratio of 1.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.70. The stock has a market cap of $136.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.57, a PEG ratio of 1.17 and a beta of 1.23. American Express has a twelve month low of $140.91 and a twelve month high of $188.30.

American Express (NYSE:AXP  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, October 20th. The payment services company reported $3.30 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.96 by $0.34. American Express had a net margin of 13.61% and a return on equity of 30.60%. The firm had revenue of $15.38 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $15.36 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $2.47 EPS. The companys revenue was up 13.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts expect that American Express will post 11.22 EPS for the current fiscal year.

American Express Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 9th. Investors of record on Friday, January 5th will be paid a $0.60 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 4th. This represents a $2.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.28%. American Expresss payout ratio is currently 22.51%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their target price on shares of American Express from $190.00 to $185.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Monday, October 23rd. Bank of America lowered their price target on American Express from $203.00 to $202.00 in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price objective on American Express from $186.00 to $205.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, December 18th. HSBC started coverage on American Express in a report on Friday, October 13th. They set a buy rating and a $181.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Monness Crespi & Hardt began coverage on American Express in a research note on Wednesday, December 20th. They issued a neutral rating for the company. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, American Express currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $171.78.

View Our Latest Research Report on American Express

American Express Company Profile

(Free Report)

American Express Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides charge and credit payment card products, and travel-related services worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Global Consumer Services Group, Global Commercial Services, and Global Merchant and Network Services. Its products and services include payment and financing products; network services; accounts payable expense management products and services; and travel and lifestyle services.

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Charles Schwab Trust Co bought a new stake in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:IWF  Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund bought 1,056 shares of the exchange traded funds stock, valued at approximately $281,000.

Several other large investors have also made changes to their positions in IWF. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec raised its position in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF by 33.3% in the 1st quarter. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec now owns 300,000 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $73,299,000 after purchasing an additional 75,000 shares during the last quarter. Newport Capital Group LLC acquired a new stake in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at about $10,612,000. Arete Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF in the first quarter worth about $3,778,000. Simplex Trading LLC lifted its position in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF by 1,715.0% during the second quarter. Simplex Trading LLC now owns 27,969 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $7,696,000 after purchasing an additional 26,428 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Affiance Financial LLC grew its stake in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF by 16.2% during the second quarter. Affiance Financial LLC now owns 13,202 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $3,633,000 after purchasing an additional 1,837 shares during the last quarter.

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iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF Stock Performance

NYSEARCA IWF opened at $303.17 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $77.34 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.14 and a beta of 1.08. iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF has a 52 week low of $209.27 and a 52 week high of $305.35. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $287.06 and a 200-day moving average of $278.93.

iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF Profile

iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment returns that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Russell 1000 Growth Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of equity securities of Russell 1000 index issuers with relatively higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth.

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Deutsche Telekom AG (OTCMKTS:DTEGY  Get Free Report) saw a significant growth in short interest in December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 31,600 shares, a growth of 409.7% from the November 30th total of 6,200 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 442,900 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.1 days.

Deutsche Telekom Price Performance

Shares of DTEGY traded up $0.19 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $24.13. 156,323 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 194,534. The business has a 50-day moving average of $23.40 and a 200 day moving average of $22.06. Deutsche Telekom has a one year low of $19.86 and a one year high of $25.55. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.03, a current ratio of 0.99 and a quick ratio of 0.92.

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Deutsche Telekom (OTCMKTS:DTEGY  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, November 9th. The utilities provider reported $0.50 earnings per share for the quarter. Deutsche Telekom had a net margin of 17.75% and a return on equity of 8.55%. The firm had revenue of $29.99 billion during the quarter. As a group, analysts expect that Deutsche Telekom will post 1.87 EPS for the current fiscal year.

About Deutsche Telekom

Deutsche Telekom AG, together with its subsidiaries, provides integrated telecommunication services. The company operates through five segments: Germany, United States, Europe, Systems Solutions, and Group Development. It offers fixed-network services, including voice and data communication services based on fixed-network and broadband technology; and sells terminal equipment and other hardware products, as well as services to resellers.

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Mandalay Resources Co. (OTCMKTS:MNDJF  Get Free Report) dropped 2.8% on Thursday . The stock traded as low as C$1.38 and last traded at C$1.38. Approximately 642 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 80% from the average daily volume of 3,223 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$1.42.

Mandalay Resources Stock Down 2.8 %

The company has a 50-day moving average price of C$1.30 and a two-hundred day moving average price of C$1.32.

About Mandalay Resources

(Get Free Report)

Mandalay Resources Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, exploration, extraction, processing, and reclamation of mineral properties in Canada, Australia, Sweden, and Chile. It explores for gold, silver, and antimony deposits. The company primarily holds 100% interests in the Costerfield gold-antimony mine located in Australia, and the Bjorkdal gold mine located in Sweden.

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Avestar Capital LLC cut its position in shares of Goldman Sachs Access Ultra Short Bond ETF (BATS:GSST  Free Report) by 48.1% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 137,362 shares of the companys stock after selling 127,423 shares during the quarter. Goldman Sachs Access Ultra Short Bond ETF accounts for 1.0% of Avestar Capital LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 24th largest position. Avestar Capital LLC owned about 1.18% of Goldman Sachs Access Ultra Short Bond ETF worth $6,860,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Private Wealth Partners LLC grew its holdings in shares of Goldman Sachs Access Ultra Short Bond ETF by 30.3% during the second quarter. Private Wealth Partners LLC now owns 39,550 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,974,000 after buying an additional 9,200 shares in the last quarter. Gratus Capital LLC lifted its position in shares of Goldman Sachs Access Ultra Short Bond ETF by 65.7% in the second quarter. Gratus Capital LLC now owns 10,895 shares of the companys stock worth $544,000 after purchasing an additional 4,321 shares in the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Goldman Sachs Access Ultra Short Bond ETF by 8.3% during the second quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 60,084 shares of the companys stock worth $2,998,000 after purchasing an additional 4,629 shares during the period. Tiemann Investment Advisors LLC grew its position in Goldman Sachs Access Ultra Short Bond ETF by 62.7% during the second quarter. Tiemann Investment Advisors LLC now owns 52,963 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,643,000 after purchasing an additional 20,403 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Navalign LLC acquired a new position in Goldman Sachs Access Ultra Short Bond ETF in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $1,001,000.

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Goldman Sachs Access Ultra Short Bond ETF Stock Up 0.1 %

GSST stock traded up $0.03 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $50.01. The company had a trading volume of 34,750 shares. The companys 50-day moving average price is $49.95 and its 200 day moving average price is $49.88.

Goldman Sachs Access Ultra Short Bond ETF Profile

The Goldman Sachs Access Ultra Short Bond ETF (GSST) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the FTSE 3 Month T-Bill index. The fund is an actively-managed ETF that seeks to provide current income with preservation of capital by investing in a broad range of USD-denominated ultra-short-term bonds.

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Borer Denton & Associates Inc. cut its holdings in shares of Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV  Free Report) by 28.9% during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 10,835 shares of the airlines stock after selling 4,400 shares during the period. Borer Denton & Associates Inc.s holdings in Southwest Airlines were worth $293,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Forum Financial Management LP grew its holdings in shares of Southwest Airlines by 4.0% during the 1st quarter. Forum Financial Management LP now owns 7,067 shares of the airlines stock worth $323,000 after acquiring an additional 270 shares during the period. Stonebridge Capital Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Southwest Airlines by 3.6% in the 1st quarter. Stonebridge Capital Advisors LLC now owns 8,639 shares of the airlines stock worth $396,000 after buying an additional 300 shares during the last quarter. Utah Retirement Systems increased its position in Southwest Airlines by 0.6% during the 4th quarter. Utah Retirement Systems now owns 50,213 shares of the airlines stock valued at $1,691,000 after buying an additional 300 shares in the last quarter. Xponance Inc. boosted its holdings in Southwest Airlines by 0.4% in the second quarter. Xponance Inc. now owns 75,325 shares of the airlines stock worth $2,728,000 after acquiring an additional 333 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Centaurus Financial Inc. grew its stake in shares of Southwest Airlines by 4.4% in the first quarter. Centaurus Financial Inc. now owns 8,166 shares of the airlines stock worth $266,000 after acquiring an additional 343 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.22% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have weighed in on the stock. Susquehanna reduced their price objective on shares of Southwest Airlines from $25.00 to $23.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 31st. Citigroup increased their target price on Southwest Airlines from $25.00 to $30.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, December 18th. Raymond James decreased their price target on Southwest Airlines from $36.00 to $34.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Monday, November 27th. BNP Paribas downgraded Southwest Airlines from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and set a $20.00 price objective for the company. in a report on Friday, November 10th. Finally, Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on shares of Southwest Airlines from $50.00 to $47.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, October 31st. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have issued a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $32.06.

Southwest Airlines Price Performance

LUV stock traded down $0.50 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $28.88. The company had a trading volume of 5,699,562 shares, compared to its average volume of 9,250,689. The company has a market capitalization of $17.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.50, a P/E/G ratio of 1.26 and a beta of 1.19. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $26.04 and a 200 day moving average price of $29.86. The company has a quick ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 1.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72. Southwest Airlines Co. has a 12-month low of $21.91 and a 12-month high of $39.53.

Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 26th. The airline reported $0.38 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.38. Southwest Airlines had a net margin of 1.95% and a return on equity of 5.08%. The company had revenue of $6.53 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.56 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.50 earnings per share. Southwest Airliness quarterly revenue was up 4.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts anticipate that Southwest Airlines Co. will post 1.39 earnings per share for the current year.

Southwest Airlines Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 11th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, December 21st will be paid a dividend of $0.18 per share. This represents a $0.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.49%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, December 20th. Southwest Airliness dividend payout ratio is currently 96.00%.

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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Skokie was in the news for a wide range of reasons in 2023, including a Yellow Line crash, an ordinance on housing, rallies and protests after the Israel-Hamas war erupted, allegations of conflicts of interest among village officials and bomb threats to schools, libraries and businesses in the village.

1. Reactions to the Israel-Hamas war

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After the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, about 25 supporters of the U.S. Palestinian Community Network organized a sit-in protest in U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowskys district office in Skokie, urging the congresswoman to support resolutions that would guarantee the protection and human rights of Palestinians living in Gaza.

Pro Palestinian activists are detained while holding a sit in at U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowskys office to advocate for a ceasefire in the ongoing Israel and Palestinian conflict Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023 in Skokie. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune) (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Hatem Abudayyeh, chair of the USPCN, said the group specifically addressed Schakowsky because she is the vice president of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and has demonstrated unbreakable support of Israel.

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Police were called in shortly after the group arrived, and Schakowskys staff allowed the group to speak to Schakowsky via phone before they retreated to a back room. Most protesters remained until after the office closed for the day, and then police gave the protesters three verbal warnings to leave. Most did, but police took seven protesters into custody and cited them with trespassing.

On Oct. 22, the Midwest Regional Office of the Simon Wiesenthal Center organized a Solidarity with Israel event at the Ateres Ayala kosher banquet hall venue on Touhy Avenue.

The rally attracted about 200 pro-Palestinian counter-protestors, who wanted to emphasize the realities for those living in Gaza under Israeli attacks.

Pro-Palestinian counter-protestors stood outside a Solidarity with Israel event sponsored by the Midwest Regional Office of the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Skokie on Oct. 22. One gunshot was fired into the air across the street in Lincolnwood but police said no one was injured. (Richard Requena)

The rally spread across Touhy to the Lincolnwood side. A 39-year-old Chicago man outside the Lincolnwood Town Center mall hit someone with his vehicle in a hit-and-run and when confronted by numerous individuals raised his gun and fired a shot in the air. Police said nobody was hurt in either incident, and the Cook County States Attorneys Office declined to press charges.

On the Skokie side of Touhy Avenue, Zevulen Ebert, 33, of the 5000 block of Oakton Street, was charged with four felonies for allegedly pepper spraying a group of people. According to a court record, Ebert was waving an Israeli flag in front of a group of Palestinian supporters when an individual attempted to take Eberts flag. The document said a verbal exchange followed, and Ebert discharged his pepper spray.

Reactions to the war included more than just protests. Forty high school seniors from Ida Crown Jewish Academy planned to go on a monthlong trip to Israel from Dec. 17 to Jan. 11 to volunteer in the agriculture sector and other parts of the economy in desperate need of workers.

I feel like its my duty to go and help, said senior Ayelet Appel. There are people my age who are serving in the army. The minimum I can do is go over and help with whatever people need.

Here, we kind of feel hopeless, said her mother, Hamutal Appel. We can do some things here, but its not enough. Having the opportunity to send a child to help will make a difference.

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2. Housing

In June, developers bought office space at 5400 Old Orchard Road and got approval from the Village Board for their plans to create 245 apartments and 49 townhomes. The apartments would range from studios to three-bedroom apartments.

Tucker Development and Wingspan Development Group have purchased the property for 5400 Old Orchard Road in Skokie and plan to build a four-story mixed-use development that includes 245 luxury apartments, 49 rental townhomes and commercial space. (Handout)

Another developer also saw a chance to bring more apartments to the same stretch of Old Orchard Road between the Skokie Courthouse and Westfield Old Orchard Shopping Center. In December, the Plan Commission approved plans for GW properties to convert two seven-story office buildings at 5202-5250 Old Orchard Road into high-end apartments.

Some residents expressed concerns that the new housing was priced too high. For months, the Village Board discussed a proposed affordable housing ordinance that would have required all housing developments that have more than 11 units to provide some affordable housing units or pay a fee-in-lieu to opt out of it.

In November, the ordinance failed to pass with a 3-4 vote on the Village Board.

3. Independent trustee brings ethics complaints

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Skokies sole independent village trustee, James Johnson, made a series of ethics complaints to the Ethics Commission during the year, with some of them accusing the villages legal department of having a conflict of interest, given their political affiliation with the Skokie Caucus Party, the dominant political party in Skokie for over 60 years.

His colleagues on the Village Board filed a motion asking the Ethics Commission members to dismiss his complaint, and recommended Johnson be sanctioned with a $5,000 fine for frivolous ethics complaints.

Ultimately, the commissioners did not sanction Johnson but dismissed his ethics complaint.

Village of Skokie Trustee James Johnson is being accused of "frivolous" ethics complaints, by the rest of the Skokie Village Board. A motion filed to the Skokie Ethics Commission recommends he be sanctioned $5,000. (Richard Requena)

Twice in 2023, the Illinois Attorney General launched an investigation into the village for Open Meetings Act violations. The first investigation was over the Ethics Commission hearing an ethics complaint made by Johnson while the Commission was not in an open session.

In November, the Attorney Generals office again investigated the Village Board for approving closed session minutes in a closed session. Johnson filed the request for the review of that incident.

Mayor George Van Dusen acknowledged the violation of the Open Meetings Act at the Dec. 4 Village Board meeting, and the Village Board approved the minutes at the Dec. 18 meeting.

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Johnsons allegations of corruption and conflicts of interest have drawn the ire of trustees during Village Board meetings. In a September meeting, Trustee Ralph Klein told Johnson to shut up when Klein criticized Johnson for not participating in any commissions. Johnson was rejecting the reappointment of commissioners to the ethics board of at the time.

At the Dec. 18 meeting, Johnson accused trustees and the mayor of having a conflict of interest for appointing members to the legal department. Trustee Alison Pure Slovin pointed out that in other governing bodies it doesnt matter if a legal department has someone who belongs to a political party.

4. Bomb threats

The Cook County States Attorneys office charged Jacob Spiro, 23, of Skokie, with disorderly conduct for bomb threats he allegedly called in or made by using the internet. According to Skokie Police documents, 56 bomb threats were made to public libraries, businesses, schools and other institutions in Skokie, Morton Grove, Wilmette, Niles, Des Plaines and Chicago.

The first of 16 incidents in Skokie occurred on Sept. 30, when police were dispatched to the 7-Eleven located at 4843 Church Street to respond to a 911 call claiming that there were bombs in the building, per the reports. Police investigated and determined that the threat was not credible and the call came from a non-initiated cellphone not registered to any network or person.

An arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt.

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5. Yellow Line crash

On Nov. 16, A CTA Yellow Line train approaching the Howard station, near the border of Chicago and Evanston, hit a snowplow on the tracks. Twenty-three people were taken to hospitals after the crash, three of them in serious or critical condition.

A damaged CTA Yellow Line L train is seen from a Linden-bound Purple Line train at the Howard Rail Yard in Rogers Park on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023. The train crashed into a snowplow train on Thursday, leading to suspension of service on the Yellow Line. Trent Sprague/Chicago Tribune (Trent Sprague/Chicago Tribune)

Since the crash, the Yellow Line has not been running and the CTA is offering free shuttle bus service from the Yellow Line stops to and from Howard.

6. Electoral reform

Three citizen-initiated referendums to reform elections in Skokie were approved by voters in 2022, and the village began implementing them this year. The referendums included making elections nonpartisan, introducing staggered terms for elected officials, and creating a new map that will split the village into four districts so that one village trustee would be elected from each. Two trustees would also be elected from within the entire villages boundaries.

Skokie is in the midst of implementing three changes to their election ordinances. One of them will be to establish electoral districts, which are being drafted and proposed by outside consultants. Provided by Village of Skokie

The trustees elected by the districts would have the same powers as those voted on at large, and the villages council-manager government would stay the same.

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The districts are about the same size geographically and by population. The consultants hired to make the map presented their map to residents at the Skokie Public Library in September and October. Residents got a chance to give their feedback.

The first elections to be governed by the electoral reforms will take place in 2025.

7. Concerns about rising antisemitism

In the weeks after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, the Anti-Defamation League tracked a 388% increase in antisemitic events compared to the same time period as last year.

Its a very uncertain time for Jewish people, said Rodi Glass, a Holocaust survivor. Its a very frightening time.

Skokie Police investigated two hate crimes involving antisemitism in November. One involved unknown individuals destroying yard signs that said We Stand with Israel from 10 locations near Church Street and Kostner Avenue, according to Skokie Police.

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Skokie Police are investigating a hate crime of pro-Israel yard signs being vandalized in residential neighborhoods. Police said 10 locations were targeted. Courtesy of Paul Sassieni (Paul Sassieni)

Skokie Police also investigated gang graffiti at a kosher pizzeria in Skokie as a hate crime. The graffiti had a swastika on it.
Lake Street Financial LLC lifted its stake in shares of iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF (NYSEARCA:IWN  Free Report) by 38.8% during the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 31,071 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 8,691 shares during the quarter. Lake Street Financial LLCs holdings in iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF were worth $4,230,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in IWN. Covenant Partners LLC increased its position in iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF by 4.9% during the 3rd quarter. Covenant Partners LLC now owns 110,970 shares of the companys stock worth $15,042,000 after buying an additional 5,202 shares during the period. Bridge Advisory LLC acquired a new stake in iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF in the third quarter valued at about $1,000,000. Connecticut Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF by 124.1% in the third quarter. Connecticut Wealth Management LLC now owns 6,675 shares of the companys stock valued at $905,000 after buying an additional 3,697 shares in the last quarter. RTD Financial Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF by 0.7% in the third quarter. RTD Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 59,244 shares of the companys stock valued at $8,031,000 after buying an additional 407 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Opal Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF in the third quarter valued at about $399,000.

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iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF Price Performance

NYSEARCA:IWN traded down $2.39 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $155.33. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,107,176 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,485,839. The company has a market capitalization of $12.47 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.40 and a beta of 1.15. iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF has a twelve month low of $124.97 and a twelve month high of $158.87. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $140.77 and a 200-day simple moving average of $140.94.

iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF Profile

iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF, formerly Ishares Trust Russel 2000 (the Fund), formerly iShares Russell 2000 Value Index Fund, is an exchange traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Russell 2000 Value Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of equity securities of Russell 2000 Index issuers with relatively lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth.

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Lake Street Financial LLC boosted its position in shares of Alerian MLP ETF (NYSEARCA:AMLP  Free Report) by 0.9% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 50,062 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after acquiring an additional 464 shares during the quarter. Lake Street Financial LLCs holdings in Alerian MLP ETF were worth $2,120,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in AMLP. Retirement Financial Solutions LLC bought a new position in shares of Alerian MLP ETF in the third quarter valued at about $475,000. MPS Loria Financial Planners LLC bought a new position in shares of Alerian MLP ETF in the third quarter valued at about $205,000. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Alerian MLP ETF by 47.9% in the third quarter. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 47,613 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $2,009,000 after purchasing an additional 15,419 shares during the period. Virginia National Bank bought a new position in shares of Alerian MLP ETF in the third quarter valued at about $220,000. Finally, Opal Wealth Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Alerian MLP ETF by 13.1% in the third quarter. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 8,366 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $353,000 after purchasing an additional 968 shares during the period.

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Alerian MLP ETF Stock Down 0.1 %

Shares of AMLP traded down $0.06 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $42.52. The company had a trading volume of 946,021 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,393,031. Alerian MLP ETF has a 12 month low of $35.68 and a 12 month high of $44.43. The firm has a market cap of $6.96 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.30 and a beta of 1.42. The business has a fifty day moving average of $42.55 and a 200-day moving average of $41.42.

Alerian MLP ETF Profile

ALERIAN MLP ETF seeks investment results that correspond (before fees and expenses) to the price and yield performance of its underlying index, the Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index (the Index). The Index is a rules based, modified capitalization weighted, float adjusted index intended to give investors a means of tracking the overall performance of the United States energy infrastructure Master Limited Partnership (MLP) asset class.

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Plimoth Trust Co. LLC cut its holdings in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO  Free Report) by 2.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 16,765 shares of the companys stock after selling 395 shares during the quarter. Plimoth Trust Co. LLCs holdings in Altria Group were worth $705,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich raised its position in Altria Group by 100,097.6% in the second 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 in the last quarter. Capital World Investors raised its position in Altria Group by 8.5% in the second 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 in the last quarter. State Street Corp raised its position in Altria Group by 1.8% in the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 70,564,529 shares of the companys stock worth $3,262,710,000 after acquiring an additional 1,240,150 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its position in Altria Group by 3.8% in the second quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 43,615,505 shares of the companys stock worth $1,962,702,000 after acquiring an additional 1,585,048 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC raised its position in Altria Group by 3.3% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 37,025,033 shares of the companys stock worth $1,672,836,000 after acquiring an additional 1,168,982 shares in the last quarter. 58.94% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have issued reports on the company. Bank of America cut their price objective on Altria Group from $49.00 to $47.00 in a report on Monday, October 9th. StockNews.com downgraded Altria Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, December 19th. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price objective on Altria Group from $55.00 to $56.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, October 13th. Citigroup cut their price objective on Altria Group from $46.50 to $45.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 18th. Finally, UBS Group cut their price objective on Altria Group from $40.40 to $39.20 and set a sell rating on the stock in a report on Friday, October 6th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $47.53.

Altria Group Stock Up 0.4 %

Shares of MO traded up $0.16 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $40.34. The companys stock had a trading volume of 8,074,856 shares, compared to its average volume of 9,866,359. The firm has a market cap of $71.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.22, a P/E/G ratio of 2.68 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. The company has a 50 day moving average of $41.03 and a two-hundred day moving average of $42.92.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly 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). The firm had revenue of $5.28 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.43 billion. Altria Group had a net margin of 35.58% and a negative return on equity of 237.91%. The companys quarterly revenue was down 2.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.28 EPS. As a group, analysts forecast that Altria Group, Inc. will post 4.96 EPS 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. 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 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 9.72%. Altria Groups payout ratio is currently 79.84%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Robert Matthews Davis bought 1,200 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, November 6th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $40.50 per share, with a total value of $48,600.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 8,473 shares of the companys stock, valued at $343,156.50. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.07% of the companys stock.

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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HGK Asset Management Inc. trimmed its position in shares of EOG Resources, Inc. (NYSE:EOG  Free Report) by 0.5% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 44,024 shares of the energy exploration companys stock after selling 230 shares during the period. EOG Resources accounts for 1.8% of HGK Asset Management Inc.s portfolio, making the stock its 19th largest holding. HGK Asset Management Inc.s holdings in EOG Resources were worth $5,580,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Pinnacle Holdings LLC bought a new position in shares of EOG Resources in the first quarter worth about $25,000. Truvestments Capital LLC bought a new position in EOG Resources in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Fortis Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in EOG Resources during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Lumature Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new stake in EOG Resources during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Finally, Eagle Bay Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of EOG Resources during the second quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.21% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus upped their target price on shares of EOG Resources from $161.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, November 30th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered EOG Resources from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and cut their price objective for the company from $150.00 to $130.00 in a research report on Thursday, December 14th. Sanford C. Bernstein downgraded EOG Resources from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and decreased their target price for the stock from $155.00 to $146.00 in a research report on Tuesday, October 17th. Bank of America lifted their price objective on EOG Resources from $143.00 to $147.00 in a research note on Wednesday, September 27th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. downgraded EOG Resources from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and lowered their target price for the company from $156.00 to $150.00 in a research report on Wednesday, December 6th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $145.52.

EOG Resources Trading Down 0.3 %

Shares of EOG traded down $0.38 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $120.95. 1,756,736 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,507,184. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $123.28 and its 200 day moving average price is $124.35. The company has a current ratio of 2.43, a quick ratio of 2.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14. The firm has a market cap of $70.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.99, a PEG ratio of 0.35 and a beta of 1.44. EOG Resources, Inc. has a 12-month low of $98.52 and a 12-month high of $137.95.

EOG Resources (NYSE:EOG  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 2nd. The energy exploration company reported $3.44 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.95 by $0.49. The company had revenue of $6.21 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.91 billion. EOG Resources had a net margin of 32.11% and a return on equity of 26.80%. Sell-side analysts forecast that EOG Resources, Inc. will post 12.09 earnings per share for the current year.

EOG Resources Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 31st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, January 17th will be issued a dividend of $0.91 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, January 16th. This represents a $3.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.01%. This is an increase from EOG Resourcess previous quarterly dividend of $0.83. EOG Resourcess dividend payout ratio is 24.52%.

EOG Resources Profile

(Free Report)

EOG Resources, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, explores for, develops, produces, and markets crude oil, and natural gas and natural gas liquids. Its principal producing areas are in New Mexico and Texas in the United States; and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. The company was formerly known as Enron Oil & Gas Company.

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Plimoth Trust Co. LLC cut its stake in Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT  Free Report) by 1.9% in the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 32,428 shares of the medical technology companys stock after selling 630 shares during the period. Plimoth Trust Co. LLCs holdings in Medtronic were worth $2,541,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Missouri Trust & Investment Co raised its stake in Medtronic by 209.0% in the second quarter. Missouri Trust & Investment Co now owns 309 shares of the medical technology companys stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 209 shares in the last quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in Medtronic by 48.9% in the second quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 344 shares of the medical technology companys stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 113 shares in the last quarter. Fairfield Bush & CO. bought a new position in Medtronic in the second quarter worth approximately $32,000. Trivant Custom Portfolio Group LLC bought a new position in Medtronic in the first quarter worth approximately $31,000. Finally, Certified Advisory Corp purchased a new position in Medtronic in the first quarter worth $31,000. 80.75% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have issued reports on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed a sector perform rating and issued a $82.00 price target on shares of Medtronic in a report on Wednesday, November 22nd. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Medtronic in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Truist Financial lifted their price target on shares of Medtronic from $84.00 to $87.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Friday, December 22nd. Finally, Morgan Stanley cut their price target on shares of Medtronic from $104.00 to $98.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, November 22nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $93.08.

Medtronic Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:MDT traded down $0.35 on Friday, hitting $82.38. 3,847,619 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,605,111. The company has a current ratio of 2.29, a quick ratio of 1.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $76.98 and its 200 day moving average price is $80.78. Medtronic plc has a 1-year low of $68.84 and a 1-year high of $92.02. The firm has a market capitalization of $109.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.83, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.07 and a beta of 0.73.

Medtronic (NYSE:MDT  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, November 21st. The medical technology company reported $1.25 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.18 by $0.07. Medtronic had a net margin of 12.83% and a return on equity of 13.73%. The firm had revenue of $7.98 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $7.93 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.30 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 5.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts predict that Medtronic plc will post 5.16 EPS for the current year.

Medtronic Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 12th. Investors of record on Wednesday, December 20th will be issued a dividend of $0.69 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 19th. This represents a $2.76 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.35%. Medtronics dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 89.90%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP Brett A. Wall sold 4,997 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $82.17, for a total transaction of $410,603.49. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 28,910 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,375,534.70. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 0.30% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Medtronic Company Profile

(Free Report)

Medtronic plc develops, manufactures, and sells device-based medical therapies to healthcare systems, physicians, clinicians, and patients worldwide. Its Cardiovascular Portfolio segment offers implantable cardiac pacemakers, cardioverter defibrillators, and cardiac resynchronization therapy devices; cardiac ablation products; insertable cardiac monitor systems; TYRX products; and remote monitoring and patient-centered software.

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The leader of Irelands main opposition party has said the country should join South Africas legal proceedings against Israel over its military offensive in Gaza.

South Africa launched a case at the United Nations top court on Friday, accusing Israel of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza and asking the court to order Israel to halt its attacks.

South Africas submission to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) alleges that acts and omissions by Israel are genocidal in character as they are committed with the intent to destroy Palestinians in Gaza as a part of the broader Palestinian national, racial and ethnical group.

It also asks the Hague-based court to issue an interim order for Israel to immediately suspend its military operations in Gaza. A hearing into that request is likely in the coming days or weeks.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said Israel must be held to account and that Irish premier Leo Varadkar needs to act now.

In initiating proceedings at the International Court of Justice, South Africa has shown the leadership and solidarity that is needed from right across the international community to end Israels bombardment of Gaza, Ms McDonald said.

What is happening in Gaza is an absolute catastrophe. In full view of the world, over 20,000 Palestinians have been killed, another 10,000 are missing, while two million people have been displaced.

This is a devastation of unimaginable proportions that simply cannot be allowed to continue.

There must be a ceasefire, there must be sanctions, and Israel must be held to account.

The Taoiseach needs to act now on behalf of the Irish people.

I am calling on Leo Varadkar to commit to joining South Africa in their ICJ proceedings against Israel concerning violations under the Convention on Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in relation to Palestinians in Gaza.

Only by such actions, and by world leaders exhausting every possible avenue available, will Israel end its bombardment of Gaza, their massacre of civilians and children, and their mass displacement of an entire population.

World leaders must speak with one voice, and ensure that Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli government are held responsible for their reprehensible actions at the ICJ.

The South African case is the first such challenge made at the court over the current war and Israel swiftly rejected the filing with disgust.

South Africa can bring the case under the Genocide Convention because both it and Israel are signatories to the convention.
[December 29, 2023] Helmerich & Payne, Inc. To Participate in Conferences in January 2024 Tweet

Helmerich & Payne, Inc. (NYSE: HP) today announced that Mark Smith, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; Mike Lennox, Senior Vice President of U.S. Land Operations; and Dave Wilson, Vice President of Investor Relations plan to participate in the following investor conferences during the month of January 2024. Participation by the management team will vary by event. Goldman Sachs Energy, CleanTech & Utilities Conference 2024 on Thursday and Friday, January 4-5, 2024; Mr. Smith will participate in a panel discussion on behalf of the Company on Friday, January 5, 2024 at 11:20 a.m. U.S. ET. The ATB 12th Annual Institutional Investor Conference on Wednesday, January 10, 2024; Mr. Smith will participate in a panel discussion on behalf of the Company on Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. U.S. ET. Investor slides to be used during the conferences will be available for download on the company's website, within Investors, under Presentations, the afternoon of January 3, 2024.



About Helmerich & Payne, Inc. Founded in 1920, Helmerich & Payne, Inc. is committed to delivering industry leading drilling productivity and reliability. H&P operates with the highest level of integrity, safety and innovation to deliver superior results for our customers and returns for shareholders. Through its subsidiaries, the Company designs, fabricates and operates high-performance drilling rigs in conventional and unconventional plays around the world. H&P also develops and implements advanced automation, directional drilling and survey management technologies. For more information, visit www.helmerichpayne.com.

Helmerich & Payne uses its website as a channel of distribution for material company information. Such information is routinely posted and accessible on its Investor Relations website at www.helmerichpayne.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231229154061/en/

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[December 29, 2023] BARCLAYS 96 HOUR DEADLINE ALERT: Former Louisiana Attorney General and Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC Remind Investors With Losses in Excess of $100,000 of Deadline in Class Action Lawsuit Against Barclays PLC - BCS Tweet

Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, the former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have until January 2, 2024 to 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 Do If 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 ([email protected]), or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-bcs/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class ation by overseeing lead counsel with the goal of obtaining a fair and just resolution, you must request this position by application to the Court by January 2, 2024.



About the Lawsuit Barclays 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, LLC KSF, 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. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231229865306/en/

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[December 29, 2023] POSaBIT Closes Non-Brokered Unit Offering to Fund Convertible Unsecured Note Maturity Tweet

POSaBIT Systems Corporation (CSE: PBIT, OTC: POSAF) (the "Company" or "POSaBIT"), a leading provider of payments infrastructure in the cannabis industry, is pleased to announce that, further to its previous press release dated December 21, 2023, it has closed a non-brokered private placement of 3,107,142 units of the Company (the "Units"), at a price of CAD$0.28 per Unit, for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately CAD$870,000 or USD$650,000 (the "Offering") to fund the repayment of certain convertible promissory notes at maturity. In connection with the Offering, each Unit is comprised of one (1) common share in the capital of the Company ("Common Shares") and 0.88 Common Share purchase warrants (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant is exercisable into one Common Share in the capital of the Company (each, a "Warrant Share") at a price of CAD$0.40 per Warrant Share for a period of 60 months. On November 13, 2020, the Company announced the close of USD$1,040,000 principal amount of 12% convertible unsecured notes due December 31, 2023 (the "2020 Notes"), convertible into Common Shares at a conversion price of CAD$0.12 per Common Share. As of the conversion deadline, USD$565,000 principal amount of 2020 Notes did not convert and such notes will be repaid at maturity. In connection with the Offering, Perga Capital Partners LP ("Perga") purchased 2,857,929 Units, for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately CAD$800,220. Perga also entered into a warrant cancellation agreement with the Company, pursuant to which Perga agreed to cancel 3,850,000 Common Share purchase warrants previously issued to Perga. Pursuant to the Offering, the Company issued 3,107,142 Common Shares and 2,734,284 Warrants, which are partially offset by the cancellation of 3.85 million warrants previously issued to Perga. This compares to the potential issuance of approximately 6.3 million Common Shares if the 2020 Notes had converted under their original terms. The Common Shares and Warrants issued in connection with the Offering are subject to a four-month statutory hold period, in accordance with applicable securities legislation. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of any of the ecurities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. 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 applicable state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such registration requirements is available.



2,857,929 Units were issued to Perga, which is a related party (within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101")) and such issuance is considered a "related party transaction" for the purposes of MI 61-101. Such related party transaction is exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 as neither the fair market value of the securities issued to the related party, nor the consideration paid by the related party exceeds 25% of the Company's market capitalization. The purchasers of the Units and the extent of such participation were not finalized until shortly prior to the completion of the Offering. Accordingly, it was not possible to publicly disclose details of the nature and extent of related party participation in the transactions contemplated hereby pursuant to a material change report filed at least 21 days prior to the completion of such transactions. ABOUT POSABIT

POSaBIT (CSE: PBIT, OTC: POSAF) is a FinTech, working exclusively within the cannabis industry. We provide a best-in-class Point-of-Sale solution and are the leading cashless payment provider for cannabis retailers. We work tirelessly to build better financial services and transaction methods for merchants. We bring cutting-edge software and technology to the cannabis industry so that all merchants can have a safe and compliant set of services to solve the problems of a cash-only industry. For additional information, visit www.posabit.com. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding our expectations around business strategy, financing events and courses of action. Statements which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, outlook, expectations or intentions regarding the future including words or phrases such as "anticipate," "objective," "may," "will," "might," "should," "could," "can," "intend," "expect," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential," "plan," "is designed to" or similar expressions suggesting future outcomes or the negative thereof or similar variations, including the Company's expectations regarding the use of proceeds from the Offering. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including business, economic and capital market conditions; the ability to manage our operating expenses, which may adversely affect our financial condition; regulatory uncertainties; market conditions and the demand and pricing for our products; and our relationships with our customers, stakeholders, distributors and business partners. Neither we nor any of our representatives make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy, sufficiency or completeness of the information in this news release. Neither we nor any of our representatives shall have any liability whatsoever, under contract, tort, trust or otherwise resulting from the use of the information in this news release or for omissions from the information in this news release. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231229332706/en/

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[December 29, 2023] Liberty Announces Amendment to Listed Issuer Financing Exemption (LIFE) Private Placement of Units Tweet

/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/ VANCOUVER, BC and WILMINGTON, Mass., Dec. 29, 2023 /CNW/ - December 29, 2023  Liberty Defense Holdings Ltd. ("Liberty" or the "Company") (TSXV: SCAN), a leading technology provider of AI-based next generation detection solutions for concealed weapons and threats, is pleased to announce that it is amending the terms of its non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") previously announced on December 6, 2023. The amended Offering will be for up to 7,866,666 units (the "Units") of the Company at a price of C$0.15 per Unit (the "Offering Price") for gross proceeds to the Company of up to $1,180,000. Each Unit will consist of one common share in the capital of the Company (a "Common Share") and one Common Share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share of the Company (a "Warrant Share") for a period of 36 months following the closing date of the Offering at an exercise price of C$0.20 per Warrant Share. The Offering has been structured to take advantage of the listed issuer financing exemption whereby securities of the Company issued pursuant to the Offering will be freely tradeable equity securities not subject to any hold period (see below). Subject to compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and in accordance with National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions ("NI 45-106"), the Offering is being made to purchasers resident in each of the Provinces of Canada, except Quebec, pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of NI 45-106 (the "Exemption"). The securities offered under the Exemption will not be subject to a hold period in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. There is a second amended and restated offering document (the "Offering Document") related to the Offering that can be accessed under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at: www.libertydefense.com. Prospective invesors should read this Offering Document before making an investment decision.



The Company plans to use the proceeds of this financing to further the production of HEXWAVE technology to support the increase in demand for the product and deliver units in backlog to customers. The Offering is scheduled to close on or about January 31, 2024 (the "Closing Date") and completion of the Offering is subject to certain conditions including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act, as amended, and applicable state securities laws. On Behalf of Liberty Bill Frain

CEO & Director About Liberty Liberty ( TSXV: SCAN , OTCQB: LDDFF , FRANKFURT: LD2 ) provides multi-technology security solutions for concealed weapons detection in high volume foot traffic areas and locations requiring enhanced security such as airports, stadiums, schools, and more. Liberty's HEXWAVE product, for which the Company has secured an exclusive license from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), as well as a technology transfer agreement for patents related to active 3D radar imaging technology, provides discrete, modular, and scalable protection to provide layered, stand-off detection capability of metallic and non-metallic weapons. Liberty has also recently licensed the millimeter wave-based, High-Definition Advanced Imaging Technology (HD-AIT) body scanner and shoe scanner technologies as part of its technology portfolio. Liberty is committed to protecting communities and preserving peace of mind through superior security detection solutions. Learn more: LibertyDefense.com FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 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. Although Liberty believes, in light of the experience of their respective officers and directors, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate, that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements and information in this press release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the parties can give no assurance that such statements will prove to be correct. The forward-looking statements and information in this press release include, amongst others, the Company's ability to complete the Offering on the terms and on the proposed closing timeline announced or at all and the use of proceeds of the Offering. Such statements and information reflect the current view of Liberty. Such statements and information reflect the current view of Liberty. There are 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. There are a number of important factors that could cause Liberty'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 the parties; disruptions or changes in the credit or security markets; results of operation activities and development of projects; project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses; and general development, market and industry conditions. The parties undertake no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third parties in respect of their securities or their respective financial or operating results (as applicable). Liberty cautions that the foregoing list of material factors is not exhaustive. When relying on Liberty's forward-looking statements and information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Liberty 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 Liberty as of the date of this press release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. Liberty does not undertake to update this information at any particular time except as required in accordance with applicable laws. 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 Liberty Defense Holdings Ltd.

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Tonight police are investigating a fatal shooting near the 5200 block of Lyon Ave.

This homicide marks the 180th killing in Kansas City, Missouri so far this year compared to 179 last year.

More importantly . . .



2023 NOW RANKS AS THE BLOODIEST YEAR IN KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI HISTORY!!!



Moreover . . .

The tenure of Mayor Quinton Lucas has seen more homicides than any other period in local recorded history.

As of this writing there are a few "new plans" to reduce the rate of local killing but so far none have met with any significant community, neighborhood or voter support.

Politically . . .

There's an effort to cast blame on the current KCPD Chief for the death toll but she still has a great deal of support from community leaders and only a few voices are attempting to shift blame to her office.

Blame has also been directed against the KCPD Board of Police and the Missouri state governance structure but there's very little political will put forward new legislation . . . ESPECIALLY given that STL's homicide WORSENED when they earned so-called "local control" from Missouri's GOP super-majority.

Finally . . .

Mayor Quinton Lucas has escaped any real culpability for the slaughter that has occurred on his watch which has spanned both of his terms in office.

He won reelection by more than 60 points and was virtually unopposed.

There is no council faction that has challenged his leadership AND recent visits from Biden Administration officials prove that his standing continues to rise within the Democratic Party on a national level.

And all of this is merely to note . . .



There's really no indication that KCMO's homicide & violence will improve in the new year given that local numbers buck national trends that have seen a decline in deadly violence.

Even Chicago has reduced its number of homicides in 2023.

Again . . .

There is little political will in Kansas City to do anything drastic about these numbers and so far we've only seen widespread disinterest in local voting the correlates with the deadly surge of local urban violence.

UPDATE:

Here is the first report for tonight's deadly shooting . . . .

Homicide 5200 block of Lyon Ave

Tonight about 7:30 pm officers were called to the 5200 block of Lyon Ave, on a shooting call.



On arrival officers located an adult male shooting victim unresponsive in the street near a vehicle. EMS arrived simultaneously and rendered aid to the victim



EMS declared the victim deceased here at the scene.



Callers reported hearing the sound of gunfire and then seeing the victim down in the street.



Detectives are canvassing for witnesses and crime scene investigators are processing the scene for evidence to try to give detectives more information about what led up to the shooting.



There is no known suspect information at this time.



If anyone saw anything or has any information they are asked to contact Homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline.



We are committed to assisting victims of violent crimes through use of Missouris Protection Program for Victims/Witnesses of Violent Crime. Funding for temporary, or even permanent relocation, may be available but is subject to pre-approval by the States administering agency.



We are working with Partners for Peace in all our homicide investigations to monitor risks for retaliation and provide social services to affected residents.

####################



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

KCPD investigating deadly shooting, marking city's 180th homicide for 2023 This marks Kansas City's 180th homicide of 2023, breaking the 2020 record for the city's deadliest year.

Homicide 180 is in Northeast in the 5200 block of Lyon Ave The city's latest homicide is in the 300 block of N. Hardesty. Kansas City MO Police Officers have responded to [...]

Fatal shooting in northeast KCMO Friday night makes 2023 the city's deadliest year on record A fatal shooting in northeast KCMO Friday night marks the city's 180th homicide of the year and makes 2023 the city's deadliest year on record, according to the KCPD.

Homicide 180 recorded tonight near Hardesty and Lyon Avenue. Just before 7:30 pm, Kansas City MO Police Officers were called to to the 5200 block of Lyon Avenue, near [...]

Kansas City, Missouri records it's 180th homicide of 2023. The most in the city's history. 2023 surpasses 2020 as the deadliest year on record.

Developing . . .
Now underway: The countdown to the end of the year coincides with a tragic/historic number.

As we blogged previously . . .

The murder of an unborn might have already pushed KCMO past a record-breaking threshold.



Still, until we get word from the medical examiner . . . Here is the main question from our www.TonysKansasCity.com blog community:

WILL KANSAS CITY REFRAIN FROM HOMICIDES FOR THE NEXT 48 HOURS?!?

It's certainly possible . . . There have been longer peaceful stretches this year.

However . . . Holiday boozing and close proximity doesn't help our chances.

Accordingly . . . We note a couple of worthwhile local efforts that hope to stall more any more carnage:



As KCMO approaches deadliest year on record, Oak Park residents calls for 'silent night,' end to violence As Kansas City, Missouri, approaches its deadliest year on record community members gathered on Thursday to call for a "silent night."

'We need to try harder': KCMO homicide count continues to increase, as violent crime declines nationwide According to new FBI data, violent crime dropped by eight percent in the U.S. But this unfortunately is not the case in Kansas City, Missouri.

On a related note . . . Check more local crime coverage as the entire metro seems to be following KC's lead and becoming increasingly unsafe . . .



Douglas County Sheriff's Office identifies body found in Kansas River in Lawrence as 57-year-old woman The Douglas County Sheriff's Office identified the body found in the Kansas River in Lawrence on Dec. 21 as Melinda Sue McCluskey, 57, according to a press release on Friday.

Man suspected in multiple thefts charged after Cass County chase A man suspected in multiple thefts is now facing charges in Cass County, Missouri, after a police chase and search, officials say.

Court records: Woman beat man to death, left body in Clay County park culvert The victim's name has not yet been released, and deputies believe Flores-Garcia drove to Mexico.

Court docs: Woman tried to cover up man's death, dump body in Clay County Newly released court documents accuse a Kansas woman of killing a man, dumping his body in Missouri and getting rid of the evidence.

Landing After Hours presents the story of Claud McGee JEFFERSON CITY, MO, DEC. 29, 2023 - Forty pictures hang on the wall at the gas chamber within the Missouri State Penitentiary. Among the photos of condemned people, with expressions of sadness, pleading or defiance, the portrait of Claud McGee consistently stands out.

Kansas Medicaid Expansion Could Reduce Jail Populations Local jails struggling to provide adequate mental health treatment to inmates could benefit from the expansion.

A look inside Child Protection Center's new Midtown offices [PHOTOS] - Kansas City Business Journal The Child Protection Center, which serves young abuse victims and trauma witnesses, earlier this year moved to larger offices following a renovation project along the southern streetcar extension.

Developing . . .
The dater: Ashley McKenzie-Barnes is an award-winning creative director, curator and professor. She recently opened the D.PE (Diverse, Progressive, Experiences) Agency, which prioritizes reflecting Torontos diverse creative community and equitable hiring.

The dates: I dont think Ive had any really bad dates since I tend not to go out with people who I dont have some kind of spark or connection with already. I think the worst dates for me existed in COVID, because of the lack of access to great places that I could actually go to and enjoy time with someone. You had to force yourself to get excited about a cold walk to park, or an awkward FaceTime call or Zoom. I think getting to know someone properly does have a lot to do with where and how you connect  usually accompanied by good ambiance and cocktails.

"I havent frequented lesbian bars in years, and I think there are many more options outside of just the queer scene. In my opinion, the best places to meet new people are cultural outings, like art fairs, concerts, museums and restaurants and hotels with great programming. I also love the Ossington and Dundas West strip for the diverse crowds. I think you see many more queer and non-queer folks mingling now and we dont need to be boxed in by queer spaces only.

"While I think Toronto is full of interesting people, I also think dating life in general can be difficult, queer or not, depending on what youre looking for and what your intentions are. Its easy to meet people, whether its through social circles, events or even online and on social media. The challenge lies in finding people who share your same values. interests and outlook on relationships. I say its difficult because it is quality vs. quantity.

"I often end up dating older women with kids where Im their first queer experience. Its always flattering to be approached by women who are curious about you and brave enough to make a bold move. Theres something to be said about seeing past gender and being open-minded enough to express your interest in someone of the same sex  allowing your curiosity and heart to guide, rather than fear.

"If I had to offer advice to folks exploring their queerness and wondering how to approach people, my first tip is to be flirty, so your girl-crush knows, without a doubt, that youre interested. A lot of overused emojis and generic DMs get lost in translation and can come across as just friendly communication. With women who are expressing interest in other women for the first time, I think its important to be a bit more upfront, as it can be hard to read the room. Go for it, and make a bold move while keeping it respectful and playful. Too much aggression can be a turnoff, but a lighthearted and fun banter is always appreciated.

"Be upfront about what you are looking for or what you think your intentions are, even if its just that youre curious about your girl-crush and you want to grab a drink to get to know them better. Sometimes beautiful friendships bloom from those initial encounters, if the sparks dont fly romantically, and its nice to be open to just getting to know someone first.

"If you want to work on building queer community, there are options. We have great community events that have built safe spaces for people to explore their queerness and meet other curious or questioning folks in the city. One of the most notable events is YES YES YALL, a great space that is inclusive for queer people and their friends. Torontos diverse community is amazing for providing areas in the city that feel safe for folks with different sexual orientations to come together and build and mingle. We have great parks like Trinity Bellwoods, and creative venues that feel good for this, like the Ace Hotel, that have thoughtful queer programming.

"It's important to not feel boxed in by traditional ideas of queer spaces being on just the Church Street strip, or at queer-specific bars. Instead, get out and explore queer events that are happening around the city in new venues, bars and restaurants, and find those events online or through queer DJs and programmers who are promoting events that pop-up around the city. Toronto is a fun and interesting city with lots of new spaces and events to explore. Try different crowds, weekly queer nights, pop-up events and cultural events that feel open and safe for both the queer community and their allies.

"Testing the waters again after my last breakup was interesting. It was nice to get out and connect with like-minded people, and I think I learned a lot about reaffirming what I wanted for myself and what I wasnt willing to make space for or invest energy into. When I finally met someone worth exploring, it felt like it was calm, easy, safe, and I was connecting with someone that was finally on the same page as me. Im excited for the winter dates ahead, whether its spending QT in front of the fireplace, cozying up to a good movie or show, or getting outside and doing some winter activities.

"I feel hopeful.
Six men have been charged after an investigation led by York Regional Police (YRP) recovered 25 stolen vehicles worth more than $2.2 million.

The investigation began last month when YRP's auto cargo theft unit became aware of a Mississauga parking lot where multiple stolen vehicles were parked.

"Through investigation, suspects were identified and other locations were discovered where stolen vehicles were being taken and stored," police said in a news release Friday, adding police executed a search warrant at a Mississauga warehouse Dec. 14 and found stolen vehicles inside shipping containers. The vehicles had been reported stolen throughout the Greater Toronto Area. Police also seized stolen licence plates, master car keys and a key reprogramming device.

Five men were arrested during the search warrant execution while the sixth was arrested Dec. 22 by Canada Border Services Agency officers at Pearson airport and turned over to YRP.

"Our investigators are working diligently to tackle organized auto theft," YRP chief Jim MacSween said in the release. "In conjunction with utilizing a data-driven approach and making use of specialized tools and resources, our dedicated teams work closely with our law enforcement partners to optimize our results."

Two 31-year-old Toronto men, a 42-year-old Oakville man, a 25-year-old Hamilton man, a 25-year-old Mississauga man and a 52-year-old Toronto man have been charged with possessing property obtained by crime over $5,000 and trafficking in property obtained by crime over $5,000. All but the 52-year-old have also been charged with possessing an automobile master key while one of the 31-year-old men has been charged with failing to comply with undertaking.

Police are asking anyone with information to call the auto cargo theft unit at 1-866-876-5423 ext. 6651 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
A Toronto-based startup founded by two radiologists recently completed a pilot project with Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre on an artificial intelligence (AI) radiology assistant that uses routine X-ray images to identify patients at risk of osteoporosis.

The problem were trying to solve is the under-diagnosis of this prevalent disease, Dr. Mark Cicero, who co-founded 16 Bit in 2016 with Dr. Alex Bilbily, said in a statement. We know we can treat osteoporosis if we find it, but typically that only happens after people suffer a fracture because the screening rates are so low.

To combat the problem, 16 Bit launched Rho, an AI radiology assistant that can identify low bone mineral density from up to 80 per cent of X-ray images.

The company just completed a project with Sunnybrook hospital to advance the innovation, which makes it possible to screen anyone over the age 50 who goes for a routine X-ray for another medical reason.

The idea is to raise a flag so the referring clinician can follow up with that patient, talk to them about osteoporosis risk factors and, when applicable, recommend further testing such as a DXA scan, Bilbily, who's also a Sunnybrook radiologist, said in a news release, noting that early intervention leads to fewer fractures and lowers health-care spending over the long term. Usually AI is perceived as a nice-to-have. We believe its a must-have because if we want a sustainable health-care system in Canada, we have to capitalize on approaches like this that maintain or improve care while decreasing costs to our system.

Through national not-for-profit organization Mitacs, 16 Bit hired University of Toronto Master's in Applied Computing international students Sarthak Narayan and Abdur Rahman to design and implement a cloud version of Rho that can easily scale as the company starts to market the technology.

Its very difficult in todays day and age to compete with large tech companies for specialized talent, Cicero said in the release. Working with Mitacs allows us to attract top talent while theyre still in school. We benefit from the students cutting-edge learning and they benefit from our entrepreneurial mentoring and guidance so that together we can develop a very impactful product."

The Sunnybrook project, which started in early 2023, involved the hospital's radiologists routinely utilizing the AI osteoporosis screening tool, which identified 572 patients at risk for osteoporosis out of more than 1,000 X-rays examined.

Lisa Di Prospero, Sunnybrook's director of practice-based research and innovation, said the results of the screening were noted on the radiologists' reports, which were then sent to the referring physicians. "It allows for the referring doctor then to have a conversation with the patient," she said in an interview.

Di Prospero said the technology allows for a preventive approach to health care, empowering patients to take ownership of their own health. "As part of the project, we also did patient surveys to ask patients how they felt about the tool  and they were all quite positive about it."

The project aimed to answer: Should this type of software be integrated within the hospital system? "And from all the results that we've had, and by speaking to the clinicians who were using it and the patients who were using it, it's yes, we should actually purchase this and we should have this as regular practice going forward for all patients that come to Sunnybrook for X-rays," Di Prospero said.

Bilbily said one of the biggest barriers his team needs to tackle is the social barrier. This is a new kind of tool, he said. "How will patients receive Rho? How will physicians receive Rho?"

But Bilbily noted that the AI movement isn't coming. "It's here."
One man, Joseph Shepard (one p), with two North York places named in his honour with different spellings. Theres the 14-floor federal government office building, The Joseph Shepard Building, 4900 Yonge St. Its just north of Sheppard Avenue (two ps.) also named after him. Why this happened is unknown.

Ironically, the government buildings namesake was a rebel against the government of his era.

Born in 1765 in New Hampshire, Shepard came to North York as a young man. He became very prosperous - he owned a farm, sawmill and grain mill and was a land developer.

Fighting with British colonial forces against invading Americans during the War of 1812 he was badly injured in the Battle of York, April 27,1813 at Fort York, which was supposed to defend York (now Toronto), then the capital of Upper Canada.

During the fighting the forts gunpowder magazine exploded and Shepards left leg was shattered. The 2,700 American troops defeated the greatly outnumbered 750 British, Canadian, and affiliated Ojibwa fighters. Shepard received a land grant as compensation.

A populist, he was an early supporter of Upper Canadas political reform movement against the tight knit wealthy, intermarried British colonials Family Compacts grip, the people he had fought alongside during the war. He died May 3, 1837, six months before the 1837 Upper Canada Rebellion began. In a front-page obituary in his newspaper, The Constitution, rebel leader William Lyon Mackenzie wrote: Mr. Shepards countenance was open and manly  he was remarkably good natured  his stature was six feet, and he was stout built in proportion.

He and his wife Catherine had four sons and four daughters. All the sons participated in the rebellion. The rebels used their farm on what is now Burndale Avenue, near Yonge and Sheppard, as a rallying place and hideout. When government forces set fire to the house, Catherine doused it with buckets of water. The house still exists.

The Dictionary of Canadian Biography says: Joseph Shepard worked to take political power away from the non-elected minority and it is not surprising that his family tried to follow the principles he had established.
In a dramatic turn of events, Sai, a cat, was found safe at Tampa International Airport after a daring escape. He had secretly hitched a ride with his caretaker, Karen, and fled from the car in the parking garage. The airport staff and community members joined forces in a night-long search, successfully reuniting Sai with a family friend.

Cat Found at Tampa International Airport After Escape

At Tampa International Airport, a cat named Sai that went missing on Thursday was found. Sai, a handsome cat, was being looked after by his grandma Karen. His mom, Hanna, moved to Germany to be with her husband in the Army.

According to WTSP News, Sai secretly got into Karen's car and rode to the airport. When Karen left her car in the long-term parking to catch a flight, Sai jumped out and ran away.

Airport officials were told about the missing cat. They asked the airport police and workers to look for Sai. Late at night, workers saw Sai in the parking garage. They got him back to the friend of Hanna who asked the airport for help. This friend will look after Sai while Karen is away.

Read also: Hokuriku Shinkansen Expansion Brings Japan's Cultural Wonders More Accessible

The airport's Facebook page praised the team for finding Sai. The post said, "Way to go, Team TPA!"

In other news, an owl was saved in Milton after being hit by a car. In Fort Worth, the community helped with medical care for eight puppies left on a highway in a taped box.

Tampa International Airport Saw Busy Holiday Travel

Last Saturday, Tampa International Airport experienced one of its busiest travel days of the year. Families across the country were heading home for Christmas celebrations. Among them was 13-year-old Victor Hernandez, who, along with his father, was traveling to Puerto Rico. Victor expressed his excitement for Christmas, calling it a new experience every time.

However, traveling during the holiday season can be challenging. Victor's father advised travelers to be ready for any problems that might arise. Adam Bouchard, a representative from Tampa International Airport, reported that the number of passengers was expected to be high, similar to Thanksgiving weekend. "We expect close to 90,000 passengers on peak days, compared to our average of 60,000," Bouchard said.

Tihani Anderson, a guest experience employee at the airport, observed that this year seemed busier than previous ones, especially with more families and young children traveling. She noted that many families are taking advantage of the time to be together, especially after the pandemic's impact on travel last year.

ABC Action News reported that the airport's leaders suggested that travelers arrive at least two hours early for their flights and reserve their parking spots on time via the airport's website. Bouchard mentioned that during Thanksgiving, nearly all of the airport's 20,000 parking spaces were filled.

Bouchard also commented on the preparations made for the busy travel period, praising the efforts of airlines, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and other federal partners in staffing up adequately.

Victor Hernandez reminded fellow travelers to be patient and kind during this busy season. Anderson echoed this sentiment, urging travelers to pack patience for themselves and others. She emphasized that everyone's goal is to reach their destinations safely.

Finally, airport officials advised passengers to check their flight status before heading to the airport, ensuring no delays or cancellations would affect their travel plans.

Related articles: Holiday Rush: Denver International Airport Sees Record Travel Numbers
DRY FORK  Tony Gunter Jr. has come full circle in agriculture education.

This marks his second year teaching in the ag field at Tunstall High School alongside Jessica Jones.

Jones was the one who played a role in getting Gunter where he is today.

Dr. Jones was actually my teacher when I was in middle school, Gunter told the Register & Bee recently. Shes always helped me out through school, through college.

After graduating from Virginia Tech, he returned to his roots for a teaching post.

Even though careers in general may be more difficult now that in previous years, agriculture remains a popular elective, Tunstall High School Principal Brian Boles said. Many times students hear about it from the peers and want to learn more.

Now working side-by-side, Jones recalls Gunter as excited, enthusiastic and willing to learn.

At the time, Jones was teaching at Chatham Middle School.

He was very inquisitive, she said. He always tried to figure out how things worked.

She said the best part is that hes still like that as an adult.

Hes been able to see what its like from a students standpoint, and now the role of a teacher has a different perspective, Jones explained.

Growing up on a farm, Jones herself has always been involved in the agriculture world.

She learned how to cut crass whenever she wasnt wheezing from the hay fever.

Her family was always involved in FFA. The group used to be known as the Future Farmers of America, but has morphed into a broader membership.

This is a part of who I am before I even came on planet Earth, she said.

She originally wanted to be a doctor, but her middle school teachers told her shed be a great agriculture instructor.

But they were like, you can do both one day, she recalled.

Now she has two decades of instruction under her teaching belt and is guiding another crop of students ready to sprout.

One of those students is Cole Abercrombie, the president of the Tunstall High School chapter of the National FFA Organization.

The senior is planning to go to Virginia Tech for an ag business degree, then head to law school and be an ag lawyer.

Jones was the reason he was drawn into the ag world. A friend invited him to a FFA meeting.

I just really enjoyed it and stuck with it ever since my sophomore year, he said.

Since middle school, Abercrombie has cast an eye toward becoming an attorney.

Once that I got into the ag stuff, Dr. Jones mentioned to me that theres an ag lawyer, he explained.

I started looking into it, he continued. It looks right up my alley.

Beyond the farm-style learning, FFA has honed his leadership skills. He also likes the family and community aspect of the organization.

Nathalie Garrett, a sophomore at Tunstall High School, is a reporter for the FFA.

Shes been involved with it since her sixth grade year in middle school.

Its fun and Im very into agriculture because I live on a farm, she told the Register & Bee.

Wanting to be a diesel mechanic, she enjoys FFA because she gets to meet people from all across the nation when she goes to conventions.

She also likes the new experiences and said even for students who have never had a hand in agriculture, its something for everyone.

You learn a lot of leadership skills and a lot of things youll need for the future, she said specifically of FFA.

Dr. Jones keeps everyone in line, Garrett said. She makes sure we are where we are supposed to be when we need to be.

She quickly added that Gunter does the same thing.

Giving back to the community also is important for the local group. For example, they donated candy to the Brosville Fire and Rescue agency and last year helped to clean up a highway.

The dedication doesnt go unnoticed, especially from the principal.

Im so thankful for all that they do, Boles said earlier this month at the FFA Christmas party. These kids, they do so much for our school and our community.

That shows in all of the state and national honors. In fact, it seems the school is always celebrating the FFA students.

He called the students extremely creative and giving.

Its just a great organization, he said.
On Friday the Caribbean Football Union will stage the 2024 Next Gen Referees Course for Regi
January 1 will be a day of mourning in Ukraines capital city.

The relevant statement was made by Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko on Telegram, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

Klitschko mentioned that Russias recent missile attack, which took place on December 29, 2023, was the largest in terms of civilian victims among Kyiv residents.

Sixteen bodies were pulled from the rubble of a warehouse facility in Kyivs Shevchenkivskyi district.

Rescuers continue working at the scene. The dismantling operation will last until tomorrow.

A reminder that, on December 29, 2023, Russia launched a massive air attack against Ukraine, using combat drones and different missiles. The enemy used about 160 air assault weapons, targeting a number of regions.

Ukrainian forces intercepted 27 Russian Shahed-type drones and 88 Kh-101/Kh-555/Kh-55 cruise missiles.
In the United Kingdom, Ukrainian warriors are being taught to spend the night in the forest, field trenches and abandoned buildings.

The relevant statement was made by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

The field combat output of a group of warriors is an important training component of the multinational military training operation, Operation Interflex, on the territory of the United Kingdom, the report states.

The first field combat output lasts one day, and the final one  up to five days. The military spend the night in the forest, field trenches or abandoned buildings. At the same time, they arrange security and defense measures, and are trained to interact and communicate between groups.

In addition, servicemen have to choose the most optimal things from the whole range of clothing and equipment to match the weather conditions.

Before the training starts, according to the General Staff, each Ukrainian serviceman receives a set of equipment, clothing and footwear for warm and cold weather, as well as in case of rain and wet ground, totaling about USD 3,000. Hence, each warrior has to choose the correct layers of clothing to stay warm and comfortable in outdoor conditions for a long time.

Photo: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
The e-residency program should show that Ukraine is able to demonstrate high rates of development even during the war by attracting new investors and developing the digital economy.

This was emphasized by the head of the secretariat of the Council of Entrepreneurs under the Cabinet of Ministers, Andrii Zablovsky, commenting on the launch of beta testing of the program to Ukrainian Radio, Ukrinform reports.

"The objective of this project is to show that Ukraine is able to demonstrate itself as a country that shows high rates of economic development even during the war by attracting new investors and developing the so-called digital brand of the state... This is the scaling of our digital economy, which will help minimize the risks associated with the lack of personnel," Zablovsky said.

He explained that people who live in other countries and want to do business in Ukraine can open a business remotely. To do so, they will need to undergo a so-called one-time offline verification at the Ukrainian consular office at their country. Then all the procedures related to opening a bank account, registration, doing business, and paying taxes will be carried out exclusively online.

"Physical verification is a normal procedure, especially in times of war, in order to eliminate risks associated with people who should not do business in Ukraine in terms of sanctions policy, for example. I think this safeguard will not deter those who wish to do so," said the head of the secretariat.

According to him, the focus of the presented version is on small businesses in Europe and Asia, primarily the IT sector and creative economy specialists.

Read also: Australian billionaire wants to invest in Ukraine after Recovery Conference

"Similar projects are already operating in Estonia and Georgia, where such opportunities were launched. Many Ukrainian businesspeople have also taken advantage of such offers from the Estonian and Georgian governments. Therefore, the idea arose to scale up the success and introduce this experience in Ukraine. We planned to do this before the war but had to postpone it. Now we are conducting so-called beta testing in a more closed mode, after which the project will be launched in countries such as India, Pakistan, Slovenia, and Thailand. The list will continue to grow," he said.

Zablovsky added that in the context of the technological revolution and digitalization of processes, this tool will make it possible to reduce dependence on the physical number of employees serving the Ukrainian economy and to involve our representatives around the world - both forced refugees and representatives of the Ukrainian diaspora - in order to create digital added value in the process of economic development.

"I think our project will be no less successful than those in Georgia, Estonia, and other countries," he said.

According to him, e-residency can be compared to a simplified individual entrepreneur: "You will do everything remotely, except for a one-time offline verification."

At the same time, Zablovsky added, there are control measures in place.

"If we are talking about paying taxes, financial transactions are unavoidable, because we have some international obligations, such as preventing money laundering, etc. There will be control, but it will not be burdensome for those who want to do business online, everything will be done in a simplified and accessible way. If you suddenly start abusing it, there will be sanctions like in Estonia - deprivation, closure, etc. There are safeguards, and this is a normal practice, as it works all over the world," Zablovsky emphasized.

As reported, Ukraine has launched a closed beta test of the e-residency service for foreign entrepreneurs who intend to pay taxes in Ukraine.
Germany will continue supporting Ukraine, especially following Russias brutal attacks against Ukrainian civilians.

The relevant statement was made by the German Federal Foreign Office on the social media platform X, following Russias massive drone and missile attack on Ukraines territory, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

Shortly before the turn of the year, Russia is once again spreading terror across the whole of Ukraine. More than 100 missiles and drones destroyed, among other things, a maternity hospital and ripped people from everyday life to their deaths. Even in 2024, we wont move an inch away from the Ukrainian side, the report states.

Just before the Christmas holidays, the German Federal Foreign Office published on its website the article For as long as it takes: Germanys support for Ukraine.

At the same time, Roderich Kiesewetter, a representative of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany, noted on the social media platform X that Russian air attacks were to be expected, especially during winter.

The terrorist state of Russia destroys civilians and deliberately bombards peaceful residents. Russia is waging a war of extermination, Kiesewetter wrote.

In his words, Russia sees itself at an advantage, because the West is too weak.

Kiesewetter expressed confidence that Ukraines 1991 borders must be restored. In his opinion, economic and political support for Ukraine should exceed that of Russias war economy and the support of autocracies, such as China, Iran and North Korea.

The German politician emphasized that Ukraines liberation counteroffensive is hindered by the West, delivering too little, too late. He stressed the importance of faster supplies, and mentioned that the negotiated solution with Russia is dangerous.

A reminder that, on December 29, 2023, Russia attacked Ukraines territory with drones and different missiles, targeting Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, and other cities.
Halt the onslaught

The war between Israel and Hamas must end. It was reported that Israel had advance notice Hamas was planning an attack and chose to ignore this warning. Why? Did Prime Minister Netanyahu decide to use the cover of a counterattack to facilitate the removal of every Palestinian from Gaza? Soon it will be impossible to differentiate Netanyahus war in Gaza from Putins wanton destruction of Ukraine. President Biden can no longer ignore Netanyahus refusal to entertain a cease-fire. He must issue an unequivocal condemnation of this subterfuge. Given the staggering loss of life on both sides, the United States needs to make clear we will not continue to supply Israel with weapons. Netanyahu must halt his onslaught and allow third party negotiators a chance to free all the hostages. I believe the majority of people in Israel and Palestine know in their hearts that co-existence is inevitable. This is the only viable solution that will insure a decent life for all. Their leaders must now settle this age-old land conflict through peaceful means, not war.

Janet Mackenzie

Greensboro

Be objective

A recent editorial was bemoaning deaths of journalists in Gaza. While we all can agree that properly credentialed and outfitted journalists should be protected, the story ignores the obvious fact that Hamas terrorists, who launched this war with their unprovoked Oct. 7 attack, launch rockets into Israel and attack IDF soldiers under cover of civilian infrastructure. This well-established fact puts the entire Gaza population, including embedded reporters, at risk. Perhaps if these same objective journalists had spent more time detailing how Hamas hijacked the entire Gaza civilian economy over the past 16 years for their own objectives of eliminating Israel, this tragic war could have been averted and the Gaza people could have prospered and lived in safety and peace, side-by-side with Israel. Thats the real story here that Arab and Palestinian journalists have totally ignored  to a now terrible end game of war and civilian deaths on both sides.

Lewis Weinstock

Greensboro

Wanted: leaders

As Egypt tries to make peace between Israel and Hamas, Netanyahu, emboldened by his raising of Gaza and 20,000 collateral casualties, has threatened Beirut with the same devastation. Would it be considered anti-Semitic for the United States to reevaluate their unconditional support of Netanyahu? If the state of Israel is our closest ally, how should Egypt, Turkey, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon be considered?

Given our 60-year checkered history dating to the Six-Day War and attack on the USS Liberty by Israeli forces, how much will it ultimately cost to arm Netanyahu? Rebuild Gaza? Perhaps Beirut? In consideration for the cost of our alliance, would it be considered anti-Semitic to request a redress of grievances by Palestinians being held in Israeli jails without basic human rights?

Tragically, there is a dearth of world leadership today. Netanyahu and Putin have captured the world stage, but the void is much broader from an historical perspective. Time has replaced Reagan, Gorbachev, Thatcher, Began, Sadat and Xiaoping with Biden, Putin, Netanyahu and Xi Jinping. We are left with a renewal of the Cold War, the arms race and war the scale of which we can only imagine as jingoists rattle sabers on the evening news as the rest of the world looks on.

On a scale of historical tyrants, how will Netanyahu and Putin be ranked? How will history judge the United States as an accomplice? Let history be the judge, but send the jingoists to war first and after the jingoists, their children.

Joe Exum

Snow Hill

Trumps way

It has become apparent that anyone who takes any action against Donald Trump is going to get threats toward their lives and, for some, their families. Many supporters within the Republican Party would agree that this is wrong and should not happen. What I hope they will realize is that to support Donald Trump is to support this as a way of expressing objection to those who express their right to make their statements or for judges to make their decisions. How would they feel if they made a statement disagreeing with Trump and they received these threats towards themselves or their families? I sincerely hope that those supporters within the Republican Party will realize that Trump has attracted a group of supporters, terrorists, who are willing to use the threat of violence to scare those who have the right of the Constitution of our country to express their disagreements or, in judges cases, the violation of our laws. These are the people who could well decide the future best for our country and their children and their grandchildren.

Lee A. Gable

Greensboro

Out of touch

In 2016, Forsyth County residents voted in favor of a school bond approving $25 million to build a new Brunson Elementary for 800 students. Nine years later, the cost for building Brunson, unfortunately, is now $52 million for just 600 students  due mostly to an increase in the square-footage cost after the pandemic. In a recent meeting, one commissioner lamented about spending $53 million for an elementary school. So, does that mean we should stop building schools and maintaining them, simply because its more expensive than 10 years ago? Schools need to be built and maintained, and its the countys mandate to do so. Lets look at Guilford County, which is building two new elementary schools. Originally built in 1955, Allen Jay Elementary will cost $77 million to rebuild for about 500 students. Claxton Elementarys rebuild price tag was initially $31 million. However, Guilford County Commissioners approved $19 million more in January 2023 due to higher-than-expected estimates  for a total cost of $50 million for about 500 students. Our children deserve beautiful and built-to-last schools. Sadly, some of our county commissioners seem to be out of touch with todays realities. Our school board should not have to beg for money. Its been the case for too long, and it needs to change.

Valerie Brockenbrough

Winston-Salem

Not partisan

Do you think caring about the climate crisis is a partisan issue? Think again! Tackling the enormous problem of rising carbon emissions is and must be a problem that all political parties care about. This is evident in the Concrete and Asphalt Innovation Act of 2023 that our Sen. Thom Tillis (R) and Sen. Chris Coons (D-Delaware) recently introduced.

According to coons.senate.gov, concrete is the second-most used material on earth after water, and, globally, the creation of 18 billion tons of concrete each year account for 8% of the worlds greenhouse gas emissions. This bill would direct federal resources to accelerating the deployment of low-emissions concrete and asphalt.

Thank you, Sen. Tillis, for introducing this important legislation to address carbon emissions in the industrial sector. And please dont stop there. Consider cosponsoring The Big Wires Act, which is legislation that, if passed, would speed up permitting reform and simplify grid updates. It would enhance grid reliability by increasing electric transmission capacity between regions. With all the new clean energy projects starting up, the U.S. is on the path towards energy abundance and independence if we can only make it easier to get the energy to where its needed. Please, Sen. Tillis, help move this crucial legislation forward.

Sarah Rawleigh

Winston-Salem

Kill it

I am proud to stand with the NC Coalition for Alternatives to the Death Penalty in asking Gov. Cooper to end death row and for us to work for equity. North Carolina has the fifth largest death row in the nation with 136 people facing execution. One study estimated that each execution costs NC $2.16 million more than a case that results in a life sentence. More than three quarters of those on death row were tried more than 20 years ago, before a host of reforms designed to ensure fair trials and prevent wrongful convictions. Nearly half of the people on death row were sentenced by all-white juries or juries with only a single person of color. Twelve innocent people have been exonerated from North Carolinas death row since the 1970s; 11 of them are people of color. Its time to lead our state toward solutions that are fairer, deter crime and make our state safer, and the death penalty fails on all three counts. In the spirit of faith, equity, and community, lets end the death penalty.

Jim Norris

Winston-Salem







Centrists dilemma

No thanks

Life hasnt always been fair. But I dont need a white nationalist dictator to make things right for me.

Kevin Mulqueen

Lewisville
As the pursuit of higher education becomes increasingly expensive, more students in Illinois are turning to dual credit programs, aiming to accumulate college credits during their high school years. However, a recent study sheds light on concerning disparities in the adoption of these programs, revealing widening gaps among racial, economic, and geographic groups.

Growing Popularity of Dual Credit

Dual credit courses, allowing students to earn credits towards both their high school diploma and a college degree simultaneously, have gained popularity across Illinois high schools. The allure of cost savings and early exposure to college-level coursework has contributed to the surge in participation. Yet, beneath the surface, the study by the Illinois Workforce & Education Research Collaborative (IWERC) uncovers troubling trends.

READ ALSO: Debunking 5 College Admission Myths

Disparities in Participation

The study indicates that dual credit programs are more prevalent in districts serving rural communities and small towns in downstate Illinois than in urban and suburban districts. Furthermore, these opportunities are less accessible in districts serving minority and lower-income students. Even within districts, enrollment and completion rates reveal disparities, with white and affluent students outpacing their minority and lower-income counterparts.

Influence of Partnership Agreements

Dual credit courses typically result from partnerships between high schools and postsecondary institutions, with community colleges being the primary providers. The study emphasizes the impact of these partnership agreements on the courses offered and suggests that disparities may be rooted in how community college districts manage the associated costs. Such costs, although shared between the college and school district, can vary based on the specifics of each partnership.

Legislative Initiatives and Funding

Illinois lawmakers have taken steps to enhance the accessibility and affordability of dual credit programs. Legislation like the Dual Credit Quality Act and the Education Workforce Equity Act reflects this commitment, aiming to make these programs more inclusive. Additionally, the state budget allocates funds to community colleges to lower the overall cost of dual credit programs, showcasing a concerted effort to support students pursuing these opportunities.

Widening Disparities Despite Efforts

Despite these legislative initiatives and financial support, the study reveals that while overall participation in dual credit programs has grown, disparities have widened. The growth rates for students of color and those from lower-income backgrounds lag behind their white and more affluent peers. This suggests that the intended benefits of dual credit programs, particularly in reducing economic and racial disparities, are not being fully realized.

Root Causes and Solution

Sarah Cashdollar, an IWERC researcher, points to pre-high school enrollment in accelerated coursework as a significant predictor for racial gaps in dual credit participation. This suggests that early educational tracking plays a pivotal role in shaping students' perceptions of themselves as college-bound. The report recommends continued investment in efforts to make dual credit programs more accessible and affordable. However, it underscores the importance of focusing these efforts on districts with the lowest participation rates, especially in urban and suburban areas.

As Illinois grapples with the challenges and disparities in dual credit participation, it is crucial to reassess strategies, ensuring that the benefits of these programs are equitably distributed. The study's findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions in districts with lower participation rates, emphasizing inclusivity and breaking down barriers that hinder certain demographic groups. Only through concerted efforts and a commitment to addressing these disparities can dual credit programs truly fulfill their potential as a tool for reducing inequities in postsecondary educational attainment.

RELATED ARTICLE: Strategic 10-Step Guide For Choosing The Right College: Here's Everything You Need To Know
(@FahadShabbir)

) Caretaker Minister for Information, Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Solangi on Saturday categorically rejected the notion that the caretaker government had any involvement in either acceptance or rejection

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Dec, 2023) Caretaker Minister for Information, Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Solangi on Saturday categorically rejected the notion that the caretaker government had any involvement in either acceptance or rejection of the

nomination papers of the aspiring candidates for the general election.

The caretaker government had nothing to do with the acceptance or rejection of nomination papers which was part of the constitutional process, the minister said while speaking in a Television (tv) talk show of the private media.

"Only the Election Commission has authority to decide on election-related matters," the minister stressed.

He said the caretaker government was committed to assist the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in providing

financial and administrative support to the electoral watchdog for the elections.

Solangi said an amount of Rs17.4 billion had been released to the Election Commission of Pakistan in addition to Rs10 billion which was released earlier for holding elections.

To a question, he said the constitutional bodies had been working within their limits.

The PTI was a registered political party, he said, adding all political parties were being given due coverage on the national broadcasters in line with their editorial policy.

He said negotiations with Baloch protesters resulted in the release of all children and women in the first phase.

In the second phase, 163 male individuals were released, he said, adding the remaining 34 individuals were also freed in the third phase.

He said peaceful protest was the right of every citizen. However, blocking roads, entering restricted zones, attacking the police, and throwing stones were beyond the scope of a peaceful protest and were not permitted at any cost, he added.

The minister said the general elections would be held on February 8, 2024.
Mexico's president inaugurated a huge "super pharmacy" Friday in a bid to help patients throughout the country who are told they need a specific medicine, but their hospital doesn't have it.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's solution was to outfit a big warehouse on the outskirts of Mexico City to centralize a supply and send it to hospitals throughout the country.

"The pharmacy is going to be big, big, big, and it is going to have all the medications that are used in the health system," Lopez Obrador said Friday.

The pharmacy is intended to complement local health facilities. If a patient can't get needed medications at a local hospital, the patient, the patient's doctor or the pharmacist would be able to have it delivered from the 40,000-square-meter Mexico City warehouse.

The armed forces, or the government-run pharmaceutical company Birmex, will ship the drugs by land or air "within 24 to 48 hours," Lopez Obrador pledged.

The question is whether Mexico can overcome its history of being bad at regulating the pharmaceutical industry, bad at buying medicines, bad at storing them, and bad at distributing them. Extreme centralization also hasn't helped Mexico much in the past in many areas.

The most visible face of this problem are the parents of children with cancer, who frequently stage protests because they say that in recent years chemotherapy and other drugs have been impossible to obtain.

The problems have killed otherwise healthy people. Because Mexico has had problems in obtaining enough morphine, anesthesiologists in Mexico have had to carry around their own vials of the sedative, drawing multiple doses out of a single vial for routine procedures.

That has led to contamination of the vials, triggering outbreaks of injection-induced meningitis in two Mexican states that have killed dozens of people, including some Americans who sought treatment at clinics in the border city of Matamoros, across from Brownsville, Texas.

In the United States, where there is no shortage of morphine, doctors are advised to draw a single dose from a vial and throw the remainder out.

Lopez Obrador mounted a major effort to obtain COVID-19 vaccines in 2021, using the armed forces to distribute them and volunteers to administer them. By the end of that year just about anybody in Mexico who wanted a vaccine got one, for free.

But trying to replicate that model of centralized government purchasing and army distribution on a national scale for thousands of medications is not the same, according to Mauricio Rodriguez-Dorantes, a professor at the School of Medicine at Mexico's National Autonomous University.

"This is crazy," said Rodriguez-Dorantes, noting the government is opening the centralized warehouse without answering how the system will operate, especially for urgently needed medications. He noted that concentrating all the drugs at one site increases risks and could sideline some existing distribution systems.

For decades, there have been scandals involving millions of dollars worth of medicines that have expired at warehouses while hospitals couldn't get them.

The country's medicine regulatory agency, known by its Spanish acronym as Cofepris, was so riddled with corruption before Lopez Obrador that regulators would hide applications for approval of new medicines for years and demand bribes to approve them.

And with alarming frequency, regulators in Mexico send out alerts about falsified or knock-off medications being sold for treating everything from cancer to heart disease. Boxes, labels, vials and certifications are copied with amazing accuracy, but the bottles often contain little or none of the medication.

The fake medicine trade is so common and so lucrative in Mexico because patients or their relatives are often told by doctors to buy medications at private drug stores when they are unavailable at government hospitals.

The civic group Zero Shortages said there was a 142% increase in the number of alerts about falsified medicines between 2021 and 2022.

But some of the problems are of Lopez Obrador's own making. Angry at what he claimed were inflated profits made by drug distributors and importers, the president simply cut the private companies out and decided the government should directly buy all medications.

Because the government did not have much infrastructure, contacts or experience in such a massive effort, Lopez Obrador signed an agreement with the World Health Organization to help Mexico in purchasing. But even with that help, Mexico was unable to obtain some specialized medication.

Zero Shortages said the number of prescriptions that went unfilled in Mexico rose from 1.5 million in 2019 to 22 million in 2021; disruptions because of COVID-19 probably played a role.

But even in 2022, about 12.5 million prescriptions went unfilled.
Nicaragua has become a hot spot for migrants from around the world seeking to avoid a brutal trek through the Darien Gap jungle.

Migrants from South American and Caribbean countries, Africa and Asia, have long had to brave the lawless, virtually impassable rainforest that straddles Panama and Colombia, in a bid to reach the United States.

However, analysts say that the government of Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega, a longtime nemesis of the United States, has deliberately made it easier for migrants to bypass the Darien by flying straight into his country and then heading north overland.

Manuel Orozco, a migration expert at the Washington-based Inter-American Dialogue, told AFP that Ortega's government was facilitating "the business of a network of international air services" so that migrants "can reach the border with Mexico and the United States faster."

"We collected data from more than 500 charter flights," said Orozco, adding that between April and June, airport authorities had hired "private companies located in Dubai to train officials in the international handling of paperwork for these types of flights."

Orozco said that the Nicaraguan government, which has remained silent on the matter, benefits from the cost of visas or tourist cards, depending on the nationality of the arriving passenger, as well as landing taxes.

He said that for Nicaragua, the new air route is an "opportunity to worsen the migration crisis to the United States and, in the process, make money."

An Airbus A340 was detained last week at a Paris airport after an anonymous tip that it was carrying potential victims of human trafficking. After it was established that the passengers were traveling of their own free will, most of them were flown back to India on Monday.

Indian police said the passengers had paid tens of thousands of dollars to agents to help them reach the southern border of the United States.

Liliana Bakayoko, a lawyer for the Romanian airline operating the flight, told AFP that Nicaragua had approved the passenger list before the plane departed.

From the capital, Managua, migrants travel to Honduras and Guatemala, then to Mexico to the southern border with the United States, paying thousands of dollars to smugglers.

This allows them to avoid the Darien Gap, where on top of the dangers of the thick jungle, rivers, and wild animals, they are preyed upon by criminal gangs and face sexual violence.

Panamanian authorities say more than half a million people made it through the jungle in 2023, double the amount the previous year.

Most of those braving the Darien Gap are Venezuelans fleeing economic misery, but there are also Ecuadorans, Haitians, Cubans, Chinese, Vietnamese, Afghans and Africans from Cameroon or Burkina Faso.

The International Organization for Migration has said the "most significant trend has been the shift by Cuban migrants and those coming from African nations who are increasingly choosing air routes to reach Central America, sidestepping the Darien to continue their northbound trip."

Honduras migration statistics show a five-fold increase in arrivals from countries like Guinea, China, Senegal, India, Afghanistan and Angola, who cross into the country from Nicaragua.

Orozco said that Nicaragua has also become a "springboard" for Cubans and Haitians taking charter flights since visa requirements for those countries were scrapped in 2021.

Others take regular commercial flights to El Salvador, which in October imposed an airport transit fee of $1,130 on Africans and Indians.

Most of them "are destined for Nicaragua" a spokesperson for El Salvador's immigration authority told AFP.

Colombia says that the majority of passengers arriving from Turkey are Africans in transit to San Salvador and then to Nicaragua.

"It is a population which has means to pay, an intention to migrate and which pays for tickets and other things to avoid going through the Darien," Colombia's deputy foreign minister Francisco Coy said this week after two children from Guinea were found abandoned in a Bogota airport.
Burundi's president on Friday accused Rwanda of funding and training rebels behind an attack last week on the village of Gatumba, close to Burundi's border with Congo, that killed at least 20 people.

A Burundian armed rebel group known as RED-Tabara and based in South Kivu, eastern Congo, took responsibility for the attack in a post on X, formerly Twitter. The group, which denied having targeted civilians, claimed to have killed nine soldiers and a police officer.

Burundian authorities consider RED-Tabara a terrorist movement. The group first appeared in 2011 and has been accused of a string of attacks in Burundi since 2015.

In a national radio broadcast, President Evariste Ndayishimiye claimed the RED-Tabara "are fed, sheltered, hosted and maintained in terms of logistics and financial means by  Rwanda."

Ndayishimiye said Burundi has been unsuccessfully negotiating with Rwanda for two years, seeking the extradition of the rebels.

"As long as they have a country that provides them with uniforms, feeds them, protects them, shelters them, maintains them, we will have problems," he said.

There was no immediate reaction from Rwanda's government to Ndayishimiye's accusations, but it has previously said that it cannot extradite people who are under the protection of the U.N. refugee agency.

Relations between the two central African neighbors improved with the ascension to power of Ndayishimiye in June 2020, and borders between them reopened.

Some of those killed in the Gatumba attack  which Burundi has described as an act of terror and said it had contacted Interpol to seek its help in apprehending the perpetrators  were buried on Tuesday.

In August last year, Burundi deployed soldiers to eastern Congo as part of a regional force invited by Congo to tackle the resurgence of the M23 rebel group there. Some observers believed that the Burundi troops from the seven-nation East African Community regional force would be used to crush RED-Tabara.

However, the East African force is currently being withdrawn in phases from the violence-plagued eastern Congo following complaints from locals and authorities that instead of disarming the rebels, the forces were cohabiting with them.
The head of Congo's election commission on Friday said it would meet a Sunday deadline for the release of full provisional presidential results, dismissing opposition calls for a repeat of the disputed vote as the response of "bad losers."

The CENI commission has come under fire for its handling of the delay-plagued December 20 presidential and legislative elections and the vote count, which the opposition and independent observers say have compromised the credibility of results.

After a turbulent campaign, the poll in Africa's second-largest country and a major copper and cobalt producer was chaotic. Logistical mishaps, malfunctioning voting machines and violent incidents held up voting in many places, prompting the CENI to extend the vote  a decision whose legality the main observer mission has questioned.

Despite the unscheduled extension, CENI President Denis Kadima told Reuters the commission was on track for releasing full provisional results from the presidential vote on Sunday as originally planned.

In an interview, Kadima dismissed allegations that the CENI had not been compiling results fully in accordance with electoral law. He said it was the CENI's legal duty to produce results quickly, which is why it was relying on some results from voting machines rather than just using tallies from paper ballots.

On Thursday, the independent joint vote-monitoring mission of Congo's powerful Catholic Church and its Protestant Church urged the CENI to publish only results based on correctly consolidated tallies from local centers.

"The results we are releasing reflect [people's] choices," Kadima said.

Some of the main challengers of President Felix Tshisekedi  who is running for a second term and comfortably leading in the CENI's interim count so far  have called for a full rerun of the election due to the extension of voting and the widespread irregularities reported by their own and independent observers.

Kadima says the opposition wanted a new vote because "they know they lost ... they are bad losers."

"We did everything with the necessary transparency," he said.

He also dismissed reports that CENI agents had mishandled sensitive election materials and conducted some election operations outside official centers  actions that the civil society observer mission said were likely to have distorted results.

"These are limited cases, and it is not done with the blessing of CENI," Kadima said, adding those found responsible would be sanctioned.

The election dispute threatens to further destabilize Congo, which is already grappling with widespread poverty and a security crisis in eastern areas.

Contested results have fueled unrest in the past. On Wednesday, several people were injured after police cracked down on a banned election march.

The opposition has vowed to hold more protests.

The latest CENI preliminary results, updated on Friday, showed Tshisekedi in the lead with more than 72% of about 15.9 million votes counted so far.

CENI has not yet said how many of Congo's 44 million registered voters participated. It has processed the results of 52,173 polling stations out of 75,969, according to its latest tally.
Two Russian missiles hit central Kharkiv on Saturday, injuring at least 21 people, Ukrainian officials said, in the latest in a recent series of back-and-forth air assaults.

Russia's attacks on Kharkiv came after Ukrainian airstrikes earlier Saturday hit the Russian city of Belgorod, which sits just over the border with Ukraine.

Russia's Defense Ministry said at least 21 people, including three children, were killed and at least 110 injured in Saturday's Ukrainian strikes on Belgorod, said regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov.

Russia requested a meeting Saturday of the U.N. Security Council on what it called Ukraine's indiscriminate attacks on Belgorod and alleged Ukraine had used cluster bombs. It provided no additional information, and The Associated Press was unable to verify its claims.

"This crime will not go unpunished," Russia's Defense Ministry said in a statement on social media.

Security Council meets

The United Nations Security Council met Friday at the request of Ukraine and three dozen other U.N. member states. Security Council members condemned Russia's barrage.

Drone attacks on cities in western Russia have been common since May. Russian officials blame Ukraine, but officials in Kyiv rarely claim responsibility for any of the attacks.

"The terrorist attack in Belgorod will be the subject of proceedings in the U.N. Security Council. Russia has requested a meeting of the Security Council," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said, according to the state-run RIA news agency.

No official comment was immediately available from Kyiv, but the Ukrainian news outlet RBC-Ukraine quoted unnamed sources as saying Ukrainian forces hit military targets in Belgorod in retaliation to the massive Russian bombardment of Ukrainian cities Friday.

On Saturday, Russia said it downed 32 Ukrainian drones. In Moscow, officials said air defenses shot down drones over Moscow, Bryansk, Oryol and Kursk regions. In a statement, the Defense Ministry reported a number of casualties, including a child.

On Friday, Russia launched its biggest air assault since February 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine. Ukrainian officials said Russia killed at least 41 civilians, wounded at least 160, and left an unknown number buried in the rubble across Ukraine in a barrage that included 158 missile and drone attacks.

Russian missile and drone strikes continued Saturday. Missiles hit in Kharkiv and in the Kherson, Zaporizhzhia and Chernihiv regions, killing three people. Ukraine reported shooting down Iranian-made Shahed drones in the Kherson, Khmelnytskyi and Mykolaiv regions.

After the massive bombardment Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine is "fighting for its life."

"We will respond to Russian terrorists for every strike. Terror never gains in playing against people," Zelenskyy said.

The British Defense Ministry said Saturday in its daily intelligence update on Ukraine that the daily number of Russian casualties in Ukraine, dead and wounded, has risen by almost 300% per day, compared with last year. The increase in the number of casualties was reported to the British ministry by Ukraine.

The increase, the British ministry said, can be attributed to "the degradation of Russia's forces and its transition to a lower quality, high quantity mass army since the 'partial mobilization' of reservists in September 2022."

It would likely take Russia five to 10 years to rebuild its highly trained military units, the report said.

If casualties continue at the same rate, the British ministry said, Russia will have more than half a million personnel killed and wounded by 2025, after three years of war.

In comparison, the Soviet Union suffered 70,000 casualties in the nine-year Soviet Afghan War, the British ministry said.

Russia's top diplomat in Poland says Moscow won't provide any explanations about an unidentified object that briefly entered Poland's airspace until there is proof that the alleged object was a Russian missile.

An unknown object traveled 40 kilometers (about 25 miles) into the country's airspace from the direction of Ukraine before leaving minutes later and vanishing off radars, Poland's defense forces said Friday. The head of the Polish armed forces, General Wiesaw Kukua, said "everything indicates" it was a Russian missile.

Poland's Foreign Ministry summoned Russia's charge d'affaires in Warsaw, Andrei Ordash, and demanded an explanation. Russia called Poland's claims "unsubstantiated."

"We will not give any explanations until we are presented with concrete evidence, because these accusations are unsubstantiated," Ordash told RIA Novosti.

Some material for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
Climate activists blocked part of the main highway around Amsterdam near the former headquarters of ING bank Saturday to protest its financing of fossil fuels.

Amsterdam Municipality said in a message on X, formerly Twitter, that traffic authorities closed part of the road and diverted traffic to prevent a life-threatening situation."

Hundreds of activists walked onto the road in the latest road blockade organized by the Dutch branch of Extinction Rebellion. Earlier this year, the activist organization repeatedly blocked a highway leading into The Hague.

Some of Saturday's protesters walked along the closed A10 highway carrying a banner emblazoned with the words Change or die as two police vans drove slowly behind them.

Another person carried a handwritten banner that said: ING get out of oil and gas now! Others glued their hands to the road surface.

Police criticized the protesters for blocking the road close to the VU medical center, one of Amsterdam's main hospitals.

The blockade is very undesirable given its impact on the traffic in the city and, for example, employees at the nearby VU medical center and people visiting patients, Amsterdam police said in a statement.

The protest took place despite ING announcing earlier this month that it is accelerating its moves to phase out loans for fossil fuel exploration.

ING made its announcement a week after nearly 200 countries at the COP28 climate meeting in Dubai agreed to move away from planet-warming fossil fuels in a document that critics said contained significant loopholes.

Extinction Rebellion spokesperson Let de Jong said the phase-out plan was not fast enough.

We demand that ING immediately stops all fossil fuel financing, De Jong said in a statement ahead of the protest. Every day, people are dying around the world because of the climate and ecological crisis. That has to stop.

At past protests in The Hague, police used a water cannon to force activists off the road and arrested hundreds of people.
A prominent Iranian diaspora journalist has spoken exclusively to VOA about her horrified and defiant reaction to learning last week that she was the target of an alleged Iranian assassination plot in London a year ago.

Sima Sabet, a London-based former TV presenter for Persian news network Iran International who left the channel in August, was one of two Iran International presenters targeted in the foiled plot whose details were published by Britains ITV News on December 21.

ITV reported that agents of Irans top military force, the IRGC, offered $200,000 to a people-smuggler to try to kill Sabet and Fardad Farahzad late last year in the British capital, where Iran International is headquartered.

The British network said the plot was foiled because the people smuggler was a double agent who shared recordings of the plotters with a Western intelligence agency as well as with ITV. The network added that "multiple officials" verified the mans account.

A spokesperson for the Iranian Embassy in London, Seyed Mehdi Hosseini Matin, rejected the report as "unfounded" in a post on the X platform.

Sabet discussed her reaction to the foiled plot, how Iran International has handled the issue and how she intends to continue her work in this weeks edition of VOAs Flashpoint Iran podcast.

Iran International spokesperson Adam Baillie, responding to a VOA request for comment about Sabets interview, said in an email that his network helped to facilitate an ITV interview with Sabet as part of ITVs reporting about the plot.

"Sima resigned from the channel last August, and we continue to wish her well in whatever paths she follows," Baillie wrote. Regarding Farahzad and the networks other staff, he said their security "remains our priority consideration at all times, whether in the field or in the newsroom or at home."

In a Friday statement to VOA, the U.S.-based Committee to Protect Journalists said Tehran has a long history of targeting Iranian journalists living overseas and their Iran-based family members in reprisal for their work. "CPJ has previously called on authorities to investigate threats and attacks, and to provide journalists with adequate protection. They should not have to live in fear just for doing their jobs," the media rights organization said.

The following transcript of Sabets December 24 interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.

VOA: After ITV invited you to their office on December 21 and played for you the recordings of the plotters talking about harming you and your colleague, how did you feel?

Sima Sabet, independent Iran analyst: It was awful. It is not easy to see how close [the plot] was and how they were planning to kill me. So I knew that they were trying to silence me. And if I had known about it [at the time], would that have changed anything [for my work]? No, definitely not. But at the same time, listening to people who are trying to kill you without knowing you and who are asking for God's help [in doing that] is not easy.

VOA: How has this affected your life in the days since you discovered the full extent of this plot?

Sabet: I am more motivated. I have more reasons to work harder, because I know that I was effective in exercising my responsibility as a journalist. So even though I do not present that [Iran International] program anymore, I am still continuing to work as an independent journalist. I make sure that I will not be stopped by these threats. By no means can I be scared by this. I always knew that I am dealing with a very dangerous government. I knew that the Islamic Republic of Iran is a country that by no means is bound by international laws and human rights.

VOA: Can you share why you left Iran International and what kind of work you are doing now?

Sabet: I am working as an independent journalist, writing for media outlets such as [Washington-based] The Hill. I also have a Ph.D. in politics. I am an Iran expert. So, I am exploring different opportunities.

I would like to step out of the Persian media world, in order to have a wider international audience. What I realized is that Iranian journalists such as myself who live in the West are lacking a proper communication with media outside of the Persian-language world.

There are a few voices who talk about Iran [in the non-Persian media world], but they do not reflect the diversity of political opinions [of Iranians]. I believe that is a very important point to address and I am working on it.

During the last year, the Iranian government tried to suppress news [about its crackdown on dissent in which] hundreds of people were killed, thousands were imprisoned, many journalists were jailed, people were tortured and raped. I also think the extent of this needs to be better reflected in the outside world.

VOA: What is your view of how Iran International, your former employer, has been trying to keep its journalists safe and continue its mission?

Sabet: I am happy with the way they are covering [the assassination plot]. It is good that they shed light on the extent of the threat that I was experiencing as a journalist.

After the ITV report was aired on the evening of December 21, no one from Iran International talked to me about it. But I could see that I was part of Iran Internationals reporting and headlines about what was happening, which is good.

VOA: What do you think Western governments can and should do to keep journalists like yourself safe?

Sabet: I think that I and anyone else dealing with news about Iran needs protection by the police and also by the governments of the countries in which we are living. I am a British national. I do not have an Iranian passport. I am not allowed to go back home [to Iran]. If I go, God knows what would happen to me. But London is my home, and I want to be safe here. So a little bit of coordination, protection and support will preserve our freedom of the press and freedom of speech. It will enable us to do our job and feel safe and not be threatened by the IRGC at the doors of our houses.
The border zone between the Gaza Strip and Egypt should be under Israel's control to ensure the demilitarization of the area, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at a news conference Saturday.

He spoke as Israel's war against Hamas entered its 13th week. Netanyahu said it would last many more months.

If Israel takes control of the border zone, it would be a de facto reversal of its 2005 withdrawal from Gaza and place the enclave under Israeli control again after years of control by Hamas.

"The Philadelphi Corridor  or to put it more correctly, the southern stoppage point (of Gaza)  must be in our hands. It must be shut. It is clear that any other arrangement would not ensure the demilitarization that we seek," Netanyahu said.

He said that about 8,000 militants have been killed in Israel's military campaign in the Palestinian territory. Since the war began in October, 21,672 Palestinian have been killed and more than 56,000 wounded, Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry said Saturday. It does not distinguish between civilian and combatant casualties.

Israel began its military campaign to wipe out Hamas after Hamas fighters crossed into southern Israel on October 7. Israel said about 1,200 people were killed and some 240 captives taken in the terror attack, about 129 remain in Gaza. The Israeli military says 170 of its military personnel have been killed so far in the fighting.

"Step by step, we are depriving Hamas of their capabilities," Netanyahu said Saturday. "We will also eliminate the leaders."

He vowed to bring all of the hostages back.

Hundreds of demonstrators rallied in Tel Aviv on Saturday, demanding the government secure their release.

Airstrikes kill 165, injure 250

Israeli tanks rolled deeper into central and southern Gaza Saturday, pummeling the al-Bureij, Nuseirat and Maghazi refugee camps and the southern city of Khan Younis with artillery fire, while intensive airstrikes have killed 165 people and wounded 250 others in Gaza over the past 24 hours, according to health authorities in the Hamas-run territory.

In Khan Younis, a town near the Egyptian border where thousands of refugees have run for shelter, the wounded have inundated Nasser hospital, the biggest and most important medical facility in the south of the enclave.

Israel's military said two Hamas compounds were dismantled in Beit Lahia in northern Gaza.

U.N. aid convoy fired upon

United Nations officials have protested what they say is the recent targeting of a Gaza aid convoy by Israeli forces.

Martin Griffiths, the U.N. undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator said Friday that a humanitarian aid convoy was "fired upon while traveling from northern Gaza to Rafah" in vehicles that were "clearly marked."

"The conflict must stop," Griffiths said, adding that attacks on humanitarian workers are unlawful.

No one was hurt in the incident. One vehicle was damaged. The Israeli military had no immediate comment.

More than 600,000 vaccines delivered

UNICEF delivered at least 600,000 vaccines to Gaza on Friday. Nearly 17,000 Palestinian children in Gaza have missed their routine vaccinations, including polio and measles, since the start of the fighting between Israel and Hamas in October, according to the agency.

UNICEF said it is working with the World Health Organization and UNRWA  which is the U.N. agency for Palestinians  to reach the children who have missed their shots.

Conditions in Gaza deteriorate

Israel's widening attacks in central and southern Gaza have pushed tens of thousands of Palestinians seeking shelter into Rafah, where the population has more than tripled to 850,000, according to U.N. figures.

"We don't have water. We don't have enough food," Nour Daher, a displaced woman, told The Associated Press Saturday from the sprawling tent camp. "The kids wake up in the morning wanting to eat, wanting to drink. It took us one hour to find water for them. We couldn't bring them flour. Even when we wanted to take them to toilets, it took us one hour to walk."

Juliette Touma, a UNRWA spokesperson, said people are using any empty space to build shacks or sleep in cars or in the open.

Most available water is polluted. The sanitation system has broken down, and working toilets are a rarity.

Almost the entire population of Gaza is dependent on international aid, including for food, UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini said Friday. Lazzarini said the aid operation faces "severe restrictions" from Israeli authorities. Trucks face long delays at the Rafah crossing on the border with Egypt and the newly reopened Kerem Shalom crossing from Israel, he said.

Israel has told residents of central Gaza to head south, but even there, people are not safe, he said.

Israeli forces have flattened much of the Gaza enclave going after Hamas militants and destroying the tunnel systems allegedly used by the group.

Hamas has been designated a terrorist organization by the United States, United Kingdom, European Union and others.

Some material for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
The Israeli army said early Saturday that it was carrying out strikes in Syria after two rockets fired from Syria fell into territory under Israel's control.

"Following the report regarding sirens sounding in northern Israel, a short while ago two launches that were identified crossing from Syria fell in an open area," the army said. "The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) is striking the sources of fire."

The Israeli army confirmed to Agence France-Presse that the projectiles were rockets but did not say exactly where they fell.

Israel considers the annexed Golan Heights to be part of its northern region.

An Israeli strike targeted the area around the Syrian capital of Damascus on Thursday, the Syrian defense ministry and state media said.

Israel rarely comments on individual strikes targeting Syria, but it has repeatedly said it will not allow archenemy Iran, which backs President Bashar al-Assad's government, to expand its presence there.

Israel has launched hundreds of airstrikes on its northern neighbor since Syria's civil war began in 2011, primarily targeting Iran-backed forces including Lebanese Hezbollah fighters as well as Syrian army positions.

Since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas on October 7, the border between Lebanon and Israel has seen frequent exchanges of fire between the Israeli army and Hezbollah.

The exchanges have killed more than 150 people on the Lebanese side of the border, according to an AFP count, most of them Hezbollah fighters but also more than 20 civilians, including three journalists.

On the Israeli side, at least four civilians and nine soldiers have been killed, according to army figures.

The exchanges of fire have been largely limited to the border area, but Israel has warned it is ready to intensify its military action if Hezbollah fighters do not pull back.
A growing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza as Israel continues its military response to the October 7th Hamas massacre. Sean Casey with the World Health Organization on hospitals overwhelmed with hundreds of incoming patients close to death. Linda Gradstein in Jerusalem reports on what Palestinians and Israelis see for the territory once the conflict is over. 2023 started on a high note for Ukraine, with a number of successes, but ended with uncertainty over continued Western aid and a disappointment over results of its counteroffensive against invading Russian forces. Ukraine war correspondent Christopher Miller discusses the year ahead and the mood on the ground. 2023 was the hottest year on record as supercharged temperatures helped drive catastrophic floods, storms, punishing heat waves and deadly wildfires across the globe. UNICEFs Global Chief of Migration and Displacement Verena Knaus, discusses how extreme weather driven by climate change is displacing millions of children.
A rights group and community activists filed a lawsuit Saturday against U.S. multinational food giant Del Monte over accusations of killings and assaults at its vast pineapple plantation near Nairobi.

The case, lodged at the High Court of Kenya, is also on behalf of people who say they had been attacked by Del Monte security guards, and relatives of alleged victims.

The company, which employs 6,000 people in Kenya and has faced accusations of abuse and violence in the past, could not be immediately contacted for comment.

In the most recent incident, Kenyan police are investigating the suspicious deaths this month of four men accused of trying to steal pineapples from the Del Monte farm near Thika, northeast of the capital Nairobi.

Saturday's lawsuit, a copy of which was seen by AFP, said Del Monte has been locked in a land ownership row with the local community, which claims the company's land as its ancestral home.

It said locals had been long been crossing the 10,000-acre (4,000-hectare) plantation "leading to conflicts with the security personnel deployed by Del Monte, who assault, beat, torture, maim, rape and/or kill the trespassers.

"Multiple killings have occurred at Del Monte's pineapple farm in Kenya, where security guards allegedly murdered trespassers and showed general violence against locals," it added.

Alleged thieves have been beaten to death by the guards, drowned in dams or dumped in the nearby river, it charged.

Accusations of pesticides in water

In addition, it said wastewater from Del Monte operations was laced with "toxic pesticides" deemed hazardous by the World Health Organization.

Several petitioners claimed they had suffered various injuries at the hands of guards in separate incidents over the past few years.

One said he had been run over, while another claimed he had been sexually harassed then attacked with stones as he ran away.

The lawsuit lists Del Monte's Kenya operation as well as top police and legal officials as respondents.

It is seeking compensation and punitive damages and has also called on the High Court to rule that the actions of the respondents were violations of human rights, environment and constitutional laws.

Earlier this week, Kenyan police launched an investigation after the bodies of four men were discovered on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in a river near the plantation.

Results of a post-mortem released Friday found that at least three of the four had drowned and bore signs of injury, according to Kenyan media reports.

Company says it is cooperating

Kenyan National Commission for Human Rights official Kamanda Mucheke was quoted by the leading Daily Nation newspaper as saying the men were beaten by Del Monte security guards.

"Our preliminary investigations reveal beyond reasonable doubt that the four men were attacked before they were forcibly drowned," he said.

The multinational company said CCTV footage showed the four had attempted to steal pineapples from its farm and showed "no foul play on Del Monte's part."

"Del Monte Kenya is cooperating with Kenyan authorities as they continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the four bodies," it said in a statement to AFP earlier this week.

"Organized crime, particularly around pineapple theft, is becoming increasingly rampant in the area," it added.
The Tour d'Argent already boasts a 320,000-bottle wine cellar, a world-famous duck recipe and a storied 441-year history. Now, the legendary Paris restaurant is about to serve up its "plat de resistance": a front-row view of two of the biggest events of 2024  the renaissance of Notre Dame Cathedral and the 2024 Summer Olympics.

A city landmark unto itself  and an inspiration for the restaurant in the movie Ratatouille  the Tour d'Argent recently reopened after its own renovation, which preserved revered traditions while adapting to the 21st century.

''It's very reassuring for many customers to see that such establishments are still present in our history, and in French gastronomic history,'' owner and CEO Andre Terrail told The Associated Press.

The restaurant claims to be the oldest in Paris, its 1582 opening date embossed on the doors. It says King Henri IV ate heron pate here; ''Sun King'' Louis XIV hosted a meal here involving an entire cow; and presidents, artists like Salvador Dali, and celebrities including Marilyn Monroe have graced its tables in the generations since.

Today the Michelin-starred restaurant remains one of the most exclusive places to dine in the French capital, out of reach for most. The simplest fixed-price lunch menu runs to 150 euros ($167), and the most affordable fixed-price dinner is 360 euros  and that's without even peeking at the 8-kilogram book dubbed the ''bible'' of its wine cellar.

But the reborn Tour d'Argent offers options for those who want to breathe in its rarefied atmosphere without investing in a full meal: A ground-floor lounge serving croissants in the morning, an adjacent bar serving fireside cocktails in the evening, and a rooftop bar open in the warmer months, where the restaurant's breathtaking views are on full display.

Notre Dame Cathedral takes center stage in this Paris panorama, a construction site like no other. Artisans are mounting a new spire and roof on the monument, replacing those that collapsed in a 2019 fire that threatened to destroy the entire medieval cathedral.

Piece by piece, the scaffolding that enshrouds the site will come down over the course of 2024, in time for its planned December 8 reopening to the public.

For its neighbors at the Tour d'Argent, the restoration of Notre Dame is welcome news.

"Notre Dame is a landmark and probably had lost a little bit of attention to the Eiffel Tower," Terrail said. After the fire, Notre Dame enjoyed an injection of funding, notably from the U.S. ''Lots of love coming from abroad, making sure that the cathedral was renovated,'' he said.

Terrail had been mulling a makeover for the Tour d'Argent too, and finally made it happen after an 18-month closure prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"COVID in a sense accelerated things, and also the Olympic Games, which are kind of an accelerator for everything in Paris," he says.

"We have a front-row seat on the opening ceremony of the Olympics. It's a great privilege. It starts just there," he says, pointing at the spot where the unprecedented opening-day extravaganza will unfold along the River Seine on July 26.

The restaurant reopened to generally positive reviews, after years in which it had been seen as resting on its laurels. Michelin says the cuisine and service were rejuvenated ''without taking away from its nature.''

The Tour d'Argent  which translates as ''Silver Tower'' -- has a redesigned dining room with an open kitchen, and a top-floor one-bedroom apartment that rents for nearly 9,000 euros a night.

Its signature dish remains pressed duck, cooked in its own blood and specially carved by servers in the air instead of on a board. Since 1890, the restaurant has been giving customers certificates with the number of each duck served. They're now well past the 1 million mark.

The bustling kitchen staff use locally grown products and closely held recipes, like a seductive "mystery egg" starter in truffle sauce.

"You have to cook the egg white, but not the yolk,'' explains executive chef Yannick Franques.

"People, when they come to eat, are quite surprised when they don't know the mystery and often come to me asking how I manage to keep the yolk raw inside and the white part cooked. Unfortunately, I can't say, I just can't say,'' he says, smiling.

''The secret's the secret. Voila.''
Since passage of the Endangered Species Act 50 years ago, more than 1,700 plants, mammals, fish, insects and other species in the U.S. have been listed as threatened or endangered with extinction. Yet federal government data reveals striking disparities in how much money is allocated to save various biological kingdoms.

Of the roughly $1.2 billion a year spent on endangered and threatened species, about half goes toward recovery of just two types of fish: salmon and steelhead trout along the West Coast. Tens of millions of dollars go to other widely known animals including manatees, right whales, grizzly bears and spotted owls.

But the large sums directed toward a handful of species means others have gone neglected, in some cases for decades, as they teeter on potential extinction.

At the bottom of the spending list is the tiny Virginia fringed mountain snail, which had $100 spent on its behalf in 2020, according to the most recent data available. The underground-dwelling snail has been seen only once in the past 35 years, according to government records, yet it remains a step ahead of more than 200 imperiled plants, animals, fish and other creatures that had nothing spent on their behalf.

With climate change increasing threats to organisms around the planet and adding to the number that qualify for protection under the Endangered Species Act, government officials are struggling in many cases to execute recovery actions required under the law.

Some scientists even argue for spending less on costly efforts that may not work and putting the money toward species with less expensive recovery plans that have languished.

"For a tiny fraction of the budget going to spotted owls, we could save whole species of cacti that are less charismatic but have an order of magnitude smaller budget," said Leah Gerber, a professor of conservation science at Arizona State University.

An Associated Press analysis of 2020 data found fish got 67% of the spending, the majority for several dozen salmon and steelhead populations in California, Oregon and Washington. Mammals were a distant second with 7% of spending and birds had about 5%. Insects received just 0.5% of the money and plants about 2%. Not included in those percentages is money divided among multiple species.

Species drawing no spending at all included stoneflies threatened by climate change in Montana's Glacier National Park, the stocky California tiger salamander that has lost ground to development and flowering plants such as the scrub lupine around Orlando, Florida, where native habitat has been converted for theme parks.

Such spending inequities are longstanding and reflect a combination of biological realities and political pressures. Restoring salmon and steelhead populations is expensive because they are widespread and hemmed in by massive hydroelectric dams. They also have a broad political constituency with Native American tribes and commercial fishing interests that want fisheries restored.

Congress over decades has sent massive sums of money to agencies such as the Bonneville Power Administration that operate dams along rivers the fish once traveled up to spawn. The money pays for fish ladders around dams, habitat restoration projects, monitoring by scientists and other needs.

More than half the species protected under the Endangered Species Act are plants, but the entire plant kingdom was almost excluded from the landmark conservation law when it was adopted in 1973, according to the Congressional Record and Faith Campbell, who interviewed people involved in the bill's passage for a 1988 study published in the Pace Environmental Law Review.

Plants initially were left out when the measure passed the Senate, with opposition led by influential Republican Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska. They were added back at the 11th hour following a push by botanists from the Smithsonian Institution and Lee Talbot, a senior scientist at the White House Council on Environmental Quality, according to Campbell.

Botanists at the time proposed more than 2,500 plants as threatened with future extinction. However, most failed to get protections because federal officials failed to act prior to a Congressional deadline.

Today more than 900 trees, ferns, flowers and other flora are protected. Combined, they received about $26 million in 2020.

"In terms of numbers they're catching up, but as far as money and attention they're still not getting their share," said Campbell, a longtime environmental advocate who now works at the Center for Invasive Species Prevention. "The threats are serious, they're the same as the threats to animals. Yet they don't have the political clout of, say, a couple dozen of the big animal species that attract favorable attention or get in people's way."

Most plants receive less money than recommended under their recovery plans, according to Gerber and others. Researchers say that has direct consequences: species tend to decline when allocated less funding than needed, while they have a higher chance of recovery when receiving enough money.

Gerber has suggested redirecting some money from species getting more than their recovery plans seek  the bull trout, the gopher tortoise and the Northern spotted owl among them  to those receiving little or none. Her ideas have stirred pushback from some conservationists.

Former U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Jamie Rappaport Clark said debating how to allocate scarce resources for rescuing endangered species is a distraction.

"The issue is not where the money is spent," said Clark, now president of Defenders of Wildlife. "The issue is that there isn't nearly enough of it."

Gerber said she doesn't want to let anything go extinct but that a strategic approach is needed with the shortage of resources.

"Unfortunately, the clock is ticking," she added. "We need to take action."

Wildlife officials say they are trying to do just that with money for endangered species in the climate law signed last year by President Joe Biden.

It included $62.5 million officials said will allow them to hire biologists to craft recovery plans to guide future conservation work, initially for 32 species and for as many as 300 over coming years.

Among them are a colorful fish known as the candy darter that lives in rivers in the southeastern U.S., a flowering shrub from the Virgin Islands called marron bacora, the Panama City crayfish of Florida and the pocket-sized Stephens' kangaroo rat in southern California.

The extra money is intended to provide some relief after the agency's environmental review staff fell 20% over the past two decades, even while new species were listed, according to officials. Increased funding is especially important because more than half the agency's existing recovery plans are more than two decades old, according to Lindsay Rosa, vice president for conservation research at Defenders of Wildlife.

Also in the law was $5.1 million for recovery projects that could benefit hundreds of species from four groups that officials said have historically been underfunded: Hawaii and Pacific island plants, butterflies and moths, freshwater mussels and desert fish in the southwestern U.S.

"Each of these species are part of this larger web of life," Fish and Wildlife Service Director Martha Williams said in an interview. "They're all important."
A light-water reactor at North Korea's main nuclear complex will likely be formally operational by next summer, South Korea's defense minister said.

There are fears the North may use the new reactor as a new source of fissile materials for nuclear weapons.

Concerns about North Korea's nuclear program deepened recently when the U.N. atomic agency and foreign experts said they have detected signs indicating that North Korea had begun operating its light-water reactor at the Yongbyon nuclear complex.

IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi said last week that his agency had observed increased levels of activity at and near the reactor and since mid-October, a strong water outflow from its cooling system. He said the reactor is "a cause for concern" because it can produce plutonium  one of the two key ingredients used to manufacture nuclear weapons, along with highly enriched uranium.

On Thursday, Defense Minister Shin Wonsik told local reporters that South Korea had spotted similar cooling system-related activities associated with the reactor last summer.

Shin said the reactor appears to be in a trial operation stage and that it's expected to be officially operational next summer.

North Korea has long produced weapons-grade plutonium from its widely known 5-megawatt reactor at Yongbyon. The light-water reactor would be an additional source of bomb fuel. Observers say the reactor's bigger capacity could allow it to produce more plutonium. Yongbyon has a uranium enrichment facility as well.

There are questions about the reactor's reported operation, as light-water reactors are best-suited for electricity generation. Shin noted that no country uses light-water reactors to produce weapons-grade plutonium. However, many observers say North Korea could adapt one at Yongbyon to produce weapons-grade plutonium.

"(North Korea)'s commissioning of a new light water nuclear power plant raises serious concerns, including safety," the U.S. Mission to the U.N. in Vienna said Saturday in a message posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. "(North Korea's) unlawful nuclear & ballistic missile programs continue to pose a grave threat to international peace & security."

Grossi also noted the North's operation of the light-water reactor violates U.N. Security Council resolutions.

The IAEA and foreign governments rely on satellite imagery and other methods to monitor activities at Yongyon and other suspected nuclear facilities in North Korea. The North kicked out IAEA inspectors from the country in 2009.

Estimates of the size of North Korea's nuclear arsenal vary, ranging from 20-60 to more than 100. Experts say North Korea can add six to 18 bombs each year. Since his diplomacy with the U.S. collapsed in 2019, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has repeatedly vowed to build more nuclear weapons and introduce high-tech weapons to cope with what he calls intensifying U.S. hostility.

Foreign experts say Kim would ultimately hope to use his expanded nuclear arsenal to win sanctions relief from the U.S. when diplomacy resumes. In response to the North's latest intercontinental ballistic missile test last week, the U.S., South Korea and Japan urged other countries to fully implement U.N. Security Council resolutions that have imposed punishing sanctions on the North for its past banned weapons tests.
Pakistans military said Saturday its forces had raided a terrorist hideout in a volatile region bordering Afghanistan and killed five militants in the ensuing shootout.

The intelligence-based overnight raid in the militancy-hit North Waziristan district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province also killed a key militant commander involved in attacks on security forces, the army's media wing said in a statement.

The army did not name the group, but the anti-state Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, said its hideout was raided and confirmed the killing of four of its members. The groups statement, sent to journalists, also claimed inflicting heavy casualties on the raiding military forces.

Parts of the northwestern Pakistani province have experienced almost deadly militant attacks, mainly targeting soldiers and police, with the TTP claiming credit or being blamed for most of the violence.

The provincial counterterrorism department said in its annual report Friday that militant attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had killed 185 police officers and wounded 400 other people this year.

The report claimed security forces had also killed 300 militants and captured more than 900 others during the same period.

Pakistans southwestern Baluchistan province, bordering Afghanistan, has also seen an uptick in attacks carried out by the TTP and ethnic Baluch insurgents this year, killing hundreds of civilians and security forces.

The Pakistani military has reported the death of nearly 300 officers and soldiers in nationwide militant attacks and counterinsurgency operations in 2023 alone. Earlier this month, militants raided an army base and killed at least 23 soldiers in the deadliest attack in Pakistans recent history.

Authorities say TTP, listed as a global terrorist group by the United States, and allied groups are plotting the violence from Afghan sanctuaries.

Islamabad maintains that cross-border terrorism in Pakistan has sharply increased since the Islamist Taliban regained power in Afghanistan two years ago.

While the interim authorities have reported some success in the fight against Daesh [the Islamic State group], the fact is that a number of terrorist groups are living in Afghanistan, evidently under the protection of the Afghan interim government, Munir Akram, the Pakistani envoy to the United Nations, told a U.N. Security Council meeting on Afghanistan earlier this month.

Akram reiterated Pakistan's claims that the TTP was launching more deadly and sophisticated attacks against security forces due to the militant group's acquisition of modern military weapons from "the considerable stocks left behind in Afghanistan by U.S. and NATO troops.

Washington has repeatedly denied leaving any weapons in Afghanistan during the American militarys withdrawal from the country in August 2021, dismissing such allegations as farce.

Taliban authorities reject charges they are sheltering or allowing militants to stage attacks against Pakistan or any other country from Afghan soil.
A chaotic year for the House is coming to a close with more Democrats than Republicans deciding to leave the chamber, a disparity that could have major ramifications in next year's elections.

About two dozen Democrats have indicated they won't seek reelection, with half running for another elected office. Meanwhile, only 14 Republicans have said they are not seeking another term, with three seeking elected office elsewhere.

More retirements can be expected after the holidays, when lawmakers have had a chance to spend time with families and make decisions ahead of reelection deadlines. But so far, the numbers don't indicate the dysfunction in the House is causing a mass exodus for either party.

"Members sort of knew that this is what the institution is currently like when they chose to run for office," said Molly Reynolds, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, a think tank that maintains a database of vital statistics on Congress, including retirements. "Some of them may well be feeling frustrated at this point in time, but anybody who has been elected to Congress in recent years, they're not surprised at what they're finding when they are getting to Washington."

Republicans certainly had the most high-profile exits. Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., became only the third lawmaker to be expelled by colleagues since the Civil War. Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., was the first-ever speaker removed from that office by his colleagues. He opted to leave effective December 31 rather than serve among the rank-and-file.

But it's the departure of a handful of Democrats in competitive districts that has Republicans thinking the overall retirement picture gives them an advantage in determining who will control the House after the 2024 elections.

Reps. Katie Porter of California, Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and Abigail Spanberger of Virginia proved they could win toss-up congressional districts in good election cycles for Democrats and not-so-good cycles. They are all seeking higher office within their home states. Porter and Slotkin are running for the U.S. Senate. Spanberger is running for governor in 2025.

Democrats are also losing six-term Rep. Dan Kildee of Michigan to retirement, leaving them with another competitive open seat to defend in a state that will be crucial in the presidential election. Rep. Jennifer Wexton, D-Va., is not seeking reelection due to health challenges in a district that leans Democratic but is more competitive than most.

On the other side of the aisle, the Republicans leaving office generally represent districts that Democrats have little chance of flipping. They'll be replaced by Republicans, predicted Rep. Richard Hudson, the chairman of the House Republican campaign arm.

"Retirements are a huge problem for the Democrats. They're not a problem for us," Hudson said.

The exception is Santos, who represented a competitive New York district. Democrats hope former Rep. Tom Suozzi can win back the seat, which he gave up when he ran unsuccessfully for governor in 2022.

Republican Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma said he found it "a bit of a surprise" that the number of Democrats leaving office exceeded the Republican exits given all that has transpired this year.

"Politically, I think we're very well positioned for 2024," Cole said. "I just think the margins are going to remain narrow no matter who wins. The number of competitive seats is so much lower than it was even a decade ago, the polarization is so much greater, that it's hard to move big numbers. Whoever wins the presidency probably wins the House."

Sometimes, legislators in the states tip the scales in determining the makeup of Congress. It's one reason there are so few competitive races.

Three incumbent House Democrats from North Carolina have essentially been left with little opportunity to return after GOP lawmakers in the state drew new boundaries for their congressional districts. What were once competitive seats became near locks for whichever Republican emerges from the state's primary elections.

Democratic Rep. Jeff Jackson decided to run for attorney general rather than attempt to run again for a Charlotte-area seat that he had just won in the 2022 midterms. Rep. Wiley Nickel, a fellow freshman who flipped a toss-up district in the last election, also announced he would not be running, and would focus instead on a potential U.S. Senate bid in 2026. And Rep. Kathy Manning said she won't file for reelection under the current maps but would run if a federal lawsuit seeking to overturn the new districts is successful.

Manning said the city of Greensboro in her district was split into three pieces and combined with rural counties. She won in 2022 by a margin of 9 percentage points, but she said the new district gives a 16-point advantage to a Republican candidate.

Democrats are hoping court-ordered redistricting in Alabama and Louisiana will favor their side and effectively make the redistricting battles a wash.

Ambition is also playing a role in the retirement trends. About half of the Democrats not seeking reelection to the House are seeking office elsewhere. That includes three members running for the seat once held by California Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who entered the Senate in 1992 and served more than three decades before her death in September. Slotkin is running for the seat Sen. Debbie Stabenow has held for more than two decades. Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota is running for president against fellow Democrat Joe Biden.

"If you are interested in a higher office, you're going to be sensitive to when those things come up. They don't always come up," Reynolds said.

Still, a few lawmakers do attribute their leaving, at least in part, to the dysfunction they've witnessed in Congress.

Democratic Rep. Brian Higgins of New York doesn't plan to wait for the election to get out. He's retiring sometime in February.

"We're spending more time doing less. And the American people aren't served," he said when announcing his retirement last month.

Republican Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo., described a similar sense of frustration in his retirement announcement. He's been critical of Republican leaders for "lying to America" that the 2020 election was stolen and downplaying the January 6 insurrection.

"Our nation is on a collision course with reality and a steadfast commitment to the truth," Buck said.
Taiwans presidential candidates expressed desire for peaceful relations with Beijing, which has described the January 13 elections on the self-ruled island as a choice between war and peace and stepped up harassment of the territory it claims as its own.

Lai Ching-te, the front-runner and currently Taiwan's vice president from the ruling Democratic Peoples Party, said in a televised debate Saturday that he was open to communicating with the government in Beijing, which has refused to talk with him or President Tsai Ing-wen.

Beijing favors the candidate from the more China-friendly Nationalist, or Kuomintang, Party and has criticized Lai and Tsai as separatists, accusing them of trying to provoke a Chinese attack on Taiwan.

Taiwan split from China amid civil war in 1949, but Beijing continues to regard the island of 23 million with its high-tech economy as Chinese territory and has been steadily increasing its threat to achieve that goal, by military force if necessary.

Tensions with China have featured strongly in the presidential campaign.

China has also stepped up military pressure on the island by sending military jets and ships near it almost daily. Taiwans Defense Ministry this month also reported Chinese balloons, which could be used for spying, flying in its vicinity.

Differences over Taiwan are a major flashpoint in U.S.-China relations. The United States is bound by law to provide Taiwan with the weapons it needs to defend itself.

Lai  who tops most opinion polls  promised to help strengthen Taiwans defense and economy if elected.

As long as there is equality and dignity on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, Taiwans door will always be open, he said during the debate. I am willing to conduct exchanges and cooperation with China to enhance the well-being of the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

The international community has realized the threat China poses to Taiwan and the international community, Lai said. In fact, everyone is already preparing to respond. We should  unite and cooperate to ensure peace.

Hou Yu-ih, the Kuomintang candidate, also said he sought peaceful relations with Beijing.

The Kuomintang previously endorsed unification with China but has shifted its stance in recent years as Taiwans electorate is increasingly identifying as Taiwanese  as opposed to Chinese  and wants to maintain the status quo in relations with Beijing.

Hou said he opposed Taiwans independence but also a potential unification under Chinas one country, two systems framework, which Beijing has used to govern Hong Kong, a former British colony that returned to China in 1997. Hou said he sought democracy and freedom for Taiwan.

The third candidate, Ko Wen-je, from the smaller Taiwan Peoples Party, referenced a quote by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken regarding U.S.-China relations, saying that Taiwan and China will cooperate if they can cooperate, compete if theres a need to compete, and confront each other if they must confront each other.

The people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are of the same race and have the same history, language, religion and culture, but at this stage, we have a different political system and way of life, Ko said. "Taiwan needs self-reliance, and both sides of the Taiwan Strait need peace.

We have to make it clear to the Chinese government that my bottom line is that Taiwan must maintain its current democratic and free political system and way of life, Ko said. Only if these conditions are met can we have [a] dialogue.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has approved an emergency weapons sale to Israel, the second one in a month, as Israel continues its war against Hamas in Gaza under growing international criticism.

Blinken's emergency determination covers a $147.5 million sale of equipment and bypasses the congressional review requirement for foreign military sales, the State Department said Friday. The equipment includes fuses, charges and primers necessary to make the 155 mm shells that Israel has already purchased, work.

"Given the urgency of Israel's defensive needs, the secretary notified Congress that he had exercised his delegated authority to determine an emergency existed necessitating the immediate approval of the transfer," the department said.

The State Department sought to counter criticism of the sale on human rights grounds by saying it was in constant touch with Israel to emphasize the importance of minimizing civilian casualties, which have soared since Israel began its response to the Hamas attacks in Israel on October 7.

Senators demand 'public explanation'

U.S. Senator Tim Kaine criticized the State Department's circumvention of Congress in approving a $147.5 million arms sale to Israel. Kaine, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, demanded a "public explanation of the rationale behind this decision."

"Congress should have full visibility over the weapons we transfer to any other nation," said a press release from Kaine's office on Saturday. "Unnecessarily bypassing Congress means keeping the American people in the dark."

Josh Paul, a former State Department arms expert who resigned in protest in October over the Biden administration's handling of the conflict in Israel and Gaza, told The Washington Post that Blinken's decision to rush the unguided munitions enables Israel to continue the type of operations in Gaza that have "led to so many Palestinian civilian deaths."

"This is shameful, craven, and should frankly turn the stomach of any decent human being," The Washington Post cites him as saying.

"The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to U.S. national interests to assist Israel to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability," the State Department said in a statement on Friday. "This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives."

The statement also said "we continue to strongly emphasize to the government of Israel that they must not only comply with international humanitarian law, but also take every feasible step to prevent harm to civilians."

'Hamas hides behind civilians'

On December 9, Secretary Blinken approved the first U.S. emergency weapons' sale to Israel of nearly 14,000 rounds of tank ammunition worth more than $106 million. Such emergency determinations bypassing Congress are rare but not unprecedented, when administrations see an urgent need for weapons to be delivered without waiting for lawmakers' approval.

"Hamas hides behind civilians and has embedded itself among the civilian population, but that does not lessen Israel's responsibility and strategic imperative to distinguish between civilians and Hamas terrorists as it conducts its military operations," the State Department said.

Blinken's emergency determinations have come as President Joe Biden's request for a nearly $106 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and other national security needs remains stalled in Congress, caught up in a debate over U.S. immigration policy and border security. Some Democratic lawmakers have spoken of making the proposed $14.3 billion in American assistance to its Mideast ally contingent on concrete steps by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to reduce civilian casualties in Gaza during the war with Hamas.

At least four administrations have used the authority since 1979. President George H.W. Bush's administration used it during the Gulf War to get arms quickly to Saudi Arabia.

Some material for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
A turbulent year in U.S. and China relations culminated in talks between the countrys two leaders on the sidelines of the APEC summit in San Francisco in November. There, Xi Jinping told President Joe Biden that Taiwan is the most sensitive issue in their bilateral ties. VOA State Department Bureau Chief Nike Ching reports on how the island factors into relations between the superpowers.
NAIROBI, KENYA 

Africa worked in 2023 to become a focus of global power and draw the attention of influential nations seeking to build political and economic relations with the 54 countries on the continent.

In the past 12 months, African leaders visited European Union headquarters in Brussels, as well as India, Russia, the United States, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. They also met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Africa to discuss Chinas Belt and Road Initiative infrastructure program, climate change financing, business and trade deals, global peace and security.

Professor Chacha Nyaigotti-Chacha, chairman of the Kenyan Commission for University Education and an expert in diplomacy and international relations, said that Africa is an important player in global affairs and that other countries want to engage with the continent.

They want to create strategies on how they can continue assuring the African states that they are friends of the Africans and, consequently, expecting that African countries will be able to continue relating with them amicably, Nyaigotti-Chacha said. They expect a lot of economic gains and political goodwill."

With conflicts such Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas war, political experts say international gatherings provide a means for some countries to seek Africas support.

Paul Melly, a consulting fellow with the Africa Program at research organization Chatham House in London, said Africa can be an influential voice in venues where countries vote on political and security issues, including the United Nations.

"There is a simple numerical fact in Africa, he said. Depending on how you count them, you are looking at 50 votes at the U.N. That's quite an arguing power.

Some other continents have many countries in them, he said, but one of the things that stands out for Africa is it's a continent where there is ... a culture of collective action.

That's quite a lot of votes, and quite a lot of political leverage," Melly said.

The tone other nations take is important when connecting with African leaders, he said.

You can have as many summits as you like, you can mobilize as many resources as you like, but ... if the tone is seen as not sufficiently respectful or [if they seem] unwilling to sit and listen to what African leaders have to say, you can sometimes find it doesn't work, Melly said.

Even as African nations reach out to the rest of the world, they will need to engage more among themselves to present a stronger image, Nyaigotti-Chacha said.

"They will remember the year 2023 as the year they have made so many interactions with other international and foreign countries, he said. "They will remember that and learn very fast to network within themselves in order ... to have one voice."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday Ukraine is fighting for its life after Russia launched an enormous attack across Ukraine.

In his daily address, Zelenskyy said the barrage involved nearly 160 missiles and drones, describing the assault as the heaviest attack by what he called human scum.

Zelenskyy said rescue operations are underway in the cities hit by the Russian attack.

We will respond to Russian terrorists for every strike. Terror never gains in playing against people, Zelenskyy said.

Russian drone strikes continued against cities in Ukraine Saturday. Ukrainian army officials reported 10 Iranian-made Shahed drones had been shot down across the Kherson, Khmelnytskyi and Mykolaiv regions.

Meanwhile, officials in Moscow said Saturday Russian air defenses shot down dozens of Ukrainian drones over Moscow, Bryansk, Oryol and Kursk regions. In a statement, the Defense Ministry reported a number of casualties, including a child.

The United Nations Security Council met Friday to address Russia's "most massive aerial attack" across Ukraine since the beginning of the war in February 2022, launching 122 missiles and dozens of drones, according to Ukrainian officials.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said earlier on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, that Ukraine and three dozen other U.N. member states requested the Security Council meeting after the attacks, "which resulted in multiple civilian casualties and heavy destruction of civilian infrastructure."

Russia's missile and drone strikes killed at least 31 civilians and injured more than 160 people. Authorities believe others are buried under the rubble and say the death toll will likely rise.

The British Defense Ministry said Saturday in its daily intelligence update on Ukraine that the daily number of Russian casualties per day in Ukraine, dead and alive, has risen by almost 300%, compared with last year. The increase in the number of casualties was reported to the British ministry by Ukraine.

The increase, the British ministry said, can be attributed to the degradation of Russias forces and its transition to a lower quality, high quantity mass army since the partial mobilization of reservists in September 2022.

It would "likely take Russia five to 10 years to rebuild its highly trained military units, the report said.

If casualties continue at the same rate, the British ministry said, Russia will have over half a million personnel killed and wounded by 2025, after three years of war.

In comparison, the Soviet Union suffered 70,000 casualties in the nine-year Soviet-Afghan War, the British ministry said.
This past year has been one of the most momentous years in Israels history, from the massive protests against the judicial overhaul to the Oct. 7 Hamas assault on Israel and the war in Gaza. For many Israelis and Palestinians, life will never be the same. Linda Gradstein reports. Camera:Ricki Rosen
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Rome bans firecrackers and bangers over New Year.

Rome has banned the use of firecrackers, bangers, rockets and other explosive material from 00.01 on 31 December 2023 until midnight on 6 January 2024.

Those who fail to comply with the New Year legislation, signed by the city's mayor Roberto Gualtieri, risk fines of up to 500.

The ban on petardi and botti, which covers the entire area of Rome, excludes the use of safer and less noisy fireworks.

The ban has been in place for a number of years in Rome over the New Year period but tends to be widely flouted.

The city says the order is in place for people's safety, particularly children, as well as to avoid negative effects on pets, air pollution and damage to the city's archaeological heritage.

The capital is set to hold its official fireworks display over the Circus Maximus as part of the Roma 2024. You are here free concert.
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Tips & adviceDrink trends Move over, Aperol Spritz. Theres a zesty new must-sip drink this summer After visiting Italy, Australian travellers have developed a thirst for limoncello, a lemon-flavoured liqueur that evokes good times. Katie Spain December 29, 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

The feelgood hit of summer is limoncello, and we have imaginative producers and mixologists to thank for the zesty boom. The lemon-flavoured liqueur is refreshing when served as a spritz, in cocktails, shots, or over ice, but the reason behind its increasing popularity runs deeper. For many consumers, its emotional. Cindy Tandinata enjoys a limoncello cocktail at Catalina in Rose Bay. Nikki Short A lot of Australians travel to Italy, where restaurateurs often give you a shot of limoncello at the end of the night, says Dom Cece, co-founder of Sydney producer Cello Liqueurs. Its a lovely gesture and a chance for a restaurant owner to say, Youve come here and supported us, so heres a thank you. When youre in that moment, its wonderful. Many holidaymakers chase those warm fuzzies after returning home. They want to re-live that moment, so they buy limoncello here, Cece says. Limoncello, occasionally spelt lemoncello in Australia, isnt a new beverage. Most Italians have enjoyed the liqueur for as long as they can remember.

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Limoncello can be used in drinks and desserts. iStock But an increasing number of Australians are making it commercially, including winemaker Rod Micallef of Zonzo Estate in Victorias Yarra Valley, who learnt the recipe from an old Italian friend. It was fun to peel the lemons while having a chat with him, Micallef says. Doing it the traditional way is pretty slow, but life is fast-paced so its good for the soul. Dom Cece has more than four generations of family recipes behind him. At his Smithfield factory and cellar door, he produces a range of 12 Cello liqueurs. His twists on the classic include Limecello and Passioncello (made with passionfruit). Of the 400-plus venues he supplies nationwide, Sydneys Catalina devotes an entire drinks menu page to spritz. The elderflower and limoncello spritz is the most popular, says Catalina bar manager Alessandro Cavaliere. We make it with elderflower liqueur, limoncello, lemon, prosecco and soda. Catalina bar manager Alessandro Cavaliere has devoted a page of the drinks list to limoncello-based cocktails. Nikki Short

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Cavaliere hails from Lake Como in northern Italy, where he grew up surrounded by limoncello. Its refreshing before lunch or dinner and is also a great digestif. You can have it at the start or end of a meal. Limoncello is most commonly associated with the town of Sorrento and the nearby island of Capri, near Naples in southern Italy. According to legend, monks sipped it between prayers during the Middle Ages, while peasants and fishermen have long been partial to a splash of the liqueur on a chilly morning. Authentic Italian limoncello is traditionally made from four ingredients: lemon skin (no juice, pith or flesh), water, alcohol and sugar. Its all about the zest and the essential oils that come with it. The flavour and colour come from thin slivers of lemon peel that steep in pure ethanol. Zonzo Estate founder Rod Micallef pours a glass of his limoncello. Joe Armao Friends, peers and customers encouraged Micallef to add limoncello to the product range at his Italian-inspired winery.

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A whopping 32,000 lemons sourced from the Yarra Valley town of Gruyere made their way into the first batch of Zonzo Limoncello. The farmer agreed not to spray for us, which is why we use them, Micallef says. We used close to 300,000 lemons this year, and as we peeled them I thought Why dont I do a limoncello spritz? We googled it and couldnt find anyone doing bottled or any pre-mixed limoncello. I believe our Zoncello limoncello spritz was the first in the world. The bubbly beverage can be consumed straight from the bottle, ideally in a large wine glass over ice, garnished with lemon and mint leaves. As the burgeoning trend continues, expect more producers to jump on board. Seek out those who use stellar ingredients and a whole lot of love and patience. We use real lemons and Australian sugar, Micallef says. Its not a chemically mixed drink. Its slowly handmade by our team, including my kids. Yarra Valley maker Zonzos spritz version, Zoncello, in a glass over ice. Joe Armao How to store limoncello

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Keep pure limoncello  but definitely not the spritz  in the freezer, where it will last indefinitely, even once opened. Cellos Dom Cece popped a bottle in the freezer 14 years ago when he started his business. He still samples it every year, and it hasnt changed.

If stored in the fridge, it will last about two-and-a-half years once opened. How to use limoncello Straight up, in a shot glass before or after dinner. Put the shot glasses in the freezer for extra chill. Down the hatch in one go or sip, it doesnt matter.

Straight, over ice.

As a spritz, the basic ingredients of which are limoncello, prosecco, soda and ice.

In cocktails. The Limoncello Sour, made with fresh lemon juice, an egg white and the lemon liqueur, is a popular choice.

The beverage can also be used in desserts such as tiramisu and poured over ice-cream. EASY Panna cotta with limoncello curd and berries for a crowd Recipe collection See off 2023 with proper spicy margaritas (and other delicious drinks)

The best recipes from Australia's leading chefs straight to your inbox. Sign up
A Byron Bay wedding celebrant who attempted to groom a mother online and had plans to abuse her 11-year-old daughter has been sentenced to more than two years in prison.

Adam David Andrew Magnus believed he had been messaging a 38-year-old woman about her daughter. He was making plans to abuse the child with the mothers help. However, as Magnus bragged of his secret life and that his wife had no idea he was a paedophile, he was unaware the person writing back was an undercover child abuse detective.

Adam Magnus used this image to promote his celebrant business and to groom a mother to abuse her 11-year-old child.

Court documents, obtained by the Herald, also reveal that the 53-year-olds technique of grooming families to get close to children is a common one employed by abusers.

Magnus portrayed himself online as a devoted family man, beekeeper and wedding celebrant who had helped celebrities and the wealthy tie the knot in the Byron hinterland.
If life turned out the way Misha Zelinsky once envisaged, the trained economist would be serving as a member of federal parliament right now.

In February 2022, Zelinsky was trying to parlay his experience as assistant national secretary of one of the nations most powerful unions, the Australian Workers Union, into preselection for the safe Labor seat of Cunningham on the NSW South Coast.

Misha Zelinsky with his book The Sun will Rise, a novel based on stories he heard while covering the war in Ukraine. Credit: Kate Geraghty

But his candidacy fell apart when a satirical female advice book he co-wrote 10 years earlier resurfaced and was blasted as demeaning to women. Just 10 days after dropping out of the race, Zelinsky popped up in The Australian Financial Review reporting from Kyiv.

Russian President Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine was still a few days away but Zelinskys Ukrainian heritage and Russian language skills helped him get a head start on much of the worlds media.
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) recently released a keenly anticipated position statement after some of its members raised concerns about how gender-affirming care was being delivered. The statement expressed caution, saying there was limited high-quality evidence to inform the provision or the withholding of medical interventions for gender affirmation of children and adolescents. Loading Referring to more conservative regimes now in place in some European countries, including England, the RANZCP also urged psychiatrists to explore a variety of treatment options, to exercise caution on the use of hormonal and surgical treatment [and] screening for potential coexisting conditions such as autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are diagnosed in young transgender people at a much higher rate than in the general community. The Australian Psychological Society is also revising its guidelines for gender-affirming care after practitioners raised concerns about its current position that affirming a childs chosen gender was essential to their  wellbeing. The society has not yet published its revised position.

Increased capacity Gender-affirming care starts from the premise that a childs statements about their gender identity should be taken seriously and acted upon. This can include social transition, where a child dresses and is referred to as a gender other than their biological sex. This can be followed by medical transition, which can involve puberty-blocking drugs for pubescent children, and as they get older, hormones  oestrogen and testosterone. The Royal Childrens Hospital has been a leader in the medical treatment of trans young people in Australia, and its guidelines for gender-affirming care are recognised internationally, but Nguyen argued at the suicides cluster inquest that, with waiting lists between 10 months and two years, its services needed considerable expansion. We wish that there was increased funding, increased service capacity and increased capacity  because for some young people  it can be provided within the community and it shouldnt happen necessarily at a tertiary city hospital, Nguyen told coroner Ingrid Giles. We would like there to be increased capacity in regional and rural communities as well.

The childrens hospital currently treats people aged eight to 16, administering puberty blockers from as early as age 11, potentially followed by cross-sex hormones. Nguyen said the hospital also worked with youth mental health organisation Orygen, through its Headspace clinics, to provide gender-affirming treatment to children from 12 years old after a large Victorian government grant in the 2021 budget. Loading State government figures show Orygen treated about 280 trans and gender diverse young people aged between 12 and 25 over the past 12 months. Headspaces executive director of clinical practice, Vikki Ryall, said in a statement she hoped governments would increase funding to continue to expand supports for transgender and gender diverse young people to live their best and most authentic lives. For children in out-of-home care, the state government said the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing helps children ... get the health and support services they need and that in some cases legislation allows the departments secretary or delegate to provide consent for medical services for a child. The way consent can be given depends on the childs individual circumstances and the nature of the order the child is under, the statement said.

Informed consent Training for GPs in gender-affirming care is performed by specialist LGBTQI health body Thorne Harbour Health, and in a series of training modules obtained by this masthead, doctors are encouraged to use an informed consent model of care, rather than the mental health model to assess the eligibility for gender treatment among people over 16 years. The informed consent model sees gender variance as a normal part of life and that general practitioners can direct care with no need for specialised psychological assessment before treatment. Transgender patients are prescribed hormones to help them transition. Thorne Harbours training module says GPs should look out for mental health factors which may impact informed consent, including low prevalence/high risk factors such as acute psychosis or dissociative identity disorder (previously known as multiple personality disorder). These do not exclude gender incongruence, but will change the process for [hormone] prescription, the course notes say.

As for patients with depression and anxiety, they should be given timely access to hormones and surgeries. Mental health should be stable (i.e. not in acute crisis) but remember peoples mental health may not ever be optimised until they can access [hormones], the notes say. Thorne Harbour director of services Carolyn Gillespie told the coroner recently that informed consent guidelines saw transgender medicine like any other decision around peoples health care, then that speeds up the whole process. Opponents argue that children and young people are unable to consent to treatment that will have life-long effects on their health, including their sexual health. A recent webinar for psychologists delivered by NSW-based clinical psychologist James Morandini, who convenes the Australian Psychological Society interest group delivering continuing professional development gender education to practitioners, said about 30 to 40 per cent of his clinics clients had autism spectrum disorder.

He said across the Western world, the cohort seeking treatment had also changed in recent years, with a large proportion being adolescents who were born female and had only recently begun saying they were transgender. Morandini conceded in the webinar that the new cohort was one for which we dont have any data, though, my gut feeling is that they respond to medical affirmation quite well. Loading He also pointed to shortcomings in data about those who regret their gender transitions. A commonly cited figure is that 1 per cent of people want to detransition from their new gender, but Morandini cited another study saying that about 30 per cent of adolescents discontinued hormones after starting. Morandini told his trainees that when were talking to parents about detransition  rates, were open with the uncertainties in this area. You need to frame that carefully so that youre not scaring parents away from a treatment thats going to really benefit their kids. But at the same time, you are giving them the information thats going to be relevant for them to make a decision and not sue you. And so this is the tightrope we walk.

Intransigent interpersonal issues The suicide cluster inquest was called after five trans people in Victoria, some of whom knew each other, took their own lives. All had mental health issues, including feelings of social isolation during Victorias long season of lockdowns, and all were taking gender-affirming hormones. Loading The inquest heard a summary of their cases but did not quiz their treating professionals, preferring to hear from family members, a panel of medical proponents of affirming care and a panel of transgender community advocates. At the hearing, Morandini gave evidence that studies showed patients enjoyed modest improvements in psychological functioning following gender-affirming hormone treatments  which is a bit stronger than you would see for most antidepressants. Its not clear over what time period the improvements were measured.

Professor Jeffrey Zajac, the chairman of medicine and director of the department of endocrinology at Austin Health, conceded that affirming care was not the only solution to many peoples problems. For one thing, for transgender women (people born male): The libido can be reduced and sometimes reduced to nothing, and this can be a major problem in some individuals  well in most individuals  but some of them worry about it more than others. Loading He said most of his patients were on antidepressants both before and after hormone therapy. If people come in with an established partner, 80 per cent of the time theyre not with that partner six months later, once they start the transition  despite the fact that the partner is supportive, it just doesnt seem to work. So thats a problem, Zajac told the coroner. Id say about 30 to 40 per cent are not speaking to their relatives, their parents and their siblings and, you know, just the hormones is not going to fix this. So on top of the other society problems, they often have these sorts of intransigent interpersonal issues  which I cant fix with hormones  and Im sure that some of those issues contribute to the suicide risk.

In the hearing, members of the expert panel said a broader political discussion around transgender medicine, including calls for an inquiry, meant that some individual clinicians were reluctant to offer gender-affirming care, particularly to those between 16 and 18. Others could no longer afford to bulk-bill transgender clients. The psychologists I use are gradually withdrawing from this field, Zajac said. I dont do [people as young as] 16, and my clinic gets at least one call a month from a desperate mother trying to find somewhere for her 16-year-old to do this and we just say, well ... we dont have any suggestions. Head of MDA National insurance company, Dr Michael Gannon. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen One problem, he said, was that medical indemnity insurers were making trouble. In July, MDA National, one of the biggest providers of medical indemnity insurance in the country, stopped covering practitioners who assess or treat people under 18 for gender reassignment. Its president, Dr Michael Gannon, said, We dont think we can accurately and fairly price the risk of regret.

Nguyen argued there was hostility within the medical profession to the vision of gender-affirming care, including among psychiatrists. Loading I know of GPs who have received vexatious AHPRA complaints just for working in the field. So what this means for trans people is that the access to care is limited, because practitioners feel at risk. It is not culturally safe for practitioners. Those sceptical of the affirming care model counter with their own stories, including that of child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr Jillian Spencer, who has been stood down for many months from her job in Brisbane after a complaint of transphobia was levelled against her. Nguyen anticipated more people would be coming to her publicly funded clinic as bulk-billing rates fell. Most of the Royal Childrens clients were of Anglo-Australian background of the middle to higher socioeconomic group, she said, but I would expect that we will then have more demand and increased waitlists. This is not something that will be ending soon.
On the eve of the grand opening of Zootopia, the latest addition to Shanghai Disneyland, Jared Bush, co-director and writer of the beloved animated feature "Zootopia," ventured into the whimsical landscape he helped create.

Disney executives greet guests on the opening day of Zootopia in Shanghai Disneyland, Dec. 20, 2023. [Photo courtesy of Shanghai Disney Resort]

"I found it very emotional," Bush confessed, reflecting on the journey from animated fantasy to tangible reality. "These are details that you can walk up, you can touch. So the level of care that must be taken in a land like that is extraordinary."

The iconic Zootopia skyline, described by Bush as "beyond my wildest imagination," sprawled before him. Officer Clawhauser, a much-loved character from the movie who has been brought to life via audio-animatronics technology, invoked an unexpected surge of emotion in the director. "I think the beautiful thing is you could probably go back to that park and find a hundred new things that are your favorite things every single time you go," Bush said. "I was just honestly utterly blown away by what the teams were able to do. It's spectacular."

On the morning of Dec. 20, Shanghai Disneyland was poised to welcome guests to the first-ever Zootopia-themed land. Guests and Disney enthusiasts, bedecked in Zootopia-inspired accessories, waited eagerly to discover what the mammalian metropolis had in store for them.

Guests arrive at Shanghai Disneyland's Zootopia on its opening day, Dec. 20, 2023. [Photo courtesy of Shanghai Disney Resort]

Roger Gould, creative director of Walt Disney Animation Studios' Creative Legacy and Pixar Animation Studios' Theme Park teams, believes that the exciting thing about this project is that everyone working on it brought their own passion and excitement because they love the world so much. "They really wanted to do it justice and make sure that their contribution lived up to the quality and the love that our audience here has for this movie," he said.

The creative director explained that nearly a hundred artists, many of whom worked on the movie, created the original animation for the Zootopia: Hot Pursuit attraction and the theme park, where a sense of familiarity arose as they worked with characters who were like old friends.

Jared Bush also praised the collaborative process and creative colleagues in creating their films and expressed excitement about the new ideas introduced to the park. He was particularly enthused by the new elements specially crafted for the theme park, expanding a familiar world with endless possibilities. He even revealed the exciting news that things he'd seen in the park were to be Easter eggs in the "Zootopia" movie sequel they're currently working on.

The decision to bring Zootopia to life in Shanghai stemmed from the film's huge success in China. The 2016 blockbuster remains the highest-grossing foreign animated feature in the country. Jill Estorino, president and managing director of Disney Parks International, reflected on the pivotal moment of the narrative shift.

A Chinese poster of the 2016 animated film "Zootopia." [Image courtesy of Walt Disney Animation Studios]

Estorino, who previously lived in Shanghai and referred to herself as a "Shanghai girl," shared that in 2019 when she was the executive vice president of Global Marketing and Sales for Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, they were considering several choices for the story they were going to bring to Shanghai Disneyland, and the original idea was based on Mickey and Minnie.

"But when we saw how popular the Zootopia film was, how much heart and meaning it had to the Chinese people, we quickly changed our minds, and decided and created a very new concept for the land, which was based on the Zootopia," she said, adding that this is a good example of how Disney can pivot when they hear the consumers' needs or wants.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, it cast an evening glow over the Zootopia skyline. "I love how Zootopia is different at night than it is during the day. And there are very few lands at a Disney theme park that transform in that way," Estorino marveled, underlining the immersive experience that awaits visitors.

Guests line up to experience the Zootopia: Hot Pursuit attraction under Chief Bogo's watch at Zootopia land in Shanghai Disneyland, Dec. 20, 2023. [Photo courtesy of Shanghai Disney Resort]

For Josh D'Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences who has worked for Disney for more than 25 years, the Zootopia land is a testament to the company's constant innovation. "When I walked into Zootopia for the first time, I stopped and took a deep breath because there's so much detail, there's so much color," he said. With over 70 years of theme park construction experience from the Disney empire, D'Amaro emphasized Shanghai Disney Resort's unique position as a canvas for the newest and most experimental ideas.

The executive also pointed out that the Shanghai resort is on a grander scale in many perspectives than anything they have done before. "When I come here to visit this theme park, I look out at the castle and it is the biggest, grandest castle that we have anywhere. Also, we get to do things like Zootopia, celebrate films that resonate so strongly in this part of the world, and we get to try new things like in Pirates of the Caribbean. It's the only place in the world that we do it, and I think it's spectacular."

The promise of more enchanting tales unfolding at Shanghai Disneyland echoed through D'Amaro's words. "We are going to do more things like Zootopia in the future," he said, foreseeing a continual evolution of the park into a major global tourist destination. Although no big announcements for more lands have yet been made, the third franchise hotel at Shanghai Disney Resort is already under construction.

The dynamic transformation of Shanghai into a multifaceted tourism destination was evident in Estorino's words. " If you look at the image of Shanghai as a tourism destination today, it is both for family and adults as well as fun, not just for business. And Shanghai Disney Resort has become a bit of the beacon for Shanghai as a city, for tourism."

Not only that, as Gould noted, when building the original Shanghai Disneyland in 2016 they needed to search across China for artists. But now, with the construction of Zootopia, they can have local Shanghai artists who have developed into experts after building the original Disneyland, applying their skills to this project. "So a lot of the work that was done to build this was done by our local Shanghai artists who really have achieved an extraordinary level of artistry. It was really exciting to see that," he said.

"Zootopia" characters Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps greet guests at Shanghai Disneyland, Dec. 20, 2023. [Photo courtesy of Shanghai Disney Resort]

In September, Disney executives revealed at an investor summit that it is developing plans to accelerate and expand investment in its Parks, Experiences and Products segment to nearly double capital expenditures over the next approximately 10 years to roughly $60 billion. This includes by expanding and enhancing domestic and international parks, as well as cruise line capacity.

"What this suggests is that there is a lot of confidence in Disney Experiences. We have a long history of being incredibly successful in all of our experiences around the world. And we believe that Disney Experiences is a growth engine for the company going forward," D'Amaro said. He emphasized that according to their calculations, for every theme park visitor they have across their global parks and experiences, there are 10 more who love Disney and are eager to engage with them, but have not yet had the chance. "That equals a lot of opportunity for us to continue to tell new stories to new guests in the world," he said.

With Shanghai Disney Resort as the epicenter of this growth, the stage is set for new stories, new guests and a continued celebration of the magic that transcends cultural boundaries.

"We have a lot more stories to tell. Zootopia is a perfect example of that," D'Amaro concluded. "Shanghai Disney Resort is a place that works in that regard. And we have the best cast members and Imagineers anywhere in the world."
Editor's note: The following is another installment in a series on the top Independent Record stories of 2023.

The Montana Club, once a shining gem of Helenas downtown corridor, struggled through much of 2023 trying to find its financial footing and regain some of its social prominence.

Founded in 1885 by 50 male attorneys, bankers, mining, livestock and timber magnates, politicians, transportation titans, wholesalers and self-described capitalists, the Montana Club was the longest continuously open private club between Minneapolis and Seattle until it reorganized as a cooperative association and opened to the public in June 2018. In 1915, women were invited to celebrate New Years and gender segregation was eventually phased out.

It offered a la carte dining, private dining, weddings, celebrations and business meetings.

The club, at 24 W. 6th Ave., has been entangled in financial problems, and in September voted to enter voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which it filed Nov. 1.

In early December it announced it will end regular dinner service as of Dec. 30, but said it will continue to operate as a venue for special events.

The posting tells people not to worry.

We are still the premier event space in Helena and we will continue to host special events in 2024, it states.

The cooperative has been sued by the Montana Club Building Condominium Owners Association  which owns portions of the 31,381-square-foot building  for nearly $500,000 in unpaid assessments and interest, which comes to about $700,000.

Those legal proceedings have been halted until the bankruptcy.

Cooperative shareholders have given their board the authorization to sell all assets of the club in order to stave off debt and to deal with a pending bankruptcy filing.

The shareholders have approved selling the Rathskeller in the basement for $600,000. The concessionaire could rent the liquor license from the club.

In June, the club was among 44 historic preservation projects to share more than $10 million in grants from the Department of Commerce.

It will receive $90,040 to be used to repair air conditioning on the sixth floor and second-floor dining room. And to increase access to restrooms.

The sixth floor of the club now serves as a meeting place on Thursday mornings for Hometown Helena, a grassroots citizens and civic group, which discusses issues of local interest.

Some hope The Montana Club will survive and have called it a community treasure.
If one were to pen a grand theory on the state of the world as 2023 draws to a welcome close, perhaps it would be entitled The End of Progress. The notion that things can only get better  the lyric from the British pop group D:Ream in the early 1990s and an intellectual lodestar since the Age of Enlightenment in the 17th and 18th centuries  has looked ever more shaky as the 21st century has gone on.

Pessimism, not progress, abounds. It is not just that everything feels out of kilter; the world seems to be spinning in reverse.

Illustration: Jim Pavlidis Credit:

This has been another regressive year. After the barbarism of Hamas on October 7 and the brutality of Israels response, the Israel-Palestinian question looks more intractable than ever. In Ukraine, the much-vaunted counteroffensive did not achieve the breakthroughs hoped for or required. The delay in agreeing on fresh US funding to Kyiv  a downside of the political chaos in Washington and a symptom as well of Western war fatigue  could tilt things decisively in favour of Vladimir Putins Russia. That could embolden Xi Jinpings ambitions towards Taiwan.

Twenty-five years ago, when the West was basking in the end-of-history theory that liberal democracy had forever triumphed, the idea that there would be lasting peace in the Middle East, based on a two-state solution, was a credible proposition. So, too, that Russia could become a Western partner. In China, political liberalisation looked like being the corollary of economic liberalisation.
As the year draws to a close, we at Carroll College are thankful for 2023 and for the support we receive from the Helena community and the great state of Montana.

This support benefits our students through internships, volunteer opportunities, employment for our graduates and, of course, donations and financial contributions for student scholarships and activities.

Next month, we will begin a statewide campaign to share stories and data that highlight Carroll Colleges distinction as Montanas No. 1 college. We are proud of our accomplishments and the positive impact they have on Helena and Montana.

No. 1 for four-year graduation rates: Carrolls four-year graduation rate is 59%, which eclipses that of any other public or private institution in Montana. It exceeds the highest public four-year graduation rate in Montana by 21.1%.

No. 1 for retention: Carrolls first to second year retention rate of 81% is also above any other public or private institution in Montana.

No. 1 in medical school placement: Carroll has sent 145 students to medical school in the past 10 years, with a 30-year average placement rate above 80% (the national average is 41%). We lead in Montana for acceptance rate among institutions averaging over 10 applicants per year.

No. 1 for nursing NCLEX Pass Rate: Carrolls three-year NCLEX-RN exam first-time pass rate is 97.2%, which is the highest of any public or private institution in Montana.

No. 1 for graduate lifetime earnings: According to a recent Georgetown University report, Carroll graduates have the highest lifetime earnings of any college in Montana.

Net importer of talent for Montana: Sixty percent of our enrolling students come from outside Montana, yet five years after graduation, 72% of our graduates are working in Montana.

As a regional Catholic liberal arts college, our students are able to demonstrate that they are critical thinkers and problem-solvers, while also possessing excellent communication skills. They are able to debate issues, demonstrate empathy, and they rapidly rise into leadership positions. A regional CEO recently told me that they would hire as many Carroll graduates as possible due to these attributes. Our students share a deep concern for the communities they live in and want to make this world a better place.

We are growing to better serve Montana

Over the past year, we have finished the reconstruction of our Corette Library and are set to dedicate the Simperman Learning Commons in March, which will showcase the most advanced academic library in Montana.

Last summer, we completely renovated our student dining services on campus and created a new and enhanced dining experience for our students. Student dining is now open daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Finally, we are building bridges with our local community by creating a beautiful open green space on the corner of Lyndale and Benton which removes all barriers between Carroll and the community to the west. In addition, our stadium project is projected to be completed by August 2024, which will transform Nelson Stadium into a nexus of college and community activities.

Our strategic planning process has yielded some exciting opportunities for the college which deepen the student experience, strengthen our academic profile, expand our reach, embrace our Catholic values and support our people. Carroll is committed to enhancing and growing our liberal arts foundation while honoring our Catholic heritage and traditions. We take pride in being a college that welcomes everyone with open arms!

No. 1 in clarifying changes to the FAFSA: Most families with college-bound children know the U.S. Department of Education has been developing a simplified FAFSA for students seeking financial aid. Carroll has taken the lead in Montana in offering virtual town hall sessions, mailers, and information to help parents and students prepare. For free public information about FAFSA changes, please visit www.carroll.edu/fafsa.

Coming in 2026  Carrolls Physician Assistant Program: Pending accreditation approval, Carroll will launch Montanas second Physician Assistant Program in 2026. This is a significant effort for the college and will help meet the needs of one of the fastest growing allied health occupations in America. Once the program is fully operational, it will have 102 students.

Currently, the demand for PA programs is so significant that only 20% of qualified applicants are accepted. We are developing a priority track specifically for undergraduate students on the pre-Physician Assistant pathway at Carroll. More to come.

As we welcome the new year, my wife Victoria and I will be lifting a glass not just to bid farewell to 2023, but also to celebrate the wonderful faculty and staff we have at Carroll.

In our toast, we will also express gratitude for the incredible support we receive from the Helena community and the state of Montana, as well as from our board of trustees, Bishop Austin Vetter, and the Catholic Diocese of Helena. Blessings to each of you for a wonderful and prosperous new year!

Go Saints!
At present, Im researching and writing a chapter for a book to be published in America this year (2024). The book is the third in a series entitled, Heroes. It seeks to identify men and women who can be considered unsung heroes of the Great Irish Famine.

I was invited to contribute 7,000 or so words on my heroes of the Famine because of my two books on that famine: Ocras, The Great Famine in Killala diocese, 1845-1852 (2021) and On Our Knees, Famine in the Parishes of Killala diocese, 1845-1852 (2022). Heroes, not saints, as the people who surfaced during the Great Famine and in retrospect qualify as heroes had their own idiosyncrasies and failings.

After my research on the Great Famine, I had no problem in identifying local heroes in KIllala diocese though I was surprised to discover that, in the main, they were comprised of clergy of the then Established Church or the Church of Ireland, as it became known after its disestablishment in 1871. The reason may be that, when history is written (or is understood) mainly through the prism of denominational bias, we can end up loyally cheer-leading our own side rather than giving credit where credit is due. For good reason, Bishop Thomas McDonnell used to forewarn historians that "to falsify history is an unpardonable sin".

I dedicated On Our Knees, my second book on the Famine, to Rev Francis Kincaid, a curate in Ballina and Rev James Burrows, rector in Castleconnor, both clergy of the Established Church and it can be said without any qualification that both, though their selfless dedication to feeding the hungry of all creeds and none, saved thousands of lives and both lost their own lives by contracting famine fever. Many have been sainted for less.

Kincaid, a native of Dublin, was appointed curate in Ballina in 1837 and died in 1847 at the age of 35. Respected and admired in equal measure by both Catholics and Protestants, Kincaid was an impressive presence in Ballina and its hinterland, through his founding of a loan society in 1838 which organised loans to the poor man, a category that included all creeds. In 1844, the society dispensed 1,940 loans  which suggests that, with Protestants numbering just 1,400 (or 14 per cent) out of a total population in Ballina parish of 10,000, Catholics benefited overwhelmingly.

When the Famine hit in 1845, Kincaid was in pole position to respond to the human tragedy that was about to unfold and with his friend, Fr Hugh Conway, the Catholic Administrator of the cathedral parish, they decided to set up the Ballina Relief Committee formed with representatives from across the religious divide. An indication of the success of the committee was that the week before Kincaid died, the managers of the soup kitchen informed a meeting of the Relief Committee that each day they were distributing 1,387 quarts of soup to 563 families. And on the day after Kincaid died, the Castlebar Telegraph reported that the Committee was distributing 3,427 gallons of soup every day to 1,309 people in Ballina and Ardnaree.

After Kincaids death, Conway described him as "decidedly the most charitable, the most benevolent and the most philanthropic man that ever I met". And to mark his death, an inter-church committee, including Kincaids friend, Hugh Conway, sought contributions towards a plaque in Kincaids memory which was erected in St Michaels Church, Ardnaree.

James Annesley Burrowes, a native of Longford, came to Killala diocese as private tutor to Bishop Josephs children, was appointed rector of Castleconnor and Kilglass in 1804. By 1847, Burrowes and his family were the sole providers of relief in Castleconnor and provided Indian meal for 80 families. Later, they were issuing nearly two tons of meal a week from the rectory in Killanley.

For Burrowes, providing relief derived not just from a religious obligation to feed the hungry but because as part of the Established Church he accepted a civic responsibility not just for his own parishioners but for all citizens.

After years of struggling mightily side by side with his wife, Catherine and their daughters, as much of the actual relief work fell to him and his family, Burrowes died of exhaustion and famine fever in 1849. A daughter, Helen, was also taken by the fever, two years before her father. She was 28. In recording his death, the Ballina Chronicle commented: "Seldom have we had to record the departure of one whose removal will be (more) regretted than that of the vicar of Killanley."

Other clergy of the Established Church whose relief extended beyond their own denomination included Archdeacon George Trulock, rector of Skreen. Trulock was regarded as a friend of the poor and was indefatigable in alleviating their sufferings during the Famine years. Having exhausted himself in his service of the distressed, Catholic and Protestant, he died suddenly in September 1847 from an apoplectic fit. He was aged just 55.

Francis Little, rector of Doonfeeney (Ballycastle), served for 32 years and was friendly with Martin Hart(e), the parish priest of Ballycastle, for 31 years. Littles wife, Jane, helped out in the soup kitchen in St Johns School in Ballycastle as a result of which she contracted the fever and died on March 20, 1848. Another was Henry Knox, a curate in Moygownagh/Kilfian, who with his wife, Fanny, ran an effective soup kitchen in Fahy, where they were at one point spending 200 from their own resources to feed 200 families as well as an estimated 300 beggars who arrived every day at the family home.

In understanding the context of the time  especially the official effort of the Established Church to convert Catholics to Protestantism, a campaign that was particularly vigorous in Erris and generally caused huge resentment among Catholics  Protestant clergy, in general though not all, made a significant contribution in sustaining the Catholic population in the diocese of Killala during the Great Hunger.

It was not, in the words of famine historian, Donal A. Kerr, "an ecumenical age".
There was a full house on December 17 for the annual Christmas market in Brickens Community Centre in aid of the local Meals on Wheels service. Among the stallholders was local cheese firm Velvet Cloud, which produces one of its popular cheddars with milk from the Waldron herd in Cloonbook. The company was showcasing its new sheep milk soap as well as its popular cheese and yoghurt range.

Also present was Logboy potter Chris Ganley and Bekan-based Margaret Mary McGrath showcasing her quality knitwear. Richard Morley, who was selling his Bekan Honey, explained how his various hives are active even in winter, when the milder days allow the bees to forage from heather and ivy.

Richard is also a member of Ballyhaunis Beekeepers Association which had a stall at the recent Ballyhaunis Christmas market. Present also at the market was Marie Kilcullen of Holistic Therapies in Claremorris whos originally from Moate near Ballyhaunis.

Operated under Brickens, Logboy, Tulrahan Housing Association Co and located at the Lohan Park Group Home, the Brickens Meals on Wheels service has to regularly raise funds to match the grants it receives from the Health Service Executive and Department of Social Protection. The service is also supported by Mayo South West Development Co. The service can be contacted at brickesnhousing@gmail.com.

Only one dumping fine issued in 2023

News that CCTV cameras are set to be reintroduced by litter wardens in 2024 under a new national legal framework will be welcome given that only one litter fine was issued in Ballyhaunis this year, according to Mayo County Council.

A fall in the number of fines in 2023 (similarly one fine was issued in the first 11 months of 2021 and 2022) was down to a number of factors, the Council told this column.

There was no litter warden covering Ballyhaunis for a number of months in 2023 [due to illness]. Also, its increasingly rare for names and addresses to be left with dumped items.

The council pointed out that it (and other local authorities) is hampered by a prohibition on using CCTV in dumping cases. That restriction is set to be remedied shortly, however, with the enactment of a new code regulating the use of CCTV by local authorities after the use of cameras was legislated for earlier this year in the Governments new Circular Economy Bill.

Council litter wardens have previously issued large numbers of fines for illegal dumping and littering in the Ballyhaunis area, including in blackspots like the town bottle banks. Under the Waste Management Act, those found illegally throwing can get an on-the-spot fine of 150, or a maximum fine of 4,000 if convicted in the District Court. Local authority litter wardens and the Gardai can issue on-the-spot fines.

Manpower has long been an issue in combatting illegal dumping: a single litter warden who covers the Claremorris/Swinford Municipal District Area also doubles as a traffic warden in two towns.

Landlords not taking HAP

Some asylum seekers who have received their status and want to remain in Ireland are struggling to find accommodation in Ballyhaunis, according to the pastor of a church with a large following in the local African community.

Accommodation is difficult, many landlords dont want to take Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) some who get their residence permits move to other counties, some want to move to the city, some want to live near a college, explained Pastor Emmanuel Olanrewaju who leads the Word of Life Parish in Ballyhaunis.

The pastor celebrated Christmas with nearly 50 worshippers who gathered on December 24th for prayer, song and a buffet at the World of Life, a Protestant evangelical church with a premises rented at Ballyhaunis Enterprise Centre.

This year we had a service followed by a lovely feast where everyone brought different kinds of food, explained the pastor, who drives from Mullingar each Sunday to preach.

Pastor Olanrewaju has seen his congregation fluctuate in size as asylum seekers come and go from the local direct provision or international protection centre based in the former convent school in Ballyhaunis. Originally from Nigeria, the pastor ministers to a local community of his country people, some of whom work as carers locally. Nigeria was the source of the largest number of asylum applications in Ireland in the first five months of 2023.

A local Ballyhaunis man meanwhile has also joined the Word of Life, said Olanrewaju.

He comes to Sunday worship every once in a while, but we also see him regularly on our prayer line.

Thats a reference to the online prayer service the pastor leads each morning between five and six oclock, as well as a half-hour nightly service from nine oclock.

The Word of Life is one of three evangelical Protestant churches in Ballyhaunis  the other two being Brazilian and a church, also called the Word of Life, serving the local Slovakian Roma community.

Withdrawal of services contributed to business closure

The closure of Claire Fontayne, a long-established clothing business on Bridge Street, is down to family reasons rather than poor trading conditions, the owners have told this column.

The announcement that the shop, trading in Ballyhaunis since 1996, would close early in the New Year drew an outpouring of good wishes on the outlets social media page.

The main reason is family: my daughter got married two years ago and my son married in February so now its only my wife and me, explained Amar Sattar who also runs a store in Roscommon town. To make it easier we decided to keep just one place going. Apart from that the business is going well.

It was a difficult decision as to which of the two stores would be closed, explained Amar, though he adds that changes in the banking and commercial configuration of smaller rural towns played a part in the decision making.

Businesses like ours in small rural towns are family run, its the only way they can survive as they couldnt hire staff. Nowadays no one is taking risk and there isnt any new generation of independent businesses opening.

To underscore his point, Amar notes when his store opened in 1996 there were six or seven womens clothes shops in Ballyhaunis.

A removal of services has taken shoppers from Ballyhaunis streets, said Amar who points to the disappearance of local banking.

There were five banks in Ballyhaunis when we opened in 1996... EBS, TSB, Bank of Ireland, Ulster Bank and AIB. When I speak to elderly people and speak to people over the counter they are not used to online banking. My dad still prefers to walk into a bank.

Similarly, the moving of post offices off the Main Street into local supermarkets has reduced footfall on town streets, Amar believes. The Ballyhaunis post office was previously located a few doors down from the Claire Fontayne store.

The country woman would go to the post office every week and then visit the hardware shop across the road, the butchers and then shed visit us. By taking the post office away from the Main Street you take the footfall away.

The post office closure took much activity from Bridge Street but the store continued to retain its popularity with a loyal customer base to which it catered, with some of its customers visiting the store since it opened.

Customers come to us because we cater for mature ladies, for the average country woman, explained Amar.

I was born and bred in Ireland, said Amar, who explained how his father Abdul Sattar first came to the West of Ireland in the late 1960s, before the arrival of Pakistani industrialist Mohammed Sher Rafiq who contributed much to the prosperity of Ballyhaunis.

Abdul and his wife Sugharn drove a Volkswagen van from England in 1977 and started selling UK-sourced clothes at fair days and street markets across the West of Ireland. It was a new concept, selling new clothes from a street stall. But the success led the family to open their first shop in Tuam in 1981 before they moved to Castlerea in 1989 and opened the Ballyhaunis store - which was called Fashion Spot when it first opened  in 1996.

The clothes trade was a family affair, with no hired staff.

"We were two brothers, two sisters and our parents so there were six of us running the two stores," said Amar.

After completing his Leaving Cert in 1996, Amar went straight into the family business.

Now aged 45, Amar plans to continue his wholesale business, bringing in blouses and tops from contract suppliers in Eastern Europe. Hes also keen to continue building an online business.

As to what happens to the building on Bridge Street  a building which previously housed Hannons family business - Amar Sattar says we are under no pressure as we own the building, we will see in the New Year".

"There are a few different options. We could rent it to another shopkeeper or we will maybe convert it to apartments.
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.
READING, Pa. - All across Berks County people are getting ready to welcome the start of a brand new year with all kinds of festivities. As we say goodbye to 2023 and hello to 2024, people all around the world are ringing in the new year this weekend.

"We would do New Year's at 6 p.m. here, like the Germans would be celebrating six hours ahead of us at midnight in Germany," said Cherylene Shollengerber, organizer of the New Year's Eve event at Reading Liederkranz.

The Reading Liederkranz is hosting its New Year's Eve event a little earlier this year from 3 to 7 p.m., all while introducing a unique twist on the ball drop.

"We're changing that ball. We're going to call it the pretzel drop," Shollengerber continued.

Organizers say a German buffet will be served and guests can enjoy an early afternoon full of dancing and drinking.

"Having a late night party. Maybe that's for the very young anymore," said Shollengerber. "Our age base here is a bit older than most clubs."

Down the road at the Reading Public Museum a late-night party is also not in the plans.

"Not all the kids can stay up till midnight. It's a fun way for them to celebrate with their families a little bit earlier in the day," said Becky Ruth, coordinator of educational events and educational outreach for the Reading Public Museum.

The museum's annual Noon Year's Eve is split across the campus starting at 9 a.m. Families have a chance to see new exhibits while enjoying games and snacks. The morning will end with a special ball drop.

"We count down from 10 and when we drop all the balloons, usually they end up getting past kids trying to take home as many as they can in their arms," continued Ruth. "It's always a good time."
DECATUR  Every artist has his own way of creating. For Tristan Rice, it's to make (songs) up out of midair.

I literally don't write, Rice said from his Los Angeles home. I make it up, freestyle. I have forgotten so many songs making them up out of midair.

He has since learned to record himself doing that so the lyrics are preserved, and prefers to work in a studio with professional equipment when he's writing that way.

Rice, a Decatur native, has just signed a contract with Warner Music Group and said he is already working on writing songs for Demi Lovato's next album. He uses his real name for the most part, but is also known in the Los Angeles music scene as Plaquey Chan.

He'll be recording his own work as well as writing for other artists and while his main genre is hip-hop, he's worked in other genres as well.

One of his dreams is to work with fellow Decatur native Alison Krauss. She has won 27 Grammy Awards, and Rice was nominated for his work with Chris Brown.

It would be so dope to get into the studio together, two artists from the same city, Rice said.

Rice credits his late brother, DeMarkus Rice, who died in a car accident in 2012, for teaching him many of the skills he needed to make a go of the music business. He's also grateful to Main Street Church of the Living God's Youth With a Positive Direction program. In addition to his work in music, he's a professional photographer, and the church gave him the chance to develop that talent as well as his musical skills.

That's where I started, he said. Now I have taken those tools from them. They started a music studio, and that's the first place I was recording. I'm super grateful to them. They helped me so much.

Margaret Walker, founder of Youth With a Positive Direction, remembers that Rice was a latchkey kid, whose mom worked, so he spent a lot of time at the church as a youngster. The studio was called Music Take Out. Rice, she said, was instrumental in getting it off the ground.

He would always come home for Christmas and sing in the church choir, Walker said.

Rice said he didn't make it home this year because travel was too complicated for the time he had available due to work commitments.

The need for a place to work when he's home for a visit led to the establishment of Suite 704 with longtime friend Bennie Smith. The men were both in the Main Street Church youth program together and began making music together then. Smith became a real estate developer and had decided to give up music when Rice, home for a visit, complained he had nowhere to work.

Smith had just bought the warehouse that became Suite 704.

"I said, tell me everything you have in L.A. and what the big studios have in L.A. I'm going to create a studio so you don't have to worry about where we're going to record," Smith said. "I was going to do a regular recording studio, but it has snowballed."

Suite 704 is now a video/photography/recording studio, and it's all because of that conversation, Smith said. He was first drawn to Rice when they were kids due to Rice's talent, which he still marvels at.

"I can just put on a beat, and he can just make up a song," Smith said.

Rice hopes to work with Decatur youth and offer mentoring to young artists on the way up, and Walker said he will be involved in a project Main Street Church is working on to create an arts center for youth that will offer visual arts, dance, music and theater programs.

Rice's family still lives in Decatur, including his children, Keelan, 12, and Jazleigh, 8.

Rice also credits his mom, Verkeitha Rice, for being supportive all his life.

She's actually the coordinator for Meals on Wheels, Rice said. Last year I did Meals on Wheels with my mom for Thanksgiving. She's been doing it ever since I can remember. She has always believed in everything I've done and I'm grateful for my mom.

And while Rice is finally tasting the success he dreamed of as a youth in Decatur, getting to this point wasn't easy. Rice, now 33, arrived in Los Angeles at age 24 with $125 in his pocket. In 2019, he was homeless because rents are so high there, but thanks to his photography skills, he talked his way into a recording session where Chris Brown was working.

I used my camera to get into the recording session and I was able to take pictures in the session, Rice said. I just randomly started asking if I could go inside the booth and do something to the beat they had, and they told me they wanted the song for the 'Indigo' album. I'm now on my third album (he also worked on 'Breezy') with Chris Brown.

That latest album, 11:11, debuted at No. 1 on the R&B chart on Nov. 25 and features two songs by Rice, Views and Moonlight.
HAMBURG, Pa.  Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) say a trooper was stabbed while serving a warrant early Saturday morning in Berks County.

Police say two troopers from PSP-Hamburg were dispatched to the 200 block of Bachmoll Road at 8:42 a.m. to serve a psychiatric placement warrant on a 27-year-old man.

Police said that, during their interaction with the man, one of the troopers was stabbed numerous times in the leg.

According to police, the trooper was taken by ambulance to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest with non-life threatening injuries.

The man was taken into custody and transported to Penn State-Saint Josephs Hospital for a psychiatric evaluation. Following the evaluation, police said he was then taken into custody and transported to PSP-Hamburg.

Charges against the man are pending.

This is a developing story and will be updated.
CHESTNUTHILL TWP., Pa. -- One year ago, police gathered near a home in Monroe County, getting ready to make their move and arrest a suspected killer. A few hours later, Bryan Kohberger was in custody. Kohberger, a grad student out west, was wanted in Idaho, accused in the killings of four college students.

The killings, and Kohberger's pending trial, dominated headlines throughout 2023. In that time, 69 News has worked to follow the updates from Pennsylvania's perspective.

Saturday marks one year since Bryan Kohberger was arrested in the Poconos.

"I can't believe it," one neighbor said that day.

"That's crazy," added Jacob Moscater, another neighbor.

"I'm shaking right now," said Courtney Kaminski, who also lived nearby.

The Indian Mountain Lake development was surveilled, then stunned.

"People are shocked to come home and find out that the FBI, State Police and Idaho law enforcement all descended on their usually quiet community," 69 News Reporter Priscilla Liguori said in a report that day.

Idaho college students Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin were stabbed to death nearly seven weeks prior.

No one could predict the quest to catch their killer would take law enforcement 2,500 miles away to Chestnuthill Township, not even the public defender assigned to represent the number-one suspect.

"I actually hung up on my office one time because I did not believe they were telling me the truth," said Jason LaBar, the public defender assigned to represent Kohberger.

They were, and soon, LaBar would release the only statement we've heard from Kohberger's family, promoting his presumption of innocence and praying for victims' loved ones.

Next came the packed extradition hearing at the Monroe County Courthouse.

"Surrounding that was a sea of journalists," said Mike Mancuso, the first assistant district attorney and the district attorney-elect in Monroe County. "I've never seen so many before camped out in the circle of the courthouse square."

Looking back now, Mancuso remembers everyone wanted to know everything, yet investigators could share so little. He had to keep all the grisly details he learned to prepare the warrants top secret.

In the meantime, 69 News started putting the pieces together, introducing you to those who grew up with Kohberger in the Pleasant Valley School District.

"He didn't really have a lot of people to hang out with," said Rich Pasqua, who went to school with Kohberger.

"He was bullied a lot for his weight, the way he dressed," said another former classmate named Cody.

That was the theme we also heard from those who knew Kohberger from Northampton Community College and DeSales University.

"Here's the science project," DeSales classmate Josh Ferraro said in a TikTok video. "This was a picture I took."

While the crimes happened in Idaho, Kohberger had been living in Washington state.

"Totally jarring, totally shocking," said Hayden Stinchfield, a Washington student who says Kohberger was his teacher's assistant in criminology class. "He seemed preoccupied."

"The trauma is widespread," said Edwina Elcox, a criminal defense attorney based in Boise, Idaho.

Attorneys broke down how the differences in each state's law impact the case.

"For the court to determine which evidence it's going to allow," said Scott Wilhelm, a managing partner at Winegar, Wilhelm, Glynn & Roemersma.

"It is a defendant's right in Idaho to have a jury trial within six months," said Dave Leroy, a criminal defense attorney and the former Idaho attorney general and lieutenant governor.

The co-director of the Idaho Innocence Project and a world-renowned genealogist, Greg Hampikian, accurately predicted early on that DNA evidence would be challenged.

"The great strength in DNA is identification," said Hampikian. "The great weakness in DNA is telling us how it got somewhere."

Criminal justice experts analyzed court documents each time they were released.

"Items like hairs, fibers, blood evidence, blood transfers," said Brad Maskell, a retired Idaho major crimes detective sergeant.

The gag order on the case still prevents anyone directly involved from talking about it, with hopes of keeping a potential jury unbiased.

"In the end, they may not remember where they got a certain piece of information," said Carole Lieberman, a forensic psychiatrist and a trial expert witness following the case.

A judge entered a not guilty plea on Kohberger's behalf and denied efforts to toss out the indictment.

We've still only heard a couple of words from the defendant himself, as he's appeared in court a handful of times.

"Yes, I do," Kohberger said in court at his arraignment.

When he waived his right to a speedy trial, it indefinitely delayed the release of more information.

"This is horrendous conduct, so your natural instinct is to wonder," said Northampton County District Attorney Terry Houck.

Did Kohberger commit any crimes in Pennsylvania?

69 News talked with every agency he would have crossed paths with, all basically telling us they didn't find any connection to him or any open cases with a similar MO.

Now for the first time, we're hearing from the last agency we've been pressing to get these answers: the district attorney's office in Monroe County, where Kohberger spent most of his life.

"An intensive background investigation into Mr. Kohberger and his activities in Pennsylvania was undertaken through various means, and information that was gathered was given to the authorities in Idaho as part of their ongoing prosecution," said Mancuso.

The office continues to work with Idaho authorities.

"Are you able to say if he's a suspect in any cases here in Pennsylvania?" asked 69 News Reporter Priscilla Liguori.

"No, I'm not at liberty to say that, one way or the other," said Mancuso.

The victims' loved ones work to keep their legacies alive, through efforts like Ethan's Smile Foundation.

There's no word yet on when the trial will begin.

Kohberger remains locked up out west, while the Indian Mountain Lake development is once again calm.

69 News showed you images of the home where the students were killed being demolished on Thursday. The former owner of the rental property gave the house to the University of Idaho. College administrators made the decision to raze the place over winter break, when few students are around.

Some of the victims' family members are opposed to demolishing the home.

Prosecutors and defense lawyers were given access to the home earlier this year.

Prosecutors have asked the judge to hold Kohberger's murder trial in the summer, when schools are again on break.
LAS VEGAS (AP)  A rifle stolen from a Las Vegas gun show was among the weapons used by a man who shot and killed his mother in the desert near his childhood home two days after Christmas, setting off a violent high-speed police chase as he carjacked bystanders and fired at officers, authorities said.

The pre-dawn rampage left three people dead: The suspect; his 58-year-old mother; and a bystander, a father of seven, who was on his way to work when he unknowingly entered the suspect's path.

At a news conference Friday, Clark County Assistant Sheriff Yasenia Yatomi played dramatic video showing a pursuit that reached speeds up to 104 mph (167 kph) and provided photos of evidence collected by investigators that suggests the suspect could have been planning for a large-scale attack. The evidence included a notebook with a hand-drawn diagram "of a potential ambush situation," a stockpile of items that could be used to build firearm silencers and explosive devices, more firearms and loaded magazines, and documents outlining how law enforcement agencies respond to mass casualty incidents.

Yatomi said the evidence, though abundant, leaves questions unanswered.

We do not know if the suspect was attempting to build an improvised explosive device," she said. "With the materials we found in his homes, we do not know why the suspect started shooting.

The suspect was identified as 36-year-old Justin Davidson. According to Yatomi, he had a lengthy criminal history dating to 2009, including arrests on drug and weapons charges.

Yatomi said Davidson had been wearing camouflage clothing and a tactical vest while armed with a stolen AR rifle and an AK-47-style rifle with an obliterated serial number.

The rampage began before dawn Wednesday, when officers were called to investigate reports of gunfire coming from the desert near Davidson's childhood home in southeastern Las Vegas. Yatomi said the suspect's parents were woken up by the gunshots and, believing their son was firing rounds in the desert, drove there to look for him.

We do not know why his parents immediately went to that area upon hearing gunfire, Yatomi said.

According to police, Davidson opened fire on his parents just as officers arrived, killing his mother, Liza Leveille-Davidson.

Yatomi said the suspect then fired at officers, and as they ran for cover, Davidson shot out the windows of a police cruiser. He sped away toward the southwestern edge of the city.

Security footage played during the news conference showed Davidson carjacking bystanders at gunpoint at two different gas stations during the pursuit. Yatomi said a Las Vegas police officer fired nine rounds at the suspect during the first carjacking, striking him at least once.

After the second carjacking, Nevada State Police troopers joined the chase.

That's when the suspect encountered a white van pulling over to make room for the emergency vehicles. In an attempt to evade the growing number of officers chasing him, police said, the suspect shot the driver multiple times.

Police dashcam video showed the suspect pushing the victim's motionless body out of the van and running him over as he raced off, stirring up a cloud of dust.

Karen Lopez said her husband, 39-year-old Gerardo Jerry Lopez-Martinez, had just left for work as a driver for a medical linen supply company and was minutes away from their home when he was killed. Lopez-Martinez was a father to seven children between the ages of 3 and 11, six of whom were adopted.

With Davidson behind the wheel of Lopez-Martinez's van, Yatomi said officers fired 53 rounds at the vehicle, striking the suspect multiple times.

The van came to a stop a short time later. SWAT officers approached the van and discovered the suspect was dead.

Had Davidson survived, Yatamoi said he would have faced a slew of charges, including two counts of murder, assault on a police officer, grand larceny and unlawful possession of a firearm.

Yatomi said detectives combed the desert area where the suspect started firing off shots. They found loaded magazines of various calibers in multiple locations, but investigators don't yet know if the ammunition was left behind when the police chase began or if the suspect had been hiding them in the desert for some time.

Police have more locations to search as part of their investigation, but for now, Yatomi said, We've painted a picture and I've showed you evidence of a story that should be very disturbing."

This story has been updated to correct the spelling of the assistant sheriff's first name to Yasenia, not Yesenia.
CHARLESTON  Two men with local ties plan to open their Mexology Tex-Mex restaurant early in the New Year in the former El Rancherito building.

Co-owner Daryl Bloxom, a Mattoon native who now lives in Shelbyville, regularly drives by this building at 819 W. Lincoln Ave. en route to his Westfield Pub in Clark County and he saw an opportunity to revitalize the vacant space there, at the west entrance to Charleston on Illinois Route 16.

His Mexology business partner, Victor Moria of Pana, worked at the Charleston El Rancherito when he was a teenager and is eager to operate a restaurant of his own there.

"There was good business in here," Moria said of his memories of El Rancherito. "We are excited to get this place running in Charleston."

In addition, Bloxom said they are excited to be part of other recent economic development in Charleston, including the opening of the neighboring Davis-Houk Mechanical (DHM) Inc. branch location this summer.

Bloxom, who also has owned Mucks Place bar and grill in Pana for six years, said they tentatively plan to open by early to mid-January but will keep the community updated via the Mexology Tex-Mex page on Facebook. The restaurant's phone number will be 217-345-0305.

The reopening of the El Rancherito building, which has been closed for about a year and a half, follows the two entrepreneurs renovating the kitchen and other areas there during the last few months.

"Everything is pretty much brand new in this place," Moria said during a recent interview in the dining room at Mexology.

Bloxom, whose Westfield Pub opened more than a year ago, said the Mexology name represents a blending of the American-style food that he has experience serving at his other two businesses and the Mexican-style food that was the focus of Moria's time at El Rancherito.

The new restaurant's Mexican menu will offer chicken cheese and rice platters, fajitas, burritos, tacos, chimichangas, salads, nachos and salsa, margaritas and much more.

"It's kind of like a little bit of everything," Moria said of the two menus.

Bloxom said the American menu will feature items such as pepper jack cheese cubes and other appetizers, burgers, chicken bacon ranch sandwiches, tenderloins, ribeyes and steaks, with the goal of being distinct from his other establishments.

"Every place we open needs to have a variety. It's going to have a variety of Mexican food and American food," Bloxom said, adding that they plan to partner with a local delivery service for getting this food to their customers.

Bloxom said a variety of both cuisines will be represented together in a buffet that they plan to eventually offer on Sundays at Mexology, which will be open 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday each week.
Focused Investors LLC lessened its holdings in shares of CVS Health Co. (NYSE:CVS  Free Report) by 1.6% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 1,155,850 shares of the pharmacy operators stock after selling 18,200 shares during the period. CVS Health comprises approximately 2.9% of Focused Investors LLCs holdings, making the stock its 19th largest holding. Focused Investors LLC owned about 0.09% of CVS Health worth $80,701,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Lane Generational LLC increased its stake in shares of CVS Health by 0.3% during the third quarter. Lane Generational LLC now owns 54,391 shares of the pharmacy operators stock valued at $3,798,000 after buying an additional 150 shares during the period. Ballentine Partners LLC boosted its holdings in CVS Health by 78.5% in the third quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC now owns 15,305 shares of the pharmacy operators stock valued at $1,069,000 after acquiring an additional 6,733 shares in the last quarter. Connecticut Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in CVS Health by 34.6% in the 3rd quarter. Connecticut Wealth Management LLC now owns 8,843 shares of the pharmacy operators stock worth $617,000 after purchasing an additional 2,272 shares in the last quarter. CKW Financial Group lifted its position in shares of CVS Health by 131.7% in the 3rd quarter. CKW Financial Group now owns 1,506 shares of the pharmacy operators stock worth $105,000 after purchasing an additional 856 shares during the period. Finally, Patriot Financial Group Insurance Agency LLC boosted its stake in shares of CVS Health by 1.7% during the 3rd quarter. Patriot Financial Group Insurance Agency LLC now owns 15,671 shares of the pharmacy operators stock valued at $1,094,000 after purchasing an additional 257 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 75.99% of the companys stock.

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CVS Health Trading Up 0.2 %

NYSE:CVS opened at $78.97 on Friday. CVS Health Co. has a one year low of $64.41 and a one year high of $93.75. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $71.26 and a 200-day moving average price of $70.76. The firm has a market capitalization of $101.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.91, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.17 and a beta of 0.54. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 0.86 and a quick ratio of 0.64.

CVS Health Increases Dividend

CVS Health ( NYSE:CVS Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 1st. The pharmacy operator reported $2.21 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.13 by $0.08. The firm had revenue of $89.76 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $88.29 billion. CVS Health had a return on equity of 15.36% and a net margin of 2.47%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 10.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.09 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts forecast that CVS Health Co. will post 8.59 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, January 22nd will be paid a $0.665 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 19th. This is a boost from CVS Healths previous quarterly dividend of $0.61. This represents a $2.66 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.37%. CVS Healths dividend payout ratio is 36.50%.

Insider Activity

In other CVS Health news, Director Edward J. Ludwig purchased 2,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, November 3rd. The stock was acquired at an average price of $70.47 per share, for a total transaction of $140,940.00. Following the purchase, the director now owns 20,630 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,453,796.10. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Insiders own 0.25% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

CVS has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Sanford C. Bernstein reduced their target price on CVS Health from $93.00 to $80.00 in a report on Tuesday, October 10th. StockNews.com raised CVS Health from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 19th. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their target price on shares of CVS Health from $91.00 to $86.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, November 2nd. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on CVS Health from $110.00 to $100.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, November 2nd. Finally, Wolfe Research raised CVS Health from a peer perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $80.00 target price on the stock in a report on Tuesday, September 12th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, CVS Health has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $93.00.

View Our Latest Research Report on CVS

About CVS Health

(Free Report)

CVS Health Corporation provides health services in the United States. It operates through Health Care Benefits, Pharmacy Services, and Retail/LTC segments. The Health Care Benefits segment offers traditional, voluntary, and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services. It serves employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans, health care providers, governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups, and expatriates.

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Cardinal Point Capital Management ULC lifted its stake in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:IWF  Free Report) by 56.3% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 2,243 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after purchasing an additional 808 shares during the quarter. Cardinal Point Capital Management ULCs holdings in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF were worth $598,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Mogy Joel R Investment Counsel Inc. bought a new stake in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF during the first quarter valued at about $29,000. Mcmillion Capital Management Inc. acquired a new position in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF during the second quarter worth about $32,000. Hibernia Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new position in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF during the third quarter worth about $32,000. IFS Advisors LLC acquired a new position in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF during the second quarter worth about $33,000. Finally, ARK Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF by 1,018.2% during the second quarter. ARK Investment Management LLC now owns 123 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 112 shares during the period.

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iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF Stock Up 0.1 %

NYSEARCA:IWF opened at $304.56 on Friday. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $286.28 and its 200 day moving average price is $278.68. The firm has a market cap of $77.69 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.14 and a beta of 1.08. iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF has a 52-week low of $209.27 and a 52-week high of $305.35.

About iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF

iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment returns that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Russell 1000 Growth Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of equity securities of Russell 1000 index issuers with relatively higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth.

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Lindenwold Advisors INC cut its holdings in shares of BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK  Free Report) by 1.4% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 2,857 shares of the asset managers stock after selling 42 shares during the quarter. BlackRock comprises approximately 1.2% of Lindenwold Advisors INCs portfolio, making the stock its 29th biggest holding. Lindenwold Advisors INCs holdings in BlackRock were worth $1,847,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Impact Partnership Wealth LLC acquired a new position in BlackRock during the second quarter worth approximately $25,000. OLD Point Trust & Financial Services N A purchased a new stake in shares of BlackRock during the 2nd quarter valued at $26,000. West Tower Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of BlackRock during the 2nd quarter worth $27,000. Archer Investment Corp purchased a new position in shares of BlackRock in the 2nd quarter worth $29,000. Finally, WFA of San Diego LLC purchased a new position in shares of BlackRock in the 2nd quarter worth about $33,000. 77.01% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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BlackRock Stock Performance

Shares of BLK traded down $4.12 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $810.29. The stock had a trading volume of 65,972 shares, compared to its average volume of 643,458. BlackRock, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $596.18 and a fifty-two week high of $819.00. The company has a quick ratio of 3.72, a current ratio of 3.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33. The company has a market cap of $120.54 billion, a PE ratio of 22.84, a PEG ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 1.33. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $715.71 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $697.51.

BlackRock Announces Dividend

BlackRock ( NYSE:BLK Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 13th. The asset manager reported $10.91 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $8.34 by $2.57. BlackRock had a net margin of 30.66% and a return on equity of 14.65%. The firm had revenue of $4.52 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.52 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $9.55 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 4.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts expect that BlackRock, Inc. will post 36.84 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 22nd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, December 7th were issued a $5.00 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, December 6th. This represents a $20.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.47%. BlackRocks dividend payout ratio is currently 56.10%.

Insider Buying and Selling at BlackRock

In other news, CEO Laurence Fink sold 15,385 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred 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 sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 435,260 shares in the company, valued at approximately $283,802,577.80. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.96% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have recently issued reports on BLK. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on shares of BlackRock from $836.00 to $897.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, October 16th. BNP Paribas raised shares of BlackRock from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and set a $885.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Tuesday, December 12th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reduced their target price on shares of BlackRock from $814.00 to $800.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, October 11th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of BlackRock in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group raised their target price on BlackRock from $719.00 to $793.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, November 30th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $771.54.

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About BlackRock

(Free Report)

BlackRock, Inc is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm primarily provides its services to institutional, intermediary, and individual investors including corporate, public, union, and industry pension plans, insurance companies, third-party mutual funds, endowments, public institutions, governments, foundations, charities, sovereign wealth funds, corporations, official institutions, and banks.

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Lindenwold Advisors INC increased its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC  Free Report) by 3.0% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 15,092 shares of the financial services providers stock after acquiring an additional 437 shares during the quarter. Marsh & McLennan Companies makes up 1.8% of Lindenwold Advisors INCs holdings, making the stock its 13th largest holding. Lindenwold Advisors INCs holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies were worth $2,872,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in MMC. RVW Wealth LLC bought a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the third quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp boosted its holdings in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 40.5% in the second quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 184 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 53 shares in the last quarter. Capital Advisors Ltd. LLC acquired a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the second quarter worth $36,000. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. increased its position in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 91.1% in the 1st quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. now owns 258 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $43,000 after buying an additional 123 shares during the period. Finally, Nemes Rush Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in the 2nd quarter valued at $43,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.64% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on MMC shares. StockNews.com lowered Marsh & McLennan Companies from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 19th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut Marsh & McLennan Companies from a market perform rating to an underperform rating and cut their price objective for the company from $198.00 to $192.00 in a report on Friday, December 15th. Citigroup upped their target price on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $201.00 to $205.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Friday, October 20th. Raymond James lifted their price target on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $205.00 to $210.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, October 20th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft began coverage on Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research note on Wednesday, October 4th. They set a buy rating and a $226.00 price target on the stock. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have given a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $200.71.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Stock Performance

NYSE:MMC traded down $0.08 on Friday, hitting $188.71. The companys stock had a trading volume of 150,605 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,599,033. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a one year low of $151.86 and a one year high of $202.81. The company has a current ratio of 1.08, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.02. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $193.88 and a two-hundred day moving average of $191.38. The firm has a market capitalization of $93.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.20, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.15 and a beta of 0.95.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 19th. The financial services provider reported $1.57 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.39 by $0.18. The business had revenue of $5.38 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.22 billion. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a return on equity of 34.01% and a net margin of 15.61%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 12.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.18 earnings per share. Research analysts predict that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 7.92 earnings per share for the current year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, CMO John Jude Jones sold 4,908 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $193.08, for a total transaction of $947,636.64. Following the completion of the sale, the chief marketing officer now owns 7,978 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,540,392.24. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.30% of the companys stock.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Company Profile

(Free Report)

Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc, a professional services company, provides advice and solutions to clients in the areas of risk, strategy, and people worldwide. It operates in two segments, Risk and Insurance Services, and Consulting. The Risk and Insurance Services segment offers risk management services, such as risk advice, risk transfer, and risk control and mitigation solutions, as well as insurance and reinsurance broking, strategic advisory services, and analytics solutions; and insurance program management services.

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Ropes Wealth Advisors LLC reduced its stake in shares of American Express (NYSE:AXP) by 51.6% during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 10,645 shares of the payment services companys stock after selling 11,331 shares during the period. Ropes Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in American Express were worth $1,588,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in AXP. RB Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of American Express by 5.3% during the 1st quarter. RB Capital Management LLC now owns 3,783 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $707,000 after purchasing an additional 190 shares in the last quarter. Roundview Capital LLC raised its stake in shares of American Express by 0.4% during the 1st quarter. Roundview Capital LLC now owns 27,029 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $5,054,000 after buying an additional 105 shares during the last quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. raised its stake in shares of American Express by 5.6% during the 1st quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 1,421 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $266,000 after buying an additional 75 shares during the last quarter. Covestor Ltd raised its stake in shares of American Express by 207.1% during the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 946 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $177,000 after buying an additional 638 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Donaldson Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of American Express during the 1st quarter worth $397,000. 83.08% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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American Express Stock Up 0.4 %

Shares of NYSE:AXP opened at $187.86 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.70, a quick ratio of 1.60 and a current ratio of 1.60. American Express has a 1 year low of $140.91 and a 1 year high of $188.07. The stock has a market capitalization of $136.91 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.62, a PEG ratio of 1.16 and a beta of 1.23. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $164.08 and a 200-day simple moving average of $163.26.

American Express Announces Dividend

American Express ( NYSE:AXP Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 20th. The payment services company reported $3.30 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.96 by $0.34. The firm had revenue of $15.38 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $15.36 billion. American Express had a return on equity of 30.60% and a net margin of 13.61%. American Expresss quarterly revenue was up 13.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $2.47 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that American Express will post 11.22 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 9th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 5th will be issued a $0.60 dividend. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.28%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 4th. American Expresss dividend payout ratio is presently 22.51%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their target price on shares of American Express from $186.00 to $205.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, December 18th. Barclays assumed coverage on shares of American Express in a research note on Wednesday, November 15th. They issued an overweight rating and a $184.00 target price for the company. Monness Crespi & Hardt assumed coverage on shares of American Express in a research note on Wednesday, December 20th. They issued a neutral rating for the company. Citigroup raised shares of American Express from a sell rating to a neutral rating and boosted their target price for the company from $143.00 to $154.00 in a research note on Wednesday, October 25th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets cut their target price on shares of American Express from $194.00 to $188.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research note on Monday, October 23rd. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, American Express has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $171.78.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on AXP

Insider Buying and Selling at American Express

In other American Express news, Director Walter Joseph Clayton III bought 1,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, October 24th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $143.93 per share, with a total value of $143,930.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 2,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $287,860. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In other American Express news, Director Walter Joseph Clayton III bought 1,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, October 24th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $143.93 per share, with a total value of $143,930.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 2,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $287,860. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, Vice Chairman Jeffrey C. Campbell sold 21,008 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $168.33, for a total value of $3,536,276.64. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 125,646 shares in the company, valued at $21,149,991.18. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.12% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

American Express Company Profile

(Free Report)

American Express Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides charge and credit payment card products, and travel-related services worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Global Consumer Services Group, Global Commercial Services, and Global Merchant and Network Services. Its products and services include payment and financing products; network services; accounts payable expense management products and services; and travel and lifestyle services.

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TFG Advisers LLC decreased its holdings in Zoetis Inc. (NYSE:ZTS  Free Report) by 5.1% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 4,695 shares of the companys stock after selling 250 shares during the period. TFG Advisers LLCs holdings in Zoetis were worth $817,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in ZTS. Nelson Van Denburg & Campbell Wealth Management Group LLC boosted its position in Zoetis by 430.8% during the first quarter. Nelson Van Denburg & Campbell Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 138 shares of the companys stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 112 shares during the period. VitalStone Financial LLC bought a new stake in shares of Zoetis in the 1st quarter valued at about $37,000. Evermay Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in Zoetis by 439.3% during the 1st quarter. Evermay Wealth Management LLC now owns 151 shares of the companys stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 123 shares during the period. Pacifica Partners Inc. grew its position in Zoetis by 76.9% during the 2nd quarter. Pacifica Partners Inc. now owns 161 shares of the companys stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 70 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Worth Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in Zoetis in the 1st quarter worth approximately $26,000. Institutional investors own 89.47% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity at Zoetis

In other Zoetis news, EVP Roxanne Lagano sold 923 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, October 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $172.92, for a total value of $159,605.16. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 23,588 shares in the company, valued at $4,078,836.96. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other Zoetis news, CEO Kristin C. Peck sold 13,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $176.84, for a total value of $2,298,920.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 56,843 shares of the companys stock, valued at $10,052,116.12. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Roxanne Lagano sold 923 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $172.92, for a total value of $159,605.16. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 23,588 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,078,836.96. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 17,346 shares of company stock valued at $3,122,321 in the last three months. Company insiders own 0.12% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

ZTS has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Piper Sandler increased their price objective on Zoetis from $210.00 to $215.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, November 6th. BNP Paribas started coverage on shares of Zoetis in a report on Thursday, December 7th. They set an outperform rating and a $237.00 price target for the company. Stifel Nicolaus cut their price target on shares of Zoetis from $205.00 to $195.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 30th. Jefferies Financial Group restated a buy rating and issued a $230.00 price objective on shares of Zoetis in a research report on Tuesday, December 19th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded shares of Zoetis from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Zoetis currently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average price target of $220.11.

Read Our Latest Report on Zoetis

Zoetis Stock Performance

Shares of ZTS opened at $197.16 on Friday. Zoetis Inc. has a one year low of $141.52 and a one year high of $201.92. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $178.10 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $178.27. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.29, a current ratio of 3.87 and a quick ratio of 2.16. The firm has a market capitalization of $90.52 billion, a PE ratio of 40.07, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.18 and a beta of 0.85.

Zoetis (NYSE:ZTS  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 2nd. The company reported $1.36 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.35 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $2.15 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.17 billion. Zoetis had a return on equity of 52.22% and a net margin of 27.24%. On average, analysts anticipate that Zoetis Inc. will post 5.41 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Zoetis Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 1st. Investors of record on Friday, January 19th will be paid a $0.432 dividend. This represents a $1.73 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.88%. This is a positive change from Zoetiss previous quarterly dividend of $0.38. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 18th. Zoetiss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 30.49%.

Zoetis Profile

(Free Report)

Zoetis Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, and commercializes animal health medicines, vaccines, and diagnostic products in the United States and internationally. It commercializes products primarily across species, including livestock, such as cattle, swine, poultry, fish, and sheep and others; and companion animals comprising dogs, cats, and horses.

Further Reading

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Zullo Investment Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of Oracle Co. (NYSE:ORCL  Free Report) by 17.6% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 2,157 shares of the enterprise software providers stock after acquiring an additional 323 shares during the period. Zullo Investment Group Inc.s holdings in Oracle were worth $229,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Fairfield Bush & CO. increased its position in shares of Oracle by 3.1% during the 1st quarter. Fairfield Bush & CO. now owns 73,791 shares of the enterprise software providers stock valued at $6,105,000 after purchasing an additional 2,221 shares during the last quarter. AMI Investment Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Oracle by 2.9% during the 1st quarter. AMI Investment Management Inc. now owns 20,467 shares of the enterprise software providers stock valued at $1,693,000 after purchasing an additional 579 shares during the last quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. increased its position in shares of Oracle by 29.2% during the 1st quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 588,460 shares of the enterprise software providers stock valued at $48,686,000 after purchasing an additional 132,920 shares during the last quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. increased its position in shares of Oracle by 79.6% during the 1st quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 6,854 shares of the enterprise software providers stock valued at $567,000 after purchasing an additional 3,038 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Covestor Ltd increased its position in shares of Oracle by 125.2% during the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 1,995 shares of the enterprise software providers stock valued at $165,000 after purchasing an additional 1,109 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 42.44% of the companys stock.

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Oracle Stock Performance

ORCL stock opened at $106.17 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.79, a current ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 18.84. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $109.49 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $113.38. Oracle Co. has a twelve month low of $80.76 and a twelve month high of $127.54. The firm has a market cap of $291.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.36, a PEG ratio of 2.63 and a beta of 1.05.

Oracle Announces Dividend

Oracle ( NYSE:ORCL Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Monday, December 11th. The enterprise software provider reported $1.34 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.33 by $0.01. Oracle had a return on equity of 703.26% and a net margin of 19.64%. The business had revenue of $12.94 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.05 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.21 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 5.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts predict that Oracle Co. will post 4.44 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 25th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 11th will be paid a $0.40 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, January 10th. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.51%. Oracles payout ratio is 44.20%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on ORCL shares. Monness Crespi & Hardt lowered shares of Oracle from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, September 12th. Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on shares of Oracle from $107.00 to $106.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, December 12th. HSBC started coverage on shares of Oracle in a report on Friday, September 15th. They set a buy rating and a $144.00 price objective for the company. Erste Group Bank reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of Oracle in a report on Friday, December 22nd. Finally, BMO Capital Markets lowered their target price on Oracle from $130.00 to $126.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, December 12th. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $127.14.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Naomi O. Seligman sold 16,300 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, December 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $106.02, for a total transaction of $1,728,126.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 34,771 shares in the company, valued at $3,686,421.42. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other news, Director George H. Conrades sold 2,325 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 sale, the director now owns 17,836 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,029,023.36. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Naomi O. Seligman sold 16,300 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $106.02, for a total transaction of $1,728,126.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 34,771 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,686,421.42. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 20,950 shares of company stock worth $2,252,948 over the last quarter. Company insiders own 42.80% of the companys stock.

Oracle Company Profile

(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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Zullo Investment Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO  Free Report) by 4.1% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 18,332 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 718 shares during the period. Zullo Investment Group Inc.s holdings in Coca-Cola were worth $1,026,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of KO. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC lifted its position in Coca-Cola by 103,297.9% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 57,734,303 shares of the companys stock worth $3,672,479,000 after acquiring an additional 57,678,466 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Coca-Cola during the 4th quarter worth $2,937,315,000. Morgan Stanley lifted its position in Coca-Cola by 15.7% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 79,101,856 shares of the companys stock worth $5,031,669,000 after acquiring an additional 10,722,435 shares during the last quarter. Barclays PLC lifted its position in Coca-Cola by 164.7% during the 2nd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 14,430,093 shares of the companys stock worth $868,981,000 after acquiring an additional 8,979,379 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can acquired a new position in Coca-Cola during the 2nd quarter worth $429,854,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.96% of the companys stock.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, SVP Beatriz R. Perez sold 20,534 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred 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 in the company, valued at $8,046,653.96. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, SVP Beatriz R. Perez sold 20,534 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred 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 in the company, valued at $8,046,653.96. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO James Quincey sold 92,028 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $57.15, for a total transaction of $5,259,400.20. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 442,546 shares in the company, valued at $25,291,503.90. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 349,315 shares of company stock valued at $19,805,715. 1.00% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have recently commented on KO. Barclays cut their price objective on shares of Coca-Cola from $70.00 to $59.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 12th. Bank of America cut their price objective on shares of Coca-Cola from $74.00 to $60.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, October 17th. Citigroup cut their price objective on shares of Coca-Cola from $74.00 to $65.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, October 11th. Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on shares of Coca-Cola in a research report on Monday, November 13th. They set a hold rating and a $64.00 price objective for the company. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on shares of Coca-Cola from $59.00 to $62.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 25th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Coca-Cola currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $66.20.

Read Our Latest Analysis on Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola Price Performance

Shares of Coca-Cola stock opened at $58.75 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.14, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.23. The stock has a market capitalization of $254.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.59, a P/E/G ratio of 3.52 and a beta of 0.58. The Coca-Cola Company has a 1-year low of $51.55 and a 1-year high of $64.99. The firms 50-day moving average price is $57.66 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $58.68.

Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 24th. The company reported $0.74 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.69 by $0.05. The firm had revenue of $11.95 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.45 billion. Coca-Cola had a net margin of 23.92% and a return on equity of 42.44%. On average, equities analysts predict 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 disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 1st were paid a dividend of $0.46 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, November 30th. This represents a $1.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.13%. Coca-Colas dividend payout ratio is 73.90%.

Coca-Cola Profile

(Free Report)

The Coca-Cola Company, a beverage company, manufactures, markets, and sells various nonalcoholic beverages worldwide. The company provides sparkling soft drinks, sparkling flavors; water, sports, coffee, and tea; juice, value-added dairy, and plant-based beverages; and other beverages. It also offers beverage concentrates and syrups, as well as fountain syrups to fountain retailers, such as restaurants and convenience stores.

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West Branch Capital LLC increased its position in Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN  Free Report) by 21.9% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 784 shares of the information technology services providers stock after purchasing an additional 141 shares during the period. West Branch Capital LLCs holdings in Accenture were worth $241,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL acquired a new position in Accenture in the 1st quarter worth approximately $28,000. RVW Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in Accenture in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $33,000. Guardian Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Accenture in the 1st quarter worth approximately $32,000. Tyler Stone Wealth Management purchased a new stake in Accenture in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $35,000. Finally, Canton Hathaway LLC purchased a new stake in Accenture in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $37,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.42% of the companys stock.

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Accenture Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE ACN traded down $0.68 during trading on Friday, reaching $350.91. The company had a trading volume of 1,233,533 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,123,757. Accenture plc has a 52 week low of $242.80 and a 52 week high of $355.38. The stock has a market cap of $220.13 billion, a PE ratio of 32.52, a PEG ratio of 3.24 and a beta of 1.23. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $327.85 and its 200-day moving average price is $318.29.

Accenture ( NYSE:ACN Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, December 19th. The information technology services provider reported $3.27 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.14 by $0.13. The company had revenue of $16.22 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $16.17 billion. Accenture had a net margin of 10.65% and a return on equity of 29.08%. The companys revenue was up 3.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $3.08 earnings per share. Equities analysts anticipate that Accenture plc will post 12.21 earnings per share for the current year.

Accenture declared that its Board of Directors has approved a stock buyback program on Thursday, September 28th that allows the company to buyback $4.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization allows the information technology services provider to reacquire up to 2% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are typically a sign that the companys management believes its stock is undervalued.

Accenture Dividend Announcement

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 issued a dividend of $1.29 per share. This represents a $5.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.47%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, January 17th. Accentures dividend payout ratio is currently 47.82%.

Insider Activity at Accenture

In related news, CEO Jean-Marc Ollagnier sold 6,250 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $302.04, for a total transaction of $1,887,750.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 161,622 shares in the company, valued at $48,816,308.88. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, CEO Jean-Marc Ollagnier sold 6,250 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $302.04, for a total value of $1,887,750.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 161,622 shares in the company, valued at $48,816,308.88. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Jaime Ardila sold 3,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $353.18, for a total transaction of $1,059,540.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 11,392 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,023,426.56. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 39,885 shares of company stock worth $12,188,860. 0.07% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Piper Sandler Companies cut 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. 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 report on Wednesday, December 20th. Redburn Atlantic assumed coverage on shares of Accenture in a report on Thursday, November 16th. They set a buy rating and a $410.00 price target on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $340.00 target price on shares of Accenture in a report on Friday, September 29th. Finally, TD Cowen dropped their target price on shares of Accenture from $312.00 to $300.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, September 29th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $348.59.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on ACN

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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Avestar Capital LLC trimmed its position in iShares China Large-Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:FXI  Free Report) by 3.0% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 166,396 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 5,175 shares during the quarter. Avestar Capital LLC owned approximately 0.09% of iShares China Large-Cap ETF worth $4,414,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in FXI. 180 Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in iShares China Large-Cap ETF by 5.7% during the 2nd quarter. 180 Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 8,214 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $228,000 after buying an additional 443 shares during the period. Private Advisor Group LLC lifted its holdings in shares of iShares China Large-Cap ETF by 11.1% in the first quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 6,298 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $201,000 after purchasing an additional 627 shares in the last quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. boosted its position in shares of iShares China Large-Cap ETF by 1.0% during the second quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 64,929 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,766,000 after buying an additional 636 shares during the period. Franklin Resources Inc. grew its holdings in shares of iShares China Large-Cap ETF by 177.8% during the second quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 1,250 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $34,000 after buying an additional 800 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Commonwealth Equity Services LLC raised its position in iShares China Large-Cap ETF by 6.0% in the 2nd quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 14,761 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $401,000 after buying an additional 831 shares during the last quarter.

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iShares China Large-Cap ETF Stock Performance

NYSEARCA FXI traded up $0.15 during trading on Friday, hitting $24.03. The stock had a trading volume of 29,996,257 shares, compared to its average volume of 33,511,855. The company has a market capitalization of $4.50 billion, a PE ratio of 9.27 and a beta of 0.44. iShares China Large-Cap ETF has a 12 month low of $22.82 and a 12 month high of $33.38. The companys 50-day moving average price is $25.06 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $26.60.

iShares China Large-Cap ETF Profile

iShares China Large-Cap ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the FTSE China 25 Index (the Underlying Index). The Funds portfolio of sectors include Financials, Telecommunication, Oil & gas, Technology and Consumer goods.

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As a plastic surgeon at Northwestern Medicine, Dr. Sumanas Jordan knows transgender and nonbinary patients can have unique needs. About half of her patients come in for gender-affirming surgeries, and their tests and treatments often lead to deep conversations about gender identity.

Now, conversations about gender at Northwestern Medicine are expanding to include patients medical records.

As of Dec. 18, Northwestern Medicine patients can record their legal sex as X in electronic medical records.

X is an alternate gender marker for those who do not identify as male or female. On legal records, its commonly used by transgender, nonbinary and intersex people.

The change comes just ahead of a state bill allowing the gender category of X on drivers licenses and other forms of state identification. Gov. J.B. Pritzker first introduced the bill in 2019. The state Secretary of State office determined that X would become available on drivers licenses in 2024.

Over the last year, since we knew this law was going to be put into place, weve been working really hard to make sure our system was ready for that, Jordan said. It doesnt seem like a huge task  but that little letter actually affects a number of downstream events.

Multiple health systems in the Chicago area, including Rush, Advocate and NorthShore, allow patients to identify their gender as unknown when signing up for an appointment. However, their legal medical records still list the gender associated with their legal documents. This typically is whatever is written on their drivers license.

Dr. Jordan said she doesnt know of another Illinois health system that has updated their system to include X in electronic medical records.

On the technology side, Northwestern looked to a playbook from Epic Systems to physically create an X option on digital charts. The Wisconsin-based software company, which holds more than 305 million medical records, offers a tool kit for hospital systems looking to do so.

Putting an X on ones state ID is now possible in 22 states, plus Washington D.C. In Illinois, it means submitting a form, plus a $5-$10 fee.

Reading a medical chart with X on it is more complicated.

Patients who elect to have X on their legal documents hold a wide variety of gender identities, each with unique implications for medical care. Some patients are nonbinary, meaning they identify as something other than male or female. Others are intersex or transgender.

Patients with X will have many different needs, but one need theyre all going to have is to have been treated with dignity and respect across the board, said Dr. Lauren Beach, director of the ADVOCATE program at Northwestern Medicine, who uses the pronouns they/them. The program works to improve public health research by incorporating the needs and concerns of LGBTQ+ patients.

Nonbinary patients still have medical needs related to their anatomy. For example, a nonbinary patient might menstruate, become pregnant or need to be screened for prostate cancer.

Seeing an X on a patients legal medical record will prompt doctors to ask for a patients name and pronouns, and to ask about their anatomy separately from their gender identity, Beach said.

Northwestern Medicine providers will also be prompted to directly ask patients questions about their anatomy, when its relevant to their illness or injury. Questions about hormones, menstrual cycle and medical history might follow.

Avoiding assumptions about a patients identity is important no matter who youre treating, Beach said.

What you can do if you see an X on their drivers license, Beach said, is just start a conversation with the health care team about what is their anatomy, whats their gender identity, what are the things theyre looking for out of their health care.

When doctors arent so used to asking about peoples pronouns and gender identity, it opens the door for patients to feel discomfort or face discrimination, Jordan said.

Nonbinary, intersex and transgender residents have long been challenged by legal documents limited to two gender categories. Along with health care, a state ID system without an X category can complicate end of life care, higher education and interactions with the criminal justice system.

Medical billing records also typically include legal gender markers, Jordan said.

We live in a very binary world, but we can come up with a number of experiences where a binary perception is not accurate, Jordan said. A lot of folks have never heard of (nonbinary people) before, and that can lead to quizzical looks and divergence from the matter at hand. So you kind of get discriminated against in that regard.

For health care providers, designing a new approach to patient intake takes time. Scaling it up through all of Northwestern Medicine took a year.

To design new procedures for X patients, a task force of five spent time with each department inside Northwestern Medicine to learn what it might look like when a patient marked X came through.

The group was led by Dr. Cynthia Barnard, vice president for quality at Northwestern Memorial Healthcare. More than 200 employees across 50 departments weighed in.

For departments that needed to decide on clinical changes, like what baseline hormone or cholesterol levels to compare nonbinary patients with, the task force turned to the Gender Pathways Program. The program, which Jordan leads, includes more than 30 doctors with experience in trans-affirming health care.

Program members and others had already tackled the questions now consuming all of Northwestern Medicine, Beach said. The task force designed more than 20 training modules to keep everyone on staff in the discussions.

A lot of medical tests historically involve gender markers, Beach said. For example, gender usually dictates guidelines about when to get screened for different cancers, and whether your blood has the right amount of glucose.

Figuring out what reference values to look for when a patient undergoes blood tests was a big part of redesigning for X, Jordan said. Understanding a patients goals for their own health care can help doctors decide what to look for, no matter what letter is on their records.

Even things like cholesterol risks and heart screening can be dependent on that little letter, Jordan said. Now were looking at, does the logic break down when the X is in place? And what do we do with that? We cant just have an entire electronic medical record blow up because it doesnt receive a (male or female) designation.

The task force also consulted with the Gender Pathways Program community advisory board, which includes faculty, patients and advocates in the LGBTQ+ community.

The biggest concern that people had is, I want to make sure I get the right health care for me, Beach said. Theres this double desire  I want to be recognized for who I am and I want to get the best health care for me.

But as patients schedule their first appointments with X on their medical records, medical students are taking notice.

Students in their third or fourth year of training, who perform clinical rotations at Northwestern hospitals, have seen that X is now an option on charts, Beach said. Those who have ideas or experience working with nonbinary patients have organized peer training sessions.

There are existing medical students who are actually providing trainings independently, Beach said, To educate each other about X.

For Beach themself, preparing for X created an environment at Northwestern with more opportunities to talk about gender identity. As the reckoning continues, they hope providers also spend more time discussing social determinants of health.

LGBTQ+ patients experience higher levels of poverty, intimate partner violence, mental health conditions and substance abuse, Beach said. For medical providers, theres always more to know about a patients bigger picture.

By scaling up the questions to not just understand who people are, but to ask those social determinant questions to understand their lives  the promise for addressing health inequity is scaling up across the board, Beach said.
Avion Wealth grew its position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) by 23.3% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 17,253 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 3,258 shares during the period. Avion Wealths holdings in Wells Fargo & Company were worth $704,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Studio Investment Management LLC bought a new position in Wells Fargo & Company in the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL bought a new position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company in the first quarter worth approximately $28,000. Financial Connections Group Inc. raised its stake in Wells Fargo & Company by 288.0% in the second quarter. Financial Connections Group Inc. now owns 741 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 550 shares in the last quarter. Impact Partnership Wealth LLC bought a new stake in Wells Fargo & Company during the third quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Finally, Central Bank & Trust Co. lifted its position in Wells Fargo & Company by 444.8% during the third quarter. Central Bank & Trust Co. now owns 899 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 734 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 72.47% of the companys stock.

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Wells Fargo & Company Trading Down 0.5 %

Wells Fargo & Company stock traded down $0.26 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $49.22. The stock had a trading volume of 11,733,578 shares, compared to its average volume of 18,555,124. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $44.16 and a 200-day simple moving average of $43.05. Wells Fargo & Company has a 52 week low of $35.25 and a 52 week high of $50.77. The stock has a market cap of $178.75 billion, a PE ratio of 10.63, a PEG ratio of 0.97 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 Announces Dividend

Wells Fargo & Company ( NYSE:WFC Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Friday, October 13th. The financial services provider reported $1.39 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.24 by $0.15. The company had revenue of $20.86 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $20.09 billion. Wells Fargo & Company had a return on equity of 11.18% and a net margin of 17.06%. Wells Fargo & Companys quarterly revenue was up 6.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.30 earnings per share. Analysts forecast that Wells Fargo & Company will post 4.98 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 3rd were given a dividend of $0.35 per share. This represents a $1.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.84%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 2nd. Wells Fargo & Companys payout ratio is currently 30.24%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Odeon Capital Group raised Wells Fargo & Company from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $56.08 price target for the company in a research note on Thursday, December 14th. BMO Capital Markets upped their price objective on Wells Fargo & Company from $52.00 to $54.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Monday, October 16th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price objective on Wells Fargo & Company from $45.00 to $50.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, December 1st. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $44.00 target price on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a research note on Friday, September 22nd. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Wells Fargo & Company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $49.56.

View Our Latest Analysis on Wells Fargo & Company

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Richard K. Davis purchased 3,500 shares of Wells Fargo & Company stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 9th. The shares were bought at an average price of $41.22 per share, for a total transaction of $144,270.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 4,244 shares of the companys stock, valued at $174,937.68. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.07% of the companys stock.

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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Ballentine Partners LLC raised its holdings in RTX Co. (NYSE:RTX  Free Report) by 11.9% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 25,321 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 2,693 shares during the quarter. Ballentine Partners LLCs holdings in RTX were worth $1,822,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich lifted its stake in shares of RTX by 105,363.3% in the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 70,115,189 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,868,484,000 after purchasing an additional 70,048,706 shares during the period. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of RTX in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $1,580,608,000. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of RTX by 87,932.7% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 13,614,259 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,373,951,000 after purchasing an additional 13,598,794 shares during the period. Morgan Stanley lifted its stake in shares of RTX by 11.3% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 30,509,436 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,079,013,000 after purchasing an additional 3,104,282 shares during the period. Finally, Capital World Investors lifted its stake in shares of RTX by 32.8% in the 1st quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 9,130,557 shares of the companys stock valued at $904,564,000 after purchasing an additional 2,256,475 shares during the period. 79.06% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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RTX Stock Performance

NYSE:RTX opened at $84.17 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $81.03 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $84.10. RTX Co. has a 52-week low of $68.56 and a 52-week high of $108.84. The firm has a market capitalization of $121.03 billion, a PE ratio of 39.15, a P/E/G ratio of 1.80 and a beta of 0.93. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46, a quick ratio of 0.77 and a current ratio of 1.03.

RTX Announces Dividend

RTX ( NYSE:RTX Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 24th. The company reported $1.25 EPS for the quarter, beating 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 business had revenue of $19 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $18.60 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.21 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 12.1% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts forecast that RTX Co. will post 5 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 14th. Investors of record on Friday, November 17th were given a $0.59 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, November 16th. This represents a $2.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.80%. RTXs dividend payout ratio is currently 109.77%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have issued reports on the company. TheStreet cut RTX from a b- rating to a c rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 24th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut RTX from a hold rating to a sell rating and lowered their price objective for the company from $79.00 to $68.00 in a research note on Friday, October 27th. Alembic Global Advisors assumed coverage on RTX in a research note on Friday, September 29th. They set a neutral rating and a $81.00 price objective for the company. StockNews.com cut RTX from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 25th. Finally, TD Cowen lowered their price objective on RTX from $109.00 to $99.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, September 12th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, fourteen have given a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $90.21.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on RTX

RTX Profile

(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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Bfsg LLC grew its stake in shares of Rayonier Inc. (NYSE:RYN  Free Report) by 12.0% in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 74,819 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after acquiring an additional 7,997 shares during the period. Bfsg LLC owned about 0.05% of Rayonier worth $2,129,000 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 the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in Rayonier by 2.0% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 21,486,063 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $643,938,000 after buying an additional 418,687 shares during the period. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD boosted its holdings in Rayonier by 2.0% in the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 16,837,099 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $560,003,000 after purchasing an additional 322,755 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. boosted its holdings in Rayonier by 0.7% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 13,769,910 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $566,221,000 after purchasing an additional 89,742 shares during the period. Norges Bank bought a new position in Rayonier in the 4th quarter valued at $376,137,000. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its position in shares of Rayonier by 7.9% during the 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 9,606,436 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $301,642,000 after buying an additional 701,226 shares in the last quarter. 82.75% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have recently weighed in on RYN shares. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Rayonier from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, December 1st. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price objective on shares of Rayonier from $32.00 to $34.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 19th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Rayonier presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $34.33.

Rayonier Trading Down 0.8 %

Rayonier stock traded down $0.27 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $33.41. The companys stock had a trading volume of 617,548 shares, compared to its average volume of 563,654. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 2.02 and a quick ratio of 1.72. The stock has a market cap of $4.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 61.87 and a beta of 1.06. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $30.30 and a 200-day moving average price of $30.16. Rayonier Inc. has a 12 month low of $24.84 and a 12 month high of $37.79.

Rayonier (NYSE:RYN  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 1st. The real estate investment trust reported $0.13 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.12 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $201.60 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $207.63 million. Rayonier had a net margin of 9.53% and a return on equity of 2.41%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 3.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.15 earnings per share. As a group, analysts forecast that Rayonier Inc. will post 0.37 EPS for the current year.

Rayonier Cuts Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a special dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 12th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 29th will be paid a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, December 28th. Rayoniers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 211.12%.

Rayonier Profile

(Free Report)

Rayonier is a leading timberland real estate investment trust with assets located in some of the most productive softwood timber growing regions in the United States and New Zealand. As of September 30, 2023, Rayonier owned or leased under long-term agreements approximately 2.8 million acres of timberlands located in the U.S.

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Bremer Bank National Association grew its holdings in AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (NYSE:AVB  Free Report) by 4.0% during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 12,999 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after purchasing an additional 500 shares during the quarter. Bremer Bank National Associations holdings in AvalonBay Communities were worth $2,232,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Sunesis Advisors LLC acquired a new position in AvalonBay Communities during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $599,000. Manning & Napier Group LLC raised its stake in AvalonBay Communities by 67.0% during the 3rd quarter. Manning & Napier Group LLC now owns 56,388 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $9,684,000 after buying an additional 22,621 shares during the period. Ballentine Partners LLC acquired a new position in AvalonBay Communities during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $230,000. Presima Securities ULC raised its stake in AvalonBay Communities by 17.8% during the 3rd quarter. Presima Securities ULC now owns 179,491 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $30,826,000 after buying an additional 27,131 shares during the period. Finally, Czech National Bank raised its stake in AvalonBay Communities by 47.7% during the 3rd quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 24,821 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $4,263,000 after buying an additional 8,012 shares during the period. 88.71% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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AvalonBay Communities Stock Performance

NYSE:AVB traded down $2.38 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $187.22. The stock had a trading volume of 800,716 shares, compared to its average volume of 872,026. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a quick ratio of 1.84 and a current ratio of 1.84. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $175.02 and a 200 day simple moving average of $180.60. AvalonBay Communities, Inc. has a 12-month low of $153.07 and a 12-month high of $198.65. The stock has a market cap of $26.59 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.49, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.59 and a beta of 0.93.

AvalonBay Communities Dividend Announcement

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, January 16th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, November 29th will be given a $1.65 dividend. This represents a $6.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.53%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, December 28th. AvalonBay Communitiess dividend payout ratio is currently 100.46%.

Several analysts have recently commented on the company. StockNews.com assumed coverage on AvalonBay Communities in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating for the company. TheStreet downgraded AvalonBay Communities from a b rating to a c+ rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 25th. Wedbush assumed coverage on AvalonBay Communities in a research note on Tuesday, October 3rd. They issued a neutral rating and a $179.00 price objective for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised AvalonBay Communities from an underweight rating to a neutral rating and lowered their price objective for the stock from $201.00 to $194.00 in a research note on Wednesday, November 29th. Finally, KeyCorp lowered their price objective on AvalonBay Communities from $205.00 to $200.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, November 30th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $194.19.

Read Our Latest Analysis on AvalonBay Communities

AvalonBay Communities Company Profile

(Free Report)

As of September 30, 2023, the Company owned or held a direct or indirect ownership interest in 296 apartment communities containing 89,240 apartment homes in 12 states and the District of Columbia, of which 17 communities were under development and one community was under redevelopment. The Company is an equity REIT in the business of developing, redeveloping, acquiring and managing apartment communities in leading metropolitan areas in New England, the New York/New Jersey Metro area, the Mid-Atlantic, the Pacific Northwest, and Northern and Southern California, as well as in the Company's expansion regions of Raleigh-Durham and Charlotte, North Carolina, Southeast Florida, Dallas and Austin, Texas, and Denver, Colorado.

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Shares of Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT  Get Free Report) have received an average recommendation of Hold from the fourteen analysts that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating, three have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12 month price target among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $38.77.

A number of equities analysts recently commented on the company. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on Brinker International from $38.00 to $40.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Thursday, November 2nd. Raymond James increased their price target on Brinker International from $42.00 to $45.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 6th. Barclays increased their price target on Brinker International from $34.00 to $36.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Thursday, November 2nd. Wedbush increased their price target on Brinker International from $33.00 to $37.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, November 2nd. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus raised Brinker International from a hold rating to a buy rating and raised their price objective for the company from $38.00 to $45.00 in a research note on Friday, September 29th.

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View Our Latest Research Report on EAT

Brinker International Trading Down 1.6 %

NYSE:EAT opened at $43.18 on Friday. Brinker International has a 12-month low of $28.23 and a 12-month high of $44.97. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $37.49 and a 200 day moving average price of $35.57. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.91 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.97, a P/E/G ratio of 0.75 and a beta of 2.30.

Brinker International (NYSE:EAT  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, November 1st. The restaurant operator reported $0.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.03 by $0.25. Brinker International had a negative return on equity of 84.94% and a net margin of 3.34%. The firm had revenue of $1.01 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.01 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted ($0.57) earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 6.0% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts predict that Brinker International will post 3.57 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at Brinker International

In other Brinker International news, COO Douglas N. Comings sold 14,951 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $40.76, for a total transaction of $609,402.76. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 37,604 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,532,739.04. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other Brinker International news, CFO Joseph G. Taylor sold 11,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $41.11, for a total transaction of $452,210.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 71,286 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,930,567.46. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, COO Douglas N. Comings sold 14,951 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $40.76, for a total value of $609,402.76. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 37,604 shares in the company, valued at $1,532,739.04. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 1.50% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Advisors Asset Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Brinker International by 10.7% in the 3rd quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 3,659 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $116,000 after acquiring an additional 354 shares during the period. Signaturefd LLC increased its holdings in shares of Brinker International by 68.9% in the 3rd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 946 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 386 shares during the period. Creative Planning increased its holdings in shares of Brinker International by 5.7% in the 2nd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 7,394 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $271,000 after acquiring an additional 400 shares during the period. Ensign Peak Advisors Inc increased its holdings in shares of Brinker International by 2.0% in the 1st quarter. Ensign Peak Advisors Inc now owns 22,421 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $852,000 after acquiring an additional 450 shares during the period. Finally, Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC boosted its position in shares of Brinker International by 3.8% in the 3rd quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 13,408 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $424,000 after purchasing an additional 487 shares in the last quarter.

About Brinker International

(Get Free Report

Brinker International, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the ownership, development, operation, and franchising of casual dining restaurants in the United States and internationally. It operates and franchises Chili's Grill & Bar and Maggiano's Little Italy restaurant brands.

Further Reading

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Covenant Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Thomson Reuters Co. (NYSE:TRI  Free Report) (TSE:TRI) in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm bought 3,423 shares of the business services providers stock, valued at approximately $419,000.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its stake in Thomson Reuters by 19.4% in the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 6,154 shares of the business services providers stock worth $668,000 after purchasing an additional 1,000 shares in the last quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC grew its holdings in shares of Thomson Reuters by 7.0% during the first quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC now owns 1,945 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $212,000 after buying an additional 128 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. increased its position in shares of Thomson Reuters by 11.4% during the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 560,049 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $60,961,000 after acquiring an additional 57,200 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in Thomson Reuters by 2.3% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 5,314,854 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $578,521,000 after acquiring an additional 118,225 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. lifted its position in Thomson Reuters by 89.7% in the 1st quarter. Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. now owns 138,600 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $15,061,000 after acquiring an additional 65,534 shares in the last quarter. 17.31% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on TRI shares. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on Thomson Reuters from $135.00 to $130.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, November 2nd. Barclays reduced their price target on shares of Thomson Reuters from $135.00 to $130.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, November 2nd. UBS Group started coverage on shares of Thomson Reuters in a research note on Tuesday, November 7th. They set a buy rating and a $153.00 target price for the company. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price target on Thomson Reuters from $136.00 to $133.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, November 2nd. Finally, Scotiabank cut their price objective on Thomson Reuters from $145.00 to $142.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a report on Thursday, November 2nd. Twelve investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Thomson Reuters has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $148.21.

Thomson Reuters Stock Performance

NYSE TRI opened at $146.22 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.05, a current ratio of 1.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26. Thomson Reuters Co. has a twelve month low of $112.84 and a twelve month high of $146.71. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $135.78 and a 200-day moving average price of $131.52. The firm has a market cap of $66.60 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.48, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.79 and a beta of 0.66.

Thomson Reuters (NYSE:TRI  Get Free Report) (TSE:TRI) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 1st. The business services provider reported $0.82 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.68 by $0.14. The firm had revenue of $1.59 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.61 billion. Thomson Reuters had a net margin of 34.09% and a return on equity of 13.05%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 1.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.59 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Thomson Reuters Co. will post 3.45 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Thomson Reuters Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, November 16th were issued a $0.49 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, November 15th. This represents a $1.96 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.34%. Thomson Reuterss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 39.50%.

Thomson Reuters Company Profile

(Free Report)

Thomson Reuters Corporation engages in the provision of business information services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates in five segments: Legal Professionals, Corporates, Tax & Accounting Professionals, Reuters News, and Global Print. The Legal Professionals segment offers research and workflow products focusing on legal research and integrated legal workflow solutions that combine content, tools, and analytics to law firms and governments.

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HGK Asset Management Inc. increased its position in State Street Co. (NYSE:STT  Free Report) by 2.7% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 81,570 shares of the asset managers stock after purchasing an additional 2,123 shares during the period. State Street accounts for 1.8% of HGK Asset Management Inc.s portfolio, making the stock its 22nd biggest position. HGK Asset Management Inc.s holdings in State Street were worth $5,462,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in STT. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp increased its stake in shares of State Street by 8.1% in the 2nd quarter. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp now owns 78,667 shares of the asset managers stock worth $5,757,000 after acquiring an additional 5,902 shares in the last quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB increased its stake in shares of State Street by 9.1% during the second quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 1,678,894 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $122,845,000 after purchasing an additional 139,556 shares in the last quarter. BI Asset Management Fondsmaeglerselskab A S lifted its holdings in shares of State Street by 148.5% during the second quarter. BI Asset Management Fondsmaeglerselskab A S now owns 10,170 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $744,000 after purchasing an additional 6,077 shares during the last quarter. abrdn plc boosted its position in shares of State Street by 6.1% in the 2nd quarter. abrdn plc now owns 412,358 shares of the asset managers stock worth $30,176,000 after purchasing an additional 23,588 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Black Maple Capital Management LP purchased a new stake in shares of State Street in the 1st quarter worth approximately $284,000. Institutional investors own 89.62% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have issued reports on STT shares. StockNews.com started coverage on State Street in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating for the company. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a sector perform rating and issued a $75.00 price target on shares of State Street in a research note on Tuesday, September 12th. Wells Fargo & Company restated an overweight rating and set a $83.00 price objective on shares of State Street in a research note on Wednesday, December 6th. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on shares of State Street from $77.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Friday, December 1st. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut their price target on shares of State Street from $66.00 to $65.00 in a report on Wednesday, October 11th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have issued a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $75.75.

State Street Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE STT traded down $0.27 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $77.46. 1,084,544 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,115,389. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.86, a quick ratio of 0.51 and a current ratio of 0.51. State Street Co. has a one year low of $62.78 and a one year high of $94.74. The firm has a market capitalization of $23.90 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.31, a PEG ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.52. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $71.15 and a two-hundred day moving average of $70.47.

State Street (NYSE:STT  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, October 18th. The asset manager reported $1.25 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.79 by ($0.54). State Street had a net margin of 14.07% and a return on equity of 12.19%. The firm had revenue of $2.69 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.92 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.82 EPS. The firms revenue was down 9.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts forecast that State Street Co. will post 7.42 EPS for the current fiscal year.

State Street Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 12th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, January 2nd will be issued a dividend of $0.69 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 29th. This represents a $2.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.56%. State Streets dividend payout ratio is currently 40.29%.

State Street Profile

(Free Report)

State Street Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides a range of financial products and services to institutional investors worldwide. The company offers investment servicing products and services, including custody, accounting, regulatory reporting, investor, and performance and analytics; middle office products, such as IBOR, transaction management, loans, cash, derivatives and collateral, record keeping, and client reporting and investment analytics; foreign exchange, and brokerage and other trading services; securities finance and enhanced custody products; deposit and short-term investment facilities; loans and lease financing; investment manager and alternative investment manager operations outsourcing; performance, risk, and compliance analytics; and financial data management to support institutional investors.

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KraneShares MSCI China ESG Leaders Index ETF (NYSEARCA:KESG  Get Free Report)s share price dropped 2.3% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as low as $16.80 and last traded at $16.81. Approximately 2,000 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 63% from the average daily volume of 1,230 shares. The stock had previously closed at $17.21.

KraneShares MSCI China ESG Leaders Index ETF Trading Down 2.3 %

The firms fifty day simple moving average is $16.81 and its 200 day simple moving average is $17.74. The company has a market cap of $5.04 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.48 and a beta of 0.35.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On KraneShares MSCI China ESG Leaders Index ETF

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. UBS Group AG grew its holdings in KraneShares MSCI China ESG Leaders Index ETF by 4,239.6% during the 1st quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 2,300 shares of the companys stock valued at $51,000 after buying an additional 2,247 shares during the last quarter. Jane Street Group LLC boosted its stake in shares of KraneShares MSCI China ESG Leaders Index ETF by 30.5% during the first quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 14,759 shares of the companys stock valued at $328,000 after acquiring an additional 3,451 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Flow Traders U.S. LLC purchased a new stake in KraneShares MSCI China ESG Leaders Index ETF during the 1st quarter worth about $945,000.

KraneShares MSCI China ESG Leaders Index ETF Company Profile

The KraneShares MSCI China ESG Leaders Index ETF (KESG) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI China ESG Leaders 10\u002F40 index, a market-cap-weighted index of Chinese companies that have high environmental, social and governance ratings. KESG was launched on Jul 29, 2020 and is managed by KraneShares.

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Linden Thomas Advisory Services LLC grew its holdings in shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise (NYSE:HPE  Free Report) by 2.1% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 99,688 shares of the technology companys stock after acquiring an additional 2,063 shares during the period. Linden Thomas Advisory Services LLCs holdings in Hewlett Packard Enterprise were worth $1,732,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of HPE. Valley National Advisers Inc. raised its position in shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 68.1% in the 2nd quarter. Valley National Advisers Inc. now owns 1,728 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 700 shares in the last quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC raised its holdings in Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 90.2% in the second quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC now owns 1,910 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 906 shares in the last quarter. First Manhattan Co. boosted its stake in Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 89.4% during the 1st quarter. First Manhattan Co. now owns 2,413 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $40,000 after acquiring an additional 1,139 shares during the last quarter. Glassman Wealth Services grew its holdings in Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 72.0% during the 2nd quarter. Glassman Wealth Services now owns 2,444 shares of the technology companys stock worth $41,000 after acquiring an additional 1,023 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Pacific Center for Financial Services acquired a new position in Hewlett Packard Enterprise during the 1st quarter worth $44,000. 81.15% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, CFO Jeremy Cox sold 1,773 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $16.93, for a total value of $30,016.89. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 14,374 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $243,351.82. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, SVP Kirt P. Karros sold 26,127 shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $16.07, for a total value of $419,860.89. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 26,130 shares of the companys stock, valued at $419,909.10. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Jeremy Cox sold 1,773 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $16.93, for a total transaction of $30,016.89. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 14,374 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $243,351.82. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 303,575 shares of company stock worth $4,989,141 over the last ninety days. Company insiders own 0.53% of the companys stock.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Stock Down 1.1 %

HPE opened at $16.98 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a current ratio of 0.87 and a quick ratio of 0.66. Hewlett Packard Enterprise has a 12 month low of $13.65 and a 12 month high of $18.14. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $16.16 and its 200 day moving average price is $16.76. The stock has a market cap of $22.07 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.03, a P/E/G ratio of 3.34 and a beta of 1.25.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (NYSE:HPE  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 28th. The technology company reported $0.52 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.50 by $0.02. Hewlett Packard Enterprise had a net margin of 6.95% and a return on equity of 9.83%. The business had revenue of $7.35 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.36 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted ($0.23) earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 5.0% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts predict that Hewlett Packard Enterprise will post 1.58 earnings per share for the current year.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 11th. Investors of record on Wednesday, December 13th will be issued a dividend of $0.13 per share. This is a boost from Hewlett Packard Enterprises previous quarterly dividend of $0.12. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 12th. This represents a $0.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.06%. Hewlett Packard Enterprises payout ratio is presently 33.77%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

HPE has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Barclays reduced their price target on shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $16.00 to $15.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, November 29th. StockNews.com upgraded Hewlett Packard Enterprise from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 31st. Raymond James boosted their price target on Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $19.00 to $20.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, October 20th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $15.00 to $16.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday, November 29th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $17.67.

Read Our Latest Analysis on Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company Profile

(Free Report)

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company provides solutions that allow customers to capture, analyze, and act upon data seamlessly in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and Japan. It operates in six segments: Compute, HPC & AI, Storage, Intelligent Edge, Financial Services, and Corporate Investments and Other.

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Zullo Investment Group Inc. boosted its stake in Lockheed Martin Co. (NYSE:LMT  Free Report) by 8.1% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,488 shares of the aerospace companys stock after acquiring an additional 112 shares during the period. Zullo Investment Group Inc.s holdings in Lockheed Martin were worth $609,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Eagle Capital Management LLC increased its position in Lockheed Martin by 0.4% in the 3rd quarter. Eagle Capital Management LLC now owns 11,035 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $4,513,000 after acquiring an additional 47 shares during the period. TFG Advisers LLC increased its position in Lockheed Martin by 1.2% during the 3rd quarter. TFG Advisers LLC now owns 2,967 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $1,214,000 after purchasing an additional 34 shares during the period. Red Door Wealth Management LLC increased its position in Lockheed Martin by 6.6% during the 3rd quarter. Red Door Wealth Management LLC now owns 7,636 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $3,123,000 after purchasing an additional 471 shares during the period. Connecticut Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Lockheed Martin during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $261,000. Finally, Chronos Wealth Management LLC increased its position in Lockheed Martin by 1.7% during the 3rd quarter. Chronos Wealth Management LLC now owns 11,653 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $4,766,000 after purchasing an additional 195 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 74.26% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

LMT has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their target price on Lockheed Martin from $505.00 to $455.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, October 4th. Morgan Stanley dropped their target price on Lockheed Martin from $532.00 to $510.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, October 18th. StockNews.com started coverage on Lockheed Martin in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company upgraded Lockheed Martin from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating and set a $440.00 price target on the stock in a report on Monday, September 18th. Finally, UBS Group started coverage on Lockheed Martin in a report on Tuesday, October 10th. They issued a neutral rating and a $470.00 price target on the stock. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have issued a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Lockheed Martin has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $484.07.

Lockheed Martin Price Performance

LMT stock opened at $451.23 on Friday. Lockheed Martin Co. has a 1 year low of $393.77 and a 1 year high of $508.10. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.86, a quick ratio of 1.16 and a current ratio of 1.36. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $447.72 and its 200 day moving average price is $444.98. The firm has a market cap of $111.95 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.49, a PEG ratio of 1.92 and a beta of 0.57.

Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 17th. The aerospace company reported $6.77 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $6.67 by $0.10. Lockheed Martin had a return on equity of 75.46% and a net margin of 10.29%. The company had revenue of $16.88 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.73 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $6.87 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 1.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Lockheed Martin Co. will post 27.19 earnings per share for the current fiscal 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 paid a dividend of $3.15 per share. This represents a $12.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.79%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, November 30th. This is a positive change from Lockheed Martins previous quarterly dividend of $3.00. Lockheed Martins dividend payout ratio is currently 46.04%.

Lockheed Martin 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.

Further Reading

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An Associated Press examination found that more than half of state legislatures in recent years have passed changes to their state victim compensation programs, where thousands of people turn each year for help with funeral costs, medical bills or other expenses after becoming the victim of 
Meridian Financial Partners LLC increased its holdings in WestRock (NYSE:WRK  Free Report) by 3.2% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 21,523 shares of the basic materials companys stock after purchasing an additional 659 shares during the period. Meridian Financial Partners LLCs holdings in WestRock were worth $761,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in WRK. MidWestOne Financial Group Inc. boosted its position in WestRock by 3.6% during the first quarter. MidWestOne Financial Group Inc. now owns 8,606 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $405,000 after buying an additional 300 shares during the period. Wahed Invest LLC boosted its holdings in WestRock by 9.3% during the 2nd quarter. Wahed Invest LLC now owns 3,646 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $106,000 after acquiring an additional 311 shares during the period. Cetera Advisors LLC grew its position in WestRock by 2.9% during the 2nd quarter. Cetera Advisors LLC now owns 11,370 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $331,000 after acquiring an additional 320 shares during the last quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC increased its stake in WestRock by 0.6% in the 1st quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 53,133 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $2,499,000 after purchasing an additional 340 shares during the period. Finally, Asset Management One Co. Ltd. increased its stake in WestRock by 0.4% in the 3rd quarter. Asset Management One Co. Ltd. now owns 99,815 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $3,573,000 after purchasing an additional 350 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 85.51% of the companys stock.

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WestRock Price Performance

WRK stock traded down $0.60 during trading on Friday, reaching $41.52. The company had a trading volume of 1,868,852 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,717,527. The business has a 50 day moving average of $39.13 and a 200 day moving average of $34.94. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 1.42 and a quick ratio of 0.95. WestRock has a 52 week low of $26.84 and a 52 week high of $43.58.

WestRock Increases Dividend

WestRock ( NYSE:WRK Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, November 9th. The basic materials company reported $0.81 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.75 by $0.06. The company had revenue of $5 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.11 billion. WestRock had a positive return on equity of 7.52% and a negative net margin of 8.12%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 7.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.43 EPS. As a group, research analysts anticipate that WestRock will post 2.35 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, November 21st. Investors of record on Monday, November 13th were paid a $0.3025 dividend. This represents a $1.21 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.91%. This is a positive change from WestRocks previous quarterly dividend of $0.28. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 10th. WestRocks dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -18.76%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on WRK. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of WestRock in a report on Tuesday. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Truist Financial lowered their price objective on shares of WestRock from $44.00 to $40.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, November 14th. Argus raised WestRock from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday, November 17th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price target on WestRock from $38.00 to $40.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Friday, November 10th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, WestRock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $37.57.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on WestRock

WestRock Profile

(Free Report)

WestRock Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides fiber-based paper and packaging solutions in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. It operates through four segments: Corrugated Packaging, Consumer Packaging, Global Paper, and Distribution. The Corrugated Packaging segment produces containerboards, corrugated sheets, corrugated packaging, and preprinted linerboards to consumer and industrial products manufacturers, and corrugated box manufacturers.

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Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd. (OTCMKTS:MITEY  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 47,500 shares, an increase of 5,177.8% from the November 30th total of 900 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 76,700 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.6 days.

Mitsubishi Estate Stock Performance

MITEY traded up $0.01 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $13.68. The companys stock had a trading volume of 15,606 shares, compared to its average volume of 42,084. The stock has a market cap of $18.12 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.74 and a beta of 0.42. Mitsubishi Estate has a twelve month low of $11.20 and a twelve month high of $14.43. The company has a current ratio of 1.98, a quick ratio of 1.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.23. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $13.26 and a 200 day simple moving average of $12.82.

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Mitsubishi Estate (OTCMKTS:MITEY  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 9th. The company reported $0.09 EPS for the quarter. Mitsubishi Estate had a return on equity of 5.69% and a net margin of 9.60%. The company had revenue of $2.04 billion for the quarter.

About Mitsubishi Estate

Mitsubishi Estate Co, Ltd. engages in the real estate activities in Japan and internationally. The company develops, leases, manages, and sells office buildings and commercial facilities; operates rental offices, coworking space, virtual offices, hourly meeting rooms, home delivery storage service, commercial nursing homes, and building garages; offers real estate management, as well as building management services, such as security, facility management, cleaning, and planting services; and operates hotels and airports.

Further Reading

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National Bank of Greece S.A. (OTCMKTS:NBGIF  Get Free Report)s stock price was down 0.3% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as low as $6.75 and last traded at $6.93. Approximately 23,002 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 143% from the average daily volume of 9,466 shares. The stock had previously closed at $6.95.

National Bank of Greece Price Performance

The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $6.38 and a 200 day simple moving average of $6.39.

About National Bank of Greece

(Get Free Report)

National Bank of Greece SA, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial products and services primarily in Greece, Cyprus, North Macedonia, Romania, Bulgaria, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. It operates through Retail Banking, Corporate & Investment Banking, Trouble Assets Unit & Specialized Asset Solutions, Global Markets and Asset Management, Insurance, International Banking Operations, and Other segments.

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North Ridge Wealth Advisors Inc. decreased its holdings in The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA  Free Report) by 2.3% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 2,795 shares of the aircraft producers stock after selling 65 shares during the period. Boeing comprises about 0.5% of North Ridge Wealth Advisors Inc.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 28th biggest holding. North Ridge Wealth Advisors Inc.s holdings in Boeing were worth $536,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Coston McIsaac & Partners increased its position in Boeing by 62.5% during the second quarter. Coston McIsaac & Partners now owns 130 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 50 shares during the last quarter. IFS Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Boeing by 523.8% during the 2nd quarter. IFS Advisors LLC now owns 131 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 110 shares during the last quarter. M&R Capital Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Boeing by 90.7% during the 2nd quarter. M&R Capital Management Inc. now owns 143 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 68 shares during the last quarter. Blue Bell Private Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in Boeing by 54.3% during the second quarter. Blue Bell Private Wealth Management LLC now owns 142 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 50 shares during the last quarter. Finally, VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Boeing in the 2nd quarter worth $32,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 61.33% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

BA has been the subject of several analyst reports. Susquehanna restated a positive rating and issued a $270.00 price objective on shares of Boeing in a research note on Wednesday, September 13th. Citigroup reduced their target price on shares of Boeing from $285.00 to $271.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Thursday, October 26th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Boeing in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Royal Bank of Canada raised shares of Boeing from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and increased their target price for the stock from $200.00 to $275.00 in a report on Tuesday, November 28th. Finally, Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Boeing from $210.00 to $235.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 6th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $258.12.

Boeing Stock Down 0.0 %

NYSE BA traded down $0.12 during trading on Friday, hitting $260.23. 1,554,642 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,663,210. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $221.24 and a 200-day simple moving average of $216.07. The Boeing Company has a 12-month low of $176.25 and a 12-month high of $267.54. The company has a market capitalization of $157.43 billion, a P/E ratio of -55.65 and a beta of 1.53.

Boeing (NYSE:BA  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, October 25th. The aircraft producer reported ($3.26) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($3.21) by ($0.05). The company had revenue of $18.10 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $18.01 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted ($6.18) earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 13.5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts predict that The Boeing Company will post -5.98 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Boeing Company Profile

(Free Report)

The Boeing Company, together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, sells, services, and supports commercial jetliners, military aircraft, satellites, missile defense, human space flight and launch systems, and services worldwide. The company operates through four segments: Commercial Airplanes; Defense, Space & Security; Global Services; and Boeing Capital.

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Solidarity Wealth LLC increased its stake in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA  Free Report) by 23.6% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 18,629 shares of the credit services providers stock after acquiring an additional 3,562 shares during the period. Mastercard makes up about 2.7% of Solidarity Wealth LLCs holdings, making the stock its 12th largest holding. Solidarity Wealth LLCs holdings in Mastercard were worth $7,375,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Bornite Capital Management LP purchased a new stake in Mastercard during the first quarter worth approximately $21,442,000. United Bank raised its holdings in Mastercard by 34.5% during the first quarter. United Bank now owns 6,007 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $2,147,000 after purchasing an additional 1,541 shares in the last quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp lifted its position in shares of Mastercard by 30.1% during the 1st quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 272,358 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $97,335,000 after buying an additional 63,040 shares during the last quarter. First Western Trust Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Mastercard during the 1st quarter worth approximately $1,168,000. Finally, Bridgewater Associates LP acquired a new position in shares of Mastercard in the 1st quarter valued at $12,926,000. 74.94% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts recently commented on the stock. BMO Capital Markets reiterated an outperform rating and set a $475.00 price target on shares of Mastercard in a research note on Tuesday, December 5th. Tigress Financial lifted their price target on shares of Mastercard from $476.00 to $495.00 and gave the stock a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, December 7th. Barclays cut their price target on shares of Mastercard from $479.00 to $470.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 30th. KeyCorp cut their price target on shares of Mastercard from $440.00 to $430.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, October 27th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price objective on Mastercard from $425.00 to $480.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 12th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eighteen have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Mastercard has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $451.81.

Insider Buying and Selling at Mastercard

In related news, insider Ajay Bhalla sold 4,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $425.00, for a total transaction of $1,700,000.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 6,235 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,649,875. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other Mastercard news, major shareholder Foundation Mastercard sold 125,816 shares of Mastercard stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $386.20, for a total value of $48,590,139.20. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 98,172,589 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $37,914,253,871.80. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, insider Ajay Bhalla sold 4,000 shares of Mastercard stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $425.00, for a total transaction of $1,700,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 6,235 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,649,875. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 507,264 shares of company stock valued at $195,418,895 over the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

Mastercard Price Performance

MA stock traded up $0.87 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $427.19. 179,845 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,629,373. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $403.37 and its 200-day moving average price is $399.29. The stock has a market cap of $400.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.16, a PEG ratio of 1.93 and a beta of 1.08. Mastercard Incorporated has a fifty-two week low of $340.21 and a fifty-two week high of $428.36. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.24, a quick ratio of 1.17 and a current ratio of 1.17.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 26th. The credit services provider reported $3.39 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.21 by $0.18. Mastercard had a net margin of 44.85% and a return on equity of 188.83%. The company had revenue of $6.53 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.53 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.68 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 13.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts predict that Mastercard Incorporated will post 12.16 earnings per share for the current year.

Mastercard Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 9th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, January 9th will be issued a $0.66 dividend. This represents a $2.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.62%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, January 8th. This is an increase from Mastercards previous quarterly dividend of $0.57. Mastercards dividend payout ratio is 19.86%.

Mastercard declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock buyback program on Tuesday, December 5th that authorizes the company to buyback $11.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the credit services provider to repurchase up to 2.9% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are generally an indication that the companys board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

About Mastercard

(Free Report)

Mastercard Incorporated, a technology company, provides transaction processing and other payment-related products and services in the United States and internationally. It facilitates the processing of payment transactions, including authorization, clearing, and settlement, as well as delivers other payment-related products and services.

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Targa Resources Corp. (NYSE:TRGP  Get Free Report) has received an average rating of Buy from the thirteen research firms that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. Twelve research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12 month price target among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $104.09.

A number of research firms recently commented on TRGP. The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on Targa Resources in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a buy rating and a $101.00 price target on the stock. TheStreet raised Targa Resources from a c+ rating to a b rating in a report on Tuesday, September 5th. UBS Group lowered their price target on Targa Resources from $116.00 to $109.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, December 14th. Mizuho boosted their price target on Targa Resources from $99.00 to $105.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, September 20th. Finally, StockNews.com started coverage on Targa Resources in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating on the stock.

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Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Targa Resources

Targa Resources Stock Up 0.6 %

TRGP stock opened at $86.87 on Friday. Targa Resources has a twelve month low of $64.85 and a twelve month high of $91.43. The company has a quick ratio of 0.60, a current ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.81. The stock has a market cap of $19.37 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.74 and a beta of 2.22. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $86.34 and its 200-day moving average price is $83.19.

Targa Resources (NYSE:TRGP  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 2nd. The pipeline company reported $0.97 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.17 by ($0.20). Targa Resources had a net margin of 5.33% and a return on equity of 19.08%. The company had revenue of $3.90 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.13 billion. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Targa Resources will post 5.03 EPS for the current year.

Targa Resources Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, October 31st were given a $0.50 dividend. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.30%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, October 30th. Targa Resourcess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 52.36%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Targa Resources

In other news, CAO Julie H. Boushka sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $90.00, for a total transaction of $180,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 58,066 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,225,940. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In related news, Director Charles R. Crisp sold 3,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, November 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $85.01, for a total transaction of $255,030.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 116,524 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,905,705.24. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CAO Julie H. Boushka sold 2,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $90.00, for a total value of $180,000.00. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 58,066 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,225,940. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 15,000 shares of company stock valued at $1,335,330 in the last quarter. 1.39% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Targa Resources

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Bessemer Group Inc. raised its stake in Targa Resources by 75.1% in the second quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 338 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 145 shares during the last quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Targa Resources by 51.3% in the third quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 357 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 121 shares during the period. Quarry LP acquired a new position in shares of Targa Resources in the first quarter valued at about $33,000. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC increased its holdings in shares of Targa Resources by 111.2% in the third quarter. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC now owns 397 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 209 shares during the period. Finally, Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV increased its holdings in shares of Targa Resources by 231.0% in the second quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 470 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 328 shares during the period. 90.21% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Targa Resources

(Get Free Report

Targa Resources Corp., together with its subsidiary, Targa Resources Partners LP, owns, operates, acquires, and develops a portfolio of complementary domestic midstream infrastructure assets in North America. The company operates in two segments, Gathering and Processing, and Logistics and Transportation.

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Zullo Investment Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW  Free Report) by 25.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 15,102 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 3,045 shares during the period. Zullo Investment Group Inc.s holdings in Charles Schwab were worth $829,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich boosted its stake in shares of Charles Schwab by 93,993.8% during the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 965,692,348 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $54,735,442,000 after buying an additional 964,666,040 shares during the period. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Charles Schwab during the 4th quarter valued at $1,325,555,000. Morgan Stanley boosted its stake in shares of Charles Schwab by 62.5% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 22,255,649 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,853,005,000 after buying an additional 8,563,389 shares during the period. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Charles Schwab by 91,051.8% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 5,365,193 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $446,706,000 after buying an additional 5,359,307 shares during the period. Finally, Artisan Partners Limited Partnership boosted its stake in shares of Charles Schwab by 133.0% during the 2nd quarter. Artisan Partners Limited Partnership now owns 9,103,386 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $515,980,000 after buying an additional 5,195,531 shares during the period. 81.61% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on SCHW shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft decreased their target price on shares of Charles Schwab from $70.00 to $69.00 in a research note on Wednesday, October 11th. Piper Sandler reduced their price objective on shares of Charles Schwab from $86.00 to $75.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Monday, October 9th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Charles Schwab in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a sell rating for the company. Redburn Atlantic initiated coverage on shares of Charles Schwab in a research note on Friday, December 1st. They issued a sell rating and a $52.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Raymond James lifted their price objective on shares of Charles Schwab from $72.00 to $76.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 17th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Charles Schwab currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $69.44.

Insider Activity at Charles Schwab

In related news, General Counsel Peter J. Morgan III sold 7,162 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.72, for a total value of $434,876.64. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, General Counsel Peter J. Morgan III sold 7,162 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.72, for a total value of $434,876.64. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Paula A. Sneed sold 6,918 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, October 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $49.98, for a total transaction of $345,761.64. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 112,398 shares in the company, valued at $5,617,652.04. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 33,402 shares of company stock valued at $1,945,960 over the last quarter. 6.60% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Charles Schwab Stock Performance

NYSE:SCHW opened at $69.60 on Friday. The firms 50-day moving average is $59.32 and its 200-day moving average is $58.61. The Charles Schwab Co. has a 52-week low of $45.00 and a 52-week 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 company has a market cap of $123.31 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.19, a PEG ratio of 3.52 and a beta of 0.99.

Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, October 16th. The financial services provider reported $0.77 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.75 by $0.02. Charles Schwab had a net margin of 30.14% and a return on equity of 24.58%. The company had revenue of $4.61 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.62 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.10 EPS. The businesss revenue was down 16.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts anticipate that The Charles Schwab Co. will post 3.14 earnings per share for the current year.

Charles Schwab Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 24th. Investors of record on Friday, November 10th were paid a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 9th. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.44%. Charles Schwabs payout ratio is currently 33.33%.

Charles Schwab Company Profile

(Free Report)

The Charles Schwab Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a savings and loan holding company that provides wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, asset management, custody, and financial advisory services. The company operates in two segments, Investor Services and Advisor Services.

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U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Free Report) by 5.7% during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 124,844 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after acquiring an additional 6,727 shares during the quarter. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $7,246,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the business. Accel Wealth Management acquired a new position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $214,000. Zullo Investment Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 8.1% in the 3rd quarter. Zullo Investment Group Inc. now owns 3,506 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $203,000 after acquiring an additional 262 shares in the last quarter. Grimes & Company Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 4.4% in the 3rd quarter. Grimes & Company Inc. now owns 331,440 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $19,237,000 after acquiring an additional 14,084 shares in the last quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 2.8% in the 3rd quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC now owns 41,332 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $2,399,000 after acquiring an additional 1,116 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Red Door Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 18.5% in the 3rd quarter. Red Door Wealth Management LLC now owns 12,564 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $729,000 after acquiring an additional 1,962 shares in the last quarter. 74.98% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CEO Christopher S. Boerner bought 3,071 shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 28th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $48.86 per share, with a total value of $150,049.06. Following the purchase, the chief executive officer now owns 79,384 shares in the company, valued at $3,878,702.24. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Bristol-Myers Squibb news, Director Theodore R. Samuels II acquired 8,500 shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 20th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $49.81 per share, for a total transaction of $423,385.00. Following the purchase, the director now directly owns 35,500 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,768,255. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Christopher S. Boerner acquired 3,071 shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 28th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $48.86 per share, with a total value of $150,049.06. Following the completion of the purchase, the chief executive officer now owns 79,384 shares in the company, valued at $3,878,702.24. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders purchased 13,571 shares of company stock valued at $672,994. Company insiders own 0.09% of the companys stock.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Trading Up 0.1 %

Shares of BMY traded up $0.04 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $51.26. The stock had a trading volume of 1,193,841 shares, compared to its average volume of 10,284,105. The company has a quick ratio of 1.07, a current ratio of 1.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a 52 week low of $48.25 and a 52 week high of $75.18. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $51.24 and a 200 day moving average of $57.76. The company has a market cap of $104.30 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.00, a P/E/G ratio of 2.17 and a beta of 0.34.

Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 26th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $2.00 EPS for the quarter, beating 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 quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.99 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was down 2.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 7.53 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Bristol-Myers Squibb declared that its board has approved a share buyback program on Thursday, December 7th that allows the company to buyback $3.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization allows the biopharmaceutical company to repurchase up to 2.9% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are often an indication that the companys board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 1st. Investors of record on Friday, January 5th will be paid a $0.60 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 4th. This is a positive change from Bristol-Myers Squibbs previous quarterly dividend of $0.57. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.68%. Bristol-Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio is presently 57.87%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have recently commented on the company. Barclays reduced their target price on 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. HSBC upgraded shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from a reduce rating to a hold rating and dropped their price objective for the stock from $55.00 to $53.00 in a research report on Friday, October 27th. TD Cowen dropped 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 report on Friday, September 15th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 27th. Finally, UBS Group restated a neutral rating and issued a $60.00 price objective (down previously from $70.00) on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research report on Friday, October 20th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have assigned a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $62.88.

Read Our Latest Analysis on BMY

About Bristol-Myers Squibb

(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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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BMY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Free Report).

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West African Resources Limited (OTCMKTS:WFRSF  Get Free Report)s share price was down 1.4% during trading on Thursday . The company traded as low as $0.68 and last traded at $0.68. Approximately 15,000 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 90% from the average daily volume of 7,909 shares. The stock had previously closed at $0.69.

West African Resources Stock Performance

The firm has a 50-day moving average of $0.56 and a two-hundred day moving average of $0.56.

West African Resources Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

West African Resources Limited engages in the mining, mineral processing, acquisition, exploration, and project development of gold projects in West Africa. The company has 90% interests in the Sanbrado Gold Project covering an area of 116 square kilometers located in Burkina Faso; and Kiaka gold project located in Burkina Faso.

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Ascent Wealth Partners LLC decreased its position in Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM  Free Report) by 2.3% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 10,137 shares of the restaurant operators stock after selling 236 shares during the quarter. Ascent Wealth Partners LLCs holdings in Yum! Brands were worth $1,267,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in YUM. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Yum! Brands by 32.9% during the third quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC now owns 8,088 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $1,011,000 after purchasing an additional 2,001 shares during the period. Ballentine Partners LLC lifted its holdings in Yum! Brands by 3.1% in the third quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC now owns 4,488 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $561,000 after acquiring an additional 136 shares during the last quarter. Czech National Bank boosted its stake in Yum! Brands by 47.7% in the third quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 48,976 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $6,119,000 after acquiring an additional 15,820 shares during the period. Fiduciary Alliance LLC bought a new position in shares of Yum! Brands during the third quarter valued at approximately $276,000. Finally, Caprock Group LLC raised its position in shares of Yum! Brands by 18.7% during the 3rd quarter. Caprock Group LLC now owns 1,724 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $215,000 after purchasing an additional 272 shares during the period. 80.17% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In other Yum! Brands 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 value of $1,215,360.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 8,210 shares in the company, valued at $1,039,386. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other Yum! Brands news, CEO Mark James King sold 9,600 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 6th. The stock was 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 of the companys stock, valued at $1,039,386. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, CEO David W. Gibbs sold 3,792 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $130.17, for a total value of $493,604.64. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 57,325 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,461,995.25. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 20,626 shares of company stock worth $2,598,157. Insiders own 0.31% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts recently commented on YUM shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft began coverage on Yum! Brands in a research note on Thursday, October 19th. They set a hold rating and a $131.00 price objective for the company. Citigroup cut their price objective on shares of Yum! Brands from $173.00 to $163.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, October 17th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on Yum! Brands from $136.00 to $139.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Thursday, November 2nd. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Yum! Brands in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Finally, Morgan Stanley reduced their price target on Yum! Brands from $155.00 to $150.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, October 11th. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Yum! Brands presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $144.19.

View Our Latest Research Report on Yum! Brands

Yum! Brands Trading Up 0.1 %

YUM stock traded up $0.14 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $130.66. The company had a trading volume of 1,196,752 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,557,771. The company has a 50 day moving average of $126.39 and a two-hundred day moving average of $129.09. The company has a market capitalization of $36.63 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.84, a PEG ratio of 1.99 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.

Yum! Brands (NYSE:YUM  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 1st. The restaurant operator reported $1.44 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.26 by $0.18. Yum! Brands had a negative return on equity of 17.45% and a net margin of 21.32%. The business had revenue of $1.71 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.77 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.09 earnings per share. Yum! Brandss quarterly revenue was up 4.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Yum! Brands, Inc. will post 5.31 earnings per share for the current year.

Yum! Brands Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 8th. Investors of record on Tuesday, November 28th were paid a $0.605 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 27th. This represents a $2.42 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.85%. 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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Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivers an important speech at the New Year gathering organized by the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 29, 2023. [Xinhua/Yao Dawei]

BEIJING, Dec. 29 (Xinhua)  Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday addressed a gathering organized by the country's top political advisory body to ring in the year of 2024.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), delivered an important speech at the gathering of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing.

Other Party and state leaders including Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi and Han Zheng attended the gathering.

They were joined by leading officials of the central committees of non-CPC parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, representatives of personages without party affiliation, leading officials of central Party and government departments, and representatives from various ethnic groups and sectors of society in Beijing.

Advancing the great cause of building China into a stronger country and rejuvenating the Chinese nation on all fronts by pursuing Chinese modernization is the central task of the Party and the country on the new journey in the new era, Xi stressed.

Xi called for consolidating and developing the broadest patriotic united front, stressing the need to pool strength through unity, forge great achievements through hard work, and jointly write a magnificent chapter on Chinese modernization.

On behalf of the CPC Central Committee, the State Council and the CMC, Xi extended New Year greetings to non-CPC parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, personages without party affiliation, Chinese people of all ethnic groups, compatriots in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, overseas Chinese, and the friends from around the world who support the development of China's modernization.

The year 2023 marks the first year of the full implementation of the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress, Xi noted.

Over the past year, we have remained committed to the underlying principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability, transitioned COVID-19 management to that of a class-B infectious disease, resolutely overcame internal and external difficulties, pushed for economic recovery, and fulfilled the main objectives for economic and social development, said Xi.

We have created new opportunities and won the strategic initiative while overcoming crises, fighting difficulties and responding to changes, which has greatly enhanced our confidence and strength, he said.

Xi pointed out that 2023 saw the CPPCC conscientiously implement the decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee and make new contributions to advancing the cause of the Party and the country.

Over the past year, the CPPCC played its due role as a specialized consultative body and carried out in-depth research, consultation and deliberation, and oversight with a focus on the central task, Xi said.

Xi emphasized that the year 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, and is a crucial year in fulfilling the goals and tasks in the 14th Five-Year Plan for economic and social development.

He urged efforts to consolidate and enhance the momentum of economic recovery and growth, improve people's well-being, maintain social stability, and make solid and steady progress in advancing the Chinese modernization.

Xi noted that 2024 also marks the CPPCC's 75th anniversary. He called on the advisory body to carry forward its fine traditions, be active in offering suggestions and building consensus, and improve itself so as to open up new horizons for CPPCC work in the new era.

The gathering was presided over by Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the CPPCC National Committee.

Addressing the gathering, Wang stressed that efforts should be made to study and grasp the guiding principles of Xi's speech. He called on members of the CPPCC National Committee to pool their wisdom and strength in deepening reform, advancing development, and facilitating progress in people's well-being.

Wang also called on them to remain confident, break new ground and forge ahead, make new contributions to the cause of the Party and the country, and strive for the advancement of Chinese modernization.

Leaders of the Communist Party of China and the state Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi and Han Zheng attend the New Year gathering organized by the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 29, 2023. The leaders also watched a performance at the gathering. [Xinhua/Ju Peng]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivers an important speech at the New Year gathering organized by the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 29, 2023. [Xinhua/Ju Peng]

(Source: Xinhua)
Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, meets with Chinese diplomatic envoys to foreign countries, who are in Beijing to attend this year's work conference for overseas envoys, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 29, 2023. Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, was also present. [Xinhua/Li Xueren]

BEIJING, Dec. 29 (Xinhua)  Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday met with Chinese diplomatic envoys who are in Beijing to attend this year's work conference for overseas envoys.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made an important speech during the meeting.

Xi commended the significant achievements of China's diplomatic work in the new era. He asked the envoys to thoroughly study and implement the spirit of the 20th CPC National Congress, the spirit of the Central Conference on Work Relating to Foreign Affairs, and the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, especially the Thought on Diplomacy.

Xi urged the envoys to correctly understand the international environment and historical mission of China's diplomatic work in the new era and new journey, hold high the banner of building a community with a shared future for humanity, and constantly open up new prospects for major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics.

Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, was present at the meeting.

In his speech, Xi said over the past few years, the spread of COVID-19 and the escalating oppression and containment of China by external forces have posed special challenges to China's diplomatic work, bringing special tests to the envoys.

On behalf of the CPC Central Committee, Xi greeted and thanked the envoys and all diplomatic personnel for their hard work.

Xi stressed the need to adhere to the centralized, unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee, carry forward the valuable experience of China's diplomacy in the new era, enhance cohesion, exert combat effectiveness, overcome all difficulties and obstacles, and win new and greater victories.

The just-held Central Conference on Work Relating to Foreign Affairs analyzed the current international situation and external environment for the period to come and made clear the goals and directions, guiding principles, strategic arrangements, and basic tasks of China's external work, Xi said, calling on the envoys to earnestly implement the decisions and arrangements of the conference and make new achievements with a more energetic spirit.

Firstly, Xi urged the envoys to stay true to the founding mission and be loyal to the Party.

Xi stressed that the envoys must enrich their minds with the CPC's innovative theories, sharpen their eyes to distinguish right from wrong, and always keep to the correct political direction.

The envoys must have a deep understanding of where the supreme interests of the CPC and the country lie and understand and implement the foreign work principles and policies of the CPC Central Committee well, Xi noted.

Over 1.4 billion Chinese people are strong supporters of China's diplomatic work. The envoys should take "diplomacy for the people" as their commitment and pass on the warmth of the CPC Central Committee to every overseas Chinese citizen, Xi said.

Secondly, Xi emphasized that the envoys should strengthen their sense of responsibility and be pioneers in their endeavors.

It is necessary to strengthen diplomatic capacity building and be firm in taking practical and pragmatic measures, to be alert and clear-sighted, and to make more practical moves around serving the overall situation and solving problems, Xi said.

The envoys must be good at making friends widely and deeply, and winning people's hearts should be done at different levels. The envoys should also use international language and methods to tell China's stories well, connect China with other countries, and let the world understand China in the new era better, he said.

Thirdly, Xi pointed out that the envoys should be brave enough to defend national interests.

It is necessary to enhance confidence, maintain a clear strategy, maintain bottom-line thinking, and resolutely safeguard China's sovereignty, security, and development interests, he said.

The envoys must strengthen strategic planning and make good use of the magic weapon of the united front, Xi said, adding that they also need to make good use of multilateral mechanisms and rules to gain understanding and support from the international community.

Fourthly, Xi noted that the envoys should adhere to self-revolution and promote full and rigorous Party self-governance.

The envoys should take strict steps to improve Party conduct and enforce Party discipline, put discipline and rules ahead, and build a diplomatic iron army loyal to the Party, brave in taking responsibility, daring to fight and good at fighting, and strict in discipline, Xi said.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, attended the conference and delivered a speech.

He urged the envoys to thoroughly study and understand Xi's important speech and the spirit of the Central Conference on Work Relating to Foreign Affairs, deeply understand the great theoretical innovation and far-reaching significance of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, take Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy as a guide, overcome difficulties, forge ahead, and constantly open up new prospects for major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics in the new era.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, meets with Chinese diplomatic envoys to foreign countries, who are in Beijing to attend this year's work conference for overseas envoys, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 29, 2023. Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, was also present. [Xinhua/Li Xueren]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, meets with Chinese diplomatic envoys to foreign countries, who are in Beijing to attend this year's work conference for overseas envoys, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 29, 2023. Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, was also present. [Xinhua/Shen Hong]

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivers an important speech during the meeting with Chinese diplomatic envoys to foreign countries, who are in Beijing to attend this year's work conference for overseas envoys, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 29, 2023. Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, was also present. [Xinhua/Li Xueren]

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, attends this year's work conference for overseas envoys and delivers a speech in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 29, 2023. [Xinhua/Xie Huanchi]

(Source: Xinhua)
Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, meets with representatives to an event marking 60th anniversary of China dispatching its first international medical aid team, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 29, 2023. Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, was present at the meeting. [Xinhua/Shen Hong]

BEIJING, Dec. 29 (Xinhua)  Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday met with representatives to an event marking 60th anniversary of China dispatching its first international medical aid team.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, congratulated them and extended regards to all those who are or were on foreign medical aid missions.

Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, was present at the meeting.

At around 11:30 a.m., Xi and others arrived at the East Hall of the Great Hall of the People amid a warm round of applause. Xi and others waved to the representatives and had a cordial exchange with them before taking a group photo together.

Liu Guozhong, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and vice premier, delivered a speech. He said that the CPC Central Committee attaches great importance to international medical aid, and General Secretary Xi fully affirmed the achievements that have been made in this regard.

Six decades on, medical workers on foreign medical aid missions have benefited local people with their proficient medical skills and lofty medical ethics, presenting a better China through their practical actions and winning high praise from the governments of recipient countries and their people, Liu said.

Liu encouraged them to open up new fronts in international medical aid, and make even greater contributions toward building a global community of health for all.

A total of 30 outstanding international medical aid groups and 60 outstanding individuals were commended at the meeting.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, meets with representatives to an event marking 60th anniversary of China dispatching its first international medical aid team, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 29, 2023. Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, was present at the meeting. [Xinhua/Shen Hong]

Liu Guozhong, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and vice premier, attends an event marking 60th anniversary of China dispatching its first international medical aid team and delivers a speech in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 29, 2023. [Xinhua/Gao Jie]

Liu Guozhong, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and vice premier, attends an event marking 60th anniversary of China dispatching its first international medical aid team and delivers a speech in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 29, 2023. [Xinhua/Gao Jie]

(Source: Xinhua)


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...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. &&
A small team of local medical providers, Eileen Preston LPN of Charleston, Ron Miller MD of Mattoon, and Dorothy Moyers LPN of Charleston, made their most recent mission trip to Honduras, in Central America, Oct. 26 to Nov. 4.

The overall team included nurses and an anesthetist from Alabama and Mississippi. The group visited small mountain villages and the hospital in the small town of Sula.

Restocking with donated glasses and clearing out expired supplies were important aspects of the trip.
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We are publishing here the tribute to Helen Halyard written by Jerry White, the labor editor of the World Socialist Web Site and a leading member of the Trotskyist movement in the US and internationally for more than four decades. Comrade Helen, a leader of the Socialist Equality Party (US) and the International Committee of the Fourth International for more than half a century, died suddenly on November 28 at the age of 73.

My memories of Comrade Helen go back to the summer of 1979, when she fought with me and another young UPS worker to come to a Workers League summer camp. I was 19 at the time, and the discussion with Helen and Comrade Ann, which went on until late in the evening at a park in Queens, New York, played a pivotal role in my decision to join the party.

Jerry Whites 50th birthday celebration, September, 2009.

Many comrades have pointed to Helens indomitable fighting spirit, her deep knowledge of the history of the International movement, her hatred of all forms of inequality and oppression, her contempt for the opportunist hustlers and promoters of black capitalism, whom she called poverty pimps, her identification with all those fighting against imperialism and war, and her insatiable curiosity about history, music, film and literature. She believed deeply in the revolutionary future of the international working class and was greatly inspired by the younger generation who joined the party. She spent endless hours seeking to impart to these comrades the lessons of the history of the movement and her own experiences.

It has often been said that the program builds the party. That is, the revolutionary and internationalist principles of the Fourth International and the ICFI, and the unbroken record of fighting for this program, attract to the banner of the party the most courageous and self-sacrificing forces, who go on to fight for it. Helen was truly made of that precious human material, the flower of the proletariat, which was attracted to the party, educated by the world movement, and forged into a revolutionary fighter.

Helen was a tireless campaigner for the party. At factory sales of the Bulletin newspaper, at places like the Ford Rouge plant, workers would greet her by her first name. Even our political opponents in the UAW Local 600 bureaucracy and Democrats like Congressman John Conyers would call her Helen.

Helen leading chants at the SEP protest against plant closures at GM world headquarters in Detroit Michigan, February 9, 2019.

At the same time, she had the utmost respect for the history of the movement, and learned so much from Comrade Jean Brust, for whom Helen cared before Jeans death in 1997. She also worked with Soviet historian Vadim Ragovin and Nadezhda Joffe, a member of the Left Opposition and daughter of Bolshevik leader and close collaborator of Trotsky, Adolph Joffe. Our party published Nadezhda Joffes memoirs in 1994, and Helen was in Brooklyn to celebrate Nazdezhas 90th birthday in 1996.

Helen wrote of Nadezhdas death in 1999:

Nadezhda Joffes life represents the triumph of principle and human decency over repression by the Stalinist terror machine. Nadezhda celebrated her ninetieth birthday with family and friends at a gathering in Brooklyn in 1996. Among those present were her four daughters, Natasha, Kira, Lera and Larisa. The two youngest, Lera and Larisa, were born in the Kolyma labor camps of northeastern Siberia, while the oldest two saw their mother taken away by the Stalinist police. All paid tribute to their mothers love and her strength and determination, which reunited the family against incredible odds.

Helen cited Nadezhdas recollections of the period following the October Revolution:

We wanted nothing for ourselves, we all wanted just one thing: the world revolution and happiness for all. And if it were necessary to give up our lives to achieve this, then we would have done so without hesitating.

This too is an apt description of Helens devotion to the cause of international socialism.

Helen Halyard speaks at a reception for Nadezhda Joffe (center), daughter of Bolshevik leader Adolph Joffe and author of "Back in TimeMy Life, My Fate, My Epoch" in New York City, 1994. Seated with Joffe is Soviet historian Vadim Rogovin.

Helen never shied away from the political struggle within the leadership of the movement. I joined the movement after the Wohlforth experience, but I was privileged to be part of many meetings of the Political Committee and National Committee, especially in the aftermath of the split with the WRP, during what we have called the Fourth Period in the development of the Trotskyist movement, in the late 1980s and early 1990s, where Helen contributed to the discussion on nationalism, the trade unions, and the forging of our international perspective.

Her trip to Sri Lanka in 1988 and the response of the young female workers in the Free Trade Zones highlighted the growth of the working class internationally and demonstrated that the unity of the working class internationally, not the nationalism promoted by the various petty-bourgeois opponents of Marxism, was the answer to imperialist oppression. Helen was keenly interested in South Africa and how the installation of the African National Congress and Nelson Mandela confirmed Trotskys Theory of Permanent Revolution, which explained that the tasks of the democratic revolution could only be resolved through the seizure of power by the working class.

As Comrade David explained: The older members of the SEP who had the privilege to work with Helen for so many years have lost a trusted comrade and beloved and irreplaceable friend. The younger members have lost an inspiring teacher.

She was indeed a beloved and irreplaceable friend. My children grew up with Helens son Jamal, and they considered Helen one of their mothers and aunts, who exerted a moral and cultural influence on their lives. We will miss her dearly and continue the intransigent fight for the emancipation of the international working class to which she dedicated her life.
New York City, at the behest of Democratic mayor Eric Adams, will evict 3,500 migrant families from city-run homeless shelters in January. Adams issued an executive order in October that limited stays for migrant families to 60 days before they must leave the shelter system and reapply, with no guarantees that a place will be found for them. Single adults are limited to a 30-day stay before they must leave and reapply for housing.

Students, parents, and immigrant advocates rally against an executive order issued by New York Mayor Eric Adams issued limiting homeless migrants and their children to 60 days in city housing in New York, Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023. [AP Photo/Seth Wenig]

New York City is one of the few municipalities in the United States that is legally obligated to house the homeless, but that policy has effectively been ripped to shreds by the Adams administration, which claims that it is unable to accommodate those most in need of help.

This summer, migrants were subjected to the indignity of having to sleep on the sidewalk in front of the Roosevelt Hotel while they waited for space. Migrants, including families, waiting outside in the cold to apply for housing can already be seen across the city. How many of them must spend the night outside is unknown, but the number will undoubtedly rise after the expulsions from city shelters next month. About 65,000 people live in the citys shelter system.

The New York Times in a recent article featured interviews with educators who emphasized that the move would disrupt students who recently enrolled in the public school system because they will be forced to change school districts. The article noted, more than two dozen principals, educators, parents and advocates said in interviews that the policy could lead to the biggest disruption since schools closed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Since the influx of immigrant workers fleeing poverty and repressive American-supported regimes that began earlier this year, Adams has blamed nearly all of the citys social ills on immigrants, declaring in September that migrant workers will destroy New York City.

Adams has moderated his language somewhat, but the mayor continues to insist that the hardships New Yorkers are facing, particularly the massive budget cuts to education and other essential social services, are caused by the nearly 160,000 migrants that have come to New York City this year, many of them bused to the city by fascist politicians in states that border Mexico, particularly Texas governor Greg Abbott.

Thousands of these migrants are housed in subpar conditions, such as the 1,700 at the tent city in Floyd Bennett Field, a former airport in Brooklyn. During heavy rains earlier this month the tents flooded, and many were nearly capsized by high winds. The media has reported frequent harassment by right-wingers in the area, including a bomb threat phoned into a nearby mall frequented by migrants.

Fascistic Facebook sites regularly call for the expulsion of these workers, who are legally in the United States pending appeals for asylum, and city agencies treat them with contempt. On Christmas Eve, according to The City, security guards at the Floyd Bennett Field encampment were filmed taking scooters away from migrant children who were playing with them, an action defended by the city. The security agency, Arrow Security, is currently being sued by the Department of Homeless Services in relation to assaults on residents.

The Adams administration is opening a 400-person migrant shelter in a building next to the highly polluted Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn. According to The City, The planned shelter abuts the site where a gas manufacturing plant once stood and is across the street from two brownfield lots. All three properties have registered high levels of multiple toxins in their soil, some of which environmental officials believe have migrated onto adjacent plots.

In a new move to discourage the entry of immigrant workers to the city, Adams this week issued an executive order mandating bus companies that transport migrants from the US-Mexican border to give 32 hours notice before arrival in the city. The order also limited the times of day during which migrants could be dropped off. Buses headed for Chicago, which has already implemented similar restrictions, simply drop off migrants in suburbs sometimes as much as an hour-and-a-half walk to the city.

For all his criticism of the cruelty of Texas Governor Abbotts transfer of migrants to New York and other cities, Adams has implemented an identical policy of shipping migrants out of the city as quickly as possible. Politico recently noted, Between March and November, the city said it spent about $4.6 million to purchase more than 19,300 plane tickets for migrants seeking travel to other cities. Adamss efforts to bus migrants to smaller communities in the Hudson Valley, where they are threatened by reactionary local officials, are notorious.

The migrant crisis has caused fissures in the Democratic Party. In a press conference on Tuesday, Adams repeated his criticism of the Biden administration for refusing to provide funds to the city for migrants. The federal government said to New York City, Were not going to do our job, you do our job. You take care of 4,000 people a week, Eric, you and your team.



On Wednesday, Adams held an online press conference with the Democratic mayors of Chicago and Denver, DSA-supported Brandon Johnson and Mike Johnston, calling not only for more federal funds from the Biden administration and a declaration of emergency, but also more effective border control. As Mike Johnston said, we need more federal support to be able to manage this amount of inflow.

The big-city Democratic mayors are concerned that an influx of migrant workers will rapidly exacerbate the deepening social crisis in their cities as federal pandemic funding dries up and little aid is forthcoming from the Biden administration to offset budget cuts. Real wages are declining, and the past months have seen working class unrest with a series of significant strikes and near-strikes. Now the cities are venues of spirited mass protests by young people and workers against the Israeli massacre of Palestinians.

The Biden administration, however, is in a war-spending frenzy for its proxy war against Russia in Ukraine and in backing Israels genocide on the Palestinians in Gaza.

In a summit in Mexico City this week, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas met with Mexicos president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to implement further repressive measures in Mexico to contain migrant workers seeking to cross the border into the United States. The summit, as the World Socialist Web Site noted, was an offshoot of talks to secure congressional approval of a $110 billion package that offers Republicans a greater crackdown on migrants in exchange for the bulk of the money going to escalate the war against Russia in Ukraine and the US-Israeli genocide in Gaza.

This is in line with entire anti-immigrant ruling class policy of the imperialist countries, and is a step toward the far-right policies recently adopted by the European Union that will allow refugees to be locked up in detention centres surrounded by barbed wire, as is already the case at Europes external borders, where they can expect to be deported at any time.

That, ultimately, despite his bloviating about the needs of migrants and their welcome in New York is where the policies of Eric Adams and the whole Democratic Party are headed.
Earlier this month, February 20 and 21 were confirmed as the dates for a hearing of what is the last avenue of appeal within the British legal system open to WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange. The confirmed hearing means that Assange is perilously close to extradition to the US, where he would be tried in a secret national security court on Espionage Act charges carrying a maximum-sentence of 175-years imprisonment.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange greets supporters from a balcony of the Ecuadorian embassy in London, May 19, 2017. [AP Photo/Frank Augstein, File]

The date was revealed shortly before Christmasthe fifth Assange has spent behind bars in the maximum-security Belmarsh Prison. His supporters have repeatedly warned that during that protracted detention, solely aimed at facilitating the US extradition request, Assanges health has continued to worsen.

In a press release, his wife, Stella Assange, stated: The last four and a half years have taken the most considerable toll on Julian and his family, including our two young sons. His mental health and physical state have deteriorated significantly.

She added: With the myriad of evidence that has come to light since the original hearing in 2019, such as the violation of legal privilege and reports that senior US officials were involved in formulating assassination plots against my husband, there is no denying that a fair trial, let alone Julians safety on US soil, is an impossibility were he to be extradited. The persecution of this innocent journalist and publisher must end.

The hearing will be held before a panel of two High Court judges. They are to review an earlier decision, released in writing by another High Court judge last June 6, refusing Assange permission to appeal.

To find in favor of Assange, the judges would, in effect, need to overturn a decision previously brought down by one of their colleagues. If they were to do so, it would not result in Assanges freedom, only permission to proceed with a full appeal hearing at some point in the future.

If the High Court panel upholds the previous rejection, Assanges avenues within the British legal system are closed. There is an application to appeal before the European Court of Human Rights, but it is entirely unclear whether Britain would even accept its jurisdiction in the case.

In his June 6 ruling, Justice Sir Jonathan Swift declared that there was not a point of law on which Assange could appeal. Assanges lawyers had been seeking to appeal on substantive grounds, including the fact that the WikiLeaks founder is being targeted by the US for his political opinions and protected speech, which would rule out extradition under the relevant US-British treaty.

They had also raised that the US had misrepresented the facts of the case to the British courts and that the extradition attempt constituted an abuse of process.

Swift summarily dismissed those arguments in a short written judgment. Previous court decisions had rejected expert evidence that Assange would not survive extradition, and thus his dispatch should be blocked on health grounds. Their judgments were largely on the basis of bogus US assurances about the conditions of his imprisonment.

Pointing to the ramifications of the upcoming hearing, WikiLeaks editor-in-chief Kristinn Hraffnson declared: There is no press without the protection to operate freely. Julians case is a landmark moment; the UK needs to decide if it wishes to be a haven for free press or if it wishes to be complicit in the degradation of a core value of our democracy. This is the last chance for judges in the UK to halt this un-just extradition of an innocent man.

The US is seeking Assanges extradition, explicitly to prosecute him under draconian national security legislation for his activities as a journalist. The 2010 and 2011 publications for which Assange is sought exposed historic war crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan, including mass killings of civilians, as well as unlawful detentions at the US military prison of Guantanamo Bay and innumerable diplomatic conspiracies spanning every corner of the globe.

The US pursuit of Assange has itself been thoroughly exposed as a dirty-tricks operation, involving violations of laws in multiple jurisdictions. Since the hearings began, voluminous evidence has emerged exposing illegal US spying on Assange, while he was a political refugee in Ecuadors London embassy. That extended to unlawful surveillance of his privileged conversations with lawyers.

There is also substantial and uncontradicted evidence that the top levels of the Trump administration and the Central Intelligence Agency discussed plans to kidnap or even assassinate Assange in 2017, before a criminal indictment and extradition request were issued.

Each new exposure, however, has largely passed without leaving a mark on the British court processes. The judiciary has repeatedly functioned as a handmaiden of extradition, in line with the support for the US witch hunt by the British government, Labour opposition and entire political establishment.

The scope of the US campaign against Assange and WikiLeaks continues to emerge.

A group of American citizens, including journalists and lawyers who associated with Assange, have initiated court action against the US government, alleging that they were targets of the illegal spying operation. On December 20, a District Court in the Southern District of New York rejected a government motion to dismiss the suit.

The ruling rejecting summary judgment stated: The plaintiffs complaint contains sufficient allegations that the CIA and [its then director Mike] Pompeo violated their reasonable expectation of privacy in the contents of their electronic devices. It cited an April 2017 speech, in which Pompeo pledged that his office would embark upon a long term campaign against WikiLeaks. Thus those hearings will proceed.

In a separate development this month, the Guardian reported that US state department documents, released under freedom of information requests, showed that the American government was monitoring pro-Assange protests in Australia in 2010, as the WikiLeaks publications for which he is now charged politicised significant layers of workers and youth.

American officials were monitoring those Australian rallies for evidence of anti-US sentiment. They warned of increasing sympathy, particularly on the left for Assange, and bemoaned sensationalist reporting of the WikiLeaks publications.

Notably, the Guardian reported The embassy was particularly critical of Australian medias reporting of cables that showed the US government was closely watching the rise of the then deputy prime minister, Julia Gillard. That is a reference to revelations, contained in US diplomatic cables, that Gillards ascension to the prime ministership, in a coup in June 2010, had been orchestrated by a handful of Labor and union apparatchiks who functioned as protected sources of the US embassy.

Gillards predecessor Kevin Rudd was ousted amid concerns that his calls for the US to reach a modus vivendi with China cut across the advanced plans for a massive American confrontation with Beijing.

More than a decade on, the US war drive, aimed at asserting American global hegemony, is far advanced. Australia is a full participant, with its transformation into a staging post for offensive US operations proceeding under the current Labor government. While deepening the American alliance, it has in practice rejected calls to defend Assange as a persecuted Australian citizen and journalist.

The US war drive against China is emerging as a major flashpoint in an unfolding global conflict. That includes the US-NATO proxy war against Russia in Ukraine, and the imperialist backed Israeli genocide in Gaza, which is part of moves towards a region-wide US-led conflagration focused against Iran.

Amid this eruption of imperialist militarism, stemming from a breakdown of the capitalist system, Assanges fate is more dependent than ever on the development of the mobilisation of the working class. The very governments persecuting him for exposing their past war crimes are engaged in new and even greater conspiracies.

At the same time, there is mass opposition among workers and young people, which must be developed into an international anti-war movement that fights for the freedom of those such as Assange who have exposed militarism and war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during his end-of-the-year news conference in Kiev, Ukraine, Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023. [AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky]

The government of President Volodymyr Zelensky submitted a new mobilization draft law to parliament on Monday, December, 25 as it seeks to conscript up to 500,000 new troops to continue the NATO proxy war with Russia.

Details on the bill are being purposefully kept under wraps to avoid popular backlash. However, journalists from the news outlet Hromadske were able to download an explanatory description before the Ukrainian parliaments website was shut down to public access. Among the proposed changes are:

The conscription age is to be lowered from 27 to 25 years;

The introduction of basic three-months-long military training for all Ukrainian citizens aged 18 to 25 in every educational establishment;

The introduction of optional military service for persons aged under 25 who were not able to complete basic military training;

Restrictions on Ukrainian citizens who evade registering with a military enlistment office and completing military service;

Administrative service centres and employment and recruitment centres are to be involved in military recruitment.

The draft law also proposes to deliver military call-up notices via email and an online service for conscripts, persons liable for military service and reservists.

Among the controversial aspects of the bill are proposals to cancel the passports of Ukrainians living abroad who refuse to report for mobilization, thus threatening their legal status within the country they currently reside. Following the announcement of the proposal, Ukrainians across Europe were seen waiting in line at consular offices to renew their passports before the mobilization changes take effect. In Valencia, Spain, 550 people reportedly waited in line for hours to renew their passports and ensure their legal status for the upcoming year in Spain.

The Ukrainian parliament is set to review the new mobilization rules, followed by a vote that will likely take place as early as mid-January 2024. According to reports, members of Zelenskys Servant of the People party have been told not to publicly discuss any details of the bill.

Zelensky first announced the proposal in his end of the year press conference on December 19, making headlines both in Ukraine and internationally. The half a million additional troops are to be mobilized at a cost of $13.3 billion. Zelensky claimed at the time that the proposal was made in response to a request from Armed Forces Commander General Valery Zaluzhnyi, with whom Zelensky has waged a very public political struggle over the direction of the war. Yet Zaluzhnyi promptly declared on December 26 that he and the army leadership had never submitted a request for a specific number of troops to be mobilized, directly contradicting the president and his justification for the mobilization bill.

The new mobilization bill is testimony to the state of extreme crisis of the war and the Ukrainian oligarchic regime as a whole. It also demonstrates that, amidst this crisis, the ruling class is prepared to sacrifice hundreds of thousands, if not millions more, for the war against Russia. However, not only the funding of this mobilization effort but also its physical feasibility are in serious question.

Given that Ukraine had a pre-war population of approximately 36 million, the proposed numbers represent a huge share of the working age population forced into NATOs proxy war that has failed to achieve any of the stated objectives of the Ukrainian government or NATO. The percentage is even larger if one considers that millions have fled the country and many more live in territories not controlled by the Zelensky government.

BBC Ukraine reported in November that 650,000 Ukrainian men aged 18-60 have left Ukraine for other countries in Europe since the start of the war. Zelenskys former advisor Alexey Arestovich recently claimed that 4.5 million Ukrainian men, nearly half of the Ukrainian male population, had fled abroad to avoid military service and that 30 to 70 percent of military units consist of refuseniks who have gone AWOL (absent without official leave).

Out of the remaining population, hundreds of thousands have already been killed, with even Zelenskys former advisor, Alexey Arestovich putting the number of estimated dead at a staggering 400,000. Given that there are an average of 3 wounded per 1 dead soldier, the number of those injured must now be well over 1 million. At least 80,000 people have become amputees.

Meanwhile, Zaluzhnyi himself acknowledged in November in the Economist that the war had reached a stalemate, drawing the ire of Zelensky who shortly thereafter cancelled the planned 2024 presidential elections. Confronting a severe shortage of men at the front throughout the past year, the Ukrainian military has resorted to kidnapping people off the streets, grabbing them at shopping malls and other public places, and forcibly drafting them into the army.

Roman Kostenko, a Ukrainian parliament member and secretary of Ukraines parliamentary security committee recently told the news outlet Ukrinform, that the words about an additional 450,000-500,000 mobilized have become a cold shower for everyone. He added that the military must be replenished due to losses as the war can... drag on for a long time.

Zelensky and the Ukrainian ruling class as a whole are clearly aware that the a new round of mass mobilization would prove unpopular as the war drags on and the casualties continue to rise. In an embryonic but significant expression of growing anti-war sentiment, this fall saw the first nationwide protests by family members of soldiers, some of whom have been deployed at the front since the start of the war in February 2022 almost two years ago.

Zelensky has called the proposal a very sensitive issue and attempted to offload much of the responsibility onto parliament and the military with Zaluzhnyi as its leader and public face.

The fact that the bill was introduced on Christmas Day which Ukrainian Orthodox Christians were busy celebrating for the first time ever on December 25 was clearly an attempt to avoid popular uproar. Previously, Orthodox Christians in Ukraine celebrated Christmas on January 7th as in Russia, but the date was changed this year by the newly-formed Orthodox Church of Ukraine in cooperation with the right-wing government in a xenophobic and reactionary attempt to divide the Ukrainian working class along religious lines.

There are also fears within the government and ruling class that the law is too open an admission of the catastrophic state of the war. Statements by Oleksandr Musienko, the head of the Center of Military Law Studies NGO, indicate that sections of the Ukrainian ruling class view the new mobilization law as a sign of panic and desperation on the part of Zelensky.

The aggressor (Russia) can rejoice to some extent, Musienko told the New Voice of Ukraine radio this week. I dont understand why [this bill was introduced]. The situation in our state is not fatal or catastrophic. They monitor and interpret it as if panic has somehow leaked through to us, and our decision-making is influenced not by rational calculations but by a panicked reaction.

I get the feeling that someone consciously, intentionally, or unintentionally (through certain erroneous actions) aims to discredit the mobilization campaign in Ukraine, which is very, very dangerous.

The mobilization draft law was announced amidst a new round of provocative strikes by Ukraine in Crimea on Tuesday. Satellite images showed significant damage to the Russian tank landing ship Novocherkassk, which Ukraine claims to have destroyed in a cruise missile attack. A part of Russias Black Sea Fleet, the ship carries a crew of around 87 with capacity for 237 troops, according to the US military.

While the Ukrainian military and press made much of the attack, the operation was timed in order to divert attention from the news that Ukrainian forces had lost the city of Marinka in the eastern Donetsk region  yet another territorial loss for Ukraine which even the New York Times was forced to report.
The decision of Maines secretary of state that Donald Trump cannot appear on the presidential primary ballot is part of an unfolding and unprecedented political crisis in the United States. Maine becomes the second US state to declare that Trump is ineligible to return to the White House because of his role in the January 6, 2021 insurrection on Capitol Hill, which sought to overturn the outcome of the 2020 election.

The Maine action, announced Thursday, follows the decision of the Colorado state Supreme Court, which ruled December 19 that Trump had violated his oath of office by mobilizing his supporters and unleashing them against Congress. He sought to disrupt the official certification of the Electoral College vote, won by Democrat Joe Biden by a margin of 306-232. Biden won the popular vote by more than 7 million.

Ex-President Donald Trump speaks during a rally Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, in Reno, Nevada. [AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vasquez]

Section Three of the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution declares anyone ineligible to hold office who has previously sworn an oath to uphold the Constitution and then violated it. The Colorado court found that Trump clearly did so on January 6. The 34-page decision issued by Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, a Democrat, closely tracks the Colorado ruling and cites it repeatedly.

Bellows writes:

I am mindful that no secretary of state has ever deprived a presidential candidate of ballot access based on Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. I am also mindful, however, that no presidential candidate has ever before engaged in insurrection.

Court suits and other legal and administrative proceedings aiming to prevent Trump from appearing on the ballot are underway in more than a dozen states, according to press tabulations. This week, the Wisconsin Elections Commission recused itself from hearing a suit against placing Trump on the ballot, while the California secretary of state declined to remove him from the ballot. In both states the issue will now be taken up in the courts.

Trump has yet to defeat a single challenge on the basis of the substance of the issues. Those courts and state election authorities that have rejected challenges to his ballot statusthe majority so farhave done so exclusively on procedural grounds, mainly based on findings that the issue must be decided in the federal courts, not by the states.

Such findings, and the conflicting decisions in various states, mean that the issue will inevitably find its way to the US Supreme Court, which is dominated by Republican appointees, including three out of nine who owe their positions to Trump himself. The very fact that the highest US court must step in to decide who can be on the presidential ballot is an indication of the extremity of the political crisis.

Red circles denote US states where challenges to Trump's ballot status are being considered by the courts or state election authorities, including: Alaska (AK), Arizona (AZ), California (CA), Colorado (CO), Maine (ME), Michigan (MI), Minnesota (MN), Nevada (NV), New Jersey (NJ), New Mexico (NM), New York (NY), Oregon (OR), South Carolina (SC), Texas (TX), Vermont (VT), Virginia (VA), West Virginia (WV), Wisconsin (WI) and Wyoming (WY).

The normal political processes of American capitalismcongressional elections every two years, presidential elections every four years, political campaigns run by the two capitalist parties and declared legitimate by their allies in the corporate mediaare breaking down. They can no longer contain the political tensions erupting in the United States, whose source is not the personality of Trump, but far deeper social and historical processes.

The 2020 election saw the collapse of the peaceful transfer of power and not just on January 6. Two weeks later, Biden was sworn in to the presidency with Washington an armed camp and his predecessor skulking out the back door of the White House, refusing to attend the inauguration ceremony, while continuing to promote his baseless claims of a stolen election.

The 2024 election promises to start where 2020 left off, with the legitimacy of the vote being questioned from the very beginning. Numerous states, mostly those won by Biden in 2020, are seeing serious legal challenges to Trump being on the ballot. Republican officials in states carried by Trump in 2020 are already suggesting that Biden be kept off the ballot in their states if the challenges to Trump are upheld.

In the course of 2020, there were armed attacks by far-right Trump supporters on capitol buildings in Michigan and other states, ostensibly in opposition to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, that were encouraged and incited by then-President Trump. What will such fascists be capable of in a state that bars their Fuhrer from the presidential ballot? Will it even be possible to hold a presidential election in November 2024?

The Maine decision underscores the correctness of the warning made by the WSWS after the Colorado decision:

The potential divide along state lines, on such a basic question as which candidate will be allowed on the ballot, raises the prospect that the outcome of the 2024 election will be rejected in large parts of the country, not simply as politically unwelcome, but as illegal and unconstitutional. The breakup of the United States is directly posed.

Trumps spokesmen and apologists have responded to the actions in Colorado and Maine by blasting election interference and claiming his exclusion from the ballot is an attack on the democratic rights of American voters. This is cynical in the extreme coming from a candidate and a party that sought to overturn the votes of 81 million Americans in 2020 and keep Trump in the White House as president-dictator.

Nor does the Democratic Party have any claim to be defending democracy against Trumps attacks. The Democrats slow-walked the prosecution of Trump for the events of January 6, and Biden declared that his political goal was to maintain a strong Republican Party even as the GOP openly embraced Trump and his increasingly fascistic appeals. This was in pursuit of bipartisan support for his principal prioritythe preparation and instigation of the US proxy war against Russia in Ukraine.

The conflict within the state is a ferocious struggle within the ruling class in which there is no democratic faction. Trump and the Republicans represent a fascist tendency, as Trump channels the ravings of Adolf Hitler, only with immigrants and Muslims substituted for Jews as his scapegoats and targets.

The Democrats openly embrace the Israeli genocide in Gaza, which they are arming, financing and directing, combining it with a mounting witch hunt against the mass popular opposition that the Gaza slaughter is provoking among students, youth and working people. They would like to keep the conflict within the state confined within some sort of constitutional system, largely because they fear the revolutionary consequences of the breakdown of the two-party system.

Both of these parties are mortally dangerous to the working class.

The critical issue for workers and youth is to grasp the connection between the domestic crisis wracking American capitalism and its increasingly reckless and criminal foreign policy. There is a reciprocal relationship between the two.

On the one hand, there is a continual effort on the part of the ruling class to use the explosion of militarism abroad to somehow divert attention from and contain the internal crisis, which is rooted in the deep-going social polarization between a tiny elite of super-rich parasites and the vast majority of working people struggling to survive.

On the other hand, the growth of militarism reacts back on the political structures of the United States, which are unable to handle the combined impact of war abroad and mounting social tensions at home. War only exacerbates the domestic social tensions, as the ruling class seeks to impose the full cost of record military budgets on the working class through the gutting of what remains of social benefits. The logic of imperialist war is the suppression of domestic opposition and the abolition of democratic rights.

The crisis of American capitalism has now become the most destabilizing factor in world politics. Just as American economic supremacy, once the basis of the post-World War II boom, is long gone, American political stability, once taken for granted as the model for the so-called free world, is a thing of the past.

The critical and urgent issue is the independent intervention of the working class, which must oppose both reactionary factions of the financial aristocracy and their political parties. The working class must defend democratic rights and oppose imperialist war through its mass, independent industrial and political mobilization on the basis of a socialist program.
Two months have passed since Hurricane Otis ravaged the port of Acapulco, the capital city of Guerrero state in southwestern Mexico, in the early hours of October 25.

In a 12-hour span before landfall, Otis developed from a tropical storm into a cataclysmic Category 5 hurricane sustaining 165 mph winds. According to the US National Hurricane Center, Otis was the strongest hurricane in the Eastern Pacific to make landfall in the satellite era.

Residents in Acapulco wait for aid on Friday, October 27 [Photo: Secretaria de Gobernacion]

Official figures put the death toll at 52, a likely undercount. Thirty-two people are still missing. Approximately 274,000 homes were damaged or destroyed, impacting 580,000 people, about two thirds of the population. The hurricane ravaged more than 17,000 acres and flooded 2,000 acres, causing an estimated $15 billion in damages.

The state of Guerrero ranks as the second poorest state in Mexico, with 64 percent of the population (2.3 million people) living in poverty, and 25 percent (900,000 people) in extreme poverty. Acapulco is the Mexican city with the highest number of people (126,000) living in extreme poverty. It is a city of extreme inequality, where the Mexican elites own luxurious apartments for their weekend getaways, while the workers that keep the city running live in impoverished, marginal zones.

Otis has shone a spotlight on this inequality. In the weeks after the disaster, while tourists and apartment owners abandoned the port city, the residents of Acapulco had no choice but to suffer through the storms aftermath. With the citys infrastructure crippled, over a million people had to endure prolonged outages of electricity, water, food supplies, gasoline and internet access.

While promising a rapid recovery and assistance, the government has used this as an opportunity to increase the military presence in the port city. In the words of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (known as AMLO), the current situation must be leveraged to improve security.

Starting in January, as part of this plan, the government will build 56 new barracks in Acapulco and nearby Coyuca de Benitez, the two counties most affected by the hurricane, in order to deploy 10,000 National Guard troops. This surge in military presence is a continuation of AMLOs broader policy of placing national security over civil assistance and the immediate needs of the population.

The National Guard, amounting to a new wing of the military, was created by AMLO after being elected president, despite having campaigned on the promise of removing the Armed Forces from domestic security operations. It is currently composed of 118,000 members.

The government announced it will spend $3.6 billion in reconstruction efforts. The direct aid provided to the population consisted primarily of a cleanup payment of $480, a reconstruction payment of between $2,000 and $3,500 depending on the assessed property damage, and a home appliance package consisting of a cooking range, a fridge, a mattress, cooking pans and an electric fan.

Although the government claims that 96 percent of these aid packages have been delivered, the distribution of relief efforts has been marred by inefficiency and confusion. As a result, a number of protests have broken out in the affected communities. Residents of these neighborhoods have denounced the difficulties in locating their distribution centers and the bureaucratic hurdles that have prevented some of them from receiving aid, with instances of families being denied aid due to lost documentation or bureaucratic errors.

After waiting for hours in the sun to receive aid, some of these workers have been turned away for lack of required identification. As one worker expressed to La Jornada, in order to get aid, one has to suffer. In other cases, census glitches have prevented entire communities from receiving aid packages. In response, the government has blamed the workers themselves, claiming that people have been abusing the system by registering multiple times. Asking for responsibility and patience, officials have asserted that aid will eventually reach the affected communities.

This aid has proven insufficient for many workers who not only lost their homes but also their jobs. According to Julian Uriostegui Carbajal, president of the Council of Industrial and Business Chambers of Guerrero, around 5,000 formal jobs have been lost. In Acapulco, a city which according to the Department of Labor and Social Welfare ranks second nationwide in the number of people employed in the informal economy, with 78.1 percent of the working population engaged in such employment, these figures are only the tip of the iceberg.

The WSWS spoke with Lulu, a worker previously employed as a housekeeper in one of the luxury apartments offered for rent on AirBnB. She explained that since she rented her home, the owner of the dwelling is the one who registered in the census and ended up receiving the aid.

She explained, When I say I had to start over, this is literally my situation. I had to swallow the embarrassment and the anxiety of seeing my children sleep on the floor, but thankfully someone gave us a mattress.

Unable to find work, she decided to leave the city in search of a job. She added, Since I lost everything I decided to move to [Mexico City]. There are many families in Acapulco in the same situation as me, but I didnt want to stay so as not to burden my parents.

Speaking about the condition of the workers that remain in Acapulco, she commented, Everyone I knew in Acapulco is working cleanup jobs, picking up debris at their previous jobs. Theres no other choice since there are no more tourism jobs, as far as I know.

This hasnt kept the pseudo-left media from heralding the recovery efforts as an unprecedented success under AMLOs presidency, asserting that unemployment has not risen and normalcy is returning to the port city. As proof of this supposed return to normalcy, AMLO said, Yesterday night I flew over Acapulco and I was very happy to see there are many houses with Christmas lights. These narratives gloss over the hardships faced by workers who are struggling to make ends meet, whether by working any job they are able to get or by leaving the city altogether.

The unprecedented rapid intensification of Hurricane Otis from a tropical storm to a Category 5 hurricane in just 12 hours is an indicator of the escalating climate crisis. Climate scientists have linked such rapid intensifications to warmer ocean temperatures, which are a direct consequence of the increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

The Otis catastrophe not only exemplifies the immediate impact of climate change but also serves as a warning of the increasing frequency and severity of such natural disasters. The failure to adequately prepare for and respond to these events speaks to the inability of the capitalist system to address the underlying issue of climate change, including in its disproportionate impact on poorer regions and communities.

Capitalism cannot provide a solution to the escalating and more frequent climate disasters, themselves a result of the subordination of all aspects of human enterprise to the generation of profit. Two months after Hurricane Otis, Acapulco continues to endure the consequences of a disaster that exemplifies this reality with stark clarity. Only a fundamental reorganization of society on the basis of satisfying human needs rather than the pursuit of private profit will be able to confront the climate crisis.
Mass destruction of Palestinian housing and infrastructure is seen as Israeli soldiers take up positions near the Gaza Strip border, in southern Israel, Friday, December 29, 2023. [AP Photo/Ariel Schalit]

Israels relentless onslaught on the Gaza Strip is leaving residents with the choice of death or displacement, Palestinian envoy to the United Nations Majed Bamya said Friday.

Bamyas concise summation of the horrendous conditions on the ground produced by the genocidal assault received fresh confirmation as Israeli forces bombarded an aid convoy in northern Gaza, stepped up attacks in Khan Younis, and killed several displaced people in an air strike in Rafah. American imperialism once again demonstrated its complicity in the genocide by announcing the sale of thousands of howitzer shells to Israel.

The Rafah strike hit a residential building Thursday, claiming at least 20 lives. Earlier the next day, a UN aid convoy came under fire while traveling along a route designated for humanitarian supplies to northern Gaza. Over 800,000 people in northern Gaza have been left without any access to medical care and only extremely limited aid deliveries by the Israeli military. Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), stressed that the agency coordinates its movements with the Israeli authorities, underscoring that the attack was intentional.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry in the West Bank released a statement accusing Israel of deliberately restricting aid supplies into Gaza. Current aid does not even meet the bare minimum of what is required, which alongside indiscriminate bombing is part of its policy of genocide.

According to the international aid group Mercy Corps, around half a million people in Gaza currently face catastrophic hunger and starvation. The amount of lifesaving goods being allowed inside Gaza is a drop in the ocean and has not yet increased to the level necessary to meet Gazans basic and critical needs, even after the opening of the Kerem Shalom border crossing, commented Kate Phillips-Barrasso, vice president of global policy and advocacy for Mercy Corps. Once trucks reach their destination, the safe delivery of any kind of assistance is almost impossible due to the ongoing and unstopping security risks.

A further warning from the World Health Organisation illustrates how Israel is also using disease to implement its genocidal policy. WHO president Tedros Ghibreyesus stated that records show almost 180,000 cases of upper respiratory infections, 136,400 cases of diarrhea, half of which are in children under the age of 5, and 55,400 cases of lice and scabies. There were also 5,530 cases of chickenpox, 42,700 cases of skin rash, 4,683 cases of acute jaundice syndrome, and 126 cases of meningitis.

As the onslaught on Gaza continues unabated, the Israel Defense Forces have also expanded their attacks in southern Lebanon against Hezbollah. Underscoring the remark by Defence Minister Yoav Gallant that Israel is in a multi-front war, the IDF carried out air strikes and fired shells at targets across southern Lebanon, including locations some 10 miles from the border. Speaking later at a meeting of the United Nations Security Council, Israels UN envoy Gilad Erdan denounced Iranian-backed attacks from Lebanon and vowed to wage a full scale war if Hezbollah continued firing at Israel. IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari told the media that the military conducted widespread strikes by fighter jets, tanks, and artillery and vowed that Hezbollah in southern Lebanon will never be the same again.

The far-right government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu can only proceed with such aggression because it knows it enjoys the unconditional support of US imperialism and its European allies. In the latest example of this fact, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken declared an emergency situation to bypass the requirement to obtain congressional approval for the sale of M107 155mm shells worth close to $150 million to Israel. The shells are typically fired from howitzer guns and will enable the IDF to continue its indiscriminate bombardments of densely populated areas.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, whose government supports the censorship and outright banning of pro-Palestinian protests across Germany, spoke Friday with Israels War Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz to reiterate Berlins backing for the war.

The imperialist powers endorsement of Israels genocide is part of preparations for a region-wide war against Iran that will aim to consolidate US hegemony over the energy-rich and geostrategically important Middle East. Amid a deepening world capitalist crisis that is reviving all of the great power conflicts of the 20th century, the imperialists are making clear with their backing for Israel that they are prepared to resort to any means necessary, genocide included, in pursuit of raw materials, markets and spheres of influence.

Fridays deliberate targeting of an aid convoy is in line with Israels systematic violation of international law. War crimes, including attacks on hospitals, medical workers and children, and the use of food and other basic necessities as weapons of war, have become a daily occurrence. This has been accompanied by open declarations of genocidal intent against the Palestinians by numerous Israeli government officials. Israels ever more explicit policy is to force Gazas Palestinian population into Egypts Sinai Desert.

This agenda was outlined in an application filed by the South African government with the International Court of Justice Friday. Israels actions are genocidal in character because they are intended to bring about the destruction of a substantial part of the Palestinian national, racial and ethnical group, it declared.

In a further indication of the unrestrained lawlessness pervading the Israeli onslaught, Gazas Government Media Office reported that 200 out of 325 heritage and archaeological sites across the enclave have been targeted for destruction. The sites include mosques, churches, ancient archaeological houses, and museums. Some sites date back to the Phoenician era, between 1,100 and 200 BC. The attacks are a failed attempt to obliterate the Palestinian cultural and heritage presence in Gaza, the ministrys statement said.

According to the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, extensive evidence exists of Israeli soldiers looting Palestinian homes across Gaza. The theft of personal belongings and looting of valuable possessions is occurring on a mass scale, with the organisation describing the amounts involved as tens of millions of dollars. Reports of stolen items include money, gold, laptop computers, and other electronic devices.

Palestinians in the West Bank also face increasingly deadly violence from the Israeli occupiers. In a briefing to Fridays UN Security Council meeting, the death toll in the West Bank since 7 October was confirmed as 304 Palestinians, including 74 children. During 2023, 504 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank, making it the deadliest year since the UN began keeping records in 2005. In addition, 4,785 Palestinians have been arrested by Israeli forces since 7 October.

Israeli soldiers assaulted Al Jazeera journalist Montaser Nassar and his photographer Friday in Wadi al-Shajna near the town of Dura. The soldiers reportedly beat the two men and confiscated their equipment as they were preparing to film a report from a rooftop. Since 7 October, 48 journalists have been arrested in the West Bank.

In Gaza, 106 journalists and media workers have been killed and a further eight arrested. Another journalist, Jabr Abu Hadros, with the al-Quds TV station, was reported killed late Friday in an air strike on his Nuseirat home.
On December 14, Kathleen Folbiggs 2003 convictions for murder of three of her infant children and manslaughter of the fourth was quashed by the New South Wales Court of Criminal Appeal in light of the Report of the 2022 Inquiry into the convictions of Kathleen Megan Folbigg delivered in November by former chief justice Tom Bathurst KC.

Kathleen Folbigg following her release from prison in Coffs Barbour, Australia, Tuesday, June 6, 2023. [AP Photo]

Folbigg was convicted of murdering Laura (10 months), Patrick (8 months) and Sarah (19 months), and the manslaughter of Caleb (19 days), with their deaths occurring between 1989 and 1999. She was sentenced to 40 years in prison, reduced on appeal to 30 years with a 25-year non-parole period. Folbigg maintained her innocence throughout.

Folbiggs conviction in the 2003 court case constituted a miscarriage of justice for which she spent nearly two decades in jail. There were no direct eyewitnesses and no physical evidence of foul play on the babies. Her conviction rested heavily on the interpretation of her diaries, in which she agonised over the deaths of her children, as confessions of infanticide.

None of this amounted to proof beyond a reasonable doubt, yet the jury found her guilty. With her conviction, the media coverage denounced her in the blackest terms. The tabloid Daily Telegraph, for instance, headlined its article Monstress: the diary of a child murderer.

Outside the court of appeal on December 14, a vindicated Folbigg told the assembled press conference The system preferred to blame me rather than accept that, sometimes, children can and do die suddenly, unexpectedly, and heartbreakingly. I think the system and society needs to think before they blame a parent of hurting their children.

In his report, Bathurst found reasonable doubt about her guilt. The intervention of principled scientists played a central role in the decision to overturn the conviction.

The science of genetics was critical to Folbiggs exoneration. The case in 2003 was just three years after the Human Genome Project published the first draft of the human genome, which led to a revolution in genetics, with very rapid developments following. Central to this was the ability to sequence genomes relatively quickly and cheaply.

In 2015, a petition was lodged, raising doubts over the evidence presented in the trial. This led to a 2018 inquiry into Folbiggs case conducted by Reginald Blanch, former chief judge in the District Court of NSW, who reported in October 2019.

As part of the preparation for the inquiry, Folbiggs lawyers turned to a geneticist at the Australian National University (ANU), Carola Vinuesa, to see if genetic make-up had played a part in the death of the children. Vinuesa, along with her colleague geneticist Tudor Arsov, arranged the DNA sequencing of biological samples from Kathleen.

Professor Carola G. Vinuesa [Photo: John Curtin School of Medical Research, ANU College of Health & Medicine]

They found that she had the calmodulin 2 (CALM2) gene. This gene has undergone three mutations, producing three variants, CALM1, 2 and 3, that are known to be critical to the functioning of the heart. Calmodulin stands for calcium modulated protein, which senses and helps control calcium levels through cellular pathways known as ion channels. This process is particularly important in regulating the heartbeat. The CALM mutations cause too much calcium ion to be channelled, a result that has been found to be responsible for several sudden deaths, especially in infants.

This discovery occurred as the inquiry was starting, and an expert panel of geneticists and cardiologists was formed. They managed to obtain preserved samples from the Folbigg children. The scientists split into two teams, one based in Canberra and the other in Sydney. Both teams found that Folbiggs two female children had the CALM2 gene.

Given that it was much more complicated to extract the genome of the children, there was a chance that Kathleen herself might be carrying one of these variants, because they tend to be inherited, Vinuesa told Cosmos.

Yet the 2019 inquiry upheld Folbiggs conviction. An important issue in upholding the conviction was the significance of the CALM2 genethe two teams disagreed, with Canberra asserting its importance while Sydney pushed that it was not significant. A factor in the Sydney groups argument was that Folbigg herself had survived to adulthood, thus calling into doubt the lethality of the gene.

Vinuesa and Arsov, who were involved in the Canberra teams report, asserted that the presence of the gene in the female children was likely pathogenic.

The divergence between the two groups occurred because many genes were being identified by scientists, including some that were potentially dangerous, but their role in the functioning of the human organism was not necessarily known.

An important feature article by science journalist Nicky Phillips, entitled Trials of the Heart, published in Nature in November 2022, explained the basis of the disagreement. The medical literature is littered with papers that claimed to have identified dangerous gene variants that later turned out to be harmless.

Before the inquiry findings were handed down, Vinuesa contacted several scientists who work on calmodulin to help resolve the disagreement. Peter Schwartz, a cardiologist specializing in arrhythmias of genetic origin at the Auxological Institute in Milan, responded. His research team had found a link between mutations in calmodulin and sudden death in childhood.

Schwartz had written a paper that identified a case involving the CALM3 gene in a family where a four-year-old boy had died suddenly while his five-year-old sister had survived a cardiac arrest. Their mother was a mosaic, meaning only some of her cells had the CALM3 variant, with the remainder normal.

Schwartz wrote to Vinuesa stating that my conclusion is that the accusation of infanticide might have been premature and not correct.

Spurred by the adverse 2019 finding against Folbigg, Vinuesa contacted other scientists internationally to assist in gathering evidence to extend the scientific understanding.

Central to the campaign was the involvement of a protein scientist at Aalborg University in Denmark, Michael Toft Overgaard who had discovered the first mutation calmodulin gene in 2012.

His team of researchers included postdoctoral students Helene Halkjr Jensen and Malene Brohus, who constructed proteins with Folbiggs mutations of the CALM2 gene known as G114R. These were compared to two other calmodulin variants known to cause severe arrhythmias that occur due to an electric signal failing that cause the heart to beat.

The two scientists discovered the mechanism by which the G114R variant interferes with the channelling of calcium in the heart, causing these arrhythmias to occur.

They found that the G114R variant delayed the closure of the ion channels, letting extra calcium into the cell. Thats what we know to be one of the signatures of a pathogenic calmodulin mutation, Ivy Dick, an electrophysiologist at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, who was involved in the research, told Nature.

Dick continued, If you asked me, Would this mutation be likely to cause sudden death? I would say somebody with this mutation is at very high risk of that.

The research was published in November 2020 in a paper entitled Infanticide vs. inherited cardiac arrhythmias in the journal of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). It is known legally as the Brohus article, and presented the evidence proving the natural cause of the death of Kathleen Folbiggs two girls.

The researchers also identified that the two boys, Caleb and Patrick, carried a different and dangerous gene, BSN, that controls the Basson protein responsible for transmissions across the synapse between two nerve cells. The variant could cause a lethal form of epilepsy.

In mice, BSN deficiency causes early onset severe epilepsy that is 50 percent lethal in the first six months of life, the study stated.

It was established that Kathleen Folbigg was a mosaic for the CALM2 variant, enabling her to survive to adulthood but unfortunately passing on the lethal gene to her two girls.

The Brohus article powerfully concluded: The growing understanding of inherited cardiac arrhythmias forces a reassessment of the medical foundations, never challenged, on which several mothers were found guilty of infanticide on the basis of assumption instead of evidence.

The genomic revolution heralds a new era for the assessment of recurring familial sudden deaths of infants and children, an era that reasserts the presumption of innocence for tragically unlucky families.

These words preceded an intensified fight against the miscarriage of justice and calumny perpetrated against Kathleen Folbigg in 2003.

Vinuesa contacted the chief executive of the Australian Academy of Science, Anna-Maria Arabia, who produced a petition of 90 eminent scientists, including Nobel prize laureates Elizabeth Blackburn and Peter Doherty, calling on the New South Wales government to override the 2019 finding and pardon Folbigg. This led to the establishment of what became the Bathurst inquiry.

The scientific evidence was critical in Folbiggs exoneration, with scientists from the Australian Academy of Science acting as consultants to the Bathurst inquiry.

The array of scientific evidence to the inquiry from world leading geneticists, protein scientists, cardiologists, neurologists, paediatricians, forensic pathologists and psychologists was itself virtually unprecedented.

Overgaard and his colleague Professor Mette Nyegaard made a crucial presentation, where they outlined results of the study of the gene variant CALM2 G114R, finding it inadequately performs its regulatory role in heart cells.

Bathurst heard from the remaining senior authors involved in the Brohus article, Arsov, Matthew Cook, Vinuesa and Schwartz. Other internationally-renowned cardiologists and geneticists appraised the work of the Brohus article, with most agreeing that the CALM2 G114R variant had the potential to be disease-causing.

Other experts in psychology, neuroscience, forensic pathology and paediatrics gave evidence relating to other aspects of the case. Two neurologists proposed epilepsy as a cause of death in Patrick Folbigg. Psychiatric and psychological experts determined Folbiggs diariescentrally used in her convictionshould be interpreted through the lens of maternal grief, rather than as admissions of infanticide.

Science and scientists were critical to ensuring justice for Folbigg who had been egregiously dealt with after the tragic death of her four children. As her lawyer Rhanee Rego commented in June when Folbigg was pardoned before the final Bathurst report was delivered, she had endured close to two decades locked away in maximum security prisons for crimes which science has proved never occurred.
New estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau show only two more states added more people to their population totals than North Carolina in the year leading up to July 1, 2023, as population trends in general bounced back from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Census Bureau estimated North Carolinas population on July 1 as 10,835,491. The official count from the 2020 Census was 10,439,459.

The Census Bureau estimated that North Carolinas population increased 1.3% from 2022 to 2023, adding almost 140,000 residents during that period. The Census Bureau estimates population growth annually from July 1 of one year to July 1 of the next.

Texas added almost 475,000 residents during the year and Florida added 365,000. Georgia, number four on the list, added some 116,000 new residents.

Russell Smith, professor of geography at Winston-Salem State University, said people continue to discover the attractions that North Carolina has to offer.

Recent economic development announcements are opening a lot of peoples eyes about North Carolina as a great place to live, Smith said, adding that fast-growing central parts of the state are close to the mountains and close to the beach.

When you combine affordability and economic opportunity, people are going to be attracted to that, Smith said.

At the same time, he added, the growth comes with cautions: Fast growth equals more traffic and higher housing costs, as communities grapple with a lack of affordable housing.

I think the government and developers need to work together to balance growth with the construction of infrastructure to support that growth, Smith said.

The Census Bureau said that the 2023 numbers showed population trends returning to their pre-pandemic characteristics. Before the pandemic, the overwhelming majority of states had more births than deaths. But from 2021 to 2022, half of the states had more deaths than births.

In the latest estimates, the number of states with more deaths than births dropped to 19. North Carolina stayed among the states that had more births than deaths throughout the pandemic, but the effect of the 2023 rebound here was a dramatic increase in the number of births over deaths: In 2021 there were only 1,267 more births than deaths in North Carolina. In 2023, there were 12,657 more births than deaths.

Net migration had a bigger impact on the states growth: The state had almost 100,000 more people moving in than moving out in 2023, and net international migration contributed almost 30,000 residents to North Carolina.

North Carolina shares its role as a population magnet with other southern states. According to the Census Bureau, the South accounted for 87% of the countrys population growth in 2023.

In addition to Florida and Texas (both up 1.6%) fast-growing southern states in addition to North Carolina included South Carolina (up 1.7%), Delaware (up 1.2%), Tennessee (up 1.1%) and Georgia (up 1.1%). The District of Columbia, also included by the Census Bureau as being part of the South, grew 1.2%.

The Census Bureau said eight states lost population during 2023: New York (down 102,000), California (down 75,000), Illinois (down 33,000), Louisiana (down 14,000), Pennsylvania (down 10,000), Oregon (down 6,000), Hawaii (down 4,300) and West Virginia (down 4,000).

The new estimates stood in dramatic contrast to the 2022 figures, which showed 19 states losing population.

With an increasing share of the population, North Carolina stands to gain increasing clout in Congress: North Carolina gained a 14th representative in the U.S. House from the 2020 Census, a record high for the state. Similarly, the number of electoral votes commanded by the state has grown to 16, also a record high.

Anytime you can have more people speaking in uniformity for the state, it makes the case much stronger for legislation, Smith said.
Several workers action committees in Sri Lanka have joined their class brothers and sisters around the world in sending protest letters condemning the violent attack on two Socialist Equality Party (SEP) members in Sri Lanka by pro-government thugs.

Those attacked were Dehin Wasantha, a veteran university worker and a well-known fighter for workers rights and socialism, and Lakshman Fernando, a full-time SEP party worker.

Dehin Wasantha, one month after being attacked by Podujana Pragathishili Sevaka Sangamaya thugs

The workers action committee letters were sent to the Sri Lankan attorney general and the vice chancellor of the University of Moratuwa with copies to the SEP, in response to the campaign launched by the SEP internationally.

Wasantha and Fernando were physically assaulted at the University of Moratuwa on November 30 by Indika Perera and Suranga Piyawardenathe president and secretary of the Moratuwa University branch of the Podujana Pragathishili Sevaka Sangamaya (PPSS). The PPSS is a trade union affiliated to the ruling Sri Lankan Podujana Peramuna party.

The two SEP members were campaigning with other party members near the rear gate of the university for SEP public meetings on the Centenary of Trotskyism addressed by Joseph Kishore, national secretary of the SEP (US). They were attacked with long wooden clubs, causing serious injuries.

Wasantha suffered two fractured fingers and is on extended medical leave because his fingers will take a considerable period to mend. Lakshman was badly bruised and left with a neck injury.

The Moratuwa Magistrates Court is due to hear the case against Perera and Piyawardena on January 8. The Moratuwa University administration has not yet initiated an inquiry against the culprits.

We publish below letters sent by the Health Workers Action Committee (HWAC), the Railway Workers Action Committee (RWAC) and the Port Workers Action Committee (PWAC).

Health Workers Action Committee (HWAC):

To: Senior Professor N.D. Gunwardena, Vice Chancellor, University of Moratuwa

To: Attorney General: Mr Sanjay Rajaratnam

Dear Sirs,

In relation to a physical attack on two members of the Socialist Equality Party by two trade union leaders at Moratuwa University.

On November 30, 2023, two trade union leaders from Moratuwa University, Indika Perera and Suranga Piyawardena, attacked two members of the Socialist Equality Party (SEP), Dehin Wasantha and Lakshman Fernando, near the same university.

The attack was carried out during a campaign by SEP members among students, youth and workers for a meeting to be held in Colombo to celebrate the Centenary of Trotskyism.

Perera and Piyawardena, who carried out the attack, act as the president and secretary of the Moratuwa University branch of the Podujana Pragathishili Sevaka Sangamaya (PPSS). As this trade union is led by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, the main party of the current government, there is every likelihood that this attack was planned with the knowledge of the government.

Dehin Wasantha, who was assaulted, is a long-time non-academic employee of the University of Moratuwa. He has been a fighter for the rights of students and workers for many years, exposing the treacherous activities of the trade unions and fighting for the independent mobilisation of workers on socialist principles. The other victim, Lakshman Fernando, is a full-time SEP member.

As Perera and Piyawardena came in a hired three-wheel taxi armed with wooden clubs to carry out the attack, it was very clear that it was a planned attack. They [Wasantha and Fernando] were also beaten with wooden sticks and threatened with death. As a result of the attack, Wasantha has sustained fractures in two fingers of his hand. It is serious bodily harm. So far, the relevant medical staff have given Wasantha 28 days leave for further treatment, after providing initial treatment. Lakshman, who was hit, sustained injuries on his neck and back.

This is a serious anti-democratic attack against the right of the SEP to engage in its politics among workers and youth, and against the right of the workers and youth to be informed about the SEPs politics.

This is not just an attack on Wasantha, Fernando and the SEP. It is part of the overall attack by capitalist governments and trade union bureaucrats internationally against the building of an independent movement of workers in Sri Lanka, as well as around the world.

The HWAC recognises this as a brutal attack on the democratic rights of the entire working class. Any leniency given to the perpetrators will only encourage future attacks against workers democratic rights by increasing mob groups.

The HWAC hereby requests that, taking these facts into account, the culprits be punished to the fullest extent of the law to protect the democratic rights of the members of the Socialist Equality Party, the members of the Action Committees and all workers, youth and students to engage in their political activities.

(This request was unanimously adopted at the Health Workers Action Committee meeting held on December 21, 2023.)

Yours faithfully

Sanjeeva Subasingha,

Secretary

Health Workers Action Committee

Railway Workers Action Committee:

The Railway Workers Action Committee (RWAC) denounces the attack carried out by ruling party thugs on SEP members.

The RWAC condemns with contempt the attack on Dehin Wasantha and Lakshman Fernando, two members of the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) in Sri Lanka who were campaigning in front of a gate at the University of Moratuwa on November 30. These thugs are Indika Perera and Suranga Piyawardena, branch president and secretary of the Podujana Pragathisili Sevaka Sangamaya (PPSS) respectively.

Wasantha, a veteran non-academic worker and famous for fighting to defend the independent interests of workers, and Fernando, a full-time SEP member, were seriously injured in this incident.

The PPSS is a trade union led by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP). The SLPP is the party which undemocratically chose Ranil Wickremesinghe as president and is led by the former President and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse.

The SEP members were campaigning to publicise meetings in Colombo and Kandy on the centenary of the world Trotskyist movement to be addressed by Joseph Kishore, the national secretary of the SEP (US).

On the said day, SEP comrades were about to stop the campaign by 6 p.m., when the movement of students was lessening. Two thugs threatened SEP members and came back in a three-wheeler armed with long poles. They especially targeted Wasantha and attacked him, shouting that they would not allow him to come again into the university. Fernando had serious wounds in his neck, face and back.

This incident shows how angry the union bureaucracy is about Wasanthas principled politics, exposing their treacherous and pro-government record among workers and students. This is a conscious and calculated attack. The union bureaucracy has especially expressed their open hostility to Wasanthas call for workers independent action committees.

The RWAC demands that maximum legal action be taken against these thugs, whose activities are a threat against anyone who is involved in principled politics.

While the RWAC works among the workers to expose this attack, it appeals to railway workers to defend the SEPs right to engage in its political work. The SEP is the Sri Lankan section of the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI).

Marlon Fernando

Secretary

Railway Workers Action Committee

Port Workers Action Committee:

To: Senior Professor N.D. Gunwardena, Vice Chancellor, University of Moratuwa

To: Attorney General: Mr Sanjay Rajaratnam

Condemnation of the brutal attack on the Sri Lankan SEP members by the ruling party thugs

The Port Workers Action Committee (PWAC) strongly condemns the violent attack on Socialist Equality Party (SEP) members, Dehin Wasantha and Lakshman Fernando.

The two SEP members were attacked while they were campaigning and distributing leaflets near the University of Moratuwa to publicise a Colombo SEP public meeting. Indika Perera and Suranga Piyawardenathe president and secretary of the Moratuwa University branch of the Podujana Pragathishili Sevaka Sangamaya (PPSS)severely attacked the two SEP members. Both SEP members were injured in the violence.

This appears to be a brutal attack on behalf of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), a part of President Wickremesinghes right-wing government, which is implementing the austerity programs of the International Monetary Fund. This is an attack on the democratic right of the SEP to freely engage in its activities.

The pre-planned attack is part of an ongoing attack on democratic rights and freedom of speech in Sri Lanka. The government is carrying out repressive measures to suppress protests among workers against the governments IMF-dictated attacks on jobs, wages, social conditions and basic rights.

We, the workers of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority and related services, are facing the governments attacks and repressive measures under privatisation and cuts in working conditions, and we will unite with the rest of the Sri Lankan working class and the international working class to defend the democratic rights of the SEP.

This is an attack on the international working class. These attacks were directed at SEP members who were campaigning and encouraging students and workers to attend meetings addressed by SEP (United States) National Secretary Joe Kishore. The campaign explained the century-long struggle of the Trotskyist movement to defend and develop Marxism and its contemporary relevance to the struggle for international socialism.

The Sri Lankan ruling elite and the leaders of the PPSS are terrified of the powerful perspective of the Trotskyist movement that has deep roots in the history of the Sri Lankan working class.

We demand that the culprits be punished with the full force of the law and that the SEPs right to freely engage in campaigns be assured.

On behalf of the Port Workers Action Committee,

Convener,

Jothipala Dadigama

Port Workers Action Committee

* * * *

The SEP is calling on all those who are concerned to defend democratic rights and freedom of expression to register their opposition by sending protest letters to the following addresses of the relevant authorities, with copies to the SEP (wswscmb@sltnet.lk).

Senior Professor N.D. Gunawardena, Vice Chancellor, University of Moratuwa

Email: vc@uom.lk or ndg@uom.lk

Attorney General, Mr. Sanjay Rajaratnam

Email: agdurgentmotions@gmail.com
You are here: Business

China's top economic planner, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), on Friday announced measures to support key projects backed by private business investment.

The NDRC is soliciting applications nationwide for key private investment projects and will create a catalog of the eligible ones after review.

The commission said it will work with relevant departments to provide assistance for these projects in terms of land acquisition, finance and paperwork.
"Why, When and How to File Liens according to the Nebraska Revised Statutes" will be the topic of the Coalition for Successful Board Leadership meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 3, at the Southwood Clubhouse, 5000 Tipperary Trail.

Presenting will be a homeowners association board that has experienced filing liens. Many homeowners association/condo documents require filing liens. How does a board file a lien and still promote community? If you have experience with liens, the Coalition would appreciate you sharing during the Q&A segment of the meeting.

The agenda also includes a review of the "Good Governance" survey and a networking opportunity.

This meeting is for officers, directors and committee chairs of homeowners associations and condo boards.

Attendance is free, and free on-site parking will be available. Direct questions to Karen Watson at KarenWatsonLincolng@gmail.com or 402-310-6946.
"Im forever in your debt with gratitude," the 'Hawkeye' actor said

Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Jeremy Renner.

Jeremy Renner is feeling grateful.

The actor, 52, shared a post on Instagram Friday, revealing that he recently visited the Reno, Nevada, hospital where he was treated for his near-fatal snowplow accident one year ago.



"Rollin through Reno, NV with joy, blessings, and !!!!" Renner wrote alongside a photograph of himself riding in a RennerVation Foundation firetruck.

"Stopped by to see kids/superheroes , first responders , and doctors, nurses and staff at Renown hospital Paying my respects and celebrating love, life and the blessings it brings to us all," he continued, referring to the non-profit hospital where he stayed amid his recovery.

Added Renner, "Thank you and this community for keeping me here.. Im forever in your debt with gratitude #loveandtitanium."

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Related: Jeremy Renner Says Snowplow Accident Taught Him Not to Squander My Life': Its My Duty

Last year, Renner broke over 30 bones and underwent multiple surgeries after his snowplow ran him over while he was helping his nephew get a stuck vehicle out of the snow at his property in Reno on New Year's Day.

Since the accident, the Avengers: Endgame star has been open about his journey to recovery. In an emotional Instagram post in November, Renner revealed all the treatments he's been having to aid his return to health.

I have been exploring EVERY type of therapy since Jan 14th  everyday," he wrote. Countless hours of physical therapy, peptide injections, iv drips and pushes, stem cell and exosomes, red light / IR therapy, hyperbaric chamber 2.0 atmospheres, cold plunge, and the list goes on and on.

Renner then went on to say that his greatest therapy has been "his mind" and his "will to keep pushing through his recovery." He added that he felt it is his "his duty" to be "exceptional" after his accident, noting, "Not to squander my life being spared, but to give back to my family, friends, and all of you whom have empowered me to endure.

Theo Wargo/Getty Jeremy Renner.

Related: Jeremy Renner to Release 'New Musical Diary' Titled 'Wait' on 1-Year Anniversary of Snow Plow Accident

Renner plans to mark the first anniversary of his accident next month by releasing what he described as a "new musical diary" titled "Wait."

"Wait," a representative for the star previously confirmed to PEOPLE, is the title of Renner's upcoming single.

In a December Instagram post, Renner teased the project, writing, "New musical diary  story of life, death, recovery, all things learned along the way."

He also shared what appears to be the single's cover artwork, which shows Renner with his arm around his daughter, Ava Berlin Renner, 10, as they sat on a dock overlooking a body of water.

"Wait" will be available to purchase and stream on Jan. 1.



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In a press conference, Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey called the incident "a confined situation" that isn't a threat to the community

Getty Crime scene tape

A couple and their teenage daughter were found dead in a Dover, Massachusetts, residence on Thursday night.

In a preliminary investigation, the Norfolk District Attorney's Office said it appears to be "a deadly incident of domestic violence," per a press release posted by the Dover Police Department.

Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey said that police were dispatched at around 7:24 p.m. on Thursday to a home on Wilson's Way after receiving a 911 call from a relative who had stopped by to check on the three family members.

When police arrived at the scene, they found two adults  a man and a woman  and their teenage daughter dead inside, per the release.

Related: Missouri Man Charged with Murdering Ex-Girlfriend Who Has Been Missing for Over a Week

During a live press conference on Friday morning viewed by PEOPLE, Morrissey identified the victims as Rakesh Kamal, 57, Teena Kamal, 54, and Arianna Kamal, 18.

According to Morrissey, the state police discovered a firearm on the premises. The medical examiner is set to determine the cause and manner of death, and the district attorney expects an autopsy to occur "very soon."

"It's clear that this is a confined situation to this individual dwelling, and there's no threat to the other residents of the town," Morrissey said during the press conference.

In a statement issued via the press release ahead of the news conference, the DA's office believed that this is an isolated incident. "Although the investigation is at a very preliminary stage, the evidence available at this time does not indicate the involvement of any outside party, but suggests that this is a deadly incident of domestic violence," they said.

The DA's office added, "It is not believed that there is any ongoing danger to the Dover community related to this incident."

A rep for the Norfolk District Attorney's Office did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.



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Related: Man Allegedly Killed Half-Brother on Christmas Day While Victim Was Looking for His Cell Phone

During the press conference, however, the DA declined to comment on whether it was a murder-suicide or where the bodies were found. "It was apparent to those who went in that they were deceased. I just leave it at that," he said.

Morrissey confirmed that the firearm was found near Rakesh. "I don't know who it was registered to at this time, that's part of the ongoing investigation. We will not tell you at this time where it was found, but it was found near the husband, I'll just leave it at that," he told reporters.



According to Morrissey, the last homicide in Dover was in 2020. "There's been no police reports, there's been no problems, no domestic issues, no nothing at that house or in the entire neighborhood that I'm aware of," he told reporters Friday.



If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.



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Death-row inmate Jorge Galindo has petitioned the federal court to vacate his convictions and sentence for his part in the U.S. Bank killings in Norfolk in 2002.

The move comes on the heels of an unsuccessful bid for the Nebraska Supreme Court to rehear his case, following a split decision in September affirming a district court judge's decision to deny Galindo postconviction relief without an evidentiary hearing.

Galindo got the death penalty five times over for going into a U.S. Bank branch on Sept. 26, 2002, with Jose Sandoval and Erick Vela and gunning down five people  Lola Elwood, Lisa Bryant, Jo Mausbach, Samuel Sun and Evonne Tuttle  in one of the deadliest bank killings in U.S. history.

The three left empty-handed as the five died.

Within hours, the three men would be locked up and ultimately landed on death row, Sandoval and Galindo after being found guilty at trial and Vela after pleading guilty.

Automatic appeals followed  all rejected.

In 2019, Galindo filed a motion for postconviction relief, alleging a number of claims, including prosecutorial misconduct and ineffective assistance of counsel.

After being denied a hearing without an evidentiary hearing, Galindo appealed to the Nebraska Supreme Court, which heard oral arguments last year.

His attorney, Adam Sipple, wasn't challenging Galindo's underlying convictions, but said he should have been granted a hearing to explore allegations that Madison County Attorney Joe Smith had been involved in a criminal drug ring and shielded himself from federal scrutiny by getting participants in it to testify against Galindo at the sentencing phase, implicating him in another killing prior to the U.S. Bank murders.

The majority found even if Galindo could prove his allegations, the conflict could not amount to anything more than harmless error, but said "our decision should in no way be understood as minimizing or countenancing the seriousness of the allegations against the county attorney in this case. It would be a great understatement to say that the county attorney would be deserving of serious condemnation if these allegations are true."

In a partial dissent, Justice Jonathan Papik said, while he agreed with the majority on all the other claims, he disagreed with the claim involving the county attorney.

Papik said because he couldn't say at this stage that Galindo was incapable of proving a constitutional violation that would render his sentences void or voidable he would grant him an evidentiary hearing.

"Even if granted this hearing, Galindo would be a long way from obtaining relief from his death sentences; while his allegations about the county attorneys behavior are serious to say the least, at this stage, they are mere allegations," he wrote.

Justice Lindsey Miller-Lerman joined in the partial dissent, saying she, too, would have granted an evidentiary hearing on the claim.

"I write summarily only to say that in a death penalty case, the penalty phase prosecuted by a prosecutor with a conflict should not be left unexamined," she wrote.

On Dec. 9, Sipple filed a motion asking to stay the mandate from being issued, while Galindo seeks review of a number of federal questions.

Two days later, assistant federal public defenders filed a 375-page petition for a writ of habeas corpus on Galindo's behalf, raising 37 claims.

Nebraska's 11 death row inmates Jose Sandoval Nikko Jenkins John Lotter Raymond Mata Jorge Galindo Erick Vela Jeffrey Hessler Roy Ellis Marco Torres Anthony Garcia Aubrey Trail
A North Carolina pastor was arrested after allegedly attempting to deep fry a McDonalds employee.

According to Business Insider, the incident occurred on Thursday at a McDonalds restaurant at High Point, North Carolina where 44-year-old Latoya Gladney, a manager in training, claimed her employees were disrespecting her.

Gladney reportedly then called her husband Dwayne Waden, 56, for help.

The incident report reviewed by Business Insider alleges that when Waden arrived at the restaurant, he walked around the counter and placed his hands around the neck of an employee and attempted to push his head towards a deep fryer. A fight reportedly ensued between the two men, with Wade reportedly punching the victim in the face repeatedly until several employees were able to get him off the victim.

Per the report, the victim suffered a large contusion to his forehead and right eye plus scratches on his neck. The victim was checked out by emergency responders but he opted to be transported to a hospital by family members.

The news site also uncovered that Waden is a pastor at the Elevated Life International Ministries, per his Facebook page.

Footage of the incident was reviewed by police, who then charged Waden with assault, according to a separate arrest report. He was set on a $1000 bail bond and is set to report to court on Jan. 22.

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Hi again!

John M Lund Photography Inc / Getty Images

We went through X aka Twitter to see what questions people had for boomers in 2023, and here are some of the realest/funniest ones we could find...

As always, there will be a millennial follow-up after this!

1. Lawns:

Why do boomers care so much about lawns  human (@MattRigsNthings) August 4, 2023

Twitter: @MattRigsNthings

2. GPS:

Why do boomers love giving you directions after you already tell them youre gonna use a GPS  Mike (@MichaelEbert_) December 28, 2023

Twitter: @MichaelEbert_

3. Using their phone with their index finger:

why do boomers use their index finger when theyre using their phone, i feel like its more work  her.  (@soforthelow) November 3, 2023

Twitter: @soforthelow

4. Pronouncing the word "Italian":

Why do boomers say Italian like eye-talian  CD (@chadbakerbsm) April 7, 2023

Twitter: @chadbakerbsm

5. Cutting down trees:

Why do boomers have an irrepressible desire to cut down trees in their yard  David  (@ricohboi) April 21, 2023

Twitter: @ricohboi

Jim Bastardo / Getty Images

6. Looking at bar tabs:

Why do boomers look at their bar tab like theyre deciphering the rosetta stone  emkato? (@EmKatMal) May 8, 2023

Twitter: @EmKatMal

7. Pronouncing "Pokemon":

Why do boomers unfailingly pronounce Pokemon as PokEmon  Arden Foxx (@arden_foxx) June 15, 2023

Twitter: @arden_foxx

8. Calling "computers" machines:

Why do boomers feel the need to call computers machines   Andrew P. (@apoure25) June 17, 2023

Twitter: @apoure25

Katarzynabialasiewicz / Getty Images

9. Smacking things:

why do boomers think Smacking everything that doesn't Work fix it?  River  (@Riverpottle) June 28, 2023

Twitter: @Riverpottle

10. Replying all:

why do boomers love the reply all option so much  lilz (@lilyfanali) July 25, 2023

Twitter: @lilyfanali

11. Hating self-checkout:

why do boomers act like having to scan their own items at check out is going to kill them  qjingle (@jdkhow) August 1, 2023

Twitter: @jdkhow

12. Having 5+ TV remotes:

Why do boomers always have 5+ TV remotes  JJ (@dare80music) November 12, 2023

Twitter: @dare80music

Peter Dazeley / Getty Images

13. Slot machine phone games:

why do boomers love slot machine phone games  ashley  (@ashwenis) July 6, 2023

Twitter: @ashwenis

14. Speaking in emojis:

why do boomers insist on speaking in emojis sometimes ??????? pic.twitter.com/4ZUcAGUBAS  free  (@ShutUpShira) June 28, 2023

Twitter: @ShutUpShira

15. Sharing health issues on social media:

I'm sorry, but why do Boomers feel the need to share all of their health issues AND include gruesome pictures of them on Facebook?!  Jenn  (@JennxRIOT) November 18, 2023

Twitter: @JennxRIOT

16. Crossing their arms and sighing:

why do boomers think crossing their arms, sighing and shaking their head will make a line move any faster  danni  BSN, RN (@danniwulf) November 20, 2023

Twitter: @danniwulf

17. Commenting on Facebook videos:

why do boomers comment on facebook videos like they're talking to the people in the videos  Rev. Sunday W. Bones (@sundaybones) November 25, 2023

Twitter: @sundaybones

18. Staring into windows:

Why do boomers get really close to windows of cafes/shops/etc to stare at you? You know we can see you right? It's not a one way mirror   (@lotttiiee) December 1, 2023

Twitter: @lotttiiee

Jan Nevidal / Getty Images

19. "...":

Why do Boomers love to put ... After a message  Jonny (@Hennathon) December 6, 2023

Twitter: @Hennathon

20. Sneezing and coughing directly into their hands:

why do boomers love sneezing and coughing directly into their hands pic.twitter.com/mUIg8I6whB  she  aint no diva (@blackcindyy) December 14, 2023

Twitter: @blackcindyy

21. Hating roundabouts:

why do boomers hate roundabouts? this isnt a joke im genuinely curious, they are always rageposting about roundabouts on facebook  Brown (@brrowwnn) December 24, 2023

Twitter: @brrowwnn

22. Giving Visa gift cards instead of cash:

why do boomers insist on giving visa giftcards rather than cash ?? like im grateful but why include processing fees and extra steps for everybody involved  M (@KYLERafk) December 26, 2023

Twitter: @KYLERafk

23. Disobeying Google Maps:

Why do boomers have the urge to disobey google maps directions?It is like they are trying to prove they know more than the machine  Diego Anez (@diegoanez31) August 8, 2023

Twitter: @diegoanez31

24. Cursive:

Why do boomers care so much about cursive.  Erik (@Renmauzuo) August 18, 2023

Twitter: @Renmauzuo

Halfpoint Images / Getty Images

25. Announcing the ethnicity of anyone non-white:

Why do boomers have to announce the ethnicity of anyone who is non-white?  Tross (@ambertross) January 4, 2023

Twitter: @ambertross

26. Calling "likes" and "views," "hits":

Why do boomers refer to Likes and Views as hits? My post got 20 hits  AlexisRae (@Uhlexsus_Rae) February 1, 2023

Twitter: @Uhlexsus_Rae

27. Calling weed "pot":

Why do boomers say pot  waifu (@LordZoeee) February 11, 2023

Twitter: @LordZoeee

Violetastoimenova / Getty Images

28. Caring a little too much about the half-time show:

Why do boomers act like theyre the target audience for Super Bowl performances   Anna Jones (@annaajonesss) February 13, 2023

Twitter: @annaajonesss

29. Always calling back:

Why do boomers feel the need to call like just text back???    (@gl1ttergh0ul) March 3, 2023

Twitter: @gl1ttergh0ul

30. Texting their kids scary news articles:

Why do Boomers randomly text their kids with shit theyve seen in the media to scare them  Jennifer Nopez (@jloves2cook2) March 9, 2023

Twitter: @jloves2cook2

31. Saying the word "Chipotle" wrong:

Why do boomers think chipotle rhymes with Nick Nolte  George Barr (@georgebarr) February 20, 2023

Twitter: @georgebarr

Rasica / Getty Images

32. Listening to things in public on full volume:

Why do boomers do everything on their phone at top volume  PUNKish (@OrganicGuilt) March 13, 2023

Twitter: @OrganicGuilt

33. Holding your phone when you show them a photo:

Why do boomers need to hold your phone to look at a photo youre showing them?  Yassified to Maintain Anonymity (@its_skellie) September 10, 2023

Twitter: @its_skellie

34. Capitalizing and putting random words into quotes:

Why do boomers put random words in quotation marks and also randomly capitalise words  acacia  (@AcaciaBegley) October 9, 2023

Twitter: @AcaciaBegley

35. And lastly...

Why do boomers on social media comment like they're contributing to the nation  Calcium (@soemonegetclap) October 29, 2023

Twitter: @soemonegetclap
When it comes to garnishing hot dogs and other foods, a classic question arises-- ketchup or mustard? Yet, while the former sweet tomato paste is very uniform, there are many types of mustard. When gazing at a grocery store shelf, selecting the ideal mustard may feel intimidating. All are delicious, but specifically for a sausage garnish, two varieties stand out: German and American mustard, which couldn't be more different.

German renditions of the condiment typically call for whole mustard seeds, while the iconic American yellow variety only utilizes powdered mustard. This style sources seeds with a yellow hue, which boasts a distinct spiced flavor that makes American mustard relatively standard. Conversely, German mustards utilize varying mustard types, include a broad range of additional ingredients, and comprise indeterminate textures. As a result, the style is much less definite in its components and taste -- it ranges from sweet to very spicy. Let's dive into the details.

Read more: 25 Most Popular Snacks In America Ranked Worst To Best

How Is German Mustard Made?

close up of whole grain mustard - Stefan Tomic/Getty Images

Mustard is a popular condiment in Germany, with many regional variations throughout the country. As a result, German mustard doesn't allude to one set style but rather a collected range of recipes. Such condiments encompass a spectrum of palates -- often imbued with extra ingredients -- which lend notes from sweet to spicy. Therefore, the production method of German mustard heavily depends on its origin.

The most noted type, consumed across the country, is called Mittelscharf. It packs a bit more punch than dijon, a flavor achieved through a mix of both yellow and brown mustard seeds, which are whole. To craft such a condiment, the ingredients -- varying spices and vinegar -- sans mustard seeds are heated on a stove. Next, all components are melded in a bowl for around a day before blending to a consistency ranging from chunky to smooth. Spicier variants incorporate horseradish for pungency, while in Dusseldorf, they use milder vinegar and spicier mustard seeds for a bolder effect.

In Bavaria, mustards are known for their sweeter character. Such a quality is achieved through additions like sugar, honey, and applesauce, complemented with a wide range of aromatics like cloves, allspice, onions, and more. Texturally, this mustard is on the coarser side, which is also achieved by manually grinding the mustard seeds before dissolving them in vinegar. This mustard is melded for around an hour before blending, much shorter than mittelscharf.

How Is American Mustard Made?

close up of American mustard - Easybuy4u/Getty Images

Lots of mustards are consumed in the U.S.; however, the name typically refers to the iconic yellow variety. Its vivid color arises due to the dual punch of yellow mustard seeds and turmeric, which are melded into a thick yet uniform paste. The condiment starts with seeds already in powdered form, which are turned into a smooth texture through the use of wondra flour blended into vinegar and water. Slight deviations occur in the utilized additional spices; paprika and garlic powder are common additions, while some also use onion powder, cinnamon, and honey.

Like German mustards, this yellow variety is crafted on a stovetop; however, all ingredients are briefly boiled and then simmered for up to ten minutes. Such a move thickens the consistency -- then the mustard is allowed to cool before storage. The straightforward assembly process, complemented with more standard ingredients, means yellow mustard exhibits a dependably pungent but not bold flavor.

German Vs. American Mustard Culinary Uses

varying mustard seeds served - Pat_hastings/Getty Images

As fragrantly flavored condiments with attractive colors, both mustard styles do well as garnishes on top sausages, hot dogs, and burgers. Due to German mustard's range of flavors, double-check the style before purchasing -- not everyone would like a sweeter Bavarian variant atop a hot dog. Conversely, American mustard offers a more dependable, balanced flavor, which makes it harder to substitute in another variety. For the closest flavor analog, seek out a milder Mittelscharf.

An array of traditional German dishes utilize German mustards specifically, which are difficult to substitute. Yogurt salad dressings rely on the pungency of homemade mustards, while dishes like Grunkohl and Pinkel -- kale and sausage stew -- are tastier with the intact mustard seeds. Yellow mustard is a less dominant culinary addition, its flavor functions well in everything from vinaigrettes to marinades and eggs. It lends a creamer consistency to sauces, especially in comparison to grainer German types. As a result, don't substitute a more pungent variety; it can throw off the flavor balance of a dish.

Read the original article on Tasting Table.
Marquita Pring first joined the SI Swimsuit family in 2020, and has returned to the fold each year since. While her rookie feature took her to Wyoming, where she posed for Ruven Afanador, the New York native has also traveled to Sacramento, Calif., Barbados and Puerto Rico for her work with the magazine, where shes collaborated with Anne Menke and Ben Watts (twice).

Prior to her work with SI Swimsuit, Pring made her first major impression in the industry back in 2011. That year, she walked in the Jean Paul Gaultier show during Paris Fashion Week and appeared in a Vogue Italia cover story.

Pring regularly uses her platform to remind her followers that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. She also hopes to break barriers for models and is a vocal supporter of Black-owned brands and businesses.

I think its really important that, at this point in the world, in our lives right now, with everything that is happening, we make a serious effort to support the Black community..., she told us in 2021. Its very important that we all start prioritizing Black companies and dont just make it a trend. Be consistent.

When she traveled to the Caribbean country of Barbados for her photoshoot last year, Pring donned several bright and beautiful swimwear looks on the beach. And while they were all equally stunning, we often bring ourselves back to several of the cut-out monokinis she sported in the sand.

Below are a few of our favorite snaps from the feature.

Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated Marquita Pring was photographed by Ben Watts in Barbados. Swimsuit by PQ Swim. Earrings by Maria Tash and Pamela Love. Rings by Pamela Love.

Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated Marquita Pring was photographed by Ben Watts in Barbados. Swimsuit by Neena Swim. Earrings by Maria Tash, Pamela Love and vintage. Anklet by KBH Jewelry.

Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated Marquita Pring was photographed by Ben Watts in Barbados. Swimsuit by Yandy. Earrings by Maria Tash, Pamela Love and vintage. Rings by Pamela Love.

Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated Marquita Pring was photographed by Ben Watts in Barbados. Swimsuit by PQ Swim. Earrings by Maria Tash and Pamela Love. Rings by Pamela Love.

Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated Marquita Pring was photographed by Ben Watts in Barbados. Swimsuit by Neena Swim. Earrings by Maria Tash, Pamela Love and vintage. Anklet by KBH Jewelry.

Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated Marquita Pring was photographed by Ben Watts in Barbados. Swimsuit by Yandy. Earrings by Maria Tash, Pamela Love and vintage. Rings by Pamela Love.

Make sure to follow SI Swimsuit on YouTube!
With the New Year of 2024 on the horizon, many Americans are already considering their New Year's resolutions.

Some people want to practice healthier habits in the New Year or spend more time with loved ones. Others may want to ground themselves in faith.

Tom Meyer, also referred to as the Bible Memory Man, is known for his wicked memory and the skills needed to recite the Bible without the printed words in front of him.

BIBLE'S NEW TESTAMENT TO BE SPOKEN ALOUD FROM MEMORY, WORD FOR WORD, AT TEXAS EVENT

The northern Kentucky man spent 20 years learning 20 books of the Bible.

He told Fox News Digital in an interview that learning Gods word by heart is a totally doable New Years resolution for those who are motivated to do it.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Professor Tom Meyer of Kentucky has been studying the Bible for decades. He has memorized 20 books of the Bible and can recite them without pages in front of him.

"Hes the most famous person in the entire world, and He wants us to put his word, his mind, his heart, in our heart  and we can do it," he said.

AMERICANS RECITE BIBLE'S NEW TESTAMENT IN HISTORIC EVENT: THE GREAT RECITAL

In October 2022, Meyer organized a one-time event in Dallas, Texas.

During the event, seven individuals spoke the New Testament aloud on stage  solely from memory.

Meyer said although it's challenging to do, memorizing books of the Bible is possible.

The Bible Memory Man shared tips for how to best execute the potential New Years resolution of memorizing scripture without becoming overwhelmed by the task.

His first tip is to read the scriptures aloud.

"We live in a world where nobody reads aloud," he said.

Meyer said there are three ways to memorize a piece of work  and these three ways are successful and efficient.

Meyer said reading the scriptures aloud is one of the most efficient ways to begin memorizing it.

CHRISTIAN LEADER SAYS ENOUGH WITH MY TRUTH': SOCIETY MUST RETURN TO THE TRUTH

He said this will train the mind to say words in a specific order while subsequently testing the brain.

Meyers second tip for memorizing the Bible is to listen closely to the words.

"Originally, the Bible was meant more for the ears than the eyes," he said about the most popular book in the world.

Tom Meyer, also known as the Bible Memory Man, shared three tips for memorizing the Bible as part of a New Year's resolution.

Meyer used Mozarts famous music to explain this analogy: On paper, it is simply music notes on a page  but when played, it is much more.

"Just listen to a chapter again over and over  Youll get it," he said.

Meyer's third tip is to write out the particular scripture or verse you want to memorize.

AT CHRISTMAS SEASON, IOWA MAN AIMS FOR WORLD RECORD FOR LARGEST NATIVITY SCENES COLLECTION

"When I write it, my mind, my eye, my hand, my mouth, my ear all work together in unison," he said.

Meyer said a book of the Bible can be memorized in one year if people memorize just one verse a week.

Meyer said the act of writing the words, in unison with speaking and hearing, is what will help people successfully memorize scripture.

Repetition is considered meditation, according to Joshua 1:8  and through meditation, one can acquire "spiritual prosperity."

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"You can do it. I can do it," he said.

Meyer said by memorizing just one verse a week, a person could memorize an entire book of the Bible in just one year.

Doing so, he said, "has so many benefits."

He added, "It makes us better citizens because we keep Gods law."

For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle





Original article source: New Years resolution: 'Bible Memory Man' shares tips for memorizing the Bible
Don't toss those spuds just yet.

Richard Drury / Getty Images

Fried, baked, or scalloped: There isnt a potato dish I dont adore. The only time potatoes dont make me happy? When I find a green spot on one of them as Im preparing dinner, and I have no idea whether its still OK to eat.

Honestly, I have so many questions. Can you cut off the green part and hope for the best? Or does the green tinge mean the potato has gone bad and it should be thrown away? To find out, I talked to a food safety expert. Read on to learn why potatoes turn green in the first place, and whether they're safe to eat.

Why Do Potatoes Turn Green?

Potatoes are a root vegetable that grow underground, so theyre not exposed to very much light. According to Kali Kniel, PhD, professor of microbial food safety at the University of Delaware, light exposure can increase the concentration of chlorophyll inside potatoes, causing them to turn green on the skin.

In potatoes, the green hue can also indicate an increase in a natural glycoalkaloid compound called solanine. This is one reason its recommended that potatoes are stored in the dark and away from light, says Kniel.

In nature, these compounds play an important role, helping protect plants from fungi and insects. But when you eat a potato thats developed these protective compounds, you may notice a bitter tastewhich is reason enough to think twice about a green potato for dinner.

I'm Completely Smitten With Julia Child's Shredded Potato Gratin

Is It Safe to Eat Green Potatoes?

Yes, but with a few caveats. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends not eating the green part of potatoes, but you dont have to worry about tossing the entire thing. Instead, Kniel recommends just cutting off the green part and proceeding with your recipe. (The potato will taste better that way, anyway.)

Theoretically, too much of the green skin could make you sick. Kniel says consuming high amounts of glycoalkaloids can lead to gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrheabut thats a really unlikely scenario, because Kniel says youd have to eat a LOT of green potatoes for that to happen.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) states that 1 milligram per kilogram of body weight per day is the lowest dose at which undesired effects are observed. So if you weigh 175 pounds, or almost 80 kg, youd have to eat 80 mg of glycoalkaloids a day (that's a lot) to notice ANY bothersome GI symptomsbut probably way more to get really sick.

Plus, you can protect yourself from the potential negative effects. The risk of consuming solanine can be reduced simply by peeling the potatoes, and then it is even further reduced by cooking, says Kniel.

How To Properly Store Potatoes

To keep your potatoes from turning greenand to help them last longerKniel recommends storing them in a cool, dry area that isnt exposed to light, like a pantry shelf or a storage area in your garage or basement.

Washing them prior to storage can promote microbial growth and increase your risk of getting sick from potatoes. Instead, just wipe them off with a cloth or paper towel, and wash them immediately before preparing themmaking sure to check for any pesky green areas in the process.



Read Next: The #1 Way To Store Onions To Keep Them From Going Bad

Read the original article on The Spruce Eats.
Waves breaking a mile out to sea off an oil rig in California? Yep.

While most folks looked to the conventional, perhaps more XXL-friendly surf spots during the historic end-of-year swell in California  surf spots like Mavericks and Blacks Beach and beyond  a handful of surfers neglected the herd.

They trekked out to Platform Esther, an offshore oil refinery (and mythic wave) more than a mile from the coast of Seal Beach in Orange County.

The clips above are a rare sighting. It needs to be big  real big  for waves to break this far out to sea and in this deep of water. But its not unheard of.

In fact, back at the beginning of this year in January, surfers were catching waves out at Esther, too. Keep scrolling for footage from those sessions.

And the history goes back even further with El Nino-fueled, oil rig surfing off California. The late great Sean Collins  founder of Surfline  told the Los Angeles Times during the celebrated, holy of holies, whispered in hushed tones, benchmark for all other swells, El Nino season of 1998:

The island oil rig was hammered by 20-foot waves in the El Nino storms of 1982 and 83 and basically destroyed. They dug out the machinery and rebuilt a platform next to it, but they left a lot of submerged construction.

Could the historically huge swell at the end of 2023 usurp the role as benchmark for El Nino-charged California surf seasons? Probably not. But its not over yet.

Stay tuned.

***

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Whether you're a professional surfer or just an amateur, we want to see your best footage and help you share it with the world. Submit your video for a chance to be featured on SURFER and our social channels. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch high-quality surf videos.
McDonald's may be the top dog in the United States for the casual dining experience, again ranking No. 1 in QSR's top fast-food chains in America in 2023. However, it isn't always the unstoppable juggernaut it appears to be. In particular, the fast-food operator hit several roadblocks when trying to expand to Bolivia in 1997. If you've recently visited the Tibet of the Americas, then you may have noticed there are no golden arches to be seen. That's because McDonald's pulled out of Bolivia in 2002, only a few years after it tried to launch in the country. McDonald's withdrawal from the region marked a rare failure for the company. So what happened?

While Bolivians do consume burgers, McDonald's arrival was hardly the slam dunk the chain envisioned for itself. Locals were going to the thousands of street vendors -- largely made up of indigenous women -- for their fix of burgers rather than the fast food chain. This led to poor year-on-year sales that caused the restaurant to shut its doors in the country.

Part of the blame can be placed on a move away from American influence in the early 2000s to focus on Bolivia's marginalized natives. Evo Morales, who had deep-rooted socialist policies, would eventually be elected president. Although he served after McDonald's Bolivian demise, he said in a 2013 speech to the UN, "The fast food of the West is doing a great deal of harm to humankind," as reported by CNBC.

Read more: The Ultimate American Fast Food Restaurants Ranked

Bolivia Didn't Have An Appetite For McDonald's

McDonald's sandwich, fries, and a drink - Patcharaporn Puttipon4289/Shutterstock

Bolivia is just one country where you won't find a McDonald's, and that's unlikely to change anytime soon. There are around 120 countries worldwide that operate McDonald's restaurants. However, the chain is banned in at least nine countries. Although not officially banned in Bolivia, its failure to make a profit there became a learning opportunity for the company.

According to the McDonald's website, the chain often differentiates its menu to appeal to local tastes and customs. This is why its menu is often different from the United States. The company's statement reads, "We're keen to respect cultural differences, and so every country has its own policy of developing menu items." It's a practice that McDonald's deployed in Bolivia as well. For instance, McDonald's added a spicy sauce called llajua to its menu to appeal to locals' tastes. The chain also had plans to incorporate saltenas, an empanada popular with natives. However, McDonald's failed to take into account the country's demographic.

Pricing Played A Key Role

someone holding mcdonald's burger - New Africa/Shutterstock

The rising poverty line likely played a critical role in McDonald's demise in Bolivia. As reported by CNBC, when the chain first entered the country in 1997, around 63% of the population lived in poverty, and 38% lived in extreme poverty. Those statistics would rise by two percent when McDonald's left Bolivia in 2002. While the chain tries to cater to consumers with its value menu, it failed to compete with local prices.

Locals could get the food they craved cheaper than McDonald's offered. Tanya Kerssen, a research coordinator for the Food First Network, said, "People line up eating hamburgers on the street. It's sort of like a massive, decentralized McDonald's, controlled by all these indigenous women, mostly." A McDonald's combo in Bolivia cost around $4 to $5 at the time. However, locals could get a complete meal with more food for roughly $2 to $3 elsewhere. To put this into perspective, the average Bolivian monthly salary at the time was the equivalent of $83, according to CNBC. It was difficult for locals to justify spending a large percentage of their food budget on one meal. As a result, local street vendors boxed McDonald's out of the country.

Read the original article on Daily Meal.
When it comes to adding interest to the walls and stonework of your home, you have more options than picking out a pretty paint color. With cozy, comfortable decor aesthetics on the rise (hello, English country vibes), homeowners are increasingly turning to centuries-old techniques  from velvety limewash to chalky Roman clay  to introduce character, texture, and a timeless patina to their spaces. Another option we love for leveling up your design, particularly if you have some stonework, is German schmear. Intrigued? Heres everything you need to know about the textural technique.

What Is German Schmear?

Originating in  you guessed it  Germany, this technique was traditionally used to restore and rejuvenate the exterior of old buildings. Its quirky name actually stems from the German word schmear, which means to smear or spread (like with butter), referencing the unique way the thick mortar mixture is applied using a trowel.

German schmear is made with a mixture of cement, sand, and water (although modern iterations rely on pre-mixed mortar in place of the sand and cement). It creates a distressed, textured, light-colored finish on surfaces such as brick and stone. These days, the technique has gained widespread popularity, thanks to shows like Fixer Upper, says Alonzo Perez, owner of A&X Masory in Garland, Texas.

We mostly apply the treatment on exterior facades made of brick or stone, as well as interior features like fireplaces, Perez says.

Credit: Okaycm'Stocker / Shutterstock Credit: Okaycm'Stocker / Shutterstock

German Schmear vs. Whitewash vs. Limewash

German schmear, whitewash, and limewash all look similar, but their ingredients and applications vary. While German schmear is made from mortar, limewash is technically an old-school type of paint made from ground limestone and water. It works best on permeable surfaces and is painted on using a firm-fiber paintbrush and X-shaped brush strokes. Similarly, whitewash refers to adding a watered-down layer of traditional paint atop a surface (typically stone or wood) to subtly change the color or give it an aged look.

Of the three techniques, German schmear is the most protective finish, working to fill in mortar lines and adding a thicker layer atop materials like brick and stone. Whitewash and limewash deposit color atop the stone, but German schmear is thicker, thanks to the mortar, and can also help disguise the shape of the stone to soften the look of crevices on your fireplace or facade.

Where to Use German Schmear

Pros agree that German schmear performs and looks its best on stone surfaces like brick, rock, and even concrete.

German Schmear on Brick

Most commonly, people will use German schmear on their fireplaces, says Drew Gwaltney, president of Accent Walls & Finishes in California. Its a nice and easy way to update a red brick fireplace without invasive work or breaking the bank, he says. It can also be used to upgrade brick accent walls inside homes and in kitchen areas, providing a unique and rustic accent, Perez says.

Gwaltney also sees plenty of German schmear applications on exterior brick. Some houses have brick details, either wainscot or pillars, on the exterior, and the schmear can help brighten things up and bring a fresh look, he explains.

German Schmear on Rock

You can also use this technique on exteriors or fireplaces covered with large or small rocks, as theyre grouted similarly to bricks. My favorite use is to overfill with the German schmear and use large amounts to build up the grout joints with a sponge float, then do a second coat with a brush to give it a mild linear brushstroke effect, says Gwaltney.

Another important note: While German schmear is primarily associated with (and beloved for) a creamy white finish, it can also be tinted to any desired color. You can achieve a textured finish in shades of green, black, blue, and even purple!

How Long Does German Schmear Last?

Because German schmear uses mortar, it permanently adds texture, weight, and grit to a surface. In other words, this is not a renter-friendly project. But its permanency is one of its perks.

When applied correctly, German schmear can last for a decade or more, both indoors and outdoors, Perez explains. To ensure its longevity, its important to inspect the surface periodically for any signs of wear or damage (like chipping) and perform any necessary touch-ups as needed. Perez says you can seal your work with an impregnating sealer to make it last longer.

German schmear is very permanent and even if you chisel and acid wash it off, there will always be remnants, Gwaltney says. He explains how he once schmeared a whole brick ceiling, and then the client wanted to change it after a year. They ended up hiring a sandblaster and it took a few days and a whole lot of mess to get it off, he says. Even after it was off, the bricks were still showing white and had to then be faux-painted to appear red again.

Credit: Ground Picture/Shutterstock Credit: Ground Picture/Shutterstock

How Much Does German Schmear Cost?

Like many bespoke finishes, the cost of German schmear can vary greatly depending on the surface youre choosing to cover, how much square footage you require, and whether you opt to hire a pro or take on the task yourself. German schmear can be attempted by DIYers and weekend warriors, but it requires careful consideration and preparation, Perez says.

Professional German Schmear Cost

For larger or more complex projects, it is often best left to the professionals, Perez says. He says the cost of a professional German schmear job could range from $3,000 to $20,000. The price depends largely on the size of your project (i.e., a single fireplace or entire home exterior), the look youre going for (a thin coat of mortar will use a lot less material), and the current state of your stone (any major repairs will cost you extra and need to be completed ahead of schmearing).

DIY German Schmear Cost

Its important to factor in the time and patience required to achieve the desired outcome when deciding to take on the project yourself, especially when working on exterior surfaces such as chimneys, Perez says. If youre considering taking on a DIY project  which can cost about $30 for materials like pre-mixed mortar and sponges  Gwaltney recommends doing a practice run before going all in. I suggest DIYers start small in an inconspicuous corner of their stone before committing to the whole thing, he says. You can even buy a fake brick wall from Home Depot to practice on so you can get a feel for it before taking on a whole wall.
Americans and travelers who are planning to see the Times Square ball drop in person on New Year's Eve will be surrounded by heightened security measures in the hours ahead of and after ringing in 2024, according to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul. New York State Police will ramp up staffing and state troopers, and the New York National Guard and other agencies will join in to patrol some areas.

The move comes after the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other federal agencies warned police departments across the country about potential threats to large crowds celebrating the holiday, including from lone actors motivated by the Israel-Hamas war.

Public safety agencies are increasing security across the nation ahead of New Year's Eve celebrations following the FBI alert. In Las Vegas, where hundreds of thousands of people are expected to gather to celebrate the holiday, for example, police said they are heightening security by mobilizing a bomb squad and hazmat teams and using low-level helicopter flights.

In New York City, Mayor Eric Adams said the city has not received any credible threats but is acting "out of an abundance of caution."

"Safeguarding events  of any size  is something we do better than any other city in the nation," Adams wrote on X. "But, out of an abundance of caution, you'll see a large security presence on the ground and in the air during the festivities to ensure New Yorkers can celebrate safely."

New Year's Eve ball drop in Times Square origin explained

What security threats are federal authorities worried about?

The FBI, Department of Homeland Security and National Counterterrorism Center cautioned police agencies and the American public in their alert earlier this month about potential safety threats during New Year's Eve gatherings. They cited "ongoing tension between Israel and Hamas" and an increase in hate crimes across the nation as grounds for the warning.

Authorities are specifically worried about violence in large crowds.

"Lone actors may seek to disrupt or escalate violence at large gatherings, high profile events, or symbolic or religious locations throughout the winter. Such gatherings could become a convenient target for those inspired to commit violence against Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and Arab communities," the FBI said in its advisory.

"Although this announcement is not in response to any specific plotting activity, these targets likely remain attractive to lone actors inspired by a range of ideologies due to their accessibility and symbolic nature," the agency said.

FBI official Robert Kissane told CNN that "we're in a heightened threat environment," and have been since Oct. 7 when the war between Israel and Hamas started.

The agency is encouraging people to report any suspicions or potentials to public safety.

"We take all potential threats seriously and will work closely with our law enforcement partners to determine their credibility, share information, and take appropriate investigative action," the advisory said.

Cities across the U.S., world beef up security for New Years Eve

A threat assessment obtained by ABC News said New Years Eve in San Francisco remains an attractive target for foreign terrorist organizations, homegrown violent extremists, and domestic violent extremists" as well as lone offenders.

The FBI's San Francisco office told USA TODAY the document had been leaked and declined to provide a copy. The agency sent a statement explaining that such assessments are regularly conducted to coordinate and address potential threats.

"We encourage the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious behavior to law enforcement immediately," the office said.

ABC reported the document indicates high-profile events with big crowds and media coverage like the New Year's Eve celebration could be an area of concern, but no specific threats had been reported.

Robert Rueca, a spokesperson for the San Francisco Police Department told USA TODAY it will have a large presence of officers where celebrations are expected, along with staffing at district stations. Rueca said the department is not aware of any credible or specific threats to the city.

Las Vegas police anticipate nearly 400,000 people on the Strip for New Years Eve celebrations. Even though there are no credible threats, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Undersheriff Andrew Walsh said authorities aren't taking any chances.

Boston city officials said law enforcement will be present in abundance for the city's New Years Eve activities, including First Night Boston. The event is expected to attract more than 200,000 visitors for its fireworks, carousel rides, improv shows and other activities.

Security concerns for New Year's Eve celebrations beyond the US.

France is deploying 90,000 law enforcement officers on New Years Eve, domestic intelligence chief Celine Berthon said, including 6,000 in Paris where more than 1.5 million people are expected for celebrations on the Champs-Elysees.

French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said at a press conference there is a very high terrorist threat because, in part, of what is happening in Israel and Palestine, referring to the Israel-Hamas war. Police will be able to use drones as part of security work for the first time, and tens of thousands of firefighters and 5,000 soldiers will also be deployed, he said.

Everything to know about the Times Square New Year's Eve celebration 2023

Contributors: Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press; Associated Press

Contact Kayla Jimenez at kjimenez@usatoday.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter, at @kaylajjimenez.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New Years Eve celebrations across US get ramped up security and police
A man died Saturday morning after a car drove in Bowling Lake in northwest Lincoln Saturday morning, the Lincoln Police Department said.

Around 5:15 a.m. Saturday, police received a call of a car found at Bowling Lake, which is near the Lincoln Airport. When Lincoln police and Lincoln Fire & Rescue personnel arrived, they located vehicle tracks leading into the southeast portion of the lake and observed that the top layer of ice on the lake had been disturbed, LPD said in a news release.

A rescue boat and dive team entered the lake to be sure there were no occupants of the vehicle. They initially located the unoccupied car, but after an additional search of the lake with assistance from Nebraska Game & Parks officers, they located a dead man in the water at about 11:40 a.m.

Police said they have identified the dead man but are not releasing his name pending the notification of family members. He is believed to be the same person who called 911 about the car.

Police said they do not believe there are any other victims, but the investigation is continuing.

Top Journal Star photos for December 2023
Israel has targeted Iranian military positions in Syrias Aleppo with an air strike, the Syrian defence ministry said in a statement.

Israel carried out an aerial aggression from the direction of the Mediterranean Sea, west of Latakia, targeting a number of points south of the city of Aleppo, the defence ministry said.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that 19 pro-Iranian fighters  including four Syrians, and six Iraqis  were killed and more than 18 were wounded in at least nine air strikes. The Observatory added that the strikes targeted military positions, a weapons shipment from Iraq and an ammunition warehouse.

Israel rarely comments on individual strikes targeting Syria, but has repeatedly said it will not allow Iran, which backs Syrias President Bashar al-Assads government, to expand its presence there. An Israeli military spokesperson declined to comment.

05:00 PM GMT

Thats all for today

Thank you for following our live coverage of the Israel-Hamas conflict. The key developments from the day were the following:

Israel targeted Iranian military positions in Syrias Aleppo with an air strike, the Syrian defence ministry said.

The IDF said it uncovered the tunnels of Hamas general headquarters within the hideout apartment of leader Yahya Sinwar in northern Gaza.

The US approved a $147.5 million sale of 155mm high-explosive artillery munitions and related equipment to Israel from US Army stocks.

South Africa filed an application at the International Court of Justice to start proceedings against Israel for what it said were genocidal acts against the Palestinian people in Gaza.

A Palestinian journalist working for Al-Quds TV was killed along in an airstrike on his house in the central Gaza Strip.

Disorganised Israeli troops were forced to rely on social media to choose targets during the October 7 attack by Hamas, according to an investigation by the New York Times.

The World Health Organization warned of the growing threat of infectious diseases as fighting displaces more and more Gazans.

The Israeli military released new details about its killing of three Israeli hostages in Gaza City, including that there was a gap of 15 minutes between the fatal shootings of the first two hostages and the third.

04:29 PM GMT

40 per cent of Gaza at risk of famine, says UN

Forty per cent of Gazas population is at risk of famine, a United Nations agency has said.

#Gaza is grappling with catastrophic hunger. 40% of the population are now at risk of famine.



Every day is a struggle for survival, finding food and water.



We need regular supplies and safe + sustainable humanitarian access across the #GazaStrip https://t.co/gdG1hsxIdS  UNRWA (@UNRWA) December 30, 2023

04:19 PM GMT

Israel shot dead Palestinian in West Bank, says Palestinian health ministry

Israeli forces shot dead a Palestinian in the occupied West Bank on Saturday, the Palestinian health ministry said, after the army reported he allegedly carried out a car ramming.

The Israeli military said soldiers neutralised the driver who rammed the car into a military post near Fawwar refugee camp, south of Hebron.

An AFP journalist saw Israeli forces surrounding a vehicle with soldiers and military vehicles deployed in the area.

The Palestinian health ministry said Mohammed Masalmeh was shot dead by Israeli troops at the camp entrance.

The incident comes a day after Israeli troops shot dead another Palestinian who the military said rammed a car into people near Hebron, wounding four according to medics.

03:58 PM GMT

IDF uncovers tunnels of Hamas general headquarters

The IDF says it has uncovered the tunnels of Hamas general headquarters within the hideout apartment of leader Yahya Sinwar in northern Gaza.



Israeli soldiers said they found a long and branching tunnel network under Gaza City, where senior Hamas officials were living comfortably.

The tunnel shaft was 20 metres deep, and underground passages had electricity, air filtration systems, plumbing, resting and prayer rooms.

The tunnel was destroyed by the IDF.

The announcement came as Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said troops were reaching Hamas command centres and arms depots.

03:36 PM GMT

Israel targets Syria's Aleppo with air strike, says Syrian defence ministry

Israel has targeted Aleppo with an air strike which caused some material damage there, the Syrian defence ministry said in a statement, reported by Reuters.

Israel carried out an aerial aggression from the direction of the Mediterranean Sea, west of Latakia, targeting a number of points south of the city of Aleppo, the statement said.

In Jerusalem, an Israeli military spokesperson declined to comment.

02:44 PM GMT

Protest in Pakistan demanding expulsion of US, UK, and EU ambassadors

People carry placards demanding the expulsion of the ambassadors of the US, UK, and EU during a protest against Israel in Islamabad, Pakistan - SOHAIL SHAHZAD/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

02:27 PM GMT

Hamas condemns US 'emergency' sale of munitions to Israel

Hamas has condemned the US approval of a $147.5 million sale of high-explosive artillery munitions and related equipment to Israel.

The United States announced the sale of the 155mm artillery munitions on Friday under an emergency provision that waives the normal requirement for a congressional review.

Hamas said the sale was clear evidence of the American administrations full sponsorship of this criminal war and that President Joe Bidens administration conspicuously aligns itself with and actively supports all atrocities perpetrated by Israel.

Those wartime atrocities, it added, have led to the ruthless killing of children and civilians, forced displacement of residents, and the systematic destruction of civilian life in Gaza.

01:56 PM GMT

Israel releases new details about hostage killings

The Israeli military has released new details about its killing of three Israeli hostages in Gaza City, including that there was a gap of 15 minutes between the fatal shootings of the first two hostages and the third.

The IDF said that a commander had urged the third hostage to come out of hiding just before he was fatally shot, and that the lookout soldiers who fired did not hear an order to hold fire.

The Israeli army has faced intense pressure over the killings on Dec 15, after it emerged that the hostages had stripped from the waist up to show they were unarmed and were holding a white flag. The army has taken full responsibility.

01:30 PM GMT

Hezbollah says four fighters killed

Hezbollah has announced the deaths of four of its fighters in the past 12 hours, the result of an uptick in exchanges of fire over the Lebanese border

01:14 PM GMT

21,000 Palestinians killed, says Gaza health ministry

A total of 21,672 Palestinians have been killed and 56,165 have been wounded in Israeli strikes in Gaza since 7 October, the health ministry in Gaza said on Saturday.

01:08 PM GMT

Toddler pulled alive from rubble after Israeli air strike in Rafah

12:44 PM GMT

Bombing of Khan Yunis

A picture taken from Rafah shows smoke billowing over Khan Yunis - AFP

12:33 PM GMT

WHO concerned about growing threat of infectious diseases

The World Health Organization has warned of the growing threat of infectious diseases as fighting displaces more and more Gazans.

Shelters are overcrowded, personal hygiene is difficult, medicines are in short supply and the healthcare system is overwhelmed.

In the three months until mid-December, the WHO registered 180,000 cases of upper respiratory infections, 136,400 cases of diarrhoea (half among children under five years old), and 55,400 cases of lice and scabies.

12:04 PM GMT

70 per cent of buildings damaged, says Wall Street Journal

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that around half of Gazas buildings have been damaged or destroyed, a figure that also accounts for almost 70 per cent of homes.

The report cites analysis of satellite photography and other remote sensing methods, and says the war is generating destruction comparable in scale to the most devastating urban warfare on modern record.

The paper said buildings hit include factories, houses of prayer, schools, shopping malls and hotels.

The word Gaza is going to go down in history along with Dresden and other famous cities that have been bombed, Robert Pape, a political scientist at the University of Chicago who has written about the history of aerial bombing, told the paper.

11:51 AM GMT

Unprepared Israeli troops forced to coordinate on WhatsApp during Oct 7 attack

Disorganised Israeli troops were forced to rely on social media to choose targets during the October 7 attack by Hamas, according to a damning investigation by the New York Times.

The report said that soldiers were undermanned, communicated in impromptu WhatsApp groups and relied on social media posts for targeting information.

Commandos rushed into battle armed only for brief combat. Helicopter pilots were ordered to look to news reports and Telegram channels to choose targets, the American publication said.

The investigation also said that Israeli forces had no response plan or training for a significant attack by Hamas and made it up as they went along.

There was no defence plan for a surprise attack such as the kind we have seen on Oct 7, said Amir Avivi, a brigadier general in the reserves and a former deputy commander of the Gaza Division.

The Israeli army did not respond to questions from the Times regarding its findings, except to say that questions of this kind will be looked into at a later stage.

11:29 AM GMT

In pictures: Rescued from rubble

A child is pulled out from rubble after Israeli attacks on the house belonging to the al-Wawawi family - Ali Jadallah/Anadolu via Getty Images

A Palestine child is pulled out alive under the rubble - Ali Jadallah/Anadolu via Getty Images

11:14 AM GMT

100 killed in 24 hours

Some 100 Palestinians have been killed and 158 wounded in Israeli strikes in central Gaza during the past 24 hours, a senior health official in Gaza said on Saturday.

10:39 AM GMT

Palestinians search for survivors in Gaza

10:17 AM GMT

US approves munitions' sale to Israel

Key Israeli ally the United States has announced the approval of a $147.5 million sale of 155mm high-explosive artillery munitions and related equipment to Israel from US Army stocks.

An emergency exists that requires the immediate sale of the weaponry, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement, thereby waiving the normal requirement for review by Congress.

10:01 AM GMT

Palestinian journalist killed in airstrike

A Palestinian journalist working for Al-Quds TV was killed along with some of his family members in an airstrike on their house in the Nuseirat camp in central Gaza Strip, health officials and fellow journalists said.

Gazas media office says 106 Palestinian journalists have been killed in the Israeli offensive.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said last week that the first 10 weeks of the Israel-Gaza war were the deadliest recorded for journalists, with the most journalists killed in a single year in one location.

The funeral of Al-Quds TV journalist Cebr Abu Hedrus - Doaa Albaz/Anadolu via Getty Images

His vest and microphone displayed during the ceremony - Ashraf Amra/Anadolu via Getty Images

Most of the journalists and media workers killed in the war were Palestinian. The report by the US-based CPJ said it was particularly concerned about an apparent pattern of targeting of journalists and their families by the Israeli military.

Earlier this month, a Reuters investigation found an Israeli tank crew killed a Reuters journalist, Issam Abdallah, and wounded six reporters in Lebanon on Oct 13 by firing two shells in quick succession while the journalists were filming cross-border shelling.

Israel has previously said it has never and will never deliberately target journalists and that it is doing what it can to avoid civilian casualties, but the high death toll has caused concern even amongst its staunchest allies.

09:50 AM GMT

South Africa files genocide case against Israel at World Court

South Africa on Friday filed an application at the International Court of Justice to start proceedings against Israel for what it said were genocidal acts against the Palestinian people in Gaza.

In application to the court, which has its seat in The Hague, South Africa said that Israel has been acting with the requisite specific intent  to destroy Palestinians in Gaza as part of the broader Palestinian national, racial and ethnic group.

Israel rejected the accusations, with foreign ministry spokesman Lior Haiat decrying the blood libel spread by South Africa.

While the ICJ is considered the UNs highest court, its rulings are sometimes ignored. In March last year the court ordered Russia to immediately halt its military campaign in Ukraine.

More on the story here

09:46 AM GMT

Almost 200 Palestinians killed in 24 hours amid Israeli bombardment

Nearly 200 people have been reported killed in the past 24 hours amid fierce Israeli tank fire and aerial bombing of the Gaza Strip.

Israeli forces have been pounding Khan Younis in preparation for an anticipated further advance into the main southern city, swathes of which they captured in early December.

Planes also carried out a series of air strikes on the Nuseirat camp in central Gaza, according to medics and Palestinian journalists.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said troops were reaching Hamas command centres and arms depots. The Israeli military said it had destroyed a tunnel complex in the basement of one of the houses of the Hamas leader for Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, in Gaza City.

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A Kentucky man has been accused of assaulting a missing North Carolina juvenile after the minor was found inside the mans home in a secret room, according to court documents.

Deputies with the Lincoln County Sheriffs Office were dispatched to 34-year-old Zackary Smiths residence in Lincoln County on Christmas day after receiving a report of a possible domestic altercation. Court documents say Smith told deputies his girlfriend was not at the home, but Smiths mother, the original caller who submitted the complaint, told deputies that was untrue and the girl was indeed home.

While officers were searching the home, they found the girl hidden behind a trap door underneath a rug in the bedroom, according to court documents. The victim was a 16-year-old girl who had been missing from North Carolina for just under three weeks.

The girl told deputies she had been assaulted and strangled by Smith and engaged in sexual relations with him, according to court documents. Smith admitted to driving to North Carolina to pickup the teenager and admitted to having sex with her repeatedly, but denied the assault and strangulation allegations. There were visible marks on her throat, according to court documents.

Smith lied about his age after initially contacting the girl, saying he was 19. Court documents say he threatened to kill her multiple times and demanded her to tell people that she was 18.

The night Smith picked up the minor, they were pulled over by a Lincoln County sheriffs deputy. Court documents say Smith planned to shoot the deputy if they asked him or the minor to step out of the vehicle.

Drug paraphernalia and residue was also found in Smiths home, according to court documents. He allegedly tried to destroy the evidence by disposing it in a wood stove.

Smith faces dozens of charges: 10 counts of third-degree rape, 10 counts of third-degree sodomy, two counts of first-degree unlawful transaction with a minor, first-degree strangulation, fourth-degree assault, first-degree unlawful imprisonment, electronically procuring or promoting the use of a minor, third-degree terroristic threatening, resisting arrest, buy/possess drug paraphernalia, possession of cocaine, and tampering with physical evidence, according to court documents.
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum declared a statewide state of emergency Friday as severe ice storms left tens of thousands of residents without power since the Christmas holiday. File Photo by Joe Marino/UPI

Dec. 29 (UPI) -- North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum declared a statewide state of emergency Friday as a severe ice storm over the Christmas holiday caused tens of thousands of people to lose power.

Freezing rain started on Dec. 25 and continued through the 26th, creating layers of ice on roadways and electrical power lines and related infrastructure.

KXNET reports that 20,000 residents still were without power Friday.

The executive order activates the North Dakota State Emergency Operations Plan, which coordinates statewide emergency resources to respond to the emergency.

"The state of North Dakota has experienced a near record-setting December with above normal temperatures, producing a winter storm that generated snow, rain, freezing rain and high winds, which resulted in significant impacts," Burgum said in Executive Order 2023-10.

The governor said the weather conditions would affect North Dakota agriculture, and traffic has been disrupted on I-29 and I-94.

"All state agencies are ordered to provide response resources and capabilities pursuant to their respective responsibilities detailed in the SDEOP," Burgum wrote in the order.
Turkey escalates airstrikes in Syria and Iraq following the deaths of 12 soldiers

The Turkish defense ministry said in a statement Monday that it had killed at least 26 militants in the strikes.

In northeast Syria, at least eight civilians were killed in Turkish airstrikes Monday, including two women, Farhad Shami, a spokesman for the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a United Kingdom-based war monitor, said 12 others were wounded.

Turkey has carried out 128 strikes in northeast Syria in 2023, killing 94 people, according to the Observatory.

On Friday, Turkish officials said militants affiliated with the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, a Kurdish separatist group that has waged an insurgency against Turkey since the 1980s, attempted to infiltrate a Turkish base in northern Iraqs semi-autonomous Kurdish region.

They said six Turkish soldiers were killed in the ensuing firefight. The following day, six more Turkish soldiers were killed in clashes with Kurdish militants.

In response, Ankara launched strikes on dozens of sites it said were associated with the PKK in Iraq and Syria.

The Kurdish administration urged UN to intervene

Some of the strikes hit oil industry sites, health facilities and vital infrastructure in northeast Syria, reducing electricity production by 50% on Saturday, according to the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, a Kurdish-led authority in northeast Syria that Turkey claims is affiliated with the PKK but which is a key ally of the United States.

Turkey and Washington both consider the PKK a terror group but disagree on the status of the Syrian Kurdish groups, which have been allied with the U.S. in the fight against the Islamic State group in Syria.

The Kurdish administration in its statement urged the United Nations to intervene, warning that the Turkish attacks could threaten the regions security. It said that one of the strikes had hit a site near the Alaya prison in Qamishli, which houses IS members.

SDF commander Mazloum Abdi in a post on X condemned Turkeys targeting of infrastructure and civilians means of livelihood in northeast Syria.

There was no immediate comment from Iraqi officials on the strikes.
Heres your weekly roundup of the latest retail, business and restaurant activity in and around Whatcom County:

Chocolate Necessities under new ownership

Chocolate Necessities, an artisan chocolate company started in 1986 by Kevin Buck, is now under new ownership, according to the Downtown Bellingham Partnership.

Rose Vogel and Michael Howell have taken over the local business, although Buck will remain involved during the ownership transition, according to an article by Business Pulse.

Chocolate Necessities has two retail locations in Bellingham. The downtown location at 1408 Commercial St. is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The location at 4600 Guide Meridian is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Washington minimum wage increases

Washington states minimum wage is set to increase on Jan. 1, according to the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries. The new minimum wage will be $16.28 per hour, a 54-cent raise from 2023s minimum wage of $15.74 per hour.

Minors who are 14 or 15 years old must at least be paid 85% of the adult minimum wage at $13.85 per hour.

Fundraiser for business owners affected by Fairhaven fire

Another GoFundMe fundraiser has been set up for affected parties from the Fairhaven Terminal Building fire. After the devastating fire on Dec. 17, many fundraisers and community projects were set up to raise money for those affected, including the 2-year-old daughter of the missing man, Nathaniel V. Breaux.

The new GoFundMe has been made for the nine offices above the Harris Avenue Cafe that housed twelve tenants on the second floor. The fundraiser is hoping to raise $4,000 for each of the various business owners, to help them with the expenses of relocating, new office supplies and materials and livelihood costs.

The fundraiser has a goal of $48,000 and has raised $4,666 as of the afternoon of Dec. 28.
What you need to know

Samsung has allegedly handed a Galaxy S24 Ultra in for its cellular network tests without the existence of two-way satellite connectivity.

Such a connection was said to let users send and receive texts, alongside giving users the chance to send photos and videos.

This was once rumored for the Galaxy S23 series, but it did not make it, and the Galaxy S24 series may miss out on it, as well.

New rumors suggest Samsung may not feature two-way satellite connectivity on its upcoming Galaxy S24 series. Such information stems from ETNews (Korean), as the publication states network testing has already begun (via SamMobile). Samsung allegedly handed the Galaxy S24 Ultra over to KT, LG Uplus, and SK Telecom in South Korea to ensure their viability for domestic connection.

However, during testing, the unnamed source states the device does not contain two-way satellite connectivity for transmitting emergency messages to authorities.

The connectivity was stated to piggyback off an L Band frequency to send signals to rescue personnel whenever a proper cellular connection was lost. Furthermore, the purpose of "two-way" is so a user can send and receive messages in return  unlike Apple's version that debuted on the iPhone 14, which only supports sending messages.

If true, this would be the second time Samsung skipped out on satellite connectivity. The company was rumored to be bringing this to the Galaxy S23 series in 2022 but its launch came and went without a word. Back then, it was speculated that Samsung was working with Iridium to provide voice and data communication services using 66 low-orbit communication satellites.

This was also, apparently, an aspect Samsung had been working on for two years before the Galaxy S23 debut.

Although, there was a bit of hope for the Galaxy S24 as the company introduced its new modem technology with satellite connectivity support in February. The hardware promised to let users send images and videos with others, alongside messages whenever a cellular connection is dropped. Samsung stated it aims to "surpass" Apples Emergency SOS by leveraging satellites and other non-terrestrial vehicles to beam connectivity to remote locations.

More importantly, the OEM tested this with the Exynos 5300 modem, but it still looks like we're playing the waiting game.

The Galaxy S24 series is rumored to launch on January 18 at 3 am KST, translating to January 17 at 1 pm EST in San Jose, California. A massive leak about the series spilled many of the specifications consumers may experience once the device arrives. The S24 Ultra is speculated to arrive with a 200MP primary camera and a "quad telephoto" array while the other two settle with a 50MP primary lens.
Dr Sithamparanathan paid tribute to his mentors at Cambridge University where he developed his tracking system

A pioneer of location-tracking technology has been appointed OBE in the King's New Year Honours.

Dr Sabesan Sithamparanathan, who founded Cambridge company PervasID, devised a real-time location tracking system used by NHS trusts, hospitals, aircraft manufacturers and retailers.

He is among 105 people in the East honoured for their exceptional contribution to their communities.

He said he was "absolutely over the moon, thrilled" to receive the award.

Dr Sithamparanathan is recognised for services to innovation technology and the promotion of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (Stem) subjects in education.

He said it was "a great honour and testament to the hard work and innovation of the entire team".

In hospitals, his system uses electromagnetic fields to track surgical instruments, ensuring they are decontaminated and sterilised properly, and available in the right place at the right time.

Retailers have also adopted the technology to track stock and enhance click-and-collect services.

Originally from Sri Lanka, Dr Sithamparanathan studied at the University of Sheffield before embarking on a PhD at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, where he developed his tracking system. He was elected a research fellow at Girton College in 2011.

"I came here as a teenager to pursue higher education," he said.

"If it was not for Cambridge and the people who mentored me along the way, I would not be where I am today.

"Cambridge allowed me to exploit possibilities; to maximise potential. I learned from very talented professionals.

"At the end of the day, innovating is exciting but bringing an idea from the lab to the real world has been a real challenge.

"On a personal level, it is a dream come true."

Dr Sabesan Sithamparanathan was named in Business Elite's "40 Under 40" in 2023

Other people from Cambridgeshire who have received awards in the King's New Year Honours List include:

Lorna Woor, 69, from Cambridge, the founder of a village stitches group, receives the BEM for services to the community

Sheila Betts, 72, from Cambridge, the chair and volunteer with the Jarman Centre for Girlguiding, receives the BEM for services to young people

Sharon Livermore, 42, from Ely, is appointed MBE for services to the victims of domestic abuse

Helen Pain, 54, from Great Chishill, is appointed MBE for services to science

Maxine Purdie, 54, from Ely, is appointed MBE for services to knowledge exchange

Julia Fentem, 57, from Huntingdon, is appointed MBE for services to human health and animal welfare

Joan Winterkorn, 74, from Cambridge, is appointed MBE for services to heritage and culture

Michael Frankl, 75, from Cambridge, is appointed MBE for services to charity, to homeless people and to the Jewish community in Cambridge

Follow East of England news on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a story? Email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp 0800 169 1830
A Washington County leader has died following a car crash near Arlington Thursday night.

Jordan Rishel, executive director of the Washington County Community Foundation, died after the Jeep Wrangler she was driving crashed into another vehicle on U.S. 30 at County Road 15, known as Marshall Nursery Road, according to a county press release.

At 7 p.m. Thursday, officers with the Washington County Sheriff's Office and Nebraska State Patrol were called to the crash site, which is southwest of Blair, the State Patrol said.

Preliminary investigation showed that Rishel's Jeep was westbound on U.S. 30 in slick driving conditions when it lost control, entered the eastbound lane and struck a Ford F-150 pickup.

Rishel, 45, was pronounced dead at the scene. The two occupants of the Ford were transported to the hospital in Fremont with injuries that appeared not to be life-threatening, according to the State Patrol. The crash remains under investigation.

Rishel served as director for the Blair Chamber of Commerce for 11 years before becoming the executive director of the county foundation. She also was a member of the Washington County Board of Supervisors from 2018 to 2022.

"She was a trusted and valued board member during her four-year term," the board said in the press release. "The county has lost a true servant, leader and more importantly a friend. The board expresses our deepest condolences to the Rishel family."

In a statement Friday morning, the Washington County Sheriff's Office said Rishel was a dedicated member of the community who made a positive impact.

"Losing someone so involved and dedicated to the betterment of the community is truly a loss for everyone who knew her. Jordan was a light and a leader and she will be greatly missed by all," the office said. "Washington County Sheriff's Office sends our deepest sympathy, prayers and thoughts of strength and love to Jordan's children, family and friends and the extended community she touched."

The Journal Star's most memorable photos of 2023
Chadron State College has announced students on its president's list, which requires achieving a cumulative grade point average of 4.0.

To qualify, students must also be enrolled in 12 credit hours of coursework, be seeking their first bachelor's degree and have no incomplete grades during the semester.
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RACINE  While Racine celebrated its 175 birthday in 2023, the city also took steps to enhance its future. From plans for development to the creation of new city departments, heres a look at some of the things that made news this year.

Lincoln-King redevelopment: The Community Development Authority adopted a redevelopment plan for the Lincoln-King neighborhood that is projected to take about 20 years and increase property value by $15 million.

The CDA will obtain sites in the neighborhood through property deeds, purchases or seizure. The plan states that the CDA will negotiate with owners whether the acquisition of the land is voluntary or involuntary.

New housing units will be built and will be owner-occupancy only. The plan also outlines community improvements, such as cleaning the area, planting trees and adding street lights.

Lakeview Community Center: The Lakeview Community Center was demolished in August, nearly four years after a kitchen fire destroyed the building.

In a post on Facebook in July, Mayor Cory Mason said an environmental cleanup and evaluation, expected to take a year to complete, would be done. The future of the site has not been determined yet.

YMCA: City Council voted Sept. 19 that the CDA did not need a redevelopment plan before negotiating for the potential acquisition of the old lakefront YMCA building at 725 Lake Ave., allowing a plan to acquire the building for blight remediation to move forward.

The approval was made despite some confusion because the YMCA had entered into a contract with a potential buyer.

When the contract expired in August, the YMCA board decided not to extend the offer and was free to explore other options, according to Cory Sebastian, president of the YMCA Board and alder for District 15.

The city is waiting for formal closing documents, which are being reviewed by the YMCA Board, according to City Clerk Tara McMenamin.

Office of Customer Service: The mayor announced in his 2024 budget address that the city would create the Department of Customer Service to help residents navigate processes such as getting permits and licenses.

Five city employees will be relocated to run the department.

Public safety funding: During his budget address Nov. 2, Mayor Mason announced he had secured an extra $9.5 million in public safety funding from the state.

The money will be spent during the next three years on staffing and overtime, equipment and crime prevention efforts.

City turned 175: Racine turned 175 in August. The city celebrated the anniversary of gaining cityhood with a party at Festival Hall in October.

Department of Community Safety: The Department of Community Safety, formerly known as the Office of Violence Prevention, was established in June. It is funded by a three-year, $1.5 million grant provided by the state using American Rescue Plan funds.

Former Council President John Tate II was hired to lead the office in July. In April, Tate was charged with a felony for using his public platform for the benefit of his private interests, but all charges were dismissed.

Tate also served as a chairman for the Wisconsin Parole Commission but resigned in 2022 at the request of Gov. Tony Evers following criticism over parole plans for a convicted murderer, which were eventually rescinded.

Tate said in his new role, he is going to work for the community to develop policies and strategies to help reduce gun violence.

Festival Hall contract: 5Kevents, a Racine-based company, was approved on Dec. 5 to take over management of the Racine Civic Centre.

VenuWorks, an Iowa-based company, had managed the center for 16 years.

The contract with 5kEvents is a two-year contract with a $150,000 annual management fee that goes into effect Jan. 1.

Perfect MEI Score: For the second year in a row, the City of Racine received a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaigns Municipal Equality Index.

The Municipal Equality Index is a nationwide assessment of more than 500 cities that evaluates inclusion in municipal law, policy and services.

Madison, Milwaukee and Racine were the only cities in Wisconsin that received a perfect score.

Its extremely rare for a city the size of Racine to have a perfect score, and its because of all the steps the city has gone through to make this happen, Barb Farrar, executive director of the LGBT Center of SE Wisconsin, said.
Ucrainean prins cand a vrut sa iasa din Romania la volanul unei cisterne de 30.000 de euro furata din Croatia

Un ucrainean in varsta de 49 de ani a fost prins la Punctul de Trecere a Frontierei Siret cand a vrut sa iasa din Romania la volanul unei cisterne in valoare de 30.000 de [citeste mai departe]
New Delhi: In the annals of Indian business history, the name Dhirubhai Ambani stands as a beacon of entrepreneurial brilliance and tenacity. Born on December 28, 1932, in Gujarat, India, Dhirubhai's journey from a modest background to founding the Reliance conglomerate is a saga of perseverance, innovation, and audacity.

Early Struggles And Ambitions

Dhirubhai's early life was marked by financial constraints, but his dreams were boundless. At age 17, he ventured to Yemen, working as a clerk in Aden to support his family back home. His innate business acumen soon became evident, setting the stage for a remarkable ascent in the corporate world.

The Genesis of Reliance Industries

In 1958, Dhirubhai returned to India with a vision to redefine the business landscape. He founded Reliance Commercial Corporation, a precursor to Reliance Industries. His audacious foray into polyester yarn manufacturing marked the beginning of a conglomerate that would become synonymous with India's economic resurgence.

Mastering The Art Of Capital

Ambani's ability to navigate complex financial landscapes was unparalleled. He ingeniously utilized the equity cult, introducing the Indian middle class to stock ownership. Reliance's IPO in 1977 was a watershed moment, democratizing wealth creation and fostering a culture of shareholder participation.

Global Expansion And Diversification

Reliance, under Dhirubhai's leadership, expanded globally, venturing into petrochemicals, refining, and telecommunications. His strategic alliances and a relentless pursuit of excellence positioned Reliance as a global player, transforming India's economic narrative.

Legacy And Enduring Impact

Dhirubhai Ambani's legacy extends beyond corporate success. His philosophy of "Growth with Goodness" emphasized inclusive development. His sons, Mukesh, and Anil Ambani have continued his entrepreneurial spirit. Today, Reliance Industries stands as a symbol of Indian enterprise, shaped by the indomitable spirit of its founder.
UK Board Datesheet 2024: The Uttarakhand Board of Secondary Education (UBSE) has published the UK Board Exam Date Sheet 2024 for both Classes 10 and 12. Students preparing for the board examinations can view and download the timetable either from this source or the official website at ubse.uk.gov.in. According to the official schedule, the 10th and 12th-grade exams for the UK Board in 2024 are scheduled to take place from February 27 to March 16.

The Class 10 (Theory) examinations will occur between 10:00 AM and 12:00 Noon, while the Class 12 (Theory) exams are set for 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Commencing on February 27 with the Hindustani Music paper, Class 10 exams, with a primary focus on Hindi, will initiate on February 28. Similarly, for Class 12, the first paper, covering Hindi, is scheduled for February 27, 2024.

UK Board Exam Datesheet: Schedule

UBSE Date Sheet 2024: Steps To Download

Step 1. Visit the official website of Uttarakhand Board of Secondary Education at ubse.uk.gov.in

Step 2. On the homepage, click on 'Examination Scheme' on the right panel of the page

Step 3. A new page will open, click on the High School and Intermediate Examination Scheme 2024 link

Step 4. A PDF of the date sheet will be displayed on the screen

Step 5. Download and take a printout of the same for future reference

The UBSE 10th and 12th Practical Examinations for 2024 are slated to take place from January 16 to February 15, 2024. To stay informed about any further updates, candidates are encouraged to regularly check the official website of the Board at ubse.uk.gov.in.
New Delhi: In the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's inauguration of the Maharishi Valmiki International Airport in Ayodhya on Saturday, the first flight bound for the newly unveiled airport gracefully ascended from Delhi.

A video posted by news agency ANI on X (formerly Twitter) captured the moment when IndiGo's pilot, Captain Ashutosh Shekhar, extended a warm welcome to passengers on the Ayodhya-bound flight. Expressing gratitude for the significant opportunity, he concluded with resounding 'Jai Shri Ram' chants echoed by passengers.

#WATCH | IndiGo pilot captain Ashutosh Shekhar welcomes passengers as the first flight takes off from Delhi for the newly constructed Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, Ayodhya Dham, in Ayodhya, UP. pic.twitter.com/rWkLSUcPVF December 30, 2023

Enthusiastic visuals also portrayed passengers joyously chanting "Jai Shri Ram" as they boarded the inaugural flight to Ayodhya.

Situated just 15 kilometers from the heart of Ayodhya, the airport's phase 1 development, costing over Rs 1,450 crore, was unveiled by PM Modi in the company of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Minister of Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia.

Spanning a total area of 6,500 sqm, the airport's terminal is primed to cater to approximately 10 lakh passengers annually, marking a significant stride in the region's connectivity.

This milestone precedes the eagerly awaited 'pran pratishtha' (consecration ceremony) of the Lord Ram idol at the under-construction Ram temple scheduled for January 22.
New Delhi: Canada-based criminal Lakhbir Singh Landa has been officially labeled as a terrorist by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). This development arises in the context of the ongoing tension in diplomatic relations between New Delhi and Ottawa, sparked by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's earlier assertion of Indian involvement in the killing of the wanted Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil.

As per an official statement from the MHA, 34-year-old Lakhbir Singh Landa, the son of Niranjan Singh and Parminder Kaur, holds permanent residence in VP0 Harike, situated in the Tarn Taran district of Punjab, which shares a border with Pakistan.

Under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act Mt. 1967 (37 of 1967), "Clause (a) of sub-section (1) and sub-section (2) of section 35 of the said Act empowers the central government to add the name of an individual in the Fourth Schedule to the said Act if it believes that he is involved in terrorism", the MHA said in a statement on Friday.

Landa currently resides in Edmonton, the capital of Alberta in Canada, and is a member of Babbar Khalsa International.

According to the MHA, Babbar Khalsa International is listed as a terrorist organisation as per "number I of the First Schedule to the said Act." Landa was backed by the cross-border agency and was involved in the terror attack through a shoulder-mounted rocket-propelled grenade on the building of Punjab's State Intelligence Headquarters at Mohali, the MHA added.

He was also "involved in the supply of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), arms, sophisticated weapons, and explosives from across the border to various modules for carrying out terrorist activities in the State of Punjab, India", according to the MHA release.

Landa was also involved in various criminal cases related to the raising of terror modules, extortion, and killings. planting IEDs, smuggling weapons and narcotics and using funds or proceeds thereof for terrorist acts in the Punjab and other parts of the country, it added.

Landa and his associates have also been conspiring to disrupt peace and law and order in Punjab by carrying out targeted killings, extortions and other anti-national activities in different parts of the country, the MHA added.

"An open-ended warrant has been issued against Lakhbir Singh Landa and he is a subject of Look Out Circular No. 2144306 dated 09.06.2021," the statement added.

"In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 35 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, the Central Government hereby makes the following amendment in the Fourth Schedule to the said Act," the MHA stated.

The gangster-turned-terrorist, who has been living in Canada since 2017, is the mastermind in several cases of terrorism, including the 2022 RPG attacks on the Punjab Police Intelligence Headquarters and the Sarhali police station in Punjab, among other cases of terror attacks in India, the National Investigation Agency stated earlier.

In August this year, the Special Court of the NIA ordered the confiscation of the property of the absconding pro-Khalistan terrorist at Kirian village in the Tarn Taran district. As per the order of the NIA court under Section 33 (5) of the UA (P) Act, 1967, Landa's property in his native village was confiscated by the state.

He was earlier declared a Proclaimed Offender on July 27, 2023.

Initially involved in criminal and gangster-related activities, Landa has been continuing his anti-India activities from Canada, according to officials.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today urged the devotees to not throng Ayodhya city and Ram Temple on January 22 and 23. Addressing people from the holy city, PM Modi said that the Shri Ram Janm Bhoomi Tirtha Kshetra trust has done commendable work in the last four years for the construction of the historic temple and since invites have been sent to selected people for the January 22 consecration ceremony, people should avoid gathering at the place in masses. He said that the Ram Temple will be open for devotees from January 24 onwards and people can plan their darshan any day, any months thereafter.

"I have a request to all. Everyone has a wish to come to Ayodhya to be a part of the event on 22 January. But you know it is not possible for everyone to come. Therefore, I request all Ram devotees that once the formal program is done on 22nd January, they should come to Ayodhya at their convenience, do not make up their minds to come to Ayodhya on 22nd January," said Modi.

PM Modi also urged people to light Shri Ram Jyoti on January 22 to celebrate Deepawali to mark the return of Shri Ram to Ayodhya. "This historical moment has very fortunately come into the lives of all of us. We have to take a new resolution for the country and fill ourselves with new energy. For this, all the 140 crore countrymen should light Ram Jyoti in their homes on 22 January and celebrate Diwali," he said.

He also urged people to work to keep the city clean as not only people from across India but from across the world will come to visit the temple. PM Modi also urged people from across India to take up a temple cleanliness drive between January 14 and January 22 to mark the inauguration of Ram Temple.

PM Modi said that the development work in Ayodhya will generate huge employment opportunity for people. He said that after the construction of a grand temple of Lord Ram, there will be a huge increase in the number of people coming here and thus development work is being done in accordance with that to make Ayodhya a smart city. "Today I have the privilege of inaugurating Ayodhya Dham Airport and Railway Station. I am happy that Ayodhya Airport has been named after Maharishi Valmiki. Maharishi Valmiki introduced us to the works of Lord Ram through Ramayana. In modern India, Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, Ayodhya Dham, will connect us with the divine-grand-new Ram temple. At present Ayodhya Dham railway station has the capacity to serve 10-15 thousand people. After the complete development of the station, 60 thousand people will be able to commute to Ayodhya Dham railway station every day," said PM Modi.
New Delhi: Vicky Kaushal and Katrina Kaif ended this year with great fun and vigour. Now more pictures from thec couple's intmate Christmas bash has surfaced online. Taking to social media, Neha dropped a couple of images from an intimate Christmas party held at Vickat's residence.

The pictures oozed happiness, fun, joy and togetherness. From Vicky's parents to Katrina's mom - everyone was seeing having a joyous time. Angad Bedi were in attendance. Vicky and Katrina twinned in white, while Angad and Neha opted to wear the same printed night suits.

Sharing the pictures, Neha Dhupia wrote on Instagram, "Our very merry bunch for life." In one of the images, Vicky is seen planting a kiss on his mother's cheek, who wore a red salwar suit for Christmas.

Recently, Vicky also shared an adorable picture of Katrina and him posing during the Christmas bash. A video from the couple's bash also went viral on the internet in which Vicky, Angad and Sunny can be seen adding some Punjabi touch to their Christmas celebrations. They were seen confidently pulling off bhangra steps at Vicky-Katrina's Christmas party.

Meanwhile, Vicky was recently seen in the biopic drama film 'Sam Bahadur' which received good responses from the audience. Helmed by Meghna Gulzar, the film also starred Sanya Malhotra and Fatima Sana Shaikh in the lead roles.

'Sam Bahadur' is based on the life of India's first Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw. His 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. In his military career, Manekshaw also played a crucial role in the Indo-Pak War of 1947 and the liberation of Hyderabad in 1948.

'Sam Bahadur' marks Vicky's second collaboration with Meghna Gulazar after 'Raazi'.
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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New Delhi: In the picturesque Swat Valley of Pakistan, nestled amidst towering mountains, the young Malala Yousafzai dreamt of a world where every girl could learn and lead. Born in 1997, her path unfolded against the backdrop of a region grappling with extremist ideologies that sought to silence female voices. Yet, her indomitable spirit and unwavering commitment to education defied the darkness, sparking a global movement that transformed her into a symbol of hope and resilience.

Rising Against the Tide:

Malala's story began as an 11-year-old, when the Taliban clamped down on Swat Valley, shutting down girls' schools. But she refused to be silenced. From speaking at local gatherings to blogging for the BBC, she became a vocal advocate for girls' right to education. Her courage garnered international attention, making her a beacon of defiance against oppression.

A Survivor's Triumph:

In 2012, the Taliban's bullet silenced Malala for a harrowing moment. Assaulted on her school bus, she was shot in the head for daring to raise her voice. But even critically injured, her spirit remained unbroken. Her miraculous recovery in Birmingham, England, marked a turning point. Instead of retreating, she emerged stronger, her resolve amplified by the outpouring of global support.

From Patient to Advocate:

In Birmingham, Malala found a new platform to amplify her message. She co-founded the Malala Fund, a non-profit dedicated to advocating for girls' education worldwide. Her powerful speeches at the United Nations and on global stages resonated with millions, urging leaders and communities to prioritize education for girls.

The Youngest Nobel Laureate:

In 2014, at the tender age of 17, Malala's unwavering efforts were recognized with the Nobel Peace Prize. This historic feat made her the youngest Nobel laureate, a testament to the transformative power of a single voice. Even with this global recognition, she remained grounded, returning to Pakistan in 2017 to open schools, challenging societal norms and inspiring countless girls to pursue their dreams.

Beyond the Spotlight:

Today, Malala continues to be a force for change. As a recent Oxford graduate and an author, she uses her platform to champion girls' rights and advocate for social justice. Her story, etched in courage and resilience, serves as a beacon of hope for millions of girls around the world, reminding them that even the quietest voice can rise above the din and spark a revolution.
People work at an intelligent plant for manufacturing the FAW Jiefang J7 trucks in Changchun, northeast China's Jilin Province, Jan. 31, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

China has released a guideline on accelerating the transformation and upgrading of traditional manufacturing industries, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) on Friday.



By 2027, China's traditional manufacturing industries should achieve notable progress in their high-end, intelligent, green, and integrated development, consolidating their position and competitiveness in the global industrial division of labor and cooperation, according to the guideline jointly released by eight authorities, including the MIIT and the National Development and Reform Commission.

The guideline put forward a series of targets to be met by 2027.

The penetration rate of digital research and development and design tools should exceed 90%, while the numerical control rate of key processes should exceed 70% by 2027, according to the guidelines.

The industrial energy consumption intensity and carbon dioxide emission intensity should continue to decline. The water use per 10,000 yuan ($ 1,411.89) of industrial added value should decrease by 13% compared to the level registered in 2023, and the comprehensive utilization rate of bulk industrial solid waste should exceed 57% by 2027, according to the guideline.
The abandoned Macys department store in the Valley View Mall is set to be demolished and replaced with multiple new developments, including restaurants and office buildings.

GMX Real Estate Group, doing business as Onalaska 9016 LLC, outlined plans to build a Raising Canes restaurant, coffee quick-serve restaurant, Asian cuisine fast-food restaurant and car wash chain location. The city has not confirmed the names of additional restaurant possibilities.

The Raising Canes restaurant plan was approved Dec. 15 by the citys Commercial/Multi-Family Design Review Committee. A completion date is not yet known. In a statement, Raising Canes officials said they plan to add six locations to Wisconsin by 2025.

The development will also come with new parking stalls and space for office buildings in the final phase of development. A portion of the Macys lot will be parceled to the HyVee grocery store, which debuted in October 2022. The development application also shows several potential building spots with no clear intention for the areas.

Installing the businesses requires demolition of the Macys store. Demolition of the building is expected between Feb. 15 and May 15.

A demolition permit has already been approved by the City Plan Commission, Common Council, and a public hearing was held by the Judiciary and Administration Committee. It now needs the approval of the Judiciary and Administration in a final resolution.

The Judiciary and Administration committee will consider the resolution at 6 p.m. Tuesday.
A 42-year-old Holmen man faces a sexual assault charge stemming from an Oct. 7 incident in the town of Holland.

Jeffery A. Gray was charged in La Crosse County Circuit Court with felony counts of third-degree sexual assault and intercepting oral communication.

According to the criminal complaint, a woman told police that Gray forced her into uncomfortable sex acts and that she was explicit about expressing her discomfort.

The complaint says Gray operated a camera system inside the residence and eavesdropped on other people having conversations. He reportedly used the system to confront the victim about a relationship she may have been having with another man.

Gray denied forcing the woman into an uncomfortable or nonconsensual sex act.

Gray is free on a $2,500 signature bond. His next court appearance is a Jan. 9 preliminary hearing. He faces a maximum of 16 years in prison if convicted of both charges.
A criminal complaint has been filed in La Crosse County Circuit Court against a 43-year-old Holmen woman accused of stealing more than $13,000 from a La Crosse business.

Jaime L. Shatek faces three felony counts of theft and a misdemeanor count of fraudulent use of a credit card.

According to the complaint, VSC Corp. contacted La Crosse police and reported that Shatek stole the money while employed by the rental company from Aug. 31, 2020, to Aug. 21, 2023.

The complaint says Shatek:

Used the company checking account to pay $6,200 in personal credit card debt.

Kept $3,600 in cash she collected from a tenant who lives in a rental unit owned by VSG.

Deposited a state energy benefits check for $4,100 into her personal account.

Used the company credit card for unauthorized personal purchases.

Police interviewed Shatek on Nov. 20. The complaint says Shatek admitted to many of the thefts and expressed remorse. She reportedly has repaid VSC $6,500. VSG is seeking restitution of the remaining $7,000.

Shatek is free on a signature bond. She has an adjourned initial appearance set for Jan. 25.
The year 2023 will go down in history as the year the COVID-19 federal health emergency was lifted.

The Tribune will count down its top 10 local stories of the year through Jan. 2, 2024.

4. PFAS lawsuits from Campbell and French Island

The state and the town of Campbell filed lawsuits against over 20 manufacturers of PFAS for their alleged role in contaminating water wells on French Island. Residents on French Island have used bottled water for drinking for the past three years since the discovery of PFAS chemicals in private water wells throughout the community.

The lawsuits seek to force the chemical producers to pay for the cost of cleanup. A separate lawsuit was filed by a group of residents against the city of La Crosse for damages related contamination from the use of the chemicals at the airport, which the city operates.

3. Clearing of Houska Park and citys homelessness response

The city of La Crosse designated Houska Park as a safe zone for unhoused people to reside in the summer of 2022. The following February, the city alerted those who had congregated there the park would no longer be available to them and they were ordered to leave by March 15.

City crews moved in and removed the debris left behind. Agencies that work with the homeless said they had to start over with many cases, and the fallout of Houskas clearing filled up Cameron Park two months later. The city then moved to outlaw camping in most of its parks and disbursed the groups that had gathered at Cameron Park. A city and county collaborative plan to fight homelessness in the region La Crosse is expected in January 2024.

2. Lincoln Middle School closed, elementaries next

The School District of La Crosse continued to be confronted by shrinking enrollment, which triggered a debate over consolidating school buildings.

The district took the first step by closing Lincoln Middle School effective with the end of the 2022-23 school year. The closure reduces the number of middle school buildings in the district from three to two. Students were dispersed to Logan Middle School on the citys North Side and Longfellow Middle School on the South Side.

Next, the school board formed a citizens committee to examine the districts nine elementary schools. In November, the committee issued a report that recommends closing North Woods International and Hintgen elementaries at the conclusion of the 2023-24 school year. Emerson and Spence were also considered for closure. The school district is expected to make a final decision on any closures during its Feb. 19 meeting.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, meets with Chinese diplomatic envoys to foreign countries, who are in Beijing to attend this year's work conference for overseas envoys, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 29, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday met with Chinese diplomatic envoys who are in Beijing to attend this year's work conference for overseas envoys.



Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made an important speech during the meeting.

Xi commended the significant achievements of China's diplomatic work in the new era. He asked the envoys to thoroughly study and implement the spirit of the 20th CPC National Congress, the spirit of the Central Conference on Work Relating to Foreign Affairs, and the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, especially the Thought on Diplomacy.

Xi urged the envoys to correctly understand the international environment and historical mission of China's diplomatic work in the new era and new journey, hold high the banner of building a community with a shared future for humanity, and constantly open up new prospects for major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics.

Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, was present at the meeting.

In his speech, Xi said over the past few years, the spread of COVID-19 and the escalating oppression and containment of China by external forces have posed special challenges to China's diplomatic work, bringing special tests to the envoys.

On behalf of the CPC Central Committee, Xi greeted and thanked the envoys and all diplomatic personnel for their hard work.

Xi stressed the need to adhere to the centralized, unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee, carry forward the valuable experience of China's diplomacy in the new era, enhance cohesion, exert combat effectiveness, overcome all difficulties and obstacles, and win new and greater victories.

The just-held Central Conference on Work Relating to Foreign Affairs analyzed the current international situation and external environment for the period to come and made clear the goals and directions, guiding principles, strategic arrangements, and basic tasks of China's external work, Xi said, calling on the envoys to earnestly implement the decisions and arrangements of the conference and make new achievements with a more energetic spirit.

Firstly, Xi urged the envoys to stay true to the founding mission and be loyal to the Party.

Xi stressed that the envoys must enrich their minds with the CPC's innovative theories, sharpen their eyes to distinguish right from wrong, and always keep to the correct political direction.

The envoys must have a deep understanding of where the supreme interests of the CPC and the country lie and understand and implement the foreign work principles and policies of the CPC Central Committee well, Xi noted.

Over 1.4 billion Chinese people are strong supporters of China's diplomatic work. The envoys should take "diplomacy for the people" as their commitment and pass on the warmth of the CPC Central Committee to every overseas Chinese citizen, Xi said.

Secondly, Xi emphasized that the envoys should strengthen their sense of responsibility and be pioneers in their endeavors.

It is necessary to strengthen diplomatic capacity building and be firm in taking practical and pragmatic measures, to be alert and clear-sighted, and to make more practical moves around serving the overall situation and solving problems, Xi said.

The envoys must be good at making friends widely and deeply, and winning people's hearts should be done at different levels. The envoys should also use international language and methods to tell China's stories well, connect China with other countries, and let the world understand China in the new era better, he said.

Thirdly, Xi pointed out that the envoys should be brave enough to defend national interests.

It is necessary to enhance confidence, maintain a clear strategy, maintain bottom-line thinking, and resolutely safeguard China's sovereignty, security, and development interests, he said.

The envoys must strengthen strategic planning and make good use of the magic weapon of the united front, Xi said, adding that they also need to make good use of multilateral mechanisms and rules to gain understanding and support from the international community.

Fourthly, Xi noted that the envoys should adhere to self-revolution and promote full and rigorous Party self-governance.

The envoys should take strict steps to improve Party conduct and enforce Party discipline, put discipline and rules ahead, and build a diplomatic iron army loyal to the Party, brave in taking responsibility, daring to fight and good at fighting, and strict in discipline, Xi said.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, attended the conference and delivered a speech.

He urged the envoys to thoroughly study and understand Xi's important speech and the spirit of the Central Conference on Work Relating to Foreign Affairs, deeply understand the great theoretical innovation and far-reaching significance of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, take Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy as a guide, overcome difficulties, forge ahead, and constantly open up new prospects for major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics in the new era.
In a Facebook announcement on Christmas Eve, Muhammad Ali, the owner of Halal Restaurant Ind Pak Afghan, said Sunday, Dec. 31, will mark the final day for the Lexington establishment that opened in August.

Ali, who had hoped to introduce a diverse culinary experience to the Lexington community, spoke candidly about the reasons behind the closure, the challenges faced and positive experiences.

Alis initial objective was to enrich Lexingtons culinary scene with a variety of new and authentic selections. In an interview with the Clipper-Herald on Dec. 28, Ali expressed his desire to cater to truck drivers, envisioning them as a key demographic for his restaurant.

However, the decision to close the restaurant was more rooted in a family choice than a financial one. Ali said that with some upcoming events in his native country of Pakistan, he would not have the time to run the restaurant in Lexington.

Addressing obstacles the restaurant faced, Ali said he had also aimed to attract Tyson Foods workers to eat at his place. However, he observed that the demanding nature of their work left many employees too fatigued to make the trip to the restaurant during their limited lunch breaks and after clocking out. Ali said he understood the situation because of the difficulty of the work at Tyson. He dexribed Tyson employees as good, hard working people.

Additionally, he said, the former Burger King location was left in a less-than-ideal state. Ali said it had been left a bit dirty, including grease traps near the restaurant location. He said controlling the smell within the restaurant was difficult because it was out of his control.

Despite the challenges, Ali cherished the positive experiences shared with his patrons.

Every guest that I had told me everything was good, he said. They really loved the food and that they enjoyed the atmosphere and everything.

I felt like I had a small family with customers, he added. It was great connecting with people. That was something very nice.

He also credited Carl Hays from Plum Creek Market Place for immense support.

When asked about advice for aspiring restaurant owners within the area, Ali emphasized the importance of hard work, understanding the demographic and investing in creating a welcoming atmosphere. He cautioned against starting a restaurant for those unwilling to face obstacles and stressed the need for a strong support system.

Expressing gratitude to the Lexington community for their support, Ali acknowledged a mix of emotions but conveyed his happiness for the lessons learned.

Im really thankful, to be honest, Ali said. There is some sadness, but for the most part Im happy for my next journey and spending more time with my family.

He expressed appreciation for the people in Lexington he got to meet over the months.

The people in Lexington are amazing. The community as a whole is awesome here. Ali said. Im happy that I learned a lot here.

Ali said if he were to open a new restaurant in the future, he would return more knowledgeable and consider a different location outside Lexington.

While he prepares to officially bid farewell, Dawson and Gosper County area residents have the opportunity to visit Alis restaurant one last time until New Years Eve at 11 p.m.
In a heartfelt farewell, the Dawson County Board of Commissioners bid adieu Friday to County Clerk Karla Zlatkovsky, who served the county for over 17 years. The momentous occasion took place at the conclusion of the commissioners final meeting of 2023.

Zlatkovskys resignation, submitted in mid-October, had set her last day on the job to coincide with the last 2023 commissioners meeting.

Chairman Rod Reynolds took a moment to honor Zlatkovsky, recognizing her unwavering commitment with a standing ovation as other board members joining in applause.

Before the tribute to Zlatkovsky, the meeting delved into crucial matters for the county.

During the second segment, the board considered and approved the Verkada/Kidwell proposal for the installation of security technology at the Roads Shop and Annex. The comprehensive plan includes the installation of seven cameras and seven access control systems for the Annex building, as well as two cameras and four access control systems for the Roads Shop.

The decision to move forward with the proposal was reached after thorough discussions on potential challenges with installations or updates. The board recognized the significance of enhancing security for both buildings and approved the motion, including approving 50% upfront payment for the installation.

Brooke Puffer and Cathy Luther of Little Eagles Learning Center addressed the board to request lottery funds for their day care in Overton. They highlighted the growing need for child care services in the Overton area due to the increasing number of families. Currently operating in the basement of the Catholic Church in Overton, the day care has reached full capacity with a waiting list.

While no immediate action was taken, the board encouraged Puffer and Luther to return in mid-2024 along with representatives of other day care centers, such as ones in Lexington and Gothenburg, that are in the same coalition and are seeking lottery funds.

The meeting also addressed various administrative matters, including the approval of minutes from the Dec. 18 meeting, treasurers receipts, claims and updates on the courthouse remodel.

Vice Chairman Richard Zarek provided information on the countys ARPA funds; the remaining balance is $2,700,000.

Brian Woldt shared that 99% of the courthouse clerks move was completed during the week, showcasing progress in the ongoing courthouse remodel.

Additionally, motions were made and approved for various agreements, including authorizing Chairman Reynolds to sign an agreement between Dawson County and Paulsen Inc. for a construction contract.

A motion was made and approved for Reynolds to sign an amendment to a memorandum of understanding with the Nebraska Department of Veterans Affairs, adding County after Dawson in the names of all offices shared by the VA and the county.

In addition, the board approved a quote of $7,957.67 from Eakes for Steelcase cabinets and countertop with backsplash for the clerks office.
GOTHENBURG  In downtown Gothenburg, yoga enthusiasts got together on Thursday as Mind Body Balance Breathe hosted its annual Yoga Glow Party.

The event, organized by owner Jennifer Cross-Barrett, brought together yoga enthusiasts and wellness seekers for an evening of luminous yoga, positive vibes and community spirit to close out the 2023 calendar year.

Cross-Barrett said she began the business six years ago out of her deep passion for yoga. That passion was ignited by a conundrum faced in her family.

My journey to yoga started solely because my youngest daughter had colic when she was a baby, Cross-Barrett said. As a young mom of 21 years old, I was trying to figure out how to handle a colicky baby.

Cross-Barrett turned to yoga as a stress-relief technique recommended by her doctor.

One thing that my doctor recommended was ways to incorporate stress-relieving techniques, and she suggested yoga, she said. So I started doing yoga, and I noticed that after doing yoga, I was able to stretch better, I was able to play with my kids better, and I was able to breathe significantly better.

This was only the beginning of Cross-Barretts journey in yoga. Over the years she became a certified instructor with over 22 years of practice. In addition, she completed a 300-hour certification eight years ago before opening Mind Body Balance Breathe in Gothenburg.

What started as a yoga studio has evolved into a comprehensive wellness spa at 525 Ninth St. offering over 50 services, including massage therapy, facials, Himalayan salt infrared sauna and more. The positive feedback from clients in Gothenburg and beyond has been overwhelming for Barrett. Visitors from Lexington, Cozad, North Platte, and Kearney have made the journey to experience the offerings at Mind Body Balance Breathe.

Addressing the common hesitation some men feel about participating in wellness services, Cross-Barrett emphasized the inclusivity of Mind Body Balance Breathe. She highlighted the importance of massages for both men and women. Offering specialized facials for men and tailored methods to alleviate common issues faced by male clients, Barrett encourages men to embrace the holistic benefits of her services and suggests that any man feeling pain from running or lifting weights stop by the business.

One of the businesss highlighted events is the Yoga Glow Party, a vibrant celebration conceived by Cross-Barrett to bring a unique New Years experience to Gothenburg. The idea sprang from one of Barretts friends from the realization that the community lacked New Years-related activities. Since its inception, the Glow Yoga Party has drawn an increasing number of attendees each year.

Although its an indoor event, Barrett said weather conditions can still disrupt the festivities. Among the challenges that have been out of Barretts control over the years is making sure people arent sick around the holidays. From securing enough supplies like yoga mats, body paint and glow sticks to ensuring the events success, Barretts dedication has shown for several years to make the Glow Yoga Event become successful.

This years Yoga Glow Party was a feast for the senses, with neon-clad participants, vibrant decorations and an atmosphere of joy and camaraderie. Barrett greeted each participant, setting the tone for a night of fun and relaxation.

Attendees enjoyed free food and drinks and could decorate their bodies with provided glow body paint. Barrett, an artist at heart, recounted a memorable moment when one year a participant painted their face, creating a stunning design that captured the essence of the Glow Yoga experience.

As the event unfolded, Barrett moved through the class, ensuring everyone was comfortable and correctly executing their yoga poses. She encouraged participants to enjoy themselves while offering guidance on maintaining a balance between fun and safety. Though some poses were a bit difficult for some to maintain, Barrett gave words of encouragement for those trying their best.

To maintain calmness within the event, Barrett offered some breathing techniques to the people attending the event and played both calm and energetic music.

As the Yoga Glow Party concluded, leaving participants with a sense of rejuvenation and community spirit, it became clear that Mind Body Balance Breathe is not just a wellness destination; its a place where people can have fun and be encouraging to one another.
New Construction Est Completion April 2024. The 'Rowen' has a great ranch style floor plan that features wide & open Living, Kitchen and Dining areas. This Home includes 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths and laundry/mudroom. The Primary suite has a walk-in shower w/ a spacious vanity and walk in closet! The Lower Level is open with the ability to finish for additional living space, and roughed in for another full bathroom! This home is nestled in Nordic Ridge; a plentiful subdivision with a large park in the center of it all! Come see the top notch quality and standards that Eldon Homes has to offer. Make this home yours now to choose some of your own personal selections. We have exceptional warranties too! Final plans & finshes may vary. Listing agent is affiliated with Eldon Homes.

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Monona police arrested a Madison man for possession of several drugs early Friday morning after the man tried to elude officers.

The 41-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of felony attempted eluding, felony bail jumping and operating a vehicle without a driver's license.

The man was also arrested on tentative charges of possession of heroin, cocaine and ecstasy, also known as MDMA, Monona police said, adding that at the time of the incident he was on bail for several felonies, including the possession of a firearm, carrying a concealed weapon and possession of cocaine.

At 1:28 a.m. Friday, a Monona police officer was monitoring traffic on Highway 51 in the city when the officer observed "a vehicle speeding well above the posted limit," authorities said.

The officer attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver refused and a chase ensued.

The vehicle traveled west on Highway 12, Monona police said, and another Monona police officer positioned ahead of the pursuit deployed a tire deflation device "in textbook fashion" just west of Monona Drive to stop the chase.

The driver slowed to a stop near Rimrock Road, Monona police said, adding that Dane County Sheriff's Office authorities and the Madison Police Department aided in taking the man into custody.

Officers recovered drugs from the vehicle, Monona police said, and other than a flat tire, there were no injuries or further damage to the man's vehicle.
The Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) concluded its seventh session Friday in Beijing.

At the closing meeting, lawmakers voted to adopt a revised Company Law, a food security law, Amendment XII to the Criminal Law, and a decision to amend the Charity Law.

They also adopted a decision to appoint Dong Jun as defense minister, to remove Tang Dengjie from the post of minister of civil affairs and appoint Lu Zhiyuan to the position, and to remove Hu Heping from the post of minister of culture and tourism and appoint Sun Yeli to the position.

President Xi Jinping signed five presidential orders to promulgate the laws and the decisions.

Zhao Leji, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, presided over the closing meeting.

The session decided to submit a draft revision to the Organic Law of the State Council to the second session of the 14th NPC for further deliberation, and entrusted Li Hongzhong, vice chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, to make explanatory remarks to the NPC session.

Lawmakers passed a decision on improving and strengthening the system of recording and review, and a decision on authorizing the Macao Special Administrative Region to exercise jurisdiction over relevant land and sea areas southeast of the Gongbei Port in Zhuhai City, Guangdong Province.

The session adopted a decision on convening the second session of the 14th NPC. According to the decision, the second session of the 14th NPC will open on March 5, 2024.

Lawmakers also ratified an extradition treaty between China and Botswana and a treaty on judicial assistance in criminal affairs between China and Senegal, and approved a deputy qualification report, among others.

Zhao Leji addressed the closing meeting after lawmakers finished voting.

Noting that the year 2024 marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the NPC, Zhao called for efforts to carry out the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and accurately determine the NPC's role and tasks in promoting high-quality development and advancing Chinese modernization.

He also urged effective preparations for the upcoming NPC annual session to ensure a successful meeting.

Zhao chaired a meeting of the Council of Chairpersons of the NPC Standing Committee before the closing meeting and presided over a lecture for lawmakers after the closing meeting.
2023 came with some controversies  think Lava Ridge wind turbine project. It came with crime  three people killed within two weeks in Twin Falls  but perhaps the more hopeful things to remember about the last 365 days is that it came with progress. New businesses opened, new opportunities arose and there is a chance for a new beginning as we head into 2024.

Do you remember these stories?

JANUARY

The release of the Lava Ridge Draft Environmental Impact Statement started the clock for public comment around the massive south-central Idaho wind energy project proposed by Magic Valley Energy and LS Power for lands in Jerome, Lincoln and Minidoka counties. The Bureau of Land Management encouraged the public to review and comment on the draft EIS, and eventually extended the comment period to April 20. When the comment period ended, rallies against the project, which would include up to 400 turbines up to 740 feet in height. People disapprove of the project for numerous reasons, including restricting recreation opportunities, possible danger to the aquifer when the huge turbines are installed, bird kill and ruin views, including near a former Japanese internment camp, commonly known as Hunt Camp.

Goats began to disappear in Magic Valley in four reported incidents near Buhl and Wendell. The goats taken were Boer goats, bred for their meat. Market value for the goats has been rising, creating a tempting target for thieves. In the most recent incident near Buhl, 15 goats were taken, with some of the goats being childrens 4-H projects.

A local family escaped harm in January after a fire broke out in the garage of their home, a blaze that required nearly 30 firefighters from two agencies. Burley Fire Department Captain Ryan Taylor said firefighters were dispatched late afternoon to a home on 150 East, where an adult female and three boys all escaped unharmed along with a couple of dogs and a cat.

FEBRUARY

Residents along Idaho Highway 25 heard a series of explosions in late February after a propane truck caught fire after a two-vehicle crash near Rupert. Shel Telleria said her home is about a quarter-mile from the crash scene at Baseline Road and 200 East. The explosions rocked my house, Telleria said.

A former mayor and his attorney filed a tort claim against the city and council members stating a development agreement for sewer and water services that will serve The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints new temple, among other landowners  damaged the city, taxpayers and utility patrons. The tort claim was filed by attorney Don Chisholm and his client Jon Anderson. The lawsuit was later dropped, and the temple is scheduled for completion in late 2024 or early 2025.

Startup company Hempitecture started to churn out what company officials tout as environmentally friendly insulation made from industrial hemp at its new 33,000-square-foot facility just off U.S. Highway 93 in Jerome County. The plant is the first of its kind in the U.S., and founder and CEO Mattie Mead wants to get the word out about the eco-friendly building materials.

MARCH

A report gave details about an officer-involved shooting after an August 2022 chase that ended in a field north of Buhl. Caleb Tussey emerged from a car that was stuck in the field after a miles-long, high-speed chase through western Twin Falls County. He had just fired his .40 caliber pistol at deputy cars, striking the patrol vehicles windshield five times. A deputy said he didnt know whether Tussey still had the gun as he turned toward a house, and shot Tussey. The pistol, devoid of bullets, was found in the back of Tusseys car. The Gem County prosecuting attorney cleared deputies of charges. After the shooting, deputies didnt initially know the identity of Tussey, but an officer saw the numbers 125514 tattooed across his chest. The six-digit number was run through the Idaho Department of Corrections and discovered it was the departments number assigned to Tussey, who had a lengthy criminal record.

The Twin Falls City Council heard a report from a committee studying the feasibility of constructing a community recreation center. A major sticking point is finding a suitable piece of land, and an estimated 13 to 15 acres would be needed. A site would be located before final costs can be estimated, committee member Chris Scholes told the Twin Falls City Council, but the center itself could cost $50 million, not including the cost of land. No action on approving a recreation center has been taken by the city council.

APRIL

The Twin Falls City Council took a step toward providing a micro-transit system as mandated as the city reached a population of 50,000. Following a vote, Twin Falls Downtowner LLC will operate a fleet of on-demand micro-transit services, for a two-year, $3 million pilot program funded by the Idaho Transportation Department. The transit system got underway in July, with black and white RIDE TFT vans offering rides for a cost of $3 to the general public, and $1 for senior citizens.

A Hazelton man threw homemade explosive devices and fired at deputies before being shot and killed near his house in September 2022, according to a report released that gave details of the shooting. The man, Arlo Amos Campbell, 34, was also suspected of planning to kill law enforcement officers if they approached him, a report said. The Twin Falls Sheriffs Office was the lead investigator as part of the Magic Valley Critical Incident Task Force, and Minidoka County Prosecuting Attorney Lance Stevenson reviewed the report and determined that there was no evidence to support criminal charges being filed against officers involved in the incident. Campbell had arrest warrants for felony drug possession in both Twin Falls and Jerome counties. Campbells mother, Cindy, disputed the findings of the report.

MAY

Honor Flight recipient Bill Pryor, a veteran who served in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years, was honored in a surprise celebration in Buhl after spending a weekend in Washington, D.C., with other veterans touring war memorials as part of the Honor Flight program. A crowd, which included city and county officials, representatives from Idahos congressional delegation, first responders, pep band members, and lots of relatives and members of the public were at the Buhl park, and greeted the 86-year-old after he received a limousine ride from the airport.

JUNE

Jerome County Prosecuting Attorney Christopher Bradley Calbo was indicted by a grand jury on charges that he committed acts of violence against a 44-year-old woman at a property along the Oregon coast, records show. Calbo, 54, was involved in a June 3 incident in Lincoln City in which the woman said he strangled her and committed other acts to place her in fear of imminent serious physical injury, the indictment said. Calbo resigned in September after making an agreement with the county, including that he would be paid through that month. Calbo ended up pleading no contest to assault in the fourth degree and attempting to commit a class C felony, while two other charges were dismissed, records say.

Sheriff Tom Carter announced he will not seek reelection in 2024 and endorsed Commissioner Jack Johnson as his replacement. Ive had the honor of being sheriff here in Twin Falls County for the past 15 years. And to be honest with you, Im tired, Carter said in a speech to the gathered supporters. I have had the best job known to mankind.

JULY

In a tender moment after the sentencing of the motorist who critically injured an Idaho State Police trooper last fall on Interstate 84, there was a time for forgiveness. Sgt. Mike Wendler and his wife, Amy, hugged motorist Emina Hukic, each hoping for good things to come after the tragic crash in September 2022 turned the Wendlers world upside down. For the misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and driving without privileges, Hukic, 22, was sentenced to three days on Jerome Countys work detail, picking up trash along roadways or other such tasks. Wendlers injuries prevented from returning to regular patrol duties, and has since retired from the ISP, with his final call being posted on social media in September.

AUGUST

The Magic Valley affiliate of Habitat for Humanity took a new route in constructing a house in southeast Kimberly. Its an ICF home, short for insulated concrete formwork. Foam blocks are used for the exterior walls, then reinforced with rebar and concrete, which will be poured in between the gaps. The initial construction, which began in August, looks much different than a traditional wood-frame home  it resembles giant white Legos stacked on one another  but when completed, and siding and some rockwork are added to the exterior, the home will look the same as others around it, but be stronger and better insulated.

SEPTEMBER

A possible strike among Amalgamated Sugar employees was averted when an agreement was reached between members of the Brewers Confectioners Tobacco and Grain Millers Union and the company. Union members from Amalgamateds four sugar factories voted to ratify a new five-year collective bargaining agreement that covers approximately 1,400 employees  1,200 of whom are union members. The agreement came as the first trucks delivered beets to the factories to be sliced for processing into sugar. Union members voted to authorize a strike if the contract terms were not improved.

A rash of fatal crashes involving semi-trailers occurred in the Twin Falls area on Sept. 1, Sept. 9, Sept. 15 and Sept. 23 on Interstate 84, while injury crashes occurred Sept. 13 and 14. It appeared Magic Valley saw an extension of the 100 Deadliest Days, a term referring to an increase in fatal motor vehicle crashes on Americas roadways from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

OCTOBER

Sometimes you have to hurt something in an effort to make it better. Microscopic quagga mussels larvae were discovered in the Centennial Park area of the Snake River in September, prompting Idaho State Department of Agriculture to launch a rapid response plan to treat the stretch with a molluscicide to kill the invasive pest, which threatens Idahos diverse biological landscape and infrastructure in the river if they became established. The 10-day treatment period met goals, ISDA officials said, and a quagga mussel in the river died during the treatment. But along with targeting quagga mussels, the treatment also killed fish populations, including 49 hatchery sturgeon, along with plant life. Officials wont know the treatments success until monitoring of the river resumes next spring.

NOVEMBER

The city dedicated its newly created Twin Falls Honor Wall, recognizing the sacrifices made by members of the military and first responders. Businessman Scott Martin, who was instrumental in having it built on a wall at the Downtown Commons, hopes its unique design is key to attracting people to the wall. Those viewing it will see the names of the fallen military personnel and first responders cut out on strips of metal and placed vertically on the wall.

Teenagers MiQuavis Taylor and Kaden Thomson face first-degree murder charges after a crime spree that resulted in a Twin Falls man, Freddy Rodriguez, being shot and killed at about 2 a.m. Nov. 16 when he left his house to check on his vehicle which Thomson had entered and was attempting to steal, court records said. The pair were tracked down shortly afterward in Boise after they crashed a stolen pickup. In addition, the two were involved in a half-dozen other vehicles were stolen during a crime spree which began a week prior, police say. Taylor was charged with a shooting at a Twin Falls parking lot the day prior that left a man with minor injuries. The pair face more than a dozen felonies each in addition to the murder charge, including counts of grand theft and burglary. They are scheduled to have their preliminary hearings in February.

DECEMBER

Another high-profile crime rocked Twin Falls on Dec. 1, as business owner Jesse Ortiz and Jaime Bravo Rodriguez were gunned down that night by two men in front of Tint Shop V along Kimberly Road. Five days later, Angelica Maria Martinez, 40, of Twin Falls, was charged with aiding and abetting the double murder. Court records say she told police that she and two men, nicknamed El Guero and El Diablo, were at her house earlier that evening and she dropped them off near the tint shop. Shortly afterward, she said they got back into her car, telling her that they had been involved in a shooting. She said she drove to Mexico with the two men, and parted ways in Mazatlan, Mexico. She maintained she doesnt know the true identities of the suspects, records say. Twin Falls police continue to work on the case.
As Chairwoman, I am so proud of what the Idaho GOP has accomplished this year. Republican legislators, elected officials, members of the State Central Committee, staff, and volunteers all pulled together to make this year a resounding success.

When I was elected Chair of the Idaho Republican Party, I promised that we would lead on the issues. I am proud to report that three resolutions that began with grassroots Republicans were turned into law this year:

The State Central Committee passed resolutions calling to ban ranked choice voting, remove student IDs as acceptable forms of voter identification, and outlaw permanent life altering gender mutilation surgeries and puberty blockers for children. All three of these resolutions became law last session thanks to the hard work of our Republican lawmakers, especially Senators Glenneda Zuiderveld, Scott Herndon, and Lori Den Hartog, and Representatives Dale Hawkins, Tina Lambert, and Bruce Skaug, who sponsored these bills.

We are especially thankful for our legislative liaisons, Sen. Zuiderveld and Rep. Julianne Young, who did a great job bringing the will of Idaho Republicans to the Legislature. We look forward to their continued work in the 2024 session, which begins in just a few days. Our party is building consensus on the conservative issues that matter most to Idaho voters.

Spreading the message of faith, family, and freedom takes funding. The past year marked a triumphant period of fundraising for the Idaho Republicans Party, highlighted by several high-profile events that showcased unity and enthusiasm. Notably, Kari Lake and Sarah Palin graced the Gem State, contributing to the success of these events. Their participation added significant momentum to our fundraising efforts, fostering a sense of camaraderie and support within the Idaho Republican community. Additionally, most of our county committees fulfilled their obligations to support the state party. Despite reports of nationwide fundraising issues with state parties and even the national party, the Idaho GOP is in great financial shape heading into 2024.

We look forward to an even more incredible year in 2024, starting with the Presidential Caucus on March 2nd. Six candidates have filed to participate, and we are hoping to see several of them visit our great state between now and then.

The winner of the caucus will take Idahos delegates to the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin next summer where they will cast their votes on your behalf to choose our nominee for President. Whichever candidate that ends up being, we will unite as a party against the unmitigated disaster of the Biden administration.

Anticipation is also building for one of the highlights of our upcoming yearthe 2024 Idaho State Republican Convention set to take place next June in the picturesque Coeur dAlene. Enthusiasm grows as we look forward to the gathering of grassroots Republican delegates from every corner of Idaho. Against the backdrop of this stunning location, we eagerly await the collective decision-making process, where crucial votes on the platform, resolutions, rules, and party officers will shape the future trajectory of our party.

As the late, great, Rush Limbaugh was so fond of saying, the best is yet to come!
The end of a year offers a moment to take stock of our progress to date and our vision for the future. As I reflect on the future Democrats want for Idahoans  thriving Main Streets with economic opportunity, quality education, personal freedoms, and an affordable path to raising the next generation  its clear that supermajority rule is holding us back.

Idaho Democrats are rolling up their sleeves to repair our political system by rebuilding our party. This year, we established local Democratic committees in all 44 counties and won 73% of the 65 local races where Democrats made endorsements and deployed campaign tactics. Focused candidate recruitment has positioned us to contest more races in 2024 than we have in years.

Idahos Democratic lawmakers are also making an impact. We delivered critical wins by blocking school vouchers, stopping a bill creating bounties on libraries, protecting Medicaid expansion, enacting scholarships for in-demand careers, creating incentives for nurses serving rural Idaho, and safeguarding voting rights. Nevertheless, many votes were too close for comfort.

Its critical we elect more Democrats to make life better for Idahoans and combat political dysfunction. I will never forget the words of a very conservative colleague who congratulated me on becoming chair of the Idaho Democratic Party. In spite of our policy disagreements, the legislator sincerely wished me luck and, motioning to the House Chamber, declared, Because this isnt healthy.

Indeed, when one party holds 82% of the seats, there is little accountability and compromise, which are necessary for a healthy democracy.

In the absence of accountability, the extremists who once operated at the fringes of the Idaho Republican Party have taken the helm. Local party tribunals are pushing GOP politicians deeper into extremism by punishing those who stray from their platform  a platform that ranges from dangerous fringe ideas that would destabilize our financial system, like returning to gold and silver standards, to outright cruelty, like murder charges for abortion even when the patient faces certain death.

In 2024, Democrats will be reaching out to voters, offering an alternative to this extreme agenda. We hope to have openhearted conversations about the central issues that unite us. Voters who get to know their local Democratic candidates will find ample common ground. Polling confirms that voters agree with Idaho Democrats on the issues that affect you daily: tax policies should be fair to regular Idahoans rather than heaping more benefits onto the wealthy and well-connected, public dollars belong in public schools, Medicaid should be strong, politicians shouldnt interfere in our most intimate decisions, and life must be affordable for working families.

As we welcome 2024, Im hopeful Idahaoans can come together to reject GOP extremism and build the future people deserve.
It was a watershed year in American history. It was like the year the Greek tyrant Pisistratus rode into Athens in a carriage with his goddess-like first lady at his side, ready to drain the swamp of Greek politics.

In 2016, Donald Trump the candidate was promising to root out the bad apples in Washington, D.C., and reorient the woke liberal media regularly putting out fake news.

I wrote a letter to the editor of the New York Times taking a neutral stand on the candidate, stating that America has had Presidents who did worse than what Trump was saying he would do. My intent was to add a little more richness and depth to the popular understanding of American history.

The letter caused a furor in the Times editorial department. After some days, an editor got back to me saying their staff of fact checkers had corroborated all of the shocking detail I had written about certain of our former presidents, except one. They demanded that I personally document what I had written about the holiest of all holy liberal presidents, Abraham Lincoln.

Lincoln had ordered the private mail of newspaper editors across northern cities to be confiscated, opened, and read by his administration. He then jailed several of them who were not sufficiently wedded to his policies.

It took me about ten minutes to find my source, which I knew to be impeccable. In my response to the Times, I mentioned that this author was a prize-winning authority on Lincoln and among a handful of the very best Lincoln biographers in America. I gave the Times all the relevant publication information, including the primary source the biographer had taken his information from.

After a couple days, the Times called me saying they would publish my entire letter as written. The female editor noted, as a parting nod to her new-found enlightenment about the American presidency, The things you learn about your favorite President.

My point here is that not everything the woke liberal establishment knows or says about past, present, or future life in America is on solid ground.

I hasten to add that the liberal woke agenda spoken of by conservatives in America is not the only woke agenda being bandied about these days. There is an equally misinformed conservative woke agenda regularly championed by the right. That agenda, in highly abbreviated and stylized form, suggests that Jesus Christ will soon be returning to earth to sit down in Oval Office-style civil power in America to administer his gospel of salvation and truth.

In the meantime, evangelical Christians must take power in America, erase the current separation of church and state, and once again establish Christian nationalist moral values across the land.

The problem with this doctrine is that much of it is spurious theological doctrine based on an extreme ignorance about the original Christian movement in Palestine, that movements medieval history, the great Reformation of religion in Europe, and the playing out of the wild era of spin-off religion in these United States of America.

The conservative woke doctrine boils down to a simple formula I will paraphrase here: Jesus saves and only Jesus saves, not Moses or Muhammad. We must prepare America for Jesus return. We must not lie or get abortions; we must go to Protestant church; we must raise children born in holy wedlock; we must champion the Constitution; we must fight devilish influences in America; we must return scripture reading to public schools; and . . . oh . . . religious freedom, and its okay to get very rich. I may have missed a talking point or two.

I must also add that the New York Times has never since published another letter from me, informed as those dozens of subsequent letters have been by a good and reasonable understanding of history. Actual historical knowledge as a context for current events shook up their opinion department so badly they have been hiding under a rock ever since.

Kimball Shinkoskey

Woods Cross, Utah
Norlando Flores Divina, Barangay Captain of Barangay 24 in Caloocan City, received the prestigious Global Outstanding Public Servant Humanitarian Leader of the Year award from the Global Academy for Human Excellence (GAHE) and the International Center for Diplomatic Studies (ICDS) Norway.

The ceremony occurred at the Heritage Hotel Manila, coinciding with the 1st ICDS-Norway Doctoral Conferment and World Peace & Economic Summit and Awards.

Divina, affectionately known as Tatay by his constituents, has dedicated a remarkable 43 years to serving as barangay captain of Barangay 24. He is the esteemed father of renowned lawyer Nilo T. Divina, Dean UST Faculty of Civil Law and Managing Partner of Top Law Firm DivinaLaw, Councilor Arnold T. Divina of Caloocan City, and Marco T. Divina, a PCSO employee.

Divina is fondly known as Tatay to his constituents and has been a constant figure of public service for many decades

It was the people of Community 24 who pushed me to run and file my candidacy for Punong Barangay of Barangay 24, Divina said.

From 1982 to 2023, he held the position of Barangay Captain. In those 43 years, Divina admittedly enjoyed the challenges and demands of the position as it allowed him to provide for his community and address their immediate issues.

Throughout those years, Divina said that the most valuable lesson he learned was that good deeds reap equally positive rewards.

In the recent Barangay Elections, the esteemed barangay captain retained his position, earning votes by a significant margin.

This is a testament to the fact that my constituents truly believed in my capacity to deliver good and honest service to them. Now, I am committed to once again continue my good service to my beloved Barangay constituents, he said.

This international recognition highlights Divinas unwavering commitment to public service, specifically focused on supporting people with disabilities (PWDs), senior citizens, and the youth. His tireless efforts have made a tangible difference in the lives of his community members, earning him admiration and respect throughout Caloocan.

The Global Outstanding Public Servant Humanitarian Leader of the Year award is a testament to Divinas unwavering dedication to his community. His commitment to improving the lives of the vulnerable and championing the needs of his constituents is an inspiration to public servants across the globe.

This recognition also shines a light on Divinas exceptional service and brings positive attention to the city of Caloocan and its dedication to empowering its communities.

Divinas story is a heartwarming reminder that impactful leadership can blossom even at the grassroots level, leaving a lasting legacy of career and dedication for the next generations.
Kia Bacoor, the newest Kia Dealership in the Philippines, has made its mark by becoming the first dealership in the country to unveil a state-of-the-art 22kW electric car charger that is fully compatible with CCS2 cables.

As the automotive industry continues to embrace the electric revolution, Kia Bacoor is at the forefront of this movement. The dealerships establishment is a testament to Kias unwavering commitment to providing unparalleled automotive experiences to its customers. With a sprawling building area of 750 square meters and a total lot area of 1,500 square meters, Kia Bacoor offers a modern and customer-centric environment that epitomizes the brands dedication to excellence.

The showroom at Kia Bacoor is designed to captivate visitors, featuring an impressive display of up to eight Kia vehicles and three service bays. This setup allows customers to explore Kias diverse range of models, each renowned for its style, innovation, and performance. Of notable significance is the Kia EV6, which takes center stage. The EV6 represents Kias pioneering foray into battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and is built on the companys dedicated new platform. With its cutting-edge design and electrified power, the EV6 embodies Kias vision of human-centered, progressive mobility, and sets the stage for the brands future endeavors.

Kia Bacoor is the fifth dealership under Iconic Dealership, Inc. (IDI), a subsidiary of AC Motors, the automotive distribution and retail arm of Ayala Group of Companies. Situated at Lot 4652-B Bacoor Blvd. Brgy. Bayanan, Bacoor City, Cavite, Kia Bacoor embodies a significant milestone for Iconic Dealership, Inc. (IDI). With its cutting-edge facilities, commitment to innovation, and the introduction of advanced electric vehicle charging infrastructure, Kia Bacoor is poised to make a lasting impact on the automotive landscape in the Philippines. As Kia continues to inspire with its forward-thinking approach, customers can look forward to exciting developments and surprises from the brand in the near future.
As 2024 knocks on the door, the Philippine automotive industry reflects on a resurgent year of growth, with anticipation building for what lies ahead.

Tey Sornet, a trusted source within the industry, recently shared the official tally of vehicles sold by members of the Philippine Automotive Dealers Association, offering insights into the overall status of the local automotive market.

Unsurprisingly, Toyota remains the dominant car brand in the country, capturing a commanding 46 percent share of the market. With a total of 180,480 passenger cars and commercial vehicles sold from January to November, Toyotas popular models such as the Fortuner, Vios, and Innova continue to appeal to both new and seasoned car buyers.

Commercial vehicles continue to outperform passenger cars in terms of popularity, a trend that has persisted for several years. Toyotas commercial vehicle sales reached an impressive 130,586 units, compared to 49,894 passenger cars.

Mitsubishi secures the second position overall, with a total of 180,480 vehicles sold. The companys strong performers include the Montero, Xpander, Strada, and Mirage. Mitsubishi sold 23,436 passenger cars and 49,282 commercial vehicles, further solidifying its position in the market.

Ford takes the third spot with a total of 28,568 vehicles sold, of which 28,302 were commercial vehicles, led by the popular Next-Gen Territory, Ranger, and Everest.

Surprisingly, Suzuki makes a strong showing in the passenger car segment, securing the third position with total sales of 8,134 units. Overall, Suzuki ranks fifth, with a total of 16,676 sales, including 8,542 commercial vehicles. Nissan follows closely behind in fourth place, with a total of 23,780 units sold, while Isuzu takes the fifth spot with 16,046 units.

In total, the period from January to November witnessed a sales volume of 391,761 vehicles, with 96,843 passenger cars and 294,922 commercial vehicles. As the December figures are yet to be accounted for, 2023 has already proven to be a banner year for the Philippine automotive industry.

The industry finds itself at a crossroads with the entry of several Chinese car manufacturers bringing electric vehicles (EVs) into the market. This has prompted a debate about whether to continue embracing internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles or join the global push towards EV adoption.

According to the Electric Vehicles Association of the Philippines, the country currently has approximately 16,000 EV units. The statistics show a significant increase in EV registrations at the Land Transportation Office, with 2,557 EVs registered from January to June alone. Of this total, 2,041 units are hybrid vehicles, utilizing both fuels and electric batteries, while 516 are pure EVs relying solely on electric power.

The rise in EV awareness received a boost from Malacanang Executive Order No. 12, issued early in January 2023. The order suspended import duties for EVs for the next five years and lowered tariffs from 5 to 30 percent, further incentivizing the adoption of EVs.

The year also witnessed key leadership changes within major car manufacturers, highlighting their commitment to positioning themselves for the industrys future growth. Toyota announced the appointment of Masando Hashimoto as vice president, succeeding Atsuhiro Okamoto. Koichiro Hirao assumed the presidency of Suzuki Philippines in March.

Sojitz G Auto Philippines, the distributor of Geely, appointed Naoyuki Takeda as its new president and CEO starting January 1, 2024. In July, Rommel Sytin announced the appointment of Froilan Dytianquin as the new managing director of Chery Philippines. Froilan previously held a position at Geely.

Foton Philippines promoted Levy Santos to the role of general manager, alongside Jude Recadio as sales director and Donabel Santos as AVP for sales operations. Former Foton Philippines president Errol Duenas moved to BYD Philippines as the sales and dealer development director.

Astara Philippines witnessed Arlan Reyes, previously associated with Mitsubishi and Tata Motors, assuming the role of brand manager for JMC and Peugeot. Franz Decloedt transitioned from AC Motors to become the brand head of GAC Motors, while Timmy Naval-De Leon, also from AC Motors, joined Asta as the marketing director.

The most significant news, however, was the recent confirmation by Maria Fe Perez Agudo of her teams takeover of The Covenant Car Company Inc. (TCCCI), the distributor of Chevrolet and the new KG Mobility in the Philippines. Agudo, former president and CEO of Hariphil Asia Resources Inc., the local distributor of Hyundai trucks and buses, brings her expertise and vision to the evolving automotive landscape.

As 2023 draws to a close, the Philippine automotive industry stands on the cusp of transformation, poised to embrace the challenges and opportunities presented by the rise of EVs and the changing dynamics within the market. With strong sales figures, new leadership, and a growing EV sector, the stage is set for an exciting and transformative year ahead in 2024.
These are the local stories, in no particular order, that either had the greatest impact upon the Martinsville and Henry County community in 2023, or were of significant interest to our readers.

Council shakeup

Its not often that newly elected council members become mayor and vice mayor out of the gate, but thats what happened this year when LC Jones and Aaron Rawls were elected to those seats, respectively, at an organizational meeting in January.

Martinsvilles longtime city attorney, Eric Monday, had championed Martinsville reverting to a town in Henry County and the previous council had even approved doing so, but Jones and Rawls were set to overturn the measure.

Monday left for a new job in Roanoke before Jones and Rawls could be seated and in January, the Martinsville City Council voted 3-2 to end reversion.

A majority of council now believes the reversion process should be stopped, said Councilwoman Tammy Pearson.

Council members Kathy Lawson and Chad Martin, finding themselves in the new minority, voted against the resolution that ended reversion and in February, Martin announced his resignation as a council member, citing a new job opportunity in North Carolina.

The council solicited applicants to be considered for appointment to serve the remainder of Martins term, and in March those applicants were interviewed. By the end of the month, Lawrence Mitchell was chosen.

I really dont have an agenda as an appointee. If I had an agenda, then I should present it to the public and run for office, said Mitchell. I stressed that to the council when I talked to them: As an appointee your job is to serve who appoints you.

The following month, council replaced former vice mayor Jennifer Bowles on the West Piedmont Planning District Commission and in June, Bowles spoke before the council and accused its members of acting illegally by removing her.

Your attempted removal of me from the West Piedmont Planning District Commission Board is illegal, said Bowles. The bylaws state that members may be removed for cause by City Council as the appointing body.

Bowles maintained her removal was clearly without cause.

In April, City Manager Leon Towarnicki, after serving the city for over 40 years, presented his last budget to the council and at the end of July, he retired.

In September, Aretha Ferrell-Benavides was announced as Martinsvilles new city manager and in October she began her new job.

Prior to coming to Martinsville, Ferrell-Benavides has been the city manager in Duncanville and Glenn Heights, Texas, and in Petersburg, Virginia.

NCI in limbo

In November 2022, the Martinsville Bulletin published a series of investigative articles concerning New College Institute.

The Bulletin found that since 2017, Virginia has invested more than $17 million in NCI, in addition to more than $10 million approved by a state commission designed to help regions suffering from economic distress. Despite millions spent on salaries and programs, there was little payoff to Martinsville and Henry County residents.

Instead, the facility offered training for employers that were prepared to hire workers without it, and filled key positions with remote workers from other parts of the state.

In February, the New College Foundation, a charitable organization created in 2006 to provide financial and administrative support to NCI, announced it was changing its name and focus.

The Virginia Attorney Generals Office responded with a warning to the foundation that it better not donate any money to anything not directly related to NCI without an agreement first.

That same month, NCI hired a new executive director and plans to create a new lab school were rejected by the Department of Education.

In May, while new NCI Executive Director Joe Sumner announced plans for the school to reconnect with the community, an audit by the Office of the State Inspector General revealed that NCI had failed to maintain proper documentation of its programming in recent years.

The Bulletins investigative series of stories in 2022 had revealed many of NCIs college partnerships and programs had lapsed even while they continued to be promoted on NCIs website.

Despite a new programs announcement in June and another announcement by NCI in September suggesting a rebranding to reflect a new direction, Gov. Glenn Youngkin presented a new budget proposal earlier this month that would defund NCI by 2026.

Sen. Bill Stanley, who also chairs NCIs board, responded by saying he would seek to correct the governors plans in this coming session of the General Assembly.

New jail

In August 2022, a Bassett family blamed the Henry County Sheriffs Office for their sons death due to negligence regarding a medical condition while he was incarcerated in the new Henry County Adult Detention Center.

Bradley Steven Hensley, 42, had been charged with petit larceny and possession of burglary tools and was jailed in the facility. He suffered from a diagnosed condition; congenital adrenal hyperplasia, an hereditary disorder of the adrenal glands.

A release from the sheriffs office said Hensley had told deputies he was having difficulty breathing and the deputies summoned Wellpath, the contracted medical staff onsite, to attend to him.

Hensley became unresponsive and by the time he was transported to Sovah Health-Martinsville, he was dead.

His cellmate said he [Brad] was coughing up blood, said Hensleys mother, Robin Hensley. Theyve got traffic cops running that jail. The girl at the front desk never could tell me anything.

In March, jail nurse Deborah Sue Damron, 56, of Pikeville, Kentucky, was indicted by a Henry County grand jury for involuntary manslaughter in the death of Hensley.

While reviewing video evidence, it was discovered the on-duty nurse employed by Wellpath medical services and responsible for inmate medical care did not perform medical checks as expected and required, a sheriffs office release stated. Further investigation revealed this same nurse had falsified Mr. Hensleys medical records to reflect rounds and vitals checks that were never performed.

Although a medical examiners autopsy revealed Hensleys death also involved fentanyl, the release conceded an internal investigation had revealed a lack of care contributed to Mr. Hensleys death.

Damron is scheduled to be tried by a jury in Henry County Circuit Court on May 9.

In July, Henry County Sheriff Wayne Davis called a press conference where he announced that four deputies at the new 400-bed jail had been suspended after an unrelated concerning use of force incident.

Davis explained that when the jail opened in March 2022, the sheriffs office was tasked with hiring nearly 100 new deputies to staff it at a time when it was difficult to find people with proper qualifications willing to do the job.

The minimum hiring age was reduced to 19 years of age, but I can say effective today that we will take the minimum hiring age back to 21 years old, Davis said at the press conference.

Davis did not know the exact number, but estimated approximately 30% of the deputies currently working at the jail in July were under the age of 21.

Davis said all deputies under 21 would be undergoing a reassessment and other issues at the jail were also being addressed including the chain of command.

Davis was sworn in as sheriff on June 26 and officially took office July 1, after his predecessor, Lane Perry, retired. Davis was elected to a full four-year term as sheriff in the November election. He terminated the employment of all four deputies in August.

Historical Society

In April, the Martinsville-Henry County Historical Society broke ground on a new $2.8 million expansion at its headquarters at 1 East Main St. in uptown Martinsville.

Its been planned now for five or six years, said Dr. Mervyn King. It started smaller ... we were going to build a 50- by 80-foot building, but it ended up being 50- by 100-feet.

Construction on the new expansion began in May. In August the Historical Society announced that it was searching for a director and the following month, Holly Kozelsky was selected to run the facility.

The addition is expected to be complete in 2024.

Carter Bank sued

In April, a feud broke out publicly between West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice and Carter Bank, headquartered in Martinsville, over the refinancing of loans by the bank to a myriad of companies owned by Justice and his family.

In May an injunction was ordered against Justice and his attorneys announced they would be seeking a trial to settle the dispute.

In November, Justice filed a $1 billion lawsuit against Carter Bank and by the end of the month, the bank had filed a request to have the lawsuit dismissed.

Martinsville Circuit Judge G. Carter Greer said he might take up to a month to decide on the request, along with the disposition of about $300 million in defaulted loans.

New YMCA

The Martinsville-Henry County Family YMCA purchased at auction for $714,000, a 7-acres site with a strip mall known as Central Plaza at Memorial Boulevard and Fayette Street in January. By the end of June, CEO and Executive Director Brad Kinkema shared plans with the Martinsville City Council of a new $28 million facility.

The current YMCA is on Starling Avenue, a nearly $5 million facility that was built in 1990 and is only 1.6 miles from where the new location will be.

It will be two to three years. It all depends on the funding, said Kinkema. Were looking at starting to fundraise after the first of the year and of course youd have to have that all basically in the bank or get a loan for whatever is remaining, so we predict two or three years before we break ground.

Adams resigns

Although Del. Les Adams of Pittsylvania County was reelected in November, earlier this month he announced plans to resign after his current term ends next month.

A Republican mass meeting was hastily called at a location in the north end of Pittsylvania County for the purpose of determining a candidate and Republican residents in Martinsville and Henry County cried foul about the process held on a weekday afternoon, with little notice, at an inconvenient location.

Eric Phillips, an Axton businessman and chairman of the Martinsville-Henry County Republican Committee, announced his candidacy for the nomination, contracted two buses and three passenger vans to provide transportation, and overwhelmed the meeting with his supporters.

Will Pace, chairman of the Pittsylvania County Republican Committee, declared his candidacy for the nomination, orchestrated the mass meeting, and then conceded defeat to Phillips after the majority of the 198 voters at the meeting voted for Phillips.

Democrat Melody Cartwright of Martinsville, will run against Phillips in a special election to be held Jan. 9.

The winner will be the first resident of Martinsville or Henry County to represent the area in the General Assembly since Del. Ward Armstrong and Sen. Roscoe Reynolds left office over a decade ago.
I think its safe to say that the Founding Fathers did not intend for there to be parties in American politics, other than maybe the festive kind.

Our first president, George Washington, was not a member of any political party and upon completion of his tenure, he said he hoped that we would not form political parties. Nevertheless, by the time we had an operational government, we started forming them.

After Washington, John Adams ran as a Federalist and was replaced by Thomas Jefferson, who opposed Adams as the Democratic-Republican candidate, known formally as the Republicans. Excluding Washington and Adams and the four presidents who ran as Whigs, our country has elected 23 Republicans and 17 Democrats to serve as president.

The two major parties have, over the years, changed positions on some issues and although the Democrats have increased their percentage of the voting population in recent years, roughly a third of the voters commit to the Republican candidate, a third commit to the Democrat candidate, and the remaining uncommitted voters determine who wins.

Despite how polarized the two main parties are these days, it seems that oftentimes they have a similar objective, but choose different roads to get there. In those cases, when one party isnt getting the job done, the voting public often leans toward giving the other party an opportunity to give it a try.

But thats for those who choose not to show allegiance to a party. Loyalty to party deprives one of such flexibility.

John Adams wrote in 1814 that a democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts and murders itself, he wrote. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide.

I would submit the death of a democracy, or the constitutional federal republic that we enjoy, risks occurring when the majority of the voters give-over the decision process to others.

Take, for example, the recent resignation of Les Adams from his seat in the Virginia House of Delegates. The Republicans held a mass meeting in short order to determine who they wanted to replace him.

The process became contentious when one candidate, Eric Phillips, accused the other candidate, Will Pace, of manipulating the process in order to gain an unfair advantage in securing the Republicans endorsement to represent the party at a special election to be held in January.

Im not acquainted with all the common protocols and accepted practices at these types of mass meetings, including seeing a person in the room holding up a sign prompting those present as to how they should vote on certain matters related to the meeting. Pace and an assistant could be found throughout the process holding a large yes or no sign, instructing the voters which way Pace preferred them to vote.

I considered who in the audience might actually be looking to see what sign Pace was holding in order to know if they were voting the right way.

Then it occurred to me how the whole process could appear to an outsider as a means to gather the masses who pledge allegiance to one party and reduce the decision-making of the voters down to a sign.

I then began to wonder how many of those in attendance have given in to the acceptance of being told what to do, instead of wrestling with a decision based on the merits of the argument or the strength of the candidate.

I imagine many of the voters in this election process of ours go to the polls and, without regard to the issues at hand, cast a vote for the candidate of their party.

One of the speakers at this meeting, explaining the process to me, said everyone present had to pledge to support the winner that night, but once they go to the polls, the choice is entirely up to them.

We should all remember this. In the end, we possess the power over the process only if we exercise our ability to think for ourselves and not pass the decision off to someone with a sign.
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:

For children with achondroplasia, vosoritide is associated with a gain in the change in height Z score from baseline and a mild adverse event profile, according to a study published in the January issue of The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health.

Ravi Savarirayan, M.D., from the Royal Children's Hospital at the University of Melbourne in Australia, and colleagues conducted a double-blind, randomized phase 2 trial in 16 hospitals across Australia, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States to examine the safety and efficacy of vosoritide in children younger than 60 months with a clinical diagnosis of achondroplasia confirmed by genetic testing.

Participants were enrolled into three cohorts based on age at screening: 24 to 59 months, 6 to 23 months, and 0 to 5 months (cohorts 1, 2, and 3, respectively). Seventy-five participants were recruited: 11 were assigned as sentinels who received vosoritide to determine the appropriate daily dose, and 32 were randomly assigned to receive vosoritide or placebo for 52 weeks.

The researchers found that adverse events occurred in all participants, most of which were transient injection-site reactions and injection-site erythema. Three patients in the vosoritide group and six in the placebo group (7 and 19 percent, respectively) had serious adverse events. For a change from baseline in height Z score, the least-squares mean the difference between the vosoritide and placebo groups was 0.25.

"We hope these data will support pediatricians and other health care specialists who are assessing the risks and benefits of initiating vosoritide treatment in children with achondroplasia younger than 5 years," the authors write.

Several authors disclosed ties to biopharmaceutical companies, including BioMarin, which manufactures vosoritide and funded the study.

More information: Ravi Savarirayan et al, Vosoritide therapy in children with achondroplasia aged 359 months: a multinational, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial, The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health (2023). DOI: 10.1016/S2352-4642(23)00265-1

Copyright  2023 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
You are here: China

Chinese President Xi Jinping will deliver a New Year address to ring in 2024 at 7 p.m. Sunday.

The address will be broadcast by major TV and radio channels of the China Media Group, and the websites and new media platforms of major state news organizations.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

This year, about $1.5 billion has landed in state and local government coffers from court settlements made with more than a dozen companies that manufactured, sold, or distributed prescription painkillers and were sued for their role in fueling the opioid crisis.

That money has gone from an emerging funding stream for which people had lofty but uncertain aspirations to a coveted pot of billions of dollars being invested in real time to address addiction.

Altogether, the companies are expected to pay more than $50 billion to state and local governments over nearly two decades.

Meanwhile, more than 100,000 Americans have died of drug overdoses annually in recent years, underscoring the urgent nature of the crisis.

KFF Health News has been tracking the funds all year and covering the windfall's mixed impact in communities across the country. Here are five things we've noticed in 2023 and plan to keep an eye on next year:

1. The total amount of settlement money state and local governments expect to receive is a moving target.

Before the start of the year, national settlements were in place with at least five companies, and several other deals were in the final stages, said Christine Minhee, founder of OpioidSettlementTracker.com.

Today, most states are participating in settlements with opioid manufacturers Johnson & Johnson, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, and Allergan; pharmaceutical distributors AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health, and McKesson; and retail pharmacies Walmart, Walgreens, and CVS. Many are also settling with the national supermarket chain Kroger.

Several of these deals began paying out in the second half of this year, leading to bumps in states' opioid settlement pots.

But there have been dents and slowdowns too.

Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, a manufacturer of generic opioids, originally agreed to pay $1.7 billion as a result of its 2020 bankruptcy filing to state and local governments, as well as people directly affected by the crisis. But the company filed a second bankruptcy in August, slashing $1 billion from that figure.

Purdue Pharma, perhaps the best known of all the companies for its creation and marketing of OxyContin, had agreed to pay $6 billion as part of its bankruptcy proceedings. But the Biden administration objected to the deal this summer, and the case now lies in the hands of the Supreme Court. At its core is the question of whether it's legal for the Sackler family to gain immunity from future civil cases about the opioid crisis under the company's bankruptcy deal when they have not filed for bankruptcy as individuals.

The Supreme Court heard arguments in December and is expected to rule on the case next spring or summer. Until then, no Purdue money will flow.

2. Most states still aren't being transparent about how the money is used.

In March, KFF Health News and Minhee published a comprehensive investigation showing that only 12 states had promised to publicly report how they were using all their settlement dollars.

Since then, that number has inched up to 16.

But 15 states still have not committed to publicly reporting anything at all, and others have promised to publicize only a portion of their spending.

Many people aren't happy about the secrecy.

In Ohio, a local advocacy group, Harm Reduction Ohio, sued the OneOhio Recovery Foundation, which controls most of the state's settlement dollars, for violating public records and open-meeting laws. Although a judge ruled in favor of the advocacy group, it became a moot point in July, when the state passed a budget that included language exempting the foundation from such requirements.

In Michigan, the Department of Health and Human Services came under fire for not publicly reporting how it was spending upward of $40 million in settlement funds. In Octoberjust hours before a legislative subcommittee hearing in which lawmakers asked critical questions about the moneythe department launched a website, displaying a breakdown of organizations to which it had awarded funds.

At the national level, a dozen Democratic lawmakers have raised concerns about a lack of transparency and oversight via a Sept. 25 letter to the Office of National Drug Control Policy, which is leading the federal government's response to the opioid crisis.

"We urge the Biden administration to closely track opioid settlement fund spending, to ensure that populations in need of additional support receive it," the lawmakers wrote.

The Office of National Drug Control Policy responded this month that it did not have the statutory authority from Congress to do so.

"Currently, no mechanism exists that would allow ONDCP to require states to disclose their spending," the office wrote in a letter obtained by KFF Health News. "ONDCP cannot effectively monitor how states use these funds."

3. Nationwide, money is being spent in several common areas.

Although there is no national data on how settlement dollars are spent, piecemeal tracking by journalists and advocates has surfaced some favorites.

One of the biggest is investing in treatment. Many jurisdictions are building residential rehab facilities or expanding existing ones. They're covering the cost of care for uninsured people and trying to increase the number of clinicians prescribing medications for opioid use disorder, which have been shown to save lives.

Another common expense is naloxone, a medication that reverses opioid overdoses. Wisconsin is spending about $8 million on this effort. Kentucky has dedicated $1 million. And many local governments are allocating smaller amounts.

Some other choices have sparked controversies.

Several governments used settlement dollars to purchase police patrol cars, technology to help officers hack into phones, and body scanners for jails. Supporters say these tools are critical to crack down on drug trafficking, but research suggests law enforcement efforts don't prevent overdoses.

People are also divided over school-based programs to prevent kids from developing addictions. While they agree on the goal, some people favor programs that teach kids about the dangers of drugslike D.A.R.E. in the '80swhile others prefer programs focused on improving mental health, resiliency, and communication skills.

Perhaps the most contentious use, though, is shoring up county budgets and paying back old bills. Even if it's legal, many people directly affected by the epidemic say this misses the goal of the settlement money, which is to address today's ongoing crisis.

4. The settlements required companies to change problematic business practices, but that has had unintended consequences.

As part of their settlements, manufacturers like Allergan and Johnson & Johnson agreed not to sell opioids for 10 years and curb marketing and promotion activities. Pharmaceutical distributors were required to step up efforts to identify suspicious orders from pharmacies, under the oversight of an independent third-party monitor. Retail pharmacy chains must conduct audits and site visits to their pharmacies, as well as share data with state agencies about problematic prescribers.

The goal of these stipulations is to prevent further misuse of prescription opioids. But some people see unintended consequences.

Distributors have placed stricter limits not only on pharmacy orders of opioids, but on many drugs considered potentially addictive, known as "controlled substances." As a result, orders for these medications are being canceled more often and some pharmacies are hesitant to fill prescriptions for new patients. That has left people struggling to obtain medications for chronic pain, anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorderand, ironically, even medication that treats opioid addiction.

Bayla Ostrach, a researcher in North Carolina who studies substance use and health policy, said buprenorphine, which is considered a gold-standard treatment for opioid use disorder, was already difficult to obtain at many community pharmacies and in rural areas. But the settlements appear to be making it worse.

Instead of increasing access to treatmentwhich is critical to stemming the number of overdoses"I really worry the settlements may be having the opposite effect," Ostrach said.

5. Many places haven't decided what to do with the money yet.

Several states, including Montana and Hawaii, have yet to spend any of the settlement funds controlled by their state agencies. In Maine and West Virginia, councils overseeing the lion's share of funds are still in the process of identifying priorities and developing processes to award grants.

Across the nation, some county officials say they need more guidance on appropriate uses of the money. Others are surveying residents on what they want before making decisions.

The slow pace has frustrated some advocates, who say there should be greater urgency at a time when the drug supply is becoming increasingly deadly. But others say the money will continue arriving through 2038, so setting up thoughtful processes now could pay off for years to come.

It's a trade-off between putting out current fires and preventing future ones, said Shelly Weizman, project director of the addiction and public policy initiative at Georgetown University's O'Neill Institute. She's hopeful officials will strike the right balance.

"Is there a vision in each state about where we're going to be when the settlement monies are done?" she said. "My hope is that 18 years from now we're not still where we are today."

2023 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Missoula Public Library holiday closure

The library will be closed for the New Years holiday on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. On Dec. 31 the library will be open to celebrate Missoula On Main. Services will be limited to self-service resources on Level One only during the event. Patrons can access their accounts at missoulapubliclibrary.org/ to renew materials and place holds. Happy Holidays from our family to yours!

Missoula on Main  and Beyond: All Under One Roof partner events

Join Missoula Public Library and our All Under One Roof partners  spectrUM Discovery Area, Missoulas Community Media Resource (MCAT), and UM Living Lab to celebrate Missoula on Main  and Beyond! This arts and culture celebration is presented by ARTS Missoula. Join us for tons of fun and events for all ages on Dec. 31 from noon to 4 p.m. throughout the library. Library services will be limited to Level One self-service resources only during this event. For full details on all Missoula on Main events happening in the library and around the community visit ARTS Missoulas event website MissoulaOnMain.org.

Missoula Reads 2024 starts Jan. 2

New Year, new list! Can you read 50 books in 2024? Join us for this fun and popular challenge, now in its eight year. The 2024 reading categories will be posted online and reading logs will be available on Jan. 2 on Level Three. For more information about the 2024 reading challenge visit: missoulapubliclibrary.org/home/programs-events/ongoing-programs/missoula-reads/.

16th annual Missoula Writes contest

The sixteenth annual community writing contest, Missoula Writes, kicks off Jan. 2. The contest is open to all Montana residents. We are seeking fiction, non-fiction and poetry submissions from the following age groups: 8-10, 11-14, 15-18 and 19+. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three contestants in each category and age group. Full contest rules, details, and submission link will be available on Jan. 2. For more information visit: missoulapubliclibrary.org/home/programs-events/ongoing-programs/missoula-writes/.

Family History Writing Contest continues

Enter into MPL's first annual Family History Writing Contest. Entries will be accepted until March 1, via Submittable: missoulapubliclibrary.submittable.com/submit. Full contest rules are available on our website: tinyurl.com/FamilyHistoryWritingContest. The Writing Contest Coordinator will review any submission received by 5 p.m. Mountain Time on Feb. 16, for formatting compliance. Final submissions that do not meet the formatting requirements will be disqualified.

Big Sky Branch Library Gaming Station

Calling all gamers! The Big Sky Branch Library has a PlayStation 4 available for use on the projector screen in the back of the Big Sky High School Library, with hundreds of games available on PlayStation Plus. On Jan. 2 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. challenge your friends or explore new worlds on your own! Contact Brian at bdoyle@missoulapubliclibrary.org for more information.

YMCA Yoga at the Library

Missoula Public Library is thrilled to partner with Missoula Family YMCA to offer free yoga at the library! On Jan. 4 from noon to 1 p.m. in Cooper Room A on Level Four of the library we will focus on basic yoga postures, alignment principles and breathing techniques that help balance, strengthen and stretch the body. This class is recommended for those wishing to strengthen the foundation of their practice, or who simply want an ongoing practice in harmony with their level of strength, balance, and flexibility  beginners are welcome! Participants must sign a liability waiver prior to class by downloading and printing it or by signing a provided copy before class begins. Download the waiver (PDF) here tinyurl.com/2994wjww. Participants are welcome to bring their own yoga mat or use one of ours.

Kids Cook with ChopChop

Taking inspiration from our kids magazine ChopChop, join Missoula Public Library to learn how to create tasty snacks and easy meal options you can make at home. This program is held on Jan. 4 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Demonstration Kitchen on Level Three of the library.

Missoula Scholastic Chess Club at MPL

New at Missoula Public Library! Join the Missoula Chess Club for this monthly meeting the first Thursday of each month throughout the school year. Students from grades 2 to 12 are welcome to come play and learn new moves, and beginners are welcome. The next club meeting will be held on Jan. 4 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the Imaginarium on Level Two of the library.

Special SpectrUM Discovery Area Theme: Science of Spin

SpectrUM staff will lead this special guided science activity on Jan. 5 from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Discovery Bench on Level Two of the library. In this fun and easy activity, students will explore forces, friction and gravity, through play! No registration is required for this program.

Introduction to Nature Journaling

Join Valerie Bayer and Kathy Settevendemie of Northern Rockies Nature Journaling for this introduction to the principles, techniques and joys of nature journaling. On Jan. 6 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the Blackfoot Room on Level Four, learn to connect with the natural world using a journal, curiosity and focused attention. Valerie is a Montana Master Naturalist who has been nature journaling since 2009. Kathy has been nature journaling for many years and has a 20-year career in art and theater education. Registration for this workshop is required. Email Amanda at amandaa@missoulapubliclibrary.org to register. Participants should bring their own journal, pens and pencils.
Though it has been a statewide campaign, the initial steps of celebrating Year of the Trail in North Carolina during 2023 started in Burke County. In March 2021, Beth Heile, president of Friends of the Valdese Rec., asked Rep. Hugh Blackwell (R-86) if he would sponsor legislation designating 2023 as NC Year of the Trail. Seems simple, but it was still a risk as initially some called it a fluff bill and wondered why waste time.

That argument was easily overcome, as the Great Trails State Coalition, the organization leading the effort for Year of the Trail, shared the plans for the year. The goal was to inspire people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to try trails and for existing trail users to find new trails and try a different trail type. In addition, the plan was to boost outdoor recreation tourism across the state through Year of the Trail events in all 100 counties. And, finally, promote safe and responsible use of trails, with the Outdoor NC Principles since it was learned during the pandemic that some trails were over loved.

Today, trails are the backbone of North Carolinas growing $14.6 billion outdoor recreation economy. Sustainably built, trails no longer end up washed out and overgrown. A trail easement agreement is written so that it lasts forever. Trails are for a lifetime and to build on this one year trail celebration, the next step is to brand North Carolina as the Great Trails State.

With the success across the state, you would be hard pressed not to know it is the Year of the Trail in North Carolina. There have been over 1,700 events in 91 of the 100 counties, 28,000 followers on #GreatTrailsNC social media, 172,000 visits to a website dedicated to events, stories, and a toolkit, 17,000 newsletter subscribers, a PBS NC original documentary Ten to Try: Trails, and three statewide radio ads (one with Richard Petty).

Burke County has many trail stories to tell that have been highlighted in statewide reaches. The largest was The Weather Channel interview about Year of the Trail with Heile showing Valdese, NC prominently on viewers televisions during the segment. With education being a key component of Year of the Trail, the attainable story that Heile has been able to tell is the economic impact that trails can bring to rural North Carolina through her work with Valdese Lakeside Park and the Burke River Trail. Heile has been on four podcasts and presented at two state conferences sharing the story that it is not too late to start a trail in your area and that the economic development opportunities are real.

In 2020, Blackwell envisioned a trail along the Catawba River that would bring economic development opportunities to small towns along the route as the trail moved through the quaint downtowns. Work on the 20-mile Burke River Trail has already uncovered chances for new housing and businesses. The first two miles are on the ground as the Valdese Greenway, the western terminus will be an extension of the Morganton Greenway and the eastern terminus will connect to the Wilderness Gateway State Trail at Henry River Mill Village. The Burke River Trail Association (BRTA) is the nonprofit coordinating the efforts of completing the trail. It will be a combination of natural surface, crushed cinder, sidewalk and paved trail as it wanders along the riverbanks and to town parks and attractions. BRTA will work with landowners to obtain trail easements (which allow the public to walk on private land) and assist in grant funding to develop the trail.

With accounts of a frequently full parking lot, there had not been a formal count of how many people visited Valdese Lakeside Park, where they came from and what spending they did before or after the park. A visitation and economic impact report was completed for Valdese Lakeside Park in May 2023. The 330-acre park that has been open as a forest since 2018 and amenities being added starting in 2021 records an average attendance of 375 each day and an annual impact of $1.24 million to Valdese. The report backed up the belief that trails have a positive economic impact on communities.

Burke County Trail Focus

With approximately 260 miles of trail on the ground in Burke County and more to come, there is plenty to showcase and celebrate with Year of the Trail. A key element in trail development and construction is partnerships. Regular meetings between nonprofit organizations plus state and local governments keep the lines of communication open to share ideas and expertise, coordinate connections and co-locations and be a support network. In the county, we have a national forest, two state parks, four state trails, one national historic trail, one regional trail, two large acre parks and local government trails.

Events

First Day Outdoors kicked off North Carolina Year of the Trail. North Carolina State Parks has always held First Day Hikes. However, the beauty of trails is that they are more than just hiking, walking, strolling and running  but also mountain biking, horseback riding and paddling. A part of the GTSC message was to remind people of all the types of trails in North Carolina. Jan. 1 events were held at South Mountains State Park with a TRACK Trails adventure for families, at Lake James State Park highlighting Fonta Flora State Trail and at Valdese Lakeside Park with a 3-mile hike.

The next big event was Discover Burke Trails Weekend, an effort led by Discover Burke County tourism office and joined by trail partners across the county and North Carolina State Parks. The anchor event was held Saturday, March 11, at CoMMA in Morganton with 750 people in attendance to access food trucks, outdoor equipment vendors, trail organizations and an afternoon of speakers including Jennifer Farr Davis talking about completing the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, Earl Hunter Jr. sharing his goal with his company Black Folks Camp, Too, and Randy Johnson who created the original trails at Grandfather Mountain. North Carolina State Parks sent an airstream camper with information on their PATH program  Parks and Trails for Health  an initiative designed to encourage physical activity in North Carolinas parks, greenways, and other outdoor spaces. Bookended around that event were hikes, paddles and rides at trails in the county. A unique adaptive recreation event was held by Valdese Parks and Recreation Department to showcase wheel chairs and kayaks created for those with mobility issues.

There were 77 registered Burke County events on the greattrailsnc.com list of trail activities across the state in 2023 with more than 2,500 attendees. Some highlights included Friends of the Valdese Recs 365 Mile Challenge (150 people registered to walk one mile a day on trails in Valdese for the year and 61 have finished as of this writing), wildflower hikes, paddle trips, bike rides and volunteer workdays, plus ribbon cuttings for new trails.

Other milestones during the year, included:

Several trail ribbon-cuttings were held during 2023

Valdese Greenway upgrade to all crushed cinder

Lakeside Loop at Valdese Lakeside Park

Upper Catawba River Paddle Trail Launch in Valdese

Oak Hill Park Hiking and Mountain Biking Trails

Story Book Trail at Valdese Lakeside Park

Trail funding

FCNC working with landowners to take WGST to downtown Valdese

State Trails in Burke County

Fonta Flora State Trail  100 miles Morganton to Asheville  Approximately 24 of the 33 completed FFST miles along the three-county route are in Burke County. Hikers and bikers can access 20 miles of Fonta Flora State Trail between Lake James State Park and Harris Whisnant Road and 4 miles along the Morganton Greenway.

Mountains-to-Sea Trail  as the name states with a few miles in Burke access from Wolf Pit, Linville Gorge and Table Rock.

Overmountain Victory State Trail  225 miles of the planned route of the National Historic Trail that passes through North Carolina. The trail follows the paths that the patriot militia took as they mustered to fight the Battle of Kings Mountain in 1780. Completed miles in Burke County are the Morganton Greenway and a section of trail in Lake James State Park.

Wilderness Gateway State Trail (WGST)  Several hundred miles from Catawba County to South Mountains State Park to Chimney Rock State Park with a loop through Valdese where the Valdese Greenway will soon be designated as WGST.

As GTSC members were speaking to state legislators about the benefits of trails  health (physical, mental and social), recreation, transportation, conservation and economic development, they also explained the lack of trail funding. Being educated on trail locations (and lack of in some areas), shovel-ready projects and economic opportunities helped legislators see the impact trail funding could have across the state. In the 2021 long session, as Year of the Trail was passed into legislation, $29.5 million in funding was announced for state trails. Funding for Burke County came with $50,000 capacity funds for each State Trail nonprofit. For our area, that is Friends of Fonta Flora State Trail (F3ST) for Fonta Flora State Trail, OVNCST-Friends for Overmountain Victory State Trail (the NC segment of the National Historic Trail), Foothills Conservancy of NC for Wilderness Gateway State Trail and Friends of Mountains to Sea Trail for the Mountains to Sea State Trail. Each nonprofit also received access to funds to get trail on the ground. The final piece is a competitive grant process that all Burke County municipalities are eligible for called connecting communities to make a connection to a state trail. The details will be released in the coming months.

During the success of Year of the Trail, legislators learned they needed to fill in the gaps for trail funding to include more than just state trails. In the 2023 long session, the North Carolina General Assembly approved a new $25M Great Trails State Fund that will be open to local government and nonprofits.

Next Up  Great Trail State

Already thinking of 2024, the GTSC held Great Trails State Day on Oct. 21 as a way to encourage North Carolinians to get out on trails. The Burke County event to celebrate the day was Friends of the Valdese Recs 1,000 Mile Challenge. The goal was for park visitors to collectively log 1,000 miles at Valdese Lakeside Park hiking, biking and paddling from dawn until dusk. Activities to entice visitors took place during the day with coffee and doughnuts, hot dogs for lunch and pizza for dinner. Guided hikes and adoptable dogs to walk were also on the schedule. The day ended with 1,526 miles and was one of the biggest events across the state. As GTSC moves into branding North Carolina as the Great Trails State, the objective is to have the North Carolina General Assembly pass legislation declaring the third Saturday in October as Great Trails State Day annually. Legislators have been instrumental in the steps needed in North Carolina becoming known for its trails.

Find your next trail

There is a trail for each of us and the Year of the Trail campaign inspired people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to try trails. In addition, it encouraged trail users to try new trails or a different type of trail. Find your next trail in Burke County.
Editors note: Calendar items must be submitted at least five days before an event. Email all items to news@morganton.com. WEDNESDAY, JAN. 3

AARP meeting

Burke County Chapter 3262 of AARP will meet Wednesday, Jan. 3, at the Collett Street Recreation Center. The morning opens with refreshments at 9:30 a.m., followed by the meeting from 10-11 a.m. Our speaker will be Jaime Money from CoMMA to share news and volunteer opportunities with us.

THURSDAY, JAN. 4

Good Grief Meal

AMOREM will hold its next monthly Good Grief Meal at 3 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 4, at Frankies Pizza, 1018 Harper Ave., Lenoir. The informal time of food and fellowship is open to anyone who is experiencing grief and loss. The meal is a Dutch treat. The Good Grief Meal is sponsored through Ashewood Grief and Counseling Services, grief support services of AMOREM, and is one of many opportunities offered to help individuals of all ages and families cope with the loss of their loved ones. Because of the generous support of our community and the belief that grief support services improve quality of life, AMOREM offers community grief support services to anyone who needs help in coping with grief. For more information about the upcoming Good Grief Meal or other grief support services, call 828-754-0101 or visit www.amoremsupport.org.

NAACP annual meeting The Burke County NAACP #5367 will be holding their annual meeting on Thursday, Jan. 4, at 6 p.m. at the Mountain View Community Recreation Center located at 645 1st St., Morganton. All members are encouraged to attend the meeting, in addition to any citizens that are interested in joining the branch. Please keep in mind that because it is the flu season and the uptick in COVID reporting, COVID-19 protocols will be followed.

SATURDAY, JAN. 27

Docent training

The Exploring Joara Foundation invites people interested in telling the story of the Berry archaeological site and Living History Village at Catawba Meadows Park to the first session in a docent training, which will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Wall Center for Archaeological Research at 220 New St. in Morganton. Additional sessions will take place Feb. 10 and 24 and will involve working with school groups at the Living History Village and the Berry site. Those sessions also will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For more information or to register, visit https://exploringjoara.org/ejf-docent-volunteers/.

SATURDAY, APRIL 27

Cruise Unifour Christian Ministries will be embarking on a cruise to Grand Turk and Dominican Republic. Members of the public are invited to join. A down payment of $75 is required to reserve your spot and the remaining balance must be paid by Jan. 1. Call Annette Guffey at 828-493-1723 or 828-396-1906 for more information.
An attempt to call a special legislative session to deal with a dramatic increase in property taxes has failed.

With 55 votes for it and 67 against, the poll that closed Friday failed to garner the 76-votes-in-support threshold needed to call lawmakers back to Helena. Twenty-eight legislators did not respond, which is the equivalent of a no vote.

The attempt was spearheaded by the Montana Freedom Caucus, a group of about 20 hardline state legislators. Earlier this year Democrats, who are a super-minority in the Legislature, also voiced support for a special session in an effort that went nowhere. Republican Brad Molnar of Laurel also attempted to get a poll for a special session but did not garner enough support.

It takes just 10 legislators to sign onto a letter to the Secretary of State to trigger a poll of the full body on a special session. A majority of the 150 members of the state House and Senate must answer the poll affirmatively to hold a special session, or one can be called by the governor.

There have been a total of 33 special sessions in state history, with all but one called by the governor at the time.

Property taxes have been a hot-button issue and a long-simmering fight between the governor, lawmakers and local governments. Earlier this year Montanans in many parts of the state saw a dramatic increase in the taxable value of their homes, with the statewide median value jumping about 45% in the most recent appraisals done by the state Revenue Department.

While the correlating jump in property taxes has hit different parts of the state more dramatically, the increases have triggered finger-pointing. Gov. Greg Gianfortes administration was critical of local governments budgets and cites that as the culprit of increased property taxes. During the legislative session in early 2023, Republicans and Democrats fought over how to address the projected increase, eventually passing property tax rebates paid for out of a massive budget surplus. Republicans supported the move but Democrats called it too little and not a long-term fix.

Over the summer, all but seven of the state's counties joined in a lawsuit against the state tied to property tax collections to equalize education funding between rich and poor districts. The counties argued they could lower the mill rate, saying that would ease burdens on taxpayers. The state Supreme Court has sided with the Gianforte administration in that suit, saying only the Revenue department could make changes to that mill rate.

In their request for a special session, the Freedom Caucus pitched several proposals that included additional tax rebates and a system that would direct surplus revenues back to taxpayers. The lawmakers also proposed to lower the school equalization collections similar to what the counties wanted.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold a series of hikes in its state parks on Jan. 1, 2024 to celebrate the first day of the new year.

The Wildcat Den State Park will be participating again this year.

The annual Nationwide New Years Day hike is meant to encourage people to get outside and enjoy the countrys state parks. In Iowa, there has always been a friendly rivalry between the parks to see which can draw the most people.

After holding a self-guided hike at the beginning of 2021 because of the COVID-19 health crisis, the tour of Wildcat Den State Park returned in 2022.

During the 2020 hike, hundreds of people attended.

The 2024 hike will kick off at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 1, from the Upper Picnic Area. Before the hike, hot chocolate will be served and a fire will be lit in the shelter for a social time.

The hike is moderately difficult and is 1.3 miles along the Devils Punch Bowl. Leaving from the Upper Picnic Area Shelter, the hike follows the Punch Bowl Trail to the Lower Picnic Area Trail past Steamboat Rock before looping back uphill to the shelter.

Hikers are asked to dress for forecasted weather conditions. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a leash. In the case of poor weather, call 563-263-4337 for an update.

Wildcat Den State Park is located 10 miles northeast of Muscatine. It features interesting terrain, fascinating sites, 75-foot cliffs and structures that have been placed on the National Register of Historic Places and beautiful views.
A Napa man was arrested Friday afternoon after making disturbing statements in a local restaurant and later resisting officers, Napa Police reported.

At 12:17 p.m. officers were called to the Butter Cream Bakery & Diner at 2297 Jefferson St., where a person was acting erratically and making statements about shooting someone, according to Lt. Tommy Keener.

Arriving officers saw the suspect, 44-year-old Everardo Flores-Garcia, running in and out of traffic. When police began to approach Flores-Garcia, he resisted arrest and caused minor injuries to officers, according to a Napa Police news release.

Police detained Flores-Garcia at 12:46 p.m. and booked him into the Napa County jail on a felony count of resisting arrest, as well as misdemeanor counts of drug possession and drug intoxication.

Flores-Garcia also faces out-of-state warrants alleging assault of a law enforcement officer and illegal firearm possession, according to Napa Police. Two felony warrants were issued in Oregon along with a misdemeanor warrant in Sonoma County, although it was unclear which allegations were tied to each warrant, Keener said.

PHOTOS: The Napa Valley Register's Best Photos of the Napa County Community Napa 9/11 Remembrance Town & Country Fair Day Drag Show Roe Rally Al Foshee Structure Fire Leif Sandberg Napa Fourth of July Parade Efrain Garcia Porchfest 2023 Pedal Crusher 3 Mumm Israel Rally Krueger family Turkey Chase 3 Napa Humane
Starting in the new year, California employers will be barred from asking workers about their use of cannabis outside of work, and from discriminating against them because of it.

Two bills signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in the past couple of years aim to strengthen the state's legal cannabis industry by updating outdated laws. Assembly Bill 2188, which Newsom signed in 2022, will prohibit employers from using the results of hair or urine tests for marijuana -- which can detect traces of cannabis for days or weeks -- in their decisions to hire, fire or penalize workers.

When the governor signed AB 2188 along with other cannabis-related bills in 2022, he said in a news release that "rigid bureaucracy and federal prohibition continue to pose challenges to the industry and consumers."

Senate Bill 700, which Newsom signed this year, clarifies AB 2188 by amending the state's Fair Employment and Housing Act to bar employers from asking job applicants about their prior use of cannabis.

California NORML, a nonprofit organization that advocates for consumer rights related to cannabis, sponsored AB 2188. In its argument supporting the bill, the organization said hair or urine testing for marijuana does not detect actual impairment, a fact the federal government has acknowledged. "Studies indicate that metabolite tests for past use of marijuana are useless in protecting job safety," the group said.

The exceptions under AB 2188 would be for workers in the building and construction industry and for job applicants and employees in positions that require a federal background investigation or clearance.

The National Federation of Independent Business lists the new laws among the top five "compliance headaches" for California's small business owners in 2024. California Chamber of Commerce opposed AB 2188, though it removed its "job killer" label after some revisions, saying before the bill was signed that employers risk liability when they "take legitimate disciplinary measures" against employees. "Employers must be able to keep their workplace safe by disciplining employees who arrive at work impaired," the group said.

But AB 2188 does not prevent employers from using other tests to detect impairment, such as blood tests.

SB 700 accounts for employers' rights to ask about an applicant's criminal history, but the employer may not discriminate against an applicant when it finds information about past use of cannabis-related to criminal history unless otherwise permitted by law.

In 1996, California became the first state to legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes, and the state's voters legalized its recreational use in 2016. Recreational use of marijuana is now legal in 24 states and Washington, D.C.

PHOTOS: The Napa Valley Register's Best Arts and Culture Photos of 2023 Lighted Art Festival American Canyon Holi Festival 2023 Viva Mariachi Bottlerock Day 1 Bottlerock Day 1 BottleRock Day 2 Napa Juneteenth Shakespeare Summer Stroll Chinese in Napa Plaque Dedication W. Imola Mural Suscol Pow Wow Men on Boats Wizard of Oz Napa Tree Lighting Ceremony Magic of the Season Calistoga Lighted Tractor Parade
Maersk: Red Sea shipping disruption will hit global economy

Ex-Deputy FM Vahe Gevorgyan replaces Sergey Manassarian as Armenia Ambassador to China

Dollar falls, euro rises in Armenia

Everything said by Azerbaijan president should be taken seriously, Armenia ruling force legislator states

Armenia ruling power MP on signing peace treaty with Azerbaijan without mediators: Very tempting proposal

Armenia will no longer be at war in any period of time, ruling force lawmaker says

Nikol Pashinyan to new PM of France: I will be happy to host you in Armenia on official visit

Iran envoy: What would be violation of Armenias territorial integrity is not acceptable to us

Czech Rep. supplies first batch of mobile diesel generator sets to Armenia nuclear plant

Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria sign memorandum on clearing floating mines in Black Sea

Deputy defense minister on Armenia soldiers non-combat deaths: Such incidents have occurred, still exist today

Ombudsperson on non-combat deaths in Armenia army: State should have proper prevention structures

Armenia Security Council head to attend 4th meeting on Ukraine peace formula

Ecuador security forces arrest 329 people, kill 5 criminals, says head of army Joint Command

Armenia government to help those forcibly displaced from Karabakh to get training, jobs

Moving Yeraskh village steel plant project to Ararat city costs Armenia government 3.5 billion drams

Davit Khudatyan is appointed governor of Armenias Armavir Province

Cigarette smuggling prevented at Georgia borders with Turkey, Armenia, Russia

Newspaper: Ruling force MP speaks on EU's termination of European Peace Facility for Armenia

Open-air exhibition on Karabakh being held in Paris (PHOTOS)

Why most people cradle babies in left arm?

Deputy PM Grigoryan chairs meeting of commission coordinating measures to ensure Armenia-EU CEPA implementation

Greece FM statement after Armenia visit: Important to help our ally country on all international platforms

Armenia ruling force legislator: Army is the sector where the more closed and secret, the better

Central Bank governor: I can't say banks in Armenia make super profits

Armenia Security Council chief, Greece FM discuss regional, extra-regional security

Central Bank official: Banking services very accessible for Armenia citizens, businesses

Dollar down, euro up in Armenia

Suren Papikyan, Rory Domm discuss Armenia-EU cooperation prospects (PHOTOS)

Gerapetritis to Pashinyan: Greece government ready to support Armenia in all possible directions

FM: Greece clearly supports preservation of Christian sites in Karabakh

George Gerapetritis: Armenia's prosperity is possible only with Europe

Ararat Mirzoyan: Armenia should be able to make use of Azerbaijan railway

Greece official on South Caucasus situation: We rule out use of force, aggression

Sargis Khandanyan: Not aware of any arrangements for Armenia-Azerbaijan meeting in January

Armenia lawmaker: Peace treaty can be signed when Azerbaijan accepts our principles

About $70M allocated to programs for persons forcibly displaced from Karabakh to Armenia, minister says

Armenia FM on relations with EU: There is long way to go

Armenia ruling force MP: Azerbaijan statements about bilateral negotiations are just statements

TASS: Germany offers Armenia financial assistance for anti-Russian steps, source says

Gunmen take TV journalists hostage live on air in Ecuador, police manage to free them

ARARATBANK attracts USD 5 million from EFSE to support MSMEs in Armenia

Researchers discover ancient temple ruins thanks to Emperor Constantine's letter to group of Romans

Armenia ex-ruling party: Court once again proved it is submissive tool of current authorities

Armenia, Greece FMs' private conversation kicks off

Volkswagen to equip Golf, Tiguan with artificial intelligence

MFA: Armenia established diplomatic relations with 3 more countries in 2023 (VIDEO)

Newspaper: Attacks on judges gaining new momentum in Armenia

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin treated for prostate cancer

China recreational area breaks world record as largest temporary ice, snow theme park

Copernicus: World dangerously close to global warming limit

Greece FM arrives in Armenia on official visit

Armenia army officer found dead with gunshot wound

Crime gang leader escapes from Ecuador prison, state of emergency declared in country

Indonesia police rescue 226 dogs sent to slaughter

Lemkin Institute condemns recent attack on Armenian Quarter in East Jerusalem

Armenia economy minister, businessmen discuss major investment programs planned for 2024

Dollar, euro gain value in Armenia

Greece FM to arrive in Armenia Wednesday on official visit

MFA: In 2023 Armenia was elected to all international organizations where it nominated its candidacy

Azerbaijan ambassador to France confirms arrest of Frenchman Martin Ryan, suspected of espionage

Armenia records 2% inflation in 2023

US Senior Advisor for Caucasus Negotiations visiting Yerevan, discusses efforts to bring peace, stability to region

World of Buzz: Son didn't know for 20 years that his father was actually a millionaire

Yerevan to host European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Annual Meeting, Business Forum in May

Russia media report details about Armenian mans murder in Noginsk city

ARARAT Museum Celebrates 100th Anniversary of Sergei Parajanov with "Uninterrupted Flight" Exhibition

Ruben Rubinyan, Louis Bono discuss Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process

Criminal investigation launched, Armenia serviceman detained in case into killing of fellow soldier at combat position

Sergei Parajanov statue unveiled in Yerevan

Protest being stage outside Armenia education ministry

Bloomberg: Researchers find out waters nanoplastics content dangerous for humans

MFA: Matter of Armenia driver's licenses recognition in Russia is on bilateral discussions agenda

Armenia soldier found dead, with gunshot wound, in combat position

Bitcoin exceeds $47,000 for first time since March 2022

China researchers develop electronic skin

PM: Armenia foreign policys highest goal is to ensure country's sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity

Newspaper: Yerevan mayor unaware that Karabakh has been de-Armenianized?

US embassy in Baku: Louis Bono holds regular talks to support Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process

Armenia economy minister to go on business trip to India
The most sought-after air route for independent Russian tourists to travel in 2023 was Yerevan, according to "Yandex. Travel".

This conclusion was reached by experts of the company, having analyzed the data of booking plane tickets in the period from January 1 to December 31, 2023.

The top foreign destinations for Russians also included Turkey, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. At the same time, demand for air travel to Thailand (by 207%), Azerbaijan (by 85%), Serbia (by 6%), Georgia (by 44%) and the UAE (by 40%) increased significantly.
Maersk: Red Sea shipping disruption will hit global economy

Ex-Deputy FM Vahe Gevorgyan replaces Sergey Manassarian as Armenia Ambassador to China

Dollar falls, euro rises in Armenia

Everything said by Azerbaijan president should be taken seriously, Armenia ruling force legislator states

Armenia ruling power MP on signing peace treaty with Azerbaijan without mediators: Very tempting proposal

Armenia will no longer be at war in any period of time, ruling force lawmaker says

Nikol Pashinyan to new PM of France: I will be happy to host you in Armenia on official visit

Iran envoy: What would be violation of Armenias territorial integrity is not acceptable to us

Czech Rep. supplies first batch of mobile diesel generator sets to Armenia nuclear plant

Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria sign memorandum on clearing floating mines in Black Sea

Deputy defense minister on Armenia soldiers non-combat deaths: Such incidents have occurred, still exist today

Ombudsperson on non-combat deaths in Armenia army: State should have proper prevention structures

Armenia Security Council head to attend 4th meeting on Ukraine peace formula

Ecuador security forces arrest 329 people, kill 5 criminals, says head of army Joint Command

Armenia government to help those forcibly displaced from Karabakh to get training, jobs

Moving Yeraskh village steel plant project to Ararat city costs Armenia government 3.5 billion drams

Davit Khudatyan is appointed governor of Armenias Armavir Province

Cigarette smuggling prevented at Georgia borders with Turkey, Armenia, Russia

Newspaper: Ruling force MP speaks on EU's termination of European Peace Facility for Armenia

Open-air exhibition on Karabakh being held in Paris (PHOTOS)

Why most people cradle babies in left arm?

Deputy PM Grigoryan chairs meeting of commission coordinating measures to ensure Armenia-EU CEPA implementation

Greece FM statement after Armenia visit: Important to help our ally country on all international platforms

Armenia ruling force legislator: Army is the sector where the more closed and secret, the better

Central Bank governor: I can't say banks in Armenia make super profits

Armenia Security Council chief, Greece FM discuss regional, extra-regional security

Central Bank official: Banking services very accessible for Armenia citizens, businesses

Dollar down, euro up in Armenia

Suren Papikyan, Rory Domm discuss Armenia-EU cooperation prospects (PHOTOS)

Gerapetritis to Pashinyan: Greece government ready to support Armenia in all possible directions

FM: Greece clearly supports preservation of Christian sites in Karabakh

George Gerapetritis: Armenia's prosperity is possible only with Europe

Ararat Mirzoyan: Armenia should be able to make use of Azerbaijan railway

Greece official on South Caucasus situation: We rule out use of force, aggression

Sargis Khandanyan: Not aware of any arrangements for Armenia-Azerbaijan meeting in January

Armenia lawmaker: Peace treaty can be signed when Azerbaijan accepts our principles

About $70M allocated to programs for persons forcibly displaced from Karabakh to Armenia, minister says

Armenia FM on relations with EU: There is long way to go

Armenia ruling force MP: Azerbaijan statements about bilateral negotiations are just statements

TASS: Germany offers Armenia financial assistance for anti-Russian steps, source says

Gunmen take TV journalists hostage live on air in Ecuador, police manage to free them

ARARATBANK attracts USD 5 million from EFSE to support MSMEs in Armenia

Researchers discover ancient temple ruins thanks to Emperor Constantine's letter to group of Romans

Armenia ex-ruling party: Court once again proved it is submissive tool of current authorities

Armenia, Greece FMs' private conversation kicks off

Volkswagen to equip Golf, Tiguan with artificial intelligence

MFA: Armenia established diplomatic relations with 3 more countries in 2023 (VIDEO)

Newspaper: Attacks on judges gaining new momentum in Armenia

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin treated for prostate cancer

China recreational area breaks world record as largest temporary ice, snow theme park

Copernicus: World dangerously close to global warming limit

Greece FM arrives in Armenia on official visit

Armenia army officer found dead with gunshot wound

Crime gang leader escapes from Ecuador prison, state of emergency declared in country

Indonesia police rescue 226 dogs sent to slaughter

Lemkin Institute condemns recent attack on Armenian Quarter in East Jerusalem

Armenia economy minister, businessmen discuss major investment programs planned for 2024

Dollar, euro gain value in Armenia

Greece FM to arrive in Armenia Wednesday on official visit

MFA: In 2023 Armenia was elected to all international organizations where it nominated its candidacy

Azerbaijan ambassador to France confirms arrest of Frenchman Martin Ryan, suspected of espionage

Armenia records 2% inflation in 2023

US Senior Advisor for Caucasus Negotiations visiting Yerevan, discusses efforts to bring peace, stability to region

World of Buzz: Son didn't know for 20 years that his father was actually a millionaire

Yerevan to host European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Annual Meeting, Business Forum in May

Russia media report details about Armenian mans murder in Noginsk city

ARARAT Museum Celebrates 100th Anniversary of Sergei Parajanov with "Uninterrupted Flight" Exhibition

Ruben Rubinyan, Louis Bono discuss Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process

Criminal investigation launched, Armenia serviceman detained in case into killing of fellow soldier at combat position

Sergei Parajanov statue unveiled in Yerevan

Protest being stage outside Armenia education ministry

Bloomberg: Researchers find out waters nanoplastics content dangerous for humans

MFA: Matter of Armenia driver's licenses recognition in Russia is on bilateral discussions agenda

Armenia soldier found dead, with gunshot wound, in combat position

Bitcoin exceeds $47,000 for first time since March 2022

China researchers develop electronic skin

PM: Armenia foreign policys highest goal is to ensure country's sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity

Newspaper: Yerevan mayor unaware that Karabakh has been de-Armenianized?

US embassy in Baku: Louis Bono holds regular talks to support Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process

Armenia economy minister to go on business trip to India

Armenia Security Council chief: We have no expectations from CSTO any longer

Armenia Security Council head: Contractual obligations with Russia regarding weapons not fulfilled

Armen Grigoryan. There is agreement that Armenia-Azerbaijan border delimitation commissions will meet in late January

Ararat Mirzoyan and Louis Bono discussed regional security issues

Tourism Committee chair: 50% of tourists arriving in Armenia are from Russia

Quake hits Turkey

One of French spies arrested in Azerbaijan identified

Armenia unemployment rate dropped sharply over last 3 years, economy minister says

Economy minister: US is for first time on list of Armenia's largest trade partners

Pope Francis expresses concern about Armenia-Azerbaijan disagreements

Kanaani: Iran has clear positions regarding situation in South Caucasus

Armenian National Committee member: Heavy equipment removed from Jerusalem Armenian Quarter Cows Garden

Zangezur is crucial route for north-south and east-west directions, Thomas de Waal says

Stratfor: Armenia will probably accept Azerbaijan's demands

de Waal strongly doubts EU, NATO will invest in Armenia army

Armenia Security Council chief meets with OSCE Minsk Group US co-chair

Thomas de Waal: Karabakh de-Armenianization is price of Armenian politicians maximalism, wrong actions as well

de Waal: Armenia-Azerbaijan peace agreement not only about its signing, also about its implementation

Yerevan population natural growth at 7.9% in 2023

Thomas de Waal: 2024 is somewhat dangerous moment for Armenia
Russia has requested an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council for 23:00 Moscow time on December 30 in connection with the shelling of Belgorod by the Armed Forces of Ukraine and demanded the presence of the permanent representative of the Czech Republic to the world organization. This was announced by the first deputy permanent representative of the Russian Federation to the UN, Dmitry Polyansky, reports TASS.

"We requested the Security Council meeting on Belgorod for 15:00 New York time (23:00 Moscow time) today, December 30. We also demanded the presence of the Czech Republic's post-president, let him explain himself for his country's supply of ammunition that kills civilians," he wrote in his Telegram channel.

Later, Polyansky specified that the meeting would be held on December 31 at 00:00 Moscow time.
Ahead of the Vibrant Gujarat summit hectict efforts are on to present the best face of the state. One such effort is being Led by Olpad (Surat) MLA and Gujarat State Forest Environment Minister Mukesh Patel who has started a capaign to make 181 villages of Olpad assembly of Surat garbage free. Mukesh Patel inspiration is Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to the people of the entire country to join Swachh Bharat Mission. The ML has thus started this pledge camapign to ensure a garbage free Olpad. Minister Mukesh Patel himself is reaching different villages every day to deliver the message to 181 villages in a total of 21 days. In which till now the cleanliness campaign has started in 81 villages and the remaining villages are to be completed by January 2. On Saturday, youth and children from more than 10 villages gathered and took oath in the presence of Olpad Assembly Minister of Surat, Mukesh Patel. In which many village people including the MLA have taken an oath that now they themselves will not litter and will stop other people from littering. For the first time in Surat, a Minister has started work under this campaign in which 6 lakh people will be connected simultaneously. To reach the message to 6 lakh people, all the Sarpanches and District Panchayat members of 108 villages and more than 5000 government employees there have been included in the campaign. Gujarat Minister Mukesh Patel said "We are running the Swachhta Abhiyan started by PM Modi...108 villages fall under my legislative assembly constituency". "We started the campaign on November 16, and we have conducted this campaign in 88 villages. Children are also joining us today in the campaign...We will complete our target to clean 108 villages on January 2." After Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal for cleanliness campaign, Minister Mukesh Patel has clearly warned the people that if the use of plastic is not banned in his assembly, then action will be taken against those selling plastic. We will personally take to the streets to stop plastic vendors. In September, the country achieved yet another major milestone under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) Phase II with three-fourth of the total villages in the country i.e., 75% villages achieving Open Defecation Free Plus status under Phase II of the Mission. An ODF Plus village is one which has sustained its Open Defecation Free (ODF) status along with implementing either solid or liquid waste management systems. As on date, more than 4.43 lakh villages have declared themselves ODF Plus, which is a significant step towards achieving the SBM-G phase II goals by 2024-25. (ANI)
PNN New Delhi [India], December 30: E-Status Presents Tiska Pageants Miss & Mrs. India Season 4, 2023 powered by Forever India Events, Supported by Kosmo - Plast Super Speciality Hospital and Runway Fashion Management, This Gala show was organized at Hotel Leela Ambience, New Delhi in which 73 women contestants from different corners of the country and abroad participated, the show was organized by Prashant Chaudhary and Swati Dixit. It was established with the aim of promoting women and providing them national and international platform where they can show their beauty and talent. All the 73 contestants have showcased their talent on the Grand Finale stage and won the hearts of everyone who attended the show. Out of 2713 women gave auditions 73 were selected from different rounds from the different parts of the country and abroad for this platform, Out of this tough selection among all who were auditioned only 73 women were selected for the Gala Grand Finale. In this show, Femina Miss India Universe Shweta Sharda was present as a celebrity guest and jury member, the rest of the jury members were Renowned Bollywood stylist Rishi Raj, Super Model Hida S Kaula, Model and Fashion Photographer Montu Tomar, Entrepreneur Payal Singh, Tiska Pageant Founder Prashant Chaudhary, Celebrity Designer Wricky Angrish, Fashion Stylist Seitu Kumar, Dr Kaiynat Ansari, Piyusha Sharma, Srishti Sehgal and Purnima Padmasana. If we talk about the Tiska Mrs India 2023 winners of the show, Madhu Bindu Dondla was the winner in the Gold category, the 1st runner up was Dr RituParna Majumdar and the 2nd runner up was Punita Borpujari Deori. Tiska Mrs India 2023 winners of the show, Wing Commander Seema Sharma was the winner in the Platinum category, the 1st runner up was Dr Vandita Dsouza and the 2nd runner up was Shweta Rao Chittapuri. If we talk about the Tiska Miss India 2023, Pooja Singh Thakur became the winner, Aastha Chauhan became the 1st runner's up, and Vismaya, the 2nd runner's up, all these 6 winners first thanked both the organisers of the show, who provided them such a great platform where they were able to showcase their talent and reach the highest position in the National Event. For all the Finalists The Gala grand finale was designed in the beautiful couture of renowned Ethenic brand Casadori & Crystal Designs by Mr Vikas Agarwal, Tarun Agarwal and Amit Agarwal, On the Gala event day all the finalists makeup and hair were done by UK international academy with their team of experts who have taken pre-sessions about makeup and hairs with the contestants to know their face skin type and accordingly gave them the information on handling of their skin makeup and hairs in day to day routine to maintain their glamorous look. Where in the amazing distinguished makeup of Miss India universe 2023 Shweta Sharda was done by Kaamini Bharadwaj brand owner of Kaamini Makeovers where she said we have to be very particular about makeup of international faces for their event look so she planned to go by nude looks as she was wearing gown for long duration. Both the organizers of the show Prashant Chaudhary and Swati Dixit thanked Ms Payal Srivastava for her immense support which she gave whole heartedly and congratulated all the associates brands and sponsors and said that all the team members have given their best support in making this show successful, and she all together thanked all the groomers and Trainers, to name the few ones are Mansi Mehta, Dr Kaiynat Ansari(Director Kosmo-Plast Super Specialty Hospital, Purnima Padma Sana (Motivational speaker, Writer and Banker) alongside the Show Director Pranav Hamal, Knowledge partner Institute(IADA) in the multiple days all the beautiful make up and hairs were done by UK international academy(Noida) to make the event more glittery and glamour dipped, so each of them contributed significantly in making this show a big Gala success. Website: www.tiskapageants.com (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)
In the face of international scrutiny, India has staunchly defended its substantial purchases of Russian crude oil since the onset of the Ukraine war. A recent report from a parliamentary panel highlighted that all import deals were executed within the scope of Western sanctions imposed on Moscow for its involvement in the conflict, as per S&P Global. The report emphasised that these purchases, totalling an estimated 1.95 million barrels per day (b/d), were pivotal in averting potential chaos in the crude oil market and preventing a surge in prices by approximately USD 30-USD 40 per barrel. According to the Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry, India's increased imports of Russian oil after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 prevented "havoc" in the global oil market. The ministry said that if India had not increased its imports, global crude oil prices would have increased by around USD 30-40 per barrel. The parliamentary panel report quoted a representative from the petroleum ministry, stating that Indian oil and gas companies meticulously adhered to international laws and sanctions. Importing Russian oil, despite facing currency and payment challenges, was deemed crucial to maintaining stability in global oil prices. The report underlined the strategic importance of these Russian crude imports, asserting that it not only benefitted Indian consumers with lower retail fuel prices but also played a role in easing the global supply situation. The official further justified these transactions, noting that Indian refiners followed all prescribed price caps, rules, and regulations within the financial domain. Despite the economic sanctions complicating logistics arrangements for Indian buyers, such as the availability of ships and insurance, the report outlined the measures taken to navigate these challenges. Indian buyers, including major entities like Indian Oil Corporation, opted for delivery-based arrangements, with sellers assuming responsibility for delivering crude oil with suitable insurance coverage at discharge ports in India. The parliamentary panel acknowledged the payment challenges faced by Indian buyers due to economic sanctions, citing difficulties in processing payments for crude oil imports in U.S. dollars through Indian banks. However, it emphasised the meticulous adherence to international financial channels like SWIFT. Russia remains a primary supplier, contributing over 35 per cent of India's total crude imports in October and approximately 1.58 million b/d in November. Projections from S&P Global Commodity Insights estimate Russian crude imports to reach around 1.73 million b/d in 2023. The report also highlighted the currency woes associated with crude oil imports, constituting about 25 per cent of all merchandise imports. In response, the Indian government has explored options to settle crude oil imports in rupees to alleviate the impact on the trade deficit. The Reserve Bank of India introduced additional arrangements for invoicing, payment, and settlement of exports and imports in rupees. Addressing the need for diversification, the parliamentary panel recommended the petroleum ministry explore further diversification of crude oil imports. Currently, over 60 per cent of crude imports by state-owned refiners come from the Persian Gulf region. The panel emphasised the importance of modernising vintage refineries to enhance their capabilities in processing a wider variety of crude oil, contributing to a more resilient and cost-effective import strategy for India. (ANI)
VMPL New Delhi [India], December 30: Tyres Shoppe India Pvt Ltd, a leading player in the automotive industry in Delhi NCR, continues to redefine excellence in the domain of Performance Tyres, Car Detailing and Premium Car accessories. With a commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction, the company is a beacon of reliability and performance in the Delhi NCR region. Established with a vision to provide top-notch products and services, Tyres Shoppe India Pvt Ltd has emerged as a trusted name in the automotive sector. The company specializes in offering a wide range of performance tyres of all major Tyre Brands, Premium Car Detailing Services, Car Accessories and General Car Servicing services. Tyres Shoppe prides itself on delivering products that meet and exceed the expectations of discerning customers. LARGE SELECTION OF TYRES: Tyres Shoppe India Pvt Ltd boasts an extensive selection of performance tyres for cars and superbikes, catering to various vehicle models and customer preferences. From renowned international brands to premium local options, the company ensures that customers have access to a diverse range of high-quality products. Tyres Shoppe (I) Pvt. Ltd is the only store in Delhi NCR to provide Bike Tyre Balancing. The tyres enhance vehicle performance, safety, and fuel efficiency. The company is the authorised distributor of Pirelli, Michelin, Good Year, Continental, JK Tyres, Apollo, CEAT, Yokohama etc. STATE-OF-THE-ART MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT: Tyres Shoppe is committed to staying at the forefront of technology. The company invests in state-of-the-art machinery and equipment to ensure precision in tyre fitting, balancing, and alignment. With cutting-edge tools and technology, Tyres Shoppe delivers products and an experience that reflects modernity and efficiency. CAR DETAILING EXPERTISE: Besides its tyre expertise, Tyres Shoppe India Pvt Ltd is synonymous with exceptional car detailing services, Nano Ceramic Coatings, Paint Protection Film (PPF), Car Accessories from 'Autoform' Seat Covers, 7D Foot Mats and dash Cameras. The company's skilled technicians employ advanced techniques and premium detailing products to transform cars into immaculate works of art. Whether it's paint correction, interior detailing, PPF or ceramic coating, Tyres Shoppe sets the standard for excellence. SUNIL JAIN, CMD - TYRES SHOPPE INDIA PVT LTD: Sunil Jain, a seasoned industry veteran, brings a wealth of experience and passion to Tyres Shoppe. His leadership has been instrumental in shaping the company's growth trajectory. Known for his commitment to excellence and customer-centric approach, Jain has steered Tyres Shoppe towards becoming a market leader in the performance tyres and car detailing segment. In Performance Tyres, Car Detailing, and Premium Car Accessories, Tyres Shoppe India Pvt Ltd continues to raise the bar, offering customers not just products and services but an unparalleled experience. With a focus on quality, innovation, and a vision for the future, Tyres Shoppe remains at the forefront of the automotive industry in Delhi NCR. Please contact: Mohit Jain, Tyres Shoppe India Pvt Ltd, +91 8882808080, mail@tyresshoppe.com (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)
Jodhpur (Rajasthan) [India], December 30: A philanthropist from Jodhpur, and the Founder of one of the leading education companies - Utkarsh Classes, Dr Nirmal Gehlot has started Nirmal Gehlot Charitable Foundation, a trust which will support various social causes & charitable initiatives.

Dr Gehlot has built a dedicated center for Blood Donation, in Jodhpur, called 'Raktshala'. Raktshala is a first-of-its-kind initiative where any individual/organization/NGO can organize blood donation camps.

The center will be inaugurated on January 28th, 2024 and is equipped with state-of-the-art technologies.

"Our country needs around 14.6 million units of blood every year. It is the need of the hour that we, as society step up and fulfill this necessity. Blood Donation is a very noble cause, it is imperative that the Youth becomes an active participant in such events. The idea behind starting Raktshala was to encourage and increase awareness amongst our youth."

Dr Gehlot is an active philanthropist and has initiated many social events in the past as well, from starting India's first Breath Bank during Covid to renovating Police Barrack and established a Cardiothoracic Unit with state of the art facilities in a Government hospital.

(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)
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman chaired a meeting on Saturday to review the performance of Public Sector Banks (PSBs) on various parameters, informed a press release. The progress on the acquisition of accounts by the National Asset Reconstruction Company Ltd (NARCL) was also deliberated. Sitharaman directed that the acquisition of stressed accounts by NARCL needs to improve further, and necessary efforts must be made in this direction. It was advised that NARCL and banks should hold regular meetings to expedite the onboarding of stressed accounts. In addition to the above measures, the Finance Minister emphasized the importance of mobilizing deposits, urging public sector banks to innovate and offer attractive deposit schemes to enhance their deposit base, which will also enable them to extend more credit. During deliberations on fraud-related matters, Sitharaman expressed satisfaction at the improved performance of the public sector banks. She also said that bank frauds pose a critical threat to the security of both individual customers and the financial institutions themselves, which can lead to financial losses and reduced public trust in the banking system, according to the release. The meeting was also attended by Union Minister of State for Finance Bhagwat Kishanrao Karad; Vivek Joshi, Secretary, Department of Financial Services; Heads of Public Sector Banks besides senior officials of the Department of Financial Services. Sitharaman asked banks to concentrate fraud prevention activities on both large corporate frauds and wilful defaults as well as on actions that defraud individual customers. She also instructed to adopt advanced fraud prevention and detection mechanisms and ensure that the customers are further educated about safe banking practices. According to the release, the banks were directed by the Union Finance Minister to undertake consumer education measures for protection from malicious fraud calls. Banks were also directed to make efforts for timely identification of accounts as fraud and their subsequent investigation. Banks were also advised to put more effort into recovery from accounts declared as fraud and willful default. She asked banks to monitor the early warning signals to check potential frauds. Recognizing that the effectiveness of legal action against defaulters before courts and tribunals largely depends on effective representation by lawyers and attorneys assisted by bank officials, the Finance Minister called for a performance review of counsel representing public sector banks to ensure better legal outcomes. Union Finance Minister stated that the willful defaults not only strain the banks' financial health but also hamper the flow of credit in the economy. The Minister urged the public sector banks (PSBs) to adopt responsible lending practices across the board. She further instructed the PSBs to enhance due diligence before loan disbursement, ensure regular monitoring of large loan accounts, and undertake swift and thorough legal action in cases of such default. Union Finance Minister also exhorted the banks to take strict administrative action against the conniving officials of the banks who enable fraud and wilful defaults, the release stated. The issues related to cyber security were also deliberated in the meeting. The preparedness of all the PSBs in addressing cyber security risks was reviewed by the Union Finance Minister. Banks were directed to ensure complete privacy of customer data. She stated that issues of cyber security should be seen from a system perspective as a small vulnerability can be used by nefarious elements to create system-wide risks. The Finance Minister noted the need to adopt proactive cybersecurity measures and implement stringent security protocols to protect sensitive financial information and systems from cyber-attacks. She exhorted the banks to adapt to the evolving digital landscape, ensuring that the integrity of domestic financial systems remains uncompromised. Sitharaman also emphasized the importance of collaboration and mutual learning among the PSBs and coordination between banks, security agencies, regulatory bodies and technology experts to create a more resilient financial ecosystem against potential cyber-security threats, the release stated. (ANI)
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Khaled Khiari (Front), UN assistant secretary-general for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, speaks at a Security Council meeting at the UN headquarters in New York, on Dec. 29, 2023. The UN official on Friday warned of the consequences of the threat posed by Yemen's Houthi militia on maritime navigation in the Red Sea. (Evan Schneider/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)

A UN official on Friday warned of the consequences of the threat posed by Yemen's Houthi militia on maritime navigation in the Red Sea.

"The continued Houthi threat to maritime navigation in the Red Sea is of growing concern. It risks exacerbating regional tensions, and further escalation, and also has potentially grave political, economic, and humanitarian ramifications for millions in Yemen and the region," said Khaled Khiari, UN assistant secretary-general for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific.

This threat also has potential ramifications at a global scale if regional and international shipping and supply chains are adversely impacted by further escalation in the Red Sea, he told the UN Security Council.

The United Nations continues to encourage de-escalation and a cessation of attacks and threats so that traffic through the Red Sea can return to its normal state and the risk of Yemen being dragged into a regional conflagration be avoided, said Khiari.

"The United Nations underscores the importance of ensuring that international law is respected in full in relation to maritime navigation. We appeal to all members of the international community to do everything in their power to use their influence on the relevant parties to prevent an escalation of the situation in the region," he said.

Briefing the Security Council on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, Khiari said the situation in the region is alarming.

In Gaza, Israeli intense ground operations and fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas and others continued in most areas. Hamas and other Palestinian factions continue to fire rockets from Gaza into Israel. Civilians from both sides, particularly in Gaza, continue to bear the brunt of this conflict. The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, he said, reiterating UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' call for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire.

The risk of regional spillover of this conflict with potentially devastating consequences for the entire region remains high given also a multitude of actors involved, he warned.

The continued daily exchanges of fire across the Blue Line between Lebanon and Israel pose a grave risk to regional stability. Increasingly, there have been strikes on civilian areas, with civilian casualties on both sides of the Blue Line, in addition to a rising number of fatalities among combatants. While most of these exchanges have been contained to areas within a few kilometers on either side of the Blue Line, there have been several instances of strikes deeper into the territories of Lebanon and Israel, raising the specter of an uncontained conflict, with potentially devastating consequences for the people of both countries, he said.

Attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria take place now on a daily basis with the United States conducting some airstrikes against groups suspected of these actions in Iraq and Syria. There are also reported Israeli airstrikes inside Syria, he said.

Across the occupied West Bank, heightened tensions between Israeli security forces and Palestinians, intensive violence and widespread movement restrictions have continued, said Khiari.

Recent weeks have seen some of the most intensive Israeli operations in the West Bank since the Second Intifada between 2000 and 2005. Many Palestinian casualties in the occupied West Bank occurred in the context of Israeli operations in Area A, which is under the full civil and security control by the Palestinian Authority, he said.

Since the Hamas attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, 304 Palestinians, including 79 children, have been killed in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Since Oct. 7, four Israelis, including three members of the Israeli forces, have been killed in attacks by Palestinians in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Another four Israelis were killed during an attack by Palestinians in West Jerusalem, he said.

To prevent the recurrence of war and endless cycle of violence, the current hostilities throughout the occupied Palestinian territory must end with a plan to meaningfully advance the parties toward a negotiated solution, he said.

"We must restore a political horizon and move toward the only viable possibility for a peaceful future -- a two-state solution, with Gaza as an integral part of an independent Palestinian state, living side by side with Israel, in peace and security, based on the 1967 lines and with Jerusalem as the capital of both states," said Khiari.




Newlyweds Randeep Hooda and Lin Laishram have also left Mumbai to celebrate their first New Year post marriage at a special place.

On Saturday morning, the duo was spotted at the Mumbai airport. They were all smiles as they posed for the paps.

Randeep was dressed in a plain off-white shirt and pants. Lin also kept her airport outfit comfy yet stylish. Lin wore a pastel green shirt that she paired with a white crop top and white pants.

Randeep and Lin exchanged vows on November 29 in Manipur. Their wedding was performed in traditional Meitei rituals.

Notably, Lin made her Bollywood debut in 2007 with the film 'Om Shanti Om' in which she gave a cameo appearance as Om Kapoor's friend. She has appeared in other Bollywood films including Mary Kom (2014) as Bem, Umrika (2015) as Udai's wife, Rangoon (2017) as Mema, Qaidi Band (2017), and Axone (2019) as Chanbi.

Randeep, on the other hand, made his debut with 'Monsoon Wedding', got a lot of popularity with films such as 'Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai', 'Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster', 'Rang Rasiya', 'Jism 2' and many more.

The duo reportedly fell in love during their theatre days. (ANI)
Actor Tanuj Virwani and Tanya Jacob are the newly-wed pair in B-town and they have treated their fans with mesmerizing snaps of their wedding on social media. The duo got married on the auspicious day of Christmas, that is, December 25. The actor shared his honeymoon plans with his wife Tanya and said, "Well, first of all, thanks to one and all for all the love, kindness and support that you all have sent me. My comments section and DMs are filled with good wishes and I am so grateful to everyone. Well, yes, our honeymoon is indeed happening soon and we are travelling to places like Paris, Prague, Vienna & Budapest and henceforth, we will be travelling from 3rd January to 18th January. Post that, there's a crazy and hectic work schedule that's awaiting both of us." He added, "Also, the reason why we picked the dates from the 3rd onwards was because we wanted to celebrate New Year's Eve together with our families here in Lonavala as a form of extended celebration since the wedding vibe is still on. So yes, looking forward to a romantic and blissful honeymoon with the love of my life. Thanks to all for your kind words and support. We cherish every bit of it together as a couple." Notably, Tanuj is the son of actor Rati Agnihotri and the nephew of Salman Khan's brother-in-law, Atul Agnihotri. Tanuj is best known for his role as Vayu Raghavan in the sports-thriller web series 'Inside Edge' which premiered on the OTT platform Amazon Prime Video. The series also starred Richa Chadha, Siddhant Chaturvedi and Vivek Oberoi in pivotal roles. Apart from this, he was also seen in 'Illegal Season 2' and 'Cartel'. He will be next seen in the web shows 'Ved' and 'Parchaaiyaan.' (ANI)
In its fresh crackdown on human traffickers at the Indo-Bangladesh border, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday arrested four more accused involved in illegal infiltration into India via Tripura. These arrests were made in a joint operation with the Tripura police, as part of the human trafficking case registered by the NIA in Guwahati in October this year. On November 8 this year, the NIA had arrested 29 key operatives following nationwide raids on human trafficking syndicates involved in the case. The accused arrested were located close to the Indo-Bangladesh international border and were linked with the 29 persons arrested earlier in the case. "They had been carrying out human trafficking activities at the behest of racketeers belonging to well-organised syndicates active in several districts of the northeastern state of Tripura. The network of syndicates was further connected to operatives based in other parts of India," said the NIA. Investigations have further revealed that the four arrested accused were coordinating with traffickers operating from across the international border to facilitate illegal infiltration of persons of Bangladeshi origin into India, said the agency. As per the NIA, the accused will be brought to Guwahati in Assam after obtaining orders from the court at Agartala (Tripura), for their further production before the NIA Special Court Guwahati. The case was registered by the NIA on October 6 this year following credible inputs regarding organised human trafficking syndicates operating along the Indo-Bangladesh international border. The NIA had received information about individuals of foreign origin being trafficked illegally with the intention of settling them in various parts of India. "The human trafficking syndicates were found to have linkages with other facilitators and traffickers operating in various parts of the country and across the border. The linkages were identified as part of a larger network engaged in human trafficking activities via the Indo-Bangladesh border. The accused were also arranging forged Indian identity documents for the individuals trafficked from across the border into India," NIA investigations have further revealed. (ANI)
The blood donation camp was organised by the Bazaar committee at the Math Chowmuni Bazar area in Agartala.

While addressing the people on the occasion, the Chief Minister praised the committee for bringing women from old-age homes and serving them with food and warm clothes.

"I am glad to hear that the committee has decided to bring the old mothers from old age home and serve them with food and warm clothes. It's a noble cause," the CM said.

The CM also inaugurated the Sale of Articles of Rural Artisans Society (SARAS) Mela 2023 with the theme of "Didi Lakhpati Tripura Agragati" on Friday.

The SARAS Mela has aimed to enrich and empower every woman who has been working hard for a long time with different small and medium businesses or projects of the Tripura Government, especially those taken care of by the Tripura Rural Livelihood Mission (TRLM) and Rural Development.

In this SARAS Mela, different stalks have been installed by the participants of various places, including remote and village areas, with their manufacturing products.

SARAS Mela is organised by the Tripura Rural Livelihood Mission and Tripura Rural Development departments.

Meanwhile, a 14-day-long ASOMI SARAS Mela 2023, which commenced earlier this week, is underway at Ganesh Mandir Field of Khanapara in Assam's Guwahati.

The fair was inaugurated by Assam Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Ranjeet Kumar Dass.

By aiming to promote entrepreneurs and self-help groups (SHGs), the Assam Panchayat and Rural Development Department have organised the Asomi Saras Mela in Guwahati, where entrepreneurs from different states of the country have come to participate and promote their products. (ANI)
The court ordered him to pay a fine amount of Rs 6.96 crore to the complainant. If the fine is not paid, the minister should undergo imprisonment for 6 months, the court said in its verdict.

A cheque worth Rs 6.60 crore given to Rajesh Exports was bounced when Madhu Bangarappa was the managing director of Akash Audio Company. A case of cheque bounce was registered IN 2011 by Rajesh Export Company against Madhu Bangarappa.

The court also ordered that Bangarappa should pay Rs 10 thousand to the government as a fine.

Reacting to the order, Madhu Bangarappa said in Hubli that the case was a settled matter and the BJP Leaders were intentionally picking "old order" of 26th December and trying to find something out of it. (ANI)
Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt. General K.T. Parnaik (Retd.) urged armed forces to reinforce the sense of security amongst the local population and be involved in the developmental process. Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt. General K.T. Parnaik (Retd.), who is on a two-day tour of Changlang District addressed public meetings at Vijoynagar, Gandhigram and Miao on Friday. In his sincere effort to reach out to the people in every corner of the State and spread the message of Viksit Bharat, the Governor interacted with the villagers and government officials and urged them to ensure that all the eligible beneficiaries are registered and avail of maximum benefit out of the welfare schemes, programmes and projects of State and Central Governments. He called upon the people, particularly the rural communities, to be active partners in the developmental progress of Arunachal Pradesh. The Governor said that in the last few years, many important development programmes, projects and schemes have been taken up enhancing the developmental progress of the State. He emphasized to the Gaon Burahs and Panchayat members that the onus is on them to see developmental projects and programmes are properly implemented in their area. The Governor, who flagged off the self-help groups Van at Miao, advised the government officials to reach out to every household in their area of responsibility and be accountable for the success of Viksit Bharat@2047 initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Governor administered the Viksit Bharat Sankalp pledge to the people at Vijoynagar, Gandhigram and Miao. The Governor shared his concern about drug addiction amongst the youth. He appealed to the people, self-help groups and faith centres for their participation in the eradication of drug menace, tuberculosis and cancer. In a historical visit to Gandhigram by the Head of the State, the Governor exhorted the villagers to prepare themselves for the ensuing developmental activities in their area as road connectivity is going to be strengthened. He advised the villagers to focus on tourism as the area has huge potential for eco and adventure tourism. During his visit to Vijoynagar, the Governor addressed a Sainik Sammelan. He also interacted with the security forces and police personnel at Miao.The Governor urged the armed forces to reinforce the sense of security amongst the local population and be involved in the developmental process. He advised them to be alert as situations across the border are not conducive, while honing their tactical and operational capability. The Governor suggested the personnel to exhort the local youth to join the Indian armed forces. He also asked them to engage in the educational pursuit of the school children.Local MLA Minister Kamlung Mosang and Deputy Commissioner Sunny Singh briefed the Governor about the developmental initiatives of the Government in the Miao subdivision. Inspector General of Police (Law & Order) Chukhu Apa, Commissioner, UD, Pawan Kumar Sain and Superintendent of Police Kirli Padu, Government officials and the public were present at the meetings amongst others. (ANI)
The trafficker, according to Delhi Police, was convicted in a rape case and had been absconding after obtaining parole in 2014

Further details are awaited.

Earlier, in November, the Mumbai Police arrested two key associates, including a Zambian national and a Tanzanian woman, for peddling cocaine in the city. (ANI)
Jana Sena Party (JSP) president Pawan Kalyan has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting him to initiate a probe by the central agencies such as the CBI or Enforcement Directorate (ED) into the alleged scandal in the distribution of house sites and construction of houses for the poor in Andhra Pradesh In his letter to the PM, Pawan Kalyan said that a basic estimate, upon calculating the figures provided by the state government itself, pegged the financial misappropriation at nearly Rs 35,141 crore only in the purported acquisition of land for the project. He further said that the swindling of money from the public exchequer was so high that even a ruling party (YSR Congress) MLA sought an investigation by the State Vigilance and Enforcement Department, but the government turned a blind eye. "This is to bring to your kind notice the gigantic scandal, running into thousands of crores of rupees, perpetrated by the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-headed government in Andhra Pradesh in the name of distribution of house sites and construction of houses for the poor since June 2019...Land prices were artificially increased up many fold and only paltry amounts were paid to the land owners, while the ruling party leaders pocketed the 'extra' money," he said. He also alleged that of the total estimated (land and housing) project cost of Rs 1,75,421 crore, the state government claims to have spent a whopping Rs 91,503 crore (till October 2023), which certainly looks dubious. While making tall claims, the YSRCP government robbed the credit that was due to the Central Government for its flagship Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana in order to derive political mileage, he alleged. Giving a detailed account of the housing scheme named Pedalandariki Illu, Kalyan said the scandal was of such an enormous magnitude that it should be investigated by the CBI or ED to ferret out the facts, bring the culprits to book and recover the money from them. "The YSRC government in Andhra Pradesh launched the 'Pedalandariki Illu' (houses for all poor) scheme with the promise of constructing over 30 lakh houses across the state. As a first step, it sought to distribute house sites (one cent each in rural and 1.5 cents in urban) to as many as 29,51,858 (women) beneficiaries. In reality, however, only 21,87,985 women were eventually given house site pattas (titles). While 28,554.64 acres of government land was converted into house sites, another 25,374.66 acres was purportedly acquired from private persons," he added. (ANI)
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said on Saturday that party workers and legislators will get an equal share in appointments to Boards and Corporations. "Party workers will get their due share in the appointments to Boards and Corporations. All the leaders in the party will sit and discuss this. The list is finalised to some extent. The central leaders have made certain promises that need to be discussed. The list is likely to be finalised by Sankranti," Shivakumar said. The Deputy Chief Minister said that through the 'Government at Your Doorstep' programme the state government aims to address the grievances of all the 28 constituencies in Bengaluru by January. "People are coming to our doorsteps with their grievances, we have decided to take the government to their doorstep through the 'Government at Your Doorstep' programme," Shivakumar said. "Through this programme, we would like to address the grievances of all the 28 constituencies in Bengaluru by January. Two to three assembly constituencies will be covered at a time," he said, adding that the respective local MLAs and MPs have been invited to participate in the programme. In response to a question from a reporter about the meeting for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, Shivakumar said that he would hold a preparatory meeting with party leaders, MLAs and AICC leaders on January 10. Asked about his upcoming visit to New Delhi on January 4, the Deputy Chief Minister said, "There is a meeting regarding the Lok Sabha elections. Ministers have given reports about candidate selection. A survey needs to be done about it. We are going to Delhi to discuss that." On a question about the cheque bounce case of Minister Madhu Bangarappa, he said, "Things happen in business. I will look into it." Shivakumar also said that Rs 1000 crores have been allocated for minorities to improve their livelihoods. "I will take you to Ramanagara, you can see for yourself the condition of the minorities. This decision has been taken to improve their livelihoods. If Rs 1000 crore is divided among 224 assembly constituencies, it is not much. Minorities mostly live in urban areas and they don't have the benefit of MGNREGA scheme. There is nothing wrong in it," he said. Speaking on the criticism by the Bharatiya Janata Party alleging that this Rs 1000 crore fund allocation for minorities is a case of 'minority appeasement', he said, "Let them keep complaining and we will continue to work for the poor." On his recent meeting with Chandrababu Naidu, Shivakumar said that it was a courtesy meeting and that he met the former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister at the airport. "I did not go to Andhra Pradesh to meet him. I happened to meet him at the airport. It was a courtesy meeting," he said. (ANI)
During the 40-minute-long interaction on Friday, Chief Minister Sarma apprised Union Minister Goyal about the rapid progress the state has made on the industrial front, with new investments pouring in.

The Chief Minister further urged the Union Minister for Commerce and Industry to launch the North East Industrial Policy as Assam and the North East region have been witnessing rapid economic growth and it would give an added impetus to the existing efforts.

Giving a patient hearing, Union Minister Goyal assured Chief Minister Sarma that his proposal to launch the North East Industrial Policy would be under active consideration by his ministry.

Later, taking to X, formerly Twitter, Chief Minister Sarma wrote, "So much to learn from our extremely learned Hon'ble Union Minister PiyushGoyal ji. Given that Assam and the North East are witnessing rapid economic growth, it will be opportune to launch the North East Industrial Policy to augment existing efforts, I urged him."

Union Minister Goyal also took to X and said, "Always a pleasure to interact with the Chief Minister of Assam @HimantaBiswa ji." (ANI)
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China will respond resolutely to any infringement and provocation and firmly safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said Friday, responding to the Philippines' repeated provocations on China's Ren'ai Jiao.

According to reports, the Philippine armed forces spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar recently said the Philippine government is considering building a permanent civilian structure on Ren'ai Jiao, such as a lighthouse or a marine science research center. The spokesperson also said Ren'ai Jiao belongs to the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines, and only the Philippines can build buildings there. In the future, the Philippines will no longer transport military supplies but civilian supplies.

In response to a media query, spokesperson Mao Ning told a daily news briefing that Ren'ai Jiao is part of China's Nansha Qundao (the Nansha Islands). China has indisputable sovereignty over Nansha Qundao, including Ren'ai Jiao and its adjacent waters, which were established in the long course of history and are solidly grounded in international law, including the UN Charter.

Mao said the Philippines' claims on Ren'ai Jiao violate the principles of international law, and are legally untenable.

Noting that Ren'ai Jiao is an uninhabited reef, Mao said according to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea signed by China and the ASEAN countries, all parties should maintain the status of Ren'ai Jiao that there are no people or facilities on it. "The Philippine side has repeatedly broken its commitments, infringed China's rights on Ren'ai Jiao, and complicated the situation," Mao added.

The Philippine armed forces spokesperson's recent remarks are a major move to break the status quo of Ren'ai Jiao, Mao said, adding that China will resolutely respond to any infringement and provocation and firmly safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights.




Buoyed by the recent win in Telangana, the Congress party is now going to gear up for the "agitational programs" on the field in the state ahead of state Assembly polls, Andhra Pradesh Congress president Gidugu Rudra Raju said on Saturday. "On the failures of state government as well as the central government, Congress party is going to gear up for the agitational programs on the field. As per the directions of the All India Congress Committee, we are going to take up all the agitational programs in the state. We have been doing this and we will do it further as well," Gidugu Rudra Raju said speaking to ANI. This came after a recent meeting of the Congress state leadership in Andhra Pradesh and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and MP Rahul Gandhi. "Recently, we had a meeting with the Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and MP Rahul Gandhi. They have directed us. So we will take up the directions of the senior leadership," the state Congress chief said. Gidugu Rudra Raju said that the General Secretary in charge of Andhra Pradesh Manickam Tagore will be coming to the state on January 7 and a grand orientation program is planned on January 8 and 9. "The newly appointed General Secretary in-charge of Andhra Pradesh Manickam Tagore will be visiting Andhra Pradesh on January 7, 8 and 9. On January 8 and 9 we will be having an orientational program for all the party leaders, right from the Mandal unit presidents to upto the PCC delegates, AICC members and all the Vice Presidents, General Secretaries, District Congress Presidents, City Congress presidents, the entire contingent of all the frontal organisational departments," the Andhra Pradesh Congress chief said. "We want to refresh ourselves and we want to have an introspection on how to go about the assembly elections. We want to have a roadmap for the assembly elections and the parliamentary election," he added. Speaking on chances of an alliance with Chandrababu Naidu's Telugu Desam Party, Raju said that it is upto Naidu to decide on it and he is not new to an alliance with the Congress. "It is upto Chandrababu Naidu to take a call on it. He is not new. He met Rahul Gandhi and addressed a press conference along with him. He was in alliance in Telangana in the last assembly elections. It is upto Chandrababu Naidu and not the Congress party," Raju said. The Andhra Pradesh Congress chief also said that his party aims to fight against the Bharatiya Janata Party and the communal forces and any party is welcome to join them. "The aim of the Congress party is only to fight against the Bharatiya Janata Party and the communal forces. Whoever wants to come with us on the ideology of the secular forces, can share the platform and work for the secular forces in the state and the center," he said. Speaking on the buzz that YS Sharmila may join the Congress, "The high command is dealing with that...Rajshekhar Reddy intended to make Rahul Gandhi the Prime Minister of India. Anyone who wants to respect the ideology of the Congress party and who respects our president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, is most welcome. She may join the Congress party and on behalf of the Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee, we welcome her." (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the importance of preserving heritage as an integral part of a country's development during his address in Ayodhya on Saturday. He highlighted that for any country to achieve new heights of development, it must care for its heritage. PM Modi spoke about the transformation of Ayodhya, blending ancient and modern aspects, and the significance of projects like providing permanent housing to both Ram Lala and four crore poor citizens. During his visit to Ayodhya, PM Modi laid the foundation and inaugurated various projects totaling over Rs 15,700 crore. These included projects for the development of Ayodhya and its surrounding areas, as well as other initiatives across Uttar Pradesh. "Whatever be the country in the world if it has to reach new heights of development, it will have to take care of its heritage. Ram Lala was there in a tent, today pucca house has been given to not only Ram Lala but also to the 4 cr poor of the country... Today's India is moving while incorporating both ancient and modern," PM Modi said, while addressing a gathering in Ayodhya. The PM was addressing the public after laying the foundation and inaugurating various projects in Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya. He also inaugurated, dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth more than Rs 15,700 crore at Ayodhya Dham. These include projects worth about Rs 11,100 crore for development of Ayodhya and its surrounding areas and projects worth about Rs 4600 crore related to other projects across Uttar Pradesh. Earlier PM Modi inaugurated the redeveloped Ayodhya Railway Station and flagged off new Amrit Bharat trains and Vande Bharat trains. He also dedicated several other railway projects to the nation. After that, he also inaugurated the newly built Ayodhya Airport. The airport has been named Maharishi Valmiki International Airport. Expressing eagerness for the upcoming consecration ceremony at the Ram Temple on January 22, PM Modi noted the historic significance of December 30, the day when Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose hoisted the Indian flag in Andaman and announced India's independence in 1943. "The world is eagerly waiting for 22nd January. I am a devotee of every particle and person of India, I too am eager for the day of Pran Pratishtha at the upcoming Ram Temple," he said. Noting that, Subhash Chandra Bose unfurled the flag at Andaman and announced India's independence on December 30 in 1943, the PM said, "The date - December 30 - has always been historic for India. It was on this day in 1943 when Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose hoisted the (Indian) flag in Andaman (and Nicobar Islands) to announce India's freedom." Speaking about the celebration of progress and the festival of tradition in Ayodhya, PM Modi emphasized the collective strength of development and heritage, envisioning it as a driving force for India in the 21st century. He reiterated the commitment to bringing back the ancient glory of Ayodhya by connecting it with modernity. He said, "Today here is a celebration of progress, after some days there will be festival of tradition, today we see grandeur of development, after some days we feel the divinity of the heritage. This collective strength of development and heritage will take India forward in the 21st century." Referring to the ancient glory of Ayodhya as described by Maharishi Valmiki himself, the Prime Minister reiterated the desire to bring that grandeur back by linking it with modernity. "After the construction of a grand temple of Lord Ram here, there will be a huge increase in the number of people coming here. Keeping this in mind, our government is carrying out development work worth thousands of crores of rupees in Ayodhya and is making Ayodhya smart. Today I have the privilege of inaugurating Ayodhya Dham Airport and Railway Station. I am happy that Ayodhya Airport has been named after Maharishi Valmiki. Maharishi Valmiki introduced us to the works of Lord Ram through Ramayana. In modern India, Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, Ayodhya Dham, will connect us with the divine-grand-new Ram temple. At present Ayodhya Dham railway station has the capacity to serve 10-15 thousand people. After the complete development of the station, 60 thousand people will be able to commute to Ayodhya Dham railway station every day," he added. The PM further said that a sense of service to the poor underlies modern Amrit Bharat trains. "Today after the Vande Bharat trains and Namo Bharat trains, the country has got a new series of trains... This has been named as Amrit Bharat trains... The power of all these three trains will help in the development of the Indian Railway..." he said, ""People who often travel long distances due to their work, and those who do not have that much income, are also entitled to modern facilities and comfortable travel. These trains have been designed keeping in mind the dignity in the life of the poor." He pointed out the projected increase of pilgrims and tourists coming to the holy city in the wake of the grand temple and said that infrastructure is being revamped to meet the demand. The Prime Minister expressed happiness on naming Ayodhya Airport after Maharishi Valmiki. He said Maharishi Valmiki's Ramayana is the path of knowledge that connects us to Shri Ram. Maharishi Valmiki International Airport in modern India will connect us to Ayodhya Dham and the divine-grand-new Ram temple. The Prime Minister also highlighted the role that Vande Bharat trains are playing in linking development with heritage. "The country's first Vande Bharat Express train ran from Kashi. Today Vande Bharat Express trains are running on 34 routes in the country. Vande Bharat connects Kashi, Katra, Ujjain, Pushkar, Tirupati, Shirdi, Amritsar, Madurai, every such big center of faith. In this series, today Ayodhya has also got the gift of Vande Bharat train," PM Modi said. He also urged citizens to light a 'Shri Ram Jyoti' in their homes and celebrate Deepavali on January 22, when the idol of Lord Ram will be consecrated at the grand Temple in Ayodhya. "This historic moment has very fortunately come into our lives. We have to make a new resolve for the country and fill ourselves with new energy. For this, I urge all the 140 crore countrymen to light Shri Ram Jyoti in their homes on January 22 and celebrate Deepavali," the Prime Minister said. Meanwhile, taking time out from his hectic engagements and scheduled events on a day-long visit to Ayodhya, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday dropped in at the residence of a woman, who is the tenth-crore beneficiary of the Centre's flagship Ujjwala Yojana. PM Modi was pictured exchanging pleasantries with the beneficiaries and enquiring about her well-being over tea. A large crowd gathered and greeted PM Modi as he walked the narrow streets of the temple town. He also met two children in Ayodhya and took selfies with them while also obliging their requests for autographs. The Prime Minister also signed a painting that a boy showed him. The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) was started in May 2016 to provide clean cooking fuel to poor households across the country. Under PMUY, a deposit-free LPG connection is provided to adult women from poor households. Ahead of the Ram Mandir's grand opening on January 22, PM Modi inaugurated several projects at Ayodhya as part of a conscious bid to bring about a transformation and a public infrastructure overhaul in the ancient city, which is believed to be the birthplace of Ram Lalla. He also visited the Lata Mangeshkar Chowk in Ayodhya. (ANI)
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, praising security forces, said that India is shining in the world because of the sacrifices made by soldiers while safeguarding national borders and expressed his gratitude to the parents of the defenders of the nation. Singh was addressing an event in honour of the Indian Armed Forces organised by the Maruti Veerjawan Trust in Surat. "To protect their motherland, her integrity and sovereignty, they sacrificed themselves. I bow down to their parents, who had given birth to such brave hearts and all of you." "India today shines in the international world because of the sacrifices made by our soldiers while safeguarding our borders. All the people working in different domains of society are being able to work fearlessly because of our soldiers, who have taken pledges of national security in their hearts and are safeguarding the borders," said Rajnath Singh. Further talking about diamonds, Rajnath said, "When it comes to diamonds, we have a unique identity in the world. Diamonds carved in Surat are in demand all across the world." Mentioning the recently inaugurated diamond trade centre by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December, Rajnath said, "The recent inauguration of the diamond bourse, which is the largest office space in the world, is a proud moment not just for Surat but for the whole nation." Talking about Gujarat, the defence minister said, "I bow to this holy land of Gujarat. Gujarat is the birthplace of poet Narsingh Mehta, who united and strengthened the then society through his devotion and literature." "Gujarat is the birthplace of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, who, through his ideals and principles, strengthened the aspiration for justice and freedom in the minds of Indian society. Gujarat is the birthplace of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who, with his strong determination, saved India from being disintegrated," he added further. (ANI)
The Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) has written a letter to Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya regarding the regular vacancies in medical colleges. They have appealed to the Health Ministry for the timely recruitment of regular faculties in medical colleges and associated hospitals across the country. The doctors, in their letter to the Union Health Minister, said that this is regarding a matter of utmost importance concerning the recruitment of regular faculty in medical colleges and associated hospitals. "The process of appointing faculty through UPSC plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of medical education and healthcare in our country. However, it has come to our attention that there has been a significant paucity of vacancies released by UPSC for regular posts in certain clinical branches, including orthopaedics, medicine, surgery, and others, persisting for an alarming duration of up to four years," they said. The doctors also appealed for residents graduating from their senior residency and aspiring to contribute to the teaching profession. UPSC serves as the primary gateway. Unfortunately, these valuable opportunities seem to be increasingly replaced by contractual and ad hoc practices, they said in the letter. "And appointments, raising concerns about fundamental fairness and transparency. We are unable to discern any compelling reasons for the prolonged withholding of regular seats, except for what appears to be a convenient arrangement for the authorities. Establishing a secure and structured entry into teaching roles not only ensures the selection of qualified candidates but also fosters the continuity and excellence of our esteemed institutions," they added. "It is our sincere request that your esteemed office intervene in this matter to initiate a comprehensive survey. This survey should assess the current status of vacant seats or those filled on a contractual basis and subsequently release a seat matrix through UPSC. This step is imperative not only for the welfare of our residents but also for the sustained growth and quality of our healthcare institutions," they further said. "We believe that a holistic approach, rather than one driven by convenience, is essential to address the existing infrastructure constraints in our hospitals. We appreciate your attention to this matter and trust that your intervention will safeguard the future of medical professionals and, by extension, our healthcare system," the doctors added. (ANI)
A US official revealed that the Chinese spy balloon, which traversed the United States in early 2023, used an American internet service provider to transmit periodic data related to navigation and location back to China, CNN reported. This connection emerged as one of the means by which the US intelligence agencies were able to track the balloon's location and gather crucial information during its transit. While the identity of the specific internet service provider remains undisclosed, CNN was informed that the balloon had the capability to communicate with Beijing as it crossed the US. NBC News first reported that the balloon relied on a US network for communication. According to the US official, the network connection was not utilised to transmit intelligence data back to China. Instead, the balloon stored such information, including imagery and other data, for later retrieval. The US successfully shot down the Chinese spy balloon in February, allowing for a comprehensive analysis of the stored information. Both the FBI and the Director of the Office of National Intelligence declined to comment on the matter. CNN reached out to the Chinese Embassy in Washington for a response. China has consistently maintained that the balloon was a weather balloon that had veered off course. As previously reported by CNN, the US intelligence community assessed that the spy balloon was part of an extensive surveillance program orchestrated by the Chinese military. The balloon fleet had conducted over two dozen missions across at least five continents in recent years, according to US officials. While the US believed that Chinese Communist Party leaders did not intend for the balloon to cross into the United States, previous reports indicated that the CCP leaders reprimanded the operators of the surveillance programme over the incident. In June, President Joe Biden suggested that Chinese leader Xi Jinping was caught off guard by the balloon's presence, stating that Xi "got very upset" when the US shot it down because "he didn't know it was there." Biden drew a comparison to dictators becoming embarrassed when unaware of critical developments, CNN reported. (ANI)
A two-member bench led by Justice Ali Baqar Najafi heard the petition on Friday filed by the former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader against the ATC orders.

Fawad Chaudhry's counsel argued during the hearing that the returning officer (RO) had rejected his client's nomination papers, citing the objection that the former minister had been declared a "proclaimed offender."

The counsel maintained that Fawad Chaudhry was incarcerated in Adiala Jail, and despite this, the Anti-Terrorism Court declared him a "PO."

He asserted, "The court could have summoned Fawad by issuing a notice, but this was not done," according to ARY News.

The counsel also contended that the ATC orders were contrary to the facts and urged the LHC to annul the declaration.

After hearing the arguments, the LHC suspended the ATC orders and issued notices to the concerned parties, adjourning the hearing until January 11.

On December 16, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) arrested Fawad Chaudhry in a corruption case. The arrest took place at Adiala Jail after NAB Chairman Lt-Gen (retd) Nazir Ahmed Butt signed the arrest warrant for the former minister.

It's worth noting that in June of the same year, Fawad Chaudhry was among the PTI leaders who attended the launching ceremony of the Istihkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP), headed by former PTI leader Jahangir Tareen, ARY News reported. (ANI)
Strongly "condemning" Russia's recent "horrific" strikes on Ukraine, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the US "must support Ukraine in defending itself". Urging Congress to release more funds for providing military aid to Ukraine, the US State Secretary said that "Congress needs to act in the new year". In a post on X, Blinken expressed the gravity of the situation, stating, "The US strongly condemns Russia's horrific strikes across Ukraine today. As Putin continues his brutal war of aggression, we must support Ukraine in defending itself." Blinken also lauded the resilience of the Ukrainian people, acknowledging their remarkable achievements in the face of adversity. "Ukrainians have done what no one thought was possible: stood toe to toe with one of the biggest militaries, conceded no territory, and they pushed Russia's navy back in the Black Sea and opened a corridor to allow them to export grain and other products to the world," he said in another post. Russia on Friday launched its most extensive air attack on Ukraine since the commencement of the full-scale invasion, as reported by the Ukrainian military to CNN. The onslaught, characterised by an overwhelming number of drones and missiles, targeted various locations across the country, resulting in at least 31 fatalities and over 150 injuries. The wave of attacks that began on Thursday midnight, continued till Friday, encompassing key cities such as the capital Kyiv, the central city of Dnipro, the eastern city of Kharkiv, the southeastern port of Odesa, and the western city of Lviv--areas far removed from the frontlines. Disturbingly, even a maternity hospital in Dnipro was not spared from the assault, CNN reported. The scale of the assault was staggering, involving 158 drones and missiles, including hypersonic Kinzhal missiles, cruise missiles, and Shahed drones, according to Ukraine's air force. Yurii Ihnat, the spokesperson for Ukraine's air force, remarked on the unprecedented nature of the attack, stating, "It's been a long time since we have seen so many enemy targets on our monitors in all regions and all directions. Everything was being fired." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, responding to the devastating strikes, asserted that Russia employed "nearly every type of weapon in its arsenal" in what he described as "terrorist strikes." Zelensky pledged that Ukraine's military would respond to the aggression. The massive assault occurred in the aftermath of Ukraine's targeting of a Russian Navy landing ship in Crimea on Tuesday, dealing a significant blow to Moscow's Black Sea fleet. However, it also coincided with Ukraine receiving the final package of military aid from the United States, awaiting Congress's approval of the Biden administration's funding request. The US State Department on Thursday announced a military aid package worth USD 250 million. "This package provides up to USD 250 million of arms and equipment under previously directed drawdowns for Ukraine," Blinken said in a statement. The Biden administration has asked Congress for a supplemental package including more than USD 60 billion in aid for Ukraine. But the legislation is currently stalled as negotiators try to find a compromise on border security and immigration policy, key Republican demands as part of any deal, as reported by CNN. The Biden administration has repeatedly warned that its ability to provide aid to Ukraine was rapidly dwindling, forcing the Pentagon to stretch what little money it had left into smaller aid packages. In recent weeks, the United States has unveiled two security packages for Ukraine, valued at USD 200 million and USD 175 million, respectively. While these amounts are notably smaller compared to the more substantial aid packages earlier dispatched by the administration. Since Russia's invasion commenced in February 2022, the US has allocated over USD 46 billion in military aid to Ukraine. The security package disclosed on Wednesday operates under the Presidential Drawdown Authority, enabling swift deployment of resources directly from US stocks to Ukraine. This mechanism facilitates rapid assistance delivery. It's worth noting that the US has already fully utilised another vital form of aid--the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative. This initiative allows the Defence Department to engage with arms manufacturers, facilitating the acquisition of weapons for Kyiv, CNN reported. (ANI)
In a poignant video released by the WFP, an Afghan immigrant, deported after residing in Pakistan for 14 years, expressed sorrow over leaving with minimal belongings, underscoring the uncertainty that lies ahead.

In a significant move in regional immigration policies, Pakistan's interim government initiated the deportation of over 1.7 million undocumented Afghan immigrants in November.

The United Nations and the International Rescue Committee said that nearly half a million Afghans have been forcibly returned to Afghanistan from Pakistan in the past two months alone, as reported by Khaama Press.

Deputy Prime Minister of Afghanistan, Abdul Salam Hanafi, highlighted the staggering figure of 8,00,000 Afghan refugees deported by Pakistan and Iran.

Addressing the challenges faced by returnees, Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Acting Minister of Interior of the Taliban, urged for international standard treatment of Afghan immigrants, particularly emphasising the difficulties during the harsh winter months.

Against the backdrop of these forced deportations, Afghanistan grapples with a severe humanitarian crisis, with over 29 million Afghans estimated by the United Nations to be in need of aid.

Despite calls from human rights defenders urging Pakistan to halt the forced deportations, the Pakistani government persists in its policy, disregarding the appeals.

In response to the unfolding crisis, organisations such as the World Food Programme and Afghanistan's respective administrations have announced aid initiatives for returning refugees, seeking to alleviate the challenges faced by those forcibly repatriated, Khaama Press reported.(ANI)
The court wrapped up Javed's petition on Friday after the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Lahore withdrew the detention orders against her, as informed by the government lawyer during the proceedings. The lawyer submitted the notification issued by the DC office.

Her father, Javed Iqbal, had challenged the detention order, according to ARY News.

Earlier this month, the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) granted bail to PTI activist Sanam Javed in a case related to an attack on police outside Zaman Park on March 15. The ATC approved her bail plea, directing her to submit a bail bond of Pakistani rupees 2,00,000.

Sanam Javed's lawyer informed the court that, after securing bail in one case, the police arrested her in another. The lawyer appealed to the court to grant bail to Sanam Javed.

Notably, Sanam Javed is gearing up for a political challenge as she has announced her candidature in the upcoming general election. Her decision to contest pits her against prominent figures, including Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz President Shehbaz Sharif and the party's chief organiser, Maryam Nawaz.

The announcement was made by her father during a press briefing in Lahore on December 22. According to Iqbal, the process of securing his daughter's nomination papers took him almost a week.

Sanam Javed's mother said that she will run the election campaign for her daughter, ARY News reported. (ANI)
The Balochistan Post publishes news and articles on developments that have a particular impact on Balochistan and its political and social aspects.

These attacks have led to the death of at least one Pakistani soldier and caused injuries to several others.

BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch said in a statement on Wednesday that the BLA fighters targeted Pakistani forces post in the Balghani, Keshangi area of Noshki using snipers and heavy weapons.

According to the Balochistan Post, the assault resulted in the immediate death of one soldier and injured two others.

The BLA statement further detailed that on Thursday, in the Aabsir area near Balochi Bazaar in Turbat, their fighters executed an attack using grenade launchers.

Spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch claimed that this attack led to heavy losses for the Pakistani forces.

Moreover, on the evening of December 24, the BLA targeted a Pakistani forces checkpoint in Buleda with a grenade attack. the Balochistan Post reported.

According to the spokesperson, this resulted in severe injuries to two soldiers at the checkpoint.

At the end of the statement, Jeeyand Baloch emphasised the group's determination to continue such attacks until their goal of a free homeland is achieved.

As of the time of this report, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has not issued any statement regarding these attacks.

Such attacks on defence personnel and government employees are not uncommon in Balochistan. (ANI)
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A woman is seen inside a damaged house after an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on Dec. 29, 2023. At least 187 Palestinians were killed and 312 others were wounded in Israeli air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip during the past 24 hours, said the Gaza-based Health Ministry on Friday. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua)

At least 187 Palestinians were killed and 312 others were wounded in Israeli air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip during the past 24 hours, said the Gaza-based Health Ministry on Friday.

It raised the total death toll of Palestinians to 21,507 and injuries to 55,915 since the conflict broke out on Oct. 7, the ministry added.

Over the past 24 hours, intense Israeli bombardment and ground operations continued from air, land, and sea in most parts of the enclave, especially in the central and southern regions, said Palestinian security sources.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society announced that it is working with the Egyptian Red Crescent to establish the first organized refugee camp in Khan Younis, the largest city in the southern part of the enclave.

The camp, in its initial stage, will contain 300 tents, and the capacity will later be expanded to reach 1,000 tents to hold the displaced in the south, the organization said on the social media platform X.

Thousands of Palestinians have arrived in Rafah City in recent days, following the escalation of Israeli attacks in Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah in the southern territory. Rafah has now become the most populated area in Gaza, with over 12,000 inhabitants per square kilometer, said the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Meanwhile, the Israeli army announced that its forces are deepening their advance in Khan Younis and are operating for the first time in the Khuza'a area on the eastern outskirts of the city.

"So far, the forces have eliminated Palestinian militants and attacked several targets, including tunnel openings, tunnel routes and sites for launching anti-tank missiles," said Israeli spokesperson Avichay Adraee, adding the Israeli forces have found dozens of tunnel openings in Khan Younis and various weaponry, including Kalashnikov rifles, pistols, hand grenades, mines, rocket launchers, and mortar shells.

Israeli army is operating in the Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip for the fourth consecutive day, and are liquidating Palestinian militants in it, said Adraee.

For several days, the Israeli army has been urging residents of the Deir al-Balah governorate in central Gaza to evacuate to southern areas.

The targeted evacuation area includes about 90,000 people and six shelters accommodating about 61,000 internally displaced people, most of them from northern Gaza, according to UN estimates.
Union Minister of State Meenakashi Lekhi emphasised on Saturday that despite Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed being on the international list of terrorists, Pakistan has never reacted to it. On extradition request to Pakistan to hand over 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed, MoS MEA Meenakashi Lekhi stressed that Hafiz Saeed was behind a lot of incidents that have happened in India. "Everyone knows that Hafiz Saeed was behind the Mumbai attacks. A lot of incidents have happened in India and Hafiz Saeed was behind them as well," she told ANI "India has maintained this since the beginning and he is also on the international list of terrorists, but despite that, Pakistan has never reacted to that," she added. Lekhi further told ANI, that India has conveyed a request along with relevant supporting documents, to the Pakistan government to extradite him to India. "But, now once again, we have conveyed a request along with relevant supporting documents to the Government of Pakistan to extradite him to India (to face trial in a particular case)," she added. The Ministry of External Affairs on Friday that India had conveyed a request to the Pakistani government regarding the extradition of the 26/11 attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed to India for facing trial in a particular case. This comes after the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML), a political entity of Hafiz Saeed has fielded candidates for every national and provincial assembly constituency across Pakistan for the upcoming general elections slated to be held on February 8, 2024. Hafiz Saeed's son Talha Saeed is also going to contest the polls from National Assembly's constituency NA-127, Lahore, while PMML's central president Khalid Masood Sindhu is taking part from NA-130, against Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz supremo and former PM Nawaz Sharif. Allowing the radical outfits including Hafiz Saeed's son to contest polls in Pakistan, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi that Pakistan has been indulging in the mainstreaming of "radical outfits" as a part of its state policy, adding that India continues to monitor the situation as it has "serious security implications" for regional security. Addressing the weekly briefing, Bagchi said, "The person in question (Hafiz Saeed) is wanted in numerous cases in India. He is also a UN-proscribed terrorist. In this regard, we have conveyed a request along with relevant supporting documents, to the government of Pakistan to extradite him to India to face trial in a particular case. Muhammad Hafiz Saeed, who has been in jail since July 17, 2019, for other charges, was sentenced in April 2022 by a special anti-terrorism court in Lahore, Pakistan, to a jail term of 33 years for "financing terrorism." Despite being designated a terrorist by the UN and EU in the 2000s, Saeed was neither charged nor extradited over nearly two decades. Saeed was designated as a terrorist by the United Nations Security Council in December 2008. (ANI)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday presented the first copy of his book 'Why Bharat Matters' to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a post on X, EAM Jaishankar shared about his meeting with PM Modi saying, "Honoured to present the first copy of my book 'Why Bharat Matters' to PM @narendramodi this evening." Additionally, EAM also shared text from his new book which read, "India's quest to ascend the global hierarchy is an endless journey. But as we take stock of the progress made and anticipate the challenges ahead, it is certainly reassuring that this is propelled by such deep national commitment and confidence. Whether it is drawing strength from its heritage and culture or approaching challenges with the optimism of democracy and technology, this is certainly a New India. Indeed, an India that is able to define its own interests, articulate its own positions, find its own solutions and advance its own model. In short, this is an India that is more Bharat." https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1741080276573290746?s=20 Earlier, EAM Jaishankar said that the English edition of his new book 'Why Bharat Matters' would be out in early 2024. The EAM said, "The English edition of my new book 'Why Bharat Matters' would be out in early 2024. Do read." He wrote on X, "2023 has been exceptionally eventful for Indian diplomacy. Appreciating its challenges and outcomes means understanding the transformation underway, in the world as much as in India itself. Have set out some thoughts in that regard, through the perspective of the Ramayana. And contributing to the conversation on foreign policy." The meeting with PM Modi comes after EAM completed his visit to Russia from December 25 to 29 as a part of the ongoing high-level exchanges between the two sides. In a meeting with President Vladimir Putin, Jaishankar underscored the significant progress in India-Russia bilateral trade, surpassing USD 50 billion. Jaishankar emphasised the potential for further growth and the need to give the trade relationship a more sustainable character. Addressing key aspects of collaboration, the EAM discussed the nuclear sector, highlighting the signing of crucial agreements related to the Kudankulam project. He revealed the finalisation of a substantial agreement on nuclear fuel supply, indicating advancements in India-Russia cooperation in the nuclear domain. "The second aspect pertains to the nuclear side and we signed agreements yesterday that would take the Kudakulam project forward. And also, we have finalised a very significant agreement on nuclear fuel supply," he added. On his visit to Russia, Jaishankar signed three documents relating to the Kudan Kulam Nuclear Power Plants, an MoU on cooperation in pharmaceuticals and healthcare and a Protocol on Foreign Office Consultations according to a release of the Ministry of External affairs. During his visit, Jaishankar called on Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow and held discussions with the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Industry and Trade, Denis Manturov, as well as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sergey Lavrov. "Three documents relating to the Kudan Kulam Nuclear Power Plants, an MoU on cooperation in pharmaceuticals and healthcare and a Protocol on Foreign Office Consultations were signed during the visit," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a release. EAM had a comprehensive exchange of views on bilateral cooperation in trade and economics, energy, defence, connectivity, cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and cooperation between regions of the two countries. "He also shared perspectives on global and regional developments, including multilateral cooperation," the release added. Moreover, during his visit, he also interacted with Russian think tanks and academics and exchanged views on Indian foreign policy perspectives as well as Russia-India relations. The rich contribution of cultural ties and people-to-people exchanges in enhancing the goodwill and friendship between India and Russia was reflected in EAM's interaction with the Indian Diaspora in Moscow, according to the release. Later, EAM met the Governor, Alexander Beglov, in Saint Petersburg" and discussed possibilities of cooperation in the economic and cultural fields. He had a discussion with a diverse cross-section of Indologists at Saint Petersburg University," the release stated. Furthermore, EAM's visit to Russia provided an opportunity to review ongoing bilateral cooperation and consider ways to further strengthen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between the two countries. India-Russia relations have remained strong and steady, building upon strategic convergences, geopolitical interests, and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries. (ANI)
An Indian-Origin couple, along with their teen daughter, were found dead in a tragic incident at their mansion in the United States. The couple who died were identified as Rakesh Kamal, 57; his wife, Teena; and their daughter, Arianna, 18. On Thursday evening, at a sprawling 19,000-square-foot mansion in Dover, about 20 miles southwest of Boston, Norfolk County District, the family was found dead, Attorney Michael W. Morrissey said during a news conference on Friday. Morrissey added that at around 7:24 p.m. (local time), a family member who had gone over to see how the family was doing called 911. Morrissey stated that a preliminary inquiry indicates a "deadly incident of domestic violence" involving no outside parties. In order to not call the incident a murder-suicide, the attorney pointed out that the investigation is underway. "All I can tell you is there was a gun on the premises, and it was apparent to all those that went in that all three members of the family were dead," Morrissey said, adding that the handgun was found near Rakesh Kamal. "This is an event to remember that the domestic violence crisis crosses all economic and social classes," Morrissey said. "For anyone, especially around the holidays, if you feel unsafe in a relationship, I want to remind people that there is help out there, safety planning is available and can talk through your specific situation. This is very unfortunate and our heart goes out to the entire Kamal family," he said during the press conference. Further investigation is underway. (ANI)
Amidst all the wonders of our solar system  and as we know now, other solar systems  it may be all too easy to overlook the asteroids. But each asteroid is a whole world unto itself. And because there are more than a million known asteroids , our universe's wonders and mysteries exist in great abundance.

Indeed, asteroids brought some of this year's most fascinating astronomy stories. From asteroids with strange materials and missions returning pieces of distant rocks to Earth all the way to traces of RNA getting found in asteroid bits from the dawn of the solar system , here are 12 ways asteroids fascinated us in 2023.

1. Asteroid Phaethon's mysterious tail

Phaethon has a particularly odd orbit for an asteroid. At its farthest, it drifts as far from the sun as Jupiter does; at its nearest, it comes closer to the sun than any other known asteroid. It also flourishes a spectacular tail. It was the tail that raised a dilemma. If it were made from ice and carbon dioxide, a tail like this should still be visible at the most distant point in its orbit. Well, it isnt.

To investigate further, astronomers compared infrared observations of Phaethon from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope to the results of laboratory tests. When they did so, they found evidence of olivine, carbonates, iron sulfides and oxide minerals. This mineral palette marks Phaethon as a rare type of asteroid known as a "CY carbonaceous chondrite." As the asteroid approaches the sun, its interior heats up, and scientists realized those minerals release carbon dioxide, water vapor and sulfur gas, forming the tail.

"It was great to see how each one of the discovered minerals seemed to fall into place and also explain the behavior of the asteroid," Mikael Granvik, an astronomer from the University of Helsinki, said in a statement.

Read more here: Asteroid Phaethon's mysterious tail may finally have an explanation

2. A historic 4-billion-mile journey to Bennu

A capsule with a sample of asteroid Bennu inside, delivered to Earth on Sept. 24, 2023, by NASAs OSIRIS-REx mission, is seen shortly after touching down on the Department of Defenses Utah Test and Training Range.

On Sept. 8, 2016, OSIRIS-REx lifted off from Earth. 7 years and 4 billion miles later, the mission returned to Earth with a special delivery of samples from its destination: Asteroid Bennu .

OSIRIS-RExs planners chose Bennu as the missions target because the asteroid was believed to contain a relatively large amount of carbon-based material. OSIRIS-RExs delivery  likely adding up to about 250 grams (8.8 ounces) of Bennus dust and broken rock, packaged in a capsule that the mission parachuted into the Utah desert from 63,000 miles (101,000 km) away  will help scientists study whether asteroids like Bennu once helped bring water and organic material to Earth.

OSIRIS-RExs mission is very far from over. After visiting Earth, the spacecraft departed yet again. In 2029, the spacecraft will arrive at its next destination: The near-Earth asteroid Apophis .

Read more here: NASA's OSIRIS-REx lands samples of asteroid Bennu to Earth after historic 4-billion-mile journey

3. A strange 'Dinky' moon

two grey rocks tumble in space

Over the course of its mission, NASA's Lucy spacecraft is scheduled to encounter 10 different asteroids. The spacecraft passed the first item on its itinerary, the asteroid Dinkinesh, in early November. And as it did so, astronomers discovered Dinkinesh is actually a binary. Orbiting the main asteroid is a much smaller companion.

The picture became even more complex when astronomers realized Dinkinesh's "moon" is actually a contact binary: two objects touching each other. That makes Dinkinesh a ternary.

"I would have never expected a system that looks like this. In particular, I don't understand why the two components of the satellite have similar sizes. This is going to be fun for the scientific community to figure out, the Southwest Research Institute's Hal Levison, Lucys principal investigator, said in a statement.

Dinkinesh is a minor stop on Lucys route to its real destination: The Trojans, which are a bunch of asteroids that share Jupiter's orbit around the sun.

Read more here: Strange moon of asteroid Dinkinesh is weirder than thought after NASA probe finds 'contact binary

4. Hubble observes the incredible DART asteroid impact

A streak of blue glowing light is shown against a dark background of space. Around the streak are spots representing the boulders, each one circled to highlight the positions.

In September 2022, NASAs Double Asteroid Reduction Test (DART) crashed into the asteroid Dimorphos, successfully nudging the near-Earth space rock into a different orbit. 10 months later, NASA announced the Hubble Space Telescope had observed Dimorphos and spotted a swarm of loose boulders floating about the asteroid.

NASA suggested two ways the boulders might have formed. DART's collision might have sprouted a fountain of ejecta that threw rocks away from Dimorphos's surface. Or, alternatively, DART's impact might have spawned a seismic wave that sheared rocks off.

In the months since DART's impact, scientists have studied Dimorphos in hopes of understanding what the impact actually did to the asteroid. Hubble's image "tells us for the first time what happens when you hit an asteroid and see material coming out up to the largest sizes," David Jewitt, a planetary scientist at the University of California at Los Angeles, said in a statement.

Read more here: Hubble telescope spies cloud of space rocks created by DART asteroid impact

5. AI algorithms spur a 1st for astronomy

Images from the Atlas survey showing the potentially hazardous asteroid 2022 SF289 marked by red boxes

Tinier asteroids are often hard to spot in the night sky . For the human eye, that is. Enter, algorithms.

This year, astronomers used HelioLinc3D  an asteroid-hunting algorithm designed for use by Chiles under-construction Vera C. Rubin Observatory  to spot a near-Earth asteroid thats just 600 feet (180 meters) wide.

To test the algorithm before the Rubin Observatory's official opening, astronomers trained HelioLinc3D on pre-existing data from the ATLAS survey in Hawaii. During this endeavor, they discovered a body they have since named 2022 SF289.

2022 SF289 will come within 140,000 miles (225,000 kilometers) of Earth  close enough to earn it the label of Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (PHA). That doesn't mean it will impact Earth, however. It just means it'll probably pass close enough to our world to garner the attention of astronomers.

"This is just a small taste of what to expect with the Rubin Observatory in less than two years when HelioLinc3D will be discovering an object like this every night," Rubin scientist and HelioLinc3D team leader Mario Juric said.

Read more here: AI algorithm discovers 'potentially hazardous' asteroid 600 feet wide in a 1st for astronomy

6. The oddly shaped asteroid strikes again (not really)

Asteroid 2011 AG5 has a similar size and shape as the Empire State Buidling.

In 2011, astronomers discovered an asteroid that, they thought, had a slim chance of striking Earth in 2040. But in February 2023, that asteroid, called 2011 AG5, harmlessly jetted past Earth at a distance of 1.1 million miles (1.8 million kilometers). That's five times the distance from the Earth to the moon , for context.

But the close approach gave scientists at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) a golden opportunity to observe the asteroid up close. They measured it to be a weirdly elongated rock, approximately 1,600 feet (500 meters) long and 500 feet (150 m) wide.

"Of the 1,040 near-Earth objects observed by planetary radar to date, this is one of the most elongated we've seen," Lance Benner, a principal scientist at JPL, said in a statement.

2011 AG5 will indeed return in 2040, but astronomers now know that it will in fact miss Earth. It will take another close approach to our planet, though, falling around 670,000 miles (1.1 million kilometers) within the Earth's vicinity.

Read more here: Oddly shaped asteroid once considered an impact risk for Earth races past the planet

7. Earth has a new 'quasi-moon'

The asteroid 2016 HO3 has an orbit around the sun that keeps it as a constant companion of Earth.

In March, astronomers using the Pan-STARRS survey telescope in Maui spotted a peculiar asteroid very close to Earth. Other observatories around the world quickly confirmed the existence of what astronomers named 2023 FW13.

Citizen scientists found that 2023 FW13 is what astronomers called a "quasi-moon." It does not orbit the Earth as our (real) moon does, but instead exists in a complex orbit that keeps it within the Earth's general vicinity. At its closest, 2023 FW13 comes within about 9 million miles (15 million kilometers) of Earth.

Quasi-moons are fleeting, but astronomers now believe that 2023 FW13 has been in Earths environs since 100 B.C. and will remain there until around A.D. 3700. Earth has other quasi-moons, such as Kamo'oalewa , discovered in 2016, but 2023 FW13 may be the most stable ever found.

Read more here: Earth has a new 'quasi-moon' after discovery of newfound asteroid 2023 FW13

8. Giant space cushions

Japan's asteroid-sampling Hayabusa spacecraft took this photo of the space rock Itokawa in 2005.

JAXA s Hayabusa once visited Itokawa, a peanut-shaped asteroid  or, perhaps, a sea-otter-shaped asteroid  1,640 feet (500 meters) long. Now, scientists studying samples of Itokawa that Hayabusa returned to Earth found that Itokawa is actually a "rubble-pile asteroid." Its a collection of loose boulders and rocks clumped back together, riddled with pores and pockets within.

"In short, we found that Itokawa is like a giant space cushion, and very hard to destroy," Fred Jourdan, an astronomer at Curtin University in Australia, said in a statement.

In fact, because rubble-pile asteroids' pores make them especially resilient in the face of impacts, Itokawa is a relic of the ancient solar system: It has survived remarkably unchanged for some 4.2 billion years.

Knowing an asteroid's consistency is important for planetary defense . If we wish to redirect a hazardous asteroid by striking it with a DART-like impact, the asteroid's structure could be mark difference between a gentle push and a deadly disintegration.

Read more here: Rubble-pile asteroids are 'giant space cushions' that live forever

9. The James Webb Space Telescope had to be on this list

NASAs James Webb Space Telescope captured this image of the dusty debris disk surrounding the young star Fomalhaut using its Mid-Infrared Instrument. The image reveals three nested belts extending out to 14 billion miles (23 billion kilometers) from the star. The inner belts were revealed by Webb for the first time.

Fomalhaut is a young, hot star lying about 25 light-years away from our solar system. Since 1983, astronomers have known the stellar body was surrounded by a ring of dusty debris. But this year, when they pointed JWST in Fomalhaut's direction, they snapped an image showing that the ring actually contained three distinct rings.

Fomalhaut's nested debris rings are more complex than either our own asteroid belt or the Kuiper Belt that extends beyond Neptune . The most distant of the trio extends for 14.3 billion miles (23 million kilometers)  which is about 150 times the distance between Earth and the sun. And the distinct gaps between the rings, astronomers suggest, could be evidence of planets nestled within.

Astronomers think these rings are unlike protoplanetary disks that coalesce into planets. Rather, these rings likely formed later, after the debris from post-solar system collisions had already formed.

Read more here: James Webb Space Telescope snaps amazing photo of alien asteroid belt

10. RNA found in sample from asteroid Ryugu

In March, scientists studying rock samples of the asteroid Ryugu  brought back to Earth by JAXA's Hayabusa2  revealed that they had found uracil, one of four nucleobases that make RNA.

Ryugu is an example of a carbon-rich asteroid type called a "CI chondrite." Astronomers had previously found three of RNA's other nucleobases  adenine, guanine and cytosine  in CI chondrites that had fallen to Earth as meteorites . But "one could not completely exclude the possibility that they were terrestrial contaminants," Yasuhiro Oba of Hokkaido University in Japan told Space.com.

Now, however, astronomers have solid evidence that an RNA base exists in material that formed before the planets because we have proof of the fourth RNA component, uracil. This suggests that the building blocks of life were present in asteroid material from the very early solar system  and that life elsewhere in the universe might contain RNA and DNA, just like life on Earth.

Read more here: Building block of life found in sample from asteroid Ryugu

11. The periodic table may extend way farther than we thought

33 Polyhymnia is an unremarkable 34 miles (55 kilometers) wide. But on the inside, this member of the asteroid belt is anything but unremarkable.

Astronomers believe Polyhymnia is denser than osmium, the densest naturally occurring element on Earth. Polyhymnia is an example of what astronomers call a compact ultra dense object (CUDO).

What makes CUDOs tick remains a mystery. But theoretical physicists have identified one possible answer: super-heavy elements with atomic numbers greater than 164, far beyond the periodic table as we know it. Those elements, their mathematics suggest, may have densities above osmium.

If the research has weight, then it invites further questions about how far, exactly, the periodic table can extend. The higher the atomic number, the less stable elements become, until you reach atoms that don't last even a fraction of a second before decaying into lighter elements. For that reason, the heaviest element we know is oganesson, number 118.

But these physicists suggest that above 164 lies an "island of stability," where elements can last long enough to leave their mark on asteroids.

Read more here: Nearby asteroid may contain elements 'beyond the periodic table', new study suggests

12. The journey to a bizarre metal asteroid

a triple booster rocket blasts off from a launch tower with a blue hazy sky behind

Of all the asteroids on this list, 16 Psyche's most famous days are still in the future. That is because NASA's mission of the same name , which launched on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Kennedy Space Center on Oct. 13 this year, has barely embarked on its journey to its namesake asteroid.

Psyche isnt like most of its neighbors in the asteroid belt. It is primarily made of metal. More specifically, scientists think it's composed of up to 95% nickel and iron. Those elements also happen to be predominant in Earths core, which makes astronomers wonder if Psyche isn't actually something very similar: a core of a planet that never formed.

There are other metal-rich asteroid candidates like Psyche, but Psyche is the largest and best-studied of them all. And studying it could give scientists a great amount of insight into planetary innards and how they form.

Psyche the spacecraft's voyage has barely begun. It must encounter Mars first, an encounter scheduled for 2026, before getting a gravitational boost that will carry it onward to Psyche the asteroid by 2029.

Read more here: SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket launches NASA's Psyche probe to bizarre metal asteroid
Scenic view of frozen lake against sky during winter, Minnesota, United States. Alex Lupu/Getty Images

122 anglers were stranded on an ice floe that broke off from the shoreline of a Minnesota lake.

Bystanders attempted a rescue by canoe, but four individuals fell into the open water.

Emergency responders using boats and hovercraft successfully evacuated all the stranded fishermen.

One hundred and twenty-two anglers were rescued from an ice floe on the Upper Red Lake in Minnesota on Friday evening, the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office wrote in a press release on social media.

The anglers were stranded in a southeastern lake area after a sheet of floating ice detached from the main shoreline. Thirty feet of open water separated the stranded group from dry land after the floe broke off.

Before emergency responders arrived, bystanders attempted a rescue with a canoe, resulting in four individuals falling into the freezing water. They were quickly pulled back on to the ice floe and kept warm in a fishing shelter.

Local emergency teams responded to a call to the Beltrami County Emergency Communications Center at 4:57 pm, undertaking a coordinated effort to evacuate those stranded on the ice safely.

An Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Wireless Emergency Alert guided anglers on the ice to the designated evacuation area.

Rescuers using boats and hovercraft reached the group at 6:40 p.m. There were no reported injuries, including among the four individuals who fell from the canoe into the water.

Dramatic footage showed rescuers battling blizzard conditions as night fell to save the fishermen stranded on the lake close to the Canadian border.

Sheriff Jason Riggs praised the efficiency and speed of the local emergency responders. Because of their successful response, additional state resources requested for assistance were canceled.

The day before the incident, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources shared a news release warning of poor ice conditions across the state due to unseasonably warm weather.

According to the DNR, there had been at least three ice-angler rescues from Upper Red Lake between December 17  when 35 people needed to be rescued  and the major operation on Friday.

When the incident took place, Beltrami County was reportedly experiencing a temperature of 33.8F, or 1C.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Minnesota authorities have rescued more than 100 fishermen from a large ice chunk that detached and drifted more than 30 feet from shore.

Authorities rescued all 122 fishermen from the ice floe on 29 December with no reported injuries, according to a statement from the Beltrami County Sheriffs Office. Emergency responders and local agencies rescued everyone before 8pm that evening, less than three hours after receiving the initial call.

Just before 5pm on Friday, authorities received a call alerting them to a group of people stuck on an ice floe in Minnesotas Upper Red Lake. Initial reports indicated no one had fallen through the ice, according to the statement. There was more than 30 feet of open water between the floe and the shore.

Before authorities arrived, bystanders attempted to rescue them using a canoe. However, four people fell into the water and were taken back to the ice floe to warm in a nearby fishing shelter, according to the Beltrami County Sheriffs Office.

Everyone was back on land before 8pm that day, the statement reads.

Just a day prior, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Enforcement warned that ice conditions were poor due to a lack of consecutive cold days to form new ice.

This isnt the first time this month that authorities have had to respond to ice-related emergencies on Upper Red Lake.

On 17 December, authorities rescued 35 people from detached ice that drifted 40-50 feet from shore, Minnesota Public Radio reported.

Two days later, a plane attempted to make an ice landing on Upper Red Lake  instead, the nose broke through thin ice, partially submerging the plane, the Beltrami County Sheriffs Office said in a statement . The occupants self-evacuated with the help of bystanders.
A 14-year-old California boy has been arrested for allegedly murdering his parents and seriously wounding his sister, the Fresno County Sheriffs Office said Friday night.

The violent incident unfolded around 7:40 pm Wednesday at a home in the rural Fresno suburb of Miramonte. Officers said they responded to a 911 call from the boy, who claimed a man broke into their home with a gun and a knife, attacked his family, and fled in a silver pickup truck.

Upon arriving at the scene, deputies discovered the boys parents dead and his 11-year-old sister badly wounded from multiple weapons.

His parents were later identified as father Lue Yang and mother Se Vang, both 37.

The young girl was rushed to the hospital, where she underwent emergency surgery. She was previously listed in critical condition, though authorities say shes expected to survive.

Another young boy, reportedly 7 years old, was also in the home but was not wounded in the attack.

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After speaking with the 14-year-old, deputies said they found inconsistencies in his story.

The evidence ultimately showed that he had fabricated the story of a break-in and was responsible for using multiple weapons to attack his mom, his dad and his sister, said Fresno County Sheriff John Zanoni in a Friday press conference.

He did not confirm what weapons were used. Authorities were still searching the property for potential weapons on Friday.

When individuals live in rural areas of Fresno County like up there in the mountains, those individuals tend to have weapons readily available, whether it be knives, firearms, things like that, Zanoni added.

The suspect, whose name has not been released due to his age, was booked into juvenile detention. Hes been charged with two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.

A motive for the attack has not been determined.
A 14-year-old boy is in custody on suspicion of murder in connection with the slaying of his parents Wednesday night in the foothills community of Miramonte, Fresno County Sheriff John Zanoni said in an update Friday afternoon.

Lue Yang, the father, and Se Vang, the mother, both 37, were shot to death in their home and the boys 11-year-old sister suffered major injuries, apparently at the hands of her brother, the sheriff said during a news conference. The girl, who was not identified, is being treated at a Fresno hospital where she underwent emergency surgery.

The boy, who is being held in Fresno County juvenile hall, also faces an attempted murder charge due to the injuries to his sister, Zanoni said.

The tragedy of the situation is of such a high magnitude because two children have lost their mother and father due to the actions by their other sibling, the sheriff said.

A Fresno County Sheriffs Office cruiser blocks the road near the 47000 block of Dunlap Road in Miramonte after a double homicide on Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023, according to deputies. FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

Initially, deputies were told by the boy in a 911 call that his family members were attacked in a home invasion by a person in a pickup who fled the scene.

But the sheriff said detectives at the crime scene in the 14000 block of Dunlap Road established inconsistencies in his story and determined that he used multiple weapons owned by the family to attack family members.

Uninjured in the attacks was the boys 7-year-old brother, who is now being care for by relatives.

Zanoni said Friday that detectives do not know why the younger brother was not attacked by the 14-year-old.

The sheriff said there were no previous calls for service at the home and authorities had no previous reports of violence involving the young suspect.

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MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Memphis Police are searching for the suspect responsible for a robbery at a northeast Memphis Waffle House Friday afternoon, the second Waffle House robbery in one day.

According to reports, officers responded to the Waffle House located at 1550 Sycamore View Road at 4:15 p.m.

They were advised that a man approached the walk-up window, pulled out a handgun, and demanded the cashier to open the register.

Police say the man reached through the window, grabbed the cash register, and fled the scene on foot.

The suspect is described by police as a man wearing a black face mask, white shirt, black pants with white lettering on the lower right leg, and white shoes. He is reportedly armed with a handgun.

This is the second Waffle House robbery in less than 24 hours.

A Waffle House in Cordova on Germantown Parkway and Varnavas Road was also robbed at gunpoint early Friday morning, just after 1 a.m.

3 armed suspects rob Waffle House in Cordova

Reports say an employee was told that a car with three armed men inside had been surrounding her vehicle. She reportedly went outside to move her car and left the door to the business open.

The suspects went inside and stole cash from the employees and approximately $400 from the register, reports say.

The men fled the scene and have not yet been located.

Anyone with information regarding these incidents should call Crime Stoppers at 901-528-CASH.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
The majority of natural disasters last year fell upon poor and middle-income countries that have contributed little to climate change, according to a new report.

A study released by the London-based charity Christian Aid tallied the 20 most costly extreme weather incidents of 2023, from wildfires in Hawaii to a cyclone in Malawi.

While the financial cost of the disasters was concentrated in rich countries which have more to lose, the largest number of incidents afflicted poorer countries such as Haiti, Chile, and Peru.

The charity's chief executive Patrick Watt said the figures revealed a "global postcode lottery"  that is, a disparity based on involuntary factors such as geographic location  in the impact of climate change.

Many scientists and international organisations argue that the warming of the Earth due to greenhouse gas emissions is increasing the severity of natural disasters around the world.

When it comes to the climate crisis, there is a global postcode lottery that is stacked against the poor," Mr Watt said.

"In poorer countries, people are often less prepared for climate-related disasters and have fewer resources with which to bounce back. The upshot is that more people die, and recovery is slower and more unequal.

"There is a double injustice in the fact that the communities worst affected by global warming have contributed little to the problem."

He called on rich countries that have contributed the most to climate change to devote more money to helping poor countries mitigate and repair the damage from extreme weather.

The most expensive disaster on Christian Aid's list, relative to the population of the country it affected, was August's wildfires in Hawaii, which killed at least 98 people and cost an estimated $4,161 per capita.

Second and third on the list were Typhoon Mawar in the US territory of Guam, at $1,455 per capita, and Tropical Cyclone Lola in Vanuatu, at $947 per capita.

Other countries on the list included New Zealand, Libya, Spain, Haiti, Mexico, China, and Malawi. The USA and Peru appeared three times, while Chile and New Zealand appeared twice.

But twelve of the top 20 incidents afflicted countries which ranked below the median in terms of their lifetime carbon dioxide emissions as of 2022, according to figures from Our World in Data.

The majority of incidents also happened in countries ranked below the top 50 in terms of GDP per capita.
2023 was a chaotic mess.

Next year's calendar is already jam-packed with primaries and trial dates.

Buckle up!

2023 has been one for the books.

Between a prolonged fight to choose a House speaker, a second prolonged fight to pick a new speaker after the first one got sacked, responding to a war in Gaza, funding an ongoing war in Ukraine, a near-government shutdown, a months-long block of military promotions, George Santos, 91 felony charges levied against former President Donald Trump, and GOP presidential hopefuls looking to make a name for themselves against Trump in the coming election, it's been a chaotic year for American politics.

Unfortunately, 2024 isn't shaping up to be any less hectic as next year's calendar has already filled up before the year's even begun.

Two overarching stories are poised to shape 2024's news coverage: Trump's slew of legal battles and the presidential election itself, where it seems all but certain he'll be the Republican nominee taking on President Joe Biden in a rematch of the 2020 election.

Trump is once again set to take the spotlight

Then-President Donald Trump dances at the end of a rally in Bern Township, Pennsylvania on October 31, 2020. Ben Hasty/MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty Images

The embattled former president is currently embroiled in a slew of legal battles in Georgia, New York, Washington, DC, and Florida over alleged attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, a hush-money scheme with a porn star, and mishandling classified information.

The first major trial of 2024 for Trump, outside his ongoing legal battle in New York regarding the valuation of The Trump Organization, is set to begin in Washington, DC, in March, just one day before the "Super Tuesday" presidential primaries.

He's then scheduled to appear for his Florida classified documents trial in May and possibly the Georgia elections case in August.

Trump's legal proceedings will play an incredibly large influence on the 2024 election at large. If convicted and sent to prison, he could still technically run for president, but the GOP may ultimately deem it a better idea to coalesce around a different candidate altogether.

The former president and his legal team have argued that as president of the United States during the January 6 insurrection, he has absolute immunity from being prosecuted for his actions  though at least one judge has already shut down the defense.

Special Counsel Jack Smith recently petitioned the Supreme Court to rule on Trump's immunity claim to try and put a definitive end to it. The Supreme Court has since agreed to deliberate on the matter, and quickly.

Positioning for second place

Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and Vivek Ramaswamy at the GOP presidential debate on November 8, 2023. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Though Biden and Trump appear to be the clear presidential nominees for their respective political parties, a handful of Republican candidates are still battling it out to see who'll likely end up in second place.

Once considered the leading challenger of Trump's in the race, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has sunk in polls over the past few months as former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley's slowly risen and is on pace to overtake him.

Several of the remaining GOP candidates will likely remain in the race for several more months to see if they can capitalize on the unlikely event Trump drops out and a power vacuum emerges for the Republican nomination.

Primary elections will occur until mid-June, about a month before the GOP's official nominee is crowned at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Government funding again

Traditionally, it's usually in the latter months of the year when members of Congress debate and quarrel about funding the US government. After becoming speaker of the House in late October, Mike Johnson led Congress to pass  and Biden to sign into law  an odd funding approach.

Under Johnson's leadership, the government is funded until the end of 2023, however, Congress now has until mid-January to fund the military and until February to fund several other key government agencies.

The plan, which has been called the "craziest, stupidest thing I've ever heard of" by one senator, means that the already-fractured House will have to reach an agreement on several occasions just to keep government employees paid.

Republicans are looking into Biden and his family

After the House twice voted to impeach Trump, congressional Republicans have looked to impeach Biden and prosecute his son, Hunter, in response.

Republicans in the House voted earlier in December to launch an impeachment inquiry into the Democratic president. If the inquiry returns any information GOP investigators deem worthy of impeachment, the House and Senate could hold publicized hearings and trials on the matter, similar to Trump's impeachment in 2019.

And federal prosecutors recently charged Hunter Biden with evading $1.4 million in taxes about the same time House Republicans subpoenaed him to testify in a deposition behind closed doors.

With these investigations and proceedings into the Bidens already underway, they'll likely continue to come into play in the 2024 calendar year.

The vast majority of newsworthy moments in politics in 2023 were unplanned and unpredictable, and the year ended up being one of the most chaotic non-election years in recent US political history.

2024 is already looking like it'll easily match the jam-packed year of news that 2023 shaped up to be.

Read the original article on Business Insider
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON)  Three San Francisco firefighters were injured after two San Francisco Fire Department vehicles were involved in a crash on Friday, the fire department confirmed. The firefighters all have moderate injuries and are expected to recover.

The crash happened while the fire department was responding to a reported fire incident at California Street and Lyon Street just before 3 p.m., SFFD said. The SFFD vehicles involved were Engine 10 and Truck 10.

Three parked cars were damaged, SFFD said. When reached, the fire department would not confirm if other cars were involved.

As with any injury collision, this incident will be investigated by the San Francisco Police Department traffic unit, SFFD said.

The cause of the crash has not been determined yet, the San Francisco Police Department said. Anyone with information is asked to contact SFPD at (415) 575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411 and begin the message with SFPD.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
Three people, including a teenager, are facing charges in connection to an animal abuse case in Clearfield County.

According to NBC affiliate WJAC, an English Mastiff named Duke was found on Steep Hill Road in Greenwood Township on Friday, Nov. 24.

Investigators said the dog was found in deplorable health with a shoestring around its mouth.

Duke was taken to an animal hospital in Pittsburgh, where a veterinarian found he had been shot in the head, WJAC reports.

Three suspects, a 60-year-old man, a 31-year-old woman and a 16-year-old boy all admitted to abusing the dog.

Multiple charges are being filed, WJAC said, including aggravated cruelty to animals and animal neglect.

The suspects have not been identified.

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I spent three weeks in Dubai in December for the UN Climate Summit.

I dressed modestly but learned that's not required, and made time for Emirati heritage in Sharjah.

Before my trip, I also spoke to human rights groups about press and political freedom.

I spent three weeks in Dubai this December, mostly covering the UN Climate Summit, or COP28, for Business Insider. I also made time for some sightseeing.

This was my first trip to the United Arab Emirates, so my knowledge of local customs, press, and political freedom was limited. I also didn't know about many tourist attractions, aside from the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building) and Dubai Mall (which has over 1,200 shops).

I researched local customs and press freedom in advance but learned a lot along the way.

Here are my top takeaways:

I dressed modestly but was surprised that many others didn't

I packed a lot of long-sleeved blouses, blazers, and maxi dresses, both because I wanted to look professional at work and because Islam is the UAE's official religion, and I wanted to respect local customs.

Catherine Boudreau/Business Insider

However, I quickly learned that only 11% of the country's population is Emirati, according to the World Bank . The vast majority are expats from countries like India, Pakistan, China, Indonesia, and the US. Many are migrant workers in the country's booming construction industry who work in extreme heat, an issue human rights groups have raised alarm about .

What people wear in Dubai reflects the diverse population and the 14 million tourists who visit the city annually.

My blazers were OK for working in air conditioning, but I wish I had packed a few more light, summery dresses for the time I spent sightseeing since it's hot in Dubai. Temperatures hit nearly 90 degrees Fahrenheit, or 32 degrees Celsius, each day in early December.

Make time to visit Sharjah if you're interested in Emirati heritage

The restored Al-Hisn Fort in Sharjah's heritage area. Walter Bibikow/Getty Images

I saw some of the most well-known Dubai attractions, including the water park and Burj Khalifa. But I recommend spending some time in Sharjah to learn about Emirati culture.

It's the third-most populous city in UAE and one of seven Emirates that make up the country. Depending on traffic, Sharjah is about 25 minutes to an hour north of Dubai. The best way to get there is by taxi, which could cost up to $30, according to locals I spoke with.

There's a heritage area in Sharjah where you can visit museums showcasing the region's history and traditions, shop at souq markets, and see the seaport. Before the Emirates discovered oil, the economy was driven by fishing, trade, and pearl diving.

Make sure to try Luqaimat, fried dough balls covered in date syrup, and karak chai. The Middle Eastern tea is sweet and spiced with cardamom, clove, and cinnamon.

Luqaimat is a deep-fried dough covered with data syrup. Catherine Boudreau/Business Insider

I'm glad I spoke to human rights groups ahead of my trip

Most of my time in Dubai was spent reporting on the UN climate summit.

Before leaving, I researched the history of the UAE and how its rise as a major oil producer had shaped the young country into the opulent international metropolis it is. I also spoke to human rights groups to learn about the country's track record on press and political freedom because there often are protests at UN climate summits.

Protesters called for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war on Saturday at the UN climate summit in Dubai. Catherine Boudreau/Business Insider

Speech is tightly restricted in UAE and dozens of political dissidents have been jailed, human rights groups said . For these reasons, I wanted to be careful, especially when interacting with local residents.

While I could report on anything and protests were allowed at Expo City in Dubai, that was only because UN rules applied within the venue. For locals living and working in the UAE year-round, it's a different set of rules.

Read the original article on Business Insider
WOONSOCKET  Four people were injured Friday afternoon when one man stabbed another in the parking lot of a shopping plaza and then led police on a pursuit that ended in a crash, according to city police.

None of the injuries, including a stabbing wound suffered in the lot of Park Square Shopping Center, were life-threatening, said Police Chief Thomas F. Oates III.

Police pursuit rolls from Woonsocket into North Smithfield and back

Police went to the parking lot at about 2:45 p.m. and learned that the stabbing suspect was fleeing the property in a vehicle, Oates said.

Officers at the scene tried to stop the vehicle, which left the lot and led police down several different roads, he said. The route included a run into North Smithfield, near large box stores on Dowling Village Boulevard, and back into Woonsocket.

Wreckage on Providence Street in Woonsocket on Friday afternoon. Police said its driver was a stabbing suspect who was fleeing officers, ran a stop sign on Ballou Street and was hit broadside by a vehicle on Providence Street.

The fleeing suspect was on Ballou Street when he ran a stop sign and into the path of a vehicle on Providence Street, Oates said.

The broadside crash threw the fleeing vehicle into a rollover, Oates said.

At the time of the crash, he said, police were not immediately behind the fleeing vehicle.

Distraught man on bridge stared into the Blackstone River below him. Police recount rescue.

Firefighters attended to the young woman driving the other vehicle and her sister, Oates said. One of the sisters suffered minor injuries and was taken to Hasbro Children's Hospital in the company of her sister, he said.

Police needed the vehicle's windshield removed to get the stabbing suspect out of the Hyundai.

Oates described the man's injuries as "substantial but not life-threatening." He was taken to Rhode Island Hospital, he said.

The victim of the stabbing had a stab wound to his lower leg. A knife was recovered from the scene, Oates said. An investigation continues.

Three high-profile stabbings in Rhode Island this week

Friday's stabbing in Woonsocket follows two other high-profile knife attacks in Rhode Island.

On Wednesday, a 28-year-old woman was killed and her mother critically wounded in a knife attack in Providence.

On Wednesday night in Pawtucket, police said, a woman suffered serious lacerations to her arm.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Police: Pursuit of stabbing suspect leads from store lot to crash scene
The Clay County North Carolina Sheriffs Office said a 50-year-old Towns County woman was arrested after a traffic stop on U.S. Highway 64.

According to North Carolina deputies, Brenda Anne Baldwin, of Hiawassee, was driving a Jeep Patrion near Fires Creek Road in Hayesville, N.C. when she was pulled over.

Deputies checked her identification and found she had an outstanding warrant from Towns County and she was arrested.

When asked by deputies if she had any drugs on her person, she said she did not.

A sergeant at the scene told her that if she entered their county detention center with drugs, she would face extra charges in addition to possession of drugs she had.

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While en route to the Clay County Detention Center, Baldwin told deputies she had drugs in her sock.

At the facility, a white crystal-like substance suspected to be methamphetamine and 14 green pills suspected of being a Schedule IV Controlled Substance were taken out of Baldwins sock, according to the sheriffs office.

She was charged with felony possession of methamphetamine and unlawful possession of a Schedule IV Controlled Substance, deputies said.

Since Baldwin later told deputies that she did have drugs in her sock, she was not charged with the more serious offense of bringing drugs into a detention facility, the sheriffs office said.

As a result of the outstanding warrant from Georgia for her arrest, Baldwin was not allowed bond for release.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A Salem 911 dispatcher is suing the city for $1 million, claiming her manager would not reschedule an exam for her promotion in order for her to attend the trial of her accused rapist, according to court documents.

The lawsuit  filed Dec. 21 against the City of Salem and Scott Leavell, the plaintiffs manager at Willamette Valley Communications Center  claims the woman was retaliated against and intimidated after she was denied the opportunity to reschedule a promotion interview and exam that was slated for the same day she was set to attend the trial of her accused rapist.

While her attacker pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of second-degree sexual abuse shortly before the trial, the womans attorneys tell KOIN 6 News that her rights were still violated under Oregon law.

Elon Musk agrees with Dogecoin creator: Portland is terrible

When her employer took away the promotion process and or intimidated her not to exercise her free speech right to petition to court, they violated her First Amendment rights, Sean Riddell, the plaintiffs attorney said.

Riddell says the woman was hired as a 911 call taker in Oct. 2018 and applied for a Communications Specialist position in August 2023, which would have included a pay raise.

After requesting a different interview date in order to attend the trial in Multnomah County, agents with the city told her they could not move her interview date and they would not accommodate her attendance at the criminal trial, court documents allege.

According to court documents, the agents told the plaintiff she could complete the interview process at 7 a.m. the day of the trial, noting it would take several hours. The plaintiff then told the city that it was not accommodating her testimony because she would be late for the trial.

4 feet below: Mt. Hood sees worst ski season start in 34 years

The agents then told her she could keep her hat in the ring in case her trial was moved to a different date like it had been prior, the suit alleges.

The plaintiff emailed the Salem agents and her manager informing them she was subpoenaed for the court proceedings, and pointed to a provision in the Oregon Constitution that gives crime victims the right to be present at any critical stage of open court proceedings when the defendant will be present, court documents say.

In response to the email, her manager cancelled her promotion process, the plaintiff alleges.

You feel violated: Artichoke music store struggling after multiple break-ins

The City of Salem declined to comment on the pending litigation, but KOIN 6 News obtained an audio recording of the meeting after the woman claims she was called to attend with management after telling friends and coworkers about their decision not to accommodate the trial.

We cant step on concerted activity; we cant step on freedom of speech. But what we can say is if its malicious, if its not factual and its not truthful, we do have the opportunity to go a different direction. We dont want to do that; were having a conversation with you simply to say this, management said in the recorded meeting.

In addition to arguing First Amendment rights violations, the plaintiff furthers that she suffered economic losses and emotional distress.

I am the victim of a rape, that hasnt been four years in the making, and my trial is not being accommodated, the plaintiff told KOIN 6 News.

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KOIN 6 News reached out to Leavell but has not heard back.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
In this photo provided by Nikki Chung, Mohammad Hussain Musawi, center, stands with his flight instructor, left, and Darin Chung, co-founder of the Afghan American Development Group, a nonprofit that helps former Afghan military aviation personnel with refugee resettlement assistance in the U.S., at a flight hangar in Independence on April 7. Musawi and two other Afghan Air Force pilots lost their lives when a small plane that he was piloting crashed near Independence on Dec. 16.

A former Afghan Air Force pilot training for a commercial license ignored his flight instructor's advice to not return to the Independence State Airport because of low visibility earlier in December. The plane later crashed near the airport, killing the pilot and the other two passengers on board, according to a preliminary federal report of the accident released Friday.

All three men killed in the accident Dec. 16 were former Afghan pilots who fought with the American military. Local nonprofit Salem for Refugees said it resettled the men in the Salem area last spring.

The pilot, Mohammad Hussain Musawi, 35, and the two passengers, Mohammad Bashir Safdari, 35, and Ali Jan Ferdawsi, 29, died in the crash in Independence, which caused a brush fire and power outage.

The National Transportation Safety Boards report said an examination of the airframe and the engine of the Cessna 172G airplane revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures.

The planes owner allowed the pilot to use the Cessna to get his private pilots certificate and to obtain his instrument rating and commercial pilots certificate, the report said.

Musawi told his flight instructor that he and a pilot-rated passenger would fly from Independence to the McMinnville airport to practice instrument approaches, the report said.

Two approaches were made at McMinnville before the plane landed. The flight instructor, who was electronically monitoring the flight, called Musawi and advised him not to return to Independence because of low visibility of about 500 feet due to fog, the report said.

Musawi told the instructor that he would fly to Independence, assess the situation and either attempt to land, divert to Salem or return to McMinnville, the report said. He also said he had picked up a second pilot-rated passenger in McMinnville.

Air traffic control recordings indicate the pilot made two position reports on approach that included his intention to land in Independence, the report said. He also electronically activated the pilot-controlled landing lights to medium intensity.

The pilot overshot the runway to the east, overcorrected and overshot it to the west and came to rest inverted on the edge of an open field next to airport property, the report said.

A fire reduced the fuselage to ash, but the wings did not catch on fire, the report said. The engine had separated from the airplane, and it was found about 60 feet northwest of the main wreckage, the report said.

The plane likely first hit an 80-foot utility pole, located about 60 feet southeast of the wreckage.

The pole was in three pieces. The top 4 feet of the pole shattered and was strewn in the wreckage. The middle section, about 12 feet in length, fell onto the right wing, and about 69 feet of the original pole remained standing.

The report noted the pole had a dual-lamp, red warning light attached to the top, and it was also found in the wreckage. At least one power line was found among the wreckage.

NTSB preliminary reports dont assign a cause to airplane crashes, but more information is usually contained in final reports released months later.

More than 1,400 Afghans have resettled as refugees in Oregon since 2021, according to the states department of human services.

The pilots families have remained in Afghanistan while waiting to be able to come to the U.S., according to the Afghan American Development Group, a nonprofit that helps some 600 former Afghan military aviation personnel with refugee resettlement, job training and family reunification.

The group created a GoFundMe page to help support the pilots' families and cover funeral expenses. The men hadnt seen their families since August 2021, when the Taliban swept back to power after seizing the Afghan capital Kabul.

As the Taliban advanced on Kabul, the pilots were among those who flew their aircraft, under fire, to the neighboring country of Tajikistan to prevent Air Force equipment from falling into the hands of the groups fighters, said Russ Pritchard, the nonprofits CEO.

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Pilot in fatal Oregon plane crash ignored instructor: Report
Ukrainian forces shot down five of the 10 Shahed "kamikaze" drones launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force reported on Dec. 30.

The attack unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) were reportedly launched from Cape Chauda in Russian-occupied Crimea, mainly targeting Kherson Oblast.

In Kherson, the UAVs hit a local representative office of the Ombudsman, causing significant damage, Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets wrote on his Telegram channel.

Windows of several surrounding buildings were also damaged, Kherson Oblast Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said.

No casualties were reported in Kherson as a result of the attack.

Ukrainian air defenses also downed one Shahed drone over Mykolaiv Oblast and two over Khmelnytskyi Oblast, regional officials said.

The latest drone strikes come only a day after a massive wave of attacks on Dec. 29 that killed at least 39 people and injured over 160 others in multiple oblasts of Ukraine.

Read also: Hit the Kremlin: Kyivans dont hold back after Russias mass attack kills 9, wounds 30 in the capital

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
An Albanian court has ordered house arrest for former Prime Minister Sali Berisha, who leads the opposition Democratic Party:

He is being investigated for alleged corruption.

Judge Irena Gjoka accepted prosecutors request to put 79-year-old Berisha under house arrest after he violated the previous restrictive measures of reporting every two weeks.

He was also barred from travelling abroad.

Berisha's lawyer, Genc Gjokutaj, said the court has also barred Berisha from communicating with people other than members of his family who live with him.

Gjokutaj said he would appeal the court order, with members of his legal team saying: None of the legal criteria required for imposing or escalating such restrictions are met in this case.

Albanian media outlets reported the arrival of police officers at Berishas apartment in downtown Tirana. It is not clear how officers planned to monitor him.

Last week, parliament voted to strip Berisha of his legal immunity. Lawmakers loyal to Berisha tried to disrupt the session and boycotted the vote.

Berisha has criticised the investigation of him and his arrest as political repression ordered by Prime Minister Edi Rama. He has warned of powerful protests.

Depriving Berisha of communication may become a wider political issue because hes the leader of the main opposition party.

In October, prosecutors publicly put Berisha under investigation for allegedly abusing his post to help his son-in-law, Jamarber Malltezi, privatise public land to build 17 apartment buildings.

Prosecutors have yet to file formal charges in court and Berisha is still technically under investigation.

Berisha served as Albanias prime minister from 2005-2013 and as president from 1992-1997. He was re-elected as a lawmaker for the Democratic Party in the 2021 parliamentary elections.

The United States government in May 2021 and the United Kingdom in July 2022 barred Berisha and close family members from entering their countries because of alleged involvement in corruption.

The case comes at a time when the European Union has agreed to start the process of harmonising Albanian laws with those of the EU as part of the Balkan countrys path toward full membership in the bloc.
William Barber, Founding Director, Repairers Of The Breach & The Yale Center For Public Theology And Public Policy speaks during the Clinton Global Initiative in New York. Barber was escorted by police out of a North Carolina movie theater after he insisted on using his own chair for medical reasons, prompting an apology from AMC. Associated Press

AMC apologized after calling police on a civil rights leader.

Rev. William Barber refused to leave the theater after staff asked him not to use a chair for his disability.

Barber is not facing any criminal charges, police said.

AMC apologized after police escorted a civil rights leader from a North Carolina theater because he wanted to use a special chair for his disability.

Managers at an AMC theater in Greenville, North Carolina called police on Tuesday during a showing of "The Color Purple" after Rev. William Barber II said he needed to use the chair because he suffers from ankylosing spondylitis, a disabling bone disease, according to the Associated Press.

"I know that if I cannot sit in my chair in a theater in Greenville, North Carolina .... that there are thousands of other people who will be excluded from public spaces in this nation," Barber, 60, said during a news conference on Friday.

During the news conference, Barber said he agreed to be escorted out after officers said told him they would have to close down the theater and arrest him, AP reported.

AMC did not immediately return Business Insider's request for comment on Saturday.

The company apologized to Barber and his family in a written statement provided to WRAL, a local NBC affiliate.

AMC Vice President of Corporate Communications Ryan Noonan told the outlet that CEO Adam Aron has had a phone call with Barber and plans to meet with him next week to discuss "both this situation and the good works Bishop Barber is engaged in throughout the years."

Noonan said in the statement that AMC welcomes customers with disabilities and "works hard to accommodate guests who have needs that fall outside the normal course of business."

"We encourage guests who require special seating to speak with a manager in advance to see what can best be accommodated at the theater to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for the guest and those around them," Noonan said according to WRAL. "We are also reviewing our policies with our theater teams to help ensure situations like this do not occur again."

The Greenville Police Department also did not immediately return Insider's request for comment. But the department told the Associated Press in a statement that Barber left the theater voluntarily and he has not been charged with any crime.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Paula Abdul has claimed that she was twice sexually assaulted by television producer Nigel Lythgoe, in a lawsuit filed in the United States.

Lythgoe insisted the claims were false and told TMZ on Saturday: They are deeply offensive to me and to everything I stand for.

The star alleged that the first assault took place in a lift in the early 2000s during a season of American Idol.

Lythgoe shoved Abdul against the wall, then grabbed her genitals and breasts, and began shoving his tongue down her throat, according to court documents obtained by TMZ, which claim that Abdul was able to flee to her hotel room.

The second alleged assault took place in 2015 when Lythgoe invited Abdul to his Los Angeles home while they worked together on So You Think You Can Dance, according to court documents seen by TMZ.

Toward the end of the evening, Lythgoe forced himself on top of Abdul while she was seated on his couch and attempted to kiss her while proclaiming that the two would make an excellent power couple, the lawsuit alleged.

Abdul pushed Lythgoe off of her, explaining that she was not interested in his advances and immediately left.

Lythgoe told TMZ: To say that I am shocked and saddened by the allegations made against me by Paula Abdul is a wild understatement. For more than two decades, Paula and I have interacted as dear - and entirely platonic - friends and colleagues.

(Clockwise) Nigel Lythgoe, Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson on the set of American Idol - Ray Mickshaw/WireImage

The lawsuit also claimed that the British producers alleged behaviour was common knowledge, and that Abdul witnessed him sexually assaulting one of her assistants in 2015.

Lythgoe became a household name in Britain in 2000 as a judge on ITVs Popstars, before developing Pop Idol.

He then moved to the US to launch American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance. He was awarded an OBE in the Queens Birthday Honours List in 2015, and in 2021 received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The lawsuit alleged that Lythgoe taunted Abdul, saying that the statute of limitations had run and she had no legal recourse.

Lythgoe clearly knew that his assaults of Abdul were not just wrong but that he held the power to keep her silent, it claimed.

However, she filed the suit on Friday under Californias Sexual Abuse and Cover-Up Accountability Act, which in January created a one-year window to file sexual abuse complaints that would otherwise be outside the statute of limitations.

Abdul lodged her complaint with the LA Superior Court three days before the Dec 31 deadline.

Fear of speaking out

The lawsuit claimed: For years, Abdul has remained silent about the sexual assaults and harassment she experienced on account of Lythgoe due to fear of speaking out against one of the most well-known producers of television competition shows, who could easily break her career as a television personality, and of being ostracised and blackballed by an industry that had a pattern of protecting powerful men and silencing survivors of sexual assault and harassment.

Abdul also alleged that she was subject to constant taunts, bullying, humiliation and harassment while working on American Idol, where she was a judge from 2002-09.

The former pop star and choreographer was a judge on So You Think You Can Dance from 2015-17. According to the lawsuit, she signed non-disclosure agreements for both shows.

Abdul is seeking unspecified damages. Lythgoe has not responded to requests for comment.

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The majority of Americans today are anxious; they believe their democracy is under threat.

In fact, democracies deteriorate easily. As was feared since the times of Greek philosopher Plato, they may suddenly succumb to mob rule. The people will think they have an inalienable right to manifest their opinions  which means to state out loud whatever passes through their minds. They will act accordingly, often violently. They will make questionable decisions.

Democracies may pave the way to tyrants. Self-serving leaders will appear. They will seek to rewrite national history by purging it of complexity and inconvenient truths. They will capitalize on the widespread frustration and profit from the chaotic situation.

Should these leaders seize power, they will curtail the peoples participation in politics. They will discriminate based on race, sex or religion. They will create barriers to democratic participation by certain constituents, including moral tests or literacy tests.

So, one way democracies degenerate is because of cunning leaders. But democracies crumble also because of the people themselves. As an intellectual historian, I can assure you that the specter of an ignorant populace holding sway has kept many philosophers, writers and politicians awake.

The American founders were at the forefront in the battle against popular ignorance. They even concocted a plan for a national public university.

No democracy without education

Baron Montesquieu, a French philosopher who lived from 1689 to 1755, was a revolutionary figure. He had advocated the creation of governments for the people and with the people. But he had also averred that the uneducated would irremediably act through passion. Consequently, they ought to be directed by those of higher rank, and restrained within bounds.

The men known as Americas Founding Fathers, likewise, were very sensitive to this issue. For them, not all voters were created equal. George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton trusted the people  the people being, for them, white property-owning males, of course. But only if and when they had a sufficient level of literacy.

Thomas Jefferson was the most democratic-minded of the group. His vision of the new American nation entailed a government by its citizens, in mass, acting directly and personally, according to rules established by the majority.

He once gauged himself against George Washington: The only point on which he and I ever differed in opinion, Jefferson wrote, was, that I had more confidence than he had in the natural integrity and discretion of the people.

The paradox was that, for Jefferson himself, the natural integrity of the people needed to be cultivated: Their minds must be improved to a certain degree. So, while the people are potentially the safe depositories for a democratic nation, in reality they have to go through a training process.

Jefferson was adamant, almost obsessive: the young country should illuminate, as far as practicable, the minds of the people at large. More precisely, lets give them knowledge of those facts which history exhibits.

Educate and inform the whole mass of the people, he kept repeating. It was an axiom in his mind that our liberty can never be safe but in the hands of the people themselves, and that too of the people with a certain degree of instruction.

Education had direct implications for democracy: Wherever the people are well-informed, wrote Jefferson, they can be trusted with their own government.

A national university

In 1787, Benjamin Rush, the Philadelphia doctor and a signer of the Declaration of Independence, published an Address to the People of the United States.

One of his main topics was the establishment of a federal university in which every thing connected with government, such as history  the law of nature and nations  the civil law  the municipal laws of our country  and the principles of commerce  would be taught by competent professors. Rush saw this plan as essential, should an experiment in democracy be attempted.

In 1796, President George Washington gave his Eighth Annual Message to the Senate and the House of Representatives at Congress Hall in Philadelphia, seen here. He wanted to alert Congress to the desirableness of a national university. Montes-Bradley/iStock / Getty Images Plus

George Washington stressed the same idea. At the end of his second term as president, in December 1796, Washington delivered his Eighth Annual Message to the Senate and the House of Representatives. He wished to awaken Congress to the desirableness of a national university and also a military academy whose wings would span over as many citizens as possible.

In his message, Washington embraced bold positions: The more homogeneous our citizens can be made, he claimed, the greater will be our prospect of permanent union.

Democracys safe depositories

A national university homogenizing the American people would likely be ill-received today anyway. We live in an age of race, gender and sexual awareness. Ours is an era of multiculturalism, the sacrosanct acknowledgment and celebration of difference.

But Washingtons idea that the goal of public education was to make citizens somewhat more homogeneous is worth reconsidering.

Were President Washington alive today, I believe he would provide his recipe for the people to remain the safe depositories of democracy. He would insist on giving them better training in history, as both Rush and Jefferson also advised. And he would especially press for teaching deeper, more encompassing political values.

He would say that schools and universities must teach the people that in their political values they should go beyond separate identities and what makes them different.

He would trust that, armed with such a common understanding, they would foster a permanent union and thus save democracy.

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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: Maurizio Valsania, Universita di Torino.

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Maurizio Valsania 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.
FILE PHOTO: Chinese President Xi Jinping waves from a vehicle as he reviews the troops at a military parade marking the 70th founding anniversary of People's Republic of China

By Yew Lun Tian and Laurie Chen

BEIJING (Reuters) -A sweeping purge of Chinese generals has weakened the People's Liberation Army, exposing deep-rooted corruption that could take more time to fix and slow Chinese leader Xi Jinping's military modernization drive amid geopolitical tensions, analysts say.

China's top lawmakers senior military officers from the national legislative body on Friday, state media reported, a step that typically precedes further punishment for wayward cadres. Many of these were from the Rocket Force - a key arm of the PLA overseeing tactical and nuclear missiles.

The purges are a setback for Xi who has pumped billions into buying and developing equipment as part of his modernising efforts to build a "world-class" military by 2050, with Beijing's outsized defence budget growing at a faster pace than the economy for some years.

The recent downfall of generals and military equipment suppliers, however, has punctured some of this aura, and raised questions over whether there has been adequate oversight over these massive military investments as China vies with the United States in key areas, including Taiwan and the South China Sea.

Since Xi took power in 2012, he has embarked on a wide-ranging anti-corruption crackdown among Communist Party and government officials, with the PLA being one of its main targets.

The nine PLA generals removed from the legislature hailed from several military divisions; three were former commanders or vice commanders of the PLA Rocket Force; one a former Air Force chief and one a Navy commander responsible for the South China Sea. Four officers were responsible for equipment.

"It is a clear sign that they are being purged," said Andrew Scobell, Distinguished Fellow for China at the United States Institute for Peace.

'MORE HEADS WILL ROLL'

Beijing did not explain why the generals were removed. Some analysts say the evidence points towards corruption over equipment procurement by the PLA Rocket Force.

"More heads will roll. The purge that centred around the Rocket Force is not over," said Alfred Wu, associate professor, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in Singapore.

Wei Fenghe, a former defence minister who used to head the Rocket Force, has also vanished. When asked about his whereabouts, a defence ministry spokesman said in August that the military has zero tolerance for corruption.

His successor, Li Shangfu, was abruptly removed as defence minister in October without explanation after also disappearing for months. He had previously headed the equipment department. One of his then deputies was removed from parliament on Friday.

On the same day, Dong Jun, a Chinese ex-Navy chief, with a South China Sea background, was named Li's replacement as defence minister.

Analysts say that while the Chinese military has long been known for corruption, the extent of the latest crackdown and the involvement of the PLA's Rocket Force is shocking.

"This part of the PLA would have the most rigorous vetting process for senior officers, given the importance of having highly trusted men in charge of China's nuclear weapons," said Dennis Wilder, senior fellow for the Initiative for U.S.-China Dialogue on Global Issues at Georgetown University.

"Moreover, it seems to have involved several senior men rather than one 'bad apple'."

Analysts say the purge of senior military leaders could leave the Rocket Force temporarily weakened until Xi manages to put the house in order.

"The strategic nuclear force is what China relies on as the bottom line of its national security, and the last resort on Taiwan," said Yun Sun, Director of the China Program at the Stimson Center, a Washington D.C.-based thinktank.

"It will take some time for China to clean up the mess and restore confidence in the Rocket Force's competence and trustworthiness. It means for the time being, China is at a weaker spot."

Sun described Xi's campaign to stamp out military corruption as a Sisyphean task "that can never be completed".

FIGHT AND WIN BATTLES?

In the longer run, analysts expect the chronic problem of corruption to persist in the Chinese military because some root causes - including low pay for officers and opacity in military expenditure - have not been addressed.

Chen Daoyin, formerly an associate professor at Shanghai University of Political Science and Law, said that the ongoing crackdown might dissuade Xi from risking serious clashes with other militaries in the next 5-10 years.

"Before realising how rampant corruption was, he drank his Kool-Aid and thought the military can really 'fight and win battles' as expected by him," said Chen, who is now a political commentator based in Chile.

"But how can the generals' hearts be in fighting, if they are just busy lining their own pockets? Xi now knows that their proclamations of loyalty to the party and to the military ring hollow. I imagine this would zap his confidence somewhat."

(Reporting by Yew Lun Tian and Laurie Chen; Editing by James Pomfret and Sharon Singleton)
Sofia, 6 years-old, center, a members of a traditional bear pack takes part in a parade before performing in a festival in Moinesti, northern Romania, Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023. Centuries ago, people in what is now northeastern Romania would don bear fur and dance to fend off evil spirits. Nowadays, the unique custom thrives, with popular festivals drawing large crowds of locals and tourists. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

COMANESTI, Romania (AP)  Centuries ago, people in what is now northeastern Romania donned bear skins and danced to fend off evil spirits. That custom is today known as the Dancing Bears Festival, drawing crowds of tourists every December.

Hundreds of people of all ages, clad in bear costumes, dance every year around Christmas to the deafening beat of drums and roam villages and towns. The highlight of this year's festival falls on Dec. 30, with bear-clad dancers descending on the town of Comanesti, in eastern Romania, for the finale.

Visitors come from as far as Japan to see the spectacle, featuring lines of people in costumes with gaping bear jaws and claws marching and dancing. Giant red pompom decorations are usually added to the furs. Some of the bears jokingly growl or pretend to attack the spectators.

Locals say the custom dates back to the pre-Christianity era when people believed that wild animals staved off misfortune or danger. Dancing bears visited peoples homes and knocked on their doors to wish them good luck and a Happy New Year.

The bear runs through our veins, it is the spirit animal for those in our area," said Costel Dascalu, who started taking part in the festival when he was 8. At the time, Romania was still under communist rule and the festival was relatively low-key.

I want to keep the tradition alive," the 46-year-old added. When the holiday season approaches, he joked, our breath smells like bears, and we get goose bumps when we hear the sound of drums.

Residents are happy that the tradition has lived on after many Romanians left the region in the 1990s to look for better jobs in Western Europe.

Brown bears are widely present in Romanias traditions and culture, and the animals can often be seen by mountain roads and in forests. Excessive bear hunting prompted the authorities to issue a ban in 2016.

Participants in the festival say most of the bear skins they use as costumes have been preserved for generations and treated with great care.

Wearing a full-sized bear fur isnt easy: Including the head and claws, the costume could weigh up to 50 kilograms (110 pounds). The most expensive bear skins can cost some 2,000 euros ($2,200), according to local media.

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An apartment explosion in the town of Hoffman on Friday morning left two people in the hospital and multiple agencies responding.

GRANT COUNTY, Minn. (FOX 9) - An apartment explosion in the town of Hoffman, Minnesota, left two people hospitalized on Friday morning.

According to the Grant County Sheriffs Office, authorities received multiple 911 calls around 9:30 a.m. about an explosion at the North Star Manor Apartments on the 400 block of Iowa Avenue.

All residents of the apartments were evacuated, authorities have said, with two people being transported to the hospital as a result of the explosion. Authorities did not share the severity of their injuries.

The Minnesota American Red Cross says it is responding to help people displaced due to the explosion, with efforts coordinating food, shelter, and health services.

Grant County Deputies, the Minnesota State Patrol, Hoffman Ambulance/Fire, Barrett Fire, and Lake Region Ambulance all responded to the scene, and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal is currently investigating the cause of the explosion.
An application for what would have been the first charter school in Kentucky has been denied by the Madison County Board of Education.

Erin Stewart, a spokeswoman for Madison County Schools, confirmed that the school board voted no against the proposed LaFontaine Charter School Thursday night.

Stewart also confirmed that the board cited deficiencies in the application and the fact that Franklin Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd issued an order earlier this month finding that House Bill 9, which set up a funding mechanism for charter schools in the state, violated the Kentucky Constitution.

A charter school is an independently run public school that is granted flexibility in operations in return for higher accountability for performance.

Each charter school is bound by its charter, or contract, which establishes the academic, operational, financial, school climate and culture expectations as well as the schools mission, program and methods of testing. Charter schools must accept all students, are tuition-free and are subject to Kentucky Open Records and Open Meetings law, according to information on the Jefferson County Schools website.

The 2017 Regular Session of the General Assembly approved HB 520, legislation that for the first time allowed charter schools in Kentucky. Although the framework for charter schools was established in 2017 with the passage of House Bill 520, the General Assembly did not provide any funding for charter schools until last year.

None have ever opened in Kentucky. The issue has been debated for years.

Gus LaFontaine, who heads the LaFontaine Preparatory School in Richmond for pre-kindergarten through 5th grade students, wanted to open a charter school called LaFontaine Charter Schools. His was the only current application in the state.

Due to the recent ruling on HB 9 by the Franklin Circuit Court, Im currently legally restrained from any actions to implement the statute, LaFontaine said Saturday morning.

Maintaining a standstill with our application is necessary to comply with the courts order, he said.

LaFontaine said the application process remains in a state of suspension, not withdrawn.

He said the board denied the application because he did not request a 60-day extension to make adjustments to the application the board wanted.

Requesting an extension and adjusting our application did not serve our purpose to become a public charter school. The next step is to await while HB 9 continues to progress through Kentuckys court system, said LaFontaine.

Our goal remains to become one of Kentuckys first charter schools and enable more Kentucky families to exercise education freedom by choosing the school that fits the need of their child the best, he said.
ARLINGTON, Texas - A restaurant employee in Arlington was murdered right in front of her place of work.

Police say a man followed her from a bank, robbed her and then ran her over with his vehicle.

On Friday around 10 a.m., police say someone called 911 to report they saw a woman struggling with a man outside Pho Son Nam Vietnamese Restaurant in Arlington. When police got there, they found a 56-year-old woman dead on the ground.

Police believe the woman was robbed and that she fell while trying to fight off her attacker. They say he hit her with his car when he drove off.

As the news spread Friday, a small memorial started outside the restaurant.

People like Jeannette Flores brought flowers.

"She just loved everyone. This is just horrible," she said. "Because she was my friend. Shes been my friend for years. Thats what friends do."

Flores says her friend was an employee there.

"Ive been knowing her for years. Wed get out of church and come here every Sunday," she said.

Detectives learned the woman came to work after stopping at a local bank. They believe the attacker may have followed her from the bank.

"It is my understanding that he made away with at least some of the victims possessions," said Tim Ciesco with Arlington PD.

Flores wants her friend to be remembered as a giver.

"Shes such a good person, a godly person. And she just gives," she said. "Like when her machine wasnt working and you didnt have cash, she said, You can come back."

Flores says she will be missed.

"She has a big, beautiful family, wonderful kids, grandkids. Its just sad, and its really mean. Its just horrible," she said.

The victim's name hasn't been released.

Police are asking anyone with information to give them a call. Right now, they dont have a good description of the attacker or his car.
An activist involved in the Armistice Day pro-Palestine march has said that the taking of hostages was a very important part of any act of resistance and that Israel was mimicking Nazis.

Anas Altikriti, a director of the Muslim Association of Britain, also criticised the designation of Hamas as a terrorist group and said reports that the group had perpetrated rape on October 7 were a lie.

The Muslim Association of Britain was founded by the former Hamas chief Muhammad Kathem Sawalha, and was one of the organisations which organised the pro-Palestine march which took place in London on Armistice Day.

As well as being a director of the MAB, Dr Altikriti is the founder of The Cordoba Foundation.

The foundation says it exists to promote dialogue and a rapprochement between Islam and the West, but in 2009 the then Conservative leader David Cameron said in the House of Commons that it was a UK front for the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood  a claim which Dr Altikriti has denied.

Marchers protest outside Downing Street today - JEFF GILBERT/JEFF GILBERT

In a video recorded with the US imam Tom Facchine last month, Dr Altikriti was asked about Hamass taking of hostages.

He said: The taking of hostages is a very important part of any strategic sort of military action or act of resistance or the such because for every hostage you can then negotiate.

You have personnel who are vital and crucial at least in your thinking and your mind to your adversary, to your enemy, so its a negotiating power.

For the people of Gaza, for Hamas, for the resistance, call them as you may, a hostage is very, very valuable, and therefore they will be looked after, they will be cared for, they will be cared for even more than the actual citizens of Gaza simply because they provide cover for the resistance, they provide a negotiating card once the battle arrives at a point where people are sitting around the table or talking at least about some sort of deal.

Therefore those hostages were taken by Hamas in order to negotiate more freedoms, more rights, the breakout of this prison that we call Gaza, this concentration camp that we call Gaza.

The description of Gaza as a concentration camp is controversial because of its connotations with the Holocaust. According to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of anti-Semitism, it can be anti-Semitic to draw comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis.

The rapper Lowkey, in grey coat, was among those who attended today's protest outside Downing Street - JEFF GILBERT/JEFF GILBERT

In the video, Dr Altikriti also compared the foundation of the modern state of Israel with the Crusades. He said: The project that was imposed on this region was a Zionist project in order to subjugate the entire region, to steal its riches. It was a colonial project. It was similar to the Crusades by the way.

He has meanwhile made a number of controversial statements on X, formerly known as Twitter, since October 7.

On the day of the Hamas attack, he tweeted: What did we think was going to happen? That Palestinians would stay silent whilst forever subjugated, victimised, abused, violated, murdered and tortured?! This is for every time western governments stayed silent and whitewashed Israels crimes and violations.

On December 13, he indicated that he disagreed with Hamas being designated a terrorist group, tweeting: The fact that our government, only a few years ago, decided to proscribe #Hamas, whilst dozens of other countries in the world, including our friends, consider them a national liberation movement and continue to deal with them, doesnt make them terrorist, as much as it brings into question the political decision of our government, which in my estimation, is entirely and completely wrong.

Rape allegations false

In another tweet the same day, he said: Allegations of rape made by Israel are false. Its a lie Just like every other allegation made by Israel turns out to be a lie, including the mass slaughter of Israeli citizens on the 7th of October. That too was a lie.

This is despite detailed reports suggesting that Hamas fighters perpetrated sexual violence during the attack.

The Campaign Against Antisemitism described his comments as conspiratorial and propagandistic. A spokesman for the CAA said: It is time for the authorities to crack down on this wave of religious extremism that appears to excuse, defend and even promote anti-Semitic terrorist violence.

When approached for comment by The Telegraph, Dr Altikriti posted a comment on X saying he had zero confidence that anything I respond with will be reflected or considered.

He added: Id rather use my time exposing the war crimes committed by Israel, the genocidal essence of #Zionism and the hypocrisy and inhumanity of western governments. Ill keep my eyes peeled in anticipation for an article you pen addressing the fact that over 11,000 children to date have been butchered by the Nazi-mimicking entity called Israel.

The MAB said: Dr. Anas Altikriti does not speak for, nor represent the views of the MAB. His social media accounts are entirely independent and represent his own opinions.

MAB is a grassroots British organisation founded in 1997 at a general assembly of over 200 diverse Muslim leaders from all over the UK.



We are dedicated to fostering a fair and just society for all within the United Kingdom. We stand by our commitment to these principles.

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On Dec. 4, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested a retired very senior diplomat. Victor Manuel Roca has been charged with spying for the government of Cuba over a period of many years.

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland stated, This action exposes one of the highest-reaching and longest-lasting infiltrations of the United States government by a foreign agent.

There are other disturbing examples of foreign agents in sensitive positions. In 1994, CIA officer Aldrich Ames was convicted of spying for Russia and the Soviet Union. In 2002, FBI agent Robert Hanssen was convicted of similar charges.

Arthur I. Cyr

Both provided Moscow with enormous amounts of sensitive information, including the names of agents serving in that country. We dont know for certain exactly how many lives were lost as a result of their treason.

Manuel Rocas arrest provides a strong incentive to place Cubas challenge in current strategic context. Our hemispheric security requires new attention.

Fidel Castro exercised ruthless control of Cuba for nearly a half-century. After taking power in early 1959, enforcer brother Raul handled bloody mass executions with efficient dispatch.

Fidel highlighted new alliance with the Soviet Union by joining Nikita Khrushchev in a 1960 visit to the United Nations in New York. The Soviet premier was wildly disruptive at UN sessions, while the Cuban delegation provided a media sideshow, based at a Harlem hotel.

The Eisenhower administration began a clandestine effort to overthrow the regime, including a CIA project to assassinate Castro. The successor Kennedy administration vastly escalated such efforts.

Khrushchev secretly shipped long-range nuclear missiles to Cuba. The Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962 resulted. President John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev managed to resolve the crisis short of war.

Cuba became an active far-reaching revolutionary force. The U.S. aggressively intervened against perceived threats, notably in Chile in the 1970s, where East Germany was influential. Cuban troops served as Soviet proxies in various Africa wars.

Cuba once boasted the strongest economy in Latin America, but this status changed quickly after Castro took power. The Soviet Union provided ongoing support. In May of this year, Havana and Moscow agreed on a plan designed to aid the weakening economies of both countries.

Efforts at improving relations have been frustrating. In March 2016, President Barack Obama visited Cuba. President Calvin Coolidge was the last U.S. chief executive to visit the island nation, in early 1928. Reflecting the outlooks, and transportation limitations, of that earlier era, President Coolidge travelled by battleship.

The Trump administration re-imposed a hard line. Soon after taking office, President Trump announced new trade and travel restrictions.

The Cuban government, increasingly hard-pressed, has carried out massive layoffs, combined with liberalization designed to encourage small business and foreign purchases of real estate. This is an admission of failure by Cubas committed Communist leaders. Havana now courts foreign investment, while maintaining political controls.

In the past, Cuba has been extremely important in U.S. presidential politics. Democratic presidential nominee Senator John Kennedy fanned the flames of hostility to Castro in the 1960 contest with Republican Vice President Richard Nixon.

In 2016, some Republicans strongly denounced the rapprochement with Cuba, but Republican Senator Jeff Flake of Arizona joined President Obamas delegation. Bipartisan U.S. Congressional delegations continue to visit Cuba.

After Manuel Rocas arrest, initiatives toward Havana must be cautious.

Most pressing is need to review and tighten U.S. security measures and methods. The Clinton administration deemphasized human intelligence in favor of electronic means.

We must reverse this change.

 Arthur I. Cyr is author of After the Cold War (NYU Press and Palgrave/Macmillan). Contact acyr@carthage.edu.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Arthur Cyr: Cuba spying in strategic context
MANILA (Reuters) - Foreign ministers of Southeast Asia's regional bloc ASEAN on Saturday expressed their concern over growing tensions in the South China Sea which they said could threaten regional peace and urged for peaceful dialogue among parties.

"We closely follow with concern the recent developments in the South China Sea that may undermine peace, security, and stability in the region," the bloc's top diplomats said in a statement.

The statement came as China and the Philippines have traded accusations in recent months over a series of maritime run-ins and as Manila cited the need to change its approach since diplomatic efforts were headed in a "poor direction".

China has described the accusations as "purely false hype", and said it will not turn a blind eye to repeated "provocations and harassment" by the Philippines.

ASEAN foreign ministers also reaffirmed the need to "exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities that would complicate or escalate disputes".

"We reiterate the importance of peaceful dialogue that contributes constructively to the promotion of regional stability and cooperation in the maritime domain."

ASEAN and China have worked towards creating a code of conduct in the South China Sea, a plan dating back to 2002. But progress has been slow despite commitment by all parties to advance and speed up the process.

Talks on the components of the code have yet to start amid concerns over China's willingness to commit to a binding set of rules consistent with international law.

China claims most of the South China Sea through a "nine-dash-line" that loops as far as 1,500 km (900 miles) south of its mainland, cutting into the exclusive economic zones of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam.

China on Friday named former navy chief Dong Jun as its new defence minister. He previously served as vice-commander in a command which operates in the South China Sea

(Reporting by Mikhail Flores; Editing by Marguerita Choy)
The family of a 23-year-old Buckhead man says he and his dog have been found safe.

According to a missing persons report obtained by Channel 2 Action News, 23-year-old Jordan Kustas was reported missing by his mother, Lara Harrison, on Monday from his home on Morosgo Drive.

Harrison told police the last time she heard from her son was on Nov. 15, when she received a text from an unknown phone number claiming to be from him. She added that Kustas was on her phone plan and the last recorded activity from his phone was on Nov. 28. The report did not say what the text she received said.

His family updated the now-viral post about his disappearance on Saturday to say that Kustas is safe.

We cannot thank each of you enough for your absolutely overwhelming support and compassion during this time. Thank you, thank you, thank you, the post read.

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According to authorities, Kustas drives a 2015 Sante Fe with a North Carolina tag TJV1304. Police discovered that the last hit on traffic cameras was on Dec. 1 on Brookhaven Drive at 8:54 a.m.

The report said that Kustas parents had to bail him out several times due to his having a gambling problem. Harrison told police her son owed money to a family friend who was his bookie in North Carolina, but she said that she doesnt believe he had anything to do with Kustas disappearance.

When Kustas moved to Buckhead after graduating from Auburn University, Harrison said he got a roommate at his Morosgo Drive apartment, Ean Russell.

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Russell told police that he and Kustas were friends but not close and hadnt noticed any weird behaviors in the weeks leading up to his disappearance.

According to the report, Russell told police he believed Kustas was avoiding him because he didnt pay his share of the rent. Still, he told police he understood why because, in October, he had to pay for a medical procedure.

Harrison told police that her son works as an engineer. However, she and Russell did not know the companys name and location.

The report added that Kustas never goes anywhere without his dog, Brooks and that he may be with him.

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OAK GROVE, Ky. (WKRN)  Authorities in Kentucky are searching for a 13-year-old girl who was last seen in Nashville on Christmas Eve.

According to the Oak Grove Police Department, 13-year-old Faith Ward left home in her mothers vehicle on Sunday, Dec. 24.

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The 13-year-old was last seen in Nashville at a 7-Eleven on Trinity Lane that same day, according to officials. A witness reportedly told officers that Faith entered another vehicle.

In a statement, the Oak Grove Police Department said Faiths family and friends are concerned for her well-being.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Officials said Faith also left the residence with her white/tan Chiweenie dog.

If you have any information on Faiths whereabouts, you are asked to call the Oak Grove Police Department at 270-439-4602.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Former Obama adviser David Axelrod warned Friday that a court decision removing former President Trump from the primary ballot would rip the country apart as legal questions mount over his candidate qualifications.

Maines secretary of state determined this week that Trump should be barred from the primary ballot, citing his conduct surrounding the Jan. 6 Capitol riots as violating the 14th Amendment insurrection clause.

I have very, very strong reservations about all of this, Axelrod said in an Erin Burnett OutFront interview on CNN. I do think it would rip the country apart if he were actually prevented from running because tens of millions of people want to vote for him.

I think if youre going to beat Donald Trump, youre going to probably have to do it at the polls, he continued.

In her decision, Shenna Bellows (D), Maine secretary of state, said Trump used a false narrative of election fraud to inflame his supporters on Jan. 6 and was aware of the likelihood for violence and at least initially supported its use given he both encouraged it with incendiary rhetoric and took no timely action to stop it.

Political Strategist David Axelrod speaks to reporters as he arrives for the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award ceremony, Sunday, May 22, 2022, at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston. (AP Photo/Josh Reynolds)

A similar challenge in Colorado, held up by the states high court last week, is expected to be heard by the Supreme Court.

Axelrod said the Maine decision plays into Trumps claims that Democrats are politically motivated to move against him, and could rile voters.

A lot of the motivation for [Trumps] candidacy was as a legal defense strategy, Axelrod said. He wanted to set up a construct  which says that theyre coming after him because hes running for president and theyre trying to prevent him from being president.

Weve run this experiment, hes only gained since he started getting indicted, he continued. What you thought might be kryptonite for him has turned out to be battery packs, and this is a big one for him.

More Courts coverage from The Hill

The Trump campaign has appealed the Maine ruling, and criticized it as election interference.

We are witnessing, in real-time, the attempted theft of an election and the disenfranchisement of the American voter, Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung said. Make no mistake, these partisan election interference efforts are a hostile assault on American democracy.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Thousands of miners and police officers clashed at the Orgreave coking site near Rotherham in June 1984

Hundreds of people are expected to join a rally calling again for an inquiry into the actions of police during the so-called Battle of Orgreave in 1984.

The government has repeatedly ruled out an inquiry into the events at Orgreave in South Yorkshire in June 1984.

Scores of miners were arrested, and many were injured, although all charges were later dropped.

The Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign will hold a protest in Sheffield in a bid to have their demands accepted.

A total of 95 people were charged with riot and violent disorders at Orgreave in 1984

Joe Rollin, the group's chairman, said: "We still believe there is overwhelming evidence for an inquiry.

"The government has stopped replying to our letters, even though we believe there is a link between what happened at Orgreave and the legislation brought in this year to restrict protests.

"For many the wounds of Orgreave are as fresh as if it was yesterday."

Campaigners have described what happened at Orgreave as a "seismic event" in history.

The clashes, some of the most violent confrontations during the year-long miners' strike, between police and pickets on 18 June 1984 became known as the Battle of Orgreave.

A total of 95 people were charged with riot and violent disorders.

The scene at Orgreave after the confrontation

Campaigners blame the then government for being behind the police tactics, to break the morale of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), but they also believe officers went too far in attacking pickets, leading to dozens of injuries.

Mr Rollin said the campaign group was pinning its hopes on a Labour government agreeing to hold an inquiry if it wins the next general election.

A rally is due to take place on 18 June 2024.
Former Duval County Public Schools Superintendent Diana Greene, center, reacts with gratitude as she is recognized on Aug. 10 at Rutledge H. Pearson Elementary School in Jacksonville. This is the first new school building built with the half-penny sales tax that Duval County voters approved in 2020. This building replaced a deteriorated earlier school on the same site with the same namesake.

My family and I have lived in Jacksonville for 50 years. We have had capable superintendents for Duval County Public Schools, but Diana Greene stood out.

From the time that Greene began her tenure in 2018 as the county's first Black superintendent, she worked to improve education for both students and teachers. Recognizing that Duval had some of the oldest schools in Florida (some more than 100 years old), she put together a half-cent sales tax referendum.

This was to help fund the repair or replacement of dilapidated schools, most of which were in the inner city. The sales tax referendum passed, the first such education referendum since consolidation in 1968.

Greene also recognized that Duval teachers were underpaid. She was having a hard time recruiting new teachers, as well as keeping experienced ones. Greene proposed a 1-mill tax hike for schools focusing on teacher salaries, as well as to support the arts and other programs. It passed both the School Board and City Council.

No other school superintendent in Duval has ever achieved these financial goals.

However, Greene did not limit herself to school financial needs. She also achieved educational results, reducing the number of D-rated schools and eliminating all of the F schools. Student scores went up (before the pandemic) and the gap between white and Black student achievement narrowed.

The pandemic was another challenge. Greene provided laptops for youngsters stuck at home without them. She hired tutors to help with math and reading remediation. Times were difficult, but Duval schools survived.

Next, amid the furor over changing the names of public schools named after Confederate generals, Greene deftly succeeded in doing so locally with a minimum of opposition.

Greene's achievements were such that she was awarded Florida School Superintendent of the Year in 2021. A year later the School Board offered her a 10% pay raise in a three-year contract.

A year after that she was forced to retire.

Letters: Pros, cons on classroom cameras from director of Jacksonville child care center

The facts on how this happened are murky. Some say she was given the opportunity to retire or be fired, but there were no direct accusations or hearings. There was vague talk about inappropriate behavior on the part of a teacher at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts. There were apparently two board members affiliated with Moms for Liberty who were unhappy with her performance.

There was also talk about the governor wanting to introduce partisan elections for school boards which would increase the politicization of the system.

Retired educator: Greene's departure reflects discouraging changes in Florida education

Clearly Greene did not support politicizing public education. Thus, without hearings or due deliberations, she was encouraged to resign or be fired. She chose to retire early, and Duval County lost someone who I believe was the system's best superintendent of the past five decades.

Sadly, many education groups in town, whether nonprofit foundations, teacher unions, programs affiliated with local universities or others, failed to give Greene the rousing sendoff she deserved.

As a new year begins, is it too late to do so?

Jim Crooks, professor of history emeritus, University of North Florida, Jacksonville

This guest column is the opinion of the author and does not necessarily represent the views of the Times-Union. We welcome a diversity of opinions.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Greene still deserves a celebration of her tenure with Duval Schools
The three-storey barge houses people awaiting the outcome of their asylum applications

A report which found housing asylum seekers on a barge was discriminatory was published by mistake.

It said the policy of housing asylum seekers on the Bibby Stockholm, which is moored on Portland in Dorset, discriminated on the grounds of age and sex.

The impact assessment was deleted from the UK Government's website on Friday, two days after it appeared.

A note on the website said it was "published in error".

The report said the policy of housing up to 500 single men on the barge was "directly discriminating in relation to age (and) sex" because the barge was only suitable for men aged 18 to 65.

However, the document noted that the Equality Act allows for such discrimination if it is "justified as a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim".

The government has previously declined to publish an equality impact assessment for the Bibby Stockholm.

In September, then-immigration minister Robert Jenrick said assessments were "for internal use" and "not routinely published".

The Bibby Stockholm has capacity for up to 500 men

Following the deletion of the report, a Home Office spokesperson said an equality impact assessment for Portland would be published in due course.

They said they were moving away from accommodating asylum seekers in hotels, calling it "expensive" and "unsustainable".

"Due to the greater need to accommodate male asylum seekers and those aged between 18-65, it is appropriate and proportionate to use large accommodation sites for male asylum seekers only," they added.

Tributes to Leonard Farruku, who died on the barge, were left at the entrance to Portland Port

Housing asylum seekers on the Bibby Stockholm has drawn opposition, with some critics describing conditions as "prison-like".

In December, campaigners called for all asylum seekers on board to be removed from the barge following the death of a migrant.

The body of Leonard Farruku, a 27-year-old Albanian, was found in a cabin on 12 December.

Dorset coroner Rachael Griffin said no other person was involved in his death.

The inquest has been adjourned until July to gather evidence from barge authorities.

The vessel's first 39 residents were also evacuated in August after Legionella bacteria was found in the water supply.

The migrants were returned in October after the Home Office declared it "safe and secure".

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It is the custom of this column at the turn of each year to make negative predictions. That is, to put forward things that may have been expected to happen but will not. At the end of what has been one of the most depressing twelve month periods that most of us can recall, this lot of anti-predictions is deliberately skewed in the direction of hope and optimism while still, I sincerely believe, remaining credible.

First, Joe Biden will not run for a second term in the White House. This cannot be announced  or even admitted to be under consideration  until very late in the day since that would instantly render him a lame duck president. This would be very dangerous in the present global circumstances. With wars currently underway in two critical regions, the leader of the free world cannot become irrelevant and powerless. It will be easy enough when the right moment arrives to make use of Bidens state of health to excuse a sudden change of plan. Such a change is now imperative because of the real possibility that he could lose the presidency to Donald Trump which would be a moral catastrophe.

For those who have not been paying close attention, it is important to note that Trumps campaign rhetoric has moved to a very dark place, way beyond the familiar puerile name-calling and traducing of the Constitution.

He is now saying to his followers (whom he describes as those who have been wronged and betrayed), I am your retribution, and further, in what could be seen as a blasphemous parody of the Christian message, I am being indicted for you.

Note: he is no longer claiming simply that he speaks for them, but that he is the embodiment of their victimhood.

This is not populist rant anymore: it is the language of a mystical cult. Then add to that his most recent observation that mass migration is poisoning the blood of America. This is not only a clear plagiarism of the most infamous political message of the last century but an absurd claim to make about a country whose population has no shared historical bloodline.

So yes, it is imperative that Biden be replaced with a candidate who can defeat this appalling phenomenon - and we have to believe that there are already steps to do so in operation.

Second: the general election will not produce a Labour landslide. The best result they can hope for is a working majority but it is quite possible that they will need the support of the Liberal Democrats and possibly even the much-diminished Scottish Nationalists, to govern.

I must make clear at this point that I have had, in my commentating career, an uncanny ability to predict the most apparently unlikely outcomes of general elections. I foresaw even the famous 1992 result in which John Major led the Conservatives to victory when Labour had so confidently expected to triumph that they held their celebration rally before polling day.

The newspaper for which I then wrote (not this one) refused to allow me to put this prediction in print because it seemed so preposterous.

But I was proved right, and my judgement was based on a simple fact. I simply could not see Neil Kinnock - decent and brave man though he was - as Prime Minister and did not believe that the electorate would either.

Then in 2015, when everyone was expecting a Labour win, I correctly predicted the opposite. After that one, the successful Tory team called me into Downing Street to ask the obvious question: How did you know?

Answer: I didnt know anything that anybody else didnt know. I just could not see Ed Miliband as Prime Minister. Thats it. Thats the secret. And right now I cannot see Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister.

If he gets the disappointing result that I expect, it will not be because he failed to offer convincing (or any) policies that could be remedies for the countrys problems but because he has only one facial expression - the blank, startled gaze of a badger in the headlights - and no perceptible sense of humour.

Third: the West will not solve the crisis in the Middle East because the solution is not within its power.

For all the talk of proxy war, it is the Arab nations which border the disputed territory which are most directly affected by it and who will therefore take responsibility for a resolution. There is a clear reason why none of the neighbouring countries are taking refugees from Gaza: they do not wish to import the Hamas problem.

Egypt, the UAE and Saudi Arabia are actively seeking recognition as reliable participants in the modern world. They are fervently courting Western influence with their vast fortunes - investing in Western sport, media outlets and cultural institutions.

Abu Dhabi hopes to buy this newspaper. Saudi Arabia is funding film festivals and is rumoured to be planning the purchase of a major Hollywood studio.

These nations do not wish to be seen as havens for terrorists or to have their governments and their tourism industries destabilised by people who might be implicated in murderous rebellion.

An agreement on the Abraham Accords which might have put the seal on this new era in the region was thought to be imminent  which is almost certainly what provoked Hamas into a last desperate, nihilistic move. Tellingly, it is Iran - not an Arab country - which supports Hamas, with the enthusiastic connivance of Putin who will go to any anarchic lengths to disrupt what he sees as Western hegemony.

There is some talk now of Egypt preparing a peace plan which it will propose to Israel and Hamas. Apart from the fact that it apparently consists of three stages, it is keeping the details of this project completely secret which suggests that it is a genuine attempt to broker a deal. If that is true and the plan works, we may soon be living in a different  and possibly safer  world.

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The bill on mobilisation will be submitted to the Verkhovna Rada (Ukraines parliament) for a vote only after a round of discussions and amendments.

Source: Mykhailo Podoliak, Adviser to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, on the national joint 24/7 newscast

Quote: "Will it (the bill  ed.) be [passed] in this form? No. Certainly, that's why bills are proposed for discussion. After this, everything will be taken into account, appropriate changes will be made, and we will get a more or less optimal bill that considers the fact that we are in a long, extensive, intensive war and that Russia will not simply stop; it will move forward until it loses this war...

Despite the usual influx of initial hate, hype, toxicity and scandals, which is typical for Ukraine, gradually, you will see, this bill will be discussed and regulated in such a way thatll create appropriate normative points. After that, undoubtedly, the parliament will vote on it in the first and second readings, and we will have a new mobilisation law."

Details: Podoliak emphasised that the current stage of war "requires proper legal documentation which concerns mobilisation processes too".

"The law currently in use does not correspond to the current realities. So it is very good that discussions are taking place at the level of the General Staff, the Defence Ministry, the Finance Ministry or the Cabinet of Ministers, relevant Parliaments committees and the expert community. Its the right thing to be doing," he said.

Podoliak also noted that the entire society must understand that Ukraine is in a great war.

"If Russia does not lose this war, it will want to establish an occupation regime here with corresponding tragic consequences for tens or hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian citizens. We must realise it," he added.

Background:

The Cabinet of Ministers submitted a draft law No 10378 On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine on Improving Certain Issues of Mobilisation, Military Registration and Military Service to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. It regulates the issue of postponement of conscription for military service, including for disabled people.

The government proposes to impose a series of restrictions on those citizens who have not fulfilled their duties regarding preparations for mobilisation and mobilisation in general. They propose to increase fines for those who violate military registration rules and defence legislation, and those refusing medical examination will face imprisonment, same as with evading mobilisation.

Dmytro Lubinets, Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, said that some points of the bill on mobilisation may contradict the Constitution.

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The face slowly took shape on the table under Chataun Reaves fingers; rich cinnamon hues and the jeweled tones of her headdress coming to life, bead by shimmering bead.

It was a hobby five years ago, Reaves said, by way of explanation, poring over her latest portrait. I needed something to help my mind, and it just stuck.

Reaves intricately beaded portraits, once a diversion for the Sacramento artist during a time of struggle five years ago, are now the backbone of her new business, Jewels Crafts & Creations. Reaves was one of a collection of Black-owned businesses wares and works on display Friday at the annual Ujamaa Market Day at Florin Square in Sacramento.

Ujamaa, the fourth day of Kwanzaa, marks the midpoint of the weeklong celebration of Black family, unity, community and culture, with Fridays focus on cooperative economics  businesses and creatives coming together in service to the community. Kwanzaa ends Monday, New Years Day.

Were really manifesting cooperative economics in working together, said artisan and Sacramento minister Alicia Teasley. I love that everybody is in one space. People want to shop Black-owned businesses but sometimes dont know where to go. Youre getting a multitude of businesses in one space.

The Florin Square center at Florin Road and 24th Street, a hub for Black-owned small business in Sacramento, is a cultural hub and home to Sojourner Truth African Heritage Museum, a natural home for the annual market day. The squares twice-weekly African marketplace has been a longstanding source for Afrocentric goods  the square itself is an incubator for Black entrepreneurs and creatives in Sacramento.

Teasley and artisan Sunshine Starchild celebrated the one-year anniversary of Art Chakra on Friday, their pop-up featuring Starchilds blended teas; Teasleys woven woolens; and Starchilds intricate pen-and-ink illustrations. An encouraging nudge from Shonna McDaniels  the Sacramento artist, educator, muralist and community activist who is director of the museum  set Art Chakra on its path.

We started last year at the Ujamaa market, officially one year ago today, Starchild said, sharing a smile with Teasley. Its been a long time coming. Wed been tossing (the idea) back and forth, saying We should sell our wares. Shonna said, You should come out to Ujamaa market.

For Lori Sparks of Sacramento, crafting jewelry was a source of healing after the death of her husband 20 years ago. He owned his own business, she said, and encouraged her to hang her shingle. Today, the former newspaper advertising representative marks 17 years as owner of Beadologie Handcrafted Jewelry.

She looked over at her multicolored creations, her children, she said Friday, and mused over Ujamaas meaning  familyhood  and the cooperative spirit that marks the day.

We all have to stick together. I love being out in my community. I love teaching people and I love being among my people, Sparks said, looking around the room. I have no competition here. We are brothers and sisters here together.
This Black Woman-Owned Self-Care Brand Sells Homemade Soaps, Body Butters And More: You Are The Luxury | Photo: GSPictures via Getty Images

Chartel Findlater is hoping to add a bit of peace and serenity to peoples day through her self-care home products.

On Nov. 30, city officials in Philadelphia, aka the City of Brotherly Love, agreed to pass a resolution to support small Black-owned businesses. They deemed each Friday in December Shop Black Business Friday in an attempt to draw more attention to local organizations. So, in conjunction with this declaration, CBS 3 has been highlighting Black companies, one being Gold and Water Co.

Findlater created the wellness brand after taking a leap of faith to pivot from the career she built in education, according to CBS 3. The online boutique soapery and wellness advocacy brand offers homemade soaps, body butter, oils, balms, candles, fragrances and home decor made in limited quantities, according to its website. Ranging from $6 to $45, she says her products were crafted as a reminder that you are the luxury, which is also her companys tagline.

We handcraft all our soaps and make them in these huge batches, the entrepreneur told the news station.

When Findlater left her stable career, she was unsure what life would look like on the other side. Since she stepped into a new career path by believing in herself and using her faith as a core foundation of strength, the gold reference in the Philadelphia-based business name stems from a scripture.

The gold is a reference to a scripture that says when we go through lifes test and trials, our faith becomes purer than gold, she said.

In addition, she believes water is a place of rest and cleansing, so when people use her soap products during their self-care days, they are refreshing their bodies with carefully picked ingredients as well.

Although Findlater products are not a cure-all, as a mental health care advocate she knows small things that enhance ones pampering time is important. She has hopes for her Gold and Water Co. to launch new products as she continues to be an advocate for resources that are precious gold and cleansing waters, in the midst of lifes inevitable refining fires.
Police in Seal Beach have concluded their investigation into the deaths of two people found inside a home Wednesday, and have determined that the two were a son and his elderly disabled mother.

The two were found around 8:30 a.m. at a home on the 600 block of Ocean Avenue.

Police responded to the home after a caller from out of state reported that their brother was having issues with their elderly mother.

Investigators have pieced together what led to the deaths and said the incident appears to be a murder-suicide.

Police say the 65-year-old son was living with his 84-year-old mother, and the elderly woman recently suffered a temporary medical emergency that required constant care and attention.

Family members were apparently in the process of establishing in-home care, but the son was taking care of his mother in the meantime.

Investigators conducted numerous interviews and determined that the son had begun expressing frustration about the situation and his inability to care for his mother.

During a phone call with the out-of-state relative, a gunshot was apparently heard and the son told the other person on the line that his mother was gone.

When police arrived at the home, the door was unlocked and the bodies of the mother and son were discovered lying on a bed. Both people died from fatal gunshot wounds and the firearm was found in the sons hand, authorities said.

Police have opted not to release the names of the two deceased out of respect for their family.

Anyone with information about the investigation is urged to contact SBPD Sergeant Gibson by email or by calling 562-799-4100 ext. 1128.

If you or someone you know is experiencing mental distress or suicidal thoughts, you can contact the new 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by phone call or text. You can also visit 988lifeline.org.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has released body camera footage showing the moments leading up to a deputy fatally shooting 27-year-old Niani Finlayson in Lancaster. (Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department)

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department released body camera footage Friday showing the moments leading up to a deputy fatally shooting a 27-year-old Black woman in Lancaster.

Niani Finlayson, who authorities said was armed with a kitchen knife, was shot in front of her 9-year-old daughter on Dec. 4. She had called the police for help during a domestic dispute with a man authorities described as her boyfriend.

The footage released Friday shows that the deputy who shot her was first handed a Taser, but he dropped it and fired a handgun instead.

Investigators are continuing to review the case, which is expected to be sent to the district attorney's office to determine if any charges will be filed.

Any time a life is lost, regardless of the circumstances, is a difficult time for everyone involved, L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna said in a statement. The department released the body-worn camera footage ahead of the legal time frame to demonstrate our commitment to transparency and the visual representation of the facts in this case. As the comprehensive review process continues, the department will gain additional insight into the incident with the goal of improving public safety."

Read more: Family plans to sue L.A. County for $30 million over deputies' killing of mother in front of child

Shortly after 6 p.m. on Dec. 4, Finlayson called 911 to report that her boyfriend wouldn't leave her Lancaster apartment, authorities said. During a frantic call with a police dispatcher, audio of which was released along with the body camera footage, Finlayson said the man would not leave her house or "get his hands off of me."

Three deputies heard screaming as they approached the apartment in the 2100 block of East Avenue J-8. Body camera video shows one of the deputies attempting to kick in the front door.

The door opens and Finlayson appears  holding what authorities say was an 8-inch kitchen knife.

"I'm going to stab him," she can be heard telling the deputies before moving out of sight toward the living room.

The body camera video shows a deputy, identified by the department as Ty Shelton, entering the apartment closely behind another deputy. On his way in, Shelton asks the other deputy to give him a Taser.

After deputies moved into the apartment, Finlayson can be seen standing next to a man, with one hand on him and the other appearing to hold a knife. Shelton drops the Taser, raises his handgun and fires four shots at Finlayson.

The man then yells, "Why did you shoot?"

Finlayson was taken to a hospital where she later died. The man was arrested on suspicion of child abuse and assault on a peace officer but was later released, according to the sheriff's department.

Shelton did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Finlayson's family filed a claim last week signaling they plan to sue the county and the department for $30 million.

Bradley Gage, the family's attorney, said that police failed to appropriately deescalate the situation and should have focused more on getting Finlayson out of the house and demanding that she drop the knife. The footage shows that Shelton shouted "drop it," in reference to the knife, after he had already shot her.

Gage said the use of a Taser or pepper spray could have deescalated the situation without killing Finlayson.

"They took a situation that was volatile, but not deadly, and they turned it into a deadly situation with these tactics," Gage told The Times on Saturday.

Gage said Finlayson's death was "inhumane and unjustified" and is calling for Shelton to be charged with murder.

Shelton was involved in at least one other fatal shooting in Lancaster, according to county records. In 2020, Shelton killed 62-year-old Michael Thomas as he and another deputy tried to detain him during a domestic violence call.

The deputies said Thomas tried to grab one of their guns. His fiancee disputed that, telling a local TV station that Thomas had refused to let the deputies enter the house and was turning away from them when he was shot.

Prosecutors declined to file charges against Shelton in that case, county records show, though they acknowledged there may have been other reasonable options available to him instead of killing Thomas.

The union representing L.A. County sheriff's deputies urged the public to allow for a thorough investigation before coming to any final conclusions.

This was obviously a tragic outcome, an outcome attributable to a violent and highly volatile situation in that apartment that night," Richard Pippin, president of the Assn. for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs said in an emailed statement Friday.

"Our deputy found himself faced with a woman who threatened to stab someone and was then poised, knife in hand, to carry out that threat. This video exemplifies the profound challenges and no-win situations our deputies frequently face. The true motives of groups or individuals who jumped out with outrageous assertions before even seeing the video should be apparent to everyone.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A 14-year-old boy was arrested for allegedly killing his parents and critically injuring his sister at their home in a rural area of California.

The teenager, who has not been named because of his age, called the sheriffs office in Fresno County and claimed his family had been attacked during a break-in by men who fled in a truck.

Fresno County Sheriff John Zanoni told reporters on Friday that investigators noticed inconsistencies in the boys story after the shooting on Wednesday.

Evidence ultimately showed that he had fabricated the story of a break-in and was responsible for using multiple weapons to attack his mom, his dad and his sister, Sheriff Zanoni said.

The father and mother, both 37, were identified as Lue Yang and Se Vang. Their 11-year-old daughter underwent surgery and is expected to survive.

The suspects seven-year-old brother was uninjured in the attack.

Officials say that the suspect was booked into juvenile hall and faces two murder charges and one of attempted murder.

The sheriff has not said what weapons were used in the attack or revealed a motive.

The tragedy of the situation is of such a high magnitude because two children have lost their mother and father due to the actions by their other sibling, the sheriff said. Those children will grow up without a mother and a father because of this incident.
A one-year-old boy and a 44-year-old woman have been killed after a shooting in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

The deadly incident took place on Friday night when police were called to two different shootings just blocks away from each other in the city, which has around 126,000 residents.

The child and the woman were found dead in a house on Chestnut Street, Lehigh County District Attorney-elect Gavin Holihan said, according to Lehigh Valley News.

A 66-year-old man was also shot in the Chestnut Street incident, according to 6ABC.

The deaths were determined to be homicides by Lehigh County Coroner Daniel Buglio.

According to neighbours, police arrived around 9pm on Friday as they were called to the subsequent shootings.

The other shooting took place near Ridge Avenue and West Gordon Street.

Lehigh Valley News described Chestnut Street as a narrow one-lane street lined with rowhomes across from Harrison-Morton Middle School.

Mr Buglio said the shooting occurred around 8.50pm, adding that he pronounced the child and the woman dead at the scene.

Both victims have been identified and their families notified, he said in a statement on Saturday.

However, due to these tragic circumstances, I am not releasing their identities at this time, thus allowing the families to grieve privately, he added. I personally want to offer my prayers and condolences to the families, friends and everyone affected by this incident.

Lehigh County Democratic State Rep Joshua Siegel said in a statement, I awoke this morning like many members of our community, sickened, angry and heartbroken over another night of senseless violence in our city.

I offer my sincerest condolences to the families afflicted by last nights shootings, and I stand with the many Allentonians who are tired of watching their neighborhoods and streets be stained with the blood of gun violence, he added.

Allentown is a resilient city, and I know we wont let these tragedies define us, Mr Siegel said. I have endless faith in our community partners, our police department, and our stakeholders to work together to bring safety and security to every neighborhood and every block. I stand ready to support them in whatever way they need.

Police found a male and female having been shot in a separate incident at Ridge Avenue. They are expected to survive. Twenty-three-year-old Demitrius Bashir Campbell of Allentown was arrested and has been charged with attempted homicide, conspiracy to commit homicide, and two counts of aggravated assault in addition to other charges, according to 6ABC.

The local TV station also reported that there was a third shooting in Allentown at 2.25am on Saturday morning. Police found a man with severe gunshot wounds in a parking lot near a bar close to Hanover Avenue. Shortly afterwards, another two men arrived at the hospital with gunshot wounds.

Allentown Police do not think the three shootings are connected at this time.
The recent figures on police performance will come as little surprise to a public frustrated by an often depressing response to crime and anti-social behaviour.

Police chiefs and their command teams must accept their share of responsibility. Their leadership provides the most immediate impact on performance  which a small but growing number of police chiefs recognise.

Top of the Telegraphs table yesterday of police metrics was the strong performance of Chief Constable Lee Freeman when he was in Humberside. Meanwhile, at the bottom end, the back-to-basics turnaround of Greater Manchester Police is underway thanks to Chief Constable Stephen Watson. But they stand in stark contrast to their predecessors, and to other seniors who appear to believe that crime is like the weather: beyond their control.

Too many police chiefs see little or no gain in supporting their officers and staff to fight crime. Far easier to appease the social justice activists and surrender the streets. Far simpler to convene a talking shop on social justice rather than fix practical things that frustrate crime-fighting cops on a daily basis: inadequate IT, gargantuan bureaucracy, buildings that leak and flood, poor communications.

And, with nobody really carrying the can for crime in the force, its left as the abandoned metric. It is everyones responsibility, and nobodys.

We see this defeatism writ largest in the Met where, even as knife crime surges up 15 per cent year-on-year, the use of stop and search continues to collapse, dropping 19 per cent over the same period. Some London Boroughs  including Croydon, billed as Londons knife crime capital  might go days without any under 18s being stopped and searched at all. Do Londons local commanders or the Met Commissioner feel under any obligation to fight crime?

Going soft on crime might play well to Londons mayor, who famously promised to do everything in my power to cut stop and search, but does nothing to make Londons population any safer.

How is it that our policing leaders seem more in love with strategies of appeasement than in strategies of crime reduction?

Bill Bratton, with the backing of a tough-on-crime mayor, famously revolutionised policing and made New York City safer by applying statistical comparisons and broken windows to dramatically cut the crime that was immiserating the city. But such crime-fighting talk is more likely to induce rashes, migraines and embarrassment than inspire change among senior officers on this side of the Atlantic.

We shouldnt be surprised that police leadership is so deficient. We have a College of Policing  presiding over the selection and promotion of police constables through to police chiefs  that seems to believe prison increases crime and appears to subscribe to critical race theory.

Little surprise, then, that our police forces are some of the least transparent across the Anglosphere when it comes to crime data. Its not just the public who lack situational awareness on crime  forces routinely fail to equip their own officers and staff with crime-fighting insight and data.

Senior officers must shake off their obsession with social justice and get back to the basics of fighting crime. Politicians must do the same  both in Westminster and beyond. Elected mayors and police and crime commissioners have a critical role to play in getting policing back on track and reasserting common sense.

Our current and future police chiefs must jettison the comfort blanket of appeasement and refocus their forces on fighting crime if we are to have any chance of making the UK a safe place to live, work and raise a family.

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Placerville Friends of Tibet plan to host their 2024 Sacred Earth and Healing Arts of Tibet Tour as they welcome monks from Gaden Shartse Monastic College in India.

Their tour, themed cultivating compassion, will take place in January at locations in Folsom and Placerville, according to their website.

The tour will begin Jan. 3 in Folsom at Dignity Healths Mercy Hospital at 1580 Creekside Drive. There will be a mandala created and available for daily viewings from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

A mandala, according to the Asia Society, is a symbol of the universe in its ideal form, and its creation signifies the transformation of a universe of suffering into one of joy.

In an interview with ABC10, Wendy Wood, an event spokeswoman said its the first year that Folsom joined the tour.

(Were) hoping to bring more of their arts and culture and teachings to the Folsom (and) Sacramento region, Wood told ABC10. Mercy Folsom approached us to host in Folsom  so we agreed to do this for a week prior to them heading up to Placerville for another two weeks.

There will be curated gatherings each evening, beginning Jan. 3, which consist of an opening ceremony, dharma talks and a healing ceremony. Pet and personal blessings will be taking place on Saturday, Jan. 6 starting at 10 a.m.

The group will take their tour to El Dorado Federated Church at 1031 Thompson Way in Placerville starting Jan. 9, the Placerville Friends of Tibet website said.

The tour in Placerville will also include a mandala creation that will be available daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., unless otherwise noted. Some of the workshops in Placerville include mediation sessions, butter sculpture and calligraphy.

Their website noted there will be dharma discussions on the following: compassion in action and loving kindness; impermanence, finding peace through uncertain times; Chay Drol Healing Ritual, Chenrezig Empowerment and pet blessings.

For more information on the tour and its full schedule, visit www.placervillefriendsoftibet.org.
The Hills-Galloway House at the Printmakers Inn is a circa 1693 home, originally built on the Connecticut River in East Hartford Connecticut. In 2020 Pete Galloway and his wife had the home dismantled and began reassembling it on West Gwinnett Street in Savannah.

Above the expansive fireplace in the kitchen, where generations of a colonial-era Connecticut family cooked their meals, hangs a weathered pine plank with a stick-figure scene drawn across it. There are figures with tricorn hats carrying muskets as well as others shooting bows and arrows  perhaps depicting a battle from the French and Indian War during the mid-1700s.

Pete Galloway estimates it was drawn by an older person between the 1750s to 1800s, based upon research hes done with historians at Yale and a graffiti expert at the University of Delaware.

Hes never seen anything this intact, Galloway said. You see a lot of ships with pen knives, and youll see initials and dates, but nothing more like a piece of art.

The board is just one of the many treasures and surprises uncovered by Galloway and his wife Kristen as they rebuilt the home, which predates the founding of Savannah by 40 years, after having it dismantled and moved from a property near the Connecticut River to 303 W. Gwinnett St. in 2020.

Historic graffiti was found a a wood plank that was salvaged from the Hills-Galloway House and is now hanging above the fireplace in the kitchen.

A faithful board-by-board restoration

Before taking on the restoration project, the young couple lived and worked in Florida, where they spent more time in traffic than enjoying life.

I always wanted an old house, said Galloway. He and Kristen first considered Charleston, but he had a familial connection to Savannah. His uncle, Keith, co-owns and manages the Galloway Inn on 35th Street, near Thomas Square Park and the Bull Street Library.

So, in 2015, they purchased the Victorian-era home with the wrap-around porch at the corner of Gwinnett and Jefferson streets, which was built in 1884 for William Nichols, the son of Savannahs first printer. The grand Italianate had been on the market for four years. The home had been divided into apartments, making it ideal to live in while renovating and renting the other spaces as a small inn. The house also came with a large vacant lot, where Pete Galloway envisioned expanding what is now known as the Printmakers Inn.

The Victorian Nichols House and the Hills-Galloway House make up the Printmakers Inn on West Gwinnett Street.

His uncle said hed had a friend who had moved an older home from Virginia to Connecticut, which sparked Galloways desire to find a historic home to move to the site. After looking throughout Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia, he turned to homes in New England threatened by demolition. He found the center-chimney, Georgian-style house near the Connecticut River in fairly decent shape with relatively unaltered interiors in 2017. Dismantling board by board began in 2019 for the move south, and the foundation for the home was set in January 2020. Reassembly began in March 2020, just as the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

I begged two of [the timber framers] to stay and help me finish it, Galloway recalled. Through Savannah State, he found plaster Henry Orton, who was trained in traditional techniques while growing up in England, and a local Mason. The cobbled-together team brought the circa-1693 home back to life, even restoring its exteriors to what it would have looked like in the 1740s by using pattern books from that era.

For the next two years, they stripped all the paint off the original woodwork and repainted fireplace mantels and trim with linseed oil paint that matched an original swatch from an upstairs bedroom. They redid the lath and plaster  even offering a window into the work and floors were deep cleaned using a wire brush and left in their natural state, except in an upstairs bedroom and the attic where they were burnished with wax.

Savannah represents new chapter in colonial Connecticut home's history

With period-era furniture and authentic finishes gathered through estate sales and auctions, the Galloways have created a cozy setting for family reunions, wedding guests and corporate retreats without sacrificing historic integrity. Architectural details in the west parlor signify upper middle-class stature: raised-paneled walls, a corner cupboard, a smaller fireplace with fluted pilasters, and double crown mouldings. Exposed timbers throughout bear the axe marks of the original builders, the Hills family, who also were one of the founding families of Hartford, Connecticut in 1630. Petes energetic inquiries from historical societies and Facebook groups helped pieced together their story through deeds, wills and other records.

Lt. Jonathan Hills, a member of the Connecticut militia, built the home in 1693. His son, also named Jonathan, was a ranked military officer as well. Around 1745, grandson Capt. David Hill, who fought in the French and Indian War, inherited the home as a wedding present, and most likely completed the first expansion of the home.

A new staircase and landings accessed through the back yard lead to second-floor bedroom suites where someone in the homes past wrote 1799 on a wall made with mortise-and-tenon joinery. That same wall gave up a 1720s British half penny that had been tucked inside a mortise pocket for more than 280 years. The third-floor attic serves as a game room with a television upon request.

Writings are carved into the aged paneling of the Georgian Suite at the Hills-Galloway House.

The bricked courtyard joins the two properties, which now co-exist seamlessly as if they had been neighbors through different eras of Savannahs evolution. Its no small irony, either, that the citys newest accommodation in the hospitality market is also its oldest structure.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: The Printmaker's Inn is Savannah's newest and oldest accommodation
A businessman from Lviv was detained for allegedly attempting to bribe an official of the State Bureau of Investigation with $500,000, the Bureau announced on Dec. 30.

The suspect reportedly offered the bribe to one of the heads of the Bureau's Main Investigative Department.

In exchange for the attempted bribe, the businessman was seeking the return of his company's property seized under months-old criminal proceedings, the Bureau said.

Previously, an investigation was launched against businessman's companies in connection to Hr 1.5 billion ($39.5 million) contracts on providing clothes and underwear to the military.

According to investigators, many of the contracts were not fulfilled, and some were incomplete or set at inflated prices. The damages are estimated at Hr 1 billion ($26.3 million), the Bureau said.

The businessman is now in pre-trial detention with an alternative of bail of Hr 429.4 million ($11.29 million). He faces up to eight years in prison.

A different corruption scandal related to clothes supplies for the military preceded the dismissal of former Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov.

Under a contract signed by the Defense Ministry and the Turkish company Vector Avia, the supplier reportedly provided winter jackets of low quality and at inflated prices.

One of the main tasks assigned by President Volodymyr Zelensky to Reznikov's successor, Rustem Umerov, was to crack down on corruption and increase transparency in the Defense Ministry and the military.

Rooting out corruption is one of the crucial steps Ukraine has to take in its path toward European and Euro-Atlantic integration.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
California 14-year-old arrested in parents' deaths, tried to kill sister, sheriff says

A 14-year-old boy was in custody Friday after allegedly killing his parents and trying to kill his 11-year-old sister in their Fresno County, California, home, authorities said.

Deputies were dispatched to the residence in the community of Miramonte on Wednesday night after a 911 call reporting a break-in and attack, Sheriff John Zanoni said at a news conference Friday.

Deputies found the parents dead and the sister injured. A 7-year-old sibling was uninjured and was in the care of relatives, Zanoni said.

The teenage boy told deputies someone broke in and attacked family members before fleeing in a pickup, but detectives discovered inconsistencies in his story, and he was ultimately taken into custody, the sheriff said.

Fresno County Sheriff John Zanoni during the news conference. (Fresno County Sheriff's Office / via Facebook)

He fabricated the story of the break-in, Zanoni said.

The teen sustained a few scratches, he said, but there was no indication he had self-inflicted injuries.

The suspect was not being identified because he is a minor.

The parents were identified as father Lue Yang and mother Se Vang, both 37. The cause and manor of death were still pending, a sheriffs spokesperson said.

The sister had severe injuries and was expected to survive after receiving trauma care, Zanoni said.

Authorities were still cataloging weapons and were not prepared to say exactly what was used in the attacks, the sheriff said, adding that some of the multiple weapons used in the violence were not uncommon in rural areas.

Miramonte is in the Sierra Nevada mountains, about 40 miles west of Mount Whitney.

Miramonte sign by a road at night. (Fresno County Sheriff's Office / via Facebook)

The motive has not been determined, Zanoni said. Deputies had not made previous visits to the household.

It wasnt clear if charges had been formally filed or if the suspect has retained counsel in the case. The Fresno County public defenders office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The teen was being held in a juvenile facility on allegations of murder and attempted murder, the sheriff said.

It is extremely tragic, he said.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
A California teenager was arrested after allegedly killing his parents and critically injuring his younger sister.

The 14-year-old boy faces two charges of murder and one charge of attempted murder for the attacks against his parents and 11-year-old sister, according to the Fresno County Sheriff's Department.

Deputies responded on Wednesday at about 7:40 p.m. to a home in Miramonte, California, after receiving a 911 call of injured people from the boy, who said someone had broken into his family's house and attacked his mom, dad and sister. The boy said the intruder fled the scene in a pickup truck after the attack.

When deputies entered the home, they discovered two dead adults  identified as 37-year-old Lue Yang and 37-year-old Se Vang  and their 11-year-old daughter, who was suffering from serious injuries.

EX-CALIFORNIA COLLEGE STUDENT ACCUSED OF FATAL STABBINGS DEEMED COMPETENT TO STAND TRIAL

The girl was rushed to the hospital for treatment and is expected to survive. She underwent surgery and is making improvements to her health, the sheriff's office said.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

However, after detectives went to the home to investigate, it was revealed that the boy's story was inconsistent with the evidence found at the scene. The sheriff's office said the boy fabricated the story and was responsible for using multiple weapons to attack his parents and sister.

The boy's seven-year-old brother was also inside the home during the attacks but was not injured, Sheriff John Zanoni said at a press conference. The seven-year-old brother is now in the care of other family members.

NEW CALIFORNIA LAW WILL CHANGE THE WAY POLICE OFFICERS INTERACT WITH DRIVERS, PEDESTRIANS

"When individuals live in rural areas of Fresno County, like up here in the mountains, those individuals tend to have weapons readily available, whether its knives, firearms, things like that for self-protection," Zanoni said. "Many people hunt. So its not uncommon for weapons to be readily available. Unfortunately, in this case, they were in the hands of a 14-year-old who used them in a very violent manner."

The motive of the attacks is unclear, and the investigation remains ongoing.

The identities of the children will not be released because they are minors.





Original article source: California boy, 14, arrested for killing parents, critically injuring sister
California Secretary of State Shirley Weber will include former President Trump on her state's primary ballot despite pressure to remove the Republican presidential frontrunner.

Weber argued that while she finds the former president's actions "abhorrent and disturbing and an attack on democracy," she feels obligated to follow the rule of law and allow Trump on her state's primary ballot.

"But at the same time, if I believe in this democracy that is there, I have to basically continue to abide by the rule of law, and for me not to do that, then I am no better than Trump," Weber told The Los Angeles Times on Friday.

"And I must be better than Trump," the Secretary of State said.

MAINE GOP STATE LAWMAKER MOVES TO IMPEACH STATE SECRETARY OVER TRUMP BALLOT REMOVAL

Former President Trump

Weber also admitted that her office worked for months with other state and local officials to figure out if there were legal grounds to remove Trump from the states primary ballot.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Following the deliberation, Weber said that, in the interview with the Los Angeles Times, it was determined that the state constitution does not give her authority to remove Trump from the ballot.

California Secretary of State Shirley Weber

Her decision to "follow the rule of law" came after Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis sent her a letter on Dec. 20 imploring her to "explore every legal option to remove former President Donald Trump from Californias 2024 presidential primary ballot."

In a follow-up letter to Kounalakis, Weber said she must place the "sanctity" of democratic elections above "partisan politics."

"As California's chief elections officer, I am the steward of free and fair elections and the democratic process," Weber wrote. "I must place the sanctity of these elections above partisan politics."

COLORADO TO INCLUDE TRUMP ON 2024 BALLOT AS STATE GOP APPEALS TO SUPREME COURT

Weber hit back at Kounalakis, saying that her team had used "every means possible" to investigate the legality of removing Trump from the state's primary ballot.

"Im not sure why the lieutenant governor says, Use every means possible, because we have been doing that," Weber said. "I havent shared that information with her, because she hasnt asked me."

Gov. Gavin Newsom agreed with Weber's sentiments, saying last week that, "we defeat candidates at the polls."

"There is no doubt that Donald Trump is a threat to our liberties and even to our democracy," Newsom said in a statement. "But in California, we defeat candidates at the polls."

"Everything else is a political distraction ," Newsom said.

Weber's move follows Maine Democratic Secretary of State Shenna Bellows' decision Thursday to remove Trump from the state's presidential primary ballot.

On Tuesday, Trump is expected to appeal the ballot decisions issued in recent days in Colorado and Maine, Fox News has confirmed.

The move follows Maine Democratic Secretary of State Shenna Bellows' decision to remove Trump from the state's presidential primary ballot, citing the insurrection clause of the Constitution.

A divided Colorado Supreme Court ruled last week that Trump is ineligible to run for the presidency under the Constitution's insurrection clause, arguing that his actions fueled the deadly Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by right-wing protesters aiming to disrupt congressional certification of President Biden's 2020 election victory.

Colorado's Republican Party appealed the ruling Tuesday, thus pausing the court's decision and putting Trump back on the ballot.

The U.S. Supreme Court is likely to make the final decision.





Original article source: California Democrat secretary of state to allow Trump on GOP presidential primary ballot: 'I must be better'
While California lawmakers feel pressure to address concerns about crime, the murky and sometimes contradictory evidence of an increase in lawlessness has put legislators in a bind.

Recent studies show that retail theft has increased in some of California's big cities  with shoplifting rates jumping nearly 50% in San Francisco since 2019  while some rural and suburban areas of the state have seen a drop in those crimes.

Adding to the confusion, the National Retail Federation retracted a claim in an April report that said organized retail crime was responsible for $94.5 billion in missing merchandise nationwide in 2021. In reality, that number was discovered to be much lower.

Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Alameda), who sits on a recently formed special committee to address retail theft, said the inconsistent information makes it difficult to assess the issue as lawmakers prepare to reconvene in January and draft proposed laws to combat the rash of highly publicized thefts.

I am concerned the way social media is not fully representing the extent of the incidences of crime we are experiencing or the root cause of that crime, Bonta said.

Some California prosecutors and business leaders blame the state's "toothless" laws against nonviolent retail theft, saying the problem has grown worse because of the lack of serious consequences for offenders.

They want to see changes made to the decade-old ballot measure , known as Proposition 47, that classified as misdemeanors certain drug possession offenses and nonviolent property crimes that do not exceed $950 in value.

But civil rights advocates are skeptical about returning to a tough-on-crime approach.

"I think its difficult. The reality is public safety issues are easy issues to get quickly driven by hyperbole and fear," said Lenore Anderson, co-founder and president of Alliance for Safety and Justice and co-author of Proposition 47. "Thats part of the reason weve struggled as a state."

There have already been two hearings this month to address this issue in Sacramento, one held by the bipartisan retail theft committee and the other by the Little Hoover Commission, an independent state oversight agency that was asked by the Legislature to examine these issues. Some lawmakers expressed frustration about how to move forward without clear data.

For people in my district, the one bill people know is Prop. 47. But there is a lot of misinformation around that," said Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth), a member of the newly convened 11-member committee, which met for the first time in December to address these issues.

The criminal penalty for nonviolent retail theft that does not exceed $950 of merchandise is typically up to six months of jail time and no state prison time, but opponents assert that few serve their full sentences and some don't show up to court. Critics also say that the measure doesn't target repeat offenders.

Since 2019, shoplifting in San Mateo and San Francisco counties has increased 53% and 43%, respectively, the highest out of California's 15 largest counties, according to Magnus Lofstrom, a policy director at the Public Policy Institute of California who detailed his report at a hearing this month before the Assembly Select Committee on Retail Theft.

A 2018 report from the PPIC found that recidivism rates decreased after Proposition 47 and that violent crime did not increase as a result of the measure.

Read more: What we know (and dont) about the rise in retail theft

But one leading organization of state prosecutors says that has changed since the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic distress caused by job losses and government shutdowns.

Social media posts and news coverage showing brazen shoplifters smashing windows and grabbing whatever items they can have fueled fears that the more lax punishments under Proposition 47 opened the door to more crime.

Rachel Michelin, the president of Californias Retail Assn. and a panelist at a hearing last week, supports revising Proposition 47 in a November ballot measure, saying "its not about putting people in jail."

Our goal is to stop people from stealing [and] to deter the behavior," she said. "Right now, the perception is you can go into a store, pack your bag up with stuff and there wont be a consequence.

Read more: California Assembly: Who's in and who's out for the most powerful posts

Jeff Kreshek, a senior vice president at Federal Realty Investment Trust, which he said owns 102 shopping centers nationally and across California, said the problem is more pervasive and pronounced in the Golden State "than any other place we have property."

But when asked to provide data by lawmakers at last week's hearing, he came up empty-handed.

"I asked 15 retailers for data [before this] and they couldnt provide it. I realize it makes your job harder," he told the committee. My data is stores closing, retailers not being able to hire. Consumers telling us they dont feel safe going out."

Many speculate that data collection on these crimes is so scattered because not every incident is being reported and there are inconsistencies in how police agencies categorize the incidents.

Read more: Poll: California voters want to reinstate tougher penalties for some crimes, change Prop. 47

Lynn Melillo, who sits on the board of the California Grocers Assn., said at the hearing held by the Little Hoover Commission this month that their "biggest" spending goes to security guards.

"It feels like there [are no consequences]," she said. "We feel we stand alone because we do call the police [...] theyre not always responsive."

Several lawmakers on the committee agreed that these crimes could be prevented once there are restrictions on selling stolen goods online.

A bill from Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) addressed this issue and went into effect this year. The law requires online marketplaces to request certain tax, payment and contact information from high-volume third-party sellers to limit the sale of stolen goods. It also authorizes the attorney general to penalize any sellers or platforms that violate the bill's requirements.

The newly appointed Assembly Labor and Employment Committee chair, Liz Ortega (D-San Leandro), said there are still loopholes in that law that need to be addressed.

"[That] is an area I really want to work on," she said.

Kreshek of Federal Realty said regulating the sale of goods on platforms such as Amazon and Facebook Marketplace is "no small task."

"But is that a part of a solution? Absolutely," he said. "You need to take away the vehicle through which merchandise is sold. If you dont make it harder to sell, you dont resolve the problem."

Read more: Column: How the retail lobby sold a $45-billion whopper about organized shoplifting

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Four police officers have been injured and eight people arrested after a demonstration in south London, the Metropolitan Police has said.

There were clashes in Camberwell after a protest related to "tensions in the Eritrean community", the force added.

Footage of the incident seemed to show people wielding sticks clashing with officers, bringing traffic to a halt.

About 50 people gathered outside a private venue before violence broke out, police said.

A heavy police presence was still in place at the scene, near The Lighthouse Theatre, on Saturday evening.

In a statement, the force said eight people were arrested for offences including violent disorder, criminal damage, possession of offensive weapons and assault on an emergency worker.

"Four officers were injured, one of whom was taken to hospital and has now been discharged," the statement continued.

The Met said everyone involved in the demonstration had been dispersed and additional officers were called in to provide back-up.

A dispersal order has been put in place in the area until 07:00 on Sunday, which gives police the power to exclude a person from the area.

Officers said they had been working with a group of people who organised an event at a private venue in Camberwell Road.

The Met explained that those arrested were part of a group of demonstrators who gathered outside the venue.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk
Candidates for public office in Wichita would no longer be able to accept donations from corporations and limited liability companies if the Wichita City Council moves forward Tuesday with a proposed ban.

Proposed amendments to the citys campaign finance rules would prohibit municipal candidates and their political committees from accepting money from in-state and out-of-state corporations and LLCs and instead allow donations only from individuals, political action committees and other entities.

Under Kansas law, a person, business, organization or other entity can contribute up to $500 to a candidate in each election cycle.

The rules dont bar those behind LLCs and corporations from donating as individuals and again in their companies names, feeding what can amount to thousands of dollars into a candidates campaign and giving them what some see as an unfair advantage.

Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple has asked the City Council to declare a public emergency so the ordinance can be adopted when its introduced Tuesday to insure that candidates in upcoming elections have the necessary guidance to establish appropriate financing for City of Wichita election campaigns, according to the request for declaration of emergency.

Tuesdays meeting is Whipples last as mayor after he lost his seat to former television reporter Lily Wu in Novembers general election. Wu  who raised a record $440,000 in contributions during her mayoral campaign, including about $115,000 from businesses  will be sworn in on Jan. 8, according to the citys website.

Businesses contributed $5,200 to Whipples campaign, according to an Eagle analysis of campaign finance reports.

The new rules, if passed, would apply to mayor and city council campaigns in Wichita.

Asked to comment on the proposal Friday, Wu sent an emailed statement.

Individuals and businesses are both vital to our community and should be able to participate in campaigns. The state already mandates a $500 contribution limit per individual or entity, and attempting to manipulate this could have other consequences, she wrote.

She noted her record number of contributions from a diverse population of Wichitans and added: At the end of the day, its not dollars that win elections but voters who make the effort to vote for the candidate.

Prohibitions on the types of entities that can donate to Wichita municipal elections arent new. The city used to bar political committees, corporations, partnerships, trusts, labor unions, business groups and other organizations from contributing to candidates.

But the council changed the ordinance in December 2015 to make it more consistent with state law and help avoid First Amendment challenges in light of the U.S. Supreme Courts landmark Citizens United decision, which prohibits the government from restricting independent spending for political campaigns by corporations and other groups.

During a public meeting Friday where council members reviewed Tuesdays agenda, outgoing council member Bryan Frye questioned whether a public emergency really exists and why the council waited until now to try to make changes.

Theres a lot of social media chatter that ... because this would affect the next council that they should be allowed to weigh in on it. By rushing it forward, they dont have that opportunity, Frye said.

When I hear public emergency, I think of public health, public safety. This in my mind doesnt fit that definition.

Councilman Mike Hoheisel told Frye taking up the ordinance instead of waiting had more to do with finishing up council business now as opposed to letting the next council follow through with it.

Whipple told Frye an emergency exists because some people have already announced their campaigns for the next election cycle. Waiting to take action would give those candidates a chance to bundle checks into their account and put others in the race who might not understand the complexities of campaign finance law at a disadvantage, he said.

Every year there is a new financial timing, which means that every year it all resets, Whipple said.

Frye argued that rushing to pass the ordinance and pushing it through without a public workshop or engagement from the citys district advisory boards reeks of no transparency. He pointed out that the council had multiple public engagement opportunities before approving the most-recent police contract and sought input from district advisory boards on a proposed retaliatory eviction ordinance thats also under consideration Tuesday.

Im not defending the action of bundling checks. Im asking why is there such a rush when there should be more public discussion, Frye said.

Whipple said that sort of input wasnt needed because the campaign finance ordinance applies only to candidates. Public discussions should be for people participating in public programs and events, he said.

You have landlords on your DABs (district advisory boards). You dont have candidates on your DABs who are running for office, Whipple said. It makes sense if you want to actually make sure the next (election) cycle is fair, and thats what were going to do.

Frye also brought up that prohibiting LLCs and corporations from donating could have legal ramifications, including freedom of speech issues in light of the Citizens United ruling.

Hoheisel said the citys legal department has reviewed multiple drafts of the ordinance, which is part of the reason it wasnt introduced to the council sooner.

Although check bundling can also happen with PAC contributions, those wouldnt be banned under the proposed ordinance because of legal concerns, Hoheisel said.

This was the one that we thought we could get passed by the end of the year, and its written so that way if there are challenges and part of it is struck down, those parts that are struck down will be removed, Hoheisel said.
Massive waves fueled by a distant, approaching storm crashed into San Luis Obispo Countys coastline on Thursday, causing a destructive spectacle that experts say might be a hint at a future altered by climate change.

In Avila Beach, people ran, parents grabbing their screaming children and leaping onto elevated surfaces to escape waves that sloshed over a seawall that usually marked the beginning of an expansive, sandy beach.

Nearby in Shell Beach, neighbors watched as waves crashed as high as their home rooftops sitting atop tall cliffs above the raging Pacific Ocean. Some took photos and videos, having to pause frequently to wipe the ocean spray from their camera lenses.

Farther south, a pickup truck overturned in flooded Arroyo Grande Creek, foamy water reaching past the kiosk normally welcoming visitors to the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area.

And to the north, waves breached the rocks surrounding the parking lot at Morro Rock, a huge surge topped the wall in Cayucos and ran down the street and elephant seals battled waves while giving birth to pups at the Piedras Blancas rookery.

San Luis Obispo County wasnt alone  powerful waves caused wreckage from Pacifica to Ventura on Thursday, according to multiple news reports.

Events like these are not that common, said Richard Thompson, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Los Angeles. Its a combination of the storm and high tides that are really exacerbating things.

High surf runs all the way up Avila Beach to the sidewalk as visitors take in the sight on Thursday, Dec. 28 2023.

Strong storm in Pacific Ocean kicks up big waves

Thompson said a storm in the Pacific Ocean hundreds of miles out from San Luis Obispo Countys coastline was generating hurricane-force winds on Thursday.

Those strong winds shoved the ocean water out and toward California, creating a massive swell and exceptionally high surf.

A high tide of about 6.5 feet accompanied the massive waves  meaning those waves crashed closer to shore than normal.

The Weather Service issued a high surf warning and coastal flooding warning for areas of the Central Coast beginning Thursday and in effect through Saturday evening. The warnings advised people to steer clear of beaches while breaking waves of 15 to 25 feet were expected to hit the shoreline.

Another potential factor impacting the surf was the unusually warm sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean creating what may be considered a historically strong El Nino event.

Those warm ocean currents have a tendency to kick up strong storms, giving California good chances of a rainy winter.

High surf pushes up the beach at Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023.

El Nino event brings ocean-wide waves

The El Nino event is accompanied by oceanic downwelling Kelvin waves. This occurs when a thick, warm layer of the Pacific Ocean sloshes east  creating an expansive, ocean-wide wave that can take two to three months to reach Californias shore.

Kelvin waves are different from the waves were accustomed to seeing crash on the shore.

For one, they move slowly at about a few meters a second, according to David DeWitt, director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations Climate Prediction Center.

These waves can cause a modest rise in sea level, but that effect lasts for several months because they move so slowly, DeWitt said in an emailed statement to The Tribune.

The Kelvin waves can also reach a higher amplitude when they enter shallower water.

During El Nino, conditions can be more damaging, said Gary Griggs, a professor of Earth sciences at UC Santa Cruz.

Its a triple threat: A large storm with hurricane-force winds kicking up big waves, a high winter tide and El Nino-associated Kelvin waves.

What you are seeing off the coast of California is wind-driven surface waves associated with this large storm that is impacting the area, DeWitt wrote in his emailed statement. Those wind-driven waves occur on top of the tides and any effect from the coastal Kelvin waves.

High surf sent waves all the way up the beach in Cayucos, flooding the playground and nearby streets on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023.

Dangerous surf conditions may become more common due to climate change

Its important to note, Griggs said, that the dangerous surf conditions along San Luis Obispo Countys coast should not be taken as a one-off.

He cited a recent study by Peter Bromirski of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego.

The study found that winter waves along Californias coast have gotten bigger by about a foot since 1970  because the planets warming temperatures from greenhouse gas emissions have esulted in stronger and more frequent storms.

Thursdays weather event was not unexpected, Griggs said. And we may see more of these events more often.

Large waves hammer the Avila Beach Pier on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2023.
A man from Stamping Ground died after being accidentally shot Friday afternoon, according to the Scott County Sheriffs Office.

The sheriffs office said in a Facebook post that a preliminary investigation indicates that the death of Jesse Louis Thompson was the result of an accidental shooting within the household.

Sgt. Robert Tackett said the sheriffs office was called at 3:43 p.m., and Thompson was pronounced dead at the scene.

Tackett said it is a sensitive investigation, and Thompson did not shoot himself, but the sheriffs office is not releasing further information about the incident.

The shooting happened on U.S. 227, the Georgetown News-Graphic reported.
Sending a Christmas card through the post saw some recipients charged by Royal Mail as outdated and counterfeit stamps were used.

Several Telegraph readers have said they were made to pay to receive their greeting cards, some of which were undelivered because of insufficient postage.

The majority of stamps without barcodes have not been valid since July 31, following a six-month extension after the introduction of new digital stamps.

Writing in Fridays letters page, Tim Horne said he was charged 2.50 to receive a Christmas card sent by a friend to his wife because the sender had used an old stamp. While Stephen Ennis said he had paid 5 for an undelivered item with insufficient postage, which turned out to be a Christmas card. He said that the stamp on the card did bear a barcode but that it had been labelled as a counterfeit, meaning that the charge was due.

But on contacting the sender, he discovered that the stamps had been purchased from a Post Office. Under close inspection, he said that the newer stamp had a slightly different barcode, which he thought could have been the cause of the problem.

Alan Green said he was also required to pay 5 when he received a card from an old friend that had a stamp marked as counterfeit.

Mr Green said: I fail to see how any penalty can be more than the cost of another First Class stamp as I am not the culprit. The card was from an old friend who is now very concerned as he has sent a whole batch of cards to a large number of grieving widows with stamps from the same sheet.

Retailers, including Amazon and the Co-op, were accused of continuing to sell the old stamps, which cannot be used on post in the UK. Older Christmas stamps, or other special stamps with pictures on, can still be used for posting items.

Lee Smith said hed been given a pack of eight first-class stamps that were marked not to be used after December 2021 in a Co-op in Cardiff when he bought extras to send Christmas letters this year.

Stamps bearing the profile of the late Queen Elizabeth II that do not have barcodes appeared to be for sale online on sites including Amazon, the Telegraph found.

Customers with old stamps can still swap them for new barcoded stamps, by filling out a form and posting them to Freepost Swap Out.

But some stamp-users said they had struggled to have their old stamps replaced, despite buying them from Post Offices or other trustworthy retailers. George Icke said that hed sent off his stamps to be replaced but had received a letter from Royal Mail telling him that he had been sold counterfeits. He said he had sent the stamps in the original Royal Mail booklet.

It comes after the cost of a book of first class stamps hit 10 for the first time in September. The price of a single first-class stamp rose to 1.25, amid increasing cost pressures and a challenging economic environment.

A Royal Mail spokesman told the Telegraph that it was vital that any cases where a person believes their stamps have been incorrectly flagged as counterfeit were investigated.

The spokesman said: To do this, we require any customer who believes they have been incorrectly surcharged to send the envelope with the barcoded stamp attached to us, along with the exact location of where the stamp was purchased.

The stamps are assessed three times by experts using specialist equipment, the spokesman added.

They said: We are confident our processes are robust. We will always happily review individual cases and if an error has been made then we will of course correct it.

A Post Office spokesman said: Stamps are available to buy from a number of different sources. Post Office Ltd receives its stamps directly from Royal Mails secure printers. Customers who buy stamps at Post Offices are given an itemised receipt, and this is required to investigate any allegations of fake stamps.

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A Charlotte man and woman are being sought in an attack on a Chipotle worker during a dispute involving their order, authorities said Friday.

A woman argued with the worker over the order, and a man pushed the worker to the floor of the restaurant in Indian Land, South Carolina, just after 9 p.m. Dec. 10, Lancaster County Sheriff Barry Faile said in a post on Facebook Friday.

The man then began hitting the 20-year-old worker, pulling her hair and jerking her around, Faile said.

The woman who argued with the worker joined in the assault, according to the sheriffs office Facebook post.

The two customers left the restaurant before deputies arrived, but a witness got a description of the Dodge Charger the suspects left in and a tag number, Faile said.

Investigators also obtained store video and video taken by a witness, and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police helped identify the suspects, the sheriff said.

Warrants obtained Wednesday charged 36-year-old Jamel Bernard Williams with assault and battery, first degree, and 34-year-old Kayla Nicole Pyle with assault and battery, second degree, Faile said.

The warrants are active and have been entered into the national database for wanted persons, the sheriff said.

He called the assault completely unjustified.

The sheriff said he didnt know what was said between the woman and the worker, but the victim was leaving for home and was chased down from behind and attacked in the dining room of the restaurant.

The worker complained of pain but declined treatment at the scene, Faile said. She sought treatment on her own after the incident, but the extent of her injuries is unknown, he said.

A male juvenile who was with the two customers hasnt been identified and wont be charged, the sheriff said.

Authorities urged anyone with information about the case to call the Lancaster County Sheriffs Office at 803-283-3388 and select option 4. Callers can remain anonymous.
CHICAGO - As Chicago gears up to celebrate the New Year, preparations were in full swing Friday  with city officials prioritizing safety during the festivities.

The Chicago Police Department is working in tandem with the citys Office of Emergency Management and Communications.

"Our violence interrupters will be deployed downtown and throughout the city to engage with members of our public, but especially our youth," said Deputy Chief Jon Hein, Chicago Police Department.

Hein, the incident commander for this weekends New Years Eve celebrations, said CPD is expanding its police presence  with extra officers deployed both on the ground and across the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA).

"With all the activities going on in the downtown area, were going to have the adequate number of officers to ensure safety, not only downtown but throughout the neighborhoods," said Hein.

Officials are emphatically urging the public not to discharge firearms into the air as a form of celebration on New Year's Eve.

Furthermore, they are advocating for heightened awareness of your surroundings during the festivities, particularly in large crowds.

"The traffic control will be out there to assess the situation, it will be very fluid," said Hein.

The city's schedule boasts numerous events, including the New Years Eve 5K on Lake Shore Drive at 8 a.m. Sunday, followed by the Bears game at Soldier Field with kickoff at noon.

Evening celebrations offer multiple options for Chicagoans to watch the clock strike midnight, including Navy Piers New Years Eve Gala.

This year, midnight fireworks will light up the sky, not only at Navy Pier but also along the Riverwalk. There, the countdown to the New Year will be projected onto the Merchandise Mart, following the Best of ART on THE MART show, which begins at 7:30 p.m.

The show will highlight the most popular projections over the last five years, including pieces from leading artists like Derrick Adams, Nick Cave and the Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project

"Theres been many meetings in preparation for New Years Eve so I think were prepared, and our plan will be implemented, I hope everyone has a happy and safe New Years Eve," said Hein.

Due to large crowds, using public transportation is encouraged.

Plus, to urge the public to celebrate responsibly, the CTA  in partnership with Miller Lite  is offering free rides on trains and buses from 10 p.m. Sunday until 4 a.m. Monday.

The Chicago Police Department is aware of a possible pro-Palestine demonstration along Michigan Avenue at noon on New Years Eve. Officials say they are in contact with the organizers to ensure everyone remains safe.
Chicago's mayor has decided to use the city's budget surplus of $95 million to accommodate the mounting costs of the thousands of illegal migrants pouring into the city.

According to the Chicago Sun Times, citing Mayor Brandon Johnson's top aid, the move came to share with residents how the city is providing care and shelter for the over 15,000 migrants flooding the city.

Johnsons senior adviser, Jason Lee, said that while the resources will help, it will not "change the outlook" for the windy city's continued "unstable" migrant crisis.

"This doesnt change that outlook," Lee told the Sun-Times. "Were going to continue to lobby the federal government for more support as the situation becomes, frankly, more unstable."

CHICAGO MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON CALLS FOR REPARATIONS FUNDING TO REDUCE VIOLENT CRIME

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson's office says the city has welcomed more than 20,000 asylum-seekers since August 31, 2022.

A migrant child scooters past Venezuelan migrants Michael Castejon and daughter, Andrea Sevilla, as they wait for a ride-share at the 1st District police station in Chicago, Nov. 3, 2023.

Over 20,000 migrants have appeared in the Windy City since August 2022, Fox32 Chicago has reported.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

In November, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced that Illinois will funnel an additional $160 million to help migrants arriving in Chicago to resettle, including $65 million to help the city launch "winterized" temporary shelter to avoid people sleeping outdoors in cold weather.

Migrants and their belongings are seen outside Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Oak Park on Nov. 1, 2023, where they were being given shelter.

Johnson has criticized President Joe Bidens administration for not directing more federal money to help deal with a situation that has continued to escalate-with no end in sight.

"What I have worked to do instead of having chaos is provided some structure and calm around the situation and, without significant federal support, this is not sustainable," Johnson said on CNN.

MASSACHUSETTS HOMELESS SHELTER CAP LEAVES MIGRANT FAMILIES STRANDED

"I've said repeatedly we need more resources," he added.

"[W]ithout real significant investment from our federal government, it wont just be the city of Chicago that wont be able to maintain this mission; its the entire country that is now at stake," Johnson said.

The progressive leader has also extensively criticized Texas Gov. Greg Abbott for sending buses of migrants to sanctuary cities and states.

CHICAGO DEMOCRAT HAS LOST PATIENCE WITH BIDEN AMID MIGRANT CRISIS: LEFT US IN THE DITCH

The Texas governor has been bussing migrants into the city since last year to highlight the impact of illegal immigration on border towns in his state.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott at the U.S.-Mexico border. Texas has bussed thousands of migrants to so-called sanctuary cities in an effort to provide relief to border towns and call attention to the flow of illegal immigrants into the country.

Last week, Abbott began flying migrants into the sanctuary city. Johnson complained that Abbott was not helping address the migrant crisis.

"In no way what the state of Texas is doing is helping the cause," he said on CNN.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson's office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

Fox News Digital's Gabriel Hays contributed to this report.





Original article source: Chicago's mayor taps $95M in federal COVID-19 relief funds for migrant housing costs: report
BEIJING (Reuters) - China will simplify visa applications for tourists from the United States from Jan. 1, cutting the documents required, according to a notice on Friday on the website of the Chinese embassy in Washington.

The move is the latest by China to revive tourism and boost the world's second-largest economy following a slump during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tourist visa applicants in the U.S. will no longer need to submit air ticket bookings, hotel reservations or an invitation letter, the embassy's notice said.

Beijing earlier cleared the way for passport holders from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia to visit the country without visas from Dec. 1.

Visa-free treatment will run for 12 months, during which tourists from those six countries can visit China for up to 15 days.

China also expanded its visa-free transit policy to 54 countries in November.

The number of inbound tourists to the country plummeted during the pandemic due to the country's strict COVID control policies.

International flights to China have picked up since Beijing dropped COVID restrictions a year ago but are still only at 60% of 2019 levels.

(Reporting by Chinese Newsroom; Editing by Sonali Paul)
(Bloomberg) -- China abruptly ousted nine military figures from its national parliament without explanation, as a major purge of personnel in the upper echelons of the nations defense universe casts its net wider.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The nations top legislative body revoked the lawmakers membership during a Friday meeting, the official Xinhua News Agency reported. Their ouster adds to a series of recent removals that are raising questions about how such turmoil will affect the smooth operations of Chinas military.

Five of those cut came from the nations secretive Rocket Force, including former commander Li Yuchao who was earlier reported to be subject to a corruption investigation.

At least two hailed from the Equipment Development Department, which this summer opened a corruption investigation into hardware purchases going back to 2017. The dates of that inquiry overlapped with former defense minister Li Shangfus tenure leading the procurement department.

Ding Laihang, a former commander of the Air Force, was also ousted on Friday, while the ninth person was from the navy. Their removal marked the first time those branches of the military have been implicated by the recent personnel swings.

The body didnt specify a reason for removing the men. The Peoples Liberation Army hasnt published any information about a disciplinary probe.

The removals are a sign Chinese President Xi Jinpings nearly decade-long drive to clean up the Peoples Liberation Army is still incomplete. Back in 2014, China started launching probes into some of its top current and retired generals, including two who had sat on the body that runs the PLA, the Central Military Commission.

This years unexplained purges suggest that corruption probe is once again ramping up. Beijing ousted Li as Chinas top military diplomat without explanation in October, months after replacing two top leaders managing the nations nuclear arsenal. A top political advisory body removed three defense company executives this week.

The Friday meeting of the legislature also installed former navy chief Dong Jun as Chinas new defense minister, potentially paving the way for a resumption of high-level military exchanges between the worlds two largest economies.

The purge of 12 delegates from the legislature and political advisory body in the space of three days suggests Xis shakeup of the military has reached its apex, Eurasia Group analysts including Mingda Qiu wrote in a note. Investigations are likely continuing at lower levels, as well as in other departments, they added.

--With assistance from Colum Murphy.

(Updates with analyst quote)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
This January 10, 2022 satellite image released on December 28, 2023 by Maxar Technologies shows the island of Tinian, where the US is reviving a World War II-era airfield (Handout)

In the middle of the Pacific ocean, an abandoned US airfield once key to dropping the nuclear bomb on Japan -- and nearly lost to history amid encroaching forest -- is being revived.

But as the Americans hack away at the jungle overgrowth at Tinian island airfield and other old, World War II-era bases across the region, it won't be with Japan on their mind.

Rather, it's Beijing's growing influence in the Pacific that is spurring the recovery of a slew of abandoned runways on the 40 square-mile (100 square-kilometer) speck of land that makes up Tinian, part of the US territory of the Northern Mariana Islands.

"Rehabilitation of World War II-era airfields has provided Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) a rapidly executable avenue to enhance infrastructure in the region," a spokesperson told AFP.

Though the statement mentioned a "sense of urgency" enabling PACAF to "enhance... warfighting capability and improve deterrent posture alongside Allies and partners," it did not mention China directly.

But Washington's plans for what officials have described as "an extensive" facility on Tinian comes amid a serious military pivot to the Pacific in recent years -- and as China builds its own new bases in the region, including in disputed waters.

"The most comprehensive and serious challenge to US national security is the (People's Republic of China's) coercive and increasingly aggressive endeavor to refashion the Indo-Pacific region and the international system to suit its interests and authoritarian preferences," the Department of Defense's 2022 planning document, called the National Defense Strategy, reads.

Tinian's old military airfield "has extensive pavement underneath the overgrown jungle. We'll be clearing that jungle out between now and summertime," Air Force General Kenneth Wilsbach recently told Japanese outlet Nikkei Asia.

Meanwhile, military projects for "fuel and airfield development" at the island's nearby civilian airport are already underway, according to the PACAF spokesman.

- Back to the future -

If little known now, the airfield at Tinian was perhaps the most important -- and the busiest -- in the world in 1945, as its six hastily built runways played host to US B-29 bombers carrying out missions against Japan, some 1,500 miles (2,300 kilometers) away.

Including, on August 6 and August 9 of that year, the planes that dropped nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

"Little Boy" and "Fat Man," as the weapons were known, killed some 200,000 people.

In the last three years, money annually allocated to Indo-Pacific military construction costs has doubled, from $1.8 billion in 2020 to just shy of $3.6 billion in 2023, according to a recent report from the Congressional Research Service (CRS).

It's part of a Pentagon strategy to open a range of flexible military bases, able to operate outside of the larger, longstanding installations in Japan, South Korea and the American island territory of Guam.

On Tinian, initial work started near the civilian airport in February 2022, before extending toward the World War II airfield on the north of the island.

Within two years, tarmac rehabilitation and the construction of fuel tanks are set to be completed, at a budget of at least $162 million, part of contingency plans in the event "access to Andersen Air Force Base or other western Pacific locations is limited or denied," according to Air Force financial documents reviewed by AFP.

Across multiple projects at Tinian, the total cost is unclear, "due to differing timelines and requirements, and the fact that not all work is being executed by the US Air Force," the PACAF spokesperson said.

- No 'super bases' -

Tinian isn't the only World War II-era base being revamped: new defense appropriations also include money for construction at Basa Air Base in the Philippines, "along with ongoing projects" at the Royal Australian Air Force's Darwin and Tindal bases, according to the PACAF spokesperson.

"A lot of our strategy there is taking many of the World War II airfields that frankly are overgrown by the jungle, and there's still concrete or asphalt underneath," Wilsbach said in a September speech.

"We're not making super bases anywhere. We're looking for a place to get some fuel and some weapons, maybe get a bite to eat and take a nap and then get airborne again."

Satellite images already show the extent of the work underway, including a new tarmac built just north of the civilian airport.

Not far off, satellite images show other military developments -- from China, which has created artificial islets among the diplomatically contested Spratly Islands, used to host its own air bases.

ube/cjc/nro/st
SEOUL, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- As a Cold War relic, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has faced criticism for maintaining a mentality reminiscent of that period. Therefore, the recent announcement by the South Korean Foreign Ministry to strengthen ties with the military bloc should be taken seriously.

As a U.S.-controlled tool used to instigate confrontation, NATO cannot bring security to South Korea. Instead, by inviting a wolf into its house, Seoul will only harm its strategic interests and endanger regional peace.

NATO, the world's largest military organization, has been known as a political and military weapon for maintaining U.S. hegemony.

The bloc has in recent years steadily expanded its military presence and capabilities in the Asia-Pacific, attracting countries such as South Korea and Japan by marketing security concerns.

The South Korean government has been stepping up trilateral military coordination with the United States and Japan along with security cooperation with major allies, including NATO, said Moon Chung-in, a professor at Yonsei University, in a Hankyoreh newspaper column.

"Ironically, fears about the security situation have only been growing in and around South Korea," Moon said, adding that the current situation foreshadows a return to the precarious security environment of the Cold War era.

Many in the region have voiced strong opposition to NATO's attempted expansion into Asia due to the military bloc's track record.

In pursuit of so-called absolute security, NATO has been conspiring to expand its geographical bounds and eat away at the security space of those outside the organization since its inception in 1949.

Despite its claim of being the defender of a so-called "rules-based" order, NATO has repeatedly ignored the United Nations Security Council and waged wars against sovereign states, causing massive humanitarian disasters and economic losses, and displacing tens of millions of people.

For many in the Asia-Pacific, NATO's offensive expansion is an attempt to infiltrate the region for strategic benefits through the troubled pattern of instigating conflicts.

The South Korean administration must realize that expanding collaboration with NATO is inviting trouble. The bloc's expansion into the Asia-Pacific will only exacerbate regional tensions, sparking conflict and potentially a new Cold War.

The Asia-Pacific region should be a place for common development rather than a geopolitical battlefield. Seeking peace, cooperation, and prosperity is the overall trend in the Asia-Pacific and meets the peoples' interests here. The South Korean government should keep that in mind. 
The resumption of trade is a welcome relief for Australian farmers as China bought half of the country's barley exports (William WEST)

Three years after steep Chinese tariffs halted imports of Australian barley as tensions between the two countries ratcheted higher, the grain is once again flowing freely.

Barley is not only used to brew beer but to feed pigs, and China was Australia's leading market, taking 50 percent of its barley exports.

China has imported 314,000 tonnes of Australian barley worth 139 million Australian dollars (around $94 million) since the government scrapped its 80.5 percent tariffs in August, the Australian government said in early December, citing official Chinese data.

The resumption of trade is a welcome relief for Australian farmers, who saw a nearly one billion Australian-dollar market evaporate in 2020.

"In the two months following the market's re-opening, Marketing and Trading shipped two vessels of barley to China," said the CBH Group, a cooperative of over 3,500 Western Australian grain farmers, in its annual report.

Tensions between the countries began to mount in 2018 when Australia excluded the Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei from its 5G network.

Then in 2020, Australia called for an international investigation into the origins of Covid-19 -- an action China saw as politically motivated since it emanated from a close partner of the United States.

In response, Beijing slapped high tariffs on key Australian exports, including barley, beef and wine, while halting its coal imports.

- New markets -

A slowdown in China's economic growth has spurred Beijing to rekindle its relationships with its trading partners.

Meanwhile, Australia sought out and found new markets to offload its harvests -- it is the world's third-largest producer of the grassy grain.

"It caused us to pivot, so we found new markets, like Mexico. We managed to have tariffs lowered, which were previously in excess of 100 percent," Sean Cole, the acting general manager of the GrainGrowers trade association, told AFP.

"With China gone, Australia was really forced to go back to more traditional customers in the feed market, mainly the Middle East and Saudi Arabia, where we've been for over 20 years," he added.

Between June 2022 and June 2023, Saudi Arabia became the leading importer of Australian barley, according to data from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES).

Lyndon Mickel farms a 6,000-hectare plot of land near Beaumont in the southwest part of Australia. The latest harvest of his fields of various grains and peas was the 23rd of his career, but it has taken time to bounce back from the Chinese tariffs.

"We've had a reduction in price, but we've been fortunate we've had two very good years in that time crop-wise," he said, "so what we've lost in price, we've gained in tonnage anyway."

But those boom years -- producing over 14 million tonnes of barley in the last two harvests -- are over.

- Additional gains -

As El Nino -- the cyclical weather phenomenon responsible for higher global temperatures -- returns to the Pacific, ABARES predicts barley production will drop by 24 percent to 10.8 million tonnes for the 2023-24 harvest.

The reopening of the Chinese market could not have come at a better time, said Sean Cole.

"A lot of our barley is classified as feed, but it is still suitable for beer manufacturing in China," he said, "they use slightly different processes, and essentially it means we can get a premium for more of our feed barley".

On average, barley destined for China is sold for "around 38 to 40 dollars a tonne between now and since the tariffs were lifted" and that amounts to "an extra 400 million dollars value for the Australia barley crop next year, even with a smaller crop," Cole added.

gp/sb/uh/lap/kma/sn
PARRISH, Fla. (WFLA) It was a nightmare before Christmas for Parrish parents after their son was flown 1,200 miles south to Puerto Rico instead of 1,000 miles north to Cleveland.

Logan Lose, 16, waved goodbye to his family last Friday at Tampa International Airport and headed to his flight to visit his mom for the holidays. When he got to the gate, he saw other passengers boarding and got in line.

His father, Ryan said the Frontier Airlines boarding agent checked his sons baggage, looked at his boarding pass on his phone and told him he could get on the jet.

6-year-old boy traveling to visit grandma for Christmas put on wrong Florida-bound Spirit flight

Logan said they didnt scan it, Ryan Lose said. They wouldve known it was the wrong flight if they scanned the boarding pass.

After landing in Puerto Rico, Lose texted his family in a panic.

Help me please, he said. Im so scared. They told me it was Ohio.



My first reaction was panic, his father said. Hes panicking, hes scared, and I cant be there to keep him safe.



The confusion was spurred by the gate that was involved. The flight to Puerto Rico left about two hours before the one to Cleveland, with both jets boarding from the same gate.

Lose said his son was already anxious about flying alone for the first time but still asked the right questions at the correct gate and presented his boarding pass.

Tampa area dad pushes for contact sports change after sons suicide

All they had to do was scan the boarding pass and he never boards, Lose said. Or if they did a head count [on the plane] they wouldve noticed he was not in a seat assigned to that flight.

Frontier Director of Corporate Communications Jennifer de la Cruz acknowledged the mistake at the gate.

He was able to board as a result of an error on the part of the boarding agent, de la Cruz said. He was immediately flown back to Tampa on the same aircraft and accommodated on a flight Cleveland the following day.



Lose said Frontiers initial denial Logan was on the wrong flight made it even worse.



They kept brushing it off, saying no thats not possible. That cant happen, Lose said. And when they did finally realize their mistake and said it looks like Logan did get on the other plane, they just said, oh sorry and that was it.



de la Cruz said the airline extended its sincere apologies to the family for the error.

The VAs breaking the law: Is the agencys health care data perfection or deception?

Lose said Frontier did offer a $200 travel voucher, but to him, it was not nearly enough for the stress that was involved.



They offered me a voucher to an airline that just lost my son, Lose said. I want accountability. These airlines are not being held accountable.



de la Cruz said Frontier does not have an unaccompanied minor program that escorts young travelers. She said the airline does allow passengers 15 and older to fly alone.

In an unrelated incident involving a Spirit Airlines flight, a 6-year-old boy was flown from Philadelphia to Orlando instead of the intended destination of Fort Myers, where his grandmother was waiting for him.



For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Elmore Nickelberry, a civil rights icon who marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the fight for higher pay and better working conditions for sanitation workers, has died at the age of 92, according to his family.

According to Nickelberrys son, Terrence Nickleberry, his fathers cancer returned, and he went into the hospital around Thanksgiving with fluid on his lungs. Soon after, he was placed in hospice.

Nickelberry served the City of Memphis as a sanitation worker for over 60 years. He began working for the city at the age of 21, fresh off the battlefields of the Korean War. He was making $1.25 for working a nine-hour day back then.

At 86, Memphis sanitation worker reflects on how things have changed, stayed the same

In March of 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. first came to Memphis for a non-violent protest in support of sanitation workers who were on strike due to poor working conditions and unlivable wages.

It was hard when I started working at first we had to tote tubs on our heads, and go to peoples backyards, and stuff run all down my head, down my back, and I couldnt go home. I had to pull off my clothes before I go in the house because all the maggots be in my clothes, said Nickelberry in a previous interview.

Nickelberry marched amongst the crowd with King leading the way.

King was killed on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel shortly afterward.

Fear of mass rioting after his death prompted Mayor Henry Loeb to finally acknowledge the American Federation of State, County Municipal Employees, or AFSCME, which represented the sanitation workers.

Martin Luther King came to Memphis to help us, thats how we got it. Thats the only way we got it. If he hadnt come we might have been still fighting now, said Nickelberry in a 2017 interview.

Sanitation worker reflects on the difference Dr. King made

In turn, striking sanitation workers finally received a much-needed pay raise.

I tell them, keep on marching, keep on doing the right thing. As long as theyre doing the right thing, everything will be good. But keep the dream alive, said Nickelberry in a 2018 interview.

Memphis pastor and former president of the Memphis NAACP DR. Keith Norman had the pleasure of knowing Nickelberry personally. He says Nickelberrys persistence and dedication as the longest-tenured employee of the city changed Memphis as we know it.

While it didnt solve the problem, many years later, they were still working under some very poor conditions, he was persistent enough to stay on the battlefield, he stayed on the wall, he didnt come down, Norman said. And he always stood his ground, so I think thats important. That will be his legacy.

Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland released the following statement regarding his death:

Im sorry to hear about the passing of Elmore Nickelberry, a remarkable man whom I had gotten to know over the last 8 years. He served the public for over 60 years. His contributions to the sanitation strike and the pursuit of fair working conditions will be forever a part of Memphis history and a significant part of the America Civil Rights Movement.

As we reflect on his life, let us express our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all those who stood alongside him in the pursuit of justice. May his legacy inspire future generations to continue the important work of advocating for the rights and dignity of workers everywhere.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
Police take away a climate activist detained for blocking the main highway around Amsterdam near the former headquarters of a ING bank to protest its financing of fossil fuels, Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023. Protestors walked onto the road at midday, snarling traffic around the Dutch capital in the latest road blockade organized by the Dutch branch of Extinction Rebellion. (AP Photo/Patrick Post)

AMSTERDAM (AP)  Climate activists blocked part of the main highway around Amsterdam near the former headquarters of ING bank for hours on Saturday to protest its financing of fossil fuels.

Dozens of Extinction Rebellion protesters were detained by police late in the afternoon after ignoring orders to end their blockade. Police said the operation to clear the road was peaceful.

Activist Sebastiaan Vannisselroy said the protesters were demonstrating "for the safety for us all. The Netherlands is a low-lying country. Were threatened by ocean rise. So we want to ... safeguard the future for all of us.

Amsterdam Municipality said in a message on X, formerly Twitter, that traffic authorities closed part of the road and diverted traffic to prevent a life-threatening situation."

Hundreds of activists walked onto the road in the latest road blockade organized by the Dutch branch of Extinction Rebellion. Earlier this year, the activist organization repeatedly blocked a highway leading into The Hague.

Some of Saturday's protesters walked along the closed A10 highway carrying a banner emblazoned with the words Change or die as two police vans drove slowly behind them.

Another person carried a handwritten banner that said: ING get out of oil and gas now! Others glued their hands to the road surface.

Police criticized the protesters for blocking the road close to the VU medical center, one of Amsterdam's main hospitals.

The blockade is very undesirable given its impact on the traffic in the city and, for example, employees at the nearby VU medical center and people visiting patients, Amsterdam police said in a statement.

The protest took place despite ING announcing earlier this month that it is accelerating its moves to phase out loans for fossil fuel exploration.

ING made its announcement a week after nearly 200 countries at the COP28 climate meeting in Dubai agreed to move away from planet-warming fossil fuels in a document that critics said contained significant loopholes.

Extinction Rebellion spokesperson Let de Jong said the phase-out plan was not fast enough.

We demand that ING immediately stops all fossil fuel financing, De Jong said in a statement ahead of the protest. Every day, people are dying around the world because of the climate and ecological crisis. That has to stop.

At past protests, in The Hague, police used a water cannon to force activists off the road and arrested hundreds of people.

___

Associated Press writer Mike Corder contributed from The Hague.
A storm from central Canada traveled from the Great Lakes to off the Northeast coast as the final hours of 2023 ticked away and 2024 began. AccuWeather meteorologists caution that spotty snow associated with this storm could make some roads slippery for New Year's travelers.

Storms traveling from western and central Canada to the northeastern United States are often called Alberta clippers. The storms are so named for the lightning-fast wind-powered sailing vessels of the 1800s and their point of origin, the Alberta province of Canada.

However, this Canadian storm is running with its sails rolled up and moving significantly more slowly than most that take a similar path. But, because of the slow-moving nature of the storm, it will have some time to tap moisture from the relatively mild and open waters of the Great Lakes. The weak nature of this particular storm and the chilly but not frigid air in its wake should prevent widespread moderate or heavy snowfall.

Just enough snow may fall to make some roads slippery, especially where that snow manages to fall into Monday evening, AccuWeather Meteorologist Matt Benz said.

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"In most places from the Upper Midwest to the central and northern Appalachians, this storm will produce accumulations of a coating to an inch or so and much of that may be on non-paved surfaces," Benz explained.

Enough snow fell from Sunday night to Monday morning, making some roads slippery in the central Appalachians. However, as temperatures rose slightly during midday, most of the snow melted on the roads. As temperatures dip slightly late Monday, slippery spots may again develop on some untreated roads and other surfaces.

Some major cities that have received a little snow into Monday morning include Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Buffalo, New York.

In the Interstate 95 zone from Washington, D.C. to Philadelphia, New York City and Boston, little precipitation is likely to fall from the storm.

Even a small amount of snow may prompt deicing operations at area airports and may lead to some flight delays.

Although the air following the storm is not of Arctic origin, it is cold enough to initiate some lake-effect snow and flurries. The Great Lakes and many of the smaller lakes in the Midwest and Northeast are nearly ice-free as of late December, much to the disappointment of ice-fishing interests.

"A few spots in the northern parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan, as well as ski country in western New York and perhaps the Allegheny Plateau in west-central Pennsylvania, may pick up a few inches of snow when combining the storm this weekend and the lake-effect snow that follows around the middle of the week," Benz said.

Snow has been nearly non-existent in the mid-Atlantic. However, even areas around the Great Lakes have seen only a small amount of snow relative to the historical average thus far.

Because of the largely open state of Great Lakes waters, any Arctic blast that rolls through as the winter progresses will have the potential to unleash an exceptionally heavy lake-effect snow event.

For now, none seem to be on deck until perhaps toward the middle of the month. It is possible that some Arctic air may become involved with a major storm around Jan. 10-11. The lake-effect snow machine could kick into high gear in the wake of that storm.

Prior to the central U.S. storm later this month, a winter storm is eyeing the Northeast for the first weekend of 2024.

That storm could produce a swath of heavy snow over the interior Northeast and a wintry mix of snow, ice and rain in the Interstate 95 corridor.

Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer.
Im a trans woman and Im happy, thats all it amounts to really. I recently graduated from college with a mechanical engineering degree and Im now working as an aerospace engineer in Dover. I just finished applying to graduate school, and Im excited about my future career. Ive happily moved in with my boyfriend recently, and I never would have had the confidence to do anything like this before my transition. Yet every time I look at the news, I see anti-transgender politicians whipping up a frenzy about how terrible it is that kids are learning about what it means to be transgender, or even that we exist at all.

Alice Wade

Specifically, when our state representatives come to Concord for the first day of session on Wednesday, January 3rd, theyll be voting on two leftover bills from last year that attack transgender people like me, and theyll have the opportunity to advance two positive bills that would support us. The negative bills would ban medical care for transgender adolescents (HB 619), and undermine New Hampshires law against discrimination that includes transgender people (HB 396). The positive bills would make New Hampshire a safer state for transgender people from other states to receive medical care (HB 368), and would make it easier to change a name and gender marker on a birth certificate (HB 264).

My experience with gender affirming care began when I was 16 and first told my therapist that I thought I was transgender. She helped me greatly in understanding myself and what the process for gender affirming care was. I was desperate to start hormone therapy as soon as possible, since I knew the longer I waited, the more irreversible the changes from puberty would become. I eventually was referred to an endocrinologist who provided gender affirming care which was a huge relief. My mental health began drastically improving soon after, and nowadays Im happier with who I am than ever. Now HB 619 threatens to take away the lifeline that gender affirming care provided me as a teenager for all trans adolescents across New Hampshire.

Additionally, because some states like Florida have already criminalized medical care for transgender people, some of us are seeking care in other states. HB 368 would preserve independence for New Hampshire medical care providers, preventing other states from reaching into our state and demanding private medical information and compliance with their laws.

That isnt to say transitioning was a magical solution that fixed all of my problems for me.

Its a very lengthy process just to change legal documentation, not to mention banks, credit cards, etc. Sometimes, inconsistent IDs can threaten trans peoples safety.

Legislators should remove the impractical and meaningless burden of court involvement in this process. Judges are not equipped to make a determination about a persons gender and, in fact, judges already defer to what a persons doctor says. There is no reason to force judges in the role of making gender determinations for identity documents. HB 264 would simply require a notarized letter from a healthcare provider to change a birth certificate.

Its challenging to change your entire wardrobe, to change your voice to match your appearance, to come out to everyone you know and get them used to your preferred name, to face discrimination in social settings, just to name a few. New Hampshire passed statewide nondiscrimination protections in 2018, but now, some politicians are advancing HB 396, which attempts to undermine these protections by adding a loophole to discriminate based on biological sex. I live as a woman every day, but anti-trans lawmakers are trying to reduce me to my biological sex in an attempt to legalize prejudice.

These politicians dont see me for who I am, they see me as a tool to scare parents into thinking that their kids might become transgender just from learning about it in school. Oh what a horrific thing, can you imagine what it would be like if your child turned out like me?

So much of the focus is on protecting kids, but in reality theyre just preventing kids who need the care from getting it.

Im tired of being your weapon for fear mongering, Im tired of legislators restricting my rights for no reason, Im tired of being scared that someone will find out that Im transgender because my voice is too deep or my shoulders are too broad. I just want to live my life and be happy as I am.

Were doing better than before in a lot of ways, but backlash and backsliding are always a risk with progressive social change. I joined 603 Equality, a grassroots advocacy group for LGBTQ+ rights in New Hampshire, because I feel compelled to fight back against the narrative. To prevent anti-trans politicians from spouting lies to rile up their base against us, to cut through rhetoric and get to the truth, to show how these bans are targeted to prevent us from receiving life-saving healthcare, and to showcase trans excellence and positivity despite everything facing us.

I encourage anyone reading this to engage with your community in whatever way you can, run for office, have difficult conversations, write to your legislators, talk to a trans person about what its really like, and take back the false narrative. But first, check out 603 Equalitys social media and contact your state representatives about the bills coming up on January 3rd.

Alice Wade is a resident of Dover.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Commentary: Im not your political weapon
A company is fighting a dramatic jump in costs for medical marijuana operators in Florida.

It used to cost companies in Florida $60,000 to renew their medical marijuana license.

The Florida Department of Health hiked that to $1.33 million late last year.

Watch: Medical marijuana & gun ownership: What are your rights?

Sanctuary Cannabis challenged that increase.

It argued the large fee doesnt consider the millions of dollars the state collects from medical marijuana patients.

See: Large amount of marijuana washes ashore on Florida beach

A judge sided with the state exactly one month ago.

The judge cited a state law that says the license renewal fees need to cover the cost of operating the medical marijuana program in Florida.

Read: Florida Supreme Court hears arguments on adding recreational marijuana vote next November

Sanctuary Cannabis filed an appeal last week.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Were going to continue to focus on fully funding public schools, dealing with the issue of economic inequality, uplifting the issue of reparations, U.S. Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., says

Members of the Congressional Black Caucus are gearing up for a new year and looking to tackle issues that their constituents value the most.

U.S. Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., told theGrio that he looks forward to doing the work for the people of my district.

Were going to continue to focus on fully funding public schools, dealing with the issue of economic inequality, uplifting the issue of reparations, he said.

Sunrise at the U.S. Capitol, Monday, Dec. 19, 2022, as the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol prepares to hold its final meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Fighting for universal health care, fighting for green, clean, renewable energy in our spaces, pushing back against the criminal justice system that targets Black and brown people, he added.

U.S. Rep. Troy Carter, D-La., told theGrio, Unfortunately many of the things of last year still remain undone.

Whether thats the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act or the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021, things that remained important to African Americans, he said.

Who would think that as we approach 2024 that these issues remain undone and whether it is Republican leadership or not, we will not stop pressing forward for those issues that are important to the [Black] community, he added.

Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., listens to fellow speakers before President Joe Biden speaks on the debt limit during an event at SUNY Westchester Community College, Wednesday, May 10, 2023, in Valhalla, N.Y. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)

U.S. Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, D-Calif., told theGrio that she is concerned about our democracy and is doing what she can to ensure that those who are disenchanted cast their ballots in the 2024 elections.

Your ability to submit a bad Yelp, decide if you want to vote or not, love who you want to love, wear the kind of clothes you want to wear  that is all because we live in a democracy, she said.

That is something that many people in other countries would be killed for trying to access, she added.

As a member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, she has seen firsthand how U.S. policy has influenced leadership abroad and wants to ensure that everyone has access to the same freedoms.

Because of the abortion bans that have taken place in some of our states and because of the talk about a national abortion ban  abortion bans have popped up in places like Colombia, Kenya and in India, she said.

The California lawmaker said as a result, these policies are placing millions of people and children at risk, both in the U.S. and abroad.

As a Black woman with a Black husband and Black kids, freedom is really important to me, Kamlager-Dove said.

U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) arrives at a House Republican candidates forum where congressmen who are running for Speaker of the House will present their platforms in the Longworth House Office Building on Capitol Hill on October 23, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Bowman told theGrio that he believes House Democrats could face challenges in the new year while trying to pass legislation due to House Speaker Mike Johnsons ties with former President Donald Trump.

Trump has had his hand in pretty much everything thats happened in the House over the last year, he said.

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It took us 14 votes to get to [elect Rep. Johnson, R-La.], following the ousting of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., because of Trumps influence on the Freedom Caucus, Bowman said.

Thats why we need to be scared to death of an extreme MAGA Republican agenda, not just in the House but, in the White House, he said.

The New York congressman is encouraging everyone to vote in the 2024 elections and to get involved at every level of government.

Thats the only way to really build sustainable power, he said.

Never miss a beat: Get our daily stories straight to your inbox with theGrios newsletter.

The post Congressional Black Caucus members look to tackle police brutality, reparations in the new year appeared first on TheGrio.
MEXICO CITY, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Friday called on Argentine protestors to refrain from falling "into the trap of violence" during demonstrations against Argentine President Javier Milei's recently announced economic reforms.

"There are many ways to protest; the best way is non-violent, peaceful civil resistance. This is effective and does not put people at risk," the president told his daily press conference.

Unions and social organizations held a protest on Wednesday in the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires, which ended with at least six people arrested and a police officer injured after being hit by a bus as demonstrators dispersed.

Shortly after assuming the Argentine presidency on Dec. 10, Milei announced economic reforms, including a reduction in the number of national ministries and the devaluation of the national currency, among others. 
How the conservative content-maker PragerU courted GOP officials to get its videos into public schools

The promotional videos all start the same: Each begins with Marissa Streit, chief executive of PragerU, the conservative nonprofit primarily known for producing web videos featuring right-wing pundits and short documentaries criticizing progressive policies.

Streit introduces a top state education official, who then raves about the new partnership between PragerU and their states public schools.

In one clip, Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters says he could not be more excited to get this content into our classrooms, adding that he used PragerU videos himself as a history teacher.

New Hampshire Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut, in his appearance, explains enthusiastically that students in his state can use PragerU videos to meet a high school graduation requirement, noting, Its quality content  its highly engaging for the kids.

Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen, meanwhile, says her states new relationship with PragerU will help educators recognize how to teach things.

PragerU was founded in 2009. Its recent videos feature messages opposing transgender health care and suggesting Americans say Merry Christmas instead of Happy holidays. Last year, the organization debuted a line of cartoons and classroom materials aimed at school children, called PragerU Kids, which over the last six months has received approval from four state education agencies.

The PragerU Kids video content ranges from lessons for teens about why universal health care systems in countries like Canada are worse than the United States system, to an explanation for young children about Israels Iron Dome.

In one animation, two time-traveling kids ask Christopher Columbus whether he enslaved Indigenous people. Cartoon Columbus responds, Being taken as a slave is better than being killed, and insists it is estupido to judge him by modern moral standards. In another, the abolitionist Frederick Douglass defends the Founding Fathers for not outlawing slavery.

The expansion of PragerU into public schools has alarmed some parents and educators  especially leading into an election year in which culture-war debates over education promise to be a prominent issue. Critics contend that the groups videos inject a right-wing bias into the classroom, and civil rights groups like the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Human Rights Campaign have described PragerU content as propaganda.

Some videos have also drawn ire from scientists. Several researchers told Reuters that PragerU misrepresented their findings in videos about climate change. An official at the National Center for Science Education said that allowing PragerUs content in classrooms sent an inappropriate message about how to teach global warming.

Emails obtained by NBC News via records requests offer a glimpse into how PragerU has been able to expand into public schools, thanks to relationships with Republican politicians who helped with the organizations marketing.

Edelblut and Walters each visited PragerUs headquarters in Southern California; emails show Edelblut agreed to speak to the nonprofits donors at a private event there, and a video on PragerUs website shows Walters speaking to staff and donors at a ribbon-cutting on the campus in November.

We literally have an education system that has been indoctrinating kids with radical left wokeism, Walters said at the ceremony. There is no organization, no individuals, that have done more to strike at the heart of that left-wing dominance of education than PragerU.

NBC News spoke with education policy specialists, attorneys and ethics experts who say PragerUs courting of elected officials raises red flags. All said it is abnormal, and even alarming, for an organization to try to get its curricula into classrooms by appealing directly to politicians and to ask state leaders to film commercials.

The officials willingness to appear in PragerUs promotional videos is highly unusual, said Craig Holman, a government affairs lobbyist at Public Citizen, a nonprofit that seeks stricter campaign finance laws. It crosses the line of ethics when you use your official position to promote the interests of any single entity.

Streit said in an interview that PragerU is on the front lines of a cultural war in which one side is trying to manipulate children into hating the country through schools.

I dont actually believe that America is going to be taken down by bullets and tanks, she said. I think that if America would be taken down, its through the erosion of the values and the ideas that have made our country what it is today.

Dennis Prager, a long-time radio host and PragerUs co-founder, has acknowledged that the organization is in the mind-changing business and doesnt see an issue with allegations that it indoctrinates children.

Dennis Prager speaks at the Turning Point High School Leadership Summit in Washington in 2018. (SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images file)

We bring doctrines to children. That is a very fair statement, he said at a recent conference hosted by the conservative activist group Moms for Liberty. But he added: What is the bad of our indoctrination?

In an interview with NBC News, Prager said his groups messaging is superior to progressive ideology that he believes causes teachers to focus too much on the United States sins.

Its the old fashioned approach of, were not going to create angry kids, Prager said. We dont teach ingratitude. We think youre lucky to be an American.

Its difficult, if not impossible, to track how many classrooms have used PragerU videos, given that K-12 instruction is multimedia and a majority of teachers incorporate material they find online. Most show videos at some point in the semester, industry research shows.

According to PragerUs own numbers, PragerU Kids content has been viewed 33 million times, and it has sold over 70,000 copies of kids books and magazines. NBC News cannot independently verify those metrics.

PragerU is not the only conservative organization creating teaching materials, but its one of the best funded. The group raised $65 million last year, according to tax filings. Its donors have included Farris Wilks, a Texas billionaire who has compared homosexuality to bestiality; the Marcus Foundation, a nonprofit founded by Home Depots co-founder, who is a prominent Republican donor; and a foundation run by Betsy DeVos, who served as secretary of education in the Trump administration.

PragerU Kids got a major entree in July, when Florida became the first state to approve its videos for use in public schools.

Students holds signs that read,

Soon after, the New Hampshire State Board of Education voted to approve the use of PragerU materials to satisfy a newly required financial literacy credit.

Edelblut, the states education commissioner, agreed in August to visit Los Angeles to film the promotional video with Streit and speak to the nonprofits donors, according to emails between PragerU staff and Edelbluts office. He paid for his own flight but accepted a one-night stay at an upscale hotel on PragerUs account, according to a financial disclosure form, which was first reported by New Hampshire Public Radio. Edelblut declined to comment, but his office told NHPR that the trip was an opportunity to promote the states education initiatives.

Arntzen, Montanas state superintendent, agreed to appear in a promotional video for PragerU shortly after she signed a textbook license agreement with the organization in August, according to emails in which she instructed her staff to set up a time for filming.

A spokesman for her office said Arntzen does not partake in political activity while conducting official business and noted that she has also done a video promoting the states partnership with the education technology company Frontline Education.

In Oklahoma, the education department added links on its website to PragerU videos, lesson plans and e-books following a July call with the organization, as PragerU had requested, according to emails between the two entities. Walters also volunteered to connect the PragerU team with the South Carolina state superintendent, according to emails recapping their call that were sent to department staff. The South Carolina Department of Education declined to comment on whether it has had discussions with PragerU.

Superintendent Walters is proud to stand up for Oklahoma parents and their desire to ensure kids are not bombarded with left-wing indoctrination by the teachers unions and their woke allies, Dan Isett, an Oklahoma education department spokesman, said in a statement. The partnership with PragerU is just the beginning to reset the classroom back on a pro-America path.

The department declined to say whether Walters had paid for his own flight to speak at PragerUs ribbon-cutting.

PragerUs foray into K-12 public education has generated pushback from activists and government watchdog organizations.

Progressive Florida activists circulated a form parents could use to opt their children out of lessons using PragerU content. Parents in New Hampshire demonstrated against PragerU before the state board approved the partnership with the organization.

The advocacy group Americans United for Separation of Church and State, meanwhile, announced in October that it had launched an investigation into the process Florida and Oklahoma education officials used to vet and approve PragerU materials. The group says that PragerU materials advance the myth that the country must be a Christian nation, citing videos like one in which a cartoon George Washington says the country should have a religious population.

Its not just an alternate reality to what the existing curriculum is saying, but an alternative to almost any mainstream source of information, said John Rogers, director of UCLAs Institute for Democracy, Education, and Access.

Textbooks and other curricular materials are supposed to both reflect the consensus of experts in a particular field, whether it be biology or whether it be 19th-century U.S. history, he added. The Prager model neither draws upon expertise in particular fields, nor presents the controversies in ways that allow young people to see the differences of opinion that reside amongst scholars or amongst the broader community.

Jill Simonian, PragerUs outreach director, said the organization hired historians, journalists and teachers with masters degrees to create the groups content, and that it always relies on original sources.

Keith Robinson, a middle school history teacher in Ohio, said hes used PragerU videos for years without complaints. He noted, though, that he avoids the most politically charged content, such as videos featuring pundit Candace Owens, who called the #MeToo movement stupid, encouraged people to violate stay-at-home advisories during the pandemic and said she does not believe climate change is real.

I am conservative, I live in a conservative neighborhood, and in a conservative district, but Im not pushing conservative ideas on kids, Robinson said.

In interviews, PragerU executives characterized the backlash as a reaction to the organizations threat to the dominance of the largest education publishers, such as Pearson and Scholastic, which both make multimedia content. Scholastic has recently faced complaints from conservatives that its book fairs give children access to books they consider to be explicit or too mature.

Spokespeople for Pearson and Scholastic said the companies do not ask elected state officials to appear in marketing materials.

In the year ahead, according to PragerU representatives, the organization plans to continue discussions to get more states to approve its videos as a resource for teachers, and to develop additional educational materials.

Prager said hed like to see the American education system resemble how it operated generations ago, when there was more attention to character development in schools. Like the 1930s, he added, minus the bad things.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
An Idaho state court rejected an attempt to dismiss a suit seeking to establish further exceptions to the states abortion laws on Friday.

The case, brought by four women and two doctors, seeks to expand the allowable circumstances for an abortion procedure to include emergency medical service. Idaho has one of the most strict abortion care bans in the country.

Idaho 4th District Judge Jason Scott rejected state Attorney General Raul Labradors attempt to dismiss the suit, allowing it to go forward as a challenge to state law.

Scott did agree with Labrador to reduce the scope of the suit, however, limiting arguments to specifically the circumstances of abortion care in respect of the state constitutions rights to enjoy and defend life and the right to secure safety.

The plaintiffs, organized by the Center for Reproductive Rights, argued that a sweeping abortion ban risks the Idahos Constitution entitlement for its residents to certain fundamental rights.

In his decision, Scott agreed with the state that there is no absolute right to abortion care in Idaho, but added that the court did not reject every conceivable as applied challenge that might be made in a future case.

That leaves the door open to narrow challenges to the state law.

Were grateful the court saw through the states callous attempt to ignore the pain and suffering their laws are causing Idahoans, Gail Deady, a senior staff attorney for the Center for Reproductive Rights, told The Associated Press. Now the state of Idaho will be forced to answer to these women in a court of law.

Labradors office said the attorney general is encouraged by the ruling.

[Labrador] has long held  that our legislatively passed laws do not violate the Idaho Constitution by narrowly limiting abortions or interfering with a doctors right to practice medicine, the office said in a statement to the AP.

Abortion has been an important political fight in the Gem State since the Supreme Courts Dobbs decision last year overturned federal abortion rights and resulted in a statewide abortion ban.

The state is facing a shortage of obstetricians, which medical administrators have blamed on the bans and a hostile environment towards reproductive care.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Crumbley trial update: Unknown which parent goes on trial first for Oxford High School shooting

PONTIAC, Mich. (FOX 2) - In 2024, we may get a bit more closure related to the tragic shooting at Oxford High School in November 2021 as the parents of the shooter are expected to go on trial for manslaughter in connection to the shooting.

James and Jennifer are both expected to go on trial in 2024 after several years of appeals and motion hearings. The most recent one was the ruling by the court to grant separate trials.

The Crumbley parents were due to go on trial together on Jan. 23, 2024. However, last fall, the two requested to have their trials severed, which was granted by Judge Cheryl Mathews. With that decision, James and Jennifer Crumbley have gone from a united front to everyone for themselves.

But who will go on trial is still not known.

The January 23 date is still set for one of the Crumbley parents, but Judge Mathews has not yet determined which defendant that will be, according to FOX 2's legal expert Charlie Langton.

According to Langton, the decision would need to be made in the first week of January, to allow the defense and prosecution ample time to prepare.

According to the Oakland County Court's website, James currently has a trial date set for Jan. 23 while Jennifer does not yet have a court date set.

The Crumbley parents are both charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter. They were arrested in early December 2021 when they were found in the basement of an art studio in Detroit after a chaotic week where they were believed to have gone on the run from charges.

The shooter admitted to the shooting in October 2022, when he pleaded guilty to murdering Hana St. Juliana, 14, Tate Myre, 16, Madisyn Baldwin, 17, and Justin Shilling, 17.

Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald announced charges against the Crumbley parents on Dec. 3, 2021, four days after the shooting.

Over the past two years, evidence has come out during their court hearings and during the shooter's hearings as well that show that James bought the gun used in the shooting days before the shooting.

RELATED: "Ethan don't do it": Parents of Oxford High School suspect sent messages during shooting.

Additionally, after their son was charged, McDonald said they drained their son's bank account and withdrew $2,000 from their account as well.

During the preliminary hearings, it was revealed that Jennifer ignored texts from her son about demons he claimed to face.

Over the past 25 months, the Crumbley parents had largely argued together through court battles as they appealed charges all the way to the state supreme court. Last October, the Michigan Supreme Court refused to hear appeals the Crumbleys and the January court date was set.

Five weeks after that ruling, the parents severed their cases.

They are the first parents of a mass shooter to be charged for their child's crimes.

Their son was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole on Dec. 8, 2023, after a full day of witness impact statements.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WJW)  The states high court has suspended a longtime Cuyahoga County judge for one year, without pay, for dozens of ethical violations over the span of about five years.

1-year-old girl Choice Walters returned safe; Amber Alert canceled

The Ohio Supreme Court on Friday handed down its decision temporarily barring Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Judge Daniel Gaul from practicing law  and taking him off the county court bench  after a three-member panel of the Ohio Board of Professional Conduct found he committed 31 conduct violations between 2015 and 2021, including:

Coercing pleas

Aggressively questioning and demeaning defendants

Abusing his office to advance others personal interests

Refusing to release defendants from confinement and disregarding orders from appellate courts

Abusing powers to punish others for contempt of court

Judge Gaul in 2015 gave a defendant in an attempted murder case an ultimatum: plead no contest and serve 14 years in prison, or go to trial and face consecutive sentencing on all the charges  possibly up to 42 years. The defendant pleaded no contest and Judge Gaul sentenced him to 14 years.

During sentencing, Judge Gaul harped on the fact that [the defendant] had grown up without a father and alluded to the Black Lives Matter movement, reads the opinion.

An appeals court found the defendant likely believed he wouldnt get a fair trial or sentence and remanded his case to another judge. A jury then acquitted him of all charges.

In 2018, Judge Gaul coerced another defendant into a no-contest plea, justices wrote.

That defendant was sentenced in 2018 on multiple cases. Then, while on probation in 2019, he was arrested again on new charges, resulting in two separate cases: one at the state level  which included a probation violation for the prior case  and another at the federal level.

Much like in the 2015 case, Judge Gaul offered to hand the defendant a lesser sentence if he pleaded no contest. When the defendant declined to plead, Judge Gaul said:

You either are going to resolve this case today with two years, or youre going to be, in two minutes, a probation violator, and youre going to be sent down for three years on the first probation violation.

Now, you have reached the very limit of my patience. I dont have to have this conversation with you, he continued, according to the opinion. I, right now, could sentence you to six years in a state penal institution and recuse myself from the new case, and send it to a different judge who could give you an additional six years.

An incredible win: Providers, LGBTQ community react to SAFE Act veto

Judge Gaul later instructed the man to plead no contest, which he did, but did not tell him how the plea would affect his second case, as required by criminal court rules, reads the opinion. Those pleas were later tossed out by an appeals court and the case was sent back to the lower court.

Judge Gaul later admitted during his disciplinary hearing that he had already decided for himself that defendant had violated his parole before allowing a hearing to move ahead, bringing his impartiality into doubt, justices wrote.

The high court previously suspended Gaul for six months in 2010, after he made unnecessary and highly prejudicial remarks against a criminal defendant and misused the states Amber Alert system to locate a witness who had gone missing. He was not made to serve that suspension, however.

Judge Gaul was first licensed to practice law in Ohio in 1981. Hes served on the county court bench since 1991.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
Good morning, Chicago.

Were looking back at the most-read Tribune stories of 2023. Its been a year of weather extremes, a changing of the guard in City Hall and Chicagos first NASCAR Street Race.

Chicagos air quality during the Canadian wildfires this summer and the ongoing migrant crisis were top of mind for readers. Readers also followed our live election results by the hundreds of thousands, especially for Chicagos mayoral election. From our archives, a KFC recipe and a Chicago police union vaccine controversy were popular picks.

Thank you for reading and sharing our award-winning coverage. If youre not yet a subscriber, we hope you will consider becoming one.

Here are some of the most-read stories of the year.

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As thick smoke from the Canadian wildfires blanketed the United States last summer, a team of Tribune journalists reported on its effect in the Chicago area. According to the monitoring site IQAir, Chicago had the worst air quality out of 95 cities worldwide on one day in June.

Well be looking at this event for a long time to figure out, you know, what the particular dynamics and chemistry were that caused the smoke to come down to the surface here, said Zac Adelman, executive director of the Lake Michigan Air Directors Consortium.

Dale Wheatley, who performs deliveries for the Anatomical Gift Association of Illinois, came into work in late May and found sage burning and three severed heads lying on a plastic container by his desk.

Wheatley, who has worked for AGA for nearly five years, said hes never seen anything like the horror movie-like scene he stumbled upon that Wednesday morning.

Wheatley said the heads from AGA donors were placed next to his desk after he reported concerns about the mishandling and poor conditions of donated bodies to his supervisors.

Downtown Chicago turned into a slick, speed-drenched racetrack in July after the NASCAR street race started late following rain delays.

The cars flew through tight turns around Grant Park on roads like DuSable Lake Shore Drive and Michigan Avenue, kicking up mist from the wet courses puddles. Above the zooming cars, the citys picturesque skyscrapers pierced fog clouds still lingering from the afternoons storms.

The stands slowly filled up after the delays. Drivers deftly passed one another in front of the hundreds of fans who braved the showers to watch the spectacle.

The first store in Illinois to combine marijuana and alcohol sales opened in February in Wheeling, with its owners hoping to make it a place for customers to hang out and relax. Okay Cannabis hosts licensed cannabis sales under the same roof with West Town Bakery, which serves beer, wine and liquor as well as bakery goods and other food.

Since arriving in Chicago, Andrea Carolina Sevillas parents were unable to enroll her in school even though the reason they left everything behind in their native Venezuela was for her to have access to better education. In Venezuela, she said, she was lucky she could even attend school. Many other teenagers start working at an early age to help out their families, who often face extreme poverty.

But she did not have the same luck in the city that she once dreamed of visiting. The family went from sleeping on the floor of a police station, to a crowded shelter, to a house on the Far South Side, and then back to the floor of the police station after her stepfather Michael Castejon, 39, couldnt afford the rent. He could not find a job that paid enough without a work permit, he said.

On Nov. 3, they set out to go back to Texas. And from there, they would go to Venezuela, the country they fled to seek asylum in the United States.

Perhaps no player in the Chicago Bears 104-year history better epitomized the teams tough and determined identity than Dick Butkus.

Butkus, 80, died peacefully in his sleep overnight at his home in Malibu, California, the Butkus family said. In 2019, the Tribune ranked Butkus No. 2 in a list of the 100 greatest Bears.
Thirty-nine people were killed and 159 others were wounded in the massive Russian drone and missile attack on Ukraine on Dec. 29, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram on Dec. 30.

More than 120 villages and towns were affected, and more than 100 civilian facilities were damaged. Efforts are underway to provide assistance and eliminate the consequences of the attack.

Read also:

"I thank all our rescuers of the State Emergencies Service of Ukraine, employees of utility companies, police officers, everyone who is now on the ground helping, supporting people, clearing the rubble and restoring normal life," Zelenskyy said.

According to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, air defense forces shot down 87 cruise missiles and 27 Shahed drones during the attack.

A day of mourning was declared in Zaporizhzhya as the death toll from Russia's massive combined missile and drone attack on Ukraine on Dec. 29 rose to nine, regional governor Yuriy Malashko wrote on Telegram on Dec. 30.

A day of mourning was also declared in Odesa Oblast and the city of Dnipro.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy/Telegram

Volodymyr Zelenskyy/Telegram

Volodymyr Zelenskyy/Telegram

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Four more bodies were recovered from under the rubble of a warehouse in Kyiv's Shevchenkivskyi district, bringing the death toll to 13 civilians following the deadly Russian drone and missile attack on Ukraine on Dec. 29, the capital's mayor, Vitaliy Klitschko, reported via Telegram on Dec. 30.

In total, thirty-two Kyiv residents were injured after the attack  17 of whom were hospitalized.

The strike caused damage to a residential building was damaged and started a fire on the territory of a garage co-operative, a business center, and warehouses in the Shevchenkivskyi district of the capital.

Another warehouse, in Kyivs Podil district, also caught fire as a result of the mass attack, spreading a blaze over an area of approximately 3,000 square meters.

Russia launched a massive missile and drone attack against Ukraine overnight on Dec. 29. Explosions rang out in many larger cities, such as Kyiv and Dnipro, and smaller ones, such as Konotop.

31 people were killed and 133 injured in the largest missile attack on Ukraine of the war thus far.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, said that air defense forces shot down 87 cruise missiles and 27 Shahed drones.

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 death toll of the Russian attack against Odesa on Dec. 29 rose to five as a 77-year-old man died in the hospital, Governor Oleh Kiper reported on Dec. 30.

Russia unleashed its largest attack on Ukraine on Dec. 29, targeting multiple Ukrainian regions, including Odesa, with 158 missiles and drones.

The latest report pushes the total death toll of the Dec. 29 attack to 40 people: 16 in Kyiv, nine in Zaporizhzhia, six in Dnipro, five in Odesa, three in Kharkiv, and one in Lviv.

The recently announced victim was seriously injured when a Russian missile hit a three-story building in the center of Odesa, Kiper said.

He had died in the hospital despite best efforts by doctors, the official added.

Some 11 people are still treated in the city's medical facilities, including two children aged six and eight.

Read also: Russia launches largest air attack on Ukraine since start of full-scale war

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The death toll of Russia's Dec. 29 nationwide missile attack has risen to 39 as new deaths were reported in Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia.

The bodies of another five people were found under the rubble of a warehouse in Kyiv, Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported on Dec. 30. According to Klitschko, 16 civilians have been killed and 32 have been injured in Kyiv, 17 of whom had to be hospitalized.

"The Dec. 29 attack has been the deadliest for Kyiv in terms of civilian casualties," Klitschko said on Dec. 30, announcing that the death toll rose to 16 people.

The Kyiv City Administration earlier reported that 10 people had been trapped under the rubble.

Several apartment buildings, warehouses, an office center, a residential house, and a metro station were damaged in different neighborhoods of the capital.

The latest reports push the total death toll of the Dec. 29 attack to 39 people: 16 in Kyiv, nine in Zaporizhzhia, six in Dnipro, four in Odesa, three in Kharkiv, one in Lviv.

At least 160 people have been reported wounded.

Read also: Hit the Kremlin: Kyivans dont hold back after Russias mass attack kills 9, wounds 30 in the capital

Local authorities in Zaporizhzhia, Dnipro, and Odesa declared Dec. 30 a day of mourning for the victims of Russia's deadly nationwide attack.

Kyiv will hold its day of mourning on Jan. 1, according to Klitschko.

Russia unleashed its largest air attack on Ukraine on Dec. 29, targeting multiple Ukrainian regions with 158 missiles and drones.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Russias largest air attack on Ukraine kills 30, injures over 160

President Volodymyr Zelensky said it was "the most massive attack."

Ukraine downed 114 of 158 Russian missiles and drones, according to the Air Force. Among the downed targets were 27 Russian Shahed attack drones and 87 cruise missiles.

In total, Russia launched 36 drones, at least 90 Kh-101/Kh-555/Kh-55 cruise missiles, eight Kh-22/Kh-32 cruise missiles, 14 S-300/S-400/Iskander ballistic missiles, as well as five Kinzhal ballistic missiles, four anti-radar missiles, and one Kh-59 cruise missile.

"Russia was fighting with almost everything it has in its arsenal," Zelensky wrote on Telegram in the morning following the attack.

Zelensky said the attack destroyed or damaged over 100 private houses, along with 45 multi-story buildings, schools, two churches, hospitals, maternity wards, and numerous commercial and warehouse premises across Ukraine. "Targets are already familiar for Russia," he said.

Read also: Western leaders condemn Russias mass attack on Ukraine, Zelensky urges world to respond

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The death toll of Russia's Dec. 29 air attack on Ukraine has increased to 41 as another body was recovered from the rubble in Kyiv.

This brings the death toll in Kyiv to 17 people, the Kyiv City Administration reported on Dec. 30.

Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klitschko reported earlier that 31 civilians in Kyiv were injured, 17 of whom were hospitalized.

"The Dec. 29 attack has been the deadliest for Kyiv in terms of civilian casualties," Klitschko said on Dec. 30, announcing that the death toll rose to 16 people.

The Kyiv City Administration earlier reported that 10 people had been trapped under the rubble.

Several apartment buildings, warehouses, an office center, a residential house, and a metro station were damaged in different neighborhoods of the capital.

The latest reports push the total death toll of the Dec. 29 attack to 40 people: 17 in Kyiv, nine in Zaporizhzhia, six in Dnipro, four in Odesa, three in Kharkiv, one in Lviv.

At least 160 people have been reported wounded.

Local authorities in Zaporizhzhia, Dnipro, and Odesa declared Dec. 30 a day of mourning for the victims of Russia's deadly nationwide attack.

Kyiv will hold its day of mourning on Jan. 1, according to Klitschko.

Read also: Russia launches largest air attack on Ukraine since start of full-scale war

Russia unleashed its largest air attack on Ukraine on Dec. 29, targeting multiple Ukrainian regions with 158 missiles and drones.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said it was "the most massive attack."

Ukraine downed 114 of 158 Russian missiles and drones, according to the Air Force. Among the downed targets were 27 Russian Shahed attack drones and 87 cruise missiles.

In total, Russia launched 36 drones, at least 90 Kh-101/Kh-555/Kh-55 cruise missiles, eight Kh-22/Kh-32 cruise missiles, 14 S-300/S-400/Iskander ballistic missiles, as well as five Kinzhal ballistic missiles, four anti-radar missiles, and one Kh-59 cruise missile.

"Russia was fighting with almost everything it has in its arsenal," Zelensky wrote on Telegram in the morning following the attack.

Zelensky said the attack destroyed or damaged over 100 private houses, along with 45 multi-story buildings, schools, two churches, hospitals, maternity wards, and numerous commercial and warehouse premises across Ukraine.

"Targets are already familiar for Russia," he said.

Read also: Western leaders condemn Russias mass attack on Ukraine, Zelensky urges world to respond

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
COLOMBO, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- Tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka passed 200,000 in December, the highest number for a month during the last four years, Tourism Minister Harin Fernando said on Saturday.

The minister said on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the country will almost reach the annual target of 1.5 million arrivals in 2023.

Tourism is one of Sri Lanka's top foreign revenue generators. The government waived visa fees for nationals from China, India, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, Malaysia and Japan recently to boost tourism in the coming season. 
The first flight of the newest ANKA-3 drone with a Ukrainian engine took place in Turkiye.

Source: European Pravda, citing Bloomberg.

ANKA-3 was developed by the state-owned company Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) and equipped with an engine from the Ukrainian company Ivchenko-Progres.

Photo: Turkish Aerospace Industries

The maiden flight lasted over an hour, during which the drone reached an altitude of 2.4 kilometres and a speed of 150 knots.

The development of ANKA-3 was surrounded by secrecy, and TAI first posted its photos in March of this year.

The drone is designed for reconnaissance, observation, and combat missions. It can fly at an altitude of almost 12 kilometres and stay in the air for up to 10 hours, carrying a payload of up to 1200 kilograms.

The development of new drones is one of the priorities of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who aims to build up Turkiye's defence industry, particularly by modernising the air force. Bloomberg says that the debut flight of the Turkish-made Kaan fighter jet is scheduled for January.

Background:

It was previously reported that Turkiye had requested the United States permission to engage in the joint production of engines by GE Aerospace, used in F-16 fighter jets. This request is part of Turkiye's desire to install these engines on its domestically manufactured fighter jets.

Media reports also indicated that during his visit to Berlin in November, Erdogan might have requested German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to lift the ban on selling at least 20 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets.

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An internally displaced young Palestinian girl, living in temporary shelter, walks around with a bucket of water following night-time rainstorms. Mohammed Talatene/dpa

The threat of disease is intensifying in temporary shelters in the Gaza Strip, where tens of thousands of people fleeing Israeli bombardment are living in cramped conditions, according to the UN emergency relief organization OCHA.

Health services in the area have long been overstretched, and fresh waves of displacement ordered by Israeli forces have made their task even more difficult, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said on Saturday.

Respiratory infections and diarrhoea are among the most severe diseases in emergency shelters, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said on social media platform X on Friday.

Some 180,000 people are already suffering from respiratory infections, while more than 136,000 children under the age of five currently have diarrhoea, which can cause a life-threatening loss of water and vital minerals at this age if not treated.

There are also more than 55,000 cases of lice and scabies.

According to OCHA, the UN Children's Fund delivered 600,000 vaccine doses to the Gaza Strip on Friday. The aim is for young children to receive their routine immunizations next year despite the war. This includes immunizations against diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough.

Israel's military announced a four-hour tactical pause in fighting in a refugee camp in Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip on Saturday.

Military activities there would be temporarily suspended for humanitarian reasons, an army spokesman announced in Arabic on the X platform. The pause is so that the population can obtain supplies, he wrote.

Israel's military had previously called on residents of the embattled city of Khan Younis in the south of the coastal area to seek safety in Rafah near the Egyptian border.

Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip has now killed 21,672 people, according to the Hamas-controlled health authority in Gaza. The figures cannot be confirmed, but the UN and other observers point out that the authority's figures have been credible in the past.

While the Israeli army had previously stated that it was in the process of taking operational control of the area in the north, it is now focussing on the south and central Gaza Strip.

This has lead to more fighting in the southern city of Khan Younis, where the Israeli military says Hamas leaders are operating in tunnels.

The war was triggered by the worst massacre in Israel's history, carried out by Hamas terrorists and other groups in Israel on October 7.
The body of an Upstate man whose kayak overturned in a lake was found Saturday.

Divers from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources recovered the body of William Shane Haguewood from Lake Hartwell around noon Saturday,

Haguewood, 47, was kayaking on Lake Hartwell near the Port Bass subdivision Wednesday when his kayak overturned around 4:45 p.m., according to Oconee County Coroner Karl Addis.

First responders, including Oconee County Emergency Services, have been searching for Haguewood since he went into the water.

Divers from DNR found Hageuwood 44 feet under the water, according to Addis. The coroner added that the water temperature at that depth was 49 degrees Fahrenheit with a surface water temperature of 52.

In his statement, Addis wrote that an autopsy will be performed on Tuesday.

Sudden immersion in cold water can cause cause cold shock, which produces significant changes in breathing, heart rate and blood pressure, according to the National Weather Service.

The sudden gasp and rapid breathing alone creates a greater risk of drowning even for confident swimmers in calm waters, according to the NWS.

Additionally, cold water can deplete body heat 25 times faster than the air causing rapid onset of hypothermia, according to the Center of Disease Control
In 2024, Russians will elect Putin as president. Or czar, which is more appropriate. It is under the format of "tsar" that the outline of the election campaign in Russia is being created.

At first glance, Putin has nothing to fear - sociology research draws good figures of "popular support." Moreover, the population associates its future with one person. Or the successor to whom this person will point. The same sociology shows the main fear of Russians - the absence of an "heir to the throne." Ideal for Putin? Yes, but not quite. As it has happened in Russian history, a ruler who has made a weakness or suffered a military or military-political defeat easily loses power.

Accordingly, the Kremlin's propaganda goals for the coming months have been reduced to a few main areas.

1. Strengthening the image of the "people's tsar." This was the focus of Putin's big press conference a week earlier, and the same logic can be traced in the creation of Putin's campaign headquarters. At the first event, the Russian president demonstrated "confidence" in the country's successes and willingly talked about its achievements (naturally, under his leadership). At the same time, he showed readiness to respond to the needs of the plebs. A typical example is the personal questions of ordinary Russians, where there was either a reference to already prepared solutions that have not yet been implemented on the ground or a direct order to "sort it out." The same logic can be traced in the formation of the election headquarters, where the "first places" are occupied by public people, but not from politics.

Read also: Russia decides to hold "presidential elections" in the occupied territories of Ukraine

2. The image of the "Tsar-soldier." It is more complicated here - the Russian Armed Forces have not had large-scale successes for a very long time. Politically, Russia is losing its position even in the post-Soviet space. But, on the other hand, there were no large-scale failures either - the Russian Federation held the front line in Ukraine. Accordingly, the tsar demonstrated confidence in the future and readiness to fight until the "realization of the original goals of the special military operation." But what is the image of a "commander" without "care about soldiers?" A significant part of the answers to the questions was devoted to this. Putin tried to cover topics related to the Armed Forces and mercenaries, both in terms of service and social guarantees. Finally, there was a call to the tank battalion commander, who participated in the battles for Maryinka.

3. The image of "the tsar - the collector of lands." Holding the front in 2023 helped a lot. Russian propaganda, since May of this year, has been forming an "image of success" in the form of retaining the captured territories. Putin emphasized that the "new regions" already "feel like Russia." The voter likes that.

Propagandists play up foreign policy issues very cautiously. The central thesis remains unchanged: "The war of the West against Russia by the hands of Ukraine." Therefore, the theme of "Western threat" is actively highlighted, up to and including interference in elections. But the level of "foreign policy successes" is not emphasized too much - the war is still ongoing.

The concept of "tsar" is good in Russia because the population understands whom to obey. Possible negativity, ranging from personal issues to failures in domestic policy, fits into the old format of "the tsar is good - the boyars are bad." Where you make a public flogging of the boyars (or just kill them), and the people get a portion of "justice." The same system is being scaled up to the level of regions, where the governor is a "sovereign man," a "mini-king," and the local elites are "bad boyars." This format, among other things, creates a safeguard against powerful separatist movements, because the culprits of "all the troubles" are presented as those who could act as an organizing force in the confrontation with the center - local business and political groups.

Read also: Loyalists say they will collect signatures to nominate Putin for president

However, the concept of the tsar also carries a danger. If the tsar demonstrates weakness, especially if this weakness is confirmed, the tsar is demolished. A new one is chosen (appointed, in the case of palace coups).

The weakness of the tsar is also the electoral results. That is, the number of Russian citizens who have demonstrated their loyalty to the ruler with their votes. Therefore, it is extremely risky for the Kremlin to get less than 70% in the elections.

With this, we come to the topic of challenges.

1. War, veterans, radicals. The first and key danger to Putin was, paradoxically, in the pro-imperial, radical part of society. It was in this group that accusations of weakness, stupidity, surrender in the war, and so on, arose. The emergence of a strong opponent in this electoral field is dangerous. Therefore, Putin changed his rhetoric and, as described above, began to play the role of "commander-father of soldiers." He also voiced his readiness to fight further. The only intrigue is if Strelkov also is allowed to run. But even if he is, he will take only a small number of votes and will only confirm the status of "tsar-military leader" for Putin.

2. The liberal wing of Russian society. Here, the concepts are different. At the initial stage of the campaign, the idea arose to dilute this field with a multitude of candidates. Last week gave three names at once: Duntsova, Nadezhdin, and Yavlinsky. The concept of reinsurance took over. Duntzova, who built her campaign through Telegram and social networks (where there was a chance of failure for the Kremlin), was not allowed. Yavlinsky(oh, surprise!) changed his mind. Nadezhdin was nominated by one of the "micro-parties." From under the mothballs, they pulled out the "New People" project, which had not proved itself. Nechaev himself was not given the role of sparring partner. They combined the two parties (New People + Party of Growth) and nominated Duma Vice-Speaker Davankov. Formally, he is a man with a high position, but absolutely "gray" and controlled. And finally, to avoid additional problems, they denied Russian citizens abroad the right to vote. This is logical, since the Kremlin has somewhat less influence on that part of the "Russians abroad."

Read also: General mobilization in Russia possible after 2024 elections  Danilov

3. Old parties, but on a smaller scale. Traditionally, Putin has been opposed by the Liberal Democratic Party and the Communists. The latter is the strongest opponent, capable of taking "protest votes." This means that their symbol - Zyuganov - should not be nominated. The Communists understood the desire of their "bosses" and nominated Kharitonov.

The political field has been prepared. Of course, it will be thinned out. Putin needs a "victory" on the front by the time of the election, because the Russian Armed Forces have not demonstrated success "on their own" for a very long time. That's why they are storming Ukrainian positions.

But, there may be a surprise. What if the RF gets a good slap in the face instead of victory? Not necessarily with an offensive on the front. Look at the Black Sea Fleet, the Crimean Bridge, or targets inside the Russian Federation. It won't cancel the coronation of the new tsar, but it will shake his position a bit.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
(Bloomberg) -- Former President Donald Trump isnt entitled to immunity when it comes to federal criminal charges alleging he conspired to illegally overturn the 2020 presidential election to remain in power, Special Counsel Jack Smith argued in a legal filing Saturday.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The Justice Department filing responds to one by Trump to the US Court of Appeals in Washington on Dec. 23, in which he claims immunity from prosecution because his actions before and during the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the US Capitol were within the bounds of his official duties as president.

The defendant lost the 2020 presidential election, Smith wrote in an 82-page brief to the court, which is considering whether Trump can be prosecuted. Separation-of-powers principles, constitutional text, history and precedent all make clear that a former President may be prosecuted for criminal acts he committed while in office  including, most critically here, illegal acts to remain in power despite losing an election.

Both sides are jockeying for the upper hand after the appeals panel agreed to expedite consideration of the case and hear arguments on Jan. 9, potentially followed by a decision within days. The losing side is expected to appeal to the Supreme Court  which isnt required to take up the case.

Read more: Supreme Court Refuses to Fast-Track Trump Immunity Clash

Smith wants the matter resolved quickly in an effort to avoid delaying a criminal trial against Trump set to start on March 4. A federal district judge previously ruled that Trump does not have presidential immunity from prosecution. The trial judge overseeing the case has put it on pause until the immunity issue is resolved.

Smith methodically attacked Trumps arguments in the filing.

Presidents dont have immunity from criminal acts committed while they were in office, he argued, citing the pardon given to former President Richard Nixon.

No historical materials support the defendants broad immunity claim, and the post-Presidency pardon that President Nixon accepted reflects the consensus view that a former President is subject to prosecution after leaving office, Smith wrote.

Even if the court were to find that presidents could be immune to criminal prosecution for official acts taken while in office, Trump acted beyond the bounds of his official duties, Smith added.

Trump is alleged to have conspired with private individuals and government officials to use fraudulent means to thwart the transfer of power and remain in office, Smith wrote. Dismissal would be unwarranted because the indictment contains substantial allegations of a plot to overturn the election results that fall well outside the outer perimeter of official Presidential responsibilities.

Trump also argued the charges against him should be dismissed because they amount to double jeopardy after he faced impeachment for his actions in the days after the 2020 election. Trump further said he cant be prosecuted because he wasnt convicted by the Senate during his impeachment trial.

Smith said both of those arguments fail, pointing out that the criminal charges against Trump are different from the offenses brought against him during impeachment.

The Impeachment Judgment Clause limits congressional sanctions for impeachment to removal and disqualification from office; it does not create a double-jeopardy prohibition that protects an impeached but not convicted officer from criminal prosecution, Smith wrote.

Nor is the prosecution here barred by double-jeopardy principles, the special counsel said. Because the only remedies available in the impeachment proceedings were removal and disqualification, the defendant was never previously placed in jeopardy. But even if he were, the indictment charges different offenses than were at issue in his impeachment.

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Five teenagers have been arrested after a 16-year-old boy was struck and injured by one of two cars chasing a group of pedestrians.

Dorset Police said the boy was struck by a black Skoda Scala on Coburg Road in Dorchester on Friday.

He was believed to have been in a group on foot who were chased by the two vehicles, officers said.

An 18-year-old was held on suspicion of attempted murder and four others on suspicion of affray.

The boy suffered foot injuries when he was struck by the Skoda shortly before 19:00 GMT. The other vehicle involved was believed to be a blue Ford.

Police have appealed for anyone with CCTV or doorbell cameras in Middlemarsh Street, Cambridge Walk, Cambridge Road, Elizabeth Place, Baynard's Road and Coburg Road to get in touch.

Those arrested were all from Dorchester.

Follow BBC South on Facebook, X, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to south.newsonline@bbc.co.uk.
PHILADELPHIA - A Philadelphia man is wanted for a suspected road rage shooting on a Delaware highway that police say targeted a car with an infant passenger.

Nasir Simmons, 21, is accused of firing several times from inside a burgundy vehicle at another car on I-495 near Wilmington Thursday morning.

Investigators said the 32-year-old driver of a red Honda Accord had a 2-month-old passenger inside the vehicle during the shooting.

The victim pulled onto the shoulder of the highway after the shooting, and the suspect continued northbound on I-495.

Neither the man nor the infant were injured in the shooting, according to police.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Nasir Simmons is asked to contact Delaware State Police.
YANGON, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar earned over 2.36 billion U.S. dollars from the export of natural gas between April 1 and Dec. 15 this year, according to the Ministry of Commerce on Saturday.

The primary contributors to this foreign revenue were the four offshore natural gas production projects of Yadana, Yedagun, Shwe and Zawtika, collectively driving the majority of the country's natural gas exports.

During the period, the export of natural gas secured the second position in Myanmar's foreign revenue earnings, trailing only behind the export of finished garments, which netted more than 3.1 billion dollars, the ministry's data showed.

The Southeast Asian country's overall export earnings during the period reached over 10.13 billion dollars, according to the data.

Thailand, China and Japan stand as the three primary destinations for Myanmar's exported goods during the period, said the ministry. 
A massive rogue wave overrode coastal barriers and sent onlookers scattering in the California beach town of Ventura.

Eight people were sent to the hospital in the incident, according to the Ventura County Fire Department.

For your safety, please avoid the area near the ocean, as it can be quite dangerous, the department wrote on Facebook alongside a video of the freak occurrence.

Powerful storms in the Pacific have sent waves as large as 40 feet tall into the California coast this week.

It was a combination of many factors that brought about that surge in Ventura and Ventura Harbor, Ariel Cohen of the National Weather Service told SFGate. At the time of high tide, we had a tremendous amount of wave energy  and the collection of all that energy resulted in a surge of water that extended into coastal Ventura. It was midday when this happened; the flooding was occurring at other points during the day as well.

WIPEOUT! Kids watching the waves in Santa Cruz were tossed when a big one crashed into the rocks. pic.twitter.com/UMljSqBWln  KSBW Action News 8 (@ksbw) December 28, 2023

Elsewhere, sneaker waves jumped sea walls and soaked onlookers in Santa Cruz and at the famed big-wave surfing locale Mavericks in Northern California.

National Weather Service flood and high surf warnings are in effect through Saturday in Northern California and Monday morning in Southern California.

Dangerously large breaking waves of 28 to 33 feet with isolated waves up to 40 feet, may occur, the NWS said of conditions in Northern California.

Large breaking waves may sweep people off jetties and docks, it added of conditions in Southern California. Strong rip currents will pose a risk of ocean drowning. Beach erosion is likely.

Flooding has already occurred in the cities of Aptos, Ventura, and Oxnard.

Residents of Ventura were seen paddleboarding through flooded streets.

"The waves were big," Ventura resident Brian Scott told ABC7. "I mean, Im a water guy. I sail, scuba dive. These were 15+ foot waves this morning at high tide. Never seen that. Weve been here for 10 years."

The risky conditions were also seen in Hawaii, where Honolulu Ocean Safety lifeguards on Oahu rescued 20 people as of Wednesday.
Eighty years has passed since families were evicted from a small village on Salisbury Plain.

In 1943, 150 people living in Imber were asked to move out so that the village could be turned into a military training area.

The letters were handed to villagers on 1 November 1943 and they had to leave their homes by 17 December.

The residents were promised they could return to their homes after the war - but that never happened.

The village is still occupied by the Ministry of Defence but the public are allowed in for a few days each year.

Roads are open through Imber from 08:00 GMT Friday 29 December 2023 to 08:00 GMT Tuesday 2 January 2024, during which time the church will open Friday to Monday 11am to 4pm.

Former houses in the deserted village of Imber on Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire, where residents were evicted in 1943

Its Grade I listed St Giles Church is the only undamaged building still standing.

Church custodian Neil Skelton said the loved ones of former inhabitants still visit and a festival of carols was held at the church on Sunday 17 December.

"I think they all feel that there was an injustice done and feel that they should uphold the memory of Imber for those who have gone before them," he said.

Lord Peter Hendy of Richmond Hill and of Imber planted a Yew tree in the St Giles churchyard to remember former residents. For the last 15 years, he has run a charity bus service to Imber once a year.

"I think it is an extraordinary place and it's haunted by the ghosts of the people who used to live here and the ghosts of thousands of military people who've trained here," said Lord Peter Hendy.

"But when nobody else is here, this is a very quiet, peaceful part of Wiltshire."

Bratton Silver Band playing carols in the Church for 150 visitors

Anne Lewis, from Totton, was at the carol service and has strong family ties to the area.

"Mum grew up here in Imber from the age of four and she was at least 14 [when they had to move]," said Mrs Lewis.

"[She lived] just down the bottom of the hill, below the church, and in a little cottage with her parents and siblings.

"So it's a thing we want to keep going in her memory."

Follow BBC West on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: bristol@bbc.co.uk
SUGARCREEK  The Alpine Hills Museum is a repository for a huge collection of items related to the history of Sugarcreek and the Swiss heritage of its residents.

At the museum, housed in a three-story building with basement at 106 W. Main St., visitors will find a kettle brought over from Switzerland for making cheese; a collection of alphorns, a Swiss musical instrument; replicas of a millinery shop and a barber shop once located in Sugarcreek; a display on the Amish and several horse-drawn vehicles and an ice cream bicycle truck.

An Amish buggy passes by the Alpine Hills Museum in Sugarcreek, Dec. 22.

More on museum: Alpine Hills alive with the sound of alphorns. Retiree visits Sugarcreek to learn to play

In 2023, the museum attracted 15,000 visitors.

Unfortunately, the museum does not have an elevator, so the second floor and the basement are inaccessible to people with a handicap.

One of the most prominent displays in Sugarcreek's Alpine Hills Museum is a replication of a traditional cheese house, in which an original cheese kettle over 100 years old from Sharp Run Dairy, East of Millersberg, can be seen. Cheesemakers in the 1980's were forced to switch from the use of copper to stainless steel because of regulations.

Plans to install elevator

So, museum officials are planning on using an existing freight elevator shaft to install an elevator for visitors, said Becky Detwiler, the museum curator.

"Since it's deemed a freight elevator, it will never be available for humans," she said. "Our desire is to put in an all-new elevator to cover all four floors, the basement and the three floors, so that people will have access to more of the museum.

"So many individuals that come through the door have trouble with their hips or their knees. I see a lot of walkers. I see some wheelchairs. There are things to see on the first floor, but there's so much more on the second floor and in the basement."

Detwiler's dream is to expand the museum to the third floor, which is now used for storage.

"There's things up there that people will never get to see because I just don't have room for them," she said.

The project is expected to cost more than $200,000. Around $10,000 has been raised so far. The work will include shoring up the existing shaft and building a control room on the roof.

Becky Detwiler, curator of the Alpine Museum in Sugarcreek, talks about the necessity for installation of an elevator, which will be located behind the current shaft doors pictured at right, Friday, Dec. 22.

Raffle held to raise money

To help raise money, the museum hosted a raffle drawing three days before Christmas. The top prize was a cuckoo clock donated to the museum by the Edie family of Zoarville. The clock was purchased in Lucerne, Switzerland, in 1998 for $800 by John Edie for his wife, Jeanna. It has three weights on it. Every hour and every half hour a waterwheel goes around. At the top there are four dancers that spin around every 30 minutes.

Tickets were drawn by Esther Yoder of Esther's Home Bakery in Sugarcreek. The clock was won by Margaret Nagy of Sugarcreek.

Becky Detwiler, right, curator of the Alpine Museum in Sugarcreek, and Esther Yoder, of Esther's Home Bakery, react to the first place winner's name drawn for a raffle drawing, Friday, Dec. 22. The winner, Margaret Nagy, will receive a hand-made cuckoo clock worth over $8,000.

History of the museum

The Alpine Hills Museum was established in 1976 in a house across the street from the present museum. The house is no longer standing.

In 1977, Ranson Andreas, owner of Andreas Furniture in Sugarcreek, donated the current building, erected in 1927. He used it as a downtown furniture warehouse.

His furniture store was heavily damaged by a fire in 1974.

"He was so impressed by how the community came behind him and supported him to rebuild, and he felt that it was so important to give back," Detwiler explained. "This was his downtown warehouse. It was getting difficult to maneuver loading and unloading off the side street, Broadway."

Volunteers tore down an abandoned house outside of town and used the materials to build exhibits and a movie room, she said. It officially opened to the public in 1982 in time for Sugarcreek's centennial celebration.

The first curators were Les and Pat Kaser.

"Les Kaser was able to convince people to give their stuff to the museum and he promised that it would be displayed and handled appropriately," Detwiler said. "So, we have this huge collection today thanks to Les. He was hand-picked by Ranson Andreas to be the first curator."

Antique fire apparatus can be seen in the basement of Sugarcreek's Alpine Hills Museum.

The museum is open March through November. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. It is closed on Sunday.

"We have a little bit of something for everybody here at the museum," Detwiler said. "I think it's worth the trip."

Reach Jon at 330-364-8415 or at jon.baker@timesreporter.com.

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Officials want to make Alpine Hills Museum handicap accessible
On Dec. 19, 2023, the State Supreme Court of Colorado ruled that former U.S. President Donald Trump was ineligible to appear on the primary ballot for the 2024 presidential election. Maine followed suit a week or so later, when that state's secretary of state ruled on excluding Trump from primary ballots, as well. During that same period, several states  California, Michigan, and Minnesota  explicitly ruled or stated that Trump could not be excluded from primary ballots.

While individual states have authority over their election procedures, and these procedures differ between states, Trump's potential disqualification from primary ballots stems from a clause in the U.S. Constitution enacted after the Civil War and intended to prevent former Confederates from holding office. Several states, as well as the Trump campaign, have petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to rule on the matter.

Here, Snopes covers the central elements of the debate and its potential future before the Supreme Court.

How Could 14th Amendment Be Used To Bar Trump From Appearing on Ballots?

Colorado and Maine both cite what is known as the Disqualification Clause (Section Three of the 14th Amendment) as their basis for removing Trump from their state's primary ballots. Section Three of the 14th Amendment stipulates:

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.

As Snopes has previously explained, there are two basic requirements for disqualification that stem from this clause. The first is that the person has "previously taken an oath" at any state or federal level "to support the Constitution of the United States." The second requirement is that the person had "engaged in insurrection or rebellion against" the Constitution or had "given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof."

In Colorado's Dec. 19, 2023, ruling, which was a response to multiple groups challenging the former president's inclusion on a primary ballot, the Colorado Supreme Court stated the 14th Amendment disqualifies Trump from running for office and, as a result, it would be a violation of state election law for him to appear on a primary ballot:

A majority of the court holds that President Trump is disqualified from holding the office of President under Section Three of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Because he is disqualified, it would be a wrongful act under the Election Code for the Colorado Secretary of State to list him as a candidate on the presidential primary ballot.

In a 34-page ruling issued on Dec. 28, 2023, Shenna Bellows, Maine's secretary of state, argued that Trump's "primary petition" to run for office in Maine was "invalid" because he falsely stated to be qualified to hold office on his campaign declaration:

Mr. Trump's primary petition is invalid. Specifically, I find that the declaration on his candidate consent form is false because he is not qualified to hold the office of the President under Section Three of the Fourteenth Amendment.

I am mindful that no secretary of state has ever deprived a presidential candidate of ballot access based on Section 3 of the 14th Amendment," Bellows wrote. "I am also mindful, however, that no presidential candidate has ever before engaged in insurrection." Under Maine state law, the secretary of state ultimately decides the viability of a challenge to someone's inclusion on a ballot.

What Constitutes an Insurrection?

At the heart of these cases is the vaguely defined concept of engaging in or supporting an insurrection. While the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S Capitol has previously been used to keep state-level political officials off a ballot or removed from office, the U.S. Supreme Court has yet to rule on the amendment's applicability to Trump, or to the events of Jan. 6. This fact is at the heart of challenges to Colorado and Maine's rulings.

In response to the Colorado ruling, the Colorado Republican Party asked the U.S. Supreme Court to rule on three questions regarding the disqualification clause. The first considers Trump's actions specifically, while the other two consider the level of authority states have in making disqualifications more generally:

1. Whether the President falls within the list of officials subject to the disqualification provision of Section Three of the Fourteenth Amendment? 2. Whether Section Three of the Fourteenth Amendment is self-executing to the extent of allowing states to remove candidates from the ballot in the absence of any Congressional action authorizing such process? 3. Whether the denial to a political party of its ability to choose the candidate of its choice in a presidential primary and general election violates that partys First Amendment Right of Association?

The Trump campaign has stated that it intends to appeal the Maine ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court, as well. Both Maine and Colorado hold their primaries on Super Tuesday  March 5, 2024.

Trump Hasn't Even Been Convicted, How Could This Be Applicable To Him?

As Snopes has previously explained, precedent suggests that someone need not be convicted of a crime to be deemed ineligible to run for office under the Disqualification Clause. While Trump is facing criminal charges related to his actions in the aftermath of the 2020 election and the Jan. 6 insurrection, he has not been convicted of any of these crimes at the time of this reporting.

Based on past disqualifications under the 14th amendment, that fact has little bearing on the Disqualification Clause. Of the eight people who have been disqualified under this part of the Constitution, at least five were not convicted of any crime.

Past disqualifications also suggest that Jan 6. could constitute an insurrection. One of those eight disqualified people was Cowboys For Trump founder Couy Griffin, who was disqualified from holding state office in New Mexico in 2022 for participation in the events of Jan. 6.

How Might The Supreme Court Settle The Issue?

A U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the first question posed by the Colorado Republican party  or any other single state  could have widespread, national effects. As described by The New York Times, "A ruling that Mr. Trumps conduct cannot be construed as a violation of the 14th Amendment would effectively shut down challenges pending in several states."

There is no guarantee, however, that such a ruling in these or any other cases would result in such a broad impact, or that a ruling on these primary election issues would hold relevance in the general election. "A narrower ruling on the Colorado case could allow Mr. Trump to remain on the states primary ballot, while giving lawyers challenging his eligibility a chance to argue that he should be kept off the general election ballot," the Times explained.

What About Other States?

Maine and Colorado are not the only states to have weighed in on Trump's qualification to hold office under the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. At the time of this reporting, two states saw failed efforts to disqualify Trump: Michigan and Minnesota.

California, without legal challenge, announced that it could not disqualify Trump from the ballot under state law. One other state, Oregon, currently has a case challenging Trump's qualification to run for office. That case has yet to be decided, but is expected to be reviewed by that state's Supreme Court.

As for the flagship Colorado case, the U.S. Supreme Court must respond to the Colorado GOP by Jan. 26, 2024, according to the docket.

Sources:

2023 CO 63. https://www.courts.state.co.us/userfiles/file/Court_Probation/Supreme_Court/Opinions/2023/23SA300.pdf.

COLORADO REPUBLICAN STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE, Petitioner, v. NORMA ANDERSON, ET AL., Respondents. United States Supreme Court, https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/23/23-696/294416/20231227184621636_Colorado-Republican-State-Central-Committee-v.-Anderson-Cert-Petition%20PDFA.pdf.

DocumentCloud. https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24245391-decision-in-challenge-to-trump-presidential-primary-petitions?responsive=1&title=1. Accessed 29 Dec. 2023.

Marley, Patrick, et al. Here Are the Key States Where Trumps Ballot Status Is Being Challenged. Washington Post, 29 Dec. 2023. www.washingtonpost.com, https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/12/28/here-are-key-states-where-trumps-ballot-status-is-being-challenged/.

Russell, Jenna, et al. Maine Joins Colorado in Finding Trump Ineligible for Primary Ballot. The New York Times, 29 Dec. 2023. NYTimes.com, https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/28/us/maine-trump-ballot.html.

Section 3, 14th Amendment. https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/amendment-14/section-3/#.

The Insurrection Bar to Office: Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment. Congressional Research Service, Sept. 2022, https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/LSB/LSB10569.

The Precedent for 14th Amendment Disqualification. CREW | Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, https://www.citizensforethics.org/reports-investigations/crew-reports/past-14th-amendment-disqualifications/. Accessed 29 Dec. 2023.
EPWater: Temporary traffic changes to replace water mains in East El Paso

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  Beginning Tuesday, Jan. 2, the Pipeline Protection Project will begin construction on the third and fourth milestones; drivers and residents should expect temporary traffic changes in the areas affected for at least three months, according to the El Paso Water.

Third milestone:

Third milestone of the Pipeline Protection Project near the intersection of Lee Trevino and Pebble Hills Boulevards.

Construction will begin on the third milestone of the Pipeline Protection Project near the intersection of Lee Trevino and Pebble Hills Boulevards.

One water main running under the northbound lanes of Lee Trevino from Bywood Drive to Pebble Hills Boulevard will be replaced. At least one northbound lane will remain open, southbound traffic will not be impacted.

Fourth milestone:

Fourth milestone of the Pipeline Protection Project near the intersection of Viscount and Airway Boulevards.

Construction will begin on the fourth milestone of the Pipeline Protection Project near the intersection of Viscount and Airway Boulevards.

Two water mains under the westbound lanes of Viscount west of Bellrose Drive will be replaced. Westbound Viscount will be closed from Belrose to Airway.

EPWater is proactively replacing metal water mains which cross major gas pipelines at five locations in East El Paso to help minimize the likehood of water main breaks.

The replacement is necessary because gas pipelines use corrosion protection systems which run an electrical current through the gas pipeline, according to EPWater.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
Eric Adams says NYC is at 'breaking point' as he warns of another surge of migrants from Texas

New York City Mayor Eric Adams warned residents to expect another surge in migrants from Texas in the coming months even as he said the city is reaching its "breaking point."

NYC received a record 14 buses of migrants in a single day last week as Texas Gov. Greg Abbott continues his effort to force northern Democratic strongholds to grapple with illegal immigration. NYC has received 161,000 migrants since the spring of 2022, though that figure includes migrants who arrived on their own, according to The Wall Street Journal.

"For many months, we were able to keep the visualization of this crisis from hitting our streets, but we have reached a breaking point and can no longer do that," Adams in a press conference last week.

"New York City has begun to see another surge of migrants arriving, and we expect this to intensify over the coming days as a result of Texas Gov. Abbotts cruel and inhumane politics," he added.

CHAOS AND FURY' IN NYC AS OFFICIALS LOSE FAITH IN MAYOR ERIC ADAMS OVER MIGRANT CRISIS: REPORT

New York City Mayor Eric Adams warned residents to expect another surge in migrants from Texas in the coming months even as he said the city is reaching its "breaking point."

Adams and other liberal mayors in Chicago and elsewhere have imposed new regulations on where and when buses can drop off migrants. As a result, Abbott has already sent migrants to the cities via plane, according to WSJ.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

TEXAS MIGRANT FLIGHT HEADING TO NEW YORK CITY DIVERTED TO PHILADELPHIA

"Instead of attacking Texas efforts to provide relief to our overwhelmed border communities, these Democrat mayors should call on their party leader to finally do his job and secure the bordersomething he continues refusing to do," said Renae Eze, a spokeswoman for Abbott's office, told the Journal.

Adams and other liberal mayors in Chicago and elsewhere have imposed new regulations on where and when buses can drop off migrants. As a result, Abbott has already sent migrants to the cities via plane.

Abbott's transport program has succeeded in dividing the country's most powerful mayors from Democratic leaders in Washington. Adams himself has repeatedly criticized the White House for not sending enough federal aid to address the city's migrant crisis.

Adams complained last week that he didn't have a single meeting with President Biden regarding the immigration crisis throughout 2023.

Adams complained last week that he didn't have a single meeting with President Biden regarding the immigration crisis throughout 2023.

"I met with the president several times on this issue in 21 I think early 2022, the dates get confused," he said when asked about his meetings with the White House. "It baffles me. New York City is the economic engine of the state and of the country. And I don't have the answer."





Original article source: Eric Adams says NYC is at 'breaking point' as he warns of another surge of migrants from Texas
Ukraine's accession to EU membership will take years rather than decades, Vera Jourova, the EU Commission's vice-president, told Czech outlet Novinky in an interview published on Dec. 30.

"Ukraine is doing an incredible job of implementing the reforms it needs and wants in the midst of the war," she said.

The European Council has agreed to open accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova on Dec. 14.

Ukraine and Moldova were granted candidate status last June, after which Kyiv was presented with seven criteria that need to be fulfilled to start accession talks with the EU.

The European Commission issued a favorable assessment of Ukraine's progress in November and recommended the launch of the accession talks.

Read also: BREAKING: European Council agrees to open accession talks with Ukraine, Moldova

According to the Commission's report from Nov. 8, Kyiv fulfilled four of the seven criteria pertaining to two judicial reforms, the alignment of anti-money laundering legislation, and media reform.

The EU demanded two anti-corruption laws, one anti-lobbying law and one related to minorities, as part of the requirements to enter the EU, but added that after the opening of accession talks, much more work would begin, and all Ukrainian laws had to be adapted to European legislation.

"It is the beginning of a really difficult process, and the Ukrainians report that they are ready for it," she said.

She said it would be problematic to condition Ukraine's accession talks to the country getting back all territories.

Jourova also said that as the "full membership or no membership" system doesn't exist anymore, Ukraine could move closer to the EU without being a member and gain access to the European market, albeit with restrictions.

"Ukraine can get all this before it becomes a member state," she said.

Read also: Zelensky says Ukraine has fulfilled EU membership obligations

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Vera Jourova, Vice-President of the European Commission for Values and Transparency, believes that the process of Ukraine's accession to the EU will not last for decades, although it will take some time.

Source: Novinky, citing Jourova in an interview with Pravo, as reported by European Pravda.

Quote: "I would rather say years," Jourova said, answering whether the process of Ukraine's accession to the EU is a matter of years or decades.

Jourova noted that Montenegro, Serbia, North Macedonia, and Albania, the accession negotiations of which have begun, are the closest to the European Union accession. "However, this year, the Union will not enlarge by adding new countries, so the negotiations will not proceed quickly," said the European Commission Vice President.

"I am glad that the idea of 'full membership or no membership' is no longer applied. We have identified several areas where candidate countries can approach the Union without becoming its members. Countries can engage with the EU through digital, energy, and transport connections; we can recognise each other's qualifications, and a candidate country can gain access to the European market, albeit with restrictions. Ukraine can obtain all of this even before becoming a member of the EU," Jourova noted.

She also believes that from a moral standpoint, it would be very problematic to tell Ukraine to first resolve territorial issues and then talk about accession. "It is right that the efforts of Ukrainians go in two directions. On the one hand, these are extraordinary efforts aimed at winning the war, even though the resources on the Russian side are much greater, especially regarding human resources. At the same time, Ukraine is doing incredible work in implementing the reforms it needs and desires in war conditions.

So far, we have demanded the adoption of two anti-corruption laws, an anti-lobbying law, and a minority rights law. However, after the opening of accession negotiations, much more work will begin; all Ukrainian laws must be adapted to European legislation. This is the beginning of a truly complex process, and Ukrainians are reporting that they are ready for it," Jourova explained.

Background:

At the EU summit on 14 December, EU leaders supported the opening of negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova.

Although the decision on Kyiv had long been blocked by Hungary, its veto was overridden by persuading Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to leave the room during the vote and thus abstain from voting.

Orban himself later claimed that he agreed to give up his veto right at the start of Ukraines EU accession talks since he would have many more opportunities to block this process.

Read also: Orban's Defeat or Victory for Ukraine. Why Is EU Summit Historic?

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Some Californians were placed under evacuation warnings this weekend as the National Weather Service reported flooding and high waves.

The Ventura County Fire Department issued an evacuation warning for residents after the National Weather Service (NWS) in Los Angeles reported waves reaching as high as 20 feet on some beaches.

Since Christmas Day, several areas of the Southern and Central California coast have been under warnings of coastal flooding and high surf. Warnings have fluctuated in the week since, with peak waves and flooding hitting the region on Thursday and Saturday.

Kristan Lund, a meteorologist with the NWS in Los Angeles, told The Independent a system with strong winds off the countrys northern Pacific coast has caused the high waves.

The winds will create wind waves, and as they travel farther away from the system, we call them swell waves because theyre not only generated by wind, they just keep travelling, Ms Lund said. Those waves from that system travelled all the way to us.

A surfer emerges under the waves in Seal Beach, Calif., Saturday 30 December (AP)

Eight beachgoers were sent to the hospital on Thursday after a major wave hit Californias Ventura Beach, overriding coastal barriers. Major waves are continuing into Saturday, posing a high risk of injury and damage to property, according to the NWS.

Powerful waves and strong rip currents will pose an exceptional risk of ocean drowning and damage to coastal structures like piers and jetties, the NWS reported Saturday. Large breaking waves can cause injury, wash people off beaches and rocks, and capsize small boats near shore.

Ms Lund said a common saying from the NWS  Never turn your back on the ocean  is particularly apt this weekend.

Just because it seems like youre safe on a pier doesnt necessarily mean you are, Ms Lund said. Bigger waves can come out.

People run on the edge of the flooded beach next to the pier in Seal Beach, California, Saturday, 30 December 2023 (AP)

While tides will go down throughout Saturday, Ms Lund said residents should continue to stay on guard.

A very large wave breaks near the Ventura pier on Saturday 30 December 2023 in Ventura, Calif. (AP)

The beach locations are still very vulnerable and theyre still cleaning up from the damage theyre going through right now, she said. Were likely going to follow the warnings up with any advisory after they expire tonight, so theres still risk.
The year draws to a close with yet another bitter reminder of how the international community could have done more to assist Ukraine against Russia, but chose not to. Threats to shipping in the Red Sea have triggered a strong and immediate international military response to protect commerce there  a galling sight for supporters of Ukraine after the international communitys refusal to do the same in the Black Sea to relieve Russias stranglehold on Ukrainian grain exports.

International resolve is what has set the conditions for Ukraines continued struggle for survival in 2024. There wont be the same hopes for a major Ukrainian breakthrough as there were in early 2023. Reporting in the US describes recriminations between Kyiv and Washington over the plan for Ukraines 2023 counteroffensive. But there is no disagreement that Ukraine was called upon to conduct a campaign without air superiority in a way no Western military would have contemplated. And now, not only aircraft but supplies of other essential war materials are under threat because of domestic politics in the US and Hungary.

The announcement by the Netherlands that it will provide 18 F-16 fighters is welcome, but the timeframe is still to be laid out completely. But Kyiv will be concerned that it is heading into the New Year without the confirmation of tens of billions of pounds of fresh financial support from both the US and EU.

The White House had already concluded that confronting Russia was not in the US national interest, but now Washingtons ongoing political nervous breakdowns raise the prospect of support ceasing altogether. A possible second Donald Trump presidency was the expected point of crisis for aid to Ukraine  and for the future of Nato this coming year. But a combination of hesitancy and self-deterrence by Joe Bidens administration and Republican opposition to ongoing funding means the crisis for Europe is already here.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has had an increasing battle for financial support as the war has ground on (AP)

Europe itself may begin at long last to face up to the prospect of holding back Russia without the US support it has historically relied on. Nevertheless the fact the EU will have to wait until January to confirm its own 43bn in funding thanks to the stalling of Hungarys Viktor Orban, an ally of Vladimir Putin, means that Kyiv is having to plan for the worst. Military operations have already been adapted to being even more starved of munitions. But this situation was entirely predictable. The mathematics of the war dictated that there was a limited opportunity to bring it to a swift conclusion: and Kyivs Western backers chose not to take it.

That means that Ukraine is likely to remain on the defensive for much of 2024, and indeed construction of fortifications along Russias main potential lines of advance has already begun. Russia, meanwhile, can either wait for a Trump presidency to tilt the balance of power further in the Kremlins favour along with a new conscript army, or go all-in with a new offensive to push for new territorial gains ahead of Vladimir Putins own re-election in March 2024.

Not all the news for Kyiv is bad. Its true that a long war favours Russia, with its deeper reserves of manpower, political patience, and tolerance for self-inflicted misery. But that doesnt mean Russias forces in Ukraine are invincible. The staggering rate of Russian losses there will force harder and harder choices as Moscow looks to dredge the country for new manpower to send into the meat grinder. And rushing substandard North Korean artillery shells directly to the front suggests that Russia isnt yet capable of meeting its ammunition needs from domestic stocks or production.

Meanwhile, a focus on the immobile front line obscures major Ukrainian successes in the war. One of these is regaining freedom of movement in the Black Sea independently after overt Western support was not forthcoming. Home-built defence technologies including maritime attack drones, part of Kyivs ambition to gain advantage through innovation, have been an important enabler. The UK aims to build on that success by helping Ukraine toward sustainable maritime defence in the long term.

Vladimir Putin has been unable to source sufficient ammunition domestically, relying instead on substandard North Korean shells (AP)

It has always been the case that more support for Ukraine, earlier, will be the cheaper option for the West in the long run than allowing the war to drag on and the Russian threat to remain unchecked. And a plan put forward by Estonia  one of Ukraines most committed backers  shows how, given sufficient political will, the tide of the war could be turned. The plan lays out the maths, and calculates the cost of denying Russia success at approximately 120bn  just a fraction of the amounts spent by Europe on other strategic challenges, such as recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

Others are already stepping up. Japan recognises the implications for global security of defeat for Ukraine, and has now augmented its existing financial and humanitarian support with a plan to backfill US stocks of Patriot missiles in order to release supplies for Kyiv.But none of these solutions will fully compensate for the potential loss of US support, with or without the possible re-election of Trump

A focus on campaigning for single high-profile weapons systems for Ukraine, such as main battle tanks or fighter aircraft, has obscured the continuing flows of less glamorous ammunition and equipment. The paradox is that the US has been by far the greatest provider of military support to Ukraine, but also the target of the greatest criticism for its reluctance to offer critical capabilities, and for the limitations Washington places on their use.

Support for Kyiv from the EU will remain hostage to members like Hungary. For all the symbolic value of an EU promise of future accession, its of much less immediate help than the aid that Hungary under Orban has so far successfully blocked. There is little point in the EU holding out the prospect of membership for Ukraine if Ukraine does not survive to achieve it.

Ukrainian servicemen fire from a self-made multiple rocket launcher on a front line in Donetsk (EPA)

Nevertheless its more widely recognised than ever that if Russia remains undeterred, the implications for European and global security are desperate. More western capitals must come to realise that they are in a war that must be won, not a crisis that can be managed. But a failure to seize the opportunity to rearm across the continent has left many European land forces still poorly prepared to face the Russian threat. In addition to the direct Russian threat to Nato, the world would also have to reckon with the cascade effects of Russian success encouraging other aggressors globally.

But supporting Ukraine as long as it takes is a public declaration that there is no initiative, no plan, and no strategy. The US fear of the consequences of confronting Russia hands Vladimir Putin a get out of jail free card, and Russia can continue to wage its war without fear of suffering the direct consequences that would befall any country behaving similarly without the security blanket of nuclear weapons.

As ever, the resilience and fortitude of the Ukrainian people is the essential component for continued resistance. But for all that Ukrainians recognise that their struggle is for nothing less than their continued existence, the final outcome of the war is unlikely to be decided in Ukraine.

Ukraine is highly unlikely to capitulate, even if international support slips still further. Ukrainians know the dire consequences of surrendering to Russian domination, and they know that the chances of Russia honouring any ceasefire agreement are negligible: so fighting on is the only rational choice. But decisions made earlier by Kyivs Western backers  and the interminable delays in making them  ruled out success for Ukraine in 2023, and have almost certainly done so for 2024 as well.

And, crucially, Putins war aims will not change  unless they are changed for him. The fighting in Ukraine may one day come to an end. But that wont end Russias broader war against the West. Now, as ever, it is only defeat of Russias ambitions that will bring peace for Europe. But Europe needs to make the decision to defend itself. The coming year will show whether it is willing and able to do so.

Keir Giles is a senior consulting fellow of the Russia and Eurasia Programme at Chatham House
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 29)  The provincial government of Quezon has reinstated the mandatory wearing of face masks due to an increasing number of COVID-19 cases and respiratory illnesses.

An order signed by Provincial Governor Angelina Tan on Dec. 27 but made public on Friday said "face masks shall continue to be worn for indoor settings and in outdoor settings where physical distancing cannot be maintained."

This comes amid an increase in mobility and mass gatherings during the holiday season, and a reduction in minimum public health standards; both of which are projected to lead to an increase in respiratory illnesses, the resolution said.

This month, the Department of Health (DOH) confirmed four cases of walking pneumonia in the Philippines, a respiratory illness which surged in China and in parts of Europe in late November.

The agency also recorded 18 cases of the COVID-19 Omicron subvariant JN.1, the leading cause of coronavirus infections in the United States. All patients have recovered, but health experts warned members of the vulnerable population to mask up anyway.

The DOH reported a 50% increase in new COVID-19 cases in December: from 1,821 cases monitored between Dec. 5 and 11, up to 2,725 were recorded between Dec. 12 and 18.

Aside from the mandatory mask mandate, citizens with flu-like symptoms are instructed to isolate.

In principle, testing of suspect cases and individuals with mild symptoms shall be optional, it said.

The general public was also told to update their flu and pneumococcal vaccines.
Russias invasion of 2022 may have shocked the world with the brutality of the fighting but it was only a preview for what was coming in 2023.

To start with, 2022 had variety. It kicked off with a disastrous Russian blitz into Kyiv Oblast, stalled and picked apart by mobile Ukrainians. A successful capture and attempted colonization of parts of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia Oblasts. Then, a frozen artillery duel in Donbas.

By late summer, a Ukrainian feint drew a third of Russias available forces to Kherson, exposing their Kharkiv Oblast units to being overrun in a matter of days. Finally, the grinding battle of attrition in Kherson itself eventually forced the Russians to abandon the city.

The year 2023 was one slow battle of attrition after another, with destruction and loss of life on a shocking scale. From Bakhmut to Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Kupiansk and Avdiivka, the Kremlin casually sacrificed hundreds of thousands of men and their equipment.

An unknown number of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians died to oppose them. For them, it was a year that began with hope but ended in uncertainty, when the counteroffensive failed to go all the way. Ukraine likely has operational reserves but it has to be careful how it deploys them. Russia ends the year with initiative regained.

The year was marked by not just brutality but tactical oddity and innovation. By 2023, Ukrainian battlefields had evolved into some unprecedented hybrid of primitive World War I trenches and cutting-edge warfare with drones and smart munitions.

While vehicles continue to be important, for the Ukrainians, 2023 was an infantry war, through and through. The trinity of dismounted infantryman, drone and artillery piece has been the defining model of combat in the past 12 months.

Lets examine how that played out in the most important battles of 2023.

Defense of Bakhmut

The year started with big attacks on Bakhmuts flanks, the mining towns of Soledar and Vuhledar. Soledar was destroyed by terrible attrition; Wagner Group claimed the ruins. Meanwhile, the Russian marines repeated disastrous attacks on Vuhledar lost over a brigades worth of men and vehicles. The town still flies a Ukrainian flag.

The siege of Bakhmut itself was worse  the longest and bloodiest battle of the war to date.

The main attacking force was Wagner Group, with a tough core of well-equipped veterans commanding tens of thousands of recruits from Russias prison system, supported by the Russian armys elite airborne assault units. The defenders ranged from special forces to green recruits and everyone in between.

Ukraines top leadership ordered Bakhmut to be held as long as possible, refusing to withdraw even when the city was close to being surrounded in February.

An aerial view of the city of Bakhmut totally destroyed from heavy battles on Sept. 27, 2023, in Bakhmut, Donetsk Oblast. (Libkos/Getty Images)

Wagner claimed victory in May and began to hand control to regular forces, by which time, the city was mostly in ruins. Despite being pushed out of the city, the Ukrainians were making substantial gains on its outskirts and would continue to do so.

Fighting in the area never stopped. Capture and recapture of lost territory continues to this day. Ukraine liberated the nearby villages Andriivka and Klishchivka in September, a grueling operation that the Russians are trying to reverse.

Wagners pyrrhic success at Bakhmut was the last victory it would ever claim as a unit. With losses high and its convict legion depleted, merc commander Yevgeny Prigozhin decided to blame the Kremlin and rose up against it, only to back down and be killed a few months later.

Wagners legacy continues in the profusion of PMC-like irregular units that sprang up in growing numbers during the invasion.

On top of the symbolic value, defending Bakhmut was an attempt to bog the Russians down and bleed them out, making them easier pickings on the counterattack.

Russian losses suggested that the idea had merit though the disposable convicts likely did most of the bleeding, with casualties reported in the tens of thousands. Wagner often ordered them towards certain death again and again, just to see where the Ukrainians were shooting from. Prigozhin reported that 20,000 Wagner fighters died in Bakhmut as of May.

The Ukrainian military fires RPGs at enemy positions as the special military unit "Kurt & Company group" holds the first line of the front line on Nov. 3, 2023, in Bakhmut District, Donetsk Oblast. Ukrainian forces continue to fight to retake Bakhmut, which was captured by Russian forces in May, following a 10-month battle. Over the summer, Ukraine regained territory north and south of Bakhmut but Russia has continued to hold the city. (Kostya Liberov/Libkos/Getty Images)

But interviews with defenders revealed that Ukraines casualties also looked high. Some units told the Kyiv Independent they had lost between half and two-thirds of their strength in just two months of combat. Medics described people burning or being buried alive as the Russians collapsed their cover on top of them.

The battle exposed the full extent of the lethal disparity in ammo and vehicles, setting the tone for the rest of the year. Mortarmen said theyd run out of their daily ammo in minutes if they fired continuously. Artillerymen had to try to become snipers. A lot of the mechanized infantry consisted of dismounted soldiers with modest vehicle support at best.

It was also where worrying glimpses of the Ukrainian military began to emerge. Multiple warfighters said they had been thrown into Bakhmut after a few weeks training. Some felt they couldnt trust their commanders organizational skills. Communication between units was often abysmal. Fire support failed to show or inflicted friendly casualties. Inconsistency reigned. Men, overwhelmed, deserted their positions.



In many interviews, junior soldiers questioned if Bakhmut was really worth it. At higher levels, the answer to that question was an unwavering yes.

Attacks from the sky

Above the battlefields, the air war continued to evolve.

In the last quarter of 2022, the Kremlin began trying to destroy Ukraines energy infrastructure with massed missiles and drones. The strategy failed. Most energy assets were damaged, not destroyed, and Ukraine has remained electrified.

As Ukrainian intelligence predicted, Russias advanced missile stockpiles appeared to start running out early in the year. As missile attacks dwindled, the Kremlin started relying on cheap Shahed-type drones, which it began manufacturing on its own soil, with Irans help.

First responders work around the destroyed shopping mall that was hit by Russia's massive strike on Dnipro on Dec. 29, 2023. Russia's air attack killed at least six and injured 30 people in Dnipro, according to the local authorities. The strikes on Dnipro were part of Russia's largest air attack against Ukraine that targeted multiple cities across the country with 158 missiles and drones. (Ozge Elif Kizil/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Russia mainly used swarms of drones to attack cities in 2023. The defenders adapted, creating mobile air defense squads and tactical aviation units to knock them down reliably and cheaply.

Russia continues to build batches of heavy hitter missiles and shoot them at Ukrainian cities once they think they have enough. A Dec. 29 attack with 158 missiles and drones was the single largest mass strike to date.

But theyre not above striking with solo missiles closer to the front. In October, a direct hit on a Kupiansk District cafe by a single Iskander killed 59.

In an aerial view, rescuers and a backhoe clear rubble at a destroyed shop and cafe after a Russian missile strike on Oct. 6, 2023, in Hroza, Kharkiv Oblast. The strike killed at least 51 people in a village near the eastern Ukrainian city of Kupiansk, with officials saying one-fifth of the village died in the attack on civilians gathering at a wake in a cafe. (Yan Dobronosov/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)

Ukraine launched its own innovative program, Army of Drones. By 2023, it approved several dozen designs, which are being produced by Ukrainian manufacturers, from copters to planes to speedboats. Its unknown how many it makes, but it must be a lot. The country loses 10,000 UAVs per month, according to the Royal United Services Institute.

In 2023, Ukraine used drones to hit targets on Russian soil, such as office buildings in downtown Moscow, airfields, and other nonresidential buildings and infrastructure. They also collapsed another section of the Crimea bridge with weapons developed by the program.

The display of hundreds of DJI Mavic 3T thermal copters that would later be deployed to strategic hotspots on the front lines. The drones were acquired through a collaborative effort by Monobank, Oleg Horokhovsky, and Igor Lachenkov for the Drone Army as part of Ukraine's state United24 initiative. (Army of Drones/Facebook)

Ukraine also used more conventional missiles donated by allies or modernized from its stockpile. Creative attacks allowed Ukrainian forces to destroy or heavily damage multiple Russian ships and even a submarine. A strike on the Crimea naval headquarters during a staff meeting reportedly killed 34 Russian officers. Ukrainian intelligence sources claimed to destroy half of Russias advanced S-400 missile battalions on the peninsula, thanks in part to Russias poor organizational doctrine.

As for manned aircraft, Russia has maintained an anemic sort of air superiority above the battlefields, even though its jets regularly get shot down. In 2023, Russian airstrikes increased significantly, making very effective use of gliding bombs, allowing jets to attack from outside the range of Ukrainian air defense.

These bombs would be a pretty serious problem for the big Ukrainian operation that everyone knew was coming.

Counteroffensive preparations

The counteroffensive was the centerpiece of 2023. At the start of the year, it was a source of defiant hope. At the end, its a reminder of the uncertainty to come.

Kyiv had intended to launch the counteroffensive in the spring; delays receiving heavy weapons, such as modern Western tanks and fighting vehicles pushed it back to summer.

For example, Germany only budged on providing Leopard 2 tanks (and letting other Leopard 2 users do the same) around the turn of the year. Washingtons waffling on Abrams tanks and the length of preparation for machines and operators pushed delivery until fall. Still other countries had other concerns that took precious months to iron out.

Ukrainian military conducts training on Leopard 2 tanks at the test site on May 14, 2023, in Ukraine. Ukraine received tanks as part of international military assistance programs to help defend itself against the ongoing Russian invasion. (Serhii Mykhalchuk/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)

Ukraine would not receive critical cluster munitions or long-range missiles until months into the counteroffensive. The jets it needed for air support didnt arrive in 2023.

All these delays bought Russian General Sergey Surovikin precious time to build up his defensive lines and sow the earth around them with an absurd number of landmines. That meant every day, the overwhelming operation the allies wanted Ukraine to conduct was pushed further out of its reach.

Ukrainian brigades dont have experience with theater-scale combined arms operations, which is exactly what the counteroffensive called for. As a result, many brigades were able to strike sequentially but not simultaneously, reducing their impact.

Training and experience were also issues. Ukraine created multiple new brigades from scratch for the operation. In some, most service members had no prior combat experience, but would be expected to perform superhuman feats. Attrition depleted some of Ukraines most skilled and motivated fighters, who had done most of the superhuman feats in 2022.

Allies U.S. and Germany provided training but utility ended up limited. Training to NATO doctrine did not prepare new troops for the kind of war they would fight in Ukraine.

In summary: To overwhelm the Russians, the Ukrainians had a force that had no modern air support, no long-rage ATACMS missiles, no cluster munitions, not enough shells, not enough demining equipment, couldnt afford to lose Western vehicles, with many men who had no prior fighting experience and a training that could barely begin to prepare them for the realities of the Ukrainian battlefield.

Though the year ends inconclusively, what they did next was nothing short of superhuman.

Assault in Zaporizhzhia

Reports that the counteroffensive started were flying around in early June but what really confirmed it was when Russias Kherson forces demolished the Kakhovka Dam.



This caused a massive flood that trapped thousands of civilians and swamped the lower eastern bank, complicating Ukrainian troops option for eventually crossing the river and assume defensible positions.

While veteran units counterattacked in Donbas, the main prongs of the counteroffensive in Zaporizhzhia Oblast attacked south towards Melitopol and Berdiansk, trying to cut Russia off from its bases and supply lines in occupied Crimea.

The strategy was as sensible as it was easy to anticipate. Zaporizhzhia Oblast is where the Russians built their thickest lines, in triplicate, with additional fortifications radiating down important roads and surrounding important cities and settlements.

Each of Surovikins lines has deep trenches, covered fighting positions for men and vehicles, tank obstacles, and a mine density approaching five per square meter. While Russia didnt have enough troops to man each line, they could use them to fight and fall back as needed, trading distance for damage.

Surovikin was ousted for his ties to Prigozhin before he could command the Russians defense.

Returning as commander, Valeriy Gerasimov did not appear to use the lines as Surovikin likely intended. Gerasimov ordered the bulk of his Southern Military District forces to fight on or in front of the first line and try to counterattack the Ukrainians, preferring to sacrifice men and equipment over captured territory.

For the Ukrainians, all of the above in combination made for a terrifying slog. Attempts to achieve shock and awe failed decisively, right at the start.



Ukraine was forced to switch to a more attritional strategy of cautious advances, relying on infantry supported by artillery as they felt their way through the minefields. The cluster munitions they began receiving in July helped them keep the pressure on.

In the Melitopol direction, the Ukrainian assault force methodically fought its way up to Robotyne and Verbove, raising a flag above Robotyne in August. As of September, the Ukrainians had pierced the Russians first defensive line and breached the second.

A Ukrainian soldier of the 65th Mechanized Brigade walks in the trench built by Russian forces, near the front-line village of Robotyne, in the Zaporizhzhia region, on Oct. 1, 2023, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by Roman Pilipey/AFP via Getty Images)

In the Berdiansk direction, Ukrainian forces also made progress, slowly. They took Staromaiorske and continued trying to push towards Mykilske and Novofedorivka.

Yet, as U.S. intelligence predicted, the Ukrainians had a hard time exploiting these gains. Months of hard fighting exhausted the troops, whose supplies were voraciously consumed by the operation. The arrival of bad weather put a deeper freeze on the Ukrainians forward momentum.

General Valerii Zaluzhnyi dealt the final blow to expectations with his op-ed in the Economist that a picturesque breakthrough in the south is not on the horizon.

Its likely that for the time being, focus will shift east, where the Kremlin has jumped at the chance to regain its initiative.

Defense of Kupiansk and Avdiivka

The Russians first committed their assault force towards Kupiansk in late summer.

The Kupiansk grouping has three tank armies crammed into a tight operational space, getting in each other's way. Ukrainian soldiers on this axis described fighting decently-equipped regular Russian units and had mixed grades on their performance  some high and some middling.

A main objective was to break through at Synkovske, but the Russian units here have struggled against strongly-reinforced Ukrainian positions. Attempts to cross the Oskil river or go through the forest towards Lyman also ran into problems.

The operations aim was likely to draw off some pressure from Ukraines counteroffensive and capture some convenient territory. The Russians had taken Kupiansk easily during the first phase, but were driven out in September 2022, the turncoat city mayor fleeing with them. A substantial minority of the population in the area has pro-Russian sympathies.

Despite the very modest progress along these axes, the Russian offensives in this part of Ukraine inflicted brutal fighting and death on Ukrainian soldiers and civilians alike. One of the new brigades, ordered to hold the line, described being outmatched by the Russian units equipment, ammunition, and level of experience. The limits of NATO training and the occasionally poor quality of some Ukrainian commanders reared their heads yet again.

Soldiers of the artillery battery of the 59th Motorized Brigade of the Ukrainian army fire artillery towards Russian positions to support front-line troops in the direction of Avdiivka, Donetsk Oblast, on Dec. 16, 2023. Ukrainian artillery units deployed in the Avdiivka direction, where heavy clashes have been continuing due to the intensification of Russian attacks, continue their intense firing activities. (Ozge Elif Kizil/Anadolu via Getty Images)

But the closing act of the year brought the fighting back to Donbas. Seeing Ukraines southern push stall out, the Russians launched a massive all-out assault to capture Avdiivka. Many experts agree that the goal seems entirely political. It would make Russias maps of captured territory look nicer, by eliminating the Ukrainian-held bulge in the occupied territory.

To achieve this lofty goal, the Kremlin gathered a large, diverse grouping, from Russian motorized infantry regulars to the various integrated proxies and irregulars from occupied Donbas. The Kyiv Independent sources said that Russia was even pulling elements from Lyman to reinforce, as the Avdiivka assault was its number one priority.

The operation began with big attack waves towards Ukrainian positions that only missed deserving the title of banzai charge by a technicality. The results were what one might expect. After two and a half months, over 20,000 Russian men and hundreds of tanks have been taken out, in return for capturing a few kilometers along each flank.

Recently, they switched to a more methodical approach. Avdiivka can still fall if its flanks are overrun, not unlike what happened in Bakhmut. The Kremlins casual sacrifice of men and equipment is propped up by oil and gas revenue, which can be invested in war machine production and recruitment bonuses for contract soldiers.



But many Ukrainians stand to lose their lives as well, if the flanks arent fortified, quickly.

Crossing the river

There is one more area worth talking about  the Kherson bridgehead, a long, thin strip of riverbank on the Dnipro marshy eastern side. Ukrainian forces have been scouting and raiding back and forth across the river for much of the year, trying to find a good attack angle and keep the Russians there from getting too comfortable.

The idea is, if the Ukrainians can make it safe to transport large forces across the river, they could force the Russians into an awkward position or make them draw off reinforcements from other axes of attack.

Ukrainian soldiers sail on boats to the Russian-occupied eastern bank of the Dnipro River in Kherson Oblast on Sept. 14, 2023. (Kostiantyn Liberov & Vladyslava Liberova/Getty Images)

Right now, marines in the area think its a tall order. Crossing is hard when Russians are aiming drone-supported artillery at every likely landing, and advancing means trudging through a cover-free ribbon of wetland for half an hour. Even if they were to secure a proper bridgehead, there can be no thought of transporting vehicles while Russia still has air superiority and Ukraine still awaits its F-16s.

For now, the marines continue to hold on. Though the mission demands constant sacrifice, Western allies and some experts think that this is not an opportunity that Ukraine can afford to squander.

For Ukraines leaders, its more than that  a shred of hope to continue getting weapons.

Note from the author:

Hi, this is Igor Kossov, I hope you enjoyed reading our article.

I consider it a privilege to keep you informed about one of this century's greatest tragedies, Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine. With the help of my colleagues, I will continue to bring you in-depth insights into Ukraine's war effort, its international impacts, and the economic, social, and human cost of this war. But I cannot do it without your help. To support independent Ukrainian journalists, please consider becoming our patron. Thank you very much.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Explosions were heard in Belgorod, Russia, on 30 December, and wreckage fell in the city centre after the work of Russian air defence.

Source: source of Ukrainska Pravda in security services

Details: It is noted that the Ukrainian Defence Forces struck Russian military facilities in Belgorod Oblast, but unprofessional actions of Russian air defence caused wreckage to fall in the city centre.

According to the Russians, 10 fires broke out in the city after the explosions. An air-raid warning was issued and people were urged to find shelter.

Quote: "Joint activities of the Defence Forces continue as a response to the Russian missile attack on Ukrainian cities and the killing of civilians.

The Ukrainian Defence Forces are working on a number of targets, specifically military facilities.

The destruction of civilian infrastructure that we are seeing in Belgorod is the result of unprofessional actions by Russian air defence, as well as deliberate and planned provocations."

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A Jewish and Muslim co-existence podcast has accused Meta of heavy-handed censorship after the tech giant removed their show discussing the Oct 7 Hamas attack.

Jonathan Sacerdoti, a British Jewish journalist, and Moataz Khalil, a Muslim Egyptian journalist, run a podcast called Peace Talk, dedicated to coexistence and dialogue.

However, after uploading their latest episode to YouTube, Spotify and Facebook on Wednesday, they received a message from Facebook saying that it breached their community guidelines on dangerous individuals and organisations.

The episode which was removed by Facebook provided a variety of voices challenging the extremist terrorism of Hamas, which is a proscribed terrorist organisation in many countries, including the UK.

It also examines Hamass founding charter, highlighting its calls for people all around the world to join Hamas jihad through acts of solidarity.

Among those who appeared on the show include Professor Kobi MIchael, an Israeli professor at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) and Fatema Al Harbi, the first Bahraini EU Peace Ambassador and Director of Gulf Affairs at the NGO, Sharaka, which means partnership in Arabic and which works to shape a new Middle East built on dialogue.

However, after uploading the podcast to Facebook, the hosts received a message saying it had been removed because it looks like you shared or sent symbols, praise or support of people and organisations that we define as dangerous, or followed them.

Mr Sacerdoti, a former Director of the Institute for Middle Eastern Democracy and anti-racism campaigner advocating for coexistence and Holocaust education, has appealed the decision along with his co-host, accusing Facebook of being overly censorious and clumsily indiscriminate in its banning of content. He added: One wonders if theyre specifically silencing content because it has got pro-Israel Arab voices.

He said: Having reported from the Middle East for over 15 years and from the sites of major terror attacks in Europe and Israel, I know what extremism looks like, and of course Id never promote it.

It has been something of a dream to set up our podcast together to give voice to the many other people, especially from around the Middle East, who bravely speak out against Islamism, extremism and terrorism.

That Facebook would censor these important voices is just shocking to me. I hope that audiences go out of their way to listen to the podcast on other platforms like YouTube to ensure Meta cant silence our message of determined opposition to extremism and violence with such heavy-handed censorship.

All too often, Meta lets real and shocking extremism and antisemitism remain on their platforms, but when it comes to pragmatic and realistic discussions of how to combat hatred and live together, like Peace Talk, they seem overly censorious and clumsily indiscriminate.

Mr Khalil added: After 25 years in journalism, as an Egyptian Muslim I dreamed of universal peace where everyone, regardless of background, is united in destiny and responsibility. This dream faced challenges in the Middle East and surprisingly, even more when I got to London, where I encountered rampant, ever-increasing extremism. Jonathan and I share a common dream of fair peace between Arab and Jewish peoples.

Our podcast aims to amplify our voices for peace, countering extremist views. Though our voice may be faint, we strive to promote coexistence and peace, battling against the harsh global and online realities that oppose our message.

Some social media platforms like Facebook clearly oppose the dissemination of our message supporting coexistence and peace, but we think its important for the world to hear these voices.

A spokesman for Meta, the parent company of Facebook, said that the company is investigating.

The Hamas terror attack on Israel on Oct 7 killed 1,200 people and took around 240 hostage in Gaza. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, more than 21,000 people have been killed in Gaza following Israels military response to the terror attack, which included air strikes and a ground offensive.

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.
VISTA, Calif.  A North County woman accused of attempting to hire someone to kill her estranged husband pleaded guilty in court on Thursday to a charge of solicitation to commit murder.

Tatyana Natasha Remley, 42, entered the guilty plea in front of a judge at a Vista Superior Court after reaching an agreement with prosecutors to the solicitation charge and a charge for carrying a loaded, concealed gun in her vehicle that was not registered to her.

She had previously pleaded not guilty to the charges earlier this year. As part of the deal to change her plea, she was immediately sentenced to three years and eight months behind bars in a state prison. Prosecutors also agreed to drop a second weapon-related charge.

Four Rancho Santa Fe suspects plead not guilty to first degree burglary

Remley was arrested by deputies with the San Diego County Sheriffs Department in early August after a sting operation set around a supposed meeting with a hitman, who  unbeknownst to her  was an undercover detective.

In the meeting, she described to the officer how she wanted to have her husband, Mark Remley, killed and his body disposed. According to SDSO officials, she also brought three firearms and an undisclosed amount of cash as a down payment for the murder.

Authorities arranged the operation after the department received a tip alleging that Remley was trying to hire someone to kill Mark, who reports say she had been separated from since May of this year amidst divorce proceedings.

The tip came one day after a fire destroyed the couples mansion in Rancho Reposa, a neighborhood in unincorporated Del Mar. SDSO is still investigating the cause of the fire, however, Mark has claimed to media outlets that it was intentionally set by his wife.

Tatyana and Mark Remley had been married since 2011, but had separated and reconciled multiple times over the years.

Man sentenced in hit-and-run that killed one-year-old girl

They were well-known in North County for their attempt to produce a multi-million-dollar acrobatic equestrian show, called Valitar, in 2012 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The show was slated for 45 performances, but was reportedly canceled after four.

Filings from attempts at divorce revealed a fraught relationship between the two, including allegations of physical abuse levied by Remley towards her husband. Mark denied this allegations to The Coast News Group earlier this year.

After Remleys arrest in August, she has remained in a Santee jail without bail. It is unknown where she will be moved after her sentencing Thursday.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego.
Next year could be critical for Putin due to domestic problems

The Financial Times, a well-known British newspaper, published a lengthy article about what will happen if Russia wins. This is not just one such article. Unfortunately, several have appeared recently in different countries and quite serious publications.

It seems to me that, on the one hand, this may be the logic of useful idiots who believe that we should put our feet up and call it a day, and not make any moves to help Ukraine. On the other hand, it could be a warning, a kind of alarm for the Western world's leaders to draw their attention to what is happening and that Ukraine should not be forgotten.

Read also: Does Putin have nothing to fear? The Kremlin's three primary goals before the elections

It's hard to say which of these two trends is the main one. But the second is more important to pay attention to. We are talking about a critical year, 2024, when the fate of the war will be decided.

I can't imagine a situation where Putin wins; he has nothing to win, and next year may be critical for him as internal problems continue to grow. We can see that even the head of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation, Elvira Nabiullina, considered the Russian economy's savior, says that dear compatriots are preparing for the bad. It is now officially stated that starting January 1, food prices (the main concern for any Russian family) will increase by 5 to 10%. This is in addition to the fact that there has already been an increase of about one-fifth this year. So, on the plus side, let's ask what will happen to Russian oil, which the Americans will still put their hands on, and quite harshly at that.

Putin sees the situation very well and that it is becoming critical for him

So, the point here is most likely to be that we need to mobilize our efforts and not allow Putin to even dream of what is called his victory. He understands perfectly well the consequences when the West finally unites and dedicates fully to Ukraine. Putin will have to think not about the war but about how to end his miserable life. The New York Times even wrote that Putin is interested in a ceasefire. Although he does not demonstrate or articulate this publicly at all. How can he talk about it when he needs to remain in the image of an invincible great tsar who only dreams and does everything to make Russia great? At the same time, there are many signs that he sees the situation very well and that it is becoming critical for him.

Read also: Putin and OPEC struggle to prop up oil prices

Well, let's look at the issue of financial assistance to Ukraine. Right now, until January, we are hanging in the air regarding the decision of the Americans. But it is already becoming increasingly evident that there will be an agreement. Congress will meet again after the holidays. A week, two weeks at the most, and the decision will be made. Then they say that now the Americans have finally started talking about the confiscation of Russian sovereign assets rather than freezing them. This means at least another $260 billion. Remember that, bypassing Hungary's veto, the European Union will provide Ukraine with tens of billions of euros next year. If we combine all this, we will get a huge amount  more than $350 billion. This money will allow Ukraine to feel secure both internally and with procurement. So, all of this creates such external pressure on Putin that he has no other way to defend himself than to ask for a truce, but, of course, on his terms: We have already grabbed 20% of your territory. Let's stop.

Will some theoretical politicians be tempted to agree to such things? I think they will, but I would advise those useful "theorists" to listen to who attacked whom in Moscow's interpretation. They have long since concluded that it was Ukraine that attacked Russia. Why did Ukraine attack? NATO was encouraging it, which wanted to put a spoke in Russia's wheel to make it fall apart. If you believe what the Kremlin says, you have to be a very "useful idiot" indeed.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
An overseas war between Israel and Hamas brought tensions to a boil throughout the U.S., including New York City, where over 1 million people are expected to ring in the new year.

James Smith, assistant director in charge of New York's FBI Field Office, said there are concerns about international and domestic terrorism and a rise in hate crimes, and law enforcement follows up on all threats.

"I would say overall that, yes, there are threats out there, but we are out there to protect the community day in and day out," Smith told Fox News Digital.

"That's our mission  to protect the community of all threats."

NEW YEAR'S SAFETY: SELF-DEFENSE EXPERT SHARES TIPS TO SURVIVE ACTIVE SHOOTER

Inside the FBI New Year's Eve command post, which includes dozens of law enforcement agencies to protect NYC during the Times Square New Year's festivities.

Smith said the FBI, which is working with dozens of local, state and other federal law enforcement agencies, is ready to pounce on potential threats.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

But it's just as important that revelers pay attention to their surroundings and follow the adage, "If you see something, say something."

KILLER WHO SNATCHED 12-YEAR-OLD DURING BIKE RIDE PLAYS GAMES OVER LOCATION OF BODY

"We cannot protect the community without people reporting if there's a threat or if a potential crime is about to take place," Smith said.

There will be a massive law enforcement presence in and around Times Square Sunday night into early Monday. Some will be undercover; others will be in tactical gear.

WATCH: INTERVIEW WITH JAMES SMITH

"We will have a footprint within the Time Square celebration to protect the community," Smith said. "We'll have everything from our SWAT element to bomb teams out there working with our partners."

There's also a behind-the-scenes command post, where the FBI and dozens of other agencies are monitoring potential threats and crimes as they arise.

SHOOTINGS AROUND COLLEGE CAMPUSES LEAVE STUDENTS, FAMILIES ON EDGE: EVERYONE IS AT RISK

"The command post is a room filled with various partners, where we're all communicating with each other on what we're seeing on the streets," Smith said.

"We understand where our people are throughout the event. We understand where there could be some hot spots. I'm sure there's going to be some demonstrations, or suspicious packages."

The FBI New Year's Eve command post.

Revelers celebrate New Years Eve in Times Square Jan. 1, 2023, in New York City.

That's why it's imperative to get the right people to the right spot at the right time, he said.

But the bottom line, Smith said, is he wants everyone to enjoy the event.

CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

"Have a good time. Do not worry. We are there to protect you," said Smith, when asked if he had a message for New Yorkers.

"Only thing I'm asking if you see something, say something. Tell the police officer at the corner or report something if you think something is wrong."





Original article source: FBI, law enforcement brace for potential threats during New Year's Eve bash
A federal judge temporarily blocked the enforcement of two parts of an Iowa state law that would ban books and curriculum from schools that discuss gender identity or sexual orientation.

US District Judge Stephen Lochers preliminary injunction was filed on Friday and blocks the enforcement of two provisions of the law  the book bans and curriculum restrictions  which was set to go into effect on January 1.

Locher called the ban incredibly broad and noted the law has already resulted in the removal of hundreds of books from Iowa libraries. These books include Pulitzer Prize winning books and nonfiction history books, many that appear on Advanced Placement exams and even books designed to help students avoid being victimized by sexual assault, according to the ruling. The restrictions likely violated the First Amendment, the ruling said.

The law bans books in public school libraries that contain a description or visual depiction of a sex act and also restricts education about gender identity and sexual orientation. It also requires schools to notify parents if their child asks to use a new name or pronoun.

The two provisions blocked by Judge Locher are the book ban and education restrictions relating to gender identity or sexual orientation. The ruling did not block schools being forced to notify parents if a child asks to use a new name or pronoun.

Two lawsuits were filed against the Iowa law, one by ACLU Iowa in November and another by publisher Penguin Random House in early December.

We are glad our clients, Iowa families, and students will be able to continue the school year free from the harms caused by these parts of this unconstitutional law, said Lambda Legal senior attorney Nathan Maxwell in a statement published by ACLU Iowa. This decision sends a strong message to the state that efforts to ban books based on LGBTQ+ content, or target speech that sends a message of inclusion to Iowa LGBTQ+ students cannot stand.

Governor Kim Reynolds, who signed the bill in May 2023, said in a statement she was extremely disappointed in the ruling. Instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation has no place in kindergarten through sixth grade classrooms. she added.

Iowa is just one of several Republican-led states to pass laws strengthening what advocates often describe as parental rights over the past few years. Critics argue the controversial movement is aimed at limiting the rights of LGBTQ and other marginalized students.

The Human Rights Campaign, a civil rights organization, likened Iowas parental rights law to legislation enacted in Florida that opponents dubbed Dont Say Gay. The Florida law banned certain instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity in the classroom and set off a social and political firestorm.

Similar laws restricting what books are allowed in libraries have recently gone into effect in other states, including, Missouri and Utah.

Vague language in the laws regarding how they should be implemented, as well as the inclusion of potential punishments for educators who violate them, have combined to yield a chilling effect, according to a report published in April by PEN America, a nonprofit that works to defend free expression and tracks book bans.

Laws like the one in Florida give incentives to teachers, media specialists and school administrators to proactively remove books from shelves, the report said.

About one-third of the titles banned are books about race or racism or feature characters of color. About 26% of the titles have LGBTQ+ characters or themes.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
UNC-Chapel Hill is facing a federal investigation following a complaint stating that the university discriminated against students of Jewish ancestry.

The probe comes as theres heightened controversy on what the U.S. position should be on the Israel-Hamas war that started in October, as well as debate on the line between free expression rights and hate speech and discrimination.

The U.S. Department of Educations Office of Civil Rights added UNC-Chapel Hill on Dec. 22 to its list of institutions that are under what is known as a Title VI investigation for shared-ancestry discrimination. There are 86 institutions with active cases, according to the OCR website.

The federal agency did not respond to a voicemail Thursday from The News & Observer. But it appears that this investigation  first reported by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency  responds to a complaint filed by North Carolina attorney David E. Weisberg. Thats according to a Dec. 22 letter the Office of Civil Rights sent to Weisberg, who shared it with The N&O.

In his federal complaint, Weisberg points to two recent incidents at UNC to back claims of unlawful discrimination against Jewish students. One involves statements made during a UNC panel on Palestine  remarks that led to a response from the universitys chancellor, who said he was appalled  and the other involves an assistant professors comments to students about Israel.

Reached via phone, Weisberg said the complaint speaks for itself.

UNC Media Relations said in a written comment that its aware of the complaint about Jewish students on campus.

We will cooperate fully and remain committed to promoting a safe and equitable environment to all members of the Carolina community that is free from harassment and discrimination, the statement said.

Complaint cites past conference, latest remarks

Weisberg also points to events that occurred in 2019, including a conference at UNC hosted in collaboration with Duke University featuring performances he says were offensive and antisemitic.

Following this event, the Office of Civil Rights reached a resolution agreement in which UNC agreed to take action to ensure students enrolled in the University are not subjected to a hostile environment and to respond to allegations of antisemitic harassment.

Recent actions, writes Weisberg, go against this resolution and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which forbids certain kinds of discrimination in federally funded programs.

Weisberg cites the International Holocaust Remembrance Associations definition of antisemitism, which states that antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.

This definition has been adopted by the U.S. State Department and several European governments, among others. According to The Guardian, more than 100 Israeli and international civil society organizations have asked the United Nations to reject the IHRA definition of antisemitism because they say it blocks Israel from legitimate criticism, including from university students and professors, grassroots organizers and human rights activists.

The latest remarks at UNC: Oct. 7 attack and Israels status

One of the two recent events cited in the complaint occurred on Nov. 28, when the university hosted a roundtable talk about social justice in Palestine.

During that event, one speaker, Rania Masri with the North Carolina Environmental Justice Network, talked about the events on Oct. 7, when Hamas launched a deadly surprise attack into Israel. Hamas, a terrorist organization, controls the Gaza Strip, which is considered an occupied Palestinian territory by the United Nations.

Masri said that Oct. 7 for many of us from the region was a beautiful day. It was the day in which we saw that, we saw our brothers, we saw our fathers, we saw men break out of a concentration camp, according to a YouTube recording of the panel posted by Voice4Israel of North Carolina.

Appearing to speak on Hamas paragliders, Masri questioned how, while facing occupation, they were able to develop the technique and the resilience to literally fly.

She could not be reached by The N&O through the NCEJN.

Over 1,200 people have been killed in Israel, including 36 children, with the majority killed in the Oct. 7 attack, reports the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, citing Israeli authorities.

Following the surprise attack, Israel launched a reprisal, which has led to the killing of over 21,000 people in Gaza, with about 70% of those killed women and children, the OCHA said, citing Gaza authorities. Many more are missing and almost 2 million are displaced, said the OCHA in a Dec. 29 report.

The other recent event, according to the complaint, occurred in late October, and involved Rishi Chebrolu, an assistant professor within the UNC Communications Department. According to a report by Peter Reitzes in the news outlet The Algemeiner, Chebrolu spoke to students in support of a now-deleted Oct. 8 social media post by UNC Students for Justice in Palestine supporting violence as a pathway to liberation.

Chebrolu, according to the same report, also made comments denouncing Israeli and U.S. actions in Gaza. The N&O emailed the professor, who said via email he had been advised by the university against commenting.

What UNC has said

In an Oct. 13 email to the campus community, UNC Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz condemned Hamas actions and said that we will not stand for acts of violence on our campus.

While we have a commitment to allow both internal and external groups to express their opinions under the First Amendment, we also strive to rise above hateful rhetoric and engage in civil discourse and educated debate, Guskiewicz wrote.

In a Nov. 9 email, Guskiewicz called on UNC to demonstrate how people of different backgrounds and perspectives can come together. He again highlighted First Amendment rights but wrote that the university was disappointed by some of the messaging we have seen and heard in our classrooms, on our sidewalks and in social media posts aimed at members or groups in our community.

And in a Dec. 1 email, Guskiewicz wrote that he was appalled by the remarks of a visiting speaker at the Nov. 28 event, where Masri spoke, adding that the comments did not align with the values of our university community.

Both these UNC events were reported on by Reitzes, a speech-language pathologist in Chapel Hill, who writes on topics related to Israel. His reports were used to back Weisbergs complaint.

Asked for comment, Reitzes said in an email that UNC-Chapel Hill has fostered a hostile campus environment towards Jewish and pro-Israel students for years. I hope OCRs investigation leads to UNC providing Jewish and pro-Israel students and faculty with a safe and productive campus environment that is institutionally neutral on Israel and the Palestinians.

What happens next?

Following the opening of an investigation, OCR investigates and then, if its findings merit action, seeks a resolution agreement with the university.

In the letter to Weisberg on opening the investigation, Dan Greenspahn, an OCR staffer, says that opening an investigation in no way implies that OCR has made a determination on the merits of the complaint, and that during the investigation, OCR will analyze information from the complainant, the University and other sources.

Greenspahn also writes that the complaint could be resolved prior to the conclusion of the investigation if the university expresses interest in doing so and an appropriate resolution is found. If a resolution agreement is not reached informally, then OCR proposes a formal resolution agreement, which calls for remedial actions according to its website.
It has been just over one month since President Joe Biden signed a disaster declaration which made way for millions of federal dollars to assist individuals most harmed by the heavy rains that rolled through the south suburbs on Sept. 17 and 18.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is beginning to wrap-up its tour of the south suburbs to provide funds for the most affected communities. The agency has given out $23 million in the month since it was discharged to Cook County with the largest sums going to residents in Calumet City, Chicago, Dolton, South Holland and Riverdale, according to FEMA.

Disaster assistance crews have been active, knocking on doors and posting in public places to let Cook County residents know officials are available to assess damage and help pay for recovery costs, said Larissa Hale, a spokesman for the agency.

Calumet City experienced both the highest level of rain water, according to Cook County officials, and the most flood damage recuperation funds with a tally of $5.76 million so far. Because of this, FEMA is keeping the Calumet City disaster recovery center open into 2024 while several of the other centers, including in Harvey and South Holland, closed permanently Friday.

Residents can still visit the Chicago Public Library South Shore Branch until Jan. 6. They can also visit disasterassistance.gov, download the FEMA app or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.

FEMAs response and assistance for the south suburbs is not over, although officials urge residents to sign up as soon as possible so their fund requests can be processed on time.

FEMA officials declined questions inquiring about how this damage compared with that experienced in the past by other Cook County communities or around the nation, saying every situation is different and handled as such.

One stark difference is this most recent flood caused significantly less financial damage on an average basis per household when compared to FEMAs last visit to Cook County after a more widespread flooding event in June and July.

The average housing assistance for households affected by the June and July flooding was $5,072 while the September flooding has delivered $2,999 per household, officials said.

Weather patterns from the two time periods show these two weather events were vastly different. The September flooding came from a localized downpour over the south suburbs while the June and July flooding was more widespread throughout the greater Chicago region.

FEMA officials continue to highlight the importance for residents to visit the proper FEMA offerings online, by phone or in person in order to begin a claim and receive some of the money back that they spent on fixing their homes.

The Small Business Administration also asks residents to visit its website in case residents need a low-interest loan for projects most costly than what FEMA will provide. The deadline for applications to receive a disaster loan from the administration for personal property is Jan. 19. Visit the administrations website to start an application here, call 800-621-3362 or visit a physical disaster center like the one at Calumet City Public Library.

hsanders@chicagotribune.com
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 30)  Beijing has warned it will not sit idly by should Manila push through with its plan to build a permanent civilian structure on Ayungin Shoal, a disputed feature in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) which has seen heightened tensions between both sides this year.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning told the press on Friday that such a major move by the Philippines would severely infringe on Chinas sovereignty and would prompt the latter to take resolute measures.

Renai Jiao is an uninhabited shoal, Mao said, referring to the name China uses for Ayungin. According to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea signed by China and ASEAN countries, parties should keep Renai Jiao uninhabited and facility-free."

The official was citing a non-binding declaration signed in 2002, which the two nations have previously accused each other of breaching.

"China will take resolute measures against any violation of our sovereignty and provocation, and firmly safeguard our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests," the spokesperson said.

Ayungin Shoal is located 104 nautical miles west of Palawan  well within the Philippines' 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Beijing, however, insists its sovereignty over the area, as it refuses to recognize the 2016 landmark arbitral ruling which invalidated its sweeping claims in the South China Sea.

Manila's plan to put up a permanent structure there comes in the wake of continued Chinese harassment of Filipino vessels and fisherfolk this year.

READ: Funds allocated for building of structure in WPS under 2024 budget  Angara

These included the Asian giant's dangerous use of water cannons and a military-grade laser, which not only triggered numerous diplomatic protests from the Philippines but also global condemnation.

The Philippine Navy ship BRP Sierra Madre is currently grounded at Ayungin to serve as the country's military outpost in the WPS.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) earlier said the grounding was a deliberate move in response to China's illegal occupation of Panganiban Reef, also known as Mischief Reef, in Manila's EEZ. In 1995, Beijing constructed what it claimed was a "fisherman's shelter" in the waters, but which the DFA said is now a militarized artificial island.

READ: PH tells China: Remove all illegal structures in WPS
A house was damaged by a fire in Dayton Friday.

Around Just before 6 p.m. Dayton firefighters were called to the 100 block of South Hedges Street for reports of a fire, according to Dayton Fire Department on social media.

When crews arrived they found fire coming from a two-story home.

>> Officers, medics respond to a vehicle crashed into a building in Dayton

It is not clear if the home was occupied.

Multiple engines and medics responded to the call.

We will continue following this story.




An Arizona man was rescued after spending days stranded in the cold backcountry of Californias Los Padres National Forest, thanks to the dim light of his flashlight and the keen eyes of a first responder who was rescuing someone else.

The 65-year-old motorist was rescued earlier this week, the Ventura County Sheriffs Office said in a news release Friday.

On Tuesday, deputies at the sheriffs station in Lockwood Valley received a call about a motorist who was locked behind a winter gate in the Grande Valley area, the sheriffs office explained in the news release. A deputy and a dispatcher responded and let the motorist out of the closed area.

The officials searched the area after the motorist told them there were more vehicles behind the gate.

About 10 miles away from the highway, the dispatcher noticed a faint light in the distance and pointed it out to the deputy. They drove toward the source and discovered it was a flashlight being held by a 65-year-old male subject, the news release says.

The man, identified as Brent Lendriet, of Phoenix, Arizona, was wearing wet clothing and looked malnourished, officials said. He told the responders that he drove his vehicle around the locked gate four days earlier and ended up getting stuck.

The responders treated Lendriet and got him out of the area to a safe location, the sheriffs office said. He was eventually escorted back to his vehicle and deputies helped him get it back onto the highway.

Were it not for the attention of the dispatcher in spotting the light, the subject may not have survived much longer with no food, no water and the forecasted below freezing temperatures, says the news release.

The rescue came days after California experienced strong storms, flooding and snow.

Officials reminded visitors that closed or locked gates are in place for safety and going around them could put lives in danger.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Flo Milli Nets First Hot 100 Entry With Never Lose Me, Just As Bryson Tiller Remix Drops | Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images

Flo Milli has had a great year in terms of music output. With her latest single, Never Lose Me, she has propelled herself to yet another echelon.

On Wednesday, Billboard announced that the young rap star reached the Hot 100 chart in less than a month, with a boost from the Lil Yachty remix of her hit single.

A few days after the release of yet another remix featuring Bryson Tiller, the original track made its inaugural claim on the chart, taking a stance at No. 84 for the week of Dec. 30.

The track also made it on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Rap Songs lists earlier in December, placing at No. 17 and No. 21, respectively, HipHopDX reported.

After reaching the milestone, the rapper took to social media to express her excitement.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by billboard (@billboard)

Omggg Flo Millitary thank yall so much for getting me to chart on @billboard twiceee [crying emoji] lets see if we can get Never Lose Me to Number 1, she wrote on Instagram.

Earlier this year, the Alabama native released an extended version of her 2022 album You Still Here, Ho? with three additional tracks. Staying consistent with quality output, Milli also dropped multiple tracks this year, including Fruit Loop and Chocolate Rain.

With this much momentum, itll be exciting to see what Milli does in 2024.
GAINESVILLE, Fla.  A state known for its diverse ecosystems could find itself welcoming more invasive species, a first-of-its-kind study warns.

The study recently published in the journal Ecosphere said a team of researchers led by University of Florida scientists examined hundreds of animals, insects, algae and plants that could potentially find Florida ecosystems suitable for growth.

"Each species evaluated was given a score based on the likelihood of arrival, likelihood of establishment and spread, and their potential ecological, economical and human health impacts. The group of experts then met to form a consensus on ranking the species by risk level," the university stated.

Of the hundreds of types of organisms examined, 40 species were classified as being at high risk for an invasion and included a fish known as the alewife, zebra mussels, crab-eating macaques and red swamp crayfish.

UNIVERSITY RELEASES SPY PYTHONS IN EVERGLADES TO BETTER UNDERSTAND INVASIVE SPECIES

Some species have already been spotted in the state and eradicated, while others are just waiting for a humans malfeasance in order to cause problems.

"The one that wasnt even on my radar was the macaque," Deah Lieurance, a project leader, stated. "But theyre already in the state in captivity, and as their name says, theyre good at eating crabs. This means they would have an impact on our native biodiversity. Plus, their relative, the rhesus macaque, is already established in the state"

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reports more than 500 nonnative species are thought to call Florida home, with many originating from the animal trade.

Two of the more notorious species that have grabbed headlines include the Burmese python and lionfish.

RELATIVE OF THE MURDER HORNET FOUND ALONG US EAST COAST FOR FIRST TIME

Every species has the potential to alter the environment, economy and even human health, with billions spent globally each year on containment and management.

Potential ecosystem threats are constantly evolving, and species that werent considered to be a risk when the study was conducted could now be a menace.

Researchers brought up the case of yellow-legged hornets being spotted in southeastern Georgia, which is only a hop, skip and jump away from the Sunshine State.

The insect is a relative of the infamous 'murder hornet and are thought to pose a threat to native honeybees and other pollinators.

Yellow-legged hornet (Vespa velutina)

"As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," Lieurance said in a statement. "The majority of prevention efforts are initiated when the species has already been detected and often when its too late. This project strives to keep concerning species out and truly protect Floridas biodiversity, unique ecosystems, socioeconomic infrastructure, and human well-being."





Original article source: Florida identifies next invasive species threat
Florida police have arrested two men in connection to a vicious assault on a group of LGBTQ+ women in November.

Jorge Giovani Estevez, 33, and Daiken Fernandez, 25, were detained Wednesday and charged with battery with prejudice, WTVJ reports. Fernandez was charged with a felony, whereas Estevez was not.

Several lesbians and one transgender woman were with friends when they were viciously assailed in Wynwood, Fla., following an event held on November 26. Video obtained by police showed two men verbally accosting the women before they began throwing punches. The women are heard calling out for help as the men attack.

One of the victims identified Fernandez as the man responsible for punching her friend several times in the head before knocking her unconscious, as well as punching and knocking to the ground another friend, who sustained a concussion and required stitches.

"This group of guys, basically, they just started screaming stuff at us, anti-lesbian comments, like, 'youre only lesbians because you havent received actual' and he used a profanity word ... out of nowhere," one of the women told local television station WTVJ at the time.

The group pleaded with the men to stop in the video, while warning that they had contacted law enforcement. Another man intervened at one point to stand up for the women and was then also targeted by the attackers.



One victim described being struck in the jaw, which left her with a hairline fracture that may require surgery, as well as recurring nightmares about "seeing my friend on the floor non-responsive with blood." The woman who was knocked unconscious stated that she was unable to recall the events clearly due to her injuries.

Many of them said that they were "targeted" for their sexuality.

I definitely felt targeted for sure, I mean they were definitely trying to hate on the fact that we were gay," said another victim. "I don't know why, I don't understand to this day why."
The Flying Scotsman faces an increasingly uncertain future with no one currently contracted to look after it next year, the Sunday Telegraph can reveal.

Riley & Son, a Bury-based engineering company, has been the custodian of the famous steam train since its return to Britains national network in 2016.

However, there are concerns that it may be out of service for months because Riley & Sons contract expires tomorrow, Dec 31, and the National Railway Museum, which owns the Flying Scotsman, has not issued new invitations to tender.

Ian Riley, a director of Riley & Son (E) Ltd, told the Sunday Telegraph: Weve heard nothing about the future. Were as much in the dark as everyone else is. Our contract finishes on Sunday night and thats it as far as we know until the new tender documents come out, but the NRM havent even decided when that will be yet.

He added: This isnt an ideal place to be and I dont know what [the NRM] is thinking.

A spokesman for the museum said: After the success of Flying Scotsmans centenary year, and the locomotives two popular visits to the NRM, the future operation of Flying Scotsman after this date is being carefully considered.

The spokeswoman insisted it would safeguard the locomotives future and that it would run in 2024, but would not provide a timescale of the procurement process.

The Flying Scotsmans lack of custodian means it is effectively stranded at the National Railway Museums Shildon site - Russell Sach for The Telegraph

It is understood that it took five months between the last invitation to tender being issued and the contract being signed. Additionally, Network Rail requires at least 12 weeks notice before steam locomotives can run on the main line, while many rail tours take up to a year in advance to plan.

Further question marks over Flying Scotsmans future operations remain following a High Court victory for the Office for Rail and Road (ORR). While Riley & Son maintain the locomotive, West Coast Railways operates it and has refused to fit modern central door locking systems to its fleet of carriages, as required by the ORR.

The Flying Scotsmans lack of custodian means the locomotive is effectively stranded at the National Railway Museums Shildon site.

Meanwhile, Britains other world-famous steam locomotive, Tornado  which was completed in 2008, making it the first steam locomotive to be constructed since the 1960s to run on the national network, and has appeared on the Paddington 2 movie  will be returning to operations in 2024, following an overhaul, with tickets already available for its traditional Scottish season of trains from Edinburgh to Aberdeen.

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.
New Bedfords former interim fire chief was killed in a shootout that left a police officer wounded outside a bar in Fairhaven Friday night, law enforcement officials said in a press conference.

Former New Bedford interim Fire Chief Paul Coderre was drinking at the Bayside Lounge on Sconticut Neck Road for several hours before police were called to the restaurant and bar after he was involved in an altercation around 5:00 p.m., Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn said.

Coderre allegedly left the bar and tried to enter his vehicle when another person tried to stop. Quinn said Coderre then got into a physical altercation in the parking lot.

When members of the Fairhaven Police Department and officers from Acushenet and Mattapoiset responded to the scene and tried to de-escalate the situation, Coderre fired his handgun, Quinn said. The officers then returned fire, killing Coderre.

One of the responding officers from Acushnet was shot in the leg and taken to a hospital to be treated.

In a press conference just before 10:00 p.m., officials said the injured officer had since been released and was at home recovering.

New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell called the shooting tragic in every sense.

I am relieved that the officer who was injured will make a full recovery and that no one else was seriously hurt, Mitchell wrote on Facebook.

My thoughts are with the injured police officer, their family, colleagues, and the entire community during this difficult time, Massachusetts State Representative Steve Xiarhos also posted on Facebook.

Police laid down evidence markers in the business parking lot.

Neighbors nearby told Boston 25 they heard gunshots in rapid succession.

I think I heard about five or six, said Bob Conlin. Boom, boom, boom, boom, boombut it was a little deeper sound than a firecracker which I thought was unusual.

Coderre was fired in 2022 for dishonestly and untruthfulness in connection with alleged work-related injuries, according to a statement on the New Bedford city website.

In the fall of 2021, the City ordered Coderre to undergo an independent medical examination in order to determine his continued eligibility for injured-on-duty benefits. The independent medical examination followed an investigation initiated by the Citys Personnel Office in the summer of 2021. The Personnel Office investigation yielded video surveillance evidence of Coderre performing activities inconsistent with his alleged injuries, including his unloading, without assistance, a 176-pound barbeque smoker grill from the bed of his personal pickup truck, the statement read.

The investigation is being conducted by prosecutors from the Bristol County District Attorneys Office and Massachusetts State Police detectives.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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On Apr. 14, 2023, Sheriff T.K. Waters held a press conference where he announced the arrest of Jacksonville correctional officer Darrick Scott.

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Scott was a 4-year veteran of the sheriffs office. He was arrested following an investigation into a reported child abuse incident.

On Nov. 30, Scott pleaded guilty to child abuse of a non-sexual nature, a third-degree felony.

During the initial investigation, Scott denied the allegations.

In court documents obtained by Action News Jax, Scott entered that guilty plea. He will not spend any time in jail but was ordered to be placed on probation for 18 months. Some of the special conditions of his probation included not having violent contact with the victim and complete a parenting program. Hell be eligible for early termination of probation after successful completion of all special conditions.

Scott resigned as a correction officer with JSO after his arrest in April.

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A disabled civil rights leader was escorted out of an AMC theater in Greenville, North Carolina, by police over his disability accommodations earlier this week.

On Tuesday, Rev. William J. Barber II, 60, and his 90-year-old mother went to see The Color Purple. Barber brought his own chair to the theater because he has a rare form of arthritis known as ankylosing spondylitis, an inflammatory disease that makes it hard for him to sit in or rise from low chairs. Barber said he placed his chair in a section for guests with disabilities, but theater employees deemed it a fire hazard, he said during a press conference Friday.

Our plans were interrupted when the managers of the AMC theater here in Greenville chose to call the police rather than accommodate my visible disability, he said.

According to NBC News, a Greenville police supervisor arrived at the theater after receiving a call about trespassing and a patron who was arguing with employees, and they wished to have them removed from the business.

During the press conference, Barber emphasized how using words like arguing and trespassing to describe a Black man could have had bad results in the wrong hands. While he believes it should have never been a police escalation situation, the former president of the North Carolina NAACP said that the police officer handled it well upon arrival.

In a video posted on Facebook the same day of the incident, Barber can be heard agreeing to leave the theater after being asked to by the officer. Just outside of the theater, Barber is seen shaking the officers hand, who later apologized to Barber at the end of the video. As the minister left the building, he repeated that his chair has gone with him to places such as the White House and Broadway shows.

The chief of the Greenville Police Department reached out to Barber asking to meet him and talk about the situation, Barber said during the press conference. The department did not immediately respond to HuffPosts request for comment.

According to ABC11, AMC apologized to Barber on Wednesday and said it plans to review its policies to ensure that situations like this do not occur again.

We sincerely apologize to Bishop Barber for how he was treated, and for the frustration and inconvenience brought to him, his family, and his guests, the statement read.

AMC welcomes guests with disabilities. We have a number of accommodations in place at our theatres at all times, and our theatre teams work hard to accommodate guests who have needs that fall outside of the normal course of business. We encourage guests who require special seating to speak with a manager in advance to see what can best be accommodated at the theater to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for the guest and those around them.

During the press conference, Barber said he forgave AMC Theatres and will not be pressing charges. He also has plans to meet with AMC Chairman and CEO Adam Aron next week in Greenville to discuss the situation.



We plan to talk extensively, Barber said.

Related...
The Fort Collins police officer who fatally shot a man wielding an axe and pepper spray near Colorado State University last month was legally justified in his use of force, 8th Judicial District Attorney Gordon McLaughlin said Friday.

Fort Collins police officer Tyler Reichle was justified in fatally shooting William Hayes, 28, outside of Alley Cat Coffee House, 120 W. Laurel St., about 9:30 p.m. Nov. 16, McLaughlin said in his decision letter issued Friday. McLaughlin said evidence reviewed as part of the multiagency Critical Incident Response Team investigation showed the officer used deadly force to defend his own life from the threat posed by Hayes.

McLaughlin reviewed the CIRT investigation, led by the Larimer County Sheriffs Office, which included body camera footage from Reichle, to make his determination.

About 9:30 p.m. Nov. 16, Fort Collins police started receiving calls about a man acting aggressively and shouting racial slurs outside Alley Cat Coffee House. Callers told police the man was armed with a hatchet or axe and had sprayed another person with mace or pepper spray, according to McLaughlin. Investigators later found a wooden-handled hatchet and a canister of bear spray at the scene.

Reichle was the first officer to arrive on scene, and he quickly spotted who investigators later identified as Hayes in the parking lot. Reichle said Hayes was yelling as he approached him, and Hayes was holding a hatchet and what appeared to be a large pepper spray canister.

McLaughlin said Reichle firmly ordered the male to drop the items and advised him that he was under arrest while holding the man at gunpoint. Hayes did not comply despite Reichle repeating the commands multiple times.

Reichle shifted from his gun to his taser and warned Hayes that he was about to be tased, but Hayes still did not comply. Reichle deployed his taser and Hayes fell to the ground, but Hayes got up almost immediately and began charging Officer Reichle from about 15 feet away while pointing the pepper spray canister at Reichle, McLaughlins letter said.

In the approximately four seconds from Hayes getting shocked by the taser and getting up to charge at Reichle, Reichle pulled out his gun and shot at Hayes four times.

After being shot, Hayes stood bent over for 1-2 seconds, then stood upright and turned his body again toward Officer Reichle, who then fired two additional shots at Hayes.

Even after the last two shots were fired, Mr. Hayes appeared almost unaffected by the gunshots, McLaughlin wrote in his decision letter, and Hayes continued to pursue Officer Reichle as the officer retreated backward down the alley toward Laurel Street.

Hayes pursued Reichle down the alley for about 10 seconds before evidently feeling the effects of his gunshot wounds and kneeling to the ground, McLaughlin said.

While being pursued by Hayes, Reichle continued giving Hayes commands that he was under arrest and he needed to get on the ground. After kneeling on the ground, Hayes started following some commands  from Reichle and another officer who arrived on scene  but was still moving, so officers were unable to approach him. Eventually, Hayes appeared to mouth help me to officers, who said they would help him if complied and stayed on the ground. Shortly after, Haye laid on the ground and multiple officers started providing medical aid until medical crews arrived.

Hayes was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased just after 10 p.m. The Larimer County Coroner's Office determined Hayes was shot twice, and those gunshots were his cause of death.

Hayes mother later told CIRT investigators her son had a history of mental illness but he refused treatment. She said she spoke with him earlier the day of the shooting, and while some of his rude behavior was typical, some of his other messages were escalated from his normal behavior and out of the ordinary, according to McLaughlins letter.

In an interview with CIRT investigators, Reichle said he remembered thinking Hayes was invincible and determined, and Reichle worried that, if Hayes had reached him the times Hayes charged at him, I bet he would have overpowered me and won.

I was alone, and I felt like I wasnt going to be able to keep backing up and get out of there by myself, Reichle told CIRT investigators.

How CIRT works

The 8th Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team, or CIRT, was formed in 2015 in accordance with a new state law requiring a multiagency team to investigate "an incident involving the discharge of a firearm by a peace officer that resulted in injury or death."

The team is automatically and immediately activated when a police officer is involved in a shooting. The agency that employs the officer or officers involved in a shooting is responsible for alerting the team.

CIRT can also investigate incidents involving officers that result in serious injury or death, including car crashes, as well as incidents in the Larimer County Jail.

Fort Collins Police Services, Loveland Police Department and the Larimer County Sheriff's Office take turns being the lead agency for police shooting investigations. Each year, the responsibility rotates to a different agency.

Agencies involved in the investigations include: Windsor Police Department, Timnath Police Department, Johnstown Police Department, Estes Park Police Department, Colorado State University Police Department, Colorado State Patrol and the Larimer County District Attorney's Office.

An agency cannot investigate itself.

After a CIRT investigation is completed, the report is presented to the district attorney, who decides if any criminal charges will be filed related to the incident.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Fort Collins police officer legally justified in fatal shooting near CSU
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 30)  More than a hundred Filipinos have suffered fireworks-related injuries in just over a week, with the Department of Health (DOH) recording 11 new cases as of Saturday morning.

The official tally has climbed to 107 from the time DOH started reporting injuries this holiday season on Dec. 22.

A 72-year-old man from Metro Manila was among the new cases, the oldest reported victim so far this year, according to the DOH. He sustained burns and abrasions due to kwitis (skyrocket) lit by someone else on the street.

A six-year-old child was also among the newly injured, along with a 19-year-old male who actively used pla-pla and had to be amputated after the prohibited firecrackers left one of his hands mangled.

The DOH said all of the new cases occurred either at home or on the streets.

The trends in data are clear and consistent: fireworks related injuries happen at home or nearby, involving mostly young boys, but also affecting passive onlookers of any age or sex, the department said in an advisory.

It also urged everyone to simply watch community fireworks displays from a safe distance.

Of the total 107 injuries, the DOH said 41 happened in Metro Manila, the highest among regions nationwide.

Central Luzon and Ilocos Region came next in the ranking with 12 cases each, followed by Soccsksargen with seven, and Cagayan Valley, Bicol Region, Calabarzon, and Western Visayas with five each.

Fireworks and firecrackers that caused at least seven out of 10 injuries are boga*, 5-Star*, kwitis, piccolo*, pla-pla*, luces, and whistle bomb. The DOH said illegal fireworks (marked with an asterisk) are to blame for about six out of every ten cases.
Nikki Haley is finally under the microscope.

After evading attacks for weeks from her Republican rivals, it was a town hall question about the origins of the Civil War that finally seemed to stick.

And it couldnt have come at a worse time. With weeks to go before voting starts, Haley is now facing the first major test of her ability to withstand a maelstrom in the presidential campaign. It is a significant moment not only for the former South Carolina governor, but for the broader effort among Republicans hoping to stop Donald Trump from steamrolling to the nomination.

This is Haleys first time under the bright lights, and she must power through this and tackle Trump now, said Scott Reed, a veteran GOP strategist. Or else.

Haleys rivals treated her Civil War comments as a lifeline for their own dimming prospects in the race. DeSantis and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie quickly condemned her answer at their own campaign events this week. And Haley, the former U.N. ambassador, spent much of Thursday addressing questions about her remarks, putting her in the position of explaining rather than selling her candidacy.

For nearly a year  from her beginning as a long shot to her recent rise in polls  Haley went relatively unscathed. Her opponents have highlighted, with little effect, her evolving answers on issues like abortion and transgender rights. But they spent less money against her, too. As of Wednesday, Haley had $14 million spent against her in negative advertising, compared with nearly $37 million for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and $19 million for Trump, according to Rob Pyers, a nonpartisan data analyst. Trump has focused his hammer-like attacks on DeSantis, not Haley. And much of the media scrutiny over the past year focused on the Florida governors campaign missteps and policy proposals.



But that changed Wednesday night in Berlin, New Hampshire. Haleys halting and convoluted response to a town hall questioner  and her ensuing attempts to clarify her comments, later acknowledging slavery as a cause of the Civil War after first declining to do so  put a harsh spotlight on her, arguably for the first time during the primary. Within hours, news outlets had begun digging into her past remarks on the issue, resurfacing an interview she'd given in 2010 in which she offered similar beliefs about the root causes of the Civil War.

And for Haley, the timing and location carried outsize significance. With Trump building wide leads in the three other early primary states  Iowa, Nevada and South Carolina  New Hampshire has emerged as the key battleground in the effort to slow Trumps momentum. Polls there have shown Haley moving into second place and gradually creeping up on Trump ahead of the Jan. 23 primary.

The answer itself doesn't have to be a huge problem, said Liam Donovan, a former National Republican Senatorial Committee official. But the media response tells you the free ride is over, and she's in for her first taste of adversity.

The controversy has given particular oxygen to Christie, who in recent weeks has faced questions about whether he will remain in the race. The former New Jersey governor is polling third in some recent New Hampshire surveys, and many top Republicans in the Granite State say he is potentially siphoning off support that could otherwise go to Haley. Christie has insisted he wont drop out of the race  he released a direct-to-camera ad this week in which he said as much  but the firestorm could give him added incentive to stay in.

The problem for Haley is that her path to the nomination already amounts to an early state Triple Lindy, and anything that stands to stunt her rise  or, perhaps worse, breathe new life into somebody like Chris Christie  is something she can ill afford, said Donovan.

Haley was already starting to face a barrage of attacks from her lower-polling opponents in the days leading up to her Civil War comments. DeSantis and Christie have highlighted her seemingly shifting position on the issue of transgender medical rights for minors. After a clip resurfaced earlier this month of Haley in June saying the law should stay out of it when it came to underage children seeking gender transitions, Haley told the Christian Broadcasting Network last week there should be federal involvement to block anyone under 18 from undergoing gender-altering procedures.

Christie in recent weeks has likewise hammered Haley on her position on abortion, accusing her of speaking differently about the topic in Iowa and New Hampshire.

Officials from rival campaigns have privately expressed frustration about a lack of scrutiny by the media on Haleys policy positions. Haley, throughout much of her campaign, declined to make herself available for media gaggles at campaign events, instead choosing to grant occasional one-on-one interviews with select reporters and to sit for television spots.

Thats in contrast to other Republicans in the field. Even Trump, the overwhelming frontrunner, has answered questions from mainstream news reporters on his plane and spoke with the press this fall outside a New York City courtroom. In the fallout of her Civil War comments, Haley on Thursday did address reporters while standing next to New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu.

Haleys campaign cast the controversy as evidence of her increasingly strong standing.

Everyone from Joe Biden to Donald Trump is attacking Nikki for one reason: shes the only candidate with momentum, said Olivia Perez-Cubas, a Haley spokesperson. Its clear this has become a two-person race between Nikki and Trump.

The lasting effect of the controversy, and the extent to which it registers with voters, is unclear. Her remarks came during a slow week between Christmas and New Years Day when, Donovan said, most normal people have better things to do than follow political news.

But the dearth of other news this week also focused the media more intently on Haleys remarks and her attempt to clean them up.

GOP voters probably dont pay too much attention to media outrages, said veteran Republican strategist Scott Jennings. But this one was the first time shes shown lack of polish.
A Georgia man is back in custody after he was found in the bed of a truck with loaded weapons.

Last month, investigators pulled over a truck in Clay County, North Carolina because they appeared to be spotlighting the deer they were hunting, which is against the law.

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Authorities with the sheriffs office and the U.S. Forest Service found three men inside the truck and 29-year-old James Brandon Taylor, from Dallas, Georgia, in the bed of the truck.

Taylor had a loaded crossbow with him and a flashlight in his lap. When he was asked to stand up, a sawed-off shotgun fell out of the back of his pants.

He admitted to being a convicted felon on probation for possession of methamphetamine. When he was searched at the jail, deputies found more meth.

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Taylor was arrested and taken to the Clay County Detention Center where he was charged with possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of a weapon of mass destruction and possession of methamphetamine on jail premises.

There is no word on the status of the spotlighting deer investigation.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
By Felix Light

TBILISI (Reuters) - Former Georgian prime minister Bidzina Ivanishvili, a billionaire widely held to wield huge political influence, said on Saturday he was returning to frontline politics after two years, ahead of parliamentary elections in 2024.

According to a speech posted online by the ruling party, Georgian Dream, Ivanishvili said he was coming back because of the "complicated" geopolitical situation and what he said was the opposition's failure to hold the government to account.

Ivanishvili is widely believed to pull strings in government despite having had no formal position since resigning as prime minister in 2013.

In his speech on Saturday, he said he was in regular contact with Georgia's leadership and suggested he would take an active role in the election campaign as honorary chair of Georgian Dream.

Opposition parties have long accused Ivanishvili, who made his fortune in Russia in the 1990s, of loyalties to Moscow, Georgia's Soviet-era overlord, which still regards the South Caucasus as its back yard.

Russia is unpopular among ordinary Georgians, having supported armed separatists in the Moscow-backed breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in the 1990s and again in 2008.

Both Georgian Dream and Ivanishvili deny leaning towards Russia, and say they favour accession to the European Union and the U.S.-led NATO military alliance.

The Georgian Dream government last month achieved its long-standing goal of EU candidacy, even as Brussels restated its demand for "de-oligarchisation" of Georgian politics, a phrase generally believed to refer to Ivanishvili.

The government has also in recent years been accused of authoritarian tendencies. In March, it tried to pass a bill penalising so-called "foreign agents" that critics said resembled a law that the Kremlin has used to crush dissent in Russia.

(Reporting by Felix Light; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
An emergency response vehicle drives through a flooded street in Lilienthal after the Wuemme River burst its banks. Residents can only reach their homes by boat. Markus Hibbeler/dpa

Following massive rains and floods in many parts of Germany, officials warned residents not to engage in disaster tourism, while experts are concerned about the condition of the country's dykes, needed to prevent further flooding.

In Celle near Hanover, officials appealed to people to take closures seriously and only travel to the city if absolutely necessary.

"Growing 'flood tourism' and traffic are preventing emergency services from getting through in many places," the city said. In Verden, some 94 kilometres north-west of Hanover, the fire brigade also reported disruptive disaster tourists.

Numerous districts once again appealed to residents not to walk on embankments around rivers, as they are softened and could be damaged. In the city of Oldenburg, there is a ban on climbing dykes, which is punishable by a fine of up to 5,000 ($5,528).

Meanwhile experts are focusing on how the embankments, built around many German rivers prone to flooding, are holding up.

"What worries us most is the condition of the dykes," the president of Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW), Sabine Lackner, told dpa on Friday. THW is preparing to work in the flood areas into the first week of January, she said.

"It's very clear that this will continue over the turn of the year," Lackner added.

The dykes are extremely soft. Around 1,000 emergency personnel are travelling to the affected areas every day, she said.

There was a bit of good news for the Serengeti Park in Lower Saxony, where the critical flood situation has eased slightly, meaning the chance of having to evacuate giraffes and antelopes has dropped.

Pumps on the grounds had managed to push large amounts of water behind the dyke in the direction of the Meisse River, said a spokeswoman for the theme park north of Hanover.

The water in the antelope and giraffe animal house had also sunk noticeably and flowed out of the building again. However, according to the park, large parts of the grounds are still flooded and in some cases inaccessible.

The park is home to lions, rhinos, tigers and elephants. It already evacuated more than 200 monkeys along with some lemurs, prairie dogs and meerkats on Thursday.

Overall the situation in the flood areas in Germany remained critical on Saturday, but some states showed improvement.

In Lower Saxony, some water levels in the Weser were still above the highest warning level, according to a situation report issued by the State Agency for Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation (NLWKN) on Saturday morning. There is a warning of major flooding for several other rivers, however no new rain is expected in the state's flood areas on Saturday, a meteorologist from the German Weather Service (DWD) said.

In Lilienthal, on the state border with Bremen, hundreds of people are still unable to return to their homes. The evacuations are continuing, said a municipal spokeswoman and it is unclear when residents could return to their homes. Around 500 people live in the affected areas.

In the eastern state of Saxony, flooding of the Elbe River continues to recede, with the water level on Saturday morning at 5.30 metres, down from 5.92 metres seen on Friday but still well above the normal 2 metres, according to an overview from the Saxony's Flood Centre.

In Dresden, the state capital, as well as in Schona on the Czech border and downstream in Riesa, the alert level was still 2, but hydrologists expect water levels to continue to fall. There were no more flood warnings for the other river basins in Saxony.

But in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt, overnight rainfall was heavier than expected, leading to rising water levels in some rivers, as the areas were already saturated. In the southern part of the state the water was nearly half a metre above the highest alert level of 2 metres.

The clubhouse of the Lilienthal Shooting Club is flooded after the Wuemme River burst its banks. Residents can only reach their homes by boat. Markus Hibbeler/dpa
Migrants trying to reach the Italian island of Lampedusa from the northern coast of Africa are apparently adrift in the Mediterranean Sea with engine trouble. Sea rescuers from German aid organizations have taken more than 200 migrants on board their ships in the central Mediterranean in the past few days, the groups said. Oliver Weiken/dpa

The German aid organization Sea-Eye, which rescued 106 boat migrants from the Mediterranean Sea on Tuesday, brought them to the southern Italian city of Brindisi, the group said on Saturday.

The Sea-Eye 4 ship reached the port on Friday afternoon after rescuing the migrants in the central Mediterranean, the group, based in Regensburg in Bavaria, said.

The migrants were rescued in international waters south of the Italian island of Lampedusa. The crew had become aware of two unseaworthy boats and had taken the people on board.

The migrants included 45 children - some of them unaccompanied. This was Sea-Eye's last rescue mission of the year, according to the organization.

Desperate people repeatedly attempt to reach EU-member Italy via the Mediterranean in boats that are often unseaworthy. These dangerous crossings sometimes lead to devastating boat accidents.

Some people manage to arrive in Italy without assistance, but others are picked up by civilian sea rescuers and the Italian coastguard.

Italy's Interior Ministry said more than 155,750 people reached Italy by sea this year. In the same period last year, the figure was almost 103,850.
Kenneth Patrick Hibbins, known as Patrick (left), Leslie Forbes and Scott Thomas Daddy

A village is mourning three men who died after a 4x4 was swept away trying to cross a river, says its vicar.

Floral tributes have been laid near the River Esk in Glaisdale, North Yorkshire, where the victims died on Thursday.

The victims were named as Scott Thomas Daddy, 28, from Hull, Leslie Forbes, 70, from East Yorkshire, and Kenneth 'Patrick' Hibbins, 59, from York.

The Reverend Anthony Bennett said: "It's such a tragic time for us."

The Reverend Anthony Bennett at St Thomas' Church in Glaisdale

A book of condolence was also opened at St Thomas' Church.

Described by Rev Bennett as "close-knit", Glaisdale, with a population of just over 1,000, sits within the North Yorks Moors National Park.

Rev Bennett added: "It's such a sad time, such a tragic time to have three people die in the river not far from this church. The community here is very close-knit."

He said farmers involved in the recovery operation had attended the church in search of comfort.

Earlier, friends and family paid tribute to the men via North Yorkshire Police.

A local resident said the men had been trying to ford the river on Rake Lane

Chris Ford, who lives nearby, said the men were participating in an off-roading group when they tried to ford the river at Rake Lane.

The river, swollen by heavy rain, swept them away, carrying them about 400 yards (366m) downstream, where Mr Ford later found the car fully submerged in water, he said.

Police said another man, who tried to help the trapped men, was pulled from the river and needed medical treatment.

The incident took place while Storm Gerrit caused flooding and travel disruption across the country over Wednesday and Thursday.

Follow BBC Yorkshire on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. Send your story ideas to yorkslincs.news@bbc.co.uk.
Gathered in a circle, huddled close together holding purple and pink balloons, the family of Chelsea Williams thanked God for their daughter, sister, auntie, friend.

The group gathered on a cold December night at Kaw Point Park to celebrate Chelseas life, after the pregnant mother was killed in a shooting the day after Christmas. Hugs lasted longer than usual as family searched for warmth, which seemed to come for just a moment just after the group let go of the balloons.

Chelsea Williams, her maiden name Little, was known for pouring herself out for people. She was a giver, her brother Tim Thurman said.

Chelsea was the person that I could call and talk to, whether it be good, whether it be bad, or whether it was talking about nothing important at all, Thurman said.

She was the person that everyone trusted with their kids. She was a glowing light, he said.

Family members said Chelsea was a woman of strong Christian faith who cherished her family and wouldnt hold back on tough love. If something was wrong, she had the guts to speak up about it, her sister Shalana Eastman said.

For anybody that didnt know Chelsea, she was stubborn. She was the epitome of a lover and a fighter, Eastman said. She would definitely get on your ass if you were doing something wrong.

Chelsea was known to spend Sundays passionately singing, praising God and drinking wine. She loved to bake and was always making special treats for everyone, her sisters said.

She was always making desserts for people, her sister Natieya Gallagher said. She made the best cheesecakes ever.

Eastman has many fond memories with Chelsea, but is especially grateful for her sisters mama bear spirit. When Eastmans son was in a neonatal intensive care unit, Chelsea opened up her home and supported her when things were especially tough.

Chelseas sisters said that no matter what the situation was, Chelsea would spread gratitude. No matter what was going on in life, to Chelsea, God was good.

She loved Erin (her 9-year-old daughter) more than anything, Eastman said.

As her family gathered together Friday evening, stories about Chelsea came out in words, tears and colorful balloons. Purple and pink spheres represented her favorite colors, and some orange trickled in representing a family business she worked for.

Some balloons read I love you.

Seeing us all together, I know shes smiling, but I know shes hurt because she would want to be here with us, Thurman said.

Terry Freeman, uncle of Chelsea Williams, offers a prayer before releasing balloons in a tribute to honor the memory of Williams at Kaw Point Park on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023, in Kansas City. Chelsea, who was pregnant, died following a shooting the day after Christmas in Kansas City

Chelsea died on Dec. 26 at the age of 31, after a shooting near the 2500 block of Myrtle Avenue. Homicide detectives with the Kansas City police are still investigating the incident and working to identify what led to the shooting.

Chelseas death marked the 182nd homicide in Kansas City this year, according to data maintained by The Star, which includes fatal police shootings. Her death brought the city to the record set in 2020, which also recorded 182 killings. On Dec. 29, the city exceeded that number, making 2023 the deadliest year on record.

A GoFundMe has been started in Chelseas name for help with the cost of services. In the description, Thurman speaks out against the senseless act of violence that killed Chelsea.

Chelsea is survived by her 9-year-old daughter, Erin, her parents, siblings and more extended family who cherished her. In the GoFundMe description, Thurman also said Chelsea was pregnant at the time of the shooting.

We have to lean on each other right now, Thurman said Friday evening. And just be as strong as the next person can be. If youre not feeling strong, lean on someone stronger on your right or your left.

I dont have many answers, I just  I love yall.

As they stood at Kaw Point Park, near the Missouri river looking into the Kansas City skyline, Chelseas family gathered for a prayer.

Then her name, shouted by several in attendance, broke through a wall of tears.

They let go, and the balloons floated on an unmarked path into the skyline. But still, they held tightly onto Chelseas memory and all she had been for them.

The Stars Andrea Klick contributed to this report.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 30)  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered some government agencies to expedite and ensure the completion of rehabilitation projects for Marawi City.

Under Administrative Order No. 14, Marcos designated the Health Department and the Department of Social Welfare and Development to attend to the health, sanitation, food and other basic needs of Marawi locals.

On the other hand, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development was tasked to facilitate the housing projects in Marawi City. The Department of Public Works and Highways was assigned to restore water and power, and reconstruct public infrastructures.

Marcos also ordered the Department of the Interior and Local Government to maintain peace and order in Marawi, and the Trade Department to help revive businesses and livelihoods in the city.

To ensure institutional stability, it is imperative to institutionalize and strengthen the functions of implementing government agencies involved in the reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in the City of Marawi and other affected localities, the order said.

The president also ordered the Task Force Bangon Marawi to end its operations on Dec. 31. It will be then be deemed functus officio or its mandate expired by March 31, 2024.

The task force was asked to return the remaining balance of its trust fund to the Office of the President and to conduct an inventory and turnover of its assets, properties and funds.

It was also tasked to submit a Consolidated Audited Report of Disbursements and a Comprehensive Transition Report to the president.

In 2017, government forces clashed against members of the rebel group Maute in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur. The five-month conflict resulted in deaths from sides, as well as civilians, and a massive displacement of residents and destruction of property.

RELATED: Timeline: The Marawi crisis




It was a big year for movies and TV centering stories about queer, BIPOC people, and women. Even with production closed for much of the year due to the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA striking for protections for artists, from Netflixs Rustin, the overdue big-screen story of the Black gay Civil Rights leader Bayard Rustin, to the final season of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, stories of queer love, chosen family, and female agency abounded. Now The Golden Globe Awards are back in full swing after its voting body, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, was held accountable for its lack of Black members and often problematic journalism.

A bellwether of the Oscars, the Golden Globe Awards  with its table seating and free-flowing booze  has been a favorite among viewers. This years ceremony will be held on January 7, and many of the artists weve interviewed across film and TV this year are up for awards including Rustins Colman Domingo to Dead Ringers Rachel Weisz. Heres what nominees had to say about their nominated work.

Best Television Series, Drama - 1923

Paramount+

Aminah Nieves as Teonna Rainwater in 1923

Part of Taylor Sheridans Yellowstone universe, 1923 stars Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren as the patriarch and matriarch of a ranching family fighting to keep hold of their empire amid social change. Indigenous and queer actor Aminah Nieves spoke with us about how the series, nominated for Best Television Series Drama tells the authentic story of Indigenous people like her character, Teonna Rainwater, who were stolen from their families and forced into boarding schools run by sadistic nuns.

1923s Amina Nieves on the Shows Portrayal of Indigenous Peoples

Best Performance by an Actress/Actor Limited Series - Ali Wong Steven Yeun

Netflix

Steven Yeun as Danny and Ali Wong as Amy in Beef

Early in 2023, Netflixs Beef made a splash when a road rage incident between Ali Wongs Amy and Steven Yeuns Danny consumes them. The actors, nominated in the best actress and actor categories for a limited series, spoke with Advocate Channel about social medias lie of perfection and the exhaustion to keep up with it, and how depression and masculinity intersect in the series.

Beefs Ali Wong and Steven Yeun on the Lie of Social Media, 

Best Performance by an Actress, Limited Series - Riley Keough

Prime Video

Riley Keough as Daisy Jones in Daisy Jones & the Six

A breakout sensation, Prime Videos Daisy Jones & the Six is a documentary-style fictionalized account of a Fleetwood Mac-esque super band of the 70s that disappeared suddenly. From Will Graham, the queer co-creator of A League of Their Own, Daisy Jones & the Six delivered killer rock anthems and thoughtful storylines. Keough, along with costar Sam Claflin (rocker Billy Dunne), spoke with us about the shows portrayal of strong women.

Daisy Jones & the Sixs Riley Keough and Sam Claflin on Womens 

Best Performance by an Actress, Limited Series - Rachel Weisz for Dead Ringers

Prime Video

Rachel Weisz as Elliot Mantle in Dead Ringers

It was double trouble or double the fun (depending on your perspective) with Academy Award winner Rachel Weisz (a fave of queer women in Disobedience and The Favourite) starring as twin obstetricians, Beverly and Elliot Mantle. Alice Birchs gender-swapped take on Bari Wood and Jack Geaslands 1977 novel, Dead Ringers (David Cronenbergs excellent film was released in theaters in 1988) is part body horror series, part queer love story, and part a satirical examination of the topical discussion of womens bodily autonomy. Weiszs sublime work in the series earned her a nomination in the Best Performance by an Actress, Limited Series category. In an interview with Advocate Channel Weisz and Birch touched on OB/GYN care and just how the queer the Mantle sisters are.

Dead Ringers Rachel Weisz and Alice Birch on the Deeply Queer Series

Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama - Colman Domingo for Rustin

Netflix

Colman Domingo as Bayard Rustin and Johnny Ramey as Elias Taylor in Rustin

Its the year of Colman Domingo with his role as the imposing Mister in The Color Purple and his tour de force as Bayard Rustin, the architect of the 1963 March on Washington. The film, directed by George C. Wolfe (Ma Raineys Black Bottom), leans into the intersections of Rustins identity as a Black, gay man. Domingo, whos been acting steadily since the 1990s, most recently in projects including Ma Raineys Black Bottom, Euphoria, and Zola stands to make history as the first out Black gay actor to win major awards this season. Hes nominated for Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama for the Globes. In in an interview with Advocate Channel, he discussed the obstacles Rustin faced walking in his authenticity.

Rustin's Colman Domingo on What It Means to Play This Black Gay 

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy - Natalie Portman; Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture - Julianne Moore, for May December

Netflix

Natalie Portman as Elizabeth and Julianne Moore as Gracie in May December

At a certain angle, May December is about a horrendous tabloid personality a la Mary Kay Letourneau. But under the direction of New Queer Cinema legend Todd Haynes (Poison, Far From Heaven, Carol), a crackling script from Samy Burch, and searing performances from Julianne Moore, Natalie Portman, and Charles Melton, the film deftly takes its tabloid roots to new depths around trauma, rebirth, societal expectations of women, and the craft of acting. Oscar winners Portman (Black Swan) and Moore (Still Alice) chatted with us about transgressive women and crossing boundaries.

May Decembers Julianne Moore on Playing Troubling Women, Todd Haynes, and Feeling 

Best Actress in a TV Series, Musical or Comedy - Rachel Brosnahan

Prime Video

Alex Borstein as Susie and Rachel Brosnahan as Midge in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

The award-winning favorite The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel took its final bow in its fifth season with one of the greatest TV finales of all time. Emmy and Golden Globe winner, Rachel Brosnahan, nominated again this year for Best Actress in a TV Series, Comedy or Musical for her role as the charismatic stand-up comic Midge Maisel, and Alex Borstein, who plays her queer manager and best friend Susie, spoke with Advocate Channel ahead of season 5. They touched on saying goodbye to the series and why their on-screen friendship is one of TVs great love stories.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisels Rachel Brosnahan and Alex Borstein on Suzie and 

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy - Jennifer Lawrence

Sony Pictures

Jennifer Lawrence as Maddie in No Hard Feelings

Its been nearly a decade since audiences got several years of double doses of Jennifer Lawrence with the Hunger Games franchise and her acclaimed portrayals in Silver Linings Playbook (for which she won the Best Actress Oscar) and American Hustle. Last spring, Lawrence starred opposite Disney Channel star Andrew Barth Feldman in the raunchy sex comedy, No Hard Feelings, in which her Maddie takes a job turning out Barths Percy, the uptight son of wealthy parents played by Matthew Broderick and Laura Benanti. Lawrence and Feldman chatted with us about some of the headier themes of the movie, like class issues, and the joy of playing opposite one another.

Jennifer Lawrence & Andrew Barth Feldman on Their Raunchy With a Heart 

Best Screenplay Motion Picture - Tony McNamara for Poor Things

Searchlight Pictures

Emma Stone as Bella in Poor Things

Screenwriter Tony McNamara faced a massive challenge adapting Poor Things, given the enormity of Alasdair Grays 1992 novel, and judging from the result, he was clearly up for it. For his second outing with director Yorgos Lanthimos, following the success of 2018s The Favourite, McNamara worked with Lanthimos on charting the growth of Bella, a child in a womans body whose intellect and politics evolve through many adventures, played with great zeal by a never-better Emma Stone. Of course, that logline merely scratches the surface of who and what Bella is as she devours as much as possible of knowledge, travel, food, and sex. McNamara spoke us about adapting the novel, working with Lanthimos again, and Bellas sexual evolution and agency.

GG_Poor_THINGS_Tony_McNamara

Best Supporting Actress, Television - Hannah Waddingham for Ted Lasso

Though we chatted with the Ted Lasso star about her special, Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas, the charismatic actress who played AFC Richmond owner Rebecca Welton for three seasons, happily spoke about her Lasso costars who figure prominently in the special. The multi-hyphenate star, nominated in the Best Supporting Actress, Television category, also shared why shes an ardent ally of LGBTQ+ people.

Hannah Waddingham on Showing her Love of LGBTQ+ People With Her Holiday 

Best Limited Series Made for Television - Fellow Travelers

From creator Ron Nyswaner, Showtimes Fellow Travelers draws a through line from the McCarthy era and the Lavender Scare to the AIDS epidemic to today with its eerie depiction of history repeating. Matt Bomer and Jonathan Bailey star as clandestine lovers on Capitol Hill where they orbit McCarthy and Roy Cohn. Through characters played by Jelani Alladin and Noah J. Ricketts, Fellow Travelers investigates additional scrutiny Black queer people and drag artists historically face. Nyswaner talked to Advocate Channel about telling queer history at a time when craven politicians seek to erase our stories and why depicting gay sex on screen is a political act.

Fellow Travelers Creator Ron Nyswaner on Queer History
This screen appears when you launch an "incognito" browser on Google Chrome. Screenshot/Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert

Google has agreed to settle a 2020 class action lawsuit seeking $5B for Chrome browser users.

The lawsuit claimed Google tracked users' activity in "incognito" privacy mode.

The terms of the settlement, which still has to be approved by a federal judge, were undisclosed.

On Thursday, Google agreed to settle a $5 billion class-action privacy lawsuit alleging that it spied on people who used the "incognito" mode in its Chrome browser to track their internet use.

The lawsuit filed in 2020 claimed Google misled users into believing that it wouldn't track their internet activities while using incognito mode. The suit argued that Google's advertising technologies and third-party websites that used Google Analytics or Google Ad Manager continued to catalog details of users' site visits and activities despite their use of supposedly "private" browsing, sending that information back to Google servers.

Plaintiffs also charged that Google's activities yielded an "unaccountable trove of information" about users who thought they'd taken steps to protect their privacy by using the "incognito" browser.

A federal judge must still approve the settlement. Terms weren't disclosed, but the suit originally sought $5 billion on behalf of users; lawyers for the plaintiffs said they expect to present the court with a final settlement agreement by February 24.

Representatives for Google and lawyers for the plaintiffs did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Business Insider on the settlement.

In the years since the suit was initially filed, Google announced a shift away from precision-targeting ads, with the company stating it would no longer track specific users as they browse the web. The company also publicized plans to eliminate third-party cookies , which many websites use to store user data, on its Chrome browser by 2022.

Despite its initial promise, the Verge reported that Google still has not completely done away with third-party cookies. However, the company says it will disable the technology by the second half of 2024.

Read the original article on Business Insider
GOP presidential contender Nikki Haley flubbed an answer about the Civil War and is looking to break the bad news cycle. But voters suggest the gaffe hasnt swayed their vote.

At a campaign stop in New Hampshire Wednesday, Haley was asked by an attendee, "What was the cause of the United States Civil War?"

Haley said the Civil War was about government control, "freedoms and what people could and couldnt do."

Haley drew sharp criticism for leaving slavery out of her answer and sought to clean up her response Thursday, saying she believes slavery sparked the war, but the "bigger issue" was determining the role of government in people's lives.

NIKKI HALEY CLARIFIES CIVIL WAR 'WAS ABOUT SLAVERY,' AND INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM WAS 'THE LESSON'

Media pundits, her fellow GOP contenders and Democratic foes all piled on Haley for the misstep, but reports reveal voters were less bothered.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"Everybody knows [the Civil War] was about slavery, and what else can you say about it?," Alison Bolt, a self-described moderate Republican from Littleton, New Hampshire, told Politico. "Frankly, Im sick to death of hearing about these issues. Im sick to death of hearing about, you know, racist kinds of things and transgender things. I want to get back to things that are going to help or destroy this country."

NIKKI HALEY HIT FROM ALL SIDES AFTER OMITTING 'SLAVERY' FROM CIVIL WAR RESPONSE

Robin Smith, another Republican voter, told the outlet she believed the question was from an opposition plant.

"That was a pile of bulls---. OK, there was somebody planted in that audience, in my opinion," she said. "It had to be somebody that wanted to try to make her look bad."

The Wall Street Journal spoke to voters in Iowa, which will hold its primary caucus next month. Several undecided Iowans who attended a Gov. Ron DeSantis event Thursday evening said they "either hadnt heard about Haleys comments about the Civil War or werent bothered by them."

DON LEMON HITS HALEY WALKING BACK SLAVERY COMMENT AFTER PREVIOUS CLASH: 'DIDN'T OFFER ME THAT SAME GRACE'

Nikki Haley, a 2024 presidential candidate, gives remarks at Moms for Liberty's Joyful Warriors National Summit in Philadelphia June 30, 2023.

"If your living is to talk all day, every day, something goofy is bound to come out," Iowa Republican Frank Wilson, a retired computer engineer and undecided voter from Cedar Rapids, told the outlet.

Republican Gov. Chris Sununu of the Granite State said Haleys cleanup was "spot on."

"Spot on. That's it. The Civil War is about slavery," he told reporters. "She acknowledged it. Moving on."

Fox News Digital's Jessica Chasmar contributed to this report.





Original article source: GOP voters appear unbothered by Nikki Haley's Civil War gaffe: pile of bull----
Gov. Kathy Hochul has vetoed the so-called Grieving Families Act that sought to expand New Yorks wrongful death law to in part allow for compensating close family members for emotional loss.

The veto keeps in place state law that limits wrongful death legal damages based on wage-earning potential. In killing the bill, Hochul raised concerns that allowing courts to award emotional loss damages would increase insurance and liability costs.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul speaks to reporters in the Red Room at the state Capitol in Albany.

It was the second time the Democratic governor vetoed the Grieving Families Act, which passed the Democrat-controlled Legislature in both 2022 and 2023. State lawmakers this year made some minor changes to the bill in hopes of gaining Hochuls approval.

In the veto letter, Hochul asserted those changes fell short of addressing her concerns about the bill's potential "unintended consequences" for businesses, consumers and the financial well-being of the state's health care facilities  "most notably" public hospitals that serve disadvantaged communities.

What Grieving Families Act supporters say

The New York state Assembly Chamber is seen as lawmakers debate end of session legislative bills at the state Capitol in Albany, N.Y., Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Hans Pennink) ORG XMIT: NYHP121

State lawmakers slammed Hochul for failing to approve the Grieving Families Act, calling it a long-overdue reform of New Yorks wrongful death statutes, which only allow damages for pecuniary loss, meaning based on earnings potential.

That income-based approach most harshly impacts children, seniors, women and people of color, state lawmakers said. The legal bias harms people who often have no income or significantly less income. Put differently, it is unjust to those who have been traditionally undervalued in society, lawmakers said.

New York politics: Hochul greenlights tighter rules for new villages, but exempts one in Sullivan County

David Scher, president of the state Trial Lawyers Association, asserted Hochul's veto was "denying victims their day in court, making it more advantageous to kill than to injure, and putting corporate profits over patient safety."

"In New York, because of this veto, the value of a life sadly continues to be tied to the size of a person's paycheck," he said in a statement. "With this act, the governor has continued to side with business groups over the interests of those who elected her."

A total of 47 other states allow for compensation for emotional loss in their wrongful death statutes, lawmakers noted.

Why NY hospitals, businesses opposed Grieving Families Act?

Hospitals, doctors, and health providers spent years attempting to pressure Hochul to exclude the health care sector from any changes to wrongful death statutes.

Health trade groups voiced concerns the potential for higher wrongful death payouts would drive up medical malpractice and liability insurance costs, citing the fact New York health providers already pay some of the highest costs nationally for both.

New York business: NY greenlights law to unveil owners of LLCs, but blocks public database. What to know

Business groups and local governments also voiced concerns about rising insurance and wrongful death lawsuit costs. Business owners, local officials and hospital leaders noted any negative economic impact would be heightened by current workforce and economic challenges plaguing New York.

How was this bill different than 2022?

Hochuls second veto of the Grieving Families Act came despite some changes to the bill that passed last year.For example, the original bill amended the law to allow surviving close family member to be eligible to recover expanded damages, but this years version narrowed it by listing the type of eligible family members.

But the state Medical Society representing thousands of doctors asserted this years version maintained key language regarding new legal damages. Specifically, it allowed for damages for grief or anguish that the group asserted would increase medical liability premiums.

Whats next for Grieving Families Act

Hochuls first veto noted she was pursuing legislation to focus exclusively on increasing wrongful death payouts related to children, but state lawmakers refused.

Her second veto letter alluded to that same proposal, as well as her other unspecified attempts to strike a compromise with lawmakers that would limit the risk of raising insurance and liability costs for consumers and businesses.

She has also noted her reluctance to approve the broader bill stemmed in part from a lack of research into the potential economic impact, suggesting a state study of the issue could progress the legislation.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Hochul vetoes NY's Grieving Families Act a second time. What to know
Michael Gove has been urged to stop funding an interfaith charity that has received millions from the taxpayer and counts a group banned from engagement with Whitehall as one of its members.

Two members of the Inter Faith Network have written to the Communities Secretary asking him to stop funding the organisation.

The IFN, founded in 1987, is a charity that exists to make better known and understood the teachings, traditions and practices of the different faith communities in the UK and to build good relations between people of different faiths.

According to the Department for Levelling Ups annual accounts, the charity has received 3,858,000 from the Government since 2010.

Earlier this month, The Telegraph reported that officials within Mr Goves department were concerned about the IFNs failure to explicitly condemn Hamass attack on Israel on October 7.

Ban on engagement

The IFN counts the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) among its membership, despite the group being subject to a government-wide ban on engagement dating to 2009.

Gordon Brown cut ties with the council in that year after its then deputy secretary-general signed the Istanbul Declaration, which was widely interpreted as calling for attacks on Royal Navy vessels enforcing a UN weapons blockade on Hamas-run Gaza. While relations were temporarily restored in 2010, the Tories reintroduced the boycott when they came to power.

Now, The Telegraph can reveal that two member bodies of the IFN wrote to Mr Gove in April urging him to cease funding for the network.

In a letter sent on April 28, the Interfaith Alliance UK  a charity which works to promote literacy about religious beliefs and community cohesion  said the Government should stop funding the network until serious and longstanding issues are addressed.

On April 25, another IFN member organisation, Scriptural Reasoning, had written to Mr Gove saying that the IFN had received many hundreds of thousands of pounds of public funds, which would have delivered far better value for money had it been given to multiple small local faith-based and interfaith projects.

Muhammad Al-Hussaini, a senior lecturer in Islamic Studies at the Oxford Centre for Religion and Public Life, who is on the board of Scriptural Reasoning, told The Telegraph that he had been raising concerns for years about the IFNs membership including bodies such as the MCB.

A government source told The Telegraph that serious concerns had been raised about the IFN and added: We are exploring all options at our disposal to make sure taxpayer money only goes to organisations that uphold British values.

Denunciations of terrorism

In a response to The Telegraph, IFNs lawyers said the organisation took care in regard to extremism and had made repeated denunciations across the years of terrorism  in particular that which is based on selective or manipulative use of religious teaching.

Their statement said that the network brought organisations together in respectful dialogue, promoting understanding of the faiths and between the faiths and cooperation on social issues for the benefit of all.

It continued: Whether government funding would be better spent by funding small, local inter faith organisations such as those controlled by Dr Al-Hussaini is, of course, a matter of opinion.

Based on responses to regular surveys and also a mailing of members earlier this year (which produced numerous testimonies to the importance of its work) IFN doubts that its local inter faith organisation members  while no doubt welcoming more funding for their own important work  would agree.

You are no doubt aware that government departments take great care in assessing organisations to which they provide funding. IFN has received government funding throughout the long period of Dr Al-Hussainis vocal campaign against it, and has throughout been subject to the relevant departments monitoring and assessment process.

On the MCB, the lawyers said: IFN has nearly 200 organisations in membership. It is not responsible for the acts or omissions of those members. However, it has a membership policy which would enable it to expel organisations that promote extremism and so act contrary to the purposes for which IFN exists.

No support for extremism

The lawyers said that the IFN did not fund the MCB or any other member and that it was not aware of any policy from the group supporting extremism.

It has been our clients understanding that the individual who is said to have signed the Istanbul Declaration did so without approval of the MCB as an institution and that he has not been involved with the MCB for many years, they added.

The MCB said: [We have] never endorsed the declaration and we specifically reject any notion that we endorse an attack on the Royal Navy. That position was acknowledged by the same Gordon Brown government in 2010 when relations were restored.

Zara Mohammed, the secretary general of the MCB, said: We uphold British values by being a democratic organisation, encouraging our communities to engage with the democratic process, obey the rule of law, and champion mutual respect and tolerance by coming together through interfaith initiatives.

We all would like to know exactly what British values justify excluding us from these forums to seek the common good, and to deny Muslims equal rights.

A Department for Levelling Up spokesman said: All funded organisations are monitored by the department and subject to internal finance and due diligence processes.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer.
Russian forces attacked Dnipropetrovsk Oblast with artillery, drones, and a cruise missile, injuring a 65-year-old woman, regional governor Serhii Lysak reported on Dec. 30.

She was reportedly hospitalized in moderate condition.

While Lysak did not specify where in the oblast the woman was injured, he reported that Russian forces attacked the region's Nikopol district and the communities of Myrivske and Marhanets.

Nikopol lies near the Kakhovka Reservoir, just across from Russian-occupied Enerhodar and the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. The area is under a constant barrage of Russian attacks.

This attack on Dnipropetrovsk Oblast reportedly damaged gas pipes, a five-story-building, and 20 homes. It also set an agricultural enterprise on fire, which firefighters have since extinguished.

Around 130 households were left without electricity due to damages sustained to local power lines.

No casualties were reported in Dnipro, where the day prior a Russian air attack killed six people and injured around 30. A shopping center and a maternity hospital were also hit in the attack.

Russia launched a mass air attack against Ukraine on Dec. 29 that killed at least 39 people and injured over 160 others. Casualties were reported in Kyiv, Odesa, Dnipro, Lviv, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia.

Read also: Hit the Kremlin: Kyivans dont hold back after Russias mass attack kills 9, wounds 30 in the capital

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A Russian attack on Kherson killed a 59-year-old woman on Dec. 30, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported.

An earlier attack on Dec. 30 also reportedly killed a 55-year-old man in Kherson's suburb of Antonivka.

Russian forces launched the attack at 2:10 p.m. local time, according to the regional prosecutor's office.

The victim was reportedly present in the yard of his house at the time of the attack.

Ukraine's Armed Forces liberated Kherson and other regional settlements on the western bank of the Dnipro River in November 2022.

Russian troops were pushed to the eastern bank, from where they have since been firing at the liberated territories, regularly resulting in civilian deaths and injuries.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Russias largest air attack on Ukraine kills 30, injures over 160

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The ongoing debate over U.S. aid to Ukraine has reached a standstill, with Republicans refusing to pass President Bidens multibillion-dollar aid package for Ukraine unless Congress comes up with a compromise bill that addresses both border security at home and aid for an ally abroad.

Money for Ukraine is expected to run out by the end of the year, according to U.S. officials.

Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young warned Congress in a December letter about the detrimental effects of not providing Ukraine with more weapons and equipment, saying it could "kneecap" Ukrainians on the battlefield and increase the "likelihood of Russian military victories."

In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Nina Khrushcheva, the great-granddaughter of former Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev, said stalled aid to Ukraine benefits Russian President Vladimir Putin because he has "all the time in the world to wait."

She also rejected the notion Putin will invade a NATO country should he succeed in Ukraine and said theres been a Hollywood-like framing of the Russia-Ukraine war that creates hyped rhetoric and expectations.

"You have the Darth Vader of Russia, which is Vladimir Putin, and you have the Captain Marvel of Ukraine, which is Volodomyr Zelenskyy, and of course, good always triumphs," Khrushcheva said. "Its not realistic."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

She pointed to an underwhelming Ukrainian counteroffensive and argued some Republicans are making a populist argument that there needs to be accountability and "convincing numbers" for the U.S. to continue funding Ukraine.

PUTIN OFFERS RARE DETAILS ABOUT WAR IN UKRAINE, SAYS THERE WILL BE NO PEACE UNTIL GOALS ARE ACHIEVED

"Once again, because it was all played in Hollywood terms, I am really not surprised that Republicans  although, of course, for them, that's their own agenda there  but I'm still not surprised that a lot of people just said, really first, we need a plan first, we need accountability, and then we can talk about it," Khrushcheva explained. "And I think that's what [President] Biden needs to concentrate on in the next year."

President Biden believes Russian President Vladimir Putin could attack a NATO ally next if he wins his war in Ukraine.

President Biden told reporters earlier this month that "If Putin takes Ukraine, he wont stop there." He predicted, according to Reuters, that Putin will attack a NATO ally next and then the U.S. would "have something that we dont seek and that we dont have today: American troops fighting Russian troops."

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in February 2022 that Putin has "made clear that he'd like to reconstitute the Soviet empire. Short of that, he'd like to reassert a sphere of influence around neighboring countries that were once part of the Soviet bloc."

Khrushcheva dismissed this "linear" perspective and said such exaggerated rhetoric, including predicting attacks against NATO countries, is counterproductive and only furthers the Hollywood-esque narrative that Putin, as Darth Vader, will try and take the whole galactic.

"Putin has been very clear right from the beginning, even before Ukraine, not even when he said, What are they expecting us to fight with NATO? Of course, we're not going to fight with NATO. Because when he went into Ukraine, he was not planning to fight with NATO," she asserted.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, center, poses for an official family photo with the participants of the NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 11.

"He really didn't plan for that kind of a war. He thought he was exerting a sphere of influence on a country that he thinks he has power over or should have power over. Then it became an East-West war."

Dan Hoffman, a former CIA station chief in Moscow, told Fox News Digital that if Putin does beat Ukraine, its "much more likely that he would seek to target other countries in the region, including Baltic NATO members."

Hoffman said the Biden administration needs to do a better job of explaining to the American people why the U.S. is supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression instead of saying things like "as long as it takes" because Americans dont like "forever wars."

"We should define what victory is. Victory, in part, is making sure Russia doesn't overrun Ukraine, but it might also be Ukraine recovering all the territory Russia annexed by force," he explained. Hoffman added that Russia taking over Ukraine would impact the global economy and show the U.S. cant stand up for its global allies.

"[Ronald] Reagan would have never stood for this," he said.

FINLAND JOINS NATO IN MAJOR SETBACK TO RUSSIA

Khrushcheva said she would advise Blinken and Biden to "have a policy, not to have a rhetoric" because politics doesnt win wars, but it can create them.

The professor of international affairs at the New School in Manhattan added that she believes Biden has a "forever war" on his hands and that Putin will continue his war in Ukraine until he achieves his self-proclaimed "strategic goals," including securing non-NATO status for Ukraine and maintaining control of Crimea, which was illegally annexed in 2014.

"[Putin] will not hesitate to sacrifice Russia for that goal. Is the West ready to sacrifice themselves with Ukraine for that goal?" Khrushcheva asked.

"Putin has all the time in the world. And it's the West that does not have the time. It's Zelenskyy and Ukraine that do not have that time," she told Fox News Digital. "That's why we need a policy. Politics no longer works."





Original article source: Great-granddaughter of Stalin's successor on stalled aid to Ukraine, the 'Hollywood' framing of the war
As travelers head south to Florida for their winter vacations, turns out sharks do to.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

OCEARCH is reporting two more great white sharks were spotted near the coast.

In early November a 10-foot, 460-pound great white shark was pinged along Daytona Beach. A Z-Ping, which is what happens when the tracker does not surface for long enough, indicates the juvenile shark is still in Daytona as of this Wednesday.

More signals from Wednesday morning also indicated a 13-foot, nearly 1,500 pound shark surfaced just North of Jacksonville Beach.

The massive great white, nicknamed Breton by Ocearch experts, was signaling just off the coast of St. Augustine at 5:17 a.m. this morning, December 30.

Two more great whites have been also been pinged off the coast of Biscayne Bay and Key West.

Click here to track penny, off the coast of Biscayne Bay. Penny is a 10 foot long female weighing in at over 500 pounds.

Click here to track Sarah, off the coast of Key West. Sarah is 10 foot long female weighing in at over 600 pounds.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission states that, More than 13 species of shark use these areas as nursery grounds for their pups. Scientific data show that many shark species migrate in and out of Floridas waters each year. These migrations are often linked to temperature and the presence of prey such as mullet, sardines, menhaden, and other species of baitfish.

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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.
HOUSTON - Authorities are urging residents who wish to call 911 for fireworks calls to refrain from doing so. This could cause a delay for someone who needs immediate emergency assistance.

Officials say New Year's Eve is one of the busiest nights of the year for 911 call centers and emergency first responders. They are routinely overwhelmed by non-emergency calls for fireworks, loud noise and other complaint calls during holidays, which impact response times on more serious life-threatening emergency calls-like house fires, car accidents, heart attacks or other medical calls.

SUGGESTED: Harris County authorities warning citizens about celebratory gunfire

If you do have an emergency and need fire, police or EMS, call or text 911. Officials say voice calls are the best and fastest method. Also, be patient, stay on the line, and don't hang up until 911 answers as there may be a possibility of heavy call volume.

FOX 26 Houston is now on the FOX LOCAL app available through Apple TV, Amazon FireTV, Roku, Google Android TV, and Vizio!

Greater Harris County 911 joins with local area public officials to stress the importance of celebrating New Year's Eve safely and responsibly. Fireworks are illegal inside many cities. To report illegal use of fireworks or other non-emergencies, contact the non-emergency phone number in your local area:

Houston: (713) 884-3131 or 311 (for help with city services)

Harris County - (713) 221-6000 or 311 (for help with county services)

Fort Bend County - (281) 341-4665
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 30)  As Filipinos commemorated the life of Jose Rizal on Saturday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged them to emulate the national heros values and passionately contribute their talents for the countrys development.

Marcos said this in a statement after leading the wreath-laying ceremony at the Rizal National Monument in Manila on the 127th anniversary of the heros martyrdom.

Today, we celebrate the brilliance of Dr. Jose Rizal, a beacon of love for our nation, he wrote. His legacy reminds us that true greatness lies in dedicating our talents to our fellow Filipinos.

In a separate message, the president also encouraged Filipinos to mirror Rizals patriotism by putting into action the lessons that can be learned from his life and works.

I also call on everyone to let the genuine love for the country that he lived out and later died for propel us to have a deep and personal sense of ownership for our land and our future, Marcos said.

RELATED: Marcos challenges Filipinos to have 'deep sense of pride,' 'ownership' of lands

Vice President Sara Duterte, in her own Rizal Day message, enjoined Filipinos to work for the rights of the marginalized and underrepresented.

Duterte said Rizal's legacy should not be confined to history books, as she issued a call to action.

"Let us continue the vision that Rizal ignited and expand his legacy through the causes and dreams we champion in our time," the vice president said. "We must be brave in work for reforms and innovations, even if it means making significant sacrifices."

Similar to the "unity" message during her election campaign with Marcos, Duterte also called on the public to "transcend our differences and unite for a progressive, resilient, and inclusive Philippines."
Safety and business opportunities are behind a rise in relocations from South African to the Isle of Man, members of the growing community have said.

The 2021 census showed around 1,200 people from the country had travelled to the island to live.

But Vanessa Naude from IOM Relocate said "anecdotally" there were "a lot more" South Africans on the island.

A festival celebrating the culture and music of South Africa held earlier in the year saw all 800 tickets sell out.

Ms Naude, a relocation advisor and organiser of the inaugural SAFFA Festival, moved to the island 2021.

She said it had been "a risk" to disrupt her children's school careers at the ages of 13 and 16, but they were now "thriving" having previously been "terrified of the crime and unrest" in her home country.

Ms Naude also said she noticed a rise in interest from South African people looking to relocate for work, which had been increased by the government's efforts to promote business links between the nations.

Roelf Odendaal, founder of Isle of Man Indaba, said roadshows in South Africa which included representatives from government agency Finance Isle of Man, had seen "mutual benefits" for both economies.

The island's profile had been "lifted" because of the trips, which highlighted that the needs of some South African nationals with "feelings of insecurity" about the stability of their home country could be addressed using Manx services.

The wealth management consultant, who relocated almost two decades ago, said it was still "very hard" not being close to family, but the openness of the Manx community should be celebrated as "you don't find that anywhere else".

Suellen Daniel's farmstead business has been bolstered by support from the Department for Enterprise, which has allowed for the purchase of polytunnels to grow a South African vegetable called gem squash.

The new structures are set to provide space to increase production in the 2024 growing season from 1,000 to 10,000.

Originally from Durban, Ms Daniel said the Manx government had been a "real force" in aiding the expansion of Sulby River Farm, which also sees the family keep Loaghtan sheep and produce honey.

The gem squash is a popular vegetable in South Africa

British-born Martin Whiteman, who lived in South Africa for decades, moved to the Isle of Man to be closer to relatives, after a break-in at his family home.

The shoe designer said: "South Africa is a country I absolutely love... but the safety of the island is amazing".

Mr Whiteman created a ceramics studio in 2002 in Castletown using the support of a government small business scheme.

His wife June Whiteman said it had been a lifeline and "becoming integrated into Manx society" had had "such a big impact on us".

The Whiteman family moved to the island 22 years ago

Ms Whiteman, lead of the Isle of Man Chapter of the South African Chamber of Commerce, said she believed relocations were likely to increase further due to the business opportunities available.

The Manx government had some "very generous" schemes to help traders develop and "that's the sort of message that can be transferred through the network", she said.

Why not follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X? You can also send story ideas to IsleofMan@bbc.co.uk
Deputy Kazantseva-Miller wants more and better childcare

A Guernsey politician said she would lead an "evidence-building" exercise to support the case for better childcare.

Deputy Sasha Kazantseva-Miller, economic development committee member, said a policy could feature free or subsidised childcare.

The goal would be to support parents back into work, she said.

She said it was also about "achieving the educational and social outcomes that the government wants".

In October 2023, Deputy Sasha Kazantseva-Miller and Deputy Heidi Soulsby said they wanted the States to look at the costs and benefits of providing more financial support to parents.

At the time, the charity Bright Beginnings said more money would be a step in the right direction but more staff were also needed to meet demand for childcare places.

Deputy Kazantseva-Miller says childcare policy will be discussed

This month, Deputy Kazantseva-Miller added: "I would like to look at the existing childcare sector and some of the barriers [that exist] and concerns I've had since meeting with the industry over the last few months.

Evidence base

"Whether it will look like subsidised, free, part-funded or another combination of options such as a voucher system, it's something we have to look into."

She said they had to "build the evidence base" to support policy development because it would "cost money".

She said any policy change would require the support of committees in Jersey.

Other goals for 2024 included developing an "economic strategy and vision for Guernsey", she added.

Follow BBC Guernsey on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. Send your story ideas to channel.islands@bbc.co.uk
JERUSALEM - The Hamas movement intensified its campaign of terrorism targeting American interests, declaring in a chilling December announcement that more violence is warranted against the U.S. after the jihadi group murdered over 30 Americans and over a thousand Israelis on the October 7 massacre in Israel.

Earlier this month Sami Abu Zuhri, a Hamas spokesperson warned, "When Blinken is justifying the killing of women and children, the sons of our nation should say to him: You are the enemy, just like Netanyahu, and you must pay the price, just like Netanyahu. . . . We need violent acts against American and British interests everywhere, as well as the interests of all the countries that support the occupation."

The Washington, D.C.-based Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) first located and translated Abu Zuhris call for terrorism against American and British interests across the globe.

Earlier this month, the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security warned about threats to public safety due to the war between Hamas and Israel. Hamas was designated a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. in 1997.

FBI, DHS WARN OF THREATS TO PUBLIC SAFETY DURING HOLIDAY SEASON, AMPLIFIED BY ISRAEL-HAMAS CONFLICT

Palestinian Hamas terrorists are seen during a military show in the Bani Suheila district on July 20, 2017, in Gaza City, Gaza.

When asked about the new Hamas threat, a spokesperson for the State Department told Fox News Digital, "We have been clear about our position on Hamas, which the United States designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in 1997 due to its premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated against noncombatant targets. As Hamas clearly demonstrated on October 7, they are committed to terrorism. And Hamas has only compounded and perpetuated the suffering of the Palestinian people at every step of this crisis. "

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

The spokesperson added, "Hamas's attack on October 7 killed more Americans than any overseas terrorist attack since 9/11. Hamas has killed Americans in other attacks as well, including three Americans - Malki Roth, Judith Shoshana Greenberg and Chana Nachenberg - in the 2001 Sbarro restaurant bombing in Jerusalem."

For Arnold Roth, whose daughter Malki was murdered in 2001, the U.S. government is not flexing its counter-terrorism muscle to secure the female Hamas terrorist Ahlam Tamimi, who was responsible for killing Malki and other Americans.

Roth told Fox News Digital that Tamimi lives as "a celebrity in the Arab world for the killings she carried out, and lives free as a bird today in Jordan."

He added, "Despite repeated public statements from various parts of the U.S. government, the Sbarro monster continues to evade U.S. justice. In part, this is because Jordan, a U.S. ally and the country that receives more foreign aid than any other, is willing to push the envelope in order to show how understanding it is of the Hamas cause. But in a more meaningful sense, it's because of the outrageous unspoken view among the inside-the-Beltway circle that King Abdullah has to be treated with kid gloves."

Roth said, "The U.S. State Department through three presidents has paid lip service to justice and the need to extradite Tamimi to Washington. To those of us close to the events, it's plain that the real priority at State is to keep Jordan happy. In that sense, we parents and families of Tamimi's victims are the enemy. It's no exaggeration to say that we have been treated with disdain and even hostility for the past decade."

NEW YORK TIMES FACED INTENSE SCRUTINY IN 2023 OVER ISRAEL-HAMAS COVERAGE

IDF soldiers seized two air pistols, weapons and Hamas flags in the Palestinian town of Ein Yabrud, IDF said.

Jordans King Abdullah II has refused to extradite Tamimi to the United States. Jordans government did not immediately respond to numerous Fox News Digital press queries.

Hamas' threats against the U.S. and its interests are not new and have been consistent since the terror group's early days.

Hamas member of parliament and cleric Yunis Al-Astal declared on Hamas' Al-Aqsa TV on April 11, 2008, "Very soon, Allah willing, Rome will be conquered, just like Constantinople was, as was prophesized by our Prophet Muhammad. Today, Rome is the capital of the Catholics, or the Crusader capital, which has declared its hostility to Islam, and has planted the brothers of apes and pigs [i.e., the Jews] in Palestine in order to prevent the reawakening of Islam  this capital of theirs will be an advance post for the Islamic conquests, which will spread through Europe in its entirety, and then will turn to the two Americas, and even Eastern Europe."

MEMRI translated the 2008 Al-Astal diatribe against Americans, Catholics and Jews.

Just months after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the Iranian-backed Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad declared in a manifesto in the West Bank and Gaza that "Americans are the enemies of the Palestinian people" and that they "too are a target for future attacks."

In 2002, Sheik Ahmed Yassin, the Hamas founder and leader, announced, "Because the Israeli and American enemies are ravaging the earth; they do not believe in anything besides power. The Ummah [Muslim worldwide community] must adopt the principle of Jihad and fighting the enemies." In 2004, an Israeli air strike eliminated the terrorist leader Yassin in Gaza City.

ISRAELS MOST WANTED: BUTCHER OF KHAN YOUNIS, OTHER HAMAS TERRORISTS NOW IN IDFS SIGHTS

In 2011, a Hamas preacher declared in Gaza the goals of the Hamas terrorist organization are "Death to the Jews and to America."

Jacob Olidort, director of research at the Jewish Institute for National Security of Americas Gemunder Center for Defense and Strategy, told Fox News Digital, "The intention of Hamas striking at Americans and other Westerners is likely sincere, as the 10/7 attack, which also claimed American lives, demonstrates. That, along with the strategic threat the group poses to Israel as well as its barbaric threats to civilians, Israeli and Gazan alike, make Israels mission of eliminating Hamas a U.S. interest.

Despite the protests and massive rise in antisemitic incidents in the U.S. and Europe, Olidort questioned Hamas' ability to commit terror attacks against the West. "As far as the threat to the United States, the United Kingdom or others in Europe, Hamas may be limited in what it can achieve. For decades, the group has fashioned itself with the narrow focus on Israel and so lacks the platform, message or infrastructure to direct or inspire large-scale attacks on American or European targets in the way that ISIS or Al-Qaeda have in the past."

NEW YORK, DECEMBER 28: Pro-Palestinian protesters gather at a funeral procession for children who were killed in Gaza and swarm Zuccotti Park, of the Occupy Wall Street movement fame, World Trade Center and Wall Street in New York City, on December 28, 2023. (Photo by Selcuk Acar/Anadolu via Getty Images)

He continued, "These elements, combined with the robust international coordination against Hamas mean the chances are slim. That said, Iran, its patron, and Hezbollah, another Iran-backed proxy, have both the capabilities and intention to do so. Preventing them from doing so, as well as blocking any normalization of Hamass political wing, should be priorities for the United States and its allies in both supporting Israel and protecting their citizens."

Yet, Europe and Germany have permitted Hamas operatives and pro-Hamas groups to raise funds and recruit new members within the E.U. After Fox News Digital sent a press query to Frank Nopper, the mayor of the German city of Stuttgart, the citys administration scrubbed its website this week of an allegedly pro-Hamas group called the Palestine Committee Stuttgart that used the municipal website to ostensibly raise funds for Islamist terrorist entities in Gaza.

November 18, 2023, Berlin: Women take part in a pro-Palestinian demonstration.

Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman, Lior Haiat, told Fox News Digital, "Israel opposes any transfer of funds to Hamas or any other Palestinian terror organization, including through civil society organizations. The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working with different countries around the world to designate Hamas as a terror organization and to prevent any transfer of funds to it."

Nitsana Darshan-Leitner, the director of the Israel Law Center (Shurat HaDin), told Fox News Digital, that the members of Palestine Committee Stuttgart "are plainly soliciting funds for the Islamic terrorists groups in Gaza and are openly displaying their affiliation with the designated and outlawed Samidoun organization. Its shocking that only two months after the brutal murder of German citizen Shani Louk by Hamas terrorists from Gaza, that Stuttgart's Mayor is so resistant to shutting down this source of funding to her murderers. Shanis blood calls out from the ground for justice."





Original article source: Hamas' recent battle cry for violence against US latest in litany of threats
This week, the former hostage Mia Schem gave her first television interview. The 21-year-old French-Israeli tattoo artist described how she had been shot, groped and dragged into Gaza by her hair, where she was operated upon by a vet without anaesthetic and kept like an animal in a zoo. I went through a holocaust, she said.

This was not the first time her voice had been heard. Before her release at the beginning of December, she had appeared in a Hamas video parroting propaganda. People very good, very kind to me, she had said with fear evident in her eyes.

By normal standards, the notion that the savages who butchered babies and carried out bestial sexual violence would be credibly described as very kind by a hostage under duress would be dismissed. But in a world of Israelophobia, the clip went viral.

Millions of viewers began to see Hamas as noble freedom fighters maligned by the duplicitous and bloodsucking Jews. By the time the poor woman was able to tell the truth, the damage had been done.

This grim vignette is emblematic of how the West has been played by Hamas. In a climate of Israelophobia, morality has been turned on its head. Hamas attempts an act of genocide, yet that same crime is pinned on Israel. Hamas butchers hundreds of innocents, yet Israel gets the blame.

The terrorists know exactly what they are doing. For years, they have dealt with UN officials, NGO representatives and the international media. They understand the Weltanschauung of such circles. They know that they need only enable a supply of videos of civilian casualties and the credulous journalists, sneering diplomats, jihadi sympathisers and useful idiots will do the rest.

As a result, the disinformation that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza  Israel has been falsely accused of that since Soviet times  is accepted as fact. During a lesson on Lord of the Flies, my daughters English teacher cited the actions of the IDF, not Hamas, as a recent modern example of the savagery that killed Piggy.

That is not to downplay the suffering in Gaza. A just and defensive war is as hellish as any other, and every decent heart aches for peace. But our emotions are being manipulated to draw us onto the side of darkness. The truth remains the truth: Israel is acting as any other democracy would in impossible circumstances.

The Ministry of Defence does not produce a Ukraine-style daily briefing on the true facts of the Gaza conflict. It should. But even if we accept Hamass figures, Israels combatant-to-civilian death ratio in the Strip is believed to be 1:2. This is broadly in line with British and American forces in urban warfare, even though Gaza, with its hundreds of miles of tunnels filled with zombie jihadis with no fear of death, presents an unprecedented challenge. In clashes in Lebanon, Israel has killed about 146 combatants and 19 civilians, a ratio unmatched in modern warfare.

For Hamas, every innocent casualty is a victory. As far back as 2008, it was collaborating with Iranian planners to design hospitals and schools that could hold missiles. The logic is simple: the martyrs live on in Heaven, the media broadcasts heartrending footage, and the world ratchets up pressure for a ceasefire. Then October 7 can be planned again.

By the same token, every death is a tragedy for Israel. It has done well to prevent the toll from mounting higher by warning civilians before attacks. As John Kirby, the White House national security spokesman, remarked: There are very few modern militaries in the world that would do that. I dont know that [we] would do that.

In this age of soggy thinking, it has proven depressingly easy to flip the public into the darkness. With Israelophobia on its side, Hamas hasnt even bothered to keep its strategy secret. Controlling emotion is what counts.

Jake Wallis Simons is the author of Israelophobia and the editor of The Jewish Chronicle

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Yevhen Cherniak, the founder of Ukraines Global Spirits alcohol producer, on Dec. 30, denied Security Service (SBU) charges of sponsoring Russias war.

The day before, SBU and Prosecutor Generals Office said they believe Global Spirits has not ceased business operations with Russia after Feb. 24, 2022, when Russia started a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, paying around $157.8 million (Hr 6 billion) in taxes in Russia in 2022.

Cherniak and six top managers of Global Spirits were charged with assisting the aggressor state, with the maximum sentence of 12 years in prison.

Cherniak, one of the richest Ukrainians, said his companies are not doing business with Russia. Global Spirits said it had revoked its product and distribution licenses in Russia after Moscow unleashed its full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Neither I personally nor the company I founded have violated anything, but like many Ukrainian businesses, we find ourselves in a situation that I sincerely hope is a mistake rather than an attempt to pressure businesses with the goal of a raiding attack on the market leader, Cherniak said.

According to the SBU, Cherniak's enterprises in four countries in Central Asia and South Caucasus have been purchasing large volumes of alcohol from Russia.

Cherniak said that he and his company's management don't have anything to do with the companies in mentioned in the case.

I have never been and am not currently the owner or official of these enterprises, have never leased them, and no one from the company's management is an official or beneficiary of these companies and plants mentioned in the case, he said in a Facebook post on Dec. 30.

According to the SBU, these enterprises allegedly purchased industrial volumes of alcohol and other related products from Russia for the production of alcohol that was exported to Russia and the U.S. Cherniak denies it.

Cherniak now faces charges both in Ukraine and in Russia.

In July, Russias Investigative Committee launched an investigation into Cherniak on charges of sponsoring terrorism and has added him to its wanted list on suspicion of financing Ukraines Armed Forces.

Russias law enforcement agency also said it was looking to seize Russian assets in the nearest future, where Cherniak is the beneficiary. Russias investigative committee hasnt specified the names of companies.

In 2021, before the full-scale invasion, Forbes Ukraine ranked Cherniak as the countrys 19th wealthiest businessman, with an estimated net worth of $470 million.

His company, Global Spirits, is best known for its flagman vodka brand, Khortytsia.

Read also: Talking business in Ukraine: CEO of Ukraines largest grocery chain on navigating war, plans for future

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NEW ORLEANS (WGNO)  This is about protecting vulnerable tenants and its about putting the slumlords out of business, said HousingNOLA Executive Director Andreanecia Morris.

Starting Monday, landlords in New Orleans will have to register with the city to ensure their properties are in good shape for their tenants.

Best view for the new year? This vue of New Orleans

Morris said the Healthy Homes Rental Registry Program will hold landlords accountable.

Its a really great first step that tenants know their rights. That landlords understand their responsibilities and how they need to work together to put people first and put housing first, said Morris.

I look forward to the mandatories and the landlords having to be a part of the conversation, said New Orleans renter Tashia Gaspard.

At least 55% of New Orleans residents are renters.

For Gaspard, dealing with mold problems inside her apartment has become draining. She is very optimistic about the program but is afraid of retaliation.

If we go to the landlord through this website and the city comes in to intervene, how are we protected? Meaning there is no retribution or when we go to move is the new landlord able to see our past, said Gaspard.

Morris admitted the ordinance is not perfect and mandatory inspections were taken out of the ordinance.

But there are anti-retaliation rules to offer protection for renters.

If a tenant calls and reports that there is a problem and that landlord decides to retaliate against them, they will not be allowed to evict until six months after that complaint, said Morris.

However, there are stipulations.

If the tenant is behind on their rent, if they are in any lease violation that protection doesnt happen. If that renter doesnt have a year-long lease that landlord can move to the right to return his property, said Morris.

Overall, Morris knows it will take time to ensure renters are not neglected. But its a step in the right direction.

There have not been this kind of standards and place. That has allowed the good landlords to be besmirched by the citys inability and tenants ability to fight back against the bad slumlords, said Morris.

For more information on rules and regulations, visit the Healthy Homes website.

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As New Year's Eve approaches, pet owners may be wondering how to ensure the safety and calmness of their furry friends during loud celebrations.

The sound of fireworks or loud music can be unsettling for cats and dogs, but there are steps pet owners can take to make New Year's a better holiday for their animals. According to the Arizona Humane Society, pets go missing during the New Year more often than any other holiday besides the Fourth of July. Experts emphasize that preparation is key to ensuring a smooth holiday. Here are some recommended steps.

Residents who find a pet in distress during the holiday are encouraged to call the Arizona Humane Society Emergency Animal Medical Technicians at 602-997-7585, extension 2073. Information for lost pets can be found on the Arizona Humane Society website or through the Maricopa County Animal Care and Control site.

How can I protect my pets from fireworks?

In the days leading up to New Year's Eve, pet owners can check to make sure their pet's collar tags and microchips are up-to-date. This ensures that if a pet does get lost, they will be easy to reunite with their owners.

Brittany Atkinson, CVT, the Lead Technician at East Maryland Animal Hospital in Phoenix, advises ensuring the safety and security of pets before leaving home for events or parties. Pets may attempt to run away or become lost due to the sudden loud noises.

Atkinson, who serves as the Veterinary Technician Representative for the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior, emphasizes the importance of creating a safe space for pets within the house. She recommends placing resources, such as food, water, or a litter box, near an area that is further from windows, where the animal will feel more secure.

"All of their needs are being met where they feel safe," Atkinson said.

How do I calm my dog or cat down for fireworks?

There are products available for pets susceptible to anxiety. One option, according to Atkinson, is a thunder jacket, a fitted vest designed for cats and dogs that applies pressure to their torso, similar to a weighted blanket.

Other products, such as pheromone sprays, are marketed as having a calming effect on dogs by mimicking the pheromones from their mother, combined with soothing scents like chamomile and lavender. These products can be purchased at local pet supply stores.

Atkinson also suggests playing music or leaving a television show on to distract pets from the booming sound of fireworks. Additionally, keeping curtains and blinds closed will minimize flashes of light.

If your pet is especially nervous around loud noises, another option is to request a mild sedative from your vet, such as Trazodone or Gabapentin. Atkinson advises that, before fireworks-related holidays, most veterinary clinics receive numerous requests for sedatives, so it's best to ask as far in advance as possible. With enough time, pet owners can test out the sedatives in advance to see how they affect their animals.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: How to help your pets manage stress during New Year's fireworks
Despite crackdowns on Mexican pharmacies since the Times' investigation began in January 2023, counterfeit medications are still available, and often harder to detect. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

The tag on her white lab coat read professional pharmacist, and the framed health and safety certificates lining the walls behind her gave the drugstore an air of legitimacy.

That pretense faded seconds later, when she was asked for controlled medications  and got on her hands and knees to pop open a hidden panel under the counter. She rooted around for a minute and emerged with two sealed bottles.

These are from licensed laboratories, she said. The problem is when youre buying from a laboratory thats not certified.

One of those bottles  sold as Adderall  tested positive for methamphetamine.

In pharmacy after pharmacy in this Mexican resort city, workers offered similar assurances, but time and again the pills proved to be fakes. There were oxycodone pills that tested positive for heroin and over-the-counter cough medicine, and Vicodin tablets that turned out to be fentanyl. Pills sold as Adderall were sometimes methamphetamine or caffeine, and sometimes simply an appetite suppressant.

When confronted about the counterfeits, pharmacy workers often blamed suppliers, whose names they said they didnt know or couldnt remember. Others denied ever selling medications they had in fact sold just minutes or hours earlier.

Many pharmacies in Puerto Vallarta and other tourist-friendly parts of Mexico continue to sell fake medications to unsuspecting foreigners. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Last month, reporters visited dozens of drugstores in Mexico to interview pharmacy workers and piece together a fuller picture of the counterfeit medication problem The Times has been investigating for nearly a year.

The image that emerged is one of a troubling practice that seems remarkably resistant to change.

Despite pharmacy raids by Mexican authorities and a warning from the U.S. State Department, the latest round of testing found that fake medications appear even more plentiful at independent drugstores and regional chains in tourist hot spots and border towns now than earlier this year.

Some of the counterfeits are now more sophisticated, and lab testing found a wider array of substances in them than previously documented. And the latest reporting in Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas found that workers at small chains and individual pharmacies alike often went to great lengths to convince potential customers of the safety and efficacy of their counterfeit wares.

The Times is not naming independent pharmacies or workers due to safety concerns, including the threat of violence.

Dr. David Goodman-Meza, a UCLA assistant professor who studies drug use, said the results of The Times investigation show a much larger problem than was initially apparent.

This is a systematic effort to taint the supply, he said. It involves many levels, and the endpoint is the pharmacy. Theres likely other players making and distributing these counterfeit products  we just dont know who those players are.

::

Reporters visited 10 vacation spots and border towns across Mexico this year and bought controlled prescription medications from pharmacies. Tests showed many pills were tainted with powerful drugs including fentanyl, heroin, meth and MDMA. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

After visiting 10 vacation spots and border towns across Mexico this year, reporters used drug-testing strips and later lab testingto show that travelers who shop at pharmacies there risk unwittingly buying pills tainted with powerful drugs, including fentanyl, heroin, meth and MDMA  also known as ecstasy.

In February, The Times reported that some drugstores in Tijuana and the Los Cabos area were selling loose pills over the counter, passing off tablets containing fentanyl and meth as expensive brand-name medications, including Percocet and Adderall.

A team of UCLA researchers, including Goodman-Meza, reported similar findings in four unnamed cities in northwestern Mexico around the same time.

But U.S. authorities didnt take public steps to address the issue until March, after The Times reported that both the Drug Enforcement Administration and the State Department had known for years that U.S. travelers were dying after purchasing counterfeit pills containing fentanyl from Mexican pharmacies.

The State Department issued a travel advisory later that month, warning Americans to exercise caution when buying medications from pharmacies south of the border.

In the Yucatan Peninsula city of Playa del Carmen, pharmacies in the tourist zone welcome foreigners. (Connor Sheets / Los Angeles Times)

After several more trips to Mexico, The Times published an investigation in June that documented the presence of counterfeit medications at drugstores in cities from the Yucatan Peninsula in southeastern Mexico to the Pacific coast to the countrys northern border.

Later, reporters showed that several stores and at least a few regional chains had begun selling tainted medications by the bottle, in elaborate packaging that was sometimes indistinguishable from the real thing.

Of the 114 narcotic medications purchased over the course of the year, 62% were fake. Just over 71% of the stimulant medications used to treat attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder  such as Adderall and Vyvanse  were counterfeit, as were nearly 61% of the supposed opioid painkillers.

A few medications were consistently legitimate, including the opioid painkiller tramadol and the ADHD pill methylphenidate, best known as Ritalin. But some medications were almost always counterfeit.

Testing showed that 9 in 10 pills sold as Adderall, six in 10 pills sold as oxycodone, and 7 in 10 pills sold as hydrocodone were fake. Overall, 26 samples contained methamphetamine and 29 contained fentanyl.

::

Many pills purchased by reporters in Mexico this year were lab-tested to confirm the initial findings from testing strips. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

In March, authorities in Mexico inspected more than 100 pharmacies in Los Cabos and nearby La Paz, closing nine in Los Cabos for a variety of violations. In June, another series of pharmacy raids in Los Cabos resulted in four arrests and the seizure of cash and nearly 25,000 pills.

One worker said that during the second round of sweeps, authorities came to his Cabo pharmacy looking for loose pills. The officials also reviewed financial records, and ultimately decided the store passed inspection.

Everything we have, we have permission and invoices from where we bought them, the worker said in November. Everything comes from a laboratory. Everything is safe here; thats why were still operating.

But less than 24 hours earlier, the same store had sold three loose pills  purported to be Percocet, Vicodin and Adderall  and one bottle labeled as Adderall. Laboratory testing showed both painkillers were fentanyl, the tablet sold as Adderall was methamphetamine, and the bottle of supposed Adderall contained capsules of an appetite suppressant called clobenzorex.

A pharmacy in Cabo San Lucas advertises its wares to English-speaking visitors. Many also sell controlled medications  or counterfeit versions of them  upon request. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

The news reports and resulting law enforcement activity caused a lot of problems for the families of closed drugstores owners and employees, according to one worker at another Cabo pharmacy.

All youre doing is affecting tourism, she said the day after selling reporters one bottle that was labeled oxycodone and acetaminophen but contained guaifenesin  a cold medication  and another that was labeled as Adderall but contained clobenzorex.

Two months after the Los Cabos arrests, federal health officials in Mexico announced that authorities had closed 23 pharmacies in the Yucatan Peninsula after finding potential counterfeit medications and other irregularities during a series of raids.

Finally, authorities shut down 31 pharmacies and seized more than 4,681 boxes of medication during recent raids in Ensenada, where officials said some of the pills probably contained fentanyl.

At a Puerto Vallarta pharmacy near bustling Playa de los Muertos last month, a clerk said she had no controlled substances for sale before offering a warning.

In no place in Puerto Vallarta are they going to sell you actual Adderall, she said. Be very careful in what you buy.

::

Its unclear why raids have failed to curb these illicit activities. But several pharmacy workers said authorities didnt confiscate any of their pills or take away samples for testing. Others said they stopped offering controlled medications immediately after the sweeps, but soon resumed sales.

Workers at two chain drugstores in Cabo San Lucas that sold reporters counterfeit pills said authorities hadnt inspected them at all in 2023.

In Puerto Vallarta, several pharmacies were raided by Mexican authorities in recent months, drugstore employees say. Officials would not elaborate on or confirm their accounts. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

At several drugstores in Puerto Vallartas lively tourist districts, employees said in November that pharmacies there had been raided a few months earlier. The Times could not independently verify their claims, and officials did not respond to requests for comment.

At a small drugstore on one of the citys main streets, an employee working the register said drug regulators had searched the store  even inspecting the bathroom and going through employees bags. But they didnt find anything worth confiscating.

There were no opioid painkillers in stock, but reporters bought a bottle of supposed Adderall. The drug had been unavailable for about two months after the raids all because of fentanyl, the worker said.

We werent selling any medication like this because they were checking, she said, referring to the authorities who carried out the raids. They dont want us selling fentanyl or oxycodone or things like that.

The alleged Adderall tested positive for methamphetamine.

Aside from the glut of willing sellers and suppliers, another roadblock to reining in the sale of counterfeit pills in Mexico is the constant demand  often from Americans looking for medications that may be cheaper or easier to get than in the U.S., where opioid painkillers are tightly controlled and ADHD medications are scarce due to a years-long shortage. In recent months, several people prescribed ADHD drugs told The Times theyd purchased or considered purchasing their medications in Mexico.

One of those was Andres Munoz. Earlier this year, he took a few days off from his consulting job in Chicago for a family trip to Cancun. Munoz was 30 and in Mexico for the first time, and he decided to stop in at a drugstore for ibuprofen.

He had recently been prescribed Adderall in the U.S., and was surprised to see that the drug was available without a prescription. He said he almost bought at least one $200 bottle of the pills, even though he knew that fentanyl-tainted counterfeits were a concern in Mexico.

Honestly, I didnt even consider the dangers of it, Munoz said, adding that uneven access to affordable, quality health insurance leaves many Americans with few good options. So of course youre gonna go try to find a solution. The system we have in place doesnt offer a solution.

::

Shopping for narcotic medications in pharmacies in Mexico often means listening to workers explain that bottles stashed in hidden compartments and loose pills kept in unlabeled plastic bags contain legitimate medications.

At one pharmacy in Cabo San Lucas, a worker warned that a lot of people sell fake medication  and even offered reporters advice on how to spot it.

Those are real, she said, pointing to a box of medication with a code on the side. If they dont have that number, theyre not.

But the painkillers purchased from that pharmacy tested positive for fentanyl, and the supposed ADHD medications were made of methamphetamine.

At a Puerto Vallarta outpost of a drugstore chain that sold reporters fake medications, Ed Sheeran was crooning through tinny speakers about having faith in what he sees.

The clerk claimed the pharmacy did not stock counterfeit pills. But the worker said some stores in another regional pharmacy chain had been making irregular medications that had fentanyl and selling them to unsuspecting travelers.

On two separate trips to Puerto Vallarta, reporters visited several stores in that same regional chain, and repeatedly purchased pills sold as Adderall that tested positive for methamphetamine.

One of those purchases was the bottle the professional pharmacist had pulled out of a secret panel behind the counter. Another was a bottle that a young worker pulled from a locked hiding spot.

A Mexican pharmacy offers a wide array of powerful medications over the counter. (Connor Sheets / Los Angeles Times)

She said the medication was hidden from view for safekeeping because it was pricey  $300 per bottle.

We cant have expensive medications out like that, she said. We mostly sell sunblock.

The chain did not respond to requests for comment.

In addition to concealing illicit wares and offering empty assurances about safety, pharmacy workers seemed choosy about their customers.

Several residents said the stores would sell narcotic medications over the counter only to foreign tourists. At one drugstore, when a reporter started speaking Spanish, the clerk grew suspicious.

At a Puerto Vallarta location of the prominent national chain Farmacias Similares, a worker said only customers with prescriptions could buy controlled medications. Other pharmacies, she said, would sell them without a prescription  depending on who you are.

If I go, as a Mexican, and I ask them, theyre not going to tell me whether they have the medications, she said. Because its not something theyre supposed to [sell]. Only to foreigners.

::

Organized crime experts say that Mexican drug cartels are almost certainly involved in making the sophisticated counterfeit medications. But it is unclear exactly how the pills end up on pharmacy shelves or in hidden compartments behind the counter.

Earlier in 2023, drugstores in Mexico tended to sell counterfeits of controlled medications as loose pills  but the fakes are increasingly sold by the bottle in convincing packaging. (Connor Sheets / Los Angeles Times)

Vanda Felbab-Brown, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution who studies criminal organizations, told The Times earlier this year that the tainted pills must be coming from the Mexican criminal groups. But she said it was unclear whether the pharmacy owners were seeking out the fake medications or selling them under threat of violence.

It would be fascinating to know whether they have any clue what theyre selling, she said.

The Times recent reporting found that many store workers know there are fentanyl-tainted fakes on the market, and that some drugstores sell them. As one worker at a pharmacy that would not sell controlled medication without a prescription put it: Where else are you going to get that medication that easily?

When asked about the source of their medications, some workers shifted blame to the stores owners.

Our boss gives them to us, said a clerk at a pharmacy in Cabo. They come from laboratories  you should focus on them.

But when asked for contact information for the stores distributor, the worker said that was private.

At another drugstore, an employee said she couldnt remember the name of the stores supplier, but that it was a big distributor in Guadalajara. Workers at other stores suggested their pills came from California, but also could not name a supplier.

This month, after getting back results from lab testing, reporters called and messaged more than a dozen pharmacies theyd visited in November. Most did not respond to repeated messages inquiring about the counterfeit goods or the suppliers who provided them.

One worker who did respond said he knew the Cabo pharmacy where he worked did not sell opioid painkillers because he was one of only two people who worked there. When a reporter explained that the store had sold fentanyl-tainted pills weeks earlier, his tone shifted.

Perhaps you have the pharmacy confused, he said.

Instead of denial, some responded with fear. A few weeks after selling reporters fentanyl- and methamphetamine-laced pills, a worker at a different pharmacy in Cabo refused to answer questions about such a delicate topic.

He said he was embarrassed and wouldnt disclose where the drugs came from.

I cant give you any information, he said in a telephone interview. Its scary to even talk about these kinds of things.

When asked what he was scared of, he hung up.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
(CNN)  Israels army chief said troops failed in their mission to rescue three hostages mistakenly killed in Gaza earlier this month as the military on Thursday published its report into the incident.

Herzi Halevi, chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), said the shootings could have been prevented, but he determined there was no malice in the event and the soldiers carried out the right action to the best of their understanding of the event at that moment.

Yotam Haim, Alon Shamriz and Samer Talalka were captured by Hamas on October 7 and taken to Gaza. The three men were accidentally killed during an IDF operation around the Gaza City neighborhood of Shejaiya on December 15 in an incident that shocked Israeli society.

The report into their deaths concluded that Israeli command ranks had information about the presence of hostages in the area where they were killed and even took actions to prevent strikes on locations suspected of having hostages.

But the investigation also found that Israeli forces in the field had insufficient awareness of the possibility that hostages would approach them or that they would encounter them other than as part of a special operation to free the Israelis held.

According to the findings, on December 15, an Israeli soldier fired toward three hostages identified as threats, killing two of them. The third hostage fled, and the battalion commander gave an order to hold fire to identify the third person.

After the commander heard someone screaming help in Hebrew, he called on the person to come toward the soldiers; the hostage emerged from a building and moved toward the troops, the report said. Two soldiers didnt hear the commanders orders to hold fire due to noise from a nearby tank and fatally shot the third hostage, according to the investigation.

The probe also concluded that the hostages were walking shirtless, and one of them was waving a white flag, standing at a point with limited visibility relative to the position of the soldier that fired the shot.

In the days before the killing of the hostages, the report said Israeli soldiers heard cries for help in Hebrew coming from a building while troops fought Hamas gunmen, adding that the soldiers thought it was an attempt to trap them. Also, a camera that was mounted on a military dog during the fight captured the voices of the hostages crying for help.

That same day, a note reading Help in Hebrew was found at the exit of a tunnel, the report claimed, which Israeli soldiers interpreted as an attempt by Hamas to lure them.

On December 14, Israeli drone footage identified signs reading SOS and Help, 3 hostages on a building 200 meters (656 feet) from where the hostages were killed the next day, the report said, claiming the Israeli military suspected this was a trap after blue barrels that it says are commonly found in rigged areas were spotted nearby.

Halevi, the military IDF chief, concluded that the killing of the hostages shouldnt have happened and didnt match up to the risk of the situation.

The standard operating procedures are necessary, and they are also intended to protect us, so that we do not kill our own forces, he said. They set and impact fateful decisions, as happened in this event.

Israeli soldiers in Gaza are now being told to exercise additional caution when encountering people in civilian clothes following the hostages accidental killing, IDF spokesperson Jonathan Conricus told CNN earlier this month.

What we have told our troops is to be extra vigilant and do one more safety check before dealing with kinetics with any threat that they face on the battlefield, Conricus said, but it is a very challenging environment that our troops are in.

Who were the hostages?

All three hostages were young men. Haim and Shimriz were kidnapped from Kibbutz Kfar Aza, while Talalka was taken near Kibbutz Nir Am.

Talalka, 25, was a member of Israels Bedouin community and the eldest of 10 children. He lived in the town of Hura and worked with his father and brothers at a chicken hatchery near Kibbutz Nir Am.

On October 7, he was with his father at the chicken hatchery and told his sister in a phone call that he had been injured by terrorist gunfire, until the call disconnected, according to the Israeli Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum.

Haim, 28, was a gifted musician and heavy metal fan. He had played the drums for 20 years and was supposed to perform at a Metal Music Festival in Tel Aviv on October 7 with his band, Persephore. Yotam last spoke with his family that morning. He told them his house had burned down before losing contact with them at 10:44 a.m., soon after which he was kidnapped by Hamas, according to the family forum.

Less is known about Shimriz, but his family, like those of Talalka and Haim, had spoken publicly about their ordeal

Haims mother, Iris, had told Israels Channel 11 that she had faith her son would return even without raising her voice at the government.

Some people think that if they dont shout, no one will bring their children back. I tell them: we can do it peacefully and through a respectful dialogue. The children will come back, I have no doubt, she said.

Negotiations to release the more than 100 hostages still held in Gaza by Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups have yielded little results in recent weeks.

Were holding talks even during these very moments, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday at a meeting with hostages families. I cant elaborate on the status - were operating in order to return everyone.
Thick columns of smoke were rising in Kyiv after several sites were hit by Russia early on Dec. 29.

In Kyiv, Russia hit three locations, according to Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko. Local authorities reported nine people killed and 30 injured.

Russia unleashed a barrage of 158 attack drones and missiles across Ukraine, one of its biggest air attacks since the start of the full-scale invasion. The Air Force later released a report, which said Ukraine shot down 114 of the 158 drones and missiles fired by Russia.

Besides Kyiv, authorities reported casualties in Lviv, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Odesa, and Zaporizhzhia.

The mass attack killed at least 30 people across Ukraine and wounded over 160 others, according to an update by the Interior Ministry published at 7:30 p.m. local time.

Oleksandr Lytvyn, a 32-year-old driver, barely escaped the strike, he told the Kyiv Independent as he was standing a few meters away from a warehouse that was hit.

"I'm very lucky," he said. Not everyone was.

The Kyiv City Administration earlier reported that 10 people had been trapped under the rubble. Klymenko said eight people were rescued without specifying from which site.

Several apartment buildings, warehouses, an office center, a residential house, and a metro station were damaged in different neighborhoods, Serhii Popko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, reported.

Outside the capital, Russia damaged residential high-rise buildings, a shopping center, a school, and a maternity hospital, among a variety of other civilian sites.

Utility workers repair damaged entrence of Lukianivska metro station that was damaged by a Russian missile attack, Kyiv, Dec. 29, 2023. (Olena Zashko/The Kyiv Independent)

Air Force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat said on air that an attack of this scale "has not been seen for a long time," adding that Russia had sent every type of missile in its stock except for Kalibr cruise missiles.

According to him, Ukraine's air defense downed over 30 air targets over the capital. The General Staff said Russia tried to destroy critical infrastructure, industrial and military facilities.

Yevhen Chyzhevsky, a bulky 40-year-old employed at the warehouse, told the Kyiv Independent that he learned about it while going to work.

"I arrived, and everything was burning," Chyzhevsky said. "But my colleagues are alive, and that's what matters," Chyzhevsky said.

"Everything was okay, and then boom," he said, looking at the warehouse's burned skeleton. "And now it's all f***ed," he added.

"The butchers wished us a happy New Year."

The State Emergency Service is carrying out work to extinguish a fire at a warehouse on Dec. 29, 2023, in Kyiv, Ukraine. (Kostiantyn Liberov/Libkos/Getty Images)

'It was so loud'

A ten-minute drive north from the warehouse, streets were filled with debris and shattered glass.

In Lukianivka district, sweepers and builders were already working to replace broken windows with wooden panels. A metro entrance and an office building nearby were substantially damaged for the third time since the start of the full-scale invasion.

Olena, a 40-year resident of the district, saw the missile hitting the sites.

"I was near the window, the missile flew right before my eyes," Olena, who declined to provide her last name, told the Kyiv Independent.

"We heard two missiles, one after the other, it was so loud." By miracle, her windows stayed intact, while the door was nearly blown off.

Olena didn't hold back on her feelings toward Russians. "M*********ers," she said.

"Honestly, I can't find the words to describe my opinion on Russians," Olena said. "We need to hit the Kremlin and Moscow, then, perhaps, the situation will somehow change."

Lina Vasylivna, a 66-year-old concierge living steps away from the attack who insisted on being referenced by her name and patronymics, was unfazed by the attack on Lukanivska. She just cut her hands trying to remove the broken glass from the streets.

"I live on the 14th floor. I don't go to the shelter anymore," she said.

Olena and other victims of Russia's attack on the capital were pointing to Moscow's bombardment of another Ukrainian city, which many say suffered the most on Dec. 29.

In Dnipro, where Russian strikes hit a shopping center and a maternity hospital, six people were killed, among them a child and a policeman. Another 28 were injured, the National Police said.

And while the number of dead and injured was lower than that of Kyiv, the dread and anger that followed an attack on a hospital was much higher.

"At the time of the missile attack on the maternity ward in Dnipro, there were 12 women in labor. Additionally, there were four newborns," Governor Serhii Lysak wrote on Telegram.

Nurses and patients took shelter as soon as the air raid sirens went off, Suspilne reported, and no casualties were reported among them.

The city is filled with smoke after Russia attacked the capital with missiles and drones on Dec. 29, 2023. (Kostiantyn Liberov/Libkos/Getty Images)

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
HOUSTON - An employee was shot in the leg during a robbery at a Wendys restaurant in Houston, police say.

The shooting was reported around 12:30 a.m. Saturday in the 2000 block of Durham near I-10.

MORE NEWS: 16-year-old boy shot while walking with friends in north Houston

According to police, the employee was walking back into the back door of the restaurant after taking out the trash when the suspect approached.

Police say the suspect started fighting, trying to get into the restaurant, while the employee tried to hold the door.

The Houston Police Department investigates a shooting on Durham near I-10.

Thats when the suspect shot the employee in the leg and then entered the restaurant, police say.

FOX 26 Houston is now on the FOX LOCAL app available through Apple TV, Amazon FireTV, Roku, Google Android TV, and Vizio!

Authorities say the suspect threatened everyone with a gun and tried to get into the cash registers before leaving without any money.

The suspect is described only as a Black male, possibly in his 40s, who was wearing all black clothing. Police say he got into a dark, older sedan and left the scene.

The wounded employee was taken to the hospital, and police say he is expected to be OK.

The investigation into the shooting continues.
WASHINGTON - Howard University has issued a response after a recent video shared on social media showed individuals breaking in to an unused school building.

The video shows a group of individuals breaking into Benjamin E. Mays Hall, which housed Howard University's School of Divinity from 1987 to 2015.

The video shows the individuals exploring the building, looking through old books, even finding a dry ice extinguisher which they set off.

The video calls the school "abandoned," which Howard University says is "misinformed." The university says the School of Divinity was moved from Benjamin E. Mays Hall to the University's West Campus. High-value collections of art and archival materials made the move, but the remainder continued to be stored at Mays Hall.

Howard University began working to redevelop East Campus in 2017, and say they recently started collaborating with the DC Preservation League to designate East Campus as a historic landmark district.

READ MORE: WATCH: Howard University gets a shoutout on SNL

"Despite the Universitys efforts to remove historically relevant materials from the site in 2015, the actions of those who trespassed and broke into Mays Hall remind us how some are willing to violate the sacred boundaries of our beloved HBCU campuses and threaten to embolden others with similar actions," said Howard University School of Divinity Dean Rev. Kenyatta Gilbert, Ph.D.

Howard University's Department of Public Safety has begun an investigation, and will be ramping up patrols of the area.
Editors note: A version of this story appeared in CNNs Wonder Theory science newsletter. To get it in your inbox, sign up for free here.

The incredible discoveries and scientific feats of 2023 prove just how far curiosity and wonder can take humanity.

Archaeological findings allowed researchers to take intriguing steps into the past and reveal more about our mysterious ancestors and creatures who roamed the planet before humans.

At the same time, technological advancements enabled scientists to make daring leaps forward in how we understand the vast expanse of the universe and our little cosmic neighborhood within it.

Each week brought new marvels and insights, along with dozens of pinch-me moments and awe-inspiring views of the cosmos once invisible to the human eye.

In this golden age of scientific discovery, my hope is that, like living legend Sylvia Earle, we never take the ability to solve mysteries and gain new knowledge for granted so we can better understand how to protect this extraordinary world.

Wild kingdom

The lesser thorn-tailed gecko from Western Australia can shoot goo out of its tail. - Anders Zimmy/Natural History Museum

Nearly 1,000 new species were found across the globe in 2023, adding significantly to the tree of life and illuminating how much biodiversity is waiting to be found on Earth.

Researchers at the California Academy of Sciences and Londons Natural History Museum uncovered hundreds of creatures and plants from the bottom of the ocean to an isolated peak in Angola.

The majority of newfound species were insects  including metallic-hued wasps named after Doctor Who characters that help eliminate agricultural pests. And scientists found unusual creatures such as a rare type of silent frog and a gecko that shoots goo out of its tail.

As the climate crisis continues, scientists are racing to identify species in an attempt to protect them before they disappear.

Back to the future

An emerging scientific trend in 2023 was resurrection biology, or the attempt to revive once extinct molecule strands and complex organisms.

The field of study sounds like the basis of Jurassic Park, but scientists are using it to raise awareness of the rise of once dormant viruses as the climate crisis causes permafrost to thaw for the first time in centuries. Resurrection biology is also being used in the search for pharmaceutical solutions by studying the genetic proteins of our ancient ancestors.

Scientists employed the technique to recreate the scent of Egyptian mummification balms. Visitors can catch this whiff of the past at Denmarks Moesgaard Museum.

And yes, efforts to bring extinct animals such as the dodo, woolly mammoth and Tasmanian tiger back to life are underway.

Defying gravity

SpaceX's Starship rocket launches for a second time on November 18. - Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images

Truth is stranger than fiction, especially when recalling some of the celestial moments from this year that rivaled sci-fi.

A moon race kicked off between multiple countries, with robotic missions ending both in success and crash landings.

Meanwhile, a spacecraft delivered a sample collected from an asteroid to Earth for the first time  the rocks and dust are already surprising researchers.

And the most powerful rockets ever constructed launched and exploded twice, reminding once again that the path to spaceflight is tricky.

Curiosities

When conservators used X-rays to scan one of Rembrandts masterpieces, The Night Watch, the scans revealed a secret that had remained hidden for nearly 400 years. Tucked beneath the painting of Dutch civilian soldiers was a layer full of lead.

Completed in 1642, the massive painting was displayed in Amsterdams Kloveniersdoelen, or a musketeers shooting range. There, the piece would have been vulnerable to humidity and moisture.

Experts believe that Rembrandt used lead, rather than the typical stiff layer of glue, to protect the canvas of the dramatic piece, which featured his mastery of illumination and shadows.

Ocean secrets

The octopuses used in the study were collected from the seabed around Antarctica. - Nerida Wilson/University of Western Australia

Researchers have used an unusual source to solve one of historys mysteries about the West Antarctic ice sheet, which is rapidly melting due to global warming.

By studying the DNA of Turquets octopus, which can be found along the Antarctic seafloor, scientists have determined that the ice sheet last collapsed more than 100,000 years ago. Understanding how the ice sheet has behaved over time could provide insight into how future sea levels could rise.

DNA of living animals today contains all the information about their ancestors (in the) past, so its like a time capsule, said Dr. Sally Lau, a postdoctoral research fellow at James Cook University in Australia.

The wonder

Catch up on these mind-blowing stories:

 Apes can recognize old friends they havent seen for decades, according to new research that documented the lengthiest social memory ever seen outside of humans.

 The Hubble Space Telescope captured a new image showcasing ghostly shadows called spokes dancing along the rings of Saturn.

 Traces of a power surge that occurred in Earths magnetic field thousands of years ago were literally baked into ancient Mesopotamian mud bricks.

 Before the year ends, send your name to one of Jupiters moons to accompany a poem written by US Poet Laureate Ada Limon that will fly aboard NASAs Europa Clipper mission.

The Wonder Theory team wishes you a Happy New Year, and well see you in 2024!

Like what youve read? Oh, but theres more. Sign up here to receive in your inbox the next edition of Wonder Theory, brought to you by CNN Space and Science writers Ashley Strickland and Katie Hunt. They find wonder in planets beyond our solar system and discoveries from the ancient world.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
The number of non-detained illegal immigrants has soared under the Biden administration amid a historic crisis at the southern border, a new report released Friday shows, even as deportations have climbed but have failed to keep pace with the surge at the border.

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) report for fiscal 2023 shows that the number of illegal immigrants on the non-detained docket has soared from 3.7 million in FY 2021 to nearly 4.8 million in FY 2022 to nearly 6.2 million in FY 2023. The non-detained docket includes illegal immigrants who have final orders of removal or are going through removal proceedings but are not detained in ICE custody.

The number on the detained docket has increased from 22,000 to over 36,000 in the same period.

BORDER NUMBERS FOR DECEMBER BREAK MONTHLY RECORD, AS BIDEN TALKS AMNESTY WITH MEXICO

ICE agents conduct an enforcement operation in the U.S. interior on June 2, 2022.

The number of illegal immigrants being deported has increased, according to the report, but it is still a fraction of the increase in the illegal immigrant population. There were 142,580 removals in FY 23, up considerably from 72,177 in FY 22 and 59,011 in FY 21, but still down from the highs of 267,258 under the Trump administration in FY 19. ICE noted that the 142,580 removals were in addition to over 60,000 Title 42 expulsions in FY 23 at the border, some of whom it said would have otherwise been subject to deportation.

That's at the same time as there were a record 2.4 million migrant apprehensions at the southern border. Those numbers have looked likely to continue, with Fox News reporting on Friday that December will shatter records for monthly encounters with over 276,000 encounters. Fox has previously reported that officials have said they are releasing around 5,000 illegal immigrants into the U.S. each day.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

The agency also pointed to an increase in administrative ICE arrests, which increased by 19.5% to 170,590 in FY 23. It also arrested 73,822 illegal immigrants with a criminal history.

"ICE continues to disrupt transnational criminal organizations, remove threats to national security and public safety, uphold the integrity of U.S. immigration laws, and collaborate with colleagues across government and law enforcement in pursuit of our mission to keep U.S. communities safe," acting ICE Director Patrick Leichleitner said in a statement. "I am proud of the efforts of our more than 20,000-strong workforce who work every day to achieve their mission while also assisting homeland security and law enforcement partners with integrity, courage and excellence."

US-MEXICO MIGRATION TALKS INCLUDED BENEFITS OF REGULARIZING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS LIVING IN US

The Biden administration significantly narrowed ICE enforcement priorities in 2021, limiting agents to arresting and deporting those who are either recent border crossers, national security threats or public safety threats. It came after the administration initially tried to slap a moratorium on all ICE deportations, but was blocked by a federal judge.

The administration says the narrowed priorities are necessary due to limited ICE resources, but Republican critics have claimed it is part of an open-borders agenda from the administration.

Separately, ICE only removed 212 unaccompanied minors in FY 23, despite the more than 137,000 arriving in FY 23; its a new low and down considerably from over 6,000 removed in FY 19.

Meanwhile, ICE deported 139 known or suspected terrorists in FY 23, a large jump in deportations of that population from 56 in FY 22 and higher than the numbers seen during the Trump administration as well, where 58 were removed in FY 19.

LIBERAL MAYORS PUSH BIDEN FOR EMERGENCY DECLARATION, ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO DEAL WITH MIGRANT CRISIS

The new report is unlikely to satisfy Republican criticisms of the Biden administration, who see the enormous number of migrants being released into the U.S. and what they regard as insufficient efforts to either stop them coming in or deport them. Some Republicans have pushed for the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, while a number of Republican states unsuccessfully sued to block the administration's narrowing of ICE priorities.

The White House has called for an additional $14 billion in border funding, which includes additional ICE detention beds and immigration judges. But it has been held up as Republicans demand stricter limits on asylum and the administrations use of humanitarian parole. Some Republicans have called for the inclusion of the House GOP border security bill, which would restart border wall construction and significantly limit releases of migrants into the interior.

The administration has reportedly been open to a new Title 42-style removal authority and additional detention and removals as part of any agreement, but it is unclear if any such agreement can be reached and if it could pass both chambers of Congress.

Fox News' Griff Jenkins contributed to this report.





Original article source: Illegal immigrant population soars under Biden: government data
KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD)  A local artists design was chosen as Kalamazoo Craft Beverage Weeks logo this year.

Heather Picardat of Kentwood was among 10 artists from around Michigan who submitted logos for KCBWs creative design contest. Community members voted through Dec. 7. With 111 votes, Picardats was chosen as the winner.

Her design features a playful bear balancing a stein of beer on his foot. The brew is sloshing out liquid that resembles the letters KCBW, for Kalamazoo Craft Beverage Week.

When I was coming up with a design, I was really trying to think of something interesting, something that would stand out from other designs that would still be a good showcase of my skills and typical style, Picardat said. I settled on the whimsical little bear, playfully attempting to balance a glass of craft beer on his feet while doing yoga.

Picardat said she has been calling the bear Perrin, after Comstock Park-based Perrin Brewing Company. While creating the design, Picardat said she tried to keep her art style intact while being inspired by young imaginations around her.

I really like a mixture of semirealism with whimsical details. I have really taken to coupling animals with food items or other random human things. Like, I did a painting of a chipmunk karate chopping a strawberry. Theres another one of a yak listening to his iPod  just silly things. I take a lot of suggestions from my kids and try to bring their vision to life, adding my own flair to it, Picardat said.

KCBW runs from Jan. 12 through Jan. 21 and will feature events, food and drink pairing sessions, crafts, tours, yoga sessions, tastings, trivia and games at breweries, wineries, distilleries, bars and restaurants around Kalamazoo County.

Picardats art will be printed on commemorative stickers available at locations participating in KCBW. She also won a cash prize and copies of her sticker design. Her artist information will be featured on the event website and social media accounts.

I love an artistic challenge and I love Kalamazoo so it was a no-brainer, Picardat said. Hopefully it means some local recognition for my artwork. And even if it doesnt, Im so pleased just to have had the opportunity to participate in this contest.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
Prof David Latchman says the ban on dependants may have put people off from relocating - Eddie Mulholland

International students are pulling out of university courses because of an unfavourable atmosphere created by ministers, a vice-chancellor has claimed.

Prof David Latchman, vice-chancellor of the University of Birkbeck, said the university saw a 10 per cent drop in international students starting in October after many who had accepted places pulled out.

It came after Rishi Sunak announced in May there would be a crackdown on overseas students bringing family members to the UK as part of a push to bring down legal migration.

He pledged to close loopholes as he cited the staggering eight-fold rise in the number of dependants brought into the UK by foreign students, up from 16,000 to 135,788 since 2019.

The Birkbeck students who pulled out had applied in January this year and accepted places in May and June, but then did not attend with some not even applying for a visa.

Prof Latchman said: This has occurred across the sector  I attribute this to the generally unfavourable atmosphere created for international students by the various announcements even though the ban on dependants does not actually begin until January.

From January 2024, all foreign students except those doing postgraduate research will be barred from bringing family members to the UK.

UK universities fear they could face financial peril if visa restrictions put off overseas students because many institutions have targeted international students to boost their income in recent years.

There is no cap on international student fees, whereas tuition fees for British students have been frozen at 9,250 in England since 2017.

At Birkbeck, the London university known for its evening courses, the number of full-time international students rose to a record 1,070 in 2022-23.

However, it is set to report a fall in numbers for the current academic year.

Prof Latchman, who stands down as vice-chancellor this week after 20 years in the role, said that the university funding system was unsustainable and accused the Government of appealing to xenophobia.

He said: I think theres a total failure to understand that you cant have a business in inverted commas where you say your business has two products  over here, you cant charge more than this, however much the costs increase [for domestic students]. And over here, Im going to do our best to discourage people from taking up your business where you can charge more [for international students].

He added: We cant carry on like this.

Voluntary redundancies

Birkbeck has made about 70 voluntary redundancies in an attempt to shore up its finances.

Other universities, including Kent and East Anglia, have also launched voluntary redundancy schemes amid funding pressures.

Ucas figures show there was a decline in the number of accepted international students in 2023 to 71,570, down 3 per cent from 73,820 last year and 7 per cent from 76,905 in 2019.

For international students from outside the EU, there were 61,055 acceptances for 2023, down 2 per cent from 62,455 in 2022, but 34 per cent up from 45,455 in 2019.

Prof Alan Smithers, director of the Centre for Education and Employment Research at the University of Buckingham, said he disagreed that international students had been put off by an unfavourable atmosphere.

He said: British universities are just as welcoming to genuine overseas students as they have always been. University entry, however, has been increasingly used as a migration route into this country, both illegal using the precious visa solely as a way in and legal when a student, for example, comes with a large extended family all of whom aim to settle here. The Government is rightly attempting to clamp down on this.

A government spokesman said: The UK is a top destination for the brightest students to learn at some of the worlds best universities. But we have seen an unprecedented rise in the number of student dependants being brought into the country with visas.

The Government will work with universities to design an alternative approach, in order to continue to attract the brightest and the best to the UK, and so postgraduate taught students can bring dependants to the UKs world-leading universities, while continuing to reduce net migration.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer.
People inspect a damaged building after an Israeli raid on Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip as battles continue between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement. Mohammed Talatene/dpa

Israeli units are "expanding" their operations in the area around the city of Khan Younis in the south of the Gaza Strip, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Friday, without providing details.

Hamas leaders are thought to be hiding in Khan Younis. The IDF reported finding explosives in the homes of Hamas members. Buildings with explosives had been destroyed, it said. Troops also found a number of tunnels and weapons.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military says it found and destroyed one of the hideouts of Hamas leader Yehya al-Sinwar near Gaza City, in the northern part of the sealed-off coastal strip.

Al-Sinwar is now believed to be in Khan Younis. The Hamas stronghold is currently also a focal point of Israel's current ground offensive in the Gaza Strip.

The IDF said its operations were aimed at securing control of an area on the outskirts of the city, from where an attack was mounted on October 7 on the Nir Oz kibbutz directly across the border.

The IDF has instructed residents of the city to leave for Rafah to the south-west on the Egyptian border amidst a growing humanitarian crisis.

Virtually the entire population of Gaza - around 2.2 million people - is currently dependent almost exclusively on humanitarian aid, including food. The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) recently estimated that 40% of Gaza's residents are at risk of famine.

On Friday, UNRWA called for the unhindered and safe access of humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip.

He called for humanitarian supplies to the Gaza Strip to be ensured to match the overwhelming needs including fuel, food, medicine, water and hygiene material also for those with specific needs like women, adolescent girls and people with disabilities.

The UNRWA chief objected to recent accusations made by Israel that the UN aid workers were failing in their tasks.

This is "baseless disinformation," said Lazzarini, adding that "this is not the time to exchange accusations and promote misinformation."

The Hamas-controlled Health Ministry in the Gaza Strip said 187 people had been killed in one day in fresh Israeli attacks. It added that 312 Palestinians had been injured. The figures took the number of Palestinians killed in the Gaza Strip since the start of the war to 21,507, with 55,915 others injured.

The figures cannot be confirmed, but the UN and other observers point out that the authority's figures have been credible in the past.

Hours after the figures were released, South Africa accused Israel of genocide against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague.

The case, filed with the UN's highest court, demands that Israel be ordered to cease its attacks in Gaza, the ICJ announced. South Africa claims the actions of the Israeli armed forces have a "genocidal character," as they are aimed at the annihilation of the Palestinians in this area, an ICJ press release on the case reported.

South Africa, which has traditionally maintained good relations with the Palestinian Territories, says it is basing its complaint on the UN Genocide Convention, which was signed by both South Africa and Israel.

The ICJ judgements are binding, but the court has no power to enforce them. It can, however, call on the UN Security Council to take action in the matter.

Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Lior Haiat immediately and decisively rejected South Africa's complaint.

"South Africa is cooperating with a terrorist organization that is calling for the destruction of the State of Israel," Haiat said on X, adding that "Israel rejects with disgust the blood libel spread by South Africa and its application with this complaint" to the ICJ.

The lawsuit "lacks both factual and legal basis," he wrote, adding that the ICJ and the international community should "completely reject South Africa's baseless claims."

The pro-Iranian Hezbollah movement claimed at least five attacks on Israeli posts near the Lebanese border, prompting Israeli retaliatory shelling and airstrikes that wounded two people, a Lebanese security source said.

Hezbollah said in a statement that it hit a crane carrying surveillance equipment in the Dovev Farms, inflicting casualties.

The Israeli army said it struck a Hezbollah terrorist cell responsible for launching anti-tank missiles in the area of Aitaroun and a missile launcher used to launch toward the area of Bar'am in northern Israel earlier Friday.

It added that Israeli fighter jets struck Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure in the area of Wadi Hamul in Lebanon.

And in the West Bank, four pedestrians were injured in a suspected car attack near a settlement in the West Bank, Israeli media and the Magen David Adom ambulance service reported.

Paramedics treated four people in their 20s. They were all conscious and one was in a "moderate condition," the ambulance service said. Three others were slightly injured, it said. Israeli media reported that the victims were Israelis.

"Soldiers operating in the area neutralized the terrorist," the IDF said. According to the media, the driver was shot dead. There was initially no information on his identity.

The already tense situation in the West Bank has worsened significantly since the start of the Gaza war following the Hamas massacre of some 1,200 people in Israel on October 7, the worst massacre in Israel's history.

People inspect a damaged building after an Israeli raid on Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip as battles continue between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement. Mohammed Talatene/dpa

People inspect a damaged building after an Israeli raid on Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip as battles continue between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement. Mohammed Talatene/dpa
A displaced Palestinian child, part of a group who fled their homes due to Israeli strikes, looks out near rubble, at a tent camp, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, December 29, 2023. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa

Many displaced Gazans are living "in the open, in the parks," Juliette Touma of the UN relief agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, has told the BBC.

According to the UN's humanitarian office (OCHA), at least 100,000 people have fled to Rafah - which borders Egypt in Gaza's south - in recent days.

UNRWA's Ms Touma said the UN was being authorised to bring in "limited assistance".

But Gaza's humanitarian needs, she said, "have massively grown".

She said UNRWA continued to face "restrictions to access areas in the Gaza Strip where we should access".

Israel has said it is not limiting aid and the problem is with its distribution.

It launched its offensive in Gaza after Hamas's deadly 7 October attack, in which 1,200 people were killed and a further 240 taken hostage.

More than 21,672 people have been killed in Gaza since that date, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. It says a further 56,165 Palestinians have been injured.

Access to humanitarian aid in the 41km (25 miles) long and 10km wide enclave has been tightly controlled since the start of the war.

At the start of its military campaign, Israeli forces focused on Gaza's north. But more recently, they have been pounding Khan Younis in southern Gaza, which they see as a stronghold for Hamas.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a TV address on Saturday evening that Israel was "fighting on all fronts".

He echoed remarks by the chief of general staff, saying the war would go on "for many months", until Israel achieved "the release of all our hostages and the dismantlement of Hamas".

Gaza map last updated on 27 December

Speaking from Rafah, UNRWA's Gaza director Tom White told the BBC there were "well over a million people" seeking safety in the city.

Mr White said that for "hundreds of thousands of people" seeking safety in Rafah, "there are no spots left" in shelters - which included UNRWA schools and other municipal facilities.

He echoed comments made by Ms Touma, explaining that "hundreds and hundreds of thousands of people are now sleeping in the open under flimsy pieces of plastic" as a result of the overcrowding.

In its latest report, UNRWA said up to 1.9m people have been displaced across the Gaza Strip since the start of the war.

According to OCHA, the most recent wave of displacement into Rafah is due to intense fighting in Khan Younis and other parts of the territory.

Residents in Khan Younis have reported intense gun battles between Israeli troops and Hamas fighters.

Elsewhere in Gaza on Saturday, fighting was also reported in the Nuseirat refugee camp, Maghazi and in al-Bureij.

In a statement on X, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Arabic-language spokesman warned that the main north-south road in Gaza, the Salah al-Din, was a "battlefield" and "dangerous to reach".

Meanwhile, a third UN body - the World Health Organization (WHO) - has again warned of a spike in the spread of infectious diseases across Gaza's displaced community.

WHO chief Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said there had been a rise in the number of diseases across Gaza between mid-October and mid-December.

He said that across UN shelters there had been some 136,400 cases of diarrhoea, 55,400 cases of lice and scabies, and 126 cases of meningitis.
Seoul, South Korea (CNN)  South Korea, with the worlds lowest birth rate, may soon find itself without enough troops to keep its military fully staffed as it deals with new threats in an increasingly tense Western Pacific region, analysts say.

Always wary of North Koreas nuclear and missile threats, South Korea keeps an active-duty force of about half a million troops. But with a birth rate of only 0.78 children per woman over a lifetime, the math might be South Koreas biggest enemy at the moment, and experts say it has no choice but to downsize its forces.

With our current birth rate, the future is predetermined. Downsizing of the force will be inevitable, said Choi Byung-ook, a national security professor at Sangmyung University.

To maintain current troops levels, the South Korean military needs to enlist or conscript 200,000 soldiers a year, he said.

But in 2022, fewer than 250,000 babies were born. Assuming about a 50-50 male-female split, that means in 20 years, when those children are of the age to join the military, only about 125,000 men will be available for the 200,000 spots needed.

Women are not conscripted in South Korea, and volunteer females accounted for only 3.6% of the current Korean military, according to Defense Ministry figures.

And the annual number of newborns is only forecasted to drop further, to 220,000 in 2025 and 160,000 in 2072, according to Statistics Korea.

Preparing for two decades

While South Koreas declining birth rate has been making headlines in recent years, its a trend the military had seen coming and prepared for.

In the early 2000s, Seoul voluntarily decided to reduce the number of active soldiers from 674,000 in 2006 to 500,000 by 2020, based on the premise that the threat from North Korea would gradually diminish, and to promote a smaller but more elite military force, according to a 2022 defense white paper.

South Koreas military has reached that goal, decreasing troop size by 27.6% in two decades, from 2002 to 2022.

But the premise that the threat from North Korea would diminish has proven false.

Kim Jong Un, the third consecutive member of his family dynasty to rule, came to power in Pyongyang in 2011. Despite brief lulls while he negotiated with South Korea and the United States to reduce tensions, he has pushed a massive buildup in the North Korean military, especially in its ballistic missile programs.

Following North Koreas test of its fifth intercontinental ballistic missile this year, Kim warned that his country would not hesitate to conduct a nuclear attack when the enemy provokes with its nuclear weapons, referring to the deployment of US nuclear-capable weapons platforms in

and around the Korean Peninsula, state-media KCNA reported earlier this month.

But if Kim were to attack across the 38th parallel, which divided North and South Korea after the 1953 armistice halting the Korean War, its the South Korean military that would bear the biggest defense burden.

Turning to tech

Experts say South Korea must look at science to counter that North Korean threat and turn a manpower crisis into a technology transformation.

Korean defense authorities have had this longstanding policy that we would go from a manpower-centric military to a technology-oriented military, said Chun In-bum, a former lieutenant general in the South Korean Army.

In 2005, South Koreas Defense Ministry released a plan to develop its military into a science-technology-centric force by 2020, but progress has been scant.

Although the military was trying to make the transition, there was no urge, because (with) South Koreas conscripts  there were plenty of human resources, Choi said.

But Russias war in Ukraine has shown the world that on the modern battlefield, sheer troop numbers arent enough. Of the 360,000 soldiers that made up Russias pre-invasion ground force, including contract and conscript personnel, Moscow has lost 315,000 on the battlefield, according to a recent US Defense Department assessment.

Ukraines use of drones and high-tech weapons supplied by Western partners have taken a deadly toll on Moscows greater force numbers.

South Korea has been putting an emphasis on integrating new technologies into its fighting units.

The Defense Ministry last year said it would make a phased transition to an AI-based manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) combat system, and introduced the Army TIGER brigade  a so-called future unit  which utilizes both manpower and unmanned equipment to carry out missions.

South Korea has also been developing unmanned military equipment, including the medium-altitude unmanned aerial vehicle (MUAV) and unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV).

Experts say troops are indispensable

But Chun, the former South Korean general, says technology is not a panacea.

For instance, it takes manpower to take and hold territory. And it takes well-trained and educated people to run and oversee artificial intelligence (AI) systems on the battlefield.

Its not going to be enough, and no matter how we try, Chun said of technology. Its going to help, but it will not solve the problem that we lack people.

Both he and Choi have ideas on how to get more out of a smaller military force.

For one, leverage of the conscription system and the reserve component that it yields, Chun said.

We need to revamp our mobilization system, where well be able to tap into the large number of reserve population that we have, Chun said.

After South Korean men finish their 18 to 21 months of mandatory military service, they become reservists for eight years. During this time, they get called into assigned units once a year to remind them of their positions and duties. And after that, they are subject to participate in civil defense training every year until the age of 40.

The system now gives South Korea 3.1 million reserve troops.

Reservists must attend a two-night, three-day training session every year.

One ongoing pilot system is to have a select number of those reservists train for 180 days a year, to reinforce their skills.

Another option is increasing the number of professional cadres  commissioned, warrant and non-commissioned officers  all of whom are volunteers, serving longer terms, during which they would become well-versed in operating advanced weapons to prevent a gap in combat capability despite the reduction of standing forces, according to the 2022 white paper.

The military has been increasing the ratio of cadres among its total force from 31.6% in 2017 to 40.2% in 2022, according to the Defense Ministry. A further rise to 40.5% by 2027 is planned, it said.

A recruitment problem

One problem with this plan: The population isnt buying in.

The number of applicants for commissioned officer positions has fallen over the years, from about 30,000 in 2018 to 19,000 in 2022, according to Defense Ministry data.

The military is having a huge difficulty in securing outstanding entry-level professional cadres who would, in 10, 20 years, form an outstanding officer corps, Choi said, pointing out that insufficient financial and social benefits for cadres are the main reason behind falling application rates.

And what about turning to women, even in a military with conscription?

Israel has conscription and 40% of its conscripted force is female, according to the Jewish Womens Archive. In the all-volunteer US and Canadian armed forces, more than 16% of the troops are women.

Choi said conscripting women could solve South Koreas problem, but he said there are too many impediments to it in Koreas traditionally patriarchal society. And even if those are overcome, it could simply be too expensive.

There are various complex factors like social costs and women giving birth. So, I think the cost [in need] would be much higher than the actual profit, he said.

But Chun thinks attracting women volunteers is doable if the pay is attractive enough.

If a solder is paid $2,000 [per month], thats a legitimate job. So, a woman would say, well I want to be able to have that job for $2,000. Because for the same job, shed probably be paid $1,500 in the outside world, he said.

For its part, the Defense Ministry says increasing the number of women who serve is a possibility among other ideas.

But there are no timelines for changes and time may be something South Korea doesnt have much of.

Earlier this month, Statistics Korea reported that the record low birth rate is expected to drop even further in the next two years, to 0.65 births per woman in 2025.

CNNs Brad Lendon contributed to this report.
TAMPA, Fla. - The Israel-Gaza War has renewed calls for a two-state solution in the Middle East, but efforts to create an independent Palestinian nation have failed for decades.

As Israel leads its offensive in Gaza, the United States is advising Israel to take additional steps to reduce civilian casualties and develop a long-term plan to pursue after the war end. The leading options have all drawn controversy and mixed response.

There could be whats called a one-state solution, in which Israel absorbs Gaza and governs the Gaza Strip and West Bank as part of Israel. The amount of control Palestinians have would depend on whatever rights they are granted.

READ: Pope Francis, in Christmas Day blessing, begs for Israel-Hamas cease-fire

However, the Biden administration favors a two-state solution, in which Israelis and Palestinians have their own independent nations. And, President Joe Biden sees the Palestinian Authority playing an important role in an independent Palestinian state.

The challenge is calling for a Palestinian state (or a two-state solution) is that its getting increasingly harder to pull off as time passes. Gaza used to be part of Egypt and the West Bank used to be part of Jordan until prior wars in which Israel took Gaza from Egypt and West Bank from Jordan.

Israel ended the ground occupation of Gaza nearly 20 years ago and Hamas took over  raising concerns among Israelis over who would (or eventually could) govern a new Palestinian nation.

MORE: Christmas events canceled in Bethlehem due to Israel-Hamas war

At the same time, a growing number of Israeli settlers are moving into the West Bank, which the Palestinians see as a push to squeeze them out.

"King Abdullah might be the most important, because he is, in relative terms, the most cooperative of all the Arab leaders, the most supportive of a two-state solution, most supportive of peace between Israel and the Arab states," said Michael Nacht, a UC Berkeley professor emeritus.

Theres also a challenge with geography in the West Bank. The growing Israeli settlements and Palestinian towns are spaced around each other in ways that make it difficult to geographically divide them into two states.
Israeli tanks are pushing deeper into central and southern Gaza, with airstrikes killing more than 160 people in the last 24 hours, according to health officials in the Hamas-run territory.

Fighting is focused in Al-Bureij, Nuseirat, Maghazi and Khan Younis, backed by intensive airstrikes that filled hospitals with wounded Palestinians.

At Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, the biggest and most important medical facility in the south of the tiny, crowded territory, a Red Crescent video showed paramedics rushing a tiny, dust-covered baby into the busy hospital as one shouted: There is breathing, there is breathing. Health authorities in Gaza said 165 people have been killed and 250 wounded during the last day.

Almost all of Gazas 2.3 million residents have been forced from their homes by Israels 12-week assault, triggered after Hamas and allied groups killed 1,200 people and captured 240 hostages in a rampage in southern Israel on 7 October.

The offensive has killed at least 21,672 Palestinians, according to health authorities in Gaza, with more than 56,000 injured and thousands more feared dead under rubble. Israel says 170 of its military personnel have been killed in the Gaza fighting.

The conflict risks spreading across the region, drawing in Iran-aligned groups in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and Yemen, that have exchanged fire with Israel or targeted merchant shipping.

The aftermath of an Israeli strike in Rafah, southern Gaza (AP)

The bombardment of Gaza has destroyed houses, apartment blocks and businesses, and put hospitals out of action. On Saturday the Palestinian Culture Ministry said Israeli strikes had struck a medieval bathhouse.

Ziad, a medic in Maghazi in central Gaza, who was fleeing with his family of three children to Rafah, on the border with Egypt, said: We want a ceasefire now. Not tomorrow even. Enough, more than enough, already.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) told the BBC on Saturday it estimates that at least 100,000 people have moved into Rafah, the most southerly city in Gaza, in the last few days

Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant said on Friday troops were reaching Hamas command centres and arms depots. Pictures released by the military showed soldiers moving across churned-up earth among the ruins of buildings.

The Israeli military said it had destroyed a tunnel complex in the basement of one of the houses of the Hamas leader for Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, in Gaza City. Troops also raided the Hamas military intelligence headquarters and an Islamic Jihad command centre in Khan Younis, killing several gunmen elsewhere in the town as they prepared ambushes and destroyed targets including a weapons foundry, a military statement said.

In northern Gaza, Israeli forces killed more than 15 gunmen in clashes and captured weapons caches, the statement said.

Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad said in separate statements their fighters destroyed and damaged several Israeli tanks and troop carriers in attacks across Gaza on Saturday. They also said they fired mortar bombs against Israeli forces in Khan Younis and Al-Bureij, as well as in areas in northern Gaza.

Israels stated aim is to destroy Hamas, and while the US has called for it to scale down the war in coming weeks and move to targeted operations against the groups leaders, so far it shows no sign of doing so.

On Friday, the US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, approved the sale of more artillery shells and other equipment to Israel without congressional review, the Pentagon said. Israel said on Friday it had facilitated the entry of vaccines into Gaza in coordination with UNICEF, the UN childrens agency, to help prevent the spread of disease.

The little aid reaching the enclave since the start of the war, when Israel imposed a near-total blockade on all food, medicine and fuel, has come across the border with Egypt.

Israel has only allowed access to the south of the territory, where it started ordering all Gaza civilians to move from October. Aid agencies have said Israeli inspections have stopped all but a small fraction of supplies getting in.

Al-Bureij, Nuseirat and Khan Younis are three of eight camps set up in Gaza for some of the Palestinians who fled or were driven from their homes during Israels creation in 1948. The camps have gradually become crowded urban areas after decades of building. Other Palestinian refugees live in camps in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and the occupied West Bank.
Palestinians crowd to buy Egyptian frozen meat after the Israeli authorities allowed it to enter from the Karem Shalom crossing into the Gaza Strip. This is the first time frozen meat has entered since the war between Israel and the Hamas movement started. Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa

Israel's military has announced a four-hour tactical pause in fighting in a camp in Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip on Saturday.

Military activities there would be temporarily suspended for humanitarian reasons, an army spokesman announced in Arabic on the X platform. The pause is so that the population can obtain supplies, he wrote.

Israel's military had previously called on residents of the embattled city of Khan Younis in the south of the coastal area to seek safety in Rafah near the Egyptian border.

On Saturday, the army also designated a route for civilians to bypass the route previously used for fleeing through Khan Younis, which the military said was dangerous.

Thousands of Palestinians have taken shelter in tents in Rafah, according to reports.

Following the expansion of Israeli attacks to the central section of the Gaza Strip, there is hardly any space left for the internally displaced persons, according to UN information.

The city of Rafah, for example, is "bursting at the seams," the Gaza Director of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Thomas White, said a few days ago.

People search for victims between the rubble of a damaged building following an Israeli attack on Al-Wawi family building in Nuseirat Camp, Gaza Strip. Naaman Omar/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

A general view of a damaged building following an Israeli attack on Al-Wawi family building in Nuseirat Camp, Gaza Strip. Naaman Omar/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
Israeli officials have ordered new investigations into reports of digging noises under an Israeli town near the West Bank this week.

Residents of Bat Hefer have reported hearing digging noises beneath their homes, which lies just across the border from the West Bank city of Tulkarem. Officials have conducted three previous checks and found no evidence of tunneling, but the city council has now ordered an additional two checks, according to the Times of Israel.

One Bat Hefer resident recorded the noises and played them on a public broadcast, according to Israeli media. Citizens across the country remain in a heightened state of tension as they fear another attack similar to Hamas' Oct. 7 massacre.

"We take the reports very seriously, and are working overtime to check the issue in a comprehensive and professional manner, using various methods. So far, three checks have been carried out and two more checks will be carried out in the coming days. So far, there have been no findings to indicate digging," The Emek Hefer Regional Council told Israeli media.

AMBUSH ATTACK KILLS SEVERAL ISRAELI SOLDIERS IN GAZA CITY: IDF

Residents of the town say they remain afraid as they see Hezbollah launching missiles and rockets across Israel's northern border.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

FBI, DHS WARN OF THREATS TO PUBLIC SAFETY DURING HOLIDAY SEASON, AMPLIFIED BY ISRAEL-HAMAS CONFLICT

"The situation is really not good," resident Gadi Ohayon stated on Israeli radio. "We live in a constant state of insecurity, the settlement is targeted with direct and indirect fire almost every day. We can show you pictures of shells from our yards."

A Palestinian fighter takes part in the funeral of men killed during an Israeli raid in the occupied West Bank, on December 8, 2023, in the village of al-Fara. Israeli forces shot dead six Palestinians on December 12, 2023, in a raid on a refugee camp in the north of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, the Palestinian health ministry said.

"They are rocking us, just like they rocked the South and just like they rock the North. We are no less at risk. Maybe it won't happen in a minute, but we can't be surprised. Once they cross the fence of Bat Hefer and the nearby settlements, Kfar Saba, Raanana, Hadera, Netanya, and the entire line will come under fire, up to the sea," he added.

The Israeli military is working to eradicate Hamas from the terrorist organization's labyrinth of tunnels beneath Gaza. IDF troops began pumping seawater into the Hamas tunnel system on Dec. 14, but officials warned it would be a weeks-long process.

Israel has identified about 800 tunnels beneath Gaza that Hamas has used to move fighters, store weapons and plan terror attacks on Israel. Israeli officials believe the tunnel network is much larger, however.

Fox News' Greg Norman contributed to this report





Original article source: Israeli officials to investigate digging noises near West Bank as locals fear Oct 7-like terror attack
Russia will likely continue to conduct strikes against Ukraine in the coming days to coincide with the New Year holiday as they did last year in an effort to degrade Ukrainian morale, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported in their daily assessment on Dec. 29.

Russian forces may still decide to strike Ukrainian energy infrastructure at scale in the coming months, although the ISW wrote that a Russian effort to break Ukraines will to fight is very unlikely to succeed.

Russian forces likely also intend for strikes on residential areas to exploit and amplify Ukrainian social tensions.

The strikes Russian forces launched on Dec. 29 appear to be a culmination of several months of Russian experimentation with various drone and missile combinations and efforts to test Ukrainian air defenses, according to the ISW.

Over the past several months, Russian forces have conducted a series of missile and drone strikes, using various combinations of drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles.

Russia launched 75 Shahed attack drones on Nov. 25, predominantly on Kyiv. Seventy-four out of 75 drones were shot down, but the attack lasted for six hours and was the most intense attack on the capital before the Dec. 29 attack.

As a result of the Nov. 25 attack, at least two people were injured and several residential and non-residential buildings were damaged across the city.

Read also: Update: Largest Russian drone attack on Kyiv injures 5

Russia was likely deliberately stockpiling missiles of various sizes through the fall and early winter of 2023 to apply lessons learned over the course of recent reconnaissance and probing missions, using the Shahed attack drones to bypass Ukrainian air defenses while utilizing missiles to inflict maximal damage on intended targets.

Current Russian missile and drone reserves and production rates likely do not allow Russian forces to conduct regular large-scale missile strikes but likely do allow for more consistent drone strikes, the ISW said.

Russia manufactured 40 Kh-101 cruise missiles and 20 Kalibr cruise missiles in October 2023 alone, as well as four Kinzhal ballistic missiles, Vadym Skibitskyi, a representative of Ukraine's Military Intelligence (HUR), said in an interview with RBC Ukraine on Nov. 6. said.

These account for 64 of the 115 high-precision missiles with a range over 350 kilometers that Russia produced in October, he said. Russia had about 870 high-precision missiles in its arsenal at the time of the interview, Skibitskyi said.

Skibitskyis statements about recent Russian missile reserve totals and monthly production rates indicated that Russian forces are unable to sustain repeated large-scale missile strikes comparable to the Dec. 29 strikes, the ISW said.

Russia unleashed its largest air attack on Ukraine on Dec. 29, targeting multiple Ukrainian regions with 158 missiles and drones.

The attack killed 30 people and injured over 160 as of 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 29, according to Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko. The number of victims might increase as rescue operations continued as of 8 p.m. on Dec. 29.

Read also: Hit the Kremlin: Kyivans dont hold back after Russias mass attack kills 9, wounds 30 in the capital

Casualties were previously reported in Kyiv, Odesa, Dnipro, Lviv, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said it was "the most massive attack."

Ukraine downed 114 of 158 Russian missiles and drones, according to the Air Force. Among the downed targets were 27 Russian Shahed attack drones and 87 cruise missiles.

In total, Russia launched 36 drones, at least 90 Kh-101/Kh-555/Kh-55 cruise missiles, eight Kh-22/Kh-32 cruise missiles, 14 S-300/S-400/Iskander ballistic missiles, as well as five Kinzhal ballistic missiles, four anti-radar missiles, and one Kh-59 cruise missile.

"Russia was attacking with almost everything it has in its arsenal," Zelensky wrote on Telegram in the morning following the attack.

Zelensky said the attack destroyed or damaged over 100 private houses, along with 45 multi-story buildings, schools, two churches, hospitals, a maternity hospital, and numerous commercial and warehouse premises across Ukraine.

"Targets are already familiar for Russia," he said.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Russias largest air attack on Ukraine kills 30, injures over 160

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There is little question that Delors was by far the most significant president of the European Commission over the last half century - Eric Piermont/AFP

It was supposed to have created the worlds largest commercial space, to have massively boosted trade, and to sharply improve competitiveness, giving the Continents companies the domestic base that enabled them to take on the world.

The eulogies to Jacques Delors following his death last week made it clear that the creation of the European Unions single market was not just his greatest achievement, but the finest political and economic legacy of his generation.

And yet one point is surely clear: the single market has been a dismal failure, slowing growth and dragging Europe down with it. The UK is better off out of it  and a few more countries would be as well.

There is little question that Delors was by far the most significant president of the European Commission over the last half century. It was his vision and determination that created the single market. An ambitious project to turn the whole of Europe into a single unified economic bloc, taking down any remaining barriers to trade, it was finally launched at the start of 1993 amid great fanfare.

This year the EU has been celebrating its 30th anniversary, and praising its achievements. Likewise, on his passing, the single market has been lauded as his greatest achievement.

An idea he brought to life, the establishment of the single market ... and the early stages of a single currency [helped in] shaping a prosperous and influential European bloc, said his successor as president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in a statement on his death.

Delors successor Ursula von der Leyen said he had helped shape a prosperous and influential European bloc - Ksenia Kuleshova/Bloomberg

Well, perhaps. And yet, an obituary is also a moment for an honest reflection on someones work and achievements. And three decades is surely enough time to judge anything. And it should be clear to anyone by now that the single market has not achieved anything like the promises that were made for it. Just take a look at some of the evidence.

To start with, intra-EU trade, that is the flow of goods between different member states, which should have been boosted massively by the single market, has scarcely moved. It rose to about 22pc of manufactured goods in the early 1990s, solidifying a trend that started in the 1960s and 1970s, and after that remained completely static.

Next, instead of accelerating, growth has slowed down, certainly compared to the United States, and now compared with China and increasingly with India as well.

As a percentage of global GDP, the EU has fallen from around 30pc two decades ago to to roughly 15pc now, and while the departure of the UK, and the rising prosperity of other regions played a part in that, it was the consistently low growth of most of the EU that is by far the main explanation for its relative decline.

The actual verifiable impact of the single market has mostly fallen short of the (in part highly optimistic) forecasts, admitted Deutsche Bank in an analysis to mark its 20th anniversary a decade ago. That was certainly true then, and 10 years nothing has happened to change that verdict.

Europhiles never tire of pointing out that Margaret Thatcher was a huge supporter of the single market - Bob Dear/AP

So what went wrong with Delors vision? As it happens, the single market was a great idea. As Europhiles never tire of pointing out, Margaret Thatcher was a huge supporter of it. After all, reducing barriers to trade and encouraging competition should help growth.

The trouble was, the single market as designed in Brussels had four major flaws. First, instead of being based on open access, it created a huge new regulatory system that meant products had to be approved by Brussels bureaucrats instead of national ones. Relatively light-touch regulatory regimes were replaced by a centralised one which, even worse, was often driven by corporate lobbying rather than what worked for consumers. The result? Growth and innovation were crushed.

Next, it included a huge increase in social legislation. If the single market only applied to goods it might have worked, but Delors, as you might expect from a French socialist, insisted it regulated working hours and wages as well. That undermined competitiveness.

Thirdly, it never really applied to services. But since they account for 85pc or more of output in every major European economy (only Germany, where manufacturing still accounts for nearly 19pc of output bucks that trend) it meant the the vast bulk of the economy was not impacted one way or another.

Not many of us pop over to Spain for a haircut even if it is a little cheaper, nor do we hire a Greek lawyer to draw up a will. The EU remained rooted in the distant past where factories dominated the economy, not the service based world we actually live in.

Finally, it was accompanied by the creation of the single currency, which was planned alongside the market reforms, and finally launched at the start of the century. And yet, a single market doesnt need a single currency: the far more successful North American Free Trade Zone (Nafta) launched in the same year gets along fine with three different currencies. The euro turned out to be so poorly designed that it plunged half the Continent into a permanent depression.

The goal of the single market was to boost growth and prosperity. It was meant to enable the Continent to keep pace with the other great global economic blocs. As its architect, Delors was always clear about that. It was a worthy enough goal.

And yet three decades on, it has clearly failed. His real legacy is one of growing economic irrelevance and decline. It is a measure of how deluded most of the EUs leaders still are that they think it is an achievement to be celebrated.

The UK was quite right to leave alongside our departure from the EU. And perhaps over the next few years a few more countries should get out as well.

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TRENTON, Mich. (FOX 2) - A 36-year-old New Jersey man was arrested and charged with attempted kidnapping after he allegedly stalked an ex-girlfriend for months.

He was taken into custody by Trenton police after they found several concerning items inside a rental car that George Mandarakas had obtained, including foreign currency, magnetic tracking devices, and plans to travel outside the U.S. Further investigation by the FBI found Mandarakas was in possession of weapons, rope, handcuffs, and a field dressing kit.

According to a federal complaint submitted to the U.S. District Court of Michigan in Detroit, Mandarakas had tracked and followed an ex-girlfriend for months after she broke up with him.

Their relationship began in 2019, lasting four and a half years before the victim learned Mandarakas had lied about his age. She would end the relationship then.

Instead, the suspect left his home in New Jersey and stayed at a hotel in Trenton, Michigan. He sent the victim numerous texts and attempted to contact her. On Oct. 1, the 27-year-old victim agreed to meet with the suspect in a park, where she again declined his advances.

Tracking device allegedly used by George Mandarakas. Photo via Federal complaint.

Mandarakas attempted to block her from leaving before the victim left.

A month and a half later, the victim came across Mandarakas again outside a salon in Woodhaven. According to the federal complaint, the suspect tried proposing to the victim with a diamond ring. She again declined his advances and left.

However, Mandarakas continued appearing where the victim would travel, sounding more insistent they would be together, the federal complaint said.

The victim would later learn that Mandarakas had placed a tracking device on her car. It was discovered after the victim spoke to a family member who was a private detective. Around the same time, the victim received a phone call from a friend of Mandarakas who voiced concern he could hurt her.

On Christmas Day, a family member of the victim drove her vehicle to a church in Trenton, then waited in a different vehicle and waited. A short time later, Mandarakas appeared in a rental car, parked in the parking lot, before walking into the church.

Twenty minutes passed before he exited the church and was approached by police. He was questioned by law enforcement why he was there and after answering, was arrested for stalking.

Trenton police searched the vehicle he was using and found several items, including:

A large quantity of US and Canadian currency

Multiple cell phones,

An additional Spytec GPS magnetic tracking device

A map of times and distance to sail from Florida to Cuba, and a map to sail from New Jersey to Morocco.

Also found was a supply list to include supplies for water, food, antibiotics, changing name to Josh Tulls or Tully,

A satellite phone, and not activating the phones until "on the run and left other phone behind."

A key to a Hyundai and a rental slip from Hertz rental car in Woodhaven were also located in the vehicle

With that information, federal law enforcement located Mandarakas' own car and obtained a search warrant. They found a firearm, ammunition, handcuffs, rope, a stun gun, a knife, field dressing kit, and a tarp with a shipping tag addressed to his New Jersey residence.

"While the harm the defendant is alleged to have committed cannot be undone, all of the investigative efforts resulting in today's court appearance is a first step towards justice," said Cheyvoryea Gibson, special agent in charge of the FBI in Michigan.

A conviction for federal attempted kidnapping carries a max sentence up to 20 years.
Jennifer Adkins and her husband, John, from Caldwell, Idaho talk to the media outside the Ada County Courthouse Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023 in Boise, Idaho. The two are plaintiffs in a case concerning access to abortive care in Idaho. An attorney for Idaho asked a judge on Thursday to throw out a lawsuit seeking clarity about the medical exemptions to the state's broad abortion bans, saying it was based on hypothetical situations rather than current facts. (AP Photo/Kyle Green)

An Idaho judge on Friday denied a request by the state's top legal chief to throw out a lawsuit seeking to clarify the exemptions tucked inside the state's broad abortion ban.

Instead, 4th District Judge Jason Scott narrowed the case to focus only on the circumstances where an abortion would be allowed and whether abortion care in emergency situations applies to Idaho's state constitutional right to enjoy and defend life and the right to secure safety.

Scott's decision comes just two weeks after a hearing where Idaho's Attorney General Raul Labrador's office attempted to dismiss the case spearheaded by four women and several physicians, who filed the case earlier this year.

Similar lawsuits are playing out around the nation, with some of them, like Idahos, brought by the Center for Reproductive Rights on behalf of doctors and pregnant people who were denied access to abortions while facing serious pregnancy complications.

According to the Center for Reproductive Rights, Idaho's Constitution entitles its residents to certain fundamental rights, but a sweeping abortion ban poses a risk to those rights.

Labrador's office countered that the Idaho Supreme Court has already upheld the state's abortion bans  thus solving any lingering questions on the matter.

Scott agreed in part with the state attorneys that the state Supreme Court ruled there was no fundamental right to abortion inside the state constitution, but added that the court didn't reject every conceivable as applied challenge that might be made in a future case.

Were grateful the court saw through the states callous attempt to ignore the pain and suffering their laws are causing Idahoans, said Gail Deady, a senior staff attorney for the Center for Reproductive Rights. Now the state of Idaho will be forced to answer to these women in a court of law.

Meanwhile, the Idaho judge also sided with the attorney general in removing Gov. Brad Little, Labrador, and the Idaho Board of Medicine as named defendants in the lawsuit  leaving the state of Idaho as the only remaining defendant. Scott called the long list of defendants as redundant, saying that all three would be subject to whatever is ultimately decided in the lawsuit.

This is only the beginning of this litigation, but the Attorney General is encouraged by this ruling, Labrador's office said in a statement. He has long held that the named defendants were simply inappropriate, and that our legislatively passed laws do not violate the Idaho Constitution by narrowly limiting abortions or interfering with a doctors right to practice medicine.

The four women named in the case were all denied abortions in Idaho after learning they were pregnant with fetuses that were unlikely to go to term or survive birth, and that the pregnancies also put them at risk of serious medical complications. All four traveled to Oregon or Washington for the procedures.

Idaho has several abortion bans, but notably Idaho lawmakers approved a ban as a trigger law in March of 2020, before the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

At the time, any suggestion that the ban could harm pregnant people was quickly brushed off by the bills sponsor, Republican Sen. Todd Lakey, who said during one debate that the health of the mother weighs less, yes, than the life of the child.

The trigger ban took effect in 2022. Since then, Idahos roster of obstetricians and other pregnancy-related specialists has been shrinking.
A federal judge blocked parts of an Iowa law banning almost any books depicting sexual activity in school libraries and limiting discussions in state schools about LGBTQ+ identities Friday.

District Judge Stephen Locher blocked two parts of the law, Senate File 496  one focused on books and the depiction or description of sexual activity being removed in Iowa public school libraries, and another focused on forbidding programs, promotion and instruction to sixth graders or below relating to gender identity and sexual orientation by teachers and school districts.

The law is incredibly broad and has resulted in the removal of hundreds of books from school libraries, including, among others, nonfiction history books, classic works of fiction, Pulitzer Prize winning contemporary novels, books that regularly appear on Advanced Placement exams, and even books designed to help students avoid being victimized by sexual assault, Locher said in the ruling.

The Friday decision came after two lawsuits by two separate groups were filed within a few days of each other last month. One of the lawsuits was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Iowa and Lambda Legal on behalf of Iowa Safe Schools, a nonprofit organization supporting LGBTQ+ and allied youths, and seven Iowa students and their families. The other was filed by the publisher Penguin Random House and four bestselling authors, alongside parents, educators and the Iowa State Education Administration.

Locher, however, did not block a part of the law in which school districts would have to notify parents if their child asks to use different pronouns than those in school registration records or otherwise seeks an accommodation relating to gender identity. He said only plaintiffs in the Iowa Safe Schools case challenged that part of the law.

They are all already out to their families and therefore not affected in a concrete way by this requirement, Locher said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
(FOX40.COM)  A Yuba County judge ruled that a man who was sentenced to life in prison for his involvement in a 1998 double murder, but recently became eligible for parole under a new law, will not be released from prison.

The court got this one right, said Yuba County District Attorney Clinton Curry.

He did his time: Man found to be an accessory to a double-murder in 1998 could be released soon thanks to a recent law

Marysville native Leon Lampkin Jr. was convicted of being an accessory to double murder, first-degree burglary, attempted robbery, and personal use of a firearm in 1998. According to court records, Lampkin and co-defendant Michael Owens attempted to rob brothers Alejandro and Leoncio Jimenez at their home. During the attempted robbery, the victims fought back but were ultimately killed by gunfire.

Lampkin was not found to be the person who shot the brothers, but under the law at that time, the punishment for being an accessory was the same as if he pulled the trigger. Lampkin was sentenced to two life terms in prison, however, that judgment was almost thrown out after former California governor, Jerry Brown, signed into law Senate Bill 1437 (SB 1437).

They deserve life in prison: Daughters of man murdered in 1998 double homicide speak out for the first time

SB 1437 changed the states murder conviction law by limiting who can be prosecuted for murder and felony murder. According to SB 1437, a person who was an accessory to murder could not be convicted in the first degree. The law was also applied retroactively to those already convicted, including Lampkin, whos been in prison for 25 years.

Although Lampkin became eligible to petition for a release from prison under the new law, a judge still had the final say. After several months of deliberation, evidentiary hearings, and witness testimony this year, Judge Stephen W. Berrier declined Lampkins request for parole.

Defendant knew before-hand that this robbery would take place with weapons, at a residence in the late evening when it was dark, Berrier said in his ruling. The extreme, particular dangers of this crime could not have been unperceived by Defendant (Lampkin) given the timing, location and target in spite of Owens encouragement that it would go smooth and Defendants relative youth.

Lampkin was 22 years old at the time of the crime and according to court records, he was approached by Owens, who was older, and told that the robbery would go smooth.

The judge advised that the recent hearings were not a retrial and that the purpose of hearing testimony and reviewing evidence was to determine if Lampkin should be released from prison. Berrier said that Lampkin knew during the commission of the crime there was a grave risk of death.

In weighing these factors, the court concludes that they tip in favor of finding that Defendant acted with reckless indifference to human life and the court so finds. Accordingly, Defendants petition is denied, Berrier said.

Lampkins family was surprised by the decision.

Dozens of family, friends, and neighbors who attended my brothers request for resentencing are as shocked as I am, Lampkins sister, Bertha Felix, told Fox40.com. We attended in earnest to ensure the specific resentencing law was followed.

Felix said that Lampkin would not receive a life sentence without the possibility of parole if he were tried under the new law, today.

I share the Jimenez familys grief for their loss and do not want to minimize their pain in any way, Felix said. I will, however, continue to fight for justice.

The verdict came as good news for the victims family.

My sister and I are grateful to the deputy DA (district attorney), Caitlin, for all the hard work she put in and to the judge for seeing Lampkin for who he is, Natalie Jimenez, Alejandro Jimenezs daughter, said to FOX40.com. This decision was a great ending to a trying year.

Other family members have mixed emotions.

Its definitely a sigh of relief, but I also feel for his (Lampkin) family, said Marisol Jimenez, another daughter of Alejandro. I dont know how to feel, honestly, because his family approached me during one of the hearings. Some of his sisters and friends of his family prayed over me. They told me a lot of nice things.

She does not blame Lampkins family for the death of her family members.

Its not their fault they have a brother who is a criminal, Marisol said. Im just glad that I can put this behind me, somewhat, and let my dad and uncle rest.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40.
Dinosaur fans got up close and personal with the exhibits during Jurassic Quest at the Kentucky Expo Center on Sunday afternoon. 2/2/20

Fans of the stegosaurus, triceratops and tyrannosaurus rex can travel back in time to the Jurassic period in an immersive dinosaur experience returning to the Kentucky Exposition Center in January.

Jurassic Quest will bring a "herd of photorealistic dinosaurs" to Louisville Jan. 5-7 and Jan. 12-15, organizers of the event said in a press release. The dinosaur-related attractions include exhibits, shows, rides, fossil digs and play areas for children.

For its 2024 tour, Jurassic Quest will debut a live video tour led by dinosaur trainers.

What is Jurassic Quest?

Founded in 2013, the traveling dinosaur exhibition allows viewers to get a close look at what the earth's giant creatures would have looked like more than 100 million years ago.

When is Jurassic Quest open in Louisville?

Friday, Jan. 5: 1 to 8 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 6: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 7: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 12: 1 to 8 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 13: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 14: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Monday, Jan. 15: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

How much are tickets to Jurassic Quest?

Tickets can be purchased online at tickets.jurassicquest.com. Souvenirs, photos and face paintings are sold separately.

General admission for guests ages 11-64 is $22 per person

Standard admission for children ages 2-10 is $22 per person (tickets for activities will be available for purchase at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, 937 Phillips Lane)

Unlimited activity tickets for children (includes access to rides, fossil digs, Jurassic Jeeps and inflatable attractions) are $36 per person

Tickets for adults 65 and older are $19 per person

Free admission for guests under the age of two

For more information on Jurassic Quest, visit jurassicquest.com online.

Reach reporter Leo Bertucci at lbertucci@gannett.com or @leober2chee on X, formerly known as Twitter

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Dinosaurs visit Louisville for Jurassic Quest
Court documents reveal a woman charged with first-degree-murder in the killing of a man whose body was found at Rocky Hollow Park in Clay County on Dec. 22 allegedly planned to cover up the mans death, and may have left the country.

According to a probable cause statement, Elena Delcarmen Flores, 48, is charged with first-degree murder, armed criminal action and abandonment of a corpse.

The document said on Dec. 22 at 8:15 a.m., a Clay County Parks and Recreation employee found a mans body near a roadway at Rocky Hollow Park, located at 14812 Old Quarry Road in the Excelsior Springs area.

The unidentified victim was found partially submerged in water with black plastic bags covering the mans head and lower body, according to the Clay County Sheriffs Office. While deputies were at the scene, a red substance consistent with blood was seen on the plastic bag covering the victims head.

As the victim was removed from the scene for processing, severe blunt force trauma was identified on the mans head and face, the deputy said in the statement.

The medical examiner conducted a preliminary autopsy and identified multiple blunt force trauma as the cause of death.

Based on reported evidence in the statement, Flores allegedly attacked the victim with a blunt instrument and attempted to cover up the crime scene by disposing and removing evidence.

During attempts to contact the victims family, authorities were told by a woman not identified in the statement that her mother was the victims girlfriend. The woman reportedly told officials that Flores went to Mexico because of a family emergency. Court documents said Flores reportedly advised the woman to tell anyone who called from her job that she resigned. The unidentified woman later told detectives she was upset because Flores allegedly used her car, a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta with Kansas plates, the entire day on Dec. 21.

The woman told authorities that on Dec. 20 into Dec. 21, she went inside a room after hearing a scream and found Flores holding a bat. Flores reportedly had the woman assist in carrying a mattress with a piece cut out, according to court documents. Flores and the woman allegedly placed the mattress on top of a silver Honda CRV. The location of the mattress is reportedly unknown, per court documents.

Court documents also include a statement from a juvenile witness who told deputies Flores said to stay in the living room and not to move while she and the woman cleaned the bedroom with acid and removed furniture and carpeting. According to the child, Flores advised her to lie about what she saw because she may go to jail. The statement further alleged that Flores repeatedly contacted the juvenile by text to delete all phone calls and records.

Based on evidence, authorities believe Flores fled to Mexico.

Authorities are asking anyone with information to call investigators at 816-407-3723 or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  The Kansas City, Missouri Police Department is on the scene of a deadly shooting Friday night.

The shooting was reported just after 7:30 p.m. in the area of Lyon Avenue and Hardesty Avenue in the citys old Historic Northeast neighborhood.

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When officers arrived on scene they located a man unresponsive in the street next to a vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene by EMS.

This marks Kansas Citys 180th homicide of 2023, breaking the 2020 record for the citys deadliest year.

This is one of 180 this year and one is too many, said KCPD Sgt. Jake Becchina. And 180 is absurd.

Detectives are continuing to work the scene looking for evidence and witnesses to learn what may have led to the shooting.

Anyone with information is asked to call the TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-8477.

Strangers rush to help victim after deadly Independence hit-and-run

FOX4 will continue to keep you updated as more information becomes available.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
Former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Reno, Nev., on Dec. 17, 2023. (Max Whittaker/The New York Times)

As the top elections official in Washington state, Steve Hobbs says he is troubled by the threat former President Donald Trump poses to democracy and fears the prospect of his return to power. But he also worries that recent decisions in Maine and Colorado to bar Trump from presidential primary ballots there could backfire, further eroding Americans fraying faith in U.S. elections.

Removing him from the ballot would, on its face value, seem very anti-democratic, said Hobbs, a Democrat who is in his first term as secretary of state. Then he added a critical caveat: But so is trying to overthrow your country.

Hobbs misgivings reflect deep divisions and unease among elected officials, democracy experts and voters over how to handle Trumps campaign to reclaim the presidency four years after he went to extraordinary lengths in an attempt to overturn the 2020 election. While some, like Hobbs, think it best that voters settle the matter, others say that Trumps efforts require accountability and should be legally disqualifying.

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Challenges to Trumps candidacy have been filed in at least 32 states, although many of those challenges have gained little or no traction, and some have languished on court dockets for months.

The decisions happening right now come amid a collapse of faith in the American electoral system, said Nate Persily, a Stanford Law School professor who specializes in election law and democracy.

We are walking in new constitutional snow here to try and figure out how to deal with these unprecedented developments, he said.

Persily and other legal experts said they expected the U.S. Supreme Court would ultimately overturn the decisions in Colorado and Maine to keep Trump on the ballot, perhaps sidestepping the question of whether Trump engaged in an insurrection. Persily is hopeful that whatever ruling the court issues will bring clarity  and soon.

This is not a political and electoral system that can deal with ambiguity right now, he said.

Trump and his supporters have called the disqualifications in Maine and Colorado partisan ploys that robbed voters of their right to choose candidates. They accused Democrats of hypocrisy for trying to bar Trump from the ballot after campaigning in the past two elections as champions of democracy.

After the Colorado Supreme Court ruled that Trump should be removed from the states primary ballot, Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, said in a statement: Apparently democracy is when judges tell people theyre not allowed to vote for the candidate leading in the polls? This is disgraceful. The Supreme Court must take the case and end this assault on American voters.

Chris Christie, a former governor of New Jersey and Trumps most ardent critic in the Republican primary, warned that Maines decision would turn Trump into a martyr.

But other prominent critics of Trump  many of them anti-Trump Republicans  said the threat he posed to democracy and his actions surrounding the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol now required an extraordinary intervention, whatever the electoral consequences.

The challenges are based on a Reconstruction-era provision of the 14th Amendment that prohibits anyone who has engaged in rebellion or insurrection from holding federal or state office.

J. Michael Luttig, a retired conservative federal appeals court judge, hailed Colorados and Maines decisions as unassailable interpretations of the Constitution. Officials in Maine and Colorado who disqualified Trump from the ballot have written that their decisions stemmed from following the language of the Constitution.

But on a recent sunny Friday afternoon in the Echo Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, Deena Drewis, 37, a copywriter, and Aaron Baggaley, 43, a contractor, both of whom have consistently voted for Democrats, expressed a queasy ambivalence over such an extraordinary step.

Im really just conflicted, Baggaley said. Its hard to imagine he didnt fully engage in insurrection. Everything points to it. But the other half of the country is in a position where they feel like it should be up to the electorate.

Officials in Democratic-controlled California have shown little appetite for following Colorado and Maine. Californias Democratic secretary of state, Shirley Weber, announced Thursday that Trump would remain on the ballot, and Gov. Gavin Newsom dismissed calls by other Democrats to remove him. We defeat candidates at the polls, Newsom said in a statement. Everything else is a political distraction.

In interviews, some voters and experts said it was premature to disqualify Trump because he had not been criminally convicted of insurrection. They worried that red-state officials could use the tactic to knock Democratic candidates off future ballots, or that the disqualifications could further poison the countrys political divisions while giving Trump a new grievance to rail against.

Attempts to disqualify demagogues with deep popular support often backfire, said Yascha Mounk, a professor and political scientist at Johns Hopkins University who has written about threats to democracies. The only way to neutralize the danger posed by authoritarian populists like Donald Trump is to beat them at the ballot box, as decisively as possible and as often as it takes.

The decisions by Colorados highest court and Maines secretary of state barring Trump from state primary ballots are on hold for now and are likely to be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court.

While most of the challenges to Trumps candidacy have been proceeding in federal or state courts, Maines Constitution required the voters seeking to disqualify Trump to file a petition with the secretary of state, putting the politically volatile and hugely consequential decision into the hands of Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, a Democrat.

Her counterparts in other states said that they had spent months discussing whether they could face a similar decision, and that they had been talking with other elections officials and their legal teams about the thickets of state laws governing each states elections.

In Washington state, Hobbs said he did not believe he had the power as secretary of state to unilaterally remove Trump from the ballot. He was relieved, he said, because he did not think one person should have the power to decide who qualifies to run for president.

The stakes for the nation were enormous, Hobbs said, because of the damage Trump had already done to faith in the nations elections.

Its hard to put the genie back in the bottle, he said. This is going to be a long-term effort to try to regain trust among those who have lost it.

Jena Griswold, Colorados Democratic secretary of state, said in an interview this past week that she supported decisions by Bellows and the Colorado Supreme Court to remove Trump from the ballot.

Election workers and secretaries of state have increasingly become the targets of conspiracy theorists and violent threats since Trumps refusal to accept his 2020 defeat; Griswold said she had received 64 death threats since the lawsuit seeking to remove Trump from the ballot was filed by six Republican and unaffiliated voters in Colorado.

All of us swear to uphold our state constitution and the U.S. Constitution, Griswold said. Making these decisions takes bravery and courage.

Her office announced this past week that, because Trumps case had been appealed, his name would be included on Colorados primary ballots unless the U.S. Supreme Court said otherwise or declined to take up his case.

In Arizona, placing Trump on the ballot was a more cut-and-dry decision, said Adrian Fontes, the Democratic secretary of state. He said that state law required him to list any candidate who had been certified in two other states.

He called the blizzard of legal rulings, dissents and contradictory opinions swirling around Trumps place on the ballot a slow-rolling civics lesson that demonstrated the countrys democratic resilience.

I kind of celebrate the notion its complicated, he said. Were having this conversation because thats what democracy is about.

c.2023 The New York Times Company
Kaitlin Armstrong, the Texas yoga teacher who was convicted of killing her love rival, claimed she was pregnant around the time of her arrest in Costa Rica, court filings have revealed.

The bombshell claim was made in a bid for a new trial that was filed by Armstrongs attorney on 15 December, according to DailyMail.com, who obtained the filings.

Kaitlin has also been pregnant twice, once occasion of which was during or near the time of her arrest, the filing reads.

Last month, Armstrong was sentenced to 90 years in prison for fatally shooting professional cyclist Anna Moriah Mo Wilson, the same night Mo had dinner with Armstrongs boyfriend, Colin Strickland. Wilson was a competitive gravel and mountain bike racer from Vermont who had briefly dated Mr Strickland in 2021.

Armstrong was questioned by police just three days after the killing but once freed, she fled to Costa Rica leading the authorities on an intensive 43-day manhunt that ultimately ended in her capture despite her effort to disguise her identity with dyed hair and plastic surgery.

Kaitlin Armstrong enters the courtroom on 16 November. She was sentenced to 90 years in prison after fatally shooting professional cyclist Anna Moriah Mo Wilson (Gannett)

In the appeal filed earlier this month, Armstrongs attorney attempts to paint his client as a more sympathetic person  the daughter of an alcoholic mother, whose dad abandoned her and who was the victim of sexual abuse.

As her family struggled during her childhood, her childhood friend also recalled Kaitlin was the victim of multiple instances of (actual or attempted) sexual violence, the attorney wrote.

During Armstrongs trial last month, the court heard from her former boyfriend Mr Strickland about their relationship as well as his on again, off again relationship with Wilson.

When Armstrong found out about the relationship, she became furious and was shaking in anger and stated that she wanted to kill Wilson, according to the affidavit.

The affidavit also revealed Armstrong began calling Wilson and ordering her to stay away from her boyfriend.

On the day of Wilsons murder she had arranged to meet fellow pro-cyclist Mr Strickland, with whom she had an on-again, off-again relationship when he and his then-girlfriend Armstrong were on a hiatus.

They went swimming at the Deep Eddy Pool public aquatic centre in Austin before going for a meal at nearby Pool Burger, Mr Strickland, 35, told investigators. He dropped Wilson off at her friends home at around 8.30pm.

She was found dead hours later.

At Armstrongs trial, Assistant District Attorney Rick Jones told the jury: Ive never seen so much evidence in my life against one person.

The last thing Mo Wilson did was scream in terror, Mr Jones said. She stood over her after she shot her in the head twice and put another bullet in her heart ... you heard the medical examiner. That third bullet was in her heart.

Moriah Mo Wilson was one of the top gravel racing cyclists in the world (Instagram/Mo Wilson)

Vehicle satellite records, phone-tracking data and surveillance video from a nearby home showed Armstrongs Jeep driving around the apartment and parking in an alley shortly before Wilson was killed.

Defence Attorney Rick Cofer told the jury that Armstrong had been caught in a nightmare of circumstantial evidence.

After 43 days on the run, Armstrong was arrested and brought back to the United States and charged with first-degree murder. She pleaded not guilty in July 2022 and has been held at the Travis County Correctional Complex in Texas on a $3.5m bond.

On 11 October 2023, Armstrong attempted to escape for a second time during a scheduled to attend a medical appointment which required transport to a physician. As she left the facility with a corrections office she took off running.

Colin Strickland testified at Kaitlin Armstrongs murder trial (Instagram)

In a video that captured the incident, and shown at court, she could be seen running across a yard toward a brown wooden fence. The corrections officer pursues, but slips and falls in the grass.

A jury found Armstrong guilty after just two hours of deliberation.

Wilsons family members in the courtroom cried and embraced each other while Armstrong remained emotionless as the verdict was read.
Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) said Friday that attempts to kick former President Trump off primary ballots in Maine and Colorado are actually likely to help the former president get elected.

I think this is probably good for Donald Trump politically, because hes a professional victim, a professional whiner, and belly acre, and this allows him to feed more than that hes such a poor victim, Kinzinger said in an interview on CNNs Erin Burnett OutFront.

Maines secretary of state determined this week that Trump should be barred from the primary ballot, citing his conduct surrounding the Jan. 6 Capitol riots as violating the 14th Amendment insurrection clause.

The former congressman and notable Trump critic also gave slack to GOP presidential rivals who have criticized that ruling, noting that even anti-Trump candidates have little to gain by backing the move politically.

If youre running against the guy to beat him, and you just come out and say that these cases are the way to get rid of Donald Trump, I think it makes you look weak, Kinzinger said. It does not help you with the base. It doesnt help you with the election.

The candidates lined up to denounce the Maine ruling this week, as some moderate Democrats joined Republicans in saying that Trump should be left on the ballot for voters to judge.

In her decision, Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows (D) said Trump used a false narrative of election fraud to inflame his supporters on Jan. 6 and was aware of the likelihood for violence and at least initially supported its use given he both encouraged it with incendiary rhetoric and took no timely action to stop it.

The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to hear a similar challenge in Colorado, held up by the states high court last week.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
California would have been the perfect state to lead in answering the question as to whether Donald Trump can run for president given the constitutional prohibition of federal officers who have engaged in insurrection.

Trump is bound to lose here no matter what. And if the U.S. Supreme Court has an opinion on the matter, that is something that would benefit every state.

Opinion

Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis recently had the right idea when she suggested to Secretary of State Shirley Weber that California copy a test case that is unfolding in Colorado. But it led to a wrong result of inaction, that suddenly California leaders had confronted an issue seemingly too hot to handle.

Kounalakis also committed a cardinal sin of California politics: She upstaged a governor accustomed to a monopoly on national matters.

It barely took a 24-hour news cycle for Gov. Gavin Newsom to reclaim the mantle and dismiss Kounalakis idea, saying that elections are determined at the polls and not in the courts. But it was a curious argument for a governor who has used the courts when its his idea.

Isnt Newsom that former San Francisco mayor who, in 2004, issued marriage licenses to gay couples in the city, itching for a court fight? Isnt he the governor suing Big Oil for causing climate change?

Its hard to imagine any place other than a court to settle a constitutional matter.

Newsom has political company in Weber. She has declined Kounalakis suggestion to review potential legal steps, reasoning that such a move would erode public trust in the electoral process.

The former presidents conduct tainted and continues to sow the publics mistrust in government and the legitimacy of elections, so it is more critical than ever to safeguard elections in a way that transcends political divisions, Weber wrote to Kounalakis.

This is the same secretary of state who was perfectly comfortable facing a court fight with a leading congressional candidate to replace former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy of Bakersfield. Vince Fong first filed to run for his California Assembly seat, changed his mind and filed for the congressional date by the deadline. He was taken off the list of qualified candidates by Weber on the grounds that a candidate cant file for two offices.

The secretary of state is clearly comfortable going after Fongs indecision. Trump and his alleged insurrection is apparently another matter.

And as things turned out, Weber was wrong to intervene in Fongs candidacy for Congress. A Superior Court judge on Thursday put him back into the race to replace McCarthy, saying Fongs removal exceeded her authority. Weber has decided to appeal the lower court ruling, using all the reach of her office to try to keep Fong off the congressional ballot.

What a case study on how not to use a state constitutional office to its full potential. On the same day Weber cleared Trump to be on the March primary ballot, her counterpart in Maine did precisely the opposite, putting further pressure on the Supreme Court to weigh in.

Both Maines secretary of state and a divided Colorado Supreme Court have done the nation a service by testing the limits of a section of Constitutions 14th Amendment. It prohibits candidates from federal office if they have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. In Colorado, the case was filed by members of the states electoral college, not the secretary of state.

There is certainly evidence that Trump engaged in an insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021, the day the Capital was invaded. The House of Representatives impeached him for his actions, while the Senate subsequently acquitted him. Senate Leader Mitch McConnell personified the confusion, blaming the president for the Jan. 6 uprising but voting to acquit him, saying punishment was a matter best addressed by courts. And here we are.

If there is ever a modern case to test this 155-year-old constitutional language of the 14th Amendment, this is it. And pioneering California is conspicuously on the sidelines.

So why the California cold feet? This could be purely political and tactical. Newsom is viewed as a close surrogate of President Joe Biden, who dispatched him to toe the party line earlier this year in California at a presidential debate. Chances are likely that yet another legal attack on Trump will help him more than hurt him.

Kounalakis also happens to be an early entrant in the race to replace Newsom as governor. Consider this a small taste of whats about to come.

Newsom has a year at most to continue dominating the California stage. And then he will begin sharing it with other candidates for his job, all vying for the most attention on this stage as possible.

The California governor is in the mid-afternoon of his political clock in California. He has some time on his horizon for now, but his sunset is coming. And as it approaches, California politics will shift underneath the governor.

Kounalakis legitimate bid to review Trumps presidential candidacy in California isnt the first time a candidate for governor will be second guessing those now in power in Sacramento.
A Los Angeles County hospital located the family of a patient who had been hospitalized for more than 10 days and speaks an unknown language.

The patient had been at St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood after he was found Dec. 17 on the 7600 block of Otis Avenue in Cudahy.

I appreciate your sharing the information for us, the hospital said on Dec. 29. We are glad to have reunited our patient with his family.

St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood is asking for the public's help to identify a hospitalized man who speaks an undetermined language. (St. Francis Medical Center)

At the time, the man did not appear to speak English and his primary language was not discernable. He was apparently unable to communicate his name or any other information that would assist hospital staff with identifying him.

No further details surrounding his case or the discovery of his loved ones were released.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
It might be comforting to think that American democracy has made it past the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection. But our research shows that a wide range of the American people, of all political stripes, seek leaders who are fundamentally anti-democratic.

Its true that many who participated in the insurrection are facing consequences, including prison time. Many candidates for state office who falsely claimed that Donald Trump won the 2020 presidential election lost their races. And the congressional committee investigating the insurrection voted to refer Trump to the Department of Justice for criminal charges.

But more than 100 members of Congress who objected to the results of a free and fair election won their reelection campaigns. And at least seven people who attended the Stop the Steal rally on Jan. 6 have been elected to state legislatures and two have been elected to Congress.

As scholars interested in how committed citizens are to democracy, we wanted to measure whether regular Americans want someone who will abide by democratic traditions and practices or dispense with them.

Using a nationally representative sample of 1,500 respondents, we found that a large proportion of Americans are willing to support leaders who would violate democratic principles.

Support for anti-democratic leaders

About two decades ago, an important study found that roughly 1 in 4 Americans supported leaders who are uncompromising and take decisive action. These people said they would also prefer nonelected experts to make decisions. Our study replicates this finding nearly 20 years later but sheds light on a troubling reason for this preference.

At the Allegheny College Center for Political Participation, we, with our former student Candaisy Crawford, asked people about their willingness to support leaders who promised to protect them by any means necessary, even if that meant violating expected standards of behavior in a democracy, a set of principles often called democratic norms. We developed these questions based on existing research about the strategies that leaders with anti-democratic tendencies use to build public support.

In Venezuela, for instance, democratic decline happened gradually. Early on, Venezuelas former president Hugo Chavez was known for using nationalist language and calling opponents epithets like rancid oligarchs and squealing pigs. Later, he blacklisted those who sought his removal from office through a democratically conducted referendum. Eventually, he went further, arresting and exiling his political opponents.

These types of tactics have also been used in other nations, such as Turkey and Hungary, by leaders who rose to power through democratic elections.

In our study, we asked about behaviors that foreshadow the early stages of democratic decline. For example, we asked citizens whether they thought that the only way our country can solve its current problems is by supporting tough leaders who will crack down on those who undermine American values. We also asked about explicit violations of democratic principles, like shutting down news organizations and bending the rules to get things done.

By design, some of these questions allow citizens to use their own interpretations of actions like crackdowns and bending the rules. These types of practices can take a number of different specific forms, as the cases of Venezuela, Turkey and Hungary illustrate. Our aim was to determine whether citizens were inclined toward leaders who seek power by promising retribution toward some groups and benefits for others, because this rhetorical strategy is often a precursor to explicit violations of democratic institutions.

Likewise, the phrasing of our questions is designed to allow respondents to rely on their own ideas about the meaning of American values, and people like you. Our interest was in what people would enable leaders to do to protect their idea of America and the Americans with whom they identify.

We found that people who want this type of protective but anti-democratic style of leadership were by far the most inclined to want leaders who would take uncompromising, decisive action. These people did not merely want their side to win a political competition for power. They were literally willing to say they would bend the rules to do it, a clear violation of the democratic ideal that everyone must follow the same rules.

For each item, we found that at least a third of the people we polled agreed or strongly agreed with these subtle or explicit violations of democratic norms.

Across the political spectrum

Anti-democratic statements are embraced by members of both U.S. parties, but more commonly by Republicans.

For example, around 90% of Republicans would support tough leaders who crack down on groups that undermine American values  however the survey respondents define those values. More than half of Democrats take the same position. Perhaps even more notably, nearly half of citizens who strongly support the Republican Party and over a third of those who strongly support the Democratic Party endorse the view that it is acceptable to bend the rules for people like themselves to achieve political goals.

This echoes other research that has found Americans, on both sides of the political aisle, are willing to sacrifice democratic principles and practices if it means their political party wins elections.

An appetite for protection

The key to understanding these views, we believe, is a desire for protection.

Many Americans view those in the other party as existential threats to the country  and closed-minded, dishonest, immoral and unintelligent too. All this coexists with growing evidence that more people are willing to support political violence under certain circumstances.

Many citizens prefer leaders who are willing to undermine democracy if it means protecting people like themselves from groups that threaten their values or status. Although most Americans do not subscribe to these beliefs, a substantial portion of the country does.

Leaders who actively promise anti-democratic action may come and go, but we fear the appetite of many Americans for such actions may always be a persistent threat.

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: Tarah Williams, Allegheny College; Andrew Bloeser, Allegheny College, and Brian Harward, Allegheny College.

Read more:



Tarah Williams receives funding from the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) as a Public Fellow.

Andrew Bloeser and Brian Harward do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
LEBANON, Pa. (WHTM)  No.

Thats the short version of Lebanon Mayor Sherry Capellos response to the animal-rights organization PETAs call to replace dangling slaughtered cow parts from a disco ball  PETAs characterization of the citys annual New Years Eve bologna drop  with a vegan bologna everyone can feel good about.

The slightly longer, more diplomatic version?

I thank PETA for their concern about the ethical treatment of animals, Capello wrote Friday. Most of the people I know share many of these concerns and have no desire to cause unnecessary pain or suffering of any animal.

However, she continued, with that being said, Lebanon City recognizes that Lebanon bologna was developed by resourceful PA Germans, also referred to as the Pennsylvania Dutch, prior to the 1780s.

They made a living on butchering, curing and sausage-making skills, Capello wrote.

Bologna-making is a part of our Lebanon heritage, and we proudly stand by the tradition of dropping a bologna on New Years Eve as a way to celebrate our heritage, as we have done for the past 27 years.

Capello said after the annual drop, the city donates the bologna to a shelter to feed hungry people.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
Liberals groan about their perceived unfairness of the Electoral College in electing U.S. presidents and about their perception of unfair reporting in the conservative-oriented Fox News. They are wrong on both counts,

If the Constitution did not guarantee that our president is elected state by state in the Electoral College, and not by popular vote, the 2016 vote in the tiny District of Columbia, which is 90% reliably Democratic, would have counted more than Donald Trumps wins in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Hillary Clinton had a winning margin of 270,107 votes in D.C., and Trumps winning margins in the decisive three Midwestern states were only a combined 77,744 votes. Yet, thanks to the Electoral College, Trump gained 46 votes and Clinton got only three.

In 2016, Clinton had a winning margin of 4,269,978 votes in California and 1,724,416 in New York City. Under the popular vote, the guaranteed gigantic liberal vote pluralities in California and Manhattan would mean the nation would have only Democratic presidents forever. Which, of course, is what Democrats and the mainstream media want. Fortunately, the founding fathers got it right in guaranteeing our president will be elected state by state.

And the ratings success of Fox News is explained by the fact that the mainstream media is overwhelmingly liberal and fiercely believes that it is untenable in the age of Trump to objectively report both sides of political controversies. Fox News is simply reporting the other half of the story.

Yes, Joe Biden won the 2020 election, but he did it while campaigning from his basement, cocooned from criticism by a protective media, and exploiting Covid-enabled weeks of voting and an avalanche of harvested and mail-in ballots in the battleground states. So, democracy is not at risk in the 2024 elections. The failed presidency of Joe Biden is at risk and voters will have the final say in defining American democracy at work.

Dennis L. Breo

New Smyrna Beach

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Support Electoral College system, Fox News is not biased, says writer
Tony Chung is among a growing list of Hong Kong pro-democracy activists who have sought refuge overseas (Ben Stansall)

A few days before Christmas, Hong Kong activist Tony Chung boarded a flight to Okinawa, Japan, carrying nothing but a backpack -- his casual appearance a ruse to hide plans to seek political asylum in the UK.

Chung was among the youngest people in Hong Kong to be convicted under a sweeping national security law imposed by Beijing, and had finished serving time six months before.

Fresh out of prison, he found that he remained under the thumb of the authorities, particularly the national security police, who pressed him to become an informant and take a trip with them to China.

"Not only do they completely control my life and interfere with it, their actions affect my personal safety and put my life in danger," Chung, 22, told AFP in an interview from Britain on Friday.

Taking HK$40,000 ($5,100) with him, Chung left Hong Kong last week after he promised his overseers he would come back after a short vacation. Once in Okinawa, he bought a ticket for London.

Chung is among a growing list of Hong Kong activists who have sought refuge overseas, as city officials and Beijing vow to hold them accountable.

He wrote a long public post on Facebook detailing his escape after landing at Heathrow Airport on Wednesday, a move that turned him into a fugitive in the eyes of the Hong Kong government.

On Friday, a spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in the UK urged Britain to "bring (Chung) to justice as soon as possible and repatriate him to Hong Kong".

Asked if he felt safe, Chung said the UK would not accept Hong Kong's attempt to paint him as a criminal.

"I believe the UK government would not agree with how China's government has implemented the national security law in Hong Kong to suppress Hongkongers," he said.

- Independence advocate -

In 2016, Chung was a high school student when he led the group "Student Localism", which called for Hong Kong's independence from China.

Considered a redline for Beijing, calling for separation from China was a fringe view in the former British colony.

Student Localism ceased its local operations in 2020 just before Beijing's national security law took effect in response to the huge and sometimes violent democracy protests the previous year.

Despite authorities saying the law would not be retroactive, Chung -- then 19 years old -- was arrested for secession in July 2020 and granted bail.

He was arrested again three months later outside the United States consulate in Hong Kong, where he said he had been trying to seek political asylum.

He later pleaded guilty to secession and money laundering in connection with donations taken for his group, and was sentenced to three and a half years behind bars.

In prison, he said he witnessed the nascent stages of Hong Kong's "deradicalisation" program -- partly consisting of patriotic movie screenings, Chinese history lectures and cultural performances.

"(Prison officials) lectured us with a pitying tone, saying we were exploited, that we were bought by Americans to disrupt China's development," Chung said.

- 'Very immediate threat' -

In June, Chung said he was granted early release after agreeing to strict limits on speech, movement and employment.

Another source of stress was Hong Kong's national security police, who would pay him between HK$500 and HK$3,000 for information on people in his circles.

"They never offered me a choice, they just said this (arrangement) would happen," Chung said.

"I can only accommodate them, and let them think I fit their idea of rehabilitation."

Asked about Chung's informant claims, Hong Kong police said it "has been effectively collecting intelligence... through various channels, means and individuals".

The final straw came when national security police suggested taking him on a trip to mainland China.

"I could not speculate what their aim was. What I can say is I felt a very immediate threat," he said.

Police dropped the idea when he objected, but he believed that future requests may be harder to turn down.

Fleeing to the UK felt "unreal", until his flight touched down and British immigration officers secured plastic tags on his luggage -- standard procedure for asylum claimants, he was told.

Chung stopped short of discussing his plans for the future, only saying he wanted to "continue to contribute" to Hong Kong.

"Since long ago, I have thought about the prospect of being jailed and being forced to leave Hong Kong," he said.

"But when I actually took the path that may lead me away from Hong Kong forever... I would hope that I can one day return."

hol/dhc/lb
CAMDEN - A Gloucester Township solar-power firm under fire from its customers and regulators has filed to liquidate its assets in bankruptcy.

The move by Vision Solar LLC will likely leave its creditors unhappy, too.

Vision Solar LLC, which uses telemarketers to sell solar panels and installations to a residential market. listed assets of $8 million.

But it has liabilities of $119 million, including $96 million in unsecured claims.

The company said it does not expect to have enough money to satisfy unsecured creditors.

Vision Solar can't pay its debts or "feasibly address litigation" against it in courts across the country, the company said in a Dec. 28 filing in U.S. Bankruptcy Court here.

A court filing listed more than 50 legal actions against Vision Solar, with many involving claims of consumer fraud. Suits also allege telemarketing violations, unfair termination of employees and lease disputes.

Among other cases, Vision Solar and a South Jersey telemarketing firm agreed to pay $135,000 in July to resolve allegations of misconduct by the U.S. Justice Department and Arizona's Attorney General.

Among other claims, a suit filed by the agencies said telemarketers repeatedly violated the Do Not Call registry while trying to sell Solar Vision's products.

The complaint also said the sales force misrepresented potential costs and savings for customers, and falsely claimed their company was affiliated with an electric utility or government entity.

The company also was sued in March by Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, who alleged Vision Solar's "predatory practices are far and away the worst we have seen."

In a statement announcing the suit, Tong's office noted complaints about "high-pressure sales tactics, misrepresentations about financing and tax credits, and unpermitted work that left homeowners saddled with nonfunctioning systems and unaffordable loans."

Company seeks to reorganize finances Flying Fish Brewing lands in bankruptcy court; what's next for South Jersey firm?

Vision Solar filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, which allows a debtor to liquidate assets in an effort to satisfy creditors.

The filing listed an unsecured debt of about $587,000 to Solar XChange LLC of Cherry Hill, Vision Solar's co-defendant in the Arizona complaint.

A representative of the company and its attorney could not be reached for immediate comment.

The company's website was not functioning on Friday.

Vision Solar, founded in 2018, has described itself as the nation's sixth largest solar provider.

The business, based on the Black Horse Pike in the Blackwood section, in March announced an "initial investment of $20 million" from a financing platform "backed by one of the nations leading sustainability private equity firms."

It said the cash would allow it to invest in "proprietary technology and infrastructure.

It predicted a second phase of funding would "completely disrupt the industry," but offered no details about that project or the financing firm.

The firm in March said it had more than $150 million in annual revenue, and had installed more than 15,000 solar projects.

The company said it was active in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Texas and Arizona.

Jim Walsh is a senior reporter for the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal. Email: Jwalsh@cpsj.com.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Vision Solar faces lawsuits from customers in residential market
UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio (WJW)  University Heights police said theyre investigating a menacing email containing anti-semitic remarks from an unknown source, sent to a synagogue.

Browns star grieved in Jets game, still helped team win

Police said the email was sent to Heights Jewish Center, among many other synagogues across the country recently.

Will January in NE Ohio be as cold and snowy as usual?

UHPD responded to speak with the president of the synagogue. A report was taken and an investigation is pending, police said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
A Lake Mary woman is urging others not to fire celebratory gunshots into the air to ring in the New Year.

 WATCH CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS

Katherine Wilson said she remembered the night, just twenty minutes before 2023, when a stray bullet from an unknown location hit her in the face on New Years Eve.

I mean, a quarter of an inch to the right, it could have been my brain, been my eye, so I was just extremely fortunate that it wasnt worse than it was, said Wilson.

READ: Downtown Orlando prepares for busy New Years Eve party

Wilson said she was at a neighbors house to bring in the New Year when she, some friends, and her husband were sitting in the backyard, and suddenly she felt something hit her face.

I actually thought I was hit by a firework, said Wilson.

She was hit with a 40-caliber bullet near her temple, which became lodged in her jaw.

She was rushed to the hospital by friends and has physically recovered but wants people to learn from her story not to shoot in the air to celebrate.

People may underestimate how far a bullet travels when they shoot it into the air, said Wilson. The police believe that this could have come from as far as two miles away.

READ: Teen suspect in fatal shooting surrenders to Leesburg police

Wilson said police said the bullet was indeed from someone shooting to celebrate the New Year, but the origin location of the bullet was a big mystery.

Even if somebody thinks that they are being innocent and shooting it up in the air near a field or a lake, it can really travel much further and impact somebody thats a significant distance away, said Wilson.

Throughout social media, police have been urging people not to shoot in the air and reminding them of the consequences behind it if caught.

In Florida, anyone who recklessly or negligently shoots a firearm outdoors on any property could face charges from a misdemeanor to a felony.

This year, Wilson plans to celebrate the New Year inside with her family safely.

READ: Ocala Police to host community meeting for people traumatized by Paddock Mall shooting incident

She wants people to look at her story and learn that celebratory shootings can affect the lives of innocent people and the person behind the trigger if caught.

If I were to talk to somebody who thought this was a smart idea, I would let them know the consequences of it, and so you know it could kill someone, said Wilson.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Camilla Rambaldi is an Italian-American Los Angeles native. Courtesy Camilla Rambaldi

After eight years on the air with KABB Fox SA, anchor Camilla Rambaldi announced that Jan. 12 will be her last day with the news station.

Rambaldi announced her departure from the station on social media, where she wrote that after a remarkable journey with the news station she has decided to leave.

It has been an absolute privilege to share your stories, she wrote. Thank you for trusting me.

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The News at Nine anchor launched the initiative SA STRONG at the station to highlight empowering stories and was nominated for a Lone Star Emmy Award in 2017.

Supporters and co-workers flooded the comments of Rambaldis social media pages to express gratitude for her work.

Thank you for being a caring presence through so many situations, and for your service to journalism, wrote former WOAI anchor and reporter Emily Baucum.

Rambaldis announcement comes on the heels of a wave of departures by other local television news anchors, including Tim Gerber from KSAT and Marvin Hurst from KENS5.

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The anchor didn't say what is next for her, but she called the Alamo City her home away from home.
ROCKVILLE CENTRE, Long Island - A Long Island community is rallying behind a gay third-grade teacher who was recently fired from a Catholic elementary school, despite the local diocese stating that sexuality was not the reason for his termination.

At least 100 parents, children and loved ones of Michael Califano protested outside of St. Agnus Church in Rockville Centre, chanting "Love is love" and "Bring back Mr. Califano" while holding signs reading "God loves Mr. Califano and so do we."

On Wednesday, officials told Califano that after two years of teaching at Maria Regina School in Seaford, he was out of the job.

"I felt the values I learned in Catholic school were ingrained in me, and I wanted to share that with the next generation and to be told thats one of the reasons why I was let go -- its hurtful to my heart," he told FOX 5 NY's Jodi Goldberg.



Califano said he lost his job after photos on social media showing him kissing his boyfriend were sent to administrators. The diocese told him he violated guidelines about living a Catholic lifestyle and that "the nature of the pictures were concerning.

Among the attendees at Friday's rally was Jackie, Califano's mother, who said her son grew up attending Maria Regina. She said that returning to the school as an educator was a "dream come true."

"All he wants is his job back," she said.

By Friday afternoon, a change.org petition in support of Califano had more than 4,100 signatures.

"The diocese fired him as they felt he wasn't following a "catholic lifestyle' [sic]," the change.org post read. "To the contrary, Michael is the epitome of someone who should be praised as a role model."

In a now-viral TikTok with more than 189,000 views, Maria Regina parent Aaron Lohman said Califano is the son of Nassau County police officer Michael Califano, who was killed in a 2011 crash.

"[Califano has] been a pillar of the community  I attended the annual pancake breakfast for this father, and I've developed a relationship with the family and was one of the main reasons why I decided to send my son to the school, which unfortunately, I will have to remove him from this school if the situation is not rectified with the bishop," Lohman said in the video.

In a statement to FOX 5 NY's Jodi Goldberg, the Diocese of Rockville Centre rebukes these claims but did not provide a reason for Califano's firing.

"For privacy reasons, we do not comment publicly on personnel matters, but we can say that the school did not end Mr. Califanos employment over his sexuality," Sean P. Dolan, the director of communications at the diocese, said in a statement.

Califano said hed return to the classroom if given an opportunity, as he cares for his students.



"I feel like theyre going to suffer the most in the end," he said. "They are heartbroken."




Through Dec. 30

Fantasy Land of Lights drive-through lights display from 6-10 p.m. at Johnstone Park, 200 N Cherokee Ave. Bartlesvilles Johnstone Park will be transformed into a magical winter wonderland. Drive through the picturesque park with your radio tuned to our holiday station as the red and green lights of our holiday displays twinkle on either side. Join us this Christmas season and experience the magic of one of Bartlesvilles favorite holiday traditions. Free, but donations are accepted.

Through Dec. 31

The Woolaroc Retrospective Exhibit and Sale 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. This years exhibit will feature William Alther, Thomas Blackshear II, Tom Browning, Scott Burdick, Glenn Dean, Jane DeDecker, Ralph Oberg, Dan Ostermiller, Roseta Santiago, Mian Situ, & Daniel Sprick. For more information about the show, call 918-336-0307, ext.100.

Christmas Train Rides from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Sunday in December including Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. The trackless train ride will be located across from Lowes, 2200 SE Adams Blvd. Holiday Christmas Train ride around Lee Lake hosted by Lee Lake Paddle Boats, a little pre-festive planning for the upcoming holidays. Tickets are $5 per rider; under 1 year of age free. The train is available for rental. For tickets or to reserve your own personal tour, call 918-213-9626.

Through Jan. 2

Christmas in the 'Ville Skating Rink in Downtown Bartlesville, 201 SW Keller. Days and hours vary, go to https://www.bartlesvillechristmas.com for updates. Tickets are $12 per skater. Family skate reserved for 12 and under with parent or guardian 4 to 6 p.m. Dec. 8 and 15, public skate 6 to 9 p.m

Sunday, Dec. 31

Olive Drop at the Price Tower 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at 510 Dewey Ave. Immerse yourself in an unforgettable evening featuring the soulful rhythms of The Mike Cameron Jazz Collective with special guest, Ashlee Elmore, delectable small bites provided by Restaurant Cicada, a sparkling champagne toast, and the fun tradition of the Olive drop at the stroke of midnight. Tickets for the celebration are $35 per person, promising an enchanting experience to bid farewell to the old and welcome the new. Dinner reservations are not part of the admission ticket and must be made through Restaurant Cicada at 918-907-1865. Dinner will be served 5 pm to 9 pm. For more information, call 918-336-1000.

Tuesday, Jan. 2

Johnstone Irregulars Book Club Meeting 6 p.m. at the Bartlesville Public Library, 600 S Johnstone Ave. The book club meets in the Literary Services Office on the 2nd floor of the library.

Thursday, Jan. 4

Bartlesville Astronomy Club meets at 7 p.m. in Bartlesville Public Library meeting room C. 600 S Johnstone Ave. Topic is "Viewing the 2023 Solar Eclipse in Bortle 1 Skies". Visitors welcome.

Saturday, Jan. 6

Masonic Lodge Benefit Breakfast for The Journey Home 7 to 11 a.m., 610 N Washington Blvd. Come support The Journey Home and learn what we have planned to celebrate our 10 year anniversary happening in 2024. If you would like us to come to your office to sell tickets we would be happy to schedule that. Tickets are on sale at Journey Home for $9. For more information, go to http://www.thejourneyhomeok.com or call 918-876-4184.

History and Haunts at the Dewey Hotel 8 to 10 p.m. at the Dewey Hotel, 801 N Delaware St. Dewey. Spend an evening at the Dewey Hotel. They will go over some of the hotels unique histories and take a lantern guided small group tour. You will go into some of the rooms, usually blocked off access to guests. Each journey will be unique, as you can never predict what our fellow specters will do during the tour, or what you might hear or see.

Monday, Jan. 8

Beginning Spanish Class 5 to 6 p.m. and Intermediate Spanish Class 6 to 7 p.m. at the Bartlesville Public Library (BLP), Meeting Room B, 600 S Johnstone Ave. These classes are free and open to the public. For more information, Call the BLP Literacy Service Office at 918-338-4179 or Ivonne Leap@ 918-338-4174.

Friday, Jan. 12

Jubilee Quilters Guild meeting, program, and workshop 9;30 a.m. to 5 p.m., 1109 N Delaware Street, Dewey. Laura Piland of Slice of Pi Quilts - A quilter, pattern designer, and former math teacher Program: Try Something New Trunk Show  Day Afternoon Workshop: Exploding Heart Pattern. for more information, email jubileequiltersguild@gmail.com.

Saturday, Jan. 13

BINGO for Central middle School lunch balance payoff 8 p.m. at The Crafty Candle Shoppe, 222 SE Frank Phillips Blvd. Every Month we will pick a school and all monies received will go to that school to pay down/off school lunch debt. If we get more than 50 people that want to sign up, we will add another event for Jan. 15. $20 to play, $1 50/50. Give us some feedback on if you would like food and or snacks to purchase to raise more for the school. To give feedback and suggestions, 918-727-0302.

Monday, Jan. 15

Beginning Spanish Class 5 to 6 p.m. and Intermediate Spanish Class 6 to 7 p.m. at the Bartlesville Public Library (BLP), Meeting Room B, 600 S Johnstone Ave. These classes are free and open to the public. For more information, Call the BLP Literacy Service Office at 918-338-4179 or Ivonne Leap@ 918-338-4174.

Friday, Jan. 19

Osage County Predator Hunters Challenge 4 p.m. at the Pawhuska Elks Lodge #2542, 2542 Elks Lodge Dr., Pawhuska. Registration will be January 19, from 4 to 8 p.m. Free vendor booths are available. For more details on rules, regulations, and cost, call Chris at 918-933-1466 or message him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/466572862216548/.

Friday, Jan 19 through Monday, March 4

Angels of Pandora: An AI/Human Collaboration will run from Jan 19 through March 24 at the Price Towers, 510 S Dewey Ave. Join us for an opening reception Jan. 19 from 6 to 8 p.m. Join me as we unlock Pandora's box of possibilities that emerge when technology and human creativity intertwine. For more information, call Deshane Atkins at 918-336-1000.

Saturday, Jan. 20

Adult Glow Prom, a fundraiser for the Richard Kane YMCA 7 to 10 p.m. at the Richard Kane YMCA, 101 N Osage Ave. Come out for a night of radiant brilliance, attire that shimmers with a touch of neon sophistication, resplendent fluorescent gowns, dapper suits, and luminous accessories. Light snacks and drinks with an array of gourmet delights and a selection of your favorite beverages, along with specially crafted glow-themed cocktails. Live music by HYPNOTIK, photo booth, glow stations, raffle, and more. For more information or to buy tickets, go to https://www.rkymca.org/adult-prom.

Saturday, Jan. 20 and Sunday, Jan. 21

Shooting-Performance Firearms training, 210- Competition Handgun Level One 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Guns of Glory, 402647 US Highway 60. Open to anyone with a current classification in IDPA or USPSA or approval from instructor. This course reinforces the techniques covered in the book "Your Competition Handgun Training Program." The program will take your shooting to the next level and is like nothing else available today. Formore information or to buy tickets, call 918-534-8758.

Monday, Jan. 22

Beginning Spanish Class 5 to 6 p.m. and Intermediate Spanish Class 6 to 7 p.m. at the Bartlesville Public Library (BLP), Meeting Room B, 600 S. Johnstone Ave. These classes are free and open to the public. For more information, Call the BLP Literacy Service Office at 918-338-4179 or Ivonne Leap@ 918-338-4174.

Sunday, Jan. 28

Bartlesville Wedding Show 1 to 4 p.m. at The Refinery at the Johnstone-Sare Building, 100 SW Frank Phillips Blvd. Get ready to be inspired by the latest wedding trends and connect with talented vendors who can make your dream wedding a reality. Tickets are required. General admission is free. VIB tickets are $25. Very important bride (VIB) ticket holders receive a prize-filled swag bag, an extra entry in our grand prize drawing and admission to the show an hour before the general public. For more information, go to https://bartlesvilleweddings.com/.

Monday, Jan. 29

Beginning Spanish Class 5 to 6 p.m. and Intermediate Spanish Class 6 to 7 p.m. at the Bartlesville Public Library (BLP), Meeting Room B, 600 S. Johnstone Ave. These classes are free and open to the public. For more information, Call the BLP Literacy Service Office at 918-338-4179 or Ivonne Leap@ 918-338-4174.

Thursday, Feb. 1

Broadway in Bartlesville presents: Mean Girls 7:30 p.m. at the Bartlesville Community Center, 300 SE Adams Blvd. The story of a naive newbie who falls prey to a trio of lionized frenemies. Single tickets range from $30.00 - $85.00. For more information, call 918-337-2787 or go to https://www.bartlesvillecenter.com/.

Tuesday, Feb. 6

Johnstone Irregulars Book Club Meeting 6 p.m. at the Bartlesville Public Library, 600 S Johnstone Ave. The book club meets in the Literary Services Office on the 2nd floor of the library.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Bartlesville Calendar for Dec. 30
Los Angeles has a quarter of Californias homeless population. Mayor Karen Bass has vowed to house thousands in her first year in office. (iStock/Getty)

Michael Flores had been living in a homeless encampment near a Van Nuys bus station for at least three years when he was offered a place in a high-profile Los Angeles initiative to get people off the streets.

The pitch from Inside Safe, LA mayor Karen Basss signature programme, sounded humane enough: if Flores agreed to leave the encampment, he wouldnt face any punishment, and a hotel room and social supports were ready and waiting. Mayor Bass proclaims this approach, leading with immediate social services over police sweeps, had shaken up the entire system.

In September, Flores moved into the Palm Tree Inn, a rundown motel on a stretch of Van Nuys filled with auto body shops and storage facilities. By late November, he was dead of a drug overdose.

The death of "Mike Flo," as he was known to friends, exposed the pitfalls of the mayors much-touted effort to end homelessness in Los Angeles. At the Palm Tree Inn, Inside Safe residents werent allowed to spend time with each other or have guests, friends of Flores said. They believe if they had been able to check in on him, he might still be alive.

Thousands have found temporary accommodation as part of Inside Safe and the mayors larger homelessness agenda, but this achievement has come at great cost, subjecting people to segregation, police harassment and property destruction for little apparent long-term benefit. Floress story is one of many.

Carla Orendorff, who lives in an RV and has spent years researching and advocating on behalf of the areas unhoused, knew Flores well. She told The Independent that his death is indicative of the wider problems with the Inside Safe approach, which often isolates unhoused people from their neighbours, friends, and social service providers.

The Palm Tree Inn in Van Nuys, Los Angeles, one of the sites of mayor Karen Basss signature Inside Safe homelessness initiative (Josh Marcus / The Independent)

This confirmed some of the worst fears people had, she said. You had a policy where were not allowed to check on each other. People are going to overdose. People are going to die alone.

Theres such a deep disconnect, she added. Its a rule that shouldnt exist.

The other residents of the Palm Tree Inn have opinions ranging from appreciation to deep anger about accepting the mayors offer of help. Some are grateful for a respite from the streets. Some bristle at the strict rules that they said sometimes come with the temporary rooms. Some fear the city has done little more than shunt them out of sight with little hope of finding permanent housing.

Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass has made tackling homelessness her signature issue (Getty Images)

Since taking office just over a year ago, the mayor has staked her reputation on what she describes as her bold new vision to address homelessness. The city had more than 46,000 unhoused people as of the last count in January 2023 and is home to nearly a quarter of the states unsheltered population . The mayor vowed to house at least 17,000 people in her first year in office, and by some measures, has surpassed that goal. But homeless people and activists say the city needs a radical overhaul of policing, housing, and affordability for the mayors vision to move beyond political posturing and make lasting change for the citys unhoused.

The Palm Tree Inn

On the ground, at the Palm Tree Inn, there are frustrations over what that vision looks like in practice.

A memorial program for Michael Flores, who died in November after entering Inside Safe (Josh Marcus / The Independent)

La Donna Harrell, 38, said moving from the streets to the motel has been a f***ing nightmare. Her room was filled with bed bugs which harmed her dog and left her with a $200 vet bill. She also said she took issue with the facilitys strict rules, which reminded her of the group homes she cycled through as a youth.

To have a room you have to have to give up freedom, its not fair or right, she said. Im not a criminal.

For the first two weeks I was here, I was still sleeping out on the streets because I was afraid to sleep in my room, she said.

As she spoke with me in the motels parking lot, other residents stood nearby talking and drinking beer. Staff members, who had been hovering nearby, rushed in and told the group not to congregate, drink, or speak to reporters on the property. The residents demanded to see the facilitys rules in writing, and the staff members said a supervisor was on her way with the information.

Michael Flores died on 28 November, a little over a month after entering the Inside Safe programme.

Inside Safe facilities, which pair residents with case managers, dont always offer services like drug treatment or mental health counselling. The mayor has said adding quality, direct social services throughout the programme is a top, top issue for 2024.

La Donna Harrell said shes faced unsanitary conditions since entering the Inside Safe programme (Josh Marcus / The Independent)

Not everyone was critical of the experience. Another Inside Safe participant, Thomas, who only gave his first name, said, Everything is well done here.

In recent years, Thomas has seen his economic fate decline, from owning a home, to sharing an apartment, to living on the street when housing with a roommate fell through and he lost his job at a local nonprofit.

Becoming unhoused was devastating to his mental health. The chance to stay somewhere secure and get back on his feet was a huge relief, he said.

The number one thing, my mental state is in a balanced place, he said. If I had been in this programme from the beginning, I would no longer need the countys help.

Hes now working on a business plan to launch a catering business selling African cuisine.

The Independent has contacted the mayors office for comment. The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority declined to comment.

The Independent contacted Hope the Mission, a nonprofit which administers the Palm Tree Inn Inside Safe site, for comment.

A mayor laser-focused on housing

Data shows the mayor is making some progress.

As of mid-December, her administration had moved 21,694 people out of encampments and into temporary housing in its first year, a 28 per cent increase over the previous administration, according to data from the mayors office. Within that population, as of the end of November, nearly 2,000 people had been moved from 33 of the citys most prominent homeless encampments.

Los Angeles had a population of more than 46,000 unhoused people as of the latest citywide count (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

However, despite these top-line statistics, only about 13 per cent of Inside Safe participants have made it into permanent housing so far. In the wider population of those housed this year, more than a third of people ended up back on the street.

The mayor has won praise for other steps to speed up housing beyond Inside Safe, including fast-tracking the development of thousands of affordable housing units .

Drawing on her past experience as a member of Congress, Ms Bass urged federal officials to exempt local housing providers in LA from a rule requiring documented proof of homelessness before people could move into subsidised apartments. In August, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development agreed to the request.

That same month, the LA city council approved Ms Basss plan to buy the 294-room Mayfair Hotel for $83m and convert it into an Inside Safe location with extensive on-site services.

John Maceri, CEO of the People Concern, a large LA-based social service provider which partners with Inside Safe, said the Bass administration has made housing a priority like no other recent administration.

From day one, shes said this would be front and centre in her administration. The day she took office, she declared a state of emergency and shes been laser-focused on this issue, he said.

Mr Maceri added that while Inside Safe was not a perfect initiative  he hopes officials add more services and drastically cut down the time it takes to get from hotels into permanent housing, which currently can run over a year  the programme addressed both the acute need to house those on the street and political pressure to clear encampments.

We could build half a million housing units, but if there are still encampments on the street, Angelenos are not going to feel the impact, he said.

Offensive police sweeps continue, despite emphasis on services-first approach

When Ms Bass launched Inside Safe a year ago, she took pains to emphasise that the initiative was separate from policing and that outreach workers would lead the way, not officers.

This is not about cleaning up and clearing out. Of course, that will happen in the context of it, but this is about outreach to people and getting them housed, the mayor said .

Its going to take a while, she added. You might need to talk to a person more than once. But we are focused on getting them housed and services, not on law enforcement.

But unhoused people said despite the new rhetoric, Inside Safe operations blurred with incessant police and sanitation sweeps that often left already vulnerable people with destroyed property, mental trauma, and violent arrests, all of which further hindered their attempts to seek stability. A recent countywide survey found that overall, police were more likely to be an unhoused persons first contact than an outreach worker and that unhoused people were just as likely to be cited as to be housed.

The LAPD declined to comment on its enforcement operations related to homelessness.

Advocates said Inside Safe operations often arrive at encampments with little notice, forcing unhoused people to make a split-second decision of great consequence for their lives.

Unhoused people say police continue to harass them, despite the mayors emphasis on services over law enforcement (AP)

Those who dont happen to be present at the time can miss out, and those who do accept can be taken to motels across the city from anyone they know, according to Eleanor Batista-Mala, a volunteer with Ktown for All, a grassroots group that works with unhoused people in LAs Koreatown. Unhoused people typically can bring two garbage bags worth of belongings into an Inside Safe site, and must surrender their tents .

People arent really given a chance to prepare and arent given a chance to think about what the decision means, Ms Batista-Mala said. Theyre just sort of given, to varying degrees of coercion, you either move to this hotel and we take your stuff, or you move somewhere else and we take your stuff. Its not really a very clear choice.

During a 12 September Inside Safe operation to move residents of the Aetna Street homeless encampment to the Palm Tree Inn, a group of at least 25 police officers flanked outreach and mayors office workers. Residents were required to relinquish property on camera to get an offer of a room.

The site of the former Aetna Street homeless encampment is now fenced off (Josh Marcus / The Independet)

The outreach workers also ignored past requests from the encampment residents that they be told in writing where they would be moved to, and that the temporary hotel room offers medical services. Residents of Aetna Street asked the mayor for such conditions during a meeting earlier this year and were denied, they said.

It is offensive that unhoused people were required to state, often on camera, what they were giving up (their tent, their belongings, etc.) in order to enroll in Inside Safe, reads an open letter from community members and University of California Los Angeles researchers who witnessed the sweep. And what is it that they received in return for this sacrifice? It seems that it is temporary placement in a bed bug infested motel, the Palm Tree Inn, one that is notorious for its lack of safety and hygiene.

Two days later, police returned during a separate sweep and destroyed the belongings of numerous residents, as a mayoral aide looked on, according to the letter and photos of the sweep. Some residents were arrested for trying to retrieve their belongings from a newly taped-off bus station parking lot that bordered Aetna Street.

Giselle Jelly Harrell, who lives between Aetna Street and a short-term hotel room she recently acquired through a separate local programme, said shes had art supplies, money, and her personal ID all destroyed or confiscated as part of encampment sweeps.

Theyre not doing anything but making it worse, she said. Being forced to start all over is traumaticTheyre waging war on us for no reason.

Though city sanitation officials are supposed to store confiscated property in municipal facilities, it often disappears or gets thrown directly in the trash, according to unhoused people. A January sanitation sweep at a different encampment under the 405 freeway involved city officials destroying hundreds of dollars worth of residents cold weather gear , which residents said led to cases of life-threatening illness.

Nobody ever gets their stuff back, Ms Harrell said. She still doesnt have an ID.

Alarm on Aetna Street

As of the morning of 14 December, the original site of the Aetna Street encampment remained fenced off with no trespassing signs. The encampment, a tight-knit community that once hosted local gatherings, movie nights, and distributed life-saving medical supplies, is now more disbursed. Only a smattering of tents and makeshift structures remained on the other side of Van Nuys Boulevard, further from public view.

The arrival of a dump truck and several pickups from the city department of sanitation around 9am set the residents into hurried motion. It was time for a so-called comprehensive sanitation sweep, a city worker said.

Homeless people can be arrested for camping within numerous protected 41.18 zones across Los Angeles (Josh Marcus / The Independent)

Every Thursday for months, crews have come to the site to conduct sweeps, ironically strengthened by extra enforcement authorities because the area is within one of the citys thousands of protected 41.18 zones where all forms of camping are illegal, in this case, because the tents are too near a (largely defunct) homeless shelter.

Often, once a so-called comprehensive sanitation sweep begins, residents have about 15 minutes to clear out their property or risk it getting confiscated or destroyed. They can be punished by police for noncompliance.

As the trucks sat parked on a side street bordering auto shops and warehouses, unhoused people swiftly packed up their belongings into shopping carts or hauled them into distant alleyways outside of the public right of way. A man named Ron dismantled his entire dwelling, moving all of his possessions from the sidewalk into a nearby patch of dirt, then moved the V-shaped wood scaffolding he uses to hold up his tarp roof.

Paisley Mares, the partner of Ms Orendorff, the local activist, walked around in work gloves chatting with residents, handing out water, and helping load belongings.

A sanitation department garbage truck idles near the Aetna Street homeless encampment on 14 December, 2023 (Josh Marcus / The Independent)

Its a really backward and cruel approach and it doesnt have to be this way, he said. Its just very punitive, which makes it very miserable and destabilising.

Over the next few hours, the sanitation crew never appeared to exit their vehicles or do any cleanings, then left.

You cant relax, Mr Mares said. People, they cant do anything on these days. You cant go to work or to go to an appointment or do anything you need to do because technically any time this day, they could come. And if youre not here, its all gone. Theyre going to take all your stuff.

The Independent has contacted the Department of Sanitation for comment.

A need to focus on the bigger picture

No matter what one thinks of the mayors tenure so far, theres considerable agreement that Los Angeles, California, and the US at large need to build more affordable housing and offer more wraparound services to those trying to get off the street. Until that takes place, the crisis will continue, experts said.

In Skid Row, one of the historic centres of homelessness in Los Angeles, San Julian Street was still filled with unhoused people, in states ranging from sleeping on the bare ground to living in elaborate tent structures.

From the balcony of The Midnight Mission, a long-time care provider in the area offering housing, drug counselling, free meals, classes, haircuts, fitness facilities, and other essentials to the areas unhoused population, the contrast was striking.

The skyscrapers of downtown Los Angeles towered in the distance, while down below, a few blocks away, the streets were still filled by people with nowhere else to go.

If you take somebody who is homeless and tuck them into a room, it doesnt solve any problems, Midnight Missions Georgia Berkovich told me as we toured the facility, a multi-story complex thrumming with activity.

Instead, she said, the region as a whole needs to build a more comprehensive network of care to treat the many causes and varieties of homelessness, ranging from people facing economic insecurity to substance abuse to mental health issues.

What were doing is working, but what we need is more, she said. We need more emergency shelters. We need more transitional housing. We need more recovery places.

Even for those who do transition from the streets to more stable housing, the change can be jarring, even surreal.

On a quiet block near Koreatown, I met a man in the courtyard of his new highly subsidised permanent supportive housing apartment. The individual, who had a sharp sense of humour and a tall knot of dreadlocks, asked to keep his name anonymous for privacy.

Advocates say policing, housing, social services and wages all need drastic overhauls for Los Angeles to truly care for its unhoused (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Hed been on the street since 2009, sometimes using so many stimulants that time seemed to blend together into one continuous day. He was eventually approached by Inside Safe earlier this year and, after living in a series of hotels, got housing through the People Concern this October.

When I got this spot and I was by myself for the first time, I started freaking out, man, he said. Completely foreign. It feels like the weirdest sh** everIm not used to it.

He was keenly aware of how few of his friends from the street were still alive, let alone able to find supportive housing. For years, he thought being housed might be a pipe dream.

Since that dream became real, hes gotten assistance on tasks large and small, like getting ID, pots and pans, and groceries, as well as receiving guidance from a dedicated case worker. Hes starting the process of changing his life, with a goal of eventually getting closer to his children.

Led by people that do not see unhoused as human beings

Still, some critics argue Mayor Bass, and many of those in charge of housing in California, often speak the language of care without fundamentally changing how homeless people are treated and policed on the street. The man in Koreatown was one of what can seem like only a small handful of success stories.

They cannot grasp the multi-layered nature of homelessness, said Theo Henderson, an activist and formerly unhoused Los Angeles resident who rose to prominence via his podcast We the Unhoused. The exploding rents and the housing costs.

We have to finally come to grips that weve been directed by a group of people that do not see the unhoused as human beings, he added.

Across California, cities are fighting to reinstate policies allowing law enforcement to punish people for camping on the street, even when adequate shelter might not be immediately available.

Even the mayors of powerful cities like LA can only do so much, according to Dr Margot Kushel, director of the UC San Francisco Center for Vulnerable Populations and the schools Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative.

We need to recognise that there is no magic bullet here, she told The Independent. The answer has to be housing. Thats the only way to have people exit homelessnessThis isnt a problem that anyone can optimize their way out of if there simply isnt enough housing and theres not enough subsidies for that housing.

We just have this asymmetry, she added. What poor people make and can possibly make and what housing costs is just so completely disconnected. Theres really no place in this country where desperately poor people can easily afford their housing.

California is already among the most expensive places in the country to live and with Covid-era protections around rent and evictions gone or phasing out in Los Angeles, soon thousands more could be without a home. In LA, hundreds of thousands of people were reportedly behind on their rent earlier this year , according to census data.

Back at the Palm Tree Inn, Aetna Street residents and Inside Safe participants were in the middle of handing out laminated remembrance cards and planning a memorial gathering for Mike Flo at the motel. His family had already signalled their support.

The service would likely violate the motels Inside Safe rules, but those living there and those who knew Mike dont care. Theyre going to take care of each other regardless, like theyve always done.
Loved ones are searching for a missing girl who disappeared in Lawndale Wednesday.

The at-risk juvenile was identified as Perla Mena, 16, by the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department.

She was last seen on the 14000 block of Osage Avenue at around 2 p.m.

Mena is described as a Hispanic female standing 4 feet 11 inches tall and weighing 118 pounds. She has long brown hair and brown eyes.

The teen told a family member that she was taking a trip with her school, possibly to the mountains.

Her family has not heard from her since and are concerned for her well-being, authorities said. Theyre hoping the public may have spotted her somewhere.

Perla Mena, 16, in a 2023 photo from the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department.

Anyone who knows Menas whereabouts or has additional information is asked to call the LASDs South L.A. Station at 310-820-6700.

Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Thousands of sets of high-powered magnetic balls sold at Walmart have been recalled after federal regulators issued a warning about the potential risk of choking, serious injuries and death.

On Dec. 28, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a recall of more than 4,200 magnetic ball sets, sold exclusively on Walmart.com through Joybuy. The CPSC warned that the magnetic balls were too small and too powerful, presenting an ingestion hazard, especially for young kids.

Consumers should stop using the recalled magnetic balls immediately, take them away from children, the agency said.

The recalled product  sold under the name "Relax 5mm Science Kit, Large Hematite Magnets Magnetic Stones Building Block"  includes 216 multicolored spherical balls measuring 5 millimeters in diameter. The sets were sold online from Walmart between February 2022 and April 2023 for $1415, the CPSC said.

Magnetic Ball Recall (Consumer Product Safety Commission)

High-powered magnetic balls, which connect together to form different shapes and structures, are often marketed as toys for children and teens or desk accessories for adults.

According to regulators, the recalled magnetic balls do not comply with federal magnet regulation requirements because they are stronger than permitted, and the balls are small enough to fit inside the CPSCs small parts cylinder. The cylinder, which is about the size of a toilet paper role tube or a young childs throat, is used to determine whether a toy presents a choking or ingestion hazard.

The recalled balls contain high-powered neodymium "rare earth" magnets, the CPSC said, which are far stronger than the typical magnets you'd find on a refrigerator, for example.

Magnets are small, attractive, and we know that little children love to put things in their mouth, Dr. Sarah Ash Combs, an emergency medicine pediatrician at Childrens National Hospital, previously told TODAY.com. I am very hesitant to give (my kids) any magnetized toys, even ones that are authorized.

What happens if you swallow a magnet?

When high-powered magnets are swallowed, they can become lodged in the digestive tract. Multiple magnets can attract to each other or other metal objects and force through tissues in the body, TODAY.com previously reported.

Ingesting magnets may result in intestinal blockages, perforations, infections, blood poisoning and death, per the CPSC.

The CPSC estimates that about 2,400 magnet ingestions were treated in emergency rooms from 2017 through 2021. "CPSC is aware of seven deaths involving the ingestion of hazardous magnets, including two outside of the United States," the agency said.

Small magnet toys previously banned

Toys with high-powered magnets were banned by the CPSC in 2014 due to these hazards, but the ban was lifted in 2016  since then, research has showed a sharp rise in magnet-related injuries among children, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The AAP recommends families with children do not keep any high-powered magnet sets in the home and if they do, to keep the sets locked away in a place where children cannot access them.

Consumers who purchased recalled magnetic ball sets can contact Joybuy to return the product for a refund, CPSC said.

Joybuy did not immediately respond to NBC News' request for comment.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
The Maine official who moved to disqualify former President Donald Trump from the state's 2024 Republican primary ballot on Thursday visited the White House this year to meet with President Biden and previously referred to the Electoral College as a "relic of white supremacy."

On two separate occasions this year  once in March and another time in June  Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, a Democrat, was invited to the White House, according to White House visitor logs.

Bellows' first trip came after she was invited to attend a Womens History Month event held on March 22 at the White House, where she met with Biden and snapped a photo with him.

Bellows took to social media to share the photo she took with Biden at the March event and described the "amazing" experience she had meeting the president.

MAINE GOP STATE LAWMAKER MOVES TO IMPEACH STATE SECRETARY OVER TRUMP BALLOT REMOVAL

"Birthday jaunt to DC for a Womens History Month event at the White House yesterday and walking around today," she added in the post to Facebook at the time, according to the Washington Free Beacon, the initial outlet to report on Bellows' trips to the White House.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Bellows' March trip to the White House was also promoted by the secretary of state's office in a press release earlier this year, in which she said it was "an honor to join" Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and other female leaders from across the country.

"It was an honor to join President Biden, Vice President Harris and amazing female leaders from around the country to celebrate Womens History Month at the White House yesterday," Bellows said at the time. "I hope to someday see the last of the firsts like myself, but as we continue to see these groundbreaking leaders in new positions of power, I look forward to celebrating them as part of our nations history."

Bellows' second trip came on June 6, when she traveled to the White House with more than a dozen others to meet with Justin Vail, a special assistant to Biden. That trip, according to social media posts by others who made the journey with Bellows, appears to have been organized by Issue One Reform, which describes itself as "the leading crosspartisan political reform group" in D.C. that works to "unite Republicans, Democrats, and independents in the movement to fix our broken political system and build an inclusive democracy that works for everyone."

Responding to a June 8 post to X from Dustin Czarny, a Democrat who made the trip and serves as the Onondaga County elections commissioner and the Democratic Caucus chair of the New York State Elections Commissioner Association, Bellows wrote, "Yes! That was such a powerful part of our trip to DC. Democrats, Republicans and nonpartisan elections officials united on issues of protecting election workers and finding critical election infrastructure."

Bellows, who represented Maine's 14th district in the state Senate for roughly four years, has served as the Secretary of State for Maine since 2021.

Shortly after taking office, Bellows penned an op-ed for a progressive platform known as the Democracy Docket. In her writing, titled "Voting Rights for Our Neighbors Matter As Much as Our Own," Bellows touted her efforts to make "voting more accessible" and said she sought the position of secretary of state in Maine because she "was truly frightened for our democracy" following the 2020 presidential election.

HOUSE DEMOCRAT FROM MAINE RIPS STATE'S DECISION TO TAKE TRUMP OFF BALLOT

Bellows also took aim at the Electoral College in her column, claiming it is "the relic of white supremacy" that prevents voters from being represented fairly.

In her ruling to disqualify Trump from the state's 2024 ballot, Bellows cited Section 3 of the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution that bars people who have "engaged in insurrection" from running for elected office without two-thirds congressional approval.

Secretary of State Shenna Bellows demonstrates how Mainers are now electronically registering to vote or updating voter registration at BMV locations during a visit to the BMV in Portland, Maine, on June 23, 2022.

The clause was originally meant to bar former Confederate soldiers and officers from holding positions in the U.S. government or military.

It was also referenced by Colorados highest court in a 4-3 ruling last week similarly barring Trump from that states primary ballot. The decision was challenged by the Colorado GOP, setting up a battle before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Bellows' affection for Biden and Harris and disdain for Trump is no secret.

In an October 2020 post to social media, Bellows said she was "excited to vote for Biden and Harris." Before that, in October 2020, Bellows questioned on social media whether the "obsession" with 2016 presidential candidate Hillary Clinton was because people "just can't deal [with] the magnitude of fears of what Trump presidency brings."

Bellows has faced backlash over her decision to remove Trump from the state ballot from multiple Republicans and those within her own party, including Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine.

"I voted to impeach Donald Trump for his role in the January 6th insurrection. I do not believe he should be re-elected as President of the United States," Golden said Thursday night. "However, we are a nation of laws, therefore until he is actually found guilty of the crime of insurrection, he should be allowed on the ballot."

Bellows defended her move while responding to Golden's criticism during a CNN interview on Friday.

"I reviewed Section Three of the 14th Amendment very carefully and determined that Section Three of the 14th Amendment does not say 'conviction,' it says 'engage,'" Bellows said.

Bellows has faced backlash over her decision to remove Trump from the state ballot from multiple Republicans and those within her own party, including Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine.

"And, let's go back and keep in mind that the events of January 6, 2021, were unprecedented and tragic," Bellows continued. "This was an attack, not only on the Capitol and the government officials, the former vice president, members of Congress, but an attack on the rule of law."

"And the weight of evidence that I reviewed indicated that it was, in fact, an insurrection," she added. "And Mr. Trump engaged in that insurrection under Section Three of the 14th Amendment."

Bellows' office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

Fox News' Houston Keene and Liz Elkind contributed to this report.





Original article source: Maine Democrat who barred Trump from ballot met with Biden twice, called Electoral College 'white supremacy'
State police say they responded to a swatting call at the home of Maine State Secretary of State Shenna Bellows on Friday night, a day after she removed former President Donald Trump from the states 2024 primary ballot.

Police say no residents were at the Manchester home when the incident occurred around 8:25 p.m. Maine State Police officers conducted an exterior check of the residence and an interior sweep of Bellows home at her request but did not locate anything suspicious, according to a statement released Saturday.

Swatting is a prank call made to authorities with the purpose of luring them to a location  usually a home  where they are led to believe a crime has been committed or is in progress. This results in a forceful response from local police or SWAT teams, which have no way of knowing the call is a hoax.

Bellows, a Democrat, on Thursday removed Trump from Maines 2024 primary ballot, in a decision based on the 14th Amendments insurrectionist ban. Bellows put her decision on hold until Maines Superior Court issues a ruling. State law lays out timelines for that court and, if the decision is appealed, for the state Supreme Court to act by the end of January.

Bellows told CNN on Friday that her office has received threats since her decision.

We have received threatening communications, she told CNNs Kaitlan Collins on The Situation Room.

I certainly worry about the safety of people that I love, people around me, and people charged with protecting me and working alongside me, she added. That being said, we are a nation of laws, and thats whats really important. So, I have been laser-focused on that obligation to uphold the Constitution.

Bellows acknowledged the swatting call in a Facebook post, saying she and her husband, Brandon, are safe and were not home on Friday when threats escalated and their home address was posted online.

The secretary of state called the swatting of her home and the non-stop threatening communications that her colleagues have been receiving since Friday unacceptable.

Its designed to scare not only me but also others into silence, to send a message, she wrote.

Maine State Police are investigating the swatting incident at Bellows home in conjunction with other law enforcement agencies.

Fridays incident marks the latest swatting call on an elected official. Florida GOP Sen. Rick Scotts Naples home was swatted Wednesday night, police said. Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greenes home in Rome, Georgia, was swatted on Christmas Day, officials said.

Bellows decision made Maine the second state to disqualify Trump from office, after the Colorado Supreme Court earlier this month handed down its own ruling that removed him from the ballot. Other challenges are still pending, including in Oregon, as the 2024 primary cycle approaches.

CNNs Marshall Cohen contributed to this report.

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A Maine Republican state lawmaker wants to impeach the Maine secretary of state who removed former President Donald Trump from the primary ballot.

GOP state Rep. John Andrews said he wants to pursue impeachment against Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows after she disqualified Trump from the 2024 Republican primary ballot on Thursday.

In her ruling, Bellows cited Section 3 of the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which bans from office those who "engaged in insurrection."

Andrews said in a statement that he filed a request with the Maine Revisor's Office saying he wanted "to file a Joint Order, or whichever is the proper parliamentary mechanism under Mason's Rules, to impeach Secretary of State Shenna Bellows."

HOUSE DEMOCRAT FROM MAINE RIPS STATE'S DECISION TO TAKE TRUMP OFF BALLOT

Maine GOP Rep. John Andrews said he wants to pursue impeachment against Secretary of State Shenna Bellows after she removed former President Donald Trump from the Republican primary ballot on Thursday. (Screenshot/FOX and Friends)

"In Maine, the people do not elect the Secretary of State, Attorney General or Treasurer," Andrews told Fox News Digital. "They are chosen by elected Democrat Party insiders after deals are made in the back room of State House."

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"Shenna Bellows knows that the process that put her there is extremely partisan," he continued. "She should know better and be going out of her way to be as neutral as possible to serve every citizen in Maine and not just registered Democrats."

"Thats why she swore an oath to the Constitution and not the Democrat Party," he added. "We are still a republic, but moves like this fracture that foundation, which ultimately is the point of all this."

Andrews said in his statement that he wants to impeach Bellows "on the grounds that she is barring an American citizen and [the] 45th President of the United States, who is convicted of no crime or impeachment, their right to appear on a Maine Republican Party ballot in March."

Andrews said the U.S. is "a republic" and that "Maine is made up of citizens and not subjects in the duchy of Shenna Bellows."

"Donald J. Trump has met all qualifications for the March 2024 Republican Presidential Primary. He should be allowed on the ballot. This is raw partisanship and has no place in the offices of our state's Constitutional Officers," he continued.

Andrews' press release noted a social media post he made, saying Bellows' decision "is hyper-partisanship on full display."

"A Secretary of State APPOINTED by legislative Democrats bans President Trump from the 2024 ballot so that she can jockey for position in the 2026 Democrat Primary for Governor," Andrews said. "Banana Republic isn't just a store at the mall."

Andrews said Friday in a "FOX & Friends" interview that Bellows "has unilaterally disenfranchised 300,060 Maine voters with this partisan move."

He also applauded U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, a Maine Democrat, for speaking out against Bellows' move, even with his dislike of Trump.

Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, is seen during a House Armed Services Committee hearing in the Rayburn Building in Washington, D.C., on March 6, 2019.

Golden slammed Bellows over the move, saying that he "voted to impeach Donald Trump for his role in the January 6th Insurrection."

"I do not believe he should be re-elected as President of the United States," Golden said Thursday night. "However, we are a nation of laws, therefore until he is actually found guilty of the crime of insurrection, he should be allowed on the ballot."

The Maine secretary of state defended her move while responding to Golden's criticism during a CNN interview on Friday.

"I reviewed Section Three of the 14th Amendment very carefully and determined that Section Three of the 14th Amendment does not say conviction,' it says engage,'" Bellows said.

"And, let's go back and keep in mind that the events of January 6, 2021, were unprecedented and tragic," Bellows continued. "This was an attack, not only on the Capitol and the government officials, the former vice president, members of Congress, but an attack on the rule of law."

"And the weight of evidence that I reviewed indicated that it was, in fact, an insurrection," she added. "And Mr. Trump engaged in that insurrection under Section Three of the 14th Amendment."

In a shock decision issued Thursday evening, Bellows said Trump was ineligible for the states 2024 primary ballot, citing a clause in the U.S. Constitution that bars people who have "engaged in insurrection" from running for elected office without two-thirds congressional approval.

The clause was originally meant to bar former Confederate soldiers and officers from holding positions in the U.S. government or military.

It was also referenced by Colorados highest court in a 4-3 ruling last week similarly barring Trump from that states primary ballot. The decision was challenged by the Colorado GOP, setting up a battle before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Bellows' office declined to comment.

Fox News' Liz Elkind contributed to this report.





Original article source: Maine GOP state lawmaker moves to impeach state secretary over Trump ballot removal
Peter Fickett, and Bob Dodier, in Kittery, Maine, on Dec. 29, 2023, are both veterans, both past supporters of former President Donald Trump. (Sophie Park/The New York Times)

KITTERY, Maine  A day after Maine became the second state to bar former President Donald Trump from its primary ballot, citing his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, voters who found themselves thrust into a national spotlight Friday voiced reactions as varied and complex as the legal questions threaded through the decision itself.

Peter Fickett, 74, who was repairing a car in downtown Kittery under wintry gray skies, said Maines secretary of state, Shenna Bellows, had overstepped her authority in finding that Trump was not qualified to serve as president.

Standing beside him in the gloom, his friend Bob Dodier, 72, firmly but cheerfully disagreed. Im happy with it, Dodier said of the decision.

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Both veterans and both former supporters of Trumps who said they had grown weary of the frequent controversy he provoked, the two men said they were leaning toward voting for Nikki Haley, another Republican candidate, in next years election.

This sprawling, rural state of 1.3 million people is often seen as politically divided, between its wealthier, more liberal-leaning southern and coastal portions, and its less populous, more conservative western and northern expanses. Hillary Rodham Clinton won the state in 2016, as President Joe Biden did in 2020.

But as one of just two states that can divide its four Electoral College votes between candidates, Maine did so in each of the past two elections, awarding one vote to Trump in 2016 and one in 2020 based on his robust support in one large voting district.

Faced with the ongoing election chaos  and the possibility that Maines Superior Court could soon reverse Bellows ruling on appeal  some residents, including Elizabeth Howard, 21, were opting to stay clear of the fray altogether.

Im not big into politics because its a lot of drama, she said after the Maine decision was announced, as she worked at the customer service counter at a tractor supply business in Waterville. I think theres a lot of people that are going to be upset, because theres a lot of people that really liked Trump.

Yet, many of those upset by the decision said their objections had nothing to do with loyalty to a candidate, but instead reflected their preference for a purely nonpartisan process  a process they now see as tainted by the move to push Trump off the ballot.

Scott McDougall, a 54-year-old Maine native, retail manager and Marine Corps veteran, voted twice for Trump, but said he was undecided about supporting him again, because he had come to question the candidates priorities: How loyal is he to what the country needs, versus his own needs? He said Trumps actions leading up to the Jan. 6 attack were one of his reasons for worry.

But I dont think the secretary of state has the right to decide for us who were going to vote for, he said. The state doesnt have that type of power.

Elected officials in Maine voiced a similar mix of concerns. U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, a Democrat who represents Lewiston and a vast area of rural northern Maine, said that although he had voted to impeach Trump over his actions before the Jan. 6 attack, he still believed that Trump should be allowed on the ballot for now.

I do not believe he should be reelected as president of the United States, Golden said in a statement. However, we are a nation of laws. Therefore, until he is actually found guilty of the crime of insurrection, he should be allowed on the ballot.

But the states other U.S. House member, Rep. Chellie Pingree, a Democrat who represents Portland, signaled her support for the decision.

The text of the 14th Amendment is clear, she said in a statement, adding, Our Constitution is the very bedrock of America and our laws, and it appears Trumps actions are prohibited by the Constitution.

Ethan Strimling, a former Democratic Portland mayor who teamed up with two former Republican lawmakers to file one of the successful challenges to Trumps ballot access, said the reaction Friday had been passionate and largely respectful, even on Twitter.

There are a lot of folks weighing in, and thats as it should be, he said. There are people with politics close to mine who have real questions about the decision, and people very different from me who agree with it.

The outcome had seemed to bring about one key consensus, he said: I think both sides are realizing that its a legitimate question that needs to be answered.

In the small town of Blue Hill, about halfway up Maines jagged, meandering coastline  not far from Hancock, where Bellows grew up  Richard Boulet hesitated before revealing his opinion of her decision. As director of Blue Hills public library, he is officially apolitical, he said; he wants all people, including Trumps supporters and his detractors, to use the library and feel welcome there.

As a private citizen, however, theres not much doubt in my mind that Donald Trump engaged in insurrection on Jan. 6, said Boulet, 51, sitting at his desk upstairs in the brick library. That is a real source of concern for me. He cited Bellows former position as director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Maine, and added: I dont think she came to this decision lightly. Its hard for me to see it as a partisan decision.

Three miles to the north, on the outskirts of town, Donald Bowden, 52, leaned against a door frame outside the automotive repair shop where he has worked for 37 years, R.W. Bowden & Sons Garage.

Taking a short break, his hands black with grease, Bowden, who goes by Donny, said he learned the trade as a teenager under his fathers guidance. He is now the president of the company. His values, he said, are family first, then work, then rest and recreation.

He said he was not political, but he was troubled by Bellows action.

Its insane, he said. I think its a little unconstitutional, but theyre trying to use the Constitution to defend it. Its painfully obvious that its a witch hunt for anyone they dont like. First and foremost, its very childish. If you dont like someone, what do we do? Hound them and hound them and hound them nationwide. Common sense tells you this is not productive.

He said he would like to see Trump become president again. The former president isnt perfect, he said, but hes a businessman, and the country is a business, for better or worse.

Maines two U.S. senators opposed the decision. Sen. Susan Collins, a Republican, said in a statement that it would deny thousands of Mainers the opportunity to vote for the candidate of their choice, and that it should be undone.

Sen. Angus King, an independent, said in a statement that without a judicial determination that Trump was barred by Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, the clause on insurrection, the former president should remain on the ballot.

Near the town wharf in Kittery, however, Michelle Bourne, 52, was quietly celebrating a decision she saw as a win for a state that she said had not always been known for progressive thinking and leadership.

I like that Maine took a stand, she said. It makes me proud. I think we took a stand for the good of the country.

Bourne, a resident of New Gloucester and a registered independent, said she voted for Biden in the last election and was undecided about whom to support this time. But she saw no gray area in Bellows decision to keep a candidate accused of insurrection off the ballot.

It makes all the sense in the world to me, she said. I dont even know why its a question.

c.2023 The New York Times Company
Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows said in an interview that she has faced threats since issuing her decision to remove Donald Trump from the states primary ballot on Thursday.

We have received threatening communications, those are unacceptable, Bellows told CNNs Kaitlan Collins on Friday. I certainly worry about the safety of people I love, people around me and people who are charged with protecting me and working alongside me. That being said, were a nation of laws and thats whats really important. Ive been laser-focused on that obligation to uphold the Constitution.

Bellows decision late Thursday made Maine the second state in the U.S. to remove Trump from its primary ballot after Colorado similarly did so earlier in December. Bellows, a Democrat, cited a clause in the 14th Amendment of the Constitution that would bar those who participated in an insurrection from holding office.

The events of January 6, 2021 were unprecedented and tragic. They were an attack not only upon the Capitol and government officials, but also an attack on the rule of law, Bellows wrote in her decision. The evidence here demonstrates that they occurred at the behest of, and with the knowledge and support of, the outgoing President. The U.S. Constitution does not tolerate an assault on the foundations of our government, and Section 336 requires me to act in response.

Maines decision faces an appeal, and has garnered criticism from both of Maines senators. Republican Susan Collins and Democrat Angus King voiced their disapproval over the decision. Maine voters should decide who wins the election  not a Secretary of State chosen by the Legislature, Collins said.

Trumps campaign vehemently condemned the ruling on Thursday, calling Bellows a virulent leftist and a hyper-partisan Biden-supporting Democrat who has decided to interfere in the presidential election on behalf of Crooked Joe Biden.

Democrats in blue states are recklessly and un-Constitutionally suspending the civil rights of the American voters by attempting to summarily remove President Trumps name from the ballot, Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung said in a statement.

A federal grand jury voted to indict Trump in August over his role in efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, culminating in the Jan. 6 attack at the Capitol.

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Vanessa Soto, 18, with her boyfriend, Matthew Guerra, 22. They were expecting their first child, a boy they'd named Fabian. Courtesy photo

Their loved ones lay lifeless together in a nearby car. But the two heartbroken families stood on opposite sides of the crime scene.

Days after they went missing, a pregnant Savanah Soto, 18, and her boyfriend, Matthew Guerra, 22, were found shot to death Tuesday afternoon in their car at a Northwest Side apartment complex.

Was it a murder-suicide? Had they been ambushed? Who was to blame?

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Police had no immediate answers. Over the next few days, authorities provided some clarity: Both Soto and Guerra were killed by shots to the head, and both deaths were homicides. Detectives are scouring security video, cellphone records and social media posts for clues as to who was responsible.

But from the moment she went missing, Soto's family made clear they believed Guerra, the father of her unborn child, had something to do with the tragedy.

Gerald Corona, Savanah Soto's older brother, shows a picture of her when she was 7. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News

'Worried about her safety'

Soto's mother, Gloria Cordova, asked friends and family to help find her daughter when she didn't show up on Saturday, Dec. 23, for an appointment at Stone Oak Methodist Hospital, where doctors were to induce labor.

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"Im worried about her safety," Cordova wrote on Facebook, adding that Soto was with her boyfriend, "who is no good."

Other than to say Soto was last seen with Guerra, the family's social media statements didn't mention him. In interviews with the news media, they alluded darkly to Guerra's "lifestyle."

Guerra had had several run-ins with the law, and he had pleaded guilty to assaulting Soto around Christmas 2022.

The Soto family's suspicions about the killings deepened as they learned details from police investigators, including exactly how Soto and Guerra met their end: Both were shot behind the ear, execution-style.

"We're not saying he killed her, but it still has to do with his actions and his lifestyle," Soto's older brother, Gerald Corona, said as he fought back tears.

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Guerra's family, too, pleaded for help finding him after he disappeared, and the photos they posted from the couple's recent baby shower included a smiling Soto.

Gabriel Guerra said his son didnt hang out with the best crowd but that Matthew and Soto were excited about their baby.

"I love you Matthew Gabriel Guerra the baby u lost and the beautiful queen u loved I only got to meet the day of baby shower," Guerra's mother, Karen Hernandez, posted on Facebook.

His family tagged posts with #justiceforsavannahandmatthew.

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The sentiments were not reciprocated.

Anjelica Soto, left, Savanahs aunt, comforts Alexis Soto, Savanahs sister, at a vigil on Thursday afternoon. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News

'We had a problem with him'

Corona, and his partner, Mariana Delgado, said the family never had a good impression of Matthew Guerra.

He and Savanah met when she was 16 and a sophomore at Holmes High School on the West Side. They met through mutual acquaintances, and she dropped out after they began seeing each other, Corona and Delgado said.

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"He's four years older than her," Corona said. "She was underage. That's why we had a problem with him at first."

Soto knew her relatives didn't like Guerra, so she showed up for family gatherings without him, Corona said.

Their dislike for Guerra intensified after he was arrested on a charge of assaulting her in late December 2022.

"We took her to the hospital," Delgado said.

Guerra was booked into the Bexar County Jail after he allegedly struck Soto with his hand and foot, according to court documents.

He was charged with domestic assault causing bodily injury and released on bail Dec. 27, 2022, on condition that he have no contact with Soto and that he not possess firearms.

On Jan. 7, Guerra was arrested again, for allegedly violating conditions of his bail. He had talked to Soto in person shortly after his release from jail, in violation of the no-contact order, according to court documents. He also was charged with unlawfully carrying a weapon in a motor vehicle.

In April, the charge of violating his bail was dismissed because of a "missing witness," court records show. He pleaded guilty to the weapons charge and was sentenced to 12 days in jail.

Police officers at the Northwest Side apartment complex where the bodies of Savanah Soto, 18, and her boyfriend, Matthew Guerra, 22, were found on Tuesday afternoon. Jacob Beltran

Over the summer, he pleaded guilty to the domestic assault charge and was sentenced to a year's probation.

Those weren't his only brushes with the law. In March 2021, Guerra had been charged with unlawfully carrying a weapon. The case was dismissed.

In September 2023, Texas state troopers arrested Guerra on charges of reckless driving, unlawfully carrying a weapon and evading arrest with a vehicle, a felony. He was free on bail and awaiting indictment in the felony case when he was killed.

After that most recent arrest, a judge had extended Guerras probation stemming from the December 2022 assault on Soto, according to court records.

'Stop with all the narratives'

Ugly accusations flew back and forth on social media all week. Some posts claimed that Soto had attacked Guerra. Corona and Delgado said the opposite was true: She was "defending herself."

Photos were circulated showing a pregnant Soto with Guerra, smiling as he flashed stacks of cash.

Soto "was materialistic, but at the same time, she knows where we came from," Corona said. "She'd eat ramen if there's nothing. People don't know  if they knew my grandparents, they wouldn't say anything."

One of Guerras family members took to Facebook to ask people to stop with all the narratives surrounding what happened to Guerra and Soto. She emphasized that three loved ones were lost  Soto, Guerra and their unborn baby boy, Fabian  and that both families were grieving.

Guerras older brother said on social media: Everyones portraying us like we had something to do with my brother and my sister-in-law missing, and first of all, we do not. We have nothing to do with this. We promise yall. I dont like how the internet is making us look like criminals.

Pedro Soto, right, Savanahs father, comforts Rachel Soto, left, Savanahs grandmother, at a vigil for the teenager, who was found dead Tuesday afternoon with her boyfriend Matthew Guerra, 22. Both were killed by gunshot wounds to the head. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News

'You didn't have to do this'

At Gabriel Guerras home in the Helotes area, a large Christmas wreath hung in front of a window. The father took call after call from relatives and funeral home personnel.

He'd been in some trouble, Guerra said of his son. But he said he did not know of anyone who would want to harm him.

He said he no longer looks at social media because there is so much false information about the case.

"We're just going to let police do their investigation, and we're not giving any more interviews," Guerra said.

Corona issued an emotional appeal for help in finding his sister's killers.
Maines secretary of state said she has received threats in the wake of her decision to remove former President Trump from the ballot under the 14th Amendment on Friday.

I was prepared for the possibility of threats, and I really appreciate law enforcement and the people around me who have been incredibly supportive of my safety and security, Shenna Bellows (D) said during a Friday appearance on CNN. My safety and security is important, so is the safety and security of everyone who works with me and we have received threatening communications.

Those are unacceptable, Bellows continued.

On Thursday, Bellows said she had concluded the former president over the course of several months and culminating on January 6, 2021, used a false narrative of election fraud to inflame his supporters and direct them to the Capitol to prevent certification of the 2020 election and the peaceful transfer of power. Bellows decision made Maine the second state to take such an action, after the Colorado Supreme Court last week via a 4-3 ruling.

Mr. Trumps occasional requests that rioters be peaceful and support law enforcement do not immunize his actions, she said. A brief call to obey the law does not erase conduct over the course of months, culminating in his speech on the Ellipse. The weight of the evidence makes clear that Mr. Trump was aware of the tinder laid by his multi-month effort to delegitimize a democratic election, and then chose to light a match.

Trumps campaign has denounced the decision and called Bellows a virulent leftist and a hyper-partisan Biden-supporting Democrat.

We are witnessing, in real-time, the attempted theft of an election and the disenfranchisement of the American voter, Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung said. Make no mistake, these partisan election interference efforts are a hostile assault on American democracy.

Cheung also said the Trump campaign will appeal the ruling.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Earlier this week, the state of Maine followed Colorado's lead in removing Donald Trump from their 2024 primary ballot and Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows has been the target of threats ever since.

After Bellows' decision, Trump did not comment directly on the removal but took to Truth Social Thursday night to direct his followers to Bellows official website. Accused of being a virulent leftist who has now decided to interfere in the presidential election by the GOP frontrunner's campaign, Bellows' has most recently found herself the victim of "swatting" on Friday night while she was away with her family for the holiday weekend.

According to Washington Examiner, "Law enforcement officials are investigating the incident, which reportedly occurred after a man called the Augusta Regional Communication Center to report that he had broken into the state official's house. However, when Maine State Police responded to the home, no one was at the residence."

"This behavior is unacceptable," Bellows said in a Facebook post on Saturday. "The non-stop threatening communications the people who work for me endured all day yesterday is unacceptable. Its designed to scare not only me but also others into silence, to send a message. I am so grateful to have such an amazing team of employees at the Department of Secretary of State."
FILE PHOTO: Malaysia's new government advisor Daim Zainuddin speaks during a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia's anti-graft agency said on Saturday it was investigating a former finance minister and key ally of ex-Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad under the country's abuse of power and money laundering laws.

In a statement, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) confirmed media reports this month that it had seized Ilham Tower, a 60-storey building in Malaysia's capital Kuala Lumpur, as part of its investigation into Daim Zainuddin.

Daim, 85, said in a statement on Thursday that he denied all wrongdoing and said he was not informed what offence he had allegedly committed despite repeated queries to the MACC.

He also described the probe against him as a "political witch-hunt" driven by the anti-graft agency and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar, who came to power last year, has vowed to weed out high-level corruption, but has faced accusations by some critics of targeting political rivals.

The MACC said on Saturday it had acted independently according to the law, and that it had opened investigations against Daim in February based on information contained in the Pandora Papers - a massive leak of financial records in 2021 which revealed offshore assets held by politicians and public figures worldwide.

In it, Daim, his associates and family members were reported to have held assets worth at least 25 million pounds ($31.82 million).

The MACC said it had asked Daim to declare his assets in June and granted five extensions to the former minister to do so -- the latest on Nov. 14.

It added that "he has every opportunity to clear his name if the case is brought to the court of law."

Daim held the finance portfolio twice: between 1984 and 1991, when he was succeeded by Anwar; and from 1999 to 2001 after Anwar was sacked by then-PM Mahathir for alleged corruption and sodomy.

Though retired from active politics, Daim remains an influential figure.

In 2018, when Mahathir came out of retirement and returned as prime minister, he appointed Daim to lead a government advisory council tasked with scrutinising everything from government policies to the management of state-linked firms.

Daim also led talks to renegotiate several deals with China, including the East Coast Rail Link project, part of Beijing's Belt and Road programme.

($1 = 0.7856 pounds)

(Reporting by Rozanna Latiff; Editing by Kim Coghill)
Prof. Barratt is working on contraception that prevents sperm cells from reaching an egg

A Welsh scientist working on a new male pill wants to reduce the burden on women of protecting against unwanted pregnancies.

Prof Chris Barratt is leading research on a non-hormonal drug which prevents sperm cells from reaching an egg.

His team at the University of Dundee has received significant funding from the Bill and Melina Gates Foundation.

"It's been a very poorly researched topic for 40 or 50 years," Prof Barratt said, but society has changed.

His team's research could see men given a gel or a pill that would affect the sperm cell, effectively disabling its function.

Instead of targeting the production of sperm, his research focuses on slowing the sperm cells' swimming action down and making them similar to those in infertile patients.

"The sperm cells are still produced in the same numbers so there's no effect on the man. It's just that those cells wouldn't be able to reach an egg and fertilise eggs," Prof Barratt said.

Prof Chris Barratt and his team have received funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

The team received 3.45m ($4.4m) of funding in October from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

Existing birth control pills prevent women's ovaries from releasing an egg and contain hormones which often produce side effects that can last months.

"It takes about three months to shut that factory down and it clearly doesn't work all the time, and there are some side effects.

"And then it takes three months to switch the system back on again," Prof Barratt said.

A non-hormonal pill could take just hours to disable the sperm, while hormonal birth control pills may take a few days to be effective and it would also be reversible within hours, he added.

Other groups are working on different types of approaches for male contraception but Dundee's approach is unique, Prof Barratt said, and could produce a non-hormonal contraceptive that works in both men and women.

Would men take it?

Keeping the side effects as low as possible is crucial to a wide take-up of the pill by men.

The compound his team is working on could also be given to women to block sperm in the female tract.

This would offer women a non-hormonal alternative form of birth control, meaning the side effects would be much reduced.

The Gates Foundation was keen to explore it in women too, Prof Barratt explained, and his team's approach has always been designed to cover both.

Prof Barrat's team at the University of Dundee's School of Medicine is working on non-hormonal contraception

Large pharmaceutical companies have historically shown very little interest in the area and "the safety bar is very high, so they've always been reluctant to get into the subject without somebody showing a bit of progress," Prof Barratt said.

The work is still in the discovery phase, but he hopes to be able to start clinical trials for safety in the next few years, followed by trials for efficacy in four to five years.

"The purpose of the Gates Foundation is largely to show progress," he explained.

Life ambition

Born and raised in Welshpool, a market town in Powys, Prof Barratt, who now leads the reproductive medicine department at the University of Dundee's School of Medicine, said he still feels "naturally Welsh".

"I lived in Wales until I was 22, the formative years in college and school. It's just part of me," he added.

He studied Zoology at Swansea University and obtained a PhD at the University of Birmingham.

Through the Gates foundation, his team is part of a global network collaborating with other groups working on different targets.

While it is collaborative, he said his team also needed to be competitive in its quest for progress.

"You're competing, but at the same time you're trying to get humanity over the fence. You can't let that stand in the way of progress for humanity," he said.

His life ambition remains, however, to see Wales comprehensively beat the All Blacks in rugby, live.
A New Jersey man allegedly motivated by the October 7 Hamas attack in Israel has been charged after expressing a desire to harm Americans around the world and planning to join a foreign terrorist group, according to a complaint unsealed Friday by authorities.

Karrem Nasr, 23, is being charged with attempting to provide material support and resources to al-Shabaab, a Somalia-based and designated foreign terrorist organization, the U.S. Attorneys Office, Southern District of New York said in a news release.

If Nasr is found guilty, he could face up to 20 years in prison, federal officials say.

In November while in Egypt, he repeatedly expressed his desire and plans to join al-Shabaab and wage jihad, including in communications with an FBI confidential source, who was posing as a facilitator for terrorist organizations, the complaint said.

Nasr, a US citizen, stated through messages with the confidential source and posts online he had been thinking about engaging in jihad for a long time, and was particularly motivated to become a jihadist by Hamas surprise attack on October 7 that killed at least 1,200 Israelis, the complaint alleged.

He communicated with the confidential source the number one enemy was evil America, which he called the head of the snake, and in recent public social media posts, Nasr warned Jihad was coming soon to a US location near you, as well as posting airplane, bomb, and fire emoji, the complaint said.

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York said in a statement Nasr was motivated by the heinous terrorist attack perpetrated by Hamas on October 7, devoted himself to waging violent jihad against America and its allies. Nasr, a citizen of this country, traveled from Egypt to Kenya bent on joining and training with al-Shabaab so that he could execute his jihadist mission of death and destruction.

Nasr was prepared to kill and be killed to support the jihadist cause, and in his own words, he described America as evil and the head of the snake, Williams added.

Nasr moved from New Jersey to Egypt around July 2023, according to the complaint. He flew from Egypt to Kenya on December 14, where he planned to travel to Somalia, but he was arrested by Kenyan authorities and brought back to the United States on December 28, according to the release.

Its unclear if Nasr has an attorney but he is expected to appear in Manhattan federal court Friday.

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WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah (ABC4)  A man was arrested in West Valley City Wednesday for serial copper wire theft, according to West Valley City Police.

Jason Lee Powell, 52, was arrested on two counts of destruction/tampering of critical infrastructure (first-degree felony) and criminal mischief (class A misdemeanor).

On Dec. 27, police responded to a suspicious circumstance involving a man, identified as Powell, and a woman. According to the statement of probable cause, the two were driving around the city damaging and stealing copper wire from light poles/multi-purpose poles.

Utah is no longer majority Mormon, new research says

Powell was reportedly seen cutting the copper wire out of a sidewalk middle terminal. An officer also saw copper wire and wire-cutting tools in the bed of the suspects truck, according to the statement.

Upon interviewing the woman, police learned that she had been on multiple trips with Powell to steal wire, and that they had gone to recycle facilities in the Rose Park area after.

Powell told police he learned how to steal copper wire during his time as an electrician, fixing bucket trucks and poles, according to the statement.

The man reportedly told police that he had started from 2100 South and 5600 West and gone to roughly 4700 South and 5600 West. He reportedly then went southbound on 5600 West, looped back northbound and hit the other side of the street.

Powell reportedly stated that he has stolen copper wire in the area roughly 40 times.

When asked about the crime, the man said, Im the only one in the county that knows how to do this, according to the affidavit.

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The arresting officer stated that prior to arriving on scene or being dispatched to this call, he had been investigating a large string of copper thefts of this nature, spanning as early as Dec. of 2022 to Dec. of 2023. He stated that West Valley has become victim to over $100,000 worth of damage, theft, and repairs.

Powell was booked into Salt Lake County Jail on the charges previously stated.

No further information is available at this time.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  The founder of Peppermill Casinos Inc., the company behind the iconic Peppermill Restaurant and Fireside Lounge on the Las Vegas Strip, has died at the age of 85.

Bill Paganettis death was announced in a company news release on Friday.

A native of Petaluma, California, Bill, alongside his lifelong friend, Nat Carasali, established the original Peppermill Coffee Shop and Lounge in Reno, Nevada, in 1971. This establishment later evolved into the renowned Peppermill Resort Spa Casino, according to the statement.

Bill Paganetti of Peppermill Casinos Inc.

Its one of Renos biggest hotels with 1,621 rooms.

Paganettis empire expanded almost immediately and eventually grew into casinos in Reno, Sparks and Wendover.

But Las Vegas knew him from the lounge on the Strip. The Peppermill, which opened in 1972, remained a stand-alone restaurant through the years, now in the shadow of Wynn Resorts, Resorts World and the Fontainebleau Las Vegas  newcomers in the Peppermills lifetime.

The interior of the Peppermill on the Las Vegas Strip is shown in this December 2022 photo. (KLAS)

When it arrived, the big names on the block were the Desert Inn, the Stardust, the Riviera and the Landmark  all long since gone.

The restaurant brand extended into California in 1973.

His contributions to the industry and the regions where his businesses operated have left a lasting impact, as well as his history of kindness and generosity. Embodying his lifes philosophy of family first, Bill was a remarkable family man, married for over 50 years to his wife, Maryanne, with 5 children and 19 grandchildren he was very proud of, the statement said.

Paganettis iconic legacy in the hospitality and casino industry extends to several other properties. These include the Western Village Inn & Casino in Sparks, Nevada, and the trio of Rainbow, Peppermill, and Montego Bay in Wendover, the statement said.

The Peppermill on the Strip is a popular meeting spot, a late-night coffee shop frequented by Strip graveyard workers. It has been featured in a number of movies including The Cotton Club (1984), Showgirls (1995), Casino (1995), and The Trust (1996).

It has also appeared in televisions CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations and Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.

The Peppermill lounge on the Strip also shows up in music videos by Adam Lambert (Another Lonely Night) and Santana and Diego Torres (Feel It Coming Back).

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
EUREKA, Mo.  A man is behind bars after he allegedly stole tens of thousands of dollars in funds intended to support a St. Louis-area veterans group.

St. Louis County prosecutors have charged Brett Leary, 42, with one felony count of stealing ($750 or more) in connection with the investigation.

Leary is accused of stealing more than $36,000 from the Gateway Warrior Foundation while he served as vice president. Investigators say his father found the organization back in 2014, and it aims to provide service dogs and other resources to wounded veterans.

Five things to follow with the St. Louis Cardinals and Blues in 2024

According to court documents obtained by FOX 2, Leary became vice president of the organization earlier this year due to restructuring of the foundations leadership.

The foundation kept funds in a bank account at a Commerce Bank branch in Eureka, but shortly after the leadership change, that account closed.

Court documents indicate that Leary opened a new bank account in Eureka and was given full authority to make online transactions. He reportedly had a debit card connected to the account and checks sent to his home.

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At some point this year, the foundations treasurer requested bank statements from the account. The bank statement revealed that Leary had written several checks to himself, amounting to several thousand dollars.

Investigators say that Leary admitted to stealing funds from the organization, then offered a $36,716.44 check to cover the funds he allegedly misappropriated. Court documents state the check came back for insufficient funds.

Leary turned himself in to the Eureka Police Department earlier this month and was charged on Dec. 21. He had a criminal setting hearing scheduled for January 29, 2024, per Missouri court records.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
A man has died after fire broke out on a hospital ward.

Lancashire Police said it was called by the North West Ambulance Service to Broadway, Accrington, on Christmas Day at about 09:00 GMT to help colleagues with a man who had been detained under the Mental Health Act.

The police left the scene and the man was taken to hospital.

The force was called to the Royal Blackburn Hospital later that day by a report of arson.

A man in his 30s was found unresponsive and died the following day, police said.

A police spokesperson said: "We have made a mandatory referral to the IOPC in relation to the interaction on Monday morning.

"It would be inappropriate to comment any further at this stage."

A spokesperson for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said it dispatched four fire engines and an investigation was in progress to determine the cause.

The fire service spokesperson added: "Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends affected."

The BBC has approached the hospital trust for comment.

Why not follow BBC North West on Facebook, X and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk
Abuse survivors Debbie Vasquez, from left, Jules Woodson and Tiffany Thigpen turn to watch as messengers vote on a resolution in favor of sexual abuse victims during the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting, held at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California, on June 15, 2022. RNS photo by Justin L. Stewart/Religion News Service

The Southern Baptist Convention and others have reached a confidential settlement in a high-profile lawsuit that accused a former leader of sexual assault, ending a six-year legal drama that helped prompt a broader reckoning over child sexual abuse in evangelical churches, expanded victims rights in Texas and showed that a prominent conservative activist and Texas House candidate repeatedly downplayed abuse allegations.

In 2017, Duane Rollins filed the lawsuit accusing Paul Pressler, a longtime Southern Baptist figure and former Texas judge, of decades of rape beginning when Rollins was a 14-year-old member of Presslers church youth group in Houston.

Rollins claimed in court documents that the alleged attacks pushed him into drug and alcohol addictions that kept him in prison throughout much of his adult life. After disclosing the alleged rapes to a prison psychiatrist, Rollins filed the suit in Harris County against Pressler along with other defendants who he accused of enabling or concealing Presslers behavior  including the Southern Baptist Convention and Jared Woodfill, the former chair of the Harris County GOP and Presslers longtime law partner.

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Rollins claims were a key impetus for Abuse of Faith, a 2019 investigation by the Houston Chronicle and San Antonio Express-News into sexual abuse in the SBC, the nations second-largest faith group. The series led to major reforms in the SBC, revelations that top leaders had routinely ignored or downplayed warnings about a sexual abuse crisis, and an ongoing Department of Justice investigation.

As part of Rollins suit, at least seven other men came forward with their own allegations of sexual misconduct by Pressler in incidents spanning four decades. The suit also showed that Woodfill, a prominent anti-LGBTQ+ activist, was aware of allegations that Pressler was a sexual predator but continued to provide him with young, male personal assistants who worked out of Presslers River Oaks home. Three of the men have alleged sexual abuse or misconduct.

Woodfill is currently running for a Texas House seat against incumbent Rep. Lacey Hull, R-Houston, and has been endorsed by Attorney General Ken Paxton and Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller.

Pressler, 93, is one of the most influential evangelical figures of the last half-century, and is considered the co-architect of the SBCs conservative resurgence that began in the late 1970s and prompted the faith group to adopt literal interpretations of the Bible, align more closely with the Republican Party, ban women from preaching and strongly condemn homosexuality.

Pressler  who formerly represented Houston in the Texas House and served for 14 years as a state appeals court judge  is also an influential figure in GOP politics. His endorsement has for years been sought by conservative evangelical politicians, including U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas. In 1989, Pressler was nominated to lead the Office of Government Ethics under President George H.W. Bush, though the bid was later withdrawn; and Pressler is a founding member of Council for National Policy, a secretive network of conservative judges, politicians, media figures, megadonors and wealthy business owners that is currently led by Tony Perkins, head of the anti-LGBTQ+ Family Research Council.

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Pressler denies the allegations and has not been criminally charged for any of the alleged abuses. An attorney for Pressler did not respond to a request for comment about the settlement, which is not public.

In a statement, legal representatives for the Southern Baptist Convention and its executive committee confirmed that they had entered into a confidential settlement agreement despite being fully prepared to proceed to a trial that was scheduled for February after being postponed twice this year.

However, several factors ultimately made settlement the more prudent choice, they wrote. Chief among those factors was the horrendous nature of the abuse allegations, the likelihood that counsel for the SBC and Executive Committee would have to confront and cross-examine abuse survivors, the Executive Committees current financial condition, and the willingness of multiple insurance carriers to contribute to the terms of the settlement.

Michael Goldberg, who represented Rollins along with a team of lawyers from Baker Botts, said Friday that they had resolved the matter with Pressler on mutually satisfactory terms, and added that his team was very proud of the settlement we reached against the Southern Baptist Convention and Jared Woodfill.

Woodfill has denied wrongdoing and said this week that he has not settled the case, though a Harris County judge signed off on a motion last week that said all claims, counterclaims and controversies in the suit were resolved.

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We are fighting the insurance company and oppose any payment, Woodfill said in a text message on Thursday.

A pattern

The settlement almost never happened.

By the time that Rollins disclosed the alleged abuses to a prison psychiatrist in 2016 and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder as a direct result of the childhood sexual trauma he suffered, the statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit against Pressler had long passed.

Nevertheless, Rollins pushed forward with the suit, arguing that the alleged rapes by Pressler  a spiritual mentor who Rollins said weaponized religious language to justify his predations  were so traumatizing that he unconsciously developed a sort of Stockholm syndrome that made it impossible to recognize himself as a victim until decades had passed.

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Thus, Rollins argued, his statute of limitations should have begun when he realized he had been abused, rather than when the last assault occurred. His lawsuit was initially dismissed on statute grounds.

But Rollins appealed and, eventually, had the dismissal overturned by the Texas Supreme Court, which agreed with Rollins arguments. The courts opinion was a major victory for sexual abuse victims and their advocates, who have for years pointed to research that shows child sexual trauma can remap developing brains and make it difficult for many survivors to come forward until after their 50th birthday, and after their standing to file lawsuits has elapsed.

Rollins lawsuit also uncovered a 40-year pattern of alleged abuses by Pressler. As part of the suit, a former member of Presslers youth group said in a sworn affidavit that Pressler molested him in 1977 while the two were in a sauna at the country club in Houstons tony River Oaks neighborhood. The man was entering his sophomore year in college at the time; Pressler, meanwhile, was a youth pastor at a Presbyterian church in Houston.

He was ousted from that position in 1978 after church officials received information about an alleged incident, according to a letter introduced into the court file. Soon after, Pressler ramped up his involvement in Southern Baptist life.

Rollins said Pressler began sexually abusing him not long after. He said the rapes continued on and off for nearly a quarter-century, often while he was working as Presslers aide.

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In 2004, court records show that a small group of leaders at First Baptist Church of Houston were made aware of allegations that Pressler, a powerful deacon at the church, had undressed and groped a young man at his home.

In a letter to Pressler that was unearthed as part of Rollins lawsuit, the church leaders condemned Presslers morally and spiritually inappropriate behavior. They also feared that publicizing the allegations would damage Presslers reputation in their church and the Southern Baptist Convention.

An attorney for First Baptist Church of Houston, which was a defendant in Rollins lawsuit, did not respond to a request for comment Thursday about the lawsuit settlement. The church has previously defended its handling of the 2004 incident, saying that there were differing accounts of what happened and that Presslers position on church committees and as a teacher were eliminated as a result.

The same year that First Baptist was made aware of those allegations, Rollins filed a lawsuit for non-sexual assault against Pressler that was quickly settled for $450,000. Woodfill, who represented Pressler in the matter, said under oath last year that he was told by Rollins attorney at the time that Pressler had sexually abused Rollins as a child. Despite that, Woodfill continued to lean on Presslers conservative reputation, connections and influence to bolster their law firm, providing him with the young, male personal assistants despite Pressler doing almost no work.

I can think of one or two cases that he brought in, Woodfill testified as part of Rollins new lawsuit last year. He may have gone to one hearing in his entire time with us, two at the most. Really, it was his name.  He got an employee that worked for him. So he didnt get a salary. He didnt get a draw. He didnt get a bonus. We paid for someone to come and assist him. Thats how he got compensated.

Woodfill similarly downplayed sexual misconduct allegations in 2016, after a 25-year-old lawyer at his firm alerted Woodfill that Pressler had told him lewd stories about being naked on beaches with young men and then invited him to skinny-dip at his ranch, court records show. The attorney said he addressed the incident with a longtime employee of Woodfills law firm, who made it clear that this was not the first time hed heard such allegations.

I discovered that this was not unusual behavior for Pressler, and that he had a long history of lecherous behavior towards young men. Even going as far as bringing scantily clad men and parading them through the office, the attorney wrote in an affidavit that was filed as part of Rollins lawsuit.

Woodfill  whod just played a key role defeating an equal rights ordinance for LGBTQ Houstonians  responded to the young mans request for help with shock. This 85-year-old man has never made any inappropriate comments or actions toward me or any one I know of, he responded, court records show.

The young attorneys claims are similar in detail to those from other Pressler accusers, who said he leaned on his stature and connections in conservative religious and political circles to try and coerce them into lewd massages, naked swimming sessions or sex. One accuser  a young Houston Baptist University student  said in a sworn affidavit that he stopped pursuing a career in ministry, frequently had panic attacks and attempted suicide as a result of Presslers alleged behavior.

Court filings also show that Presslers family was alerted about his behavior in 2017, when an aide claimed in a letter that he had both heard stories of and personally witnessed Pressler getting nude massages from young men who work for him. He also claimed that Pressler had recently bragged about skinny-dipping with three boys who were younger than 10, and that he had seen Pressler manipulate a 20-year-old into giving him a massage and then repeatedly kiss him.

He talks way more about nudity, the male body, being naked in spas in Europe, being naked in general than God, or his Baptist background, the aide wrote before announcing his resignation.
Man dropped off at hospital with multiple gunshot wounds: MPD

MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A man is in critical condition after being shot multiple times Saturday morning, Memphis Police say.

At 3:35 a.m., officers responded to Methodist South Hospital regarding a man who had been shot and dropped off by private vehicle.

1 dead, 1 injured after shooting on Jackson Avenue

Police say the man is suffering from multiple gunshot wounds and is in critical condition.

This is an ongoing investigation.

If you have any information regarding this incident, call Crime Stoppers at 901-528-CASH.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
A 63-year-old man who was shot and killed by police in Northeast Austin on Tuesday called 911 before the incident to report that there was a man in a parking lot firing a rifle, a police news release said Friday.

The caller, Konrad Farad Khorshahian, didn't say he was the man with the weapon, but Austin police determined that after his death, the news release said.

More: Man fatally shot by officer in Northeast Austin had BB gun, police say

He called 911 at 1:18 p.m. Tuesday, saying that "there is a man with a rifle in the middle of the parking lot" at 1501 E. Howard Lane  the address of the Bridge at Harris Ridge apartment complex  and that the man was shooting. The caller also said he did not know what the man was shooting at, the release said. Khorshahian hung up without providing further information, police said.

Police later determined that Khorshahian was shooting a BB gun. Officers on the scene did not know whether he was shooting a rifle or a BB gun, interim Police Chief Robin Henderson said at a news conference Tuesday.

Austin police are investigating an officer-involved shooting at the Bridge at Harris Ridge apartment complex in Northeast Austin. The victim had called 911 to report that a man was firing a rifle, and when officers arrived, he yelled that he wanted them to shoot him, police said. His "rifle" turned out to be a BB gun, police said.

More: Exclusive: Austin police got 2015 report on officer shooting suspect but didn't surveil him

The officer who shot Khorshahian was placed on administrative leave while the incident is being investigated, police said. The officer's name has not been released.

When police arrived at the apartment complex, Khorshahian pointed a weapon at them while they were in patrol cars, officials have said. Two officers got out of their cars and took cover behind them while Khorshahian yelled at them that he wanted them to shoot him, police said.

The officers continued to give commands, identifying themselves as Austin police officers and instructing Khorshahian to drop his weapon, according to the release.

A police helicopter was called to the location to assist officers. "Within the same minute, one of the officers announced over the police radio, 'Shots fired,' and that Mr. Khorshahian was 'down,  the release said.

Footage of the shooting, which was captured on police body-worn cameras, will be released within 10 business days of the incident, per the department's policy.

Anyone with information on the incident can call the department's special investigations unit at 512-974-6840 or Capitol Area Crime Stoppers at 512-472-8477 or submit a tip online at austincrimestoppers.org.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Man killed by police in Northeast Austin called 911 before incident
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  The man who killed his mother and then went on a carjacking rampage, killing a father of seven before officers shot and killed him was ordered to forfeit his weapons a decade ago after police found rifles, body armor and scanners in his home, the 8 News Now Investigators have learned.

Justin Jeffrey Davidson, 36, engaged police in two shootouts with two assault rifles Wednesday. Two Metro police officers and three state troopers shot at Davidson 63 times and found his body inside one of the two cars he stole during the mayhem.

Photo of Justin Davidson provided by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. (LVMPD/KLAS)

Davidson, of Henderson, was firing a gun near his family home at Placid Street and Maulding Avenue in southeast Las Vegas, police said. He then shot and killed his mother before stealing a police cruiser and carjacking two more people.

Davidson has a string of drug arrests in Las Vegas dating back to March and September 2011, and at least one conviction in Las Vegas Eighth Judicial District Court, records show. He also has a drug arrest in Henderson in 2010 and a gun charge there in 2012. In his most serious offense before Wednesday, Davidson pleaded guilty in June 2007 to possession of a controlled substance.

In 2012, a federal grand jury charged Davidson for distributing oxycodone and for being a felon in possession of a firearm, records said. Davidsons drug conviction prevented him from possessing a gun, prosecutors said at the time.

Davidson had sold 50 Roxicodone pills to an undercover Henderson informant, leading police to search his home, documents said.

However, in 2012, prosecutors Davidson had two handguns and three rifles, one of which was reported stolen, documents said. Davidson was not taken into custody on the charges until January 2013, documents said.

The guns Davidson used during the rampage were a Sig Sauer AR 308 rifle that was stolen in May from a Las Vegas gun show and an AK-47-style rifle with the serial number destroyed, Metro police said Friday.

Weapons police seized after shooting and killing Justin Davidson on Wednesday. (KLAS)

During a court hearing, prosecutors displayed photographs of a safe showing the firearms in question along with body armor, police scanners and other items, Davidsons attorney wrote in one document in 2013, adding Davidson did not live at the residence that was searched.

Police also found multiple high-capacity magazines, each which could hold up to 100 rounds, as well as extended magazines that held in excess of 15 rounds of ammunition, documents said.

Davidson pleaded guilty to the charges in 2013. Before sentencing, his father wrote a letter to the judge asking for leniency, adding Davidson was the primary caregiver of his grandmother.

Justin was in the process of working towards his diploma, Davidsons father said. He had already obtained a GED. He has plans to attend a community college or a technical school when he receives a diploma. He has goals to be a productive individual. We humbly ask you to please give Justin an opportunity to set his life back on track and not let a bad decision after his lifes direction.

A diagram found in a notebook of Justin Davidsons shown during a LVMPD news conference. (KLAS)

A federal judge sentenced Davidson to 57 months in prison, records said. Davidson was then incarcerated at a California facility.

The judge also ordered Davidson to forfeit the five weapons.

Police who were searching the desert wash near Davidsons home, where Wednesdays rampage began, found loaded ammo magazines of various calibers. Investigators found a notebook that contained writing that included a diagram of a potential ambush, indicating that Davidson had been preparing for a confrontation with officers.

In addition, police found electronic devices, trail cameras, bulletproof vests, tactical helmets, firearms, and components that police believed could be used to create firearm suppressors at Davidsons home in Las Vegas. At his Henderson home, law enforcement found more notebooks and electronics. Investigators noted that they also found military manuals and documents detailing police response to mass-casualty events.

Police said other items included prepping supplies, propane, and an ample butane supply. However, investigators stopped short of saying Davidson was attempting to build an improvised explosive device, saying that those questions remain unanswered as of Friday, as does the question of why Davidson started shooting in the first place.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
A man who authorities said was wielding an ax on a residential thoroughfare near the Yuba County airport Friday afternoon was hospitalized after being shot by a deputy during the encounter.

The man, who was not identified by the Yuba County Sheriffs Office, was taken to Adventist Rideout Hospital in Marysville after being fired upon on the 5400 block of Feather River Boulevard, a bypass running west of Linda and Olivehurst lined with residences and just north of the airport.

According to the Sheriffs Office, a deputy was dispatched to the tract at approximately 2:50 p.m. for a medical aid call when he was confronted by the ax-wielding combatant.

Deputies did not provide an update on the mans condition, nor did they disclose how long the interaction took place before the deputy used his service weapon. The Sheriffs Office also did not say how many shots were fired or whether less-than-lethal means were deployed.

The Sheriffs Office said the incident was being investigated by the Yuba-Sutter Officer-Involved Shooting Team.
DUETTE, Fla. - If you look closely at Duette Preserve in Manatee County, you can spot signs of life.

"You can see little feet print. Hes most likely down there unless hes out there foraging," said Kathleen Barrett.

Barrett, the Ecological Program Manager for Manatee Countys Gopher Tortoise Recipient Sites, points out a burrow of a gopher tortoise.

"They dig. They can be 10-foot down, 20-foot down. They build it, and then theyll have a chamber at the bottom," she said.

Barrett said the burrows can provide refuge for more than 360 different wildlife species.

But as development gobbles up rural land and new homes go up, gopher tortoises are left homeless.

"Here in Manatee we had a couple of projects where we ended up sending a couple of tortoises to Hernando County or Okeechobee County and we are like no, that is kind of ridiculous," she said.

ALSO READ: Myakka Elephant Ranch visitors interact with two beloved Asian elephants

Working with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Manatee Countys Natural Resource Department will welcome those displaced tortoises to their new home at the preserve.

"The gopher tortoise is threatened. Their population has gotten so much lower in Florida because theyre being displaced out of their habitats. Theyre living in suboptimal spoil piles on the sides of roads and things like that. To have a 22,000 acres to roam through will be a real refuge for them," she said.

A new home for animals that have lived in the area longer than most.

"Being a part of gopher tortoise rescue or rehoming is important to us because our preserves are designed and set up for wildlife. This is how we can help protect them and ensure the survival of this gopher tortoise species," said Charlie Hunsicker the director of Manatee County Natural Resources Department.

Giving the species a change to thrive and survive.

"We are set up now to receive those tortoises for their forever home," said Hunsicker.

For more information on the Gopher Tortoise Recipient Site, contact Manatee County Natural Resources Department Ecological Program Manager Kathleen Barrett at (941) 742-5980, ext.1876. or kathleen.barrett@mymanatee.org.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) is reviving her rabble-rousing ways, creating new headaches for Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) as he settles into his role leading the House GOP conferences razor-thin majority.

Greene arrived on Capitol Hill in 2021 as a conservative firebrand who quickly emerged as a nuisance for top lawmakers. That changed when former Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) mended fences and embraced Greene on his way to the Speakership, turning the outspoken instigator into a leadership ally.

But as McCarthys ouster drifts farther into the past, the old Greene is coming back to shore.

In an extensive interview with The Hill, Greene did not hold back when asked about Johnsons early Speakership record  terrible  or his need to earn her trust.

He went from having a voting record to literally a month later  going against his own voting record and being Speaker of the House, Greene later added. Literally all of a sudden talking about doing things that he had literally voted against only a month before that. And, you know, that was unacceptable to me, and it still is.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) speaks with Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.)

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) speaks with Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) as House and Senate Armed Services Committees go to conference for the FY 2024 National Defense Authorization Act on Wednesday, November 29, 2023.

In the first two months of the Johnson era, Greene moved to force votes on a pair of politically prickly issues that split the Republican conference, hurled sometimes explicit insults at GOP colleagues who opposed those efforts, and frequently criticized the Speakers strategy on major issues including government funding, Ukraine aid and the annual defense policy bill.

While the role of rabble-rouser is nothing new for Greene, her reversion to that position has exacerbated the problems facing Johnson as he works to unite the GOP conference through a series of legislative landmines.

Related coverage: Speaker Johnson enters 2024 with warring GOP factions

Greene maintains that despite her dramatic change during the McCarthy era, she is still the same antagonist deep down.

I wasnt a team player. I wasnt even involved. I was a regular American, a very successful business owner, a mom who raised my kids, and a Republican voter who felt let down by Republicans in Washington, D.C. So thats who I am, and Im still that person, Greene said.

Im not the Republican team player; I never have been, she added.

Outcry over key issues

US. Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), Mike Johnson (R-LA), Jim Jordan (R-OH) and Daniel Webster (R-FL) listen as House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) speaks at a news conference after the House passed H.R.2  the Secure the Border Act of 2023 at the Capitol, May 11, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Greene has dialed up her criticism of Johnson since he won the gavel on Oct. 25, sharply critiquing his strategy on a handful of policy pushes  including his call to pair Ukraine aid with border security.

As a growing contingent of Republicans oppose support for Kyiv, Johnson said any assistance must be coupled with substantive border security policy, a move that was viewed as an attempt to find common ground between Ukraine allies and conservative skeptics. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), a top supporter of Ukraine, got behind the play.

But Greene said the proposal was a bad strategy.

More Congress coverage from The Hill

The Georgia Republican also slammed Johnsons decision to put a clean two-step continuing resolution (CR) on the floor to avert a government shutdown  which largely mirrored the decision McCarthy made that marked the beginning of the end of his Speakership.

Mike Johnson comes in and first thing he starts talking about is passing another CR, and Im like, wait a minute, what? You just voted against it. That was the whole reason why Kevin McCarthy got ousted, was working with Democrats and passing a clean CR. And you know, for me I was like, what a hypocrisy, Greene told The Hill.

And then the next thing he starts immediately talking about is funding Ukraine, that shocked me, Greene later added. I was like, why would he even be talking about that? He voted against it.

But Johnson had told GOP lawmakers in a dear colleague letter hours before his election as Speaker that he would put a short-term stopgap bill on the floor if needed to avert a shutdown  and Greene supported his candidacy despite that plan.

Greene also knocked Johnson after congressional leaders released the final version of the annual defense bill that, she said, was completed without input from conferees.

That critique was more personal: McCarthy had appointed her to the conference committee, and the final product omitted conservative provisions she had championed. She wasted no time taking shots at the new Speaker.

Speaker Johnson worked with [Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.)] to cut a deal that removes all abortion and trans surgery prohibitions we passed under Speaker McCarthy, Greene wrote this month on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. No member of the NDAA conference had any influence on this process. It was done in secret meetings with no input from conferees, she continued, referring to the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

The criticisms might be easily dismissed coming from another second-term lawmaker. But Greene has quickly made herself into a national brand  a fundraising juggernaut and close ally of former President Trump, who leadership can ignore only at their own peril.

Greene and Johnson have spoken on several occasions, according to various news reports, and a spokesperson for Johnson said the Louisiana Republican weighs the concerns of everyone in the party.

Speaker Johnson takes into consideration the input of each and every one of the members across the Conference, the spokesperson told The Hill.

Forced votes and public confrontations

This combo image shows Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., Feb. 18, 2022, left, and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., May 18, 2023, right. The House is expected to consider resolutions that would censure Tlaib and Greene in a partisan tit-for-tat over inflammatory rhetoric. (AP Photo/File)

Greene has also wielded procedural tools to influence the Houses agenda, forcing Johnson into making politically difficult decisions and exposing fissures within the GOP conference.

Roughly 24 hours after the House elected Johnson, Greene moved to force a vote on censuring Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) for her criticisms of Israel following Hamass unprecedented attacks. The move compelled the newly minted Speaker to act on the measure that, controversially, accused the Michigan Democrat of leading an insurrection.

Twenty-three Republicans joined with Democrats in voting to table the resolution, torpedoing the legislation and dividing the GOP conference at a time when showcasing unity was a key leadership priority.

Greene put the 23 GOP lawmakers on blast  especially Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), who got in a public back-and-forth with the Georgia Republican after he called her censure resolution feckless and deeply flawed.

Oh shut up Colonel Sanders, youre not even from Texas, more like the DMV. Chip Roys career [consists] of working for politicians, working for campaigns for politicians, and being a politician himself, Greene wrote on X.

Next, Greene moved twice to force votes on impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorka is sworn in before the House Judiciary Committee during a hearing on Oversight of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, July 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorka is sworn in before the House Judiciary Committee during a hearing on Oversight of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, July 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

The House shelved the first resolution after eight Republicans voted with Democrats to refer the measure to the Homeland Security Committee, again dealing a blow to one of Greenes procedural gambits and teeing up a public spat between her and another GOP lawmaker  Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.)  who criticized her and her effort.

The back-and-forth included a post on X from Greenes campaign account directed at Issa, which shared an abridged clip of former President Trump saying she said hes a pussy.

Greene yanked her second attempt after she said Johnson guaranteed that well be moving forward with impeachment for Mayorkas. But the episode did not conclude without Greene taking a clear shot at Johnson.

Its still early in his Speakership, so I have given him  Ive been patient, but the honeymoons over, Greene said of Johnson minutes after she moved to force a second vote. So at this point, yes, Im frustrated.

GOP lawmakers say the public spats are counterproductive.

It weakens us, Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) said of Greene criticizing Johnson in public. And you know, we got a three-seat majority, we got to respect that.

I dont know how that helps, another House Republican, who requested anonymity to discuss the sensitive topic, said. I truly dont see how that helps.

Running the same playbook? Not necessarily

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., and Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., look at vote totals during the roll call vote on the motion to adjourn for the evening in the House chamber as the House meets for a second day to elect a speaker and convene the 118th Congress in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Greene insists she is not necessarily running the same playbook with Johnson that she used to land herself in McCarthys corner  Going on that basis would mean that I have only one playbook, and that thats the only one I know how to follow, and thats not true about me at all  but there are similarities.

Greene was shrouded in controversy when she was sworn into office in January 2021, drawing headlines for comments supporting the QAnon conspiracy theory, which posed early headaches for GOP leadership.

Only a month into her tenure, 11 Republicans joined with Democrats to strip Greene of her committee assignments because of her endorsement of conspiracy theories, racist dogma and violence against Democratic politicians.

Greene said conservatives told her at the time that McCarthy was responsible for her being booted from committees, which fueled her opposition to the then-GOP leader and sparked her public campaign against him.

He was an enemy in my mind, that that had happened, and I attacked him all the time. Like, it was all the time, Greene told The Hill.

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Following her committee ouster, Greene reposted  then deleted  a social media post that called McCarthy a feckless c**t, and, later in the year, declared that the then-minority leader doesnt have the full support to be Speaker.

When I came in as a freshman member of Congress, I was majorly, you know, anti-leadership, she said.

Greene said she sought a reset after former Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) told her that McCarthy was not behind the effort and had rather fought to keep her on panels. She then began meeting with McCarthy in earnest.

In September 2022, as the House GOP was on its way to reclaiming the majority, she appeared at a rollout event for McCarthys midterm campaign platform after helping craft the priorities, an early sign of support. That November, Greene backed McCarthys Speakership bid, breaking from others in the right flank and culminating her transformation from leadership adversary to ally.

And in a sign of her evolution from outsider to insider, news broke in July that the House Freedom Caucus voted to remove Greene from its ranks in part because of her cozy relationship with McCarthy. The striking move came shortly after the Georgia Republican split from many of her conservative colleagues to support the debt limit bill McCarthy struck with President Biden.

I would love to help Mike Johnson be successful

FILE  Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., speaks at the Capitol in Washington, Nov. 29, 2023. The House is pushing toward a vote to authorize the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden formally. This comes as Republicans rally behind the charged process despite lingering concerns among some in the party that the investigation has yet to produce evidence of misconduct by the president. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

Despite the rocky start with Johnson, Greene is extending a hand to the top lawmaker in what could be seen as a bid to join the inner circle.

I would love to help Mike Johnson be successful, but so far I cant support the decisions that hes made, she said.

But she took a shot at Johnsons leadership style.

Hes got to earn it. But would I help him? Of course I would. If he listened, Greene said. See, theres a difference. Kevin McCarthy would listen. Kevin McCarthy would, you know, he would take ideas, he would take suggestions, he would take help because he was willing to take it, and he didnt try to do everything on his own.

A third House Republican, who also requested anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter, suggested that the onus is on GOP leadership to forge a relationship with Greene  like McCarthy did  so she can advocate for her priorities privately rather than publicly.

Legislators have to be developed here, and people, you know, you have to have trusted allies to help you build how to be effective here. And Kevin helped a lot of members channel their goals into an effective process, and he was very, very open about it. That was his power, enormous strength that he doesnt get much credit for, the GOP lawmaker said.

Shes a good example of how she had influence and was highly effective. And she was able to do that behind closed doors. Now, in order for her to get the same effect, she has to do it publicly. Same set of goals. This is stuff that shes worked on. So I dont I view that as you know, no one in current leadership having an effective relationship with her, how its more a statement of our current leadership than it is about a change in her, the lawmaker added.

Marjorie Taylor Greene on shrinking GOP majority: Hopefully no one dies

For now, Greene would not outwardly say that she trusts Johnson, and she made clear that she would be keeping an eye on the Speaker moving forward.

Trust is earned and thats based on actions, not on promises or intentions or saying, Im brand-new here, Greene told The Hill. Honeymoon is over; its all about actions from here on out.

Mike Lillis contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
In a recent interview centering on her relationship with former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and the one she's building with current Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) describes herself as never having been a team player, opting to make her views known regardless of who they could potentially upset.

Speaking to The Hill, Greene touches upon her pre-Congress days, saying, I wasnt a team player. I wasnt even involved. I was a regular American, a very successful business owner, a mom who raised my kids, and a Republican voter who felt let down by Republicans in Washington, D.C. So thats who I am, and Im still that person."

As the outlet highlights, "Greene arrived on Capitol Hill in 2021 as a conservative firebrand who quickly emerged as a nuisance for top lawmakers." When sharing floor space with McCarthy, she often vacillated between critic and ally, and is now putting Johnson under that same level of conditional scrutiny, saying in her interview that she views his early Speakership record as being "terrible."

He went from having a voting record to literally a month later  going against his own voting record and being Speaker of the House, Greene says. Literally all of a sudden talking about doing things that he had literally voted against only a month before that. And, you know, that was unacceptable to me, and it still is.

Comparing Johnson's strategy to the one that eventually did McCarthy in, Greene says, Mike Johnson comes in and first thing he starts talking about is passing another CR, and Im like, wait a minute, what? You just voted against it. That was the whole reason why Kevin McCarthy got ousted, was working with Democrats and passing a clean CR. And you know, for me I was like, what a hypocrisy."
Dec. 30 (UPI) -- A former deputy fire chief in southern Massachusetts is dead after being shot and killed by police, local officials have confirmed.

Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn told reporters on Friday that Paul Coderre, the former interim fire chief of New Bedford, Mass., was killed in an officer-involved shooting outside a bar in nearby Fairhaven, Mass., earlier that evening.

Quinn said police were responding a to call about an intoxicated man around 4:30 p.m., when Coderre, 55, drew a weapon, leading to an exchange of gunfire with police.

Officers from several surrounding municipalities including Fairhaven, Mattapoisett and Acushnet responded to the call. An officer from the Acushnet Police Department was hit in the leg by a bullet during the exchange of gunfire.

Quinn said the officer was later treated and released from hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Quinn told reporters that Coderre, originally from Dartmouth, Mass., had been drinking throughout the afternoon and was involved in an altercation inside the bar prior to the shooting. Police were called when Coderre was seen attempting to get into a vehicle.

"Police responded to the scene. He was in possession of a firearm," Quinn said. "They attempted to speak to him and de-escalate the situation. Several attempts were made to use non-deadly force to subdue him, including the use of a Taser. Those attempts were not successful.

"At some point, he fired his gun. Police returned fire, and as a result of that, Paul Coderre died."

The incident unfolded over multiple hours, and Quinn stressed to reporters that it appeared as though police tried multiple times to negotiate with Coderre.

"Several other means of de-escalation were used that were not successful. Police tried to talk to Mr. Coderre for a period of time. Several departments responded, so there were several attempts made to subdue him without using deadly force. He eventually fired his weapon."

The Bristol County District Attorney's Office will continue to investigate the case.

New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell grieved shooting in a social media post.

"This evening's fatal shooting in Fairhaven was tragic in every sense. I am relieved that the officer who was injured will make a full recovery, and that no one else was seriously hurt," Mitchell, a former federal prosecutor, wrote on X.
The patients and medical staff of the maternity hospital in Dnipro, which was hit by a Russian missile on Dec 29, were able to survive by going to the buildings shelter, according to the Governor of the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Serhiy Lysak, on Telegram.

There were 12 women in labor and four newborns in the room.

Read also: 3-week-old newborn and preteen among 7 killed in Russias brutal campaign against Kherson civilians

As noted by Iryna Kulbach, the head of the obstetrics department, the windows and ceilings in the maternity hospital building were damaged. However, patients and medical staff of the hospital were not injured. As soon as the alarm sounded, the doctors quickly moved everyone to the shelter as soon as the alarm sounded. That saved us," she said.

Read also: Blackouts in at least 5 oblasts following Russias largest missile and drone attack of the war

Kulbach added to the public that all pregnant patients are now at home.

"I am sure that the maternity hospital will be operational in the near future, and new Ukrainian men and women will be born there," said Kulbach.

Read also: Ukraine calls an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Russian missile attacks

The head of the obstetric department added that they are in contact with the evacuated mothers, and the newborns are in satisfactory condition.

The head of the Dnipropetrovsk OVA previously reported that at least five people were killed and dozens injured in the Dnipro due to a massive Russian missile attack. The aggressor also hit a shopping mall.

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
FILE PHOTO: The corporate logo of McDonald's Corp fast food chain is seen on display in the Malaysian town of Pekan

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - McDonald's Malaysia has sued a movement promoting boycotts against Israel for "false and defamatory statements" that it says hurt its business, seeking damages amounting to 6 million ringgit ($1.31 million).

Malaysia, a majority-Muslim country, is a staunch supporter of the Palestinians, and some Western fast-food brands in the country, as in some other Muslim nations, have been targeted by boycott campaigns over Israel's military offensive in Gaza.

Gerbang Alaf Restaurants Sdn Bhd (GAR), which is the licencee of McDonald's in Malaysia, is suing the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) Malaysia movement for a series of social media postings allegedly linking the fast-food franchise, among other companies, to Israel's "genocidal war against Palestinians in Gaza".

According to a writ of summons dated Dec. 19 sighted by Reuters, Gerbang Alaf Restaurants alleged that BDS Malaysia incited the public to boycott McDonald's Malaysia, which led to a loss of profit and job cuts, among other damages, due to closures and shortened operating hours of its outlets.

McDonald's Malaysia confirmed it filed the suit against BDS Malaysia to protect its "rights and interests", it said in a statement on Friday.

In response, BDS Malaysia said it "categorically denies" defaming the fast-food company and would leave the matter to the court.

The BDS movement aims to end international support for Israel's "oppression of Palestinians" and pressure Israel to comply with international law.

($1 = 4.5900 ringgit)

(Reporting by Danial Azhar; Editing by Sonali Paul)
ClaimItTexas.gov lets you search for your name to see whether there is unclaimed property waiting for you. ClaimItTexas.gov

Texas might have some money waiting for you.

The state Comptrollers Office is holding onto $8.8 billion worth of unclaimed properties that are waiting to be returned to their rightful owners, KUT News reports. Those properties include things like unclaimed refunds and uncashed checks.

If money hasnt been claimed  after a few years, the holder of the asset (like the bank) must send the money to the Texas Comptroller, KUT reports.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

To see whether any of that money is waiting for you, visit ClaimItTexas.gov and search your name. If you find you have unclaimed property  congratulations  click the claim button and go from there. The service is free, and if your claim is verified, youll have a check coming your way.

For more information, you can visit the website, but unclaimed property can be so-called abandoned assets, like the following:

Dividend, payroll or cashiers checks.

Stocks, bonds or mutual fund accounts.

Utility deposits and other refunds.

Bank accounts and safe deposit box contents.

Insurance proceeds.

Mineral interest or royalty payments.

Court deposits, trust funds or escrow accounts.

Overpayments on insurance, utilities and other bills.

Unclaimed money remains with the comptroller indefinitely until its returned to its owner.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  A Memphis man and Nashville teen were both taken into custody Thursday night after reportedly fleeing from officers who spotted them in a vehicle linked to a prior crime spree.

Detectives with the Metro Nashville Police Department said they spotted the stolen Ford Fusion near Summer Place on the night of Thursday, Dec. 28. According to police, the Fusion had been involved in a crime spree last week in Midtown.

CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime news from Middle Tennessee

The driver of the Fusion, the 17-year-old Nashvillian, was later seen parking and getting into the passenger seat of a white Ford transit van being driven by 32-year-old Gregory Bethea Jr., officials reported.

When officers tried to initiate a traffic stop, they said Bethea drove off. A helicopter crew followed the van onto I-65, where authorities said it reached speeds of more than 100 mph. Bethea and the teen were also seen throwing items from the windows.

The van eventually parked in the Burning Tree Apartments parking lot, where police said the two suspects ran away but were quickly apprehended. Officers said Bethea initially gave them a fake name, but his suspended Tennessee drivers license provided his correct legal name.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Bethea was charged with two counts of evading arrest, criminal impersonation, evidence tampering, driving without a valid license, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. He is currently being held on a $39,500 bond.

The 17-year-old was charged in juvenile court.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Increasing financial pressures is among a number of factors which can affect farmers' mental health

More people need to be trained to recognise the signs of depression and anxiety in farmers, a union has said.

Almost 3,000 people have been on a mental health awareness course run by a rural charity, but the Farmer's Union of Wales (FUW) said more was needed.

Policy officer Elin Jenkins said paperwork and animal health were causes of stress.

Meanwhile, a charity that provides support for farmers said its casework was at an all-time high in 2023.

Tir Dewi, which was set up in 2015, said it had seen three new cases a week this year.

Chief executive Gareth Davies said the increase was due to a combination of factors, from increasing financial pressures to more willingness among those suffering with their mental health to speak out, especially younger farmers.

Meanwhile, Ms Jenkins said: "There's nothing more devastating to a farmer or a farm business than being hit with TB (bovine tuberculosis) - that's absolutely detrimental for anybody's mental health."

The FUW is one of many rural organisations which has sent staff on mental health awareness training, which has been delivered by the DPJ Foundation since August 2018.

In that time the charity has trained people from a range of rural occupations, including farmers, vets, livestock market staff and farming unions.

DPJ Foundation's training manager Kay Helyar said trainees had told her the course was making a practical difference.

"I was approached a few months ago by a farm vet who had been to a training session just a few weeks before," she said.

"The very next day she'd gone out to see a farmer who was clearly struggling with his mental health, and because she'd had that training, she was able to spot those signs and to offer him her support.

"I also had an email from a lady who had been able to use the training to spot the signs that someone in her family was having suicidal thoughts - she feels that the training saved that person's life."

Emily Davies says farming can be a lonely industry

Emily Jones, from Tregaron, Ceredigion, enrolled on the course after seeing changes in people in her community.

"Just from speaking to people I could see they weren't as bubbly, they didn't have that glow about them and were struggling with their mental health," she said.

"I wanted to try and help by reaching out to people like that because it can be a very lonely industry."

If you have been affected by any issues raised in this article, help and support can be found at BBC Action Line
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  The New Mexico State Police will host a second gun buyback event from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6 in Albuquerque, Farmington, Las Cruces and Espanola.

The event will take place at the following locations:

Albuquerque: at the Expo New Mexico located at 300 San Pedro, Gate 8 off Louisiana Blvd.

Farmington: at the Harriet B Simmons Office located at 101 W Animas.

Las Cruces: at the First Baptist Church located at 4201 N. Sonoma Ranch Blvd.

Espanola: at the Espanola Annex Building located at 1101 Industrial Park Rd.

The NM State Police says that people may anonymously hand in unwanted guns and receive Visa gift cards in return $100 Visa gift card for handguns, $200 Visa gift card for rifles and shotguns. Guns may be functional or non-functional.

No questions will be asked about who owns the guns or where they came from. Buybacks are intended to prevent unwanted or unneeded guns from causing harm or being used to commit acts of violence, according to the NM State Police.

We are providing people a resource to turn in unwanted guns,helping law enforcement combat violent crimes where guns are used and aiding in the reduction of accidental deaths and suicides. By holding responsible voluntary gun disposal events like this, we can all help make New Mexico safer, said Troy Weisler, chief of the New Mexico State Police.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
DJ EFN had to only walk 10 steps to the podium.

He couldve done it by himself  EFN was the person being honored with the key to Miami-Dade County, after all  but thats not his character. So with the 11 friends that make up Crazy Hood Productions in tow, the Miami mixtape king sauntered through the halls of the Museum of Graffiti to the lectern, his crew fanning out across the room.

Every success that I have individually I try to share with the crew, EFN later explained. The crew support throughout the years has been crucial to what Ive done individually and as a company.

That moment reveals more about who EFN  Eric F. Narciandi  than any episode of Drink Champs, the award-winning podcast of which he helped found and currently co-hosts. Hes hard-working. Hes humble. And arguably most important, hes loyal.

Many of the people who walked with EFN to the lectern are the same people who supported him in 1993 when he had the idea to start CHP. Three decades later, the crazy Kendall kids have not only accomplished their goal of helping to shape Miamis hip-hop scene, they have done so together, never forgetting where they came from along the way.

For me, its surreal, said Hector Cruz a.k.a. Heckler. None of us ever thought that this day would ever be possible.

We were just wild kids, added Michael Garcia aka Garcia.

How Crazy Hood Productions formed





The Miami of today looks far different than it did at the start of the 1990s  especially when it comes to hip-hop.

Its easy to look at 2 Live Crew, Trina and Rick Ross and think that hip-hop always played a role in Miami culture, but that certainly wasnt the case.

We had this New York identity back then because the majority were New York transplants that made up the hip-hop community, EFN recalled.

In the book The History of Miami Hip Hop: The Story of DJ Khaled, Pitbull, DJ Craze, and Other Contributors to South Floridas Scene, author John Cordero referred to this identity crisis as How Can I Be Down syndrome.

Symptoms include: an overwhelming desire to pretend one is from New York even though one has never been there, moving down here from New York and still acting like the local area code is 212 or 718, and saying over and over Miamis wack, I wish I was back in NY, Cordero wrote.

As a kid born in Los Angeles who eventually settled in Kendall in the early 1980s, EFN never quite understood the affinity with NYC. Sure, it was the birthplace of hip-hop but that didnt mean Miami was just Uncle Luke and booty-shaking. There was a distinct hip-hop culture; he had seen it with his own eyes.

I started to live it without really knowing its hip-hop, EFN recalled after receiving the key to Miami-Dade County. We were breakdancing, rolling around with boomboxes, the slang is there, were doing graffiti  at least were trying to.

EFN, however, always to gravitated to the DJ  ever since he first saw one at Hot Wheels, the precursor to Super Wheels, in Kendall.

Seeing the DJ at the skating rink and seeing how he controlled the whole room, thats what drew me, EFN said, later adding the DJs featured in music videos on MTV Raps and The Box also played a role. I was like Wow, its like magic. Hes controlling all our emotions.

Although EFNs infatuation with hip-hop began after the debuts of Public Enemy and N.W.A. in the 1980s, it wasnt until he began to attend Sunset High that he found like-minded people who shared his love of hip-hop. Many of those friends  like Paul Londono (Weird Thoughts), Adrian Enningham (Big Drain) and Orlando Cruz (Landi Lakes)  are still around today. As their 1993 graduation approached, however, the then-20-man collective did not know what to do.

We all just really cared about music, Heckler said.

There was nothing else I was passionate about, EFN added.

But EFN had an idea.

Lets unify, lets create a brand and well figure it out, EFN said. As long as the mission is clear  contribute to the local hip-hop scene  and in that, always carry the banner of our brand.

Eric Narciandi (far right) a.k.a. DJ EFN poses with Miami legend rapper JT Money (center and Charles Rivero, during an event to celebrate the Crazy Hood Productions 30th anniversary at La esquina de la Abuela space in Miami, on December 02, 2023.

Influenced by Luke Records, Wu-Tang Clan and the countless other self-made collectives, CHP came to life in 1993. The name was a product of EFN feeling a bit crazy for deciding to pursue a career in music at the age of 18 and the hoodie sweatshirts that are a staple of hip-hop culture.

When he came up with the idea of CHP, we always believed in him, Richard Bazile aka Dro, said. He just always had a sense of business.

CHP was originally supposed to be a record label  Heckler, Drain and Weird Thoughts had already formed a group called Da Alliance  but to self-produce an album in the mid-1990s was easier said than done. So EFN started to create mixtapes.

The one thing that I saw there was an open lane for was mixtapes because we were getting all these mixtapes mostly from New York, EFN said. At the time, that was the only way to get all the new hip-hop that was coming out.

EFN then had a decision. If he truly wanted to compete on the mixtape circuit, he would have to find a way to get new music before it trickled all the way down to the bottom of the map. And thats exactly what he did: At least twice a year, EFN and the CHP crew would make the drive up to New York, grab what new releases they could find and circle right back to the 305 where he would create a tape that combined what they had found with singles from Da Alliance and whatever else was hot in Miami.

For us to really make a dent in this, we got to be disciplined, we got to have a purpose, we got to do things outside the box, EFN said. That was always my approach: OK we dont have money, we dont have resources, we dont have connections. There wasnt much of a local industry propping us up. Were from Kendall. We got a lot against us.

And once How Can I Be Down, a hip-hop music conference that ran from 1993-1996 on South Beach before returning in 1999, started bringing the whos who of the industry to CHPs backyard, the crew kicked it into overdrive.

Can I get drop? Im DJ EFN

Eric Narciandi, a.k.a. DJ EFN poses during an event to celebrate the Crazy Hood Productions 30th anniversary at La esquina de la Abuela space in Miami, on December 02, 2023.

We got to go to this as a crew, EFN recalled telling his CHP crew. We got to be in uniform  T-shirts say Crazy Hood with Whos Crazy on the back  and then we all got tape deck recorders and were getting drops from everybody.

Notorious B.I.G., Busta Rhymes and Big Pun are just a few of the names that the crew would get to shout-out EFN, Crazy Hood and even Kendall.

Getting drops at that time from these artists and putting them on a mixtape from a kid from Kendall, EFN recalled. That was a game changer.

Added Londono: We were strategic, too. EFN had a plan. It was about seven of us, we all had recorders, and all seven us would spread out all over the street and were all EFN. One is down the street talking to Inspectah Deck saying, Can I get drop? Im DJ EFN. Im up the street talking to Nas saying, Can I get drop? Im DJ EFN.

As the mixtapes began to create some buzz around CHP, EFN thought of another way to cement the brand: jams.

We didnt have any direction when we started the company. We just knew we wanted to do something, EFN said. The only thing to do at that time that was needed in the city was to throw a hip-hop event because there werent clubs we could go to to listen to hip-hop.

The first jam, which took place at a body shop in Kendall, was a success  that is, until somebody started shooting. Almost instantly, police shut down the event and issued them a warning.

If we ever see this CHP on anything else, we will shut you down, EFN recalled the cops telling him. But the way things worked in that era, that made our event and our crew infamous.

The jams didnt stop. And neither did the mixtapes, which would soon become the backbone of the CHP brand. The mixtapes, which released between 1993-2010, garnered features from national names like Outkast, Redman, KRS-One and Wu-Tang but also local legends like Mother Superia.

We were waiting for him to come back with that s---, said Mother Superia, born Sonya Spikes. Everybody wanted to be on an EFN tape at that time. He was the catalyst for the mixtape scene in Miami.

For Garcia, who was a bit younger than most of the crew and joined later, CHP were hometown heroes.

Growing up in Kendall, I used to see Heckler, I tried to get a demo to Paul, I bought a EFN tape before I met him, Garcia said. I dreamed of getting a record deal with Crazy Hood Productions.

The brand expands

Eric Narciandi (left)) a.k.a. DJ EFN poses with DJ Klassik, during an event to celebrate the Crazy Hood Productions 30th anniversary at La esquina de la Abuela space in Miami, on December 02, 2023.

CHP eventually expanded into other areas: CHP Marketing and Promotions, the go-to firm for national brands like Coca-Cola and Def Jam that wanted to increase their footprint in Miami; Crazy Sounds Record Pool, a service that allowed him early access to music; Crazy Goods, a one-stop shop for all hip-hop clothing that was the brainchild of CHP member Eddie Gigs; Crazy Hood Film Academy, the production company behind the Coming Home documentaries which explore how hip-hop has shaped countries like Cuba, Haiti and Vietnam.

EFN even had a stint at WVUM, University of Miamis radio station, and in the pirate radio world, a right of passage for many Miami DJs. He also worked a manager for Mayday! as well as Garcia and fellow CHP member Boris Montalvo, better known as BeatsNDaHood.

It localized the national hip-hop scene, said Ben Miller, otherwise known as Wrekonize, one of three members of Mayday!. Wrekonize not only grew up on Crazy Hood mixtapes but was later featured on one.

If you were in your mid-teens, those New York mixtapes felt like they were coming from a different planet. When you saw the Crazy Hood mixtapes, it was like I can go down the street and be part of that.

Although Crazy Goods only lasted from 1997 to 2000, its impact extends to this very day as the brick and mortar was where the CHP crew first came into contact with Victor Santiago, known world over as N.O.R.E.

N.O.R.E. is a big part of our family, EFN said. Connecting with him was a game changer. He was one of the first national artists to consistently work with us and we built that friendship early on in his career.

If you couldnt handle your liquor, youre not a drink champ

Spend any amount of time with the CHP crew and its clear why their friendship has endured.

The jokes are constant. They dont take anything personally. And, like many men over the age of 40, they like to drink and talk smack. That Drink Champs emerged out of this camaraderie is no mistake.

We all just joke with each other and support each other, Weird Thoughts said. And that never turned into an argument, hate or any animosity or hostility.

Since CHPs incorporation in 1994, the group has held weekly Wednesday meetings that, at first, differentiated them from other crews. Over time, the meetings began to evolve into an early version of Drink Champs with libations, laughter and a bit of ludicrousness. Even the name Drink Champs came from these meetings.

In the crew we would say, If you couldnt handle your liquor, youre not a drink champ, EFN recalled.

When N.O.R.E. made the move to Miami in the late 2000s, it was only right that he linked up with CHP, attending the weekly meetings and everything. CHP even helped N.O.R.E understand that Miamians respected more than just Uncle Luke; they did actually love hardcore hip-hop.

These guys enjoy hip-hop just as much as us, just as much as New York, just as much as California, just as much as anywhere, N.O.R.E. said in a 2018 episode of the Family Ties podcast.

The decision to do Drink Champs, however, took some time. EFN and N.O.R.E. would first come together for Militainment Crazy Raw Radio on SiriusXM satellite radio. While the show only ran from 2009 to 2011, EFN saw the potential. It took five years for him to convince N.O.R.E.  hip-hop podcasting didnt necessarily have that cool factor in the early 2010s, according to EFN. But after the duos first episode in March 2016, they never looked back.

In hip-hop, people werent used to be unfiltered, EFN said. With Drink Champs, artists now had that opportunity.

We caught lightning in a bottle, he added. What we really capitalized on was that it felt like they can relate to how unorthodox it was. This is me and my boys. thats what we wanted to convey: conversations that we were having backstage, conversations at the barbershop, conversation in the studio.

Nowadays, the award-winning podcast draws millions of viewers across the world. Its guest list includes multi hyphenates like Pharrell and Kanye West to hip-hop legends like Kool DJ Red Alert, DMX and Big Daddy Kane.

Despite the success, EFN has remained the same. In a sense, EFNs calm matched with N.O.R.E.s bravado has been a key part of the shows success.

A lot of people want to do this for fame, for recognition but since Day 1, EFN been true to the culture, Dro said. EFN has never been flashy. I dont think Ive ever seen him in some designer s---.

Even here, EFN used his experience with Drink Champs to help the rest of CHP start their own podcasts including Grumpy OGs and Father Hoods. And while the CHP crew has dwindled over the years as people began to pursue other endeavors, the goal has always been for the entire crew to solely feed their families from the company.

I would love for the brand so that everybody can have a business, EFN said. Everybody can splinter off and do their own thing so we can all make bread.

Because thats just who EFN is.

He never forgets his connection that he has with the people, who are his people, Mother Superia said.

To this day, she will get calls from her son or her brother who are ecstatic that EFN mentioned her on a Drink Champs episode.

The loyalty, it means a lot to us because its a lot of time and work and energy. To stay the course and still rep your city? That speaks volumes.
Michael Cohen, a former fixer for Donald Trump, said in a court filing Friday that he accidentally sent his lawyer fictitious artificial intelligence-generated citations that were later submitted to court.

Cohen, who was also an attorney for the former president, said he mistakenly thought that the AI bot Google Bard was a "super-charged search engine" while researching legal cases that would show precedent for eliminating his supervised release.

The cases produced by the artificial intelligence service did not exist, he wrote in a filing first reported by The New York Times.

Cohen was sentenced in 2018 to a three-year prison term followed by three years of post-release supervision for crimes including making secret payments to women who had alleged affairs with Trump, lying to Congress and failing to report income.

Cohen said in Friday's filing that he has not kept up with emerging trends (and related risks) in legal technology and did not realize that Google Bard was a generative text service that, like Chat-GPT, could show citations and descriptions that looked real but actually were not.

He went on to say that he did not know that the AI service could generate fictitious cases, arguing that he trusted his lawyer to vet my suggested additions before incorporating them. Cohen said he's been represented by attorney David Schwartz on the post-release supervision matter since July 2022.

He relied on his lawyer, as he had every right to do. Unfortunately, his lawyer appears to have made an honest mistake in not verifying the citations in the brief he drafted and filed, E. Danya Perry, who's representing Cohen in support of his motion for early termination of supervised release, said in a statement to NBC News. She added that the court filings "show that Mr. Cohen did absolutely nothing wrong."

In a letter to a district judge on Thursday, Perry argued that the filing with fictitious citations submitted by Schwartz should not be held against Cohen.

Neither Cohen nor Schwartz knew at the time that three citations submitted in a court motion were fictitious, Perry wrote.

"It did not occur to me then  and remains surprising to me now  that Mr. Schwartz would drop the cases into his submission wholesale without even confirming that they existed," Cohen said in Friday's filing.

Schwartz said in a filing this month that he did not review citations that he thought were the research of another attorney, rather than Cohen, and he never contemplated that the cases did not exist.

"I am fully aware that I bear the responsibility for any submission on my letterhead and the inaccuracies contained in this filing are completely unacceptable," Schwartz said in a Dec. 15 filing. "I sincerely apologize to the court for not checking these cases personally before submitting them to the court."

In response to a request for comment Friday, Schwartz said, "I stand by my thorough court filing."

He declined further comment.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
The military is shunning heat pumps and instead warming soldiers homes with cutting-edge electric boilers that cost less to run.

Ministry of Defence (MoD) officials have been working on Project Nixie since 2020, The Telegraph can reveal, focusing on finding alternatives to heat pumps for barracks.

Much of the MoDs domestic building stock is not suitable for heat pumps, which have only been fitted in a very small proportion of military homes.

An MoD spokesperson said that the project was launched to find a cheaper alternative to heat pumps, which require comprehensive and expensive work to a property before installation.

One possible solution is by using Cylo boilers, which the Telegraph understands are currently being fitted in four homes at the Duke of Gloucester Barracks in South Cerney, Glos, as part of a pilot project due to start early in 2024.

Cylo is a fridge-sized, emission-free electric boiler that is cheaper to run and more effective than a heat pump.

It is also greener than a gas boiler and requires no major works to a building before it can be installed.

The boiler uses a pressurised water tank as a thermal battery, using off-peak and cheap electricity to create a heat reservoir that then powers radiators when needed.

Standing around 6ft tall and weighing around 250kg before being filled with water, it can be fitted in a ground floor room or on the outside of a building.

The Ministry of Defence said it was 'committed to delivering sustainable high-quality housing that meets the needs of those who serve our country' - Peter Cade/Stone RF

The product currently costs around 20,000 per unit, but manufacturers believe that the cost of the product will lower with time.

It is not available commercially but is being sold to large landlords, such as government departments and councils.

Documents show that the MoD paid about 5,000 to install each of the four trial devices, similar to the cost of installing a traditional gas boiler.

The device can be easily fitted to old buildings, with no work needed other than removing the old boiler and connecting it to pre-existing electrics and plumbing.

It warms water as effectively as a gas boiler, its makers claim, is cheaper to run and can be used with variable tariffs.

Heat pumps, however, are unable to warm radiators as effectively, meaning measures to improve home energy efficiency are often needed, such as roof and wall insulation, new windows and doors and bigger radiators  costs that can run to tens of thousands of pounds for older houses.

The Government offers a grant of up to 7,500 for heat pump installation but does not cover the costs of making a house ready for a heat pump.

The Government admits that solid wall insulation itself can cost 15,000 on older houses.

Analysis suggests that combining a Cylo electric boiler with solar panels  as at the Duke of Gloucester trial  results in 18 per cent lower annual running costs than a heat pump.

The military is understood to be moving in four families to the homes with Cylo boilers in the new year and if the trial is successful then the scheme may be rolled out nationwide to the entire entire military housing estate. The homes are also expected to be fitted with solar panels.

Device can last for 40 years

Cylos makers Remit Zero claim that the device can last for 40 years, while because it is a closed system it does not need to be opened for maintenance, and it makes no direct CO2 emissions because it does not use gas.

Andy Slaney, the CEO of RemitZero, said that unlike heat pumps, Cylo boilers are quiet and easy to install for a standard plumber and can heat radiators to hot temperatures instead of only lukewarm.

There are some realities with heat pumps that are, I think, a bit of an inconvenient truth, he said.

They are reasonably complex pieces of kit; they have a finite life; they require quite extensive maintenance; they require electricity when heat is required; their efficiency drops off when its cold.

You tend to need larger radiators and larger diameter pipe work and you need a more thermally qualified building so you can cope with a lower flow temperature.

At the moment, my belief is that carbon reduction and net zero is a bit of a middle-class subject, and I think for it to succeed its got to be accessible to all and easy to use, Mr Slaney added.

Theres no complicated fans and pumps and all the things that you would see associated with a heat pump installation with Cylo. For many households, this could be a great solution and thats what were trying to prove with the trials over the next few months.

The MoD is spending two weeks installing and checking the boilers at the four homes in December and installation was due to finish before Christmas. The homes are currently empty and military families will move in in the new year.

If the trial is successful then the scheme may be rolled out nationwide to the entire entire military housing estate - David Lichtneker/Alamy

The Telegraph understands that the families will give regular feedback, as well as having smart meters fitted to track the project and daily visits.

An MoD spokesman told The Telegraph: If Project Nixie is successful it could have the potential to both reduce carbon emissions across the defence estate and reduce energy bills for service personnel and their families.

Were committed to delivering sustainable high-quality housing that meets the needs of those who serve our country.

Cylo, which was invented by Prof Jeremy Miller of Brunel University, has a UK-only supply chain and is also being trialled by East Devon council in early 2024. Ten homes are set to be fitted with Cylo, The Telegraph understands, and should be ready for use by March.

The council said that the project is aiming to decarbonise council homes and provide tenants with affordable warmth.

It added: Cylo is a ground-breaking technology that provides zero emission affordable heating and hot water.

Cylo is particularly well-suited to homes occupied by those on lower incomes given its ability to store electrical energy as heat during low-cost periods.

A combi Cylo boiler for hot water and central heating is in development and the team is also hoping to create a larger version that would work for bigger sites, such as schools and shops.

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.
Update: San Diego Police reported Sunday afternoon Maria Gamez has been found.

SAN DIEGO  Authorities on Friday are asking for the publics help in finding an 81-year-old at-risk woman who went missing in the City Heights area.

Maria Gamez was last seen near 5400 University Ave in the El Cerrito/Colina Del Sol neighborhood, the San Diego Police Department posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, around 10:06 a.m.

City of San Diego truck runs into Naval Base fence; driver taken into custody

Police describe Gamez as 52, 150 pounds, with gray hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a gray knit cap, gray sweater and blue jeans.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Gamez is asked to call 911 and refer to case #23502776.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego.
The first shooting occurred late Friday in the 200 block of Victor Street outside of an apartment complex. Theo Esquivel The second shooting occurred early Saturday in the 700 block of Pennystone Avenue in the front porch of a home. Theo Esquivel

Two men were shot and killed in separate shootings late Friday and early Saturday.

Police responded to the first shooting shortly after 9 p.m. in the 200 block of Victor Street at a Northeast Side apartment complex.

According to information gathered by police, a 38-year-old man was sitting in a parking lot inside his vehicle when multiple people surrounded his vehicle and demanded his keys.

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According to a preliminary police report, the man exited the vehicle and was shot by one of the alleged car thieves. Police said he was shot in the head. He was transported in critical condition to a hospital where he died from his injuries.

The mans vehicle was taken during the robbery, the report states.

A sergeant on the scene said police were unable to locate the vehicle nor the people involved in the robbery. The sergeant said they also found several gunshot casing at the scene and discovered that two other vehicles sustained damage from the gunfire.

Police said that because the man was killed during the alleged robbery, the case will be investigated as a capital murder case.

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Several hours later, police responded to reports of shots fired about 3:30 a.m. in the 700 block of Pennystone Avenue at a Southeast Side home, near Highland Hills Elementary School.

Upon arriving at the scene, officers found a dead 26-year-old man with apparent gunshot wounds on the front porch of a home.

There are no known suspects and it is unknown how the shooting occurred.
Sen. Mitt Romneys exit from Congress in January leaves the already shrinking moderate bloc in Congress one man short. For the Republican conference, his seat is safe in Utah, a deeply red state. But it may not be occupied by a centrist like Romney.

He is one of the few Republicans in the Senate who voted to impeach former President Donald Trump. And Trump held that against Romney, jumping to call him RINO, or Republican In Name Only, a criticism leveled by conservatives against members of their party for being liberal.

At the time of the impeachment vote on Feb. 6, 2021, Romney acknowledged the consequences of his decision, should he follow his conscience, in his journal, as published in his latest biography.

My colleagues in the Senate would have nothing to do with me. It would affect my ability to get any legislation passed. Id get nothing done through the administration, of course, he wrote. For the rest of my life, I would be accosted by people who hate what I had done  if I just vote with party, my vote would be expected and people who dislike Trump would just dismiss me as a callous Republican, but voting against party would engender true enmity and vitriol.

As Romney predicted, he did splinter away from many hardline conservatives, but the Utah senator found new friends as the pandemic began to unfold.

A group of senators  four Republicans and four Democrats  ate takeout for dinner at Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowskis home during COVID-19, Romney said at an event with former House Speaker Paul Ryan. They sat six feet apart and discussed policy.

The Republicans in the group included Sens. Romney, Murkowski, Susan Collins of Maine and Rob Portman of Ohio. The Democrats were Sens. Kyrsten Sinema, who has since registered as an independent, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Jon Tester of Montana and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, as the Deseret News reported.

This group was influential in the passage of several bipartisan bills like a COVID-19 stimulus bill under Trump, as well as the infrastructure bill, the CHIPS Act and the Respect for Marriage Act under Biden.

In September 2023, Romney said he wont run for reelection and will finish serving in office in January 2025. At the time, he said, Im hoping that in the year and a half I have left that were going to be able to take on some of those issues, particularly as it relates to the deficit and debt and immigration, he said.

His retirement coincides with many other moderate senators bowing out of running for reelection or facing an uphill battle to victory. The middle lane in Congress has been shrinking for decades, political science professor Michael Lyons at Utah State University told the Deseret News.

Moderates often struggle to win party nominations because primary election turnout is low, with motivated, highly ideological voters becoming dominant by default, he said. Additionally, population movement has made many states far more homogeneous ideologically.

He said only five states have split Senate delegations but From 1973 to 1994, there were never fewer than 20 such delegations.

Collins is up for reelection in 2027, while Murkowskis and Shaheens terms in Senate end in 2029. Heres what others from their caucus are up to.

Sen. Joe Manchin

Following Romneys retirement news, Manchin of West Virginia, too, announced he isnt running for reelection. His term also ends in 2025. At the time of his announcement, Romney said on X, formerly known as Twitter, he will miss the American patriot in the Senate, but noted that their friendship and commitment to American values will continue. Manchin has regularly worked with Romney. The two worked together on legislation like the infrastructure bill and pandemic-era relief.

Rumor has it Manchin is mulling a last-minute presidential bid for 2024. A political action committee is also working to recruit Romney and Manchin for a unity third-party presidential ticket.

Former Sen. Rob Portman

Rob Portman left office on Jan. 3, 2023, after deciding to not seek another six-year term in the Senate two years prior. He had two reasons for stepping down: He wanted to spend more time with his family and he was sick of the partisan gridlock in Washington, D.C. Its getting harder and harder to get things done, he told reporters in 2021.

Portmans seat is now held by the Trump-backed Sen. J.D. Vance, whom Portman endorsed in 2022. This endorsement came even though the two candidates had starkly different positions. Vance opposed the bipartisan infrastructure bill, which Portman helped negotiate, calling it a hatchet job in 2021. He has also consistently stood against funding Ukraine, while Portman served as the co-chair of the Senate Caucus on Ukraine during his tenure.

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema

The independent senator hasnt officially decided whether she plans to run for reelection in 2024. Candidates Kari Lake and Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb are running for the Republican nomination, while Rep. Ruben Gallego is seeking the Democratic nomination, in addition to several lesser-known candidates, as the Deseret News previously reported. Should Sinema run, she is banking on support from at least 24% of registered Republicans, only about 10% to 20% of Democrats, and 60% to 70% of independent voters, according to a leaked campaign memo from September.

Right now, Sinema is heavily involved in efforts to secure bipartisan border security funding. She told The Wall Street Journal the negotiations are definitely the hardest thing weve done, adding that the crisis at the southern border can no longer be ignored.

Sen. Jon Tester

The Democratic Montana senator remains popular in the red state where Trump won in 2020. But popularity doesnt guarantee a successful reelection. As The Associated Press reported, Tester has narrowly won the last three elections. But the Republican conference is expected to spend millions backing GOP candidates in hopes of gaining control of the Senate. Cook Political Report previously said the race will lean Democratic but now its a toss-up.

Aerospace founder and CEO Tim Sheehy is a Republican candidate running against Tester. He has garnered endorsements from Sens. Steve Daines of Montana, Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, as well as Senate Minority Whip John Thune of South Dakota. Former Montana Secretary of State Brad Johnson is also in the running.
Ukrainians donated more than three times more in charitable contributions through the Ukrainian private bank Monobank this year than in 2022, the bank's press service said on Dec. 30.

Charity, as well as crowdfunding for military and humanitarian purposes, have been on the rise in Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion.

According to Monobank's statistics, Ukrainian citizens donated Hr 27.4 billion ($721 million) through the bank in 2023, compared to Hr 8.5 billion ($224 million) last year.

The sum of the average donation rose from Hr 258 ($6.79) to Hr 349 ($9.18), and the number of donors went from 3 million to 5.7 million, data shows.

According to the bank's infographics, the number of donations surged namely during last winter's blackouts and the breach of the Kakhovka dam in the summer.

Monobank collected the data from accounts that had received donations from more than two donors between March 2022 and today.

Ukraine's Armed Forces' StratCom reported on Dec. 5 that Ukrainian citizens and companies have donated over Hr 100 billion ($2.63 billion) since the start of the full-scale invasion.

Ukraine has also attracted donations from abroad. The UNITED24 crowdfunding initiative, raising funds from people around the world, said it had already collected over $524 million.

Read also: What made Ukrainians feel hopeful in 2023

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A 43-year-old Montana man is being held on $2 million bail for allegedly causing a head-on crash that killed a Troutdale family of 4 in October.

Jesse Carl Ross was indicted for 4 counts of manslaughter in Deschutes County after the crash on October 12. A nationwide warrant for his arrest was issued and Ross surrendered December 26.

Along with manslaughter, Ross is also facing DUII, reckless driving and reckless endangering.

The crash happened around 7:30 p.m. when a Chevy Silverado crossed the Highway 97 center line and sideswiped a southbound commercial truck and trailer and slammed into a Toyota RAV4.

The Toyota caught fire, killing Gary Rutledge, 57, Michelle Rutledge, 53, and their children, Kate, 15 and 17-year-old Ryan. Both teens were students at Reynolds High School.

Troutdale community vigil honors family of 4 killed in tragic highway crash near Redmond

The family was on their way to see the solar eclipse in central Oregon at the time of the crash.

Ross was arraigned December 28 and remains behind bars at this time.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
Today all that remains of Montgomery Castle is its crumbling towers and low walls

Montgomery Castle may not be the oldest or biggest in Wales and it certainly isn't the best preserved.

Instead its claim to fame is being the most fought-over in Welsh history.

The ruined castle in Powys has changed hands more than any other following battles between the Welsh and English, Royalists and Parliamentarians.

This year marks 800 years since it was first built under the order of Henry III in response to the growing power of Llywelyn ap Iorwerth.

One of William the Conqueror's soldiers, Roger de Montgomery, first established a stronghold a mile to the west on the site of a Roman fort known locally as Hen Domen in 1067, just a year after the Norman invasion.

Professor of Medieval history at Swansea University, Daniel Power, said by the 13th Century Hen Domen had simply become indefensible.

"In the earliest days of the Norman invasion the Marcher castles along Wales' eastern borders were primarily about containment, about keeping the Welsh out of England," he said.

"However by the 13th Century the English royal policy had become more interventionalist, and making big statements to face down the Welsh."

Montgomery Castle - here as a model of how it originally appeared - looks over the Wales/England border

He said during its construction Montgomery was subject to frequent attacks.

"It wasn't necessarily the most advantageous position on which to build a castle, but it did send a message out across the River Severn," he said.

He said it was painted in whitewash "so everyone could see it" and "it held a commanding position" of the joining of three routes to Shrewsbury "a major trading town at that time".

Montgomery Castle was the base from which Henry III and Llywelyn ap Gruffydd made a peace treaty in 1267, whereby Llewelyn agreed to pay homage to Henry in return for being recognised as the first Prince of All Wales.

Though the peace wouldn't last long, as just 15 years later soldiers from Montgomery Castle helped Henry III's son, Edward I, conquer Wales in 1282.

The castle walls were destroyed after the second civil war

Just over a century later Owain Glyndwr captured it for the Welsh, marrying his daughter to Sir Edmund Mortimer.

He chose not to occupy the castle, instead putting it out of English use by damaging the walls so badly that they'd be difficult to defend again.

David Thomas, curator of the Old Bell Museum in the town, said it was a habit which has repeated itself over the years.

"Montgomery Castle was once a key point in the first English Civil War, sight of the largest civil war battle on Welsh soil," he said.

"But after the second Civil War in 1649 the castle walls were destroyed so that they could never be used again in a military conflict."

He said they have excavated parts of the castle's grounds and the well and have found "helmets, scissors, billhooks and all manner of pottery dating from medieval times to the civil wars".

Montgomery Castle was a private residence until 1655 but fell into ruin soon after.

Its legend has given hope to Hungarian nationalists over the years, and its grounds have been used for public celebrations, including the 1918 Armistice party

Today all that remains of the castle is its crumbling towers and low walls.

But as Cadw, which works to protect Wales' historic buildings, says - although is may be in ruin, it retains a powerful atmosphere and presence that transcend its state of preservation.
Now that Maine has joined Colorado, becoming the second state to disqualify Donald Trump from GOP primary ballots under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment -- among more than 30 that have faced calls to do so -- the U.S. Supreme Court is facing increased pressure to resolve conflicting rulings in the legal battle.

On Thursday, Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows announced he was disqualified under the constitutional clause because of his activity surrounding the pro-Trump mob attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Her decision came just over a week after Colorados Supreme Court issued a similar order finding Trump ineligible.

Former President Donald Trump gestures at the end of a campaign event in Waterloo, Iowa, on December 19, 2023. (Photo by KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI / AFP) (Kamil Krzaczynski/AFP via Getty Images)

MORE: Maine secretary of state rules Trump ineligible for state's 2024 primary ballot

But both Maine and Colorados rulings are on temporary pause, barring possible reconsideration by higher courts. The Colorado Republican Party appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court that states high court decision from earlier this week, and Trumps lawyers say they will appeal as well.

Meanwhile, the former presidents lawyers are also expected to file an appeal to Maines Superior Court on Tuesday, within the five-day outline dictated by Bellows in her Thursday decision.

Overall, the former president's eligibility under Section 3 to be on GOP primary ballots is still being challenged in more than a dozen states and with the Maine and Colorado decisions, advocates are hoping other state courts and officials will follow suit.

But if -- or when, many experts and advocates predict -- the U.S. Supreme Court takes up appeals of the Colorado case by the state's Republican Party or the Trump team, it would effectively freeze the various legal challenges in state and federal district courts across the country.

PHOTO: In this Jan. 4, 2023, file photo, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows speaks at the inauguration of Gov. Janet Mills, at the Civic Center in Augusta, Maine. (Robert F. Bukaty/AP, FILE)

In her decision Thursday, Bellows acknowledged the U.S. Supreme Court could have the final word.

"While I am cognizant of the fact that my decision could soon be rendered a nullity by a decision of the United States Supreme Court in Anderson [the Colorado case], that possibility does not relieve me of my responsibility to act," Bellows wrote.

PHOTO: A general view of the Colorado Supreme Court in Denver, Colorado, Dec. 20, 2023. (Kevin Mohatt/Reuters)

Amid the ruling against him in Maine this week, however, were victories for Trump in two other states that made decisions on calls to disqualify him under Section 3.

On Wednesday, the Michigan Supreme Court rejected an appeal aimed at barring former Trump from that states 2024 Republican primary ballot based on Section 3.

Then, hours after the Maine decision was announced, California Secretary of State Shirley Weber declined to reject Trump from the states GOP primary ballot despite calls from the state's Democratic lieutenant governor to consider declaring him ineligible under Section 3.

Trump's campaign has blasted all the challenges as undemocratic "election interference, calling Maine's Bellows an "ally of President Biden." In a fundraising email, Trump accused her of attempting to "deprive citizens of their right to vote" by moving to keep him off the primary ballot.

With more 14th Amendment challenges to Trump expected, will US Supreme Court step in? originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
SAN DIEGO  A motorcyclist and a passenger rider were both critically injured Friday after a collision in Otay Mesa, authorities said.

According to the San Diego Police Department, a 25-year-old man driving a Dodge Charger was stopped for a red light on the eastbound State Route 905 off-ramp to Britannia Boulevard around 7:23 a.m.

San Diego lowriders celebrate bill lifting cruising ban

At that same time, a 27-year-old man was riding aN Italika FT 150 motorcycle southbound on Britannia Boulevard, police explained.

The Charger reportedly entered the intersection on the green traffic control signal light and was making a left turn onto northbound Britannia Boulevard when the motorcycle entered the intersection against the red light, said SDPD.

Ultimately, the motorcycle collided with the left side of the Charger. The motorcycle rider and his passenger, a 29-year-olD man, were both transported by ambulance to a local hospital with critical injuries.

According to authorities, the driver of the Charger was not injured during the incident.

SDPDs Traffic Division responded and is handling the investigation. Alcohol was not determined to be a factor in this collision.

Anyone with information related to this crash is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego.
***Watch previous coverage above.***

SAN ANTONIO (AP)  A Texas police chief says investigators hope surveillance video will lead to answers in the killings of an 18-year-old pregnant woman who disappeared before Christmas and her boyfriend, both of whom were found shot in the head in a car and may have been dead for days.

Police on Friday had not named a possible motive or suspects as family and friends mourned the deaths of Savanah Nicole Soto, 18, and Matthew Guerra, 22. Sotos family has said she was overdue to deliver her baby and had been scheduled to have an induced labor when she went missing last week.

Swatting calls targeting officials may prompt stricter penalties for hoax police calls

The Bexar County Medical Examiners Office ruled both deaths homicides caused by gunshot wounds to the head.

The couple were found Tuesday in Guerras car outside a San Antonio apartment complex, a crime scene that San Antonio Police Chief William McManus originally described as very, very perplexing.

On Thursday, police asked the public for help identifying two people seen in surveillance video that included the car and was recorded before the bodies were found.

McManus would not say whether investigators believe the couple was dead when the video was taken.

Detectives are hopeful that surveillance video will lead to the events leading up to their death, McManus said.

The video shows Guerras car briefly pulling up next to a pickup truck at a spot close to where the couple was found, McManus said. A person gets out of the truck and approaches the drivers side of the car. Another person is seen briefly stepping out of Guerras car, but McManus said they do not believe that person was one of the victims.

Myles Garrett talks about his painful grief after game

He has described the case as a capital murder investigation and called it a heinous act.

Soto had been scheduled to have an induced labor at a hospital last Saturday night, her family told KENS-TV. But her mother said she got no answer earlier that day when she knocked on the door of Sotos apartment in the suburb of Leon Valley.

The family spent Christmas night searching the area. On Monday, Leon Valley police issued a missing-person alert for Soto and later said Guerra also could not be found.

At a vigil in San Antonio on Thursday, Savanahs grandmother, Rachel Soto, described Savanah as a funny girl and said she loved everybody and loved to live life. She said her granddaughter was looking forward to becoming a mom for the first time, the San Antonio Express-News reported.

I just pray to God that she took her baby with her and that she is at peace, Rachel Soto said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
California Secretary of State Shirley Weber is resisting pressure from within the Democratic Party to remove Donald Trump from the March statewide primary ballot due to his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol  arguing that, unlike the former Republican president, she feels obligated to follow the law.

Weber said she finds Trump's "behavior and his actions, not just as a former president, but as a citizen of the United States, to be abhorrent and disturbing and an attack on democracy."

"But at the same time, if I believe in this democracy that is there, I have to basically continue to abide by the rule of law, and for me not to do that, then I am no better than Trump," Weber told The Times on Friday. "And I must be better than Trump."

Weber said attorneys in her office have been working for months with the California attorney general's office and lawyers for local cities and counties to determine whether there was any legal ground to remove Trump from the March 5 primary ballot due to his role in the Capitol insurrection after his loss in the 2020 presidential election. She said the California Constitution does not give her clear authority to take action and leaves the decision to the courts.

Weber was put in the hot seat after Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis sent her a letter Dec. 20 imploring her, the state elections chief, to "explore every legal option to remove former President Donald Trump from Californias 2024 presidential primary ballot." The letter drew mixed opinions among Democrats.

Weber responded a few days later, stating her commitment to place the sanctity of the electoral process over "partisan politics."

"I'm not sure why the lieutenant governor says, 'Use every means possible,' because we have been doing that," Weber said Friday. "I haven't shared that information with her, because she hasn't asked me."

Trump critics have filed legal actions to force the secretary of state to remove him from the ballot, but none have succeeded, Weber said. Her office is closely monitoring any potential action from the U.S. Supreme Court.

This isnt the first time Democrats have tried to keep Trump off the ballot in California. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a 2019 law to require candidates to disclose their tax returns in order to appear on the presidential primary ballot, a requirement that was shot down by the California Supreme Court.

Newsom agrees with Weber

In a rare rebuke of the lieutenant governor, Newsom criticized the assertion that Trump should be removed from the ballot.

"There is no doubt that Donald Trump is a threat to our liberties and even to our democracy, but in California, we defeat candidates we dont like at the polls," Newsom said last week. "Everything else is a political distraction."

Kounalakis is running to succeed Newsom in California's 2026 gubernatorial election, and her letter to Weber was largely seen as a way to score political points among Democratic voters.

"In my conversations with some political consultants in recent days, there's unanimous agreement that sending the letter was heavy-handed and unlikely to provide her with any significant political benefit," said Darry Sragow, a veteran Democratic strategist.

Sragow said "long-standing political rules of engagement" suggest that such matters need to be adjudicated in the courts, and blatant efforts to intervene can come off as tone-deaf.

Read more: Donald Trump will stay on California GOP presidential primary ballot

A bad precedent

Weber made the case that public trust in the voting process is more crucial than ever, and she wants to set "the correct precedent for future action."

"If you do the loosey-goosey kind of interpretation and implementation, then you open us up as a state and a nation for all of us being vulnerable simply because we have an opinion and a point of view," Weber said.

Close to a third of Republicans say they have a little or no confidence that votes in the Republican presidential primary and caucuses will be counted correctly, according to a recent poll from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. That follows years of false claims by Trump that the 2020 presidential election was stolen by President Biden.

Weber said that barring Trump from California's ballot could be perceived as purely political and embolden his base, and feeds his effort to undermine Democratic institutions.

"I'm very conscious of that it's not about me, and I know what I would do, but when I'm gone, what would somebody else do? And what could they do?" Weber said. "I don't want to open a door that is too ugly and that puts everybody at risk," she said.

Complex legal issues

While Kounalakis said the Constitution is clear on the issue, its not so simple.

Kounalakis and other state Democrats who support removing Trump from the race point to his role in provoking the Capitol riot and a section of the Constitution that bans from office those who engaged in insurrection.

For some Trump critics, Webers approach was viewed as too passive, while others applauded her for allowing the traditional route to take its course.

The decision ultimately will be up to the U.S. Supreme Court, which appears destined to review decisions in other states on Trump's eligibility for the 2024 ballot, said Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of the UC Berkeley School of Law. The high court will have to decide if Trump is eligible under a clause in the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution that prohibits officials from holding office if they have engaged in insurrection or rebellion or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof."

Its unclear if the amendment applies to presidential candidates and if Trumps role in the Jan. 6 insurrection meets that constitutional threshold.

It is not going to be for the main election official in Colorado or California to decide. It is a straightforward question about the U.S. Constitution, and the Supreme Court is going to have to decide for the whole country, Chemerinsky said.

Its a decision that the constitutional law expert hopes is made quickly, as the November election looms.

I think the longer it goes, the worse it is for the country, he said.

Read more: Trump's fate rests with U.S. Supreme Court in two unprecedented cases

What other states are doing

Lawsuits seeking to remove Trump from the ballot have been filed in dozens of states, with mixed results.

Maine and Colorado have moved to bar Trump from their ballots. Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellow, a Democrat, said Trump violated the Constitutions insurrectionist ban. The Colorado Supreme Court ruled the same, in a case the state's Republican Party has appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Supreme courts in Michigan and Minnesota, however, are allowing Trump to stay on the ballot, at least in the March primary, and are leaving the door open for challenges in the November general election.

States are working with a patchwork of procedural laws to navigate the issue, and not all have equal weight in the matter, said Jessica Levinson, a constitutional law professor at Loyola Law School.

In deep-blue California, where Biden won 64% of the vote against Trump in 2020, it may not be worth the "political thicket" for state officials to intervene, Levinson said.

What Weber is aware of is the fact that to bar [Trump] would be viewed as democracy-limiting or anti-democratic, she said. Some would argue that, politically, the benefit here is very small, because we know what the outcome will be in California.

Times staff writer Jeong Park contributed to this report.

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.
NASA's asteroid sampling spacecraft OSRIS-APEX will have an exciting new mission in 2029, when it will watch an exciting asteroid encounter like no other in recorded human history.



The craft, formerly known as OSIRIS-REx, will bear witness as the asteroid Apophis named after the ancient Egyptian god of chaos comes so close to our planet that it could be visible with the naked eye in some parts of the world.

After bringing a sample back from asteroid Bennu, the craft was recently rebranded the Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security  Apophis Explorer (OSRIS-APEX) in recognition of this "bonus mission."

The close approach of Apophis, which is thought to be 1,115 feet (340 meters) across almost as wide as the Empire State Building is tall, on April 13, 2029, will see the space rock come as close to Earth as 20,000 miles (32,000 kilometres), closer than some satellites.

"OSIRIS-APEX will study Apophis immediately after such a pass, allowing us to see how its surface changes by interacting with Earths gravity," OSIRIS-APEX project scientist Amy Simon said in a statement.

Related: Asteroid Apophis will visit Earth in 2029. Why do scientists want NASA to send a probe there first?



Apophis became notorious in 2004 as an asteroid that could potentially impact Earth with a size great enough to pose a threat to our planet. However, in March 2021, observations of the orbit of the space rock, also known as Asteroid 99942, led astronomers to conclude that it poses no threat to Earth for at least 100 years.

NASA scientists still want to know how the brush with Earth in 2029 will affect the 324-day orbit of Apophis around the sun. Additionally, coming close to Earth, which Apophis only does around once every 7,500 Earth years, may shake up the surface of the asteroid by triggering quakes and landslides.

Though this sounds catastrophic, it could reveal what lies beneath the surface of Apophis, and OSIRIS-APEX will be on hand after the encounter to investigate any secrets that are revealed.

NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft captured this image of the asteroid Bennu using its MapCam imager on Dec. 12, 2018.

NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft captured this image of the asteroid Bennu using its MapCam imager on Dec. 12, 2018. (Image credit: NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona)

"The close approach is a great natural experiment," OSIRIS-APEX principal investigator and University of Arizona scientist Dani Mendoza DellaGiustina said. "We know that tidal forces and the accumulation of rubble pile material are foundational processes that could play a role in planet formation. They could inform how we got from debris in the early solar system to full-blown planets."

Because asteroids are composed of material left over from the formation of planets around the infant sun around 4.5 billion years ago, this investigation could reveal what the building blocks of Earth and its fellow rocky planets were.

Apophis is made of silicate materials and nickel-iron, making it considerably different from the carbon-rich asteroid Bennu, which OSRIS-APEX visited under its prior moniker in Oct. 2020 to collect a sample that it dropped off at Earth in September 2023 before continuing on its mission.

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OSIRIS-APEX will reach Apophis on April 13, 2029, and will operate around the asteroid for approximately six months. During this time, the spacecraft will perform some of the same investigations that it did during its time at Bennu  analyzing the surface and chemical makeup of Apophis.

And just as it did at Bennu, OSIRIS-APEX will cap this investigation off by dropping to within around 16 feet (5 meters) of the surface of Apophis and blasting it with its thrusters, further displacing surface material to get closer to the heart of the Empire State Building sized space rock.



"We learned a lot at Bennu, but now were armed with even more questions for our next target," Simon concluded.
Artwork: Parker must always keep its heatshield pointed at the Sun

It promises to be a remarkable moment in the history of space exploration.

A year from now, on 24 December, Nasa's Parker Solar Probe will race past the Sun at the astonishing speed of 195 km/s, or 435,000 mph.

No human-made object will have moved so fast nor, indeed, got so close to our star - just 6.1 million km, or 3.8 million miles from the Sun's "surface".

"We are basically almost landing on a star," said Parker project scientist Dr Nour Raouafi.

"This will be a monumental achievement for all humanity. This is equivalent to the Moon landing of 1969," the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory scientist told BBC News.

Parker's speed will come from the immense gravitational pull it feels as it falls towards the Sun. It will be akin to flying from New York to London in under 30 seconds.

High-resolution views of the solar surface, or photosphere. Parker will make the closest ever approach

The US space agency's Parker Solar Probe is one of the most audacious missions ever conceived.

Launched in 2018, it has the goal of making repeated, and ever closer, passes of the Sun.

The late 2024 manoeuvre will take Parker to just 4% of the Sun-Earth distance (149 million km/93 million miles).

The challenge Parker faces in doing this will be huge. At perihelion, the point in the probe's orbit nearest the the star, the temperature on the front of the spacecraft will probably reach 1,400C.

Parker's strategy is to get in quick and get out quick, making measurements of the solar environment with a suite of instruments deployed from behind a thick heat shield.

The reward, researchers hope, will be breakthrough knowledge on some key solar processes.

Chief among these is a clearer explanation of the workings of the corona, the Sun's outer atmosphere.

Parker will be sitting in the corona, which is only visible to us on Earth during a total solar eclipse

It experiences what seems to be counter-intuitive superheating. The temperature of the Sun at its photosphere, the surface, is roughly 6,000C but within the corona it can reach a staggering million degrees and more.

You'd think temperature would decrease with distance from the star's nuclear core.

It's also within the corona region that the outward flow of charged particles - electrons, protons and heavy ions - suddenly gets accelerated into a supersonic wind moving at 400 km/s, or 1,000,000 mph.

Scientists still can't fully explain this either. But it's critical to improving forecasts of solar behaviour and the phenomenon of "space weather".

The latter refers to the powerful eruptions of particles and magnetic fields from the Sun that can degrade communications on Earth and even knock over power grids. The radiation also poses health risks to astronauts.

"This takes on a new dimension, especially now that we're thinking of sending women and men back to the Moon and even setting up a permanent presence on the lunar surface," Dr Raouafi said.

Artwork: Parker's knowledge will inform space weather forecasters for future crewed Moon missions

Parker made one of its close approaches to the Sun on Friday. It has three more planned in 2024 before it then swings around Venus on 6 November to help bend its orbit and make 24 December a historic occasion.

The head of science at Nasa is Dr Nicky Fox. She was the lead scientist on Parker before taking up her current role.

She said the major plus of the 24 December flyby would be the length of time the probe got to sit in the corona, far longer than on any previous pass.

"We don't know what we'll find, but we'll be looking for waves in the solar wind associated with the heating," she told BBC News.

"I suspect we'll sense lots of different types of waves which would point to a mix of processes that people have been arguing over for years."

Listen to Dr Nicky Fox edit the BBC's Today Programme.

The coming year will be the apex of Parker's mission; it won't be able to get any closer to the Sun beyond December, not least because its orbit will no longer afford swingbys of Venus to train its trajectory onto an even tighter path.

But to go any closer would also risk shortening the shadow cast by Parker's big shield, exposing the rear of the spacecraft to intolerable temperatures.
A report published by the UK government recommended that officials should provide separate prayer rooms for Sunni and Shia Muslims aboard the Bibby Stockholm to avoid sectarian clashes, injuries, and deaths.

In an exclusive report by the Daily Mail, the British Home Office mentioned in its equality impact assessment that the two sects of Islam were a major cause of conflict across the Middle East, and not segregating them could lead to unrest at sites where immigrants were being housed in the country.

The document cited the necessity to provide separate prayer rooms as the violence between the sects could cause "adverse behaviors," and that interactions between the two groups "should be monitored."

The report was published after a death was reported aboard the immigrant accommodation barge earlier this month.

The Home Office also deemed the housing of asylum seekers aboard the barge was discriminatory, pursuant to the 2010 Equality Act on the grounds of sex and age, and that changes may be needed.

Read Also: Migrants Evacuated at UK's Bibby Stockholm Immigration Barge After Reports of Legionnaires' Disease Outbreak

Sectarian Fights Affect Other Asylum Seekers

Separately, RAF Scampton, an air base in Lincolnshire, published a report warning of "tensions" resulting from the Sunni/Shia divide and also recommended that separate prayer rooms be created to avoid any future scuffles, the Mail reported.

Footage of fights breaking out between asylum seekers at RAF Wethersfield, a former base in Essex, also emerged recently.

These incidents were apparently on the rise, prompting other asylum seekers to urge British authorities to do something about the riots.

A 19-year-old man from Iran described the fights as "dangerous" and it left him feeling "scared"

"Inside the camp: dangerous, because [most] nights..." he told ITV News. "[There is] fighting another nationality, another language, another people."

Related Article: Migrants Return to Bibby Stockholm 2 Months After Reports of Legionnaires' Disease

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  If theres one animal at the Nashville Zoo that loves the cold weather, its the Red Pandas. Theyre from the foothills of the Himalayas in southwestern China, which is a pretty cold climate.

(Photo: WKRN)

Come to the zoo in the winter, and I can guarantee that if you ask me where the Red Pandas are, theyre going to be on exhibit, exclaimed M.J. Fehlhaber, the Nashville Zoo carnivore keeper.

Nashville Zoo needs help naming three new Sumatran tiger cubs

Theyre going to be having the time of their lives. When it is 75 degrees and lower, theyre locked on exhibit. I have to go to work, they have to go to work, too, Fehlhaber added. So, they go out and they put all their cuteness on display for everyone. One Red Panda is pretty cute, but when two of them are side by side, hah, too much! Too, too cute!

(Photo: WKRN)

To help them deal with the cold, Red Pandas have a double coat of fur, much like a husky, and the fur is very coarse, which helps to hold in their body heat. Therefore, the cold feels good to them.

(Photo: WKRN)

This is going to be their frisky time of the year, Fehlhaber explained. So, theyre going to be much more active. Theyre going to be running around.

How do flamingos handle the cold at Nashville Zoo?

They are especially fan favorites with the kids. You can see how they flock to them at the Red Panda exhibit.

(Photo: WKRN)

When you come to the zoo you want to see our animals and you kind of want to make that connection with them, Fehlhaber said. And you get to do that in the wintertime with our Red Pandas because they are active. They will capture your heart within two seconds, if not less. And so, theyre going to be very, very fun in the wintertime.

FORECAST: Middle Tennessee & Southern Kentucky Weather

So put on the winter coat and head to the Nashville Zoo. The Red Pandas will be waiting there for you.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
A mobile fire group from the 27th Pechersk Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine shot down a Russian cruise missile using small arms during a large-scale Russian attack on Ukraine on 29 December.

Source: The National Guard of Ukraine

Details: After detecting a target moving towards Kyiv, the National Guard personnel opened fire from their machine guns.

Upon examining the wreckage, it was found that the missile had lost control and crashed due to the detonation of its fuel tanks. The warhead did not explode.

For reference: Mobile fire groups of the National Guard are created to counter air strikes, specifically for downing missiles and kamikaze drones. Combined with the effective work of air defence units, this enables an increase in the success rate of intercepting aerial targets, thereby preserving infrastructure and the lives of citizens.

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The new Doctor Who is here and were just at the very tip of the surface of his reign.

Ahead of the 15th series, the first Christmas special for the long-running show since 2017, The Church on Ruby Road, tees up Ncuti Gatwas groundbreaking role as the 15th doctor and Millie Gibson as his companion, Ruby Sunday. It also has appearances from David Tennants 14th doctor and Catherine Tate as Donna Noble. As Disney+ described the special in its logline, Long ago on Christmas Eve, a baby was abandoned in the snow. Today, Ruby Sunday meets the Doctor, stolen babies, goblins and perhaps the secret of her birth.

The special gave way to more background and adventure with Gatwas iteration of The Doctor, and as the first Black and openly queer Time Lord, it is something that Gatwa hasnt quite reconciled with himself.

It wasand still isa concept that I couldnt quite.Im still wrapping my head around, the actor told Blavitys Shadow and Act in a recent interview. If Im honest with you, Im so aware of the weight of the show and how in its legacy in the world, but in the UK specifically, its such a like a piece of our furniture in our home. And so, mentally, I was thinking about that a lot and also, Im the first Black doctorso I was constantly, constantly, constantly thinking about how I was going to be. I was constantly in a battle in my mind of thinking about how I was going to be received and then trying to quell that and be like, That is not my problem. What my problem is, is to do my job, and to do my job to the best of my abilities because its my abilities that got me the job.

Unlike other transitions between Time Lords, the 15th doctor was not a typical regeneration for the character, and it is one of several welcome differences, according to Gatwa.

As he explained, I think this was just a great moment to introduce this new piece of mythology that Russell has added to like the Time Lords history, because it is the 60th anniversary [and] its like a time for looking towards the past of the show and everything that the show has been, but also to the future and everything that the show could be and everything that the show is progressing to be. And its a perfect time to pop in a couple of little changes and a couple of little additions and spruce up the place a little bit. It works logistically Russell really wanted David [Tennant] and Catherine [Tate] back for the specials. Also, I was busy doing another project and we needed a bit of time and we needed to figure things out. So it was a really handy piece of mythology as well that Russell has added in, But Russells bringing in a slightly mythological element into this new era and a slightly more like fantasy/fairytale element to this era, as well as sci-fi.

Fans have also already noticed the different vibe of the 15th doctor, and even from what was gathered prior the special, there is this fun vibe and fans have saw him dancing and such.

Speaking to this doctors personality, as well as things that may surprise folks about this iteration, Gatwa said, The Time Lords have two heartstheir capacity to feel is endless, and I think thats always been something that Ive thought of the doctor. This character has a time machine, and is also lonely, and also like travels through all of time and space on their own a lot of the time. Like..they feel so much, and that aspect of them having traveled and having a time machine makes me just think that there must be such a curiosity of life, such a respect of life and such an appreciation of life. And so for my doctor, hes just like eating it up. He eats it up..the rage, he eats it up, the pain, he eats it up. He feels thins to like 125 degress. So thats an element I really wanted to bring into the doctor also, and Id say he slightly uses humor to hide is pain, and also he just likes humor. But also, hes slightly more emotional than weve seen doctors before. Some things really move him and some things really upset him.

The Church on Ruby Road, is now streaming on Disney+, and the 15th series of Doctor Who premieres in May 2024.
Poland has deployed approximately 480 soldiers to scour the countryside in Lublin Province for remnants of a Russian missile that breached the country's airspace, the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces said on Twitter (X) on Dec. 30.

The objective of these searches is to "definitively confirm that no fragments of the object remained on Polish territory," the statement said.

Read also: Ukraine and Poland agree on plan to unblock borders

"Approximately 480 WOT (Polish Territorial Defense Forces) soldiers will participate in the search. The soldiers' operations will take place southeast of Zamosc."

Read also: EU transport groups pressure Poland by urging boycott of carriers choking Ukraine's trade lifelines

The Polish Operational Command spotted an "unknown object" in the country's airspace on the morning of Dec. 29.

The object came from the direction of the Ukrainian border. It was monitored by air defense radars from the moment it crossed the border into Poland until the signal disappeared.

Polish President Andrzej Duda later convened an urgent meeting of the government because of the "unknown object.

Moscow has refused to provide any explanation for the object, which is presumed to have been a Russian missile  part of the over 100 fired at Ukraine on Dec. 29. The Russian government has demanded "concrete evidence" that the missile is Russian before responding, the pro-Kremlin RIA Novosti propaganda agency reported, citing the Russian Federation's Charge d'Affaires to Poland, Andrei Ordash.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The Republican governor of Nebraska is standing by his decision to reject a federal program that would give the state $18 million to help feed food-insecure children next summer.

Gov. Jim Pillen reiterated his stance in a statement Friday on why the state wont be participating in the 2024 Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children or Summer EBT program.

COVID-19 is over and Nebraska taxpayers expect that pandemic-era government relief programs will end too, Pillen said in a statement.

The program, made available in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, would give EBT cards to low-income families whose kids are eligible for free and reduced-price lunches at school.

Families would receive $40 a month per child over the summer. In exchange for the $18 million in federal funds, the state would have to pay $300,000 in administrative costs.

I dont believe in welfare, Pillen said at a previous news conference about his decision to reject the funds.

Instead, Pillen said, the state would continue to help kids through the Summer Food Service Program, which provides meals to low-income kids who are signed up for on-site services like summer school and camps.

At a rally on Friday in front of the Governors Residence, advocates for the federal program argued the Summer Food Service Program doesnt reach thousands of kids who arent able to participate in those on-site programs, the Nebraska Examiner reported.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds also announced her state would reject the federal program. Reynolds cited childhood obesity as a reason to reject the $18 million.

An EBT card does nothing to promote nutrition at a time when childhood obesity has become an epidemic, Reynolds said in a news release about her decision.

Twenty-eight other states, along with six other U.S. territories and Native American tribes, will be taking part in the program, The Associated Press reported.

In the last year and a half, eight other states have adopted free universal meal programs for kids in public schools. Those states are Massachusetts, California, Colorado, Maine, Michigan, New Mexico, Vermont and Minnesota.

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The message was loud, emblazoned on signs and shouted from the lips of more than 40 who marched: a desalination plant isnt wanted.

Hillcrest is home, declared some of the signs carried by those who rallied Thursday evening  several participants characterizing plans to construct the proposed plant near the boundaries of the Northside neighborhood as making the historically Black community a target.

Led by the Rev. Henry Williams and Lamont Taylor of the Hillcrest Residents Association, the march spanned a little more than a mile from the intersection of W. Broadway Street and Nueces Bay Boulevard to the Brooks AME Worship Center on Port Avenue. Participants held signs, including our home is not a sacrifice zone, take your desal and shove it, and Hillcrest will not yield.

Were going to keep pushing and fighting back, said the Rev. Claudia Rush, pastor of Brooks AME Worship Center, speaking before a packed sanctuary.

The location at W. Broadway Street and Nueces Bay Boulevard is the proposed site of a desalination plant.

Dubbed by local officials as the Inner Harbor site, some critics have said the name is misleading, indicating that the plant is in the Inner Harbor when it is actually adjacent to a neighborhood.

From front left, Rev. Henry Williams and Lamont Taylor lead a march from the site of the Inner Harbor desalination plant, located in the Hillcrest neighborhood, to the Brooks AME Worship Center on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, in Corpus Christi, Texas. More than 40 people marched along Broadway Street to protest the plant.

City officials have said the location was chosen "because of its immediate proximity to the residents and larger community of Corpus Christi, and that the facility, once built, would provide the entire community with safe, reliable drinking water.

'Refinery Region'

Although the march in part acted as pushback specific to desalination issues, much of its purpose was in advocating for the preservation of the predominantly minority neighborhood that has seen growing industrial activity, past eras of segregation and anticipated impacts from construction of the new Harbor Bridge.

The subdivision is located off what is known as Refinery Row  a 10-mile stretch of heavy industry that lines the ship channel.

The area is no longer Refinery Row, said Isabel Araiza, For the Greater Good cofounder  its Refinery Region.

Youre either on the right side of history or youre on the wrong side of history  Its time to be right, she said. This is a neighborhood. It is not just some empty lot.

City officials were recently issued a draft discharge permit for the site, while a draft water rights permit was issued last year. A decision is pending on a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit.

The project proposal, if approved, calls for a facility capable of generating as much as 30 million gallons of water per day.

Plans include incorporating "state of the art technology with aesthetically-pleasing buildings that will enhance the neighborhood, according to a recent message sent by city officials to the Caller-Times.

Last year, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development opened an investigation into whether the citys plans for a plant at the Inner Harbor site comply with the Civil Rights Act of 1968.

The status of the case was not immediately clear Friday.

Property questions

Many of the properties in Hillcrest are now vacant, sold to the Port of Corpus Christi as part of a voluntary relocation and acquisition program. The program was brokered as part of a settlement of a Civil Rights complaint, which contended the route of the new Harbor Bridge intentionally discriminated against people of color.

A threat now is eminent domain, attorney Matt Manning told the assembled crowd  an assertion city and port officials have denied.

Although there hasnt been public discussion about exercising eminent domain, its the prevalent belief here that its going to happen, Manning told the Caller-Times.

This is a life-or-death issue for this community, he said, addressing the full sanctuary.

There are key ingredients in pursuing eminent domain  governmental entities must show public use purpose, and that taking ownership of a private property is needed to accomplish that purpose.

While Manning said he doesnt believe either the port or city has the necessary justifications to pursue eminent domain proceedings, that didnt mean there wouldnt be an attempt  specifically for economic development purposes.

I want you to know how to protect yourselves, he told the crowd, as he explained the legal process of eminent domain proceedings. They are coming for your land.

Manning encouraged residents to prepare for the possibility, advising property owners to not discuss their land if contacted, and instead insist that all communications be in writing.

In messages to the Caller-Times, city and port officials denied plans for exercising eminent domain in the neighborhood.

The Port of Corpus Christi has not considered  nor is it considering  the use of eminent domain to acquire properties in the Hillcrest neighborhood, wrote Port of Corpus Christi Chief Executive Officer Kent Britton in an emailed statement.

The city also doesnt have plans to exercise eminent domain related to the Inner Harbor site or any other areas of Hillcrest or Washington-Coles, wrote City Manager Peter Zanoni in a message to the Caller-Times.

It is unfortunate leaders in our community are inciting fear saying as much, he wrote.

Zanoni added that the land identified for the site is owned by Flint Hills  the property currently under contract with the city  with the exception of a parcel already owned by the City and two parcels already owned by the Port of Corpus Christi.

More: Corpus Christi presses ahead amid HUD civil rights probe into Northside desalination plans

More: Here's why Corpus Christi's Inner Harbor seawater desalination plans sparked concerns

More: EPA to defer to HUD investigation of complaint against city's Northside desalination plans

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: hillcrest neighbors hold protest marches against desalination plant
Ukraines Air Force has confirmed the General Staff's report that on the night of 29-30 December, 5 out of 10 attack drones launched by Russian forces into Ukraine were shot down.

Source: Ukraines Air Force; Air Command Pivden (South); Khmelnytskyi Oblast Military Administration; Kherson Oblast Military Administration

Quote from the Air Force: "On the night of 29-30 December 2023, the Russian occupiers attacked Ukraine with 10 Shahed UAVs from Cape Chauda (Crimea). Five drones were shot down by air defence systems in Mykolaiv, Kherson and Khmelnytskyi oblasts. The main impact was on the frontline area of Kherson Oblast."

Details: Air Command Pivden (South), in cooperation with the air defence assets and personnel of other units of the Defence Forces of Ukraines South, destroyed three Russian Shahed-136/131 attack UAVs: two in Kherson Oblast and one in Mykolaiv Oblast.

In addition, air defence systems downed two Shahed UAVs in Khmelnytskyi Oblast. Civilians were not injured and there was no damage to infrastructure.

In Kherson, an administrative building was destroyed by a drone attack on the night of 29-30 December, but no locals were injured.

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Nikki Haley Didnt Mention Slavery As The Cause Of The Civil War And Is Now Trying To Clean Up Her Comments After Backlash | Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images

Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley, a former South Carolina governor who later served as United States ambassador to the United Nations in the Trump administration, is drawing criticism for comments she recently made on the campaign trail.

At a town hall event in New Hampshire, Haley was asked by a member of the audience, What was the cause of the United States Civil War? Her response, captured in a minute-long video that has since been shared by the Biden campaign and others across social media, started with, I think the cause of the Civil War was basically how government was going to run. The freedoms and what people could and couldnt do. From there, Haley continued a disjointed response that criticized the role of government in general and spoke about capitalism and economic freedom, but did not mention slavery. When the questioner pointed out that omission, Haley responded by asking him, What do you want me to say about slavery? and then asked for the next question.

Asked what caused the Civil War, Nikki Haley refuses to mention slavery: What do you want me to say about slavery? Next question. pic.twitter.com/cEMW3Cn9ku  Biden-Harris HQ (@BidenHQ) December 28, 2023

Haleys answer about government and freedom seems to be a rephrasing of the states rights argument that has long been used by Confederate sympathizers to downplay the role of slavery in the Civil War. Qasim Rashid, a lawyer and congressional candidate from Illinois, pointed out in a tweet that in South Carolinas Articles of Secession, the VERY FIRST reason they give on why theyre going to war is, [A]n increasing hostility on the part of the non-slaveholding States to the institution of slavery'

Nikki Haley was Gov of South Carolina. In South Carolina's Articles of Secession, the VERY FIRST reason they give on why they're going to war is, "[A]n increasing hostility on the part of the non-slaveholding States to the institution of slavery" But yeah let's ban more books https://t.co/1uaYzFWHB8  Qasim Rashid, Esq. (@QasimRashid) December 28, 2023

Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison, also from South Carolina, released a statement saying, in part, This isnt hard: condemning slavery is the baseline for anyone who wants to be president of the United States, but Nikki Haley and the rest of the MAGA GOP are choking on their words trying to rewrite history.

NEW: Statement from @harrisonjaime: "This isnt hard: condemning slavery is the baseline for anyone who wants to be President of the United States, but Nikki Haley and the rest of the MAGA GOP are choking on their words trying to rewrite history." pic.twitter.com/nB3xyHruPC  Rosemary Boeglin (@RosemaryBoeglin) December 28, 2023

The Biden-Harris presidential campaign posted a video of Haleys comments, and President Joe Biden responded to the video with a four-word tweet: It was about slavery.

It was about slavery. https://t.co/q9bTDvtPne  Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) December 28, 2023

By Thursday, Nikki Haley and Civil War were trending on social media, as she was largely criticized for her answer. Responding to the growing criticism to her response, Haley said on The Pulse of NH  News Talk Radio Network on Thursday morning, I mean, of course, the Civil War was about slavery, before pivoting back to her talking points that It was about individual freedom. It was about economic freedom and saying that we should never go back to the stain of slavery, Politico reported.

So far, Haleys comments are continuing to be criticized by political pundits and social media posters who see her and the Republican Party as continuing to downplay the impacts of racism and slavery in the country. Haley may continue to try to clean up her words, but for many, her initial answer has told them what they need to know about her views and those of her party.
Recently, the leader of the Rapid Support Force, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo landed in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa after meeting Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen at Bole International Airport in Ethiopia.





Diplomatic efforts led by Saudi and U.S. interests haven't made any headway. "We discussed the need to bring a swift end to this war, the historical crisis in Sudan, and how to best alleviate the hardships of the Sudanese people," Hemedti said.

The RSF's military gains are mounting after the group took control of Wad Madani, a major city in Sudan, tightening their grip on western Darfur.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahed is quoted as saying he received the RSF delegation to secure "peace and stability in the Sudan."

How Is The UAE Involved?





It was recently reported by Rueters that a prominent Sudanese general accused the United Arab Emirates of backing the RSF last month, which was initially a part of Sudan's military but has since been designated as a rebel group by the Sudanese government.

"We have information from intelligence, military intelligence, and the diplomatic circuit that the UAE sends planes to support the Janjaweed," said General Yassir al-Atta.

The general claims the UAE funneled supplies through Uganda and other countries. In response, the UAE said it supported dialogue and de-escalation in Sudan. Uganda has labeled the claims as false.

The UAE has strategic interests in the Horn of Africa and has pursued investments in Sudan including a Red Sea port.

The conflict between the RSF and Sudan's regular army broke out amid an attempt to transition the country from military rule to a civilian democracy with free elections.

The war has displaced millions of Sudanese civilians and leveled Khartoum. The RSF has previously denied involvement in the violence in Darfur and claimed it was a result of tribal dynamics.



Last week, HNGN reported that the International Rescue Committee placed Sudan on its Emergency Watchlist, which is a tally of 20 countries that are most at risk of humanitarian emergencies each year.

Sudan and South Sudan were first and third on the list, respectively.

@ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
North Korean fertility rates are in free-fall and far below levels necessary to replace its aging population, South Korea's central bank claims.

The Bank of Korea's Economic Research Institute shared its data on Friday, claiming fertility rates in North Korea have dropped to as low as 1.38.

"The results show that North Korea's total fertility rate was 1.91 in the 1990s, then dropped to 1.59 in the 2000s, and was at 1.38 in the 2010s," the report claims.

KIM JONG UN TELLS COMMITTEE NORTH KOREA MUST COOPERATE WITH 'ANTI-IMPERIALIST' COUNTRIES AGAINST US

School children arrive to pay their respects before the statues of late North Korean leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il at Mansu Hill in Pyongyang.

It continues, "The 1.38 fertility rate in the 2010s not only confirms the downward trend in the fertility rate previously estimated by the UN, but is also consistent with North Korean defectors' testimonies that most women born in 1970s and 1980s are only giving birth to one child."

The Economic Research Institute acknowledged imperfect methodology in calculating the data, being forced to utilize testimonies and limited data available from escaped North Korean citizens.

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"The reasons for the decline in the total fertility rate include the increase in late marriage among women in urban areas and the decline in fertility due to women's increased participation in market activity," the BOK reports.

NORTH KOREAN ELITES ATTEND YEAR-END CEREMONY IN EXPENSIVE MERCEDES SEDANS, DESPITE LUXURY GOODS BAN

Pedestrians use umbrellas in the rain as they walk outside the Pyongyang Railway Station in Pyongyang.

"A country's birthrate tends to fall when income levels rise. But even though North Korea is a low-income country, its total fertility rate [remains unusually] very low," the report continues.

Earlier this month, North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong Un became tearful during a speech praising the nation's mothers.

"The credit for the brilliant today of our country goes to our mothers who are ordinary and simple and the strongest before any difficulties and have become the genuine models of always devoting themselves unhesitatingly to the road of patriotism as well as the roots for bringing up a large number of heroes in all parts of the country," the dictator said, according to a transcription of the remarks printed in Korean Central News Agency.

Schoolchildren sit on a bench as they watch a television screen at Kaeson Station of the Pyongyang Metro in Pyongyang.

"All mothers should fulfill their responsibility and duty assumed before society and families with confidence in and optimism about the prospects of our socialist construction and a changed ideal society to come in the near future," Kim Jon Un said in the speech. "They have [a] heavy mission to bring up their children to be pillars of socialist and communist construction and masters of future society."

North Korea  officially known as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea  operates under the state ideology of juche, a communist worldview founded on a cult of personality and enthusiastic nationalism.





Original article source: North Korea fertility rate plummets to estimated 1.38, South Korean officials claim
The truce village of Panmunjom inside the demilitarized zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas

By Cynthia Kim, Josh Smith and Jack Kim

SEOUL (Reuters) -North Korea vowed to launch three new spy satellites, build military drones, and boost its nuclear arsenal in 2024 as leader Kim Jong Un said U.S. policy is making war inevitable, state media reported on Sunday.

Kim lashed out at Washington in lengthy remarks wrapping up five days of ruling party meetings that set economic, military and foreign policy goals for the coming year.

"Because of reckless moves by the enemies to invade us, it is a fait accompli that a war can break out at any time on the Korean peninsula," he said, according to state news agency KCNA.

He ordered the military to prepare to "pacify the entire territory of South Korea," including with nuclear bombs if necessary, in response to any attack.

Kim's speech comes ahead of a year that will see pivotal elections in both South Korea and the United States.

Experts predict North Korea will maintain a campaign of military pressure for leverage around the U.S. presidential elections in November, which could see the return of former President Donald Trump, who traded in both threats and historic diplomacy with Kim.

"Pyongyang might be waiting out the U.S. presidential election to see what its provocations can buy it with the next administration," said Leif-Eric Easley, professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul.

President Joe Biden's administration says it is open to talks, but it imposed new sanctions as North Korea pushed ahead with more missile tests banned under United Nations' sanctions.

South Korea's defence ministry condemned Pyongyang's plans to press ahead with its nuclear ambitions.

"If North Korea attempts to use nuclear weapons against us,

we will retaliate overwhelmingly by utilizing the dramatically

strengthened extended deterrence of the ROK-U.S. alliance and the three-axis system, and the Kim Jong-Un regime will face its end," the defense ministry said in a statement.

Seoul's Unification Ministry said in a statement analyzing the KCNA report that "further provocation is always possible to highlight North Korea's presence ahead of the U.S. presidential election".

"(North Korea) could maintain its hard line stance against the U.S. and anti-American, anti-imperialist solidarity, and also seek opportunities to turn the situation around at the same time."

WAR A 'REALISTIC REALITY'

The U.S. has also increased drills and deployed more military assets, including nuclear-armed submarines and large aircraft carriers, near the Korean peninsula.

Kim said the return of such weapons had completely transformed South Korea into a "forward military base and nuclear arsenal" of the United States.

"If we look closely at the confrontational military actions by the enemy forces... the word 'war' has become a realistic reality and not an abstract concept," Kim said.

Kim said he has no choice but to press forward with his nuclear ambitions and forge deeper relations with other countries that oppose the United States. North Korea has deep ties with both China and Russia.

"North Korea is preparing for further escalation of tension with Washington and Seoul, for at least a year or more, and its hard line policies are likely to be accompanied by efforts for dialogue as well ahead of the U.S. election," Yang Uk, an analyst at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, said.

"Kim is building on his success of the spy satellite to do three more because he knows satellite capabilities are powerful targeting tool for better nuclear command and control."

South Korea holds a parliamentary election in April that could impact the domestic and foreign agenda for conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol, who has maintained a hawkish stance toward Pyongyang.

Pyongyang has now ruled out the possibility of unifying with South Korea, and the country must fundamentally change its principle and direction toward South Korea, Kim said.

"North-South relations are no longer a kinship or homogeneous relationship but have completely become a relationship between two hostile countries, two belligerents at war," he said, calling the South a colonised state completely dependent on the United States for national defence and security.

Both Yoon's ruling party and the opposition democratic party slammed the Sunday report and urged North Korea to return to dialogue for peace talks.

"If North Korea repeats hostile acts, we will respond strongly using all means and methods ... If the Kim Jong-un regime misjudges the situation and makes a wrong decision, the Republic of Korea will definitely correct it based on its overwhelming power," the ruling People Power Party said in a commentary.

Kim also promised to develop the economy, including the metals, chemicals, power, machinery and railway sectors, while modernising wheat facilities to boost production.

One key policy goal is to invest in science and technological research at schools, he said.

(Reporting by Cynthia Kim, Josh Smith and Jack Kim; Editing by Lisa Shumaker, Neil Fullick, Kim Coghill and Frances Kerry)
DALLAS - As 2023 comes to a close, the need for food assistance remains high, and area food banks don't expect demand to go down in the new year.

Huddled up in prayer, volunteers mentally and spiritually prepared for what would end up being another busy day.

"Sometimes we need to get out of our comfort zone to be a blessing to our community," Jermaine Williams Sr. said.

Williams was one of dozens of people who showed up to Crossroads Covenant Church in DeSoto Friday morning to help out with one of the last food distribution events of this year.

"This is great, I want to be doing this," Jeannie Gaither said.

"A lot of us signed up and its just a fun thing to be able to give back," Patrice Henderson said.

As we close out 2023, another year of excessive inflation, the need for help remains great.

"I'm here today because we're in need today. I just went to pick up my grandchildren and my husband, who is a veteran," Hanna Shannon said.

"It's just a little hurdle. We're going to get over this hurdle and we'll be fine," Nina Johnson said.

Each person who drove through the line received a bag of food provided by the North Texas Food Bank.

According to the non-profit, this last fiscal year, the NTFB provided access to more than 144 million nutritious meals, or nearly 400,000 meals a day, which is a 5% increase over the prior year.

"With our community that's in need in these desperate times, our goal is help and support in whatever way God has blessed us," Crossroads Covenant Church Lead Pastor Josef Rasheed said.

At the food drive held at Iglesia Adventista Del Septimo Dia in Dallas, organizers expected to serve about 150 people. Instead, some 600 showed up.

The line snaked through the parking lot.

"I am grateful we were able to coordinate this event after Christmas and be able to receive the food from NTFB," event coordinator Enoc Chicas said.

Chicas said the NTFB donated 14,000 pounds of food for this event.

In just two hours, all of it was gone.

A reminder, Chicas said, that as we celebrate the new year, many of our friends and neighbors are struggling to make ends meet.

"There is always a need, especially for food. A lot of these people don't have food. A lot of kids did not receive any toys," he added.
A funny  but true  joke at TechCrunch is that the security desk might as well be called the Department of Bad News, since, well, have you seen what we've covered of late? There is a never-ending supply of devastating breaches, pervasive surveillance and dodgy startups flogging the downright dangerous.

Sometimes though  albeit rarely  there are glimmers of hope that we want to share. Not least because doing the right thing, even (and especially) in the face of adversity, helps make the cyber-realm that little bit safer.

Bangladesh thanked a security researcher for citizen data leak discovery

When a security researcher found that a Bangladeshi government website was leaking the personal information of its citizens, clearly something was amiss. Viktor Markopoulos found the exposed data thanks to an inadvertently cached Google search result, which exposed citizen names, addresses, phone numbers and national identity numbers from the affected website. TechCrunch verified that the Bangladeshi government website was leaking data, but efforts to alert the government department were initially met with silence. The data was so sensitive, TechCrunch could not say which government department was leaking the data, as this might expose the data further.

That's when the country's computer emergency incident response team, also known as CIRT, got in touch and confirmed the leaking database had been fixed. The data was spilling from none other than the country's birth, death and marriage registrar office. CIRT confirmed in a public notice that it had resolved the data spill and that it left "no stone unturned" to understand how the leak happened. Governments seldom handle their scandals well, but an email from the government to the researcher thanking them for their finding and reporting the bug shows the government's willingness to engage over cybersecurity where many other countries will not.

Apple throwing the kitchen sink at its spyware problem

It's been more than a decade since Apple dropped its now-infamous claim that Macs don't get PC viruses (which while technically true, those words have plagued the company for years). These days the most pressing threat to Apple devices is commercial spyware, developed by private companies and sold to governments, which can punch a hole in our phones' security defenses and steal our data. It takes courage to admit a problem, but Apple did exactly that by rolling out Rapid Security Response fixes to fix security bugs actively exploited by spyware makers.

Apple rolled out its first emergency "hotfix" earlier this year to iPhones, iPads and Macs. The idea was to roll out critical patches that could be installed without always having to reboot the device (arguably the pain point for the security-minded). Apple also has a setting called Lockdown Mode, which limits certain device features on an Apple device that are typically targeted by spyware. Apple says it's not aware of anyone using Lockdown Mode who was subsequently hacked. In fact, security researchers say that Lockdown Mode has actively blocked ongoing targeted hacks.

Taiwan's government didn't blink before intervening after corporate data leak

When a security researcher told TechCrunch that a ridesharing service called iRent  run by Taiwanese automotive giant Hotai Motors  was spilling real-time updating customer data to the internet, it seemed like a simple fix. But after a week of emailing the company to resolve the ongoing data spill  which included customer names, cell phone numbers and email addresses, and scans of customer licenses  TechCrunch never heard back. It wasn't until we contacted the Taiwanese government for help disclosing the incident that we got a response immediately.

Within an hour of contacting the government, Taiwans minister for digital affairs Audrey Tang told TechCrunch by email that the exposed database had been flagged with Taiwan's computer emergency incident response team, TWCERT, and was pulled offline. The speed at which the Taiwanese government responded was breathtakingly fast, but that wasn't the end of it. Taiwan subsequently fined Hotai Motors for failing to protect the data of more than 400,000 customers, and was ordered to improve its cybersecurity. In its aftermath, Taiwans vice premier Cheng Wen-tsan said the fine of about $6,600 was "too light" and proposed a change to the law that would increase data breach fines by tenfold.

Leaky U.S. court record systems sparked the right kind of alarm

At the heart of any judicial system is its court records system, the tech stack used for submitting and storing sensitive legal documents for court cases. These systems are often online and searchable, while restricting access to files that could otherwise jeopardize an ongoing proceeding. But when security researcher Jason Parker found several court record systems with incredibly simple bugs that were exploitable using only a web browser, Parker knew they had to see that these bugs were fixed.

Parker found and disclosed eight security vulnerabilities in court records systems used in five U.S. states  and that was just in their first batch disclosure. Some of the flaws were fixed and some remain outstanding, and the responses from states were mixed. Florida's Lee County took the heavy-handed (and self-owning) position of threatening the security researcher with Florida's anti-hacking laws. But the disclosures also sent the right kind of alarm. Several state CISOs and officials responsible for court records systems across the U.S. saw the disclosure as an opportunity to inspect their own court record systems for vulnerabilities. Govtech is broken (and is desperately underserved), but having researchers like Parker finding and disclosing must-patch flaws makes the internet safer  and the judicial system fairer  for everyone.

Google killed geofence warrants, even if it was better late than never

It was Google's greed driven by ads and perpetual growth that set the stage for geofence warrants. These so-called "reverse" search warrants allow police and government agencies to dumpster dive into Google's vast stores of users' location data to see if anyone was in the vicinity at the time a crime was committed. But the constitutionality (and accuracy) of these reverse-warrants have been called into question and critics have called on Google to put an end to the surveillance practice it largely created to begin with. And then, just before the holiday season, the gift of privacy: Google said it would begin storing location data on users' devices and not centrally, effectively ending the ability for police to obtain real-time location from its servers.

Google's move is not a panacea, and doesn't undo the years of damage (or stop police from raiding historical data stored by Google). But it might nudge other companies also subject to these kinds of reverse-search warrants  hello Microsoft, Snap, Uber and Yahoo (TechCrunch's parent company)  to follow suit and stop storing users' sensitive data in a way that makes it accessible to government demands.
Third parties could hurt Donald Trump as much as Joe Biden in the 2024 presidential election, the group No Labels has claimed, insisting that its contentious effort to build a unity ticket cannot be compared to spoiler candidates of the past.

Were not spoiling anything, No Labels Jay Nixon, a lifelong Democrat who spent 30 years serving Missouri as a governor, attorney general and state senator, told the Guardian.

The centrist group is preparing for the strongest third-party presidential bid since the Texas businessman Ross Perot earned nearly 19% of the popular vote in 1992. It has gained ballot access in 12 states so far. But No Labels critics in the Democratic party have warned that it could siphon votes that would otherwise go to Biden.

They point to Green party examples such as Ralph Nader, who in 2000 polled at less than 3% but was widely blamed for depriving Al Gore of critical votes, and Jill Stein, who in 2016 notched just 1% but may have made all the difference in battleground states that Hillary Clinton lost by a similar margin.

Ryan Clancy, chief strategist at No Labels, told the Guardian: There is no parallel between what those two did and what were doing, the reason being Ralph Nader and Jill Stein were leftwing protest candidates. The only votes they were ever going to pull were going to be votes that otherwise went to Gore or Hillary Clinton.

Clancy pointed to a recent USA Today newspaper opinion poll that showed the leftwing independent candidate Cornel West eating into Bidens support but rival Robert Kennedy Jr taking votes from Trump. He said: The takeaway there is whether the independent pulls from one side or the other depends on who the independent is.

Some are bad for Biden, some are bad for Trump, some its a wash. The problem we have is that for a year now the people attacking us just keep hammering home if an independent runs, it by definition can only help Trump and we dont agree with them.

Some Democrats argue that, while the principle of a multi-party democracy is admirable, now is not the time because Trump poses a fundamental threat to democracy itself. The Republican frontrunner faces criminal charges over his role in the January 6 insurrection and recently teased that he would be a dictator only on day one.

No Labels, founded in 2009 by Nancy Jacobson, a prominent Washington political fundraiser, contends otherwise, pointing to recent polls that show Biden trailing Trump nationally and in swing states.

Nixon, its director of ballot integrity, said: For somebody whos behind in a race to say that youre going to cost them a race youre already behind in doesnt make sense to me. I live in a number world and if youre behind and you say its somebody elses fault?

The presidents running against somebody whos been indicted four times in four separate courts, and the presidents numbers have gotten worse. This is why mirrors are useful. You got to look at where you are what youre going to do. Were not spoiling anything.

Were providing for the vast majority of Americans an opportunity that they really want. If youre ever out with our signature gatherers, Americans want this choice and were working hard in this phase of it to do what we can professionally to give them that choice.

Asked why he is not campaigning for Bidens re-election, Nixon replied: This is not about me saying bad things about Joe Biden. I like the president and respect him tremendously, much more than Donald Trump.

I dont want to get into each one of them is equal in that sense because to me Trump is so far out that hes checked out of my head. Biden, on the other hand, his time for service is coming to an end and I appreciate the service hes provided.

Polling has shown that most Americans have no appetite for a Biden v Trump rematch. The current presidents approval rating sits in the 30s while his predecessors hovers in the low 40s. Although no third party candidate has ever come close to winning a presidential election, No Labels claims that its polling shows a unity ticket could realistically prevail in 25 states  enough to win the electoral college.

Clancy said: The reason theres an opening is because somebody like Trump is on the ballot. If the Republicans and Democrats were putting up broadly appealing candidates, there would be no opening.

One thing No Labels has said from the beginning is, if there is not an opening, we are not hellbent on doing this and offering up our ballot line to a ticket. It is only because the public is so profoundly unhappy with the choices theyre getting that theres an opening for something.

He added: Theres a lot of people in the Democratic party that have been spending a disproportionate amount of time attacking No Labels for what were doing. The time would be much better spent either thinking one, how do we get a better candidate or, in the absence of that, how do we make a more persuasive appeal to the voters? Because theyre not doing well on either score at the moment.

No Labels says it no longer takes corporate donations and does not release the names of its financial backers because they have a right to privacy. It is still working on the details of how it will choose a nominee and gathering feedback from people who will be delegates at a virtual convention.

Former elected officials in both parties now affiliated with No Labels include Senator Joe Manchin, who has announced that he will not seek re-election, former governors Jon Huntsman, Larry Hogan and Pat McCrory and ex-senator Joe Lieberman, a Democrat who became an independent late in his political career.

But two Democratic groups, the centrist Third Way and more progressive MoveOn, have been mounting an aggressive campaign to keep No Labels off ballots and minimise its impact. Nixon claims to be unfazed. Like the old helicopter pilots in war used to always say, if youre getting flak, that means youre over the target.

Clancy pointed out that there have been two lines of attack on No Labels. One of which is: you know what, even if you guys think youre doing the right thing, the unintended consequence of what youre doing is youre going to help Trump. I dont agree with that, but OK, we can have a debate about that.

Theres another line of argument which is: look, you want to help Trump, thats the secret goal, which is so stupid, because for starters, I came up in Democratic politics  I used to work for Joe Biden  and I dont ever want to see Donald Trump in the White House again.

For me, theres no equivalency between the two of them. Governor Nixon said the same thing. All our co-chairs have said that. Why would these people who have multi-decade careers in civil rights and public service put their whole reputation on the line so they can be part of a secret cabal to help Trump? It doesnt pass the stupid test but that doesnt stop our opponents from saying it.

However, Third Way continues to provide vehement opposition to No Labels effort to run a unity ticket. Matt Bennett, its co-founder and executive vice-president for public affairs, argues that in key states there are people who would vote for Biden in a two-way race with Trump but who might not if presented with a third option.

They do run the risk of imperiling American democracy in ways that we have not experienced since the American civil war, Bennett said. There has never been a threat like a second Trump term to the fundamental basics of the American republic.

If this were like [Barack] Obama against [Mitt] Romney, we might not support a third party but we wouldnt be freaking out about it. The reason we are so panicked is because this is basically the only way that Trump can return to the White House and if he does that it will be a world historic catastrophe. And they are threatening that.
Framatome Inc. is seeking property tax breaks from the city of Richland as it considers investing $39 million to expand its nuclear fuels facility at Horn Rapids.

The expansion would add 20 family-wage jobs to the plant, according to an application seeking a break on its property tax bill it submitted in late November.

Framatome is seeking a waiver of part of its tax bill under a new Washingon state program that rewards manufacturers who create new jobs in so-called Targeted Urban Areas or TUAs.

The Richland City Council will consider Framatomes request when it meets at 6 p.m., Jan. 2, at Richland City Hall. The request was included on the councils agenda, which was published late on Friday, Dec. 29. It is part of the consent agenda, routine items that are approved by a single vote.

New nuclear venture

Framatome is partnering with Ultra Safe Nuclear Corp. on a joint venture to manufacture commercial quantities of fourth generation reactor fuel for advanced reactor designs.

It would include fuel for the Micro-Modular Reactor, which is being licensed in Canada and the United States and is expected to be the first commercially available nuclear battery.

The city previously linked the joint venture to Richland in a 2024 Legislative agenda published last fall.

The project, referred to in planning documents as Project Eagle Phase 1, would expand the Framatome facility at 2101 Horn Rapids Road by 15,852 square feet. It is asking the city to waive its share of the propertys tax bill for 13,469 square feet.

Framatome previously completed a $20 million expansion in 2020.

That project is used to recover scrap uranium that has picked up contaminants in its nuclear fabrication operation but occurred before the Washington Legislature created TUAs to encourage new manufacturing.

The program awards property tax breaks to companies that add family-wage jobs with benefits and meet other criteria.

Breaks are working

Richland designated much of the Horn Rapids area as a TUA in early 2023 and has enjoyed success in its first year of existence.

If approved, Framatome will be the second manufacturer to take advantage of the new tax incentives.

The first was ATI Inc., a specialty metals company that is building a $28 million addition to its titanium melt plant.

Richland hopes TUA incentives will convince Cenate, based in Norway, to build an advanced battery parts factory in Horn Rapids and not in Butte, Mont., its rival for the companys first U.S. factory.

In November, the city agreed to property near Framatome for the potential plant.

Need more time

It is not clear if awarding tax breaks will cement Framatomes investment. The state requires participants to build their projects within five years, which may not be feasible for a company regulated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

The city of Richland plans to press the 2024 Legislature to extend the deadline for companies such as Framatome that face lengthy approvals under the NRC.

Without an extension, it said, Framatome and Ultra Safe will build in another state.

$250K tax bill

Benton County values Framatomes Horn Rapids property at $25 million for tax purposes. The company paid more than $250,000 in property taxes in 2023.

Richlands share was about $51,400. The city cannot waive the property tax obligation to other entities, such as schools.

Framatome has produced nuclear reactor fuel in Richland for more than half a century and employs nearly 600. It supplies fuel to commercial pressurized water and boiling water reactors.

The Richland councils first agenda of the year includes swearing in new and returning council members and choosing a member to serve as the citys honorary mayor for two years.

Tri-City Herald reporter Annette Cary contributed to this report.

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NEW YORK  There are no known security threats related to this weekends New Years Eve celebration in Times Square, but the New York Police Department is gearing up for the possibility that thousands of pro-Palestine protesters will be demonstrating nearby, Mayor Eric Adams and police officials said Friday.

In an afternoon security briefing outside the NYPDs Times Square substation, Adams said the Police Department is still on high alert, citing an incident at last years Times Square ball drop event where a Maine teenager allegedly attacked three NYPD officers with a machete.

There are no specific threats to the city, but as we saw last year, you dont have to have a specific threat to get a threat, and were going to be ready, said the mayor, who was joined by top NYPD leaders.

Although theres no known threats of violence on the horizon, pro-Palestine groups have for weeks called for mass protests in Times Square on New Years Eve against Israels military campaign in the Gaza Strip, which local authorities say has killed more than 20,000 people, many of them children. Israel launched the military action after Hamas, which controls Gaza, killed 1,200 Israelis and took hundreds hostage during a terror attack on Oct. 7.

John Hart, an assistant NYPD chief in charge of the departments intelligence division, noted that other pro-Palestine protests in the city over the past couple months have drawn between 1,000 and 5,000 people.

Were prepared for them in any number, Hart said of expected demonstrations at Sundays celebration. Were prepared for different groups from different places, and we will make sure this event stays safe.

On Christmas Day, six pro-Palestine protesters were arrested near the Rockefeller Center, which is blocks from Times Square, amid clashes with cops.

In anticipation of Times Square protests on Sunday, Assistant NYPD Commissioner Kaz Daughtry said the department will use the same blueprint it did when pro-Palestine demonstrators tried to interrupt the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting last month.

Were going to have tow trucks strategically parked along the actual New Years Eve festivities, and were going to have drones deployed around the outer perimeter so we can monitor the protests, potential protests that are coming in real time, said Daughtry.

Thousands of cops will also patrol the Times Square area during the celebrations, officials said.

A top police official who was absent from Fridays briefing was NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban.

Asked by The New York Daily News about Cabans whereabouts, Adams said he has been in the Dominican Republic, but will return to New York on Saturday.

He was doing several agreements down there, Adams said.

A spokeswoman for the mayor would not elaborate on what the mayor meant by agreements. An NYPD spokesman later said Caban has been vacationing on the island.

But, you know, I say this over and over again, if the Police Department can only function when the police commissioners here, were in trouble, Adams said. This is a well-oiled machine. One person does not run the show.

Earlier this week, Adams voiced concern that the NYPDs response to recent protests has been hampered by a court settlement the department entered into in September that requires it to deploy fewer officers to most public demonstrations and stop using a controversial mass arrest tactic known as  kettling. The settlement came out of a lawsuit filed by Black Lives Matter protesters who allege their First Amendment rights were violated by the NYPD during demonstrations in 2020.

I thought it put us on a very troubling direction, Adams said this past Tuesday of the settlement.

But Adams held a much different view when the department first entered into the settlement, saying at the time that it struck the right balance between public safety and First Amendment rights.

Asked Friday why he changed his mind, Adams said recent pro-Palestine protests have shown the settlement can be exploited.

Were seeing some of that exploitation now, he said.

Referencing recent demonstrations on the Brooklyn Bridge, he added: When you have 5,000 people deciding to block the bridge and all you can do is issuing them a summons, I think its an encouragement of behavior to be disruptive in the city, and I dont want to ever encourage behavior to be disruptive in the city.
There are no known security threats related to this weekends New Years Eve celebration in Times Square, but the NYPD is gearing up for the possibility that thousands of pro-Palestine protesters will be demonstrating nearby, Mayor Adams and police officials said Friday.

In an afternoon security briefing outside the NYPDs Times Square substation, Adams said the Police Department is still on high alert, citing an incident at last years Times Square ball drop event where a Maine teenager allegedly attacked three NYPD officers with a machete.

There are no specific threats to the city, but as we saw last year, you dont have to have a specific threat to get a threat, and were going to be ready, said the mayor, who was joined by top NYPD leaders.

Though theres no known threats of violence on the horizon, pro-Palestine groups have for weeks called for mass protests in Times Square on New Years Eve against Israels military campaign in the Gaza Strip, which local authorities say has killed more than 20,000 people, many of them children. Israel launched the military action after Hamas, which controls Gaza, killed some 1,200 Israelis and took hundreds hostage during a terror attack on Oct. 7.

John Hart, an assistant NYPD chief in charge of the departments intelligence division, noted that other pro-Palestine protests in the city over the past couple months have drawn between 1,000 and 5,000 people.

Were prepared for them in any number, Hart said of expected demonstrations at Sundays celebration. Were prepared for different groups from different places, and we will make sure this event stays safe.

On Christmas Day, six pro-Palestine protesters were arrested near the Rockefeller Center, which is blocks from Times Square, amid clashes with cops.

In anticipation of Times Square protests on Sunday, Assistant NYPD Commissioner Kaz Daughtry said the department will use the same blueprint it did when pro-Palestine demonstrators tried to interrupt the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting last month.

Were going to have tow trucks strategically parked along the actual New Years Eve festivities, and were going to have drones deployed around the outer perimeter so we can monitor the protests, potential protests that are coming in real time, said Daughtry.

Thousands of cops will also patrol the Times Square area during the celebrations, officials said.

A top police official who was absent from Fridays briefing was NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban.

Asked by the Daily News about Cabans whereabouts, Adams said he has been in the Dominican Republic, but will return to New York on Saturday.

He was doing several agreements down there, Adams said.

A spokeswoman for the mayor would not elaborate on what the mayor meant by agreements. An NYPD spokesman later said Caban has been vacationing on the island.

But, you know, I say this over and over again, if the Police Department can only function when the police commissioners here, were in trouble, Adams said. This is a well-oiled machine. One person does not run the show.

Earlier this week, Adams voiced concern that the NYPDs response to recent protests has been hampered by a court settlement the department entered into in September that requires it to deploy fewer officers to most public demonstrations and stop using a controversial mass arrest tactic known as kettling. The settlement came out of a lawsuit filed by Black Lives Matter protesters who allege their First Amendment rights were violated by the NYPD during demonstrations in 2020.

I thought it put us on a very troubling direction, Adams said this past Tuesday of the settlement.

But Adams held a much different view when the department first entered into the settlement, saying at the time that it struck the right balance between public safety and First Amendment rights.

Asked Friday why he changed his mind, Adams said recent pro-Palestine protests have shown the settlement can be exploited.

Were seeing some of that exploitation now, he said.

Referencing recent demonstrations on the Brooklyn Bridge, he added: When you have 5,000 people deciding to block the bridge and all you can do is issuing them a summons, I think its an encouragement of behavior to be disruptive in the city, and I dont want to ever encourage behavior to be disruptive in the city.
NEW YORK - Times Square is globally renowned for its New Year's Eve celebration.

It is also subject to major security concerns given its wide-scale popularity and frequent protests cropping up throughout the city in response to the Israel-Hamas War.

"This is America's city, and we are proud to host this major event," Mayor Eric Adams said in a security briefing Friday.

The Times Square Alliance along with NYPD will work with federal authorities ahead and during Sunday night's event.

"There are no specific credible threats to our New Year's Eve festivities or to the city of New York in general." Chief Jeffrey Maddrey, NYPD

Chief Jeffrey Maddrey confirmed that there were no specific credible threats to the festivities or the city, but warned that law enforcement would be on high alert.

Thousands of police will line the streets, some in uniform, some in plain clothes. Some along the streets, in buildings and even in the skies above, according to law enforcement officials.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 31: NYPD's Mounted Unit patrol officers ride their horses during 2021 New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square on December 31, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images)

"No one does it like the NYPD," Maddrey said Friday.

This comes as the NYPD also preps for the possibility of large-scale protests, similar to the ones on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas.

On Thanksgiving, police took multiple demonstrators into custody after several disruptions during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

One pair of activists was seen along 6th Avenue, disrupting the parade.

During a Christmas is Canceled rally, demonstrators clashed with police near a Starbucks where six people were arrested.

Protests led by pro-Palestinian groups also erupted during the annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting in Midtown Manhattan, leading to seven people being taken into custody.

"We only have one ask spend as much money as possible, leave all that money right here in New York City." NYC Mayor Eric Adams

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 31: An NYPD officer directs visitors away from Times Square as streets are cordoned off prior to the New Year's Eve celebration on December 31, 2022 in New York, New York, United States. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

All of Times Square will be blocked off by noon on New Year's Eve. Anyone trying to get into the area will have to go through security checkpoints.

The ball will make its 60-second descent down the flagpole and drop at the stroke of midnight on Dec. 31 signaling the start of 2024.

The festivities will begin at 6 p.m. and end at exactly 11:59 p.m.

NEW YORK, UNITED STATES - DECEMBER 31: New York Police Department (NYPD) members takes measures on Times Square ahead of the new year celebrations in New York, United States on December 31, 2022. Americans are preparing for the first open to public new year celebration at Times Square since the Covid-19 pandemic. (Photo by Islam Dogru/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

How to get into Times Square on NYE

Access to Times Square on the evening of Dec. 31 will be from 6th Avenue or 8th Avenue only.

No one will be allowed to cross Broadway/7th Avenue once the streets have been closed.

If your destination is east of Broadway/7th Avenue, you must enter at 6th Avenue and the nearest cross street to your destination.

If your destination is west of Broadway/7th Avenue, you must enter at 8th Avenue and the cross street of your destination.

The only exception is for businesses on 42nd Street; for those, you will need to enter at 41st Street and 8th Avenue.

Access points for the viewing areas:

49th from 6th & 8th Avenues

52nd from 6th & 8th Avenues

56th from 6th & 8th Avenues
(BCN)  The Oakland Police Commission on Saturday issued a statement regarding the ongoing search of the new chief of police for the city.

Following Mayor Sheng Thaos dismissal of the chief of police candidates on Dec. 27, the Oakland Police Commission initiated a new Chief Search Hiring Process via the Chief Search Ad Hoc.

Oakland PD officer killed in line of duty identified

They have agreed to a timeline between Jan. 1-31 for open recruitment, Feb. 1-29 as the evaluation period and by March 1 to have the final names sent to the mayor.

Due to the confidentiality of applicants who may be presently employed, the commission advises they will be observing a media blackout.

While they are determined to find the most suitable candidate, the hiring decision remains the mayors

Copyright  2023 Bay City News, Inc.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
Israeli forces announced its plan of action for "expanding ground operations," as they struck cities, towns, and refugee camps across Gaza resulting in a new mass exodus. Gaza residents spoke with CNN earlier and said that they had been subjected to the most intense airstrikes since Hamas' October 7 attack and that their communications links have been completely severed.

Israel has ordered civilians to vacate the area as their forces close in.

To the south, Israeli forces targeted the center of a hospital in Khan Younis, the primary southern city in the Gaza Strip. Palestinian residents were gravely concerned about a ground incursion into an area already densely populated by families rendered homeless in the past 12 weeks of war.

Israel launched the war to dismantle the militant organization, Hamas, that runs Gaza. This comes after the group stormed through Israeli towns in a cross-border raid on October 7. Reuters revealed 1,200 Israelis were killed and roughly 240 were taken hostage. Since then, 110 hostages were freed during a temporary truce in late November and another 23 have been declared dead in absentia, said an Israeli government spokesperson on Thursday.

Bassel Kheir al-Din, a journalist with a local TV station spoke with NPR and said the strike flattened his family house and severely damaged three neighboring homes. He said 12 members of his family - including three children aged 2, 7, and 8 - were buried and presumed dead, and that nine neighbors were missing.

According to Palestinian health authorities, Reuters reported that 210 people were confirmed dead by Israeli strikes within the last 24 hours, increasing the death toll to 21,320 Palestinians killed since the onset of the war. Thousands of others are unaccounted for amidst the debris and devastation in the aftermath.

Saeed Mustafa, a resident of the Nuseirat refugee camp also told NPR, "It was another night of killing and massacres." He said people were still crying out from the rubble of a house hit by an airstrike on Wednesday. "We are unable to get them out. We hear their screams but we don't have equipment," he continued.

As Israel has sharpened its offensive tactics, Palestinians have fled into shelters and tent camps along the Egyptian border and Mediterranean coastline. Israel's offensive in Gaza stands as one of the most catastrophic military campaigns witnessed in recent history.

Israel has declared its intention to persist with its ground operation until Hamas is eliminated, asserting that this is the only viable way to protect its security and release any remaining hostages. Palestinians have stated that eradicating Hamas is an unattainable goal due to the militant group's decentralized structure and deeply rooted presence in a territory it has ruled since 2007.

@ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Ocean Springs teen Hayden Bonta was killed Friday in a hunting accident in Carroll County.

According to a news release from the Carroll County Sheriffs Department, Carroll County deputies, Medstat and Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks officers responded to the scene off County Road 163 in the Blackhawk area of Carroll County.

Bonta, 17, was declared dead at the scene by Carroll County Coroner Mark Stiles. Investigators with MDWFP and the Carroll County Sheriffs Department are conducting an investigation, though preliminary indications are that the shooting was accidental.

Our prayers are certainly with the Bonta family and their friends during this tragic time. The death of a teenager is never easy, Sheriff Clint Walker said. I ask all of our citizens to hold this family up in prayer in the coming days.
Two hundred and forty-seven years ago last week, General George Washington rallied his beleaguered troops at Valley Forge with a public reading of Thomas Paine's The American Crisis, which reminded them, "These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country." Where is Paine now when we need him?

Freedom of speech on American college campuses is now facing great challenges in the aftermath of the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel and Israel's bombardment of Gaza. According to some, the outpouring of ugly, inexplicable, and vituperative speech unleashed by these events means that now is the time to abandon the concept of free speech at our universities. Apparently, to these "sunshine constitutional scholars," speech can only be free if it is polite and unchallenging.

Without a doubt, the past two and a half months have been a complete shitshow: clueless students excusing butchery and war crimes; feckless university presidents whose past records exhibit little concern for First Amendment limits now invoking the need to protect free expression; and opportunistic politicians who seemingly lack any understanding of constitutional constraints grandstanding their way through the misery and trying to impose plainly unconstitutional restrictions on student speech.

The campus reactions were kicked off with an October open letter from the Harvard Graduate Students for Palestine and the Palestine Solidarity Committee, which began: "We, the undersigned student organizations, hold the Israeli regime entirely responsible for all unfolding violence." That opening salvo presaged a tsunami of impassioned rhetoric from all sides of the conflict, with some pro-Palestinian groups praising the October 7 invaders as "martyrs" and chanting slogans like "from the river to the sea Palestine will be free" and "by any means necessary." Others, justifiably horrified at the hostage taking and the atrocities committed in the October attack, responded with harsh rhetoric of their own, sometimes blurring the distinction between condemning the terrorist organization Hamas and attacking all Palestinians.

In this toxic atmosphere, clashes on campus and in the streets have brought to the surface many repulsive ideas, and some actions that go beyond the "uninhibited, robust, and wide-open" debate which "may well include vehement, caustic, and sometimes unpleasantly sharp attacks" that the First Amendment protects. For example, police arrested a Cornell University student for allegedly authoring online posts threatening Jewish students that included the claim he would "bring an assault rifle to campus and shoot all you pig jews." Some pro-Palestinian activists ripped down posters with pictures of hostages held by Hamas. In November, three young Palestinian men were shot and injured near the University of Vermont, an incident federal authorities are investigating as a possible hate crime.

Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of the University of California, Berkeley, Law School and a foremost constitutional scholar, wrote in the Los Angeles Times shortly after the war erupted, "I am a 70-year-old Jewish man, but never in my life have I seen or felt the antisemitism of the last few weeks." Supporting Chemerinsky's sense of things, the Anti-Defamation League documented a 388 percent increase in U.S.-based antisemitic incidents during the first two weeks of the war. At the same time, the Council on American-Islamic Relations found a 216 percent increase in reports of anti-Muslim or anti-Arab bias over the last year.

Ever since Winston Churchill apocryphally said "never let a good crisis go to waste," politicians have clamored for ways to turn misfortune to their advantage. And just as nature abhors a vacuum, officeholders can't stand a missed opportunityespecially if there is a camera nearby. So it came as no surprise when the House Committee on Education and the Workforce convened a televised hearing on December 5 entitled, "Holding Campus Leaders Accountable and Confronting Antisemitism." The "gotcha" moment came when Rep. Elise Stefanik (RN.Y.) asked the presidents of Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and the University of Pennsylvania whether "calling for the genocide of Jews" violates each university's code of conduct, demanding that each provide "a yes or no answer."

The presidents gave legally correct but tone-deaf responses that the answer was "context-dependent" and that such speech might be actionable if it crossed the line and became misconduct, such as targeted discriminatory harassment. All true, but not a satisfactory answer to a trick question.

Stefanik's query was not presented as an honest attempt to elicit thoughtful responses for how to address a difficult and complex problem, either as it was framed or in its demand for a yes or no answer. Nor was it a serious request for guidance on how to draw the line between angry or hateful speech that the First Amendment protects and the limited and carefully defined categories it does not, such as incitement, true threats, or discriminatory harassment. Rather, she asked whether the school policies permitted "calls for genocide" with the embedded assumption that student chants of "intifada" were the same thing.

The ploy had its intended effect. The three presidents all stumbled into the trap by accepting the unstated premise, thus opening the door to charges that they were insensitive to the demonstrable rise in antisemitism on campus and hypocritical for citing free speech principles whenlet's face itthe institutions they lead had shown a notable lack of concern for the First Amendment in the enforcement of their speech codes.

As private schools, Harvard, Penn, and MIT are not bound to follow the First Amendment, but historically they have tried to pay some lip service to it. In practice, however, their records have been abysmal. Harvard and Penn scored at the bottom of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression's (FIRE) latest campus free speech report, and MIT, while in the middle of the pack among the schools surveyed, has a history of selective enforcement against speech it disfavors.

This mix of hypocrisy and insensitivity to the problem prompted an immediate backlash, including a House resolution calling for the ouster of all three presidents. The White House even weighed in with a statement. Within a couple of days, Penn President Liz Magill resigned (along with the chair of the school's board of trustees). "One down, two to go," Stefanik scoffed on X (formerly known as Twitter), although to date, Harvard President Claudine Gay and MIT President Sally Kornbluth have retained their positions.

But the reactions extended far beyond this amateurish episode of performative outrage. How could they not, with this much political gold to mine? In late October, Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis directed the chancellor of the state university system to "deactivate" campus chapters of Students for Justice in Palestine based on the spurious assertion that their advocacy violated state and federal laws against providing material support for terrorists. The state paused its ban of the organization after a warning letter from FIRE (and, reportedly, after consulting its lawyers), but it continues to defend its actions in court.

Meanwhile, New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul sent a letter warning all state university presidents that the state will bring "aggressive enforcement action" against institutions that fail to "address" those who call "for the genocide of any group of people." The governor's letter erroneously asserted that such speech necessarily violates the prohibition of discriminatory harassment prohibited under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.

But such speech isn't against the law unless the conduct at issue is targeted toward particular students or groups and is "so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive" that those on the receiving end are effectively denied equal access to an institution's resources and opportunities. Simply espousing hateful ideas doesn't meet this test. Nor does doing so amount to incitement or a "true threat," neither of which the First Amendment protects. It all depends on the context in which such speech was used.

And there it iscontextthe word that cost Magill her job. The very mention of it launched Stefanik's theatrical tirade against nuance and her mic-drop conclusion that "this is the easiest question to answer 'yes,' Ms. Magill."

Of course, it is not easy to sit in the spotlight and endure a grilling from a politician in high dudgeon. And Magill might be forgiven for failing to spot the trick in Stefanik's line of questions. But then, one might not be expected to give a good answer to complicated First Amendment questions if you lack a history of defending free expression. And it didn't help that Magill stumbled through her answer with what appeared to be a self-satisfied smile.

What should she have said? Chemerinsky supplied a thoughtful suggestion in the Los Angeles Daily Journal:

"I would have said that advocacy of genocide of Jews is repugnant, blatantly inconsistent with the values of my school, and must be immediately condemned by campus officials. I would have expressed that as a Jew, who had family members perish in the Holocaust, I am especially sensitive to such advocacy. But I also would have said that the First Amendment protects hate speech and allows all ideas and views to be expressed, including deeply offensive ones. Even advocacy of genocide is within the speech protected by the First Amendment. There, however, also is a point at which the advocacy is so pervasive that it becomes harassment or that it may be expressed in such a way that it is a true threat that is unprotected by the First Amendment."

To be fair, Magill and the other university presidents touched on similar themes, but not with Chemerinsky's clarity or consistency.

Some may take issue with the idea that university officials should take a position on such matters as being in tension with the University of Chicago's 1967 Kalven Report, which concluded the "university is the home and sponsor of critics; it is not itself the critic." But Chemerinsky's proposed answer represents one principled and nuanced way of addressing this emotionally charged subject.

One might charitably offer that if Magill had been able to take more time to consider her position, she might have come up with an answer that matched Chemerinsky's genuine empathy for the anguish that can be caused by hateful speech that also combined his deep understanding that First Amendment exceptions must be limited, narrowly defined, and consistently applied. But that's not what happened.

Given time to reconsider, Magill only made matters worse by posting a video to X in which she backed off from Penn's asserted commitment to First Amendment values. She said the school's speech code policies in the past "have been guided by the Constitution and the law," but that now, the university would "immediately" initiate "a serious and careful look at our policies" to change all that. Magill's capitulation was not enough to mollify her political critics, though, and she vacated her position within days of her Neville Chamberlain impersonation.

Unfortunately, Magill was not alone in concluding it was time to give up on the First Amendment. Writing in The Washington Post a few days after Magill's resignation, Claire Finkelstein, chair of Penn Law School's committee on academic freedom, and member of the school's Open Expression Committee, complained that "the value of free speech has been elevated to a near-sacred level on university campuses." But enough of all that.

Finkelstein called Magill's initial halting defense of free expression "profoundly wrong," and, noting that Penn is not bound by the First Amendment, added, "In my experience, Penn has never actually followed the First Amendment, even to a close approximation." Thissadlyis true, as FIRE's surveys have shown. But it is a good thing, according to Finkelstein, who argues the university should double down on its abandonment of constitutional principles.

She suggested it was time for university presidents "to rethink the role that open expression and academic freedom play in the educational mission of their institutions." Why? Because too much free speech on campus "emphasizes skills that pose the greatest challenge to our democracy." Accordingly, she proposed a crackdown not just on calls for genocide, but also on proxy statements and the "ability to shout intemperate slogans" that might foster a hostile environment.

Even more thoughtful commentators, like The Washington Post's Ruth Marcus, have suggested that free speech may be a good thing and all, but that "the full contours of the First Amendment" should not apply "in the university setting." Apparently, the times are just too tough or university students too fragile to endure the rigors that come with freedom of speech.

But just the opposite is true. The principles some may be willing to toss aside or dilute were not forged in tranquil times. First Amendment protections against the "heckler's veto" emerged not from some mannered theoretical discussion of political theory but from a case involving a near riot that erupted in response to a firebrand priest's intemperate condemnation of communists and Zionist Jews, among other targets. Police struggled to keep a crowd of 1,500 demonstrators at bay as they surged toward the auditorium trying to break in, hurling bricks and other objects at the windows.

In the aftermath, Father Arthur Terminiello was prosecuted for disturbing the peace for igniting the hostile reaction, but the Supreme Court reversed his conviction. It was not enough that his words "invited dispute," the Court reasoned, because "a function of free speech under our system of government is to invite dispute. It may indeed best serve its high purpose when it induces a condition of unrest, creates dissatisfaction with conditions as they are, or even stirs people to anger." Such protections are based on the understanding that "speech is often provocative and challenging. It may strike at prejudices and preconceptions and have profound unsettling effects as it presses for acceptance of an idea."

The university setting is precisely the place where these lessons need to be learned and reinforced. As the Supreme Court stressed over six decades ago, "The vigilant protection of constitutional freedoms is nowhere more vital than in the community of American schools." These principles emerged from the ideological struggles of the Joseph McCarthy era, the demands by students to discuss social issues in the Berkeley free speech movement, the campus demonstrations for civil rights and against the Vietnam War in the 1960s and '70s, and numerous political disputes since then. As the Kalven Report concluded during the campus turmoil of the 1960s, "A good university, like Socrates, will be upsetting."

There is no need to infantilize students by telling them they are simply too brittle to fully participate in the heated debates going on in the world around them. Instead, we need clear leadership from university presidents and others that stresses our commitment to free expression. This commitment must remain strong especially in turbulent times, and this includes developing a resilience against what Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. described in 1919 as "opinions that we loathe and believe to be fraught with death." And we also need leaders who understand the difference between protected but distasteful speech and violence, vandalism, and attempts to block or shut down opposition speakers.

The situation will not improve by adopting some half-assed version of the First Amendment to shield university students from offense. Far from being "the greatest challenge to our democracy," as Finkelstein and others suggest, understanding and experiencing the rigors of uninhibited free speech is necessary to the functioning of our democracy. Or, as Washington Post columnist Jason Willick put it, "The academy's decline will continue until it can produce leaders with the strength to break the ideological frenzy that has taken hold. That will mean rejecting identity politics, cracking down on mobs that disrupt and vandalize, but defending protected speech to the hilt."

None of this is easy. These are indeed times that try men's and women's souls. But as Justice Robert Jackson wrote in another time of crisis, "Freedom to differ is not limited to things that do not matter much. That would be a mere shadow of freedom. The test of its substance is the right to differ as to things that touch the heart of the existing order."

Restricting speech about the world's most pressing problems does not make them go away, nor does it settle any disputes. We defend First Amendment principles not because the Supreme Court said so in some dusty old casebook, but because experience has taught us that the price of jettisoning them is higher.

The post October 7: A Turning Point for Free Speech? appeared first on Reason.com.
An Ohio judge has been suspended by the Ohio Supreme Court after committing nearly 30 ethical violations.

Cuyahoga County Common Pleas judge Daniel Gaul was banned from practicing law in Ohio for one year on Friday, WOIO in Cleveland reported.

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Gaul was found to have committed 29 ethical violations, including coercing two criminal defendants to take plea deals he crafted.

The suspension was based on a complaint by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel concerning Gauls conduct over a five-year period that began in 2014, according to Court News Ohio.

The decision stated Gaul coerced two no contest pleas, abandoned his role as an impartial arbiter, demeaned litigators and spectators, and abused contempt and the prestige of his office.

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Chief Justice Sharon L. Kennedy wrote in the Supreme Court majority that rather than promoting confidence in the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the judiciary, Gauls conduct has called those essential elements of our justice system into question while harming multiple litigants.

The ruling from the Ohio Supreme Court also resulted in Gaul being suspended from office for the same period without pay.

Gaul has been a common pleas court judge since 1991.
Ohio prosecutor warns robbers should 'expect to be shot' after store manager charged in killing

An Ohio county prosecutor warned thieves they should "expect to be shot" when targeting retail stores after indicting a smoke shop manager charged in connection to the fatal shooting of a teenager during an attempted robbery in the Cincinnati area earlier this year.

Hamilton County Prosecutor Melissa Powers filed charges on Tuesday against Tony Thacker, manager of VIP Smoke Shop in Delhi Township, for the Oct. 20 shooting, according to a news release from the prosecutor's office. A grand jury indicted him on eight counts, including five felonious assault charges, tampering with evidence and two counts of having weapons under disability as he was not permitted to possess a firearm due to a felony juvenile adjudication.

Thacker, 29, who lived in the back of the smoke shop, emerged from the area just after 1 a.m. on Oct. 20 with a firearm and allegedly shot at a number of suspects who broke into the store by throwing rocks through the windows to gain entry. He fired off multiple shots at the would-be robbers, including 16-year-old Travis Johnson, who was fatally wounded while trying to flee the scene in a stolen vehicle, according to the news release.

Tony Thacker, manager of VIP Smoke Shop in Delhi Township, Ohio, has been indicted for allegedly shooting at robbery suspects.

"There is simply no justification for shooting at someone as they are running away," Powers said. "However, I want to make perfectly clear  these retail thefts will not be tolerated. If you try to rob a store, you should expect to be shot."

The prosecutor's office said Thacker then ran to the front of the store and continued to shoot through the front door at the remaining suspects, including 19-year-old Amontae Carter, as he was seated in the back of one of the stolen cars.

"People have the right to stand their ground and protect themselves if somebody breaks into your home or your business," Delhi Township Police Chief Jeff Braun told Fox19 Now. "But as far as when somebody is fleeing away from you  in this case driving away  it's a little hard to say that you're obviously protecting yourself on the driving away."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

The prosecutor's office indicted Carter for two counts of murder, two counts of burglary, and one count of possession of criminal tools. He faces a maximum possible sentence of life in prison with parole eligibility after 15 years if convicted of all charges.

Amontae Carter, 19, was indicted on two counts of murder, two counts of burglary and one count of possession of criminal tools.

Following the chaotic scene, the prosecutor's office said Thacker and his 21-year-old brother Malachi attempted to disable the store's security system and remove shell casings.

The younger Thacker was indicted for two counts of tampering with evidence.

Malachi Thacker, 21, is charged with two counts of tampering with evidence.

According to local media, two people called 911 to report the shooting. The first caller reported a disturbance, saying she could hear a woman screaming. The other caller identified himself as the shop owner.

"Do you know who shot him?" the 911 operator asked.

"My worker," the caller said. "He was protecting himself, the guy broke in the store."

Authorities also arrested three teenagers  two males, 15 and 17 years old, and a 16-year-old female  days after the incident after receiving an anonymous tip, according to reports.

All three face murder and burglary charges, although they were reportedly not involved in Johnson's death. The 16-year-old female and 17-year-old also face stolen property charges.

Prosecutors said the three juvenile suspects were previously charged and awaiting transfer from juvenile court.

Johnson's 20-year-old brother, Isiah, was reportedly later charged with felonious assault for allegedly shooting a woman in her twenties at a vigil held for his sibling.

Fox News Digital reached out to Powers' office but did not immediately receive a response.





Original article source: Ohio prosecutor warns robbers should 'expect to be shot' after store manager charged in killing
A partnership between Oklahoma City Community College and the Mexican Consulate was officially commemorated Dec. 7 with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between OCCC and consulate in Oklahoma City.

In part due its location in southwest Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College long has partnered with the citys Hispanic community on efforts to increase higher education opportunities among that group.

Working with Mexicos new consulate in Oklahoma City, OCCC developed a new outlet for those efforts earlier this month, opening an educational guidance window at the consulate, 1131 W Sheridan Ave.

"This partnership aligns with OCCC's mission of 'Student Success. Community Enrichment' and our role as an emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution," OCCC President Mautra Staley Jones said. "It provides a unique opportunity for OCCC to contribute significantly to the educational growth of our community, bolstering our engagement and reinforcing our dedication to accessibility. Our active participation in consular events will foster stronger community ties and elevate OCCC's visibility and reputation in areas served by the Mexican Consulate."

Mexico is one of only two nations (along with Guatemala) that operates a consulate office in Oklahoma City, said Christy Busch, the chief of international protocol and diplomacy with the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. Robert Ruiz, OCCCs chief innovation and technology officer, played a role in helping convince Mexican and local and state authorities of the need to have a consulate in the city, and it opened in May. It draws more than 200 visitors a day and serves about 450,000 Mexicans who previously had to travel to Arkansas or Texas to access consulate services.

Ruiz said consulate offices partner with community groups to provide information about services and resources beyond what the consulate can provide, typically offering financial guidance, health guidance and educational guidance. The memorandum of understanding OCCC signed with the consulate on Dec. 7 covers the educational section.

A partnership between Oklahoma City Community College and the Mexican Consulate was officially commemorated Dec. 7 with the signing of a memorandum of understanding.

What Oklahoma City Community College offers

At the educational guidance window  known in Spanish as the Ventanilla de Orientacion Educativa  inside the consulate, OCCC can disseminate information about education programs and services in the region. The college also is involved in consular events, which Ruiz said will enhance OCCCs community engagement and commitment to making education accessible to Oklahoma residents. OCCC regularly hosts Hispanic-themed events on its campus and the college sponsored Fiestas de la Americas, one of the largest Latino festivals in the Oklahoma City metro area, held this year on Sept. 30.

Establishing a formal agreement between the Consulate of Mexico and the Oklahoma City Community College stands as a symbol of our never-ending commitment to our community to facilitate the embracement of cultural, social and cognitive assets that will help them thrive and succeed in this country despite the many challenges they have to face," said Mexican Consul Edurne Pineda. "The partnership with OCCC is tremendously valuable for the Consulate in this purpose."

More: OKC's Mexican Consulate launches new program to help families navigate their finances

About 23.7% of OCCCs approximately 18,000 students are Hispanic, Ruiz said. The college has been designated by the U.S. Department of Education as an emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution and is working toward full HSI status, Jones said. That will be achieved when OCCC has an enrollment of undergraduate full-time equivalent students thats at least 25% Hispanic, according to the federal agency.

Ruiz said there are also about 5,000 people involved with noncredit programs at the college, taking classes in subjects such as English as a second language, citizenship, adult literacy or high school equivalency.

A Dec. 7 ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Mexican Consulate's new Educational Guidance Window signaled the start of a new partnership between Oklahoma City Community College and the consulate in Oklahoma City.

Those noncredit programs help them eventually become credit-seeking students, Ruiz said. We are glad to have a permanent presence in the Mexican Consulate. We want to make families aware of the resources that are available to them. Theres information about financial aid, FAFSA, scholarships, programs at OCCC and other resources in the community. We also can accompany the consulate when they travel to other parts of the state.

OCCC has always played an extremely important role, especially in south Oklahoma City, but theres also a great vision for the future for how we serve all of Oklahoma and beyond.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Community College working with Mexican Consulate for education
A missile struck a busy road in the centre of a Russian city early on Saturday during an attack by Ukraine, crashing down on cars and leaving them burning while people ran for their lives.

Plumes of smoke could be seen billowing from the streets of Belgorod, close to the border with Ukraine, as vehicles went up in flames and rubble littered the road.

Attacks later in the day on the city killed 14 people and injured 45 more, the Kremlin said, adding that Vladimir Putin was briefed about the situation.

President Vladimir Putin has been informed about the Ukrainian armed forces strike on residential neighbourhoods in Belgorod, spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the TASS news agency.

Late on Saturday night, Russia retaliated by firing missiles into the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv and hitting civilian targets including a hotel frequented by foreign journalists.

It also requested a UN Security Council meeting over the Belgorod attack, during which an ice skating rink was reportedly hit.

It remains unclear whether the strike on the road in Belgorod was caused by a Ukrainian missile. Ukrainian intelligence claimed the explosion was caused by a malfunctioning Russian air defence system.

While Russia routinely fires missiles and drones at Ukrainian cities to terrorise the populations, the destruction in Belgorod is a rare example of a projectile striking civilian targets inside Russia.

Flames rise from burning cars on the road in Belgorod - NEXTA TV

The series of attacks followed Russias fiercest assault on Ukraine since the first days of the war.

On Friday, 31 people were killed and at least 144 wounded as Moscows forces launched an estimated 158 missiles and drones across Ukraine.

Although 114 were intercepted, according to the Ukrainian military, a maternity hospital, apartment blocks and schools were among the targets hit.

Ukraine responded on Saturday with rockets and 32 drones, which were detected over Moscow, Bryansk, Oryol, and Kursk regions and destroyed, Russian officials said. A child was killed by shelling in Bryansk, they added.

Today Russia hit us with almost everything it has in its arsenal, President Volodymyr Zelensky said following the attacks.

Firefighters tackle a burning car on the Belgorod street hit by what was said to have been a Ukrainian missile - VIA REUTERS/RUSSIAN EMERGENCIES MINISTRY

Poland reported that a suspected Russian missile passed through its airspace on Friday morning and renewed its search operation for its remains on Saturday.

Everything indicates that a Russian missile entered Polish airspace ... It also left, said Gen Wieslaw Kukula, chief of the general staff of the Polish armed forces.

The Polish armys operational command wrote on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, that they were working to definitively confirm that no element of the object remains on Polish territory.

Putins goals remain unchanged

According to the Institute of the Study of War, western analysts believe Russias attacks show that Putins maximalist goals in Ukraine remain unchanged and that he is not genuinely interested in a ceasefire or any sort of negotiated settlement.

It added that Russian forces will likely conduct intensified strikes in the coming days to coincide with the New Year holiday as they did last year to degrade Ukrainian morale.

Heavy fighting is ongoing in eastern Ukraine, with Russian forces recently making confirmed advances in Zaporizhia Oblast.

Ukrainian forces meanwhile are maintaining positions on the east (left) bank of Kherson.

A wounded person is carried to safety by emergency services personnel after the attack on Belgorod - RUSSIAN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS MINISTRY TELEGRAM

Amid the raging conflict, the UK Ministry of Defence estimated that the average daily number of Russian casualties  those killed and wounded in Ukraine  has risen by almost 300 per day compared to 2022.

It said that the increase almost certainly reflects the degradation of Russias forces and its transition to a lower quality, high quantity mass army since the partial mobilisation of reservists in September 2022.

If casualties continue at the current rate through the next year, by 2025 Russia will have had more than half a million personnel killed and wounded over three years of war, it added.

This compares to the Soviet Unions 70,000 casualties in the nine-year Soviet-Afghan War.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo.  A 31-year-old man lost his life at the hospital Friday night after a Thursday shooting that left him critically wounded.

Around 3:30 a.m. Thursday, Kansas City police were called to a house at the Askew Avenue and East 33rd Street intersection. Across the street is Central High School.

KCPD says that the caller informed them a man was seriously hurt inside the garage of the house. Those at the scene when police arrived told them they didnt know what injured him.

Body pulled from Kansas River in Lawrence identified as Edgerton woman

Hes been identified as 31-year-old Daniel Moss.

EMS began treatment when they arrived before transporting Moss to a hospital. Hospital personnel discovered a gunshot wound that left him in critical condition.

On Friday night, Moss died in the hospital. KCPD detectives are investigating this as a homicide.

If anyone has any information they are asked to contact homicide detectives at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
CHANDLER, Okla. (KFOR)  One person was arrested at the National Guard Armory in Chandler on Saturday morning after barricading themselves inside the armory.

According to the Lincoln County Sheriffs Office, an employee at the armory notified the Chandler Police Department about an individual fitting the description of a person Oklahoma City Police had been searching for.

Chandler Police requested assistance from the Lincoln County Sheriffs Office, who activated their Special Operations Team to enter the armory.

The person was taken into custody and transported to a local hospital.

No other information about the identity of the suspect or the extent of their injuries is available at this time.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
At 10:45 p.m., Columbus police confirmed this was a self-inflicted shooting.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  One person is in critical condition after a shooting in east Columbus on Friday night.

Police were dispatched to the 300 block of South Ashburton Road on the report of a shooting around 8:19 p.m., according to the Columbus Division of Police. One person was transported to Grant Medical Center in critical condition.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
South Africa has taken legal action against Israel by filing a case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), alleging genocide crimes committed against Palestinians in Gaza.

The accusation follows a relentless Israeli bombardment lasting nearly three months, leading to the deaths of more than 21,500 people and widespread destruction within the besieged enclave, as reported by Al Jazeera.

The ICJ, known as the World Court, functions as a UN civil court settling disagreements among nations. It differs from the International Criminal Court (ICC), which prosecutes individuals accused of committing war crimes.

South Africa's submission to the International Court of Justice contends that "acts and omissions by Israel ... are genocidal in character" and executed with the deliberate aim of annihilating Palestinians residing in Gaza as a part of the broader Palestinian national, racial, and ethnic community. The Associated Press reports South Africa has requested the court to order Israel to halt its attacks. This is the first such challenge made at the court over the current war. The AP continued to say that Israel swiftly rejected the filing "with disgust."

In a statement gleaned from the same Al Jazeera article regarding South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), it reads, "South Africa is gravely concerned with the plight of civilians caught in the present Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip due to the indiscriminate use of force and forcible removal of inhabitants," adding that the country has "repeatedly stated that it condemns all violence and attacks against all civilians, including Israelis."

Israel has gone so far as to refer to the move as "blood libel".

Lior Haiat, the spokesperson for Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Forbes the claim "lacks both a factual and a legal basis, and constitutes a despicable and contemptuous exploitation of the Court." Haiat went on to accuse South Africa of "cooperating with a terrorist organization that is calling for the destruction of the State of Israel," and called on the ICJ and international community to reject the case.

A hearing for South Africa's request for Israel to halt all military operations is likely in the next days or weeks. However, if the case proceeds, it could span several years, and compliance with court orders is not always followed.

@ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Police are investigating after a person was shot in the early hours of Saturday in the King-Lincoln Bronzeville neighborhood.

Officers responded to a ShotSpotter notification about 1:15 a.m. in the 300 block of Seemic Circle, where they found a person inside an apartment had been shot.

After Cotton Bowl loss, whats next for Ohio State in 2024?

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Medics took the person, who is expected to recover, to a hospital for treatment.

Anyone with information on the shooting may contact Columbus police Det. Justin Jones at 614-645-4373 or submit a tip through Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-8477.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
UPDATE: Second Chance Animal Shelter announced at 4 p.m. on Friday that Tito had been adopted.

SELMA, Calif. (KGPE/KSEE)  Only one dog is left at Second Chance Animal Shelter in Selma, as of Friday afternoon.

Officials with the Second Chance Animal Shelter in Selma want to empty the shelter before the facility closes, following the decision by Selma City Council not to renew their contract for animal control services.

City of Selma votes to end contract with Second Chance Animal Shelter

All dogs remaining in the Second Chance Animal Shelter of Selma need a home by Dec. 31, 2023. Officials any dogs who remain after that date will be handed over to Fresno Humane Animal Services.

Tito is the only dog remaining in the shelter. He is described as a two-year-old boy looking for a new family after he was found in the street and brought to the shelter.

The Second Chance Animal Shelter of Selma is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and they say their adoption fees are waived. They are located at 2831 W. Front St. in Selma.

For more information visit the Second Chance Animal Shelters website.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com.
How is it that products that our federal government has banned coast to coast are the same ones that Utahs children are using the most?

Recent findings from the National Youth Tobacco Survey reported that disposable e-cigarettes remain the product of choice for middle and high school students. There are more than 1.2 million youth using e-cigarettes, and illegal Chinese manufacturers Elf Bar and Esco Bar rank first and second among youth. While the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are praising a decrease in use by high schoolers, middle school e-cigarette use is on the rise. It is highly concerning to see younger kids using these highly addictive and dangerous products.

Despite a 2020 federal ban on flavored vapes, brands like Elf Bar, Esco Bar and thousands of others are still on Utah store shelves. These products, manufactured in Shenzhen, China, are shipped to the U.S. without adhering to regulations and standards set by the FDA. Recently, Braden Ainsworth, the tobacco prevention and control program manager for Utahs Department of Health and Human Services, stated that local health departments will be amping up enforcement against these illegal, disposable vapes.

As a mom of teenage kids, I applaud the increased effort Utah lawmakers are making, but we need to do more. I encourage our health and law enforcement agencies to work together to ensure enforcement measures are in place to stop this nationwide health threat against our youth and keep these illegal products out of the hands of our kids.

Jana Conrad

Holladay
Editors Note: Ana Diamond works with the Oxford Disinformation and Extremism Lab and the Red Team Network at OpenAI. She is also the co-founder of the Alliance Against State Hostage-taking, having endured over 200 days in solitary confinement as a hostage in Iran between 2016 and 2018. The views expressed in this commentary are her own. Read more opinion at CNN.

In the summer of 2014, as a 19-year-old undergraduate student in London, I travelled to Iran to visit relatives. At the time, I was a citizen of Iran, Finland and the UK. Shortly after my arrival, I was questioned about my involvement in British local politics as a young conservative, as well as about my trips to both the US and Israel as an exchange student. Though I was neither involved nor interested in Iranian affairs, I was now perceived as an infiltrator, treated as a national security threat and told I couldnt leave the country.

Ana Diamond - Courtesy Ana Diamond

In 2016, I was arrested on trumped-up charges of espionage for MI6 and alleged infiltration of the Iranian political system. Behind these farcical national security charges, Iran was committing the crime of hostage-taking by using me  and a number of other Iranian dual nationals  as a political pawn in its diplomatic tangoes with the West.

The hostile environment within which my captors held me in Evin prison was designed to disempower and dehumanize me altogether; I was frequently threatened with execution, sleep deprivation, abandonment without food in my solitary cell and placed in stress positions as punishment. This meant that I had no choice but to obey the rules of my captors or else I would suffer.

When it came to the day of my release, my captors did not care to inform me. The uncertainty and the unpredictability of captivity was part of the psychological torture inflicted. They wanted to exert power and control over our fates until the very last minute of captivity. During my transfer out of prison, I had no idea where I was being taken. In fact, given the number of threats I frequently endured, I was often paralyzed by the fear that I could be assaulted or killed at any moment.

The past few weeks have seen renewed efforts to pause the fighting between Israel and Hamas in exchange for the release of hostages held by the Palestinian militant group. As someone who knows the torment of being a captive first hand, although under different circumstances, I fervently hope that the sides will reach an agreement to free more of those who are held and find a permanent solution to the war in Gaza. But I also hope that when they do, social media isnt once again awash in pro-Hamas misinformation and propaganda suggesting that the kidnapped Israelis were treated well by the militant group.

As 105 hostages were slowly released during the pause in fighting over the end of November, a particularly unsettling phenomenon caught my eye as I perused social media: the crude denialism, even erasure, of Hamas atrocities toward their hostages in Gaza. It involved the active online participation of what could best be described as pro-Hamas publicity by sharing footage of Israeli hostages who appeared to be smiling, exchanging high-fives, waving and, at times, even expressing gratitude to their captors.

These images, the Hamas sympathizers insisted, were proof that the hostages had been treated decently and liked their Hamas guards. One user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote, [Hostages] were having the time of their lives; another one commented on how they were treated well. I find this very difficult to believe, especially since there have been instances where the hostages have taken the risk to attempt an escape from their captors  only to be tragically killed by the Israel Defense Forces by mistake. Furthermore, harrowing details shared by relatives of released hostages speak to beatings, hunger and lack of proper medical care.

As a former hostage of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps of Iran (IRGC), I was distraught to see the misleading viral narratives disseminated about the Israeli hostages on social media. Iran is the country that set the blueprint for rogue hostage-taking when Islamist students held more than 50 US Embassy staff hostage following the 1979 Iranian Revolution, and unsurprisingly it is now funding Hamas.

It is true that hostage takers have good reason to keep their prisoners alive  they can extract a higher price for their release. While it is dangerous to idealize Hamas actions as humane, the fact that the hostages value lies in their well-being does mean their external conditions can appear relatively adequate. But even if there arent explicit signs of physical abuse, the psychological repercussions of terror and shock can take years for hostages to overcome. Leading psychiatrists have remarked on the necessity of extensive treatment for the trauma experienced by the hostages released from captivity in Gaza.

But it is wildly problematic to read any meaning into one orchestrated moment of release when hostages were still under Hamas control. In these politically precarious times, our social media landscapes have transformed into virtual war zones. Its imperative to acknowledge that every hostage release serves as a carefully curated photo opportunity for Hamas, and for us to understand what the accurate experience of hostages in these circumstances is.

Much of the footage depicting the hostages was selectively filmed and disseminated by Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamass military wing, further confirming assertions that these hostages are being exploited for propaganda purposes. Anyone looking at the images of the hostages in Gaza should understand that, still surrounded by gun-toting militants in Gaza, they possessed minimal agency and limited rights to free will.

Watching this unfold, I took to X to offer my personal perspective on the psychological impact of traumatic entrapment in hostage situations, receiving some 2.5 million views in 24 hours. As both a former hostage and an expert trained in analyzing information warfare, it was important for me to counter the online narratives that irresponsibly sought to espouse the virtuosity of Hamas.

In a situation where your entire life depends on the caprice of your captor and there is great unpredictability in their next move, our brains, which are wired to ensure our survival, will indeed do what it takes to minimize the risk of harm, including appeasement or even collaboration. Not coincidentally, Evin prison is notorious for obtaining false confessions from detainees.

Once I was finally released in 2018, I underwent extensive therapy and rehabilitation over hundreds of hours. But I continue to endure daily the physical and psychological scars from those four years in Iran. As a survivor with an enduring post-traumatic stress disorder, my fight/flight/freeze signals fire off at lightning speed and I struggle to revert to my normal state. For example, at any given moment, my heart can race up to 270 beats per minute and stay there for hours  until it dissipates on its own, with medication or with electrical cardioversion.

Just like its wrong to make assumptions about the hostages physical appearance and well-being upon their release, its also wrong to read into decisions on whether they are speaking publicly or not, as some on social media also did. The released hostages may opt to stay silent to avoid jeopardizing those who remain captive, for instance.

In my case, I refrained from speaking out publicly for the first year after my release because my parents were still held captive in Iran; I worried any statement I made could have been used against them. Eventually, they were let go and managed to return to the UK, though it took over a year of negotiations and, ultimately, the confiscation of approximately 5.5 million ($7 million) worth of their assets by the IRGC as a form of ransom payment.

Given these realities, the sensationalist commentators that make light of the ordeal of the hostages, or provide Hamas an equal platform for positive PR, are engaging in irresponsible behavior that could endanger those still being held. The publicity can encourage Hamas and its affiliate militant groups to continue engaging in the creation of propaganda at the expense of the victims privacy and dignity  or worse, incite further incidents of hostage-taking.

Some may deny the victimhood of the hostages to emphasize the horrors experienced by the Palestinian civilians in Gaza. With the death toll reported by the Hamas-controlled health ministry surpassing 20,000 in Gaza, the lives of 129 hostages may seem insignificant in comparison.

But those professing moral integrity must resist the temptation to engage in shallow comparisons based solely on numbers. Accepting and sympathizing with one groups suffering does not negate the other  although the devastation and rage we feel, fueled by online misinformation and live-streamed deaths, may often cloud our ability to see to this truth.

At the same time, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seems more inclined to continue the IDFs attack on the Gaza Strip  choosing destruction over precision  rather than prioritizing negotiations for the safe return of his own citizens.

With over 100 estimated hostages still awaiting their release from Hamas amidst the deteriorating political landscape, there is an urgency to restore the humanity and freedom of persons ripped from their homes and dragged through tunnels at the point of a gun. The preservation of our shared empathy and truth will stand as the ultimate test of how we handle the conflict that confronts us.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
It was a fitting end to a profoundly unproductive session that Congress headed home for the holidays without resolving three pressing issues:



Additional military aid to Israel, which enjoys support from lopsided majorities of both parties in both houses

Additional military aid for Ukraine, which is backed by nearly all Democrats and a sizeable number of Republicans in both chambers

Staunching the flow of refugees across the southern border, the top priority for Republicans that an increasing number of Democrats, including President Joe Biden, acknowledge is necessary

Given the urgency of the issues and those bipartisan majorities  and given that little else was clogging the legislative agenda during the final months of the year  you might wonder why nothing was done. Certainly in decades past, the relevant committees would have held substantive hearings to look into the separate issues and reported bills to the full House and Senate. And the House and Senate might have taken a week to debate and vote on each bill and dozens of amendments.

In this instance, almost none of that happened.

Instead, the Democratic majority in the Senate refused to take up aid to Israel unless it was packaged with aid to Ukraine, which by itself might not have enough Republican votes to overcome a filibuster. In response, House Republicans announced they would refuse to fund aid to Ukraine unless Democrats agree to stronger border enforcement and tougher criteria for refugees. In response, progressives warned fellow Democrats never to agree to tougher immigration laws unless Republicans agree to a pathway to citizenship for millions who are already here illegally.

And now we hear that the only way to do anything about Israel, Ukraine and the border is to fold it into a sweeping appropriations bill needed to avoid a partial government shutdown when funding runs out in January.

The root cause of all this dysfunction  the reluctance to vote, the holding of one issue hostage to another, the brinkmanship and the refusal to compromise  is the sorting of the country and the Congress into two ideologically consistent parties that have adopted the same tactics and now fought each other to a draw.

Thirty years ago, parties were largely irrelevant to the legislative process. Because parties were ideologically diverse, with lots of liberal Republicans, conservative Democrats and moderates of both parties, there was no party position on most issues. Every issue was decided by a different bipartisan majority reflecting the ideological, regional and political needs of individual members of both parties. Regular order  committee hearings and markups followed by debate and amendments and votes by the full House and Senate  was the process that that allowed those bipartisan compromises and bipartisan majorities to emerge. Through regular order, Congress was able to resolve most issues without resorting to filibusters, hostage taking and brinkmanship.

But in todays Congress, party is everything. The way most members see it, whats best for the country is whats best for their party, and whats best for their party is whatever beats the other party and helps win the next election. By this logic, bipartisan compromise is anathema and doing nothing the second best outcome.

Desperate to break through this partisan gridlock, members now resort to holding up an urgent, must-pass bill or nomination until the other side agrees to take up and make concessions on another. By linking one issue to another, legislating becomes a process akin to solving a Rubicks cube: the majority for one thing has to line up perfectly with the majority willing to do something else. In a closely divided Congress, that becomes nearly impossible.

Unfortunately, hostage taking has become the go-to strategy for far-right Republicans who understand its the only way they can win given the deep unpopularity of their policy preferences. No raising of the debt ceiling without deep cuts in popular domestic programs. No aid to Israel without cutting back IRS tax enforcement on billionaires. No increase in the federal minimum wage without cuts to payroll taxes. No subsidies for clean energy without unrestricted drilling for oil and gas on federal lands.

Democrats rightly complain about Republican hostage-taking, but they arent above trying it themselves. Two years ago, House progressives threatened to withhold votes for a bipartisan infrastructure bill until moderate Democrats agreed to an even bigger spending package including universal pre-K, extension of the child tax credit and subsidies for green energy, along with big tax increases to pay for them. Linking military aid to Israel with money for Ukraine is another example.

In the Senate, meanwhile, it is now common for members in both parties to put a hold on all the nominations in a department  or in one case, the promotion of every military officer  until the department gives in to the senators demand for some unrelated policy change. Nothing in the Constitution or Senate rules gives one senator such power  its simply an unwritten tradition that, until recently, was rarely invoked. But it tells you everything you need to know that senators are willing to leave scores of important ambassadorships and top executive positions vacant for months or even years, and drive from public service a generation of talented people who refuse to subject themselves to such abuse, just to preserve their petty prerogative.

Then again, you can hardly blame senators, given that such prerogatives are the only power they have left, having turned most of it over to party leaders and party caucuses. In both the House and Senate, the days are long gone when individual members feel free to vote their districts or their conscience, or cut their own deals, or try to force their priorities onto the legislative calendar. The committees, on which they once developed some expertise and through which they once exercised some influence, have become largely irrelevant. These days, all important legislation is hammered out behind the scenes by party leaders, powerful interest groups and the White House.

Moreover, party leaders are loathe to put any legislation before the full House and Senate  or allow any amendments when they do  unless they can be absolutely sure of the outcome in advance, and confident that it wont divide the party caucus, alienate base voters or large contributors, or force vulnerable members to take tough votes that might cost them the next election. Because few issues can meet all those criteria, few are taken up.

There is an inherent asymmetry to the dynamic of congressional dysfunction. Distaste for and distrust of government has become so ingrained in the Republican Party that doing nothing is not only acceptable, but often viewed as an accomplishment. Increasingly, however, even activist Democrats favor inaction if the only alternative is making any concessions to a Republican party they view as having trampled every norm of civilized political behavior.

For many members of Congress, in other words, refusing to compromise with the other party has become a moral imperative. But for party leaders it is more than that  it is also a political imperative. As leaders see it, any bipartisan compromise will inevitably cause division within the party caucus, eroding the unity that is the source of their own power and crucial to winning the long game. If you doubt it, just ask Rep. Kevin McCarthy, whose willingness to compromise with Democrats to keep the government open and avoid a default on Treasury roiled the House Republican caucus and led to his ouster as speaker and exit from Congress.

For all those reasons, it no longer even occurs to anyone  not the leaders and members, not the staff or the press corps  that the way to resolve urgent and contentious issues, the way to discover what the country needs and wants and is willing to accept, might be to put them before the House and Senate and see what happens. This lack of seriousness about legislating has been going on for so long now that few members, or staff, or reporters can imagine anything different. Its now baked into the culture of the Capitol and reinforced by a legislative calendar that requires members to be in Washington three days a week  and then only two of every three weeks. Failure to act is now the accepted and expected outcome, which everyone reflexively blames on the constraints of the legislative calendar and the obstinacy of the other party.

At the center of this dysfunction is a lack of trust. Trust in a legislative process grounded in expert opinion and serious debate. Trust in colleagues to tell the truth, act in good faith and stick to their word. Trust in voters and the media to reward members for getting important things done. Most of all, trust in majority rule, even if it means not getting everything you want.

The solution to this latest partisan stalemate is as simple as it is radical: Give legislators the political space to legislate. Separate the issues, put each before the House and Senate and let members freely debate and amend and vote, not as Republicans or Democrats but as the countrys elected representatives, until a bipartisan majority emerges.
The Eugene Weekly laid off all its staff and halted print production after allegedly discovering an ex-employee embezzled thousands of dollars (AP)

A newspaper in Oregon has laid off its entire staff and stopped printing after the editor says the paper discovered an ex-employee embezzled funds.

Days before Christmas, an editor at The Eugene Weekly said the paper discovered a former employee closely involved with finances paid themselves $90,000 since 2022 and the newspaper had more than $100,000 worth of unpaid bills, the Associated Press reports.

Some staff members also discovered money from their paychecks that should have gone into their retirement accounts was never deposited, according to the AP.

As a result, the paper had to lay off all ten staff members and stop printing.

The Eugene Police Department is now investigating, and forensic accounts are working to trace what happened, editor Camilla Mortensen told the AP.

The papers closure comes amid a worrying time for local newspapers in the United States. A study from the Local News Initiative at Northwestern University indicates 2.5 newspapers closed each week in 2023, an uptick from previous years.

Furthermore, more than half of the counties in the US have either no access or limited access to local news  and over the last 18 years, the nation has lost nearly one-third of its newspapers, the study shows.

Brent Walth, a journalism professor at the University of Oregon, told the AP hes concerned the closure will have an outsized impact in filling the widening gaps in news coverage in Oregons third biggest city .

The Eugene Weekly has launched a GoFundMe to raise funds to keep their paper alive. In the first two days, they raised over $26,000.

Thanks to our loyal readers and advertisers, Eugene Weekly has endured where other newspapers have struggled, the GoFundMe page reads. Now we are fighting to keep this newspaper alive.
By Sonia Rolley

(Reuters) - Over 1,000 Burundian troops have been covertly deployed in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo since October, wearing the uniform of Congolese troops and working alongside them in the fight against M23 rebels, an unpublished U.N. report seen by Reuters showed.

Citing security and intelligence sources and sources close to Congolese army command, the report by the U.N. Group of Experts in Congo said the troops were airlifted from Burundi to eastern Congo by Congolese army planes starting from Sept. 21.

The Burundian and Congolese governments and Congolese army did not immediately reply to a request for comment from Reuters.

The report was shared internally with U.N. Security Council members on Dec. 15 and seen by Reuters on Saturday. It is due to be published in January.

It sheds light on Congo's security strategy in the east beyond the known deployment of U.N. peacekeepers and Congolese troops, who were backed up by an East African Community (EAC) regional force until earlier in December.

The report said the Burundian government had denied to the U.N experts any Burundian troop deployment outside the EAC arrangement. It also said Congolese military authorities had told the group they were unaware of the cooperation with Burundian troops highlighted in the report.

Citing its sources, the report said the Burundian troops were deployed outside the EAC arrangement and alongside Congolese troops and allied armed groups fighting M23 in North Kivu province.

Since 2022 the M23 offensive there has worsened the region's decades-long security and humanitarian crisis, forcing about one million people to flee their homes.

Congo, Western powers and the U.N. expert group say the Tutsi-led rebel group is supported by neighbouring Rwanda. Rwanda denies all involvement, but the accusations have led to a major diplomatic crisis in the region.

(Writing by Alessandra Prentice, Editing by William Maclean)
One hundred and twenty two people who were stranded on a broken ice sheet in Minnesotas Upper Red Lake have been rescued, according to local authorities. The fishermen had found themselves unable to return to shore after the sheet of ice broke off. The open water is too large to bridge and we are working on an operation to get people back to shore, the Beltrami County Sheriffs Office said in an earlier release. Several area emergency responders are en route. There are no indications and we have no reports of anyone in the water. It was the fifth ice rescue at the lake in a week, FOX9 reported. Officials have repeatedly warned residents about the deteriorating ice, citing multiple rescues this month and warming conditions.

Read it at Star Tribune

Read more at The Daily Beast.
FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  A $223,130 grant has been received by the City of Fresno Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services (PARCS) Department to support its Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety program, officials announced on Friday.

Officials say the grant will allow the department to promote safe practices for pedestrians and bicyclists and provide education about the importance of sharing the road.

People should feel safe to walk, run, and ride their bicycles in the city of Fresno, and proper education is key to making that goal a reality, said Mayor Jerry Dyer. Im thankful to our partners at the California Office of Traffic Safety for their investment in Fresno, and I know this funding will help save lives.

Everyone deserves a safe environment to travel, regardless of how people get to places, said OTS Director Barbara Rooney. The safety of people walking and biking on our roads is a high priority. Education plays a pivotal role in creating a strong road safety culture that prioritizes traffic safety, especially for our most vulnerable road users.

Officials say the funds will support a variety of activities focused on bicycle and pedestrian safety, including:

Bicycle training courses that educated youth on safe riding behaviors.

Helmet fitting inspections and distribution of helmets to those in need.

Community and school education presentations.

Community bike rides that encourage and teach riders safe riding skills.

Pop-up events that promote the importance of visibility on roads with safety equipment such as reflective armbands/leg bands and bicycle headlights/taillights.

Distribute safety equipment.

Distribute crossing guard kits to local schools.

Officials say the grant program will run through September 2024. The grant has been provided by the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com.
The owner of Ukrainian vodka distiller Khortytsia, Yevhen Cherniak, has denied allegations that his company has contributed to funding the Russian state budget in a Dec. 30 Facebook post, following allegations by Ukraines SBU security service that he had done so.

The SBU charged Cherniak with continuing to do business with Russia despite the on-set of full-scale war on Dec. 29, and courts are currently deciding when and how to confiscate his assets.

Read also: Nova Poshta co-owner calls for ban on business inspections by Ukrainian law enforcement

Cherniak claims that the charges against him are impossible, given that Khortytsia has been under sanctions in Russia since 2014 and had its license revoked on Feb. 24, 2022.

However. the documents in his case do not mention any tax payments in Russia, but involve companies in Central Asia, Georgia and Azerbaijan.

Read also: Ukraine expects to see additional $8 million in taxes with increased alcohol prices

"I was not and am not the owner or official of these companies, I have never rented them, none of the company's management is an official or beneficiary of the companies and factories mentioned in the case and, accordingly, could not buy or sell anything, Cherniak wrote.

It is completely absurd to accuse me of this.

Cherniak also mentioned that he is being searched and arrested in absentia in Russia, which makes it impossible for him to pay or sell anything "either from a legal point of view or from an ethical point of view".

A Moscow court authorized Cherniaks arrest in absentia on Aug. 18, accusing him of "financing the armed forces of Ukraine for the purpose of terrorist activities in Russia. Russias Investigative Committee alleges that Cherniak purchased and delivered to the Ukrainian Armed Forces in June "goods intended for military operations in the amount of more than 90 million rubles ($1 million). Russia also claims that Cherniak and other individuals allegedly "entered into a criminal conspiracy" between February and April 2022 and organized the transfer of funds to the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the amount of more than $5.9 million (500 million rubles).

"Like many Ukrainian companies, we have a situation that I really hope is a mistake and not an attempt to put pressure on the company with the aim of a raider attack on the market leader," Cherniak said, adding that he plans to make this case public and invited journalists, lawyers and activists to his court hearings.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Russia launched its largest aerial attack of the war. This is what Ukraine claims, saying that over 120 missiles were fired, as well as dozens of drones being launched to eliminate Ukrainian targets.

On Friday, Dec. 29, Ukraine announced that dozens of civilians lost their lives after Russia conducted its biggest aerial barrage against Ukraine. Hundreds of Ukrainians were also injured because of the massive aerial attack, which lasted for almost a day (around 18 hours). Here are other details Ukrainian officials shared about Russia's largest aerial attack of the invasion.

Russia Launches Largest Aerial Attack, Claims Ukraine

According to The Associated Press' latest report, a Ukrainian air force official claimed that 122 missiles and dozens of drones were launched by Russia. At least 30 residents were killed because of the 18-hour onslaught.

When it comes to injuries, around 144 Ukrainian civilians were wounded. Aside from the confirmed 30 deaths, authorities said that an unknown number of Ukrainians were buried under rubble because of the aerial attack.

Some Ukrainian officials said that Russia's largest aerial barrage also damaged schools, apartment blocks, a maternity hospital, and other buildings.

People who experienced the aerial attack said that air raid and emergency service sirens were activated during the onslaught as plumes of smoke drifted into the sky; mangled metal and broken glass were also seen across the city streets in Kyiv.

Ukrainian Military Chief Valerii Zalunzhnyi said that Ukraine's air force was able to intercept most of the cruise and ballistic missiles, as well as Shahed-type drones, by the Kremlin overnight, as reported by CBS News.

Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk described the latest Russian attack as the "most massive" aerial barrage ever since the full-scale invasion of Russia started in February 2022.

Read Also: Russian Warship in Black Sea Damaged by Ukrainian Air Strike-Defense Ministry Shares Details

Ukrainian Civilians Describe Russia's Largest Aerial Attack

72-year-old Kateryna Ivanivna, one of the Ukrainian civilians who experienced Russia's largest aerial attack, described what he saw on Dec. 29.

There was an explosion, then flames. I covered my head and got down in the street. Then I ran into the subway station," he shared.

Ivanivna is just one of the residents in Kyiv who was terrorized by Russia's missile and drone attacks. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that this aerial barrage should be a wake-up call for people across the globe to provide Ukraine's needs.

"Today, millions of Ukrainians awoke to the loud sound of explosions," said the official.

"I wish those sounds of explosions in Ukraine could be heard all around the world. In all major capitals, headquarters, and parliaments, which are currently debating further support for Ukraine," he added.

Related Article: Russia Allegedly Forces Ukrainian POWs to Protest Against Ukraine-Using Them as Political Weapons

@ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Pakistan's election authorities on Saturday rejected former prime minister Imran Khan's nomination papers in two constituencies - a move that could push him out of the race weeks before the general election.

Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party said his nominations for contesting elections in his hometown Mianwali in Punjab and another constituency in Lahore were dismissed.

The nomination papers of other key party figures, including former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, have also been rejected.

"We will challenge all these decisions in courts," a party spokesperson said.

The Election Commission received over 28,000 nominations for the national and provincial assembly elections scheduled for February 8.

It was not clear why the commission rejected his nomination, although Khan has faced a slew of political and legal challenges ever since he was ousted as prime minister in April 2022 in a vote of no confidence.

Khan was arrested in August on corruption charges and a court later ordered his release. But then another court in the capital said he must be kept in the same prison on charges of leaking a confidential diplomatic cable while in office.

Despite all the legal troubles, the 71-year-old is aiming to be prime minister again.

The PTI accused the state machinery of unfairly operating against the party's interests.

Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter were approved to contest the elections. Sharif would be seeking a fourth term despite facing a "life-long disqualification" from the Supreme Court that makes his eligibility uncertain.

Both Khan and Sharif experienced political downfalls after falling out of favour with powerful military figures.
By Henriette Chacar

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Fourteen-year-old Abdelrahman al-Zaghal was one of the youngest Palestinians released by Israel in exchange for hostages seized during the Oct. 7 Hamas-led raid on Israel.

Weeks later, his life still bears little resemblance to that of a normal teenager - he is recovering from serious injuries sustained the day of his arrest, and said his school is still awaiting Israel's permission for him to attend.

He was shot in August, when he said he left home to buy bread, only to wake up cuffed to a hospital bed, flanked by two police officers and with bullet wounds to the head and pelvis.

Israel charged Zaghal with hurling a petrol bomb, which he denies. His mother Najah said he was shot by a man guarding a Jewish settlement near their home in East Jerusalem.

A police statement released the night Zaghal was shot said Border Police officers shot at and critically wounded an unnamed teen after they sensed their lives were in danger.

As a Jerusalem resident, Zaghal's case went to an Israeli civil court. The judge ordered him placed under house arrest, but outside his neighbourhood, until the end of his trial.

The day of his release, Zaghal said he jumped for joy. But the celebrations were muted as he was about to undergo surgery for brain damage caused by the shooting, his mother said.

Among the 240 Palestinians released by Israel during a November pause in the Gaza war, Zaghal is one of 104 under the age of 18. In exchange, Hamas released 110 women, children and foreigners abducted on Oct. 7.

More than half the Palestinians released as part of the deal were detained without charge, Israel's records showed.

Since 2000, the Israeli military has detained some 13,000 Palestinian children, almost all boys between the ages of 12 and 17, said Defense for Children International-Palestine (DCIP).

"Everywhere a Palestinian child turns, there is the Israeli military to exert some kind of control over their life," said DCIP advocacy officer Miranda Cleland.

Israel says it arrests Palestinians on suspicion of attacking or planning attacks against its citizens. Its military said enforcement agencies in the occupied West Bank "work to protect the rights of minors throughout all administrative and criminal proceedings".

In the West Bank, Palestinians and Israelis are subjected to different legal systems. Palestinians, including minors, are prosecuted in a military court.

Based on collected affidavits from 766 children detained between 2016 and 2022, DCIP found about 59% were abducted by soldiers at night.

Some 75% of children were subjected to physical violence and 97% were interrogated without a family member or lawyer present. One in four are placed in solitary confinement for two or more days even before the beginning of a trial, said Cleland.

Lawyers work on getting children plea deals, she said, because the conviction rate is above 95%.

One of the challenges in post-release counselling is that teens expect to be re-arrested  and many are, said Dr. Samah Jabr, a psychiatrist who heads the Palestinian Health Ministry's mental health unit.

Zaghal said he had been detained by Israeli forces twice before. The first time, at 12, he said soldiers beat him with their rifles while he was playing with his cousin in Jericho. He said they accused him of hurling rocks, which he denied.

Throwing stones is the most common charge against Palestinian minors detained in the West Bank, punishable by up to 20 years in prison under Israeli military law, said Palestinian rights group Addameer.

Zaghal remembers going to swim at a Tel Aviv pool with his late father on the weekends, and wants to become a lifeguard. He said he loved school and was eager to go back.

Israel's Education Ministry said Palestinians released from Israeli detention would not attend its schools until January 2024 and would instead be visited by assigned officers.

It did not respond to Reuters questions on the reason for this decision.

(Aditional reporting by Latifa Abdellatif and Sinan Abu Mayzer; Writing by Henriette Chacar; Editing by Tom Perry and Jan Harvey)
Two Black men have received a formal apology from the mayor of Boston decades after being wrongfully arrested on charges of killing a white woman.

While their families expressed gratitude for the apology, they want compensation for the 34 years their loved ones have carried the burden of being the one-time accused killers of a wife who her husband had killed in a faked carjacking.

Mayor Michelle Wu formally issued an apology on Dec. 20 to Willie Bennett and Alan Swanson on behalf of the city. She acknowledged that the two men did not get fair treatment because of the overwhelming racism in the town at the time.

Joseph Bennett, center, is comforted by his cousin Stacey Bennett, left, and Bishop Will Dickerson, right, as he weeps during a press conference and public apology to Alan Swanson and Willie Bennett at Boston City Hall. More than 34 years after the murder of Carol Stuart, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu issued a formal apology from the city to two men who were wrongly linked to the shooting, Alan Swanson and Willie Bennett. (Photo by Craig F. Walker/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

There was no evidence that a Black man had committed this crime, Wu said. But that didnt matter because the story was one that confirmed and exposed the beliefs that so many shared.

She added, From residents and reporters to officers and officials, at every level and at every opportunity, those in power closed their eyes to the truth because the lie felt familiar. They saw the story they wanted to see.

Wu said to the press that a false, racist claim accusing a Black man for the womans death unleashed terror on the Mission Hill community, according to the Boston Herald.

After her remarks, she presented the official letters of apology to the family of Bennett, who was not present, and Swanson.

In addition to the mayor, Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox apologized on behalf of the police department for the hurt and pain and suffering caused by the departments handling of the case, the murder of Carol Stuart.

On Oct. 23, 1989, Carol was fatally shot, killing her and the unborn child. At the time, she and her husband, Charles Stuart, were leaving a birthing class at Brigham and Womens Hospital and getting in their car. Charles Stuart, who was also shot in his stomach but survived, told police they were carjacked and forced to drive to the Mission Hill district of Boston and then shot.

Stuart told police a 5-foot-10 Black man in a black tracksuit with a gravelly voice was the shooter, leading to the wrongful arrests of Swanson, then 29 years old, and later Bennett, who was 39 years old.

Swanson was arrested after police got a tip from locals in Mission Hill that he was the shooter, and they found clippings from articles about the murder in the bathroom of a vacant apartment on Cornelia Court and a tracksuit similar to the description the husband gave. However, within days, Swanson was cleared.

Bennett was later apprehended after police, acting on a tip from neighborhood teenagers, arrested him as a suspect. Within weeks, Stuart identified him as the killer in a police lineup in December of the year.

Both Black men consistently denied any involvement in the shooting.

A surprising break in the case shocked the world. In January 1990, Charles brother, Matthew Stuart, revealed that Charles was the real murderer and was trying to collect his wifes life insurance. He also confessed to helping discard the murder weapon. Before authorities could arrest Charles, the widower jumped off of the Tobin Bridge and ended his life.

Two detectives working the case, Robert Ahearn and Robert Tinlin, immediately suspected that Charles was the killer because of discrepancies in his account of the shooting. But their decision to pursue him was voted down by superiors in the department. The Boston Globe reports that it is estimated at least 33 people knew that Charles killed his wife before the case broke open but never made an official report.

Bennett, who was subsequently convicted on an unrelated robbery charge and spent a dozen years in prison, sued the city, and his mother received a settlement of $12,500 in 1995.

Bennetts daughter Ebony Bennett-Nelson spoke at a news conference last week and said, Asked my father what he wants. I asked my father if he wanted to come here today and what he wanted out of all this. He said, Pay me, man. Thats all he said.

This shit hurt me ngl. From the Mayoral apology this morning, credit to @WCVB in the live footage. #MurderInBoston pic.twitter.com/Rwx1GxWsjk  The REAL Boston Media (@RealBostonMedia) December 20, 2023

I need housing, reparations, I dont have anything, Swanson said, according to CBS News. Im still homeless and still in the same position.

Other leaders say more things should be done to address the racial profiling that led to the wrongful arrests.

Anybody who grew up in Roxbury in the 80s and 90s  everybody in every neighborhood  had one of those things [tracksuits]. So that was an all-call to any Black male between 4 feet and 7 feet: Youre under attack, and youre a suspect, moderator Dr. Rufus Faulk said last week at a panel meeting about the case, according to WGBH.
KINGSTON TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) A man in Kingston Township allegedly stabbed his roommate following an argument that stemmed from the roommate being too loud on the phone.

At 8:20 p.m. Thursday night, officers say they were called to the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital for a man with three stab wounds. Investigators spoke with a nurse and the victim in an attempt to locate who stabbed him.

Man accused of possessing weapons of mass destruction

During their conversation with the victim, police say they learned the victims roommate, 32-year-old John Cassidy, stabbed the victim following an argument that stemmed from the victim talking too loud on the phone.

Investigators say the argument took place at their residence on Pioneer Avenue in Trucksville.

The victim was taken into the emergency surgery room for his injuries following his conversation with police.

According to court documents, Cassidy was arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated assault, simple assault, and recklessly endangering another person.

Cassidy is being held in the Luzerne County Prison on a $75,000 cash bail according to court dockets.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com.
In the ruins of Gaza, thousands of children are at risk of preventable death as talks to bring a truce go on - AFP

A new peace talks plan has revived hopes of a truce with a proposal to bring together leaders in the West Bank and Gaza for a permanent ceasefire.

The three-step plan is facing stiff opposition from Palestinian factions, but as yet has not been formally rejected, despite first being mooted about a week ago.

The plan involves a fortnight-long, extendable ceasefire to allow for an initial exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners.

The second phase aims to unite divided Palestinian politicians to rule Gaza and the West Bank with a technocratic government, and the third would lead to a final ceasefire.

The proposal, hammered out with mediators Egypt and Qatar, falls short of both Israeli and Palestinian demands. It does not satisfy the key Israeli goal of completely dismantling Hamas, and it introduces the release of hostages in Gaza before a permanent ceasefire, which goes against a key Palestinian stipulation.

Israeli soldiers patrol the border near the Shujaiya neighbourhood in the Gaza Strip, reduced to rubble during the invasion of the enclave - ATEF SAFADI/EPA-EFE/SHUTTERSTOCK

The plan has emerged as Israels key allies including the US have begun to lose patience with its invasion of Gaza amid warnings of a humanitarian catastrophe. Israel also faces major internal pressure from hostage families.

But it has met resistance from Palestinian factions who say they will refuse to negotiate over hostages until there is a total end to the fighting in the beleaguered Gaza Strip.

We received a written text and up until now a response has not been presented to the brothers in Egypt because this issue needs internal discussion and also with the other Palestinian factions, Osama Hamdan, a senior Hamas leadership official, told The Telegraph.

Pressure growing on Israel

Hamdan denied media reports that a group delegation had traveled to Cairo on Friday to deliver their response to the proposal. He declined to say whether Hamas had rejected the plan in full or in part, instead saying: Any proposal that does not begin with a ceasefire and a complete end to the aggression is not a useful proposal in our eyes.

Israels cabinet has studied Cairos proposal and has also yet to respond officially, according to an Egyptian state information service statement.

While the plan faces opposition, it raises hopes for a new round of diplomacy. Israel is coming under increasing international pressure over the growing civilian death toll and the fate of the 129 hostages who remain in Gaza, as regional leaders seek to find a way out of the conflict.

An Israeli helicopter fires flares as strikes against Gaza continue - AMIR LEVY/GETTY IMAGES EUROPE

The plan would not only need agreement from Israel and Hamas but also from other Palestinian politicians opposed to the terror group that controls Gaza.

An official from Fatah, the political group controlling the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority, said Majed Faraj, the head of Fatahs intelligence service, had recently visited Cairo, but provided no extra information.

Fighting continues in Gaza and the Israel Defense Forces said they had eliminated terrorist cells in Shejaiya, Gaza City and Beit Lahia, while the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry said the death toll had risen to 21,672 since Oct 7.

The UN childrens agency has said that all of the 335,000 children under five in Gaza face preventable death and are at high risk of severe malnutrition due to inadequate food supplies.

On Saturday, Abu Jamal, a spokesman for the Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades, an armed group in Gaza, said a hostage held by his group had been killed by an Israeli air strike after a failed rescue attempt.

The spokesperson gave no details of the location or when the hostage had been taken captive, and the claims could not be independently verified.

One of our fighting groups, which was protecting one of the prisoners of the Zionist enemy, was attacked by Zionist special forces attempting to free that prisoner by infiltrating the place where the group protecting that [male] prisoner was located, Mr Jamal said.

But our comrades  fought with that unit at point blank range and they suffered multiple losses and withdrew. Then the Zionists targeted that place with aircraft, which led to the killing of that prisoner and several of our comrades sustained medium-level injuries.

The Israeli military declined to comment.

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From left, Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys past president Steve Garner, Neil Chanter (who spearheaded 2023 efforts), Bailey Geller, past president Rob Palmer, past president Tom Strong, immediate past president Jenifer Placzek, Nick Smark, Executive Committee members Randy Alberhasky and Chandler Gregg, and Jeff Bauer.

Attorney association donates $25,400 to The Kitchen

For the past 14 years, members of the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys have collected coats and funds for The Kitchen, Inc. in Springfield, which provides emergency shelter, case management, housing assistance and affordable housing for families, individuals, youth, seniors, and veterans in Greene, Christian, and Webster counties.

This year, members raised $25,400 (thanks to a last-minute donation after the check was filled in) and collected 112 new coats, bringing the 14-year total to $137,400 and 2,612 coats.

Clinvest winner changing lives

Clinvest Research announced the grand prize winner of the 3rd Annual Change a Life Challenge. This years grand prize winner, Amber Bourland, demonstrated exceptional creativity and compassion in her efforts to carry out the Change a Life Challenge mission.

Of those who entered, 50 individuals won $100 cash with the challenge to use it to positively impact someones life with the opportunity to win the grand prize  $1,000 to further the kindness and $1,000 to keep for themselves.

Bourland's winning entry stood out for its heartfelt dedication to combating food insecurity for children in her community. In her own words, she shared her personal connection to the cause, stating, "I've known hunger. When I was a child and had to rely on other people to get food for me, there were times when I simply didn't get to eat."

This deeply personal experience fueled her commitment to ensuring that others do not have to face the same struggles. Her initiative focused on supporting the backpack program for schools in Gainesville. The program aims to provide food to 131 in a school district with 640 students every weekend, preventing them from going hungry. With the $100 from Clinvest Research and an additional $140 raised from friends through social media, Bourland and her husband purchased more than 200 non-perishable food items.

Bourland plans to continue supporting the cause by using the grand prize money to purchase more food for kids through the holiday.

Taneyhills Library gets new name

After 90 years as a community library that has been sustained by donations and volunteers, Taneyhills Library will officially become the Library Center of the Ozarks on Jan. 2.

Taneyhills Library staff and board members will mark the occasion by ceremoniously passing books to members of the Taney County Library board and staff. Brief comments will be heard from those involved in the transition. The event will take place 10 a.m. at the library, 200 S. Fourth St., Branson.

Voters approved a property tax initiative last August that provides funding for the newly established library district. The public is invited to this event.

Power Up grant winners announced

The White River Valley Electric Trust Board awarded $75,000 to 24 local schools in Christian, Douglas, Ozark, Stone and Taney counties. Teachers located at schools within White River Valley Electric Cooperatives five-county service area were eligible to apply for money through Power Up  the organizations annual educational grant program. The $75,000 awarded in Power Up grants will provide teachers funds to purchase additional resources for their classrooms. Applicants submitted proposals with an itemized list of supplies and a letter of project approval from their respective school districts administrative office. Of the 194 applications, 129 were approved. The 2024 grant recipients include teachers from Ava, Blue Eye, Bradleyville, Branson, Chadwick, Forsyth, Gainesville, Galena, Hollister, Kirbyville, Legacy Christian Academy, Lutie, Mark Twain, Nixa, Ozark, Plainview, Reeds Spring, School of the Ozarks, Skyline, Sparta, Spokane, Taneyville, Thornfield, and Tri-Lakes Cooperative School. Power Up educational grants are funded through Operation Round Up, which allows cooperative members to round up their bills to the next dollar. Over $5.3 million has been contributed to the community since Operation Round Ups inception in 1992.

More: Spirit of the season prevails as Share Your Christmas volunteers distribute 2023 gifts

New grant program supports natural resources

The L-A-D Foundation, with support from the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, is launching a $55,000 grant program to support the conservation of natural and cultural resources in L-A-D Foundations 11-county service area.

Nonprofits benefiting the natural and cultural resources of the Ozarks may apply for up to $10,000 from the L-A-D Foundation Grant Program, administered by the CFO. Organizations must hold 501(c)3 or similar nonprofit status and work in Carter, Crawford, Dent, Madison, Oregon, Perry, Reynolds, Ripley, Ste. Genevieve, Shannon or Texas counties.

Projects may include environmental and conservation education, grassroots organizing, new program startup costs, capital support, seed money and workshops. Requests for operating funds or social events will not be considered.

Agencies can begin the application process at cfozarks.org/applyforgrants. The deadline to apply is Feb. 7, with grant recipients to be announced in March.

Still time to get NAP tax credits

Elevate Branson is reminding area businesses that they can keep tax dollars local this holiday season and receive a 70% tax credit on their Missouri income tax and apply the remaining 30% to their federal tax return as a deduction through the Neighborhood Assistance Program by making a financial contribution to Elevate Branson.

Donations stay in the community and contribute to resources such as workforce development training affordable transportation and sustainable housing for area neighbors.

To take advantage of NAP tax credits, donate to Elevate Branson today at https://elevatebranson.org/donate/.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: People Are Awesome: Donations, grants help The Kitchen, students
A proposal for an eight-story apartment building in West Palm Beachs south end is one step closer to fruition with unanimous approval by the citys planning board on changes that allow housing and commercial uses on the same property.

The project planned for vacant land at 8111 S. Dixie Highway along the C-51 canal includes 358 units, including 90 for workforce housing, and 17,000 square feet of retail space for shops and restaurants.

City officials are particularly interested in the proposal because of its location along the C-51 canal and Dixie Highway, which is the gateway to the city from Lake Worth Beach.

It would include a public boardwalk along a refurbished canal, a gathering space for community events, a decorative sign denoting the entrance to West Palm Beach and a launch area for canoes, kayaks and paddleboards. The apartments would include studio to three-bedroom units.

Rendering of the proposed development at 8111 S. Dixie Highway in West Palm Beach looking north from the C-51 canal.

The project is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for this city, said Todd Everett, a commercial real estate agent who spoke at a planning board meeting Dec. 19. We desperately need the housing. It will enhance the area, increase values and provide a tax base to the city.

But the new complex, which will be built by Flagler Realty & Development and Woodfield Development, is also in the popular south of Southern Boulevard community, nicknamed SoSo, and some residents don't like the idea of an eight-story building or the increase in traffic that will come with it.

The community doesnt support this, said resident Matthew Luciano at the meeting. We are a bedroom community and we bought here for that reason. There is not one building in the south end higher than three stories.

An original plan called for 210 apartments with 52 units of workforce housing and 35,000 square feet of retail space.

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Attorney Harvey Oyer, who represented the developer at the Dec. 19 meeting, said city officials asked that more workforce housing units be included.

A city resolution passed in December 2022 says a developer can increase a building's capacity if 25% of the units are set aside for workforce housing.

More: Five incredible things happening in West Palm Beach's south end, or SoSo, community

Oyer said the projects plans for 358 units and 17,000 square feet of commercial space are far under what is allowed on the property, which is as many as 420 units and 425,000 square feet of commercial.

The project is unusual in that its being built on city-owned land that wont be sold to the developer until the construction is completed. The city bought the approximately seven-acre lot in 2012 for $2.85 million and will sell it to the developer for $10.5 million when a final certificate of occupancy is issued.

Rendering of the proposed residential and commercial project at 8111 S. Dixie Highway in West Palm Beach with the C-51 canal to the south.

South End Neighborhood Association President Richard Pinsky said his board initially endorsed the plan when it proposed 210 apartments. After learning that it was increased to 358 units, he said SENA members voted against the project in October and the SENA board withdrew its endorsement.

Their original proposal was for 210 units and a grocery store. A year later, everything is changing, said resident Rosey Vassilatos-Gekas at the Dec. 19 meeting. The majority of residents arent opposed to the project but opposed to the density and height.

More: Florida real estate boom means big homes on small lots in West Palm Beach neighborhood

Although a boutique grocery store was part of the initial plan, the developer couldnt find one willing to go into the space.

Patrick Koenig, co-founder of Flagler Realty & Development, said in July after winning initial city commission support for the project that apartment rents will average about $3,000 a month, but the 90 workforce housing units will get discounted rates.

Workforce housing is generally defined as housing that is affordable to households whose income is between 81% and 140% of the area median income. Jennifer Ferriol, the city's director of housing and community development, said at the time that the city's most recent projects have limited the workforce housing to households earning between 81% and 100% of the area median income.

A vacant lot at 8111 South Dixie Highway next to the C-51 canal in West Palm Beach on September 2, 2022.

Workforce housing is mostly aimed at middle-class workers such as teachers or police officers.

North of the proposed project is the aging Palm Coast Plaza, which includes a Winn Dixie grocery store, Planet Fitness and Bealls. It was bought by Johnstone Capital Partners in March 2022 for $24.7 million.

The planning board approval Dec. 19 changed land use and zoning rules for the property at 8111 S. Dixie to allow for residential units and commercial elements in the same project. The project still faces a site plan approval.

Kimberly Miller is a veteran journalist for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA Today Network of Florida. She covers real estate and how growth affects South Florida's environment. Subscribe to The Dirt for a weekly real estate roundup. If you have news tips, please send them to kmiller@pbpost.com. Help support our local journalism, subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: New West Palm Beach apartment project to include workforce housing
The tourism industry drastically recovered this 2023. This was confirmed by numerous travel agencies and organizations. When the global COVID-19 pandemic was at its peak, airlines and other travel companies were having a hard time generating revenue.

Some experts warned that if the tourism industry could not bounce back once the health crisis is over, then it could experience serious changes that would have long-term effects.

Luckily, the tourism industry did manage to get back on its feet; and it is doing so on a whole new level. However, there are also some consequences of too much tourism recovery, such as over-tourism.

Tourism Drastically Recovered This 2023!

According to Fox News' latest report, the American Automobile Association (AAA) confirmed in April that international trips in the United States increased by over 200%.

This shows a wide gap compared to the international trips recorded in 2022. Meanwhile, a previous survey (released in August) revealed that almost 50% of Americans now want to travel more.

Because of their travel needs, the summer and winter travel periods reached new high records; even exceeding those recorded in pre-pandemic levels.

Researchers said that this is because Americans and other people across the globe are desperate to quench their thirst for traveling. However, since traveling is still quite different compared to when the previous years before COVID-19 changed the tourism industry, many people become frustrated as their expectations are not met.

Just imagine trying to travel to a tourist location in another country only to see overcrowded areas. Seeing people loitering and littering around can definitely ignite negative emotions.

Because of this, numerous incidents where people get involved in brawls and other unwanted activities have been recorded this 2023. These include the recent fight along a popular tourist street called "Sin Street" in Spain.

Another incident happened in Yellowstone, where a tourist surprisingly tried to pet a wild bison that was just grazing by a pathway.

Read Also: Japan's Mt. Fuji Threatened by Pollution, Other Risks Brought by Increased Tourism

How to Avoid Tourist Crowds

If you are planning to travel in 2024, it would be best to avoid tourist crowds. Remember, having more people in one area means that you are at risk of getting involved in fights and other unwanted happenings.

To avoid them, the best thing you can do is travel during the period when fewer people are visiting your preferred tourist location. Luckily, CNN Travel provided the best months for you to visit popular tourist spots:

Amsterdam : January, February, and March

: January, February, and March Athens : April, May, September, and October

: April, May, September, and October Bali : October to April

: October to April Barcelona : Spring and Autumn, especially during the Easter week.

: Spring and Autumn, especially during the Easter week. Miami : Travel during the months when there's high heat and humidity. Just avoid November until April or vice versa.

: Travel during the months when there's high heat and humidity. Just avoid November until April or vice versa. Paris: In 2024, Paris is expected to be overcrowded because of the Summer Olympic Games. Lots of travelers are also expected to take advantage of other months. So, just be expected that Paris will be overcrowded throughout 2024.

Related Article: Hong Kong's Airlines to Boost Tourism by Offering Free Flight Tickets! How Can You Qualify?

@ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Poland completed an inspection involving nearly 500 soldiers of its Territorial Defence Forces at 15:00 on Saturday, 30 December. They were looking for possible wreckage of the missile that violated Polish airspace during Russia's large-scale missile attack on Ukrainian cities on 29 December.

Source: Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces (DORSZ), as reported by European Pravda, citing RMF24

Details: The command added that the operation is over, and no further activities are planned.

As DORSZ previously reported, ground searches for possible wreckage of the object that violated Polish airspace on Friday were conducted in Lublin Voivodeship on Saturday, 30 December. About 480 soldiers from the 2nd Lublin Territorial Defence Brigade and the 19th 19 Nadbuzanska Territorial Defence Brigade were involved in the search.

Quote: "The inspection of the designated area involving almost 500 soldiers was completed at 15:00. The search result is negative. Nothing that could threaten the residents of Lublin Voivodeship was found. The army's activities have been completed, and we do not plan further inspections in the area," the Polish Armed Forces Operational Command said.

DORSZ expressed gratitude to the soldiers "for their commitment and professionalism, and to the residents for their understanding and tolerance". They added that the military's actions focused on ensuring public safety.

Background:

On Friday, 29 December, Poland's General Staff stated that a Russian missile had violated the country's airspace. The Polish military found that the missile flew 40 kilometres into Poland and returned to Ukraine three minutes later.

After that, the Russian Charge d'Affaires was summoned to the Polish Foreign Ministry to give an explanation for the incident.

The Russian diplomat said Moscow was not going to give an explanation for the Russian missile in Polish airspace until provided with "hard evidence".

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Poland will search on Saturday, 30 December in the Lublin Voivodeship of Poland near the border with Ukraine for possible elements of a missile that violated Polish airspace during a Russian large-scale missile attack on Ukrainian cities on 29 December.

Source: Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces, cited by European Pravda

Details: Ground searches will be carried out in the Lublin Voivodeship on 30 December for "possible elements of the target" that violated Polish airspace during Russia's air attack on Ukrainian cities on the morning of 29 December.

Approximate location of violation of Polish airspace

Graph: RMF FM

The operation will involve about 480 members of the 2nd Lublin Territorial Defence Brigade and the 19th Nadbuzanska Territorial Defence Brigade.

"The purpose of the search is to finally confirm that no elements of the target remain on Polish territory. The soldiers will be searching southeast of [the city of] Zamosc," Operational Command stated.

Background:

On Friday, 29 December, Poland's General Staff stated that a Russian missile had violated the country's airspace. The Polish military found that the missile flew 40 kilometres into Poland and returned to Ukraine three minutes later.

After that, the Russian Charge d'Affaires was summoned to the Polish Foreign Ministry to give an explanation for the incident.

A Russian diplomat said Moscow was not going to give an explanation for the Russian missile in Polish airspace until provided with "hard evidence".

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Polish soldiers are shown searching an area in the country's eastern Lublin region on Saturday, a day after leaders claimed a Russian cruise missile penetrated Poland's airspace during an attack on Ukraine. Photo courtesy Polish Army Operational Command/X

Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Nearly 500 Polish troops were dispatched on Saturday to the eastern Lublin region to search for a Russian cruise missile that penetrated Polish airspace amid a massive barrage fired at Ukraine.

The military launched the search mission to "make sure no remains of the object have remained in Poland," later confirming nothing was found "that could threaten the safety of the inhabitants of the Lublin region," the Polish Army said in a statement.

Poland's Deputy Foreign Minister Wadysaw Teofil Bartoszewski said he contacted the chief diplomat of the Russian Federation, Andrei Ordash, on Friday to "request an explanation of the incident of violating Poland's airspace by a cruise missile."

Moscow denied responsibility, citing the lack of "concrete evidence" that it was a Russian missile violated Polish airspace.

Ordash dismissed the claim as "groundless" while pointing to a similar incident in late 2022, when a missile that was believed to be fired by Russia hit a Polish village, but months later Polish investigators concluded the errant strike was actually launched from Ukraine.

The Polish foreign ministry warned Moscow to "immediately cease this kind of activity" or Poland would respond "fast and effectively" to deter any further missile fire.

Following the incident, Polish President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Donald Tusk held an emergency meeting with military chiefs and top national security officials in Warsaw.

The missile flew into Polish airspace early Friday morning "from the direction of the Ukraine border," according to a statement from the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces.

The incident happened as Russia carried out its largest attack on Ukraine since the war began nearly two years ago, firing 158 missiles into the country, with Ukraine managing to intercept 114 of them.

The strikes damaged residential buildings and civilian infrastructure in several major cities, including Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa, Zaporizhzhya Dnipro, Cherkasy, Sumy, and Lviv, which borders Poland.

The Russian cruise missile that reached Poland's airspace flew for about three minutes and its radar signal faded before the military had the chance to shoot it down.

The country's air defenses were placed on high alert during the episode while several F-16 fighter jets scrambled to the region as a precaution, the military said.

U.S. national security advisor Jake Sullivan said President Joe Biden was aware of the situation, and he expressed support for Poland, saying the administration would provide "technical assistance as needed" to its NATO ally.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also discussed the incursion with Duda to reassure the Polish president the Western military alliance was ready to respond if necessary.
Authorities said they took back several stolen off-road vehicles as part of a search warrant at a residence on Friday.

A total of 14 stolen recreational vehicles, including ATVs and dirt bikes, were seized, according to Wareham Police, two of which have been returned to their rightful owners. The owners of those vehicles are from Fall River, Massachusetts, and New Haven, Connecticut.

Officers are still trying to identify the remaining 12 owners of the stolen property.

Anyone who believes their recreational vehicle was stolen or has information about the incident is asked to contact Wareham Criminal Investigation Division (508) 295-1206, or Detective Lieutenant Michael Smith.

No further information was immediately available.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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MINERAL WELLS, Texas - Police are investigating how a 13-year-old boy was shot at a home in Mineral Wells, west of Fort Worth.

It happened just before 10 a.m. Friday on Northwest Third Avenue, near Highway 281.

Officers found a 13-year-old boy with a gunshot wound to his head.

He is in critical condition.

Police said a 10-year-old sibling was there as well.

Investigators are trying to determine more about the gun and the circumstances of the shooting.
Police in Palm Bay have released more information on the arrest of a man suspected of killing two teenagers on Christmas Day last year.

Last week, police arrested Jamarcus Simpson on first-degree premeditated murder.

Officers said he drove 14-year-old Jeremiah Brown and 16-year-old Travon Anthony to an unfinished development area known as The Compound.

Watch: Single mothers future in jeopardy after thief steals driveway

Police said that is where Simpson shot both of the teens.

Investigators said Simpson told them someone who goes by the name K-9 was the shooter.

Watch: Local woman urges people not to shoot guns on New Years Eve after stray bullet pulled from her face

However, according to an arrest report, Simpsons cousin told police nearly a year ago that Simpson was responsible for the shooting.

Right now, investigators say the motive is still unclear.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Authorities are searching for a Colorado mother suspected of killing two of her children and trying to kill a third after police initially responded to a reported burglary at their home.

An arrest warrant was issued for Kimberlee Singler on murder and attempted murder charges after her 7-year-old son and 9-year-old daughter were found dead in the home and her 11-year-old daughter was sent to the hospital to be treated for injuries, according to a Colorado Springs Police Department news release.

The departments Violent Offender Fugitive Task Force has been searching for Singler, 35, since the warrant was issued Tuesday, police said. The FBI is assisting with the search, a public affairs officer with the FBIs Denver office told CNN.

We have a few ideas where she might be but recognize she could be anywhere, public information officer Ira Cronin said.

Officers initially responded to Singlers home shortly after midnight on December 19, upon receiving a 911 call about a burglary. The 911 call came from inside the home, Cronin told CNN, though he could not confirm who made the call.

Officers arrived on the scene and observed an adult female and an 11-year-old female who had sustained injuries, CSPD said in the news release. Two other juveniles, a 9-year-old girl and a 7-year-old boy, were found deceased in the residence.

The mother and her surviving daughter were taken to a hospital, Cronin said.

Singler was originally considered a victim, based on the initial burglary report, but she became a suspect over the course of the investigation, Cronin said. Until we had probable cause we werent able to hold her for any reason.

The burglary was later determined to be unfounded, according to the release.

Singler was initially cooperating with police after her release from the hospital. At some point, she became uncooperative and police were unable to get in contact with her, Cronin said.

Her 11-year-old daughter was released from the hospital a few days after the incident. She is recovering from her injuries and is not with her mother, Cronin added.

Singler was last seen on December 23, according to the release. She faces four counts of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder. The charges for each alleged crime were doubled due to the children all being under the age of 12, according to the release.

Singlers bond is set at $10 million.

The details of the arrest warrant are currently sealed under court order and are expected to be unsealed at a later time, police said in the release.

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A suspect was arrested Saturday after gunshots rang out as crews responded to a building fire in Bostons Mattapan neighborhood.

Boston police say officers responded to a report of a fire at 50 Fairlawn Avenue, along with firefighters, around 11:35 a.m.

On arrival, a gunshot was allegedly fired from a unit inside the building that was on fire. No one was struck by the gunfire and there were no reports of any injuries, according to officials.

The building was immediately evacuated.

Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox said SWAT teams and officers converged on the unit and arrested a male suspect. The suspect reportedly sustained a lower-body injury.

A gun was also recovered at the scene, although police would not say what caliber. It is also unclear what charges the suspect will face at this time.

After the suspect was apprehended, fire crews were able to knock down the remaining flames. The fire started on the first floor with an extension into the second and third floor as well, according to Boston Fire Deputy Chief Michael Doherty.

Smoke could be seen pouring from the windows.

Edward Kelly, President of the International Association of Fire Fighters called todays incident unacceptable, saying in part:

Firefighters in Boston were met by a gunman today while responding to a working fire. As all-hazard responders, we accept risk, but being shot at is unacceptable. Safety is the priority for us and those we serve.

Firefighters in Boston were met by a gunman today while responding to a working fire. As all-hazard responders, we accept risk, but being shot at is unacceptable. Safety is the priority for us and those we serve. Good work by @LOCAL_718 and police defusing a deadly situation.  Edward A. Kelly (@IAFFPresident) December 30, 2023

In a press conference, Mayor Michelle Wu expressed gratitude to the first responders and residents who were disrupted by the incident.

Were glad everyones safe, Mayor Wu said. These situations, like we saw today, are extremely unpredictable and can be extremely dangerous. Its a testament to how well trained, how professional, how dedicated our first responders are and how lucky we are as a city to have them.

In a statement, Boston Firefighters IAFF Local 718 echoed the unacceptable nature of the incident.

Todays incident not only highlights the service that our Members provide to the City of Boston on a daily basis but also the ever-changing dangers they face in the performance of their duties, the statement read. We commend the rapid response of our Brothers & Sisters of the Boston Police Department and Boston Emergency Medical Services. We look forward to the results of a thorough investigation into this matter and we demand that anyone found to have threatened the safety and lives of our Members be dealt with to the fullest extent of the law.

Boston Fire Chief and Commissioner Paul Burke added, I am grateful that the fire and active shooter incident yesterday did not result in any injury to our firefighters, police officers or residents. As firefighters, our main focus at any fire is the rescue of residents and the extinguishment of the fire but this incident heightened the danger level for all of our first responders. The multi-agency cooperation was a role model of how a coordinated response should work and undoubtedly saved lives. Thank you to all of the Boston firefighters for their professionalism at yesterdays incident and thank you to the responding Boston Police officers for protecting our firefighters at a very dangerous scene.

Police shut down part of Cummings Highway when the situation was ongoing.

No further information was immediately available.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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PORTSMOUTH  Just as we are completing plans for the 100-year Portsmouth 2123 time capsule, another capsule we buried at Portsmouth High School in 1995 has been found.

During the past couple of years, we have taken a lot of deserved ribbing for not locating it. But we continued the search and on Thursday, Dec. 28, it was located under two feet of soil and rock.

Originally called the "Portsmouth 2020 vision project time capsule," it was to be opened three years ago. The COVID-19 pandemic delayed that plan. Since then, several of us who had buried it, including Bob Lister, Raymond Will and myself, have been searching the grounds with other volunteers.

Ray Will pulls up Portsmouth's long-lost 1995 time capsule Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023 after much searching in recent years.

Bob in particular did yeoman's duty, going out with pick and shovel on cold and blustery days digging sample holes. It became his hobby, perhaps his way to get out of the house for fresh air.

Ray Will, who at age 25 was the last person to touch it, was the first to touch it Thursday. He's now 53; his wife Jennifer and son Jack cheered the moment.

The time capsule is a Rubbermaid box, but it held up well from its journey through time underground. The first things found were some city documents, letters written by Bob Lister to his sons and from them to him, items Ray Will had put in, and a set of my old District 24 New Hampshire state Senate license plates. I was wondering where I put them.

Twenty-eight years ago, among those throwing shovels of dirt over the capsule were school Superintendent Nate Greenberg and City Councilor John Hynes. City Manager Jim McSweeney joined us and said, "Some of the city's future thinking is in this time capsule," and urged whoever is manager in 2020 to take a look at it.

During the small casual burying ceremony held that day, the Rev. Robert E. Stiefel of the Christ Episcopal Church blessed the time capsule as it traveled on its journey, observing, "Bless what our children's children do."

The time capsule is in good shape. So far we have found no bugs, but there is some moisture that doesn't seem to have damaged the contents, which in large part were enclosed in additional containers. We're wondering if Rubbermaid would be interested in doing a commercial about the quality of its boxes.

We're going to be searching through the rest of the box this week, and will report more about it soon as well as thank others who helped on the search. In 1995, we had invited school students and residents to write messages to their future, and we'll let anyone whose letters we find know how they can get them returned.

About 80 people gathered for the first Portsmouth 2020 vision project forum on May 22, 1991 at Yoken's Restaurant, which began a five-year series of discussions about our future opportunities which are catalogued in the time capsule. We heard Mayor Eileen Foley predict, "We'll all have computers in our pocketbooks, and we'll all go home for a fireside chat from our lady president!"

Remember, those were the days of radio telephones, dial-up AOL, VHS tapes and cassette recorders.

Jim Splaine

Variously since 1969, Jim Splaine has been Portsmouth assistant mayor for six terms, Police Commission and School Board member, as well as New Hampshire state senator for six years and representative for 24 years. He can be reached at jimsplaineportsmouth@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Portsmouth NH 1995 time capsule is found
Outgoing Gary Mayor Jerome Prince says he has no regrets looking back at his four years at the citys helm.

His administration weathered a pandemic pushing through an agenda aimed at reimagining what the city could be in an effort to clean up the streets, improve public safety and spur economic development.

I feel great. I feel humbled and certainly honored to have had the opportunity to serve in what is the highest office in municipal government, Prince said.

His departure from office  and at this time no intention to run for another elected position  caps a 25-year political career that began in the very same place, Gary City Hall, when he was first elected to serve as a Gary city councilman. Prince went on to serve on the Lake County Council and then as the Lake County Assessor, where he was the first Black elected county assessor in the state.

Instead of running for reelection, Prince made his successful run for mayor, defeating two-term incumbent Karen Freeman-Wilson for the spot. It was the defeat of a well-liked Freeman-Wilson that handed Prince a hostile council when he took office January 2020.

Deputy Mayor Trent McCain said seven of the nine incoming council members had supported the former mayor. Prince said that while he anticipated some pushback or a lack of cooperation coming in but was optimistic a working relationship could be forged.

I certainly attempted to work with that body, Prince said. :That dynamic was clear very early on  I think at the first meeting  that was not going to be the case. Although that made things more challenging, it certainly did not stop our ability to move forward, Prince said.

Councilman Ronald Brewer, D-At Large, acknowledged the relationship between the council and the mayor in the beginning was pretty rough as both sides engaged in a standoff for too long. He said the COVID-19 pandemic did not help since officials were forced to work away from each other instead of face to face.

Personally, I think myself and the mayor started developing a good working relationship. I regret it not happening sooner, Brewer said.

Still, the administration was able to get things done including $10 million worth of road paving over the course of two years in which a lot of the citys main streets were tackled.

The way they pulled those dollars together to make sure that happened and we didnt have to borrow any money, I thought that was good on the administrations part, Brewer said.

Brewer also lauded the work to reform the citys police code through 17 ordinances presented to the council. The body ultimately passed 16 of the measures, including an ordinance that transfers the hiring process from the police commission to the police chief.

Brewer said the police department conducted two police academy classes in 2023 and was preparing for a third under now former Chief Anthony Titus. He was uncertain at this time what the course of action would be under new Police Chief Derrick Cannon Sr. One of the biggest challenges the police department has faced is filling its ranks. Putting hiring under the purview of the chief was an effort to improve the situation.

Police reforms ongoing

Indeed, Prince said his proudest accomplishment was the work the administration and city were able to do with the Indiana State Police and the Gary Police Department. Prince said he came into office with the goal of improving public safety, improving interactions with constituents and shoring up the citys finances.

The work with the state police I think yielded some pretty relevant outcomes for the city and for the police department itself to be sure and for those folks who even think about or consider coming to Gary  safety is always a concern. We wanted to do more than just appear to be safe. We wanted the satisfaction of knowing we had made it safer, Prince said.

McCain said crime overall in the city is down this year, but more importantly the clearance rate for the crimes that have been committed have improved.

Thats where the ISP partnership has really shown its benefit. The new Lake County Prosecutors Metro Homicide Unit is kicking butt and taking names, McCain said, adding the homicide unit has executed dozens of search warrants and arrest warrants and have closed a lot of cases.

Thats what is really important. It sends a message to criminals we are going to get you, McCain said.

The greatest indicator that the moves made at the police department were a step in the right direction comes from the feedback and response from the officers themselves, Prince said.

A majority of the officers certainly embraced the changes, he said.

Prince said early in his administration  before he even began solidifying the plan for the police department  officers were coming forward with their ideas on what needed to be changed.

The public safety building is old, and moving forward a replacement should be considered, but until that day, he said they tried to improve the facility as best as possible to help boost morale. Some changes were as simple as painting and changing where roll call is conducted.

Officers were brought out of the dark and damp basement upstairs where they can have some dignity and pride about being part of the department before they go about their shifts, Prince said.

Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas Carter described working with Prince as a pleasure and is hopeful the reforms enacted under his administration remain in place. It was the first of the three efforts to come to fruition.

If they lose momentum with what was done internally, the external effects will be enormous, Carter said. The perception of safety drives economic development. The focal point moving forward has got to be on the police department.

Carter said the ISP offered options on structure, policy, process and accountability.

If you lose any one of those, the house of cards will fall, Carter said. He has met with incoming Mayor Eddie Melton and is hopeful that relationship will continue.

We did everything we could possibly do in Gary in 18 months, Carter said. Recreating the work of the partnership and what brought the city and ISP together at that specific time would take decades to recreate, he said.

He described the partnership, which had the backing of Gov. Eric Holcomb, as one of the most important projects the ISP has undertaken and certainly one of the most important I have done as a leader in our profession. None of it would have happened without the courage of the mayor, Carter said.

I do think (Interim Chief) Jerry Williams left a legacy up there and at least an architectural model for success, Carter said, adding the ISP will continue to support the city. Im still all in, whatever the city might need. Just because we left, we are not away.

Governing during the COVID-19 pandemic

Prince attributes much of his administrations successes the salient advice of the people he surrounded himself with including McCain, whom he had known since childhood but reconnected with upon his election; his health commissioner Dr. Roland Walker; and Chief of Staff Joy Holiday, who he said excelled beyond any expectation. Holiday will remain in Meltons administration.

These things all factored into whatever successes we were able to accomplish, Prince said.

While some accomplishments are tangible  repeated citywide cleanup initiatives, new needed equipment for general services and police, and visible development in some areas  others are more abstract such as perception.

Theres so much to do in the city, right, they tell me often to just relish in the things we were able to accomplish and be proud of it, Prince said, something he finds difficult to do. I came in with the goal of really moving and pushing the city forward.

Getting things accomplished would become more challenging after he was elected. Just 79 days after he took office, the country shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, changing the way government operates. He said navigating the worldwide pandemic was an important accomplishment for his administration but it did impact the amount of work done.

Once government opened back up, it seemed like we could never recapture the momentum and energy we came into office with, Prince said. People got accustomed to working off site, a dynamic that required a degree of management to which they were not accustomed, he said.

Still, Gary led Lake County when it came to COVID-19 response. It was the first community to come out with a mask mandate, as well as the first to close its offices and transition to remote work. Prince said he worked with Chicago business owner Willie Wilson to receive 10,000 hard-to-find masks for distribution to the public for free, and partnered with various organizations to keep a flow of sustenance available to community members through various food donation programs.

Its such an unbelievable challenge ...

Jim Wieser, chairman of the Lake County Democratic Committee, said he has known Prince since his time on the Gary City Council when he brought development projects before the panel for his work as an attorney.

Hes always trying to do the right thing for his community, Wieser said.

I feel a real sense of loss because of his institutional knowledge and his background. Hell always give you an honest assessment of what he thinks about a given issue. Ill miss that candor, Wieser said. He plans to discuss with Prince his plans for the future and if there may be a chance he sees a place for himself in Lake County politics.

Wieser said Prince had a successful political career largely outside of the precinct committee organization. He took over as the citys party chair upon being elected mayor. It was a position with which he was comfortable as Prince attended at least 90% of the city and town chairman meeting to give his perspective, Wieser said.

I cant think of a tougher elected official position certainly in the state of Indiana than being the mayor of the city of Gary. Its such an unbelievable challenge  He did some good things. I know he worked hard at it, Wieser said.

Moving forward Prince said he has registered his own consulting firm, JAP & Associates LLC and will be using his experience in office to help people and businesses with property tax assessment issues. He will also be looking at ways to help government entities incorporate new technologies to improve their efficiency.

Prince said he has not completely ruled out a return to public life if the right position and circumstances were to arise. He would like to toss his hat in the ring for the president and CEO position at the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority. In the meantime, he will be building his business and spending more time with his family.

Leaving office I dont have any complaints. We did exactly what set out to do, Prince said.
McDonald's Malaysia filed a lawsuit against the Israel boycott movement called BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions). The fast-food chain giant said that the posts of BDS on social media are negatively affecting its business.

Businesses in Malaysia that support Israel are in a bad situation as the Israel-Hamas war continues. This is because Malaysia is an Asian country with lots of people who support Palestinians.

This is why many Western fast-food brands in Malaysia are being targeted by Palestinian supporters using their boycott campaigns. Their latest target is McDonald's.

McDonald's Malaysia Files Lawsuit Against Israel Boycott Movement

According to Sky News' latest report, the licensee of McDonald's Malaysia, GAR (Gerbang Alaf Restaurants Sdn Bhd), announced that it is filing a legal action against BDS Malaysia.

GAR said that they will sue the Israel boycott movement over a series of social media posts. Based on the complaint of McDonald's Malaysia, these posts allegedly linked the American food franchise to the "genocidal war" that Israel is doing against Palestinians.

Aside from McDonald's, the lawsuit stated that there are other companies that were targeted by the social media posts of BDS. GAR accuses the Israel boycott movement of encouraging the public to cancel McDonald's Malaysia.

The licensee explained that the social media posts attacking McDonald's led to a loss of profit, as well as layoffs. GAR further stated that these damages happened because of closures and shortened operating hours of its outlets caused by the boycott.

Read Also: Biden Administration Sells Weapons to Israel, Bypassing Congressional Review

McDonald's Contributions to Malaysia

The Star reported that McDonald's Malaysia argues that it doesn't use its profits, sales, royalties, and franchise fees to support any political cause or conflict.

The American fast-food chain company argued that they are even contributing to the Palestinian Humanitarian Fund launched by the Malaysian government.

"Like all Malaysians, our utmost sympathies go out to the innocent victims in Gaza," said McDonald's.

"We have contributed RM1mil to the Palestinian Humanitarian Fund launched by the government and will continue to pray for the end of the conflict and continued peace in Gaza," added the food franchise.

McDonald's Malaysia said that it truly understand and respect that act of cancel culture. However, companies should not be boycotted based on false allegations.

Related Article: Israel-Hamas War Aftermath: UK Police Reveal Rising Antisemitic Hate Crimes, Islamophobic Offenses

@ 2024 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The Prince of Wales during a visit to Bournemouth businesses pledging their support to the Homewards programme - CHRIS JACKSON/GETTY

The Prince of Waless drive to end homelessness has given charities the confidence to challenge politicians on the issue, experts working on his Homewards project have said.

Six months into the ambitious five-year programme to eradicate homelessness, the Princes support has enabled charities to change their own rhetoric and to challenge MPs in a way they have never done before.

Matt Downie, CEO of Crisis, told The Telegraph that the Princes involvement had already achieved public and political engagement on a scale substantively different to anything done before.

Having somebody with the megaphone that hes got and being able to actually articulate the cause in those terms, is something we will never have achieved, he said.

What it gives us is the confidence to use that rhetoric. The confidence to challenge Suella Braverman, for example, who said homelessness was a lifestyle choice.

Its one thing for a homeless charity to say, Well, of course it isnt. Its another being able to say the heir to the throne is clear that this is not a lifestyle choice, it can be ended. So the conversation has moved on.

Matt Downie, CEO of Crisis, said the Prince's involvement in tackling homelessness has boosted engagement with the charity - YUI MOK/PA

The Prince spoke recently about his ambition to go a step further than the rest of his family in order to bring about change, rather than just raising awareness about good causes.

With Homewards, he is aiming to put six pilot locations on a path towards ending homelessness by mid-2028.

Although it is early days, those involved have been buoyed by the great strides already made.

What hes managed to do in one fell swoop is more than our whole sector that has been working on it for decades, Mr Downie added.

And that is to talk about ending homelessness rather than managing it and to be really clear that this is a solvable problem. I cant tell you what that gives us in terms of power.

He said the initiative had already had such a public impact that it had reframed the way the sector would approach the next government.

Obviously, we are heading into a general election year and it means that the way in which we will be approaching the potential next government, whichever that might be, is far more aspirational, he said.

What we might have been doing previously is saying, Wed like this specific bit of policy changed, or this particular bit of funding increased or whatever, but what were actually saying is, We now need a full scale plan for the ending of all forms of homelessness.

And we can say that with a real sense that its not just us out there saying that, it happens to be Prince William as well.

The Prince of Wales selling The Big Issue Magazine to draw attention to the work of the organisation to tackle homelessness - ANDY PARSONS

Liz Laurence, the Homewards lead at the Royal Foundation for the Prince and Princess of Wales, admitted that in its first six months, the huge undertaking had sometimes felt outlandish when considering other pressures, such as the cost of living crisis.

But we have to do it, she said. We have to kind of think big and all in all weve been encouraged by the response.

Mr Downie said that since the June launch of Homewards, the interest generated had been unprecedented, shining a spotlight on homelessness throughout the year, rather than the usual sporadic moments, such as at Christmas.

Local leads, who will coordinate the project at each location, have been chosen and the next steps will be for each to develop their coalitions and create a concrete plan of action.

Resources and expertise will be matched in order to devise solutions and move into delivery mode and housing-led interventions will be mapped out.

Prof Pete Mackie, an expert in homeless prevention from Cardiff University, said there was huge enthusiasm following the launch event in June.

Town hall events that followed in each location were brimming with a great mix of people keen to get on board, from the private sector, housing associations, health and criminal justice professionals.

The team was inundated with offers from individuals, organisations and businesses to support each of the six locations, Bournemouth, Newport, Aberdeen, Northern Ireland, Sheffield and Lambeth.

Each area has a Homewards learning community to discuss international best practice and to hone its focus.

There have been several seminars, including one from Finland, which has all but erased homelessness with its hugely successful Housing First policy.

In Aberdeen, the energy sector has expressed a strong interest in playing a role.

It emerged that at Maindee Primary School in Newport, staff had already put in place a scheme to identify families at risk of homelessness and then link them up with the relevant support.

The Prince during a visit to Reach Up Youth in Sheffield, a charity focused on inspiring young people who live in a crime hot spot - CAMERON SMITH/GETTY

Mr Mackie hailed it as an incredible innovation and exactly the type of collaboration Homewards wanted to inspire. The team immediately lent its support and the local authoritys housing team, which was a key part of the Homewards bid, has promised to put a housing officer at the school part time.

Its a real, concrete example of how it spirals, Mr Mackie said. People need to know about this, we need to support it properly then share this practice.

Asked if he was hoping to see the initiative introduced at other local schools, he replied: Oh goodness yes. I expect that to happen within a relatively short space of time.

Ms Laurence said a core element of Homewards work in the first six months was to shift mindsets and to persuade the local teams that they could think big.

Another challenge has been to raise awareness of hidden homelessness, the hundreds of thousands who are sofa surfing or living in hotels. But each of the locations is now buzzing and chomping at the bit to get started.

Mr Mackie said the positive rhetoric, the Prince stepping up and speaking about the ability society has to prevent homelessness, was key.

What tends to be common, especially around Christmas, is the story of destitution, he said.

But theres another story to be told. Its a goal and its one of the things theyre trying to achieve as part of Homewards.

The key message for me is prevention, collaboration. Theyre the things we talked about and the launch and theyre happening, its working.

The Prince continues to be really actively involved, asking for progress updates and checking in with his team at least once a week.

Hes always asking how he can support the locations and move partners and players along, Ms Laurence added. Hes heavily involved.

The aim is to have each location on a trajectory to end homelessness within five years.

Homelessness is obviously a major societal challenge that has been around for a long time, she acknowledged.

It will take a long time to solve and it will be hard. We werent naive coming into this  its a new way of working.

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.
This week, hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters marched to the World Trade Center site in New York City, shouting "Allahu akbar" and "Free Palestine," while holding up signs that accused President Biden of genocide.

While "Allahu akbar" means "God is great" in Arabic, the phrase has been used by terrorists during attacks.

Thursday's protest was on the site where, 22 years ago, Islamic terrorists killed nearly 3,000 people in the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

KNIFE-WIELDING ATTACKER SHOUTS 'ALLAHU AKBAR' AND KILLS TEACHER IN FRANCE

Pro-Palestinian protesters near the World Trade Center in New York City on Thursday.

The group shut down the entrance to the World Trade Center building while other protesters marched to City Hall and Zuccotti Park near Wall Street.

PRO-PALESTINIAN RALLIES IN NYC AND DC INTERRUPT CROWDED HUBS DURING RUSH-HOUR COMMUTE

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

A video posted to X, formerly Twitter, by the Shirion Network, which describes itself as a surveillance organization for antisemitism, wrote: "NOW: "Allah Akbarr!! [sic]  Never could imagine for a minute this would be heard at the WTC after 9/11."

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators demand that Christmas not be celebrated during Israel's continued bombing of the Gaza Strip on Monday, Christmas Day, in New York City.

The demonstration was part of a "Flood NYC for Palestine" protest and one of many that have been held in the city and across the country since the Israel-Hamas war started in October after Hamas' unprovoked attack on the country.

Earlier this week, pro-Palestinian protesters carried blood-covered mock nativity scenes near Rockerfeller Center, shouting "Christmas is canceled here."

Several arrests were made. It's unclear if any arrests were made at Thursday's protest.

The NYPD did not immediately respond to Fox News Digitals request for comment.





Original article source: Pro-Palestinian protesters shout Allahu akbar outside of World Trade Center site
As we all take a well-earned pause this holiday season, Ive taken to thinking about gifts and gift-giving; about the sometimes-delicate balancing act between giving someone what they want, versus what they need.

A need is something necessary. It may even be something urgent. Identifying a need for our state wildland firefighting response teams is to consider whats necessary to provide a public service as rapidly and safely as possible. Right now, what our teams need to keep functioning at their highest level is a word that would struggle to grab a headline: its the word facilities.

But when you start thinking about what facilities means in the context of wildfire emergency response, suddenly the need  the necessity  becomes crystal clear. The Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Departments Forestry Division provides wildfire response from eight locations around the state, working out of modular buildings that were purchased more than twenty-five years ago  many of them bought in used condition, and repurposed to house staff and fire engines. The importance of fire response has only increased in those two decades, as our climate has gotten warmer and drier. The importance of updated facilities and infrastructure to accommodate modern wildfire engines and their crews has increased as well.

Laura McCarthy

During the last legislative session, the Governor and the legislature gave marching orders to the Forestry Division to move into the future with the establishment of two new state hotshot crews. Thats 42 more full-time employees whose jobs are centered around protecting state and private property from wildfires. New facilities are needed to house these individuals. And as we create facilities for these elite crews, we need to make sure that the rest of our Divisions facilities also receive critical updates.

Each of our district offices comes equipped with garages, bays and room for staff and firefighters to work. As old facilities, they have problems with plumbing, windows, heating, and air conditioning. Some even have problems with errant field mice who think its their responsibility to chew up cables. Many of our fire engine bays are un-heated, and too small to accommodate our newer fleet. As any homeowner will tell you, paying for constant repair can be more expensive in the long run than building or buying something thats in good condition already.

A pulaski (a specialized axe) and a heated engine garage bay in the winter both make a huge difference to our firefighters. And both should be considered equally important. Rooms to meet in, bunks to house fire response teams overnight, and yes even internet accessibility are all as critical to fighting wildfires as water, hoses, and even the green and yellow fire-retardant clothing worn by fire teams.

After this years relatively calm fire season, it could be easy to forget about the events of 2022, where wildfires burned more than one million acres across the state. Looking to next year, and to the years beyond, tells us there is still a very real need to keep investing in our states fire management agencies.

Drought isnt going away in New Mexico, and neither are wildfires. As we upgrade and enlarge our response teams, we must make parallel investments in our facilities so we can adequately and effectively deploy those resources. This holiday season, as youre unwrapping the goodies under your Christmas tree, remember that summer, and the fires it brings, is mere months away.

This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: A Pulaski and an engine bay: Reflections on wildfire response
Negotiators from Qatar have informed Israeli government officials that Hamas agrees in principle to terms for a second hostage swap and ceasefire, Israeli media reported late Friday.

The proposed deal includes exchanging 40 Israeli hostages held by Hamas since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October for an undisclosed number of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel and a one to two week halt in fighting.

Citing reports in Hebrew, The Times of Israel quoted one Israeli official describing the deal as a positive development.

We move from a freeze to a situation that is very cold, he said.

A second official described negotiations as not yet concrete, adding that Israel is still waiting on details for a final negotiation.

More from The Hill

Negotiations between the two sides, with Qatar as a mediator, have continued for weeks since the last weeklong cease-fire deal saw the release of about 100 Israeli hostages from Hamas captivity in exchange for about 240 Palestinians imprisoned in Israel last month.

That deal was lauded by the international community, which has pushed Israel to halt or slow its military operations in Gaza, citing a rising civilian death toll and continued humanitarian crisis.

Hamas officials previously said the militant group is not interested in another short-term deal, though the Qatari message appears to contradict that claim.

President Biden met with Qatar leader Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani Tuesday to discuss a potential second deal and other negotiations with Hamas. Qatar, a longtime U.S. ally with good relations with Hamas, has become the key to U.S. diplomatic strategy in the war.

The Egyptian government proposed a similar peace plan to more permanently end the fighting this week, which also includes the exchange of hostages for prisoners, though neither Hamas nor Israel appeared eager to accept that proposal.

Earlier this week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu committed to continuing fighting in the conflict, going against advice from the U.S. government to reduce military operations.

We are expanding the fight in the coming days, and this will be a long battle, and it isnt close to finished, he said Monday.

The Oct. 7 Hamas attack, which sparked the war, killed about 1,200 Israelis and resulted in about 200 more being taken hostages by Hamas. Over 21,000 Palestinians have died in the war since, most of whom are women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

Months of aerial bombardment and a grueling Israeli ground campaign have leveled most of the Gaza Strip and resulted in nearly the entirety of Gazas 2.3 million population being displaced and in need of humanitarian aid, according to the United Nations.

The Israeli military executed two more strikes on Gaza City refugee camps early Saturday, after it admitted Thursday that a pair of similar Christmas Eve attacks killed dozens of civilians.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Queen admits in a new podcast that she is a hopeless mimic and could not voice the different characters when reading Harry Potter to her grandchildren.

Camilla, 76, delves into her own literary favourites in her debut podcast series, The Queens Reading Room, which is released weekly from Jan 8.

She reveals that the King is a much better impressionist who throws himself into character when reading the stories about the boy wizard.

Asked in the first episode which books she most enjoyed reading to her grandchildren, she replies: I think the one I enjoyed reading more than anything else was Harry Potter all the stories.

I cant mimic voices for love or money. Im completely hopeless at it. I was a really bad actor at school and Ive never been able to master the art of mimicry.

But my husband, he does it brilliantly, he can do all the voices.

Queen says she was a 'bad actor at school' - Hugo Burnand

The Queen, who has five grandchildren, has promised to let listeners in on her all-time favourite reads over the eight-part series.

Each episode will feature a segment from the Queen as well as an interview with a different guest, among them Sir Ian Rankin, Dame Joanna Lumley and David Baddiel.

In the first episode, the Queen chats to bestselling crime author Peter James, from West Sussex, asking how he manages to come up with so many ideas.

Mr James has previously revealed that the premise of his 2019 novel Dead at First Sight was inspired by Sussex Police, which asked him to write about romance fraud as they wanted to publicise it.

As a voracious reader and advocate of the power of literature, her Majesty has long encouraged people to sit down and open a book.

The Queens Reading Room podcast evolved from the success of her online book club of the same name, which was launched in December 2020 with the aim of creating a global community in which book lovers could engage and debate.

Vickie Perrin, CEO of the Queens Reading Room, an independent charity, told the Telegraph that the Queen was hands-down the most well-read, most passionate person about books that Ive ever met.

Vicki Perrin praised the Queen as the 'most well-read, passionate person about books'

She said it had been a complete joy, privilege and pleasure to translate her vision for the Reading Room into reality.

Sitting down to interview the Queen for the podcast, I noticed that she didnt speak from notes or rehearsed lines, she spoke so eloquently and from the heart, able to metaphorically pull down a whole host of books from a mental bookshelf and quote from them, talk about the characters she loved, the bits that had her on the edge of her seat, she said.

Her Majestys eyes sparkled when she spoke, as they do whenever we chat about books and whats next for The Queens Reading Room. And of course, she did it all in one take!

The Instagram book club reaches millions of people of all ages, nationalities and backgrounds, only 40 per cent of whom are based in the UK.

Ms Perrin said through its success, they had discovered how much people love connecting with others, particularly when sharing book recommendations.

One of the loveliest comments Her Majesty regularly receives is that its one of the nicest, kindest and most positive places on the internet, she added.

One of the things that gives me the greatest pleasure is to hear from people who arent regular readers, or have lost their love of reading through a life event like the passing of a loved one; they tell us that The Queens Reading Room has helped them find the very first book which has ignited in them a love of reading, or that book which has touched something in their soul and got them reading again. What an immense privilege it is to help do that.



The Queen's grandchildren Eliza Lopes, Freddy Parker Bowles and Lola Parker Bowles - Mark Stewart

Ms Perrin said she hoped the podcast would prove the perfect compliment to the online book club by extending the audience to include those who prefer to consume content through their ears rather than over their screens.

It is hoped that a second series will be commissioned and the charity  which also has its own literary festival at Hampton Court Palace  has other major projects in the pipeline to be announced next year.

Lets just say that weve got something coming up which we hope will change the way people think about and consume books, Ms Perrin teased.

And that theyll provide more chances for more people to meet and be inspired by authors and to interact with literature in new and exciting ways.

The Queens Reading Room podcast will be available on all platforms from Jan 8.

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.
Showers have arrived in Southern California as residents prepare for New Years weekend.

Beginning Friday night, light to moderate precipitation is expected to last through late Saturday night, according to the National Weather Service.

For the cold front, you can see the storm hitting San Francisco before moving into Los Angeles County overnight, explained KTLA meteorologist Kaj Goldberg. By about 6 a.m. Saturday, well see the mid-morning hours picking up some rainfall for Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties.

Chances of thunderstorms will be active from late Friday through Saturday evening. The highest chances for showers will be across coastal regions and over ocean waters.

Rain at the coasts may enhance any coastal flooding, especially near higher terrain, said NWS. Heavier rain is possible near any storm that forms.

Los Angeles and Ventura counties can expect anywhere from 0.33 to 1 inch of rainfall. The highest amount of precipitation will cover mountain and foothill areas.

Rogue wave slams into Southern California beachgoers; 9 hospitalized

Rain on the way for Southern California. (KTLA)

Rain on the way for Southern California. (National Weather Service)

Dangerous high surf affecting Southern California beaches and coastal communities. (National Weather Service)

A Winter Weather Advisory will begin Saturday from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. Around three inches or more of snow is expected at elevations over 6,500 feet.

By 10 a.m. Saturday, well start to see the snow make its way through Idyllwild, Big Bear and Wrightwood, Goldberg said.

Theres a break in the weather for New Years Eve before a 20 percent chance of drizzle arriving on New Years Day. This may affect those waiting to watch the Rose Parade so bringing raincoats and umbrellas is advised.

Early Monday morning, well begin to see a very weak system starting to skirt the coastline of Southern California giving us a slight chance early Monday morning of some light showers, Goldberg said.

With thunderstorms threatening coastal regions, paired with the dangerous high surf pounding SoCal beaches this week, officials are urging the public to prepare and take caution.

The Southern California coastline is currently experiencing a series of large swells which has produced some extremely large surf ranging from 10ft-15ft with even larger sets, said the L.A. County Fire Department.

A high surf warning was issued by NWS through Saturday at 10 p.m.

Due to the extremely large surf and hazardous conditions, we are recommending that people not enter the water at this time, county officials said. Lifeguards have responded to a number of distressed swimmers, surfers, and boaters.

Some ways to prepare for the stormy weather include:

-Clearing out debris from rain gutters and waterways

-Having a backup plan for any outdoor activities

-Avoiding any flooded roads

-Using extra caution when driving due to slick roadways

-Staying up to date with the current forecast for any changes

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
When Republican Jeff Zink ran for Congress in 2022, he lost to the incumbent Democrat by a 3-to-1 margin.

That doesnt shake Zinks belief the election was stolen from him.

Zink, who is again seeking the GOP nomination in Arizonas bright-blue 3rd Congressional District, has built his political image as an enthusiastic participant in the Republican-led efforts to cast doubt on the integrity of U.S. elections.

His campaign platform ranges from kitchen-table issues, such as lowering gas prices and attracting economic investment to south Phoenix, to a detailed and passionate defense of a range of unfounded conspiracy theories, such as the belief that Democrats have won recent elections due to voter fraud or that certain vaccines are harmful to human health.

His chances of winning the congressional seat are next to nil. But many of Zinks views represent those of a growing share of the Republican Party, where voters are increasingly doubtful about vaccines and inclined to believe the unfounded claim that President Joe Bidens 2020 election win was not legitimate.

Jeff Zink, Republican candidate in 3rd Congressional District for 2024.

Zink himself attended the Stop the Steal rally in Washington, D.C., Jan. 6, 2021, before supporters of former President Donald Trump violently entered the Capitol, disrupting the election certification that was underway.

Ryan Scott Zink, Jeff Zinks son, was convicted of a felony and two misdemeanors for his actions that day, including obstructing official proceedings and entering restricted grounds in or around the Capitol.

We knocked down the gates! Were storming the Capitol! You cant stop us! Zinks son recorded himself saying, according to court documents.

Zink has echoed national Republicans' claims that the prosecution of Jan. 6 participants was politically motivated, writing in campaign materials that the charges against his son are a "persecution scheme coordinated by the DOJ and the Biden Administration."

Zink also worked on the Arizona Senates discredited audit of Maricopa County ballots after the 2020 election, a partisan operation that attempted to hand-count the nearly 2.1 million ballots cast. It was lengthy, a gaffe-prone process during which an Arizona Republic investigation revealed even its top leadership lost faith.

Proponents of the ballot count said it would show that Trump, not Biden, was the legitimate winner of the presidential election in Arizona. Instead, it found that Biden won by an even larger margin than county officials had originally found.

The election 'audit': Why The Arizona Republic kept fighting for the truth

Zink is proud of his involvement in the operation and says he has confidence in its findings. However, as many Trump supporters did at the time, Zink focuses on the reports criticisms of Arizonas election procedures, rather than the fact that it affirmed Bidens victory.

Did he have those numbers? Yes, he did. Were they legitimate, or valid? That we cannot attest to, Zink said.

That mistrust extends even to Zinks own 2022 election, which he lost in a landslide, by 77%-23%, to incumbent Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego.

In the months after the election, Zink joined a lawsuit with the unsuccessful secretary of state candidate Mark Finchem, arguing that issues with ballot machines had undermined the integrity of the election. He dropped out of the lawsuit soon after, and Finchems case was dismissed.

Now, Zink raises an additional set of qualms about the 2022 vote count, arguing for example that there was no spike of GOP votes in his favor, as he believes should have happened. Some conservative figures had urged other Republicans to wait until Election Day to cast their vote in person.

However, the district has about three times as many registered Democrats as Republicans, according to the Maricopa County Elections Department.

That was done to embarrass me, he said of his massive margin of loss, dismissing the result as a numbers game.

As of September 2023, Zink had loaned himself $49,000 to fund his campaign and had received about $5,000 in contributions from other individuals, according to federal election records.

Zink's competitors for GOP nomination

David Mendoza is the only other Republican candidate who has registered to raise funds in the race. In an interview, Mendoza, a software engineer, emphasized his background as a Colombian immigrant and named education as his top policy priority.

Mendoza launched his campaign in November and has not yet reported any funds raised.

Five other candidates have filed a statement of interest to participate in the Republican primary: Vincent Correa III, Nicholas Glenn, King-Golden Iwangou, Calvin Lieberman and Nayel Madanat.

In the general election, the Republican nominee will likely face former state Sen. Raquel Teran or Phoenix Vice Mayor Yassamin Ansari, who have emerged as the two front-runners in the Democratic primary.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: This candidate for Congress worked on discredited AZ election 'audit'
As 2023 came to a close, we here at the Northwest Florida Daily News wanted to give readers a look back on a year that was.

From Rice's whales to job growth and more, we had the chance to sit down with County Commissioner Trey Goodwin to get his thoughts on the past year while looking ahead to 2024.

Describing 2023 in one phrase

"Phenomenal growth," said Goodwin.

His feeling stems from various factors, most notably a growing population base driven by military personnel and others moving in to the area.

Goodwin highlighted the efforts to enhance the tourism experience, highlighted by initiatives such as the Tourist Development Department's "Little Adventures" concept.

"What we've seen in the investments toward building our local economic engine in Okaloosa County, employers in Okaloosa County can see it as a place to expand and relocate and we're seeing real good successes," said Goodwin.

Economic growth

At a ribbon cutting ceremony for a new addition to the Boeing facility in June, Goodwin said that the three pillars of the Okaloosa County economy are military, infrastructure and tourism.

Since that time, it was announced in July that the Shoal River Ranch Business Park acquired Central Moloney Inc. as the first developer to bring a manufacturing facility to the 10,500-acre gigasite.

In November, the county granted a U.S. Navy contractor with the code name "Project Sound" a six-year tax exemption with the hopes that a manufacturing facility could bring additional growth to an already booming economic area in northern Okaloosa County.

Combined, each of the new additions will provide Okaloosa County with 524 new, high-paying jobs.

Goodwin touched on the future development in the northern end of the county and how he believes there is a lot of opportunity in that area.

"I think (northern Okaloosa County) is really a resource in Okaloosa County," Goodwin said. "I think that we're going to see development over the next five-, 10- or 20-year time periods in a significant way."

Rice's Whales

At a special meeting in July, Goodwin, along with Commissioners Paul Mixon, Mel Ponder and Carolyn Ketchel, first showed their disapproval over a proposed NOAA initiative that would implement a 10-knot speed limit along with other possible restrictions in a designated area that encompassed a vast area of the Gulf of Mexico.

In October, the board approved a letter written by county staff that vehemently opposed the implementation of the slow down zone, noting that the proposed rule had "serious flaws due to limited availability of data and inadequate interpretation of the data that is available."

Just a few weeks later, NOAA announced that the request for the vessel slowdown zone was rejected. The agency noted that it would prioritize "other conservation actions for Rice's Whales."

In a statement from Goodwin following the decision, he praised NOAA for its restraint and wisdom over "draconian regulation."

Looking back on the story now, a couple months removed from the situation, Goodwin said the ordeal emphasized the importance of local government vigilance in regard to the actions of other government entities.

"I think the county is always mindful of protecting our natural resources but at the same time we have to be mindful that the military testing mission and the fishing and tourism industry in Okaloosa County are vital," said Goodwin. "We just don't have the same quality of life if we put those two things in peril."

Biggest win for Okaloosa County in 2023?

While Goodwin stated that he was proud of multiple accomplishments of the board for the citizens of Okaloosa County, the one that stood out was the county's acquisition of the Northwest Florida Fairgrounds.

The three-year process over the future of the fairgrounds ended on June 27 as the county closed on the $4.05 million, 20.42-acre property, which was purchased with funds from the expanded Okaloosa County bed tax. That tax was recently expanded to include more parts of the county.

"I think there's a huge win baked into this acquisition of the fairgrounds," said Goodwin. "I think that people who live in Okaloosa County are going to be really happy with the result."

On Oct. 25, Goodwin along with Jennifer Adams, who is the director of tourist development, gave local media members a tour of the property and provided insights on how leaders can use the fairgrounds in the future. To explore those ideas, the board formed a committee of seven members to ensure the fairgrounds have a bright future.

Biggest loss for Okaloosa County in 2023?

One of the most highly debated stories of 2023 came at the last board meeting of the year, during a conversation about the proposed location of a new Okaloosa County Jail.

On Nov. 30, county officials released the upcoming meeting agenda to the public. Among the scheduled items was a planned discussion and possible vote on siting the new jail on a 68-acre plot a couple miles northeast of Crestview, directly on Highway 90.

"I think this was one of those situations where we got running a little bit too fast and stumbled," Commissioner Nathan Boyles said during the Dec. 5 meeting.

Over that weekend, the public pushback commenced. In response, the agenda item was changed from a discussion of the possible purchase of the land to what the other uses of the property would be.

Toward the end of a very long discussion, Commissioner Mixon advocated for establishing a site selection committee for a new jail. The Board is expected to receive information on the planned committee at its Jan. 2 meeting.

Goodwin acknowledged that the jail issue is potentially going to be one of the biggest issues the county will face in 2024. It is an issue that the county must address, he said.

Goodwin sees two pathways on moving forward. The first option includes improvements to the current facility. The second is relocation.

"Frankly, I'm not excited about having to pay for it," said Goodwin. "I don't think any of our constituents that pay property taxes are excited about having to pay for it, but it's something we have to face."

"This is kind of the non-fun, hard work we have to do, and the jail falls in that category," he added. "But we have to have an adequate jail, we have to have one that is suitable for the people that are incarcerated there. We also have to have one that's safe for the people that work there."

Continuing the momentum

As Goodwin reflected on the issues faced by the Okaloosa County Commission in 2023, he also looked ahead to 2024.

At the Dec. 5 meeting, the role of chairman was transferred from Goodwin to Commission Mixon. Goodwin is confident that under Mixon's leadership, the commission will continue the momentum that was built in 2023.

"We've got a very robust county," said Goodwin. "That comes with challenges, but we have the chance to really change this county for the betterment of the future. In the end, I think we're heading in the right direction. I think we're going to stay on that track."

"I'm very honored to be able to have served for two plus terms. I'm extremely honored to have been allowed by my fellow commissioners to serve as chair twice. I got to speak to an elementary school not too long ago during a career day and I kind of saw their perspective when I introduced them to what my job was. I pointed out to the that I have over 200,000 bosses and that's really how I look at it. I have 200,000 people that I'm answerable to what I do, and I work for them," he said.

This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: A Year That Was: A Recap of Okaloosa County in 2023.
Mia Qadri, an Afghan refugee liaison hired by Tulsa Public Schools, stands ready to help fifth grade Afghan student Mohammed Garis Faizy as he reads out loud to his classmates.

When fifth-grader Mohammed Faizy walked into his Tulsa school, just months after fleeing Afghanistan, he didnt speak, read or write English.

He faced the prospect of learning the language while adjusting culturally and catching up on the core subjects of reading, writing, science and math.

Although government support of recent Afghan refugees is strong, refugee students from other countries face identical barriers without the same level of federal help.

Across Tulsa Public Schools, 261 Afghan children enrolled in Pre-K through 12th grades about the same time as Faizy, and were thrust into the same challenge. More than 100 additional Afghan students enrolled in Putnam City, Edmond, Stillwater and Jenks Public Schools, state records show.

Federal policy changes since 2020 led to increased refugee arrivals, according to a June report by the Migration Policy Institute. State data shows that as of early November, about 40% of Oklahomas 4,074 refugees supported with federal money over the last three years were school-aged children, mostly from Afghanistan.

But refugees arrived in Oklahoma from more than 20 countries in the past three years, and while schools have resources to help all refugee children, including specialized English Language Development teachers and books translated into various languages, there is federal money available to schools to help Afghans specifically, leaving students from countries such as Cuba, Haiti, Myanmar, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo without the same level of support.

Oklahoma Watch, at oklahomawatch.org, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that covers public-policy issues facing the state.

Since 2020, the amount of money Oklahoma has received from the federal government for long-term refugee support services has increased by 3,142%. What used to be a funding pool of about $830,000 in 2020 grew to $26.8 million this year, state records show.

Of the $16 million awarded to nonprofit and state organizations for refugee support services, $1.3 million went to public school districts in the Oklahoma City and Tulsa metros and Stillwater.

With few exceptions, that money is restricted to their Afghan students, forcing educators to spend creatively so they can help the most students without violating funding guidelines.

District officials hired additional English Language Development teachers and English-speaking Afghan refugees as family liaisons. They also funded summer school courses for students, training programs for teachers, family social events and field trips.

Toni Hill is a full-time English Language Development instructor at Tulsas Patrick Henry Elementary alongside her colleague, Bethany Henretty, who was hired part-time in light of the recent increased number of English learning students. Together they support 100 children, including Faizy, with in-class assistance on assignments, separate supplemental group classes and at-home tutoring.

Hill works with students in third through fifth grades on reading and writing skills. Henretty helps students in kindergarten through second grade develop very basic vocabulary and pronunciation. Both teachers said overcoming the language barrier early is essential to help students feel safe and like they are in an environment in which they can learn.

More: Shawnee's Grand Casino helping Afghan refugees with steady work, transportation

Hill said the first weeks and months children from Afghanistan were arriving at Patrick Henry were the most difficult.

During that time, these students were coming in with a lot of trauma, Hill said, We had students that were trying to run out the doors that were not understanding what we were trying to do, that we were friends and that we were here to protect them.

She said its important to consider the students perspectives when trying to teach them.

If I was in a strange country and Im sitting in a classroom and Im hearing all these things and I have no idea whats being said, and Im trying to communicate, wanting people to understand, Id be frustrated too, Hill said.

To help Afghan students, Tulsa Public Schools hired eight Afghan refugees to facilitate communication among the district, schools, students and families.

Two of the refugees are navigators, who help with district-level communication to families. They translate things such as bus routes and any correspondence and documents sent home with students. The other six, known as liaisons, work inside schools and bridge understanding gaps between school staff and students.

Mia Qadri is the refugee liaison at Patrick Henry. Hired last March with federal money, he took the opportunity to use his English proficiency and experience as an educator in Afghanistan to help make life easier for the Afghan students in Tulsa.

More: Their education came to a halt in Afghanistan. An Oklahoma school gave them a new start.

Qadri follows a daily schedule, visiting four to five classrooms of various grade levels, and helps Afghan students with their assignments in real-time. He is also on call while on campus, just in case he is needed to help translate when students are being disciplined, or there is an emergency and non-English speaking family members need to be contacted.

He said most Afghan students received an education while living in their home country. The exceptions being some who lived in remote areas.

Especially in south and southeastern Afghanistan, there were no schools, Qadri said. If there were schools, they didnt have buildings, they were studying in tents.

He said Afghan students enrolled at Patrick Henry have made noticeable improvements in their English skills in the past year, and consequently improved in other core subjects such as science and math. One reason is the encouragement they get from their parents, who want their children to take advantage of the opportunity to get an education, he said.

Most of the parents are not educated, Qadri said. So they are happy their kids will be educated and will have a bright future.

Students such as Faizy are on a path to that future, said Patrick Henrys principal Jene Carpenter, during a short tour of some of the classrooms where Afghan students participated seamlessly alongside their peers.

Faizy, who Carpenter said knew only a few English words when he enrolled in Patrick Henry, was reading aloud about how matter can change physically and chemically in Michele Fischers fifth-grade class. All educational materials provided to refugee students, regardless of their country of origin, are in English. While the schools Afghan refugee liaison can help translate some classwork for Afghan students, most translations occur when teachers, counselors, nurses and other school staff need to communicate with parents about their children.

Bethany Henretty, left, and Toni Hill, right, are the English Language Development teachers at Patrick Henry Elementary School. They serve a total of 100 ELD students, 35 of whom are from Afghanistan.

Hill and Henretty agreed that Qadris help has been the most important element in ensuring the success of the Afghan children in the classroom. But of the 100 English learners at Patrick Henry, only 35 are from Afghanistan. The rest are from Latin American, African and Asian countries.

While the school has a robust curriculum to help students from places other than Afghanistan, Hill said, teachers dont have designated liaisons to help them communicate with students or their families. Instead, the English Language Development teachers use over-the-phone translation services, which are less reliable.

We have a special curriculum through National Geographic that we utilize in the classroom to teach the basics of the English language, Hill said. We get dictionaries and books translated in the languages Afghans speak, for example, but we have those same books translated into Spanish, Chinese and various other languages.

Educators at Stillwater Public Schools used federal money to hire three language-interpreting teacher assistants and pay E.L. Achieve, a consulting and curriculum company, for cultural training for teachers to help them build lesson plans that are suited to English learners from Afghanistan.

Stephanie Coca, the districts multilingual program coordinator, said the increased money was immensely helpful. The district has 25 Afghan students and an increasing number ofstudents from Spanish-speaking countries, she said, and the training helps them all.

Professional development is helping teachers present subject matter in a way that acknowledges every student is learning each subjects jargon

Science has a specific language: laboratories, beakers, the scientific method, all those things are new terms for everyone, Coca said. Its looking at your lesson plan, at the language that youre teaching students, and helping them prepare to understand that language and practice it.

She is one of two educators undergoing the training now, but more teachers will get the training as Afghans age and enroll in their classes.

Coca said that while many Afghan students enrolled in Stillwater Public Schools in 2022, and the money to support them provided necessary resources, most refugee students enrolling in Stillwater Public Schools today are Venezuelan.

But the kind of help afforded to Faizy and other Afghan students doesnt extend to them.

Gosh, Coca said. If I could do this for our Venezuelan families, for all of our new families, itd be a game changer.

---------------

Lionel Ramos is a Report for America corps member who covers race and equity issues for Oklahoma Watch. Contact him at 405-905-9953 or lramos@oklahomawatch.org. Follow him on Twitter at @LionelRamos_.

Oklahoma Watch, at oklahomawatch.org, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that covers public-policy issues facing the state.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Refugees have arrived in Oklahoma from more than 20 countries in 3 years
Judge Paul Pressler was one of the key leaders of the conservative resurgence within the Southern Baptist Convention. Betty Tichich, Staff / Houston Chronicle

A case against the Southern Baptist Convention and others ended on Thursday after several settlements were reached with a man who made sexual assault accusations against Paul Pressler, the conventions leader and a retired Texas judge.

The 2017 lawsuit lodged by Duane Rollins accused Pressler of abuse and said other defendants, including civil lawyer Jared Woodfill; the First Baptist Church of Houston; the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth and the convention knew or should have known about the assaults and could have stopped them. The dismissal order makes no mention of a settlement between Rollins and Pressler but lawyers for both men said they reached mutually satisfactory terms.

The lawsuit spurred the award-winning Abuse of Faith investigation in 2019 by the Houston Chronicle, which revealed the extent of abuse claims against Pressler, found more victims and led to the creation of a database identifying almost 300 church leaders, including deacons, youth pastors and Sunday school teachers, who had been accused of abuse.

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The report caused the Southern Baptist Convention to commission its own report, which revealed more cover-ups and attacks against abuse survivors, and led to structural changes within the faith.

The settlement was first reported by Robert Downen, one of the journalists behind the Chronicle investigation. Downen now works for the Texas Tribune.

Rollins sought a dismissal with prejudice this week, and a judge in the 127th District Court granted his request, citing that all matters in controversy had concluded, records show.

Rollins attorney, Michael Goldberg, and Presslers lawyer, Douglas Daniels, both used the phrase mutually satisfactory terms to describe the agreement reached between the parties, rather than calling it a settlement.

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Prior settlements with unspecified monetary amounts were reached between Rollins and other defendants earlier this year, according to court records.

The Southern Baptist Convention and its executive committee, who were each sued, said their settlement agreement in Rollins case was confidential.

Several factors ultimately made settlement the more prudent choice, SBC lawyers said in a statement after the dismissal. Chief among those factors was the horrendous nature of the abuse allegations, the likelihood that counsel for the SBC and Executive Committee would have to confront and cross-examine abuse survivors, the Executive Committees current financial condition, and the willingness of multiple insurance carriers to contribute to the terms of the settlement.

The lawsuit also named Woodfill, Presslers law partner and the former chair of the Harris County Republican Party, as a defendant and accused him of knowing about the allegations and continuing to work with Pressler. Rollins accused Woodfill, who is running for Texas House District 138, and church leaders of knowing about the accusations as early as 2004.

Woodfills lawyer, Oliver Brown, said his client did not reach a settlement with Rollins despite a court order from April that said the issues between both parties are settled. He said an insurance company sought a settlement without Woodfills knowledge.

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Pressler was a youth pastor at Houstons Bethel Church, First and Second Baptist churches. He served as a state representative and later as an appellate judge for 14 years. Pressler in 1989 was asked to head President George H.W. Bushs Office of Government Ethics, though his nomination was later withdrawn.

He has long been considered a leader in the conservative movement within the Southern Baptist Convention, the biggest Protestant denomination in the United States. Pressler served as a vice president for the convention.

Rollins lawsuit accused Pressler, now 93, of abusing him when he was 14 years old while he was a member of Presslers youth group. Rollins would later work as a personal assistant to Pressler in 2003 and 2004. Rollins also sued Pressler in 2004 over an alleged physical assault, that resulted in a $450,000 settlement.

The abuse lawsuit sought $1 million. Rollins said he suppressed memories of the rapes that were only remembered after psychiatric treatment and multiple stints in prison.

The lawsuit was initially dismissed because the statute of limitations had passed for Rollins to make his case. Last year, the Texas Supreme Court reversed the dismissal in a landmark decision that potentially opened up other abuse survivors to make claims about decades-old abuse accusations.

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The lawsuit brought forward seven other men who said they were abused by Pressler and had agreed to testify against him if the lawsuit had reached a trial, records show. The trial was expected to start on multiple occasions. One delay was caused when the executive committee shared more than a million documents as evidence as the trial was poised to begin, records show.
Top: Ada Deer, Peterson Zah, Robbie Robertson; Bottom: Ernest Sickey, Bob Barker, Ben Shelly

Year in Review - 2023. Today Native News Online remembers some of the beloved Indigenous people who walked during 2023.

Many were instrumental in fighting for and advancing Native rights, uplifting tribal arts and culture, and drawing crucial attention to important Native American issues.

We remember here some of those that Indian Country lost during the past year.

Ada Deer

Ada Deer (Menominee) walked on August 15, 2023. She was the first woman to serve as the assistant secretary for Indian affairs at the U.S. Department of the Interior. Deer was 88.

Born in Keshena, Wisconsin, Deer grew up in poverty on the Menominee Indian Reservation. She was a Native American advocate, scholar and civil servant. She was the first Menominee to earn an undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In 1961, she was the first Native American to earn a master's degree from Columbia University.

Her work on behalf of the Menominee led to the Menominee Restoration Act of 1972, which officially returned the Menominee Reservation to federally recognized status. Because of this accomplishment, Deer became the first woman to chair the Menominee Tribe in Wisconsin.

Her political activism included running for Wisconsin secretary of state in 1978 and again in 1982. In 1992, she became the first Native American woman in Wisconsin to run for U.S. Congress. In 1993, Deer was tapped by President Bill Clinton to serve as Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs, which oversees the BIA. While in office from 1993-1997, she helped set federal policy for more than 550 federally recognized tribes. | Read more

Peterson Zah, served as chairman and president of the Navajo Nation

Peterson Zah

Peterson Zah (Navajo), who was the former chairman and president, died from a long struggle with cancer at the Tsehootsooi Medical Center in Fort Defiance, Arizona on the evening of March 7. Outside of Navajo Nation tribal politics, Zah made a strong mark in Native American education on the Navajo Nation and at Arizona State University (ASU). He was 85.

Zah served as chairman of the Navajo Nation Council from 1981 until 1987. After the Navajo Nation changed its government into a three-branch government in 1990, Zah won the presidency and was inaugurated on January 15, 1991 and served one term.

Born 1937, he was raised in Low Mountain, Arizona, in a remote part of the Navajo Indian Reservation. Zah was sent to boarding school at the Phoenix Indian School when he was 16 years old. He later enrolled at Phoenix Community College and then Arizona State University, where he received his bachelors degree in education. He returned to the reservation where he was a vocational educator, teaching the carpentry trade to adults before he entered Navajo Nation politics. | Read more.

Robbie Robertson, muscian, songwriter

Robbie Robertson

Robbie Robertson (Mohawk/Cayuga) walked on last week after a long illness at the age of 80. His manager of three decades, Jared Levine, said Robertson was surrounded by his family as he moved to the spirit world.

He was born Jaime Royal Robertson on July 5, 1943 to Rosemarie Dolly Chryler, a Cayuga and Mohawk woman. For the first six years of his life, Robertson, an only child, grew up on the Six Nations Reserve, an hours drive from Toronto. He often said later in life that when he was a kid, everyone he knew on the reserve played an instrument. All my cousins, my uncles, he said. And I thought, Ive got to do this.

In his teens, his mother told him that James Robertson, the man she had married while pregnant, was not his biological father. His natural father was a Jewish man named Alexander Klegerman, who died in a highway accident before he was born. | Read more

Ernest Sickey, former Chairman of the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana

Ernest Sickey

Ernest Sickey, a former Chairman of the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana, and prominent Indian-affairs advocate, passed away peacefully on May 17, 2023, at the age of 80.

Sickey was a visionary who desired to bring the Coushatta Tribe out of obscurity. His desire to see the tribe regain federal recognition began in 1965, when he got a small group of tribal members to organize the Coushatta Indians of Allen Parish. The group established a trading post to sell traditional pine needle baskets to raise money for human services programs.

In 1970, Sickey led a successful effort to get the Indian Health Service to provide medical services for the Coushatta people. By 1972, Sickey led an effort that helped the Coushatta earn state-recognition as a tribe in the Louisiana State legislature. In 1973, the tribe gained federal recognition. | Read more

Bob Barker, televison show host

Bob Barker

Bob Barker, best known for being the longtime host of The Price is Right, walked on at his Hollywood Woods home on Saturday of natural causes. Barker was less known for his Native American roots. Barker was 99.

He was born Robert Willam Barker in 1923 in Darrington, Washington. His father, Byron John Barker, was one-quarter Sioux, which made him one-eighth.

I always bragged about being part Indian because they are a people to be proud of. And the Sioux were the greatest warriors of them all, Barker told the Associated Press in 1962 in an interview. | Read more

Ben Shelly, former president of the Navajo Nation

Ben Shelly

Former Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly passed away on March 22, 2023 from a long- term illness. President Shelly was 75.

Shelly served as an elected official to the Navajo Nation in several capacities, including serving on the Navajo Nation Council as vice president and president from 20112015.

Prior to being president of the Navajo Nation, Shelly served as a member of the Navajo Nation Council from 1991 to 2007, representing the community of Thoreau, New Mexico, before being elected as Vice President of the Navajo Nation from 2007 to 2011 and eventually becoming the president from 2011 to 2015. He also served as County Commissioner for McKinley County for eight years. | Read more

About the Author: "Levi \"Calm Before the Storm\" Rickert (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation) is the founder, publisher and editor of Native News Online. Rickert was awarded Best Column 2021 Native Media Award for the print\/online category by the Native American Journalists Association. He serves on the advisory board of the Multicultural Media Correspondents Association. He can be reached at levi@nativenewsonline.net."

Contact: levi@nativenewsonline.net
Almost every morning, Christynne Lili Wrene Wood goes to her water aerobics class at the YMCA. The ritual isnt just about exercise. Over the last decade, the routine has given her a welcoming community of fellow retired women, whom she affectionately refers to as her aqua sisters in the conservative suburb of Santee, California.

Wood and her friends often go out for breakfast after class and, on occasion, spend weekends floating along a lazy river. When a teenage girl complained about Wood to the YMCA staff in early January  and later asked the Santee city council why Wood, who is a transgender woman, was allowed to use the womens locker room  those same friends had her back.

Seemingly overnight the teens testimony gained traction in the far-right pockets of the internet, and far beyond southern California. Tucker Carlson brought the teen onto his now-canceled show, and various national conservative outlets ran stories stoking fears about trans women in bathrooms.

When Wood heard that some people were gathering to protest her and the YMCAs trans-inclusive policies, she asked one friend if she should leave the gym altogether. Dont you fucking dare, Wood recalls her saying. We dont run from bigots here.

Wood is no stranger to discrimination. As a child, she marched at the 1968 Poor Peoples Campaign demonstration in Washington and later battled racism as a Black petty officer in the navy. In 2021, with the help of the ACLU, she received a settlement from a Crunch Fitness gym which had tried to bar her from using the womens locker room even after she provided legal documents proving her name and gender marker change, and gender-affirming surgeries.

In mid January, Wood waded into the crowd of her detractors at the protest and put a face to their fears. Im that scary transgender woman everybody is so up in arms about, she recalled saying. I explained to them: Listen to the sound of my voice, look at me. I am no threat to you, Wood told them. Im a threat to their ignorance, stupidity, their bigotry and racism. Otherwise Im no threat to anyone else at all.

Over the next year, it would become clear that Woods experience was not an isolated event. Instead, it was indicative of a year that would be marked by rising anti-trans rhetoric, a record number of anti-LGBTQ bills filed in statehouses across the country, and even violence  signaling that 2024 may prove to be a tipping point for LGBTQ+ rights. As the presidential election looms, Republican hopefuls have vowed to push bans on gender-affirming care for trans youth and adults, and state legislatures have already begun to prepare evenmore sweeping anti-trans bills.

A Country Divided

Over the course of 2023, Republican state legislators around the nation filed more than 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills, many targeting the ability of trans youth to access gender-affirming care, participate in sports, or use school bathrooms and locker rooms. Republican members of Congress have also tried to elevate similar bills at the national level, and recently pushed to add anti-LGBTQ+ provisions into federal funding bills. This battle has permeated every corner of public life, with some Republican-controlled states banning drag performances, restricting how LGBTQ+ issues can be discussed in schools, and requiring school staff to out trans students to their parents.

Only 84 of these laws have passed nationwide, but Vivian Topping, who works with LGBTQ+ grassroots organizations on the state level for the Equality Federation, an advocacy and policy organization, said the ones that have succeeded are incredibly harmful.

If you cant access health care, if you cant access community support, if you cant talk to your teacher or your co-workers about who you are, if you cant use the restroom in school, then you cant exist in public life, said Topping. Thats really kind where were at right now.

Advocates told HuffPost that the current attacks on LGBTQ+ people, and particularly trans people, are rooted in a broader right-wing push towards a white Christian ideological agenda. After civil rights groups achieved successes toward racial equality and the right to same-sex marriage in the 2010s, the conservative movement  largely helmed by organizations like the Christian legal advocacy group, the Alliance Defending Freedom, The Heritage Foundation and others  shifted its focus to trans people.

In 2019, the ADF tried to sueConnecticut schools over trans girls participation in school sports. The suit was unsuccessful, but the organization and others found an issue they could grasp onto, while fearmongering about the existential threat trans people supposedly posed to public spaces and the nations values.

This is a coordinated, consistent and comprehensive attack on a tiny population.Sasha Buchert, an attorney at Lambda Legal

Heidi Campbell, a Democratic state senator in Republican-controlled Tennessee said that the states wave of anti-trans laws this year is the culmination of the GOPs 50-year Southern strategy to appeal to white conservatives.

The timing of it is something that [the GOP] could finally get through. Weve been progressing towards this for a long time. Otherism is very effective in fueling divisiveness, Campbell told HuffPost in July. I think they were finding that they were losing traction doing that with the gay community, with Obergefell [v. Hobbes, which legalized same-sex marriage], and how the gay community has become normalized. So now the new other is trans people.

Tennessee, which passed the most anti-LGBTQ laws in the country this year, has become a testing ground for new anti-trans policies. Last fall, the states attorney general sought the private medical records of trans youth after a right-wing media star kicked up misinformation about a childrens hospital, resulting in the closure of its pediatric trans clinic and the cancellation of some surgeries for cisgender youth that could be viewed as pathways to gender affirmation.

With the advent of pretty extreme and intense right-wing media willing to spread disinformation, we kind of had the perfect storm. Tennessee is just the tip of the iceberg, Campbell added.

Current estimates show that transgender adults make up around 0.5% of the U.S. population, and 1.4% of youth ages 13 to 17 years old, according to data from the Williams Institute.

This isnt just an isolated attack on sports, health care, bathrooms or outing provisions. This is a coordinated, consistent and comprehensive attack on a tiny population, Sasha Buchert, an attorney at Lambda Legal, one of the largest LGBTQ+ legal advocacy groups, told HuffPost.

She and other advocates have pointed to the impact of conservative organizations like the ADF, which helped 23 states bar trans athletes from womens and girls sports; drafted Dont Say Gay model legislation for numerous states; and also recruited a cadre of fringe anti-trans doctors and patients to testify at statehouses. Through this legislative effort, these organizations have manufactured moral panic about trans identity and helped take that rhetoric to the national stage.

We are seeing more and more Republicans and conservative politicians use anti-trans rhetoric to rile up their base to be able to win their primaries in the next general election, Topping said.

Crossing A Care Desert

Some of the most disruptive legislation in the lives of trans youth have been the bans on gender-affirming care. So far, 22 states have passed these kinds of bans, though the laws in four states  Alabama, Florida, Indiana and Montana  are not currently enforceable under court orders.

Health care bans have created a divided legal landscape for trans Americans, where some can easily access care, and others face sometimes insurmountable financial and geographical barriers to care, which most major medical associations have deemed necessary and lifesaving.

Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, the executive director of the Campaign for Southern Equality, said that the bans have had an especially devastating impact in the South. The vast majority of transgender youth in the South now live in a state where parts of gender-affirming care have been made illegal, she said, estimating that around 90% of trans youth live in a block of states, from Texas to North Carolina, where care is banned. She suspects that the last two, South Carolina and Virginia, will also put access to gender-affirming care on the chopping block in 2024.

To date, a third of trans youth, or around 105,000 kids, now live in states that bar them from accessing puberty blockers or hormone replacement therapy to alleviate gender dysphoria. Some states have also barred trans adults who use Medicaid from accessing care. In Florida, adult patients are saddled with new requirements to see physicians in person and obtain psychological evaluations prior to starting hormone therapy, which makes care next to impossible in a state already facing a doctor shortage.

One southern doctor, Izzy Lowell, has been trying to find ways to meet the new reality in which many trans youth and their families have to travel hundreds of miles out of state to get care.

Access to care, she said, has gone from bad to extremely bad. An arsonist recently burned and destroyed their Georgia-based office, one of the latest instances in violence against providers of gender-affirming care, amid a year of rising domestic extremismand threats on childrens hospitals. Before the new year, she and her team are working on getting licensed in all 50 states so that they can meet patients wherever they are through virtual appointments.

Its nearly impossible, Lowell said. Recently one of her providers conducted an online appointment with a trans teen who was passing through Bostons Logan Airport on a Friday night layover before they flew back to Mississippi.

Were just getting creative and figuring out how to get these people seen at times that they can get out of the states, Lowell said.

But gender-affirming care is not a one-time medical event. Lowells patients and their families have to coordinate appointments every three months so her team can closely monitor their blood work and hormone levels.

Its just an incredible hurdle for patients and families to overcome. But theyre doing it because they need this care, she said.

Some of her patients are only able to travelto states where they can access care with the help of grants from outside organizations like the Campaign for Southern Equality, which launched its southern trans youth emergency project earlier this year.

The North Carolina-based organization distributes $500 grants to families in need to cover the cost of travel and accommodations, in addition to helping them establish care with a new provider in a different state or find one of the few providers still treating patients in the South.

The state of trans care, not to mention lots of other civil rights issues, is worse than ever, and worsening in a developed democracy.Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, executive director of the Campaign for Southern Equality

As of mid-December, the organization has given out $320,000 to around 300 families of trans youth and 300 trans adults. In southern Texas and Florida, where it can be onerous to travel by car to a neighboring state, Beach-Ferrara said the organization has referred 25 families to Elevated Access which partners with volunteer pilots to fly people seeking abortions and gender-affirming care.

Beach-Ferrara said these strategies were born out of conversations with organizers working on a parallel issue: facilitating access to abortion in states where it has become banned or severely restricted following the overturning of abortion rights last year.

Some of our very first phone calls when we saw what was happening politically was with people in the abortion access space, Beach-Ferrara said. These two movements are absolutely entwined in terms of being about personal freedom, and peoples autonomy and freedom to make decisions that are best for them without the interference of government.

As she looks ahead to next year, she said the organization will continue their rapid, crisis response approach to create bridges to care. She and other advocates dont anticipate Republicans to slow down on attacking LGBTQ+ rights in the coming year.

The state of trans care, not to mention lots of other civil rights issues, is worse than ever, and worsening in a developed democracy, she said.

The Field Of Court Battles

But some advocates are heartened by the record number of LGBTQ+ candidates who have secured seats in races across the country for school boards, city council, mayors offices, the U.S. Senate, and more.

We love to say that we keep having rainbow waves, that they keep coming, said Sean Meloy, who helps campaign and fundraise for queer and trans candidates through the advocacy organization, the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund. Our candidates are pro-choice and pro-privacy, they dont think the government should be interfering with your private life and voters have resonated with that.

The organization listed 148 openly LGBTQ+ candidates that won in the November offyear elections, including Danica Roem, the first openly trans person to be elected to the Virginia state Senate; Fabian Nelson, a Black gay man elected to Mississippis legislature; and council member Olivia Hill, Tennessees first trans elected official.

Much of the battle of access to care and other civil liberties has been waged in the courtroom by various legal advocacy groups. The ACLU and other LGBTQ+ organizations found success in the district courts which initially blocked the enforcement of many of the health care and bathroom bans.

Its almost jaw-dropping how universal the decisions have been on the district court level this year, that the courts have listened to both sides and in person, and have held that the justifications for the bans just dont hold water, Buchert said.

She also said the Biden administration has been effective at really shifting and repairing the judiciary by appointing progressive judges who arent going to let their personal beliefs influence their decisions.

But with many Trump-appointed conservative judges filling the 6th and 11th circuit appellate courts, which serve seven states across the South and Midwest, the fight to secure equal protection under the law is still underway. In the fall, federal appeals judges reversed lower court decisions and allowed bans on gender-affirming care for youth to go into effect in Tennessee, Kentucky and Alabama. The lack of consistency creates a climate of uncertainty for LGBTQ+ people and their families.

Now we are seeing a very confusing, legalistic process underway where an injunction may stay parts of a law, and then the stay is lifted and goes back. So some providers adhere to that and others do not, said Beach-Ferrara. It just becomes a very confusing environment for families to navigate.

In November, the ACLU of Tennessee petitioned the Supreme Court to take up a case involving the states ban on gender-affirming care. The court has not yet decided whether to accept the case.

Rhetoric And Risks

Advocates say that reporting and journalism about trans people, like the fear and media fervor over Woods use of a locker room, can have an enormous impact not only on public perception and treatment of trans people, but on laws governing trans peoples access to resources as well.

The explosion of misinformation about LGBTQ+ people on social media this year, boosted by accounts like LibsOfTikTok and others, has had real life consequences. Schools, hospitals and libraries have grappled with dozens of bomb threats and harassment. Advocacy organizations have reported more than 700 instances of anti-LGBTQ violence in 2023.

Evan Urquhart, a journalist and writer who tracks anti-trans media for his project, Assigned Media, lists examples of skepticism about trans identity and the key actors behind the anti-trans movement across the media landscape. He has debunked former Fox News host Megyn Kellys statements comparing trans boys and men to cancer, and provided crucial context in a Washington Post profile of a detransitioner activist with anti-trans political ambitions.

Urquhart points to The New York Times, which has published a drum beat of stories raising questions about the risks of puberty blockers on bone health, and that regret about transition is widespread.

When [they] started this crusade against trans youth, particularly with blowing up every little thing about trans people, acting as if they were coming from another planet, like they never heard about how side effects work, or how diagnoses work, or how an informed consent process works, that was really deeply alarming to me, Urquhart said.

The World Professional Association for Transgender Health, which provides guidance for treatment of transgender people, responded saying that the Times reporting pushed inaccurate narratives and misinterpreted the science. And in January, nearly 1,000 New York Times contributors published a letter condemning the papers coverage of trans youth and their barriers to gender-affirming care. The New York Times later defended its reporting of trans people as important, deeply reported and sensitively written.

Nearly a year since she was made the center of a right-wing campaign, Wood has seen both the good and the bad of heightened media attention. She has received some threats of violence, but overwhelmingly she said shes been embraced by her community. She was honored as a champion of pride in this years pride parade, has joined San Diego Countys PFLAG, and helped bring trans-affirming books to the local school libraries.

In October, she was invited to Florida to march alongside hundreds of others in protest of the states bathroom ban, which makes it illegal for trans people of all ages to use bathrooms in schools and other public buildings. She joined five trans activists as a plaintiff in the first legal challenge to the states law, though a district judge later denied their request to block the ban.

After all this happened, society hasnt caught fire, she said. This is only meant to be a form of massive discrimination that this particular political group has embraced because they have nothing else to offer except hatred, lies and misinformation.

For Lowell, the doctor, she hardly pays attention to the news cycle, mostly for her own personal sanity, and instead focuses on making sure patients know how they can access care.

When HuffPost spoke with her, Lowell was about to meet with a patient, a 24-year-old trans woman. She was anxious to discuss options about her care, even though in Georgia, her access to gender-affirming care was  for now  protected.

She knows Im not going anywhere, she knows Ill go to jail before I stop treating her, Lowell said. I never could have predicted any of this stuff, so were just taking it as it comes and working around it to get people what they need.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story misstated Christynne Woods Navy rank and that Martin Luther King Jr. appeared at the Poor Peoples Campaign March in June 1968. The march was held the month following Kings assassination. The story has been updated with the correct information.

Related...
SAN DIEGO From mysterious booms and a rare hurricane approaching San Diego to the discovery of a million pennies, FOX 5 has reported on a variety of topics in 2023.

As we welcome the year, its fun to look back on the news our readers found to be of most interest. From an established micronation near Ocotillo Wells to a surplus of parrots  some of these topics may surprise you.

Family-friendly things to do New Years Eve in San Diego County

Heres a look at FOX 5s most viewed stories of the year:

No. 45: Hilary is hours away from hitting San Diego. Heres what to expect

No. 44: Have you been tipping on the wrong amount at restaurants?

No. 43: This Anza-Borrego cave system among largest in North America

No. 42: Loud boom heard, felt in San Diego area

No. 41: San Diego boom: No earthquake reported as shaking felt across county

No. 40: Why are there so many parrots in Los Angeles?

No. 39: National Weather Service San Diego issues first-ever blizzard warning

No. 38: A quick look at rainfall totals from Hilary

No. 37: Hilary upgraded to hurricane: What does this mean for San Diego?

No. 36: Missing something at In-N-Out? Company addresses shortage of popular offering

No. 35: Dog matching description of canine abandoned at shelter found, dies

No. 34: Think twice before buying something from Temu

No. 33: These are the 7 most offensive behaviors that break airplane etiquette

No. 32: Welcome to Slowjamastan: Southern Californias own micronation

No. 31: The best places to see the superbloom in California

No. 30: PHOTOS: Tropical Storm Hilary moves through San Diego

No. 29: NOAA releases 2023-2024 winter predictions for San Diego

No. 28: Man who caught 2 Navy ships nearly colliding ordered to take cameras down

No. 27: 2 local Bachelorette contestants among 5 saved after boat sinks on fishing trip

No. 26: Inspectors find bed bugs at several Las Vegas Strip hotels

No. 25: The calm before the storm: When will Hilary have the most impact on San Diego?

No. 24: Missing 14-year-old girl found at Camp Pendleton

No. 23: Highest-rated restaurants for burgers in San Diego, according to Yelp

No. 22: La Jolla seeks separation from San Diego

No. 21: Three California freeways among most loathed highways in America: survey

No. 20: San Diego takes top spot in ranking of most expensive places to live in U.S.

No. 19: Prefer small towns? This is the least populated city in San Diego County

No. 18: Hilary moves through San Diego as Californias first tropical storm in decades

No. 17: California grad student commutes to class by plane to save on rent

No. 16: California campsite reservation bill passes State Assembly

No. 15: How serious is Hurricane Hilary for those in San Diego?

No. 14: 48 arrested, 8 children rescued in major San Diego human trafficking bust

No. 13: California campsite reservation bill heads to governors desk

No. 12: Bad behavior results in new rules for Colorado home games

No. 11: Where will the next big one be in California? Seismologists name faults of top concern

No. 10: Rapper Boosie charged with firearm possession after San Diego arrest

No. 9: These California cities are among richest in US: report

No. 8: California campsite reservation bill signed by governor. Heres what changes it makes

No. 7: Rules of the Road: Are tinted windows legal in California?

No. 6: No graduation: 8th graders turned away from ceremony; parents furious

No. 5: Places with the lowest cost of living in California: study

No. 4: New traffic laws bringing changes for California drivers in 2024

No. 3: NOAA issues El Nino watch: Heres where and when we will feel the impact

No. 2: Family finds 1 million copper pennies while cleaning out Los Angeles home

No. 1: Push these over, say rangers at Yosemite National Park

Looking ahead, time will tell whats in store for FOX 5 News topics come 2024. Happy New Year, San Diego.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego.
New Year's Day is a time to reflect on the year that has passed.

Historic rainfall and flooding throughout much of California kicked off 2023.

Stockton was not immune to the severe weather.

Cars were submerged in floodwaters as powerful atmospheric river storms brought heavy rain and strong winds to the Port City in January. Neighbors helped each other safeguard pets and property when homes flooded. School districts canceled classes and closed campuses due to widespread power outages caused by the storms.

A car splashes through a large puddle left by recent storms on Hammer Lane near Alexandria Place in Stockton on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023.

The year's end saw more major water news.

Just days before Christmas, the state approved the controversial Delta Conveyance Project  a plan to build a 45-mile-long tunnel beneath the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. The tunnel would pipe water from the Sacramento River, bypassing the Delta, and redirect it into the Bethany Reservoir on the California Aqueduct. That water would then be delivered to the drier Southern California.

An environmental impact report released on Dec. 8 showed that the tunnel would harm the region's farmland, endangered fish populations and tribal cultural resources, including burial grounds.

While the California Department of Water Resources has given the project the green light, Stockton-based environmental advocates have vowed to ensure that the tunnel isn't built.

"We and our broad coalition of partners will engage in all necessary processes, and when necessary, litigation, to stop the Delta Conveyance Project once and for all," said Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla, executive director for Restore the Delta.

In between it all, Stockton saw the launch of a multi-agency investigation into corruption at Stockton Unified School District, the near-closure of the Stockton Shelter for the Homeless, the renewal of Measure A and more.

Here's a look at the top news stories to hit Stockton in 2023.

District Attorney Ron Freitas confirms FBI, DOJ investigation into 'any and all' wrongdoing at Stockton Unified

Stockton Unified School District interim chief business official Joann Juarez, seated center left, and Dr. Susana Ramirez, interim assistant superintendent, educational services department, give a business and finance presentation to the SUSD board during a special study session at the SUSD Arthur Coleman Jr. Administrative Complex in downtown Stockton on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023.

In April, San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas confirmed that a multi-agency investigation with the FBI and U.S. Department of Justice into "any and all wrongdoing" at Stockton Unified had been underway for several months.

Freitas said the investigation was initiated from the state Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team's Feb. 14 report that found sufficient evidence of fraud, misappropriation of funds and assets, or other illegal fiscal practices.

In the report, the board of trustees were scrutinized for the way they approved contracts. One example is with the boards handling of a $7.3 million contract in 2021 with IAQ Distribution, Inc., a subsidiary of Alliance Building Solutions, Inc., for air filter disinfectant technology.

Former Trustee Scot McBrian arranged to have Alliance make a special presentation to board members at a private holiday party hosted by former Stockton Mayor Anthony Silva, according to the report. Multiple board members and a soon-to-be board member, Zachary Avelar, attended the party.

"Minutes from previous board meetings do not indicate any discussion identifying the need for technology provided by Alliance; this raises the question of why one board member brought forward Alliance to present their product to the board for consideration," the report stated.

Silva was convicted of a felony in 2019 stemming from a conflict-of-interest charge that followed a three-year financial malfeasance case during his time as mayor.

Silva's lawyer, N. Allen Sawyer, has since reduced the felony conviction reduced to a misdemeanor, which was expunged from his record.

McBrian brought the same presentation given at Silvas party to the school board on Jan. 12, 2021, a perceived conflict of interest and a potential violation of the Brown Act. The board bypassed some of its policies and eventually approved the contract that went to IAQ, despite ranking the lowest among all proposals.

Three trustees who voted to award the IAQ contract remain on the board: Cecilia Mendez, Alicia Rico and Ray Zulueta. Trustee AngelAnn Flores voted against the contract, while former Trustee Maria Mendez was absent.

Authorities have been largely silent in recent months on developments or possible consequences for district officials' alleged misconduct.

In November, Flores' home was searched by sheriff's detectives following allegations of improper spending on a district-issued credit card. Freitas' office stated that the raid was part of the "ongoing investigation" into Stockton Unified. His office later retracted a version of the statement naming Flores, though a version that doesn't name her specifically remains public.

However, the sheriff's office was adamant that the search was part of an "independent fact-finding investigation" and was unconnected to any other federal investigation, according to sheriff's spokesperson Heather Brent.

Going into 2024, no charges have been filed against Stockton Unified leaders. Silva and Zulueta, both named in the state audit, are running for Stockton City Council in Districts 2 and 4.

Condition Blue instructs police to stop responding to some calls for service

Stockton Police Chief Stanley McFadden talks with a resident during a neighborhood walk through in the Sierra Vista area of south Stockton. In March, the area experienced 2 double murders.

An internal department order obtained by The Record shows that the Stockton Police Department will no longer dispatch officers to many of the calls it receives reporting hit-and-runs, reckless driving, non-burglary property crimes, and other non-emergency incidents.

The two-page order, addressed from Police Chief Stanley McFadden to all department staff and dated July 5, instructs staff to significantly reduce the number and type of calls to which they send an officer to investigate in-person.

Police will no longer respond to reports of reckless driving, the order states, with the exception of prolonged incidents such as street races or sideshows.

Police will also stop responding to hit-and-run calls if the caller can't provide any information pointing to a suspect.

Additionally, police will no longer respond to property or financial crimes that have no suspect information, with the exception of home and business burglaries.

Stockton declares local emergency after homeless shelter announces closure

City and county officials attend a news conference about the closing of the Stockton Shelter for the homeless at the Stockton Memorial Civic Auditorium in downtown Stockton on Aug. 3, 2023.

In July, Stockton Shelter for the Homeless unexpectedly announced that it was closing  an act which would have put 250 unhoused people back on the streets.

Stockton leaders proceeded to declare a local emergency.

City officials described the move as a "precautionary measure" that would allow the city to allocate money, enter contracts with other service providers, and make immediate public health and safety decisions.

After weeks of back-and-forth between city and shelter officials, an agreement was reached in August to keep the shelter open under new leadership. The agreement transferred services at the shelter and the sublease for the shelter's property to St. Mary's Dining Room  a local nonprofit that provides services to unhoused people.

Discussion on who should control city public information leads to charter review

Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln speaks at a news conference about the closing of the Stockton Shelter for the homeless at the Stockton Memorial Civic Auditorium in downtown Stockton on Aug. 3, 2023.

In 2023, local leaders asked who should control the city's public information.

That question may be answered in the new year as a charter review is currently underway in Stockton.

In June, District 3 Councilman Michael Blower raised the issue of charter authority over the city's public information office. At the time, Blower said that the city's practice should align with charter language.

Public information officers handle community relations, media inquiries, requests for public records, and city website content.

Stocktonians approved a ballot measure in 2000 to amend the city's charter, which mandates the public information officer to work under the direction and supervision of the mayor.

The city hasn't implemented that practice in the 24 years. Instead, the public information office is currently co-coordinated through the city manager's office and the mayor's office.

Under a proposed measure that could be placed on the 2024 ballot, the mayor's office would retain a public information officer to release news related to its office, while the city manager's office would handle news regarding all other city departments.

The Charter Review Advisory Commission was established in the fall and has been asked to review articles 11 and 11A of the charter, both of which relate to public information. They have also been asked to consider remedies for other discrepancies between the city's practices and charter language.

They are expected to finalize proposed charter amendments by Jan. 25 and then submit to the city council for approval. However, commissioners have yet to meet to discuss proposed amendments with each other. If they don't meet the deadline, proposed amendments won't be placed on the ballot.

Measure A extended for another decade

Stockton police officers listen to newly sworn-in Stockton Police Chief Stanley McFadden speak during a ceremony at the Stockton Memorial Civic Auditorium in downtown Stockton on Thursday, June 2, 2022.

Stockton taxpayers will continue to pay for Measure A for at least another decade.

This comes after the city council held two public hearings and adopted an ordinance in December to extend the tax measure.

Measure A is a three-quarter cent transaction and use tax passed by Stockton voters in 2013. It is part of the 9% sales tax people pay when making purchases at stores in the city.

Measure A pledged to add 120 additional police officers, bringing the force up from 365 to 485 sworn officers. It was passed along with Measure B, an advisory measure that said 65% of the Measure A funds would be spent on the Marshall Plan  law enforcement and crime prevention  and 35% would be spent on exiting bankruptcy and recovering from the Great Recession.

The tax was set to sunset on March 31, but will continue through 2034 with the council's vote.

Record reporter Hannah Workman covers news in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at hworkman@recordnet.com or on Twitter @byhannahworkman. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.

This article originally appeared on The Record: The year in review: Looking back on Stockton's biggest news stories of 2023
The ride-share company Lyft confirmed Friday that a woman found shot to death earlier this week in her car on the citys West Side was driving for company at the time of her death.

Police said in an initial report that they found a woman shot in the head in her car in the 4800 block of West Thomas Street in the Austin neighborhood at about 8:45 p.m. Tuesday, having crashed into two parked cars. A witness told officers that a man and a woman fled the vehicle after the crash, police said.

The Cook County medical examiner later identified the woman as Adriana Arocha, 34.

A Lyft spokesperson said the company had contacted the womans family and police investigators and offered condolences to Arochas relatives.

Arocha is at least the second ride-share driver to become a homicide victim this month.

Livery and ride-share driver Mohammed al Hijoj, of Chicagos Dunning neighborhood on the Far Northwest Side, was shot to death Dec. 3 while driving for Uber in the Austin neighborhood. On Dec. 8, a woman stabbed a taxi driver in the head with a box cutter after a dispute over how she would pay for the ride escalated into a physical altercation, according to a police report.

As of Friday morning, police said no one was in custody in connection with either al Hijojs or Arochas deaths as detectives continued to investigate the slayings.
At years end our thoughts turn to war and peace  too much of the former, not enough of the latter.

For 75 years, the United States has been the worlds most important nation, and despite constant predictions of decline remains so. Its presidents are central to whatever progress toward peace can be made internationally.

Douglas Rooks

For the nearly half century Ive written about them, presidents have rarely managed to get the balance right between projecting power necessary to a world order while remaining faithful to our founding ideal, all men are created equal.

Jimmy Carter was elected in 1976 primarily in response to Watergate, and had less foreign policy experience than any president since World War II ended isolationism, and it showed.

While he had signal successes  returning the Canal Zone to Panama and brokering a peace agreement between Egypt and Israel  his heartening commitment to human rights was compromised by naivete about Cold War adversaries. He was unable to surmount the Iran hostage crisis, with 60 Americans held captive until his administrations end.

Ronald Reagan benefitted from Carters perceived ineffectuality, but veered to the opposite extreme with bellicose rhetoric, including talk about fighting tactical nuclear wars.

He launched the first American invasion since Vietnam, against the previously little-known island nation of Grenada in 1982  diverting attention from the terrorist bombing of a Marines barrack in Lebanon where 300 died.

George H.W. Bush launched his own invasion with a full-scale attack on Panama in 1989 to arrest Manuel Noriega, who was less compliant than the predecessor whod signed the Canal Zone treaty. Noriega was imprisoned on U.S. drug racketeering charges until he died in 2017.

Drawing on diplomatic experience, Bushs best moments came in rallying world support to remove Iraqi dictator Saddam Husseins army from Kuwait in 1991, but limiting war aims.

By contrast, Bill Clinton was as inexperienced in foreign policy as Carter. He rejected a European plan to partition dissolving post-communist Yugoslavia, doing nothing while Serbia and Croatia carved up Bosnia  an uncomfortable precedent for current Republican attitudes toward Ukraine.

Clinton also displayed extreme reluctance toward assisting the Haitian government of Jean-Bertrand Aristide, losing a chance to transition an ill-governed nation toward democracy.

The misnamed wars of choice launched by Reagan and Bush escalated with a vengeance when another inexperienced president, George W. Bush, confronted the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

While few questioned the initial campaign against the Taliban in Afghanistan, Bush never set attainable goals permitting American withdrawal.

Instead, his misbegotten invasion of Iraq deposed Saddam but turned over the country to Irans allies, a huge power shift that haunts us still. In every sense, Americas biggest war since Vietnam was a disaster.

Barack Obama approached foreign affairs with too much caution. He essentially ignored Russias initial invasion of Ukraine, then drew a red line against Bashir al-Assads use of poison gas against Syrian rebels  but did nothing when Assad continued gassing his own people.

Ironically, Vladmir Putin interceded, then helped Assad win the civil war through indiscriminate bombing.

The patterns are clear: Republican presidents overreact to threats to American interests, compromising the Republics security and prestige.

Democratic presidents are reluctant to use force, sometimes to the detriment of our ability to advance democratic aims.

Then there is Joe Biden. The first thoroughly experienced Democrat in decades, hes learned from recent history.

While he suffered politically from the Afghanistan withdrawal, he executed an agreement signed by his predecessor. The alternative was endless war without compelling U.S. interests.

When Russia readied a much larger invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Biden sounded the alarm even as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was denying that reality.

Biden marshalled NATO behind a complex military operation with skill and tact, leaving the alliance Donald Trump tried to fracture stronger than before.

And when Hamas invaded on Oct. 7, Biden took a gamble by flying to Israel to show solidarity with a long-standing ally which, despite its regrettable prime minister, is the only Middle East democracy.

One can fault individual moves, but Biden gets the big things right. In some respects, the world is a more dangerous place than any time since World War II, but America has a leader who understands its challenges, using power while demonstrating restraint.

As we contemplate our choices, one must compare the fecklessness of a growing number of Congressional Republicans, who neither understand Americas responsibilities nor inspire confidence they would defend our vital interests.

If peace arrives during Joe Bidens presidency, it will owe much to his unflagging efforts in the face of unreasoning political opposition. Perhaps then we will finally give him some credit.

Douglas Rooks has been a Maine editor, columnist and reporter since 1984. His new book, Calm Command: U.S. Chief Justice Melville Fuller in His Times, 1888-1910, is available in bookstores and at www.melvillefuller.com. He welcomes comment at drooks@tds.net.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Rooks: Presidential leadership in war & peace; why Biden's succeeding
A patrol vehicle from the Ventura County Sheriff's Lockwood Valley station parks near a U.S. Forest Service lookout dusted in snow in 2022. Deputies rescued a 65-year-old on Tuesday who was stranded for four days after gates were locked for the winter.

Here's a roundup of recent incidents and announcements from Ventura County agencies:

65-year-old saved after days in backcountry

Ventura County Sheriff's deputies rescued a 65-year-old Arizona man stranded in the backcountry on Tuesday, four days after his vehicle got stuck in a creek off a remote service road.

It was, in part, a road closure that saved him.

"He got very lucky," sheriff's Deputy Josh Vulich said in an interview Friday. "He would have been there all winter."

As winter rains approach each year, the U.S. Forest Service shuts down many of the service roads and trails crisscrossing the county's remote forest areas, much of which is only accessible by off-road vehicles and typically does not have cell service.

The service chose Tuesday for this season's shutdown. Early in the evening on the 26th, Vulich said, a motorist who'd called for help after getting stuck behind a newly locked winter gate in the Grade Valley area told a deputy and dispatcher they'd seen other vehicles still behind the gate.

The duo drove into the area, searching, and about 10 miles from the highway the dispatcher spotted a faint light. The light turned out to be a flashlight carried by the man, who had seen headlights and scrambled from his marooned vehicle to a more visible spot, Vulich said.

If it weren't for the first driver, Vulich said, deputies would not have searched the area.

By the time he was found, the man appeared malnourished and was wearing wet clothing, officials said in a news release. Without food and water and with freezing temperatures approaching, "the subject may not have survived much longer."

The searchers took the man to a "safe location," then returned with heavy machinery on Dec. 28. They were able to drag the vehicle from the muck, get it to the highway and set the man on on his way, Vulich said.

Stuck vehicles aren't new, but "it's uncommon for us not to know for four days," he said.

Vulich cautioned against drivers trying out the closed roads. "We're here to help get you out of the situation, not necessarily to get your vehicle out every time," he said.

People traveling in remote areas should bring GPS-trackable devices and inform loved ones of travel plans so they can contact law enforcement if someone is overdue, officials said.

Highway 126 crash killed 2nd person

The day after a Dec. 20 head-on collision on Highway 126 east of Santa Paula killed a 29-year-old woman, the crash took the life of her partner.

John Sibthorp, 35, died on Dec. 21 of injuries sustained in the crash the morning after Amber Wyatt died at the scene, California Highway Patrol Officer Victor Varela said Friday afternoon.

Sibthorp and Wyatt, both of Santa Clarita, were partners, according to a GoFundMe fundraiser launched this week by Wyatt's twin sister to raise money for funeral expenses. The campaign had raised nearly $39,000 toward a goal of $70,000 as of Friday evening.

A third victim, a 44-year-old Fillmore man, was transported along with Sibthorp to Ventura County Medical Center with moderate injuries and was later released, Varela said.

The CHP had previously reported only Wyatt's death.

The crash occurred around 8:35 a.m. on the 126 near the cross with Boosey Road, CHP Officer Jorge Alfaro said at the time of the incident.

Sibthorp was driving a 2018 Honda Civic westbound with Wyatt as his passenger when, for reasons under investigation, the Honda drove into oncoming traffic on the eastbound side, Alfaro said. The Honda struck the Fillmore man's Ford F-150 pickup truck head-on.

The roadway was wet, Alfaro said, but it wasn't immediately known whether rainy weather was a factor. Alcohol and drugs were not considered factors, Alfaro said.

Probationer convicted of drug sales

Jurors convicted a 48-year-old Ventura man who was found with drugs for sale while he was on probation, prosecutors said.

Jason Quinn was found guilty Tuesday of two felony counts of possessing drugs for sale, one involving fentanyl and the other methamphetamine, the Ventura County District Attorney's Office said in a news release. He was also found guilty of driving with a suspended license. The court found true a special allegation he was on probation at the time.

In May, Ventura Police Department officers working as part of a county fentanyl unit conducted a traffic stop for an outstanding warrant and Quinn's suspended license, according to prosecutors. A K-9 police dog alerted officers to narcotics in the vehicle and a probation search was done at his residence.

Detectives recovered what prosecutors described as a relatively small amount of drugs for a sales case: two half-ounce bindles of fentanyl, 6 grams of meth and 47 grams of meth with THC, along with other evidence.

But Quinn had pleaded guilty in March to possessing fentanyl for sales, prosecutors said, and was given the Dangerous Drug Advisement, which warns convicted defendants of fentanyl dangers and tells them they can be charged with murder if someone dies from fentanyl-laced drugs they sell.

The advisement is something the DA's office takes seriously, said Senior Deputy DA Ethel Hernandez in a statement, noting only a few grams of fentanyl can be deadly. The highly addictive synthetic opioid can be 50 to 100 times more powerful than morphine, authorities said.

Quinn is scheduled to be sentenced on the morning of Feb. 15 in room 46 of Ventura County Superior Court.

Items may be updated.

Isaiah Murtaugh covers education for the Ventura County Star in partnership with Report for America. Reach him at isaiah.murtaugh@vcstar.com or 805-437-0236 and follow him on Twitter @isaiahmurtaugh and @vcsschools. You can support this work with a tax-deductible donation to Report for America.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Roundup: Man rescued after 4 days in Ventura County backcountry, more
Russia claimed it had downed 32 Ukrainian drones over Bryansk, Orel, Kursk, and Moscow regions overnight on Dec. 30, Russian Defense Ministry reported. The Kyiv Independent could not verify the information.

Vyacheslav Gladkov, the governor of the Belgorod region along the Ukrainian border, reported that a man had been killed when a private residence was hit. Four people are currently receiving medical treatment for injuries.

Gladkov mentioned that 10 privately-owned residences suffered damage, and the water supply in the city of Belgorod has been disrupted.

In the Bryansk region, governor Alexander Bogomaz reported the downing of six drones. He confirmed that there were no casualties.

Russian authorities claim that the region - which borders both Ukraine and Belarus - has seen multiple attacks by pro-Ukrainian sabotage groups as well as drone strikes.

Read also: UN Security Council criticizes Russias air assault on Ukraine

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Russian air defense systems intercepted and downed 32 drones within the country's airspace at night, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed on Telegram on Dec. 30.

These drones were purportedly taken down over the regions of Bryansk, Oryol, Kursk, and Moscow oblasts.

The governor of Bryansk Oblast, Aleksandr Bogomaz, claimed that six drones were shot down over Bryansk and the Bryansky district at night.

Read also: Attack drone kills two Russian soldiers in Russias Belgorod region

Several dozen explosions sounded in Belgorod on the evening of Dec. 29. According to local authorities, these were the result of operational air defense systems.

Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov of Belgorod Oblast later also claimed that air defense systems were operational within the region. He said that there was allegedly "one injured and one killed," but did not provide any other details about this incident.

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This map shows forecast highs for Saturday, using data from the National Blend of Models. Highs will generally top out in the lower to mid-60s Saturday. Warmer temperatures are expected for New Year's Eve with highs near 70 degrees in Houston. WeatherBELL

This year is nearly over and the last weekend of the year features a bump in temperatures before we ring in the new year. This warming trend will bring above-average afternoon highs by Sunday, which shouldnt be too surprising, given that 2023 will go down as the warmest year on record in Houston.

Heres what you can expect for the last weekend of 2023:

30-degree temperature swing Saturday

Temperatures on Saturday will start in the middle to upper 30s for most of Houston and Harris County. If you plan on being out and about before 8 a.m., plan on bundling up because wind chills will be in the lower 30s for most spots.

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Areas north of The Woodlands and west of Katy may wake up to temperatures early Saturday closer to freezing, so dont be shocked to see a heavy frost before 8 a.m.

After a chilly start with many locations dropping well into the 30s, temperatures Saturday will swing nearly 30 degrees by the afternoon. This is a wide diurnal, or morning to afternoon, change that is pretty common for this time of year.

Highs will reach into the lower 60s across most of Southeast Texas as winds gradually shift toward a more onshore, or southeasterly, direction. Temperatures Saturday night will be cool, but not nearly as cool as the last few days. Low temperatures Saturday will fall into the lower 40s by early Sunday morning.

TEXAS SWINGS: Heres why Texas is prone to wild temperature changes

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Even warmer weather is expected for Sunday afternoon, with a number of locations reaching close to 70 degrees. Typical temperatures for late December are mostly in the lower to mid-60s across Southeast Texas, so well be a good 5 degrees or more warmer than normal. Sunday is New Years Eve and should feature dry conditions through at least sunset, though an approaching cold front could bring a few New Years Eve showers.

Ringing in the New Year with a few showers

If you have plans to be out on the town for New Years Eve, lets discuss the timing of Houstons rain chances.

This map shows the European forecast models projections for rain on New Years Eve. Shower chances will mainly be found along and east of Interstate 45 as a cold front sweeps through Southeast Texas on Sunday night. Pivotal Weather

Both American and European forecasting models indicate the potential for a few isolated showers, especially along and east of Interstate 45 by 8 or 9 p.m. With more than 24 hours left before showers develop, those exact times are subject to change, but the primary timing of showers are after sunset. Not everyone will see rain and those that do, it likely wont be enough to put a wrench in fireworks displays. If you have plans to be outside New Years Eve, have the rain gear on standby, but chances are you wont need it.

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Turning cooler in 2024

In this map of the continental United States, we see temperature anomalies about 5,000 feet above the surface, according to the European forecast model. Darker shades of blue and purple indicate chillier, below-average temperatures. Such readings can suggest that temperatures closer to the ground also will be colder than average. Pivotal Weather

The cold front that brings a slim chance for rain Sunday night will usher in much cooler weather by New Years Day. Highs will drop nearly 10 degrees from Sunday to Monday, with temperatures in many areas on Monday only topping out in the upper 50s for daytime highs.
Serhii Kyslytsya, Ukraines Permanent Representative to the UN, has informed the Security Council about the consequences of Russia's massive attack on Ukraine, noting that by killing "innocent people in Ukraine and abroad," the Russian Federation feels free to do so.

Source: Kyslytsyas report at the UN Security Council

Quote: "Just look at the list of targets that were so "bravely" destroyed by Russia last night. A maternity ward, educational facilities, a shopping mall, 45 multi-storey residential buildings, private houses, two churches, commercial and storage facilities, and a parking lot.

Given the reports on a Russian missile intruding into the air space of Poland during the Russian strike, we reiterate that Russian air terror poses a dangerous threat not only to Ukraine but to the neighbouring countries as well.

The only way to prevent its spillover effect is to continue supporting Ukraine by further strengthening our defence capacities."

"And as long as Russia is able to kill the credibility and integrity of the Security Council, it will feel free to kill innocent people in Ukraine and beyond."

Previously: The United States accused Russia of purposefully distracting the UN Security Council with topics about the Revolution of Dignity in Ukraine a decade ago, while Moscow was preparing its largest missile and air strike on Ukrainian cities.

Background:

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Experts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) have stated that Russia will continue to launch large-scale attacks on Ukraine, as it did on 29 December 2023.

Source: ISW

Details: Russian forces carried out the largest series of missile and drone strikes on Ukraine on the morning of 29 December since the start of the full-scale invasion.

The ISW report says that the series of attacks carried out by Russian forces on 29 December appears to be the culmination of several months of Russian experimentation with various combinations of drones and missiles, as well as attempts to test Ukraine's air defence systems.

ISW analysts pointed out that over the past few months, Russian forces have conducted a series of missile and drone strikes of varying scale, using various combinations of drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles.

According to the ISW's 21 October assessment, Russian forces were likely to diversify the mix of missiles, glider bombs and drones used in strike sequences to find weaknesses in Ukrainian air defences and optimise a strike package similar to the one launched by Russian forces on 29 December.

The Russians may have deliberately accumulated a variety of missiles during the autumn and early winter of 2023 to create a more powerful strike sequence and apply lessons learned from recent reconnaissance and surveillance missions, namely the use of Shahed attack drones to bypass Ukraine's air defence systems and the use of missiles to inflict maximum damage on intended targets.

The ISW emphasised that Russia will continue to conduct large-scale attacks against Ukraine in an attempt to undermine its morale and ability to sustain its military efforts against Russia.

To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways on 29 December:

Russian forces conducted the largest series of missile and drone strikes against Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion on the morning of 29 December.

The strike package that Russian forces launched on 29 December appears to be a culmination of several months of Russian experimentation with various drone and missile combinations and efforts to test Ukrainian air defences.

Russia will continue to conduct strikes against Ukraine at scale in an effort to degrade Ukrainian morale and Ukraines ability to sustain its war effort against Russia.

Current Russian missile and drone reserves and production rates likely do not allow Russian forces to conduct regular large-scale missile strikes, but likely do allow for more consistent drone strikes, which can explain the recent pattern of Russian strike packages.

The Kremlin's efforts to sufficiently mobilise Russia's defence industrial base (DIB) in support of its wartime objectives, including large-scale strike series, may been more successful than Western officials previously assessed due in part to Russias ability to procure military equipment from its partners and the redistribution of Russias resources for military production purposes.

Russian forces have likely routinely attempted to draw and fix limited Ukrainian air defence systems away from the front, and the Russian strikes on 29 December follow recent indications that Ukrainian air defences may be presenting significant challenges to Russian aviation operations along the frontline.

Western aid remains vital for Ukraines ability to defend against Russian strikes, and the end of such aid would likely set conditions for an expanded Russian air campaign In Ukraine.

Western leaders largely viewed the massive Russian strike as evidence that Putins maximalist goals in Ukraine remain unchanged, in line with ISWs long-standing assessment that Putin is not genuinely interested in a ceasefire or any sort of negotiated settlement in Ukraine.

Russian forces made recent confirmed advances northeast of Bakhmut and south of Avdiivka as positional engagements continued across the entire line of contact.

The Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced on 29 December that it has completed Russias autumn 2023 conscription cycle, which began on 1 October.

Russia continues the forced integration of occupied areas of Ukraine into the Russian system using social services and infrastructure restoration projects.

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KYIV, Ukraine  Russia launched 122 missiles and dozens of drones against Ukrainian targets, officials said Friday, killing at least 30 civilians across the country in what an air force official called the biggest aerial barrage of the war.

At least 144 people were wounded and an unknown number were buried under rubble during the roughly 18-hour onslaught, Ukrainian officials said. A maternity hospital, apartment blocks and schools were among the buildings reported damaged across Ukraine.

In the capital, Kyiv, broken glass and mangled metal littered city streets. Air raid and emergency service sirens wailed as plumes of smoke drifted into a bright blue sky.

Kateryna Ivanivna, a 72-year-old Kyiv resident, said she threw herself to the ground when a missile struck.

There was an explosion, then flames, she said. I covered my head and got down in the street. Then I ran into the subway station.

Meanwhile, in Poland, authorities said that what apparently was a Russian missile had entered the countrys airspace Friday morning from the direction of Ukraine and then vanished off radars.

In the attack on Ukraine, the air force intercepted most of the ballistic and cruise missiles and the Shahed-type drones overnight, said Ukraines military chief, Valerii Zaluzhnyi.

Western officials and analysts had recently warned that Russia limited its cruise missile strikes for months in an apparent effort to build up stockpiles for massive strikes during the winter, hoping to break the Ukrainians spirit.

The result was the most massive aerial attack since Russias full-scale invasion in February 2022, Air Force commander Mykola Oleshchuk wrote on his official Telegram channel. It topped the previous biggest assault, in November 2022 when Russia launched 96 missiles, and this years biggest, with 81 missiles on March 9, according to air force records.

Fighting along the front line is largely bogged down by winter weather after Ukraines summer counteroffensive failed to make a significant breakthrough along the roughly 620-mile line of contact.

Ukrainian officials have urged the countrys Western allies to provide it with more air defenses. Their appeals have come as signs of war fatigue strain efforts to keep support in place.

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Service, firefighters work in ruins of a mall damaged in Russia's most massive missile attack in Dnipro, Ukraine, Friday, Dec. 29, 2023.

The U.N. Security Council hastily convened later Friday to discuss the attack, which Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari called appalling.

Tragically, 2023 is ending as it began  with devastating violence against the people of Ukraine, he said, and noted that international humanitarian law forbids attacking civilians and civilian infrastructure.

President Joe Biden said in a statement that the bombardment shows Russian President Vladimir Putin must be stopped, but unless Congress takes urgent action in the new year, we will not be able to continue sending the weapons and vital air defense systems Ukraine needs to protect its people. Congress must step up and act.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the attack should stir the world to further action in support of Ukraine.

These widespread attacks on Ukraines cities show Putin will stop at nothing to achieve his aim of eradicating freedom and democracy, Sunak said on social media platform X, formerly Twitter. We must continue to stand with Ukraine  for as long as it takes.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned Russias attack in the strongest terms and said attacks against civilians are unacceptable and must end immediately, according to a statement.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said the scale of the attack should wake people up to Ukraines continuing needs.

Today, millions of Ukrainians awoke to the loud sound of explosions, he wrote on X. I wish those sounds of explosions in Ukraine could be heard all around the world. In all major capitals, headquarters, and parliaments, which are currently debating further support for Ukraine.

In Kyiv, the bombardment damaged a subway station that lies across the street from a factory belonging to the Artem company, which produces components for various military-grade missiles. Officials did not say whether the factory was directly hit.

Overall, the attack hit six cities, and reports of deaths and damage came in from across the country. Several dozen missiles were launched towards Kyiv, with more than 30 intercepted, said Serhii Popko, head of the Kyiv military administration. Eight people were killed there, officials said.

In Boyarka, near Kyiv, the debris of a shot-down drone fell on a home and started a fire. Andrii Korobka, 47, said his mother was sleeping next to the room where the wreckage landed and was taken to hospital suffering from shock.

The war goes on, and it can happen to any house, even if you think yours will never be affected, Korobka said.

Tetiana Sakhnenko lives next door and said neighbors ran with buckets of water to put out the blaze, but it spread quickly. Its so scary, she said.

In the eastern city of Dnipro, four maternity hospital patients were rescued from a fire, five people were killed and 20 injured, officials said.

In Odesa, on the southern coast, falling drone wreckage started a fire at a multistory residential building, according to the regional head, Oleh Kiper. Two people were killed and 15, including two children, were injured, he said.

The mayor of the western city of Lviv, Andrii Sadovyi, said one person was killed there, with three schools and a kindergarten damaged in a drone attack. Local emergency services said 30 people were injured.

In northeastern Ukraine, Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said the city was subjected to at least three waves of aerial attacks that included S-300 and Kh-21 missile launches. One person was killed and at least nine injured, officials said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ukraine says Russia launched biggest aerial barrage of war
Firefighters extinguish a fire at a residential building affected by the massive Russian missile and drone attack in Odessa, southern Ukraine. -/Ukrinform/dpa

Waves of Russian attacks on cities across Ukraine left at least 31 people dead and 152 injured, with the overnight onslaught described by Kiev on Friday as the worst aerial bombardment since the start of the war.

Missiles and drones hit cities nationwide, from Lviv in the west and and Kharkiv in the east, to Odessa in the south and the capital Kiev, triggering an air alert across the country. At least nine people were killed in the capital alone. Dnipro, Zaporizhzhya, and Odessa were also hit.

It was "largest air attack" on Ukraine since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion almost two years ago, Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi said.

Among the weapons used were Type S-300 Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, ballistic missiles, various cruise missile and Iranian-make long-range drones, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

"Today, Russia used nearly every type of weapon in its arsenal," he wrote on social media on Friday, adding that a maternity ward, educational institutions, a shopping mall and residential buildings were hit.

Zaluzhnyi said 122 missiles and 36 drones were fired by Russia, with air defences able to intercept over 70% of them.

Before Friday, the highest officially reported number of Russian missiles fired at Ukraine in one day was about 90.

The Russian Defence Ministry in Moscow only commented on the attack in passing, speaking of a "massive strike with high-precision weapons and drones ... All targeted objects were hit."

Later, Russia's UN Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya told an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council in New York that the real problem was that Ukraine had set up its air defence systems in residential areas.

"If the Ukrainian air defence systems hadn't operated, then there wouldn't have been any victims among civilians at all," Nebenzya said.

The Ukrainian government believes that the Russian military still has enough missiles and drones to carry out further heavy airstrikes on Ukraine.

"The Russians have been stockpiling missiles for this very purpose for many months: For strikes against residential buildings, shopping centres and hospitals," Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov wrote on Facebook on Friday.

When the Moscow military began regularly shelling Ukrainian cities and infrastructure objects last autumn and winter, Kiev repeatedly said that the Russians would soon run out of supplies.

Russia significantly increased its defence production in the second year of the war despite Western sanctions. It now produces more missiles, cruise missiles and drones than before the conflict.

In addition to the heavy bombardment from the air, Russia also attacked Ukraine with ground troops on Friday, according to the military leadership in Kiev.

However, the Ukrainian General Staff only recorded a comparatively low number of direct clashes, with 31 battles. The focus was once again on the front-line town of Avdiivka in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk.

Zelensky on Friday visited Avdiivka, which is half surrounded by Russian troops.

"Avdiivka: our positions and our boys," Zelensky said in a video message published on social networks showing him standing at the entrance to the industrial town, which was decorated with Ukrainian flags.

At the beginning of October, the Russian army launched a new offensive to capture Avdiivka. The heavily destroyed town is now only accessible via a road through a narrow corridor around 7 kilometres wide. Zelensky had already travelled to the front-line town in April.

EU chief diplomat Josep Borrell on Friday condemned Russia's recent airstrikes on Ukrainian cities, calling them "barbaric" and yet another attack on innocent civilians.

"It was yet another cowardly and indiscriminate targeting of schools, a metro station and a hospital," Borrell wrote on the X platform.

The European Union remains committed to providing additional military equipment in 2024 to help Ukraine resist the Russian invasion, Borrell said.

"The EU stands with Ukraine, as long as it takes," he wrote.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk strongly condemned the Russian airstrikes. "I am shocked by yet another full-scale set of coordinated missile and drone attacks by the Russian Federation across Ukraine during the night of December 28 to 29," Turk said in Geneva.

A Russian missile briefly violated the airspace of NATO member state Poland, the Polish army said on Friday.

"Everything points to the fact that a Russian missile entered Polish airspace. It was tracked by us on radar and also left the airspace again," Chief of the General Staff Wiesaw Kukua said in Warsaw.

The missile was in Polish airspace for around three minutes and flew over 40 kilometres, the army said.

Kukua said that most of the Russian missiles had been tracked during the night. One of them then flew over the Ukrainian border with Poland.

"We instructed our aircraft to intercept them and shoot them down if necessary." However, this was not possible due to the short time and the way the missile flew. To be on the safe side, however, soldiers are still searching for any debris on the ground along the flight path.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk held a meeting with Defence Minister Wadysaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, the army general staff and intelligence chiefs. Polish President Andrzej Duda convened a meeting of the National Security Office. He also informed NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg of the incident.

"NATO stands in solidarity with our valued ally, is monitoring the situation & we will remain in contact as the facts are established. NATO remains vigilant," Stoltenberg wrote on the platform X.

A US State Department spokesman told the PAP news agency that they are in constant contact with Poland's leadership and take the security of NATO allies very seriously.

In November 2022, a missile hit a Polish village on the border with Ukraine, killing two civilians. The West assumed that it was a Ukrainian anti-aircraft missile that had been deployed in defence against Russian attacks.

Firefighters extinguish a fire at a residential building affected by the massive Russian missile and drone attack in Odessa, southern Ukraine. -/Ukrinform/dpa

Smoke rises over Kiev after the massive Russian missile attack on Friday morning. As reported, Russia launched around 110 missiles. The Ukrainian air defence forces downed 87 cruise missiles and 27 Shahed drones. Nicolas Cleuet/Le Pictorium via ZUMA Press/dpa

Smoke rises over Kiev after the massive Russian missile attack on Friday morning. As reported, Russia launched around 110 missiles. The Ukrainian air defence forces downed 87 cruise missiles and 27 Shahed drones. Nicolas Cleuet/Le Pictorium via ZUMA Press/dpa
Moscow has refused to provide any explanation for a purported Russian missile that violated Polish airspace during its Dec. 29 mass attack on Ukraine, demanding "concrete evidence" before addressing the issue, the pro-Kremlin RIA Novosti propaganda agency reported, citing the Russian Federation's Charge d'Affaires to Poland, Andrei Ordash.

He dismissed Warsaws accusations as "groundless" and compared them to a "very similar" incident on Nov. 15, 2022, when a missile fell in the Polish village of Przewodow during a massive Russian attack on Ukraine, killing two people. Initial reports suggested it was Russian-made, but on Sept. 26, Polish experts concluded that the missile was part of Ukraines air defense.

Polish President Andrzej Duda convened an urgent meeting of the government because of an "unknown object" that was spotted in the country's airspace during Russias massive missile attack on Ukraine on Dec. 29, the Polish presidency said.

The Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces spotted an "unknown object" in the country's airspace on the morning of Dec. 29.

The object came from the direction of the Ukrainian border. It was monitored by air defense radars from the moment it crossed the border into Poland until the signal disappeared.

Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Wadysaw Teofil Bartoszewski said that in the future, the country would respond "more firmly" to repeated attempts by Russia to violate its airspace.

Ukraine intercepted 114 of the 158 missiles Russia launched at Ukraine overnight on Dec. 28-29 in Russias biggest attack on Ukraine of the war, according to Ukraines Commander-in-Chief Valerie Zaluzhnyi.

Damage to residential buildings and civilian infrastructure have been reported in several major cities, including Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa, Zaporizhzhya Dnipro, Cherkasy, Sumy, and Lviv, which borders Poland.

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Russia has started constructing a naval base in occupied Abkhazia; the Russian Federation has already begun infrastructure work in the Ochamchira District and has started transferring warships.

Source: European Pravda; project SOVA

Information that Russia is starting to equip a naval base in Ochamchira appeared on 28 December on the Oko Gora + News and Analytics Telegram channel. Judging by recent images, the Russian Armed Forces are starting dredging operations in the port.

The Telegram channel, in particular, posted pictures showing that as of 26 December, there were about 50 vessels in the port, although a week before, there had been none. The images also show the difference in the bottom depth in the port.

Meanwhile, BBC Newsnight and BBC Verify analysed satellite images showing that dredging and construction work was carried out at Ochamchira port after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Now, the port is the base of patrol ships of the border service of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation. This structure protects the so-called borders of the self-proclaimed Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

The number and type of Russian vessels currently stationed in Ochamchira are unknown. However, some Western and Georgian publications noted that work on deepening the bottom would allow receiving vessels with a displacement of up to 13,000 tonnes.

Representatives of Ukrainian intelligence claim that the primary goal of these works is to turn Ochamchira into a safe harbour for ships of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. Recent attacks by the Ukrainian Armed Forces in occupied Crimea have cost Moscow several warships and a submarine. Kyiv notes that in these conditions, the command of the Black Sea Fleet decided to transfer the vessels remaining afloat to more protected ports.

Background:

In early October, Aslan Bzhania, the so-called president of unrecognised Abkhazia, said that a new permanent base of the Russian Navy in the Ochamchira District and the corresponding "agreement" with the Russian Federation have already been signed.

The deputy speaker of the Georgian Parliament then stated that the Parliament of Georgia is not going to judge Russia's intentions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that due to the actions of the Defence Forces of Ukraine, the Black Sea fleet of the Russian Federation lost control of the north-western part of the Black Sea and partially left Crimea, and Ukraine is ready to "get" Russian ships in other places, including at the base, in occupied territories of Georgia.

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Serhiy Kyslytsya, Ukraine's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, laid out a report to the UN Security Council on the aftermath of Russia's massive attack on Ukraine, saying that Russia feels free to murder people in a statement on Facebook on Dec. 29.

Read also: UN Secretary-General strongly condemns Russian overnight drone and missile attacks on Ukraine

"Just look at the list of targets that were so bravely destroyed by Russia last night, Kyslytsya said.

A maternity ward, educational facilities, a shopping mall, 45 multi-story residential buildings, private houses, two churches, commercial and storage facilities, and a parking lot."

Kyslytsya stressed that Russian aerial attacks doesn't only threaten Ukraine but spills over into neighboring countries, pointing to reports of a Russian missile breaching Poland's airspace. He concluded that supporting Ukraine and strengthening its defense capabilities is the only way to avert such consequences. He also emphasized that as long as Russia undermines the credibility and integrity of the Security Council, it will keep feeling at liberty to murder innocent people in Ukraine and beyond.

Russia unleashed a massive attack on Ukraine with kamikaze drones on theevening of Dec. 28 and with missiles on the night of Dec. 29. Kharkiv bore the brunt of numerous strikes, while in Lviv, a kamikaze drone hit led to a fire at a critical infrastructure site, and there were reports of strikes in the town of Konotop. Explosions rocked several cities.

Russia also struck a residential building in Lviv, killing one person and injuring 15. Additional casualties were reported in Kyiv, Dnipro, Odesa, Zaporizhzhya, and Kharkiv.

Ukraines top general, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, reported that the air defense forces successfully shot down 87cruise missiles and 27 drones.

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Chief of Poland's armed forces Gen. Wieslaw Kukula tells to the media that everything indicates that a Russian missile intruded in eastern Poland's airspace and left after a short time, following a national security meeting over the incident in Warsaw, Poland, Friday, Dec. 29, 2023. (AP Photo)

WARSAW, Poland (AP)  Russia will not provide any explanations about an unidentified object that briefly entered Polands airspace until it receives evidence that shows the object was a Russian missile, Russias top diplomat in Poland said Saturday.

Polands defense forces said an unknown object traveled 40 kilometers (24 miles) into the countrys airspace Friday from the direction of Ukraine before leaving minutes later and vanishing off radars. The head of the Polish armed forces, Gen. Wiesaw Kukua, said everything indicates it was a Russian missile.

Polands Foreign Ministry demanded explanations from Moscow. Russias charge daffaires in Warsaw, Andrei Ordash, told Russian state news agency RIA Novosti on Saturday that Poland's claims were unsubstantiated.

We will not give any explanations until we are presented with concrete evidence, because these accusations are unsubstantiated, Ordash told RIA Novosti.

Some 500 Polish Territorial Defense troops combed an area between the city of Zamosc and the border with Ukraine for any traces of the object Saturday, but officials said nothing suspicious was found.

Polands border with Ukraine is also the European Union and NATO's border with Ukraine.
Andrei Ordash, Russian Charge d'Affaires in Poland, after being summoned to the Polish Foreign Ministry, has said that Moscow was not going to give an explanation for the Russian missile in Polish airspace until it is provided with "hard evidence".

Source: RIA Novosti, a Kremlin-aligned Russian news outlet

"Until hard evidence is provided, we will not give any explanations, because these accusations are unfounded," Ordash said.

He pointed out the incident in November 2022, when a missile killed two people in a Polish border village.

"Back then, they also tried to blame the Russian side for this incident. Later it turned out that the missile was fired by the Ukrainian military," Ordash said.

Background:

On Friday, 29 December, Poland's General Staff stated that a Russian missile had violated the country's airspace. The Polish military found that the missile flew 40 kilometres into Poland and returned to Ukraine three minutes later.

After that, the Russian Charge d'Affaires was summoned to the Polish Foreign Ministry to give an explanation for the incident.

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Southern Baptists vote on a motion during the 2022 SBC Annual Meeting on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif. Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Marriane McLain worships before Southern Baptist Convention President Ed Litton welcomes people and calls the 2022 SBC Annual Meeting to order Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif. Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Mike Keahbone worships during the 2022 SBC Annual Meeting on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim. Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Bruce Frank, lower-center-right, who leads the sexual abuse task force, speaks during a press conference with other members of the task force about reforms passed by the Southern Baptist Convention to combat sex abuse at the 2022 SBC Annual Meeting on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer

More than 8,000 Southern Baptists gathered at an annual two-day meeting in Anaheim, Calif., overwhelmingly approved two new measures to combat sexual abuse, and elected a Texas pastor as SBC president who has spoken out against abuse.

The votes capped a long day of heated debate about the future of the second-largest faith group in the United States. Heres what you need to know:

Southern Baptists leaders were criticized for their handling of abuse complaints

The SBC meeting is happening on the heels of an explosive investigation released last month by Guidepost Solutions that found a small group of influential Southern Baptist leaders had routinely silenced and disparaged sexual abuse survivors over the past two decades. The report says the leaders ignored calls to stop predators and had secretly maintained an internal list of accused offenders at churches while publicly stating that the SBC couldnt publish such a resource for the public.

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The vote is also the SBCs latest response to Abuse of Faith, a 2019 investigation by the Houston Chronicle and the San Antonio Express-News that found hundreds of SBC church leaders and volunteers have been criminally charged with sex crimes since 2000.

Southern Baptists approved a database of offenders  15 years after it was first proposed

After the Guidepost report was released, an SBC task force on sexual abuse offered two recommendations to the Southern Baptists in Anaheim:

Approve the creation of a new task force to fully study all of Guideposts recommendations and report on their feasibility by next year. The task force would serve as a resource for abuse prevention and survivor care.

Approve the creation of a ministry check website to maintain a record of pastors, employees and volunteers who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse and who have been or are associated with a Southern Baptist entity. The website would include offenders who confessed, were convicted of a criminal charge or had a civil judgment rendered against them. A credible accusation can also be confirmed by an independent third party hired by any church or Southern Baptist entity, such as a law firm.

Such a database was proposed by Oklahoma pastor Wade Burleson at the SBCs 2007 annual meeting in San Antonio. It was rejected a year later by SBC leaders who claimed the convention had no authority to compel its churches to comply.

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The Guidepost report revealed that an SBC lawyer had actually written a confidential legal memo arguing that a database of offenders was entirely feasible. Survivor advocates such as Christa Brown had made similar arguments, but were ignored by SBC leaders for years.

If they would have just produced a (database) 15 years ago, we wouldn't be here, Burleson said Wednesday.

Texas pastor elected as SBC president

Southern Baptists also elected Bart Barber, pastor of First Baptist Church of Farmersville in North Texas, as the SBCs next president.

Barber has been outspoken about the need for the SBC to be more caring toward abuse survivors and he defeated Florida pastor Tom Ascol with 60 percent of the votes in a runoff election that was announced late Tuesday evening, after most of the 8,000 church representatives in attendance had already left their meeting in Anaheim.

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Ascols candidacy was backed by the Conservative Baptist Network, a splinter group of SBC churches, leaders and conservative politicos that was created in 2020 in opposition to what they say is a liberal drift in the SBC.

A defeat for the conservative faction

Earlier in the day, pastors aligned with the Conservative Baptist Network had tried to mobilize in opposition to the two major abuse reforms that were overwhelmingly passed.

Those defeats came after a breakfast that featured right-wing political operative Charlie Kirk, as well as other longtime conservative figures who warned that Ascols election was paramount to combating critical race theory and other hot-button political issues that they said were dire and existential threats to Christianity.

Our beautiful faith is under attack from within, Kirk said on Tuesday.
Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reported that 39 people were killed in the massive Russian missile strike on 29 December.

Source: Zelenskyy on Telegram

Quote from Zelenskyy: "The work to eliminate the consequences of yesterday's Russian attack is still ongoing. Almost 120 cities and villages  hundreds of civilian targets  were damaged.

In total, 159 people were injured in this terrorist attack. Among them, as of now, unfortunately, 39 have died."

Details: Zelenskyy thanked search and rescue teams, municipal workers and policemen for their work, as well as Western partners for their support.

Background:

On the night of 28-29 December, Russia launched a large-scale attack on Ukraine. Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Odesa, Lviv, Zaporizhzhia and other cities were hit.

In the end, out of the 158 air targets the Russians launched towards Ukraine, 114 were destroyed by the air defence network. Ukraine's Air Force said Russia employed nearly every kind of weaponry at its disposal.

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Russian attacks against Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts on Dec. 30 killed two people, regional officials reported.

A 55-year-old man was killed in a Russian strike against Kherson's suburb of Antonivka, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin wrote on his Telegram channel.

Russian forces launched the attack at 2:10 p.m. local time, according to the regional prosecutor's office.

The victim was reportedly present in the yard of his house at the time of the attack.

In Zaporizhzhia Oblast, a 43-year-old man was killed in a Russian rocket attack against Stepnohirsk, Governor Yurii Malashko said.

The strike, carried out at 12:10 p.m. local time, also damaged a residential building, the governor noted.

The reports come only a day after Russia launched a massive wave of strikes against Ukraine that killed at least 39 people and injured over 160 others.

Read also: Death toll in Russias air attack rises: 5 more bodies recovered in Kyiv, making it deadliest attack (UPDATED)

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Explosions and fires were recorded in Russia's Belgorod on Dec. 30, according to Russian Telegram channels. Russian officials accused Ukraine of attacking the city. Kyiv has not claimed responsibility.

The report comes only a day after Russia launched a massive wave of strikes against Ukraine that killed at least 39 people and injured over 160 others.

Belgorod Oblast Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov claimed at around 3 p.m. local time that Ukrainian forces launched an attack against the center of Belgorod, a city about 40 kilometers away from the Ukrainian border.

Nearly an hour later, Gladkov wrote on his Telegram channel that a missile attack alert had been activated and urged citizens to head to shelters.

The Russian Emergency Situations Ministry claimed that 14 people were killed during the attack, including two children. Some 108 people, including 15 children, were allegedly injured.

The Kyiv Independent could not verify the claims.

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Ukrainian authorities did not claim responsibility, as they generally do not comment on reports of attacks and explosions on Russian territory.

Ukrainska Pravda reported that according to its source in intelligence agencies, Ukrainian forces were targeting military facilities in Belgorod Oblast.

The damage in the city was caused by Russian air defenses mishandling the situation, which resulted in debris falling on the city center, the source claimed.

Similar information was provided to RBC Ukraine by the news agency's undisclosed intelligence source.

Ukrainian forces allegedly targeted military sites in the city, but inefficient response by Russian defenses resulted in damage to civilian areas, according to RBC Ukraine's source.

"These joint measures are a result of the barbaric attacks against Dnipro, Kharkiv, Odesa, and the killing of civilians. These measures are ongoing," the source said.

The Kyiv Independent cannot verify this information.

Footage published on Russian Telegram channels shows multiple fires in the city, damaged buildings, and burning cars.

Russian officials in Belgorod Oblast, which borders Ukraine's Kharkiv and Sumy oblasts, regularly report on cross-border strikes by Ukrainian forces.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Russias largest air attack on Ukraine kills 30, injures over 160

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Missile traces are visible in the sky (illustrative photo)

A Russian Iskander-M ballistic missile was shot down by the Ukrainian Air Defense Forces as it approached Zaporizhzhya, regional governor Yuriy Malashko wrote on Telegram on Dec. 30.

Debris from the missile fell in an open area on the outskirts of the city. No injuries or damage were reported.

Read also: 31 civilians killed, 130+ injured as Russia unleashes largest missile and drone attack of the war

Earlier in the day, an explosion was reported in the city during an air alert throughout Ukraine after a Russian MiG-31K fighter jet took off in the morning.

Read also: Air raid alert declared across Ukraine following launch of Russian MiG-31K fighter jet

Explosions were also heard in Dnipro. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia fired a Kh-59 Ovod cruise missile in the direction of the city.

There has been no official comment on the consequences of the attack on Dnipro.

A day of mourning was declared in Zaporizhzhya as the death toll from Russia's massive combined missile and drone attack on Ukraine on Dec. 29 rose to nine, regional governor Yuriy Malashko wrote on Telegram on Dec. 30.

A day of mourning was also declared in Odesa Oblast and the city of Dnipro.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
We finally have our first look at a Russian Kh-101 air-launched cruise missile releasing decoy flares in flight. Russia's forces have been employing Kh-101s with this capability in Ukraine on some level since at least January. This is a feature that first emerged publicly after the recovery of a largely intact example of one of these missiles with what was later confirmed to be a countermeasures dispenser system installed. The War Zone had deduced this was likely the case after seeing the images of the downed Kh-101.

Video showing the Kh-101 deploying countermeasures appeared on social media earlier today, but it is unclear where or when it was taken. Its emergence does follow a massive missile and drone barrage on cities across Ukraine today, which included the launch of at least 90 Kh-101, Kh-55, and Kh-555 air-launched cruise missiles, according to Ukrainian authorities. You can read more about Russia's strikes on Ukraine today here .

https://twitter.com/Archer83Able/status/1740825168463966429

The subsonic Kh-101 (as well as its nuclear-armed cousin, the Kh-102) is a substantially revised derivative of the Kh-55/Kh-555 family with some stealthy features and other improvements. You can learn more about these missiles in this previous article .

In the video, the countermeasures can be heard popping off as they are fired. They also notably lack the streams of smoke often seen trailing behind decoy flares . They could be spectral flares where the main heat plume is not visible to the naked eye, or just smaller ones with shorter overall burn times. Radar-confusing chaff , which can be made up of bundles of thin metal strips, metalized paper, or fiberglass threads, could also be included in the mix. However, the deployment of chaff is not generally readily visible from the ground. We will come back to all of this in a moment.

The video below shows an U.S. F/A-18 Hornet fighter deploying both flares and chaff.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIESmK5qoDc

Reports that Russia had begun fielding a new countermeasure-equipped Kh-101 subvariant, called the Izdeliye 504AP (Object 504AP), first emerged in late 2022. At that time, it was said that the countermeasures were intended to "jam" enemy surface-to-air missiles, which could point to dispensers loaded with chaff.

https://twitter.com/piotr_butowski/status/1592865947580522497

After the wreckage of the Kh-101 with the dispenser was recovered in January of this year, the Ukrainian outlet Defense Express put out a report about the countermeasures capabilities, citing anonymous sources. That story said the missile could carry dispensers pre-loaded with either flares ("thermal traps") or chaff. Defense Express also published pictures of one of the dispenser units, including an x-ray image, which it asserted proved that the cartridges inside were flares.

https://twitter.com/chrisschmitz/status/1621476466780262400?s=20

However, later in February, the Ukrainian military presented what appeared to be the same dispenser unit that Defense Express had published pictures of (or at least the same design with the same markings), as well as other portions recovered Kh-101s, at a press conference. An accompanying briefing slide in English described the countermeasures as "dipole anti-radar reflectors" consisting of "a stripe [sic; strip] of foil, metalised paper, or fiberglass"  in other words, chaff.

The briefing slide shown at the February press conference makes no mention of decoy flares. It does say the cartridges are pyrotechnically launched or otherwise actuated, which would align with the popping sound heard in the video the emerged earlier today.

A screen grab from a video recording of the February 2023 press conference about the captured Kh-101 during the segment about the missile's countermeasures capabilities. Armed Forces of Ukraine capture

A close-up of the English-language briefing slide about the countermeasures capabilities found on the recovered Kh-101. Though blurry, key information is still legible. Armed Forces of Ukraine capture

The video below shows the full press conference Ukrainian officials gave on the recovered Kh-101 in February.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DMM3dbWcXc\u0026t=245s

As noted, there is the possibility that the Kh-101 seen in the new video, which is very low quality, is firing a mixture of flares and chaff. It also remains unclear how the launch of the countermeasures is triggered. The missiles are likely to be preprogrammed to fire them when they reach a particular waypoint, such as in the terminal phase closer to the target or where threat systems are thought to be along their route.

Kh-101s with and without countermeasures capabilities (as well as other cruise missiles) could be employed in waves together, with the former helping to pave the way to the target areas.

As The War Zone highlighted back in January , broadly similar countermeasures dispensers capable of deploying flares and chaff have been seen on various types of aerial target drones, such as the American BQM-167 Skeeter . in the past. That has inherently given those uncrewed aircraft a secondary capability to support combat operations by helping to clear the way for aircraft and missiles. Firebee target drones loaded with chaff did exactly this during the opening phases of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, for instance.

A BQM-167 target drone. Countermeasure dispensers are seen arrayed around the top of the nose section. USAF

Russia has been observed using other kinds of aerial decoy capabilities in Ukraine, as well. This includes the use of denuclearized Kh-55 air-launched cruise missiles with inert metal 'plugs' in place of their warheads and balloons with radar reflectors hanging underneath.

https://twitter.com/MilMediaCenter/status/1598298576844918785

It's also interesting to note that Russia's use of Iskander-M short-range ballistic missiles earlier in the early phases of its all-out invasion of Ukraine exposed a built-in 'penetration aid' decoy capability on those weapons that was not previously known publicly.

https://twitter.com/CAT_UXO/status/1500145582295470080

That Russia would be interested in giving its cruise missiles additional built-in self-protection capabilities makes good sense, especially in the context of the conflict in Ukraine. Ukrainian forces regularly claim to have significant success in blunting Russian missile and drone strikes. For instance, Ukraine's Air Force said it was able to shoot down 114 of the 158 missiles and drones Russia's forces launched at the country today. Though The War Zone cannot independently confirm these losses, the use of the countermeasure-equipped Kh-101 certainly points to concerns about Ukrainian air and missile defense capabilities.

The emergence of this footage of the countermeasure-deploying Kh-101 also comes amid growing evidence that Ukrainian air defenders have altered their tactics in recent months to disrupt Russian tactical air operations. A growing arsenal of Western air and missile defense systems, especially U.S.-supplied Patriot surface-to-air missile systems, look to be key enablers in all of this. Patriots, however, are radar-guided, and would not be thrown off by flares.

https://twitter.com/DefenceU/status/1738951277474701732

Ukraine has also received a growing number of shorter-range air defense systems, including infrared-homing IRIS-T surface-to-air missile systems from Germany, and a British-supplied ad-hoc system that uses heat-seeking AIM-132 Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missiles (ASRAAM) as its effector. These systems, as well as German-made radar-cued Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns , have proven very capable against subsonic cruise missiles like the Kh-101, as well as drones .

Most shoulder-fired surface-to-air missile systems , also known as man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS), are also heat-seeking. Ukrainian forces have used MANPADS with some success against cruise missiles, as well as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and drones.

https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1740222280645640590

Just today, in response to Russia's latest missile and drone strikes, U.K. Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said his country was "moving rapidly to" further "bolster Ukraine's air defenses" in the form of sending "hundreds of British made air defense missiles."

https://twitter.com/grantshapps/status/1740761246142501273?s=20

Altogether, it seems likely that we will only see more examples of countermeasures equipped Kh-101s, as well as other Russian developments to try to ensure its now precious cruise missiles can get to targets, in the future.

Update:

Much clearer footage of the flare release can be seen in this video. It is occurring during the missile's terminal stage of flight, right before impact, which makes sense.

https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/1741014254806077899?s=20

Contact the author: joe@thedrive.com
Moscow is not going to give an explanation about the Russian missile in Polish airspace until it is provided with "concrete evidence" that the missile is Russian, the country's charge d'affaires in Poland Andrei Ordash said, as quoted by Russian state media outlet RIA Novosti.

The Polish Foreign Ministry reported on Dec. 29 that it had summoned Ordash after a Russian missile entered the Polish airspace during the morning mass attack against Ukraine.

Poland's Deputy Foreign Minister Wladyslaw Teofil Bartoszewski handed Ordash a note demanding an explanation of the incident and "an immediate cessation of such activities," the ministry wrote.

Russia unleashed a barrage of 158 attack drones and missiles on Ukraine overnight and in the early morning of Dec. 29 in the largest air attack on the country since the start of the full-scale invasion.

Read also: Russia launches largest air attack on Ukraine since start of full-scale war

During the attack, the Polish army's Operational Command recorded an unidentified object entering Poland's airspace from the border with Ukraine. The incident prompted Polish President Andrzej Duda to convene an emergency meeting of the National Security Council.

After the meeting, Polish military officials said that the aerial object was likely a Russian missile, which spent less than three minutes in the country's airspace and then went back to Ukraine.

Witnesses reportedly saw the object "moving at great speed" above the village of Dolhobyczow in Lublin Voivodeship, less than 5 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.

After speaking with the Russian envoy, Bartoszewski told reporters, as cited by Polish media outlet RMF24, that such actions by Russia are "testing our effectiveness and our approach to defense," assuring that Poland will "respond quickly and effectively if this happens again."

Read also: Duda holds emergency meeting after unidentified object enters Polish airspace

Bartoszewski said he's made it clear to Ordash that any repeated attempts of "testing the borders" of Poland will be met "with a stronger reaction" from Warsaw.

He added that if the Russian missile "had flown a bit further into Polish territory, it would have been shot down."

"We have a well-prepared army, great commanders, and a great minister of national defense, and we will do everything to ensure that Poland's security increases significantly in 2024."

Dolhobyczow lies 12 kilometers north of the village of Przewodow, where two people were killed in November 2022 when an out-of-control Ukrainian air defense missile hit a grain storage facility. On that day, Russian forces carried out a massive attack against Ukraine, launching around 100 missiles against the country's energy infrastructure.

Ordash reportedly referred to the incident to deny Russia's responsibility in the Dec. 29 case.

Read also: Western leaders condemn Russias mass attack on Ukraine, Zelensky urges world to respond

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Russian forces attacked downtown Kharkiv on Dec. 30, injuring 20 people, Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported.

Among those injured are two boys aged 14 and 16.

The city was reportedly attacked with at least six missiles, one of which struck a residential building, causing a fire.

The attack comes a day after Russia unleashed the largest air attack on Ukraine.

The Dec. 30 attack on Kharkiv damaged several multi-story residential buildings, a shop, and public spaces, Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported.

Solely civilian infrastructure was attacked, Syniehubov said, adding that emergency services are on the scene.

An emergency serviceman and a policeman are helping an injured may following a Russian missile attack on downtown Kharkiv that injured at least 16 people on Dec. 30, 2023. (Interior Ministry/Telegram)

The attack also damaged the Kharkiv Palace, a five-star hotel in the city's center, injuring a woman and a foreign journalist.

Several hours before the Kharkiv attack, Russian authorities claimed a Ukrainian attack on Russia's Belgorod Oblast, including the regional capital.

The Russian Emergency Situations Ministry claimed that 14 people were killed, including two children. Some 108 people, including 15 children, were allegedly injured. The Kyiv Independent could not verify the claims.

Ukraine has not claimed responsibility. Kyiv generally does not comment on reports of attacks and explosions on Russian soil.

Read also: Hit the Kremlin: Kyivans dont hold back after Russias mass attack kills 9, wounds 30 in the capital

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation into the attacks on Krasnohorivka, Avdiivka and Toretsk, where five civilians were wounded.

Source: Prosecutor General's Office

Quote: "Under the procedural supervision of Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor's Office, a pre-trial investigation was initiated in criminal cases on the violation of the laws and customs of war (Part 1 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine)."

Details: According to the investigation, the occupiers shelled Krasnohorivka with artillery on 29 December 2023. Russian shells hit a residential area, where a 41-year-old man and an 83-year-old woman were injured. Another wounded person, aged 79, was injured in his own home.

Avdiivka also came under Russian fire once again. A 50-year-old resident of Avdiivka sustained injuries as a result of an attack on his home. He was taken to hospital in a critical condition for medical care.

In addition, the Russians targeted Toretsk, as a result of which a 60-year-old woman sustained shrapnel wounds and a broken leg in her own garden, and was hospitalised.

The Prosecutor General's Office clarified that, according to early reports, the Russians fired at the settlements from Grad multiple-launch rocket systems and artillery.

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UK Defence Intelligence has noted an increase in daily casualties in the Russian Federation's forces in the war against Ukraine and predicted that at this rate, the total number will cross the 500,000 mark by 2025.

Source: UK Ministry of Defence's intelligence review on 30 December

Details: UK intelligence noted that in 2023, the average daily losses of Russian personnel, both killed and wounded, increased to almost 300 per day, which is more than in 2022.

Quote: "The increase in daily averages, as reported by the Ukrainian authorities, almost certainly reflects the degradation of Russias forces and its transition to a lower quality, high quantity mass army since the partial mobilisation of reservists in September 2022. It will likely take Russia five to ten years to rebuild a cohort of highly trained and experienced military units."

More details: UK Defence Intelligence noted that if the current rate of losses continues through 2024, Russia's losses in terms of those killed and wounded will reach more than half a million by 2025. UK intelligence pointed out that during the nine years of their war in Afghanistan, the USSR lost approximately 70,000 people.

Background:

In one of its previous reviews, UK intelligence assessed the destruction of the Russian large landing ship Novocherkassk.

UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps noted that this episode refutes the allegations of an alleged "deadlock" in the war in Ukraine.

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SAULT STE. MARIE  There was a lot of big news in the Sault area in 2023.

From arson to new housing projects, here are our top five stories of the year:

Housing progress

The housing crisis has been a major issue in the region for years, and this year saw real progress being made towards new development of affordable housing.

In July, the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians officially opened the Bgwasendam Gamigong Lodge of Hope as a way to address homelessness on a more direct level.

More: Sault Tribe opens Lodge of Hope to help address homelessness needs

Sault tribe Chairperson Austin Lowes and other tribal members cut the ribbon to open the Lodge of Hope to fight tribal homelessness.

Over the summer, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers also announced housing for temporary workers who will be staying locally while they work on the New Lock at the Soo project. The temporary housing project in Kincheloe is intended to alleviate pressure on the housing stock and demand for hotel rooms.

More: Temporary housing to host hundreds of Soo Locks workers

Tribe celebrates 50 years of federal recognition

The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians marked 50 years of federal recognition in 2023.

Although the Sault Tribe has existed for hundreds of generations, it was not recognized as an official tribal nation by the United States government until 1972. Federal recognition allowed the tribe to establish its own official local government and allowed the tribe to take part in various federal programs.

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More: Sault Tribe celebrates homecoming powwow, grand assembly

Dancers take part in the grand entry during the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians' Honoring Our Veterans Powwow to celebrate Veterans Day at Kewadin Casino on Nov. 11, 2023.

While 2023 is technically the 51st anniversary of their federal recognition, the tribe celebrated this year because the previous year's event was canceled due to COVID-19 concerns for the tribe's elders.

Line 5 tunnel takes step forward

After years of legal challenges and debate, Enbridge Energys Line 5 tunnel project took a significant step forward in December when the Michigan Public Service Commission granted approval for the plan, with several conditions.

Environmental advocates have long called for the pipeline to be shut down over concerns that an oil spill in the Straits would be ecologically devastating, while supporters point to Enbridges role in providing fuel, energy and employment across the state.

More: Line 5 tunnel plan gets OK from Michigan Public Service Commission

More: Four Michigan tribes plan to appeal Line 5 ruling

A diver is seen working along the submerged portion of Enbridges Line 5 pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac.

In an effort to address safety concerns, Enbridge plans to build an underwater tunnel to house the portion of Line 5 that runs under the Straits.

The commissions approval is not the final hurdle for Enbridge. They still need a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in order to proceed with the project.

Meanwhile, four of Michigans Tribal Nations  including the Bay Mills Indian Community, Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians and Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi  announced this month their intention to appeal the commissions decision.

State police arson incident

In September, an act of arson and vandalism at the Michigan State Police post in Sault Ste. Marie led to a manhunt, shootout and eventual arrest of the suspect.

In the early morning hours of Sept. 6, a man was seen lighting several Michigan State Police vehicles on fire and shooting them with a rifle. Officers later located the suspect, James Kamal Itani, 39, from Orlando, Florida, at a home on Riverside Drive.

More: Suspect arrested in state police arson case following Thursday shootout

In the early morning hours of Sept. 6, a man was seen lighting several Michigan State Police vehicles on fire and shooting them with a rifle.

Itani shot at officers, and suffered gunshot wounds during the altercation. He was arrested and treated for his injuries. He was charged with one count of terrorism, one count of third-degree arson, 11 counts of assault with intent to murder and multiple counts of weapons violations.

News of the arson incident was reported across the state. As officers hunted for the suspect, local businesses and homeowners were asked to check their own security footage and report anything suspicious. Sault Area Schools also kept their doors locked but proceeded with classes as normal during the manhunt.

New Lock at the Soo continues

Work on the New Lock at the Soo project continues to make progress.

The project is being built in three phases. Phase 1 was completed in 2022, and phase 2 is expected to be completed in summer 2024. According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, phase 3 construction began in late 2022, and is expected to last seven years, given efficient funding and favorable weather.

More: Army Corps offers update on Soo Locks construction

The 1,013-foot-long Paul R. Tregurtha freighter enters the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

Around 95 percent of all the iron ore mined in the country passes through the Soo Locks, making the condition of the locks vital to multiple industries.

Currently, two of the four locks are open for use  the Poe Lock and the MacArthur Lock. At 800 feet long, the MacArthur Lock is not large enough to support most of the iron ore freighters that pass through, so around 88 percent of iron ore is restricted to the Poe Lock.

The new lock under construction will replace the old unused locks on the north side. When the new lock is in place, the Poe and new lock will be used interchangeably. Officials said having a backup lock in place will make maintenance easier on both.

The project has been underway for several years, and will take several more to complete. The current projected end date is around 2030.

 Contact Jillian Fellows at jfellows@petoskeynews.com.

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: The Sault News top 5 stories of 2023
Incoming Southern Baptist Convention President Bart Barber speaks to reporters during a press conference during the 2022 SBC Annual Meeting on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim. Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Incoming Southern Baptist Convention President Bart Barber speaks to reporters during a press conference during the 2022 SBC Annual Meeting on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim. Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Incoming Southern Baptist Convention President Bart Barber speaks to reporters during a press conference during the 2022 SBC Annual Meeting on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim. Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Scarlett Nokes gets a hug from a pastor after she spoke about the value of being a Southern Baptist in the corporate work during the 2022 SBC Annual Meeting on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim. Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Scarlett Nokes gets applause as she speaks about the value of being a Southern Baptist in the corporate work during the 2022 SBC Annual Meeting on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim. Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

ANAHEIM, Calif.  The new president of the Southern Baptist Convention vowed Wednesday to make the nations second-largest faith group a dangerous place for sexual abusers.

Sexual predators have used our decentralized polity to try to turn our churches into a hunting ground, said Bart Barber, a Texas pastor who was elected president Tuesday. And yet, our decentralized polity can become, rather than a hunting ground in which predators brutalize their prey, a place where sexual predators are put on notice that the tables have turned and where the hunter is now the hunted.

The comments by Barber, pastor of First Baptist Church of Farmersville in North Texas, came as thousands of Southern Baptist church messengers convened for the final day of the faith groups annual meeting, where they delivered another series of rebukes to conservative factions and promised to do more to shield children from predators.

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In vote after vote, Southern Baptists elected leaders who vowed to do what they can to support abuse survivors, and they enacted safeguards that previous SBC leaders had repeatedly said were impossible to accomplish.

Ahead of this years meeting in Anaheim, Calif., concerns had grown about the Conservative Baptist Network, a splinter group of church leaders and politicos who had routinely pushed back against abuse reforms. The group held an event Tuesday morning that featured right-wing political figure Charlie Kirk, and was attended by former SBC leader Paige Patterson, who was ousted as president of a Fort Worth seminary in 2018 for mishandling multiple rape reports.

It quickly became clear that the conservative faction was fighting an uphill battle. On Monday, the SBCs executive committee elected a new chair, Arlington pastor Jared Wellman, who has been an outspoken advocate for survivors. He called for stronger safeguards in the SBCs 47,000 churches.

And on Tuesday, more than 8,000 Southern Baptists overwhelmingly approved a pair of reforms that include creating a database of credibly accused ministers, employees and volunteers that congregations can consult when hiring. Survivors had requested such a mechanism dating back to 2007, saying the SBCs lack of consistent ordination standards or central records had allowed sexual predators to abuse, repent and find new victims at other churches.

Tuesday evening, Barber won the SBC presidency with 60 percent of votes, edging out the Conservative Baptist Networks preferred candidate, Florida pastor Tom Ascol, in a runoff election.

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Barber vowed Wednesday to be a bridge-builder in the denomination, which has seen a wave of high-profile departures and infighting among leadership in recent years. Much of those squabbles have been related to controversies over sexual abuse.

The SBCs abuse crisis has been in the spotlight since 2019, when the Houston Chronicle and San Antonio Express-News published Abuse of Faith, an investigative series that found more than 400 SBC church leaders and volunteers had been credibly accused of sex crimes since 2000. They left behind more than 700 victims, nearly all of them children.

Those findings continue to dominate the agenda of the SBC, and last year prompted church representatives to demand an independent investigation into top leaders handling of abuse reports.

That review by Guidepost Solutions was published last month. The scathing report detailed two decades of attempts by longtime leaders to silence survivors and stymie abuse reforms - including the database proposal - that leaders publicly said were neither feasible nor effective given the SBCs loose structure. Privately, however, SBC leaders had maintained their own list of abusers and admitted the reforms could be effective, but might cost the SBC money in lawsuits.

Small, but consequential, steps

On Wednesday afternoon, SBC representatives overwhelmingly defeated a proposal to defund the SBCs public policy arm, the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. Its former leader, Russell Moore, resigned last year due to what he called mafia-esque intimidation by others for his work with abuse survivors.

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Some of those survivors were honored from the SBCs main stage Wednesday afternoon.

Jules Woodson, an outspoken survivor who was assaulted by her youth pastor at an SBC church in The Woodlands in 1998, said the votes made her feel acknowledged, validated and encouraged.

Woodsons youth pastor, Andy Savage, was allowed to resign from his position at the congregation, which has since been renamed to StoneBridge Church. He found new work at a Tennessee church until Woodson came forward a few years ago. Savage confessed and resigned, but has since found another job as pastor.

This is a step in the right direction, and for the first time in 24 years, I feel like true actions to stop this systemic crisis have been set in motion, Woodson said.

Other survivors and advocates similarly praised the SBCs moves this week, while also wishing reforms such as the database had come more than a decade ago, when SBC leaders declined to even allow a vote on safeguards.

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If they would have just produced a (database) 15 years ago, we wouldn't be here, said Wade Burleson, a Southern Baptist pastor in Oklahoma who had proposed such a measure 15 years ago at the SBCs annual meeting in San Antonio.

The SBC plans to hire third-party professionals to oversee the database. Christa Brown, an abuse survivor and longtime survivor advocate who had also called for the creation of an offender database, had been hoping for more independence through an outside commission that isnt beholden to the SBC.

It's better than nothing but that's such a low bar, Brown posted on Twitter in response to the measure passed Tuesday. And if this is all that's done even when such massive media is mustered, that saddens me.

SBC leaders estimate it will cost $4 million to launch the Ministry Check website and fund other measures, such as providing support to survivors who report abuse.

It's going to cost money, said Bruce Frank, chairman of an SBC task force on sexual abuse reforms. I will just say it's not going to cost as nearly as much as survivors have paid.

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The Seattle Fire Department said it got reports that a person fell into a trench at a construction site in the 1100 block of 12th Avenue around 10 a.m. Saturday.

The victim was a 50-year-old man who was slightly hurt but in stable condition.

Once firefighters found the man they extricated the patient from the excavation site.

Paramedics then took him to a hospital for more care.

1100 block of 12th Ave: Crews extricated the patient from the trench/excavation site. The patient is an approx. 50-year-old male who is in stable condition. Paramedics are transporting him to a hospital for further care. All other units are returning to service.  Seattle Fire Dept. (@SeattleFire) December 30, 2023
AUSTIN (KXAN)  When the new year starts, Senator Judith Zaffirini will start her role as Dean of the Texas Senate. Zaffirini will be the first woman to serve as Dean. She previously broke barriers when she was the first Mexican American woman elected to the Senate in 1986.

According to Zaffirinis office, she will take over the role of Dean once former Senator John Whitmire resigns at the end of the year to become Mayor of Houston on Jan. 1.

The role of the Dean is determined by seniority. Zaffirini said because the next three senators in seniority are male, it could have been a long time before another woman was in place to assume the deanship.

Only 24 women have served in the Texas Senate with 952 men, including the four Democratic and four Republican women who serve today, Zaffirini said.

She said she is excited to serve the public in this new role but hopes this first is a reminder that more women are needed in public office.

Its very sad that its taken that long, and its very disappointing that we have had only 24 women in the Texas Senate. So we need more women to run for elected office and to win, Zaffirini said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik uses his phone prior to the start an interview with the Associated Press, in the Bosnian town of Banja Luka, 240 kms northwest of Sarajevo, Friday, Dec. 29, 2023. Bosnian Serb separatist leader wowed to carry on weakening his multiethnic, war-scarred country to the point where it will tear apart, despite the pledge by the United States to prevent such an outcome. "I am not irrational, I know that America's response will be to use forcebut I have no reason to be frightened by that (realization) into sacrificing (Serb) national interests," Milorad Dodik, the president of Bosnia's Serb-run part, told The Associated Press in an interview Friday. (AP Photo/Radivoje Pavicic)

BANJA LUKA, Bosnia-Herzegovina (AP)  The Bosnian Serbs' separatist leader vowed to carry on weakening his war-scarred country to the point where it will tear apart, despite a pledge by the United States to prevent such an outcome.

I am not irrational, I know that Americas response will be to use force  but I have no reason to be frightened by that into sacrificing (Serb) national interests, Milorad Dodik, the president of Bosnias Serb-run part, told The Associated Press in an interview Friday.

He said any any attempt to use international intervention to further strengthen Bosnias shared, multiethnic institutions will be met by Bosnian Serb decision to abandon them completely and take the country back to the state of disunity and dysfunction it was in at the end of its brutal interethnic war in the 1990s.

Because Western democracies will not be agreeable to that, he added, "in the next stage, we will be forced by their reaction to declare full independence of the Serb-controlled regions of Bosnia.

The Bosnian War started in 1992 when Belgrade-backed Bosnian Serbs tried to create an "ethnically pure" region with the aim of joining neighboring Serbia by killing and expelling the countrys Croats and Bosniaks, who are mostly Muslims. More than 100,000 people were killed and upward of 2 million, or over half of the countrys population, were driven from their homes before a peace agreement was reached in Dayton, Ohio, late in 1995.

The agreement divided Bosnia into two entities  the Serb-run Republika Srpska and the Bosniak-Croat Federation  which were given wide autonomy but remained linked by some shared, multiethnic institutions. It also instituted the Office of the High Representative, an international body charged with shepherding the implementation of the peace agreement that was given broad powers to impose laws or dismiss officials who undermined the fragile post-war ethnic balance, including judges, civil servants, and members of parliament.

Over the years, the OHR has pressured Bosnia's bickering ethnic leaders to build shared, statewide institutions, including the army, intelligence and security agencies, the top judiciary and the tax administration. However, further bolstering of the existing institutions and the creation of new ones is required if Bosnia is to reach its declared goal of joining the European Union.

Dodik appeared unperturbed Friday by the statement posted a day earlier on X, formerly known as Twitter, by James OBrien, the U.S. assistant secretary of State for European and Eurasian affairs, that Washington will act if anyone tries to change the basic element of the 1995 peace agreement for Bosnia, and that there is no right of secession.

Among Serbs, one thing is clear and definite and that is a growing realization that the years and decades ahead of us are the years and decades of Serb national unification, Dodik said.

Brussels is using the promise of EU accession as a tool to unitarize Bosnia, said Dodik, who is staunchly pro-Russian, adding: In principle, our policy still is that we want to join (the EU), but we no longer see that as our only alternative.

The EU, he said, had proven itself capable of working against its own interests by siding with Washington against Moscow when Russia launched its ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

Dodik, who has been calling for the separation of the Serb entity from the rest of Bosnia for over a decade, has faced British and U.S. sanctions for his policies but has had Russias support.

There are widespread fears that Russia is trying to destabilize Bosnia and the rest of the region to shift at least some world attention from its war in Ukraine.

Whether U.S. and Britain like it or not, we will turn the administrative boundary between (Bosnias two) entities into our national border, Dodik said.
By Ivana Sekularac

BELGRADE (Reuters) - Thousands gathered in a square in in central Belgrade on Saturday in the biggest protest yet over parliamentary and municipal elections on Dec. 17, results of which the demonstrators want anulled.

Protesters waving Serbian flags and holding a banner reading "We do not accept" cheered Marinika Tepic, a leader of the opposition Serbia Against Violence alliance, who has been on hunger strike since Dec. 18.

The ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) won 46.72% of the votes in the Dec. 17 snap parliamentary election, according to preliminary results from the state election commission.

"These elections must be annulled," Tepic, who came to the stage with the help of two colleagues, told the protesters, gathered in front of the landmark Moskva hotel.

Serbia Against Violence, which placed second in the general election, has accused the SNS of widespread vote fraud, which the authorities deny.

An international monitoring mission following the vote said the SNS had gained an unfair advantage through media bias, the improper influence of President Aleksandar Vucic, and voting irregularities such as vote buying.

Serbian authorities deny any irregularities.

Jovana Djokovic, a 29 year old software developer, said she had come to the protest with her parents who drove to Belgrade from the central town of Kraljevo, 177 kilometres south.

"I came here to express my disagreement with election result. I feel responsibility to be here," Djokovic said. "Elections were not fair."

The opposition has since Dec. 17 held daily protests against the election results in front of the election commission, mostly attracting several hundred people.

The Saturday protest was supported by students' organisations and by an initiative gathering public figures including prominent intellectuals and actors dubbed ProGlas.

Serbia Against Violence came second in the election with 23.56% of the vote. The Socialist Party of Serbia was third with 6.56%.

Full results of the elections are not likely to be published until some time next month.

(Reporting by Ivana Sekularac; Editing by David Holmes)
Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in the Serbian capital of Belgrade Saturday, again protesting what they call fraudulent federal election results from earlier in the month which saw Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and his party win 47% of the vote. Photo by Andrej Cukic/EPA-EFE

Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in the Serbian capital of Belgrade Saturday, again protesting federal election results from earlier this month.

Protestors repeated their calls for the country's Dec. 17 election results to be thrown out, alleging fraud on behalf of president Aleksandar Vucic's ruling party.

Demonstrators surrounded Belgrade's city hall in a 24-hour blockade, meant to draw attention to what they call "election theft."

Large crowds filled the square at the heart of the city, while several images of occupied tents lining streets were also seen on social media.

"Since we don't have a public media service to bring out the things that are happening, and we don't have access to the public service to give us the opportunity to talk about them, we will have to talk on the street," activist Ivan Bjelic told the online publication Balkan Insight in an interview.

Thousands of people congregated on Christmas Day to protest against Vucic's party's electoral victories at the national, regional and municipal levels.

Vucic in November dissolved the country's parliament. His Serbian Progressive Party then won 47% of the votes on Dec. 17, which has led to widespread discontent among the country's 6.8 million population.

Opposition parties contend Vucic's snap election was held under "unjust" conditions, arguing the results should be annulled.

The landlocked Central European nation retains strong ties with Russia while also pursuing membership in the European Union.

Russia on Friday accused Western powers of meddling in Serbia's internal political affairs.

"We see that there are very serious components of this Western intervention in Serbia, interference in internal affairs," Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told Russia's state-run news agency TASS.

"Most importantly, Serbia and the Serbian people have this immunity. It is a major ordeal, it is a long road of countering the onslaught from the West which Serbia is now trying to cope with, but I believe in them. I am convinced that no matter what scenario is being plotted by the West, the Serbian people have something to respond to."
All of England's storm overflows are now electronically monitored, making it easier to hold water companies to account, the government has announced.

The monitors, called EDMs, report in real time when water companies are releasing sewage into rivers and seas.

There's been a steady increase in the number of storm overflows being monitored in the last decade.

Sewage is only supposed to be spilled after heavy rain, but last year there were 1.75 million hours of discharges.

There are close to 15,000 storm overflows in England and the government set England's nine water companies the target of having them all monitored by the end of 2023.

"The completion of storm overflow monitoring is a major step forward in better protecting our precious waterways, as well as the communities and wildlife that rely on them," said Environment Secretary Steve Barclay.

While many of the companies comfortably reached the goal of total monitoring, the England-wide target was achieved after Thames Water, the UK's largest water company, recalculated how many outflows form part of its network.

Last year it reported that just 61% of its 777 overflows were monitored.

After the BBC queried how it had managed to reach 100% this year, Thames Water said that as well as adding monitors it had found after closer examination that 158 of the overflows it reported in 2022 did not in fact need to have a monitor installed. In these cases, a Thames spokesman explained, outfalls were discovered to no longer be connected to the sewage network or to be duplicates of other outfall permits.

The Environment Agency, the regulator, said it was happy with Thames Water's assessment that it now has just 619 outflows. It is responsible for receiving the EDM data and investigating illegal spills.

The EA's executive director John Leyland said of complete monitoring across England: "This increased transparency will allow the Environment Agency to better tackle illegal discharges from storm overflows.

"We are dedicated to investigating those that breach their strict permitting conditions."

Graphic showing how illegal dry spills occur - in normal conditions, wastewater flows smoothly through the system to the sewage treatment plant. However, sometimes sewage spills straight out into rivers and seas even when there is no rain.

The EA is currently conducting what it calls a "major criminal investigation" into whether sewage treatment plants have been spilling before they reach full capacity.

James Wallace, chief executive of campaign group River Action UK, said there was still work to be done to ensure water companies were held properly to account over sewage spills.

"A dozen years of cutbacks on Environment Agency and (Water Services Regulation Authority) Ofwat budgets have left the regulators toothless while water companies pollute without fear of prosecution," he said.

"Until the government properly resources the regulators with the necessary staff and funding, these claims of improvements are a meaningless slap in the face to those witnessing the demise of their precious rivers and water security."

Under permit rules, storm overflows are only supposed to be used to prevent the system backing up after heavy rain. But analysis of the water companies' own EDM data suggests they are being used at other times too.

The BBC analysed EDM information from three water companies earlier this year and it suggested overflows were also being used in dry weather, which is illegal.

Though there is now more transparency, many of the water companies refuse to release their data to journalists and campaigners. It's also far from clear that greater awareness of sewage dumping has lead to improvements in water quality. This year the number of English bathing sites rated as unfit to swim rose to its highest level since a new rating system was introduced in 2015.

"Storm overflows are a design feature and act as a release valve after heavy storms," says David Henderson the chief executive of Water UK, the industry trade body.

"Water companies want them to operate as little as possible, which is why we are seeking regulatory approval to invest 11bn over five years - three times the current rate - to increase the capacity of our sewers and prevent much more storm water entering the system in the first place."

To pay for that investment the water companies have asked for customer bills to rise by more than 150 by 2030.
U.S. Forest Service firefighters from Trinity County, along with the mules and horses that transport workers to remote wildfires, marched in the 135th annual New Year's Day Rose Parade in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 1.

The mules and the Trinity County packers and firefighters who care for them escorted the float, which celebrated Smokey Bear's 80th "birthday" this year. The float included the mascot's image: A gentle bear wearing a forest ranger's hat.

The mules and their riders performed a pack "train," walking in a circle for spectators.

Original story: Shasta-Trinity Forest firefighters, mules, to march in the Rose Parade on New Year's Day

Dec. 31, 2023U.S. Forest Service firefighters from Trinity County who use mules and horses to fight wildfires will walk in a more urban setting on New Year's Day.

Fire crews and forest service packers from the Trinity River Management Unit will ride their furry companions in the 135th annual Rose Parade in Pasadena, according to the Shasta-Trinity National Forest Service.

As of Friday Dec. 29, the mule teams were 49th in the lineup, U.S. Forest Service spokesperson Ruth Esperance said.

Equine groups are one of the famous parade's four entry categories, according to event planners.

"Pack teams carry forest range specialists to monitor range lands, (and) assist and resupply fire crews working deep in wilderness areas," according to the forest service. Packers care for the animals, load them with equipment and lead the teams.

Accessories make the outfit: Shasta-Trinity National Forest pack mule "Ivan" poses for his Christmas closeup in Santa-style bridle with bells. A local celebrity and outreach animal, Ivan is a member U.S. Forest Service's pack team of horses and mules. Rangers/Packers use them to carry equipment and to travel to remote forest areas for a variety of reasons, including fighting wildfires.

Mules in the Trinity River Unit can carry up to 150 to 200 pounds of equipment into steep canyons and other places where smoke from wildfire is too thick for aircraft to see the ground, Esperance said in an interview during the Deep Fire in 2023.

More: Mules, horses give an assist to forest service crews fighting wildfires in Trinity County

Forest service firefighters rode in mule trains to battle the Deep Fire, which consumed 4,198 acres in the Trinity Nation Forest between its start on Aug. 16 and its end on Oct. 2, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

The Shasta-Trinity National Forest keeps 30 mules and five horses for firefighting, rotating the animals shifts so they have plenty of time to rest between jobs, Esperance said.

Mules and horses are an important part of fighting fires in Northern California, according to Esperance.

Inversions are a common occurrence, meaning that smoke from the fires will lay in the drainages and make visibility difficult, if not impossible, for airplanes and helicopters. They also cost less than flying aircraft, she said.

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The furry firefighters are hard-working employees of the U.S. Forest Service, not typical farm animals. Theyre out with firefighters eight months a year, working hard for the taxpayer and so much work gets done with their help, Esperance said.

The Rose Parade includes equestrian units like the Trinity National Forest Service's, floral decorated floats, bands and tournament entries, according to the Tournament of Roses website.

Jessica Skropanic is a features reporter for the Record Searchlight/USA Today Network. She covers science, arts, social issues and news stories. Follow her on Twitter @RS_JSkropanic and on Facebook. Join Jessica in the Get Out! Nor Cal recreation Facebook group. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. Thank you.

This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Shasta-Trinity firefighters appeared in Pasadena's 135th Rose Parade
A 23-year-old man has appeared in court charged with murdering a father-of-two who was hit by a car as he tried to help a stranger in Sheffield.

Chris Marriott, 46, died while giving first aid to a woman lying unconscious in a street in the Burngreave area of the city on Wednesday.

Hassan Jhangur, of Whiteways Road, Sheffield, appeared at the city's magistrates' court on Saturday.

He is also charged with five counts of attempted murder.

The case was adjourned until Tuesday when Mr Jhangur is due to appear at Sheffield Crown Court. He has been remanded in custody.

On Friday evening, South Yorkshire Police said a 32-year-old woman remained in hospital in a serious condition.

Officers said Mr Marriott - who they described as a "Good Samaritan" - had been walking with his sons, aged six and eight, when the incident happened.

He was among several people, including an off-duty midwife who had also stopped to help, hit by a car on College Close, the force said.

Mr Marriott died at the scene.

In a statement, his family said he was "a wonderful husband, dad, brother, uncle - and friend to many".

Follow BBC Yorkshire on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. Send your story ideas to yorkslincs.news@bbc.co.uk.
Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, left, sits with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott at a groundbreaking ceremony for the auto manufacturer's lithium refining facility in Robstown, Texas, on Monday, May 8, 2023. (Angela Piazza/Corpus Christi Caller-Times via AP) Angela Piazza/Associated Press Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, center, sits between defense attorneys Tony Buzbee, left, and Mitch Little, right, before starting the ninth day of his impeachment trial in the Senate Chamber at the Texas Capitol on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023, in Austin, Texas. The following day he was acquitted of all articles of impeachment. Sam Owens/Sam Owens/Pool via San Antonio Express-News Simone Biles was named the AP Female Athlete of the Year for a third time on Friday, Dec. 22, 2023, after winning national and world all-around titles in her return to gymnastics following a two-year break after the Tokyo Olympics. Erin Hooley/AP

Thumbs down: After a rigorous review of every up, down or twiddled entry over the last 12 months, we have narrowed our nominees for Thumbs Texan of the Year to four nominees. First up: Elon Musk, the richest man on Earth, has turned this state into a playground for his utopian dreams, or nightmares, depending on the day. Near Austin, where his Cybertruck plant will either bankrupt Tesla or help save the climate, hes building a new town called Snailbrook and founding a university with a $100 million down payment. Down by the border, hes twice celebrated that the largest rockets ever built underwent rapid unscheduled disassembly after launch, and in the process, blasted sand and metal shards across Boca Chica streets and beaches. Our next nominee is Greg Abbott, Texas governor and chief performance artist. His busing of migrants to blue cities is by turns callous, exploitative and politically brilliant. Chicago and New York City mayors keep giving Abbott exactly what he wants by throwing tantrums on national TV. In the latest twist, his Democratic antagonists are blocking the buses, and Abbott has resorted to sending migrants in a jet, as if that will somehow not entice even more potential border crossers. Then theres Attorney General Ken Paxton, who survived impeachment amid allegations of holiday cake hoarding, Mediterranean island-hopping at taxpayer expense, interference with a federal investigation of a campaign donor, home renovations carried out by associates of said donor, and midnight rides to his Balenciaga bag-sporting lovers apartment using an Uber account under the alias Dave P. Our final nominee, Simone Biles  obviously the odd one out in this list  became the most decorated gymnast of all time this year, adding an all-around world title, two golds and a silver to her medal count. Plus, she did all that after standing up for fellow sexual assault survivors and recovering from the twisties at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The winner of Thumbs Texan of the Year? Paxton for the audacity of his perfidy. The solar eclipse that darkened our skies this year lasted a few minutes, but the most corrupt attorney general in America has cast his shadow over our democracy for nearly a decade and counting.

Thumbs up: In case the Animal House nature of Texas politics gets you down, maybe these nominees for Animal of the Year will cheer you up, unless they scare you into fleeing the Lone Star State. Mr. Pickles, our first nominee, became a first-time turtle dad at 90 at the Houston Zoo in March, and inspired the nation in the process. The most genetically valuable member of his species, the radiated tortoise, he sired three kids with Mrs. Pickles, who is a mere 53 years young. Our next nominee, the 680-pound Moby Dick of alligators, taunted and escaped a group of Captain Ahabs in Chambers County for 20 years, only to succumb this September and ultimately feed an entire church congregation with its flesh. Our third nominee is a hawk out of Silsbee. Thats where Peggy Jones was mowing her property when a snake dropped from the sky, wrapped around her arm and lunged at her face, until the hawk dove at her to recover its prey. The bird ultimately succeeded after tearing at Jones arm and slapping her face with its wings. Finally, consider the pink dolphin spotted off the beaches of Galveston in July, dazzling observers with its apparent message of solidarity with LGBT Texans targeted by the Legislature. The win goes to: Mr. Pickles, whose virility is a testament to the good work of the Houston Zoo in the battle against mass species extinction.

Thumbs up: Everyday Texas heroes rarely make the news, but we were thrilled that Kendrick Simpo, who we praised last year for stopping a Galleria gunman, received a presidential medal of valor in May. This year we call attention to the defenders of banned books including Shloka Mehta, a Cypress-Fairbanks ISD student who started Books Beyond Bias; Jennifer Clements and her husband, Glenn, who put up a free little library featuring banned books; and Valerie Koehler, owner of Blue Willow Bookshop, who joined a suit that blocked a law requiring bookstores to label books with sexual content, including such classics as Larry McMurtrys The Lonesome Dove. We single out Koehler as the 2023 Thumbs Everyday Texas Hero for her brave and clear-headed arguments that protected booksellers from government overreach.

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Thumbs twiddled: Speaking of bad bills that were blocked in court or failed to pass, weve got a special category for that. First up, a proposed tax break for heterosexual parents who have never been divorced. It was filed by state Rep. Bryan Slaton, who was later expelled from the Legislature on a 147-0 vote after an investigation found that the married Royce City Republican had sex with a 19-year-old member of his staff after serving her so much alcohol she had double vision. Our next nominee is the House anti-drag bill proposed by Republican state Rep. Nate Schatzline who, in a video posted to social media by a Democratic activist, could be seen frolicking in a black dress. Our final nominee is the raft of school-voucher proposals put forward by Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patricks allies. No matter how many special sessions the governor calls, a coalition of Democrats and rural Republicans has held strong in opposition. The win goes to Slatons astoundingly hypocritical tax break proposal.
A man is dead after a shooting near Lyon Avenue in Kansas City on Friday night, according to Kansas City Missouri Police.

Officers responded to reports of gunfire and witnesses saying they saw a man lying in the street about 7:30 p.m., at the 5200 block of Lyon Avenue. When the police arrived at the scene, officers found a male shooting victim who was unresponsive in the street near a vehicle.

Emergency Medical Services arrived at the same time as police officers and began assisting the victim. EMS then pronounced the man dead at the scene.

Sgt. Jake Becchina said there is no known suspect information at this time.

Detectives are canvassing for witnesses, and crime scene investigators are processing the scene for evidence to try to give detectives more information about what led up to the shooting, Becchina said in a statement.

The killing is the 183rd homicide in Kansas City this year, according to data maintained by The Star, which includes fatal police shootings. Fridays homicide makes 2023 the deadliest year on record for Kansas City in terms of homicides.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline.
Inside SVRN, a luxury retail store in the West Loop, smooth black stone materials adorn the floors and ceilings, creating an immersive and serene shopping experience that feels far away from the bustle of the busy neighborhood outside.

Owner David Kim opened the store with his brother, Robert, in 2019 to help bolster the retail experience in Chicago and draw people from across the world to visit the city for its unique stores.

I would always come back to Chicago after traveling and think that Chicago doesnt really have something that I would want to show off, Kim said. So I had the opportunity to do that, and this store is my best foot forward.

But the thoughtfully designed brick-and-mortar store is taking physical and financial hits after a burglary on Dec. 12 that was the fourth time this year thieves drove a car into the storefront to steal merchandise.

Kim is one of several small business owners in the city who have been hit by multiple smash-and-grab burglaries involving cars in a short time span, despite increased physical security such as shutters and riot glass for windows. The tactic involves a crew of thieves driving a vehicle through storefronts and stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of merchandise before fleeing in cars.

Also called crash-and-grabs, after they occur store owners quickly pick up the pieces, reinstall security and reopen  usually within a week  to serve customers. While owners say they are committed to their bricks-and-mortar stores, the lack of arrests and the relentless burglaries have them wondering how they can keep their businesses afloat.

We want to keep growing and be more of a staple in the community, but if this keeps happening over and over again, what are we supposed to do? Kim said on a recent afternoon in SVRN.

Sabrian Sledge, co-owner of Flee Club, a high-end sneaker store in the Little Italy neighborhood, said his business has been a victim of smash-and-grab burglaries for years because of the exclusive pieces the store collects and resells.

In late October, Flee Club was struck again.

The abandoned car used to break in was driven with so much force that it was nearly touching the back wall of the store when Sledge came in that morning to survey the damage. He said city officials had to check the structure of the building to ensure it wasnt at risk of collapsing.

The store sustained roughly $100,000 in property damage alone, and surveillance footage shows thieves taking bundles of designer shoes and clothes, Sledge said.

The holidays were coming right around the corner at the time, so it was very draining and it was a defeated kind of feeling, Sledge said.

Police accounts of smash-and-grab burglaries involving cars are nearly identical. Heres how they happen: A group of around four to eight people arrive on the scene in several vehicles in the early morning hours. One car, usually stolen, is driven forcefully into the storefront multiple times to gain access. Several thieves then run in and out, grabbing all they can before packing into other cars with drivers waiting to flee. The car is left crashed in the storefront as evidence of the brazen theft.

Rarely are the perpetrators arrested on scene  or at all.

Rob Karr, president and CEO of the Illinois Merchants Retail Association, said the radius of smash-and-grabs has been expanding beyond downtown. Thieves are also becoming more savvy and organized with crime, leading even businesses with strong security to face burglaries.

Its getting spread out, and weve seen a heightened awareness, Karr said. We also know that thieves are taking down barriers now.

The financial toll

Sledge knows what its like to ditch a store because of property crime. He was forced to move Flee Club, which he opened with his best friend Darris Kelly, out of its home near the United Center after it was looted in the wake of the George Floyd verdict in 2020.

The business owners settled on relocating to Taylor Street in Little Italy at the suggestion of a friend who owned a barber shop nearby. Even after moving, Flee Club has operated under a constant threat of burglaries.

Sledge said their corporate insurance provider dropped the business last year after they racked up large insurance claims due to a series of smash-and-grabs that demolished their storefront time and again.

Through that process, it was really hard to see the light. It was hard to see something good out of it, Sledge said.

When news of their insurance loss spread around the neighborhood, help poured in. A local pastor and their landlord led them in the right direction to find a new insurance company. They are still covered by that policy today.

Even with insurance, small businesses can face large out-of-pocket costs. Massive losses in inventory also affect other people since the city loses the sales tax the items would provide to fund crucial public services, Karr said.

It is a myth that there is insurance on retail theft. There is not, Karr said, adding that business owners must weigh reporting damage against the risk of their insurance costs rising or their policy being dropped altogether.

At SVRN, Kim said he has stopped filing insurance claims for property damage, worried he is at risk of losing his coverage. Instead, he pays for the losses out of pocket. His highest costs include recommissioning the custom-made sleek benches and fixtures, a signature look for the store.

After the Dec. 12 burglary at SVRN, employees worked together to reopen the store two days later in the middle of the busy holiday shopping season. Drake Sweeney, creative director of SVRN, told the Tribune shortly after the burglary that the thieves stole everything you could imagine. Employees had just finished refurbishing the store after a November burglary when they were hit again.

The temporary storefront at SVRN is a collection of rough wooden boards with a makeshift door that can only be opened from the inside. The unsteadiness of the structure mirrored Kims uncertain mood about the future of the store.

I do love this city. I was born and raised here, and I want to do everything I can to be here. But at the same time, if were not getting the support or help from anybody, its only a matter of time because we only take so much, Kim said.

Its frustrating and I just feel numb.

Tracking smash-and-grab burglaries

Karr said tracking smash-and-grab burglaries is an issue across Illinois and nationally because each jurisdiction records the crimes differently. He called on law enforcement to find solutions for the repeated thefts.

They really need the full engagement of law enforcement to take this seriously, Karr said. Theres no end in sight for this theft but its leaving the retailer completely exposed simply because prosecution doesnt occur.

CPD data does not track burglaries involving a car separately from general burglaries.

In a statement to the Tribune, a spokesperson for the Cook County states attorneys office did not respond to specific questions about prosecuting smash-and-grabs but said the office recognizes community concerns around crime, and the impact it can have on ones sense of safety as well as the economic stability of a business.

We will continue to hold those accountable for driving the violence in our communities when police make an arrest and charges are approved, the statement said.

Karr added that individual businesses employing armed security guards does not always help either, because guards run the risk of getting hurt or sued.

While Sledge said he would like to see something be done to protect his store, he understands the value of safety over physical items.

Its kind of hard to put your life on the line for something that is material, he said.

Smash-and-grab burglaries garnered widespread attention during the 2021 holiday shopping season when high-end chain stores beefed up security along Michigan Avenue downtown. Karr said even though robberies have not altogether stopped happening along the Magnificent Mile, he believes an increased police presence has contributed to less attempts.

Earlier this month, a group of would-be thieves left a car in the Neiman Marcus storefront along the Magnificent Mile after failing to crash into the store.

Overcoming adversity

On a recent December afternoon, employees and customers at Flee Club talked loudly, discussing products on the shelves and having friendly conversations over the hip-hop music playing. The security guards, posted at the store 24/7, have become part of the family at the store, assisting customers and rearranging inventory if need be.

Sledge said the store sees a lot of repeat customers who stop in looking for exclusive items that they trust will be authentic and dont have to track down online themselves. Flee Club employees travel as far as New York and Los Angeles to buy rare items.

They always have the little pieces that we want available in store and that is just convenient for us, said Tenille, a Flee Club shopper from the West Side who declined to give her last name for safety reasons.

She walked out of the store Wednesday afternoon excited she was able to buy a Hellstar brand T-shirt. When she heard about the recent crash-and-grab at the store, she said she was upset because she shops at the locally owned space often.

When I found out they were back open and running, I ran right here. Its better than going downtown and having to go through that hassle, Tenille said. Its for the community, in the community.

While Flee Club has a social media presence, their business is consistently carried by bricks-and-mortar sales, Sledge said. The store caters to everyone from middle-class working people and sneaker heads to rappers and athletes. Their customer base is like a gumbo, he said.

Even with the challenges of running a storefront business, Sledge said he trusts the business model he has built and finds joy in making his customers days better when they shop.

When they find something that they wanted and it was hard for them to get but we executed and made that happen for him, thats a great feeling, he said.

One of his goals of running Flee Club is to inspire people to not give up. Sledge is taking his own advice to heart these days.

Part of what were trying to do is set an example and inspire people to keep going through adversity, Sledge said. We just got to hope that our city can do better.

aguffey@chicagotribune.com
Private 1st Class Jaskirat Singh made Marine Corps history earlier this year when he completed boot camp with a turban and beard  two essential parts of his Sikh faith.

Singhs achievement was made possible not only by his own hard work, but by a 30-year-old religious freedom law that creates legal options for people who cant comply with a federal policy without violating their faith.

Singhs challenge was that Marine Corps uniform rules prevent recruits from wearing head coverings and maintaining a beard. Although some Marines are allowed to have a beard for medical reasons, Singh was not given the same accommodation. Instead, he was presented with a choice: Enlist with short hair, a clean face and no turban or dont enlist at all.

Singh turned to the Sikh Coalition for help, which launched an educational campaign on behalf of him and two other recruits. The organization tried to help Marine Corps leaders understand why Sikh men grow their hair long and wear turbans and to correct the assumption that accommodating these practices would harm esprit de corps.

We had lawmakers sign letters asking the Marine Corps to be more inclusive. ... We tried to work with the highest levels of the Department of Defense, said Amrith Kaur Aakre, legal director for the Sikh Coalition. None of it was persuasive enough. Nothing was going to force the Marine Corps (to accommodate the Sikh recruits) other than court intervention.

The Sikh Coalition was able to seek such intervention thanks, in large part, to the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which commemorated its 30th anniversary this fall.

The act bolstered Singh and the other recruits lawsuit against the Marine Corps, ultimately making it possible for Singh to attend and then graduate from boot camp with his articles of faith intact.

For people who look different, who practice minority faiths or who are part of a racial minority, often we need laws that specifically address the inequality they face. The Religious Freedom Restoration Act is one of those laws, Aakre said.

Related

Employment Division v. Smith

The Religious Freedom Restoration Act was passed three years after the Supreme Court weakened religious freedom protections in a case called Employment Division v. Smith.

The case centered on two Native American men who were denied unemployment benefits due to their use of peyote. They argued that the governments denial of benefits violated the First Amendments free exercise clause since theyd used the drug during a religious ceremony.

The men thought the Supreme Court would use a test called strict scrutiny to determine whether the governments drug ban needed a religious exemption. In past cases, the test had been used to balance the competing interests of people of faith and policymakers.

But in its April 1990 ruling, the Supreme Court threw a curveball. Justice Antonin Scalia wrote in the majority opinion that the balancing test should not be used in cases where a religious group or individual challenges a generally applicable, religiously neutral law.

In other words, the court said that while the free exercise clause does prevent the government from passing laws that target specific faith groups, it does not require it to make changes to policies that only incidentally interfere with religious practices or beliefs.

That was a problem, because the vast majority of religious liberty cases are incidental, not targeting, said Greg Baylor, senior counsel for the Alliance Defending Freedom, during an Oct. 3 symposium on the Religious Freedom Restoration Act hosted by the Religious Freedom Institute in Washington, D.C. After the ruling, faith groups seeking changes to laws had few options but to hope that elected officials would heed their pleas for help.

In the majority opinion, Scalia acknowledged that the courts decision would make it harder for members of lesser-known faiths, in particular, to secure religious accommodations. But he said the change was for the best, since he believed policymakers were better positioned than judges to resolve religious freedom conflict.

It may fairly be said that leaving accommodation to the political process will place at a relative disadvantage those religious practices that are not widely engaged in; but that unavoidable consequence of democratic government must be preferred to a system in which each conscience is a law unto itself or in which judges weigh the social importance of all laws against the centrality of all religious beliefs, he wrote.

Religious freedom for minority groups

The Employment Division v. Smith ruling sparked outrage among faith leaders of all stripes, as well as within a range of civil rights organizations.

A diverse group that came to be known as the Coalition for the Free Exercise of Religion vowed to restore access to the balancing test, in part due to its desire to strengthen protections for minority religious groups.

The reaction within religious communities was shock and dismay, but also resolve, Baylor said.

In 1993, after overcoming some concerns about the relationship between religious freedom and abortion law, the coalition achieved its goal. The Religious Freedom Restoration Act passed with near unanimous support and formalized the use of strict scrutiny in faith-based legal challenges to generally applicable, neutral laws.

This act reverses the Supreme Courts decision in Employment Division v. Smith and reestablishes a standard that better protects all Americans of all faiths in the exercise of their religion in a way that I am convinced is far more consistent with the intent of the founders of this nation than the Supreme Court decision, said President Bill Clinton on Nov. 16, 1993, when he signed the bill into law.

The act does not guarantee that faith-based arguments win out, but, in most cases, it does ensure that the government has to justify its actions, Aakre said. Without it, the Sikh Coalition would have had few options after it failed to convince the Marine Corps to voluntarily offer religious accommodations to Sikh recruits.

When you rely on government agencies or legislators to do the right thing and protect these minority faith groups rights, youre just making an ask of them and they have the option to do it or not, Aakre said.

She described the Religious Freedom Restoration Act as an essential tool in the Sikh Coalitions tool belt.

Minority faith groups often have less access to justice. ... Having a piece of legislation like this to protect their beliefs is really important, she said.

Related

Protecting minority faiths

When Aakre talks about her work with people who are less familiar with religious freedom law, theyre often surprised to hear about how valuable the Religious Freedom Restoration Act continues to be for people of faith.

Its hard to grasp how regularly laws come into conflict with religious practices and beliefs  and which faith groups typically struggle to secure policy changes  if youre not paying attention, she said.

When religious liberty battles do get widespread attention, its typically because theyre tied to a culture war issue, like abortion or LGBTQ rights. That helps explain why people increasingly believe that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act primarily benefits conservative Christians and miss what it offers to smaller, lesser-known faith groups, said Luke Goodrich, vice president and senior counsel for the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty.

The Religious Freedom Restoration Act is a massive success story for Christians and non-Christians, he said, highlighting an empirical study he released in 2018 on cases in front of the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals which showed that minority groups were overrepresented in religious liberty litigation.

Still, the 1993 law has not been a cure-all for faith-related legal issues, especially not for members of smaller religious groups.

Native Americans, in particular, have struggled over the past 30 years to make government officials and judges understand their religious freedom concerns, Goodrich said.

Theres a lack of understanding about Native Americans religious exercise and how its tied to place, he said.

Goodrich is currently working on a case called Apache Stronghold v. United States in which U.S. officials have successfully argued  at least so far  that selling a sacred site in Arizona to a mining company, a move that would eventually turn the site into a crater, does not substantially burden the religious beliefs of Native Americans who have worshipped on the land for centuries.

Although hes optimistic that Apache Stronghold will eventually prevail, Goodrich said the case illustrates how many resources, including time, go into religious freedom lawsuits and how reticent the government often is to make faith-related policy adjustments.

Similarly, Aakre said it remains difficult to fight religious liberty battles, noting that a legal victory does not guarantee permanent solutions.

For example, the Marine Corps did not change its uniform policy after Singh and the other recruits secured the ability to maintain their articles of faith in boot camp, meaning that future Sikh recruits could have to file a new lawsuit to secure the same protections.

And although at least one active duty Marine has been offered a religious accommodation to maintain a turban, beard and unshorn hair, he was told that it would be career limiting, Aakre said.

Hes really not going to have the opportunity to excel in his field, in his career, she said, noting that a case centered on the experience of active duty Sikh Marines is currently in the discovery phase.

But rather than feel frustrated that recent lawsuits havent accomplished more for Sikh Marines, Aakre remains thankful that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act strengthens Sikhs positions in these battles.

Its the strongest avenue we have to combat these kinds of violations, she said.
BOURNE  The Conservation Commission has had a quiet year in weighing requests for the go-ahead to install docks at private homes now that the construction ban has been lifted.

I believe weve had 12 filings in the past year, said conservation chair Robert Gray, who was part of a 3-0 vote to lift the docks ban. Some have gone to the DEP (state Department of Environmental Protection) and to the Corps of Engineers. I dont think any have cleared final approval.

Dock projects can be extremely expensive, and that may be partly the reason the floodgates did not open. Post-pandemic filings for the water access have involved proposals from Buttermilk Bay north of the canal to Squeteague near the Megansett line. The bay dock would extend 125 feet.

The Bourne Conservation Commission is reviewing more private residential dock requests now that the ban on such construction has been lifted.

Gray in a Nov. 16 interview said Corps approval of dock requests is no longer as strict as in recent years. Thats changed, he said. Their review has been scaled back.

Gray said some dock filings are straightforward as to location and impacts. Others are controversial, especially in Squeteague Harbor, Cataumet, where proposed docks may become defining shoreline elements if ultimately approved as first proposed.

No filing seems ordinary. A plan for 122 Wings Neck Road, Pocasset, calls for 115 feet of dock in two sections; one seasonal, one year-round with a 28-foot ramp at the end of the structure as well as a 25-foot-wide float.

The commission is also wrestling with proposals for homes at 80 and 96 Megansett Road at the cove below Amrita Island with its narrow entrance, nearby moorings, not much water at low tide and residential opposition.

Gray said the 80 Megansett Road timber dock in a velocity zone might jut out too far into the water at the cove entrance. The commission on Dec. 7 was set to vote a draft order of conditions for the plan under the state Environmental Protection Act and a draft denial under the Bourne Conservation Bylaw. This would move the proposal to a final order of conditions.

The 96 Megansett Road plan, in initial design, would extend into the water more than one-fifth of the distance between the end of the structure and property across the cove. The site is the former iconic and lovingly remembered summer camp for kids run by the Animal Rescue League of Boston.

Stringent regs in place for docks review

The amended wetland rules are specific for docks, even those not hyper-visible. They command structured detail in commission review. They seem narrow-cast; not expansively framed. New docks must be seasonal and removed after each boating season.

They must also be slatted so sunlight at a 65% penetration rate can reach saltmarsh below.

This is a high standard, Falmouth Engineering consultant James Borselli acknowledged during an October hearing for a 394 Scraggy Neck Road dock plan.

There is also the imperative that a filing assure at least three feet of water for a boat at low tide. Perhaps most stringent, dock plans must allow egress; that is, allow people on foot traversing the shoreline to maneuver past or under docks.

The ban on dock construction projects remained in place for 20 years, with some complaints by homeowners, but none to the extent there was ever formal review of waterways regulations.

In late 2022, the Shore and Harbor Committee tackled that granular review in unnoticed fashion. There was no issue-oriented debate. Members recommended lifting the dock ban. Their report flowed to Conservation Commission review. There was resulting drama. One member abruptly left the meeting, saying it was a foregone conclusion despite discussion that the ban was already history.

The commission approved the amended regulation and the select board followed suit.

Gray at that point was not sure if the floodgates would open with construction requests. That, however, did not transpire; though hearings are now routinely a part of commission meeting agendas, most involving addresses in somewhat exclusive areas at the higher end of the economic ladder.

Lifting the dock ban has not dramatically reshaped or transformed the towns considerable shoreline, and all concerned with amending the wetlands regulation agreed there would be no more docks granted along the Pocasset River.

John York of Cataumet, meanwhile, advised the commission of his concerns that there will be a cumulative impact of new docks, speaking during the 80 Meganset Road hearing on Sept. 21.

Docks can be very expensive proposals

U.S. Rep. William Keating, D-9th, has filed a proposal with the commission for a 131-foot dock for his Little Bay property at Monument Beach. That, in turn, prompted a similar proposal by his neighbor at the secluded area.

Affordability is a dock factor, according to commission members, but cost seems to be overcome by residential aspirations and recreational possibilities for property owners who can carry the expense.

Harbormaster Chris Southwood says approving private docks can be procedurally exhaustive. Docks can cost upwards of $300,000 when factors such as design/re-design, site preparation, engineering, consultants, manufacture of materials, construction and its site impacts, shellfish/habitat surveys, saltmarsh protection and agreements for seasonal removal, are considered.

Southwood said there is new and rising interest in securing such access to the water. So, more docks are likely forthcoming.

Its like one property owner wants one, so the neighbor decides they want one too, he said.

Where are the current docks located?

According to Cape Cod Commission mapping and compilation by the Bourne Engineering Department, there are 23 docks at Buttermilk Bay plus one each at Massachusetts Maritime Academy and the Taylor Point Marina.

There are 40 docks along the Pocasset River, 12 along the Pocasset Harbor side of Wings Neck and six on the north side of Scraggy Neck.

Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Cape Cod Times subscription. Here are our subscription plans.

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Bourne lifted its dock ban a year ago. Who's trying to build one?
The daughter of Sir Nicholas Winton gave permission for her fathers life story to be adapted into a film with one request: that he be played by Sir Anthony Hopkins.

The pretty big ask caused the film-makers to fear that their project would not get off the ground. However, to their delight, Sir Anthony read the script and took the part.

One Life, which tells the story of Sir Nicholas saving hundreds of children from the Nazis during the Second World War, is released on January 1.

James Hawes, the films director, explained: Barbara Winton, Nickys daughter and biographer, when she gave permission to make this project, said, But you need to cast Anthony Hopkins, which is a pretty big ask  one of the most in-demand actors of his generation.

So then it was a question of: would Tony respond to the script, and indeed be willing to work with this director? And, thankfully, yes was the answer to all of those things.

He added: Barbara Winton died whilst we were filming but she lived to know this story was being made, and that was really important.

Barbara Winton, at a memorial service for her father, in 2016 - DOMINIC LIPINSKI/PA POOL

Mrs Winton gave the film-makers access to Sir Nicholass archives and letters.

Johnny Flynn plays the younger Sir Nicholas, who was a 29-year-old stockbroker when he visited Prague in 1938.

There he met Jewish parents who were desperate for their children to be taken to a place of safety.

Sir Nicholas returned to Britain and masterminded a rescue mission, securing their exit and entry permits and finding adoptive homes for them. He saved 669 Jewish children.

Public attention

He came to public attention only in 1988, in an episode of the BBC programme Thats Life!, when he was introduced to some of the descendants of those he saved. Dame Esther Rantzen asked if anyone in the audience owed their life to Sir Nicholas, and two dozen people rose from their seats.

That scene is recreated in the film, and some of the extras are real-life descendants of the Kindertransport children.

Sir Anthony, a double Oscar-winner, said of filming that day: It was really quite an emotional moment. But I think this whole story has affected me and has actually stayed with me throughout the whole of my life.

Sir Nicholas died in 2015, aged 106. He was knighted in 2003, and received the Czech Republics highest honour, the Order of the White Lion, in 2015. The Czech government said Sir Nicholas was an example of humanity, selflessness, personal courage and modesty.

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Inheritance tax is often known as Britains most hated charge, but until recently it was only the very wealthy who had to pay it.

More and more families are now predicted to be caught up in the inheritance tax trap as the value of property has soared  pushing many estates over the threshold.

Data released by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) shows inheritance tax receipts reached an all-time high of 7.1bn in 2022-23, a 1bn increase on the previous high of 6.1bn recorded the year before. For estates that do get caught out, the tax burden can be huge.

How much can I inherit before I have to pay tax?

Upon death, the tax is charged at 40 per cent on the value of the estate above the tax-free threshold of 325,000  eating into your loved ones inheritance.

As a nation we are paying more death duties than ever before. HMRC raked in a record-breaking 6.1bn in 2021-22, doubling in the space of a decade.

Rising property prices and a 20-year freeze on the inheritance tax threshold are pulling more families into the net and causing bills to swell in size. The Governments decision in the Autumn Statement to freeze tax thresholds until 2027-28 is forecast to cost families 9bn per year by the end of the period.

Rachael Griffin, of wealth management firm Quilter, said: Inheritance tax has historically been viewed as a tax for the very wealthy, but in recent years we have seen an increase in the number of people being caught in the net.

The Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, right, and his predecessor, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. In recent years inheritance tax has trapped more families than ever - Simon Dawson / No10 Downing Street

Ms Griffin said: Many people could now find themselves in a position where they end up paying inheritance tax unnecessarily, as they may never have previously considered the need for inheritance tax planning and therefore have not taken the steps required to mitigate it.

So with more and more estates in danger of the hated tax, heres how to avoid paying it on your fortune.

Give assets to your spouse

If you want to cut your inheritance tax bill, then it helps to tie the knot. You can pass on assets of unlimited value to a spouse or civil partner without any inheritance tax liability. According to HMRC, on the first death couples shielded 15.7bn from inheritance tax in 2020-21, the latest year for which data is available.

Since the rules changed in 2007, spouses have also been able to inherit their partners unused nil-rate band when they die. This means the surviving spouse could see their allowance grow to 650,000. If the couple owned a home together, the allowance could be as much as 1m, as we explain below.

However the unused allowance is not passed on automatically. You must make a formal claim to HMRC within two years of the death of the surviving spouse  otherwise your family could face an unnecessary tax bill.

Now read: The little-known trick that could save you up to 1.5m from inheritance tax

Leave your home to your children

For many families a property will be their most valuable asset. In fact, rising property prices are a major reason why annual inheritance tax revenue has doubled over the last ten years.

Fortunately, homeowners get an additional 175,000 allowance  called the residence nil-rate band if they pass their main property to family members. And because spouses and civil partners can combine their allowances, they can pass on a total of 1m wealth without incurring a tax bill.

But it pays to be aware of some age restrictions. Ian Dyall, of wealth manager Evelyn Partners, said: The property must be a residence of the deceased and it must be left to children or grandchildren (not nephews, nieces, brothers or sisters).

If the person downsized to a less valuable home before their death, they can still use the residence nil rate band. This is called downsizing relief, and it can apply if you sold your more valuable home after 7 July 2015.

Calculating how much downsizing relief you can claim is complicated, however, as this depends on factors like the value of the residence nil rate band and also the home when it was sold.

Ms Griffin said although the residence nil rate band was introduced to ease pressure on the transfer of the main residence, the rapid growth of house prices means many who are entitled to it will nonetheless face hefty bills.

For estates worth more than 2m, the residence nil-rate band allowance is reduced at a rate of 1 for every 2 over the threshold. If the residence nil-rate band is not enough to protect your wealth, then you should make the most of gift allowances.

Now read: How to give away a 4m estate and pay no inheritance tax

Give away money

Perhaps the simplest way to avoid an inheritance tax bill is to give away your assets during your lifetime.

An often over-looked but highly tax-efficient method is to give money out of surplus income. This must be money you can give away regularly without significantly changing your lifestyle; it cannot be money that comes from a house sale, for example.

Chris Etherington, of tax firm RSM, said: The gifts dont need to be of equal size  they just need to be part of a pattern. You should also keep detailed records of the gifts made, in case HMRC asks for evidence of the gifts after death.

On top of gifts out of surplus income, every individual gets a 3,000 annual exemption. Not many realise this can be carried forward for one tax year  so you could give away 6,000 if your allowance was unused in the previous year.

There are additional allowances for weddings or civil partnerships, although how much you can give varies depending on your relationship to the bride or groom:

Another exemption is the small gift allowance, allowing you to give away up to 250 each year per person  though not to anyone who has already benefited from your 3,000 annual exemption.

All of these gifts are immediately free from inheritance tax  that is to say, they are excluded from your estate. For gifts outside these categories, a seven-year-rule applies.

The seven-year inheritance tax rule

Large gifts in excess of 3,000 can be made without incurring inheritance tax  but only if you survive the gift by seven years. During this window, the gifts are called potentially exempt transfers(PETs). If the value of the estate upon death, plus any PETs, exceed the tax-free allowances then inheritance tax is due.

Gifts made within three years of death are taxed at the full rate of 40 per cent  after that, taper relief will apply at the following rates:

More and more taxpayers are falling foul of the seven-year rule. Families were charged 197m on potentially exempt transfers in 2017-18, up from 156m in 2016-17 and 135m in 2015-16, according to figures from HMRC.

This is why it may make sense to give away more money at a younger age. However, Mr Dyall said: It is obviously important to consider how much you can afford to gift in this way without leaving you or your spouse vulnerable.

Now read: What the seven-year rule for inheritance tax is  and what it means for you

Pass on your pension

Regardless of whether you have touched your pension savings, you can pass on the entire pot to your beneficiaries inheritance tax-free.

So even if you had used up your nil-rate band and residence nil-rate band, you could still give away 200,000 in pension wealth, thereby saving 80,000 in inheritance tax.

Just note that the beneficiary will have to pay income tax as they draw down on the pension, but only if the original pension holder dies after age of 75. Mr Dyall said another advantage of incorporating pensions into your estate planning is you can still access these funds if you ever do need to draw on them to pay for care.

Now read: How to use your pension to avoid inheritance tax

Take out a life insurance policy

If there is nothing you can do to avoid inheritance tax, you can still insure against the final bill. Taking out a life assurance policy means that when the tax is due, the charge can be paid out of your policy rather than by your beneficiaries.

However, it is important the policy is placed inside a trust to shield it from the estate. Otherwise the payout will increase the estates value and potentially the amount of inheritance tax due as a result. Also, these plans can be very expensive. The older you are, the higher the premiums will be.

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This article is kept updated with the latest information.

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Skokie was in the news for a wide range of reasons in 2023, including a Yellow Line crash, an ordinance on housing, rallies and protests after the Israel-Hamas war erupted, allegations of conflicts of interest among village officials and bomb threats to schools, libraries and businesses in the village.

1. Reactions to the Israel-Hamas war

After the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, about 25 supporters of the U.S. Palestinian Community Network organized a sit-in protest in U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowskys district office in Skokie, urging the congresswoman to support resolutions that would guarantee the protection and human rights of Palestinians living in Gaza.

Hatem Abudayyeh, chair of the USPCN, said the group specifically addressed Schakowsky because she is the vice president of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and has demonstrated unbreakable support of Israel.

Police were called in shortly after the group arrived, and Schakowskys staff allowed the group to speak to Schakowsky via phone before they retreated to a back room. Most protesters remained until after the office closed for the day, and then police gave the protesters three verbal warnings to leave. Most did, but police took seven protesters into custody and cited them with trespassing.

On Oct. 22, the Midwest Regional Office of the Simon Wiesenthal Center organized a Solidarity with Israel event at the Ateres Ayala kosher banquet hall venue on Touhy Avenue.

The rally attracted about 200 pro-Palestinian counter-protestors, who wanted to emphasize the realities for those living in Gaza under Israeli attacks.

The rally spread across Touhy to the Lincolnwood side. A 39-year-old Chicago man outside the Lincolnwood Town Center mall hit someone with his vehicle in a hit-and-run and when confronted by numerous individuals raised his gun and fired a shot in the air. Police said nobody was hurt in either incident, and the Cook County States Attorneys Office declined to press charges.

On the Skokie side of Touhy Avenue, Zevulen Ebert, 33, of the 5000 block of Oakton Street, was charged with four felonies for allegedly pepper spraying a group of people. According to a court record, Ebert was waving an Israeli flag in front of a group of Palestinian supporters when an individual attempted to take Eberts flag. The document said a verbal exchange followed, and Ebert discharged his pepper spray.

Reactions to the war included more than just protests. Forty high school seniors from Ida Crown Jewish Academy planned to go on a monthlong trip to Israel from Dec. 17 to Jan. 11 to volunteer in the agriculture sector and other parts of the economy in desperate need of workers.

I feel like its my duty to go and help, said senior Ayelet Appel. There are people my age who are serving in the army. The minimum I can do is go over and help with whatever people need.

Here, we kind of feel hopeless, said her mother, Hamutal Appel. We can do some things here, but its not enough. Having the opportunity to send a child to help will make a difference.

2. Housing

In June, developers bought office space at 5400 Old Orchard Road and got approval from the Village Board for their plans to create 245 apartments and 49 townhomes. The apartments would range from studios to three-bedroom apartments.

Another developer also saw a chance to bring more apartments to the same stretch of Old Orchard Road between the Skokie Courthouse and Westfield Old Orchard Shopping Center. In December, the Plan Commission approved plans for GW properties to convert two seven-story office buildings at 5202-5250 Old Orchard Road into high-end apartments.

Some residents expressed concerns that the new housing was priced too high. For months, the Village Board discussed a proposed affordable housing ordinance that would have required all housing developments that have more than 11 units to provide some affordable housing units or pay a fee-in-lieu to opt out of it.

In November, the ordinance failed to pass with a 3-4 vote on the Village Board.

3. Independent trustee brings ethics complaints

Skokies sole independent village trustee, James Johnson, made a series of ethics complaints to the Ethics Commission during the year, with some of them accusing the villages legal department of having a conflict of interest, given their political affiliation with the Skokie Caucus Party, the dominant political party in Skokie for over 60 years.

His colleagues on the Village Board filed a motion asking the Ethics Commission members to dismiss his complaint, and recommended Johnson be sanctioned with a $5,000 fine for frivolous ethics complaints.

Ultimately, the commissioners did not sanction Johnson but dismissed his ethics complaint.

Twice in 2023, the Illinois Attorney General launched an investigation into the village for Open Meetings Act violations. The first investigation was over the Ethics Commission hearing an ethics complaint made by Johnson while the Commission was not in an open session.

In November, the Attorney Generals office again investigated the Village Board for approving closed session minutes in a closed session. Johnson filed the request for the review of that incident.

Mayor George Van Dusen acknowledged the violation of the Open Meetings Act at the Dec. 4 Village Board meeting, and the Village Board approved the minutes at the Dec. 18 meeting.

Johnsons allegations of corruption and conflicts of interest have drawn the ire of trustees during Village Board meetings. In a September meeting, Trustee Ralph Klein told Johnson to shut up when Klein criticized Johnson for not participating in any commissions. Johnson was rejecting the reappointment of commissioners to the ethics board of at the time.

At the Dec. 18 meeting, Johnson accused trustees and the mayor of having a conflict of interest for appointing members to the legal department. Trustee Alison Pure Slovin pointed out that in other governing bodies it doesnt matter if a legal department has someone who belongs to a political party.

4. Bomb threats

The Cook County States Attorneys office charged Jacob Spiro, 23, of Skokie, with disorderly conduct for bomb threats he allegedly called in or made by using the internet. According to Skokie Police documents, 56 bomb threats were made to public libraries, businesses, schools and other institutions in Skokie, Morton Grove, Wilmette, Niles, Des Plaines and Chicago.

The first of 16 incidents in Skokie occurred on Sept. 30, when police were dispatched to the 7-Eleven located at 4843 Church Street to respond to a 911 call claiming that there were bombs in the building, per the reports. Police investigated and determined that the threat was not credible and the call came from a non-initiated cellphone not registered to any network or person.

An arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt.

5. Yellow Line crash

On Nov. 16, A CTA Yellow Line train approaching the Howard station, near the border of Chicago and Evanston, hit a snowplow on the tracks. Twenty-three people were taken to hospitals after the crash, three of them in serious or critical condition.

Since the crash, the Yellow Line has not been running and the CTA is offering free shuttle bus service from the Yellow Line stops to and from Howard.

6. Electoral reform

Three citizen-initiated referendums to reform elections in Skokie were approved by voters in 2022, and the village began implementing them this year. The referendums included making elections nonpartisan, introducing staggered terms for elected officials, and creating a new map that will split the village into four districts so that one village trustee would be elected from each. Two trustees would also be elected from within the entire villages boundaries.

The trustees elected by the districts would have the same powers as those voted on at large, and the villages council-manager government would stay the same.

The districts are about the same size geographically and by population. The consultants hired to make the map presented their map to residents at the Skokie Public Library in September and October. Residents got a chance to give their feedback.

The first elections to be governed by the electoral reforms will take place in 2025.

7. Concerns about rising antisemitism

In the weeks after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, the Anti-Defamation League tracked a 388% increase in antisemitic events compared to the same time period as last year.

Its a very uncertain time for Jewish people, said Rodi Glass, a Holocaust survivor. Its a very frightening time.

Skokie Police investigated two hate crimes involving antisemitism in November. One involved unknown individuals destroying yard signs that said We Stand with Israel from 10 locations near Church Street and Kostner Avenue, according to Skokie Police.

Skokie Police also investigated gang graffiti at a kosher pizzeria in Skokie as a hate crime. The graffiti had a swastika on it.
Light snow showers are expected across parts of 10 Western North Carolina counties on Saturday, as part of a slow-moving storm that dumped small amounts of snow on some areas Friday, the National Weather Service reported.

Boone, for instance, saw only 1/4 to 3/4 of an inch of snow on Friday, meteorologist Patrick Moore of the NWS office in Greer, South Carolina, told The Charlotte Observer. He cited amateur weather spotters who report snowfall amounts to the NWS.

Counties bordering Tennessee could see up to another inch of snow in their highest elevations Saturday morning, according to an NWS hazardous weather outlook bulletin at 4 a.m. Saturday.

The NWS alert included Avery, Madison, Yancey, Mitchell, Swain, Haywood, Buncombe and Graham counties.

The snow showers are expected to end around noon Saturday, according to the alert.

Snow showers could last all day in Watauga and Ashe counties before tapering off Saturday night, according to an alert issued by the NWS office in Blacksburg, Virginia.

Higher snow amounts elsewhere

Up to 2 inches of snow could fall Saturday in the eastern Tennessee mountains, especially above 3,000 feet, according to an NWS winter weather advisory issued just after 3:30 a.m. Saturday.

The advisory is in effect until 4 p.m. Saturday.

Plan on slippery road conditions, according to the advisory. Slow down and use caution while traveling.

Charlotte forecast

After a cold and cloudy start to the day, the Charlotte area can expect sunshine and gradually rising temperatures on Saturday, according to the NWS Charlotte forecast at 9 a.m. Saturday.

The temperature is expected to rise from 39 degrees at 9 a.m. to a high of 48 in the afternoon, the forecast showed.

Sunny skies are expected until rain clouds roll in on Wednesday, according to the forecast.

New Years Day should be mostly sunny with a high near 53, the forecast showed.

Late Wednesday and early Thursday have a 70% chance of showers, with the rest of Thursday turning mostly sunny with a high near 53, according to the NWS Greer office.

Mountain snow showers continue this morning, bringing another 1-3" to western Greenbrier, where a Winter Weather Advisory is currently in effect. Other areas could see up to an additional inch. Snow will end slowly by this afternoon/evening. pic.twitter.com/i4L5QxWwqt  NWS Blacksburg (@NWSBlacksburg) December 30, 2023

Mountain areas will see mostly cloudy skies thru the day. Light snow showers possible this morning in the higher elevations near the NC/TN border. Outside the mountains, sunny by afternoon but still chilly. Warmer Sunday! #ncwx #scwx #gawx pic.twitter.com/K1YKmsjhey  NWS GSP (@NWSGSP) December 30, 2023
OAKLAND, Calif. - As news spread about the tragic killing of Oakland Police Officer Tuan Le, many in the community responded with shock, sadness, and grief.

Officer Tuan Le was working as an undercover officer when he was shot and killed after a burglary in progress at a cannabis related business at 5th and Embarcadero near Jack London Square.

Born in Saigon, Vietnam in 1987, he came to the U.S. and at the age of 14, on the fateful day of 9/11, he became a naturalized American citizen.

At the age of 32, he graduated from Oakland Polices 183rd academy in 2019.

For the last two years, he's served on the robbery detail, and on Friday morning, he was working as an undercover officer in an unmarked vehicle.

OPD released a statement saying, Le fostered relationships with those he served, leaving an impact on those he met.

Oakland native Keisha Henderson spoke fondly of the officer she had built a relationship with when she flagged him down one day a few years back.

"He treated everybody with a lot of respect," said Henderson, who introduced herself to Le when he was patrolling in her neighborhood in West Oakland, where he served as a community engagement officer.

"There was an issue at my home, and he looked out for my house." Henderson said. "He requested more frequent patrols for our neighborhood, even though resources were very slim at the time. "

Like many in the community, she was devastated to learn of his sudden death.

Henderson shared that she felt respected by Officer Le. "He pays attention to the details, hes a great, communicative cop," she said. "He was just a very nice officer."

She expressed sorrow for the late officers wife and family. She said, "I cant imagine that! I really want them to know that he was a great addition to our community."

Oakland city council member Dan Kalb was also solemn at the loss of a dedicated Oakland officer while on duty.

Officer Tuan Le is the 54th Oakland Police officer to die in the line of duty. End of watch 12/29/2023. A dozen long stemmed, white roses were placed at the memorial Friday. (Alice Wertz)

"He embodied the values of courage, justice and of service to the community," Kalb said. "Without any doubt whatsoever. All OPD officers strive for that, and he was a great example of exceeding and doing that.

"He knew how to work with people, work with the community, and he wasnt afraid to do the job that it took to get it done," said Kalb.

Condolences posted on social media expressed his commitment to the community and his colleagues were remarkable.

Flags at Oakland police headquarters were lowered to half-staff Friday in dedication to the fallen officer.

Oakland Police Department flags at half-staff (Alice Wertz)

Many in the department, at City Hall and throughout the town mourn the loss of the 54th officer to die in the line of duty, in the departments 183 years of service to the community.

Alice Wertz is a freelance reporter for KTVU Fox 2 News. She can be reached at Alice.Wertz@Fox.com

Henry K. Lee contributed to this article.
Semafor Signals

Insights from Al Jazeera, Times of Israel, The Guardian

NEWS

South Africa on Friday filed a case in the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, asking the UN court to issue an urgent order to stop the military campaign.

Israels foreign ministry responded with disgust to allegations that it violated the 1948 Genocide Convention, which was drafted in the wake of the Holocaust, accusing South Africa of blood libel and calling on the ICJ to reject the case.

SIGNALS

Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories.

A "genocide" ruling may sway public opinion on the war

Sources: Reuters, The Guardian, ICJ

While the ICJ case will likely take years to resolve, South Africa has asked the court to meet in the next few days to issue provisional measures ordering a ceasefire. It says that Israels military actions  in which a reported 21,000 people have died  meet the threshold for genocide under the 1948 treaty, with the filing accusing Israel of attempting to destroy Palestinians in Gaza as a part of the broader Palestinian national, racial and ethnical group. Rulings by the UNs top court  which was set up to resolve disputes between states  are supposed to be legally binding but often go ignored, as in the case of a March 2022 order for Russia to halt its military offensive in Ukraine. However, any designation of genocide will carry symbolic weight and is likely to significantly sway public opinion, the Guardian wrote.

Case marks a sharp downturn in relations between South Africa and Israel

Sources: Reuters, Al Jazeera, Voice of America, Times of Israel

The case underscores the sharp downturn in relations between South Africa and Israel since the October 7 Hamas attack. Israel recalled its ambassador last month as lawmakers in Cape Town voted to shut down the Israeli embassy and suspend diplomatic ties until a ceasefire was agreed. South Africa has a deep historical affinity with Palestine  Mandela wore the keffiyeh, a symbol of Palestinian freedom, and diplomats have long drawn parallels between Israels policies in Gaza and the occupied West Bank with the White-imposed apartheid regime, a comparison Israel denies. Despite this, the two countries were seen as allies  but relations have plummeted amid the Gaza war, with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa last month likening the enclave to a concentration camp and referring Israel to the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes. Once one of Israels most significant partners on the continent, South Africa has gradually come out as one of its most vituperative critics, the Times of Israel wrote in November.
Latin Fantasy Lowrider Car Club volunteer Mari Delgado hands out toys a boy on Monday, Dec. 25, 2023 at Denver Harbor in Houston. The club has been distributing toys and snack at low-income neighborhoods for 32 years. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer

Christmas spirit

Regarding In a troubled world, Christians strive to put aside earthly worries on Christmas Eve, (Dec. 24): I had an experience I never had before at a Fiesta supermarket in Houston. Being Saturday and a day before Christmas Eve, there were many customers in the store and all 12 checkouts had long lines. I was carrying only four small items and was inclined to ask those in front with many more items to let me go first.

As I waited in line, a lady in the next line near the checkout  a total stranger  waved me to go in front of her. I thanked her for her kindness and placed my items on the conveyor in front of hers. Then when I tried to pay, she told the cashier to include my items with hers. I told her and the cashier several times that it was quite unnecessary and that she had already been very kind, but she insisted so I had to give in, not wanting to offend her good intentions.

As I drove back home, I realized that the best way to return such kindness was for me to do likewise to others. Simple acts of kindness can change society. We can all help spread kindness in the world, following the words of Bobby Kennedy and ancient Greek wisdom to tame the savageness of man and make gentle the life of this world.

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If we want to change the social enmity, tension and divisiveness among us, this Christmas and holiday season we can recommit to basic Christian values, the values that made America great. Responding to anger and violence with more anger and violence solves nothing. It only creates more violence, chaos and harm. By conquering evil with good, as Christ taught, we bring his peace and wellbeing to society and the world, but most importantly to ourselves.

Raul Field Escandon, Houston

Pray for peace

Regarding On Christmas Eve, Bethlehem resembles a ghost town. Celebrations are halted due to Israel-Hamas war, (Dec. 25): Ive just unpacked my olivewood Holy Family, bought in Bethlehem on a pilgrimage in 2001. The Palestinian uprising known as the Second Intifada had begun in 2000, and tourists were few. We toured the ancient Church of the Nativity, where a silver star embedded in the crypt marks the traditional site of Christs birth, the modern church of Saint Catherine next door, and the Shepherds Field Chapel in the outskirts. The shops and restaurant we entered were empty, and their owners were overjoyed to see even our small group of a few dozen Texans.

Our Christian guide told us then that Christians were a small group between two larger ones. These ancient Christian communities occupy the land where Christianity began. Religious tourism and international aid keep their shrines and churches open and functioning. War inflicts terrible hardship on these vulnerable communities, and has caused many Christians to emigrate.

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What the late Pope John Paul II called the noble exercise of diplomacy is desperately needed to protect and preserve all the land three great faiths hold dear. Please pray for peace.

Nancy Perich Daly, Houston

Science of magic

Regarding Santa chose Rudolph to lead his sleigh through rain and fog. Heres the science behind it, (Dec. 23): I liked Justin Ballards article about the weather and why Santa needed Rudolphs red nose for foggy and cloudy conditions. But being a high school chemistry teacher, I have to take issue with the slightly incorrect science in his story. Its true that red light is the longest wavelength of the visible light range (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet) but its also the weakest, based on both energy and frequency. Red light has a long wavelength and low frequency (and therefore low energy), but violet light has the shortest wavelength and highest frequency and energy. Thats why infrared light (below red) is not harmful to humans, but ultraviolet (above violet) is. Luckily Rudolph doesnt need to understand the science in order to do his job.

Thanks for trying to include some science in the holiday season!

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Diana Gano, Pearland

Respect

Regarding He died in Vietnam 51 years ago. He deserves a heros welcome home. (Opinion), (Dec. 27): I want to thank the Chronicle for publishing Jerry Pattersons opinion piece. The piece is deeply moving and accurate. In an ideal world, all Texas voters would read and comprehend his message before casting their primary ballot. God bless you Mr. Patterson.

Mark Wisniewski, Houston

Retired Marine Vietnam veteran, former Republican Texas state Senator and former Republican Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson speaks the truth. Anyone elected to wield the power to send our military to action must be someone who respects the military and someone who respects us. The immediate past resident of the White House does neither, and therefore, is not that person.

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South Korea, with the worlds lowest birth rate, may soon find itself without enough troops to keep its military fully staffed as it deals with new threats in an increasingly tense Western Pacific region, analysts say.

Always wary of North Koreas nuclear and missile threats, South Korea keeps an active-duty force of about half a million troops. But with a birth rate of only 0.78 children per woman over a lifetime, the math might be South Koreas biggest enemy at the moment, and experts say it has no choice but to downsize its forces.

With our current birth rate, the future is predetermined. Downsizing of the force will be inevitable, said Choi Byung-ook, a national security professor at Sangmyung University.

To maintain current troops levels, the South Korean military needs to enlist or conscript 200,000 soldiers a year, he said.

But in 2022, fewer than 250,000 babies were born. Assuming about a 50-50 male-female split, that means in 20 years, when those children are of the age to join the military, only about 125,000 men will be available for the 200,000 spots needed.

Women are not conscripted in South Korea, and volunteer females accounted for only 3.6% of the current Korean military, according to Defense Ministry figures.

And the annual number of newborns is only forecasted to drop further, to 220,000 in 2025 and 160,000 in 2072, according to Statistics Korea.

Preparing for two decades

While South Koreas declining birth rate has been making headlines in recent years, its a trend the military had seen coming and prepared for.

In the early 2000s, Seoul voluntarily decided to reduce the number of active soldiers from 674,000 in 2006 to 500,000 by 2020, based on the premise that the threat from North Korea would gradually diminish, and to promote a smaller but more elite military force, according to a

2022 defense white paper.

South Koreas military has reached that goal, decreasing troop size by 27.6% in two decades, from 2002 to 2022.

But the premise that the threat from North Korea would diminish has proven false.

Kim Jong Un, the third consecutive member of his family dynasty to rule, came to power in Pyongyang in 2011. Despite brief lulls while he negotiated with South Korea and the United States to reduce tensions, he has pushed a massive buildup in the North Korean military, especially in its ballistic missile programs.

Following North Koreas test of its fifth intercontinental ballistic missile this year, Kim warned that his country would not hesitate to conduct a nuclear attack when the enemy provokes with its nuclear weapons, referring to the deployment of US nuclear-capable weapons platforms in

and around the Korean Peninsula, state-media KCNA reported earlier this month.

But if Kim were to attack across the 38th parallel, which divided North and South Korea after the 1953 armistice halting the Korean War, its the South Korean military that would bear the biggest defense burden.

Turning to tech

Experts say South Korea must look at science to counter that North Korean threat and turn a manpower crisis into a technology transformation.

Korean defense authorities have had this longstanding policy that we would go from a manpower-centric military to a technology-oriented military, said Chun In-bum, a former lieutenant general in the South Korean Army.

In 2005, South Koreas Defense Ministry released a plan to develop its military into a science-technology-centric force by 2020, but progress has been scant.

Although the military was trying to make the transition, there was no urge, because (with) South Koreas conscripts  there were plenty of human resources, Choi said.

But Russias war in Ukraine has shown the world that on the modern battlefield, sheer troop numbers arent enough. Of the 360,000 soldiers that made up Russias pre-invasion ground force, including contract and conscript personnel, Moscow has lost 315,000 on the battlefield, according to a recent US Defense Department assessment.

Ukraines use of drones and high-tech weapons supplied by Western partners have taken a deadly toll on Moscows greater force numbers.

South Korea has been putting an emphasis on integrating new technologies into its fighting units.

The Defense Ministry last year said it would make a phased transition to an AI-based manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) combat system, and introduced the Army TIGER brigade  a so-called future unit  which utilizes both manpower and unmanned equipment to carry out missions.

South Korea has also been developing unmanned military equipment, including the medium-altitude unmanned aerial vehicle (MUAV) and unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV).

Experts say troops are indispensable

But Chun, the former South Korean general, says technology is not a panacea.

For instance, it takes manpower to take and hold territory. And it takes well-trained and educated people to run and oversee artificial intelligence (AI) systems on the battlefield.

Its not going to be enough, and no matter how we try, Chun said of technology. Its going to help, but it will not solve the problem that we lack people.

Both he and Choi have ideas on how to get more out of a smaller military force.

For one, leverage of the conscription system and the reserve component that it yields, Chun said.

We need to revamp our mobilization system, where well be able to tap into the large number of reserve population that we have, Chun said.

After South Korean men finish their 18 to 21 months of mandatory military service, they become reservists for eight years. During this time, they get called into assigned units once a year to remind them of their positions and duties. And after that, they are subject to participate in civil defense training every year until the age of 40.

South Korean Marines look inland after a beach landing rehearsal for Exercise Ssang Yong on March 28 in Pohang, South Korea. - Brad Lendon/CNN

The system now gives South Korea 3.1 million reserve troops.

Reservists must attend a two-night, three-day training session every year.

One ongoing pilot system is to have a select number of those reservists train for 180 days a year, to reinforce their skills.

Another option is increasing the number of professional cadres  commissioned, warrant and non-commissioned officers  all of whom are volunteers, serving longer terms, during which they would become well-versed in operating advanced weapons to prevent a gap in combat capability despite the reduction of standing forces, according to the 2022 white paper.

The military has been increasing the ratio of cadres among its total force from 31.6% in 2017 to 40.2% in 2022, according to the Defense Ministry. A further rise to 40.5% by 2027 is planned, it said.

A recruitment problem

One problem with this plan: The population isnt buying in.

The number of applicants for commissioned officer positions has fallen over the years, from about 30,000 in 2018 to 19,000 in 2022, according to Defense Ministry data.

The military is having a huge difficulty in securing outstanding entry-level professional cadres who would, in 10, 20 years, form an outstanding officer corps, Choi said, pointing out that insufficient financial and social benefits for cadres are the main reason behind falling application rates.

And what about turning to women, even in a military with conscription?

Israel has conscription and 40% of its conscripted force is female, according to the Jewish Womens Archive. In the all-volunteer US and Canadian armed forces, more than 16% of the troops are women.

Choi said conscripting women could solve South Koreas problem, but he said there are too many impediments to it in Koreas traditionally patriarchal society. And even if those are overcome, it could simply be too expensive.

There are various complex factors like social costs and women giving birth. So, I think the cost [in need] would be much higher than the actual profit, he said.

But Chun thinks attracting women volunteers is doable if the pay is attractive enough.

If a solder is paid $2,000 [per month], thats a legitimate job. So, a woman would say, well I want to be able to have that job for $2,000. Because for the same job, shed probably be paid $1,500 in the outside world, he said.

For its part, the Defense Ministry says increasing the number of women who serve is a possibility among other ideas.

But there are no timelines for changes and time may be something South Korea doesnt have much of.

Earlier this month, Statistics Korea reported that the record low birth rate is expected to drop even further in the next two years, to 0.65 births per woman in 2025.

CNNs Brad Lendon contributed to this report.

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More possible victims are being sought after a carnival worker was arrested for child sex abuse in Southern California.

The suspect was identified as James Donnelly, 60, by the San Bernardino Police Department.

The investigation began on Oct. 25 when a victim reported Donnelly had sexually assaulted her. Authorities later discovered two more victims, both male and female, who had also accused the suspect of sexual abuse.

The victims were around 10 years old when the abuse started. The abuse continued for another seven years, police said.

On Dec. 23, Donnelly was arrested at a SoCal fairground where he was working to set up a New Years Eve festival.

Over the past 30 years, Donnelly has worked for traveling carnivals that visited multiple states including California, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, Utah, and Colorado. The alleged abuse period spans from 2015-2023.

Loved ones search for missing L.A. County teen

James Donnelly, 60, in a photo from the San Bernardino Police Department.

Throughout the years, Donnelly met women who lived near the carnivals and would stay short or long-term, police said.

His relationships with these women allowed him to have access to children who he would sexually assault, according to arrest documents.

As the suspects employment led to multi-state travel, detectives are searching for more potential victims connected to Donnelly.

Anyone with information on this case is urged to contact the San Bernardino Police Detective A. Madrigal at 909-384- 5631 or email madrigal_ap@sbcity.org.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
SpaceX capped off 2023 with not one but two rocket launches, bringing its total number of blast-offs to 98 in 2023.

The first SpaceX mission to take to the skies Thursday (Dec. 28) was a Falcon Heavy rocket carrying the U.S. military's secretive X-37B space plane, designed mission USSF-52. That blasted off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 8:07 p.m. EST (0107 GMT on Dec. 29). This marked the second Falcon Heavy flight of 2023.

Second up on the launch docket for Thursday, hours later, was a Falcon 9 liftoff carrying 23 SpaceX Starlink units to low Earth orbit from nearby Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. This launch took place at 11:01 p.m. EST (0401 GMT on Dec. 29). This was SpaceX's 98th and final launch of 2023, and the 96th flight for a Falcon 9 rocket this year.

Related: SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket launches mysterious X-37B space plane for US Space Force after delays

SpaceX took to X, formerly Twitter, to celebrate the successful launch of the USSF-52 mission from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A), with a series of stunning images.

a black and white space plane sits on a runway at night.

The X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle at NASAs Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Landing Facility shortly after touching down on Nov. 12, 2022. (Image credit: U.S. Space Force/Staff Sgt. Adam Shanks)

SpaceX's 97th launch overall for this year marked the seventh flight for X-37B, but the first time the space plane hitched a lift atop a Falcon Heavy rocket. The X-37B/Falcon Heavy launch had been scrubbed several times previously due to bad weather and an issue with ground equipment.

A Falcon 9 rocket waits of the launchpad in Florida to become the 98th and final SpaceX launch of 2023 on Dec. 28

A Falcon 9 rocket waits of the launchpad in Florida to become the 98th and final SpaceX launch of 2023 on Dec. 28 (Image credit: SpaceX)

The launch of 23 Starlink broadband satellites from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida that capped off 2023 was also the 96th launch of a Falcon 9 rocket during this year.



SpaceX also posted images of this launch to its X feed.

SpaceX's next launch is targeted for Jan. 2, 2024 and will see a further 21 Starlink satellites lift to orbit to join the over 5,500 internet supplying units currently orbiting Earth.




A man who has devoted his life to spiritual healing says 2024 promises to be a year of abundance  and karma.

Letao Wang, founder of the Healing Kingdom, said he does not view himself as a "fortune teller" but rather as someone who uses a combination of horoscopes, tarot readings and numerology to help others forge their own illuminated path.

"With these, I channel profound, deeply personal messages tailored uniquely for each cherished client," he said.

A native of Beijing, China, Wang lives in Hong Kong. He left a career in banking to pursue spiritual healing more than a decade ago.

Wang said he grew up in a traditional Chinese family.

"At that time, you know, China was very closed off and I had no knowledge about what spirituality is, and of course, you know, my parents never really taught me anything about that," he said. "I remember when I was in a high school, it was the first time I actually heard about meditation. I didn't really grow up with a so-called 'spiritual culture'."

Upon graduation, Wang informed his parents that he wanted to attend college overseas. He moved to Japan where he earned a bachelor's degree in English.

"After that, I felt there was still a lot more that I want to experience outside China, so I got into a grad school in Australia," Wang said. "And that's when I encountered my first spiritual teacher, who was a very famous fortune teller in Sydney. That encounter completely just opened the door for me. That was also the first reading session that I have received in my life and that just opened my eyes, and so slowly, I studied to learn about astrology and parallel astrology, which was actually my teacher's specialty. And that's how It all started. Of course, I was still working in the corporate world back then because I was not sure that this would be become my career because, you know, you have expectations from parents and from society."

He also holds master's degrees in counseling from Monash University, and in translating and interpreting from Maquariue University, both in Australia.

In 2020, Wang was named the Spiritual Guide of the Year 2020 by Hong Kong's Liv Magazine. In 2021, he was named the Best Astrologer and Tarot specialist by Hong Kongs Most Outstanding Business Awards.

Wang said he began taking his interest seriously in late 2014.

"It became very very clear in my mind that this is what I want to do, and this is what I'm also gifted in doing," he said.

A member of the Hong Kong Society of Counselling and Psychology and the Australian Counselling Association, Wang said he applies the some of the same methods with clients that psychologist and psychiatrists use.

"The blockages that they have really trigger back to their history," he said. "And I think this is very common. When we go to see a psychologist or a counselor, a very common thing that they will ask us is, 'Tell me about your childhood. Tell me about what kind of family you grew up in.' Our relationships with our parents and whether we felt secure in our childhood. And I think a lot of the healing needs to be started from whether we can acknowledge that history and whether we can accept that history."

Readings are tailored to the individual

Wang said the tools he selects to use during a reading depends on the individual. He is the creator of a tarot deck, Oracle of the Mythic Heroes, and plans to publish two books next year.

"I'm a certified counselor, so my purpose of doing readings is not a really about making predictions," he said. "My purpose is to achieve the so-called therapeutic purpose, or the counseling purpose. And so, based on the diagnosis with my clients, I will make my own decision. it's a sort of like a natural natural process. I will make the decision in my own mind on what method that I need to use in order to help this clients in the best way. So, sometimes it I will use astrology, or something more.

"When I talk to the client, sometimes the clients might have their personal preference. For example, let's say a client might have seen a tarot reader in the past and she might have had a bad experience. And she might say, 'I don't want to use tarot because last time I saw a third reader and I just didn't like it.'"

According to Statista.com, a survey taken in 2022 revealed that about 25% of Americans said they believe in astrology  namely, that the position of stars and planets can exert an influence on people's lives. Half of those surveyed said they didn't believe in astrology, while another 22% said they were not sure.

"I think a lot of people don't really understand how astrology works, and the reason is is because they don't really understand the concept," Wang said. "For example, one of the typical arguments that they might have is 'how can the movement of the stars in the sky affect me? I'm a living being not controlled by the the stars in the sky.' And they are absolutely right. The stars don't control our lives and we also don't control them, but it's about the fascinating synchronicities between the sky and what is happening on the earth.

"There are a lot of different rules in the universe, and a lot of things coincide; there's a very fascinating synchronicity there. And so by watching the, the night sky and by watching what is happening up there, and we will get an idea about what's happening actually down here. So we're really using astrology as a reflection."

Wang contends that astrology is not really about prediction.

"I think a lot of people are a little bit against it because they feel that, they don't, they don't want their life to be controlled by anything," he said. "And again, they (stars) don't really control us. I think it's all about using it as an effective tool for our personal growth development. And so if we can use this in a very productive and in the right way, astrology, kabalistic studies and reiki, and all these kind of esoteric studies can contribute to us, depending on how we use it."

Eight: A sign for infinity

Wang expressed optimism for the new year.

"I'm very much looking forward to 2024," he said. "In terms of numerology, (2024) adds up to eight, which is a symbol of power and a number associated with great abundance, prosperity, acquisition, power and also control. A lot of us in the spiritual community would call this number one of divine fortune. It's going to be a very abundant year."

In Chinese astrology, 2024 is the Year of of Dragon.

"The dragon is a symbol of power and wisdom," he said. "Chinese people in the old days believed that emperors were the incarnation of dragons. And so here again, we see the synchronicities between the Year of the Dragon and the number eight in western numerology."

Wang noted that 2024 will be an important year for people born under the astrological signs of Gemini, Pisces, Virgo and Sagittarius.

Those born under these signs, he said, should reexamine their lives from a higher perspective and decide what works for them and what doesn't.

"These four signs will experience a vey important transit in Saturn, which does not happen very often," he said. "This usually happens about once every seven or eight years...These people will be able to move forward with a lot more momentum."

Wang added that the number eight is also about karma.

"If you lay the number eight on its sign, it becomes the sign for infinity," he said. "Whatever you give out in the universe, it comes back to you. Give everything you can this year, and I guarantee that this universal number eight will reward you at a later stage. This is the reason I'm looking forward to the number eight because it's all about that infinity.

"What I'm saying to my audience is, if you have anything you want to manifest, don't hold back in 2024."

To learn more visit https://www.thehealingkingdom.com/ or follow Wang on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/letaowang/

Reach Charita at 330-580-8313 or charita.goshay@cantonrep.com. On Twitter: @cgoshayREP

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Spiritual healer Letao Wang discusses his gift, what 2024 holds
(KRON)  The St. Helena Police Department is searching for a woman who has not been seen since early Thursday morning.

Nancy Chavez, 34, was last seen at the Speedway gas station, located at 1300 Trancas St. in Napa at 1 a.m. Thursday.

Bay Area Storm: Live Updates

Her car was found abandoned on the 1900 block of Yountville Cross Road at about 7:30 a.m. Thursday, SHPD said. It was parked on the eastbound side of the road, partially blocking a traffic lane.

Chavez is described as a Hispanic woman who stands 57 and weighs 127 pounds. Images of her are included below.

Image of Nancy Chavez from the St. Helena Police Department.

Image of Nancy Chavez from the St. Helena Police Department.

Anyone with information about Chavezs whereabouts is asked to call the St. Helena Police Department.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
Kansas City marked a grim milestone on Friday, when the city recorded more deaths by homicide in 2023 than any year ever recorded.

That threshold was crossed Friday evening with a fatal shooting in the 5200 Block of Lyon Ave.

As of Dec. 29, there have been 183 killings in Kansas City this year, according to data tracked by The Star, which includes fatal police shootings. Previously, 2020 was considered the citys deadliest year ever recorded, when there had been 182 killings.

According to the Kansas City Police Department, there have been 180 homicides in the city this year. KCPDs total excludes a police shooting in May that killed 40-year-old Tyrone L. Payne and another in June, when an officer allegedly killed Marcell T. Nelson and Kristen Fairchild, both 42.

Mayor Quinton Lucas said on X, formerly known as Twitter, Wednesday that homicide numbers have increased in the city, while nonfatal shootings decreased in 2023.

Sharing data from police, Lucas said nearly half of homicide victims were men ages 18 to 34, and two-thirds of victims were Black men.

Lucas said that guns were used in 167 of the 179 homicides recorded by Kansas City police, and 88 of the killings were attributed to domestic violence or arguments. Police didnt know a cause for 45 of the homicides.

(Its) essential we protect victims of DV and teach others in arguments to walk away, Lucas said on X.

In the greater metropolitan area, homicides have dropped since 2020, when there had been 269 killings across the area, according to data tracked by The Star. This year, there have been 245 homicides across the metro so far.

In particular, Kansas City, Kansas, saw a large drop in homicides and other violent crimes. The city recorded 23 homicides in 2023, compared to 40 killings last year and 55 in 2020.

Kansas City organizations are collaborating to combat the staggering amount of deadly violence in the community.

Vincent Ortega, executive director of Jackson County Combat, previously told The Star that police, social service agencies, prosecutors and concerned citizens have held weekly meetings for the past eight months.

At those meetings, they discuss the number of people fatally shot that week, suspect information, ways to collaborate with other agencies and community members and other ongoing issues.

Combat also created a hub in July 2021 at the Greater Metropolitan Church of Christ, where shooting victims and families of homicide victims are connected to social services programs for their physical and mental health needs.

Other initiatives underway meant to reduce violence include KC 360, a violence prevention strategy in its early stages. Officials hope it will replicate a similar system in Omaha that reduced shootings by 74% over 15 years. Police also said they plan to take a focused deterrence approach to a violence reduction program in the new year.

Many of these efforts are being utilized today, Capt. Corey Carlisle said earlier this month in an email, but a more comprehensive phase will be adopted in the beginning of the new year, which will include more community partners and resources to help increase long-term crime reduction results as it relates to violent crime.

The Stars Bob Cronkleton contributed reporting.
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (KFOR)  State School Superintendent Ryan Walters claimed that the current Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) has been the most transparent in agency history, but legislators Friday disagreed.

This came just over a week after Walters received a subpoena from the Oklahoma House of Representatives asking for information within Walters department.

It is not normal, said Representative Andy Fugate when asked if its normal to use a subpoena to obtain information from an education agency about those who work at the education agency. The prior three administrations; Joy Hofmeister, Janet Barresi, Sandy Garrett, all of them were open and transparent because ultimately its the peoples business theyre doing.

| MORE LOCAL NEWS > The disrespect: OK House Republicans subpoena Ryan Walters for 100s of documents, emails >

The subpoena asked for information regarding the teacher signing bonus, how communication works within OSDE, and a few other questions about the agency.

For the most part, Walters answered some of the questions but legislators Friday said that it created more questions.

In response to the subpoena filled out by Waters, Dan Isett of the Oklahoma State Department of Education stated, Supt. Walters is always willing to work with Speaker McCall and members of the Legislature to solve real problems in education like ending porn in schools, keeping boys out of girls sports, and ending teaching shortages. Walters ability to attract a historic number of new teachers is a big topic that the legislature should focus on, and he is hopeful the Legislature will cement that reform in place for the future.

Its not with our teachers, its not with our curriculum, its not with porn or whatever else Ryan wants to talk to talk about, said Representative Fugate. The fundamental problem is we have kids who come to school who are hurting, who are ill-prepared, who are suffering from the challenges of a state that is so poorly managed. We no longer invest in the lives and the families here in Oklahoma.

In response to the subpoena, Superintendent Walters listed the 950 applicants for the Teacher Signing Bonus, the program that offered a bonus as an incentive to gain more teachers.

It was noted that 578 bonuses were handed out which totaled $17,320,000. Within that 578 were 117 who were out-of-state recruited teachers by years of service that totaled $4,900,000.

The response listed school districts that fell in the 95% not performing at grade level including Oklahoma City Public Schools, Tulsa, Mid-Del, Western Heights, Muskogee, Enid, and Shawnee.

It was noted that the count from the seven mentioned totaled 97,455 students. Oklahoma had 699,102 students enrolled in 23-24.

As reported by KFOR before, Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Education Representative Mark McBride R-Moore had attempted several times to get the information contained within the subpoena and has either not gotten answers or received a response that was disrespectful.

| MORE LOCAL NEWS > House education subcommittee reviews subpoena response from Supt. Walters >

One undated email response to Representative McBrides request for information came with the Oklahoma State Department of Education letterhead and read, Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. That was from Walters campaign advisor Matt Langston.

Its tragic where we are today, where we require a subpoena to get basic responses from the State Department of Education, said Representative Fugate. Finding information from the State Department of Education has become a black hole. And thats unfortunate for the people of Oklahoma. And you know, the legislatures role in all of this is to serve in an oversight capacity.

While the latest press release from Walters touts transparency, records have shown open records requests remained unanswered throughout the year.

In a June report, News 4 had been waiting 100 days on a single Oklahoma State Department of Education Open Records Request. State law allows it with vague language.

| MORE LOCAL NEWS > Then how do you know?: OSDE does not maintain a list of pornographic books found in schools for 2023 >

The House Education Subcommittee is still reviewing the unanswered questions from Oklahoma House legislators.

Chair Mark McBride said he immediately began reviewing the material provided.

I appreciate Supt. Walters quick compliance with the subpoena, and I have begun reviewing the delivered documents to ensure that they contain all of the information that was requested. As Chairman of the Appropriations and Budget Education Subcommittee, I exercised my power to subpoena the superintendent to produce these records, but I wish it would not have had to come to that. My focus has always been, and will continue to be, doing what is best for Oklahoma students. It is my hope that moving forward, the extreme, but sometimes necessary, process of using a subpoena will not be needed, and the superintendent will more openly and willingly communicate with members of the Legislature. The Legislative Branch is constitutionally charged with oversight of the budgets of certain departments, including the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE). Additionally, our responsibility as elected officials is to work together for the betterment of our state, not continuously fight to earn political clout or obfuscate the process of government. I will continue to review the subpoenaed documents with the hope that they fully answer the committees questions and give us a more complete understanding of the processes and procedures of the OSDE under Supt. Walters leadership. I thank him again for his swift compliance, and hope for a less adversarial working relationship in the future. Representative Mark McBride

All of the previous superintendents understood that the people have a right to know and understand, said Representative Fugate.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
FILE - Fuzzy dice sit behind the rear-view mirror of a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air, Aug. 4, 2014, in Flint Township, Mich. Starting Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, police there no longer will be allowed to pull over motorists solely because they have something hanging from the rearview mirror on their windshield. That means air fresheners, parking placards and, yes, even those dice are fair game to hang according to a revised Illinois windshield rule. (Jake May/The Flint Journal via AP)/The Flint Journal via AP)

Fuzzy dice finally will be free to dangle in Illinois.

Starting Monday, police there no longer will be allowed to pull over motorists solely because they have something hanging from the rearview mirror of the windshield. That means air fresheners, parking placards and, yes, even those dice are fair game to hang.

The revised Illinois windshield rule is one of hundreds of new laws taking effect with the new year in states across the U.S. While some may seem a bit pedestrian, others have real practical effects or touch on controversial issues such as restrictions on weapons and medical treatments for transgender people.

Though the original Illinois windshield law was meant to improve roadway safety, it came to be seen by some as an excuse for pulling over drivers. The new law still prohibits objects that obstruct a driver's view but forbids law enforcement officers from conducting stops or searches solely because of suspected violations.

With this new law, we are sending a powerful message that the state does not tolerate racial profiling or other forms of discrimination, said Democratic state Sen. Christopher Belt, one of the bill's sponsors.

Another new Illinois law seeks to stifle a more modern form of distracted driving by prohibiting people from participating in video conferences or scanning social media while behind the wheel.

GUNS AND PORNOGRAPHY

Several states have new laws regulating guns and online activity.

A Minnesota law will allow authorities to ask courts for  extreme risk protection orders  to temporarily take guns from people deemed to be an imminent threat to others or themselves. Minnesota will be at least the 20th state with such a red-flag law.

Colorado will become one of a dozen states banning so-called ghost guns. The new law prohibits firearms that are assembled at home or 3D-printed without serial numbers, practices that have allowed owners to evade background checks.

The U.S. Supreme Court declined to block an Illinois law from taking effect Monday that bans high-powered semiautomatic rifles and high-capacity magazines. But a federal judge recently blocked a California law that would have banned carrying concealed guns in many public places.

Several state laws delve into acceptable online activities. A new Connecticut law requires online dating operators to adopt policies for handling harassment reports by or between users.

A North Carolina law will require pornographic website operators to confirm viewers are at least 18 years old by using a commercially available database. The law lets parents sue companies if their children were allowed to access the pornography. Another new Illinois law will allow lawsuits from victims of deepfake pornography, in which videos or images are manipulated without their consent.

LGBTQ+ ISSUES

Over the past few years, there has been a major push by conservatives to restrict access to gender-affirming treatments for transgender minors. Bans are on the books in 22 states, including some where judges have paused enforcement as they consider challenges to the policies.

New bans on access for minors to puberty blockers, hormone therapy and surgery, which is rare, are scheduled to take effect Jan. 1 in Idaho, Louisiana and West Virginia. The West Virginia law contains an exception: Teens could still access treatment with parental consent and a diagnosis of severe gender dysphoria from two doctors.

While many Republican-led legislatures have imposed restrictions, many Democrat-dominated states have responded with transgender protections. A law taking effect Monday in Hawaii requires new marriage certificates to be issued to people who request to change how their sex is listed. The state also is replacing gender-specific terms in state law; mother is being replaced with birthing parent and father with non-birthing parent.

In Colorado, new buildings wholly or partly owned by government entities will be required to have on every floor where there are public restrooms at least one that does not specify the gender of the users.

The conservative push on LGBTQ+ policies also has come with efforts to keep certain books out of school or public libraries. An Indiana law taking effect makes it easier for parents and others to challenge books in school libraries. By contrast, a new Illinois law would block state funding for public libraries that ban or restrict books.

TAXES AND WAGES

The new year brings a variety of new laws on taxes and wages  perennial issues for state governments.

More than 20 states will raise minimum wages for workers, further widening the gap between state requirements and the federal minimum, which has been static at $7.25 an hour since July 2009. In several states, the new minimum wage will more than double that rate.

Maryland's minimum wage will be set at $15 an hour. In New Jersey, it will be $15.13 an hour for most employees. In Connecticut, $15.69 per hour. In New York City, $16 an hour, though it will be $15 in most of the rest of the state. California's statewide minimum wage also will rise to $16 per hour. And in Washington, the minimum rate will be $16.28.

Residents in some states will gain money by paying less in taxes, continuing a three-year trend in which nearly every state has reduced, rebated or suspended some type of broad-based tax.

In Kansas, the sales tax on groceries will drop from 4% to 2% in its next step toward eventual elimination, producing a savings of $208 annually for a family spending an average of $200 weekly on groceries.

About 1 million tax filers are expected to benefit from Connecticut's first income tax rate reduction since the mid-1990s. Lower-income workers and retirees also stand to benefit from expanded tax breaks.

Missouri also will reduce its income tax rate while expanding tax exemptions for Social Security benefits and military training pay. Businesses will be able to claim tax credits for hiring interns or apprentices.

Alabama will exempt overtime pay from the state's income tax, though that lasts only until June 2025 unless renewed by lawmakers.
SEATTLE - Police arrested two people who stole a trailer and planned to use it to deliver a large amount of narcotics and other hard drugs last Friday.

The Seattle Police Department (SPD) says on Dec. 22 at around 10 a.m., officers received a call from the stolen trailers rightful owner saying it was spotted near the corner of 53rd Ave. S and Renton Ave. S in Rainier Beach.

When officers approached the trailer, they immediately heard a dog barking and people talking inside. Police ordered the suspects to exit the trailer, but they did not comply.

The owner of the trailer arrived at the scene and gave a key to the officers to unlock the door.

Police warned the suspects they were unlocking the door. As soon as they opened it, they found a man and a woman inside. They eventually got out of the trailer and were taken into custody.

RELATED: Bus driver attacked in Bellevue

Officers searched the trailer and recovered the following:

993.6 grams of methamphetamine

148 grams of cocaine

189.4 grams of suspected fentanyl

25.1 grams of heroin

102.2 grams of suspected Xanax bars

289.9 grams of amphetamines

2 small weighing scales

Multiple EBT cards and other IDs

Multiple electronics

Approximately $5,284.00 in cash (from suspect search)

RELATED: Clallam County deputies looking for man accused of setting house on fire with someone inside

The 32-year-old woman and the 41-year-old man were arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle and possession of narcotics with intent to deliver. Additional charges for obstructing a police officer were also requested for each suspect.

Both suspects were booked into the King County Jail.
Laman Ismayilova

The Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center in Uzbekistan has hosted event dedicated to the Day of Solidarity of Azerbaijanis.

The event was attended by representatives of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Uzbekistan, Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center in Uzbekistan, the Uzbekistan-Azerbaijan Friendship Society, representatives of the public, science and culture, creative intelligentsia and youth, Azernews reports.

At the opening, the Azerbaijani Ambassador to Uzbekistan Huseyn Guliyev emphasized that the celebration of the Solidarity Day of Azerbaijanis is associated with the name of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev.

"The idea of solidarity of our compatriots and their unification around this idea is one of the greatest historical services of national leader Heydar Aliyev to the people. Solidarity Day is a holiday for millions of our compatriots living in different parts of the world," he said.

It was brought to attention that 2023 is a successful year for Azerbaijani-Uzbek relations, which are at the highest level, and that last year the heads of both states made mutual visits.

A group of artists and journalists who contributed to strengthening Azerbaijani-Uzbek relations were awarded honorary diplomas and special statuettes. Guests were presented with a festive concert with the participation of Azerbaijani and Uzbek performers - Rano Azizova, Davron Kadyrov, Ilham Abdullayev, and the Azerbaijan Dance Ensemble.

A New Year's party for children with Shahta Baba, fairy-tale characters, was held in the large concert hall of center. Around 200 Azerbaijani and Uzbek children took part in the event.

Azerbaijani national music and interesting skits were presented with the participation of the Azerbaijan ensemble and vocalist Olima Mahmudova. Children also showed their talents at the feast. They read poems, danced and competed in games, and received gifts.
Mailers with misleading information about the candidates spread throughout District G during Houston's 2023 municipal elections, but where did they come from? Elizabeth Sander Mailers with misleading information about the candidates spread throughout District G during Houston's 2023 municipal elections, but where did they come from? Jill Karnicki Mailers with misleading information about the candidates spread throughout District G during Houston's 2023 municipal elections, but where did they come from? Jill Karnicki Mailers with misleading information about the candidates spread throughout District G during Houston's 2023 municipal elections, but where did they come from? Jill Karnicki Mailers with misleading information about the candidates spread throughout District G during Houston's 2023 municipal elections, but where did they come from? Jill Karnicki Mailers with misleading information about the candidates spread throughout District G during Houston's 2023 municipal elections, but where did they come from? Jill Karnicki Mailers with misleading information about the candidates spread throughout District G during Houston's 2023 municipal elections, but where did they come from? Jill Karnicki Mailers with misleading information about the candidates spread throughout District G during Houston's 2023 municipal elections, but where did they come from? Elizabeth Sander Mailers with misleading information about the candidates spread throughout District G during Houston's 2023 municipal elections, but where did they come from? Elizabeth Sander

Nobody was more surprised than political newcomer Enyinna Isiguzo when glossy mailers appeared in mailboxes touting his long shot candidacy for the District G City Council seat.

The mailers likely cost thousands of dollars to design, print and mail, much more than the $150 Isiguzo put into his own campaign. The candidate said hed never spoken to anyone from the Houston Hispanic Action Committee, the group that claimed credit for sending the flyers.

I dont even know who those people are, Isiguzo said. I would definitely like to find out who paid for that, too, because they didnt tell me anything.

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Political hijinks are nothing new in local government elections, but the mail war that took place during the District G City Council race between incumbent Mary Nan Huffman and high-profile lawyer Tony Buzbee seemed to reach another level.

The Houston Hispanic Action Committee had not filed required campaign finance paperwork, and documented leaders of the political group say they are no longer involved. So it is not clear whether the mailers were designed to siphon votes from Huffman (who ultimately won in the runoff) or the group believed in the candidacy of Isiguzo.

Ive never heard of an organization who just runs something on behalf of someone who didnt know it. Thats extremely rare if it ever happens, said Brandon Rottinghaus, political science professor at University of Houston who studies local elections. Theres something odd going on here.

In a city election with multiple candidates, low turnout and limited polling, it is tough to know what influenced voters. Isiguzo pulled in a surprising 11 percent of the vote in the November general election, and Huffman fell a couple hundred votes shy of winning the race outright, a razor-thin margin that forced a runoff against Buzbee, who lost to Mayor Sylvester Turner in the last election.

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Isiguzo was ecstatic with the results after campaigning with paper fliers he designed himself, three volunteers and word-of-mouth.

The mailers that the Houston Hispanic Action Committee sent out before the general election portrayed Isiguzo as the progressive choice who would support working families and painted Huffman as a right-wing extremist only interested in serving elites, which the incumbent has rebuked.

One mailer cant necessarily swing an entire election, Rottinghaus said, but multiple mailers sent from different groups that muddy up the ideology of one of the candidates can.

The potential is there for groups violating the law, or not complying with a law, to swing an election, especially one thats a low turnout, low information election. And thats what these elections are, he said.

The consequences of what Rottinghaus called dirty pool range farther than that. Misleading mail campaigns can affect public trust in the entire political system, he said.

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District C Council Member Abbie Kamin was concerned as well, leading her to endorse Huffman despite differing politics.

For me, the misinformation, the personal attacks made against her and above all, the illegal mailers that were just baseless and intended to dissuade Democrats specifically from voting for her was something that I felt was important to counter, Kamin said.

COLLEGIAL SUPPORT: Women of Houston City Council unite to back Huffman over Buzbee in District G runoff

Violating Ethics Laws

Beyond risking public distrust, there can be criminal consequences for the individuals who planned, designed and printed these mailers.

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The Texas Ethics Commission could impose fines of $5,000 or three times the amount at hand, whichever is greater, per violation of certain Texas Election Code statutes. PACs that do not file any records with the TEC, including routine financial disclosures and treasurer appointments, and then make expenditures, like sending political mail, could face Class A misdemeanors as well.

In more severe cases, fines as large as $30,000 have been imposed by the TEC for faking mailers in a city council race. Attorney Eric Dick was fined in 2022 for falsifying mailers from the Black Democratic News that endorsed him and a slew of other candidates, when the group actually endorsed his opponent.

The goal of these reporting laws is that there are strict rules about allowing for people to find out who is campaigning on whose behalf, Rottinghaus said. If you remove that component and then people violate that law, it is a free fall, which could create a lot of distrust and ultimately undermine the process.

At least three groups sent out mail during the District G election that did not file with the ethics commission, or with the city of Houston. Beside the Houston Hispanic Action Committee mailer supporting Isiguzo, the Harris County Progressive PAC and West Side Republicans sent out mailers with information that Huffman called misleading.

The Harris County Progressive PAC sent out a mailer before the runoff calling Huffman a far-right extremist who has a biblical world view (where) Gods word is the basis of law. It centers on her endorsement by Conservative Republicans of Texas PAC, a group led by Steven Hotze, which holds what some consider far-right Christian values.

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Huffman confirmed she was endorsed by Hotzes PAC, but added being endorsed by a group does not mean one aligns with every value of that group.

Mailers from the West Side Republicans called Huffman anti-union, even though she is employed by the Houston Police Officers Union, and compared the incumbent to former President Donald Trump.

Huffman said she does not support a second Trump presidency.

For his part, Buzbee said there were a lot of groups that sent a lot of false and nasty stuff about me, as well.

Some PACs sent out mail before the general election calling him a Democrat, based on prior connections to Democratic organizations and donations to Democratic judges. Buzbee has said he considers himself a Republican.

The ethics commission only investigates if a complaint is filed, although in rare instances the commission can vote to review expenditures or contributions from a candidate or political committee.

So far, nobody has said theyve filed an ethics complaint to trigger an investigation. Huffman said she thinks she will file one but doesnt know when. The council member said she has never encountered this situation before, and wasnt sure she could pin all the mailers on any one person.

Falsifying a union label

But the mailers had other intrigue, too.

The Houston Hispanic Action Committees mailer had what appeared to be a fake union label at the bottom, which could cost the creators as much as a $10,000 fine. Falsifying a union label is considered a breach of the federal trademark registration and copyright laws, said Oscar Lopez, president of Houstons Printing, Packaging, Production Workers Union Local Chapter 4535M.

Democratic candidates often sign pledges in primaries to use union printers, usually to gain union endorsements, Lopez said. Republicans generally do not sign such pledges, but many use union printers regardless.

Fake union label cases are usually settled before they reach federal court, in an effort to cut court fees and impose smaller, agreed upon fines, Lopez said. Before Lopez became president, an Austin-based graphic designer took the case to federal court and received a $10,000 fine, he said. The designer then filed for bankruptcy.

The HHPAC mailers union label indicates it was manufactured by a Houston printing press assigned the number 8, but there hasnt been one in Houston with that number since the 1990s, Lopez said.

Lopez said he is investigating the Houston Hispanic Action Committees mailer, but his attempts to reach them have been unsuccessful. He said he plans to take the case to the International Allied Printing Union to continue the investigation.

The HHPAC mailer has one more traceable feature: the Unites States Postal Services bulk mailing permit, which appears on the Harris County Progressive PACs mailer, too. According to USPS Postal Service investigators, the permit is held by Long Plan (LP) Printing in Houston, which prints and mails for clients across the county.

LP Printing didnt design either mailer, they simply mailed them for their wholesale clients, said Kelly Dela Cruz, project manager at the company. Dela Cruz declined to identify the individuals who created and printed the mailer, citing client confidentiality.

Whos behind the mailers?

The Houston Hispanic Action Committee, or Houston Hispanic Political Action Committee, appears to tied to Daysi Marin, Texas Secretary of State business filings and her personal Facebook show. Marin is vice president of Texas Democratic Women, a state-level civic club, and former president of the clubs Harris County metro area chapter.

When reached for comment, Marin said she was not the president of the Houston Hispanic PAC and declined further comment.

As of Tuesday evening, Marin had removed the President of Houston Hispanic Action Committee title from her personal Facebook page. The HHPAC Facebook page and the HHPAC's website were both been taken down after publication of this story.

The Houston Hispanic Action Committees Facebook page features support for candidates across the political spectrum. In late September, the PAC reposted some of the Buzbee campaigns social media announcements, though there is no mention of Isiguzo in the past six months.

As Huffman prepares for another term on council, the mailer mystery has been reduced to finger pointing.

Buzbee said he assumed Huffman sent the mailers.

Shes the one who had all the outside groups helping her, Buzbee said.

Huffman said she wasnt behind the mailers and pins it squarely on Buzbee trying to deceive voters.

With the election decided, Buzbee said he is ready to move on after his defeat.
This article was originally published in NC Newsline.

Parents have a high level of trust in librarians despite a national onslaught of book bans and censorship efforts by conservative groups, a recent survey by EveryLibrary Institute and Book Riot found.

The authors of Parent Perceptions of Librarianship 2023 found that despite concerted efforts to keep books about Americas racist past and LGBTQ issues out of the hands of children, families across diverse backgrounds and income levels trust public and school librarians. The families value librarians expertise in fostering safe and engaging learning environments that support learning and creativity.

PEN America, a free speech organization, reported finding 3,362 cases of book bans in the 2022-23 school year. North Carolina is among the national censorship leaders with 58 reported book bans from July 2022 to June 2023. More books have been banned by school districts since the start of the school year.

Support The 74's year-end campaign. Make a tax-exempt donation now.

John Chrastka, EveryLibrary Institutes executive director, said the survey shows that politically motivated book banning, and censorship groups are out of touch with most parents and guardians.

Contrary to the narratives that so-called parent rights groups are advancing, parents across America value librarians roles in our communities and our childrens education, Chrastka said. Pro-censorship groups do not represent the vast majority of parents or guardians in their beliefs about librarians, reading, education, and civil society.

EveryLibrary Institute is a library think thank and professional network that is focused on improving and supporting the future of library funding in the United States and abroad. Book Riot is North Americas largest independent editorial book site.

Kelly Jensen, an editor at Book Riot, said the survey is informative and provides welcome insight into parental perceptions about libraries.

This series of surveys further our knowledge on what libraries are doing right and allows us to see where and how we can advocate for better understanding the roles libraries play in the lives of the average person, Jensen said. We continue to be thrilled to see the vast majority of parents think that the public library is a safe place for their children.

EveryLibrary Institute and Book Riot researchers surveyed 1,527 parents and guardians with children under 18 in two surveys during October and November 2023.

Heres a by-the-numbers look at what parents and guardians told researchers about public libraries:

92  Percentage of parents, grandparents and guardians who said they trust librarians to curate appropriate books and materials

90  Percentage who report being comfortable allowing their child to select their own materials

96  Percentage who said they feel their children are safe within the library

83  Percentage who agree librarians know what books children love

35  Percentage who think public librarians have a political agenda, and believe they should

9  Percentage who do not believe librarians have a political agenda, but think they should

44  Percentage who dont think librarians have a political agenda, and should not

85  Percentage who report being satisfied or very satisfied with librarians.

NC Newsline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. NC Newsline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Rob Schofield for questions: info@ncnewsline.com. Follow NC Newsline on Facebook and Twitter.
The current crisis at the southern border will likely be the focus of this weeks Sunday news shows.

Earlier this week, a migrant caravan of reportedly at least 6,000 people left a city in southern Mexico heading toward the U.S. The Biden administration is trying to raise pressure on the Mexican President, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, to set tighter limits for migrants who cross from Mexico. According to a report by CBS News, in the first 27 days of December, border patrol processed 225,000 migrants  a record-high count.

Republicans have gone after the president for vacationing in St. Croix amid the current border crisis.

Joe Bidens vacationing in the Virgin Islands while the southern border is in crisis, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) said in a release this week.

On Wednesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas and Homeland Security Adviser Liz Sherwood-Randall met with Lopez Obrador in Mexico City to discuss the border situation.

Earlier this month, the Senate adjourned without a deal on funding for Ukraine or border security, ending a historically unproductive legislative session. Its members are not scheduled to come back until early January.

Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), whose own congressional district lies on the southern border, will make an appearance on Fox News Sunday. Last week, he said that illegal crossings at the border are hurting the presidents campaign.

My district is about 80 percent Hispanic Democratic, and guess what? When I go to church or when I go to the store, what are people telling me? Cuellar said on NewsNations The Hill. Henry, you got to secure the border. We got to do something.

While the current president is facing an uphill battle with the border, former President Trump is facing his own struggles when it comes to being kicked off ballots.

On Thursday, Maine became the second state to kick Trump off of the states primary ballot under the 14th Amendment. Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows (D) said she had concluded the former president over the course of several months and culminating on January 6, 2021, used a false narrative of election fraud to inflame his supporters and direct them to the Capitol to prevent certification of the 2020 election and the peaceful transfer of power.

Bellowss decision made Maine the second state to take such an action, after the Colorado Supreme Court last week via a 4-3 ruling.

Mr. Trumps occasional requests that rioters be peaceful and support law enforcement do not immunize his actions, she said. A brief call to obey the law does not erase conduct over the course of months, culminating in his speech on the Ellipse. The weight of the evidence makes clear that Mr. Trump was aware of the tinder laid by his multi-month effort to delegitimize a democratic election, and then chose to light a match.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) is set to make an appearance on NBCs Meet the Press, where he will likely discuss the Centennial States Supreme Court decision to kick the former president off of the ballot.

Below is the full list of guests scheduled to appear on this weeks Sunday talk shows:

ABCs This Week  Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio); former Trump White House staffers Alyssa Farah Griffin, Cassidy Hutchinson and Sarah Matthews.

NBCs Meet the Press  Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.); Govs. Jared Polis (D-Colo.), and Spencer Cox (R-Utah).

CBS Face the Nation  Denver Mayor Mike Johnston (D) and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (D).

CNNs State of the Union  Gov. Chris Sununu (R-N.H.); Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.); Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.).

Fox News Sunday  Reps. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) and Tony Gonzales (R-Texas); Jared Bernstein, chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers.

Fox News Channels Sunday Morning Futures  Robert OBrien, former national security advisor; Reps. Michael Waltz (R-Fla.) and Beth Van Duyne (R-Texas); Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R); Cardinal Timothy Dolan, archbishop of New York.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  The Coahoma County Sheriffs Office released the name of the suspect they say is responsible for the shooting death of a 10-year-old boy in Friars Point, Miss. Sunday.

Demetrice Henderson is wanted for the murder of AlDarius Nesbitt, according to the Coahoma County Sheriffs Office.

10-year-old dead after shooting in Coahoma County

On Dec. 24, 10-year-old AlDarius Nesbitt and his 14-year-old brother were driving their fathers car in Friars Point when they were followed by more than one vehicle, and shots were fired at their car.

Nesbitt was shot two times.

Father recalls death of 10-year-old son in Mississippi

The 14-year-old managed to drive the car back to his father, and Nesbitt was taken to a Clarksdale hospital, where he later died.

If hes an honest person with some kind of piece of a heart, come forward, turn yourself in, said Terrance Readus, Nesbitts father.

If you locate Henderson or know of his whereabouts, call the Coahoma County Sheriffs Office at 662-624-3085 or 662-624-2411.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
UNION, N.Y. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A 17-year-old wanted for murder in connection to a double-homicide in Mount Holly earlier this month was arrested in New York state Friday.

On Dec. 29, Broome County Sheriffs Office said the Southern Tier SWAT Team executed a search warrant in the Town of Union, just west of Binghamton. They acted on information gathered by the U.S. Marshals Regional Fugitive Task Force to take the teen into custody.

RELATED: Extra loud. Neighbors describe fatal Mount Holly shooting of two 19-year-olds

On Dec. 14, two 19-year-olds from Concord, Jayden DaeShun Munson and Jaylan Marray Jackson, were found dead in a car by authorities at the intersection of Piedmont Avenue and Dodge Street in Mount Holly.

The tip led Broome County investigators to believe the fugitive wanted for the murders was in a residence in Union. Due to the location and the nature of the charges, the Southern Tier SWAT Team was activated to execute the search warrant.

The SWAT team is comprised of members from the Broome County Sheriffs Office, Chenango County Sheriffs Office and the Endicott Police, who all assisted in the warrant execution.

Mount Holly Chief Brian Reagan said at the time of the shooting, it appeared to be an isolated incident between individuals who were familiar with each other.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
May 2020: Nathan Chubb and his wife pose after he popped the question to her at Sycamore Gap

On the night of 27 September this year, Northumberland's famous Sycamore Gap tree on Hadrian's Wall was illegally chopped down.

After the unprecedented public response, the National Trust and Northumberland National Park Authority invited people to share their photos and memories of visiting the iconic landmark, so they can make tributes and a 3D image.

To some it was just a beautiful tree, but to others the 200-year-old sycamore represented the beginnings of married life, a place of treasured family time, or a constant friend.

'Something special'

Andrew was unable to keep his promise to take his family to Sycamore Gap after his six-day expedition on Hadrian's Wall

During the Covid-19 lockdown, Andrew Needham received the awful news that a close family member back home in Lincolnshire had cancer and needed an operation.

The operation was a success and Andrew felt he owed Cancer Research UK a great deal, so over six days he raised 900 for the charity walking the whole of Hadrian's Wall. He then reached "the tree".

"When I reached that lonesome tree in that lonesome dip I experienced something special," he said.

"Families and children laughed. Couples smiled and ate their picnics. I sat with an old couple who had actually flown from Australia to see it."

Taking one last look, he promised himself he'd bring his family there on a special trip. A trip that will now never happen.

'Iconic spot'

John Barrow is pictured at 17:26 BST on 27 September, halfway through a four-day walk along the centre section of Hadrian's Wall

Michael Bode and John Barrow took what they believe is one of the last-ever photos of Sycamore Gap.

The pair were halfway through their four-day walk along Hadrian's Wall when they reached Sycamore Gap at 17:26 BST on 27 September, the night it was felled.

"We naturally stopped to take photos of this iconic spot before heading down to The Twice Brewed Inn where we arrived at just after 6pm and stayed the night," Michael said.

"Storm Agnes was blowing through and we saw no-one else in front or behind us on the way to the pub from the Gap.

"Next morning we heard the Inn staff talking about a tree that had been felled during the night, and only realised it was the Sycamore Gap tree when we were walking on again and were alerted to the BBC website.

"We were shocked and greatly saddened, far more so than for any other tree being lost that I can remember."

Down on one knee

Rosie Lamb says the tree was a "major highlight" of her trek with husband Jamie

Keen ramblers Rosie and Jamie Lamb got engaged at Sycamore Gap in May 2022.

As lovers of history and walking, they walked the length of Hadrian's Wall from coast to coast and say they were looking forward to seeing the tree.

"It was a major highlight of our walk in more ways than one!" Rosie said.

Meanwhile, Nathan Chubb and his wife Joanne, who visited in 2020, said they were "devastated" to hear of the tree's felling.

"This area held special importance to us as it was under the famous tree where I popped the question to my wife... she said yes!" Nathan said.

"It was a glorious spring day in May 2020. The sun was shining and the sycamore tree helped shade us from the sun."

'Dependable friend'

James Cross and his best friend celebrated their retirement in September by walking Hadrian's Wall from east to west

James Cross first visited Sycamore Gap in 1973, aged 11, with his father. It was one of several visits they made in the 70s, including in the freak snowstorm of 1975.

He last visited it on the Saturday before it was felled with his best friend from school, as they celebrated their retirement by walking Hadrian's Wall from east to west over six days.

He says he took the above photo when "like so many others that day and on countless days before us, we rested awhile at Sycamore Gap admiring the tree's shapely tenacity and vigour".

He has made around five visits to the tree in his lifetime which were "all memorable for different reasons".

"On each occasion, the tree has been a witness not only to our companionable day's walking, but also to the journeys of each of our lives," he said.

"The tree was a dependable, and seemingly ageless, friend over 50 years, and I grieve for its loss."

Beloved place

Lee Johnston first found Sycamore Gap when he moved to the area after an incident which left him with fractures to his skull and led to a severe mental breakdown.

"The wall and Sycamore Gap became a place I could walk to be alone with my thoughts and deal with my mental health in a positive way," he said. "It was also the start of my photography career.

"I've walked the wall in every season, seen the aurora, sunsets and sunrises and it will always hold a place in my heart."

'Heartfelt stories'

The oldest image of the tree received by the National Trust was taken in 2016

Using the public's photos, the National Trust hopes to create a 3D image of the tree and potential future exhibitions.

The organisation is still looking for more photos, particularly close-ups showing the detail of the tree, and pictures taken before 2016.

Michael Innerdale, regional director at the National Trust, says the organisation is thankful for the many heartfelt stories and images of the tree they have received "from every angle and in all types of weather".

He said: "Together, these memories create an important and poignant record of this much-loved tree, and show just how much it meant to people."

Tony Gates, chief executive of Northumberland National Park Authority, says the "unprecedented and historic" felling of the Sycamore Gap tree not only affected people locally, but across the world.

"We have felt this through the many heartfelt anecdotes people have shared," he said.

"Everyone involved [in our project] is keen to continue to engage with the public in a meaningful way, to do the right thing for nature and people, and ensure, as we have always said, that the legacy of Sycamore Gap is one that is positive and heartfelt."

The organisations are continuing to invite the public to share their photos and stories of the tree by emailing sycamoregap@nationaltrust.org.uk.
Taiwan President and Democratic Progressive Party presidential candidate William Lai, from left, shakes hands with Taiwan's Nationalist Party presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih while Taiwan's Taiwan People's Party (TPP) presidential candidate Ko Wen-je stands by before the presidential debates at Taiwan Public Television Service in Taipei, Taiwan, Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023. Taiwan will hold its presidential election on Jan. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Pei Chen, Pool)

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP)  Taiwans presidential candidates expressed desire for peaceful relations with Beijing, which has described Jan. 13 elections on the self-ruled island as a choice between war and peace and stepped up harassment of the territory that China claims as its own.

William Lai, the front-runner and currently Taiwan's vice president from the ruling Democratic Peoples Party, said in a televised debate Saturday that he was open to communicating with the government in Beijing, which has refused to talk to him or President Tsai Ing-wen.

Beijing favors the candidate from the more China-friendly Nationalist, or Kuomintang, Party, and has accused Lai and Tsai of being separatists who are trying to provoke a Chinese attack on Taiwan.

Taiwan split from China amid civil war in 1949, but Beijing continues to regard the island of 23 million with its high-tech economy as Chinese territory and has been steadily increasing its threat to achieve that goal by military force if necessary.

Tensions with China have featured strongly in the presidential campaign.

China has also stepped up military pressure on the island by sending military jets and ships near it almost daily. Taiwans Defense Ministry this month also reported Chinese balloons, which could be used for spying, flying in its vicinity.

Differences over Taiwan are a major flashpoint in U.S.-China relations. U.S. relations with the island are governed by the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, which makes it American policy to ensure Taiwan has the resources to defend itself and to prevent any unilateral change of status by Beijing.

Lai - who tops most opinion polls - promised to help strengthen Taiwans defense and economy if elected.

As long as there is equality and dignity on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, Taiwans door will always be open, he said during the debate. I am willing to conduct exchanges and cooperation with China to enhance the well-being of the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

The international community has realized the threat China poses to Taiwan and the international community, Lai said. In fact, everyone is already preparing to respond. We should  unite and cooperate to ensure peace.

Hou Yu-ih, the Kuomintang candidate, also said he sought peaceful relations with Beijing.

The Kuomintang previously endorsed unification with China but has shifted its stance in recent years as Taiwans electorate is increasingly identifying as Taiwanese - as opposed to Chinese - and wants to maintain the status quo in relations with Beijing.

Hou said he opposed Taiwans independence but also a potential unification under Chinas one country, two systems framework, which Beijing has used to govern Hong Kong, a former British colony that returned to China in 1997. Hou said he sought democracy and freedom for Taiwan.

The third candidate, Ko Wen-je, from the smaller Taiwan Peoples Party, referenced a quote by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken regarding U.S.-China relations, saying that Taiwan and China will cooperate if they can cooperate, compete if theres a need to compete, and confront each other if they must confront each other.

The people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are of the same race and have the same history, language, religion and culture, but at this stage, we have a different political system and way of life, Ko said, adding that "Taiwan needs self-reliance, and both sides of the Taiwan Strait need peace.

We have to make it clear to the Chinese government that my bottom line is that Taiwan must maintain its current democratic and free political system and way of life, Ko said. Only if these conditions are met can we have dialogue.

___

Associated Press video journalist Johnson Lai contributed to this report.
Lai Ching-te, Taiwan's Vice President and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) presidential candidate makes a speech at a campaign event in Taipei

Lai Ching-te, Taiwan's Vice President and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) presidential candidate makes a speech at a campaign event in Taipei

TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan's sovereignty and independence belong to its people, the frontrunner to be its next president said on Saturday in an often testy debate with the other two candidates dominated by arguments over China and tensions in the Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan's Jan. 13 presidential and parliamentary elections are happening as China has stepped up military and political pressure to assert its claims of sovereignty over the island, including regularly sending warplanes into the strait.

Vice President Lai Ching-te, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) presidential candidate, reiterated in a pre-election debate televised live that he was open to talks with China, which has repeatedly rebuffed his offers of dialogue as it believes he is a dangerous separatist.

"On so-called Taiwan independence, Taiwan's basic position is that Taiwan's sovereignty and independence belong to its 23 million people not the People's Republic of China," Lai said.

"The Republic of China and People's Republic of China are not subordinate to each other - this is the definition of Taiwan independence," he added, referring to Taiwan's formal name.

The defeated Republic of China government fled to Taiwan in 1949 after losing a civil war with Mao Zedong's communists, who set up the People's Republic of China. Neither government recognises the other and no peace treaty ever ended the war.

Lai has generally been leading opinion polls by around five points, but some have put his main challenger, Hou Yu-ih of Taiwan's largest opposition party the Kuomintang (KMT) much closer behind.

Hou accused Lai of smearing him with accusations of being pro-China. Hou said he opposed both Taiwan independence and China's "one country, two systems" model of autonomy it has offered to Taiwan, but which no mainstream party supports.

"The current status quo is that the Taiwan Strait is on the brink of war. So, to maintain close ties with the United States while also making peace with China is the solution to the problem," Hou said.

The KMT traditionally favours close ties with China but strongly denies being pro-Beijing. Like the DPP, the KMT says that only Taiwan's people can decide their future.

China has described the election as a choice between war and peace.

The third presidential candidate, former Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je from the small Taiwan People's Party, said his bottom line on engaging with China was the protection of Taiwan's current political system and way of life.

"With this bottom line, I'm willing to talk to you," he said.

(Reporting by Ben Blanchard and Faith Hung: Editing by Neil Fullick)
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said a teen was shot and killed in Northwest D.C. on Saturday morning.

MPD said that at about 6:20 a.m., they were dispatched to a shooting investigation at MedStar Washington Hospital Center at the 100 block of Michigan NW.

Teen shot in Southeast DC

Police said a boy, in his mid-to-late-teens who was shot and killed, was dropped off at the hospital.

MPD said they are working to find the location of the shooting.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
Arizona State University student Spencer Allred waits for a ride at an ASU polling location in Tempe on Nov. 8, 2022.

Tempe voters will make major decisions for the city throughout 2024 as they cast votes on everything from who will run the community to how the city will grow for the next quarter century.

Voters will also weigh in on whether they want to fund an ambitious infrastructure program that officials promise will fix every street in Tempe within four years.

At least two municipal elections will take place in the new year, one in March and one in November.

In March, the mayor's office and three City Council seats will be on the ballot, along with General Plan 2050. That's a controversial proposal to update the city's growth plan to allow for more high-rises and the expansion of Tempe's urban core into its suburban south.

November's election will decide whether Tempe can take on nearly $140 million in debt to fund massive amounts of street repaving. The program would boost residents' property taxes but is expected to generate enough cash to repair every city street in Tempe by spring 2028.

Combined, 2024's elections promise to be even more consequential than the Arizona Coyotes vote that dominated the community for most of 2023.

The Arizona Republic broke down the most important details on each of those upcoming votes. Here's what residents need to know.

Majority of Tempe leadership on March ballot

Tempe Mayor Corey Woods delivers his state of the city speech, the last one he will make as a first-term mayor. He reflected on city successes and shortcomings in 2023 and made big promises for the year ahead.

While the majority of Tempe's seven-person governing body will be on the ballot for the March 12 election, only the three City Council positions are competitive because Mayor Corey Woods is running unopposed for a second term.

Tempe is guaranteed to get at least one new official because Councilmember Joel Navarro has decided not to seek another council term after serving 16 years in the role. He announced in November that he would instead pursue a spot on the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors.

Navarro's position will be filled by one of the three newcomers who have entered the race: Nikki Amberg, David Lucier and Hugo Tapia.

Whichever two newcomers do not secure the open position will be challenging incumbent Councilmembers Doreen Garlid and Randy Keating for their seats. Garlid is vying for her second four-year term on the council, while Keating is hoping to secure his third.

General Plan 2050: Growing Tempe up, urbanizing the city's south

High-rise buildings along Tempe Town Lake include the State Farm building, as seen on Feb. 15, 2019.

General plans are long-term planning strategies that cities have to update every decade, per state law. They create development guardrails by broadly defining how pieces of land can be used, and updated versions have to be greenlighted by voters.

Tempe's proposed General Plan 2050 has been in the works for more than a year, and it could drastically change the layout of Tempe if approved by residents.

Compared with the existing plan, General Plan 2050 allows for far more housing units on properties south of Apache Boulevard, where Tempe's downtown ends and single-family neighborhoods begin.

It's meant to increase housing in a city that's running out of land but could lead to taller apartment buildings being built in historically more suburban areas  sparking controversy among community members with competing interests.

More about the proposed plan: Tempe approves new General Plan; residents remain divided on density changes

More established residents, particularly older homeowners, have pushed back most strongly against the plan. They argue that it will upend Tempe's residential neighborhoods and chip away at the community's suburban character south of Apache. They also are concerned about environmental and traffic impacts of the denser developments.

Meanwhile, supporters of the plan argue that Tempe needs to welcome the expansion of high-density developments in order to meet demand in its housing market, combat rising rents and prepare for a population increase of 85,000  a 46% uptick  by 2050.

$180M plan to fix every Tempe street within 4 years

Tempe officials are proposing an "accelerated" pavement improvement program to repair the city's streets.

Tempe uses a measure called the Pavement Quality Index to grade the condition of its more than 1,200 lane-miles of city streets on a scale from 0 to 100. The city's goal has long been to reach a 70% score by 2028, which would put it squarely in the "good" quality range, but the city's streets have sat stagnant at about 60% for the past decade.

City officials said that at its current pavement repair rate, Tempe won't hit that 70% goal by 2028, so they proposed an "accelerated" pavement improvement program in September that Mayor Woods touted as an initiative to fix up every city street within four years.

The full cost of the initiative will be just under $190 million between 2024 and 2028. Tempe currently only had $54 million set aside for pavement repairs over those years, so the city will have to come up with another $135 million to make its plan work.

That's where November's election comes into play. Tempe needs voters' permission to take on bond debt that will cover the funding gap, which the city will then pay off over multiple decades.

The catch is that cities pay off that type of debt using secondary property taxes, so whenever they borrow more money that tax goes up for residents. And Tempe's is already the highest in the Valley at $443 each year for a median value homeowner, or roughly 20% more than Scottsdale's, which has the second highest.

Tempe residents will ultimately decide to boost the city's median secondary property tax charges by $81 each year, or deal with mediocre road quality that isn't likely to get much better anytime soon.

Reporter Sam Kmack covers Tempe, Scottsdale and Chandler. Follow him on Twitter @KmackSam or reach him at sam.kmack@arizonarepublic.com.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Tempe's 2024 elections: Road repairs, high-rises and the City Council
By Jung Min-ho

North Koreas fertility rate  the average number of children a woman bears in her lifetime  may have already fallen below 1.5, a recent study suggests.

According to a report released on Thursday by the North Korea research center at the Bank of Korea, the Norths fertility rate was estimated to have reached an all-time low of 1.38 in the 2010-19 period, a significant drop from 2.69 in the 1980-89 period.

That number is far lower than the estimate of the United Nations Population Fund  1.8 in 2023.

The reason for the gap may lie in the U.N. agencys reliance on raw data provided by North Korean authorities, which is highly unreliable, the researchers said.

Instead of making their assessment based on anything given by the regime, the researchers conducted a survey on 95 North Korean escapees. Given that they may not give the accurate number of their own babies, the scholars studied the family trees of their relatives as well as acquaintances  a total of 1,137  based on interviews.

With that method, the researchers concluded that North Koreas fertility rate has decreased at a much faster pace than estimated by the U.N. The figure fell below 2 to 1.91 in the 1990s and slipped further to 1.59 in the 2000s before hitting 1.38 in the 2010s, the study shows.

They said the number is consistent with witness accounts that having just one child has increasingly become the norm among women born in the 70s and 80s after experiencing a devastating famine from 1994 to 1998 in North Korea.
South African authorities have arrested a US national after police say they discovered more than 20 rhinoceros carcasses at his ranch.

Derek Lewitton of Texas was arrested on 22 December after they raided his ranch and found 26 rhinoceros carcasses along with 10 unmarked rhinoceros horns, ABC News reports . Police also said they found seven illegal firearms and ammunition, according to the outlet.

From the helicopter the place looked like a slaughterhouse, Provincial Commissioner of Police Major General Jan Scheepers told ABC News when describing the scene. Everywhere you looked, rhinos were lying there dead.

Authorities told ABC News they will continue to search the property.

In addition to wildlife trafficking and firearms charges, police have also charged Mr Lewitton under South Africas National Environmental Management Act for his alleged possession of the rhinoceros horns, per ABC News.

Mr Lewitton founded and operates a rhinoceros reserve in South Africa with his wife, Xenja Lewitton.

The family is responsible for hundreds of rhino on thousands of acres of wild African land  and has been driving change within the current conservation arena by helping governments and private reserves separate the true legal frameworks governing the potential trade in rhino horn from the misconceptions that currently block such trade, the organizations website reads.

The Independent has contacted the South African Police Department, Black Rock Rhino and a member of the Lewitton family for comment.
An Eagle Pass Fire Department first responder arrives at either the Rio Grande or a Customs and Border Protection (CPB) holding facility nearly every hour to address a migrant-related emergency, costing an extra $21,000 a day, according to the Texas city's fire chief.

"There's not a day where we don't go to the river's edge to transport patients, and the city swallows the cost," Fire Chief Manuel Mello told Fox News.

The Eagle Pass Fire Department has been averaging about 45 EMS calls a day  about 30 of them migrant-related  since mid-September, Mello said. Before that, a busy day would be around 30 calls in total.

TEXAS BORDER TOWN REQUESTS REFRIGERATORS TO STORE MIGRANT BODIES AFTER DROWNINGS OVERWHELM MORTUARIES

Chief Manuel Mello points to a spot in the Rio Grande river where the Eagle Pass Fire Department often recovers the bodies of drowning victims.

The department spends roughly $700 on each call, meaning migrant-related responses alone costs "approximately $21,000 in total" each day, according to Mello.

"We have all kinds of calls from minor cuts and bruises to hypothermia to heart attacks to broken bones to even childbirth," he told Fox News. "So we're transporting all kinds of patients, and they're all migrants."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"Sometimes the hospital gets overwhelmed, and we're waiting 20 to 30 minutes with a patient inside the ambulance for a bed because we only have one hospital," Mello continued.

WATCH MORE FOX NEWS DIGITAL ORIGINALS HERE

Migrant encounters at the southern border hit new records earlier this month. Over 10,000 migrants were being held in CBP facilities around Eagle Pass, Rep. Tony Gonzalez, who represents the area, said Dec. 20, noting that around 4,000 crossed into the city the day before.

"There's no funding for this period," Mello said. "So the city loses money right there."

Dec. 18, 2023: Migrants flood into Eagle Pass, Texas, waiting to be processed at a CBP holding facility. CBP has recorded over 200,000 migrant encounters in December so far.

TEXAS BORDER TOWN BUSINESS OWNER SELLS FAMILY BBQ RESTAURANT AFTER MULTIPLE MIGRANT BREAK-INS

The federal government has not reimbursed Eagle Pass for expenses involving the migrant surge, according to Gonzalez. The city has also lost over $500,000 responding to migrant-related incidents this year, Eagle Pass Assistant Fire Chief Rodulfo Cardona told KENS5, a San Antonio-based station.

Local businesses, meanwhile, are also hemorrhaging cash, Mello told Fox News. December's surge prompted CBP to close an international railroad crossing from Eagle Pass into Piedras Negras, Mexico "in order to redirect personnel to assist the U.S. Border Patrol with taking migrants into custody," according to an agency statement.

"We usually have a lot of travelers coming in from Mexico to do their Christmas shopping," the fire chief said. "With all of this going on  we're not getting the shoppers that we used to."

"The federal government has to put its foot down and say no more migrants coming in," Mello told Fox News. "The government needs to step it up and stop this madness."





Original article source: Texas border town fire department hemorrhaging $21,000 a day dealing with migrant-related calls
WARNING: GRAPHIC

Texas police believe an illegal immigrant suspect charged with murdering Lizbeth Medina, a 16-year-old girl found stabbed to death in her bathtub Dec. 5, likely stalked the teenager before he allegedly took her life.

"More than anything, I want something good to come out of this tragedy. I want to find a way that we can make better laws because, as you know, this person shouldn't have even been here," Lizbeth's mother, Jacqueline Medina, told Fox News Digital. "If protocols were followed, he probably shouldn't have even been in the country. So, I definitely want something good to come out of this in my daughter's name. No matter how long it takes."

Lizbeth was Jacqueline's only daughter and her only "life's mission." Now, she says, her mission is to "get justice."

"I want to prevent this from happening to another child. Our children need to be safe in our communities," she said. "There should be no reason why there should be children afraid of people coming around  strangers, at that  and stalking them."

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT SUSPECT IN TEXAS CHEERLEADER MURDER HELD ON ICE DETAINER

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Jacqueline Medina arrived home to find her daughter, Lizbeth "Liz" Medina, dead in a bathtub of their home after she had not seen or heard from the 16-year-old that afternoon.

Rafael Govea Romero, 23, is charged with capital murder and has been placed on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer after Medina, a cheerleader at Edna High School, was found in the bathtub with "smeared blood on the sides of her and what appeared to be a stab wound to the upper stomach area," according to a police affidavit obtained by Fox News Digital.

"While processing the scene, it was discovered Lizbeth had multiple stab wounds, and her clothing was soaking wet, leading us to believe Lizbeth's homicide was a criminal homicide (murder) and that her body had been washed after the murder," Edna Police wrote in the affidavit.

Police also determined Lizbeth's apartment had been burglarized Nov. 13, about a month before the teenager's murder.

Jacqueline said she didn't make the connection at first. She and Lizbeth had noticed little things that were going missing from their apartment for some time. On Nov. 13, they reported the missing belongings to police because some larger items had disappeared.

The Edna Police Department announced the arrest of Rafael Govea Romero, an "undocumented male" officials believe is "the person responsible for the death of Lizbeth Medina" in Schulenburg.

"After this person was caught and [police] found those specific things that were missing, that's when I knew it was connected," Jacqueline said.

Officers also indicated a connection between the burglary and the murder in the affidavit.

"I believe the burglary from 11/13/2023 could have a connection with the murder suspect," an Edna officer wrote. "I believed the suspect of this murder was at large and a present danger to the community. I was especially concerned that the person believed to be the murder suspect was texting other high school students, leading me to believe the suspect was targeting students.

TEXAS CHEERLEADER, 16, FOUND DEAD IN APARTMENT BATHTUB BELIEVED MURDERED: 'I DON'T UNDERSTAND'

"Furthermore, I believe the public was in danger due to the stalking-like behavior displayed by the suspect via the potential connection of the 11/13/2023 burglary and driving through the apartment complex on 12/4/2023."

Jacqueline said the stalking behavior is the "scariest part" of the tragedy that has forever altered her life since Dec. 5.

Jacqueline Medina arrived home to find her daughter, Lizbeth "Liz" Medina, dead in the bathtub of their home at the Cottonwood Apartments after she hadn't seen or heard from the 16-year-old that afternoon.

"I can't even think how a person is capable of such things," she said. "I didn't understand how a stranger could stalk someone. You know what I mean? I didn't think it was real. I've seen it in movies, but I never once thought it was real, and that's scary to me. I have panic attacks."

Edna authorities indicated Romero may have stolen Lizbeth's phone after the murder. Lizbeth's boyfriend tracked the 16-year-old's location to an area about a half mile away from her apartment using his smartphone the day of her murder. The following day, Lizbeth's cousin saw that her Snapchat sent to the victim had been opened, indicating that someone was using her phone after her death.

TEXAS POLICE ARREST ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT IN 16-YEAR-OLD CHEERLEADER LIZBETH MEDINA'S MURDER

Additionally, Lizbeth's boyfriend and friend received texted replies from her number Dec. 9, the day of Lizbeth's vigil.

"So people understand how sick this man is, Saturday, the day of my daughter's vigil  which was, to me, magical because I know she was there and everybody who was there felt her  minutes after the vigil, one of her friends texted my daughter's phone and just wanted to say something beautiful to her. And this person responded," Jacqueline said.

Jacqueline Medina previously described her daughter as "an amazing, good girl." She was "very mature" and cared deeply for her friends and family.

The friend told Lizbeth's boyfriend, who then texted Lizbeth's phone himself, and he also received a response.

"At that point, they call me, and they said, 'Jackie, someone's responding to Elizabeth's phone.' My heart dropped. I said, 'It's him. It's got to be him.'"

Within an hour of reporting the suspicious phone activity to Edna police, authorities were able to track the geolocation of Lizbeth's phone to the suspect in Schulenburg, Texas, about an hour's drive from Edna, where they arrested Romero.

"I'm so thankful to the police department.  There were a lot of people involved, and I'm thankful to the community who helped as well. But it was the quick moves of the police department," Jacqueline said. "They got an emergency disclosure for the geolocation for that phone and were able to track this person."

Lizbeth Medina, 16, was found dead in her Texas home Dec. 5.

The suspect's bond was set at $2 million after his arrest.

Jacqueline said she wants to keep her daughter's memory alive and put an end to rumors about herself and her daughter.

"There are so many lies being put out in the media," the grieving mother said. "And I don't care at this point if they talk about me. I just want my daughter's memory alive.  She's not here to defend herself. She's not here to say, I didnt know this person. This person was a stranger.' And for these people that are heartless and speaking on my daughter's name, that's disgusting."

She previously described her daughter as "an amazing, good girl." She was "very mature" and cared deeply for her friends and family.

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"I just want everybody to know that that was an amazing child," Jacqueline said. "She wasn't a normal teenager getting in trouble for doing crazy stuff. She was very mature for her age. She was a caring and loving person who, as far as I know and from the messages I received, she changed a lot of people's lives. I just want everybody to remember her that way and not the way that she was taken from me."

The Medina family has created a GoFundMe in its efforts to find Liz's suspected killer, titled "Justice for Lizbeth Medina."





Original article source: Texas teen found stabbed in bathtub likely stalked by illegal immigrant suspect who texted her friends: police
SOMERSET  The third victim in a Christmas night crash on Veterans Memorial Bridge that claimed two other lives has died.

Donna Arruda, 68, of Seekonk, died Friday afternoon at Rhode Island Hospital as result of injuries she sustained in the crash, the Bristol County District Attorney's Office said.

The crash happened on Christmas night, after a drunk driver going the wrong way struck two vehicles. State Police identified the two other victims who died as Floriano Arruda, 73, and his grandson Jacoby Arruda, 15.

Donna Arruda was Floriano's wife.

All three were from Seekonk.

.

Details of the Christmas night crash

The Arrudas were in a 2014 Infiniti QX50 SUV that was struck head on.

According to a previous press release on the crash, just after 11 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 25, troopers from the State Police Dartmouth Barracks responded to the westbound side of the bridge. Their preliminary investigation indicated that a 2023 Range Rover SUV with a New York registration was driving east on the westbound side. The Range Rover struck two westbound vehicles: the Infiniti that the Arrudas were in, and a 2019 Honda Accord sedan, with two occupants.

The crash necessitated the closure of both westbound lanes on the bridge for four hours, State Police said.

The driver and passenger of the Honda, both of them young adult women from Taunton, suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were treated at Charlton Memorial Hospital.

Jacoby Arruda was pronounced dead on Monday night at Charlton Memorial Hospital. Floriano Arruda was pronounced dead Tuesday morning at Rhode Island Hospital.

Christmas night crash: Police say grandfather and grandson killed by drunken driver in head-on crash

Driver arraigned; now facing additional charge of motor vehicle homicide

State Police and the DAs office identified the driver of the Range Rover as Adam Gauthier, 41, of New York, formerly of Somerset.

Gauthier was treated at St. Lukes Hospital in New Bedford for non-life-threatening injuries.

He was arraigned from his hospital bed on Tuesday afternoon and held on $100,000 cash bail.

In the wake of Donna Arruda's death, new charges of manslaughter while operating under the influence and motor vehicle homicide-OUI liquor, will be filed against Gauthier, the DA's office said in a press release on Friday.

These two new charges are in addition to the ones Gauthier already faces: two counts of manslaughter while operating under the influence, two counts of motor vehicle homicide-OUI liquor, and one count each of OUI-liquor with serious bodily injury, reckless operation of a motor vehicle and driving the wrong way on a state highway.

Gauthier is set to appear in Fall River District Court for an initial pre-trial hearing in the case on Jan. 9.

The case will be prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Catherine Sauter.

"This is a terrible tragedy, especially when it occurred on Christmas night. My heart grieves for the victims and their family for their terrible loss," stated District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III.

The crash investigation is being conducted by the State Police Dartmouth Barracks, State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, State Police Crime Scene Services Section, and State Police Detective Unit for Bristol County. The Fall River and Somerset Fire Departments responded to the crash as well.

-- With reporting from Herald News Digital Producer Dan Medeiros

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Third victim dies after drunken wrong way Christmas crash in Somerset
Protesters shout slogans during a rally in downtown Belgrade, Serbia, Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023. Thousands of people gathered to protest what election observers said were widespread vote irregularities during a recent general election. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP)  Thousands of people rallied in Serbia's capital on Saturday, chanting Thieves! and accusing the populist authorities of President Aleksandar Vucic of orchestrating a fraud during a recent general election.

The big rally in central Belgrade capped nearly two weeks of street protests against reported widespread irregularities during the Dec. 17 parliamentary and local ballot that were also noted by international election observers.

The ruling Serbian Progressive Party was declared the election winner but the main opposition alliance, Serbia Against Violence, has claimed the election was stolen, particularly in the vote for the Belgrade city authorities.

Serbia Against Violence has led daily protests since Dec. 17 demanding that the vote be annulled and rerun. Tensions have soared following violent incidents and arrests of opposition supporters at a protest last weekend.

The crowd at the rally on Saturday roared in approval at the appearance of Marinika Tepic, a leading opposition politician who has been on a hunger strike since the ballot. Tepic's health reportedly has been jeopardized and she was expected to be hospitalized after appearing at the rally.

These elections must be rerun," a frail-looking Tepic told the crowd, waving feebly from the stage and saying she doesn't have the strength to make a longer speech.

Another opposition politician, Radomir Lazovic, urged the international community not to stay silent and set up a commission to look into the irregularities and pressure authorities to hold a new election that's free and fair.

After the speeches, participants marched by the headquarters of the state electoral commission toward Serbia's Constitutional Court that will ultimately rule on electoral complaints.

A protester from Belgrade, Rajko Dimitrijevic, said he came to the rally because he felt humiliation and the doctoring of the people's will.

Ivana Grobic, also from Belgrade, said she had always joined protests "because I want a better life, I want the institutions of this country to do their job.

It was not immediately clear if or when opposition protests would resume. The rally on Saturday was organized by an independent civic initiative, ProGlas, or pro-vote, that had campaigned for high turnout ahead of the ballot.

Ruling party leader Milos Vucevic said the small number of demonstrators" at the rally on Saturday showed that people don't want them (the opposition.)

The opposition has urged an international probe of the vote after representatives of several global watchdogs reported multiple irregularities, including cases of vote-buying and ballot box stuffing.

Local election monitors also alleged that voters from across Serbia and neighboring countries were registered and bused in to cast ballots in Belgrade.

Vucic and his party have rejected the reports as fabricated.

Saturdays gathering symbolically was organized at a central area in Belgrade that in the early 1990s was the scene of demonstrations against strongman Slobodan Milosevic's warmongering and undemocratic policies.

Critics nowadays say that Vucic, who was an ultranationalist ally of Milosevic in the 1990s, has reinstated that autocracy in Serbia since coming to power in 2012, by taking full control over the media and all state institutions.

Vucic has said the elections were fair and his party won. He accused the opposition of inciting violence at protests with the aim of overthrowing the government under instructions from abroad, which opposition leaders have denied.

On Sunday evening, protesters tried to enter Belgrade city hall, breaking windows, before riot police pushed them back using tear gas, pepper spray and batons. Police detained at least 38 people.

Serbia is formally seeking membership in the European Union, but the Balkan nation has maintained close ties with Moscow and has refused to join Western sanctions imposed on Russia over the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Russian officials have extended full support to Vucic in the crackdown against the protesters and backed his claims that the vote was free and fair.


Kids enjoying lunch together

Within days of Christmas, families in Iowa and Nebraska received some troubling news. Republican Governors in those states have announced that theyre opting out of a summer Federal food assistance program. The program provides thousands of low-income families with an additional $40 per month in food assistance to cover the months when school lunch programs arent available.



Republican Governor Kim Reynolds said the program wasnt sustainable and blamed the decision on her belief that the program didnt do enough to address the obesity epidemic. Federal COVID-era cash benefit programs are not sustainable and dont provide long-term solutions for the issues impacting children and families. An EBT card does nothing to promote nutrition at a time when childhood obesity has become an epidemic, she said in a statement obtained by the Associated Press.

Read more

Although race hasnt been brought up in this conversation explicitly, its an undercurrent of any discussion over welfare. White Americans are the overall largest benefactors of welfare, but the conflict has always been incredibly racially coded. From former President Ronald Reagan decrying the mythical welfare queen to Senator Tim Scott implying welfare has been worse than slavery for Black people, its impossible to avoid the racial undertones in these conversations.

The fight against providing services and welfare in the United States has been raging for decades. And children of all races living in poverty in the Midwest appear to be the latest casualties.

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Click here to read the full article.
Nicaragua has become a hot spot for migrants from around the world seeking to avoid a brutal trek through the Darien Gap jungle -- including the 303 Indians whose plane was grounded last week in France on their way to the Central American nation.

Migrants from South American and Caribbean countries, Africa and Asia, have long had to brave the lawless, virtually impassable rainforest that straddles Panama and Colombia, in a bid to reach the United States.

However, analysts say that the government of Nicaragua's iron-fisted President Daniel Ortega, a longtime nemesis of the United States, has deliberately made it easier for migrants to bypass the Darien by flying straight to his country before heading north overland.

Manuel Orozco, a migration expert at the Washington-based Inter-American Dialogue, told AFP that Ortega's government was facilitating "the business of a network of international air services" so that migrants "can reach the border with Mexico and the United States faster."

"We collected data from more than 500 charter flights," said Orozco, adding that between April and June, airport authorities had hired "private companies located in Dubai to train officials in the international handling of paperwork for these types of flights."

An Airbus A340 was detained last week at a Paris airport after an anonymous tip-off that it was carrying potential victims of human trafficking. After it was established that the passengers were traveling of their own free will, most of them were flown back to India on Monday.

Indian police said the passengers had paid tens of thousands of dollars to agents to help them reach the southern border of the United States.

- 'Premeditated' -

Orozco said that the Nicaraguan government, which has remained mum on the matter, benefits from the cost of visas or tourist cards -- depending on the nationality of the arriving passenger -- as well as landing taxes.

He said Nicaragua "conceived" this new air route "in a premeditated manner faced with the opportunity to worsen the migration crisis to the United States and, in the process, make money."

Liliana Bakayoko, a lawyer for the Romanian airline operating the flight, told AFP that Nicaragua had approved the passenger list before the plane departed.

All foreigners need to get prior approval from immigration authorities to enter the country.

From the capital Managua, migrants travel to Honduras and Guatemala, then to Mexico to the southern border with the United States, paying thousands of dollars to smugglers.

This allows them to avoid the Darien Gap, where on top of the dangers of the thick jungle, rivers, and wild animals, they are preyed upon by criminal gangs and face sexual violence.

Panamanian authorities say over half a million people have made it through the jungle in 2023 -- double the amount the previous year.

Most of those braving the Darien Gap are Venezuelans fleeing economic misery, but there are also Ecuadorans, Haitians, Cubans, Chinese, Vietnamese, Afghans and Africans from Cameroon or Burkina Faso.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has said the "most significant trend has been the shift by Cuban migrants and those coming from African nations who are increasingly choosing air routes to reach Central America, sidestepping the Darien to continue their northbound trip."

- 'Springboard' -

Honduras migration statistics show a five-fold increase in arrivals from countries like Guinea, China, Senegal, India, Afghanistan and Angola, who cross into the country from Nicaragua.

Orozco said that Nicaragua has also become a "springboard" for Cubans and Haitians taking charter flights since visa requirements for those countries were scrapped in 2021.

Others take regular commercial flights to El Salvador, which in October imposed an airport transit fee of $1,130 on Africans and Indians.

Most of them "are destined for Nicaragua" a spokesman for El Salvador's immigration authority told AFP.

Colombia says that the majority of passengers arriving from Turkey are Africans in transit to San Salvador, from where they head to Nicaragua and disembark.

"It is a population which has means to pay, an intention to migrate and which pays for tickets and other things to avoid going through the Darien," Colombia's deputy foreign minister Francisco Coy said this week after two children from Guinea were found abandoned in a Bogota airport.

mis/fb/mdl
Tom Wilkinson, 75, died on Saturday, his rep confirmed to Business Insider.

The statement said Wilkinson died in his home surrounded by family.

Wilkinson is an award-winning actor who starred in "The Full Monty" and other films.

Tom Wilkinson, best known for his award-winning role in "The Full Monty," died Saturday at age 75, his publicist confirmed in a statement to Business Insider.

"It is with great sadness that the family of Tom Wilkinson announce that he died suddenly at home on December 30th. His wife and family were with him," the statement read. "The family asks for privacy at this time."

Tom Wilkinson attends the "Belgravia" photocall at the Soho Hotel on February 17, 2020. Mike Marsland/WireImage/Getty Images

Wilkinson garnered praise for playing Gerald Cooper in the 1997 film, "The Full Monty," which scored him a BAFTA for supporting actor. Recently, Wilkinson revived the famed character in a new TV series set in the same universe that premiered in June 2023.

The Associated Press reported that Wilkinson received two Academy Award nominations during his career, including a best actor nomination for his 2001 film "In the Bedroom." His work in the 2007 film "Michael Clayton," which starred George Clooney, snagged him a nomination for supporting actor.

Tom Wilkinson in February 2015. Dave M. Benett/Getty Images

Wilkinson also appeared in "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" in 2004, "Batman Begins" in 2005, and "The Grand Budapest Hotel " in 2014.

BBC reported that Wilkinson was recognized for his contributions to drama and appointed an Officer of the Order of the British in 2005.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Tom Wilkinson, known for his roles in The Full Monty and Michael Clayton among others has died at the age of 75, his family told the Associated Press.

A statement shared to AP by his agent said that Wilkinson died suddenly at his home on Saturday but did not provide further details.

Paula Abdul sues American Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe alleging sexual assault

Wilkinson earned Academy Award nominations for his work in In the Bedroom and Michael Clayton, the former of which put him in the running for Best Actor at the 2001 Academy Awards.

He is remembered by many across the United Kingdom for his role in the 1997 comedy The Full Monty, which chronicled a group of unemployed men who formed an unlikely male stripping act.

In addition, Wilkinson also appeared in dozens of other movies, including Batman Begins, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Valkyrie, and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

California man injured by rogue wave shares harrowing tale

Wilkinson was appointed a member of the Order of the British Empire in 2005 for his services to drama.

He leaves behind a wife and two daughters.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
By Onyu Chloe Lee

Video narratives of lived experiences in North Korea unfolded against stark white walls. The figures of refugees represented poignant voices sharing stories of dire situations, including starvation, human trafficking, the disabled, and soldiers.

This scene, part of an exhibition I was curating, was deeply rooted in my earlier experiences listening to the compelling stories of North Korean refugees while serving as a volunteer with Freedom Speakers International (FSI), an NGO dedicated to empowering North Korean refugees to share their stories. I was determined to amplify their voices and broaden public awareness. I initially coordinated events in my school club, then later went to curate what would become the video exhibition Their Story That Could Have Been Our Story. As the lead curator, I collaborated with my mom to secure a venue in the vibrant Lower East Side of NYC, devised the exhibition layout, and sourced the equipment. FSI facilitated my connection with several North Korean refugees, and I was delighted when they accepted my invitation to share their unique stories. After eight interviews and translations of their Korean scripts, the exhibition was prepared.

On Sept. 26, the venue became ours, marking the beginning of the exhibition. Yeonmi Park, a renowned author and speaker who escaped North Korea, visited the exhibition at the invitation of FSI co-founder Casey Lartigue Jr. She first studied in FSI in 2013 and has remained friends with the organization since then. I had many thoughts and questions for her as our team had dinner with her that night.

Technical difficulties in setting up the venue slightly delayed the exhibitions public opening. Despite my efforts in promoting the exhibition through a newly created Instagram account, @nk.rights.advocate, and reaching out to news organizations, I harbored doubts about its success. We went into troubleshooting mode as we brainstormed creative ways to invite more attendees. My spirits were lifted as more guests began coming in over the weekend.

When guests entered, I welcomed them and briefly introduced the exhibit as I directed them to empty seats before monitors.

We interviewed North Korean refugees on their experiences with human rights, and these eight monitors document their stories. Please choose whatever video interests you!

Following the presentation, I inquired if they wished to view additional clips or answer any questions. Before their departure, I created a bookmark in Korean script as a small gesture, with the hope that it would make the stories more memorable.

We have two designs, both traditionally Korean. Oh, and which color would you like? Whats your name so I could write it for you in Korean?

As I got more accustomed to the presence of guests, my confidence grew. I posted our activities on Instagram and conversed with and interviewed some visitors. Despite a challenging start, the exhibit was gaining traction. Conversing with guests and documenting their experiences was a novel and captivating experience. When the event ended on the sixth day, I felt it had ended too soon.

During this endeavor, a nonprofit broadcast, Radio Free Asia, visited to support the exhibition. I was handling so many things, I am thankful that FSI invited the media's support. Known for its brave journalism on freedom issues among Asian countries, Radio Free Asia documented this small but heartfelt exhibit. It was nerve-wracking but empowering when they decided to interview me. They also interviewed Mr. Lartigue, who has been in the media very often, but it was my first time to have such an interview. An article and YouTube clip soon followed, becoming a lasting testament to humanity's response.

The exhibition marked a significant departure from my usual efforts in supporting North Korean refugees. While I established a club at BC Collegiate connecting students with refugees to help raise local awareness, the exhibition extended our impact internationally. The 14-hour flight to New York City brought me to a central hub of influence, bustling with a diverse population of various nationalities and beliefs. The fact that the majority of visitors to the exhibition came from outside the city, hailing from Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and South America, reflected the city's progressive values and ability to attract and inspire people from diverse backgrounds.

Planning the exhibition was a leap of faith. I was anxious as we waited for attendees, but this emotion became a thrill when they started showing up. Through this experience, I learned to focus on whats at hand rather than trying to meet certain expectations. I realized the wisdom of something Mr. Lartigue said he learned from one of his mentors: If you plan a meeting for 100 people, but only three people show up, then youve got three people to work with. I realized its the fulfillment from the experience you should seek when planning an event, rather than an idealized version of how things should play out. As time went by, I enjoyed introducing the stories of North Korean refugees.

To my mom, the incredible co-founders and staff of FSI, the brave North Korean refugees who shared their stories, and even the attendees of this event: thank you. Together, you supported me every step of the way, proving that even a teenager can make a difference through the power of teamwork. Now, I know there are minds and hearts in NYC forever changed by these intimate encounters. I hope these intimate stories will blossom into genuine empathy for North Koreans, one conversation at a time.

Chloe Lee is a 12th-grade student at BC Collegiate; a volunteer with the FSI-Global High School Union (FSI-GHSU); and was curator of the Their Story That Could Have Been Our Story video exhibition in New York City from Sept 26 to Oct 2.








Family, friends and fellow first responders are mourning the loss of a Spalding County deputy who was killed in the line of duty.

Spalding County Sheriff Darrell Dix said on Friday morning, Sgt. Marc McIntyre was shot while responding to a domestic disturbance call and welfare check with another deputy.

McIntyre was a Spalding County Sheriffs Office supervisor and an Army veteran who returned to the area to serve his community.

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This supervisor was one of those guys who, every time you saw him, would smile. Would call your name from across the parking lot, an emotional Dix told reporters at the scene. He was a deputy who definitely led by example.

According to Dix, as the two deputies crossed the yard, a man inside the home, identified as Todd Lamont Harper, fired a shot through a window, striking McIntyre in the head.

It is always too soon to say goodbye, Judge Josh Thacker wrote on Facebook. You have been an amazing member of the Spalding County Team. You were a wonderful leader and human being. Words cannot begin to express our gratitude to you for your exemplary service to the United States of America and your sacrifice you made today for Spalding County.

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Georgia Governor Brian Kemp also expressed sorrow for the fallen deputy on social media.

Marty, the girls, and I ask that all Georgians join us in praying for the loved ones of this fallen hero, he wrote. Our thoughts will remain with his family and fellow law enforcement officers following this tragedy.

Harper was taken into custody after an hours-long standoff involving multiple law enforcement agencies.

He continued to tell us he knew where all of us lived and that he was going to kill us all, Dix said. We transported him away, and he is currently in custody in my jail, where he will stay. He killed my deputy. Hes going to sit in my jail.

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McIntyres body was escorted from Wellstar Hospital in Spalding to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation crime lab.

Numerous officers from multiple jurisdictions were at the hospital to pay their respects.

IN OTHER NEWS:
As 2023 comes to a close, the News-Messenger and News Herald have been counting down the Top 10 local stories of the year, based on readers' interest and staff input. Today we end the countdown with a look at the top two stories of 2023.

No. 2: Lewis, Nalley, Lehman win school board seats; Fremont voters reject income tax for roads

Turnout was high in Sandusky County: 51% in off-year election

In an election with high turnout, 51.32% of registered voters casting a ballot, many candidates had no challengers, and some positions had no one running at all, but the Fremont school board election stood out with six candidates running for three seats.

The proposed Fremont City municipal income tax dedicated to road improvement failed Tuesday, with 1,879 (45.95%) voting for the tax and 2,210 (54.05%) against.

Mayor Danny Sanchez, who ran unopposed and was reelected to his third term Tuesday, had campaigned hard for the roads proposal, but it was defeated for the third time. Tuesday's proposed income tax had been lowered to 0.25% after earlier efforts were rejected by voters on the fall and spring ballots of 2022.

The school board race also had the largest number of possible voters, with 19,234 votes cast, of the possible 29,334.

Sarah Lewis had the most votes, with 3,996 (20.78%). While she is an incumbent, this is her first election, after being appointed in August 2022. Several things stood out to her during this first race.

Sarah Lewis had the most votes for Fremont City Schools board.

I think that the voters understand from the things that Ive said, and how Ive carried myself as an existing board member, that Im truly invested in the children and truly invested in our community, Lewis said. Those are the only two reasons I wanted to be on the board, just to give back to the community that raised me and to advocate for the children.

Lewis says school board members have worked well together

She hopes to continue to work with the board members, which she feels they have done well at working together while thoughtfully listening to each others viewpoints.

I hope to do what weve been doing, which is to ensure that the kids in our school district have as many opportunities in the education for success, and we can, Lewis said. I attended a candidates night, sponsored by the NAACP, and it was my first opportunity to hear from each of the other candidates, live. After that I thought that the community had such a hard decision to make, because everyone running for the school board was running for all the right reasons and is well qualified to do the job.

Don Nalley Jr., who took 3,768 votes (19.59%), the second largest number, agreed with Lewis.

I dont think that a lot of issues got out to the people. I think a lot of it was overall community involvement and, I guess, name recognition was a part of it, Nalley said. I think Ive been highly visible in the community. I think with the issues, I think we all shared our strong concerns about the children in our community, the current state of education with funding and a lot of the issues are going to affect our youth directly.

He is also excited by the opportunity to serve.

I consider the schools and our children as one of the crown jewels of our community. I think we have a lot of potential and I think we will continue to strive to improve and continue all the good things we have going on in our school district, Nalley said.

Laura Lehmann received 3,443 votes (17.9%).

The general election stood out on Tuesday for the high 51.32% turnout.

She didnt think there was one single issue that stood out in the campaign.

I think that people know that there are issues in the school system that are overlooked. Fremont has a good school system. We have a good thing going. Theres just issues that we still have to take care of, Lehmann said.

More than a specific issue, she thinks it may have come down to personalities. She didnt do door-to-door campaigning, but did attend candidate forums. She also knows a lot of people who have been involved in the school system, from being a part of the activities her children were involved in.

Lehman says she cares about kids and they trust her

Im a well-known person, and people respect me, Lehmann said about the possible reason people voted for her. They know that Im going to be a good leader, I care about the kids and they trust me. When it comes to the children, I think people know that I will get to the root of a problem, for the kids who need help out there.

Shes hoping to get to know more than just board members, but teachers and children of the district.

Finishing out of the running were Alex Gorobetz, with 3,152 votes (16.39%), Kara Eisenhauer with 2,752 (14.31%) and Mary Alice Espiritu with 2,123 (11.04%).

Two hot-button statewide issues took center stage and may have been the reason for the high turnout.

Sandusky voters voted against State Issue 1 legalizing abortion and other reproductive decisions with yes votes coming in at 9,149 (45.29%) to the no votes coming in at 11,050 (54.71%). The statewide result was nearly opposite, with 2,074,030 (55.32%) voting Yes and 1,629,898 (44.00%) voting no.

With State Issue 2 to commercialize, regulate, legalize, and tax the use of recreational marijuana, Sandusky County voters supported the change, with 10,532 (52.21%) of the vote for the issue and 9,641 (47.79%) against. That more closely reflected the statewide vote, as a whole, with 2,096,074 (56.65%) for and 1,604,067 (43.35%) against the change.

In other local election results:

Ballville Township tax levy for current expenses was 1,903 (64.05%) for; 1,012 (35.95%) against.

Helena Tax Levy Current Expenses For 38 (44.71%) Against 47 (55.29%)

Lindsey Tax Levy Current Expenses For 143 (83.14%) Against 29 (16.86%)

Ballville Township Tax Levy Gas Aggregation Yes 1,748 (64.45%) No 964 (35.55%)

Sandusky Township Tax Levy Gas Aggregation Yes 848 (64.29%) No 471 (35.71%)

Scott Township Tax Levy Fire Township of Scott For 315 (68.18%) Against 147 (31.82%)

Woodville Township Tax Levy EMS For 1,008 (76.42%) Against 311 (23.58%)

Clyde-Green Springs EVSD Tax Levy Substitute For 1,756 (48.78) Against 1,844 (51.22%)

Clyde Public Library Tax Levy For 2,298 (68.01%) Against 1,081 (31.99%)

Sandusky County Health District Tax Levy For 11,862 (64.48%) Against 6,533 (35.52%)

Mental Health and Recovery Services Tax Levy For 14,114 (70.68%) Against 5,854 (29.32%)

City of Bellevue Tax Levy EMS For 1,073 (76.75%) Against (325 (23.25%)

Local Liquor Option Clyde Clark CLYDE-C Yes 166 (56.85%) No 126 (43.15%)

Local Liquor Option H D Travel Center CLYDE-D Yes 209 (68.3%) No 97 (31.7%)

Mayor of Green Springs: Steve Bower 87 (39.37%), Derek Knieriemen 134 (60.63%)

Mayor of Helena Brian Barnett 41 (48.81%), Connie Carnicom 43 (51.19%)

Clerk-Treasurer Village of Helena David Murray 16 (19.51%), Jenell Sowell 66 (80.49%)

Mayor of Lindsey Lewis Branson 33 (20%), Ann Mussell 132 (80%)

Township Trustee Township of Ballville Richard Farmer II 1,397 (51.97%, Richard Geyer 561 (20.87%), Bill Rusch 730 (27.16%)

Township Fiscal Officer Township of Ballville Thomas Ackerman 1,922 (77.31%), Zeke Villarreal 564 (22.69%)

Township Trustee UTE 12-31-25 Township of Sandusky Kyle Amor 813 (69.55%), Robert Bordner 356 (30.45%)

Township Fiscal Officer Township of Sandusky Alexis Brickner 665 (54.46%), Barbara Bristley 556 (45.54%)

Township Trustee Township of Scott Jordan Brooks 138 (31.44%), Gregory Lehmann 301 (68.56%)

Township Trustee UTE 12-31-25 Township of York Troy Clapp 333 (42.15%), Zach Dauch 457 (57.85%)

This funnel cloud was photographed shortly before touching down near the Ottawa County Fairgrounds on Thursday night [June 15].

No. 1: Severe storms damage homes, possible tornado reported in Sandusky and Ottawa counties

Dozens of roads closed, some homes 'destroyed'

Up to a dozen homes were severely damaged, dozens of roads were closed, a number of barns and outbuildings were leveled and countless trees and utility poles were toppled by severe winds and a possible tornado Thursday evening [June 15] along the border of Sandusky and Ottawa counties.

Fred Petersen, director of the Ottawa County Emergency Management Agency said [June 15] he's "99% confident it's a tornado," but the National Weather Service is expected to survey damage and make the call. "There are trees lying in different directions and by the nature of the damage" it appears it was caused by a tornado.

Petersen was surveying the damage around 8:30 p.m. along Ohio 19 about two miles south of Oak Harbor, where several barns were flattened, utility poles and wires were sprawled across roads, and some trees appeared to have been shredded.

No reports of injuries from storm

He said he had not heard any reports of injuries from the storm, which struck Northwest Ohio starting around 7:30 p.m.

Lisa Kuelling, director of the Sandusky County Emergency Management Agency, said there was widespread damage along the northern section of Sandusky County, but she also had heard no reports of injuries.

"I got a chance to get out and look at some of the damage but I'm not sure yet if we can determine it was a tornado," Kuelling said about 9:45 p.m.

The storm downed power lines, damaged some homes and outbuildings, and knocked over numerous trees, she said.

[June 15, 2023] A large barn owned by Frank Michel was destroyed on Ohio 19, south of Oak Harbor, from Thursday's storm.

"There were some buildings with their roofs completely taken off. One shed was picked up and thrown out into the middle of a road. Trees were blocking roads. There was some damage to homes but nothing that I would consider 'destroyed,'" Kuelling said.

She said the storm first hit in Rice Township in the west and moved east through Townsend, Riley, Green Creek and York townships.

Karen Clark, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Cleveland, said Friday morning that three teams were looking at damage between Fremont and Clyde and continuing to Huron County.

"We have reports of damage in that area, and the question is whether it's tornadic in nature or whether it's straight-line winds," Clark said.

She said the storm originated near Toledo, moved south of Sandusky Bay, then redeveloped in Fremont and moved southeast toward Ashland. She said wind gusts of 66 mph were reported in Toledo and hail 2.25 inches in diameter fell in Ashland Thursday night.

Clark said the NWS plans to release a report sometime Friday afternoon determining whether a tornado caused the damage.

20 to 25 roads in Sandusky County blocked off

Emergency officials blocked off 20-25 roads due to downed powerlines and fallen trees, including intersections at such major thoroughfares as Ohio 53, Ohio 6, and Ohio 101, Kuelling said.

The Ohio Turnpike said both eastbound and westbound lanes near milepost 94 in Sandusky County were closed temporarily due to downed power lines and debris from the storm. The eastbound lanes opened after a delay but the westbound lanes remained closed for about 24 hours, reopening around 7:30 p.m. Friday.

[June 15, 2023] This large piece of hail fell Thursday near the Ottawa County Faigrounds.

The National Weather Service had issued a severe weather bulletin and a tornado warning at 6:45 p.m. and then extended the tornado warning until 8:15.

The NWS reported winds were gusting up to 60 mph with hail of 1.75-inch diameter.

Petersen said between 8 and 12 homes were "uninhabitable," and several of those were "maybe even totally destroyed."

He said he contacted the Red Cross to help residents who were affected by the storm and said they were not planning to set up a shelter but expected the agency to help residents with hotel rooms and meal vouchers.

Anthony Stout, 18, said he was at a meeting at the Ottawa County Fairgrounds on Ohio 163 when he saw a funnel cloud descending from the sky.

Twisted trees and debris were spread in fields south of Oak Harbor near Ohio 19.

"It was still, the sky was black. There was kind of a green sheen to it," Stout said when he saw the funnel cloud above the trees and snapped a photo. "The tornado started funneling all the way down and touched the ground. It was behind Riverview (Health Care) and was sort of following the Portage River."

Stout, an Oak Harbor High School graduate, said when he saw debris start flying nearby, he and his colleagues headed indoors to take shelter in an inside bathroom.

"It was less than 100 yards away from us. I was a little intimidated," he said. "That's the closest I've ever been to a tornado."

The NWS warning had urged residents to seek shelter, citing the dangers of flying debris and the threat to buildings and trees.

22,000 FirstEnergy customers were without power

A tornado warning is the weather service's highest alert for tornadoes, saying "a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. There is imminent danger to life and property."

A tornado watch, in contrast, means that tornadoes "are possible in and near the watch area."

[June 15] This large piece of hail fell Thursday near the Ottawa County Faigrounds.

More than 22,000 customers across northern Ohio were without power at 9:30 p.m., according to FirstEnergy's online outage map.

Chad Brough, who owns a farm and several buildings along Ohio 19 in Ottawa County, said the storm tore a large door off his pole-barn workshop and blew out one side of the building.

"This was brand new, just a couple of years old. The door, everything on the building was new. Now it's junk," he said.

The storm continued moving southeast across northern and North Central Ohio, leading the NWS to issue tornado warnings and severe thunderstorm warnings in Richland, Ashland and Wayne counties, among others.

[June 15] Firefighter Trent Johannsen of the Portage Fire District surveys damage from a storm on Ohio 19 south of Oak Harbor Thursday evening.

This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Top stories of 2022: election turnout high; storms destroyed homes
The Prime Minister wants to use his Budget to take the fight to Labour ahead of the 2024 general election - Jacob King - WPA Pool/Getty Images

The Conservatives are planning to use the Budget to wrongfoot Sir Keir Starmer on borrowing in an attempt to show that, under Labour, Britain would go further into debt.

Rishi Sunak wants to take the fight to the Opposition in the 2024 election by creating a new dividing line over spending and borrowing, The Telegraph can reveal.

Government sources have indicated that they want to frame a vote for Labour as a vote to increase borrowing.

Downing Street officials are looking at toughening up how borrowing is treated in the Governments fiscal rules in an attempt to flush out Sir Keir over the issue. Sources suggested this would put political and media pressure on the Labour leader to explain how he would fund his policies within the rules.

Government insiders believe the move would deliver a sting in the tail which will expose Labour spending plans such as its 28 billion commitment to tackle net zero.

Attempting to set the agenda for 2024  which Mr Sunak has confirmed will be when the general election takes place  the Prime Minister has used his New Years message to commit to reducing debt as well as cutting taxes.

It follows days of fevered speculation about what lies in store in the Budget, which will take place on March 6.

In his message, Mr Sunak said that his New Years resolution was to keep driving forward after announcing tax cuts in the Autumn Statement. Hailing a 2p cut to National Insurance, which will take effect on Jan 6, the Prime Minister said: Were not stopping there.

Were going further to grow our economy by reducing debt, cutting taxes, and rewarding hard work, he added.

There has been much speculation over the Tory tax offer for voters, but party strategists want to shift more attention onto Labours spending. The Telegraph can reveal that one idea that has been mooted is changing the Governments fiscal rules.

Under the current rules, debt must be on course to fall as a share of national income in five years time.

However, some figures in government believe that the test is too easy to meet and has fuelled perceptions that borrowing is consequence free so long as debt is falling after five years.

According to the Office for Budget Responsibilitys last forecast in November, debt interest spending is expected to be 4.3 per cent of GDP in 2023-24.

Sources have said the rules could be hardened by introducing a specific measure relating to the cost of servicing debt as a percentage of GDP or of overall public spending. No 10 officials are understood to be sympathetic to the idea.

The argument goes that such a change would force Sir Keir to show his hand on whether he plans to increase borrowing or not.

A senior government source said that the move would be a sting in the tail for Labour and would likely be accompanied by a further crackdown on the benefits bill, laying down a challenge to Sir Keir about whether to match ministers spending plans.

A senior Tory agreed that it would add teeth to the partys attack on Labour over borrowing, with any change to the fiscal rules likely to be announced in the Budget.

It cant be that you go into an election where our main dividing line on tax and spend is the 28 billion, [No 10] need to come up with something better than that, the source said.

Doing something on the fiscal rules, if they can come up with something smart enough, would be sensible, they added.

Olly Bartrum, a senior economist at the Institute for Government, said there was some merit to a measure related to debt affordability, but that this had to be weighed against the fact that there had been an enormous amount of churn in the fiscal rules in recent years  a factor which could make the Treasury reluctant to endorse another change.

The Downing Street idea is said to be in its early stages and has not yet been raised with the Treasury.

A source close to Jeremy Hunt, the Chancellor, said that under the current framework, Labour would already fall foul of the rules. We dont need to change our fiscal rules  Labours 28 billion a year borrowing binge already breaks our existing ones. Labours plan means more debt and more taxes for everyone, they said.

A Labour source said that the partys 28 billion pledge to fund green projects would be met in the second half of the next Parliament and would be subject to shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves own fiscal rules, which ban borrowing to fund day-to-day spending and commit to reducing debt as a share of GDP.

Meanwhile in his own New Years message, Sir Keir laid out Labours battlelines for the election, targeting discomfort over cost-of-living pressures and voters appetite for change.

The Labour leader said that 2023 had been another tough year economically for millions of people but that hope was the fuel of change and the oxygen of a better future.

He said Labour had a plan to end the cost-of-living crisis, deliver cheaper energy bills, take back our streets and get the NHS back on its feet.

But most of all  Im ready to renew our politics so it once again serves our country, he said.

I know that politics isnt held in particularly high regard in Britain. But I have spent four years bringing the Labour Party back to service. And in 2024  we can do the same for politics.

This week, Mr Sunak will embark on a weekly series of visits across the country to sell his agenda, starting with a trip to the East Midlands on Jan 4 to promote his National Insurance cut.

It comes amid a war of words among Tory MPs about whether the Government should prioritise scrapping inheritance tax or taking action in other areas, such as on income tax.

A Cabinet source told The Telegraph that Mr Sunak could take a two-pronged approach. This would involve cutting the headline rate of inheritance tax as a way of assuaging those on the Right for whom it is a totemic issue, but pairing this with reductions in income tax to get maximum bang for the buck with voters.

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After a record-setting 2022, North Carolinas business recruitment was quieter in 2023.

Companies this year pledged to create 14,114 jobs statewide, according to Gov. Roy Coopers office, down from 38,300 announced jobs the prior year. In 2022, several state-backed projects each promised more than 1,000 new jobs, yet over the past 12 months, only one topped this threshold.

A handful of 2023s largest announced projects involved a particular element, lithium, which is a critical component in electric vehicle batteries. Under the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act, at least half of a vehicles electric vehicle battery components must be produced in the United States to quality for a federal tax credit  a requirement that will eventually rise to 100%.

North Carolina has been a benefactor of this battery shift, and the state has drawn manufacturers with cheaper electricity, ample land, good railway access, and low unionization rates.

While history shows most state-backed economic projects dont achieve their initial hiring goals, heres a review of the states five largest job announcements in 2023, starting with the biggest of them all.

Toyota, 3,000 jobs

Toyotas big incoming lithium-ion battery in Randolph County got even bigger this fall when the Japanese company announced it would add another 3,000 jobs and $8 billion to the site already under construction.

The future facility is now expected to cost $13.9 billion and employ 5,000 workers in total. Toyota said it will add eight battery production lines to the six the company had previously planned.

It just continues to grow based on what we believe in the next five to 10 years we are going to need for the customer, said Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina President Sean Suggs during a press conference at the 1,800-acre site near the town of Liberty, about 20 miles southeast of Greensboro.

Before the most recent announcement, Toyota was poised to receive around $439 million in state and local incentives in the form of payroll tax breaks if it meets its minimum investment and job creation targets by 2029. With more jobs, the carmaker is eligible for additional incentives worth another $225 million.

Toyota plans to ship its first batteries from the site in January 2025.

Siemens Mobility plans to building a manufacturing plant in Lexington, N.C., to make passenger rail cars. The company says the plant will employ more than 500 workers.

Siemens Mobility, 506 jobs

In March, the German company Siemens Mobility committed to building a passenger rail vehicle manufacturing plant in the Davidson County city of Lexington. Siemens pledged to employ just over 500 workers at the $220 million facility by 2029.

It will be the companys second U.S. passenger vehicle plant and its first outside of California.

The expansion will provide additional capacity to meet anticipated growth in demand, provide facilities for maintenance and servicing for the Eastern region, said Mark Poole, finance director for the North Carolina Department of Commerce.

North Carolinas incentive package for the Siemens plant is worth $16.8 million, while local incentives from Davidson County and the city of Lexington total an additional $16.1 million.

Epsilon Advanced Materials, 500 jobs

Epsilon Advanced Materials, a lithium-ion battery manufacturer from India, announced this fall it will create 500 jobs at its first U.S. factory near Wilmington.

The plant in Brunswick County will produce graphite anode material, which is used for energy storage and electric vehicles. Epsilon Advanced Materials expects to hire its workers between 2026 and 2028 at an average minimum wage of around $62,260.

In an interview with The News & Observer, Epsilon Advanced Materials CEO Sunit Kapur said power availability and the sites proximity to the Atlantic Ocean were major drivers in the selection. The factory will occupy the Mid-Atlantic Rail Industrial Park, a megasite within 20 miles of the Port of Wilmington.

The total state incentive package could be worth more than $19.4 million, The N&O previously reported. Local incentives offered by Brunswick County and other partners total another $14 million. Some state spending includes $1 million to the community college system for job training and millions for infrastructure from the Golden Leaf Foundation, the N.C. Department of Transportation and the N.C. Department of Commerce.

A digital projection of a future Epsilon Advanced Materials facility in Brunswick County, NC.

Bosch, 400 jobs

Late in the spring, the power tool maker Bosch agreed to add 400 jobs in a $130 million expansion of its North American facility outside of Charlotte in Lincoln County. Bosch will produce power tool accessories at the new 325,000-square-foot site.

The state offered $2.7 million in taxpayer incentives to Bosch, paid over 12 years if the company meets certain annual hiring and investment targets. The company opened its Lincolnton site in 1960.

The jobs will pay an average annual salary of $53,204, exceeding Lincoln Countys average wage of $49,332, according to the N.C. Department of Commerce, The Charlotte Observer reported.

Dai Nippon Printing, 352 jobs

This fall, the Japanese company Dai Nippon Printing announced it also would bring lithium-ion battery production to North Carolina. The company promised to create 352 jobs at a new facility in Davidson County, about 50 miles northeast of Charlotte.

The facility will focus on making lithium-ion battery pouches, a distinct style of lithium-ion batteries that serve as alternatives to harder cylindrical cell designs. Dai Nippon Printing anticipates hiring between 2026 and 2029 with a minimum average wage of $50,281.

The announcement came a month after Gov. Roy Cooper and North Carolina delegates traveled to Japan for an economic conference with the stated goal of recruiting more Japanese industries.

The states $3.8 million incentive package to the company includes potential tax benefits over a 12-year period as well as funding for community college training and from the N.C. Department of Transportation. The tax benefits, paid through payroll tax rebates, will only be realized after DNP meets certain annual hiring targets. Davidson County awarded DNP a separate incentive deal worth $1.85 million.

The Tokyo-based company plans to invest $233 million at the Davidson site by the end of 2030.

Dai Nippon Printing Co. plans to build a plant in Davidson County, North Carolina, that will produce lithium-ion battery pouches.

Honorable Mention, Kempower (306 jobs*)

Kempower, a Finnish designer and maker of electric vehicle chargers, plans to create at least 306 jobs at its new Durham facility within the next five years, according to the companys incentive agreement with the state.

*But Kempower has said it hopes to employ around 600 workers at the facility by 2030.

Marcus Suvanto of Kempower shows the inside of a power unit for its electric vehicle charging system at the companys North American headquarters in Durham. The Finnish company shipped its first charging system made in Durham on Thursday, Dec. 14, to a customer in Edmonton, Canada.

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DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. - DeKalb County police say they are investigating after a 20-year-old woman was hit and killed by a vehicle.

Police say it happened just before 4 a.m. Christmas morning at the intersection of Memorial Drive and Hambrick Road.

"This is not the place that anyone wants to be. I don't welcome anyone to this club, it's not a good place to be. Stay out of here," Kizzy Stewart

The club is for parents who have lost children.

It's difficult for Kizzy Stewart and Alexander Miller to stand near the spot where their 20-year-old daughter Alexandria Miller was hit.

"My daughter had crossed all the lanes in the crosswalk, and in the very last lane, her, and the vehicle were there at the exact time," Stewart said.

"The doctors told us she was in cardiac arrest, and they tried to make her heart start beating again, but it wouldn't," Stewart said.

"She was always kind to other people, and she would always make people laugh. On birthdays, she would go and sing happy birthday to them. Just an overall sweet person," her father, Alexander Miller, said.

"She sang to everybody. She made everyone smile and made everyone laugh. She was loved by everybody, and she wanted everyone to love," her stepmother Simone Miller said.

"My daughter was fearless. She was not afraid to go everywhere and sprinkle the essence of who she was. She was a star in her own right," Steward said.

As this family clings to one another, friends, and the community to get through, they vow to honor Alexandria's life.

"Love the people that are around you because you never know what's going to happen but accept that something greater is at play," Stewart said.

Police say the driver stayed at the scene. At this point, there is no word on whether charges will be filed.
A Richland County man and his daughter were found dead off the side of a South Carolina road, not far from Interstate 26, last week. Autopsy results conducted by the Calhoun County coroner were inconclusive, but it is believed they succumbed to hypothermia.

The Richland County Sheriffs Department confirmed that Jason Murph, 42, and his 6-year-old daughter, Michelle Murph, were found 50 to 100 yards from their truck near exit 136 off Interstate 26 on Monday, Dec. 18.

Jason Murph and his daughter were found dead after his car got stuck in mud following an accident. (Photos: Facebook: Jeanette Candaleria/Getty Images)

The two left his home in Blythewood on a trip to visit Murphs mother in Orangeburg, 60 miles away, but were reported missing on Saturday, Dec. 16.

Their bodies were discovered by Orangeburg Countys K-9 unit, another department assisting with the search.

Calhoun County Coroner Donnie Porth, who could not determine a definitive cause of death, said in an interview with News19 that the elements most likely contributed to their premature demise.

It wasnt below freezing by no means, but because of the wind and the rain, they become extremely cold, and I think it became an urgency for them to try to find help and try to find shelter, he said.

Richland County deputies are spearheading the investigation.

One bit of evidence they discovered was surveillance video from an Exxon gas station that captured Murphs silver Toyota Tundra pickup truck driving through around 7 p.m. on the night he went missing.

According to statements provided by Murphs estranged wife, who last spoke with him on the phone around 8 p.m. on the night of the disappearance, RCSD believes the man was in an accident in his pickup truck and was walking with his daughter looking for help.

The wife also told police that she heard her daughter yelling in the background before her husband hung up the phone. He never picked back up after their call ended.

She also said that according to the incident report, Murph was lost and was trying to figure out where he was.

Quentin, Murphs cousin, was taken aback by the site where the truck was found, and the two bodies were discovered, as it was not along the route to their intended destination to his aunts house.

Evidence, the corner proposed, suggests that the truck was stuck in mud, and Murph had tried several times unsuccessfully to free it. Porth believes the situation escalated when a grass fire ignited due to the friction from Murphs multiple efforts to extricate the vehicle from the mud.

In my opinion, the car actually started the grass fire probably about 10:30 p.m., but unfortunately, when the car fire was extinguished, I think thats when they became urgent to get out, the coroner hypothesized.

Adding, I feel like they were walking together, and unfortunately, he being heavier than she is, he sank into the mud, and the more you struggle, the deeper you go.

Officials do not believe the death was caused by foul play but are waiting to see if toxicology results add anything to their investigation into the death.

The public viewing for the father and daughter duo was held on Friday, Dec. 29, from 12  6 p.m., two weeks after their deaths.

Funeral services for them will be held at 11 a.m. on Dec. 30 at Simmons Funeral Home and Crematory Chapel in Orangeburg, South Carolina, according to their online obituaries.
Simon Calder, also known as The Man Who Pays His Way, has been writing about travel for The Independent since 1994. In his weekly opinion column, he explores a key travel issue  and what it means for you.

London St Pancras International station is a place of outstanding architectural beauty  and, usually, a hub for the start of great adventures and warm reunions. The tears being shed at the Eurostar terminal on Saturday were of the despairing kind, as more than 30,000 people found they would not be reaching their destinations due to flooding on the High Speed 1 line where it dives beneath the Thames between Essex and Kent.

The Eurostar network from London has shrunk due to the twin hazards of Brexit and Covid, and is now limited to Lille, Paris, Brussels, Rotterdam and Amsterdam. Yet on a busy day  as most of them are  more than 30,000 people will pass through the St Pancras terminal. That is about the same as a busy airport such as Luton or Edinburgh. Yet if an airport were closed and all flights cancelled due to some calamity (such as the car park fire at Luton in October), airline passengers have gold-plated rights.

Even if the carrier is not to blame for the cancellation, it has a strict and unlimited obligation to the passenger. An airline that cancels a flight must find another way to get the traveller to their destination as soon as possible. If the only available option involves paying hundreds of pounds to a rival carrier (or a different form of transport, such as Eurostar), so be it.

While the traveller is waiting, all meals must be provided  along with hotel accommodation as necessary, with no cap on the cost of a room. While every passenger wants to reach their destination without any kerfuffle, if your flight goes awry the only cost will be emotional, not financial. Should the airline be at fault, you are also in line for hundreds of pounds in compensation.

Eurostar is a completely different matter. Were you to choose an alternative form of transport rather than waiting for days for a train seat to become available, the cross-Channel rail firm will not pay the difference between the cost of your Eurostar ticket and the replacement flight or ferry. With one-way fares from Paris to London soaring to almost 700 on New Years Eve, that represents quite a gap in the unfortunate travellers account.

A hotel? That depends if you are deemed to be stranded. A UK-originating passenger who is stuck at a continental European station trying to come home fits the bill. But what about some of the cancelled passengers I met at St Pancras  from Kent, Leicestershire and Bristol. Could they claim the cost of a room in London while they wait an indefinitely long time for their onward train to Paris, Brussels or Amsterdam? Eurostar handles claims on a case-by-case basis. But under European air passengers rights rules, which the UK copied and pasted after Brexit, anyone who wants an airport hotel after a cancellation is entitled to one.

I am not arguing for the extension of aviation rights to international rail travellers. Indeed, I believe they are far too onerous for airlines, and that feeds through to higher fares. The passenger has no incentive to keep costs down. In contrast, fair play to Eurostars meal allowance: 50 for each 24 hours of being stranded.

There is a perfectly good terrestrial alternative to Eurostar: take the overnight ferry from Hook of Holland (accessible from Amsterdam and Rotterdam) to Harwich. The total cost is around 175  which, all other things being equal, a rational passenger would not accept, because it would leave them out of pocket. Eurostar should be actively encouraging travellers to extract themselves from the almighty muddle by making it financially worthwhile to escape by sea.
Tens of thousands of people were left stranded on Saturday after Eurostar cancelled all its services due to flooding in a tunnel.

All 41 trains scheduled on the day were cancelled, throwing travel plans into chaos with passengers scrambling to rearrange transport to and from London St Pancras.

Among them were newlyweds Nicole and Christopher Carrera, who said their plans to spend New Years Eve in Disneyland Paris had been ruined.

One mother said her family was trying not to be homeless with children in a cold London night after the travel chaos upended their stay in the French capital.

Passengers stare at a board of cancellations at the Gare du Nord (AP)

Luana Andrade, 36, her husband Rondi Oroujo, 32, and their three-year-old son have been stranded in London with six relatives from Brazil, and are facing the prospect of booking an expensive hotel and flights.

Ms Andrade said: Its not a trip, its a dream trip. So this is really expensive, its a big deal for our family because we are from Brazil, so its expensive. We planned for months, almost a year, and now probably we dont get it.

But some passengers travel plans may now be back on track after Eurostar said that trains will run on Sunday after flooding in the tunnels was brought under control. The operator warned that customers will face more chaos, however, with speed restrictions potentially leading to delays.

In a statement, Eurostar said: Flooding in the Thames tunnels has been brought under control by Network Rail High Speed meaning at least one tunnel can now be used and a full service can operate.

There will be some speed restrictions in place in the morning which may lead to delays and stations are expected to be very busy.

Flooding in the tunnel at Ebbsfleet, which runs beneath the Thames, had caused cancellations all day after engineers said at 4am that no trains would be able to run on the High Speed 1 line.

While Eurostar, which runs services from London to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam, had hoped services would resume later in the day, the situation failed to improve.

Newlywed Nicole Carreras Disneyland plans were ruined by Eurostar cancellations (PA)

Emotional travellers were spotted at the Eurostar terminal, with one man seen carrying an iPad which read Taxi to Paris.

Among those stranded on the other side of the Channel was The Independents Holly Bancroft, who was informed that her 7.11pm train to London had been cancelled and that the next available train was Tuesday evening. As a result, she and thousands of others have been forced to book flights to travel to their destinations.

Also left devastated by the cancellations were Christina David, 25, and Georgina Benyamin, 26, from Sydney, who had been travelling in Europe for about three weeks with their planned final stop being Paris, where they hope to spend New Years Eve.

Eurostar urged passengers to check their website for refunds or exchanges (PA)

They were supposed to catch the 7.30am train from London St Pancras International to Paris and freaked out when they were told it was cancelled.

Ms Benyamin said: Now we have to book a hotel to stay for the night here, as Ms David added: Weve got nowhere to stay.

HS1, which operates the track, said engineers had worked through the night to remove water but its volume was unprecedented.

Pumps and tankers were spotted at the scene, with a video taken inside the flooded tunnel showing water gushing onto the tracks.

Flooding has caused travel chaos for Eurostar passengers (The Independent)

Initially reports suggested the flooding was caused by a fire control system.

In a statement, Thames Water said: We have been informed of an incident involving a pipe flooding the Eurostar tunnel. We believe the incident is in regard to a fire control system and not a Thames Water pipe/asset, however we have a technician on the way to offer support to control the flow of water.

But a spokesperson for HS1 said: The source of the flooding will be the subject of an investigation, but at this stage we have no evidence to suggest that the fire control system was related to the issue in any way.

Britains only high-speed railway line, from London to Kent, was also out of use to Southeastern trains due to flooding in the Thames tunnels.

Domestic passengers were urged to use slower trains to and from London Charing Cross and Cannon Street. The Southeastern line to London Victoria is closed until the New Year because of engineering work.

Service update: trains have been cancelled today due to part of the track being temporarily closed near London. Please see https://t.co/KVn7RzwXm1 for full details and options We apologise for the impact to travel today.  Eurostar (@Eurostar) December 30, 2023

Also at London St Pancras, passengers using the Thameslink line connecting Bedford and Luton with Gatwick and Brighton are being warned of major disruption through to the morning of New Years Day because of staff shortages.

For New Years Eve, passengers have been warned: Expect major disruption during the afternoon and evening with no service overnight.

Besides New Year revellers hoping to catch trains home after celebrating in central London, many airline passengers and staff rely on the overnight trains to reach Gatwick and Luton airports. National Rail warned: We expect further cancellations across the weekend.

It comes as strong winds and rain in the wake of Storm Gerrit threatens more travel disruption for those travelling for New Years Eve.

Flooding around Tewkesbury Abbey after heavy rain from Storm Gerrit (PA)

A yellow weather warning is in place in Scotland from 8am until midnight on Saturday, with up to 25mm of rain forecast at lower levels. A period of sleet and snow, turning to rain, may lead to some flooding and travel disruption.

In a forecast video, Met Office forecaster Alex Burkill said a touch of frost is likely overnight into Saturday and there is a deep area of low pressure waiting out in the Atlantic that is going to sweep its way across the UK this weekend.

Some frost is possible in the south, particularly towards the east, while a more widespread harsh frost is expected in some parts of Scotland.

Temperatures could tumble as low as -8C or -9C, perhaps a little bit colder than that, he added.
Tributes have been pouring in for a teenager in Australia who was killed in a shark attack.

Khai Cowley, 15, was fatally mauled by what was suspected to be a great white shark.

He has been described as a "standout" surfer and "a true club man."

Tributes have been pouring in for a teenager in Australia who was killed in a shark attack.

Khai Cowley, 15, was fatally mauled in what was a suspected great white shark attack on December 28 as he surfed off of Ethel Beach on the Yorke Peninsula, which is west of Adelaide, South Australia.

In a statement on its website, South Australia Police said officers had responded to reports of a shark attack at 1:30 p.m. local time near Ethel Beach in Innes National Park.

"Sadly, the body of a 15-year-old boy from Maslin Beach was recovered from the water," it added.

In an Instagram post following the incident, Surfing South Australia said that Cowley "was a happy, kind and respectful kid" who was "much loved by his surfing peers."

"He will be greatly missed out in our community and on the water," it added.

Cowley's surf club, the Seaview Road Boardriders, said in another Instagram post that Cowley was a "standout" performer and "a true club man."

"You will live on in our hearts and memories, once a Roader, always a Roader," it said.

The owner of a local fishing charter company told ABC Radio Adelaide that the incident had shocked people in the area.

"It's the stuff nightmares are made of," Ryan Valente said. "I've got some friends in the area who've been here since day dot, and talking to them, not even in their memory can they remember anything close to an event like this."

Cowley's aunt has set up a GoFundMe page to help raise money to cover his funeral costs.

A great white shark in Mexico. Reinhard Dirscherl/Ullstein Bild/Getty Images

There have been five recorded shark attacks in South Australia in 2023, including three fatal ones, ABC News reported.

In November, SA Police said it was searching for the surfer Todd Gendle, 55, after he was the victim of another suspected great white attack.

The incident occurred near Granites Beach, south of Streaky Bay, further up the west coast from where Cowley was mauled.

In May, 46-year-old teacher Simon Baccanello was fatally attacked while surfing off the coast of Elliston, SA.

Trevlyn Smith, a local state emergency service manager, told News Corp that the surfboard had "one bite in the middle," The Associated Press reported.

Australia saw 143 shark attacks between 2012 and 2021, with 20 of those proving to be fatal, according to the Florida Museum's International Shark Attack File.

Read the original article on Business Insider
What happened: Nearly two decades after her disappearance, the Natalee Holloway case was finally solved in October, when Joran van der Sloot admitted he bludgeoned the Alabama teenager to death on an Aruban beach and pushed her body into the water.



Holloways 2005 disappearance had long been linked to van der Sloot, whose stunning admission came in a plea deal in a related extortion and wire fraud case. In his plea agreement, van der Sloot said he was on a beach in Aruba when Holloway rebuffed his sexual advances and kneed him in the crotch. He then kicked her in the face, found a cinder block nearby and used it to smash her head in with it completely before taking her body and pushing it into the ocean.



I would like to apologize to the Holloway family, van der Sloot said at his sentencing hearing. I am no longer that person back then than I am today. I gave my heart to Jesus Christ, he helped me through all of this.


By Robert Neff

Often business is nothing more than the purchase of another persons time. But sometimes, it takes a physical form. One of the earliest business transactions involving Americans and Koreans took place in the summer of 1883 when Kim Ok-kuin, a Korean official, purchased a number of items from James R. Morse, an American businessman who owned The American Clock & Brass Company in Yokohama, Japan.

In a letter to the American legation in Seoul, Morse wrote about quite a friend of [his] residing in Seoul, who has been doing considerable business with me in the way of fine jewelry, furniture, etc. I have imported some very nice goods for him and other things, expensive watches, gold and platinum chains, and I have his order for some rather expensive furniture.

The watches Kim Ok-kuin (the quite a friend) purchased were gifts for the royal family and were solid gold with diamonds. They were, by no means, cheap. In 1879, gold watches in Yokohama were selling between $55 and $120  I am assuming the watches studded with diamonds that Kim bought were even more expensive.

Watches were the ideal gift  especially in Korea as they were extremely popular and hard to come by. American naval officers visiting Korea were frequently mobbed by the common people; not so much because they were foreigners, but because of the strange things they possessed. According to one visiting naval surgeon in early 1884:

[The Korean common peoples] curiosity is extremely for anything peculiar as photographic instruments and guns, watches or jewelry. But, he added, Ordinarily they pay little attention to us on shore and never follow us offensively in crowds. I guess the crowds in Seoul were a little pushier but still respectful enough that the officers did not feel threatened.

In 1884, it seems like everyone was trying to buy a watch. In the mountainous region of Gangwon Province, the blacksmith at the Jardine Matheson & Co.s gold prospecting site really wanted a watch and was willing to pay good money for it. When the British representative of the company arrived for a visit, the blacksmith asked the Englishman to buy a silver watch in Shanghai and send it back to him at the camp. The Englishman agreed but apparently did not complete the request in a timely manner causing the frustrated blacksmith to implore the camps supervisor, a Dane, to take the opportunity to make inquiry about the delinquent purchase.

I am unsure if the blacksmith ever received his watch but, a few months later, the Dane sent another missive to the companys offices in Shanghai complaining about a watch. Apparently, a local Korean magistrate initially refused to take any gratuity for [the] services he rendered to Jardine Matheson & Co., but this may have been because he was looking for something more valuable than money  time (in the form of a watch). According to the Dane, I have already presented his father with my silver watch, when he asked me to sell it to him, and I suppose he expects the same.

Watches were very popular gifts. On the New Year 1884, Rose Foote, the wife of the American Minister to Korea (Lucius Foote), presented Yun Chi-ho, a solid gold watch. Yun Chi-ho, at the time was an employee in the American legation, but he would later play a leading role in Joseon politics, even after Korea was annexed by Japan.

Judging by the various conflicting accounts (naval officers accounts and her biography by her close friend), Rose was a very interesting character. She also seems to have had a strange sense of gift giving.

In honor of the Korean queens birthday, in November 1884, Rose presented the Korean queen with an oil painting (I am assuming she didnt paint it but had brought it with her from California), and, at the same time, presented a gold watch chain to the palaces senior lady-in-waiting. I guess beauty and value truly are in the eye of the beholder, but I think I would have preferred lady-in-waitings gift. However, I cannot help but wonder what happened to the painting  has it disappeared forever with the passage of time or has it been forgotten and is gathering dust in one of the palace archives or in a museum?

The royal family also gave out watches. In mid-May 1884, a competition was held in the palace in which a gold watch was given as the grand prize. Yun Chi-ho attended but did not win. He doesnt seem to have been bitter about not winning  perhaps because he already had a couple of gold watches.

Not all recipients of these timely prizes were Korean. In 1896, The Independent, a newspaper published in Seoul, wrote:

The students of the Royal English School had their new uniforms on yesterday and drilled before His Majesty in the afternoon. They looked really neat and orderly and they drilled remarkably well. His Majesty was very much pleased with them and thanked Professors Hutchinson and Halifax for their creditable instructions. The English Sergeant who has been drilling these boys received a handsome gold watch from His Majesty for his service. There were a number of spectators from the different Legations and all seemed pleased with the boys. We hope this recognition from His Majesty and praises from the others will encourage the students in adopting more progressive ideas.

Of course, receiving gifts could also be dangerous. In September 1897, Yun Chi-ho wrote in his diary:

His Majesty [Gojong] was very gracious. He took my watch and examined it, asking me where I got it. Of course I could not tell him that it was a present of Kim O.K. He asked me if I had given my wife a nice watch. I told him that she has the watch given me by the late Queen.

The Kim referred to was, of course, Kim Ok-kuin, whose time had ran out when he was assassinated in China in 1894 with the Korean kings blessing. The corpse was brought back to Korea and chopped into parts at Yanghwajin ferry landing (near Hapjeong Station) as a warning.

Sometimes gifts were exchanged between monarchs and their royal families.

When Prince Henry (Albert Wilhelm Heinrich) of Prussia, visited Korea, he presented Prince Yi Jae-sun (often known to the foreigners as The Fat Prince), the most valuable present he could find to remember him [Yi] by, an imperial gift from one royal prince to another. The gift was an American watch which William Franklin Sands, an American advisor to the Korean government, caustically noted could be bought for a mere 10 dollars.

And, to the Korean emperor, the Prince Henry presented a carved wooden cuckoo clock such as hands in every peasants house in the Harz Mountains.

I believe Sands harsh criticism may have been influenced by his own personal dislike for the Prussian prince, but that story will have to wait for another time.

Robert Neff has authored and co-authored several books, including Letters from Joseon, Korea Through Western Eyes and Brief Encounters.
Forestry group hosts wildlife panel

DOVER  The East Central Ohio Forestry Association meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday will feature a panel of experts taking questions from the audience on any Ohio wildlife management topic. Panel members will be Luke Walters (ODNR Service Forester), Colton Frink (Consulting Forester), Mike Hamilton (NRCS District Conservationist) and Vern Snyder (ONDR Wildlife Consultant).

ECOFA is an organization of people interested in improving their woodlands and in forestry-related topics. The public is invited to the free monthly meetings, which are held at the Dover Public Library, 525 N. Walnut St.

A first quarter, 54.3 percent Moon is seen, Tuesday, Dec. 19 from downtown New Philadelphia, Ohio. The first quarter moon occurs halfway between the new moon and full moon, appearing like a half-illuminated circle.

Trivia Night at library Jan. 10

DOVER  The Dover Public Library, 525 N. Walnut St., will host Trivia Night 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 10 in the Community Room. Bring your own team or come make up a new one with other participants. Teams will consist of two to six players. Everyone is welcome. Prizes will be provided. For more information, call 330-343-6123 or visit doverlibrary.org.

Little Theater to stage mystery about Titanic

NEW PHILADELPHIA  The Little Theater of Tuscarawas County, 466 Carrie Ave. NW, will present Scotland Road on Thursday Friday, Saturday and Jan. 7, 11, 12, 13 and 14. The play is a mystery about greed, obsession and the Titanic disaster.

Thursday, Friday and Saturday performances begin at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday performances are at 2:30 p.m. For tickets or more information, call 330-308-6400 or visit www.TheLittleTheatreOnline.org.

First Steps to Literacy trust provides books for county newborns

NEW PHILADELPHIA  The Tuscarawas County Public Library continued its efforts in 2023 in providing books for babies through its First Steps to Literacy: Books for Babies Trust fund. With the trust, in 2023, the library was able to provide 155 books to babies born at Cleveland Clinic - Union Hospital with 77 of those books being bilingual.

The trust was established in 2008 by former New Philadelphia native Betty Lou Honaker, who wished to provide books to newborn babies in Tuscarawas County each year. The trust was established with the hope to sustain this project for many years. Each year, 90% of the interest income is used to purchase books for newborns, while the remaining interest income and trust fund is reinvested for use in future years.

For information on donating to the First Steps to Literacy: Books for Babies trust or to find out how to donate to other library projects, visit www.tusclibrary.org/support or contact Director Michelle McMorrow Ramsell at 330-364-4474, ext. 237.

AC/DC tribute band and Boy Band Review at Performing Arts Center

NEW PHILADELPHIA  Dirty Deeds, an AC/DC tribute band, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 13 at the Performing Arts Center at Kent State Tuscarawas, 330 University Drive NE. Tickets are $15 to $25. The Boy Band Review will perform at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 19. Tickets are $25 to $35. For more information on either show, or tickets, visit https://www.kent.edu/tuscpac, call 330-308-6400 or email performingartscenter@kent.edu.

Quaker Foundation seeks nominations for teaching awards

NEW PHILADELPHIA  The Quaker Foundation is accepting nominations for the 22nd annual Dr. William J. and Mae Hurst Jackson Award for Distinguished Teaching at New Philadelphia City Schools. Funded by the Jackson family, the award is an annual recognition of and incentive for superior teaching in the district. Two New Philadelphia teachers will receive an award of $6,000 each.

Eligible teachers must be active in the New Philadelphia classroom in grades pre-kindergarten through 12 and must have taught in the New Philadelphia City Schools for five years or more.

Anyone may make a nomination. Nomination forms are available online at www.npschools.org or at www.quakerfoundation.org. Forms also are available at the Quaker Foundation Office, 124 N. Broadway, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday-Friday. The deadline for nominations is 2 p.m. Jan. 29. Nominations should be mailed to the Jackson Award for Distinguished Teaching, c/o The Quaker Foundation, P.O. Box 627, New Philadelphia, OH 44663 or emailed to office@quakerfoundation.org.

Donations help Tuscarawas County food pantries

NEW PHILADELPHIA  Donation Station Tuscarawas County wrapped up its second market season Nov. 21 and raised $1,520.43. This resulted in 1,207 pounds of produce being distributed to five food pantries and hot meal providers throughout Tuscarawas County.

If you, or someone you know, are passionate about food access in Tuscarawas County, consider participating in a year of service. Rural Action Northern Programs is looking for a community member to serve as an AmeriCorps member for the Eastern Ohio Sustainable Agriculture Office.

Rural Action is a regional community development organization with a 32-county footprint working with members and community leaders on quality-of-life, environmental and economic projects across rural Appalachian Ohio. Its mission is to build a more just economy by developing the regions assets in environmentally, socially and economically sustainable ways, according to a news release. Learn more about Rural Action at www.ruralaction.org.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Tuscarawas County roundup: News from the Dover-New Philadelphia area
MURRAY, Utah (ABC4)  Two people were killed in a shooting in Murray early Saturday morning, according to Murray Police.

On Dec. 30, shortly before 1 a.m., police received multiple calls regarding shots fired in the parking lot area of a Murray apartment complex.

Utah is no longer majority Mormon, new research says

Upon arrival, officers found two males with gunshot wounds.

One was pronounced deceased at the scene, while the other was taken to a local hospital and later pronounced deceased.

Police believe that the incident began as a dispute between two groups of people. During the argument, one male reportedly brandished an assault rifle and shots were fired.

Officers are currently trying to track down several people who left in a vehicle, the release states.

Investigators are reportedly also talking with witnesses and those involved to get more details of what transpired.

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The identities of those involved are not being released at this time.

No further information is currently available.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
No ban on exit for group 3 disability men in Ukraine says Border Service

The regulations for crossing the border for individuals with a group 3 disability remain unchanged, Ukraines State Border Guard Service (SBGS) spokesperson, Andriy Demchenko, said in a comment to Ukrainska Pravda on Dec. 30.

In Ukraine, disabled individuals are sorted into three groups. These groups regulate access to social welfare benefits and exemption from conscription, among other effects. Group 1 disability applies to individuals who cannot live on their own and require constant care, group 2 disability applies to individuals who can live on their own but are unable to work regardless of accommodations, and group 3 disability applies to individuals who are capable of living on their own and working, albeit with accommodations.

Read also: Polish PM Tusk close to ending border trucking protests

Rumors have circulated on Ukrainian social media that men of conscription age with group 3 disabilities have been denied the right to leave Ukraine, despite being exempt from conscription. A recent scandal on the matter erupted following the removal of 20 individuals from a Poland-bound Ukrainian train.

Read also: Polish trucking protests continue, despite progress to end the blockages

"There have been no alterations to the border crossing rules, but the SBGS will consistently verify departure conditions and rigorously uphold the law," Demchenko stated.

These rules define the conditions for border crossing during martial law, particularly for men  Ukrainian citizens restricted from leaving the country  and distinctly outline categories and conditions for citizens to cross the border.

"Border guards meticulously scrutinize documents that give grounds for a person's departure, Demchenko said.

We often witness individuals attempting to exploit border crossing conditions, such as pursuing ulterior motives or employing forged or fictitious documents."

Since the start of the year, almost 50,000 Ukrainian citizens have been denied exit at the border for non-compliance with martial law regulations, with three thousand forged documents uncovered, according to the SBGS.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Israeli tanks pushed deeper into districts in central and southern Gaza overnight under heavy air and artillery fire, residents said, pressing a deadly offensive that has razed much of the enclave and that Israel has said may last months more.

Fighting late on Friday and early Saturday was focused in al-Bureij, Nuseirat and Khan Younis, backed by intensive air strikes that filled hospitals with injured Palestinians.

The bombardment has killed 100 Palestinians and injured 150 in the central Gaza Strip over the past 24 hours, a senior health official in central Gaza said.

At Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, the biggest and most important medical facility in the south of the tiny, crowded enclave, Red Crescent images posted online showed ambulances operating amid smashed streets, carrying injured children.

Almost all of Gaza's 2.3 million residents have been forced from their homes by Israel's withering 12-week assault, triggered by the Hamas attack on Oct. 7 that killed 1,200 people and brought 240 hostages into the group's grasp.

The offensive has killed at least 21,500 Palestinians, according to health authorities in Hamas-run Gaza, and the conflict risks spreading across the region, drawing in Iran-aligned groups in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and Yemen.

Bombardment has smashed houses, apartment blocks and businesses and put hospitals out of action. On Saturday the Palestinian Culture Ministry said Israeli strikes had struck a medieval bathhouse. The old Great Mosque was hit earlier in the war.

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said on Friday troops were reaching Hamas command centres and arms depots and pictures the military released showed soldiers moving across churned-up earth among ruins of destroyed buildings.

The Israeli military said it had destroyed a tunnel complex in the basement of one of the houses of the Hamas leader for Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, in Gaza City.

The U.S. has called for Israel to scale down the war in coming weeks and move to targeted operations against Hamas leaders, although so far it shows no sign of doing so.

Aid

Israel said on Friday it had facilitated the entry of vaccines into Gaza in coordination with UNICEF, the United Nations children's agency, to help prevent the spread of disease.

The little aid reaching the enclave since the start of the war, when Israel imposed a near total blockade on all food, medicine and fuel, has come across the border with Egypt.

Israel has only allowed access to the south of the enclave, where it started ordering all Gaza civilians to move from October, and aid agencies have said Israeli inspections have stopped all but a small fraction of needed supplies getting in.

An Israeli government spokesman said on Friday it does not limit humanitarian aid and the problem was with its distribution inside Gaza.

Al-Bureij, Nuseirat and Khan Younis are three out of eight Palestinian refugee camps in Gaza that in normal times receive services from the U.N. Relief and Works Agency. The agency cares for Palestinians who fled or were driven from their homes during Israel's creation in 1948 and live in slum-like camps in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

South Africa asked the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Friday for an urgent order declaring that Israel was in breach of its obligations under the 1948 Genocide Convention in its crackdown against Hamas in Gaza.

It called on the court to issue short-term measures ordering Israel to stop its military campaign "to protect against further, severe and irreparable harm to the rights of the Palestinian people."

No date has been set for a hearing.

In a response, Israel's foreign ministry blamed Hamas for the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza by using them as human shields and stealing humanitarian aid from them. Hamas denies such accusations.

Palestian journalist killed

A Palestinian journalist working for Al-Quds TV was killed along with some of his family members in an air strike on their house in the Nuseirat camp in central Gaza Strip on Friday, health officials and fellow journalists said.

Gaza's government media office says 106 Palestinian journalists have been killed in the Israeli offensive.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said last week that the first 10 weeks of the Israel-Gaza war were the deadliest recorded for journalists, with the most journalists killed in a single year in one location.

Most of the journalists and media workers killed in the war were Palestinian. The report by the U.S.-based CPJ said it was "particularly concerned about an apparent pattern of targeting of journalists and their families by the Israeli military."

Earlier this month, a Reuters investigation found an Israeli tank crew killed a Reuters journalist, Issam Abdallah, and wounded six reporters in Lebanon on Oct. 13 by firing two shells in quick succession while the journalists were filming cross-border shelling.

Israel has previously said it has never and will never deliberately attack journalists and that it is doing what it can to avoid civilian casualties, but the high death toll has caused concern even amongst its staunchest allies. (Reuters)
The Ukrainian Armed Forces launched a massive drone attack on Russian military facilities across Russia on the night of Dec. 30, Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne reported, citing sources in the special services.

According to Suspilne, over 70 drones were used in the attack, with explosions occurring in Moscow, Belgorod, Tula, and Tver. A group of drones also targeted Bryansks Kremniy El, a major microelectronics manufacturer for Russian military equipment, including long-range missiles and Pantsyr air defense systems.

Read also: Freedom of Russia Legion claims successful raid on Belgorod Oblast

Although Russian air defense systems managed to shoot down some of the drones, a significant number were able to effectively hit their targets.

"Unlike Russian terrorist attacks on the territory of Ukraine, the Security and Defense Forces have exclusively hit enemy military targets," the sources said.

Read also: Russia claims it downed 32 Ukrainian drones across four oblasts

Russian air defense systems intercepted and downed 32 drones within the country's airspace at night, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed on Telegram on Dec. 30. The drones were purportedly taken down over the regions of Bryansk, Oryol, Kursk, and Moscow oblasts.

The governor of Bryansk Oblast, Aleksandr Bogomaz, claimed that six drones were shot down overnight over Bryansk and the Bryansky district.

Several dozen explosions sounded in Belgorod on the evening of Dec. 29. According to local authorities, these were the result of operational air defense systems.

Belgorod Oblast Governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov, later also claimed that air defense systems were operational within the region. He said that there was allegedly "one injured and one killed," but did not provide any other details about this incident.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Ukrainian forces struck military facilities in the Russian city of Belgorod in response to Russias mass missile and drone attack against Ukraine on Dec. 29, Ukrainian news outlet RBC-Ukraine reported on Dec. 30, citing a source in Ukraines intelligence services.

"These are joint measures that were the result of the barbaric shelling of Dnipro, Kharkiv, Odesa, and the killing of civilians, the RBC source said.

The measures are ongoing."

Read also: Ukraine launches widespread drone attack on military facilities across Russia

Explosions rocked Belgorod on Dec. 30, with Belgorod governor Vyacheslav Gladkov stating that the city was under fire from the Ukrainian military. He claimed that Ukrainian fire had struck Belgorods residential sector, allegedly resulting in the deaths of two children. Pro-Russian Telegram channel Mash reported that the attack had killed four people as of 2:30 p.m.

Over 70 drones were used in the attack, with explosions occurring in Moscow, Belgorod, Tula, and Tver, according to Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne. A group of drones also targeted Bryansks Kremniy El, a major microelectronics manufacturer for Russian military equipment, including long-range missiles and Pantsyr air defense systems.

Read also: Russia claims it downed 32 Ukrainian drones across four oblasts

Russian air defense systems intercepted and downed 32 drones within the country's airspace at night, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed. The drones were purportedly taken down over the regions of Bryansk, Oryol, Kursk, and Moscow oblasts.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Photo: Serhii Naiev, Commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Telegram

The Russians attacked Ukraine at night with 10 Shahed drones, 5 of which were destroyed by air defence troops.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, information as of 06:00 on 30 December

Details: During the past day, there were 56 combat clashes recorded at the frontline.

In total, the Russians inflicted 150 missile strikes and 74 air strikes and carried out 84 attacks from multiple-launch missile systems at the positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements.

At night, the Russian forces once again attacked Ukraine, using 10 Shahed UAVs. Ukrainian air defence destroyed 5 assault drones.

14 settlements sustained damage due to airstrikes.

About 110 settlements in Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson and Mykolaiv oblasts were shelled in artillery attacks.

In the area of responsibility of the Pivnich (North) Operational Strategic Group on the Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna fronts, the Russians are maintaining their military presence in the border areas, conducting active sabotage activities in order to prevent the transfer of Ukrainian troops to other threatening parts of the front, as well as increasing the density of minefields along the state border in Belgorod Oblast.

In the area of responsibility of the Khortytsia Operational Strategic Group on the Kupiansk front, Ukrainian defenders repelled seven Russian attacks near Synkivka, Kharkiv Oblast, where the Russians unsuccessfully tried to break through the defences of Ukrainian troops.

On the Bakhmut front, Ukrainian soldiers repelled two attacks in the areas of Bohdanivka and Andriivka, Donetsk Oblast.

In the area of responsibility of the Tavriia Operational Strategic Group on the Avdiivka front, Ukrainian defenders continue to restrain the Russian forces, who keep trying to encircle Avdiivka. During the past day, Ukraines forces repelled eight attacks in the areas of Stepove, Avdiivka and 21 attacks near Sieverne, Pervomaiske and Nevelske in Donetsk Oblast.

On the Marinka front, the Armed Forces of Ukraine continue to restrain the Russians in the areas of Marinka and Novomykhailivka, Donetsk Oblast, where nine attacks were repelled.

On the Zaporizhzhia front, the Ukrainian defenders repelled two attacks west and northwest of Verbove in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

In the area of responsibility of the Odesa Operational Strategic Group on the Kherson front, Ukrainian soldiers continue to take measures to expand their bridgehead. Despite significant losses, the Russians did not abandon their attempts to dislodge Ukrainian units from their positions. During the past day, the Russian forces made more than 10 unsuccessful assault actions.

At the same time, the Armed Forces of Ukraine are continuing to actively inflict casualties on the Russian forces in manpower and equipment, exhausting them along the entire front line.

During the past 24 hours, Ukraine's Air Force struck 10 clusters of personnel, weapons and military equipment, as well as three anti-aircraft missile systems.

Meanwhile, Ukraines Rocket Forces and Artillery units targeted two clusters of personnel, weapons and military equipment, three artillery pieces, five ammunition depots and two other important targets.

There is an increasing number of documented instances of military personnel refusing to carry out illegal orders and take part in hostilities within the Russian Federation's occupation forces. On 19 December, military police officers escorted 43 servicemen from the 150th Motorised Rifle Division of the Russian Armed Forces, who had refused to take part in hostilities, as they were sent from the temporarily occupied territory of Luhansk Oblast to the Russian Federation.

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Rustem Umierov, Defence Minister of Ukraine, held a telephone conversation with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin after the massive attack carried out by Russia on Ukrainian cities on 29 December.

Source: Pentagon Press Secretary Major General Pat Ryder

Quote: "Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke by phone today with Ukrainian Minister of Defence Rustem Umerov to discuss Russia's brutal air attacks on Ukraine and the latest situation on the ground.

Secretary Austin reiterated that the commitment of the United States and our coalition of some 50 Allies and partners to supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression will remain steadfast."

Details: The Pentagon added that both ministers promised to maintain close contact.

Background:

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Defense Minister Rustem Umerov spoke with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin by phone on Dec. 29 and discussed Russia's largest air attack on Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion and the situation on the front line, the U.S. Department of Defense said.

Secretary Austin reiterated that the commitment of the United States and our coalition of some 50 Allies and partners to supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression will remain steadfast, the statement read.

Umerov and Austin pledged to remain in close contact.

Russia unleashed its largest air attack on Ukraine on Dec. 29, targeting multiple Ukrainian regions with 158 missiles and drones.

The attack killed 30 people and injured over 160 as of 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 29, according to Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko. The number of victims might increase as rescue operations continued as of 8 p.m. on Dec. 29.

Read also: Hit the Kremlin: Kyivans dont hold back after Russias mass attack kills 9, wounds 30 in the capital

Casualties were previously reported in Kyiv, Odesa, Dnipro, Lviv, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said it was "the most massive attack."

Ukraine downed 114 of 158 Russian missiles and drones, according to the Air Force. Among the downed targets were 27 Russian Shahed attack drones and 87 cruise missiles.

In total, Russia launched 36 drones, at least 90 Kh-101/Kh-555/Kh-55 cruise missiles, eight Kh-22/Kh-32 cruise missiles, 14 S-300/S-400/Iskander ballistic missiles, as well as five Kinzhal ballistic missiles, four anti-radar missiles, and one Kh-59 cruise missile.

"Russia was attacking with almost everything it has in its arsenal," Zelensky wrote on Telegram in the morning following the attack.

Zelensky said the attack destroyed or damaged over 100 private houses, along with 45 multi-story buildings, schools, two churches, hospitals, a maternity hospital, and numerous commercial and warehouse premises across Ukraine.

"Targets are already familiar for Russia," he said.

Read also: Ukraines Foreign Minister Kuleba: Europe doesnt know how to fight wars

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Ukraines air defenses successfully intercepted a Russian air-to-surface Kh-59 missile over Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Ukraines Air Command East reported on Facebook on Dec. 30.

The missile was heading towards the city of Dnipro. Prior to this announcement, an explosion was reported in Dnipro, coinciding with an air raid declared throughout Ukraine due to the takeoff of a Russian MiG-31K fighter jet.

Read also:

Explosions were also heard in Zaporizhzhya. Russia attacked the city with an Iskander-M ballistic missile, but Ukrainian air defense forces also intercepted that attack.

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The 27th Pechersk Brigades mobile air defense fire unit shot down an enemy cruise missile in Kyiv Oblast

The 27th Pechersk Brigades mobile air defense fire unit shot down an enemy cruise missile in Kyiv Oblast with nothing more than machine guns during the massive Russian attack on Ukraine on Dec. 29, the National Guard reported on Facebook on Dec. 30.

The unit detected the target moving towards Kyiv and opened fire on it. They were able to score a hit on the missile, damaging the missiles fuel tank, which exploded. The missiles warhead did not detonate once it crashed, the National Guard concluded after examining the missile's debris.

Read also: 31 civilians killed, 130+ injured as Russia unleashes largest missile and drone attack of the war

The National Guards mobile fire units are specifically designed to counter air strikes and can shoot down missiles and kamikaze drones. This, combined with the effective work of air defense units, allows to increase the number of intercepted air targets, the National Guard explained.

Russia launched a massive missile and drone attack against Ukraine overnight on Dec. 29. Explosions rang out in many larger cities, such as Kyiv and Dnipro, and smaller ones, such as Konotop.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, said that air defense forces shot down 87 cruise missiles and 27 Shahed drones.

Thirty-nine people were killed and 159 others were wounded in the massive Russian drone and missile attack on Ukraine on Dec. 29, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram on Dec. 30.

Dec. 30 was declared a day of mourning in Odesa and Zaporizhzhya oblasts and the city of Dnipro.

Read also: Video emerges of Russian missile strike on Odesa apartment that killed at least two civilians

Kyiv also declared a day of mourning on Jan. 1, with 16 people reported dead while the rubble of a warehouse in the capitals Shevchenkivskyi district is still being cleared.

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UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned Russia's large-scale night attacks on Ukrainian cities, civilians and critical infrastructure.

Source: Spokesman for the Secretary-General Stephane Dujarric, quoted by Ukrinform news agency

Quote: "The Secretary-General condemns in the strongest terms the overnight large-scale missile and drone attack by the Russian Federation on Ukrainian cities and towns across the country, including against civilian and critical infrastructure."

Details: Guterres also highlighted the death and injury of a large number of civilians.

Earlier: The United States has accused Russia of purposefully distracting the UN Security Council with topics about the Revolution of Dignity in Ukraine a decade ago, while Moscow was preparing the largest missile and air strike on Ukrainian cities.

Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the UN Serhii Kyslytsya informed the Security Council about the consequences of Russia's massive attack on Ukraine, noting that Russia feels free to kill "innocent people in Ukraine and abroad."

Background:

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UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has strongly condemned Russia's Dec. 29 drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian cities, towns, and critical infrastructure, the Secretary-General representative, Stephane Dujarric, said at a UN Security Council Meeting.

Read also: They used almost every missile at their disposal  Air Force on Russias largest missile attack

Guterres stressed that the attack is a violation of humanitarian norms and called for an immediate halt.

The Secretary-General also expressed concern about the high number of civilian casualties and the destruction of homes and infrastructure as a result of the attacks.

Ukraine and a coalition of other countries requested an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council over the massive strike by the Russians on Dec. 29, according to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.

Russia launched a mass missile and drone attack against Ukraine overnight on Dec. 29. Explosions rang out in many larger cities, such as Kyiv and Dnipro, and smaller ones, such as Konotop.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, said that air defense forces shot down 87 cruise missiles and 27 Shahed drones, out of 158 missiles and over 30 Shahed suicide drones in total.

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Russia faced strong criticism during the UN Security Council session on Dec. 29 following the largest air attack against Ukraine since the start of the full-scale war. The urgent meeting of the 15-member council was convened at the request of Kyiv and its allies to address the strike.

"Tragically, 2023 is ending as it began  with devastating violence against the people of Ukraine," UN Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari said after briefing the council on the situation. "Once again, Ukrainians are forced to spend the holidays seeking shelter, clearing the rubble, and burying the dead, amidst freezing temperatures."

Several council members, including the United States, France, and Britain, expressed condemnation of the attacks on Ukraine.

While the number of casualties has yet to be finalized, an estimated 30 people were killed and 160 were injured across Ukraine as a result of the attack. Casualties and large-scale damage to civilian sites were reported in Kyiv, Lviv, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Odesa, and Zaporizhzhia.

"Rather than peace, (Russian President Vladimir) Putin chose to mark this holiday season and usher in the New Year with an unprecedented number of drone and missile strikes against another UN member state," said U.S. Minister-Counselor John Kelley.

"We expect Russia will claim it only attacks military targets, even when the evidence is clear for the world to see. The Kremlins rhetoric and lies do not erase or conceal the horrifying wreckage across the country and thousands of innocent lives lost since the start of its war," Kelley added.

Russia's Ambassador to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, asserted in an extensive reply that Russia had "exclusively targeted military infrastructure in Ukraine" and attributed civilian casualties to Ukraine's air defense systems.

Responding to this, the UK's Ambassador to the UN, Barbara Woodward, said that Russia's actions were the singular factor behind the tragedy unfolding in Ukraine. "The rest is a torrent of lies and disinformation," Woodward concluded.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Russias largest air attack on Ukraine kills 30, injures over 160

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On the brink of a new year, the state of California is making the historical decision to offer an expanded version of Medi-Cal  the state's own version of the federal Medicaid program  offering health insurance benefits to all undocumented immigrants, regardless of age.

The newest version of this program, which is an expansion of Gov. Gavin Newsom's 2019 package which originally offered benefits to young adults ages 19 through 25 and then bumped that to include adults aged 50 and older, will aid approximately 700,000 additional low income residents on top of the 14.6 million Californians already benefitting from the program, according to reporting by ABC News, and be put into effect as of January 1, 2024. This builds off of then-Gov. Jerry Brown's earliest version of Medi-Cal signed into effect in 2015, which was offered to undocumented children.

In California, we believe everyone deserves access to quality, affordable health care coverage  regardless of income or immigration status, Gov. Newsoms office said in a statement to ABC News. Through this expansion, were making sure families and communities across California are healthier, stronger, and able to get the care they need when they need it.

As the outlet points out, "About 50% of undocumented immigrant adults in America report being uninsured, compared to just 8% of U.S.-born citizens, according to the health policy research nonprofit KFF, due to undocumented adults being more likely work jobs that don't provide health benefits, as well as facing eligibility restrictions for federal programs."

"This historic investment speaks to California's commitment to health care as a human right," California State Sen. Maria Elena Durazo said in a statement back in May.
The United States has accused Russia of deliberately distracting the UN Security Council with the topic of Ukraine's Revolution of Dignity, which took place a decade ago, while Moscow was preparing its largest-ever air attack on Ukrainian cities.

Source: Ukrinform news agency, with reference to John Kelley, Political Minister Counsellor to the US Mission to the UN, during an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council

Quote: "Two days ago, the Russian Federation organised a Council meeting to discuss events from ten years ago. Russia claimed a discussion on the Revolution of Dignity would allow council members to better understand how these events affected the present situation in Ukraine."

Details: He called this preposterous and stressed that at the same time, Moscow was preparing a large-scale air attack against Ukraine.

"This is what Russia demanded the Council be distracted with this week, while it was planning its largest aerial assault against Ukraine, its cities and its critical infrastructure since the beginning of its illegal full-scale invasion," Kelley said.

In this regard, he reiterated the US position announced by President Biden on Friday, calling Russia's attack a "stark reminder" that Putin has not abandoned his goal of destroying Ukraine and stressing that he must be stopped.

"We ask all Council members here today to join us in condemning in the strongest terms this abhorrent attack on cities and civilian infrastructure across Ukraine," he added.

He also pointed out that no criminal lie by the Russians when it claims "it only attacks military targets" will erase or hide the ruins across the country, as well as the thousands of innocent casualties lost since the beginning of the full-scale war.

Background:

On the night of 29 December, Russia carried out its largest ever air attack on Ukraine. Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Odesa, Lviv, Zaporizhzhia and other cities were hit.

The Ukrainian Air Force stated that Russia had employed nearly every kind of weaponry at its disposal. Air defence systems managed to shoot down 114 out of 158 Russian air targets.

The President's Office reported earlier that 26 people had been killed and more than 120 wounded.

Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said that as of 19:30, 30 people had been killed and more than 160 wounded as a result of the large-scale Russian attack on 29 December.

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Military analysts in the United States believe Russia could launch further major air attacks on Ukraine like the one that killed at least 30 people on Friday, which was the largest barrage of missiles and drones since the start of the war.

"Russia will continue to conduct strikes against Ukraine at scale in an effort to degrade Ukrainian morale and Ukraines ability to sustain its war effort against Russia," a daily report by the US Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said late on Friday.

However the analysts noted that after almost two years of war, Russia's reserves and production capacities mean that it is unlikely to be able to launch large-scale missile attacks on a regular basis, but will be able to do so more consistently with drones.

In the heaviest attack to date since the start of the war, Russia's military fired close to 160 rockets, cruise missiles and drones of various types at Ukraine on Friday, according to figures from Kiev officials.

More than 30 people were killed and around 160 injured in several regions of Ukraine shortly before the New Year celebrations in what Ukrainian leadership described as terrorism targeting the civilian population.

According to an ISW analysis, the Russians had been experimenting for months with various combinations of drones and missiles in order to identify weaknesses in the Ukrainian air defence system.

Ukraine again reported Russian drone attacks on Friday night. According to the military, three unmanned missiles were intercepted in the Kherson and Mykolaiv regions. The Ukrainian air defence was able to shoot down five of a total of 10 Russian drones across the country, officials said.

Firefighters stand outside a shopping mall damaged in the massive Russian missile and drone strike on Ukraine. -/Ukrinform/dpa

Residents cry after a Russian missile attack on Lviv, western Ukraine. -/Ukrinform/dpa
By GursimranKaur Mehar and Mrinmay Dey

(Reuters) -A U.S. court on Friday upheld a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) order to block IQVIAs acquisition of DeepIntent, a healthcare advertising firm, as it may harm competition.

DeepIntent, owned by Propel Media, a digital advertising company, entered into an agreement with U.S. headquartered healthcare data and analytics firm IQVIA in 2022 with the intent to facilitate seamless communication between patients and healthcare providers.

Earlier this year, the FTC intervened to block IQVIA and DeepIntent's proposed merger so as to prevent increased concentration in health care programmatic advertising.

The merger would harm competition and would lead to increased prices for consumers, and hurt patients, the FTC had said.

DeepIntent's chief executive officer previously in an open letter said that the company would walk away from the deal and would remain an independent company had the regulator won the block. The financial terms of the deal are not known.

Speaking in favor of the FTC, District Judge Edgar Ramos granted the U.S. antitrust department a preliminary injunction to block the deal.

In the ruling, Ramos said, "The FTC has shown that there is a reasonable probability that the proposed acquisition will substantially impair competition in the relevant market and that the equities weigh in favor of injunctive relief."

IQVIA said in an emailed statement to Reuters it was disappointed by the courts decision and was reviewing the decision and evaluating its options.

"We maintain that the FTCs arguments in this case are inconsistent with the reality of the marketplace and unsupported by the law," IQVIA said.

DeepIntent and the FTC did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

(Reporting by Gursimran Kaur and Mrinmay Dey in Bengaluru; Editing by Kim Coghill and Sonali Paul)
SAN DIEGO  A victim and suspect have been identified after a deadly stabbing Tuesday in San Marcos, authorities said.

Angela Marie Lanway, 42, was announced as the deceased, Lt. Joseph Jarjura with the San Diego County Sheriffs Department (SDSO) said in a news release Friday. Ziyah Jay Patterson, 29, was arrested on suspicion of murdering Lanway and booked into the Vista Detention Facility.

On the evening of Dec. 26, a stabbing was reported in the 100 block of N. Twin Oaks Valley Rd., according to law enforcement.

Orca sightings have surged in SoCal. What experts believe is keeping the whales here

When deputies arrived on scene, they found Lanway with a stab wound. First responders took her to the hospital where she died from her injuries.

Lanway and Patterson appeared to have been in a relationship at the time of the stabbing. Authorities have deemed it as an isolated incident.

There are no other suspects being sought, per SDSO.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Homicide Unit at (858) 285-6330/after hours at (858) 565-5200. You can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego.
Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy speaks during U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstras, R-Iowa, Faith and Family with the Feenstras event on Dec. 9, 2023, in Sioux Center, Iowa. | Charlie Neibergall, Associated Press

Presidential candidate Nikki Haley faced blowback earlier this week from both Republicans and Democrats on how she answered a question about the Civil War during a town hall event in New Hampshire. Fellow presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy answered the same question during a campaign event in Iowa on Thursday, prompting a different response online.

When asked on Wednesday, What was the cause of the United States Civil War? Haley responded, I think the cause of the Civil War was basically, how government was going to run  the freedoms and what people could and couldnt do.

Republican Florida Rep. Byron Donalds responded to Haleys answer on X Thursday morning, 1. Psst Nikki... the answer is slavery PERIOD. 2. This really doesnt matter because Trump is going to be the nominee. Trump 2024!

President Joe Biden also chimed in through an X post on Wednesday, It was about slavery.

Even Haley attempted to walk back her comments on Thursday.

Related

At the campaign event in Iowa, an audience member asked Ramaswamy the same question that was posed to Haley the day before and asked for thoughts on if were headed to another one, possibly.

Ramaswamy laughed and said, You know, you have a governor of South Carolina who doesnt know much about the history of her own state.

Ramaswamy says slavery caused the Civil War to boil over

He said, But South Carolina in 1832  its one of the things we learned in history class in 11th grade  they actually were gonna secede from the Union. Were talking nearly a couple decades before the Civil War.

This comes back to the present, he continued. Our history isnt about our past, its about our understanding of our future. So they actually, in 1832 were about to secede. Back then it was about tariffs between the North and South, but ultimately the thing that boiled us over was slavery.

The presidential candidate explained how even though the United States was one single country at the time, the North and the South had value systems that were fundamentally different. So the powder keg was in the air, slavery was the match that we lit that caused it to boil over, he said.

Ramaswamy compared the differing value systems to what he believes exists in the U.S. today. He ended his response by explaining the necessity of having a president from the outside who isnt susceptible to the special interests that got us to where we are. He also added that the future president should be someone from the next generation.

One X user responded to Ramaswamys answer, saying, @VivekGRamaswamy is making more sense than the others and he does it in a civil tone, and logical manner. Regardless if you support his candidacy or not, we as a nation, as a society, need more of this. Two thumbs up.

Chris Christie says Haleys response is an indicator for future confrontation

Another Republican presidential candidate, Chris Christie, commented on Haleys response at a campaign event in New Hampshire on Wednesday, saying it indicates she prioritizes appeasing different political constituents over telling the truth.

He said, If she is unwilling to stand up and say that slavery is what caused the Civil War because shes afraid of offending constituents in other parts of the country  whats going to happen when she has to stand up to Vladimir Putin and President Xi?
Wagner mercenary reported to have murdered father of Russia propaganda figure

A Wagner mercenary fatally stabbed the father of Russian propagandist Vladimir Legoyda, the head of the Russian Orthodox Churchs (ROC) press service, according to reports by Russian media on Dec. 29.

The assailant, Adam Shcherbakov, described as a "hero of the SMO," (special military operation) had previously served a nine-year sentence for robbery but was released to participate in the war against Ukraine  a cause supported by both the ROC and Legoyda himself.

Read also:

Details of the murder revealed by Russian media add a chilling dimension: the mercenary, apparently strapped for cash, supposedly met Legoyda's 90-year-old father in a suburban restaurant.

Legoyda Sr. offered to give Shcherbakov a ride to the store. However, during the journey, the mercenary allegedly demanded 100,000 rubles ($1,120), leading to a confrontation and ultimately the murder.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Around 150 workers have walked out of a warehouse in a dispute over pay.

Members of the Unite union at the Iceland distribution centre, Swindon, claim their pay has not kept up with the cost of living.

They said negotiations with their employer, the logistics company GXO, have broken down.

Martin Atkinson, managing director of grocery at GXO, said they had made a "fair" offer of higher pay to freezer workers.

Paul Swindells, union representative for the distribution centre in Swindon, said: "The feeling is very strong that we need to fight for our membership and get them a wage they can actually live on."

He said staff walked out before Christmas and today, and that although they had thought negotiations were going somewhere, "we've faltered at the last minute".

"There are people who are only on day shifts, who don't get unsocial hours pay... [and] people who don't achieve bonuses or don't get extra pay for the [cold] environment they're in," said Mr Swindells.

"They work incredibly hard in difficult conditions. Life is becoming harder and harder and they're effectively getting paid less and less."

He said the union had tried to encourage the company to understand but has been told there is no more money. So they are at "some form of impasse".

'Disappointed'

Mr Atkinson said he had listened to his colleagues and sent a revised offer to Unite.

He said this includes "extra cash to all colleagues and a higher incentive payment to those who work in the freezer area".

Mr Atkinson said GXO thinks the offer is "fair and reflects their concerns... [and] we are disappointed Unite has not allowed its members a say on this enhanced offer".

He said GXO will continue to work with Iceland "to ensure there is no disruption to supply chain over the festive period".

The BBC has asked Iceland for comment but is yet to hear from the company.

Follow BBC West on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: bristol@bbc.co.uk
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  The dry and tranquil weather weve seen this week will persist into the weekend.

The warming trend will peak Friday and Saturday as the as southwest flow strengthens ahead of a couple of weak systems anticipated over the weekend. Temperatures are poised to stay 5-10 degrees above normal until Saturday, with the Wasatch Front experiencing mid to upper 40s, with St. George basking in the upper-50s.

The encroaching inversions and haze in the northern valleys are likely to persist through the weekend. Air quality will continue to be affected, with most valleys expected to hover in the moderate category.

Salt Lake County may be an exception, as the Utah Department of Environmental Quality predicts unhealthy for sensitive groups by Saturday. Theres a glimmer of hope for a slight improvement in air quality as a weak system traverses the state into the New Year.

The high-pressure ridge will shift east over the weekend, allowing limited moisture to return to southern Utah. However, the system moving into the Desert Southwest appears to be moisture-starved, and only a smattering of rain and snow showers are anticipated in southwest Utah late Saturday into Sunday.



As we step into the new year, another trough follows, ushering in a similar pattern across the state. The prevailing outlook suggests an uptick in cloud cover and a slight dip in temperatures through midweek. Despite the transition into the new year, our mountain areas are unlikely to receive much, if any, moisture on New Years Eve into New Years Day.

If were looking for bigger changes, there is reason to be cautiously optimistic in the 614-day window as we could enter a wetter and cooler pattern across the west. Just something to keep our eye on for now, but well be hoping we can see the winter switch get flipped on again! Stay tuned.

Until then, expect inversions and the accompanying haze to persist in northern regions, particularly in valleys. Keep yourself updated with our full 4Warn Weather forecast both on-air and online, we are Good4Utah!

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  The U.S. Marshals Service of the Southern District of Ohio is asking for help locating a Columbus man wanted in multiple jurisdictions.

Romeo Dorsey (US MARSHALS OFFICE)

Marshal Michael Black with the Southern District of Ohio tells NBC4 they are working to locate Romeo Dorsey. Dorsey is wanted in connection to a drug deal that led to an aggravated assault of a woman, according to Black.

Romeo is a violent criminal. He viciously stabbed a female several times causing major injuries to her, Black said.

Dorsey is wanted by the Columbus Division of Police in connection to the aggravated assault and by the Washington County Sheriffs Office for robbery.

Warrant Watch is a partnership between the U.S. Marshals Service and NBC4 bringing attention to the most dangerous and wanted criminals in our community.

This is someone that we need assistance with in finding so we can locate him, apprehend him, and bring him to justice, Black said.

Through Warrant Watch, several arrests have already been made in Central Ohio thanks to your tips. Black said tips have come in within 24 hours that helped locate and apprehend violent criminals in our neighborhoods. Black said a tip came in less than an hour after a Warrant Watch segment that helped the Marshal service make an arrest.

If you have any information on the whereabouts of Romeo Dorsey, you can submit a tip to the US Marshals here. Tips can remain anonymous.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
Photo: Marcus Ingram (Getty Images)

Coming up in the Black and largely Protestant City of Detroit, it felt like a revolutionary act to abandon the church and organized religion as I did as a teenager in the mid-1990s. But I had little recourse: As soon as I developed some adult-adjacent sense, I looked around and realized that the milk was sour throughout the institution. - Dustin J. Seibert Read More

Photo: People

A Black single dad is counting his blessings following an outpouring of love and support after his TikTok video went viral. Donald Wilson of Detroit became a single father to children Donald Jr., 5, Poetry, 4 and Honesty, 1 in August after their mother and his ex, Lakenya Wilbourn, died of a stroke. - Candace McDuffie Read More

Read more

Screenshot: Twitter

A Black mother called the police earlier this month for help after her ex-boyfriend was allegedly getting violent with her. However, when the police arrived to the scene, they shot her dead instead. Now the womans family wants answers from the Los Angeles Sheriffs Department. - Kalyn Womack Read More

Screenshot: Facebook

Just as much as the holidays can bring out the best in people, this time of year can also bring out intense, violent behavior. The latest case is that of two Florida brothers whose argument over gifts led to bullets flying and their own sister being killed. - Kalyn Womack Read More

Photo: Jim Spellman/WireImage (Getty Images)

Updated 12/28/2023 at 8:53 a.m. ET:



Although we are nearing the end of 2023, the list of Black celebs weve lost this year continues to grow. From talented athletes to beloved entertainers, here are the Black celebrities weve lost in 2023. - Noah A. McGee Read More

Screenshot: WREG Memphis

Civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump stood beside the family of Alegend Jones moments after they watched video footage leading up to the teens death. Jones was sent to the hospital and put on life support moments after an alleged altercation with staff at a group home. - Kalyn Womack Read More

Photo: Julien Hautcoeur (Shutterstock)

A Black Bronx man was arrested in the stabbing of two teenagers visiting the city for Christmas. Police say his charges were upgraded to a hate crime after he spat a series of remarks that suggested he had a thing against white folks. - Kalyn Womack Read More

More from The Root

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Click here to read the full article.
Palestinians inspect the damage following Israeli bombardment of a house in Rafah on the southern Gaza Strip on Friday. Israel on Friday was allowed to purchase $147 million in U.S. arms under an emergency provision. Photo by Ismael Mohamad/UPI

Dec. 30 (UPI) -- The Biden administration says it has allowed a $147 million emergency arms sale to Israel without congressional approval as Jerusalem ramps up its war efforts against Hamas in the southern Gaza Strip.

The White House sidestepped Congress on Friday and approved an emergency allocation of $147.5 million to send 155mm artillery shells and supporting equipment to Israel under the provisions of the Arms Export Control Act, the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced.

"The Secretary of State has determined and provided detailed justification to Congress that an emergency exists that requires the immediate sale to the government of Israel of the above defense articles and services in the national security interests of the United States," Defense Security Cooperation Agency officials said in a statement.

The move comes as the death toll in Israel's war against Hamas militants in Gaza rose past 21,600 on Saturday, according to Palestinian health officials.

Israel Defense Forces officials said the assault against Hamas is continuing with advances in and around the southern city of Khan Yunis. IDF officials said they raided a Hamas military headquarters base belonging to the terrorist group's military intelligence chief.

In addition to the Israeli arms sale, the United States also announced the release of a direct military aid payment to Ukraine, which received $250 million for arms and equipment as part of a previously approved military aid package.

"Our assistance has been critical to supporting our Ukrainian partners as they defend their country and their freedom against Russia's aggression," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement issued Wednesday.

The latest allotment includes air defense system munitions and components, ammunition for high-mobility artillery rocket systems, and anti-armor munitions. Ukraine also will get 155mm and 105mm artillery shells and more than 15 million rounds of small-arms ammunition.

Ukraine continues defending its nation against Russia, which launched an invasion nearly two years ago on Feb. 24, 2022.
Vladimir Putin is a wanted man by the West in theory - but has received red-carpet welcomes abroad, including meeting Kim Jong Un

The past 12 months have seen a number of setbacks for the US, Europe and other major democracies on the international politics stage. None has been disastrous, for now. But they point to a shifting balance of power away from the US-dominated, Western values that have held sway for years.

On many fronts, the wind is blowing in the wrong direction for Western interests. Here's why, and what benefits could still emerge from changes under way:

Ukraine

Despite some recent successes in the Black Sea, the war is not going well for Ukraine. That means, by extension, it is going badly for Nato and the EU, which have bankrolled Ukraine's war effort and its economy to the tune of tens of billions of dollars.

This time last year, hopes were high in Nato that, supplied with modern military equipment and intensive training in Western countries, Ukraine's army could press home the advantage it had gained that autumn and push the Russians out of much of the territory they had seized. That hasn't happened.

The problem has been one of timing. Nato countries took a long time making their mind up about whether they dared send modern Main Battle Tanks like Britain's Challenger 2 and Germany's Leopard 2 to Ukraine, in case it provoked President Vladimir Putin into some sort of rash retaliation.

In the end, the West delivered the tanks, President Putin did nothing. But by the time they were ready to be deployed on the battlefield in June, Russian commanders had looked at the map and rightly guessed where Ukraine's main effort was going to be.

Ukraine's counter-offensive has not gone as planned and it finds itself on the defensive on some parts of the front line

Ukraine, they figured, would want to advance south through Zaporizhzhia oblast towards the Sea of Azov, driving a wedge through Russian lines, splitting them in two and cutting off Crimea.

The Russian army may have performed abysmally in its attempts to seize Kyiv in 2022, but where it excels is in defence. All that time that Ukrainian brigades were getting trained up in Britain and elsewhere during the first half of 2023, and while the tanks were being shipped eastwards to the front, Russia was building the biggest, most extensive lines of defensive fortifications in modern history.

Anti-tank mines, anti-personnel mines, bunkers, trenches, tank traps, drones and artillery have all combined to thwart Ukraine's plans. Its much-vaunted counter-offensive has failed.

For Ukraine and the West, the metrics are nearly all going in the wrong direction. Ukraine is running critically short of ammunition and soldiers. Congress is holding up the White House's attempts to push through a $60bn military support package. Hungary is holding up the EU's 50bn aid package.

One or both may eventually get through, but that may be too late. Ukrainian forces are already having to switch to the defensive. Meanwhile, Moscow has put its economy on a war footing, devoting one-third of its national budget to defence while throwing thousands of men and thousands of artillery shells at Ukraine's front lines.

Obviously this situation is deeply disappointing for Ukraine, which had hoped by now to have turned the tide of war in its favour. But why does it matter to the West?

It matters because President Putin, who personally ordered this invasion nearly two years ago, needs only to hold on to the territory he has seized (roughly 18% of Ukraine) to proclaim a victory.

Nato has emptied its armouries and committed everything short of going to war in order to support its ally, Ukraine. All potentially ending in an embarrassing failure to reverse the Russian invasion. Meanwhile, the Baltic states - Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, all Nato members - are convinced that if Mr Putin can succeed in Ukraine, he will come for them within five years.

Vladimir Putin

The Russian president is a wanted man. In theory.

In March 2023, he was indicted by the International Criminal Court in The Hague, along with his Commissioner for Children's Rights, for war crimes committed against Ukrainian children.

The West hoped this would make him an international pariah and bottle him up in his own country, unable to travel for fear of arrest and deportation to The Hague. That hasn't happened.

Since that indictment, President Putin has been to Kyrgyzstan, China, the UAE and Saudi Arabia, getting a red-carpet welcome each time. He has also taken part virtually in the Brics summit in South Africa.

Round after round of EU sanctions were supposed to bring the Russian economy to its knees, forcing Mr Putin to reverse his invasion. Yet Russia has proved to be remarkably resilient to these sanctions, sourcing many products through other countries such as China and Kazakhstan. True, the West has largely weaned itself off Russian oil and gas, but Moscow has found other willing customers, albeit at a reduced price.

The fact is that while Mr Putin's invasion and brutal occupation of Ukraine is abhorrent to Western nations, it largely isn't to the rest of the world. Many nations see this as Europe's problem, with some putting the blame on Nato, saying it provoked Russia by expanding too far east. To the dismay of Ukrainians, these nations seem oblivious to the widescale torture and abuses committed by Russia's invading troops.

Gaza

The West, Arab ministers told me recently at a summit in Riyadh, has double standards. "Your governments are hypocrites," I was told. Why, they asked me, do you expect us to condemn Russia for killing civilians in Ukraine when you refuse a ceasefire in Gaza, where thousands of civilians are being killed?

Some 21,500 Palestinians and 1,200 Israelis have been killed in the conflict, officials in Israel and the Hamas-run Gaza Strip say

The Israel-Hamas war has clearly been catastrophic for all Gazans and for those Israelis affected by the murderous Hamas raid into southern Israel on 7 October. It has also been bad for the West.

It has diverted global attention away from Nato's ally, Ukraine, as it struggles to hold off Russian advances this winter. It has diverted US munitions away from Kyiv in favour of Israel.

But most of all, in the eyes of many Muslims and others around the world, it has made the US and UK appear complicit in the destruction of Gaza by protecting Israel at the UN. Russia, whose air force carpet-bombed the city of Aleppo in Syria, has seen its stock rise in the Middle East since 7 October.

The war has already spread to the southern Red Sea, where Iran-backed Houthis are launching explosive drones and missiles at ships, driving up commodity prices as the world's major shipping companies are forced to divert all the way round the southern tip of Africa.

Iran

Iran is under suspicion of secretly developing a nuclear weapon, which it denies. Yet despite Western efforts, it is far from isolated, having extended its military tentacles across Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen and Gaza through proxy militias that it funds, trains and arms.

This year, has seen it forge an ever-closer alliance with Moscow, which it provides with a seemingly inexhaustible supply of Shahed drones to launch at Ukraine's towns and cities.

Designated as a hostile threat by several Western nations, Iran has benefited from the Gaza war by positioning itself in the Middle East as a champion of the Palestinian cause.

Africa's Sahel

One by one, the countries of the Sahel region of West Africa have been succumbing to military coups that have seen the expulsion of European forces that were helping to combat a jihadist insurgency in the region.

The former French colonies of Mali, Burkina Faso and Central African Republic had already turned against the Europeans when in July, yet another coup saw the ousting of a pro-Western president in Niger. The last French troops have now left the country, although 600 US troops remain there in two bases.

Coup leaders in Niger shortly after they took power

Replacing the French and international forces are the Russian mercenaries of the Wagner group, which has managed to cling on to its lucrative business deals despite the mysterious death of its leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, in a plane crash in August.

Meanwhile, South Africa, once seen as a Western ally, has been holding joint naval exercises with Russian and Chinese warships.

North Korea

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea is supposed to be under strict international sanctions because of its banned nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programme.

Yet this year, it has forged close links with Russia, with its leader Kim Jong Un visiting a Russian spaceport, followed by North Korea sending a reported one million artillery shells to Russian forces fighting in Ukraine.

North Korea has test-fired several intercontinental ballistic missiles, which are now believed capable of reaching most parts of the continental US.

China

To some extent, 2023 has seen an easing of tension between Beijing and Washington, with a largely successful summit between Presidents Biden and Xi in San Francisco.

But China has shown no sign of backing down on its claims over most of the South China Sea, issuing a new "standard" map that extends its claims almost right up to the coastlines of several Asia-Pacific nations.

Nor has it given up its claims over Taiwan, which it has vowed to "take back", by force if necessary.

Reasons for optimism?

Against this gloomy backdrop for the West, it is perhaps hard to see glimmers of hope. But on the plus side for the West, the Nato alliance has clearly rediscovered its defensive purpose, galvanised by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Western unanimity shown so far has surprised many, although some cracks are now beginning to appear.

But it is in the Middle East where there is the greatest potential for improvement. That's partly because of the horrific scale of events which have unfolded on both sides of the Gaza-Israel border.

Before 7 October, the search for a solution to the question of a future Palestinian state had largely been abandoned. A certain complacency had crept into Israel's dealings with the Palestinians that this was a problem that could somehow be managed through security measures, without having to make any serious moves towards offering them a state of their own.

That formula has now been shown to be fatally flawed. One world leader after another has proclaimed that Israelis will not be able to live in the peace and security they deserve unless Palestinians can do the same.

Finding a just and durable solution to a problem that stretches back into history is going to be incredibly difficult and will ultimately involve painful compromises and sacrifices on both sides if it is to succeed. But now at last, it has the world's attention.
Twenty years ago, five universities in Japan were among the worlds top 100, according to an annual compilation by the ShanghaiRanking Consultancy. The University of Tokyo led the contingent in 19th place, with Kyoto University 30th.

But by this year, Tokyo had tumbled to 27th and Kyoto to 39th despite repeated efforts to keep the universities globally competitive. The other three schools dropped out of the top 100 entirely.

Now, Japans government has launched yet another effort to reverse the widely recognized decline. This month, lawmakers approved legislation that requires six top-ranked universities to establish new management policy councils designed to give outside experts a greater voice in decisions. The councils, which will include the university president and at least three members independent of the school, will weigh in on significant operational policies and oversee the execution of the presidents duties, the education ministrys higher education bureau said in a statement. And Masahito Moriyama, Japans education and science minister, has asserted that the measure will enhance education and research.

But critics fear the councils will only add to already cumbersome university bureaucracies and push academic scientists to emphasize applied research. And because Moriyamas ministry will vet council members, they worry the new law will erode university autonomy and open the door to political meddling. The councils will lead to increasingly complex and mysterious decision-making, predicted sociologist Ryosuke Nishida of the Tokyo Institute of Technology in a critique published by The Asahi Shimbun, a prominent Japanese news outlet.
Joe Sullivans first year as chief of the embattled Wichita Police Department saw an emphasis on hiring more officers  and firing some in discipline cases that had been unaddressed.

He lobbied the City Council to approve a $5,000 retention bonus in 2023 and a 13.27% pay increase for 2024. He says top pay is needed to put more officers on the streets with the intent of improving response times and reducing crime.

Retention is my first priority, he said, and behind that is recruiting new people for the department.

At the same time, he says, he is moving to address problems he saw after he started work late in 2022  and to make discipline more equitable in a department officers described as dysfunctional in an independent audit.

The number of disciplinary actions Ive taken since Ive arrived, I am safe to say, is probably unprecedented for quite some time. The department has been doing its job in terms of holding officers accountable, just doing it in a fair and consistent way. Ive had to fire more people than I would like to have to acknowledge. There was a lot of legacy discipline left behind for myself.

The hirings and firings are part of how Sullivan is addressing issues in a department that has faced numerous struggles and that has seen police response times more than double since 2010.

Sullivan, a former police leader in Philadelphia, took over the department during a tumultuous time: An audit in September 2022 showed major problems with evidence handling and storage. A text message scandal earlier in 2022 revealed lack of oversight and discipline from top brass.

A report from independent consultant Jensen Hughes after that found discord, a lack of direction, inconsistent discipline and a culture officers described as dysfunctional. And three now former deputy chiefs filed a $2.4 million federal lawsuit alleging corruption, retaliation and discrimination against them.

Its too early to know whether Sullivans actions and leadership will have a lasting impact on police performance and crime in Wichita. Or how much the department will embrace the changes recommended by Jensen Hughes.

But most of the people The Eagle spoke with  including Mayor Brandon Whipple, Sheriff Jeff Easter and other community leaders  say they have been pleased with his progress so far.

When I compare Sullivan over these last few years, he really struck me as someone who is just on the ball, said Whipple, noting hes had multiple chiefs and interim chiefs over his tenure. Hes someone who knows what hes doing.  I think he has really restored a lot of the processes and procedures that were so lost in the past.

As an example, Whipple said, there was a space where Christmas decorations were stored alongside evidence. Sullivan quickly fixed it and restricted access to the sensitive evidence.

Chiefs disciplinary actions

Sullivan would not give specifics about the disciplinary actions he has taken.

Eleven police employees have been fired since he took over, according to termination records provided by the city. Those 11 are part of 17 terminations since March 2022, when the city changed its records system. Two of the 11 were from investigations that started before Sullivan arrived.

In one instance, a male officer with the police academy staff had been harassing female recruits since before Sullivan arrived, sources said. The Eagle is not identifying sources to protect them from retaliation.

Sullivan fired that officer.

Sullivan said he has reviewed discipline of officers under former Police Chief Gordon Ramsay and didnt agree in some cases. He said he couldnt provide details.

I cannot reopen closed cases, he said.

To ensure equitable discipline in the future, Sullivan said he will oversee it in collaboration with the citys law department and human resources.

Officers understand that the discipline is necessary. They just want to know that it is going to be administered in a fair and equitable way, he said.

The Fraternal Order of Police, which represents police for pay and disciplinary issues, did not respond to a request to comment about Sullivans first year at the helm.

Joe Sullivan has completed his first year as chief of the Wichita Police Department.

Pushing for more pay

The pay increases  including an increase in overtime pay  make the department one of the highest paid in Kansas.

The boost in compensation came after the city reopened its current contract with the Fraternal Order of Police.

But the City Council tabled an initial proposal for $5,000 bonuses in November because it did not address any of the issues Jensen Hughes had identified in the FOP contract. Jensen Hughes did not identify pay as an issue.

After the councils decision to delay, Sullivan took to the WPDs Facebook page to express his disapproval.

This bonus, negotiated and agreed upon in good faith by the FOP, WPD leadership, and various stakeholders within city government, was intended as an unconditional token of appreciation for the tireless efforts of our officers who have been working short handed throughout this year, he said. It is disheartening when a well-deserved acknowledgment of hard work faces delays.

Chase Billingham, a sociology professor at Wichita State University, took to social media to call the public statement a remarkable repudiation of the mayor and City Council by the sitting chief of police  some might consider it a blatant act of insubordination.

When the proposal returned to the council in December, it included the 13.2% raise as well as the bonuses, and it addressed one of several changes that Jensen Hughes recommended involving the FOP.

Multiple sources said the FOP, early in the renegotiation process, was unwilling to budge on any of the accountability recommendations from Jensen Hughes  they were only concerned with pay.

FOP President Dave Inkelaar, a WPD sergeant, typically does not return calls from The Eagle and did not answer Eagle questions about this.

Before the council approved the near $10 million increases in pay and bonuses, Inkelaar told the council that addressing the remaining Jensen Hughes is very important to the FOP.

The change the FOP conceded to in December was to stop allowing officers under investigation to see all the evidence against them.

Jensen Hughes said that served no good investigatory purpose and could taint the testimony given by the employee during the administrative interview.

Other contract changes Jensen Hughes has recommended: Stop giving officers $2-an-hour conduct bonuses for not violating city policies; change policies that allow officers to trade vacation time and conduct pay to avoid suspensions; define misconduct that triggers removal from specialty teams; eliminate the statutes of limitations on filing low-level misconduct complaints; create and approve a code of conduct.

A new contract will be negotiated at the end of 2024.

Sullivan says addressing Jensen-Hughes recommendations is a priority for him.

Staffing, response times, crime stats

The police departments budget has increased $30 million since 2019 to over $120 million a year. The $10 million increase in pay and bonuses are in addition to that.

Sullivan said the department faces a major staffing challenge with over 100 positions open. He said the pay raises would increase morale, keep officers who thought about leaving or retiring in place, and attract new officers.

Although the department has been unable to fill all its vacant positions for years, it has more officers than in the past and fewer calls.

Still, police response times have more than doubled over 13 years  from an average of 10 minutes and 46 seconds in 2010 to 25 minutes and 13 seconds in 2022 for all calls, an Eagle analysis of response time data shows.

Its unclear if response times have improved since Sullivan arrived. Sedgwick County Emergency Communications keeps records on WPD calls but is unable to pull that data under a new record system that started in April.

Similarly, it would be hard to say any changes in crime this early on in Sullivans tenure are because of changes he made.

Comparing five years of crime data through November, most categories of violent and non-violent crime continue the downward trends of the last few years after spiking locally and nationwide during the pandemic in 2020.

But some of WPDs crime numbers have been questioned.

Wichita police started a new records system, NicheRMS365, in 2021 that caused issues with reporting crime and crash data. Even before that, police data didnt align with crime numbers that the KBI and FBI have for Wichita, though those numbers come from police.

After The Eagle reported on the numbers not aligning earlier this year, Sullivan had the KBI reopen its 2022 annual data submission to get accurate data in.

Sullivan said he has added steps to ensure the data is accurate going forward.

Putting more officers on the street

Sullivan said he has taken several other steps to put more officers on the street and free them up to respond to 911 calls:

Started a call center where officers on light duty take phone reports on 911 calls that dont need a police response. A dispatcher or officer on patrol can refer calls to the center. Since it is run by commissioned officers, and not civilians, they can take more serious cases, such as domestic violence calls and assaults. A designated unit can then follow up and gather evidence if needed. Police said in a September post on Facebook that 73 percent of citizens who experienced this service  stated that they would recommend this method to others. The call center had made 1,488 reports as of Dec. 8, police said.

Expanded a unit that does reports on car crashes and gathers video evidence by 10 officers, up to a total of 22. The idea is that this frees up other officers to respond to emergencies.

Police chief Joseph Sullivan, left, talks with other members of the department at the scene where a suspect crashed into another motorist at 15th and Meridian while fleeing police.

Moved 14 community policing officers back to patrol. Each bureau  north, south, east, west  still has five community policing officers, Sullivan said. Those officers work with community groups, keeping them aware of crime trends and improving the relationship between them and the department.

Started requiring detectives to work nights. Before, officers would do much of the legwork, including gathering evidence. This change frees up officers for 911 calls and keeps them from doing work that detectives are more qualified to do. Additionally, a lieutenant is now on duty each night.

Started a recruiting team that launched different initiatives, including shortening the hiring process time. In the past, potential officers have taken other jobs while waiting for a police academy to start. WPD has academies twice a year. Now, an officer can be hired right away and be plugged into an area of the department until the academy starts.

Started offering transfers from other cities higher pay based on their experience and a shortened police academy. They have had applicants but no hires yet.

A lot of great strides

WPDs new record system has also had a problem connecting with the sheriffs offices new system. Its caused longer delays for Wichita officers taking someone to the Sedgwick County Jail.

Since he came here it has been a much more collaborative effort on how to make our Niche and Tyler (Technologies) system connected, Easter said. This is very important. We have to get this done.

Easter mentioned other ways Sullivan has helped improve the relationship between the departments: They have agreed to investigate each others officer-involved shootings and in-custody deaths. They recently got a couple of DEA agents embedded in their shared drug unit.

There are things that go on in Wichita that we (used to) have no clue about, Easter said. The chief has made it very clear to his staff that we need to know what is going on.

Easter spent more than 20 years with the police department. He rose from a patrol officer to a captain at WPD and still has many friends in the department.

I know myself that there is some leeriness still (with some officers), he said. Yeah, he has been here a year but its still pretty new, but what I am hearing is that they are starting to move in a positive direction.

Easter added: I think he has made a lot of great strides for the police department.

The Rev. C. Richard Kirkendoll is president of the Greater Wichita Ministerial League and was part of the chief selection committee.

He is very transparent. Hes very open, he said. If you asked to talk to him, well you better have a few minutes  I just think he is a good chief. I think we made a wise decision.

A lot of transparency issues

Faith Martin, who was on the selection committee composed of community members who interviewed Sullivan, offered a different view. She is a member of the Racial Profiling Advisory Board. She also sits on Eastridge Neighborhood Association and the District 2 Advisory Board.

Martin said shes had a hard time getting in touch with Sullivan and getting crime data since he took over.

Theres just been a lot of transparency issues, she said, adding the advisory board and the Citizens Review Board havent had an adversarial relationship (with police) in the past, but it feels that way now.

Martin, who frequently attends the CRB meetings as a representative of the advisory board, pointed to information the CRB has been asking for and not getting. She said they have asked Sullivan to come to multiple meetings and he hasnt.

The CRB, which can review police disciplinary cases, has been getting less information than it has in the past, though the Jensen Hughes study recommended that it get more information or a copy of the complaint.

They have asked for additional information and (Capt. Travis Easter) talked to me about this before and he is reviewing this request, but we have to make sure we are not doing anything that is in violation of the contract (with the union). We have to make sure that we dont do anything that is in violation of labor law in Kansas, Sullivan said.

Sullivan said the department is more transparent, pointing to the recent announcement that the Sedgwick County Sheriffs Office will investigate Wichitas officer-involved shootings. Sullivan also said hes aware that the CRB has wanted him to come to meetings, but the board chair hadnt made an official request.

The department has been releasing less information to the media on cases since Sullivan took over. Under newly hired senior public information officer Andrew Ford, the department requires open records requests for basic details on cases. Those details had always been available in the past. The department now typically takes days to answer a request and has been rejecting requests for additional details, citing ongoing open investigations.

Ford says this way allows the department to track requests and ensure that they arent jeopardizing an investigation.

Other accomplishments

Sullivan highlighted other accomplishments for his first year:

A department-wide training on de-escalation. Sullivan said the evidence-based Integrating Communications, Assessment and Tactics training has been proven to lead to fewer use-of-force incidents and fewer citizens and officers being injured.

Shortening the turnaround time of cases where an officer is investigated. He said the process is still as rigorous, but getting those investigations done more quickly frees officers from the worry of those cases hanging over their heads. Cases in the past have dragged on for well over a year. He also put a captain over the professional standards bureau; before the highest person was a lieutenant.

Started the process of getting the department accreditation through the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center. Sullivan said this will ensure the department is doing best practices in all areas.

This dovetails perfectly into Jensen Hughes in that many of the things that accreditation requires are things that have been recommended in Jensen Hughes, he said.

Things to come

Besides adding more officers to patrol, Sullivan expects the following in 2024:

Training a group of patrol officers to be sexual assault specialists

Rolling out a new vehicle pursuit policy. Its more restrictive than the current one but will still enable officers to do what they need to maintain public safety, Sullivan said.

Getting a grant for an analyst whose sole job will be to gather evidence in overdose cases.

Many people have been impressed with the way Sullivan has handled his first year after taking over the department, including Kansas Senator Oletha Faust-Goudeau.

The Wichita Democrat and member of the Racial Profiling Advisory Board said shes been happy with what shes seen and her interactions so far.

Hes got a big challenge ahead of him, she said. Im still observing and definitely we have to continue to hold everyone accountable  Im still grading like we all should do.
Wolves are a growing species in Switzerland and across Europe

Switzerland's mountain farmers are disappointed and angry, because a cull of the country's wolves has been put on hold by the courts.

The farmers say the proposed cull was vital to protect livestock and, ultimately, the future of Alpine communities.

Environmental groups argued it went far further than the law allows and could decimate the wolf population.

The case is being watched closely by other European countries. Most, like Switzerland, class the wolf as a protected species, but many are also seeing wolf numbers rising, and concerns from farmers along with them.

How many wolves are too many?

For much of the 20th Century, Europe was virtually wolf-free. The animal, which featured so often in frightening medieval fairy tales, had been hunted almost to extinction.

The wolf's return to Switzerland in the 1990s, crossing the Alps from Italy, was at first celebrated as a sign that nature was rebalancing itself, after centuries of predation by humans.

But wolves need to eat, and Switzerland's high mountain farmers soon began to notice their sheep were going missing.

Farmers are trying to find ways to protect their flocks - but wolf numbers are growing

Under pressure from farmers, the laws around protection were tweaked slightly to allow the killing of "problem" wolves - those known to have attacked livestock.

But in a 2020 referendum, voters reaffirmed the wolf's protected status, rejecting proposals to relax the hunting regulations even further.

Since then, Switzerland's wolf population has tripled to at least 300, with an estimated 32 packs across the country.

This year, the government approved new measures, allowing cantons to eradicate not just problem wolves but entire packs. It also suggested that a far smaller quota of wolf packs would be suitable for Switzerland - 12 rather than 32.

Mountain communities reacted with relief. Sandro Michael of the farmers' association in the eastern canton of Grisons says the growing wolf population is putting farmers under enormous pressure.

"We've got 14 wolf packs in the canton now," he said. "We've tried with fences, sheepdogs, shepherds, and livestock are still getting attacked."

Farmers were waking up every morning to find dead animals, he told the BBC, and night cameras had revealed wolves jumping back and forth over protective fences "minute by minute".

Legal battle

But the sweeping cull was greeted with horror by wildlife groups and challenged by Switzerland's oldest environmental organisation, Pro Natura, which complained it went far beyond what was permitted under Swiss law.

"There was never any talk of a quota," said Nathalie Rutz of Pro Natura. "It's a very unscientific and politically motivated threshold, science is united on this. It doesn't take into account the important role the wolf plays."

Swiss environmental groups argue that measures to protect livestock are effective

That role was explained by Lucie Wutrich, an environmental campaigner who gathered the support of 200 wildlife groups and specialists in an open letter of protest to the Swiss government.

Wolves, she argued, were "good for Europe. Europe needs predators".

Ms Wutrich, who is a specialist in forest diversity, believes the Swiss cull is "unprecedented in Europe".

She says wolves are integral to maintaining biodiversity, especially by preying on deer which damage forests by destroying young trees: "In certain areas the deer are actually responsible for changing the species composition of the forests."

Beyond Switzerland's borders, the EU has begun to re-evaluate the wolf's protection.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, whose pony was killed by a wolf in Germany in 2022, invited member states this year to take another look at wolves, suggesting "the concentration of wolf packs in some European regions has become a real danger for livestock and potentially also for humans".

Big threat to livestock?

Swiss environmental groups say the attacks on livestock have not risen as fast as the wolf population. Proof, they claim, that the fences, sheepdogs, and shepherds are beginning to work. They urge the farmers to stick with it.

So far, Swiss courts have agreed with the environmentalists, and have ordered at least some of the packs, which have endearing Swiss names like Jatzhorn, Stagias, Hauts-Forts or Iserables-Fou, to be spared.

Sandro Michael of the farmers' association pointed out that the cull in canton Grisons was not even going as far as the new proposals allowed. Now, he said, farmers were living with uncertainty: "They have no really good way to protect their flocks."

Farmers did not want to eradicate wolves, he explained, but there had to be a compromise from both sides.

He warned the court's decision only added to pressure on Alpine communities whose livelihoods had been challenged for years by cuts to farming subsidies.

Despite her obvious affection for wolves, Lucie Wutrich does not believe every wolf should automatically be protected.

Environmentalists say wolves play an important role in Switzerland's biosphere

Pointing to a wolf pack in Italy which has begun "going into a village and taking dogs", she accepts that just might be a reason for "elimination".

Peaceful co-existence between humans and animals is at the heart of the Swiss debate, and while everyone seems to want it, no one really agrees on how.

Lucie Wutrich argues that with the world facing a "bio-diversity and climate change crisis, we can't afford to just exterminate things we don't like".

"The wolf has a positive role to play in Switzerland, if we let it," adds Nathalie Rutz from Pro Natura.

But Sandro Michael asks whether the Swiss are prepared to lose their tradition of high-Alpine farming. Their country is already densely populated with humans, he suggests, and now has a wolf density five times greater than Canada or Russia.

For now, the legal battle is working its way to an appeal court and the cull remains partially suspended. For the moment at least, the happiest hunting grounds in Switzerland are for the lawyers.
India celebrated the moment Chandrayaan-3 achieved a soft landing on the south pole of the moon

From jubilation at India's global successes to confusion and amusement at social trends, these are the moments that united Indians - in celebration and indignation - this year.

Viral moment of the year

Jasmeen Kaur's "Just looking like a wow!" was the phrase that won the year.

Kaur, who's been running a clothes shop in Delhi for nearly 20 years, went viral in October for her elaborate descriptions and effusive praise for the designs available at her store.

She has been using Instagram videos to promote the latest designs at her shop, often modelling them to attract prospective customers.

Her expression - "so beautiful, so elegant, just looking like a wow!" - to describe one outfit was so popular, it soon became a catchphrase.

Bollywood actors like Deepika Padukone, musicians and even politicians were among those featuring in nearly two million Instagram Reels made while lip-syncing to Kaur's voice.

Stunned by the viral success, Kaur said it was hard to describe how happy she was.

"I have been doing Insta lives for three years now and suddenly I went viral. And now even Priyanka Chopra's husband [Nick Jonas] has said it," she told the Hindustan Times in an interview. "I am feeling wow. My life has changed."

Who is Orry?

Kaur's viral success was closely followed by mystery man Orry. Who is he? This was the question everyone wanted an answer to in November after photos of the young man posing with India's biggest celebrities began to go viral online.

Orhan Awatramani, better known as Orry, was seen with Bollywood's biggest stars like Deepika Padukone and Kareena Kapoor to Nita Ambani, wife of Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani. He was spotted at events like the opening of The Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre and seen partying at superstar Shah Rukh Khan's house.

But why was he so popular and what did he do? Multiple news articles attempted to find the answers.

Orry is frequently spotted at red carpet events and Bollywood parties

In an interview with Cosmopolitan India that went viral, Orry attempted to explain what he does: "I am working... But I am working on myself."

In another interview, he said: "I am living, I'm a liver."

As his answers continued to confuse and amuse people, Orry finally said he never wanted to be asked what he did for a living again.

Furore over a spoon

Popular author and philanthropist Sudha Murty sparked controversy after she said she carried her own food and spoon while travelling abroad to avoid any accidental interaction with non-vegetarian food.

Describing herself as "a pure vegetarian" who doesn't even eat eggs, Ms Murty said "one of my biggest fears is that the same spoon may have been used for both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes".

Sudha Murty describes herself as "a pure vegetarian"

Social media was evenly divided between those criticising and defending her. Those supporting her said it was a matter of personal choice, while critics said her comments were rooted in the notions of purity dictated by India's rigid caste system and her upper-caste Brahmanical sensibilities.

Some also shared photos of her alongside those of her son-in-law, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, carrying plates of cooked meat.

How much work is too much?

Months later, Ms Murty's husband, Indian software billionaire NR Narayana Murthy, also found himself at the centre of a furious debate over his comments on the country's work culture.

The businessman had, on a podcast, called on young Indians to work 70 hours a week. "Unless we improve our work productivity... we will not be able to compete with those countries that have made tremendous progress," he said.

Mr Murthy received support from other business leaders who said it was what a growing economy like India needed.

Narayana Murthy's comments had Indians debating the country's work culture

But many on social media criticised him for seemingly disregarding the mental and physical health of employees and promoting "toxic" work culture. Many pointed to studies that showed Indians already worked very long hours for lesser compensation than in developed countries.

The debate also came at a time when developed countries are experimenting with shorter work weeks.

The "70 hours" comment has since been used by social media users as a joke whenever there's a dip in the share price of Infosys, the company founded by Mr Murthy, or the tech giant loses a contract.

Adorable grandparents

Retnamma and Thulasidharan from Kerala went instantly viral for recreating a scene from the 2016 animated Disney film Zootopia.

The video, which shows the elderly couple imitating selfie poses of the two lead characters in the film, had 10m views on Instagram within a week.

The couple - who run a popular Instagram account, called Achamass, with help from their grandsons - had shot the video months ago but posted it in November when recreating the selfie scene from the film became a popular trend on Instagram Reels.

"This was the first time we are hitting over a million as a couple," Retnamma told Malayala Manorama.

Their popularity shows no signs of dimming and the video now has over 141m views - wow!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CzLnSnryadw/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Congratulations... and celebrations

There were two happy moments that united the whole country and also won over social media in 2023.

The year began with director Kartiki Gonsalves and producer Guneet Monga winning an Oscar for The Elephant Whisperers - the first Indian documentary to win the Academy Award.

The documentary tells the story of an indigenous couple named Bomman and Bellie and their bond with an orphaned baby elephant they take care of.

Naatu Naatu won best original song at the Oscars

Riding high on its global popularity since its release in 2022, the song Naatu Naatu from the hit Telugu-language film RRR also made history, becoming the first Indian film song to win an Oscar.

The blockbuster track beat heavyweights like Lady Gaga and Rihanna in its category.

A rousing, choreographed dance performance of the song received a standing ovation at the show.

Then, in August, billions watched as Chandrayaan-3, India's mission to the Moon, became the first to land near the lunar south pole.

The successful landing also made India only the fourth country to achieve a soft landing on the Moon, after the US, the former Soviet Union and China.

Scenes of people celebrating the moment - at the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) and across the country - splashed across social media and TV screens.

Isro's livestream of the landing had over eight million concurrent viewers on YouTube, setting a new record on the video platform.

BBC News India is now on YouTube. Click here to subscribe and watch our documentaries, explainers and features.

Read more India stories from the BBC:
As presidential hopefuls declare their candidacies for the upcoming U.S. presidential primary season, it's intriguing to learn that Gov. Ron DeSantis was the first to file for the U.S. Virgin Island Republican Caucus, coming up on February 8th. The Caucus will use ranked-choice voting, a system the governor banned in Florida with his signature in April 2022.

As Gov. DeSantis is likely aware, with RCV multiple candidates can run without being spoilers, who split votes away from similar candidates, causing both to lose. Winning candidates therefore need to win the broad support of a majority of voters.

Meanwhile in Central Florida on November 7th, Democrats and Republicans continue to have primary elections where no candidate wins the majority of the votes among three candidates. Consider the State House District 35 primary race. The winner in the Democratic contest won by 36% to 33% to 31%, while the Republican winner, who just missed a majority, won by 49% to 34% to 17%.

In the last few years, RCV has been adopted for elections in red states like Utah and Florida, and in blue states like New York and California. In these states, voters get more choices and politicians get more healthy competition. Florida should reverse course and endorse ranked choice voting for local, regional and statewide office. Please support Rank My Vote Florida in its efforts to advance common-sensevoting reform. To learn more go to rankmyvoteflorida.org.

Jason Aufdenberg

Daytona Beach

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Ranked choice voting, a better way to run elections?
Russia will be held responsible for every strike on Ukraine's cities, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his evening video address on Dec. 30.

"For every Shahed drone, for every Russian missile, there will be a fair responsibility of the terrorist state, both political and very practical," he said.

According to Zelensky, Ukraine is preparing to produce more weapons in 2024.

Russian forces attacked downtown Kharkiv on Dec. 30, injuring 20 people, Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported.

The city was reportedly attacked with at least six missiles, one of which struck a residential building, causing a fire.

The attack comes a day after Russia unleashed the largest air attack on Ukraine.

Russia unleashed its largest attack on Ukraine on Dec. 29, targeting multiple Ukrainian regions, including Odesa, with 158 missiles and drones.

The latest report pushes the total death toll of the Dec. 29 attack to 41 people: 17 in Kyiv, nine in Zaporizhzhia, six in Dnipro, five in Odesa, three in Kharkiv, and one in Lviv. The air attack injured over 160 people.

Casualties were previously reported in Kyiv, Odesa, Dnipro, Lviv, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia.

Zelensky said it was "the most massive attack," while the Air Force called it "the largest air attack."

Read also: Hit the Kremlin: Kyivans dont hold back after Russias mass attack kills 9, wounds 30 in the capital

Ukraine downed 114 of 158 Russian missiles and drones, according to the Air Force. Among the downed targets were 27 Russian Shahed attack drones and 87 cruise missiles.

In total, Russia launched 36 drones, at least 90 Kh-101/Kh-555/Kh-55 cruise missiles, eight Kh-22/Kh-32 cruise missiles, 14 S-300/S-400/Iskander ballistic missiles, as well as five Kinzhal ballistic missiles, four anti-radar missiles, and one Kh-59 cruise missile.

"Russia was fighting with almost everything it has in its arsenal," Zelensky wrote on Telegram in the morning following the attack.

Air Force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat said on air that an attack of this scale "has not been seen for a long time."

Zelensky said the attack destroyed or damaged over 100 private houses, along with 45 multi-story buildings, schools, two churches, hospitals, maternity wards, and numerous commercial and warehouse premises across Ukraine.

"Targets are already familiar for Russia," he said.

Read also: Western leaders condemn Russias mass attack on Ukraine, Zelensky urges world to respond

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has held a meeting of the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief regarding the military results of 2023 and defining the strategy for 2024.

Source: Zelenskyy on Telegram

Quote: "Final meeting of the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief this year. We summed up the military outcomes of the year. We analysed the results of hostilities and our decisions. What we did right, and what we could have done better.

We determined the strategy for the use of the Defence Forces for the coming year taking into account these conclusions, forecasts and our capabilities.

Ukraine did not retreat on any front on land this year, it reclaimed the sea and made the sky safer. We continue to work as one team. I thank everyone who puts in their utmost effort for Ukraines victory."

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Lynchburg Police have made an arrest after a stabbing Thursday night on Hollins Street.

At 10:51 p.m. Thursday, LPD officers responded to the 700 block of Hollins Street for a report of a stabbing, the department said in a release. When officers arrived, they located an adult male with a non-life-threatening stab wound, LPD said. He was transported to Lynchburg General Hospital for treatment.

Officers found that a physical altercation had taken place between the offender and the victim, both known to each other, that led to the stabbing, police said.

Officers arrested Richard Valentine, 41, of Seattle, Washington, at the scene and charged him with malicious wounding, according to LPD. Valentine is being held without bond at the Blue Ridge Regional Jail.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact LPD at (434) 455-6050 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 798-5900. An anonymous tip can be entered online at http://p3tips.com or with the P3 app on a mobile device.
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New Delhi: In a bone-chilling incident reported from Brazils Atibaia, a woman cut off the private part of her husband after learning that he got intimate with his own niece.

After committing the horrific act, the 34-year-old lady clicked several pictures of the chopped-off penis and then flushed the decapitated organ into the toilet. Following that, she made another shocking decision and walked into a local police station accompanied by her brother where she surrendered to the officials after confessing the crime.

Admitting her crime, the accused entered the police station and said, Good evening police officer, I am here to introduce myself as I have just cut off my husbands penis. The womans statement left the officials in disbelief who then arrested her after booking her for an attempt to murder under several sections of the local law.

Notably, while surrendering to the police, the lady refrained from telling the reason behind her brutal act and didnt even say a word about her husbands illicit intimacy with his niece.

Woman tells why she flushed the penis

Several reports claim that the accused woman made up her mind to cut off her husbands penis as soon as she got to know that he has been having s*x with his niece. She then took her husband to bed, seduced him, and then decapitated his private part using a sharp-edged razor while holding him back at the same time.

On being asked the rationale behind her decision to flush her husbands penis in the toilet, the accused told the officials that she did so as she knew that it was possible to reattach a chopped-off penis with the help of surgery.

As per Brazils local media, a chill went down the spine of the womans neighbors after gruesome details of the incident were revealed to them. Considering the age of consent in Brazil is just 14 years, It will be now a thing to see if the victims sexual relations with his niece come out as legit or illegal.

Victim Husband forgives his wife

Meanwhile, the accuseds 39-year-old husband, who is currently undergoing treatment & recovering from the life-threatening assault, has forgiven his wife for her heinous act. He remarked that although only god can forgive people for their sins, he has pardoned his wife on his part.
DES MOINES  Calling it incredibly broad and wildly overbroad, a federal judge Friday temporarily halted the implementation of most of a new Iowa state law that bans school books and curriculum with depictions of sex acts and prohibits the teaching of gender identity and sexual orientation through sixth grade.

The ruling means most of the new law cannot be enforced while the federal courts continue to hear legal challenges to its constitutionality.

Judge Stephen H. Locher, of the U.S. District Court in Iowas Southern District, in a ruling Friday halted parts of the law that prohibit books and curriculum with depictions of sex acts, as well as the prohibition on teaching gender identity or sexual orientation through sixth grade.

The sweeping restrictions in Senate File 496 are unlikely to satisfy the First Amendment under any standard of scrutiny and thus may not be enforced while the case is pending, Locher wrote.

Locher left in place the portion of the law that requires educators to notify parents when a student asks to be called by different pronouns. Locher said the plaintiffs in the case lacked legal standing: Because the plaintiffs involved are already publicly LGBTQ, that portion of the law does not apply to them, Locher ruled.

The new law was approved by only Republican state lawmakers and was signed into law by Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds. It went into effect July 1. Hundreds of books have been removed from Iowa schools as districts moved to comply with the new law.

The laws enforcement measures, including possible disciplinary action for educators, were set to go into effect Monday.

On the grounds that it violates their First Amendment rights to free speech, the new state law was challenged by the ACLU of Iowa, the publishing company Penguin Random House Publishing, 16 LGBTQ students in Iowa, the LGBTQ advocacy organization Iowa Safe Schools and the Iowa State Education Association teachers union.

The arguments

Locher heard from attorneys representing the plaintiffs and the state during a three-hour hearing Dec. 22.

During that hearing, an attorney for the ACLU of Iowa argued the state law represents the state exercising control over matters of opinion and thought, and said LGBTQ students are self-silencing for fear of their teachers and other educators being punished under the new law. And an attorney for Penguin Random House called the law an unprecedented assault on school libraries.

'Incredibly broad'

In its defense, the state suggested that some schools may be applying the law too broadly and argued that the law simply keeps graphic depictions out of schools.

In his ruling issued Friday, Locher said the portion of the law that bans books and curriculum with depictions of sex acts is is incredibly broad and has resulted in the removal of hundreds of books from school libraries, including, among others, nonfiction history books, classic works of fiction, Pulitzer Prize winning contemporary novels, books that regularly appear on Advanced Placement exams and even books designed to help students avoid being victimized by sexual assault.

On the portion of the law that prohibits the teaching of gender identity and sexual orientation through sixth grade, Locher notes the law defines those terms in generic terms, meaning the law would apply to the teaching of all gender identity and sexual orientation, not just when it pertains to LGBTQ individuals.

The law forbids programs, promotion, and instruction to students in those grades relating to gender identity and sexual orientation, but those terms are defined a neutral way that makes no distinction between cisgender or transgender identity or gay or straight relationships. Meaning: on its face, the law forbids any programs, promotion, or instruction recognizing that anyone is male or female or in a relationship of any sort (gay or straight), Locher wrote.

The statute is therefore content-neutral but so wildly overbroad that every school district and elementary school teacher in the State has likely been violating it since the day the school year started.

Conversely, Locher also wrote that the law is being misunderstood at grades seventh and above. Locher noted because the law does not prohibit the teaching of gender identity or sexual orientation at those grades, there is no prohibition on the existence of gay-straight alliances in schools or on educators assisting those groups.

Teachers and other licensed professionals are not restricted in any way from serving as advisers for such (gay-straight alliances), displaying rainbow flags, providing instruction on gay and transgender rights, and otherwise performing their responsibilities in a manner that emphasizes inclusiveness and respect for LGBTQ+ students in grades seven and above.

Likewise, students in grade seven and above are free to engage in whatever forms of expression they wish, subject only to generally applicable restrictions that apply equally to all students, Locher wrote. To the extent school districts, teachers, or students have been interpreting the law otherwise, they are simply wrong.

Reynolds: 'Disappointed'

Reynolds, in a statement, said she was extremely disappointed by the judges ruling.

Instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation has no place in kindergarten through sixth grade classrooms, she said. And there should be no question that books containing sexually explicit content  as clearly defined in Iowa law  do not belong in a school library for children.

The fact that were even arguing these issues is ridiculous. The real debate should be about why society is so intent on over-sexualizing our young children. Its wrong, and I will continue to do my part to protect their innocence.

Iowa State Education Association: 'A big win'

Iowa State Education Association President Mike Beranek called the temporary implementation of the new law a big win for education professionals, students, and parents.

When education professionals return to work next week, they can do what they do best: take great care of all their students without fear of reprisal, Beranek said in a statement.

We are incredibly proud of the thousands of education professionals and employees in Iowas public schools. This ruling means they can continue successfully guiding all students without fear of punishment or losing their jobs.

The ACLU of Iowa also applauded the ruling in its statement, issued with its legal partner in the case, Lambda Legal.

We are glad our clients, Iowa families and students, will be able to continue the school year free from the harms caused by these parts of this unconstitutional law, Nathan Maxwell, senior attorney for Lambda Legal, said in the statement.

This decision sends a strong message to the state that efforts to ban books based on LGBTQ+ content, or target speech that sends a message of inclusion to Iowa LGBTQ+ students, cannot stand.
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. &&
The U.S. State Department recently reiterated that the United States stance on the issue of the Moroccan Sahara remains clear and consistent. This confirmation follows former President Donald Trumps declaration in December 2020, recognizing Moroccos sovereignty over Western Sahara.

The United States reaffirms unwavering support for the position on the Moroccan Sahara and warns against Iranian influence. In a statement preceding the visit to Morocco by the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for North Africa, Joshua Harris, the State Department emphasized that during discussions in Rabat, the U.S. official will reiterate that there is no change in the United States position. This reiteration aims to counter allegations from certain Algerian media suggesting a supposed shift in the U.S. stance on the Sahara following the recent visit of the U.S. diplomat to Algiers.

The statement also indicates that the United States fully supports the UN Personal Envoy, de Mistura, in facilitating the negotiation process to achieve a just, sustainable, and mutually acceptable solution to the regional dispute over the Moroccan Sahara.

The visit of the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary to Rabat will also focus on strengthening the partnership between the United States and Morocco, along with regional security priorities, according to the statement.

Regarding the Western Sahara within Morocco, U.S. support extends to Arab, African, Asian, and European countries. The Polisario, considered a terrorist entity by several countries and NGOs, faces a deadlock between independence and autonomy for Sahrawis confined in the Tindouf camps.

Currently, the Polisario is militarily funded by Iran, seeking to enhance its influence in various regions, thereby challenging the interests of the United States and other Western countries. Military sources indicate that shipments containing missiles, drones, and ammunition have been sent to two Algerian military bases in the south and west of Algeria.

Irans initiative aims to expand its capacity to challenge the interests of the United States and other Western countries by reinforcing its financial, logistical, and military support for the Polisario while solidifying its alliance with the Lebanese Hezbollah and Hamas.

The alliance among Iran, the Polisario, Hamas, and the Lebanese Hezbollah militias raises dangerous regional and geopolitical implications, particularly in the context of anti-Israel sentiment in the Middle East and Israels rapprochement with several Arab and African countries.
Russia has re-opened its Embassy in Burkina Fasos capital Ouagadougou, nearly 32 years after shutting down the mission. This comes amid growing ties between the two countries.

Russias Ambassador to Cote dIvoire and Burkina Faso, Alexei Saltykov witnessed the ceremony alongside his host, Burkina Fasos top diplomat, Karamoko Jean Marie Traore.

The Russian diplomat underscored the importance of further strengthening bilateral relations and stressed the need for continued efforts to strengthen ties between the two nations.

The future ambassador accredited to Burkina Faso must work to make [bilateral relations] even better, Saltykov said.

Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1967, but Russia closed its embassy in 1992, and Burkina Faso followed suit in 1996 by closing its mission in Moscow. The re-opening of the mission comes few weeks after the Russian Foreign ministry indicated that Moscow will open an embassy in Burkina Faso before years end and in Equatorial Guinea next year.

Ties between Russia and Burkina Faso have quickly skyrocketed under Captain Ibrahim Traore, the transitional leader of the African country, who came to power in a military coup in September 2022.

Traore tilted towards Russia at the expense of historical partner and former colonial power France.

Both Russia and Burkina Faso have inked various agreements including an agreement for the construction of a nuclear power plant to boost the countrys energy capacity.
The Senegalese navy has thwarted a drug trafficking attempt of 690 kg of cocaine. The substance, bound for Europe, was seized onboard a speeding boat.

The communication department of the Senegalese army indicated that the operation took place on Dec. 22, 220 km off the coasts.

The crew onboard the boat, five Spanish men, threw the shipment of cocaine over board as the navy patrol unit was nearing the boat, the department indicated.

The men were handed over to authorities for investigation.

The operation is the second in less than one month. The navy seized nearly 3 tons of pure cocaine on a cargo intercepted by a patrol vessel during the night of November 26-27.

The seizure is the largest ever made by the navy. It however rekindles concerns about drug trafficking in West Africa and its impact on a region grappling with significant political, socio-economic, and especially security challenges in its Sahelian part.

Experts from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) argue that drug trafficking in Africa is a true vicious circle, fueling organized crime and tensions among armed groups while financing them, Ecofin agency reports. June data from the UN agency note that 30 to 40 tons of cocaine and heroin transit annually through West Africa to Europe, with a value estimated at $1.25 billion.

According to the UN agency, 80 tons of cocaine were seized in West Africa, mainly in seven countries, including Cape Verde, Senegal, and Guinea between 2019 and 2023.
MAUNA KEA, Hawaii  Shane Palacat-Nelsens voice drops to a reverent tone as he tells the story of the snow goddess Poliahu who Native Hawaiians believe inhabits the summit of Mauna Kea, the highest point in Hawaii.

The tale speaks of a chief who yearned to court Poliahu but was stopped by her attendants guarding the sacred mountain top  the abode of the gods and cradle of creation.

Today, this sublime summit on Hawaiis Big Island is also treasured by astronomers as a portal to finding answers to the universes many mysteries, creating varied  and sometimes incompatible  views on whats best for Mauna Keas future.

The chief was eventually granted access on the condition that he stepped only on the same set of footprints left by the attendant escorting him up and down, said Palacat-Nelsen. He says its a metaphor for why Mauna Kea must be protected from further human intrusion, pollution and erosion.

You do not go up the sacred mountain unless you are called. You do not go up without a purpose.

Mauna Kea is a dormant 14,000-foot shield volcano. In Native Hawaiian lore, it is the first-born son of the sky father and earth mother. The mountains dry atmosphere and limited light pollution make for a perfect location to study the skies  one of just a handful on the planet.

Over the past 50 years, astronomers have mounted a dozen giant telescopes on the summit, with several yielding exalted discoveries, like proving the Milky Way has a supermassive black hole at its center. That research led to a Nobel Prize in Physics in 2020.

The proliferation of observatories has troubled many Native Hawaiians, who have pushed back. In their view, such construction is polluting the sacred mountain top and eroding the environment. In 2019, thousands protested a proposed $2.65 billion Thirty Meter Telescope project near the summit. This protest catalyzed the passage of a new state law transferring jurisdiction of the mountain to a new stewardship authority comprising scientists and Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners.

Neither side wants to reduce this debate to a culture-versus-science conflict because Hawaiian spirituality embraces science, and many astronomers respect Hawaiian culture. Some observatory staff and cultural practitioners are taking small, tentative steps toward new dialogue, but overcoming the divide will involve difficult conversations and understanding different perspectives.

Mauna Kea's summit soars 13,796 feet above sea level, evoking an ethereal feeling as fluffy clouds swaddle its cinder cones and blanket its reddish, almost Mars-like soil. On a clear day, Mauna Loa, one of the worlds most active volcanoes, is visible.

Climbing Mauna Kea is like peeling the layers of an onion, says Kealoha Pisciotta, a longtime activist. Its slopes contain ceremonial platforms, ancestral burial sites and and the waters of Hawaii's lone alpine lake, believed to possess healing properties.

The higher you go, the closer your heart is to the heavens, she says, adding that building and bulldozing near the summit threaten peoples sacred connection to the land.

Palacat-Nelsen, who served on the working group that laid the foundation for the new authority, says to protect the mountain and preserve the summits sacredness, people must be ready to have uncomfortable conversations.

John OMeara, who moved to Hawaii to become the chief scientist at Keck shortly before the 2019 protest, is now a key player in that dialogue. He's learning about the strong connection many Native Hawaiians have to Mauna Kea, and he's fascinated by similarities between spirituality and astronomy.

We are fundamentally asking the same questions, which are: Where are we? Where did we come from? And where are we going? There is a deep connection to the universewhich is the thing that we should be focusing on, he said.

Doug Simons, director of the University of Hawaiis Institute for Astronomy, points to the opening lines of the Kumulipo, a centuries-old Hawaiian creation chant which describes a scene strikingly similar to what astronomers believe existed during the Big Bang.

The Kumulipos description of a dark, eternal form of energy from which everything emerges sounds to Simons like dark energy, which astronomers believe predated the universe. Mauna Keas telescopes are at the forefront of discoveries about dark energy, Simons said.

Lanakila Mangauil, a Native Hawaiian spiritual practitioner, was about 9 when he first stepped on the mountain for snow play at lower elevations. His family never went to the summit.

One of the important spiritual practices on Mauna Kea is our absence, he said. We stay off it because it is sacred.

Mangauil doesn't like to use the word religion to describe his spiritual practice. Hawaiians dont have a central religion, he said, but spiritual practices born of different communities, families and environments.

The 'most American' vehicle for the last 3 years has been electric The 'most American' vehicle for the last 3 years has been electric Electric carsnamely Teslashave quickly overtaken the American Made Index Tesla invests in Texas Tesla keeps production domestic
The poor, persecuted 37th president. Photo: Ernst Haas/Getty Images

In the years between Richard Nixons resignation as president in 1974 and his death in 1994, there was plenty of time for reconsiderations of his career, his crimes, and his legacy. Biographers often focused on his complicated character and his inner demons. As Republicans turned to the more politically palatable but also more reactionary Reagan style of conservatism, Democrats often noted that Nixon wasnt all bad when it came to domestic policy; he signed the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts, appointed the Supreme Court justice who wrote Roe v. Wade, and even committed the supreme conservative ideological heresy of imposing wage and price controls. Even more often, admirers from various backgrounds dwelled on what Nixon himself cared most about: his foreign-policy work, most notably detente with the Soviet Union and his opening to China.

When I first read presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamys argument that Nixon was actually the progenitor of Donald Trumps America First approach to foreign policy, I interpreted it as a typically quirky variation on the tradition of looking past Watergate to Nixons international accomplishments, such as they were. While I mocked Ramaswamys take on what Nixon actually did and stood for, I didnt realize I was hitting the tip of an iceberg of MAGA love for the Tricky One that goes far beyond his policy legacy to the very thing most of his advisers want to ignore or minimize: Watergate.

As Ian Ward explained at Politico Magazine, Nixon is making quite the comeback on the contemporary political right:

Long condemned by both Democrats and Republicans as the crook that he infamously swore not to be, Nixon is reemerging in some conservative circles as a paragon of populist power, a noble warrior who was unjustly consigned to the black list of American history.

Across the right-of-center media sphere, examples of Nixonmania abound. Online, popular conservative activists are studying the history of Nixons presidency as a blueprint for counter-revolution in the 21st century. In the pages of small conservative magazines, readers can meet the New Nixonians who are studying up on Nixons foreign policy prowess. On TikTok, users can scroll through meme-ified homages to Nixon. And in the weirdest (and most irony laden) corners of the internet, Nixon stans are even swooning over the former presidents swarthy good looks.

That was a revelation to me as someone whose grandmother voted against Nixon three times because she didnt like his nose.

But the Nixon cult being constructed in MAGA-land is dead serious, and what makes it deadly serious is the ex post facto justification  even glorification  of the abuses of power that most Nixon fans dont want to discuss. As Ward reports, one of the chief engineers of the new Nixon fad is the young conservative activist and provocateur Christopher Rufo, who recently wrote an appreciation of Nixons uninhibited and often unconstitutional war with the leftists of his time in City Journal:

As the radical left-wing factions asserted themselves in the universities and in the streets, voters cast their presidential ballots for former vice president Richard Milhous Nixon, who promised to restore law and order on behalf of the silent majority. Nixon is held in contempt these days, even by many conservatives, but parts of his legacy deserve reappraisal. He acutely understood the threat of ideological revolution and anticipated the dynamics of bureaucratic capture.

Instead of viewing Nixons embodiment of the imperial presidency (a term invented to describe his aggressive use of executive powers) as a regrettable detour that led him to self-destruction, Rufo thinks Nixons only sin was to lose his war to the leftist elites that controlled the bureaucracy, the judiciary, the Congress, and the media:

Nixon believed that the federal government should provide a financial backstop for the American people, but he wanted to curb the power of the governments experts, managers, and bureaucrats, who, he recognized, wanted to remake organic social institutions in the service of left-wing ideology. Nixon once asked his domestic policy advisor Daniel Patrick Moynihan if his proposed basic-income program would get rid of social workers. Moynihan responded: It would wipe them out.

Alas, the same shadowy forces that confront American conservatives today managed to reverse Nixons 1972 landslide reelection, via what Rufo and his fellow Nixon fans are bold to label the coup of Watergate. Rufo tells Ward in the Politico piece:

You see very clearly this pattern: that very powerful factions in the bureaucracy, the national security state, the media, the Democratic establishment and the judicial world were, in a sense, setting him up for a bureaucratic coup, said Rufo. [They used] his kind of culpability  especially the perception of his culpability  as a lever to take [the question of Nixons wrongdoing] out of the democratic process.

And heres the crucial kicker:

He added: And I think were now seeing this with President Trump.

The motive, it seems clear, for these appreciative backwards looks at the only president who resigned his office is to provide a justification for the only president who has been impeached twice. If Nixon was taken down by a deep state coup, then not only has Trump been justified in his past presidential abuses of power  hes also justified in his plans for authoritarian vengeance if he returns to the White House in 2025. Rufo, for one, is pretty clear about that:

If we can rehabilitate Richard Nixon in the public mind, we will have demonstrated a capacity for reshaping how people think about political figures in the past, which gives us a lesson in actively shaping [the perception] in the present of political figures of our current day.

And so you have Donald Trump as the second, and more successful, coming of Richard Nixon, who battled liberal elites on behalf of a silent majority.
Photo: Retailer

During this holiday season, Team Trump has been aggressively promoting his coffee-table book Letters to Trump, which came out earlier this year, with BOGO deals and free-calendar offers. If Donald Trumps epistolary revenge fantasy ended up under your tree, you may be wondering what to do with it now. Considering that his anecdotes often arent G-rated, is it really okay to put it on the coffee table for the whole family to enjoy?

The answer, thankfully, is yes. Children are actually part of the intended audience for Letters to Trump  and not just because its halfpicture book. The opening shot of this commercial from Winning Team Publishing shows a young girl and boy poring over the pages:

And there are plenty of important lessons hidden among the petty celebrity insults and full-page photos of Trump shouting. Here, a sample of what Letters to Trump can teach Americas youth.

Nixons big mistake was that he didnt fight. Government schools may have left your kids with the impression that Richard Nixons main issue was that he was a crook despite his claims to the contrary. Trump explains that in reality, his problem was intensity. Sure, Tricky Dick had some anger issues, too, but his biggest mistake was that he didnt fight when congressional leaders told him it was time to step down for the good of the country. Hopefully the kids will sleep a little more soundly knowing that their favorite president, Donald J. Trump, would never repeat this grievous error. Photo: Margaret Hartmann

Roy Cohn is a great role model. Too many kids today are unfamiliar with Roy Cohn. Thankfully, Letters to Trump tells them everything they need to know: Cohn was a great lawyer, he was always willing to help his friends, and when he wanted to win, it was hard to stop him. Sounds like he was a talented, loyal, and hardworking guy  definitely not the polestar of human evil! Photo: Margaret Hartmann

Rudy Giuliani is right about so many things. Speaking of great lawyers, Letters to Trump informs kids that the scary man they last saw melting on CNN is actually one of our most forward-thinking legal scholars. Sure, months after the publication of this book a jury ordered Rudy Giuliani to pay $148 million to two election workers he defamed. But Trump wrote that many of Giulianis claims would be proven correct, not all. And I think we can all agree that in the end the last few years will prove even more impactful to his legacy than that of being a great mayor. Photo: Margaret Hartmann

Rod Blagojevich was unjustly persecuted. While it can be uncomfortable, young people need to be able to truthfully confront Americas history of injustice  like how an Illinois governor was sentenced to 14 years in prison just because he tried to sell a Senate seat. Fortunately, Trump commuted Blagojevichs sentence during his final year in office. And in case the kids are worried about how their favorite ex-con and Celebrity Apprentice contestant is doing today, Trump notes, I hear he is doing well. Photo: Margaret Hartmann

Joe Paterno got a raw deal. Uh  actually, you probably dont want the kids asking too many questions about this page. Photo: Margaret Hartmann

Kim Jong Un just wants to take care of his country. Children should learn that just as you cant judge a book by its cover, you shouldnt judge a world leader by multiple headlines that describe him as one of the worlds scariest dictators. This page also includes a hot tip for kids hoping to get into real estate someday. Trump writes, Located in between South Korea, China, and Russia, North Korea has one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world. In the real estate business they call that GREAT LOCATION. He was beginning to see that, but unfortunately we were not able to take it that far. Photo: Margaret Hartmann

Xi Jinping shows sharing is overrated. Grown-ups are always yapping about being nice and giving everyone a turn. But according to Trump, Xi Jinping demonstrates that ruling with an iron fist and refusing to share also have their merits. Xi may lead China for life, and Trump says that anyone who can pull that off deserves lots of credit. Like, say, a U.S. president? Photo: Margaret Hartmann

Trump proves its possible to be too talented. A lot of kids were crushed when they went to see Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps and didnt spot Donald Trump. In the book, he explains why his cameo was cut: My role came before a very important scene, and the people at the test went so totally wild with excitement that it obliterated the parts of the movie that followed. Trumps star power can be a real burden sometimes! Photo: Margaret Hartmann
A 24-year-old man driving along Interstate 85 was arrested on Thursday after he allegedly fired shots at an occupied vehicle, according to the Auburn police.

Isaiah Donta Rose of Tuskegee faces one count of shooting into an occupied vehicle. He remains in Lee County Jail under a $50,000 bond.

Opelika police responded to a call on Thursday from someone who reported that a gunman fired shots at her vehicle while driving behind them on Interstate 85. No one was injured, authorities said.

Opelika police found Rose near the 1100 block of Columbus Parkway, but it was determined during the investigation that the crime occurred near mile marker 56, which is in Auburns police jurisdiction.

Auburn police officers responded to the scene and arrested Rose after further investigation. Both agencies worked together to place Rose in custody.
In connection with the 100th anniversary of the birth of the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people, Heydar Aliyev, a series of events are being implemented at the initiative of the Azerbaijani Human Rights Commissioner (Ombudsman), Sabina Aliyeva, Azernews reports.

Within the framework of the ongoing events, on the eve of the Solidarity Day of Azerbaijani and the New Year, a one-day visit of two juveniles reformed in the Ministry of Justice's Penitentiary Service Institution to historical and cultural monuments, recreation, and public catering facilities in the capital was organised.

The ombudsman visited the grave of National Leader Heydar Aliyev together with the teenagers, laid flowers in front of the monument, and commemorated his memory with deep respect.

Later, the graves of Azerbaijani martyrs were visited, and their dear memories were remembered.

As part of the trip, minors visited the Heydar Aliyev Centre and the Baku Book House. In order to learn about the legacy of Heydar Aliyev, the children were given extensive information about the invaluable services of the National Leader, and books of various genres were presented as gifts.

The ombudsman had lunch with the children, informed them about the glorious life path of National Leader Heydar Aliyev, the founder of the independent state of Azerbaijan, his role in the development history of Azerbaijan, and gave them recommendations for personal development, protection of rights, education, professional habits, and reformation. At the end of the cultural program organised for children, they were presented with gifts.

Within the framework of the Ombudsman's cooperation with the Penitentiary Service, such measures, which have a positive effect on the moral development of children and their correction, will be continued.
In late 2021, President Biden ordered the release of 50 million barrels of crude from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to bring down the price of gasoline. Then, in the spring of the next year, he ordered the release of another 130 million barrels.

Prices at the pump fell between $0.17 and $0.42 per gallon. With the massive withdrawals and previously scheduled mandatory sales, the SPR shed 270 million barrels and fell to the lowest in 40 years.

Now that prices have stabilized, it should be the right time to start refilling the reserve that is not called strategic for nothing. While the U.S. no longer needs a massive cushion against a potential repeat of the 1973 Arab oil embargo, it does need a guaranteed crude oil supply for a set period of time that, per the IEA, is best set at around 90 days of consumption. After the withdrawals, the SPR fell to 20 days of consumption.

Indeed, the Department of Energy has made it a habit to announce a solicitation for a few million barrels of oil every now and then when West Texas Intermediate falls below $75 per barrel. Some of these solicitations have even led to purchases, usually at the rate of 3 million barrels.

While modest, the rate of announced purchases is understandable: every time the DoE announces it even plans to organize a solicitation for the SPR refill, prices immediately tick up. The department earlier this year set itself a price range of between $67 and $72 per barrel and has tried to stick to it, arguing the federal government will make a profit on the massive withdrawals of 2022 as that oil was sold at higher prices.

So far this year, the DoE has bought less than 20 million barrels of oil to refill the strategic petroleum reserve. An unnamed source close to the department told Reuters in June that plans were to buy back some 12 million barrels by the end of the year. Then, in October, the Department of Energy said it planned to buy 6 million barrels by January 2024, suggesting it was behind on its 12-million-barrel target.

The department has also been returning oil to the SPR after essentially lending some to oil companies. In early December, it said it had struck an agreement with those companies to return 4 million barrels by February. Over the first eleven months of 2023, 9 million barrels were bought back or returned to the SPR, Reuters reported in early December.

Then, in mid-December, the Department of Energy said it had struck another 2-million-barrel purchase deal in mid-December, and another, for 3 million barrels, announced just this week. This has brought the total repurchased SPR oil to 14 million barrels and 2 million barrels above the 2023 target.

Yet, it is nowhere near to constituting an actual refill of the strategic reserve. For that, the federal government has not only to keep buying oil at a relatively steady pace but also to stop selling oil from the SPRan activity mandated by Congress. The DoE managed to get the sale of 140 million barrels over 2023 to 2027 cancelled, but it will probably need more cancellations to return the SPR anywhere near its previous levels.

Some have argued that the SPR is no longer really necessary. The United States is the largest producer of crude oil, the argument goes, and it is no longer vitally dependent on Middle Eastern oil imports.

Yet the Energy Information Administrations weekly petroleum status updates show that the U.S. has remained a steady importer at a rate of about 6-6.7 million barrels daily. Not all of these barrels come from the Middle East, of course. In fact, less than half a million barrels daily come from that regionSaudi Arabia and Iraq, and neither has any intention of turning the taps off. Even so, disruptions happen. Prices change. Its a good idea to have a bit of a supply buffer in case of such a disruption.

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As more electricity grids worldwide are being connected to renewable energy projects, such as wind and solar farms, suppliers are using this as the opportunity to develop smart grids that are safer, can better respond to consumer needs, and can carry out real-time demand monitoring activities. While this is no easy or cheap feat, the expansion of smart grids could enhance power distribution and improve efficiency, leading to a long-term cost reduction.

Smart grids are electric grids  a network of transmission lines, substations, and transformers  that use smart technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. Many electricity grids were built in the late 1800s and early 1900s, meaning they are outdated, in poor condition, and insufficient at delivering power to growing populations. Further, many existing grids are connected to energy hubs that rely on fossil fuels for their power. However, with the rise of renewable energy, suppliers are increasingly finding that they must develop expansive new transmission lines across previously unheard-of energy regions, as more rural land is being developed for green energy production.

Smart grids use digital technology that allows for two-way communication between the utility and its customers, permitting the grid to respond to changing energy demand. This type of infrastructure coordinates the needs and capabilities of all generators, grid operators, end users and electricity market stakeholders to provide power more efficiently and reliably, with a reduced impact on the environment. Many of the technologies that can be incorporated into a smart grid have already been developed and tested, meaning there is significant potential for the wide-scale rollout of smart grids. Some of the benefits of a smart grid include greater efficiency in electricity transmission, faster restoration time following power outages, reduced operations and management costs for utilities, reduced electricity costs for consumers, reduced peak demand, the integration of renewable energy resources, and improved security. Related: Chinese Cities Ease Gasoline Car Restrictions to Boost Economy

The existing electricity grids in most countries are extremely vulnerable and are prone to failure. In the U.S., the government has been researching ways to develop grid systems that are resilient to extreme weather conditions and other challenges. At present, a power outage can negatively affect a range of services, such as banking, communications, traffic, and security. Further, during severe weather, houses can be left without power and heating, making residents extremely vulnerable. However, smart grids are better at responding to emergencies and can automatically reroute electricity when equipment fails or outages occur to avoid widescale blackouts and enhance power recovery. Smart grids can also support distributed generation, using customer-owned power generators to produce power when power is not available from utilities to power critical infrastructure.

Not only do smart power grids offer a wide range of benefits, but they are also becoming increasingly necessary for the delivery of power to consumers. As countries around the globe shift away from fossil fuels in favour of renewable alternatives, they are becoming more dependent on green energy sources, such as wind and solar power, which fluctuate throughout the day. Smart prediction technologies can better respond to this fluctuation to ensure the grid is not left without power. AI can provide utilities with massive amounts of real-time sensor data from users to provide accurate forecasting and suggest trends.

Karen Panetta, a fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, explains that the power of AI is needed to help correlate trends and do better forecasting. Many traditional approaches to forecasting only have the capacity to look at a small number of parameters with small datasets AI can allow us to explore relationships and look at ways to mitigate failures in the grid and understand how to re-distribute energy in the most efficient ways.

Meanwhile, consulting firm Indigo Advisory has identified over 50 potential uses for AI in the energy sector, demonstrating the value of developing smart grids. More users are expected to be connected to mini-grids in the coming years, which will deliver power to hard-to-reach communities from renewable energy operations, particularly in developing countries. The use of smart grids and battery storage can help ensure that consumers who could not previously access electricity supplies can be provided with a reliable power source.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), investment in smart grids needs to more than double by the end of the decade to ensure we are on track with the Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Scenario, particularly in emerging markets and developing economies. Several countries have already announced plans for the development of a smart grid, particularly high-income states. In 2022, the European Commission launched the EU action plan Digitalisation of the Energy System. It hopes to invest $633 billion in the European electricity grid by 2030, with $184 billion going towards digitalisation, such as smart metres, automated grid management, digital technologies for metering, and improvements to field operations.

In North America, the U.S. announced its Grid Resilience Innovative Partnership (GRIP) Programme in 2022, providing $10.5 billion in funding to support the upgrade and expansion of the countrys electric grids. In Canada, the government is investing $100 million in its Smart Grid Programme to deploy smart grid technologies and smart integrated systems.

Several countries across Asia have also launched a range of initiatives aimed at enhancing smart grid technology. China aims to spend $442 billion on the modernisation and expansion of its electric grids between 2021 and 2025. In 2022, Japan announced a financing programme of $155 billion to spur investment in smart grids. That same year, in India, the government established a $38-billion scheme to help power distribution companies and improve distribution infrastructure.

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Issues at border crossings, such as long delays and customs inspections, are affecting trade between Kazakhstan and China, alongside legal challenges involving illegal transportation of goods from China.

Uzbekistan also reported China as its largest trade partner, with 21.3% of its trade turnover, compared to Russia's 15.5%.

Kazakhstan's trade with China accounted for 21.3% of its total foreign trade in the first nine months of 2023, exceeding Russia's 18.6% share.

China has eclipsed Russia as the main trade partner of all five Central Asian states, according to official statistics. Kazakhstan is the most recent Central Asian country to see Beijing pass Moscow in terms of annual trade turnover.

For the first nine months of 2023, China accounted for a 21.3 percent share (valued at $21.7 billion) of Kazakhstans total foreign trade, according to statistics compiled by Kazakhstans National Statistics Bureau. Russias trade turnover share amounted to 18.6 percent ($18.9 billion). Raw materials and natural resources accounted for the bulk of Kazakh exports to China, while Beijings trade comprised primarily of finished goods, including household wares, clothing and autos. The Energy Prom news outlet characterized Kazakhstans trade relationship with China as one step forward, and two steps back, citing flat energy prices and the predominance of raw materials in Kazakhstans exports.

Chinese figures for bilateral trade differ markedly from Kazakhstans. According to Beijings envoy to Kazakhstan, Zhang Xiao, bilateral trade turnover for the first 10 months of 2023 amounted to $32.7 billion, marking a 28.5 percent increase in the value of trade over the same period the previous year. Kazakh media report that the figure for the period was $24.3 billion.

Meanwhile, according to Chinese figures, Beijings transit trade with Kazakhstan has doubled over the past year, and currently stands at 1.5 million tons. Chinese officials say they aim to reach 7.5 million tons of transit trade via Kazakhstan by 2029.

China also accounted for a 21.3 percent trade turnover share (worth $12.23 billion) with Uzbekistan during the first 11 months of 2023, the Uzbek State Statistics Agency reports. Uzbek exports to China totaled $2.27 billion, and imports $9.96 billion. Russia is Uzbekistans second largest trade turnover partner with a 15.5 percent share (worth $8.86 billion). Uzbek natural gas exports to China during the period were worth $503 million, almost two times less than the amount for the same period in 2022.

Long delays are being reported at some land border crossings between Kazakhstan and China. For example, the wait for trucks and autos trying to cross at the Nur Zholy border checkpoint can last more than 11 days, according to the Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs. Trucks carrying goods are often subjected to repeated inspections by customs officers without explanation, the business group said, citing complaints from drivers. Officials recently began operating the Nur Zholy checkpoint on a round-the-clock basis to address the border jam issue.

The Zakon.kz outlet reported that a former director of Kazakhstans Border Service, Darkhan Dilmanov, was convicted of abuse of power and received a four-year prison sentence for participating in a scheme involving the illegal transportation of goods from China to Kazakhstan.

By Eurasianet.org

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Ecuador's state-run oil company, Petroecuador, has declared force majeure on three more oil blocks due to protests by the indigenous Kichwa community, just days after doing the same for another block.

The three blocks were jointly producing a total of about 142,000 barrels of oil equivalent before production fell to about 122,500 on Monday.

The indigenous community has accused the company of breaching agreements, though Petroecudor has said it remains open to dialogue. Petroecudor produced just over 362,000 barrels on Monday.

The latest development comes as yet another blow to Ecuador's beleaguered oil and gas sector. Earlier in the year, Ecuadors energy minister Fernando Santos revealed that fuel imports have now surpassed exports for the first time in more than 50 years.

Crude and fuel oil exports clocked in at $2.9bn during H1 2023, $100m lower than imports which cost $3bn during the same period.

This marks the first time fuel imports have exceeded exports ever since Ecuador started exporting oil in 1972, highlighting the vulnerability of smaller economies that rely heavily on oil to oil price swings. Latin American economies generally depend on oil exports, a situation that is exacerbated by a lack of a clear roadmap in the energy transition.

The economies of Ecuador, Venezuela, and Colombia rely heavily on oil exports and revenues, while Bolivia and Trinidad depend on natural gas.

Back in August, Ecuadorians voted against drilling for oil in Yasuni National Park, home to the Tagaeri and Taromenani who live in self-isolation. Yasuni, designated a world biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 1989, encompasses a surface area of over 1 million hectares (2.5 million acres); 121 reptile species, 610 species of birds and 139 amphibian species.

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Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso has been strongly advocating for oil drilling in Yasuni in a bid to boost oil exports. However, the results of the referendum mean that Petroecuador now has to abandon operations there.

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WASHINGTON  The Biden administration bypassed Congress on Friday to approve an emergency weapons sale to Israel as the Middle Eastern nation continues to prosecute its war against Hamas in Gaza under increasing international criticism.

The State Department said Friday that Secretary of State Antony Blinken told Congress he made a second emergency determination covering a $147.5 million sale for equipment, including fuses, charges and primers, that is needed to make the 155 mm shells that Israel has already purchased function.

"Given the urgency of Israel's defensive needs, the secretary notified Congress that he had exercised his delegated authority to determine an emergency existed necessitating the immediate approval of the transfer," the department said.

The emergency determination means the purchase will bypass the congressional review requirement for foreign military sales. Such determinations are rare, but not unprecedented, when administrations see an urgent need for weapons to be delivered without waiting for lawmakers' approval.

Blinken made a similar decision Dec. 9, to approve the sale to Israel of nearly 14,000 rounds of tank ammunition worth more than $106 million.

Both moves have come as President Joe Biden's request for a nearly $106 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and other national security needs remains stalled in Congress, caught up in a debate over U.S. immigration policy and border security.

Some Democratic lawmakers have spoken of making the proposed $14.3 billion in American assistance to its Mideast ally contingent on concrete steps by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to reduce civilian casualties in Gaza during the war with Hamas.

Tens of thousands of Palestinians streamed into an already crowded town at the southernmost end of Gaza in recent days, fleeing Israels bombardment of the center of the strip, as a senior U.N. official on Friday criticized Israel for continuing to impose severe restrictions on access to aid.

The renewed criticism came a week after the U.N. Security Council demanded an immediate increase in humanitarian deliveries to the besieged territory.

Israel's unprecedented air and ground offensive against Hamas has displaced about 85% of the Gaza Strip's 2.3 million residents, sending swells of people seeking shelter in Israeli-designated safe areas that the military has nevertheless also bombed. That has left Palestinians with a harrowing sense that nowhere is safe in the tiny enclave.

Nearly the entire population is fully dependent on outside humanitarian aid, said Philippe Lazzarini, head of UNRWA, the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees.

A quarter of the population is starving because too few trucks enter with food, medicine, fuel and other supplies  sometimes fewer than 100 trucks a day, according to U.N. daily reports.

Drone footage taken Friday showed a vast camp of thousands of tents and makeshift shacks set up on what had been empty land on Rafah's western outskirts next to U.N. warehouses. People arrived in Rafah in trucks, in carts and on foot. Those who did not find space in the already overwhelmed shelters put up tents on roadsides slick with mud from winter rains.

With the new arrivals, the town and its surrounding area are packed with some 850,000 people, more than triple the normal population, according to U.N. figures.

"Some are sleeping in their cars, and others are sleeping in the open," said Juliette Touma, UNRWA's director of communications.

In other developments, South Africa launched a case at the United Nations' top court accusing Israel of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, asking the court to order Israel to halt its attacks. It was the first such challenge made at the court over the current war. Israel swiftly rejected the filing "with disgust."

The two nations have a poor relationship. Many South Africans, including President Cyril Ramaphosa, compare Israel's policies toward Palestinians with South Africa's past apartheid regime of racial segregation.

Israel's widening Gaza campaign, which already flattened much of the north, is now focused on the urban refugee camps of Bureij, Nuseirat and Maghazi in central Gaza, where Israeli warplanes and artillery have leveled buildings.

But fighting has not abated in the north, and the city of Khan Younis in the south, where Israel believes Hamas' leaders are hiding, is also a smoldering battleground. Militants have continued to fire rockets, mostly at Israel's south.

The war has already killed more than 21,500 Palestinians, most of them women and children, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-ruled territory. Its count does not distinguish between civilians and combatants.

Israeli officials reject international calls for a cease-fire, saying it would amount to a victory for Hamas, which the military vowed to dismantle. It also promises to bring back more than 100 hostages still held by the militants after their Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel that triggered the war. The assault killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, according to Israel.

The military says 168 of its soldiers have been killed since the ground offensive began.
Jasen Gundersen never considered a career in business when he entered medical school nearly three decades ago to become a rural primary care doctor.

But, today, he isnt working in rural America and he doesnt do primary care. In fact, he no longer practices medicine at all.

As CEO of CardioOne, which provides back-office support to cardiologists, Gundersen is part of a growing trend: physicians and medical school students earning advanced business degrees to work the business side of the booming health care industry.

Just over 60% of medical schools now offer dual MD-MBA programs, more than twice the number two decades ago, a recent study shows. And researchers estimate the number of dual-degree graduates has nearly tripled. Still, its difficult to know exactly how many physicians now have business degrees. While the medical school students who simultaneously earned both a medical and business degree represent almost 1% of the roughly 28,000 medical school students who graduate each year, that doesnt include physicians, like Gundersen, who later go back to school to pursue an executive MBA.

For years, some doctors have sought auxiliary degrees, including masters degrees in public health and law degrees. But more and more, doctors want to pair their clinical expertise with management skills and financial literacy as the American health system focuses on maximizing profits. Often thats so they can become business executives, especially as lucrative health tech startups proliferate and hospital systems, pharmacy benefit managers, and insurers have swelled into formidable companies.

However, this pursuit of advanced business degrees begs the question: Whom will these doctors end up serving more, patients or shareholders?

Long gone are the days when nuns ran many local hospitals. Now, many hospitals are part of multibillion-dollar systems, some of which, such as HCA Healthcare Inc. and Tenet Healthcare Corp., outrank some of Americas most recognizable brands on the Fortune 500 list.

Still, its one of the few sectors of the economy where the people who know the most about whats going on in their companies arent the ones running them, said J.B. Silvers, a management professor at Case Western Reserve University who has been teaching business fundamentals to medical students and physicians for decades.

In the past, doctors rarely left medicine to join the ranks of management because they tended to earn more as practicing physicians. But thats changing, Silvers said, especially as new career paths emerge. The MBA can serve as the doorway to those new opportunities  and the potentially lucrative ownership stakes that can come from leading successful medical technology companies.

Physicians earn, on average, $350,000 a year, making them among the highest-paid workers in the U.S. Doctors in primary care tend to make less than that, while the top 1% of physicians can make more than $1.7 million annually.

Theres a lot of other ways to make more money now, said Rich Joseph, who, as an MD-MBA graduate from Stanford, is an example of the trend. Joseph, an outspoken critic of how U.S. doctors are trained, is chief medical officer for Restore Hyper Wellness, which offers cryotherapy and IV drips at locations across the country.

Doctors are considered the face of the health care system, but a lot of big decisions are made in the boardroom, said Folawiyo Laditi, a recent graduate of Yales MD-MBA program and a urology resident at the University of Pittsburgh.

Laditi wants to leverage his business degree to tackle systemic issues in health care that sometimes dont always feel fixable as a doctor treating a single patient at a time. He hopes to make changes that can affect a lot of patients and a lot of people at once.

Medical schools are selling the power that comes from the dual degree. Ready to pair your clinical expertise with business best practices to transform your organization? Hone your business acumen to assume a greater scope of leadership, touts the website of the University of Tennessees physician executive MBA program.

Harvard University says on its website that its dual-degree program is intended to develop outstanding physician leaders, skilled in both medicine and management, to take positions of influence through which they will contribute substantially to the health and well-being of individuals and society.

Gundersen, the CardioOne CEO, who attended the University of Tennessee program and now lives outside of Denver, found it useful to practice medicine for years after he got his business degree, juggling executive and clinical work. He stopped treating patients nearly four years ago.

It helps to speak the language of physicians, Gundersen said while in Florida during a summer business trip to sell cardiologists on using his companys platform. He pitches alleviating a pain point for most doctors  the nondoctoring work  so they can focus on patient care. Its something he felt as a practicing physician.

Gundersen said the nation needs more doctors, especially ones who remain independent from sprawling health care companies. As he promotes that message to prospective cardiac doctors, Gundersen recognizes the irony. We need more doctors, and here I am the doctor who doesnt doctor anymore, he said.

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
PORTLAND, Ore.  From June 25 to July 2, 2021, the Pacific Northwest experienced a record-breaking heat wave that sent the normally temperate region into Death Valley-like extremes that took a heavy toll on trees as well as people.

Seattle and Portland, Ore., recorded their hottest-ever temperatures, reaching 108 degrees Fahrenheit and 116 Fahrenheit, respectively. In British Columbia, the small town of Lytton reached 121 degrees Fahrenheit.

What become known as the heat dome is estimated to have killed hundreds of people in Oregon, Washington and British Columbia.

As this human tragedy unfolded, a lesser-known ecological tragedy was happening, one that scientists warn has grim repercussions for the worlds plants and the many animal species that depend on them.

In a matter of a few days, the 2021 heat dome turned many of the green leaves and needles on the regions trees to orange, red and brown.

But, as recent research suggests, tree foliage didnt simply dry out in the heat. Instead, it underwent widespread scorching.

A lot of this reddening and browning of leaves was just that the leaves cooked. It really wasnt a drought story, said Chris Still, professor at Oregon State Universitys College of Forestry and a leading researcher on the effects of heat on trees.

Still is part of a growing number of scientists investigating what they say is a new, woefully underestimated threat to the worlds plants: climate change-driven extreme heat.

In recent years, scientists in the Pacific Northwest have linked the decline of 10 native tree species to drought.

In many cases, conditions that have brought about the decline are known as hot droughts.

Driven by above-normal temperatures, hot droughts can be far more damaging to trees than droughts that result simply from a lack of moisture. Hot droughts not only dry out soil; they also dry out the air. This stresses trees, and can cause water-carrying tissues inside them to collapse  a process called hydraulic failure.

In a paper earlier this year in the journal Tree Physiology, Still made the case that damage to the regions trees during the heat dome was triggered primarily by direct damage from heat and solar radiation rather than indirectly by drought caused by the extreme heat.

Im not trying to say that drought is not a huge and important factor, said Still. But I think with events like the 2021 heat wave becoming more common and intense, its important to look at the response of trees and other plants to these events and not just at drought, which has been the dominant paradigm.

Stills argument includes the observation that foliage scorch was primarily found on the southern and western sides of trees and forests  a pattern that follows the track of the sun across the summer sky.

Basically, it was like a sunburn across the entire forest. It was quite disturbing, said co-author Daniel DePinte, U.S. Forest Service aerial survey program manager, who observed the phenomenon from an airplane.

Multiple tree species were scorched, DePinte said, noting that the role played by the sun became clear when the same trees were viewed from an orientation not exposed to direct sunlight.

It almost appeared as if the forest damage disappeared, he said.

The paper was written in response to an earlier study published in the same journal that argued a different position: that the heat dome led to widespread drought stress and hydraulic failure in Pacific Northwest trees. Overall I agree ... that heat damage played a big role in the damage caused to trees (during) the 2021 PNW heat wave. But in my view, hydraulic failure was as important, if not more, wrote that study's lead author Tamir Klein, professor of plant and environmental sciences at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel.

Exactly how hot is too hot for trees and other plants is the research focus of William Hammond, a plant ecophysiologist at the University of Florida.

Hammond called the scientific communitys current understanding of extreme heats effect on plants a worrying blind spot.

One thing is for sure, we know a lot more about how dry is too dry for plant survival than we know about how hot is too hot, he said.

What scientists call thermal tolerances have been established for just 1,028, or less than 1%, of the worlds 330,200 recognized land-based plants, according to a frequently cited 2020 paper in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

No single thermal limit fits all plant species, but in general extreme damage to plant tissues occurs around 122 degrees Fahrenheit, Hammond said.

With those temperatures you might think wow, the air doesnt get that hot, but thats the temperature of the plant, not the temperature of the air. And those things can be quite different, he said.

Just how different is something Still has been tracking.

During the heat dome, he and colleagues recorded air temperatures around a Douglas fir tree reaching 112 degrees Fahrenheit, the hottest ever recorded in the forest where the measurements were taken. The needles of the tree, however, reached 124 Fahrenheit due to exposure to direct sunlight.

Plants can control their temperature to some degree, but if the heat is extreme enough, some plants wont be able to get through it even if they have a ton of water, he said.

Massive die-off of Pacific Northwest trees linked to climate change
Nebraska has no need for additional horse racing tracks beyond the ones already licensed, according to a new report.

That finding could chill efforts to license new tracks across the state  and the casinos that would accompany them.

The report prepared for the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission says there is more than sufficient capacity with the states existing six racing licenses to allow for a tripling or quadrupling of racing in Nebraska.

The data do not support the addition of more racing licenses, the report says.

According to the report, the six existing tracks had 53 race days in 2022. Fonner Park in Grand Island is the only track that offers a full racing schedule, with 42 race days this year, it says.

Voters in 2020 approved a ballot initiative linking casino development to racing licenses. That means that anyone who wants to build a casino in Nebraska, other than the six existing racing license holders, must win state approval for a racetrack.

The report looks at the impact of a proposed Bellevue racetrack casino, concluding that opening the facility would boost the projected overall gambling revenue in the state.

However, the Bellevue casino would cut into the revenue of existing Nebraska racetrack casinos. Hardest hit would be WarHorses casino under construction at Horsemens Park in Omaha, the report says.

The report was prepared by The Innovation Group of New Orleans.

Denny Lee, commission chairman, said Friday that the report is a draft that could be amended or supplemented in the future.

Lee said he had not read the report yet. He anticipated that commissioners will review it, and the report would be placed on the commissions Jan. 19 meeting agenda.

State lawmakers required the commission to study the statewide horse-racing and casino markets and also examine the socioeconomic impact of horse racing and casino gambling statewide.

Under state law, commissioners must consider the impact when approving or denying new licenses. The law requires the commission to deny an application for a racetrack or casino gambling license if approval would be detrimental to the racing or gambling market that exists across the state based on the market studies.

Currently, there are six licensed racetracks eligible for casinos: Legacy Downs in Lincoln, Fonner Park in Grand Island, Horsemens Park in Omaha, Atokad in South Sioux City, FairPlay Park in Hastings and Columbus Exposition and Racing in Columbus.

Additional racetrack casinos have been proposed in Norfolk, York, North Platte, Gering and Kimball. Also proposed is the transfer of the Hastings license to Ogallala.

The report is generating disagreement over how it may impact the Bellevue proposal.

This study kills Bellevue, said Lance Morgan, chief executive officer of Ho-Chunk Inc., the parent company of WarHorse and the economic development arm of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska.

WarHorse is developing racetrack casinos in Lincoln, Omaha and South Sioux City in partnership with the Nebraska Horsemens Benevolent and Protective Association.

Morgan said Bellevues negative impact on existing Nebraska casinos should prevent its licensing.

But the man who applied for the Bellevue license said he disagrees with Morgans reading of the state law. John Hassett believes the commission could approve new licenses if they arent detrimental to the states overall market, regardless of whether they affect a particular casino.

I wonder, too, how much the racing and gaming commission should be picking the winners and losers, he said.

The report appears to clear the way for the transfer of the Hastings Exposition and Racing license to Ogallala as part of a proposed casino development off Interstate 80. Commissioners in November gave conditional approval to that transfer, pending the study results.

Hastings Exposition and Racing is partnering with Elite Casino Resorts on the project, which would include a 5/8-mile racetrack and racing facilities, 180 hotel rooms, an event center, a travel center, an RV park and a casino.

The proposed Bellevue site is located close to WarHorse Omaha as well as other competitors across the border in Council Bluffs.

Yet due to the large population base in the Omaha area, the report says, a Bellevue racetrack casino still would generate more revenue than any of the other proposed new racetrack casinos.

The Bellevue proposal would generate about $60.7 million in revenue, according to the study, of which $38.5 million would come from other operators. The Omaha WarHorse casino would lose $27.4 million of that, with much of the other losses coming from the Lincoln WarHorse casino.

If Bellevue gets a casino, anticipated gaming tax revenue for Douglas County and the City of Omaha would be reduced while Sarpy County and the City of Bellevue would gain. Cities and counties where casinos are located get a portion of the states gaming tax.

Moving the Hastings license to Ogallala would add income to the state  $18 million in gambling revenue  but would not take revenue from any of the other existing licenses.

Morgan said adding new licenses wouldnt be fair to the existing license holders.

The existing tracks are the ones that struggled and survived and put up the money and the time and effort to create the industry, he said.

Nebraska casinos will have to compete with casinos in Council Bluffs run by international corporations like Caesars and Penn, he said.

If we bifurcate the market in Omaha, were going to come out with a weaker product, and that will hurt us, he said.

One reason voters supported the ballot initiative was because it limited casinos to the existing racetracks, he said.

He said the WarHorse casinos in Omaha and Lincoln are a $500 million investment  and before were even open, somebody has the possibility of undermining that investment.

Morgan said he wouldnt be spending as much money in Omaha if Bellevue was coming into the market.

Hassett, the Bellevue racetrack applicant, said hes glad the studys done so that commissioners can now consider applications.

Hassett said the study shows that Bellevue would be the highest-grossing market of any Nebraska city that doesnt currently have an approved casino, he said.

Its the largest city and by far the largest county that doesnt have a racetrack and casino, he said.

While the current Thoroughbred tracks have unused capacity, the state could use another quarter horse track, which is what hes planning, he said.

The Ogallala track, located in the western end of the state, would race quarter horses.

We definitely think we need a good quarter horse track on the eastern part of the state, he said.

His track would be south of Bellevue, along Fairview Road, which is south of where it was originally proposed. The original site proved unworkable, he said.

When he submitted his proposal in 2021, it called for 24 race days a year and $200,000 a day in purses.

A Bellevue racetrack casino would increase overall state revenues and also increase the money that goes to the Nebraska Horsemen for race purses, he said.

Iowa has 19 casinos and a population of 3 million, he said. Nebraska has population of almost 2 million. I dont think the maximum is six. I think theres probably room for several more, a couple out west, and I think theres plenty of room for Bellevue.

It will take more than one casino in Omaha to compete with the Council Bluffs casinos, Hassett said.

The report appears to contain nothing to disrupt the Ogallala casino project from going forward.

According to the report, moving Hastings license to Ogallala  about 175 miles to the west  would improve its market potential and mean less of a market-area overlap with the five other existing licenses.

Mary Wilson, executive director of Keith County Area Development, said the Ogallala community is looking forward to continuing with its proposal.

Theres a lot of great things happening here, she said.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of December 2023
LINCOLN  A disruption to 911 services across southeast Nebraska in early September began when a third-party contractor installing a natural gas line at Windstreams data center near Centennial Mall cut a City of Lincoln irrigation line.

The damage to the sprinkler apparently was not reported when it occurred sometime around Aug. 28, Brad Hedrick, Windstreams regional president of operations for Nebraska, told the Public Service Commission on Thursday.

But the incident set off a chain of events that eventually led to 911 working either sporadically or not at all for several hours between Sept. 2 and 3, as 18 of 20 public safety answering points were affected, Hedrick told commissioners the incident.

That outage, as well as a shorter disruption to 911 services for Windstream customers that occurred Nov. 28, were part of an investigation and public hearing initiated by the commission this fall.

According to Hedrick, the September incident began after water found its way into the concrete vault housing Windstreams electrical systems at 1440 M St. and onto a copper busbar, causing a short.

Thats what caused the fire and the explosion that damaged both a Lincoln Electric Systems transformer as well as Windstreams power equipment, Hedrick told commissioners during the three-hour hearing.

No one was injured in either the fire or the small explosion, which happened at 11:13 p.m. Sept. 1, and while Lincoln Fire and Rescue were responding, a backup generator kicked in to keep telecommunication services running without interruption.

The generator continued to provide enough electricity to keep three switches housed in the facility operating for about 13 hours until a loose thermocouple wire erroneously signaled the generator was overheating and triggered an automatic shutdown at 12:23 p.m. Sept. 2, Hedrick said.

According to Hedricks testimony, the generator was last inspected in 2018, but the loose thermocouple wouldnt have been discovered during routine maintenance activities. The generator, which has operated for about 700 of its 10,000-hour life, has since been fixed, he said.

As Windstream sought to bring a portable generator capable of generating a megawatt of electricity to Lincoln in the meantime  the closest generator the company located was in Des Moines  batteries continued to power the switches until they began to reach critically low levels.

Hedrick said top officials within Windstream, including the senior vice president of operations and vice president for network engineering, made the decision to shut down one of the three switches in an effort to preserve electricity to the other two at about 6 p.m. Sept. 2.

Shutting down one of the switches also helped avoid an equipment crash, which Hedrick said could have resulted in a catastrophic failure that would have extended the duration of the outage.

I cant fault their decision-making process, he said.

Before taking the switch offline, Hedrick added, Windstream gave advance notice to the local public safety access points, the Public Service Commission, and Gov. Jim Pillens office that a disruption to 911 services was possible, adding it was unsure of how extensive the outage might be.

The switch shutdown was completed by about 10 that evening, Hedrick said. Power was restored to the building at 1:40 the next morning, Sept. 3, with communication services starting to come online about an hour later.

The service interruption affecting 911, local and long-distance calling lasted about 4 hours total, Hedrick said, and affected more than 13,000 customers, mostly those who had transitioned to a new switch without a redundancy in place as the state seeks to update its 911 systems.

A second outage Nov. 28 originated from instability in Windstreams core network  what Hedrick described as a momentary blip  which created a ripple effect across its system.

Two switches at the Lincoln facility required a restart after the instability reached them, but a software bug prevented them from doing so automatically, he added, resulting in 911 calls and other traffic coming through the switch to fail.

The November disruption lasted 1 hour and 10 minutes, according to Windstreams report.

An alarm on the system designed to notify the company of the outage also did not trigger, which led to information about the outage being unavailable until the problem was resolved several weeks later.

Hedrick told the commission Windstream has taken several steps to rectify both issues.

The Arkansas-based company has identified two portable generators in Lincoln capable of serving its needs should its on-site generator fail, he said.

Windstream also is planning to replace infrastructure that would allow a portable generator to hook into its electrical system with greater ease.

Hedrick also said Windstream is completing work to create a redundancy for public safety access points that did not have one previously during a transfer to the new system in order to avoid future outages.

To address the second disruption, Hedrick said the alarming system has been restored, and that Windstream was exploring options to replace the equipment with the bug that prevented the automatic restart from taking place.

While members of the commission were sympathetic to the series of events leading to the disruption of 911 service in September, they also said the decision to locate two switches inside a single facility created the environment for that outage to occur.

Its starting to come together for me clearer and clearer, Commissioner Dan Watermeier of Syracuse said. If those (switches) had been separated, it might have taken care of quite a bit of the redundancy issue there.

Hedrick said he agreed with Watermeiers point that geographic diversity would be better in choosing where it located equipment meant to provide redundancies in its 911 system, but also signaled that hindsight is 20/20.

Commissioner Kevin Stocker of Scottsbluff asked if there were plans to locate equipment above places where water could leak onto it, while Commissioner Eric Kamler of Geneva asked if Windstream could say with any degree of confidence whether the issue had been solved.

Hedrick said the work to waterproof the vault where the electric control system is housed has been completed, and said Windstream believed there was a decreased probability of a recurrence with the steps it had taken.

The commission took no action Thursday. Watermeier said the commission would accept written comments from the public through Jan. 12.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of December 2023
Nigerian businessman, Henry Chinonso, also known as Rich Figo, is facing allegations of domestic violence shortly after his traditional wedding with Big Brother Naija reality star Esther Chioma Ndubueze, popularly known as Chomzy.

Hours after their wedding, Figo, who is now Chomzys husband, has been accused of domestic violence against his first wife, Precious.

The allegations surfaced through blogger Cutie Julls, who claimed that Figo had a history of physically abusing his first wife.

The blogger shared images of a woman with visible bruises on her head and body, along with police reports to substantiate the domestic violence accusations.

Cutie Julls further claimed that Figo, Chomzys husband, has taken custody of the child he shares with his first wife, Precious.

Recall that a few weeks ago, Chomzy was accused of having an affair with a married man and she is currently pregnant with him.

Addressing Chomzy, the blogger wrote, @thechomzy congratulations on your marriage. But Sissy, please now that you and Figo are finally married, can Precious at least have her child?

This is not fair. You are pregnant and will soon give birth, which means Figo will have another child. Can Precious be given custody of her child?

If not for oppression by some big men in power with no sense, how can a father hold custody of a minor child against court ruling? SMH Make I feel better first. This nonsense will have to stop.

Swipe to see photos:

KanyiDaily had reported how Chomzy held her traditional wedding with Rich Figo in her hometown in Imo state, culminating in a joyous occasion.
By Izunna Okafor, Awka

A political godfather and erstwhile Anambra South Senatorial candidate, Dr. Chris Uba has confirmed attack on his convoy by yet-to-be-identified gunmen.

It would be recalled that two police officers were, on Thursday, shot dead at Orie Uga Roundabout by gunmen who disguised as military personnel. The officers were later identified as personnel attached to the Enugu State Police Command, who Dr. Uba to Anambra.

When contacted by this reporter, Izunna Okafor, Dr. Uba who confirmed the attack, described it as very unfortunate and shared his heartfelt condolences to the families of the murdered officers.

When asked how it happened, the Enugu-based politician said he attended the Ofala Festival of the Traditional Ruler of Nnewi, H.R.H. Igwe Kenneth Orizu at Nnewi, and was returning through his hometown, Uga, before the gunmen struck.

The gunmen eventually abandoned one of their cars and escaped in their bulletproof car.

As at the time of filing this report, the Anambra State Police Commissioner, CP Aderemi Adeoye, has ordered an intensive manhunt for the armed men, while also commiserating with the families of the officers, assuring that the death of the officers will not be in vain.

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The Nasarawa State Police Command has successfully rescued Isaac Igbawua, a lecturer at the state university in Keffi, from his abductors.

The command also apprehended a student of the Federal University Lafia, Daniel Favour Chukwuebuka, and allegedly recovered arms and ammunition from his residence.

Mr. Igbawua, who was employed in the Department of Microbiology at the institution, was abducted by gunmen from his residence along Old Barracks, Kokona Local Government Area on December 27.

A statement issued by the commands Public Relations Officer, Ramhan Nansel, on Friday, confirmed that the lecturer was rescued by operatives in collaboration with members of a vigilance group from a forest at Ogba village, within the Local Government Area of the state on December 28

The statement read, Reacting to the unpleasant development, the Commissioner of Police, CP Umar Shehu Nadada, ordered an intensive manhunt for the abductors

The search paid off on 28/12/2023 at about 1630 hrs when information was received that some strange people wearing face masks were sighted in the forest at Ogba village, Nasarawa Eggon, and the police in collaboration with vigilante group mobilized to the scene, the statement said.

Upon spotting the operatives, the criminals opened fire but were gallantly repelled; they took to flight, and the victim was rescued unhurt and reunited with his family after undergoing medical examination at Police Clinic, Lafia.

The statement mentioned that the incident involving Mr. Chukwuebuka, 25 and a 200-level student in the Department of Social Works at the Federal University of Lafia, occurred on December 28.

Acting based on credible information, operatives of the Commands Anti-Kidnapping Unit arrested one Daniel Favour Chukwuebuka m 25yrs, a 200 Level student of the Department of Social Works, Federal University of Lafia. A search warrant was executed at his residence where one locally fabricated Beretta pistol, four (4) live ammunition, and Criminal Charms/Herbs were recovered as exhibits, it stated.

The statement quoted the Commissioner urging the public to continuously provide the police with sufficient information to eradicate criminals from the state, assuring them of utmost confidentiality.

Kanyi Daily recalls that the Nasarawa State Police Command had arrested a couple for allegedly stealing their neighbours two-year-old son
Akeredolu, until his demise, served as the Chairman of the Southern Governors Forum and South West Governors Forum.

According to a statement from his Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, Gov. Oyebanji declared the three-day state mourning on Friday.

During the three days of mourning, all flags at public buildings across the state will be flown at half-mast.

Meanwhile, Oyebanji, who had previously conveyed his condolences to the government and people of Ondo State, visited the family of the late Akeredolu at their Ibadan residence on Friday to offer his condolences

Recall that the Governor of Oyo State, Mr. Seyi Makinde, had also previously declared a three-day mourning in his state in honor of the late Akeredolu

His declaration followed that of Ondo State, which had taken the lead in announcing three days of mourning in honor of Akeredolu

Kanyi Daily recalls that Olabisi Kolawole, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Ekiti governorship election, had congratulated Biodun Oyebanji, for his victory at the polls.
The Governor of Sokoto State, Ahmed Aliyu, on Thursday signed into law the bill creating the Sokoto Community Guard Corps.

The state House of Assembly had on December 21 approved the governors proposal to establish a community guards corps in the state.

Speaking while signing the bill into law at the Government House, the governor said his administration came up with the idea to support the efforts of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration in providing adequate security for the populace.

He added that the outfit was not to rival the police.

Aliyu said, The signing into law of this Sokoto Community Guard Corps is a very important milestone in the lives of this administration.

As we are all aware, Sokoto State is facing insecurity, especially banditry, thereby destabilising the peaceful nature the state is known for.

Indeed, we pledge to do everything humanly possible to maintain peace and security in the state.

The creation of this security guard corps is geared towards supplementing the efforts of conventional security outfits to protect the lives and property of the people, especially at the grassroots.

ALSO READ: Be involved in community development, monarch urges Nigerians

Let me say here clearly that the community guard corps is not Sokoto police; it is not a force created by the Sokoto State government.

He called on security agencies to support the community guard crops as they were there to assist in the drive to achieve a safe state.

The governor added, Security agencies, please you should know that they are not your rivals; they are there to assist you, to give you all necessary support and information from their localities.

Let me, at this junction, reiterate our administrations commitment in the area of security to ensure the protection of lives and property of the people of the state.
***says international community has abandoned Nigeria

A human rights organization under the aegis of Para-Mallam Peace Foundation (PMPF) on Friday provided a fresh insight into how suspected Fulani militia

threatened that there would be a time when Christians would be running with their Christmas meat in their hands and will enjoy no peace in eating such meat.

The organization which was reacting to the attack on some communities in Plateau State by suspected Fulani militia in some Local Government Areas in Plateau State which led to the killing of about 200 persons also expressed disappointment that the international community have remained silent while crimes against humanity are committed with reckless abandoned in Nigeria.

The President/CEO of PMPF and peace advocate, Rev. Gideon Para-Mallam, in a statement issued after visiting the victims of the attacks, put the number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from the incident at 5,000, while eight churches were burnt down.

He warned that Nigeria would not exist without the Middle Belt because of its importance in the country.

Para-Mallam expressed condolences to the entire people of Bokkos Local Government Area, Governor Caleb Mutfwang and people of Plateau State and Nigerians.

According to him, similar mass and unjustified killings must be brought to an end of only the Federal Government has the constitutional right and authority to do so.

He said, What happened in Bokkos appears clearly motivated by genocidal intent, land grabbing and occupation by conquest. Should the Plateau State government continue to lament and watch on in helplessness? Should the Federal Government of Nigeria reduce itself to an entity which only issues condolence press statements with no tangible results while the carnage continues and the aggressors are never found or prosecuted until another round of similar horrible genocidal attacks take place?

Sometimes in 2019, during an attack in Waren village in Barkin Ladi LGA by Armed Fulani herdsmen, they had threatened that a time would come when Christians would not be allowed to celebrate Christmas. They suggested that Christians will be running with their Christmas meat in their hands and will enjoy no peace in eating such meat.

What is wrong with our nation? Why have we ended up with leaders who overlook blatant criminality and engender a system that discourages freedom of religion and belief? Why does the international community remain silent while crimes against humanity are committed with reckless abandoned in Nigeria?

If the world is interested in ending the killings in Nigeria, let the sad and unprovoked attacks on innocent lives in Bokkos, on Christmas Day, serve to arouse the conscience of the nation and the world to unite and save lives.

Why have Nigerians not united in their condemnation and concerted action to end the terrorism that is going on in the Middle Belt Savannah region of Nigeria? Why does the global community constantly engage in looking the other way when innocent women and children are being massacred; yet the perpetuators are not called out and prosecuted and the government is yet to take real decisive steps to end the carnage?

The Presidency should not allow itself to be deceived into believing that what is happening in Plateau is a tit for tat situation. It is not! To believe so means following a misleading narrative-decoy which will lead to no peaceful solution that is rooted in truth and social justice. Those who defend their families, homes and communities, must not be labelled as engaging in tit-for-tat reprisals.

Self-defence is a right upheld by constitutions around the world. The people of Bokkos tried to defend their towns but they were overwhelmed by a fighting force who came bent on carrying out a genocidal mission. The sophisticated weaponry used should concern our government. How come such deadly arms are allowed into the hands of these killers who continue to kill with such reckless abandon?

The organization said only one woman who fell into a ditch while fleeing was left to tell the story of how a nine  year-old primary school pupil in Chriang village, Regard Yusuf, was tricked by the bandits to his mothers hideout, along with other 23 women during the attacks in Mangur, Bokkos but was slaughtered by them, despite promises that they would not kill him.

The PMPF said that in Tahore village, Hon. Sabo Abang was captured on the night of December 24, held hostage during the attacks but was slaughtered three days after like a ram and his fresh dead body dumped near his home on December 27.

Para-Mallam said, Consequently, 23 women including the 9-year-old boy and his mother were slaughtered. Veronica Mallan and 9-month-old Godwin Mallan were among those killed. The murderers lied to the boy that he would not be killed but did the exact opposite, sending him to an early grave. A 9-year-old boy and a 9-month-old baby: two young promising lives were among the 160 people killed by the forces of terrorism and wickedness. Only one woman who fell into a ditch while fleeing was left to tell the story.

ENDS***

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In what has been termed the crowning glory of a successful year, leading financial institution -Fidelity Bank Plc -has been recognized for its devotion to providing exceptional customer experience.

According to the recently issued KPMG 2023 West Africa Banking Industry Customer Experience Survey, the bank recorded a marked improvement in its service delivery to customers from 2022 figures; moving from 13th to 5th position in Retail, 13th to 5th position in SME and 10th to 5th position in Corporate customer segment rankings.

An excerpt from the foreword in the report reads, In Nigeria, the cash crunch that characterised the banking landscape and wider economy triggered significant downtimes and deterioration of banking service levels. At the time, there were concerns about the potential long-term impact on trust in the industry and the implications for financial inclusion. However, our research does not suggest that this concern has not materialised to date. Instead, we observed a significant shift from ATMs to agency banking.

It would be recalled that Fidelity Bank was celebrated by a broad section of Nigerians for ensuring its ATMs across the country were well stocked and available to meet customers and non-customers cash needs during the cash scarcity experienced in the country earlier in the year.

The news of the improvement in Fidelity Banks customer service rating comes to join a string of positive stories on the bank this year which demonstrate the managements efficient use of resources. These include the reclassification of Fidelity Bank Plc stock from small price stock to medium price stock, its emergence as the best-performing bank share as of half year (June 30) and the company with the highest earnings per share on the NGX based on half year financial figures for the second year running amongst others.

With the public eagerly anticipating the launch of the banks public offer and rights issue, the Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe-led institution is no doubt well poised to sustain and even increase investor confidence in the 35year old institution well into the New Year and beyond.

The 2023 West Africa Banking Industry Customer Experience Survey report is available on the KPMG website.

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Nigerian transgender, Jay Boogie has taken to social media to proudly show off the results of his recent body transformation.

In November, Jay Boogie cried out on social media, detailing the health complications he is facing after undergoing a botched Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) surgery.

At that time, the transgender reached out to fellow Nigerians for financial assistance in managing the escalating healthcare expenses.

Jay Boogie has made a return to the online sphere, displaying both his recovered well-being and the outcomes of his body enhancement journey.

He took to social media to share a video of himself flaunting his newly transformed physique.

Despite his triumphant comeback, some discontent has surfaced among certain Nigerians who regret extending assistance during Jay Boogies health challenges.

Swipe to watch the video:

KanyiDaily recalls that Jay Boogie recently addressed the backlash he faced from the public after seeking financial assistance for alleged complications from a plastic surgery procedure.
In a heartwarming gesture of festive cheer, Ondo-Lynyi Industry Limited, a company based in Odigbo, Ondo State, brought smiles to over 250 children at orphanages across the state.

Reaching out to homes in need, the company donated a truckload of essential food items, including rice, noodles, and other necessities.

The presentation ceremony took place at the Ark Children Home in Ikota Community, Ifedore Local Government Area. Representatives from Ondo-Lynyi presented the supplies, highlighting their commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility.

We wanted to extend a helping hand to orphanages, particularly Motherless Babies Homes, across Ondo State, said Mr. Prince Adewale Omolayo, Public Relations Officer for the company. We invited nearly 10 homes to celebrate with us this Yuletide season and provide some much-needed support.

Emphasizing the inclusivity of the initiative, Mr. Omolayo explained, We catered to over 250 children, and each home will receive a significant share of the supplies. Weve contacted the leadership of these homes, and theyre bringing the children together today.

The gesture was met with immense appreciation.

Mr. Emmanuel Adaramola, Executive Director of the Emmanuel Children World Foundation, commended the company, stating, This partnership is a tremendous help to these homes, and we hope it continues.

Weve seen many organizations offering assistance, but this one truly stands out.

ALSO READ: Sokoto establishes security outfit to tackle insecurity

Mr. Adaramola further shared, We recently hosted over 200 children here on December 27th, focusing on those from rural and impoverished communities.

We gather children from around eight villages, especially those who may not have the opportunity to celebrate Christmas with a proper meal. In these situations, we provide food, festivities, and other resources.

Ondo-Lynyi Industry Limiteds generous donation serves as a beacon of hope and reminds us of the importance of community and caring for those in need, especially during the holiday season.
The sidewalks at Seventh and Mission streets are mostly quiet these days. The few passersby on their way to work or to one of the areas newly renovated hotels stop only long enough to wait for the walk signal to cross the street, with no restaurants, corner stores or other reasons to linger.

Its a remarkable transformation from just six months ago, when at least a dozen drug dealers could be found at all hours of the day at the San Francisco intersection, their customers folded over at the waist or unconscious on the pavement. A 15-year-old boy dealing drugs was shot to death at the corner in 2021, and the area was so troublesome that employees in August were told to work remotely rather than risk going to the Nancy Pelosi Federal Building.

But now, less than a half-mile away, the drug bazaars of last spring reemerge each day after sunset, in concentrated pockets of the Tenderloin. On Turk Street between Hyde and Larkin streets on a mid-December night, dozens of black-clad dealers jockeyed for desperate buyers, some already in the throes of withdrawal after fruitlessly searching for fentanyl over the previous 12 hours.

One buyer, Shana Miller, was agitated as she shuffled onto Turk Street on a recent weeknight. How dare you ask me for a hit, JJ! she yelled. At the center of the block, Miller planted herself amid about 40 dealers and dozens of users smoking or snorting their purchases, and scanned the crowd.

Shana Miller, a drug user who has lived on the streets for more than a decade, sits on Hyde Street before venturing to buy fentanyl. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

Over the past month, the Chronicle, which spent 18 months reporting on the open-air drug markets of the Tenderloin and South of Market neighborhoods, returned to see what had changed since the July publication of its investigation and after a series of highly publicized police crackdowns.

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Local, state and federal police have largely dismantled the citys most brazen daytime drug markets, clearing blighted areas that residents and local businesses said were unsafe and dissuaded visitors. Dealers, many of whom the Chronicle reported have fled poverty and violence in Honduras, are no longer visible during mornings or afternoons. Police and a few dealers said some of those Honduran dealers are now selling in other U.S. cities. The dealers who remain are much more cautious and operate in a more violent environment. And there are signs that new dealers are entering the markets, the Chronicle found.

Seventh Street was a  horror show, said Jim Haas, a board member of the Civic Center Community Benefit District. But finally, you know, all the powers that be got together, particularly the federal government, and every time Ive been down that way recently, its been clear all the way back several blocks.

But history shows that increased police enforcement usually fails to completely eradicate drug markets, and that has proved true in San Francisco. Instead, the markets have adjusted. In this case, dealers have moved to more concentrated locations and operate primarily after the workday ends for city street ambassadors and many police officers.

Patrick Rock, 40, sits in his wheelchair on Larkin Street in San Francisco. He was struck by a car one month earlier while sitting outside Glide Memorial Church. The drug trade in the neighborhood has subsided during the day, but the street remains gritty. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

A large crowd gathers at Seventh and McAllister streets, where illegal activity ranging from drug use to the sale of stolen goods is common, particularly at night. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

This may help explain why accidental overdose deaths in San Francisco have not abated, surging to a record 752 by the end of November, according to a preliminary report from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. With a month left in the year, that figure already eclipsed the previous full-year overdose death toll of 720 set in 2020. The addiction crisis continues to be driven by fentanyl  a powerful synthetic opioid found in more than 80%, or 613, of those killed by overdoses this year, according to city officials.

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A visit to the nighttime markets in mid-December found them to be anarchic, de facto containment zones, where police are scarce, the fentanyl is stronger than ever and violence is common.

My biggest concern is a stray bullet, said Robert, who lives in a low-income housing unit overlooking Turk Street. (The Chronicle is not using the full names of some people quoted in this story because they feared for their safety.) Every night, he said, dozens of dealers coalesce around a nearby playground, creating a scene that he said resembles a fight club.

Robert, who suffers from meth addiction, said he opted for an upper-level apartment to avoid looking out his window at the madness and temptation of dealers outside. Its helped to some extent, he said, as have the Urban Alchemy city ambassadors who chase drug dealers off the block during the day.

During the day its really clean.  You dont see any (dealers) around, just people working, or kids going to school, mothers. Robert said. But then after they leave, it turns into this. Chaos.

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Mayor London Breeds office is aware of the problematic night markets and is working on a multi-strategy effort that includes other community members and businesses, as well as police, said Jeff Cretan, a Breed spokesperson. For instance, he said, late-night businesses like corner shops tend to attract crowds, so city officials have been asking some to consider closing at 10 p.m.

Amid the scrum of dealers and users on Turk Street, Shana Miller and a male friend had no trouble locating a seller. Young men in black hoodies and balaclavas repeatedly attempted to make eye contact, but Miller was short on cash for the evening and needed to bargain.

Drug dealers gather as a man lies passed out next to them on Turk Street. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

The two were shopping for crack cocaine and a drug they referred to as ISO  a street name for what experts say is more potent fentanyl.

Miller, who said she has lived on San Franciscos streets for well over a decade, towered over her companion, a wispy young man whose bent posture knocked a foot off his frame.

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The streets are more tense than they used to be, Miller and her friend said. So many dealers have been arrested in recent months that many now arent willing to take risks for just a few dollars. Free samples are harder to come by, too, they said.

Within minutes, Miller spotted one of her two favorite dealers: brothers generous with freebies whom she trusted to deliver what they advertised.

Miller and the dealer slipped behind a parked car, and Miller returned to her friend grumbling. Ten dollars should have bought them hits of both ISO and crack, she said, but the dealer was in a stingy mood and she was forced to part without the latter.

Miller and her friend crouched together on the sidewalk, each pinching a slab of foil into the shape of a tiny canoe. They dropped in a few crumbs of a white substance and lit a flame under the foil. As the pebbles melted into a dull yellow liquid, the pair inhaled the fumes through a pipe. The man closed his eyes and stooped even lower.

Shana Miller, a drug user who has lived on the streets for more than a decade, smokes crack on Eddy Street alongside her friend Evan. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

Its like this weird wash over your whole body, Miller said after her first hit. Like getting a hug from your grandma. Its the greatest thing ever. Warm and fuzzy.

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As the pair relaxed into their high, a dealer stationed steps away began yelling into the crowd.

Does anyone know this dude? the dealer asked, pointing at a dazed man in a purple jacket crouched next to a car. Nearby dealers shook their heads.

He must be a snitch, he must be a narc, the dealer continued as the crowd parted. Whys he just staring at everybody?

The man in the purple jacket said nothing, standing limply before the dealer punched him in the ribs. A second dealer joined him, and the two dealt the man strong blows to his stomach, face and head until he fell to the ground, wailing.

The two continued kicking the man in his ribs and face until, with the mans cheek on the pavement and blood streaming from his face, one of them stomped on his head.

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Paramedics carry away a man who survived a drug overdose on Mission Street near Seventh Street in September. He was revived by an unhoused drug user because marshals from the nearby Nancy Pelosi Federal Building said they were untrained to intervene. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

By last spring, with overdose deaths already projected to set an annual record, Breed, Gov. Gavin Newsom, Rep. Nancy Pelosi and a few city supervisors began announcing initiatives to increase police enforcement of the markets.

So many plans were launched that it is difficult to credit arrests to specific actions. Breed said this month that local and state agencies had arrested nearly 700 people for selling drugs and 800 for using drugs since the actions began.

District Attorney Brooke Jenkins office has filed charges in 827 of 952 felony narcotics cases it was presented with this year, topping a previous record set in 2018 under then-District Attorney George Gascon.

Officials generally agree that the key policing clampdowns began around late July, with the U.S. attorney of the Northern District of California, Ismail Ramsey, overseeing an operation dubbed All Hands on Deck. It coordinated arrests from numerous agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration; San Francisco Police Department; FBI; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and Department of Homeland Security.

United States Attorney Ismail Ramsey discusses the opioid crisis and coordination between city agencies during a November news conference in San Francisco. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

Federal agents significantly increased their presence in the Tenderloin, witnessing hand-to-hand transactions and immediately arresting drug dealers on the street, said Brian Clark, special agent in charge of the DEAs San Francisco Field Division.

Usually were behind the scenes, doing complex conspiracy investigations, he said in a recent interview. But the crisis has called for us to do something differently.

Progressive city leaders including Supervisor Dean Preston and the Public Defenders Office have blasted the increased policing efforts as a waste of resources that does not make the city more safe and would be better spent on addiction and health care treatment. The citys 2022 Overdose Prevention plan maintains that incarcerating drug users can lead to an increase in overdoses if they are released and do drugs after losing some of their tolerance.

Cretan said the city offers health care options and other services to those struggling with addiction, but has had limited success compelling people to seek treatment.

The opioid epidemic and overdose deaths have plagued cities and towns across the nation, Cretan noted.

What were dealing with in the Tenderloin, though, in addition to that, are the real public safety challenges around that issue driven by these open-air drug markets, Cretan said.

A homeless man sleeps on Mason Street beneath graffiti referencing drugs and murder. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

In its 18-month investigation, the Chronicle found that the street-level fentanyl market in San Francisco was almost entirely controlled by hundreds of migrants from a small, rural area of Honduras, the Siria Valley. Fleeing difficult conditions in their home country, the migrants cross the U.S.-Mexico border with the aid of Mexican cartels and then sell drugs supplied by those same criminal organizations.

What the DEA is doing is targeting the whole spectrum of the Honduran drug-trafficking organizations, who are primarily responsible for bringing all the fentanyl into the area, agent Clark said.

Ramseys work, meanwhile, has led to the funneling of more cases to federal courts, where the risk of lengthy prison sentences and deportation for undocumented immigrants is significantly higher than for those tried in San Francisco Superior Court.

His office has also been testing a fast-track prosecution program that settles some low-level drug cases in a matter of days as opposed to months or years. The deals offer defendants no additional jail time but an accelerated path to deportation. While several defendants have accepted this alternative, a federal judge recently rejected two such plea bargains, reasoning that they were far too lenient.

Since beginning their operations on July 24, Clark said, DEA agents had made just over 100 arrests by early December, with 59 people being charged federally.

Narcotics police officers arrest a man suspected of dealing drugs on Fulton Street. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

The sweeps have spurred a significant shake-up in the traffickers operations, local and federal police sources said.

In addition to the day-to-night adjustment, dealers are more often running from police and using scooters or drivers to change locations during shifts. One Tenderloin officer who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the team recently went three days without locating a single dealer, and not for lack of trying.

Dealer- and user-wise, what were seeing now is that theyre not flaunting it in the officers faces, said Dave Lee, a sergeant with the SFPDs narcotics unit.

Clark said federal investigations also have found that many Honduran drug traffickers are eschewing San Francisco in favor of other western U.S. cities.

As the pressure has been (increasing) here locally, we have seen them go toward Denver, Salt Lake City, Portland, Seattle  other areas that have kind of similar open-air drug markets and are a little more tolerant to drug trafficking, he said.

With the citys crackdowns largely focused on Honduran trafficking organizations, dealers and users said other criminal groups are starting to see a small, if fraught, opening in the market.

On an afternoon in late November, a 41-year-old fentanyl dealer named Joseph looked around nervously after selling a packet to a woman smoking a few feet away on Leavenworth Street.

Joseph said the crackdowns have made it hell to sell during the day and that dealers and users are now forced to slip into alleyways to make a quick sale. Before, it was typically safe enough to crouch behind a parked car or dip into a nearby tent.

Narcotics officers arrest a man suspected of dealing drugs on Eddy Street. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

The one good thing is they really cracked down on the Hondos, he said, referring to the street name for Honduran drug dealers. Makes it easier for the rest of us.

Josephs customer, Kiki, lit her hit of fentanyl along with a small rock of crack cocaine to counter the sedative effects. Im always afraid of getting the combination or the load wrong and overdosing, she said. And now that its harder to get my dope, Im even more afraid.

You cant always get your usual dealer. Its so tight now, with so many cops, that you have to just get what you can get, and you never know when that combo will be a killer.

Ashley Miskin, 25, looked around Eddy Street pensively as she inhaled a hit of fentanyl from an emptied water bong. She had come out from Idaho four years ago and found the drug scene in San Francisco easy and welcoming. But not anymore.

The cops are everywhere. Theyve been arresting people who are smoking outside, and that didnt used to happen, she said. And buying the stuff is harder, too. I hardly ever see the Hondos now, so people have to find new guys to buy from. And you never really know what youre getting.

Candles on Golden Gate Avenue memorialize a Honduran drug dealer nicknamed Lolo, who was fatally shot, allegedly by another Honduran drug dealer. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

One longtime San Francisco drug dealer from Honduras said he has significantly cut back his hours of selling in the Tenderloin for fear of arrest or deportation.

The dealer, a man in his 30s, said hes working with his defense attorney to scrub or reduce previous drug sale convictions from his record through the citys Clean Slate program.

Successfully completing the program would greatly improve his odds of gaining U.S. citizenship, he said, while a new arrest could derail that prospect.

Still, the dealer said he doubted the latest wave of arrests and deportations would ultimately make much of a dent in the Honduran dealers presence in San Francisco. Mexican cartels have recently been charging about $20,000 to help immigrants cross the U.S. border, he said, a fee easily met by successful dealers.

Those who have been deported so far may want to wait until the new year to return, though, he said, so they can spend time with their families for the holidays.

Maybe next month, he said.

An undercover narcotics officer shows drugs and cash seized from during a bust on Hyde Street. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

Despite the surge of arrests since July, theres no evidence that the stream of fentanyl and other drugs into the Bay Area has abated. DEA seizures of powder fentanyl increased by 47% since last year, and by 42% for fentanyl pills, Clark said.

These hauls have cast major doubts on reports from earlier this year that Mexicos Sinaloa Cartel was going to stop distributing fentanyl. The Sinaloa, along with the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, or CGNJ, are the leading manufacturers and distributors of the U.S.s illicit fentanyl, the 18-month Chronicle investigation found.

While federal officials kept a close eye on those reports, We have not seen that change, Clark said.

The market has simultaneously seen a rise in clean fentanyl, a synthetic opiate up to twice as potent as its predecessor.

In 2020, the average purity level of powder or rock fentanyl seized in California was 14.9%, a figure that steadily rose each year after to an average purity level of 28.83%, said Jill Raezer, director for the DEAs western laboratory.

Its a trend thats obviously trending up, Raezer said. The max purity that weve seen in California is 89%.

Its this clean fentanyl that drug users and dealers sometimes refer to as ISO.

This is a dangerous time for stronger fentanyl to be on the market, Clark said.

Because weve changed up how theyve always had 24/7 open access to an open-air drug market, now you have individuals that are searching for their dealer during the day and cant find them. So when they get it at night, they could be using more, Clark said.

He added, It may get worse before it gets better.

On a recent weekday, two medical examiners office vans were parked in front of the Canon Kip Senior Center, a low-income housing complex near the corner of Natoma and Eighth streets.

Three medical examiner workers filed into the centers elevator and emerged minutes later rolling a stretcher. They wheeled the citys latest suspected overdose victim, an older man covered by a white sheet, past the lobbys Christmas tree before loading him into the van.

A worker from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner transports the body of a man believed to have overdosed through the lobby of a single-room-occupancy building on Natoma and Eighth streets. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

Hours later, a few blocks away, the beating victim in the purple jacket lay bleeding and motionless on the sidewalk as Shana Miller, her friend and a few other users backed away to the end of the block. Some debated whether to call an ambulance. Others continued to smoke as the mans assailants and dozens of other dealers returned to their posts.

Within minutes, the man in the purple jacket stood up and began walking away, cursing at a passerby who asked whether he was OK.

Miller and her friend moved to a quieter block to enjoy the rest of their high in peace. It was a good batch, Miller said, praising the consistency of her favorite dealer.
From a historic power shift to the echoes of identity politics, navigating the complex intersections of governance, power, and identity became a defining feature of Nigerias social and political fabric in 2023.

Here are six political key events that shaped Nigeria in 2023, which may also have an impact on the nations future:

The 2023 Presidential Election

The 2023 presidential election, fiercely contested by 18 candidates, remained a defining moment for Nigeria in 2023.

The election was won by Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, marking a shift in political tides as the opposition reiterated allegations of rigging until the matter was settled by the Supreme Court.

The former Lagos State Governor, according to INEC secured a total of 8,794,726 votes, representing 37 per cent of total votes cast to beat Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party who got 6,984,520 votes or 29 per cent of votes cast, and Peter Obi of the Labour Party who garnered 6,101,533 or 25 percent of votes cast, to second and third places respectively.

READ ALSO: Were determined to establish peace in South-East  Tinubu

While the election ushered in a fresh start, the undercurrent of identity politics continued to reverberate throughout 2023.

This was buttressed in the sentiments of marginalization, especially amongst Nigerians of South-East extraction  this led to the surprising ascent of Peter Obi, who stood as a strong Third Force against the established duo of the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party.

From debates on ethnic and religious representation in government to regional concerns about resource allocation, the us versus them narrative often took center stage.

The challenge now lies in weaving these diverse threads into a unified tapestry, fostering a sense of national unity that transcends individual identities.

Judicial Decisions with Far-Reaching Impact

The judiciary played a pivotal role in 2023, delivering landmark rulings on issues ranging from electoral disputes to constitutional amendments.

Nigerias Supreme Court, in October, upheld the election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, ending months of legal battles over the presidential race.

The seven-member court ruled against the oppositions challenges of fraud and electoral law breaches during the election.

These pronouncements, resonating across the country, had profound implications for the future of democracy and the rule of law in the country.

As Nigerians grapple with the implications of these decisions, they offer valuable insights into the evolving legal framework and its impact on the nations governance.

Wike-Fubara Feud

Just seven months after Nyesome Wike secured the governorship for his godson, Siminalayi Fubara, Rivers State is witnessing a political earthquake. Cracks are appearing in the once-monolithic Wike dynasty, as Fubara asserts his independence, leaving the former governor and now Minister of the FCT grappling with fading control.

Fubara, having taken the oath of office, seems determined to carve his own path. News sources paint a picture of a governor eager to implement his own vision for improving lives, independent of Wikes influence. This sits poorly with the Minister, who reportedly bankrolled Fubaras campaign and expected unyielding loyalty.

Analysts offer several perspectives on this unfolding drama. Some view it as a natural evolution, where an ambitious protege eventually breaks free from a powerful patron. Others see it as a power struggle, with Wike unwilling to relinquish control and Fubara determined to govern on his own terms.

The consequences for Rivers State remain uncertain. Will Fubaras vision for the state flourish independent of Wikes influence? Can the political turmoil be stabilized, or will it further cripple governance? Only time will tell how this power play unfolds, but one thing is clear: the Wike era in Rivers State appears to be entering a new, uncharted chapter.

Adamawa 2023: A Tale of Intrigues and Controversy

The March 18 governorship election in Adamawa state stands as a dramatic and controversial chapter in Nigerias 2023 electoral saga. Incumbent Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, running for the PDP, appeared firmly on course for re-election. After collating results from 10 of the states 21 Local Government Areas (LGAs), he held a comfortable lead of 31,249 votes over his main rival, Aisha Binani Dahiru of the APC.

In a dramatic unprecedented twist, the states Resident Electoral Commissioner, Yunusa Hudu Ari, in the early hours of Sunday after the polls, sneaked into the state governorship collation centre to declare Senator Dahiru Ahmed of the APC as winner of the governorship poll.

Meanwhile, INEC in a tweet on its official Twitter handle asked Nigerians to disregard the action of the Adamawa REC, who it accused of usurping the powers of the Returning Officer, Professor Mohammed Mele, and proceeded in announcing the results of the polls that had yet to be tallied and concluded.

Fintiri and the PDP swiftly rejected the results, alleging discrepancies and manipulation, particularly in the supplementary polls. They pointed to the dramatic turn in fortune after Fintiris initial lead and questioned the rationale behind the supplementary polls in certain areas. This triggered legal challenges, petitions, and a heated public debate over the legitimacy of the outcome.

The controversy surrounding the Adamawa election raises several critical questions. Did irregularities compromise the integrity of the polls? Was the decision to hold supplementary elections in specific areas influenced by partisan leanings? And did the RECs declaration of Binanis victory before all results were fully collated follow due process?

Eventually, the Court of Appeal in Abuja affirmed Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as Governor of Adamawa State after dismissing the appeal of Aishatu Binani of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for lacking merit.

Obaseki and Shaibus Political Bond Hits a Wall

The once-unbreakable bond between Edo States Governor Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shaibu, appears to be shattering. For years, their political partnership thrived, weathering storms and securing a resounding victory for the PDP in the 2020 gubernatorial election. However, as the 2024 polls loom, ambition and differing visions have driven a wedge between the two, raising questions about their future and the stability of Edo politics.

Obasekis desire for a power shift to Edo Central, the zone that hasnt produced a governor since 1999, stands in stark contrast to Shaibus own aspirations. The deputy governor, hailing from Edo North, argues that his zone has been unfairly sidelined by the PDP, despite its loyalty and contributions to the partys success. This clash of ambitions has fueled the flames of discontent, transforming a once-fruitful partnership into a simmering rivalry.

The fallout is not merely personal. It has the potential to reshape the political landscape of Edo State. Shaibus clout, particularly in his home zone, could pose a significant challenge to Obasekis preferred candidate. Additionally, the internal divisions within the PDP could provide an opening for the opposition APC, waiting to capitalize on any fissures in the ruling party.

READ ALSO: Aiyedatiwa to consult Tinubu on choice of deputy governor

The Obaseki-Shaibu rift presents a complex and intriguing political puzzle. Can the two mend their fractured relationship, or will their personal ambitions tear the PDP apart? Will Edo Central finally see its turn to lead, or will Edo North claim its rightful share of power? Only time will tell how this political soap opera unfolds, but one thing is certain: the stakes are high, and the consequences for Edo States political future are significant.

Ondos Power Play

Ondo State has witnessed a dramatic political shift, with Lucky Aiyedatiwa first assuming the role of acting governor in the wake of Governor Rotimi Akeredolus prolonged medical treatment abroad.

This development, brokered by President Tinubu, marks a significant turn in the states political landscape, raising questions about governance, succession, and the influence of external actors.

Akeredolu, initially seeking treatment in Germany during June, returned in September. However, his recent departure for a follow-up visit, coupled with the extended duration of his absence, sparked concerns about the continuity of governance and the potential for political instability.

These concerns were further amplified by the lack of a clear transition plan or designated acting governor.

President Tinubus intervention, leading to Aiyedatiwas appointment, injected a sense of stability into the situation. This move drew mixed reactions. Some lauded it as a pragmatic solution to address the immediate need for leadership, while others questioned the rationale behind Tinubus involvement and its potential implications for Ondos political autonomy.

The sad news of the passing of Akeredolu was announced. He had succumbed to his illness and died in the hospital. Many argued that he may have survived had he simply left the issues of power for that time being and taken care of his health. But now well never know!

As the dust settles on 2023, the question remains: what does the new year hold for Nigerias future? The echoes of these events will undoubtedly reverberate in the years to come, shaping the nations political landscape, social dynamics, and economic trajectory.
We saw social media play machine for propagandists and fake news maestros on Election day  its tiring, but a limitation on our freedom to express will do greater harm long-term.

African Union Election Observation Mission observes opening, closing of polls and counting of votes in Nigerian Elections

On Saturday, February 23, 2019, the Nigerian Presidential and National Assembly elections held across Nigeria. Votes were cast, civic duties were fulfilled, people walked during a curfew, business thrived in VGC, Tiwa Savage slayed voting, stupidity led to the loss of lives, and fake news filled our stomachs with the lies of a mess.

It was a true election day; the fires of news turned to ash in the face of consumption. We lived it again, as some bemoaned the good man that erstwhile Nigerian President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan was  whatever that means. To all these happenings, there was a constant, aided by the infinity of internet and electricity  if your EDC decided to not be Baba Sala.

Social media  especially Twitter  and to a lesser extent, Facebook served you the cuisine of news like a romantic partner; in the comfort of your bed and sometimes made you the judge of distilling authe news from the very fake news circulating the cyberspace.

While social media aided the circulation of news, one sometimes had to intellectually distill truth from bad. It was so bad that authentic news was passed off by yours truly because they seemed too authoritative in thick of sensitivity.

Social media, as the platform of election day-news, could not be trusted because propaganda constantly cohabits with truth online, thus mans had to stay en guarde. It was hard, it was tough  a spectator also had to assume the role of a judge and distillery to not become a propaganda machine by himself.

Heavy hitters like Google and Facebook, which play a key role in promoting news to the larger public continue to play that key role in shelving fake news, it has gotten increasingly high as modes of verification are harder than believing Jussie Smollett.

The bias of political affiliations took on a showcase as spectators looked on, while being unable to tell fact from lies. While a simple charge to do better would be the go-to-guy in these situations, it is a cliche we have employed many-a-time only to see even men in high places become propaganda machines for cheap politicking.

It is a good watch for the average Nigerian in-the-know; for him to shake his head at the aggressive onslaught of politically inclined individuals to sway voters by hook or by crook. But for the average Nigerian without the ability to tell the difference, he feeds his gang at the newspaper stand a wad of lies he copped of social media.

This continues to harm truth in our country; the definition of truth continues to be warped, catering to the bias of spectators who take and believe their version of truth, sometimes at the expense of actual truth. The resulting harm this does is that people defend lies even with more lies.

The risk is not borne by the informed Nigerians, but by the millions of uninformed Nigerians. They then argue the actual truth when it comes along. In moments like this, one envies the Chinese principle that controls what circulates on the internet and even in media. Things like this are either too reduced a reality to happen or simply extinct as a matter of practice.

What we currently experience in Nigeria is a product of expression of Fundamental Rights  we can never call that a luxury, but what happens when we continue to abuse our freedom at the expense of what a nation deems overwhelming truth for our selfish ends? The power of collective responsibility guaranteed by the Constitution continually gets abused.

Do we not deserve these rights?

We actually deserve our rights. In fact, Fundamental Human Rights should simply be granted  its not a conversation of deserving or not deserving it. The right to express freely is God-given and natural.

All things are definitely prone to abuse, but when these rights are being abused for cheap lies and questionable ends, we have to draw a line.

Should the internet then be limited?

A while back, there were rumours that the freedom of Nigerians to express was going to be somehow limited by the government of the day and we rightly kicked up a fuss. After all, we do not live in communism.

With the way were going, one fears that we might soon exhaust our bandwidth of freedom of expression, but to every concept comes a disadvantage and this; what we currently witness with fake news on the internet is the downside of freedom of electronic expression.

While this downside is quite unsavoury, we must live with it and sleep with it. A limitation on our rights to express will be a problem long term as a people. What we must do now is again listen to the cliche  let us all be responsible with what we express as fact on social media.

But that, my folks, is a long shot. There are no guarantees that this charge will work.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has revealed the identity of the man who climbed on the wings of an Azman Aircraft while it was about to take off at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos State.

KanyiDaily had reported how passengers aboard a Port Harcourt-bound Azman Air flight were thrown into panic on Friday after an unidentified man climbed the aircraft while it was about to take off.

The man said to be a Nigerian, was identified as Mr Usman Adamu and he reportedly lives in Iyana Ipaja area of Lagos State.

Breifing journalists on Saturday in Kano, the Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Captain Rabiu Yadudu said the man (Usman Adamu) is currently in custody of the Airport Police Command over the incident considered a serious security breach, and also led to the indefinite suspension of four Aviation Security unit heads.
The decision of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) to petition the International Criminal Court (ICC) over Nigerias ever-increasing population of out-of-school children is a courageous attempt to hold the nations leaders accountable for their actions in office.

SERAPs deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, put the case succinctly when he stated that the crime of leaving millions of Nigerian children out of school is an opportunity for [the ICC to effectively enforce its policy on children and other important statements of international criminal justice.

At an estimated 13.2 million individuals, Nigeria has the largest number of out-of-school children in the world, representing some 20 per cent of the global total. Last year, the United Nations Childrens Fund (Unicef) claimed that 50 per cent of children in northern Nigeria dropped out of school to get married. Two-thirds of children in the same region are said to be functionally illiterate.

Apart from the staggering waste of potential human resources, this tragedy has resulted in an army of malleable youths that has served to aggravate the countrys challenges with crime, human-trafficking, insurgency and terrorism. It has helped to bolster the outdated almajeri system, fuelled political violence and spurred communal crises.

Successive administrations have failed to address the problem with the commitment that it deserves. In spite of several education summits, the establishment of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), the Nigerian Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and non-Formal Education (NMEC), and the National Commission for Nomadic Education (NCNE), the huge population of young Nigerians who have been denied the benefits of western education has continued to grow.

SERAP has established a formidable reputation for holding governments to account. In a number of admirably neutral interventions, it has taken on successive administrations on issues like asset-declaration by public office-holders, electoral integrity, healthcare, the judiciary and corruption. It has undertaken extensive investigations into various sectors and has produced reports which have exposed incompetence, dereliction of duty, fraud and wastage.

The latest petition to the ICC is a tried and tested strategy through which SERAP seeks to internationalise local challenges that are perceived to have been aggravated by governments intransigence, indifference or incompetence. By so doing, it hopes to achieve the threefold aim of solving the problem, bringing international pressure to bear, and embarrassing government into better behaviour.

As SERAP itself points out, the ICC does have legal grounds to hear its petition, given its past intervention in similar child-rights cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo and elsewhere. In 2016, the ICCs Prosecutor, Ms. Fatou Bensouda, launched a policy on children, stating that the court would strengthen its resolve to end impunity in atrocities involving them.

While it is entirely possible that the Federal Government will simply ignore the petition as it has done in the past, it will be difficult to treat the issue with indifference, especially given its obvious implications in an era of increased security threats.

Rather than studiously ignore honest calls for it to live up to its statutory responsibilities, however, the Buhari administration would do well to re-examine its education policies with a view to understanding why the issue of getting more children into school has proved to be so difficult.

One of the first places to start would be its much-lauded school-feeding programme, whose undoubted success clearly demonstrates its capacity to attract more children to school. As at 2018, it covered 26 states; it should be expanded to encompass all states of the federation as quickly as possible, so that more children can benefit from it.

Another strategy would be to tackle the vexed issue of the refusal of states to contribute the required counterpart funding to UBECs primary school education programme. Over N84 billion of such funds have not been accessed by states since 2015, simply because of their failure to put up their own share of the money.

Instead of depending on moral suasion, legislation should be promulgated to compel states to provide a minimum amount in counterpart funding for primary level education.

The cultural obstacles in the way of getting more children in school require a combination of compulsion and tact. Nigerias northern states should make it compulsory for children to be in school, while offering a mix of incentives to make it easier for them to obey.
File photo

Punch Metro reports that some bandits suspected to kidnappers have abducted five persons, including a school headteacher and killing one person in two separate attacks on villages in Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna state.

It was gathered that the bandits attacked Doka Village along Funtua Road on Wednesday afternoon, killing one person(fuel attendant) on the spot while injuring two others and abducted two persons.

As of the time of filing this report, the police in Kaduna had yet to confirm the latest attacks but the Chairman of Birnin Gwari Vanguards, Ibrahim Nagwari, stated this on Thursday.

He said the headteacher of Dangamji Primary School, AbdulHafiz Abdullahi, was also abducted by the gunmen.

According to him, the bandits also injured three members of a local vigilante group, kidnapping many travellers from their vehicles in another attack around Polwaya and Gayam villages about 5pm on Wednesday.

Details later
Barcelona captain, Lionel Messi, has said that the only way to fight Coronavirus was to follow all the recommendations from the health and public authorities.

The Argentine captain also reiterated the thoughts of many and maintained that human life comes first before anything.

Messi, in a post on his official Instagram page on Saturday, said: These are hard days for everyone globally. We are upset about the Coronavirus, and we want to help, putting ourselves in the position of those who are suffering the most, either because they are affected directly or their family or friends, or because they are working on the front line in the fight in hospitals and health centers and I want to send them all my support. Health has to come first.

We have to follow all the recommendations from the health and public authorities. That is the only way that we can fight it effectively.

Its time to be responsible and stay at home. Furthermore, it is a great chance to spend time with your loved ones, the time you do not always have.

My best to everyone, and let us hope we can turn this situation around, the quicker, the better.

Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, has become a global problem with Europe now at the centre of the outbreak.

Primary sporting activities have now been put on hold in a bid to prevent the spread of the dreaded disease.




Good Morning, Nigeria, Welcome To Naija News Roundup Of Top Newspaper Headlines In Nigeria For Today Monday, 20th April 2020

Bishop Francis Wale-Oke, on Sunday, condoled with President Muhammadu Buhari over the death of his Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari.

Recall that Kyari passed away on Friday in Lagos after battling with complications from Coronavirus

The Lagos State Government has announced Coronavirus (COVID-19) test centres in its 20 Local Government Areas(LGAs).

Naija News reports the Lagos State Government said in a tweet on its official handle on Sunday, April 19 that a visit to the Coronavirus centres is strictly by appointment, not emergency.

The governor of Edo, southern Nigeria, Godwin Obaseki, says the state government has spent over N1billion to curtail the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Naija News reports that the Edo State Governor made the statement in Benin City during a live briefing on the virus by the State Response Team on Sunday, April 19.

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has vowed to abandon the agitation for the Republic of Biafra if President Muhammadu Buharis office in Aso Rock, is accessed after the death of Abba Kayri.

Naija News had reported earlier that Abba Kyari, the Chief of Staff to the President died of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Friday, April 17.

The Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari, Garba Shehu, has confirmed that people that attended the burial of the late Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, were advised to stay away from the Aso Rock.

President Buharis spokesperson revealed this development on his Twitter account on Sunday.

The Federal Government on Sunday has revealed an update on Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) to Nigerians.

President Muhammadu Buhari administration in the statement noted that 428,941 beneficiaries that have received money, 130,455 are from Katsina State.

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has ordered the release of the 22 Staff of Exxon Mobil arrested for violating the State Executive Order restricting movement in the state.

Their release was made known on Sunday morning by the Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice of the State, Professor Zaccheus Adangor.

The Nigeria Center for Disease and Control (NCDC) has admitted error in confirming a new case of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Ekiti State.

Naija News recalls that the NCDC had on Saturday night confirmed forty-nine new cases of novel Coronavirus.

President Muhammadu Buhari has been called on by the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council to appoint an Igbo as his new Chief of Staff.

OYC in a statement on Sunday, they described the death of Abba Kyari, as a colossal loss.

Primate Elijah Babatunde Ayodele, the founder of Inri Evangelical Spiritual Church, has listed three things that must be done to curb the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

According to Daily Sun, the cleric warned that the COVID-19 pandemic might not go away until next year, adding that more prominent people will die after contracting the Coronavirus.

Thats the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.
The Holdovers holds up on repeat visits.

Ive seen it three times over the holidays and it still offers more to savor. Available this week on DVD, it could be the one film with staying power.

Directed by Alexander Payne, The Holdovers is a touching look at unlikely friendships and how circumstances often bring the most disparate people together.

In this case, thats a gruff instructor at a New England prep school, a smart-mouthed student and the schools head cook.

Theyre packaged over the holidays when  for whatever reason  there isnt family to pull them in.

Paul Giamatti plays Paul Hunham, a Barton Academy grad who doesnt suffer anyone, least of all the students. Since the ancient civilizations teacher doesnt have a family, hes assigned to watch the students left at school. Circumstances remove all but one from his charge  Angus Tully (Dominic Sessa), a troubled teen who is likely headed to military school if the stint here doesnt work out. Theyre joined by Mary Lamb (DaVine Joy Randolph), the cook whose son died earlier in the year. He, too, went to Barton and had few of Tullys advantages.

Set in 1970, The Holdovers takes full advantage of the period, leaning into pinball machines, The Newlywed Game and nonelectronic forms of communication. Its a great wallow for those who lived through the times but also an equalizer that lets the three approach friendship on their own terms.

When Angus injures himself in a gym stunt, Paul covers for him at the hospital and the entre nous aspect of the story begins to take shape. The two get out of the schools depressing interior and discover the world outside. Mary comes, too, and when the three head to Boston for a field trip, its clear change is in the air.

Payne plays with the edges Giamatti embraced in Sideways and lets Randolph toy with an accent thats just perfect. His greatest feat, though, is bringing out nuance in Sessa, the films newcomer. Its easy to see why the boy aggravates people; its also easy to see how he can be loved. The performance is fascinating and multi-layered.

When the two adults tap into their wards weaknesses, The Holdovers becomes one of those heartwarming looks at a season that can be downright brutal. Making their own Christmas, the three celebrate under a lopsided tree, get unwanted gifts and attend a party that lets each have a moment of vulnerability.

In Boston, theyre even more embraceable. Naturally, all doesnt end well that begins well. The field trip brings consequences and an awakening that proves adversity builds character.

Part Dead Poets Society, part Dutch, The Holdovers thrives on David Hemingsons screenplay. It doesnt underscore the obvious, but it does champion the virtues of friendship, no matter how qualified.

To make sure the audience understands this takes place in a different time, Payne uses old-school techniques (one shot will remind you of The Graduate) and 35-millimeter film. Add in period-specific ads, clothes and behavior and youll see why the characters problems arent easily dismissed with social media.
After 365 days of news, The Pantagraph staff has narrowed down the top 10 stories of 2023.

From statewide shocks to education adjustments, criminal justice firsts to disastrous dust storms, these are just some of the topics that were important to our community this year, and well keep following them into 2024.

Pretrial Fairness Act and its implementation

The Pretrial Fairness Act, part of larger criminal justice legislation, went into effect in September  more than two years after it became law  eliminating cash bail in Illinois.

Stakeholders across Central Illinois counties braced for the impact and have taken the changes case by case. Implementing the new system has led to longer days at some courthouses as judges weigh the dangerousness and willful flight of each defendant, hearing argument and evidence from prosecutors and public defenders to determine whether they can be held pretrial without the possibility of posting bail.

Court services employees have taken on a larger role, as more defendants are released with pretrial conditions, sometimes including supervision.

McLean County stakeholders have said they are still working to make the daily process more efficient but are on the right track with what the legislature intended.

Unit 5 referendum passes on second try

McLean County Unit 5 got a second chance at addressing the districts financial woes with a referendum.

The referendum, which passed 12,819 to 8,768 after failing in November 2022, asked voters to allow the district to raise the maximum allowed tax rate for the education fund from $2.72 per $100 equalized assessed value to $3.60 per $100 EAV.

Unit 5 officials said they planned to wait to raise the education fund rate until taxes payable in 2025. At that time, about $0.89 of the rate will fall off because the related debt will have been repaid, allowing the district to raise the education fund rate without significantly affecting the overall tax rate. In recent years, the district had been using bonds to stay afloat, but with the increased education fund rate, leaders hoped to avoid compounding more debt.

After the referendum passed, the school board reversed approximately $2.5 million in cuts that were approved earlier in the year to save money.

This month, Unit 5 officials said the overall property tax rate for this fiscal year is expected to drop from $5.521 per $100 EAV to $5.306 per $100 EAV.

Illinois bans assault weapons

Gov. J.B. Pritzker in January signed legislation banning the sale, distribution and manufacture of high-power assault weapons, .50 caliber rifles and ammunition and large-capacity magazine. People who already owned such weapons were allowed to keep them but required to register them with the state.

Pritzker signed the bill during a ceremony in the statehouse just hours after the final version of it cleared the House, making Illinois the ninth state in the nation to impose such a ban. A flurry of legal challenges followed, some of which are still pending. The Illinois Supreme Court in August ruled 4-3 that the law was constitutional.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Supreme Court issued two orders turning down requests to block enforcement of Illinois assault weapons ban while challenges to the law are still being heard in lower courts.

A murder trial in absentia

Michael Bakana, a 44-year-old man from Normal, was convicted in May of first-degree murder and attempted murder in the January 2021 shooting death of 22-year-old Mariah Petracca and the shooting of her friend who survived with permanent nerve damage. The shooting was captured on a Bloomington Police Department camera in downtown Bloomington.

The McLean County jury that returned the guilty verdict never saw the defendant in person, though, as the trial proceeded without him present when he failed to appear for court. He was out on bond, having paid the county $200,035 to be released, when authorities said he cut off his GPS monitoring bracelet and fled.

Chief Judge Casey Costigan said it was new territory for a first-degree murder case to proceed with a trial in absentia, but after 18 status hearings, four separate attorneys and 27 months  Thats long enough.

Bakana was located and taken into custody in Kentucky within hours of his conviction. He was ultimately sentenced to 110 years in the Department of Corrections.

Deadly dust storm locks up Interstate 55

Eight people were killed and at least three dozen were injured when a dust storm blinded drivers traveling on Interstate 55 in May.

High winds kicked up clouds of dust from nearby farm fields, dropping visibility to zero. A series of crashes, leading to an 84-car pileup, occurred in both directions of traffic along a two-mile stretch of highway north of Farmersville and about 15 miles south of Springfield.

During the crashes, at least two semis caught fire adding smoke to the thick dust-clogged air.

In the aftermath of the deadly dust storm, farming practices were drawn into focus and experts questioned whether it was a freak act of nature or a result of farmers not using planting methods that could stop fertile soil from being carried off by high winds or heavy rains.

Cannabis industry expands

Recreational cannabis continued to expand across Illinois and locally this year, though sales data from the latter half of 2022 and early months of 2023 suggested the growth was coming at a slower pace.

Some of this slowdown was expected following the initial ramp-up. Dispensaries in the Metro East this year also entered direct competition with those in Missouri after the state legalized cannabis sales with its products taxed at a lower rate.

Still, according to data through the end of November, the highest month for recreational sales in Illinois was July, when they totaled over $140 million.

ISU, IWU sees leadership changes

Both Illinois State and Illinois Wesleyan universities are searching for new presidents.

ISU President Terri Goss Kinzy resigned abruptly in February after less than two years on the job. A reason for her departure was never disclosed. Aondover Tarhule, the universitys vice president for Academic Affairs and Provost for ISU since 2020, was appointed interim president with Kinzys departure and has served in the role since then.

The search for Illinois State Universitys next president is well underway, with search committee members having met several times with representatives of Parker Executive Search, the Georgia-based firm hired to lead the process. The next meeting will convene Jan. 25.

Illinois Wesleyan University President S. Georgia Nugent announced in October she planned to step down at the end of the academic year. Nugent first came to the campus as interim president in August 2019 and was elected its 20th president, and first female president, in November of that year.

IWU officials said they planned to begin immediately searching for Nugents successor with the help of WittKieffer Executive Search.

Normal election dispute spurs state law

Normals municipal classification was put into question at the tail end of 2022 and reached resolution this year with the governors signature.

In 2022, three candidates filed petitions to run for positions that wouldnt be on the ballot, leading to legal intervention. In January, a McLean County judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by those candidates who claimed the Normal town clerk was required to certify the candidates petitions for the offices of town collector and town supervisor, two offices that are not part of Normals government body, and town clerk, a position that is appointed.

The litigation stemmed from a legal dispute regarding how to classify Normals form of government after a group of residents sought to divide the community into districts, similar to Bloomingtons wards.

In June, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed legislation, sponsored by state Rep. Sharon Chung, D-Bloomington, and state Sen. Dave Koehler, D-Peoria, codifying the judges ruling.

LCU announces closure; Lincoln College hopes to return

Officials at Lincoln Christian University announced in October it would be acquired by Missouris Ozark Christian College. Several graduate-level programs will transfer, but the campus is expected to close at the end of this school year.

The news came a little over a year after LCU President Silas McCormick, citing financial problems and declining enrollment, announced major changes that included elimination of most undergraduate programs.

And it represented another loss for Lincoln, a Logan County community of roughly 13,000. Lincoln College, a private liberal arts college, closed in May 2022 after 157 years. While several area officials, including the Lincoln mayor, hinted in media interviews in July that the school might reopen, no plans have been made public.

Sugar Grove Nature Center restructures

Major changes came to Sugar Grove Nature Center this year with a sudden reorganization, staff cuts and plans to update the buildings and grounds.

The nature center sits on more than 1,000 acres of preserved, forested land and has long served as an access point to more than six miles of trails in Funks Grove, just off Route 66 southwest of Bloomington.

Until this year, it served as a destination for school field trips and summer camps. Those offerings changed after members of the Sugar Grove Foundation Board, which oversees the center, ended the employment of the centers longtime executive director and three other employees in February. They cited the need for a financial reckoning for the nonprofit, which is funded largely by donations.

Earlier this month, the foundation board announced natural areas in Funks Grove would be closed from Dec. 18 to April 1. That includes all hiking trails on the property and the nature play area. The closure, the board said, would serve as a much-needed period of rest for the wildlife and property to recover from the ever-increasing level of foot traffic.
A missing woman from St. Louis was found strangled Thursday in a Cook County Forest Preserve near Des Plaines, authorities said.

Marquisha Williams, 29, went missing Dec. 20, according to a news release from St. Louis County police. On Friday, the Cook County medical examiner confirmed that a body discovered the day before in the Algonquin Woods near the 2100 block of East Algonquin Road was Williams.

An autopsy found that Williams had died of strangulation. St. Louis County police said Wednesday that prosecutors had charged her ex-boyfriend, Trenton Ivy, with first-degree murder.

Police said Ivy, also a St. Louis resident, was in custody for unrelated charges in Racine, Wisconsin, and had confessed to killing Williams.

He had been driving Williams vehicle, containing apparent blood and biological materials along with her personal items, when Racine law enforcement arrested him, authorities said. Williams was a mother of four, according to published reports.
Oakland Police Officer Tuan Le was shot and killed while responding to a reported burglary at a cannabis dispensary near Jack London Square early Friday morning. Le was with the department for four years. Oakland Police Department

As rain poured down around them Friday, grieving community members and fellow first responders remembered Tuan Le, an Oakland police officer who died after being shot in the line of duty, as an officer deeply invested in his role serving and engaging with the community around him.

Le, 36, was shot Friday morning while responding to a reported burglary at a cannabis dispensary near Jack London Square, according to Oakland police. He died at a local hospital. KTVU reported late Friday night that at least two suspects in the burglary had been arrested, but said sources did not confirm whether the suspected shooter was among them.

Related: Memorial service honors slain Oakland police officer Tuan Le

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Le graduated from the Oakland Police Academy in 2020 and had spent the past two years serving as a community resource officer in West Oakland, according to the Oakland Police Department.

He will be remembered for his kindness, his smile, and the positive change he brought to the lives of those around him. He is a true hero who dedicated his life to making our community safer, the department said in a statement.

As word spread throughout the region of his death, scores of officers from different jurisdictions gathered at Highland Hospital in Oakland, where the young officer was taken after being shot and then was surrounded by his family and members of the department when he died. All around the sea of uniforms, gloomy skies reflected the somber mood as the officers mourned the death of a colleague. Le is the first Oakland police officer to die in the line of duty since 2009.

Its a family  were close knit, BART police Deputy Chief Joshua Patzer told the East Bay Times as his eyes welled up.

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Le was born in Vietnam in 1987 before moving to Oakland, and he became a naturalized citizen on Sept. 11, 2001, the department said.

On Friday night, a single string of green Christmas lights illuminated the front of Les Hayward home. Le lived there with his wife and pit bull, Lola, according to a neighbor who said they moved in two years ago.

Every time he and his wife left, he would wave, said the neighbor, who asked not to be named. You could just tell he was a kind man.

The neighbor said she often saw Le walking Lola, mowing his lawn or taking his Harley Davidson motorcycle out for a spin.

Keisha Henderson met Le earlier this year while he was patrolling her Oakland neighborhood, she said. She remembered Le as an officer who was uniquely dedicated to forming relationships with community members and taking their feedback.

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Whenever Henderson, a former member of Oaklands Reimagining Public Safety Task Force, told Le about her concerns or issues affecting the neighborhood, she would see a near-immediate impact in the way police patrolled it, she said.

He was a great listener. When you told him anything, you could tell he was listening, Henderson said.

Le was also easygoing, had a great sense of humor and paid attention to detail, Henderson said. When Henderson accidentally left her garage door open one night while Le was on patrol, he took the time to knock on her door and look around the garage for her, she said.

Henderson said she hopes Les memory will serve as an example to Oakland police officers of the impact they can have by being open and available to members of the community.

That was one thing about Officer Le. He wasnt a super-high-ranking officer, he was just a patrol community resource officer and he still took matters into his own hands on getting his hands dirty and actually meeting with community members, she said.

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I just hope that as (officers) are grieving, that they dont feel defeated, because right now we dont have time for them to feel defeated.
Before millions of Americans installed solar roofs, before towering wind turbines became a common sight in Midwestern skies, before electric car giant Tesla rolled out its first sedan, there was Icebreaker.

Small but seemingly unstoppable, the Cleveland clean energy project fought for 14 years to become the first offshore wind farm on the Great Lakes.

Along the way, there were victories: Icebreaker Wind secured a $50 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy and won a case before the Ohio Supreme Court.

But a few weeks ago, the Icebreaker team finally admitted defeat, with an announcement that the project had been indefinitely suspended due, in part, to lack of funding.

We just dont have a path forward right now, said William Friedman, a board member at the nonprofit behind Icebreaker, the Lake Erie Energy Development Corp.

The fall of Icebreaker is a blow for those who dream of clean energy flowing in from the Great Lakes, which have the potential to supply electricity to millions of homes.

But experts and Icebreaker insiders told the Tribune that the pioneering Icebreaker project faced obstacles specific to its advancing age, relatively small size and lack of state support  obstacles that other projects, including one being considered in Illinois, could potentially avoid.

The Illinois wind farm  proposed in February for Lake Michigan in a bill that notes the potential benefits of a Chicago location  would be larger than Icebreaker and could benefit from strong state support for clean energy.

Chicago probably could lead the way, and in some ways is leading the way in the race to build the first Great Lakes wind farm, said Walt Musial, chief engineer for offshore wind energy at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

The Illinois bill, the Rust Belt to Green Belt Act, passed in the House and is under consideration in the Senate.

Some people think this is (just) a cute little thing were doing for energy, said state Rep. Marcus Evans, D-Chicago, who introduced the bill in the House. But he sees the quest for a Lake Michigan wind farm as part of a global clean energy transition.

Were building the infrastructure to power the world, Evans said.

The Icebreaker era

From a clean energy perspective, offshore wind is better wind: faster and more consistent, with a smoother flow, according to Gregory Nemet, a professor at the La Follette School of Public Affairs at the University of Wisconsin at Madison.

You get less electricity out of the same turbine on land, Nemet said. Its just the difference between having the smooth surface you have on water versus hills and buildings and terrain that introduce turbulence.

And the advantages of offshore wind dont stop there.

With wind turbines getting bigger, developers can avoid daunting transportation challenges, such as fitting huge trucks under bridges. Offshore turbines can be built at specialized ports and hauled directly to installation sites by barge.

Offshore turbines, which can be situated 15 miles or more from land, are less likely to interfere with scenic views or cause aesthetic complaints, Nemet said. And they can be placed relatively close to major population centers such as Chicago.

Icebreaker would have benefited from such advantages, as well as the $50 million Department of Energy grant. For a while, there was also a partnership with a big Norwegian wind developer.

But Icebreaker experienced delays in 2020, when Ohio regulators added a poison pill to their approval of the $126 million, six-turbine project: The turbines would have to power down at night for eight months of the year, to limit harm to migrating birds and bats.

The poison pill was added despite testimony from state experts that a nighttime shutdown was unnecessary, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

That was a very damaging blow, said Richard Stuebi, a lecturer at Boston Universitys Questrom School of Business and the first president of the nonprofit behind Icebreaker.

The regulators backed down, but they had already delayed a project that had to meet Department of Energy timetables and deadlines to keep its funding.

Another set of delays was caused by a lawsuit filed by citizens with environmental concerns. Icebreaker emerged victorious in a 2022 Ohio Supreme Court decision, but again, valuable time was lost.

In the end, Icebreaker essentially ran out of deadline extensions from the Department of Energy and had to forgo $37 million of its $50 million grant, according to Friedman.

Its disappointing, Friedman said. A lot of people worked hard over the years to try to advance the project.

Still, he remains optimistic about the future of Great Lakes wind power. Great Lakes wind can supply enough electricity to power millions of homes by 2050, according to Musial.

Icebreaker would have produced enough electricity to power about 7,000 homes.

Friedman noted that the proposed Illinois wind farm could get strong state support, something that Icebreaker never obtained.

And he pointed out that Icebreaker was conceived as a relatively small demonstration project that  due to its size  couldnt pay for itself. At this point, he said, it probably makes more sense to go with a big, economically viable project.

The Illinois bill proposes a pilot project capable of generating at least 150 megawatts of electricity, while Icebreaker would have generated about 21 megawatts.

The Illinois bill would set up a fund to help the wind project apply for federal grant money and the bill would require the state to procure electricity from at least one very large offshore wind project on Lake Michigan.

Friedman, the president and CEO of the Port of Cleveland, said he isnt aware of an equally promising Great Lakes offshore wind project.

I think with the interest thats been sparked in Illinois, you all are probably the next up to bat, he said.

Jobs, money at stake

To make a wind turbine you need to bend steel, turn screws and grind gears.

Its the stuff that the industrial Midwest has historically done, said Stuebi, and workers in this region have the right skills for the jobs that will be created.

There could also be money for the state of Illinois. On the East Coast, wind developers have paid billions of dollars for leases that allow them to build offshore wind farms.

Most of that money has gone to the federal government, but in the Great Lakes, the states would have control over leasing.

(States) would presumably be able to keep a lot of the (lease) money, Musial said. That hasnt been worked out yet, but I would think that would be an incentive to at least look into it.

Offshore wind can serve big cities like Chicago that have large populations, relatively little available land, and few options for local, utility-scale, carbon-free electricity.

One option  referenced in the Illinois bill but not required by it  would be to locate at least part of the project, a specialized port, on the South Side of Chicago, which is already home to a major port.

Offshore wind farms have been supplying power to Europe since the 1990s, and earlier this month a Long Island wind farm became the first commercial-scale offshore wind project in the United States to deliver electricity to the power grid.

I think we will see wind power on the Great Lakes, said Musial. The question is more, how much will we see, and when will it happen?

Large floating turbines could be installed about 15 miles offshore in the Great Lakes, where the winds are good, the birds are fewer and the visual impact is minimized, Musial said.

Among the challenges: There has never been a commercial-scale floating wind farm built in waters that freeze in winter.

Sheets of ice as big as Chicago could collide with floating turbines as tall as skyscrapers, and the turbines would have to be designed to break the ice and deflect it.

Weve done design studies and it doesnt appear to be an insurmountable engineering problem, but because it hasnt been done yet, theres uncertainty about the things that might occur, Musial said.

Passing the torch

There are also regulatory issues: States would have to set rules for wind farms, perhaps by adopting federal regulations. A government report co-authored by Musial recommends forming a Great Lakes wind energy advisory group, with members drawn from government, industry, nonprofits and research institutions.

The report also recommends holding workshops to allow discussion among the affected states, set research priorities and encourage regional partnerships.

Musial said that given the technical challenges and regulatory gaps, it will likely be at least eight to 10 years before we will see a wind turbine operating on the Great Lakes.

I think what happens next is some kind of regional dialogue among the states that want to do this, he said.

Icebreaker could, technically, be resurrected, should a new source of funding appear. But Friedman doubts that the project, in its current form, will ever be built.

Too much time went by, he said. Thats part of the whole story of the demise. When you begin planning and designing something many, many years ago, technology changes during that time frame. Costs change. And you get to the point where you almost have to start over.

As for Illinois, Evans refrained from offering an estimate of when a wind farm could be built, saying at this point its hard to know.

He knows his next step, though: drumming up support for his bill.

Its all about moving the ball along, he said.
Russia has reopened its embassy in Burkina Faso after it was shut more than 30 years ago, officials have said.



Burkina Faso was a close ally of former colonial power France, but has pivoted towards Russia since the military seized power in a coup in 2022.



The junta has expelled French diplomats and has shut France's military base in the country.



At the same time, it has been strengthening military and diplomatic ties with Russia.



France had condemned the coup in Burkina Faso, as well as in neighbouring Mali and Niger.



Russian President Vladimir Putin announced plans to reopen the embassy during the Russia-Africa summit in St Petersburg in July.



The embassy was closed in 1992 as Moscow reduced its involvement in Africa following the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union.



The embassy was reopened at a ceremony in Burkina Faso's capital, Ouagadougou, Russia's state-owned news agency Tass reported.



Russia has not yet named the head of the mission.



Russia's ambassador to Ivory Coast, Alexei Saltykov, said he would head it until Mr Putin made an appointment, AFP news agency reports.



He described the West African state as "an old partner with whom we have solid and friendly ties".



Under Mr Putin, Russia has made a huge push in recent years to regain influence in Africa.



Burkina Faso's Defence Minister, Col Kassoum Coulibaly, held talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu in Moscow last month, in the latest meeting between military officials from the two countries.



Col Coulibaly said the talks had reached a "practical phase" as Burkina Faso's army tried to strengthen its capabilities.



Along with Mali and Niger, Burkina Faso has been battling an Islamist insurgency.



Mali's junta has called in Russia's Wagner mercenary group to help fight the militants while expelling French troops.



Burkina Faso's junta has denied allegations, made last year by Ghana's President Nana Akufo-Addo, that it too has brought in Wagner.



In other areas of co-operation, Burkina Faso signed a deal with Russia in July for the construction of a nuclear power plant to increase its energy supply.



Less than a quarter of the country's population has access to electricity.



Last month, Russia also sent a team of doctors to help Burkina Faso deal with deadly outbreaks of dengue fever and chikungunya.

Source: BBC









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Florida has long been home to an unnatural assortment of creatures from faraway lands and habitats, and these tourists turned permanent residents have wreaked havoc on the natural ecosystem.

You can thank the Burmese pythons slithering around the Everglades for the lack of marsh rabbits, and the Asian swamp eels are to blame for cratering populations of native crayfish and flagfish.

But what's next?

That's the subject of new research from the University of Florida, where scientists tried to predict which species could be the next contender for the Sunshine State's most annoying new invasive.

Scientists analyzed nearly 500 potential candidates before narrowing the field to 40 species that could pose the biggest threat.

Of those, four stood out. The UF team said the four species to watch out for next are alewife, zebra mussels, crab-eating macaques, and red swamp crayfish.

While the three marine species may not look impressive compared to the fanged beasts that draw the most headlines for their ecosystem-ruining behavior, they each could pose a real threat to Florida's food web.

The report doesn't suggest where these species might be likely to pop up next, but it does include predictions for how they might sneak into Florida, including hitchhiking on cargo containers or illegal releases from irresponsible pet owners.

The study mainly relies on a numerical model that scores and ranks the creatures based on their history of invading other places, how often Florida is exposed to places where they're already invasive, and if Florida is the right habitat for this species. Researchers also ran their findings past a panel of 28 experts in academia, wildlife management nonprofits, and government agencies.

Alewife

The alewife, a tiny herring fish, is already causing problems with the trout population in the Great Lakes area. Alewives eat trout larvae, reducing the population, but when adult trout consume too many of them, the bigger fish get a vitamin deficiency that hurts their reproductive abilities.

They were originally introduced to freshwater lakes as prey for game fish, according to the USDA's Invasive.org, and haven't yet been spotted in Florida.

Zebra Mussels

Zebra mussels are already considered one of the "world's worst" invaders. Originally from the Black, Aral, and Caspian seas in Eurasia, the shellfish have since made homes all around Europe, Great Britain, North America, Russia, and Scandinavia.

Scientists figure they spread through ballast water from large ships, which first brought them to the Great Lakes region in the 1980s, according to the USGS.

"Zebra mussels negatively impact ecosystems in many ways. They filter out algae that native species need for food and they attach toand incapacitatenative mussels. Power plants must also spend millions of dollars removing zebra mussels from clogged water intakes," the USGS website reads.

They haven't been found in the wild in Florida yet, but a Gainesville pet shop was cited in 2021 after inspectors found one in a moss ball for sale in the shop.

Crab-eating Macaques

"The one that wasn't even on my radar was the macaque," lead author Diah Lieurance, who started the project while working at the University of Florida and is now an assistant professor of invasive species biology and management at Penn State, said in a statement.

"But they're already in the state in captivity, and as their name says, they're good at eating crabs. This means they would have an impact on our native biodiversity."

The crab-eating macaque was the only species on the list that ranked as a danger both to the ecosystem and to human health because the monkeys can carry diseases that affect humans. A close relative, the rhesus macaque, is already established in Silver Springs, Florida, and carries a deadly strain of herpes.

Red Swamp Crayfish

The red swamp crayfish, a hand-sized crustacean the color of a fire engine, is already a problem in Florida. According to the USGS, they tend to out-eat and out-compete native crayfish, as well as devour the eggs of other vulnerable species.

"Its introduction may cause dramatic changes in native plant and animal communities," a report from the Fish and Wildlife Service said.

Floridians that spot one of these critters, or any other nonnative animals, can report sightings at the FWC's Invasive Species Hotline at 888-Ive-Got1 (483-4681) to report nonnative animals.

"We ask the public to call the Hotline to report high-priority species, which include all nonnative snakes, monitor lizards, and tegus," the agency said.

2023 Miami Herald.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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VLITE 340 MHz image of GLIMPSE-C01 from February 27, 2021. Credit: McCarver et al., 2023.

Using the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA), astronomers have discovered a millisecond pulsar in the globular cluster GLIMPSE-C01 as part of the VLA Low-band Ionosphere and Transient Experiment (VLITE). This is the first pulsar ever detected in this cluster. The finding was reported in a paper published December 18 on the pre-print server arXiv.

Pulsars are highly magnetized, rotating neutron stars emitting a beam of electromagnetic radiation from their poles, most commonly in the form of radio waves. The most rapidly rotating pulsars, with rotation periods below 30 milliseconds, are known as millisecond pulsars (MSPs). Astronomers assume that they are formed in binary systems when the initially more massive component turns into a neutron star that is then spun up due to accretion of matter from the secondary star.

Due to their large stellar densities, globular clusters (GCs) are perceived as excellent places for the formation of MSPs. Their stellar densities are so large that many neutron stars can acquire a companion via binary exchange encounters.

That is why a team of astronomers led by Amaris V. McCarver of the Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, decided to conduct a radio imaging search for pulsars in nearly one hundred GCs. For this purpose, they analyzed images from VLITE and from the VLITE Commensal Sky Survey (VCSS).

"In this paper we present a large search for pulsar candidates in globular clusters using low frequency radio continuum images," the researchers wrote.

In total, the team identified 10 sources for the sample of 97 globular clusters. Afterward, they performed a weighted fit using archival and new flux density measurements to determine the spectral index for each source.

The strongest pulsar candidate turned out to be the source in GLIMPSE-C01a dense and massive intermediate-age GC located about 10,760 light years away from the Earth. The source has an extremely steep spectrum and the analysis of additional radio, X-ray and infrared data confirmed its pulsar nature.

The newfound pulsar, designated GLIMPSE-C01A, has a spin period of 19.78 milliseconds and a dispersion measure of 491.1 pc/cm3. It appears that this pulsar has a higher hard X-ray (210 keV) luminosity than most MSPs in globular clusters, while also having a slower spin period. This suggests a high magnetic fieldat a level of 1 billion Gauss. The characteristic age of this pulsar is estimated to be 100 million years.

Summing up the results, the researchers note that performing regular timing and establishing an orbital and timing solution for GLIMPSE-C01A is necessary in order to obtain more properties of this pulsar. They added that their discovery underlines the effectiveness of spectral index searches for pulsars.

More information: Amaris V. McCarver et al, A VLITE Search for Millisecond Pulsars in Globular Clusters: Discovery of a Pulsar in GLIMPSE-C01, arXiv (2023). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2312.11694 Journal information: arXiv

 2023 Science X Network
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A University at Buffalo-led study analyzes the chemical binding behind sodium's transformation from shiny metal to transparent insulator under high pressure. Photo: Dnn87, Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported

Travel deep enough below Earth's surface or inside the center of the sun, and matter changes on an atomic level.

The mounting pressure within stars and planets can cause metals to become nonconducting insulators. Sodium has been shown to transform from a shiny, gray-colored metal into a transparent, glass-like insulator when squeezed hard enough.

Now, a University at Buffalo-led study has revealed the chemical bonding behind this particular high-pressure phenomenon.

While it's been theorized that high pressure essentially squeezes sodium's electrons out into the spaces between atoms, researchers' quantum chemical calculations show that these electrons still very much belong to the surrounding atoms and are chemically bonded to each other.

"We're answering a very simple question of why sodium becomes an insulator, but predicting how other elements and chemical compounds behave at very high pressures will potentially give insight into bigger-picture questions," says Eva Zurek, Ph.D., professor of chemistry in the UB College of Arts and Sciences and co-author of the study, which was published in Angewandte Chemie, a journal of the German Chemical Society. "What's the interior of a star like? How are planets' magnetic fields generated, if indeed any exist? And how do stars and planets evolve? This type of research moves us closer to answering these questions."

The study confirms and builds upon the theoretical predictions of the late renowned physicist Neil Ashcroft, whose memory the study is dedicated to.

It was once thought that materials always become metallic under high pressurelike the metallic hydrogen theorized to make up Jupiter's corebut Ashcroft and Jeffrey Neaton's seminal paper two decades ago found some materials, like sodium, can actually become insulators or semiconductors when squeezed. They theorized that sodium's core electrons, thought to be inert, would interact with each other and the outer valence electrons when under extreme pressure.

"Our work now goes beyond the physics picture painted by Ashcroft and Neaton, connecting it with chemical concepts of bonding," says the UB-led study's lead author, Stefano Racioppi, Ph.D., a postdoctoral researcher in the UB Department of Chemistry.

Pressures found below Earth's crust can be difficult to replicate in a lab, so using supercomputers in UB's Center for Computational Research, the team ran calculations on how electrons behave in sodium atoms when under high pressure.

The electrons become trapped within the interspatial regions between atoms, known as an electride state. This causes sodium's physical transformation from shiny metal to transparent insulator, as free-flowing electrons absorb and retransmit light but trapped electrons simply allow the light to pass through.

However, researchers' calculations showed for the first time that the emergence of the electride state can be explained through chemical bonding.

The high pressure causes electrons to occupy new orbitals within their respective atoms. These orbitals then overlap with each other to form chemical bonds, causing localized charge concentrations in the interstitial regions.

While previous studies offered an intuitive theory that high pressure squeezed electrons out of atoms, the new calculations found that the electrons are still part of surrounding atoms.

"We realized that these are not just isolated electrons that decided to leave the atoms. Instead, the electrons are shared between the atoms in a chemical bond," Racioppi says. "They're quite special."

Other contributors include Malcolm McMahon and Christian Storm from the University of Edinburgh's School of Physics and Astronomy and Center for Science at Extreme Conditions.

The work was supported by the Center for Matter at Atomic Pressure, a National Science Foundation center led by the University of Rochester that studies how pressure inside stars and planets can rearrange materials' atomic structure.

"Obviously it is difficult to conduct experiments that replicate, say, the conditions within the deep atmospheric layers of Jupiter," Zurek says, "but we can use calculations, and in some cases, high-tech lasers, to simulate these kinds of conditions."
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

There are few things more peaceful and relaxing than a night under the stars. Through the holidays, many people head away from the bright city lights to go camping. They revel in the dark skies, spangled with myriad stars.

As a child, I loved such trips, and they helped cement my passion for the night sky, and for all things space.

One of my great joys as an astronomer is sharing the night sky with people. There is something wondrous about helping people stare at the cosmos through a telescope, getting their first glimpses of the universe's many wonders. But we can also share and enjoy the night sky just with our own eyespointing out the constellations and the planets or discovering the joys of watching meteor showers.

It is easy to be bitten by the astronomy bug, and a common question I get asked is, "How can I get more into stargazing?". Here are ways to get started in this fascinating and timeless hobby that won't break the bank.

Learning the night sky

A good place to start if you're a budding astronomer is to learn your way around the night sky. When I was young, this involved getting hold of a planisphere (a star map, you can make your own here), or a good reference book.

Today, there are countless good apps to help you find your way around the night sky.

A great example of such an app is Stellariuma planetarium program allowing you to view the night sky from the comfort of your room or to plan an evening's observation ahead of schedule.

To memorize the night sky, you can try star hopping. Pick out a bright, famous, easy-to-find constellation, and use it as a guide to help you identify the constellations around it.

Learn one constellation per week, and within a year, you'll be familiar with most of the constellations visible from your location.

Let's use Orion as an example. The slider below shows images from Stellarium, with Orion riding high in the sky on a summer's evening. I've added arrows to show how you can use Orion (shown in the center of the map below) to hop around the summer sky.

To learn the constellations around Orion, your task is relatively straightforward. Head out on a clear, dark summer's night, and find Orion high to the north. The three stars of Orion's belt are a fantastic signpost to Orion's neighbors.

If you follow the line of the belt upwards and to the right, you come to Siriusthe brightest star in the night sky, and the brightest star in Canis Major, the big hunting dog. Carry the line on and curve to the left as you go, and you'll find Canopus, the second brightest star in the sky.

Now come back to Orion's belt, and follow its line down and to the left. You'll come to a V-shaped group of stars, including the bright red Aldebaran. This is the Hyades star cluster (with Aldebaran a foreground interloper), which makes up the head of Taurus, the bull.

Take the line further, and you come to the Pleiadesoften known as the Seven Sistersa beautiful star cluster easily visible to the naked eye.

Back to Orion again. This time, you're going to draw a line from Rigel (the bright star at the top-left of Orion's boxy body) through Betelgeuse (the bright red star at the lower-right of the box) and continue it towards the horizon. This takes you to Geminithe twins.

Example of using the clock feature in Stellarium to see the movement of Saturns moons. Credit: Stellarium

Just by using Orion as the signpost, you can find your way to a good number of constellations (the cyan line points to Lepus, the hare; the white line to Canis Minor, the little hunting dog).

By star hopping, you'll slowly but surely learn your way around the night sky until the constellations become familiar friends.

Virtual observing

Looking at the sky with the naked eye is a wonderful thing, but it's also great to zoom in and see more detail.

What if you don't have access to binoculars or a telescope of your own? Thankfully, software like Stellarium can give you a fantastic virtual observing experience.

Imagine you want to see Saturn's ringsa spectacular sight through even a small telescope. You can easily do this with Stellarium. Find Saturn by using the search bar and click on it to bring up the planet's info.

Click on the cross-hair symbol to "lock on", then zoom in. The further you zoom in, the more you'll see. You can even run the clock forwards or backwards to see the planet's moons move in their orbits, or the tilt of Saturn's rings changing from our viewpoint over time.

A virtual observing session is as simple as thatjust pan around the sky until you find something you want to see, and zoom in.

A hobby best shared

Now, a virtual observing session is great, but it pales compared to the real thing. I'd recommend using planetarium programs like Stellarium to figure out what you want to see, then heading out to look at it with your own eyes.

Astronomy is a wonderful hobby, and one that is best shared. Most towns and cities have their own astronomy clubs, and they're usually more than happy to welcome guests who want to gaze at the night sky.

I joined my local astronomy society, the West Yorkshire Astronomical Society in the United Kingdom, when I was just eight years old. I owe them so much. The members were incredibly supportive of a young kid with so many questions, and I genuinely believe I would not be where I am today without their help. As a member, I saw firsthand just how fantastic the amateur astronomy community is.

At the society, we had weekly talks on astronomy, given by the club members and visiting astronomers from local universities. We also had regular night sky viewing nights, using the society's very own telescopea behemoth the members had built themselves.

People who are passionate about their hobby love nothing more than sharing it with others. The members of astronomical societies are fantastic guides to the night sky, and they often have incredible equipment they're more than happy to share with you.

Both astronomy clubs and universities often offer public night sky viewing nights, which are the perfect opportunity to peer at the sky through a telescope, with an experienced guide on hand to find the most impressive sights to share.

So, if you want to learn more about the night sky, reach out to your local astronomy societyit could be the start of something very special.

If you want to find a local astronomy group, check out this list. If you're a member of a group that isn't listed, please reach out to get them to update the list using the 'Contact Us' link.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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The organizational meeting for the Northumberland Fire District of the Town of Northumberland, County of Saratoga, New York, will be held on Jan. 3, 2024, at 7 p.m. The meeting will be held in the Gansevoort Fire House.
Welcome to the final hard-copy Post-Star of 2023!

We have a lot to cover in this Year-in-Review and not nearly enough space to cover it.

Well start with Saratoga Biochar Solutions, the company that wants to build a waste-to-fertilizer processing plant in the town of Moreaus industrial park. The company faced intense backlash as it brought its plan to the towns planning board. The basic plan would truck tons of dried, treated waste material from many municipalities and send it through a process that the company says will remove waste and harmful chemicals and provide safe fertilizer for plants. Moreau residents largely were not buying it and packed the planning board meetings, carrying banners and signs. The group Not Moreau was created to fight the plan.

The company won approval with caveats from the planning board and has had one lawsuit decided in its favor.

However, the fallout led into the November elections with a 3-to-1 vote against the Moreau Town Board members who either favored the project or said little against it. The Moreau United party  also formed in the wake of the planning discussions  rallied against town Supervisor Todd Kusnierz, as the perceived face of the political forces pushing for the project.

Kusnierz has rejected all claims of a political agenda connected to Saratoga Biochar Solutions, other than as an economic boon to the Moreau Industrial Park.

The Downtown Revitalization Initiative in Glens Falls, a New York State grant won about five years ago, started to see forward movement at the main location: The corner of Elm and South streets in the city (some of the grant money had already been spent on other, smaller projects). In the last few weeks earth moving equipment has started to prepare the foundation of the Market Center pavilion. The pavilion on South Street will have moveable outer walls that will be lifted to turn the building into a pavilion or lowered to create a large, enclosed space. The main detractors of the building have aligned themselves with the nonprofit Glens Falls Farmers Market which will use the building on Saturdays, unless it conflicts with other events or activities. The group believes they were promised much more by they city when the DRI grant was first announced.

Speaking of Lake George Village: For the first time in some five decades, the village saw a new mayor sworn in. Ray Perry ran unopposed in March to take over the reins of the village from the longest serving mayor in the nation: Robert Bob Blais. Blais spent 52 years at the helm. When Blais began his tenure, the nation was just leaving the Civil Rights Era, was still involved in the Viet Nam war and the Six Flags Great Escape was still Storytown and owned by Charles R. Wood.

Local music legend Bobby Dick died in the spring, and the accolades and respect flowed steadily from the local music scene. In the 1960s, Dick opened concerts for rock legends the Rolling Stones and The Who.

The Adirondack Hot Air Balloon Festival held its 50th anniversary celebration this fall. The festivities included a major gala that celebrated the third largest balloon festival in the nationand the only one of those three that has no full-time, paid staff. They also launched the book Pilot Memoirs that features stories from some of the pilots who helped grow the festival back in the 1970s.

Finally, The Post-Star has covered the debacle at the Rockwell Falls Library in Hadley more than any other news outlet. What started as an approved Drag Queen Story Hour turned into a postponed event that was cancelled after the performer moved out of the area. It also saw an election that filled two board positions. A group formed in the community to celebrate LGBTQ+ life. Two of the full-time librarians including the executive director quit, forcing the library to close. The Southern Adirondack Library System had to step in when the board was down to two members and had no quorum. Last week (the story is a bit late and in the paper today) three new board members were sworn in. We will see what next year brings.
Editor:

I taught English Composition for 12 years in Great Meadows Prison, a class in how to look closely, examine, define, question, to analyze cause and effect, make connections, to think.

The men wrote deeply, honestly. I gathered together some papers in a book Breaking Out of Prison: a guide to consciousness, compassion, and freedom, exploring writing as one way to break out of prisons of mind and heart that restrict our thinking and being. Our human tendency is, often, to not look at what we dont want to see, a willful ignoranceno matter how obvious, how much evidence and facts. Greed, power, fear.

We deny our climate crisis, refusing to see dangerous extreme warming, floods, droughts, wildfires, loss of life. We cling to patriarchal power, commit violence against targeted groups, impose Christian right wing extremism  fearful of losing our privilege as a man, a white person, a Christian  assuming its our natural right to dominate over another who is not us, not recognizing their dignity, uniqueness, richness. I think of MAGA Republicans, Stefanik, Trump denying what is so obvious: Trump lost the election!

He threatens all dissenters, rouses violence and hatred, silences and demeans all who speak truth. His worshippers seem able to deny his corruption, cruelty, narcissism, his danger to our democracy, the overwhelming evidence from his former loyalists pleading guilty to lying, plotting, creating false electors to steal the election. They cheer his clearly stated plans to assume the power of a dictator.

Truth is layered, complex. We dont have to relinquish our differences, values, beliefs, but, rather, to listen, allow in new facts and experiences, not cling to the illusion that rigidity and ignorance are good and will keep us safe, to choose to grow into our deeper selves. The men I taught would often write Now I see An amazing grace.

Bernice Mennis

West Fort Ann
A busy street scene at Market and Sixth in San Francisco during the 1920s. The Oxford Hotel, Garfield Building, Mechanics Savings Bank Building, Flood Building and Humboldt Bank Building can be seen in the distance. OpenSFHistory San Francisco artist Amos Engle created this painting after reveling in the city on New Years Eve in 1924. He died two years later. Rendering courtesy of the Engle family

Sunday is New Years Eve, the last day of the old year, a day to remember. Memory is one of those tricky things, complicated, dangerous, important. There are lots of things people want to put aside and forget. And others you want to remember forever. And this comes to mind on New Years Eve, especially at midnight, when the year turns.

I got an email the other day from Nina Shapiro-Perl, a teacher and former filmmaker who lives in the Bay Area. She sent me a watercolor by Amos Engle, an underappreciated California artist who had a studio in San Francisco. Engle was her great-uncle.

The painting is of New Years Eve in San Francisco a century ago. It is a painting full of life, color and celebration. At the center is a man in a black hat and overcoat, caught in a paper streamer, his companion wearing a long coat with a touch of fur and a red hat. There is confetti in the air and on the streets, like snow.

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Engle and his wife, Fanny, had gone out on the town that New Years Eve to celebrate. He went to his studio not long after to paint what they had seen.

So there it was: New Years Eve on a San Francisco street in the Roaring Twenties, the Jazz Age, a time of airplanes, Model T Fords, bootleggers, gangsters, and a kind of wild optimism. Nothing would ever be the same, kid, and dont you forget it.

Ive seen a lot of pictures from the 20s, but they were all in black and white and kind of somber. But Engles San Francisco was in color on an unforgettable night 100 years ago.

Shapiro-Perl, who sent me the painting, once wrote of the power of objects to store the memory within them, and how Engles other paintings drew her into California of another time  I see the canneries, docks, hills, the bay before the bridge, Sausalito, Carmel that Amos saw 100 years ago.

San Francisco was booming in the new year of 1924: New buildings were going up, Sunny Jim Rolph was mayor, and nobody paid much attention to silly laws like Prohibition. It was the year Alma de Bretteville Spreckels and her husband, Adolph, built the Palace of the Legion of Honor museum and donated it to the city. San Franciscos Municipal Railway opened new streetcar lines and made money. Anything seemed possible.

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Yet there was a dark undercurrent: Congress passed a new immigration act in 1924, extending the ban on Asian immigration to the United States and adding new limits on southern and eastern European immigration as well.

The great economic boom of the 20s turned out to be an illusion. The Roaring Twenties ended with the stock market crash in the fall of 1929. And in Germany, Adolf Hitler came to power not 10 years after that New Years Day. So the fond memory of that festive night a century ago did not last.

Engle did not live to see it. In February 1926, just when his painting career was taking off, he died from complications of surgery. His wife, Fanny, heartbroken, moved back to New York, where she lived the rest of her life.

When I saw the New Years Eve painting I thought of the power of memory, especially in San Francisco, especially now, when the past appears to be better than the present.

Whenever I write something about San Francisco I get emails praising the old San Francisco, mythical city that existed in a different place, a different time.

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And none of us can live there. We can only live in the city we have now.

In with the new. To celebrate the new year and search for a 2024 memory Id take a winter walk.

Id go up to Noe Valley to see the shops, stop at an English tea shop, an Irish bar or a fish restaurant. On a windy day Id go to Ocean Beach to see the waves rolling in from far away. Id ride the expensive new subway to Chinatown to walk in the alleys. Id wait for the first sunny day of the new year and sit in a parklet with a cup of coffee and watch the world go by. Id have a drink at Gino and Carlo in North Beach and listen to the talk. Id take the streetcar out to West Portal to see the quintessential San Francisco shopping street.

Id take the ferry to Oakland just for the hell of it, sit outside and look back from the bay at San Francisco and wonder what Ill remember of the new city in the new year.
Flying Fish Brewing Co., one of the oldest breweries in South Jersey, has filed for bankruptcy.

The Somerdale, Camden County, company's filing comes on the heels of it failing to sell its assets earlier this year to Cape May Brewing Company.

Flying Fish listed liabilities of roughly $8 million in a Chapter 11 filing Thursday. It reported assets of about $1.3 million, which included brewing equipment worth about $500,000.

In the filing, Flying Fish cited a decline in gross revenue, having fallen from about $4 million in each of the previous two years to $3.1 million for this year through Wednesday. It will continue operations as a debtor in possession.

Flying Fish opened in 1996 in Cherry Hill and moved to nearby Somerdale in 2012. It distributes beer to New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland.

In the spring, Cape May Brewing announced it would acquire Flying Fish's production facility and other assets, including the Flying Fish name. That deal fell through in June.

After extensive analysis during the diligence phase, Cape May Brewing Company determined it will not complete the planned acquisition of Flying Fish, brewery President Frank Stempin told The Press of Atlantic City in October.

Added Flying Fish President Frank Rio at the time, Thats a question for them about why they didnt move forward with closing. On my end, theres nothing to say.

PHOTOS: Day 1 of the 2023 Atlantic City Beer & Music Festival
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ATLANTIC CITY  Police arrested a city man Thursday who allegedly ditched a handgun after firing gunshots.

Jibril Mitchell, 31, was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, possession of a ghost gun, certain person not to possess a weapon, possession of a large-capacity magazine, obstruction of justice, resisting arrest, hindering apprehension and tampering with evidence.

Officers responded to the 400 block of Indiana Avenue at 9:05 p.m. Thursday after gunshots were detected in the area. While there, they obtained descriptions of two men who left the area in a vehicle, police said Friday in a news release.

Officers Moustafa Maarouf and Ivaylo Penchev found the vehicle in the 2100 block of Sheridan Avenue with two men matching the descriptions given to officers standing outside, police said. When the officers went to speak to the men, Mitchell fled, leading Penchev on a foot chase, during which Mitchell discarded a handgun.

Mitchell was ultimately apprehended. The second man who was with Mitchell was questioned and later released, police said.

Mitchell was sent to the Atlantic County jail. The incident is still being investigated, and additional charges are possible, police said.
ATLANTIC CITY  The Atlantic City Housing Authority will be back in court Tuesday, arguing over potential rent abatements for tenants suing over conditions at Stanley Holmes Village, and over a Dec. 14 request by tenants that the judge take stronger action to enforce his own Nov. 2 order.

Late Friday, the Housing Authority submitted certifications from Executive Director Tom Sahlin and from a consultant with the 360 Group describing actions taken to comply with portions of the Nov. 2 order.

We filed the additional motion because of the continued problems with heat and hot water, the lack of progress on other repairs, and our concerns as to whether the Housing Authority is failing to comply with the Orders issued by the Court, tenants lawyer Olga Pomar of South Jersey Legal Services said Friday.

For example, because the Housing Authority already violated the order by not providing us and the Court with the required updates, we do not know whether they conducted the required electrical assessment to make sure the use of space heaters they distributed is safe, Pomar said. The deposition testimony of Mr. (Executive Director Tom) Sahlin revealed that at least as of that date, the Housing Authority was not intending to replace all crawl space gas lines as the Order required.

In addition, Pomar said, the Housing Authority has not decided whether it will be replacing the heating system by next year, according to Sahlins deposition.

Jackson Mohr of the 360 Group said in the certification he is working on developing a computer system for tracking tenant complaints called YouBIM, and Sahlin said a contractor has prepared a draft electrical assessment of Stanley Holmes Village that will help determine whether electrical heat can be provided to the village.

Sahlin said emergencies and staff shortages kept the authority from providing bi-weekly updates ordered by the court.

On Nov. 10, Pomar asked to order 100% rent abatements for October to April for the past three years and going forward, and 60% abatements for May through September, for all tenants in the lawsuit.

Tenants of Atlantic City's Altman Terrace seek rent credit for month of no hot water After living without hot water for a month, and without heat for part of that time, Altman Terrace residents are seeking a rent adjustment from the Atlantic City Housing Authority.

In October, Judge John Porto said he would order some type of rent abatement to tenants, and asked each side to submit proposals for how much should be rebated.

In a Nov. 17 response, the authoritys attorney, Rick DeLucry, did not recommend any percentage amounts. Instead he suggested researching each units condition and offering rent abatements based on individual conditions, which would delay abatements significantly.

The utility service interruptions have differed, both as to the buildings and units affected, and in the duration of the interruption, DeLucry wrote in the Nov. 17 filing.

The hearing Tuesday will happen less than two weeks after the authority signed a recovery and action plan agreement with the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development. The document lists dozens of aspects of its operations it promises to bring up to federal standards by specific deadlines next year.

Pomar first filed the lawsuit more than a year ago  on Nov. 2, 2022  and the authority has still not provided discovery documents she has been requesting for months.

In her Dec. 14 order to show cause, seeking to enforce the courts previous order of Nov. 2, Pomar asked the judge to declare that the authority has not provided updates and bi-weekly reports to Pomar and the court.

Pomar is also asking Porto to order the authority to:

Perform any and all needed upgrades to the electrical system at Stanley Holmes Village so residents can use enough space heaters to heat all rooms safely within 20 days

Ensure that a replacement heating system is installed and operational by Oct. 1, 2024

Ensure that replacement of crawl space gas lines is completed by the deadline of Feb. 28, 2024, as set forth in the Nov. 2 order.

Prioritize all outstanding repair needs in residents homes not related to heat, hot water or gas service and to address all emergency repair needs creating major health and safety hazards within five days and all nonemergent repair needs within 60 days.
MIDDLE TOWNSHIP  As 2023 ends and the nights get shorter, those nights will also likely get colder in January and February.

That can impact everyone, but it can be especially difficult for those without permanent homes.

It is difficult to get reliable information on how many people are without homes in Cape May County, but local officials and advocates for the homeless agree the issue is at its most visible in the Rio Grande section of the township.

Residents have complained about worsening problems with crime and panhandling. Those without housing have said they have few options, and no money to pay fines if citations are issued.

This year, the Township Committee approved an ordinance aimed at curbing encampments in the woods. Mayor Tim Donohue described the ordinance as governing temporary structures, not an attempt to criminalize those with nowhere else to go.

This is centered around the homeless, but really the intent of the ordinance is to maintain the health and safety of the community, Donohue said.

In some of the camps, he said, police found unsanitary conditions, such as garbage dumps and makeshift sewer systems, as well as fires and drug paraphernalia.

These are things we simply cant tolerate, he said.

As homelessness climbs in Cape, Middle Township says it cant go it alone Finding safe, affordable housing for those without shelter is too big a problem for Middle Township, Mayor Tim Donohue said at the most recent meeting of the Township Committee.

At The Branches, an outreach service at 201 Hirst Ave. that provides meals, food and support, one woman said things have gotten worse over the past year, saying police would seek to keep people from standing on corners.

If these people cant afford shelter, a bus, a phone, giving them a ticket is not going to help them, said Stephanie Soto, 34. She said she has been coming to the Community Wellness Center for about two months, and homeless for roughly two years. As a single mother, she said, it is extremely difficult to find a place she can afford to live.

Even with two, three jobs, its impossible, she said.

Staff at The Branches say the township ordinance has made life worse for their clients.

We live in an area which lacks an overnight homeless shelter, adequate transitional housing opportunities and adequate affordable housing opportunities, said Tyler Keene, who recently started as the executive director of The Branches. Where are people experiencing homelessness supposed to go? When you ask where is one legal place someone experiencing homelessness can sleep and the answer is consistently nowhere, then what are people supposed to do?

Seeking regional answers

Donohue, who did not seek reelection this year and will end his term as mayor in early January, acknowledges the problem and said he is sympathetic, but he also said the problem is beyond the townships ability to address.

He wants more involvement from Cape May County. Donohue cited efforts in Cumberland County and elsewhere that he said have been successful in getting people housed, with strict rules of behavior. There have been meetings with advocates and county officials, but so far, no next step, he said.

Status quo in Rio Grande tent community At least for now, nothing appears to have changed in the tent community in the woods in the Rio Grande section of Middle Township.

It sort of keeps getting pushed back into Middle Townships lap, Donohue said. We really need the county to step up and be a partner with this.

County officials say they are working on making things better.

The county continues to assist numerous residents who are in need of housing, and who are willing to accept help, county spokesperson Diane Wieland said Friday in an emailed statement. The homeless population in Rio Grande is a more complex issue and largely consists of people who are unwilling to accept help which presents multiple layers of complexities. The county continues to be an active participant in the discussions on how best to serve this unique and specific population.

Several sources indicate there is a greater police presence in Rio Grande, where police recently opened a new, larger substation. And some have said there have been citations issued to people staying in tents, although Donohue said to his knowledge only two summonses have been issued so far, and in both instances, they have been given to landowners, not the people living there.

The ordinance does not allow people to stay in temporary structures where there is no permanent structure.

If your kids want to camp out overnight in your yard, youre fine. You cant set up a tent city, Donohue said.

People still gather in public places during the day, often close to where services are being offered.

Weve been told its public property. Theres really not much anybody can do about that, said Denise Venturini-South, president of the organization Cape Hope.

Rio Grandes tent dwellers may have until Monday to vacate Time may be running out for those who live in Middle Township's homeless encampments, with a new township ordinance banning living in tents. Residents there said they may have to be out of the area by Monday.

Some people have died from exposure in previous winters, South said.

Real risks on cold nights

A lot of these folks are not healthy. They have underlying medical issues, she said. It can be about as uncomfortable sleeping outside on a 35-degree night as one that drops to 32, she said, and as dangerous. Hypothermia can set in.

Her group tries to get people indoors, in a hotel room or a longer-term housing option. Still, each night some number of people will remain out in the cold.

On cold nights, cold enough for an official declaration of Code Blue  usually described as 25 degrees or colder, or 32 degrees with rain or snow  there are warming centers in Middle and Lower townships.

On those nights, there is somewhere warm available, with food and shelter for anyone who asks. But there is not a Code Blue every night, and not everyone wants to go to the warming centers.

Just how many homeless there are is little more than anyones guess, all the more so under the township ordinance approved in June banning people from sleeping in tents.

Getting more remote

Middle Township approves ban on sleeping in tents MIDDLE TOWNSHIP  Advocates raised a persistent question at the Monday Township Committee me

South said she could not say for certain whether the ordinance has had an impact on the numbers of homeless people in Rio Grande, but it has meant a change in patterns.

It has led to a lot of the homeless people being scattered, she said, finding places in Lower Township or more remote spots in Middle Township or elsewhere in the county.

We have been told that people are being ticketed, South said.

One of the property owners who has been cited is cooperating with the township, Donohue said, while another may challenge the ordinance in court. He said it is likely the ordinance will face a legal challenge.

Jeffrey Wild, an attorney at the Lowenstein Sandler law firm and a trustee of the New Jersey Coalition to End Homelessness, agreed to represent some of those living in tents. He did not respond to a request for comment.

Our lawyers have talked to their lawyers, Donohue said. The threat of legal action is out there.

Donohue has said the township simply does not have the resources to address homelessness, an issue for which long-term solutions have eluded major cities, the state and the federal government.

Even the strongest advocates for those without homes say there are multiple problems intermingling, from mental health and substance abuse to the broader economic context. South said the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact.

Middle Township ordinance: No living in tents MIDDLE TOWNSHIP  For years, residents, advocates and police have reported encampments in th

But South brought the matter back to a basic concern: There are few options for affordable housing in Cape May County. More and more, she said, people who have lived their lives in or near Middle Township, who have had careers and families, are slipping into extreme poverty.

Most of the clients at The Branches come from nearby, Keene said.

We have guests who have worked for decades who fell on hard times, guests whose homelessness was a result of the costs associated with life-altering illness, families with young children who fell on hard times, veterans who served our nation, senior citizens sleeping in their cars, people with mental health and addiction issues who are not always receiving the resources they need, he said. Where are they supposed to go? Regardless of the circumstances, everyone deserves basic human dignity.

Some migrate from couch to guest room to couch, relying on friends and family members for a few nights at a time. An increasing number of people now live in their vehicles, South said, comparing it to stories of the Great Depression.

This is a problem that has been festering, she said. Like an infection that has been growing for a very, very long time. The Band-Aids that have been applied in the past, they do not work anymore.

The tent ordinance would have a different impact if there were other options open to people, Keene said.

Yes, we do need to find a place for these people, Donohue said. He rejected characterizing the townships efforts as some sort of crackdown.

Some help offered

Residents raise objections to latest move to revitalize Rio Grande MIDDLE TOWNSHIP  There seems to be little disagreement that the Rio Grande section of the t

In instances in which property owners have sought help from police in removing encampments, the police bring along people from the organization Volunteers of America to help people access social services, Donohue said.

Some decline any assistance, he said, and the requirements that come with it. Those without housing are not a homogeneous population, Donohue said, with some temporarily without shelter, facing family issues, economic pressures or health issues.

Some have lived in the woods for years, with some holding jobs while living in the woods. Others struggle with mental health concerns, substance abuse issues or both.

We have people roaming around Rio Grande. Some are not well connected to reality, Donohue said. In many cases, there is little that police or anyone else can do for someone who declines help.

If we do have compassion for these folks, sometimes tough love is in order to get them on a better path, Donohue said.

The demand is growing. Keene said the food pantry at The Branches saw a 14% increase in demand this year, mostly seniors and families with young children.

While the unhoused population in the county has become increasingly visible, it remains a bigger problem than what is obvious, Keene said.

There are many more people experiencing homelessness in our community than most realize. People have found ways to survive, but they are not ways we would wish on any human being, he said. We have guests with severe mental illness who sleep in Dumpsters. It is heartbreaking.

Staff Photographer Matthew Strabuk contributed to this report.
As the Iowa caucuses draws near, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis continues his stops in the state, pitching his vision for the White House.

He wasn't the only one pitching a DeSantis administration either Friday at the Quad Cities Veteran Outreach Center in Davenport. Iowa Republican State Rep. Mike Vondran also was in attendance, stating his support and endorsement for the Florida governor.

Vondran said Florida is "going in the right direction" and he would like to see changes the state has made expand to the rest of the country, including to Iowa.

"We've seen better before and we want better back," Vondran said. "It's going to take a change to make better back and we are all ready for that."

DeSantis spoke to a room of about 80 people Friday morning. The stop was one of many leading up to the Iowa caucus on Jan. 15. The room was full of supporters, wearing DeSantis hats and holding DeSantis campaign signs.

The Florida governor was quick to get the crowd riled up, listing what he would address if elected as president, naming topics like immigration, the military and education.

DeSantis said there has been "problem after problem being inflicted on this country" due to out of touch people running the country and that it needs to end in 2024.

"I'm motivated to run because I see our country being in jeopardy of being the first generation of Americans to turn over to our kids and grandkids an America less prosperous and less free than the one we inherited," DeSantis said.

He highlighted what he would do in the White House, saying his first order of business would be to declare the border a national emergency. He criticized President Joe Biden and his administration, saying that they are allowing the "green lighting and invasion" of immigrants into America.

He also criticized the Trump administration for not finishing the border wall.

If he is elected, the border wall will be built and Mexico will be ordered to pay for it by charging fees on the remittances workers are sending to foreign countries, DeSantis said.

DeSantis also criticized other countries, saying people are being sent across the southern border and bringing fentanyl with them, causing thousands of Americans to die.

He spoke about what he has done in Florida to address immigration, such as banning sanctuary cities in the state. He said he would not allow Democratic-led states to have sanctuary cities and would hold them accountable to enforce the law.

He went on to say sanctuary jurisdictions should deal with illegal immigration and how to address it.

He said that Florida has helped Texas in addressing the large number of migrants, such as transporting them to sanctuary jurisdictions.

DeSantis also said he wants to cut taxes, claiming the Florida legislature has cut taxes every year by record amounts and that state officials have reduced wasteful spending and kept the government in check. If elected, he said, he would cut down on wasteful spending. If Florida has the ability to cut wasteful spending while still providing better roads, schools and other things, so can the country as a whole, he said.

"We are going to return this government to its rightful owners, which is the American people," he said.

Other priorities he highlighted would be addressing crime and establishing a rule of law, balancing the federal budget and reforming military requirements.

He claimed the U.S. military does not have what it needs to deter threats and that kids are being advised to not join the military by family members because of the way it is ran. Under a DeSantis presidency, he said they would rebuild the military by using his philosophy of peace through the strength.

He criticized Biden as "the epitome of weakness," saying the administration had fostered instability and a lack of leadership.

"If you're strong and people respect you, they're not going to want to mess with you," DeSantis said.

South Carolina State Republican Sen. Josh Kimbrell also is apart of DeSantis' "Stop the Swamp" campaign tour. Kimbrell also stated his support for the Florida Governor Friday, saying he is here to make sure DeSantis is the next President and to defend South Carolina's reputation from another GOP presidential candidate  former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley.

According to 538's rolling Iowa poll average, Haley is about 3 percentage points behind DeSantis at 15.7%. DeSantis is polling at 18.4% and Trump continues to have a majority of the support at 50%. Vivek Ramaswamy is polling at 6%.

"I'm in Iowa today to make sure that we send a strong message and even in South Carolina, we stand with Ron DeSantis to be the Republican nominee and the 47th President of the United States," Kimbrell said.

DeSantis did not take questions from the press at the event.

Photos: Ron DeSantis visits Veteran Outreach Center
The American Federation of Government Employees is urging the Bureau of Prisons to reverse its decision to eliminate retention pay for correctional officers and staff at FCI Thomson in Illinois at the end of this month.

The president of AFL-CIO, the country's largest federation of unions, is also urging the bonuses be kept.

BOPs regional office announced the 25% retention pay employees have received since early 2022 will be discontinued at the end of the year. The local union has been sounding the alarm for months and the national organizations are now weighing in as well.

In a press release sent Friday, AFGE National President Everett Kelley denounced BOP's planned actions, saying the bureau's decision to even consider removing the retention bonuses was inconceivable given the problems that exist in the agency.

"Our BOP members risk their lives every day to safeguard our communities from the dangerous criminals in federal prisons. They worked heroically throughout the pandemic, putting our safety above concerns with their own health and that of their families," he said. "They do a difficult and dangerous job, and BOP thanks them with what amounts to a 25% cut in compensation just after Christmas. This decision must be rescinded immediately.

In a show of support, AFL-CIO President Elizabeth Shuler wrote a letter to US Attorney General Merrick Garland. The Bureau of Prisons is part of the Department of Justice, which Garland heads.

Shuler said due to Thomson's remote location, cost of living and low morale create a challenge for retaining staff at Thomson.

"If the retention pay is not restored, there is likely to be an immediate loss of current personnel and difficulty with recruitment and retention going forward," she said.

Shuler and Kelley both said nearly 150 members of the Thomson staff have indicated in writing they will leave as a result of losing this pay. Shuler urged Garland to "step in and assure that this untimely and potentially dangerous decision is retracted"

Jon Zumkehr, president of the AFGE Local 4070 which represents Thomson, is especially concerned about losing so many staff members. The prison has 400 employees and is understaffed by 71, he said in Friday's press release.

"We need to keep the retention pay in place and establish a positive rapport and morale with employees while we work through the changes of the new mission at Thomson. While many facilities have been riddled with staffing issues, Thomsons concerns could be minimized by keeping the retention in place for all the staff there," he said.

The fight to keep retention pay has been ongoing for months. Rumors swirled earlier this year with the official decision coming from the BOP the week before Christmas. The retention bonuses come out to about $16,000 annually.

The Most Unionized Industries in the U.S. The difference between union and nonunion wages has also declined 13. Administration of environmental quality and housing programs 12. Natural gas distribution 9. Public finance activities 6. Elementary and secondary schools 5. Justice, public order, and safety activities 3. Rail transportation
A Davenport man sentenced to three years on probation in June on a meth trafficking conviction was arrested by Davenport police Thursday on meth and gun charges.

Richard Charles Gordon Sr. is charged in Scott County District Court with one count of possession with the intent to deliver more than 5 grams of meth. The charge is a Class B felony under Iowa law that carries a prison sentence of 25 years.

Gordon also is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and violating Iowas drug tax stamp law. Each of those charges is a Class D felony that carry a prison sentence of five years. He also is charged with driving while barred, an aggravated misdemeanor that carries a prison sentence of two years.

According to the arrest affidavit filed by Davenport Police Cpl. Patrick Sievert, officers conducted a traffic stop on a red 2005 F150 pickup at 10:39 p.m. Thursday in the 1000 block of West 4th Street. The pickup was stopped because it was pulling a trailer with an expired registration and no trailer lights.

Gordon was driving the pickup and as a habitual offender he is barred from driving in Iowa from July 18, 2023, until July 16, 2027.

When officers searched the pickup, they seized a Ruger 9mm pistol, three bags of crystal meth with a total weight of 66.45 grams, a digital scale and $419 in cash.

Police have said that the normal dose of meth is one-tenth of a gram, meaning Gordon had 664.5 doses of meth to sell. Police also have said that the normal dose sells for between $15 and $25 depending on the dealer.

As Gordon is a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm.

During a first appearance on the charges Friday in Scott County District Court, Magistrate Richard Wells scheduled a preliminary hearing in the case for Jan. 5.

Gordon was being held Friday night in the Scott County Jail on a bond of $25,000, cash or surety.

Gordon was sentenced to three years on probation during a hearing June 7. He had pleaded guilty Feb. 15, to a charge of possession with the intent to deliver less than 5 grams of meth, a Class C felony that carries a prison sentence of 10 years, and a charge of eluding while participating in a felony, a Class D felony. He had been arrested in July 2022 for selling meth.

Scott County prosecutors could move to revoked Gordons probation and send him to 10 years in prison on the meth charge and five years in prison on the eluding charge. According to the sentencing order signed by Scott County District Judge Henry Latham, the sentences would be served concurrently, or at the same time.
A lawsuit filed Dec. 15 by a coalition of homeowners challenges the constitutionality of four bipartisan laws passed by this years Republican-controlled Legislature in an effort to tackle Montanas housing shortage by encouraging proactive land use planning and making it easier to build homes in situations where construction has been hampered by local zoning rules.

The Bozeman-based plaintiff group, Montanans Against Irresponsible Densification, or MAID, describes itself as a group of members who live in neighborhoods characterized by single-family homes, attractive well-maintained yards, and quiet streets.

The new housing laws, the group argues in the complaint filed in Gallatin County District Court, aim to impose top-down densification that will force them to live in more densely populated areas with larger buildings, more traffic and any number of other changes that spur uninterrupted development under the guise of affordable housing.

In an interview, MAID attorney Jim Goetz, himself a prominent resident of Bozemans university district, said he agrees the state is short on housing, but doesnt think measures that try to shoehorn new housing development into existing neighborhoods will do anything to address the problem.

Dont put them in beautiful, older neighborhoods, Goetz said. Dont ruin them.

It aint going to solve affordable housing in any way, he said.

The state of Montana is named as the sole defendant in the lawsuit. The office of Attorney General Austin Knudsen, which typically represents the state in court, declined to offer substantive comment on the matter Friday, saying it hadnt yet been formally served.

The office of Gov. Greg Gianforte, whose housing policies have drawn national attention since the laws passed with bipartisan support, provided a brief statement Friday afternoon.

While the governors office generally doesnt comment on active litigation, the governor recognizes the rising price of housing is straining Montanans, is proud of the pro-housing reforms that are now law, and remains committed to increasing Montanans access to affordable, attainable housing, Gianforte Press Secretary Kaitlin Price said in email.

Housing affordability has emerged as one of the most pressing public issues in Montana in recent years as limited supply and high construction costs have combined with rapid in-migration, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to real estate website Zillow, the typical Montana home value is now $446,000, up from $277,000 at the beginning of 2020  an increase that has driven up rents and locked out many aspiring homebuyers.

Gianforte, a Republican, and a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers responded this year by passing a slate of laws intended to ease the housing crunch over the long run by making it easier to build new homes, especially higher-density development inside the boundaries of large cities.

Several of those laws function by reining in city zoning regulations that allegedly drive up housing prices by stifling home construction. Another, the Montana Land Use Planning Act, which passed as Senate Bill 382, includes provisions reworking the states land use planning statute in an effort to focus resident input on high-level planning discussions and make it harder for not-in-my-backyard-style opposition to derail projects that comply with existing growth plans.

The new lawsuit targets SB 382 as well as three zoning bills:

 Senate Bill 245, which forces cities of 7,000 residents or more to allow apartment-style housing in most areas set aside as commercial zones.

 Senate Bill 323, which would force cities to allow duplex housing on any home lot in cities with 5,000 residents or more.

 Senate Bill 528, which requires cities to adopt regulations allowing more construction of accessory dwelling units, or secondary housing structures that share parcels with larger homes.

In their complaint, the MAID homeowners argue that the zoning bills represent a ham-fisted intrusion by the Legislature into municipal governments traditional control over development policy.

They also argue that the pro-density provisions of the zoning bills are unenforceable in portions of their communities covered by homeowners association covenants with development restrictions. MAID says that covenants, as private contracts between property owners, cant be usurped by state law, meaning development stemming from the new laws will be channeled disproportionately into non-covenant neighborhoods  a dynamic that they argue runs afoul of the constitutional right to equal protection under the law.

Homeowners in Montana have traditionally relied on single-family zoning designations to protect the scale, character and financial viability of their most important investment, the groups complaint argues.

MAID also argues that the land use planning act violates the Montana Constitutions right of participation, which requires government entities to provide the public with reasonable opportunity for citizen participation in decision making.

As the bill was under consideration by the Legislature, proponents said it would carve out more opportunity for citizen involvement as communities write forward-looking growth plans, then generally shift the review of growth-plan-compliant projects to an administrative matter handled by staff. Thats a departure from the current system, whereby repeated public hearings on development proposals can give opponents ample opportunity to rally opposition to slow or scuttle projects they dislike, even when those projects are well within the scope of previously adopted local development goals.

MAID also takes issue with provisions in the land use bill that require local jurisdictions to project future population growth and plan for how theyll build housing to accommodate it, a requirement the group says reduces public input to illusory participation in land use planning.

SB 382 sets forth a self-fulfilling prophecy, which Plaintffs members  and cities like Bozeman, Missoula and Whitefish  will be forced to endure without legitimate public participation: Montanas largest cities will grow and continue to grow.

Goetz declined Friday to provide Montana Free Press with a list of MAIDs members. A press release names Bozeman resident Glenn Monahan as the managing partner of the group, which is incorporated as a limited liability company. In its court filing, MAID says its membership includes homeowners residing in Montana cities including Bozeman, Whitefish, Billings, Missoula, Great Falls, Columbia Falls, and Kalispell.
Inmates exercise outside in the prison yard at San Quentin State Prison in San Quentin on July 26, 2023. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

Nearly two decades ago, a psychiatric expert making the rounds in a California prison witnessed something that would change the fate of the states criminal justice system forever.

A male inmate, unresponsive and in a catatonic state, was being held in a telephone booth-sized cell with no toilet. Guards had locked the man in there for the better part of 24 hours, and he was standing in a pool of his own urine when the expert spotted him.

When asked why the inmate was housed in such a condition, prison officials told the expert that the inmate was suicidal, and they had no place to put him. All mental health treatment beds were full, and the wait time for one to open up could be as long as 12 months.

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This incident proved to be a turning point in Californias approach to criminal justice, prompting massive reforms that have changed the way the state handles certain types of crimes.

If much of the current discourse surrounding crime and punishment in California is to be believed, it was progressives who leveraged this story and others like it to push for radical changes to the system that let criminals walk without punishment. The property crime, drug use and homelessness on our streets are a byproduct of this misguided compassion.

But thats not what happened.

Instead, it was Republican Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy who latched onto the story of the suicidal inmate and used it to inform his majority decision in the case of Brown v. Plata. That ruling upheld a lower court decision that found that Californias prisons  which were designed for roughly 85,000 inmates but held over 170,000 at their peak  were unconstitutionally overcrowded. To mitigate those conditions, the court forced the state to reduce and cap its prison population to 137.5% of the systems designed capacity  meaning that tens of thousands of inmates needed somewhere else to go.

The courts ruling was no surprise. It came five years after Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzeneggers 2006 declaration of a state of emergency in Californias prisons, where the suicide rate was 80% higher than prisons nationwide at that time. A court-appointed expert found that 72% of those suicides were foreseeable and/or preventable. Inmates were dying because of a lack of mental health resources, and dangerous conditions were sending otherwise stable inmates into downward spirals. Guards, too, were suffering, and these out-of-control conditions were costing the state billions, with recidivism rates that were among the highest in the nation.

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In short, Californias criminal justice system was a dangerous and costly mess. And it was Republicans who demanded the state do something about it. With the conservative Kennedy as the deciding vote, the Supreme Court didnt specify how California should lessen its prison population, just that it needed to.

In 2011, Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown pushed a plan  colloquially called realignment  to comply with the courts mandate. That plan, still in effect today, sent low-level offenders with nonserious, non-violent, and non-sexual convictions to county jail rather than prison. And it mandated that whenever these so-called three nons were released from a carceral setting, they would be supervised by county probation officers instead of state parole.

Jails are not the ideal setting for long-term, punitive sentences. Prisons are built for this purpose  with recreation yards, rehabilitation services and medical care like substance use disorder treatment. Jails have historically existed to temporarily house people awaiting trial. This population is more transient, and the services provided to them are accordingly sparser. Its for these reasons that the jail-based substance abuse treatment that San Francisco is pushing toward is more difficult to administer than in other settings.

But a court order is a court order. And the hope was that realignment would not only lower the state prison population by shifting inmates to county jails, but that  stuck with the responsibility for actually dealing with the people arrested, instead of dumping them on the state  counties would look for more creative solutions to public safety.

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Meanwhile, evidence was gathering that inmates released under realignment were winding up homeless in large numbers.

Still, California didnt actually come into compliance with the Supreme Courts prison population cap until after the 2014 passage of Proposition 47, which eased sentences for simple drug possession and some property crimes. Though it was sold to voters under the rubric of curbing the excesses of the justice system, one could argue its true intent was as a tool to fulfil the courts order.

It continues to serve that purpose to this day. As noted in a February report by Californias nonpartisan Legislative Analysts office, Californias state-owned prison system isnt allowed to house more than 112,697 people. The system currently hovers around 95,000 inmates, which is well over its full capacity, but not in violation of the court order. Start dumping drug users and petty thieves back in there, however, and that space will fill up fast.

So, why does this history matter?

Because the criminal justice conversation in this state has become so unmoored from the realities that brought us to our current situation. In our endless arguments over compassion versus toughness on petty crime, Californians have forgotten how we wound up in the mess were in.

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Court restrictions on our prison population and the laws designed to get us into compliance with those restrictions mean we cannot meaningfully get tough in dealing with the kind of low-level quality-of-life crimes that are plaguing San Francisco and other California cities. Those who propose ending realignment and Prop. 47 as a solution might as well suggest dumping fairy dust on the Tenderloin. Those changes will mean nothing if the state doesnt build more prisons, which it has no plans to do. As of January 2023, the state needs to spend $1.7 billion in infrastructure upgrades just to keep existing facilities from falling into disrepair.

Meanwhile, progressives who want to push further to undo the excesses of the criminal justice system have lost the plot as well. The evidence is ample that we are dangerously neglecting many of those granted leniency under our current reforms. More than 36,400 inmates have been released from California state prisons since 2019 without a fixed address, according to a report from NBC News, while 17% of people on parole reported being homeless. A recent CalMatters investigation found that a $100 million state program that aims to help roughly a quarter of paroled prisoners each year get back on their feet upon release isnt working.

A compassionate desire to lessen sentences and pursue alternatives to incarceration isnt going to build someone a place to live or a mental health treatment bed. And there is no justice in releasing inmates to a life of homelessness.
Employers starting the new year will have many priorities in their business planning, some of which will including employment matters.

Years ago a client asked me to do harassment prevention training. I always ask for their policies so that the training can be customized to their workforce. The client said they were working on their anti-harassment and EEO policies and they were not finalized. A few years later the client asked for additional work. I again asked the policies. He replied they still hadnt finalized them.

The client was doing what too many employers face  they wanted it to be perfect so they did nothing at all.

There is one area where perfection is a must  legal compliance. First and foremost  get your compensation house in order to comply with the Fair Labor Standards Act. This 1938 dinosaur of a law requires specific compliance relative to who can be exempt from overtime, as well as how to properly compensate employees. I could go into virtually any workplace today and find violations. The law is old. Its confusing. It makes no sense. Yet, employers must comply or expect to significantly pay later. Comply with all the other state and federal laws  no exception. This needs to be perfect  not just good.

With other employment matters, however, good may be good enough until it can be perfect.

Policies  You need a policy on: conduct, ethics, anti-Harassment, Equal Employment Opportunity and non-discrimination, accommodations (in Virginia certain language is mandatory for disability), attendance, benefits (including policies around accruals), timekeeping and pay (including meal and break period rules), at-will employment, confidentiality, technology, and conflict of interest. If employees telework, you need rules and guidelines around this too.

Start by determining what your expectations are around these topics and put pen to paper. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission offers resources for general non-discrimination, harassment, reasonable accommodation and leave policies at Creating Employee Policies  U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (eeoc.gov).

Many employers have done away with a handbook and instead have a group of policies on their intranet. Dont forget about state-specific policy requirements.

Be sure that employees acknowledge receipt of the policies each year. Too often when I ask clients to show me where an employee received policies, Ill get a signed acknowledgement from 1972. That is the oppositive of perfect  its just bad.

Civility/Anti-Harassment and other Training  Too often employers wait until there is an issue in the workplace before setting expectations for workplace conduct. Prevention is much better than reaction. In a perfect scenario, employers offer live interactive training in small class sizes of about 25 people. Depending on the size of the workplace or the type of work, this might not be realistic. Just because you cant do perfect doesnt mean you shouldnt do anything.

Live training is always best. You can increase the class sizes, offer shorter sessions and, if you cant afford to bring in an expert, use resources available from the Society for Human Resources Management and/or your own HR department. Managers can explain expectations to their departments during staff meetings. All policies should be reviewed with all staff by someone  management, HR or an outside consultant.

Virtual training, if it is live, is also good. Video of a live training is relatively good. In a recent lawsuit, the EEOC criticized a company for using computer based training where employees read and test, so re-think whether that is worth the time and effort.

Performance Management  In a perfect scenario, managers meet regularly (bi-weekly or monthly) with employees to discuss performance and expectations, and document those discussions. That might not be possible due to time constraints, so managers should not do nothing  but do something. Plan for regular meetings and conduct at least an annual performance review, if not done more frequently. Document discussions with employees.

Job Descriptions  Job Descriptions set forth expectations, and can be useful in many ways, including when determining FLSA status (although not dispositive) and whether an accommodation is reasonable. Managers delay writing them because they want to make sure they include everything  they want them to be perfect. Its better to have something that reasonably articulates the essential job expectations than to have nothing. Importantly, job responsibilities can change and employees need to understand that the statement, thats not in my job description is not a valid reason to refuse an assignment if the expectation can be reasonably attributed to the job.

In 2024, dont do nothing. Do something to create an environment where employees understand the conduct and performance that is expected, and this includes engagement and attitude.
Is help finally coming for the Virginia State Corporation Commission?

With two of the commissions three seats vacant and Democrats now controlling both chambers at the Capitol, legislative leaders expect the General Assembly to move swiftly to elect two new judges, potentially in the week after the legislature convenes on Jan. 10.

The SCC, created as a constitutionally independent body in 1902 to regulate some of the biggest businesses in Virginia, has been operating without a full panel of judges since early 2022 because of a political stalemate that began in 2018 after the retirement of Judge Jimmy Dimitri. Earlier this year, Dimitri came out of retirement to serve as a replacement judge to ensure that the commission would have a quorum to operate until the assembly elected judges to fill the vacancies.

Weve absolutely got to get people into those positions, said Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Charlottesville, who will become chairman of the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee.

Deeds is working closely with Del. Jeion Ward, D-Hampton, incoming chair of the renamed House Committee on Labor and Commerce, to develop a process for promptly vetting candidates for the two vacant judgeships on the SCC, which regulates public utilities, insurance companies, banks and financial institutions, and registers corporations and other entities doing business in Virginia.

Were trying to position it so we can get people appointed soon after the start of the session, he said.

Incoming Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, expects that to happen as early as Jan. 17, the first date for the new legislature to elect judges, although its customarily been used to reelect sitting judges.

My personal preference is to get it done at the first judicial election, Surovell said Thursday.

Democrats will hold the narrowest of majorities in both chambers after legislative elections last month  21-19 in the Senate and 51-49 in the House  but current House Majority Leader Terry Kilgore, R-Scott, also expects the new assembly to resolve the impasse early in a 60-day session likely to be dominated by adoption of a new two-year budget.

I think it would be great to get it sorted out as early as possible in the session, Kilgore said Thursday.

He acknowledges that Republicans will not have the leverage they have held the past two years, when the GOP-led House and Democratic-controlled Senate were unable to agree on candidates to fill first one and then two seats on the powerful commission.

Hopefully, well choose candidates who are middle of the road, Kilgore said.

The partisan battles over election of judges for the SCC began after Dimitris retirement in February 2018. The assembly, then controlled by Republicans on both sides of the Capitol, could not agree on a replacement that year. In the following year, legislators elected former Virginia Beach Circuit Judge Patricia West, who had served in two previous Republican gubernatorial administrations, to complete the final year of Dimitris term, over the strenuous objections of Democrats.

In 2020, after Democrats seized majorities in both chambers, they elected Jehmal Hudson to replace West, angering Republicans who deplored that she did not even receive a hearing in the legislature. Hudson, a former official at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, was the first Black judge elected to the SCC. Since the early resignation of Judge Judy Jagdmann at the end of last year, he has been the only elected judge sitting on the SCC.

Hes done a yeomans job down there, Kilgore said.

In 2021, assembly Democrats elected Angela Navarro, who had worked as deputy secretary of natural resources under then-Gov. Ralph Northam, a Democrat, to serve the unexpired term of Judge Mark Christie after his appointment to FERC. The next year, after Republicans regained control of the House, they refused to reelect Navarro, partly in retaliation for Wests replacement and partly out of concern over implementation of the Virginia Clean Economy Act.

This year, Jagdmanns resignation gave legislators the opportunity to fill two seats, giving both House Republicans and Senate Democrats their pick, but the process broke down because the House balked at Navarro, who was the Senates choice.

The impasse threatened to leave the SCC unable to issue rulings for the first time in its 120-year history. West had been acting as a replacement judge in order to provide a quorum after Jagdmann stepped down, but Youngkin appointed her as chair of the Virginia Parole Board. Jagdmann was unavailable because she had gone into private legal practice in Richmond.

Dimitri did not have to come out of retirement, but did so because of his long history at the SCC. Before serving as a commissioner for 10 years, he had been a member of the SCC legal staff and had worked for the attorney generals office on issues the commission handles.

I called Jimmy and thanked him for stepping up, Kilgore said.

The field of candidates for the two seats on the SCC is not clear. Deeds said the assembly is accepting candidate resumes through Jan. 5.

Legislative leaders generally are not discussing potential candidates, but Kilgore confirmed that retiring Sen. Lynwood Lewis, D-Accomack, could be among them. Hed be fine as far as Im concerned, Kilgore said.

Sen. Chap Petersen, D-Fairfax City, who lost a Democratic primary fight for reelection this year, confirmed that hes been asked about it.

Im happy to put my name in it, Petersen said, although he acknowledged misgivings about potentially giving up his law firm.

Deeds would not speculate, but said, So far, theres been a lot of interest.

He expects the assembly to winnow the field to six candidates for formal interviews and consideration.

We want the process to be as transparent as possible, Deeds said.

From the Archives: Broad Street Station
There are none so blind as he who will not see. This thought came to me immediately after I read John B. Gayles letter ("Is our democracy slipping away?" Dec. 21). Mr. Gayle believes the Colorado Supreme Courts decision banning Donald Trump from the Colorado presidential ballot is undemocratic because it denies voters the opportunity to vote for the candidate of his or her choice. He then says the storming of the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, may just as well be seen as a riot rather than a true insurrection. Egad!

Has Mr. Gayles missed the news for the past three years? He seems oblivious to the fact that Mr. Trump tried to subvert the voters' decision in 2020 in multiple ways. From trying to force former Vice President Mike Pence to ignore his constitutional responsibility, pleading with Georgia officials to find more Trump votes, concocting a scheme involving fake Electoral College voters, etc., it is clear beyond any reasonable doubt that Trump did not intend to leave office.

Trump's incitement of an armed crowd to march on the Capitol and fight like hell was simply his most outrageous attempt to deny the will of the voters. The goal of that riotous crowd was to prevent the lawful transition of power to the winner of the 2020 presidential election. How can this be anything but anti-democracy, anything but an insurrection?

I implore all the Trump apologists who read this letter to see the forest and not just the anti-Biden trees that saturate their minds. Wake up. Donald Trump is bad for our country and needs to be stopped.

John G. Schuiteman.

Ashland.
Carnivals excel class Jubilee spends day on Cozumel

Cozumel, Q.R.  Representatives of the island of Cozumel welcomed Carnivals Excel class, Jubilee. The cruise ship arrived carrying 6,214 passengers and 1,798 crew members.

Its arrival reaffirms the leadership of the destination in addition to strengthening the economy, reported Badhi Sleme Flores, the Director of Cozumel Tourism and Economic Development.

He extended the invitation to both the captain of the vessel, Andrea Catalani, and the people on board the majestic ship to enjoy the natural beauties, culture and history that Cozumel offers to its visitors and for which it earned the Magic Town distinction.

Carnivals excel class Jubilee is seen docked at Cozumel. Photo: H. Ayuntamiento de Cozumel December 29, 2023.

The ship arrived at Cozumel after a visit to Mahahual. Jubilee was docked for several hours before setting sail again for Galveston, Texas.
Two young Americans found dead inside Tulum vacation property

Tulum, Q.R.  Two young Americans were found dead inside a rented suite in Tulum Friday morning. The two area tourists were found on the floor of their vacation rental property in the Holistika neighborhood of the town of Tulum.

According to information obtained, medical personnel arrived at the scene Friday morning where they found two inert bodies. The bodies were found laying on the floor at the base of a bed near their opened suitcases.

At the scene, authorities spoke to another tourist who identified himself as 23-year-old James Mooney from Denver, Colorado. Mooney is reported to have told police that he was on vacation with his sister and her boyfriend and that all three went to bed around 11:00 p.m. Thursday.

It was not until late Friday morning that he went to their room and found them. Mooney reported arriving at their room around 10:50 a.m. when he found his sister and her boyfriend laying on the floor.

His sister, 24-year-old Shannon V and her 25-year-old boyfriend Christopher M, were discovered. The man was found laying on the floor covered with a blanket to his chest. The woman was laying beside him.

The young man and woman were found laying on the floor at the base of a bed. Photo: Dec. 29, 2023.

Authorities from the State Attorney Generals Office arrived at the scene to begin an investigation. The area was cordoned off and secured while evidence was collected and the bodies removed.

Authorities have not made a public comment surrounding the deaths, however, local reports say responding medical personnel believe the deaths were accidental drug overdoses.
Woman rushed to Cancun hospital after LP gas explosion

Cancun, Q.R.  A woman was taken to Cancun hospital Friday for medical treatment after an LP gas explosion. The gas explosion happened inside an apartment in the private subdivision of Sac-Be.

Emergency services responded after a 9-1-1 report. They arrived at Ixil Avenue of the private residential area to find the third level apartment windows completely blown out.

Paramedics were part of the responding emergency team, arriving to find a woman with numerous injuries including first degree burns and cuts from glass.

According to Cancun fire department operational coordinator Jose Luis Salamanca, they received the call at 4:48 p.m. Friday through 9-1-1. At the scene, they located the occupant, Lilia Vazquez C from Puerto Rico, with first degree burns.

The explosion happened on the third floor corner unit. Photo: December 29, 2023.

The Cancun Fire Department reported the explosion was due to an accumulation of gas inside the third floor unit. A firetruck from Base III along with an emergency pickup from the central station responded with five elements.

The woman was taken to hospital with first degree burns on her hands and legs. The explosion caused extensive material damage to the home.

The homeowner was rushed to hospital with first degree burns. Photo: December 29, 2023.

Firemen proceeded to close the LP gas valve on a 10 kg tank. The woman was attempting to light a hot water tank (boiler) located inside the unit at the time of the explosion.
A firm has been hired by Pulaski County to offer support and collaborative assistance to its paid and volunteer fire and rescue systems.

Following a nationally-advertised request for proposals, the county Board of Supervisors selected Gannon Emergency Solutions USA, a firm that had already prepared a detailed comprehensive analysis of the fire and public safety departments during an earlier study phase, according to a county news release.

The cooperation, faith and passion shown by everyone involved was pivotal in our decision to bid for the opportunity to provide Pulaski County with the help they need to move forward from the studies, stated Chris Gannon, CEO of the firm. I am very grateful to the County for selecting my firm, and in return I will dedicate all my energy and experience to this challenge. Moving from Florida to the New River Valley of Virginia has been the first step in my commitment, and I look forward to starting work on the important task of making the lives of first responders and the people they serve safer.

Earlier analyses conducted by the state and Gannon identified the current fire and public safety departments could benefit from organized support and collaborative assistance, according to the release.

Although the County is fortunate to have so many dedicated volunteers and professionals who are committed to providing first response services, we are at a juncture where it is vitally important to find ways to keep up with the evolving needs of our emerging next-level community, said board of supervisors Chairwoman Laura Walters, in the release. The Boards commitment to our citizens, our business community and to the men and women who serve them, has been unwavering and we continue to follow the strategic process of comprehensively studying, carefully evaluating, properly planning, adequately funding and sustainably implementing, in order to ensure we can continue to meet the progressing needs of Pulaski County.

The contract for change agent services is a two-year partnership and will provide direct engagement with all paid and volunteer departments, according to the release. The high-level deliverable is for the development and implementation of a strategic plan that will serve to strengthen, support and affordably sustain the paid and volunteer emergency response services, as well as implement safety, efficiency and support measures to ensure the highest level of response can be provided.

Chris Gannon has 27 years of experience working on five continents, according to the release.

In 2022, the board of supervisors commissioned the two independent studies that comprehensively analyzed the countys fire and rescue systems. A baseline study was performed by the Commonwealth through the Virginia Fire Services Board and a parallel third-party study was conducted by Gannon.

The studies were made public and officially presented to the board of supervisors, paid and volunteer fire departments, the Public Safety Department and the general public in an open meeting.

The studies conducted were intended to be more than checking a box or even constructive feedback, but more of an instrument to understand what opportunities lie ahead to strengthen these critical services, and to give us a direction on what our next step(s) would be to improving safety, response and sustainability for our Fire and Public Safety Departments, said County Administrator Jonathan Sweet. We have come to a place in time where it is important to consider making necessary investments, to employing best practices and to look for ways to resourcefully support our brave men and women who provide first response services to our growing community.

The county did not include the amount of money it is paying Gannon in the release, and a request for that information was not immediately returned.

 The Roanoke Times
By Jonathan McCambridge, PA

The rate of homebuilding in Ireland could increase to 40,000 annually within a couple of years, Tanaiste Micheal Martin has predicted.

Mr Martin said the Government has to keep looking at ways to accelerate housebuilding in the country, pledging that ministers would spare no effort to match supply with demand.

Opposition parties have been strongly critical of the Governments measures to deal with a housing crisis in Ireland, insisting that targets for building and social and affordable housing have been consistently missed.

The Government has previously said that its overall housebuilding target of 29,000 homes for 2023, outlined in the Housing For All strategy, would be exceeded.

The Government has pledged to increase housebuilding in Ireland. Photo: Niall Carson/PA.

Mr Martin said the number of new homes being built would continue to increase year-on-year.

He said: We do want to get to a higher number than 30,000 and what I would like to think in 2024 we can build again on what weve achieved in 2023.

Some people are estimating 32,000 homes for this year. Well wait for the final figures in quarter one.

Mr Martin said 100,000 new homes had been built since the coalition government took office.

He added: The pipeline is strong on social housing, strong on a number of fronts.

But we have to keep on looking at ways to accelerate housebuilding and that relates to capacity within the housing industry.

Theres a number of strands of work that are under way under the cabinets subcommittee in terms of public investment, in terms of private investment, in terms of human resources, in terms of recruitment, apprenticeships and so on, to make sure the capacity will come.

Theres lots of factors to come together to increase productivity and capacity.

We will spare no effort. The targets we have are not limits, if we can exceed those targets, we will.

Mr Martin added: Weve increased 40% over the last few years. So that is quite a dramatic increase.

We are not going to get to 40,000, on top of 32,000 this year.

But I think we will incrementally increase.

Within a number of years, we could be at 40,000 per annum.
Climate activists from Extinction Rebellion target bank and block part of highway around Amsterdam

Climate activists have blocked part of the main highway around Amsterdam for hours near the former headquarters of ING bank
Seguin, TX (78155)

Today

Areas of patchy fog early. Some clouds this morning will give way to generally sunny skies for the afternoon. High 74F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Mostly clear with gusty winds developing late. Low 51F. S winds shifting to W at 20 to 30 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.
Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks about mental health crisis before signing off on two major pieces of legislation to transform the states mental health system and to address the states worsening homelessness crisis in Los Angeles, on Oct. 12. Roughly 100 petitions to fast-track people with untreated schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders into housing and medical care under an alternative mental health court program created by Newsom have been submitted in seven California counties as of Dec. 1. Damian Dovarganes/Associated Press

Homelessness in California hit a record high in 2023. Meanwhile, San Francisco logged more fatal drug overdoses than it did in 2020, formerly its deadliest year. One might think numbers like these would inspire state and local leaders to get on the same page in addressing the crises.

Instead, they closed out the year by bickering over who is more to blame.

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Counties have to do their job with a deeper sense of urgency, Newsom said at a recent news conference. People are dying on their watch.

Counties cried foul. Local behavioral health systems, already overstretched and understaffed, are being asked to implement complex new laws with yet-to-be-identified resources, physical (capacity) and workforce capacity, said Michelle Doty Cabrera, executive director of the County Behavioral Health Directors Association of California.

Newsom is right to demand increased transparency and accountability from counties. But he also needs to be realistic about what counties can accomplish under current conditions.

As our editorial board has documented over the past year, California has a severe shortage of mental health beds at all levels of acuity, leaving tens of thousands of severely mentally ill people with nowhere to go but the streets, jail or prison. The lack of capacity has created persistent bottlenecks in Californias behavioral health system, leaving some people with improved conditions trapped in locked facilities even as others with acute needs languish in lower-level settings or on the street.

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Thats a main reason why most counties are choosing to delay implementation of SB43: The system cant handle a significant jump in conservatorships. Hospital emergency rooms are already overflowing with patients waiting for inpatient psychiatric beds and state hospital placements. Nor are there any locked facilities in California that specifically treat people with substance use disorder, according to local officials.

Mark Ghaly, secretary of Californias Health and Human Services Agency, recently acknowledged that in some cases, were going to have to define and identify places where these individuals can go.

But, he argued, We can always find reasons to slow-walk just about anything.

But California also runs the risk of encouraging counties to incentivize speed at the expense of safety. People with severe behavioral health issues need appropriate care  they shouldnt be thrown into the first housing unit that becomes available simply because politicians are trying to clean up the streets ahead of the 2024 elections.

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That doesnt mean sitting back and allowing people to deteriorate on the streets. But placing severely ill people in inappropriate housing is also unacceptable and can lead to serious consequences.

In May, a San Francisco man named Fook Poy Lai was released from a state mental hospital after serving a prison sentence for violent assault connected to his severe mental illness. Lai ended up in a single-room-occupancy hotel without onsite services in the middle of an open-air drug market. Exactly one week later, he was accused of violently stabbing a Chinatown bakery worker in the neck.

Such violent cases may be outliers; research shows that mentally ill people are more likely to be victims of crime than perpetrators of it. But they nevertheless underscore the importance of placing individuals with severe needs in facilities capable of meeting their needs.

We have so many people in our hotels who should not be there, Randy Shaw, executive director of the Tenderloin Housing Clinic, San Franciscos biggest nonprofit SRO operator, told the editorial board.

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Robert Okin, former chief of psychiatry at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, told the editorial board that hes worked with mentally ill homeless patients whose condition deteriorated after they were placed in housing due to the lack of onsite services and support.

And CARE Court isnt even the biggest worry: San Francisco had received just 18 petitions as of Dec. 26, according to Judge Michael Begert, who oversees the local CARE Court. The most urgent question is where the thousands eligible for Californias new conservatorship law will be housed.

Newsom is sponsoring a March 2024 ballot measure that would require counties to spend a significant portion of their mental health funds on housing people with the most complex needs and offering them intensive wraparound services. It would also authorize nearly $6.4 billion in bonds to build behavioral health facilities and housing and invest in a highly trained workforce.

But, even if voters approve the measure, it likely will take years for many of these facilities to materialize.

Meanwhile, other monies the Newsom administration is pouring into behavioral health are mostly temporary.

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How do we sustain programs that have been started using one-time or time-limited funds? Hillary Kunins, San Franciscos behavioral health director, asked the editorial board. The bridge housing money prioritized for CARE Court participants, for example, runs out in June 2027.

Despite the obvious limitations of CARE Court and expanded conservatorship, the state clearly feels that its done its part to address the multipronged crisis on our streets.

Weve met the expectations that have been set by local leaders, Newsom recently said. Weve exceeded them in so many ways.  We just need local partners that are as enthusiastic, passionate and being willing to be accountable as the state.

Local officials view it differently.

Cities and counties have been really left in many, many ways on their own by the federal and state government, Kunins said.
Announcing your ideal acreage set up: a large brick ranch style home, a Quonset building, storage shed and the cutest little country store all packaged up and sitting on 4.19 square acres. This can all be found on a hard surface road just a few minutes outside the quaint town of Merrill, IA. The home greets you with its covered open porch. Upon entry you will find a light filled living room, a large eat-in kitchen with eating peninsula and a formal dining which walks out to the Screenbuilders back porch. The south wing of the main floor has three nice sized bedrooms and shares a full bath that has a new sink. On the north side of the main floor you will find the guest quarters which houses the 4th bedroom, laundry facilities and a 3/4 bath. This area has its own rear entrance and a pocket door separates it from the remainder of the main floor which offers endless opportunities for living. The full basement offers a large L-shaped entertaining room. There are also two additional large storage areas in the lower level. The home is all-electric, has a 99 gallon water heater and a whole house water filter. The 42x60 Quonset building has a concrete floor, work bench and loft area. It would be ideal for storage and a variety of hobby purposes. The 10x14 storage shed has a wood burner and is also great for storage use. One of the shining stars of the property is the sweetest Country Store one has ever seen. This 912 sq. ft. building is heated, cooled, sheet rocked and painted. It has most recently been used as an antique shop. There is a garage door at the rear of the building and would be great for an accessory dwelling unit (would just need water and a bathroom), a nice studio space or whatever else you desire. There is a neighbor that has cash rented some of the land on the south and east sides for corn. This is really a nice, unique and totally livable property just ready for its new owner..

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SIOUX CITY -- In January, former Sioux City Superintendent Paul Gausman filed a lawsuit against the Sioux City Community School District and multiple school board members for alleged violations of open meeting laws.

The lawsuit claimed school board members Dan Greenwell, Jan George, Taylor Goodvin and Bob Michaelson violated Iowa Open Meetings laws by holding illegal meetings citing the wrong Iowa code sections in order to avoid notifying Gausman or the public of their discussion of him and the following board decision to file a complaint against him with the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners.

Gausman led the Sioux City Community School District for 14 years and left the district in June 2022 for a job as superintendent of the Lincoln Public Schools.

Gausman is seeking the removal of the four school board members from their elected positions as well as monetary damages and attorney fees. He is also asking the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners to dismiss the complaint.

The complaint claims Gausman attempted to bribe Michaelson and George on Nov. 17, 2021, before their official swearing-in on Nov. 22, 2022. Greenwell claimed it was an attempt to solicit their support to re-elect Alarcon-Flory to board president, in the letter sent to the Iowa Board of Education Examiners.

The lawsuit has had a variety of movements throughout the year, including a motion to strike filed by the board members - which was denied by the courts, a response by the board members denying the claims made by Gausman, stating Gausman asked for one of the closed meetings, and a second lawsuit filed by Gausman due to the boards denial to provide records related to the lawsuit.

In August, the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners found probable cause to proceed with complaint and voted to set a hearing in the case.

A trial for Gausman's civil suit is set to begin Jan. 16.

 Caitlin Yamada

Look for the top five stories of 2023 to post throughout Saturday, Dec. 30.
SIOUX CITY -- Former President Donald Trump is returning to the Orpheum Theatre for another rally just two days before the Iowa Caucuses.

The "Commit to Caucus Rally," which kicks off at 6 p.m. on Jan. 13, will mark Trump's second appearance at the downtown Sioux City theater, 528 Pierce St., in roughly three months. Doors open at 3 p.m., according to Trump's website.

Trump held a campaign event at the Orpheum on Oct. 29. During that Sunday afternoon rally, he compared challenger Ron DeSantis to a "wounded bird falling from the sky"

"He's falling, falling, beautifully from the sky -- it's a beautiful thing to watch, because I got him elected," Trump said of DeSantis, the Florida governor.

Trump is also slated to deliver remarks in Cherokee on Jan. 14 at Little Sioux Event Center, 201 Linden St. That campaign event begins at 4 p.m. Doors open at 1 p.m.

Trump, who lost the 2016 Iowa caucuses to Texas Sen. Ted Cruz but rebounded to win the nomination and presidency, is leading his primary challengers in Iowa by double digits in polling averages. He was scheduled to make a stop at Dordt University on Jan. 5, but that event has been relocated to the Terrace View Event Center in Sioux Center. According to a statement from the college, "the vision of the Trump campaign and Dordt were incongruent."

The statement said Dordt University invites every political candidate in good standing with his or her political party to visit the campus each election cycle. It also noted that Dordt maintains a neutral stance on politics and intended the event to be educational in nature and allow students to ask questions of the candidates.

"The Trump campaign started the process of lining up a campaign stop but desired a rally format," the statement said. "Dordt understood that President Trump's visit would not be publicized until the format was finalized after the new year. Ultimately, the vision of the Trump campaign and Dordt were incongruent, and the event will not take place at the university."
SIOUX CITY  In 2023, Republican presidential candidates were no stranger to Northwest Iowa.

With the GOP caucuses set for Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, White House hopefuls arrived early and often to the reddest part of the first-in-the-nation state. And the venues and formats for their stops weren't entirely what's been done before.

While candidates such as former Vice President Mike Pence, who dropped out on October 28, still made appearances at Pizza Ranch locations (a staple of the Iowa caucus cycle), others like Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley turned Port Neal Welding Company in Salix, Iowa into a new place for politicians to pilgrimage to. "We need to change and now Im just doing my part," Daniel Lee, the owner of Port Neal Welding, said about bringing DeSantis, Haley and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum (whose candidacy ended on December 4).

For this campaign season, those aspiring to defeat President Joe Biden on Nov. 5, 2024 have had a new congressional host when they descend on Iowa's Fourth U.S. House District.

The 2024 Iowa GOP Caucuses are the first for second-term Rep. Randy Feenstra of Hull. In fact, even before 2023 started, Feenstra had high-profile Republicans coming to the northwest corner of the state. Feenstra's 2021 "Family Picnic" featured Pence as the keynote speaker (prior to his declaring for 2024). The 2022 iteration brought in Haley (before she'd declared). And 2023? DeSantis showed up to speak ahead of his announcing for president.

Feenstra also had DeSantis and Haley as guests at his first "Faith and Family with the Feenstras" event at Dordt University in Sioux Center (Texas pastor Ryan Binkley and Ohio businessman Vivek Ramaswamy joined as well).

"I'm just excited to be part of it. And again, it's not about me so much as the candidates coming here and giving their views," he said after the event.

One other distinguishing factor for this time out: The leading Republican candidate for chief executive, former President Donald Trump, only made a single campaign stop to Northwest Iowa in 2023.

Back in October, Trump spoke at the Orpheum Theatre in Sioux City for about 80 minutes. During his time at the podium, Trump confused Sioux City and Sioux Falls, South Dakota, compared DeSantis to a "wounded bird falling from the sky," contrasted his own ongoing legal saga with that of American gangster Al Capone, described a scenario in which he'd encourage the Lakers player LeBron James to transition genders and made false claims about the 2020 election.

Heading into 2024, Trump maintains more than a 20-point in Iowa against his next closest competition.

Look for the top five stories of 2023 to post throughout Saturday, Dec. 30.
SIOUX CITY  The Sioux City Council, in spite of objections from the business community, approved a residential, commercial and industrial sewer rate hike this year to help fund a projected $470 million rebuild of the city's aging wastewater treatment plant.

The plant, 3100 S. Lewis Blvd., poses significant safety issues for city staff and has a history of compliance issues with the state. In January of 2022, the Iowa DNR filed suit against the city over alleged repeated environmental violations at the plant, which dated back to March 2012. The city faces fines adding up to millions of dollars.

"This is something that we have to do. It's a generational project. It's a once in our lifetime big rate increase," Tom Pingel, the city's utility director in charge of the plant, said during an April 3 council meeting.

Sioux City wastewater treatment plant The Sioux City wastewater treatment plant is shown in a 2022 file photo.

Siouxland Chamber of Commerce President Chris McGowan warned council members at their May 1 meeting that they would be jeopardizing their relationship with the business community if they didn't "tap the brakes" on the rebuild, which as been referred to as a "generational project." At that time, McGowan handed council members a proposal to form a workgroup or committee.

A week later, on May 8, the council voted unanimously in favor of a resolution to form such a committee. The committee was initially slated to have 15 members, but that number grew to 25.

The council, at its Aug. 7 meeting, approved a nearly $38 million consulting services agreement with Hazen and Sawyer P.C. for the wastewater treatment plant facility plan improvements project. The Minneapolis environmental engineering firm, will provide design, site survey and geotechnical investigation, construction administration and observation, as well as post construction services for the project in an amount not to exceed $37,822,334.

The agreement passed by a vote of 3 to 1. Mayor Bob Scott, who was initially going to abstain on the matter, cast the lone "no" vote.

The wastewater treatment plant facility plan improvements are intended to be implemented across two phases, with a potential third future growth-driven phase.

The city is paying for the wastewater treatment plant project with a combination of funding, including the rate increase and American Rescue Plan Act dollars. The city received $40.6 million from ARPA, a COVID relief package signed by President Biden in March 2021.

Industries saw a 5% sewer rate increase effective July 1. A 25% increase goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2024. Rates are slated to jump 20% in FY 2025 and 2026, while in FY 2027 the increase will be 8.5%. Residential and commercial ratepayers saw an annual rate increase of 20% in the current fiscal year, which began July 1. Rates for those particular customers will increase 10% in FY 2025 and 3% in fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

Look for the top five stories of 2023 to post throughout Saturday, Dec. 30.
SIOUX CITY -- Woodbury County's new jail, originally scheduled to be finished and housing inmates by this fall, remains under construction, with no clear indication as to when the project will be completed.

The ongoing problems with the county's Law Enforcement Center, plagued by a series of mishaps, construction delays and cost overruns, is the Journal's No. 1 Story of the Year, as selected by its editors.

Throughout 2023, the project was a hot topic, with a variety of issues coming to light and many people wanting more information on the behind-the-scenes work taking place to complete it.

The biggest piece of news came a day before the Sept. 14 deadline for contractors to finish their work. LEC leaders announced the completion date had been pushed back to a proposed April 9 at an additional cost of nearly $1.8 million.

Shane Albrecht of the Baker Group, a consultant for the project, said workers needed more time to install 38 missing fire dampers. A compliance officer for Hausmann Construction, the Lincoln, Neb.-based general contractor, was the first to discover the problem.

At the beginning of August, Albrecht told the Law Enforcement Center Authority, the joint county-city governing body, that it would take six weeks to order the dampers and six weeks to install them. The goal, at the time, was to ensure the oversight did not impact the project timeline.

With the building nearly completed, the contractors could not easily install the dampers, which are designed to close automatically upon detection of heat to interrupt airflow and restrict the passage of flames. Due to their location within the ventilation system, the installation presented several obstacles: Holes needed to be cut in block walls and precast walls and drywall, ductwork needed to be removed, installation of certain other items could not be completed, and the walls could not be painted, Albrecht said.

As of Dec. 5, all the dampers had been installed and work was continuing on the other areas of the facility that had to be delayed.

The Authority, GGA, and Hausmann are continuing to discuss Hausmanns previously requested additional time and expense for this damper work, with which the Authority and GGA has expressed their disagreement, according to a news release.

The LEC Authority in August signed a letter of agreement with an outside law firm, Jodie McDougal of Fredrikson & Byron P.A., to "provide legal services regarding the Law Enforcement Center Project." In November, the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors hired John A. Templar, Jr. of Whitfield and Eddy Law to represent the county in issues related to the construction of the facility.

Both attorneys have been tasked with reviewing the project and have had multiple closed sessions with the boards since, as well as visiting the site.

Other news to come out of the project this year revolved around former county supervisor Rocky De Witt, who had been the county's representative on the LEC Authority. The supervisors initially decided to allow De Witt to continue to serve on the Authority, even after he was elected to the Iowa State. But then, eight months later, amid the new construction delays, the board voted to replace him with Supervisor Mark Nelson.

When the project was delayed, the board decided they wanted a representative who was also an acting supervisor and Nelson was the only individual on the board who was allowed to sit on the Authority due to a requirement that the county representative live outside the Sioux City limits.

The Authority gives an update on the progress at each of their meetings, and every other week Nelson provides the board of supervisors with an update.

Recently, the Authority presented a continuation sheet, which is a form general contractors and project owners use to track the progress of a project. The document outlines various aspects of the job and the percentage of work completed.

The report shows the project is 98.8 percent completed with $732,049.67 worth of work left to be completed, as of the end of October.

Work such as utilities, concrete paving, landscaping, roofing, carpentry and furnishing is complete, while other work such as the detention equipment, elevators, mechanicals, earthwork, drywall, flooring and painting are approximately 90 percent completed.

Counting other additional expenses, the project costs now stand at nearly $70 million. The new total estimate includes design fees, project management fees, land purchases, bond costs, project change orders and site preparation.

So far the Authority has approved a variety of change orders, resulting in an increase of $2.5 million to the project. While many of the change orders have added costs to the project, others have reduced the cost of the project.

The Baker Group's contract with the Authority was set to expire on Oct. 1. So far, the LEC Authority has paid $1.46 million to Baker Group for their services. On Tuesday, the Authority approved the contract extension for $34,000 a month until the project is complete.

The original contract was amended to have the Baker Group fee set at $1.325 million until April 1 as a cost-saving measure. It was then amended again to increase that sum by $138,000 to cover the additional time frame of April 1 through Oct. 1.

In October the contract was extended for $34,000 a month for the continued services until the facility is complete.

In January 2022, Sheehan alerted the board that an additional 18 employees would be needed to operate the new jail, adding roughly $1.3 million in annual costs.

Currently, the jail is operating with 65 staff members, including correctional officers and administration. That costs the county an additional $3.34 million each year.

The board decided to begin hiring the staff immediately and stagger the hiring until the opening date. Six correctional officers were hired at the beginning of 2022, six more were hired in March and April with the remaining staff hired in June.

In November 2023 the supervisors approved hiring four more correctional officers and purchasing two new x-ray machines for the courtrooms in the new law enforcement center as well as the courthouse.

The 122,000-square-foot LEC, under construction on the city's northeast side, will hold up to 448 inmates. That's nearly double the roughly 234 inmate-capacity for the current aging jail, located across the street from the county courthouse. The new LEC also will have separate offices for the county sheriff and attorney, plus five courtrooms and court offices.

For years, county officials faced various deficiencies, compliance issues, operations costs and lack of space in the current jail, built in 1987.

In March 2020, Woodbury County voters approved a $50.3 million bond with 57 percent voter approval. With interest, the 20-year bonds could cost between $64 million and $68 million.

Construction on the project was originally set to begin in early 2021 but was delayed by the spiraling cost of building materials.

In June 2021, the LEC Authority approved a $58.4 million contract to Hausmann, which submitted a low bid for the general contractor phase of the project. The original estimate for the main phase was $43 million. The low bid represents a 36 percent increase in cost.

Several citizens, including local contractors and union leaders, had urged the Authority to reject the two general contractor bids and put the project on hold in hopes the costs would fall by the time it was rebid. People also spoke out against the use of federal COVID-19 relief funding on the project.

Read all 10 of our top stories of the year by searching "Sioux City Journal's Top Stories of 2023" on the Sioux City Journal website and on the Sioux City Journal app.
The Sioux City Journal today reveals its Top 10 stories of 2023, as selected by its editors. Reporter Caitlin Yamada details the No. 1 story -- continuing construction delays and cost overruns for the Woodbury County Law Enforcement Center - starting on Page A1. Below is a recap of the No. 2-10 stories.

#2 Kim Taylor guilty of voter fraud; Jeremy Taylor resists calls to resign

Prosecutors said it was voter fraud on a scale rarely seen, a coordinated effort to collect hundreds of votes from Sioux City's Vietnamese community for the benefit of one candidate.

On Nov. 21, a federal jury found Kim Taylor guilty of 52 counts of voter fraud for running a scheme in which she tried to stuff the ballot box for her husband, Jeremy Taylor, who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination for a U.S. House seat in the 2020 primary before winning election to the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors that fall.

During a six-day trial, government prosecutors presented evidence that during the 2020 primary and general elections, Kim Taylor, a Vietnam native who met her husband while he was teaching there, approached numerous Vietnamese voters with limited English comprehension and filled out and signed election forms and ballots on behalf of them and their English-speaking children.

"To have someone vote dozens of times for several people, that is rare," Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Evans said after the verdict was announced.

A sentencing date has not been set.

Kim Taylor verdict Kim and Jermey Taylor leave the Federal Building in Sioux City after a jury found Kim Taylor guilty of 52 counts of voter fraud on Nov. 21.

No one testified to seeing Kim Taylor personally sign any of the documents, but her presence in each voter's home when the forms were filled out was the common thread through the case.

Five voters who had immigrated from Vietnam and speak very little English testified through a translator at trial that Taylor had frequently visited their homes to help them fill out voter registration forms, absentee ballot request forms and absentee ballots and told them they could complete and sign forms for their children without their consent.

Eight young adults -- the sons and daughters and a granddaughter of those five witnesses -- who all were born in Sioux City and speak English, each testified they had never given consent for their parents to fill out election forms for them, and all were unaware they had done so. Many of them said they had never voted. In one case, two of the men hadn't lived in Sioux City for several years, yet voter registration forms, absentee requests and ballots bearing their mother's Sioux City address were filed in their names.

Woodbury County election officials became aware of possible voter fraud in September 2020, when two Iowa State University students from Sioux City requested absentee ballots, only to learn ballots had already been cast in their name. They were allowed to withdraw those ballots and cast their own, but Woodbury County Auditor Pat Gill, who also is election commissioner, kept the fraudulent ballots. When processing absentee ballots on election night, election workers notified Gill the handwriting on several of them appeared to be similar. After the election, Gill notified the FBI, which launched an investigation. Taylor was indicted and arrested in January.

Jeremy Taylor has not been charged, but was named as an unindicted co-conspirator. The case remains under investigation, and prosecutors have not commented on any potential future indictments.

Almost immediately after Kim Taylor's verdict, other elected officials and three fellow county board members called for Jeremy Taylor to resign from his county board seat. Labor union representatives and private citizens also called on Taylor to resign.

On Dec. 5, Taylor resigned as the board's vice chair but said he intends to serve the remainder of his term representing District 5. His seat will be up for election in 2024.

-- Nick Hytrek

#3 Wastewater treatment plant controversy

The Sioux City Council, in spite of objections from the business community, approved a residential, commercial and industrial sewer rate hike this year to help fund a projected $470 million rebuild of the city's aging wastewater treatment plant.

City leaders contend the plant at 3100 S. Lewis Blvd. poses significant safety issues for staff and has a history of compliance issues with the state. In January 2022, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources filed suit against the city over alleged repeated environmental violations at the plant, which dated back to March 2012. The city faces fines adding up to millions of dollars.

"This is something that we have to do. It's a generational project. It's a once in our lifetime big rate increase," Tom Pingel, the city's utility director in charge of the plant, said during an April 3 council meeting.

Siouxland Chamber of Commerce President Chris McGowan warned council members at their May 1 meeting that they would be jeopardizing their relationship with the business community if they didn't "tap the brakes" on the rebuild, which as been referred to as a "generational project." At that time, McGowan handed council members a proposal to form a workgroup or committee.

A week later, on May 8, the council voted unanimously in favor of a resolution to form such a committee. The committee was initially slated to have 15 members, but that number grew to 25.

The council, at its Aug. 7 meeting, approved a nearly $38 million consulting services agreement with Hazen and Sawyer P.C. for the wastewater treatment plant facility plan improvements project. The Minneapolis environmental engineering firm, will provide design, site survey and geotechnical investigation, construction administration and observation, as well as post construction services for the project in an amount not to exceed $37,822,334.

The agreement passed by a vote of 3 to 1. Mayor Bob Scott, who was initially going to abstain on the matter, cast the lone "no" vote.

The wastewater treatment plant facility plan improvements are intended to be implemented across two phases, with a potential third future growth-driven phase.

The city is paying for the wastewater treatment plant project with a combination of funding, including the rate increase and American Rescue Plan Act dollars. The city received $40.6 million from ARPA, a COVID relief package signed by President Biden in March 2021.

Industries saw a 5% sewer rate increase effective July 1. A 25% increase goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2024. Rates are slated to jump 20% in FY 2025 and 2026, while in FY 2027 the increase will be 8.5%. Residential and commercial ratepayers saw an annual rate increase of 20% in the current fiscal year, which began July 1. Rates for those particular customers will increase 10% in FY 2025 and 3% in fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

Sioux City wastewater treatment plant The Sioux City wastewater treatment plant is shown in this 2022 file photo.

#4 Presidential candidates flock to Northwest Iowa

In 2023, Republican presidential candidates were no stranger to Northwest Iowa.

With the GOP caucuses set for Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, White House hopefuls arrived early and often to the reddest part of the first-in-the-nation state. And the venues and formats for their stops weren't entirely what's been done before.

While candidates such as former Vice President Mike Pence, who dropped out on October 28, still made appearances at Pizza Ranch locations (a staple of the Iowa caucus cycle), others like Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley turned Port Neal Welding Company in Salix, Iowa into a new place for politicians to pilgrimage to. "We need to change and now Im just doing my part," Daniel Lee, the owner of Port Neal Welding, said about bringing DeSantis, Haley and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum (whose candidacy ended on December 4).

Ron DeSantis Salix campaign Ron DeSantis, 2024 Republican presidential hopeful and governor of Florida, speaks during a campaign event Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at Port Ne

For this campaign season, those aspiring to defeat President Joe Biden in the Nov. 5, 2024 general election have had a new congressional host when they descend on Iowa's 4th District.

The 2024 Iowa GOP Caucuses are the first for second-term Rep. Randy Feenstra of Hull. In fact, even before 2023 started, Feenstra had high-profile Republicans coming to the northwest corner of the state. Feenstra's 2021 "Family Picnic" featured Pence as the keynote speaker (prior to his declaring for 2024). The 2022 iteration brought in Haley (before she'd declared). And 2023? DeSantis showed up to speak ahead of his announcing for president.

Feenstra also had DeSantis and Haley as guests at his first "Faith and Family with the Feenstras" event at Dordt University in Sioux Center (Texas pastor Ryan Binkley and Ohio businessman Vivek Ramaswamy joined as well).

One other distinguishing factor for this time out: The leading Republican candidate for chief executive, former President Donald Trump, made one campaign stop to Northwest Iowa in 2023. In October, Trump spoke at the Orpheum Theatre in Sioux City for about 80 minutes. During his time at the podium, Trump confused Sioux City and Sioux Falls, South Dakota, compared DeSantis to a "wounded bird falling from the sky," contrasted his own ongoing legal saga with that of American gangster Al Capone, described a scenario in which he'd encourage the Lakers player LeBron James to transition genders and made false claims about the 2020 election.

Heading into 2024, Trump, whose next scheduled visit to Northwest Iowa is Jan. 5 in Sioux Center, maintains more than a 20-point in Iowa against his next closest competition.

 Jared McNett

#5 Former Sioux City Schools Superintendent Paul Gausman files lawsuits

In January, former Sioux City Superintendent Paul Gausman filed a lawsuit against the Sioux City Community School District and multiple school board members for alleged violations of open meeting laws.

The lawsuit claimed school board members Dan Greenwell, Jan George, Taylor Goodvin and Bob Michaelson violated Iowa Open Meetings laws by holding illegal meetings citing the wrong Iowa code sections in order to avoid notifying Gausman or the public of their discussion of him and the following board decision to file a complaint against him with the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners.

Gausman led the Sioux City Community School District for 14 years and left the district in June 2022 for a job as superintendent of the Lincoln Public Schools.

Paul Gausman Dr. Paul Gausman, superintendent of the Sioux City Community School District is shown at the school district office in Sioux City on June 1, 2022.

Gausman is seeking the removal of the four school board members from their elected positions as well as monetary damages and attorney fees. He is also asking the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners to dismiss the complaint.

The complaint claims Gausman attempted to bribe Michaelson and George on Nov. 17, 2021, before their official swearing-in on Nov. 22, 2022. Greenwell claimed it was an attempt to solicit their support to re-elect Perla Alarcon-Flory to board president, in the letter sent to the Iowa Board of Education Examiners.

The lawsuit has had a variety of movements throughout the year, including a motion to strike filed by the board members - which was denied by the courts, a response by the board members denying the claims made by Gausman - stating Gausman asked for one of the closed meetings, and a second lawsuit filed by Gausman due to the boards denial to provide records related to the lawsuit.

In August, the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners found probable cause to proceed with complaint and voted to set a hearing in the case.

A trial for Gausman's civil suit is set to begin Jan. 16.

 Caitlin Yamada

#6 Area landowners fight to block carbon-capture pipelines

Plans to construct two separate carbon-capture pipelines through the tri-state area saw a litany of challenges in 2023.

One company, Summit Carbon Solutions, had permitting requests denied in North Dakota and South Dakota, two of the five states the $5.5 billion, 2,000 mile pipeline would cover.

The other, Navigator CO2 Ventures, completely dropped its plan to build a 1,300 mile pipeline through South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska, Iowa and Illinois. When making the decision in October, the Omaha-based company cited the "unpredictable nature of the regulatory and government process" in South Dakota and Iowa. Regulators in South Dakota denied permitting in September. A number of Iowa politicians, from both parties, including Iowa District 2 Sen. Jeff Taylor (R-Sioux Center), pushed for legislation to severely limit the ability of such companies to use eminent domain for the projects but nothing passed both chambers of the Iowa legislature. Following the fall of the Navigator pipeline, members of the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors celebrated.

Carbon pipeline A stack of "No Carbon Pipeline" yard signs is shown at an informational meeting held about proposed carbon pipelines in this Dec. 15, 2022 fil

Summit Carbon Solutions did not drop its project and argued before the Iowa Utilities Board that the pipeline, which would capture the CO2 emitted at ethanol plants and send it underground for storage, would stimulate the state's economy.

"We're an agricultural company building an infrastructure project to help the next generation of agriculture," Summit Carbon Solutions CEO Lee Blank said. Jess Mazour, the conservation program coordinator for the Sierra Club Iowa chapter said such work would put risks in the communities and damage the land.

Estimates are the Iowa Utilities Board will reach a verdict in early 2024.

#7 Wall Lake trucker, David Schultz, disappears without a trace

David Schultz's missing persons case attracted the attention of locals and online sleuths worldwide.

Last month, the 53-year-old Wall Lake truck driver and father of 10-year-old twin boys, disappeared under mysterious circumstances.

Schultz's 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 David's wallet and cellphone inside the truck. A towel, cellphone charger and pocketknife were found 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 that he is 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."

 Dolly Butz

#8 Deputy-involved shooting near Hornick, multi-victim shooting in rural Sgt. Bluff

Around 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29, Woodbury County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to a farm along Old Highway 141. A 72-year-old man had called 911, telling dispatchers his son was shooting at him.

After roughly seven hours of crisis negotiations, both the father and son were dead of gunshot wounds.

Walter M. Sulsberger, 44, the son, had shot and killed his father, 72-year-old Todd C. Sulsberger. During negotiations, the younger Sulsberger told law enforcement that night there would be no peaceful resolution; when tactical teams approached, he fired at them. Law enforcement returned fire, and Sulsberger was killed.

It was not the first time this year that Woodbury County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to a grim family crisis that left multiple people wounded or dead of gunshot wounds.

At around 6:47 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, deputies were dispatched to a home along Buchanan Avenue in rural Sergeant Bluff, for a report of shots fired. Two people had placed 911 calls: One caller, believed to be the man who fired the shots, told a dispatcher, "People dead. People are dead." A 12-year-old boy at the residence also called 911.

Deputies found the boy at the residence and rescued him. They also found two men and a woman, Raymond T. Rogers, 43, and Gerele E. Jones, 50, and Ashley M. Rogers, 40, all suffering gunshot wounds. Raymond Rogers' wound was self-inflicted.

Raymond and Ashley Rogers were estranged spouses. Jones, who suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his hand, chest and stomach, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Both Raymond and Ashley Rogers survived their wounds; Raymond, suffering a gunshot wound under his chin, was hospitalized in Omaha for some time.

Woodbury County Sheriff Chad Sheehan said it would be a "fair characterization" to call the incident a murder-attempted-suicide.

After his release from the hospital, Raymond Rogers was extradited to Woodbury County and charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder, first-degree burglary and stalking. He pleaded not guilty.

 Mason Dockter

Chad Sheehan at news conference Woodbury County Sheriff Chad Sheehan speaks at a Oct. 30 news conference related to a seven-hour standoff at a rural residence near Hornick.

#9 Big turnover on Sioux City school board

November 2023 brought new faces to four of the seven Sioux City school board seats.

Dan Greenwell won a hotly-contested return for his second term on the board. Greenwell served as president of the board for the last two years, but stepped back and instead, Jan George stepped up to the presidency.

Greenwell, who has clashed with some board members and administrators during his two years as board president, prevailed despite key local business and labor groups backing his opponent, Semehar Ghebrekidan, the city's community inclusivity liaison. Greenwell won 31 of 32 precincts, with Liberty Elementary being the exception.

New board members swearing in Treyla Lee, John Meyers, Lance Ehmcke, Earl Miller and Dan Greenwell take the oath of office on Nov. 27 following their election to the Sioux 

Challengers Treyla Lee, Earl Miller, John Meyers and Lance Ehmcke captured the four open seats with four-year terms. Lee, who led the nine-candidate race for four seats with 3572 votes. Lee, 52, works at Four Oaks Family and Children Services.

Most of the candidates previously spoke about wanting to focus on teacher recruitment and retention, as well as increasing student achievement and focusing back on the basics of education. Nine candidates ran for four, four-year sets on the school board. Candidates had the option of running for a four-year term, or the seat with the unexpired term.

After the new members took office, George was elected board president by a 5-2 vote and Lee was elected vice president by a 4-3 vote. George previously served as the vice president.

 Caitlin Yamada

#10 USS Sioux City decommissioned

A relationship expected to last at least 30 years ended abruptly on Aug. 14, when the USS Sioux City was decommissioned after less than five years in service.

The Navy's decision caught local officials and residents who had supported the ship since its name was announced in February 2012 off guard.

"I was both surprised and disappointed," Siouxland Chamber of Commerce President Chris McGowan, who worked on the committee that raised money for the November 2018 commissioning ceremony and festivities, said shortly after news of the decommissioning became public. "Surprised in that we had been assured by officials in Washington that the USS Sioux City was secure through fiscal 2024, which is over a year from now. I was disappointed because our community demonstrated an unprecedented level of support, and all involved with this ship deserved a better fate."

USS Sioux City departure (copy) The tug Brooklyn McAllister ties up to the USS Sioux City as it prepares to depart Annapolis in this November 2018 file photo. The ship's crew

The USS Sioux City, which cost approximately $362 million, was among a group of littoral combat ships that were conceived as a small, fast ship that could maneuver in shallow, or littoral, waters closer to shore than other Navy ships. But the Freedom class variant to which the USS Sioux City belonged was plagued with mechanical issues that cost millions of dollars to repair. Some military experts said the ships were a waste of money and were no longer wanted by the Navy.

"To maintain our strategic advantage, particularly under fiscal constraints, it is important for the Navy to carefully review our force structure regularly and divest of legacy capabilities that no longer bring sufficient lethality to maximize our effectiveness in deterring and defeating potential adversaries," a Navy spokeswoman said of the ship's decommissioning.

The USS Sioux City's crew members received new assignments. Docked with other inactive ships, the USS Sioux City is eligible for sale to another country's military, and its equipment could be removed for use on similar ships. Future recommissioning is unlikely.

 Nick Hytrek
SIOUX CITY  Prosecutors said it was voter fraud on a scale rarely seen, a coordinated effort to collect hundreds of votes from Sioux City's Vietnamese community for the benefit of one candidate.

On Nov. 21, a federal jury found Kim Taylor guilty of 52 counts of voter fraud for running a scheme in which she tried to stuff the ballot box for her husband, Jeremy Taylor, who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination for a U.S. House seat in the 2020 primary before winning election to the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors that fall.

During a six-day trial, government prosecutors presented evidence that during the 2020 primary and general elections, Kim Taylor, a Vietnam native who met her husband while he was teaching there, approached numerous Vietnamese voters with limited English comprehension and filled out and signed election forms and ballots on behalf of them and their English-speaking children.

"To have someone vote dozens of times for several people, that is rare," Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Evans said after the verdict was announced.

A sentencing date has not been set.

No one testified to seeing Kim Taylor personally sign any of the documents, but her presence in each voter's home when the forms were filled out was the common thread through the case.

Five voters who had immigrated from Vietnam and speak very little English testified through a translator at trial that Taylor had frequently visited their homes to help them fill out voter registration forms, absentee ballot request forms and absentee ballots and told them they could complete and sign forms for their children without their consent.

Eight young adults -- the sons and daughters and a granddaughter of those five witnesses -- who all were born in Sioux City and speak English, each testified they had never given consent for their parents to fill out election forms for them, and all were unaware they had done so. Many of them said they had never voted. In one case, two of the men hadn't lived in Sioux City for several years, yet voter registration forms, absentee requests and ballots bearing their mother's Sioux City address were filed in their names.

Woodbury County election officials became aware of possible voter fraud in September 2020, when two Iowa State University students from Sioux City requested absentee ballots, only to learn ballots had already been cast in their name. They were allowed to withdraw those ballots and cast their own, but Woodbury County Auditor Pat Gill, who also is election commissioner, kept the fraudulent ballots. When processing absentee ballots on election night, election workers notified Gill the handwriting on several of them appeared to be similar. After the election, Gill notified the FBI, which launched an investigation. Taylor was indicted and arrested in January.

Jeremy Taylor has not been charged, but was named as an unindicted co-conspirator. The case remains under investigation, and prosecutors have not commented on any potential future indictments.

Almost immediately after Kim Taylor's verdict, other elected officials and three fellow county board members called for Jeremy Taylor to resign from his county board seat.

"This will be a distraction," board chairman Matthew Ung said. "He is doing the public a disservice by not stepping down."

Labor union representatives and private citizens also called on Taylor to resign.

On Dec. 5, Taylor resigned as the board's vice chair but said he intends to serve the remainder of his term representing District 5. His seat will be up for election in 2024.

"I work hard to do the absolute best job I can," he said. "(The voters) hold us accountable every four years."

Look for the top story of 2023 to post at 11:15 a.m., Saturday.
In Slates annual Movie Club, film critic Dana Stevens emails with fellow criticsfor 2023, Bilge Ebiri, Esther Zuckerman, and Mark Harrisabout the year in cinema. Sometimes, other critics interrupt. Read the first entry here.

Movie Club! I must interrupt once more!

Weve nearly reached the end of the road and yet, while you esteemed Clubbers have devoted copious column inches to such best-of-year contenders as the Dungeons & Dragons comedy, the Holocaust drama without any Jews, and the movie where a guy fucks a grave, hardly anyone has bothered to bring up one of the years most acclaimed films. No love for the finest American indie of the year, and the warmest, most clear-eyed romance in recent memory? One of the best debuts Sundance has seen in years, the winner of the Best Feature prize at the Gotham Awards, no. 4 on Indiewires critics pollyet Celine Songs Past Lives has gotten but two brief mentions in 19 total posts. I think I know why, and Ill tell you why youre wrong.

Those two Movie Club mentions offer a hint. Mark offered faint praise, allowing that Past Lives was exquisite while cracking that, unlike his beloved Saltburn, its a gentle love triangle with nobody to root against. Dana offered faint disdain, calling Greta Lees character an audience-proxy Mary Sue. Has it become fashionable to dismiss Past Lives as slight, winsome, typical Sundance faresomehow unworthy because its characters just happen to be good, imperfect, honorable people trying hard to do the right thing?

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When Mark delivered that last characterization with a kind of offhanded shrug, I pricked up my ears. As if that isnt an incredibly accurate description of everyone in this conversation! As if, in fact, that doesnt describe 99 percent of the people in the world 99 percent of the time!! Most of us are not avid Nazis, or dimwitted frontier husbands, or oversexed sports-car magnates, or even mysterious authors who may or may not have pushed our husbands off balconies. Were neither the woman who had sex with a seventh-grader in a pet-store stockroom, nor the Hollywood actress cannily exploiting her for her own professional and psychosexual purposes. Were not even as insulting as Barton Academys Paul Hunham. (Bilge, you had the perfect chance to call me a blithering moron!)

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Im not saying I didnt enjoy the movies about all those characters this year (except for Ferrari). But I reject the idea that just because Past Lives characters choose the high road when dealing with their small-bore problems, their story was essentially undramatic or uninteresting. One of the many things I loved about Past Lives was its dedication to allowing its characters to be gentle, even when circumstances made it difficult.

The movie takes its first dozen-year leap forward in time as we follow its central couple, Na Young and Hae Sung, from childhood to young adulthood. Na Young (Greta Lee), who goes by Nora when she leaves Korea for North America, is going to graduate school for writing. Hae Sung (Teo Yoo) has close friends and family in Korea, but after he finishes his military service, he longs for the girl he remembers from elementary school. Their long, Skype-set courtship is unlike anything Ive ever seen in a movie. Leisurely, glitchy, filled with the long pauses and urgent revelations of reconnection, the scenes portray two people just coming into adulthood, yet yearning for the comforting connections of their youth. So much else in their life is setting them up for what their future will be. Could this person on the other side of the world be part of that future?

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Hae Sung, more patient, more optimistic, can see them continuing this way for a while, but Nora becomes restless. If they cant visit each other for a year or more, she asks herself, what even is the point of these Skype calls? And so the practical-minded Nora dumps him before the relationship can get any deeper. The last we see each of them before the next time jump, theyre meeting new people: he a young woman in China, she a fellow writer named Arthur.

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A dozen years later, Nora and Arthur are married. Hae Sung, recently broken up with his longtime girlfriend, is coming to New York for a visit. The longing comes off Hae Sung in waves. Arthur is anxious about Hae Sungs arrival, insecure in his own position in the marriage. And Nora can sense these two men jockeying around her and feels torn, not precisely between them, but between the life she lives and all the other lives she could have lived.

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When I watched Past Lives with my teenagers, they were nervous at this point, convinced that what they were about to see was an awkward, painful set of confrontations between characters with natural points of conflict. The pieces are positioned for a third act of misconstructions and misunderstandings, or shouting matches, or sulking fits, or secret make-out sessions or fistfights in East Village bars. Another moviea movie I bet Id have liked!would have pushed its characters to have it out in various picturesque New York settings. But Song makes, I think, a more difficult and braver choice, which is to have her three characters pick their way through their interactions with as much kindness, curiosity, and love as they can muster.

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Its not that these characters are kind to one another unbelievably, or boringly. Theyre struggling to be kind to one another. Nora overcomes her annoyance at Hae Sungs imposition in order to recall her affection for his plainspokenness. Arthur pushes through his fear about this person whos connected to Noras old life, her Korean life, the part of her he fears hell never knowand finds that on the other side he, too, likes Hae Sung. Hae Sung tamps down his heartbreak and resentment long enough to see a happy couple who are living the right life now, even if it doesnt really include him.

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Related From Slate This Complex, Courageous German Actress Gave the Two Best Performances of 2023 Read More

Past Lives is so quiet and, yes, exquisite, that I think it can be easy to miss the sophisticated genre-bending its doing. Its an immigrant story thats also a chamber drama thats also a bildungsroman thats also a Brechtian interrogation. Above all its an existential romance, one that takes seriously the great questions that all of us ask ourselves: Who is the person for me? What is the life I want to live? And how do I come to terms with what I gave up when I chose that person, and that life? Amid the Sturm und Drang of the year 2023 in moviesand theres been some amazing Sturm, some fuckin intense DrangI hope readers (and awards voters) keep some room in their hearts for a movie with a warm, light touch for such elemental issues.

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During that final moment at the curb, as Nora and Hae Sung, waiting for his Uber, stare into each others eyes, my teenagers groaned in agony, afraid a kiss would come that would make everything so messy and awful. But I knew that wouldnt happen. I knew that moment was a gift from Song, a generous director, to her characters and to us. They get to really see each other, just as weve really seen them. Sometimes I want an artist to be kind to her characters. Sometimes I want an artist to be kind to usas kind as I want to be every day, even if it often is a struggle, even if I often fall short.

Longingly,

Dan

Read the final entry in Movie Club: Farewell to a Great Year in Movies!
An individual rests inside a tent outside of the Civic Center Inn in the Tenderloin on June 5. The latest point-in-time count found nearly 4,400 people live outside or in a vehicle in San Francisco. Benjamin Fanjoy/Special to the Chronicle

Homelessness is routinely cited as one of the top concerns for San Francisco residents and business owners, but there are many misconceptions about the nature of the problem.

Here are answers to frequently asked questions about the state of homelessness in San Francisco and an overview of the crisis at the end of 2023.

Q: How many homeless people are there in San Francisco, and how many of them are unsheltered?

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A: This isnt always an easy question to answer because there are various ways of counting unhoused people and different agencies that create estimates. However, the citys latest point-in-time count, a federally mandated survey released in 2022, found that 7,754 people were homeless across the city. Of those, 4,397 people were unsheltered, meaning they live outdoors or in a vehicle.

But that one-night tally represents only a snapshot in time. Experts contend that it fails to factor in people staying on a friends couch or in a hotel, as well as families who may be doubled or tripled up in a single unit.

The citys Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing estimated in 2022 that as many as 20,000 individuals would experience homelessness over the course of that year. For every one person housed by a city program, the agency estimates four more become unhoused.

Q: Who makes up the homeless population?

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A: Black, Latino and LGBTQ people make up a disproportionate share of the homeless population. Black people were 35% of the homeless population but only 6% of the citys general population.

Estimates show 12% of San Franciscos population identifies as LGBTQ while 28% of homeless people identified as LGBTQ.

While Latino residents make up 16% of the citys general population, they represented 30% of San Franciscos homeless population in 2022, a big jump over 2019s 18%.





Robert Billy Saccoccio sits with his dog, Samantha, on Powell Street on Nov. 27 with a sign that says he is homeless and needs help with food. The 2022 point-in-time count found that 7,754 individuals were homeless across San Francisco. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle

Q: Where did the citys homeless people come from?

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A: The question is important because homeless advocates argue that the unhoused are primarily locals whove lost jobs and housing and fallen on hard times. Whereas critics say people from elsewhere in California move to the city to live on the street, use drugs and get services, leaving San Francisco to deal with a regional problem on its own.

The available data shows that more than two-thirds of people surveyed in the citys latest point-in-time count reported living in San Francisco when they became homeless. A total of 35% indicated that they lived in the city for at least 10 years prior to losing their housing, while 17% lived in San Francisco less than a year, and 32% between one and four years. These statistics have been questioned by groups such as the Bay Area Council and some activists who say theyre unreliable because of how theyre asked.

The Bay Area Council argues that the percentage of unhoused people who are not from San Francisco is closer to half  a combination of the 29% who self-reported they were not from the city and the 17% who were here for less than a year before ending up on the streets.



Q: How did they become homeless?

A: Job loss is the top reason people surveyed in San Francisco cite as the cause of their homelessness. Eviction and alcohol or drug use are reported as the next most common.

Q: Is San Francisco able to clear homeless encampments?

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A: San Francisco is able to clear homeless encampments, a hot-button issue in the city. However, a lawsuit filed by the Coalition on Homelessness against San Francisco in September 2022 on behalf of seven unhoused people has limited how the city conducts sweeps. The complaint alleged that the city routinely violates its own policies, as well as state and federal laws, by clearing homeless encampments and unlawfully seizing belongings while failing to offer adequate shelter.

Under a court order, the city of San Francisco is restricted from enforcing certain laws and clearing homeless encampments unless it is able to offer placement at a shelter.

The city can clear encampments that block sidewalks but only after providing 72 hours of notice. Sweeps are also permitted to address health and safety concerns and for temporary cleaning.





SF Public Works employees remove debris from a homeless encampment during a sweep along 13th Street in the Mission District of San Francisco on Nov. 3. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle

Q: How many permanent supportive housing units and shelter beds are in San Francisco? Is it enough?

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A: San Francisco has 9,105 permanent supportive housing units, and its shelters have capacity to serve about 3,240 people, according to data from the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing. But the city has roughly 4,400 unhoused residents, meaning there are not enough shelter beds for everyone. While the city has added more than 1,000 temporary shelter beds over the last six years, officials estimated in March it would cost almost $1 billion and the city would need a mix of 6,000 new housing units and shelter beds to end unsheltered homelessness over three years.

Q: Why is the Tenderloin ground zero for homelessness and open drug dealing?

A: Decades of decisions and policies from San Francisco City Hall have created a pseudo containment zone for homelessness, drug dealing and overdoses in the Tenderloin.

The 30-square-block district  a diverse and densely populated neighborhood home to many low-income immigrants and children  holds the vast majority of housing for formerly homeless adults. The neighborhoods median household income is about $40,000.

Residents in the Tenderloin say the San Francisco Police Department has failed to provide a reliable presence. While arrests of drug users and dealers are up, residents say law enforcement needs to do more to keep the streets safe and clear.

Q: How many homeless people have substance use disorder and/or mental illness?

A: As fentanyl has hit the citys drug supply over the last few years, homeless people have been hard-hit. A large share of those killed by fatal overdoses  29% in 2023 through November  have no fixed address, according to the latest medical examiners report. Roughly half of all homeless residents were struggling with drug or alcohol abuse in 2022, up from 42% in 2019, according to the point-in-time count.

Three in five homeless residents surveyed indicated they were living with at least one health condition. These included physical disabilities, chronic substance use and severe mental health conditions.

Q: Is homelessness down, up or flat in San Francisco, and which neighborhoods have seen the biggest jumps?

A: While homelessness overall decreased 3.5% from 2019 to 2022 citywide, some neighborhoods saw big drops, and some saw big spikes. The largest spikes in homelessness were in districts that included the Mission, Tenderloin, Hayes Valley, Polk Gulch, the Financial District and Sunset District.

The number of homeless individuals dropped from 8,035 in 2019 to 7,754 in 2022, yet the citys homeless population still remains higher than it was a decade ago when San Francisco found 7,350 homeless individuals during its one-night count.





James Greene, right, chats with Pedro Rincon Jr., an outreach specialist with the Homeless Outreach Team, during an encampment sweep in San Francisco on Nov. 3. Greene, who is from New York, was offered and accepted a spot in a non-congregate shelter in the Tenderloin. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle

Q: How many people are chronically homeless?

A: The citys chronically homeless are one of the toughest unhoused groups to help, and despite a pledge in 2017 to cut the number of chronically homeless in half in five years, their numbers only grew. Many of them have addiction or mental illness, compounding other challenges. The group is defined as those who have a disabling condition and have been unhoused more than a year, or more than four times over three years adding up to 12 months. San Francisco estimates that 2,691 people were chronically homeless in 2022  an 11% decrease from 2019 but more than a 50% increase since 2015.

Q: How much does San Francisco spend on homelessness?

A: While theres no estimate of the total San Francisco spends on the homeless population, the citys Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing has a budget of $690 million in fiscal 2023-24, a 142% rise from five years ago. While that amount does not include what the Department of Public Health or SF Public Works or many other departments spend related to the crisis, it does reflect the massive resources the city has to address the problem. Spending on homelessness has gone up thanks to Proposition C, a contentious business tax on big companies passed by voters in 2018.

The tax was designed to pour hundreds of millions of dollars every year into tackling the crisis. Implementation of the tax was delayed for nearly two years because of a legal challenge, but during the 2022-23 fiscal year, San Francisco spent $295.7 million in Prop. C funds and served more than 27,000 households, according to an annual report from the city. The city used the funds to pay for 583 rental subsidies, as well as 200 permanent supportive housing units, 238 temporary shelter units and 170 new behavioral health beds.
Many small business grant programs aim to support employers and businesses that are open to hiring new team members. However, self-employed individuals can often benefit from increased funding as well.

NASE Growth Grants

The National Association for the Self-Employed is currently accepting applications for the next round of its NASE Growth Grants program. This is a unique opportunity for self-employed individuals to receive $4,000 in grant funds. The program has run since 2006, with NASE awarding nearly $1 million in total funds. The program is open to NASE members and funded by AARP and Dell Computers. Recipients can use funds for various business expenses, from marketing to expanding their facilities. It currently costs $120 a year or $10 per month for NASE membership. The current grant cycle will accept applications through March, and applications will be reviewed in April. NASE accepts grant applications throughout the year and reviews them quarterly to award funds to eligible self-employed individuals and businesses.

Sell Your Business Discover the Zoho Ecosystem ChatGPT Prompts for Business Advertise Your Business Here

Transform Tucson: Changemakers Grant Program

Tucson, Arizona, is partnering with Groundswell Capital to launch the new Transform Tucson: Changemakers Grant Program. The program will begin accepting applications in January 2024, with Groundswell Capital investing $500,000 into multiple grant opportunities for Tucsons small business community. Heres a short explanation of each option:

The Tucson Good Energy Grant Fund will offer grants of up to $10,000 to businesses investing in various green initiatives. This may include businesses that purchase solar panels or Energy Star-Certified Equipment.

The Upskilling Tucson Fund will offer up to $10,000 for businesses looking to invest in employees. This may include various workforce development initiatives like training sessions or certification programs that help small businesses and their employees thrive.

The Keep Tucson Amable grant program will award up to $5,000 to businesses that provide some kind of social impact within the city. The goal of the program is to keep the citys business community friendly and kind.

The Groundswell Seed Fund will provide $5,000 in grant support to entrepreneurs who are launching new ventures. Founders can use funds for various startup expenses.

The Groundswell Growth Fund will award up to $10,000 to businesses looking to scale their enterprises. Recipients can use funds for anything from purchasing new equipment and technology to expanding to new locations.

The [CREATE] Content With A Purpose grant will offer up to $2,000 for local filmmakers and content creators. To enter, creators must produce a short documentary-style video highlighting a local business in Tucson.

Applications for each of these grants will open in January 2024. Information forms are currently available online. Interested entrepreneurs can fill them out to receive notifications when the application period opens.

Des Moines Center at Sixth Grant

Center at Sixth, a business incubator in Des Moines, Iowa, recently received a $700,000 grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation to support local businesses. The incubator is poised to open in Des Moines Center Street neighborhood, a historically Black neighborhood, with the goal of revitalizing the once-thriving community. Many thriving Black-owned businesses in the area were removed in the 1950s to make way for Interstate 235 and other city planning projects. Center at Sixth is slated to open in the fall of 2024 and will help local businesses seek funding and other growth and startup opportunities.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231230/belgorod-terror-bombing-signals-ukraines-desperation---former-us-army-colonel-1115901164.html

Belgorod Terror Bombing Signals Ukraines Desperation - Former US Army Colonel

Belgorod Terror Bombing Signals Ukraines Desperation - Former US Army Colonel

Over a dozen civilians were killed and scores more injured during Saturdays daytime Ukrainian missile strike on Belgorod  a Russian city of 340,000 situated about 40 km from the Ukrainian border. Sputnik asked retired US Army colonel Earl Rasmussen for his take on what the Ukrainian militarys terror bombing campaign is meant to accomplish.

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analysis

earl rasmussen

belgorod

ukraine

russia

us army

russian foreign ministry

russia's belgorod shelled by ukraine

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Casualties from Saturdays Belgorod terror bombing attack continue to mount, with the Emergency Situations Ministry reporting at least 14 dead and 108 injured as of 6:30 pm Moscow time.Russias military vowed to respond to the criminal attack in a measured way without resorting to eye-for-an-eye deliberate targeting of civilians. Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Ministry has announced plans to call a meeting of the United Nations Security Council to discuss the incident.I think we see a sign of desperation in Ukraine, Earl Rasmussen told Sputnik, commenting on the Belgorod attacks.They claim that theyre targeting military [objects], but we see very seldom [that it] is actually military targets. And in this case, we have a large number of civilian casualties. Its desperation, the former Eurasia Foundation vice president added.It easily could have been Western countries providing targeting information. Did they provide them incorrectly? Were the coordinates off? I think theyre trying to strike out just at anythingThats the situation with Kiev. I think theyre just trying to strike at anything and inflict whatever type of damage they can rather than rationally coming to a negotiated settlement or accepting the outcome. Theyre in denial and delusion and theyre just trying to lash out. And its unfortunate civilians are being killed. Its a pattern of theirs, and I think its a sign of desperation.Rasmussen stressed that if the logic of Saturdays attack was to put political pressure on Russians or facilitate a change of policy by Moscow, the calculation was woefully mistaken. I think these efforts will actually do the opposite, but I think those are some of the thought processes they may be having on the why, he said.In any case, the observer said Belgorod is a natural target for Kiev, since its situated just 40 km from the border, and is a fairly large city, meaning attacking it will be reported on heavily.Saturdays deadly Belgorod attack comes in the wake of the failure of Ukraines disastrous summer counteroffensive, which failed to expel Russia from Crimea, Kherson, Zaporozhye or the Donbass, and cost the countrys military over 125,000 casualties. It also came a day after a massive Russian air and drone strike campaign targeting energy facilities, ammunition depots, airfields, ports, fuel terminals and military headquarters using over 120 cruise and ballistic missiles and dozens of drones in Kiev, Karkhov, Dnepropetrovsk, Konotop, Lvov, Odessa and the Ukrainian-controlled portion of Zaporozhye.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231230/russia-requests-unsc-meeting-in-connection-with-terrorist-attack-in-belgorod-1115900541.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231230/bidens-border-dilemma-mexico-throws-lifeline-to-us-immigration-strategy-1115897226.html

Biden's Border Dilemma: Mexico Throws Lifeline to US Immigration Strategy

Biden's Border Dilemma: Mexico Throws Lifeline to US Immigration Strategy

Biden and his team have consistently avoided labeling the border situation as a crisis, but despite prior warnings about the impending surge, the administration was inadequately equipped to manage it.

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americas

us

joe biden

donald trump

antony blinken

washington

mexico city

mexico

border patrol

homeland security

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The Biden administration is urging Mexico to help stem the influx of migrants at the southern border.US President Joe Biden has few other policy options to deal with the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Texas and other border states. But his new approach has strained ties with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who previously played a crucial role in implementing some of former President Trumps strictest border policies  under the threat of import tariffs.Adam Isacson, director of defense oversight at the Washington Office on Latin America, told the press, "[President Biden] is undoubtedly hoping Mexico will do something that pushes the numbers down for a few months at least.In December, the US Border Patrol is on track to process a record number of migrants who have been trafficked into the country or entered illegally. In just 27 days, Border Patrol processed 225,000 migrants  an all-time high.Despite efforts to curb migration, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)s annual report revealed a 19.5 percent surge in arrests of non-citizens, with the majority not facing criminal charges. Even with ICE conducting 170,590 arrests, a substantial 96,768 were administrative. Moreover, 142,580 foreign nationals were removed from the country.The surge in migrant numbers has left US border officials overwhelmed. The Biden administration had sought additional funding from Congress to bolster Border Patrol and asylum officers. However, this funding request, paired with aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, was stalled in Senate negotiations before Christmas due to partisan disagreements over border policies.Weak Attempt to Curb Migration CrisisAccording to a Senate Republican Conference publication, during Bidens first 100 days in office he signed a series of executive orders relaxing immigration restrictions. They included halting the construction of the wall along the Mexican border, suspending the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP, commonly known as Remain in Mexico), terminating Asylum Cooperative Agreements (ACAs) with Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, ending the Prompt Asylum Case Review (PACR) for non-Mexicans, halting deportations for 100 days, and discontinuing the Humanitarian Asylum Review Program (HARP) specifically for Mexicans.A recent media report highlighted that Democrat Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy has been in virtual discussions alongside independent Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema and Republican James Lankford of Oklahoma, with plans to meet again in the new year.Given the political impasse in Congress, Biden's options for swiftly reducing illegal immigration are limited, making Lopez Obrador's cooperation even more crucial.Democratic leaders, including Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, have criticized the administration's "lack of intervention and coordination at the border", emphasizing the need for federal action. Former illinois deputy governor Sol Flores argued that the federal government has the capacity and infrastructure to address the crisis but has not done enough.Local officials, including in Denver and New York City, have criticized the lack of coordination and assistance from the federal government, calling for a more cohesive and effective response to the crisis.While Mexicos president is a vocal proponent of addressing the root causes of migration, he has also actively enforced migration controls for both the Trump and Biden administrations. Mexicos National Guard, established by President Lopez Obrador, has shifted its focus from combating organized crime to migration control.An analysis by Mexicos news outlet reveals a 60 percent decline in criminal arrests by the National Guard from 2021 to 2022, juxtaposed against a 432.5 percent increase in migrant "rescues" - typically involving interactions between migrants and law enforcement.Mexico's influence over migrant volumes extends beyond its borders. Lopez Obrador's decision to accept third-country deportees from the US is a significant bargaining chip, especially concerning policies like Title 42 and the "Remain in Mexico" initiative. The recent clearing of a migrant camp in Matamoros, close to Brownsville, Texas, exemplifies the type of deterrence Mexico can exert.Meanwhile, in a December Wall Street Journal poll, 13 percent of voters identified immigration and the US-Mexico border as their primary concern, ranking it second only to economic issues. A majority disapproved of Biden's approach to the border by a ratio of more than two to one. When asked who they believed would handle the issue better, 54 percent chose Trump while only 24 percent favored Biden, marking the largest disparity between the two candidates on any tested issue.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231224/no-happy-holidays-for-border-patrol-amid-new-us-migrant-surge-1115780238.html

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biden administration, mexico, migrant influx, border patrol, lopez obrador, ice arrests, national guard, third-country deportees, title 42, remain in mexico initiative.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20231230/china-planning-to-regularly-patrol-waters-off-disputed-senkaku-islands-in-2024---reports-1115900689.html

China Planning to Regularly Patrol Waters Off Disputed Senkaku Islands in 2024 - Reports

China Planning to Regularly Patrol Waters Off Disputed Senkaku Islands in 2024 - Reports

China's coast guard is planning to deploy its vessels near a group of islands in the East China Sea to which both Beijing and Tokyo lay claim, known as the Diaoyu Islands in China and the Senkaku Islands in Japan, on a permanent basis next year, conducting inspections of Japanese fishing boats, if necessary.

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asia

china

senkaku islands

japan

disputed territories

disputed islands

asia-pacific region

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The Kyodo news agency reported on Saturday, citing sources familiar with the matter, that the plan was prepared after Chinese President Xi Jinping, during a visit to the East China Sea regional command of the coast guard, stated the need to "constantly strengthen" efforts aimed at protecting China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights. The Chinese leader also called for combating illegal activities at sea in accordance with the law and supporting China's maritime economy. On December 14, the number of days when Chinese vessels patrolled the waters near the Senkaku Islands broke the previous record of 336, observed in 2022, according to the report. In late August, China released the 2023 edition of its "standard map," which shows the country's claim to most of the South China Sea, the territorial ownership of which has long been disputed between China, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia and the Philippines. The Senkaku Islands were also marked as a Chinese territory. China and Japan continue to have a territorial dispute over the Senkaku Islands. After World War II, the islands were controlled by the United States and then handed over to Japan in 1972. Beijing disagrees with the decision, recalling that the islands were marked as Chinese territory on Japanese maps from 1783 and 1785. The conflict escalated in 2012 after the Japanese authorities bought out five islands from a private Japanese owner.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231128/chinese-military-calls-on-tokyo-to-stop-illegal-activities-near-disputed-islands-1115255411.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231230/criminal-belgorod-strikes-designed-to-distract-from-kiev-regimes-failures-at-front-russian-mod-1115899330.html

'Criminal' Belgorod Strikes Designed to Distract From Kiev Regime's Failures at Front - Russian MoD

'Criminal' Belgorod Strikes Designed to Distract From Kiev Regime's Failures at Front - Russian MoD

Ukrainian forces shelled the city of Belgorod on Saturday, killing over a dozen civilians and injuring over a hundred others. The settlement of Urazovo was... 30.12.2023, Sputnik International

2023-12-30T15:19+0000

2023-12-30T15:19+0000

2023-12-30T18:17+0000

belgorod

russia's special operation in ukraine

russian ministry of defense

russian armed forces

multiple-launch rocket systems (mlrs)

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ukraine

russia's belgorod shelled by ukraine

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The Ukrainian military's "criminal" indiscriminate shelling of Belgorod region was designed to distract from its failures at the front, and will not be left unpunished, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced Saturday.According to the MoD's information, the strikes involved two Vilkha heavy MLRS-launched cluster munitions, as well as Czech-made Vampir MLRS rockets, with air defense systems intercepting the Vilkhas and most of the Vampirs, but several rockets getting through and remnants of the Vilkhas' cluster components dropping from the skies, causing casualties and damage."In the event of a direct hit by the cluster munition-equipped Vilkha missiles on the city, the consequences would have been immeasurably more severe," the Russian military said, characterizing the attack as an attempted "indiscriminate combined strike."On Saturday evening, Russia's Ministry of Emergency Situations raised the civilian toll from the attack on Belgorod to 14 killed (twelve adults and two children) and 108 injured.The attacks took place at about 3 pm local time. The emergency services responded, blocking off an intersection of the city center, where several vehicles caught fire and multiple buildings took damage.Situated northeast of Kharkov, Ukraine, the city of Belgorod and Belgorod region have been on or near the front lines of the Russia-NATO proxy war in Ukraine for nearly two years, with the regional capital located less than 40 km from the border. Ukraine has repeatedly targeted the region's cities and villages in artillery and missile attacks that local officials have said are designed to sow terror among local residents.Along with the regional capital, the Belgorod village of Urazovo was also targeted in Ukrainian shelling Saturday. No casualties were reported, although the settlement's recreation center took damage.The building of the Belgorod Region government was damaged as a result of the strike, a Sputnik correspondent reported. The nearby building of the medical college and Belgorod Hotel were also affected by the attack.Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Russian President Vladimir Putin had been briefed about the attack, and, on his instructions, a medical team of the health ministry led by its head, and a group of rescuers of the ministry of emergency situations had flown to the city to provide assistance to the victims.Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin, in turn, expressed condolences to the families of the victims and promised to help restore the damaged infrastructure, if required.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231230/russia-requests-unsc-meeting-in-connection-with-terrorist-attack-in-belgorod-1115900541.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231230/economic-cooperation-between-russia-china-developing-dynamically---putin-1115893636.html

Economic Cooperation Between Russia, China Developing Dynamically - Putin

Economic Cooperation Between Russia, China Developing Dynamically - Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent New Year's greetings to Chinese President Xi Jinping, saying that the economic cooperation between Moscow and Beijing continued to develop in 2023, with trade surpassing the $200 billion mark, the Kremlin said on Saturday.

2023-12-30T11:46+0000

2023-12-30T11:46+0000

2023-12-30T11:46+0000

economy

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china

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"Trade and economic cooperation between the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China is dynamic: the target of bringing trade to a record level of over $200 billion was reached ahead of schedule," the Kremlin said in a statement. Moreover, the two Russia-China summits in March and October "gave a powerful impetus to the development of the comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation between the two countries in all areas," the statement said. In February 2022, Putin and Xi set a goal of reaching $200 billion in bilateral trade by 2024, after the previous threshold of $100 billion was passed in 2018. Xi paid a state visit to Russia from March 20-22, during which he had a meeting with Putin. The leaders signed a joint statement on a plan to develop key areas of Russian-Chinese economic cooperation by 2030. Putin paid an official visit to China from October 17-18, during which he held three-hour talks with Xi, discussing bilateral issues and the situation in the Middle East.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231224/russian-gas-supplies-to-china-via-power-of-siberia-hit-new-record---gazprom-1115789933.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231230/eu-has-no-plans-to-deprive-hungary-of-voting-rights---belgian-prime-minister-1115899123.html

EU Has No Plans to Deprive Hungary of Voting Rights - Belgian Prime Minister

EU Has No Plans to Deprive Hungary of Voting Rights - Belgian Prime Minister

The European Union will not strip Hungary of its voting rights over the alleged backsliding on rule of law because the situation in the country is improving, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said.

2023-12-30T15:09+0000

2023-12-30T15:09+0000

2023-12-30T15:09+0000

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On December 17, the Financial Times newspaper reported that some EU officials were considering reactivating a punishment procedure for rule of law breaches under Article 7 of one of the primary EU treaties, which allows for the suspension of a member state's voting rights. "We are not going to resort to that [Article 7] at present. The European Commission indicates that certain measures have been taken ... In fact, Hungary has made some progress. Is there a need to move on? Yes, it is obvious," De Croo told Le Soir newspaper in an interview out Saturday. De Croo also said that the EU's recent decision to release billions of euros in cohesion funds for Hungary was taken more quickly than usual, and confessed that everyone feared that Budapest would veto Ukraine's EU accession talks, which never happened. In mid-December, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban vetoed an increase in the EU budget for 2024-2027, including 50 billion euros ($55 billion) in macro-financial aid to Kiev. At the same time, Orban did not vote against launching EU accession talks with Ukraine, but warned that Budapest would have "75 more opportunities" to block this process. The European Commission acknowledged that Hungary was no longer in breach of the rule of law and agreed to release 10 billion euros ($11 billion) in frozen funds a day before EU leaders voted at a summit to launch accession negotiations with Ukraine. In mid-September 2022, the Commission proposed to launch a special budget conditionality mechanism for Hungary, citing violations of the rule of law in the country. The mechanism blocked the provision of some 7.5 billion euros to Hungary.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231223/dipping-into-esm-to-bankroll-ukraine--bypass-hungarys-veto-will-weaken-eu---analyst-1115761819.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231230/israel-wants-victimhood-but-chose-vengeance-1115885604.html

Israel Wants Victimhood But Chose Vengeance

Israel Wants Victimhood But Chose Vengeance

Victimhood or vengeance: choose one. You cant have both. Israel is about to learn that.

2023-12-30T00:02+0000

2023-12-30T00:02+0000

2023-12-29T23:58+0000

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Supporters of Israels government (as opposed to Israel writ large, which includes millions of Israelis who distrust their government) ask: Why are so few people still talking about October 7th? It is striking and in some ways shocking that the brutality of the slaughter has receded so quickly in the memories of so many, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken remarked in early November.Hamas attack was vicious, claimed many victims and was so recenthow can it be that those pitiful kidnapped posters are falling flat so soon?Blame Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his co-conspirators. They chose vengeance over victimhood. They had a choice. Instead of gleefully indulging themselves in an unseemly orgy of destruction and murder after Hamas killed 1,200 Israelis and took 240 as hostages, Israels right-wing government might instead have embraced the role of victim: Weep. Express confusion. Witness the personal stories of the dead and the lost. Beg Hamas to return the people it had kidnapped.No bombs, no invasion, no psychotic rants about human animals or officially-tolerated banners genocidally screaming Zero Gazans hanging from a bridge in Tel Aviv.Turn the other cheek.Precise violence would have been acceptable. A raid against Hamas leadership, say. A hostage rescue attempt.Had Israel not attacked Gaza in a wholesale campaign so devastating that historians have already declared it one of the most destructive in the history of warfare, it would continue to enjoy the sympathy and support of a world which, before the IDF saturation bombing campaign began on October 8th, had abandoned the Palestinians and forgotten the brutality theyd endured at the hands of the Zionists. UN resolutions would currently be directed against Hamas, not Israel. The Palestinian liberation movement, theretofore dormant and close to dead, would be a non-entity. America would be as festooned with Israeli flags as it was with Ukrainian ones a year ago.Victimhood comes with downsides. Like, you cant ethnically cleanse a couple of million Palestinians youve always hated and whose land youve long coveted. You look weak.Look, I get it. War is fun. It keeps you in office even/especially when youre facing prison time for corruption. Not to mention 141 square miles of beachfront real estatethats a land grab far too tasty to pass up.But vengeance too, Israel is learning, is not without its own costs.Israel has the right and the duty to defend itself, but this is not that. Were hearing this linguistic construction a lot, notably from careful politicians and pundits whom, pre-war, would have omitted the qualifier phrase. Even allowing for the presidents imprecise command of English, Joe Bidens complaint about Israels indiscriminate bombing (using mostly American bombs) was remarkable.Israel has used 2,000-pound bunker buster bombs to kill 20,000 Gazans and make 2 million homeless by transforming their territory into a wasteland, all while penning them inside a death zone subject to typhoid, cholera and mass famine because Israel refuses to permit food trucks to enter the territory which they have occupied and subjugated for decades. If October 7th was a horror, what Israel has wrought since is that horror hundreds of times over. There must easily be least 100,000 Palestinian bodies buried beneath countless piles of rubble.We didnt forget October 7th. Israel eclipsed the Hamas attack, erased it, sacrificed its survivor-hostages to its war so thoroughly that it intentionally shot three of them when they managed to escape. Were following Israels lead.The US made a similar call after 9/11. I wouldnt call it a mistake as much as a conscious decision. For the most part, with the exception of the mawkish never forget yellow-ribboned grief porn still adorning some police stations and oversized pickup trucks driven by a certain type of right-winger, Americans accepted the erasure of their 3,000 dead in exchange for the mindless purposefulness of Bushs global 'War on Terror,' deployed in the post-Cold War period to justify everything from invading Afghanistan to arming Yemen against the Houthis.Unlike our whiny Israeli allies, we Americans know better than to ask why the world forgot 9/11. We forgot 9/11. We made our choice and we kill with it. We are all Americans, Le Monde editorialized the day after; we replied thanks but no thanks, well kill anywhere and everywhere and Freedom Fry you wimps. That much grace and class, we have: we own our thug life and were totally good with the fact that the world hates us more than ever.Meanwhile, that giant ripping sound is Israels blank check being torn up.The whining is what happens when you keep doing the same thing while the world is changing all around you and then complain about it.Since 1948, Israel has had Big Bad Sam across the ocean to fund and arm them while running interference for them at the UN, no matter how much Palestinian land they stole or how many Palestinians they killed. After October 7th they assumed they could keep doing whatever they wanted. Biden confirmed their assumption. Nice run. Its done now.Israel no longer controls the narrative. It no longer matters that Al Jazeera is censored by American cable companies because its Gaza footage is now available on social media. Israel is no longer admired as a safe haven for Holocaust survivors because they are almost all dead and gone; for Millennials and Zoomers Israel is just another country, albeit an anachronistic, uncomfortable vestige of the settler-colonial era with a major stank of apartheid. Israels star is sinking.Sympathy for the vengeful peaked out in the Dirty Harry-Death Wish 1970s, when violent retribution was expected, accepted and even admired following an unprovoked wrong. Lashing back is now as passe as old white men on a college campus.Israel is a young country and like a teenager, it wants to have things both ways - both to be loved and feared. Now that it has destroyed Gaza, love is off the table. If it is lucky, it will retain a few of its former allies as tolerant frenemies.If you want to be admired now, you need to get yourself some victimhood status. Consider affirmative action, the politics of transgenderism and income tests for government benefits unrelated to povertysocietal benefits accrue to those perceived to have been oppressed, repressed, tortured, traumatized and brutalized by those with power, wealth and strengththe very definition of nuclear-power Israels status in the Middle East. After Palestinians exchanged their retributive PLO of the 1970s for an impotent PA under occupation, the global Left began to embrace their cause. October 7th, a shocking throwback to Munich and the Achille Lauro, might have shifted victimhood back to the Jewish state, at least for a time, had Netanyahus gang not rejected self-restraint in favor of ultraviolence and opportunism.Israel, a nation whose architecture, general aesthetics and fashion is stuck in the 1970s, is paying the price for its failure to grasp 21st century reality:Its better to have people feel sorry for you than to be afraid of you.(Ted Rall (Twitter: @tedrall), the political cartoonist, columnist and graphic novelist, co-hosts the left-vs-right DMZ America podcast with fellow cartoonist Scott Stantis. You can support Teds hard-hitting political cartoons and columns and see his work first by sponsoring his work on Patreon.)

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231229/israels-foreign-policy-unlikely-to-change-after-ministerial-rotation-1115870195.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231215/idf-reveals-forces-mistakenly-killed-three-israeli-hostages-in-gaza-1115612647.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231228/un-urges-israel-to-end-unlawful-killings-in-west-bank-as-conditions-rapidly-deteriorate-1115862795.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231230/kh-22-russias-unstoppable-cruise-missile-1115894023.html

Kh-22: Russias Unstoppable Cruise Missile

Kh-22: Russias Unstoppable Cruise Missile

Russia launched its largest-ever drone and missile barrage against Ukraine since the start of the conflict on Friday, with the MoD reporting the targeting of energy facilities, ammunition depots, airfields, ports, fuel terminals and regional military headquarters. Among the weapons used were Kh-22 cruise missiles. Heres what we know about them.

2023-12-30T16:05+0000

2023-12-30T16:05+0000

2023-12-30T16:43+0000

military

military & intelligence

ukraine

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almaz-antey

nato

s-200

kh-32

tu-22m

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Just hours after Fridays massed missile and drone attack, Ukrainian Armed Forces Air Force Command advisor Yuri Ignat admitted to media that Ukraines NATO-sourced air defenses were no match for Russias Kh-22 series of air-to-surface cruise missiles.No, Ignat said, when asked whether the air defense forces were able to shoot down even a single Kh-22 series, either Friday or over the 22 month period before that. They have not been shot down. The enemy is using them in the southern and eastern direction, and from the north, attacking Kharkov region.Ignats admission, on a par in significance to Commander-in-Chief Valery Zaluzhnys acknowledgement in November that there would be no deep and beautiful breakthrough in Ukraines counteroffensive, was matched in its pessimistic tone by Western observers, who complained that the Kh-22s Tu-22M3 strategic bomber carriers were essentially impervious to Ukraines air defenses, because they fire at standoff ranges too great for air defenses to counter.Big, lumbering Russian bombers flying at high altitude would be ideal targets for Ukrainian S-200s if the Russians flew close enough to the Ukrainian border to inch inside the S-200s 200-or-so-mile [320 km, ed.] range, Forbes military observer David Axe wrote  referencing the 1960s-vintage air and missile defense system built by the thousands during the Soviet era. The problem, for Ukrainian air defense commanders, is that all Russian bombers fire cruise missiles that can range much farther than 200 miles. The Tu-22M3s own standard land-attack missile, the Kh-22/32, ranges farther than 500 miles [805 km, ed.]. An S-200 battery would need to be well forward of a Tu-22M3s target city as in, hundreds of miles  in order to get a clean shot at the bomber, he added.And thats no accident.Soviet Standoff WeaponOver 60 years ago, the Soviet General Staff had a problem: Encirclement by a series of hostile US-coordinated alliances, including NATO in the west, CENTO in the Middle East, and SEATO in Asia. All of these blocs had only one goal: to target the USSR and China at Washingtons behest if the Cold War ever went hot. Complementing hundreds of military bases was Americas powerful fleet of aircraft carriers, including the then-brand new nuclear-powered Enterprise-class supercarriers, which could be deployed at a moments notice to potential flashpoints anywhere in the world against Moscow or its allies.In 1958, the Soviet military tasked the legendary Raduga Design Bureau outside Moscow, known for its creation of a variety of cruise and hypersonic missile designs, with the development of Product D-2, a long-range supersonic anti-ship cruise missile to target carriers using conventional munitions, or entire strike groups if fitted with a nuclear warhead. And so the Kh-22 Burya (lit. Storm) was born.Development was led by legendary Soviet aircraft and rocket designer Alexander Bereznyak, who created more than a dozen rocket engines, hypersonic and cruise missile designs and space program-related aircraft technologies during his career. Design Bureau 1, now part of Almaz-Antey, developed three separate guidance systems for the Kh-22 series of missiles, including inertial, active and passive radar-based seekers.The missiles blazing fast flight speed, between Mach 3.5 to Mach 4.6 (just shy of Mach 5, which is deemed hypersonic), was achieved thanks to the use of a powerful, liquid-propellant fueled rocket engine. The missile could ascend to altitudes of up to 25 km (and up to 35 km in its Raduga-D2 hypersonic flying laboratory variant), and had a range of up to 600 km, making the system essentially impervious to any existing air and missile defenses of the time.Prototype production of the Kh-22 began in 1962, with development work continuing as the missile was tested aboard strategic missile carriers  including the then-brand new supersonic, variable-sweep winged Tupolev Tu-22 strategic/maritime strike bomber. The Kh-22 was officially adopted into service with the Soviet military in February 1971.The Kh-22 featured a number of design innovations for the time, including a complex, radio-electronic warfare-resistant radio unit, an alcohol-cooled guidance system, onboard autopilot computer, hydraulic rudders, and a warhead equipped with a special safety system designed to prevent accidental discharge (especially crucial for the missiles 0.35-1 megaton variants  designed to sink entire carrier strike groups).The missile could be launched from a variety of Soviet strategic bomber aircraft, from the veteran, 1950s vintage turboprop Tupolev Tu-95 to the Tu-16 and Tu-22, to the extensively redesigned Tu-22M and its M1, M2 and M3 variants.Deep ModernizationBetween the time it was adopted and the present, well over half-a-dozen variants of the Kh-22 were developed  upgrading flight speed, range, guidance systems, and other characteristics. In the late 1980s, the Raduga Design Bureau set to work on a deep modernization of the Kh-22 to account for NATOs improved electronic warfare capabilities.The Kh-32s development proved slow and painful, with the economic crisis following the Soviet collapse slowing development to a crawl, and contracts to resume development signed in 2008 and 2010, respectively, as part of the program to modernize the Tu-22M platform. The Kh-32 was formally adopted into service with the Russian military in 2016.Although continued to be classed as an anti-ship missile through the late 2010s, it became clear to Russias military that the Kh-22 and its Kh-32 variant could be used for land attack missions, with their deployment in Ukraine during the special military operation proving the point.Who Has Kh-22s?Iraq was the only country besides the USSR which Moscow allowed Kh-22 missiles to be exported to  with about two dozen reportedly sent to Baghdad in the 1980s during the Iran-Iraq War. After 1991 and the Soviet Unions collapse, Kh-22s were divided among Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and Kazakhstan.Kiev scrapped over 400 of its Kh-22s in the early 2000s as part of a US-sponsored program to decommission and scrap its Tu-22M fleet known as the Cooperative Threat Reduction program.With an estimated price tag of between $400,000 and $1 million apiece, the Kh-22 and Kh-32, used in coordination with other missiles, as well as kamikaze drones, have proven impossible to stop not only by Ukraines legacy Soviet-era air and missile defenses, but by advanced NATO hardware, including Patriot, NASAMS and Iris-T missile batteries, brought in over the course of the Western blocs proxy war against Russia.Characterizing the missiles as a final echelon weapon, Matviychuk explained that they are designed to approach their targets after drones and Kalibr cruise missiles have suppressed Ukrainian air defenses.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231230/maine-strikes-trump-from-ballot-as-unprecedented-rulings-continue-to-baffle-the-us--1115886485.html

Maine Strikes Trump From Ballot as Unprecedented Rulings Continue to Baffle the US

Maine Strikes Trump From Ballot as Unprecedented Rulings Continue to Baffle the US

On Thursday, Shenna Bellows, Maines Secretary of State ruled that former President Donald Trump should not be eligible to hold office and is disqualified from adding his name to the states primary ballot.

2023-12-30T02:49+0000

2023-12-30T02:49+0000

2023-12-30T02:49+0000

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On Thursday, Shenna Bellows, Maines Secretary of State ruled that Trump should not be eligible to hold office and is disqualified from adding his name to the states primary ballot, accusing him of engaging in insurrection. Michigan, when faced with a similar appeal, decided to keep the former president on their primary election ballot.These cases will ultimately be a telltale sign of how much autonomy the states are supposed to have when it comes to establishing the standards of national elections, Robert Hockett, a Cornell University professor of law and public policy, told Sputniks Political Misfits.Section three of the 14th Amendment reads that no person shall hold a seat in office if---as a previous member of office who swore an oath to support the US Constitution---they engaged in insurrection. Despite the amount of evidence against Trump that suggests he engaged in insurrection over the course of the January 6 attack, he has not been convicted of a crime. But one does not need to be convicted of a crime in order to be removed from the ballot under the 14th Amendment, Hockett explains.Hockett also predicts that Maine will not be the last US state to try and knock Trump off their primary ballots."That was the whole idea. It's written pretty clearly and unambiguously, right, Hockett said, adding that there is no strangeness or mystery" in the wording of the amendment."The only source of mystery, I think, is the fact that it doesn't say precisely in what criteria state officials have to employ in determining whether somebody is indeed an insurrectionist, or has indeed assisted insurrectionists, or has indeed engaged in insurrection," he added.Hockett went on to address some of the arguments that have been made to keep Trump on state ballots, one of which is the American ideal that US citizens maintain the right to choose their president. But the US Constitution does not allow all persons to run for president."Taylor Swift can't be president right now either, according to the Constitution, because she's not old enough and Raul, Fidel Castro's brother, who's still alive and well down in Cuba, also, can't run for president even if 90% of the American public sort of wants him to be the US president, he's constitutionally barred from being a candidate, Hockett explained.Maines secretary of states decision can still be appealed to the states judicial supreme court. Thus far, the Colorado Supreme Courts ruling is the only state to have ruled that Trump should not appear on the primary ballot. That decision has made its way to the US Supreme Court. Were Trump to still become the Republican nominee, similar lawsuits would likely be filed during the 2024 US presidential election.I could certainly imagine him doing that if he were not to win the Republican nomination, answered Hockett when asked if Trump might push himself onto the ballot as an Independent nominee.In response to Maines decision, Trumps campaign called Bellows a virulent leftist and a hyper-partisan Biden-supporting Democrat who has decided to interfere in the presidential election on behalf of Crooked Joe Biden.""We will quickly file a legal objection in state court to prevent this atrocious decision in Maine from taking effect," Steven Cheung, the campaigns spokesperson, added.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231229/us-facing-1860-scale-national-breakdown-threat-over-state-ballot-bans-against-trump-1115883996.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230802/trump-indictment-shows-free-fair-2024-election-no-longer-possible-watchdog-says-1112336655.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231220/colorado-courts-decision-to-bar-trump-from-primary-is-politically-motivated-and-very-dangerous-1115708583.html

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The Afghan caretaker governments acting Minister of Industry and Commerce Nooruddin Azizi said the administration has been looking forward to achieving self-sufficiency within the next three years.





We are going towards self-sufficiency and will achieve the goal within the next three years. We will improve our trade relations as well, a private television channel Tolonews quoted Azizi as saying on Thursday.





Workers harvest saffron flowers in Herat province, Afghanistan, Nov. 13, 2023. (Photo by Mashal/Xinhua)





Talking to a panel debate arranged by the Tolonews on Thursday night, Azizi said We need to fund our budget from our national revenue. We should not need foreign assistance.





The war-torn country has been facing harsh economic problems following the withdrawal of the U.S.-led forces from Afghanistan in August 2021 and holding assets of the Afghan central bank worth more than 9 billion U.S. dollars in American banks.





We had exports to approximately more than 60 countries. It is a fact that we have our major exports to India, Pakistan and China. We are trying to target central Asia and Russia from now on, Azizi said in the panel debate.





Afghanistans main export items include coal, saffron, fresh and dry fruits, hand-woven carpets, precious and semi-precious stones.





- Xinhua
https://sputnikglobe.com/20231230/moscow-says-will-look-at-demand-when-deciding-on-gas-transit-through-ukraine-in-2024-1115888958.html

Moscow Says Will Look at Demand When Deciding on Gas Transit Through Ukraine in 2024

Moscow Says Will Look at Demand When Deciding on Gas Transit Through Ukraine in 2024

Russia will take into account consumer demand when considering whether to continue gas transit through Ukraine after 2024, Dmitry Birichevsky, the director of the Department of Economic Cooperation at the Russian Foreign Ministry, told Sputnik.

2023-12-30T05:52+0000

2023-12-30T05:52+0000

2023-12-30T05:52+0000

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In 2019, Russia and Ukraine signed a five-year transit contract, under which Russian energy giant Gazprom guarantees to transport 65 billion cubic meters of gas through the Ukrainian territory in the first year and 40 billion in each of the following four years. The contract expires at the end of 2024. In late October, the head of Ukrainian largest national oil and gas company Naftogaz, Oleksiy Chernyshov, said that the company would not extend its gas transit contract with Gazprom after its expiration date in 2024. In March 2022, the European Union declared a course to abandon Russian natural gas that gave Europeans a huge competitive advantage, the diplomat said. Regardless of the political situation, Russian companies are committed to fulfilling all their obligations to their counterparties in Europe on energy supplies, including within the framework of the expiring five-year contract on gas transit through Ukraine, Birichevsky said. Gas supplies via Ukraine's gas transportation system are one of the two existing routes for gas exports from Russia to other European countries.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230506/gazprom-pumping-395mln-cubic-meters-of-gas-through-sudzha-station-via-ukraine-to-europe-1110138464.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231230/netanyahu-says-israeli-operation-in-gaza-strip-will-last-for-many-more-months-1115902687.html

Netanyahu Says Israeli Operation in Gaza Strip Will Last for Many More Months

Netanyahu Says Israeli Operation in Gaza Strip Will Last for Many More Months

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday that the military operation in the Gaza Strip will last for many more months, as well as warned Lebanons Hezbollah movement against expanding the scale of its attacks on Israel.

2023-12-30T20:23+0000

2023-12-30T20:23+0000

2023-12-30T20:23+0000

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palestine

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"The campaign in the Gaza Strip will last for many more months," Netanyahu told a press conference. He added that the Israeli operation will last until all its goals, including the destruction of the Hamas movement, are achieved. Earlier this month, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said that the United States agrees with the Israeli assessment that the ongoing conflict in Gaza could go on for several months, adding that it is important that Israeli strikes become more targeted and precise. 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 21,000 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/20231121/ex-cia-analyst-us-responsible-for-gaza-genocide-by-empowering-netanyahu--1115100230.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231230/no-one-of-sound-mind-thinks-ukraine-can-win---ex-pentagon-officer---1115892804.html

No One of Sound Mind Thinks Ukraine Can Win - Ex-Pentagon Officer

No One of Sound Mind Thinks Ukraine Can Win - Ex-Pentagon Officer

One would need to be completely lacking in common sense to believe that Ukraine can win against Russia, ex-Pentagon officer Rebekah Koffler told Fox News.

2023-12-30T13:17+0000

2023-12-30T13:17+0000

2023-12-30T14:08+0000

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One would need to be completely lacking in common sense to believe that Ukraine can win against Russia, ex-Pentagon officer Rebekah Koffler told Fox News.Russias President Vladimir Putin is far more realistic than [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelensky, who continues to accept nothing short of victory, the strategic military intelligence analyst added. Citing Zelenskys recent remark in a US press interview that "Nobody believes in our victory like I do," the analyst sarcastically noted that the leader of the Kiev regime was not wrong.Even the US mainstream media has backtracked on its blind cheerleading for Ukraine, acknowledging that no amount of Western-donated support will bring Zelensky to victory, Koffler noted. However, the Biden administration appears to be determined to continue rigging the numbers, so to speak, trying to squeeze a few more billions out of Congress and vouching for Ukraines victory, which is supposedly just around the corner.Contrary to President Joe Biden and the Washington establishments expectations, the victory of the Kiev regime is impossible, as Russia by far outguns and outmans Ukraine, the analyst pointed out.Russia has wielded an overwhelming military and economic advantage since the start of its special military operation in Ukraine, she noted. The special military operation was aimed at liberating the people of the Donbass region, where the Peoples Republics of Donetsk and Lugansk had been under relentless attack by Kievs forces. For all the Western assistance that it has received, despite episodic battlefield successes, strategically, Ukraine is fighting a losing battle.Both in manpower and materiel, such as weapons, gear, and provisions, the Russian military is very well resourced. Russian President Vladimir Putin has prepared his country for a long fight, in which he is convinced Moscow will come out triumphant. The campaign of embargoes and punitive restrictions unleashed by the US-led Western patrons of Ukraine also fell short of achieving its goal of crippling the Russian economy, as the latter was successfully sanction-proofed.In the face of Washingtons weaponization of the greenback, Putin started to dedollarize Russias Sovereign Wealth Fund, beefing up use of the Chinese yuan, euro, and gold. Accordingly, Russias foreign exchange reserves amounted to $563 billion as of October.Ukraine, on the other hand, is being propped up by Western money, which is fast running out. US President Joe Bidens request for Ukraine aid worth $61 billion was rejected by Congress, as conservative Republicans conditioned it on stronger border security measures. It is hard to guess whether Congress will approve the supplementary aid package when it returns from its holiday break in January.Across the pond, in Europe, funds are also dwindling, as the European Union is preparing a debt-funded back-up plan worth up to 20 billion euros ($22 billion) to sidestep Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's objections and quickly release money for Kiev. In mid-December, Orban vetoed an increase in the EU budget for 2024-2027, including 50 billion euros in macro-financial aid to Kiev. As funds from the US and EU cover not only military costs, but also Kievs civil expenditures, Ukraines economy and society "will likely collapse and its defensive operations against Russia will be over, probably in a matter of weeks" without that financial sustenance, Rebekah Koffler claimed.Russia commands a huge advantage in manpower over Ukraine, it was added. Amid its failed counteroffensive, the Kiev regimes forces have sustained vast human losses, with Zelensky frantically grasping at ways to boost mobilization. Desperate methods being employed by Ukrainian recruiters have been amply described in Western mass media, while social media platforms abound in footage showing physical force and intimidation being used, with fighting-age men being grabbed in the streets to replenish the troops. The unorthodox draft methods are being employed as Ukraine is fast running out of professional military personnel, while able-bodied men are deserting active-duty service, or are dodging the draft. At the same time, interviews with draft-age Ukrainians have revealed that both the Kiev government and its military are mired in corruption and incompetence, with the entire system riddled with loopholes allowing people to buy their way out.Recent estimates by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu placed Ukrainian losses at over 90,000 troops, nearly 600 tanks and some 1,900 armored vehicles since the start of the counteroffensive on June 4, with US intelligence officials saying privately as far back as August that total deaths and injuries were approaching half a million.Meanwhile, on the battlefield, Ukraines much anticipated counteroffensive has failed and Russia is gaining momentum, continuing to destroy the Kiev regime's critical infrastructure and defense industrial facilities. The Russian Armed Forces have fulfilled the main goal of 2023 by thwarting Ukraine's counteroffensive, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said earlier in the week."The main efforts of the outgoing year were focused on achieving the goals of the special military operation. The main one was to disrupt the counteroffensive of the Ukrainian armed forces loudly proclaimed by Ukraine and its NATO allies. This task was successfully accomplished," Shoigu said.Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzia told a meeting of the UN Security Council on Friday that "The reality today is such that Ukraine does not have and will not have the resources, not even to achieve a breakthrough, but just to maintain the situation as it is on the contact line." However, the inability or disinclination to weigh the situation candidly displayed by Joe Biden's White House will almost certainly result in yet more bloodshed, death and destruction of Ukraine and Ukrainians in 2024, Rebekah Koffler concluded.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231208/ukraine-running-out-of-pro-soldiers-as-draft-eligible-men-flee-1115474633.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231228/zelensky-formula-for-possible-russia-ukraine-peace-nothing-but-political-fantasy---analysts-1115856323.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231230/ukraine-lacks-resources-to-make-any-progress-to-achieve-breakthrough---russias-un-envoy-1115889271.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231230/not-even-tories-like-rishi-sunak---poll-1115886849.html

Not Even Tories Like Rishi Sunak - Poll

Not Even Tories Like Rishi Sunak - Poll

A survey finds British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is viewed unfavorably by members of his Conservative Party, while his cabinet also faces low approval ratings.

2023-12-30T02:26+0000

2023-12-30T02:26+0000

2023-12-30T02:26+0000

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A new poll of supporters of the UKs Conservatives has found Prime Minister Rishi Sunak with a record low approval rating among party members.The survey found Sunak with a rating of minus 26.5 in December, meaning 26.5% more of Conservative Party members disapprove of him than view him favorably. The rating is a drop of just over one percent versus the previous month according to results from the ConservativeHome website.The poll also recorded low popularity among Sunaks cabinet members.The Tory Prime Minister is under pressure from party activists to deliver further tax cuts as well as reduce immigration to the United Kingdom.Sunak was the first British Prime Minister of Asian descent when elected by party members in 2022, and also one of the youngest. With a net worth of about 529 million British pounds shared with his wife Akshata Murty, an Indian business heiress, he is also thought to be the wealthiest British prime minister ever.He has struggled to govern since succeeding fellow Tory Prime Minister Liz Truss last year, who occupied 10 Downing Street for less than two months. Truss was elevated to the position just two days before the death of Queen Elizabeth II, taking over for Conservative Party Prime Minister Boris Johnson who was mired in scandal.Polls have shown Sunaks party trailing Labour for more than a year, with recent surveys showing the opposition party about 20% ahead. Sunak is required to hold a general election within 13 months, meaning hell likely face British voters in 2024.But UK Labour Party leader Keir Starmer has also faced controversy. The British lawmaker was met with opposition from within his party after ejecting former leader Jeremy Corbyn. Starmer had previously signaled more cordial relations with Corbyn, who remains popular among younger and more progressive members of the party.The Labour Party is currently engaged in legal action against former Corbyn loyalists within the party after a report was leaked providing damning evidence of internal bias against the former party leader.Starmer has been criticized for alleged links to the UKs secretive MI5 intelligence service. Investigative reporting website The Grayzone has documented how intelligence-linked operatives in the UK worked to undermine and discredit Jeremy Corbyn.The most popular minister polled in Sunaks cabinet was Kemi Badenoch, a self-styled anti-woke politician currently serving as Secretary of State for Business and Trade and Minister for Women and Equalities. Badenoch has led efforts in recent months to secure a bilateral trade deal with the United States; the UK was forced to negotiate individual trade pacts with various countries after leaving the European Union in 2020.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231115/new-blow-to-sunak-as-court-rules-rwanda-asylum-seekers-policy-unlawful-1114972949.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231222/uk-economy-contracts-in-q3-signaling-looming-recession--1115747082.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231230/russia-extends-rice-export-ban-until-june-30-2024-1115890119.html

Russia Extends Rice Export Ban Until June 30, 2024

Russia Extends Rice Export Ban Until June 30, 2024

The Russian government said on Saturday that it had prolonged the ban on exports of rice and rice groats until June 30, 2024 and approved quotas for duty-free exports of grain from the new Russian regions in 2024.

2023-12-30T08:09+0000

2023-12-30T08:09+0000

2023-12-30T08:09+0000

economy

russia

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rice

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On July 29, the government imposed a ban on the export of rice and rice groats until December 31, 2023, in order to maintain stability in the domestic market. The Russian government also set tariff quotas for duty-free export of grain crops, sunflower oil and sunflower meal from the Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics, as well as Zaporozhye and Kherson regions. The ban will not affect the member countries of the Eurasian Economic Union, South Ossetia and Abkhazia, it added. Rice and rice groats could be sent abroad as humanitarian aid, as well as within the framework of international transit transportation, according to the statement. Quotas for duty-free export of grain from new regions of Russia will be in effect until December 31, 2024, the government said.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231108/russian-exporters-showcase-made-in-russia-products-at-shanghai-food--hotel-expo-1114821507.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231230/russia-repels-2-attacks-by-ukraine-in-donetsk-direction-kiev-loses-up-to-350-soldiers---mod-1115893094.html

Russia Repels 2 Attacks By Ukraine in Donetsk Direction, Kiev Loses Up to 350 Soldiers - MoD

Russia Repels 2 Attacks By Ukraine in Donetsk Direction, Kiev Loses Up to 350 Soldiers - MoD

Russian troops on the Donetsk direction repelled two attacks of the Ukrainian assault groups, enemy losses amounted to up to 350 servicemen, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

2023-12-30T11:26+0000

2023-12-30T11:26+0000

2023-12-30T11:26+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

russia

ukraine

armed forces

attack

zaporozhye

zaporozhye region

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Russian troops on the Donetsk direction repelled two attacks of the Ukrainian assault groups, enemy losses amounted to up to 350 servicemen, the Russian Defense Ministry said. In addition, according to the ministry, the armed forces struck Ukrainian forces and equipment in the areas of Razdolovka, Pereezdnoye, Andreevka, Kurdyumovka, Kleshcheevka and Bogdanovka settlements of the Donetsk People's Republic.The Ukrainian Armed Forces lost about 150 people in the Kupyansk and Krasnolimansk directions during the day, the Russian Defense Ministry said. Russian servicemen defeated three Ukrainian brigades in the Zaporozhye direction during the day, with the enemy's losses amounting to up to 20 soldiers, the ministry added.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231228/ukraine-loses-up-to-230-soldiers-in-donetsk-direction-in-past-day---mod-1115853423.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231230/russia-requests-unsc-meeting-in-connection-with-terrorist-attack-in-belgorod-1115900541.html

Russia Requests UNSC Meeting in Connection With Terrorist Attack in Belgorod

Russia Requests UNSC Meeting in Connection With Terrorist Attack in Belgorod

The terrorist attack on the Russian city of Belgorod will be the subject of proceedings in the UN Security Council and Russia has requested a meeting, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told Sputnik on Saturday.

2023-12-30T16:20+0000

2023-12-30T16:20+0000

2023-12-30T18:16+0000

russia

maria zakharova

russia

belgorod

un security council (unsc)

ukraine

russia's belgorod shelled by ukraine

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"The terrorist attack in Belgorod will be the subject of proceedings in the UN Security Council. Russia requested a meeting of the Security Council," Zakharova said. The United Kingdom is behind the attack on Belgorod, which in coordination with the United States incites Kiev to terrorist actions, Zakharova added.A UN Security Council meeting in connection with the shelling of Belgorod has been requested for 11:00 p.m. Moscow time (20:00 GMT) and Russia has demanded the participation of the Czech envoy to provide explanation regarding the arms supplies to Kiev, Russian Deputy Envoy to the United Nations Dmitry Polyanskiy said on Saturday.Earlier in the day, Belgorod Region Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said Ukraine had shelled the central part of the city. As a result of the attack, at least 14 people, including two children, were killed and over a hundred others injured, the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations said.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231230/ukrainian-forces-shell-center-of-russias-belgorod-at-least-two-children-reportedly-killed-1115894731.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231230/russian-air-defenses-destroyed-intercepted-32-ukrainian-drones---mod-1115887543.html

Russian Air Defenses Destroyed, Intercepted 32 Ukrainian Drones - MoD

Russian Air Defenses Destroyed, Intercepted 32 Ukrainian Drones - MoD

Russian air defenses destroyed in the air and intercepted 32 Ukrainian drones over the Bryansk, Oryol, Kursk and Moscow regions, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement on Telegram.

2023-12-30T04:28+0000

2023-12-30T04:28+0000

2023-12-30T04:28+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

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During the night, an attempt by the Kiev regime to carry out a terrorist attack using aircraft-type UAVs on facilities on the territory of the Russian Federation was stopped. Air defense systems on duty destroyed in the air and intercepted 32 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles over the territories of the Bryansk, Oryol, Kursk and Moscow regions, the ministry said.Ukraine has been sending drones and missiles into the Russian territory almost daily since it launched a counteroffensive in early June. The United Nations said in August, following a botched drone strike on Moscow, that it did not want to see any targeting of civilian infrastructure.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231229/russian-air-defenses-destroyed-several-drones-over-russias-bryansk-region-1115883548.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231230/russian-un-envoy-calls-ukraines-strikes-on-belgorod-deliberate-terrorist-attacks-1115903189.html

Russian UN Envoy Calls Ukraine's Strikes on Belgorod Deliberate Terrorist Attacks

Russian UN Envoy Calls Ukraine's Strikes on Belgorod Deliberate Terrorist Attacks

Russia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya stated on Saturday that the strikes on the Russian city of Belgorod were a deliberate terrorist attack.

2023-12-30T22:35+0000

2023-12-30T22:35+0000

2023-12-30T22:35+0000

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russia's belgorod shelled by ukraine

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"Id like to once again emphasize we are not looking at a strike on a military target," Nebenzya said during a meeting of the UN Security Council (UNSC). "This is a deliberate terrorist attack that was targeting civilians," the diplomat stressed. Nebenzya expressed astonishment at the silence of the UN Secretary General on the deadly attacks on Belgorod.In addition, Nebenzya stated that Moscow has information about the UK and US advisers being engaged in organizing the attacks on Russia's Belgorod.There is a possibility for these crimes also born by the EU countries, which directly and irresponsibly continue to supply the Ukrainian ruling elite with weapons, Nebenzya added.Regarding the absence of the Czech permanent representative to the UN, Nebenzya said that he refused to participate in the UNSC meeting on the attacks on Russia's Belgorod "out of cowardice."Earlier on Saturday, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said that the countre's permanent representative to the UN would not attend the Russia-requested meeting of the UNSC on Ukraine's deadly strike on Belgorod.On Saturday, Russian Deputy Envoy to the UN Dmitry Polyanskiy stated that Russia demands the participation of the Czech envoy in the UNSC meeting to provide explanation regarding the arms supplies to Kiev.On Saturday, Belgorod Region Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said Ukraine had shelled the central part of the city. As a result of the attack, at least 21 people were killed and over 110 others were wounded, Gladkov said on Telegram. The Russian Defense Ministry said that the Ukrainian military had used cluster munitions and Czech-made Vampire missiles, among other weaponry, in the attack. The ministry stressed that the strike on Belgorod would not go unpunished.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231230/belgorod-terror-bombing-signals-ukraines-desperation---former-us-army-colonel-1115901164.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231230/top-german-general-admits-draconian-sanctions-failed-to-suffocate-russias-defense-sector-1115902106.html

Top German General Admits Draconian Sanctions Failed to Suffocate Russias Defense Sector

Top German General Admits Draconian Sanctions Failed to Suffocate Russias Defense Sector

With over 16,000 sanctions leveled against it since the escalation of the Ukrainian crisis into a full-blown NATO proxy war last year, Russia was forced to take a series of measures to shield its economy from the restrictions deleterious effects, including measures to support both the civilian economy and military industry.

2023-12-30T18:32+0000

2023-12-30T18:32+0000

2023-12-30T18:32+0000

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A senior Bundeswehr commander has admitted that the West underestimated the Russian militarys staying power and the ability of the countrys defense sector to adjust to crushing Western sanctions.At the beginning, we didnt see the Russians ability to endure as we perceive it today, Major General Christian Freuding, the head of the Bundeswehrs Ukraine Situation Center and senior aid to Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, told local media.Russia still manages to recruit personnel, the general noted. And of course we are seeing these huge investments in the arms industry, which are also accompanied by increased capacity and expansion, especially in the production of ammunition, he added.Freuding also admitted that the hopes Kiev and its allies had for the stalled summer counteroffensive were certainly exaggerated in retrospective, but nonetheless aped talking points presently being used in Washington and other NATO capitals to justify the $200 billion in weapons and other support sent to Kiev over the past 22 months.80 percent of Ukraine is still free, after two years [of battle] against a alleged military great power. They regained 50 percent of the territory they lost. The Russian Black Sea Fleet has been de facto pushed out of the western Black Sea, the Bundeswehr general said. Ukraine has also been successful in carrying out strikes in depth behind Russian lines, including with self-built weapons systems, he assured.Freuding blamed the disastrous failure of Ukraines summer counteroffensive on the lack of air support and air defense systems, and said the latter have been stretched thin by Russian strikes.Notwithstanding the horrific losses suffered by Ukraine and the failure of Kievs counteroffensive, the German general emphasized the need to continue supporting the Zelensky regimes maximalist push to restore Ukrainian control over its lost regions instead of sitting down at the negotiating table.For Germany, lessons from the Ukrainian crisis include recognition of the significance of drone warfare to modern conflicts, Freuding said. We have now set up a drone task force. It should enable us to quickly introduce different types of drones and drone defense systems into the forces so that we can also start training and experimenting, the commander, who also heads the Defense Ministrys planning staff, said.Ultimately, Freuding urged Berlin to make use of 5-8 year window of time he believes Germany now has to rearm and train up its own armed forces for a potential conflict against Russia.Germany has invested heavily in NATOs proxy war against Russia in Ukraine, committing over $23 billion in military, economic and humanitarian aid  not counting its commitments via EU institutions. Thats more than any other country besides the United States, according to data compiled by the Kiel Institute for the World Economy.The German governments position on Ukraine has taken an economic toll on the country, which has slipped in and out of recession and faced the loss of hundreds of major industrial enterprises which have left Germany for the US, where energy costs are lower and tax breaks plentiful.Militarily as well, Germany has paid dearly for its support for Kiev, with the Bundeswehr reportedly having enough ammunition to last just 48 hours in the event of a hot war, and lacking the resources to assemble even a single new 20,000 troop-strong combat ready division.Russian President Vladimir Putin warned back in March that the US and its allies wouldnt be able to outproduce Russia in the Ukrainian conflict, saying that for every artillery shell or tank NATO builds and sends to Kiev, Russia will be able to make three or more. A year earlier, Putin warned European countries that their suicidal decision to stop purchases of Russian energy would lead to their economic downfall.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231223/economic-adviser-to-german-govt-proposes-raising-income-tax-to-help-ukraine-1115775100.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231210/germany-pays-25-times-more-for-gas-in-2023-compared-to-2021-1115512164.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231208/german-media-blasts-berlins-plans-to-send-brigade-on-broomsticks-to-russias-doorstep-1115479843.html

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Ilya Tsukanov

why haven't sanctions crushed russia, how has germany been affected by proxy war in ukraine with russia
The United States has sent Ukraine over a hundred 30-ton M2 IFVs (Infantry fighting vehicles). These arrived in early 2023 and were armed with a 25mm autocannon and two TOW ATGMs (Anti-Tank Guided Missile) launchers as well as a coaxial (with the autocannon) 7.62mm machine-gun. M2 has a crew consisting of a driver, gunner, and vehicle commander. The M2 can also carry six infantrymen in the back, or nearly a ton of cargo

The M2s proved very effective in combat. Their night vision equipment enabled them to operate effectively at night and ambush Russian vehicles or infantry seeking to move under cover of darkness. The Russians appear to have ignored the fact that most of the armored vehicles Ukraine receives from NATO countries have night vision capability. In theory, this severely restricts Russian mobility. If there is heavy fog, especially at night, the Russians can move safely, although slowly.

The M2s are more mobile than a tank and their 25mm autocannon is more effective against infantry and light armored vehicles than the main gun of a tank. Moreover, tanks only carry a few dozen shells for their 125mm main gun compared to 600 or more 25mm shells on the M2. Ukrainian forces use their M2s frequently and nearly 20 percent of them have been lost in combat. One M2 was captured intact by the Russians, who had never had possession of an intact M2 before. Russian technical exports are examining the M2 in detail to so if they can find any unknown, to them, weaknesses.

Ukraine has also received many more of the M2s predecessor, the M113. The M113 has been around since the early 1960s and is still used as an armored transport. The current version is the M113A3 version, which is the standard for most of the 10,000 M113s still used by the U.S. Army. The U.S. sent hundreds more M113s after Ukraine found the initial shipment suitable. About 30,000 M113s are still used by several dozen nations. Most M113s still operational are used for support roles although Israel still uses them in combat. Ukraine also found the M113 very useful as a support vehicle. For combat the M2 is far superior.

The M113 is a boxy armored vehicle that entered service in 1961 with American army armored units and from 1963 on saw combat in Vietnam. It served effectively during the Vietnam War and was the main American APC (Armored Personnel Carrier) throughout most of the Cold War. About 80,000 M113s were manufactured between 1960 and 2007. At 13 tons, although often closer to 15 tons with added armor and other accessories, the M113 is lighter than the M2 IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicles) and wheeled Stryker that replaced it in the combat role after the 1980s.

The major shortcoming of the M113, as well as the M2, is the time and expense of keeping them running compared to wheeled armored vehicles. Thats because they run on tracks like a tank. The lighter M113 has a max speed of only 65 kilometers an hour compared to at least 100 for wheeled armored vehicles. M113 tracks wear out quickly and have to be replaced at great expense, over $10,000 a set, every 6,000 kilometers or less. Traveling on roads wears out the tracks faster. The tracks also limit how much weight you can add. All American M113s have gone through the RISE, or reliability improvements for selected equipment upgrades. This included a new, more powerful engine, several other improved mechanical components as well as new electronics. RISE began in the late 1980s when the U.S. Army had 20,000 M113s in service. Export customers carried out similar upgrades or had the Americans do it.

The M113 is still in use because it proved to be a very flexible and reliable platform, lending itself to modifications by many of the dozens of armed forces that still use it or once did. Some countries have added turrets, mounting 25mm autocannon. By the 1990s an updated M-113 cost less than $2 million each. This late model M-113 had much better armor protection and reliability but was still inferior to the M-2 that replaced it as an infantry combat vehicle.

In the 1980s the M113 was joined, but not replaced by nearly 5,000 25-ton M2 Bradley IFVs. The M2 required more maintenance to keep it operational and, like the M113, required regular track replacement after every. The M2 cost $3 million each, compared to $200,000 for a late model M113.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20231230/ukraine-thinks-like-a-warmonger---russian-foreign-ministry-1115886370.html

Ukraine Thinks Like a Warmonger - Russian Foreign Ministry

Ukraine Thinks Like a Warmonger - Russian Foreign Ministry

Moscow sees no political will for peace either in Kiev or in the West, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin told Sputnik.

2023-12-30T02:06+0000

2023-12-30T02:06+0000

2023-12-30T03:04+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

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The official reiterated that "a comprehensive, sustainable, and fair settlement of the Ukraine conflict depends to a large extent on the elimination of its root causes." According to the top diplomat, "Ukraine's neutral, non-aligned, and nuclear-free status should be confirmed and its demilitarization and denazification should be carried out. New territorial realities should be recognized, and the rights of Russian-speaking citizens and national minorities living in this country should be ensured." "The Kiev regime rejects peace mediation initiatives presented by various countries over the past months," the official emphasized. Meanwhile, he noted that "the so-called 'peace formula' proposed by the Ukrainian president last November and presented by him and his Western partners as almost a final settlement plan in fact has nothing to do with peace, but is a set of ultimatums to Russia justifying the continuation of hostilities." "Washington and its NATO subordinates eagerly support Kiev on this, satisfying the growing military appetites of Volodymyr Zelensky's regime. All of this only delays the conflict settlement," he added. The top diplomat stressed that Russia has never refused to negotiate with Ukraine and has always advocated for a political solution to the conflict.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231126/russian-embassy-asks-uk-to-clarify-its-role-in-disrupting-peace-talks-with-ukraine-1115219899.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231214/putin-there-will-be-peace-when-russia-achieves-military-ops-goals-1115572687.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231230/ukrainian-forces-shell-center-of-russias-belgorod-at-least-two-children-reportedly-killed-1115894731.html

Ukrainian Forces Shell Center of Russia's Belgorod: 10 Killed, 45 Wounded - VIDEO

Ukrainian Forces Shell Center of Russia's Belgorod: 10 Killed, 45 Wounded - VIDEO

Ukrainian forces shelled the center of the Russian city of Belgorod. According to the preliminary data, at least two children were killed and several civilians were wounded, said the governor of the Belgorod region Vyacheslav Gladkov.

2023-12-30T12:40+0000

2023-12-30T12:40+0000

2023-12-30T18:17+0000

russia

ukraine

belgorod

belgorod region

russia

russia's belgorod shelled by ukraine

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At least 10 people including one child were killed and 45 others wounded in a massive shelling of the Russian city of Belgorod by Ukraine, the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry stated."In Belgorod, nine adults and one child were killed as a result of a shelling by the Ukrainian armed forces. Forty-five people were injured, including four children. Information to be updated," the ministry said on Telegram.Earlier in the day, Belgorod Region Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said that the Ukrainian military shelled the center of Belgorod, killing two children and injuring some people, according to preliminary information. He added that air raid sirens went off in the city and urged residents to take shelter. The siren sounded for at least 10 minutes, a Sputnik correspondent reported.At around 3 pm local time, explosions were heard in Belgorod, after which black smoke was visible over the city. A few minutes later, the siren began to sound. Security services blocked the intersection of Bogdan Khmelnytsky Street and Slavy Avenue. Motorists and pedestrians were advised to avoid the area.The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that on Friday night, Russian air defense systems destroyed 13 rockets over the Belgorod region. The regions governor said that as a result of a direct hit by a shell on a private house during the massive shelling of Belgorod, one person was killed and four were wounded.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231229/ukraine-strikes-private-house-in-russias-belgorod-killing-civilian--injuring-four-1115883732.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231230/ukrainian-unmanned-boat-discovered-and-destroyed-in-black-sea-1115889984.html

Ukrainian Unmanned Boat Discovered and Destroyed in Black Sea

Ukrainian Unmanned Boat Discovered and Destroyed in Black Sea

An unmanned Ukrainian boat heading for Crimea was destroyed in the Black Sea on Saturday morning, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

2023-12-30T07:49+0000

2023-12-30T07:49+0000

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russia's special operation in ukraine

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"On December 30 at about 10:00 Moscow time, an unmanned boat of the Ukrainian Navy was detected in the northwestern part of the Black Sea waters, heading for the Crimean Peninsula. The detected target was destroyed from the regular armament of the Black Sea Fleet patrol boat", the Russian Defense Ministry said.Ukraine has been sending drones and missiles into the Russian territory almost daily since it launched a counteroffensive in early June. The United Nations said in August, following a botched drone strike on Moscow, that it did not want to see any targeting of civilian infrastructure.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231006/russian-helicopter-destroys-ukrainian-unmanned-boat-heading-towards-crimea---mod-1113978533.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231230/un-on-strike-on-belgorod-attacks-on-civilians-unacceptable-violate-international-law-1115902550.html

UN on Strike on Belgorod: Attacks on Civilians Unacceptable, Violate International Law

UN on Strike on Belgorod: Attacks on Civilians Unacceptable, Violate International Law

Attacks on civilian infrastructure and civilians, similar to Ukraine's strike on Russia's Belgorod, are unacceptable and violate international humanitarian law, the office of United Nations spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told Sputnik on Saturday.

2023-12-30T19:15+0000

2023-12-30T19:15+0000

2023-12-30T19:15+0000

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Earlier in the day, Belgorod Region Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said Ukraine had shelled the central part of the city. As a result of the attack, at least 14 people, including two children, were killed and over a hundred others injured, the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations said.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231230/belgorod-terror-bombing-signals-ukraines-desperation---former-us-army-colonel-1115901164.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231230/unsc-to-discuss-ukraines-use-of-cluster-munitions-in-attack-on-belgorod---moscow-1115901734.html

UNSC to Discuss Ukraine's Use of Cluster Munitions in Attack on Belgorod - Moscow

UNSC to Discuss Ukraine's Use of Cluster Munitions in Attack on Belgorod - Moscow

An emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council on the attack on the Russian city of Belgorod by the Ukrainian military will discuss, among other matters, the use of cluster munitions in the deadly strike, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Saturday.

2023-12-30T18:01+0000

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russia's belgorod shelled by ukraine

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A UN Security Council meeting in connection with the shelling of Belgorod has been scheduled for 00:00 a.m. Moscow time (21:00 GMT)"The terrorist attack on Belgorod will also be the subject of examination by the UN Security Council, including on the issue of Ukrainian terrorists' use of cluster munitions banned in most countries of the world to attack civilians, as well as the supply sources of these deadly weapons," the ministry said on Telegram.Meanwhile, the United States does not encourage or enable Ukraine to carry out attacks inside Russia, similar to the deadly strike on Belgorod, a US State Department spokesperson told Sputnik on Saturday."We have made clear we don't encourage or enable such attacks," the spokesperson said, when reached for comments.Earlier in the day, Belgorod Region Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said Ukraine had shelled the central part of the city. As a result of the attack, 14 people, including two children, were killed and 108 others were wounded, the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations. The Russian Defense Ministry said Kiev used cluster munitions in the attack.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231230/criminal-belgorod-strikes-designed-to-distract-from-kiev-regimes-failures-at-front-russian-mod-1115899330.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231230/us-wants-to-use-south-caucasus-to-open-second-front-against-russia---moscow-1115889700.html

US Wants to Use South Caucasus to 'Open Second Front' Against Russia - Moscow

US Wants to Use South Caucasus to 'Open Second Front' Against Russia - Moscow

US is considering using the South Caucasus as a springboard for opening a second front against Moscow, noted Deputy Russian Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin.

2023-12-30T07:38+0000

2023-12-30T07:38+0000

2023-12-30T08:33+0000

world

russia

armenia

azerbaijan

nagorno-karabakh conflict

nikol pashinyan

maria zakharova

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Amid the NATO-led proxy war against Russia in Ukraine, the United States is considering using the South Caucasus as a springboard for opening a second front against Moscow, Deputy Russian Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin said in an interview with Sputnik.Washington has long made no secret of its plans regarding Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan, he said, adding that all this fundamentally contradicts the genuine interests of the people of the region.After Russia launched its special military operation in Ukraine in February 2022, the West's pressure on Russia's neighbors, allies, and partners has dramatically escalated. Thus, Washington has been muddying the waters between Moscow and Yerevan, especially in the wake of the recent Nagorno-Karabakh flare-up. During the flare-up of Karabakh tensions, senior US officials, including the chief of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), Samantha Power, and Yuri Kim, acting assistant secretary of state for Europe and Eurasian affairs, were quick to converge on Armenia's capital Yerevan to affirm US support for Armenias sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and democracy." The Armenian Defense Ministry announced in September it would carry out joint military exercises with the US, dubbed "Eagle Partner 2023," that would involve "stabilization tasks between conflicting parties during the peacekeeping mission." Yerevan also signaled readiness to continue cooperation with NATO within the Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP), while Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, in an interview with Italian outlet La Repubblica, claimed Russia's peacekeeping mission in Nagorno-Karabakh had "failed," and that Russia was "leaving" the South Caucasus.In response, the Kremlin underscored that "Russia is an absolutely integral part of this region, so it cannot go anywhere," with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasizing that the US-Armenian drills caused concern, "especially in the current situation."Earlier in the year, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova noted that Armenia has been demonstrating its intention to radically reorient its foreign policy.In my opinion, this is being done clearly at the suggestion or prompting of the West, Zakharova said at a briefing in November. Commenting on a statement by Secretary of Armenia's Security Council Armen Grigoryan, who said that Armenia is not aware of Moscows proposals on a peace treaty between Yerevan and Baku, as well as the delivery of military equipment such as Bastion armored personnel carriers to the country by France, Zakharova said that Yerevan appears eager to negotiate a peace treaty in Washington, Brussels, although neither the US nor the EU can be considered bona fide intermediaries for a variety of reasons. The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman emphasized that the actions of the United States and the European Union were aimed at ousting Russia from the South Caucasus.She added that Yerevans reckless bet that the West will help them has failed.In November, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Armenia had negotiated the basic principles of a future peace agreement with Azerbaijan, but Baku had not yet confirmed its commitment to the three principles proposed by Yerevan."The basic peace principles have been agreed with Azerbaijan. This happened as a result of my meetings in Brussels with Azerbaijani President [Ilham Aliyev] mediated by European Council President Charles Michel," Pashinyan said. Yerevan and Baku started discussing a future peace deal in 2022 with the mediation of Russia, the European Union, and the United States.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230926/us-seeks-to-minimize-level-of-armenia-russia-relations-amid-nagorno-karabakh-tensions-1113688568.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230920/how-russian-peacekeepers-stopped-hostilities-in-nagorno-karabakh--1113540718.html

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washington's proxy war against russia in ukraine, south caucasus as a springboard for opening second front against moscow, nagorno-karabakh conflict,
https://sputnikglobe.com/20231230/watch-russian-forces-storm-ukrainian-positions-in-kupyansk-direction-1115888251.html

Watch: Russian Forces Storm Ukrainian Positions in Kupyansk Direction

Watch: Russian Forces Storm Ukrainian Positions in Kupyansk Direction

The Russian Defense Ministry has released footage of formations of the Zapad Battlegroup storming the positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Kupyansk region.

2023-12-30T05:20+0000

2023-12-30T05:20+0000

2023-12-30T05:20+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

sergei shoigu

russia

ukraine

russian defense ministry

ukrainian armed forces

video

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The Russian Defense Ministry has released footage of formations of Battlegroup Zapad storming the positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Kupyansk region. First-person footage clearly shows the high accuracy of the 30 mm BMP-2 gun. The Russian BMP-2 is a versatile infantry fighting vehicle that has proven to be a formidable asset on the battlefield. The Ukrainian Armed Forces launched the counteroffensive on June 4, but were unable to overcome even the tactical defense zone of Russia, suffering huge losses in the Zaporozhye direction, Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov said.

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Formations of the Western Battlegroup stormed the positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Kupyansk region Formations of the Western Battlegroup stormed the positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Kupyansk region 2023-12-30T05:20+0000 true PT0M32S

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231230/watch-russian-su-25-aircraft-strike-ukrainian-strongholds-and-manpower-1115891813.html

Watch Russian Su-25 Aircraft Strike Ukrainian Strongholds and Manpower

Watch Russian Su-25 Aircraft Strike Ukrainian Strongholds and Manpower

The Russian Defense Ministry has released footage of Su-25 attack aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces striking enemy positions and personnel in the Donetsk region.

2023-12-30T10:01+0000

2023-12-30T10:01+0000

2023-12-30T10:01+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

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russian defense ministry

russian aerospace forces

donetsk

russia

ukraine

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The Russian Defense Ministry has released footage of Su-25 attack aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces striking enemy positions and personnel in the Donetsk region. The attack was carried out with S-8 unguided air missiles. According to the gunner's report, all the designated targets were successfully hit.The targets were attacked at an extremely low altitude of only 25 meters above ground.

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The crews of Russian Su-25 attack aircraft hit enemy strongholds and manpower in the Donetsk direction The crews of Russian Su-25 attack aircraft hit enemy strongholds and manpower in the Donetsk direction 2023-12-30T10:01+0000 true PT0M36S

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Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol have apprehended the suspect of a shooting investigation. The shooting occurred in Saratoga, Wyoming, on Dec. 16.

According to information released by the NSP, on Wednesday evening, troopers received information that a suspect wanted in connection with the shooting may be traveling through Nebraska. At approximately 10:20 p.m. a trooper located the vehicle in which the suspect was believed to be traveling, a BMW SUV, as it was driving westbound on Interstate 80 near Gothenburg, near mile marker 210.